The nazim of Dar-ul-Ifta [department for Islamic verdicts] requested Huzooraa for guidance on depositing money in state-owned banks and using the profit earned on that money on personal needs. Huzooraa, in his letter dated 21 November 2017, gave the following reply:
“My point of view on this issue corresponds with the decision that was made during the Khilafat of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh.”
The decision that was made during the Khilafat of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh is as follows:
“The following recommendations on this issue were submitted to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh by Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan:
‘Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya is not earning interest of any kind on the money deposited in banks, nor is the provident fund money being deposited in such banks whose business model or means of earning is based on interest. The funds are rather invested in a public body under the government’s national savings scheme.
‘This body invests its profits in national welfare programmes (and not in any interest-based businesses). As a result, the economy is growing and more employment opportunities are being created, which again increases in the revenue collected by the state. In this way, the government shares the profits with the depositors and terms it as profit. Whenever a depositor needs his money, he takes it out at will.
‘Due to this difference between banks and national savings schemes, the provident fund money was invested in this public body with the permission of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. Likewise, with the permission of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, the funds collected through Bilal Fund and Tazkiyah Amwal Fund have also been invested in the savings schemes.
‘It is also the view of the mufti of the Jamaat ([then] Hazrat Malik Saifur Rahman) that one can participate in the savings schemes launched by the government.
‘He writes, “If someone wishes, they can participate in the savings schemes that have been launched by the government and can utilise the profit that is generated from them for his personal needs.”
‘Moreover, there is no alternative system or secure institutions where one can invest their money and which could keep their capital safe, profitable or at least unharmed by inflation. (Hence, instead of investing money in banks, where there is money trade, which is clearly based on interest, the funds have been invested in such schemes which have been declared free from interest by the government because the profit is being invested in national welfare and other constructive causes or at least such public bodies are not clearly and definitely involved in interest-based businesses.)
‘A possible solution could also be that the Jamaat initiates such businesses using its capital that are definitely free from the filth of interest. However, the current environment of the country through which the Jamaat is going is not conducive for such an investment.
‘Hence, investment in the national savings schemes is a kind of compulsion while on the other hand, there is no alternative system of investment available in the country.’”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh accepted these recommendations by Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan on 13 August 1987 and wrote,
Huzooraa was presented the view of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on female prisoners of war as stated in Tafsir-e-Kabir and requested to shed more light on the issue…
Huzooraa, in his letter dated 21 February 2018, gave the following guidance:
“What you have presented regarding nikah with female prisoners of war is correct according to the interpretation of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra as mentioned in Tafsir-e-Kabir. This was also the view of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira that it is necessary to perform nikah with female prisoners of war.
“In light of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Promised Messiahas, this is also my view. In the early stages of Islam, the enemies of Islam would make Muslims a target of various kinds of atrocities. If they got hold of the wife of a poor and oppressed Muslim, they would include her among their wives as a slave.
“Hence, in accordance with the Islamic injunction of جَزٰٓؤُا سَیِّئَۃٍ سَیِّئَۃٌ مِّثۡلُہَا [the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof], such women who came along with the assailing army against Islam in order to support them would be taken captives as prisoners of war in accordance with the custom of that era. Then, if such women did not earn their freedom by paying the ransom or through the method of mukatabat, it became permissible to have intimate relations with such women after performing nikah.
“However, there was no consent required from that prisoner of war for such a nikah. Moreover, a nikah to such a woman did not affect the permission to marry four [free] women. In other words, a man could perform nikah with such a woman despite being married to four [free] women. However, if the female prisoner of war bore a child, she would become free as a result of being the mother of that child.
“The second point of view is also not wrong, which states that it was not necessary to perform a formal nikah before having an intimate relationship with such women who came along with the assailing army against Islam in order to support them. Hence, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, while replying to the issue of female prisoners of war, at some other occasions has also expressed this second point of view.
“Likewise, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, while explaining the issue of female prisoners of war during some of his question and answer sessions and during dars-ul-Quran has also stated this second point of view that no formal nikah was needed in order to establish intimate relationships with female prisoners of war.
“Here, I also deem it essential to mention that it is not in any way objectionable for the Khulafa to have different opinions about the interpretation of such Quranic matters that relate to the past eras; rather, these views are based on the Quranic understanding of every Khalifa. Such disagreement among Khulafa is possible.
“As I stated earlier, my view on this issue is that it was mandatory to perform nikah with such women of the enemies before having conjugal relations with them. And this shall be considered the view of the Jamaat in my era of Khilafat. However, the next Khalifa may disagree with my opinion. If that happens, then that view of the next Khalifa would be considered the view of the Jamaat at that time.
“Moreover, one should also remember that no such war is taking place in this era which is being fought to annihilate Islam and wherein the women of the Muslims are being captured and turned into slaves. Thus, it is also forbidden and haram for Muslims to do the same in this era.
[…] A complaint was […] made about the background music lasting one or two minutes in a documentary film played at the Lajna Imaillah Ilmi (Educational) Rally of a country.
Huzooraa, in his letter dated 21 February 2018, gave the following guidance:
[…]
“The other complaint that you made in your letter is that music was played for 1-2 minutes in the opening sequence of a documentary film which was shown at a Lajna Imaillah Ilmi Rally.
“As you have written, it was a documentary film. Since it was a documentary film which was not produced by us and the music was added by the producers, how could we edit it out of that film? Thus, there is nothing objectionable in that. In fact, it is that smoke of the Dajjal mentioned in a hadith by the Holy Prophetsa, from which one is unable to protect oneself.
“As far as programmes are concerned that are produced by us and as far as MTA is concerned, both are completely free of music by the grace of Allah and they do not contain any such unlawful things. This is the example which should be presented as the true faith. By the grace of Allah, this is the Islamic example, which is shown through MTA programmes everywhere.”
During the virtual mulaqat of students of Jamia Ahmadiyya Indonesia with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, on 31 October 2020, a student said, “Nowadays, there are many people who mock the Promised Messiahas. How should we respond to them?”
