Contributed by: Sarah Ahmed · For Members Of The Lahore Ahmadiyya Jama’at Only 2 The Islamic view on…. The Worldly Life Contributed by: Sarah Ahmed Holy Quran “Know that this

For Members Of The Lahore Ahmadiyya Jama’at Only

Introductory Message from HazratAmeer

Dear Members of the Jama‘at,

It gives me great pleasure to write this message forthe first issue of the ILAN. I have a vision to bring theAhmadis all over the world, youth and adults alike, closerto one another. A Newsletter is one of the many means thatI hope will not only fulfill this objective but also help in theeducation of our youth and make them better informedabout their faith and the role that they are expected to playas members of the Lahore Ahmadiyya community. Thenewsletter has been launched with the objective ofinformation, teaching, news sharing and participation inmind.

The first issue has been produced in a short periodafter a team of enthusiastic youths came to discuss the ideawith me. I organized a workshop for them in my office andwhat you see in front of you is the first attempt to put intopractice their discussions and deliberations from theworkshop.

I hope this issue will be the first in the series thatwill appear every month. The plan ahead will only bepossible if you all actively participate and contribute. It willalso contain international news and I hope you will all sendin news from your countries and Jama’at to the editor forinclusion in the forthcoming issues.

I pray for the success of this venture and hope thatfruit of the efforts of all those who contribute towards itwill be apparent very soon and that Allah will reward allof them for their time, enthusiasm and effort.

Professor Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed

MONTHLY January 2004

ILANAhmadiyya Anjuman Lahore

5 Usman Block, New Garden Town, Lahore, Pakistan (email: [email protected])

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Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmed ofQadian – the founder of Ahmadiyya

Movement, the Mujaddid of the14th Century and Promised Messiah

Volume 1- Issue 1

www.aaiil.org

In This Issuee Islamic view on… The

orldly Life –P 2

hore Ahmadis’ Vision fore 21st Century –P 3

mmary of the Fridayrmon –P 6

gnificance of EID-ul-Azha -7

e Annual Duaiyya 2003 – P 9

azrat Ibrahim’s Sacrifice P 10

limpses of the Annualuaiyya 2003 – P 11

e Pledge – P 12

1

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Holy Quran

“Know that this woamong yourselves and a vrain, whose causing the veaway so that thou seest it ta severe chastisement and world’s life is naught but a

Vie one with anotextensiveness of which is prepared for those who bAllah; He gives it to whom

(Al Hadeed 57:20, 2

Hadith QudsiNarrated Mujahid:

Abdullah bin 'Umar“Be in this world as if you'Umar used to say, "If youmorning, and if you survivand take from your health

(Sahih Bukhari, Volu

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam“Does the possessor

a single penny? So, if youduring every time of your treasure. Value this treasuWithout Him, you are nautrifling. Do not imitate thenot mean to discourage yomoderation. But I do wanlike these nations have … ithing that is of essence is G

(Kishti-i-Nooh)

The Islamic view on….The Worldly Life

Contributed by: Sarah Ahmed

rld’s life is only sport and play and gaiety and boastingying in the multiplication of wealth and children. It is asgetation to grow pleases the husbandmen, then it withers

urning yellow, then it becomes chaff. And in the hereafter is(also) forgiveness from Allah and (His) pleasure. And this source of vanity.her for forgiveness from your Lord and a Garden theas the extensiveness of the heaven and the earth — it iselieve in Allah and His messengers. That is the grace of He pleases. And Allah is the Lord of mighty grace.”1)

said, "Allah's Apostle took hold of my shoulder and said, were a stranger or a traveller." The sub-narrator added: Ibn

survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in thee till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening,

for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death."

me 8, Book 76, Number 425)

Ahmad Sahib Qadiani of a vast monetary treasure wail in anguish over the loss of were aware of this treasure that God is there to help youneed, you would not fret for this world. God is a wonderfulre and He shall be your Helper at every step of your life.ght and your means and plans are utterly insignificant and nations that have placed their trust in materialism … I dou from seeking worldly goods, provided that you practice

t to dissuade you from devoting yourselves to materialismf you could only discern, then you would see that the only

od, whereas the rest is mere trappings.”

