muhammad (saw): man, leader, prophet

A publication of the Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, Nigeria

ISSN 1596 - 3187Volume 52, No. 1

March 2013

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ajlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (MKA), literally meaning 'Association of Servants of the True Islam' and also known as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Organization M

(AMYO), was founded in 1938 by Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) and is the youth section of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Consisting Ahmadi members between ages 15 and 40, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya (MKA) is an auxiliary organization of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Community, saddled with the task of organizing members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at between the ages of seven and forty years to present the peaceful message of Islam to the entire world.

Its aims are to train and educate its members, including Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya, (male children between ages 7 and 15) in the true Islamic teachings, selfless service to Islam, country and mankind at large.

The Nigerian Branch of the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya was established in 1972 with branches across twenty States of the Federation.

ObjectivesOne of its principal objectives is the moral and spiritual training of

youth through a mixture of religious and secular activities. It is dedicated to ensuring its members develop and excel in qualities such MKA Nigeria also promotes a biennial National Sports Festival.as piety, honesty and fair dealing so that they can better contribute to the country in which they live. Islam Awareness

The activities of MKA are not limited to the Muslim community. It MKA Nigeria is actively engaged in presenting the peaceful serves the needs of all members of society irrespective of colour, message of Islam and removing common misconceptions and race, religion or creed and promotes interfaith dialogue and co- misunderstandings about the faith. It firmly believes that tolerance, operation in order to promote peace and harmony. engagement, interaction and debate are vital to understand the true

teachings of Islam.Service to Humanity It is involved in a number of programmes ranging from providing MKA Nigeria has a longstanding reputation of working with Islamic literature to a wide-ranging public. It also publishes a bi-

charities and bringing succour to people affected with disasters. This annual magazine Al-'Irfan to educate youth and promote the reading work ranges from assisting the charities with fundraising to culture.organising charity events. MKA Nigeria also runs a website (www.mka-ng.org) where

Additionally, MKA Nigeria has been working with the National information about the organization and its activities are updated.Blood Transfusion Service for many years and is now a regular donor provider throughout its branches in Nigeria. Blood donation sessions Annual Ijtema (Convention)are now held at various mosques belonging to the Ahmadiyya This is MKA Nigeria's flagship event of the year when thousands Muslim Community. congregate for a three-day convention. Members participate in

MKA Nigeria also participates in monthly environmental religious education and sporting competitions which add an extra sanitation exercises across many states of Nigeria. element of healthy rivalry between members.

Its first Ijtema (convention) was held in 1972 in Ibadan, Oyo State. Educational Services The Ijtema sees the culmination of a whole year's work for the various MKA Nigeria has been at the forefront of providing excellent regional and local branches of MKA with awards given to the most

educational services to both its members and non-members. It has outstanding achievers. More importantly this event enables members established, in conjunction with other individual Ahmadi members, to strengthen and foster new relationships in the spirit of brotherhood.an elementary school, the Fazl-Omar Nursery and Primary School at Ojokoro Lagos State in1996 to provide qualitative education to Leadershipmembers of the Community. It also organises free tutorial classes for Since its establishment, Majlis Khuddam-ul Ahmadiyya Nigeria students preparing for public examinations. has been led by the following National Presidents (Sadr):

Bro A.W.A. Aina 1972 -1978Health and Fitness Bro H.T.Z. Okunnu 1978-1980Sports events such as football, Taekwondo, ping pong are held on a Bro A.H. Oyetunji 1981-1986

national, regional and local basis. At national events, which are Dr. M.A. Fashola 1986-1990rotated annually with different regions given the responsibility of Bro A.O. AbdusSalam 1990-1995organising them, regions compete against each other for the crown in Bro A.W. Matepo 1995-2000that particular sport. Apart from the physical competitiveness of these Bro A.O. Iromini 2000-2005events, and regional or local rivalries, members get the opportunity to Dr. Saheed Timehin 2005-2009meet, network and, most importantly, develop bonds of brotherhood Bro T.A. Oladoja 2009-2010with other members from all around Nigeria. Bro A.O. Abdul Qadir 2010-till date

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About MKA


ISSN 1596 - 3187Volume 52, No. 1

March 2013

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Sadr AbdulQadir Abdul RafiMuhtamim Isha'at Murtadha OriolowoEditor-in-Chief AbdulGaniyy AdiamohMembers AbdurRaheem Ismail

AbdulGaniyy OmopariolaHamid BolajiAhmad Talabi

Contributor Muhd. Qasim Oyekola

Layout & Design Layipo ConceptsIbadan, Oyo [email protected]

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Contents

Editorial Board

Al-'Irfan Magazine is published by the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria, the youth organization of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at Nigeria.

Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily representative of the official position of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community or any of its affiliate bodies.

All correspondence should be forwarded to:The EditorAl-'Irfan MagazineMajlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya NigeriaP.O. Box 418, Lagos State, NigeriaEmail: [email protected] / [email protected]: 08079165432; 08026980159; 07056547478

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About MKA 2

Holy Qur'an 4

Hadith 5 & 4

saHoly Prophet Muhammad : The Grand Reformer 6 - 9

The Prophet (saw) for Mankind 10-14

Editorial 15

From The Sadr’s Desk 16

Guest Khuddam 17-18

saMuhammad : Man and Leader 19-24

Gallery 23

saMuhammad : The Liberator of Women25-28

The Prophet’s Relationship with God29-33

Holy Prophet: A Role Model in the Establishment of Peace in the World

34-38

10 Conditions of Baiat 42

n the name of Allah, the Gracious, Ithe Merciful.Verily you have in the Prophet of

Allah an excellent model, for him who fears Allah and the Last Day and who remembers Allah much.

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From the Holy Qur’an

he Prophet was humanity's best specimen and a ever any man had a right to say that he ruled by a right perfect model in beauty and beneficence. In all Divine, it was Muhammad, for he had power without its the various facets of his variegated life and instruments and without its supports. He would do his T

character he stands unrivalled and an excellent household work with his own hands, would sleep upon a exemplar for men to copy and follow. His whole life lies leathern mat and his menu consisted of dates and water before the floodlight of history. He started life as an or barley-bread, and after having done a full day of orphaned child and ended with being an arbiter of the multifarious duties, he would spend the hours of night in destinies of a whole nation. As a boy, he was sedate and prayer and supplication till his feet got swollen. No man dignified and at the threshold of youth he was a perfect under so vastly changed circumstances and conditions example of moral virtue, righteousness and sobriety. In had changed so little. To quote Rev. B. Smith [again]: middle age he won the title of Al-Amin, i.e., the trusty “On the whole, the wonder is not how much but how and truthful, and as a business man he proved himself to little, under different circumstances, Muhammad be honest and scrupulous. He married ladies both much differed from himself. In the shepherd of the desert, in older and much younger than himself and all of them the Syrian trader, in the solitary of Mount Hira, in the swore by his faithfulness, love and godliness. As a reformer in the minority of one, in the exile of Medina, father, he was most affectionate, and as a friend most in the acknowledged conqueror, in the equal of the loyal and considerate. When entrusted with the great Persian Chosroes and the Greek Heraclius, we can still and difficult task of reforming a corrupt society and trace substantial unity. I doubt whether any other man subjected to persecution and exile, he bore it all with whose external conditions changed so much, ever dignity and decorum. He fought as a soldier, and himself changed less to meet them.”commanded armies. He faced defeat and won victories. Such was Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam He legislated and decided cases. He was a politician, a whom the verse under comment describes as an statesman, a teacher and a leader of men. Head of the excellent exemplar and a perfect model and as state as well as the Church he was, as a great writer has humanity's unerring guide for all time. The Holy described him, Caesar and Pope in one; but he was Pope Prophet's goodness and greatness indeed stand without the Pope's pretentions, and Caesar without the unrivalled and unmatched, incomparable and legions of Caesar. Without a standing army, without a unapproachable.bodyguard, without a palace, without a fixed revenue, if

mercy for His frail creatures and world, for all peoples and for all times. This is a special His forgiveness. In this connection, characteristic and a great distinction indeed. The result

the Holy Prophet (may peace of Allah and His blessings be was that his God-granted mission extended to every on him) says, in another ? adith that when, on the day of people, to every country and to every age and he was Judgment, the people will be seized with extreme panic declared the perfect and Perfected manifestation of God. and consternation, despairing of all others, they will In other words, it meant that as God of the entire world is ultimately turn to him, and then, he will intercede for them One, through His appointment, there was likewise one with God, and that, his intercession will be accepted. prophet for the entire mankind.

The fifth destination of the Holy Prophet is that whereas Allah! Bless Mu?ammad and grant him and his offspring the former prophets were sent to particular peoples for peace.particular periods of time, he was raised for the entire Culled from Forty Gems of Beauty

From the Hadith

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Narrated by Jabir, Allah be pleased with him: The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said:

“I have been granted five distinctions which none of the Prophets was granted before me. Firstly, I have been reinforced with awe extending as far as a month’s journey, secondly the entire earth has been made for me a mosque and a means of purity, thirdly, the booty of war has been made lawful for me; it was never made lawful before me; fourthly, I have been granted the honor of intercession with the Lord and fifthly, while Prophets before me were commissioned to their particular people, I have been sent to the entire Mankind.”

(Bukhari)

From the Hadith

Five Distinctions Granted to the Holy Prophet

n this ? adīth our Chief (may my life be dedicated to event of non-availability of water, a Muslim can perform his service) has detailed five distinctions granted to Tayammum in place of Wu?ū. This combination of water him exclusively which go to show his exalted station and earth is in keeping with the creation of Adam who was I

and the abounding mercy of Allāh the Excellent on him. created, according to Qur’ānic idiom, out of moist earth.His first distinction is the divine gift of awe extending to His third distinction is that, as against the laws of earlier

as far as a month’s journey. [The] history of Islām religions, which required the war booty to be burnt, the furnishes strong supporting evidence showing how Islāmic law allowed the Holy Prophet to use the booty that notwithstanding his apparently slight physical frame and fell in his hands, as lawful. The wisdom underlying this unostentatious living, an enemy would tremble in awe was firstly to stop this needless wastage of national wealth, before him, surely a God-given gift. Even it so happened and secondly to teach aggressors the lesson that if they did on many occasions that the enemy planned to attack not desist from oppressing others, their own wealth would Medina and as the Holy Prophet (peace of Allāh be on him be taken away from them and given to the oppressed; and and His blessings) sallied forth with a small group of thirdly to provide the weak among Muslims with a source companions, to meet him, he (the enemy) fled on the first of strength in the Islāmic defensive wars.alarm. Again when the Holy Prophet (peace of Allāh be on The fourth distinction of the Prophet is the grant to him of him and His blessings) addressed a letter to the Roman the highest office of intercession. Shafā‘at literally means Caesar inviting him to accept Islām and the Caesar learnt ‘mate’ or ‘like,’ and according to the idiom too it does not further details about him he exclaimed, “If I could go and mean common prayer. Instead it signifies the special office pay obeisance to this Messenger of Allāh, I would indeed held by a favorite of God by virtue of his dual role, on the consider it a great honor if he permitted me to wash his one hand, of close contact with God and on the other of his feet.” near association with men. He is entitled to intercede with

The second distinction of the Holy Prophet is that the the Lord. The gist of this intercession would run as entire earth has been made a mosque for him. As a result of follows: “O God, in the name of your past favors to me and this, a Muslim can offer Prayers anywhere as and when the my heartfelt solicitude for the good of your creatures (or time for his Prayer comes and he does not require a special some particular individual from amongst them), I beg and place for worship like followers of other faiths. This was pray that have mercy on your poor frail creatures and grant necessary in order to facilitate the extensive campaign of them your forgiveness,” urging, on the one hand, the plea the Muslims to carry the message of Islām all over the of his special contact with Him and on the other the world. Similarly, the earth was made for him the means of heartfelt solicitude for the welfare of His creatures (or for purification. A minor aspect of this is the fact that in the that matter a particular person), begging thereby of Him

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From the Malfoozat

which were found in the different Prophets and said with regard to him: “Thou dost possess the highest moral qualities.” [Al-Qalam, 68:5]

The word 'azim in Arabic idiom is used as connoting the highest quality of a thing. For instance, when a big tree is called 'azim, it would mean that it possesses all the height and width and bulk that is possible for a tree to possess. Thus, this verse means that all the high moral qualities and excellent characteristics which a human being can possess, were all present in the fullest degree in the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]. Thus, this is the highest possible praise. This is also indicated in another verse: “God has bestowed His grace upon thee in the largest measure and no Prophet can be equal in rank with thee.” Al-Nisa', 4:114

This praise is mentioned in Psalm as a prophecy concerning the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] as is said: “Therefore, God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. (Psalms 45:7).

[Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 1 pp. 605-606, sub-footnote 3]

Holy ProphetSA's Superiority over All the ProphetsThe Holy Qur'an shows that every Prophet was a

follower of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] as is said: “You shall believe in him and help him.” [Al-e-'Imran, 3:82]

In this way, all Prophets became followers of the Holy saHoly Prophet Brought Morals to Perfection Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him].n meekness and gentleness, Moses stood higher [Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Part V, Ruhani Khaza'in, than all the Prophets in Israel and no other Prophet Vol. 21, p. 300]in Israel, whether Jesus or anyone else, I The Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on

approached the lofty station of Moses. The Torah bears him] combines the names of all the Prophets in himself witness that in meekness and gentleness and in moral inasmuch as he possessed all their diverse excellences. qualities Moses was higher than all the Prophets in So he is Moses and Jesus and Adam and Abraham and Israel. The third verse of the twelfth chapter of Numbers Joseph and Jacob. This is indicated in the verse: “… So says that Moses was very meek, above all the men follow thou their guidance” meaning that the Holy which were upon the face of the earth. Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] should

God has in the Torah praised the meekness of Moses as combine in himself all the diverse guidance which other He has not praised any other Prophet in Israel. It is true, Prophets had brought.however, that the high moral qualities of the Holy This shows that the dignity of all Prophets was Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] that combined in the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of are mentioned in the Holy Qur'an are thousands of times Allah be on him]; and his name Muhammad [peace and more exalted than those of Moses. God has said that the blessings of Allah be on him] also points to this, for it Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] means greatly praised, and great praise can only be combined in his person all the high moral qualities imagined when all the varied excellences and special

saHoly Prophet Muhammad : The Grand Reformer

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qualities of the different Prophets are combined in the no reason can present any argument which is not already Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]. presented in it. No speech can affect the hearts so There are many verses in the Holy Qur'an which set powerfully as the strong and full of blessings effect it forth clearly that the being of the Holy Prophet [peace produces upon millions of hearts. Undoubtedly it is a and blessings of Allah be on him] on account of its clear mirror reflecting the perfect attributes of the qualities and excellences, was a combination of all the Divine in which all is found that is needed by a seeker to Prophets. Every Prophet finding in him an appropriate arrive at the highest grades of understanding.relationship with himself imagined that he would come [Surmah Chashm Arya, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 2, under his name. pp. 71-72, footnote]

At one place the Holy Qur'an sets forth that this The Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on Prophet has the closest relationship with Abraham [Al- him] was the best of the Prophets and had a higher status e-'Imran, 3:69]. In a Hadith of Bukhari, the Holy than all the Messengers, and God desired that as by his Prophet [peace and blessings of personal qualities he was the Chief of all the Prophets,

Allah be on him] says that he has a close relationship so from the point of view of his overt services also, he with Jesus and that his being is combined with the being might be proclaimed to the world as better and higher of Jesus. This confirms the saying of Jesus that the Holy than all. Therefore, God Almighty extended his Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] would beneficence to the whole of mankind, so that his efforts appear under his name and so it happened that when our and his endeavours might be generally manifested and

Messiah [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] should not be confined to a particular people, as was the appeared, he completed the incomplete works of the case with Moses and Jesus, and so that enduring severe Messiah of Nazareth and bore witness to his truth and persecution from every direction and every people, he cleared him of the calumnies which the Jews and the should be entitled to the great reward which will not be Christians had uttered against him, and thus gave bestowed upon other Prophets.pleasure to the soul of Jesus. [Brahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 1,

[A'ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. pp. 653-654]5, p. 343] It is my belief that if, leaving the Holy Prophet [peace

Divine revelation is a mirror in which the perfect and blessings of Allah be on him] aside, all the Prophets attributes of God Almighty are seen, according to the who had preceded him had combined to perform the inner cleanliness of the Prophet who is the recipient of task and to carry out the reform which the Holy Prophet the revelation. As the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] performed and of Allah be on him] was higher than all the other carried out, they would not have been able to do so. Prophets in the purity of his soul, the expansion of his They had not the heart and the strength which had been mind, his chastity, modesty, sincerity, trust, fidelity and bestowed upon the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings love of the of Allah be on him]. If anyone should say that this shows

Divine, God, the Glorious, anointed him with the disrespect towards the other Prophets, he would be perfume of special excellence in excess of any other guilty of uttering a calumny against me. It is part of my Prophet. His bosom and heart which were broader and faith to honour and respect the Prophets, but the Holy holier and more innocent and brighter and more loving Prophet's superiority to all other Prophets is the than the bosom and heart of any who had passed before principal part of my faith and my whole being is him, and who were to come after him, were considered saturated with it. It is not within my power to exclude it.worthy that such Divine revelation should descend Let my unfortunate opponent, who is sightless, say upon him as should be stronger and more perfect, higher what he pleases, but our Holy Prophet [peace and and more complete, than the revelation vouchsafed to blessings of Allah be on him] performed a task, which all those who were before him and all those who were to all the others combined together, or separately, could come after him, and which should serve as a clear, wide not have performed.and large mirror for reflecting Divine attributes. That is 'That is Allah's grace; He bestows it on whom He why the Holy Qur'an possesses such high excellences pleases.'Al-Jumu'ah, 62:5 that the brightness of all previous books is cast into the [Malfuzat, Vol. II, p. 174]shade before its fierce and brilliant rays. No mind can The holy books of the Jews state clearly that a savior put forth a verity which is not already contained in it and like Moses will be sent for them. This means that he

From the MalfoozatsaHoly Prophet Muhammad : The Grand Reformer

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would appear at a time when the Jews would be passing believe that it alone is the truth.” [Muhammad, 47:3]through a state of suffering and humiliation as was There are hundreds of other verses in which the claim imposed upon them in the time of Pharaoh. Then they has been put forward clearly that the Holy Qur'an is the would be delivered from torment and disgrace by Word of God and that Muhammad, the chosen one believing in him. There is no doubt that our lord and [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] is His true master Muhammad, the chosen one [peace and Prophet. But the verses that we have set out should blessings of Allah be on him] was the personage for suffice.whom the Jews had been waiting throughout the ages We would remind our opponents that this claim is not and in whom the prophecy of the Torah was most clearly put forth in any other book as forcefully as it has been fulfilled. When the Jews believed in him many great put forth in the Holy Qur'an. We are very eager that the kings were raised among them. This is clear proof that Aryas should show from the Vedas that the four Vedas God Almighty forgave their sins because of their claimed to be the word of God and set forth clearly that accepting Islam and had mercy on them as was they were revealed to such and such a person at such and promised in the Torah. such a time. For a book, on behalf of which it is claimed

[Ayyam-us-Sulah, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 14, pp. that it is from God, it is a primary necessity that it should 302-303] set forth this claim clearly. It would be an impertinence

The greatness that was bestowed upon Jesus was on to attribute to God a book which gives no indication of account of his following the Holy Prophet Muhammad its being from God.[peace and blessings of Allah be on him] for Jesus was A second matter which is worth mentioning is that not informed of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of only has the Holy Qur'an claimed that it is from God and Allah be on him] and believed in him and attained that the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be salvation through his belief. on him] is the Messenger of Allah, but has also

[Al-Hakam, 30 June 1901, p. 3] established this claim with strong and powerful arguments. We shall set forth all these arguments in their

sa order, but for the moment we present the first argument Holy Prophet and the Holy Word of Godso that seekers after truth should be able to compare in he Holy Qur'an emphatically affirms that it is this respect other books with the Holy Qur'an. We also the Word of God and that our lord and master, invite every opponent that if this method of proof TMuhammad [peace and blessings of Allah be establishes the truth of a book and is found in their books on him] is His true Prophet and Messenger, on whom also, they should set it forth in their papers and journals; that Holy Word has descended. This claim is clearly set otherwise, we would have to conclude that their books forth in the following verses: “Allah is He beside Whom lack this proof of high degree. We affirm with full there is none worthy of worship. All life and sustenance confidence that this method of proof will not be found in is from Him. He has sent down to thee this Book in their religion and if we are in error, they should prove it.accordance with truth and the requirements of truth.

