Language: EN
The Author Naseem Ahmad Bajwa, has used his wisdom and experience, both as missionary and as a former Tabligh Secretary UK, to collate the required data for the compilation of this book, and in so doing he has produced, by the Grace of Allah and Mercy of God, a concise, comprehensive and potent exposition on the subject relating to Tabligh (preaching) Guide. He has provided every potential Da‘i Ilallah (caller to Allah) with some of the basic tools required to ply their trade. This compendium has been designed to assist every Da‘i Ilallah no matter where they are in the world and no matter to whom they are preaching. If these guidelines are adopted as the foundations to preaching, then with prayer, patience and steadfastness, success will surely be accomplished. As Ahmadi Muslims, we believe in the truth of the Promised Messiah, and, as a consequence, believe that Ahmadiyyat, In Sha’Allah, will soon prevail throughout the world, in this new millennium. We are witnessing millions of men, women and children entering the Ark of the Promised Messiah. There are billions of people who have yet to be awakened. They lie spiritually dormant awaiting their own personal Da‘i Ilallah. Every Ahmadī Muslim is a missionary and every Ahmadi should avail themselves of this book as it will prove to be a tremendous tool for the propagation of Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam. We all have the potential to be successful Caller unto Allah as we should not waste the golden opportunities that lie ahead of those who strive to achieve success and so win the uncountable blessings of Allah, the Almighty. There are so many people awaiting your call, dear reader, don’t make them wait too long.
“ I shall cause thy message to reach the corners of the earth ” Translation of Urdu revelation vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah in 1886 Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad as The Promised Messiah and Mahdi (1835-1908) Founder of the Worldwide A ḥ madiyya Muslim Jamā‘at
Tabligh Guide Author: Naseem A ḥ mad Bajwa Composed by: Khurram Chaudhry, Numaan Chaudhry Cover Design: Safdar Abbasi First Edition: 2004.Printed by: Green Leaf Printers, UK Seco nd Edition: 2012.Printed by: Raqeem Press, Islāmabad, Tilford, UK First American Edition: 2015 Printed by: A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community, USA In US: amibookstore.us Worldwide: store.alislam.org ISBN 978-1-882494-03-3
FOREWORD The Author Naseem A ḥ mad Bajwa, has used his wisdom and experience, both as missionary and as a former Tablīgh Secretary UK, to collate the required data for the compilation of this book, and in so doing he has produced, by the Grace of Allāh and Mercy of God, a concise, comprehensive and potent exposition on the subject relating to Tablīgh (preaching) Guide.He has provided every potential Da‘ī Ilallāh (caller to Allāh) with some of the basic tools required to ply their trade.This compendium has been designed to assist every Da‘ī Ilallāh no matter where they are in the world and no matter t o whom they are preaching.If these guidelines are adopted as the foundations to preaching, then with prayer, patience and steadfastness, success will surely be accomplished.As A ḥmadī Muslim s, we believe in the truth of the Promised Messiah, and, as a consequence, believe that A ḥmadiyyat, In Sha’ Allāh, will soon prevail throughout the world, in this new millennium.We are witnessing millions of men, women and children entering the Ark of the Promised Messiah.There are billions of people who have yet to be awakened.They lie spiritually dormant awaiting their own personal Da‘ī Ilallāh.I was called to Aḥ madiyyat over 14 years ago but I wish I could have been ‘awakened’ much sooner.Every A ḥmadī Muslim is a missionary and every Aḥmadī should avail themselves of this book as it will prove to be a tremendous tool for the propagation of A ḥmadiyyat, the true Islām.We all have the potential to be successful Caller unto Allāh as we should not waste the golden opportunities that lie ahead of those who strive to achieve success and so win the uncountable blessings of Allāh, the Almighty.There are so many people awaiting your call, dear reader, don’t make them wait too long.Bilal Atkinson Regional Amīr, North east England October 2004
Ahmadiyya Khilāfat in Islam Allāh has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me.Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious.( 24[Al- Nūr]:56) Ḥ a ḍ rat Ḥ akīm Maulawi Nūr - ud - Dīn Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ I (1841 - 1914) Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Bashīr - ud - Dīn Ma ḥ mūd A ḥ mad Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ II (1889 - 1965) Ḥ a ḍ rat Hāfi ẓ Mirzā Nā ṣ ir A ḥ mad Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ III (1909 - 1982) Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ṭ āhir A ḥ mad Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ I V (1928 - 2003) Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Masroor A ḥ mad Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ V (1950 - …) C ENTENARY KHILĀFAT A Ḥ MADIYYA 1908 – 2008
In the name of Allāh, the Gracious, the Merciful Introduction The Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) prophesied that the Imām Mahdi and the Promised Messiah would come in the latter days.Through him the Divine system of Khilāfat would be reestablished and Islām would see its glory once again.Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad (peace be on him), the founder of the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Jamā‘at, is sent by Allāh to fulfil this prophecy.Since its establishment on March 23, 1889, the community has spread in more than 204 countries of the world.However, despite the phenomenal pa ce with which the Jamā‘at has grown, there are millions who remain unaware of the advent of Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad.Therefore, the need of today for A ḥmadī Muslims is to dedicate their lives for the propagation of the true Islām.The desire of our present Imām, Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Masroor A ḥmad, Khalīfatul - Masīḥ V, is for every A ḥmadī man, woman and child to become a successfu l Da‘ī Ilallāh.The aim of this Tablīgh Guide is to encourage and help, Da‘īn Ilallāh (callers to Allāh) to understand, follow and explain to others, to the best of their abilities, the contents of the Bai‘at Form, as prescribed by Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad.In advising on four beautiful methods of Tablīgh, once, the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, ا َيا أ َُّيه اا النَّاس ُ أَفْشُوا السَّالام ا واأَطْعِمُوا الطَّعاام ا واصِلُوا األَرْحاام واصا لهوا ِبِللَّيْل ِ واالنَّاس ُ نِياام تادْخُلُوا الْجانَّة ا بِسا الام “O People! If you spread peace, feed people, strengthen the ties of kinship, and be in prayer when others are sleeping, you will enter paradise with peace.” ( Sunan Ibn M ā jah , Kitābul -A ṭ‘imah) The Bai‘at form consists of two sections: the ‘Declaration of Initiation’ and the ‘Conditions of Bai‘at’ (Initiation).The Declaration is a letter pledging allegiance to the present Imām and contains nine major points.Both sections summarise the belief and practices of the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Jamā‘at.The Tablīgh Guide is split into three parts.Part one is a selection of spiritual and practical guidelines to aid a Da‘ī Ilallāh in successful preaching.Part two studies the ‘Declaration of initiation’ closely with supportive references ex plaining the significance of each of the nine points in light of the Holy Qur’an , A ḥādīth (sayings of the Holy Prophet) and statements by revered Islāmic scholars.It also looks at the Conditions of Bai‘at.Part Three focuses on similarities between Qur’an ic* and Biblical teachings** while exposing certain Christian beliefs that find no support with Jesus.
An appendix presenting further arguments is also given at the back.Readers are advised to repeat the salutation ‘Ṣallallāhu ‘Alaihi Wa Sallam’ (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) whenever reference is made to the Holy Prophet, and to say ‘Alaihis - Salām (may peace be on him) in the case of all other messengers of Allāh.I would like to thank my son-in-law, Mr.Waqar A ḥ mad A ḥmadī and my daughter Mrs.Wajeeha Bajwa A ḥmadī for their contribution in producing this guide.May Allāh reward them.Ā m ī n Naseem A ḥ mad Bajwa Imām Baitul -Fut ū h Mosque, Regional Missionary London, A ḥ madiyya Muslim Association, 181 London Road, Morden, Surrey, SM4 5PT, United Kingdom.* English translation by Maulawi Sher Ali, M.A.(Incorporating proposed translation and notes by Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ṭā hir A ḥmad Khalīfatul - Masīḥ IV, Islām, International publication, 1997) ** The Holy Bible (Authorised King James Version, Collins’s Clear -Type Press) An Observation I went to the bookstore at Baitul- Futūḥ , and it was there that I came across the 2013 edition of Tablīgh Guide by Missionary Naseem Aḥ mad Bajwa.I first purchased only one copy.After arriv ing at the Jāmi‘ah later that evening, I began to read this book.I read it almost all night.I kept saying Al- Ḥamdu Lillāh as I continued to read this blessed guide for carrying out Field Tablīgh.I concluded that this book is the spiritual tool for preparing A ḥmadiyya Jamā‘at USA to go into the field and preach Islām through Aḥ madiyyat.Missionary Naseem A ḥ mad Bajwa has written a masterpiece for A ḥmadiyya Jamā‘ats around the world to prepare themselves mentally and spiritually to go out and engage in Tabl īgh.This book, if it has not been done already, should be printed in as many different languages as possible and become the spiritual tool for carrying out field Tablīgh around the world, In Shā Allāh.Omar Shaheed President Pittsburgh PA Chapter Secretary African American Tablīgh Desk USA
(American Edition) 1 Contents PART ONE...............................................................................................................4 Guidelines for Da‘īn Ilallāh and Instructions on Tablīgh.................................4 Some Prayers for Successful Preaching............................................................11 Prayer of Moses..............................................................................................11 Istikhārah Prayer...........................................................................................11 Funeral Prayer................................................................................................11 Thirteen Steps to Successful Preaching...........................................................12 PART TWO............................................................................................................14 Declaration of Initiation (Pledge of Allegiance to A ḥmadiyya Khilāfat)........14 1.Origin of the Name ‘Aḥmadiyya’?.............................................................15 2.Kalimah Shah ā dah....................................................................................16 3.Khilāfat.......................................................................................................17 4.Khātamun -Nabiyyin.................................................................................18 5.Imām Mahdī and Promised Messiah.......................................................21 Death of Jesus...........................................................................................23 The truth of the Claim of Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad (may peace be upon him)..................................................................................................26 Signs of the Coming of the Mahdī............................................................27 Opposition is a Sign of Truth...................................................................30 Status of the Promised Messiah...............................................................30 6.Blessings of Bai‘at.....................................................................................31 7.Faith Comes First......................................................................................32 8.Loyalty and Obedience to the Institution of Khilāfat.............................32 9.Seeking Forgiveness from Allāh...............................................................33 Conditions of Bai‘at (Initiation) Conditions for Joining Aḥ madiyya Muslim Community........................................................................................................35 PART THREE........................................................................................................37 Islām and the Bible...........................................................................................37 1.Unity of God...............................................................................................37
(American Edition) 2 i.Jesus did not come to abolish the Law:................................................37 ii.Man cannot be God:.............................................................................37 iii.The king of Salem was born without parents yet he was not worthy of worship:.....................................................................................................38 iv.Miracles performed by Jesus are not a proof of his divinity............38 2.Jesus Christ...............................................................................................38 Jesus was a prophet of God......................................................................38 3.Mu ḥammad in the Bible (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)........................................................................................................................39 i.Moses prophesied the coming of Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) as a law -bearing prophet:...........40 ii.Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may pea ce and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is the prophet who was to appear with 10,000 saints fulfilling the prophecy of Moses:...................................................................................41 iii.Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is ‘that Prophet’ prophesied in the Bible.....................................................41 4.The Promised Messiah in the Bible.........................................................42 i.The re-advent of Elijah (may peace be on him):..................................42 ii.John the Baptist came as Elijah:..........................................................42 iii.The Promised Messiah will come from the East:..............................42 iv.The eclipse of the sun and the moon is a sign of his appearance:.....43 v.World wars are also a sign:...................................................................43 vi.The Promised Messiah came 1290 years after the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and Promised Son of the Promised Messiah, Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Bashiruddin Maḥmūd Aḥ mad ra came 1335 years after the Holy Prophet :.........................................................43 5.Miscellaneous References.........................................................................43 i.Eating Pork:...........................................................................................43 ii.The consumption of alcohol.................................................................43 iii.Circumcision:.......................................................................................44 iv.Status of Women..................................................................................44 v.Religious Freedom:...............................................................................44 Death of Jesus...................................................................................................45 Death of Jesus by Name:..............................................................................45 Death of Jesus As So-Called God.................................................................47
(American Edition) 3 Death of Jesus as Prophet............................................................................48 Death Of Jesus as a Human Being...............................................................50 Meaning of Nuzūl (Descent).........................................................................54 A ḥādīth on the Death of Jesus.....................................................................56 Finality of Prophethood....................................................................................57 The Holy Qur’an on the Finality of Prophethhood.....................................57 A ḥādīth on the Finality of Prophethood......................................................60 Meaning of the Term Khātamun - Nabiyyī n as The Cheif of the Prophets 63 Truth of the Promised Messiah........................................................................67 The Holy Qur’ān on the truth of the Promised Messiah.............................67 A ḥādīth on the Truth of the Promised Messiah..........................................72 What Non-Muslim Scholars Said About the PromisedMessiah as.............73 Holy Prophet Mu ḥammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) In the Eyes of Non-Muslims..................................................................................79 Selective Writings of the Promised Messiah as.................................................85 Some Prophecies of the Promised Messiah as...................................................90 Prophecy about Khilāfat...............................................................................90 Prophecy about Promised Son.....................................................................90 Prophecy on the Death of Pundit Lekh Ram...............................................92 Prophecy about Mr.Dowie...........................................................................94 Prophecy about Great World Wars..............................................................95 A Prophecy about Nuclear War....................................................................98 What the Non-Muslim Dignitaries are Saying About the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community......................................................................................................100 Some Questions for Revision..........................................................................102 A Vision of the Promised Messiah..................................................................104 Kindness Unto Mankind.................................................................................105 A Vision of Ḥ a ḍrat Khalīfatul - Masīḥ II.........................................................105
(American Edition) 4 PART ONE Guidelines for Da‘īn Ilallāh and Instructions o n Tablīgh The Holy Qur’ān says, ؕ ُ َِتِۡ ہِی َ اَحۡسَن ُۡہُۡ بِال سَبِیۡل ِ رَبِک َ بِالۡحِکۡمَۃ ِ و َ الۡمَوۡعِظَۃ ِالۡحَسَنَۃ ِ وَجَادِل ِٰلی ۡ اُدۡع ُا ِۡلِٖو َ ہُو َاَع اِن َ رَبَک َ ہُو َ اَعۡلَم ُ بِمَن ۡ ضَل َ عَن ۡ سَبِی لَم ُ بِالۡمُہۡتَدِیۡن َ ﴿﴾ Call unto the way of thy Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortation, and argue with them in a way that is best.Surely, thy Lord knows best who has strayed from His way; and He knows those who are rightly guided.(16[Al-Na ḥ l]:126) The Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said, ََِِّب َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ اِن َّ الن عَن ْ سَھْل ِ بْن ِ سَعْد ٍ ر َِ ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ّللٍّہ ِ ل َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ فَوَا ْ قَال َ لِعَل ٍٍّ ر َّ ن ْ ُحُُر ٍ الن َْیٌْ لَّک َ مِن ًُلا وَحدا ا خ یَّھْدِی َ ہللا ُ بِک َ رَج عم Ḥ a ḍrat Sahl bin Sa‘d narrates that the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said to Ḥ a ḍ rat ‘ Al ī ra : “By Allāh, if Allāh guides a single person through you, it is better for you than (the most precious) red camels.” (Bukhārī, Kitābul - Jihād) Imām Mahdī and the Promised Messiah, Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad, may peace be upon him, said, وہ وج رعب ےک ایبابین کلم ںیم اکی امرجا زگرا ہک الوھکں رمدے وھتڑے دونں ںیم زدنہ وہےئگ اور وتشپں ےک ڑگبے وہےئ یہٰل ا رگن ڑکپ ےئگاور ٓاوھکنں ےک ادنےھ انیب وہےئ اور وگوگنں یک زابن رپ یہٰل ا اعمرف اجری وہےئ اور داین ںیم اکی دہعف اکی ااسی االقنب دیپا وہا ہک ہن ےلہپ ا س ےس یسک ٓاھکن ےن داھکی اور ہن یسک اکن ےن انس.ھچک اجےتن وہےئ وہ ایک اھت ؟ وہ اکی افین یف اہلل یک ادنریھی راوتں یک داعںیئ یہ ںیھت وہنجں ےن داین ںیم وشر اچم دای اور وہ اجعبئ ابںیت دالھکںیئ ہک وج اس ایم ےب سک ےس احمالت یک رطح رظن ٓایت ںیھت.اللھم صل وسلم وبارک علیہ وآلہ بعددھمہ وغمہ وحزنہ لھذہ الامۃ وانزل ع لیہ انوار رحمتک الی الا بد.
(American Edition) 5 “A strange phenomenal event took place in the desert of Arabia when hundreds of thousands of the dead became alive within a few days and those who had been corrupted through generations took on Divine color.The blind began to see and the tongues of the dumb began to flow with Divine wisdom.Such a revolution took place in the world as no eye had seen and no ear had heard of before.Do you realize what that was? All that was brought about by prayers during the darkness of the nights of one who had been wholly lost in God that created an uproar in the world and manifested such wonders as seemed impossible at the hands of the unlettered helpless person.O Allāh! send down blessings and peace on him and on his followers in proportion to his concern and suffering for the Muslim Ummah (the people of Islām), and shower upon him the light of Thy mercy forever.’ (Barakātud - Du‘ā, pp.10 -11) Following is a narration about the zeal of Ḥ a ḍrat Maulawī Nūr -ud- Dīn, Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I, may Allāh be pleased with him, concerning outreach: وچٹ اور اس یک فیلکت، مک وخایب اور اس اک رکب فعض اور ان وتاین اکی رط ف.رگم اس احتل ںیم دوعت اہلل اک وجش ااسی ےہ ہک ربادرم یتفم دمحم اصدق اصبح بج واسپ ٓا ےئ وت ڑبے وشق ےک اسھت ان ےک احالت رفس وک ریغ ومعمیل وطر رپ انس اور غیلبت اک وج اکم ان وصحں ںیم وہا ا س یک لیصفت ولعمم رکےک تہب وخش وہےئ.رھپ ( وخاہج امکل ادلنی اصبح ) بج یلہپ رمہبت ایع دت ےک ےئل ٓاےئ وت اوہنں ےن ذرک ایک ہک یلع ڑگھ ںیم وج رچکیلوں اک ااظتنم وہا ےہ.اس ںیم الہپ رچکیل ریما ےہ.اصزبحاد ہ ٓااتفب ادمح اخن اصبح اک اتر ٓاای اھت.رگم وضحر یک اناسزی عبط ےک ابثع ںیم ےن االطع دی ہک ںیم ںیہن ٓا اتکس.اس رپ اوہنں ےن ذبرہعی اتر وضحر یک ایعدت یک ےہ اور ےھجم البرک اہک ہک بج کت رضحت یک تعیبط د رتس ہن وہ ، ہن ٓا ؤ.رفامای ’ : ںیہن ریمی العتل اس غیلبت ےک اکم ںیم روک ہن وہ.واہں رضور اجان اچےئہ.اںیہن ھکل دو ہک ںیم اےنپ ووجد وک یسک رطح رپ یھب ‘ دنی قح ’ ےک اکم ںیم روک ںیہن انبان اچاتہ وہں.ریمی ٓارزو وت ہی ےہ ہک ںیم ’ دنی قح ‘ یہ یک دختم ںیم زدنیگ وپری رکدوں.مت رضور اج ؤ.‘ “Injury and its pain, sleeplessness and its anguish, weakness and infirmity set aside, the passion [of the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I] for Tablīgh is such that when brother Muftī Muḥ ammad Ṣādiq returned (from preaching), Ḥ a ḍrat Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I listened to the narration of his journey with extraordinary attention.He became extremely happy on learning his details of the Tablīgh work that had been carried out in those areas [where he had travelled to].When Khawāja Kamāl -ud- Dīn visited Ḥ a ḍ rat Khalīfatul - Masīḥ for the first time during his illness, he mentioned that he had received a telegram from Ṣāḥibzāda Ā ftāb A ḥmad Khān informing that he (Khawāja Kamāl -ud- Dīn) was to
(American Edition) 6 deliver the first lecture at a conference in ‘Alī garh.Khw ā ja Ṣāḥ ib told Ṣāḥ ibzada Ṣāḥ ib that he would not be able to attend due to the ill health of the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I.On this, Ṣāḥ ibzada Ṣāḥ ib sent a telegram inquiring about the health the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I and called Khawaja Ṣāḥ ib to say not to come until the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I had recovered.On hearing this, Ḥ a ḍrat Khalīfatul - Masīḥ I said, ‘No, my illness should not stop Tablīgh work.You should definitely go there.Write to him that I do not like to make myself a hindrance in the work of the religion of truth.My desire is that I should give my whole life in service of the religion of truth.You must go there.” (Al - Ḥ akam, January 7, 1911, p.5) Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Bashīr -ud- Dīn Maḥmūd A ḥmad, Khalīfatul - Masīḥ II, may Allāh be pleased with him, issued an announcement in May 1948 asking for dedicated members to come forward to help the cause of faith.1 ایک ٓاپ تنحم رکان اجےتن ںیہ؟اینت تنحم ہک ریتہ وچدہ ےٹنھگ دن ںیم اکم رک ںیکس..2 ایک ٓاپ چس وبانل اجےتن ںیہ؟ اانت ہک یسک وصرت ںیم ٓاپ وھجٹ ہن وبل ںیکس.ٓاپ ےک اسےنم ٓاپ اک رہگا دوتس اور زعزی یھب وھجٹ ہن وبل ےکس.ٓاپ ےک اسےنم وکیئ اےنپ وھجٹ اک اہبدراہن ہصق انسےئ وت ٓاپ اُس رپ ااہظر رفنت ےئک ریغب ہن رہ ںیکس..3 ایک ٓاپ وھجیٹ زعت ےک ذجابت ےس اپک ںیہ؟ ویلگں ںیم اھجڑو دے ےتکس ںیہ.وبھج اُاھٹ رک ویلگں ںیم رھپ ےتکس ںیہ.دنلب ٓاواز ےس رہ مسق ےک االعن ابزاروں ںیم رک ےتکس ںیہ.اسرا اسرا دن رھپ ےتکس ںیہ اور اسری اسری رات اجگ ےتکس ںیہ؟.4 ایک ٓاپ ااکتعف رک ےتکس ںیہ؟ سج ےک ینعم وہےت ںیہ.( افل ) اکی ہگج دونں ھٹیب رانہ.( ب ) وٹنھگں ےھٹیب وہفیظ رکےت رانہ.( ج ) وٹنھگں اور دونں یسک ااسنن ےس ابت ہن رکان..5 ایک ٓاپ رفس رک ےتکس ںیہ؟ اےلیک اانپ وبھج اُاھٹ رک ریغب اس ےک ہک ٓاپ یک بیج ںیم وکیئ ہسیپ وہ.دونمشں اور اخموفلں ںیم ! انواوفقں اور ان ٓاانشؤں ںیم ! دونں ، وتفہں، ونیہمں..6 ایک ٓاپ اس ابت ےک اقلئ ںیہ ہک ضعب ٓادیم رہ تسکش ےس ابال وہےت ںیہ.وہ تسکش اک انم اننس دنسپ ںیہن رکےت.وہ اہپڑوں وک اکےنٹ ےک ےئل ایتر وہاجےت ںیہ وہ درایؤں وک چنیھک الےن رپ ٓاامدہ وہاجےت ںیہ اور ایک ٓاپ ےتھجمس ںیہ ہک ٓاپ اس رقابین ےک ےئل ایتر وہےتکس ںیہ ؟
(American Edition) 7 .7 ایک ٓاپ ںیم تمہ ےہ ہک بس داین ےہک ںیہن اور ٓاپ ںیہک اہں؟ ٓاپ ےک اچروں رطف ولگ ںیسنہ اور ٓاپ دیجنسیگ اقمئ رںیھک.ولگ ٓاپ ےک ےھچیپ دوڑںی اور ںیہک رہھٹ وت اج مہ ےھجت امرںی ےگ اور ٓاپ اک دقم اجبےئ دوڑےن ےک رہھٹ اجےئ اور ٓاپ اس یک رطف رس اکھج رک ںیہک ول امرول.ٓاپ یسک یک ہن امںین ویکہکن ولگ وھجٹ وبےتل ںیہ رگم ٓاپ بس ےس ونماںیل ویکہکن ٓاپ ےچس ںیہ..8 ٓاپ ہی ہن ےتہک وہں ہک ںیم ےن تنحم یک رگم ٰیل دخا اعت ےن ےھجم ان اک م رک دای.ہکلب رہ اناکیم وک اانپ وصقر ےتھجمس وہں.ٓاپ نیقی رےتھک وہں ہک وج تنحم رکات ےہ اکایمب وہات ےہ اور وج اکایمب ںیہن وہات اس ےن تنحم رہزگ ںیہن یک.ارگ ٓاپ اےسی ںیہ وت ٓاپ ااھچ غلبم اور ااھچ اترج وہےن یک اقتیلب رےتھک ںیہ.رگم ٓاپ ںیہ اہکں؟ دخا ےک اکی دنبے وک ٓاپ یک دری ےس التش ےہ.اے ادمحی ونوجان ! ڈوھڈن اس صخش وک اےنپ العہق ںیم، اےنپ رہش ںیم، اےنپ ہلحم ںیم، اےنپ رھگ ںیم، اےنپ دل ںیم ہک االسم اک رُم درتخ اھج راہ ےہایس ےک وخن ےس وہ دوابرہ رسزبس وہاگ.1.Do you know what it means to work hard — to work so hard that you work up to thirteen to fourteen hours a day? 2.Do you know how to speak the truth that no matter what the circumstances are you could never tell a lie; that even a close friend or a relative may not tell a lie in your presence; and if somebody narrates in front of you a story of his audaciously telling a lie, you could not help but show your disgust.3.Are you free of all false standards of self-respect? Can you sweep the streets? Can you walk the streets with loads on your shoulders? Can you make various announcements loudly in public areas? Can you walk for the whole day and keep awake for the whole night? 4.Can you go in I‘tikāf, meaning: (a) To sit at one place for days, (b) To sit for hours praying and (c) To refrain from talking to anyone for hours and days.5.Are you able to travel alone, carrying your own baggage and without any money in your pocket among enemies and opponents, among strangers and non-acquainted people, for days, weeks and months? 6.Do you accept that there are some people who are above all types of defeat? They do not even like to hear the word defeat.
(American Edition) 8 They are willing to cut through mountains; they are ready to pull up rivers.Do you think that you can be ready for such a sacrifice? 7.Do you have the courage that when the entire world says “NO” you say “YES?” All the people around you laugh at you yet you remain composed.People run after you and say, “Wait, we are going to give you a beating ,” and instead of running away you stop and say with great humbleness, “Here I am, beat me.” You listen to no one as you know the people utter falsehood, but you convince them all because you are truthful.8.You should not say, “I worked hard but Almighty God failed me.” Instead, in each failure you blame your own self.You firmly believe that whoever works hard will succeed and whoever does not succeed has not worked hard at all.If you are like this then you have the potential to be a good missionary and a good businessman.But where are you? A man of God has been in search of you for a very long time.O Ahmadi youth! Search for this person in your province, in your city, in your neighborhood and in your heart since the tree of Islām is withering away and only with his blood will it once again flourish.” (Leaflet: I Am Searching For You) Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Nāṣ ir A ḥmad, Khalīfatul - Masīḥ III, put forth the basic requirements to be a trainer.ںیم اےنپ رمیب اھبویئں ٓا وک ج اس رط ف وتہج دالان اچاتہ وہں ہک اہلل یک اگن ہ ںیم حیحص رمیب ےننب ےک ےئل دو اینبدی زیچوں یک رضورت ےہ.اکی ونر رفاتس دورسی دگاز د ل.رقٓان رکمی ےن ہی دوعی یھب ایک ےہ ہک ںیم لقع ےک صقن وک دور رکےن واال اور اس وک امکل کت اچنہپےن واال وہ ں اور اس یک وج اخایمں ںیہ وہ ریمے ذرہعی دور وہےن وایل ںیہ اور اس ےک ادنریھے ریمے ذرہعی رونش وہےن واےل ںیہ.زین رقٓان رکمی ےن ہی دوعی یھب ایک ےہ ہک ریمے زنول اک اکی دصقم ہی یھب ےہ ہک دگ از د ل دیپا ےئک اجںیئ اسیج ہک ٰیل اہلل اعت وسرۃ ویفس ںیم رفامات ےہ.ِ ہ ُ قُرْءی نًا عَرَب ی َٓا اَنْزَلْن اِن ً ی َ ا لَعَلَکُم ْ تَعْقِلُوْن ( وسرۃ ویفسٓاتی 3 ) “I wish to draw the attention of our missionary brothers that in order to become a true missionary in the sight of Allāh, two fundamentals are required.One is the light of understanding and the other is a tender heart.The Holy Qur’ān has als o stated, ‘I am the One who removes the weakness in your intellect and take it to greater heights, and all its defects will be effaced through me and all its darkness will turn into brightness through me; Furthermore
(American Edition) 9 the Holy Qur’ān has said, ‘One of the r easons for my descent is to produce tender hearts, ’ a s Allāh Almighty says in Sūra h Yusuf: ِ َ ا ۡ نَا ۤ ا ن ی ُ زَلۡن ہ ۡ قُر ی ء ً نًا عَرَبِی ۡ ا لَعَلَکُم ۡ تَعۡقِلُو َ ن ﴿﴾ “We have revealed it, t he Qur’ā n in Arabic that you may understand” (12[Yū suf]:3).(Al-Fa ḍ l, March 3, 1969) Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ṭā hir A ḥmad, Khalīfatul - Masīḥ IV, said: رہ ادمحی سج کت ریمی ہی ٓاواز یتچنہپ ےہ وہ وخد اانپ رگنان نب اجےئ اور دخ ا وک احرض و انرظ اجن رک ہی دہع رکے ہک ںیم ےن اسل ےک ادنر ادنر اکی ادمحی رضور انبان ےہ اور داع رکے وت ہی ھچک لکشم ارم ںیہن.بج ٰیل اہلل اعت یک دقتری وکیئ زیچ ٓاپ وک دانی اچیتہ ےہ وت اہھت ڑباھ رک ا س وک ہن انیل تخس انرکشی ےہ.“Every A ḥ madī who receives this message should become a guardian for himself, and, he should take a solemn vow before Almighty God, and promise that he will convert at least one person to A ḥ madiyyat within one year.If he prays then this will not be difficult.When God is willing to bestow a favor upon you, it is the height of ungratefulness not to stretch your hand and receive it.” (Friday Sermon, September 27, 1985) دوعتاٰیل اہللےکابغاورتیھکاگلان،دایعایلاہللاکاکمےہاورہیضحماکیتحیصنایاید داہینےسںیہن اےنپاسھتاگل وک ان وہاتہکلب یکپ تبدیپ ںیماکم انےکدولں ےہ.وہات ےس ےن اس اور ےہ ن اکی رکان ا رپس افدئہااھٹاناچےئہ.رضحتاربامیہؑ ےک ےسںیمہ ےہسج اوصیلروینشڈایل رقٓانےن ےکےئل اہللےن د وقومںیکزدنیگاکاکمایکاھتاوررفامایاھتہکریتےذرہعیےسوقومںوکزدنیگےلمیگ.رضح تاربامیہؑ ڑبے رک وکزدنہ وتوقومں ہک ےہ اےدخاےھجمولعمم ہک اوملیت ی حت ارینفیک ےھترعضیکرب زماج اعزج اگ ے سکرطح نکیل ؟ رک ےسامونس اےنپ رپدنےےل رفامایاچر ےل انوکفلتخ رھپ ان ںیمد جیدےرھپ ںوتں وکٓاوازدے.وتدےھکیاگہکسکرطحریتیرطفاڑےتےلچ ٓارےہںیہ.ہیومنہناھت رضحتاربامیہؑ اک.سپ رپسد ےک ان رکے.رتتیب یک ان اسھت ےک امجتع ہک اچےئیہ وک دہعدیار رہ اور دصر اریم ،ز رمیب رہ اکم رتتیب یک ان ڑکپے وک دس ٓاھٹ اچر تحت ےک وتقیف اینپ رطح اس دے.الیھپ ںیم داین وک ان رکے رکے اورانوکاکمرپاگلےئ.اس رطحہیدعتادڑبینھاچےئہ.“The job of the Da‘ī Ilallāh is to cultivate the crops and gardens of Da‘wat Ilallāh.It does not happen with just a mere piece of advice or a reminder; it needs the development of a close attachment with trainees.Creating a love for this work is an art and the Holy Qur’ān has thrown some fundamental light upon this we should benefit from.Allāh gave Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibrāhīm the task of giving life to nations and he was told that through him nations will
(American Edition) 10 get new life.Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibrāhīm had a very humble character.He submitted, ‘Rabbi Arinī Kaifa Tuḥ yil- Mautā, that is, O God! I understand that you will give life to nations, but how? In reply, he was commanded, ‘Take four birds and attach them to yourself, then send them in different directions and then call them, and you will see how they come flying back to you.’ This was the example of Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibr ā h ī m.So every missionary, Am ī r, president and office bearer should get hold of some members of their Jamā‘at, and under ‘Surhunna Ila ik’ (2 [Al-Baqarah]:261) should attach the trainees to themselves, train them with love and affection, give them a task and spread them in the world.Likewise, according to one’s capability, one should get hold of four, eight or ten members, train them and employ them.This way, this number should increase.’’ (Friday Sermon, August 28, 1987) To implement these instructions on Tablīgh, the following practical steps are suggested to Da‘īn Ilallāh.1.Every missionary, president and office- bearer of a Jamā‘at s hould select at least four suitable members of their Jamā‘at to form a Tablīgh team.2.This team should get together for Fajr Prayer at least once a week for special prayers to aid them in preaching successfully.3.A Qur’ān class for half an hour should follow the Fajr Prayer.The Tablīgh Guide should also be used.4.During the weekly class, each team member should write a letter to the Khal ī fatul-Mas īḥ , offer Ṣ adaqah and pray together for success in preaching.5.Subsequently, the ‘ 13 Steps to successfu l preaching’ should be adhered to.6.A weekly Tablīgh center should be established for one -to- one Tablīgh sittings from 11 A.M.to 7 P.M.These timings should be announced to your Jamā‘at.In order to accomplish this suggested program, each team member should be allocated one of the following duties: 1.Organizing the congregational Fajr Prayer, Darsul- Qur’ān , letter to the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ , Ṣ adaqah and silent prayer.2.Making arrangements for a Tablīgh stall.3.Arranging transport for bringing Tablīgh contacts to the Tablīgh center.4.Making arrangements for refreshments, providing literature, audio/video CDs and DVDs and showing MTA International.5.Keeping a record of activities and sending weekly reports.
