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Institute of Jamia Ahmadiyya

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On the demise of great scholars like Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkotira and Hazrat Burhanuddin Jehlmira, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas felt the need to establish an institution that could produce more scholars. Hence, he established an institution named Madrassa-e-Ahmadiyya in Qadian.

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Jamia Ahmadiyya Qadian

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, the second successor of the Promised Messiahas, described the early state of the Madrasa-e-Ahmadiyya in the following words:

“There were no buildings here. this place was a big pond of water where people would come and bathe. There was only one small structure where a few classes could be seated. The two rooms towards the walkway were not built then; there were only four rooms that faced the pond. The rooms that now face the bazaar were built later. there were no benches, chairs or tables. Only jute mats were used [to sit on], and those too were not ones made [professionally] in mills but were handmade by poor labourers. They used to be so small in breadth that even someone with a moderate body would have half their body touching the bare floor. A prayer mat would be used as the teacher’s seat.” (Al Fazl, 22 December 1925)

From these humble beginnings, the Madrasa-e-Ahmadiyya continued to flourish, later evolving into Jamia Ahmadiyya – the Ahmadiyya University. This blessed institution, the seed of which was sown by the Promised Messiah and Mahdias, went through many turbulent patches of time; from moving to stables after the partition of India, to being opened in mud-huts, to sanctions imposed by the infamous Pakistani laws. 

Having started off from Qadian, then opened in Rabwah, Jamia Ahmadiyya saw new heights of progress and outreach when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa established (on an international scale) Canada, UK, Germany and Ghana Jamias. Functioning right in the heart of their respective locations, these Jamias are working towards the realisation of a great vision – the Sun Rising From the West.

Jamias are also functional on national levels in some African and Asian countries.

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Jamia Ahmadiyya Ghana

Jamia Ahmadiyya Convocation, 25 March 2018, Haslemere, UK

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Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V a.a.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graciously blessed the 6th graduation ceremony of Jamia Ahmadiyya UK on Sunday, 25 March 2018 at their campus in Haslemere, UK.

Founded in 2005, this was the sixth batch of missionaries trained at Jamia Ahmadiyya UK, who passed their final exams in 2017. Alongside graduating missionaries from Jamia UK, were Jamia Canada and Jamia Germany graduates.  43 qualified missionaries were awarded their Shahid Degree (awarded after completion of a seven-year course in Theology, Comparative Studies of Religions, Tafsir, Fiqh, Hadith and Modern Languages).

Qualifying missionaries from Jamias of Germany and Canada were also awarded their Shahid degrees on this occasion, making the graduation an international ceremony. 18 graduates from the UK Jamia, 11 from Germany and 14 from Canada were fortunate to have received their degrees from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Representatives of the three Jamias presented a summary of their annual activities during the year, followed by the hallmark of the event – the address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.

Addressing the graduates, Huzooraa drew their attention to the vast array of responsibilities that lay ahead of them. Huzooraa stated that this was apparently an end to their formal education, but enhancing this education further and developing a bond with Allah the Almighty is a responsibility of every Muslim, not to speak of those who were trained to educate others.

Now that they will set off to put their knowledge into practice as missionaries, Huzooraa enlightened them with guidance on what is expected of them by not only the Jamaat but also the people that they will come into contact with.

Huzooraa stated:

“You devoted your lives. Why did you do so? To accomplish the mission of the Promised Messiahas; to take foward the task assigned to the Promised Messiahas of reviving Islam; establishing the Oneness of Allah in the world by taking this mission forward. You have to wave the flag of the Holy Prophetsa over the whole world.” 

Commenting on his incentive for joining Jamia, Tahir Chaudhry of Jamia Canada said,

“Through Jamia Ahmadiyya we can prepare ourselves to become familiar with what we have in our literature, to spread the message to the corners of the Earth.”

Zulfiqar Abbasi, a Jamia UK graduate said,

“My time in Jamia was challenging but at the same time very rewarding.”

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Mahzarnama – The Memorandum

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Mahzarnama (the Memorandum) is an important historical document which was presented by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in 1974, to the Special Committee of the National Assembly of Pakistan, comprising the entire house. 

The purpose of this document was to establish that the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat are Muslims and to explain its basic tenets, as well as to refute the baseless allegations levelled against it. 

It was declared at the outset that, according to Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, no Assembly or court in this world had any right to determine, or specify, the religion of any individual or a community; because this can be done only by God who knows the innermost thoughts of our hearts. Similarly, an impassioned warning was also put on record to the effect that this Assembly might become instrumental in creating dissension among the ranks of the followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa by declaring Ahmadis to be non-Muslim, because this act would set such a wrong and horrible precedent which might engulf other sects in the future. 

The backdrop of this sad episode was a preconceived scheme (for the details of which there is no room here) of the then government. Due to the dictates of political expediency, it declared Ahmadis to be outside the pail of Islam, in order to win support of the extremist Muslim clerics. Since a large number of these hardline clerics had already penetrated the ranks of the official Government Opposition, which, also fully supported the government in this matter. 

When this preconceived political plan reached its logical conclusion, an internecine tussle broke out between the Government and the Opposition for the credit to have resolved this so-called “ninety-year old problem”. As a matter of fact this marked a great tragedy in the history of Pakistan, enabling politics to impinge on religion and allowing religion, in turn, to interfere with politics. This indeed was the most serious blunder the outcome of which mars the contemporary Pakistani political scene that seems to find no way out of the mess. 

After this tragic mistake, the influence of extremist divines continued to plague national politics, culminating in the imposition of a sinister eleven-year stint of martial law which proved much more macabre than the earlier martial law episodes, and whose gruesomeness continues to eclipse the future of our nation. The country continues to be deprived of discipline, unity, tolerance, and national purpose. The seeds of dissension sowed by selfishly motivated politics have resulted in a crop of multifarious hatreds, and have fragmented Pakistan into factions, sects, clans, and provincialism. 

It is plainly obvious to the intelligentsia that the foundations of Pakistan’s present misery were in fact laid in 1974. We pray that Allah may enlighten the nation and help adopt the noble charter which the Quaid-e-Azam prescribed for the nation, and which reflected his vision for this country. He said: 

“You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed— that has nothing to do with the business of the State. We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State. 

“Now I think we should keep that in front of us as our ideal and you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State.” 

[Quaid-e-Azam’s Address of 11 August 1947, to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan] 

The exposition of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s position, in the form of Mahzarnama – the Memorandum, which was submitted as a historical document, has been reproduced as a book. After the submission of the document, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat was subjected to a grilling inquisition, for eleven days, in the National Assembly of Pakistan, by the Attorney General of Pakistan and clerics. The then Supreme Head of the worldwide Muslim Jama‘at Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrt, personally answered all the allegations that were made, and provided their solid, well-reasoned and conclusive rebuttal . . . 

The government of Pakistan required the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIIrt, to present himself personally before the aforesaid Committee of the National Assembly to enunciate his standpoint and to answer all the questions that may be asked of him on that occasion. He was allowed to have four self-selected representatives to assist him. 

The five-member delegation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat consisted of the following four who assisted him: 

1. Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad sahibrt

2. Maulana Abul Ata Jalandhari sahib

3. Sheikh Muhammad Ahmad Mazhar sahib

4. Maulana Dost Muhammad Shahid sahib 

Prior to the commencement of its aforesaid session, the Special Committee of the National Assembly sifted through thousands of objections and allegations against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat and selected a few hundred of them to pointedly direct those at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. 

This Committee, as pointed out before, consisted of the entire House, and was fully aided by the Ministry of Religious Affairs, and the Attorney General who represented the Ministry of Law, in preparation of the questionnaire which was then put forth by the Attorney General. In addition to this, selected religious scholars were also allowed by the government to subsequently direct their questions to the Supreme Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. 

To read more, please go to: 

www.alislam.org/library/books/Mahzarnama.pdf

What You Can Expect From Us

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April brings with it, for most of the northern hemisphere, a season that represents life – Spring. 

By the grace and blessings of Allah, we are witnessing the revival of a newspaper of the Jamaat started in the blessed time of the Promised Messiahas. It came to fruition, for its relaunch in the English language, on the blessed occasion of Promised Messiah Day, which also happened to be a Friday. 

Al Hakam was made available on the internet last Friday, 23 March 2018 and we are already witnessing the acceptance of the prayers that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa wrote for the newspaper in his special message upon the launch of the first issue of this newspaper. If we were only to mention one manner in which we have seen these prayers accepted, we would pick the feedback that we received after the launch last week. 

Praise be to Allah, for the concept of an English newspaper being published from the Markaz and the content of the first issue was appreciated by many. 

This would not have been possible without the prayers and blessings of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. We humbly request all readers to continue to remember the Al Hakam team in their prayers that we are able to deliver the newspaper in accord with the expectations of our beloved Imamaa.

As a newspaper should, we will endeavour to bring to our readers the news of latest events taking place here in London. News from Jamaats around the world are also on the agenda. But the very idea behind the relaunch of Al Hakam was not to just live in the moment but also to bring to light the glorious history of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat. 

History is usually, albeit arguably, seen as the study of the past. But what we need to remember is that time is a flowing stream of events; everything happening in the “present” is instantaneously falling into the realms of the “past”. 

While we bring to you the “present” we will also bring to you events that have shaped the marvellous history of this ever-progressing Jamaat. 

