Home Blog Page 628

17-23 May

Alhakam
-
0
17-23 May

17 May 1908: On this day, whilst in Lahore, the Promised Messiahas invited dignitaries of the town to his place. Meal was served and the Promised Messiahas spoke to the gathering. Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra also delivered a speech.

17 May 1935: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was in Hyderabad, Sindh. Huzoorra led the Jumuah prayer here and later that day, delivered a lecture to the general public in a hall.

17 May 1946: Two Ahmadi missionaries – Malik Ataur Rahman Sahib and Chaudhry Ataullah Sahib – reached Paris to establish the Ahmadiyya mission there. They rented a room in a hotel and commenced their respective activities.

18 May 1952: Jamaat Karachi held its annual convention. Opponents tried their utmost to incite the gathering, but after failing in their efforts, they resorted to violence. The attackers hindered the speech of Hazrat Sir Chaudhry Zafrulla Khanra. The assailants set the Ahmadiyya property and building, focusing on the library and hall, on fire. The following day, the chief commissioner of Karachi held a press conference and shared details of the attack and arson with the media. He, along with Karachi Bar Association and some newspapers, denounced the actions of the miscreants and foes of the Jamaat.

19 May 1952: Mahmud Abdullah Shabuti Sahib reached the Markaz in Rabwah from Aden to acquire religious education. He enrolled in Jamia Ahmadiyya on 25 May. He devoted his life for the cause of Islam in February 1960 and after completion of his studies in Rabwah, he returned to Aden in August 1960 as a missionary.

19 May 1955: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was in Zurich and sent Eid greetings to members of the Jamaat through a telegraph.

20 May 1922: An English newspaper, Al Bushra, commenced its publication from Qadian. Chaudhry Ghulam Muhammad Sahib was its proprietor and manager.

20 May 1928: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra inaugurated Jamia Ahmadiyya. Its first principal was Hazrat Syed Sarwar Shahra.

20 May 1950: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra announced that in the literature of the Jamaat, when referring to the family of the Promised Messiahas, they should be referred to as Khandan-e-Masih-e-Maudas (family of the Promised Messiahas).

20 May 1953: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra introduced a project for compiling and preserving the history of the Jamaat. Huzoorra asked for 12,000 rupees for the expenses of the venture and assigned Mahasha Fazl Hussain Sahib this task. Later, on 25 June this task was handed over to Maulana Dost Muhammad Shahid Sahib, who tirelessly remained occupied in this till his last days.

21 May 1948: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra started his tour towards Sindh and later to Quetta. This months-long journey was completed on 5 September.

21 May 1951: A telephone line started functioning in Rabwah. The first call was made to amir Jamaat Qadian and Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra message was conveyed:

جماعت کو سلام۔ بیماروں کی عیادت اور دعاؤں کی تحریک

“Salam to Jamaat; enquire about ailing people and urge for prayers.”

21 May 1954: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra delivered his first Friday Sermon after the attempt on his life in Masjid Mubarak, Rabwah.

22 May 1926: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra laid the foundation stone of Qasr-e-Khilafat, Qadian.

22 May 1942: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra instructed members of the Jamaat to donate wheat for needy people. Huzoorra expressed his wish for only 500 mun (1 mun equal to 40kg) but members of the Jamaat showed their traditional generosity on the call of their Imam and it is reported that 1,500 mun worth of wheat was collected for needy people. Huzoorra himself donated 50 mun of wheat.

22 May 1948: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra issued a written message under title “Mujhey ap ki talash hei” (I am in search of you), which sums up the Ahmadiyya Jamaat’s moral education.

23 May 1924: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra was invited by the Muslim League in their annual session. Upon this, Huzoorra penned a detailed article about the basis of unity.

23 May 1948: The first Bai‘at in France took place on this day. An educated lady who was given the Islamic name Aisha accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat. On the same day, the commentary of the Holy Quran, consisting of the commentary of Surah al-Fatihah and the first nine rukus of Surah al-Baqarah written by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, was printed.

One who strives to help the widow and the poor

Alhakam
-
0
One who strives to help the widow and the poor

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

“One who strives to help the widow and the poor is like the one who fights in the way of Allah.”

(Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Adab)

Who is Blind?

Alhakam
-
0
Who is Blind?
rsz_hazrat_mirza_ghulam_ahmad_qadiani_as.jpg

A blind person is one who is bereft of spiritual insight and pleasure. A person who blindly follows the practices of their family just because they are born into a Muslim household is called a Muslim. Similarly, a person who is born to a Christian family becomes a Christian. This is the very reason that such people give no regard to God, the Messenger or the Quran. Even the love such people possess for religion is questionable. Some remain in the company of those who act insolently towards God and His Messenger. This is wholly due to the fact that such people do not possess a spiritual eye. They are empty of love for religion. Does a person who is full of love desire anything that is at odds with the liking of their beloved? Hence, Allah the Almighty teaches that He is prepared to bestow His bounties if a person is prepared to receive them. The offering of this supplication prepares one to receive divine guidance.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, p.19)

The month of sowing seeds of virtues

Alhakam
-
0
The month of sowing seeds of virtues

Aqeel Ahmad Kang

UK Missionary

PHOTO 2019 05 03 22 12 40

UK field missionaries are most fortunate that they have the opportunity to regularly receive direct guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, may Allah strengthen his hand, in all matters.

Three years ago, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa graciously instructed the UK field missionaries to hold regular monthly meetings.

These meetings are being held regularly since then, under the supervision of Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, Missionary In-charge UK and Imam of the Fazl Mosque, London. As per Huzoor’saa instructions, a different venue is chosen for this purpose each month. This way, the missionaries get the opportunity to acquaint themselves with the various Jamaatsup and down the country.

The purpose of these meetings is to remind missionaries about their duties, to assess their progress and to discuss other matters of importance.

The meeting in April was held at Baitun Noor Mosque in Hounslow, which is located about 10 miles to the west of the Fazl Mosque. This centre is about 50 years old, but most of the missionaries had not yet had the opportunity to visit it before.

This was an important meeting as missionaries presented their plans of action for the month of Ramadan. The Imam of the Fazl Mosque, London also highlighted the importance of Ramadan. He urged the missionaries saying, “Prepare yourselves for Ramadan and prepare your Jamaats for it.” He went on to narrate, “Huzoor-e-Anwaraa once said in his Friday sermon regarding Ramadan, ‘ye mahina nekiyon ke beej boney ka mahina hei’. I later asked Huzooraa if I had translated it correctly as ‘This is the month of sowing the seeds of virtues’? Huzooraa kindly accepted it.”

We wish the global readership of Al Hakam a blessed month of Ramadan and pray that Allah the Almighty enables us to sow the seeds of everlasting virtues in this blessed month.

“May the seventh” bring blessings

Alhakam
-
1
“May the seventh” bring blessings

Islamabad: Tuesday, 7 May

It is still predawn in the Surrey village of Tilford, but there is a sense of euphoria in the air already. While local residents have been up most of the night, some have spent the last hour travelling from London to Masjid Mubarak in Islamabad.

Crescent moon on ramzan

This once used to be, for a decade and a half, the routine for Ahmadi Londoners to flock to the Fazl Mosque for Fajr prayer in Ramadan. Now it is the new Markaz in Islamabad, where resides the beloved Imam of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, that is now the destination for many Ahmadis living in, around and even at distant locations from Islamabad. 

It is the first day of the blessed month of Ramadan.

