The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Eswatini (Swaziland) successfully held its 2nd Jalsa Salana on 30 March 2019.
The Jalsa was organised in Hlatikulu, Magele at our mosque, where 155 Jamaat members and guests assembled for the Jalsa. A delegation of 9 members from South Africa, led by the Amir and Missionary In-charge Mansoor Ahmad Zahid Sahib, attended the Jalsa, the theme of which was Ensuring Discipline in Society; The Role of Religion. Several external guests also graced the event with their presence.
The Jalsa started with Tahajud prayers, which was followed by a dars on the importance and blessings of Salat. Fajr prayer was led by Amir Sahib followed by another short dars from the Holy Quran.
The main sitting of the Jalsa was marked by several speeches. Amir Sahib gave his keynote address on the theme of the Jalsa. Mr Ahmad Abdullah Opoku from Limmpopo province of South Africa delivered a speech on Th e long-awaited messiah has come. Among other topics, speeches covered Islam and hygiene and Should Islam really be feared?
Some guests who were invited were given space to say a few words. Th ey all spoke highly of the Jamaat and requested that the Jamaat should organise more of such gatherings so that they can learn more about Islam as they were lacking the true knowledge of Islam as a religion.
Alhamdolillah, the Jalsa was a success on all fronts despite initial anxieties due to a backlash from a local pastor and persons of infl uence.
By the grace of Allah and with the prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, the Jalsa proved to be a landmark in the history of Ahmadiyyat in Swaziland. Alhamdolillah!
Hazrat Anas bin Malik, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:
“It is from the conditions of the Last Hour that knowledge would be taken away and ignorance would prevail (upon the world), the liquor would be drunk, and adultery would become rampant.”
Ageing is natural; feeling depressed as
you age is not. Mental health issues in the elderly are not often considered
important and the signs of depression in older adults are often chalked up to
be the typical signs of getting older, but this is further from truth.
Depression is more than just being sad
or feeling low, rather it’s a persistent and pervasive medical condition which
negatively impacts one’s daily functioning. 65 years or older is considered to
be a geriatric demographic and this population is specifically at a high risk
of under- or mis-diagnosis. The reason being that the elderly usually do not
report the symptoms to their primary healthcare provider and most often they
consider these to be symptoms or reactions to be caused by other medical
conditions.
Studies show that most older adults
feel accomplished and satisfied with their lives in spite of having to deal
with age related health decline or disabilities. The normal ageing process
includes some highs and lows in one’s mood, chronic physical ailments,
progressive physiological and psychosocial changes. All these issues can cause
a person to feel anxious or sad.
Once the adjustment phase is completed,
many regain their emotional footing, but others do not and may develop
depression. The most common types of depression that occur in the elderly are
major depression and dysthymia (chronic persistent depressive disorder that can
last for at least 2 years).
Symptoms
of depression in the elderly
The
imperative feature of a major depressive episode is it lasting over a period of
at least 2 weeks, during which there is either depressed mood or loss of
interest or pleasure in nearly all activities.
According
to the American association for geriatric psychiatry, the most common symptoms
of depression in the elderly include:
1.Persistent
sadness (lasting 2 weeks or more)
2.Engaging in very few activities or no
engagement at all
3.Anhedonia (decreased interest especially
in activities they loved doing earlier)
4.Decreased concentration and attention
(if one is not suffering from dementia or other degenerative brain disease)
5.Decreased motivation to meet people
or to go out
6.Appetite changes (gaining or losing
weight) and/or stop eating altogether
7.Frequent tearfulness
8.Feeling of worthlessness or
helplessness
9.Pacing, fidgeting and irritability
10. Excessive worrying about health and
finances
11.
Difficulty falling asleep
12.
Somatic complaints (medically unexplained chronic pain or gastrointestinal
problems)
13.
Withdrawal from social and recreational activities
14.
Suicidality (tendency to commit suicide)
Depression in the older population may
be difficult to recognise sometimes as they may show different symptoms than
the younger population. For many, sadness may not be a main symptom and they
may tend to show less obvious symptoms like getting irritable and grumpy very
often and very easily.
Depression
and dementia
Even though depression and dementia
share certain traits, below are symptoms that will help you distinguish between
the two.
In depression the mental decline is
rapid, there is difficulty in concentration, motor and language skills are
slowed down but are still normal, and the sufferer can still state the current
time, date, day and year. The orientation of the sufferer also seems to be
intact and they worry or get anxious if they notice any memory problems.
However, in dementia sufferers, the
mental decline is gradual, patients struggle with short term memory and the
language, writing, executive skills are impaired. Patients become confused and
disoriented or wonder where they are and they don’t seem to care or worry about
memory problems or confusion.
