Why do Ahmadis not perform Hajj?

 Posted on April 19th, 2012

A.   Abdul Aziz.

An objection that is raised is that why Ahmadi Muslims do not go for Hajj? Instead they go to their holy place in Qadian (the birth-place of their Founder Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad in Punjab, India)? Hajj is a pillar of Islam which they disrespect and they show more love for their own places rather than where the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was born, therefore they are not Muslims through their actions!

This is a nonsense objection, how can Ahmadi Muslims go for Hajj when it is the Muslims themselves who are preventing them? Every Muslim must perform Hajj once in their lifetime, unless either the way is prevented, ill health or they cannot afford it. Ahmadi Muslims are prevented to go to Mecca for Hajj by the Saudi Government!  Furthermore, in Pakistan, you have to sign a form if you want to perform Hajj and Umra and on that form you are required to declare Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, may peace be upon him, as a false prophet!  No Ahmadi Muslim can sign such a form. Hajj is a rite in Islam which you do purely for Allah’s sake to attain the Nearness and Blessings of Allah. All worldly things should be left behind, even your clothes, as you are required to put on two white unsewn clothes – Ihram and so leave all worldly things behind, all fashion cloths etc. and instead everyone is the same, all Muslims striving for the same objectives. If that is the case, then why are they bringing politics into it!  Who are they to say who can do Hajj or not!  No doubt they will say that Hajj is only for Muslims, but if we declare the Kalima – la illaha illallaho Muhammad ur Rasoolullah, then who can tell us we are non-Muslims? Only Allah will judge if we are Muslims or not. It is not for the Saudi Government or the Pakistan Government to decide if we are Muslims or not. That being the case, then they have no right to prevent us. And then after preventing us from going to Hajj, then have the nerve to say we are not Muslims because we don’t go for Hajj!  May Allah have mercy on them.

The fact is that many Ahmadi Muslims do go for Hajj, but they are unable to go from Pakistan. Fortunately there are many countries in the world who do not have the narrow mindedness of the Pakistan legislative and so don’t put such conditions when applying. When Ahmadi Muslims go for Hajj or Umra, then they go for Allah’s sake. Even in Sri Lanka, few Ahmadi Muslims have performed Hajj. They don’t have to declare what beliefs they have, they go as submissive servants of Allah. But there are over 73 sects in Islam, they all have different beliefs, so whose is the right belief. Is it Sunni Muslims, so therefore no Shi’ite Muslims must go for Hajj as they don’t follow the same beliefs? And then what kind of Sunni Muslim, is it Wahhabism or Jamat-e-Islami etc. and so all those Sunni Muslims who do not follow this brand of Sunni belief can’t go for Hajj? Where did all these conditions come in to who can or can’t perform Hajj? It once again shows the poor state of Islam these days.

But we are not the only ones who were prevented from doing the Pilgrimage. Our beloved Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was also prevented from doing the Pilgrimage by the Quraish, so if we are in the same company as the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, then what blessed company that is.

Concerning going to Qadian, no Ahmadi Muslim goes to these places for pilgrimage. No doubt Qadian was the place where Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, may peace be upon him, was born, therefore Ahmadi Muslims like to visit that town, but we don’t go there for pilgrimage instead of Mecca. They are important to us and we try to go there if we can, but the Holy Ka’aba is far more important to us as this was the ‘first house built for the worship of the One God’ and we have been commanded by the One God to go there for His sake. That can not and will not ever be replaced by other towns, no matter how important we may feel them to be.

The Case of Master Abdul Qudoos

...[T]he [Express] Tribune was the first, and to my knowledge, only newspaper to report the story the very next day, March 31st. Also, a mention for Pak Tea House, a brilliant blog that ran a most enlightening piece about the tragedy.

Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | Int'l desk
Source/Credit: Mariem’s Words | Blog
By Mariem Asif | April 3, 2012

Let’s get one thing straight. The torture that subsequently leads to the death of any citizen at the hands of the state police is a very serious act, one that must be brought to light by the entire media of that state as well as those responsible citizens who have the good fortune of having a voice that penetrates to the highest levels. I think we can all agree with that. Now, let’s go on to observe in utter and complete shock the tragic tale of Master Qudoos.

I’m quite sure that those of you not on Twitter have no clue as to who the above-named person is/was. And I certainly don’t blame you, for the mainstream media (save Express Tribune) has taken a vow of silence in this issue, and not in honour of Master Qudoos either, let me assure you. So let me fill you in. Master Qadoos, a school-teacher of 43, was taken in by the police on the 10th of Feb for questioning over the murder of a stamp-paper seller. In spite of the fact that not a trace of evidence suggested his involvement in the murder, and that no charges were ever filed against him, he was relentlessly tortured by the police during his questioning, so much so that he succumbed to the fatal internal injuries resulting from the torture and died in hospital last week.

In a country where police brutality is hounded by the media, not one word was uttered regarding this incident in any of the mainstream channels. The million dollar question is: why?

Because Master Qadoos was an Ahmadi from Rabwah.

There you have it.

The sad fact is that in the Republic of Pure-istan, all those deemed impure are automatically second-class citizens, if citizens at all. And the media apparently isn’t bothered enough about the plight of those citizens to report it in their otherwise horror-laden depiction of Pakistan, from gang-rapes to acid-suicides to political ranting, which, of course, must all be reported, for that is the very purpose of the media to begin with. However, this biased criterion for reporting news must be done away with. A human life is, all said and done, a human life, before it is a Muslim life.

Let me add that the Tribune was the first, and to my knowledge, only newspaper to report the story the very next day, March 31st. Also, a mention for Pak Tea House, a brilliant blog that ran a most enlightening piece about the tragedy.

Master Qudoos was above all a human being, and his death falls under the realm of Human Rights. Religion has absolutely nothing to do with any of this. Or who are we kidding? The striking lack of media interest in this story points to a glaring truth: in Pakistan, humanity is second to religion. And the ‘powerful, free’ media that we all harp on about is, at the end of the day, as bigoted as a Mullah.

In 1974 a bunch of politicians and Mullahs took it upon themselves to play God and declared an entire sect Kaafir, a sect that had fought wars and shed blood for this homeland of ours. And this is how we repay their blood, by lusting for more?

To those of you who believe that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam, do you even know what that vision entailed? Here is an excerpt from the Quaid’s broadcast talk to the people of the United States of America on Pakistan, recorded February, 1948.

“Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fairplay to everybody. .. Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims –Hindus, Christians, and Parsis –but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan.”

That is the Islam that Pakistan was created in the name of, one that teaches “equality of man, justice and fairplay”. Not the xenophobic version being largely practiced today with a selective morality that puts Muslims at the top of the food chain and all others down below as fodder.

I’ve not been a twitterer for long enough to fully appreciate its merits and criticise its faults. However, I will say this much, it’s a complete disappointment. The selective morality evident in the media reigns highest even on this social platform. For two days now, #justiceforqudoos has been trending at the number two spot, and yet the messiahs and leaders who tweet about everything from what movie they’re going to see to who sent them friend requests on Facebook, have nothing to say about this vile breach of Human Rights in their country? Why so, I ask them? Surely, you have the time, you have the means, and you have enough followers to make a massive impact should you so choose.

I was heartened by the way these twitter gods all joined hands together to promote the #justiceforfakhra cause, and am as saddened by their lack of heart for Qudoos. Was his life in any way less worthy? Was his pain not significant enough? Was his end any less tragic?

These are questions every Pakistani must ask him/herself. There may not be justice in the cards for Qudoos, who’s to say. But the absence of coverage renders the Pakistani media, including the much-hyped about Twitter, quite dogmatic, at least in my humble opinion.

Assalamu Alaikum: Brutal Concept of Apostasy and Blasphemy in Pakistan

Written by: Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

 Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner
By Deeba Chaudhry | April 8, 2012

As Muslim, when one say “Assalamu Alaikum” means “May peace and blessings of God be upon you.” Can one imagine that Ahmadi Muslims in one country - Pakistan are not even allowed to utter these words - “Assalamu Alaikum?” This is the plight of Ahmadis in Pakistan. This is the difficulty of Ahmadis. Thousands and thousands of Prophets have come into this world to guide humanity. Their message was common: belief in God, belief in the Day of Resurrection, the Hereafter, the Day of Judgement and encouraging people to do good and forbidding evil. But all the Prophets who came into this world - thousands upon thousands upon thousands who came to every nation - they were rejected. They were persecuted. There were ridiculed. They were scorned. Their followers were torn into pieces. Sometimes their flesh was torn from their bones. Never has a Prophet ever been accepted. They have been blasphemed, ridiculed, jeered at, spat at and even flogged!

Look at the pathos, as if God Himself is in grief. “Alas! O’ My creation, have I ever sent a Prophet who was not ridiculed?” (36:31) Starting from Adam (as), all the Prophets were persecuted. Was the Prophet Abraham (as) not thrown into the fire because of his belief in the Unity of God? What about Moses (as)? Pharoah had ordered all male children to be killed. The people had predicted that a Prophet was about to be born, and even before he was born, Pharoah ordered that all male children be killed. God saved him as He saved all other Prophets. David (as), Solomon (as), name any Prophet. Look at Jesus Christ (as), noble Prophet of God who was not only ridiculed, he was flogged, he was tortured, spat at, bleeding all over. A crown of thorns was put on his head - Jesus Christ (as). Which Prophet was accepted? What about Noah (as)? God told him to build an ark. They mocked at him and they laughed at him. The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) also build an ark - a spiritual ark. In fact, he wrote a book called, The Ark Of Noah - Kashti Nu. In a world that is often troubled, we are blessed to live in a country like Canada. There are millions of Ahmadis all over the world who have taken shelter in this ark of Noah (as), the spiritual ark of Noah. This is the plight. What about the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa)? He was also persecuted and (abused), People were hounding after him to kill him off. People called all these Prophets liars, they called them poets. Sometimes, they called them magicians. They called them frauds. They called them businessmen. They called them Apostates. They give a verdict, an edict that they deserve to be killed. This Blasphemy, it`s a pity, how unfortunate that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, whose prime objective is to show the pristine purity of Islam, to show the true face of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), Ahmadis are bogged down!
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Blasphemy Laws: Pakistan’s Criminal Code comprise its blasphemy laws - 295: forbids damaging a place of worship, 295-A: forbids outraging religious feelings, 295-B: forbids defiling the Quran, 295-C: forbids defaming the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (sa), 298: forbids the deliberate intention of wounding the religious feelings of any person, utters any word, 298-A: prohibit’s the use of any derogatory remark in respect of Muslim holy personages, 298-B and 298-C: prohibit the Ahmadiyya Muslims from behaving as Muslims, calling themselves Muslims, proselytising, or “in any manner whatsoever” outraging the religious feelings of Muslims and violation of any part of these section makes the violator liable to death penalty or life imprisonment. Any person (according to) the penal code of Pakistan, the Constitution, who says any derogatory words against Islam or its Prophets, is bound to be hanged, bound to be killed. Government of Pakistan need to the international community how many heads do they chop? The population of the world is about 7 billion now. Muslims all over the world are 1.5 billion, maybe even slightly less. So does it mean that the heads of the other 5 billion have to be chopped because they do not believe in the Prophet Muhammad (sa). Their civility prevents them from openly stating their view that the Holy Prophet (sa) is a false Prophet but they are not Muslims that is why they don`t believe in him. How ridiculous! How wrong! Those who do not believe in the Prophet or who say something unkind against him due to their freedom of speech, are their heads going to be chopped? People made cartoons of Prophets in UK. People speak against Islam, against the Holy Quran and against the Holy Prophet (sa) as well. As it is everybody knows there are people burning the Quran. There was a burning ceremony in the United States. People burned the Holy Book. God says in the Holy Quran that: “We have revealed this Book. We will preserve it.” (15:10)