Upon this, Huzooraa said:
“Firstly, Allah the Exalted Himself said to the Promised Messiahas:
اِنِّیْ مُھِیْنٌ مَّنْ اَرَادَ اِھَانَتَکَ
‘I shall humiliate him who seeks to humiliate you.’
“Thus, Allah the Exalted Himself shall deal with those who intentionally act in this manner however He desires, whether it is by humiliating them in this world, in the Hereafter or by humiliating their progenies.
“However, our response in this regard is simply that which has been explained to us by the Promised Messiahas, namely that you must demonstrate patience and you must not respond to the aggressor in an aggressive manner. You must not respond with violence. Even if you have unbounded love for the Promised Messiahas, you still must not respond with violence.
“The most beloved person to us is the Holy Prophetsa. He is dearer to us than even the Promised Messiahas. Recently, caricatures of the Holy Prophetsa were made in France and some other European countries in order to ridicule him. However, what has our response been to this? We respond by invoking durood upon the Holy Prophetsa as much as possible. When we invoke durood upon the Holy Prophetsa, we also invoke durood upon the aal [progeny] of the Holy Prophetsa. They are also included in that prayer. And the greatest aal of the Holy Prophetsa is the Promised Messiahas. He is the foremost to be counted among the aal of the Holy Prophetsa.
“Therefore, whenever anyone ridicules the Holy Prophetsa or his most ardent servant, the Promised Messiahas, our first duty is to recite durood. Secondly, your conduct should be so exemplary that it silences those who ridicule and mock. They will observe that they ridicule and mock us, yet we continue to convey to them the true teachings of Islam. And we are those who spread love and affection. They will notice that despite them showing hatred towards us, we speak to them with love and affection.
“The Holy Quran also states:
کَاَنَّہٗ وَلِیٌّ حَمِیۡمٌ
“In other words, if one exhibits good morals and conduct, then those who bear enmity against you will become your warm friends.
“Therefore, our response is to simply improve our own conduct and conditions, excel in our spirituality and prostrate before Allah the Exalted. We should pray to Allah the Exalted to improve their conditions and pray that if Allah the Exalted deems that they will not change their attitude, then may He grant us respite from them and silence them so that they do not mock or ridicule our loved ones, whether it is the Promised Messiahas or above him, the Holy Prophetsa.
“May we see happiness and joy. It is a source of great joy for us when the Holy Prophetsa is honoured in this world. Similarly, it is a source of great happiness for us when the Promised Messiahas, who was the most ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa, is honoured.
“Therefore, we should pray that we may witness their honour and respect being established in this world so that it brings us happiness and joy. We are to seek everything from Allah. We are not to take up sticks, rifles, tanks or knives. We are not going to do any such thing. We are simply going to prostrate before Allah, improve our own conditions and recite durood as much as possible.”
[During the virtual mulaqat of students of Jamia Ahmadiyya Indonesia with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, on 31 October 2020,] another student said, “We [the Jamia graduates] will, insha-Allah, be going into the practical field. Upon arrival, what should be the first task of a missionary?”
In reply to this question, Huzooraa said:
“The first thing you should do when you reach there is to pray that Allah the Exalted may enable you to work properly with dedication, sincerity, honesty and loyalty at the place where you have been posted. So, you should pray and first of all improve your relation with Allah the Exalted. Always bear in mind that our efforts materialise through prayer.
“Therefore, each and every murabbi and muballigh [missionary] who enters the practical field should pledge that he shall not miss the Tahajud prayer from this day forward and shall offer it regularly. I often give a brief account of the lives of many of your missionaries who pass away and I mention that they were those who regularly offered Tahajud prayer. So, every missionary should offer Tahajud prayers for at least one hour daily, during which you should pray that Allah the Exalted may bless your efforts. Then, you must lead the five daily prayers in congregation at your centre or mosque if you are present there.
“Furthermore, try to create a personal bond with every Ahmadi in that area. If Ahmadis have mutual disagreements and grievances, then you must try to resolve them. Explain to them that we are believers and believers are brothers. Draw the attention of each and every Ahmadi towards living with each other peacefully and try to resolve any kind of disputes that they may have. You should have a personal relationship with everyone and the people there should also have a bond with you. They should love you and you should love them. Hence, they will heed your advice whenever you advise them to do something.
“Similarly, always stay in touch with the Khalifa-e-Waqt [Khalifa of the time]. Aside from your monthly report that you send to me, you should also write one personal letter to me as well so that we can assess how well the missionary is working. Also, create awareness among the people that they must establish a relationship with the Khalifa-e-Waqt.
“I receive a very high volume of letters since the Indonesian Desk has been established here. I receive these letters after they have been translated. Therefore, remind people to maintain that relationship with Khilafat and regularly listen to the Friday sermon every week and act upon the guidance and advice mentioned in those sermons. The missionaries ought to act upon that first and then the members should do so too.”
As the world breathes a sigh of relief with the emergence of the Covid-19 vaccine, darker realities await us.
Bergamo – an Italian province that was the “deadliest killing field” during the pandemic in the West – is a “disturbing postcard from the posttraumatic aftermath of the virus”, the New York Times reported.
“Doctors at a hospital that became an incubator of the virus said they had seen an increase in patients with substance abuse issues, and psychologists in the province have reported a rise in anxiety and depression.”
It is hard to tell, at the moment, what the long-term effects of the virus will be. Brexit also brings anxieties about Europe’s future and current contentions from France, including its demand for British companies only accessing Europe’s single market if they obey the rules, have been supported by other member states.
