The magnificent rights Islam affords to women and men: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V delivers concluding address at Jalsa Salana UK 2022

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At 16:15 BST on 7 August 2022, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand, arrived in the men’s marquee for the concluding session of Jalsa Salana UK 2022.

After conveying salaam to everyone, Huzooraa invited Abdul Momin Tahir Sahib to recite a portion of the Holy Quran and its Urdu translation by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra – the portion recited was verses 37-41 of Surah al-Nisa. 

Huzooraa then called Rabi Mufleh Odeh Sahib to recite an Arabic qaseeda written by the Promised Messiahas in praise of the Holy Prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, after which Hafiz Saeedur Rahman Sahib was invited to present the Urdu translation of the recited couplets.

Musawer Ahmad Sahib was then called to the podium to recite an Urdu nazm written by the Promised Messiahas in honour of the Holy Quran. 

Huzooraa then invited the UK Secretary Talim, Nadimur Rahman Sahib to announce the names of students who had achieved academic excellence in the year 2021-22. He said that just under 500 names were received, with 192 approved for Lajna and 161 approved for men.

Amir Jamaat UK was then invited to announce the Ahmadiyya Muslim Peace Prize. This year, the 14th winner of the prize was Dr Tada Toshi Akaba, former mayor of the city of Hiroshima and known for being a strong advocate for global nuclear disarmament. The prize would be handed to him at the next Peace Symposium. 

At 16:57 BST, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa took to the podium and after conveying salaam, he recited tashahudta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah. 

Huzooraa said that Islam had established rights in every sphere of life, something which he alluded to in his concluding addresses at Jalsa Salana UK 2019 and 2021. The extent to which Allah has outlined the various rights of peoples in Islam and the rights of people which the Holy Prophetsa established cannot be covered in a few hours. Huzooraa said that he would talk on that. 

Islam has declared that no other religion has established rights and outlined them the way Islam’s teachings have. When a just individual hears of these rights, they become aware of the beautiful teachings of Islam and they are compelled to acknowledge the wonderful teachings of Islam. A just individual will always acknowledge that those who raise allegations against its teachings are in the wrong – this is something that is witnessed the world over when guests attend our functions. 

It is our duty to continue to inform the world of the beautiful teachings of Islam and refute the allegations of opponents of Islam. 

The first right which Huzooraa said he would elaborate on was the rights of men and women. Huzooraa said that there were many movements that declared they were working towards the rights of both men and women, yet sometimes blatant imbalances were noticed. For many, it has become such a difficult issue to tackle that they struggle to go about it. By declaring women and men equal, they consider that they have done a remarkable job; however, they do not delve into the details and consider the intricacies that need to be considered for the declaration of rights of men and women. There are many aspects that are left unconsidered. What Islam says in this regard, however, was what Huzooraa would be talking about. 

When the Holy Prophetsa was appointed as a prophet and the Quran was revealed, the rights of women and men were established and outlined. It is Allah’s grace that he sent someone to explain the beauties of the Holy Quran later in this day and age, in the form of the Promised Messiahas

In one place, Allah states in the Holy Quran:

يٰۤاَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوۡا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِيۡ خَلَقَكُمۡ مِّنۡ نَّفۡسٍ وَّاحِدَةٍ وَّخَلَقَ مِنۡهَا زَوۡجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنۡهُمَا رِجَالًا كَثِيۡرًا وَّنِسَآءً ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰهَ الَّذِيۡ تَسَآءَلُوۡنَ بِهٖ وَالۡاَرۡحَامَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ كَانَ عَلَيۡكُمۡ رَقِيۡبًا

“O ye people! fear your Lord, Who created you from a single soul and created therefrom its mate, and from them twain spread many men and women; and fear Allah, in Whose name you appeal to one another, and [fear Him particularly respecting] ties of relationship. Verily, Allah watches over you.” (Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4: V.2)

Islam’s teachings are founded on taqwa (true fear and awareness of Allah). This has been explained in the beginning of the Holy Quran that this is a guidance for those who have taqwa. When Allah says to adopt the taqwa of Allah, then it is evident that in this, Muslims are addressed. Thus, He says to Muslims that women and men have been created from nafsin wahidah (a single soul). Their emotions, feelings, etc. are the same. This is a verse that is recited during nikahs, thus showing that a marriage must be founded on the understanding that women and men are intellectually, emotionally and in terms of rights, the same. 