While “From the Markaz” will cover a recent news story, we will include, parallel to it, the rich legacy behind it, in “From the Archives”. “100 years ago…” will have news or an article published in Al Hakam or other Jamaat newspapers, dating back a whole century from that very week.

Letters to the Editor”, traditionally so, will have your views and comments. We are seeking to establish this column to instigate healthy discussions and not only feedback on the newspaper. If you do not see your letter appear in the column, it should not be taken to mean that your comments or feedback have not been acknowledged; the editors will always read your letter and take on board your constructive feedback.

What else will you see in the paper? It does not all need to be told. Seeing is believing. Have a look every Friday as we put together for you a bouquet of articles, news and much more.

The Examples of High Morals

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Friday Sermon

2 March 2018

The Examples of High Morals

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After reciting the Tashahud, Ta’awuz, Tasmiyah and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated: 

Adopting excellent morals and showing good manners on every occasion, be it at home, at any level of the society, towards one’s close ones or other people, has been taught by Islam to such an extent that not even the smallest aspect has been left unaddressed. No other religion addresses these matters in such detail. 

However, unfortunately, it is Muslims, who are generally considered to be at the lowest level in this regard. Non-Muslims criticise them because their practice is contrary to what they preach. The Holy Prophetsa has not only emphasised this through his practical example but has also, at various occasions, repeatedly emphasised that his ummah achieve the highest moral standards.

Muslims generally claim to love the Holy Prophetsa but there is almost no adherence [among them] to his words or deeds. Due to such a condition of the Muslims, the current state of affairs was bound to arise.

Thus, Allah the Exalted sent the Promised Messiahas but these people refuse to pay heed to this. Rather, some people in certain countries and regions have reached the height of opposition.

They use the most loathsome and vile language against the Promised Messiahas and his followers, while disregarding even the smallest manners or rather sinking themselves lower than a completely immoral person. They are also facing its consequences. As I mentioned, non-Muslims are denouncing them everywhere in the world. 

This state of theirs should draw the attention of us Ahmadis towards making utmost efforts to inculcate in us, the most excellent of morals. We should try to adopt the highest morals utilising all our faculties, which is also a teaching of Islam and the practical example of which the Holy Prophetsa established before us and towards which he constantly drew our attention to. Otherwise, it would be of no benefit for us to be “Ahmadis” or of being called so. 

If we look at the practical example of the Holy Prophetsa, we see astonishing [moral] standards. If we take a look at his family affairs, we see that, for example, he expressed his utmost displeasure to one of his wives for mocking another’s short height, saying that one should not inflict emotional pain to anyone. (Sunan Abi Dawood, Bab Fil Ghibah, Hadith 4875)

At times [we hear of him] advising one of his wives not to show the slightest displeasure at any of the other wives’ action. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab Al Ahkam, Hadith 2333)

At times [we hear of him him] advising children to raise their moral standard. He said to a child, “You should not throw stones at people’s fruit trees and thereby destroy their ripe or half-ripe fruits. If you are hungry and you cannot bear it anymore, then you may eat the fallen off ripe dates.” However, he also told him, “What would be excellent is that I pray for you that you may never be faced with such a situation where you have to pick up the dates from the floor to eat. May Allah the Exalted continue to provide for you.” (Sunan Abi Dawood, Kitabul Jihad, Hadith 2622)

With this prayer, he drew the attention of the child towards turning to Allah the Exalted for the fulfilment of his needs instead of taking people’s property by using wrongful means. Although, under some circumstances, such things, which are just lying around in excess may become lawful but he said that one should adopt higher morals, which is true righteousness. Furthermore, when a child was eating quickly and moving around his hand around the plate swiftly, he said, “First, recite ‘Bismillah…’, eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitabul Atma, Bab Tasmia ‘Alata‘am, Hadith 5376)

Thus, we should undertake the moral training of children in this manner, so that they grow up to adopt excellent morals. 

Furthermore, dishonesty is a sin and truthfulness is a virtue and moral. The Holy Prophetsa gave guidance to instil this [moral quality] in the hearts of children from their very childhood in this manner. 

A companion narrates an incident of his childhood saying, “Once, the Holy Prophetsa came to our home. Due to my immaturity, a short while later, whilst the Holy Prophetsa was still present at home, I prepared to leave in order to play outside. Hence, in order to stop me from leaving this blessed environment, my mother said, ‘Come here and stay here. [If you do so] I will give you something.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Do you wish to give him something?’ My mother replied, ‘Yes, I will give him a date.’ Upon this, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘If this was not your intention and you merely said this in order to call the child, you would have been guilty of committing a sin as you told a lie.’” (Sunan Abi Daud, Kitabul Adab, Baab Fit-Tashdeed Fil Kadhab, hadith 4991)

Thus, in this way even this child became aware of the importance of truthfulness and the abhorrence of dishonesty at this very young age. Furthermore, he remembered it even when he grew older and mentioned that this was the importance of truthfulness that had taken root in his heart following the incident.

Once, the Holy Prophetsa said to a person that if he was unable to refrain from every vice, then he should refrain from telling lies, thus refraining from at least one vice.  (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Imam Razi, Vol 8, Part 16, p. 176, Tafseer Surah Taubah)

Now, let us see whether Muslims nowadays observe such standards and refrain from dishonesty, establishing truthfulness with such consideration. As a matter of fact, we should also assess ourselves as to whether we uphold such standards. It is narrated that in relation to the greater sins, the Holy Prophetsa said, “The major sins are Shirk [associating partners with God] and disobedience towards parents”.

The person narrating this said that the Holy Prophetsa was listing these major sins whilst seated and leaning back. He then sat upright and said, “Listen carefully. Dishonesty and false-witnessing are among these too.”

The Holy Prophetsa repeated, “Dishonesty and false-witness”. He repeated this several times. The narrator says that the Holy Prophetsa continued to repeat it to the extent that we wished that the Holy Prophetsa would now stop doing so. (Sahih Al Bukhari, Kitabul Adab, Bab Aququl Walidain Minal Kabair, Hadith 5976)

Furthermore, we also witness and observe his morals as to how elevated his standards of forbearance and patience were and how he used to guide [his companions]. Once, a Bedouin urinated in the mosque. People rushed to stop him. The Holy Prophetsa said, “Leave him be and pour water over the area he urinated on.”

Furthermore, the Holy Prophetsa said, “You have been created to provide ease for people, not to create difficulty.” Thereafter, that Bedouin always mentioned this act of kindness of the Holy Prophetsa.

Nowadays, it seems as if Muslim governments, scholars as well as [certain] groups are leading the way in causing hardships for people. They are neither providing ease on minor issues, nor on major issues. On one occasion, the Holy Prophetsa said, “If you wish to find out whether you are doing something good or bad, you should turn towards your neighbours and see what opinion they hold of you.” (Sunan Ibn e Majah, Kitabuz-Zuhd, Bab Al-Thana-ul-Hassan, Hadith 4222)

Following this, the Holy Prophetsa said to the leaders, “Your high morals will manifest themselves when you consider yourselves to be the servants of the nation and when you serve the general public with all your capabilities.” (Kanzul Ummal, Vol 6, p. 710, Hadith 17517, published Beirut, 1885)

Where do we see such standards among leaders and those occupying official posts today? Thus, the office bearers in our Jama’at should also pay heed to this.

Furthermore, we observe the standards of the Holy Prophetsa when he received every power and had conquered Arabia. How [excellent] was the manner in which he manifested his high morals on the occasion of the conquest of Mecca, where he forgave his enemies; those enemies who were his sworn enemies and continuously caused hardships? But it was his forgiveness that led to many [among them] accepting Islam.

Mentioning the high standards of the high moral qualities of the Holy Prophetsa, the Promised Messiahas states on one occasion, 

“Addressing the Holy Prophetsa, Allah the Glorious says: 

اِنَّكَ لَعَليٰ خُلُقٍ عَظِيْمٍ

‘Thou dost surely possess high moral excellences’. (Surah Al Qalam: V.5)

Hence, in accordance with this elaboration it means that you embody every form of moral excellence, such as generosity, courage, justice, mercy, benevolence, truthfulness and forbearance etc.,” meaning, to tolerate something with forbearance.

“In short, every attribute that can be found within the heart of a person such as respect, modesty, honesty, kindness, honour, steadfastness, chastity, moderation, sympathy, as well as courage, generosity, forgiveness, patience, benevolence, truthfulness, loyalty and so on; when all of these natural conditions are manifested in accordance with one’s mind and intellect at their appropriate and proper occasion, they will all be labelled moral qualities. Furthermore, all of these moral qualities are in fact natural conditions and feelings of a person and are merely labelled as moral qualities when they are manifested on their appropriate and proper occasion and in accordance with a person’s intention.” (Islami Usul Ki Filasfi, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 10, p. 333)

This is not to be according to habit. As a matter of fact, every moral quality should be applied and manifested in order to bring forth its virtuous outcome. At times, punishment is required to be meted out. Hence, this should be done in order to bring forth a virtuous outcome.

Mentioning the various circumstances of displaying high moral qualities, the Promised Messiahas states:

“High morals can be gauged under two circumstances; in times of trials and tribulations and in times of success and prosperity. A person who demonstrates patience in times of trials and tribulations and endeavours to acquire the pleasure of Allah the Exalted, possesses high moral excellences. Furthermore, a person who demonstrates humility and establishes justice in times of success and supremacy, can also be labelled as one who possesses high moral qualities. Thus, both of these circumstances manifest themselves in all their glory in the life of our Holy Prophetsa.” 

