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10-16 May

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10-16 May

11 May 1930: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra shared his wise observations on the famous political document of the time, the Nehru Report. The Nehru Report of 28-30 August 1928 was a memorandum outlining a proposed new dominion status for the constitution of India. It was prepared by a committee of the All Parties Conference chaired by Motilal Nehru with his son Jawaharlal Nehru acting as secretary. There were nine other members in this committee. 

11 May 1937: Pir Meher Ali Shah died on this day at the age of 78 in Golra Sharif, British India (Present Day Pakistan). He is known among masses as a Hanafi scholar leading the anti-Ahmadiyya movement. He wrote several books, most notably Saif-e-Chishtiyai (The Sword of the Chishti Order), which is claimed to be a polemical work criticising the Ahmadiyya Movement. But his encounters with the Jamaat and a critical study of his works are enough to prove the truth. 

COVER

11 May 1942: An Ahmadi, Abdul Karim Khan Sahib, appointed in the Middle East during his military duties, sent a written query about the verses in the Holy Quran about Jesusas to Al-Azhar University, Cairo. The university is associated with Al-Azhar Mosque and is Egypt’s oldest degree-granting university and is renowned as “Sunni Islam’s most prestigious university”. On this, His Eminence Shaikh Mahmoud Shaltout – Rector of Al-Azhar University, later to become Grand Imam of Al-Azhar – issued a decree that the Holy Quran pronounced Jesusas dead. This fatwa sparked a heated debate. This Egyptian scholar was forced to take back his words, but he remained firm in his belief and replied to all the allegations raised against him. He then had this entire debate published in the monthly Al-Majallah, Cairo. Later on, the complete series of this debate was also published in his book Al-Fatawa too.

11 May 1948: Ahmadi Missionary Rashid Ahmad Chughtai Sahib had a meeting with the King of Jordan. During the meeting, he conveyed the well wishes and message of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra to which the king replied positively.

12 May 1907: An important session for the general public was held in Qadian for raising awareness of the establishment of peace. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra presided over the gathering on the instructions of the Promised Messiahas.

12 May 1932: The Ahmadiyya Mission was established in Zanzibar through the special efforts of Dr Shahnawaz Sahib. It is located in the Indian Ocean and is a semi-autonomous region of Tanzania, East Africa.

12 May 1932: With great effort, members of the Jamaat collected 175,000 rupees to pay off loans because in previous fiscal years, some extra money had been borrowed to run the everyday businesses of Anjuman. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was very much pleased with the generosity and obedience of members of the Jamaat.

12 May 1954: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra legal statement was recorded at Lalian court in connection with the assassination attempt made on him. On 25 May, the additional district magistrate gave his verdict and the attacker was sentenced to a 5-year imprisonment.

13 May 1921: Hazrat Hakim Fazlur-Rahman took charge of the Ahmadiyya Mission in Ghana.

13 May 1927: Lahore witnessed great unrest and communal riots. This day’s Al Fazl published a detailed account written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. In his time, Huzoor’s selfless services were not limited to the religious field, but also on social and political rostrums, his voice, views and actions were taken very seriously and weighed heavily. On the same day, a detailed tract written by him was also widely circulated titled What can you do for Islam and Muslims? In it, Huzoorra put forward 31 important points for Muslim unity amongst the Ummah.

13 May 1933: On this day, Hazrat Syeda Sara Begum passed away after giving birth to a child. She was the third wife of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra. In her loving memory, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra wrote a eulogy titled Meri Sara (My Sara).

13 May 1951: The Ahmadiyya Mosque in Samundri, Faisalabad was ransacked and burnt on this day. Ahmadis present in the mosque were tortured and items available in the premises of the mosque were looted. However, the influential members of the neighbourhood and the city condemned this irreligious act committed in the name of religion.

14 May 1924: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra received an invitation from the organisers of the Wembley Conference in London. Upon this, Huzoorra wrote a letter for consultation to members of the Jamaat.

14 May 1932: Mirza Muhammad Ashraf Balanvi Sahib completed his tenure as auditor of Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya. Upon his retirement, a farewell function was arranged. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra graced this event with his presence and delivered an address.

14 May 1953: The Holy Quran’s Swahili translation was published on this day. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra wrote its preface. For the first edition, 10,000 copies were printed.

15 May 1908: In Lahore, a debate took place between Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra and Mufti Ghulam Murtaza Sahib. The topic was the life and death of Jesusas.