Depression in the elderly can co-occur
with other illnesses like cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, stroke, cardiovascular diseases, lupus and
multiple sclerosis and so on.
Risk
factors that can cause geriatric depression
Polypharmacy: The elderly are usually on multiple medications, for
example, just to name a few are anti-hypertensives, corticosteroids,
chemotherapeutics, medications that treat hepatitis C, anti-inflammatory,
anti-infective drugs, all of which can cause depression.
Stroke:
Incidents of strokes increase with age and according to a recent
population-based study in Europe, damages to different parts of the brain can
put patients at a high risk of developing post stroke depression (PSD). 60% of
post stroke patients develop depression and the psychological sequelae caused
by strokes can be unmanageable.
Chronic illnesses like cancer, diabetes, Parkinson’s disease and multiple
sclerosis can lead to the onset of depression in the elderly.
History of depression, alcoholism and other substance abuse can
also play a factor in major depression.
Psycho-socio factors: Loss of a spouse or a loved one, loss of peers, thoughts
associated with one’s own death, retirement, changes in social roles,
neighbourhood changes, loneliness, empty nest syndrome (wherein grown children
leave the house for education, to get married or move out) and social isolation
or neglect.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing and screening this
population is incredibly important. Early intervention leads to a quicker
recovery and prevents symptoms from worsening.
Research shows that if the elderly are
treated for geriatric depression, they are less likely to develop dementia.
It’s shown to be a protecting factor for memory and cognition.
According to the British Medical
Journal, a geriatric research group was followed for 8 years to study the
mortality rate of elderly who were on treatment for depression. The concluding
report showed that those that were treated for depression had a 24% decreased
mortality rate than those that were depressed and not treated. Geriatric
depression, if treated at early stages, can lead to a longer, healthier,
productive and more cognitively intact life.
To ensure the right diagnosis and avoid
misdiagnosis, talk with your primary care doctors about the symptoms,
medications and medical conditions can cause depression like symptoms, your
primary health care doctors will help rule out these possibilities by doing a
physical examination or lab tests. Also look for geriatric psychiatrist or
specifically trained psychologist who are specialists in psychological
evaluation and treatment.
The best option is to try to get hold
of a collaborative care unit which consists of primary care doctors, geriatric
psychiatrists, psychologist and mental health nurses/psychiatric nurses. Such
teams can provide total medical care for elderly patients with depression.
Effective
treatment options
Antidepressants are prescribed to
manage depression in severe cases. A psychiatrist may prescribe selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake
inhibitors (SNRIs) or any of the newer types of antidepressants like
mirtazapin, venlafaxine and duloxetine. These medications are often
administered at low doses and may take up to 2-4 weeks to show effects.
Non-pharmacological therapies include
psychotherapy and especially cognitive- behavioural therapy alone which may
help elderly patients with mild to moderate depression. This ongoing therapy
has excellent tools to change the negative thinking pattern and help elderly
function better in their day to day chores. Combining psychotherapy and
medications can be very helpful in severe cases.
Interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) helps
in recognising and coping with potential or actual recurring conflicts.
Participants will show significant reduction in suicidal ideation, death
ideation and significant improvement in the perceived meaning of life and
social adjustment.
Support groups can help you connect to
like-minded individuals with similar passions. This interaction with others
will help strengthen compliance with treatments and help you understand that
you are not alone; thereby increasing one’s sense of social support. These
groups can help alleviate depression and improve self-worth in the elderly.
Increase in elderly dependency, limited
mobility and need for long term care, make the elderly population more
vulnerable to maltreatment and insufficient care. In such context, the
caregivers or supporters have a tremendous role to play.
Key
supporters’ strategies
Family members should actively
intervene and increase their positive support for elderly members. They should
help coordinate with health care providers and accompany the person to the
doctor and provide important information.
Most depressed elderly patients may
resist help, but they must be assured in a non-acquiring way that an evaluation
will get them the best possible treatment which will help improve their
functioning and overall wellbeing.
The caregivers can keep a track of
activity or a mood log and this tool makes it easy to track moods of a
depressed person through the day. Keeping a track of their medication regularly
and indicating improvements on a weekly basis helps. A caregiver should be
careful about getting burned out, they should get a medical check done once
every 6 months and it is crucial that the caregiver’s mental and emotional
valence is stable.
There is always a risk of suicide in
the elderly population. It is more common in this group than in any other age
group, but remember, depression is a highly treatable medical problem; more
than 75% of all people treated with depression can be successfully
treated.
