RR 2010 04

The Review of Religions: April 2010, Vol.105, No.
2 Revelation, Inspiration, Visions and Dreams

True knowledge of God cannot be gained through dry logic and reason, but
through revelation alone
(Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi)
12 Calendar of Religious Events and Festivals - April 2010
13 Hadhrat ‘A’ishah Siddiqah(ra) and the Holy Prophet(saw) –

A Relationship of Love
A glance at the affectionate and loving relationship that existed between Hadhrat
‘A’ishah(ra) and her husband,the Prophet of Islam(saw)
(Hamdah Sanori Farooqi, UK)
30 Iqamatus Salat – The Observance of Prayer in Islam

An exposition of the significance of observing the Prayer in Islam
(Maulana Ataul Mujeeb Rashed, UK)
51 Death on the Cross

A ten-point elucidation, using historical and Biblical evidence, proving that
Jesus(as) did not die on the cross
(Hadhrat Maulana Abulata Jallandhari)
Cover pic: ©dreamstime.com
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ISSN No: 0034-6721
THE ESSENCE OF ISLAM
Revelation,
Inspiration,
Visions And Dreams
This series sets out, in the words of the Promised Messiah(as),

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a summary of his exposition
of some outstanding topics inlcuding: ISLAM; ALLAH, THE
EXALTED; THE HOLY PROPHET(saw) and THE HOLY
QUR’AN. The original compilation, in Urdu, from which these
extracts have been translated into English, was collated with
great care and diligence by Syed Daud Ahmad Sahib(ru). The
English rendering is by the late Sir Muhammad Zafrulla
Khan(ra), and is quoted from The Essence of Islam, Volume 2.
All references throughout, unless otherwise specifically
mentioned, are from the Holy Qur’an.
The Essence of Islam – Revelation, Inspiration, Vision and Dreams
The Book of Revelation is the of temperament and nature. A

Only Open Book person who seeks to draw people to
Observing its effectiveness, the way the right path through logical
of following revelation is open and arguments only can produce an
wide. It is well known that a speech effect, if at all, on those who are
is charged with blessings and highly educated and able and can
eagerness and power and greatness follow his learned discourses. The
and attraction according to the average person has not the
degree to which the step of the intelligence to follow philosophical
speaker is planted high in the stages discourses. Thus the grace of his
of certainty, sincerity and fidelity. knowledge is confined to the few
This perfection can be discovered who can understand his logic and
only in the speech of a person who only those can benefit from it who,
doubly possesses Divine under- like him, are familiar with methods
standing. Every wise person of reasoning. This can be proved by
realises that a forceful speech, to be a comparison of the achievements
effective, issues from the mouth of of reason and Divine revelation.
a person when his heart is full of the
eagerness of certainty and only Those who are aware of the
those words take possession of the circumstances of past philosophers
hearts which surge forth from the know very well how they failed to
hearts of those who believe with propagate their teachings widely
perfect certainty. This also shows and how their constricted and
that from the point of view of incomplete exposition failed to
effectiveness, training in Divine affect the hearts of common people.
revelation is the opener of doors. In Compare this with the high
short, from the point of view of the effectiveness of the Holy Qur’an.
vastness and vigorousness of effect, How powerfully it has filled the
it is only the book of revelation that hearts of its true followers with the
is proved to be open. It is obvious Unity of God and in what a
that only such a person proves wonderful manner its splendid
himself the greatest benefactor of teachings rooted out the habits and
God’s creatures who combines in customs of hundreds of years
himself revelation and reason. He standing, which had become like
has the ability to benefit every type second nature, from the hearts of
The Review of Religions – April 2010 3

The Essence of Islam – Revelation, Inspiration, Visions and Dreams
people and by sweeping out their The facilities which God’s true and
lower passions from their hearts perfect revelation – that is to say,
gave them to drink of the sweet the Holy Qur’an – has furnished to
draught of the Unity of God. This reason, and the confusion from
happened in the case of millions of which it has delivered reflection
people. It is the Holy Qur’an and observation are facts for which
which, by displaying its effec- every wise person must be
tiveness and producing good and grateful. Considering that the
lasting results by the evidence of recognition of God began through
its matchless power, compelled its revelation, and that the revival of
enemies to confess its peerless the understanding of the Divine
excellences. Even those who were has always taken place through
confirmed in their disbelief were revelation, and that relief from the
so deeply affected that they were difficulties of the way can only be
forced to confess while repudiating procured with the help of
it: this is nothing but plain sorcery. revelation, every wise person is
It is the Holy Qur’an whose compelled to confess that the way
attraction overcame confirmed which is clear and straight and is
habits and so pulled the hearts to always open and has always led to
God that millions of God’s the goal is Divine revelation. To
creatures set the seal of their blood hold that it is not an open book is
on the Unity of God. In this clear folly.
manner from the beginning it is
revelation that has proved the We have explained in detail that the
guide and which has fostered recognition of God by the Brahmo
human reason. Otherwise, great Samajists, based upon reason, is
philosophers and wise men have limited to ‘should be’ and that they
found it difficult, even impossible, fall short of the perfect stage of ‘is’.
to discover the details of This also shows that the clear and
metaphysics. Those who are not open way of the recognition of the
equipped with normal reason, and Divine is discovered only through
have not had available to them the the Word of God and cannot be
means of making efforts in that reached by any other means. If a
direction, have remained without newly born child is deprived of
any knowledge of these matters. education and left only to the book
4 The Review of Religions – April 2010