16 May 1924: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra conducted a Shura and discussed with representatives the invitation received from the Wembley Conference. This was the first ever proposed long-distance journey of Khalifatul Masih out of the Indian subcontinent.

16 May 1938: Hazrat Hussain Bibi Sahibara passed away. She was the mother of Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Muhammad Zafarulla Khanra. Hazrat Chaudhry Zafrullah Khanra wrote My Mother in her memory and described the attractive and moving events of his mother’s life. Hazrat Chaudhry Sahibra not only performed the duty owed by a son to his mother in an excellent manner, but also rendered valuable service to the movement. Such literature can, by Allah’s grace, prove extremely useful helpful in fostering the moral and spiritual standards of the community.

16 May 1963: Hazrat Syed Zain-ul-Abidin Valiullah Shahra passed away. He was blessed with some admirable qualities and had many noteworthy achievements in the Jamaat, social and political fields and literature.

CORRECTION: Last week, on 3 May 2019, a companion, Hazrat Sardar Muhammad Yousufra was referred to in This Week in History. The information pertaining to him was incorrect. Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, volume 2, pages 477 to 478 has it that he performed Bai‘at at the hand of the Promised Messiahas in 1906 and had the honour of translating the Quran into Hindi and Gurmukhi.

Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, volume 14, pages 391 to 393 tell us that he was born in 1889 and accepted the Imam of the age in 1905 by sending his request for Bai‘at via post. He translated the Quran into Hindi and Gurmukhi, as well as authoring various other books.

His tombstone, however, has it that he was born in 1882 and performed Bai‘at in 1906.

Ghana Jamaat Shura 2019

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Ghana Jamaat Shura 2019

Abass Bin Wilson

Ghana Correspondent

The 2019 Majlis-e-Shura of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission in Ghana was held at the mission’s national headquarters, Osu, in Accra.

The Shura brought together over 800 delegates, comprising of elected representatives and presidents of local Jamaats, members of the national amila as well as individuals who were invited by the Amir for consultation.

The Shura was held on 27-28 April and was presided over by Alhaj Maulvi Mohammed bin Salih, Amir and Missionary In-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ghana.

A Section Of Participants At The Shoora

The members of Majlis-e-Shura deliberated on a number of issues boarding on the progress of the Jamaat. It reviewed the finances and other activities of the Jamaat for the year, and also discussed financial and other proposals to advance the Jamaat in the coming year. The proposals, as reviewed by the Shura, will be sent to Markaz in the form of recommendations to seek the guidance and approval of Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa.

Addressing the Shura, Maulvi Mohammed bin Salih underscored the importance of Shura and described it as one of blessed institutions bestowed upon the Jamaat by Allah. The Amir admonished all and sundry to uphold the principles of Shura, adhere to its guidelines and be honest and clear in expressing their views on issues tabled for discussions.

The Amir called on members to play their individual, as well as collective, roles to ensure the Jamaat’s speedy progress.

“The Jamaat in Ghana will soon be a hundred years old and we will be called upon to make sacrifices to commemorate the occasion. It is my hope and belief that we will all make such sacrifices that will be a testimony of our faith and will show that we are indeed members of a hundred-year old religious community.”

When the month of Ramadan arrives

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When the month of Ramadan arrives

The Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said:

“When Ramadan arrives, the doors of Heaven are opened and the doors of Hell are closed, and Satans are chained up.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab as-Saum)

A Righteous One Beholds the Hereafter in the Present Life

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A Righteous One Beholds the Hereafter in the Present Life
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So, one bounty that the saints are blessed with is that they see the angels of God. The life of the hereafter is based completely on faith. However, a righteous person beholds the hereafter in the present life. It is in this very life that they find and witness God, and He speaks with them. So if a person is not blessed with such a state of affairs, his death and passing on from this world is not a promising prospect. A certain saint is reported to have said that a person who has not been blessed to experience even one true dream all their life is to be met with a perilous end. The Quran also says that this is the hallmark of a believer. Take heed! One who does not possess this sign is bereft of righteousness. So, we all ought to pray that this condition is fulfilled in us. May Allah the Exalted bless us with the grace of revelation, dreams and visions. For these are characteristic of a believer, and thus, should exist in us.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p.17)

Fasting in Islam and other religions

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Fasting in Islam and other religions

Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad

1910-2001

For every spiritual exercise in Islam, the ultimate aim is the attainment of God’s pleasure through the regulation of one’s life in accordance with His ordinances.

