Hazrat Abu Hurairah, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“Do you think that if there was a river by the door of any one of you, and he bathed in it five times each day, there would be any trace of dirt left on him?” They said, “No trace of dirt would be left on him.” He said, “That is the likeness of the five daily prayers. By means of them, Allah erases sins.”
(Sunan an-Nasai, Kitab al-Salah)
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad a.s.
Alas for Islam! Islam has always been wronged. When two brothers are in dispute, the elder brother, on account of his age and rank, oppresses the younger one for no reason whatsoever, because the former believes he commands a greater right due to his having been born first. However, both are entitled to equal rights. A similar form of injustice is being committed against Islam, which came after all the past religions. The errors committed by these religions were corrected by Islam and since they consider themselves greater, they have become displeased with Islam just as it is customary for an ignorant person to grow hostile towards the one who means them well. A large family, ancient ancestry and wealth often make a person arrogant. The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, belonged to an impoverished, small and newly formed group of people. So in the beginning, people of other faiths did not accept him. People always act unjustly towards the truth.
(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 6)
23 February 1901: Ijaz-ul-Masih (Miracles of the Messiah), a book of the Promised Messiahas, was published by Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian. It is a remarkable work in Arabic by the Promised Messiahas which was prompted by the devious tricks of Pir Meher Ali Shah. This masterpiece was penned by the Promised Messiahas in a very short period of time.
24 February 1887: Alexander Russell Webb sent a letter to the Promised Messiahas. This American writer, publisher and the United States Consul to the Philippines sent his first letter to the Promised Messiahas from America on 17 December 1886.
24 February 1898: The Promised Messiahas sent a report to Lieutenant Governor Nawab Bahadur which contained details regarding the condition of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and some basic information about its founder. At the end of this 16-page announcement, there was a list of 317 respected members of the Jamaat.
24 February 1899: Owing to a court hearing, the Promised Messiahas departed to Gurdaspur from Qadian. The judge, Mr JM Dowie, gave his verdict and acquitted him of all charges.
26 February 1899: The Promised Messiahas published an announcement to convey to his followers in which he mentioned the details of the decision regarding the criminal case under section 107. Seven hundred copies of this announcement were published from Zia-ul-Islam Press, Qadian.
27 February 1905: The Promised Messiahas published a one-page announcement containing general guidance for members of the Jamaat. At the end, he stated that the book Nusratul-Haq was being printed in Qadian and had been handed over to Pir Manzoor Muhammad Sahib so that he may print and publish it. An indication that the Promised Messiahas began writing this book in the month of February is given in Mujmu‘a Ishtiharat (Vol. 2, p. 628).
27 February 1907: An earthquake struck India for the second time in accordance with a prophecy of the Promised Messiahas.
28 February 1898: The incident of Maulvi Muhammad Hussein Batalvi’s humiliation and admonishment which he faced in the governmental court for demanding a chair that resulted from his enmity against the Promised Messiahas is well-known in our history. On this day, Maulvi Muhammad Hussein Batalvi sent a letter to the Promised Messiahas in which he strongly denied the occurrence of this incident.
28 February 1903: The Promised Messiah’sas Urdu book, Naseem-e-Dawat was published on this day. In the month of February 1903, some new Muslim friends, out of sympathy and goodwill and without consulting the Promised Messiahas, issued a poster, Arya Samaj aur Qadian, in which they very politely invited the Arya Hindus and Sikhs to have a prayer duel with the Promised Messiahas or hold a religious conference to seek the truth about their religion. (Al Hakam, 21 February 1903)
These Muslim friends never expected a vile provocation in response to it. On 8 February 1903, the Promised Messiahas received a revelation from God:
حَرْبٌ مُهَيَّجَةٌ
“A furious battle.” It was thought to indicate that the poster issued by the Muslim friends would evoke a violent response with vile and filthy abuse.
The revelation came true when the same evening a highly vituperative poster of the Arya Hindus reached the Promised Messiahas. It was dated 7 February 1903. It bore the heading in Urdu, A Response to the Tall Claims of the Disciples of the Qadiani Pope. It was followed by a similar vile writing in an English newspaper of the Arya Samaj. Another abusive poster was issued by one Tooti Ram.
This book of the Promised Messiahas dealt with the dire situation in a most suitable manner.