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)

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

Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
of nature, which according to the lation and had no revealed book to

Brahmo Samajists is an open book, turn to, and had available no means
he would achieve little of knowing about revelation,
understanding and would possess achieved no understanding of the
no recognition of God. Experience Divine, despite the fact that they
has shown that if a person is not possessed eyes and hearts. They
guided through his sense of gradually forsook humanness and
hearing by revelation to the approximated to senseless animals
existence of God, he is not able to and derived no advantage from the
determine whether there is any hook of nature. It is obvious that if
Creator of this universe and, if he that book had been an open one,
does pay any attention to searching the wild tribes would have taken
for the Creator, he ends up by advantage of it and would have
deifying some part of creation like achieved equality with those who
water, fire, moon or sun as is had recognised God through
witnessed by the wild tribes. It is Divine revelation. Then what
only the grace of revelation greater proof is needed of the fact
through the blessings of which that the book of nature is a closed
man has recognised the Peerless one than that whoever relied solely
and Matchless God as befitted His upon it, and never heard of Divine
Perfect and Faultless Being. Those revelation, was altogether deprived
who were uninformed of reve- of the recognition of God and even

remained ignorant of human he did not discover the straight

manners? If by the book of nature path of the recognition of God
being open is meant that it is through revelation, nor was he
physically visible, this is irrelevant informed through his sense of
to the point under consideration. hearing of the existence of the One
When it is seen that no one by God, and that in discovering God
contemplating the book of nature and learning about Divine
can derive any spiritual benefit attributes he derived help only
from it and cannot find God unless from his reason and reflection and
he is guided by revelation, it diligence and that, without having
matters not that nature is visible all recourse to any other resource, he
the time. (Baraheen-i-Ahmadiyyah discovered the Unity of God and
Vol.III, (Amritsar, Safir Hind that his mind of itself arrived at the
Press, 1882); now published in true recognition and understanding
Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol.1 (London, of God Almighty? Who can prove
1984) Baraheen-i-Ahmadiyyah, to us that there was an age when
pp.191-206, footnote 11). Divine revelation was unknown
and there was no Holy Book and
Historians know well that in past the people of that age believed in
ages whenever anyone acquired the Unity of God and recognised
full knowledge of God and His Him merely through contem-
perfect attributes, he did so plation of the book of nature? Who
through revelation and that the can inform us of the country whose
Unity of God was never people, being unaware of
propagated through reason. That is revelation, were guided to God by
why those people who had no their reason alone and believed in
acquaintance with revelation the Unity of the Divine by the
remained unaware of the name of exercise of their reflection and
God and remained uncultured and observation? (Baraheen-i-
uncivilised like animals. Who can Ahmadiyyah Vol.III, (Amritsar,
present to us a book which in any Safir Hind Press, 1882); now
past age was written about published in Ruhani Khaza’in,
knowledge of the Divine and Vol.1 (London, 1984) pp.200-201,
comprised real verities, the author footnote 11).
of which might have claimed that

The True Unity of God Cannot their efforts that God emerged from
be Realised Without Divine the state of being unknown and was
Revelation recognised and was worshipped. He
Why the pure Unity of God cannot was unknown before and no one
be learnt without Divine revelation, was aware of His existence. It was
and why one who denies revelation through wise people that He came
is not cleansed of paganism, into His own. Is this anything
becomes apparent when one different from the belief of the idol
observes the reality of Divine worshippers? Indeed not. The only
Unity. Unity means that one should difference is that the idol
believe that the Being and attributes worshippers appoint other things as
of God are free of any association their benefactors and these people
and that we should believe that that consider their smoky reason as their
which can be accomplished by guide and benefactor. In one way
God’s Power cannot be accom- these latter go beyond the idol
plished by the power of anyone worshippers. Though the idol
else. It is because of letting go of worshippers believe that God has
this Unity that fire worshippers, sun bestowed great powers on their
worshippers and idol worshippers, deities and that on accepting a
etc., are called pagans inasmuch as variety of offerings they bestow
they supplicate their idols and upon their worshippers that which
divinities concerning matters the they ask for, yet they have never
bestowal of which is in the hands of alleged that God was discovered by
God alone. It is obvious that those these deities and that the existence
who deny revelation also believe, of God was known only through
like the idol worshippers, that them. It was left to those who deny
creatures are invested with the revelation to claim God as one of
attributes of the Divine. They their inventions and to announce
believe that the powers of the All- that God has never affirmed: I am
Powerful are possessed by human present; and that it was their great
beings. They imagine that they achievement that, without being
discovered God through their told and informed, they found Him
reason and that in the beginning it on their own. He was silent like one
was human beings who thought of asleep or dead and they discovered
appointing a God and that it was by His track by the exercise of their

