Al Fazl, 31 July 1922
14 June 1922
[…] Tabligh efforts of Christians and Muslims
On the mention of tabligh matters, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] said:
“Currently, 60000 priests in the world are engaged in the propagation of Christianity and these are the people who are in-charge of their respective constituencies. Further, many men work under them and they spend several million rupees annually. However, the Muslims are completely oblivious to the preaching of Islam.
“There are both types of people in the world: Firstly, those who say we have no work to do. Secondly, those who do not find the means to do their work. Nowadays, Muslims generally think that there is no work suitable for them to do. On the other hand, we say that we do not have many resources with which we can spread Islam in the whole world.”
18 June 1922
Bai‘at-e-Khilafat of Hazrat Fatima
A person asked whether Hazrat Fatimara performed bai‘at of Hazrat Abu Bakrra or not.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“Surely, Hazrat Fatimara pledged bai‘at. She pledged her allegiance in the same manner as the other women of her time. The ladies did not pledge bai‘at of the Khulafa like men. The allegiance of their elders was considered their bai‘at and this is proven by history.”
The matter of Bagh-e-Fadak
Question: Hazrat Fatimara had a dispute with Hazrat Abu Bakrra in the matter of Bagh-e-Fadak, what is the truth behind this matter?
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“Hazrat Fatimara had no dispute with Hazrat Abu Bakrra in the matter of Fadak, rather she had an argument with the state. Don’t some people argue with the authorities of the Jamaat regarding their rights?”
Hazrat Fatima’s will
Question: What is your understanding of the narrations that Hazrat Fatimara made a will that she would not offer the funeral of Hazrat Abu Bakrra?
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“Such narrations are fabricated and they are all false.”
The truth behind the silence of Hazrat Fatima
A person asked that it is mentioned in the ahadith that Hazrat Fatimara got angry with Hazrat Abu Bakrra and لم تتكلم۔۔۔ الخ [“She did not speak (with Hazrat Abu Bakrra till she passed away)”]. Consequently, she never spoke to Hazrat Abu Bakrra.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“Hazrat Fatimara was not a man but a woman. If it is proved that Hazrat Hafsara used to go and sit in the assembly [of Hazrat Abu Bakrra] and talk and join in the discussions, then it will be accepted that Hazrat Fatimara never spoke to Hazrat Abu Bakrra. The fact is that when Hazrat Abu Bakrra replied with respect to Fadak, she got angry at that time and left. How does this prove that she never spoke to Hazrat Abu Bakrra throughout her life?
“On the contrary, it is found from certain narrations that Hazrat Fatimara لم تتكلم في ذالك, i.e. she did not talk on the aforementioned matter again. It is not that she did not speak up in any case. The different sects have come up with the aforesaid notion according to their own beliefs. However, these people should prove that Hazrat Hafsara used to come and hold discussions [with Hazrat Abu Bakrra], or Hazrat Saudahra, Hazrat Umm-e-Habibara, and other Ummahat-ul-Momineenra used to come and join the discussions, but Hazrat Fatimara never came. Then, their argument will be proved right, but when none of the women used to come and talk, then how is Hazrat Fatima’s displeasure proved by the fact that she would not join in discussions?
“If the intention is to draw out the meaning of one’s own liking, then we say that the meaning of لم تتكلم is that Hazrat Abu Bakr’s reply was so reasonable that Hazrat Fatimara could not answer and thus she went back silently.
“If a person is not considered to be beyond the realms of humanity, then there is no matter of dispute. However, the problem is that people sometimes consider a certain person out of the human realm. Hazrat Fatimara was angry, she was a woman and women have fragile hearts. She did not have knowledge as much as Hazrat Abu Bakrra did, so she could not have a debate with him. When she got the reply, she got angry and left. The Holy Prophetsa also once said to her when she asked for a girl servant that she would not get a servant, rather she should recite Subhan-Allah, Alhamdulillah and Allahuakbar, and it would serve as a servant for her.
“Many people consider a person out of the human realm and make them something else. Hazrat Fatimara was a woman. She wanted to inherit something from her father. Whether Hazrat Abu Bakr’s decision was right or wrong, though it was right in our view, he used to pay her expenses, so what is the issue if he did not give the share of Fadak?
“In fact, when Hazrat Fatimara presented the question [of Fadak] to Hazrat Abu Bakrra, he said that though he could not divide Fadak, he would definitely give them their expenses out of it and spend according to the sunnah [practice] of the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Abu Bakrra [would give them expenses] without fixing any amounts, but when Hazrat Umarra fixed the stipends of the Ahl al-Bayt [family members of the Holy Prophetsa], he gave the most share to Hazrat Abbasra, who was the uncle of the Holy Prophetsa, and then to the wives of the Holy Prophetsa, and to Hazrat Hassanra and Hussainra, and then to others. When a son of Hazrat Umarra complained, he reprimanded him severely saying that he had no right to be granted an equal share.