28 February 1906: A Muslim from Bans Bareli, being upset because of a book Yanabiul Islam by a Christian author, sent a painful letter to the Promised Messiahas in the last days of February. In response to it, the Promised Messiahas penned a detailed letter in March 1906 which was published by Magazine Press, Qadian in the form of a book named Chashma-e-Masihi (The Fountain of Christianity). The Christian author argued in his book that Islam had brought no new teachings, and the Holy Quran was based mostly on tales of the past – some true, some wrong, some plagiarised – and this act was attributed to the Holy Prophetsa. This charge against the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophetsa was enough to prompt the Promised Messiahas to write a convincing rebuttal with reasons and arguments.
Zuna Khan
Lajna Imaillah UK
On Saturday, 16 February 2019, local and regional Lajna Imaillah UK presidents were blessed to be granted a mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah strengthen his hand.
131 local sadrs and 15 regional sadrs from across the country attended. This was a historic occasion as it was the first time Lajna Imaillah UK were privileged to have this opportunity.
During the course of the mulaqat, the sadrs were given the opportunity to seek guidance and ask questions of Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. The questions asked were on a wide variety of topics including tarbiyat issues being faced in their majlis, integration of new converts into the Jamaat, effective methods of tabligh, chanda collection, raising children and how to re-establish contact with members who no longer attend Jamaat functions.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa graciously provided guidance and wisdom regarding the various issues raised. Huzooraa repeatedly stressed the need for sadrs to work on reforming themselves first and to show patience and love to their members. Huzooraa also guided on the importance of developing strong personal relationships between sadrs and Lajna members and reminded them that tarbiyat training takes time.
The mulaqat ended just before Zuhr, where the sadrs were very fortunate to offer their prayers behind their beloved Imamaa.
Alhamdolillah, the feedback received was overwhelmingly positive. Many sadrs expressed their gratitude to Huzooraa for giving them so much of his precious time and for the loving guidance he shared. Many expressed how memorable the experience was and how they now felt inspired and re-energised to discharge their duties.
May Allah enable all of us to better serve the Jamaat and Lajna Imaillah and discharge our duties to the best of our abilities.
In our previous issues of Al Hakam, we have published news of different groups such as Ansar, Lajna, Khuddam, students and Waqf-e-Nau who travel from around the world to visit their beloved Imam, Hazrat Khalfiatul Masihaa, and seek guidance on various matters.
On 17 February, the Norway Majlis Ansarullah Amila had a mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. The group’s main focus and aim was to seek guidance from Huzooraa on various matters.
Huzooraa commenced the mulaqat with silent prayer and then enquired from each Nasir regarding their duties and respective roles.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa paid great emphasis on offering the five daily prayers, reciting the Holy Quran and listening to the Friday Sermons.
Whilst talking about the speech that Huzooraa delivered at the UK Ansar Ijtema, Huzooraa instructed the qaid of tarbiyat to extract points and write a summary of the speech and to then ensure that all Ansar in Norway read it. Huzooraa stated that the main focus of the speech was regarding the importance of Salat.
Along with seeking guidance, the Ansar also had the opportunity to ask Huzooraa various questions.
One member of Majlis Ansarullah Norway asked Huzooraa how they can involve more Ansar in Jamaat work and activities.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stated, “First, it is important for all the Ansar to understand their role, and in order to do this, tarbiyat is required, especially at this age as their children will look towards them.” Huzooraa further stated, “If you keep in mind the true meaning of Ansar [helpers] and Nasir [helper], then you will realise the true meaning behind Ansarullah.”
One Nasir, alluding to the Friday Sermon where Huzooraa mentioned the dangers of playing Fortnite (a popular online game), asked Huzooraa regarding the game and requested to briefly shed some more light on the matter.
Answering the question, Huzooraa stated, “I have already talked about this and after doing so, I have received letters from people around the world who have said that they have stopped playing.”
Further stating the reason behind banning the game, Huzooraa stated, “Due to this, when children become addicted to the game, they are forced to spend money to enter the next stage and this has, in many cases, resulted in emptying the bank accounts of their parents.”
At the end of the mulaqat, the Ansar were fortunate to have a group photo with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.
Qasid Waraich
Missionary, Trinidad and Tobago
On Sunday, 27 January, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Trinidad and Tobago hosted its 7th Annual Peace Walk.
Members from across the country began gathering at the Jamaat headquarters in Preysal at 6:30am. By the grace of Allah, over 130 members, dressed in white, participated in this five-kilometre walk.
The Peace Walk is held to create awareness about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and to clear the misconceptions regarding the true teachings of Islam. During this walk, Khuddam held banners bearing the Jamaat motto “Love for all, hatred for none” and the logo of Humanity First. Children and Lajna members waved flags with various messages of peace.