Elderly
people fly under the radar as they usually do not report their symptoms to the
doctor. They must be encouraged to share with others if they feel anything that
is overly uncomfortable. Getting help to improve mental health is not a
weakness or character flaw; it is just like seeking help for any other physical
ailment or problem.
(Please
see your GP and a geriatric psychiatrist or a specifically trained psychologist
if you feel you have symptoms mentioned in this article)
Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa moved earlier this afternoon from London to the new Jamaat Markaz (headquarters) in Tilford, Surrey, to the land that is fittingly named Islamabad.
Huzooraa had indicated in his Friday Sermon delivered on 12 April that he would soon be moving from London to Islamabad.
This historic moment came on Monday, 15 April 2019, immediately after the Asr prayer at Fazl Mosque, London, when Huzooraa departed the Fazl Mosque and took the A3 southbound, headed towards Islamabad.
A large number of Londoners were present to see off their beloved Imamaa, whom they had become accustomed to seeing in the Fazl Mosque five times a day at every prayer for almost 16 years; including the tenure of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, the Fazl Mosque served as the residence for Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya for almost 35 years.
The crowds of people gathered at the Fazl Mosque sang choral poems to see off their beloved Imamaa.
Huzoor’saa entourage arrived at Islamabad, Surrey at approximately 6:55pm where a large number of residents of Islamabad, those belonging to neighbouring Jamaats and many more joyfully welcomed Huzooraa.
After arriving at Islamabad, Huzooraa waved and said Salaam to the rejoicing crowds. The atmosphere echoed with the prayer:
رَبّنا تقبّل منّا انّک انت السّمیع العلیم
(Our Lord, accept this from us, for Thou art surely the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing) and choral poems (taranas) that children sang in praise of Allah to add colour to the very historic moment in the history of Islam.
Courtesy of AMA UK
This day was reminiscent of the great hijrats (migrations) that have taken place in the history of Islam. When progress and prosperity is manifested through the expansion of Allah’s Jamaat and migration is destined to happen, then Allah provides facilities to contain and uphold the divine bounties bestowed by Allah on His Jamaat.
We are fortunate to be living in the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, through whom, we have witnessed another milestone, among many, in the growth of Islam Ahmadiyyat.
We know from history that every hijrat has opened up avenues for the propagation of Islam and we know with full conviction that his hijrat will lead the Jamaat towards success that is otherwise unattainable by mere human power – Insha-Allah.
Central offices – including Huzoor’saa private secretariat, Wakalat-e-Tabshir, Wakalat-e-Mal, Wakalat-e-Tamil-o-Tanfidh (India, Nepal and Bhutan) – have also moved to Islamabad as part of the Markaz’s shift.
As Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa mentioned in his latest Friday Sermon, the residential colony is being inhabited by Waqifeen-e-Zindagi, most of whom will be working in the local offices.
In a period of just around two years, we have seen a great transformation of what was once a make-shift residential facility into state-of-the-art offices and residential complex.
We pray to Allah that He makes this new Markaz a beacon of light for all mankind and that this new headquarters facilitates the Jamaat further in propagating the message of Muhammad Rasulullahsa to all corners of the earth.
Huzoor a.a. mentions markaz move to Islamabad (Tilford) in Friday Sermon
The Fazl Mosque served as the markaz and home of Khalifatul Masih for almost exactly 35 years
Towards the end of his Friday Sermon earlier today, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa mentioned the revelation vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas by Allah the Almighty:
وَسّعْ مَکَانَکَ
“Enlarge your abode.” Huzooraa said that Allah intended that the Promised Messiahas extend his facilities so as to house the growing needs of the Jamaat that he had founded under Divine instruction.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said that with the passage of time, we have witnessed how Allah has blessed the Jamaat with immense expansion and growth. The revelation actually pointed to the glory and prosperity that was destined to come to Islam through the Promised Messiahas and extension in all facilities would be required. We witness this promise of Allah being manifested globally.
Huzooraa stated that ever since the migration of Khilafat to England in 1984, the expansion of the Jamaat had resulted in extension of buildings and facilities.
When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh migrated to London, Allah showed His support by granting the Jamaat, alongside many other blessings, the land of Islamabad in Tilford, Surrey. This soon turned into a colony of houses, offices and a residential facility for the Khalifatul Masih.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa recalled how Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh had mentioned to him that Islamabad was a great blessing of Allah and that he had expressed his desire to establish the headquarters of the Jamaat in Islamabad.
Huzooraa stated that by the grace of Allah, the Jamaat had now been able to develop offices, a residential colony for waqifeen and a residence for Khalifatul Masih.
After the migration of Khilafat to London, markazi offices had been housed in residential properties around the Fazl Mosque. This frequently called for the local residents and council complaining about the residential properties being used for official purposes.