Are we doing that? Are we asking (for) international community to help us to save the Holy Quan? No! Allah has said in the Holy Quran, I will preserve it. Are we asking (for) help to save the Holy Prophet (sa)? No! Allah has said, I will save him. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is only appealing to peoples’ conscience - to peoples’ inner conscience that this is a blot on humanity. This is wrong. It does not appeal to common sense. The Holy Quran says, “There is no compulsion in religion.” Everybody heard about the Danish cartoons, people made cartoons against the Holy Prophet (sa). It injures our feelings. We love the Prophet Muhammad (sa) far more than our parents. It hurts. It pains. But read the Holy Quran from the beginning to the end, there is no punishment prescribed in the Holy Quran for Blasphemy. God says, I will deal with it, I will respond to (this action).

Countless people (are) bring put to punishment or being killed by misuse of Blasphemy Law in Pakistan. Asiya Bibi, who is a Christian lady with five children (is) accused of blasphemy. She has been languishing in jail because she has been accused, and she has been sentenced to death. We are embarrassed. This is not Islam. But who cares, more than thirty people had already been murdered, who have been accused of blasphemy, but killers had been freed by the courts. Who cares for the courts? You are declared innocent even by the court and the moment you come out, it`s a free for all. So many people have been killed. The governor of the most important province of Pakistan, Punjab, Salman Taseer, who only visited Asiya Bibi in jail, said we should revisit this law because people are misusing it in order to gain peoples`property or in order to do other things. Let us revisit this. His own bodyguard killed him. After killing him, the other bodyguards stood silent. And, this murderer was not only declared a hero but declared a saint. The Minority Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, who was a Roman Catholic, was murdered in Quetta in broad daylight. Which religion allows that? Recently, A Shia man in Pakistan’s Punjab province has been arrested under the contr4oversial blasphemy law for using foul language against three caliphs of Prophet Muhammad (sa) and Jamil Messih a resident of Basti Balochan was convicted of Blasphemy charges u/s 295C on 2nd April, 2012. A eight-grader Christian girl named Faryal, whose miniscule error led to her expulsion from school and uproar amongst local religious leaders. She misspelt a word in an Urdu exam while answering a question on a poem written in praise of Holy Prophet (PBUH). The word in question was “Laanat” instead of “Naat” - an easy error for a child to make. According to school administration and religious leaders who took great exception to the hapless student’s mistake, the error is ‘serious’ enough to fall within the realm of blasphemy.

What about the life of the Holy Prophet (sa)? What did he do? Was he not blasphemed? He used to go to the mosque and there was a lady who used to throw rubbish upon his head every time, and he would clean his head and wash his hair and go back to the mosque. The Holy Prophet (sa) found out that for 2 or 3 days she had not throw rubbish on his head. He asked about her and was told that the lady is sick. He went to see her. He said, `Madam, you are not well. I just came to ask of your health.`This is the reply of the Holy Prophet (sa). It is this compassion of the Holy Prophet (sa) which has brought us together and we are all enslaved. It is not vindictiveness. It is his compassion, it is his love. This is love for all, hatred for none. `Bring your proof if you are truthfull!`O you the Mullah! O you the turban clad or those wearing long gowns issuing edicts sometimes against Salman Rushdie for The Satanic Verses, (sometimes) against members of our comm unity! Ninety-nine people, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community were butchered in cold blood while they were offering their prayers. You know of this, you have seen the video and you have seen the blood (that) was not only splashed on the floor but blood and the parts of those martyrs were stuck to the roof of those mosques. This is our plight. But, we do not take the law into our own hands. This Holy Prophet (sa) did not do so and the Promised Messiah (as) also did not do so. There was a man who used to abuse him. He came to Qadian and he abused him. He constantly abused him for the whole night. In the morning, the Promised Messiah (as) said, `This man who has been abusing me, he has lot his voice because of constant shouts and abuses. Make a cup of tea and had it over to him so that his voice improves.`This is compassion.

Blasphemy: The punishment for blasphemy is in the hands of God. He says, Ì will take care of that. Do not worry about that. It`s not in your hands. I have sent these Prophets and I will take care of them.` So those who open their mouths and talk against the Prophets of God, maybe they are Christian or Hindu or Buydhiust. Let people worship their stone. Let them worship fire. Let them worship the cow. Let them worship Jehovah, Lord Krishna, Vahe Guru, Let them worship One God, it is their prerogative. On the Day of Judgement we will all be judged. Why do you become the master of the Day of Judgement? Allow people (to do) what they want to do, God will take care of that. So, it is extremely painful. It`s extremely embarrassing that we should stand over here and defend Islam, not from the West, not from the media, but from our own people who have given (the) wrong interpretations of Islam as a religion of terrorists, a terrible religion. This was Islam - luckily this is not Islam, God forbid - if this was Islam then Ahmadis are not that type of Muslims. Islam is a religion of peace. It’s a religion of love. It’s a religion of affection. It’s religion of brotherhood. It is a religion that we will all try and find our from other religions what is good in their religion. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community hold countless conferences, everybody must have heard. They provide a forum to the Hindus, to the Sikhs, to the Christians, to the Jews. Let them come forward. Let them find out. Truth is not the monopoly of any religion. Find out what is better. Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at will present the Islamic view as well. Everybody believes that their view is the best. Let the people judge. And let me say that we have a short time to live in this world. We are guests on this planet. How long? If not today, tomorrow… We all have to go to our graves. Why show any vindictiveness? Why show any hatred? We are all human beings. Forget about the pigment of my skin or the accent that I have. We are all the children of God. What blasphemy?

One should never abuse the Prophets of God. One should never abuse the elects of God. Do not talk ill of the Prophets of God. (Be they) the Buddhists or the Christians or the Hindus or the Sikhs or the Muslims. That is why the Promised Messiah (as) has said, “O’ you, the heedless, do not harbour any rancour, any enmity against the Prophets of God. Keep away from them. If you do not understand, keep quite because they are a den of lions. They will pounce upon you, the spiritual den of lions.“ The Promised (as) has further said that, “I can compromise with the cannibals, with the snakes and the lions. But I can never compromise with people who abuse the Holy Prophet (sa). He said, “if my limbs are cut off, if my children are massacred before my eyes, if I am deprived of all my desires and all my emotions.“ In fact, he said that, “If my eyes are gouged out, that will be not as painful as it is when I heard people abusing my Master.“

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Islam (Means “Peace”): What Can Islam Offer To The West

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source: Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

 Ahmadiyya Times | News Watch | US Desk
Source/Credit: Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner
By Deeba Chaudhry | April 5, 2012

Today a key issue of the world is peace or rather a lack of peace. The erosion of peace is on everyone’s mind . Some attribute this economic causes, others to social issues whether on an individual, national or international level, yet others point to political causes, whilst others attribute it to religious differences and as a consequence to the very concept of God. Today the entire world is restless. If the East is restless, the West is even more restless. There is turmoil in Asia and turmoil in the Middle East, Europe is also in turmoil. One can somehow understand the restlessness of the third world or the developing countries, but we fail to understand why the most affluent nations of the world, particularly in the West, are so restless?

Despite of all the comforts and amenities, we are still restless. We are all craving for peace of mind. We grope to find peace of mind maybe in having a beautiful house, or in having a good education, or having an excellent job, or having a good spouse. The trouble is that the fulfilment of one desire given birth to countless other desires. Why are we so restless? Why is there so much depression? Why are the most affluent nations relying on countless medications just to sleep at night? Why is it, that even the richest of the rich are dependent on powerful drugs for a few hours of comfort?

The root cause of this state of restlessness is man’s selfishness and neglect of the purpose of his creation. It is this selfishness and discord with the purpose of life in our bosoms that breeds restlessness in the family. And then this restlessness creeps onto our streets and towns and cities and finally extends its malignant tentacles around the entire world. Where is true peace of mind? Does Islam have an answer to this malice?

The life is transitory and sooner or later, we all have to depart. The filling graveyards bear testimony to this fact that we are ordinary human beings and we have an end awaiting us. If not today, then tomorrow, we will be claimed by the pall-bearers, or by the funeral homes. According to all religions, and in particular Islam, surely, there is a day of accountability - a Day of Judgement. Sixty years, seventy years, eighty years, or hundred years, but our departure is definitely a sure thing - “The Sure Thing In This World”. The pertinent question is: what preparations have I made, for this questioning? If for my article of just ten minutes, I made many hours of preparation, then how serious should I consider the questioning by our Lord on the Day of Judgement?