(American Edition) 11 Some Prayers f or Successful Preaching Prayer of Moses ِ قَال َ رَب ۡ ٰلِۡۤاَمۡرِی ۡ ﴿ۙ﴾ ۡ ٰلِۡ صَدۡرِی ۡ ﴿ۙ﴾و َ یَسِر اشۡرَح ِنِۡ و َ احۡلُل ۡ عُقۡدَۃ ًمِن ۡ لِسَا ٰۡلِۡ ﴿۪﴾ ﴿ۙ﴾یَفۡقَہُوۡا قَو “My Lord, open out for me my breast, ‘And ease for me my task, ‘And loose the knot of my tongue, ‘That they may understand my speech.” (20 [Ṭā -H ā ]:26-29) Ist i k h ā ra h Prayer َ ِْلَِ الْعَظِميِ، فَاِنَّك َُلَُ مِن ْ فَض ْتَقْدِرُك َ بِقُدْرَتِكَ، وَأَسْأ ْتَخ ِْیُك َ بِعِلْمِكَ، وَأَس ِّنٍِّ أَس َ اللَّهُم َّ ا ت َ قْدِر ُ وَل َ أَقْدِرُ، وَتَع َْلَُ وَل َ أَع َْلَُ، وَأَنْت َ ع ًَلَّم ُ الْغُيُوبِ، اللَّهُم َّ اِن ْ كُنْت َ تَع َْلَُ أَن َّ هَذَا ا َ ل مْر ،ِِل ُ ِشِ وَعَاقِبَة ِ أَمْرِي فَاقْدُرْه ِنِ وَمَعَا َْیٌْ ِلِ ِفِ دِی ِ خ ْ ِلِ فِيه ُثَُّ َبَرِك ،ِِل ُ َّسٍِّْه وَي ، ْ َ وَاِن ْ كُن َ ت ِشِ وَعَاقِبَة ِ أَمْرِي ف ِنِ وَمَعَا َشٌَّ ِلِ ِفِ دِی َ َْلَُ أَن َّ هَذَا الَمْر ِْنِ تَع ْصِْف َِنٍِّ وَا ْصِْفْه ُ ع ا ِ عَنْهُ، ٍِِّنِ بِه ُثَُّ رَض َْیَْ حَيْث ُ َكَنَ، ْ ِلَِ الْخ وَاقْدُر.O Allāh! I seek good from You out of Your knowledge and seek power from You out of Your power, and beg of You out of Your boundless Grace, for You have power and I have no power and You have knowledge and I have no knowledge, and You have the best Knower of all unseen.O Allāh! If it be within Your knowledge that this project is for my good in the matter of spiritual affairs, and my worldly affairs, and in respect of my ultimate end, then make it possible for me and grant me facility concerning it: and bless it for me, but if it be within Your knowledge that this project is harmful in my spiritual and worldly affairs, and in respect of my ultimate end, then cause it to move away from me and cause me to move away from it, and designate for my good, wherever it may be, and then make me pleased with it.(From Bukhāri Chapters Ta hajjud, Tau ḥīd and Da‘wāt) F uneral Prayer It is Important to memorize the Funeral Prayer so that the second step (see below) in the 13 steps to successful preaching can be practiced.َنَ اَللَّهُم َّ اغْفِر ْ لِحَيٍِّنَا وَمَيٍِّتِنَا، وَشَاهِد َِنَ وَغَائِبِنَا، ِْیَِْنَ، وَذَكَر َِنَ وَأُنْثَا ِْیَِْنَ وَكَب َّ وَصَغ َّ ، اَللَّهُم َ مَن ْ أَحْيَيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَأَحْيِه ِ عَل َ الِس ًْلمِ، وَمَن ْ تَوَفَّيْتَه ُ مِنَّا فَتَوَفَّه ُ عَل َ الِیْمَانِ، اَللَّهُم ل ْحَْرِمْنَا أَجْرَه ُ وَل َ تَفْتِنَّا بَعْدَهُ.
(American Edition) 12 O Allāh! Forgive our living ones and our deceased ones; and those of us who are present and our absent ones; and our young ones and old ones: and our males and our females.O Allāh! Those of us whom you grant life, keep them firm on Islām and those of us whom you cause to die, cause them to die in the faith.Deprive us not, O Allāh, of the benefits relating to the deceased and subject us not to trial after him.Thirteen Steps t o Successful Preaching D ur i ng t h e week 1.Fast every week.2.Give the six right s to all Muslims (that is, greet with Salām, accept a kind invitation, respond to Al- Ḥ amdu Lill ā h on sneezing with Yar ḥ amukumull ā h, visit the sick, participate in the funeral of a fellow Muslim and like for others what you would like for yourself).In the morning 3.Perform Tahajjud for special favors.If possible stay overnight in the mosque (weekly).4.Perform Fajr Prayer in congregation.5.Conduct Dars-ul- Qur’ā n after Fajr Prayer.(Contemplate on the latest Friday Sermon of the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ.) Before the Tablīgh stall 6.Hold a weekly class; review the 13 steps, Bai‘at form, prayers and Tablīgh arguments and share experiences.Include refreshments.7.Offer Sadaqah.(9 [Al-Taubah]:103) 8.Write a letter to the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ for success in preaching.(9[Al- Taubah]:103) 9.Perform collective silent prayer.After the Tablīgh Stall 10.Tablīgh stall to be set up weekly by Anṣā r, Khudd ā m and Lajna.Engage in Istighf ā r.Maintain a register of appointments/contacts.(2[Al-Baqarah]:261) 11.Hold one-to- one meetings with the intention of getting Bai‘ats.Read and explain the Bai‘at form as well as use literature and audio and video media.12.Hold a monthly meeting of Da‘īn Ilallāh with central representatives.Maintain a register of Da‘īn Ilallāh te ams (An ṣā r, Khudd ā m and Lajna).
(American Edition) 13 13.Hold a monthly meeting and Q/A Session with new A ḥmadīs and their Tablīgh contacts.Maintain a register of Bai‘ats.These are some of the very many steps for successful preaching which were tried by the Midlands Tablīgh Teams and proved successful, Al- Ḥ amdu Lill ā h.By following these 13 steps, the Midlands region was able to achieve its target of 131 Bai‘ats in 1999 - 2000 and by the Grace of Allāh, the U.K.Jamā‘at achieved 545 Bai‘ats which was a record for the U.K.The compiler of this guide was regional missionary for Midlands as well as national secretary Tablīgh during the period.
(American Edition) 14 PART TWO Declaration o f Initiation (Pledge of Allegiance to A ḥ m adiyya Khilāfat) Following is the text of the declaration to join the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.To Ḥ a ḍ rat Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ V As - S alāmu ‘Alaikum Wa Ra ḥ matullāhi Wa Barakātuhū I hereby submit my declaration of initiation duly completed and signed.Please accept me into th e fold of the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Jamā‘at and pray for me.أَشْھَد ُ أَن ْ لَّا اِلٰہ َ اِلَّا الل ُ ہ وَحْدَہ ٗ لَا شَرِیک َ لَہ ٗ وَأَشْھَد ُ أَن َّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہ ٗ و َ رَسُوْلُہٗ.أَشْھَد ُ أَن ْ لَّا اِلٰہ َ اِلَّا الل ُ ہ ْ وَحْدَہ ٗ لَا شَرِیک َ لَہ ٗ وَأَش ھَد ُ أَن َّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہ ٗ و َ رَسُوْلُہٗ.أَشْھَد ُ أَن ْ لَّا اِلٰہ َ اِلَّا الل ُ ہ ُ وَحْدَہ ٗ لَا شَرِیک َ لَہ ٗ وَأَشْھَد أَن َّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہ ٗ و َ رَسُوْلُہٗ.“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh.He is One and has no partner, and I bear witness that Mu ḥ ammad is His Messenger.” I enter this day the A ḥ madiyya Jamā‘at in Islām at the hand of Masroor A ḥ mad.I have firm faith that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad Rasūlullāh (may peace and blessing of Allāh be on him) is Kh ā tam u n - Nabiyyīn, the Seal of all the Prophets.I also believe that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad (may peace be upon him) was the same Imām Mahdī and Promised Messiah whose advent was prophesied by Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him).I pr omise that I will always try my best to abide by the ten conditions of Bai‘at (initiation) as prescribed by the Promised Messiah.I will give precedence to my faith over all worldly objects.I will always remain loyal to the institution of Khilāfat in A ḥ ma diyyat; and will obey you as Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ in everything good that you may require of me, In Shā Allāh.َ اَسْتَغْفِر ُ اللہ ُ رَبِّی ْ مِن ْ کُل ِّ ذَنْب ٍ و َّ اَتُوْب َ اِلَیْہ ِ.اَسْتَغْفِر ُ اللہ ُ رَبِّی ْ مِن ْ کُل ِّ ذَنْب ٍ و َّ اَتُوْب َ اِلَیْہ ِ.َ ا سْتَغْفِر ُ اللہ ْ رَبِّی ُ مِن ْ کُل ِّ ذَنْب ٍ و َّ اَتُوْب اِلَیْہ ِ.I beg pardon from Allāh, my Lord, for all my sins and turn to Him.I beg pardon from Allāh, my Lord, for all my sins and turn to Him.I beg pardon from Allāh, my Lord, for all my sins and turn to Him.َ رَب ِّ اِنِّی ْ ظَلَمْت ُ نَفْسِی ْ وَاعْتَرَفْت َ بِذَنْبِی ْ فَاغْفِرْلِی ْ ذُنُوْبِی ْ فَاِنَّہ ٗ لَا یَغْفِر ُ الذُّنُوْب َ اِلَّا ا َ نْت
(American Edition) 15 O my Lord, my Allāh, I wronged my soul and confess all my sins; pray, forgive me my sins, for there is none els e except Thee to forgive.Ā mīn! This section studies the ‘Declaration’ closely with supportive references explaining the significance of each of the nine points in light of the Holy Qur’ān, A ḥādīth (sayings of the Holy Prophet) and statements by revered Islāmic scholars.1.Origin of the Name ‘A ḥ madiyya’? “Please accept me into the fold of the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Jamā‘at.” In order to explain the name A ḥ madiyya, the following verse of the Holy Qur’ān should be presented: “And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘O children of Israel, surely I am Allāh’s Messenger unto you, fulfilling that which is before me of the Torah, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger who will come after me.His name will be A ḥmad.’ And when he came to them with clear proofs, they said, ‘This is clear enchantment.’” (61 [Al- Ṣ aff]:7) “Aḥmad,” as mentioned in this verse, refers to the Holy Prophet Muḥ ammad.Mu ḥ ammad and A ḥmad both carry the same meaning of ‘the praised one.’ Hence, the A ḥmadiyya Muslim Jamā‘at was named after the Holy Prophet and not, as non- A ḥmadīs think, after Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad, who was his most perfect follower.His name actually means, “servant of Aḥ mad.” In essence, every Muslim should in fact be an ‘Aḥmadī’.The following Ḥadīth states that the Muslim Ummah (people) will become divided and only one division would be true: ِ َِضَِ ہللا عَنْھُمَا قَال َ قَال َ رَسُوْل ُ ہللا ِ َعَْرو ر عَن ْ عَبْد ِ ہللا ِ بْن ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ُ َِیََّ عَل ہ ا َِِّْ لَيَاْت َْ م َِنِْ اِس ََتَ ب َ مَا عَل ہ ا ََتَ اُمَّہ ُ ع ًَلَنِيَّۃ ا ل ََکَن ََِّ اِن ْ َكَن َ مِنْھُم ْ مَن ْ ا َ آئِيْل َ حَذُو َ ا النَّعْل ِ َبِالنَّعل ِ ح َِیَْ مِلَّۃ ا و َ ت َبْع ََیِْ و َ س َِنِْ اِسَْآئِيْل َ تَفَرَّقَت ْ عَل ہ الثْنَت َِِّْ مَن ْ یَّصْنَع ُ ذہلَک َ وَاِن َّ ب ُ ِفِْ اُم رَتَِ ُُ ف َ عَل َِِّْ ِاُم َ َیَ رَسُوْل َ ہللا ْ ِفِ النَّار ِ اِل َّ مِلَّۃ ا وَّاحِدَۃ ا قَالُوْا مَن ْ ھِی َکَُّھُم ا َِیَْ مِلَّۃ َبْع ث ًَلَث ٍ و َ س ِْ َْصَْاب قَال َ مَا ا ََنَ عَلَيْہ ِ وَا (ترمزی کتاب الامیان) Ḥ a ḍ rat Abdull āh bin ‘Amr relates that the Holy Prophet said: “Surely things w ill happen to my people as happened earlier to the Israelites.They will resemble each other like one shoe in a pair resembles the other to the extent that if among the Israelites someone had openly committed adultery with his mother, there will be some who would do this in my Ummah as well.The Israelites were divided into 72 sects, but my people will be divided into 73 sects.All of them will be in the fire except one.The
(American Edition) 16 companions of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) asked , “who are they, O messenger of Allāh? The Holy Prophet (may peace be upon him) said, ‘they are the people who will follow my practice and that of my companions.” (Tirmidhī, Kitā bul- Ī m ā n) Ḥ a ḍ rat Mullā Al ī Q ā r ī (d.1606 A.D.), the renowned commentator of Mishk ā t and a very admired Mu ḥ addith, has explained this Ḥadīth: ِ ُّنَّۃ ِ الْبَيْضَاء ْ ِفِ النَّار ِ وَالْفِرْقَۃ ُ النَّاجِيَۃ ُ ھُم ْ اَھْل ُ الس َکُُّھُم ا َبْعُوْن َ فِرْقَۃ تِلْک َ اثْنَتَان ِ وَس الْمُحَمَّدِیَّۃ ِ و َ الطَّرِیْقَۃ ِ النَّقِيَّۃ ِ ال َُْحَْدِیَّۃِ.“ All 72 sects will be in the fire and the one sect which will be saved from the fire, will be that which will follow the pure Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and their pure dispensation will be called Al- A ḥmadiyya.” (Mirqā t, Commentary of Mishk ā t, Vol.1, p.204) 2.Kalimah Shah ā dah “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh.He is one and has no partner.And I bear witness that Mu ḥ ammad is His servant and Messenger.” Kalimah Shah ā dah is one of the five pillars of Islām as stated in the following Ḥadīth: ِ َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ قَال َ قَال َ رَسُوْل ُ ہللا َعَُر َ ر ِ عَن ِ ابْن ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ِ َخَْس ٍ شَھَادَۃ ہ ُِنَِ الِْس ًْلَم ُ عَل ِ ب َ اَن ْ ل َّ اِلہہ َ اِل َّ ہللا ُ وَاَن َّ مُحَمَّداا رَسُوْل ُ ہللا ِ و َ اِقَام الصَّلہوۃ ِ و َ اِیْتَاء ِ الزَّکہوۃ ِ و َ حَج ٍِّ الْبَیْت ِ و صَوْم ِ رَمَضَانَ.Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibn ‘ Umar relates that the Holy Prophet said: “Islām is based on five pillars; to bear witness that Mu ḥ ammad is the Messenger of Allāh; to offer Ṣ al ā t (formal worship of God) ; to pay the Zak ā t (obligatory minimum requirement of financial contribution in the cause of Allāh); to perform Ḥ ajj (pilgrimage to the House of Allāh); and to keep the fast in the month of Rama ḍ ā n.” (Bukhārī, Kit ā bul - Ī m ā n) The following Ḥadīth explains th at the Holy Prophet has forbidden Muslims to doubt the intention of anyone who recites the Kalimah, Allāh alone knows what is in the heart and mind of a person.ِ عَن ْ اُسَامَۃ َ بْن ِ زَیْد ٍ و َ ھَذَا حَدِیْث ُ ابْن ِ اَب ِ شَیْبَۃ َ قَال َ بَعَثَنَا رَسُوْل ُ ہللا ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ِِْف ٍ ْسَْیَۃ َ ِفِْ مِن ًُلا فَقَال َ ل َ اِلہہ َ اِل َّ ہللا ُ فَطَعَنُتُہ ٗ فَوَقَع ْ ُجُينَہ َ فَاَدُرَکْت ُ رَج فَصَبَّحْنَا الْحُرَقَات ِ مِن ہ َ ذ لِک
(American Edition) 17 َِِّْب فَذَکَرُتُہ ٗ لِلن ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ِ فَقَال َ رَسُوْل ُ ہللا ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ََی ُ ِاَقَال َ ل َ اِلہہ َ ہللا ُ و َ قَتَلْتَہ ُ قَال َ قُلْت رَسُوْل َ ہللا َْلََ اَقَا لَھَا اَم ْ ل َ فَمَازَا تَع ٍَِّہ ًَلَ شَقَقْت َ عَن ْ قَلْبِہ ٖ ح َ اِنَّمَا قَا لَھَا خَوْفاا مِن ْ الس ًٍِّلَح ِ قَال َ اَف ٍل َِنٍِّٓ اَسْلَمْت ُ یَوْمَئِذ تَمَنَّیْت ُ ا ٍَِّہ یُکَرٍِّرُھَا عَل ََّ ح Ḥ a ḍ rat Us ā mah bin Zaid ra relates that: “T he Holy Prophet (may peace be and blessing of Allāh be upon him) sent us in a raiding party.We raided Ḥ uraq ā t of Juhaina in the morning.I caught hold of a man and he said, “There is no God but Allāh.I attacked him with spear.It once occurred to me and I talked about it to the Apostle (may peace be and blessing of Allāh be upon him).The Messenger of Allāh (peace be and blessing of Allāh be upon him) said, Did he profess ‘There is no God but Allāh’ and even then you killed him? I said, Messenger of Allāh , he made a profession of it out of fear of the weapon.The Holy Prophet observed; “Did you tear his heart out in order to find out whether he had professed it or not?” He went on repeating it to me u ntil I wished that I had become Muslim on that day.(Muslim, Kit ā bul- Ī m ā n) 3.Khil ā fat “I enter this day the Ahmadiyya Jam ā‘ at in Isl ā m at the hand of Masroor A ḥ mad.” The Holy Qur’ān makes reference to Khil ā fat (Successorship) in the following verse: َ وَعَد ۡلَۡرۡض ِ کَمَا َُہُۡ ِفِ ا ت ِ لَیَسۡتَخۡلِفَن ی لِح ی مَنُوۡا مِنۡکُم ۡ و َ عَمِلُوا الص ی ّل َِیۡن َا ُا ّلل ی ِ ا َُہُۡ م َُہُۡ و َ لَیُبَدِلَن ی ل ی ّل َِی ارۡتَض َُہُُ ا َُہُۡ دِیۡن ُِہِۡ ۪ و َ لَیُمَکِ نَن َ ل ّل َِیۡن َ مِن ۡ قَبۡل اسۡتَخۡلَف َ ا ُِہِۡ ن ُبَعۡد ِ خَوۡف لِک َ فَاُولٰٓئِک َ ہُم ی ؕ و َ مَن ۡ کَفَر َ بَعۡد َ ذ َ ِبِۡ شَیۡئًا َِنِۡ ۡلَ یُشۡرِکُوۡن ؕ یَعۡبُدُوۡن اَمۡنًا سِقُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ ی الۡف “Allāh has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me.Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious.”(24[Al -N ū r]:56)
(American Edition) 18 ِ َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ قَال َ رَسُوْل ُ ہللا عَن ْ حُذَیْفَۃ َ ر ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ْ ُْکُْ مَا ٓ شَآء َ ہللا ُ اَن ْ تَکُون ُ النُّبُوَّۃ ُ فِي ُثَُّ تَکُوْن ُ خ ًِلَفَۃ ٌ عَل ہ مِنْھَاج ِ النُبُوَّۃ ِ مَا ٓ شَا ٓ ء َ ہللا ُ اَن ْ تَکُو ٰلہ َ ُثَُّ یَرْفَعُھَا ہللا ُ تَعَا َ تَکُوْن َُثَُّ ن َکا عَاضَّا فَيَکُوْن ُثَُّ تَکُوْن ُ مُل ٰلہ یَرْفَعُھَا ہللا ُ تَعَا َ ُثَُّ یَرْفَعُھَا مَا ٓ شَآء َ ہللا ُ اَن ْ یَکُوْن ٰلہ َ ہللا ُ تَعَا ُثَُّ تَکُوْن ُ خ ٰلہ َ ُثَُّ یَرْفَعُھَاہللا ُ تَعَا َکا ج ََبَِیَّۃ ا فَتَکُوْن َ مَا ٓ شَآء َ ہللا ُ اَن ْ تَکُوْن ٌ ُثَُّ تَکُوْن ُ مُل ًلَفَۃ ِ ُثَُّ سَکَتَ.عَل ہ مِنھَاج ِ النُّبُوَّۃ Ḥ a ḍ rat Hudhaifah relates that the Holy Prophet said: “Prophethood shall remain among you as long as God wills.He will bring about its end and follow it with Khilāfat on the precepts of Prophethood for as long as He wills and then bring about its end.Kingship shall then follow to remain as long as He wills and then come to an end.There shall then be tyranny, which shall remain as long as God wills and come to an end upon His decree.There will then emerge Khilāfat on the precepts of prophethood.Then he remained silent.” (Musnad A ḥ mad) It is thus clear that the institution of Khilāfat was to return with the advent of the Imām Mahdī and Promised Messiah who, as the Ḥadīth makes clear, would be a prophet.Since Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Masroor Aḥ mad is the present Khal ī fa, Bai‘at must be done at his hand.4.Kh ā ta mun - Nabiyyin “I have firm faith that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is Kh ā tamun - Nabiyy ī n, the seal of all the prophets.” The following verse of the Qur’ān introduces the belief of Kh ā tamun-Nabiyy ī n: َ ِّی َٖ ؕ و َ کَان ِ و َ خَاتَم َ النَب ّلل ی کِن ۡ رَسُوۡل َ ا ی مَا کَان َ مُحَمَد ٌ اَبَاۤاَحَد ٍ مِن ۡ رِجَالِکُم ۡ وَل ﴾ ٪ ِ َشَۡء ٍ عَلِیۡمًا ﴿ ُبِکُل ّلل ی ا “Muḥ ammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allāh and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allāh has full knowledge of all things.” (33[Al -A ḥ z ā b]:41) Kh ā tamun-Nabiyy ī n means that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, is the last of the law-bearing prophet who attained the loftiest spiritual rank having personified and perfected the highest and most noble qualities attainable by a messenger.It does not mean, however, that the appearance of more prophets is barred.The term Kh ā tam has the primary denotation of superiority in rank, reaching the peak of something.Ḥ a ḍ rat ‘Alī was called Kh ā tamul-Auliy ā (Taf ṣī r-e- Ṣā f ī , 33:41) and Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibn ‘ Abb ā s Kh ā tamul-
(American Edition) 19 Muh ā jir ī n (Kanzul- ‘ Umm ā l, Vol.6, p.178), but it would be unreasonable to say that they were, respectively, the last friend of Allāh and the last emigr ant.The following verse of the Holy Qur’ān proves that prophethood within Islām is still possible: َٖ ِّی ُۡہِۡ مِن َ النَب ُ عَلَی ّلل ی ّل َِیۡن َ اَنۡعَم َ ا َ وَالرَسُوۡل َ فَاُولٰٓئِک َ مَع َ ا ّلل ی ِ وَمَن ۡ یُطِع ِ ا ل ی ِّیَۡ وَالشُہَد َٓاء ِ وَالص وَالصِدِیۡق ِّیَۡ ۚ وَحَسُن َ اُولٰٓئِک َ رَفِیۡقًا ﴿ؕ﴾ ح “And whoso obeys Allāh and this Messenger of His shall be among those on whom Allāh has bestowed His blessings, namely, the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous.And excellent companions are the se.” (4[Al - Nisā]:70) In this verse, Allāh assures those who follow Him and His prophet (Mu ḥ ammad) that they will be included in one of the four categories: Prophets (Nabiyyīn) , Truthful (Siddīqīn) , Martyrs (Shuhadā) and Righteous ( Ṣālihīn).Therefore, if, as the Muslims agree, the truthful, martyrs and righteous appear in Islām, why not prophets too? To say that prophets can no longer come is also to say that there can be no more truthful, martyrs and righteous people in Islām.Furthermore the Holy Qur’ān states: ِۡیٌۡ ﴿ۚ﴾ َ سَمِیۡع ٌٌۢبَص ّلل ی اِن َ ا ؕ ِ ًُلً و َ مِن َ النَاس ُ یَصۡطَفِی ۡ مِن َ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃ ِرُس َّلل ی ا “Allāh chooses His Messengers from among angels, and from among men.Surely, Allāh is All -Hearing, All- Seeing.” (22[Al - Ḥ ajj]:76) ی َِنِۡۤا َ ییب ی و َ اَصۡلَح ی ِتِۡ ۙ فَمَن ِ اتَق ی ی ی دَم َاِمَا یَاۡتِیَنَکُم ۡ رُسُل ٌ مِنۡکُم ۡ یَقُصُوۡن َ عَلَیۡکُم ۡ ا َۡلَ ہُم ۡ یَحۡزَنُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ ُۡہِۡ و ًَلَ خَوۡف ٌ عَلَی ف “O children of Adam! if Messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing My Signs unto you, then whoso shall fear God and do good deeds, on them shall come no fear nor shall they grieve.” (7[Al -A ‘ r ā f]:36) If prophethood really had ended, the verses should have been in the past tense saying, ‘Allāh chose Messengers’ and ‘Messengers came to you’, not in the present tense as stated in the above verses.The non-A ḥmadīs, eager to argue the termination of prophethood, often present the following Ḥadīth:
(American Edition) 20 ِ ِِنِْ اہخِر ُ الَْنْبِيَاء ا “Verily, I am the last prophet.” (Muslim, Kit ā bul- Ḥ ajj) But we find in the same sentence: ْ ِوَاِن َّ مَسْجِدِی اہخِر ُ الْمَسَاجِد “And this Mosque of mine (at Medina) is the last mosque.(Muslim, Kitābul - Ḥ ajj) If this tradition should mean that no prophets can appear after the Holy Prophet, it must also mean that no mosque should have been built after Masjid Nabaw ī (the mosque of the Holy Prophet in Mad ī nah).But it is well-known that Masjid Nabaw ī was in fact the first of thousands.So the Ḥadīth can only mean that no other mosque could ever be built that surpasses Masjid Nabaw ī in prestige and significance, just as no messenger can now appear who excels the Holy Prophet in beauty and importance.The early scholars of Islām explain the meaning of Khā tamun-Nabiyy ī n in the same way: Ḥ a ḍ rat Ā ’ishah, the Holy spouse o f the Holy Prophet, said: ٗ َِبَِّ بَعْدَہ قُوْلُوْا اِنَّہ ُ خَا َتَُ الَْنْبِيَآء ِ وَل َ تَقُوْلُوْا ل َ ن “Do proclaim that he (the Holy Prophet) was Khā tamun- Nabiyy ī n, but never say that there shall be no prophet after him.” (Al-Durr Al- Manthūr , Vol.5, p.204) Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ yudd ī n Ibn ‘ Arab ī (d.1240 A.D.), the renowned and distinguished commentator of the Holy Qur’ān and a leader of the Ṣū f ī school of thought, said: ُّ ِ ِفِ الن َّ ِفِْ ھہذالُْمَّۃ ِ مَن ْ حلِقَت ْ دَرَجَتُہ ٗ دَرَجَۃ َ الَْنْبِيَاء َ قَطَعْنَا اَن ِ ِفِبُوَّۃ ِ عِنْد َ ہللا ِ ل َّْشِْیْح الت “From the study and contemplation of the Durūd (invoking Allāh’s blessings upon the Holy Prophet) we have arrived at the definite conclusion that there shall, from among the Muslims, certainly be persons whose status, in the matter of prophethood, shall advance to the level of prophets if Allāh pleases , but they shall not be given any book of law.” (Futūhāt Makkiy yah, Vol.1, p.545) Ḥ a ḍ rat Mullā ‘Alī Q ā r ī said: َ وَرَد ’’ ْ َِبَِّ بَعْدِی ل َ ن ‘‘ ُ ٗ مَعْنَاہ ُ عِنْد َ الْع ُ َشَْعَہ َْشَْح ٍ یَنْسَخ َِبٍِِّ ب لَمَاء ِ ل َ َیَْدُث ُ ن
(American Edition) 21 “According to the ‘Ulamā (religious scholars), the words ‘Lā Nabiyya Ba‘dī’ (There is no Prophet after me) means that no prophet in the future shall be raised who shall abrogate his law.” (Al -Ish ā’a h Fi Ashr ā tis-S ā‘ ah, p.226) Ḥ a ḍ rat Maul ā n ā Mu ḥ ammad Q ā sim N ā notw ī , the founder of the Deoband Academy, who lived in the same century as Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad, said: ارگ اخ ی م ی ت ینعمب ااصتف ذایت وبفص وبنت ےئجیل اسیج ہک دمچیہ ان ےن رعض ایک ےہ وت رھپ روسل اہلل ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص اور یسک وک ارفاد وصقمد ابقلخل ںیم ےس امملث وبنی ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ںیہن ہہک ےتکس ہکلب اس وصرت ںیم طقف اایبنء ےک ارفاد اخریج یہ رپ ٓاپ یک تلیضف اثتب ہن وہیگ ارفاد دقمرہ رپ یھب ٓاپ یک تلیضف اثتب وہ اجےئ یگ ہکلب ارگ ابرفلض دعب زامہن وبنی ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص یھب وکیئ یبن دیپا وہ وت رھپ یھب ی م ی اخت دمحمی ںیم ھچک رفق ہن ٓاےئ اگ.“If the finality of the prophethood of the Holy Prophet be considered in the light of his excellent attributes and his having reached the apex of excellence, as I have already stated, but not chronologically, and which height no one can ever aspire to reach, the point of his superiority over all persons becomes established over those who have passed away and also over those who come after him.If we accept this view, it shall not at all contravene his finality even though someone in the future did rise to the high status of prophethood.” (Taḥ zirun- Nās, p.28) 5.Imām Mahdī and Promised Messiah “I also believe that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad was the same Imām Mahdī and Promised Messiah whose advent was prophesied by Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad Ras ū lull ā h (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him).” The Qur’ān in verse below refers to the advent of a messenger of Allāh who was to come in the latter days: َ ُۡہُۡیَتۡلُوۡا ع ۡۡلً مِن ِّی َٖرَسُو ۡلُۡم َ ِفِا ّل َِی ۡبَعَث ُُہُُہُو َ ا ُۡہِۡ و َ یُعَلِم یی تِہ ٖو َ یُزَکِ ی ی ُۡہِۡا لَی ِّیٍۡ ۙ﴿﴾ ل ٍ مُب ی ب َ و َ الۡحِکۡمَۃ َ ٭ و َ اِن ۡ کَانُوۡا مِن ۡقَبۡل ُلَفِی ۡ ضَل ی الۡکِت ُۡہُۡلَمَا خَرِیۡن َ مِن ی و َ ا ُِہِۡ ؕ و َ ہُو َ الۡعَزِیۡز ُ الۡحَکِیۡم ُ ﴿﴾ یَلۡحَقُوۡا ب “He it is Who has raised among the Unlettered people a Messenger from among themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest misguidance;” “And among others from among them who have not yet joined them.He is the Mighty, the Wise.” (62[Al - Jumu‘ah]:3 -4)
(American Edition) 22 The Holy Prophet explained this verse in the following Ḥadīth: َل ِض ہللا عنه قَال َ كُنَّا جُلُوسا ا عِنْد َ النَّب ٍِِّ صل ہللا عليه وس َِبِ هُرَیْرَۃَ، ر ُ عَن ْ أ ِ فَأُنْزِلَت ْ عَلَيْه ِ سُورَۃ الْجُمُعَة ْ وَأٓخَرِین َ م ِْنُْم ْ لَمَّا یَلْحَقُوا ِبِِم ْ ُهُْ َیَ رَسُو ّللَِّ قَال َ قُلْت ُ مَن ل َ ا ّللَِّ صل ہللا ِِسُِّ، وَضَع َ رَسُول ُ ا ًَلًَثا ، وَفِينَا سَلْمَان ُ الْفَار سَأَل َ ث ََِّ ََلَْ یُرَاجِعْه ُ ح ف َعليه َ ُثَُّ قَال َل یَدَه ُ عَل َ سَلْمَان وس ” ْ َلَُ رِجَال ٌ ـ أَو ْ رَجُل ٌ ـ مِن ُّثََُّیَّ لَنَا ِ لَو ْ َكَن َ الِمیَان ُ عِنْد َ ال هَؤُلَء “.Abū Hurairah , may Allah be pleased with him, narrates: “W e were in the company of the Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) w hen Sūrah Jumu’ah was revealed.[When he recited the verse] ‘Wa Ākharīna Minhum Lammā Yal ḥaqū Bihim,’ that is, ‘And (among) others of them who have not yet joined them,’ one of those present asked, “Who are they, O Messenger of Allāh?” The Holy Prophet did not reply until the third time.At that time, Salman the Persian was also among us.The Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) placed his hand on him and said, ‘Even if faith ascended to the Ple iades, a person or persons from among them will restore it [back to earth].” (Bukhārī, Kitābut - Tafsīr) From this Ḥadīth , we can conclude: 1.Sūrah Jumu‘ah mentions the advent of a messenger of Allāh in the latter - days.2.Those who follow that messenger will be like the companions of the Holy Prophet.3.This messenger is the Imām Mahdī and Promised Messiah.4.He shall appear at a time when Muslims will be very weak spiritually.5.He shall be raised from the Persian people.6.He will be able to restore the true faith in the hearts of those who will follow him.7.He will be succeeded by Khulaf ā who will also be from among the Persians.Furthermore, the Holy Prophet has prophesied the advent of the son of Mary in the following Ḥadīth:
(American Edition) 23 َ ِ عَن ْ اَب ِْ ھُرَیْر َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ قَال َ قَال َ رَسُول َ ہللا ۃ َ ر ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ِ ِْسِْ بِيَدِہ ِ لَيُوْش َّ وَا َّلَِّی ْ نَف ُ کَن ّْسُِ الصَّلِيْب َ وَیَقْتُل ُ الْخ ِْنِْیْر َ وَیَضَع ُ احلَرْب َ و َ ی ُْکُُ ابْن ُ مَر َْیََ ح ََکَاا عَدْل ا فَيَک ُ اَن ْ ی َّْنِْل َ فِي ٗفِيض ٍَِّہ ل َ یَقْبَلُہ الْمَال َ ح ٍَِّہ تَکُوْن َ السَّجْدَۃ ُ الْوَاحِدَۃ ُ خ َْیْاا مِن َ ادلُّنْيَا وَمَا فِيھَا.اَحَد ٌ ح Ḥ a ḍrat Abū Hurairah relates that the Holy Prophet said: By Him in Whose hands is my life, the son of Mary will soon appear among you.He will administer justice, he will break the cross, kill the swine, abolish war and distribute wealth but no one will accept it.In those days, one prostration before Allāh will be better than the world and what it contains.(Bukhārī, Kitā bul-Anbiy ā ) The breaking of the cross and killing of the swine signifies the ideological defeat of Christianity; the abolishment of war means that Jihād with sword would be suspended; and the distribution of wealth connotes the spread of spiritual knowledge.However, the son of Mary to appear could only be a prophet bearing similar characteristics and qualities to Jesus, and not the original Jewish Messiah whose mission was confined only to the House of Israel.As the following verse of the Holy Qur’ān declares: َ َِنِۡۤاِسۡر َٓاءِیۡل ب ِٰلی ۡۡلً ا وَرَسُو “And will make him a Messenger to the children of Israel” (3[ Āl lmrān]:50) Death of Jesus Jesus cannot return physically as the Holy Qur’ān declares him dead in the following verses: ؕ ُ ِۡلِِ الرُسُل ٌ ۚ قَد ۡ خَلَت ۡ مِن ۡ قَب ِۡل َ رَسُوۡل ۡ وَمَا مُحَمَد ٌ ا ۡ اَفَا۠ئِن ۡ مَات َ اَو ۡ قُتِل َ ان ؕقَلَبۡتُم َ شَیۡئًا ّلل ی عَقِبَیۡہ ِ فَلَن ۡ یَضُر َ ا َٰۤلی ۡ ؕ وَمَن ۡ یَنۡقَلِب ۡ ع اَعۡقَابِکُم َٰۤلی ع ُ ّلل ی وَسَیَجۡزِی ا کِرِیۡن َ ﴿﴾ ی الش “And Muḥ ammad is only a Messenger.Verily all Messengers have passed away before, him.If then he dies or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allāh at all.And Allāh will certainly reward the grateful.” (3[ Ā l I mrān]:145) ۡ ٌ ۚ قَد ۡ خَلَت ِۡل َ رَسُوۡل ٌ ؕمَا الۡمَسِیۡح ُ ابۡن ُ مَرۡیَم َ ا ُ ؕ و َ اُمُہ ٗ صِدِیۡقَۃ ِۡلِِ الرُسُل مِن ۡ قَب
(American Edition) 24 یُؤۡفَکُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ َِن ی یی ت ِ ثُم َ انۡظُر ۡ ا ۡلۡی َُہُُ ا َّی ُِ ل َ ؕ اُنۡظُر ۡ کَیۡف َ نُب ن ِ الطَعَام ی کَانَا یَاۡکُل “The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger, All messengers before him have passed away.And his mother was a truthful woman.Both of them used to eat food.See how we explain the signs for their good, and see how they are turned away.” (5[Al-M ā’idah]:76) ِ ِٰلَ َ وَمُطَہ ِِن ِۡ مُتَوَفِیۡک َ وَرَافِعُک َ ا ُ یی عِیۡسی ی ا ّلل ی اِذ ۡ قَال َ ا ّل َِیۡن َ کَفَرُوۡا ۡ رُک َ مِن َ ا ِٰلَ َ مَرۡجِعُکُم ثُم َ ا ۚ ِ یَوۡم ِ الۡقِیی مَۃ ِٰلی ّل َِیۡن َ کَفَرُوۡۤا ا ّل َِیۡن َ اتَبَعُوۡک َ فَوۡق َ ا وَجَاعِل ُ ا فَاَحۡکُم ُ بَیۡنَکُم ۡ فِیۡمَا کُنۡتُم ۡ فِیۡہ ِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ “When Allāh said, O Jesus, I will cause th ee to die a natural death* and will exalt thee to Myself, and will clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve, and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ.”(3 [ Ā l ‘Imrān]:56) * The word Mutawaffīka is derived from the Arabic word tawaffā, which means death.َ و ۚ ۡ َِب ِۡ وَرَبَکُم َ ر ّلل ی َِنِۡ بِہ ٖۤ اَن ِ اعۡبُدُوا ا ِۡل َ مَا ۤ اَمَرۡت َُہُۡ ا مَا قُلۡت ُ ل ُۡہِۡ شَہِیۡدًا ُۡہِۡ ؕ کُنۡت ُ عَلَی َِنِۡ کُنۡت َ اَنۡت َ الرَقِیۡب َ عَلَی ُۡہِۡ ۚ فَلَمَا تَوَفَیۡت مَا دُمۡت ُ فِی ٌ ِ َشَۡء ٍ شَہِیۡد کُل َٰۤلی و َ اَنۡت َ ع ﴿﴾ “I (Jesus) said nothing to them except that which thou didst command me ‘Worship Allāh, my Lord and your Lord,’ And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them but since thou didst cause me to die, Thou hast been the watcher over them; and thou art Witness over all things.” (5 [Al-M āi’dah ]:118) The Holy Qur’ān clearly states in the following verse that a deceased person can never return physically: َُہُۡ ۡلَ یَرۡجِعُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ ہَا ۤاَن ی قَرۡیَۃ ٍاَہۡلَکۡن َٰۤلی و َ حَری م ٌ ع “And it is an inviolable law for a township which we have destroyed that they shall not retur n.” (21[Al - Anbiyā]:96) It is also declared in the Holy Qur’ān that all creatures being worshipped, as Jesus is by Christians, are not living:
(American Edition) 25 ۡ ِۡلَ یَخۡلُقُوۡن َ شَیۡئًا وَہُم ّلل ی ّل َِیۡن َ یَدۡعُوۡن َ مِن ۡ دُوۡن ِ ا ؕوَا یُخۡلَقُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ َ َۡیُۡ ا َ اَمۡوَات ٌ غ َ ۙ اَیَان ٍ ۚ وَمَا یَشۡعُرُوۡن حۡی َٓاء ٪ یُبۡعَثُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ “And those on whom they call beside Allāh create not anything, but they are themselves created.They are dead, not living: and they know not when they will be raised.” 16[Al - Na ḥ l]:21-22) The word Ta waffaitanī is derived from Tawaffā , meaning death.The term is used for the deceased in the Funeral Prayer with the word Fatawaffāhu (see “Some prayers for successful Preaching”).The Holy Prophet himself said: َ ِْشِْیْن ِسَ ابْن َ مَر َْیََ عَاش َ ع ٍ اِن َّ عِی َنَۃ و َ مِائَۃ َ س “Verily, Jesus, son of Mary, lived 120 years.”(Kanzul -Umm ā l, Vol.6, p.160 and Ḥ ujajul-Kar ā mah, p.428) He also said: ْ َلَو َكَن ہ َمُوْس و ِسہ ََّیِْعِی حَي لَمَا َّوَسِعَھُمَا ٍاِل اتٍِّبَاعِی “If Moses and Jesus had been alive , they would have had to follow me.” (Zurqānī, Vol.6, p.54 and Ibn Kathīr, Vol.2, p.246) Many scholars of Islām have said that Jesus did indeed die a natural death.Ḥ a ḍrat Imām Ḥ asan, the grandson of the Holy Prophet, said on the death of his father Ḥ a ḍ rat ‘Alī : ْ ِْشِْیْن َ مِن َبْع َ وَع َْیََ لَيْلَۃ َ س بْن ِ مَر ِْسہ َِِّْ عُرِج َ فِيْھَا بِرُوح ٍ عِی َ ِفِ اللَّيْلَۃ ِ ال َ لَقَد ْ قُبِض رَمَضَان “He (Ḥ a ḍ rat ‘ Al ī ) has passed away during the night in which the soul [not the body] of Jesus, son of Mary, was raised, that is, the night of the 27th of the month of Ramadan.” (Ṭ abaq ā tul-Kab ī r by Ibn Sa‘d , Vol.3) About Ḥ a ḍrat Imām Mālik, an authority on Islāmic jurisprudence, it is written: َ لَم ْ یَمُت ْ وَقَال َ مَالِک ُ مَات ِْسہ ُّْثَُ اَن َّ عِی وَالَْک “ Although many peop le say that Jesus did not die, Imām Malik used to say he had died.” (Majma‘ul -Bih ā r)
(American Edition) 26 Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibn ‘ Arab ī , in his explanation of the Raf ‘ (rising) of Jesus (4[Al- Nis ā] :159), said: ُ رَفْع ِْسہ ِ عِی ُعَلَيْہ ُالس ًَّلَم ٖ اتٍِّصَال َرُوْحِہ ِعِنْد ِالْمَفَارَقَۃ ِعَن ٍِِّالْعَالَم ِ َبِالسٍِّفْل ٍِّلْعَالَم َالْعُلْوِی ٗ.....وَجَب ِفِنُزُوْلُہ ِآخِر ٖ الزَّمَان ٍبَتَعَلُّقِہ َبَبَدَن اہخَر “The raising of Jesus ( may peace be on him) means that his soul was raised to meet Allāh , the Almighty, in the next world...and in the latter days he will appear metaphorically in the person of someone else.” (Tafsīr Ibn ‘ Arab ī , p.65) This leads us to the only conclusion that Jesus’ return was to be a metaphorical event.It should also be noted that the Imām Mahdī and the Promised Messiah are in fact two titles for one person as stated in the Ḥadīth below: ٍ ِْنِْ مُحَمَّدُبْن ُ خَادل ِ الْجُنْدِی ُّ عَن ْ ا ََبَن ِ بْن ِ صَالِح ٍ عَن ِ الْحَسَن ِ عَن اَنَس ِ بْن ِ مَالِک ِ حَدَّث اَن َّ رَسُوْل َ ہللا ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص قَال َ : َّ َّ ل َ یَزْدَاد ُ الَْمْر ُ اِل شِدَّۃا.وَل َ ادلُّنْيَا اِل َّ اِد َْبَرَا.وَل َ النَّاس ُ اِل بْن ُ مَر َْیََ.ِْسہ َشَِار ِ النَّاسِ.وَلَالْمَھْدِی ُّ اِل َّ عِی ہ ُشٍُّا وَل َ تَقُوْم ُ السَّاعَۃ ُ اِل َّ عَل Ḥ a ḍ rat Anas bin M ālik reported that Allāh’s Messenger said: “The matter will no t add but (more and more) misery; and the world would not multiply but in adversity (and poverty); and people would turn more and more niggardly; and the (last) hour would not occur but on the worst people; and there would be no Mahdī (the guided one) but Jesus, son of Mary.” (Ibn M ā jah, Kit ā bul-Fitan) The truth of the Claim of Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad (may peace be upon him) The Truth of the claims of Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad can be deduced from the following verses in the Holy Qur’ān : ُ فَمَن ۡاَظۡلَم ِ م َ ٗۡلَ یُفۡلِح ُ الۡمُجۡرِمُوۡن ٖ ؕ اِنَہ ییتِہ ی ِ کَذِبًا اَو ۡ کَذَب َ بِا ّلل ی َٰۤلَ ا َۡتَی ی ع مَن ِ اف ﴿﴾ “Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allāh or he who treats His Signs as lies? Surely, the guilty shall never prosper.” (10 [ Yūnus ]:18) َ قَوِی ٌ عَزِیۡز ٌ ﴿﴾ ّلل ی ُٰۤلِۡ ؕ اِن َ ا ُۡلََغۡلِب َ َاَنَا و َ رُس ّلل ی کَتَب َ ا
(American Edition) 27 “Allāh has decreed: ‘Most surely I will prevail, I and My Messengers.’ Verily, Allāh is Powerful, Mighty.” (58 [Al- Mujādila h]: 22) َ َ و َ لَو ۡ تَقَوَل َ عَل ۙ یۡنَا بَعۡض ۡلَۡقَاوِیۡل ِ ﴿ َ ا ۡلََخ ۙ ﴾ ِّیِۡ ﴿ ذۡنَا مِنۡہ ُبِالۡیَم ﴾ َ ۫ۖثُم َ لَقَطَعۡن ِّیَۡ ﴿ ِ ا مِنۡہ ُالۡوَت ﴾فَمَا مِنۡکُمۡم ن ۡ اَحَد ٍ عَنۡہ ُ حی جِزِیۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ “And if he had forged and attributed any sayings to Us, We would surely have seized him by the right hand, And then surely We would have severed his life-artery, And not one of you could have held Us off from him.” (69 [Al- Ḥā qqah]: 45-48) ِ و َ الۡفَتۡح ُ ۙ﴿﴾ ّلل ی اِذَا ج َٓاء َنَصۡر ُ ا ِ اَفۡوَاجًا ۙ﴿﴾ ّلل ی َ ِفِۡدِیۡن ِ ا و َ رَاَیۡت َ النَاس َ یَدۡخُلُوۡن ۡ فَسَبِح ﴿﴾ ٪ ُؕۖ اِنَہ ٗ کَان َتَوَابًا بِحَمۡد ِ رَبِک َ و َ اسۡتَغۡفِرۡہ “When the help of Allāh comes, and the victory, And thou seest men entering the religion of Allāh in troops, Glorify thy Lord, with His praise, and seek forgiveness of Him.Surely He is Oft- Returning with compassion.” (110[Al -Na ṣ r]:2-4) These verses clearly show that an imposter’s mission can never succeed.If Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā G hul ā m A ḥ mad was a false claimant, w hy did not Allāh nip his community in the bud and instead allow it to flourish? More than 80 million people joined A ḥmadiyya Muslim Jamā‘at in 2000 -01 alone! Signs of the Coming of the Mahdī The following verse of the Holy Qur’ān mentions an eclipse of the sun and moon that was to occur in the latter days: َ و َ خَسَف َ الۡقَمَر ُ ۙ﴿﴾و َ جُمِع الشَمۡس ُ و َ الۡقَمَر ُ ۙ﴿﴾ “And the moon is eclipsed.And the sun and the moon are brought together.” (75[Al -Qiy ā mah]:9-10) The Ḥadīth below is an explanation of this verse: ِ ََیِْ لَم ْ تَکُو َْنَ مُنْذ ُ خَلْق ِ السَّمہوات َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ قَال َ اِن َّ لِمَھْدِیْنَا آیَت ْ عَن ْ مُحَمَّدِبْن ِ عَل ٍِِّ ر ُ ِفِْ النٍِّصْف ِ مِنْہ ٗ وَلَم ُ وَالَْرْض ِ یَنْکَسِف ُ الْقَمَر ُ لَِوَّل ِ لَيْلَۃ ٍ مِن ْ رَمَضَان َ و َ یَنْکَسِف ُ الشَّمْس َ تَکُو َْنَ م نْذ ُ خَلَق َ ہللا ُ السَّمہوہ ات ِ وَالَْرْض
(American Edition) 28 Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad bin ‘ Al ī (Imām Muḥ ammad B ā qir) relates that the Holy Prophet said: “Surely two signs will appear for our Mahdī which have never appeared before (as signs of truth for anyone else) since the creation of the heaven and the earth.In the month of Rama ḍān, the moon will be eclipsed on the first of its night (of eclipses), and the sun will be eclipsed on the middle day (of its eclipses).Both these eclipses will take place in the same month of Rama ḍān.And these two signs have never occurred before since Allāh created the heaven and the earth.” (Sunan Dār Qu ṭnī, Vol.1) In this Ḥadīth , the two greatest signs of the true Imām Mahdī are mentioned with the following details: 1.After the claim of Imām Mahd ī two signs will appear.2.The moon will be eclipsed on 13th of Rama ḍān, which is the first of the three nights of lunar eclipses.3.The sun will be eclipsed on the 28th of Rama ḍān, which is the middle of the three days of solar eclipses.4.Both signs will appear in the same month of Rama ḍān.5.These signs have never appeared for anyone except the true Mahdī.These signs were fulfilled in the Eastern Hemisphere in 1894, and in the Western Hemisphere in 1895 so that the whole world became its witness.Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad was no more than 60 years of age at the time.
(American Edition) 29 Letter from the Royal Observatory Greenwich, UK.
(American Edition) 30 Opposition is a Sign o f Truth The overwhelming opposition of the leading Muslim clerics to Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad in itself bears evidence of his truth.A number of great Islāmic scholars stated, centuries before his advent, that the Imām Mahdī and the Promised Messiah would find, among his own coreligionists, less friends than the foes.Ḥ a ḍ rat Sayyid A ḥ mad Sirhind ī , the reformer of the second millennium, said: “It is most likely that the superficial Divines would reject him and regard him as opposed to the Holy Qur’ān and the practice of the Holy Prophet.” (Maktūbāt, Vol.2, p.55) Ḥ a ḍ rat Ibn ‘ Arab ī said: “When the Imām Mahdī appears, no one will oppose him more than the pseudo jurists and Mull ā s, for they would be afraid of losing their own position and hold over the masses.” (Futūḥ at Makkiyyah) Naww ā b Ṣ idd ī que Ḥ asan Kh ā n, one time leader of the Ahl Ḥadīth in India, said: “When the Mahdī (may peace be upon him) starts his campaign for the revival of the practice of our beloved Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), the contemporary divines who are committed to following the jurists and also devoted to their leading men of the past and their ancestors, will allege that he seeks to ruin our faith and the Muslim Community.They will rise up in opposition to him and will declare him a disbeliever.” (Ḥ ujajul-Ka rāmah) Status of the Promised Messiah The Holy Prophet sa has mentioned Jesus as a prophet four times in the following Ḥadīth confirming that the status of the Promised Messiah is no less than that of a prophet: ُ ُثَُّ یَھْبِط َْصَْابُہ ٗ...ِْسَ وَا َِبُِّ ہللا ِ عِی َْصَْابُہ ٗ...ف َْیَْغَب ُ ن و َ ا ِْسہ َِبُِّ ہللا ِ عِی َیَُْصَُن َ َِبُِّ و َْصْابُہٗ...ف َْیَْغَب ُ ن و َ ا ِْسہ َِبُِّ ہللا ِ عِی ن ِٰلَ ہللاِ.ْصَْابُہ ٗ ا ِْسَ و َ ا ہللا ِ عِی The Holy Prophet, on speaking of the age of Dajj ā l (anti-Christ), said: “...Allāh’s Apostle Jesus and his companions would then be besieged … Allāh’s Apostle Jesus and his companions would supplicate Allāh… Allāh’ s Apostle Jesus and his companions would come down to earth...Allāh’s Apostle Jesus and his companions would then again beseech Allāh...” (Muslim, Kitābul - Fitan Wa Ashrātus - Sā‘ah )
(American Edition) 31 But just as Jesus served under the law of Moses, so too is the Promised Messiah under the law of the Holy Prophet, hence not contradicting his status as Kh ā tamun-Nabiyy ī n.6.Blessings of Bai‘a t In this section, we ponder over the Initiation form.The words from the Initiation form have been highlighted by shading.“I will always try my best to abide by the Ten Conditions of Bai‘at as prescribed by the Promised Messiah (peace be on him).” In the verse below Allāh has promised paradise for those believers who sacrifice everything for Him.This is the definition and blessing of Bai‘at.ِِۡف َ َ ؕ یُقَاتِلُوۡن َُہُُ الۡجَنَۃ َُہُۡ بِاَن َ ل َُہُۡ و َ اَمۡوَال ِّیَۡ اَنۡفُس َۡتَی ی مِن َ الۡمُؤۡمِن َ اش ّلل ی ۡ اِن َ ا ِ ؕ سَبِی ن ی ۡلِۡنۡجِیۡل ِ و َ الۡقُرۡا ِفِ التَوۡری ىۃ ِ و َ ا َ ۟ وَعۡدًا عَلَیۡہ ِ حَقًا ِ فَیَقۡتُلُوۡن َ و َ یُقۡتَلُوۡن ّلل ی ل ِ ا ُ لِک َ ہُو َ الۡفَوۡز ی و َ ذ ؕ ٖ ّل َِی ۡ بَایَعۡتُم ۡ بِہ ِ فَاسۡتَبۡشِرُوۡا بِبَیۡعِکُم ُ ا ّلل ی بِعَہۡدِہ ٖ مِن َ ا ِۡفی وَمَن ۡ اَو الۡعَظِیۡم ُ ﴿﴾ “Surely, Allāh has purchased of the believers their persons and their property in return for the Garden they shall have; they fight in the cause of Allāh, and they slay and are slain— a promise that He has made incumbent on Himself in the Torah, and the Gospel, and the Qur’ān.And who is more faithful to his promise than Allāh? Rejoice, then, in your bargain which you have made with Him; and that it is which is the supreme triumph.” (9[Al - Taubah]:111) What is the duty of Muslims after they have found the tr ue Imām Mahdī ? The following Ḥadīth explains: ِ عَن ْ ثَو َْبَن َ قَال َ قَال َ رَسُوْل ُ ہللا ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ٗ ْفَاِذَا رَاَیْتُمُوْہ ُ فَبَا یِعُوْہ ٗ وَلَو ْ حَبْواا عَل َ الثَّلْج ِ فَاِنَّہ خَلِيْفَۃ ُ ہللا ِ الْمَھْدِی Ḥ a ḍrat Thaubān relates that the Holy Prophet said: “When you find the Mahdī, perform Bai‘at (pledge of allegiance) at his hands.You must go to him, even if you have to reach him across ice-bound mountains crawling on your knees.He is the Mahdī and the Caliph of Allāh.” (Ibn Mājah) In this Ḥadīth a Muslim is commanded by the Holy Prophet to perform Bai‘at at the hand of the Imām Mahdī.
(American Edition) 32 Now we have the fifth Khalīfa of the Promised Messiah so Bai‘at should be done at his hand.Bai‘at should also be done in writing so that names of the believers can be registered.The Bai‘at form is then given to the president of the local Jamā‘at of the new A ḥmadī for further action.7.Faith Comes First “I will give precedence to my faith over all worldly objects.” The verse below makes it clear that the love of Allāh and His Me ssenger should reign supreme over everything else: ِ ۡ قُل ۡ ا ن ی َٓاکَان َ ا َ ب َٓاؤُکُم ۡ وَا ِ بۡن َ ؤُکُم ۡ وَا ِۡیَۡ خۡوَانُکُم ۡ وَا ۡ زۡوَاجُکُم ۡ وَعَش َ تُکُم ُوَا مۡوَال ۡ َۡتََفۡتُمُو اق َ ہ ٌ ا وَتِجَارَۃ َ تَخۡشَوۡن َ کَسَادَہ ی ا وَمَس َ کِن ُ تَرۡضَوۡنَہ َ ا ۤ ا ِ حَب َ ا ۡ لَی ۡ کُم ۡ ِ وَرَسُو ّلل ی مِن َ ا ِٖ ل َ وَجِہ ِِۡف ٍ اد ۡ سَبِی ِِٖل ۡ ََتََبَصُو ف َِت ی ا ح َ ی ۡ ا َِ ت َ ُ بِا ّلل ی ا ٖ مۡرِہ ؕ َۡل ُ ّلل ی وَا َ ی ۡ ہ دِی ی الۡقَوۡم َ الۡف َِّۡی سِق ٪ ﴿ ﴾ “Say, if your fathers, and your sons, and your brethren, and your wives, and your kinsfolk, and the wealth you have acquired, and the trade whose dullness you fear, and the dwellings which you love are dearer to you than Allāh and His Messenger and striving in His cause, then wait until Allāh comes with His judgment; and Allāh guides not the disobedient people.” (9[Al - Taubah]:24) 8.Loyalty a nd Obedience t o t he Institution o f Khilāfat “I will always remain loyal to the institution of Khilāfat in A ḥ madiyyat, and will obey you as Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ in everything good that you may require of me.” Explaining the above declaration, the Holy Qur’ān states: ۡ ۡ ۚ فَاِن ۡلَۡمۡر ِ مِنۡکُم ٰلِ ا َ وَاَطِیۡعُوا الرَسُوۡل َ و َ اُو ّلل ی مَنُوۡۤا اَطِیۡعُوا ا ی ّل َِیۡن َ ا ُ ییاَیُہَا ا ِ وَالرَسُوۡل ِاِن ۡ کُنۡتُم ۡ ت ّلل ی ِٰلَ ا ۡ ِفِۡ َشَۡء ٍ فَرُدُوۡہ ُ ا ِ ؕ تَنَازَعۡتُم خِر ۡلۡی ِ وَالۡیَوۡم ِ ا ّلل ی ؤۡمِنُوۡن َ بِا ﴾ ٪ ًۡلً ﴿ َۡیٌۡ و َ اَحۡسَن ُ تَاۡوِی لِک َ خ ی ذ “O ye who believe! obey Allāh, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority among you.And if you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allāh and H is Messenger if you are believers in Allāh and the Last Day.That is best and most commendable in the end.” (4 [Al-Nis ā] :60) The following Ḥadīth confirms the above verse.
(American Edition) 33 ِ َِضَِ ہللا ُ عَنْہ ُ : اَن َّ رَسُوْل َ ہللا عَن ْ اَب ِْ ھُرَیْرَۃ َ ر ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص َ ُ قَال َ مَن ْ اَطَاع ِنِْ فَقَد ْ اَطَاع َ ہللا ، ْ ََصَ اَم ِْیِْی ْ فَقَد ََصَ ہللا َ وَمَن ْ اَطَاع َ اَم ِْیِْی ْ فَقَد ْ اَطَاع َِنِْ، وَمَن ْ ع ِنِْ فَقَد ْ ع وَمَن ْ عَصَا عَصَا ِنِْ.Ḥ a ḍrat Abū Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allāh said: Whoso obeys me obeys Allāh; and whoever d isobeys me, disobeys Allāh; and whoever obeys my Amīr , obeys me, and whoever disobeys my Amīr, disobeys me.” (Bukhārī, Kitābul - A ḥkām) In another Ḥadīth it is stated: ِ َ َسَِعْت ُ رَسُوْل َ ہللا عَن ْ اَب ِْ ھُرَیْرَۃ َ قَال ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص َُ َ یَقُوْل ُ مَن ْ خَرَج َ مِن ْ الطَّاعَۃ و فَار ا الْجَمَاعَۃ َ فَمَات َ مَيْتَۃ ا جَاھليَّۃ “I heard the Messenger of Allāh say, “Whoso goes out of allegiance and keeps himself separate from the united body, dies a death of the D ays of Ignorance.” (Mishk ā tul-Ma ṣā b ī h, Allegiance and Rebellion) Hence, obedience to the Imām of the time is obedience to the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) which in turn qualifies as obedience to Allāh.Therefore, we should always keep in touch with the Kha līfa and do our best to follow his instructions.One method to keep in touch with him is to write to him regularly requesting prayers.9.Seeking Forgiveness f rom Allāh The ninth point is to seek forgiveness from Allāh for our sins.ُ ْتَغْفِر ُ ہللا َ رَب ٍِّ مِن ْ ک ٍُِّ ذَنْب ٍ و َّ اَتُوْب اَس ِ اِلَيْہ I beg pardon from Allāh, my Lord, for all my sins and turn to Him.َّ ْٰلِْ ذُنُوْب ِْ فَاِنَّہ ُ ل َ یَغْفِر ُ ا َّلُّنُوْب َ اِل ِْبِْ فَاغْفِر ِْسِْ وَاع ْرَتََفْت ُ بِذَن ِِنِْ ظَلَمْت ُ نَف َرَب ٍِّ ا َ ا نْت O my Lord, my Allāh, I wronged my soul and confess all my sins; pray, forgive me my sins, for there is none else except Thee to forgive.As the Holy Qur’ān states: ۡ ّل َِی ۡ وَا ً ن َ اِذَا فَعَلُو ۡۤا فَاحِشَۃ َُہُۡ اَو ۡ ظَلَمُو َ ا اَنۡفُس ّلل ی ۡذَکَرُوا ا ۡ فَاسۡتَغۡفَرُو ّلُِنُو ُِہِۡ ا ب ۪ ۡ وَمَن َ ی ۡ ّل ُنُو غۡفِر ُ ا َ ِۡل ب َ ا ُ ّلل ی ا ۡ وَلَم ُ ی ۡ صِرُو َٰۤلی ا ع ۡ مَا فَعَلُو ُ ا وَہ َ م ۡ ی ۡ عۡلَمُو َ ن ُ ﴿﴾ا ٰٓ ول َ ئِک
(American Edition) 34 َ ُ ٓاجَز ۡ ؤُہ ٌم ۡمَغۡفِرَۃ ُِہِۡمِن رَب ی ۡوَجَن ۡت ٌ تَجۡرِی َمِن ۡلَۡ تَحۡتِہ ا ا ی نۡہ ی ر ُ خ ۡ ِلِِی ۡ َ ن َ فِی ہ ا ؕ َ وَنِعۡم ی اَجۡر ُ الۡع َِّۡی مِل ؕ ﴿﴾ “And those who, when they commit a foul deed or wrong themselves, remember Allāh and implore forgiveness for their sins —and who can forgive sins except Allāh?— and do not persist knowingly in what they have done.It is these whose reward is forgiveness from their Lord, and Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they shall abide; and how good is the reward of those who work!” (3 [ Ā l ‘Imrān ]:136-137) These verses open up the gates of forgiveness and paradise for those who beg pardon from Allāh— and from Him only.It is not a Christian method of a mere one- off confession to the priest.Constant seeking of forgiveness from Allāh is essential for every believer so that mercy may be shown to him and his mistakes and shortcomings may be overlooked.رشاطئتعیب اوّل:.تعیبدننکہےچسدلےسدہعاسابتاکرکےہک ٓادنئہاسوتقکتہکربقںیمدالخوہاجےئرشکےسبنتجمرےہ اگ.وجفر و قسف اکی رہ اور دبرظنی اور زان اور وھجٹ ہک ہی :.دوم ےس رطوقیں ےک اغبوت اور اسفد اور ایختن اور ملظ اور اور اگ رےہ اتچ اسفنینوجوشںےکوتقاناکولغمبںیہنوہاگارگہچاسیکیہذجہبشیپٓاوے.اورروسلےکادارکاترےہاگ.اوریتحاولعسامنزدجہتےکڑپےنھاورا وسم:.ہیہکالبانہغجنپوہتقامنزوماقفمکحدخا ےنپ یبنرکمی ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص اوردیلپ تب رکےاگ.اایتخر ںیمدماوتم رکےن اافغتسر اور انگوہںیکاعمیفامےنگن اےنپ اوررہروز ےنجیھب درود رپ ٰیل ےسدخااعت ےکااسحونںوکایدرکےکاسیکدمحاوررعتفیوکاانپرہروزہوردانبےئاگ.اہچرم:.ہیہکاعمقلخاہللوکومعًام اوراملسم ونںوکصوص ًا اےنپاسفنینوجوشںےسیسکونعیکاناج زفیلکت ںیہندےاگ.ہنزابنےسہن اہھتےسہنیسکاوررطحےس.ُراور تمعناورالبںیمدخااعت ٰیل ےکاسھتوافداریرکےاگاوررہباحتلرایض م ُعُراوری مجنپ:.ہیہکرہاحلرجناورراتحاور ءاضقءوہ رہ اور اگ رپ وہےن وارد ےک تبیصم یسک اور اگ رےہ ایتر ںیم راہ یک اس ےئل ےک رکےن وبقل ےک دھک ِتّل اور ذ اکی ہن ےس اس ںیہنریھپےاگہکلبٓاےگدقمڑباھےئاگ.رک رسرپوبقل اےنپ ّی بکل رق ٓانرشفییکوکحتموک اور اگ ابز ٓااجےئ ےس اتمتعبِ وہاووہس اور اابتعِ رمس ہک ہی مشش:.ےاگ لل َی اور للال ّوُسْلوکاےنپرہکیراہںیمدوتسرالمعلرقاردےاگ.َی ہّٰلل اور ا ّیوھچڑدےاگاوررفوینتاوراعزجیاوروخشیقلخاوریمیلحاورینیکسمےسزدنیگرسب بکل متفہ:.ہیہکربکتاوروخنتوک رکےاگ.
(American Edition) 35 دردئاالس م متشہ:.ہیہکدنیاوردنییکزعتاورہ موکاینپاجناوراےنپاملاوراینپزعتاوراینپاوالداوراےنپ رہکیزعزیےسزایدہ رتزعزیےھجمساگ.اوروتمعن اطوتقں داد دخا اینپ ےہ لچاتکس سب کت اہجں اور اگ رےہ لِلِّوغشمل ضحم ںیم دردی م ہ یک اہلل قلخ ہکاعم ہی مہن:.ےسین ں ونعوکافدئہاچنہپےئاگ.اوخت اسدقع اور اگ اقمئرےہ رمگ وتق اسرپات رک ابدنھ دررعموف اطتع لِلِّابرقار اوختضحم دقع ےس اساعزج ہک ہی دمہ:.وہ.اجیت ہن اپیئ ںیم احوتلں امتماخدامہن اور وقلعتں اور روتشں ریظندوینی اسیک ہک اگ وہ اک اٰیلع درہج ااسی ںیم ( ااہتشر لیمکت غیلبت 12 ؍ ونج ری 1889 ء ) Conditions of Bai‘at (Initiation) Conditions for Joining A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community By Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad (may peace be on him) of Qadian The Promised Messiah and the Imām Mahdī (may peace be on him) 1.The initiate shall solemnly promise that he shall abstain from shirk (association of any partners with God) right up to the day of his death.2.That he shall keep away from falsehood, fornication, adultery, trespasses of the eye, debauchery, dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty, mischief and rebellion; and will not permit himself to be carried away by passions, however strong they may be.3.That he shall regularly offer the five daily prayers in accordance with the commandment of God and the Holy Prophet(may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him); and shall try his best to be regular in offering the Tahajjud (pre-dawn supererogatory prayers) and invoking Durūd (blessings) on the Holy Prophet; that he shall make it his daily routine to ask forgiveness for his sins, to remember the bounties of God and to praise and glorify Him.4.That under the impulse of any passion, he shall cause no harm whatsoever to the creatures of Allāh in general, and Muslims in particular, neither by his tongue nor by hands nor by any other means.5.That he shall remain faithful to God in all circumstances of life, in sorrow and happiness, adversity and prosperity, in felicity and trails; and shall in all conditions remain resigned to the decree of Allāh and keep himself ready to face all kinds of indignities a nd sufferings in His way and shall never turn away from it at the onslaught of any misfortune; on the contrary, he shall march forward.6.That he shall refrain from the following un- Islāmic customs and lustful inclinations and shall completely submit himself to the authority of the Holy Qur’ān ; and shall make the word of God and sayings of the Holy Prophet the guiding principles in every walk of his life.7.That he shall entirely give up pride and vanity and shall pass all his life in lowliness, humbleness, cheerfulness, forbearance and meekness 8.That he shall hold faith, the honor of faith, and the cause of Islām dearer to him than his life, wealth, honor, children and all other dear ones.9.That he shall keep himself occupied in the service of God’s creatures, for His sake only; and shall endeavor to benefit mankind to the best of his God-given abilities and power.
