RR200812

MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS December 2008, Vol.103, No.
12
Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)
Mansoor Shah (Secretary) Khilafat Centenary –Special Edition No.15
Naseer Ahmad Qamar
Mubarak Ahmad Zafar
Mirza Fakhar Ahmad Editorial
Abdul Baqi Arshad
Intra-faith dialogue, religious freedom and
loyalty to the country of residence.
CHIEF EDITOR AND MANAGER Fazal Ahmad– UK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Mansoor Ahmed Shah
Assistant:
Ijaz Ahmed Tahir The Essence of Islam – Part 28
Reason and conjecture do not lead to that certainty
EDITORIAL BOARD attained through reason and revelation.
Bockarie Tommy Kallon Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)
Fareed Ahmad The Promised Messiah and Mahdi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fazal Ahmad.
Mansoor Saqi
Sarah Waseem Solution from the Holy Qur’an on the
Tanveer Khokhar
Global Crisis
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Historic speech at the British Parliament on the
Amatul Hadi Ahmad current world economic crisis, how the Holy Qur’an
Farina Qureshi provides hope and warning of spiritual neglect.
PROOFREADERS Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad –
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan Khalifatul Masih V .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Shaukia Mir
DESIGN AND LAYOUT Speeches by various dignatories at the
Tanveer Khokhar
British Parliament on 22 October 2008.................. 26
DISTRIBUTION
Muhammad Hanif
Inauguration of Al-Mahdi Mosque
PUBLISHER Address by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V at a
Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah
VIP reception for local dignatories following the
All correspondence should be
forwarded to the editor at: inauguration of the mosque in Bradford, UK. . . . . . 38
The Review of Religions
The London Mosque Life Supreme
16 Gressenhall Road Islam’s direction of spiritual fulfilment and
London, SW18 5QL
United Kingdom harmony by Bashir Ahmad Orchard (Late). . .. . . . . 48
Email:
reviewofreligions@gmail.com Index of articles published in 2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
© Islamic Publications, 2008
ISSN No: 0034-6721 COVER PHOTO
Views expressed in this publication are not Houses of Parliament, UK
necessarily the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Community
© Dreamscape photo library
Editorial
Is there a conflict of interest The truth is that faith and
between being a Muslim, and spirituality is a personal journey,
being loyal to one’s country? and a person can achieve
fulfilment from one’s faith and
In so many parts of the world relationship with God wherever
now, people of different religious one’s living. Faith grows
denominations seem to be stronger when a person can
demanding autonomous states engage in debate and reaffirm
for their own religion. This is one’s views amidst a spectrum of
resulting in armed struggle and other beliefs and practices. If a
terrorism across the globe, religion is true, then why should
particularly in Africa, Asia and anyone be afraid of debate and
the Middle East. Almost all research?
conflicts arise from political or
territorial pursuits to gain control For a Muslim, loyalty to one’s
of natural resources or other country in an integral part of
economic interests. However, faith; one must be loyal to one’s
Sometimes, of late, we can ask country if that country tolerates
whether, in fighting for their one’s religious practices.
faith, these people are collec- Muslims should encourage their
tively fighting for all members of legislators to be tolerant to
their faith, or for a particular sect people of all faiths, and to
or viewpoint, and if that is the encourage a free and dignified
case, what would be the inter-faith dialogue without fear
condition of minorities within of persecution. If moves are
their faith should they be made in that direction, what need
successful in achieving a would there be for each faith to
separate religious state. I think need its own independant state?
we all know the answer.
In the history of Islam, great
2 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

EDITORIAL
civilizations such as Al-Andalus should aim for, rather than a state

in Spain were recognised for in which a handful of zealots are
their religious tolerance and able to impose their blinkered
focus on education and debate. world-view on the rest of the
Many of the modern states are population.
not even a shadow when
compared to such cultural highs. This issue features a visit by
Britain has a history of Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
immigration for centuries, and a to the British Houses of
tolerance of people of all faiths. Parliament and then to the
You only have to look at the opening of a new mosque in
changing landscape of London Bradford, in the north of
and the other cities to see just England. This is a celebration of
how many Mosques and Islamic the British freedom to worship,
Centres have sprung up in the and an example to many other
last fifty years, as well as countries to follow.
Synagogues, Temples and
Churches for faiths of all For a Muslim in Britain, there is
denominations. All of these absolutely no conflict between
groups also have total freedom to one’s adherence to one’s faith,
publish and distribute their and one’s loyalty to Britain, and
literature, and to engage in a long may that continue.
decent debate on their beliefs and
practices. Surely this is the by Fazal Ahmad
Islamic approach in practice.
Elsewhere also there are

examples of countries which
might be largely Buddhist,
Islamic, Christian or of some
other faith, but tolerate people of
all other faiths in their countries.
This is the Islamic model that we
KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 3

ESSENCE OF ISLAM: Part 28
This series sets out, in the words of the Promised Messiah(as), Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad, a summary of his exposition of four outstanding topics: ISLAM; ALLAH,
THE EXALTED; THE HOLY PROPHET(saw) and THE HOLY QUR’AN. The original
compilation, in Urdu, from which these extracts have been translated into English, was
collated with great care and diligence by Syed Daud Ahmad Sahib, Allah have mercy
on him and reward him graciously for his great labour of love. Amin. The English
rendering is by the late Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan, may Allah be pleased with him,
and is quoted from The Essence of Islam, Volume I1. All references throughout, unless
otherwise specifically mentioned, are from the Holy Qur’an.
The Function of Reason outside, it proves the need of the

It is true that reason is also a lamp existence of something, but does
which God has furnished to man, not prove that in fact it exists. This
the light of which draws man degree of certainty that a person’s
towards truth and saves him from knowledge should proceed from
a variety of doubts and suspicions the stage of ‘should be’ to the
and sets aside different types of stage of ‘is’, is acquired only when
baseless ideas and improper reason is joined by a companion
conjectures. It is very useful, very which, confirming its conjecture,
necessary and is a great bounty. converts it into fact, that is to say,
Yet, despite all this it suffers from regarding a matter concerning
the shortcoming that it alone which reason says it ‘should be’
cannot lead to full certainty in the that companion informs that in
matter of the understanding of the fact it ‘is’. Reason only establishes
reality of things. The stage of the need of a thing; it cannot
perfect certainty is that man establish its existence, and these
should believe that the reality of are two distinct and separate
things exists as it in fact does exist. matters. Thus, reason needs a
Reason alone cannot lead to this companion which should
high degree of certainty. At the supplement the defective ‘should

ESSENCE OF ISLAM: THE FUNCTION OF REASON
be’ of reason with the affirmative

‘is’ and which should give
information of facts as they truly
exist. So, God Who is most
Compassionate and Generous and
desires to lead man to the stage of
utmost certainty, has fulfilled this
need and has appointed several
companions for reason and has
thereby opened the way of perfect
certainty to it, so that the soul of
man, whose total good fortune and
salvation depends upon perfect The founder of the Ahmadiyya
certainty, should not be deprived Muslim community was Hadhrat
of its desired good fortune and so Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as).
that it should quickly cross the The founder of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim community was Hadhrat
delicate and dangerous bridge of
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as). In 1891,
‘should be’ which reason has he claimed, on the basis of Divine
constructed over the river of revelation, that he was the Promised
doubts and suspicions, and should Messiah and Mahdi whose advent
enter the grand palace of ‘is’ had been foretold by Muhammad,
the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace
which is the house of peace and
and blessings of Allah be upon him)
satisfaction. and by the scriptures of other faiths.
The founder’s claim constitutes the
Those companions of reason, basis of the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya
which are its helpers, which come Muslim community.
into operation on different
occasions, are not more than three. which is called experience. If the
If the operation of reason relates to operation of reason relates to those
that which can be felt or observed, occur-rences which take place at
for instance, which can be seen or different times and places, the
heard or smelt or touched, its companion of reason in such a
companion, which can lead it to case is history, or newspapers, or
certainty, is true observation letters, or communications. These

also, like experience, so clear up man’s knowledge concerning the

the smoky light of reason that to hereafter would be reduced to pure
doubt it thereafter is folly or conjecture. He would not have
insanity. If the operation of reason available any means which should
relates to matters which are bear witness to that which is and
metaphysical, which cannot be should bestow contentment and
seen by the eye, or heard by the satisfaction upon the heart that in
ear, or touched by the hand, nor fact and in truth that which reason
can they be inquired about through conjectures as existing does
history, then the companion that indeed exist. The need that reason
helps reason is revelation. establishes is not fictitious, but is
real. When it is known that in
The law of nature also demands matters Divine perfect certainty
that, as relating to the first two can be obtained only through
matters imperfect reason is revelation, and that man is in need
furnished by two companions, a of perfect certainty for his
companion should also be salvation and that without perfect
furnished to it in respect of the certainty faith cannot be
third category of matters. There safeguarded, then it becomes
can be no discrimination in the law obvious that man is in need of
of nature. When God has not revelation.
desired to leave man in a defective (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani
condition with regard to worldly Khaza’in, Vol.1, pp.78-80,
knowledge and arts, an error in footnote 4)
respect of which is not of any great
consequence, it would be an ill- The ideas of reason do not suffer
thought that He desired to leave only from the defect that they lack
man in a defective condition certainty and cannot comprehend
regarding the full understanding of the finer points of matters Divine,
matters, complete certainty but they also suffer from the defect
concerning which is a condition of that discourses based upon reason
salvation and any doubt alone are largely ineffective in
concerning which would push man persuading the heart. The reason is
into eternal ruin, In such a case that for any discourse to affect the

heart it is necessary that its truth Sometimes it happens that when

should be so well-established in he relates a pitiable tale it so
the mind of the hearer that no affects the hearers that their eyes
room should be left for doubt and are filled with tears as if they had
the heart should believe that what witnessed the event themselves.
it is being told is not subject to the
possibility of error. We have just But if a person who has not moved
shown that reason alone cannot beyond the four walls of his house
lead to perfect certainty. It is thus and has never been abroad, nor has
obvious that the effect that is heard anyone describe the
produced on the heart by perfect circumstances and conditions of
certainty cannot be expected from another country, were to begin to
reason alone and this is confirmed discourse upon the circumstances
by daily experience. For instance, and conditions of another country
when a person returns home from out of his imagination, it would
having sojourned in a distant produce no effect upon the
country then everyone inquires hearers. In fact, they would charge
from him about that country and him with madness and insanity in
they are all deeply affected by that he relates that which is
what he relates out of his personal beyond his observation and
knowledge provided he is not experience and is above his
suspected of telling lies; rather he imperfect knowledge. It is like the
is a respected and truthful person. story of a foolish person who was
Why are his words so effective? praising wheaten bread and when
They are effective because he is he was asked whether he had ever
known to be a righteous person eaten it, he replied that he had not
and it is believed that whatever he eaten it but that his grandfather
relates of the circumstances of that used to say that on one occasion he
country he has observed with his had seen someone eating it.
own eyes. Therefore, his discourse
affects the hearts and his Unless someone in the estimation
statements appeal to the hearers as of his hearers comprehends any
if they had seen those events that event fully, his discourse would
he describes with their own eyes. produce, no effect upon their