But is there any purpose of our creation? Is there life after death? Are we accountable for all the time we spent in this world? Is there a conscious being called God - call Him Lord - call Him Allah, Pramatemah - Or Jehovah? Is there an Omnipotent God? Even an ordinary human being does not labour on making a thing without purpose. Then how could God create this world, the countless stars and galaxies without any purpose? What about the countless Prophets, maybe as many as 124,000 Prophets - were they sent to all nations and all countries without any purpose? Cast a glance at the testimony of all these Prophets and Reformers. They all gave testimony in unison that there is a Creator; that there is a purpose of life; there is a way to redemption; and there is a way to an everlasting life.

Real Islam that was revealed in the book called the Holy Qur’an - the true Islam that was presented to humanity by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The perspective of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on Islam is based on the direct guidance received from God Almighty by the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyyat - the Reformer of Islam, which he conveyed to us and by means of which we have been shown the ways of establishing peace in the world. The True Islam, the Islam that Ahmadis believe in and practice, is poles apart from terrorism, or from these terrorist hijackers, or those suicide bombers who roam about torching schools, mining and butchering innocent people. It is about those so-called Muslims, who burn down Churches, Synagogues, or Mosques of their adversaries. It is about those so-called Muslims who kill worshipers as they kneel before their Creator. Such people are a blot on the fair face of Islam - on the fair face of Muhammad (sa). In fact, they are a blemish on humanity.

The true Islam offers the West not only a perfect concept of God but also teachings which are perfect and cover all aspects of life. The Qur’an is a living book and contains teachings for all aspects of life, disclosing it to those who are pure and to those who reflect. It is guidance for the righteous. Furthermore, Islam offers not only a flawless concept of God and teachings, but also a flawless role model who practiced and demonstrated the application of these teachings. Regarding peace of mind, why should we not consider the prescription as taught in the Holy Qur’an? God Says: “Aye! It is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort. (13:29) As if God is saying: “O My creations! To attain true peace of mind, you must always keep Me in Remembrance.” In another verse of the Holy Qur’an, God has given the real purpose of the creation of humanity. He says: “And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me. (51:57) God says that the prime purpose of humanity is, that they serve Me, and obey My commandments. It is important to mention what worship really means to an Ahmadi Muslim. For an Ahmadi Muslim, worship means to discharge the rights owned to the Creator, to bow down before the Lord and to discharge all the rights of His creation which include all kinds of personal, social, economic and moral rights. This is the purpose of our creation. Can a created being conjecture to appoint a purpose of its own life? No!

Islam teaches us to believe in a loving God; in a compassionate God; in a forgiving God. He is not a vindictive God at all. On the contrary, he is such a compassionate God that He seeks excuses for forgive our trespasses. The Holy Prophet (sa) once said that if you take just one step towards Him - He reciprocates by taking two steps towards you. If you walk towards Him, He runs towards you. This is the Benevolent God of Islam to which we humbly invite everybody. Islam teaches that once should be tolerant towards other religions. Islam emphasizes interfaith dialogue and cooperation. It is God who will decide on the Day of Judgement who is right and who is wrong. Islam teaches that one should be kind to the creatures of God and be kind to animals. The Holy Prophet (sa) once said that a sinner (prostitute) quenched the thirst of a dog, and she was forgiven by Allah for this kindness.

Islam and the Holy Prophet (sa) taught that love of your country is part of your faith. On July 1st, 2011 a crowed of 10,000 was celebrating Canada Day in front of Baitun Nur Mosque arranged by the volunteers of Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at. This is only one way of showing Ahmadis love of their homeland. We pray that Allah may grant peace and prosperity to our beloved country - Canada. This is the Islam that Ahmadis believe in and this is the Islam that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community invites everyone to consider. In this Islam, lies the salvation for the mankind. Ahmadi Muslim can say: “To a godless society, Islam proves the existence of God. To a society void of good manners, Islam provides guidance. To an unruly society, Islam provides teaching to become law-abiding citizens. To a restless society, Islam provides means for obtaining peace of mind.” May Allah grant everybody abundance of good, may Allah solve all everyone’s problems, and grant healthy and long life so that at the time of departure to the heavenly abode, everybody may be pleased with God, and most import of all, Allah be pleased with everybody.


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What Ahmadiyyat - Islam Has Done For Me

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

The pace at which peace is fast disappearing from the world today has caused each sane and sensible person to worry. This includes religious people and those who do not believe in any religion. It includes believers in God, whether one God or many goods, and atheists who deny the very existence of God. Each group has its own arguments. They all have valid concerns that peace is disappearing from this world. Man who considers himself to be educated and civilized, is reverting back to the period of ignorance when personal ego and false pride led people to cut each other’s throat and on a collective basis made tribes and dynasties indulge in such barbaric acts. The ordinary beauties of this world have been made attractive to us, to our children and our families. Big corporations are spending millions upon millions of dollars to lure us to worldly objects like the latest technological gadgets, iPhones, Blackberries, Netbooks etc. For much of mankind, living in a beautiful home, putting on the most expensive clothes, buying the best perfumes, and owning the most expensive car, have become the objectives of this life. There is no doubt, that we live in a very materialistic world, a world, where people question everything. They question the need to work, they question the need to have a family, they question the necessity of religion in society, and they even question existence of God. In this day and age, people from all walks of life are questioning what religion can do or has to offer them? These people even ask the question: What Ahmadiyyat, Islam has done for me, (what it) has done for us? In this materialistic world, belief in God’s existence is based upon mere conjecture. A large number of people have left religion and have become atheists. Those who have not done so, have inherited this belief from their ancestors, but in reality, they do not believe in God. Their hearts are devoid of faith as deserted house is devoid of residents. This is not only true of some particular country or religion; it is rather true of all religions and the entire world. The poison of disbelief has penetrated deep into the followers of all religions: be they Zoroastrians, be they Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, be they Christians, Sikhs, or Muslims. The noxious winds of materialism have reduced every orchard of faith to ashes. Do people in this day and age feel and experience the existence of God as they feel and experience material and tangible things of this world? No! Are they as certain about the existence of God, as they are about the existence of the sun and the moon, the mountains and rivers, their houses, their ancestors, and their friends? No! It is great blessing of Allah the Almighty upon the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam that through His Mercy He sent The Promised Messiah (as), the Imam Mahdi, The Reformer of the Age, in the person of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), who showed us Who the Real Living God is. It is through him, that we have recognised the beautiful attributes of our Allah, our Creator. Let me quote from his beautiful writings on “Our God”: “Our God is (HE) Who is alive today just as (HE) was (known to be) alive before. (Likewise,) He speaks today as He spoke in the past; He hears as He used to hear before. It is a vain notion to think that in this age He only hears but does not speak. (In fact,) He hears and speaks as well. All (of) His attributes are eternal and everlasting. None of His attributes (are) ever suspended, nor will they ever be.. He constitutes (in Himself) all the most perfect attributes and is the manifestation of all qualities that are truly worthy of praise. He is the Fountainhead of all excellences. He is All-Powerful. He is the Sour4ce of all goodness and He is where all things will return. He is the (true) Sovereign of all nations. Her is known for every excellence and is free from every blemish. He is Unique in His right to be worshiped by all who dwell on the earth or belong to heaven. (Al-Wasiyyat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol.20, pg 309-310). Allah has showered His blessings upon all Ahmadis, and has enabled them to recognize His true attributes. Recognition of the true living God - this is what Ahmadiyyat has done for me!

In this day and age, people have forgotten the true essence of prayers - supplication. Prayer is thought to be obsolete. People question, ‘how is it possible that God can show miracles in this day and age?’ Many scientists have played a major role in the diverting man’s attention from prayer, for they being so worldly inclined do not understand the power of prayers. There are also Muslims, who go the graves of saints and make them intermediaries between God and man. It is through belief in the Promised Messiah (as) that we Ahamdi Muslims have realized the true value of prayers. Supplications and remembrance of God, that is, contemplation of His attributes, are the principal means of establishing a living relationship with God. In its highest expression, prayer is an experience of direct contact with God. According to the Islamic concept, prayer is a direct pouring forth of (the) soul, by the supplicant before the Divine Majesty. There is no need for, nor does Islamic tolerate the notion of, any intermediary between God and man. The Qur’an constantly exhorts us towards remembrance of God. The glorification of God and the celebration of His Praise, are not confined to any set phrase of formula. The yearning of the soul, to approach ever nearer to its Maker, and to celebrate His Praise and Holiness, to express its homage to Him, and to proclaim its gratitude for His countless favours and bounties, may find expression in a thousand different ways. In short, Islam requires that whatever task or activity a person may be engaged in, his soul be anchored in God, and that a person constantly seek nearness to Him. Ahmadis have learned the real importance of prayers, power of supplications through the teachings of the Promised Messiah (as). This is what Ahmadiyyat has done for me!

Today Muslims around the globe, have forgotten their real teachings, the teachings of Qur’an. It is Jama’at Ahmadiyya that has been entrusted with the responsibility of upholding the Qur’anic teachings and to show the world that this book is full of wisdom. All guidance for mankind, for all times to come, is found in the Holy Qur’an. Ahmadis all over the globe, recite the Holy Qur’an, follow the commandments contained in it to the letter and spirit. Ahmadis are passing through a time of trails and tribulations. On one hand, God is showing His Might with tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods; on the other hand, mankind is determined to follow the path of self-destruction. In the name of so-called “free speech”, opponents of Islam have found new avenues to hurt and defame the name of our beloved Master, The Holy Prophet, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (sa), his pure being is a collection of various noble qualities. Hence, he is Moses (as), as well as Jesus (as), he is Adam (as), as well Abraham (as, and he is Joseph (as) as well as Jacob (as). God indicates in the verse, `So do thou follow their guidance.`(6:91) Meaning, O``Prophet of God, merge in yourself the various teachings that all prophets particularly exhibited.` This proves that all excellences were present in the Holy Prophet (sa). In fact, Muhammad (sa)`s name indicates this, because Muhammad (sa) means, The one who is most highly praised. This love of Holy Prophet (sa) is special to Ahamdi Muslims. Whenever the name of our beloved Master is taken, each and every one of Ahmadi Muslim sends Darud on him by saying, Salallaho Alaihi Wassalam, invoking Allah`s Blessings on him. This love, true respect and loyalty towards the Holy Prophet (sa) is Ahmadiyyat`s gift to all of us!