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Lahore Ahmadis’ Vision for the21st Century

By: Maulaana Mustapha K. HydalTrinidad & Tobago

The Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at Islam(Ahmadiyya Organisation for thePropagation of Islam) founded in Lahore,Pakistan, is an international Muslimmovement, which exists for the purpose ofpresenting the religion of Islam, in its pureand original form, to the entire world. TheAhmadiyya movement’s approach is toconvince the human mind, intellect,conscience and heart, of the truth of Islam,by presenting reasoned arguments andshowing the inherent beauty of Islamicprinciples and their appeal to true humannature. The Ahmadiyya Movement ensuresthat the truth and beauty of Islam is shownthrough one’s practical life and example.

In an age when Muslims had slumped totheir worst decline, Hazrat Mirza GhulaamAhmad received intimation from Godindicating that the time for the final,worldwide triumph of the faith of Islam, asprophesied in the Qur’an, had now arrived.But this would be a victory of thearguments, principles and beauty of Islam,which will capture the hearts and minds ofpeople all over the world.

Hazrat Mirza Ghulaam Ahmad thePromised deputy of the ProphetMuhammad, is not only the invincible proofof the truth that Islam is the living religionfor humanity but through him comes animmeasurable volume of regenerativepower which is capable of healing the ills ofthe entire Muslim nation and establishingpeace and order in every nook and corner ofthe earth.

The impact of this tiny body of Muslimswho have accepted Mirza Ghulaam Ahmad(popularly known as Ahmadis) over thevast populace of world Muslims is simply

astonishing. This tiny body of the reformedMuslim is a positive force against allimperialism, communism, pessimism,atheism, fanaticism and terrorism - to bebrief, this is the body which stands for anew world order based on religious valuesof life.

Hazrat Mirza rose as a lone champion of

Islam by ably proving the Divine Truth ofthe religion, by giving true interpretation tothe Qur’an and re-capturing its pristinepurity, which had been lost. He alsodemonstrated that the Holy Qura’n offersthe true and beautiful conception of Godand the only guidance to humanity to attainnearness to God. He came and gaveregenerative power to Islam at a time whenthe Muslim world lay bleeding under theawful wounds of superstition, ignoranceand irreligion; when there was no pride leftin Muslims and when Islam was regardedby all the world as an immoral and Godlesscult.

Hazrat Mirza gave hope to the Muslimsand replaced lost vitality within them whenhe announced the triumphant approach ofthe victory of Islam over all the religions ofthe world and the eminence to whichMuslims shall attain in taking Islam to thefour corners of the world. Unfortunately,the attitude of Muslims is to regardanything different from what they hold fastto, as a new sect whose members arequickly declared as Kaafirs (unbelievers)who are outside the pale of Islam.

Every battle requires a squadron and aleader; whether that battle is with the word

““TThhee AAhhmmaaddiiyyyyaa MMoovveemmeenntt iinn IIssllaammwwaass nneevveerr iinntteennddeedd ttoo aadddd ttoo tthhee nnuummbbeerrooff eexxiissttiinngg sseeccttss aammoonngg MMuusslliimmss,, iitt wwaass

ttoo uunniittee tthheemm aallll uunnddeerr oonnee lleeaaddeerr((IImmaaaamm)) aappppooiinntteedd bbyy AAllllaahh


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or with the sword. Just as for a physicalbattle, a spiritual battle also requires auniformed army and a commander.Muslims desire unity but where and inwhom is the leadership to be found? Theproblem with those who oppose theAhmadiyya Movement is that they observereligion with eyes of bigotry and prejudiceand so consider this organization as aseparate sect.

The Muslim 'Ulamaa (learned persons)should stop their hostile attitude towardsMirza Ghulaam Ahmad and guide the massesto rally around his Divinely-ordainedMission of Ahmadiyya Anjuman. To rejectthe Mujaddid of the age is to reject the Truth,and according to the Prophet Muhammad,peace and blessings of Allah be on him,“THOSE WHO DO NOT RECOGNISE THE IMAAM(MUJADDID) OF THE AGE SHALL DIE THEDEATH OF A JAHILIYYA (IGNORANT).

How is it that Muslims are not annoyedor offended when organisations arise thatpreach Jihaad with the sword and then inplace of the sword they use guns andbombs? Don’t the Muslim scholars considerit a bid‘at to fight with guns, planes andtanks instead of sword and spears? Toreplace the sword with modern weapons ofwarfare is not un–Islamic (in their view)but to replace the sword with the word orthe pen or the computer brings down theanathema of Kufr. Strange it is that thegeneral body of Muslims cast aspersions onthis Anjuman that is doing Jihaad with theQur’an and the pen. Strange it is thatMuslims don’t join the AhmadiyyaAnjuman in this religious duty but ratherrebuke and reproach us for it.