hearts and he would make himself fictitious and like the dead who
a laughing stock. That is the has been invented by human
reason why the discourses of reason through its own
worldly-wise people have never imagination. No voice is ever
attracted the attention of anyone to heard from him. In fact, he is not
the hereafter. Their hearers God, but an idol lying in a comer.
continue to think that, as the I wonder how these people are
speaker was talking from pleased with such childish ideas
conjecture, they could oppose him and what fruit do they expect from
with their own conjectures, as their fictitious thinking? Why do
neither side had witnessed the they not search like true seekers
reality. This is the reason that for the God Who is Powerful and
when some wise people expressed Ever-Living and is capable of
themselves in support of the affirming His own existence and
existence of God, other wise can revive the dead in an instant
people opposed them and wrote by the call: I am Allahh? When
books in support of atheism. The they know that the light of reason
truth is that the thinking of even is smoky then why do they not
those who express themselves to seek Perfect Light? They admit
some degree in support of the that they are ill, but they do not
existence of God was not seek a remedy. It is a pity that they
altogether free from atheistic do not open their eyes so that they
ideas, nor is it free now. Consider might see the truth. Why is not the
the Brahmus. Do they ever regard covering lifted from their ears so
God as possessing perfect that they can hear the Divine
attributes? Do they believe that He voice? Why are their hearts so
possesses the attribute of speech as twisted and why is their
a living being should? Do they understanding so warped that the
regard Him as Controller and objection to which they have laid
Sustainer? Do they believe that themselves open they advance
God is Ever-Living and All against the followers of true
Sustaining and that He can speak revelation? ....
to righteous hearts? On the
contrary, they consider Him as The Brahmu Samajists entertain

another illusion that revelation is a condemns it as a sin. Again

restriction and that they are free arsenic should not be swallowed
from every restriction and thus because it is a fatal poison and not
they are better off as a free person because its eating is forbidden in
is better than a prisoner. We admit Divine revelation. Thus, they
this criticism and confess that argue that it is reason that
revelation is a restriction without indicates the true reality and not
which true freedom cannot be revelation. They are unconscious
achieved. True freedom is that a of the fact that their argument is
person should be delivered from refuted when it is proved by strong
every type of error, doubt and and cogent arguments that reason
suspicion and should arrive at the is imperfect and unreliable. What
stage of perfect certainty and a pity! Is it proper to continue to
should behold his Lord in this very harp with such cheek on the same
world. This true freedom is dead thought which has already
achieved in this world by perfect been demolished by an array of
and God-loving Muslims through powerful arguments? .. It is true
the Holy Qur’an and is not that the reality of things is
available to anyone besides them disclosed to some degree by
whether Brahmus or others .... arguments based on reason, but
reason does not complete all
Another objection of the Brahmu stages of certainty. The instance
Samajists is that to follow cited by them refutes their
revelation is contrary to the law of proposition. The fatal quality of
nature for the clear and straight arsenic, is not established by
way of finding out the reality of reason acting by itself, but this
anything is to approach it on the quality was determined as a
basis of reason. For instance, the certainty when reason through
true reason for theft being a vile proper experimentation discov-
act which satisfies the soul is that ered the hidden quality of arsenic.
it is a wrong and trespass, which This is what we desire to make
reason condemns as improper and clear, namely that to determine as
not permissible. The real reason is a certainty the lethal quality of
not that any revealed book arsenic reason had to have

recourse to a companion, namely certainty, we are in need of many

proper experimentation. In the times more historians and record-
same way, in order to determine as makers and experienced people
a certainty Divine matters and the than we need in matters of this
reality of the life after death, world. The historian and record-
reason needs the help of Divine maker of that world cannot be
revelation and without its help anyone except the Word of God
reason cannot arrive at firm and the vessel of certainty is likely
conclusions in matters of faith, as to founder without the help of that
in other matters. Without the help recordmaker, and the cold wind
of an appropriate companion, continues to consign the arc of
reason is helpless, imperfect and dubious faith to the whirlpool of
incomplete. Within its own limits, death. In such a case, no wise
reason cannot determine anything person would turn away from
as a certainty unless it has the help revelation relying entirely upon
of a companion. Without such help the guidance of defective reason.
it cannot escape error, especially His safety in such case depends
in matters of Divinity in which the upon revelation, the contents of
reality is hidden behind veils and which do not comprise conjecture,
no sample of it is available in this but in addition to arguments based
world. In these matters, imperfect on reason, they inform us of the
reason cannot lead one to perfect facts of the second world like a
understanding, let alone escape all true historian and give an
possible error. eyewitness account of them.
(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani
The difficulties that we encounter Khazai’in, Vol.I, pp.327-335
in matters relating to that unseen footnote 11)
world, and the surprises with
which we are met in imagining the Consider well that without
conditions of that unseen and revelation it is not possible to
hidden world, compel us to arrive at complete certainty, or to
confess that in order to discover escape error, or to base oneself on
correctly the circumstances of that the true Unity of God, or to
world, and to believe in them with overcome one’s passions. It is

revelation through which we are The harm that has been done to the
able to affirm that God ‘is’ and the world by pure reason is not a
whole world calls on Him because hidden matter. What made Plato
He ‘is’. It is revelation which from and his followers deny that God is
the beginning has inspired the the Creator? What made Galen
hearts with the assurance that God doubt the immortality of souls and
‘is’. It is through revelation that the reality of Judgement? What
worshippers find delight in made philosophers deny that God
worship and the faithful are has knowledge of all particulars?
satisfied with regard to the What made great philosophers
existence of God and life after worship idols? What led to the
death. It is revelation which has sacrifice of roosters and other
enabled millions of the righteous animals before idols? Was it not
to leave this transient world with reason unaccompanied by
great steadfastness and with the revelation?
eagerness of the love of the
Divine. It is revelation the truth of It is not correct to state that many
which has been attested by the people became pagans even when
blood .of thousands of martyrs. It following revelation and
is revelation through whose power fashioned for themselves new
of attraction kings put on the gods. This was not the fault of true
garment of beggars and many revelation, but was the fault of
wealthy people preferred poverty those who mixed falsehood with
to riches, and by its blessings truth and preferred the worship of
millions of unlearned old women their passions to the worship of
departed this world with eager God. Yet, Divine revelation did
faith. It is the one vessel which has not neglect their reform and did
so often carried numberless people not forget them. Fresh revelation
through the whirlpool of creature- reformed the matters which had
worship and doubt to the safety of led them astray.
the Unity of God and perfect (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani
certainty. It is revelation that is the Khazaain, vol. 1, pp. 163-164
friend of last moments and is the footnote 11)
helper in serious conditions.

Of course it is true that reason is has shut upon us the door of true
not without its use and its benefit, understanding and has confined all
nor have we so alleged, but we stages of the recognition of God to
cannot escape the obvious verity the contemplation of our fictitious
that through reason and conjecture need. Has God created man so
alone we cannot arrive at that unfortunate that he is to be wholly
perfect certainty which can be disappointed in obtaining in this
achieved through the combination world the full satisfaction that his
of reason and revelation, nor can soul desires and his heart longs for
we escape mistakes and errors and in the matter of the recognition of
self-approval and self-right- God, and eagerness fills his soul
eousness. Our self-conceived and heart? Is there no one soul out
ideas cannot overcome our of thousands of you which can
passions like the forceful and realize that the doors of
majestic and prestigious understanding which can be
commandments of God. Our self- opened only by God cannot be
conceived concepts, idle thoughts opened by human power and that
and baseless superstitions cannot human imagination cannot equal
furnish us with that joy, delight, the assurance of God: I am
satisfaction and contentment present? God’s affirmation of His
which are conveyed to us by the Own Being in a manner manifests
delicious words of the True God to us, but man’s conjecture
Beloved. Then shall we, by relying has no such effect. As our
on reason alone, subject ourselves conjectures based on reason alone
to all the losses and disadvantages cannot equal God’s word that
and misfortunes, and subject confirms His Existence, then why
ourselves to thousands of is not His word needed for the
calamities? No wise person can perfection of certainty? Are your
accept that He Who has created in hearts not awakened by observing
us the thirst for perfect this clear disparity? Is there
understanding has refused to nothing in that which we have set
furnish us with the full cup of such forth which can affect your hearts?
understanding, and that He Who
has drawn the hearts to Himself There is no difficulty in under-

standing that human reason cannot reason is perplexed at the very first
be the instrument for ascertaining stage and is unable to determine
that which is hidden. Which of what the soul is, how it enters the
you can deny that whatever we are body and how it departs. No one
to encounter after death is all has observed anything entering or
hidden? For instance, reflect departing. If you were to enclose
whether anyone knows how the an animate at the time of its death
soul departs at the time of death inside a glass chamber you would
and where it goes and with whom not observe anything departing
and where is it detained and from it, and if in the glass chamber
through what experiences it any germs were produced it cannot
passes. How can human reason be determined how they obtained
pronounce conclusively on these entry into the chamber. The
matters? A conclusive pronounce- hatching of an egg furnishes an
ment would be possible if a person even greater wonder. How does
had died once or twice and had the soul fly in, and in case of the
become familiar with the paths young dying inside, by what way
along which he reached God, and does the soul escape? Can any
he had a recollection of the places wise person resolve this puzzle
where he had dwelt for some time. through the use of his reason
But as it is, we have only alone? There can be various
conjecture to fall back upon. No conjectures but through reason
one has seen these things and to be alone nothing certain can be
satisfied with baseless conjecture established. That being the case at
is not true satisfaction. If you were the very first step then what can
to assess the matter with the eye of this defective reason discover
research, you would testify that about the other matters of the life
human reason and conscience after death?
cannot discover these matters as a (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani
certainty and that no page of the Khazia’in, Vol. 1, pp.336-338,
book of nature points to them with footnote 11)
sureness.
Leaving aside other matters,

Solutions from the Holy Qur’an on the
Global Crisis
Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V,
Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community at the British
Parliament on 22 October 2008
First of all I would like to thank every Ahmadi who lives in Great
all of the respected and Britain is an extremely loyal
honourable MPs, guests who citizen of the country and loves
have allowed a leader of a it; and this is because of the
religious organisation to say a teachings of our prophet (peace
few words to you. I am most and blessings be on him) who
grateful to our respected MP instructed us that love of one’s
Justine Greening from our area, country is an integral part of
who has done so much in one’s faith. The teaching of Islam
organising this event for the sake has been further elaborated and
of a small community of her emphasised by the founder of the
constituency on the occasion of Ahmadiyya Community whom
its Khilafat Centenary. That we believe as the Promised
shows her greatness, open Messiah and the Reformer of this
heartedness and the concern Age.
about the sentiments of every
people and community in her He said by announcing his claim
constituency. that God Almighty has placed
two burdens upon me. One is the
Although the Ahmadiyya right of God and the other is
Muslim community is a small God’s creation. He went on to
community, it is a standard say that discharging the rights
bearer and the representative of owed to God’s creation was the
the true teachings of Islam. most difficult and delicate
Nevertheless, I must say that challenge.