As Ahmadi Muslims, we have been chosen by Allah, the Exalted to be the true followers of the Promised Messiah (as). This the Mahdi and the Messiah, for whom the world had been awaiting. This is the same Mahdi for whom our beloved Master Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) used the words, inna li-Mahdiyyana, Òur Mahdì.` This is the Mahdi for whom, our beloved Master instructed his Ummah, When you find the Mahdi, perform Baiat (make a pledge of allegiance) at his hands. You must go to him, even if you have to reach him across icebound mountains crawling on your feet. His is the Mahdi and the Caliph of Allah.`(Sunan Ibn Majah)

The Mission of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

 Have you any notion what was that strange event that occurred in the wasteland of Arabia when hundreds of thousands of the dead were revived within a few days, and those who had been misguided through generations exhibited a Divine complexion, and those who were blind began to see, and those who had been dumb began to utter words of Divine wisdom, and the world underwent a revolution which no eye had seen before and no ear had heard. Do you know how all this came about? It was the supplications during dark nights of one who had lost himself in God, which caused a revolution in the world and showed such wonders as could never have been expected from that unlettered and helpless one [the Holy Prophet^(saw)]. Invoke Thy blessings and peace O Allah on him and his people, according to the amount of pain and anguish he felt for his ummah, and pour down upon him the light of Thy mercy forever.” (Blessings of Prayer, pp.10-11) 

The Near East has been home to the richest religious traditions of humankind. The greatest number of known prophets appeared in this region who, over a period of two thousand years, were central figures for four of the world’s major religions. Following Zoroastrianism were Judaism and Christianity, all finally completed and perfected by the religion of Islam. Throughout humanity’s long and laborious history, in practically every community in the world, prophets continuously were raised for humankind’s guidance, reformation and spiritual development. These men appeared during some of the darkest moments in history and made significant contributions towards achieving the civilized and enlightened societies in which we find ourselves today. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was one such prophet, but his advent was a culmination of the long line of illustrious prophets before him. All earlier prophets were sent exclusively to and for small communities or nations that were isolated on the basis of language, ethnicity or geography. For example, Krishna, Ram Chandar and Buddha appeared in the Subcontinent of India, Confucius and Lao Tze appeared in China, Zoroaster appeared in what was then northern Iran, Abraham appeared in Babylon, Moses appeared in Egypt, and Jesus appeared in Israel. According to each of these prophets, the purpose of their advent was for the spiritual development and reformation of the particular populations to which they were sent. By their own admission, none of them were sent to humankind as a whole and their messages were not comprehensive and for all times.

By contrast, while the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) came in the footsteps of all earlier prophets, his mission was larger in scope and his message was more focused and defined. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)’s mission and the essence of his message that, for the first time in history, was universal in scope as it addressed the entire world and for all times. The Holy Prophet’s (saw) mission began some six centuries after the advent of the Prophet Jesus (as). Inclined towards, solitude, contemplation and mediation from an early age, in 610 AD, the Holy Prophet (saw) received his first revelation from Allah. One night, the Angel Gabriel appeared to him in a vision and he spoke these words: “Read, in the name of thy Lord Who created. Created man from a clot of blood. Read, for they Lord is Most Beneficent. Who taught man by the pen, taught man what he knew not.” (Holy Qur’an 96:2-6) With these verses began the process of prophetic revelation which had remained silent for the past six hundred years. Although this first revelation marked the beginning of the Holy Prophet (saw)’s mission, it did not completely articulate all of his specific duties or directions. These instructions were to come in subsequent revelations. The second revelation received by the Holy Prophet (saw) further clarified his mission as: “O thou wrapped in a mantel, arise and deliver thy warning. And thy Lord do thou magnify, and thy garments do thou purify, and all unseemliness do thou shun, and give not to gain more, and for thy Lord’s cause, be patient.” (Holy Qur’an 74:2-8)

While the impact to the person of the Holy Prophet (saw) of receiving revelation was enormous, even more unsettling and disconcerting was it to the people around him. At the time of the Holy Prophet (saw), the Arabs possessed no civilization and adhered to primitive pagan beliefs and practices. As they were largely nomadic in culture, the Arabs possessed poor social institutions and systems of government, and very few moral values. Much of their leisure time was devoted to the pursuit of wine, promiscuity and gambling with little or no morality and restraint. The status of the poor was akin to that of the animals, and the status of salves was even worse. Women were held in low esteem and justice was the exclusive domain of the ruling elite. It was within such a society that the Holy Prophet (saw) began to preach his message. While all prophets faced severe opposition to their message and missions, the Holy Prophet (saw) was certainly no exception. Daily he and his followers endured persecution, ill-treated and humiliation, and they lived under the constant threat of assassination. Despite this, he displayed remarkable perseverance and patience, as well as an unshakeable faith in the success of his mission and the eventual winning of the hearts of his countrymen. No other prophet or reformer found his people to be in such a state of degradation, disorder and immorality as the Holy Prophet (saw) found the Arabs. Likewise, no other prophet had ever succeeded in raising his people to such heights or moral and spiritual enlightenment as the Holy Prophet (saw) did, let along within such a short time span of twenty-two years. At the root of this incredible success was the message of the Holy Prophet (saw), a message that was so simple that it was understood by the unlettered Bedouins, and comprehensive thus requiring no change or addition to it during later periods. The summary of the entirety of the message and mission of the Holy Prophet (saw) is: “The belief in the absolute Oneness and Unity of Allah the Almighty; and the promotion of acts of goodness and righteousness for the sake of service to humanity.

A theistic belief and a belief and a moral codes of the conduct are fundamental to all religions. These two principles are not only the foundation of the religion of Islam but also of the teachings of all earlier prophets and sages. Indeed, the Holy Qura’an states: “Surely, the Believers and the Jews and the Christians and the Sabians - whichever party from among these truly who believes in Allah and the Last Day and does good deeds - shall have their reward with their Lord, and no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve.” (Holy Qur’an 2:63) Similarly, the Holy Qur’an also states: “And who is better in faith than he who submits himself to Allah, and he is a doer of good, and follows the religion of Abraham, the upright?” (Holy Qur’an 4:126) The Holy Qur’an set forth the philosophy of Islam and the essence of the prophet’s (saw) mission. These verses refer not only the great simplicity and universality of the Holy Prophet’s (saw) message, but they also display the sublime power that transformed an unlettered and brutal people into saints, scholars and scientists.

The Holy Prophet (saw) taught the Unity and Oneness of Allah. Allah is One with no associates or intercessors. He is the sole Creator of the universe. He existed prior tot the existence of the universe, and shall exist long after it goes into oblivion. The second principal of the religion of Islam that was the Holy Prophet’s (saw) mission to establish was the committing of acts of righteousness. According to the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (saw), committing acts of goodness are necessary and crucial to the Islamic faith. Even in the Holy Prophet’s (saw) earliest pronouncements, equal emphasis was laid on service to humanity as on the worship of Allah. All acts of righteousness are essentially inspired by one human emotion, namely, compassion for fellow human beings. This kindness and mercy towards fellow beings is based on a sense of justice and equality - an attitude that all human beings are like brothers. Also, the Holy Prophet (saw) enjoined upon his followers kindness to parents, mindfulness of the needs of the wayfarers, widows and slaves, the protection of the rights of women and orphans, and respecting the property, honour and lives of all the people.

In the early years of the Holy Prophet’s (saw) mission, he and his followers were the victims of the sufferings, torture, humiliation, taunt and injury. They demonstrated superhuman patience, perseverance and steadfastness, and they remained ever-devoted to their cause. Eventually, this patience and persistence caused a stir in more and more people’s hearts as a peaceful revolution overtook the Arab world. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at writes about this peaceful revolution in his own words: “

Spending Wealth in the Way of Allah

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

 

Rich and poor people exist in every society. Our of the rich, there are some who seek to provide for those who are in need and in the way of Allah. However, there are also those from amongst the rich who, out of greed and self-indulgence, abstain from spending their wealth in the way of Allah and for the poor, and are ambivalent regarding the needs and sufferings of others. Their wealth was granted to them by Allah, but they hoard it and do not wish to spend an ounce on others. This attitude results in widening the gap between the rich and poor and feeds the latter’s discontent. When such neglect is shown towards one’s poorer relatives, then jealousy results. Those who have been blessed by Allah with affluence should be ever mindful of the needs of others, and feelings of anger or resentment should never prevent one from extending one’s help to the poor. A Muslim should not give sole precedence to his or her needs but should always take into account the rights and needs of others such as parents, siblings, and the poor. For instance, when Hadhrat Aisha (ra) was wrongly accused of impropriety, many of those whom were suspicious of her were from amongst those who were receiving the financial assistance of her father, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra). When Allah declared Hdhrat Aisha (ra) innocent, Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) declared that he would no longer provide financial assistance to those who wrongly accused his daughter. In response to this attitude, Allah revealed that: “And let not those who possess wealth and plenty among you swear not to give aught to the kindred and to the needy and to those who have left their homes in the cause of Allah. Let them forgive and forbear. Do you not desire that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.” (24:23) Even though Hadhrat Abu Bakr (ra) suffered greatly during the Affair of the Ifk, nevertheless, Allah commanded that he not withdraw his generosity and advised him to be forgiving in the way that he expect Allah to be towards him. Allah is Most Forgiving, and for one to be able to avail oneself of Allah’s forgiveness, one must also be forgiving. Charity and financial assistance promote peace and harmony in society. At the time of the Hijra (migration to Medina), the Ansars (Muslims of Medina) showed great affections for the Muhajirs (Muslim migrants from Mecca). The example of tremendous generosity and love served as the foundation for the new Islamic society which revolutionized the Arab world and beyond. Similarly. The followers of the Promised Messiah (as) exhibit the same bonds of generosity and love so that a new society of peace and harmony can be established at their hands. Those Muslims who reside in the West and who are affluent should be ever mindful of the needs of their relatives. Also, they should be generous and regularly send gifts to the poor locally and abroad. Such generosity should be so sincere and discreet that the “left hand should not know of the charity given by the right hand” and that the honour and dignity of the recipient should be safeguard and preserved. The recipients will appreciate such charity and will pray that Allah continue to bless the affluent. When the rich provide for the poor and the poor pray for the continued prosperity of the rich, peace and harmony in society is inevitable. 