(American Edition) 36 10.That he shall enter into a bond of brotherhood with this humble servant of God, pledging obedience to me in everything good, for the sake of Allāh, and remain faithful to it till the day of his death; that he shall exert such a high devotion in the observance of this bond as is not to be found in any other worldly relationship and connection demanding devoted dutifulness.(Ishtih ā r Takm ī l-e- Tablīgh, 12 January 1889) The Conditions of Bai‘at were drafted by Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad the Promised Messiah (may peace be on him) himself.They should be read and understood as follows: The first seven conditions are for self-purification. The eighth condition requires the believer to serve Islām. The ninth condition requires the believer to serve the creation of Allāh.The 10th and the last condition requires us to be obedient to the Promised Messiah.Therefore, we should endeavor to study his life and teachings as much as possible since the Holy Prophet(may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) said that the main purpose of the latter day reformer would be to restore faith.The Promised Messiah (may peace be on him) wrote more than 80 books and it should be the intention of an A ḥmadī to read all of them and he should plan it properly.All 10 conditions are a summary of Islāmic teachings and originate from the Holy Qur’ān.By following these conditions earnestly a believer can become pious and enjoy both spiritual and material blessings.The Holy Qur’ān makes clear, َۡل ُ ِی ُ نَفۡسًا ا ّلل ی َ ۡل َ کَلِف ُ ا وُسۡعَہ ا ؕ َ لَہ ۡ ا مَا کَسَبَت ۡ وَعَلَی َ ہ ۡ ا مَا اکۡتَسَبَت ؕ “Allāh burdens not any soul beyond its capacity.It shall have the reward it earns, and it shall get the punishment it incurs.” (2[Al-Baqarah]:287) Hence, nobody should consider these conditions impossible.Allāh always rewards pious intentions and sincere efforts.
(American Edition) 37 PART THREE Islām and t he Bible 1.Unity o f God The Holy Qur’ān states: ۡ ُالصَمَد ُ ۚ﴿﴾لَم َّلل ی ُاَحَد ٌ ۚ﴿﴾ا ّلل ی قُل ۡ ہُو َ ا َۡلَۡ ۙ﴿﴾ َِلِۡ ۬ۖو َ لَم ۡ یُو ی ﴿﴾ ٪ ٌ و َ لَم ۡ یَکُن ۡ ل َٗکُفُوًا اَحَد Say, ‘He is Allāh, the One; Allāh, the Independent and Besought of all.He begets not, nor is He begotten; and there is none like unto Him.’ (112 [Al-Ikhl āṣ ]:2-5) The Bible: The Muslim belief in the oneness of God corresponds to the statements in the Old Testament, such as, Moses said: Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God is one Lord.And thou shalt love thy Lord with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.And these words which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart.(Deuteronomy, 6:4-6) It also coincides with the teachings in the New Testament: And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is One Lord.(Mark, 12:29) Certain fundamental tenets of the Christian faith do not agree with the teachings given in the Bible.Some of these have been mentioned on the next few pages: i.Jesus did not come to abolish the Law: [Jesus said,] Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets; I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil; (Matthew, 5:17) ii.Man cannot be God: Paul said: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became of vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image that like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.(Romans, 1:21-23)
(American Edition) 38 iii.The king of Salem was born without parents yet he was not worthy of worship: For this Mel-chis-ed-ec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being interpretation king of righteousness and after that also by king of Sa-lem, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto son of God; abideth a priest continually; (Hebrews, 7:1-3) iv.Miracles performed by Jesus are not a proof of his divinity And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.(Matthew, 17:20) 2.Jesus Christ Jesus was a prophet of God The Holy Qur’ān : َ و َ اِذ ۡ قَال َ عِیۡس ِاِلَیۡکُم ۡ مُصَدِقًا لِمَا ّلل ی ِِن ِۡرَسُوۡل ُا َِنِۡۤ اِسۡر َٓاءِیۡل َا ۡ ی ابۡن ُمَرۡیَم َ ییب ُ ؕ فَلَمَا ج َٓاءَہُم َّیَۡ یَدَی َمِن َ التَوۡری ىۃ ِ و َ مُبَشِرًۢا بِرَسُوۡل ٍ یَاۡت ِۡمِن بَعۡدِی اسۡمُہ ٗۤ اَحۡمَد ب ت ِ قَالُوۡا ی بِالۡبَیِن ِّیٌۡ ﴿﴾ ذَا سِحۡر ٌ مُب ی ہ And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘O children of Israel, surely I am Allāh’s Messenger unto you, fulfilling that which is before me of the Torah, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger who will come after me.His name will be A ḥmad.’ And when he came to them with clear proofs, they sai d, ‘This is clear enchantment.’ (61[Al- Ṣ aff]:7) The Bible: According to the following reference, Jesus was called God or son of God metaphorically, in the same way as other prophets before him were called ‘god.’ Jesus said: I and my Father are one.Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him, Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my father, for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man,
(American Edition) 39 makest thyself God.Jesus answered them, Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came and the scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father had sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the son of God? (John, 10:30-36) Furthermore, the Bible explains the death of Jesus very differently than how Christians perceive it: 1.Jesus was saved from the cross like Jonah was saved from the belly of a whale: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the Whale’s belly; so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.(Matthew, 12:40) 2.Jesus (may peace be on him) was taken off the cross alive: But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs; But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.(John, 19:33-34) 3.Jesus did not die on the cross since one who is hanged dies an accursed death: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day: (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;) that thy land be not defiled, which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance… (Deuteronomy, 21:23) 4.Prophet Jesus died in Kashmir, India: According to the following verse, Jesus could not have died unless he had preached to the twelve lost tribes of Israel.Ten of these Tribes were scattered in and around the Indian subcontinent.Therefore, if he had died on the cross, he would not have been able to fulfill his mission.“But he (Jesus) answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew, 15:24) 3.Mu ḥ ammad in t he Bible (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) The Holy Qur’ān declares: َ َ ا ِّل َِیۡن ۡ ِفِ التَوۡری ىۃ ّل َِی ۡ یَجِدُوۡنَہ ٗ مَکۡتُوۡبًا عِنۡدَہُم ۡلُۡمِی َ ا ۡ یَتَبِعُوۡن َ الرَسُوۡل َ النَب ِ َ ا ِ ۫ یَاۡمُرُہُم ۡ بِالۡمَعۡرُوۡف ِ وَیَن ۡلِۡنۡجِیۡل وَا ی ُ ہ َُہُُ الطَیِبی ت ِ وَیُحَرِم ُہُۡ عَن ِ الۡمُنۡکَر ِ وَیُحِل ُ ل مَنُوۡا ی ّل َِیۡن َ ا ُۡہِۡ ؕ فَا َِتِۡ کَانَت ۡ عَلَی ل َ ال ی ۡلَۡغۡل ُۡہُۡ اِصۡرَہُم ۡ وَا ُۡہُِ الۡخَبٰٓئِث َ وَیَضَع ُ عَن عَلَی
(American Edition) 40 َ َ اّل َِی ۡۤ اُنۡزِل بِہ ٖ وَعَزَرُوۡہُوَنَصَرُوۡہ ُ وَاتَبَعُوا النُوۡر ٪ ٗۤ ۙ اُولٰٓئِک َ ہُم ُ الۡمُفۡلِحُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ مَعَہ “Those who follow the Messenger, the Prophet, the Immaculate one, whom they find mentioned in the Torah and the Gospel which are with them.He enjoins on them good and forbids them evil, and makes lawful for them the good things and forbids them the bad, and removes from them their burden and the shackles that were upon them.So those who shall believe in him, and honor and support him, and help him, and follow the light that has been sent down with him — these s hall prosper.” (7 [Al- A ‘ r ā f]:158) i.Moses prophesied the coming of Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) as a law - bearing prophet: God said to Moses: I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.(Deuteronomy, 18:18) This prophecy can be applied only to the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) since: 1.He claimed to be a prophet from among the brethren of the Israelites as he was from the children of Ishmael (may peace be on him) who was the brother of Isaac (may peace be on him); 2.He was “ like unto thee ,” that is, Moses (may peace be on him) because he was also a law bearing prophet; 3.He taught only that which was revealed to him (the Qur’ān ).The Holy Qur’ān has also called Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) a Prophet like Prophet Moses (may peace be on him): ۤ ۡۡلًاِنَا ۤاَرۡسَلۡنَا فِرۡعَوۡن َ رَسُو ِٰلی ۡۡلً ۬ۖ شَاہِدًا عَلَیۡکُم ۡ کَمَا ۤاَرۡسَلۡنَا ۤا اِلَیۡکُم ۡرَسُو ﴿ؕ﴾ “Verily, We have sent to you a Messenger, who is a witness over you, even as We sent a Messenger to Pharaoh.” (73 [Al- Muzzammil]:16)
(American Edition) 41 ii.Holy Prophet Mu ḥ amma d (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is the prophet who was to appear with 10,000 saints fulfilling the prophecy of Moses : And he [Moses] said, The Lord came from Si-nai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousand of saints; from his right hand went a fiery law for them.(Deuteronomy, 33:2) In this verse, Moses (may peace be on him) is promised three Manifestations of the glory of God.The first is stated to have appeared from Sinai.A reference to Moses (may peace be on him).The second manifestation was to take place from Seir, a reference to the advent of Jesus (may peace be on him).The final manifestation of divine glory was to rise from Paran.Paran is from the Arabic word F ā r ā n which is the name of some hills that lie between Mecca and Medina.This manifestation, therefore, can only mean the advent of the Holy Prophet(may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) who marched into Mecca with ‘ten thousand’ followers.The ‘fiery law’ refer s to the Holy Qur’ān.iii.Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is ‘that Prophet’ prophesied in the Bible.And he (John the Baptist) confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ.And they asked him, what then? Art thou E-li-as? And he saith, I am not.Art thou that Prophet? And he answered, No.Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us.What sayest thou of thyself? He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the Prophet E-sai-as And they which were sent were of the Pharisees.And they asked him, and said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not Christ, nor E-li-as, niether that Prophet? (John 1:20-25) iv.Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is ‘the Comforter ‘and ‘the Spirit of truth’ prophesied in the Bible (Jesus said) Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I got not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.Of sin because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.Howbeit when he, the spirit of truth is come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak; and he will shew you things to
(American Edition) 42 come.He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.(John, 16:7-15) Both ‘the Comforter’ and ‘the spirit of truth’ refer to a prophet who was to appear after Jesus.This prophet is named ‘Aḥmad’ who fulfills the criteria set in both the Holy Qur’ān and the Bible.4.The Promised Messiah in t he Bible The Holy Qur’ān : ًَلً اِذَا قَوۡمُک َ مِنۡہ ُیَصِدُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ وَلَمَا ضُرِب َ ابۡن ُ مَرۡیَم َ مَث “And when the son of Mary is mentioned as an instance, lo! thy people raise a clamor therea t;” (43 [Al-Zukhruf]:58) The Bible: i.The re-advent of Elijah (may peace be on him): And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire.And parted them both asunder: and E-li-jah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.(2 Kings 2:11) Behold I will send you E-li-jah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.(Malachi, 4-5) ii.John the Baptist came as Elijah: The disciples asked him, “Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished.In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.(Matthew, 11:14) But I say unto you, that E-li-as is come already and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed.Likewise shall also the son of man suffer of them.(Matthew, 17:12) iii.The Promised Messiah will come from the East: Jesus said: For as the lightening cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the son of man be.(Matthew, 24-27)
(American Edition) 43 iv.The eclipse of the sun and the moon is a sign of his appearance: Jesus said: Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and powers of the heavens will be shaken.(Matthew, 24:29) v.World wars are also a sign: Then said he (Jesus) unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.(Luke, 21:10-11) vi.The Promised Messiah came 1290 years after the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and Promised Son of the Promised Messiah, Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Bashiruddin Ma ḥ mūd A ḥ mad ra came 1335 years after the Holy Prophet : And from the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.(Daniel, 12:11-12) According to the given prophecies, Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥmad’s (may peace be on him) claim to be the Imām Mahdī and the Promised Messiah must be accepted.5.Miscellaneous References i.Eating Pork: While Christians see no wrong in consuming the flesh of swine, the Bible abhors this conduct: And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcass.(Deuteronomy, 14-8) ii.The consumption of alcohol Drinking is also portrayed in the Bible in a negative light:...wine and new wine take away the heart.(Hosea, 4:11) An angel said about John: For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink...(Luke, 1:15)
(American Edition) 44 iii.Circumcision: While circumcision is not considered a necessity among Christians, the Bible does: He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and my covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting covenant.(Genesis, 17:13) The uniqueness and beauty of the Holy Qur’ān is that it contains no contradiction.This is due to the promise of Allāh made to mankind that the teachings of this Holy Book of Allāh are complete and would be safeguarded by Him alone.It is also the only scripture with a universal and everlasting message.The Bible contains some teachings that clearly belong to the pre- Islāmic era only.iv.Status of Women.Women in Islām are considered by some to have no rights.However, the following verse of the Holy Qur’ān states otherwise: َ ی وَہُو َ مُؤۡمِن ٌ فَاُولٰٓئِک َ یَدۡخُلُوۡن ی ت ِ مِن ۡ ذَکَر ٍ اَو ۡ اُنۡث ی لِح ی وَمَن ۡ یَعۡمَل ۡ مِن َ الص ِۡیًۡا ﴿﴾ َۡلَ یُظۡلَمُوۡن َ نَق الۡجَنَۃَو “But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven, and shall not be wronged even as much as the little hollow in the back of a date- stone.” (4 [Al- Nis ā] :125) In fact, it is in the Bible where women are treated unequal: I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head.But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head — it is the same as having her head shaved.For if a woman does not cover her head, she might as well have her hair cut off; but if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair cut off or her head shaved, then she should cover her head.A man ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of God; but woman is the glory of man.(1 Corinthians, 11: 4-7) v.Religious Freedom: The Holy Qur’ān declares that there is no compulsion in matters of faith.No one has the right to punish another for rejecting a religion.ِۚ فَمَن ۡ یَکۡفُر ۡ بِالطَاغُوۡت ِ وَیُؤۡمِن َّی ََ الرُشۡد ُ مِن َ الۡغَی قَد ۡ تَب ۖ۟ ِ َل ِیۡن ِفِ ا َ ۡلَۤ اِکۡرَاہ
(American Edition) 45 ُ ّلل ی ؕ وَا ۡلَ انۡفِصَام َ لَہَا ی ٭ ی ِ فَقَد ِ اسۡتَمۡسَک َ بِالۡعُرۡوَۃ ِ الۡوُثۡق ّلل ی بِا سَمِیۡع ٌ عَلِیۡم ٌ ﴿﴾ “There should be no compulsi on in religion.Surely, right has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allāh, has surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking.And Allāh is All -Hearing, All- Knowing.” (2 [Al -Baqarah]:257) But there is punishment for apostasy in the Bible: If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods” (gods that neither you nor your ancestors have known, gods of the peoples around you, whether near or far, from one end of the land to the other), do not yield to them or listen to them.Show them no pity.Do not spare them or shield them.You must certainly put them to death.Your hand must be the first in putting them to death, and then the hands of all the people.Stone them to death, because they tried to turn you away from the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.(Deuteronomy, 13: 6-10) Death o f Jes us Note: The 30 verses marked with an asterisk, *, are those which are quoted by the Promised Messiah in his book Iz ā la Auh ā m for the death of Jesus.Death of Jesus b y Name: 1) ؕ ٌ ِیۡقَۃ ُہ ٗ صِد و َ اُم ؕ ُ ُسُل ِۡلِِ الر ٌ ۚ قَد ۡ خَلَت ۡ مِن ۡ قَب ِۡل َ رَسُوۡل مَا الۡمَسِیۡح ُ ابۡن ُ مَرۡیَم َ ا یُؤۡفَکُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ َِن ی یی ت ِ ثُم َ انۡظُر ۡ ا ۡلۡی َُہُُ ا َّی ُِ ل َ ؕ اُنۡظُر ۡ کَیۡف َ نُب َعَام ن ِ الط ی کَانَا یَاۡکُل * “ The Messiah, son of Mary, was only a Messenger; surely, Messengers like unto him had indeed passed away before him.And his mother was a truthful woman.They both used to eat food.See how We explain the Signs for their good, and see how they are turned away.” (5[Al-M ā’ idah]:76)
(American Edition) 46 2) ّل َِیۡن َ کَفَرُوۡا ِٰلَ َ وَمُطَہِرُک َ مِن َ ا ِِن ِۡ مُتَوَفِیۡک َ وَرَافِعُک َ ا ُ یی عِیۡسی ی ا ّلل ی ۡ اِذ ۡ قَال َ ا ِٰلَ َ مَرۡجِعُکُم ثُم َ ا ۚ ِ یَوۡم ِ الۡقِیی مَۃ ِٰلی ّل َِیۡن َ کَفَرُوۡۤا ا ّل َِیۡن َ اتَبَعُوۡک َ فَوۡق َ ا ۡ وَجَاعِل ُ ا فَاَحۡکُم ُ بَیۡنَکُم ۡ فِی مَا کُنۡتُم ۡ فِیۡہ ِ تَخۡتَلِفُوۡن َ ﴿﴾ * “When Allāh said, ‘O Jesus, I will cause thee to die a natural death and will exalt thee to Myself, and will clear thee from the charges of those who disbelieve, and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection; then to Me shall be your return, and I will judge between you concerning that wherein you differ.” (3[ Ā l ‘ Imr ā n]:56) 3) َ ُِہِۡ اِنَا قَتَلۡنَا الۡمَسِیۡح َ عِیۡس َ قَوۡل ِ ۚ وَمَا قَت ّلل ی ُ ی ابۡن َ مَرۡیَم َ رَسُوۡل َ ا ِۡل َ لُوۡہ ُ وَمَا صَلَبُوۡہ َُہُۡ بِہ ٖ مِن ۡ عِلۡم ٍا ُ ؕ مَا ل ّل َِیۡن َ اخۡتَلَفُوۡا فِیۡہ ِ لَفِی ۡ شَک ٍ مِنۡہ َُہُۡ ؕ و َ اِن َ ا کِن ۡ شُبِہ َ ل ی َ وَل ۙ اتِبَاع ِ ۚ وَمَا قَتَلُوۡہ ُ یَقِیۡنًۢا ﴿﴾ الظَن * ُ ّلل ی ِ ؕ وَکَان َ ا ُ اِلَیۡہ ّلل ی بَل ۡ رَفَعَہ ُ ا عَزِیۡزًا حَکِیۡمًا ﴿﴾ * ۡ و َ اِن ۚ ُۡہِۡ شَہِیۡدًا ﴿﴾ ٖ ۚ وَیَوۡم َ الۡقِیی مَۃ ِ یَکُوۡن ُ عَلَی ِۡل َ لَیُؤۡمِنَن َ بِہ ٖ قَبۡل َ مَوۡتِہ ب ِ ا ی مِن ۡ اَہۡل ِ الۡکِت “And their saying, ‘We did kill the Messiah, Jesus, son of Mary, the Messenger of Allāh;’ whereas th ey slew him not, nor crucified him, but he was made to appear to them like one crucified; and those who differ therein are certainly in a state of doubt about it; they have no definite knowledge thereof, but only follow a conjecture; and they did not convert this conjecture into a certainty; On the contrary, Allāh exalted him to Himself.And Allāh is Mighty, Wise.And there is none among the People of the Book but will believe in it before his death; and on the Day of Resurrection, he (Jesus) shall be a witness against them —” (4[Al-Nis ā] :158-160) 4) ُۡہِۡ شَہِیۡدًا ۡ ۚ وَکُنۡت ُ عَلَی َِب ِۡ وَرَبَکُم َ ر ّلل ی َِنِۡ بِہ ٖۤ اَن ِ اعۡبُدُوا ا ِۡل َ مَا ۤ اَمَرۡت َُہُۡ ا ٌ مَا قُلۡت ُ ل ِ َشَۡء ٍ شَہِیۡد کُل َٰۤلی ُۡہِۡ ؕ و َ اَنۡت َ ع َِنِۡ کُنۡت َ اَنۡت َ الرَقِیۡب َ عَلَی ُۡہِۡ ۚ فَلَمَا تَوَفَیۡت مَا دُمۡت ُ فِی ﴿﴾ *
(American Edition) 47 “I said nothing to them except that which Thou didst command me ‘Worship Allāh’ my Lord and your Lord.’ And I was a witness over them as long as I remained among them, but since Thou didst cause me to die, Thou has been the witness over all things.” (5[Al-M ā’ idah]: 118) 5) ﴿۪ۖ﴾ وۃ ِ مَا دُمۡت ُ حَیًا ی وۃ ِو َ الزَک ی ِنِۡ بِالصَل ی ُ ۪ و َ اَوۡص َکًا اَیۡن َ مَا کُنۡت ُٰبی َِنِۡ م و َ جَعَل * “And He has made me blessed wheresoever I may be, and has enjoined upon me Prayer and almsgiving so long as I live;” (19[Maryam]:32) 6) ُ َُلِۡت ُ و َ یَوۡم َ اَمُوۡت ُ وَیَوۡم َاُبۡعَث َٰۤلَ َ یَوۡم َ و م ُ ع ی وَالسَل حَیًا ﴿ ﴾ * “ ‘And peace was on me the day I was born, and peace there will be on me the day I shall die, and the day I shall be raised up to life again.’” (19[Maryam]:34) 7) ٍ رَبۡوَۃ ِٰلی ہُمَا ۤا ی وَیۡن ی یَۃ ً و َ ا ی و َ جَعَلۡنَا ابۡن َ مَرۡیَم َ و َ اُمَہ ٗۤا ٪ ِّیٍۡ ﴿ ذَات ِ قَرَار ٍ و َ مَع ﴾ “And We made the son of Mary and his mother a Sign, and gave them refuge on an elevated land of green valleys and springs of running water.” (23[Al- Mu’minū n:51) Death of Jesus A s S o - Called God 8) ۡ ِۡلَ یَخۡلُقُوۡن َ شَیۡئًا وَہُم ّلل ی ّل َِیۡن َ یَدۡعُوۡن َ مِن ۡ دُوۡن ِ ا ؕوَا یُخۡلَقُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ َ َ ۙ اَیَان ٍ ۚ وَمَا یَشۡعُرُوۡن َۡیُۡ اَحۡی َٓاء اَمۡوَات ٌ غ ٪ یُبۡعَثُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ * “And those on whom they call beside Allāh create not anything, but they are themselves created.They are dead, not living; and they know not when they will be raised.” (16[Al-Na ḥ l]:21-22)
(American Edition) 48 Death of Jesus a s Prophet 9) َِّۡی ۤاَرۡسَلۡنَا قَبۡلَک َ مِن َ الۡمُرۡسَل َ ِفِ و َ مَا َُہُۡ لَیَاۡکُلُوۡن َ الطَعَام َ و َ یَمۡشُوۡن ِۡل َۤ اِن ا ﴾ ٪ ﴿ ِۡیًۡا ٰۡبُِوۡن َ ۚ وَکَانَ رَبُک َ بَص ً ؕ اَتَص ِ ؕ و َ جَعَلۡنَا بَعۡضَکُم ۡ لِبَعۡض ٍ فِتۡنَۃ ۡلَۡسۡوَاق ا * “And We never sent any Messengers before thee but surely they ate food and walked in the streets.And We make some of you a trial for others.Will you then be steadfast? And thy Lord is All- Seeing.” (25[Al - Furqān]:21) 10) ِلِِیۡن َ ﴿﴾ ی ۡل َ یَاۡکُلُوۡن َ الطَعَام َ وَمَا کَانُوۡا خ ُہُۡ جَسَدًا ی وَمَا جَعَلۡن * “And We did not give them bodies that ate no food, nor were they to live forever.” (21[Al - Anbiyā]:9) 11) ۡ ُ ؕ اَفَا۠ئِن ۡ مَات َ اَو ۡ قُتِل َ ان ِۡلِِ الرُسُل ٌ ۚ قَد ۡ خَلَت ۡ مِن ۡ قَب ِۡل َ رَسُوۡل ۡ وَمَا مُحَمَد ٌ ا ؕ قَلَبۡتُم َ شَیۡئًا ّلل ی عَقِبَیۡہ ِ فَلَن ۡ یَضُر َ ا َٰۤلی ۡ ؕ وَمَن ۡ یَنۡقَلِب ۡ ع اَعۡقَابِکُم َٰۤلی ع ُ ّلل ی وَسَیَجۡزِی ا کِرِیۡن َ ﴿﴾ ی الش * “And Muḥ ammad is only a Messenger.Verily, all Messengers have passed away before him.If then he die or be slain, will you turn back on your heels? And he who turns back on his heels shall not harm Allāh at all.And Allāh will certainly reward the grateful.” (3[ Āl Imrān ]:145) 12) َ تِلۡک ُ ا ٌ مَۃ ۡ قَد ۡ خَلَت ۚ َ لَہ ۡ ا مَا کَسَبَت ۡ و َ لَکُم ۡ مَا کَسَبۡتُم ۚ َۡل َ و ۡ تُسۡـَلُو ۡ ن َ عَمَا کَانُو ا َ ی ۡ عۡمَلُو َ ن ﴿﴾ * “Those are a people that have passed away; for them is what they earned, and for you shall be what you earn; and you shall not be questioned as to what they did.” (2[Al -Baqarah]:135) 13) ٌ َمَا کَان َ مُحَمَد ِّی َٖ ؕ و َ کَان ِ و َ خَاتَم َ النَب ّلل ی کِن ۡ رَسُوۡل َ ا ی اَبَاۤاَحَد ٍ مِن ۡ رِجَالِکُم ۡ وَل
(American Edition) 49 ُ ّلل ی ا ٪ ِ َشَۡء ٍ عَلِیۡمًا ﴿ بِکُل ﴾ * “Muḥ ammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allāh and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allāh has full knowledge of all things.” (33[Al -A ḥzāb]:41) 14) َۡل ۡ ّل ِکۡر ِ اِن ۡ کُنۡتُم ُۡہِۡ فَسۡـَلُوۡۤا اَہۡل َ ا ۡلً نُوۡح ِۡۤاِلَی ِۡل َ رِجَا ۙو َ مَا ۤاَرۡسَلۡنَا مِن ۡ قَبۡلِک َ ا تَعۡلَمُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ * “And We sent not as Messengers before thee but m en to whom We sent revelation, so ask those who possess the Reminder, if you know not.” (16[Al -Na ḥ l]:44) 15) َ و ِۡبی َ ّلِِی الۡقُر ِو َ لِلرَسُوۡل ِ و َلِلِ ی رَسُوۡل ِٖمِن ۡاَہۡل ِ الۡقُری ی ف َٰۤلی ُع ّلل ی َ مَا ۤاَف َٓاء َا ِّیِۡ و ی و َ الۡمَسی ک ی م ی ۤالۡیَت ۡ ؕ وَمَا ۡلَۡغۡنِی َٓاء ِ مِنۡکُم َّیَۡ ا َۡلًَۢب ۡ ۡلَ یَکُوۡن َدُو کَی ۙ ِ ُ ابۡن ِ السَبِیۡل َ شَدِیۡد ّلل ی اِن َ ا ؕ َ ّلل ی ۚ و َ اتَقُوا ا ىکُم ۡعَنۡہ ُ فَانۡتَہُوۡا ی ىکُم ُ الرَسُوۡل ُفَخُذُوۡہ ُ ٭ وَمَا نَہ ی ت ی ا الۡعِقَاب ِ ۘ﴿﴾ * “Whatever Allāh has give n to His Messenger as spoils from the people of the towns is for Allāh and for the Messenger and for the near of kin and the orphans and the needy and the wayfarer, that it may not circulate only among those of you who are rich.And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain from that.And fear Allāh; surely, Allāh is Severe in retribution.” (59[Al - Ḥ ashr]:8) 16) ُ ِاِلَیۡکُم ۡ م ّلل ی ِِن ِۡرَسُوۡل ُا َِنِۡۤ اِسۡر َٓاءِیۡل َا و َ اِذ ۡ قَال َ عِیۡسَی ابۡن ُمَرۡیَم َ ییب ۡ صَدِقًا لِمَا ُ ؕ فَلَمَا ج َٓاءَہُم َّیَۡ یَدَی َمِن َ التَوۡری ىۃ ِ و َ مُبَشِرًۢا بِرَسُوۡل ٍ یَاۡت ِۡمِن بَعۡدِی اسۡمُہ ٗۤ اَحۡمَد ب ِّیٌۡ ﴿﴾ ذَا سِحۡر ٌ مُب ی ت ِ قَالُوۡا ہ ی بِالۡبَیِن “And remember when Jesus, son of Mary, said, ‘O children of I srael, surely I am Allāh’s Messenger unto you, fulfilling that which is before me of the Torah, and giving glad tidings of a Messenger who will come after me.His name will be A ḥmad.’ And