As the members passed through the streets, one of the Ansar brothers presented a brief introduction of the Jamaat on a loudspeaker and invited the local community to join us on this endeavour.
Local residents were curious to learn about the purpose of the Peace Walk. Many came out of their homes and stores to show their support. The Khuddam on duty were asked several questions regarding the Jamaat. Some people requested to be informed about the following year’s Peace Walk in advance so that they could also participate.
Although it was difficult for senior members to walk the entire circuit, they were still given an equal opportunity to take part. For their convenience, vehicles were arranged to follow behind the walkers to ensure that they could participate to their fullest.
As the members completed the Peace Walk and returned to the headquarters, they were served a delicious Trinidadian corn soup. As the day came to an end, participants got the opportunity to enjoy each other’s company and celebrate their efforts.
By the grace of Allah, this was a very successful event. May Allah continue to enable Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to spread the true teachings of Islam and Ahmadiyyat, under the guidance of our beloved Imamaa.
Dr Noureen Ahmad
General Practitioner, Belgium
Hyperlipidaemia is a condition when lipid or fat levels are high in the blood. This can be under the form of cholesterol and triglycerides. When there is a high lipid level, it cannot be removed properly from the blood. The excess fat is deposited in the blood vessels and keeps accumulating, affecting the blood flow and depriving blood and oxygen to organs such as the heart, brain and other organs. The long-term problems that this can cause are heart attacks and strokes, which can also be extremely fatal.
Our blood contains different kinds of fat, like cholesterol. There is an LDL-cholesterol, which is known as the “bad” cholesterol as it transports cholesterol to cells and blood vessels and can start building up in the vessels causing blockage of the arteries. The HDL-cholesterol is the “good” cholesterol, which transports cholesterol back to the liver for it to be broken-down and excreted out of the body. Triglycerides are another type of lipids in the blood, which are a form of fat stored in the cells and used for energy, however high levels of these pose problems for the liver and pancreas as well as heart problems.
The causes of hyperlipidaemia can be due to an unhealthy diet, smoking, alcohol, being overweight, less physical activity, diabetes mellitus and kidney, liver or thyroid insufficiency. Patients using steroids also have a high risk for developing hyperlipidaemia. In some families, there can be an underlying genetic disorder, which can lead to familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). FH can cause extremely high levels of cholesterol and can cause heart diseases at a very young age if left untreated. Usually FH is inherited and passed down through families.
The diagnosis of hyperlipidaemia is made by evaluating the lipid levels of all the different type of fats in the blood. To exclude underlying causes, tests for thyroid, liver, kidney and blood glucose are also carried out.
Despite no acute clinical symptoms in the moment, after the diagnosis of hyperlipidaemia, it is necessary to treat the high lipid levels to prevent many diseases from occurring, which can seriously affect the life expectancy.
Primary treatment of hyperlipidaemia depends on lifestyle changes. It is important to have a healthy diet and avoid saturated fats, usually found in butter, ghee, patisseries, cheese and red meat. The UK health guidelines recommend a maximum of 30 grams of saturated fat a day for the average man and a maximum 20 grams per day for the average woman.
Monounsaturated fats like olive oil, avocados and nuts are thought to be able to lower the LDL levels and raise HDL in the blood. Food rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as oily fish (mackerel, salmon and herring) are also good for you and can reduce triglyceride levels in some people. However too much omega-3 fatty acids can contribute to obesity. Thereofore for people with a high triglyceride levels, at least 1-2 portions of oily fish a week is thought to be beneficial.
There are also supplements available containing fish oils and can be used in individuals who are unable to eat enough fish. Besides this, a good variety of fruits and vegetables can also lower the blood cholesterol, for instance, vegetables such as soybeans, lentils, okra, eggplants, potatoes and fruits like fresh figs, berries and apples.
Recently, there has been cholesterol-lowering products such as margarines; these contain plant sterols (similar to cholesterol) and reduce the cholesterol absorption in the intestines. This can lead to a small decrease in the cholesterol blood level, but it is advised to avoid them as a long-term use, as it can also affect the absorption of the fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, K) from the intestines.
Behavioural changes such as more exercise and smoking cessation can also lead to more production of HDL, the good cholesterol.
In some circumstances, the doctor can start with medication for hyperlipidaemia. This is usually when lifestyle changes do not decrease the high lipids in the blood. A high cardiovascular risk such as smoking, being overweight, high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus can also lead to starting medication for hyperlipidaemia. These medications can be statins, fibrates and nicotinic acid.