Inflation in Pakistan has reached such staggering levels that the average white-collar labourer is experiencing great difficulties in merely maintaining a basic standard of living. Being mindful of this, Muslims should extend their help and generosity. For example, a Muslim woman who regularly received financial support from a relative living abroad. When suddenly this financial support ceased, the woman and her children had to struggle and even came to the brink of starvation. One day, the woman saw a rupee note lying on the ground and felt the urge to pick it up. However, for some reason, she resisted and left the rupee note on the ground and returned home. She was taught to be patient and steadfast when faced with adversity and so, while returning home, she repeatedly invoke the remembrance of Allah. Upon returning home, an envelope filled with cash was awaiting her arrival from the very relative who had ceased giving financial support. Had this woman not received financial assistance from her relative, her children might have developed feelings of ill-will and resentment towards their more affluent relatives, society-at-large, and perhaps even Allah. Thankfully, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at possess few who ogle the wealth of others. Indeed, often it is those who are the poorest and possessing of the least resources in the Jama’at that make the great financial sacrifices relative to their means.

Moral Principles Of Parenting: Raising Good Children In The New Millennium

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

Welcome to the world of parenthood. Our children deserve to learn the most important behaviours from us and acquire important habits (life skills) with our help. As parents, we give our children the best in us by helping them build an exemplary character that they can rely on in their own lives. Our kids are innocent and they need our kind help. These children need the tools to be successful in all aspects of their practical lives. As parents, we are the first teachers of our children since birth, and we are rewarded to become parents. Therefore, as responsible parents it

First and foremost, our parenting efforts must start with supplications to Allah Almighty. The Holy Qur’an teaches us to pray for pure offspring in the words of Hadhrat Zachariah (as): “My Lord, grant me pure offspring from Thyself. (Al-Imran, 3:39). Therefore, the notion of raising children should be on our minds even before our children are born. We should be praying for not only our children but also for our spouses and ourselves. Parents should pray: “Our Lord, grant us of our spouses and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model for the righteous”. (Al-Furqan, 25:75) Parents should be focused on teaching and training their children to love Allah Almighty, pray to Allah, and trust in Allah the Almighty. The Holy Quran mentioned that Hadhrat Ibrahim (as) used to pray: “My Lord, make me observe Prayer, and my children too (Ibrahim, 14:41) Similarly, the Holy Quran teaches: “Enjoin Prayer on Thy family, and be constant therein. (Ta Ha, 20:133) Now, there is a narrow window of formative years to accomplish this in. It will happen naturally if the children see their parents and elders doing so. Parents should mind the big picture and continually reflect upon the long term implications of short term actions. A seemingly benign choice by parents many terminally affect their children. So, how people choose to live today will largely determine how their children will live tomorrow. Parents should know that their deeds speak louder than their words. Parents need to be role models for their children in everything good and realize that raising children are not a set of tasks or chores; rather it is a way of life. And, only a healthy and meaningful way of life is worth living. Firstly, parents should remember that most habits are easier to adopt and cultivate in the earlier years; however, bad habits developed earlier are very difficult to get rid of later. As it is said that well begun is half done, it is important to nurture good behaviour in children from the beginning. Secondly, parents should note that in their formative years, children learn by copying of following directions. However, as they grow older, parents need to train them to make right choices on their own. As it is said, given a man a fish and you feed him for a day, but teach him how to fish and you feed him for life. Thirdly, parents need to be consistent and constant in their parenting efforts. The importance of both parents being on the same page and working toward the same goal with a mutually supportive and harmonious approach can not be overemphasized. In the beginning, children will playfully pick up the habit of praying by just copying their parents. The holy Prophet (saw) said that at age 7, the parents should formally inspire their children to join in prayers. At age 10, as they get exposed to other interests and may get distracted, the parents should admonish them to be regular in daily prayers. However, after age 12, the parents may only remind them about it. If the parents heed this advice, they will not have to anguish later on. Initially, ensuring punctual observation of the daily prayers is important. Later on, by the Grace of Allah, the quality of their prayers will improve and their love for and trust in Allah will naturally follow. Finally, according to the Holy Quran, “Their prayers will safeguard them against indecency and evil. (Al-Ankabut, 29:46)

It is very important that parents watch their company their children keep. The Holy Quran teaches us: “Be with the truthful. (Al-Tauba, 9:119) Therefore, if parents are truthful and keep company with the truthful, their children will naturally follow. It is said that a man is known by the company he keeps. In the past it meant the physical company. Today, however, it is also the virtual company we keep. With the advent of the ubiquitous electronic gadgets, the temptation is to mindlessly spend more time in the virtual company then some time in the purposeful physical company. Alongside the many benefits of modern inventions, is the loss of humanity adopting mutual ills. Badness attracts and leads children to adopt it with intensity, while forgetting traditions and beliefs. Some children considering such matters trivial, also get inclined in this way, resulting in very bad consequences. These children should invest their precious time in the remembrance of Allah, the mosque, purposeful readings, meaningful discussions, watching MTA, and getting to know the truthful and should not waste their free time on TV, DVDS, Ipods, MySpace, YourFace, Youtube, and Chat rooms. Unfortunately, children have the propensity to take the easy way out. Most of these children have relatively easy access to this irresistible virtual world. But, it is insane and a slippery slope. On the other hand, the company of the truthful and pursuit of some larger than life goal seem difficult and boring. It is struggle and requires high resolve and serious forethought. While modern technology is wonderful and unavoidable, it is the end to which we employ it that is of the essence. It can provide easy and affordable access to the company of the truthful. So far starters, the key word is “balance”. Till one can instinctively embrace the company of the truthful, the least we should do is be highly selective and strike a balance between the mundane and the sublime. Parents should be their children’s first and foremost company. If they develop a bond of mutual understanding, respect, compassion, trust and confidence with their children, they won’t need to look elsewhere for company.

People need to do parenting with wisdom. According to the Holy Quran: “Call unto the way of they Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in a way that is best. (Al-Nahl, 16:126) Wisdom demands moderation. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: “Moderation is best in all affairs”. When parenting people need to find a balance between negligence and indulgence, between trust and suspicion. Similarly, we need to know the difference between advising and nagging, and monitoring and snooping. This is especially critical when the children are in their adolescence. Wisdom also demands that parent ‘know’ their children by getting personally involved in their lives with mutually respectful, frank and honest communication. Parents must know their friends, interests, aspirations, challenges, preferences, priorities, and tendencies. Parents should coach, assist and support them in solving their problems. However, the focus of our parenting should be “islaah”, that is, behavioural reformation. Parents evaluate and rethink their parenting approach if their actions or comments appear to be resulting in contemptuous or rebellious reaction in their children. Parents should be firm but polite with them. On the other hand, parents should know their own limitations and seek appropriate professional help, if necessary, for the physical and mental health of their children in a timely manner. A stitch in time can save nine; any procrastination in this regard can have serious consequences. Wisdom also requires proper anger management. At times, parenting can be very stressful, frustrating, or at times enraging. Some situations can easily spin out-of-control. At such times, parents need to swallow their pride, exercise self-control, and refrain from meaningless threats and verbal or physical abuse. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, The Promised Messiah (as), the founder of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at said: “An individual with self-respect and self-control, who is also forbearing and dignified, has the right to correct a child to a certain extend or guide the child. But a wrathful and hot-headed person who is easily provoked is not fit to be a guardian of children. (Malfuzat, vol. 2, p.4) Regarding the corporal punishment, the Promised Messiah (as) said: “Beating of children is an act which can be termed as a sort of polytheism (shirk). It actually means that the ill-tempered person makes himself a partner of God in giving guidance and sustaining the creatures. I wish that, instead of punishing children, parents would resort to prayer, and would make it a habit to supplicate earnestly for their children as the supplications of the parents for their children are particularly accepted by God. (Malfuzat, vol2, p.4)

Islam teaches parents to treat their children fairly and respectfully. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: “Respect your children and cultivate good manners in them. (Ibne Majah)) Each child has a unique nature and a distinct set of strengths and challenges. As such, each child deserves a unique parents approach. What works for one child may not work for another. However, no child should have any complex about his or her sibling being the favourite child. In addition, general behaviour and attitude, Islam teaches parents to: Vie with one another in good works. (Al-Baqarah, 2:149) Therefore, parents need to inculcate in their children a competitive attitude and a mindset of doing their best in everything good, particularly in learning religious and secular knowledge. The Holy Prophet (saw) said: Acquisition of knowledge is obligatory upon every Muslim man and woman. (Baihiqi) Parents should nurture a knowledge centric culture not money centric. Their children should not get distracted from their long term educational and professional goals due to their short term money making opportunities.

A child should be kept clean and fed at fixed hours from the very day it is born. This is very helpful for its health. But a greater benefit is that its limbs come to acquire a sense of punctuality. A child should be assigned responsible jobs suited to its age. This will help create a sense of responsibility in the child. It is said that a father had two sons. He gave one of them an apple and asked him to divide it with his brother. The father asked if he knew how to divide the apple. The child replied that he did not. The father said: He who divides should take the smaller half and give his brother the bigger half. At this boy said that in that case the apple had better be divided by his brother. This shows that this boy had already acquired the habit the selfishness, but knew that if the responsibility fell upon him, he would have to accord priority to his brother. A child should be not obstinate. If it persists in being stubborn, its attention should be diverted to something else. Parents should address a child politely and courteously, for a child is a great mimic. If you address it rudely, it will return the compliment in kind. Parents should not lie to a child nor be peevish or arrogant with it. It will certainly imitate parents. Parents should teach children to admit their mistakes, as a matter of habit. Moreover, parents should not try to hind their own mistakes before a child. Parents should become sympathetic when it commit’s a mistake. Let it feel that mistake is a kind of loss it has suffered.

　

A child should be given a little money. This will teach it three virtues: Charitableness, frugality, helping relatives. For instance, if it has three coins, let it purchase some eatable with one coin and share it with other children; with the second coin, let it buy a toy and the third it should be asked to give in charity. Children should also be given common ownership of some property. For instance, they should be given a toy and they should be told that it belongs to all of them, that all should play with it and that no one should try to damage it. This would teach them to safeguard common property. A child should be given constant guidance in matters of etiquette. Due heed should be paid to physical exercise and stamina of a child. This would help towards its moral education and progress in the world. In light of the foregoing exposition of virtue and morality, only a child who possess characteristics of learning good behaviours, genuine love for God and pure nature is considered to be morally educated.