The Guardian reported, “Headlines such as ‘le bust-up’ and ‘France derails Brexit talks’ do not reflect European reality, analysts, politicians and EU diplomats have insisted, saying Paris’s fundamental concerns are widely shared across the EU27.” (theguardian.com, 7 December 2020)
Earlier this week, The New York Times noted:
“Britain and the European Union are preparing their domestic audiences either for a landmark accord that will require compromise on both sides – or for a breakdown that will disrupt cross-channel trade, pitching both Britain and Europe into uncharted territory as the economies of both have been battered by the pandemic.” (nytimes.com, 07 December 2020)
According to The World Bank reports, the world economy has taken a significant blow due to Covid-19, which is “already evident and represents the largest economic shock the world has experienced in decades.”
The June 2020 Global Economic Prospects report shows that “the deep recessions triggered by the pandemic are expected to leave lasting scars through lower investment, an erosion of human capital through lost work and schooling, and fragmentation of global trade and supply linkages.” (www.worldbank.org/en/publication/global-economic-prospects)
How this damage will ultimately materialise and the dangers it will bring to domestic and international peace are questions many are worried about. Historically, following devastating economic blows, the world has often seen wars erupt.
Tensions between Iran and the wider Western world, especially the US, have escalated following the assassination of the Iranian Nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh.
As a result, Iran has announced it will install centrifuges in its central uranium enrichment site – a step condemned by the UK, Germany and France as deeply worrying and against the Iran Nuclear Deal.
Previously, the US’s exit from the Iran Nuclear Deal mandated by President Trump led to further tensions and crippling sanctions on Iran by the US. Iran had said it would no longer respect the deal – which Europe wants to continue – following the assassination of Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general.
The worries of a post-Covid society, an uncertain Brexit, a crippled economy and international relations being in jeopardy are just the tip of the iceberg from the colossus mountain of world problems that shadow over lasting international peace.
Countries remain at war; populist parties and narratives are spreading like wildfire; the refugee crisis continues to displace people from their homes; climate change has already shown its devastating effects and politicians continue to create scapegoats to divert attention from domestic failures.
One consequence, no matter how much it is overlooked, could be a world war. The head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, is now known as a voice who has, for years, been warning of a devastating world war that could bring unimaginable horrors.
Covid-19 has already given us a taste of what life is like when a deadly and unforgiving virus floats in the air. But imagine if, instead of a virus, the world is engulfed in nuclear radiation and destruction. Politicians and world leaders may ignore this threat, but it will not make the danger disappear.
On 6 December 2020, members of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Germany, who have recently migrated to the country, were granted a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand.
The Ahmadis meeting Huzooraa were all immigrants who had recently sought asylum in Germany due to the severe ongoing persecution against Ahmadis in Pakistan. Due to the constitution of Pakistan, Ahmadi Muslims are targeted by various religious groups and persecuted in every possible manner. Incidents of persecution and violence against Ahmadis are all too frequent in Pakistan.
During the mulaqat, all members had the opportunity to personally speak with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa and seek prayers and guidance from Huzooraa on various matters.
Whilst addressing the immigrants, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa emphasised the importance of continuously seeking Allah’s help. Huzooraa said:
“During the asylum process, you must never lie. Simply explain the truth of what is happening in Pakistan. Tell them that every Ahmadi Muslim there is subjected to persecution not knowing when one could be targeted or falsely charged. Inform them that it is due to this persecution you migrated so that you may live freely. Simply speak the truth and insha–Allah, the cases will be accepted.”
Huzooraa, whilst further offering guidance, said:
“You must offer your five daily prayers and fervently pray to Allah. You must inculcate the habit of offering voluntary prayers and pledge that even after your application is accepted, you will continue to offer Namaz. Upon going for your asylum hearings, recite Surah al-Fatihah before you enter the court. Insha-Allah, you will witness Allah’s mercy and grace.”
As the mulaqat came to a close, Huzooraa stated:
“If you act upon what I have just stated, then, insha–Allah, your applications will be accepted. Turn to Allah for all your needs and pledge that you will lead a life of piety and continue to offer your Namaz. If you continue to pray, Allah will continue to help you. God knows a person’s intentions and what is in their hearts. If, after your application is accepted, you become submerged in materialism, then you will face difficulties.”
Guidance regarding basic Islamic issues that Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa has given at various occasions in his written correspondence and during various MTA programmes is being officially published below for everyone’s benefit
Zaheer Ahmad Khan, Records Department, Private Secretariat, London
Iron rings and boys wearing bracelets
Huzooraa was presented some ahadith that mention the wearing of iron rings by men as being impermissible and requested for guidance on this issue.
In this regard, he was informed about young boys wearing bracelets or bangles etc. as a fashion statement. Huzooraa, in a letter dated 14 December 2016, said:
“I have had research conducted on this issue. The ahadith that you sent are from Sunan Abi Daud. On the other hand, we find some ahadith in Sahih Bukhari which mention the Holy Prophetsa telling a companion to give an iron ring as haq mahr [dowry] in order to marry a woman. Likewise, there are also some ahadith in Sunan Abi Daud which mention that the ring of the Holy Prophetsa itself was made of iron and then coated with silver.
“While interpreting the abovementioned narrations, the scholars of hadith have also written that the saying which mentions a dislike for iron rings is weak [za‘eef] and that if wearing iron rings had been forbidden [haram] for men, then the Holy Prophetsa would have clearly forbidden it as he did in the case of gold.
“Anyway, the wearing of bracelets and bangles by young boys is an undesirable action. Hence, your advising the boys in this regard is very commendable.”
Nawafil before Eid
A missionary wrote to Huzooraa that at both Eids, some people came to the mosque and offered nawafil [voluntary prayers] either before the congregational Eid prayer or after it and requested for guidance on this issue. The reply that Huzooraa gave to the missionary and the guidance he issued to the administration in his letter dated 14 October 2017 is as follows:
“The offering of nawafil before the Eid prayer is forbidden as it is proven by ahadith. However, there is no harm in offering nawafil afterwards at home, so long as the time wherein Salat is forbidden has not started.
“I have also instructed the general secretary that he should arrange for announcements to be made at mosques before Eid prayers in order to make those people who come to the mosque before Eid prayer and start offering nawafil aware that it is forbidden.”