Now, with the new complex in Islamabad, some markazi offices on Gressenhall Road shall move to the new facility. The markaz also purchased an office complex in Farnham a few years earlier and then Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK secured a building nearby.
Hadiqatul Mahdi, the UK Jalsa Gah, has been near Alton since 2006 – also a short distance from Islamabad. Jamia Ahmadiyya UK that was initially based in London was moved to Haslemere, Surrey to a much vast and better building in 2012. All these facilities to be in close proximity of Islamabad was not intentionally planned. Huzooraa said that it seems to be Allah’s plan that all these facilities were being established in a couple of miles radius of Islamabad – the new Markaz.
Huzooraa instructed the Jamaat to pray that Allah blessed the new setup.
Huzooraa stated that since Khalifatul Masih’s office and residence too have been established in Islamabad, Huzooraa would soon be moving from London to Islamabad, Insha-Allah.
Huzooraa urged the Jamaat to pray that Islamabad, in line with its name, becomes a centre of resonating the message of Islam to the world.
Huzooraa said that although the he would lead the Jumuah prayers in Baitul Futuh, London, there will be facility for the Jamaats within a 20-mile radius of Islamabad to attend the Jumuah in the newly built mosque of Islamabad.
Huzooraa instructed that those travelling to Islamabad should bear in mind that local residents and authorities should be given no reason to complain about traffic and any other related issues.
May Allah bless for every member of the Jamaat and especially for Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa. May this migration prove to be a means of further expanding the progress of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in Islam and may the new markaz become a beacon of light for all those that travel from every distant track.
People from all walks of life request
an audience with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa and
discuss a variety of issues with him.
Recently, on Saturday, 30 March, a
delegation of a South Korea based NGO visited Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may
Allah strengthen his hand, and spoke on topics of mutual interest. They had
specially travelled for this audience.
They invited Huzooraa to
attend the World Congress that they organise every year in September with the
aim of promoting global peace. They showed Huzooraa a video to give
an idea of the scale and nature of the event and its objectives.
Huzooraa appreciated their
efforts and expressed that it was indeed a time where all groups needed to work
together for the cause of establishing world peace.
They presented to Huzooraa some souvenirs and literature about their organisation. Huzooraa presented newly published books of the Jamaat where Huzoor’s addresses to various parliaments and dignitaries around the world have been collated.
German MEP Bernd Lucke paid Huzooraa a visit on Tuesday, 2 April and discussed various matters to do with the current situation of the region. Mr Lucke has founded a new political party Liberal Conservative Reformers (LKR) and Huzooraa enquired about their agenda and manifesto.
This naturally led the discussion to
the political climate of Europe and how it is influencing the world at large.
Mr Lucke felt that the message of Ahmadiyyat should be more commonly known in
Germany than it was now and also voiced certain suggestions that he had for the
Jamaat’s outreach schemes. He was of the opinion that Ahmadi requests for
political asylum were straightforward and should receive immediate response and
a positive outcome.
“Once a friend, always a friend” were the words that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa concluded this meeting with. Mr Lucke highly appreciated this gesture of goodwill and expressed that he too felt the same about the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
His Excellency Julius Peter Moto,
Ugandan High Commissioner to the UK also had an audience with Hazrat Khalifatul
Masihaa. He found a common interest and informed Huzooraa
that he was a farmer before becoming a politician. Huzooraa, with
his particular interest in agriculture, discussed with him many areas of
agriculture and mentioned his own experiences in the field.
Huzooraa expressed his opinion that if African leaders focused on remaining honest to their peoples and duties, Africa could soon become the “breadbasket of the world”.
Agriculture made its way back into the discussion and Huzooraa advised the high commissioner, Mr Moto, that since the African climate was favourable for all types of crops, more areas should be explored and not limit the agricultural pursuits to only a certain type of crops.
Huzooraa said that this could lead to more exports and, subsequently, a better economy.
Once
a proponent and supporter of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Maulvi
Muhammad Hussain Batalvi became one of the fiercest opponents of the Promised Messiahas.
However, when the time came for him to consider his children’s welfare, with
the advice of Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfanira, he chose
Talim-ul-Islam School, Qadian for their education. Below is an interview an
Ahmadi conducted in 1919.
Ghulam Muhammad Khan MA
Firozpur
Having read the name of Maulvi Muhammad
Hussain Batalvi in the books of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him, I
always desired to meet him and ask him certain questions that had occupied my
mind for some time.
Therefore, I planned to meet him prior
to this year’s Jalsa Salana in Qadian, provided he was in Batala [Maulvi
Sahib’s home town] at the time. He accepted my request.