After the moral education of child, the question arises: How can it be safeguarded against sin? The answer is that human nature is diverse; their, parents cannot afford to generalise. The same recipe cannot be helpful in all cases. Even a physical ailment does not admit of the same treatment for every patient. Take the case of common cold. To some, a cup of tea can provide instant relief. In the case of another, sweetened curd or whey is helpful. There are still others who require a prolonged medical treatment. There are those whom medicine can help while there are others who simply baffle medical experts, why? The answer is simple, different people suffer not from one but from different diseases. Human beings differ. Children must have true knowledge of right and wrong. The heart might urge towards right action, but if they do not know what the right action is, they cannot perform it. Similarly, the heart might warn one against evil, but if one is ignorant of that and why an act is evil, one cannot guard himself against it. Thus it is essential that a child should know what ought or ought not to do. Children must know the context in which right action has to be done and bad action avoided.

Parents must remember that their children are but a sacred trust with them from Almighty Allah and raising children is very serious, difficult and humbling undertaking. Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Prove not false to your trusts knowingly; and know that your possessions and your children are but a trial. (Al-Anfal, 8:28-29) Parenting requires infinite patience and prayers. The Holy Quran teaches: “Seek help with patience and prayer. (Al-Barqarah, 2:154) At times, when parents seem to run out of ideas and answers they should pray: “Our Lord, perfect our light for us and forgive us. (Al-Tahrim, 66:9) Parents are acutely aware of the overwhelming nature of this tremendous responsibility. However, parents should recognize that no matter how hard and sincerely they may strive, at the end of the day it is merely the Grace and Mercy of Allah Almighty that will save all children and keep them on the right path. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, The Promised Messiah (as) and the founder of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam said: “I pray for my children and require them to follow a broad set of rules of behaviour and no more. Beyond this I put my full trust in Allah Almighty with the confidence that the seed of good fortune inherent in each of them will flourish at its proper time. (Malfuzat, vol. 2, p.5) Similarly, he also said: “ There are certain prayers that are a daily routine for me. I pray for myself that God may let me do the kind of things that would manifest His honour and grandeur and He may make me fully resigned to His will. Than I pray for my wife that He may grant me children through her who may prove to be the coolness of my eyes and who may live their lives in perfect accordance with the will of God. Then I pray for my children that God may make all of them servants of His religion. (Malfuzat, vol.2, p.4)

　

　

　

EXISTENCE OF LIVING CREATOR, UNIVERSE, AND TRUE SALVATION FOR MAN

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

   

The God of Islam is the same God who is visible in the mirror of the laws of nature and is discernible in the book of nature. Islam has not presented a new God but has presented the same God who is presented by the light of man`s heart, the conscience of man, and by the universe. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam, the Promised Messiah (as) says: Our God possesses many wonders, but they visible only to those who become His out of sincerity and loyalty. He does not disclose his wonders to those who do not believe in His Power and who are not sincere and loyal to Him. How a unfortunate is the man who does not know that he has a God, who has power to do all that He wills. His powers are unlimited and His wonders are without end . Our paradise, indeed, is our God, our highest enjoyment is in our God, for we have seen Him and have found every beauty in Him. This treasure is worth having, even if at the cost of one`s life, and this is a a jewel which is worth purchasing even if obtainable only by sacrificing one`s entire being. O`ye, that are devoid, run to this fountain, for it will quench your thirst. It is the fountain of life that shall save you. What am I to do, and how am I to impress this glade tiding upon your mind, with what drum should I make the announcement that this is your God, so that people might hear. What remedy shall I apply to their ears, so that they should listen. If you belong to Allah, rest assure that Allah will indeed belong to you. (Kishti Nuh).

WRITINGS AND POETRY OF PROMISED MESSIAH (as): HIS BOUNDLESS LOVE FOR THE HOLY PROPHET (saw)

www.alislam.orgébooks);

Written by:  Deeba Chaudhry

Source:  Calgary Ahmadiyya Muslim Examiner

The Promised Messiah and Mahdi of this age was Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908) of Qadian, India, who came at the appointed time from Allah in accordance with the Prophecy of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. He was sent to revive the true Islam as revealed to the Holy Prophet by Allah in the Holy Quran. He was an ummati Prophet. During his life on this earth he wrote more than eighty books which are truly a running commentary of the Holy Quran and show his dedication to the cause of Islam for the love of Allah and the Holy Prophet. Under Allah's command he established his jamaat as Ahmadiyya Movement In Islam to unite all humanity in love and peace under the banner of his master, Muhammad Mustafa Sallallaho alaihe wasallam, the Khataman-Nabiyyeen A very important aspect of the life of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^(as), the Promised Messiah^(as), the Imam of the Age and Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, relates to his unparalleled and boundless love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad^(saw). The Promised Messiah^(as) possessed such immense love for his Master, the Seal of the Prophets, the Beloved of Allah, the Holy Prophet Muhammad^(saw), that no one in history since the Holy Prophet^(saw)’s demise has possessed so much love for the Holy Prophet^(saw), and to express it in words is almost impossible. The Promised Messiah’s love for the Holy Prophet^(saw) was like food for his soul, and every single moment of his life was spent in this very love and perfect obedience and submission to him. It was merely through this submission and obedience to the Holy Prophet^(saw) that Allah conferred Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^(as) the titles of Messiah and Mahdi, whose advent had been prophesied by the Holy Prophet^(saw) himself. The different ways in which he would express his love are so abundant that to encompass every aspect is impossible. The writings of a person are a perfect reflection of his thoughts and heartfelt feelings. The writings of the Promised Messiah^(as) with regards to his love for the Holy Prophet^(saw) are like a garden with hundreds of flowers. Which quotations should I present, and which should I find the courage to leave out? Two examples from the soul-nourishing and spiritually insightful writings of the Promised Messiah^(as):

That light of high degree that was bestowed on the perfect many was not in angels, was not in stars, was not in the moon, was not in the sun, was not in the oceans and the rivers, was not in rubies, emeralds, sapphires, or pearls; in short, it was not in any earthly or heavenly object. It was only in the perfect man whose highest and loftiest and most perfect example was our lord and master, the Chief of the Prophets, the Chief of all living ones, Muhammad, the chosen one, [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. (A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.5, pp.160)then lets look at a Persian couplet of the Promised Messiah^(as): ‘My beloved! If in your alley the heads of your lovers were being cut off; the first man to announce his love for you would be myself.’ (Aina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.5, p.658) Witness the intense love of the Promised Messiah^(as) from this couplet, such that he could not bear to remain apart from his beloved for even a moment’s time. He says: ‘My heart is but a sacrifice for every land upon which you have stepped; O! If only I was born in your blessed homeland.’

  12. O (you who are) the Fountain of Allah's munificence,

1. Oh you the fountain of the beneficence of Allah, Of the knowledge of Allah;

People throng to you like The thirsty thronging to the water

2. Oh you the ocean of the Bounty of the Bounteous;

People flock to you with Empty cups.

3. Oh you the sun of the Kingdom of beauty, of the Kingdom of grace;

You have illuminated the Deserts and the cities.

4. Many have seen and Many have been told;

Of this moon which has Bewitched me.

5. People shed fond tears when they speak of your graces;

And a fire consumes their Hearts because they are away from you.

6. I see hearts mounting to The throats;

I see eyes flowing with Tears.

7. Oh you the sun and the Moon of light;

Oh you the light of day And night.

8. Oh you the moon, the sign of Rehman;

Oh you the best of guides, the bravest of the brave.

9. I see the beauty of your face;

The light not given to be mortals.

10. The wise choose you and are true in their faith;

They forget their hearts and their homes.

11. They choose you and Withdrew from their Friends;

And removed themselves From their kith and kin.

and perfect understanding of Allah,

People rush towards you, thirstily.

13. O (you who are) the Ocean of God's grace

Who is the Bestower of Favours, exceedingly Beneficent,

Hordes of (thirsty) people hurry towards you holding their bowls (in hand).

14. O (you who are) the Sun of the (spiritual) Kingdom of Beauty and Grace!

You have (spiritually) illuminated (the inhabitants of) the deserts as well as the

15.
while others simply heard about you:
The (enchantingly beautiful) Full Moon which has cast a spell over me.
Inspired by (your) love (O Holy Prophet), people tearfully recall your beauty,
And their aching hearts are afire, due to being distant from you.
16. I see that (their) hearts (are beating) in (such) anxiety (as if they)
have reached their throats,
And I see that (their grieving) eyes shed tears.
17. O you whose Divine Light and luminescence has rendered him like
The twin luminaries --- the Sun and the Moon --- lighting up day as well as night.
18. O our Full Moon, O Sign of the Gracious God!
O (you who are) the Greatest (spiritual) Guide, the Bravest among the brave.
I certainly see such glory in your sparkling face,
Which transcends all (known) human attributes. A (group of) people (was fortunate that they) saw you,

(Blessings of Prayer, pp.10-11)

Have you any notion what was that strange event that occurred in the wasteland of Arabia when hundreds of thousands of the dead were revived within a few days, and those who had been misguided through generations exhibited a Divine complexion, and those who were blind began to see, and those who had been dumb began to utter words of Divine wisdom, and the world underwent a revolution which no eye had seen before and no ear had heard. Do you know how all this came about? It was the supplications during dark nights of one who had lost himself in God, which caused a revolution in the world and showed such wonders as could never have been expected from that unlettered and helpless one [the Holy Prophet^(saw)]. Invoke Thy blessings and peace O Allah on him and his people, according to the amount of pain and anguish he felt for his ummah, and pour down upon him the light of Thy mercy forever.”