own reflection. Thus in effect they thus clear that by denying

repudiate any obligation to God, but revelation they not only believe in
in a way put Him under an God in a doubtful way and are
obligation to themselves, in that, involved in diverse errors, but they
without having been informed that are also deprived of belief in the
God exists and without full perfect Unity of God and are
certainty that disobedience of Him stained with paganism. What is the
would subject them to such and association of partners with God
such torment and obedience to except to attribute to others the
Him would attract such and such favors and bounties bestowed by
bounty, they have submitted to this God? (Baraheen-i-Ahmadiyyah
fictitious god. According to them Vol.III, (Amritsar, Safir Hind
God was so weak and infirm that Press, 1882); now published in
He could not announce His Own Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol.1 (London,
existence and could not furnish 1984) Footnote 11.)
any reassurance concerning His
promises. He was hidden and these The Type of People Who
people disclosed Him; He was Experience Heavenly Signs
unknown and they made Him There are three types of people
known. He was silent and they who experience heavenly signs.
worked on His behalf. His First, those who possess no merit
Godhead has become known only and have no relationship with God
since a short time and that also Almighty, but who on account of
through their efforts. Every wise their intellectual appropriateness
person would appreciate that such see some true dreams and are
an affirmation goes beyond that granted some true visions which
which the idol worshippers allege. contain no indication that they are
The idol worshippers believe in accepted of God and are loved by
their deities as their benefactors, Him, nor do they derive any
but those who deny revelation benefit from their dreams and
allege that reason which is their visions. Thousands of the wicked
deity is the benefactor not only of and evil ones share with them such
people but also of God inasmuch malodorous dreams and visions…
as God became known only Secondly, there are those who have
through the exercise of reason. It is some relationship with God

Almighty, but that relationship is faith that even the angels are
not perfect. Their dreams and surprised at the strength of their
revelations resemble the exper- faith. They are spiritual champions
ience of a person who on a dark and all attacks of Satan come to
and very cold night espies the glow nothing in opposition to their
of a fire from afar and thereby is spiritual power…The perfect
able to avoid walking along a path revelation which is of the third
which is full of pits and thorns and type and descends upon perfect
rocks and along which serpents individuals resembles the ray of
and wild beasts abound. But the the sun that falls on a clean mirror
glow of the fire cannot safeguard which is adjusted towards
him against the cold and death. If it…Then that ray is magnified ten
he cannot reach the warm circle of times and its light becomes
the fire, he is destroyed like the unbearable for the eye.
one who walks in the dark.
When revelation descends in the
Thirdly, there are people whose same way on a purified soul its
experience of dreams and extraordinary light shines forth and
revelations resembles that of a the reflection of Divine attributes
person who on a dark and very is exhibited in that soul and the
cold night not only finds the bright countenance of the Divine One is
glow of the fire and walks in its fully disclosed…
light, but entering its warm circle
is safeguarded fully against the The lights of Divine revelation are
cold. This stage is reached by those accepted in their perfect condition
who burn up their passions in the by a soul which is perfectly
fire of Divine love and adopt a life purified. Mere dreams or
of bitterness for the sake of God. revelation do not indicate any
They perceive death ahead of them excellence in the recipient unless,
and run towards it and choose it for his soul being perfectly purified,
themselves. They accept every he exhibits this reflection and the
torment in the cause of God and for countenance of the True Beloved is
the sake of God they become the displayed in his soul (Haqiqatul
enemies of their ego and treading Wahi (Qadian, Magazine Press
contrary to it exhibit such power of 1907), now published in Ruhani

Khaza’in (London, 1984) Vol. 22, the disclosing of the unseen is like a
pp.20-22). perfect circle and is not bestowed
upon everyone, but only upon the
Three Kinds of Dreams elect. The vision or revelation that
Dreams are of three kinds – comes to a defective person is itself
egoistic, Satanic and Rahmanic. defective and puts him to shame.
Egoistic dreams are a reflection of Disclosing the unseen is an
one’s own thoughts like a cat experience like that of a person who
dreaming of flecks of meat. A mounts to the top of a high building
Satanic dream is wild and and observes the surroundings and
frightening. A Rahmanic dream is a can easily distinguish everything. A
message from God. Their proof is a person who desires to see the same
matter of experience. These are things from a low level misses
Divine matters far distant from this many of them. It is the way of God
world. If we judge them by reason with His elect that He elevates their
another person cannot understand sight to a height whence they can
them and we cannot make him observe everything easily and are
understand. These are signs of the able to give information of the end.
existence of God Almighty which One standing at a low level cannot
He casts upon the heart from the predict the end. That is how Balaam
unseen. When we find that what we was deceived concerning Moses(as),
were told has come to pass, we and he failed to discern his high
begin to believe in it. An instrument status which would have induced
of this world cannot recognise these him to be respectful (Haqiqatul
things. These are spiritual matters Mahdi (Qadian, Ziaul Islam Press
and are recognisable only 1899), now printed in Ruhani
spiritually. A true dream bears Khaza’in (London, 1984) Vol.14
witness to its own truth (Al-Badr pp.16-1).
Vol.2 No.1 January 30, 1903, now
printed in Malfuzat, Vol. IV, pp.368- Revelation of Trial and
369). Revelation of Exaltation
It should be borne in mind that
The dreams and visions of all are revelation is of two kinds, the
not alike. The perfect vision revelation of trial and the revelation
described in the Holy Qur’an is as of exaltation. The revelation of trial

