RR 2007 01

MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS
Mr Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)

Mr Mansoor Shah (Secretary) January 2007, Vol.102, No.01
Mr Naseer Ahmad Qamar
Mr Mubarak Ahmad Zafar EDITORIAL – The Concept of Limbo in Catholism
Mr Mirza Fakhar Ahmad If the Catholic Church decides to remove limbo from its
Mr. Abdul Baqi Arshad teachings what will be the implications for Christian
Holy Qur’an. ........................................................................... 2
CHIEF EDITOR AND MANAGER
ESSENCE OF ISLAM – Part 15 –Bounties Received
Mansoor Ahmed Shah
by Followers of the Holy Qur’an
A discussion of the many bounties and gifts from Allah
EDITORIAL BOARD bestowed on those who follow the message of the Holy
Basit Ahmad Qur’an. ................................................................................... 6
Bockarie Tommy Kallon
Fareed Ahmad VEIL IS AN ISLAMIC COMMANDMENT
Fazal Ahmad
Address given by the he the Lajna UK ijtima 2006 on the
Fauzia Bajwa
importance of purdah for Ahmadi ladies in light of the recent
Mansoor Saqi
Mahmood Hanif discussion in the British media about the veil. ...................... 22
Mansoora Hyder-Hanif
Navida Shahid PARDAH – the Garment of Taqwa
Sarah Waseem An article by a convert to Islam discussing her thoughts
Saleem Ahmad Malik about the role of the veil in a Muslim’s life.
Tanveer Khokhar By Saliha Malik, USA ............................................................ 38
ABRAHAM’S(AS) GREAT SACRIFICE –

SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Amatul Hadi Ahmad Significance of the Eid-ul-Adhia
Farina Qureshi A sermon by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) on the
significance of Abraham’s(as) sacrifice for a believer’s
PROOFREADERS relationship with God ........................................................... 43
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan
Shaukia Mir THE PURITY OF THE TEXT OF THE HOLY QUR’AN
DESIGN AND LAYOUT A thoroughly researched analysis in response to a Christian
Tanveer Khokhar writer proves that the Holy Qur’an is nothing else but the
Word of God. ......................................................................... 48
PUBLISHER
Al Shirakatul Islamiyyah JALSA ADDRESS: By the President of the
Republic of Mauritius
DISTRIBUTION
Muhammad Hanif Delivered at 45th Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jama’at on 16th Sept. 2006 in Mauritius. ................. 55
All correspondence should be forwarded to the editor at:
The Review of Religions
The London Mosque
SYNOPSIS OF ISTIGHFAR
16 Gressenhall Road A detailed understanding of Istighfar which is the act of
London, SW18 5QL seeking forgiveness.
United Kingdom
By Professor Abdul Jaleel ..................................................... 55
Email:
editor@thereviewofreligions.co.uk
© Islamic Publications, 2007
ISSN No: 0034-6721
Views expressed in this publication are not

necessarily the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Sunset in Mauritius: Photo from
Muslim Community Dreamscape Photo Library
EDITORIAL COMMENT
Sarah Waseem – UK
Waiting in Limbo Christ in his death, burial and

Limbo is a concept found within resurrection so that he becomes
the Catholic Church and refers to one of Christ’s faithful.
the idea of an intermediate state
between heaven and hell. Limbo The concept of limbo entered
is derived from the Latin Catholic teachings after the 13th
‘limbus’ and literally means century. Before then Catholic
‘hem’ or ‘border’, as of a teachings suggested that all non-
garment, or anything joined. baptised people, including
newborn babies who died, would
Limbo is divided into Limbus go to Hell. This was because
Patrum, the temporary resting original sin had not been
place of the souls of good cleansed by baptism. Peter
persons who died before Jesus’ Abelard, a French scholastic
resurrection, and Limbus philosophiser, argued, however,
Infantium, the home of children that babies, not having any
who die without being freed from personal sin, did not deserve to
original sin. Original sin refers to be punished. He proposed
the sin that all humans, according instead that there was a state of
to Christianity, have inherited as existence where unbaptised
a consequence of the sin babies, and those unfortunate,
committed by Adam(as) as a result but just, souls born before Jesus,
of which he was ejected from the (eg. prophets) would not
Garden of Eden. It is through the experience pain but neither
ritual of baptism that one is would they experience the
cleansed of original sin. Baptism, Beatific Vision of God until
whatever form it takes, Christ’s triumphant ascension
symbolises the remission of sins, into Heaven. This state was that
and the union of the believer with of limbo.
2 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

EDITORIAL COMMENT
Abelard’s idea was accepted in asked the International

the 13th century by Pope Theological Commission, which
Innocent III and limbo itself was advises the Vatican, to take up the
defined in 1904 by Pope Pius X issue.
in his catechism.
In 1992 the Catechism of the
And so it was that after the 13th Catholic Church stated that:
century the Catholic Church
decided that babies who died As regards children who have
before being baptised, would go died without baptism, the
to Limbo, where they do not Church can only entrust them
enjoy God, but neither do they to the mercy of God, as she
suffer, because, having Original does in her funeral rites for
Sin alone, they do not deserve them. Indeed, the great mercy
Paradise, but neither do they of God, who desires that all
merit Hell or Purgatory. men should be saved, and
Jesus’ tenderness toward
In 1984, Joseph Ratzinger, then children, which caused him to
Cardinal Prefect of the say, ‘Let the children come to
Congregation of the Doctrine of me, do not hinder them’
the Faith, (now Pope Benedict [Mark 10:14, cf. 1 Tim. 2:4],
XVI) announced in The allow us to hope that there is
Ratzinger Report that, as a a way of salvation for
private theologian, he rejected children who have died
the claim that children who die without baptism. All the more
unbaptised could not attain urgent is the Church’s call not
salvation. to prevent little children
coming to Christ through the
Pope John Paul II is reported to gift of holy baptism.
have been deeply troubled by
limbo and had it dropped from A final decision on this matter is
the church’s 1992 catechism (a still awaited under Pope Benedict
summary of its beliefs.) He also XVI. It is expected that the
The Review of Religions – January 2007 3

EDITORIAL COMMENT
International Theological sin or not to sin. Sin is not

Commission will recommend in therefore hereditary and passed
their report that the doctrine that from generation to generation.
all children who die do so “in the
hope of eternal salvation” be Now if the Catholic Church
formally adopted, thus rejecting accepts that children can attain
the theological hypothesis of salvation without baptism, where
Limbo. does this leave the doctrine of
original sin? The point of
To the writer’s knowledge the original sin is that it is only
Pope Benedict has yet to make a through baptism – i.e. the
firm decision. However, for cleansing away of sins, that one
many Catholic parents whose attains union with Christ. If such
children have died prior to being union is possible without baptism
baptised, such a ruling will come and if children who die in
as a relief. No longer do they infancy can attain salvation, what
have to agonise about the state of are the implications for original
their child’s existence in the next sin? Does it ‘descend’ on us at
life. some later point in life?
Many argue however that The 1992 catechism talks about

instinctively it does not make ‘… the great mercy of God, who
sense that a baby can be capable desires that all men should be
of sinning as it has not acquired saved’ making it sound very
the ability to discern right from much like the Islamic teaching
wrong. that hell is a temporary state that
God wishes people to move on
Islam rejects the notion of from. Again this is at odds with
original sin, teaching instead that the general Christian notion of
we are all born sinless. Once we hell which is seen as eternal.
have acquired the maturity and
ability to become accountable for There is a further doctrinal
our actions, we then choose to complication ahead. The whole

EDITORIAL COMMENT
point of the resurrection was the how Catholic theologians then

that God loved mankind so much address other consequent anom-
that he allowed His only begotten alies in belief, the greatest of all
son to suffer the crucifixion and being the notion of Trinity.
death. So Jesus(as) took on the sins
of the world in order to save
them thereby allowing believers
to rid themselves of original sin.
Through his belief in the
resurrection, a Christian attains
salvation. If God, according to
Catholic doctrine, now
determines who gets into heaven
and who does not, regardless of
whether they have been baptised,
where does that leave original
sin, and what was the need for
Him to send Jesus(as) to save the
world. Furthermore, there was no CORRECTION:
point in Jesus(as) giving up the The quote from Prophet
Jesus(as) from Matthew 6:19-20
ghost during crucifixion, nor of
on the back cover of the
his spending three days in the August 2006, should have
bowels of the earth, nor of his read:
rising to sit on the right of God
‘Lay not up for yourselves
the Father.
treasures upon earth, where
moth and rust doth corrupt,
The reality is that Christianity as and where thieves break
it is now preached has introduced through and steal: but lay up
for yourselves treasures in
so many innovations into belief
heaven, where neither moth
that it has become more nor rust doth corrupt and
implausible in its doctrine and where thieves do not break
practice. Limbo must go, but it through nor steal.’
will be very interesting to see

ESSENCE OF ISLAM:
Part 15 – Bounties Received by Followers of the
Holy Qur’an
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(sa) 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 Zafrullah Khan, may Allah be pleased with
him, and is quoted from The Essence of Islam, Volume 1. All references throughout,
unless otherwise specifically mentioned, are from the Holy Qur’an.
The bounties that are bestowed love and sincerity, and does not
upon the followers of the Holy hold back in any respect, then his
Qur’an and the special gifts that observation and reflection are
they receive cannot be expressed bestowed a light, and he is
in words, but some of them are of equipped with a delicate sense of
such great magnitude that it reason whereby he is informed of
would be proper to mention them the wonderful fine points of
in some detail for the guidance of Divine knowledge which are
seekers. hidden in the Word of God. Fine
insights descend upon his heart
Of these are the knowledge and like heavy rain. These fine
insights which are bestowed on insights are given the name of
perfect followers. When a person wisdom in the Holy Qur’an as is
adopts true obedience to the Holy said:
Qur’an, commits himself wholly
to its commandments, reflects He grants wisdom to whom
upon its guidance with perfect He pleases, and whoever is

ESSENCE OF ISLAM – PART 15 – BOUNTIES RECEIVED BY FOLLOWERS OF THE HOLY QUR’AN
granted wisdom has indeed

been granted abundant good;
and none would be reminded
except those endowed with
understanding.
(Ch.2:V.270)
That is, wisdom comprises

abundant good; he who is
granted wisdom, attains abun-
dant good.
The founder of the Ahmadiyya
This knowledge and under- Muslim community was Hadhrat
standing, which are called wis- Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as).
dom, being comprehensive of The founder of the Ahmadiyya
abundant good, are like a vast Muslim community was Hadhrat
ocean which is bestowed upon Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as). In 1891,
he claimed, on the basis of Divine
the followers of the Divine word. revelation, that he was the Promised
Their observation and reflection Messiah and Mahdi whose advent
are so blessed that high verities had been foretold by Muhammad,
are reflected in their souls, as in a the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him)
mirror, and perfect truths are and by the scriptures of other faiths.
disclosed to them. Divine His claim constitutes the basis of the
support furnishes them with such beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
means at the time of every community.
research that what they set forth
does not remain incomplete or complete that it is a matter above
defective and contains no error. the ordinary and other people
So the knowledge and insights cannot match them. They do not
and verities and fine points and arise of themselves in their
arguments and proofs that occur minds, but they are guided to
to them are so perfect and them by a hidden understanding

and Divine support, and it is subjects himself to severe

through the strength of that disciplines, and many extra-
understanding that they alight ordinary things are manifested by
upon the mysteries and lights of him, but that he is ignorant of the
the Qur’an, which cannot be knowledge of the Divine so
acquired in the smoky light of much so that he cannot
reason alone. This knowledge distinguish between truth and
and these insights that are falsehood, is caught in wrong
bestowed upon them, and the thinking and incorrect doctrine,
fine points and deep insights and is weak and liable to error in
relating to the Being and every matter, he would appear as
attributes of the Divine and to the base and contemptible in the
life after death which are estimation of every sane person.
disclosed to them, are in their A person who smacks of
nature spiritual, which in the ignorance in the estimation of a
estimation of the wise are higher, wise one, and is disliked by those
and finer than material wonders. who hear him utter stupid things,
In the estimation of the wise the cannot be respected by a wise
value and rank of the men of God one and appears contemptible,
are determined by these however pious and devoted he
extraordinary gifts. These are the might be. This shows that
ornaments of their high rank and spiritual wonders, that is to say,
are the beauty of their knowledge of the Divine and
countenance. insights, are a necessary
characteristic of the men of God
It is a part of human nature that and are special conditions for the
the awe of knowledge and true recognition of the great wonders
insights affects it most, and truth of the faith.
and understanding are dearer to it
than everything else. If it were These conditions are bestowed in
supposed that a pious person is a complete and perfect manner
granted visions, is given upon those who follow the Holy
knowledge of hidden matters, Qur’an to the full. Despite the