Muslims preach peace but upholdviolence as the means of salvation. They areunaware of the fact that spiritual force orpower lies in humility rather thanarrogance, which was responsible for thedownfall of the Devil (2:34, 35) Muslimshave failed to understand that Islam is to be

used a tool for self-development. They aremore concerned about whether they are inIslam than whether Islam (submission) is inthem.

Thus the Qur’an clearly teaches that “thereis no compulsion in religion.” (2:256) It alsodemands “will you force people to believe?”(10:99). When the Qur’an forbids the use offorce and compulsion why do someMuslims still insist on using it to propagateIslam? Fear and force create hypocrisy not faithin the heart of the human being.

As long as Muslims upheld the format ofJihaad with the Qur’an, they progressedand nations were subdued. When Muslimsgave up Jihaad with the Qur’an they felland Allah’s help also left them.

There is Honour in the nameAHMADIYYA

It is indeed regrettable that the namesAhmadi and Ahmadiyya derived fromAhmad the honoured name of the Prophetof Islam as referred to in the Qur’an (61:6)are considered as being synonymous withKaafir or non Muslim while Muslims andMuslim organizations take pride in callingthemselves after the names of the followersof Muhammad, peace and blessing of Allahbe on him, (e.g. Hanafi, Shaafi‘i, Hanbali,Maaliki, Wah–haabi etc.) or after the namesof pieces of land (e.g. Sa‘udi, Pakistaani,Iraaqi, Sudaani, Deobandi etc.)

Muslims would do well to heed the call ofMirza Ghulaam Ahmad and theAhmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at-i-Islam tocollaborate on the basis of the verse of theQur’an (8:46) that states:

“Obey Allah and His Messenger andsquabble not one with another that youbecome indolent and lose your stamina. Bedetermined. Indeed Allah is with thedetermined ones.”


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The service of Islam at the present dayentails no small amount of hardship andself-sacrifice. To form a solid band ofpersons, to uphold the cause of Islam underthe most adverse conditions is, therefore, apressing necessity. And bai‘at, a solemnpublic declaration, is obviously the verycornerstone of any such organisation. Thesoldiers of Islam who must rally round thestandard of the Mujaddid are therefore,required to declare that come what might,they would live and die by Islam. “I willhold religion above the world,” everyone has topledge.

The administration of the AhmadiyyaAnjuman is dependent on the twoprinciples of self-help and teammanagement. Self help or self developmentis enjoined thus in the Qur’an: “O you whobelieve, upgrade yourselves,” (5:105) and“Allah alters not what’s in people until theyalter what’s in themselves.” (13:11) Teammanagement is also a directive of theQur’an: “Team up with them in themanagement (of affairs),” (3:158) and “thosewho respond to their Lord and keepthemselves upright through prayer, andmanage their (affairs) by teaming up amongthemselves.” (42:38)

VISION STATEMENT FOR THE NEWMILLENNIUM

The history of the Ahmadiyya Anjumanhas always been linked with the vision(prophecy) of the Prophet Muhammad that“the sun (of Islam) will rise in the West.” TheFounder, Mirza Ghulaam Ahmad forgedthis vision into practical terms through theslogan “put religion above the world.”Maulaana Muhammad Ali, the firstpresident of the Lahore AhmadiyyaMovement further urged “Our mission is to

carry the message of the Qur’an to the fourcorners of the world.”

The vision and mission statement of theAhmadiyya Anjuman in the newmillennium must now be:

As an Ahmadi my vision of a betterworld must be realized through thechanges I make in myself for my self-development. I will cooperate with othersto call to the way of my Lord with wisdomand goodly exhortation (16:125). I willspeak what is best (17:53) and will place(raise) Islam above the world. I willalways be conscious that Allah is watchingme. I will seek to find favour with Allahthat others will find favour in me. I willstrive for greater commitment to thepractices of Islam. I will endeavour to bedecently dressed especially at every timeand place of prayer (7:31). I will promotethe message of the Qur’an to the world. Iwill strive for self-improvement as I seeknearness to Allah. I will join with others tomake ourselves better believers (Muslims)by upholding truth at all times.

