(Vol. 5:12 & 6:1)

June/July 2011 AAIIL Worldwide Edition Editor: Akbar Abdullah

CALIFORNIA JAMA‘AT PROJECT: APPROVED BY THE CENTRAL ANJUMAN, LAHORE

INTRODUCTION

Editor’s Note Embarking on sixth year of progress

Alhamdollillah! All praise is due to Allah (and Allah alone) that by His grace and the support of Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, the Jama‘at, and our worldwide readers, masha Allah, that with the production of the June/July, 2011 edition of this esteemed journal, we begin the sixth year of publication of The HOPE Bulletin. On behalf of our HOPE Bulletin Team and myself, I cordially thank you for all your contributions, including your letters of encouragement, that gave us strength and hope to serve you as one worldwide fraternal community without any animosity or controversy. We pray that Allah (swt) will give us health, strength and stamina to earnestly serve this most lovable community, God willing, for another five years or more. Personal plea for du‘a-e-shifa

It is now over a decade that I have been appealing to members of our global “Prayer Circle” to fervently pray for du‘a-e-shifa for any of our worldwide valued member who became afflicted with illnesses or had undergone emergency/elective surgeries. My heart would throb with anxiety in anticipation of a successful outcome of our prayers. I also felt the pain of our brethren who lost their loved ones. The health and recovery plea of our ailing worldwide brethren became a top priority mission of The HOPE

Bulletin project. I tried to make it so comfortable that the family members that needed help with our prayers would not hesitate to ask. May Allah bless them for placing their trust in The HOPE Bulletin project.

Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

.......... The HOPE Bulletin ………..

Health, Ongoing Projects, Education

www.aaiil.org

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Now the time has arrived that I, myself, need your help. On Friday June 24 2011, I felt a nuisance pain in my belly and proceeded to the Emergency Room of a local hospital, where after six hours of diagnosis I was informed that I have gallstones. I was discharged the same day with pain relieving medications. Three days later when I followed up with my Primary Care Physician, he strongly advised surgery and referred me to a Surgeon with whom I have scheduled a consultation on 12 July. The gall bladder surgery is very much simplified with laparoscopic procedure and generally conducted as a one day outpatient operation. In my case, it is slightly complicated. The main question is will the heart be strong enough to withstand the effects of anaesthesia. However, blood sugar and anaemic blood condition may be controlled in the hospital before surgery. Even though the procedure is simple, yet in my case the risks are there. Now I humbly seek your prayers for the successful outcome of this ailment without any further pain or suffering. May Allah (swt) bless you all and keep you under His protection and care at all times without any ailment, pain or suffering. Aameen.

JAMA‘AT NEWS

103rd

anniversary of Masih Mau’ood Day commemorated at the Lahore Center The live presentation of the proceedings of Hazrat Masih Mau’ood’s 103rd Anniversary Day, which took place at the Central Mosque, Lahore on Saturday, May 28, 2011, was excellent. The variety of speeches, all delivered in Urdu, were clearly heard and of excellent quality. The visual effect was of high clarity. However, there were occasional interruptions of the live broadcast. It would be a good idea if the master of ceremonies presents a short summary of the proceedings for the English-speaking audience who do not understand the Urdu. Alternatively, a speaker may be designated to deliver his or her topic in English.

Masih Mau’ood Day commemorated at AAIIL, Oakland, California, U.S.A. The commemoration of Masih Mau’ood Day and the launching of the revised edition of the English Translation of the Holy Qur’an , with brief notes and without Arabic Text, by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali (of the blessed memory), edited by Dr. Zahid Aziz, took place in the Oakland Mosque on Saturday, May 28,2011. According to a report filed by Sis. Jannifer Khanoum, Personal Assistant to Imam Mohammad Mustapha, President of AAIIL, Oakland Mosque, California, the program began at 6:00 PM. [Photographs of the speakers of the night and event may be viewed at the end of this edition under the “Photographic Presentation” section.] Hashmullah Sahib opened the program with his blessings.

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Br Ahmad Nawaz Sahib then spoke at length about the significance of Masih Mau’ood Day. Before delving into the topic, he spoke on the Revised 2010 Edition of the English Translation of the Quran, with brief notes and without Arabic Text, by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali, edited by Dr Zahid Aziz. [Br Ahmad Nawaz read the Urdu translation of this text, which appears immediately after this report.]