fact that many of them are not bestowed on the perfect

learned and are not well versed in followers of the Holy Qur’an as
current subjects, they are so an extraordinary gift. By
much in advance of their sinlessness, we mean that they
contemporaries in fine points and are safeguarded against unde-
knowledge of the Divine that sirable habits, thoughts, morals
very often their opponents are and actions in which other people
surprised on hearing their are involved day and night. If
speeches, or on reading their they happen to make a slip
writings, and are forced to Divine mercy soon sets them
confess that their knowledge and right. It is obvious that the station
insights belong to another world of sinlessness is very delicate and
and bear the colour of Divine is altogether at a distance from
support. One proof of this is that the demands of the self that
if anyone, who is opposed to incites to evil, and that its
them, seeks to compare their acquisition is not possible
speeches on subjects relating to without special Divine attention.
the Divine with anyone else’s
speech, he is forced to confess, For instance, if an average
provided he is just and honest, person is asked that he should
that truth resided in their absolutely avoid telling a lie in
speeches. As the discussion every one of his affairs,
proceeds and becomes deeper, statements, professions and
many fine arguments emerge occupations, it becomes difficult
which would establish their and impossible for him. Even if
being in the right, like a bright he makes every effort towards
day. We are ready ourselves to this, he is met with so many
furnish proof of this to every obstructions that in the end it
seeker after truth. becomes his principle that in the
affairs of the world it is
Another of these bounties is impossible to avoid falsehood.
sinlessness, which is also termed But for those fortunate ones, who
Divine protection. This is also seek to follow the guidance of

the Holy Qur’an with true love moment. This bounty of

and eager determination, not protection which is bestowed
only is it made easy that they upon them is also not without
should avoid telling lies, but they proof. An intelligent person can
are also granted strength to give satisfy himself in respect of it
up everything undesirable. God after keeping company with them
Almighty, by His perfect mercy, for a short while.
safeguards them on all ill
occasions that would lead them Another great bounty is trust in
to ruin, for they are the light of God on which they are firmly
the world and in their security established. This pure spring is
lies the security of the world, and not available to anyone besides
their ruin means the ruin of the them, but is made pleasant and
world. For this reason they are agreeable for them. The light of
safeguarded in respect of every understanding lends them such
thought, knowledge and support that very often without
understanding, wrath and pas- there being any resources and
sion, fear and greed, constriction finding themselves far away
and prosperity, joy and sorrow, from normal means, they lead
and hardship and ease, from all such cheerful lives and pass their
unworthy actions, corrupt days in such prosperity, that it is
thoughts, wrong knowledge, as if they possessed thousands of
improper conduct, misguided treasures. Their countenances
reflections and every excess of display the freshness of wealth
their ego. They do not take their and the steadfastness of the rich.
stand on anything undesirable, They have perfect trust in their
for God Almighty makes Lord in times of hardship, with
Himself responsible for their cheerful heart and complete
training and whenever He certainty. They are given to
observes a dry branch in their sacrifice and the service of
pure tree, He cuts it off with His people is their habit. Even if the
benevolent hand. Divine support whole world were to become
watches over them every members of their family, they

would feel no constraint. They reality of their life. A wonderful

are grateful to God Almighty, love of the True Beloved surges
Who covers up their short- up in their hearts and an
comings on every occasion. They extraordinary affection and
are taken into the protection of eagerness takes possession of
the Divine before an unbearable their pure hearts, which cuts
calamity descends upon them, them off altogether from all
for God is their Guardian in all others; and the fire of Divine
circumstances, as He has said love is so lit up in them that on
Himself: special occasions it becomes
palpably perceptible to those
Truly, my Protector is Allah who keep company with them. It
Who has revealed the Book. becomes impossible for them to
And He protects the adopt any design or strategy to
righteous. keep it hidden, just as it is
(Ch.7:V.197) impossible for worldly lovers to
hide their love for their beloved
Others are left to face the painful from their companions and
pursuit of worldly objects, and associates whom they yearn to
the extraordinary treatment that see day and night. The love that
is accorded to these people is not penetrates their talk, and their
accorded to anyone else. This looks, and their eyes, and their
characteristic of theirs can also appearance, and their nature, and
be proved very soon by keeping is manifested in every particle of
company with them. their being, cannot be kept secret.
Whatever they might do, some
Another bounty is the personal sign of it is betrayed.
love of God on which the perfect
followers of the Holy Qur’an are The greatest sign of their
established. Love of God so sincerity is that they prefer their
saturates every particle of their Beloved to everything else, and
existence that it becomes the if they experience any hardships,
essence of their being and the they view them as bounties on

account of their overpowering

love, and torment becomes for
them a sweet drink. No sharp
sword can bring about separation
between them and their Beloved
and no great calamity can
restrain them from His
remembrance. They regard it as
their very life, and find all their
Love is what makes one roll
joy in it, and deem its existence
in the dust out of disgrace.
as their own existence and
Love is what makes one sit in
consider it as the purpose of their
the scorching fire.
lives. They are fond only of Him
No one offers his head, or
and find comfort only in Him.
sacrifices his life for someone
They have only Him in the world
else,
and become wholly His. They
Love alone makes one
live for Him and die for Him.
perform this task with utmost
They are in the world but are
sincerity.
outside the world; and possessing
self, they are selfless. They have
Another bounty is high moral
no concern with honour, name,
qualities like generosity, bravery,
life or comfort. They lose
sacrifice, high resolve, com-
everything for the sake of the
passion, forbearance, modesty
One and give up everything to
and friendship. All these
find Him. They are consumed by
qualities are displayed by them in
an unperceived fire and cannot
the best manner, and through the
explain why they are consumed.
blessing of the following of the
They are deaf and dumb to every
Holy Qur’an they manifest them
admonition, and are ready to
with fidelity till the end of their
endure every hardship and
lives, and no constraint can
disgrace, and find their delight
restrain them from exhibiting
therein.
these qualities. The truth is that

every good quality, whether love with which high moral

intellectual or relating to conduct qualities are manifested by them,
or morals, which is manifested are not equalled anywhere in the
by man, is not manifested by world. Everyone can make a
human power. The true cause of claim and can boast of himself,
its manifestation is the Grace of but these are the only people who
God. As these people are the can pass safely through the
recipients of the Grace of God narrow door of experience.
more than anyone else, God
Almighty bestows all good Such good qualities as are
qualities upon them through His manifested by other people are
endless grace. In other words, no shown artificially by hiding their
one is truly good except God deficiencies and their diseases.
Almighty and all high moral They display a false culture and
qualities and all virtues centre in their reality is exposed on the
Him. Then to the degree to which occasion of every little test. They
a person, discarding his self and import artificiality and make
his will, acquires nearness to the believe in the exercise of moral
Being Who is All Good, to that qualities in order to maintain
degree Divine qualities are good order in their way of life; if
reflected in his soul. Thus, all the they were to follow on all
good qualities and true culture occasions their inner defi-
that a person acquires proceed ciencies, their way of life would
from his nearness to God. That is be upset. Though they carry a
as it should be, for creatures are seed of good qualities according
nothing in themselves. Thus, the to their natural capacity, it is
reflection of Divine moral suppressed under the thorns of
qualities is manifested in the the desires of their ego. It is not
hearts of those who follow the manifested purely for the sake of
Holy Qur’an perfectly. God and is mixed up with selfish
Experience can show that the desires and cannot attain to
pure behaviour, and the spiritual perfection.
eagerness, and the upsurge of

This seed develops into meekness. They appreciate as

perfection purely for the sake of their true reality humility and
God only in those people who are poverty and indigence, and being
devoted wholly to God and full of faults and mistakes. They
whose souls are filled by God deem the excellences that are
with His own pure qualities, as bestowed on them like the
they are empty of everything temporary light which the sun
beside God. He makes those high casts upon a wall, and which has
qualities as dear to their hearts as no real relationship with the wall,
they are dear to Him. Through and is subject to decline like a
their devotion, they acquire such borrowed garment. They confine
a high rank of adorning all good and excellence in God,
themselves with Divine qualities and deem His Perfect Being as
that they become an instrument the fountainhead of all good. By
in the hands of God through the observation of Divine
which He manifests His own qualities, their hearts are filled
qualities. Finding them hungry with the certainty that they
and thirsty, He gives them to themselves are nothing, so that
drink of pure water from His they are wholly lost to their own
special spring in which no existence, desires and designs.
creature, in its own right, is His The surging ocean of the majesty
partner. of the Divine so envelops their
hearts that they experience a
Another great bounty that is thousand types of nothingness,
bestowed on the perfect and they are wholly cleansed and
followers of the Holy Qur’an is purified of the least suspicion of
the state of complete submission associating anything with God.
to God. Despite their own
excellences, they keep an eye on Another bounty is that their
their deficiencies and, in the understanding and recognition of
presence of the greatness of God God are carried to completion
Almighty, pass all their time in and perfection through true
humility, nothingness and visions, inner knowledge, clear

revelation, converse with God self-obvious. It is quite clear that

and other supernatural expe- beyond the stage of observation
riences, so much so that between and reflection, there is the stage
them and the second world is left of self evidence and certainty.
only a thin and transparent veil Matters that are discovered
across which they behold the through observation and
facts of the other life in this very reflection may become self-
world. Other people cannot obvious and self-displaying
arrive at this perfect stage through some other means. Thus,
because their books are full of the stage of self-obviousness is
darkness and pile up hundreds of possible according to reason, and
other veils on top of their own though Brahmu Samajists deny
veils and cause their disease to its existence they admit that if it
grow till they arrive at death. is found externally it would
Even the philosophers, who are doubtless be higher and more
in these days followed by the perfect, and that the deficiencies
Brahmu Samajists and the whole that are left in observation and
of whose religion depends upon reflection would be filled only at
reason, are deficient in their way. that stage.
Their deficiency is disclosed by
the fact that their understanding, Everyone can understand that a
because of a hundred types of matter being established as self-
mistakes, does not travel beyond obvious is a higher and more
perceptible reason and conj- perfect stage than the stage of
ectures. reflection. For instance, though
by observation of the creation a
It is obvious that a person, whose wise and good-natured person
understanding is confined to the can think that all this should have
visible and is subject to many a Creator, yet the obvious and
mistakes, occupies a very low bright way of Divine under-
intellectual position in contrast standing, which is a strong
with one whose understanding argument in support of His
has arrived at the stage of the existence, is that His creatures

receive revelation, and before the mountains of endurance and

end of the reality of things is steadfastness. In the same
disclosed they are made aware of manner, he is taught high degrees
it, and God responds to their of knowledge and understanding
supplications. God holds and hidden mysteries, and deep
converse with them, the facts of fine points are communicated to
the after-life are revealed to them him which cannot be discovered
in visions, they are informed of without special Divine teaching.
the true reality of reward and If someone asks how can all
punishment, and many other these matters, concerning which
types of mysteries relating to the it is said that they are acquired by
life after death are disclosed to perfect obedience to the Holy
them. There is no doubt that all Qur’an, be established as
these matters carry certainty to a existing in effect in Islam; the
perfect and complete stage and answer is that such knowledge
carry one from the low-lying can be gained by keeping
areas of reflection to the high company with those who have
minaret of obviousness. this experience.
Converse with the Divine is the
highest experience of this type, We have stated it several times,
for through it not only does a and repeat briefly in order to
person discover hidden matters, disclose it to every opponent,
but he is also informed of all the that this great wealth is found in
favours that God bestows upon Islam and is not found in any
that humble servant, and he is other religion. For a seeker after
afforded such satisfaction truth we make ourselves
through a delicious and blessed responsible for furnishing proof
converse and is informed of the of it. If a person who is inspired
pleasure of God Almighty in by goodwill desires to carry out a
consequence of which he is research with patience and
bestowed great strength for steadfastness, these matters can
combating the evil attractions of be disclosed to him according to
the world. He is bestowed his capacity and ability, if he will