(American Edition) 50 when he came to them with clear proofs, they said, ‘This is clear en chantment.’” (61[Al - Ṣ aff]:7) Death O f Jesus as a Human Being 17) ٍ یی ت َ ۡلَی لِک ی ِفِۡ ذ َ ؕ اِن اَجَل ٍ مُسَمًی ِٰلی ۡلُۡخۡری ی ا ی عَلَیۡہَا الۡمَوۡت َ و َ یُرۡسِل ُ ا ی َِتِۡ قَض ٍ ال لِقَوۡم یَتَفَکَرُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ “Allāh takes away the souls of human beings at t he time of their death; and during their sleep of those also that are not yet dead.And then He retains those against which He has decreed death, and sends back the others till an appointed term.In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.”(39[Al -Zumar]:43) 18) َ تُنَزِل َِت ی ِ ؕ وَلَن ۡ نُؤۡمِن َ لِرُقِیِک َ ح ِفِ السَم َٓاء ی ی اَو ۡ یَکُوۡن َ لَک َ بَیۡت ٌ مِن ۡ زُخۡرُف ٍ اَو ۡ تَرۡق ﴾ ٪ ۡۡلً ﴿ ِۡل َ بَشَرًا رَسُو َِب ِۡہَل ۡ کُنۡت ُا ٗ ؕ قُل ۡ سُبۡحَان َ ر بًا نَقۡرَؤُہ ی عَلَیۡنَا کِت * “‘ ‘Or thou have a house of gold or thou ascend up into heaven; and we will not believe in thy ascension until thou send down to us a book that we can read.’ Say, ‘Holy is my Lord! I am not but a man sent as a Messenger.’” (17[Banī Isrā’īl]: 94) 19) َ َ وَمَا جَعَلۡن ِلُِوۡن ی َُہُُ الۡخ ُِلَۡ ؕ اَفَا۠ئِن ۡمِت َ ف ا لِبَشَر ٍ مِن ۡ قَبۡلِک َ الۡخ ﴿ ﴾ * “We granted not everlasting life to any human being before thee.If then thou shouldst die, shall they live here for ever?” (21[Al- Anbiyā]:35) 20) ی َ ی ُ ا َ ی ِ ہ ۡ ا النَاس ُ ا ۡن ۡ ِفِۡ کُن ۡتُم ِ رَی ب ٍ مِن َ الۡبَعۡث ِ فَا ی ۡ نَا خَلَقۡن ۡکُم ۡمِن ٍتُرَاب ٍ ثُم َ مِن نُطۡفَۃ ٍ ثُم َ مِن ۡ عَلَقَۃ ۡ ثُم َ مِن ٍ مُضۡغَۃ ٍ مُخَلَقَۃ َ و َِۡۡی غ ٍ مُخَلَقَۃ َِ َّی لِنُب ۡ لَکُم ؕ ۡلَۡ ِفِ ا ُ وَنُقِر رۡحَام ِ مَا َٓا نَش ُ ء ِ ا ٰلی َ ا ٍ جَل ۤۡ ًۡلً ثُم َ لِتَبۡلُغُو مُسَمًی ثُم َ نُخۡرِجُکُم ۡ طِف َ ا ا ۡ شُدَکُم ۚ ۡ وَمِن ۡ کُم ۡ مَن ُ ی َِف ی تَو ۡ وَمِن ۡ کُم ۡ مَن ُ ی ِ رَد ُ ا ٰلی َ ا ۡ رۡذَل ِ الۡعُمُر ِ لِکَی َ ًلَ ی عۡلَم َ مِن ۡ بَعۡد ِ عِلۡم ٍ شَی ئًا ؕ ۡلَۡ وَتَرَی ا َ رۡض
(American Edition) 51 َ ً ہ امِدَۃ ِ فَا َ ذَا ۤ ا ۡ ن َ زَلۡنَا عَل ۡ ی َ ہ َٓا ا الۡم َ ء ۡ اہ َ تَزَت ۡ وَرَبَت ۡ وَا ن ۡ بَتَت ۡ مِن ِ کُل ِ زَوۡج ٍۭ بَہ ۡ ی ٍ ج ﴿﴾ * “O people, if you are in doubt concerning the Resurrection, then consider that We have indeed created you from dust, then from a spermdrop, then from clotted blood, then from a lump of flesh, partly formed and partly unformed, in order that We may make Our power manifest to you.And We cause what We will to remain in the wombs for an appointed term; then We bring you forth as babes; then We rear you that you may attain to your age of full strength.And there are some of you who are caused to die prematurely, and there are others among you who are driven to the worst part of life with the result that they know nothing after having had knowledge.And thou seest the earth lifeless, but when We send down water thereon, it stirs and swells, and grows every kind o f beauteous vegetation.” (22[Al - Ḥ ajj]:6) 21) ُ وَمَن ۡ نُعَمِرۡہ ُنُنَکِ سۡہ ۡ ِفِ ال ًَلَ یَعۡقِلُوۡن َ ﴿ اَف ؕ ِ خَلۡق ﴾ * “And him whom We grant long life— We revert him to a weak condition of creation.Will they not then understand?”(36[Yā Sīn]:69) 22) َ ُ ا ّل َِی ۡ خَلَقَکُم ۡ مِن ۡ ض ُا ّلل ی عۡف ٍ ثُم َ جَعَل َ مِن َ بَعۡد ِ ضُعۡف ٍ قُوَۃ ًثُم ٍ جَعَل َ مِن بَعۡد ِ قُوَۃ ُ ض َ و ۚ ُ ً ؕ یَخۡلُق ُ مَا یَش َٓاء عۡفًا و َ شَیۡبَۃ ہُو َ الۡعَلِیۡم ُ الۡقَدِیۡر ُ ﴿ ﴾ * “It is Allāh Who created you in a state of weakness, and after weakness gave strength; then, after strength, caused weakness and old age.He creates what He pleases.He is the All-knowing, the All- Powerful.” (30[Al - Rūm]: 55) 23) َ ِّیٍۡ ﴿ۚ﴾ثُم َلٍَمِن ۡ ط ی ۡلِۡنۡسَان َ مِن ۡ سُل ۡ وَلَقَد ۡ خَلَقۡنَا ا ہ ُنُط ی ِّیٍۡ جَعَلۡن ًِفِۡ قَرَار ٍ مَک فَۃ ﴿۪﴾ َ ثُم َ م ی مًا فَکَسَوۡنَا الۡعِظ ی خَلَقۡنَا النُطۡفَۃ َ عَلَقَۃ ًفَخَلَقۡنَا الۡعَلَقَۃ َ مُضۡغَۃ ً فَخَلَقۡنَا الۡمُضۡغَۃ َ عِظ ِ لِق ی ُاَحۡسَن ُ الۡخ ّلل ی َک َ ا َٰبی فَت ؕ َ خَر ی ہ ُ خَلۡقًا ا ی لَحۡمًا ٭ ثُم َ اَنۡشَاۡن ّیَۡ ﴿ؕ﴾ َ لِک َ لَمَیِتُوۡن ی ثُم َاِنَکُم ۡ بَعۡد َ ذ ﴿ؕ﴾ *
(American Edition) 52 “Verily, We created man from an extract of clay; Then We placed him as a drop of sperm in a safe depository; Then We fashioned the sperm into a clot; then We fashioned the clot into a shapeless lump; then We fashioned bones out of this shapeless lump; then We clothed the bones with flesh; then We developed it into another creation.So blessed be Allāh, the Best of creators.Then after that you must surely die.” (23[Al-Mu ’ min ū n]:13-16) 24) ِ َ ا ن ی مَا مَثَل ُ الۡحَی و ِ ۃ َ َل ُنۡی ا َٓا ا کَم ٍ ء َ ا ۡ ن ی زَلۡن ُ ہ َٓا مِن َ السَم ِ ء ٖ فَاخۡتَلَط َ بِہ ۡلَۡ نَبَات ُ ا ِ رۡض َ مِمَا ی ۡ ا َۡۡل کُل ُ النَاس ُ وَا ُ نۡعَام ؕ َِت ی ح ِ ا َ ذَا ۤ ا َۡۡل خَذَت ِ ا َ رۡض ُ زُخۡرُفَہ َ ا وَازَی َ نَت ۡ وَظَن َ ا ۡ ہ َ لُہ َ اۤا َُُۡہ ن ی ق ۡ دِرُو ۡ ن َ عَلَی َ ہ ۤ ا ۙ َ ا ی ت َ ہ َ ا ۤ ا ۡ مۡرُنَا لَی ًلً َ ا َ و ۡ نَہ ی ارًا فَجَعَلۡن َ ہ ۡ ا حَصِی َ دًا کَا ۡ ن َ لَم ۡ تَغۡن َۡۡل بِا ِ مۡس ؕ ی کَذ ۡلۡی لِک َ نُفَصِل ُ ا ی ی َ ت ِ لِقَوۡم ٍ ی َ تَفَک ۡ رُو َ ن ﴿ ﴾ * “The example of life on earth is like of water that We cause to descend from heaven.Then with it mingles the vegetation of the earth of which both the people and the cattle partake.It continues to be so until the earth blossoms forth in full bloom and ripens into loveliness – then while those who possess it deem themselves supreme over it, there suddenly descends our decree at night or during the day.Then We render it a field that is mown down as if it had not existed the day before.Thus do we expound the signs for a people who reflect.” (10[Y ū nus]:25) 25) ۡ ِ ۪ و َ قُلۡنَا اہۡبِطُوۡا بَعۡضُکُم ن ُ عَنۡہَا فَاَخۡرَجَہُمَا مِمَا کَانَا فِیۡہ ی ٌ فَاَزَلَہُمَا الشَیۡط ۡلَۡرۡض ِ مُسۡتَقَر ِفِ ا ۡ ٌ ۚ و َ لَکُم لِبَعۡض ٍ عَدُو ِّیٍۡ ﴿ ح ِٰلی و َ مَتَاع ٌ ا ﴾ * “But Satan caused them both to slip by means of it and drov e them out of the state in which they were.And We said: ‘Go forth; some of you are enemies of others, and for you there is an abode in the earth and a provision for a time.” (2[Al-Baqarah]:37) 26) ً َ اَنۡزَل َ مِن َ السَم َٓاء ِ م َٓاء ّلل ی ٖاَلَم ۡ تَر َ اَن َ ا ۡلَۡرۡض ِ ثُم َ یُخۡرِج ُ بِہ ِفِ ا َ َ ّلَِ فَسَلَکَہ ٗیَنَابِیۡع لِک ی ِفِۡذ َ ؕ اِن َِلُٗحُطَامًا ََتَی ىہ ُ مُصۡفَرًا ثُم َ یَجۡع زَرۡعًا مُخۡتَلِفًا اَلۡوَانُہ ٗثُم َ یَہِیۡج ُ ف کۡری ی ٪ ۡلَۡلۡبَاب ِ ﴿ ٰلِ ا ۡلُِو ﴾ *
(American Edition) 53 “Hast thou not seen that Allāh sends down water from the sky, and causes it to flow in the form of streamlets in the earth and then brings forth thereby herbage, varying in its colors? Then it dries up and thou seest it turn yellow; then He reduces it to broken straw.In that verily is a reminder for men of understanding.” (39[Al-Zumar]: 22) 27) ییاَیَتُہَا ٭ النَفۡس ُ الۡمُطۡمَئِنَۃ ُ ﴿ ﴾ * ِ رَب ِٰلی ارۡجِعِی ۡۤا ۚ ک ِ رَاضِیَۃ ًمَرۡضِیَۃ ً ﴿ ﴾ ۡ ُٰۤلِِۡفِۡ عِبی دِی ۙفَادۡخ ﴿ ٪ َِتِۡ ﴿ ُٰۤلِۡ جَن ﴾و َ ادۡخ ﴾ And thou, O soul at peace! Return to thy Lord well pleased with Him and He well pleased with thee.So enter thou among My chosen servants, And enter thou My Garden.(89[Al-Fajr]:28-31) 28) ۡ کُل ُ مَن ۖۚ عَلَیۡہَا فَان ٍ ﴿ ﴾ * َ ی وَجۡہ ُرَبِک ی و َ یَبۡق ۚ ۡلِۡکۡرَام ِ ﴿ ل ِ و َ ا ی ذُوالۡجَل ﴾ “All that is on it (earth) will pass away.And there will remain only the Person of thy Lord, Master of Glory and Honor.”(55 [Al- Ra ḥ m ā n]: 27-28) 29) َ ت ٍ و َ نَہ ی ِّیَۡ ِفِۡ جَن ۙ اِن َ الۡمُتَق ر ٍ ﴿ ﴾ * ٍ ِفِۡ مَقۡعَد ِ صِدۡق ِ ع ٪ نۡد َ مَلِیۡک ٍ مُقۡتَدِر ٍ ﴿ ﴾ “ Verily, the righteous will be in the midst of Gardens and streams, In the seat of truth with an Omnipotent King.” (54[Al- Qamar]:55-56) 30) ۡ ّل َِی ُا َّلل ی ۡا ۡ ؕ ہَل ۡ مِن ۡ شُرَک َٓائِکُم ۡ خَلَقَکُم ۡ ثُم َرَزَقَکُم ۡ ثُم َ یُمِیۡتُکُم ۡ ثُم َ یُحۡیِیۡکُم لِکُم ی مَن ۡ یَفۡعَلُمِن ۡ ذ َ نَہ ٗو ی ٍ ؕ سُبۡح َشَۡء ۡ مِن ٪ عَمَا یُشۡرِکُوۡن َ ﴿ ٰۤلی ی تَع ﴾ * “It is Allāh Who has created you, and then He has provided for you; then He will cause you to die, and then He will bring you to life.Is there any of your ‘partners’ who can do any of these things? Glorified be He and exalted above that which they associate with Him.” (30[Al-R ū m]:41)
(American Edition) 54 31) ُُۡۡہ ٍ ؕ و َ اِن ۡ تُصِب ِۡفِۡبُرُوۡج ٍ مُشَیَدَۃ ٌ اَیۡن َ مَا تَکُوۡنُوۡا یُدۡرِکۡکُم ُ الۡمَوۡت ُ وَلَوۡکُنۡتُم َ ؕ قُل ۡ کُل ذِہ ٖ مِن ۡ عِنۡدِک ی ُۡہُۡ سَیِئَۃ ٌ یَقُوۡلُوۡا ہ ِ ۚ و َ اِن ۡ تُصِب ّلل ی ذِہ ٖ مِن ۡ عِنۡد ِ ا ی ِحَسَنَۃ ٌ یَقُوۡلُوۡا ہ ّلل ی مِن ۡ عِنۡد ِ ا ِ ۡلَ یَکَا ُۡلَِء ِ الۡقَوۡم ؤ ی ؕ فَمَال ِ ہ دُوۡن َ یَفۡقَہُوۡن َ حَدِیۡثًا ﴿ ﴾ * “Wheresoever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you be in strongly built towers.And if some good befalls them, they say, ‘This is from Allāh;’ and if evil befalls them, they say, ‘This is from thee.’ Say, ‘All is from Allāh.’ What has happened to these people that they come not near understanding anything?” (4[Al- Nis ā] :79) (32) ً کُم ۡ و َ فِیۡہَا نُعِیۡدُکُم ۡ و َ مِنۡہَا نُخۡرِجُکُم ۡ تَارَۃ ی مِنۡہَا خَلَقۡن اُخۡری ی ﴿ ﴾ “From it have We created you, and into it shall We cause you to return, and from it shall We bring you forth once more.” (20[ Ṭā H ā ]:56) (33) ُ قَال َ فِیۡہَا تَحۡیَوۡن َ و َ فِیۡہَا تَمُوۡت ٪ وۡن َ و َ مِنۡہَا تُخۡرَجُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ “He said, ‘Therein shall you live, and therein shall you die, and therefrom shall you be brought forth.’”(7 [Al-A ‘ r ā f]:26) Meaning o f Nuz ū l (Descent) 34) ُۤٗ ٗ ۫ و َ مَا نُنَزِل ِۡل َ عِنۡدَنَا خَز َٓائِنُہ ۡ َشَۡء ٍا و َ اِن ۡ مِن ِۡل َ بِقَدَر ٍ مَعۡلُوۡم ٍ ﴿ ا ﴾ “And there is not a thing but with Us are the treasures thereof and We send it not down except in a known measure.” (15[Al- Ḥ ijr]:22) 35) َ خَلَقَکُم ۡ مِن ۡ نَفۡس ٍ وَاحِدَۃ ٍثُم َ نِیَۃ ی ۡلَۡنۡعَام ِ ثَم جَعَل َ مِنۡہَا زَوۡجَہَا و َ اَنۡزَل َلَکُم ۡ مِن َ ا ُ ّلل ی لِکُم ُ ا ی ذ ؕ ٍ ث ی ت ٍ ثَل ی ٍ ِفِۡ ظُلُم تِکُم ۡ خَلۡقًا مِ ن بَعۡد ِ خَلۡق ی ۡ ِفِۡ بُطُوۡن ِ اُمَہ ٍ ؕ یَخۡلُقُکُم اَزۡوَاج تُصۡرَفُوۡنَ ﴿﴾ َِن ی ِۡل َ ہُو َ ۚ فَا َا ی ۡلَۤ اِل ؕ ُ رَبُکُمۡ ل َُ الۡمُلۡک
(American Edition) 55 “He created you from a single being; then from that He made its mate; and He has sent down for you eight head of cattle in pairs.He creates you in the wombs of your mothers, creation after creation, in threefold darkness.This is Allāh, your Lord.His is the kingdom.There is no God but He.Whither then are you being turned away?” (39[Al-Zumar]:7) 36) ُ ِۡیَۡان َ لِیَقُوۡم َ النَاس ب َ و َ الۡم ی َُہُُالۡکِت ت ِ و َ اَنۡزَلۡنَا مَع ی َ لَقَد ۡاَرۡسَلۡنَا رُسُلَنَا بِالۡبَیِن ِ ۚو َ اَنۡزَلۡنَا الۡحَدِیۡد ٗبِالۡقِسۡط ُمَن ۡ یَنۡصُرُہ ّلل ی َ فِیۡہ ِ بَاۡس ٌ شَدِیۡد ٌ و َ مَنَافِع ُ لِلنَاس ِ و َ لِیَعۡلَم َ ا اِن ؕ ِ ُِلَٗبِالۡغَیۡب و َ رُس ٪ َقَوِی ٌ عَزِیۡز ٌ ﴿ ّلل ی ا ﴾ “Verily, We sent Our Messengers with manifest Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance that people may act with justice; and We sent down iron, wherein is material for violent warfare and many benefits for mankind, and that Allāh may distinguish those who help Him and His Messengers without having seen Him.Surely, Allāh is Powerful, Mighty.” (57[Al- Ḥ ad ī d]:26) 37) ُ ؕ و َ لِبَاس تِکُم ۡ وَرِیۡشًا ی ۡاَنۡزَلۡنَا عَلَیۡکُم ۡ لِبَاسًا یُوَارِی ۡ سَوۡا َقَد دَم ی َِنِۡۤا ِ ییب ّلل ی یی ت ِ ا ی لِک َ مِن ۡ ا ی َۡیٌۡ ؕ ذ لِک َ خ ی ۙ ذ ی ی التَقۡو َُہُۡ یَذَکَرُوۡن َ ﴿ لَعَل ﴾ “O children of Adam! We have indeed sent down to you raiment to cover your shame, and to be an elegant dress; but the raiment of righteousness — that is the best.That is one of the Signs of Allāh, that they may remember.” (7[Al-A ‘ r ā f]:27) 38) َ ّلل ی ۙ فَاتَقُوا ا َُہُۡ عَذَابًا شَدِیۡدًا ُل ّلل ی ۡ اَعَد َ ا ّل َِی ا ۖۖۖۖ ِ ۡلَۡلۡبَاب ٰلِا َییاُو ؕۖۖ قَد ۡاَنۡزَل مَنُوۡا ی ۙ نَا ُاِلَیۡکُم ۡذِکۡرًا ﴿ ّلل ی ا ۱۰ ۡ ﴾رَسُو َ مَنُوۡا و ی ّل َِیۡن َ ا ت ٍ لِیُخۡرِج َا ی ِ مُبَیِن ّلل ی یی ت ِ ا ی ۡلً یَتۡلُوۡا عَلَیۡکُم ۡا ُ ِٰلَ الن ت ِا ی ت ِ مِن َ الظُلُم ی لِح ی عَمِلُوا الص ُِِۡل ِ و َ یَعۡمَل ۡ صَالِحًا یُدۡخ ّلل ی ِ ؕ و َ مَن ۡ یُؤۡمِن بِا وۡر َ ؕ قَد ۡ ا ِلِِیۡن َ فِیۡہَا ۤاَبَدًا ی ر ُ خ ی ۡلَۡنۡہ ت ٍ تَجۡرِی ۡمِن ۡ تَحۡتِہَا ا ی جَن ُل َٗرِزۡقًا ﴿ ّلل ی حۡسَن َ ا ﴾ “Allāh has prepared for them a severe punishment; so fear Allāh, O ye men of understanding, who have believed.Allāh has indeed sent down to you a Reminder — A Messenger, who recites
(American Edition) 56 unto you the clear Signs of Allāh, that he may bring those who believe and do good deeds out of every kind of darkness into light.And whoso be lieves in Allāh and does good deeds— He will make him enter Gardens, through which rivers flow, to abide therein forever.Allāh has indeed made excellent provision for him.” (65[Al- Ṭ al ā q]:11-12) A ḥ ādīth on the Death o f Jesus (1) Ibn ‘Abbās said: َ مُتَوَفٍِّيْک َ مُمِيْتُک “Mutawaffī ka, that is, I will cause you to die.” (Bukhārī, Kitābut - Tafsīr, Sūrah Al - Māi’dah, under Fa -Lamm ā tawaffaitan ī ) (2) The following two A ḥādīth show that the Messiah of the latter days is not the same as the Messiah of Moses since the description of their physical appearance differs.From Sunnah below ِ ِسَ فَأ َُحَْر ُ جَعْد ٌ عَرِیض ُ الصَّدْر ِسَ وَمُوس َ وَاِبْرَاهِميَ، فَأَمَّا عِی رَأَیْت ُ عِی ٌ ََنَ َنَِْنٌْ اَطُوْف ُ َبِلْکَعْبَۃ ِ فَاِذْارَجُل بَیْنَمَا ا ُ...ِبْط ِ س الشَّعْر َ...فَقْلُت ُ مَن ْ ھہذ َْیََ ا قَالُوْا ابْن ُ مَر “I saw Jesus, Moses and Abraham, Jesus was of red complexion and had curly hair and broad shoulders.” “While I was sleeping I saw that I was performing a circuit of the Ka‘bah.It was a man of brown ish color and straight hair.So I enquired who he was.They said, “ This is the Messiah, son of Mary.” (For both see Bukhārī, Kit ā b A ḥadīthul - Anbiyā, Bāb: Wadhkur Fil-Kit ā bi Maryam) (3) َ ََّیِْ لَمَا وَسِعَھُمَا اِل َّ اتٍِّب حَي ِْسہ و َ عِی ہ لَو ْ َكَن َ مُوْس اعِی If Moses and Jesus had been alive they would have had followed me.(Commentary Ibn Kathīr under 3 :81) (4) ٍ َنَۃ ِْشِْیْن َ و َ مِائَۃ َ س ابْن َ مَر َْیََ عَاش َ ع ِْسہ اِن َّ عِی
(American Edition) 57 Verily Jesus son of Mary lived 120 years.(Kanzul- ‘ Umm ā l, V.6, p.160; Ḥ ujajul-Kar ā mah, p.428) Finality of Prop hethood The Holy Qur’an on the Finality o f Prophethhood (1) ۡ ّل َِی ۡ صِرَاط َ ا َ ن َ اَنۡعَم ت َ عَل ُِۡۡہ ی َِۡۡی ۙۖ غ ۡ ال ۡ مَغ ۡ ضُو َ ب ِ عَل ُِۡۡہ ی َۡلَ و َٓا الض َِّۡی ل ٪ ﴿﴾ “The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray.” (1 [Al- Fātihah ]:7) The above verse is explained in the following verse (2) ِ یَم َِت ی مَا ۤ اَنۡتُم ۡ عَلَیۡہ ِ ح َٰۤلی ِّیَۡ ع ُ لِیَذَر َ الۡمُؤۡمِن ّلل ی مَا کَان َ ا ِ ؕ وَمَا ِ ۡیَۡ الۡخَبِیۡث َ مِن َ الطَیِب ّلل ی مِنُوۡا بِا ی فَا ۪ ُ ُِلِٖ مَن ۡ یَش َٓاء َ یَجۡتَب ِۡ مِن ۡ رُس ّلل ی کِن َ ا ی َٰۤلَ الۡغَیۡب ِ وَل ُ لِیُطۡلِعَکُم ۡ ع ّلل ی ُکَان َ ا وَتَتَق ُِلِٖ ۚ و َاِنۡ تُؤۡمِنُوۡا وَرُس وۡا فَلَکُم ۡ اَجۡر ٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿ ﴾ “Allāh would not leave the believers as you are, until He separated the wicked from the good.Nor would Allāh reveal to you the unseen.But Allāh chooses of His Messengers whom He pleases.Believe, therefore, in Allāh and His Messengers.If you believe and be righteou s, you shall have a great reward.” (3 [ Ā l ‘ Imr ā n]:180) Note: Allāh will be separating the wicked from the good by sending messengers.(3) ٌ ب ٍ وَحِکۡمَۃ ٍ ثُم َ ج َٓاءَکُم ۡ رَسُوۡل ی تَیۡتُکُم ۡ مِن ۡ کِت ی ِّی َٖ لَمَا ۤ ا ُ مِیۡثَاق َ النَب ّلل ی ُ و َ اِذ ۡ اَخَذ َ ا م ؕ ۡ لِکُم ۡ اِصۡرِی ی ذ َٰۤلی ٗ ؕ قَال َ ءَاَقۡرَرۡتُم ۡ وَاَخَذۡتُم ۡ ع صَدِق ٌ لِمَا مَعَکُم ۡ لَتُؤۡمِنُن َ بِہ ٖ وَلَتَنۡصُرُنَہ ؕ قَال َ فَاشۡہَدُوۡا وَاَنَا قَالُوۡۤا اَقۡرَرۡنَا ہِدِیۡن َ ﴿ ی َ مَعَکُم ۡ مِن َ الش لِک َ ف ی بَعۡد َ ذ َٰل ی َ ﴾فَمَن ۡ تَو اُولٰٓئِک ہُم ُ ا سِقُوۡن َ ﴿ ی لۡف ﴾ “And remember the time when Allāh took a covenant from the people through the Prophets, saying: ‘Whatever I give you of the Book and Wisdom and then there comes to you a Messenger, fulfilling that which is with you, you shall believe in him and help him.’ And He said: ‘Do you agree, and do you accept the
(American Edition) 58 responsibility which I lay upon you in this matter?’ They said, ‘We agree;’ He said, ‘Then bear witness, and I am with you among the witnesses.’ Now whoso turns away after this, then, surely , those are the transgressors.” (3 [ Ā l ‘ Imr ā n]:82-83) The following verse explains the above verse.(4) و َ عِیۡسَی ٰۡسی َُہُۡ و َ مِنۡک َ و َ مِن ۡ نُوۡح ٍ و َ اِبۡری ہِیۡم َ و َ مُو ِّی َٖ مِیۡثَاق ُۡہُۡ و َ اِذ ۡ اَخَذۡنَا مِن َ النَب َ ۪ و َ اَخَذۡنَا مِن ابۡن ِ مَرۡیَم مِیۡثَاقًا غَلِیۡظًا ۙ﴿﴾ “And remember when We took from the Prophets their covenant, and from thee, and from Noah, and Abraham, and Moses, and Jesus, son of Mary, and We indeed took from them a solemn covenant;” (33[Al-A ḥ z ā b]:8) (5) َ ۡ م ن ِ اہ ی ِ تَد َ ی فَا ۡ نَمَا ی ِ ہ ۡ تَد ٖی لِنَفۡسِہ ۚ ۡ وَمَن ِ ضَل َ فَا َ نَمَا ی ۡ ضِل ُ عَلَی َ ہ ا ؕ َۡلَ و ُ تَزِر ٌ وَازِرَۃ ِ و ُ زۡرَا ی خۡر ی ؕ َِّۡی وَمَا کُنَا مُعَذِب َِت ی ح ۡ نَبۡعَثَرَسُو ۡلً ﴿ ﴾ “He who follows the right way follows it only for the good of his own soul: and he who goes astray, goes astray only to his own loss.And no bearer of burden shall bear the burden of another.We never punish until We have sent a Messenger.” (17[Ban ī Isr ā’ī l]:16) The following verse explains the above verse.(6) ٍ و َ اِن ۡ مِن ۡ قَرۡیَۃ ِاَو ۡ مُعَذِبُوۡہَا عَذَابًا ُمُہۡلِکُوۡہَا قَبۡل َ یَوۡم ِ الۡقِیی مَۃ ِۡل َ نَحۡن ۡ ا َ ِفِ ال لِک ی ؕ کَان َذ شَدِیۡدًا ب ِ مَسۡطُوۡرًا ﴿ ی کِت ﴾ “There is not a township but We shall destroy it before the Day of Resurrection, or punish it with a severe punishment.That is written down in the Book.” (Banī Isra’ī l, 17:59) (7) ِِفِۡ یَوۡم ٍ کَان َ مِقۡدَا ۡلَۡرۡض ِ ثُم َ یَعۡرُج ُاِلَیۡہ ِٰلَ ا ۡلَۡمۡر َ مِن َ السَم َٓاء ِا َ یُدَبِر ُ ا رُہ ٗۤ اَلۡف سَنَۃ ٍ مِمَا تَعُدُوۡن َ ﴿﴾
(American Edition) 59 “He will plan the Divine Ordinance from the heaven unto the earth, then shall it go up to Him in a day the duration of which is a thousand years according to what you reckon.” (32[Al-Sajdah]:6) The following Ḥadīth explains the above verse.ْبِق ُ شَھَا ْ ُثَُّ َیَِی ْ ء ُ اَقْوَام ٌ تَس ْ ُثَُّ ا َّلَِّیْن َ یَلُوْنَھُم ِْنِْ ُثَُّ ا َّلَِّیْن َ یَلُوْنَھُم َْیَْ النَّاس ِ قَر َ خ ُ د ٗ ۃ اَحَدِھِم ْ یَمِيْنَہ “The people of my generation are the best, then those who follow them, and then those who follow the latter; after that there will come some people whose witness will go ahead of their oaths.” (Bukhārī, Kitābush - Shahadāt) This Ḥadīth and the Qur’ān ic verse indicate that falsehood was to spread after the first three centuries of Isl ām and before the advent of the Imām Mahdī.(8) ِ ی و َ دِیۡن ِالۡحَق ی ّل َِی ۡۤاَرۡسَل َرَسُوۡل َٗبِالۡہُد ۡ ہُو َ ا ُِل ِٖ وَلَو َل ِیۡن ِ ک َٰۤلَ ا َلِیُظۡہِرَہ ٗع کَرِہ ﴿﴾ ٪ َ الۡمُشۡرِکُوۡن “He it is Who has sent His Messenger with the guidance and the Religion of truth, that He may cause it to prevail over all religions, even if those who associate partners with God hate it.” (61[Al- Ṣ aff]:10) The following verse explains the above verse.ِْسہ ھہذَا عِنْد َ نُزُوْل ِ عِی Note: This prophecy will be fulfilled through the advent of the Promised Messiah.(Ibn Jarīr, Vol.15) (9) ی ٍ و َ لَقَد ۡ ج َٓاءَکُم ۡ یُوۡسُف ُ مِن ۡ قَبۡل ُ بِالۡبَیِن ۡ ِفِۡشَک ت ِ فَمَازِلۡتُم َِت ی ح ؕ ٖ مِمَا ج َٓاءَکُم ۡ بِہ ۡ ُمِن بَعۡدِہ ٖرَسُو ّلل ی اِذَا ہَلَک َ قُلۡتُم ۡ لَن ۡ یَبۡعَث َ ا َ ُ مَن ۡ ہُو ّلل ی لِک َ یُضِل ُ ا ی ۡلً ؕ کَذ ٌ مُسۡرِف ۖۚ مُرۡتَاب ُ﴿ ﴾ “And Joseph did come to you before with clear proofs, but you ceased not to be in doubt concerning that with which he came to you till, when he died, you said: ‘Allāh will never raise up a
(American Edition) 60 Messenger after him.’ Thus does Allāh adjudge as lost those who transgress, and are doubters,” (40 [Al-Mu ’ min]:35) Note: In the above verse a believer of Moses is addressing the Jews who rejected Moses.(10) ۡ َُہُۡظَنُوۡا کَمَا ظَنَنۡتُم ۡاَن و َ اَن ُاَحَدًا ۙ﴿﴾ ّلل ی لَن ۡ یَبۡعَث َ ا “‘And indeed they thought, even as you think, that Allāh would never raise any Messenger.” (72[Al-Jinn]:8) Note: Above is the Address of a believing Jew of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) to the non-believers.A ḥ ādīth on the Finality of Prophethood (1) ٍَِِِّب اَبُوْبَکَر ٍ اَفْضَل ُ ھہذِہ ِ الُْمَّۃ ِ اِل َّ اَن ْ یَّکُوْن َ ن “Abū Bakr is the best from among this community of Muslims except if a prophet is born.” (Kunū zul- Ḥ aq ā’ iq, p.4) (2) ٌَِِّب َْیُْ النَّاس ِ اِل َّ اَن ْ یَّکُوْن َ ن اَبُوْبَکَر ٍ خ “Abū Bakr is the best from among all people except if a prophet is born.” (Al Jāmi‘uṣ - Ṣaghīr by ‘Allama Suyūṭī, p.6) (3) It is reported in Kha ṣ ai ṣ ul- Kubrā by ‘Allāmah Suyū ṭ ī that Moses said to Allāh, ِ َِبَِّ تِلْک َ الُْمَّۃ ِْنِْ ن اِجْعَل that is, “Make me a prophet of that community of Muslims.” In reply, Allāh said, نَبٍِّيُھَا مِنْھَا “Their prophet will be from among them.” (4) Durūd Sharīf ( Ṣalātun - Nabī ) َ ھُم َّ صَل ٍِّ عَل ہ مُح ٍّہ َْ اَلل ٍ مَکََ صَلَّيْت َ عَل ہ اِبْرَاھِمي َْ و َ عَل ہ آل ِ اِبْرَاھِمي مَّد ٍ و َّ عَل ہ آل ِ مُحَمَّد “O Allāh, bless Muḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and his people as Thou didst bless Abraham and his people...”
(American Edition) 61 Note: A Muslim can also be a prophet as one of the blessings bestowed on the people of Abraham was that of prophethood.(5) The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said, ِنَِ ا َّلَِّین َ َیَتُوْن َ بَعْدِی ِٰلہ اِخْوَا وَاشَوْقَاہ ُ ا I have great love for my broth ers who will come after me.” (Al - Insānul - Kāmil, Vol.2, p.84) In the same book, explaining this Ḥadīth, ‘Allāmah ‘Abdul - Karīm Jīlānī said: َ ُُکِْ الِْلہھِیی نُبُوَّۃ فَھہوُلَء ِ اَنْبِيَاء ُ الَْوْلِيَاء ِ یُرِیْد ُ بِذہ لِک َ نُبُوَّۃ َ الْقُرْب ِ وَالِْع ًْلَم ِ وَالْح ِ ا َّْشِْیْح لت لَِن َّنُبُوَّۃ َ ا ٍ ل َّْشِْیْح ِ اِنْقَطَعَت ْ بِمُحَمَّد ت ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص In this Ḥadīth the prophets and the saints are mentioned.However, this prophethood will witness nearness to Allāh, prophecies, and divine wisdom rather than new laws because law- bearing prophethood has ended with the Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and b lessing of Allāh be upon him).(Al- Insānul - Kāmil) (6) َ ِ ا ٍَّیَْ وَالْمُرْسَل َِیَْ وَالْٓخِرِیْن َ اِل َّ النَّبِی َيٍِّدَا کُھُول ِ اَھْل ِ الْجَنَّۃ ِ مِن َ الَْوَّل َعَُر ٍ س َ َیَْ بُوْبَکَرٍو Abū Bakr and ‘ Umar are chiefs of the middle-aged people of paradise who are from among the earlier Muslims and Muslims of the latter days but not of the prophets and messengers.(Mishkāt, Chapter on excellences of companions of the Holy Prophet) (7) The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said, َ َِبٌِّ وَل َ رَسُوْل ٌ وَاَل َِِّْ اَل َ اِنَّہ ُ لَیْس َ بَیْنَہ ٗ ن ِفِْ اُم َِِْ اِنَّہ ٗ خَلِيْف “Hearken! There is no prophet and messenger between me and forthcoming Jesus.And hearken! He is the Khal ī fa (successor) of my Ummah.” ( Ṭabarānī) (8) When his son, Ibrāhīm, passed away, the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said لَوعَاش َ ل ََکَن َ صِدٍِّیُقا ا نَبِيَّا “Had Ibrāhīm lived, he would have certainly been a true prophet.” (Ibn Mājah, Kitābul - Janā’iz) (9) The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said,
(American Edition) 62 ُْ ُْکُْکَيْف َ اَنْت ُُکُْ مِن ُْکُ وَاِمَام ابْن ُ مَر َْیََ فِي ِْسہ اِذَانَزَل َ عِی How will you be when son of Mary descends among you and he will be your Imām from among you.(Bukhārī, Kitā b A ḥadīth al-A nbiyā , B ā b Nuz ū l ‘Ī s ā Ibn Maryam) (10) The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said, ا ِسہ ابْن َ مَر َْیََ اِمَامَا مَھْد َِیا ح ََکَاا عَدْل ُْکُْ اَن ْ یَّلقہی عی یُوْشِک ْ مَن ْ عَاش َ مِن Anyone who will be alive from among you, will meet Isa son of Mary who is the Imām Mahdī , a Judge and a Justice.(Musnad A ḥ mad bin Ḥ anbal, V.2, P.411) (11) The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said about the second coming of Jesus, ٌ َِبٌِّ وَاِنَّہ ٗ َنَزِل ِْنِْ وَبَیْنَہ ٗ ن لَیْس َ بَی There is no prophet between me and him, and he shall desc end.(Abū Dāwūd, Kitābul - Malāhim) (12) The Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, said ٗ ِّسْی ہ بَعْدَہ ًَلَ ک ِّسْی ہ ف َْصََ بَعْدَہ ٗ و َ اِذَا ھَلَک َ ک ًَلَ قَي َْصَُ ف اِذَا ھَلَک َ قَي There shall be no Caesar after the death of the present Caesar and there will be no Chosroes after the death of the present Chosroes.(Bukhārī, Kitā bul- Īmā n) 39) ؕ ٌ ُ ؕ و َ اُمُہ ٗ صِدِیۡقَۃ ِۡلِِ الرُسُل ٌ ۚ قَد ۡ خَلَت ۡ مِن ۡ قَب ِۡل َ رَسُوۡل َ ؕ مَا الۡمَسِیۡح ُ ابۡن ُ مَرۡیَم َ ا ن ِ الطَعَام ی َ کَانَا یَاۡکُل یی ت ِ ثُم ۡلۡی َُہُُ ا َّی ُِ ل اُنۡظُر ۡ کَیۡف َ نُب یُؤۡفَکُوۡن َ ﴿ َِن ی انۡظُر ۡ ا ﴾ “The Messiah, son of Mary, was no more than a messenger, All messengers before him have passed away.And his mother was a truthful woman.Both of them used to eat food.See how we explain the signs for their good, and see how they are turned away.”(5 [Al-M ā’idah ]:76) 40) ۤ ہَا ی قَرۡیَۃ ٍاَہۡلَکۡن َٰۤلی و َ حَری م ٌ ع َُہُۡ ۡلَ یَرۡجِعُوۡن َ ﴿ اَن ﴾ “And it is an inviolable law for a township which we have destroyed that they shall not r eturn.”(21 [Al-Anbiy ā] :96)
(American Edition) 63 (11) َ ِّی َٖ ؕ و َ کَان ِ و َ خَاتَم َ النَب ّلل ی کِن ۡ رَسُوۡل َ ا ی مَا کَان َ مُحَمَد ٌ اَبَاۤاَحَد ٍ مِن ۡ رِجَالِکُم ۡ وَل ﴾ ٪ ِ َشَۡء ٍ عَلِیۡمًا ﴿ ُبِکُل ّلل ی ا “Muḥ ammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allāh and the Seal of the Prophets; and Allāh has full knowledge of all things.” (33[Al-A ḥ z ā b]:41) (12) َٖ ِّی ُۡہِۡ مِن َ النَب ُ عَلَی ّلل ی ّل َِیۡن َ اَنۡعَم َ ا َ وَالرَسُوۡل َ فَاُولٰٓئِک َ مَع َ ا ّلل ی ِ وَمَن ۡ یُطِع ِ ا ِّیَۡ وَالشُہَد َٓاء َ وَالصِدِیۡق ِّیَۡ ۚ و لِح ی ؕ وَالص حَسُن َ اُولٰٓئِک َ رَفِیۡقًا ﴿ ﴾ “And whoso obeys Allāh and this Messenger of His shall be among those on whom Allāh has bestowed His blessings, namely, the Prophets, the Truthful, the Martyrs, and the Righteous.And excellent companions are these.” (4[Al-Nis ā] :70) (13) َ اِن ؕ ِ ًُلً و َ مِن َ النَاس ُ یَصۡطَفِی ۡ مِن َ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃ ِرُس َّلل ی ۚا ِۡیٌۡ ﴿ َ سَمِیۡع ٌٌۢبَص ّلل ی ا ﴾ “Allāh chooses His Messengers from among angels, and from among men.Surely, Allāh is All - Hearing, All- Seeing.” (22[Al- Ḥ ajj]:76) (14) َ ی و َ اَصۡلَح ی ِتِۡ ۙ فَمَن ِ اتَق ی ی ی دَم َاِمَا یَاۡتِیَنَکُم ۡ رُسُل ٌ مِنۡکُم ۡ یَقُصُوۡن َ عَلَیۡکُم ۡ ا ی َِنِۡۤا َ ییب َۡلَ ہُم ۡ یَحۡز ُۡہِۡ و ًَلَ خَوۡف ٌ عَلَی ف نُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ “O children of Adam! if Messengers come to you from among yourselves, rehearsing My Signs unto you, then whoso shall fear God and do good deeds, on them shall come no fear nor shall they grieve.” (7[Al-A ‘ r ā f]:36) Meaning of the T erm Kh ā tamun - Nabiy yī n as The Cheif of the Prophets Here we give e xamples of the term Khātam used by prominent Muslim scholars in various contexts illustrating it to mean the chief, the best, the one who excels in the field.