Brs Zafar Abdullah and Ikram Jhangiri followed Br Ahmad Nawaz with their speeches. The program ended at sunset and participants partook of a sumptuous dinner after Maghrib prayers.

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Revised 2010 Edition of the English Translation of the Quran, with brief notes and

without Arabic Text, by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali, edited by Dr Zahid Aziz [Br. Ahmad Nawaz read the Urdu translation of this text]

The English translation of the Holy Quran, without the original Arabic text, and with brief notes and introduction, by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali was out of print for the last almost fifty years. It had satisfied the needs of readers around the world who are unfamiliar with Arabic. In the late 1970s Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali’s son, Muhammad Ahmad, had been preparing such an edition from Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali’s last full edition of the work first published in 1951. Due to his untimely death in 1981, he was not spared to see it through the press. (The typescript of the preface and introduction that Mr Muhammad Ahmad had compiled is still with Dr. Zahid Aziz.) After many years, Dr. Zahid Aziz of the UK has now fulfilled this need again by producing a new edition along the same lines. He has, however, also taken this opportunity to update, with great caution and care, certain aspects of the language of the English translation of Maulana Muhammad Ali. Some English expressions and styles that are now much less familiar to educated English readers than they were to similar readers sixty years ago have been replaced by more modern forms. In fact, the Maulana had himself used modern forms in some places, and Dr Zahid Aziz has been able to apply these to other places where forms that are now archaic were used. The Maulana’s extensive explanatory notes from his 1951 edition have been abridged, mainly by excising detailed discussions of meanings of Arabic words. This 2010 revised edition consists of 854 pages, plus 64 introductory pages. The retail price is 12.00 UK Pounds. For those who wish to buy it for free distribution, it is offered for 4.00 UK Pounds plus postage. It is also being presented free to University Professors of Islamic studies. The entire book can be viewed online at the following link: http://www.ahmadiyya.org/english-quran-2010/.

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Appreciation of the Urdu publication of The Religion of Islam In a letter to Amir Aziz, General Secretary, AAIIL, Br Sjaikh Kasiem, President, AAIILN, The Hague, appreciated the effort of the Central Anjuman in publishing the Urdu edition of The Religion of Islam. He wrote:

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“After all, we are very grateful to the Centre on publishing the revised edition of Religion of Islam (Urdu version). Can we get some of the books, as there are some members here who are very interested in this Urdu publication? How can we get some, please let me know soon? Wassalam, With Allah's blessings.”

Live broadcast from the Centre of LASER’S lectures On June 6th and 7th, the Lahore Ahmadiyya School for Education in Religion (LASER) arranged a series of lectures on the “Life and Thoughts of Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali” (of the blessed memory). These lectures were ably delivered by Begum Zubaida Ahmad, daughter-in-law of the late Maulana Sahib, which was broadcast live from the Center for the benefit of national and worldwide Jama‘ats. Since the time set for these lectures was scheduled between 10 AM and 11 AM Pakistan Standard Time, this made it convenient for the Jama‘at audiences in the West to tune in. Jazak Allah! However, those who missed the opportunity to view the lectures live may access them from the archives by clicking the following link: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/atc2009.

The Center also conducts regular weekly broadcasts as listed below, which can also be accessed from the above link:

Khutbah-i-Jumu‘ah (Friday Sermon) every Friday at 1:30 pm (0830 hours GMT).

Dars-i-Quran every Sunday after Maghrib prayers. Current time is around 7:30 PM (1430 hours GMT).

Congratulations to grandparents Captain Abdus Salam Khan and Mrs. Khan We are proud to announce the birth of new members in our Jama‘at in the families of the children of Captain Abdus Salam Khan of Cuccamonga, which located in a suburb of Los Angeles in the State of California. The proud granddaddy sent us the following announcements with photographs: Dear All, ASA. Alhamdo-Lillah! Twins, boy named Sa’im Ahmad Khan, and a girl named Sania Khan, were born to Nida Khan and Dr. Mahmood Ahmad Khan on 29th May (Sunday), 2011 at Queen of the Valley Hospital, West Covina, California. The picture shows the twins along with the parents. Mother and the babies are doing fine. Let us pray for a happy and a prosperous life for the newborns. Capt. Abdus Salam Khan

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I have further pleasure in forwarding a picture of my grandson born on 30th April, 2011, to my son, Ahmad Raza Khan, and his wife, Masooma Khan. Al HamdoLillah, all the newborns are doing fine and so are their mothers. We thank Allah for blessing us with three new grandchildren. Capt. Abdus Salam Khan

Captain Abdus Salam Khan is one of our valuable contributors in the development of The HOPE Bulletin magazine and his grandchildren are blessed to be a part of a lineage of such a noble family. Alhamdollillah! May God bless the newborns and make them grow with exemplary lives under the spiritual and temporal guidance of their worthy grandparents.