I mentioned earlier as well, as to how the Holy Prophetsa forgave even his enemies at the time of the conquest of Mecca; those who were enemies of his life. The Promised Messiahas [further] states: 

“The morals of a person can always manifest themselves under two circumstances; either at times of trials or at times of success. If only one aspect manifests itself, whereas the other aspect does not, then moral qualities cannot be gauged. God the Exalted desired to perfect the moral qualities of the Holy Prophetsa, and so part of his life was spent in Mecca, whereas the other part was spent in Medina. He demonstrated patience upon the extreme torment of the enemies in Mecca and despite these people behaving with utmost cruelty, the Holy Prophetsa continued to treat them with kindness and forbearance. Furthermore, he continued to convey the message he had received from God the Exalted and never desisted in this responsibility. Following this, when he gained dominance in Medina and those very enemies were captured and brought before him, he forgave the large majority. Despite possessing the power to seek retribution, he did not do so.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, p. 195-196, UK, 1985)

Further mentioning the moral excellences of the Holy Prophetsa, the Promised Messiahas states: 

“One should listen to these matters with great attentiveness. I have observed and scrutinised many people in that they are generous, however, at the same time they are furious and ill-tempered”. This means that they are very generous and considerate towards others, but at the same time they also become furious and express their irritation on the smallest of issues. At times, they give charity to someone and immediately boast about it if they become irritated. The Promised Messiahas stated: “Some people are kind and gentle, however, they are also niggardly. Some people inflict wounds upon another person in a state of rage and fury and they are absolutely void of modesty and humility. I have seen some people, who are extremely modest and humble, however, they are not courageous.” They are modest and humble, but are not courageous. They display cowardice at the slightest of adversities. The Promised Messiahas states: “Every attribute cannot be found in every person. This is correct. However, it is also true that one cannot be absolutely void of every attribute.” 

Mentioning the Holy Prophetsa, the Promised Messiahas further stated, “The most perfect example in relation to these moral qualities is that of the Holy Prophetsa, who possessed every attribute in perfection. For this reason, Allah the Exalted said in relation to him: ‘Thou dost surely possess high moral excellences’.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 132-133, UK, 1985)

Thus, the Holy Prophetsa displayed [excellent] moral qualities during times of hardships and displayed such an example of patience, which left the world in astonishment and through which he became the ruler of the whole of Arabia. As [the Promised Messiahas] mentioned, he forgave every person who committed cruelties [against them]. Thus, these are the standards of excellent high morals, which a true Muslim, a person who believes in the Holy Prophetsa, should always and under any circumstance keep before him. How has the Promised Messiahas guided us in this regard? In relation to the moral qualities of the Holy Prophetsa, the Promised Messiahas also states:

“Such were these high morals that they attracted people towards him in a miraculous way. Then he tells us that if we improve our moral standards in following this example and use every moral value in its appropriate place, we will also be able to show miracles.”

The Promised Messiahas states:

“People often give excuses and try to wriggle out when rare signs are demonstrated, but high moral virtues have such a miraculous effect that no one can question them. That is why the greatest miracle given to our Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was that of high moral virtues. As it says in the Holy Quran: Thou dost surely possess high moral excellences.”

“Even though the strength of proof of the Holy Prophet’ssa is much higher than all the other prophets, but the miracle of his moral virtues is higher than the rest of them. There is no parallel in the history of the world; no one can show such a parallel.” 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“I think everyone who gives up sinful practices and adopts good virtues (takes up good habits), that is the miracle for him.” Thus, it is a great miracle if you leave evil habits and adopt noble virtues.

“For example, if a person who is quick tempered and is given to show anger, leaves these habits and becomes of a milder nature and forgiving, or gives up a miserly nature and adopts generosity and leaves jealousy for compassion, without a doubt these are miracles.” If someone is quick tempered and shows anger but leaves those bad habits and becomes soft and forgiving; leaves miserliness for generosity and adopts compassion instead of being jealous, then this is such a change that is nothing short of a miracle and the results are obvious for everyone to see.

“Similarly, when one leaves self-praise and conceit and adopts humility and modesty, that humility is the miracle.” Leaving self-praise, or asking others to praise oneself and adopting humility will become a miracle. 

The Promised Messiahas says:

“Who among you does not want to show miracles? I am aware everyone wants that. Thus this is an eternal and living miracle. Improving your moral state is such a virtue that never goes to waste, instead you reap benefits for a long time. A believer should try to show such miracles in front of people as well as before God. Many licentious and immoral people who are not convinced by miraculous signs, bow before high moral virtues and have no alternative but to accept them. If you read people’s biographies, you will find that many of them converted to the true religion by mere observation of high moral virtues.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 141-142, UK, 1985)

On the face of it, even some worldly people are courteous, but what is called a moral virtue is in fact a façade. They show these virtues just to prove to themselves that they are good people. They show themselves to be good where no personal interest is involved, while in their hearts they are completely different. They say a person of a high official or financial status has high moral virtues, although it is just flattery. They see a weakness but they call it a virtue either out of fear or due to cowardice. 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“This is not an Islamic teaching, as these are not the true Islamic virtues. Instead, high virtue is that whatever you say, it should be heartfelt. If you are showing compassion, it should come from your heart.  If you are showing any other emotion, it should also come from your heart.” 

Expounding on this further, he once said, “There are two types of virtues. The first is shown by the educated classes of today, who verbally flatter others while their hearts are full of deceit and hostility. Such behaviour is against the Quran. The second type of virtue is that one should be truly compassionate, they should not harbour any deceit in the heart and should not resort to flattery. As God Almighty states: 

اِنَّ اللہَ يَاْمُرُ بِالْعَدْلِ وَالْاِحْسَانِ وَ اِيْتَآءِ ذِي الْقُرْبيٰ

‘Verily, Allah enjoins justice, and the doing of good to others; and giving like kindred.’ (Surah Al-Nahl: V.91)

This is the best practise.”

One should adhere to justice, act fairly and say things as they are. Then there are situations where Ehsan (doing good) is required, and in such situations you should do good. Then going a step further, treat people like a mother treats her children, or a close relative treats his kindred. 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“This is the best practise and there is guidance for the best practise in Allah’s book. Those who do not submit to this book, cannot find true guidance anywhere else. Good teachings require pure hearts for them to be effective. If you look closely, you will find impurities in people who are away from this true guidance.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 6, p. 200, UK, 1985)

Thus, purity of heart is required. You are required to follow the path of Allah’s commandments and that which earns pleasure. The Promised Messiahas states, “Life is unreliable, therefore one should attempt to enhance their truthfulness, purity and standard of Salat.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 6. p. 200, UK, 1985)

Enhance your worship and enrich your level of truthfulness; base all your actions on truthfulness. Some people ask, What are good deeds? Some people think that formal Salat and acts of worship is true virtue, or demonstration of ordinary virtues is a good deed. They are not careful about many basic virtues. The Promised Messiahas has shed light on this subject beautifully. He says:

“Virtues are the key to other good deeds. Those who do not look after their virtues gradually become useless.” This means that no good comes from them. The Promised Messiahas says:

“I believe that there is a use for everything in this world, including poison and filth. Strychnine has its own utility as it affects your nerves, except the person who having attained high moral virtues, does not become a useful entity.”

So even the poison and filth have their uses if they work toward uplifting the moral state; but the one who does not seek moral virtue and is not beneficial for others, renders completely useless. 

Thus a person is only of use if they possess high moral virtues. The Promised Messiahas states:

“In such an instance, one becomes worse than the dead animal. At least the flesh and bones of a dead animal can be used, but a man’s flesh is useless. This is the point when one becomes the embodiment of:

بَلْ هُمْ اَضَلُّ

‘Nay, they are even more astray.’” (Surah Al-A‘raf: V.180)

Meaning, they become the lowest of low.

“So remember, improvement of your morals is extremely important as morals are the mother of good deeds.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, UK, 1985)

If you have good moral virtues, you will be able to perform good deeds. How these morals are expressed in one’s daily dealings, the Promised Messiahas states:

“It is customary for some people that they become irritable upon seeing a beggar.” They get irritated seeing a beggar or a person in need.

“If they are clerics, instead of giving something, they begin admonishing them about when and how to ask for help”. 

If a person asks them for help, instead of giving them help, they start explaining the whats and whys, initiate scholarly discourse and start explaining the pros and cons of asking for help. 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“Having impressed them with their knowledge, they sometimes start rebuking them fir their laziness. Alas, they are devoid of all sense and they lack all judgment endowed to a person of pure heart and good nature. They do not stop to think that if a person is begging despite being able-bodied, they are themselves committing a sin.”

If a beggar asks for help despite being in good health, they are themselves responsible for that sin. If you have something that can help the beggar then you should offer it. 

“Assisting them in need is not a sin. According to the Hadith,

لَوْ اَتَاكَ رَاكِبًا

even if a beggar comes riding on a horse [and asking for help], you should help them. The Holy Quran states,

وَ اَمَّا السَّآئِلَ فَلَا تَنْهَرْ

That is, ‘Do not rebuke the beggar.’ (Surah Al-Duha: V.11)”

The Promised Messiahas states:

“No distinction has been made between the beggar you are permitted to reproach and the one you must not. The only thing one must remember is not to rebuke the beggar as this sows the seed of bad conduct. Virtue is that one should not hasten in irritability towards beggars. Satan’s desire is to keep you from doing good deeds and to make you do evil.”