Whether Eid prayers are obligatory and if the imam forgets the takbirat
Someone requested Huzooraa for guidance on whether observing both the Eid prayers was obligatory and on offering sujood al-sahw [prostrations made after committing a mistake in Salat] to compensate for forgetting to pronounce takbirat at the beginning of a rak‘ah. Huzooraa, in his letter dated 21 November 2017, gave the following reply:
“Eid prayers are sunnah-e-mu‘akkadah [an action that the Holy Prophetsa emphasised and rarely abandoned]. The Holy Prophetsa even made it binding upon menstruating women who do not usually attend the mosque for prayers to come to the place of Eid and join in the supplications of the Muslims.
“As far as the issue of an imam forgetting the takbirat is concerned, the people praying behind him should remind him in such a case. However, if the imam fails to pronounce some of the takbirat despite their reminder, then those behind him should observe the Eid prayer according to the imam. There is no need for the imam to perform sujood al-sahw if he forgets the takbirat.”
Savings accounts and profit
The nazim of Dar-ul-Ifta [department for Islamic verdicts] requested Huzooraa for guidance on depositing money in state-owned banks and using the profit earned on that money on personal needs. Huzooraa, in his letter dated 21 November 2017, gave the following reply:
“My point of view on this issue corresponds with the decision that was made during the Khilafat of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh.”
The decision that was made during the Khilafat of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh is as follows:
“The following recommendations on this issue were submitted to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh by Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan:
‘Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya is not earning interest of any kind on the money deposited in banks, nor is the provident fund money being deposited in such banks whose business model or means of earning is based on interest. The funds are rather invested in a public body under the government’s national savings scheme.
‘This body invests its profits in national welfare programmes (and not in any interest-based businesses). As a result, the economy is growing and more employment opportunities are being created, which again increases in the revenue collected by the state. In this way, the government shares the profits with the depositors and terms it as profit. Whenever a depositor needs his money, he takes it out at will.
‘Due to this difference between banks and national savings schemes, the provident fund money was invested in this public body with the permission of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh. Likewise, with the permission of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, the funds collected through Bilal Fund and Tazkiyah Amwal Fund have also been invested in the savings schemes.
‘It is also the view of the mufti of the Jamaat ([then] Hazrat Malik Saifur Rahman) that one can participate in the savings schemes launched by the government.
‘He writes, “If someone wishes, they can participate in the savings schemes that have been launched by the government and can utilise the profit that is generated from them for his personal needs.”
‘Moreover, there is no alternative system or secure institutions where one can invest their money and which could keep their capital safe, profitable or at least unharmed by inflation. (Hence, instead of investing money in banks, where there is money trade, which is clearly based on interest, the funds have been invested in such schemes which have been declared free from interest by the government because the profit is being invested in national welfare and other constructive causes or at least such public bodies are not clearly and definitely involved in interest-based businesses.)
‘A possible solution could also be that the Jamaat initiates such businesses using its capital that are definitely free from the filth of interest. However, the current environment of the country through which the Jamaat is going is not conducive for such an investment.
‘Hence, investment in the national savings schemes is a kind of compulsion while on the other hand, there is no alternative system of investment available in the country.’”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh accepted these recommendations by Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Pakistan on 13 August 1987 and wrote,
“It is fine.”
Music and female prisoners of war
Huzooraa was presented the view of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra on female prisoners of war as stated in Tafsir-e-Kabir and requested to shed more light on the issue. A complaint was also made about the background music lasting one or two minutes in a documentary film played at the Lajna Imaillah Ilmi (Educational) Rally of a country.
Huzooraa, in his letter dated 21 February 2018, gave the following guidance:
“What you have presented regarding nikah with female prisoners of war is correct according to the interpretation of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra as mentioned in Tafsir-e-Kabir. This was also the view of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira that it is necessary to perform nikah with female prisoners of war.
“In light of the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Promised Messiahas, this is also my view. In the early stages of Islam, the enemies of Islam would make Muslims a target of various kinds of atrocities. If they got hold of the wife of a poor and oppressed Muslim, they would include her among their wives as a slave.
“Hence, in accordance with the Islamic injunction of جَزٰٓؤُا سَیِّئَۃٍ سَیِّئَۃٌ مِّثۡلُہَا [the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof], such women who came along with the assailing army against Islam in order to support them would be taken captives as prisoners of war in accordance with the custom of that era. Then, if such women did not earn their freedom by paying the ransom or through the method of mukatabat, it became permissible to have intimate relations with such women after performing nikah.
“However, there was no consent required from that prisoner of war for such a nikah. Moreover, a nikah to such a woman did not affect the permission to marry four [free] women. In other words, a man could perform nikah with such a woman despite being married to four [free] women. However, if the female prisoner of war bore a child, she would become free as a result of being the mother of that child.
“The second point of view is also not wrong, which states that it was not necessary to perform a formal nikah before having an intimate relationship with such women who came along with the assailing army against Islam in order to support them. Hence, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, while replying to the issue of female prisoners of war, at some other occasions has also expressed this second point of view.
“Likewise, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, while explaining the issue of female prisoners of war during some of his question and answer sessions and during dars-ul-Quran has also stated this second point of view that no formal nikah was needed in order to establish intimate relationships with female prisoners of war.
“Here, I also deem it essential to mention that it is not in any way objectionable for the Khulafa to have different opinions about the interpretation of such Quranic matters that relate to the past eras; rather, these views are based on the Quranic understanding of every Khalifa. Such disagreement among Khulafa is possible.
“As I stated earlier, my view on this issue is that it was mandatory to perform nikah with such women of the enemies before having conjugal relations with them. And this shall be considered the view of the Jamaat in my era of Khilafat. However, the next Khalifa may disagree with my opinion. If that happens, then that view of the next Khalifa would be considered the view of the Jamaat at that time.
“Moreover, one should also remember that no such war is taking place in this era which is being fought to annihilate Islam and wherein the women of the Muslims are being captured and turned into slaves. Thus, it is also forbidden and haram for Muslims to do the same in this era.
