RR 2009 08

MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS August 2009, Vol.104, No.
08
Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)
Mansoor Shah (Secretary)
Naseer Ahmad Qamar Editorial – Reflecting on the ‘Muslim World’
Mubarak Ahmad Zafar Barack Obama addressed in his speech in Cairo
Mirza Fakhar Ahmad
Abdul Baqi Arshad (Sarah Waseem – UK) ................................................... 2
Our Teaching
CHIEF EDITOR & MANAGER
Mansoor Ahmed Shah An extract from an important book of the Promised
Messiah(as), in which he sets out his teachings
EDITORIAL BOARD (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as), the Promised
Adam Walker Messiah and Mahdi)...................................................... 4
Syed Amer Ahmad
Bockarie Tommy Kallon
Fareed Ahmad Investment, Interest & Islam
Fauzia Bajwa Why interest and hoarding money are forbidden in Islam
Fazal Ahmad
Khullat Munir (Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad(ru), Khalifatul Masih
Mansoor Saqi IV, Fourth successor to the Promised Messiah(as))........ 15
Sarah Waseem.
Tanveer Khokhar
Muslim Fasting
PROOFREADERS An outline of the philosophy of fasting in Islam
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan (Hadhrat Maulawi Sher Ali(ra)) ..................................... 22
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Tanveer Khokhar The Blessed Month
DISTRIBUTION
An introduction to the activities Muslims engage
Muhammad Hanif in during Ramadan
(Muzaffar-Ud-Din Chaudhry) ....................................... 26
PUBLISHER
Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah
All correspondence should be
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah Siddiqah(ra) – The Circumstances of
forwarded to the editor at: Her Marriage to the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw)
The Review of Religions
This article analyses conflicting reports surrounding
The London Mosque Hadhrat ‘A'ishah’s age at the time of her marriage
16 Gressenhall Road to the Holy Prophet(saw).
London, SW18 5QL
United Kingdom (Hamdah Sanori Farooqi – UK) ................................... 29
© Islamic Publications, 2009
ISSN No: 0034-6721 The Establishment of Lajna Ima’illah and the
Sacrifices of Early Ahmadi Muslim Women
A detailed account of how the formation of a separate
organisation solely for women in the Ahmadiyya
EMAIL:
reviewofreligions@gmail.com Muslim community came about
(Shmaila Nagi – UK)..................................................... 42
Views expressed in this publication are
not necessarily the beliefs of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
EDITORIAL by Sarah Waseem, UK
“The Holy Koran teaches that “Moreover, freedom in America

whoever kills an innocent, it is is indivisible from the freedom
as if he has killed all mankind; to practice one’s religion.”
and whoever saves a person, it is
as if he has saved all mankind. How shameful it is that some
The enduring faith of over a Muslim countries have failed to
billion people is so much bigger offer such a safeguard to their own
than the narrow hatred of a few. citizens even though this is
Islam is not part of the problem enshrined in the teachings of Islam.
in combating violent extremism Pakistan is a predominantly Muslim
– it is an important part of country founded to provide a home
promoting peace.” for Muslims, but has failed to
safeguard the rights of its Christian
The above sentiments sound as if minorities and has actively
they might have been expressed by persecuted members of the
a Muslim defending the true Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
meaning of jihad in Islam. But they Bangladesh, Indonesia and
were not. Instead they form part of Malaysia, likewise, have failed to
President Barack Obama’s address live up to their Islamic ideals. So,
this year, to ‘the Muslim world’ as Western nations who guarantee
he pledged a new beginning in religious freedom to all, regardless
relations between the US and Islam. of their faith, must be applauded.
President Obama promised to try
and remove suspicion between the President Obama’s speech, while
Muslim world and the United eloquent and sincerely delivered,
States. He indicated practical did beg the question as to who are
measures on the part of the US to the ‘Muslim world.’ Muslims are
encourage greater cooperation on not a homogenous group defined by
trade and education and guaranteed one culture, one language, and one
to protect religious freedoms: people. Even within Islam there are
numerous Shia and Sunni sects at
2 The Review of Religions – August 2009

Editorial
times engaged in bloody conflict The question is whether we

with one another. spend that time focused on what
pushes us apart, or whether we
Until Muslims unite under one commit ourselves to an effort – a
leadership, they will not be able to sustained effort – to find
speak as one. And that is something common ground, to focus on the
they cannot do until they accept the future we seek for our children,
advent of the Messiah of the age. and to respect the dignity of all
Only then, under the leadership of human beings.”
the representative of that Messiah,
the Khalifa of the day, can they President Obama has made clear his
speak with one voice. intentions to seek world peace. It is
now up to Muslims to put their own
In the meantime, then, this will be houses in order, and to carefully
the challenge for President Obama – ponder on the teachings of Islam. If
to instil the principles of justice in a a Christian leader can appreciate the
nation whose leaders have, in recent true meaning of jihad, what
times, ignored and trampled upon prevents Muslims from doing so? If
the rights of other peoples. Iraq, a Christian leader can draw the
Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iran, the world’s attention to the require-
treatment of prisoners at ments of absolute justice and
Guantanamo Bay, are but a few religious tolerance, what prevents
examples. US actions have been Muslims from following the clear
motivated more by self interest than teachings of the Holy Qur’an on
by any consideration of the such matters? As President Obama
requirements of justice. so wisely noted:
President Obama is cognisant of “We are shaped by every

this. As he said: culture, drawn from every end
of the Earth, and dedicated to a
“…any world order that elevates simple concept: E pluribus
one nation or group of people unum – ‘Out of many, one’.”
over another will inevitably
fail…All of us share this world
for but a brief moment in time.
The Review of Religions – August 2009 3

OUR TEACHING – part 2
Continuation of an extract from ‘Our Teaching’ in ‘Kishti-e-Nuh’

(Noah’s Ark) by the Promised Messiah(as), an important book of the
Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Hadhrat Mirza
Bashir Ahmad(ra), son of the Promised Messiah(as), wrote in the
foreword to ‘Our Teaching’: ‘This is a time when the darkness of
materialism has overspread the entire face of the earth and obscured
people’s vision. Many there are who profess faith but are deprived of its
true sweetness and strength. They are unaware of the One Living,
Omnipresent God… This book is a torch of guidance through which
every Muslim, nay every man with a craving for truth and spirituality,
can rekindle his inner lamp and illuminate his heart.’
In point of belief, all that God mohallah Khanyar. God has

desires from you is just this that spoken of his death in the Holy
you hold God is One, and that Qur’an. It should also be borne
Muhammad(saw) is His Prophet, in mind that I in no way seek to
Khatam-al-Anbiya [seal of the deny the eminence of Jesus(as).
Prophets], the greatest of them Though God has conveyed to me
all. After him there is to be no that the Muhammadi Messiah
other Prophet except one who stands higher in rank than the
should be given the mantle of Mosaic Messiah, I hold the
Muhammadiyyat as a burooz Messiah(as), son of Mary, in great
[shadow], since the servant is respect, since from the spiritual
not separate from his master, nor point of view I am the Khatamal
a branch different from its root. Khulafa [seal of vicegrants] in
Islam as Messiah, the son of
Be perfectly sure that Jesus(as), Mary was Khatamal Khulafa in
son of Mary, is dead, his grave the Israelite chain. In the Mosaic
being in Kashmir, Srinagar, dispensation the son of Mary

Our Teaching - Part 2
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)

The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
community
In 1891, he claimed on the basis of Divine
revelation, that he was the Promised Messiah
and Mahdi whose advent had been foretold by
Muhammad, the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) and by the
scriptures of other faiths.
His claim constitutes the basis of the beliefs of

the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
was the Promised Messiah, lies inside your hearts, and He

while I am the Promised will deal with you on the basis of
Messiah of the dispensation of what He sees there. Lo and
Muhammad(saw). I therefore hold behold! I herein discharge my
him in great esteem whose name duty unto you, by making it plain
I bear: and whoever says that I that sin is a poison; do not take
do not respect him is a great liar it. Disobedience to God is a dirty
and a mischief-maker. death which you should avoid.
Turn to prayer that you should
Who Belongs to My Community get the strength.
and Who Does Not
Having explained all these At the time of prayer, if a man
things, I repeat once more that does not firmly believe that
you must not rest satisfied Allah has power over
merely because in outward form everything, except what may be
you have taken ba’iat [initiation] contained in a previous promise,
at my hand. The outward form such a one is not of my
means nothing: God sees what community. He who is caught in

a tangle of worldly greed, and Whosoever does not live with

never even raises his eyes to his wife and her relations with
things which pertain to the next gentleness, goodness, and
life, is not of my community. magnanimity, is not of my
Whosoever does not wholly and community.
completely keep away from
every sin and every evil action, Whosoever deprives his neigh-
like wine, gambling, looking bour of the very least good in his
lustfully at women, dishonesty, power, is not of my community.
bribes, and from every kind of Whosoever has no wish to
illegal grati-fication, is not of my forgive the faults of those who
community. may have transgressed against
him, and desires to nurse malice,
Whosoever is not constantly is not of my community.
turning to prayer, and does not
remember Him in absolute Every man or woman who is
humility of spirit, is not of my dishonest towards his or her
community. Whosoever does not spouse is not of my community.
give up association with a bad
companion who exercises an Whosoever, in any way, violates
unhealthy influence over him, is the pledge he took at my hand at
not of my community. the time of ba’iat, is not of my
Whosoever does not respect his community.
parents, whosoever does not
render obedience to them in Whosoever does not really hold
things which do not run counter me to be the Promised Messiah,
to the Holy Qur’an, and is not of my community.
whosoever is neglectful in Whosoever is not prepared to
rendering to them the service to obey me in all things known to
which they are undoubtedly be good and accepted, is not of
entitled, is not of my community. my community. And whosoever,
as a habit, sits among those who

are hostile towards me, falling nought. It is not possible that

into tacit and silent agreement God should disgrace them, they
with them, is not of my being of God, and God of them.
community. They shall be saved from all
tribulations. Extremely foolish,
Every adulterer, debauch, indeed, is he who should try to
drunkard, murderer, thief, gam- harm them, for verily they are in
bler, dishonest person, bribe- the lap of God, Who is ever
taker, usurper, oppressor, tyrant, ready to support them.
liar, forger, and the associate of
these; and whosoever brings Who has yielded belief to God?
false accusations and scandal Verily only those who are such
against his brothers and sisters, as described above. Similarly he
is not of my community, unless also is foolish who is anxious
he fully repents of his misdeeds about a bold sinner, evil and full
and totally breaks away from of mischief inside his heart, for
bad associates, turning a new he would himself be destroyed.
leaf. Indeed, all these things are From the day God created this
poisons: you cannot partake of heaven and earth, it has never
them and live, for light and happened that He destroyed
darkness cannot exist together. those who were good. On the
contrary for the sake of such as
Whosoever has a crooked nature these He has always shown great
and is not open and above board marvels, and will show even
with God, cannot partake of the now.
blessing which comes to those
pure of heart. Indeed very Our God Possesses Great and
fortunate are they who cleanse Wonderful Powers
their hearts, washing away all Our God is a very loyal God, and
impurities, and who make a for those who remain loyal to
pledge of loyalty with their God, Him, He shows wonderful
for they shall never come to works. The world wishes to tear

Our Teaching – Part 2
them to pieces and to eat them The truth is that for Him there is
up; and every enemy grinds his nothing impossible, except what
teeth on them; but He Who is runs counter to His own Book
their friend saves them from and His own promise. Therefore
every danger, and brings them when you pray to Him, you
out triumphant on every field. should not be like those ignorant
How fortunate, then, is he who naturalists who have formed a
does not let go his hold of such a natural law of their own which
God? To Him we render our does not bear the stamp of God,
faith, and Him we have for they are the rejected ones
recognised. Of all the world He whose prayers will never be
alone is the God Who has sent accepted. They are blind, not
down His revelation on me; gifted with vision; they are dead,
Who, for me, has shown not alive. They put before God a
powerful signs; Who has sent me law shaped by themselves, and
down as the Promised Messiah they put limitations of their own
for this age. There is no God on His powers, holding Him
whatsoever except He in heaven, weak and helpless beyond those
and on earth. Whosoever does limitations. Naturally, they
not yield faith to Him, remains would be dealt with in the light
deprived of good, deprived of of their own condition. But when
blessings, and deprived of thou standest up for prayer, it is
succour. From our God we have incumbent on thee to hold that
received Revelation that shines thy God has power over all
like the sun. We have seen that things. Only then shall thy
He alone is the God of the whole prayer be accepted, and thou
world, and there is no other God. shalt witness those marvels of
How powerful indeed is the God the power of thy God we have
we have found, and how witnessed. And remember, our
sustaining! And how great, how witness is not on the basis of
wonderful are the qualities of the hearsay; it is on the basis of
God we have seen! things we have seen ourselves.