PARLIAMENTARY ADDRESS BY HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH V
With reference to Khilafat, you period were not really religious

may fear that a time may come wars. They were more
when history repeats itself and geopolitical in nature. Even in
that wars may start as a result of today’s conflicts and hostilities
this form of leadership. Let me, amongst nations, we notice that
however, assure you that they arise from political,
although this accusation is laid territorial and economic
against Islam, God Willing, the interests.
Ahmadiyya Khilafat will always
be known as the standard-bearer It is my fear that in view of the
of peace and harmony in the direction in which things are
world, as well as be loyal to the moving today, the political and
country in which members economic dynamics of the
reside. countries of the world may lead
to a world war. It is not only the
The Ahmadiyya Khilafat is also poorer countries of the world, but
here to perpetuate and continue also the richer nations that are
the mission of the Messiah and being affected by this. Therefore,
Mahdi, so there is absolutely no it is the duty of the superpowers
reason to fear the Khilafat. This to sit down and find a solution to
Khilafat draws the attention of save humanity from the brink of
the members of the community disaster.
towards fulfilling these two
obligations for which the Britain is also one of those
Promised Messiah(as) came and as countries that can and does exert
a result try to create peace and influence in the developed world
harmony in the world. as well as in developing
countries. You can guide this
Now, because of the time world, if you so desire, by
constraints I come to the subject fulfilling the requirements of
matter. If we survey the last few equity and justice.
centuries impartially, we will
notice that the wars over that If we look at the recent past,

Britain ruled over many So, our history shows that we

countries and left behind a high have always acknowledged this
standard of justice and religious justice whenever displayed by
freedom, especially in the sub- Britain and we hope that in future
continent of India and Pakistan. too, justice will remain a
The Ahmadiyya Muslim defining characteristic of the
Community has witnessed this British Government not only in
and the Founder of the religious matter but in all
Ahmadiyya community has respects and that you will never
greatly praised the British forget your good qualities of the
Government on its policies of past.
justice and granting of religious
freedom. When the Founder of Today, there is great agitation
the Ahmadiyya community and restlessness in the world. We
congratulated Her Majesty are seeing small-scale wars
Queen Victoria on her Diamond erupting, while in some places,
Jubilee and conveyed to her the the superpowers are claiming to
message of Islam, he specially try and bring about peace. If the
prayed that in view of the manner requirements of justice are not
in which the British Government fulfilled, the conflagration and
discharges the requirements of flames of these local wars can
justice with equity, may God escalate and embroil the whole
Almighty reward it generously. world. Therefore, it is my

humble request to you to save the one problem has arisen, if not
world from destruction! directly then indirectly, because
of religion. Some groups of
Now, I will briefly mention what Muslims use unlawful attacks
the teachings of Islam are to and suicide bombers in the name
bring about peace in the world, or of religion to kill and harm non-
how peace can be established in Muslims including soldiers and
the world in the light of these innocent civilians and at the
teachings. It is my prayer that to same time to brutally kill
create peace in the world that innocent Muslims and children.
those who are being addressed This cruel act is totally
initially, that is to say the unacceptable in Islam.
Muslims, may be able to act
upon them, but it is a duty of all Due to this ghastly behaviour of
the countries of the world- some Muslims, a totally wrong
superpower or governments to impression has developed in non-
act upon. Muslim countries and as a result
some parts of society talk openly
In this day and age when the against Islam, whilst the others,
world has literally shrunk to a even though not speaking openly,
global village in a way that could do not carry a good opinion about
not have been imagined Islam in their hearts. This has
previously, we must realise our created distrust in the hearts of the
responsibilities as human beings people of Western and non-
and should try to pay attention to Muslim countries about Muslims
solving those issues of Human and because of this attitude of a
Rights that can help to establish few Muslims, instead of the
peace in the world. Clearly, this situation improving, the reaction
attempt must be based on fair of non-Muslims is getting worse
play and on fulfilling all the by the day.
requirements of justice.
A primary example of this erro-
Amongst the problems of today, neous reaction is the attack on

the character of the Holy Prophet and the beautiful teachings of

of Islam (peace and blessings be Islam. We, who respect and
on him) and on the Holy Qur’an, revere all the prophets (peace be
the Sacred Book of the Muslims. upon them all) and believe all of
In this regard, the attitude of them to be the messengers sent
British politicians, whatever their by God, cannot say anything
party, and of intellectuals in disrespectful against any of
Britain, has not been the same as them; but we are very saddened
that shown by the politicians of when we hear baseless, untrue
some other countries and I thank allegations against our Prophet.
you for that. What can be the
benefit of hurting such sensi- Nowadays, when the world is
tivities apart from increasing getting divided into blocs;
hatred and dislike? This hatred extremism is escalating; and the
spurs certain extremist Muslims financial and economic situation
into committing un-Islamic is worsening, there is an urgent
deeds which, in turn, provides need to end all kinds of hatred
further opportunity to a number and to lay the foundations of
of non-Muslims to air their peace. This can only be done by
opposition. respecting all kinds of sentiments
of each other. If this is not done
However, those who are not properly, honestly and with
extremists and who deeply love virtue, it will escalate into
the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace uncontrollable circumstances. I
and blessings be on him), are appreciate that economically
terribly hurt by these attacks and, sound Western countries have
in this, the Ahmadiyya Jama’at generously permitted the people
(or the community) is at the of poor or under-developed
forefront. Our single most nations to settle in their
important task is to show the respective countries among
world the perfect character of the whom are Muslims as well.
Holy Prophet (peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him) True justice requires that the

sentiments and the religious to live according to his faith and

practices of these people should to perform his religious rituals.
also be honoured. This is the way However, if there are any
by which the peace of the mind practices done in the name of
of the people can be kept intact. religion that harm others and go
We should remember that when against the law of the land, then
the peace of the mind of the the law enforcers of that State
person is disturbed then the can come into action, because if
peace of mind of the society is there is any cruel ritual being
also affected. practised in any religion, it
cannot be the teaching of any
As I said earlier, I am grateful to Prophet of God.
the British legislators and
politicians for fulfilling the This is a fundamental principle
requirements of justice and for for establishing peace at the local
not interfering in this way. This, level as well as the international
in fact, is the teaching of Islam level.
that is given to us by the Holy
Qur’an. The Holy Qur’an Moreover, Islam teaches us that
declares that: if as a result of your change of
faith, any society, or group or a
There should be no government tries to interfere in
compulsion in religion. the observance of your religious
(Ch.2: V.257) practice, and thereafter the
circumstances change in your
This commandment not only favour, then always remember
counters the accusation that that you must carry no malice or
Islam was spread by the sword, ill-will. You should not think of
but also tells Muslims that taking revenge but should rather
acceptance of faith is a matter establish justice and equity.
between man and his God and
you should not interfere in that in The Holy Qur’an says:
any way. Everyone is permitted

O ye who believe! be wars against religious extremists

steadfast in the cause of but also in all other wars. And
Allah, bearing witness in only such peace is long-lasting.
equity; and let not a people’s
enmity incite you to act In the last century, two world
otherwise than with justice. wars were fought. Whatever the
Be always just, that is nearer causes were, if we look deeply,
to righteousness. And fear only one cause stands out; and it
Allah. Surely Allah is aware is that justice was not properly
of what you do. administered in the first instance.
(Ch.5:V.9) As a reaction, what was con-
sidered to be an extinguished fire
This is the teaching for peace in turned out to be cinders that kept
society. Never depart from on burning slowly, eventually
justice even for your enemy. bursting into flames and
enveloping the whole world a
The early history of Islam shows second time.
us that this teaching was
followed and all the demands of Today, restlessness is increasing
justice were fulfilled. I cannot and wars and actions to maintain
give too many examples of this peace are becoming the fore-
but history bears testimony to the runners for another world war.
fact that after the Victory of Moreover, the present economic
Makkah, the Holy Prophet and social problems will be the
(peace and blessings of Allah be source of aggravating the
upon him) did not take any situation.
revenge from those who had
tormented him but forgave them The Holy Qur’an has given some
and allowed them to adhere to golden principles for establishing
their respective faiths. Today, peace in the world. It is an
peace can be established only if established fact that greed causes
all requirements of justice are enmity to grow. Sometimes it
met for the enemy, not only in manifests itself in territorial

expansion or the seizing of the society to the international level.

natural resources or indeed in
impressing the superiority of In this connection, the Holy
some upon others. This leads to Qur’an says:
cruelty, whether it is at the hands
of merciless despots who usurp And if two parties of believers
the rights of people and prove fight against each other, make
their supremacy in pursuit of peace between them; then if
their vested interests or it is at the after that one of them
hands of an invading force. transgresses against the
Sometimes, the cries and anguish other, fight the party that
of the cruelly treated people call transgresses until it returns to
out to the outside world.. the command of Allah. Then if
it returns, make peace
But be that as it may, we have between them with equity, and
been taught the following golden act justly. Verily, Allah loves
principle by the Holy Prophet of the just.
Islam, which is: help both the (Ch.49:V.10)
afflicted and the cruel.
Though this teaching is about
The Companions of the Prophet Muslims, yet by adhering to this
enquired that whereas they could principle, the foundation of
understand helping the afflicted, peace on a worldwide basis can
how could they help a cruel be laid.
person? The Prophetsaw)
responded by saying, ‘By In order to maintain peace, it has
stopping his hand from been explained at the outset that
committing cruelty because his the foremost requirement is
excess in cruelty will make him justice. And, despite abiding by
worthy of God’s punishment.’ the principle of justice, if efforts
So, out of mercy, try to save to make peace are unsuccessful,
him. This principle extends then unite and fight collectively
beyond the smallest fibres of against the party that has

transgressed and continue till Another principle that we have

such a time that the transgressing been taught for restoring peace in
party is ready to make peace. the world is not to eye covetously
Once the transgressing party is the wealth of others. The Holy
ready to make peace, the Qur’an says:
requirement of justice is: Do not
seek revenge, do not impose And strain not thy eyes after
restrictions or embargoes. By all what We have bestowed on
means, keep an eye on the some classes of them to
transgressor but at the same time enjoy for a short time – the
try and improve his situation. splendour of the present
world – that We may try
In order to end the unrest them thereby ...
prevalent in some countries of (Ch.20:V.132)
the world today – and
unfortunately, some Muslim Greed for and envy of the wealth
countries are prominent amongst of others is a cause of increasing
them – it should be analysed in restlessness in the world. On a
particular by those nations that personal basis, keeping up with
have the power of veto, to the Joneses, as the saying goes,
determine whether or not justice has resulted in unending greed
has been properly dispensed. and destroyed social peace.
Whenever help is needed, the Greedy competition on a national
hands are stretched towards the basis started and led to the
powerful nations. destruction of world peace. This
is proven by history and every
As I stated before, we bear sensible person can assess that the
testimony to the fact that the desire for the wealth of others
history of the British government causes envy and greed to grow
has always upheld justice and and is the source of loss.
this has encouraged me to draw
your attention to some of these This is why God Almighty says
matters. that one should keep an eye on

one’s own resources and derive intellectual minds work together

benefit from them. The effort to in large research centres of the
make territorial gains is for world. Under such circum-
seeking the benefits of that stances, one should have
territory’s natural resources. The imagined that people would have
grouping of nations and the joined together and tried jointly
making of power blocs are to to end the wrong ways of
procure the natural resources of thinking and the follies of the
some countries. In this regard, a past that had resulted in
number of authors who had animosities and had led to
previously worked as advisors to horrific wars. The God-given
governments have written books intellect and scientific progress
detailing how some of the should have been used for the
countries endeavour to get control betterment of humanity and for
of the resources of other nations. devising permissible methods of
How far these writers are truthful deriving benefit from one
is best known to them, and God another’s resources.
knows best, but the situation that
emerges from reading these God has bestowed each and
accounts causes serious anguish every country with natural
in the hearts of those who are resources that should have been
loyal to their poor countries and a fully utilised to turn the world
major reason for the growth in into a haven of peace. God has
terrorism and the race for gifted many countries with an
weapons of mass destruction. excellent climate and enviro-
nment for growing different
Nowadays, the world considers crops. Had proper planning been
itself more sober, conscious and adopted to use modern
educated than in the past. Even in technology for agriculture, the
the poor countries there are such economy would have strength-
intelligent souls who have ened and hunger could have been
greatly excelled in education in eliminated from the earth.
their respective fields. Highly

Those countries that have been be made to give the poorer

endowed with mineral resources nations their due status.
should be allowed to develop
and trade at fair prices openly, A major issue today is the
and one country should benefit economic crisis of what has
from the resources of the other been termed as the credit
country. So, this would be the crunch. Strange as it may sound,
right way, the way that is the evidence points towards one
preferred by God Almighty. fact. The Holy Qur’an guided us
by saying: avoid interest
God Almighty sends His because interest is such a curse
messengers to the people so that that it is a danger for domestic,
they can show them the ways national and international peace.
that bring people closer to God. We have been warned that he
At the same time, God says that who accepts interest will one
there is complete freedom in day be as one whom Satan has
matters of faith. According to smitten with insanity. So we
our beliefs, reward and Muslims have been warned in
punishment will be after death order to avoid such a situation,
as well. But under the system stop dealing in interest because
that God has set up, when any the money that you get for
cruelty is inflicted on His interest does not enhance your
creation and justice and fair play wealth, although on the face of
are ignored, then by the laws of it, it may seem to you that it is
nature, the after-effects can be increasing. Inevitably, a time
seen in this world as well. comes when its true effects
Severe reactions to such emerge. Furthermore, we have
injustice are observed and there been cautioned that we are not
can be no guarantee about the allowed to enter into the
reaction being right or wrong. business of interest, with the
warning that if you do so, it will
The true way to conquer the be a war against God.
world is that every effort should

