July/September 2007 - Ahmadiyya Gazette Canada

45 Pages·2007·6.74 MB·English

Ahmadiyya Gazette Canada
An Educational and Spiritual Publication
Volume 36 - No. 7-9 July/September 2007
Pearls of Wisdom
Amir Jama`at:
Lal Khan Malik
! ! ! ! !
Selection from Qur’an and Ahadith p.1
Chief Editor:
Writings of the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him)!! ! ! p.2 Naseem Mahdi
Editors:
S.A.Farhan Khokhar
S.H.Hadi
Guidance from Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah strengthen his hands)! Manager:
Summaries of Friday Sermons! ! ! ! ! ! p.3 Mubashir Khalid
!! ! Graphics Layout:
An Important Message from Hadrat Khalifatul Masih p.14
Shazia Khokhar
Ilyas Khan
Printing:
Articles
Jamnik Graphics
A Sojourn to the Land of Prophets!! ! ! !p.18 Web Magazine:
Book Review - Ta`limul Qur’an! ! ! ! ! ! p.22 Tahir Azhar
Status of Women in Islam!! ! ! ! ! ! p.23 The o!cial publication of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jama`at Canada Inc.
ISSN 0229 5644
Fasting - Fourth Pillar of Islam! ! ! ! ! ! p.34 1. Ahmadiyya -- Periodicals.
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ings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) or any of his successors (may Allah be pleased with them), as well as the sum-
maries of the sermons or addresses of Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah strengthen his hands).
Articles published in the Ahmadiyya Gazette Canada reflect the views of their respective authors and may not reflect the views,
beliefs and tenets of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama`at Canada.
Table of Contents!
A H M A D I Y Y A G A Z E T T E C A N A D A
Pearls of Wisdom
Selected verses of the Holy Qur’an & Sayings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
The Holy Qur’an
O ye who believe ! fasting is prescribed for you, as it
was prescribed for those before you, so that you
may guard against evil. The prescribed fasting is for
fi
a xed number of days, but whoso among you is
sick or on a journey, shall fast the same number of
other days; and for those who are able to fast only
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with great dif culty, is an expiation - the feeding of
a poor man. And whoso does good of his own
accord it is better for him. And fasting is good for
you, if you only knew. (2:184 - 185)
Sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa)
“Abu Huraira (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (sa)
said: Allah, the Lord of honour and glory says:
All other deeds of man are for himself, but his
fasting is purely for Me and I shall reward him
for it. The fast is a shield. When any of you is
fasting he should eschew loose talk and noisy
exchanges. Should anyone revile him or seek to
pick a quarrel with him, he should respond with:
I am observing a fast. By Him in Whose hands is
the life of Muhammad, the breath of one who is
fasting is purer in the sight of Allah than the
fragrance of musk. One who fasts experiences
two joys; he is joyful when he breaks his fast,
and he is joyful by virtue of his fast when he
meets his Lord. (Bukhari, Muslim)
Pearls of Wisdom 1
A H M A D I Y Y A G A Z E T T E C A N A D A
Pearls of Wisdom
Selection from the writings of the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him)
Man turns to God with remorse and God turns to mercy? Is this the law of nature? {Chashmai Maarifat
man with mercy ( Qadian, Anwar Ahmadiyyah Press, 1908) Now
published in Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984) vol. 23. pp.
In Arabic idiom Taubah (repentance) means
125-126}.
'returning', and that is why in the Holy Qur’an
God's name is also Tawab, that is to say, He Who is It is the grace of Allah that saves and not deeds
Oft-Returning. This means that when a person
Then arise and repent and win the pleasure of God
discarding sin turns to God with a sincere heart,
through good works. Remember that the
God Almighty turns even more to him. This is
punishment of wrong beliefs is after death. Being a
altogether in accord with the law of nature. God
Hindu or a Christian or a Muslim will be
Almighty has made in part of human nature that
determined on the Day of Judgment. But a person
when a person turns to another with a sincere heart,
who goes beyond the limit in wrong- doing and
the latter's heart is also softened for him. Then how
transgression and disobedience and vice, is
can reason accept that when a servant turns towards
punished in this life. Such a one cannot escape God's
God Almighty with a true heart God should not
chastisement. So hasten to win God's pleasure and
turn to him? Indeed God, Who is Benevolent and
before the dreadful day arrives namely the day of
Merciful, turns even more towards His servant. That
intensity of the plague of which the Prophets have
is why in the Holy Qur’an, God's name, as we have
warned, make your peace with God. He is very
just mentioned, is also Tawab, meaning Oft-
Benevolent. Through the repentance that melts the
Returning. Man's turning to God is through remorse
heart for a moment, He can forgive the sins spread
and humility and meekness, and God's turning to
over seventy years. Do not say that repentance is not
man is with mercy and forgiveness. If mercy were
accepted. Remember that you cannot be saved by
not one of the attributes of God Almighty, no one
your deeds. It is grace that saves and not deeds.