The life of the Promised Messiah^(as) was so full of the examples of true love, just as the sky is full of stars. The difficulty is finding the words to do justice to this love. The Promised Messiah Alaihislam also wrote many beautiful poems to express his love and devotion to the Holy Prophet of Islam. Here are a few samples:

Thy boundless blessings of peace
Be upon Mustafa, O God;
Verily through him we receive Thy Light.
My soul is eternally bonded
To the soul of Muhammad,
I made my heart drink deep,
Of the brimful cup of his love.
It was because of you that we
Became the best of all the peoples,
O Prophet of God who
Is the best of all the prophets.
As you marched ahead of all the rest,
We too stepped forward.
Let alone the human beings,
Even all the angels in the Heavens
Follow suit and join me,
As I sing thy praise.
(Roohani Khazain, V. 5, Pp 225-226, A'eena-e-Kamalate Islam).
Our Perfect Leader
That leader of ours,
From whom radiates all light,
His name is Muhammad.
He is the one,
Who has captivated my heart.
All prophets are holy,
One better than the other.
From God on high he is,
The crown of all creatures.
Today he is the sovereign,
Of the world of religion,
The crown of all the Messengers.
The healthiest influence;
The purest, the most comely;
The most trustworthy,
The most dependable:
Allah this superlative praise,
Befits him alone.
(Roohani Khazain, V. 20, P. 456, Qadian Ke Ariya Aur Ham)

The true sign of a lover is that he is willing to die and sacrifice everything for the sake of his beloved. This desire and true heartfelt wish was found in the Promised Messiah^(as), with such intensity, that its example can be found nowhere else. After his love for Allah the Exalted, the most shining characteristic of his life was love and devotion to the Holy Prophet^(saw). The desire to sacrifice himself for his beloved and the extent of his devotion to him had reached their pinnacle in the life of this true lover. The ardour to sacrifice himself for the religion brought by his beloved Muhammad^(saw) would come from the depths of his heart in the form of a prayer: “May my heart be sacrificed for the sake of Muhammad^(saw)’s religion; This is the desire of my heart. O, if only I could attain this purpose.” All kinds of persecution were afflicted upon him, but due to his love for Prophet Muhammad^(saw), this true lover endured all of this, and his devotion to the cause of Islam did not diminish in the least. He stated: ‘We effaced our being in your love; We spent every particle of our body in your way.’ If this life of the Promised Messiah^(as), full of service to Islam, is not a clear manifestation of his love for the Holy Prophet^(saw), then what is? Everything associated with the Holy Prophet^(saw) was loved by the Promised Messiah^(as) Another sign of a true lover is that he “sells” himself, as it were, for the sake of his beloved and sacrifices everything belonging to him for his sake. He even begins to love those things associated with his beloved. Lets cast a glance upon the life of the Promised Messiah^(as) in this regard. The Promised Messiah^(as) states in a persian couplet: ‘My life and my heart, everything is but a sacrifice for the beauty of my beloved Muhammad^(saw); I am as if, the dust of the alley of Muhammad^(saw)’ It has become a superficial technique in poetry to express love with the streets in which the beloved one of a lover walks and lives. But if one wishes to see a true and sincere example of this,

The feelings and emotions which the Promised Messiah^(as) expressed with regards to his master and beloved, Muhammad^(saw) is an endless ocean. It can be stated with full conviction and belief that the love the Promised Messiah^(as) has expressed for his beloved master, and the manner in which he had annihilated himself in his love, is such that its like cannot be found in the entire history of Islam. It can be confidently said that the love this true lover the Promised Messiah^(as) , has expressed for his master is such that it is unprecedented and unparalleled in every respect. Every word of the writings of the Promised Messiah^(as) possesses the fragrance of this love. His every action reflects the beauty of Muhammad^(saw). There are such beautiful examples of love which can be seen in his life, which amaze one so, that one questions, is it possible for someone to feel love to such a degree? His every thought revolved around his beloved. He was free from limitations of body and time, and his soul moved towards his beloved master announcing: ‘My body is craving to fly towards you due to my enormous longing for you; I wish I actually had the capacity and power to fly.’ If one reads his poetry, it can be seen that every single verse was satiated in the love of the Holy Prophet^(saw). They are verses from the depths of his heart and full of devotion. The Promised Messiah^(as) states:

Then, he addresses his true beloved in the following words:

The Persian poetry of the Promised Messiah^(as) is also full of extra-ordinary love. One witnesses new and unprecedented kinds of expression. The Promised Messiah^(as) states:

One sign of true love is that a true lover always remains engaged in the remembrance of the one he loved. This was true of the Promised Messiah^(as). Constantly remembering his beloved was nourishment for the Promised Messiah^(saw)’s soul. Moreover, invoking blessings and salutations upon his master and speaking about him was the Promised Messiah’s occupation, day and night. What a beautiful picture has the Promised Messiah painted in this poetic verse: ‘Remembrance of Muhammad Mustafa^(saw) is the soul of my heart, and speaking of the Holy Prophet is like food for my body, without which I cannot remain alive.’ In addition to his own example, the Promised Messiah^(as) would always encourage his followers to send salutations upon the Holy Prophet^(saw). Whenever someone would ask him for a spiritual exercise he would always say, seek forgiveness from Allah (Istighfar) and send salutations upon the Holy Prophet^(saw) (Durud Sharif), abundantly. There is no greater spiritual exercise than this. At times he would say that the offering of the compulsory prayers or Salat and Durud Sharif is the greatest spiritual exercise. On one occasion someone inquired, how much Durud Sharif should one recite, and the Promised Messiah^(as) responded, “One should recite it until ones tongue becomes fully satiated”. (Siratul Mahdi, vol.4, p.156). The significance of Durud Sharif can be understood that among the conditions of Bai’at, or initiation into the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, the third condition from among the ten conditions, as set by the Promised Messiah^(as), is to send abundant salutations upon the Holy Prophet^(saw), and remain consistent in doing so. Salutations upon the Holy Prophet^(saw) and mention of him can be found in abundance throughout the writings, poetry and sayings of the Promised Messiah^(as). No lover has ever made mention of his beloved to such an extent, as the Promised Messiah^(as) has done to his beloved master, the Holy Prophet^(saw). Indignation and love are two intertwined things. It is impossible for a true lover to hear anything against his beloved.

The Promised Messiah has written very extensively, about his beliefs and his devotion to God Almighty and his love for the Holy Prophet, primarily in Urdu but also in Arabic and Persian languages to inform all uslims about his claim and to show them back the way to Allah through true essence of Islam. Al-Qaseeda, a audatory poem, is composed in flawless and fluent Arabic and is a literary masterpiece in honor of Khataman-Nabiyyeen. This encomium has 70 couplets and is included in the part of Roohani Khazain, Vol. 5, P. 590-594, A'eenae Kamalate Islam. No one has dared to accept a challenge from the Promised Messiah till this day to produce such glowing tribute to the Holy Prophet of Islam in such an eloquent and elegant diction. The Qaseeda provides a unique spiritual experience to a discerning critic with a longing heart and a keen eye. The Promised Messiah's Arabic poem in praise of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) OH LORD! SHOWER BLESSINGS ON THE PROPHET IN THIS WORLD AND IN THE NEXT.

‘I do not know the name of any other teacher; for the acquisition of spiritual insight, I have only studied in the school of Muhammad^(saw).

I do not know of any man, in both worlds; who possesses greater magnificence and grandeur than that of Muhammad^(saw).

There is a flowing ocean of love for the Holy Prophet in my heart; He is such that there is no one like him in perfection and qualities.

After God I am inebriated with the love of Muhammad^(saw); if this be infidelity, then by God I am a great infidel.’

‘O My beloved, I swear by your oneness,

We have lost ourselves in your love.

My every particle is satiated with your love,

We have as if populated an entire city in our heart.’

‘He is our leader, who is the source of all light;

His name is Muhammad^(saw), he alone is my beloved.’

19.

20. The wise, no doubt, selected you (to submit themselves)

And it was due to their true sincerity that

They effaced even the memory of whatever reminded (them) of their homelands.

21. Indeed they preferred you (O Holy Prophet) over everyone else,
and gave up their (cherished) friends
And they distanced themselves from their circle of fraternity.
22. No doubt, they abandoned their worldly desires and their self-indulgence
And they became averse to all transitory material wealth.
23. The clear arguments (and signs) from their (Holy) Prophet
became manifest for them
So, the idols of their selfish desires were (completely) smashed.
24. They became (spiritually) lit up (by the Sun of Truth) at the time of darkness
(of sin and vices) And Allah (due to His grace) delivered them safely from this flood (of sin and vices).
25. No doubt, they were crushed by the persecution and tyranny of their opponents
Nevertheless, they endured steadfastly by the grace of the Gracious God.
26. The mean-spirited people robbed their valuables, and ravaged their homes
But (due to the spiritual wealth they acquired) their faces glowed from the (sparkling) pearls of the Holy Quran.
27.
28. They marched on, in their battles, following the advancing stride of
the Holy Prophet (And threw themselves) in the battlefield, like those (who are) driven, and inspired, by love.
29. So, the blood of these (brave) men, who were true
and sincere in their love (and devotion)
Was spilled under the swords (of their enemies) as if
(they were just) objects of sacrifice.
30. They came to you (O Holy Prophet) while they were robbed and deprived,
like those (who are spiritually) bare,
So you covered them with the drapes of faith.

(because of their sins) were despicable like dung.
But (due to your spiritual power) you transformed them into an ingot of pure gold.
31. Until the dry and parched desert (country of Arabia)
became a (lush green, spiritual) garden
In which rivulets of delectable water ran, and branches
(of trees) were laden with fruit.
32. (Due to the blessing of the Holy Prophet) the towns of
Arabia once again became verdent green
After (a long spell of) barrenness, drought, and devastation.
33. People of Hijaz (Arabia) were preoccupied with flirting with pretty women.
But (the spiritual power of) the Holy Prophet caused them to become lost in (the love of) the Gracious God.

34. As for women, their marriage was declared unlawful
To those men whose forbidden status is (described) in the Holy Qur'an.
35. And (by instituting the rule of prohibition of drinking)
you devastated their drinking-bars
And caused the closure of liquor-stores in their towns.
36. There were many drinkers who used to guzzle barrels full of liquor
But (O Holy Prophet) you made them drunk in (the love of the Islamic) faith.
37.
38. There were many who were driven by their love for fragrant beautiful women
But you (O Holy Prophet) attracted them (fully) towards Al-Furqan
(the Holy Qur'an).
39. (O Holy Prophet) You brought to life, with a single glimpse,
those who lay (spiritually) dead for centuries.
Who can compare with you in this glorious achievement?
40. (Following your instructions) they gave up their (habit of)
evening-drinking and, in exchange for its drinking pleasure.
They adopted the (practice of deriving) pleasure
from prayers in the nights of grief.
41. They were devoted to (playing) two-string musical instruments and
(producing) plaintive notes from them
Indeed they had a slavish attachment to it (as a pursuit).
42. Their parties were always marked by singing to the accompaniment of music.
They would either flirt with women or indulge in heavy drinking.
43. They had no worries (in life) except being preoccupied with
(the thoughts of) pretty female singers.
They either indulged in drinking, or kept dreaming of goblets.
44. They were very fond of creating disorder due to their ignorance
(and foolishness) And were (quite pleased) with (their) life
(that was spent) in filth and squalor.