This factor is obvious from sion whose warning was given

today’s credit crunch. In the to us well in advance? God
beginning there were indi- knows better what the further
viduals who borrowed money to consequences of this situation
buy property; but before they will be.
could see ownership of the
property they used to die God Almighty has said: Come
burdened with the debt. But now towards peace that can only be
there are governments that are guaranteed when there is pure
burdened with debt and smitten and wholesome trade and when
as if with insanity. Large resources are put into usage in a
companies have become bank- proper and fair manner.
rupt. Some banks and financial
institution have folded or been Now I end these brief points of
bailed out and this situation is our teachings with a reminder
prevailing in every country, that the true peace of the world
regardless of its being rich or lies only in turning towards
poor. You know better than I do God. May God enable the world
about this crisis. The money of to understand this point and only
the depositors has been wiped then will they be able to
off. Now it depends upon discharge the rights of others.
governments as to how and to
what extent to protect them. But Finally, I am grateful to you all
for the time being, the peace of for coming here and listening to
mind of the families, business- me.
men and leaders of the
governments in most countries Thank you very much.
of the world has all but been
destroyed.
Does this situation not compel

us to think that the world is
heading to the logical conclu-

Speeches by various dignatories at the
British Parliament on 22 October 2008
Justine Greening, Member
of Parliament for Putney
and host of the event
Good afternoon everyone. I very
much like to welcome you all here
to Parliament. It’s a very special
day for us to have his Holiness
here and my local Ahmadiyya
community, not just from my own
constituency of Putney, but I know
from the whole of London and ‘Love for All Hatred for None’ I
actually from the whole of the think is one that actually our
United Kingdom. It’s a very whole community can live by,
special day and a privilege for us which is why it is such a privilege
to welcome you here to for us to be able to play our role
Parliament. Obviously it’s part of and for me as the local MP to be
the very important celebrations able to play my role in hosting this
that are going on around the world event here in Parliament.
in fact, but particularly here in
Britain celebrating a hundred I would like to thank all of you for
years of the Ahmadiyya Khilafat. coming here today, and
Being here in the United Kingdom particularly all the MPs.
I am particularly proud to be able Wednesdays are a very busy day in
to say that the very first mosque Parliament and I know that it’s a
was in Gressenhall Road right in sign of the respect that we have for
Southfields which is part of the the Ahmadiyya community and its
Putney community. And since that contribution to our country that
time it has played a key, vital and has led to the large number of
positive role in the Southfields MPs, and Peers in fact, to come
community. And the motto of here today to pay their respect. We

PARLIAMENTARY SPEECHES
have got a very busy day ahead of

us actually. After the reception
there will be a number of meetings
going on and I will get the chance
to show his Holiness around
Parliament so that he can perhaps
see where so many of us spend a
lot of our time. But in the mean
time I will hand over to Foreign
Office Minister Gillian Merron
who has very kindly come to be
able to speak to us today. We are
very grateful for the work that the holiness and to be marking the
Foreign Office does on behalf of Caliphate Centenary with fellow
the community in challenging the Parliamentarians and members of
persecution that takes place across the Ahmadiyya community today,
the world against the Ahmadiyya who are indeed represented both
community. The role of the around the world but of course
Foreign Office in supporting around the United Kingdom. And
human rights and freedoms is I know many members of your
absolutely vital and we are really community are important and
pleased that the Foreign Office valued members of the
Minister Gillian Merron has been constituencies of parliamentary
able to join us so I will quicky colleagues here today.
hand over to you Gillian. Thank
you. I would share Justine’s view that
the reason you have so many
The Right Honourable Parliamentarians is because of the
Gillian Merron, MP for importance of the community to
Lincoln, and the us.
Parliamentary Under-
Secretary at the Foreign I would like to start by saying just
and Commonwealth Office. how important the work of the
It is a great honour to meet your Ahmadiyya community is. It

deepens others understanding and Rights and democracy around the

view on faith and gives a voice to world. And I said that we have a
those who are marginalised in mission, a mission to promote
their own societies. human rights, not just because it is
in our interests, but because it is
In that context, I have been the clever thing to do as well as
particularly concerned and I know the right thing to do. I also pay
that many of you today are also tribute to the work of groups and
concerned about reports of the individuals who make a stand for
difficulties that the community Human Rights in difficult and
faces around the world including often dangerous conditions, the
in Pakistan and in Indonesia and I like of which many of us could
would like to give my assurance not even begin to dream of. And I
today that this government is place a great deal of importance
raising these issues with the on the work that the Foreign and
authorities in those countries and Commonwealth Office does with
we will not falter in pressing for such groups including the
better human rights for minority Ahmadiyya Community and its
groups, no matter, where they are. individual members.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Your Holiness, friends and

Office and the Department of colleagues, today we see a unique
International Development, The perspective brought to our work
Ministry of Defence, we all work on human rights particularly on
together with the aim of freedom of religion. I believe
improving peoples’ lot wherever through your contribution, our
they are in the world. Promoting Human Rights policy is stronger
tolerance, inclusion and respect and better and I very much hope
for human rights is a central part that we will continue such close
of what we do and we are co-operation in the future. It is
committed to continuing that something that I look forward to.
work. Just last week I concluded
the debate in the House of The Right Honourable
Commons regarding Human Hazel Blears, MP for

Salford, and the Secretary

of State for Communities
and Local Government.
Thank you very much and I can
say genuinely that I have
thoroughly enjoyed the oppor-
tunity to listen to that address and
I think many of us in this room
could have listened to this for a
considerable period longer, Brown). He would love to be here
because I think the things you had but he specifically asked me to
to say were pertinent, contem- come along and to welcome you to
porary, really quite moving and the House of Commons and also to
also quite challenging I think, and welcome many many Parliamen-
they were the best kind of tarians that I can see in the
addresses, not very often audience. It is a pleasure for all of
something that politicians always us I think to have the oppor-tunity
do. But an absolute pleasure to to come together.
listen to you.
I have a very brief message, I
My name is Hazel Blears and I am suppose today, and that is really to
Secretary of State for Communities say that your basis of your values I
and Local Government, and I am think is tremendously important to
here today, I think for two reasons. all of us. And it is ‘Love for All
One is in my own capacity as the Hatred for None’. I think that is a
Minister responsible for bringing very simple way having captured
com-munities right across the something that is incredibly special
country from every faith and from and very, very important. In all the
every background together to share work I do with all the different
the things to unite us and to faith communities, all the people
celebrate that fact. But I suppose who make up a wonderful and
more importantly today I am here diverse United Kingdom.
to bring you the best wishes of the
Prime Minister (Rt. Hon. Gordon I think there are certain things that

do unite us about the values of this leadership from people whose

country and it is about peace. it is depth of belief is literally
about compassion, it is about inspiring to all of us. I think then
equality and it is about mutual we have the energy to carry on
respect. And those are easy words doing the things which are
to say but they are actually quite important to us and some of the
difficult ideals to live up to. And I values that have been expressed
think every single one of us in our in very tangible terms in trying to
life strives to meet that challenge. ensure that certainly in the current
We do not always succeed and economic conditions we help
occasionally we stumble and I people as much as we can who are
think the words you said about struggling with their homes, and
supporting the transgressors their jobs, their businesses and the
sometimes set them back on the ability to make differences in our
right path are tremendously communities.
uplifting and optimistic. Because I
do believe that people are able to But it is those values that will take
change. People are able to take us forward in the right direction
these very complex messages to and if we lose touch with our
heart, people are able to embrace values then we can get ourselves
new values. into some very very difficult
situations.
I think the steadfastness and the
depth of your commitment in the And I also wanted to thank Justine
Ahmadiyya Community is for organising today’s event. And
something that should be an I am delighted that there are
inspiration to every single one of people from every political party
us. I know sometimes in the work and I think values are
that I do it is difficult, it is underpinned in political ideology
challenging, and I think all of our and many of those values we
Parliamentarians and our Civic certainly share. And I also just
leaders would say the same. wanted to say that I know that
When we have the kinds of many of you remember Tony
inspiration and spiritual Coleman, a Local MP previously

who is held in high regards by

many members of the community
as well.
So, I am delighted you are here,

delighted you have got the
opportunity to celebrate, very
pleased to be with my colleague deeply about what it is that
Gillian Merron who is a new motivates every single one of us is
Foreign Office Minister but I am extremely precious.
sure will be a fabulous champion
on behalf of the many communities Mr. Alan Keen, MP for
in this country and as well as Feltham and Heston.
making great relationships right Thank you for giving me the
across the world. privilege that I have been part of
your event this afternoon and I do
You are very welcome here to the hope that you all have enjoyed the
heart of the democracy and I opportunity to be here in
wanted just to pay a personal Parliament.
tribute to all the things you do in
your community and the value you I was quite alarmed this morning, I
bring. Most of all I think it was the thought I must have done
idea that I just have the pleasure of something wrong, because I got an
hearing you, to take time out in a e-mail from the Prime Minister,
very busy place, in a place where that said ‘Dear Alan’, I thought he
sometimes things get confused, wanted me to be Chancellor of the
where people sometime don’t just Exchequer to punish me for
argue for the sake of it, do we something I had obviously done
Justine? We have good, strong, but it was not that, it was for the
vigorous contested debates, but to very very best reason it could be.
be able to take time out of some of He wrote:
that conflict to have a moment of
peace and consideration and the “Dear Allan, I wanted to send
ability just to think a little bit more you a note to say how sorry I

am that I cannot be with you at contribution to the country.

the event today as you gather
with friends from the Best Wishes. Gordon”
Ahmadiyya Muslim com-
munity. I know that you and If I could just say a couple of
Hazel, and Hazel has been words, I think this gathering today
here, will convey my best puts our relatively minor political
wishes and those of the whole differences into perspective. I
Labour movement on this know why so many politicians are
auspicious occasion of the here. They are here because they
Khalifat Centenary. understand the commitment to
peace throughout the world by the
Please do extend a warm Ahmadiyya community. They are
welcome to His Holiness all here because they have met
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor people in their own communities
Ahmad, with fellow from the Ahmadiyya communities
worshippers in over a hundred and that is why we all pledge our
and seventy six countries, our support and thank you for what
British Ahmadiyya Muslim you do. And just to prove that
Community will continue to political differences are very
work for peace and tolerance minor. I have already shown his
and to strengthen inter-faith holiness that she (Justine Greening
dialogue both here and MP) is one of my favourites, even
abroad. I know that both you though she is in a different party.
and Hazel will continue to
keep me up to date with the I can also add that when Her
many successes of the Majesty required me to join her
Ahmadiyya Muslim commu- armed services, I tried to persuade
nity in Britain. Please do pass that it would be better for the
on my appreciation and armed services if I did not join, but
thanks to everybody gathered in the end they made me. And I
with you today and through was based in central London but I
them to many Ahmadiyya lived in Orpington and way back
Muslims making such a in the early sixties I voted Liberal

Democrat for Lord Avebury and Muslims in this country together

helped get him into Parliament and in one venue. Now this would be
he has done so much over the a politician’s dream if we could
years. organise it for ourselves, but it
has always impressed itself on me
So, thank you your Holiness and as being one of the remarkable
thank you Justine for helping to attributes of yourselves.
organise this great event and this is
very humbling to come here
amongst you all.
The Right Honourable Mr.