Our Teaching - part 2
How can the prayers of one be

accepted who does not hold that God
has power over all things? And how
can such a person in himself have the
courage to pray to God over matters
where the desired remedy or change
would involve an infringement of the
“There are innumerable laws of nature as he understands
wonderful things in Our them?
God, but these are
witnessed only by those But O thou good person, thy God is
who become His in all He, Who, without any pillars
sincerity and faithfulness. underneath, has hung up the
He does not reveal those countless stars in space; and Who
wonders to those who do created the earth and the heavens
not have faith in His
absolutely from naught. Dost thou
powers, and who are not
hold that in regard to thy need He
faithful and true.
will prove to be helpless? The fact is
How unfortunate, indeed, that thy own misconception will keep
is the man who does not thee deprived of blessing. There are
even know that he has a innumerable wonderful things in Our
God with power over all God, but these are witnessed only by
things!” those who become His in all sincerity
and faithfulness. He does not reveal
those wonders to those who do not
have faith in His powers, and who
are not faithful and true.
How unfortunate, indeed, is the man

who does not even know that he has
a God with power over all things!

Our Paradise, indeed, is our on him and disrupt his plans.

God: our highest enjoyment is in Even now you have no idea what
God, for we have seen Him and wondrous powers your God has.
found all beauty in Him. This If you had known, then no day
treasure is worth having, even if could have dawned on you for
at the cost of one’s life; and this you to grieve over for lack of
is a jewel which should be things in this world. A man who
purchased even if obtainable has a treasure in his possession,
only by sacrificing one’s entire does he weep and cry over the
being. O ye that are devoid, run loss of a penny, as though he
to this spring, for it will slacken were about to perish? Had you
your thirst. It is the spring of life been aware of this treasure that
that shall save ye. God would suffice for all your
needs, what reason was there for
What am I to do, and how am I you to be so wholly absorbed in
to impress this glad tiding upon things of this world? God is a
your mind, with what drum most precious treasure; realise
should I go crying through the its proper value. Without Him
streets that ‘This is your God’, you are nothing, neither you nor
so that all should hear! And with your material means and plans.
what unguent am I to treat the
people so that their ears open to Do not follow in the footsteps of
hear! other nations which have come
to depend wholly on material
God is the Central Beam of All means. As a worm eats earth,
Our Plans they subsist on the basis of the
If you really become God’s, then lower and inferior material
rest assured that God is your means. Like vultures and dogs
very own. Whilst you sleep, He eating carrion, they too have
will keep watch over you; while sunk their teeth in a carcass.
you neglect your vigil against Indeed, they have drifted very
the enemy, He will keep an eye far from God, having taken to

“If you really become God’s, then rest assured that God
is your very own. Whilst you sleep, He will keep watch
over you; while you neglect your vigil against the enemy,
He will keep an eye on him and disrupt his plans. Even
now you have no idea what wondrous powers your God
has...
...God is a most precious treasure; realise its proper

value. Without Him you are nothing, neither you nor
your material means and plans.”
the worship of human beings, other nations you become

the eating of the flesh of swine, wholly the slaves of material
and the free use of wine as if it means as well. Only if you had
were harmless like water. Since the eyes to see, you would find
they depend too much on there is only God and God
material means, and seek no alone, everything else being
help from God, they are dead; worthless. You can neither
and the heavenly spirit has stretch out your arm nor fold it
flown out of them as a dove flies except with His permission. A
away from its nest. The leprosy person spiritually dead would
of the worship of Mammon has laugh at this; but it would be
taken a hold on the inside of better for him if he died before
their hearts and cut to pieces the he indulged in this laughter.
organs of their inner spiritual
life. Beware ye of this leprosy. Beware! Do not ape other
nations
I do not forbid you to think of Beware! Having seen other
material means within proper nations, how they have attained
limits: what I forbid is that like a considerable measure of

success in their worldly plans, and fall down before the throne
you should not begin to wish to of God Almighty, crying for His
follow in their footsteps. Listen grace and help and succour.
carefully and take heed that they Then the Holy Spirit will come
are aliens to and unmindful of to your help, and through unseen
that God Who calls you all to means a way shall be opened for
Himself. What is their god but a you. Have mercy on your own
frail human being, this being the souls and be not like those who
reason why they have been left have cut themselves wholly
in such complacent error. I do away from God and have fallen
not wish to stop you from on material means to such an
striving in worldly good, but extent that to seek Divine help
you should follow the ways of they do not even formally utter
those who think this present with their lips the words “If God
world is everything. In be willing”. May God open your
everything you do, whether it eyes, so that you should begin to
pertains to things of this world perceive that your God is the
or of the next, you should seek beam on which all plans rest.
help and succour from God When the central beam of the
alone, and this should remain roof falls down, can the minor
the guiding principle of your life supports maintain their
forever and ever. But this position? Most certainly not.
seeking of help should not be They would all come down in an
from your lips alone: it should instant, in all likelihood, with
be your conviction deep down to much loss of life. In the same
the bottom of your being that way your plans cannot remain in
every blessing comes only from position without help from God.
heaven. You shall be really If you will not cry for His help,
righteous only when, at the time if you will not make that
of every difficulty, before sitting soliciting the most fundamental
down to make your plans, you principle of your life, you will
close your door upon yourself, have no success, and shall die at

last with great regret. case, both these groups are of

those on whom falls the wrath of
Do not fall to wondering why God. The true fountainhead for
other peoples are meeting with all kinds of prosperity is God.
success although they have not Therefore, when these people
the slightest idea of your Most are unaware of this Living and
Perfect and All-Powerful God. Sustaining Being, in fact
The answer is this, and this careless in regard to Him, and
alone, that having forsaken God, turn their backs upon Him, how
they have been put to trial in the can real prosperity fall to their
matter of material means. Often lot? Blessed are they who
a trial from God takes the form understand this secret, and in
that whoever forsakes Him, dire straits is he who fails to
giving himself up to carnal grasp it.
pleasure, setting his mind
wholly on material wealth, the Similarly it is incumbent on you
doors on worldly advancement that you do not begin to follow
are opened upon him; though the philosophers of this world;
from the religious and spiritual nor should you suffer yourself to
point of view he is altogether be mentally overawed by them.
destitute and naked. He dies at All these constitute varying
last engrossed in this world, to manifestations of a gross
be thrown into an eternal hell*. ignorance. The real and true
And sometimes this trial takes philosophy is the only one
the form that such a person which God has given to you in
remains unsuccessful even in His Holy Book. In imminent
the task of amassing wealth. But danger of destruction are the
the latter trial is not as people who have become
dangerous as the former, since enamoured of these material
the former breeds an inordinate philosophies; and successful are
measure of pride and a they, who, for real knowledge
superiority complex. In any and philosophy, go to the Holy

Book. Why do you take to the purity must come first; after that
paths of ignorance? Do you run you shall get everything.
after those who are blind, in the
hope that they would show you
the way? O you ignorant people! * As the Promised Messiah(as) has
explained in other places the
How can a person show you the expression “eternal” here means a
way who is himself blind. The very, very long period – publisher [of
Kishti-e-Nuh]
truth is that the true philosophy
can be obtained only through the
Holy Spirit. Through this spirit
you will reach those sciences
which are not accessible to
others. If you ask for it with
sincerity, you will get it at last,
and then you will find that this is
the only knowledge that imparts
freshness and life to the heart,
and places it on a firm tower of
perfect certainty. How can one
show you the way who is
himself blind? All pure and
healthy wisdom comes from the
heavens alone.
What is this you seek from those

who are of this earth? They also
inherit wisdom whose souls soar
to the heavens. Those who are
not satisfied in their own minds,
how can they give you
satisfaction? The foremost thing
is purity of heart; sincerity and

Investment,
Interest & Islam
We present below the transcript of part of a Q & A
session with Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul
Masih IV(ru) (the Fourth Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim community) in Nasir Baagh, Germany on 11th
September, 1993. The reader’s attention is drawn to the
predictions made by Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad,
Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) towards the end of the article.
Transcribed by Amatul Hadi Ahmad
Question circulate capital so that it can

It is very important in turn the wheels of the economy
Islam not to hoard money and keep it going.
but to keep it working.
How does Islam view One way to do this is to reward
placing money on the capital with profits so that you
capitalist stock market can draw capital and utilise it as
system? you please. That means there are
two tools created in society; one
Answer: The Islamic economic is the smaller pull of capital
system runs on a different magnates, and the other a much
principle and you have to larger and diffused pull of the
understand that system before society as a whole. To draw
you can get an answer to the money from the profits of a
question which you have society and direct it to economic
specifically asked. There are channels requires the banking
two possible ways of drawing magnates, and these banking
capital into the working magnates work on people’s
machinery of the economy - to greed for profit on their capital.

