The Devotion of Life - Its Importance and Blessings

560 Pages·2009·20.38 MB·English

(cid:3)ِ (cid:4)(cid:5)ِ (cid:7)(cid:6) (cid:8)ا (cid:10)ِ ٰـ(cid:13)ْ(cid:5)(cid:7)(cid:6) (cid:8)ا (cid:15)ِ ا (cid:3)ِ ْ(cid:16)(cid:17)ِ

∩⊇∉⊄∪ t⎦⎫ÏΗs>≈yèø9$# Éb>u‘ ¬! †ÎA$yϑtΒuρ y“$u‹øtxΧuρ ’Å5Ý¡èΣuρ ’ÎAŸξ|¹ ¨βÎ) ö≅è%
∩⊇∉⊂∪ t⎦⎫ÏΗÍ>ó¡çRùQ$# ãΑ¨ρr& O$tΡr&uρ ßNö(cid:3)ÏΒé& y7Ï9≡x‹Î/uρ ( …çμs9 y7ƒÎ(cid:2)Ÿ° Ÿω

THE DEVOTION OF LIFE

ITS IMPORTANCE AND BLESSINGS

by

Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz, OBE

Ameer Jamaat U.K. (1997-2001)
2

Name of Book: The Devotion of Life
Its Importance and Blessings

Writer: Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz
Former Ameer Jamaat U.K.

Year: 2009

Quantity: 1000

Edition : 1

Designing: Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Khadim
Tel. [phone]

Publisher: Ms. Sadiya Ayaz, M.B.B.S.
230 Worple Road, London SW20 8RH,
U.K.
Tel. [phone]
3

(cid:3)ِ(cid:4)(cid:5)ِ (cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)ا (cid:10)ِ (cid:11)ْ(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)(cid:8)ا (cid:13)ِ ا (cid:3)ِْ(cid:14)(cid:15)ِ
In the name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful.

DEDICATION

This humble effort of mine is dedicated to the Revered
Bashir Ahmed Orchard (26.04.1920 – 08.07.2002), the
first indigenous European Ahmadiyya Muslim Missionary.

Revered Bashir Ahmad Orchard Sahib
(26.04.1920 – 08.07.2002)

The Promised Messiahas always prayed that Allah the
Almighty enable people from amongst the Europeans to
devote their lives for the sake of Ahmadiyyat.
Accordingly, expressing this wish on 23 October 1903, he
said:

“We always pray and it has always been our ardent
desire that some such person rises from amongst the
Europeans who devotes a part of his life for this
Movement. But it is essential for such a person that he
spends some time in our company and gradually learns
the basic principles which can remove every stain from
the followers of Islam, and he fully understands those
powerful and grand arguments which can successfully
resolve this crisis. He can then go to other countries to
render this service. To bear the brunt of this service, a
pure and powerful soul is needed. The one who will
have that will be a most dignified beneficent person and
will be designated a magnificent person in heaven
before God.”
(Al-Badr, 29 October 1903)
4

Bashir Ahmad Orchard Sahib, First European
Ahmadi Missionary
5

The first manifestation of the fruit of the prayers of the
Promised Messiahas was John Bren Orchard who during the
time of Hadrat Musleh Maudra visited Qadian in 1945.
After an audience with Hadrat Musleh Maudra, he took the
pledge of allegiance at his hand, entering the fold of
Ahmadiyyat. Huzurra gave him the Muslim name of Bashir
Ahmed Orchard.

A Lieutenant in the Army posted on the India/Burma
border, Bashir Ahmed Orchard Sahib first received the
message of Ahmadiyyat in 1945 through Sergeant Abdul
Rehman Sahib Dehlvi.
Hadrat Musleh Maudra mentioned the incident of Orchard
Sahib’s visit to Qadian, his acceptance of Ahmadiyyat and
a sudden amazing change in his spiritual life with
admiration and affection. Huzurra said that after becoming
a Muslim and giving up drinking, he was ridiculed and
tempted by his colleagues to revert to his previous way of
life, but by the blessings of Allah the Exalted he remained
steadfast and gradually became stronger in faith and
practice. He became very regular in Salat prayers and grew
a beard. Eventually, he gave up his employment and
devoted his life to Islam. Huzurra said,

“Now he is preaching Islam in England. He is only
provided with meagre subsistence. The condition of
this person is that he regularly offers Tahajud (pre-
dawn prayer). He offers his Salat prayers in
congregation; offers extended supplications, has a
beard and no one can say he is English besides from
the look of his face. Everyone reckons that he is a
seasoned Muslim. If a person resident of Europe can
create such a profound change in him that he becomes
6

regular in Salat prayers, offers Tahajud prayer, and
adopts all the Islamic customs with pleasure, then
why can someone from India or another country not
follow these directions?”
(Formation of Pakistan and Our Responsibilities;
Published by Nashro-Ishaat – Lahore, 1948, P.18)
At the end of the Second World War, Bashir Orchard
Sahib arrived in England on 21 April 1946. He
relinquished the material array of England and entered the
heavenly array of Muhammad (Peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him), the Messenger of Allah. That is, he
devoted his life for Islam and Ahmadiyyat.