Of the five articles of faith of Islam, the fourth is fasting during the month of Ramadan. The Holy Quran states:

“O ye who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous. [The prescribed fasting is] for a fixed number of days, but whoso among you is sick or is on a journey [shall fast] the same number of other days; and for those who are able to fast [only] with great difficulty is an expiation – the feeding of a poor man. And whoso performs a good work with willing obedience, it is better for him. And fasting is good for you, if only you knew.

“The month of Ramadan is that in which the Quran was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination. Therefore, whosoever of you is present [at home] in this month, let him fast therein. But whoso is sick or is on a journey, [shall fast] the same number of other days. Allah desires [to give] you facility and He desires not hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and that you may exalt Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.184-186)

“It is made lawful for you to go in unto your wives on the night of the fast. They are a garment for you, and you are a garment for them. Allah knows that you have been acting unjustly to yourselves, wherefore He has turned to you with mercy and afforded you relief. So you may now go in unto them and seek what Allah has ordained for you; and eat and drink until the white thread of day is distinguishable from the dark thread of night. Then complete the fast till nightfall and do not go in unto them while you remain in the mosques for devotion. These are the limits [fixed] by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make His commandments clear to men that they may become secure against evil.” (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.188)

Now, if Islam had claimed to be a religion and had not incorporated fasting as a discipline, can you imagine the mockery which would have been hurled by the Jews, the Christians, the Hindus, etc? But then can it be said that Islam copied this teaching from other religions? Yes, provided it is also said that Islam believes in the Unity of God, in His chosen prophets, His Sacred Books, in acting righteously, etc.

Thus, in the above verse, God Almighty warns Muslims that they must not think that they are the only ones who have been commanded to fast for a fixed number of days. Such a commandment existed for other religions as well. But look at them – what have they done to this commandment! A great majority of their believers today do not fast at all, or if they fast, they fast partially for one day a year. It is only in Islam that it became a principal article of faith and, although there are some noticeable exceptions, a vast majority of Muslims still adhere to this commandment, fasting for a period longer than in any other faith.

Hinduism

Owing to the very many sects in Hinduism, it is difficult to find a code of standard practice, although various days have been appointed for fasting. The fast commences in the evening and ends the next day with the sighting of the moon. During this time, water may be drunk but nothing cooked may be had as food. This does not prevent the consumption of fruit, etc. Thus, such a fast is a partial abstention from food and water.

Among certain Jain communities, females commence the fast in the early morning with a spoonful of previously boiled water and eat or drink nothing for several days. A kind god does not demand such extreme expiation from the believers.

Judaism

Although Mosesas is said to have fasted for a period of 40 days (Exodus 34:28; Deuteronomy 9:9), Elijah went in the strength of one meal for 40 days (I Kings 19:8), Esther announced her special fast for three days and nights (Esther 4:16), David’s valiant men mourned the loss of Saul and his sons by fasting for seven days (I Chronicles 10:12), Daniel realising the significance of a vision continued a partial fast for three weeks (Daniel 10:2-3), yet the present practice amongst most Jews is to fast for 24 hours on the Day of Atonement. This again is a partial fast and nothing cooked may be had.

Christianity

Jesusas is said to have stayed in the wilderness, without food, for 40 days (Matthew 4:2; Mark 1-13 and Luke 4:2). He also referred to three aspects of Christian behaviour in his sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:1-18): almsgiving, prayers and fasting. The reference “be not like the Jews…” refers to the fact that the Jews at that time wore sackcloth, disfiguring their faces so that they may appear as if fasting. It is quite clear that Jesusas did not forbid fasting, rather he assumed that his disciples would continue to fast “as those before them” though in the correct way and not as hyprocrites.

We are told in Matthew 9:14, Mark 2:18·20, Luke 5:33 and 18:12 that the Jews fasted either often or up to two days a week. The disciples of Jesusas and the early Christians also fasted. Yet, like the Jews, ritualism crept in even among them and during the second century AD, people fasted so that they may not be caught as exceptions. It was during the dark middle centuries that the eating of no meat on Wednesdays and Fridays, gave way to the Roman Catholic practice of eating fish on Fridays. Even Martin Luther goes on record complaining about the misuse of this form of fasting. Ritualism appears to have crystalised in the sixth century when fasting was made obligatory by the Didache (a manual of church order believed by some to have been compiled by the Apostles) and the Second Council of Orleans and it took the church nearly 1,000 years to disband the remaining remnants of this discipline. The Book of Common Prayer lists 16 observable days for vigils, fasts and remembrance: the Didache ordered fasts on Wednesdays and Fridays; Roman Catholics require that on Friday, no meal must be eaten; the Carmelite, Carthusian and Cistercian order regular fasting but among others it is virtually non-existent.