Investment, Interest and Islam
The fundamental principle that In other cases, if the users or

can be understood to apply in usurpers of that money are
this capitalist system is that clever enough to put it to some
money gives ‘birth to children’, advantage in the economy, then
that is, it creates money directly. they will gain from it, but the
In itself it is believed to have gain of the person who channels
that quality. this money into the banks, etc.,
will be a limited gain and a fixed
Islam refuses to accept this gain. It will be unrelated to the
notion. The Holy Prophet of results. If someone who gets
Islam(saw) once asked the your money on the condition of
question of someone who had interest loses it all, then either
enquired about interest: “does he has to pay through his nose
your money give birth to for the rest of his life or he
children”, i.e. if you keep it idle would have to declare himself
will it reproduce by itself? Of bankrupt.
course, the answer was, “No”.
From this we see that Islam Thus this system also invites all
considers money to be an inert kinds of cheats and that is what
factor in an economy; a factor you come across in everyday
indeed, but an inert factor which life in Europe. In England, parti-
can play both positive and cularly these days, many
negative roles depending on fraudsters use this system to
who is utilising that money. So, their advantage, eat up the
human values must be wedded money as best they can and then
to money before it produces any declare themselves bankrupt.
results. If those human values With them sink the economies
are negative values and if of millions of people.
irresponsible people get hold of
money, that money would be Islam does not believe in the
wasted and the whole capital principle of money reproducing
would be sunk into nothingness. by itself. So, Islam promotes

share-holding, a contract where the common property of the

the lender of money will share nation. It can be individual
in the outcome. If it results in a property only as long as it serves
loss, he would suffer the loss some purpose. When it becomes
and if it turns a profit, he will idle, then it is to be fined. The
share in the profit. Now, that Islamic system of Zakat is
requires very cautious decisions exactly that fine, imposed on
on the part of the lender and a idle capital. In Islam, if the
higher standard of honesty and capital owned by individuals is
integrity in the economy, not employed in some economic
otherwise the system cannot projects, it decreases the capital
work. So this is a resultant in value for that individual. That
benefit for the society: only is, the cost of hoarding is paid to
those stay afloat in the market the nation by those who hoard
who are honest and have earned money. So they are compelled to
the reputation of integrity. The push it into the economy and
rest are just wiped out. This is there, as already explained, it
the Islamic attitude. requires better people, more
honest people, more capable and
The second part of the question competent people to utilise that
is but still to be answered: “How capital.
would Islam force capital to be Now, if you go back into the
pushed into economic chan- history of Islam, you will begin
nels?” to understand that the most
honest and the most pious
Islam uses the approach of people were the greatest
exacting a progressive fine on ‘capitalists’, if you want to call
idle capital. Thus, according to them that, who put capital to
Islam, capital is created to run good use for the economy.
the wheels of the economy and Hadhrat Imam Abu Hanifa, one
nobody has the right to hoard of the most highly revered
capital. In this aspect, capital is jurists in Islam, whose system of

jurisprudence is followed by the borrowed against interest,

largest number of Muslims during the idle days of the
today, was also an astute economy, must collapse. There
businessman. People used to is no chance of survival for them
throw money at him. Some because they must pay heavily
would leave pouches full of although they are not earning
money at his doorstep with the anything and not benefiting
message, “For God’s sake from the money they had
employ it and let us share the borrowed. In Islam, it is the
profit.” So, if he could employ other way round. If the money
that money, he would share becomes idle in the hands of the
equally in the profit. Mostly one who had borrowed it, and
people benefited from his production has to be lowered,
intellect and his experience and due to a crisis, then the lender
this also happened in many will also have to share the
other cases. Integrity was burden with the borrower. The
supported by the economic lender will not be paid anything.
system of Islam while on the Such companies will be given
other hand, dishonesty and the much greater breathing periods
capacity to cheat come to the like those animals who
fore and are supported by the hibernate during winter periods.
system of usury. So, the Islamic system provides
the possibility of hibernation,
However, I think the question while the western capitalist
requires a little more exploration system has no provision for this.
in one particular area. The
comparative advantage or Question
disadvantage of the two systems Why does Islam forbid
comes into the limelight during the use of interest?
economic crises such as we have
seen recently in England. Those Answer: This is a short question
companies that run on money which requires a very long

answer and I doubt if we have is that if I, for example, need

sufficient time in this forum as I some money to spend on a
cannot devote the entire time to luxurious car, a good hotel, a
one single question. Although I house or some other article of
cannot be exhaustive, I will luxury and the rate of my
attempt to give a satisfactory, earnings is too low, but my
but brief answer. impatience is without limit and I
can’t wait until I have earned
The question relates not only to enough to fulfil my desire, the
an individual’s requirements, system based on usury, or the
the question of interest and its interest system [provides] an
forbiddance in Islam is a much opportunity to borrow money
wider issue of a much greater from the banks. Apparently,
impact in kind as well. All those what I am doing is that I am
financial systems that are run on borrowing from my own future,
usury and interest are called so I become poorer with the
capitalist systems. They all have passage of time and sometimes
inherent weaknesses which it becomes almost impossible
always ultimately make the for me to service the debts with
people living in those areas which I have got myself
suffer from the consequences burdened. Now this is not just an
whether they themselves individual problem. From then
directly participate in the system on, it becomes a national
or not. I can’t speak at length on problem and continues to
this issue but I can give you a become more complex.
single example to illustrate my
point. Industry that flourishes on this
system is, in fact, catering for
A society that can borrow the requirements of the day or
money on interest is given the year and expands itself on a
permission to spend its future in requirement that is not natural
the present time. What happens but artificially boosted. After a

while, buying power becomes Because of the political changes

reduced more and more until it in Eastern Europe, the crisis in
reaches a point of stalemate. The Western Europe has been
buying power of the country as a delayed for a while for certain
whole becomes very little and reasons that I do not wish to
the servicing of debt itself enlarge upon here. But it will
becomes a huge problem for the come. Foreign markets will
country to overcome. Industry remain limited. Their buying
suffers heavily and so does powers are also reducing. Blood
trade. The result is that at such is being sucked out of Africa so
times, economic crises appear. rapidly now that they are
suffering from anaemia and
Now, those countries that have pernicious anaemia for that
enough avenues of foreign trade matter.
to support themselves in times
of crisis can see themselves If the race in Europe for
through for a while. But when a acquiring more foreign markets
large number of advanced is realised, say, in five years or
countries reach a crisis at the so, then you will realise how
same time, then it is impossible intense the problem will be and
to support such a false economy. how threatening it will become.
The financial crisis that recently Germany itself is passing
occurred in England was in fact through a phase of rebuilding its
predicted by me in my lecture economy and absorbing the
some years ago at the Queen large number of Germans from
Elizabeth II Conference Centre the East. Among them is
when I clearly stated that their excellent know-how and
system of interest was going to expertise which has been
land them in much deeper rewarded with very little pay in
trouble than they believed. That the past. They are now a part of
is exactly what happened and the West German economy and
the problem will expand further. stand on an equal footing and so

the level of production, after an events similar to that of

initial shock, will rise so rapidly Germany would follow. So now,
that the rest of Europe will find imagine the situation of Europe
itself shuddering at the prospect with lessening buying power,
of the boosted German increasing economic problems
economy. Then the race for and increasing competition.
foreign markets will really begin Such crises always lead to war
in earnest. Also, Russia will not and this is a fundamental
remain the Russia of today principle that can never be
which is still suffering from the negated. That is why in
aftermath of the destruction of prohibiting usury or interest the
the communist system. Russia is Holy Qur’an says that if you do
regrouping itself. Its economy not desist from usury, then be
will start breathing again. The ready to go to war with Allah
state of Russia today reminds us and his Prophet, which means
of the great work of Milton, that the divine system would be
Paradise Regained, in which the at odds with you and you are
armies of Satan regroup bound to enter a situation of war.
themselves after the initial So this is the shortest possible
shock to recapture paradise answer that I could give but
again. So, don’t consider Russia there is far more to be said.
out of the competition.
The USSR is a huge country, or

a number of countries grouped
together, whose economy is
potentially stronger than that of
many European countries. Once
they have had the breathing time
to regroup themselves and to
change their system to a
capitalist one then a course of

In August the blessed month of Ramadan begins. The
following two articles explain its significance for Muslims
MUSLIM
FASTING
By Hadhrat Maulawi Sher Ali(ra)
Adapted from The

Review of Religions,
Jan.1930, Vol.
XXVIX
O ye who believe! fasting is observe fasts. Secondly, they are

prescribed for you as it was told that they should not look
prescribed for those before you, so upon fasting as a useless burden; it
that you may become righteous. is meant for their good and the
(Ch.2:V.184)
chief advantage they will derive
from it will be that they will learn
In the above verse, Muslims are
to be pious.
told in the first place that fasting is
not a new institution. It is not a
How does fasting lead to piety? In
new burden laid upon them; it is a
order to understand this, we must
very old institution and all those
see what a keeper of fasts is
nations that have passed before
required to do. He is required to
them and among whom prophets
restrain himself from the
appeared were commanded to
indulgence of his appetites from

Muslim Fasting
Hadhrat Maulawi Sher Ali(ra) was a Companion of

the Promised Messiah(as). He was an extremely
pious, selfless and down to earth person – in a
revelation of the Promised Messiah(as) he was
referred to as an angel. He translated the Holy
Qur’an into English during his stay in England in
1936. He was the first President of the ‘Majlis
Ansarullah’, an auxiliary organisation of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim community, and was Editor of
The Review of Religions for several years.
the break of dawn till sunset, for earned? Thus it is that fasting
one whole month. He may have leads to piety.
plenty of good things to eat and
drink, but in obedience to the Again, it is not only from the
command of God, he will not indulgence of his appetites that a
touch them during these fasting Muslim is required to abstain
times. during his fast; he is also required
to abstain from all kinds of false
Now, when he has practised the words and false actions. “If you
avoidance of what is otherwise don’t abstain from evil words and
lawful for him, merely to seek the evil deeds,” said the Holy
pleasure of God, it becomes easier Prophet(saw), “God has no need of
for him to avoid those things that your abstaining from food and
his divine Master has declared to drink.” For the acceptance of
be unlawful. When, for instance, fasts, it is essential that the person
during his fasts, he did not taste who fasts should also abstain from
the food which he had earned by all sorts of evil words and evil
lawful means and he practised this deeds.
abstinence for one full month, how
could he be expected to taste a Similarly, said the Holy
food which had not been so Prophet(saw), “When you are

Muslim Fasting
fasting, abuse not anybody nor this purpose. By fasting they are
quarrel with any; and if any enabled to realise the trouble and
person quarrels with you, turn the pain which the poor and the
away from him, saying, “I cannot indigent have to suffer on account
quarrel with you, for I am of their poverty. It often happens
observing a fast.” Mark how that the poor have nothing to eat,
fasting is meant to teach a Muslim and have to remain without food
not only to lead an innocent and for days. But the rich who have
spotless life, but also to live as a had no occasion to experience
peace-loving citizen. starvation cannot fully realise the
distress of the starving poor.
Again, not only is a keeper of fasts Fasting, however, provides that
required to eschew all forms of occasion. While keeping fast, they
evil, but he is also exhorted to have to go without food and drink
practise charity. The Holy from the break of dawn till sunset;
Prophet(saw), says a tradition, “was and feeling thereby the pinch of
the most liberal of men, but in the hunger and thirst they come to
month of Ramadan he was more know what the sufferings of the
liberal than a gale.” poor and the indigent really mean.
Thus feelings of sympathy for the
Thus, fasting is a sort of drill a poor are engendered in their
Muslim is made to undergo that it minds and they are made to love
may become easy for him not only the poor all the more.
to abstain from all kinds of evil
and to live peacefully as a law- Fasting has a lesson for the poor
abiding citizen, but also to do also. “Every act of virtue has a
good to his fellow-beings. reward,” said the Holy
Prophet , “which varies in
(saw)
Fasting serves another purpose degree; but fasting is an act of

also. The rich and the well-to-do which God Himself is the reward.
are enjoined by Islam to help their Man fasts for God and God
less fortunate brethren; and fasting Himself will be his reward.” Thus
is designed to prepare them for fasting is held out to be a deed of

Muslim Fasting
the highest virtue which brings the performs a good work with
highest reward, and the lesson willing obedience, it is better
which the poor can learn from for him. And fasting is good
this, is, that if they bear the for you, if you only knew.
sufferings of poverty with
complete resignation to the Will of The month of Ramadan is that
God, like a fasting man who bears in which the Qur’an was sent
the pain of hunger and thirst in down as a guidance for
obedience to His will, they will be mankind with clear proofs of
entitled to the same reward which guidance and discrimination.
is promised to a keeper of fasts. Therefore, whosoever of you
is present at home in this
Many and varied are the uses of month, let him fast therein.
fasting, but the few I have tried to But whoso is sick or is on a
indicate above suffice to bear out journey, shall fast the same
the truth of the words of the Holy number of other days. Allah
Qur’an which say: desires to give you facility
and He desires not hardship
O ye who believe! fasting is for you, and that you may
prescribed for you as it was complete the number, and that
prescribed for those before you may exalt Allah for His
you, so that you may become having guided you and that
righteous. you may be grateful.
(Ch.2:Vs.184-186)
The prescribed fasting is for a
fixed number of days, but
whoso among you is sick or is
on a journey shall fast the
same number of other days;
and for those who are able to
fast only with great difficulty
is an expiation — the feeding
of a poor man. And whoso