God has stated in the Qur’an:

“THIS DAY I HAVE PERFECTED FOR YOUYOUR RELIGION AND COMPLETED MYFAVOUR TO YOU.” (5:3)

This does not mean that since religion hasreached perfection and completion, there isno need for a Mujaddid or reformer.Reformers and saints do not come into theworld to remove something from religion orto add to it. But after a period of time, as thedust of corrupted notions settles upon theteachings and the face of pure truth ishidden, then to show that beautiful face ofthe beauty of Islam, Mujaddids (reformers)come.

Completion of religion does not implythat its legitimate defence should be totallyabandoned. Suppose someone builds ahouse, constructs all its rooms elegantly andfulfils all its requirements as a building to

““IIff rreelliiggiioonn ccaannnnoott bbrriinngg uuss cclloosseerrttooggeetthheerr hhooww ccaann iitt bbrriinngg uuss cclloosseerr ttoo

AAllllaahh””


6

the best standard; then after a time stormsblow, rains come, dust and dirt settle on thedecoration and its beauty is hidden. If thenone of his descendants should want to cleanand wash the house should he be forbiddento do so merely on the grounds that thebuilding was already complete? Completionis one thing and the periodic cleaning of acompleted thing is another. Mujaddids(reformers) do not add anything to thereligion nor take anything away from it.What they do is to reinstate lost faith in thehearts of Muslims.

The strength of any religion lies in thecharacter of its people not in the grandeurof its places of worship. Religion is not agimmick to earn a place in paradise.Religion is a method to develop Divinequalities in a person and in a community.Life’s value is measured not in materialquantities but in the quality of divinity wehave in ourselves.

The New Year is set before us like anunwritten volume - all its pages are blank.Let us write upon each day’s page thingsthat at the end of the year we will look uponwith rejoicing rather than regret.

A Summary of the Friday Sermon

Tayyaba Anwar Ahmed

Maulana Abdul Hameed deliveredthe Khutba-i-Jummah at Jamiah DarusSalaam Lahore on Friday, 23rd of January

2004. The subject of the sermon was “ThePrevalence of Islam”.

“He it is Who sent His Messengerwith guidance and the Religion of Truth,that He may cause it to prevail over allreligions, though the polytheists are averse"(Al Bara‘at 9:33)

This Quranic verse shines out in fullresplendence. The light of Islam enlightensthe whole world from the farthest East tothe farthest West. Through reliable Hadithwe find that a greater manifestation of thefulfilment of these words will be witnessedin the later days- when the Messiah of thisummah makes his appearance and thewhole world has witnessed the fulfilment ofthis prophesy with open signs from Allah.

There exists a strong resemblancebetween Hazrat Masih-i-Mauood and theProphet Moses. The Prophet Moses wasbrought up in the home of the Pharaoh.Allah Ta‘ala later granted him prophet hoodand he rejected Pharaoh’s beliefs andthoughts. It is the same with our Messiah.He was born during Christian rule in hishomeland and later proved and openlydeclared the death of Jesus, thus destroyingthe very basis of Christianity and showingIslam as the “Religion of Truth” to thewhole world.


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Significance of EID-ul-Azha

Address by Maulvi Mustafa Khan1

Eid-ul-Azha, 14 August 1921, Woking, UK

"And when his Lord tried Abraham withcertain commands, he fulfilled them. He said:Surely I will make you a leader of men.(Abraham) said: And of my offspring? Mycovenant does not include the wrongdoers, saidHe.

" And when We made the house a resort formen and a (place of) security. And: Take ye theplace of Abraham for a place of prayer. And Weenjoined Abraham and Ishmael, saying: PurifyMy House for those who visit (it) and those whoabide (in it) for devotion and those who bowdown (and) those who prostrate themselves.

“And when Abraham said: My Lord, makethis a secure town and provide its people withfruits, such of them as believe in Allah and thelast day. He said: And whoever disbelieves, Ishall grant him enjoyment for a short while,then I shall drive him to the chastisement of theFire. And it is an evil destination.

" And when Abraham and Ishmael raisedthe foundations of the House: Our Lord, acceptfrom us; surely Thou art the Hearing, theKnowing.

"Our Lord, Make us both submissive toThee, and (raise) from our offspring a nationsubmissive to Thee, and show us our ways ofdevotion and turn to us (mercifully); surelyThou art the Oft-returning (to mercy), theMerciful.