(Al-e-'Imran, 3: 2 - 4)saAgain: “O mankind, the Messenger has indeed come Devotion to the Holy Prophet

to you with Truth and with the requirements of truth.[ n our estimation, there is no greater testimony than Al-Nisa', 4:171] the testimony of the Holy Prophet [peace and

Again: “We have revealed this Discourse to you in Iblessings of Allah be on him]. My heart trembles accordance with the requirements of truth and with truth when I hear that any person who is confronted with a has it descended.” [Bani Isra'il, 17:106] decision of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of

Again: “O mankind, there has come to you a manifest Allah be on him] does not accept it and turns away from proof from your Lord, and We have sent down to you a it.clear Light.” [Al-Nisa', 4:175] [Itmam-ul-Hujjah, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 8, p. 293]

Again: “Proclaim to all people: I have been sent as a The Muslims are a people who are ready to lay down Messenger to you all. [Al-A'raf, 7:159] their lives to uphold the honour of their Holy Prophet

Again: “Allah will forgive their sins and improve their [peace and blessings of Allah be on him]. They would lot, who believe and perform good deeds and believe in prefer to die rather than endure the disgrace that they this Book which has been revealed to Muhammad should make peace and become friends with such [peace and blessings of Allah be on him], and also people who are occupied day and night with abusing the


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Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] is who brought us to the shore;and mention his name with contempt in their books, May I be a sacrifice; he alone is the guide.journals, and announcements and use vile language He removed the screen, and showed the secret path;with reference to him. Such persons are not the well- He joined the hearts to the Beloved, such a friend he is!wishers even of their own people, for they create That Friend, beyond all physical limitations, that numberless difficulties for them. I tell you truly that it is Unseen Beloved;possible for us to make peace with the serpents of the We saw through him, so he is the true guide.jungle and the wild beasts of the forests, but we cannot Today he is the King of faith; the Crown of the make peace with those who do not refrain from apostles;speaking ill of God's Prophets and who consider that He is pure and holy, this is his eulogy.abuse and vituperation mean victory. All commandments ordained by the True God were

True victory is that which comes from heaven. demonstrated in practice by him;[Chashma-e-Ma'rifat, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 23, He revealed all secrets, an excellent gift is this.

pp. 385-386] His vision is far-reaching like a telescope, his heart is The insults that have been offered to Islam and the close to the Friend;

Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him], In his hands is the light of faith; he is the fountain of the attacks that have been made against Divine Law and light.the apostasies and heresies that have become He revealed the weighty secrets of faith;widespread, cannot be matched in any other age. Is it not He is the King who grants wealth.true that in a short while in India alone a hundred I am a sacrifice at that light; I belong entirely to him;thousand people have become Christians, and more He is all, what worth do I possess? This is the final than sixty million books have been published in verdict.opposition to Islam, and people belonging to high That Unique Beloved is the source of all learning;families have lost their religion, and those who used to All else is a mere tale, this is the truth unblemished.describe themselves as the descendants of the Holy We found everything through him, O Allah You are a Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] have witness;put on the garment of Christianity and have become his He is that manifestor of Beauty, who showed us the enemies, and numberless books full of vile abuse of the Truth.Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him] We were blind of the heart, with hundreds of knots have been published? My heart cries out with tears that upon the hearts;if these people had murdered my children before my The one who opened the locks is this very Mujtaba eyes, and had cut to pieces my sincere friends, and had accepted one.killed me with great humiliation, and had possessed [Qadian ke Arya aur Hum, Ruhani Khaza'in Vol. themselves of all my property, I would not have been so 20, p. 456]pained and my heart would not have been so hurt as it has been pained and hurt by the insults offered to the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be on him].

[A'ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza'in, Vol. 5, pp. 51-52]

saOur Leader (Urdu Poem)He is our leader, who is the source of all light;

saHis name is Muhammad ; he alone is my beloved.All Prophets are holy, one better than the other;But from the Almighty, he is the best of the creation.He is far better than those before him, he is a darling in

his qualities;Every eye is focused on him, he is the full moon which

dispels all darkness.Those who came earlier, were fatigued halfway; He it

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he Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stated: his pious practices was immeasurable. A verse such as this 'If one has knowledge of the life experiences of the has not been stated in the glory of any other Prophet. His Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on soul was so pure and honest and his practices were liked by T

him) and is fully aware what was the condition of the world God to such an extent that Allah the Exalted gave the at the time and upon coming what the Prophet (peace and perpetual commandment that in future people should blessings of Allah be on him) did, one calls out in a trance- invoke blessings on him as a mark of gratefulness.'like state 'O Allah bless Muhammad'. I say most truthfully, It is a believer's task to read the teaching brought by the it is not mere thought and imagination, the Holy Qur'an and Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and world history fully bear testimony to what the Holy Prophet to note his blessed model and when trying to put it in (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) did. Otherwise practice, also invoke blessings (Durud) on him in why would it have been stated exclusively for him: 'Allah gratefulness of the tremendous favour of this benefactor of and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye who mankind. He guided us to the way that leads to God by believe! you also should invoke blessings on him and salute showing us practices regarding all aspects of life. He him with the salutation of peace.' (33:57). Such a call was showed us the standards of worship of God and generated not made for any other Prophet. The only man who came to the perception of service to mankind in believers. All this this world with complete success and complete conciliation demands that while invoking blessings and salutations on was him; who was called Muhammad (peace and blessings him, we make the world aware of this teaching and this of Allah be on him). blessed model and inform them about his grace and favours.

It is evident from this verse that the pious practices of the When aspects of his blessed life are put before the outsiders, Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) were those with the slightest of fairness in them, cannot help but such that Allah the Exalted did not specify any word to praise in spite of holding contrary views. Today those who praise them or quantify his attributes. Words would have raise objections about him or his teachings are either devoid been found but they were not used. That is to say, praise of of fairness or do not know about his blessed life and do not

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

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The Sermon

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try to know either. It is our task to make the world aware of considerable degree of moral courage and conviction.'the blessed life of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah John Draper wrote: 'Four years after the death of be on him) and for this every medium/resource should be Justinian, A.D. 569, was born at Mecca, in Arabia, the man used. who, of all men has exercised the greatest influence upon

There are some who are so embroiled in the world that the human race Mohammed, by Europeans surnamed “the they are more influenced by worldly people or are more Impostor." He raised his own nation from Fetichism, the influenced by their own people rather than hear about the adoration of a meteoric stone, and from the basest idol Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) from worship ; he preached a monotheism which quickly a Muslim. Therefore viewpoints of their own people, scattered to the winds the empty disputes of the Arians and writers and scholars, regarding the Holy Prophet (peace and Catholics, and irrevocably wrenched from Christianity blessings of Allah be on him) should be taken to such more than half, and that by far the best half of her people. Today I present extracts from the writings of such possessions, since it included the Holy Land, the birthplace people who were impressed by the Holy Prophet (peace and of our faith, and Africa, which had imparted to it its Latin blessings of Allah be on him) and wrote about him. Some of form. That continent, and a very large part of Asia, after the them were opponents but wrote the truth. lapse of more than a thousand years, still remain

Stanley Lane-Poole wrote that it was thus that permanently attached to the Arabian doctrine. With the Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) utmost difficulty, and as if by miracle, Europe itself entered again his native city and forgave those who were his escaped.blood-thirsty enemies. He writes that through all the annals Mohammed possessed that combination of qualities of conquest there is no triumphant entry comparable to this which more than once has decided the fate of empires. A one. preaching soldier, he was eloquent in the pulpit, & valiant in

H. G Wells writes in his book 'Outline of History' that the field. His theology was simple : " There is but one God." those who knew the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah The effeminate Syrian, lost in Monothelite and be on him) believed in him first and that he was not an Monophysite mysteries; the Athanasian and Arian, destined imposter. He also wrote: 'there can be no denying that Islam to disappear before his breath, might readily anticipate what possesses many fine and noble attributes' and said that he meant. Asserting that everlasting truth, he did not engage Islam created a: 'society more free from widespread cruelty in vain metaphysics, but applied himself to improving the and social oppression than any society had ever been in the social condition of his people by regulations respecting world before'. personal cleanliness, sobriety, fasting, prayer. Above all

Lieutenant Gen. Sir John Glubb wrote: 'Whatever opinion other works he esteemed almsgiving and charity.'(John the reader may form when he reaches the end of this book, it William Draper, A History of the Intellectual development is difficult to deny that the call of Muhammad seems to bear of Europe', pp. 329 330)a striking resemblance to innumerable other accounts of William Montgomery wrote in his book 'Muhammad at similar visions, both in the Old and New Testaments, and in Medina': 'The more one reflects on the history of the experience of Christian saints, possibly also of Hindus Muhammad and of early Islam, the more one is amazed at and devotees of other religions. Such visions, moreover, the vastness of his achievement. Circumstances presented have often marked the beginnings of lives of great sanctity him with an opportunity such as few men have had, but the and of heroic virtue. To attribute such phenomena to self- man was fully matched with the hour. Had it not been for his delusion scarcely seems an adequate explanation, for they gifts as a seer, statesman, and administrator and, behind have been experienced by many persons divided from one these, his trust in God and firm belief that God had sent him, another by thousands of years of time and by thousands of a notable chapter in the history of mankind would have miles of distance, who cannot conceivably have even heard remained unwritten. It is my hope that this study of his life of each other. Yet the accounts which they give of their may contribute to a fresh appraisal and appreciation of one visions seem to bear an extraordinary likeness to one of the greatest of the sons of Adam.'another. It scarcely appears reasonable to suggest that all Reverent Bosworth Smith wrote: 'Head of the State as these visionaries "imagined" such strikingly similar well as the Church, he was Caesar and Pope in one; but he experiences, although they were quite ignorant of each was Pope without the Popes pretensions, and Caesar other's existence.' without the legions of Caesar, without a standing army,

He wrote about the early Muslim migration to Abyssinia: without a bodyguard, without a police force, without a fixed 'The list seems to have included very nearly all the persons revenue. If ever a man ruled by a right divine, it was who had accepted Islam and the Messenger of God must Muhammad, for he had all the powers without their have remained with a much reduced group of adherents, supports.' (R. Bosworth Smith 'Muhammad and among the generally hostile inhabitants of Makkah, a Muhammadanism'. Page 262)situation which proves him to have possessed a “Those who knew him best his wife, his eccentric slave,


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his cousin, his earliest friend, he who, as Mohammed said, would seize him eagerly and cordially by the hand. With the alone of his converts, “turned not back, neither was bereaved and afflicted he sympathised tenderly. Gentle and perplexed” were the first to recognize his mission… (R. unbending towards little children, he would not disdain to Bosworth Smith 'Muhammad and Muhammadanism'. Page accost a group of them at play, with the salutation of peace. 106) He shared his food, even in times of scarcity, with others;

He also wrote: 'On the whole, the wonder is not how much and was sedulously solicitous for the personal comfort of but how little, under different circumstances, Muhammad every one about him. A kindly and benevolent disposition differed from himself. In the shepherd of the desert, in the pervades all these illustrations of his character.Syrian trader, in the solitary of Mount Hira, in the reformer Mohammad was also a faithful friend. He loved Abu Bekr in the minority of one, in the exile of Madinah, in the with the close affection of a brother; 'Ali with the fond acknowledged conqueror, in the equal of the Persian partiality of a father. Zeid, the Christian slave of Khadija, Chosroes and the Greek Heraclius, we can still trace was so strongly attached by the kindness of the Prophet, that substantial unity. I doubt whether any other man whose he preferred to remain at Mecca rather than return home external conditions changed so much, ever himself changed with his own father : ' I will not leave thee,' he said, clinging less to meet them.' (R. Bosworth Smith 'Muhammad and to his patron, ' for thou hast been a father and a mother to Muhammadanism'. Page 141) me.' The friendship of Mohammad survived the death of

Washington Irving wrote: 'His military triumphs Zeid, and his son Osama was treated by him with awakened no pride nor vainglory, as they would have done distinguished favour for the father's sake. 'Othman and had they been effected for selfish purposes. In the time of 'Omar were also the objects of a special attachment; and the his greatest power, he maintained the same simplicity of enthusiasm with which, at Al-Hodeibiya, the Prophet manners and appearance.' (Washington Irving, The Life of entered into ' the Pledge of the Tree ' and swore that he Mahomet, page 272) would defend his beleaguered son-in-law even to the death,

Sir William Muir wrote: was a signal proof of faithful friendship. Numerous other 'Thorough and complete in all his actions, he took in hand instances of Mohammad's ardent and unwavering regard

His habits no work without bringing it to a close. The same might be adduced. And his affections were in no instance habit pervaded his manner in social intercourse. If he turned misplaced; they were ever reciprocated by a warm and self-in conversation towards a friend, he turned not partially, but sacrificing love.with his full face and his whole body. ' In shaking hands, he In the exercise of a power absolutely dictatorial, was not the first to withdraw his own ; nor was he the first to Mohammad was just and temperate. Nor was he wanting in break off in converse with a stranger, nor to turn away his moderation towards his enemies, when once they had ear.' cheerfully submitted to his claims. The long and obstinate

'A patriarchal simplicity pervaded his life. His custom was struggle against his pretensions maintained by the to do everything for himself. If he gave an alms he would inhabitants of Mecca might have induced its conqueror to place it with his own hand in that of the petitioner. He aided mark his indignation in indelible traces of fire and blood. his wives in their household duties…' He was to all easy of But Mohammad, excepting a few criminals, granted a access' even as the river's bank to him that draweth water universal pardon; and, nobly casting into oblivion the from it,… memory of the past, with all its mockery, its affronts and

Embassies and deputations were received with the utmost persecution, he treated even the foremost of his opponents courtesy and consideration. In the issue of rescripts bearing with a gracious and even friendly consideration. Not less on their representations, or in other matters of State, marked was the forbearance shown to 'Abdallah and the Mohammad displayed all the qualifications of an able and Disaffected citizens of Medina, who for so many years experienced ruler… And what renders this the more strange persistently thwarted his designs and resisted his authority, is that he was never known himself to write' nor the clemency with which he received the submissive

'A remarkable feature was the urbanity and consideration advances of tribes that before had been the most hostile, with which Mohammad treated even the most insignificant even in the hour of victory.' (Sir William Muir, 'The Life of of his followers. Modesty and kindliness, patience, self- Muhammad' pp. 511 513)denial, and generosity, pervaded his conduct, and riveted 'It is strongly corroborative of Mohammad's sincerity that the affections of all around him. He disliked to say No. If the earliest converts to Islam were not only of upright unable to answer a petitioner in the affirmative, he preferred character, but his own bosom friends and people of his silence… He was not known ever to refuse an invitation to household; who, intimately acquainted with his private life, the house even of the meanest, nor to decline a proffered could not fail otherwise to have detected those present however small… He possessed the rare faculty of discrepancies which ever mere or less exist between the making each individual in a company think that he was the professions of the hypocritical deceiver abroad and his favoured guest. If he met anyone rejoicing at success he actions at home.' (Sir William Muir, 'The Life of

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Muhammad' p. 55) legislation, empires, peoples and dynasties but millions of Thomas Carlyle wrote: 'One other circumstance we must men in one third of the inhabited world, and more than that,

not forget: that he had no school learning; of the thing we moved the altars, the gods, the religions, the ideas, the call school-learning none at all. The art of writing was but beliefs and the souls on the basis of a Book, every letter of just introduced into Arabia; it seems to be the true opinion which has become law. He created a spiritual nationality of that Muhammad never could write! Life in the Desert, with every tongue and of every race.'its experiences, was all his education. What of this infinite He also wrote: 'Philosopher, orator, apostle, legislator, Universe he, from his dim place, with his own eyes and warrior, conqueror of ideas, restorer of rational dogmas, the thoughts, could take in, so much and no more of it was he to founder of twenty terrestrial empires and of one spiritual know. Curious, if we will reflect on it, this of having no empire, that is Muhammad. As regards all standards by books. Except by what he could see for himself, or hear of which human greatness may be measured, we may ask, is by uncertain rumour of speech in the obscure Arabian there any man greater than he?'Desert, he could know nothing. The wisdom that had been John Devonport wrote: 'Is it possible to conceive, we may before him or at a distance from him in the world, was in a ask, that the man who effected such great and lasting manner as good as not there for him. Of the great brother reforms in his own country by substituting the worship of souls, flame beacons through so many lands and times, no the one only true God for the gross and debasing idolatry in one directly communicates with this great soul. He is alone which his countrymen had been plunged for age'[who there, deep down in the bosom of the Wilderness; has to brought about great, enduring reformations] 'to have been a grow up so, -- alone with Nature and his own Thoughts.' mere impostor, or that his whole career was one of sheer