Dominic Grieve, MP for
Beaconsfield, and the
Shadow Home Secretary
Well thank you very much
Justine, and it’s a great pleasure
for once to be hosting an event for
the Ahmadiyya community
rather than, as tends to happen, to Your contribution to our national
be a guest of the Ahmadiyya life has also been tremendous. I
community at so many of your only have to look around the room
functions. Yours are always to see some very familiar faces
indeed a very remarkable group and the knowledge that in public
of people. To go to the annual life, politics, in the civil service,
convention down in Hampshire the armed forces, the professions
on the Hampshire/Sussex borders and in business Ahmadis are well
is to witness something which is represented and that of course
probably rather unique in British comes because of a policy of
life, which is to see something engagement process by which we
around seventy five or eighty can debate issues of importance
percent of the total population and moderate each other’s ideas
who are practising Ahmadi by the exchange of views and as

your holiness yourself said in your build on. But we can all go
speech today that of course is the forward in engaging together
essence of the Islam that you because we have so much to learn
practice and indeed is compatible from each other.
with the interfaith dialogue which
I know has been enormously And in a world which is often as
productive for all of us. you say difficult, often has
manifest unfairness in it and indeed
So I would just like to thank you in which our human frailties are
very much for the invitation, for often too apparent, The opportunity
the pleasure of being able to be of having friends with whom to
collectively hosts here at the discuss these issues and to try and
House of Commons and for the make progress for the benefit of
fact that this is the hundredth our children and grandchildren is
anniversary of the movement one that can make us all optimistic.
which has had profound
consequences I think in building The Right Honourable Mr.
interfaith harmony and is a model Simon Hughes, MP for
of its kind in terms of the ability of North Southwark and
people to integrate into our Bermondsey, President of
national life. the Liberal Democratic
Party and Shadow Leader of
Indeed one of the reasons I think the House of Commons.
why you have chosen to have your Your Holiness, Secretary of State
national headquarters here is and friends, I guess we are here to
because Britain has had in that show the breadth of the welcome
context so much to offer, that that is given to you all and that is
something which I think we all only fair, because your holiness
feel very proud about is having the you have been very good at
Ahmadiyya community based welcoming so many of us to your
here with all its worldwide headquarters and as Dominic
connections. And looking ahead it Grieve said a moment ago to your
seems to me that what you have great celebration in the summer
achieved are things that we can all the gathering of the thousands, all

there to be taught and

to share but also to
welcome. And I just
want to reflect very
quickly three things
which have impressed
me over that.
One is that you have

been extremely wel-
coming here. Yes, Britain has cosmopolitan city in Europe,
welcomed the headquarters of the probably the most cosmopolitan
Ahmadis in this country but it has city in the world. It is very
not become something that has important to us that all the great
become as it were a closed sect in faiths of the world are represented
Britain. here because it is very important
that we learn to live as we want the
It has become a community that rest of the world to live in places
has sought to reach out to all of us that are much less tolerant than
across parties, in parties, outside here. We have to exemplify. We
parties, in the community where have to show what is the best
you are based in South West practice in learning from each
London, and elsewhere. And that other. There are many people of
is very important because the best faith here and many people of
way to break down the barriers of different faiths and beliefs and the
misunderstanding and prejudice is best communities in the world are
for that contact to happen and I where there is absolutely complete
thank you for that and for all your respect for those different faiths
colleagues. and beliefs, and support for
people’s rights that follow from
Secondly, as a London MP, I am that, to associate freely, to worship
very proud like Allan and others. I freely, to preach, to teach and to
am very proud that you have your engage people and so we are very
base with us. We are the most privileged about that too.

But thirdly, I hope we are here as many more places in the world
we celebrate your centenary to where Ahmadis can live in peace
remember that the work of arguing and in freedom, and be equal
for religious tolerance and citizens.
religious freedom is not yet
completed. Every time I have Lord Eric Avebury,
been with your colleagues, we Spokesperson in the Lords
have been reminded how both in on Africa and Civil
Pakistan but also in other places Liberties has long
of the world people are not free championed the cause of
always to practise the faith of freedom of faith and
their choice and we have to make conscience on behalf of the
sure that we go on working Ahmadiyya community.
internationally. Gillian and now Your Holiness! Brothers and
the Minister for Europe, but other sisters. Assalam-o-Alaikum.
ministers in the Foreign Office, to
challenge regularly places where It is my immense privilege to be
people do not have the same asked to propose the vote of thanks
freedom as we enjoy here. I think to His Holiness for the wonderful
collectively the fact that there is address that he gave us earlier on
such a broad cross section of which has already been welcomed
colleagues from both Houses by others, but may I say how
indicates that there is a impressive it was at underlining the
commitment to continue to argue moral dimension of what we are all
that case and to work for that trying to do.
world, wherein every single
country’s people can be free to What Gillian Merron spoke of as
practise the faith of their choice, the objectives of the Foreign Office
and follow the beliefs that they promoting inclusion, respect for
believe are right for them. That Human Rights and that includes
work is not yet done, but we particularly freedom of religion,
pledge ourselves on your which is denied to Ahmadis in so
centenary to do it increasingly many parts of the world. Your
vigorously, so, there are many Holiness spoke about conflict

prevention, conflict solution which

are also vitally important tasks of
the Foreign Office: the promotion
of conflict prevention we are
engaged in many parts of the world
in trying to solve the disputes that
occur between people, some of
which have a basis in denial of
Human Rights. And we all know object to the promotion of these
which they are as concerns the values, as part of the multi-cultural
Ahmadis mentions made parti- and multi-religious society, and yet
cularly of Pakistan and the we see in many parts of the world
infamous blasphemy laws that of where this Khatam-e-Nabuwwat
were introduced by Zia ul Haq and flourishes that people want to deny
which are still perpetuated in spite the Ahmadis the freedom that we
of the fact that they have returned all enjoy here, and that we try to
now to democracy. promote through the Foreign Office
and to the rest of the world.
In Bangladesh, there have been
problems, suspended at the So, we are grateful as has been said
moment, but never utterly for the presence of the Ahmadiyya
guaranteed that they will not return. community in this country, always
When you have an organisation to remind us of the obligations that
there and in other parts of the world we have to other peoples in the
called Khatam-e-Nabuwwat world to promote their freedoms
which wants to deny the Ahmadis and to prevent the conflicts that
their freedom to practise their frequently do arise. So, thank you
religion, as they see, the work of very much Your Holiness, for your
Islam and we heard that explained wise words of wisdom, and I am
to us by Your Holiness. hoping that we will all take them
into consideration and apply them
Many of the values which we in our own lives.
share, and it is difficult for us to
understand, why anybody would Thank you so much.

Inauguration of Al-Mahdi
Mosque in Bradford, UK
On 5th November, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V inaugurated the Al-
Mahdi Mosque in Bradford, UK. A VIP reception of local dignatories
was held in the evening and we present below the address given by
Hahdrat Khalifatul Masih V, head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim
community.
All the distinguished and mentioned it. And I also expect

honourable guests, peace and that after some time the
blessings of Allah be upon you behaviour, love and message of
all. peace displayed by the users of
this mosque will further beautify
First of all, I would like to thank the city.
all our respected guests who have
given their precious time and According to the reports that I
have come to attend the have received, the construction
inauguration of this mosque of this mosque has caused
which has been named as Masjid anxiety in certain Muslim circles
Al-Mahdi. May Allah reward all and also amongst some non-
of you who have accepted our Muslim groups as well. Perhaps
hand of friendship and especially such sentiments may be present
those who have come here here today.
despite differences of religion or
schools of thought for the sake of As a Community, we have, of
promoting peace in society. I course, faced some opposition –
expect that this mosque in which for example, there have been
we are all gathered today will be attempts to cause some damage –
a great addition to the beauty of but we continued to tolerate all
the city for all- some of the such incidents, because our
respected guests had already message of peace, love and

INAUGURATION OF AL-MAHDI MOSQUE IN BRADFORD, UK
affection is something that we Alas, I have no instrument that

cannot sacrifice for the sake of could truly inform you of what is
such minor opposition. The work in my heart. I can only assure all
of seeking the pleasure of God of you who do not belong to the
Almighty that we have begun Ahmadiyya Community that,
must be accomplished without God Willing, time will prove
incurring the hatred of anyone. whatever I am saying to be true
and that all sincere Ahmadis
I wish to make it clear to you that speak with the same voice.
the sole purpose of building of Therefore, upon the building of
this mosque is to worship the this mosque, if even the slightest
One God. Now, to even suspicion is harboured by you
contemplate doing harm to God’s that there is a risk that the peace
Creation in an edifice which has around you will be affected, I
been built only for God, is in urge you to discard such fear.
itself a sin. Many of you will
think that we do not practise Those who are well-acquainted
what we preach and that with us will certainly bear
everybody says these words but witness that the Ahmadiyya
they do not act upon them. Jama’at as a Community always
spreads the message of peace,

love and tenderness. Wherever worship their Creator. Clearly,

they build their mosques, they when wealthy and less wealthy
build them for the sake of the persons come together for
worship of God. And that is the worship, it creates a mutual
real purpose of the building of respect for each other’s rights.
this mosque. This equality leads to parity in all
matters – and when a person’s
It is our claim that we continually attention is drawn towards
endeavour to achieve the purpose equality, it results in greater
of our creation, which we have affection and compassion for
been taught in the Holy Qur’an. each other. Moreover, when
And by the Grace of Allah, the compassion increases, it leads to
institution of Khilafat (known in new avenues which establish
the West as the Caliphate) that love and affection. When these
exists in the Ahmadiyya new avenues are followed, they
Community guides all Ahmadis guarantee the peace of society.
towards achieving this purpose. Therefore, if the world’s richer
people and nations and the
Now, what is the purpose of our world’s poorer people and
Creation? It is stated in the Holy nations realise this principle,
Qur’an: then, for the sake of their Creator,
they will become instrumental in
And I have not created the greater love for each other and
Jinn and men but that they benevolence in the world.
may worship me.
(Ch.51:V.57). Now tell me: is it possible that
the followers of these teachings
The term ‘Jinn’ refers here to and those who hold such
rich people, whilst the term convictions could ever destroy
‘men’ refers to the common man. the peace of society by means of
Therefore, our mosques call all their mosques? Certainly, all our
people to Prayers, so that they esteemed guests will agree that it
can all gather at one place and is not possible. So, let us come

together and dis-

charge the rights of
our Creator and let
us endeavour to
discharge the rights
of His Creation.
Groups which enter-

tain reservations
about each other
must try to eliminate them. As strive to accept and act upon his
far as the Ahmadiyya Muslim teachings. The Promised
Community is concerned, we do Messiah has himself informed
(as)
not bear any grudge in our hearts us about the purpose of his
against anyone, because we have advent, saying that, firstly, it is to
been taught that if we bear bring mankind closer to God, so
grudges, our prayers cannot be that they worship Him. Secondly,
accepted. The Reformer of the to draw a person’s attention
Age has strictly warned us about towards respecting the rights of
this fact. So we do not wish, by others so that love increases
exhibiting enmity, to have our within society and so that peace
prayers left unanswered. can be established.
Ahmadi Muslims give special Following the Holy Founder of

respect to the teachings of the our community, the institution of
Founder of their Community, Khilafat continues to further
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam pursue this purpose. That is why
Ahmad(as), because he was sent as you see teachings of peace and
the Promised Messiah by God love in the Ahmadiyya
Almighty. The prophecy of his Community; indeed, these
advent was made by the Holy teachings will always be
Prophet Muhammad(saw). In keep- manifest in our community.
ing with our beliefs, we always