The Holy Prophet’ssa own example was that he would consult women in important matters, in a society when women were not given any importance. The Prophet’ssa example of consulting them was something that gave courage and empowerment to women. 

Hazrat Umarra, during the life of the Holy Prophetsa, once was given advice by his wife, to which Hazrat Umarra scolded her for talking. She replied that this was not the time when women could not talk anymore; women were consulted in important affairs and thus she felt empowered to do so. 

Husbands and wives have not only been advised to bear each other’s rights in mind; in fact, the rights of one’s relatives must be considered too. In this manner, Islam draws our attention to rights. 

As far as inheritance is concerned, men and women have been given a part; men have been given a part according to the role they play in the family unit and women have not been left deprived of this either. 

Today, those who declare to be the givers of rights to women and men should introspect and consider how long they have been doing this – not very long at all, whereas Islam has given rights for over a thousand years. 

Allah states:

لِلرِّجَالِ نَصِيۡبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الۡوَالِدٰنِ وَالۡاَقۡرَبُوۡنَ ۪ وَلِلنِّسَآءِ نَصِيۡبٌ مِّمَّا تَرَكَ الۡوَالِدٰنِ وَالۡاَقۡرَبُوۡنَ مِمَّا قَلَّ مِنۡهُ اَوۡ كَثُرَ ؕ نَصِيۡبًا مَّفۡرُوۡضًا

“For men is a share of that which parents and near relations leave; and for women is a share of that which parents and near relations leave, whether it be little or much – a determined share.” (Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4: V.8)

This is the teaching of Islam. 

Then, there are other rights that Islam has established. If men have been given the title of “qawwam” (guardians), it is because they have been told to be the breadwinners of the house and women have been told to look after the home and its sanctity. Not only has Islam said to look after one another’s rights, but it says that if you do so, then you are more deserving of Allah’s forgiveness and rewards. 

The beautiful teachings of Islam can be found in the verse:

اِنَّ الۡمُسۡلِمِيۡنَ وَالۡمُسۡلِمٰتِ وَالۡمُؤۡمِنِيۡنَ وَالۡمُؤۡمِنٰتِ وَالۡقٰنِتِيۡنَ وَالۡقٰنِتٰتِ وَالصّٰدِقِيۡنَ وَالصّٰدِقٰتِ وَالصّٰبِرِيۡنَ وَالصّٰبِرٰتِ وَالۡخٰشِعِيۡنَ وَالۡخٰشِعٰتِ وَالۡمُتَصَدِّقِيۡنَ وَالۡمُتَصَدِّقٰتِ وَالصَّآئِمِيۡنَ وَالصّٰٓئِمٰتِ وَالۡحٰفِظِيۡنَ فُرُوۡجَهُمۡ وَالۡحٰفِظٰتِ وَالذّٰكِرِيۡنَ اللّٰهَ كَثِيۡرًا وَّالذّٰكِرٰتِ ۙ اَعَدَّ اللّٰهُ لَهُمۡ مَّغۡفِرَةً وَّاَجۡرًا عَظِيۡمًا

“Surely, men who submit themselves [to God] and women who submit themselves [to Him], and believing men and believing women, and obedient men and obedient women and truthful men and truthful women, and men steadfast [in their faith] and steadfast women, and men who are humble and women who are humble, and men who give alms and women who give alms, and men who fast and women who fast, and men who guard their chastity and women who guard [their chastity], and men who remember Allah much and women who remember [Him] – Allah has prepared for [all of]them forgiveness and a great reward.” (Surah al-Ahzab, Ch.33: V.36)

From this verse, it also becomes evident how men and women have been given the same status. If men are rewarded in one way, women too are rewarded in a like manner. Only as far as physical differences and roles are concerned, is there a difference. 

Today, there is much confusion in this respect in society, due to which there is frustration and a lack in tarbiyat of the next generation. 