He also wrote: 'How he was placed with Kadijah, a rich hypocrisy? Can we imagine that his divine mission was a Widow, as her steward, and travelled in her business, again mere invention of his own of whose falsehood he was to the Fairs of Syria; how he managed all, as one can well conscious throughout ? No, surely, nothing but a understand, with fidelity and adroitness; how her gratitude, consciousness of really righteous intentions could have her regard for him grew: the story of their marriage is carried Mohammed so steadily and constantly without ever altogether a graceful intelligible one, as told us by the Arab flinching or wavering, without ever betraying himself to his authors. He was twenty five; she forty, though still most intimate connections and companions, from his first beautiful. He seems to have lived in a most affectionate, revelation to… to his last…'peaceable, wholesome way with this wedded benefactress; He also wrote: 'So much so that it may be affirmed with loving her truly, and her alone. It goes greatly against the certain truth, that if the Western princes had been lords of impostor theory, the fact that he lived in this entirely Asia instead of the Saracens and Turks, they would not have unexceptionable, entirely quiet and commonplace way, till tolerated Muhammadanism as Muhammadans have the heat of his years was done.' tolerated Christianity, since they persecuted, with the most

Carlyle wrote: 'Our current hypothesis about Muhammad, relentless cruelty, those of their own faith whom they that he was a scheming Impostor, a Falsehood incarnate, deemed heterodox.'that his religion is a mere mass of quackery and fatuity, In his book The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential begins really to be now untenable to anyone. The lies, which Persons in History Michael Hart wrote: 'My choice of well-meaning zeal has heaped round this man, are Muhammad to lead the list of the world's most influential disgraceful to ourselves only... It is really time to dismiss all persons may surprise some readers and may be questioned that. The word this man spoke has been the life-guidance by others, but he was the only man in history who was now of a hundred and eighty millions of men these twelve supremely successful on both the religious and secular hundred years. These hundred and eighty millions were levels.made by God as well as we. A greater number of God's How, then, is one to assess the overall impact of creatures believe in Muhammad's word at this hour, than in Muhammad on human history? Like all religions, Islam any other word whatever. Are we to suppose that it was a exerts an enormous influence upon the lives of its followers. miserable piece of spiritual legerdemain, this which so It is for this reason that the founders of the world's great many creatures of the Almighty have lived by and died by?' religions all figure prominently in this book. Since there are

A French philosopher Lamartime writes in his book roughly twice as many Christians as Muslims in the world, 'History of Turkey': 'If greatness of purpose, smallness of it may initially seem strange that Muhammad has been means, and outstanding results are the three criteria of ranked higher than Jesus. There are two principal reasons human genius, who could dare to compare any great man in for that decision. First, Muhammad played a far more modern history with Muhammad? The most famous men important role in the development of Islam than Jesus did in created arms, and empires only. They founded, if any at all, the development of Christianity. Although Jesus was no more than material power which often crumbled away responsible for the main ethical and moral precepts of before their eyes. This man merged not only armies, Christianity (insofar as these differed from Judaism), St.

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Paul was the main developer of Christian theology, its human ideas about the divine to an unacceptably high level principal proselytizer, and the author of a large portion of and almost makes them a form of idolatry.' (Karen the New Testament. Armstrong, Muhammad: A Biography of the Prophet, page

Muhammad, however, was responsible for both the 27).theology of Islam and its main ethical and moral principles. Annie Besant writes in her book 'The Life and Teachings In addition, he played the key role in proselytizing the new of Muhammad': 'It is impossible for anyone who studies the faith, and in establishing the religious practices of lslam. life and character of the great Prophet of Arabia, who knows Moreover, he is the author of the Muslim holy scriptures, how he taught and how he lived, to feel anything but the Quran, (however, the Muslims believe and try to prove reverence for that mighty Prophet, one of the great that it is the literal word of God), a collection of certain of messengers of the Supreme. And although in what I put to Muhammad's insights that he believed had been directly you I shall say many things which may be familiar to many, revealed to him by Allah. Most of these utterances were yet I myself feel whenever I re-read them, a new way of copied more or less faithfully during Muhammad's lifetime admiration, a new sense of reverence for that mighty and were collected together in authoritative form not long Arabian teacher.'after his death. The Quran, therefore, closely represents Ruth Cranston wrote: 'Muhammad (peace and blessings Muhammad's ideas and teachings and to a considerable of Allah be on him) never instigated fighting and extent his exact words. No such detailed compilation of the bloodshed. Every battle he fought was in rebuttal. He teachings of Christ has survived. Since the Quran is at least fought in order to survive…and he fought with the weapons as important to Muslims as the Bible is to Christians, the and in fashion of his time… Certainly no 'Christian' nation influence of Muhammad through the medium of the Quran of 140,000,000 people who today dispatch (this is a book has been enormous. It is probable that the relative influence written in 1949) 120,000 helpless civilians with a single of Muhammad on Islam has been larger than the combined bomb can look askance at a leader who at his worst killed a influence of Jesus Christ and St. Paul on Christianity. On bare five or six hundred. The slayings of the Prophet of the purely religious level, then, it seems likely that Arabia (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in the Muhammad has been as influential in human history as benighted and bloodthirsty age of the seventh century look Jesus.' positively puerile compared with our own in this 'advanced'

Karen Armstrong writes in her book 'Muhammad - A and enlightened twentieth. Not to mention the mass Biography of the Prophet': 'Muhammad had to start slaughter by the Christians during the Inquisition and the virtually from scratch and work his way towards the radical Crusades when, Christian warriors proudly recorded, they monotheistic spirituality of his own. When he began his “waded ankle-deep in the gore of the Muslim infidels.'mission, a dispassionate observer would not have given him May the world understand and acknowledge the station of a chance. The Arabs, he might have objected, were just not this greatest person of the world and try and take refuge in ready for monotheism: they were not sufficiently developed his teaching so that it is saved from chastisement. Thus is for this sophisticated vision. In fact, to attempt to introduce the station of the Seal of all the Prophets which each it on a large scale in this violent, terrifying society could be Ahmadi has to publicise. Yesterday a Khatm e Nabuwat extremely dangerous and Muhammad would be lucky to (Finality of Prophethood) rally took place in Rabwah in escape with his life. which nothing more than political matters and vulgar

Indeed, Muhammad was frequently in deadly peril and his matters were discussed. This in a rally which they took out survival was a near-miracle. But he did succeed. By the end in the name of ardent love of the Holy Prophet (peace and of his life he had laid an axe to the root of the chronic cycle blessings of Allah be on him)! May God give them sense. It tribal violence that afflicted the region and paganism was is the task of the Ahmadis to present the reality of Khatm e no longer a going concern. The Arabs were ready to embark Nabuwat.on a new phase of their history. (Karen Armstrong, I also appeal for prayer for the Muslim Ummah. May God Muhammad - A Biography of the Prophet page 53-54) give sense to the Muslim leaders not to play with the blood

Finally it was the West, not Islam, which forbade the open of their citizens and may God give sense to the citizens not discussion of religious matters. At the time of the Crusades, to become a tool in the hands of wrong leaders and kill each Europe seemed obsessed by a craving for intellectual other. May God give sense to Muslim governments not to conformity and punished its deviants with a zeal that has become tools in the hands of outsiders. These days there is been unique in the history of religion. The witch-hunts of tension between Turkey and Syria. The anti-Islam powers the inquisitors and the persecution of Protestants by the make Muslim fight Muslim and take advantage of it. May Catholics and vice versa were inspired by abstruse God give sense to Muslim Ummah.theological opinions which in both Judaism and Islam were seen as private and optional matters. Neither Judaism nor Islam share the Christian conception of heresy, which raises


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he present world is highly polarized. Different ideologies, beliefs and cultures are in constant clash. As they clash, human lives are lost; properties are destroyed; goodwill thins T

out. It is saddening to note that the activities of some adherents of Islam have gotten the Peaceful Religion a central role in this clash of cultures. And as its opponents find every way to discredit it, they bring the name of its Noble Prophet Muhammad saw into the mud.

or starters, Islam is one of the Abrahamic religions which arose from the Middle East. Its prophet, Muhammad (saw) declared in the year 610 A.D. that he was a Prophet of God who had been F

sent with the Divine Message of bringing the world back to God. He declared that all the earlier Prophets, from Adam (as) to Jesus (as) were all given special tasks by God Almighty, whom Muslims refer to as Allah. His message did not invalidate the teachings that Allah had sent through the earlier Prophets; in fact, he was commissioned to be the Seal of all the Prophets, validating that which had been revealed before him.

uhammad was a man like any other man. He was a man would anyone act contrary to all who walked in the shadows of God Almighty. He did not these and say he fulfills the wishes say anything of his own except what he was commanded Mof the Prophet?by God to say. The compendium of the teachings, instructions and laws

he present edition of Al-that Allah handed down to humans through Muhammad is known as Irfan seeks to present the the Quran. Throughout his life, a full sixty-three years, Muhammad character of the Holy Tpractically lived the Quran. His wife, Aisha (ra) said that the character

Prophet of Islam. We have lifted of the Holy Prophet was the Holy Quran.whole articles from the book Life he adherents of Islam believe that Muhammad was infallible. of Muhammad, written by Hazrat They look up unto him for examples on how to live their lives. Mirza Bashirudeen Mahmud His companions had ensured that every aspect of his life was TAhmad, Second Khalifa to the recorded; what he said and what he did. Just before his death, Promised Messiah and Imam Muhammad (saw) proclaimed that he was leaving two things for Mahdi. We enjoin our readers to people to follow: The Quran and his practices, known as The Sunnah. make efforts to read the original Today, many Muslim strive to be like Muhammad.book.owever, there are people who regard this Holy Man as a

e hope that by this villain, a blood-lust Arab marauder. This is far from the truth. attempt, a new light They do not hesitate to drag the Prophet's name into any H Wwould be shed into situation, without having recourse to what the Prophet actually did in

the personality of the Holy his lifetime and in what context he did what. More disturbing is the fact Prophet. that some Muslims could attribute anything in their whimsical mind to

e hope that while you the Prophet. The Prophet for instance never engaged in guerilla enjoy this edition, warfare. All the wars he ever fought were defensive and utterly Wyou may let us know provoked. He gave clear and unambiguous directives on the need to

your comments through email on protect civilians, to protect public utilities, places of worship and to [email protected]. commit to peace at the earliest opportunity. When a group he was

entering an agreement with contested his use of 'Prophet of Allah' in AbdulGaniyy Adiamohdescribing himself, he used 'Son of Abdullah', knowing that removing Editor-in-Chiefthat clause does not detract from his being a Prophet of Allah. Why


ISSN 1596 - 3187Volume 52, No. 1

March 2013

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Editorial


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his year, the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, the youth wing of the global Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama'at clocked 75 years. Established in 1938 under the divine guardianship of Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-deen Mahmud Ahmad, Second T

Successor to Imam Mahdi and the Promised Messiah (as), the Majlis Khuddam has as its principal objectives the moral and spiritual training of youth. It is dedicated to ensuring its members develop and excel in qualities such as piety, honesty and fair dealing so that they can better contribute to the country in which they live.

The goal of reformation of the youth was not a far-fetched idea. The bulk of activities that either make or mar societies are engaged in by the youths. This implies that if the youths of a society are responsible, patriotic and fellow-feeling, such a society has every ingredient to become great. However, if the youths of a society are despondent, cruel and irresponsible, the foundation of such a society is very shaky, and not before long, such a society will collapse into chaos. Thus, the goal for reformation of the youth is very critical to the health and stability of the society.

In Nigeria, the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya was established in 1972. Forty-one years into the activities of the Organisation, it is important that we measure our achievements and chart the path to our glorious future. Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya in Nigeria started with a group of highly committed members, who believed in the power of human agency in changing the course of history, and who acknowledged that without the support and help of Almighty Allah, human agency could achieve nothing. These brothers, led by the first Qaid (leader), Bro. A.W.A. Aina charted the path we now follow today.

From those days of modest beginning till now, the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya has waxed stronger. The Majlis Khuddam has been led by some of the best youth leaders Nigeria could produce - leaders who rely on God Almighty and who walk in His shadow in all of their decisions. These leaders have followed the footpath of the Holy Prophet Muhammad saw in the conduct of the affairs of the Majlis Khuddam. Today, the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Nigeria proudly stands up to its motto of 'Model for World Youths'.

Over the years, the Majlis Khuddam has organized programs that seek to enrich the human capital. It has established schools where hundreds of young minds are being tutored on how to become beneficial to themselves and to the society as a whole; land-owning schemes have been successfully concluded; different training programs in varying professional areas have been conducted. In all these, members of the Majlis are

In these verses, Allah (swt) through our always mindful of their duty to the society, armed with the knowledge that while they pay Prophet (saw) hands down to us a beautiful their dues to the society, they pay their dues to Allah the Almighty.teaching on how productive lives in the What implications are in these for the development of our society?service of God should be led. It is important to note that no human being will realise his/her full potentials without

For us as MKAN members, we strive to true service to Almighty God. As Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran: make these and other righteous acts the “ And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me.”focus of our activities. It is on these that we Foremost in the worship of Allah is recognising His Unity and Oneness and offering the measure our achievements and march prescribed Prayers, doing good to others and establishing justice in the land. As Allah forward at all times.says in the Holy Quran:

We recognise that this is a march of a “ It is not righteousness that you turn your faces to the East or the West, but truly lifetime, and we continue to trudge on.righteous is he who believes in Allah and the Last Day and the angels and the Book and

May Allah (swt) continue to ease our the Prophets, and spends his money for love of Him, on the kindred and the orphans tasks and count us members of the and the wayfarer and those who ask for charity, and for ransoming the captives; and Household of the Holy Prophet on the Day who observes Prayer and pays the Zakat; and those who fulfill their promise when they of Judgment. Amin.have made one, and the patient in poverty and afflictions and the steadfast in time of

war; it is these who are the God-fearing.”Abdurl Rafi’ Abdul QadirSadr (President)

From the Sadr’s Desk

Measuring Achievements, Moving Forward

Measuring Achievements, Moving Forward


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Guest Khaddim

Muhammad Salih Akewugberu

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| MARCH 2013

Guest Khaddim

Abdul Ghaniyy Omopariola

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saMuhammad : Man and Leader


The Prophet's (sa) Personality And Character respects, but when a whole people combines to confer upon an individual the titles of "The Trusty" and "The

e would now attempt a short sketch of the True", that is evidence of the possession of exceptional character of the Holy Prophet (sa). In this qualities. Had it been the practice of the people of Mecca to connection we have available the collective confer such a distinction upon some individual in each W

testimony of his own people which they bore to his generation, even then the recipient would have been character before he claimed to be a Prophet (sa). At that looked upon as occupying a high position. But the history stage he was known among his people as "The Trusty" and of Mecca and of Arabia furnishes no indication that it was "The True" (Hisham). There are living at all times large customary for the Arabs to confer these or similar titles numbers of people against whom no charge of dishonesty upon eminent individuals in each generation. On the is preferred. There are also large numbers who are never contrary, through centuries of Arab history we find that it exposed to a severe trial or temptation and in the ordinary was only in the case of the Holy Prophet (sa) of Islam that affairs and concerns of life they behave with honesty and his people conferred the titles of "The Trusty" and "The integrity, yet they are not regarded as worthy of any special True". This is proof of the fact that the Holy Prophet (sa) distinction on that account. Special distinctions are possessed these qualities in so eminent a degree that within conferred only when the life of a person illustrates in a the knowledge and the memory of his people no other conspicuous degree some high moral quality. Every individual could be regarded as his equal in these respects. soldier that goes into battle puts his life in jeopardy but not The Arabs were well known for their keenness of mind and every such British soldier has been regarded as worthy of what they chose to regard as rare must in truth have been the award of the Victoria Cross, nor every such German rare and unique.soldier of the Iron Cross. When the Holy Prophet (sa) was summoned by, God to

There are hundreds of thousands of people in France who assume the burden and responsibilities of prophethood, his occupy themselves with intellectual pursuits but not every wife, Khadija (ra), testified to his high moral qualitiesan one of them is decorated with the Legion of Honour. The incident which has been related in the biographical portion mere fact, therefore, that a man is trustworthy and true of this General Introduction. We shall now proceed to does not indicate that he possesses eminence in these illustrate some of his high moral qualities so that the reader

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[Life of Muhammad]

may be able to appreciate even those aspects of his render it impure (Bukhari and Muslim, Kitab al-Birr character which are not generally well known. Wassila).