THE BLESSED MONTH
By Muzaffar-ud-Din Chaudhry
Adapted from The Review of Religions, Jan.1930, Vol. XXVIX
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Qur’an It has come down to us

Lunar year. Muslims regard it to from our remote ancestors.
be blessed particularly because (1)
the revelation of the Holy Qur’an ‘Fasting is prescribed for
commenced in this month, (2) As- you’, says the Holy Qur’an,
siam, or fasting, one of the four ‘as it was prescribed for those
fundamental practical ordinances, before you, so that you may
was enjoined upon the Muslims to guard against evil.’
observe during this month, (3) (Ch.2:V.23)
unlike other ordinances all
guidance for fasting was revealed So even to this day it is in vogue in
and completed during this month, all other religious systems –
(4) the door of the Divine Hinduism, Christianity etc.,
blessings is thrown open to all although in some cases it has
supplicants and their prayers are fallen to desuetude with the
especially accepted by God in this votaries for want of practical and
month, and (5) it was during this inviolable laws. According to
month that the Holy Prophet(saw) Cruden’s Bible Concordance:
exerted himself more in prayers,
and exhorted his followers to do ‘Fasting has in all ages and
the same. among all nations been an
exercise much in use in times
Fasting of mourning, sorrow and
As-siam, or fasting, is not a novel afflictions.’
institution introduced by the Holy

The Blessed Month
But for the Muslim it has a weaker the physical powers and
different significance. He is to strength become, the more vivid
observe it so that he ‘may guard and intense become the psychic
against evil’, and may attain to powers, and a fast of a few hours
spiritual perfection. Food and makes one’s mental powers
drink of every kind, which is brighter and more active. When
otherwise lawful, is no doubt our stomachs are empty we can
prohibited in these days from the better concentrate our thinking
peep of dawn to the sunset and faculties than we can do when we
also sexual intercourse, but this is have taken a hearty meal. Further,
not the purport of the whole thing. it enables one to stand against
This only leads him to realise that one’s opponents, for it habituates
if he can, in obedience to the one to suffer privations. It makes
Divine will, abstain from these one feel the pangs of hunger and
lawful things, how much more thirst, which one’s less fortunate
necessary it is that he should neighbours may possibly be
abstain from those acts and deeds suffering from, and thus it rouses a
which are forbidden by God. sense of sympathy and fellow-
feelings.
If he is able to renounce the lawful
satisfaction of his desires for a The Muslim World
period of one month, he certainly For the last 1350 years the
acquires the power and will to observance of this ordinance has
renounce the unlawful grati- been uniformly practised by the
fication of his senses which causes Muslims of the world. Being a
the displeasure of God. Apart month of the Lunar year, fasting
from this spiritual and moral eleven days earlier than in the
importance, it has its physical preceding solar calendar year,
value as well. The latest scientific Ramadan revolves round and
discoveries have made it quite witnesses every season whether it
clear that there is something more is freezing cold or scorching heat.
in fasting than a meaningless form Besides the aforesaid prohibitive
or a method of discipline. The injunctions, the Muslims observe

The Blessed Month
some positive practices during this During the last ten days of
month, so that they may come Ramadan, Muslims observe a
nearer to God. practice known as I’tikaf, when
they cut off all worldly con-
Over and above the five daily nections and reside in the mosque
prayers they attended the passing day and night in prayer
Tarawih1 and listen to the Holy and remembrance of God. The
Qur’an recited in the course of the Lailat-ul-Qadr, the night of
prayer by the Hafiz (one who majesty and grandeur, appears in
commits the Holy Qur’an to one of these ten days. This night is
memory). ‘better than a thousand months’,
says the Holy Qur’an, in view of
They are urged to render as much the fact that the revelation of the
charity as possible, and fitrana is Holy Qur’an commenced from
enjoined upon every Muslim this night, and the most blessed
which is a specific kind of alms to revelation was vouchsafed to the
be distributed among the needy in world on this night. The forty days
this month. fasting of Moses(as) and Jesus(as),
prior to their receipt of revelation
It is during Ramadan that the and the office of Prophethood,
Muslim trains himself to curb his adequately shows that the fasting
lower propensities and to streng- opens the door of revelation, and
then his higher and spiritual self. so Muslims are urged to fast every
This kind of practice for one full year for one month.
month secures for him the power
and strength to fight out the evil
inclinations for another eleven
months, when he again undergoes 1. Tarawih is a form of additional prayer,
consisting of 8 or 20 rak’ats, which is
a similar exercise. Thus the life of performed either at the earlier or at the
a true Muslim extends over a latter part of the night. It was started
never-ending process of spiritual by Hadhrat Umar(ra), the Second
amelioration. Caliph of Islam.

Hadhrat ‘A'ishah Siddiqah (ra)
The Circumstances of Her Marriage to

the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah Siddiqah(ra) holds a central position in the annals of

Islam – most of the recorded history of Islam can be obtained through
her accounts – thus the Holy Prophet(saw) declared that “one could learn
half the faith” from her. The age of her marriage to the Prophet(saw)
however, has been the subject of huge debate amongst scholars. This
article addresses claims that she married the Holy Prophet(saw) at a
premature age.
By Hamdah Sanori Farooqi
Background life based on the earliest sources

Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) was the p.71). No definite date however,
daughter of Hadhrat Abu Bakr is on record. The Islamic
Siddiq(ra). She was born in calendar was devised much later,
Makkah, and according to some during the Khilafat of Hadhrat
estimates, the time was around ‘Umar(ra), hence there are
the 4th year of the advent of the considerable differences in dates
Prophethood of the Holy of events. Some scholars assign
Prophet(saw), around 614 AD her birth to the time of the claim
(Tabaqat Ibn Sa’d). Other of Prophethood of
estimates suggest her birth Muhammad(saw), whilst others
occurred very early in Islam’s assign a Hijrah date, (Syed
history. Some biographers have Salman Nadvi pp330-332).
spoken of Hadhrat ‘Aìshah(ra)
and Usama bin Zaid(ra) as the first Hadhrat ‘A'ishah’s mother was
babies born to the Muslims Umm Rumman bint Al-‘Amir.
(Martin Ling: Muhammad: his From her father’s side Hadhrat

Hadhrat ‘A'ishah Siddiqah(ra)
‘Aìshah(ra) belonged to the same Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra). This

lineage as the Holy Prophet(saw), provided a great opportunity for
in the 7th or 8th generation, and young ‘A'ishah(ra) to acquire
on the mother’s side she mastery of these subjects.
descended from the Kannanite
tribe of the same lineage, in the As reading and writing were rare
11th or 12th generation. accomplishments at the time,
committing things to memory
The household Hadhrat was a great art. Hadhrat
‘A'ishah grew up in was the
(ra) ‘A'ishah(ra) had memorised long
house of a highly honoured chief poems and verses as a young girl.
of Arabia. Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra), Later in life she could quote
her father, a wealthy business various long odes, ballads and
man, was the first man to have other pieces of poetry, and could
accepted Islam. He was the Holy masterfully understand the
Prophet’s closest friend and profound ideas as well as express
knew him intimately. After his them eloquently, setting out
conversion, Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra) various usages of the words by
followed the example of the Holy different poets in her discourses.
Prophet(saw) so closely in She could recount the lineage of
everything that it was definitely different tribes up to many
the best Islamic environment for generations in the past.
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) to have
grown up in. Later, in an assessment of her
qualities, Hadhrat Musa bin
Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra) was Talhah(ra) declared, in a report
considered an authority in ‘Ilm- quoted by Haakim:
ul-Ansab, knowledge of geneal-
ogy and poetry. It was popularly “In all my life I never came
said that poets who presented across any person as crystal
their masterpieces at large clear and eloquent in their
festivals always sought prior speech, as ‘A'ishah.”
corrections and advice from (Das Barray Musalmaan by

Shaikh Muhammed Ismail before. The Holy Qur’an has

Panipati, p.258) spoken of the aforementioned
phenomenon and the Promised
From the point of view of Divine Messiah(as) has stated it in his
revelation, the years in which prose and poetry. In an Arabic
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) grew up in verse addressing the Holy
were of great excitement. The Prophet(saw), he says:
profound and glorious Word of
Allah the Almighty was being O, my holy master! You found
revealed manifestly. The zeal of them as lowly and as foul as
the poor and weak who had dung,
joined Islam was overwhelming, And you transformed them
but at the same time the into clear solid gold.
animosity and jealousy aroused
in the Quraish, the main tribe of ‘Dung’ here refers to the depths
Makkah, knew no bounds. They of immorality that the Arabs at
considered themselves the the time had succumbed to when
custodians of the Ka’bah (the the Holy Prophet(saw) appeared.
House of Allah in Makkah) and He brought about a spiritual
thus the leaders of Arabia. As a revolution amongst the Arabs,
result they tried to crush the new transforming their moral
faith with whatever might they standards to such an extent that
could muster. Every day that in their character they were ‘solid
passed during these years was gold’.
full of turmoil and conflict, but
spiritually, the ‘sun of guidance’ Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) grew up fast
was rising rapidly, and the thirsty during those years, not only
souls were receiving rain physically, but also emotionally,
(spiritually), bringing them to spiritually, and mentally. Even
life and filling them with pure while playing she would learn
light and energy and shaping and gain understanding about
them into holy people the like of religious ideas. We see a glimpse
which the world had never seen of this in an incident, when as a

little girl she was playing with “From the time that I
her dolls, and the Holy recognised my parents I
Prophet(saw) happened to pass by. found them to be
Amused to see a horse with Muslims.”
wings amongst the dolls, he (Bukhari)
asked her, “Why does your toy
horse have wings?” Her response The photographic memory of
was, “Haven’t you heard that Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) was dis-
Prophet Solomon’s horse had played in her remembering the
wings?” Thus, even as a child, events of the migration in great
her thoughts were about the detail. No other Companion
Prophets. retained the details of that
journey to the extent she did, a
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) has stated that point noted in Sahih al-Bukhari
the Holy Prophet(saw) used to visit in Bab-ul-Hijrah.
Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s house
(Bukhari, Bab-ul-Hijrah) daily The Arabs of the time had an
and the family heard the Holy extremely exaggerated sense of
Qur’an’s revelations directly honour and they feared that they
from the Holy Prophet(saw). An would be dragged into situations
incident that records those times where it would be tremendously
is the revelation of some of the trying for them to uphold their
verses of Surah Al-Qamar honour. This was one reason why
(Chapter 54 of the Holy Qur’an). many of them preferred to bury
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) relates that their daughters either at birth, or
she was a little girl at the time, at the first opportunity they could
playing about, when the verses find. Born in times of such
were revealed; she understood neglect and barbarity towards
their meaning and learnt the women, Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra)
verses by heart. (Sahih Bukhari found herself growing up in a
Kitab-ul-Tafseer: Surah Al- household given to spiritual
Qamar). In the same report she pursuits, where every effort was
says: made towards learning the verses