The Promised Messiahas further states:

“Reflect on the fact that a virtuous deed generates another virtue and similarly an evil deed is the source of causing another evil. Just as something absorbs another, similarly God Almighty has established this system of assimilation,” the system of learning and mastering, “in every action. Therefore, you will offer something in charity through your good manners by treating a beggar with politeness. This will reduce your disinclination and you will in effect be performing another act of goodness.” That is, the feeling of reluctance in that person would lessen and they would be able to do more good deeds. “In this case, such a person will give something to the beggar.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, pp. 75-76, UK 1985)

Then there is a question among our people about respecting parents who are not Ahmadis or oppose Ahmadiyyat. How did the Promised Messiahas establish veneration for such parents? Once the Promised Messiahas advised Sheikh Abdur Rahman sahib Qadiani regarding a similar matter. While enquiring about Sheikh sahib’s father, the Promised Messiahas stated:

“You should pray for him. One should please their parents in any way and as much as possible. One should demonstrate their good manners and pure example more than ever before in order to prove the truthfulness of Islam to them.”

The Promised Messiahas advised Sheikh sahib to show his example because his parents were not Muslims. So in this way they would be convinced of the truthfulness of Islam through his example. 

“Other miracles cannot come close to a perfect example of good morals. The standard of true Islam is such that its follower is able to achieve high morals through it and as a result, they become distinguished individuals. Through you, God may instil the love of Islam in their hearts. Islam does not hinder one from serving their parents. You should show utmost obedience to them in any way possible in worldly affairs that do not damage the faith. Serve them with your heart and soul.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 4, p.175, Footnote 1, UK 1985)

On one occasion he said that morals were what distinguished human beings from animals. Expounding on this further, the Promised Messiahas stated:

“Firstly, animals cannot differentiate between a condition and quantity and they take whatever is in front of them. Take, for example, a dog. It will continue to eat to the point of vomiting.” Animals do not know the difference between the different environments, circumstances and measures of various things. He gave an example of a dog that it does not know its limits while eating. It will continue to eat until the point of sickness. This condition has been noticed of some people. Their greed knows no limits and they try to devour everything, whether it is food or someone’s wealth, whether it be through lawful or unlawful means. 

The Promised Messiahas says:

“Secondly, animals do not understand the difference between lawful and unlawful.”

The first thing mentioned about such people was that they are not aware of what their condition should be and its spirituality and to what extent is one allowed use their permissible sources to live. One should not be focused solely on amassing wealth continuously; rather, people should have a careful assessment about all such things. Secondly, animals cannot draw a distinction between lawful and unlawful. 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“For example a bull is not able to draw distinction between its own field and the neighbour’s field and that it should not be there.”

It is a free animal and it is grazing. If the field is unfenced, it will go to the other fields as it does not understand the difference. 

Thus, Huzooras states:

“Similarly, it does not do everything required in terms of food.”

The Promised Messiahas states:

“Such people who break the rules of morality and do not care about this as if they are not human beings. There is no difference between what is pure and impure to such an extent that in Arabia they would eat dog carcass.” 

The Promised Messiah went on further and gave an example that even in the current times people eat the dead. 

He further stated:

“People do not even slightly hesitate in usurping the wealth of the orphans. If some grass owned by an orphan is placed in front of a cow, it will consume it,” meaning, if grass owned by an orphan is place in front of a cow, it will eat it without any hesitation regardless of the fact that it was brought there with permission or without it. Similar is the case of some people who usurp the wealth of orphans with or without permission. 

He says, “Similar is the condition of certain people. This is the meaning of 

وَالنَّارُ مَثْوًي لَّهُمْ

That is, ‘their abode is hell.’ (Surah Muhammad: V.13)”

The abode of humans who usurp something and devour it unlawfully is hell. 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“Therefore, bear in mind that there are two aspects of this. The first aspect is of divine magnificence. Whoever is against this, they are against morality. The second aspect is affection towards the creation of Allah. Hence, whoever is against mankind, they are against morality.”

If they do not fulfill the rights of Allah and do not accept his magnificence, do not worship Him, do not pay attention to his commandments, do not strive to obtain his pleasure, then this is not morality. If they do not fulfill the rights of human beings, and usurp their wealth unlawfully and try to cause them harm and demonstrated bad morals towards them then this is also against virtue.

The Promised Messiahas further says:

“Alas! There are very few people who focus on the aim and objective of a human being’s life.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, pp. 78-79, UK 1985)

Then, arrogance is another vice which deprives one from performing virtuous deeds, rather, it is a source of God’s displeasure. The Promised Messiahas says: 

“The Sufis say that there are countless demons of lowly morals within man. They continue to be released gradually, and the last demon amongst them is the demon of arrogance that exists within man. It can be defeated through the grace of God, sincere endeavour and prayers.” 

He further states, “A lot of men consider themselves humble.” They demonstrate immense meekness and think [to themselves], We are truly modest. “But even they have some sort of arrogance within them. For this reason, one should safeguard against the subtlest types of arrogance. Sometimes wealth develops arrogance. A wealthy person considers other people as impoverished. He thinks [to himself], ‘Who is this person trying to contend with me?’ At times, people get arrogance due to family lineage and caste. One considers their family lineage to be superior over another family’s that they consider as inferior in comparison … Every so often knowledge becomes a source of arrogance. When someone makes a mistake, such a person immediately points out the error and cries aloud ‘This person does not know how to say this word correctly.’ In short, arrogance exists in many forms and they all deprive a person from attaining virtuous deeds and prevent people from benefiting others. One should protect himself from all of these.” (Malfuzat, Vo. 6, p. 402, UK 1985)

The Promised Messiahas then states:

“No person is bestowed with the power to do moral good, save the opportunity to do virtuous deeds. To abandon ones morals is vice and a sin.” 

The Promised Messiahas says that man is given oppurtunities to perform righteous deeds and said that ignoring morals and mannerism is in fact a sin and vice. If you forget your moral values, in turn they will lead you to vice and sin. At the same time, the opportunity to perform virtuous deeds will also diminish. 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“For example, a man who commits adultery completely disregards the extent of pain that [his action] will inflict upon the wife’s husband.” If someone commits adultery with a married woman, “If they felt the pain and trauma [their action would eventually cause] and had moral values, they would never commit such an abhorrent act. If such a corrupt individual truly understood the dangerous consequences of his evil actions towards society in general, he would abstain from doing such a thing.” 

The Promised Messiahas states:

“If a person commits a theft in the home of a poor person, the despicable tyrant does not even consider if he has left anything for that individual,” who may be poor, “to eat in the night. It is often seen at such occasions that a poor persons years of effort and struggle is plummeted.” 

The Promised Messiahas then says, “If that individual was engrained with the aforementioned disposition and was not unaware of moral values, then why would he need to steal? Everyday we read in the newspapers that a certain child was murdered out of greed for jewellery, or a certain woman was murdered … Just ponder, if ones moral condition improves in this manner, then why would there be such issues. It is possible for a person to go through such trials – due to their own condition – and yet not realise.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 7, UK 1985)

If one possesses neither these morals and thoughtfulness nor the fear of God Almighty, then it is not possible to create such a state. If one has the fear of God and also has humanity inside them, then that individual would never commit such [vile] acts. 

Guiding his Jamaat, the Promised Messiahas further states, “Whosoever shows a change in their moral behaviour to their neighbour, i.e. of what they were before and how they are now, then they have displayed nothing short of a miracle and through this they can be a positive influence on their neighbour,” people raise allegations against our Jamaat saying that they do not see any progress, or that they are unaware of any progress of the Jamaat.

“They raise accusations and they allege that we display anger and become enraged as well as invent fabrications. Is it not a source of remorse for those people that an individual entered this community considering it to be grand and noble, just like a sensible child.”

People who then go on to commit such atrocities should be ashamed of themselves. The Promised Messiahas then says:

“A sensible son bears the virtuous traits of his father, because the one who pledges allegiance is akin to a son who follows commands, just like all of you who have pledged allegiance.” 

Therefore, the allegations raised by such people should not prove to be true for any of us. The Promised Messiahas then further says:

“A spiritual father can carry an individual to heaven,” just as a father gives life to his offspring and is responsible for bringing them physically into this world, which is the true centre of gathering. 

He further says:

“Would any son desire to defame his father by visiting prostitutes, involving himself in gambling, become a drunkard or indulging himself in such immoral acts that would bring shame upon the father.”

The Promised Messiahas says:

“I know for a fact that no individual would wish for this, yet when a shameful son carries out such acts, it is not possible for other people to remain silent. People will point fingers at the father saying that the son of such and such is engrossed in immoral acts. Thus, the shameful son himself becomes the means of bringing shame upon his father. Similarly, if an individual enters this fold [i.e. joins the Jamaat] and does not uphold the honour and respect of this community by committing an act that is contrary to its values, then he is culpable in the eyes of God Almighty because he not only ruins himself, rather he has a negative impact on others and becomes the reason for them to remain bereft of the good fortune of guidance.” 

If people see corrupt examples, it will distance them from the Jamaat. They will not come close to the Jamaat and as a result, will be bereft of all the blessings and guidance that one gains from being part of a community. 