(American Edition) 64 1.Abū Tammām (188 -231 A.H./804-845 A.D.), a poet, was referred to as Khātamush - Shu‘arā, that is , chief of the poets.( Wafiyāt -ul- A‘yān, Vol.1) 2.Abū Al - Ṭ ayyib (303-354 A.H./915- 965 A.D.) was also called Khātamush - Shu‘arā, that is, chief of the poets.(Muqaddimah Dīwān Al -Mutanabb ī , Printed in Egypt, p.10) 3.Abdul ‘Alā Al - Ma‘arrī (363 -449 A.H./973-1057 A.D.) was also called Khātamush - Shu‘arā, that is, chief of the poets.(Muqaddimah Dīwān Al - Mutanabb ī , Printed in Egypt, p.10) 4.Shaikh ‘Alī Ḥazīn (1113 -1180 A.H./1701-1767 A.D.) is considered to be the Khāt amush- Shu‘arā, that is, chief of the poets, of Hindustā n (subcontinent of India).( Ḥayāt -i- Sa‘dī, p.117) 5.Ḥabīb Shīrāzī is regarded as Khātamush - Shu‘arā, that is, chief of the poets, in Iran.( Ḥayāt -i- Sa‘dī, p.117) 6.Ḥ a ḍrat ‘Alī is Khātam -ul- Auliyā, Chief of friends of Allāh (that is, Chief of Saints).(Tafsīr Ṣāfī, Sūrah Al -A ḥzāb) 7.Imām Shāfi‘ī (150 -204 A.H./767- 820 A.D.) was Khātam -ul- Auliyā, Chief of the friends of Allāh (that is, Chief of Saints).(Tuḥ fatus-Sunniyyah, p.45) 8.Shaikh Ibn-ul- ‘Ara bi (560-638 A.H./1164- 1240 A.D.) was Khātam -ul- Auliyā, Chief of the friends of Allāh (that is, Chief of Saints).(Title page of Futūḥāt Makkiyya) 9.Kāfūr was Khātam -ul- Kirām, Chief of the generous ones.(Sharḥ Dīwān Al - Mutanabbī, p.304) 10.Imām Muḥ ammad ‘ Abdu of Egypt was Khātam -ul- A’immah, Chief of the leaders.(Tafsīr Al - Fātiḥ ah, p.148) 11.Al-Sayyid A ḥ mad Al-Sunn ū s ī was Kh ātam -ul- Mujāhidīn, Chief of those who strive in the way of Allāh.(Akhbār Al - Jāmi‘ ah al- Islāmiyyah, Palestine; 27 Muharram, 1352 A.H.) 12.A ḥmad bin Idrīs was called Khātam -ul- ‘Ulamā al -Mu ḥaqqiqīn, Chief of the Research Scholars.(Al-Aqd al- Nafīs) 13.Abdul-Fa ḍ l Al-Al ū s ī was called Khātam -ul-Mu ḥaqqiqīn, Chief of the Researchers.(Title pa ge of Tafsīr Rūḥ -ul- Ma‘ānī) 14.Shaikh-ul-Azhar Salīm al-Bashir ī was referred to as Khātam - ul - Mu ḥ addithīn, Chief of the Specialist in Ḥ adīth.(Al - Ḥ i r ā b , p.372) 15.Imām Suyūtī (d.911 A.H./1505 A.D.) was noted as Khātam -ul- Mu ḥaddithīn, Chief of the Speci alists in Ḥadīth.(Title page of Tafsīr Itqān)
(American Edition) 65 16.Ḥ a ḍrat Shah Waliyyullāh Dehlavī is acknowledged as Khātam -ul- Mu ḥaddithīn, Ch ief of the Specialists in Ḥadīth in ‘Ujālah Nāfi‘ah by Shah ‘Abdul - Azīz.17.Al Shaikh Shams-ud- Dīn was known as Khātam -ul- Ḥuffāẓ , Chief of the Memorizers of the Holy Qur’ān.(Tajrīd -u ṣ - Ṣarīḥ , Muqaddimah, p.4) 18.The greatest Walī (saint) is known as Khātam -ul- Auliyā, chief of the saints or friends of Allāh.(Tadhkiratul - Auliyā’, p.422) 19.By continued progress, a Walī reaches the status of Khātam -ul- Auliyā, chief of the saints or friends of Allāh.(Futūḥ -ul-Ghaib, p.43) 20.Al- Shaikh Najīb is acknowledged as Khātam -ul- Fuqahā, chief of the jurists.(Akhbār Al - Ṣirāt al- Mustaqīm, Y ā f ā , 27 Rajab, 1354 A.H.) 21.Shaikh Rash ī d Ra ḍā has been acknowledged as Khātam -ul- Mufassirīn, chief of the commentators of the Holy Qur’ān.(Al- Jāmi‘atul - Islāmiyyah, 9 Ju mād a al- Thānī, 1354 A.H.) 22.Al Shaikh ‘Abdul - Ḥ aq (958-1052 A.H./1551-1642 A.D.) was known as Khātam -ul- Fuqahā, Chief of the Jurists.( Title page of Tafsīrul - Iklīl ) 23.Al-Shaikh Mu ḥammad Najīb has been mentioned as Khātam -ul- Mu ḥaqqiqīn, Chief of the Researchers, in Al - Islām, printed in Egypt , Sha‘bān, 1354 A.H.) 24.The superior-most (Af ḍal) Walī is of the rank of Khātam -ul- Wilāyah, c hief of the sainthood.(Muqaddimah Ibn Khaldūn, p.271) 25.Shah ‘Abdul - ‘Azīz (1159 - 1236 A.H.) was Khātam -ul-Mu ḥaddithīn Wal - Mufassirīn, Chief of the Specialists in Ḥadīth and Commentary of the Holy Qur’ān.(Hadya Al- Shī‘ah, p.4) 26.Every human being is Khātam -ul- Makhlūqāt al - Jismāniyyah, chief of all creatures.(Tafsīr Kabīr , Vol.6, p.22, published in Egypt) 27.Al-Shaikh Mu ḥammad bin ‘Abdullāh was Khātam -ul- Ḥuffāẓ , Chief of the Memorizers of the Holy Qur’ān.(Al- Rasā’il -ul- Nādirah, p.30) 28.‘Allāmah Sa‘d -ud- Din Taftāzānī was Khātam -ul-Mu ḥaqqiqīn, Chief of the Researchers.(Shar ḥ Ḥadīth Al - Arba‘īn, p.1) 29.Ibn Ḥ ajar-al- ‘Asqalānī was Khātam -ul- Ḥuffāẓ , Chief of the Memorizers.(Title page of Ṭabaqāt -ul- Mudallisīn) 30.Maulawī Muḥammad Qāsi m (1148- 1297 A.H.) has been noted as Khātam - ul- Mufassirīn, Chief of the Commentators of the Holy Qur’ān.(Title page of A srār - i- Qur’ānī) 31.Imām Suyūtī was Khātam -ul-Mu ḥaddithīn, Chief of specialists in Ḥadīth.(Hadyah Al- Shī‘ah, p.210)
(American Edition) 66 32.A monarch is Khātam -ul- Ḥukkām, chief of the rulers.(Ḥ ujjat-ul- Islām, p.35) 33.Ḥ a ḍrat ‘Īsā is Khātam -ul-A ṣfiyā -ul- A’immah, chief of the chosen leaders.(Baqiyyatul- Mutaqaddimīn, p.184) 34.Ḥ a ḍrat ‘Alī is Khātam -ul-Au ṣiya, Chief of the Successors by Will.(Manār - ul-H udā, p.109) 35.Al-Shaikh Al- Ṣadūq has been described as Khātam -ul-Mu ḥaddithīn, Chief of the Specialists in Ḥadīth.(Book: Man Lā Yaḥḍ uruhul- Faqīh) 36.‘Abul -Fa ḍl Shahāb al - Alūsī (773 -854: A.H./1371-1450 A.D.) is noted as Khātam -ul- Udabā, chief of the specialists in literature.(Title page of Rūḥ -ul- Ma‘ānī) 37.The author of Rūḥ -ul- Ma‘ānī has described Al - Shaikh lbrāhīm -al- Kurānī as Khātam -ul- Muta’akhkhirīn, Chief of the people of the Latter Days.(Tafsīr Rūḥ -ul- Ma‘ānī, vol.5, p.453) 38.Maul awī Anwar Sh ā h Kashm ī r ī has been described as Khātam -ul- Mu ḥaddithīn, Chief of the specialists in Ḥadīth.(Book: Ra’īs -ul-A ḥrār, p.99) 39.Ḥ a ḍ rat Far ī d-ud-D īn ‘A ṭṭ ār (513 -620 A.H./1116-1223 A.D.) said about Ḥ a ḍ rat ‘ Umar, متخرکدہدعلوااصنشفقحب ات رفاتسربوہازرمدم قبس “He took his justice and equality to the very end, for the sake of Allāh; until his wisdom excelled that of all other human beings.” (Mantiqut - Ṭ air, p.29) 40.Maulānā Ḥālī wrote about Shaikh Sa‘dī: “In my view, just as the descriptive power ends with Firdausī in such areas as satire and sarcasm as well as war epics in much the same way when it comes to morals, worship and exhortation, youth and romance, comedy and humor, worship and ostentation, the power of description ends with the Shaikh.” (Risālah Ḥayāt -i- Sa‘di, p.108) 41.Ḥ a ḍrat Maulawī Muḥammad Qāsim Nā notv ī (1148-1297 A.H.) wrote: So, therefore one who exhibits a greater manifestation in him of that particular attribute which is the ultimate attribute (Kh ā tam-u ṣ - Ṣifāt).There is no other attrib ute above this which can possibly be manifested, that is, worthy of being transferred to or conferred upon other creatures that particular person will occupy the ultimate rank (Kh ā tam-ul- Marātib) among those creatures, and the same person will be the chief of them all and superior to everyone else.” (Risālah Intiṣār -ul- Islām, p.45)
(American Edition) 67 Truth of t he Promised Messiah The Holy Qur’ān on the truth of the Promised Messiah (1) َِ َّل ا ۘ ۡ ب َ یَعۡرِفُوۡنَہ ٗ کَمَا یَعۡرِفُوۡن َ اَبۡن َٓاءَہُم ی ُہُُ الۡکِت ی تَیۡن ی َّل َِیۡن َ ا ا َُہُۡ یۡن َ خَسِرُوۡۤا َُہُۡ ف ُاَنۡفُس ۡلَ یُؤۡمِن ٪ وۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ “Those to whom We gave the Book recognize him as they recognize their sons.But those who ruin their souls will not believe.” (6[Al- An‘ām]:21) (2) ٗ ُ مَا تَلَوۡتُہ ّلل ی ۡ قُل ۡ لَو ۡ ش َٓاء َ ا ٖ ۫ۖ فَقَد ۡ لَبِثۡت ُ فِیۡکُم ۡ عُمُرًا مِن َۡلَۤ اَدۡری ىکُم ۡ بِہ ًَلَ عَلَیۡکُم ۡ و ِۡلِٖ ؕ اَف قَب تَعۡقِلُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ ُ ٗفَمَن ۡاَظۡلَم ٖ ؕ اِنَہ ییتِہ ی ِ کَذِبًا اَو ۡ کَذَب َ بِا ّلل ی َٰۤلَ ا َۡتَی ی ع َمِمَن ِ اف ۡلَ یُفۡلِح ُ الۡمُجۡرِمُوۡن ﴿ ﴾ “Say, ‘If Allāh had s o willed, I should not have recited it to you nor would He have made it known to you.I have indeed lived among you a whole lifetime before this.Will you not then understand?’ Who is then more unjust than he who forges a lie against Allāh or he who treats His Signs as lies? Surely, the guilty shall never prosper.”(10[Yūnus]:17 -18) (3) َِ َِب ًُلًاَن ۡ یَقُوۡل َ ر ل ِ فِرۡعَوۡن َ یَکۡتُم ُاِیۡمَانَہ ٗۤاَتَقۡتُلُوۡن َ رَج ی ٌ ۖ٭ مِن ۡ ا ۡو َ قَال َ رَجُل ٌمُؤۡمِن ُ و َ قَد ۡ ج َٓاءَکُم ّلل ی َا ت ِ مِن ۡ ر ی بِالۡبَیِن ٗ ۚ و َ اِن ۡ یَک ُ صَادِقًا ۡ ؕ و َ اِن ۡ یَک ُ کَاذِبًا فَعَلَیۡہ ِ کَذِبُہ ٌ بِکُم َۡلَ یَہۡدِی ۡ مَن ۡ ہُو َ مُسۡرِف ٌ کَذَاب ّلل ی اِن َ ا ؕ ۡ ّل َِی ۡ یَعِدُکُم یُصِبۡکُم ۡ بَعۡض ُ ا ﴿ ﴾ “ And a believing man from among the people of Pharaoh, who concealed his fait h, said, “Will you slay a man because he says, ‘My Lord is Allāh,’ while he has brought you clear proofs from your Lord? And if he be a liar, on him will be the sin of his lie; but if he is truthful, then some of that which he threatens you with will
(American Edition) 68 surel y befall you.Certainly Allāh guides not one who is a transgressor, and a liar.” (40[Al- Mu’min]:29) (4) ۚ ٍ ِ کَذِبًا فَیُسۡحِتَکُم ۡ بِعَذَاب ّلل ی َٰۤلَ ا َۡتَُوۡا ع ۡ ۡلَ تَف وَیۡلَکُم ٰۡسی َُہُۡ مُو َقَال َ ل و َ قَد ۡ خَاب َۡتَی ی ﴿ مَن ِ اف ﴾ “Moses said to them, ‘Woe to you; forge not a lie against Allāh, lest He destroy you by some punishment; and surely, he who forges a lie shall perish.’ (20[ Ṭā Hā]:62) (5) ََُّل ّلل ی ؕ اِن َ ا ّل َِی ۡ جَعَل َلَکُم ُ الَیۡل َلِتَسۡکُنُوۡا فِیۡہ ِ و َ النَہَار َ مُبۡصِرًا ُا َّلل ی ٍ ا َ و ۡ فَضۡل کِن َ اَکۡثَر ی َٰۤلَ النَاس ِ وَل ع ِ ۡلَ یَشۡکُرُوۡن َ ﴿ النَاس ﴾ “It is Allāh Who has made the night for you that you may rest therein, and the day to enable you to see.Verily, Allāh is the Lord of bounty for mankind, yet most men are ungrateful.” (40[Al- Mu’min]:62) (6) و َ لَقَد ۡ سَبَقَت ۡ کَلِمَتُنَا ِّیَۡ ﴿ ۚۖلِعِبَادِنَا الۡمُرۡسَل ﴾ َُُۡہ اِن َُہُُالۡمَنۡصُوۡرُوۡن َ ﴿ َُہُُ ل ﴾۪و َ اِن َ جُنۡدَنَا ل لِبُوۡن َ ﴿ ی الۡغ ﴾ “And surely Our word has gone forth respecting Our servants, the Messengers, That it is certainly they who would be helped; And that it is Our host that would certainly be victorious.” (37[Al- Ṣāffāt ]:172-174) (7) َ ۡلَۡرۡض ًَلَ یَرَوۡن َ اَنَا نَاۡت ِ ا اَف ؕ ُ ُۡہُِ الۡعُمُر طَال َ عَلَی َِت ی ب َٓاءَہُم ۡ ح ی ُۡلَِء ِ و َ ا ؤ ی ِ بَل ۡ مَتَعۡنَا ہ نَنۡقُصُہَا مِن ۡ اَطۡرَاف لِبُوۡن َ ﴿ ی َُہُُ الۡغ ؕ اَف ہَا ﴾ “Nay, We provided those and their fathers with the good things of this world till life grew long for them.Do they not see that We are visiting the land, reducing it from its outlying borders? Can t hey even then be victors?”(21 [Al-Anbiy ā ]:45)
(American Edition) 69 (8) ۡ َۡتََیی ت ٍ و َ ادۡعُوۡا مَن ِ اسۡتَطَعۡتُم ِۡلِٖ مُف ُ ؕ قُل ۡ فَاۡتُوۡا بِعَشۡر ِ سُوَر ٍ مِث َۡتَی ىہ ِ اَم ۡ یَقُوۡلُوۡن َ اف ّلل ی مِن ۡ دُوۡن ِ ا ِّیَۡ ﴿ اِن ۡ کُنۡتُم ۡ صی دِق ﴾ “Do they say, ‘He has forged it?’ Say, ‘Then bring ten Chapters like it, forged, and call on whom you can beside Allāh, if you are truthful.’” (11[ Hūd ]:14) (9) ۡ ًَلَ یُظ ۙ عی لِم ُ الۡغَیۡب ِ ف غَیۡبِہ ٖۤ اَحَدًا ﴿ َٰۤلی ہِر ُ ع ﴾ َِّۡی ی مِن ۡ رَسُوۡل ٍ فَاِنَہ ٗ یَسۡلُک ُ مِن ب ی ِۡل َ مَن ِ ارۡتَض ۡا ۙ یَدَی ہ ِو َ مِن ۡ خَلۡفِہ ٖ رَصَدًا ﴿ ﴾ “He is the Knower of the unseen; and He reveals not His secrets to any one, Except to him whom He chooses, namely a Messenger of His.And then He causes an escort of guarding angels to go before him and behind him, ” (72[Al-Jinn]:27-28) (10) ٌ ن ی ۙاِنَہ ٗلَقُرۡا ِفِۡ کَرِیۡم ٌ ﴿ ۙ ﴾ ب ٍ مَکۡنُوۡن ٍ ﴿ ی ُ کِت ۡل َ یَمَس ؕ ﴾ ِۡل َ الۡمُطَہَرُوۡن َ ﴿ ہ ٗۤا ﴾ “That this is indeed a noble Qur’ān , In a well-preserved Book, Which none shall touch except those who are purified.” (56[Al- W āqi‘ah]:78 -80) (11) ی ب َ السَفِیۡنَۃ ِ و َ جَعَلۡن ی ہ ُو َ اَصۡح ی فَاَنۡجَیۡن ِّیَۡ ﴿ لَم ی یَۃ ًلِلۡع ی ہَا ۤا ﴾ “But We saved him and those who were with him in the Ark; and We made it a Sign for all peoples.” (29[Al- ‘Ankabūt]:16) (12) ۡ َۡیَۡ کُن تُم ۡ خ ُ ا ٍ مَۃ ُ ا ۡ خۡرِجَت ۡ لِلنَاس ِ تَا ۡ مُرُو ۡ ن َ بِالۡمَعۡرُو َ ف ِ وَتَنۡہ ۡ وۡن َ عَن ِ الۡمُن ِ کَر ۡ وَتُؤۡمِنُو ِ ّلل ی ن َ بِا ؕ ۡ وَلَو ی ا ۡ مَن َ اَہ ًَۡۡی ب ِ لَکَان َ خ ی ُالۡکِت ل َُُۡہ ا ل ؕ ُُُۡہ مِن ۡ الۡمُؤۡمِنُو َ ن ُ وَاَکۡثَرُہ ی م ُ الۡف ۡ سِقُو َ ن ﴿ ﴾ “You are the best people raised for the good of mankind; you enjoin what is good and forbid evil and believe in Allāh.And if the People of the Book had believed, it would have surely been better
(American Edition) 70 for them.Some of them are believers, but most of them are d isobedient.” (3[ Āl Imrān]:111) (13) ۡ َۡلَ ہُم ُۡہِۡ و ِ ۡلَ خَوۡف ٌ عَلَی ّلل ی َۡلَۤ اِن َ اَوۡلِی َٓاء َ ا ۚۖ ا یَحۡزَنُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ مَنُوۡا وَکَانُوۡا ی ّل َِیۡن َ ا ؕا یَتَقُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ َ ِ ؕ ۡلَ تَبۡدِیۡل خِرَۃ ۡلۡی َِفِ ا َل ُنۡیَا و ِفِ الۡحَیی وۃ ِ ا َُہُُ الۡبُشۡری ی ل ی َ لِکَلِم لِک َ ہُو ی ذ ؕ ِ ّلل ی ت ِ ا ُ ؕ الۡفَوۡز الۡعَظِیۡم ُ ﴿ ﴾ “Behold! the friends of Allāh shall certainly have no fear, nor shall they grieve — Those who believed and kept to righteousness — For them are glad tidings in the present life and also in the Hereafter — there is no changing the words of Allāh; that indeed is the supreme triumph.”(10[Yūnus]:63 -65) (14) َ ّل َِیۡن َ ۡلَاِن َا َۡل َ تَخَافُوۡا و ُۡہُِ الۡمَلٰٓئِکَۃ ُا ُثُم َ اسۡتَقَامُوۡا تَتَنَزَل ُ عَلَی ّلل ی قَالُوۡا رَبُنَا ا تَحۡزَنُوۡا و َ اَبۡشِرُوۡا بِالۡجَنَۃ ِا َِتِۡ کُنۡتُم ۡ تُوۡعَدُوۡن َ ﴿ ل ﴾ ۚ ِ خِرَۃ ۡلۡی ِفِ ا َ َل ُنۡیَا و ۡ ِفِ الۡحَیی وۃ ِا ۡنَحۡن ُ اَوۡلِیٰٓؤُکُم َ و َ لَکُم ۡ فِیۡہَا مَا تَشۡتَہِی ۡۤ اَنۡفُسُکُم و َ ل ؕ کُم ۡ فِیۡہَا مَا تَدَعُوۡن َ ﴿ ﴾ ُ نُز ٪ ۡلً مِن ۡ غَفُوۡر ٍ رَحِیۡم ٍ ﴿ ﴾ “As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allāh,’ and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them, saying: ‘Fear ye not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the Garden that you were promised.‘We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter.Therein you will have all that your souls will desire, and therein you will have all that you will ask for —‘An entertainment from the Most Forgiving, the Merciful.’ ” (41[ Ḥā Mīm Sajdah]:31 -33) (15) اِذَا الشَمۡس ُ کُوِرَت ۡ﴿﴾و َ اِذَا النُجُوۡم ُ انۡکَدَرَت ۡ﴿﴾ ُۡی َِت ۡ﴿﴾و َ اِذَا و َ اِذَا الۡجِبَال ُ س الۡعِشَار ُ عُطِلَت ۡ﴿﴾ ۡ و َ اِذَا الۡوُحُوۡش ُ حُشِرَت ۡ﴿﴾و َ اِذَا الۡبِحَار ُ سُجِرَت ﴿﴾ ُ و َ اِذَا النُفُوۡس زُوِجَت ۡ﴿﴾و َ اِذَا الۡمَوۡءٗدَۃ ُسُئِلَت ۡ﴿﴾ بِاَی ِ ذَنب ٍ قُتِلَت ۡ ۚ﴿ ۹ ﴾ و َ اِذَا الصُحُف ُ نُشِرَت ۡ ﴿ ﴾ و َ اِذَا
(American Edition) 71 السَم َٓاءُکُشِطَت ۡ ﴿ ِ ﴾ و َ ا ذَا الۡجَحِیۡم ُ سُعِرَت ۡ ﴿ ﴾ َ و َ اِذ ا الۡجَنَۃ ُاُزۡلِفَت ۡ ﴿ ﴾ “When the sun is wrapped up, And when the stars are obscured, And when the mountains are made to move, And when the she-camels, ten month pregnant, are abandoned, And when the beasts are gathered together, And when the seas are made to flow forth one into the other, And when people are brought together, And when the girl-child buried alive is questioned about, ‘For what crime was she killed?’ And when books are spread abroad.And when the heaven is laid bare, And when the Fire is caused to blaze up, And when the Garden is brought nigh,” (81[Al- Takw ī r]:2-14) (16) ِ َ وَا ۡ ذَا سَا َِن ِۡلَک َ عِبَادِی ِع ِۡن ِۡ فَا ٌ قَرِی ب ؕ ُ ا ۡ جِی َ ب ُ دَعۡوَۃ ِ َل َاع ِ ا ا ِ ذَا دَعَان ۙ َ فَلۡی ۡ سۡتَجِی ۡ بُو ا ِٰۡل ُ وَلۡی ۡ ؤۡمِنُو ِِۡب ا َُُۡہ لَعَل َ ی ۡ رۡشُدُو َ ن ﴿ ﴾ “And when My servants ask thee about Me, say: ‘I am near.I answer the prayer of the supplicant when he prays to Me.So they should hearken to Me and believe in Me, that they may follow the right way.’” (2[Al-Baqarah]:187)
(American Edition) 72 A ḥ ādīth on the Truth of t he Promised Messia h (1) َنَۃ ٍ مَن ْ َیَُدٍِّدُلَھَا دِیْنَھَا اِن َّ ہللا َ یَبْعَث ُ لِھہذِہ ِ الُْمَّۃ ِ عَل َ رَاْس ِ ک ٍُِّ مِائَۃ ِ س “Verily God will continue forever to raise for this Ummah in the beginning of every century one who will restore its faith for it.” (Abū Dāwūd, Kitābul -Fitan) The above Ḥadīth suggests that a restorer of faith is to appear at the head of each century.Putting a seal on the authenticity of the Hadith, and confirming the prevalent wait for the appearance of a Mujaddid for the fourteenth century, the author of the book Ḥ ujajul-Ka rāmah and some others have identified Mujaddids for the first thirteen centuries of Islam as follows.Century Name Of Mujaddid Hijrah Dates Christian Era 1st ‘ Umar bin ‘ Abdul- ‘ Az ī z 60-101 717-720 2nd A ḥ mad bin Hanbal 164-241 780-855 3rd Abul- Ḥ asan Ash ‘ ar ī 260-324 873-935 4th Abu Bakr Baql ā n ī ?-403 ?-1013 5th Al Ghaz ā l ī 450-505 1058-1111 6th Abdul-Q ā dir J ī l ā n ī 470-561 1077-1166 7th Ibn Taimiyyah 661-728 1263-1328 8th Ibn Ḥ ajar ‘ Asqal ā ni 773-852 1372-1449 9th Jal ā luddin Suy ū t ī 848-909 1445-1505 10th Mu ḥ ammad Ṭ ā hir Gujrati ?-986 ?-1578 11th A ḥ mad Sirhindi 971-1034 1564-1624 12th Shah Waliyyull ā h 1113-1175 1702-1762 13th A ḥ mad Brelwi 1201-1246 1786-1831 Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirz ā Ghulām Aḥ mad, may peace be upon him (1251-1326 A.H./1835- 1908 A.D.) was raised by Allāh as the Mujaddid for the fourteen century in fulfillment of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him.(2) ًَلَ يُسْعہی عَلَيْھَا لَي ُرَتَْکَن َّ الْق ًِلَص ُ ف “The camel a s a means of transport will be abandoned and people will not look to the camel with this intent.”(Muslim, Kit ā bul - Ī mā n ) (3)
(American Edition) 73 َِصُْ اِرْد َِبََّا ُُ دِر َْهََهَا وَقَفِزيَهَا وَمَنَعَت ِ الشَّأْم ُ مُد َْيََا وَدِینَارَهَا وَمَنَعَت ْ م مَنَعَت ِ الْعِرَا َْتُْ وَدِینَا رَهَا وَعُد َْتُْ مِن ْ حَيْث ُ بَدَأ َْتُْ وَعُد َْتُْ مِن ْ حَيْث ُ بَدَأ َْتُْ وَعُد َْتُْ مِن ْ حَيْث ُ بَدَأ “Iraq will refuse to share her produce and her prosperity ; so will Syria, so will Egypt, and you (meaning the Arab people) will become as divided and disunited as you were once.” (Muslim, Kit ā bul-Fitan Wa Ashr ā t-us-S ā‘ ah) (4) Allāh will say to the Promised Messiah, َ ٰلٍِّ ل َ یَد ِِنٍِّ قَد ْ اَنْزَلْت ُ عِبَاد ا ا ِٰل الطُّوْر ِ فَا َ حَرٍِّز ْ عِبَادِی ْ ا ُ ان ِ ل َ حَد ٍ لٍِّقِتَالِھِم ْ قَال َ وَی بْعَث ہللا ُ َیَُجُوْج َ وَمَاْجُوْج “Lead my servants to Sinai, I have sent some men into the world, no one can fight in battle and he said Allāh would raise Gog and Magog.” (Muslim and Tirmidhī) What Non - Muslim Scholar s Said About the PromisedMessiah as The Holy Founder of the A ḥmadiyya Muslim Jamā‘at conducted such a momentous Jih ā d by pen, against Christianity and in support of the Religion of truth brought by his Lord and Master, Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) the chosen one, the like of which is not seen anywhere else.He was such a General as was destined to be victorious; for whose fate, on every front, ascendency was pre-ordained, causing his friends and foes alike to exclaim their warm accolades.Some candid admissions of others concerning this momentous Jihad by him are prescribed below: Ḥ a ḍ rat Khaw āja Ghulām Farī d, Sajj ā dah Nash ī n of Ch ā chrh ā n Shar ī f: “Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib spends all his time worshiping God, the Exalted and the Majestic: either he is engaged in the daily prayer, or recitation of the Holy Qur’ā n, or keeping himself occupied in other religious tasks.And he has set about to defend Islām with such high resolve that he has invited even the Empress of the British Empi re to accept Islām.Similarly he has sent the message of Islām to the monarch of Russia, France and other kingdoms.All his efforts and endeavors are geared towards ensuring that people must abandon the doctrine of Trinity and the Cross — which is an unequivocal disbelief — and accept the oneness of God.But look at the predicament of contemporary religious divines that they have completely overlooked the actions of all the other false religions
(American Edition) 74 and have rallied against such a righteous man who hails from Ahl Sunnah Wal-Jam ā‘ ah, adheres to the straight path and guides others to it.And they issue edict of heresy (Fatw ā Kufr) against him! Look at his Arabic work which surpasses human contrivance: all his works are permeated with profound perceptions, truths and spiritual guidance.He is certainly not a disbeliever in the essentials of the practice of Ahl Sunnah Wa-Jam ā‘ ah and of the Faith.(Ishar ā t-e-Far ī d ī , Vol.3, p.69-70, Translated from Persain) Newspaper Wak ī l, Amritsar: “That man...a colossal man… whose pen was magic and diction enchanting, the man who was paragon of the marvels of mind...whose glance would cast a spell, and whose voice the clarion call of resurrection; and whose fists were the two charged batteries of electricity, the man who, for thirty years, was like the earthquake and storm to the world of religion; who sounded like the trumpet of doom and continued to awaken those who were deep in the slumber of mortal existence...He departed this world all by himself...The d eath of Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad Ṣāḥ ib Qadiani is not something from which one may not draw any lesson and just consign it to the ever receding time, and be content.Such personage who bring about revolutions in the religious or intellectual world, do not always visit this world.They are the pride of human history; their rare appearance on the world scene is very rare, and they depart only after having brought revolution in the world.” “In view of his hallmark , that he continued to perform his duty as the General who was destined to be victorious against the opponents of Islām, compels us to register our feelings with full candor, so that the grand movement which, for long, has kept our enemies lying low and trampled over, may continue even in future.The literature produced by Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib during his confrontations with the Christians and the Aryas bears the seal of popular acclaims and he needs no introduction in his specialty.We have to heartily acknowledge the value and greatness of that body of literature, now that it has accomplished its task.This is because we can never efface from the template of our hearts, the time when Islām was surrounded by the incursions of its enemies, and the Muslims whose duty it was to safeguard it — they being in the nature of instruments which constituted the objective world of resources, created by God, the Genuine Protector — they lay sobbing helplessly, after being punished for their own blunders, and they were not doing anything — nor could they do anything — for Islām.On the one hand, the range of ons laughts indicated that
(American Edition) 75 the entire Christian world wanted to snuff out the candle which guides one to God, viz Islām, perceiving it to be an outpost of resistance, getting in the way of their own destination.And the powerful forces of mind and wealth were vying with each other to provide the backing of this assailant.But on the other hand, the feebleness of defense was such that there did not exist even arrows to fight against the cannons.Neither did the capability to launch an offensive exist, nor was there any potential for self-defense … Th en the Muslim resistance began, of which Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib ’s contribution forms a part.It not only blew to pieces the initial influence secured by Christianity — which was due to the tutelage of the British Government and was, in fact, its mainstay — causing hundreds of thousands of Muslims to escape it’s much more dangerous and likely-to-succeed attack, but even the magic of Christianity itself started to blow up in smoke … In short, this service by Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib will keep future generation weighted down under debt for having led from the front those engaged in Jih ā d by the pen and for having performed the duty of defending Islām and leaving such a vast body of literature that as long as blood courses in the veins of the Muslims, and the defense of Islām remains the hallmark of their national character, this literature will endure.” (Quoted in Al-Badr, 18 June, 1908, pp.2-3, cf Daily Millat, Lahore, 7 January, 1911, pp.13-15) Ṣā diq-ul-Akhb ā r, Rewarhi: “Through his forceful decla mation and splendid writings, Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib has delivered a coup de grace to the lecherous objections raised by the opponents of Islām, and has silenced them forever.He has demonstrated that the truth is, after all, the truth.And there is no doubt that Mir zā Ṣāḥ ib left no stone unturned in the service of Islām by himself being the paragon in the defense of Islām.Justice demands that we must mourn the sudden and untimely death of such a stalwart defender of Islām and a helper of the Muslims, who was a scintillation of erudition … an irreplaceable scholar.” (Quoted in Al-Badr, 20 August, 1908, p.6, 1-2) The editor of Curzon Gazette, Mirzā Ḥ airat Dehlvi wrote: “The sterling services rendered by the deceased in favor of Islām, against the Aryas and Christians, are indeed worthy of effusive praise.He completely transformed the style of religious debate, and laid foundation of modern literature in India.As a Muslim, and also as a researcher, I acknowledge that even the greatest among the great Aryas, or the greatest among the great
(American Edition) 76 padres did not have the courage to open his mouth in opposition to the deceased...although the deceased hailed from the Punjab, his pen possessed such power that there is no writer in contemporary...His forceful literature is unique in its majesty, there is no doubt that by reading some of his writings one is thrilled in raptures of ecstasy...” (Quoted in Silsila A ḥ madiyya, p.189) Choudhary Afzal Ḥ aq, Mufakkar-e-A ḥ r ā r: “Before the inception of Ā rya Sam āj, Islām was a lifeless body which had lost all sensation of the need to proselytize.Among the various sects of Muslims, no organization devoted to preaching could be created.But, of course, there was one man with a heart who rose up in anguish at the neglect for behavior of the Muslims.He created such a consuming passion for proselyte outreach in his community which should serve as an example for not only all the Muslim sects but also for all the preaching communities of the world.“He created a small g roup of advents around him and leaped forward for the propagation and dissemination of Islām...(Fitna-e-Irtid ā d aur Political Qal ā b ā ziy ā n, sic.“ The Menace of Apostasy and the Political somersaults, ” Second Edition, p.24) Maul ā n ā Sayyid Ḥ ab ī b E ditor “Siyāsat” : At the time Aryas and all the Christians priests were launching unrelenting attacks against Islām, whatever few religious scholars existed were sporadically engaged in defending the integrity of the Islāmic Sharī‘ ah, but none achieved any mentionable measure of success.Then Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad Ṣāḥ ib entered the arena, and he resolutely positioned himself as the shield of Islām against the Christian and Arya preachers.I have already exposed the nature of Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib ’s claim to Prophethood etc., but a s some (sic.poet)has said : “My faults were all spoken by thee, Do thou express my skill as well.” So I would mince no words in saying that Mirzā Ṣāḥ ib, performed this duty with great capability and dexterity, and defanged the opponents of Islām.Some of his writings about Islām are matchless.(Tahr ī k-e-Qadian, pp.208-209) Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad as (1835-1908), founder of the A ḥ madiyya Jam ā‘at resolved to set forth the excellences of Islām in a monumental work which designated as Barah ī n A ḥ madiyya.The first two parts of the book were published in 1880, the third followed in 1882 and the fourth in 1884.