As I was not personally acquainted with
him, I wrote a letter to Munshi Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib, munsif [judge] in
Batala, to take my request and inform me of the response.
Maulvi Sahib accepted my request as a
result of Munshi Sahib’s efforts and agreed to meet me at his house. He also
said that I should meet him prior to visiting Qadian so that I do not end up
going to Qadian, a skill that he was known for being an expert in as he had
been successful in stopping many others from visiting Qadian before.
Thus, in the early hours of 16 March
1919, I reached Batala. After resting at Munshi Sahib’s house, I arrived at
Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalvi Sahib’s house. After seeking entry, I was asked
to come in.
Upon entry, after seeing an aged man
over the age of 80 surrounded by books, seated on a charpoy, with a fair
complexion and henna-coloured beard, I expressed my curiosity about certain
matters.
Maulvi Sahib peered up towards my
direction and asked, “Where have you come from?”
I replied, “I am from Mianwali but
reside in Firozpur nowadays and am the treasurer there. I am on my way to
Qadian for the Jalsa. As you have served as a fertiliser for our Jamaat and
around six to seven hundred thousand people have entered its fold, for a long
time I had the desire to meet you. If I enquire about certain matters
concerning Hazrat Mirza Sahib, you won’t get cross?”
Maulvi Sahib replied that he wouldn’t.
I reached into my pocket, pulled out one rupee and placed it in Maulvi Sahib’s
hand so that the hand that wrote words of praise for Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya
and for whom the Promised Messiahas wrote the following wouldn’t go
empty-handed:
و لِله دَرّك حين قَرّظتَ مخلصًا
كتابي و صرتَ لكلِّ ضالٍّ مخفّرُ
[And what a wonderful review you wrote –
with sincerity – for my book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, becoming a guide for
everyone fallen astray!] [Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V (English
translation), p. 453]
Initially, Maulvi Sahib declined and
said that he had plenty of money, but I insisted, “No, please take this because
this hand deserves it.” Only then did Maulvi Sahib accept it and the following
conversation ensued:
Me:
Were you a fellow student of Hazrat Mirza Sahibas in your youth
because Hazrat Sahibas says in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V [English
translation, p. 454]:
قَطعتَ ودادًا قد غرسناه في الصبا
و ليس فؤادي في الوداد يقصِّرُ
[You cut off the tree of friendship that we
planted in our youth; But my heart did not fall short – whatsoever – in this
friendship.]
Maulvi
Sahib: Mirza Sahib’s father, Mirza Ghulam
Murtaza Sahib owned a house in Batala and would reside in it. Mirza Sahib and I
would study with a Shia teacher, Gul Ali Shah Sahib. Hazrat Mirza Sahib was
studying a book of medicine [Asbab-e-Tibb or Asbab] while I
studied a book of grammar [Hidayat Nahv]. We studied together for about
four months. Thereafter, my father sent me to another city for education.
When I returned after my pursuit of
education, after a long period, Hazrat Mirza Sahib’s book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya
had been published. Clerics opposed the book. Meanwhile, I wrote a review
saying that ilham [revelation from God] was possible and that review was
published in my magazine, Ishaat-us-Sunnah.
When Mirza Sahib claimed to be the Promised Messiah, that was when I opposed him and prepared an istifta [questionnaire] that was signed by around 200 clerics. I still have that
document.
I also had a debate with Mirza Sahib in
Ludhiana, the documents of which I still have and which Mirza Sahib had
published under the name Al-Haq [Mubahisa Ludhiana]. The details in the
book are correct, however there are some additional details.
Me: Have
you read all of Mirza Sahib’s books? You have seen Mirza Sahib’s Arabic works;
is the Arabic substandard as you have suggested?
Maulvi Sahib: I would only read the books that were sent to me. I have
not read all of them. I have pointed out mistakes in Mirza Sahib’s Arabic
books, and this list has been published in Ishaat-us-Sunnah.
[Thereafter,
there was a short discourse on supposed grammatical errors found in Hazrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’sas books]
Me: Hazrat Mirza Sahibas wrote books in Arabic with
full conviction and challenged scholars to step forward and write in Arabic.
You used to say that Mirza Sahib did not know a single root word of Arabic,
whereas Hazrat Mirza Sahibas prayed to God and in one night, he was
taught 40,000 words. Even the most famous poet/playwright of the world knew
only 25,000 words. So did you write any book in response to this challenge, or
even half a page for that matter? If so, could you please show me so that I may
read it?
Maulvi
Sahib: I have not written any book in Arabic.
My only work is Ishaat-us-Sunnah, which published for many years in the
beginning, then ceased publication for nine years and again continued later.
Me:
When Mirza Sahibas made such
a bold claim with great conviction … and got your attention, you should have
written something in response if you didn’t consider him to be true.