"Our Lord, and raise up in them aMessenger from among them who shall recite tothem Thy messages and teach them the Book andthe wisdom, and purify them. Surely Thou artthe Mighty, the Wise." (Al Baqara 2:124-129)

1 Adapted from The Islamic Review, August 1921

Islam: A Very Old ReligionIslam is a very old religion; it is as old as

humanity itself, and it did not originatewith the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peaceand blessings of Allah be on him, who was,of course its last exponent. The Westernmind often makes a mistake in lookingupon the Prophet as preaching somethingnew, having nothing to do with the faith ofthose who preceded him. But, that is quitewrong. Take, for instance, the Eid of Bairamor Feast of Sacrifice. It is associated with thegreat patriarch Abraham, who is thecommon ancestor of Moses, Jesus and theProphet Muhammad (peace and blessingsof Allah be upon them. So far as the originof the Eid-ul-Azha is concerned, it has noassociation with the Holy Prophet himself,but it can be traced back to the time ofAbraham, who is the common father of theSemitic races. It is connected with twofunctions, viz. (1) Pilgrimage of Mecca and(2) Sacrifice.

Sacred House of MeccaThe verses mentioned above relate to

the sacred house of Mecca, which is theobject of pilgrimage of Muslims. It is thesame house towards which we face inprayer, and it is the unique feature of thishouse that so many millions of Muslimsscattered all over the world say their dailyprayers facing towards it, making it a livingcentre of Islam. How and when was thishouse built? History is unable to answerthis question. The tradition of the Arabstells us that the house belongs to a veryremote antiquity, of which we have norecord. The Holy Qur’an says that it was thefirst house that was dedicated for theworship of one God. In the time ofAbraham, however, this house was in astate of ruins, and when Abraham left hisfavourite wife and son Ishmael in the desertof Arabia, he rebuilt it as a place forworship of one God. It was thereforeassociated with Abraham, and was resortedto by the people, who acknowledged it as


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the most sacred place on the surface of theearth. But by the lapse of time thedescendants of Abraham -- the wildchildren of the Desert - became idolatrous,and placed three hundred and sixty idols inthe same sacred house which was meant forthe worship of Allah. Then, in accordancewith the Prayer of Abraham as contained inthe above-quoted verses, the Holy Prophetwas raised, who cleared the " house of God" from these idols and re-established theunity of God in the land which had beensunk in the worst type of idolatry. Thetwofold prayer of Abraham was granted.The barren piece of desert was convertedinto a beautiful city full of provisions andfruits, and the Holy Prophet was raised topurify the mankink.

PilgrimageThe Muslims of all parts of the world

now go to Mecca and make a pilgrimage ofthe sacred house. This shows how selflessthe Holy Prophet Muhammad was. He hasno wish to blow his own trumpet. He doesnot make his own shrine the object ofpilgrimage for his followers, but clearly laysdown that his tomb should not be made anobject of worship. In appointing Mecca asthe place of pilgrimage, however, he hasrevived the sanctity of the old house thatwas built for the worship of one God, andhas also tied together the Christians, Jewsand Muslims into the bond of fraternity,because Abraham is their common ancestorand common Prophet.

On pilgrimage one has to put off theordinary clothes, and wear one kind ofdress consisting of two seamless sheets,leaving the head uncovered. The pilgrimalso has to make seven circuits round theKaba. In fact, the condition of a pilgrim, hisdifferent movements and the fashion of

dress represent the highest stage of thedivine love. The worshipper is imbued withthe true love of God, and in a state ofecstasy makes circuits round the house ofone God. His dress is very simple, humble,and uniform, because all distinction ofwealth and position must sink intoinsignificance in the sight, of God. Inpilgrimage the whole of humanity assumesone aspect, one attitude before its Maker,and thus the brotherhood of man becomes aliving reality. It should, however, be bornein mind that we do not worship the Kaba;we only respect it as the house that wasbuilt for the worship of one God.

SacrificeThe other function with which the

festival of today is associated is theinstitution of sacrifice. It has also its originwith Abraham. He saw in the vision that hewas sacrificing his son Ishmael. Abraham, atrue lover of God as he was, wanted totranslate it into action and sacrifice hisbeloved son, showing thereby that his lovefor God was the most supreme, and nothingin the world could prevent him fromobedience to God. He was going to sacrificehis son when the revelation came: " OAbraham, you have made your vision true!"and the animal sacrifice was substituted.The history of all the nations of the worldshows that human sacrifice has always beenpractised in one form or the other. But Islamcame to rescue humanity from this curse,and it substituted animal sacrifice.