keep company with us. exposition of all true insights is

(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani contained in it. There is no point
Khaza’in, Vol. 1, pp. 532-545, of the knowledge of the Divine
sub-footnote 31) which might be disclosed at any
time in the future, which has
The Holy Qur’an, on which been left out of it.
depends obedience to the Holy
Prophet(saw), is a Book by The covert way is that following
following which signs of it truly, man, being purified
salvation are manifested in this wholly of inner vices, establishes
very world. That is the only a relationship with the Lord on
Book which, through overt and High and the lights of his
covert means, perfects defective acceptance by God begin to
souls and delivers them from descend upon him. He is so
doubts and suspicions. encircled by Divine favours that
when he supplicates God in times
The overt way is that its of difficulty, God Almighty
statements are so comprehensive responds to him through His
of verities and fine points that it perfect mercy and compassion.
refutes, through reasonable Sometimes it happens that when
arguments, all the doubts which he is surrounded by his
prevent people from reaching difficulties and sorrows, even if
God, and being involved in he supplicates a thousand times,
which, hundreds of false sects he receives a loving response
are flourishing and hundreds of from his Gracious Lord every
false doctrines are occupying the time in eloquent, delicious and
hearts of misguided people. All blessed words. Divine revelation
the light of the true and perfect descends upon him like rain and
teaching, which is needed for the he finds his heart so filled with
darkness of the present age, the love of God as a transparent
shines forth in it like the sun, and glass phial is filled with a
the remedy for all the ills of the delicate perfume. He is bestowed
soul is set out in it and the such pure delight of affection and

eagerness which, breaking the Prophet(saw), to witness the truth

strong chains of his ego, pulls of our statements with his own
him out of this smoky condition eyes. If he turns to us with a
and bestows new life upon him sincere heart for the achievement
every moment with the cool and of this purpose, we would be
comforting breezes of the True ready, trusting in the grace and
Beloved. Even before his death, bounty of God, to point out the
he witnesses the Divine favours way to him, but both the grace of
for witnessing which other God and personal capacity would
people set their hopes on the life be needed.
after death.
It should be borne in mind that
All these bounties do not depend true salvation is like good health.
upon any monastic exercises or As good health is a condition in
discipline, but are bestowed in which all the signs of health
consequence of following the should be apparent and there
Holy Qur’an and every true should be no disorder affecting
seeker can achieve them. For health, in the same way true
their achievement, however, salvation is that which shows the
perfect love of the Holy signs of the attainment of
Prophet(saw) is a condition. In salvation. That which is proved
consequence of the love of to exist should exhibit the effects
Allah’s Prophet(saw), a person and conditions of such existence,
partakes of these lights according for without these effects and
to his capacity which have been conditions its existence cannot be
bestowed in their perfection on established. As we have pointed
the Holy Prophet(saw). Thus, there out several times, for the
is no better way for a seeker after establishment of salvation the
truth than to embrace this faith conditions are that withdrawal
through someone possessing towards God and the supremacy
insight and understanding and, of the love of God should reach
by following the Divine Word such a perfect stage that, through
and developing love of the Holy the company and attention and

prayers of that person, these should possess the requisite

qualities should be produced in ability. Such people are not
other persons also who possess recognised only through their
the capacity. In his own personal prophecies, but through their
condition, his insight should be treasures of understanding, their
so illumined that his blessings extraordinary trust, their perfect
should be self-obvious in the sincerity, their steadfastness,
sight of a seeker after truth; and their love of God, their eager-
he should possess all the ness, their extreme humility, the
specialities and be honoured with purity of their souls, their
the converse of the Divine which discarding the love of the world,
are the signs of those who are the numberless blessings which
close to God. descend upon them like rain,
their having the support of God,
No one should be misled by the their matchless steadfastness,
prophecies of astrologers and their fidelity of a high degree,
soothsayers, and it should be their peerless righteousness and
remembered that these people purity, their grand resolve and the
have no relationship with the expansion of their minds.
lights and blessings of the men of
God. We have written before, Prophecies are not their true
that human instruments have no purpose. The purpose of their
relationship with powerful pro- prophecies is that by mentioning
phecies and benevolent promises in advance the blessings that are
which are the very truth and about to descend upon them, and
which convey the good news of upon those connected with them,
victory and help and majesty and they should assure people that
honour. God Almighty has they are the objects of special
bestowed such natures upon men attention from God. The com-
of God that their looks, company, munications that they receive
attention and prayers possess the from God are intended as a
qualities of a sovereign remedy, conclusive and certain proof of
provided that the beneficiary their truth and their being from

God. Those people on whom things like antidotes, etc. for

these holy blessings are diverse types of pains and
bestowed in abundance are such disorders and has invested these
concerning whom the law of remedies from the beginning
Divine power of eternal wisdom with the characteristic that when
has determined that their a diseased person, whose illness
doctrines should be true and has not gone beyond remedy,
pure, and that they should be uses these medicines with proper
established in the true faith, and care, the Absolute Healer
should have a strong relationship bestows to some degree health
with God, and should be and strength upon the patient
completely withdrawn from the according to his capacity and
world and all that it contains. ability, or restores him fully to
health; in the same way, God
Their nature leans towards Almighty has, from eternity,
Divine lights and the true faith. It invested the pure spirits of these
would be the height of stupidity accepted ones with the
to compare their highly qualified characteristic that their attention,
selves, which comprise all prayers, companionship and high
blessings, with unfortunate astro- resolve are the remedy for
logers and soothsayers, for they spiritual ills. Their souls become
have no relationship with the recipients of diverse types of
contemptible worldly people. On grace through visions and
the contrary, they are heavenly converse with the Divine, and
lights like the sun and the moon that grace manifests a grand
and the eternal light of Divine effect for the guidance of
wisdom has created them so that mankind. In short, these men of
by coming into the world they God are a mercy for the creatures
should illumine it. It should be of God.
borne in mind that as God has
created certain remedies for As it is the Divine law of nature
physical illnesses and has in this world of causes and
brought into the world excellent effects that a thirsty one slakes

his thirst by drinking water, and a

hungry one satisfies the pangs of Verse references to the Holy Qur’an
hunger by eating food, in the item count ‘Bismillah...’ (In the
Name of Allah...) as the first verse of
same way, by Divine law each Chapter. In some non-standard
Prophets and their perfect texts, this is not counted and should
followers become the means of the reader refer to such texts, the
the healing of spiritual ills. verse quoted in The Review of
Religions will be found at one verse
Hearts obtain satisfaction in their less than the number quoted.
company, defects of humanness
are reduced, darknesses of the In this journal, for the ease of non-
ego are dissipated, eagerness of Muslim readers, ‘(saw)’ or ‘saw’
after the words, ‘Holy Prophet’, or
love for the Divine surges up, the name ‘Muhammad’, are used.
and heavenly blessings are They stand for ‘Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa
manifested. Without them, none sallam’ meaning ‘Peace and
of this can be achieved and these blessings of Allah be upon him’.
Likewise, the letters ‘(as)’ or ‘as’
are their special signs by which after the name of all other prophets is
they are recognised. So ponder an abbreviation meaning ‘Peace be
over this matter and be not upon him’ derived from ‘Alaihis
heedless. salatu wassalam’ which are words
that a Muslim utters out of respect
(Barahin-e-Ahmadiyyaa, Ruhani whenever he or she comes across that
Khaza’in, Vol.I, pp.345-356, sub- name. The abbreviation ‘ra’ or (ra)
footnote 2] stands for ‘Radhiallahu Ta’ala anhu
and is used for Companions of a
Prophet, meaning Allah be pleased
with him or her (when followed by the
relevant Arabic pronoun). Finally, ‘ru’
or (ru) for Rahemahullahu Ta’ala
means the Mercy of Allah the Exalted
be upon him.
In keeping with current universal

practice, local transliterations of
names of places are preferred to their
anglicised versions, e.g. Makkah
instead of Mecca, etc.

Veil is an Islamic
Commandment
English rendering of an address by the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya
community, Mirza Masroor Ahmad, given at the Annual Lajna Imaillah UK 2006
Ijtima (gathering) rendered into English by Shermeen Butt.
Today you have gathered here to girls, older girls and ladies gather
hold your Ijtima, today being its at a location for the sole purpose
concluding day. These Ijtimas are that being in a purely religious
held for the purpose of providing and spiritual environment, they
an opportunity to Ahmadi ladies wish to participate in pro-
and girls to sit together for grammes and wish to spend time
religious education and training and actually do spend time.
by listening to educational and
reformative speeches and In the current time, if any woman
instructions so that they may joins an assembly purely for the
overcome their inner weaknesses. sake of Allah, for these virtuous
Younger and older girls may also objectives, it is the Ahmadi
get the opportunity, along with woman.
reformation, to further enhance
their educational prowess by Therefore, always be mindful of
participating in various educa- this status of yours. Benefit from
tional activities. Here a specific the educational and spiritual
environment is provided in which repast that you have obtained
they may identify more and better from here and are still obtaining;
ways for their improvement and for in it lies your salvation, in it is
ponder over this matter. The the salvation of your next
future generation of a nation is generations and in it is the honour
never wasted nor does it ever and salvation of your families.
experience decline when little

VEIL IS AN ISLAMIC COMMANDMENT
One should never be selfish and beloved Prophet Muhammad(saw)

only concerned about oneself, If ever, for any reason, we lapse
one’s own needs, and one’s own in remembering these matters,
feelings. Rather one should also then, whenever we are reminded
be concerned about others and of them, we should respond in
should make sacrifices for the the manner that God’s good
needs of others. One should also people do, about whom Allah the
consider the feelings of others Exalted states:
and not just be aware of one’s
own honour, but instead always And those who, when they are
be mindful of the honour of one’s reminded of the Signs of their
family and the community. Lord, fall not deaf and blind
thereat.
One should also be always (Ch.25:Vs.74)
mindful that ‘my’ God is All-
Seeing, Who watches over me at Certainly an Ahmadi woman,
all time, that I have an All- who has a core of goodness in
Knowing, All-Aware God Whose her heart that has so far kept her
deep sight has knowledge of my firm on Ahmadiyyat and who is a
inner-most recesses. He is aware personification of sincerity, who
of everything about me and that has a devotion for faith, who has
is why nothing can stay hidden a connection of love and
from Him. He has sight of affection with the Ahmadiyya
everything and He is aware of Khilafat, does not respond like
everything, He is aware of every the deaf and the blind when she
single moment of mine, be it is advised and counselled
overt or covert. So when you providing that she is a true
declare that you are an Ahmadi Ahmadi – and this is what is
Muslim woman, you should expected of each Ahmadi when
always be mindful that you need she is advised. So, as I have just
to constantly focus on those said the outlook of each Ahmadi
matters that Allah the Exalted should be that she has have to
conveyed to us through His focus on the matters that Allah

and His Prophet(saw) have taught It may cross someone’s mind that
us. In this is the identity and ‘we are free’, especially in this
dignity of a believer. You make environment, in today’s society
your pledge but always be everywhere. Well, remember that
mindful of this pledge. When the you are free up to a limit.
Holy Prophet(saw) took the pledge However, as far as the
of allegiance from women, he commandments of the Shariah
included some additional matters are concerned, you are not free.
for women in it compared to the If you have joined the com-
pledge of allegiance by men. munity then you are bound, in
This is mentioned in the Holy any case, by the conditions,
Qur’an where it draws attention which are essential for an
to avoid shirk (associating Ahmadi.
partners with Allah) and avoid
wickedness, it draws attention You see, in the time of the Holy
towards moral training of Prophet(saw) when these ladies
children and it is stated: took the pledge of allegiance the
society was totally free. It had no
...nor disobey thee in what is rule of law and exceeded the
right…(Ch.60:Vs.13) present age in vices. There was a
lack of education; there were just
There is no compulsion by Allah a handful of people educated to
the Exalted that the pledge an elementary level. There was
should be taken from everyone. no concept of the existence of
However, if they become Muslim God, they only knew idols. They
then it is obligatory to abide by had no idea of an All Seeing, All-
the conditions that are essential Knowing and All-Aware God.
for coming into the fold of Islam. However, when they took the
The Promised Messiah(as) also pledge of allegiance they brought
enjoined the same to women about a revolution in their lives.
whenever taking the pledge of Having come out of the darkness
allegiance from them. of ignorance and having gained