Maulvi
Sahib: Mirza Sahib had a lot of money flowing
in; with money, a person can do a lot. He had a Syrian write Arabic for him and
would not write Arabic himself.
Me: Maulvi
Sahib, how unfortunate that in response to this very allegation of yours,
Hazrat Mirza Sahibas wrote the Arabic part of Anjam-e-Atham.
(I then drew the attention of Maulvi
Sahib towards the Arabic poetic verses written at the end of Anjam-e-Atham
by quoting them [the last three couplets on page 274 up to the ninth verse of
page 275 of Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11]
(After hearing these verses, Maulvi
Sahib was left stunned and said, “Mirza Sahib must have studied Arabic.” He
then told me to dictate those verses to him so that he could write them down. I
told Maulvi Sahib that when Hazrat Sahibas wrote Ijaz-ul-Masih
and made his claim with full conviction, I did not know Arabic at the time.
Thus, I could not determine the standard of Hazrat Mirza Sahib’sas
claim regarding Arabic. However, since I passed my master’s degree in Arabic in
1912, I realised that his level of Arabic was very high and erudite. I realised
that even Al-Hariri’s Arabic did not compete with it.
(Thereafter, Maulvi Sahib read out a
two-word sentence of Arabic from one of his writings, to which I responded that
those words were taken from the end of two couplets written by Al-Hariri and
then recited them. Similarly, when Maulvi Sahib began quoting a Hadith from
that same piece of writing, I carried on the Hadith from memory, to which
Maulvi Sahib said, “You seem to know Arabic and you are acquainted with Islamic
teachings.” In this manner, the discussion carried on and Maulvi Sahib gave me
one of his writings, which was a challenge worth 100 rupees concerning the
verse of Khatam-un-Nabiyyin. He also gave another document, which consisted of
errors he had noted from the first part of the Holy Quran that was printed in
Qadian. I handed the former to Pir Akbar Ali Sahib, whereas the latter is still
with me. The conversation continued.)
Henry Martyn Clarke
Me:
Did you attend the Martyn Clark court hearing to testify against Hazrat Mirza
Sahibas?
Maulvi
Sahib: Yes, he called me.
Me: I am also a magistrate and deal with criminal cases on a
daily basis. Can you please tell me what the meaning of “discharge” is? (Upon
hearing this, Maulvi Sahib became astonished and surprised. He could not answer
the question.)
Me: Do you define “discharge” to mean “to acquit” or “to free”?
(Even at this question, Maulvi Sahib remained dumbfounded and did not know how
to respond.)
Me: You define it to mean “to set free” and you say that Hazrat
Mirza Sahibas was discharged in this court hearing, not
acquitted.
Maulvi
Sahib: Yes, of course. I define it to mean
“to set free”, not “to acquit”.
Me:
Are you aware that Hazrat Mirza Sahibas tore this allegation apart.
Discharge in Arabic means “bari” [to acquit] and “acquit” is translated
as mubarra in Arabic.
(I
then drew Maulvi Sahib’s attention to an Arabic sentence:
اَنَا بَرِيٌّ مِنْ ذَالِكَ وَ اَنَا مُبَرَّءٌ
([I am innocent of this and thus
acquitted.] I also reminded him of two verses of the Holy Quran [Surah al-Nisa,
Ch.4: V. 113 & Surah al-Nur, Ch.24: V.27]. After hearing these passages,
Maulvi Sahib was silenced. I then informed him that Hazrat Mirza Sahibas
had discussed this extensively in his book Taryaq-ul-Quloob and drew the
attention of commentators and interpreters of law towards this … After this, I
drew Maulvi Sahib’s attention towards Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V.)
Me: Maulvi
Sahib, have you come across Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V?
Maulvi
Sahib: No.
Me:
حُسينٌ دفاه القوم في دشت كربلا
و كَلّمني ظلمًا حُسينٌ اٰخرُ
[There was a
Hussain who was killed by the enemies in the desert of Karbala. But there is
another Hussain (of Batala) who wounded me out of mere cruelty.]
You caused great pain to Hazrat Mirza
Sahibas, but despite that, Hazrat Sahibas showed immense
love:
ايا راشقي قد كنتَ تمدح منطقي
و تُثني عليّ باُلفةٍ و تُوقِّرُ
[O you who shoots arrows at me! There was a
time when you used to praise my words – You would praise me with love; you
would honour me.]
و لِلّٰهِ دَرّك حين قَرّظتَ مخلصًا
كتابي و صرتَ لكلِّ ضالٍّ مخفّرُ
[And what a wonderful review you wrote –
with sincerity – for my book, Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, becoming a guide for
everyone fallen astray!]