Again, the practice among some clergy to fast for a day, (first Sunday in Lent) missing up to three meals and yet to drink water is only a partial fast. The refraining from eating meat hardly accrues any benefits to one who is a vegetarian and such a one would have been deprived of the benefits of fasting owing to one’s inability to fast.

We observe that among domesticated animals, they totally abstain from food in order to restore their metabolism. This instinctive behaviour is caused by nature. It is also the practice to feed wild animals kept in captivity for six days a week. In fact, wild animals will often go without food for several days. It is strange therefore that nature should have required a period of sustained rest for the digestive system of other living things and that man should have forgotten such an important discipline.

In describing these various kinds of fasts of abstention of certain kinds of foods on the day of fasting as opposed to a total abstention of food and drink, we do not wish to ridicule such customs. Indeed, it is possible that God Almighty may have required a race of hunters whose diet was entirely composed of meat to abstain from meat for say one day a week and partake a vegetarian diet to restore vitamins, etc., for the health and its effect on the morals of such people. In such a case, the commandment would have indeed been a blessing for those people at that time. Although there were various days of fasting for the people before Islam, their observance was not of the kind prescribed by Islam.

According to Ibn-Hisham, the Quraish tribe of Mecca used to retire to Mount Hira for religious devotion and penance during the month of Ramadan, abstaining from sex etc., although this month was not regarded as a sacred month among the four pre-Islamic sacred months of Qa‘dah, Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab.

The word Ramadan is an Islamic name as prior to Islam it was known as Nataq (Fath-ul-Bayan). The word is derived from ramada. They say “ramada al-salimu”,that is the inside of the man fasting became very hot with thirst (Lane). The month is so named because firstly, fasting in this month produces heat and burning due to thirst; secondly, worship in this month burns away the traces of sin in man (Asakir and Mardawaih) and thirdly, the necessary warmth of love for the Creator and His Created beings is generated in the hearts of those who fast.

Annual awards ceremony of Jamia Ahmadiyya & Hifz-ul-Quran School Canada

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Annual awards ceremony of Jamia Ahmadiyya & Hifz-ul-Quran School Canada

Sohail Ahmed Saqib

Lecturer Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada

On Saturday, 13 April 2019, the annual awards ceremony of Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada and Hifz-ul-Quran School Canada were held in Aiwan-e-Tahir in Vaughan. The programme was divided into two segments: the annual speech competitions and the awards ceremony.

The first part of the programme consisted of the finals for the Arabic, Urdu and English speech competitions and was presided over by two students of the final year, Sarmad Naveed Ahmad and Fatir Mahmood Ahmad. A student of Hifz-ul-Quran School also presented a speech after the conclusion of Jamia’s speech competition.

The second part of the programme was presided over by Lal Khan Malik Sahib, Amir Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Canada. After the recitation of the Holy Quran and a poem, reports of the extracurricular activities of Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada and Hifz-ul-Quran School were presented by Usama Rahman of the sixth year of Jamia and Hafiz Mujeeb Ahmad Sahib, teacher of Hifz-ul-Quran School respectively.

Following these reports, Amir Sahib distributed prizes and awards to the students of Hifz-ul-Quran School and Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada who attained positions in individual and group competitions. Special prizes were awarded to Jamia students who did outstanding work in preparing this year’s exhibition on Khilafat-e-Rashidah. Members of Jamia’s kitchen staff were also awarded commemorative plaques in recognition of their extraordinary services.

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Here it should be noted that in order to facilitate the extracurricular activities of Jamia students and to promote the spirit of healthy competition, they have been divided into four tutorial groups: Shujaat, Amanat, Diyanat and Rafaqat. A teacher is in charge of each group. Throughout the year, various educational competitions were held in the evenings and students competed to gain points for their groups. The group with the most points won the trophy for best performance in academic competitions. Similarly, the student who collected the most points for his group was named the best student and awarded a special plaque.

For the academic year of 2018-2019, the trophy was awarded to Shujaat, headed by Hafiz Hibbatur Rahman Sahib and the best student was Omar Farooq of Shujaat group.

After the awards distribution, Daud Ahmed Hanif Sahib, Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada gave a vote of thanks to the attendees.

