Al Fazl, 16 February 1922
10 December 1921
Huzoor[ra] said, “There is a nikah [announcement], so the friends should keep seated.”
After reciting [the Arabic wording of] the nikah sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“The matter of nikah is one of the very few worldly matters that are delicate and important. There is a heavy responsibility on men and women in the matter of nikah. However, I observe that the people do not feel the significance of this [responsibility] as much as they should because the degree to what they feel is very low and in reality, it is much greater than that. What is that [responsibility]? We observe that a hidden [divine] power seems to be at work in the entire world that can be called an energy in the words of atheists. We will not get into the debate of whether it is an energy, a [divine] power or something else. However, there is a source which even an atheist cannot deny, by which human life is established. One can say like the Christian said that it [evolution] has started 6000 years ago, or like the people of Europe said that it has gradually developed after millions of years, or as our Sufis have said that this progress and development is gradual and the days mentioned in the Holy Quran are not what we think, but some [longer period of time] that amount to millions of years. Consequently, regarding one great change, Hazrat Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi stated his divine vision that it took place in 300,000 years. [The said transformation did] not occur suddenly from an insect, but in fact, that extraordinary transformation which resulted in the formation of human beings happened over a period of 300000 years. When man reached that stage, in the said long period of time, no other change is observed in mankind after it, which shows that the stages of worldly developments have come to an end on human beings.
“This is a rule that when the objective is achieved, the work is stopped. Therefore, if man had to become a more advanced human being, this change should have been apparent. However, as no other change has taken place in this long period, it seems that this purpose has been fulfilled. Some may think that we should wait as the said change may occur eventually. However, after a long period of time, we say that since [the Holy Quran], the word of God, has been revealed in all its glory, we know that there will be no more transformation. Now, this seems to be the Divine will that the human race may continue to advance in the same way as it is existing. The movements of the Sun, Moon and Stars, the movement of the air, the changes of the seasons, the manifestation of the earth’s effects, the birth of millions of birds, the existence of plants and non-living organisms, the purpose of all these things is that human beings may continue to be born and exist.
“There were two objectives: (1) The perfection of shariah; (2) The establishment of man. The shariah has been perfected and [as far as the second is concerned], until it is decided that mankind should be annihilated, this seems to be the will of God that human beings may continue to exist because the man’s heart is the throne of God on which His revelation is sent.
“Now take a look at what is nikah. The said transformation that took place between millions of years, and after the sacrifice of countless lives, millions upon millions, hundreds of thousands, in fact, after the annihilation of so many lives that a lot of ages are needed to count them, human beings came into existence. The purpose of nikah is to continue that human race that came into existence after such a great and significant transformation. There is no need to discuss how the first man was born. Now, the source of human birth is nikah, i.e. the union of a man and a woman from whom children are born.
“Apparently, nikah may seem like a trivial matter, but in reality, it is to maintain that transformation which took place after millions of years and to keep the human race growing. It is for this reason that men and women establish relationships and nikah is for the fulfilment of this purpose. This [nikah] is such an important matter that after the relationship with God, […] its fulfilment and fortification come second. There are basically two kinds of rights according to the shariah. One is the rights of Allah and the other is the rights of mankind, so it is as if nikah is like a second foot. The shariah has deemed it very important but there are many people who do not understand its significance and do not get the benefits that are present in it. Their example is like that innocent child who finds a beautiful diamond but does not know its value. Consequently, even if he is given a single rupee in exchange for it [diamond], he becomes ready to give it away. However, if he finds out [its true value], he will never abandon it even for 10,000 rupees. Hence, since people generally do not know the significance of the matter of nikah, they do not take advantage of its benefits. It is therefore important that the people of our Jamaat understand the meaning of nikah and try to fulfil this [responsibility].”
17 December 1921
The recruitment of Muslims into the armies
Hafiz Roshan Ali Sahib asked [Huzoorra] about the matter which is raised by the Muslims that it is illegal to join the government’s army because as a result, they will have to kill other Muslims. [Hafiz Sahib] submitted that if it is implemented then no Muslim can be recruited in any government’s army, whether it is the army of Turks or Afghans.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said:
“This matter has nothing to do with us and moreover, these are political issues. The Muslims have always killed each other [while fighting in opposite armies] and will continue to do so.”
A divine vision
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih[ra] said:
“It was probably last night that I saw a divine vision. I saw the Promised Messiahas in that vision. A few Paighamis [those who did not take bai‘at of the second Khalifa] were also sitting around. I was in that gathering as well. The Paighamis asked a question that what was it like for Muslims to kill Muslims. I was shocked by their question because I thought that they had criticised me in that way and they were taking fatwa [religious edict] without presenting all the conditions and circumstances. [I thought] it was possible that the Promised Messiahas might say something on that matter and the said people would spread it against us. I got up from my place and came close to the Promised Messiahas and at that time, the Promised Messiah’sas appearance changed into my mother. Although the appearance was that of my mother, I felt that he was the Promised Messiahas. (The said appearance signifies kindness and compassion). I said [to the Promised Messiahas] that a battle took place in Somaliland in the time of Huzooras and the Ahmadis joined the army of the government and fought against the Muslims. Addressing Hafiz Sahib, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that at that time, I also mentioned the name of his brother, Dr Rehmat Ali Sahib, and then said [to the Promised Messiahas] that as he had taught loyalty to the government, I do everything in accordance to it. The Promised Messiahas replied, ‘The same is my maslak [stance].’”
Regarding saving the world from war, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“There are two ways for this that either the whole world comes under the banner of Islam or the anti-war spirit is produced in the hearts [of the people] of the world.
18 December 1921
[… A poem]
After the recitation of a poem, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said to Maulvi Syed Abu Muhammad Mahfooz-ul-Haq Sahib that he had not heard his poetical work for a long time. On this, Maulana Sahib recited a sublime poem in which the following couplet was added by tazmin [introducing verses of someone else in one’s own work]:
دربارِ عام گرم ہوا اشتہار دو
جنّ و بشر سلام كو آئیں پكار دو
[“The public court has been opened, so spread the word. Make the announcement that the jinn and mankind may come to say salaam.”]
[Maulana Sahib] submitted that he had divided it [poem] into two different parts, one was published in Al Fazl, the other was the one he presented, (which has also been published). He said that he went to Calcutta and wrote that poem, but could not write any other poem after that. Huzoor[ra] asked, “Is the atmosphere of Calcutta not favourable for writing poetry?”
20 December 1921
The prophets do not hatch schemes
During a discussion on politics, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“A non-Ahmadi came to the Promised Messiahas and said to him, ‘Before the claim [of Messiahship], you should have gathered the Maulvis and presented the state of Islam and the ills of the Christians. Then, you would have asked them what to do. They would have asked you to tell them what to do, and you should have then raised the issue of Jesus’sas death. At that time, the Maulvis would have accepted it. Then, you should have drawn their attention towards your claim [of Messiahship] in a way of consultation that someone from the ummah of Muhammadsa should appear. Those Maulvis would have said that you are the one who is worthy of being that [Messiah]. In this way, there would have been no conflict.’”
Maulvi Syed Mahfooz-ul-Haq Sahib asked what was the response of the Promised Messiahas when that person said that to him.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said:
“The Promised Messiahas said, ‘If it [claim of Messiahship] was a human proposition (scheme), I would have done exactly that [what was suggested by that non-Ahmadi].’”
(Translated by Al Hakam from the original Urdu in the 16 February 1922 issue of Al Fazl)