The Prophet’s Purity of Mind &Cleanliness of Body The Prophet’s sa Simple Life It is related of the Holy Prophet (sa) that his speech was The Prophet (sa) was extremely simple in the matter of

always pure and that he was (unlike most of his food and drink. He never expressed displeasure with ill-contemporaries) not given to the use of oaths (Tirmidhi). prepared or ill-cooked food. If he could eat such food he This was something exceptional for an Arab. We do not would do so to save the person who had prepared it from imply that the Arabs at the time of the Holy Prophet (sa) disappointment. If, however, a dish was uneatable, he habitually indulged in foul language, but there is no doubt merely refrained from partaking of it and never expressed that they were in the habit of punctuating their speech with his disapproval of it.a generous measure of oaths, a habit that persists among When he sat down to a meal he paid attention to the food them even to this day. The Holy Prophet (sa), however, placed before him and used to say that he did not like an held the name of God in such reverence that he never attitude of indifference towards food as if the person eating uttered it without full justification. was above paying attention to mere matters of food and

He was very particular, even punctilious, with regard to drink. When any eatable was presented to him he always physical cleanliness. He used to brush his teeth several shared it with those present. On one occasion somebody times a day and was so keen on the practice that he used to presented him with some dates. He looked round and after say that were he not afraid that the ordinance might prove making an estimate of the number of people present onerous, he would make it obligatory upon every Muslim divided the dates equally among them, each of them to brush his teeth before every one of the five daily prayers. receiving seven. Abu Huraira (ra) relates that the Holy He always washed his hands before and after each meal Prophet (sa) never ate his fill even of barley bread and, after eating anything that had been cooked, he always (Bukhari).rinsed his mouth and considered it desirable that every On one occasion while he was passing along a road he person who had eaten anything cooked should rinse his noticed some people gathered round a roast kid ready to mouth before joining in any of the prayers (Bukhari). enjoy the feast. When they saw the Holy Prophet (sa) they

In the polity of Islam a mosque is the only place of invited him to join them, but he declined. This was not due gathering prescribed for the Muslims. The Holy Prophet to his not having a liking for roast meat but to the fact that (sa), therefore, laid particular stress upon the cleanliness of he did not approve of people indulging in a feast in the mosques, especially on occasions when people were open where they could be observed by poor people who expected to collect in them. He had directed that on such had themselves not enough to eat. It is related of him that occasions incense should be burnt in the mosques to purify on other occasions he did partake of roast meat. 'A'isha (ra) the air (Abu Dawud). He also gave directions that nobody has related that the Holy Prophet (sa) did not, till the day of should go to a mosque on the occasion of a congregation or his death, on any occasion, eat his fill on three consecutive gathering after eating anything that was likely to exhale an days. He was very particular that a person should not go to offensive odour (Bukhari). a meal in another person's house uninvited. On one

He insisted upon streets being kept clean and clear of occasion somebody invited him to a meal and requested twigs, stones, and all articles or matter which was likely that he might bring four other persons with him. When he either to obstruct or to prove offensive. Whenever he arrived at the house of his host he found that a sixth person himself found any such matter or article lying in a street he had also joined his party. The host came to the door to would remove it, and he used to say that a person who receive him and his party and the Holy Prophet (sa) drew helps to keep streets and roads clean and clear, earns his attention to the fact that there were now six of them and spiritual merit in the sight of God. He is also reported to that it was for the host to decide whether he would permit have enjoined that public thoroughfares should not be so the sixth person to join them in the meal or whether the used as to cause obstruction nor should any unclean or latter should depart. The host, of course, readily invited the undesirable matter or article be thrown on to a public sixth person also (Bukhari, Kitab al-At'ima).street, nor should a street be defiled in any other way, as all Whenever the Holy Prophet (sa) sat down to a meal he such acts are displeasing to God. He was very keen that all always began to eat by invoking the name and blessings of supply of water conserved for human use should be kept Allah, and as soon as he concluded he rendered thanks in clean and pure. For instance, he prohibited anything being these words: "All praise is due to Allah, Who has given us thrown into standing water which might befoul it and any to eat: Praise, abundant and sincere and ever-increasing: reservoir of water being used in a manner which would Praise, which does not leave an impression upon one's

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mind that one has rendered enough praise but which the meaning of the verse. 'Umar (ra) also explained its creates in one's mind the feeling that enough has not been meaning and passed on. Abu Huraira (ra), like all said and the praise which ought never to be terminated and Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa), was loath to make a which makes one think that every divine act is worthy of direct request and when he perceived that his indirect praise and should be praised. Oh Allah! do Thou fill our attempts to draw attention to his condition had failed, he hearts with these sentiments." Sometimes he used these began to feel very faint. Thereupon he heard his name words: "All praise is due to God Who has satisfied our being called in a very soft and tender voice. Looking to the hunger and thirst. May our hearts ever yearn after His side from which the voice came he saw that the Holy praise and never be ungrateful to Him." He always Prophet (sa) was looking out from the window of his house admonished his Companions to stop before they had eaten and was smiling. He inquired of Abu Huraira (ra): "Are their fill and used to say that one man's food should always you hungry?" to which Abu Huraira (ra) replied: "Verily, O suffice for two. Messenger of Allah (sa)! I am hungry." The Holy Prophet

Whenever any special food was prepared in his house he (sa) said: "There is no food in our house either, but used to suggest that a portion of it should be sent as a somebody has just sent us a cup of milk. Go to the mosque present to his neighbours; and presents of food and other and see whether there are any other persons there who may articles used constantly to be sent from his house to his be hungry like you." Abu Huraira (ra) goes on to relate: "I neighbours' houses (Muslim and Bukhari, Kitab al-Adab). thought to myself, I am hungry enough to consume the

He always tried to ascertain from the faces of those who whole of the milk in the cup, yet the Prophet (sa) has asked were in his company whether any of them was in need of me to invite any other persons that may be in a similar sustenance. Abu Huraira (ra) relates the following situation, which means that I shall get very little of the incident: On one occasion he had been without food for milk. But I had to carry out the Prophet's (sa) orders, so I over three days. He stood at the entrance to the mosque and went into the mosque and found six persons sitting there observed Abu Bakr (ra) passing near. He asked Abu Bakr whom I brought with me to the Prophet's sa door. He gave (ra) the meaning of a verse of the Qur'an which enjoins the the cup of milk into the hands of one of them and asked him feeding of the poor. Abu Bakr (ra) explained its meaning to drink. When he had finished and put away the cup from and passed on. Abu Huraira (ra) when relating this incident his mouth the Prophet (sa) insisted upon his drinking a used to say with indignation that he too understood the second time and a third time till he had had his fill. In the Qur'an as well as Abu Bakr (ra) did. His object in asking same way he insisted upon every one of the six drinking the latter to explain the meaning of the verse had been that his fill of the milk. Each time he asked anyone to drink I Abu Bakr (ra) might guess that he was hungry and might was afraid that little would be left for me. After all the six arrange to get food for him. Shortly after, 'Umar (ra) had drunk of the milk the Prophet (sa) gave the cup to me passed by and Abu Huraira (ra) asked him also to explain and I saw that there was still plenty of milk in it. In my case


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also he insisted that I should drink my fill and made me Muslim). Muslim women are permitted to wear silk and drink a second and a third time and at the end he drank gold but in their case also the Holy Prophet's (sa) direction what was left in the cup himself and rendered thanks to was that excess should be avoided. On one occasion he God and shut the door" (Bukhari, Kitabul Riqaq). The called for subscriptions for the relief of the poor and a lady Holy Prophet's (sa) object in offering the milk to Abu took off one of her bracelets and placed it before him as her Huraira (ra) last of all may have been to indicate to him that contribution. Addressing her, he said: "Does not your other he should have continued to endure the pangs of hunger, hand deserve to be saved from the Fire?" The lady trusting in God, and should not have drawn attention to his thereupon removed her bracelet from the other hand also condition even indirectly. and offered it for the purpose that he had in view. None of

He always ate and drank with his right hand and always his wives possessed ornaments of any considerable value stopped three times to take breath in the middle of a drink. and other Muslim women also very seldom possessed any One reason for this may be that if a person who is thirsty ornaments. In accordance with the teachings of the Qur'an drinks water at one stretch he is apt to drink too much and he deprecated the hoarding of money or bullion, as he held thus upset his digestion. In the matter of eating the rule that that this was harmful to the interests of the poorer sections he followed was that he partook of all things that are pure of the community and resulted in upsetting the economy of and permissible but not in a manner which would savour of a community and was thus a sin.indulgence or would deprive other people of their due 'Umar (ra) suggested to the Holy Prophet (sa) on one share. As has been stated, his normal food was always very occasion that as he had to receive Embassies from great simple but if anybody presented him with something monarchs, he should have a rich cloak prepared for specially prepared he did not decline it. He did not, himself which he could wear on such ceremonial however, hanker after good food, though he had a occasions. The Prophet (sa) did not approve of the particular liking for honey and for dates. As regards dates, suggestion and said: "It would not be pleasing to God for he used to say that there was a special relationship between me to adopt ways like this. I shall meet everybody in the a Muslim and the date tree whose leaves and bark and fruit, clothes that I normally wear." On one occasion silk both ripe and unripe, and even the stones of whose fruit garments were presented to him and of these he sent one to could all be put to some use or the other and no part of 'Umar (ra). Upon this 'Umar (ra) said, "How can I wear it which was without its proper use. The same was the case when you have yourself disapproved of wearing silk with a true Muslim. No act of his was without its garments." The Holy Prophet (sa) observed: "Every beneficence and all that he did promoted the welfare of present is not meant for personal use." His meaning was mankind (Bukhari and Muslim). that since the garment was of silk 'Umar (ra) should have

The Holy Prophet (sa) preferred simplicity in dress. His presented it to his wife or to his daughter or should have own dress normally consisted of a shirt and an izar or a put it to some other use (Bukhari, Kitabul Libas).shirt and a pair of trousers. He always wore his izar or his The Prophet'ssa bed was also very simple. He never used trousers so that the garment covered his body up to a point a bedstead or a couch but always slept on the ground, the above his ankles. He did not approve of the knee or any bedding consisting of a piece of leather or of a piece of portion of the body above the knee being exposed without camelhair cloth. 'A'isha (ra) relates: "Our bedding was so extreme necessity. He did not approve of the use, whether small that when the Holy Prophet (sa) used to get up at as part of dress or in the way of curtains, etc., of cloth night for prayers I used to lie on one side of the bedding which had figures embroidered or painted on it, especially and stretched out my legs while he was in the standing if the figures were large and might be interpreted as posture and folded them back when he had to prostrate representing gods or goddesses or other objects of himself (Muslim, Tirmidhi and Bukhari).worship. On one occasion he found a curtain hanging in his He adopted the same simplicity with regard to his house bearing large figures and he directed it to be residential arrangements. His house consisted normally of removed. He, however, saw no harm in the use of cloth one room and a small courtyard. A rope used to be strung bearing small figures which could not be so interpreted. half way across the room so that when he had visitors a He never wore silk himself and did not consider it piece of cloth could be hung from the rope to convert a part permissible for Muslim men to wear it. For the purpose of of the room into an audience chamber separated from the authenticating the letters that he wrote to certain portion occupied by his wife. His life was so simple that sovereigns inviting them to accept Islam he caused to be 'A'isha (ra) related that during the lifetime of the Prophet prepared a signet-ring, but directed that it should be made (sa) they often had to sustain themselves on dates and of silver and not of gold, for he said that the wearing of water and that on the day of his death there was no food in gold had been prohibited to Muslim men (Bukhari and the house except a few dates (Bukhari).


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ISLAM: The Antithesis of Extremism, Terrorism

Muhammad the Liberator of WomenMuhammad the Liberator of Women

he various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet she could use by way of right. Of course in countries where (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) are all no law prevailed, she was free from all disabilities. Yet so sublime, that in the matter of choice, a writer on even this kind of freedom cannot be called true freedom. It T

the subject soon finds himself baffled and selection is rather described as license. True freedom is that which is becomes very nearly impossible. In consideration of reaped out of a state of civilization and conformity to law. present day needs, however, I wish to take up that side of The sort of freedom we get when we break the bounds of the Holy Prophet's life which concerns the way in which he the law is not freedom at all because such freedom does not purged the world of that form of utter slavery which had generate any strength of character.been for all time the curse of humanity. I mean the slavery At the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of of women. Allah be upon him) and before, woman was placed in a

Before the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace and condition in which she was not the owner of her property; blessings of Allah be upon him) women in all countries her husband was regarded as the owner of her property. She were in the position of slaves and chattels, and their slavery did not have a share in the property of her father. Nor could could not but have reacted adversely even on men; for sons she inherit the property of her husband, though in some of slaves cannot assimilate the spirit of freedom. cases she had the right of managing it during the husband's

There is no doubt woman, either because of her beauty or lifetime. When married, she was either assigned to her because of her sterling character, has always been able, in husband for good as his property, and in no circumstances individual cases, to dominate over men, but freedom thus could she be separated from him; or in the alternative, it obtained could not be termed true freedom, for the simple was given to the husband to divorce her but not given to her reason that it was not hers by way of right. It was only a to separate herself from the husband, however afflicted she matter of exception to the general rule, and freedom which might have been.is exceptional, can hardly lead to the culture of true Should the husband desert her, cease to discharge his aspirations. obligations towards her or run away from her, there was no

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon law to protect her. It was obligatory on her to be resigned to him) had his advent about 1,350 years ago. Before his time, her lot, and work for a living both for herself and her no religion or nation afforded to woman such freedom as children. The husband was entitled, out of bad temper, to


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[Life of Muhammad]

beat his wife; she was not to raise a voice against it. Should woman to live with her husband instead of complete the husband die, the wife, in some countries, fell into the separation, she was only allowed to live apart, a state of hands of her husband's relatives, who could then marry her living which itself is a form of torture, for in this way she to whomsoever they liked, either in charity or in return of was compelled to lead an empty, purposeless life.some benefits received. In some places, on the other hand, In some cases it happened that while the husband could she was merely the property of her husband. Some divorce his wife whenever he liked, the wife in no case husbands would sell their wives or lose them in gambling could demand a divorce. If the husband deserted her, or and betting, and when they did so, they were all considered abandoned the country without providing for her, she was to be within their rights. obliged to linger through life without the right to devote

A woman had no right over her children whether in her herself usefully to her country or community. Married life, position of dependence as wife, or in a position of instead of being a life of happiness, became for her a life of independence of her husband. In domestic affairs she had misery. Her obligation it was, not only to undertake the no privilege. Even in religion she had no status. Of the duties of her husband and of herself but also to wait for her abiding spiritual blessings, she was to have no share. In husband. The duty of the husband, namely to find a living consequence, husbands used to squander the property of for the household, became hers, as also her own duty, the their wives and abandon them without providing for their care and upbringing of her children?mental discomfort on subsistence. She could not, even out of her own property, the one hand, and material responsibilities on the other.give away, in charity, or help her relatives except with the All this, in short, was tolerated in the case of this poor, consent of her husband, and a husband who looked with unprotected creature. Women were beaten and considered greed on the property of his wife could hardly give his the property of their husbands. When the husbands died, consent in such a matter. widows were forcefully married to the relatives of their

Of the property of her parents, to whom children are husbands, or else sold for money. In fact, husbands bound by a most deep and affectionate tie, woman was themselves sold away their wives. Indian princes like the deprived of all share. And yet daughters have as much Panawas lost their wife (there was one for many) in claim on their parents as have the sons. Parents who out of gambling, and against the law of the land, a noble princess a sense of justice, would give away during their lifetime like Dropadi could not raise the slightest voice.some of their property to their daughters, prepared only for In the education or upbringing of their children, the strife in their families. It would not occur to the sons that mothers were not consulted and they had no rights over after the parent's death they (the sons) would inherit the their children. If the father and mother separated, the whole of their property (and therefore should not grudge children were handed over to the father. Woman had their sisters receiving occasional gifts from their parents); nothing to do with the household. Whenever the husband all they considered was that their sisters, for the time being liked, he could drive her out of the house, and she was were having more than they. condemned to wander about homelessly.

Of the property, similarly, of her husband -- with whom a By the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings wife has the relation of complete union -- woman was of Allah be upon him) all these iniquities were wiped away, again, deprived altogether. Distant relatives of the husband as it were, with one stroke. He declared that God had could each claim a share, but not the wife -- one, indeed, particularly entrusted to him the task of safeguarding the who was the possessor of his confidence, a life-long rights of women.partner of his and whose labour and care must have so He proclaimed in the name of God that man and woman largely contributed to his income. On the other hand, when by virtue of their humanity, were the equal of each other, she managed all her husband's property, she did not have and when they lived together, just as man had certain rights any genuine right over any portion of it. While she could over woman, so had woman certain rights over man. spend out of the income of that property she could not Women could own property in the same way as men. A dispose any part of it. In acts of charity, therefore, she was husband had no right to use the property of his wife, as long prevented from taking part in the manner she liked. as the wife, of her own free will, did not let him have some

When the husband oppressed his wife, she could not be of it. To seize her property by force, or in a manner which separated from him. In communities in which separation made it doubtful whether her natural shyness had not stood was at all possible, it was on conditions under which self- in the way of her refusal, was wrong. Whatever the respecting women preferred death to separation. For husband of his own free will should give away to the wife, instance, a condition of separation was that proof should be would be the property of the wife and the husband would furnished establishing the misconduct of either party, as not be able to take it back from her. She was to inherit the well as ill treatment on the part of the husband. What was property of her parents just as well as her brothers. Only still worse was that in cases in which it was impossible for a considering that all the family responsibilities fall on man,

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and woman's concern is her own self alone, her share was Muslim jurists). The wife would now be free to marry to be one half of the share of man, that is, out of the again.property of their (deceased) parents. The husband was always to be responsible for the

Similarly a mother was to have a share in the property of maintenance of his wife and children. He was to exercise her (deceased) son as well as the father. Only according to only appropriate discipline, but should this discipline ever differing circumstances and the nature of her take the form of punishment, he should have proper responsibilities in particular cases, she was to have a share witnesses and declare her guilt and base his judgment on at times equal to, and at times less than that of the father. On evidence. Punishment should not leave any permanent ill the death also of her husband she was to inherit, whether or effects behind.not there were any children, because she was not to be A husband does not own his wife. He cannot sell her, nor condemned to a state of dependence on others. reduce her to the office of domestic drudge. His wife shares

Her marriage (it was granted) is, without doubt, a holy with him the amenities of the household, and his treatment alliance, which, after man and woman have cultivated of her will have to correspond to the position to which he mutual intimacy to the extreme, it is very detestable to himself belongs. A treatment which is below that which break. However, it cannot be that, even after a frightful should belong to the status of the husband would be wrong.divergence of nature has been found between the parties, or On the death of her husband, his people were to have no in spite of a religious, physical, economic, social or mental right over her. She would be free, and a suitable discrepancy between them, they should be compelled, in opportunity occurring, she would have the right to marry the interest of sheer alliance, to ruin their lives and kill the again. Nobody can stop her from doing so. Nor can a purpose of their existence. widow be compelled to live in a particular place. Only for

When differences of this kind appear, and man and about four months and ten days, she would live in her woman agree that they cannot live together, they can (it husband's house, so that all those conditions which can was taught), by mutual consent, revoke the alliance. If, have a bearing on her rights and on those of her husband's however, only the husband should take this view, but not people, should have time to manifest themselves.the wife, and if they fail to adjust themselves to each other, For a year after the death of her husband a widow, their affairs should be considered by a committee of two whatever else is due to her, is to have in addition, the use of members, one representing the husband and the other the her husband's house, so that she should be able, out of what wife. If the committee should decide that the parties should has been left to her, to make arrangements for her yet make an effort to live together, it would be worthwhile residence.on their part to try to settle their differences in the way Should the husband find himself not on good terms with recommended by the committee. Then if the his wife, he himself is to keep out of the house, not ask his understanding along this line should prove impossible, the wife to go out of it, because the household is supposed to be husband could divorce the wife, but in such a case he the possession of the wife. In the upbringing of the would have no right to the return of whatever he might children, woman has her part. She is to be consulted.have (before divorce) given away to her, including the full In the matter of children, her interest is not to be ignored value of mahr (marriage settlement). in any way. Wet nursing, general caretaking, are to depend

If, on the other hand, the wife should seek separation, and on her advice. If husband and wife, finding it impossible not the husband, she should apply to the Qazi (Judge), and any more to live together, should want to separate from if the Qazi is satisfied that there is no unfair motive behind each other, the care of the small children should be her application, he should order her separation. Only in entrusted to the mother. When they grow up, they should such a case she will make over to the husband such of his for purpose of education, come back to the father. As long property as had been entrusted to her, as also the value of as the children live with their mother, maintenance would mahr (marriage settlement). Should the husband fail to be provided for by the father. The father would also pay for fulfil his marital obligations or cease to speak to her, or the time and labour the mother would have to spend on should ask her to sleep apart, he should not be able to go account of the children.beyond a certain limit of time. If he persists for four months Woman, in short, was to have an independent status. All in this kind of treatment, he should be compelled either to the spiritual rewards were to be open to her. She was to reform himself or to divorce her. command the highest excellences of life after death and

Should he stop the allowances due to the wife or go away even in this life she could take part in the different from her and no longer take care of her, their marriage departments of civil administration. In this regard she was should be regarded as null and void. (Three years have to have the same consideration paid to her claims as that been assigned as the limit of the period of abandonment by accorded to man.