Worshippers eagerly await the arrival of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa to lead them in the first Fajr prayer of the first Ramadan in the new Markaz Islamabad.

Huzooraa walked out of his residence and into the Mubarak Mosque 20 minutes after sahoor (which was at 3:57am in Islamabad) and led the congregation in prayer. After Huzooraa left, a dars of Hadith was delivered before the assembly of Ahmadis whose faces glowed with the zeal that runs in the blood of every Muslim at the dawn of the month of Ramadan.

This buzz will be a routine all throughout the blessed month, not only in London or Islamabad, but all across the Ahmadiyya Muslim world. Mosques will be filled more than they usually are; the Holy Quran, Hadith and their selective commentaries will be read before the worshippers attending the mosques for Salat. The hearts of Ahmadi Muslim households will start throbbing while it is still dark and every member will try and remain engaged, with much more enthusiasm, in acts that can earn the pleasure of our beloved Creator, Allah the Almighty.

MTA International, the bond of the Ahmadiyya world, will continuously broadcast programmes that are specially prepared for Ramadan and are aimed at enhancing understanding of our faith – the faith of Muhammad Rasulullah, peace and blessings of Allah be on him. MTA schedules are set in a way that the global community gets to watch programmes at timings suitable to their time-zones – never missing a programme, if even a little effort is made not to.

But since the hectic lifestyle of the modern-day world does not always allow us to catch television programmes at their broadcast times, MTA’s on-demand service is a wonderful resource where we can always go back in time and rewind up to three hours. If you have missed more than three hours, the on-demand service has programmes waiting for us to watch them at a time of our convenience. 

From commentaries of the Quran and Hadith, recitation of the Holy Quran, the sayings of the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa to fillers that work as reminders to pray and what to pray are all part of the MTA Ramadan programming. Thanks to modern day technology, we are left with no excuse to miss an MTA programme.

While many of us make it a point to do a complete round of the recitation of the Holy Quran, there are a number of resources that have made it easier for us to grasp the meaning of the holy text as we go. The Al Islam website (www.alislam.org) is a wonderful resource in this regard where the commentaries of the Holy Quran by the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra and other Khulafa are easily accessible. With the recently replenished and refurbished layout, it is now a lot easier to browse through the excessive material that is available to enhance our understanding.

The internet is the best thing that could have happened to the journalistic endeavours of the Jamaat. Although Al Hakam is now available to subscribe in print and many have done so already, our online viewership of thousands-a-day shows the trends of modern readership. With the Al Hakam website and app in the palm of your hand all day, we at Al Hakam have tried to make Ramadan-related content available to you at all times of the day – at home, at work and during the long commutes to and from work. For instance, this issue of Al Hakam has prayers that were prescribed by Huzooraa in the concluding days of last year’s Ramadan (Quranic prayers included in this issue; more prayers will be included in upcoming issues). We thought it would be good for us to remind ourselves and our readers of these prayers right at the onset of this year’s Ramadan so that we can remember them during the entire month. While these prayers are life changing in their own capacity, saying them in obedience to our Imam is a value-adding feature. 

The Al Hakam website is now functional throughout the week and not only on Fridays, yet Fridays will continue to bring you the latest issues, Insha-Allah.

The Al Fazl weekly will be providing Ramadan-useful material in the Urdu language. While this caters for the Urdu-speaking section of the worldwide Jamaat, it can work as a great resource to acquaint our younger generation with the very important language of Urdu.

Websites like true-islam.uk and rationalreligion.co.uk are very important resources for all, especially the younger generation, to develop a better understanding of Islam in a world that is rapidly drifting away from religion.

It is the practice of every Ahmadi to write to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa all year round, but especially in the blessed month of Ramadan, requesting his prayers. We will all be doing so Insha-Allah. But let’s make it a point this Ramadan to remember Huzooraa in our prayers also.

Let’s make it a point to dedicate nawafil (voluntary Salat) to this person who we all love from the core of our heart; the man who stays awake and prays for us as we sleep in the comforts of our beds; the great man who is dearest and nearest to Allah among all creation in this age; the pious man who calls us to the path that leads to gaining Allah’s nearness and dearness; the amazing man whose smile makes any grief vanish into thin air.

Let us pray that Allah blesses every step of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa with success. His success is the success of Islam in this age. May Allah strengthen his hand!

The holy month of Ramadan and the significance of Lailatul Qadr

Alhakam
-
1
The holy month of Ramadan and the significance of Lailatul Qadr

To mark the start of the blessed month of Ramadan, the Fazle Umar Foundation English Desk has produced a translation of a Friday sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, the Promised Reformer and Second Successor of the Promised Messiahas, on 11 May 1923 in which Huzoorra discourses on the true meaning of Lailatul Qadr and the importance of prayer during Ramadan.

K2134 1

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra

After the recitation of Tashahud, Ta‘awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Huzoorra said:

Ramadan holds a distinguished position amongst the Islamic months, and of the days of the week, Friday has a special significance as does the Friday sermon, and the Friday prayer, and the time thereafter. Our community is also marked by a distinction. Whereas other religious groups have rejected the [fresh] message of God and His messenger, our community has accepted His latest vice-regent.

Thus, both today and the exact time of the day and the month we are in all bear a uniqueness. Indeed, this moment is so significant, we ought to make every effort to benefit from the rain of God’s blessings that descends on us during this period.

One of the many reasons that edicts of apostasy were issued against the Promised Messiahas was because of the manner in which he interpreted the meaning of Lailatul Qadr (the night of the Decree). The Promised Messiahas said that while Lailatul Qadr refers to the [night of the Decree] that appears in Ramadan, it also denotes the time of the advent of a chosen one of God from which the rise and fall of nations can be determined and those which are of a higher and lesser rank are made more clearly distinguishable. Such a time is one of [spiritual] darkness, and the destiny of nations is decided by the coming of God’s chosen one.

If we cast a glance at the Lailatul Qadr that occurred at the time of the Holy Prophetsa, it is easy to identify those nations whose fortunes were decided during this period. Both the Byzantium Empire which ruled over half the [known] world, and the Persian Empire which ruled over the other half had their fates determined, and these supreme and powerful empires were reduced to ruin. In their stead, the bare-skinned and malnourished people of Arabia, who possessed meagre sustenance and were frequently given over to intoxication and were immersed in every type of vile behaviour, were elevated in the world. Their immoral and corrupt practices were so transformed that they became teachers for the world and these same destitute people assumed the mantle of leadership. This was how Lailatul Qadr unfolded in the time of the Holy Prophetsa.

Such nights have settled many times before and in the Ummah of Muhammadsa they appeared during the periods of the mujadideen (spiritual reformers) in which the lowly were elevated and those of high rank saw their status diminish. But in these respective periods, Lailatul Qadr did not reveal itself in its highest manifestation as it has now in the time of the Promised Messiahas. The Lailatul Qadr of the Promised Messiahas is set to decide the fate of the entire world and the same decree will hold true now, that is, some nations will be vanquished and others will be raised high.

Hence this era is loaded with significance and Allah the Exalted has enabled us to join the community of the Promised Messiahas even though we had no special claim or right to this. In this way we have already received the highest benefit of the judgement to be passed in this Lailatul Qadr. And what of the other rewards that [have been decreed] and when will they be given? The bestowal of these bounties is dependent on our actions. It is our responsibility to present before the world, the blessings of the advent of the Promised Messiahas. We ought to transform our inner selves and spread news of those truths which have been revealed to us by him. Indeed, pray that God makes us heirs to those certainties which He has promised from Himself.

