A Publication of Lajna Ima’illah & Lajna Matters Nasiratul Ahmadiyya USA 30 Jamadi’ul Awwal 1435 - 2 Ramadhan 1435 Issue 2 - 2014 April - June 2014 Holy Qur’an Special Features The Glorious Qur’an And say to the believing women that Message from Sadr Lajna Correspondence they restrain their eyes and guard Reports their private parts, and that they Khidmat-e-Khalq Matters Tarbiyat Matters disclose not their natural and Tabligh Matters artificial beauty except that which is Publication Matters apparent thereof, and that they draw Nasirat Matters Regional Matters their head-coverings over their Local Matters bosoms, and that they disclose not Urdu Section their beauty save to their husbands, or to their fathers, or the fathers of All members are their husbands or their sons or the asked to make use of sons of their husbands or their the resources provided by Jama’at brothers, or the sons of their and Lajna in order to brothers, or the sons of their sisters, improve their reading and their or their women, or what their right comprehension of the hands possess, or such of male Holy Qur’an. All Ma- attendants as have no sexual jalis are requested to spend 10-15 minutes appetite, or young children who during their General have no knowledge of the hidden Meetings to improve parts of women. And they strike not their Tarteel. their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become SAVE THE DATE! known. And turn ye to Allah all Jalsa Salana, USA together, O believers that you may Harrisburg, PA succeed (24:32). August 15-17 JALSA BULLETIN will follow soon. Lajna Matters 2nd Quarter Issue, 2014 2 of 44 O Prophet! Tell thy wives and thy daughters and the women of the believers that they should draw close to them portions of their loose outer coverings. That is nearer that they may thus be distinguished and not molested. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful (33:60). O children of Adam! Look to your adornment at every time and place of worship, and eat and drink but exceed not the bounds; surely, He does not love those who exceed the bounds (7:32). Call upon your Lord in humility and in secret. Surely, He does not love the transgressors (7:56). Ahadith Abu Sa’id Khudri relates that the Holy Prophetsaw was more modest than a virgin behind her veil and that when something displeased him we could perceive it from his face (Bukhari & Muslim). Abdullah Ibn Umar narrated that the Holy Prophetsaw said, ‘Indeed Haya’a (modesty) and Iman (faith) are companions. When one of them is lifted, the other leaves as well’ (Baihaqi). Hazrat Ubadah bin as-Samit relates that the Holy Prophetsaw said, ‘If you guarantee me six things on your part, I shall guarantee you Paradise: Speak the truth when you talk Keep a promise when you make it When you are trusted with something fulfill your trust Avoid sexual immorality Lower your eyes Restrain your hands from injustice’ (Tirmidhi) 3 of 44 Lajna Matters 2nd Quarter Issue, 2014 Writings of the Promised Messiahas The lawful Purdah is that you should make a sort of ring with the Chaaddur (shawl) to cover the head and the hair, covering up the forehead and the chin, and cover up every place of your beauty (Khutba 1/30/2004). The Islamic system of the veil does not at all require women to be shut up as in a prison. What the Holy Qur’an directs is that women should avoid displaying their beauty and should not look at strange men. Those women who have to go out in order to fulfill their responsibilities may do so, but they must guard their glances (Malfoozat Vol 1 p. 430). As God Almighty desires that our eyes and hearts and all our limbs and our susceptibilities should remain pure, He has furnished us with this excellent teaching. There can be no doubt that lack of restraint causes missteps. If we place soft bread before a hungry dog, it will be vain to hope that the dog will pay no attention to it. Thus God Almighty desired that human faculties should not be provided with any occasion for secret functioning and should not be confronted with anything that might incite dangerous tendencies (Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 10, pp 343, 344). A fair minded person will appreciate that the free mixing of men and women and their going about together would expose them to the risk of succumbing to the flare of their emotions. It has been observed that some people see no harm in a man and a woman being alone together behind closed doors. This is considered civilized behavior. To avoid such untoward situations from arising, the Law Giver of Islam has forbidden such acts as might prove to be a temptation for anyone (Malfoozat Vol 5, p33). National Correspondence