sometimes brings about the ruin of same way, the spiritual faculties of
the recipient as happened with some are extinct and they carry
Balaam, but the recipient of the along as a blind person carries
revelation of exaltation is never along with the guidance of others
ruined. Even the revelation of trial (Haqiqatul Wahi (Qadian,
is not bestowed upon everyone. Magazine Press 1907), now
Some human temperaments are published in Ruhani Khaza’in
deformed as some people are born (London, 1984) Vol.22., p.9).
deaf and dumb and blind. In the
NOTE FOR THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS

Verse references to the Holy Qur’an item count ‘Bismillah...’ (In the
Name of Allah...) as the first verse of each Chapter. In some non-standard
texts, this is not counted. Should the reader refer to such texts, the verse
quoted in The Review of Religions will be found a verse earlier, i.e. at one
verse less than the number quoted in this journal.
For the ease of non-Muslim readers, ‘(saw)’ or ‘saw’ after the words,
‘Holy Prophet’, or the name ‘Muhammad’, are used normally in small
letters. They stand for ‘Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam’ meaning ‘peace and
blessings of Allah be upon him’. Likewise, the letters ‘(as)’ or ‘as’ after
the name of all other prophets is an abbreviation meaning ‘peace be upon
him’ derived from ‘Alaihis salatu wassalam’ which are words that a
Muslim utters out of respect whenever he or she comes across that name.
The abbreviation ‘ra’ or (ra) 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.

Calendar of Religious Events & Festivals
(April 2010)
Day Event Significance
The Friday before Easter – The day that

Good Friday
2 Jesus(as) was put on the Cross and taken
(Christianity)
down, presumed dead.
Most significant festival for Christians.

Easter Sunday Christians remember the resurrection of
4
(Christianity) Jesus(as) and his return from death – as is
their belief.
The eighth and final day of Passover. In

Israel, Passover lasts for seven days. One
Final day of Passover of the most important festivals for Jews,
6
(Judaism) Passover is celebrated in remembrance
of the liberation of the Children of Israel
from Egypt by Moses(as).
Festival commemorating Sikh new year.

13 Vaisakhi (Sikhism)
Also called Baisakhi.
St. George’s Day St. George is the patron Saint of

23
(Christianity) England.
LoveForAll
www.
HatredForNone. org

A RELATIONSHIP OF LOVE:
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah Siddiqah(ra) and the
Prophet Muhammad(saw)
(Part 2 in series on Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)’s life)
By Hamdah Sanori Farooqi
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra), daughter of Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra), was one of the

wives of the Holy Prophet of Islam(saw). Because of her young age, she was
able to observe the Messenger of Allah from close and recall many things
about her husband’s life. This article provides a brief synopsis of her
affectionate relationship including a full exposition of the calumny
attributed to her.
Life in Madinah life revolved around her most noble

The Holy Prophet(saw)’s home was husband whom she observed
adjacent to the Mosque. As the closely, and she committed his
walls were quite thin, conversation words to memory.
in the small mosque was audible in
the house. The mosque was the When asked about the behaviour of
focus of constant activity. There the Holy Prophet(saw), Hadhrat
were prayers, visitors to the Holy ‘A’ishah(ra) is reported to have
Prophet(saw), religious and educa- replied: “He excelled all men in
tional instructions, administrative gentle speech, smiling countenance
and judicial decision making and and cheerful temperament.”
preaching amongst other activities (Sahih Muslim Mawahib-ud-Dunya.
that took place. Vol.1, p.293)
Due to her exemplary upbringing, Tirmidhi has recorded that Hadhrat

Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) was no novice ‘A’ishah(ra) was asked what the Holy
to spiritual pursuits. She comfor- Prophet(saw) did when he was in the
tably took on her role in the sacred house. She responded:
home of the Holy Prophet(saw). Her