“The other complaint that you made in your letter is that music was played for 1-2 minutes in the opening sequence of a documentary film which was shown at a Lajna Imaillah Ilmi Rally.
“As you have written, it was a documentary film. Since it was a documentary film which was not produced by us and the music was added by the producers, how could we edit it out of that film? Thus, there is nothing objectionable in that. In fact, it is that smoke of the Dajjal mentioned in a hadith by the Holy Prophetsa, from which one is unable to protect oneself.
“As far as programmes are concerned that are produced by us and as far as MTA is concerned, both are completely free of music by the grace of Allah and they do not contain any such unlawful things. This is the example which should be presented as the true faith. By the grace of Allah, this is the Islamic example, which is shown through MTA programmes everywhere.”
How to reply to people’s mockery of holy personages
During the virtual mulaqat of students of Jamia Ahmadiyya Indonesia with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, on 31 October 2020, a student said, “Nowadays, there are many people who mock the Promised Messiahas. How should we respond to them?”
Upon this, Huzooraa said:
“Firstly, Allah the Exalted Himself said to the Promised Messiahas:
اِنِّیْ مُھِیْنٌ مَّنْ اَرَادَ اِھَانَتَکَ
‘I shall humiliate him who seeks to humiliate you.’
“Thus, Allah the Exalted Himself shall deal with those who intentionally act in this manner however He desires, whether it is by humiliating them in this world, in the Hereafter or by humiliating their progenies.
_suhaib_a | Instagram
“However, our response in this regard is simply that which has been explained to us by the Promised Messiahas, namely that you must demonstrate patience and you must not respond to the aggressor in an aggressive manner. You must not respond with violence. Even if you have unbounded love for the Promised Messiahas, you still must not respond with violence.
“The most beloved person to us is the Holy Prophetsa. He is dearer to us than even the Promised Messiahas. Recently, caricatures of the Holy Prophetsa were made in France and some other European countries in order to ridicule him. However, what has our response been to this? We respond by invoking durood upon the Holy Prophetsa as much as possible. When we invoke durood upon the Holy Prophetsa, we also invoke durood upon the aal [progeny] of the Holy Prophetsa. They are also included in that prayer. And the greatest aal of the Holy Prophetsa is the Promised Messiahas. He is the foremost to be counted among the aal of the Holy Prophetsa.
“Therefore, whenever anyone ridicules the Holy Prophetsa or his most ardent servant, the Promised Messiahas, our first duty is to recite durood. Secondly, your conduct should be so exemplary that it silences those who ridicule and mock. They will observe that they ridicule and mock us, yet we continue to convey to them the true teachings of Islam. And we are those who spread love and affection. They will notice that despite them showing hatred towards us, we speak to them with love and affection.
“The Holy Quran also states:
کَاَنَّہٗ وَلِیٌّ حَمِیۡمٌ
“In other words, if one exhibits good morals and conduct, then those who bear enmity against you will become your warm friends.
“Therefore, our response is to simply improve our own conduct and conditions, excel in our spirituality and prostrate before Allah the Exalted. We should pray to Allah the Exalted to improve their conditions and pray that if Allah the Exalted deems that they will not change their attitude, then may He grant us respite from them and silence them so that they do not mock or ridicule our loved ones, whether it is the Promised Messiahas or above him, the Holy Prophetsa.
“May we see happiness and joy. It is a source of great joy for us when the Holy Prophetsa is honoured in this world. Similarly, it is a source of great happiness for us when the Promised Messiahas, who was the most ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa, is honoured.
“Therefore, we should pray that we may witness their honour and respect being established in this world so that it brings us happiness and joy. We are to seek everything from Allah. We are not to take up sticks, rifles, tanks or knives. We are not going to do any such thing. We are simply going to prostrate before Allah, improve our own conditions and recite durood as much as possible.”
Duties of a missionary
During the above-mentioned mulaqat of 31 October 2020, another student said, “We [the Jamia graduates] will, insha-Allah, be going into the practical field. Upon arrival, what should be the first task of a missionary?”
In reply to this question, Huzooraa said:
“The first thing you should do when you reach there is to pray that Allah the Exalted may enable you to work properly with dedication, sincerity, honesty and loyalty at the place where you have been posted. So, you should pray and first of all improve your relation with Allah the Exalted. Always bear in mind that our efforts materialise through prayer.
“Therefore, each and every murabbi and muballigh [missionary] who enters the practical field should pledge that he shall not miss the Tahajud prayer from this day forward and shall offer it regularly. I often give a brief account of the lives of many of your missionaries who pass away and I mention that they were those who regularly offered Tahajud prayer. So, every missionary should offer Tahajud prayers for at least one hour daily, during which you should pray that Allah the Exalted may bless your efforts. Then, you must lead the five daily prayers in congregation at your centre or mosque if you are present there.
“Furthermore, try to create a personal bond with every Ahmadi in that area. If Ahmadis have mutual disagreements and grievances, then you must try to resolve them. Explain to them that we are believers and believers are brothers. Draw the attention of each and every Ahmadi towards living with each other peacefully and try to resolve any kind of disputes that they may have. You should have a personal relationship with everyone and the people there should also have a bond with you. They should love you and you should love them. Hence, they will heed your advice whenever you advise them to do something.
“Similarly, always stay in touch with the Khalifa-e-Waqt [Khalifa of the time]. Aside from your monthly report that you send to me, you should also write one personal letter to me as well so that we can assess how well the missionary is working. Also, create awareness among the people that they must establish a relationship with the Khalifa-e-Waqt.
“I receive a very high volume of letters since the Indonesian Desk has been established here. I receive these letters after they have been translated. Therefore, remind people to maintain that relationship with Khilafat and regularly listen to the Friday sermon every week and act upon the guidance and advice mentioned in those sermons. The missionaries ought to act upon that first and then the members should do so too.”