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This is the teaching which the Holy Prophet (peace and sufficient excuses for divorce or separation.blessings of Allah be upon him) promulgated at a time In Western Australia, besides the laws outlined above, when the standards of the world were altogether opposed the marriage of a pregnant woman has been declared to be to it. Through these injunctions, he reclaimed women from void. (Islam, too, holds the same view).the slavery which had been their lot for thousands of years, In the island of Cuba it was decided in 1918 that forcing to which they were forced in every land, and the yoke of into misconduct, beating, using foul language, undergoing which every religion had put on their neck. One man, in conviction, drunkenness, gambling habit, failure to one time, cut asunder all these chains of serfdom! Bringing discharge obligations, refusing allowances, infectious freedom to mothers, he at the same time saved their disease, or mutual agreement, shall be accepted as children from slavish sentiments, and provided for the sufficient conditions for divorce or separation.germination and nourishment of great ambition and high Italy enacted in 1919 that a woman shall have rights over resolve! her property. She can spend out of it in charity or sell it as

However, the world did not value the teachings. What she likes (Up to this time, in Europe, she was not was indeed a boon, it branded as tyranny. Divorce and recognized as the owner of her own property).separation it regarded as strife, inheritance as ruining the In Mexico, too, the above conditions have been accepted family, independence of woman as means of the disruption as being sufficient for divorce. Besides, mutual agreement of domestic life. For thirteen hundred years, it went on has also been accepted as sufficient. This law has been ridiculing, in its blindness, the things which this one man passed in 1917. Portugal in 1915, Norway in 1909, Sweden who could see, had communicated to mankind for their in 1920, and Switzerland in 1912, have passed laws by good. It went on condemning his teachings as against which divorce and separation have been made permissible. human nature. Then came the time when the exquisiteness In Sweden, a father is compelled by law to provide, at least of the word of God (transmitted through the Holy Prophet) up to eighteen years, for the maintenance of every child of should reveal itself. The very peoples who looked upon his.themselves as the bearers of civilization, began to obey the In the United States of America although the law of the civilizing injunctions of the Holy Prophet. Everyone of land continues to maintain the right of a father over his these peoples in turn, changed their laws in increasing child, yet in practice the judges have begun to pay regard to conformity to the principles preached by the Holy Prophet the susceptibilities of mothers, and a father is now even (on whom be peace). compelled to pay for the children (living with their

The English Law which required misconduct, ill mother). There are, of course many drawbacks in their law. treatment and beating on the part of either party as essential Even though, the man's rights have been more strictly conditions of divorce, was changed in 1923. Misconduct guarded, woman is being allowed to exercise right over the by itself was accepted by the new law as a sufficient excuse property. At the same time, in many States it has been for divorce. passed that if the husband should become a permanent

New Zealand decided, in 1912, that a wife who has been invalid, his wife will have to provide for him.insane for seven years, should have her marriage Women are now being granted the right to vote, and dissolved. In 1925, it further ruled that if either husband or avenues are being opened by which they can come to have wife should not discharge his or her marital obligations, a voice in matters of national concern. Yet all these things they could be allowed a divorce or separation. If three are coming after full thirteen hundred years have passed years elapse without one caring for the other, divorce was since the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be in order. A good imitation of Muslim jurists, of course, but upon him) promulgated his teachings. There are many made after 1,300 years of attacks on Islam! things which yet await coming. In many countries a

In the Australian State of Queensland, insanity of five woman has still no share in the inheritance of either her years' duration was regarded as a sufficient reason for parents or her husband. Similarly, in several other matters divorce. In Tasmania, a law was passed in 1919 that Islam continues to provide guidance to the world, though misconduct, desertion for four years, drunkenness, the world has not acknowledged such guidance. The time indifference for three years, imprisonment, beating, is not distant, however, when the world will accept the insanity, should, one and all, be sufficient conditions of guidance coming from the Holy Prophet (peace and divorce. In Victoria, law was passed in 1923 that should a blessings of Allah be upon him) in these matters as it has husband fail to look after his wife for three years, be guilty already done in others, and which the Holy Prophet of misconduct, refuse allowances, or ill-treat his wife, initiated on behalf of the freedom of women will bring divorce would be possible. Further, it was granted that forth its fruits to the full.imprisonment, beating, misconduct on the part of the wife, insanity, unfair treatment and constant strife shall be


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very aspect of the Holy Prophet's sa life appears command to do so.to have been governed and coloured by his love When persecution became very severe and he gave for and devotion to God. In spite of the very permission to his Companions to migrate to Abyssinia, E

heavy responsibilities that had been laid upon his some of them expressed a desire that he should accompany shoulders the greater portion of his time during the day as them. He declined to do so on the ground that he had not well as during the night was spent in the worship and received divine permission to that effect. Thus, during a praise of God. He would leave his bed at midnight and period of hardships and persecution when people usually devote himself to the worship of God till it was time to go like to keep their friends and relations close to themselves, to the mosque for the morning prayers. He sometimes he directed his Companions to seek refuge in Abyssinia stood so long in prayer during the latter part of the night and himself stayed behind in Mecca, for God had not yet that his feet would get swollen, and those who saw him in directed him to leave it.that condition were always much affected. On one Whenever he heard the word of God being recited, he occasion 'A'isha ra said to him: "God has honoured you was overcome by emotion and tears would start from his with His love and nearness. eyes, especially if he was listening to verses which

Why then do you subject yourself to so much discomfort emphasized his own responsibilities. 'Abdullah bin and inconvenience?" He replied: "If God has by His Grace Mas'ud ra relates that he was on one occasion asked by the and Mercy conferred His love and nearness upon me, is it Holy Prophet sa to recite some verses of the Qur'an to him. not my duty in return to be always rendering thanks to He said: "O Messenger of Allahsa! The Qur'an has been Him? Gratitude should increase in proportion to the revealed to you (i.e., you know it best of all). How then favours received" (Bukhari, Kitabul shall I recite it to you?" But the Holy Prophet sa said: "I

Kusuf ). love to hear it recited by other people also."He never entered upon any undertaking without divine Thereupon 'Abdullah bin Mas'ud ra began to recite from

command or permission. It has already been related in the Surah Al-Nisa'. When he recited the verse: "And how will biographical portion that, in spite of the very severe it fare with them when We shall bring a witness from every persecution to which he was subjected by the people of people, and shall bring thee as a witness against them" (4: Mecca, he did not leave the town till he received the divine 42), the Holy Prophet sa exclaimed: 'Enough! Enough!"

sa The Prophet’s Relationship with Godsa The Prophet’s Relationship with God


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[Life of Muhammad]

'Abdullah bin Mas'ud ra looked up and saw that tears were supporting herself by means of the rope when she became streaming from the Holy Prophet'ssa eyes (Bukhari, Kitab tired in the course of her prayers. He directed the rope to be Fada'ilul Qur'an). removed and said that prayers should be continued only so

He was so particular about joining the congregational long as one felt easy and cheerful and that if a person prayers that, even during severe illness when it is became tired he should sit down. Prayers were not an permissible not only to say one's prayers in one's room but imposition, and if carried on after the body became even to say them lying in bed, he would go to the mosque fatigued they failed of their purpose (Bukhari, Kitabul to lead the prayers himself. On one occasion when he was Kusuf ).unable to proceed to the mosque he directed that Abu Bakr He abhorred every action and practice which savoured ra should lead the prayers. Presently however, he felt some even remotely of idolatry.improvement in his condition and asked to be supported When his end was approaching and he was in the grip of into the mosque. He rested his weight on the shoulders of the death agony he turned from side to side exclaiming: two men but was in so feeble a condition that, according to "May the curse of God descend upon those Jews and 'A'isha ra, his feet trailed along the ground (Bukhari ). Christians who have converted the graves of their

It is a common practice to give expression to one's Prophets into places of worship" (Bukhari ). He had in pleasure or to draw attention to any particular matter by the mind those Jews and Christians who prostrated clapping of hands and the Arabs used to follow the same themselves at the graves of their Prophets and saints and practice. addressed their prayers to them, and he meant that if

The Holy Prophet sa, however, so loved the Muslims fell into similar practices they would not be remembrance of God that for these purposes also he deserving of his prayers but would, on the contrary, cut substituted the praise and remembrance of God in place of themselves asunder from him.the clapping of hands. On one occasion while he was His extreme sense of jealousy for the honour of God has occupied with some important matter, the time of the next already been referred to in the biographical portion. The service drew near and he directed that Abu Bakr ra should people of Mecca sought to place all sorts of temptations in lead the prayers. Shortly thereafter he was able to conclude his way to persuade him to give up his opposition to idol-the business upon which he was engaged and proceeded at worship (Tabari). His uncle Abu Talib also tried to once to the mosque. dissuade him and expressed his fear that if he persisted in

Abu Bakr ra was leading the prayers but when the his denunciation of idol-worship, Abu Talib would have to congregation perceived that the Holy Prophet sa had choose between ceasing to give him his protection and the arrived, they began to clap their hands for the purpose both bitter opposition of his people. The only reply that the of giving expression to their joy at his arrival and also to Prophet sa made to his uncle on that occasion was: "If draw Abu Bakrra's attention to the fact that the Prophet sa these people were to place the sun on my right hand and the himself had arrived. Thereupon Abu Bakr ra stepped back moon on my left, I would not desist from proclaiming and and made room for the Holy Prophet sa to lead the prayers. preaching the Unity of God" (Zurqani ).When the prayers were over, the Prophet sa addressed Abu Again, during the Battle of Uhud when a remnant of Bakr ra and said: "Why did you step back after I had wounded Muslims were grouped round him at the foot of a directed you to lead the prayers?" hill and their enemies were giving vent to their feeling of

Abu Bakr ra replied: "O Messenger of Allah sa! How jubilation at having broken the Muslim ranks in shouts of would it befit the son of Abu Quhafa ra to lead the prayers victory and their leader Abu Sufyan ra called out: "May in the presence of the Messenger of Allah sa?" Then Hubal (one of the idols worshipped by the Meccans) be addressing the congregation the Prophet sa said: "Why did exalted! May Hubal be exalted!" the Holy Prophet sa, in you clap your hands? It is not seemly that while you are spite of realizing that his own safety and that of the small engaged in the remembrance of God you should clap your band of Muslims who were gathered round him lay in hands. If it should so happen that during the course of keeping silent could restrain himself no longer and prayers attention has to be drawn to some matter, instead directed his Companions to shout in reply, "To Allah alone of clapping your hands you should utter the name of God belongs victory and glory! To Allah alone belongs victory aloud. This would draw attention to whatever may have to and glory!" (Bukhari ).be taken note of " (Bukhari). It was a common misconception among the followers of

The Prophet sa did not approve of prayers or worship different religions before the advent of Islam that heavenly being carried on as a penance or imposition. On one and terrestrial manifestations took place to mark occasions occasion he came home and observed a rope dangling of joy and sorrow for Prophets, saints and other great men between two pillars. He inquired what its purpose was, and and that even the movements of the heavenly bodies could was informed that his wife Zainab ra was in the habit of be controlled by them.

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For instance, it is related of some of them that they Paradise through your own good actions,' to which he caused the sun to become stationary in its course or replied: 'No, I too cannot enter Paradise through my own stopped the progress of the moon or caused running water actions save only that God's Grace and Mercy should to become still. Islam taught that such notions were envelop me' " (Bukhari, Kitabur Riqaq).baseless and that references to phenomena of this kind in He always exhorted people to choose and follow the religious Scriptures were only by way of metaphor which, right path and to be diligent in their search for means instead of being interpreted in accordance with its correct whereby they could attain nearness to God. He taught that significance, had given rise to superstitions. Nevertheless, no man should desire death for himself, for if he is good he some among Muslims were prone to attribute these will, by living longer, be able to achieve greater good; and phenomena to events in the lives of the great if he is evil, he may, if given time, be able to repent of his

Prophets as. In the closing years of the Holy Prophet's sa evil ways and start on a good way. His love for, and life his son Ibrahim died at the age of two and a half years. devotion to, God found expression in many ways. For An eclipse of the sun occurred on the same day. Some instance, whenever after a dry season the first rain-drops Muslims in Medina gave currency to the idea that the sun began to descend, he would put out his tongue to catch a had been darkened on the occasion of the death of the raindrop and would exclaim: "Here is the latest favour Prophet's sa son as a mark of divine condolence. When this from my Lord." He was constantly occupied in praying for was mentioned to the Holy Prophet sa he expressed great God's forgiveness and beneficence, more particularly displeasure and severely condemned the notion. He when he was sitting among people so that those who were explained that the sun and the moon and other heavenly in his company or were connected with him and Muslims bodies were all governed by divine laws and that their generally should save themselves from divine wrath and movements and the phenomena connected with them had should become deserving of divine forgiveness. The no relation to the life or death of any person (Bukhari). consciousness that he was always in the presence of God

Arabia is a very dry country and rain is always welcome never deserted him. When he used to lie down to sleep, he and is eagerly waited for. The Arabs used to imagine that would say: "O Allah! let me die (go to sleep) with Thy the coming of rain was controlled by the movements of name on my lips and with Thy name on my lips let me stars. Whenever anybody gave expression to that idea, the rise." When he woke up, he would say: "All praise is due to Holy Prophet sa used to be very upset and admonished his God who has brought me to life after death (sleep) and one people not to attribute day we shall all be gathered unto Him" (Bukhari).

favours bestowed upon them by Providence to other He constantly yearned for nearness to God and one of his sources. He explained that rain and other natural oft-repeated prayers was "O Allah! Do Thou fill my heart phenomena were all governed by divine laws and that they with Thy light and fill my eyes with Thy light and fill my were not controlled by the pleasure or displeasure of any ears with Thy light and put Thy light on my right and put god or goddess or of any other power (Muslim, Kitabul Thy light on my left and put Thy light above me and put Iman). Thy light below me and put Thy light in front of me and put

He had perfect trust in God which no combination of Thy light behind me and do Thou, O Allah, convert the adverse circumstances could shake. On one occasion an whole of me into light" (Bukhari).enemy of his, finding him asleep and unguarded, stood Ibn 'Abbas ra relates: "Shortly before the Holy Prophet's over his head with drawn sword and threatened to despatch sa death, Musailima (the false prophet) came to Medina him at once. Before doing so he asked: "Who can rescue and proclaimed that if Muhammad sa would appoint him you from this predicament?" The Holy Prophet sa calmly his successor he would be prepared to accept him. replied: "Allah." He uttered this word with such perfect Musailima was accompanied by a very large retinue and assurance that even the heart of his disbelieving enemy the tribe with which he was connected was the largest was forced to acknowledge the loftiness of his faith and among the tribes of Arabia. When the Holy Prophet sa was trust in God. The sword fell from his hand, and he, who a informed of his advent he went to meet him, accompanied moment before was bent upon his destruction, stood by Thabit bin Qais bin Shams ra.before him like a convicted criminal awaiting sentence He had in his hand a dried palm twig. When he arrived at (Muslim, Kitabul Fada'il and Bukhari, Kitabul Jihad). Musailima's camp he went and stood in front of him. In the

At the other end of the scale was his sense of perfect meantime some more of his Companions had come up and humility vis-a-vis the Divine. Abu Huraira ra relates: "One ranged themselves round him. Addressing Musailima he day I heard the Holy Prophet sa say that no man would said, "It has been conveyed to me that you have said that if attain salvation through his own good deeds. Thereupon I I were to appoint you my successor you would be ready to said: 'O Messenger of Allah sa! 'Surely you will enter follow me, but I am not willing to bestow even this dried

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palm twig upon you contrary to God's commands. Your 'Abdullah bin 'Umar ra was a man of extreme piety and end will be as God has appointed. If you turn your back on purity of life. Concerning him the Holy Prophet sa once me God will bring you to naught. I perceive very clearly said: " 'Abdullah bin 'Umar ra would be an even better man that God will deal out to you what He has revealed to me." if he were to be more regular with regard to his Tahajjud He then added: "I will now retire. If you have anything prayers (a superogatory prayer observed in the night)." further to say, you may talk to Thabit bin Qais bin Shams When this was communicated to 'Abdullah bin 'Umar ra, ra, who will act as my representative." He then returned. he never thereafter missed these prayers. It is recorded that Abu Huraira ra was also with him. Somebody inquired of the Holy Prophet sa, happening to be in the house of his the Prophet sa what he meant by saying that God would daughter Fatima ra, inquired of her and his son-in-law, 'Ali deal out to Musailima what had been revealed to him. The ra, whether they were regular with regard to their Tahajjud Holy Prophet sa replied: "I saw in a dream two bracelets prayers. 'Ali ra replied: "O Messenger of Allah sa! We try round my wrists which I disliked. While still in my dream I to get up for Tahajjud prayers but on occasion when God so was directed by God to blow upon the bracelets. When I wills that we are unable to wake up in time we miss them." blew upon them, both of them disappeared. I interpreted He went back and, on the way, repeated several times a this to mean that two false claimants (to prophethood) verse of the Qur'an which means that a man is often would appear after me" (Bukhari, Kitabul Maghazi). This reluctant to admit his fault and tries to cover it up with incident occurred towards the end of the Holy Prophet's sa excuses (Bukhari, Kitabul Kusuf ). The Prophet sa meant life. that 'Ali ra should not have attributed his default to God by

The last and the largest of the Arab tribes who had not yet saying that when God willed that they should not wake up accepted him was prepared to make its submission and the they were unable to wake up in time, but should have only condition put forward by it was that the Holy Prophet admitted his own weakness in the matter.sa should appoint its chief as his successor. Had the Prophet sa been actuated even remotely by any personal Disapproval of Penance motives, nothing stood in the way of his securing the unity The Holy Prophet sa, however, strongly disapproved of of the whole of Arabia by promising his succession to the formality in the matter of worship and condemned the chief of the largest tribe of Arabia. The Holy Prophet sa imposition of any penance upon oneself as a form of had no son of his own and no dynastic ambition could have worship. He taught that true worship consists in the stood in the way of such an arrangement, but he never beneficent use of the faculties with which God has regarded even the smallest thing as belonging to him and endowed man. God having bestowed eyes upon man to see as being at his absolute disposal. with, it would not be worship but impertinence to keep

He could, therefore, not deal with the leadership of them shut or to have them removed. It is not the proper use Muslims as if it were in his gift. of the faculty of sight which can be regarded as sinful, it is

He regarded it as a sacred divine trust and believed that the improper use of the faculty that would be a sin. It would God would bestow it upon whomsoever He thought fit. He be ingratitude on the part of a man to have himself therefore rejected Musailima's offer with contempt, and deprived of the faculty of hearing, though it would be told him that, let alone the leadership of Muslims, he was sinful of him to use that faculty for the purpose of listening not prepared to bestow upon him even a dry palm twig. to slander and backbiting. Abstention from food (except

Whenever he referred to or discoursed about God, it on occasions when it is prescribed or is otherwise appeared to onlookers as if his whole being was in the grip desirable) may amount to suicide and thus constitute an of a passion of love for and devotion to God. He always unforgivable sin, though it would also be sinful on the part insisted upon simplicity in divine worship. The mosque, of a man to devote himself entirely to food and drink or to that he built in Medina and in which he always led prayers, indulge in the eating or drinking of prohibited or had only a mud floor which was innocent of all covering or undesirable articles. This is a golden principle which was matting and the roof, which was made of dried palm taught and emphasized by the Holy Prophet sa of Islam branches and leaves, leaked whenever it rained. On such and which had not been inculcated by any previous occasions the Holy Prophet sa and members of the Prophet.congregation would be drenched with rain and mud but he The correct use of natural faculties constitutes high would continue with the prayers till the end and on no moral qualities; the frustration or stultification of those occasion did he give any indication that he would postpone qualities is folly. It is their improper use that is evil or the service or remove to more weather-tight shelter sinful. Their proper use is true virtue. This is the essence of (Bukhari, Kitabus Saum). the moral teachings inculcated by the Holy Prophet sa of

He was also watchful regarding his Companions. Islam. And this, in brief, was also a picture of his own life

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and actions. 'A'isha ra relates: "Whenever the Holy virtues. The object of the Holy Prophet sa ofProphet sa had a choice of two courses of action he always Islam, however, was to attain to real virtue and to win the chose the easier of the two, provided it was free from all pleasure of God. He was, therefore, completely free from suspicion of error or sin. Where a course of action was pretence and make-believe. That the world should regard open to such suspicion, the Holy Prophet sa of all men him as bad or should appraise him as good was a matter of gave it the widest berth" (Muslim, Kitabul Fada'il ). complete indifference to him.