At the end, Amir Sahib Canada delivered a short address in which he commended the efforts of the staff and students of Jamia Ahmadiyya for preparing an educational exhibition on Khilafat-e-Rashidah. He also urged members of the Jamaat to benefit from Jamia’s exhibition by visiting it in large numbers.

The event concluded with a silent prayer, after which dinner was served to the attendees.

Readers of Al Hakam are requested to remember the staff and students of Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada and Hifz-ul-Quran School in their prayers.

Get to Know Islam campaign and weekly tabligh stalls in Bolivia

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Get to Know Islam campaign and weekly tabligh stalls in Bolivia

Ataul Ghalib

Bolivia Correspondent

On 20 April, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat in Bolivia held its 2nd Get to Know Islam event. This year’s topic was How to Obtain World Peace.

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The event was held in the city of Santa Cruz, in the downtown area. Prior to the event, 2,000 flyers were distributed in various universities and tabligh stalls were held in the biggest park in the city. This is a weekly tabligh stall through which, on a weekly basis, about 2,000 people get to see the picture of the Promised Messiahas and approximately 1,000 flyers are distributed.

The event started with the recitation of the Holy Quran which was done by our local Ahmadi Antonio Saucedo followed by its recitation.

A short introduction was given by a local new-convert followed by another short presentation on the unity of God by a local Ahmadi. By the grace of Allah, the new converts have started to learn a lot about Islam Ahmadiyyat and are beginning to teach others. Alhamdolillah! The event was attended by 45 people.

Our visiting missionary, Ataul Manan Sahib (a graduate of Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada) gave a presentation on obtaining inner peace.

Thereafter, the missionary and president of Bolivia Jamaat Ataul Ghalib Sahib delivered a speech on the true Islamic solution to world peace.

A question and answer session was held which many benefited from. This was then followed by silent prayer. Refreshments were then served to the guests and an open discussion took place.

At this event we had various banners and book exhibitions were put up to show various teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat which gave people a chance to see the Holy Quran first hand. There was also a Try a Hijab exhibition that was held by Lajna Imaillah.

Alhamdolillah, after this event, two local contacts also accepted Islam and Ahmadiyyat and did Bai‘at. Many have shown great interest and are now starting to come to the mission house to learn more about the Jamaat.

Under the guidance of Hazrat Amirul Momineen, may Allah be his helper, the Jamaat is growing in this part of the world and the prophecy of the Promised Messiahas “I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the world” is, once again, being manifested in this part of the world. Alhamdolillah!

Atfal travel from Germany to Markaz for audience with Huzoor

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Atfal travel from Germany to Markaz for audience with Huzoor
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Atfal from Germany travelled to the United Kingdom for the blessed opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. The audience took place at the new Mubarak Mosque in Islamabad, Surrey.

The opening question was regarding the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand. A Tifl asked Huzooraa why Allah did not save the victims as they were His worshippers. Huzooraa explained the concept of martyrdom in Islam and highlighted the fact that since time immemorial, worshippers had been martyred due to their faith, including Ahmadi Muslims.

Discussing the shootings, Huzooraa said:

“The blessings of being martyred whilst praying double”, while further saying, “Martyrdom, in Islam, is an immense honour”.

Huzooraa then emphasised the importance of life in the Hereafter and addressed the Atfal saying:

“You should etch this in your hearts that the real life is the life after death. This worldly life is just temporary – then [in the next life] will all of your worries vanish.”

The topic of atheism was raised by a youngster who wanted to know how to prove the existence of God to an atheist. Huzooraa presented a two-part answer, first saying that the foremost thing to do is “establish a relationship with Allah yourself”. Further, Huzooraa recommended two books to read: Our God by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra and Ten Proofs for the Existence of God by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra.

With respect to the importance of establishing a relationship with Allah, Huzooraa explained, “To establish a personal relationship, Allah says you must work hard. He says you must do Jihad to find Him.” Huzooraa added, “Ahmadi Muslims should establish a relationship with Allah and then tell others about their own incidents of the acceptance of prayers.” Huzooraa said that they should be able to tell atheists, “You say God does not exist but my prayers have been accepted.”

Another Tifl from the German delegation asked if Islam permitted vegetarianism. Huzooraa explained that the whole notion is down to personal preference; one can eat whatever they like, so long as it is Halal. Huzooraa said “Islam emphasises to keep your diet balanced. Eat meat protein, bean protein and vegetables etc.” Throughout his answer, Huzooraa explained that the issue was on personal preference and did not relate to religion as such.