2011 Taryabetti Classes ends at the Lahore Center Alhamdollillah! We congratulate Hazrat Ameer, Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib, the Jama‘at, and the organizers of the Taryabetti classes at the Center for the very successful outcome of the programme, which concluded last weekend. The highlight of the concluding session was the award of prizes to the deserving students. The deliberation of classes and the prize giving ceremony were broadcast live, Jazak Allah! This year, the programme was blessed with the attendance of some 160 local students and several participants from abroad, including two female and two male students from the Netherlands.

Visit of Abid Raza and Begum Raza to our residence in Sacramento, California Last Saturday, Parveen and I were blessed with the visit to our humble residence by Br Abid Raza Sahib, President of the New Zealand Jama‘at, and his Begum Sahiba, together with his sister-in-law’s family who reside in the neigboring town of Elk Grove. They also visited their cousin Mahmud Sahib, resident of Saramento. After a short visit to Sacramento Mr and Mrs Abid Raza returned to the home of Br Jaffar Ali Bux, their uncle who resides in Tracy, California. While in California, Br Abid Raza plans to combine business with pleasure. During the coming weekend he will, Insha Allah, make an appeal to the Jama‘at members of the San Francisco Bay Area to donate towards easing the mortgage obligation of a building the members of the New Zealand Jama‘at bought at a cost of NZ $404,000 for prayer and propagation activities. Hazrat Ameer Sahib gave his wholehearted support and fully endorsed this noble project, for which BrAbid Raza and the members of our New Zealand Jama‘at are very grateful, and bless him for his strong support and guidance. Jazak Allah!

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PRAYER & HEALTH NEWS

The basis of practice of Salat-e-Janaza Ghaibana in Islam Hazrat Ameer Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib discussed the historic basis for offering Salat-e-Janaza

Ghaibana for a deceased Muslim, which we circulated in a Special International Bulletin, dated July 2nd, 2011. The link to his discussion is now online at the website aaiil.org. Our respected brother, Dr. Zahid Aziz Sahib, has submitted his comments on the subject. He wrote:

In “A Manual of Hadith”, ch. 15, report no. 17 [referred to by Hazrat Ameer Dr. Abdul Karim Saeed Pasha Sahib], Maulana Muhammad Ali mentions the hadith in the footnote to this report, in his own words. Here is the text of that report from Bukhari:

“Ibn Abbas reported:

A person died and Allah’s Messenger used to visit him. He died at night and they (the people) buried him at night. In the morning they informed the Prophet (about his death). He said, ‘What prevented you from informing me?’ They replied, ‘It was night and it was a dark night and so we disliked to trouble you.’ The Prophet went to his grave and offered the (funeral) prayer.”

(Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Jana’iz, i.e. Book of Funerals)

Also there is in “A Manual of Hadith”, ch. 5 (The Mosque), the report no. 10 on pages 75-76, from Bukhari, Kitab-us-Salat (i.e. Book of Prayer):

“Abu Huraira reported that:

A black man or a black woman used to clean the mosque and he (or she) died. The Prophet asked about him, and they said, He is dead. He said, ‘Why did you not inform me about him? Lead me to his grave (or her grave).’ So he went to his grave and offered prayers on it.”

Regards, Zahid Aziz

^~~^

Condolences Shaukat A. Ali Sahib, Coordinator, Asia-Pacific Region Assalamu alaikum wa Rahmatullahe wa Barakatuhu.

We are very deeply saddened to learn that Auntie Haja Bibi Ferosi Bachus Badloe, dear mother of Harun Badloe, has left this world to meet with our Maker. Inna-lillahe wa Inna Ilaihi rajioon. We pray that Allah ta’ala grant the departed soul highest place in the pedestal of Jannat-ul Firdaous.