“Some ill-informed people had said regarding a house here that they were confiscating the property of Hazrat Maulvi Sahib’s [Khalifa Ira] children. However, that house has three plaintiffs. Firstly, the people from Hazrat Maulvi Sahib’s family. They say that it is theirs. Secondly, Hazrat Ummul Momineenra says that it is her house. Thirdly, I say that it is the house of the Jamaat and a part of the guest house. The objectors have raised an allegation, but they don’t observe that if we were to confiscate their house, then why would we bear their expenses? However, we are bearing their expenses.”
Revenue of Fadak
[Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said]:
“The revenue of Bagh-e-Fadak would go to the Holy Prophetsa during his lifetime and it was not even sufficient for him. Hazrat Aishara used to cry when she would see good food after the time of the Holy Prophetsa that such food was not available in those days and if it was, the Holy Prophetsa would have eaten it too. All the expenses of the Holy Prophetsa used to come out of the revenue of Fadak and the Khalifa also had the right as his successor. On the other hand, what could have Hazrat Fatimara got out of it? She used to get more wazaif [stipends] than that [i.e. revenue of Fadak].
The debate of Fadak and the intention of Hazrat Fatima
[Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said]:
“In my opinion, Hazrat Fatimara was not concerned about the revenue [of Fadak]. Rather, out of immense love, she wanted to get a share of her honourable father’s land [to keep his memory alive]. The objectors should at least ponder on the fact that it is not only the children who get the inheritance but the wives as well. If Hazrat Abu Bakrra did not give Hazrat Fatimara a share of her inheritance, then did he give his daughter Hazrat Aishara anything?
Bai‘at of Hazrat Ali
Question: Why did Hazrat Alira refrain from pledging bai‘at during the life of Hazrat Fatimara?
[Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said]:
“It is not proven that Hazrat Alira refrained from taking bai‘at, rather it is substantiated from authentic ahadith that he took bai‘at on the third day. In fact, it is established from some narrations that he took bai‘at on the same day or on the second day [after the demise of the Holy Prophetsa].
“As far as the question that why Hazrat Alira would not attend Hazrat Abu Bakrra as much as he used to attend his assembly during the time of the Holy Prophetsa is concerned, then the reason for this is obvious that Hazrat Fatimara was sick and he was taking care of her. Though she was his wife, being the daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Alira had great respect for her. Therefore, Hazrat Alira once also expressed this matter [to Hazrat Abu Bakrra] that he was engaged in taking care of Hazrat Fatimara.”
19 June 1922
Exalting someone other than Allah
A Sikh came, bowed down and brought his head near the knee of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. Huzoor[ra] immediately pushed his head away by his hand and said that it was forbidden. He said to Huzoor[ra], “You are lau [a light] for us and we come to see you.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih smiled and said, “The light is always witnessed by raising one’s head.”
Untouchability [of Dalits]
Regarding untouchability, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“This matter [of untouchability] is baseless. Generally, one will avoid any person who is unclean. However, if an individual of the chuhra [dalit caste in India and Pakistan] is clean or he washes his hands before your eyes (because he is not of the People of the Book, and after all, he does unclean work), then one can certainly allow them to touch the food and drink.
“However, if some forbidden thing is present on the hand of even a person from the People of the Book, for example, wine or particles of swine flesh, then the food they touch by their hands will become impure.”
20 June 1922
Waqf-e-zindagi [life devotion] and bai‘at
A friend asked, “What is the difference between waqf-e-zindagi [life devotion] and bai‘at? A person who takes bai‘at will also fulfill the instructions they receive, then what is the need to devote one’s life?”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“Every person used to take bai‘at of the Holy Prophetsa. Moreover, on special occasions, the Holy Prophetsa used to take bai‘at again. The point is that in the first bai‘at, a person intends that when he receives an instruction, he will act on it. On the other hand, a person who devotes his life turns his intention into action and gets ready to sacrifice everything. If the person who devotes his life takes up employment or any other work on his own, he makes a mockery of his waqf.”
21 June 1922
Bai‘at
[The following friends took bai‘at at the hand of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih]:
1. Ilmuddin
2. Allah Ditta
3. Saein
4. Amiruddin Kumharan, Qadian
26 June 1922
[Photography]
A friend asked whether it was permissible to earn a living by learning photography.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“It is generally permissible, but one should refrain from any prohibited aspects of it.”
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu published in the 31 July 1922 issue of Al Fazl)