This is a blessed moment and Ramadan is a blessed month and Friday has been set apart as a singular day, therefore, our community ought to try and avail this time as much as possible. The day [of the night of decree] comes but once a year and it represents the hour for the acceptance of prayer, therefore, as much benefit should be drawn from it as possible.

This year is also one of great significance for our community because it marks the beginning of a fatal conflict. Although we have faced such struggles in the past, they have not been of this magnitude. At a cursory level it would seem as though the time has come for our eradication, but those communities which exist for the sake of God are never destroyed.

Thus this is a critical moment. The Muslim leadership has abandoned us and the ulema seethe with hostility, though everyday Muslims stand with us and their eyes are opening up to the truth about who is and who is not serving the cause of Islam. And this is a cause of happiness because it is usually this segment of society which turns to the right path. Therefore, because the Muslims now perceive this matter more clearly, they should be appreciated for this as it is a source of joy for us.

Owing to a sore throat, I cannot speak for too long and this is an incredibly important subject. In any case, the members of our community do not require lengthy addresses to remind them of the value of prayer. But keeping in view the significance of the moment, I still wanted to draw attention to this subject. Pray with great fervour, both today, and for the rest of the final ten days of Ramadan. May Allah the exalted remove our failings. Also pray that we witness with our own eyes the fulfilment of the promises of God and that it is through us that Islam is able to rise to victory.

(Originally published in Al Fazl on 17 May 1923. Translated by Fazle Umar Foundation)

Practices of the Promised Messiah a.s. in Ramadan – Part II

Alhakam
-
0
Practices of the Promised Messiah a.s. in Ramadan – Part II

The noble wife of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahibara related to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra that the Promised Messiahas used to say in respect to his youth:

“In that time, it occurred to me that fasting was also necessary to progress along this path … Then, I fasted for six consecutive months and nobody in the household or from outside had an inkling that I was keeping fast. When my morning meal used to arrive from the house, I would hand it to a needy person and eat the evening meal myself.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra enquired from Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahibara whether he also kept voluntary fasts in old age. She replied:

“In old age too he would keep fasts, chiefly the six fasts of Shawwal to which he would strictly adhere. Whenever he had to pray for a task of particular importance, he would fast, but in his final few years, he could not even fast in Ramadan due to weakness and frailty.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra added here, “The Promised Messiahas mentioned the period of his fasts to be eight to nine months in his book, Kitab-ul-Bariyya.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra also mentioned that Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahibara narrated to him:

“When the Promised Messiahas began having spells of vertigo, he did not fast during Ramadan that year and offered fidya. When the month of Ramadan came again, he began to fast but he had just kept eight or nine fasts when he experienced vertigo again. Hence, he left the rest and offered fidya. In the Ramadan thereafter, he had kept ten or eleven fasts when he was compelled to abandon fasting due to vertigo and he offered the fidya. In the following year during Ramadan, it was on his thirteenth fast that he experienced vertigo near Maghrib. He broke his fast, refrained from fasting for the rest of the month and offered the fidya.

“Afterwards, he kept all the fasts for every Ramadan which arrived, but a few years prior to his demise, he again was unable to keep fasts due to weakness and continued to offer fidya.” Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra enquired from Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahibara whether he offered the fasts at a later period, which he had left when he had his initial spells of vertigo. Hazrat Nusrat Jehan Begum Sahibara replied, “No, he only offered fidya.”

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra went on to say:

“When the Promised Messiahas initially began having spells of vertigo and encountered cold extremities, he became extremely weak and his health would remain poor. Hence, when he would withdraw from fasting [in Ramadan], it would appear as if he could not gather the strength to offer them again at a later date till the upcoming Ramadan. However, when the forthcoming Ramadan would arrive, he used to begin to fast, springing out of a love for worship, but eventually, he would again have spells of vertigo. Thus, he would withdraw and offer the fidya. And Allah knows best.”

Hazrat Abdullah Sanaurira narrated to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra that once, at the beginning of his era, a guest came to visit the Promised Messiahas in Qadian during the month of Ramadan. He was fasting at the time and a great portion of the day had passed. It was perhaps after the Asr prayer that the Promised Messiahas advised him to break his fast. He replied, “There merely remains a small portion of day left, so is there any point in breaking my fast now?” The Promised Messiahas said, “You desire to please God Almighty through dogged means. God Almighty cannot be pleased by tenacious deeds but through obedience. One should not fast when He has directed that travellers should not do as such.” Upon this, he broke his fast.

Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra used to relate that once, in the era of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Hakim Fazluddin Bhervira observed etikaf [spending the last 10 days and nights of Ramadan in solitude] but during the etikaf, he had to head out to present himself for a court case. Thus, he broke his etikaf and departed from Qadian near the Asr prayer, upon which the Promised Messiahas smilingly said, “What need was there to sit for etikaf if you were bound to attend the court case?”

Hazrat Maulvi Sher Alira related to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra that Hazrat Pir Siraj-ul-Haq Sahibra was once fasting, but he requested for water from somebody as he had forgotten. Upon hearing this, someone remarked, “Are you not fasting?” Hazrat Pir Sahibra then recalled that he was in fact fasting. The Promised Messiahas was also present there at the time and said to Pir Sahibra, “When a person forgets that they are fasting and consumes something by mistake, it is God’s hospitality for that person. However, as you requested for water, and requesting for things is disliked, you were not able to experience this blessing.”

Hazrat Mir Muhammed Ismailra mentioned to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra:

“Once, some guests came from Lahore to Qadian in Ramadan. When the Promised Messiahas received news of their arrival, he attended the mosque in order to meet them, bringing along with him some breakfast. The gentlemen submitted that they were all fasting. The Promised Messiahas replied, ‘It is incorrect to fast in a journey. One should adhere to the leave granted by Allah Almighty.’ Thus, they were fed breakfast and their fasts were broken.”

Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra narrated to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra that the Promised Messiahas once stated:

“It is also a bounty of God Almighty that he has raised me in such an age when the month of Ramadan occurs in the winter. Fasting does not cause much physical fatigue and I can easily carry out my responsibilities in the month of Ramadan.”

Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra said that in those days, Ramadan had occurred in December. Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra says:

“I have studied the calendar of that time period. Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas   claimed to be the Messiah in 1891 and in the same year, Ramadan commenced on 11 April. In other words, this was the beginning of the time span when Ramadan would occur within winter. Thus, in 1892, Ramadan commenced on 31 March and in 1893, on 20 March. Afterwards, the month of Ramadan would occur each year through the days of winter, to a greater degree. In 1908, when the Promised Messiahas passed away, Ramadan began on 1 October. In this manner, the total period of the Promised Messiah’sas advent elapsed in such circumstances where the fasts of Ramadan would continuously take place in winter. And this was a blessing of God Almighty which transpired under divine decree and which led the Promised Messiahas to carefully observe this blessing and develop sentiments of gratitude, understanding it to be a bounty of God.”

Hazrat Mir Muhammed Ismailra related to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra that the Promised Messiahas was once fasting during Ramadan in Ludhiana when he felt nauseous and began encountering cold extremities. At that particular time, the time for sunset was nigh, but he immediately broke the fast. Hazrat Mir Sahibra said that Hazrat Ahmadas would always opt for the easy lawful path which the Shariah would afford.