[The Promised Messiahas further states,] “Thus, you should seek the succour of God with all your might and with all your strength and courage you should strive to remove your weaknesses. Wherever you stumble, you should raise your hands in supplication with complete truthfulness and conviction, because anyone who supplicates with complete humility and meekness – accompanied with conviction and truthfulness – is never left empty-handed. Through experience I can say that thousands of my prayers have been accepted and continue to be accepted.”

The Promised Messiahas continues by saying:

“It is an undeniable truth that the one who does not harbour any compassion for their fellow beings is a miser. If I see a path that is blessed and beneficial, then it is my responsibility to alert the people and call them towards it. One should not be concerned whether people will follow it or not.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 146-147, UK 1985)

He then says: “Until man does not strive and seek help through prayers, he will not be able to remove the stain from his heart. For this reason God Almighty states:

اِنَّ اللہَ لَا يُغَيِّرُ مَا بِقَوْمٍ حَتّٰي يُغَيِّرُوْا مَا بِاَنْفُسِهِمْ

(Surah Al-Ra‘d: V.12)

In other words, God Almighty does not avert any kind of punishment which befalls on one until a nation does not seek to change their own condition. How can one bring about a change if they do not show any bravery or courage? This is an unchangeable practise of God Almighty, just as God Almighty states, 

وَ لَنْ تَجِدَ لِسُنَّةِ اللہِ تَبْدِيْلًا

‘But thou wilt never find any change in the way of Allah.’

Therefore, whether it is our Jama’at or any other, they can only bring about a change in their morals when they strive and pray, otherwise it is not possible.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p. 137, UK 1985)

May God Almighty enable us to follow the noble example of the Holy Prophetsa and better our morals in every aspect and in all situations and circumstances. May we raise the standard of our morals in order to attain the pleasure of God Almighty and not for worldly gains. May true sympathy for mankind develop within our hearts and may we raise the standards of our Taqwa [fear of God]. 

We have accepted the Imam of this age, therefore we should always be cognisant of the fact that no action of ours should be such that dishonours the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Messiahas, rather we should spread the beautiful teachings of Islam and leave a positive impression on the world.

Moreover, we should constantly seek to raise the standards of our morals and for this we should prostrate and supplicate before God Almighty and seek His help to achieve this. 

After the Friday prayers, I shall lead a funeral prayer in absentia of Sheikh Abdul Majid sahib, son of Sheikh Abdul Hameed sahib from Defence Society, Karachi. He passed away on 15 February 2018 at the age of 88. Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilahi Rajioon

Ahmadiyyat entered their family through their grandfather, Hazrat Sheikh Noor Ahmad sahib Jalandhri, whose name has been mentioned by the Promised Messiahas among the 313 companions in his book, Anjam-e-Atham, at number 242 by the name, Sheikh Noor Ahmad sahib Jalandhri from Mumbasa. (Anjam-e-Atham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 11, p. 328)

He was born in 1929 in Jalandhar. After acquiring an FSC from Talim-ul-Islam College Qadian, he did his MSC from Government College Lahore in Chemical Engineering and topped his college. From 1951 to 1953, he travelled to the UK and pursued further education in Metallurgical Engineering from Surrey University. After this, he had the opportunity to serve the Jamaat. He served as Secretary Jaidad, the President of the Local Welfare Committee and also served as the Local President. He had the honour of serving as Vice President of Karachi [Jamaat]. He also served as a member of the central Majlis Tehrik-e-Jadid. He had one daughter, Salma Tariq, wife of Tariq Sajjad sahib and leaves behind two grandsons and one granddaughter. 

His grandson writes: 

“Since childhood, he had a special relationship with God Almighty due to being in the company of the elders in Qadian. Once, he did not perform well in his English matriculation exams and he was on his way from the direction of the mosque and Hazrat Mualana Sher Ali sahib was coming out from the mosque. Having met Maulana sahib, he enquired about the exam to which he replied that the exam had not gone well. Maulana Sher Ali sahib raised his hands and immediately began to pray and then gave the good news that he would pass. The prayer was heard in such manner that he passed in every exam after that.” 

He experienced various circumstances in his life, both challenging and joyous. After leaving from here [UK], he worked in various employments and due to the opposition of the Jamaat and also due to the misconduct of the superiors, he was expelled from his duties. Eventually, he started his own business and pledged that he would keep aside a small portion of his income apart from his expenses and would give the rest to the Jama’at. By the grace of God Almighty he remained loyal to his pledge which he had made with God Almighty until his demise. He started a business, ran factories, donated his earnings to the Jamaat and always continued to pay his Chanda

When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh launched MTA International, he immediately donated ten million rupees. Similarly, there were plans to build a mosque in Russia and before any appeal was even launched, a Russian delegation came to visit Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and during their meeting, the Private Secretary informed Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh that Sheikh sahib had already donated a large sum of money for the mosque and this was well before any appeal had been launched. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh expressed great happiness upon this. Similarly, the missionary of that area wrote: 

“When the incidents in Dar-ul-Zikr and Model Town occurred on 28 May 2010, I went to the office and saw the secretary finance filling a receipt writing many zeros. I mentioned that perhaps he was filling so many zeros by mistake, however he replied, ‘No. Sheikh sahib just came and donated ten million rupees towards Sydena Bilal Fund.’”

Similarly, he donated very large sums of money for the publication of the Holy Quran. He donated towards many projects that were initiated by the Jamaat in Karachi. He lived his life with great simplicity. From his appearance, one could not tell that he was the owner of two factories and was extremely affluent, but that is because whatever he earned, he would put aside some of it for his own expenses and donate the rest to the Jamaat. In his will too, he stated that his wealth should be donated to the Jamaat. 

May God Almighty shower him with His blessings, elevate his status and grant patience and courage to his grandchildren and daughter. May He enable them to continue his good deeds. After the prayers, I shall lead his funeral prayer in absentia. 

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V launches Al Hakam

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Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa launching Al Hakam

London, 23 March

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, Khalifatul Masih V launched the first English weekly newspaper of the Jamaat—Al Hakam

Huzooraa, as he came out of the Baitul Futuh Mosque after the Friday Sermon, graciously launched The Weekly Al Hakam online. Huzooraa launched the website and app through the web and the website www.alhakam.org immediately went live around the globe. Huzooraa scrolled through the homepage and stated the words, “Allah Mubarak Karey” [May Allah shower His blessings].

But this was the second blessing that Al Hakam witnessed on the day of its launch. The first blessing, in chronological order, was the announcement of the relaunch of Al Hakam that Huzooraa made in his Friday Sermon. As Huzooraa approached the end of the Sermon, Huzooraa said:

“There is an announcement today which is also good news, that the newspaper Al Hakam, which was initiated in Qadian and then was resumed in 1934 but ceased to publish again, is being relaunched here in the UK in English. 

“Today is the Promised Messiah Day. This newspaper was the first newspaper to be launched in the time of the Promised Messiahas…It will be available on the internet immediately after the Friday Sermon on the website www.alhakam.org. Similarly, an app will also be available for mobile phones and tablets with the name ‘Al Hakam’ where the newspaper can be downloaded and easily read. This app will be available on the commonly used mobile phone systems, Apple and Android immediately after this Sermon. 

“This edition of the newspaper is a ‘Promised Messiah Day Special’. New issues will be uploaded every Friday… People can benefit from it. May Allah enable the newspaper to continue forever in this phase of its relaunch. Since it will be in the English language, English-speaking people should derive as much benefit from it as possible.”

Thus, with its launch, Al Hakam had been blessed with Allah’s grace and Mercy; Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa mentioned it with great love and blessed it with prayers, and then very graciously launched its website. 

Al Hakam, being an online newspaper, comes with multiple benefits; the first of course being its global accessibility but another is that the IT support teams are able to view the statistics at the backend. As soon as Huzooraa announced the launch in his sermon, our stats team saw 400 hits in less than ten seconds. In the first thirty minutes, around 250 android apps had been downloaded and were being used. Alhamdulillah, the numbers have gone only higher since then. This could never had happened without the blessings of our beloved Imam, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa. As Huzooraa declared it “good news” in his Sermon, the whole Jamaat celebrated this good news with their beloved Imam.

More: www.youtube.com/NewsMTA (search “Launch of Al Hakam”)

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Malta Peace Symposium

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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, Malta held their 10th Annual Peace Symposium, on Friday 16 March 2018. The theme of the Symposium was “The Challenges of the Twenty-First Century; Education and Peace”. 

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The event was presided over by the well-known Maltese journalist Mr. Joe Dimech. After the recitation of the Holy Quran, a panel of four speakers delivered their talks and answered questions from the audience. 

More than seventy people from different walks of life including diplomatic representatives, students, academics, and religious and political leaders attended the event. 

The representative of the Minister for Education and Employment highlighted in his speech the threat of radicalisation and promoted building bridges between the secular and religious communities.

Representing Christianity, Rev. John Berry of University of Malta said that peace was a gift of God and a fruit of human endeavour. 

On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, Laiq Ahmed Atif sahib gave the Islamic perspective of the theme of the event and presented numerous supporting verses from the Holy Quran. He focused on the responsibilities of leaders, in light of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa addresses to world leaders. 

Tabligh in Colombo, Sri Lanka

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The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Colombo, Sri Lanka observed Tabligh Day on 18 February 2018 at Baitul Hamd Colombo. Several members took part in the programme that commenced at 9am. They were sent in groups to various parts of the Colombo city. The message of Ahmadiyyat reached 1,300 people and a large quantity of leaflets were distributed. 