of the Holy Qur’an, under- It was the merciless beating

standing them and commenting Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra) received at
on them; her family were fearless the hands of the Quraish, when
in safeguarding the religion of they found him speaking publicly
Islam in its infancy. All the about the beautiful features of
energy of this household was Islam, that turned the heart of his
focussed on supporting and mother, Salmah bint Sakhr(ra).
upholding the principles set out She decided to accompany him
by Islam and the Prophet(saw). to the Holy Prophet(saw) and
Women had an equal opportunity pledged her allegiance to Islam
to participate in religious rites, as well (Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Prof.
granting them equal spiritual Irshad-ul-Haq Quddusi pp.6-7)
rewards.
This is the context in which we
Looking at this period from the have to study the development of
perspective of Hadhrat Abu the very bright daughter of
Bakr’s family it is clear that they Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra) and Umm
lived through hair-raising times. Rumman.
On one occasion Hadhrat Abu
Bakr(ra) found a man had put a Hadhrat Abu Bakr’s older
twisted sheet around the neck of daughter, Asmaa(ra), from a
the Holy Prophet(saw) and was previous marriage, had accepted
strangling him. He ran and Islam, but her mother refused to
rescued the Holy Prophet(saw) accept it, and she was divorced
from the clutches of the attacker. by Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra). Hadhrat
Walking through the streets of Asmaa(ra) is famously mentioned
Makkah, Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra) at the time of migration: firstly,
would find slaves being tortured when the Holy Prophet(saw) came
mercilessly, and would negotiate to the house of Hadhrat Abu
a price and buy their freedom at Bakr(ra) in the fierce midday heat,
the extortionate prices imposed and informed him that he had
by their masters. been granted Divine permission
to emigrate. Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra)

reports that she and Asmaa(ra) where ‘Urwah bin Zubair(ra) has
helped pack the luggage reported that Hadhrat Asmaa(ra)
(Related by ‘Urwah: Bukhari, S. related:
Salman Nadvi: Seerat ‘A'ishah,
p.356) “In Madinah my mother came
to visit me; I enquired from
In the second incident, it is the Holy Prophet(saw): My non-
reported that Asmaa(ra) tore her Muslim mother has come to
waist belt into two lengths with visit me, can I treat her
which she tied up the mouths of kindly?
the two vessels into which food
and water were packed. On this The Holy Prophet(saw) replied:
account she became known as
‘she (the lady) of two belts’. Yes, treat her like you would
treat your close relatives.”
Asmaa(ra) was married to (Bukhari, vol.3, Kitab-ul-
Hadhrat Zubair(ra), a famous Adab)
Companion of Holy Prophet(saw).
She had a son by the name of Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddiq(ra) lived
‘Abdullah (ra), who was well in the area of Makkah called
known in Islamic history as Manqallah and his house was
‘Abdullah bin Zubair(ra). called Dar Abu Bakr i.e. the
Because of this very well loved house of Abu Bakr(ra). It was a
nephew, the Holy Prophet(saw) large house with a domed roof,
gave the title (Kunniyyat) of and a terrace where Hadhrat
Umm ‘Abdillah, ‘mother of ‘A'ishah(ra) was born. (Hadhrat
Abdullah’, to Hadhrat ‘A'ishah by Razia Dard). He built
‘Aìshah . Her other son,
(ra) a mosque within his house for
‘Urwah bin Zubair(ra), is fre- performing the Prayers.
quently mentioned in Islamic
history as well. When Hadhrat Khadijah(ra)
passed away around the 10th
Another mention of Asmaa(ra) is year of Prophethood, the Holy

Prophet(saw) was extremely sad. wisely. A short while later he

The Holy Prophet(saw) and the saw the angel Gabriel in his
small group of converts had just dream who presented him
come out of extreme suffering with a green silk kerchief and
and hardship; they had been said, ‘This is your wife in this
turned out of Makkah and were world and the next.’ The Holy
forced to seek refuge in Shaib Prophet(saw) observed that the
Abi Talib (a valley outside kerchief bore a likeness of
Makkah). By the end of that ‘A'ishah(ra), daughter of Abu
period of deprivation and Bakr(ra).
starvation, Hadhrat Abu Talib(ra),
the Prophet’s uncle who had Some time later, Khaulah bint
brought him up, had also died. Hakim(ra), the wife of a
Commenting on the situation Sir Companion, ‘Uthman bin
Muhammad Zafrulla Khan(ra) Maz’un(ra) , came to the Holy
writes: Prophet(saw) and suggested that
he [the Prophet(saw)] should get
‘The death of his faithful and married again; at the
devoted wife was a grievous suggestion the Holy
loss for the Holy Prophet(saw). Prophet asked: Who shall I
(saw)
For five and twenty years she marry? Hadhrat Khaulah(ra)

had been his counsellor and replied ‘If you wish, you can
support, and now his heart marry a virgin, and if you
and home were deso- prefer, you can marry a
late.’(p.56) widow.’ He asked, ‘Who are
they?’ Khaulah(ra) submitted,
‘The Holy Prophet(saw) on his ‘The virgin is the daughter of
return from Taif, was leading your close friend, Abu
a lonely life. He supplicated Bakr(ra); and the widow is
to God Almighty that He Saudah bint Zamaa(ra), the
should guide him in the widow of Sakran bin Amr(ra).’
matter of marriage, so that he The Holy Prophet(saw) gave
may choose rightly and Hadhrat Khaulah the per-

mission to make enquiries for the tenth year of

both the proposals. Prophethood. The dower of
the bride in each case was
Accordingly Khaulah(ra) first four hundred dirhams’.
approached Hadhrat Abu (Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Nikah,
Bakr(ra) and his wife Umm Muhammad: Seal of
Rumman(ra) and mentioned Prophets Zafrulla Khan,
the matter to them. They p.60)
were surprised and wondered
whether the match was Some books of history have
permissible as Abu Bakr(ra) mentioned that Hadhrat Abu
looked upon the Holy Bakr(ra) had betrothed Hadhrat
Prophet(saw) as his brother [No ‘A'ishah(ra) to the son of Jubair
mention of the age difference bin Mata’m(ra). When Hadhrat
was made as it was not an Khaulah(ra) enquired about a
issue in their minds]. When proposal of marriage with the
the matter was referred to the Holy Prophet(saw), Hadhrat Abu
Holy Prophet(saw), he pointed Bakr(ra) approached Jubair (ra)
out that a spiritual regarding his family’s thoughts
relationship was no bar to about the marriage. Jubair(ra) said
marriage. Being apprised of he would check with his wife,
this, ‘A'ishah’s parents signi- and in the event came back with
fied their assent with great the reply that his wife said: “We
pleasure. Thereafter Khaula(ra) do not want this girl in our
went to Saudah bint Zamaa(ra) house as she will destroy our
and mentioned the proposal religion”. Upon receiving this
to her, whereupon she and reply Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra) very
her relatives accepted it happily proceeded with the
gladly. Thus the nikah of the Nikah (marriage) to the Holy
Holy Prophet(saw) was Prophet(saw) (Musnad Ahmad
performed both with Hadhrat vol.6, Al-Tabaqat-ul-Kubra
Saudah(ra) and with ‘A'ishah(ra), vol.8, p.59, Seerat ‘Aìshah,
in the month of Shawwal of Syed Salman Nadvi p.24, Das

Barray Musalman: M. Ismail “Muhammad has fallen in love

Panipati pp.187-188). with his God!”
Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad(ra) At the time of marriage, Hadhrat

has not included this report in his Saudah(ra) was of advanced age,
book Seerat-e-Khatamun- and she moved into the
Nabiyyeen. Our purpose here to household of the Holy
note some of these references, is Prophet(saw) immediately after the
that no other proposal or Nikah (Islamic religious
engagement, besides this, has ceremony performed in a
ever been mentioned in any Mosque, to officially declare a
books of Hadith or history. If couple husband and wife).
some negative criticism has been Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) was around
made, it is totally unfounded. seven years of age, and
according to some other reports,
Marriage ten years of age at the time.
In the Arab culture of the time, it However Hadhrat ‘A'ishah’s
was entirely normal to marry marriage (i.e. when she went to
several women. The Holy live with the Holy Prophet(saw)
Prophet(saw) however, remained a after the wedding ceremony) did
totally faithful and loyal husband not take place until nearly five
to Hadhrat Khadijah(ra). Although years afterwards, and even at that
if he had married or taken any point it was Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra),
slave girl for a relationship, it who approached the Holy
would not have caused a negative Prophet(saw) and enquired as to
reaction, the Holy Prophet(saw) when would he like to arrange a
totally refrained from any such wedding. (Tabrani on reference
association. As a matter of fact, of Zarqani vo.3, p.231: also
the Quraish had offered him their Seerat-e-Khatamun-Nabiyyeen
most beautiful girl to marry, if he by Mirza Bashir Ahmad p.423)
would only refrain from
preaching his new religion. But it The marriage was conducted in a
was their observation that very simple manner. Hadhrat

‘Aìshah(ra) was residing with her for enlightenment. Hadhrat

mother in a place located in the Mirza Bashir Ahmad(ra) has
suburbs of Madinah. Some Ansar undertaken a lengthy and
ladies got Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) exhaustive discussion on the
ready for the wedding. The Holy subject. He has taken two ways
Prophet(saw) arrived at the house, to ascertain the age. These are set
sat down with the family, shared out below:
a bowl of milk with Hadhrat
‘A'ishah(ra) and her friends who First Way of Assessment of Age
were present, and then departed, Ibn Sa‘d has quoted in Tabaqat a
after which Hadhrat ‘Aìshah(ra) report which states:
moved in to live with the Holy
Prophet(saw). The dower was paid ‘Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) was born
at the occasion. (Seerat-e- in the early part of the 4th
Khatamun-Nabiyyeen p.429-430, year of Nubuwwat (advent of
Bukhari, Muslim, Ibn Sa‘d) Prophethood)’
(Vol.8, p.54)
Age at Marriage
The age of Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) at Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad(ra)
the time of her marriage has been says:
the subject of much debate
among scholars. Hadhrat Mirza ‘I have not come across any
Tahir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih other reference quoting the
IV(ru) (fourth Caliph of the date of the birth of Hadhrat
Ahmadiyya Muslim community) ‘A'ishah(ra) in any book of
declared the aforementioned historians of early Islam,
book, Seerat-e-Khatamun- neither in any book of
Nabiyyeen, by Hadhrat Mirza Hadith, therefore we take
Bashir Ahmad(ra), son of the this report to establish the
Promised Messiah(as), to be the date of birth.’
most reliable account of the life
of the Holy Prophet(saw). The Nikah with Hadhrat
Therefore, we turn to that book ‘A'ishah(ra) was announced in the