Even today, some people allege Muslims and reached extreme

that religion is the cause of heights of cruelty and torture.
insecurity in the world. This is an But even so, to maintain peace in
utterly false allegation. No society, the instruction was that
prophet, of any religion, has after victory, the victor must not
brought a teaching that disturbs inflict such cruelty and torture
the peace of the world. As far as out of revenge for previous
the Holy Qur’an is concerned, it cruelties inflicted upon them.
has gone so far as to state: Rather, Allah’s pleasure lies in
encouraging the doing of more
…And let not the enmity of a good works and improving in
people, that they hindered righteousness.
you from the Sacred
Mosque, incite you to Do good, even to the cruel.
transgress. And help one Perhaps because of this, their
another in righteousness hearts will soften and as a result
and piety; but help not one of this, they might think to
another in sin and improve their relations with the
transgression. And fear Muslims. And in this way, peace
Allah… in society can flourish.
(Ch.5:V.3)
To forgive a cruel enemy is no
So here is a teaching that tells us doubt very difficult; but God
that we must not do wrong. This Almighty says that a true Muslim
verse was referring to those is expected, and indeed instruc-
people who prevented the Holy ted, to see to it that transgression
Prophet(saw) and his followers is not committed. If a person is
from entering the Ka’abah (the deemed a criminal by the laws of
first House for the worship of the land, then the Government of
God Almighty). They not only the time may of course punish
prevented them from entering it, him. But as for an individual, he
but went so far in their hatred is not allowed to take the law in
that they martyred many his hands and avenge any cruelty

done to him. Indeed, history committed against the holy name

bears testimony that the Holy of religion. A few centuries ago,
Prophet Muhammad(saw) forgave this same allegation was laid at
all the non-believers of Makkah the doorstep of Christianity, and
when he entered this Holy City. history bears testimony to this.
However, this does not mean that
It is then commanded that the cruelty exists in Christian
enmity of a people should not teachings. The teachings of Jesus
incite us to act unjustly. We are Christ, on whom be peace, are
told: “…Act justly, as this is filled with meekness and
closest to righteousness, and fear kindness.
Allah.” (Ch.5:V.9) In the
presence of these beautiful So, therefore, to maintain peace
teachings, to allege that Islam is a in society it is necessary for one
religion that teaches cruelty and to eliminate all sentiments of
transgression and that it is a hostility from one’s heart. It is
religion that destroys peace in necessary to save oneself from
society, is in itself a cruel counter accusations and allega-
indictment upon these beautiful tions. It is necessary to increase
precepts. one’s levels of tolerance. There is
a need to stand in defence of the
Regarding justice, the Holy respect and reverence of each
Qur’an has repeatedly taught us other’s Prophets.
that a true Muslim can never
even think of acting unjustly. If a The bitterness towards Islam
few people or group of people amongst some non-Muslims has
propagate teachings contrary to blinded them to such an extent
this and act in a discriminatory that societies which are
fashion, then the blame for this otherwise known to be extremely
cannot be laid upon the beautiful well-read and civilised, have
teachings of Islam. Obviously, made false and baseless allega-
this disturbance is not due to the tions against the Holy Founder of
religion itself but is a cruel act Islam, Hadhrat Muhammad(saw).

As a result, certain Muslim there was a prophet sent to every

groups have reacted improperly nation on earth, and we believe in
and so animosities have all of them. Furthermore, as they
continued to multiply. were all sent by God as prophets,
they are all equal.
We are the humble servants of
the Holy Prophet(saw), and so we Observe to what extent the
are deeply grieved and saddened teachings of the Holy Qur’an
by the attacks on our Holy urge respect for other religions.
Prophet(saw); but our reaction is to
show his noble qualities even When God Almighty gave the
more than before. Besides, in permission to fight it was only so
response to such allegations, we that cruelty could be ended.
disclose even more beautiful However, this permission was
teachings of the Holy Qur’an. not limited to the defence of
Islam but was also a means to
So I wish to say that if the current protect and respect all religions.
society claims to be civilised, The Holy Qur’an states:
and it talks of integration with
each other, then everyone’s Permission to fight is given
religious traditions and Founders to those against whom war
should be respected. This would is made, because they have
be helpful in establishing peace been wronged – and Allah
in society. indeed has power to help
them - those who have been
Islam teaches us to respect the driven out from their homes
prophets of all religions. In fact, unjustly only because they
it is essential for a Muslim to said, ‘Our Lord is Allah’ –
believe in all of the prophets who And if Allah did not repel
are mentioned in the Holy Bible some men by means of
or in the Holy Qur’an, until and others, there would surely
including Jesus Christ(as). In have been pulled down
addition, we also believe that cloisters and churches and

synagogues and mosques, I assure you that we will be ever

wherein the name of Allah is ready to co-operate by all means
oft commemorated. And in this call towards the Creator
Allah will surely help one of the Heaven and the Earth.
who helps Him. Allah is And our mosques will always
indeed Powerful, Mighty. remain open to the public for the
(Ch.22: V.40-41) worship of the Creator, our
Lord, as long as they comply
So this is the beautiful teaching, with the rules of the
the objective of which is to administration so that the
prevent all forms of transgression sanctity of the mosques can be
and to arrest the hand that attacks upheld. According to us, the
others; because, if the attacking association of the Mosque with
hand is not arrested, then the worship of God and the
irrespective of which religion a peace of society is most
person belongs to, religious important. Hence, if anybody
opposition will spread to such a erects a building for some other
degree that it will eventually purpose, then whether it is
destroy the believers of all called a mosque or otherwise, it
religions. So here is the need of is our belief that such a place
the hour that instead of slinging can never be a mosque or a
mud at each others religions and House of God.
prophets, we should join together
as believers in One God. And we Even in the time of the Holy
should try to bring those who do Prophet(saw) such a mosque was
not believe in God or religion built in which conspiracies were
nearer to Him, so that a beautiful hatched by hypocrites. Those
society can emerge, in which who built it were not fearful of
people respect each other and God. That mosque was built to
become the means of destroy the peace of society.
guaranteeing the peace of the And thus, regarding this
world. mosque, Allah the Almighty
said that this mosque was not

worthy of the worship of God in Africa and we also provide

Almighty and it was better to food, clothing, medical care and
demolish it, (Ch.9:V.107-110) shelter relief for those afflicted
by disaster. We provide clean
So, I wish to make it clear that drinking water on a permanent
according to the commandments basis to deprived countries.
of Allah, whichever mosque does Through Humanity First, a
not guarantee the peace of charity registered in the United
society and the worship of God Kingdom, we are serving
cannot rightfully be called a mankind all over the world and
mosque. Mosques are those we do not ask for anything in
beacons of light that draw return. Our beneficiaries are
attention towards fulfilling the mostly non-Ahmadis. We do not
rights of Allah and of His take advantage of their poverty
creation. They draw attention by coercing them to become
towards increasing the level of Ahmadis as a condition of
tolerance vis-à-vis other receiving our assistance. We
religions and towards enhancing have many schools in Africa in
the service of humanity. which 90% of the students are
not Ahmadis. They have never
This is the reason why every been asked to change their faith.
Ahmadi makes plans for the We do all of this only because we
fulfilment of each and every worship God and we seek His
person’s needs irrespective of his happiness, as He has commanded
religion or beliefs. us to serve mankind without
seeking any benefit or return.
When our Community conducts
charity walks to help those in It is God Almighty Who has
need, we also support local taught us that there should be no
charities so that they are able to compulsion in religion.
fulfil the healthcare and other (Ch.2:V.257) Every person is
needs of the poor and orphans. free to choose any faith. So,
We help underprivileged people therefore, non-Muslims and non-

Ahmadis should always remem- paid towards this then in view of

ber that if they have any the speed at which the walls of
reservations in their hearts about hatred are currently being
this mosque then they should erected, it is apparent that a great
remove them. This mosque will disaster looms ahead. It is the
always be a lighthouse of good duty of every wise person to take
deeds. We can never consider practical steps to save the world
even for an instant that from our from self-destruction. For this,
mosques flames of hatred, malice the most important factor is for
or enmity could ever burn. On people to recognise their Creator,
the contrary, calls of love, the Lord God.
affection, reconciliation and
reformation will be made from On behalf of the Ahmadiyya
here; for we hope thereby that Muslim Community I assure all
God will be pleased with us and citizens of Bradford that every
will accept our prayers. Ahmadi will do his utmost to co-
operate in the development of
As for those of our friends who peace in this city and this area
know us well, I request them that and that this mosque will be a
they too should help us. They symbol of peace and security,
should always express their good Insha’Allah (God Willing).
opinion amongst those whom
they meet so that the resentment Finally, I would like to once
within the hearts of people can be again thank our respected guests
removed, so that such feelings for having listened to me
can be replaced with an patiently.
atmosphere of love and affection
forever. Thank you very much.
Today, it is once again necessary

that the world pay attention
towards the establishment of
global peace. If attention is not

LIFE SUPREME
The following is part one from Life Supreme by the Late Bashir Ahmad
Orchard. The book consists of a series of inspiring, practical and simple
aspects of an Islamic way of life that draws one to many of God’s attributes
no matter what religion or faith they follow.
Developing Moral Virtues I have not created the Jinn and

Those of you who have visited the men but that they may worship
Edinburgh in Scotland may have Me. (Ch.51: V.57)
observed a massive monument
standing beside Princess Street about Worship of God in this verse does not
a hundred yards from Waverley refer only to formal prayer. Its
station. This monument was erected meaning is that we should manifest
in honour and memory of Sir Walter the attributes of God in all our
Scott who was a renowned Scottish thoughts, words and deeds. We
author and historian of the last should glorify Him through the
century. Whenever I see or visualise demonstration of moral virtues. This
this monument I am reminded of his is the purpose of our existence and
dying words to his son-in-law as he consequently we should focus our
lay on his death bed. He said: attention on this ideal with earnest
devotion. Day-by-day we should
‘I have but a minute to speak to strive to shed virtuous light in every
you. My dear, be a good man; be thought we think, in every word we
virtuous, be religious-be a good speak or write, in every action we
man. Nothing else will give you undertake and even in every
any comfort when you come to lie expression on our face. The following
here’. prayer should be a source of
inspiration for us:
Although Sir Walter Scott had earned
literary fame and had won the ‘O Allah, diffuse light into my
admiration of millions of his readers, heart and ears; Diffuse light on
he realised during the last moments of my eyes and on my tongue;
his life that the most worth-while Diffuse light on my right and on
avocation in life was the acquisition my left; Diffuse light above me
of virtue. A great Islamic truth and under me;
contained in the Holy Qur’an is: Engulf me in Thy light’