On 1 May 1947, at the instructions of Hadrat Musleh
Maudra he came to Qadian for education. On 4 May 1947,
a reception was held in honour of Bashir Orchard Sahib
which was also addressed by Hadrat Musleh Maudra.
Huzurra on this occasion delivered an enlightening address
in the English language. Huzurra said that,

“Allah the Exalted sent the Promised Messiahas to
bring together all the nations of the world and you are
that first person from your nation who had the
privilege of accepting him. You also have the good
fortune of devoting your life for preaching the
message he has brought. We pray for you that Allah
the Exalted bless you with steadfastness and each day
causes your sincerity and enthusiasm to enhance.

A time will come when the name of One God will be
firmly established all over the world and Ahmadiyyat
will be everywhere. At that time, the people of your
country will search through the books of history to
7

find out whether any Englishman had become
Ahmadi in the early period. When they will see that,
yes, there was a person, Bashir Ahmad Orchard, who
accepted Ahmadiyyat in the beginning and offered
extraordinary sacrifices, their hearts will be filled with
joy and gratification and they will say with delight
that the English nation fulfilled its obligation to serve.

At this time, no doubt, you are unknown and
unfamiliar but the time will come and come soon
when nations will take pride in your name and praise
your heroic deeds. So do not take your actions and
your conduct as ordinary and do not take these actions
to be just yours; those are in fact the actions of the
entire English nation. Those who will come later will
emulate your every act and follow your every word.

If your actions and your conduct will be in
accordance with Islam and will be elegant and
magnificent, then take note that because of that your
nation will become prosperous, but if they will not
comply with the true standard of Islam and will be
faulty, then your nation will be deprived of
advancement. So, always do your best to establish the
best example and leave behind a legacy of splendid
memories; otherwise Allah will raise someone else to
carry out this task.

During the time when Ahmadiyyat will become
predominant in the world and predominant definitely
it will become and no power can stop that, then your
greatness will rise immensely in the hearts of people;
much more than for the greatest of Prime Ministers.
8

So I admonish you to serve with sincerity and zeal
and leave behind the best example for the future
generations. In conclusion, I pray to Allah the Exalted
that His blessings and mercy remain with you always
and the purpose for which you have made a
beginning, its completion be a success. Ameen.”

(Al Fazl, 6 May 1947)

May Allah continue to elevate his soul in heaven. He was a
magnificent person in every respect and a source of
spiritual inspiration. I personally relished his company and
benefited a great deal from his wisdom. May we soon see
the day when by Allah’s Grace there will be uncountable
Orchards of Ahmadiyyat in this country. May Allah enable
all his children and his dear

ones to devotedly follow in his footsteps to serve
Ahmadiyyat. Ameen.

Iftikhar Ayaz
May 2009.

* * * * * * *
9

A Letter of Blessings by
Syedna Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V aba

In the name of Allah, The Gracious, The Merciful

We praise Allah and invoke His blessings upon His noble Prophetsaw And
upon His servant, the Promised Messiahas

With the Grace and Mercy of Allah.
He is the Helper.

(Translation from Urdu)

London, 30.05.05:

My dear Dr. Iftikhar Ahmad Ayaz Sahib,

(cid:2)(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)(cid:6)(cid:7)و (cid:9)ا (cid:11)(cid:12)(cid:13)(cid:6)(cid:14) (cid:15)(cid:5)(cid:16)(cid:17)(cid:18) م(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:22)ا

I have received your Publication titled ‘The Devotion of
Life – Its Importance and Blessings’ (Urdu Edition).
Thank you. It is an excellent effort. May Allah reward
you with countless blessings and may Allah accept all
your righteous desires and give you success in your
noble endeavours, and may you always remember to
follow the path seeking the pleasure of Allah. May Allah
be your Preserver and Helper and always protect you
from trials and tribulations.

May He always remain as your protector Himself!
Ameen.

م(cid:3)(cid:4)(cid:5)او
Signed:
Mirza Masroor Ahmad
Khalifatul Masih V
10

CONTENTS

Chapter Page

Acknowledgements 21
Introduction 25
Prologue 26
Preface 29
Prelude 34
Foreword 37
Some Reviews of the Urdu Edition 44

1. Importance and Blessings of The Devotion of Life 49
Meanings of Islam 54
Three Types of ‘Waqf’: First kind of ‘Waqf’ 57
Second kind of ‘Waqf’ 59
Third kind of ‘Waqf’ 61
The Mention of ‘Waqf’ in the Holy Quran 62
Commandment of the Promised Messiahas 65
Example of Hadrat Ibrahimas 66
The Foremost ‘Waqifeen-e-Zindagi’ (Life Devotees) 68
Literal definition of the word ‘Waqf’ 68
Summary of the Research 70
‘Waqfe Zindagi’ in Jama’at Ahmadiyya 71
‘Waqfe Zindagi’ in the Holy Quran 71
Literal Meaning of Islam 71
Conventional Meaning of Islam 71
To Become Allah’s Servant in Belief and in Actions 72
Two kinds of ‘Waqf’ for Allah 73
A Human Being becomes God-Like by devoting life
for Allah 75
Complete ‘Waqfe Zindagi’ 76

2. Appeal for ‘Waqf’ in Different Ages 83
Companions of the Prophetsaw and ‘Waqfe Zindagi’ 84
A Glance at the Jama’at of the Companions 86
The Tradition of ‘Waqf’ Among the Muslims 94