This is indeed the highest and the most admirable course All that mattered to him was how he found himself and open to man. Many men voluntarily court pain and how God would judge him. If in addition to the testimony privations, not for the purpose of winning God's pleasure, of his conscience and the approval of God he also won the for God's pleasure is not to be won by inflicting true testimony of mankind he was grateful, but if men purposeless pain and privations upon oneself, but with the looked upon him with jaundiced eyes he was sorry for object of deceiving mankind. Such people possess little them and attached no value to their opinion.inherent virtue and wish to cover up their faults and to acquire merit in the eyes of others by assuming false

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Question: What is Islam?

Answer: Find out herewww.alislam.org; www.askislam.org; www.ahmadiyyang.org; www.mka-ng.org


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The Qaid and the entire members of the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Monatan Dil’a

felicitates with our Naib Sadr (Administration), Bro Muhammad

Salih Akewugberu on his appointment as the National

Protocol Officer of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Nigeria and as Personal Assistant to the Amir,

AMJN.

May Allah (swt) continue to help you in your new endeavour. Amin.

instructed him to inform all peoples that: he name Muhammad connotes different things to different people. To some, it signifies somebody worthy of praise. Yet to others, God forbid, it T

stands for bloodshed, terrorism, hatred, violence and so on. Unfortunately, the latter group has been vociferous in publishing crude and offensive publications, caricatures in books and newspapers and staging of yet more offensive films as their recourse to show what the name Muhammad (sa) means to them. Still more, and worrisome indeed, are some of the former group who claim to hold the name Muhammad (sa) in high esteem but have been greatly misrepresenting him. They have committed enormous and monstrous crimes against both God and humanity while

Say, 'I am only a man like yourselves; but I have received they erroneously think they by their actions are protecting the revelation that your God is only One God. So let him the honour of the Holy Prophet (sa) What an irony!who hopes to meet his Lord do good deeds, and let him join The present paper seeks to explain how the Holy Prophet no one in the worship of his Lord.' [18:111]is a Role Model in the establishment of peace in the world.

The Prophet (sa) affirmed this instruction with his own Human beings are dynamic and such dynamism cut pious tongue in an hadith which reads:across domestic, social, economic, political, national,

“Umm Salamah relates that the Holy Prophetsa said: I international and religious spheres. The Prophet (sa) of am but a man.”Islam indeed and in truth launched and established peace

Being human, the Prophet (sa) also had a family of his in all these spheres of human life through the beautiful own which would be full of many challenges. Being a teachings of the Holy Qur'an.pious man did not however exonerate him from such domestic challenges. Many examples abound in the The Establishment of Domestic Peaceteachings and life of the Holy Prophet (sa) on how he First of all, it should be established that the Prophet (sa) handled the challenges successfully. By practically was a human being like all of us. Allah the Almighty

Muallim Muhammad Qasim Oyekola

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establishing domestic peace in his house, the Holy Prophet father in that house. Whoever contests the parentage of this (sa) laid a precept for his followers and future generations. child will be liable to punishment under the Law of Islam.

Hadhrat Anas reports: One of the wives of the Prophet Anyone who attributes his birth to someone else's father, (sa) sent him a vessel in which was some thareed (a dish of or falsely claims someone to be his master, God, His sopped bread, meat and broth), when he was in the house angels and the whole of mankind will curse him. O men, of one of his other wives who struck the vessel and broke it. you have some rights against your wives, but your wives The Prophet (sa) started to pick up the thareed and put it also have some rights against you. Your right against them back into the broken vessel, saying [to the servant who is that they should live chaste lives, and not adopt ways brought the food], 'Eat, your mother is jealous. which may bring disgrace to the husband in the sight of his

[Sunan ad-Darimi, Kitab al-Buyoo', Bab man Kasara people. If your wives do not live up to this, then you have Shaey'an fa'alayhi mithluhu] the right to punish them. You can punish them after due

In another report: The Prophet (sa) picked up the pieces inquiry has been made by a competent authority, and your and put them together, then he gathered up the food that right to punish has been established. Even so, punishment had been in the vessel and said, 'Your mother is jealous'. in such a case must not be very severe. But if your wives do Then he asked the servant to wait and gave him a whole no such thing, and their behaviour is not such as would vessel belonging to the wife in whose house he was, and bring disgrace to their husbands, then your duty is to kept the broken vessel in the house of one who had broken provide for them food and garments and shelter, according it. to your own standard of living. Remember you must

The above scenario illustrates how the Prophet (sa) always treat your wives well. God has charged you with managed what could have degenerated to serious crisis; the duty of looking after them. Woman is weak and cannot which might even go beyond control. But he silently put it protect her own rights. When you married, God appointed on hold. The report does not inform us of any comment you the trustees of those rights. You brought your wives to made to the wives involved. The whole matter was laid to your homes under the Law of God. You must not, rest. therefore, insult the trust which God has placed in your

hands… O men, what I say to you, you must hear and The Establishment of Social Peace remember. All Muslims are as brethren to one another. All The model of the Holy Prophet (sa) in the establishment of you are equal. All men, whatever nation or tribe they

of social peace and harmony is worthy of attention and may belong to, and whatever station in life they may hold, emulation. In the eras before the advent of the Prophet (sa) are equal. Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so of God, darkness had taken over the entire social lives, not are human beings equal to one another. No one has any only religious lives of the people. Respect and honour for right, any superiority to claim over another.... Even as this the other person had gone into oblivion. Infanticide, month [of Dhul Hijja] is sacred, this land [of Makka] especially of the girl-child was glorified. But with advent inviolate, and this day [of Arafat] holy, so has God made of the Prophet (sa), infanticide was halted [Chapter 81:9]; the lives, property and honour of every man sacred. To take inheritance which often causes homicides now included any man's life or his property, or attack his honour, is as everyone that directly benefits from the deceased [Q.4:12- unjust and wrong as to violate the sacredness of this day, 13]; the institution of marriage, which includes divorce this month, and this territory. What I command you today and widowhood, two areas where women were denied of is not meant only for today. It is meant for all time. You are their civil rights were regulated. A woman now had a say in expected to remember it and to act upon it until you leave a matter that concerned her [Q. 222-243]. this world and go to the next to meet your Maker. What I

Let us now look at how the Prophet (sa) practically have said to you, you should communicate to the ends of handed down his teachings on equality among humans to the earth. Maybe those who have not heard me may benefit us and how he wants our society to be peaceful. by it more than those who have heard.

He declared: [Life of Muhammad , Mirza Bashiruddeen Mahmud O men, lend me an attentive ear. For I know not whether I Ahmad, pp 279-281]

will stand before you again in this valley and address you That was the last sermon of the Prophetsa at the Last as I address you now. Your lives and your possessions have Pilgrimage. It was well documented by his biographers, been made immune by God to attacks by one another until historians and authors of Books of Traditions. It is the last the Day of Judgment. God has appointed for everyone a testament issued by him to all and sundry; especially the share in the inheritance. No 'will' shall now be admitted Muslim Ummah. It is a lasting declaration of human rights which is prejudicial to the interests of a rightful heir. A which requires no amendment. It is 'an eternal Charter of child born in any house will be regarded as the child of the Peace for all mankind'.

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suffer any loss, and the seller sells his goods in such a way Teaching of the Prophet (sa) on Economic Peacethat the buyer does not feel any irritation. This also means 'Peace depends on justice, and economic progress that he feels so liberal that if the buyer wants to return what depends on peace.' This was a statement made by Hadhrat he has purchased he should accept it. Another meaning of Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Imam and Worldwide Head of this is that while making a purchase the customer pays Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 7th March 2009 in more than the due price and the seller gives more goods Glasgow, United Kingdom. than are due against the price that he receives. Moreover, if To establish justice which is requisite for economic one has to get his claim from someone, he should do it in a peace, the Prophet of God (sa) abolished usury and interest polite manner. In no case should one cross the limits of and established mutual trade and institution of Zakat. civility. [Riyadh Saliheen]While the usury and interest tend to increase the wealth of

From the foregoing teachings, the Prophet of Islam (sa) the already haves in the society, Zakat establishes the was able to establish peaceful dealing within the business rights and dues of the under-privileged to be given class of all categories and as such established lasting compulsorily from the wealth of the haves. It also attracts economic peace in the world.blessings of God on the owner and the property on which

zakat is paid.Trade and commerce which also promote economic The Establishment of Political Peace

The life of the Holy Prophet (sa) was replete with growth of both the individual and the state must also be examples on how to establish political harmony. He did based on mutual love, justice and kindness, the Prophet not subscribe to persons choosing or asserting themselves (sa) taught. From the teachings of Prophet Shuaib (as), as leaders on their people without their people appointing Allah passes message of fair dealings in business them. A tradition records that Abu Musa Ash'ari (May transactions through the Holy Qur'an that: Allah be pleased with him) reported: I called on the '… O my people, give full measure and full weight with Prophet (PBUH) with two of my cousins. One of them said equity, and defraud not people of their things and commit to him: "O Messenger of Allah (sa), appoint me governor not iniquity in the earth, causing disorder.' [11:86]of some land over which Allah has given you authority." These instructions lay it emphatically that lack of The other also requested for something of the same nature. kindness, justice and fair play in business transactions do Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "By Allah we do not and can continuously lead to economic chaos in any given appoint someone to this post who seeks it or someone who society. contends for it." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].To call the attention of the business class to the fact and

Every student of world politics will agree with us that if not to tickle the edges of the matter, Allah declares in the the world takes lessons and follow the teaching of the Holy Qur'an:Prophet (sa) as enshrined in the hadith above, the world Woe unto those who give short measure; those who, would definitely know political peace. It is the people that when they take by measure from other people, [they] take are required to appoint their own leaders. This has been it full; But when they give by measure to others or weigh to part of many traditional societies. However in many them, they give them less. Do not such people know that modern societies, the political process is characterized by they will be raised again; unto a terrible day, the day when godfatherism, through which political leaders are pre-mankind will stand before the Lord of the worlds? Nay! appointed and installed before the day of many presumed the record of the wicked is in Sijjin. And what should make elections. thee know what Sijjin is? It is a Book written

The Holy Quran directly instructs and requires people to comprehensively. Woe, on that day, unto those who reject, choose people of integrity for the sake of establishment of Who deny the Day of Judgment. And none denies it save national political peace and harmony. every sinful transgressor. [83:2-13]

It says:In view of the above, the Prophet of God (sa) has the following to say in the establishment of peace and harmony in business transaction:

May Allah show mercy to a man who adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys and demands for the repayment of loans [Sahih Al-Bukhari]

Hadhrat Imam An-Nawawi adds in his commentary of this hadith:

[A man who] adopts a kind attitude when he sells, buys, and demands for the repayment of loans" means that the buyer purchases in such a manner that the seller does not

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Verily, Allah commands you to make over the trusts to The Establishment of International Peacethose entitled to them, and that, when you judge between men, you judge with justice. And surely excellent is that Today, the world has become a global village. Countries with which Allah admonishes you! Allah is All-Hearing, and regions that were hitherto far removed and remote All-Seeing. [4:59] from each other are today as close as two fingers of the

After the right leaders might have been appointed by the same hand. Appreciation on this however is due to the people, the rights to be obeyed and supported by the boom in the global transportation, information and followers are then reserved by God for such leaders. Allah telecommunication industries. Of course, this is not at all continues in the next verse: strange to Islamic scholars because it has been prophesied

by Allah the Almighty. The coming together of world countries would not be without challenges due to many factors. Paramount among these are the differences in languages, cultures and traditions of people of the different nations. Apart from the above, the tendency of one nation to lord over others is also another challenge of the global community. Hence, many regional and global crises have occurred in the world. When such situation arises, the teaching of the Holy Prophet (sa) is contained in the following verse:

O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority among you. And if you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you are believers in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most commendable in the end. [4:60]

Books of traditions of the Prophet (sa) have recorded the following on the subject at hand:

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Prophet (sa) said, "It is obligatory upon a Muslim to listen (to the ruler) and obey whether he likes it or not, except when he is ordered to do a sinful thing; in such case, And if two parties of believers fight against each other there is no obligation to listen or to obey." [Al-Bukhari and make peace between them; then if after that one of them Muslim]. transgresses against the other, fight the party that

Ibn 'Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: transgresses until it returns to the command of Allah. Then Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "One who withdraws if it returns, make peace between them with equity, and act his hand from obedience (to the leader) will find no justly. Verily, Allah loves the just. [49:10]argument (in his defense) when he stands before Allah on That is, when two or more of the countries under the the Day of Resurrection. United Nations are in tangle among themselves; others

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The who are not involved in the struggle should join hands to Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Hear and obey even if settle the crisis amicably without fear, favour or prejudice. an Abyssinian slave whose head is like a raisin is placed in This is a perfect code of conduct and guiding ethics for the authority over you." [Al-Bukhari]. United Nations of today. Following these instructions of

Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: God the Holy Prophet (sa) himself founded national The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "It is obligatory political institutions that were rooted in peace and upon you to listen and obey the orders of the ruler in harmony.prosperity and adversity, whether you are willing or unwilling, or when someone is given undue preference to The Establishment of Inter-Religious Harmonyyou.” Within the circle of Muslims who are apparently

adherents of same religion- Islam; the Prophet (sa) of God

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| MARCH 2013

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taught that no one has the right to assume how pious others with my friends and helpers, with all my relatives and with are. He categorically said, piety lies in the heart and it is all those who profess to follow me and will defend them, only God that can measure it. More importantly, the because they are my covenant. And I will defend the Prophet (sa), through the teachings of the Holy Qur'an, covenanted against the persecution, injury and declares openly in the following words: embarrassment of their enemies in lieu of the poll tax they

And revile not those whom they call upon beside Allah, have promised to pay. If they prefer to defend their lest they, out of spite, revile Allah in their ignorance. Thus properties and persons themselves, they will be allowed to unto every people have We caused their doing to seem fair. do so and will not be put to any inconvenience on that Then unto their Lord is their return; and He will inform account. No bishop will be expelled from his bishopric, no them of what they used to do. [6:109] monk from his monastery, no priest from his place of

The Holy Qur'an also says: worship, and no pilgrim will be detained in his pilgrimage. There should be no compulsion in religion. Surely, right None of their churches or other places of worship will be

has become distinct from wrong; so whosoever refuses to desolated or destroyed or demolished. No material of their be led by those who transgress, and believes in Allah, has churches will be used to build mosques or houses for the surely grasped a strong handle which knows no breaking. Muslims; any Muslim doing so will be regarded as And Allah is All-Hearing, All-Knowing. [2:257] recalcitrant to God and His Prophet. Monks and Bishops

To cap the efforts of the Prophet (sa) on the establishment will be subject to no poll tax or indemnity whether they live of peace in the world, his Charter of Freedom which he in forests or on rivers, in the East or in the West, in the granted to St. Catherine's Monastery in Mount Sinai in North or in the South. I give them my word of honour. They 628A.D which was equivalence of 6th Hijirah comes are on my promise and covenant and will enjoy perfect handy here. This monumental document is unprecedented immunity from all sorts of inconveniences. Every help in the history of mankind. It reads: shall be given to them in the repair of their churches. They

shall be absolved of wearing arms. They shall be protected This is the document which Muhammad, the son of by the Muslims. Let this document not be disobeyed till

Abdullah, God's Prophet, Warner and Bearer of glad Judgement Day.tidings has caused to be written so that there should remain no excuse for those coming after. I have caused this (Signed: Muhammad, the Messenger of God. document to be written for the Christians of the East and ([Letters of the Messenger])West, for those who live near, and for those of the distant lands, for the Christians living at present and for those These are how the Holy Prophet (sa) established peace in who will come after, for those Christians who are known to all facets of human endeavor and stages of life.us and for those as well whom we do not know. Any Muslim We pray Allah to allow the teachings of the Prophet to violating or distorting what has been ordained will be prevail over our lands and seas. We also pray Allah to considered to be violating God's Covenant and will be enable us all to emulate his pious examples. Aameen transgressing against His Promise and by doing so, will incur God's wrath, be he a monarch or an ordinary Muallim Muhammad Qasim Oyekola delivered this subject. I promise that any monk or wayfarer who will seek piece as a lecture at the 3rd Jalsa Salana of Ahmadiyya my help on the mountains, in forests, deserts or Muslim Community, Republic of Cameroun on 1st habitations, or places of worship, I will repel his enemies March 2013

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he second week of October 2012 will networks and help in providing solutions to the leader and development consultant to many youth-remain memorable in the life of Bro. Ishaq challenges facing the young people from his wealth led organisations. He was once the Deputy Speaker of Olamilekan Popoola who won two awards of experiences. With respect to My Vote fit Change the Students' Union Government, representative of T

in youth development works within 72 hours! The Naija Best Use of Video Youth Challenge, the contest Osun Central Senatorial District at the Nigerian first award was tagged Commonwealth Hall of Fame was targeted at the roles of young people in Youth Parliament and the Nigerian Delegate to the Award which was conferred by the Commonwealth strengthening democracy and good governance in third African Youth Governance Conference (AYG) Youth Programme office in Africa (Lusaka, Zambia) Nigeria. Popoola's project recorded the highest held in Accra, Ghana, among others. He is also an and the second one was tagged Overall Winner in the number of viewers, approximately four million alumnus of African Leadership Centre, LEAP Africa, My Vote fit Change Naija Best Use of Video Youth audiences were reached. This qualified him to have DESPLAY Republic, etc. Currently, he is the Public Challenge conferred by the Youngstars Development won a prize tag of a brand new laptop computer. The Relations Officer at the National Youth Council of Initiative (Abuja, Nigeria). award presentation ceremony was recently organised Nigeria (NYCN), Osun State Chapter and the Naib

As a Commonwealth Hall of Fame Award winner, for him on January 25, 2013 at the Grandville Hotel in Muhtamin Tahrik-i-Jadid of the Majlis Khuddam ul he is expected to work with seasoned youth Abuja. Ahmadiyya of Nigeria (MKAN). development experts within the Commonwealth Bro. Ishaq Olamilekan Popoola is a veteran youth

Khadim wins two awards within 72 hours

Introduction knew nothing in the name of parental care and support, for his father, Abdullah, died when he was still in her mother's

“Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful womb. He was also barely six years of age when he lost his pattern of conduct for anyone whose hope is in Allah and mother. For somebody of this background to eventually the Final Day, and who engages much in the become a personality never-to-be- forgotten attests to the remembrance of Allah” (Qur'an 33:22) fact that orphanhood is never a barrier to a willing soul.