10th year of his Prophethood and year of Prophethood, making her

his migration took place in the age to be around six or seven.
14th year of Prophethood. The Migration took place in Rabi’-ul-
actual marriage (when she went Awwal, the 14th year of
to live with the Holy Prophet(saw)) Prophethood; this would make
of Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) took place Hadhrat ‘A'ishah’s age to be
in the second year after around ten years and some
migration, which works out as months at migration. The
the 16th year of Prophethood. So marriage (when she went to live
the time from the birth of with the Holy Prophet(saw)) took
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) in the 4th place nearly two years after
year of Prophethood, to her migration, again the calculation
marriage (when she went to live points to around 12 years of age!
with the Holy Prophet(saw)) in the
16th year of Prophethood, would Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan(ra)
make her 12 years of age. in Muhammad: Seal of the
Prophets has presented the
Second Way of Assessment of following view:
Age
The following very famous and ‘Some historians have fallen
authentic collections of Hadith or into error with regard to her
history have quoted the age of age at the time of the
announcement of Nikah to be wedding. Thorough research
seven years: Sahih Muslim, has, however established that
Nisai, Ibn Hisham, Ibn Sa‘d and at the time of the ceremony of
Tabari. marriage (Nikah) in Makkah,
‘Aìshah was between ten and
The same books, except Seerat eleven years of age, and the
Ibn Hisham, have also mentioned wedding took place in
the age to be six years. Imam Medina between four to five
Bukhari, Ibn Sa‘d and almost all years after the ceremony of
other historians are agreed that marriage. This puts beyond
the Nikah was announced in 10th doubt, that at the time of the

wedding, ‘A'ishah’s age was Sahih Bukhari speak of her age

at least fifteen years.’ being nine years. In summing up
(Muhammad: Seal of the the detailed discussion, Hadhrat
Prophets, p.129) Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Ahmad(ra)
states:
Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din
Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul ‘If, for instance, we assume
Masih II(ra), has thus commented that the age [at marriage] was
on the subject: nine! Even then there is no
objection because, in countries
‘One of the Prophet’s holy like Arabia, for a girl to reach
consorts was the young puberty at 9 or 10 years of age
A’isha. She was thirteen to is not a farfetched
fourteen years of age when thought…average age of
she got married to the puberty of girls in India is 13
Prophet(saw).” to 14 years but Arabia is
(Introduction to the study of comparatively even warmer
the Holy Qur’an, p.134) and drier (in its climate),
therefore many girls are found
In Seerat Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra), to reach puberty at 9 or 10
Syed Salman Nadvi has also years of age…Hence for
undertaken a very long Hadhrat ‘A'ishah to have
discussion on the subject. We reached puberty at 9 or 10 and
can briefly conclude that after to have been physically ready
an exhaustive study he is to be married is nothing
convinced that the age at the extraordinary. Sir William
time of Nikah was six years and Muir has agreed to the rapid
at the age of marriage was 9 growth and development of
years (Seerat-e-‘A'ishah, Hadhrat ‘A'ishah in his
pp.311-368). biography Life of
Muhammad pp.110 and
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah’s own reports 171.”
contained in Sahih Muslim and (Seerat Khatamun-

Nabiyyeen by Hadhrat Mirza prowess of Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra):

Bashir Ahmad(ra))
‘A'ishah’s mind and memory
It was the second year after the were extraordinary. Under the
migration when the marriage of Holy Prophet’s supervision,
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) took place. instruction and training, her
The accounts speak of her faculties developed very rapidly,
playing outside with her friends, and she observed the life of her
when her mother called her in, illustrious husband very
as it was time for her marriage, minutely and never forgot a
which shows that she was a very single word that she heard from
active girl. The prowess of him, she performed a matchless
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra) in poetry service for the faith in the
and history of Arabia was such instruction and training of
that she could recall from Muslim women in all aspects of
memory the lineage of Arab the teaching of Islam…She was
tribes up to many generations, esteemed most highly by the
and knew by heart the leading Companions of the Holy
compositions of the famous Prophet(saw) after his death, on
poets up to thousands of verses. account of her superior
This demonstrates that her knowledge and understanding of
activities also included pursuits the faith.’
whereby she had accumulated (Muhammad: Seal of the
this kind of academic infor- Prophets, p.129)
mation.
Hadhrat ‘A'ishah(ra): holds a very

special place in the history of
Islam because it was through her
accounts that much of the
recorded history of Islam was
obtained. Sir Zafrulla Khan(ra)
sums up the educational

(Lajna Ima’illah is an auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
community. It comprises of ladies – girls are called Nasirat. Below is an
address delivered by the National President of the Lajna Ima’illah UK at the
2008 Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) UK)
The Establishment of
Lajna Ima’illah
and the Sacrifices of
Early Ahmadi Muslim Women
By Shmaila Nagi, UK
By the fleeting Time. sacrifices for the sake of Islam,

Surely, man is in a state of and in doing so, won the
loss pleasure of God. However, with
Except those who believe the passage of time, the high
and do good works, and moral standards amongst the
exhort one another to accept Muslims weakened, and a
truth, and exhort one another period of darkness revisited.
to be steadfast. Consequently, Allah raised
(Ch.103:Vs.1-4) Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad(as) of Qadian as the
Before the advent of the Holy spiritual son of the Holy
Prophet(saw), the moral condition Prophet(saw) for the reformation
of the Arab world had declined of Islam, in exact accordance
to its lowest ebb and all kinds of with the prophecies made by the
immoralities abounded. The Holy Prophet(saw) fourteen
Holy Prophet(saw) transformed hundred or so years previously
these peoples in an unprece- about the coming of a Messiah
dented way, and his and Mahdi, who would appear
Companions presented great in the latter ages to revive Islam

The Establishment of Lajna Ima’illah
from its period of darkness. In the Promised Messiah (as)),

1889, under Divine direction, founded a separate organisation
the Promised Messiah (as) (within the community), Lajna
established a community of Ima’illah, solely for women.
blessed and purified people – Hadhrat Amatul Hayee Sahiba(ra)
the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at was its first secretary. After her,
(or community). Its followers this important office was
made sacrifices like the assigned to the wife of Hadhrat
Companions of the Holy Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud
Prophet(saw). Such sacrifices are Ahmad(ra), Hadhrat Sarah Begum
still seen to be made by Ahmadi Sahiba(ra) and then to Hadhrat
Muslims even today. Thus a Sayeda Maryam Begum
golden era in Islam has once Sahiba .
(ra)
again been established.

When Lajna Ima’illah was
In the early stages of this established, its members
renaissance of Islam, an requested Hadhrat Nusrat Jehan
organisational system was Begum(ra), the Blessed wife of
developed in the community to the Promised Messiah (as), to
streamline and harmonise the become its first president. It is
services rendered by both men likely that she presided over the
and women. first session, but during that
very session she nominated
Initially, there was no separate Hadhrat Sayeda Mahmuda
body in the community for Begum Sahiba(ra) as president.
women. Understanding the Hadhrat Sayeda Mahmudah
crucial role of women in Islam, Begum Sahiba(ra) held that post
and inspired by his second wife, until her death on 31st July,
Amatul Hayee Sahiba(ra), 1958. From August 1958,
Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Hadhrat Maryam Sadiqah(ra)
Mahmud Ahmad(ra), Khalifatul assumed this responsibility.
Masih II (Second Successor to

In an article by Hadhrat explained, was through their

Khalifatul Masih II(ra) entitled, mother’s teaching and guiding
‘To the Women of Qadian’, he them. Therefore, the progress of
wrote: the community is dependent
upon women. The childhood
‘In order to fulfil the purpose years are very impressionable
of our creation the struggle ones. Therefore the reformation
by women is required and is of women must be carried out by
as critical as by men. I think women. Hadhrat Khalifatul
that women have not yet the Masih II(ra) wrote that keeping in
understanding what Islam view these ideas:
requires from us: how should
we spend our lives, so that by ‘I invite all those sisters,
gaining the pleasure of Allah who agree with this concept
we can get the blessings of and accept the need of the
Allah not only after our following objectives, to start
death but in this world as working and inform me.
well. If we seriously examine These objectives are:
this situation we realise that
many women do not consider 1. It is necessary that women
any other work worth doing, start increasing their know-
except their household ledge and spread this
duties.’ knowledge to other women.
He further wrote that the 2. The establishment of an

attempts by the women of the organisation so that this
enemies of Islam had spread work is continued.
false ideas in their children,
which could only be countered 3. The establishment of certain
by our own women. The certain rules and regulations to run
way to inculcate the true spirit this organisation which must
of Islam in children, he be obeyed by every member.

4. These rules should be Qur’an, the Holy

according to the concept of Prophet (saw) and the
Islam presented by the Promised Messiah have(as)
Ahmadiyya [Muslim] stated it as a duty of each

community and help in and every Muslim, and you
strengthening it. should always remain ready
for any sacrifice for this
5. Essays, written by the purpose.
members of this organi-
sation on different aspects 9. Always remain attentive for
of Islam related to current the reformation and
situations, should be read in development of your ethics
conventions in order to and morality; cooperate
master the use of that with each other in this
knowledge. regard and think about ways
and means for it and do not
6. In order to increase limit your attention towards
knowledge this organisation food and clothing only.
should invite Islamic
scholars whom it thinks 10. Understand your respon-
proper to deliver lectures. sibility of raising children.
Make them active, vigilant
7. In order to maintain the and strong instead of
unity of the community all ignorant of religion, frus-
proceedings of this organi- trated and lazy; teach them
sation should be according whatever knowledge of
to plans and schemes of the religion you have; create
Khalifa of the time. love and obedience of God,
the Holy Prophet(saw), the
8. You should always struggle Promised Messiah(as) and
to increase the unity of the the Khulafa; create in them
community, as the Holy zeal to spend their lives

according to and for the of this organisation should

sake of Islam; think about consider it her duty to make
ways and means to do this other sisters like-minded.
work and act upon them.
14. In order to safeguard this
11. When you work together, work, only those sisters
avoid the mistakes of each shall be made members of
other and try to reform with this organisation who fully
patience and courage. Do agree with its ideas and if
not create disunity by someone, God forbid, does
expressing anger and not agree anymore, shall
frustration. leave without any
resentment or shall be asked
12. As every new project is to leave.
ridiculed and mocked by
people, therefore, it is 15. As the community does not
necessary that you should consist of any particular
not care about this ridicule group, it is necessary that
and mockery and sisters that there shall be no
should learn in advance to discrimination between the
bear this individual or rich and poor. Rather, you
group mockery so that other should try to create love and
sisters get attracted by equality among both the
seeing your example. rich and the poor, and the
feelings of arrogance and
13. In order to strengthen this superiority should be
idea and to keep it eliminated from the hearts,
continued forever, you because in spite of different
should make like-minded levels, as a matter of fact all
sisters. This work can men are brothers and all
continue only when every women are sisters.
sister who becomes member

16. In order to serve Islam and all Ahmadi Muslim women

to help our poor sisters and were by default included as
brothers, ways and means members in this organisation. At
should be suggested and the instruction of Hadhrat
acted upon. Khalifatul Masih II(ra) these
signatory women assembled on
17. As all the help, and all the December 25th, 1922 at the
blessings, and all the house of Hadhrat Nusrat Jehan
successes come from God, Begum(ra), wife of the Promised
it should be prayed for and Messiah(as). After Zuhr
requested [from] others to (afternoon) prayer, Hadhrat
pray [for], “those objectives Khalifatul Masih II(ra) made a
to be revealed to us” which short speech, and in this way the
He has kept in view in our Lajna Imaìllah came into
creation. And in order to existence. After this session,
fulfil those objectives, detailed rules of Lajna Imaìllah
provide us the best ways were published in the magazine,
and means and enable us to Tadeeb-un-Nisa, which used to
use those ways and means be published in Qadian under
in the best manner, and the editorship of Hadhrat Sheikh
cause us to die in the best Ya‘qub ‘Ali ‘Irfani Sahib(ra). In
way; guide the next this way the regular activities of
generations with His the Lajna began.
blessings and continue this
work according to His will As a result of the efforts of
till the end of time.’ Sahibzadi Amatul Hamid
Tarikh-i-Ahmadiyyat) Sahiba , daughter of Hadhrat
(ra)
Khalifatul Masih II(ra), and the

In the beginning, thirteen motivation of Sahibzadi Amatul
women from Qadian signed up Rashid Sahiba, Nasiratul
to this movement which was Ahmadiyya was established in
voluntary only; later, however, July, 1928. Nasiratul

Ahmadiyya is a separate himself used to teach there.