Huzooraa then narrated various traditions of ahadith

Hazrat Anasra bin Malik says that the Holy Prophetsa once said to depart in the name of Allah and His Messengersa and not bring harm on anything and anyone and to give due rights to people, e.g. children, elderly and women. 

As for a peaceful environment at home, the Holy Prophetsa says that the best among you is the one who is best in conduct towards his wife. 

Huzooraa then read out various extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiahas regarding the rights of men and women. 

The Promised Messiahas says that aside from indecency, any other negative aspect in women must be tolerated. It is entirely shameful, as a man, to quarrel with women. It is a blessing to be a man and to be grateful for this, one must be kind in treatment towards women. The manner in which Islam has outlined the rights of women is unique. However, the treatment of some men towards women is extremely shameful; they treat them worse than the sole of their shoes and hurl verbal abuse at them on a regular basis. If one’s relationship with them is impious, then how can one’s relationship with Allah be pious? 

The Promised Messiahas said that Islam had given so much respect to women that, in a way, men were servants of women. Through divorce, it is not that men only have been empowered by divorcing women if they notice anything unbecoming; women too have this right which they can exercise at any point. 

At another place, the Promised Messiahas says that men were called “qawwam” as they have an influence on the family; however, Huzooraa said that some people use this as an excuse to do what they like, but they must first show a positive example before exercising this. 

Huzooraa then explained that it was wrong for certain Asian households to keep their women at home even in the hot weather; yes, purdah must be maintained and that is the only condition.

As far as the rights of men are concerned, they have not been explained as much as the rights of women and the reason is that men are usually afforded more rights in most societies of the world, or they are able to exercise their rights in most places. However, Huzooraa explained that if men wanted to be afforded rights, then they must pay attention to the rights of women. Some men might hear this and think that they have not been afforded rights and only women have. Some activists go out of their way to cause harm to men in lawsuits, but such women incur the displeasure of Allah. Both men and women must make it a point to pay heed to the rights of each other and take heed from the Quran and the Prophetsa

Another right that the Quran affords is:

لَيۡسَ الۡبِرَّ اَنۡ تُوَلُّوۡا وُجُوۡهَكُمۡ قِبَلَ الۡمَشۡرِقِ وَالۡمَغۡرِبِ وَلٰكِنَّ الۡبِرَّ مَنۡ اٰمَنَ بِاللّٰهِ وَالۡيَوۡمِ الۡاٰخِرِ وَالۡمَلٰٓئِكَةِ وَالۡكِتٰبِ وَالنَّبِيّٖنَ ۚ وَاٰتَي الۡمَالَ عَلٰي حُبِّهٖ ذَوِي الۡقُرۡبٰي وَالۡيَتٰمٰي وَالۡمَسٰكِيۡنَ وَابۡنَ السَّبِيۡلِ ۙ وَالسَّآئِلِيۡنَ وَفِي الرِّقَابِ ۚ وَاَقَامَ الصَّلٰوةَ وَاٰتَي الزَّكٰوةَ ۚ وَالۡمُوۡفُوۡنَ بِعَهۡدِهِمۡ اِذَا عٰهَدُوۡا ۚ وَالصّٰبِرِيۡنَ فِي الۡبَاۡسَآءِ وَالضَّرَّآءِ وَحِيۡنَ الۡبَاۡسِ ؕ اُولٰٓئِكَ الَّذِيۡنَ صَدَقُوۡا ؕ وَاُولٰٓئِكَ هُمُ الۡمُتَّقُوۡنَ

“It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but [truly] righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer and those who ask [for charity], and for [ransoming] the captives; and who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfil their promise when they have made one, and the patient in poverty and afflictions and [the steadfast] in time of war; it is these who have proved truthful and it is these who are the God-fearing.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2, V.178)

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Thus, Allah explains the definition of a pious and true believer. 

