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Al Shirakatul Islamiyyah UZBEKISTAN – CRADLE OF ISLAMIC THOUGHT
DISTRIBUTION The background of the place which spawned the greatest Hadith
Muhammad Hanif scholars, great Islamic scientists and leaders.
All correspondence should be forwarded to the editor at: by Fazal Ahmad, UK............................................................................ 51
The Review of Religions
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Photos at the launch of
© Islamic Publications, 2007
ISSN No: 0034-6721 the Parliamemntary
report on Rabwah held
Views expressed in this publication are not
necessarily the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya at the House of Lords on
Muslim Community
26th January 2007
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Fazal Ahmad – London
and gas where increasingly the ‘It is now more urgent than ever
focus is shifting to alternative that the international community
energy sources. gets down to serious negotiations
on a comprehensive new world-
The debate is now growing in wide agreement to stop global
intensity and voices in Europe are warming.’(Stavros Dimas, EU
urging prompt action: Environment Commissioner)
But if a concensus is ever reached, they may sail through the sea
political action is likely to yield by His command, and the
results the efforts of the individual rivers too has He subjected to
cannot be under-estimated. you.
Reducing waste, being more
frugal with water and food, and And He has also subjected to
not wasting energy will all have an you the sun and the moon,
effect if enough of us start taking both performing their work
action in our own homes and daily constantly. And He has
business. It is waste that is subjected to you the night as
polluting the atmosphere, and well as the day.
waste that is filling huge holes in
the ground, and we need to And He gave you all that you
consider whether that is a fitting wanted of Him; and if you try
legacy for the generations to to count the favours of Allah,
come. you will not be able to number
them. Verily, man is very
However, amid the gloom, we unjust, very ungrateful.
should also bear in mind that the (Ch.56: Vs.69-74)
same God that created man, also
created the Earth and all of the The heaven and the earth have
resources that we use, and the plenty of resources to sustain us,
same God can create new avenues but we must first adopt the right
for man to sustain his existence, course.
just as the Qur’an explains:
Let us pray that the damage that
Allah is He Who created the has already been done is not a
heavens and the earth and climate change too far.
caused water to come down
from the clouds, and brought by Fazal Ahmad
forth therewith fruits for your
sustenance; and He has
subjected to you the ships that
The descent of the Holy Word of of his. In the same way, the word
God into the world and its being of God which has descended for
made known to God’s creatures the reform and guidance of
is the demand of the attribute of mankind, has descended by
Rahmaniyyat. The attribute of virtue of this attribute. There is
Rahmaniyyat is manifested with- no animate who can claim that
out being preceded by the action the Holy Word of God which
of any person and merely by the com-prehends His law has been
beneficence and bounty of God. revealed in consequence of any
God has created the sun and the action or effort of his or as the
moon and water and air, etc. for reward of his virtue. This is the
the welfare of His creatures and reason why despite the fact that
all this beneficence and bounty is there have been thousands who
by virtue of the attribute of claim to be pure and virtuous and
Rahmaniyyat. No one can claim who have spent their lives in
that these things have been piety and worship, yet the Holy
created as a reward of any action and Perfect Word of God which
of such need when the people of night becomes dark and no light
the world, through misguidance is left you realise that the
and error, have turned away from appearance of the new moon is
the right path and a new law is near. In the same way, when the
needed to bring them back to it, darkness of misguidance over-
which should remove their comes the world, sane reason
afflictions and lift their darkness appreciates that the appearance
totally by the light of its perfect of the spiritual moon is near. In
and healing statements, and the same way, when people are
should provide with its forceful afflicted with a drought, the wise
pronouncements the remedy among them consider the descent
which is needed by the corrupt of the rain of mercy very near.
condition of the world.