With regard to this, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra said:

“In the Hadith, regarding the Holy Prophetsa, through the narration of Hazrat Aishara, there is mention that he always used to prefer the easier of two permissible paths.”

Hazrat Sheikh Karam Ilahi Patialvira narrated to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmadra in writing:

“Once, I came to spend the month of Ramadan, which had arrived at an intensely cold period, in Qadian. In those days, Hazrat Hakim Fazluddinra was the administrator of the library of the Promised Messiahas and therefore responsible for it. The room where the library was situated was adjacent to Masjid Mubarak and Hazrat Hakim Sahibra lodged in the very same place. Upon my arrival, he also granted me permission to temporarily reside in the same room. Offering gratitude, I set up my bed at a corner and began passing time with great ease and enjoyment. The Promised Messiahas used to walk to the mosque, passing by this room for every prayer. At one occasion, the doors opened at the time for sehri [pre-dawn meal for fasting]. I was sat directly in front and stood out of respect when I saw that the Promised Messiahas was stood at the door. Huzooras called me towards him through a gesture. When I advanced, I observed that there were two china bowls in the hands of the Promised Messiahas, which had kheer [rice pudding] in them. Handing me both bowls, Huzooras said to me, ‘Deliver these to those people whose names are written on it.’ I handed them to Hakim Sahib. Hakim Sahib called a person from the mosque and had the bowls delivered to those people whose names were inscribed in ink. Thereafter, the doors opened again. The Promised Messiahas handed us two bowls again and those were also delivered to those people, in accordance with their names. In this manner, the Promised Messiahas continued to bring bowls of kheer on ten or eleven occasions and we would deliver them to the people in the guest room. Finally, upon one of the two bowls which the Promised Messiahas handed was the name of Hakim Sahib and upon the second was my name, inscribed. After consuming the kheer, Hakim Sahib remarked, “Today, manna and salwa [divine bounties] have descended upon us.”

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

Prayers to remember during Ramadan

Alhakam
-
0
Prayers to remember during Ramadan

(As quoted by Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in his Friday Sermon on 15 June 2018 during Ramadan)

rsz_friday1.jpg

رَبَّنَآ اٰتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَّفِي الْاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

 “Our Lord, grant us good in this world as well as good in the world to come, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.” (Ch.2: V.202)

رَبَّنَآ اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَّتَوَفَّنَا مُسْلِمِينَ

“Our Lord, pour forth upon us steadfastness and cause us to die resigned unto Thee.” (Ch.7: V.127)

اَللّٰهُمَّ رَبَّنَآ اَنْزِلْ عَلَيْنَا مَآئِدَةً مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ تَكُوْنُ لَنَا عِيْدًا لِّاَوَّلِنَا وَاٰخِرِنَا وَاٰيَةً مِّنْكَ وَارْزُقْنَا وَاَنْتَ خَيرُ الرّٰزِقِينَ

“Our Lord, send down to us a table from heaven spread with food that it may be to us a festival, to the first of us and to the last of us, and a Sign from Thee; and provide sustenance for us, for Thou art the Best of sustainers.” (Ch.5: V.115)

رَبَّنَآ اِنَّنَا سَمِعْنَا مُنَادِيًا يُّنَادِيْ لِلْاِيمَانِ اَنْ اٰمِنُوْا بِرَبِّكُمْ فَاٰمَنَّا رَبَّنَا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَكَفِّرْ عَنَّا سَيِّاٰتِنَا وَ تَوَفَّنَا مَعَ الْاَبْرَارِ

“Our Lord, we have heard a Crier calling us unto faith, ‘Believe ye in your Lord,’ and we have believed. Our Lord, forgive us, therefore, our errors and remove from us our evils, and in death number us with the righteous.” (Ch. 3: V.194)

رَبَّنَآ اٰمَنَّا بِمَآ اَنْزَلْتَ وَاتَّبَعْنَا الرَّسُولَ فَاكْتُبْنَا مَعَ الشّٰهِدِينَ

“Our Lord, we believe in that which Thou hast sent down and we follow this Messenger. So write us down among those who bear witness.” (Ch.3: V.54)

رَبَّنَا لَا تُزِغْ قُلُوْبَنَا بَعْدَ اِذْ هَدَيْتَنَا وَهَبْ لَنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْوَهَّابُ

“Our Lord, let not our hearts become perverse after Thou hast guided us; and bestow on us mercy from Thyself; surely, Thou alone art the Bestower.” (Ch.3: V.9)

رَبِّ هَبْ لِيْ مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ ذُرِّيَّةً طَيِّبَةً إِنَّكَ سَمِيْعُ الدُّعَآءِ

“My Lord, grant me from Thyself pure offspring; surely, Thou art the Hearer of prayer.” (Ch.3: V.39)

رَبَّنَا هَبْ لَنَا مِنْ اَزْوَاجِنَا وَذُرِّيّٰتِنَا قُرَّةَ أَعْيُنٍ وَّاجْعَلْنَا لِلْمُتَّقِيْنَ اِمَامًا

“Our Lord, grant us of our wives and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous.” (Ch.25: V.75)

رَبِّ اَوْزِعْنِيْٓ اَنْ اَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِيْٓ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلٰى وَالِدَيَّ وَاَنْ اَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضٰهُ وَاَصْلِحْ لِيْ فِيْ ذُرِّيَّتِيْ ۔اِنِّيْ تُبْتُ اِلَيْكَ وَاِنِّيْ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ

“My Lord, grant me the power that I may be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and that I may do such good works as may please Thee. And make my seed righteous for me. I do turn to Thee; and, truly, I am of those who submit to Thee.” (Ch.46: V.16)

رَبِّ هَبْ لِيْ مِنَ الصّٰلِحِيْنَ

“My Lord, grant me a righteous heir.” (Ch.37: V.101)

رَبِّ اِنِّيْ لِمَآ اَنْزَلْتَ اِلَيَّ مِنْ خَيْرٍ فَقِيرٌ

“My Lord, I am in need of whatever good Thou mayest send down to me.” (Ch.28: V.25)

رَبِّ اَوْزِعْنِيْٓ اَنْ اَشْكُرَ نِعْمَتَكَ الَّتِيْٓ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَيَّ وَعَلٰى وَالِدَيَّ وَاَنْ اَعْمَلَ صَالِحًا تَرْضٰهُ وَاَدْخِلْنِيْ بِرَحْمَتِکَ فِيْ عِبَادِكَ الصّٰلِحِينَ

“My Lord, grant me the will and power to be grateful for Thy favour which Thou hast bestowed upon me and upon my parents, and to do such good works as would please Thee, and admit me, by Thy mercy, among Thy righteous servants.” (Ch.27: V.20)

رَبِّ اَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْ هَمَزٰتِ الشَّيٰطِينِ۔ وَاَعُوْذُ بِكَ رَبِّ اَنْ يَّحْضُرُوْنِ

“My Lord, I seek refuge in Thee from the incitements of the evil ones. And I seek refuge in Thee, my Lord, lest they come near me.” (Ch.23: V.98-99)

رَبِّ زِدْنِيْ عِلْمًا

“O my Lord, increase me in knowledge.” (Ch.20: V.115)

رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِيْ صَدْرِيْ۔ وَيَسِّرْ لِيْٓ اَمْرِيْ۔ وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّنْ لِّسَانِيْ۔ يَفْقَهُوْا قَوْلِيْ