knowledge, it was a woman who When the Muslims retreated in

became the means of spreading the Battle of Uhud, it was the
the light of knowledge. Fulfilling women who played an
all the requisites of pardah (veil), exemplary role for the honour of
matters of faith were taught to the faith and for the love of the
the high and the mighty and this Holy Prophet(saw). They were a
seal of authority was attained model of sincerity. This bravery,
from the Holy Prophet(saw) when courage, knowledge and sincer-
he said that if you wish to acquire ity was inspired by following the
one half of the knowledge of teaching of Islam and by
faith, learn it from Ayesha. practising it in their daily lives.
Therefore, always remember that
History mentions a lady by the if you selflessly adopt the
name of Hadhrat Khaula who set teaching of your faith and try and
an example in the battlefield. follow all the commandments of
Maintaining the sanctity of her Allah, and concentrate on the
pardah (veil), she displayed great worship of Allah, honour of faith
courage and bravery and freed and sincerity will be inculcated
her imprisoned brother from the in you and you will be free from
Roman army. When Madinah all sorts of complexes. If you do
was attacked by the disbelievers, not, then having submerged
the men dug up a ditch and thus yourself in the razzle-dazzle of
protected the town. The women this world you will be lost like
took the responsibility of the materialistic people.
protection of the homes and
when the Jews sent one of their So, just as the women of the time
men to spy and find out from of the Holy Prophet(saw) brought
which direction they could about a revolution in themselves
attack, no man came to contend in that they became true
with this spy, but it was a woman Muslims, became muminaat
who thrashed him, tied him up (believing women), became
and threw him out. qanitaat (obedient women),
became ta’ibaat (women who are

pure and chaste), became abidaat reach them. Mothers should

(devout women who worship reflect on and assess themselves;
Allah); you too have to follow in in this way you can improve
their footsteps and in following yourself as well as reform the
in their footsteps you will have to next generation and can morally
adhere to the teaching of Islam. If train them in a good manner.
you do not adhere to it then you
cannot be acknowledged as Today society is attacking Islam
Muslims. If you do not from all directions; today each
strengthen your faith and do not Ahmadi little girl, each older girl
protect yourself from the ills of and each woman needs to
the society then you cannot be actively participate in its defence
called muminaat (believers). If just as the women of earlier times
you do not set high examples of did. Otherwise you will be held
obedience then you cannot be accountable over what you did
called qanitaat and if you do not about the task that was entrusted
focus on worship of God at all to you and as to your claims and
time, then you cannot be called your actions.
ta’ibaat and abidaat.
Today Islam is being attacked
Therefore self-reflect on what with reference to women. The
you claim and what you actually great issue that is being raised
do, carry out some self- these days is that of hijab, scarf
assessment. Always have the or burqa. No matter what lengths
objective of the creation of man men go to in order to explain and
in the forefront of your mind. clarify why there is pasrdah
Seeking of Allah’s pleasure (veil) in Islam, no matter how
should be your goal, set out great many justifications they present,
big targets and goals for yourself; if anyone can rightly and
identify those high objectives correctly respond to this, it is a
that you need to move towards. practising and pious Ahmadi
Once you have big targets in woman. So, rather than being
sight, you will truly endeavour to entangled in any sort of complex,

convey this like a courageous may say in future that your attire
Ahmadi woman to your is not quite right, do not wear
surroundings and your society shalwar and kameez, wear
with your practice and in dresses or jeans or a long skirt or
practical terms and rationale, something like that, because we
saying that this Qur’anic have an objection. Then there
commandment is for our respect will be further objection and they
and is there to restore our esteem could say wear shorter dresses,
and is not an imprisonment. wear mini skirts and then finally
go naked.
Note the state of these people!
On the one hand they object These people have no right to
against Islam that it compels and trifle with the honour of any
is harsh and on the other hand woman. It is you who have to
they themselves interfere in the respond to them in that. Who are
personal matters of others. If a they to interfere in the private
woman wishes to take a [head] matters of others? It should be
scarf, wishes to wear hijab, what conveyed to them that this too is
problem do they have? Currently a matter of denying one’s
the majority of Muslim women freedom. One’s clothes are a
who have not accepted the personal matter. Why are they
Promised Messiah(as), with no trying to deny one the freedom of
practical remnants of faith, do choice of clothes? However, as
not observe pardah (veil). Islam they are in government and have
does not penalise them in any power and are in authority, they
way, there is no law to punish consider their unwarrantable and
them. However, what right have foolish point of view as great
people of other religions to opine wisdom.
that laws should be made against
the observance of pardah (veil), Be prepared! The Ahmadi
of [head] scarf, head covering of woman has to maintain her
those who do so in compliance honour as well as respond to each
with religious teaching? They of such objections.

Why do some women, despite going to obey the basic Qur’anic

being Ahmadis, suffer from commandment.
some complex or the other?
Someone has informed that a Even when you join a worldly
woman said that if my daughter club, its membership has its own
does not wear a scarf or wears rules and regulations, and if these
jeans and other such clothes, do are not complied with, one’s
not say anything to her, she is membership is terminated. Faith
most decent. How is she decent? is a bond with God, it’s a pledge
She does not befriend boys, she of allegiance and if you act
is independent and knows what is against its obvious and clear
good for her and what is not. teaching and refuse to practise its
Well, this is tantamount to teaching and if you or your
damaging the moral training of daughter has the right not to
children. Today if she does not observe pardah (veil) then I too
befriend boys it could happen have the right, borne out of the
tomorrow. Today if she is not right you have, to expel such
involved in any bad habit, then noncompliant [people] from the
taking advantage of the freedom Community. I would be doing so
she has, she may get involved in because of the commandment of
something bad. If she is Allah and for this reason no one
independent, knows what is good should have any complaint.
and bad for her and is
independent in the matter that Here I advise the administration
she does not have to observe that the first step in this should be
pardah (veil) according to to review that no girl, no woman,
Islamic teaching then the who does not observe pardah
Community too is free. The (veil) is an office-holder. If there
administration of the Community is no pardah (veil) – observing
is also free. The Khalifa of the person in a majlis (branch) then
day possesses the right, more such a majlis should be attached
than the rest, to expel from the to a nearby neighbouring majlis
Community those who are not or if it has someone who has little

knowledge but observes pardah women who is also a teacher said

(veil), work should be entrusted that as far as her job is concerned
to her. If there is no one who she covers her head in school
practises pardah (veil) according because she does not wish to
to the Islamic commandment – impart to the children that she
that is covering the head and the has a hypocritical attitude and
hair – and there is no has double standards in that
neighbouring majlis then such a children would see her with a
majlis should be closed down scarf outside and would wonder
altogether. I am hopeful however why she does not wear it in the
that this frightening situation, the school. In any case pardah (veil)
worst case scenario of which I is an Islamic commandment. In a
have mentioned, would not exist discussion it was mentioned that
anywhere, Insha Allah. one of our teachers of small
children does not cover her head
With the grace of Allah the in school. That is fine, there is no
Community has numerous ladies harm where the children are
who excel in piety. If not among young and there are women
the older women then I notice around, one does not have to
that from among young women cover one’s head. However, it is
there are those who are free from possible that the young woman
hypocrisy, who do not indulge in who said that she covers her head
any form of hypocrisy. There are in the school as well has older
some who have been affected by children in the school.
their home environment but there
are many others who are firm on Anyway pardah (veil) is an
piety more than their elders. Islamic commandment as well as
They try and observe hijab. A the dignity of an Ahmadi woman
programme has been made for and young woman and it is their
MTA [Muslim Television sanctity as well. The sanctity of
Ahmadiyya] which has not been the Ahmadi woman is upheld
shown yet but I was watching the through this and it is essential to
recording. In it one of our young maintain it. However, remember

that along with the scarf, the not, then the door is open, as I
lower garment should also be said, whoever wishes to leave,
loose because the commandment may do so.
is that beauty not be displayed.
Some young women outside the I do not understand; what is the
Community can be seen with the reason for this complex, what is
scarf, perhaps as a reaction to it, why is it? There are the local
why they are prevented from British women. Elsewhere in
wearing it, but they wear jeans Europe they become Ahmadis as
and blouse. There is no point in well. There are young women
this pardah (veil). This is coming in the fold of the
hypocrisy. Pardah (veil) should Community. They have started
be such that it is a covering and is waering the scarf and have started
dignified as well. covering their heads. However,
some among you suffer from an
I have been informed that some inferiority complex. A young
women were sitting somewhere English woman came to meet me
and an office-holder said to the who has recently become an
other that due to the current state Ahmadi. She would not have
of affairs they should now been used to the scarf or hijab,
somewhat relax their pardah yet she was wearing a decent
(veil), that so much severity hijab. These people are accepting
should not be maintained. That is this beautiful teaching to put it in
fine, you may relax, just as I said practice while some of our ladies
before, they may exercise their are prone to inferiority complex.
right and I will exercise my right. What more other than Inna lillah
It cannot be that you go on can be said on this!
exercising your right but tell me
that I should not exercise my If someone entertains the thought
right. Regardless, I have to put that with this kind of strictness
into effect the commandment the Community will decrease,
which Allah the Exalted has that people will start fleeing the
given us in the Holy Qur’an. If Community, then remember that

the Community will never who are coming in from these

decrease. Even if all such women nations I say do not look up to
leave it is Allah’s promise and in those who are born into
accordance to it He will grant Ahmadiyyat yet do not want to
new people. The British women abide by the Islamic teaching.
who have joined are very sincere You should come forward and be
and in future too you will see that models for these people. Come
it will be from these people that forward and spread the beauty
love will exude. They will love and merits of Islam and
Islam and Islamic teaching. There Ahmadiyyat in this environment.
are many others, like the one I
just mentioned who met me Pardah (veil) and modesty has
yesterday, who are present here in always been the teaching of each
front of me who have become religion in each age. The
Ahmadi of their own accord and Qur’anic mention of the two
have gone on to develop in their women of Mosaic time who
Ahmadiyyat. Here you have your stood to one side and did not take
Sadr Sahiba. She too is not a their animals to drink water did
Pakistani, she is German. But she so out of modesty in that they
observes pardah (veil), wears would go forward when men
burqa and does not have any would be done. Consider chastity
complex. a part of faith and that is what we
have been taught. Christian
So, as I said this lady is probably women used to cover up in early
an office-holder who wants days. They wore modest clothes.
relaxation in pardah (veil). The The Bible mentions the teaching
fact is, the way I understand it is, of pardah (veil) in many places.
basically she wishes to object to If today the Christians do not
my being strict about pardah observe pardah (veil), and you
(veil). People like these who are being influenced by them,
speak in ambiguous words, are well, they are forgetting their
hypocritical! Take hold of religion. If they remembered
yourself. To the new Ahmadis their faith and practised it then