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Meeting State Minister of Agriculture, Srilanka

The main event of the programme was a group visit, headed by Chief Missionary Maulvi Mushtaq Ahmad sahib that visited a place called Dehiyovita, sixty kilometers from Colombo. They visited a house where they met seven non-Ahmadis and by Allah’s Grace all of their questions related to Ahmadiyyat were replied in a befitting manner and were convincing for them. 

Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Sri Lanka have, in the past few months, visited various Government Ministers and presented them with the Sinhala translations of the Holy Quran and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa book, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace

These were presented to:

  • Hon. T B Ekanayake, State Minister of Lands on 24 January 2018
  • Hon. Dilip Wedaarachchi, State Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources on 28 February 2018
  • Hon. Champika Premadasa, State Minister of Industry and Commerce on 7 March 2018
  • Hon. Wasantha Aluwihare, State Minister of Agriculture on 7 March 2018

The books were received warmly and they all showed deep respect for the Ahmadiyya beliefs. The introduction that was given of the Jamaat was also heard with reverence. Some even commented on how they had already heard of the Community and were well aware of its decent reputation. 

Testimonies: Peter Frankopan – The Silk Roads

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Regarding the Ottomans in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the author says:

“The social structures in the Muslim world, which had developed along very different lines to those in western Europe, also proved to be an important factor. Islamic societies generally distributed wealth more evenly than their Christian counterparts, largely thanks to very detailed instructions set out in the Qur’an about legacies – including principles that were positively enlightened by the standards of the day when it came to the share women could and should expect from the estates of their father or husband. A Muslims woman could expect to be much better looked after than her European peer; but this came with the expense of allowing large-scale wealth to remain within the same family for a long period of time. This in turn meant that the gap between rich and poor was never as acute as it became in Europe because money was redistributed and recirculated more widely.”

He goes on to talk about the methods of distributing spoils among navy soldiers, stating:

“In order to become a lieutenant, it became necessary to spend three years at sea and to pass an exam conducted by superior officers. Subsequent promotions were based strictly on ability rather than on patronage, which meant not only that the ablest rose to the top, but that they did so with the endorsement of their peers. The incentivising transparency of this meritocratic system was further enhanced by a system that rewarded those who had served for longest in the most important capacities. It was broadly identical to the organisation put in place in the earliest days of Islam and which had proved so effective during the Muslim conquests. In England now too, spoils were shared according to a pre-set allocation, with officers and sailors rewarded in proportion to seniority and length of service. This made promotion highly desirable and lucrative, which again served to propel the most able to the top…”

Advent of the Promised Messiah

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Friday Sermon

24 March 2017

Advent of the Promised Messiahas

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After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, Tasmiyah and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:

Yesterday was 23rd of March and in the history of Ahmadiyyat this day is highly significant because on this day the Ahmadiyya Community was officially established by the Promised Messiahas through the system of Bai’at [oath of initiation].

The Promised Messiahas announced, “The prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa regarding the awaited Messiah and Mahdi [the Guided one] has been fulfilled through me.”

The Promised Messiahas stated:

“I have been sent to instil the love of God in the hearts [of the people] by establishing the oneness of God Almighty.”

The Promised Messiahas continues by saying:

“God Almighty wishes to draw all the pure natured souls towards Himself – whether they reside in Europe, Asia or any other part of the world for that matter – and He wishes to demonstrate His Oneness by guiding the people towards one faith. This is God Almighty’s objective for which I have been sent to this world. Therefore, you should follow this objective but one must always keep kindness, conduct and prayers in mind.” (Risala Al-Wasiyyat, Ruhani Khazain Vol.20, pp. 306-307)

The Promised Messiahas then further states:

“I have been bestowed this rank and status through complete submission and [my] true love for the Holy Prophetsa. That is why this message is for the entire world; that everyone should love this prophet and follow him. Through this, one will be able to form a connection with God Almighty and become a true believer that adheres to the Oneness of God.” 

The Promised Messiahas continues by saying:

“The sons of Adam have no Messenger and Intercessor but Muhammad, the Chosen One, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Endeavour therefore, to cultivate true love for this Prophet of glory and majesty, and do not give precedence to anyone over him, so that in heaven you may be counted as those who have attained salvation. Remember, salvation is not something that will be manifested after death. On the contrary, true salvation exhibits its light in this very world. Who is the one who attains salvation? Such a person is he who believes that God is true and that Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is the Intercessor between God and all His creation, and that under the heaven there is no Messenger equal in rank to him, nor is there any book equal in status to the Quran. God did not desire that anyone should remain alive eternally, but this Chosen Prophet lives forever.” (Kashti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain Vol.19, pp. 13-14)

This is the status and love the Promised Messiahas had for the Holy Prophetsa, which he openly expressed and always urged his followers to be mindful of this rank and love. Those people who assert that we consider the status of the Holy Prophetsa to be inferior to the Promised Messiahas (heaven forbid) are guilty of a grave injustice. Even at present, this very allegation is being used against Ahmadis in Algeria and as a result of it they are being thrown in jail. To the extent that now they have even detained women and begun filing law suits against them. Women along with their young babies, who are a few months old and only drink [their mothers] milk, are made to travel for hours to reach another city, where they face prosecution and jail. However, the message I am receiving from those women is the same, and that is, “We have accepted the Promised Messiahas and only after this have we understood the true meaning of Tauheed [the Oneness of God] and also the true rank and status of the Holy Prophetsa and what it means to have love for him. How then can we revert from our faith?”

Whilst we pray for Ahmadis to be relieved of their difficulties in that country, at the same time we also pray to God Almighty for Him to grant the Muslims the opportunity to accept the ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetas; the one who was sent to establish the Oneness of God and also responsible for the spread of the revival of Islam. One can observe the Promised Messiah’sas love for God Almighty and his desire to spread the Oneness of God from the following words. Whilst addressing God Almighty, the Promised Messiahas states:

“[Dear Lord] Behold! My soul ascends towards Thee with the utmost certainty, just as a bird soars towards its nest. Thus, I desire from Thee a sign of Thy existence, not for the sake of my honour and nor for any personal gain, rather so that people recognise Thee and identify Thy virtuous paths, lest they deviate from guidance by declaring the one who has been sent to be false. I bear witness that Thou hast sent me indeed and Thou hast bestowed countless signs for my truthfulness, to the extent that Thou commandest the sun and the moon to eclipse in the month of Ramadan, in accordance with the dates mentioned in the prophecy. I have recognised Thee, and Thou art my Lord. Therefore my soul rushes towards Thee just as a suckling baby leaps towards its mother upon seeing her. Alas! The majority of the people have not recognised me, nor have they accepted me.” (Tiryaqul Qulub, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 115)

From this, we can see the love of God and the Promised Messiah’sas yearning to establish His grandeur, and at the same time one can clearly see his urge to save humanity, and why would he not be; for he was the one sent in the latter days in subservience to the Holy Prophetsa, in order to instil the love of God Almighty in the hearts of the people. He not only established this, but he himself was absorbed in the love of God Almighty. He had a deep yearning for the spark of the ardent love of God Almighty to be ignited in the hearts of the people. With regards to this the Promised Messiahas states:

“How unfortunate is the man, who even now, is unaware that there is a God who has power over all things. Our paradise lies in our God. Our highest delight is in our God for we have seen Him and found every beauty in Him. This wealth is worth procuring though one might have to lay down one’s life to procure it. This ruby is worth purchasing though one may have to lose oneself to acquire it. O ye, who are deprived! Hasten to this fountain as it will satiate you. It is this fountain of life that will save you. What am I to do? How shall I impress the hearts with this good news? What sort of a drum am I to beat in the streets in order to make the announcement that this is your God, so that people might hear? What remedy shall I apply to the ears of the people so that they should listen?” (Kashti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 19, pp. 21-22)

Observe how much pain is wrapped in the layers of these words, rather it is more fitting to say that there are several aspects to the agony attached to every single word. Each word contains tiers, and each tier contains a pain that each individual can understand according to their own level of intellect and understanding. Thus, in relation to each individual’s understanding, whichever layer one is able to grasp, they will reach extraordinary heights and make remarkable spiritual progress.

Whilst advising us on the worship of God Almighty and attaining His love, the Promised Messiahas stated:

“If you become one with God, rest assured that God too will be yours. God Almighty shall remain awake for you as you sleep. God shall watch over your enemy and frustrate their designs, while you are unmindful of Him. You still do not know the extent of God’s powers. Had you known, not a single day would you have grieved over the world. Does he who owns a treasure weep, cry and become sorrowful unto death over the loss of a single coin? Had you been aware of this treasure and known that at every time of need God is able to fulfil your requirements, why would you look to the world so restlessly? God is a precious treasure; appreciate Him accordingly, for He is your Helper at every step. You are nothing without Him, nor do your resources and your schemes amount to anything. Do not follow other people for they have become wholly reliant on material means. Just as a snake devours dirt, they consume the filth of inferior worldly means. They gorge themselves on carrion in the manner of vultures and dogs. They have become estranged from God.” 

The Promised Messiahas further states:

“I do not forbid you to employ material means within moderation…” (He does not forbid one to work, gain benefit from material objects or to use them)

“…only that you do not become slaves to them like other nations and that you do not forget the God Who is the very Provider of these means…” (All these resources and material objects are provided by Him, one should not become infatuated by them, rather one should look towards God Almighty, the Provider of everything)

“…Had you possessed insight, you would have seen that God is everything and all else is nothing.” (Kashti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain Vol. 19, pp. 21-22)

Thus, this is the level of the relationship we must form with God Almighty and maintain. This was the desire the Promised Messiahas had for his followers. As I mentioned previously, the Promised Messiahas received the responsibility of establishing the Oneness of God and the revival of Islam because of his complete submission and ardent devotion of the Holy Prophetsa.