LIFE SUPREME – DEVELOPING MORAL VALUE
The Holy Qur’an declares elsewhere the fasts unless legitimate reasons
that the culmination of virtue should prevent us from doing so.
be our foremost aim in life in as much
as it elevates us to an honourable Most people in this world are
status in the sight of God which is, primarily concerned in seeking
after all the ultimate aspiration of financial prosperity. They forget that
every true believer. as silver is less valuable than gold so
gold is less valuable than virtue.
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: . Describing man God says in the Holy
Qur’an:
…Verily the most honourable
among you, in the sight of Allah, Surely he is very keen .for the love
is he who is most the most of wealth. (Ch.100:V.9)
righteous among you...’
(Ch.49.V.14) While it may be good to have plenty
of money it is also good to check up
The Qur’an reveals as clear as crystal now and again and make sure that we
why we have been created. It declares have not lost those things which
that we should endeavour to excel in money cannot buy such as moral
moral virtues. This being so then why virtues. Concerning real prosperity
should we give preference to the God says in the Holy Qur’an:
fulfillment of any other ambition?
Indeed, let us have ambitions; but let Verily he truly prospers who
our highest ambition be the purifies himself.
development of moral virtues. Allah (Ch.87:V15)
has declared that He has ordained
fasting during the month of Ramadan Let us remember that virtue is to the
solely as a means of acquiring virtue: soul what health is to the body.
People are very concerned about their
Fasting has been prescribed for physical health and are prepared to
you so that you may become more give careful attention to their diet.
righteous. When they are unwell they will
(Ch.2: V.184) quickly call the doctor and seek the
most effective remedy; but generally
Keeping this point in mind we should they are little concerned in feeding
look forward to Ramadhan with eager their souls with spiritual nourishment
anticipation and diligently observe all and similarly they do not seek

effective remedies for their spiritual our attention to three stages of moral
ailments. advancement regarding our dealings
towards other people. The first stage
Islam provides a complete code of requires that we should at least treat
guidance on all virtues. God helps others in the same way that they treat
those who help themselves and it is us. We should return good for good.
now up to us with the help of God – The second stage requires us to return
to develop them within ourselves. better treatment and greater good for
that which we have received while the
A moral virtue is the proper control third stage calls upon us to render
and regulation of thought and conduct service and do good to others without
in conformity with the teachings of any thought of receiving anything in
Islam. Love, for instance, becomes a return. We should never even hint to
moral virtue when demonstrated the person that he is under an
correctly and on the appropriate obligation to us of any kind. This
occasion, otherwise, if it is merely state of mind should be cultivated to
instinctive or channelled in the wrong the extent that it functions as second
direction then it is not a display of nature as does the love of a mother
virtue. The love and care which towards her child.
animals show for their young is
instinctive and, therefore, not an act Moral Virtues
of virtue. Again love is regarded as a Moral virtues embrace numerous
virtue only when expressed within personal qualities. Among them are-
proper and lawful bounds. The self-respect and respect for others,
mother who showers an excess of kindness. sympathy, honesty, forgive-
love upon her child and allows it to do ness, simplicity, cleanliness. gentle-
and have whatever it wants is not ness, courage, goodness, nobility,
exemplifying the moral virtue of patience, steadfastness, perseverance,
love; nor does the man who runs charity, generosity, politeness, hospi-
away with some one else’s wife on tality, mercy, justice, self – control,
account of his affectionate feelings contentment, cheerfulness, helpful-
for her. Exercising correct conduct on ness, gratitude, chastity, tolerance,
appropriate occasions formulates a love, unselfishness and many more
moral virtue. which could be added to the list.
Stages of Moral Advancement No exemplar of virtue excelled the

The Promised Messiah(as) has drawn Holy Prophet(saw). The following

verses taken from a poem written by Islamic virtues is the purpose of our
the Promised Messiah(as) extol the creation and it would, therefore, be a
high morals of the Holy Prophet(saw). folly on our part to neglect the object
of our existence for then we would be
‘What a noble man! What a comely the losers in both the worlds. The
man; His breath smells like the development of moral virtues is the
breath of flowers. God is visible in highest and most rewarding of all
his face, accomplishments. In no other pursuit
Such are his virtues, such is his can we find greater satisfaction and
case. happiness not even in the
That is why he is loved. Indeed his accumulation of a large fortune.
virtues demand
That he should be loved to the Earnest Objective
exclusion of all. The first requisite needed in the
Easy of access, noble, bounteous, achievement of any objective is that
friend of the God-fearing. we should be charged with an earnest
And he excels all in excellence and desire to attain it otherwise we are not
nobility, likely to get very far. Enthusiasm
in glory and the beauty of the soul. makes all the difference. It jet-propels
Muhammad is the best of creatures, us towards our objective whatever it
The soul of the nobles, the elect of may be. Let us, therefore, be in
the elect. All noble virtues have earnest.
found their limit in him.
The blessings of all times have The Holy Qur’an mentions certain
found their place In him. By God! people who declared:
Muhammad is next to God,
And through him alone can we …We earnestly wish that the Lord
reach God. He is the pride of the should include us among the
pious, the holies. He is the pride of righteous people.
the men of virtue. (Ch.5: V.85)
He excels all those who were
honoured before him. Indeed These people earnestly wished to
excellence is a matter of virtue and become righteous. They were not
not of time. indifferent about it; nor did they only
mildly wish for it. They earnestly
I have already explained from the wished for it and as a result of their
Holy Qur’an that the cultivation of enthusiasm to become virtuous they

were successful and became the Sincere prayer is itself a virtue as

recipients of God’s favours and stated in the Holy Qur’an:
blessings, as the next verse reveals.
…Remembrance of Allah is,
So Allah rewarded them for what indeed, the greatest virtue.
they said, with gardens beneath (Ch.29: V.46)
which streams flow. Therein shall
they abide; that is the reward of In these permissive times we need
those who do good. every ounce of strength to resist the
(Ch.5:V.86) multifarious temptations which assail
us from all directions. God tells us
Let us enter this crusade to develop that the answer lies in prayer: so the
and improve moral virtues within next step for us is to give more
ourselves earnestly and with attention to prayer. Not only should
enthusiasm then our efforts are sure to we be regular in our daily prayers but
bear fruit, blessed and rewarded by we should also pray for protection
God. against the incitements of satan. The
Holy Prophet(saw) has also spoken on
Prayers the efficacy of prayer in times of
The next point is the subject of temptation. He said:
prayer. The Promised Messiah(as) has
said that one is proud who places As to those who are virtuous,
complete faith in one’s own powers when a suggestion from satan
and does not recognise the assails them, they remember God:
omnipotence of God. He declared that and behold! they begin to see
his only weapon was prayer and that things right’.
he relied on the help of God for
everything. It is essential that we Thinking
resort to prayer and seek God’s Now I come to another point which is
assistance in our efforts to develop the management of our thoughts
moral virtues. God tells us in the Holy because everything originates from
Qur’an of another great benefit of thought. I would like to quote a short
prayer: passage from the Bible:
Surely prayer restrains one from ‘As a man thinketh in his heart
indecency and manifest evil. so he is’.
(Ch.29:V.46) (Proverbs 23:7)

Scientific research has conclusively mind by weeding out undesirable

established the fact that man is what thoughts and planting only noble,
he thinks and he becomes what he pure and virtuous ones which will
thinks. He is the product of his grow, bloom and colour our character
thoughts. with their fragrance and splendour.
Our character is no more than the We wish to close our minds to impure
embodiment of our thoughts. We thoughts and to discard those which
build our character on the foundation happen to sneak in, Islam teaches us
of our thoughts. What we think we to keep away from those things which
become. We possess the power to breed evil and for this reason to keep
govern our own thoughts and thereby away from dance halls, gambling
build a character of our own choice shops, public houses, brothels and
because our character is no more than low forms of entertainment. Other
a reflection of our thoughts. An things which should be shunned are
immoral character grows from the the lewd type of paper-back novels
seeds of immoral thoughts while a which flood the bookshops;
virtuous character grows from the magazines crowded with photo-
seeds of virtuous thoughts. This law graphs of nude women and most films
of mental science operates as which may be described as an
assuredly as does the law of gravity or abomination of satan. These things
any of the other stable laws of this are all the work of the devil aimed to
universe. We may use it to our own bombard the mind with impure
immense advantage in the thoughts. Furthermore we should
development of moral virtues by avoid all uncharitable thoughts
discarding and omitting impure and towards others such as hatred,
negative thoughts from our mind and jealousy, deceit, scorn, envy, revenge,
concentrating only on virtuous ones. etc., as they are also immoral in their
One thing we do possess which no way. Not only does the Holy Qur’an
government can take from us is the enjoin us to keep away from evil but
freedom to choose and control our also to keep the company of the
own thoughts. righteous from whom we may derive
moral upliftment. We should
Just as a gardener keeps his garden remember that not only are we
free from weeds and grows only the accountable to God for our actions
flowers and fruits of his own choice but also for our thoughts. We read in
so may we cultivate the garden of our the Holy Qur’an:

…Whether you disclose what is for more than they are prepared to
in your minds or keep it hidden. work for and then wonder why their
Allah will call you to account for prayers are not answered.
it... (Ch.2: V.285)
The objective before us is to improve
Being human it is almost an day by day in the development of
impossible task to shut out evil or moral virtues. No one should like to
wrong thoughts completely from our remain static. It has been said that if
mind, In that case we are enjoined to we go not forward then we go
discard or suppress them; and doing backward. This virtuous objective
that is in itself a virtuous which we now have in mind calls for
achievement. The Holy Prophet(saw) self-effort and perseverance. Let it be
has said: said of us when we die that we died
climbing on the path of moral virtue.
If a man is assailed by an evil God tells us in the Holy Qur’an:
thought but he suppresses it or
drives it out of his mind and does …those who persevere in
not act in accordance with it. seeking the favour of their
God will bestow upon him a Lord…
good reward. (Ch.13:V.23)
Perseverence Again we read:

There is no doubt that the path of
virtue is not an easy one to tread as it …Allah is with the steadfast.
is a slippery uphill journey. We are all (Ch.2: V.154)
liable to slip. Nevertheless, it is an
uplifting and delightful journey As I have mentioned, moral virtues
which winds through sceneries of cannot be developed without effort,
heavenly enchantment. Nothing We need to exercise constant self-
worthwhile can be achieved without vigilance, self-analysis, self-disci-
effort and this maxim applies to moral pline and self-control. As we are
development as much as it does to human beings and not angels we are
any other endeavour. Without pains subject to weaknesses and liable to
there can be no gains. Whereas prayer stumble and make mistakes from time
is essential, at the same time we have to time as we have many temptations
to put our best foot forward and strive to battle with and overcome; but if
in the way of Allah Some people pray our spirit is strong we need not

despair of ultimate success. In fact ‘No man ever became great or

our every effort to advance in moral good except through many and
development will lead us upward great mistakes’.
towards heaven and even if we fall
short of the heights of our aspirations Although the prophets of God are
we shall have travelled a long way on exempt from this observation because
the heaven bound path of virtue. God they are exceptionally good all their
says in the Holy Qur’an that even lives, it is a truth which is witnessed
when we falter and stumble we in the lives of all other great men; so
should not despair: if from time to time we slip on the
path of virtue we should not be
Say :O my servant who have unduly grieved but pick ourselves up
committed excesses against their and carry on determined more than
own souls! Despair not of the ever not to make the same mistakes
Mercy of Allah, surely Allah again.
forgives all sins. Verily He is
Most Forgiving, Merciful. Two thousand years ago a famous
(Ch.39: V.54) Roman author named Seneca wrote
the following appraisement of a
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) is the virtuous man:
author of the book Ahmadiyyat or
True Islam in which he writes: ‘The greatest man is he who
chooses right with the most
‘Islam rescues man from despair invincible resolution; who resists
and tells him that he can, in spite the sorest temptations from within
of his errors and mistakes, attain and without; who bears the
to the purity at mind and conduct heaviest burdens cheerfully; who
which is the highest goal of man. is calmest in storms: and the most
It thus encourages him to make fearless under menaces and
constant effort towards virtue and frowns; whose reliance on truth,
purity and enables him ultimately on virtue, and on God is the most
to arrive at his goal’. unfaltering’.
William Gladstone, a former British Simplicity

Prime Minister of the Victorian era- Simplicity is a characteristic of
made the following significant virtuous living and the Holy
statement: Prophet(saw) has warned us against

leading a life of luxury: He used to sleep on a rough mattress

and recline on a coarse mat which
Beware of leading a life of luxury would leave its impression upon his
for verily the servants of God skin. Someone once asked why he
never live luxurious lives’. rested on such a coarse mat while the
rulers of other countries use soft
Simple living in the way of Allah mattresses and cushions. He replied
polishes and brightens the soul that this was no matter for concern as
because one becomes detached to a they had chosen this world while he
certain extent from the material had chosen the next.
embellishment of this world. One
does not hanker for this thing or In 1934 Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih
hanker for that thing, while those II(ra) launched a scheme called Tahrik
loving luxury are not content in mind Jadid. He called upon members of
unless they have the best of the Ahmadiyya Movement to
everything. The truth has been said contribute an annual sum of money
that the richest are those who have for the purpose of opening and
fewest wants and the Holy Qur’an maintaining missions in overseas
tells us that the best provision is countries. These contributions are in
righteousness and not the luxuries of addition to the normal Aam chanda
this world. A virtuous person is contributions which requires a
content with little and is not minimum of one sixteenth of our
interested in a life of luxury. Wealth, income. He also called upon
no doubt, is a blessing and does not Ahmadis to live simple lives.
necessarily prevent a person from
living a simple life although it very Some of his instructions were:
often does.
• Meals should consist only of one
Simple living has always been the dish.
way of the prophets of God. The • Stop going to cinemas and
Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) could theatres.
have had every kind of luxury he • Cut down on home decorations.
demanded but he preferred to live a • Cut down on clothing expenses.
life of extreme austerity. His habits • Cut down on jewellery.
were simple. His food was simple. • Not to buy things one really does
His clothes were simple. His home not need.
and its furnishings were also simple.

