A Publication of Lajna Ima’illah & Lajna Matters Nasiratul Ahmadiyya USA 7 Thwal-Hijjah 1435– 9 Rabi al-awal 436 Issue 4 - 2014 October—December 2014 Holy Qur’an Those who spend in prosperity and Special Features adversity, and those who suppress The Glorious Qur’an anger and pardon men; and Allah Message from Sadr Lajna loves those who do good (3:135). Correspondence Reports Khidmat-e-Khalq Matters Tarbiyat Matters Tabligh Matters And good and evil are not alike. Repel Publication Matters evil with that which is best. And lo, he Nasirat Matters between whom and thyself was enmity Regional Matters Local Matters will become as though he were a warm Urdu Section friend (41:35). And he who is patient and forgives — All members are that surely is a matter of strong asked to make use of determination (42:44). the resources provided by Jama’at and Lajna in order to improve their reading Take to forgiveness, and enjoin and their comprehension of the kindness, and turn away from the Holy Qur’an. All Ma- ignorant (7:20). jalis are requested to spend 10-15 minutes during their General Meetings to improve ‘Those who say, ‘Our Lord, we do their believe; forgive us, therefore, our sins Tarteel. and save us from the punishment of the Fire; ‘The steadfast, and the truthful, and the humble, and those who spend in the way of God, and those who seek forgiveness in the latter part of the night’ (3:17 &18). Lajna Matters 4th Quarter Issue, 2014 2 of 48 Ahadith Abu Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: The strong one is not he who knocks out others in wrestling, the strong one is he who keeps control over himself when he is roused (Bokhari and Muslim). Ayesha relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said: Allah is Gentle and loves gentleness and bestows upon gentleness that which He does not bestow upon harshness or anything else (Muslim). Hazrat Anas relates that he heard the Holy Prophetsaw say, ‘Allah the Exalted has said: ‘Son of Adam, I shall continue to forgive thee so long as thou callest on Me and hopest for My forgiveness, whatever may be thy defaults. I care not, son of Adam, even if thy sins should pile up to the sky and thou shouldst supplicate Me for forgiveness I would forgive thee. Son of Adam, if thou camest to me with an earthful of sins and meetest Me, not associating aught with Me, I would come to thee with an earthful of forgiveness’ (Tirmidhi). Writings of the Promised Messiahas Whoever is not constantly turning to prayer, and does not remember Him in absolute humility of spirit is not of my community. … Whosoever does not respect his parents… and is neglectful in rendering to them the service to which they are undoubtedly entitled, he is not of my community. Whosoever does not live with his wife and her relations with gentleness, goodness and magnanimity, he is not of my community. … Whosoever has no wish to forgive the faults of those who may have transgressed against him, and desires to nurse malice, he is not of my community. Every man or woman who is dishonest towards his or her spouse is not of my community (Our Teaching, p.16). Walk upon the earth with good hearts, pure tempers, and pure thoughts. Not every evil is worth fighting, so cultivate the habit of forgiveness and overlooking faults, and behave with steadfastness and meekness. Do not attack anyone improperly and keep your passions under complete control (The Announcement, p. 2). And how shameful would it be if I retaliate and intentionally pay back in the same coin a brother of mine who has spoken to me harshly in a fit of emotion. I should be forbearing and disregard his behavior and pray fervently for his reformation in my Salat…. A true believer is soft of heart and very humble and he considers himself to be the lowest of all because he has discarded all kinds of vanity and pride. …. To do good in return for wrongdoing is a desirable felicity and a sign of good fortune, while to suppress anger and forbear acrimonious remarks is the finest kind of valor (Roohani Khazain, p. 395). 