و انت الذي قد قال في تقريظهِ
كمثل المؤلف ليس فينا غضنفرُ
[And you are indeed that very one who had
written in his review, that there is absolutely no lion among us like this
author in the cause of the Faith.]
عرفتَ مقامي ثم انكرتَ مدبرًا
فما الجهل بعد العلم ان كنتَ تشعرُ
[You recognised my status and then denied
me – What ignorance is this that was deliberately manifested after knowledge!]
كمثلك مع علمٍ بحالي۔ و فطنةٍ
عجبتُ لهُ يبغي الهديٰ ثم ياطرُ
[It
is astonishing indeed that a man like you who knew me so well should have found
guidance only to then let go of the right path.]
قَطعتَ ودادًا قد غرسناه في الصبا
و ليس فؤادي في الوداد يقصِّرُ
[You
cut off the tree of friendship that we planted in our youth; But my heart did
not fall short – whatsoever – in this friendship.]
عليٰ غير شيءٍ قُلتَ ما قلت عُجلةً
وَ وَاللّٰهِ انّي صادقٌ لا اُزوّرُ
[Nothing you said was uttered but in haste;
for – by God! – I am truthful and have never lied.] [Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya
Part V (English translation), pp.
452-454]
Look Maulvi Sahib, how Hazrat Sahibas
showed love to you!
Maulvi Sahib: Please tell me the page number.
Me: Do you also know that Hazrat Sahibas made a
prophecy concerning you that you would eventually return to the truth?
Maulvi
Sahib: Yes, I am aware that he did. If it is
fulfilled, then fine, otherwise it is merely a guess.
Me: No, Maulvi Sahib, it will be fulfilled. Let me show you
from Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V [English translation, pp. 416-417]:
سيهديك ربّي بعد غيٍّ و شقوةٍ
و ذالك من وحي اتاني فاُخبرُ
[God
will soon guide you after your going astray; I have come to know this by
revelation of God Almighty, so I hereby inform you.]
و نحن علمنا المنتهٰي من وليّنا
فَقرّت به عَيْنِي و كنت اذكّرُ
[The
end of your affair was revealed to me by my Friend, God Almighty. It brought
solace to my heart and I am reminded about it.]
وَ وَاللّٰه لَا انسيٰ زَمانَ تعلّق
وليس فؤادي مثل ارضٍ تحجّرُ
[By
God, I do not forget our past relationship; My heart is not like stony soil.]
(I read out three more couplets like this,
when Maulvi Sahib said, “Read this out to me so that I may write it down.”
Eventually, when I sought leave from him, he said that I had become stuck. I
replied that he too was stuck as he had written Haqiqatun-Nubuwwah, Al-Nubuwwah fil-Islam, Haqq-ul-Yaqeen and had
continued to serve as a fertiliser for our Jamaat. I said, “May Allah guide you
quickly.”)
The Ahmadiyya football team of Phnom
Penh participated in a local football championship in Phnom Penh, the capital
city of Cambodia.
The tournament was held around the city
from 26 January to 24 March 2019 with an 18-man football club. Our team itself
consists of Ahmadi students studying in universities around the city.
The main purpose of the event was to
establish friendship with other teams. Our team faced defeat in the very first
match, but by the grace of Allah, throughout the tournament we were able to
defeat many strong teams.
At the final match, our team was behind
two goals before we equalised. The match ran into penalties and we won by four
goals to three, Alhamdolillah.
It was only through the sheer blessings
of Allah that we were hailed as champions because other teams had much more
experience than us. Many people praised our team because of the good conduct we
displayed throughout the tournament. The head of the tournament himself said
that the Ahmadiyya team won the tournament with the best mannerism and without
any protests.
Becoming the football champions in
local tournament was a special gift from Allah the Almighty for Jamaat
Cambodia.
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Oostende, Belgium had the opportunity to introduce Islam Ahmadiyyat to various people in the event of Profundo.
Profundo is a platform which is
organised by the city hall of Oostende for all religions to introduce
themselves to people.
Before the programme, sadr Majlis
Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, qaid of the local Majlis and secretary of tabligh held a
meeting to discuss all the matters to make the programme successful. The
programme was held on 17, 18 and 26 March 2019.
The programme started with the
recitation of the Holy Quran by Aziz-ur-Rahman Butt Sahib, secretary tabligh.
The welcome and introduction speech was given by Adeel Ahmad Sahib, qaid of the
local Majlis.
A presentation on Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya
was also shown to the visitors.
A newly converted Ahmadi, Bilal Sahib,
gave a speech on his experiences as an Ahmadi Muslim.