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We also pray that Compassionate and Merciful Allah give strength, comfort and sabr to all the members of the bereaved family at this time of great anguish. Please convey our heartfelt sympathy and sincere condolences to the members of the bereaved family. Allah hafiz.

Shaukat Muhammad Ameen Sahu-Khan, Editor, Bashshaar, Sydney, Australia

Dear Brother Ebrahim Assalaamu Aleikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wa Barakatahu.

I am very sorry to hear of the recent passing away of Br Swaleh Phul, and pray that may Allah Subhanahu-Wa-Ta’ala in His infinite mercy grant the departed soul Jannatul Firdause. Innalillahe Wa

inna Ilaihe Rajioon.

Please convey my heartfelt sympathies to Sister Zanap Sydwow. May the Almighty Allah grant her the courage and the conviction of faith to bear her irreparable loss. Allah Hafiz.

Muhammad Ameen Sahu-Khan Editor/Bashshaar Sydney AAII

^~~^

Acknowledgement of Prayers

Ebrahim Mahomed, President, AAIIL, South Africa

As Salamu Alaikum.

Thank you for your condolences. I will pass your message on to the bereaved family. Was Salaam, Ebrahim Dr. Khurshid Tareen Sahib, India

My dear Amir Bhai, ASA.

Thanks a lot for the emphatic concern shown by the Jamaat on the sad demise of my beloved mother. I have no words to thank all my well-wishers who sympathized and consoled in many ways during this unhappy episode of my life. May Allah the Almighty reward them all in full. Please pass on my message to all jamaat members there. Wassaalam!

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Mohamed Haroun, Florida, U.S.A.

Dear bro. AKBAR, A/A.

My niece, Debbie, wants to say thanks very much for all the prayers and duas and pleadings to ALMIGHTY ALLAH TO MAKE HER CONDITION A BIT EASIER. MAY ALLAH bless all those who are taking part everywhere. She said, “I AM VERY GRATEFUL FOR THIS.” Allah Hafiz.

BRO. M. HAROUN Narifa Sahiba, Debbie’s sister, Florida, U.S.A.

Hello Everyone, Assalaamu Alaikum W.R.W.B.T.HOO.

I just wanted to share an update with everyone. Firstly, we appreciate all the prayers and support that we have received. Right now she is in no pain and is still able to move around and eat. Like I said before, with cancer it is not easy for most people and I have to say that she remains strong, but there will be ups and downs. We sometimes forget that she is ill. This week was full as Fazil, Desiree and Aunty Meena are visiting. With everyone’s support it has helped me especially :) (Yes, I will rest and take care too.) In any case, I promise to send updates as things progress, but wanted to express our sincere gratitude for the caring words and prayers. Love, Narifa

HEALTH INFORMATION [Contributed by Mohamed Haroun, U.S.A.]

Onions In 1919 when the flu killed 40 million people there was this doctor that visited the many farmers to see if he could help them combat the flu. Many of the farmers and their family had contracted it and many died. The doctor came upon this one farmer and to his surprise, everyone was very healthy. When the doctor asked what the farmer was doing that was different the wife replied that she had placed an unpeeled onion in a dish in the rooms of the home (probably only two rooms back then). The doctor couldn’t believe it and asked if he could have one of the onions and place it under the microscope. She gave him one and when he did this, he did find the flu virus in the onion. It had obviously absorbed the bacteria, therefore, keeping the family healthy. Now, I heard this story from my hairdresser. She said that several years ago, many of her employees were coming down with the flu, and so were many of her customers. The next year she placed several bowls with onions around in her shop. To her surprise, none of her staff got sick. It must work. Try it and see what happens. We did it last year and we never got the flu.