“My Lord, open out for me my breast, and ease for me my task, and loose the knot of my tongue, that they may understand my speech.” (Ch.20: V.26-29)

رَبَّنَآ اٰتِنَا مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ رَحْمَةً وَّهَيِّئْ لَنَا مِنْ اَمْرِنَا رَشَدًا

“Our Lord, bestow on us mercy from Thyself, and provide for us right guidance in our affair.” (Ch.18: V.11)

رَبِّ اَدْخِلْنِيْ مُدْخَلَ صِدْقٍ وَّ اَخْرِجْنِيْ مُخْرَجَ صِدْقٍ وَّاجْعَلْ لِّيْ مِنْ لَّدُنْكَ سُلْطٰنًا نَّصِيْرًا

“My Lord, make my entry a good entry and then make me come forth with a good forthcoming. And grant me from Thyself a helping power.” (Ch.17: V.81)

رَبِّ ارْحَمْهُمَا كَمَا ربَّيٰنِيْ صَغِيْرًا

“My Lord, have mercy on them even as they nourished me in my childhood.” (Ch.17: V.25)

رَبِّ ھَبْ لِیْ حُکْمًا وَّ الْحِقْنِیْ بِالصَّالِحِیْنَ وَاجْعَلْ لِّیْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِی الْاٰخِرِیْنَ۔ وَاجْعَلْنِیْ مِنْ وَّرَثَۃِ جَنَّۃِ النَّعِیْمِ

“My Lord, bestow wisdom on me and join me with the righteous; and give me a true reputation among posterity; and make me one of the inheritors of the Garden of Bliss.” (Ch.26: V.84-86)

رَبِّ اِنِّيْ ظَلَمْتُ نَفْسِيْ فَاغْفِرْ لِيْ

“My Lord, I have wronged my soul, therefore forgive me.” (Ch.28: V.17)

رَبَّنَآ اَتْمِمْ لَنَا نُوْرَنَا وَاغْفِرْ لَنَا اِنَّكَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ

“Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us; surely Thou hast power over all things.” (Ch.66: V.9)

رَبَّنَآ اٰمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْلَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الرَّاحِمِيْنَ

“Our Lord, we believe; forgive us therefore our sins, and have mercy on us; for Thou art the Best of those who show mercy.” (Ch.23: V.110)

رَبَّنَا ظَلَمْنَآ اَنْفُسَنَا وَاِنْ لَّمْ تَغْفِرْلَنَا وَتَرْحَمْنَا لَنَكُوْنَنَّ مِنَ الْخٰسِرِيْنَ

“Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves; and if Thou forgive us not and have not mercy on us, we shall surely be of the lost.” (Ch.7: V.24)

رَبَّنَآ لَا تَجْعَلْنَا مَعَ الْقَوْمِ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ

“Our Lord, put us not with the unjust people.” (Ch.7: V.48)

رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِي فَرْدًا وَّاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوٰرِثِيْنَ

“My Lord, leave me not childless, and Thou art the Best of inheritors.” (Ch.21: V.90)

رَبِّ اِمَّا تُرِيَنِّيْ مَا يُوْعَدُوْنَ۔ رَبِّ فَلَا تَجْعَلْنِيْ فِي الْقَوْمِ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ

“My Lord, if Thou wilt show me that with which they are threatened. My Lord, then place me not with the wrongdoing people.” (Ch.23: V.94-95)

رَبَّنَا وَسِعْتَ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ رَحْمَةً وَّعِلْمًا فَاغْفِرْ لِلَّذِيْنَ تَابُوْا وَاتَّبَعُوْا سَبِيْلَكَ وَقِهِمْ عَذَابَ الْجَحِيْمِ۔رَبَّنَا وَاَدْخِلْهُمْ جَنّٰتِ عَدْنٍ الَّتِيْ وَعَدْتَّهُمْ وَمَنْ صَلَحَ مِنْ اٰبَآئِهِمْ وَاَزْوَاجِهِمْ وَذُرِّيّٰتِهِمْ۔اِنَّكَ اَنْتَ الْعَزِيزُ الْحَكِيْمُ۔وَقِهِمُ السَّيِّاٰتِ۔ وَمَنْ تَقِ السَّيِّاٰتِ يَوْمَئِذٍ فَقَدْ رَحِمْتَهٗ۔ وَذٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْعَظِيمُ

“Our Lord, Thou dost comprehend all things in Thy mercy and knowledge. So forgive those who repent and follow Thy way; and protect them from the punishment of Hell. And make them, our Lord, enter the Gardens of Eternity which Thou hast promised them, as well as such of their fathers and their wives and their children as are virtuous. Surely Thou art the Mighty, the Wise. And protect them from evils; and he whom Thou dost protect from evils on that day – him hast Thou surely shown mercy. And that indeed is the supreme triumph.” (Ch.40: V.8-10)

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْلَنَا وَلِاِخْوَانِنَا الَّذِيْنَ سَبَقُوْنَا بِالْاِيْمَانِ وَلَا تَجْعَلْ فِيْ قُلُوْبِنَا غِلًّا لِّلَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا رَبَّنَآ اِنَّكَ رَؤُوْفٌ رَحِيْمٌ

“Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in the faith, and leave not in our hearts any rancour against those who believe. Our Lord! Thou art indeed Compassionate, Merciful.” (Ch.59: V.11)

رَبِّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ وَلِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِمَنْ دَخَلَ بَيْتِيَ مُؤْمِنًا وَّلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ وَالْمُؤْمِنٰتِ۔ وَلَا تَزِدِ الظّٰلِمِينَ اِلَّا تَبَارًا

“My Lord, forgive me and my parents, and him who enters my house as a believer, and the believing men and the believing women; and increase Thou not the wrongdoers but in perdition.” (Ch.71: V.29)

رَبَّنَاوَاٰتِنَا مَا وَعَدْتَّنَا عَلٰي رُسُلِكَ وَلَا تُخْزِنَا يَوْمَ الْقِيٰمَةِ۔ اِنَّكَ لَا تُخْلِفُ الْمِيْعَادَ

“Our Lord, give us what Thou hast promised to us through Thy Messengers; and disgrace us not on the Day of Resurrection. Surely, Thou breakest not Thy promise.” (Ch.3: V.195)

اَنْتَ وَلِيُّنَا فَاغْفِرْلَنَا وَارْحَمْنَا وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْغَافِرِيْنَ

“Thou art our Protector; forgive us then and have mercy on us, for Thou art the Best of those who forgive.” (Ch.7: V.156)

رَبَّنَا اصْرِفْ عَنَّا عَذَابَ جَهَنَّمَ إِنَّ عَذَابَهَا كَانَ غَرَامًا

“Our Lord, avert from us the punishment of Hell; for the punishment thereof is a lasting torment.” (Ch.25: V.66)

رَبَّنَآ اِنَّنَآ اٰمَنَّا فَاغْفِرْ لَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

“Our Lord, we do believe; forgive us, therefore, our sins and save us from the punishment of the Fire.” (Ch.3: V.17)

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مُقِيْمَ الصَّلٰوةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّيَّتِيْ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ۔رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْلِيْ وَ لِوَالِدَيَّ وَلِلْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ يَوْمَ يَقُوْمُ الْحِسَابُ

“My Lord, make me observe Prayer, and my children too. Our Lord! bestow Thy grace on me and accept my prayer. Our Lord, grant forgiveness to me and to my parents and to the believers on the day when the reckoning will take place.” (Ch.14: V.41-42)