The greatness of Prophet Muhammad (saw) transcends his write-up sets out to take an excursion into religious and ethno-tribal sentiments. According to some aspects of the life of a historic personality Professor Ramakrishna Rao, 'Even a hostile critic like Sir The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Whereas, William Muir, speaking about the Holy Qur'an, says that T

this paper is not about his entire life history from birth to “There is probably in the world no other book which has death, it is needful to state here that Muhammad had remained twelve centuries with so pure a text; I may also started his unexampled mission of a liberator of the entire add, Prophet Muhammad is also a historic personality, world and unequalled service to humanity even centuries every event of whose life has been most carefully recorded before his advent. This claim is affirmed by Prophet and even the minutest details preserved intact for Muhammad's declaration himself when he was reported to posterity'.have said “I had been a prophet since the time Adam's creation was between clay and water, and it is no boast”. Muhammad (saw): An Impeccable Character and The tradition which narrated Hadhrat Adam's prayer to Integrity PersonifiedAllah, beseeching Allah to forgive him of his error on the Historical records reveal that all contemporaries of the honour and position of Muhammad (saw) further confirms Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), even including his arch and affirms the claim that he had started giving effect to the enemies, acknowledged the sterling qualities, the verse of the Holy Qur'an which says, 'I have not sent thee transparent honesty, the incomparable sincerity and the but as a mercy for the entire universe' (Qur'an 21:107) unequalled trustworthiness of a man of such humble ever before he was born. Another very striking fact about beginning as earlier discussed. Even the Jews and those this man who was to become an enigma of ages was that he who rejected his message recognized his uncompromising

Taofeeq Ajibola Lawal

sawHumanitarian Services of the Holy Prophet as an Exemplary Servant and Leader



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stance on equity, fairness and justice. Most of those who transparency with which he served Nana Khadijah (ra) would have nothing to do with the religion of Islam of who employed Muhammad to run her trade for her. The which he was the apostle would-at any point in time prefer first person to report Muhammad's rare personality to him to even leaders of their own faiths in matters of Khadijah was her slave, Maysarah, who had accompanied dispensation of justice. This was owing to his absolute Muhammad to al Sham where the Holy Prophet first went impartiality. Muhammad (saw) abhorred cheating under as an employee and agent of Khadijah in her trade. Hykal any guise. (1976:62) reports the event in the following language:

Right from his childhood, he had earned himself two Later on, Maysarah arrived and reported to her about nicknames which had been given to no one before him Al- Muhammad, his gentle treatment of her, and his Ameen (the trustworthy); and As-Sideeq (the loyalty to her that confirmed what she had known of truthful). His contemporaries and those who were not Muhammad's virtue and superiority over the other youths within the same age bracket with him did not have of Makkah.confidence in any other person for safe keeping of their Throughout the period of his employment with Khadijah belongings but Muhammad. As you gave your property to before the latter proposed marriage to him, widely him, so would he return it to you, intact. Historical records documented records confirm that Muhammad's adeptness tell us of the story of a man who kept some amount of and loyalty enabled him to make great gains (profits) for money with the Holy Prophet and went away without Khadijah indeed more than anyone had done before. looking back. When the Holy Prophet (saw) expected him Hykal (1976) puts Muhammad's irresistible pleasant within a reasonable period of time and the man would not impression on Khadijah thus: “Shortly, despite her forty come back for his money, the Prophet (saw) invested the years of age and the indifference with which she rejected money into the rearing of some goats and sheep. About the offers of the noblest of Quraysh, her satisfaction with three years after, the man suddenly appeared to ask for his her employee was to turn into love. She desired to marry money. By this time, the investment had yielded a very big this youth whose eloquence and looks had made such a flock of sheep, rams and goats. The Prophet (saw), without profound impression upon her.”blinking, just told the man, “These are what your money has become; go with them”. The man was overwhelmed Muhammad's Humanitarian Exploits As a Servant-with astonishment as he himself did not reasonably expect Leaderthe money to still be intact, let alone yielding any dividend. And it is by Allah's Mercy that you Muhammad have

Another virtuous attribute of a worthy leader is truth. been kind-hearted towards them; If you had been rock-Muhammad (saw) was an embodiment of truth. Records hearted, verily they would have all dispersed from you. have it that even when cracking jokes, the Holy Prophet Therefore, overlook their short-comings, and ask for had never for once said anything that was not true. He was forgiveness for them, and do consult with them over so passionately committed to truth that he was quoted to important matters; but if you have taken a decision, then have said, 'Show me that truthful person, and I will arrange put your trust in Allah. Verily Allah loves those who put for him a central place in the Paradise'. Even those who did their trust in Him. (Qur'an 3:160).not believe in his message were forced to say: The above verse from the Glorious Qur'an epitomizes the

“O Muhammad we do not call you a liar, but we deny leadership style of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) Him who has given you a Book and inspired you with a which endeared him to the hearts of both his followers and Message”. the followers of other faiths. In words, in thoughts and in

Such was the nobility of a man who was raised in the actions, Muhammad was a lovable and amiable leader. midst of a people who were only a little better than the Though he never exhibited a kind of permissive, leizzez beasts in the jungle. The Holy Qu'ran testifies to this in the faire style, he was never a despotic, autocratic ruler either. following verse: The first democracy ever known to history was instituted

It was he who raised His Messenger from among the by him.ignorant ones, who recites His signs unto them, who This democratic culture (which sees the peasant and the purifies them and who teaches them the Book and king as equals before God) also manifests in the Muslims' wisdom, even though they were in manifest error before way of worship. Rao (1985) reports Sarojini Naidu to have then. (Qur'an 62:3) remarked, “It was the first religion that preached and

practised democracy; for,in the mosque, when the The Holy Prophet's Service Under Khadijah AZAAN (the Muslim call to prayer) is sounded and the Without going too much into history, another very worshippers are gathered together, the democracy of Islam

interesting aspect of the servant-leader personality of is embodied five times a day when peasant and king kneel Muhammad (saw) was the loyalty, sincerity and side by side and proclaim, 'God alone is great'. According


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to Rao (1985), Sarojini Naidu, who was widely accepted had brutalized the Prophet years earlier. When eventually as the great poetess of India, also had this to say about he was granted victory by Allah, instead of annihilating Islam: “I have been struck over again by this indivisible them as is being witnessed in the world, he forgave them unity of Islam that makes a man instinctively a brother. all. The spirit of forgiveness converted the most stone-When you meet an Egyptian, an Algerian, an Indian and a hearted adversaries into devotees of the Prophet”.Turk in London, what matters is that Egypt is the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was such a simple, humble motherland of one and India is the motherland of the and unassuming leader that one could hardly recognize other.” him in the midst of his companions. Among the enviable

As a leader, Muhammad respected the opinions of his sterling qualities that made our Prophet (saw) tower above followers a lot. He had never imposed his own opinion on all others were his patience, tolerance and receptive to them. Let us consider a few instances of this uncommon deliberate insults and assaults. It was reported that a Jew humility of a man who led at a time when domination, came to the Holy Prophet one day to book for some despotism, tyranny and oppression of the weak had measures of dabino fruits. The Prophet gave this Jew an enveloped virtually every space of land. appointment for seven days and the Jew went away on this

They were at a battle field one day, strategizing. The agreement. But on the third day, the Jew came back, Prophet (saw) was arranging members of his army, pretending not to known that their agreement was seven apportioning roles and positions to them. At a time, one of days, which was still far ahead. When the Holy Prophet his companions who was a war strategist said to him, “Oh reminded him that the appointment he gave the Jew was Prophet of Allah, is this arrangement a revelation from still about four days ahead, the Jew flared up and started Allah or your own idea?” The Prophet answered him: 'No, raining series of unprintable words on Prophet it is never a revelation from Allah but my own idea'. The Muhammad (saw), saying the Prophet (saw) had actually companion then retorted: 'Then let us handle this aspect for behaved in a manner typical of the Quraysh. At these it is our own field of knowledge'. At this point, the Prophet vituperations, Hadhrat Umar (ra) was enraged and then he (saw) turned to the rest of his companions and said held the Jew by his clothe and shook him violently. This “Without doubt, expert opinion must be respected”. action of Umar's angered the Holy Prophet so much that he

At another time, the Prophet (saw) observed the way a chided Hadhrat Umar, saying to him: “Oh ye Umar, why group of farmers among his followers had been planting did you behave like this to this man? Instead, you should their seeds. To his mind, the seeds could have yielded more have advised me (the Prophet) to always keep to promise harvest if they adopted a style which he suggested to them. and you should have advised him too to always be patient In reverence to the Holy Prophet (saw), the group of until the day of appointment”. The Prophet arranged for farmers changed to the style he suggested to them, but the the Jew's measures of dabino fruits and also gave him seeds refused to germinate. When they went and some extra in compensation for his being rough-handled complained to the Prophet that the style he taught them had by Hadhrat Umar.not brought any good result, he (the Prophet) simply The Jew marveled at what he saw and then commented as answered them: 'I only brought up my advice on my own follows: “As a Jew, I have learnt from our scriptures that logical reasoning; but since it is your own area of prophets of God are always very patient and tolerant. This specialization, you should have told me things would not was the quality I came and tested in you, the Holy Prophet work out that way'. (saw)”. After saying this, the man declared for Islam.

No personage, whether living or dead, matches the marvelous traits of Muhammad in patience, tolerance, Some Other Attributes of Prophet Muhammad (saw)forbearance, altruism, forgiveness, simplicity, endurance In “The Guidance of Muhammad” by Dr. Ahmad ibn and painstakingness. Commenting on the forgiving Uthman Al-Mazyad, writing under the heading “The personality of the Holy Prophet, Badr (2013) submits thus: Prophet's Guidance in Speech, Silence, Logic and Choice

The Prophet was famous for forgiving his personal of Words”, Dr. Al-Mazyad has the following to say:enemies, even those who had openly sought to kill him in * The Prophet (saw) was the most eloquent among the past. He was neither hot-tempered nor volatile in face people and his words were the most pleasant, most fluent of instigation and provocations, especially by vile and most logical.mischief mongers and antagonists among the disbelievers. * He (saw) was silent for long periods, not speaking

This same rare quality of unconditional forgiveness the without necessity. He did not speak about what did not Prophet (saw) was endowed with is also corroborated by concern him and only spoke when Allah's reward was Raji (2013) in the following language: “This leadership expected thereby.style of the Prophet is rare to be found. The people of Taif * He (saw) spoke with concise, meaningful words.


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His words were descriptive yet few, neither too rapid not to Reckoning. Amin.be remembered not too slow and interrupted by pauses.

* He was selective in his speech and chose the best Referencesexpressions for his people, and the farthest from rudeness Al-Mazyad, A.U. (2008). The Guidance of Muhammad and indecency. Concerning Worship, Dealings and Manners, 30

As cited in Badr (2013), in affirmation of the last point Examples from the Life of the Prophet, Selected from the about the Prophet's manner of speech by Dr. Uthman Al- Book “Zadul- Ma'ad” by Imam Ibnul Qayyim, Islamic Mazyad, it was reported that Anas ibn Malik (ra) said. Publications Bureau, Lagos, Nigeria.“The Prophet (saw) was not a person who insulted people Badr, M. (2013). How Best to Defend the Noble Prophet or used obscene language, and he did not curse people. If of Islam, Muhammad (saw), An-Nasir, Vol.11, No 1, pp he wanted to rebuke anyone, he would say, 'What is wrong 19 27with him? May his forehead be rubbed with dust' ” (Al- Haykal, M.H. (1976). The Life of Muhammad, North Bukhari). American Trust Publications.

Raji, A.O.(2013). Leadership Qualities of the Holy Conclusion Prophet Muhammad (saw), An-Nasr, vol.11, No 1, pp 13 Allah has indeed bestowed the best of His benevolence 15

and the greatest of His mercy on the Muslim Ummah with Rao, K.S. R. (1985). Muhammad: the Prophet of Islam, His gift of the most excellent in character, Muhammad Islamic Propagation Centre International, 124 Queen Mustapha (saw). May the peace and blessing of Allah Street, Durbancontinue to be with His chosen Messenger. Timehin, S.O. (2013). Muhammad (saw): Between

May Allah's peace and blessing also continue to be with Primordial and Extraterrestrial Realities, An-Nasr, Vol. the household of the Holy Prophet, his companions as well 11 No1, pp 11 - 12as those who follow his guidance until the Day of


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virtue and piety. Under an Islamic state, race and colour Referenceshave no distinction. As you respect this day, this month 1.) Malik Saifu-r Rahman, Minorities in an Islamic and this land of pilgrimage, so shall you respect the life, State, Raqeem Press Internationalproperty and honour of every human being, which, under 2.) 100 Ahadith, Raqeem Pressthe law, are as sacred and inviolable (Sahih Bukhari Vol. 1 3.) Holy Quran, printed by Islam International page 234) Publications Ltd.

6. The Holy Prophet was cool and calm to his 4.) Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Absolute Justice, oppressors. Hazrat Ayesha reported “Abu Lahab and Utba Kindness and Kinship, Islam International Publications were my neighbours. I was hemmed in on all sides by their Ltd.schemes and machinations. To make life difficult for me, they would deposit heaps of night soil at my door steps, I would remove this dirt when I came out and would only say: O sons of Abdul Munaf, why all this? Is this the way you discharge your neighbourly duties?”

7. Saifur Rahman said: As Muslims were never the first to attack their enemies but rose to save their own lives, they were helped and aided by Allah and it was through His help they were able to return as victors.

Da'wa hum feeha subhaaanaka allahumma wa tahiyyatuhum feeeha salaamun, wa aakhiru da'wahum anil hamdulillahi rabbil alamin.

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The Challenge of Youth Restiveness in a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Society

e probably want to know who a youth is. We divide one is. Syria is a country that is undergoing turmoil. are also interested in defining restiveness. One can say there is absolute breakdown of law and order. What are the characteristics of a multi- The Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, his officials and W

cultural and, or multi-religious society? the army are seeing the people as rebels and insurgents or as agents of foreign masterminds. The people see

YOUTH: The period between childhood and adulthood; themselves as freedom fighters. The events popularly state or quality of being young, especially as associated called “The Arab Springs” may be a classical scenario of a with vigour, freshness or immaturity. I am not aware if restive society. How will you describe the immediate there is a generally accepted definition of who a youth is. Is situation that reigned in Libya before the death of anyone who displays exuberance a youth? You have such Muammar Ghadafi? What was the position at Egypt words as “displaying youthful exuberance”. We also have before Hosni Mubarak relinquished power? When Prophet such expressions as” youth are leaders of tomorrow.” Does Musa (as) was battling with Pharaoh to release the children it mean, if you are a leader today, you are probably no more of Israel? What was the description of Makkah when the a youth? The United Nations describes a youth as a person Holy Prophet was sent and he had few followers before between the ages of 16 and 24, while others regard people they migrated to Medina? There were riots in Bangladesh between ages 16 and 19 as youth. In the Ahmadiyya at the beginning of this month. In all these situations, a Muslim Jama'at however, a youth is an individual who is group of people had risen against others, and absolute between the ages of 16 and 40. We have had many peace was being elusive.members of National Youth Council whose ages are closer to fifty and more. The Concept of Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious

Society (MCMRS)RESTIVENESS: For the purpose of definition, a restive A multi-cultural and a multi-religious society is one

situation is where there is chaos, brigandage, uprising and where many cultures and many religions co-exist. attempt to forcefully change the status quo. Restiveness is Coexistence, yes, but whether peacefully or otherwise is uneasily impatient under restriction, opposition, criticism. another issue. Nigeria is a perfect example of an MCMRS. Restiveness will be defined based on which side of the Knowing the nature of man as a self-centered being and

Abass Olawale Iromini

The Challenge of Youth Restiveness in a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Society: The Prophetic Solution

The Challenge of Youth Restiveness in a Multi-Cultural and Multi-Religious Society: The Prophetic Solution


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one wanting dominance, we want to ask, why would God cultural lines because people of a culture live in their create us in such a manner that we belong to different cultural domain and except for globalisation, everyone cultures and religions? Holy Quran Chapter 49:14 says: tries to live in their area and abides by the dictates of their “O ye mankind, we have created you from a male and a cultures. Not so much uprisings have we seen arising from female and We have made you into tribes and sub tribes one culture trying to dominate the other culture.that you may recognize one another.” I say this that restiveness may not be solely caused by

If we had allowed it to remain like this, that is, to multi-racial or cultural dimensions or even as a result of recognize ourselves, without fighting and struggling for multi-religious demarcations. I am not too sure if the dominance, perhaps the world would have been a better Salafist groups in Nigeria have not killed more Muslims place for all of us to live than the hotbed it has now turned. than Christians; I don't know who or what cause they are Nigeria probably has about 250 cultures and tribes. There fighting. Syrians are not fighting Christians in power but are as many languages as there are tribes and cultures Muslims. Egyptian uprising was not against any religious because language is the vehicle to express and drive the group but Muslims like themselves. Arab Springs culture. And we do not have one religion in Nigeria but as generally is all about Muslims rising against fellow many as you can think: Islam, Christianity, traditionalist Muslims.religions in various forms. Mostly all Nigerian people A lot of religious practices overtime become the culture have their different cultures and religions apart from the of the people. I have not seen the Yoruba trying to exert two imported religions. dominance or influence the Hausa or Igbo to practice the

One would also want to know if Allah wanted us to Yoruba culture or vice versa. A Yoruba man wearing belong to one and same religion. In the Holy Quran, Hausa cultural dress is a sign of the rich cultural Chapter 10 vs100, He says: dimensions of the country and none will frown at that.