However, there lies a deep significanceunder the institution of the sacrifice. It is asymbolical institution, and teaches us thatwe should be invariably ready to sacrificeeverything--our passions, our carnaldesires, our riches, our position for the loveof God. Thus the pilgrimage and sacrificeare, so to speak, the physical image of ourdevotion to God, and represent thesentimental side of our faith, because Islamis both a religion of head and heart.

““ IInn ppiillggrriimmaaggee tthhee wwhhoollee ooff hhuummaanniittyyaassssuummeess oonnee aassppeecctt,, oonnee aattttiittuuddee bbeeffoorreeiittss MMaakkeerr,, aanndd tthhuuss tthhee bbrrootthheerrhhoooodd ooff

mmaann bbeeccoommeess aa lliivviinngg rreeaalliittyy..


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THE ANNUAL DUAIYYA2003

A comment by

Shaukat A. Ali, Regional Director SouthAsia Pacific

Alhamdulillah, I returned safely lastnight, after quenching my thirst from thespiritual fountain at Darus Salaam, Lahore.

I take this opportunity to convey myvery warm greetings and prayers to HazratAmeer and to all the brothers and sisters ofthe Jama’at.

The arrangements for the Duaiyyawere exceptionally good and theprogramme of events over the five-dayperiod was excellent. The new format forthe Duaiyya with presentations/discoursesby learned personalities from all overPakistan provided the opportunity toparticipants to pay full attention to thespeakers and to relax during the breaks tomeet others in order to establish ordevelop/strengthen social contacts.

The event was a tremendous successfrom all accounts. Hazrat Ameer’s personalstewardship of the Anjuman and attentionto details contributed to the success of theDuaiyya. Participation by members of theJama’at was a record for recent years and Ihave no doubt whatsoever that it willcontinue to grow in the years to come. Inthis respect, I intend to submit a fewcomments and observations in the nearfuture.

I would like to convey my heartfeltthanks and appreciation to all those whoworked long hours behind the scenes andunder tremendous pressures to contributeto the success of this spiritual annual event.

May Allah Ta'ala guide us and grantus wisdom and foresight to continue toimplement the activities of the Movement in

accordance with the general guidance andphilosophy provided by the Imaam of theAge. Aameen.

Review by Sabiha Saeed

The Annual Duaiyya 2003, withGod’s help, concluded successfully on the28th of December 2003. The purpose of theDuaiyya, That is, the spiritual advancementof individuals and the collective prayersand planning for the spread of Islam waseminently served.

Starting from the Dars-i-Quran onthe morning of the 24th through the ladiesDuaiyya and the four days of generalgathering there was a lot enthusiasm andfervour in deriving the maximum spiritualbenefit from these five days, set asideexclusively, for the quest of religiousknowledge and prayers.

All the speakers had a message toconvey to the audience. There were not onlythe young and spirited speakers who hadfresh ideas to put forward that appealed tothe sentiments of the gathering, there werealso the polished experienced speakerswhose knowledgeable speeches held theattention of the audience. The talks covereda wide array of subjects such as what is realfaith and where should we look forguidance for it; the sterling exemplary lifeof the Prophet (peace be upon him); themessage of the Promised Messiah; his roleas Hakm-i-Adal (the judge); the activitiesand publications of the Jama’ats world over.In short all those who participated in theDuaiyya went home richer in knowledgeand more determined to put in their best tofulfil the mission of the Ahmadiyya Jama‘at.

The heart-warming speeches byHazrat Ameer -- the opening and


concluding speeches and appeal fordonations moved all present.

Those of our brother in faith whohad undertaken long journeys to attend theDuaiyya were given a chance to share theirideas. There were participants from USA,Australia, Holland, Fiji, Malaysia andThailand. The extension of the duration ofthe Duaiyya by one day gave a chance tothe participants to socialise with each otheras well.

As always the donations at theDuaiyya were very generous reflecting thespirit of sacrifice inculcated in the Jama‘at.

Hazrat Ameer held a separatesession with the delegates from abroad towork out a better-coordinated program forthe propagation for Islam.

The Youth sessions in the eveningwere interesting and informative and thehigh attendance was a morale booster forthe youngsters.