(American Edition) 77 Maul awī Mu ḥ ammad Ḥ ussain of Bat ā la, leader of the Ahl-Had īth sect, published in his journal Ish ā‘ atus-Sunnah (Vol.vii, Nos.6-11) a detailed review of the book extending over two hundred pages.In the opening part of the review he observed: “In our opinion , keeping in mind this age and its circumstances, this is the book the equal of which has not been published in Islām to this day, whatever might happe n hereafter.The author has proved himself so steadfast in the service of Islām through his pen, his money, his tongue, etc., that few such instances are to be found among Muslims.” Ḥ a ḍ rat Ṣū f ī A ḥ mad J ā n of Ludhiana was himself a great saintly Ṣū f ī.He wrote about Barah ī n A ḥ madiyya as follows: “That great personage, benefactor of mankind, source of benevolence and beneficence, personal proof of Islām, honored above the commonalty and the nobility, Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām A ḥ mad Ṣāḥ ib, may his blessing endure, Chief of Qadian, in the district of Gurdaspur, Punjab, has written a book designated Barah ī n A ḥ madiyya in Urdu, of which two parts have been published and the rest will continue to be published from time to time and will reach the subscribers in due course.This book establishes the truth of Islām and of the prophethood of Mu ḥammad, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, and of the Qur’ān , through three hundred strong proofs of various types and refutes, the Christian, Arya, Hindu, Brahmo Samaj and all other religions opposed to Islām.” Maul awī Mu ḥ ammad Shar ī f of Bangalore, Mysore.South India, Editor of Mansh ū r Mu ḥ ammadi.He headed his review with the verse of the Holy Qur’ān : Truth has arrived and falsehood has vanished; falsehood was bound to disappear (17:82).” In the course of his review, he observed: “We had been most anxious over a long period that of the body of Muslim divines someone, who may be inspired by God to stand up in support and defense of the faith, should write a book which should be in accord with the need of the times, and which should set out on the basis of reason and scriptural arguments to prove that the Holy Qur’ān is the word of God and that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, was a righteous Prophet of God.We are deeply grateful to God that this desire of ours has at last been fulfilled.Here is the book, the writing for which we had been awaiting for a long time.Its title is Barah ī n A ḥ madiyya, and the author has set out in it three hundred conclusive
(American Edition) 78 arguments, in proof of the truth of the Holy Qur’ān and the Prophethood of Mu ḥammad, peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him.The author of this book is the best of the divines, an accomplished scholar, pride of Muslims of India, the accepted one of the God Almighty.” Khawaja Hasan Nizami, another acknowledged scholar and member of a celebrated literary family, in spite of being a passionate critic of Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad as , found himself obliged to admit that: “A lot of benefit is being derived from his works and we cannot help admitting his scholarly caliber, his deep knowledge and his colossal learning.” (Mun ā d ī , 27th Februray-4th March, 1930) ‘ All ā mah Mu ḥ ammad Iqb ā l.His critical views have often been capitalized upon by the adversaries of the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community, considered Ḥ a ḍ rat Mirzā Ghulā m A ḥ mad as of Qadian to be: “The profoundest theologian from amongst the present day Muslims.” (The India Antiquary Journal: Vol.29, Sept, 1900) Maul ā n ā Noor Mu ḥ ammad Naqshbandi Chishti, the proprietor of A ṣ a ḥḥ ul- Mat ā bi ‘ Press, writes: “During that period Padri Lefroy accompanied by a large group of Padris left Europe with an oath that he will convert the whole of India to Christianity within a short period of time.With immense financial support from the English and promises of continuous support in the future, he entered India...The existence of Ḥ a ḍ rat Ī s ā alive in the heaven with his earthly body while other prophets buried in the earth proved to be in his thoughts a very effective attack on public.Then Maulawī Ghulām Aḥ mad Qadiani stood up and told Lefroy and his group that the Isa you proclaim has died like other human beings and is buried.And the Isa, who is promised to come, is me.So if you are righteous, then accept me.By this powerful argument, he defeated the Padris from India to the whole of Europe.” (Introduction to the Quran, Page 32) In conclusion to this section we must note that the life of this great and noble champion of Islām was fully devoted to performing Jihād for the Faith brought by Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him).His world- renowned religious combat against Christianity had created upheavals in the world of Christianity.Yes, indeed, he was the same Victorious General whose followers are constantly engaged in this sublime Jihād up to this day and are remarkably defeating Christians on new fronts, day in and day out these maniacally-devoted servants of Islām are locked in combat with Christianity in every part of the globe:
(American Edition) 79 Europe, the United States, the African continent...in every arena of activity, the Church is reeling under their attacks, and the world of Christianity seems to be quivering, the movement of their lips breaks the Cross, the sound of whose advancing footsteps spells command for Christianity Alas! Alas! some cruel tongues taunt this Victorious General, saying (God forbid) that he was an agent of Christian government! We entrust this matter to our All-knowing, All-Aware, God of Honor and Dignity, albeit we add only this much.O triumphant one! benedictions be to you.Your rank is inaccessibly above the vile taunt and imputations of your malicious detractors.O ye who was the Moon of the Fourteenth Century — inspired by the Divine light of Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) the spit of your detractors cannot reach the celestial heights of your exalted abode.Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) i n t he Eyes of Non - Muslim s “Muhammed is the most successful of all Prophets and religious personalities.” (Encyclopedia Brittanica) “...a mass of detail in the early sources shows that he (Mu ḥ ammad) was an honest and upright man who had gained the respect and loyalty of others who were likewise honest and upright men.” (Encyclopedia Brittanica) “I have studied him— the wonderful man and in my opinion far from being an anti-Christ, he must be called the Savior of Humanity.” “I believe that if a man like him were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it the much needed peace and happiness.”(The Genuine Islām, Volume 1, Published 1936 , Sir George Bernard Shaw) “I have prophesied about the faith of MUḤ AMMAD that it would be acceptable to the Europe of tomorrow as it is beginning to be acceptable to the Europe of today.If any religion had the chance of ruling over England, nay Europe within the next hundred years, it could be Islām.” (The Genuine Islām, Volume 1, Published 1936, Sir George Bernard Shaw) “I hope the time is not far off when I shall be able t o unite all the wise and educated men of all the countries and establish a uniform regime based on the principles of Qur’ān which alone are
(American Edition) 80 true and which alone can lead men to happiness.” (Napoleon Bonapart e, Quote in “Christian Cherfils”) “The league of nations founded by the prophet of Islām put the principle of international unity and human brotherhood on such universal foundations as to show candle to other nations … The fact is that no nation of the world can show a parallel to what Islām has done towar ds the realization of the idea of the League of Nations.” (Professor Hurgronje) “The more one reflects on the history of Muḥ ammad and of early Islām, the more one is amazed at the vastness of his achievement.Circumstances presented him with an opportunity such as few men have had, but the man was fully matched with the hour.Had it not been for his gifts as a seer, statesman, and administrator and, behind these, his trust in God and firm belief that God had sent him, a notable chapter in the history of mankind would have remained unwritten.It is my hope that this study of his life may contribute to a fresh appraisal and appreciation of one of the greatest of the sons of Adam.” (William Montgomery Watt - Mu ḥ ammad at Madinah P 334-335) “Philosopher, orator, apo stle, legislator, warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, the founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual empire, that is Mu ḥ ammad.As regards all standards by which human greatness may be measured, we may ask, is there any man greater than he? ” “If greatness of purpose, smallness of means, and outstanding results are the three criteria of human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in modern history with Mu ḥ ammad? The most famous men created arms, and empires only.They founded, if any at all, no more than material power which often crumbled away before their eyes.This man merged not only armies, legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties but millions of men in one third of the inhabited world, and more than that, moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the beliefs and the souls on the basis of a Book, every letter of which has become law.He created a spiritual nationality of every tongue and of every race.” (Alphonse Marie Louis de Prat de Lamartine, Historie de la Turqu.) “He was Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope without Pope’s pretensions, Caesar without the legions of Caesar: without a standing army, without a bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue; if ever any man had the right to say that he ruled by the right divine, it was Mohammed, for he had all the power
(American Edition) 81 without its instruments and without its supports.”(Reginald Bosworth Smith, Mohammad and Mohammadanism, P 92) “I wanted to know the best of th e life of one who holds today an undisputed sway over the hearts of millions of mankind...I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islām in those days in the scheme of life.It was the rigid simplicity, the utter self-effacement of the Prophet the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers, his intrepidity, his fearlessness, his absolute trust in God and in his own mission.These and not the sword carried everything before them and surmounted every obstacle.When I closed the second volume (of the Prophet’s biography), I was sorry there was not more for me to read of that great life.” (Mahatma Gandhi, published in ‘Young India,’ 1924) “He was the most faithful protector of those he protected, the sweetest and most agreeable in conversation.Those who saw him were suddenly filled with reverence; those who came near him loved him; they who described him would say, “I have never seen his like either before or after.” He was of great ta citurnity, but when he spoke it was with emphasis and deliberation, and no one could forget what he said...” “The day of Muḥammad’s greatest victory over his enemies was also the day of the grandest victory over himself.He freely forgave the Quraysh all the year of sorrow and cruel scorn with which they had afflicted him, and gave an amnesty to the whole population of Mecca… No house was robbed, no woman insulted.One thing alone suffered destruction.Going to the Ka’abah, Mu ḥ ammad stood before each of the three hundred and sixty idols, and pointed to them with his staff saying, ‘Truth is come, and falsehood is fled away!’ and at these words his attendants hewed them down and all the idols and household gods of Mecca and round about were destroyed.” (Lane-Po ole in ‘Speeches and Table Talk of the Prophet Mu ḥammad’) “Muḥ ammad had to start virtually from scratch and work his way towards the radical monotheistic spirituality of his own.When he began his mission, a dispassionate observer would not have given him a chance.The Arabs, he might have objected, were just not ready for monotheism: they were not sufficiently developed for this sophisticated vision.In fact, to attempt to introduce it on a large scale in this violent, terrifying society could be extremely dangerous and Mu ḥ ammad would be lucky to escape with his life.
(American Edition) 82 Indeed, Mu ḥ ammad was frequently in deadly peril and his survival was a near-miracle.But he did succeed.By the end of his life he had laid an axe to the root of the chronic cycle tribal violence that afflicted the region and paganism was no longer a going concern.The Arabs were ready to embark on a new phase of their history.” (Karen Armstrong, Mu ḥ ammad: A Biography of the Prophet P 53-54) “Finally it was the West, not Islām, which forbade the open discussion of religious matters.At the time of the Crusades, Europe seemed obsessed by a craving for intellectual conformity and punished its deviants with a zeal that has been unique in the history of religion.The witch-hunts of the inquisitors and the persecution of Protestants by the Catholics and vice versa were inspired by abstruse theological opinions which in both Judaism and Islām were seen as private and optional matters.Neither Judaism nor Islām share the Christian conception of heresy, which raises human ideas about the divine to an unacceptably high level and almost makes them a form of idolatry.The period of the Crusades, when the fictional Mahound was established, was also a time of the great strain and denial in Europe.This is graphically expressed in the phobia about Islām.” (Karen Armstrong, Mu ḥ ammad: A Biography of the Prophet, P.27) “History m akes it clear however, that the legend of fanatical Muslims sweeping through the world and forcing Islām at the point of the sword upon conquered races is one of the most fantastically absurd myths that historians have ever repeated.”(Islām at the Crossroa ds, London, 1923, p.8) “In the year 565 Justinian died, master of a great empire.Five years later Mu ḥ ammad was born into a poor family in a country three quarters desert, sparsely peopled by nomad tribes whose total wealth could hardly have furnished the sanctuary of St.Sophia.No one in those years would have dreamed that within a century these nomads would conquer half of Byzantine Asia, all Persia and Egypt, most of North Africa, and be on their way to Spain.The explosion of the Arabian peninsula into the conquest and conversion of half the Mediterranean world is the most extraordinary phenomenon in medieval history.” ( The Story of Civilization by Will and Ariel Durant) “Whatever opinion the reader may form when he reaches the end of this book, it is difficult to deny that the call of Mu ḥ ammad seems to bear a striking resemblance to innumerable other accounts of similar visions, both in the Old and New Testaments,
(American Edition) 83 and in the experience of Christian saints, possibly also of Hindus and devotees of other religions.Such visions, moreover, have often marked the beginnings of lives of great sanctity and of heroic virtue.To attribute such phenomena to self-delusion scarcely seems an adequate explanation, for they have been experienced by many persons divided from one another by thousands of years of time and by thousands of miles of distance, who cannot conceivably have even heard of each other.Yet the accounts which they give of their visions seem to bear an extraordinary likeness to one another.It scarcely appears reasonable to suggest that all these visionaries “imagined” such strikingly similar experiences, although they were quite ignorant of each other’s existence.” “The list 1 seems to have included very nearly all the persons who had accepted Islām a nd the Messenger of God must have remained with a much reduced group of adherents, among the generally hostile inhabitants of Makkah, a situation which proves him to have possessed a considerable degree of moral courage and conviction.“ When the fugitives 2 had whispered goodbye to Abū Bakr’s son and daughter outside the cave on Mount Thaur and the camels had padded silently away into the darkness beneath the sharp Arabian stars, the curtain rose on one of the greatest dramas of human history.How little did Caesar or Chosroes, surrounded by their great armies and engaged in a long and bitter war for world supremacy (as they thought), realise that four ragged Arabs riding silently through the bare mountains of the Hejaz were about to inaugurate a movement which would put an end to both their great imperial dominions.”(Lieutenant -General, Sir John Bagot Glubb) 1.The List of Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) companions who migrated to Abyssinia to flee persecution.2.Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and Ḥ a ḍrat Abū Bakr ra.“One other circumstance we must not forget: that he had no school learning; of the thing we call school-learning none at all.The art of writing was but just introduced into Arabia; it seems to be the true opinion that Mu ḥ ammad never could write! Life in the Desert, with its experiences, was all his education.What of this infinite Universe he, from his dim place, with his own eyes and thoughts, could take in, so much and no more of it was he to know.Curious, if we will reflect on it, this of having no books.Except by what he could see for himself, or hear of by uncertain rumor of speech in the obscure Arabian Desert, he could know nothing.The
(American Edition) 84 wisdom that had been before him or at a distance from him in the world, was in a manner as good as not there for him.Of the great brother souls, flame beacons through so many lands and times, no one directly communicates with this great soul.He is alone there, deep down in the bosom of the Wilderness; has to grow up so, — alone with Nature and his own Thoughts.” “How he was placed with Kadijah, a rich Widow, as her steward, and travelled in her business, again to the Fairs of Syria; how he managed all, as one can well understand, with fidelity and adroitness; how her gratitude, her regard for him grew: the story of their marriage is altogether a graceful intelligible one, as told us by the Arab authors.He was twenty five; she forty, though still beautiful.He seems to have lived in a most affectionate, peaceable, wholesome way with this wedded benefactress; loving her truly, and her alone.It goes greatly against the impostor theory, the fact that he lived in this entirely unexceptionable, entirely quiet and commonplace way, till the heat of his years was done.” (Sir Thomas Carlyle, 1795-1881) “His military triumphs awakened no pride nor vain glory as they would have done had they been effected by selfish purposes.In the time of his greatest power he maintained the same simplicity of manner and appearance as in the days of his adversity.So far from affecting regal state, he was displeased if, on entering a room, any unusual testimonial of respect was shown to him.”(Washington Irving in ‘Life of Muḥammad’)
(American Edition) 85 Selective Writings o f the Promised Messiah as The Gist of our faith is: ‘‘ امہرےذمبہ اک الخہص اور ِبل ابلب ہی ےہ ہک ال اہل اال اہلل دمحم روسل اہلل ‘ امہرا ااقتعد وج مہ اس دوینی زدنیگ ںیم رےتھک ںیہ ، سج ےک اسھت مہ لضفب و وتقیف ابری ٰیلاعت اس اعمل ذگران ےس وکچ رکںی ےگ ہی ےہ ہک رضحت دیسان و ومالان ٰیفطصم دمحم ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص اخمت انییبنل و ریخ ارملنیلس ںیہ نج ےک اہھت ےس اامکل دنی وہاکچ اور وہ تمعن رمبہبت اامتم چنہپ یکچ ےہ سج ےک ذرہعی ےس ااسنن راہ ر اتس وک اایتخر رکےک ٰیل دخاےئ اعت کت چنہپ اتکس ےہ اور مہ ہتخپ نیقی ےک اسھت اس ابت رپ اامین رےتھک ںیہ ہک رقٓان رشفی اخمت بتک امسوی ےہ اور اکی شعشہ ای ہطقن اس یک رشاعئ اور دحود اور ااکحم اور اوارم ےس زایدہ ںیہن وہاتکس اور ہن مک وہاتکس ےہ اور اب وکیئ ایسی ویح ای ااسی ااہلم اجنمبن اہلل ںیہن وہاتکس وج ااکحم رفاقین یک رتمیم ای خیسنت ای یسک اکی مکح یک دبتیلی ای ریغت رکاتکس وہ.ارگ وکیئ ااسی ایخل رکے وت وہ امہرے زندکی امجتع ومنینم ےس اخرج اور دحلم اور اکرف ےہ.’’ ّلل ۡل ال ا ۡل ا ّلل محمد رسول ا “La Ilā ha Illa llāh u Mu ḥ ammadur-Ras ū lull āh.” There is no god but Allāh, Muḥ ammad is the Messenger of Allāh.Our belief, which we hold in this life here on earth and to which we will continue firmly to adhere till the time that we pass on to the next world, is that our spiritual leader and master, Mu ḥammad, peace and blessings of Allāh be on h im is the Seal of the Prophets and the Best of the Messengers.At his hands religion has been perfected and blessing of Allāh has been consummated which lead man to the right path and further on to God Himself.We hold this positive belief with absolute certainty that the Holy Qur’ān is the Seal of all Divine books and not an iota can be added to or subtracted from its prescribed teachings, inhibitions, commands and injunctions.There will be no revelation or word from God which may amend or abrogate or change or alter any of the injunctions of the Holy Qur’ān.If anyone subscribes to such views, in our opinion, he ceases to belong to the body of believers and becomes an infidel thereby.(R ūḥā n ī Khaz ā’ in, Vol.3: Iz ā la-e- Au ḥā m, p.170) اے ےننس واول ! ونس ! ہک دخا مت ےس ایک اچاتہ ےہ.سب یہی ہک مت اس ےک وہ اج ؤ.اُس ےک اسھت یسک وک یھب رشکی ہن رکو ہن ٓاامسن ںیم ہن زنیم ںیم.امہرا دخا وہ دخا ےہ وج اب یھب زدنہ ےہ اسیج ہک ےلہپ زدنہ اھت اور اب
(American Edition) 86 یھب وہ وباتل ےہ اسیج ہک وہ ےلہپ وباتل اھت اور اب یھب وہ اتنس ےہ اسیج ہک ےلہپ اتنس اھت.ہی ایخل اخم ےہ ہک اس زامہن ںیموہ اتنسوت ےہ رگم وباتل ںیہن ہکلب وہ اتنس ےہ اور وباتل یھب ےہ.ا س یک امتم افصت ازیل ادبی ںیہ.وکیئ تفص یھب لطعم ںیہن اور ہن یھبک وہیگ وہ ویہ وادح الرشکی ےہ سج اک وکیئ اٹیب ںیہن اور سج یک وکیئ ویبی ںیہن اور ویہ ےب لثم ےہسج اک وکیئ اثین ںیہن...سج اک وکیئ مہ افصت ںیہن اور سج یک وکیئ اطتق مک ںیہن.وہ رقبی ےہ ابووجد دُور وہےن ےک اور دُور ےہ ابووجد زندکی وہےن ےک...وہ بس ےس اورپ ےہ رگم ںیہن ہہک ےتکس ہک اس ےک ےچین وکیئ اور یھب ےہ.اور وہ رعش رپ ےہ رگم ںیہن ہہک ےتکس ہک زنیم رپ ںیہن.وہ عمجم ےہ امتم افصت اک ہلم اک اور رہظم ےہ امتم احم دم ہقح اک اور رسہمشچ ےہ امتم وخویبں اک اور اجعم ےہ امتم اطوتقں اک اور دبم ء ےہ امتم فیمضو ں اک اور رمعمج ےہ رہ اکی ےش اک اور امکل ےہ رہ اکی کلم اک اور فصتم ےہ رہ اکی امکل ےس اور زنمّہ ےہ رہ اکی بیع اور فعض ےس اور وصخمص ےہ اس ارم ںیم ہک زنیم واےل ا ور ٓاامسن واےل یہ اس یک ابعدت رکںی.( رواحین زخانئ دلج 20 اولتیص حعہ صف 309 - 310 ) Hearken ye who have ears to hear: What is it that Allāh requires of you? Only this that you should become His alone and set up no equal with Him, neither on this earth nor in heaven.Our God is the One Who is alive today as much as He ever was; likewise, He speaks today as He did in the past; He hears as He used to hear.To think that He only listens but does not speak in this age is a vain belief.Indeed, He both hears and speaks.All His attributes are eternal and everlasting.None of His attributes were ever suspended, nor will they ever be.He is the same Unique Being Who has no associate; He has neither son nor wife; and He is the same Eternal Being Who is peerless, and there is none like unto Him; there is no one similar to Him in His attributes; none of His powers ever wane.He is near, yet far; distant, yet close.He is the Highest of the high, yet it cannot be said that there is anyone below Him farther than He.He is in heaven, but it cannot be said that He is not on earth.He combines in Himself all the most perfect attributes and manifests the virtues which are truly worthy of praise, He is the Fountainhead of all excellence; He is the All- Powerful.Everything good originates from Him and to Him all things return; all possessions belong to Him, in Him all excellences combine.He is free from blemish, without weakness.He is unique in His right to be worshipped by all who dwell on the earth or belong to heaven.(R ūḥā n ī Khaz ā’ in, Vol.20: Al-Wa ṣ iyyat, pp.309-310)
(American Edition) 87 امتم ٓادم زادوں ےک ےئل اب وکیئ روسل اور عیفش ںیہن رگم ٰیفطصم دمحم ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص.وس مت وکشش رکو ہک یچس پ تب اس اجہ و الجل ےک یبن ےک اسھت روھک اور اس ےک ریغ وک اس رپ یسک ون ع یک ڑبایئ تم دو ات ٓاامسن رپ مت اجنت ایہتف ےھکل اج ؤ اور اید روھک ہک اجنت وہ زیچ ںیہن وج رمےن ےک دعب اظرہ وہیگ ہکلب یقیقح اجنت وہ ےہ ہک ایس داین ںیم اینپ روینش دالھکیت ےہ.اجنت ایہتف وکن ےہ ؟ وہ وج نیقی راتھک ےہ وج دخا چس ےہ اور دمحم ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص اس ںیم اور امتم ولخمق ںیم درایمین عیفش ےہ اور ٓاامسن ےک ےچین ہن اس ےک مہ رمہبت وکیئ ا ور روسل ےہ اور ہن رقٓان ےک مہ رمہبت وکیئ اور اتکب ےہ اور یسک ےک ےئل دخا ےن ہن اچاہ ےک وہ ہشیمہ زدنہ رےہ رگم ہی ربزگدیہ یبن ہشیمہ ےک ےئل زدنہ ےہ.( رواحین زخانئ دلج 19 یتشک ونح ہحفص 13 - 14 ) For all the children of Adam there is now no Messenger and intercessor other than the Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad, the chosen one, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him.So you should endeavor to cultivate true love for this magnificent and majestic prophet and not place anyone else above him in any manner so that you may be counted in Heaven among those who have attained salvation.Remember, salvation is not something which is attainable only after death.Indeed true salvation is the one which manifests its light in this very world.Who is the one who is delivered? He indeed, who believes that God is truth and that the Holy Prophet, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him, is the intercessor between God and mankind.So also he believes that under the firmament of Heaven there is no prophet equal to him and that there is no book of the status of the Qur’ān.And for none else God ordained that he should live forever with his message and his law, but this noble prophet lives forever.(R ūḥā n ī Khaz ā’ in, Vol.19: Kasht ī N ūḥ , p 13) اور ریمے ےئل اس تمعن اک اپان نکمم ہن اھت ارگ ںیم اےنپ دیس ٰیل و وم رخف االایبن اور ریخ اولری رضحت ٰیفطصم دمحم ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ےک راوہں یک ریپوی ہن رکات.وس ںیم ےن وج ھچک اپای.اس ریپ وی ےس اپای.اور ںیم اےنپ ےچس اور اکلم ملع ےس اجاتن وہں ہک وکیئ ااسنن زجب ریپوی اس یبن ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ےک دخا کت ںیہن چنہپ اتکس اور ہن رعمتف اکہلم اک ہصح اپاتکس ےہ.اور ںیم اس ہگج ہی یھب التب ات وہں ہک وہ ایک زیچ ےہ ہک یچس اور اکلم ریپوی ٓارضحنت ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص ےک دعب بس ابوتں ےس ےلہپ دل ںیم دیپا وہیت ےہ.وس اید رےہ ہک وہ بلق میلس ےہ ینعی دل ےس داین یک پ تب لکن اجیت ےہ اور دل اکی ادبی اور الزوال ذلت اک اطبل وہاجات ےہ.رھپ دعب اس ےک اکی ی مضف اور اکلم یہٰل پ تب ا اببثع اس بلق میلس ےک احلص وہیت ےہ اور ہی بس ںیتمعن ٓارضحن ت ملسو هيلع هللا ىلص یک ریپوی ےس وطبر وراتث یتلم ںیہ.( رواحین زخانئ دلج 22 ۃقیقح اولیح ہحفص 64 - 65 )
(American Edition) 88 It would not have been possible for me to have attained this grace if I had not followed the footsteps of my lord and master, the pride of all the prophets, the best of mankind, Mu ḥ ammad, the chosen one, may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him.Whatever I achieved, I achieved by following him, and I know from verified reliable experience that no man can reach God and obtain a deeper understanding of His ways without following that Prophet, may peace and blessing of Allāh be upon him.Now, let me also make it known that the very first thing that is rewarded after having completely submitted to the instructions and teachings of the Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad is that a new heart is granted which is always rightly inclined, that is to say, a heart which has turned cold upon the love of this material world, and instead it begins to yearn for an everlasting heavenly pleasure.Having achieved this desire this heart is now fit to receive that perfect and purest love — the love of God.Because of complete obedience to him, all these blessings are bequeathed as his spiritual heritage.(R ūḥā n ī Khaz ā’ in, Vol.22: Haq ī qatul-Wa ḥ y, p 64-65) ںیم ںیہمت چس چس اتہک وہں ہک وج صخش رقٓان ےک است وس مکح ںیم ےس اکی وھچےٹ ےس مکح وک یھب اٹاتل ےہ وہ اجنت اک دروازہ اےنپ اہھت ےس اےنپ رپ دنب رکات ےہ.یقیقح اور اکلم اجنت یک راںیہ رقٓان ےن وھکںیل اور ابیق بس اس ےک لظ ےھت.وس مت رقٓان وک دترب ےس ڑپوھ او ر اس ےس تہب یہ ایپر رکو ااسی ایپر ہک مت ےن یسک ےس ہن ایک وہ ویکہکن اسیج ہک دخا ےن ےھجم اخمبط رک ےک رفامای ہک ِ اَلخیر کلّہ فی القراٰن ہک امتم مسق یک الھبایئں رقٓان ںیم ںیہ.یہی یچس ابت ےہ.اوسفس ان ولوگ ں رپ وج یسک اور زیچ وک دقمم رےتھک ںیہ.اہمتری امتم الفح اور اجنت اک رسہمشچ رقٓان ںیم ےہ.وکیئ یھب اہمت ری ایسی دینی رضورت ںیہن وج رقٓان ںیم ںیہن اپیئ اجیت.اہمترے اامین اک دصمّق ای ذکمّب ایقتم ےک د ن رقٓان ےہ اور زجب رقٓان ےک ٓاامسن ےک ےچین اور وکیئ اتکب ںیہن وج الب واہطس رقٓان ںیہمت دہاتی دے ےکس.( رواحین زخانئ دلج 19 یتشک ونح ہحفص 19 ) Verily, I tell you truly that whosoever evades even the least of the seven hundred commandments embodied in the Holy Qur’ān , he slams the door of salvation upon himself.The real and perfect paths of salvation have been opened only by the Holy Qur’ān ; all others were only its shadows.Therefore you should study this holy scripture with the utmost attention and deepest thought; and you should love it as you have never loved anything else.For, indeed, as God has conveyed to me, الخیر کلّہ فِی القرآن that is , all the good lies in the Qur’ān.All kinds of good are to be found in it — and this
(American Edition) 89 is the truth.Unfortunate, indeed, are the people who to other things give preference over it.The Holy Qur’ān , is the fountainhead for your salvation, for all betterment and success.There is not even a single spiritual need which has not been met for you in this Holy Book.The supporter or falsifier of your Faith on the Day of judgment would be the Holy Qur’ān ; and apart from this Book there is no other under the heavens which can provide you with direct guidance.(R ūḥā n ī Khaz ā’ in, Vol.19: Kasht ī N ūḥ , p 19) ” حیسم وموعد اک ٓاامسن ےس اُرتان ضحم وھجاٹ ایخل ےہ.اید روھک ! ہک وکیئ ٓاامسن ےس ںیہن اُرتے اگ.امہرے بس اخمفل وجاب زدنہ وموجد ںیہ وہ امتم رمںی ےگ اور وکیئ ان ںیم ٰیسیع ےس نب رممی وک ٓاامسن ےس اُرتےت ںیہن دےھکی اگ.اور رھپ ان یک اوالد وج ابیق رےہ یگ وہ یھب رمے یگ.اور ان ںیم ےس وکیئ ٰیسیع ٓادیم نب رممی وک ٓاامسن ےس ارتےت ںیہن دےھکی اگ.اور رھپ اوالد یک اوالد رمے یگ اور وہ یھب رممی ےک ےٹیب وک ٓاامسن ےس ارتےت ںیہن دےھکی یگ.بت دخا ان ےک دولں ںیم ربھگاٹہ ڈاےل اگ ہک زامہن بیلص اک یھب زگر ایگ اور داین دورسے رگن ںیم ٓایئگ رگم رممی اک اٹیب ٰیسیع اب کت ٓاامسن ےس ہن ارتا.بت دادنمشن دکیہعف اس دیقعہ ےس زیبار وہ اجںیئ ےگ اور ایھب رسیتی دصی ٓاج ےک دن ےس وپری ںیہن وہیگ ہک ٰیسیع اک ااظتنر رکےن واےل ایک املسمن اور ایک اسیعیئ تخس وندیم اور دبنظ وہرک اس وھجےٹ دیقعہ وک وھچڑ د ںی ےگ اور داین ںیم اکی یہ ذمبہ وہاگ اور اکی یہ وشیپا.ںیم وت اکی مخت رزیی رکےن ٓاای وہں وس ریمے اہھت ےس وہ مخت وبای ایگ.اور اب وہ ڑبےھ اگ اور وھپےل اگ اور وکیئ ںیہن وج اس وک روک ےکس.“ ( رواحین زخ انئ دلج 20 ذترکۃ ھالدنیت لش ا ہحفص 27 ) Remember very well that no one shall ever come down from heaven.All our opponents who live today shall die and none from them shall ever see Jesus son of Mary coming down from heaven; then their children that are left after them shall also die and none from among them shall ever see Jesus son of Mary coming down from heaven and then their third generation shall also die and they too shall not see the son of Mary coming down.Then God shall cause great consternation in their minds and they shall then say that the period of the dominance of the cross has also passed away and the way of life has changed completely, yet the son of Mary has not come down.Then in dismay the wise among them shall forsake the belief and three centuries from now shall not have passed when those who await the coming of Jesus son of Mary, whether they be Muslims or Christians, shall relinquish altogether this conception.Then shall prevail only one religion over the whole world and there shall be only one religious Leader.I came
(American Edition) 90 only to sow the seed which has been planted by my hand.It shall now grow and flourish and there is none who can hinder it.(R ūḥī n ī Khaz ā’ in, Vol.20: Tadhkiratush-Shah ā datain, p 67) Some Prophecies of the Promised Messiah as Prophecy about Khilāfat ٰیل ‘‘ اعت دخا ہک ےہ یہی اہلل تنس ےس دقمی ہکبج ! زعزیو وساے د د دقرںیت و وہ یک اخموفلں ات ےہ الھکات وھجیٹ وخویشں وک اپامل رکےک دالھکدے.وس اب نکمم ںیہن ےہ ہک دخا اعت ٰیل اینپ دقمی تنس وک رتک ا وہ تم نیگمغ یک ایبن اپس اہمترے ےن ںیم وج ےس ابت ریمی مت ےئل اس رکدویے.و دل اہمترے ر اہمتر ٓاان اک اس اور ےہ رضوری دانھکی یھب اک دقرت دورسی ےئل اہمترے ویکہکن اجںیئ وہ ہن رپاشین ےئل ے ٓایتکس ںیہن دقرت دورسی وہ اور وہاگ.ںیہن عطقنم کت ایقتم ہلسلس اک سج ےہ دایمئ وہ ویکہکن ےہ رتہب بجکتںیمہناجئں.نکیلںیمبجاج ؤ ں اگوترھپدخا اسدورسیدقرتوکاہمت رےےئلد جیدےاگوج ہشیمہاہمترےاسھترےہیگ.’’ ( رواحینزخانئدلج 20 اولتیصہحفص 11 ) So dear friends! It has always been the way of God Almighty to show two manifestations of His Power.He thereby demolishes two false joys of the opponents.It is impossible that He should now change this long established Divine practice.Grieve not therefore at what I am telling you.Nor should you be heartbroken as you are destined to witness the second manifestation of His Power.And this second manifestation will be better for you as it is everlasting and will remain unbroken until the Day of Judgment.And the second manifestation cannot occur until after I am gone.But once I have departed God will bring about for you the second manifestation of His Power and it will remain with you forever.( Rūḥīnī Khazā’in, Vol.20: Al-Wa ṣ iyyat, p 11) Prophecy about Promised Son In January 1886, following a divine hint, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad went into retreat for a period of forty days in a town named Hoshiarpur.He occupied all his time in worship of Allāh and prayers.At the end of this period, he made an announcement that God had vouchsafed him with a revelation informing him about the birth of a son of great and outstanding qualities.A summary of this revelation containing this prophecy is given below.This revelation was published on February 20, 1886.“I confer upon thee a sign of power, mercy, and grace.O victorious one, you are granted a key of success and victory.God
(American Edition) 91 speaks thus so that dead may be given life; the truth, the superiority of Islām and dignity of God’s word may manifest to people, so that they may know that I am with thee and those who disbelieve and deny His Holy Messenger, Mu ḥ ammad, the chosen one, may be confronted with a clear sign.Rejoice, a handsome and pure son will be bestowed on thee.He will be extremely intelligent but meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.God’s grace will be upon him and he will achieve greatness and wealth and with his Messianic qualities will heal many of their ills.God will protect him and he will rapidly grow in stature.His fame will spread to the ends of earth and people will be blessed through him.God will maintain thy name with honor, and will convey thy message to the ends of the earth.God will bestow every success upon thee and will grant thy desires.I will cause an increase of thy sincere friends and will bless their lives and their properties and they will grow in number, and they will always prevail over the other Muslims who are jealous of thee and are hostile to thee.The time is approaching, indeed it is near, when God will put thy love in the hearts of kings and nobles so much so that they will seek blessings from thy garments.” (Tadhkirah, Page 174) Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad announced that it was not only a prophecy but a grand heavenly sign to demonstrate the truth and greatness of the Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad, peace be upon him.He specified that Promised Son will surely be born within nine years.On January 12, 1889 Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad was blessed with a son whom he named Ma ḥ m ūd.His full name was Mirzā Bashiruddin Ma ḥmūd A ḥ mad.Later, at different times, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad declared in his books that he was the Promised Son which had been predicted.This son, Mirzā Bashiruddin Ma ḥmūd A ḥ mad grew to adulthood.He was a genius and possessed a dynamic personality.He was the image of his great father.Due to his sterling qualities and great influence in the community, he was elected to the exalted office of Second Successor of the Promised Messiah (Second Khalīfa ) at the age of twenty five and his period of Khilāfat (leadership as a successor) lasted for 52 years.This became the glorious period in the history of the Movement.Membership increased vastly.Numerous missions and mosques were established in various foreign countries with his efforts and administrative ability.He has astounding record of success and high achievement in so many fields of human endeavor.He was the author of scores of books including a commentary of the Holy Qur’ān , Tafs ī r-e-Kab īr, which will live in the annals of Islāmic scholarship.