3 of 48 Lajna Matters 4th Quarter Issue, 2014 National Correspondence Message from National Sadr Lajna Ima’illah, Saliha Malik There is no doubt that the greatest blessing from Allah is to be granted forgiveness from Him. In fact, we realize that even if others have forgiven us our failings and our trespasses against them we are not saved from the consequences of our sins unless Allah forgives us. We were reminded of our Bai’at (pledge of allegiance) at the UK Jalsa Salana: Oh my Lord, My Allah, I have wronged my soul and confess all my sins, pray forgive me my sins for there is none else except Thee to forgive. Therefore, my dear sisters, while we are engaged in our plan of self-reformation and seeking to purify our hearts, let us pay particular attention to our own capacity for forgiving others. If we hope and pray for Allah’s forgiveness upon our own selves, how can we expect such a gift if we ourselves hold grudges, harbor hatred and refuse to forgive others? Our beloved Holy Prophet, Muhammadsaw and his ardent devotee, the Imam of the Latter Days, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas imbued the colors of Allah so completely and were the best examples for us follow. Their capacity for forgiveness in both small matters and with regard to their vicious enemies melts all hearts and leaves us speechless. Recently in his Friday Sermon, ‘The Ireland Mosque’, Huzooratba pointed out that we claim these are our teachings. So do we practice them? And are we ready to be questioned? They can say we talk about maintaining good conduct with relatives and people, but are our own actions in accordance with it? They can say that you maintain Islam teaches repressing anger and pardoning others but do you practice this in your daily lives? (Friday sermon 9/26/2014). The best way to increase our awareness of our own conduct in this regard is through our earnest and heartfelt prayers and by constantly seeking forgiveness from Allah in all sincerity, and Allah is most Forgiving, Merciful. May Allah enable us to be gentle, loving and forgiving people so that we may be the best example for our children and others and so that we may attract His Mercy, Ameen. Lajna Matters 4th Quarter Issue, 2014 4 of 48 National Correspondence Letters from the office of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Khamisatba December 8, 2014 Dear Sadr Lajna Ima’illah USA, Assalamo Alaikum wa rahmatullahe I have received your activity report for August 2014, together with a letter dated 1st November 2014 requesting prayers for yourself and your family, Jazakumullah. It is pleasing to read that by the Grace of Allah, Jalsa Salana USA was successfully held with good attendance, may Allah the Almighty bless all attendees and may He reward all those members who made the Jalsa Salana USA a success through their hard work and dedication. May Allah enable Lajna Ima’illah USA to fulfill their duties in an exemplary manner and excel in all aspects of Jama’at work. I pray that may Allah help and guide you to render sincere services as National Lajna Ima’illah USA Sadr effectively. May He bless you and your dear ones with good health and tranquil, anxiety free lives and enable you to benefit from strengthened bonds with the Jama’at and the Khilafat. May Allah fulfill all your sincere and pious desires towards your children, Ameen. Please convey my loving salaam to all the Nasirat and Lajna Ima’illah members in USA. Wassalaam. Selection of Huzoor’satba Sermons Seek Allah's forgiveness, Repent and Seek His protection - January 13, 2012 Huzooratba recited the following verses at the start of his Friday sermon: ‘It teaches that you should worship none but Allah. I am to you a Warner, and a bearer of glad tidings from Him; And that you seek forgiveness of your Lord, and then turn to Him. He will provide for you a goodly provision until an appointed term. And He will grant His grace to every one possessed of merit. And if you turn away, then surely, I fear for you the punishment of a colossal day’ (Surah Hud, 3-4). Huzooratba said today there is turmoil everywhere in the world in one shape or the other. This 5 of 48 Lajna Matters 4th Quarter Issue, 2014 is a result of man forgetting his objective of creation, that is, inclination towards worship of God and endeavor to gain Divine nearness. Indeed, Divine nearness cannot be attained without worship of God. Explaining worship of God does not only entail offering the five daily Prayers. It includes offering them with due care and devoutness. It also necessitates keeping God in view in every matter and making an effort to imbue oneself in Divine hue. It necessitates following the blessed model of the Holy Prophetsaw in every matter and it also includes keeping the Divine attributes in view and trying and adopting them on a human level. One’s best effort to pay the dues of God and the dues of mankind are also necessary for this. Practicing these aspects make a Momin (believer) one who pays the dues of worship of God. Explaining the essence of the Qur’anic teachings, the Promised Messiahas said: ‘…you should worship none but Allah…’.