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Now there is a P.S. to this for I sent it to a friend in Oregon who regularly contributes material to me on health issues. She replied with this most interesting experience about onions: Thanks for the reminder. I don’t know about the farmer’s story...but, I do know that I contacted pneumonia, and, needless to say, I was very ill... I came across an article that said to cut both ends off an onion put it into an empty jar, and place the jar next to the sick patient at night. It said the onion would be black in the morning from the germs...sure enough it happened just like that...the onion was a mess and I began to feel better. Another thing I read in the article was that onions and garlic placed around the room saved many from the black plague years ago. They have powerful antibacterial, antiseptic properties. Lots of times when we have stomach problems we don’t know what to blame. Maybe it’s the onions that are to blame. Onions absorb bacteria is the reason they are so good at preventing us from getting colds and flu and is the very reason we shouldn’t eat an onion that has been sitting for a time after it has been cut

open. Left over onions are poisonous I had the wonderful privilege of touring Mullins Food Products, makers of mayonnaise. Questions about food poisoning came up, and I wanted to share what I learned from a chemist. Ed, who was our tour guide, is a food chemistry whiz. During the tour, someone asked if we really needed to worry about mayonnaise. People are always worried that mayonnaise will spoil. Ed’s answer will surprise you. Ed said that all commercially-made mayo is completely safe. “It doesn't even have to be refrigerated. No harm in refrigerating it, but it’s not really necessary.” He explained that the pH in mayonnaise is set at a point that bacteria could not survive in that environment. He then talked about the summer picnic, with the bowl of potato salad sitting on the table, and how everyone blames the mayonnaise when someone gets sick. Ed says that, when food poisoning is reported, the first thing the officials look for is when the ‘victim’ last ate onions and where those onions came from (in the potato salad?). Ed says it’s not the mayonnaise (as long as it’s not homemade mayo) that spoils in the outdoors. It’s probably the onions, and if not the onions, it’s the potatoes. He explained onions are a huge magnet for bacteria, especially uncooked onions. You should never plan to keep a portion of a sliced onion. He says it’s not even safe if you put it in a zip-lock bag and put it in your refrigerator. It’s already contaminated enough just by being cut open and out for a bit, that it can be a danger to you (and doubly watch out for those onions you put in your hotdogs at the baseball park!). Ed says if you take the leftover onion and cook it like crazy you’ll probably be okay, but if you slice that leftover onion and put on your sandwich, you’re asking for trouble. Both the onions and the moist potato in a potato salad will attract and grow bacteria faster than any commercial mayonnaise will even begin to break down. Also, dogs should never eat onions. Their stomachs cannot metabolize onions. Please remember it is dangerous to cut an onion and try to use it to cook the next day; it becomes highly

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poisonous for even a single night and creates toxic bacteria which may cause adverse stomach infections because of excess bile secretions and even food poisoning.

FEATURE REPORT

Third largest political party of Pakistan claim persecution must stop A short clip from the TV program ‘Point Blank’ hosted by Lucman. This clip is in Urdu but does have English subtitles (although they are slightly lagging behind what is being said). MQM Chief (third largest political party in Pakistan) Mr Altaf Hussain discusses persecution against Ahmadis, claiming it must be stopped and they must be allowed to practice and preach their faith without threat of prison or murder. He also clarifies that Ahmadis believe in the Kalima and the finality of the prophethood of Muhammad (saw). Kindly click on the following virtualmosque U-Tube media to listen to the discussion: http://www.virtualmosque.co.uk/third-largest-political-party-of-pakistan-claim-persecution-must-stop/

SPIRITUAL EDUCATION

USURY AND INTEREST IN OUR SCRIPTURES

[Contributed by Jalal Ud Dean, Suva, Fiji]

What does the Qur’an describe about usury (compound financial interest)?

In Islam, Muslims are allowed to carry out various types of businesses, such as trading or money lending. Trading is allowed. So is money lending. As matter of global practice, most traders may not be able to transact the full sum of money required for trade. They may pay off the balance at later date with interest accruals. They may borrow money from a lender or commercial bank to pay the balance within a given time-frame.

The national laws and practice of different countries allow charging of interest and payment of interest, according to circumstances. Muslims, when trading under Muslim administration, are forbidden to charge interest or receive interest, but allowed to charge a service fee for carrying out that assist. That is permitted.

Trading is a risk factor and requires deployment of skills by the business operator in making some profit and not running into a loss. This distinction between trading and usury (very high interest accruals) is very

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important and often not correctly understood by many Muslims. According to Qur’an, an entity uses “borrowed” money to his/her advantage without inputs of labour by the body that provided the money in the first place (capital) and hence that interest based on capital is sinful earning. Here is what the Qur’an states:

“2:275: Those who swallow usury cannot arise except as he arises whom the devil prostrates by

(his) touch. That is because they say, Trading is only like usury. And Allah has allowed trading

and forbidden usury. To whomsoever then the admonition has come from his Lord, and he desists,

he shall have what has already passed. And his affair is in the hands of Allah. And whoever returns

(to it) — these are the companions of the Fire: therein they will abide.”