A Relationship of Love: Hadhrat ‘A’ishah Siddiqah(ra) and the Prophet Muhammad(saw)
“He was a man like other men; courtyard. Imam Bukhari has
he would look after his clothes recorded that Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)
himself, he would milk the stated that the bedding in her home
goat, he attended to his consisted of a mat made of leather
personal needs himself.” or camel-hair (Bukhari, Vol.1, Bab-
us-Salat).
In another report, in response to a
similar question by Aswad bin The Holy Prophet(saw) created a
Yazeed, she said: pious atmosphere in his home.
Masnad Ahmad bin Hanbal has
“He helped the members of his recorded that upon entry into his
family in whatever they were private quarters, the Holy
doing and when he heard the Prophet(saw) would often proclaim;
Adhan [Call] for Prayers he
proceeded to the Mosque.” “If the son of Adam had two
valleys full of treasure in his
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) is also reported possession, he would desire a
to have said that the Holy third one! The greed of his
Prophet(saw) was exceptionally mouth can only be silenced
modest. When he consorted with a with dust. Allah the Almighty
wife he prayed: says: We have created wealth
so that it will remind man of
“Lord, safeguard us against his Creator and for providing
Satan, and keep Satan away sustenance for the needy. The
from that which Thou mightest one who turns towards Allah
bestow upon us.” the Almighty will find that
(Muhammad, Seal of Prophets, Allah the Almighty turns to
Zafrulla Khan p.280) him.”
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) observed that This was his reminder to everyone

when the Holy Prophet(saw) was listening that even in their private
served food, he never found fault moments, indulgence was not the
with what he was given (Tirmidhi). aim of life, but rather to turn to
Allah the Almighty in order to seek
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)’s house was a real pleasure.
small room with a little space for a

The Relationship of Love between she made where he admonished her.

the Holy Prophet(saw) and Hadhrat These incidents have become a
‘A’ishah(ra) guide for Muslim people. May
Arabs at that time looked upon Allah the Almighty Bless and
women as worthless possessions reward her abundantly, for passing
and objects for sexual gratification. on those precious pieces of advice!
The Holy Prophet(saw) introduced a Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) would lovingly

totally new form of decorum prepare the food for the Holy
towards women. In general, he Prophet(saw) herself, and she would
would observe no formality or grind the flour and cook the flat
formal protocol when meeting bread. She would clean and tidy the
people. He used to say: “I am not of house and comb the Holy
those who adopt unnecessary Prophet(saw)’s hair, and she would
formality.” He would sit on the floor apply perfume to his clothes. She
next to Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) and attended the religious instructions
drink from the same part of the bowl and commentaries given in the
that she had drunk from. When they mosque and would attentively listen
ate, he would sometimes suck the to them in their entirety. As a result,
piece of bone she had sucked, as a she was able to relate over two
demonstration of his affection. The thousand Ahadith (Traditions) for
love Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) had for the the understanding of the faith of
Holy Prophet(saw) was evident in Islam.
everything she did. Also, prior to
her nine years of married life, she Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) relates:
had observed and inherited the love
of her father, Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra), “One day, the Holy Prophet(saw)
later to become the First Caliph, for was mending his shoe and I
his beloved friend, the Holy was working on the spinning
Prophet(saw). wheel. As I looked up I saw
that the forehead of the Holy
Due to her young age, the Holy Prophet(saw) was glistening with
Prophet(saw) was especially kind and sweat and I saw a light
gracious towards Hadhrat gleaming in his forehead,
‘A’ishah(ra). She has also, very which continued to grow and
honestly, put on record any mistakes spread. It was a sight to

behold! I was watching with Ibn Qayyim p.177, Mutahher

fascination. The Holy ‘Aeli Zindagi p.38)
Prophet (saw) looked up and
asked: ‘‘A’ishah why are you Once the Holy Prophet(saw) raced
looking so astonished?’ I said: against Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra). At that
‘O, Prophet of Allah! I saw that time, she was very slim, and she won
your forehead is glistening the race. After some time, they raced
with sweat and there is a light each other again, and this time the
shinning in it. I was totally Holy Prophet(saw) won the race and
spellbound. I swear in the said jokingly: “‘A’ishah! Now the
name of Allah the Almighty score is settled!” (Abu Da’ud).
that if the poet Abu Kabeer
Hazli was able to see you, he Bukhari relates an incident where it
would have realised that you is said that either the Holy
are the true portrayal of his Prophet(saw) related a story to Hadhrat
verses’, and I read the ‘A’ishah(ra) or she narrated it to him.
following verses: The story consisted of the tales of
eleven women who decided to share
He is free from any maligning their experience of what their
residue of birth or growth. husbands were truly like. It was quite
When you look at the creases of a long story, with each wife spelling
his illumined brow you find his out the good and bad qualities of her
face brighter in luminous husband and his behaviour towards
splendour than the pure her. Most were filled with pathos, but
sparkle of lightning itself.” the last one who spoke said: “My
husband’s name is Abu-Zar’a”; she
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) relates: described at length how kind and
good her husband was to her, and
“When the Holy Prophet(saw) how he provided everything for her.
heard this, he put down She related that she had no worries,
whatever was in his hand and as he never scolded her, even if she
kissed her forehead and said: spoke sharply, and that he never
‘Your delight could not have picked fault with her and would
been as much as the delight shower her with attention and gifts.
you have given me!’” Her home was a picture of peace and
(Madarij-ul-Salikeen, Imam tranquillity!