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, peace be upon him, has also addressed this issue of plagiarism because it was raised by his opponents during his time too. The Promised Messiahas said:
“Alas, they were not at all ashamed to raise this allegation. They did not think that there is no question of objection if these few, i.e. two or four sentences, are taken as coincidences, as is the case in the writings of literary scholars, or if they are considered as a few sentences taken as quotations. Even Hariri has cited some verses of the Holy Quran in his book, [Maqamat al-Hariri]. Likewise, there are some excerpts and verses [of various authors and poets which are quoted] that are exactly the same and without any change and some unaltered phrases of Abul Fazl Badi-ul-Zaman are also present in it.
“Hence, should we now express the opinion that the entire work of Maqamat al-Hariri is a mere collection of plagiarism? In fact, some have even criticised Abu al-Qasim Hariri to the extent that his entire book was compiled by someone else and some say that as he was considered perfect in the art of prose writing.
“He was once presented before an amir [ruler] and ordered to write an expression in eloquent Arabic as an examination, but he could not write it and that caused him great embarrassment. Nonetheless, he was counted among the greats by the literary writers and his Maqamat al-Hariri is held in high esteem. However, it is of no use for religious or insightful work because Hariri could not find the ability to write a true and actual tale or the extraordinary words of wisdom and knowledge in the form of an eloquent and expressive composition and prove that he could make use of precise words according to his ideas. On the contrary, he has subdued his ideas according to the words from the beginning to the end, which proves that he was not at all capable of writing an account of an actual event in eloquent Arabic.
“Thus, it is impossible for a person [i.e. the Promised Messiahas], who is only interested in [conveying] divine ideas and his objective is to spread the insightful pearls of wisdom and knowledge, to get any kernel from Hariri’s collection of bones.
“However, it is entirely another matter that under divine providence, some phrases of a person’s work coincidently correspond with someone else’s, because the scope of some proverbs is so limited that either certain writers will coincide with some others or they will have to leave that idiom which is used conventionally. Beyond any doubt, a place where a certain word is to be adopted keeping in view the qualities of eloquence, for example, the word اقتحم is to be adopted, and no other word can take its place, then it will definitely be used by all the writers and the same word will come out of everyone’s mouth. Surely, an ignorant fool, who is oblivious to rhetorical methods and unfamiliar with diverse details of root words, will say another word in its stead and will be objectionable in the eyes of the literary writers.
“Likewise, authors get into another coincidental situation that even if 20 people write about a certain subject, who are all scholars and impressive writers, they will rely on the same phrases and arrangement of words to express certain statements. These things are openly recognised by the literary writers and no one disagrees with them. Moreover, if someone examines carefully, the same is the case with every language. For instance, if an articulate person gives a speech in Urdu, he presents various examples and interesting phrases at some point. Thereafter, another impressive orator also delivers a very similar [yet very different speech] and no one, except a mad man, thinks that it is plagiarism. Let alone the works of man, this is also found in the Word of God. A long list would have to be prepared if some eloquent phrases and proverbs, which are present in the Holy Quran, are tallied with the poems of the poets of pre-Islamic era. These matters were not considered as objections by the researchers. In fact, for this very reason, the righteous imams had memorised thousands of poems of pre-Islamic poets and they used to quote them as a proof to show the eloquence and expressiveness of the Holy Quran.” (Nuzul-ul-Masih, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, p. 432-434)
The Promised Messiahas further explained that it is utterly baseless to compare the works of other people with a chosen one of Allah, who receives divine revelations and countless Arabic phrases, which put into his heart by God Almighty. He emphasised that their works can only be compared with his if they present equally eloquent and impressive works. However, nobody competed with him in this challenge.
The Promised Messiahas also presented a detailed description of the way in which he received the blessings of Allah the Almighty during his Arabic writing. The Promised Messiahas said:
“I particularly experience God’s miraculous power when I put my pen to paper. Whenever I write something in Arabic or Urdu, I feel as if someone is instructing me from within. My writings, whether in Arabic, Urdu or Persian, are of two kinds. (i) Words and their meanings keep unfolding before me and I go on writing them without too much difficulty. This type of writing is not something beyond my own mental capacity and even if I was not accompanied by special divine support, I could still be able to write it with the help of His grace – which is a necessary accompaniment of human faculties – though after expending a great deal of time. God knows best.
“(ii) The second part of my writings is completely miraculous in nature. For instance, when I write something in Arabic and require a word that I do not know, divine revelation guides me and the Holy Spirit puts that word in my heart in the form of verbal revelation and causes it to flow over my tongue, and for an instant I am cut off from the outer world. For instance, once when I was writing in Arabic, I required a word that would be the exact translation of ‘a large family’. I did not know the word but I needed it in that piece of writing. Then, all of a sudden, the word ضفف (dafaf), which means ‘a large family’, was put into my heart in the form of verbal revelation. On another occasion, I needed a word that would convey the sense of ‘becoming speechless due to grief or anger’, but I did not know it. All at once, I received the revelation: وجوم (wujum).
“The same thing happens with regard to other sentences in Arabic. During the course of writing Arabic, hundreds of complete sentences descend upon my heart, either in the form of verbal revelation or in the form of a writing on a piece of paper which is shown to me by an angel. Some of these sentences are verses of the Holy Quran, or similar to them with minor modification.
“Sometimes I only find out later that a certain Arabic sentence that had been revealed to me by God was in fact present in a certain book. God, being the Lord of everything, has the authority to reveal to my heart a fine sentence from some book, or an exquisite verse from some book of poetry.
Maqamat al-Hariri by Muhammad al-Qasim ibn Ali ibn Muhammad ibn Uthman al-Hariri | Wiki Commons
“This much explanation is for the Arabic, but even more surprising is the fact that I receive revelations in languages like English, Sanskrit or Hebrew, with which I have no familiarity whatsoever. Some specimens of these [revelations] were included in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. God, in Whose hand is my life, is my witness that this is how He has been dealing with me. This is one of the signs pertaining to matters of the unseen that continue to be revealed to me in various forms.