would be delivered. It is a pity that these people do
Benevolent and Merciful Lord, bestow Thy grace
not ponder over the attributes of God Almighty and
upon all of us. We are Thy servants and have fallen
depend entirely upon their own actions. But can it
down upon Thy threshold. Amen {Lecture Lahore
be the attitude of God, Who without any action
(Lahore, Rifahi Aam Steam Press, 1904) , Now published
proceeding from man, has created thousands of
in Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984) vol. 20, p. 39}.
bounties for him upon the earth that when weak
man being warned of his heedlessness should turn
to Him, a turning which is like death, and should
put off his old garment and should be consumed in
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the re of His love, God should not turn to him with
Pearls of Wisdom 2
A H M A D I Y Y A G A Z E T T E C A N A D A
Guidance
from Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V
(may Allah strengthen his hands)
Divine attribute of As-Salaam (The Source of Peace)
Summary of the Friday Sermon delivered on May 11, 2007
In this Friday sermon, Hadrat Allah protects from defects, of ‘peace’ upon all people and
fl
Khalifatul Masih V (aa) aws and misfortune. warned against the malice and
discussed the divine attribute of jealousies that consumed ancient
As-Salaam (the Source of Peace). According to the Holy Qur’an peoples. Malice necessarily
As-Salaam is the One whose 36:59, Allah will confer peace on holds one back from gaining the
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creation is safe from calamity the believers in Paradise and this bene ts of one’s good actions –
and oppression. It indicates not message provides absolute one cannot attain Paradise until
only that Allah is perfect and comfort and security for them. one possesses perfect faith, and
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free from all aws but that He is This verse also instructs one can only achieve perfect
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also immune from the calamities believers to convey peace to each faith by rst dealing with people
which befall others – while all other in order to attain Allah’s with genuine love and affection
creation shall perish, death pleasure in this world as well as and conveying peace to them.
cannot overtake Allah. As- in the Hereafter. Attaining Unfortunately, malice and
Salaam also indicates that Allah Allah’s pleasure results in our jealousy have crept into the daily
is the bestower of comfort and peace of mind. When we have lives of the believers. The
security. peace of mind, we are able to Promised Messiah (as), through
According to Imam Al-Ghazali, spread it to those around us and his message of huqul ebaad (the
As-Salaam is the One who is free in our environment. rights of people), instructed us to
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from all aws and defects, and give precedence to the rights of
whose actions are free from evil According to the Hadith of the others as doing so repels malice
and possess an inherent Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), and jealousy. Regrettably,
goodness. According to Imam As-Salaam is an attribute of quarrels between members of the
Raghib, As-Salaam means that Allah that is for this world. Jama`at take place and often
Allah is free from all overt and Therefore, to attain its blessings, become overly drawn out. For
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covert aws and Abdus Salaam a believer must strive to spread example, recently, the quarrel of
(the Servant of As-Salaam) is one peace throughout the world. two feuding families resulted in
who manifests the attribute of The Holy Prophet (sa) enjoined such notoriety that disciplinary
As-Salaam and is one whom all believers to convey greetings action had to be taken against
Guidance from Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah strengthen his hands) 3
them. When a member of one of According to the Hadith, a According to the Holy Qur’an,
the families sought reconciliation Muslim is one from whose “For them is the abode of peace with
by conveying a greeting of tongue and hands all Muslims their Lord, and He is their Friend
‘salaam’ to a member of the are safe. Therefore, one cannot for what they did.” (6:128)
other family in the mosque, he avail themselves of the blessings “Thereby does Allah guide those
was rebuffed. Despite accepting associated with the divine who seek His pleasure on the paths
the Promised Messiah (as) and attribute of As-Salaam until one of peace, and leads then out of every