Listening to this, the Holy to her than any other love she held.
Prophet(saw) asked: “‘A’ishah! Am I
like Abu-Zar’a in your favour?” The Holy Prophet’s(saw) regard for
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) immediately Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)
exclaimed: “O, Prophet of Allah! Hadhrat Amar bin ‘Aas(ra) has
May my mother and father be related:
sacrificed on you! You are far
greater than that!” “I asked the Holy Prophet(saw),
‘Who do you love most
In an Arabic Qaseedah, the amongst the people?’
Promised Messiah(as) has exquisitely He replied ‘‘A’ishah!’
formulated the emotion which I said, ‘Out of the men?’ He
springs to the heart on reading about replied, ‘‘A’ishah’s Father!’ I
this incident: said: ‘Who after that?’ He
replied, ‘‘Umar bin Al-
What a man! How noble! How Khattaab’, and then he
Gracious! mentioned some more names.”
The fragrance emerging from
him wins over the heart! For the Arabs of that era, it was
God Almighty is visible in his totally alien to express such honour
face; for any woman. This Hadith speaks
The Graces of the Almighty are volumes, not only of Hadhrat
so evident in every move he ‘A’ishah(ra), but also shows that the
makes! Holy Prophet(saw) had no qualms
about repeating Hadhrat
This Hadith also illustrates the Holy ‘A’ishah(ra)’s name. In response to
Prophet(saw)’s humbleness. He did the second query, which the
not point out to Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) questioner expressed in an
how very fortunate she was to be embarrassed fashion, the
married to a man like him, a Prophet Prophet (saw) could have easily said:
of God, who could not be compared “Abu Bakr!” i.e. Hadhrat
to any other human being. Hadhrat ‘A’ishah ’s father’s name, but the
(ra)
‘A’ishah(ra) in turn demonstrated her choice of words was in order to

recognition of his status and grace demonstrate to the questioner, and
by her reply to him, which showed to the world at large, that it was
that the Holy Prophet(saw) was dearer quite all right to honour women! For

this gracious attitude to women, the At this Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) laughed

following sentiment most and said he was right.
beautifully expressed by the (Bukhari Kitab-ul-Nikah,
Promised Messiah(as) encapsulates Introduction to the Study of the Holy
the feelings of the followers of the Qur’an, Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-
Holy Prophet(saw). Din Mahmud Ahmad(ra), p.323)
O Allah, Our Almighty Lord! Depicting the general attitude of

Continue forever to send men towards women, Imam
countless blessings Bukhari has quoted a statement of
upon your Holy Messenger, in Hadhrat ‘Umar Farooq(ra):
this world and in the hereafter!
“In Makkah we despised
The Holy Prophet was extremely
(saw) women as lowly creatures. In
gentle and kind to his wives. On one Madinah the people accorded
occasion he said to Hadhrat slight status to them, but when
‘A’ishah(ra): Islam arrived, we were made
aware of the honour and status
“‘A’ishah, whenever you are of women.”
upset with me I always know (Sahih Bukhari, Vol.1, p.869)
it.”
This change was brought about in
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah (ra) enquired favour of women, for the first time
in the history of the world.
“How is that?”
The wives lived adjacent to the
The Prophet (saw) replied: mosque in their own quarters and
each one had a day assigned to
“I have noticed that when you them. Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) relates
are pleased with me then in the that the Holy Prophet(saw) was very
course of conversation if you meticulous in visiting them all in
have to refer to God, you refer turn. He would also drop by to see
to Him as ‘the Lord of each one every day in order to tend
Muhammad.’ But if you are not to their needs (Mutahher ‘Aeli
pleased with me you refer to Zindagi, p.125).
Him as the Lord of Abraham.”

©dreamstime.com
Masjid Nabawi in Madinah.
The training thus received by these The Holy Prophet(saw)’s life was the
ladies was a source of learning piety Holy Qur’an in practice, and these
and righteousness for Muslims. The pious ‘Mothers of the Believers,’ as
Holy Prophet(saw) is reported to have Allah the Almighty has called them,
said: were the source of guidance and
nurturance for the Ummah (Muslim
“I am leaving two things people).
amongst you which hold
tremendous weight: The The Great Lie (Al-’Ifk)
foremost is the Book of Allah The Holy Qur’an has recorded this
the Almighty and then the incident as the “Ifk” (‘the lie’).
members of my family!”

The background to this calumny The Holy Prophet(saw) directed the

was an incident that occurred army in such a way that the enemy
around the Fifth Year after was encircled and had to lay down
migration when the Muslims its weapons. Only one Muslim and
returned after a battle with the ten enemies lost their lives.
tribe of Banu Mustaliq. The
Qur’aish, the most powerful tribe The Holy Prophet(saw) decided to
in Makkah, were inciting various stay a few days in the area, but an
tribes against the Muslims. One of incident occurred which brought to
those was the Banu Mustaliq, a light the animosity and malice
branch of the Banu Khuza‘ah tribe. which the chief of the hypocrites
Their chief, Al-Harith bin Abi harboured in his heart for the Holy
Dirar, persuaded the other tribes to Prophet(saw).
attack Madinah.
Two men quarrelled with each
The Holy Prophet received
(saw) other and Muslims of various tribes
news that a large contingent of the ran for help. Although the tension
enemy was preparing to attack. He was defused, the chief of the
left Madinah to counter them hypocrites, ‘Abdullah bin Ubayy
before they could attack. bin Salul, tried to incite hatred
against the Holy Prophet(saw). He
When the enemy realised that announced:
Muslims had arrived in a large
contingent, they were overcome “Let us return to Madinah.
with fear and then all the tribes Then will the most honoured
dispersed, apart from the Banu among its citizens (meaning
Mustaliq. himself) expel the most
despised (meaning the Holy
The Holy Prophet(saw) announced Prophet(saw)).”
that the Muslims would return
without harming them if they The Holy Qur’an has recorded this
pledged to accept Islamic in Surah Al-Munafiqun. An insult
governance. However, the Banu of this magnitude would have
Mustaliq refused and attacked the enraged the Muslims to the point of
Muslims. putting this man to death.
However, when he and his