Statins decrease high levels of cholesterol whereas fibrates and nicotinic acid are effective against triglycerides.
The doctor will start medications based on the clinical condition of the patient followed by a control test after a few months to analyse the efficiency of the used medication. This treatment can be continued if an improvement is observed but blood check-ups are still required regularly. With no improvement, the dose of the medication can be elevated or other medications can be suggested or added to an existing treatment.
Manahil Khan
Virginia, USA
The Ahmadiyya Jamaat of Virginia Central and Virginia North conducted their annual Sirat-un-Nabi Jalsa on January 27 as they remembered their chief and master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
The event took place in Masjid Mubarak and was attended by a large and diverse group of members of the Jamaat, totaling more than 250 participants.
The common goal set by all the participants and guests was to hear the word of Allah, gain knowledge about the admirable life of the Holy Prophetsa, and most of all, to attain as much inspiration as possible to lead a path similar to the one set by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa himself.
The event commenced with a reading from the Holy Quran followed by an Arabic poem written by the Promised Messiahas expressing his great love for the Holy Prophetsa. An addition to the Jalsa this year was the successful attempt to include the younger members of the local Jamaat.
The young members of Tahir Academy gave three different yet very insightful presentations about the life of the Holy Prophetsa, including topics such as The Childhood of the Holy Prophetsa, The Holy Prophetsa as a Father and The Holy Prophet’s Marriage with Hazrat Khadijara. All of the presentations were knowledgeable and moving for all in attendance.
Another addition to the event this year was an essay competition. The English and Urdu Essay writing competition was conducted as an open-ended invitation to all, including Atfal, Nasirat, Khuddam, Lajna and Ansar, with The Holy Prophetsa – the Exemplary Worshipper of Allah as the general topic for all. As a result, 16 submissions were received for the English essay competition and two for the Urdu essay.
The essay competition itself proved to be a very innovative and stimulating experience for all the participants, while also giving an opportunity to learn about the life and countless qualities of the Holy Prophetsa first hand.
The winning Urdu and English essays were also read out during the event and will be published later in the Ahmadiyya Gazette of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya USA.
Subsequently, a brief video was presented through MTA resources, displaying the excellences of Holy Prophetsa, based on narrations included in Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa Friday Sermons.
To end the event, the regional missionary Faran Rabbani Sahib delivered a speech on A Day in the Life of the Holy Prophetsa. The heart-warming and poignant speech gave the listeners multitudes to think about, analyse their own lives and motivate themselves to start an expedition to follow the course set through the ideal practices by the Holy Prophetsa himself.
The Jalsa was then concluded with silent prayer led by Faran Rabbani Sahib, followed by the Zuhr and Asr prayers and lunch served to attendees.
The event was a refreshing way for Jamaat members to glance within their souls, step away from the materialistic aspects of the daily hustle and bustle, and enliven their faith that might have been lost somewhere within the temporary sparkle of the secular world.
A letter written for the Review of Religions recounting some of Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq’sra experiences whilst serving in England as a missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. This letter dates back a hundred years ago.
“You won’t be cross,” I said to my land-lady with whom I had once put up in a sea-side town of England. “You won’t be cross Mrs … if I ask you to remove the wooden cross on the chimney-piece of my room? I don’t like the cross – an instrument used by the wicked people for torturing the holy men of God as Jesus, his companions and followers were.”
“Oh, no,” said the lady. “There is nothing to be cross in that. I will remove it from there. [I] myself do not like the cross. It was given to my child as a present and I kept it there. I can’t understand why High Churchmen make so much of it.”
Really, I wonder why Christians are so fond of [the] cross. They place it on the Church minarets. They hang it around their necks. They keep it on the altar. Some bow before it. Some kneel before it. Others go so far as to worship it. I don’t find this compatible even with their own present religious doctrines, to say nothing of those taught and practised by Jesus himself. It was Christ as they think who by victory over death brought salvation to them, not the cross which tortured or killed the Christ, their saviour.
Just fancy what the people will think of the man who makes an image of the long-range Big Bertha German gun and worships it because it killed those who gave up their lives for their king and country. Will he be a wise man?
The cross was the instrument used by the Devil and his friends to torment and kill the blessed Jesus. Ah, what a pain the spirit of Jesus might be feeling, when even those who call him “My Lord, My Lord” are loving and adoring it so much and spending a great deal of their money, time, labour and thought on it.