 Many innovators (of vices) would (rather) converse with their lutes
But surely you (O Holy Prophet, by your spiritual power) caused them to converse with Rahman (the Gracious God). The Arab nation was blindly obsessed with two things
Savouring (intoxicating) drinks, and (pursuing) a lot of women. You found them to be a group of people who They cleansed their hearts thoroughly (of all sins) and eagerly advanced
To benefit from (the wealth of) firm belief and faith.

Mention not any king to me,
For I have placed my hopes at another threshold.
The Lord God, Who has granted life to the universe,
He is the Originator, the Creator, the Sustainer.
The Generous, All-Powerful, Reliever of problems,
The Merciful, the Compassionate, Who fulfils all needs.
I lie prostrate at His door, because it is said
'In this world one thing leads to another.'
Whenever I remember that Faithful Friend,
I forget all my friends and relatives.
How can I tie my heart to other than Him;
For I am so restless without Him!
Search not for my heart in my wounded bosom;
For I have pinned it to the apron-strings of the Beloved.
My heart is the Throne of the Beloved;
My head is an offering in the way of the Friend.
How can I describe the extent of His bounties on me;
For His grace is boundless!How can I ever be able to count His favours;
For His favours are uncountable!
The kind of relationship I have with the Beloved,
Is beyond the comprehension of all.
I cry at His door,
As a woman cries in the pangs of childbirth.
All my time is saturated with His love;
How happy is the time! How blissful the days!
O the garden of my Beloved! I sing Your praises;
For You have freed me from the beauty of gardens and the joy of
spring.[Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Hujjat-Ullah, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol.12, p.
149]

The Imam Mahdi(as) has written in a Persian poem,The kind of relationship I have with the Beloved,
Is beyond the comprehension of all.
I cry at His door,
As a woman cries in the pangs of childbirth.
All my time is saturated with His love;
How happy is the time! How blissful the days!
O the garden of my Beloved! I sing Your praises;
For You have freed me from the beauty of gardens and the joy of
spring.[

Another expression of a true lover is that in relation to his beloved, he considers himself to be nothing at all. He believes his beloved to be the source of every quality and considers himself to be completely subordinate to him in every way. Allah the Almighty granted the Promised Messiah^(as) high stations of special nearness to Himself. He selected the Promised Messiah^(as) as a rejuvenator of faith. He granted him the lofty station of the Promised Messiah and the Imam Mahdi. Allah expressed his immense love for him in his revelations to him, but short-sighted opponents of his do not pay attention to this fact. Has anyone ever seen such immense affection that a person erases his being completely and attributes every honour and respect of his, to be the fruits of his subordination to his beloved master^(saw)? The Promised Messiah^(as) states: “I swear upon His name (i.e., God), that he has granted me the honor of communion. But I have received this grace, merely due to my following the Holy Prophet^(saw). Were I not from the Ummah (Muslim community), and did not follow him, even if my deeds were equivalent to all the mountains of the world, even then I would not have been blessed with this Divine communion.” With regards to his master and leader, the Promised Messiah^(as) states:

‘I am but a sacrifice for his life, I have become his alone;

It is he who is everything, what am I, this is the decisive fact.’

The Promised Messiah^(as) states:

‘It was impossible for me to attain this blessing, if I were not one to follow the ways of my leader and master, the pride of the Prophets, the best of creation, Muhammad^(saw), the chosen one, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. As such, whatever status I have attained, I have attained through following him.’ (Haqeeqatul Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol.22, p.62)

Speaking of the innumerable divine blessings upon him, the Promised Messiah^(as) states:

‘Whatever blessings of Allah there are upon us, these are all due to the grace of the Holy Prophet^(saw). If we were to break apart from the Holy Prophet^(saw), I truly say, that we would equate to nothing, not even dust.’ (Al-Hakam, 18 May 1908, p.4)

This is the lofty status of true love, devotion and obedience to the Holy Prophet^(saw), which the Promised Messiah^(as) was granted by Allah the Almighty. It is worth remembering that whatever the Holy Prophet^(saw) received, was directly from God the Almighty. Whatever the Promised Messiah^(as) received in status and divine blessings was due to his true and sincere, unparalleled and complete obedience to his master, the Holy Prophet^(saw). It is for this reason that one received the title of being the master and perfect teacher^(saw) and the other due to his obedience to his master, attained the office of Promised Messiah^(as). How beautifully has the Promised Messiah^(as) stated: ‘The magnificence of Ahmad^(saw) (i.e. the Holy Prophet) is greater than can be fathomed; Whose humble servant, is the Messiah of the Age.’ The translation of the following Persian Poems, written in the praise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), have been taken from The Essence of Islam`Vol.1, P.336 (available online at

My heart is aflame praising the Holy Prophet

Who has no peer in excellence

Who loves the Eternal Friend with all his heart,

And whose soul is in communion with the Beloved.

He who is the recipient of divine favours,

And has been brought up like a child in the lap of

God

He is an ocean of virtue and piety,

And is a unique pearl in all its splendour

In generosity and beneficence, he is like the spring

Rain;

His bounties and favours are like those of the sun.

He is ever merciful and is the sign of divine mercy;

He is gracious and is the manifestation of divine

Grace.

His countenance is so blessed that one glimpse of it

Transforms an ugly face into a beautiful one.

Like a star, his enlightened soul has lit up

Countless hearts which were full of darkness.

He is Ahmad of the latter days, it is for his light

That human hearts became brighter than the sun

He is more beautiful than all the progeny of Adam;

He is purer than the purest pearl,

From his lips issues forth the fountain of wisdom;

His heart overflows with the water of Kauthar - the heavenly stream

For the sake of God, he repudiated all else;

On land and sea there is none like him

God has granted him the lamp

Which is forever immune from any danger or

Windstorm

Champion warrior of the Lord God;

Wearing his dagger with great dignity.

His arrow has demonstrated its swiftness in every

Field;

His proved helplessness of idols to the world;

He plainly showed the power of the One, All-

Powerful God

Lest the idols, their makers, and worshippers

Should remain ignorant of the power of God.

He loves truth, straightforwardness and uprightness;

He is the enemy of falsehood and evil.

He is the master, yet, yet he is a servant to the helpless;

He is the king, yet he is like a servitor to the weak.

The compassion that the world received from him,

None has ever experienced even from a mother.

He is intoxicated with the wine of the Beloved`s

Love;

For His sake, he is so prostrate and humble.

His light reached out to every people

And lit up every country.

For everyone with insight, he is the sign of the gracious

God:

He is the proof of God for all who have eyes to see

We are humble servants of all the Prophets;

We lie like dust on their threshold.

May our life be sacrificed for the Prophet,

Who showed the way to the True God

O my Lord, by the host of the Prophets,

Whom you sent with your abundant grace;

Grant me wisdom, as You have granted me a

Yearning heart;

Grant me the wine, as You have granted me the

Globe

The love the Promised Messiah^(as) held for the Holy Prophet was not only confined to his own life. Rather, this love continued even after his demise. His writings live on, so too does his model behaviour. After his demise, he has left behind a devoted community which under the shadow of Khilafat is satiated with the love of the Holy Prophet^(saw). This community is known as the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Today, by the grace of Allah, an endless ocean of love exists in the hearts of all Ahmadis. All this is the grace of Allah and his blessings. The lantern of the love of Muhammad^(saw) is such a magnificent one, that today its light shines in the heart of every Ahmadi Muslim, and from this lantern many other lanterns have also become lit.Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Hujjat-Ullah, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol.12, p. 149]

The Promised Messiah's face was glowing with joy, it is reported by his companions, when this Qaseeda was completed. Hazoor Aqdas addressing the Holy Prophet, conveys his salutations and love and obedience with such pathos and glowing tributes which has no parallel in human history. This empathy and the complete identification with the Holy Prophet of Islam in cause of Allah was the reason that the Holy Prophet is reported to have said that the Promised Messiah will reflect his second coming and will be buried in his grave. What a tribute! The Promised Messiah says (The number of couplet is given in the parenthesis at the end of the couplet):

O my beloved, you are the ending fountain-head of Allah's blessings and knowledge and the whole humanity is now looking up to you to quench their spiritual thirst.(1)
Those who seek and discover that the cups of their life are empty come running towards the ocean of your blessings filled by Allah's Grace.(2)
You are the spiritual sun who has brought light to the four corners of the world.(3)
Your face reflects the glory of Allah and His attributes find expression through your excellent character.(41)
Allah has bestowed upon you all the best and the highest qualities of man and He has perfected the gift of prophethood in your person as Khataman-Nabiyyeen.(46)
I have received the gift of spiritual life through you, O my Master and Perfect Leader, and I am nothing but your humble servant. What a miracle! How well he raised me to life.(62)
O Lord, My Creator, Your everlasting blessings be upon the Holy Prophet in this world and in the hereafter.(63)
Look at me, O My Master, with mercy and grace. I am your most humble servant.(67)

Now, no rational person will fail to recognize the truth about the Promised Messiah and his love for the Holy Prophet, khataman-nabiyyeen. The Promised Messiah appeared at the right time according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophet and completed his mission under Allah's commands. A unique part of the beautiful Religion of Islam is the special love generated within the heart of a believer by the magnificent and perfect Attributes of Allah the Exalted. It is through the blessing of these Perfect Attributes that mankind is delivered each day from hardship and ignorance into the spiritual sanctuary of success. In times of great desperation, anguish, suffering, heartbreak and sadness ‘Bani Adam’ raises its hands arched and supplicates to the One deserving of all Praise. In a Persian poem the Imam Mahdi(as) beautifully encapsulates the emotion and feeling of a true lover and supplicant of Allah, the Loving One (Al-Wudud);