The programme concluded with a question
and answer session presided by Chaudhry Muhammad Mazhar Sahib, missionary of
Belgium.
In total, 348 visitors attended the
programme. All the guests enjoyed the event and visited the bookstall as well.
At the end, refreshments were offered to the participants.
An allergy is an exaggerated response
of the immune system against harmless substances which are called allergens.
Allergies are quite common in Europe as more than 150 million Europeans suffer
from this chronic disease. Studies even predict that by 2025, 50% of Europe’s
population will be affected.
The UK has some of the highest rates
with more than 20% of the population suffering from allergies and most of them
suffering from more than one allergy.
The fundamental causes of allergic
diseases are complex, and the development of an allergy involves both
environmental and genetic factors. Interestingly, there have been a few genes
identified that can play a role in an allergy, although the precise mechanism
is unclear.
Allergies can develop in adults but are
more common in children.
Some can disappear at an older age whilst some allergies can just suddenly
develop.
Allergens can be found in foods such as
nuts, fish, shellfish, eggs and milk. They can also be found in the air such as
pollen, particularly in the spring and summer season, and this is also known as
hay fever. Some allergens can be hidden in animals, house dust mites, house
cleaning products, fungus, hair dye or medication. Individuals with allergies
also have an increased chance of developing asthma or eczema.
Allergic reactions occur when the body
comes into contact with the allergen. At first contact, the body starts to make
antibodies called IgE antibodies. The second time when the body comes in
contact with the same allergen, these antibodies bind to the allergen and
provoke the release of chemicals such as histamine and leukotrienes. These
chemicals cause a local inflammation resulting in the damage of local tissues,
which leads to immediate symptoms. These symptoms can occur quickly after
exposure to the allergen in different organs such as the nose (runny nose,
sneezing), skin (irritation, itching, swelling), eyes (redness, swelling,
itching) and lungs (coughing, shortness of breath).
Sometimes a serious medical condition
known as anaphylaxis can occur. This is a generalised allergic reaction of the
body with breathing problems, swelling of the tongue, low blood pressure,
increased heart rate and, if untreated, it can lead to a cardiac arrest and can
be fatal.
These symptoms usually begin within
minutes and are life threatening. An immediate injection with an adrenaline
(epinephrine) is essential. In children, the common cause of anaphylaxis is due
to nuts, whilst in adults it is usually from consuming fish in food.
Allergies can be diagnosed by different
tests including a skin prick test. This is where the skin is scratched with a
probe containing different allergens. It can be done on the forearm or on the
back and is not painful. When an irritation at the site of the prick occurs, it
means that the body reacts to that specific allergen. Prior to the skin prick
test, antihistamines should be stopped to exclude false negatives.
A blood test (RAST test) can also be
performed for checking IgE antibodies level in the blood, however this is less
sensitive than the skin prick testing.
The treatment of allergies
fundamentally lies in avoiding the allergen and avoiding allergy symptoms that
can affect the normal activities. This could mean removing pets and avoiding
food that cause symptoms. In the pollen season, it is advised to keep windows
shut and avoid grassy spaces. People who have an allergy from house dust mites
should ventilate their house regularly. There are covers available for
mattresses and duvets which are mite-proof. Regular washing of the bed clothes
(60°C) and removing carpets in the bedroom can also reduce symptoms.
Patients who have a history of
anaphylaxis should always carry an adrenaline auto injector pen. Individuals
who have had a severe allergic reaction to medication (for example
antibiotics), should always carry an allergy card in their wallet so health
professionals are aware.
In some situations, the exposure to the
allergen cannot be avoided and medication may be required to relieve symptoms.
The most common medications used for allergies are antihistamines. These
prevent the release of the chemicals induced in an allergic response and thus
minimise the symptoms.
Antihistamines can be divided into two
groups: the older (promethazine, hydroxyzine) and the new (cetirizine,
loratadine, ebastine) antihistamines. The recent or the new antihistamines are
less sedative and are mostly the preferred choice. These antihistamines are
available in many forms such as tablets, creams, eye drops, syrups for children
and nasal sprays, and are available in the stores without prescriptions.
When antihistamines are ineffective,
steroids can be prescribed by the doctor for temporary use. If severe reactions
occur to a specific allergen, it is advised to have a desensitisation procedure
in an allergy clinic. In this procedure, the body is exposed to small amounts
of the allergen through injections and each time the dose of the allergen is
increased. By building up the dose of the allergen gradually, the body builds
up protective antibodies, which can result in reduced symptoms of allergy. The
overall effect of this therapy is seen in the first year of treatment.
(Please always consult a doctor or
specialist to diagnose health conditions and follow the advised plan of a
qualified doctor)