Issues always arise where a religious group tries to forcefully convert the adherents of other religions, or where there is tyranny, injustice, unhealthy rivalry, oppression exhibited on account of religious differences. We have seen this also in this country. There have been many insurgencies and riots fueled by religious fundamentalism.

Res t iveness i s a r e sponse to mis ru le o r If your Lord had enforced His will, surely all who are maladministration, high handedness on the part of a

on the earth would have believed together, will you then government, misappropriation of people's commonwealth force men to become believers? by a few privileged individuals, insensitivity on the part of

Multi religious society is a perfect wish by Allah. the government, favouritism, major wrong doings, wrong Otherwise, this verse would not have contained what it application of resources, creation of a wide gulf between contained. the rich and the poor. We must not forget that a government

Allah allows multi religions because he commanded the would be dominated either by people from a particular Holy Prophet (saw) to say in the Holy Quran: 100:7: culture or religion than the rest. The oppressed or minority Lakum deenikum waliyaddeen, that is, For you your would not want that to continue just as the Israelites did not religion and for me mine. want the misrule of Pharaoh to continue as he killed their

Would Allah have allowed multi-racial, multi-cultural males and spared their daughters.and multi-religious society for the purpose of causing In a few countries where restiveness had taken place restiveness? Definitely, no. Due to the imperfection of recently, for example, Libya, Iraq of Saddam Hussein, human beings and wish to dominate, they manipulate Sudan and their division into Southern Sudan and Sudan, culture and religion to create dissension, schism, Syria, etc, there was wanton destruction of lives and confusion and injustice that always result in restiveness. properties that followed. Thousands of lives were lost. Jos in Plateau State was a state anyone could ever lived Would that have happened if the youth had resorted to peacefully many years ago, but today, man's avarice had peaceful dialogue or round table conference? Why were made that society a hell for the dwellers. Nigerians rushing to these countries if the situation were

that bad and why have we not seen the citizens of these Restiveness countries in other parts of the world seeking greener Every restive situation always has a reason or cause. pasture as they always say. Was there so much loss of lives

Sometimes, the reason could be justified and sometimes and property when the rulers they killed were in power not. As far as I know, there isn't so much sharp divide along compared to after the revolution?


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and Imam Mahdi (1836-1908) said: Every advocate Youths in Restive Situationsshould state the beauties of his own religion instead of In every struggle, you would have the strategists whose attacking the other party. Because proving that the other duty is to plan what is to be done after identifying a religion is wrong does not mean that his own religion is justifiable reason for resistance. The elders are always right. He further said: Scrupulous regard must be paid to useful in this regard. You always have the elders' forum the fact that all standards of religious controversies and who would see what the youth may have seen or not. They discussions are conducted in decent and polite manner.would mastermind how to stop or check the perceived

excesses of the other party and use the youth as the executors of what has been planned. The youth also Can a Muslim force others to accept Islam?

Even though, Muslims have been granted the permission desiring a change would become willing tools in the hands to spread Islam, are we allowed to use coercion to achieve of the elders. Every consultative forum always has its this in a multi religious society?youth wing. You have the Arewa Consultative Forum

Holy Quran 2:251 says: La ikraha fii deeni, meaning: (ACF) and the Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC). The There should be no compulsion in matters of religion.youth have the raw energy and zeal to go on rampage.

Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad in his book titled Absolute Sometimes, they may not understand what they are Justice, Kindness and Kinship says while commenting on fighting for.the above verse writes thus: “In matters of faith, there is no The youth can easily be manipulated due to so many compulsion, every person has complete freedom. No factors. Unemployment is the main reason. They see no religion is given permission to convert anyone forcefully reason why a system that has subdued them should and no person renouncing a religion can be prevented by continue since it is of no benefit to them; they clamour for a force. In addition, the words la ikraha fii deeni alludes to an bloody change. Remember that an idle mind is the devil's unalterable principle of human nature, that is, even if force workshop. Illiteracy is another. A group of uncouth and is used, it is ineffective in matters of religion because it illiterate youth can easily be convinced to embark on a cannot cause a change of heart. To try and do this by suicide mission. Many killings have been carried out in compulsion is a futile exercise which achieves nothing but this country using politics of religion as a basis.oppression.”

Also in Holy Quran 88 vs 22-27, Allah says: Causes of Youth Restiveness in a Multi Religious Society

Except for sectarian clashes, one does not expect any restiveness in any multi-religious society because each has its own line and Islam especially has taught Muslims how best to conduct themselves in such a society. Holy Quran 16 vs 126 says:

“Admonish, therefore, for you are an admonisher, you have no authority to compel them, but whoever turns away and disbelieves, Allah will punish him with the

That is, Call unto the way of thy lord with wisdom and greatest punishment. Unto Us surely is their return, then, goodly exhortation, and argue with them in a way that is surely, it is for Us to call them to account.”best, surely, thy lord knows best who has strayed from his It is not for any human being to call them to account as it way and he knows those who are rightly guided”. is being done now in many countries.

In verse 127, Allah continues: And if you desire to Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad said on the verse thus: “No punish the oppressors, then punish them to the extent to true religion can be held accountable for the crimes which you have been wronged, but if you show patience, committed in its name against human conscience. Those then, surely, that is best for those who are patient. responsible are the so called religious priesthoods who

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah unjustly distort the divine teachings only to suit their own


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purpose at the expense of the purpose of God. They even only to the case of Muslims, it is granted to all religions acquire for themselves the license to kill.” whose message has ever been attempted to be suppressed

Also, in Holy Quran, Chapter 60 vs 9, it reads: by sword.

Can Other Religionists Force Muslims / Believers to Join Their Religion

In the Holy Quran, Chapter 7 vs 89, it is written: “The chiefs among his people who were arrogant said: “ Assuredly, we would drive you out, O Shuayb, and the believers that are with you, from our town, or you shall have to return to our religion. He said: Even, if we be unwilling?”

Commenting, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad said: “If a “Allah forbids you not, respecting those who have not tyrant ever attempted to coerce others into changing their

fought against you on account of your religion and who religion, he will find them always ready to defend their have not driven you forth from your homes, that you be fundamental human rights even at the cost of immense kind to them and act equitably towards them. Surely, Allah sacrifice.”loves those who are equitable” Pharaoh devised various torturous punishments for the

people who turned away from his religion. He threatened Under What Circumstances Are Muslims Allowed to those who accepted the religion of Prophet Musa (as) with

Use Force? punishment.Allah says in Holy Quran Chapter 22 vs 40-41: In Holy Quran 20:72, it is recounted of Pharaoh when he

said: Do you believe him before I give you leave? He must be your chief who has taught you magic. I will therefore cut off your hands and your feet on alternative sides and will surely crucify you on the trunks of palm trees.

God always rises in defense of believers being forced to convert to infidelity.

Quranic Solution to a Restive SituationWhere there is injustice, lawlessness, oppression, the

Holy Quran has a remedy as the servants of Allah have every right to hope for justice from Allah. Holy Quran Ch. 27:63 says:

“Permission to fight is given to those against whom war is made because they have been wronged, and Allah indeed has the power to help them.

“Those who have been driven out of their homes unjustly only because they say” our Lord is Allahand if “Or, who answers the distressed person when he calls Allah did not repel some men by means of others, there upon Him, and removes the evil and makes you would surely have been pulled down cloisters, churches, successors in the earth. Is there a god besides Allah? synagogues and mosques, wherein the name of Allah is Little is it that you reflect.”often commemorated.” Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad commented on the verse says

A careful study of these verses proves that the sword is thus: “Here 'distressed' means those who are fraught with only permitted in defence and never as a weapon of misery and grief. Sometimes their unhappiness is so great offence. Muslims are permitted to defend themselves with that it seems as if their hearts will break. On such the same weapons which are used against them to suppress occasions, Allah does not stop at justice, but cares for his their rights of existence. servants with benevolence even if they have not earned it

The wisdom authorising a defensive war does not apply through good deeds. The distressed person may not have


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been a believer in God at all, yet, it has to be admitted that, AFTER BECOMING A LEADER, the Holy Prophet after all, he is God's creature. As such, God responds to his showed good examples that led to peaceful co-existence of call in distress with benevolence. Among the distressed are all. the powerless, the dispossessed and the downtrodden. The 1. When he conquered Makkah, he established Holy Prophet says of these people: “Dhimmis” as a solution to combat the multi-cultural and

Itaqu da'wata mazlum, wa ina kaafiran fainahu laysa multi religious composition of the society under the rule of duunaha hijaaban Muslims then. The Holy Prophet gave the same right to the

That is, Beware, fear the malediction of the wronged Dhimmis (non-Muslims) as were given to the combatant one. Even though he may be an infidel, there is no tribes who accepted Islam. It is on the basis of this equality distance between his prayer and God. of the rights that Muslim jurists have defined the rights of

It follows therefore that anyone who is oppressed by non-Muslims citizens in a Muslim state; he said: if the non-another could pray to God for intervention. All the past Muslims chose to live under a Muslim state and agree to prophets did that. pay its taxes, they will enjoy the same rights and privileges

We also have an example of such an oppressive situation as are enjoined by Muslims. in this country. Many who opposed those oppressive 2. Dhimmis signified the sacred responsibility of forces and stood out lost their lives for it. Some lost their Muslims to protect all the rights of non-Muslims and that lives and wives and their businesses were ruined. Some they would have the fullest opportunities to live in peace were permanently displaced. We can still remember without the least threat or danger to their security. No Alfred Rewane, Kudirat Abiola, MKO Abiola, Ken Saro distinction was made between a Muslim and non-Muslim Wiwa and many others. in social and civic affairs. Soon after the conquest of

Makkah, a deputation of Banu Suqaif from Taif visited the Prophetic Solutions Holy Prophet (saw). They were quartered in the mosque as This has to be looked at from two perspectives. One was tents were pitched for them. Some Muslims approached

when the Prophet was indeed weak, considered too feeble the Prophet and objected to their staying in the mosque on to fight and was an underdog compared to the Arabian the ground that the guests were idolaters and impure. The might. The second aspect was when he became the ruler Holy Prophet replied that the Quran said: Innama l and had real power to deal with non-Muslims or revenge mushrikina najasun i.e, the idolaters are impure refers to a what they had done to the Muslims. condition of heart and not that of their body. He said,

referring to the body that all human beings are pure and BEFORE HE HAD POWER, have the right to free access to the holiest of holy places.MIGRATION: Apart from the fact that the Holy Quran 3. At a time, some Muslims were fed up with the evil

says the land of Allah is vast and we could travel from one machinations of the Jews of Khaybar, they therefore point to the other, especially, when we are faced with misappropriated their fruits and animal (youth restiveness oppression, the Prophet did this. He instructed his by Muslims). The Prophet was furious when he heard followers to migrate to Taif, Madinah and Abyssinia. He about it and said: “Allah does not allow you to enter the had to migrate and did not attack or tried to assert his right. houses of People of the Book without their permission. Prophet Musa (as) migrated, Prophet Isa (as) migrated, Similarly, it is illegal to pluck their fruits from their ditto for some other prophets. What did Hazrat Mirza Tahir orchards”Ahmad do when the Government of Pakistan wanted to 4. Hazrat Safiya was the mother of the faithful and a kill him? What happened to the Jamaatul Ahmadiyya wife of the prophet. She retained her relationships and when he got to London? contacts with her Jewish relatives even after becoming a

PRAYER: The Holy Prophet constantly prayed to God Muslim. While the Holy Prophet was even alive, he used to for intervention. receive her non-Muslim relatives and honoured them as

HUMILITY: He was always humble and not arrogant or visitors in the house of the Holy Prophet.forceful in asserting rights despite the fact that he was a 5. The Last Sermon of the Holy Prophet was a Prophet of Allah. masterpiece of human equality and brotherhood. He said

AGREEMENT/COVENANT: The Prophet entered “O men, your maker is one; you are the sons and daughters into many agreements and covenants with the opposition of one father, therefore, no attempt at dividing you into and he tried to abide by the terms of the covenants, for high and low is acceptable. No Arab has any superiority example, the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah. He was faithful to over the non-Arabs and vice versa. Neither the whites are his trust and was not a leader who would promise one thing superior to the blacks or vice versa. The only mark of and do another. difference is the fear of Allah and an individual's personal


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The Holy Prophet Muhammad's (saw) Kindness to Children

And we have sent thee not but as a mercy for all peoples (Chapter 21, verse 108)

he Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), had many [Tirmizi]. extraordinary characteristics, one being Rah-mit- An Arab chief was surprised to see the Holy Prophet ul-ala-meen, or, merciful to the peoples. The Muhammad (SAW) kissing his grandsons. The chief T

Holy Prophet (saw) showed mercy and kindness to all remarked that never had he kissed any of his ten children. people. Today I am only going to discuss his kindness The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) remarked back: towards the children, through three different perspectives: “One who has no pity for others is himself not pitied by as a messenger, as a person, and as a father. Allah”. He also said: "If Allah leaves your heart barren

As a messenger, the Prophet Muhammad (saw) was kind of love, I cannot help you." (Bukhari). to children through his teachings. For example, there was Besides his own affection, expression of love between a bad practice during the time of the Holy Prophet (saw), the mother and her children deeply touched the Holy where some people would kill their infant girls for fear of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Once a poor woman with poverty or shame. The Holy Prophet (saw) stopped this her two little daughters came to Hazrat Ayesha (RA). sad practice. Also, people would take or steal orphans' Hazrat Ayesha (RA) had nothing to offer them except a property, because there were rarely believed important. date that happened to be left over. The woman divided the The Holy Prophet (saw) hated the way that they were date into two pieces and gave one each to the children. In being treated, and stopped the practice in its tracks. the meantime, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) came

As a person, the Holy Prophet (saw) was a person whom in. Hazrat Ayesha (RA) narrated the story of the woman kids would love to play with. He used to get into the spirit to him. He said: “A person, who cherishes love for his of childish games in their company. He would have fun children and does his duty to them, shall be saved from the with the children who had come back from Aby-Sinia and fire of Hell.” (Bukhari). tried to speak in Aby-Sinian with them. [Al-Bukhaari]. When the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) intended to

A companion, recalling his childhood, said: "In my pray longer in congregation but heard a child crying, he childhood I used to fell dates by throwing stones at palm would cut the prayer short because he was mindful of the trees. Somebody took me to the Prophet (SAW) who pain the child's crying might be causing to the mother. advised me to pick up the dates lying on the ground but not (Bhukari)to fell them with stones. He then patted me and blessed Finally I would like to add another saying of the Prophet me." [Abu Daawood]. that proves that Muslims should be conscious to treat their

As a father, the Holy Prophet (saw) loved his children sons and daughters justly:and grand children dearly. While receiving his daughter, “Fear Allah and treat your children [small or grown] Hazrat Fatimah (RA), he used to rise from his seat, kiss her fairly (with equal justice).” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)on the forehead, and make her sit in his own place.

Condition IThe initiate shall solemnly promise that he/she shall abstain from shirk [associating any partner with God] right up to the day of his/ her death.

Condition IIThat he/she shall keep away from falsehood, fornication/adultery, trespasses of the eye, debauchery, dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty, mischief and rebellion; and that he/she w ill not permit himself/herself to be carried away by passions, however strong they might be.

Condition IIIThat he/she shall regularly offer t he five daily Prayers in accordance with the commandments of God and the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa and shall try his/her best to be regular in offering the Tahajjud and invoking durud on the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa. That he/she shall make it his/her daily routine to ask forgiveness for his/her sins, to remember the bounties of God and to praise and glorify Him.

Condition IVThat under the impulse of any passions, he/she shall cause no harm whatsoever to the creatures of God in general and Muslims in particular, neither by his/her tongue, hands, nor any other means.

Condition VThat he/she shall remain faithful to God in all circumstances of life, in sorrow and in happiness, in adversity and in prosperity, in felicity and in trial; and that he/she shall in all conditions remain resigned to the decree of God and keep himself/ herself ready to face all kinds of indignities and sufferings in His way and shall never turn away from Him at the onslaught of any misfortune; on the contrary, he/she shall march forward.

Condition VIThat he/she shall refrain from following un- Islamic customs and lustful inclinations and shall completely submit himself/herself to the authority of t he Holy Qur'an; and that he/she shall make the Word of God and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad sa his/her guiding principles in every walk of his/ her life.

Condition VIIThat he/she shall entirely give up pride and van it y and shall pass all his/her life in humbleness, cheerfulness, forbearance and meekness.

Condition VIIIThat he/she shall hold faith, the honour of faith and the cause of Islam dearer than his/her life, wealth, honour, children, and all loved ones.

Condition IXThat he/she shall keep himself/ herself occupied in the service of God's creatures for His sake only and shall endeavour towards the beneficence of mankind to the best of his/her God-given abilities and powers.

Condition XThat he/she shall enter into a bond of brotherhood with this humble servant of God, pledging obedience to me in everything good for the sake of God, and remain faithful to it until the day of his/her death. That he/she 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

10 Conditions of Bai’at

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muhammad (saw): man, leader, prophet

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