many evils which are now com- ‘Any man who prays or
mon among these people would prophesies with anything on
end. Here I will give a few his head, he disgraces his
references from the Bible for the head, but any woman who
satisfaction of those who have a prays or prophesies with her
complex, you might have heard head unveiled disgraces her
these before, but here they are head. It is one and the same
again. thing as having her head
shaved. For if a woman will
‘A woman must not wear not veil herself then she
man’s clothing nor a man should cut off her hair, but if
wear woman’s clothing for it is disgraceful for a woman
the Lord your God detests to have her hair cut off or to
anyone who does this.’ be shaved, she should wear a
(Deutronomy Ch.22:Vs.5) veil. For a man ought not to
have his head veiled since he
‘Favour is deceitful and is the image and reflection of
beauty is vain, but the woman God but woman is the
who feareth the Lord shall be reflection of man.’
praised.’ (Corinthians Ch.11:Vs.4-7)
(Proverbs Ch.31:Vs.30)
Whereas they object against
Then it is written: Islam, incidentally it appears that
it is they who consider men
‘I also want women to dress superior to woman for man has a
modestly with decency and status while woman has none.
propriety not with braided Anyway this was just a
hair or gold or pearls or digression and cannot be
expensive clothes but with discussed here now.
good deeds appropriate for
women who profess to Having seen all this you should
worship God.’ feel stronger. Derive greater
(Timothy Ch.2:Vs.9-10) strength in that you practice your

teachings, which are the nature, it is better for you to

beautiful teachings of Islam, cover your beauty so that you
which connect one to the Living may be protected from the
God. Whereas the Western world coveous eyes of men.
is bereft in terms of religion as it
has forgotten the guidance of its Some people also raise the
religion, you should say to them objection that earlier Khalifas
that rather than speak against us, were not so strict in terms of
write articles about us, make pardah (veil). So I shall read our
laws, give statements, pay heed some references for your
to yourself. Rather than uncover assurance.
our heads which we cover
happily, cover the heads of your The Promised Messiahas) stated:
women in accordance with your
teachings. I reiterate that rather ‘As in Europe, people are
than say that there should be urging for uncovering.
relaxation in pardah (veil) or to However, most certainly it is
say to me in ambiguous words not appropriate. This very
that I am strict in the matter of freedom in women is the
pardah (veil), get rid of your root of disobedience and
inferiority complex. Practise the indecency. Just consider the
teaching that God has given us. moral state of the countries
God has asked both men and that have allowed this kind
women to avoid what is bad. The of freedom. If due to their
teaching is for men to restrain freedom and uncovering,
their looks first before enjoining their chastity and piety have
women to do so. As compared to increased then we shall
woman, man is bolder in nature. concede that we are in the
That is why women are enjoined, wrong. However, the matter
that, although both are is clear that if man and
commanded to restrain their woman are young and there
looks and guard their private is freedom as well as an
parts, however, due to man’s absence of pardah (veil),

how dangerous their co- There is a most severe statement

mingling would be. It is in by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih
human nature to look III(ru). Listen to it attentively.
covetously and to be often During an address to Lajna in
overcome by passion of the Norway he said:
self. If even within pardah
(veil), excesses happen and ‘I ask those ladies who do
disobedience and inde- not consider [observing]
cencies committed, what pardah (veil) necessary
would happen where there is here, what service have they
freedom?’ rendered Islam by aban-
doning pardah (veil)? Today
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) some say that they should be
said in this regard: allowed not to observe
pardah (veil) here. Next
‘The pardah (veil) according they will say that they
to the Shariah which is should be allowed to bathe
confirmed through the Holy in the sea and lie on the sand
Qur’an is that a woman’s unclothed. Next they will
hair, neck and face including say that permission should
the ears are covered. Pardah be given to procreate before
(veil) can be observed in marriage. I shall say then be
compliance with this com- prepared to enter Hell. Put
mandment, in accordance yourself right before Allah’s
with local situation and wrath descends.’
clothing in different
countries.’ Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru)
said:
He then says:
‘I felt that in most parts of
‘The entire part upwards of the world pardah (veil) is
the joint of the hand is disappearing as if it never
included in pardah (veil)’ existed. The resultant, most

horrific destruction stands belong to old times, that they

staring the nation in the face are crazy, have gone mad,
and there is no awareness of for this is not the age for
this destruction. Parents, burqa! Men too are troubled
with their misdeeds and by this although they forget
negligence, are casting the that self-respect and respect
next generation in a social from others is borne out of
hell and there is no one who one’s own character and
cares for them. This clothes have no significance
situation is getting so critical in respect of the world. If
in the entire world that I one has high character one’s
thought if the Ahmadis do respect is generated and this
not take on the banner for respect should at first be
the defence of Islam most generated in one’s own self.’
promptly in their hands, the
matter could exceed all He also said:
limits.’
“Girls who are brought up
He also said: here [this is a London
sermon or address to Lajna]
‘Then there are ladies who are mentally confused. They
have to go out but they go think that it is outdated to
out with make-up on. What cover one’s hair and is a
relevance has make-up with huge backwardness. For this
work/employment?’ reason they move towards
Allah half-heartedly rather
He said: than whole-heartedly. In
actual fact they are saying
‘Women think that in this that ‘O God accept us in this
world where pardah (veil) is way alone. We have a
diminishing, if they go to dupatta (scarf) on but it is
their friends wearing burqa, the way that Jews wear their
they will say that they skull cap (the kippah).

Please accept this incom- have read out the statements of

plete step in Your direction’. all the previous Khalifas. Those
If you do every-thing for the of you who had this mis-
sake of God then all this is understanding and suspicion in
inappro-priate. Remember their minds, even if it was in the
that the most attractive mind of just one person, it should
feature of a woman is her be removed.
hair, in particular when it
falls to the front. I have Secondly, in certain situations
observed some girls pull one Khalifa lays stress on one
their dupatta on the heads in issue while the other on another
a way that makes the hair issue. Therefore to maintain that
fall to the front.’ an earlier Khalifa said this about
this matter and you should also
He also said: do the same is restricting
Khilafat and is discourteous to it.
‘Consider whether you care It shows that you made your
more about Allah the bai’at (pledge) only under
Exalted or people.’ pressure of the society, parental
pressure, pressure from husband
So these were the statements by or pressure from children and
the Promised Messiah(as) and that it is not from your heart. If it
various Khalifas. This notion has was from your heart then the
developed among certain people pledge you make to obey all
that such and such Khalifa did good decisions would be
not say so and such and such apparent to you and you would
Khalifa is saying it. The first never have cause to say why is
thing is that you are making this decision made and why is
negative conjectures about not that decision made.
Khalifas without knowledge,
implying that, God forbid, they Let me make it clear once again
did not want to implement that if you wish to be associated
Allah’s basic commandments. I with the Community of the

Promised Messiah(as) – I partic- Allah’s pleasure by adhering to

ularly address those few people His commandments for therein is
here who say such things – then inner peace for you and the
adherence to the Holy Qur’an salvation of your future
and the clear commandments of generations.
the Holy Prophet(saw) will be
required. Then, just as the I hope that each honourable
Promised Messiahas said, Ahmadi woman whose heart has
duplicity will not do; either fear ever entertained the slightest
Allah or fear people. doubt about any Divine
commandment shall claw it out
Today it is the requisite of each of her heart and shall join in with
Ahmadi woman’s honour that the true muslimaat, mominaat,
rather than be scared of people in qanitaat, ta’ibaat and abidaat.
today’s society when hatred
against Islam is being generated, May Allah make it so. Ameen
when mischief is afoot, she
declares over and over again that
no matter how many restrictions
they may place, they cannot take
away this beautiful teaching from
our hearts, our faces and our
practice.
If you people are distancing

yourselves from religion, are
falling in the pit of destruction,
we are not prepared to fall in this
hell with you. Rather we pray
that God saves humanity from its
bad deeds and their dreadful
conclusion. Come and join us
and having joined us try and seek

PARDAH
The Garment of Taqwa
By Saliha Malik – Boston, USA
When I first became interested in In that dream was the seed to my

Islam, Pardah was the one issue I Islam. I took it as an encour-
could not accept. I thought agement from Allah. I did not
‘modern day women are liberated actually properly begin to observe
and cannot possibly present Pardah until I was given a local
themselves in this way’! I was office a few years later when I
reading books like ‘Essence of was told that anyone who holds an
Islam’ and ‘Our Teaching’ every office is expected to observe
night before I went to sleep and I Pardah. Since then I have
was entranced. If only the problem understood things about women
of Pardah could be removed! Then and myself as a woman that I
I had a dream. Because of this could not have perceived before.
dream I accepted Islam and then That journey is ongoing and I am
began my journey of Pardah. truly grateful to Allah for
Recently in a meeting with constantly putting things in my
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V, I path to keep me on my journey.
recounted this dream to him when
he commented on my Pardah. He I realised that observing Pardah,
said: ‘I wish every Ahmadi reminded me not to fall into my
woman would have this dream.’ cultural ways. It became the
My dream was very simple. It was vehicle for me to understand
that I was wearing a full Burkah myself as a woman not as a
and Hijab with veil – and I product of culture.
experienced complete peace in
that garment. In the morning I was And when it is said to them,
so surprised, both by the dream ‘Believe as other people have
and the power of the dream. I believed,’ they say, ‘Shall we
could not put it from my mind. believe as the foolish have

PARDAH – THE GARMENT OF TAQWA
believed?’ Remember! it is Pardah is so important because it

surely they that are foolish, but is the dress of Taqwa.
they do not know.”
(Ch.2:Vs.14) Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) in
his address to Lajna USA on the
This was the verse that would pop occasion of Jalsa 1991 gives the
into my mind when facing a best explanation:
struggle related to Pardah on
many an occasion. Having come ‘The dress one wears serves
from the ranks of disbelievers I two main purposes. One is in
could see both sides. Here I am relation to the wearer, the
feeling foolish, going against my other is in relation to society
own culture in my scarf and coat, in general.’
while my friends remain coolly
casual in skimpy clothing of all He explains.
kinds! They must think I’ve gone
crazy. Then Allah’s reassuring ‘The personal requirements
words: are mostly about seeking
protection from the
‘it is surely they that are the influences of climate – expo-
foolish, but they do not know.’ sure to heat and cold. They
also serve the purpose of
Why is Pardah so important? hiding one’s body to satisfy
There are many answers to this cultural and religious require-
question. We could simply say ments.
because Allah and His
Messenger (saw) have said we should In relation to society in
wear it. Or we could speak about general, it is the ego of a
chastity - it is your protection person, which is intended to
against sexual abuse. Both are be served primarily, and not
grave and powerful reasons, which her genuine personal require-
should stop us in our tracks, but ments. Most of the expenses
sadly they do not. The answer I incurred with regards to
wish to dwell upon today is – clothing relate to this pur-

pose. Those who are devoid described as the dress of

of Taqwa righteous-ness tend Taqwa.
to wear clothing of a style not
to hide their attractiveness, If you dress only to please
but to display and highlight it. people, the whole of your life
will be governed by that
The dress of Taqwa in itself dominating factor. You will
does not have any ethnic, be gradually led away into a
geographical or national materialistic pursuit of vain
identity. It is neither Arabic pleasures. But if you are
nor non-Arabic. It could be as attired in the dress of Taqwa
much European or American. then whatever you wear,
All dresses worn by the whether beautiful or not,
nations of the world could whether fashionable or not,
become the dress of Taqwa or will still have an air about it
the dresses without Taqwa. that will separate you and
The question is only decided make you distinct from
in relation to the viewing eye. ordinary society.’
If it is only for the sake of
winning human appreciation Viewed in this light the subject of
and pleasure and applause of Pardah becomes your journey
the society in general and to towards Allah. It is the garment of
show off the contours of one’s your Islam.
body, to catch the eye of the
opposite sex, then such a Taqwa – a mixture of love and
dress will continue to be fear.
denuded of all traces, colors Taqwa, which Hadhrat Khalifatul
and hues of Taqwa. But if the Masih IV(ru) describes is ‘Love,
wearer is constantly aware of which begets doubts and fears. A
her standing with God and it lover always lives in a world of
is not the human eye of which fears and premonition and doubt
she is conscious but is also about the response of his beloved’;
mindful of the sight of God, he says: ‘At every gesture of one’s
then her dress can safely be beloved one keeps wondering