Then, Allah states:

لِلۡفُقَرَآءِ الَّذِيۡنَ اُحۡصِرُوۡا فِيۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ لَا يَسۡتَطِيۡعُوۡنَ ضَرۡبًا فِي الۡاَرۡضِ ۫ يَحۡسَبُهُمُ الۡجَاهِلُ اَغۡنِيَآءَ مِنَ التَّعَفُّفِ ۚ تَعۡرِفُهُمۡ بِسِيۡمٰهُمۡ ۚ لَا يَسۡـَٔلُوۡنَ النَّاسَ اِلۡحَافًا ؕ وَمَا تُنۡفِقُوۡا مِنۡ خَيۡرٍ فَاِنَّ اللّٰهَ بِهٖ عَلِيۡمٌ

“[These alms are] for the poor who are detained in the cause of Allah and are unable to move about in the land. The ignorant man thinks them to be free from want because of [their] abstaining [from begging]. Thou shalt know them by their appearance; they do not beg of men with importunity. And whatever of wealth you spend, surely, Allah has perfect knowledge thereof.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2, V.274)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also explains this point while talking about various verses. 

Some people do not ask; they should be afforded help quietly. 

وَفِيۡۤ‭ ‬اَمۡوَالِهِمۡ‭ ‬حَقٌّ‭ ‬لِّلسَّآئِلِ‭ ‬وَالۡمَحۡرُوۡمِ

“And in their wealth was a share for one who asked for help and [for] one who could not.” (Surah al-Dhariyat, Ch.51: V.20)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra explained that begging was forbidden by Islam because tawakkul alallah (complete trust in Allah) was a big part of Islam. The Holy Prophetsa also strongly prohibited begging as did his khulafa. As for the disabled or elderly, it is the responsibility of the state to cater for their well-being. 

The Holy Prophetsa said that the upper hand was better than the lower hand. He also said that the best person in the sight of Allah was the one who took their horse for the sake of Allah for battle and the one after that was the one who separated themselves from people and worshipped Allah and offered financial sacrifices in silence. 

Nowadays, there are many programmes on the television and internet which are polluting the minds of people; however, these must be avoided and one must concentrate on their worship. The Holy Prophetsa then said the worst in the sight of Allah was the one who was approached for something in the way of Allah but was rejected. 

The Promised Messiahas said that some became irritated by seeing beggars and began to admonish beggars and call them lazy. If one begs despite enjoying good health, they should be given what they ask and then they can be admonished later. In the ahadith and in the Quran, we are taught that a beggar must be offered something; it is not said to shun beggars. A pious act will cause another pious act and a sin will lead to another sin. 

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra narrates that the wife of a companion said that her husband would often narrate incidents of the Promised Messiahas. The Promised Messiahas was asked for some [loose] tea by an individual and the Promised Messiahas offered him some of that tea. Another individual also asked for some tea, and he was offered it. They then asked for milk and sugar and the Promised Messiahas gave them some money for this. 

Once, a postman came to the Promised Messiahas and said that he was cold. The Promised Messiahas went inside and brought two coats and asked which one he liked, to which the postman said that he liked both and so the Promised Messiahas said to take both coats. 

Once, the Promised Messiahas returned from a walk and a beggar called for something. The Promised Messiahas entered his home, but when the beggar’s voice was heard by the Promised Messiahas while he was indoors, he immediately came out and asked where that individual was, to which he was told that he had gone away. Soon after, the individual returned and the Promised Messiahas said that he had become perturbed and prayed for that person and thus, he gave something to the individual. 

One must remember that everything on Earth has been created for the whole of mankind. 

If a person is certain that money given to a beggar will be used to purchase intoxicants and will result in vices being spread in society, then one may not give money as that will result in contributing negatively to society. 

At the end, Huzooraa prayed that we may be given the opportunity to establish the rights of everyone in society. 

Huzooraa then asked for prayers for aseeran (those imprisoned in the way of Allah), Ahmadis all over the world, the current pandemic, the ailing, those who have travelled for Jalsa Salana. Huzooraa prayed that may the next Jalsa be held with complete freedom and without any restrictions. Amin. Thereafter, Huzooraa led everyone in dua (silent prayer).

He then announced that the total attendance at Jalsa Salana UK 2022 was 26,649, of which there were 11,862 men and 10,687 women. The workers totalled 2,600 and there were 1,500 small children. This year, 53 countries were represented in the livestream during Jalsa Salana. 

Thereafter, Huzooraa graciously listened to the taraney (choral poems) before conveying his salam and departing the marquee at 18:29 BST. 

(Report prepared by Al Hakam)

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