being aware of the ten conditions becomes a person from whom all kind of darkness into light by His
of bai’at (allegiance), that such other Muslims are safe and will, and guides them to the right
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quarreling and rebuf ng takes secure. Maintaining good and path.” (5:17)
place is shameful. Having to amicable relations with other “Peace on you – a word of greeting
take disciplinary action against Muslims is not a trivial matter. If from the Merciful Lord.” (36:59)
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these two families caused grief to one wishes to receive the bene ts
Hadrat Sahib. Moreover, the of As-Salaam, one must actively While providing commentary on
behaviour of the two families strive to promote peace and the Holy Qur’an 36:59, the
caused displeasure to Allah. security. Islam’s message of Promised Messiah (as) stated
Unfortunately, while Allah is As- peace facilitates tabligh that true peace is that which
Salaam, His creation continues to (propagation) as it endears comes from Allah. Allah as As-
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engage in misconduct and invite people towards it and makes it Salaam extinguished the re
His displeasure. inviting for them to enter its which threatened to consume
fold. Hadrat Ibrahim (as). When one
Guidance from Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah strengthen his hands) 4
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their trial. Amin. Hostile res
have been set all over the world
against the followers of the
Promised Messiah (as), and
Allah shall extinguish them.
Regardless of whether these
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ames of opposition are rising
is Abdus Salaam, one’s soul is in
from within Sri Lanka,
a constant state of supplication Just prior to beginning this
Bangladesh or Pakistan, not only
to Allah and His commandments Friday sermon, Hadrat Sahib
will they be extinguished, but
take precedence over all worldly received a telephone call
they will herald peace and
things. informing him that, in Sri Lanka,
security.
500 people attacked the Ahmadi
We can only hope to be the Muslim mosque and 60 Ahmadi
One of the revelations to the
recipients of the divine promises Muslims were taken hostage.
Promised Messiah (as) that all
made to the Promised Messiah Eventually, the local police
Ahmadi Muslims should
(as) when, in accordance with his succeeded in overcoming the
remember is as follows, “Salaam
teachings, we strive to create an attackers and expelling them.
fl on Ibrahim, We have purified him
awareness for the divine The ames of opposition to the
and delivered him from grief and We
attribute of As-Salaam and seek Promised Messiah (as) are
indeed brought this about. Thus
Allah’s refuge. Indeed, as ignited by those who claim to be
should you follow in Ibrahim’s
Ahmadi Muslims, we are the the followers of the Holy
footsteps.” In another revelation
most fortunate as we have Prophet (sa). However, such
to the Promised Messiah (as),
already accepted the Imam of the people are not the true followers
Allah said, “Selecting Ibrahim as
Age to whom the Holy Prophet of the Holy Prophet (sa), rather,
a sincere friend.” As Allah
(sa) requested that we convey they are an embarrassment, as he
fi selected Hadrat Ibrahim (as) as
the greeting of ‘salaam’ on his was the purest personi cation of
His sincere friend, the followers
behalf. Through revelation, love, peace and harmony, not
of Allah should also behave in
Allah also sent His greeting of violence and hostility.
such a manner as to attract His
‘salaam’ to the Promised The enemies of the Promised
friendship and receive His
Messiah (as). Further, Allah Messiah (as) seek to eradicate
protection.
addressed the Promised Messiah Ahmadiyyat, but Allah shall
(as) with the name ‘Ibrahim’ to never let them do so. They may
Allah’s blessings upon us are so
indicate that He would accuse Ahmadiyyat of being
fi great that it is as if He Himself
extinguish the re of his planted by the British, but it was
descends to ease and provide
enemies. In order to partake of Allah Himself who established
success to all of our efforts. For
the greeting of ‘salaam’ it. They can never destroy what
example, at the recent reception
conveyed by Allah and the Holy Allah has established. Indeed,
inaugurating MTA Al-Arabiyya,
Prophet (sa) to the Promised eventually, all opposition to
Hadrat Sahib praised Allah as
Messiah (as), we must heed and Ahmadiyyat will meet with
fl the blessing of this channel was a
act on the guidance that was disgrace and the ames of
fi
ful llment of His divine
revealed to the Holy Prophet (sa) opposition will be extinguished.