In His physical law also God has
But the converse that is held with appointed some seasons for rain
the Auliya’ is not preceded by during which God’s creatures are
this great need. Very often, the truly in need of rain. From the
purpose of such converse is to rain that descends during those
invest the soul of a saint with seasons, it cannot be concluded
steadfastness at a time of that at that time people do more
distress, or to convey some piece good and at other times they are
of good news to him at a time involved in vice. Those are
when he is overcome by sorrow seasons when cultivators are in
and grief. But the perfect and need of rain and the descent of
Holy Word of God Almighty that rain at that time becomes the
descends upon Prophets and cause of the growth of vegetation
Messengers is revealed, as we throughout the year. In the same
have just stated, when a true need way, the descent of the Word of
for it arises and when mankind is God is not on account of the
in dire need of its revelation. piety and righteousness of a
Thus the true cause of the particular person, that is to say,
descent of the Word of God is its the cause of the descent of such
proper need. When the whole word is not that a particular
person was very holy and Light, that observing this dark
virtuous, or was hungry and condition and having mercy on
thirsty for the truth. As we have the creatures afflicted with
written so often, the true cause of darkness, there was an upsurge in
the revelation of heavenly Books the attribute of Rahmaniyyat and
is their need, that is to say, that heavenly blessings addressed
gloom and darkness spread over themselves to the earth. That
the world and demand a heavenly dark condition became blessed
light which should dispel the for the world and the world
darkness. This is indicated in the thereby received a grand mercy
Divine Word in the verse: so that the Perfect Man and the
Chief of the Prophets, like whom
Surely, We sent it down on the there had been no one, nor ever
Night of Destiny will be, came for the guidance of
(Ch.97:V.2) the world and brought that bright
Book for the world whose match
This Night, according to its no eye has beheld. It was a great
common interpretation, is a manifestation of spiritual
Blessed Night, but some of the perfection of God that, at a time
verses of the Holy Qur’an of gloom and darkness, He sent
indicate that the condition of the down a Grand Light which is
darkness of the world is also a named the Furqan and which
Night of Decree on account of its distinguishes between truth and
hidden qualities. In that con- falsehood and which demon-
dition of darkness, sincerity and strated the coming of truth and
steadfastness, and piety and the disappearance of falsehood.
worship, have great value in the It descended upon the earth when
estimation of God. It was the earth had become spiritually
because of that condition of dead and land and sea had been
darkness which at the time of the greatly corrupted. By its descent
advent of the Holy Prophet(saw) it accomplished that to which
had arrived at its climax and God Almighty has pointed in the
demanded the descent of a Grand verse:
Know that Allah quickens the It is true, however, that the Word
earth after its death … of God descends only upon those
(Ch.57:V.18) of the elect with whom God is
pleased, but it is not true that
That is to say: The earth had died without any true need a heavenly
and God revived it afresh. Book is revealed to anyone with
whom God is pleased, or that
It should be remembered that the without any such need He
descent of the Holy Qur’an which necessarily and continuously
took place for the purpose of holds converse with such a one.
reviving the earth came about The Book of God is revealed
through the upsurge of the only when its need arises. The
attribute of Rahmaniyyat. This is true cause of Divine revelation is
the attribute which sometimes the Rahmaniyyat of God
manifests itself in a material way Almighty and not anyone’s
and causes the rain of mercy to action. This is a great verity of
descend upon dry land and thus which our opponents the Brahmo
makes provision for those who are Samajists and others are
afflicted with famine. The same unaware.
attribute sometimes surges up
spiritually and has mercy on the Then it should be understood that
condition of those who are hungry for anyone to become the
and thirsty and near unto death on recipient of the Grace of Divine
account of misguidance and error, revelation, and to arrive at his
and lack the nourishment of truth goal through its blessings and
and righteousness which is the lights and to obtain the fruits of
source of spiritual life. Thus the his effort, comes about by the
Gracious One, as He bestows support of the attribute of
nourishment upon the body at the Rahmaniyyat. This is why, after
time of need, so of His Perfect the attribute of Rahmaniyyat,
Mercy He provides spiritual Allah the Exalted cites the
nourishment also at the time of attribute of Rahimiyyat, so that it
need. should become known that the
equipped with diverse types of For instance, the grant of life and
faculties and capacities and his leisure and appropriate oppor-
being granted a term of life in tunity, and the possession of
health, peace and leisure. All faculties and strength, and the
these are matters that manifest prevention of anything that might
themselves in consquence of the disturb comfort and peace or
attribute of Rahmaniyyat. In the might prevent the heart from
same way, the Rahimiyyat of God paying full attention, and to be
is manifested when, possessing bestowed the needed capacity; all
all faculties, man employs those these are achieved through the
God-given faculties to accom- attribute of Rahmaniyyat. The
plish something and puts forth purpose of seeking blessings
his strength and effort, then it is through Rahimiyyat is that the
the way of the Divine that He Perfect Being should bless one’s
does not let his effort go waste efforts with good results, and
and blesses it with good results. should safeguard one’s hard
It is His Rahimiyyat which work against being wasted and
quickens his dead effort. should bless it in consequence of
the struggle and effort put forth.