“How can we establish love for Khilafat” was asked to Huzooraa upon which he responded by saying, “Pray for Khilafat that Allah enables us to be obedient to the Khalifa of the time and that Allah establishes Khilafat forever.” Huzooraa concluded by stating, “This love is given by Allah, so pray for it.”

Huzooraa chose a young member of the audience, who had his hand up, to ask a question. He wanted Huzoor’s advice on how to be patient, upon which Huzooraa lovingly responded by saying to the child that he was still young and should have patience. Huzooraa then gave insight into ways to be patient saying:

“The Quran says to avoid all immoral things; to just pass by and avoid them. If someone swears and uses abusive language, just pass by them. Also, one should do istighfar [seek repentance] a lot and pray that Allah grants you patience.”

The next question was regarding Jews and Christians and whether they can enter heaven, even though, according to the questioner, they had been cursed in the Holy Quran. Huzooraa replied by saying “Allah has also commended Jews and Christians in the Holy Quran; Allah has said that among them are pious people as well. You should always read the context of the verse first. Allah has only cursed those who do bad deeds; He did not curse them generally … it was about those people who were causing discord.”

Regarding questions concerning the Holy Quran, Huzooraa strongly emphasised that the whole context of a particular verse or passage should be read first, before asking a question. And when we ask such questions, we should have the verse and reference at hand.

A member of the Atfal group was holding a microphone and to his fortune, Huzooraa said, “You have the microphone so you may ask your question”. His question was about shaking hands with women and whether it was permissible to shake hands with senior members of staff. Huzooraa said:

“In general you must not shake hands [with the opposite sex]. The Holy Prophetsa advised not to shake hands with women as sometimes it may lead to wrong. The instruction has a lot of background to it. However, if a senior teacher who is elderly or any senior teacher for that matter puts her hand forward to shake your hand then, you are a child and so, there is no harm to do so. Nevertheless, you must not be the one initiating it.”

A Tifl told Huzooraa about a discussion he was having with his Muslim friends about Khatm-e-Nubuwwat (finality of prophethood). He asked Huzooraa what the Ahmadiyya viewpoint is regarding the true translation of the Khatamun-Nabiyyin. Huzooraa explained by stating:

“[Muslims] say that the appearance of prophets has stopped and none can now come. We say that the word khatam means stamp, meaning that if there is a prophet to come, then he can only come with the stamp of the Holy Prophetsa. It is not only us who believe this; a plethora of past Muslim scholars also held this view.”

“Huzooraa, why do you wear a turban?” one Tifl innocently asked. Huzooraa smiled and said:

“As this has been a tradition of previous Khulafa, I thought I would also wear one. I had to wear something – a topi or a turban. It is a tradition in the subcontinent to wear a turban and also in other countries like Sudan, Somalia and Yemen etc. who wear their own kind of turban – dress codes develop. It is not essential that all the coming Khulafa wear a turban.”

Huzooraa spoke of his childhood after a Tifl asked Huzooraa about his hobbies as a child. Huzooraa said that he would play cricket after Asr prayer to Maghrib prayer, and after Maghrib prayer, he would stay indoors as it was not permissible for them to leave the house after Maghrib during that time.

The topic of creation was raised by another Tifl. Huzooraa explained to the boy that we believe in evolution, however we do not believe that humans were created from monkeys – humans were always humans.

A member of the group asked how one can establish taqwa in an age where dangers of the internet and social media lurk. Huzooraa said:

“There are also decent things on the internet and social media. There is MTA, speeches, dars of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV’srh question and answer sessions, speeches of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, books, my addresses etc. – you should listen to these. Why does one need to watch pornography, immodest images or play games like Fortnite that waste money? Use the internet in the proper way and you will have the opportunity to do good.”

Huzooraa said that one should not be addicted to social media and the internet and emphasised the importance of being regular in the five daily prayers to all Atfal present.

Huzooraa also gave advice on studies to the group, highlighting the need to develop the correct way to study, recall information and the need to revise constantly. Huzooraa said to be regular in revision and to revise daily, especially paying special concentration on weak subjects. Huzooraa said that if another student excels in studies but does not offer his prayers, it does not mean he is better than you.

“Did you miss your family after you became Khalifa and had to leave Pakistan?” one Tifl asked. Huzoor said:

“My son already resided here, my daughter and wife also joined me later – so my immediate family was with me. Apart from this, there was my mother, others, and there was Rabwah. I would remember them; even now, sometimes, I remember Rabwah. However, there is so much work and I get so busy that I do not even have the chance to reminisce or miss these things.”