There are countless incidents that express this love and affection. One such incident has been narrated that “On one occasion the Promised Messiahas was strolling on top of Masjid Mubarak on his own. He was humming something while at the same time tears were falling from his eyes.”

When a person enquired as to why the Promised Messiah as was so perturbed, he replied by saying: “I was reading the couplet of Hassan bin Thabit which he wrote at the demise of the Holy Prophetsa. The couplet was: 

کنتَ السوادَ لناظری

فعمِیَ علیک الناظر

من شاء بعدکَ فلْیمتْ

فعلیکَ کنتُ اُحاذِرُ

O Muhammad, you were [like] the pupil of my eye which has been blinded since your demise. Whosoever may depart henceforth, for I feared your death alone.” 

The Promised Messiahas said, “While reading this couplet, I wished in my heart that it was I who had composed this couplet.” The tears flowing down from the Promised Messiah’s eyes illustrated the state of his heart. Those who level allegations against the Promised Messiahas that, God forbid, he considered himself superior in rank to the Holy Prophetsa cannot even come close to the deep love and affection the Promised Messiahas had expressed for the Holy Prophetsa

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra sahib has described this emotional state of the Promised Messiahas in the following heart-rending manner: 

“The Promised Messiahas faced all kinds of difficulties and troubles, many a times he had to face a storm of opposition, experienced countless amount of suffering and torment and was [falsely] put on trials for murder. He witnessed the demise of his relatives, close relations, friends and even children and yet never did his close ones ever witness his countenance expressing the state of his heart. However, when it came to the occasion of expressing his love for the Holy Prophetsa, his eyes flooded with tears.” (Seerat-e-Tayyaba, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 28-30)

There are countless examples in the books and various sayings of the Promised Messiahas which illustrate the deep love he had for the Holy Prophetsa. Listening to the opponent’s mockery against the Holy Prophetsa, once the Promised Messiahas expressed his heartfelt emotions. The Promised Messiahas stated: 

“Nothing has caused more pain to my heart than their mockery of the Holy Prophetsa. Their hurtful insults and slander against the Holy Prophetsa has caused great pain to my heart. I swear by God that if all my progeny and the progeny of my progeny, all my friends, all those who offer their help and assistance to me were killed before my eyes, and my own hands and feet were cut off and the pupils of my eyes were gorged out, and I am to be deprived of all my desires and made to lose my happiness and comforts, it would not pain my heart as it has been pained by the foul attacks made on the noble character of the Holy Prophetsa. Thus, O Lord of the Heavens! Bestow upon us Your mercy, and help and save us from this great trial.’ (Aaina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 5, pp. 15) (Seerat-e-Tayyaba, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 43-44)

Is there anyone who can express such kind of emotions? There are many who profess their love and affection. There are many who create disorder and unrest in the name of Namoos-e-Risaalat [honour of the Holy Prophetsa] and Khatm-e-Nabuwat [seal of the prophets]. However, what efforts have they made in order convince the world of the Holy Prophet’s true status and for spreading the message of Islam and the Holy Quran? The words of the Promised Messiahas are not just merely a claim, in fact those who knew him and strangers alike, testified that his love for the Holy Prophetsa was evident from the chords of his heart and every action of his. Thus, upon the demise of the Promised Messiahas, a non-Ahmadi newspaper from Amritsar, Vakeel, wrote: 

“Despite having extreme doctrinal differences, the demise of Mirza Sahib has made the Muslims – rather the enlightened Muslims – realise that a prominent personality has departed from them. Also, the superb defence of Islam that was bonded with his personage has also come to an end after his demise.”

It further stated: 

‘Now, after completing his work, one has to acknowledge the eminence and greatness of Mirza Sahib’s literary works. In future, no matter how extensive our efforts are for the defence of Islam, it is impossible to disregard the writings of Mirza sahib. The defence of Islam is not possible without the writings of Mirza sahib.’ (Taken from Seerat-e-Tayyaba, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 45-46)

This was all done by the Promised Messiahas and was done in order to establish that Islam is the everlasting and perfect religion of Allah the Almighty. It was done owing to his deep love for the Holy Prophetsa and to establish the great and true status of the Holy Prophetsa. He proved to the world and all the religions of the world that there is no religion like the religion of Muhammadsa

Those who level allegations against the Promised Messiahas should at least read and ponder over the deep love he had expressed for the Holy Prophetsa. Otherwise, to simply level an allegation for the sake of argument, is a sign of complete ignorance. Like a loyal disciple and a grateful servant, the Promised Messiahas said that everything he has attained is in fact due to his master, the Holy Prophetsa, and by following his noble example. Thus, expressing this, the Promised Messiahas states: 

“I swear by Allah the Almighty that just as God Almighty spoke to Abraham and then Isaac, Ismael, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and Jesus son of Mary and then the Holy Prophetsa, upon whom He bestowed His most illumine and pure revelation, in the same way He has spoken to me. However, this honour has been bestowed upon me due to my subservience to the Holy Prophetsa. If I was not among the followers of the Holy Prophetsa and did not follow his blessed model then even if my deeds were as high as a mountain, I would never have been honoured with this kind of divine communication.’ (Tajalliyat-e-Ilahiya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, pp. 411-412)

After hearing all of this, if someone still levels allegations against the Promised Messiahas then what more can be said other than that such a person is unjust, ignorant and seeks to create disorder. Those who consider themselves to be “great scholars”, their matter lies with Allah the Almighty. The purpose of the advent of the Promised Messiahas was to not only establish the Tauheed [Oneness of God] and inform the world of the true status and rank of the Holy Prophetsa, thereby bringing them into the fold of Islam, but also to fulfil the rights of God Almighty’s creation and to develop a cognition for showing compassion to His creation and also to demonstrate this through their practice. Thus, in the ten conditions of Bai’at, there are two conditions which are directly linked to this. The Promised Messiahas states in the fourth condition: 

“That under the impulse of any passions, he/she shall cause no harm whatsoever to the creatures of God in general and Muslims in particular, neither by his/her tongue, hands, nor any other means.”

And then in the ninth condition: 

“That he/she shall keep himself/herself occupied in the service of God’s creatures for His sake only and shall endeavour towards the beneficence of mankind to the best of his/her God-given abilities and powers.” (Izala-e-Auham, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp. 564)

Speaking about the Islamic teachings in this regard, the Promised Messiahas states: 

“There are two aspects of faith. Firstly, it is to love Allah the Almighty and secondly to love mankind to the extent wherein one considers their troubles as if they were his own and thus pray for them.” (Naseem-e-Da’wat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 19, pp. 464)

The Promised Messiahas further states: 

“In respect to the teachings of Islam, it has two aspects, or it can be said that the teachings of Islam comprises of two main objectives. Firstly, to believe in one God and to believe in Him in the manner that He truly exists. Moreover, to show complete love to Him and devote oneself in His obedience as is required from one in obedience and love.”

The Promised Messiahas further stated: 

“The second objective is to spend all of one’s faculties, strengths, capacities and abilities to serve His creation and treat them with sympathy, and to be extra grateful and benevolent in return to all those who do good to him, whether it be a king or the simplest of men.” (Tohfa-e-Qaisariyya, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 12, pp. 281)

Thus, this is the teaching in regards to how one should deal with His creation after having professed one’s love for Allah the Almighty. Or rather, it is owing to one’s love for Allah the Almighty which then draws one’s attention towards serving His creation. However, what was the Promised Messiah’s own condition and practice in respect to this? Explaining this, the Promised Messiahas states:

“I would like to inform all the Muslims, Christians, Hindus and Aryas that I do not bear enmity with anyone. [I.e. he does not deem anyone to be his enemy even those who oppose him.] The love I have for the whole of mankind is like the love a benevolent mother has for her children, in fact even more. I am only an enemy of the false doctrines which obliterate the truth. To show sympathy to mankind is my duty and to shun: falsehood, Shirk, cruelty, ill-practice, injustice and immorality, are my principals.’ (Arba’een, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, pp. 344)

Further elaborating on this, the Promised Messiahas states:

“It is evident that every species loves its own kind, even ants love other ants, providing there is no other selfish motive. Thus, it becomes the duty of the person who invites others to Allah the Almighty [the Promised Messiahas was calling people towards God Almighty] that he should love them the most. Hence, I love mankind the most but I am only an enemy of their ill-practices, injustices, disorder and rebellious behaviour. I bear no personal enmity with anyone. Thus, the treasure which has been bestowed upon me is the key for acquiring the treasures and rewards of heaven and I present that before mankind owing to my intense passion of love. The wealth that has been afforded to me is in fact the likes of precious diamonds, gold and silver and is not something that is spurious and debased. These treasures can be identified very easily because these Dirhams and Dinars [coins] bear the royal seal of the Sultan. (Who is this Sultan?) It is the heavenly testimonies which no one else possesses. (Allah the Almighty helps me and testifies for me.) I have been told that of all the religions, Islam is the true one. Out of all the guidance only the Guidance in the Quran remains in a perfect state and free from human interpolation. It has been explained to me that out of all the Messengers, the one who brought teachings which are perfect, superlative and unmatched in wisdom, teachings which display the qualities for the best example of man’s life, is none other than the chosen one, Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. And I have been informed through the holy and pure revelation of God, that I have been sent by Him as the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi and I am the arbitratorof internal and external differences. These names that I have been granted, namely the ‘Messiah’ and the ‘Mahdi’ have been bestowed to me by the Holy Prophetsa. Furthermore, God Almighty bestowed to me these names through divine discourse and the need of the time warrants that I should be granted this name.” (Arba’een, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 17, pp. 345)