The purpose of the verse is that Thus when beginning the study
when beginning the study of the of the Divine Word, and indeed
Holy Qur’an, help and blessing at the beginning of every great
should be sought from the effort, it is a high verity to seek
Rahmaniyyat and Rahimiyyat of blessings and help from the
God Almighty Who compre- Rahmaniyyat and Rahimiyyat of
hends all perfect attributes. The God Almighty. In this way, man
object of seeking blessings from learns the reality of the Unity of
Rahmaniyyat is that God, of His God, and becoming certain of his
Bounty and Beneficence, might own ignorance and unawareness,
provide all those means needed stupidity and error, and help-
before an effort is put forth in lessness and contemptibility, his
following Divine revelation. mind is fixed upon the Greatness
and Glory of the Source of all
after truth has to confess his own the slightest stir of the wind, or
nothingness, and has to testify to by being shaken by someone.
God the Glorious being the Such is the faith of the dry
Absolute Controller and the philosophers who do not rely on
Fountainhead of grace. These the Supporter of the universe and
two are the goal of the seekers do not realise their dependence
after truth and are a necessary during every moment upon Allah
condition for the acquisition of Who is the Fountainhead of all
the stage of being lost in God. To grace. These people are as far
understand this necessary from the Unity of God as
condition it is enough to know darkness is from light. They do
that even when there is not understand that to submit
widespread rain it falls only on oneself to the great power of the
the one who takes his stand at the All-Powerful, realising one’s
place where rain is falling. Only own nothingness, is the last stage
those who seek find and of servitude and is the extreme
thosewho ask are bestowed. point of the Unity of God, which
makes the spring of total
Those, who at the beginning of annihilation gush forth, and in
an enterprise, rely upon their which one is lost altogether to
skill, intelligence or strength, and one’s ego and its designs, and
do not put their trust in God believes truly in the complete
Almighty, do not value properly control of God. One should
the All-Powerful Who com- disregard the argument of the
prehends the whole world in His philosophers that there is no need
support. Their faith is like the dry to seek Divine help in beginning
branch which has no longer any an enterprise, inasmuch as God
relationship with its flourishing has already invested our nature
and green parent tree, and which with appropriate powers and it
has no part in its freshness and its would be an act of supereroga-
flowers and its fruits. It has only tion to supplicate Him again for
an apparent connection with the those powers.
tree which can be disrupted by
It is true that God Almighty has and our hearts and our souls, and
invested us with some powers for all the faculties of our souls, that
the doing of certain acts, but this it is a very fine problem, which is
does not mean that we are beyond the reach of human
thereby freed from the reason. It is not necessary to go
governance of the Supporter of further into the matter, for what
the universe and that He has we have said so far is enough to
separated Himself from us and refute the objection of our
has drawn away His support and opponents.
has deprived us of His limitless
grace. Whatever He has The only way of obtaining the
bestowed on us is limited, and grace of the Supporter of the
what we demand from Him is universe is to supplicate with all
without limit. Besides, we have one’s faculties and force and
not been given any power to strength. This is not a new way
accomplish that which is beyond but has been inherent from the
our strength. Indeed reflection beginning in man’s nature. A
would show that we have not person who desires to tread along
been given any power in its the path of servitude adopts this
perfection. For instance, our way, and the person who seeks
physical powers depend upon our the grace of God follows this
health, and our health depends on path, and the person who seeks
causes, some of which are Divine mercy obeys these eternal
heavenly and some are earthly, laws. These laws are not new like
and all of which are beyond our the god of the Christians, but are
power. In truth, the Supporter of firm laws which are eternal and
the universe, by virtue of His are the practice of Allah which
being the Cause of causes, so has been in operation all the time,
comprehends our external con- the truth of which is apparent to
ditions and our internal every sincere seeker on account
conditions and our first and our of the multiplicity of his
last, and our above and our experiences. Every blessing
below, and our right and our left, proceeds in this way that the
which is limited and special, and take precedence over Rahim, the
the rules of composition require verse has become a mirror of
that that which is limited should reality. A detailed account of this
precede that which is general and natural sequence will be set forth
unlimited and not vice versa. in the course of the discussion of
the other verses of the Surah
This is the objection which these Fatihah.
two gentlemen have raised with (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani
their eyes shut against a text the Khazain, Vol. I, pp. 414-435,
excellence of which has been footnote 11)
admitted by all the learned of
Arabia despite their opposition to
Islam, among whom were
included great poets. Great
enemies of Islam were wonder-
struck by the high grade of this
text and many of them who were
well-versed in judging the merits
of a composition and were men
of justice, finding the Qur’anic
composition beyond the reach of
human power and esteeming it a
great miracle, believed in it.