I think this was one of the causes that moved his spirit to reappear in some form in those days. And certainly he has appeared again, just as the Prophet Elijah appeared in John the Baptist.
And if you are willing to receive it, “Ahmad” is the Promised Messiah that was to come. “He that hath ears to hear let him hear.” He has proved his claims by miracles, arguments and teachings.
One of his great achievements is that he successfully proved that the cross and the advocates of the cross were not victorious over Jesus Christ, because he did not die an accursed death on the cross, but he was victorious over the cross and the advocates of the cross that failed to take his life. He came down from it in a swoon-like state, walked about and ate with his friends for forty days in the same neighbourhood, then went up a mountain and, hid in the clouds, crossed over the borders of that land, travelled through other countries till at last he reached [Kashmir] which was inhabited by the lost tribes of the Israelites, lived there to a good old age, died an honourable death like other prophets of God and his tomb can still be seen in Srinagar, the capital town of [Kashmir].
The tradition of the country, history, the old Gospel, The Crucifixion by an Eye-Witness and above all the latest revelation of God given to one who is the Christ of the day and a messenger from the Almighty and All-Knowing all prove that it is the Christ who should be honoured and not the cross.
O ye who call yourselves Christians, remember that you are following a wrong way by honouring the cross. Better correct your mistake even now. It is never too late to mend. Remove all the crosses from your flags, decorations, paintings, and memorials, from your minds and from everywhere and follow the Messiah of the day to have an everlasting life in the pleasure of your Creator, the One God who alone must be adored and worshipped.
My letter published in the Daily Echo of Bournemouth dated 20 January 1919 is given below:
“Sir, as we read in the papers, King Hussein has now taken possession of another holy city of the Moslem world, viz., Medina. The word Medina, or more properly el-Medina, means “The City” being famous for containing the master-Prophet’s tomb. It was the centre of the Islamic world during the reign of the four chief Caliphs (successors) of the Prophet. This change of the rule from the Turks to the Sayeds (the direct descendants of the Prophet) will be thankfully looked upon by the Arabs specially, and the Mohammedans all over the world generally, except those who were vainly dreaming of a political pan-Islamism under the suzerainty of the Ottoman Power.
“Islam, as a religion, has nothing to do with politics. ‘No religious wars are now allowed’ said the Moslem prophet, Ahmad, of Qadian, India, not many years ago, ‘and if any Moslem ruler takes up Jehad (religions war,) he shall certainly fail, and this will be a sign of the truth of my claim and teachings.’
“It was the ill-fate of the Turks to prove first of all the truth of this prophecy. King Hussein’s securing the surrender of Medina by arrangement and not by assault, endears him the more to the Moslem hearts. King Hussein has really proved himself a wise and pious man by respecting the sacred relics. Thanks to the wise policy of the British Government in helping the Arabs to regain their traditional independence.
“Yours Faithfully. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq. 11, Methuen-road, 18 January 1919.”
Bishop Mitchinson has died leaving an estate of Rs. 72,000. He has left the wine and the beer in the cellars to his successors. For all this, it is hoped that he, like many others of his rank in the Church, was thin enough to pass through the needle’s eye into the Kingdom of God.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Georgia (AMAG) held its first Blood Drive on Saturday, 2 February 2019 in Tbilisi, Georgia.
The event was held in AMAG’s office, in partnership with the National Blood Bank and AG MELCO Elevator Georgia Co LLC. A total of 17 people attended, with 9 people donating blood.
The National Blood Bank expressed immense gratitude for the donation and hoped to work with AMAG in the future. Alhamdolillah.
The following day, on 3 February, AMAG held its first Peace Seminar.
The Peace Seminar aims to spread peace, love, harmony and most importantly the true teachings of Islam across Georgia. The event consisted of two short speeches on historical personalities that undertook peace work, a speech on the Ahmadiyya Jamaat and their peace work, a quiz competition based on the speeches, lunch and a prize and gift ceremony.
26 people attended the event, which was held from 12pm to 3pm. All participants were given gift bags containing AMAG pens and notepads, as well as an introductory pamphlet to the Ahmadiyya Community and some extracts in the form of a booklet from Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa speeches.
The participants advised that this event was unique for them, and expressed their gratitude and willingness to attend future events. Alhamdolillah.
Al Hakam is a weekly English newspaper for members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat around the world. Its aim is to provide Ahmadis with content regarding the beliefs of the true Islam, reintroduced to the world by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, peace be on him.
Contact us: info@alhakam.org
© 2019 Al Hakam