“My God cares not if any phrase that is revealed to me happens to be present in some Arabic, Sanskrit or English book, because for me it is a matter of the unseen. For instance, God Almighty has related many episodes from the Torah in the Holy Quran, and has included them in the category of the unseen, because they were unseen for the Holy Prophetsa, though not for the Jews. Hence, this is why I challenge the whole world to compete with me in writing a miraculous exegesis of the Holy Quran in eloquent Arabic. Otherwise what is a mere mortal man and what power does a son of Adam have to arrogantly challenge the whole world?” (Essence of Islam, Vol. 5, pp. 156-158, [Nuzul-ul-Masih, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, pp. 434-436])
The objections that are raised by opponents against the Promised Messiahas were levelled in the past as well. The identical attitude of the enemies of Islam towards the Holy Prophetsa is mentioned in the Holy Quran. Allah the Almighty says:
قَالُوۡا مِثۡلَ مَا قَالَ الۡاَوَّلُوۡنَ
“They say like what the former people said.” (Surah al-Muminun, Ch.23: V.82)
At another place in the Holy Quran, God Almighty states:
“Likewise said those before them similar to their saying. Their hearts are alike.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.119)
Abdullah bin Abi Sarah, a katib-e-wahi [a scribe who would write down revelations], became an apostate and left Mecca because of a similar objection and misunderstanding. Once, when the Holy Prophetsa was dictating verses 14 and 15 of Surah Al-Muminun to him, the Holy Prophetsa reached the verse:
ثُمَّ اَنۡشَاۡنٰہُ خَلۡقًا اٰخَرَ
Abdullah bin Abi Sarah, spontaneously said:
فَتَبٰرَکَ اللّٰہُ اَحۡسَنُ الۡخٰلِقِیۡنَ
The Holy Prophetsa told him to write it down as it was exactly the verse that was revealed to him. Abdullah bin Abi Sarah, not realising that the verse he recited was in fact a natural sequence in relation to the previous verses, inferred that just as the Holy Prophetsa had considered his uttered words as divine revelation, the Holy Prophetsa was (God forbid) fabricating the entire text of the Quran.
Similar allegations have been raised by ignorant Christians against the divine word of God, the Holy Quran. They submit that the verses of the Holy Quran have been taken from the poems of the poets of pre-Islamic era.
A Christian, Rev William St Clair Tisdall, wrote a book in Persian language, which was translated into English by William Muir and published under the title, The Sources of Islam. In this book, he objects:
“It is interesting also to note that some verses of the Quran have without doubt been taken from poems anterior to Muhammad’s assumption of the prophetic office, in proof of which two passages in the Sabaa Moallaqat of Imraul Cays etc. are quoted, in which several verses of the Quran occur, such as, ‘The hour has come, and shattered is the moon.’
“It was the custom of the time for poets and orators to hang up their compositions upon the Kaaba; and we know the Seven Moallaqat were so exposed. We are told that Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter, was one day repeating as she went along, the above verse. Just then she met the daughter of Imraul Cays, who cried out:
‘O that’s what your father has taken from one of my father’s poems, and calls it something that has come down to him out of heaven’; and the story is commonly told amongst the Arabs until now.
“The connection between the poetry of Imraul Cays and the Quran is so obvious that the Muslim cannot but hold that they existed with the latter in the Heavenly Table from all eternity! What then will he answer? That the words were taken from the Qur’an and entered in the poem, – an impossibility. Or that their writer was not really Imraul Cays, but some other who, after the appearance of the Quran, had the audacity to quote them there as they now appear; – rather a difficult thing to prove!” (The Sources of Islam, pp. 9-10)
Apart from the above mentioned verse of the Holy Quran presented by William Muir, the opponents of Islam present some other verses of the Holy Quran, which in their view, were plagiarised from the poems of the pre-Islamic poets. Below are some examples:
“And upon Allah rests the showing of the right way and there are ways which deviate from the right course.” (Surah al-Nahl, Ch.16: V.10)
The opponents say that the above verse was plagiarised from the following couplet of Imraul Qais:
ومن الطریقۃ جائر و ھدی
قصد السبیل و منہ ذو دخل
“Among the very many ways, one way is that of oppression and the other is of guidance. There is also a way of moderation and yet another way is that of violence.” (Diwan Imraul Qais, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Ilmiyyah, Beirut [2004], p. 131)
God Almighty states:
وَ مَا یُبۡدِئُ الۡبَاطِلُ وَ مَا یُعِیۡدُ
“And falsehood could neither originate any good nor reproduce it.” (Surah Saba, Ch.34: V.50)
Ibn al-Abras said:
اقفر من اھلہ عبید
فالیوم لا یبدی ولا یعید
“Obaid parted from his family, so today he will not present any couplet at anyone’s request nor will he return after today.” (Ash-Sher wa ash-Shuara li Ibn Qutaybah, p. 95)
Allah the Almighty says:
اِنَّ عَذَابَہَا کَانَ غَرَامًا
“Surely, the punishment thereof is a lasting torment.” (Surah al-Furqan, Ch.25: V.66)
Abi Khazim said:
و یوم النسار و یوم الجفا
ر،کانا عذابا و کانا غراما
“There was torment and destruction in both of these two days during the Arabs’ war era.” (Diwan Bishr bin Abi Khazim al-Asadi, Dar-ul-Kutub al-Arabi, Beirut [1994], p. 135)
God Almighty states:
خَلَقَ الۡاِنۡسَانَ مِنۡ صَلۡصَالٍ کَالۡفَخَّارِ
“He created man from dry ringing clay which is like baked pottery.” (Surah al-Rahman, Ch.55: V.15)
Umayyah bin Abi as-Salt said:
کیف الجحود و انما خلق الفتی
من طین صلصال لہ فخار
“How can a stubborn denial be possible when man is created from ringing clay? For which there is also the sound of ringing.” (Diwan Umayyah bin as-Salt, Dar Sadir, Beirut [1998], p. 82)