The Atfal group were blessed to ask many questions, after which they had the opportunity of taking a group photo with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.

Practices of the Promised Messiah a.s. in Ramadan

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Practices of the Promised Messiah a.s. in Ramadan
old image of mohala darul anwar from minara 1
Old picture of Qadian taken from Minarat-ul-Masih

Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammed Ismailra related to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra:

“In 1895, I happened to pass the entire month of Ramadan in Qadian and offered the Tahajud – i.e. the Tarawih – prayers behind the Promised Messiahas throughout the month. It was Huzoor’sas custom to offer the Witr prayer in the first part of the night and eight rak‘aat [units of prayer] of the Tahajud prayer in divisions of two in the latter part.

“In it, he would recite Ayat-ul-Kursi in the first rak‘ah, i.e اَللّٰہُ لَا اِلٰہَ اِلَّا ھُوَ  up until وَ ھُوَ الْعَلِیُّ الْعَظِیْم and in the second rak‘ah, he would recite Surah al-Ikhlas. Mostly, whilst in ruku or sajda, he would recite:

یَا حَیُّ یَا قَیُّوْمُ بِرَحْمَتِکَ اَسْتَغِیْث

“‘O Living and Self-Sustaining God, with Your mercy do I seek help.’ His manner of reciting this was such that I would be able to hear his voice. Moreover, he always used to partake in sehri directly after the Tahajud prayer and would delay it to the extent that the Azan would sometimes occur whilst he was eating.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra added to this:

“I would like to make it clear that partaking in sehri is permissible until the break of dawn on the eastern horizon. Partaking in sehri holds no connection with the Azan because the timing of the morning Azan is fixed to occur upon the break of dawn. For this reason, people mostly consider the end of sehri to be the moment when the Azan is called. As the morning Azan would immediately be called out upon the break of dawn in Qadian and was perhaps, on some occasions by mistake and due to inattentiveness, called even prior to it, the Promised Messiahas would, on the most part, not halt at the Azan and used to partake in sehri up until the break of dawn.

“The fact is that in this matter, the Shariah does not advocate the halting of food and drink upon the break of dawn in the light of scientific facts and perception. Rather, food and drink should be stopped when the first light of dawn becomes manifest to the masses. Hence, the word تَبَيَّنَ also makes this matter plain. In a Hadith, it is also recorded that the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Do not stop eating and drinking at the Azan of Bilal, but instead, continue to do so until the Azan of Ibn-e-Maktum because he is blind and does not call out the Azan until people raise a hue and cry of the morning.”

Regarding the diet of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, it is said that in sehri, during Ramadan, there usually used to be salan [curry dish] or a chicken leg and firni [Indian sweet dish] for Huzooras. Hazrat Ahmadas would take a paratha [Indian fried bread] instead of a roti [flat bread], though he would only eat a small amount of it.

In his formative years of seclusion, he performed many spiritual exercises and meditations. At one occasion, Hazrat Ahmadas kept fasts for six consecutive months under the will of God. At iftari his food intake would merely be half a bread or even less. He also would not eat sehri and would secretly hand the food, which used to arrive from home, to less privileged individuals so that members of his household remained unaware. However, his general stance was that he disliked for his Jamaat to carry out exercises of such a nature and in its place, declared the jihad of this age to be services in relation to tabligh and the pen against the opponents of Islam. Thus, if entertaining the notion that such a person was desirous of material pleasures is not a complete injustice, then what is?

Hafiz Nur Muhammad Sahib of Faizullah Chak narrated to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra that once during the month of Ramadan, somebody called the Azan prior to its actual time during sehri. The Promised Messiahas entered the mosque and said, “I had just raised a glass of milk to my mouth when I heard the call for Azan. For this reason, I put down the glass at that very moment.” Someone humbly submitted, “Huzoor, there is still time to eat and drink.” He replied, “I do not desire to partake of anything after the Azan.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, with regard to this narration, said:

“I would like to add that if this narration is authentic, then Huzooras would have taken precautions for his own sake at that particular occasion. Otherwise, the practise of the Promised Messiahas was that hedid not estimate the time [for the end of sehri] by the Azan but through the emergence of the break of dawn. In this regard, he would also adhere to the stance that the break of dawn should be clearly manifest as is the objective of the Quranic verse. However, it is of the scholar’s opinion that fatwa [Islamic verdict] and taqwa [righteousness] are two very different matters.”