companions were asked, they from the most reliable narrator of

denied having said it. Traditions in Islam, Sahih Al-
Bukhari. (See Seerat Khatam-ul-
The Holy Prophet(saw), forgave the Nabiyyeen by Hadhrat Mirza
man, but as passions were running Bashir Ahmed(ra), and Muhammad:
high, the Holy Prophet(saw), Seal of the Prophets by Chaudhry
contrary to his normal practice, Zafrullah Khan(ra)).
instructed the Muslims to leave
during the middle of the day. The The Incident of Ifk as related by
party marched for a day and a half. Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)
When they halted for a break, Hardhat ‘A’ishah(ra) relates:
almost every one fell into a deep
sleep. “It was the practice of the
Holy Prophet(saw) that
‘Abdullah bin Ubayy’s son stopped whenever he was about to
his father from entering Madinah proceed on a journey he would
until he made the admission that he pick by means of a draw the
was the most despised amongst the name of which of the wives
people and the Holy Prophet(saw) were to accompany him.
was the most honoured. ‘Abdullah Once, on such an occasion, the
bin Ubayy, who had accompanied name was picked out of the
the Muslims to try and stir up draw [and] my name
trouble, returned writhing and appeared, so I was taken along
raging inwardly, as had the Holy on this Battle. The injunction
Prophet(saw) not arrived in Madinah, for purdah [covering] had
he would have been crowned the already been revealed, so I
ruler of Madinah. He falsely tried used to sit on the camel with
to find a point to attack the honour curtains tied around the seat
of the Holy Prophet(saw) and thus (called a Hawdah), wherever
diminish the strength and morale of the caravan stopped, the
the Muslims. Hawdah was lifted down and I
could come out, and when the
The next incident was vouched in a caravan had to leave, the men
revelation in the Holy Qur’an. would lift the Hawdah to the
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah’s(ra) version of top of the camel while I was
what happened has been taken sitting in it.

On the return journey when they will come looking for

after the Battle, we had me. I sat down to wait. After
arrived near Madinah. Late a long time waiting, I fell
in the evening the Holy asleep. It so happened that
Prophet(saw) gave orders to the Safwan bin Mu’attal, whose
party to march on. When I duty was to follow the
heard this announcement, I caravans for security and so
proceeded to answer a call of that he could pick up
nature and then returned to anything that had fallen off
my camel. I then realised that the camels or had been left
my necklace had gone behind, reached the spot in
missing. I returned to look the early hours of the
for the necklace; it took me morning and saw me
some time. While I was sleeping by the wayside. He
away, the men appointed to had seen me before the
lift my Hawdah lifted it and admonishment of purdah had
mounted it onto the camel, been revealed, and so he
assuming that I was inside it, recognised me. He was so
and the caravan moved away. disturbed that he exclaimed,
The reason the men did not surely to Allah we belong
notice was that due to the and to Him shall we return.
scarcity of food and difficult When I heard this
economic situation, women exclamation I woke up with a
were very light in weight: start and quickly covered my
they could not put on much face with my cloak. I swear
flesh on the body, and also I in the name of Allah the
was quite young at the time. Almighty that he did not
utter another word and
When I returned to the spot, I neither did I hear him say
found that the caravan was anything. He brought his
gone and the field was camel in front of me and
empty. I was extremely made it sit down then. He
distressed, but then I thought placed his foot on the knees
that I should stay at the spot, of the camel so that it could
and when it will be realised not rise suddenly. I climbed
that I am not in my carriage onto the back of the camel