Allah the Almighty says:
مَنۡ یُّحۡیِ الۡعِظَامَ وَہِیَ رَمِیۡمٌ
“Who can quicken the bones when they are decayed?” (Surah Ya Sin, Ch.36: V.79)
Zuhayr bin Abi Sulma said:
سیحیی العظام وھی رمیم
“Soon he will revive the bones, even though they are rotten.” (Al-Milal wa al-Nihal, Bab as-Salis, Vol. 3, p. 88)
“Say, ‘He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Independent and Besought of all. He begets not, nor is He begotten.” (Surah al-Ikhlas, Ch.112: V.2-4)
Qas Ibn Saidah said:
کلا بل ھو اللّٰہ احد
لیس بمولود ولا والد
“Surely, He is Allah, the One. He has not been created nor has He given birth to anyone.” (Al-Milal wa al-Nihal, Bab as- Salis, Vol. 3, p. 86)
Allah the Almighty says:
اِقۡتَرَبَتِ السَّاعَۃُ وَانۡشَقَّ الۡقَمَرُ
“The Hour has drawn nigh, and the moon is rent asunder.” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.2)
_suhaib_a | Instagram
Imraul Qais said:
دنت الساعۃ وانشق القمر
عن غزال صادونفر
“That special hour approached and the moon rent asunder because of that deerlike beloved, whose existence has taken hold of my heart and has now run away.” (Faiz al-Qadir Sharah al-Jami al-Saghir, Vol. 2, p. 187)
“When the earth is shaken with her violent shaking, and the earth brings forth her burdens.” (Surah az-Zilzal, Ch.99: V.2-3)
Imraul Qais said:
اذا زلزلت الارض زلزالھا
واخرجت الارض اثقالھا
“When the earth will be shaken fully and it will bring forth its loads.” (Faiz al-Qadir Sharah al-Jami al-Saghir, Vol. 2, p. 187)
Allah the Almighty says:
فَتَعَاطٰی فَعَقَرَ
“And he seized a sword and hamstrung her.” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.30)
فَکَانُوۡا کَہَشِیۡمِ الۡمُحۡتَظِرِ
“And they became like the dry stubble, trampled upon.” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.32)
There are some examples in Mausuah Abbas. It is stated:
مر یوم العید فی زینتہ
فرمانی تعاطی فعقر
بسھام من لحاظ فاتک
فترکنی کہشیم المحتظر
“The day of Eid appeared outside with all its glory and it shot me with a killer look. Hence, that day seized me and hamstrung me. In the end, it left me like a dry stubble, trampled upon.” (Mausuah Abbas, Tawhid wa al-Anbiya, Vol. 1, p. 795)
God Almighty states:
وَھُمۡ مِّنۡ کُلِّ حَدَبٍ یَّنۡسِلُوۡنَ
“And they shall hasten forth from every height.” (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.97)
لِمِثۡلِ ھٰذَا فَلۡیَعۡمَلِ الۡعٰمِلُوۡنَ
“For the like of this, then, let the workers work.” (Surah as-Saffat, Ch.37: V.62)
The following couplets are also present in Mausuah Abbas:
اقبل العشاق من خلفہ
کانھم من حدب ینسلون
وجاء یوم العید فی زینۃ
لمثل ذا فلیعمل العاملون
“The admirers immediately came from behind it. They looked as though they came running fast from a high place. The day of Eid came with its pomp and show. The workers should do the same as the day reminds them to.” (Mausuah Abbas, Tawhid wa al-Anbiya, Vol. 1, p. 795)
Hence, if the opponents of Islam can raise allegations of plagiarism against the Holy Quran, which is the perfect and flawless scripture of Allah the Almighty, then we can expect anything from the enemies of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Islam because their hearts are alike.
Below are the names of those noble persons who, through the collective efforts of Ahmadi missionaries over the past two weeks, had the honour of accepting Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam:
1. Mr Frederick Field: He is given the Islamic name Ali. This gentleman previously belonged to the Salvation Army. He is a very religious person. He converted to Islam after listening to speeches in the park and studying literature.
2. Miss Alice Wright: Her Islamic name is Amina. This lady was also under tabligh for a long time. She used to join lectures and reads books. After a three-month research period, she finally converted to Islam with purity of heart.
3. Mrs Lilian Maud Gauhar: Her Islamic name is Amina. This woman is the wife of a friend from Egypt. The message of Islam had been conveyed to her for quite some time [and ultimately, she accepted Ahmadiyyat].
An Ahmadi English barrister
A learned English barrister-at-law, who belongs to a noble family, was under tabligh for a long time. After much deliberation, research and prayer, he entered the fold of Ahmadiyyat. Members of the Jamaat are requested to pray for the perseverance of all the converts.
Letter from an American Ahmadi lady to her brothers and sisters in India
We have received a letter from Sister Fatima Mustafa through Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahib, which she has sent to her Indian Ahmadi brothers and sisters. Before we present this letter, I would like to express that this lady is making great progress in spirituality.
In a very short span of time, she has memorised the Arabic wording of Salat and is regularly offering five daily prayers. She is learning Arabic language and also practicing to write Urdu. She studies the books of the Promised Messiahas as well. Moreover, she gives regular weekly chanda.
Last month, she sent five dollars to be presented before Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II[ra] and another five dollars were sent this month as well. Members of the Jamaat are requested to specially pray that Allah the Almighty may increase her in sincerity and remove her troubles and difficulties. (Editor, Al Fazl [1920])
The letter is as follows:
As our dear and honourable missionary, Mufti Muhammad Sadiq, has informed me many times about the greetings of Salam [peace be upon you] that I have received from the brothers and sisters of India, I accept it by sincerely writing these few words.
On this occasion, I greet all the brothers and sisters by saying, Assalamo alaikum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu!
I pray that God, the Beneficent and the Merciful, may one day grant me the strength to personally visit Asia.