The Promised Messiahas did not merely write all of this down [and left it that] and nor did he simply make a verbal claim that he has the most love for all mankind. Rather we observe how he practically demonstrated this love during his lifetime. We see how when he makes the claim to be the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, God Almighty revealed signs to attest this claim. Some of these signs were displayed in the form of calamities and natural disasters and this caused the Promised Messiahas to become restless and anxious. Maulvi Abdul Karim sahib, who lived in one part of the Promised Messiah’sas house, narrates:          

“During the days when the plague was rampant, and every day countless people would fall victim to the epidemic and die, I heard the Promised Messiahas praying in a manner that left me astounded. There was such passion, fervour and heart-melting agony in his supplication that left even the one hearing it in an extraordinary emotional state. He would weep and cry in prostration upon the Divine threshold, and his voice was filled with such pain and anguish that is sounded like a woman restless in labour.”

Maulvi Sahib says:

“I listened carefully and heard him praying for mankind to be saved from the punishment of the plague and he prayed, ‘O God! Should all these people perish from the wrath of the plague, who will remain to worship you?’ ” (Taken from Seerat-e-Tayyaba, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, page 54)

Observe that whilst his opponents incur Divine punishment according to a prophecy, the Promised Messiah prays fervently for the punishment to be averted. It is quite probable that as a result of the Divine wrath being averted people would have doubted his prophecy and the opponents would make a huge issue out of this. However his compassion for mankind meant that he did not care and instead he prayed for the opponents to be saved from chastisement, asking God to lead the opponents on a different path that would preserve their faith. None of the opponents of the Promised Messiahas can say that he ever let pass an opportunity to display sympathy to his opponents. We find numerous such examples in his lifetime, one of which I shall present. 

When Minaratul Masih [Literally “minaret of the Messiah”, which was erected in Qadian, India] was being constructed, the Hindus raised their voices in complaint that it would infringe the privacy of their homes. A magistrate was sent by the government to investigate. The Promised Messiahas explained all the details in-depth and said that the [minaret] was only symbolic, and light would also emanate from it. He said that the area would be lit up and therefore nothing would be covered at all. If it was an infringement of the Hindu houses, then the same infringement would take place on their own homes, therefore it was the complete wrong impression to believe that it would cause obstruction and that those were just useless excuses. There was also a Hindu, Lala Budhamaal, along with the magistrate. The Promised Messiahas said that Lala also lived there with them as their neighbour and was a resident of the town. He knew that he always took care of all people and the neighbours. He said that they should ask Lala Budhamaal if he ever displayed negligence or shortcoming in assisting him when the need arose? Did he ever hinder him from gaining benefit of any kind? Then they should ask him (Lala) if it had ever been the case that he had the opportunity to cause him loss and harm and he desisted from doing so? He had always him [the Promised Messiahas]pain, but in return he always only provided him benefit. As Lala sahib was with the magistrate, he did not have to courage to refute this statement and instead expressed shame and embarrassment. (Taken from Seerat-e-Tayyaba, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pp. 61-63) 

Thus these were examples set by the Promised Messiahas to those who inflicted him with harm. He would confer them with benefit due to his love and compassion for mankind.

Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batalwi was one who went beyond all limits in his opposition to the Promised Messiahas and declared the Promised Messiah to be an infidel and disbeliever, God forbid. He ignited flames of hatred all over the country against the Promised Messiahas. However despite this when in a court case the lawyer of the Promised Messiahas wanted to ask deriding and disparaging questions about the family of Maulvi Muhammad Hussain Batawli, the Promised Messiahas very strictly prohibited his lawyer from doing so. The lawyer was a non-Ahmadi, and his name was Maulvi Fazal Din sahib. He would say, “Mirza Sahib (the Promised Messiahas) is a person with amazing morals. An individual attacks Mirza Sahib’s honour and even his life, yet when certain questions are asked to try and weaken the testimony of the opponent – Mirza Sahib immediately stops this and says that he absolutely forbids for questions of this nature to be asked.”

Regarding the same individual, Maulvi Muhammad Hussain, the Promised Messiahas writes in one of his verses of poetry:

قَطعتَ وِدادًا قَد غَرسْنَاہُ فِی الصَّبَا

و لَیسَ فُؤَادِیْ فِی الوَدادِ یُقَصِّرُ

You cut with your own hands the tree of love we embedded in our hearts during childhood 

Yet my heart never fails to display love and compassion in any matter

(Taken from Seerat-e-Tayyaba, Mirza Bashir Ahmadra, pages 57-59)

Nevertheless, this is just an example of how so many of the Muslim scholars tried their best to end his mission. Numerous so-called Muslim clerics opposed him and declared him to be an infidel, and this is a practice that continues even today. It is a result of this that there is opposition towards us in several of the Muslim countries at present. Through the impact of the teachings of the Promised Messiahas upon us, we never let our moral standards fall when responding to this opposition and nor do we ever take the law into our own hands. Alas, if only these people understood that the Hakam (Arbiter) and Adl (Just one) of this age, and the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi, is none other than Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad as of Qadian. Now only through the Promised Messiahas will we realise the mission of propagating Islam and establishing the Oneness of Allah (Tauheed) and establishing the governance of the Holy Prophet in the hearts of people. And this will be established only in the hearts of people not upon territories and land. This will only be achieved through the Community of the Promised Messiahas and not through the sword, nor through weapons, nor through force, nor through terrorism and nor through killing innocent people in the name of Islam. Atrocities are occurring in Europe in the name of Islam by either individuals or groups. In London a few days ago innocent people were attacked and killed in the most barbaric and cruel fashion. People simply walking on a street were mowed down by a car and a policeman was also murdered. All of this has happened because the so-called Muslim scholars have led people astray. Rather than instil them with the beautiful teachings of Islam, they infuse them with thoughts of cruelty and barbarity. 

As I have said often before as well, in this situation it is the task of every Ahmadi to display the beauty of Islam before the world. As far as the opposition to Ahmadiyyat is concerned, such opponents can cause no harm to us whatsoever. It is God Who has sent the Promised Messiah, and God sent Him to be successful and to triumph. Now, Islam is destined to spread through the Promised Messiahas  alone. Thus we must spread this Islam. We must strictly condemn these atrocities where innocent people are killed. We must raise our voice against these cruelties wherever they occur. It is also our duty to show sympathy and compassion to all those who are affected by these atrocities. The Promised Messiahas says:

“O ye people, listen carefully! This is a prophecy by He Who has created the heavens and the earth. He will spread His Community to all countries and through reasoning and rational arguments, He will confer dominance over all. The day is not far, in fact it is very near, when this will be the only religion in the world that will be respected. Allah the Almighty will infuse extraordinary blessings into this Movement and religion, and will destroy every individual who harbours even a thought of destroying this Community. This victory will remain until the Day of Judgement. If now I am ridiculed and mocked then what harm can that cause me? As there has been no Prophet who was not mocked. As Allah the Almighty says:

یٰحَسۡرَۃً عَلَی الۡعِبَادِ ۚؑ مَا یَاۡتِیۡہِمۡ مِّنۡ رَّسُوۡلٍ اِلَّا کَانُوۡا بِہٖ یَسۡتَہۡزِءُوۡنَ

“Alas for My servants! there comes not a Messenger to them but they mock at him.” (Surah Ya-Sin, Ch.36: V.31)

Thus it is a sign from God that every Prophet has been mocked. However how can one mock he who descends down from the Heavens right before everyone’s eyes with the support of Angels? Therefore the wise can understand based on this argument that it is a fabricated belief to think that the Messiah will [physically] descend from the heavens. Remember that no one will ever descend from the heavens [literally]. All our opponents that are alive at present will eventually die without a single one having witnessed Jesus son of Mary descending from the heavens. Their progeny will also pass away failing to witness Jesus son of Mary descending from the heavens. The progeny of their progeny will also perish and they too will never see the son of Mary descending from the heavens. Then God will cause their hearts to become anxious that the era for the domination of the cross has passed and a new phase in the world has commenced yet Jesus, son of Mary still has not descended. Then the intelligent and wise will rapidly become averse to this concept. The third century from now will not come to pass that both the Muslim and the Christians alike, who are awaiting the Messiah, will become completely hopeless and will shun this false belief. There will remain only one religion and one Leader. I have only come to sow the seed. Thus I have planted this seed with my hands and now it will flourish and bloom and no one can halt this.” (Tadhkiratul Shahadatain, Ruhani Khaza’in V20, pages 66-67)

With the grace of Allah the seed planted by the Promised Messiah is growing, flourishing and reaping fruits. If we want to be the green branches of this tree, then as is established in the writings and actions of the Promised Messiahas, we must display love and devotion to Allah and the Holy Prophetsa and we must show compassion and sympathy to mankind and we must demonstrate all of this in a way that all our actions reflect this. May Allah the Almighty enable us to do so.