Their testimonies are referred to
at various places in the Holy
Qur’an … This ignorant
Christian does not appear to be
aware that true eloquence does
not demand that the small should
always precede the large, and
that the true rule is that a text
should be the mirror of reality.
Here also by making Rahman
Rabwah:
A PLACE FOR MARTYRS
Part one
Report of the UK Parliamentary Human Rights Group mission to Pakistan
into internal flight for Ahmadis. Foreword by Lord Avebury. Mission
members: Frances Allen, Michael Ellman, Jonathan Ensor.
By Dr Jonathan Ensor – UK
3 Jeremy Hornsby, Persecution of the Ahmadis in Pakistan, Parliamentary Human Rights Group, 1996. Jeremy Hornsby,
Persecution of the Ahmadis in Pakistan, Parliamentary Human Rights Group, 1996.
Ahmadis, pointing out that the made a similar point, noting that
Hindu community, who belong in small towns literacy is often
to a low economic class, receives poor, providing the Mullahs with
relatively little popular attention an uncritical audience. In such
and low levels of discrimination. areas, the Mullah has the power
The Ahmadis, however, tend to to tell the population how to
be an educated and successful behave – characterised as being
community whose members ‘for the good of their eternal
have historically risen to souls’ – and the people are likely
important positions in govern- to comply. The Senior
ment and civil society. Today, Government Advisor also
Ahmadis are prevented from explained that the funda-
accessing senior employment in mentalists are effective at using
state defence or civil institutions. the media and have always been
Faiz ur Rehman (President of adept at capturing the public
Amnesty International Pakistan) sphere. The result is that large
described the situation in similar sections of the population have
terms: prior to 1974 there had been made fearful of Islamo-
been a large number of Ahmadis phobia and of becoming a
in senior positions in the minority similar to the Muslim
Pakistan administration. This is community in India. The HRCP
now no longer the case: there are and British High Commission
no Ahmadi policy makers, (BHC) also noted the role played
judges, or educationalists. by the media. The HRCP
described the vernacular press as
The Senior Government Advisor having become virulently anti-
explained that in the large areas Ahmadi. State television
of Pakistan where literacy is low, contains broadcasts of anti-
people's understanding of unfa- Ahmadi rhetoric, including
miliar issues (such as Ahmadis) phrases such as ‘Ahmadis
is determined by what they hear deserve to die.’ Even in the
in the Mosque. Faiz ur Rehman traditionally liberal English
5. For more background detail, see, amongst other sources: US Department of State, International Religious Freedom
Report 2006, September 2006; and International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH): International Fact-Finding
Mission Report, “in Male Fide” Freedom of expression, of association and of assembly in Pakistan, 17 January 2005.
Nabuwwat, told the mission that stated that the Ahmadi com-
the purpose of Khatme munity was essentially a creation
Nabuwwat is to act against those of the colonial era British
who do not accept the finality of Government. He claimed that the
the prophet, to contradict them British had recognised Ahmad as
and to invite them to rejoin the a messiah out of political
faith. Mullah Arshad confirmed necessity and then had made use
that this role means that the of the Ahmadi sect to divide
focus of Khatme Nabuwwat is Muslims. According to Mr
on Ahmadis in particular. Rabnawaz the legacy of British
According to Khatme Nabuwwat sponsorship is Ahmadi power in
(Islamabad Chapter) the move- Pakistan today. This can be seen
ment against Ahmadis started from the fact that although there
when members of the Muslim are only around 125,000
community were attacked by Ahmadis in Pakistan, of whom
Ahmadis at Rabwah railway about 25,000 are in Rabwah,
station in 1974: the source told ‘Ahmadis hold 20-30% of the
the mission that ‘Ahmadis were power in Pakistan’, with Ahmadi
terrorists, and they are terrorists bureaucrats in the administration
today.’ providing support to other
Ahmadis.