promises.
and follow his example as well May the Ahmadi Muslims of Sri

as the example of his most Lanka and the world be steadfast
According to the Holy Qur’an
ardent and faithful devotee, the and seek Allah’s grace and
25:64, “And the servants of the
Promised Messiah (as). blessing and be triumphant in
Guidance from Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah strengthen his hands) 5
Gracious God are those who walk on
the earth in a dignified manner and
when the ignorant address them,
they say, ‘Peace!’” This verse is a
reminder to all Ahmadi Muslims
that they must put into practice
and act upon the guidance of the
Holy Qur’an and the Holy
Prophet (sa). Recall that, at the
conquest of Mecca, the Holy
Prophet (sa) exhibited amazing
humility and grace when,
instead of taking revenge on his
enemies, he granted amnesty
and dispensed peace and
security.
idle and absurd, and promote and to gain his divine protection.
May we follow Allah’s divine
peace and security in the world Amin.
commandments, avoid what is
in order to seek Allah’s pleasure
Divine attribute of As-Salaam (The Source of Peace)
Summary of the Friday Sermon delivered on May 18, 2007
In this Friday sermon, Hadrat truly and sincerely follows this world and in the Hereafter
Khalifatul Masih V (aa) Allah’s guidance, one may for those who do “good works.”
continued to discuss the divine experience His presence in this
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attribute of As-Salaam. very world. In order to receive We should re ect on the
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the bene cence that Islam has to importance of our adherence to
In his writings, the Promised offer, one must adhere to it by the teachings of Islam for Allah
Messiah (as) expressed his completely surrendering oneself derived the name of this religion
gratitude to Allah for bestowing to and abiding by Allah’s from one of His own attributes.
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upon us a religion, namely, commandments and guidance. One receives the bene cence of
Islam, which provides Allah named our religion Islam, not by merely professing
incomparable guidance for “Islam” because all of its to be a Muslim, but by
seeking and gaining His commandments necessarily lead inculcating the attribute of As-
nearness. The Promised Messiah to peace, love and unity in Salaam into oneself and into
(as) invoked blessings upon the society. Islam entails the one’s daily life.
Holy Prophet (sa) for teaching abandoning of all evil and In explaining the meaning of the
this faith to us, as well as upon striving towards gaining name “Islam”, the Promised
his dear companions who nearness to Allah. Through His Messiah (as) cited the Holy
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exempli ed the adherence of it attribute As-Salaam, Allah Qur’an 2:113 which states, “Nay,
in their daily lives. According to promises peace and security in whoever submits himself completely
the Promised Messiah (as), if one to Allah, while he is excellent in
Guidance from Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah strengthen his hands) 6
conduct, shall have his reward with
his Lord. Nor shall they fear, nor
shall they grieve”.
A true Muslim is one who
submits his or her entire being in
the way of Allah, is steadfast in
the performance of good
conduct, expends all of his or her
energy for Allah and considers
his or her entire existence to be
solely for seeking the love and
pleasure of Allah. A Muslim
demonstrates his or her
obedience to Allah by
committing good deeds purely
for the sake of Allah.
The Holy Qur’an 28:56 states,
“And when they hear vain talk, they
turn away from it and say, ‘Unto us
our works and unto you your works.
Peace be on you. We seek not the
ignorant.’”

When an Ahmadi Muslim
submits himself or herself to
Allah and strives to promote
peace and security in order to
seek His pleasure, such
submission is not just about
shunning that which is unruly
and disorderly but also includes
rejecting that which is frivolous
and vain. Ahmadi Muslims do
not take the law into their own vain and frivolous pursuits of associating themselves with the
hands. Rather, Ahmadi Muslims others simply because of Allah’s Holy Prophet (sa) and claiming
exhibit obedience and avoid the commandments. Despite to adhere to Allah’s command
Guidance from Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah strengthen his hands) 7