Our present Khalifa [Third Khalifa at with this curse! Otherwise forget
the time. Ed] has also called upon all about your hopes of seeing the
members of the community to live Lord’.
frugal lives and cut down lavish
expenditure on clothes and Another advantage of simple living is
ornaments. He said in one of his that it brings one closer to the poor
addresses: and common people. Those who like
to maintain a high standard of living
‘I want to knock at the door of often look down upon the poor and
every Ahmadi and start a crusade are not inclined to mingle with them.
against evil customs. I want to tell While they are happy and at ease to
them that whosoever will not give visit and stay with their well-to-do
up wasteful customs and not friends they would not care to visit,
reform himself, then he should let alone stay with, their poorer
know that he is of no use to God, brothers in faith.
His Messenger and to our
community and that conse- The development of moral virtues is a
quently he would be thrown out of practical philosophy and not one just
it as a fly is thrown out of milk’. to be listened to or even just to be
remembered. It is one to be practised.
The Promised Messiah(asa) has also Certainly it is a very comprehensive
emphasised the value of simple subject on which volumes could be
living. He has said: written. I have covered briefly just a
few aspects of this vast subject. My
‘Do not be extravagant’. aim has been to awaken interest and
‘O you who love the pomp and increase the urge within us to pay
pleasures of this world bear well greater attention to the devel-opment
in mind that this is not the place of moral virtue. My prayer is that the
of permanent abode for man’. seeds which I have scattered may fall
‘Luxurious living and the on good soil to grow and bear
enjoyment of the good things of virtuous fruit – Amen.
material life hold no permanent
guarantee’.
‘For the sake of the Lord,
abandon the path of luxurious
and easy living! It is, indeed, an
accursed path: have nothing to do

AS’HAB AS-SUFAH - THE GREAT LOVERS OF THE HOLY PROPHET(SAW)
Feb 2008
Jan 2008
THE LIFE OF THE LIFE OF

HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH I(ra) HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH II(ra)
Introduction Editorial:
An introduction to this special edition An introduction to the life of the
dedicated to Hadhrat (Hakim) Maulawi Second Ahmadi Khalifa.
Nur-ud-Din Sahib(ra), Khalifatul Masih Before Khilafat
I, the First Successor to lead the The early years of Hadhrat Khalifatul
Ahmadiyya community following the Masih II(ra).
demise of the Promised Messiah(as).
The Truth about the Split
Childhood and Youth A clear and concise account of the
The early years of Hadhrat Khalifatul dissension that resulted in the formation
Masih I(ra). of the Lahori group. This account also
Before Khilafat answers allegations and leaves the
A look at the life of Hadhrat Khalifatul reader with no doubt as to where the
Masih I(ra) prior to assuming the mantle truth lies.
of Khilafat. The Life and Achievements of
Khilafat Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra)
The salient features of the life and A brief look at the life of Hadhrat
achievements of Hadhrat Khalifatul Bashir-ud-Din(ra) Mahmud Ahmad.
Masih I(ra). A Personal Memoir
Impact A personal account of the time with
The impact of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) that
I’s(ra) Khilafat on the Ahmadiyya reveals a special bond and spiritual
Community and Islam in general. significance and blessings of Khilafat.

April 2008
March 2008
THE LIFE OF THE LIFE OF

HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH III(ru) HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH IV(ru)
Before Khilafat: Introduction and Early Years:

Memorisation of the Holy Qur’an, MA A brief insight into his childhood years
(Oxon) and various posts held by him. reveals qualities of an exalted spiritual
nature.
Election as Khalifa
Khalifatul Masih III’s(ru) maiden address. Before Khilafat
The life of Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) prior to
Significant Appeals
his election as Khalifa that illustrate his
Khalifatul Masih III’s(ru) list of appeals.
great leadership, wisdom and
Conference on Deliverance from the experience.
Cross
Election as Khalifa
Khalifatul Masih III’s address at the
The Khilafat of the fourth Khalifa that
London Conference in 1978.
placed the Ahmadiyya community on a
Historical trip to Spain worldwide foundation.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih III’s aspiration
Question and Answer Sessions
about Spain.
Khalifatul Masih IV’s(ru) stupendous
1974: Anti-Ahmadi hostilities display of knowledge, both spiritual and
Khalifatul Masih III’s(ru) maiden address. general.
Impact of Khilafat Schemes set up by the Fourth Khalifa
Some Cherished Memories The Author
Diversity in Human Nature Further Insights into the Life of
Article by the Third Khalifa. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru).

May 2008
June 2008
THE LIFE OF Editorial
HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH V Khilafat in Ahmadiyyat is evidence of
Divine support.
Editorial
The Khilafat of the latter days continues Divine Promise of Khilafat
to inspire, lead and succeed. It is God’s design that spiritual teachers,
who are the heirs of the Prophets, should
Childhood and Youth always continue to be available.
Service in Ghana Ahmadiyya Khilafat Centenary
A personal recollection of the devoted Message
service in Ghana. A centenary message addressed to the
Election to Office worldwide membership of the
Security in exchange for fear – a Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
prophecy fulfilled. Khilafat in Islam
Historical Tour of Ghana A series of questions and answer on the
subject of Khilafat in Islam.
Tour of the Far East and South East
Asia The Ahmadiyya Muslim Divine
Community Embodies True Islamic
Historical Visits to Canada and
Teachings
Qadian
Keynote Khilafat Centenary address.
Ongoing Impact of Khilafat
How the unique system of Khilafat Khilafat and Shura: Two Blessed
continues to guide and chart a course to Institutions
world peace.
Centenary Address
The keynote historic address delivered
on 27 May 2008.

Aug 2008
July 2008
Africa is Fast Advancing Towards Essence of Islam - Part 26

Enlightenment Continuing our series of extracts from
Inaugural address from the Ghana Jalsa the writings of the Promised
2008 in which Hudhur outlines the Messiah(as).
responsibilities of the people of Africa
Inaugural address from the Nigeria
and their emerging opportunities.
Jalsa 2008
Self Reformation Address by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V
Final address from the Ghana Jalsa on attaining nearness to Allah by
2008 in which Hudhur reminds the truthfulness, fulfilling covenants etc.
audience to focus upon improving the
Annual Convention Nigeria 2008
condition of the soul, and to focus upon
Concluding address by Hadhrat
spiritual uplift.
Khalifatul Masih V from the Nigeria
Milestones of Khilafat Jalsa 2008: Stand on the frontline of
A chronological review year-by-year of dispensing goodness.
the major events and milestones in the
The Importance of the Institution of
first century of Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyya
Khilafat for the Modern Age
including the migrations from Qadian to
A discussion of the ‘seen’ and ‘unseen’
Rabwah and then from Rabwah to
blessings of Khalifat and its relevance
London, and the establishment of
for the modern age.
administrative bodies and schemes.
Religions from an Islamic
Temporal and Spiritual Authority of
Perspective
the Institution of Khilafat
A review of the true respect that Islam
Comparison of the behaviour and
accords to believers of other faiths.
characteristics of political and other
temporal leaders to a spiritual Khalifa
accountable to God

Sept. 2008
Oct. 2008
The Significance of Sacrifice in Your Editorial
Pledge How Khilafat is a reflection of God’s
Address by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V Rahmaniyyat.
from the USA Jalsa 2008. Being in
The Essence of Islam – Part 26
charge of the training ground of the
The power and beauty of Divine
children, a woman has a very high
revelation; characteristics of true
status in Islam. Ahmadi women should
revelation.
be ready for all kinds of sacrifices and
strive for the victory of Islam. Inauguration of Baitun Nur
(Calgary) Mosque
Self Reformation
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V on
Final address by Hadhrat Khalifatul
underlining the role of Ahmadiyya
Masih V from the USA Jalsa 2008 in
mosques as beacons of peace.
which he reminds the audience to fulfill
their pledge and to remain loyal to Universal Moral Values, Politics and
Khilafat. What is faith? What are World Peace
righteous deeds? Offering a profound insight into world
affairs and their impact on peace.
Khilafat-e-Rashida – (The Rightly
Guided Khilafat) A Solution to the Problems of the
An incisive address on the need for and Islamic World
role of Khilafat, how it was manifested How implementing absolute justice can
after the demise of the Prophet of Islam rejuvenate the Muslim world.
and how it is a permanent source of
blessings under the Ahmadiyya
Community.

REVIEW OF RELIGIONS
Nov 2008
Dec 2008
Editorial Editorial
The purpose of building mosques. Intra-faith dialogue, religious freedom
The Essence of Islam – Part 27 and loyalty to the country of residence
Distinguishing between Divine and
satanic Revelation. Essence of Islam - Part 28
Continuing our series of extracts from
Opening of Khadijah Mosque in the writings of the Promised
Berlin
Messiah(as).
Address by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V
on true Islamic beliefs at the opening of Solution from the Holy Qur’an on
the first Ahmadiyya mosque in the the Global Crisis
former East Germany. Historic speech at the British
Canadian Speech Parliament on the current world
Address by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V economic crisis.
on Islam – the religion that preaches
peace, tolerance, and love for all Speeches by various Dignatories at
mankind. the Houses of Parliament
As’hab As-Sufah – The Great Lovers
Inauguration of Al-Mahdi Mosque
of the Holy Prophet(saw)
Address by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih
An introduction to the lives and
V following the inauguration of the
sacrifices of the ascetic companions
who spent their days and nights in mosque in Bradford, UK.
worship and servitude
Life Supreme
Islam’s direction of spiritual fulfilment
and harmony.

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MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS December 2008, Vol.103, No.

2 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

civilizations such as Al-Andalus should aim for, rather than a state

Elsewhere also there are

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 3

The Function of Reason outside, it proves the need of the

4 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

be’ of reason with the affirmative

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 5

also, like experience, so clear up man’s knowledge concerning the

6 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

heart it is necessary that its truth Sometimes it happens that when

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 7

8 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

another illusion that revelation is a condemns it as a sin. Again

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 9

recourse to a companion, namely certainty, we are in need of many

10 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 11

12 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

Leaving aside other matters,

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 13

14 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

With reference to Khilafat, you period were not really religious

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 15

Britain ruled over many So, our history shows that we

16 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 17

the character of the Holy Prophet and the beautiful teachings of

18 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

sentiments and the religious to live according to his faith and

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 19

O ye who believe! be wars against religious extremists

20 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

expansion or the seizing of the society to the international level.

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 21

transgressed and continue till Another principle that we have

22 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

one’s own resources and derive intellectual minds work together

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 23

Those countries that have been be made to give the poorer

24 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

This factor is obvious from sion whose warning was given

Does this situation not compel

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 25

26 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

have got a very busy day ahead of

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 27

deepens others understanding and Rights and democracy around the

The Foreign and Commonwealth Your Holiness, friends and

28 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

Salford, and the Secretary

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 29

do unite us about the values of this leadership from people whose

30 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

who is held in high regards by

So, I am delighted you are here,

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 31

am that I cannot be with you at contribution to the country.

32 The Review of Religions – December 2008 KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15

Democrat for Lord Avebury and Muslims in this country together

The Right Honourable Mr.

KHILAFAT: Special Edition 15 The Review of Religions – December 2008 33