رَبِّ نَجِّنِيْ وَاَهْلِيْ مِمَّا يَعْمَلُوْنَ

“My Lord, save me and my family from what they do.” (Ch.26: V.170)

رَبِّ اِنَّ قَوْمِیْ کَذَّبُوْنِ۔ فَافْتَحْ بَیْنِیْ وَ بَیْنَہُمْ فَتْحًا وَّنَجِّنِیْ وَمَنْ مَّعِیَ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ

“My Lord, my people have treated me as a liar. Therefore judge Thou decisively between me and them; and save me and the believers that are with me.” (Ch.26: V.118-119)

رَبِّ انْصُرْنِيْ عَلَي الْقَوْمِ الْمُفْسِدِيْنَ

“Help me, my Lord, against the wicked people.” (Ch.29: V.31)

اَنِّيْ مَغْلُوْبٌ فَانْتَصِرْ

“I am overcome, so come Thou to my help!” (Ch.54: V.11)

رَبَّنَا لَا تُؤَاخِذْنَآ اِنْ نَّسِيْنَآ اَوْ اَخْطَاْنَا۔ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تَحْمِلْ عَلَيْنَآ اِصْرًا كَمَا حَمَلْتَهٗ عَلَي الَّذِيْنَ مِنْ قَبْلِنَا۔ رَبَّنَا وَلَا تُحَمِّلْنَا مَا لَا طَاقَةَ لَنَا بِهٖ وَاعْفُ عَنَّا وَاغْفِرْلَنَاوَارْحَمْنَآ اَنْتَ مَوْلٰنَا فَانْصُرْنَا عَلَي الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ

“Our Lord, do not punish us, if we forget or fall into error; and our Lord, lay not on us a responsibility as Thou didst lay upon those before us. Our Lord, burden us not with what we have not the strength to bear; and efface our sins, and grant us forgiveness and have mercy on us; Thou art our Master; so help us Thou against the disbelieving people.” (Ch.2: V.287)

رَبَّنَآ اَفْرِغْ عَلَيْنَا صَبْرًا وَّثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَي الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ

“O our Lord, pour forth steadfastness upon us, and make our steps firm, and help us against the disbelieving people.” (Ch.2: V.251)

رَبَّنَا اغْفِرْلَنَا ذُنُوْبَنَا وَاِسْرَافَنَا فِيْٓ اَمْرِنَا وَثَبِّتْ اَقْدَامَنَا وَانْصُرْنَا عَلَي الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ

“Our Lord, forgive us our errors and our excesses in our conduct, and make firm our steps and help us against the disbelieving people.” (Ch.3: V.148)

رَبَّنَا افْتَحْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ قَوْمِنَا بِالْحَقِّ وَاَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْفَاتِحِيْنَ

“O our Lord, decide Thou between us and between our people with truth, and Thou art the Best of those who decide.” (Ch.7: V.90)

رَبَّنَا لَا تَجْعَلْنَا فِتْنَةً لِّلْقَوْمِ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ وَنَجِّنَا بِرَحْمَتِكَ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الْكٰفِرِيْنَ

“Our Lord, make us not a trial for the wrongdoing people. And deliver us by Thy mercy from the disbelieving people.” (Ch.10: V.86-87)

رَبِّ انْصُرْنِيْ بِمَا كَذَّبُوْنِ

“O my Lord, help me, for they have treated me as a liar.” (Ch.23: V.40)

رَبِّ ابْنِ لِيْ عِنْدَكَ بَيْتًا فِي الْجَنَّةِ وَنَجِّنِيْ مِنْ فِرْعَوْنَ وَعَمَلِهٖ وَنَجِّنِيْ مِنَ الْقَوْمِ الظّٰلِمِيْنَ

“My Lord! Build for me a house with Thee in the Garden; and deliver me from Pharaoh and his work, and deliver me from the wrongdoing people.” (Ch.66: V.12)

Prophecies of the Promised Messiah a.s.: Plague and Earthquakes

Alhakam
-
0
Prophecies of the Promised Messiah a.s.: Plague and Earthquakes
rsz_screenshot_2019-02-13_at_194302.png

“Coming catastrophes and various new epidemics are far greater in number than those which have ever occurred in this country previously. They are frightening and horrifying. A severe and dreadful plague is likely to happen in this year or the coming year, which will spread within and outside of this country and cause havoc. An earthquake is likely to happen that will strike unexpectedly and it will be extremely destructive. I am not aware of its happening; it may occur in a particular part of the country or strike globally. If people of the earth fear God, it is entirely possible that this catastrophe goes away because God is the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth; He is capable of passing His commands and taking them back. Though apparently, it seems beyond recall that the people would fear God because hearts have extremely hardened. I do not expect that they will be cautioned through these prophecies which have been foretold. The only expectation is that we will be ridiculed or verbally abused or wrongly accused of spreading panic.” (Chashma-e-Marifat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 23, p. 403)

Citing the above-mentioned extract, opponents of the Jamaat and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, the Promised Messiahas sarcastically allege that every catastrophe befalls suddenly and that new epidemics never occurred, therefore it is a false prophecy. Moreover, they express that there is not a single mention of a specific place regarding the occurrence of a catastrophe, therefore these predictions are extremely dubious assumptions.

Opponents, referring to the words of the Promised Messiahas, “An earthquake is likely to happen, that will strike unexpectedly and it will be extremely destructive”, mockingly point out that every catastrophe befalls suddenly. In this manner, they try to create an impression upon the general public that a natural phenomenon which occurs on a regular basis cannot be considered a prophecy or a divine revelation.

Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:

يَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ إِنَاثًا وَيَهَبُ لِمَنْ يَشَاءُ الذُّكُوْرَ أَوْ يُزَوِّجُهُمْ ذُكْرَانًا وَإِنَاثًا وَيَجْعَلُ مَنْ يَشَاءُ عَقِيْمًا

“He [Allah the Almighty] bestows daughters upon whom He pleases, and He bestows sons upon whom He pleases; or He mixes them, males and females and He makes whom He pleases barren.”(Surah al-Shura, Ch.42: V.50-51)

At another place, it is stated:

أَلَمْ تَرَ أَنَّ اللّٰهَ يُزْجِيْ سَحَابًا ثُمَّ يُؤَلِّفُ بَيْنَهُ ثُمَّ يَجْعَلُهُ رُكَامًا فَتَرَى الْوَدْقَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ خِلَالِهِ

“Hast thou not seen that Allah drives the clouds, then joins them together, then piles them up so that thou seest rain issue forth from the midst thereof?” (Surah al-Nur, Ch.24: V.40)

Everyone is already aware about the aforementioned facts highlighted in the above verses of the Holy Quran by Allah the Almighty as these phenomena occur naturally without a shadow of a doubt. So, the opponents must explain these verses because according to their views, there was no need to mention these facts in the Holy Quran.

The opponents claim, quoting the words of the Promised Messiahas, “Coming catastrophes and various new epidemics are far greater in number than those which have ever occurred in this country previously. They are frightening and horrifying”, that the prophecy of the Promised Messiahas was not fulfilled because nobody witnessed the spread of new epidemics.