The obvious question which now surfaces is what is to be done with interests earned by process of business automation, which differs from country to country, and according to accounting principles widely practised?

The Qur’an, being such an unchallenged excellent Scripture, already has proactive answers, before the event of commercial banking became a reality when the Qur’an was revealed 1,500 years ago:

“2:276: Allah will blot out usury, and He causes charity to prosper. And Allah loves not any

ungrateful sinner.”

The answer is that interest earning must be given out to some establishment of charity, but not for personal gain. The Qur’an goes further and clarifies that keeping such interest earned is not correct and must be given out at early opportunity:

“2:278: O you who believe, keep your duty to Allah and relinquish what remains (due) from usury,

if you are believers.”

Further, especially for money lenders, who really crank-up the interest:

“3:130: O you who believe, devour not usury, doubling and redoubling, and keep your duty to

Allah, that you may be successful.”

Allah, being the Best Knower and the Best Judge has already given us warning if we failed to heed to His warning: He says in Qur’an:

“4:161: And for their taking usury — though indeed they were forbidden it — and their devouring

the property of people falsely. And We have prepared for the disbelievers from among them a

painful chastisement.”

He then further warns us, that the final outcome of balancing our accounts (our spiritual balance) will be determined on the great Judgement Day as:

“30:39: And whatever you lay out at usury, so that it may increase in the property of men, it

increases not with Allah; and whatever you give in charity, desiring Allah’s pleasure — these will

get manifold.”

So, without dragging the issue much longer, Allah very politely but sternly reminds us, that He is the Ultimate Boss and we as simple ordinaries, must respect his Orders, as:

“39:62: Allah is the Creator of all things and He has charge over everything.”

In conclusion, earning interest or very high interest (usury) is alright for Non-Muslims, but we Muslims must dispose off that to charity, at earliest opportunity.

You have my authority to use my article to your advantage.

*-*

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Spiritual thoughts of Shaukat A. Ali in a letter addressed to Hazrat Ameer Alhamdulillah, we are delighted to learn that our dear brother Usman Ilahi Malik has been released by his captors unharmed. As soon as I read half the message from Brother Akbar Abdullah, I went and offered two rakas Nafal e Shukrana and called you before I read the rest of the message. This is indeed a great day and, as we always believe, miracles do happen and Allah ta’ala works in mysterious ways and being Rahman and Rahim certainly infused Rahmat into the hearts of the kidnappers. After seven months of constant prayers of the brothers and sisters from around the world, Hearing and Knowing (Samee-ul Aleem) Merciful Allah, the “excellent Answerer of prayers did answer our prayers” (37:75). This is no doubt a result of unflinching faith in Allah and regular prayers of all of Usman’s loved ones and the members of the Jamaat. Events such as these certainly strengthen our Faith. Almighty Allah tells us “that He comes in between a man and his heart” (8:24); “We are nearer to him

than his life-vein” (50:16). “And when My servants ask you concerning Me, surely I am near. I answer

the prayer of the supplicant when he calls on Me” (2:186). However, before answering our prayers, Allah ta’ala wants to test our resolve, sincerity and steadfastness; as we read in the following verses (among many) in the Holy Book: “We shall certainly try you with

something of fear and hunger and loss of property and lives and fruits.” (2:155). “You will certainly be

tried in your property and your persons. . . . . . And if you are patient and keep your duty, surely this is an affair of great resolution”. (3:186) “We tried them with blessings and misfortunes that they might

turn (to Allah)”. (7:168) “And certainly We shall try you, till We know those among you who strive

hard, and the steadfast”, (47:31). “And We test you by evil and good by way of trial”. (21:35) All-Knowing Allah did not test the affected family only, but others as well to see how sincere the others are in their supplications and I know many people went through sleepless nights in anxiety. He tells us: “that He may try some of you by means of others”. (47:4) “And We make some of you a trial for

others”. (25:20) “those who believe and exhort one another to patience,”(90:17). “those who believe and

do good, and exhort one another to Truth, and exhort one another to patience” (103:3). While Allah ta’ala is putting us through various trials and tribulations, He tests us to see our patience and sincerity of our prayers; as can be seen from the following verses of the Holy Quran: “And seek assistance