(Taken from the compilation of narrations related to the life of the Promised Messiahas in Sirat-ul-Mahdi by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra. Translated by Fateh Alam, UK)

Evidence of divine involvement for Africa – Physics Noble Prize

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Evidence of divine involvement for Africa – Physics Noble Prize
Dr Ataul Habib Khalid, Lecturer in sensors and sensor systems

The 2014 Nobel Prize for physics was awarded to three scientists in Japan and the US for the invention of blue light emitting diodes (LEDs). They are Professors Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano and Shuji Nakamura who made the first blue LEDs in the early 1990s.

It would be beneficial to non-expert readers to learn briefly about this light emitting device technology.

Gallium nitride is a semiconductor material where its electrical properties can be changed to positive and negative type i.e. p-type or n-type material. The problem was in making good p-type material that would ensure a good semiconductor device with p- and n-type material to form a light emitting diode or LED.

Nakamura, the inventor of this LED, not only solved the problem, but also developed an industrial process to achieve a high-power blue light emitting device. All white LEDs are in fact blue light devices with a suitable phosphorus coating that absorb the blue light and re-emit it as white light.

I was attending an international semiconductor conference in the University of California, Santa Barbara, where Professor Shuji Nakamura is a faculty member, and he gave a talk about his Noble Prize winning a year earlier in 2014. The meeting hall was full to its capacity and many people were standing patiently at the back to listen to what Nakumura had to say.

Professor Nakumura glanced over the crowded hall and said that a long time ago, he had seen similar sorts of crowded halls when renowned researchers were presenting their research on the blue light emitting diodes made from a different semiconductor material than the one he was working, gallium nitride (GaN). He said that in those days, he would rarely see anybody in the halls where he used to present his work because no one believed that a blue light emitting diode was possible in GaN material. So many people had tried before and failed, and as a result, all efforts and money was directed elsewhere; people were making claims but without real success.

Professor Nakumura questioned himself many times as to why he was working in an area where there was no apparent prospects of success. “But then, I needed a PhD,” he added, “and it was not possible without publications. So it was easier to publish my research as there was no competition for gallium nitride work”, with tongue firmly in cheek!

In reality it was his perseverance and hard work that finally delivered the desired blue light emitting device, which is the basis of the white solid-state lights around us.

The biggest impact of their work can be seen in the new generation of bright, energy-efficient white lamps, as well as colour LED screens of all gadgets around us. We are all now used to having these energy-saving, yet highly bright and versatile lights everywhere, from our homes to our streets.

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Lights in cities and towns are now visible from space thanks to the white LED light

The white LED light, or solid state light source, has had a revolutionary impact that is even visible from satellite pictures taken by astronauts in space.

The other big impact of this invention is just becoming apparent and that is how the African continent will light up to its population across its small towns to smallest of villages. With the increasing needs for lighting solutions in Africa, a consensus is now being reached on the need to have LED lights which are environmentally safe but most importantly, highly energy efficient and can run on solar charged batteries, hence without the grid supplied electricity (https://www.lightingafrica.org/).

The International Association of Ahmadi Architects & Engineers (IAAAE) is an international organisation that has a dedicated department, Alternative Energy Committee (AEC) that is doing exactly that in Africa.

Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIIrh said in his tour of Africa in 1970:

“I foresee – as indeed many people do now – an even richer future for you. A strange wind blows today, promising change and hope, inducing a new awareness, new enterprises, and, if I may add, pointing to new evidences of divine involvement in your destiny.” (https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Africa-Speaks.pdf)

It is very interesting to see an amazing evidence in the destiny of Africa. I remember thinking about the developments in Africa – I used to wonder how it would even happen because the development of a country needs the infrastructure of communications, electrical grid for power transport and roads for human and goods transportation. Yet, every new technological development points towards the “divine involvement” for the destiny of Africa.

The advent of mobile phones eliminated the telephony cable infrastructure and the inventions of solar electricity panels removed the need to install electrical grids to transport the power. And white LEDs have solved the lighting issue that can be sustained with the solar charged batteries.

One can now foresee the fast technological developments of electrical vehicles, land based and airborne, that will eventually solve the transportation problems in Africa!

However, the most important thing that will enable this divine destiny is the spiritual light that will change the hearts, and we know that light is shining brightly without any sunset on Africa. This light is the message of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas that is spreading all over Africa through MTA and other means – it is truly evidence of divine involvement.

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