organisation (within the Hadhrat Maulawi Sher Ali
Ahmadiyya Muslim com- Sahib(ra) was the administrator of
munity) consisting solely of the school. Its graduates
girls up to the age of 15 years, included teachers and workers
and is similarly dedicated to for women’s central offices and
their moral upbringing, religious educational institutes.
training, and social welfare.
Financial Sacrifices Made by
In 1930 Lajna were granted the Early Members of Lajna
right of representation in Majlis Ima’illah
Shura1. On 15 December, 1926 Whenever the Promised
the publication of the Lajna Messiah (as) and his successors
magazine Misbah (literally (the Khulafa) started a scheme,
meaning a ‘lamp’ or ‘lantern’ i.e. women always participated. It is
a guiding light) was started. It of note that the Blessed wife of
strengthened the discipline and the Promised Messiah (as),
training and activities of Hadhrat Nusrat Jehan(ra), was
Ahmadi Muslim women. On invariably at the top of the list of
March 17th, 1925, Hadhrat contributors. Mosques, hospi-
Khalifatul Masih II(ra), started tality and preaching centres,
Madrasatul Khawateen, a Lajna Imaìllah projects,
school for women, to spread Minaratul Masih (the white
religious education among Minaret in Qadian), the Tahrik
women. Apart from Hadhrat Jadid scheme and the
Maulawi Sher Ali Sahib(ra), publication of Al-Fazl, nearly
Hadhrat Syed Waliullah Shah every project started with the
Sahib(ra), Hadhrat Sufi Ghulam help of her donation.
Muhammad Sahib(ra) and other
scholars, including Hadhrat The very first financial sacrifice
Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud demanded from women by
Ahmad(ra), Khalaifatul Masih II, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra),

concerned the construction of a addressed the women of Qadian

mosque in Berlin. Hadhrat and said:
Nusrat Jehan(ra) had recently
received 500 rupees from a “If poor women of Qadian
property when Hadhrat show their religious zeal
Khalifatul Masih II announced
(ra) and courage then the
this project. She donated the women from outside shall
whole amount immediately. be motivated. But if you
Hadhrat Syyeda Nawwaab show reluctance and
Mubarakah Begum Sahiba(ra), weakness then the outside
one of the daughters of the effect shall also be very
Promised Messiah(as), donated less.”
1000 Rupees. Nawwaab Amatul
Hafeez Begum Sahiba(ra), wife of After this address of Hadhrat
Hadhrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad Khalifatul Masih II(ra) the women
Sahib(ra), and Hadhrat Umm-e- of Qadian showed such zeal,
Dawood Sahiba(ra) also fully sacrifice and devotion that,
contributed in this project. beside the pledges, 8500 rupees
Hadhrat Syyeda Mahmudah were collected on the very same
Begum Sahiba(ra), received an day. We must remember that the
amount from Hadhrat Khalifatul majority of people living in
Masih II(ra), one half of which Qadian were poor. But those
she paid as Wasiyyat and the poor women presented whatever
other half she donated for this they had in the way of Allah.
project. Hadhrat Maryum
Begum donated her necklace
(ra) One example was an old widow
and Hadhrat Amatul Hayee who presented two rupees to
Sahiba(ra) donated 100 Rupees. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra).
He mentioned her sacrifice in
When Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud- one of his articles as follows:
Din Mahmud Ahmad(ra) started
this project, he particularly ‘A pathan woman, who is

very poor and who had to Another widow who was raising
migrate to Qadian from her several orphaned children had
area to avoid the cruelties of no money or jewellery to
stinging-bee natured maul- donate. Instead she donated
vis, and could hardly walk utensils of her daily use. A
with the help of a stick Punjabi widow, who had
donated rs.2/-. Her nothing but her jewellery,
language is Pushto and she donated it for the mosque, and
can speak only a few words another migrant woman had
of Urdu. She stated in her only two goats, both of which
broken-language by touch- she donated.
ing each of her clothes that
this dupatta [a head Women outside Qadian also
covering] belongs to office; showed enviable examples of
this pajama belongs to sacrifices.
office; this shirt belongs to
office; my Qur’an belongs Dr. Shafi Ahmad Muhaqqaq
to office; meaning that I Dehlvi, editor of Daily Ittafaq in
have nothing. Everything Dehli, states his wife’s story:
has been received from
Bait-ul-Maal [treasury]. ‘Dehli community offers its
Each and every word she Friday prayer in this
was saying was working as humble one’s office which
a sharp knife on my heart is situated across the road.
but at the same time my Last Friday the Imam read
heart was filled with thanks the sermon of Hadhrat
and gratefulness for the Mirza Bashir-ud-Din
Benevolent God Who has Mahmud Ahmad, published
created such alive and in Al-Fazl. My wife was the
strong souls in a dead only woman amongst the
nation.’ listeners and I was thinking
that after the prayer I’ll ask

my wife to donate her feet- all of her jewellery and fine

jewellery for the mosque. clothes worth 1500 rupees. And
Meanwhile, I heard a knock the sacrifices of the women of
at the door. I went inside the the family of Chaudhry
house where she had Muhammad Hussain, President
listened to the sermon, Qanoon-go Sialkot, who donated
sitting on the prayer-mat all of their jewellery worth 2000
and tears were running on rupees, and Seth Ibrahim’s
her face. She didn’t say daughter who donated her
anything and gave me her jewellery approximately worth
five-levelled golden 1000 rupees, and Mian Abdullah
necklace which was worth Sanauri’s wife, daughter and
about RS.300/-. I took that daughter-in-law, who in spite of
neck-lace and gave it right their very limited resources,
away to the Imam.’ donated 200 rupees.
(Al-Fazl, 26 February
1923). Besides these individual
sacrifices, Lajna members in
Every woman was anxious to Sialkot donated cash and
excel others by sacrificing jewellery worth 2500 rupees,
whatever she had for the sake of Lajna Lahore donated 2700
Islam. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih rupees, and women from
II(ra) wrote an essay on 1st March, Amritsar donated 3000 rupees.
1923, in the Al-Fazl newspaper,
titled ‘Berlin Mosque, Model of If we compare the sacrifices of
Sincerity of Sincere Sisters’, in women of that time with the
which he mentioned these present value of money, we can
unparalleled sacrifices. He imagine how great the sacrifices
mentioned the sacrifice of the women made were as they
wife of Captain Abdul Karim, responded to the call of their
ex-Commander-in-Chief of the Imam, presenting whatever they
State of Khairpur, who donated had in their homes.

When due to various reasons, is appropriate to have a

the Berlin mosque could not be mosque in the centre of
constructed, Hadhrat Khalifatul Christianity built by women
Masih II(ra) addressed the as a practical response to
women on 23rd October, 1928, Christianity which blames
in his note entitled ‘Women of Islam for the violation of
Ahmadiyya community Pay women’s rights.’
Attention’:
It is a great blessing and favour of
‘I have already announced Allah that He enabled the
that as it was not possible for financial donations of Ahmadi
the Berlin mosque to be Muslim women to build the Fazl
constructed, therefore, a Mosque, the first Mosque ever
mosque in London was built built in London. It was the Decree
by women’s donation. And I of Allah that this mosque was to
had enquired from the become the residence of the
women that if they wish, this Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya
mosque can be attributed to Muslim community. The voice of
them or the men can pay the Khalifa of the time is reaching
them its price and the the corners of the world from this
women’s mosque shall be mosque and the studio of Muslim
built in another country. Television Ahmadiyya
Because no reply has been International , is also situated in a
2
received so far from the part of this mosque through which

women of our Jama’at the revelation of the Promised
[community], I understand Messiah(as) “I shall cause thy
that they wish that the message to reach the corners of
London mosque, which has the earth” is being fulfilled with
become famous all over the full glory. Blessed are those
world, is attributed to them. I women with whose sacrifices this
think that, keeping in view mosque was built.
the importance of London, it

In March 1950 the Wakil-ul- sermon of 14th December, 1951:

Maal [the community’s Central
Director of Finance] wrote that “Women were motivated
it was Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih for the mosque in Holland.
II’s desire that as the Ahmadi They have showed more
women contributed in the sacrifices than men though
construction of London mosque, their scheme was small.
mosques and mission houses in Women have virtually no
Washington (USA) and the income in our country.”
Hague (Holland) should also be (History of Lajna, Vol.2
built with the donations of p.164)
Ahmadi sisters.
He said that indeed there are
Upon hearing this instruction of such men who donate more than
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra), their capacity and ability, but the
Ahmadi women, following their majority of women have offered
own traditions, responded to the greater sacrifices.
call of their dear Imam despite
the fact that the financial In 1964, an important milestone
position of the community at in the history of Ahmadiyyat
that time was very weak. Most was achieved, as 50 years of the
of them had migrated to Khilafat of Hadhrat Mirza
Pakistan following the partition Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud
of the subcontinent. Making Ahmad(ra) were completed. Upon
sacrifices for the construction of the completion of these 50
a mosque by women during such years, Lajna Imaìllah offered to
unfavourable circumstances build a mosque in Copenhagen,
shall be written in the history Denmark. All the members of
with golden words. Mentioning Lajna Ima’illah not only wrote
the efforts of Lajna Imaìllah, letters of congratulations to
Hadhrat Mirza Bashiruddin Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din
Mahmud Ahmad(ra) said in his Mahmud Ahmad(ra), but they

also expressed their happiness expressed his gratitude that

by offering to fund the Ahmadi women had made
construction of this mosque. In promises to pay 34,000 rupees.
the project, Ahmadi Muslim Responding to the call of their
women not only kept their beloved Imam(ra) with sincerity
traditions alive but made it a and devotion, Lajna Ima’illah
bright example for next fulfilled this responsibility
generations. They showed that within a short period. (Tareekh
Ahmadi women are alive Lajna Volume 1. page 567).
members of an alive nation, that
they do not celebrate their At the time, a mission to convert
happiness to show-off, but Muslims to Hinduism had been
rather they celebrate it in a pursued by the Arya [Samaj]
manner that their God becomes sect, but the Muslims had
pleased with them and the ignored this matter. Eventually
honour of the Holy Prophet(saw) is the situation became worse and
established in the world and Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II’s
Islam is promoted all over. Islamic integrity could not
tolerate this. In early 1923 he
During this initial period of voiced his concerns towards this
Lajna Ima’illah, with Allah’s humiliation. He instructed the
blessings, Ahmadi Muslim members of the community that
women also had the opportunity such Ahmadis are required who
to serve the Holy Qur’an. will dedicate their entire life to
During the Jalsa Salana 3 of serve Islam on their own
1944 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih expense, and remain there for at
II (ra) encouraged the Lajna least 3 months and work against
Ima’illah to print a German this development of the Hindus.
translation of the Holy Qur’an, Upon this call all kinds of
and one other book. For this people presented themselves.
project he encouraged women to
collect 28 thousand rupees and On 12th March 1923, the first

caravan took off and Hadhrat In other instances, certain

Khalifatul Masih II(ra) bade women not only presented
farewell to them with advice and themselves for missionary work,
prayers. Hadhrat Nusrat Jehan but through the Al-Fazl
Begum(ra), the Blessed wife of the publication, they encouraged
Promised Messiah(as), along with their sisters by saying that if
a few women, walked to the place they cannot go themselves, they
of departure and saw their sons can also gain reward by sending
leaving for the struggle to spread their loved ones.
the truth of the Word of God.
‘We should say to our
Several women presented loved ones that, if you
themselves for tabligh (propa- want to see us happy,
gation of faith) in this region. depart for missionary work
Saeeda Begum Sahiba(ra) from immediately.’
Lahore wrote to Hadhrat Mirza
Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Muhtarma Sardar Begum Sahiba
Ahmad :(ra) wrote:
‘Respectfully I submit that I ‘Men oftentimes stop doing

read in the newspaper good deeds because their
Zameendar that 20 Muslim women stop them doing so.
women have converted to Dear Sisters and Elders!
Hinduism. 18 are from Beware, do not stop them
Amritsar and 2 are from doing this missionary work
Lahore. I submit that this otherwise you will have to
news has stricken my heart. I face hell. So encourage men
wish that I fly over there and to go out as it is the time to
do missionary work and if maintain the honour of
Huzur desires and gives his Islam. Those women who
order, I am ready to do the cannot help by sending their
missionary work.’ men should help through

financial means. If you specific demands for women.