Mr Rabnawaz, whom the mission
met with at the Khatme 2.3 Blasphemy Laws and First
Nabuwwat mosque in Rabwah, Information Reports (FIRs)
was more expansive in his Zia ul-Haq's 1984 Ordinance XX
explanation of Khatme introduced explicit references to
Nabuwwat’s views. Repeating Ahmadis in sections 298b and
the accusations referred to in the 298c of the Pakistan Penal Code
historical account of anti- (PPC) (see Appendix C: Copy of
Ahmadi agitation communicated Ordinance No. XX of 1984 and
by the Senior Government 1986 Amendment to the section
Advisor (above), Mr Rabnawaz 295c of the Pakistan Penal
Up to two years’
Injuring or defiling places of worship, with intent to
295 imprisonment or fine, or
insult the religion of any class
both
Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage Up to 10 years’
295a religious feelings of any class by insulting its imprisonment, or fine, or
religion or religious beliefs both
come from all directions and ‘nations are being prepared for
you will be provided this (Jalsa).’
succour.’
And indeed I would say that we
Then addressing the people, he are all witness to the fulfilment
further declares: of these words. Today by the
Grace of Allah we are holding
‘You can witness the succour Jalsa Salanas throughout the
of God, how it is coming and world and at this Jalsa Salana
how it is being manifested. that we are enjoying today – we
Everyone, who has eyes to have seen thousands and
see is running towards us’ thousands of people from almost
a hundred countries come to join
So, my brothers and my friends! in this very auspicious occasion
The above Divine glad tidings and there lies the Mercy and the
were given to the Promised Blessings of Allah and His
Messiah(as) when he was an assistance to His servants. Also
unknown person living in an with the help of MTA (Muslim
unknown place like Qadian. He Television Ahmadiyya), the
made his announcement on the whole world is benefiting from
occasion of the first Jalsa Salana these proceedings and through
when only 75 were present. the blessings of MTA millions of
Today, the fulfilment of this great people around the world,
prophecy is being witnessed by InshaAllah will be involved and
the whole world. We, who are will be participating in the
sitting here in this Jalsa Salana, International Bai’at Ceremony
can testify to the truthfulness of which will be InshaAllah taking
the succour and the help of Allah place later. So for those who
for the Promised Messiah(as). The wanted proof and all those
foundation of this blessed people who disbelieve about the
occasion was laid in 1891 in coming of the Promised
Qadian. On that occasion, the Messiah(as) – they only have to
Promised Messiah(as) declared, look but they need the eyes so
that they can look and all those loyal faith in God is also very
people and all those Muslims well documented. There is one
who criticise the coming of the incident that I would like to
Promised Messiah(as), if with a bit relate. He once received a
of open-mindedness they looked message from the Promised
at the blessings that this Jamaat Messiah(as) who at that time was
has received from Allah with his father-in-law Hadhrat
Almighty, they need not have Mir Nasir Nawab Sahib who was
any more convincing about the not feeling well and the Promised
succour that the Promised Messiah(as) had gone to see him in
Messiah(as) received from Allah Delhi. The Promised Messiah(as)
the Almighty. sent a telegram to Hadhrat
Maulvi Sahib and asked him to
The Companions of the Promised come and join him in Delhi.
Messiah(as) were infused with the When Hadhrat Maulvi Sahib
same piety and righteousness as received the message – the
were the Companions of the person who had sent the telegram
Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) and said ‘Come immediately’ –
they also witnessed the existence Maulvi Sahib was in his clinic
of Allah the Almighty. when he received the telegram –
and it is said that he stood up,
There are so many examples of while he was in surgery, sent a
the Companions of the Promised message to his wife, dismissed
Messiah(as) who have had their all the patients and left for
personal experiences of the Batala. Now there are many
succour and assistance from instances in the life of Hadhrat
Allah the Almighty. Maulvi Sahib that show that his
blind faith took him through
The devotion and obedience of some very difficult situations.
Hadhrat Maulvi Nooruddeen Very often he would make these
Khalifatul Masih I(ra), to the journeys totally unprepared not
Promised Messiah(as) is well having a penny in his pocket or
documented. His love and his any food yet Allah continued to
and distant yet close and He is heaven and the earth and all
the highest of the high…’ that is between the two in
(Roohani Khazain,Alwassiyat, play.
pp.309) (Ch.21:V.17)
Registan, Samarkand
References
1. Adamson, Iain, Ahmad the Guided
One, Islam International
Publications Ltd, Tilford, UK, 1990,
p.17-18
2. Macleod, Calum & Mayhew,
Bradley, Uzbekistan – The Golden
Road to Samarkand, Odyssey
Publications, Hong Kong 2004.
3. Schimmel, Annemarie, The Empire
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