Message from Sadr Lajna Ima’illah—Saliha Malik My Dear Sisters, The observance of Purdah, which includes the separation of the sexes in all social and religious functions, is a fundamental part of Islam. Living in our Western permissive society, we often stand alone with these values of modesty. However, Allah’s plan for the purification of people, both as individuals and for the society as a whole, becomes clear to all those who resolve and remain steadfast in this practice. Allah promises in the Holy Qur’an: ‘And as for those who strive in Our path — We will surely guide them in Our ways. And verily Allah is with those who do good’ (29:70). Therefore, when a girl or a woman takes up the hijab and her observance of Purdah in all sincerity, all kinds of doors open for her and she grows in moral and spiritual ways from strength to strength. In facing any challenges on that journey she may even directly experience how Allah Almighty comes with His Loving Support and Helping Power to those who strive in keeping His commandments. Even unexpected worldly opportunities come her way. The touch of Grace from Allah the Almighty, in the face of any difficulty encountered in His Way, makes the heart bow down in profound gratitude and gives the supplicant lasting joy and deepens her faith, and Allah is the most Beneficent. The benefits of remaining steadfast in Purdah are many: We confront our egos – face up to vanity and self image We gain inner strength and courage, and yet we are not defiant We resolve to honor our pledge, increase in truthfulness, honesty and obedience to Allah and His Messenger We seek help from Allah in Prayer which helps us increase in humility and become closer to Him We encourage others by our example We spread the true Islam with our practice We represent the Community of the Promised Messiahas and stay loyal to Khilafat It is my earnest prayer that may Allah the Almighty enable every Ahmadi Lajna member in Jama’at USA to sincerely strive in the way of purdah, for her own progress and for the progress of our community. Our experience of security and peace in our own lives, our families and for our community is deeply contingent upon our obedience to Khilafat (24:56). May Allah bless each and every one of us in this most important Jihad, Ameen. Lajna Matters 2nd Quarter Issue, 2014 4 of 44 National Correspondence Letters from the office of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Khamisatba February 24, 2014 The report provides a good account of the activities carried out and reflects upon the Dear Sadr Lajna Ima’illah USA, dedication of your members. I am pleased to learn Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa that the West Coast Jalsa was successfully held and Barakatahu you had an opportunity to tour Majalis near Los Angeles. Personal visits provide an opportunity to I have received your report for the month of encourage and motivate members and also resolve November 2013, Jazaku’Mullah. any issues first hand. Your report demonstrates in detail that Lajna have May Allah shower His blessings on you, and made a good effort in all shobas. It is encouraging enable you to serve the Jama’at with to see that Tabligh efforts are frequent and on commitment, enthusiasm and make your efforts going and that 2 bait were achieved during this fruitful. Please convey my loving Salaam to all the month. Alhumdolillah. Nasirat and Lajna Ima’illah Please ensure that the members in USA. contacts made are maintained in a positive Wassalaam manner and that further Tabligh efforts are conducted in order to make new May 10, 2014 contacts. Jazaka’Mullah. Dear Sadr Lajna Ima’illah May Allah bless you for your USA, sincere efforts and enable Assalamo Alaikum Wa you to fulfill your duties with Rahmatullahi wa Barakatahu, the utmost zeal. Ameen. I have received your National Report, Lajna and Please convey my salaams to all the Nasirat and Nasirat Report for January 2014, your Annual Lajna in the USA. Waqfe Jadid Report for 2013 and a copy of your Wassalaam Lajna Matters newsletter. Jazaku’Mullah. It is encouraging to note that various activities have occurred in January 2014. Your continued April 16, 2014 efforts in the Tabligh shoba are most pleasing. The Dear Sadr Lajna Ima’illah USA, Lajna Matters magazine is well presented, very informative and is a good source of knowledge for Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa members. May Allah continue to grant you with Barakatahu success and good tidings in all endeavors. Ameen. I have received your activity report for December Please convey my Salaam to all the Nasirat and 2013, together with your request for prayers.