through patience and prayer,” (2:45) “O you who believe, seek assistance through patience and prayer;

surely Allah is with the patient” (2:153) “and the patient in distress and affliction” (2:177). “Our Lord,

pour out patience on us and make our steps firm”. (2:250) “and who are patient in their afflictions, and

who keep up prayer,” (22:35). “And be patient and your patience is not but by (the help of) Allah” (16:127), “So be patient; surely the promise of Allah is true” (30:60; 40:55, 77). “and bear patiently that

which befalls you. Surely this is an affair of great resolution”. (31:17) When we go through all the test, trials and tribulations with complete faith and with patience and prayers, Knowing, Seeing Allah promises us: “Allah will bring them together. . . . Surely He is the Knowing, the

Wise”. (12:83) “And We shall certainly give to those who are patient their reward for the best of what

they did”. (16:96) And finally Almighty Allah tells us: “So We brought you (Usman) back to your loved ones that they

might be comforted and they should not grieve.” (20:40) Aameen.

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May the choicest blessings of Allah be upon Usman and all his loved ones as well as members of the Jamaat who have been praying constantly for his safety and quick release. We pray that Allah ta’ala grant him and all the others long, happy, spiritually and physically healthy life - aameen.

HUMOUR OF THE DAY

Lessons in Logic

If your father is a poor man, it is your fate, but if your father-in-law is a poor man, it’s your stupidity. Practice makes perfect. But nobody’s perfect ... so why practice? If it’s true that we are here to help others, then what exactly are the others here for? Since light travels faster than sound, people appear bright until you hear them speak. One should love animals. They are so tasty. Behind every successful man, there is a woman. And behind every unsuccessful man, there are two. Success is a relative term. It brings so many relatives. Your future depends on your dreams. So go to sleep. Hard work never killed anybody. But why take the risk? Work fascinates me. I can look at it for hours. God made relatives. Thank God we can choose our friends. The more you learn, the more you know. The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know. So ... Why learn? A bus station is where a bus stops. A train station is where a train stops. On my desk, I have a work station.... What more can I say...

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PUBLICATION Web link to The HOPE Bulletin on Central Anjuman’s official website

The aaiil.org Webmaster will place online at http://aaiil.org/text/articles/hope/hopebulletin.shtml selected issues of The HOPE Bulletin and some articles and special photographic supplements which do not carry any sensitive or confidential matters of our worldwide Jama‘at. The Light – UK Edition To access current and previous issues, kindly click on the following weblink: http://www.ahmadiyya.org/ The Light magazine, published from AAIIL, United Kingdom, will henceforth continue with an editorial change. The new editors of this esteemed journal are Brs Shahid Aziz and Mushtaq Ali. The first edition under the new editorial stewardship was circulated in June of 2011. We welcome the new editors and wish them success. Jazak Allah!

UK publications Br Shahid Aziz has sent us the last two issues of The Light. The first edition has a review of Dr. Zahid Aziz’s edited version of the English translation of the Holy Quran. The UK Jama‘at has also published an English translation of Aik Ghalti ka Azala. The Qadiani Jama‘at claims that Hazrat Mirza Sahib changed his claim in this booklet. This translation has a commentary which gives references from his earlier works as well as what happened after its publication. It is available from the UK Jama‘at at £2.50 per copy plus postage.

WHAT OUR READERS SAY

Hazrat Ameer’s appreciation of May 2011 edition of The HOPE Bulletin As-salamu alaikum wa-rahmat-Ullah wa-barakato.

It’s my first day back at the office and I have enjoyed reading this issue and also liked the photo of the camels in the desert. Pasha

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Captain Abdus Salam Khan appreciates the efforts of Br. Shaukat A. Ali in India Dear Akbar Sahib ASA

Jaza’kullah for the special edition of the HOPE received just now (18th May 2011) containing the India Report so competently compiled by our devoted coordinator for Asia-Pacific Region, Janab Shaukat Ali Sahib. I am greatly inspired by his continuous devotion to the cause of Islam. He has set us all an inspiring example that we should try and emulate... With best wishes and regards, Capt. Abdus Salam Khan

Roshan Nassier of the Netherlands appreciates our India Report Assalam-o-Alaikum wrwb.