whether it is a gesture of love or I realised through these and many

one of displeasure.’ other experiences when I took the
next step in Pardah, that the
On my own journey of Islam and problem is not what the others
Pardah – I view the two one and think,but that it was my own ego
the same journey, I remember that was the stumbling block! My
being prompted further on in my own ego had prevented me from
practice by feelings such as these. being true to my pledge. My
I had decided to accept Islam, and students or the others did not seem
I began observing Pardah except to care.
while I was teaching. Then one
day I imagined that Hadhrat The Journey of Pardah uncovers
Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) came into Islam
my class. I felt the true hypocrite. Now I became attached, and one
What kind of a promise had I decision led me to the next. I found
made at his hand? How was I an that as I struggled in Pardah, I
advocate of Islam in this situation? struggled against my own self.
I began to wear a loose coat in my Vanity, the need to be like the
class. others rather than stand for my own
values, fear of being criticised –
Then another time a student of these were among the stumbling
mine came into the class wearing a blocks to my progress in Pardah.
scarf and I felt jealous of her. Here
she was pleasing Allah more than The journey forces me to evaluate
I, and I was the one who wanted to my capacity to practise what I
be a companion of the Holy believe and have promised to
Prophet(saw), and I was the one who practice, to be comfortable in it and
had signed the Bai’at of the to do it out of love for Allah and
Promised Messiah(as), and my His Messenger(saw), and out of
Khalifa(ru) had explained to me obedience to the Khalifa of the
about Taqwa, and she did not time.
know. I began to wear my scarf in
the class as well. When we accept Islam, we become
refugees in a way, displaced from

our own culture. Sometimes the Turn to God. Be godly. Be

way Allah wants us to live seems armed with Taqwa and get
unattainable, because we ourselves attired in the most beautiful
are standing in the way. We need garment of taqwa and all the
courage. We have to strive against rest will be just smooth
our own ego voices. We need sailing. You will be liberated
prayers. and you will have the power
to liberate others. The society
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) here is completely enslaved
explains: by Satan. Whatever is your
concept of Satan, whether
‘So Allah tells you that when Satan pervades your inner
you appear before Him, being or speaks from without,
remember that you only go to I am referring to whatever is
Him because you love Him. wrong, and whatever is
ungodly. This society has
If this is not so, then your going been almost completely
to meet Him is meaningless. enraptured by all that is evil.
When you love Him, of course, You cannot liberate them
it is natural that you want to be without first liberating
loved in return, so make the yourselves. Allah bless you
best of yourself. Decorate and may you carry this
yourself with the quality of message in your heart and
inner beauty and loveliness, may you transform it into
which would generate love in your actions.’
the heart of your beloved God.
(Khalifatul Masih IV’s(ru) address
I hope and beg of you to wage a to Lajna Imaillah, USA, Jalsa
Holy war of Islam, not with 1991)
swords nor against human
beings, but with wisdom and
beauty and with truth against
insanity, ugliness and false-
hood.

Abraham’s(as) Great Sacrifice
Significance of the
Eid-ul-Adha
(The following is an abbreviated English version of the sermon
delivered on ‘Id-ul-Adha on February 22, 1937 by Hadhrat Khalifatul
Masih(ra) II .
‘The Id-ul-Adha reminds us of regardless of time and place, of

the sacrifice of the most tender caste, colour, creed and
sentiments of man. The principle language, of one’s learning or
of sacrifice is universal, but the ignorance. It is an astounding
sacrifice of one’s offspring is the fact of life, enduring through the
hardest of all. There may be men ages and has no other sentiment
for whom it would be easier to to equal it. Only an insane person
sacrifice their offspring than or a human outcast may be
forego their pleasures, but such devoid of it; otherwise everyone
persons are an exception, and are is possessed of it and acts in
unfit on account of their accordance with it, either merely
perverted nature to be counted because of the instinctive urge or
among human beings. The because of the desire to win the
essence of human nature may be pleasure of God.
discovered from humanity as a
whole. Ninety-nine percent of Strongest sentiment
people, rather more will be found The Id, therefore points towards
to be sacrificing themselves for sacrifice of a sentiment which is
the good of their children .The the strongest and the most
sentiment constituting man’s universal of sentiments of
solicitude for his offspring has man.Thousands of years ago,
prevailed in the human race today, Abraham(as) was com-

ABRAHAM’S(AS) GREAT SACRIFICE – SIGNIFICANCE OF EID-UL ADHIA
manded by God to sacrifice for only son to lie down on the

Him that which was held to be ground and taking up the knife in
the dearest thing by all mankind his hand, proceeded with great
and for whom fathers and zest, to do that which was
mothers of the world live their apparently against human nature,
lives. Abraham(as) got ready at but which he thought constituted
once, stopping not to enquire the highest objective of man.
whether as it appeared it was an One is simply lost in wonder at
unnatural command, being Abraham’s(as) decision. Because
against human sentiment of the remoteness of the time, a
vouchsafed by God Himself to worldly man, ignorant of
man, and whether it would not Abraham’s(as) traits of character
injure beyond retrieve, the might perhaps think him to be a
motherly feelings of one whose mad man, to be devoid of tender
hopes and love centred in that feelings, callous and heartless.
one child. Abraham(as) was This is because he got ready to
unmindful of his own feelings make a sacrifice which even the
and those of Hagar; he forgot the course nature of an ignorant
cherished hopes of his ancestors rustic would not have permitted.
who through him had yearned for But the Qur’an says that
the perpetuation of their progeny. Abraham(as) was a wise, tender-
Abraham(as) got ready to sacrifice hearted, godly person, that is the
in his old age his only son, when, least painful incident affected
humanly speaking no more issue him, brought tears to his eyes,
could have been expected – he made him sigh and rendered him
asked no questions, begged for restless. A proof of his tender-
no explanations, had not the heartedness was to be found in
slightest hesitation, nor worry for his fervently praying for the
the why and wherefore of it; as if rejecters of the Prophet Lot(as),
there was nothing extraordinary imploring to spare the people the
in the incident, or as if it was an punishment which God had
ordinary happening in the day to intended to inflict upon them,
day life of man. He asked his and desisting only when he had

the painful realisation that the sacrifice of Abraham(as) and is a

enormity of the people’s verbal admission on our part that
misdeeds had barred the door in his sacrifice we have
against all intercession. witnessed the glory and greatness
of God.
Abraham(as) therefore, was
neither mad, nor devoid of It is a pity, however, that we do
sentiment. His feelings at the not wish to realise God’s glory
time when he offered his son can and greatness in our own selves.
best be compared with the most We can very well sing aloud
tender parental feeings of the ‘Allah-o-Akbar’ and thus affirm
most loving father or mother. But the greatness of the sacrifice of
while he was so very much Abraham(as). But we do not desire
pained when he came to know that we too might do the deeds
that Lot’s(as) people would be which might for us resound with
punished by God that he spent ‘Allah-o-Akbar’ from godly
the whole night imploring the persons, echoes of which might
Almighty to spare the fill the heaven and earth just as
punishment, he did not ask any they are filled with the praises of
questions when under the Divine God sung by all objects of
command he had to sacrifice his nature. This is not something
own son. impossible. It is not that with
Abraham(as) was a real son and
When the Hajj pilgrims go from we are stepsons of God. God
the Ka’aba to Mina, chanting does not fail; it is we who fail.
‘Here I am, here I am, there is no
equal to Thee O Lord, “they In this world of ours, lovers
present a visible representation yearn for their beloveds. But the
of the readiness of Abraham(as) to world of spirit is a strange world.
abide by the command of Go. There the Beloved awaits you –
And our chanting frequently His lovers. This, however does
“Allah-o-Akbar” in Id prayers is not make Him any the poorer in
a sign of our glorification of the His Kingdom. He advances

towards you but your His Maker. Alas for such a man!
indifference does not lessen His Would that he had not been born,
greatness; for He has no defects for his life is a blot on humanity
and is above weakness of all – nay it is a shame even to the
kind. Man cannot fathom His animals, for not being gifted with
attributes, and human words reason, yet they praise their
cannot express His love which is Maker; but man being gifted with
stronger than mundane love, thinking faculties yet turns away
more tender than the delicate from Him. He is given eyes but
feelings of father and mother, he does not utilise them. He is
more fervent than the sentiment given ears but he makes no use of
of friend for friend. them; he is offered the sweet love
Notwithstanding that, man’s of the Divine Being but he
indifference does not affect Him prefers the poison of this world.
in the least; it does not lessen His Yet God does not despair of him.
greatness. He is the seeker and How great God must be for He
man the sought, yet He is greater says in His Holy Word: man
than man; man is a puny little denied My prophets yet man’s
creature, yet man turns away his denial did not make me desist
face from Him. from sending them. I send
prophets even now and shall
God’s solitude for man, however, continue to send them. Let man
is not the solitude of want but of deny them; I would not give up
compassion. His longing is not calling man; I would yet call him
the longing of weak emotion, but away to Myself for I have created
that of knowledge and kindness. man so he might serve Me; My
But man does not notice all this. paradise would be a desolate
He makes no advance towards place without its dweller. Man
Him. He is accustomed to see must enter and occupy it,
spurious and artificial kingly whether direct or through the
splendour in theatrical plays, but purgatory of Hell. Man would in
is unaware of the crown and any case have to come to Me and
robes of glory given to him by I would not leave him till I bring

him away and settle him near Light in utter devotion.

Myself.
Grant, Lord, that we might learn
True stories of History a lesson from this Id, and our
Such is our loving God. hearts might hover round the seat
Abraham(as) had a tender heart, of His Love, saying: ‘Iam here, O
but its Creator was the selfsame Lord, I am here till the Divine
God that is ours. All mercy and Light burns and consumes us –
all good is from Him. All beauty its devotees – in itself, and our
is His and all goodness comes life, becoming one with the
from, and returns to, Him. He is, Light, furnishes a clear proof of
and all else is not. No story can the Oneness and Absoluteness of
stand without a central point. As God’
long as our story revolves around
this central point, it is a true and
real story. When it breaks away
from it, it becomes fiction –
unreal and ephemeral. Try,
therefore to make your lives true We wish our
stories of history just as
Abraham’s(as) life has become a
readers a very
true and historical story. Do not happy, peaceful
remove yourself away from God
and do not thus waste away and prosperous
yourselves in small insignificant
affairs of the world. For, the life
New Year
that lasts is the real life and the
ephemeral existence of this
world is only an animal
existence. The world experiences
do not change by the death of a
person who in life does not, like
Abraham(as) go around the Divine

The Purity of the Text of the
HOLY QUR’AN PART 3
From The Review of Religions, 1907
The circumstances attending the ‘Abu Bakr did not order the
collection of the Holy Qur’an in writing of anything (i.e., any
the time of Abu Bakr(ra) also show verse) which was not already
that every verse of the Revelation written, (i.e., in the life-time
had been written down in the of the Holy Prophet(saw)), and
presence of the Holy Prophet(saw). it was for this reason that Zaid
Thus we read of two verses which hesitated to write the
in spite of Zaid’s knowledge that concluding portion of the
they formed part of the Holy chapter Baraat (Repentance)
Qur’an were not written until a until he found it written,
written copy of them was found though it was known to him
with one of the companions. This and to those who are
is clear from the words of Zaid as mentioned with him.’
recorded in the Bukhari: ‘So I
searched the Qur’an…until I And a little further on:
found the last portion of the
chapter entitled ‘Repentance’ ‘And the whole Qur’an was
with Abu Khazima, one of the written in manuscripts, but
Ansar” (see Bukhari, chapter on the manuscripts were
the ‘Collection of the Qur’an’). In dispersed and Abu Bakr
explaining the tradition, part of collected them in one
which has been quoted here, the volume.’(1)
famous commentator of Bukhari,
the author of the Fath-ul-Bari, Another report by Ibn-i-Abi-
says: Daood is also mentioned