(American Edition) 92 His leadership was outstanding and multifarious and he organized the Movement on firm foundations.His intellectu al capabilities, love of Islām and the Holy Prophet, his ability to provide political leadership to Indian Muslims are recognized even by opponents.In 1947 when the Indian subcontinent gained independence, in which he had a played prominent role, and was divided into India and Pakistan, he migrated to Pakistan and founded a new modern town, Rabwah, as the international headquarters of the Movement.When storms of persecution arose as a result of bigotry and fanaticism, his forbearance and prayers steered the community out of dangers.Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Bashiruddin Ma ḥmūd A ḥ mad died in 1965 and was succeeded by Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Nāṣ ir A ḥ mad, his eldest son.He fulfilled every aspect of the great prophecy by Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad — the Promised Messiah.How could one have predicted about such a son without knowledge from God? Even when a son was born how could one have known that he will reach adulthood in a land of epidemics and fanatics and that he will possess so many great qualities and achieve so much success.Fulfillment of this prophecy is an irrefutable proof of the truth of Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad — the Promised Messiah.Prophecy on the Death of Pundit Lekh Ram One of the bitter enemies of Islām and Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad was Pandit Lekh Ram.He was a leader of Arya Samaj Hindu Sect.He had established a branch of Arya Samaj at Peshawer.He wrote many books in an attempt to refute Islām and Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad.He abused the Holy Prophet Mu ḥ ammad (peace be on him) and used very obscene language and said many unpleasant and harsh things about him, thus causing great hurt to Muslims.At one time he had visited Qadian and stayed there for 25 days.He had met Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad who advised him to desist from insulting and abusing the Holy Prophet — the holiest of Prophets.Pandit Lekh Ram did not listen to this advice and did not change his habit.In March 1886, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥmad announced that Allāh had revealed to him about the future of a few persons, the fulfillment of which would be a clear evidence of tr uth and excellence of Islām.Some of these things were unpleasant and their disclosure might cause some pain to those concerned.He made it clear that he did not wish ill to anybody and if those whose future has been revealed, did not want the prophecy to be published, should inform him within a fortnight.Among those whose future had been revealed were M.Inderamn and Pandit Lekh Ram.M.Inderamn kept quiet and passed away, but Pandit Lekh Ram wrote to Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad and asked him to publish the revelation which he had received concerning him.He ridiculed him and did not care.After an interval of a few years, when Pandit Lekh Ram did not give up his habit of abusing the Holy Qur’ān and Holy Prophet, A ḥ mad announced the awesome prophecy about Lekh Ram on February 20, 1893.He wrote:
(American Edition) 93 “Within six years from today, February 20, 1893.this man will be overtaken by severe torment as a punishment for the disrespect which he has manifested towards the Holy Prophet.By announcing this prophecy, I inform all Muslims, Christians and followers of other religions that if this person is not overtaken within the period of six years from today by a torment that is distinguishable from ordinary suffering that should bear an extraordinary character and should be in the nature of Divine chastisement, then you can truly say that I have not been sent by God Almighty, nor do I speak under His spirit.” Some people criticized the prophecy and said it was mere conjecture and anything could happen in six years.Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad replied that prophecy will be fulfilled in an extraordinary way.He also added that he did not bear any personal animosity to Lekh Ram or any other person but this man had proven himself the enemy of truth and had spoken contemptuously of the perfect Holy Prophet who is the fountainhead of all truth.Lekh Ram ridiculed the prophecy and announced that Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad would die of cholera within three years.Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad wrote in April 1893 about a vision he had, “This morning I saw that I was sitting in a large room wh ere some of my friends were present when a well-built man of ferocious appearance came and stood before me...As I looked at him he asked, ‘Where is Lekh Ram ? ’ Then I understood that this one had been appointed for the chastisement of Lekh Ram.” In a Persian poem, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad referred to Pandit Lekh Ram, “Beware O foolish and misled enemy Fear the cutting sword of Mu ḥ ammad.” In an Arabic poem in his book, “Karā m ā tu ṣ - Ṣā diq ī n, ” Aḥ mad wrote that God had revealed to him that a mighty prophecy was to be fulfilled on a day next to an Eid Festival.This prophecy was fulfilled in a remarkable way on 6th March 1897.Lekh Ram was murdered in his well-guarded house in Lahore.It is said that the murderer was a fierce looking man who had come to him as a seeker after truth and had stayed with him for some time.He stabbed him in abdomen with a dagger and then disappeared.The murderer was never found.It happened on a Saturday, next to th e Muslim Festival of Eid on Friday.Lekh Ram’s death caused a great uproar.It was alleged that Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad must have conspired this murder to fulfill his prophecy.Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad dismissed the accusation, saying that it was God who had ordained it as He ha d revealed to him.It was a victory for Islām and had proved the truth of word of God.As a fellow human being, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad was sorry for the fate of Lekh Ram and wished that he had followed his advice and save himself.
(American Edition) 94 Prophecy about Mr.Dowie John Alexander Dowie was an American who in 1896 founded a Christian Catholic sect and started building a town near Chicago, Illinois, called Zion City.He claimed to be Elijah or the forerunner of the second coming of Jesus Christ.He collected a great following and claimed to heal people by prayer.He was a bitter enemy of Islām and hurled vile abuse at Islām and its Prophet and proclaimed his mission to destroy Islām before the coming of Christ.When Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad — the Promised Messiah was informed about him, he wrote to Mr.Dowie about his claim as the Promised Messiah and challenged him to a prayer contest that each of them should pray to God that of the two, whoever was impostor be punished and destroyed by God in the lifetime of the other.The Promised Messiah wrote, “I am about seventy years of age while Mr.Dowie is about fifty - five and thus compared with me he still is a young man.But since the matter is not to be settled by age, I do not care for this great disparity in years.The whole matter rests in the h ands of Him Who is the Lord of heaven and earth and judge over all judges.He will decide in favor of the true claimant.” When Mr.Dowie did not reply and remained silent, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad made the statement; “Though he may try as hard as he can to fly from d eath which awaits him, yet his flight from such a contest will be nothing less than death to him; and calamity will certainly overtake his Zion, for he must bear the consequences either of the acceptance of the challenge or its refusal.” This challenge was widely published in the American press.Some of the papers commented that the proposed mode of decision was just and reasonable.The challenge was issued in 1902 and was repeated in 1903.When Mr.Dowie paid no attention to it, he was hard pressed by American papers.Finally, Mr.Dowie announced in his paper, Leaves of Healing of December 1903: “In India, there is a Mohammedan Messiah who keeps on writing to me that Jesus Christ lies buried in Kashmir.People ask me why do I not send him the necessary reply? Do you think that I should answer such gnats and flies? If I were to put my foot on them, I would crush them to death.The fact is that I merely gave them a chance to fly away and survive.” Finally the prophecy was fulfilled.Rebellion broke out against Mr.Dowie in Zion.His wife and son deserted him and he was charged with many illicit and immoral practices.He was finally expelled from Zion and reduced to a miserable
(American Edition) 95 allowance.In 1905 he suffered a stroke and was paralyzed.On March 9, 1907 he died in misery and pain.Death of Mr.Dowie and fulfillment of Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥmad’s prophecy was widely commented in American press.A few samples are given.The Dunville Gazette of June 7, 1907 wrote: “Aḥ mad and his adherents may be pardoned from taking some credit for the accuracy with which the prophecy was fulfilled a few months ago”.The Truth Seeker of June 15, 1907 wrote: “The Qadian Man predicted that if Dowie accepted the challenge, he would leave the world before his eyes with great sorrow and tormen t.If Dowie declined, the Mirzā said, the end would only be deferred; death awaited him just the same and calamity would soon overtake Zion.That was the grand prophecy: Zion would fall and Dowie would die before A ḥ mad.” Boston Herald of June 23, 1907 wro te: “Dowie died with his friends fallen away from him and his fortune dwindled.He suffered from paralysis and insanity.He died a miserable death with Zion City torn and frayed by internal dissension.Mirzā comes forward frankly and states that he has won his challenge.” This was a sign shown by God, at the hands of Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad, in America.Prophecy a bout Great World Wars God is all knowing.The knowledge of unseen or the future belongs to Him.He reveals knowledge of the future to his prophets as much as He wills.We read in the Holy Qur’ān : “He is the knower of the unseen, and He reveals not the hidden to anyone, except to him whom He chooses from among His Messengers.” (72:27 -28) Prophets gain knowledge of the future through revelation from God.They demonstrate the attribute of God as All Knowing.This means that the truth of a claimant of prophethood can be judged by the fulfillment of his prophecies.To prophecy is an essential part of prophethood.These prophecies are not vague and uncertain predictions of astrologers and other soothsayers that are mere conjectures.These possess the qualities of certainty and majesty.At times, these are stated literally and sometimes in metaphorical words which can cause some confusion if not properly understood.
(American Edition) 96 On the basis of his revelations from God, Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad — the Promised Messiah, made numerous prophecies.Some of which concerned his person, others about his family, his followers, his opponents, his community and world events.This is a lengthy subject.Most were fulfilled during his lifetime and others after his death and some still await their proper time.Ḥ a ḍ rat A ḥ mad made a detailed prophecy about the First World War.This prophecy was published piecemeal from 1904 to 1908.He prophesied that a great earthquake was impending and explained that it may not be an earthquake as the literal words were in some revelations, but a great world catastrophe of another nature ‘which would cause great loss of life and destruction of buildings and which would cause rivers of blood to flow and create great consternation among men.’ From the details of prophecy it becomes clear that it foretold a great war and not an earthquake.He said: “Alarm and bewilderment would be caused in the whole world and travelers will be put to great trouble, calamity would come all of a sudden.Young men will be turned grey by the shock.Mountains would be blown up and many people would go mad.The whole world will feel its effects but the plight of the Czar of Russia will be particularly miserable.The foundations of Governments will be shaken; naval fleets will be on the lookout for enemy fleets and will scour the seas in search of enemy vessels; there will be naval duels: the earth will be turned upside down and God would appear with his hosts to punish the transgressors and the oppressors.The calamity will also affect the birds of the air.The Arabs will prepare for war and the Turks will be defeated in Asia Minor but would recover a portion of their lost territory.Signs of this calamity will appear in advance but God will delay it for a time.In any case, it will overtake the world within sixteen years of the publication of the prophecy but not during his (that is, the Promised Messiah) lifetime.” (Barahīn Aḥ madiyya, Part V, and Ḥaqīq atul-Wa ḥ y) Those familiar with history will agree as to how this prophecy was literally fulfilled by occurrence of First World War and how the plight of the Czar of Russia became most miserable.He prophesied that there will be total of five great worldwide catastrophes and some so severe that they will resemble the Day of Judgment.There will be parts of the world where life will become totally extinct.This probably is a reference to destruction by nuclear war.One of his revelations was: “A Warner came to the world but the world did not accept him but God will accept him and will manifest his truth by means of mighty attacks.” (Tadhkirah)
(American Edition) 97 Another revelation is: “I will show you the manifestation of this sign five times.” (Tadhkirah) In the Holy Qur’ān , there is a graphic picture of the present age.For instance, there is a prophecy about Y ā j ū j and M ā j ū j (The Gog and Magog).This is a prophecy about two groups of nations in latter days.According to the Promised Messiah, Gog and Magog are North European Christian nations.Writing at turn of century he named them as Russia and Britain and their allies.He predicted that these nations after subjugating other nations will fight with one another.He explained the Qur’ān ic prophecy that these nations were destined to make great material and scientific progress.In the words of the Holy Qur’ān , “They will hasten forth from every height” (21:97).Referring to Gog and Magog and their final conflict, the Holy Qur’ān says: “And on that day, We shall leave some of them (Gog and Magog) to surge against others, and trumpets will be blown.Then shall We gather them all together.And on that day, We shall present hell, face to face to the disbelievers; whose eyes were under a veil, not heeding My reminder and they coul d not even afford to hear.” (18:100 -102) The Promised Messiah further predicted that God will unify all nations through him but in the process there will be many catastrophic signs shown to the world.History may be analyzed from two different angles.The first is the obvious and apparent.For instance, any student of history can tell us the obvious reasons which led to the First World War and later to the Second World War.Similarly, the present tensions and conflicts in the world which may lead to a Third World War are apparent.The other angle is spiritual.Thus the spiritual reasons for the great world wars and worldwide catastrophes are the spiritual decay and decadence of modern civilization; and through worldwide catastrophes, God desires to bring about a great change in the present day world — a spiritual transformation, the means for which have been provided in the Holy Qur’ān as explained by the Promised Messiah — the World Reformer of this Age.As explained by him the dawn of a new age is about to set in.God desires to establish His faith in the hearts of men as in the days of prophets of old.Ever since the appearance of the Promised Messiah in the last decade of the 19th century, the world is undergoing rapid changes in every sphere of life and all this is a series in a chain of events destined to bring about a great revolution.Unity of God will be established as the faith of men and world will be unified ending the period of mutual conflict.A millennium of peace and spiritual progress will follow.This has been predicted by the Promised Messiah.
(American Edition) 98 A Prophecy a bout Nuclear War As we approach the end of the 20th century, the prophecy of the Promised Messiah about a nuclear war should be widely propagated to serve as a warning.In 1907, he warned the world in the following words: “Remember, God has informed me of many earthquakes.Rest assured, therefore, that as earthquakes have shaken America and Europe, so will they shake Asia.Some of them will resemble the Day of Doom.So many people shall die that rivulets of blood shall flow.Even the birds and the beasts will not be immune against this death.A havoc shall sweep the surface of the earth which shall be the greatest since the birth of man.Habitations shall be demolished as if no one had ever lived in them.This will be accompanied by many other terrible calamities which the earth and the heavens will send forth, till their extraordinary nature will become evident to every reasonable man.All the literature of science and philosophy shall fail to show their like.Then, mankind shall be sorely distressed and wonder what is going to happen.Many shall escape and many perish.The days are near, in fact, I can see them close at hand, when the world shall witness a terrible sight; not only earthquakes but also many fearsome calamities shall overtake man, some from the skies and some from the earth.This will happen because mankind has stopped worshipping their true God and have become lost in the affairs of the world with all their heart and their effort and their intent.If I had not come, these afflictions would perhaps have been delayed a little.But with my coming the secret purposes of an affronted God which were hidden so far, became manifest.Says God: ‘We never punish unless We send a Messenger.’ (Holy Qur’ān , 17:16) Those who repent shall find security and those who fear before calamity overtakes them shall be shown mercy.Do you think you will be immune to these calamities? Or can you save yourselves through artifice or design? Indeed not.That day all human schemes shall fail.Think not that earthquakes visited America and other continents but that your own country shall remain secure.Indeed, you may experience a greater hardship.O Europe, you are not safe and O Asia, you too, are not immune.I see cities fall and settlements laid waste.The One and the Only God kept silent for long.Heinous deeds were done before His eyes and He said nothing.But now He shall reveal His face in Majesty and Awe.Let him who has ears hear that the time is not far.I have done my best
(American Edition) 99 to bring all under the protection of God but it was destined that what was written should come to pass.Truly do I say that the turn of this land, too, is approaching fast.The time of Noah shall reappear before your eyes, and your own eyes will be witnesses to the calamity that overtook the cities of Lot.But God is slow in His Wrath.Repent that you may be shown mercy! He who does not fear Him is dead, not alive.” ( Ḥaqīqatul -Wa ḥ y: pp.256-257) The prophecy and warning is very clear.He has explained in his other writings that by warning of ‘earthquakes’ in his revelation may be meant some other type of catastrophe which resembles earthquakes in suddenness and destruction.A reflection over his words makes it clear that worldwide catastrophic events which are world wars have been prophesied.Additional tribulations may also be meant.We think that two World Wars that the 20th century has experienced were foretold in this prophecy.His words also warn that a Third World War that will be a nuclear war will also occur.His words ‘Day of Doom’ and ‘A havoc shall sweep the surface of the earth which shall be the greatest since the birth of man.Habitations shall be demolished as if no one had ever lived in them’ and loo king at the prophecy as a whole makes it clear that a world catastrophe of the nature of a nuclear war is also prophesied and man is warned against it.The author has made it clear in his writing that all prophecies of punishment are conditional and can be averted if people repent, turn to God, perform righteous actions, giving up transgression and evil ways.The spiritual reason for worldwide catastrophes is the turning away from God, materialism and evil practices of modern civilization.Thus it is the spiritual decadence of modern civilization which is the greatest danger.The remedy has been pointed out.The most important righteous action on the part of superpowers is the total destruction of their nuclear arsenals and their missiles in the shortest possible time so as to free mankind from this curse which may one day destroy it.Instead of policies of arrogance of power, and mutual rivalry and animosity, resulting in fanning of regional conflicts and wars around the world, they should learn to work for true human welfare.The Divine Warner has warned in clear words.Now it is up to the world to respond.The choice is clear.The last three successors of the Promised Messiah have interpreted some verses of the Holy Qur’ān as containing a prophecy of nuclear destruction in this age.For example, such an event is described in Sūrah Al-Kahf (18:100-103) and in Sūrah Al-Ra ḥ m ā n (55:34-38) and also in a few other places in the Holy Qur’ān.As we have described repeatedly, the prophecies about worldwide catastrophes and nuclear war in the Holy Qur’ān and in the writings of the Promised Messiah, some people might think that we Muslims ، or A ḥ madī Muslims in particular ، wish for such a disaster to occur so that this prophecy should prove true.There is nothing more farther from the truth than such an idea.Our purpose of writing about such
(American Edition) 100 a prophecy of frightful destruction facing humanity is the same as was of the Promised Messiah, that is, to serve as a warning to people and nations to turn to God with repentance and righteous actions so that the impending danger may be removed.( The Promised Messiah and Mahdī , by Dr.Aziz A ḥ mad Chaudhry) What the Non - Muslim Dignitaries are Saying About t he A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community Head of the A ḥ madiyya Community is a man of peace I congratulate the A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community UK on its remarkable centenary.Your presence in this country is a living example of how Britain has become a true home to people from all corners of the world.Your achievements are many, from building London’s first mosque in Southfields in 1924, to the phenomenal work you have done in promoting peace right across the country.Just last year you celebrated with the rest of us the joyous Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen as well as the amazing success of Britain at the Olympics.Indeed it is events such as those and communities such as yours that show the world the best of Britain.Your tremendous charitable services that you have delivered to old and young alike, your care for the environment by planting thousands of trees each year, your feed the homeless project and blood donation drives are just a few of the many reasons that Britain can be proud of you.This is true faith in action.I know that your community has suffered terrible persecution but I also know that your worldwide leader, His Holiness Mirzā Masroor A ḥ mad, who is based right here in London, is a man of peace.These are difficult times but the manner in which you persevere is exemplary.I hope that your good works, your message of peace and your philosophy of Love For All Hatred For None continue to flourish in Britain and throughout the world.Many congratulations to all A ḥmadī Muslims in the United Kingdom on their centennial year! Rt Hon David Cameron MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Islām— A Religion of Peace and Compassion House of Commons — 11th June 2013
(American Edition) 101 You make an inspiring contribution to our values I’d like to start today by expressing my gratitude...to the A ḥmadiyya Muslim Community here in Vaughan.I’m grateful for the outstanding example that you set.In spite of … [persecution] your belief in tolerance and harmony endures and in this you make an inspiring contribution to our values.You strengthen Ca nada’s commitment to diversity and pluralism and you remind your fellow Canadians that the freedoms you enjoy are precious and must never be taken for granted.So as your Prime Minister I thank you on behalf of all Canadians for strengthening and enriching the fabric of our country.Stephen Harper, Prime Minister of Canada Creation of the Canadian Office of Religious Freedom — Humanity First Complex, Ontario A ḥ madiyya is a peaceful, reformist movement Founded in India in 1889, the A ḥ madiyya is a peaceful, reformist movement claiming tens of millions of adherents worldwide.While its members oppose violence and support freedom for others, they often face severe violence and other violations of their own freedom.The A ḥ madiyya message includes a positive call for world harmony and liberty.It points beyond today’s sufferings to tomorrow’s hopes and possibilities.The rights of people everywhere to think as they please, believe or not believe as they wish, peacefully practice their beliefs, and express them publicly without fear or intimidation are inviolable.We are proud to stand with the A ḥ madiyya Community and proclaim together that these and other freedoms are the birth right of humanity.Dr.Katrina Lantos Swett (Chairperson for the U.S.Commission on International Religious Freedom) The Path to Peace — Just Relations Between Nations Capitol Hill, Washington, USA — 27th June 2012 A ḥ madī Leader is the voice of Peace, Hope and Courage It is an absolute honor and privilege to share time with Your Holiness because he walks the world stage with a very powerful message of faith and peace.You are so well respected across the entire globe for calling for peace and tolerance.It is leaders like you who will impact the future of the world.We need more leaders like you because only through voices like yours will stability
(American Edition) 102 develop in the world.You are the voice of peace, of hope and of courage.John Robertson MP, Leader of the Opposition Inauguration of Khilāfat Centenary Hall, Sydney, Sydney, Australia — 18th October 2013 A ḥ madiyya practice of their message of peace is very impressive It is a pleasure to welcome His Holiness to the New Zealand Parliament.I have always been very impressed at how A ḥmadīs live their lives as citizens of the nation and practice their message of peace.Dr Rajen Prasad MP, New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand’s National Parliament, 4th November 2013 You believe in a peaceful Jihād I am happy that your community does not believe in Jihād by the sword, guns and bombs.You believe that Jihād is peaceful preaching and an internal struggle for purification of hearts.I fully appreciate your services in the field of humanity.Lars Rise, MP Norway A ḥ madiyya Muslim Community UK Annual Convention — 2005 Some Questions for R evision 1.What is the importance of Tablīgh according to the Holy Qur’ān , Ḥadīth, writings of the Promised Messiah and Khulafā? 2.Describe some prayers for successful Tablīgh.3.Describe some steps for successful preaching.4.Describe some points mentioned in the declaration of Initiation (letter of Bai‘at to the Khalīfatul - Masīḥ ).5.Which verse of the Holy Qur’ān should be quoted to explain the name A ḥ madiyyat? 6.What did Ḥ a ḍ rat Mullā ‘Alī Qārī say about the 73rd sect of Islām who will be saved from the fire? 7.What did the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) say to Ḥ a ḍrat Usāmah when Ḥ a ḍ rat Usāmah killed a disbeliever after he recited first part of the Kalimah Ṭ ayyibah? 8.What does the Holy Qur’ān say about Khilāfat in Islām?
(American Edition) 103 9.What did the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) say about the establishment of upright Khilāfat in the latter days? 10.What does the Holy Qur’ān say about the status of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) as Khātamun - Nabiyyīn? 11.Describe four grades, which can be attained by a Muslim through obedience to Allāh and the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him).12.What is the meaning of Ḥadīth “T here will be no Prophet aft er me” and what did Ḥ a ḍ rat Mull ā ‘Alī Qārī say about it? 13.What did the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) say to Ḥ a ḍrat Abū Hurairah when he asked the meanings of the words “And among others of them who have not yet joined them ” and what does it prove? 14.How did the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) describe the advent of the Promised Messiah in the Ḥadīth book of Bukhārī? 15.How can you prove the death of Ḥ a ḍrat Īsā from chapter 3 verse 145 of the Holy Qur’ān ? 16.How can you prove the death of Ḥ a ḍrat Īsā from any book of Ḥadīth? 17.How can you prove the truth of the Promised Messiah with the help of chapter 69 verses 45-48 of the Holy Qur’ān ? 18.How can you prove the truth of the promised Messiah with the help of Ḥadīth regarding the eclipse of the sun and the moon? 19.In which Ḥadīth is it mentioned four times that the Promised Messiah will be a prophet of Allāh? 20.What did the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) say about the importance of Bai‘at of the Promised Messiah? 21.What is the importance of obedience to the Khalīfa of the time? 22.What is the importance of seeking forgiveness from Allāh for our sins? 23.Describe the ten conditions of Bai‘at briefly in your own words.24.What is the reference in the Bible where it says that God is one? 25.How can you prove from John 10:30-36 that Jesus claimed to be a Son of God metaphorically? 26.How can you prove from John 19:33-34 that Jesus did not die on the cross? 27.How can you prove from Deuteronomy 18:18 that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) has fulfilled this prophecy and not Jesus?
(American Edition) 104 28.How can you prove from John 16:7-15 that Ḥ a ḍ rat Mu ḥ ammad (may peace and blessings of All āh be upon him) has fulfilled the prophecy contained in this reference? 29.What is the reference where Jesus said that John the Baptist came to fulfil the prophecy about the second coming of Elijah? 30.What is the reference where Jesus told about the eclipse of the sun and the moon at the time of the advent of the Promised Messiah? 31.Describe some examples where present day Christianity has deviated.32.How many verses of the Holy Qur’ān are quoted in this book to prove the death of Ḥ a ḍrat Īsā? 33.How many sayings of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) are quoted in this book to prove the death of Ḥ a ḍrat Īsā? 34.How many verses of the Holy Qur’ān are quoted in this book to prove that a follower prophet can appear in Is lām after the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)? 35.How many sayings of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) are quoted in this book to prove that a follower prophet can appear in Islām after the Holy P rophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)? 36.How many examples of Arabic literature are quoted in this book to prove that Khātamun - Nabiyyīn means the best of all the prophets and not the last prophet in time? 37.How many verses of the Holy Qur’ān are quoted in this book to prove that Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad is the true Promised Messiah? 38.How many A ḥādīth of the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) are quoted in this book to prove that Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad is the true Promised Messiah? 39.How many quotations of the non A ḥmadī Scholars are quoted in this book to prove that Ḥ a ḍrat Mirzā Ghulām Aḥ mad is a true, pious and great servant of Islām? A Vision of the Promised Messiah We believe in the rising of the sun from the west but it has been disclosed to me in a vision that the meaning of the rising of the sun from the west is that the western countries, which, from ancient times, have been enveloped in the darkness of disbelief and error, will be illumined by the sun of truth and will partake of Islām…
(American Edition) 105 I saw in a vision that I was standing on a pulpit in the city of London and was setting forth the truth of Islām in English language, in a very well-reasoned address.Thereafter I caught several birds that were sitting upon small trees and were of white color and their bodies resembled the bodies of partridges.I interpreted this vision as meaning that though I would not be able to travel to that country but that my writings will be published there and many righteous English people will accept the truth.(Iz ā la Auh ā m, 1989, pp.515-516) Kindness Unto Mankind The Promised Messiah says: Of all the principles to which I have been made to adhere firmly, there is one that has specifically been revealed to me by God Himself.That principle is to desist from declaring false in essence such religions as have been revealed by God through His prophets and which have the following characteristics.They have met with wide acceptance in certain regions of the world; having survived all challenges, they have become well established and deeply rooted.Having stood the test of time for long, they have acquired a measure of age and an air of permanence.According to this principle, such religions are essentially true and their founde rs were most certainly true prophet of God.(Rūḥānī Khazā’in , Vol.12, P: 256) “The principle to which we adhere is that we have kindness at heart for the whole of mankind.If anyone sees the house of a Hindu neighbor on fire and does not come forward to help extinguish the fire, most truly I declare that he does not belong to me.If anyone of my followers, having seen someone attempting to murder a Christian does not endeavor to save him.I most truly declare that he does not belong to us.” (Rūḥānī Khazā’ in, Vol.12, Sirājum - Munīr, p.28) A Vision of Ḥ a ḍ rat Khalīfatul - Masī ḥ II The Khalīfatul - Masīḥ II made the following statement on 17 September 1945: “Tonight, that is the night between the 16th and 17th of September 1945, at about 2 or 3 A.M., I saw that I have boarded an airplane and I am flying towards England.The plane is quite big and there are other passengers as well.We landed in hilly part of England.The reason for landing was to have some breakfast
(American Edition) 106 and then take off again.The area where the plane landed seems to be to the North of London as if we have passed over London.The other passengers went for breakfast and I went to the washroom to wash my hands… When I came out of the washroom, I realized that I am three-quarters of an hour late but that I boarded the plane and I asked one person where would the plane land? He said in Scotland.Then I asked him which city in Scotland.He replied in Glasgow.Then I asked him how far is Glasgow from here.He said that in one respect it is 1,500 and in another respect it is 200 miles.At that I said to him that it cannot be 1,500 miles in any way.I have studied the geography of England.The train from London reaches the end of Scotland overnight, how can it be 1500 miles? It would be 200 miles.At that he either did not reply or I did not hear him and I woke up.I perceive that Allāh , the Exalted, will probably facilitate the propagation of A ḥ madiyyat in Scotland and possibly some movement in this regards will rise from a place 200 miles to the south of Glasgow and continue to Glasgow because the plane landed two hundred miles from Glasgow.The respondent also said that in one way it is 1,500 miles.If that is not wrong then it means that this place is situated near the northwest of England.If we travel from the west by ship instead of by land then probably a distance of a thousand to fifteen hundred miles is to be covered.Glasgow and its surrounding area hold importance from another respect as well, which is mentioned in some of my previous visions.Those with perception can understand.The present time does not allow elucidation.” ( Al-Fa ḍ l, Qadian, 21 September 1945, p.2) Note: In 1945, there was no branch of the A ḥ madiyya Movement in Scotland and North of England.Now, by the Grace of Allāh, there are 17 branches including two purpose-built mosques in Bradford and Hartlepool.There are also Prayer Centers and Mission Houses in Huddersfield, Scunthorpe, Sheffield, Keighley, Manchester and Glasgow.There are more than 2,000 A ḥmadī Muslims living in this part of UK.These are the signs of the truth of the above-mentioned dream, Al- Ḥamdu Lillāh.
Pledge of the New Century I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allāh Who is One and has no partner; and, I bear witness that Mu ḥ ammad is His Servant and Messenger.Today, on the completion of hundred years of A ḥ madiyya Khilāfat, we make a solemn pledge, in the name of Allāh, the Exalted, that we shall continue to strive until the last moments of our lives for the propagation of Islām and Aḥ madiyyat and shall convey the name of Mu ḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh (may pe ace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), to the ends of the world.For the accomplishment of this sacred obligation, we shall always keep our lives dedicated to God and His Messenger (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), and by offering the great est sacrifices, shall keep the flag of Islām aloft in every country of the world.We also pledge that for the safeguarding of the system of Khilāfat, and for its consolidation, we shall continue to strive till our last breath, and exhort our children and their progenies to always remain attached to Khilāfat and benefit from its blessings so that A ḥmadiyya Khilāfat continues safely till the end of time and the propagation of Islām continues till the Day of Judgment through the A ḥ madiyya Movement, and the flag of Mu ḥammad, the Messenger of Allāh (may peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) flies higher than all other flags of the world.O God enable us to fulfil this pledge.Allāhumma Ā mīn, Allāhumma Ā mīn, Allāhumma Ā mīn (This Pledge was taken from the whole Jamā‘at by Ḥ a ḍ rat Khalīfatul - Masīḥ V at the ExCel Conference Centre, London on 27 May 2008.)