spend your money for the He said in this sermon:
establishment of Islam and
prevent the Muslims from “In this sacrifice we need
becoming apostates, in the the cooperation of women
afterlife you will gain many otherwise our sacrifices
rewards as promised by shall remain a sacrifice only
Allah.’ in words. So I particularly
draw the attention of
In 1934, Hadhrat Khalifatul women to the fact that they
Masih II(ra) formed Tahrik Jadid need to focus on making
under Divine Will. Through this sacrifice and cooperate with
great scheme the Holy Qur’an is men in the matters. Our
being published all over the women should remember
world; hundreds of mosques and there have been women
Ahmadiyya mission houses, before them who have done
educational schools and medical amazing sacrifices.”
hospitals for the general public
are being are being built all over In the demands of the Tahrik
the world. The basic purpose of Jadid, the demands of the
this programme is to establish sacrifice of one’s own self were
the Oneness of God, the honour mostly concerning women.
and high status of the Holy Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din
Prophet(saw) and to raise the flag Mahmud Ahmad(ra) demanded a
of Islam all over the world. change in the standards of food,
drink, and clothing for a three
On 23rd November 1934, in his year period. The first demand
Friday sermon, Hadhrat was to have a simple standard in
Khalifatul Masih II , presented
(ra) food and the second demand
the demands of the Tahrik Jadid, was to use simplicity in
the fundamental pillars of this clothing. Hadhrat Khalifatul
programme. He presented some Masih II(ra) gave guidance not to

purchase desirable or extra- our possessions to serve our

vagant clothes, but to only faith. Our happiness, our
purchase clothes enough to comfort, our decoration, our
fulfils one’s needs. One should peace and everything lies in
utilise the clothes already in the progress of Islam.
possession. He directed not to Therefore, it is essential
purchase any new jewellery, and that we keep this promise in
he strictly forbade attending mind that we made to Amir-
cinema and theatres. ul-Momineen, Imam-ul-
Muttaqeen, Hadhrat
Upon the demands of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II, during
Khalifatul Masih II(ra), during a bai’at [initiation into the
meeting of Lajna Ima’illah, the community], that we will
Naib Sadr [Deputy President] of give preference to our faith
the Lajna, wife of Hadhrat Hafiz over worldliness. The time
Roshan Ali sahib(ra), a has come that we fulfil the
companion of the Promised promise that we will prefer
Messiah(as) and a great scholar, faith to our worldly matters
presented a resolution that: because this includes all
sisters whether rich,
‘Upon Huzur-e-Anwar’s mediocre or poor.’
demands we respond by
promising that for these Upon this resolution, 117 sisters
three years we will try our signed and presented their
best to live a life of service to Hadhrat Khalifatul
simplicity according to Masih II(ra). In the History of
Huzur’s sayings and Lajna, Volume 1, it is written
practice simplicity in that, during these days the
clothing InshaAllah. community witnessed extra-
Similarly, we are always ordinary sacrifices and women’s
ready to serve our faith. We standards in food, clothing and
will sacrifice our lives and fashion and in decoration of

their houses became very respect. Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-

simple. ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad(ra)
respected this dedication of
The Tahrik Jadid produced such women and suggested that they
passion for sacrifice in women form committees. The donations
that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih would be collected under their
II(ra) mentioned it in his Friday name. (Al-Fazl, 11 December,
sermon on 30th November, 1934)
1934:
Therefore, according to Hadhrat
“Certain women have asked Khalifatul Masih II’s
me that we also desire to suggestion, the secretary of
take part in this task but we Lajna Ima’illah, joined ten
are unable to give even 5 or women and planned the
10 rupees.” formation of such committees.
Every woman had to contribute
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra), one rupee monthly and once
said that in our country it is a they had ten rupees, the
tradition that, except in urban donation would be given.
families, women usually are not
given spending money in cash, Thinking about this incident
rather food and clothes are invites us to ponder, especially
purchased and provided to them. those who tend to use lack of
So, there is no doubt that there resources as an excuse to avoid
are several women who cannot serving the faith. If we have a
even give five or ten rupees, but passion to serve the faith, God
they expressed a desire to be keeps forming the path for us
given an opportunity to gain and He provides the means for
reward from God. Hadhrat us. The promises made by the
Khalifatul Masih II(ra) said that earlier generations to Hadhrat
this passion of women is worthy Khalifatul Masih II(ra), which
of being thanked and given they fulfilled to the best of their

ability, invite us to walk in the was a very sincere devotee who

footsteps of these great women, served the faith in Africa for 21
which is that whenever a call is years. Returning after the first
made for sacrifice, we also will seven years of his service, he
prefer faith to our worldly married, and a few years later,
matters, Insha Allah [God he was sent to Western Africa.
willing]. For 14 years, he continuously
remained there busy with
When the sending of missionary affairs. He had
missionaries of the Ahmadiyya stepped into old-age and his
Muslim community to foreign wife had also become elderly.
countries started, women dis- Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra)
played outstanding examples of decided to quickly call back the
sacrifice. At the time, the missionary. He said:
financial condition of the
community was such that it did “Hakeem Fazl-ur-Rehman
not allow missionaries to return has been out of country for
home after two or even three a long time and has not
years, or their relatives to be even seen the faces of his
sent to whatever country they children. And they asked
were posted in. In these what their father looks
conditions, the wives of like.”
missionaries displayed enor-
mous patience. They supported Relating another incident about
their husbands and lived off a another missionary, Hadhrat
small income and never Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra)
complained. Because of these said that their child, who was
sacrifices, missionaries were quite grown up, said something
able to serve the faith with full very painful to his mother. He
satisfaction and peace. said that if our relative falls sick
then their father checks up on
Hakeem Fazl-ur-Rehman Sahib them. Why did you marry our

father who never checks on us? utter a demand and she

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) would immediately fulfil it.
said that it is very painful that We have seen her doing
his father has been away for work all day. She would be
such a long time and we cannot sewing on a sewing
call him back (Tareekh-e- machine and had placed
Ahmadiyyat, Volume 10, p.201). other women on the task to
The sacrifices of these sew blankets and clothes.
missionaries indeed have been On 80-90 machines, she
matched by the women who supervised women sewing
have spent their entire adulthood and sewed herself as well.
without their men, serving the This entire work, she would
faith with their patience. There get done by women who
are several events describing the only wanted to serve
tough labour and sacrifice of mankind and this com-
time by Ahmadi Muslim munity with their own
women. Hadhrat Maryam passion.’
Sadiqah was a valuable and
(ra) (Seerat Hadhrat Sayyida
blessed person of the Umm-e-Tahir, Page 221)
community. Hadhrat Sayyida
Mehr Apa(ra) wrote in an article In 1947, when the community
upon her death that: was forced to emigrate from
Qadian to Rabwah in Pakistan, it
‘She handled the Lajna experienced severe financial
work by fulfilling the constraints and problems.
responsibilities of a President, Though in the history of the
General Secretary, a clerk and Ahmadiyya Muslim community,
of a humble worker all at many such times have come
once. During this time, only when women showed great
because of her efforts, the courage, yet at the time of
work began to spread and migration, everyone was not
continued. Huzur would only grieved over leaving

Qadian – but also extremely to her brother Mirza Iltaaf-ur-

worried about its safety, because Rehman Sahib of Barlaas house
of the horrendous happenings Qadian:
and the insecure state of the
country. During these days, ‘Do not worry about us and
Ahmadi Muslim women face all the problems with
displayed great examples of steadfastness and become
faithful courage and advised the inheritor of God’s
their sons, husbands and blessings. Become a useful
brothers not to display weakness part of Ahmadiyyat. We are
during this sensitive time but to happy and proud that our
show high examples of sacrifice. only brother has been given
a special opportunity by
Amtul-Hafeez Begum Sahiba(ra) God to serve Ahmadiyyat
wrote to her son Doctor and given steadfastness. We
Muhammad Ahmad Sahib, his cannot be proud enough
younger brother Naeem Ahmad over it. Mother sends you
Sahib and their brother-in-law prayers as well’.
Muhammad Rafiq Sahib and (Tareekh Lajna Volume 2,
their nephew Abdul-Rashid p.23)
Sahib that:
Amtul Lateef Begum Sahiba of
‘A time of trial has come on Lahore wrote to her husband,
you all. Spend it with Dr. Muhammad Ahmad Sahib:
bravery and I pray to Allah
Ta’ala that he keeps you ‘My and mother’s advice is
steadfast and gives you that you should remain
greater opportunities to there with trust in God.
serve the faith.’ Allah Ta’ala will protect
(Tareekh Lajna, Vol.2, p.23) you there as well and not let
your faith be wasted so do
Masooda Barlaas Sahiba wrote not try to get permission to

return. Leave us to God’s life for this task, never

mercy because He is the hesitate to do so. Remember
Caretaker of all. If He has that we will only be happy
created us, He will protect with you when you display
us and feed us. If He has to a high level of sacrifice in
keep you alive, He will do it protecting the sacred place
in every way and help you. of Hadhrat Masih-e-
And if death is destined, no Mau’ud(as) which is a matter
matter how much we try to of pride for every Ahmadi.
hide there is no escape. Do not worry. God will
Don’t worry about me, I am protect you. We, your
not a coward. My faith is parents, pray for you that
strong in Almighty Allah. If may the Almighty Allah
a trial comes from Him, it grant you steadfastness.
has to come anyway so pray Ameen.’
that He keeps us steadfast in (Tareekh Lajna Vol.2, p.19)
every way and our faith is
never shaken.’ The early members of Lajna
(Tareekh Lajna Vol.2, p.21) Ima’illah worked in every field
according to the guidelines
The wife of Mistry Noor given by Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-
Muhammad Sahib, Ganj ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra).
Mughalpura, wrote to her son, Whether it was in the service for
Muhammad Lateef Sahib the Holy Qur’an or the
Amritsaree, who stayed in inauguration of a mosque; for
Qadian for its protection: missionary work or for the
sacrifice of their time or money
‘Today it is a struggle to or children, they walked in the
remain in Qadian. Continue glorious footsteps of the female
protecting the centre with companions of the Prophet
steadfastness and bravery. Muhammad(saw) and displayed
If you have to give up your great examples of sincerity and

sacrifice that shall always be countries and every day,

remembered. By the Grace of Ahmadi Muslim women con-
God, from that initial group of tinue to make great sacrifices in
thirteen women, branches of the service of Islam, both
Lajna Ima’illah have been financial and practical.
established in over 190
REFERENCES:
1. The Shura is a consultative body prescribed by the Holy Qur’an

consisting of proportionate representation, who meet to gather,
debate, and put forward recommendations and opinions to the
Khalifa for the betterment of the Ummah (Shura, Mutual
Consultation, Adam Hani Walker, p.1)
2 A worldwide Muslim television station, broadcasting in England on

SKY channel 787 and online at www.mta.tv
3 An annual convention started by the Promised Messiah(as), held in

every country that Ahmadi Muslims have established a community
in. Its purpose is for members to experience religious benefits,
enhance their knowledge, and promote mutual brotherhood between
brothers and sisters – Editor

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Continuation of an extract from ‘Our Teaching’ in ‘Kishti-e-Nuh’

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