The First World War took place during the years 1914 to 1918 in which around 16 million people lost their lives. Thereafter the influenza pandemic spread in 1918 and 1919 which, according to the research of 1940, wiped out 40 to 100 million people across the globe, including India, China and Russia. This pandemic claimed 20 million lives in India alone. (The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919, Paul Kupperberg, pp. 64-66)

But unfortunately, opponents are unable to spot these epidemics. Instead of attaining benefit from these signs and bearing witness to the truth of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, opponents target these prophecies with mockery and scorn, following the footsteps of those who were the opponents of earlier prophets. In this manner, they effectively announce the truth of the Promised Messiahas because Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:

يَا حَسْرَةً عَلَى الْعِبَادِ ۚ مَا يَأْتِيْهِمْ مِّنْ رَّسُوْلٍ إِلَّا كَانُوْا بِهِ يَسْتَهْزِئُوْنَ

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

Furthermore, the Promised Messiahas foretold:

“A severe and dreadful plague is likely to happen”. Hence, in accord with the revelation of Allah the Almighty, various new epidemics rose across the globe and continue to do so even in the present time. A severe and dreadful plague is HIV/AIDS which has been named “The 21st Century Plague” (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/hivaids-the-21st-century-plague-516391.html) and it has claimed countless lives.

It is said that the region of Africa is most affected by HIV/AIDS, followed by India, which is widely affected by it. According to an article published by World Bank on 10 July 2012:

“The Government of India estimates that about 2.40 million Indians are living with HIV … The four high prevalence states of South India (Andhra Pradesh – 500,000, Maharashtra – 420,000, Karnataka – 250,000, Tamil Nadu – 150,000) account for 55% of all HIV infections in the country. West Bengal, Gujarat, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh are estimated to have more than 100,000 PLHA (people living with HIV/AIDS) each and together account for another 22% of HIV infections in India.” (http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2012/07/10/hiv-aids-india)

The world has fallen prey to epidemics that vary in nature. For instance, the epidemics of dengue fever, yellow fever and ebola etc. have wiped out millions from the face of the earth. Thus, it is evident that the world is witnessing dynamic catastrophes and epidemics.

The opponents express regarding the prophecies mentioned in the extract of  Chashma-e-Marifat that neither is there any mention of a particular place of occurrence nor is there any specification of a precise time. Therefore, these ambiguous predictions cannot be considered divine revelations.

There are various examples of prophecies in the Holy Quran and the Hadith in which there is neither any mention of specific places of occurrence nor is there any description of specific time.

Allah the Almighty vouchsafed a revelation to the Holy Prophetsa, stated in the Holy Quran:

لَتَدْخُلُنَّ الْمَسْجِدَ الْحَرَامَ إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰهُ آمِنِيْنَ

“You would certainly enter the Sacred Mosque, if Allah wills, in security” (Surah al-Fath, Ch.48: V.28). Is there any mention of a specific year in this prophecy?

Similarly, Allah the Almighty states in the Holy Quran:

سَيُهْزَمُ الْجَمْعُ وَيُوَلُّوْنَ الدُّبُرَ

“The hosts shall soon be routed and will turn their backs in flight” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.46). Is it indicated in the prophecy in which year, which month or which place it would occur and which army it was referring to?

Hazrat Sarah was given a glad tiding:

فَبَشَّرْنَاهَا بِإِسْحَاقَ وَمِنْ وَرَاءِ إِسْحَاقَ يَعْقُوْبَ

“We [Allah the Almighty] gave her glad tidings of the birth of Isaac, and after Isaac of Jacob” (Surah Hud, Ch.11: V.72). Is it mentioned in this prophecy as to when Isaacas and Jacobas would be born?

Undoubtedly, the Holy Quran is a miracle of Allah the Almighty and it shall remain so till Judgement Day.

There are various verses of the Holy Quran in which there are no specifications of place, person or time. For instance:

يَا أَيُّهَا النَّبِيُّ لِمَ تُحَرِّمُ مَا أَحَلَّ اللّٰهُ لَكَ

“O Prophet! why dost thou forbid thyself that which Allah has made lawful to thee?” (Surah al-Tahrim, Ch. 66: V.2). That thing which was forbidden is not mentioned here.

إِنَّ شَانِئَكَ هُوَ الْأَبْتَرُ

“Surely, it is thy enemy who is without issue” (Surah al-Kauthar, Ch. 108: V.4). Which enemy is intended here? The name was not revealed. 

أَرَأَيْتَ الَّذِيْ يُكَذِّبُ بِالدِّيْنِ فَذٰلِكَ الَّذِيْ يَدُعُّ الْيَتِيمَ

“Hast thou seen him who rejects religions? That is the one who drives away the orphan?” (Surah al-Ma‘un, Ch. 107: V.2-3). The name of that person who drove away the orphan is not stated.

وَالْفَجْرِ وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍ وَالشَّفْعِ وَالْوَتْرِ

“By the dawn, and the Ten Nights, and the Even and the Odds” (Surah al-Fajr, Ch. 89: V.2-4). Which dawn, ten nights, even and odds? Nothing is explained.

The Holy Prophetsa was given a glad tiding that he would be united in marriage with Hazrat Aishara, but there is no indication as to when and where this marriage would take place. Below is the Hadith, stated in Bukhari:

“Hazrat Aishara narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, ‘O Aisha! You were shown to me twice in a dream. I saw you in a silken piece of cloth, and I was told, “She is your wife”, so I uncovered it and behold, it was you.’” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaqib al-Ansar)

Similarly, Allah the Almighty foretold the Holy Prophetsa about the migration from Mecca and it was indicated that the resettling place would be filled with date palms. However, neither was it mentioned when exactly that migration would take place, nor was the specific place of settlement disclosed. It is stated in Bukhari:

Hazrat Abu Musara narrates that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “I saw in a dream that I was migrating from Mecca to a land where there were date palm trees. I thought that it might be the land of Yamama or Hajar, but behold, it turned out to be Yathrib i.e. Medina.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Manaqib al-Ansar)

Likewise, Allah the Almighty revealed to the Holy Prophetsa that the castles of Qaisar and Kisra would be conquered, but it was not made clear as to when exactly that would happen – either in the life of the Holy Prophetsa or after his demise.

We bring forth this question before the opponents of the Jamaat and the Promised Messiahas, that do they have the courage to consider the aforementioned verses of the Holy Quran and Ahadith of the Holy Prophetsa ambiguous and not the word of God or authentic sayings of the Prophetsa? After all, they too do not specify exact place and time regarding the occurrence of prophecies.

The Promised Messiahas states:

“In the case of the chastisement that was promised to the Arabs (in the Holy Quran), God Almighty did not provide details of that chastisement as to what kind of chastisement it would be and what would be its nature. He only said that God has the power to bring it down from heaven, or send it from the earth, or make the infidels taste the swords of the Muslims. In these verses the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, himself admits that he has not been informed as to what kind of chastisement it would be. And when he was asked about the time of its occurrence, he did not specify any date, as the Holy Quran says:

وَيَقُوْلُوْنَ مَتٰی هَذَا الْوَعْدُ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ صَادِقِيْنَ قُلْ إِنَّمَا الْعِلْمُ عِنْدَ اللّٰهِ وَإِنَّمَا أَنَا نَذِيْرٌ مُّبِيْنٌ

Meaning: ‘The disbelievers ask, “When will this proclamation come to pass; tell us the date if you are indeed true?” Say to them, “I do not know of any date, only God has this knowledge. I am only a warner”’ (Surah al-Mulk, Ch.67: V.26–27). And when the disbelievers repeated their question about the date, they got the answer:

وَإِنْ أَدْرِيْ أَقَرِيْبٌ أَمْ بَعِيْدٌ

Meaning: Tell them, ‘I know not whether the chastisement is near at hand or far off’ (Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.110).” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya Part V, p. 340 [English Translation])

Explaining the following verse of the Holy Quran:

يَسْأَلُوْنَكَ عَنِ السَّاعَةِ أَيَّانَ مُرْسَاهَا فِيْمَ أَنْتَ مِنْ ذِكْرَاهَا

“They ask thee concerning the Hour, ‘When will it come?’ But what hast thou to do with the mentioning thereof?” (Surah al-Nazi‘at, Ch.79: V.43-44).

Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra, Khalifatul Masih IIra states:

“It is not necessary regarding prophecies to specify their exact time of happening and moreover, it has nothing to do with the actual matter. When an occurrence of a catastrophe is inevitable, what difference does it make if it befalls two days before or after? It is beyond any doubt that there are certain hidden reasons for the delay of prophecies and Allah the Almighty has explained this subject at other places [in the Holy Quran] but the opponents always bring forth this question that once a prophecy has been foretold, the exact date of its occurrence should be disclosed as well and it should be notified as to when it will come to pass. But on the contrary, Allah the Almighty states, what has this to do with anybody? Once the prophecy is fulfilled, everyone would bear witness and realise that whatever Allah the Almighty had said was proven truthful…

“It is mentioned in the Holy Quran that the infidels used to question the prophecy which was being foretold as to when it would come to pass. Destpite this, opponents today raise the same allegation, as to when that catastrophe will occur regarding which they have been foretold. Thus, opponents frequently levelled the same allegations against the Promised Messiahas, expressing that he foretold ambiguous prophecies and the exact time of their occurrence was not specified, even though, it is the sort of question which brings no benefit to the opponents. The actual prophecy of a prophet is that he would triumph and the world would fail in front of him. This prophecy is such that it is not necessary to specify any exact time for its occurrence for otherwise, there lies no ambiguity in it…” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 8, p. 141-142)

According to the prophecies, countless earthquakes occurred within the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas. The details of these earthquakes have been mentioned in the previous part of Responding to Allegations, under the heading Prophecies of the Promised Messiahas.

(Research conducted by a panel of scholars at the Research Cell, Rabwah. Translated by Al Hakam)

100 Years Ago… – Missionary activity in UK and Ceylon – April 1919

Alhakam
-
0
100 Years Ago… – Missionary activity in UK and Ceylon – April 1919

Al Fazl, 13 May 1919

Ever since I returned to London on 5 April, I have been suffering from influenza and a cough. In fact, the symptoms began to appear when I was in Bournemouth. I request members of the Jamaat to pray for me.

In the month of April, I received 172 letters etc. while the number of letters dispatched amounted to 265. One can assess the volume of work from the fact that I sealed those packets myself which were present in the mail. Moreover, nearly all the mail was personally transported to the post office and dispatched in person. The mail of brother Qazi Abdullah Sahib is apart from this. The aforementioned mail is particularly mine.

May Allah the Almighty through His blessings provide means whereby a scribe can be arranged for correspondence who can work according to my instructions.

At present, owing to the war, there is a law here that every person’s name, address etc. must be recorded in the governmental office and every individual must carry a verified slip of that record at all times. In case someone moves to another place, the government must be informed about the change of address.

Arab Sahib was unable to inform the change of address due to a misunderstanding. Therefore, he came under the custody of the current authorities. However, by the blessings of Allah the Almighty he was released in the end. Throughout those difficult times, several friends came to his aid in every way possible. The assistance of Mr A Khan Sahib, a cook, is worthy of praise and thanks. May Allah the Almighty grant him the best of rewards.

The good news of a young lady named Miss Parker who embraced Islam, along with the request of her Bai‘at has been sent to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa. She has been given the Islamic name Nur.

Presently, mail from India usually arrives weekly on Saturdays. However, sometimes it arrives rather late.

Muhammad Sadiq. 10 April 1919

Al Fazl, 17 May 1919

(The following article, filled with exhilarating and delightful news, is a gift from our revered Master Abdul Rahim Nayar Sahib. By the grace of Allah the Almighty, whilst being responsible for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih’s correspondence department, he is also blessed with the opportunity of conveying various activities of Ahmadiyya Jamaats taking place within and outside of India. The article below serves as a source of nourishment for the soul.)

United Kingdom: Hazrat Qazi Sahib and Mufti Sahib are actively engaged in their works. Seekers of truth come regularly in large numbers and research about Islam and Ahmadiyyat.

Members of the Jamaat should be informed that there are two kinds of people who are being brought forth under the tabligh of the missionaries from the United Kingdom. Firstly, there are those individuals who after only hearing the ten conditions of Bai‘at and get acquainted to Ahmadiyyat and sign the Bai‘at form. They are called Ahmadis. Secondly, those individuals who after reading the conditions of Bai‘at accept them, and attest by signing the Bai‘at form and bearing witness to the truth. We name them musadiqin (those who attest to the truth).

The wording of Musaddiqin’s form is as follows:

I bear witness that:

1. لَا اِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ

[There is none worthy of worship except Allah; Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.]

2. Ahmadas of Qadian is the prophet of the present time

3. The Holy Quran is the final Shariah [divine law]

4. Buddha, Krishna, Zoroaster, Confucius, Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them all) were prophets of God

5. The tomb of Jesusas, where he is buried, is located in Kashmir, India

6. The door to divine revelation has never been closed

7. Allah the Almighty still speaks to His servants

8. The present imam and head of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat is Hazrat Mahmud, Khalifa II

A lady’s request for Bai’at has been received in the recent mail from the UK. The subject of that letter is as follows:

“To His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad of Qadian,

“Your Holiness! Agreeing with the beliefs of Ahmadiyyat, I hereby announce that I embrace Islam. I request His Holiness to kindly admit me into his Jamaat and pray for me. I am His Holiness’ highly obedient servant. Nelly Parker Nur”

Ceylon [now Sri Lanka]: The members of Ceylon Jamaat are working hard with steadfastness. Every one of them resembles a missionary. Maulvi AP Ibrahim Malabari … is the imam of Ceylon Jamaat who has previously lived in Qadian. Currently, he works as a merchant in Colombo.

The members of Ceylon Jamaat convey the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat in both written and spoken form. They have had religious debates with the people of that area which are now held on a regular basis. Lectures are delivered in Colombo Jamaat’s weekly gatherings which are followed by questions and answers. Apart from lectures, the weekly Anglo-Tamil newspaper of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Colombo is proving extremely beneficial and responds to the allegations of opponents in the most convincing manner.

The Ahmadiyya youth of Colombo have laid the foundation of a new organisation which publishes tracts. Colombo Jamaat has published exceptionally useful tracts in Tamil and English. Members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat are requested to assist the Colombo Ahmadis and to aid them in publishing these tracts. All post regarding the tracts should be sent to: Mr WM Thaka, Post Box 216, Colombo.

The recent converts [in Ceylon] are WA Nuruddin, Abdur Rahman Yusuf Lebay, EA Ibrahim Adham, EN Nagupchay, Muhammad Saleh, Fatima Amina and K Fatima.

1...627628629...710Page 628 of 710

Al Hakam is a weekly English newspaper for members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat around the world. Its aim is to provide Ahmadis with content regarding the beliefs of the true Islam, reintroduced to the world by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, peace be on him.

Contact us: info@alhakam.org

© 2019 Al Hakam