THE PURITY OF THE TEXT OF THE HOLY QUR’AN – PART 3
according to which: the Qur’an was written only

upon leafless palm branches
‘Omar publicly announced and skins.’(3)
(when the collection of the
Qur’an was taken in hand by After mentioning some of these
Abu Bakr) that whoever reports the commentator adds:
possessed any portion of the
Qur’an which he had directly ‘And their object was that
received from the Messenger nothing should be copied
of God(saw) should bring it, and except from what had been
they used to write these on written in the presence of the
paper and tablets and leafless Prophet, not from memory
palm branches. Nothing was only.’(4)
accepted from anybody until
two witnesses bore witness.’ All these reports point to the
certain conclusion that every
The author of the Fath-ul-Bari verse and chapter of the Holy
adds: Qur’an had been written by the
direction of the Holy Prophet(saw)
‘And this shows that Zaid did in his own presence.
not deem it sufficient that a
verse was written until Against this mighty evidence,
somebody bore witness who not a single tradition can be
had heard it directly from the pointed out which might show
Holy Prophet(saw)’s mouth that any part of the Holy Qur’an
though Zaid himself remem- was not written. The author of
bered it. This he did for the Tawil-ul-Qur’an who writes
greater precaution.’(2) in a spirit of bitter animosity has
made some very wild statements
There is another tradition to throw discredit upon the
mention by Zohri which says: writing of the Holy Qur’an in the
‘The Messenger of God(saw) lifetime of the Holy Prophet(saw).
was taken (i.e., he died) when He says:

‘Those who could read or many false statements in a single

write among the companions paragraph.
were so rare that we may say
there was practically none These allegations imply that
who could read or write.’ among the companions of the
Holy Prophet(saw) there was none
Again: who could write, with the
exception of Zaid whose
‘Zaid was a mere boy who did knowledge of writing was so
not know how to handle the defective that he did not know
pen. Whatever work of how to use the pen, and Abdulla
writing had to be done for the who became an apostate, and that
Prophet was done by the since scribes could not be found,
Jews. Now tell us who wrote therefore the writing of the Holy
the revelations of the Quran Qur’an was entirely dispensed
fourteen or fifteen years with. The absurdity of these
before this?’ allegations is evident to any body
who has the slightest acquain-
Then he names Abdulla bin Abi tance with the history of Islam,
Sarh who afterwards became an while the reader who has read the
apostate and adds: evidence produced above needs
no other argument to condemn
‘Such being the paucity of them as daring falsehoods. So
scribes among the faithful, strong and so convincing is the
and so great being the failure evidence as to the Quran having
to have the Qur’an written, it been written in the life-time of
was deemed advisable that it the Holy Prophet(saw) that no sane
should not be written at all author who has written on Islam
and should be preserved only has ever denied the fact.
in the hearts of the faithful.’
I have already given the names of
I have not come across any several scribes. There were so
decent writing containing so many men among the com-

THE PURITY OF THE TEXT OF THE HOLY QUR’AN - PART 3
panions who could write that as sion of facts, but the latter seems
many as forty-two of these are the more probable conclusion.
related to have acted as scribes The author of the Tawil-ul-
for the Holy Prophet(saw). We have Qur’an has, it appears, inten-
seen that copies of the different tionally omitted to mention all
chapters of the Holy Qur’an were those historical facts which show
in common use among the absurdity of his allegations and
faithful, a fact clearly borne out has based his theory upon a
by the report of Omar’s single tradition whose meaning
conversion. This shows that there he has intentionally perverted.
was no paucity of scribes.
Besides the Holy Qur’an, many The following tradition is cited
other things were written. Some by the author of the Tawil-ul-
of the companions used to write Qur’an in support of the
the words uttered by the Holy assertion that ‘Zaid was a mere
Prophet(saw) which were generally boy and did not know how to
reported only orally.(5) Letters handle the pen’’:
were written by order of the Holy
Prophet(saw) to several potentates. ‘Zaid bin Sabit reported as
The truce at Hudaibiyya was follows: “The Messenger of
written by Ali. Correspondence God(saw) commanded me so I
was also kept up with the Jews in learnt for his sake the Hebrew
Hebrew.(6) Not only could men writing, and he said, ‘In truth
read and write but even women I cannot trust the Jews in
were taught the art. Among the writing for me.’ So I learnt it,
wives of the Holy Prophet(saw), at and only half a month had
least Ayesha and Hafsa could passed when I became skilled
read and write, as many reliable in it. So I wrote for him when
traditions show. It is difficult to he had to write letters and
say whether the allegation that no read out to him when a letter
one could read or write among was written to him.”’
the companions is due to sheer
ignorance or intentional perver- This plain statement made by

Zaid as to his learning Hebrew, Jews and we know it for certain

as is admitted even by Sir that written copies of the
William Muir in a footnote in his chapters of the Holy Qur’an
introduction to the Life of existed and were in common use
Mahomet (see page xiv,) is among the Muslims long before
distorted by the clever author of the Holy Prophet(saw) Flight to
the Tawil-ul-Qur’an into an Madinah. Now the question is,
admission by Zaid as to his who wrote all these copies, for
inability to write Arabic. The Zaid had not yet become a
words ‘Kitab Yahood’ meaning Muslim and the Jews did not live
‘Hebrew writing,’ he purposely in Makkah? In thus misinter-
mistranslates as meaning the preting the plain words of the
‘writing from the Jews of the tradition, the author of the Tawil-
Hebrew people,’ and thus the ul-Qur’an has made a most
passage which really means: ‘I hopeless attempt to discredit
learnt for his sake Hebrew upon incontrovertible fact of the
writing’ is rendered as meaning Qur’an having been written by
‘I learnt for his sake writing from the direction of the Holy
the Jews.’ Now any one who has Prophet(saw) in his lifetime. The
any pretension to a knowledge of tradition under discussion only
the Arabic language will see that speaks of the Prophet’s(saw) letters
‘Kitab Yahood’ does not and written to and received from the
cannot mean ‘writing from the Jews and not of the writing of the
Jews’ It only means ‘the Jewish revelation, as even the con-
or Hebrew writing.’ Moreover, cluding words: ‘I wrote for him
the context itself shows that Zaid when he had to write a letter and
was not speaking of the writing read out to him when a letter was
of the Qur’an, because the written to him’ clearly show. No
writing of the Qur’an was never honest writer could distort plain
trusted to the Jews by the Holy words in the manner in which the
Prophet(saw). A great part of the anonymous author of the Tawil-
Holy Qur’an had been revealed ul-Qur’an has done it. Perhaps it
at Makkah where there were no was on account of his daring

misrepresentations that he Christian missionaries to dis-

concealed his name. Zaid’s credit the unparalleled purity of
becoming skilled in writing the text of the Holy Qur’an.
Hebrew within such a short time
is not at all surprising because Another objection of the same
Hebrew and Arabic are so author is that the writing material
closely related to each other that which was used for writing the
a knowledge of the one makes a Qur’an was of such a nature that
knowledge of the other very easy it could not be preserved for a
of access. The misinterpretation long time. This writing material
of this one tradition is sufficient consisted of paper, stone-tablets,
to reveal the character of the skins, palm branches and bones
Tawil-ul-Qur’an and the spirit in as various traditions tell us. It is
which its author has written the admitted that the writing on
book. It is a fact that the book has paprus reed on paper, skin and
been written to assist the stone tablets was safe, but it is
missionary propaganda by means added that the writing on these
of false statements concerning three things was very scarce
the Holy religion of Islam and it because these things were rare
reveals a deplorable state of the and that the greater part of the
missionary ideas of honesty and Holy Qur’an was written on
veracity and a deplorable attitude bones and palm-branches which
of the missionary minds towards could not be safely preserved,
other religions. and that therefore the greater part
of the Holy Qur’an was lost. So
The above tradition is the only after all even the author of the
one which has been produced by Tawil-ul-Qur’an has to admit
the author of the Tawil-ul-Qur’an that the Holy Qur’an was written,
as evidence against the writing of but his ingenious brain at once
the Holy Qur’an in the life-time assists him with the theory that
of the Holy Prophet(saw), and from the greater part was written on
this the reader can easily see how bones because skins, paper and
futile are the attempts of the stone-tablets were rare! What his

sources of information for this in the lifetime of the Holy

statement are, the learned author Prophet(saw). Some other cases
is too discreet to mention. Bones are also mentioned in the
and branches are not less durable same chapter in which
than paper, and though they are traditions were reduced to
mentioned among the writing writing.
materials, yet it is easy to see that 6. (This is mentioned in a
long chapters could not be tradition narrated by Abu
written on such material. The Daoud under the heading
copy of the twentieth Sura for ‘Reports from Ahl i Kitab,’
instance used in Omar’s sister’s not ‘Kitab ul Ilm,’ as the
family was not written upon author of the Tawil-ul-Qur’an
bones or branches, otherwise it thinks. This is the tradition
could not be so readily referred to in the next
concealed. Thus all consid- paragraph.
erations point out that the entire
Qur’an existed in a written form
in the life-time of the Holy
Prophet(saw).
References
1. See Fath-ul-Bari, Volume IX,
page 10
2. Fath-ul-Bari, Volume IX,
page 12.
3. See Nihaya by Ibn-ul-Asir
under the root ‘Asb’ (Arabic).
4. Fath-ul-Bari, Volume IX,
page 12.
5. Bukhari tells us in the Kitab-
ul-Ilm that Abdulla son of
Amru used to write traditions

Address by the President of
the Republic of Mauritius
The following address was given on the occasion of the 45th Annual
Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’on 16th September 2006 at
Trefles, Rose Hill, Mauritius that was addressed by the Head of the
worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community and reproduce in full in The
Review of Religions earlier.
Ameer and President, Ahmadiyya emphasise on the need to live

Muslim Jama’at Distinguished peacefully with other ethnic
guests, Brothers. groups in our plural and
multicultural society.
I am pleased to be in your midst
this afternoon on the occasion of The Ahmadiyya movement was
the Jalsa Salana which is being established in 1889 by Hadhrat
organised by the Ahmadiyya Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) in a
Community. I am thankful to the small remote village called
organising committee for giving Qadian, in Punjab, India. Within
me the opportunity to participate a century, this movement has
in this function and of addressing expanded extensively and
such a distinguished gathering. reached the corners of the world
with a membership of more than
My presence this afternoon 200 million. This rapid growth is
among my brothers of the a result of the adoption of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community benevolent message of peace,
is to tell you that we are united in universal brotherhood and
this gathering to derive Spiritual submission to the will of God,
benefits, broaden brotherhood preached by Hadhrat Ahmad(as)
and strengthen mutual ties and his successors.
among ourselves and to

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS
In Mauritius, the Ahmadiyya guided and trained to promote

Muslim Community was estab- inter-religious faith in our society
lished as far back as 1915. with its openness, generosity and
Ahmadi Muslims are known to good community relations. The
be law-abiding, peaceful and Ahmadi Muslims endeavour to
benevolent. They are as such exert a constructive influence of
constantly engaged in social and Islam through peace and
voluntary activities. Financial universal brotherhood, encour-
sacrifice is another line of action aging interfaith dialogue. They
in which they are engaged. In so strongly reject violence and
doing, they help each other and terrorism in any form and for any
the poorer sections of the society. reason. This motto should be best
The Ahmadi Community runs applied in our country which is a
schools and dispensaries on a multicultural one. This will
free basis in various countries. strengthen our model of peaceful
The Community is always coexistence. We all should work
striving to stand on its own and toward the same prime objective
thus, as preached by the Khalifas, of building a peaceful com-
does not accept subsidies from munity so that we can ensure a
the Government. bright future for coming
generations. I am confident that
Brothers, I deeply appreciate the this inter-religious harmony will
motto that the Ahmadiyya be safeguarded and will keep
Muslim Community has adopted away negative influences from
which is ‘Love for All, Hatred our shores.
for None’. This expression is
much needed in the tumultuous Brothers, it is of central impor-
world we are living today where tance for our children and our
conflicts, natural disasters, grandchildren that these qualities
violence and violent attacks of harmony and peace should be
against innocent civilians are achieved and we create a society
daily highlights in the news. The where people of different faiths
Ahmadiyya Community is well and beliefs can live together, a

ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF MAURITIUS
direction in which many the Caliphs. I am impressed by

countries are going. However, it the large audience attending this
is hard to believe that still there Convention today and I am sure
are some countries where those that many of you have travelled
who share your beliefs are being from far away to be here, which
persecuted. I pray that this is a clear sign of your com-
persecution be alleviated and we mitment to the Ahmadiyya
make this world a haven of peace movement.
and goodness.
I thank you again for inviting me
I am of the view that this afternoon. May there be
development and prosperity will peace throughout the world for
flourish with solidarity and not all of us. I hope you enjoy this
when we are divided or care first Jalsa Salana.
for ourselves. Extending a
helping hand to the poor and I thank you for your attention.
sharing our knowledge with
others will only be beneficial to
the small nation that we are. Our
interest lies in being together,
cementing our ties, working
together in solidarity, tolerance
and sharing.
Brothers, to come back to the

function of this afternoon, I hope
that this occasion is once again a
platform to strengthen ties
between all the communities of
this country, that we preserve and
perpetuate the moral values as
revealed by the Holy Prophet(saw),
and preached by his successors,

Synopsis of Istighfar
First reprinted in The Review of Religions, 1993.
By Professor Abdul Jaleel – London, UK
Istighfar means to cover up, tion and support. All other

protect or suppress. The primary meanings usually given to this
connotation of Istighfar is to word are derived or secondary.
supplicate for the suppression of
human tendency to fall into error To whom is the above prayer
so as to be safeguarded against addressed and from what is the
error or sin. Its secondary protection sought? Since we are
connotation is to supplicate for discussing this subject from the
suppression of consequences of Islamic point of view, the obvious
error. Thus Istighfar might con- answer to the first question is to
note suppression of a person’s none other than the One God,
tendency towards falling into sin Allah. The common form of this
or error, or his protection against prayer is Astaghfirullah i.e., I seek
the consequences of such errors or the protection of Allah or I pray to
sin, or of the errors and sins of Allah for His Protection and this
others. makes it conclusive that the
Istighfar is addressed to the One
On account of lack of knowledge God alone.
of Arabic, the true significance of
Istighfar has been lost to many. The answer to the second question
This word is derived from is the most important point to be
Ghafar, the other infinitive forms settled and is the main subject of
being Maghfirat, Ghufran etc. As this discussion. Is the protection
given in all Arabic dictionaries, sought simply from the punish-
the word ghafar means to cover or ment of evil which a man has
to protect. Therefore the primary wrought or is it sought primarily
meaning of Istighfar is, seeking from the evil itself and sub-
protection or a prayer of protec- sequently from its consequences if

the evil has been done? For the resembling an infant that needs
correct answer, one has to go to the the assistance of its mother at
fundamental question of relation every step. Thus we have in God,
between God and His creatures. a supporter and in man, somebody
The God of Islam is not only the who requires support.
Creator but Supporter as well.
Whatever has been made by Almighty God gives support to
Divine Hand is also supported by man in all matters in abundance
it. If, therefore, man needs the without his asking. Yet as an
creating Hand of God to come into intelligent being he must exercise
existence, it is equally true that he his own will to avail himself of
needs His supporting hand to be some gifts. Man is feeble in
saved from corruption. The Divine nature and as such is powerless to
attribute of creation required that resist evil tendencies. If he,
man should be created in the image therefore, does not use his
of God and the requirement of the faculties to ask for aid from the
Divine attribute of support was Supporter against evil tendencies,
that what had been created in he rejects the gift which he could
Divine image should not be given have claimed by asking, and this
up to corruption and everlasting leads him into evil. The Holy
destruction. It is to denote these Qur’an teaches man how to ask
two Divine attributes that the for God’s help in the opening
adjectives Al-Hayy, Al-Qayyum are chapter of the Book:
used in the Holy Qur’an regarding
Allah, which means, the One Who Thee alone do we worship and
brings into existence and supports Thee alone do we implore for
that which He has created. help. (Ch.1:V.5)
By nature, man needs support for This is the real significance of

his existence. This is testified in Istighfar – seeking protection of
the Holy Qur’an by the verse: God from evil. Hence the neces-
man has been created weak. He is sity of Istighfar by every person is
a creature and as such is obvious without any consid-
dependent upon his Creator, eration of actual commission of

sin by him. In short, existence of degradation he raised them to the

sin is not a pre-requisite for highest pinnacles of civilization.
Istighfar. There is a craving in the But how did he bring about this
very nature of man to attain revolution? Since God alone can
perfection. To satisfy this craving, support man against the forces of
he is guided to say Istighfar and evil, it is obvious that the Prophet
this makes up for the deficiency must have taught them to pray to
of human nature by imploring God for this protection. It is
strength from God. Istighfar that he taught.
Istighfar is also needed for Istighfar, as seen in the Holy

protection from the punishment of Qur’an, is the true and only means
the evil that has been done. Hence of drawing strength and support
it is of secondary significance, the of God, the only course for
primary one being the protection attaining nearness of God and the
from the evil itself, whether a sin only path by walking on which
has been committed or not. This man may attain to sinlessness and
leads us to the role of prophets salvation. The Holy Qur’an
who have been raised from time speaks of it as the highest accom-
to time among various people. plishment of good men. In chapter
The primary object of their 51 we read:
appearance is to deliver men from
evil and not to pardon them the But surely the righteous will
sin they go on committing. In this be in the midst of gardens and
respect Prophet Muhammad(saw) fountains receiving what their
has an eminence not reached by Lord will give them; for they
any other prophet. He was raised used to do good before that
at a time when darkness prevailed They used to sleep but a little
on the face of the earth and people of the night; and at the dawn
had gone astray in doctrine and of the day they sought
practice. The Arabs whom he forgiveness;
addressed directly had sunk deep (Ch.51:Vs.16-19)
into vice. From this depth of

Verily the righteous shall dwell Such a man keeps himself in the
amid gardens and fountains with presence of God during the night,
the blessings which their Lord has praying for Divine protection and
given them. This is a reward to support in the morning to keep
them, for, before this they were him firm in His path and not to let
the greatest doers of good, passed him slip. He feels that without the
the greater part of the night in strength and support of God, he
devotion to God and when would not be able to overcome the
morning came, they resorted to frailties of his nature and,
`Istighfar’, i.e., they sought the therefore, prays constantly that he
Divine strength and support. might not be deprived of heavenly
bliss due to the weakness of his
As clearly seen here, Istighfar is flesh.
described as a deed of right-
eousness and the effect of which Another Qur’anic verse which
is not that they were saved from shows Istighfar as a highly
the torment of hell fire but Divine commendable deed for righteous-
blessings and favours were ness is: the patient, the truthful,
showered upon them in abun- and the lowly and charitable and
dance. The Arabic word Muhsin those who resort to Istighfar at
translated as good man in the morning times. (Ch.3:V.19) In
fore-quoted Qur’anic verse has this verse, the Istighfar is deemed
been defined by the Holy as a necessity for good together
Prophet(saw) as one who worships with patience, truth, lowliness and
God so sincerely as if he actually charity. Here Istighfar clearly is
sees Him or at least the one who indicated not only for saving from
deems himself in the presence of punishment but also for drawing
God Who sees him. It should be blessings and favours of God.
noted that when a person reaches
this stage, he cannot sin. Hence Not only is Istighfar described as
his Istighfar is not for the leading to virtuous deeds, but
protection from the punishment of Maghfirat is also promised as a
hell but is a part of his goodness. gift of God to those who lead a

virtuous course of life. We read in Those (who enter paradise) will

the Chapter Hud, thus: pray:
..those who are steadfast and Our Lord, perfect our light for
do good works. It is they who us and forgive us.
will have forgiveness and a (Ch.66:Vs.9)
great reward.
(Ch.11:Vs.12) This unceasing desire for
perfection and maghfirat shows
Here maghfirat is promised as a clearly that progress in paradise
reward to those who do righteous will be endless.
deeds and does not mean pardon
of sins, because the persons to From these two verses, it is plain
whom it is promised are plainly that even after entry into paradise
described as being those who which will only be possible after
have been doing righteous deeds. obtaining God’s pardon for those
In fact man always stands in need who have committed sins, the
of maghfirat and maghfirat of faithful will still have a con-
God shall continue even in tinuous desire for maghfirat, or in
paradise. The Holy Qur’an attests another words, they will resort to
to this in the words: istighfar, even though they shall
have been saved from
..in it (paradise) will they have punishment.
all kinds of fruits and
‘maghfirat’ from their Lord. What does maghfirat in paradise
(Ch.47:Vs.16) mean? As mentioned earlier,
Istighfar is a requirement of the
Here maghfirat is plainly nature of man as a creature and of
described as a reward which shall the attribute of God as the Creator
be granted to the good in paradise. and Supporter. The attribute of
In chapter Al-Tahrim of the Holy support of the Creator must remain
Book we read: constantly at work as long as there
are creatures. Notwithstanding

continual progress in heaven, men delight, his very paradise, is in

will still be creatures and still be this fact that he should fly to that
dependent upon God. Any degree rock of strength, without Whose
of perfection they may attain in shelter he cannot live. His own
this world or the next cannot be self is annihilated and God alone
equivalent to the perfection of the becomes His objective. The man
Creator. In paradise, the righteous who constantly reforms to
will ever be ascending upwards Istighfar, feels his own
and will regard every state as dependency and turns to God for
defective in comparison with the help and aid and thus gives
higher one to which he will aspire evidence that he has overcome the
and will, therefore, pray to God weakness of flesh and resisted the
for maghfirat. Since progress is evil tendency because the strength
endless, the desire for maghfirat of God is with him and His light
will never cease. In spite of the descending upon him, has
fact that God has granted suppressed every infirmity of
maghfirat to the Holy Prophet(saw) nature which could have led to
for short comings, past and future sin.
(Ch.48:Vs.2), he has been advised
to `resort to Istighfar’ and seek
maghfirat from God (Ch.110:Vs.4) Acknowledgments
even after the assurance of God • The Review of Religions, 1903,
(Ch.48:Vs.2). From writings of Hadhrat
Ahmad(as), the Promised
In short, Istighfar is the closest Messiah and Mahdi
form of communion with God, the
highest flight of the spirit of man • The Qur’an – Preface to the
towards the Divine Being. The English Translation by Sir
man who resorts to Istighfar Muhammad Zafrulla Khan.
humiliates himself before God,
admitting the weakness of his
nature and dreads the Power and
Glory of the Creator. His whole

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MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS

Mr Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)

ABRAHAM’S(AS) GREAT SACRIFICE –

Views expressed in this publication are not

Waiting in Limbo Christ in his death, burial and

2 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

Abelard’s idea was accepted in asked the International

The Review of Religions – January 2007 3

International Theological sin or not to sin. Sin is not

Many argue however that The 1992 catechism talks about

4 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

point of the resurrection was the how Catholic theologians then

The Review of Religions – January 2007 5

6 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

granted wisdom has indeed

That is, wisdom comprises

The Review of Religions – January 2007 7

and Divine support, and it is subjects himself to severe

8 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

fact that many of them are not bestowed on the perfect

The Review of Religions – January 2007 9

the Holy Qur’an with true love moment. This bounty of

10 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

would feel no constraint. They reality of their life. A wonderful

The Review of Religions – January 2007 11

account of their overpowering

12 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

every good quality, whether love with which high moral

The Review of Religions – January 2007 13

This seed develops into meekness. They appreciate as

14 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

revelation, converse with God self-obvious. It is quite clear that

The Review of Religions – January 2007 15

receive revelation, and before the mountains of endurance and

16 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

keep company with us. exposition of all true insights is

The Review of Religions – January 2007 17

eagerness which, breaking the Prophet(saw), to witness the truth

18 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

prayers of that person, these should possess the requisite

The Review of Religions – January 2007 19

God. Those people on whom things like antidotes, etc. for

20 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

his thirst by drinking water, and a

In keeping with current universal

The Review of Religions – January 2007 21

22 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

One should never be selfish and beloved Prophet Muhammad(saw)

The Review of Religions – January 2007 23

24 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

knowledge, it was a woman who When the Muslims retreated in

The Review of Religions – January 2007 25

pure and chaste), became abidaat reach them. Mothers should

26 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

The Review of Religions – January 2007 27

Why do some women, despite going to obey the basic Qur’anic

28 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

knowledge but observes pardah women who is also a teacher said

The Review of Religions – January 2007 29

30 The Review of Religions – Janaury 2007

the Community will never who are coming in from these

The Review of Religions – January 2007 31