The ladies also arranged a get-together for the representative of Jama’atsfrom within the country and abroad.

Alhamdulillah, the Duaiyya infuseda new spirit in the Jama‘at to develop abond with God and fellow beings and workharder to fulfil the mission entrusted to usby the Mujaddid, Hazrat Mirza GhulamAhmad.

A Lesson From Hazrat Ibrahim’sSacrifice

Athar Rasool

Eid-ul-Azha is just around thecorner. For Children, this Eid is lesscolorful, fascinating and ‘profitable’ ascompared to Eid-ul-Fitr. On the other hand,for their parents this occasion bring a seriesof hectic activities regarding sacrifices.

However, during all these festivities,we hardly recall the lessons, which HazratIbrahim’s sacrifice of his beloved sonHazrat Ismael conveys to us. It can besummed up in a single word“OBEDIENCE” as both the prophetspassed Allah Almighty’s test bydemonstrating sheer obedience.

Now, the point to ponder is that theflesh and blood of sacrificed animals do notreach Allah Almighty, rather it is ourobedience in our daily lives which isrequired.

So on this Eid day we should ponderwhether we are obeying Allah Almighty’sorders.

The historic episode of HazratIbrahim and Hazrat Ismael teaches us aboutobedience of parents which is a rarecommodity in today’s so-called advancedworld.

May Allah Almighty show us theright path so that we may draw actualbenefits from this festival. It is only AllahAlmighty’s help that can provide us themental strength for the required obedience.

Let it be clear to them that I too curse theperson who claims prophet-hood. I hold thatthere is no god but Allah and Muhammad isHis Messenger, and I believe in the finality ofprophet-hood of the Holy Prophet….. So thereis no claim of prophet-hood on my part either.(Majmu’a Ishtiharaat, vol. iii, p.224)

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GLIMPSES OF THE ANNUAL DUAIYYA 2003


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The Pledge (Bai‘at) Of a Lahori Ahmadi

"I bear witness that there is no God but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad,peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is His servant and His messenger."

1. I declare in all sincerity that from now till I am laid in the grave, I will desist from associatinganyone with Allah.

2. I will shun falsehood, adultery, sensual gaze and all kinds of inequity and impiety and perfidyand sedition, disloyalty, and will not submit to carnal passions under the most provocativeinstigation.

3. I will regularly perform my prayers five times in accordance with the injunctions of Allah andthe Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and so far as possible, I will say theTahajjud Prayers (Voluntary Nightly Prayers), and call for Blessings on the Holy Prophet, peaceand blessings of Allah be upon him (Darood), and seek Allah’s forgiveness and will crave for Hismercy.

4. I will not inflict any injury on the people generally, and in particular on the Muslims, underany undue provocation by tongue or hand or in any other manner.

5. I will ever remain faithful to Allah under all circumstances whether in grief or respite, ordistress or prosperity, and will be always content with Allah in calamity, and will be ready to bearwillingly any disgrace and affliction in His path, and will not abandon Him on occurrence of anycalamity; but instead will move forward.

6. I will abstain from following the traditional customs, and indulging in licentiousness. I willcomply fully with the Quranic injunctions, and will follow in every way, the commandments ofAllah and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.

7. I will entirely shun arrogance, haughtiness, and will spend my life in humility, and meekness,politeness and gentleness in consonance with the Quranic injunctions as contained in verse 63 ofChapter al-Furqan: "And the servants of the Beneficent are they, who walk on the earth withhumility," and in verse 37 of Chapter Bani Israel: "And go not about in the land exultingly."

8. I will keep the Faith, and the honour of the Faith, and my sympathies with Islam, dearer thanmy life, my honour, and my wealth and my children, and, even more precious than everythingdear to me.

9. I will be compassionate with all mankind for Allah’s sake only, and as far as possible, I willutilise my God-given energies to benefit them with Allah’s favours.

10. I will maintain fraternal relations with Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, exclusively for Allah’ssake with the pledge for submission in the right cause till my death, and in this fraternal kinshipwill be so thoroughly steadfast as to be above all blood relations and connections, and allsubjugatory positions.

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Contributed by: Sarah Ahmed · For Members Of The Lahore Ahmadiyya Jama’at Only 2 The Islamic view on…. The Worldly Life Contributed by: Sarah Ahmed Holy Quran “Know that this