Thank you for sending me the INDIA REPORT. My wife and I will visit New Delhi in the month of July this year and we would like to visit the Jamaat in New Delhi. Would you be so kind to send me the address? Allah Hafiz, Br. Roshan Nassier

Riaz Ahmed Choudhary of Jammu, India appreciates The Religion of Islam Aslamualikum.

Hope you are in good health and we all members of aaiil Jammu have all regards for your untiring effort to keep members of aaiil worldwide well informed about the happenings and this effort on the part of central Anjuman is notable and appreciating though Almighty Allah is there to give reward but this translation of The Religion of Islam considered to be one of the detailed book on Islam and jurisprudence will certainly become centre of attraction and knowledge for Muslim brothers & sisters across India & Pakistan if the reader will go beyond all types of misinformation being usually quoted against members of aaiil Jammu….. Allah Hafiz

Riaz Ahmed Choudhary

Sadiq Noor, Editor of the revived Noor-i-Islam, appreciates our efforts For many years, our dear brother Akbar Abdullah is publishing a periodic newsletter “The HOPE Bulletin” regularly which keeps us informed of different Jama‘at activities, multiple requests of prayers and pictorials. He has been doing a great job, regularly and tirelessly. He deserves great appreciation for what he is doing. We, the Noor-i-Islam team, congratulate him for the hard work and pray for his good health.

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We will try to avoid duplicating news items that he publishes time and again in his newsletter and will try to concentrate on articles for the knowledge of our younger generation and will also bring to you some news items (religious and non-religious) from around the globe in general and from North-America in particular.

Comments on “Masjid miraculously survives tsunami in Japan ”

Dr. Zahid Aziz’s observation Assalamu alaikum

It seems this is the same photo as that of the mosque which survived the tsunami in Indonesia in 2004! Regards, Zahid Aziz Comments by Shahid Aziz Assalamu alaikum.

Unfortunately, Muslims fail to see the true greatness of this miracle. What happened was this. This mosque was actually in Thailand at the time of the tsunami there and survived while everything around it was destroyed. A miracle then took place and the mosque was transported to Indonesia because Allah was going to cause the next tsunami to cause devastation in that country. And as you saw even after being subjected to a second tsunami the mosque survived. But surviving two tsunamis was not enough, so the mosque was then lifted by a miracle and placed in Japan to survive another tsunami.

Can you not see what a great miracle this was? Are they blind?

The greatest miracle was that a building whose architecture did not exist at the time of the Holy Prophet was used to show Allah’s majesty rather than saving of lives of the thousands who perished!

Kind regards, Shahid

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HOPE MEMBER SERVICE

Recipe of the Month

Double-baked potatoes

Ingredients

• Large potatoes for baking (wash and scrub well)

• Milk

• Butter

• Salt & pepper

• Chopped boiled broccoli, or sliced sautéed mushrooms

• Shredded cheddar cheese

• Sour cream (optional)

• Olive oil

Method of Preparation

• Bake potatoes until fully cooked

• Heat oven to 375 degrees

• Let potatoes cool for about 10 minutes

• Place potatoes on a baking sheet

• Rub the potato skin with olive oil and some salt

• Carefully cut out a wedge from the top of the potato (in order to empty out the inside of the potato while keeping the shell/skin intact)

• Empty as much as you can from the inside of the potato, leaving some of the potato attached to the skin so it doesn’t fall apart, and place it into a bowl

• Add butter, milk, salt, pepper, broccoli or mushrooms, cheddar cheese and mix well

• Repack the now mashed potatoes into the potato shells

• Re-bake the potatoes in the oven for about 15 minutes Serve immediately (with sour cream).

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRESENTATION These photographs were taken during the Masih Mau’ood Day event that was held on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at the AAIIL Oakland Mosque in California, U.S.A. The details of the evening’s programme may be read in the “Jama‘at News” section above. – Ed.

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Hasmullah Sahib Ahmad Nawaz

Zafar Abdullah Ikram Jhangiri

Launching of the English translation of the Holy Qur’an

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Akbar Abdullah

Editor, The HOPE Bulletin Mailing Address: P.O. Box 232023

Sacramento, California 95823-0430, U.S.A. E-mail Address: akbar_786us@yahoo.com

Telephone Number: (773) 539-6892

“ISLAM” stands for “I SHALL LOVE ALL MANKIND