and Safwan started walking spreading the accusation

in front of the camel holding about me.”
the reins, until we met up
with the caravan where it had Syed Salman Nadawi writes in his
camped. This is the whole biography of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah
incident. Siddiqah(ra) that when she heard
this accusation, she could not
Thereafter when we arrived believe it, but then a lady from the
in Madinah with the Holy Ansar tribe repeated the whole
Prophet(saw), it so happened story as it was being spread in
that I became ill after Madinah. On hearing this, Hadhrat
arriving in Madinah and ‘A’ishah(ra) was so shocked that she
continued to be ill for a fainted. Hadhrat ‘A’ishah’s(ra) own
month. During this time, the account continues thus:
mischief mongers continued
to spread the malicious “When the Holy Prophet(saw)
rumour against me, but I was came as usual and enquired:
totally unaware of it. The ‘How are you feeling now?’, I
only thing which I felt and sought his permission to retire
was grieving about was that for some days to my parents’
the Holy Prophet(saw) was not house. He gave me per-
as affectionate as was his mission, and I went home to
practice. He would come them. My purpose in going
home and offer greetings and home was to find out what
enquire about my health and was being said about me. I
would return after that. This spoke to my mother and she
practice hurt me very much, sought to comfort me, by
but my illness had made me saying, ‘Daughter, do not
very weak so I did not say grieve, it often happens that
anything. when a man has more than one
wife, and he is fonder of one
By coincidence, one day I of them then some scandal is
found out from Umm Mistah, hatched against her.’ I then
who was a relative of ours, understood that scandal was
that her son was involved in being spread against me and I
the mischief mongering of began to weep and spent the

whole night crying, grieved to ‘A’ishah except for her

the soul.” righteousness.”
About the next day, the Holy Hadhrat ‘Ali(ra), probably seeing the
Prophet(saw) summoned Hadhrat grief that the Holy Prophet(saw) was
‘Ali bin Abu Talib(ra) and Usamah experiencing replied:
bin Zaid(ra), seeking their counsel,
because no revelation had been “O Prophet of Allah! There is
received for some time, and the no hardship placed on you by
Holy Prophet(saw) was worried. He Allah the Almighty, and
enquired from the two as to what besides ‘A’ishah there is no
their advice would be. Both these shortage of women. I do not
young men had grown up in the know anything about this
household of the Holy Prophet(saw), matter. You may enquire from
and in those small houses, which ‘A’ishah’s maid; she can tell
were built almost open-plan, the you the truth.”
comings and goings of any nature
would not have missed their So Bareerah was sent for, who was
scrutiny. Times were tense and for ‘A’ishah(ra)‘s personal maid. Upon
reasons of security these people enquiry she said:
were alert at all times.
“I swear in the name of Allah
Upon enquiry Hadhrat Usamah (ra) the Almighty who has sent you
said: with the Truth, I have never
seen any vice in my mistress,
“O Prophet of Allah! ‘A’ishah only that in household chores
is your wife.” (meaning that sometimes she is not careful
Allah the Almighty chose her and leaves the dough
so she must be worthy of that unprotected and goes to sleep,
honour) and the goat (of the
neighbours) comes in and eats
He added: the dough.”
“I swear in the name of Allah Syed Salman Nadawi has quoted

the Almighty that we are not another report stating that Bareerah
aware of anything about also added:

“Holy is Allah! Like the Sita wife of Ram Chandra Ji in

jeweller recognises true gold, I the history of Hinduism and
recognise her (as pure).” the calumny faced by Hadhrat
Maryam (Mary), mother of
Another person who was asked to Jesus Christ(as).’
make her views known about the
character of Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra), Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) continues with
was Hadhrat Zainab bint Jahash(ra), a her account of events:
cousin of the Holy Prophet(saw) and
also his wife. Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) “The Holy Prophet(saw) pro-
has stated that Hadhrat Zainab(ra) ceeded to the Mosque the next
was the only wife of the Holy day and addressed the
Prophet(saw) who used “to treat me community. He said: “I have
with rivalry, but it was her been grieved with the mali-
righteousness which protected her cious attack on my family. Is
from falling in the pit of sin” (by there any one who can put an
becoming party to the accusation). end to this? I swear in the name
of Allah the Almighty that I am
Hadhrat Zainab(ra)’s own sister, not aware of anything about
Hamna bint Jahash, was amongst this wife of mine except her
those spreading the malicious being good and pious, and the
accusation. The Holy Prophet(saw) other person who is facing the
enquired from Hadhrat Zainab(ra) allegation in this regard whom
what she thought of Hadhrat I consider to be a righteous
‘A’ishah(ra)’s character. She replied: person, has never visited my
house in my absence.”
“O Prophet of Allah! I feel that
‘A’ishah is a pious and Upon listening to this statement of
righteous woman.” the Holy Prophet(saw), the chief of
the tribe of Aus, Sa’ad bin Mu‘adh
Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad(ra) stood up and said:
states in his book, Seerat Khatam-
ul-Nabiyyeen: “O Prophet of Allah! I will put
an end to it. If the person guilty
‘This was an accusation quite of this slander is one of my
like the accusation faced by tribe, I declare him guilty of a

capital offence and will put accusation had been

him to death. If the culprit is circulated, he had not sat next
from amongst our brothers, i.e to me. The Holy Prophet(saw)
the tribe of Khazraj, then recited the Shahadah
whatever punishment you [Declaration of Faith] and
advise we will carry it out!’ glorified Allah the Almighty,
then he addressed me and said
This speech gave rise to the old ‘‘A’ishah! Maligning reports
held animosities these tribes had have been relayed to me
with each other, so the against you. If you are
representative of Khazraj took it as innocent of the allegation then
an attack on them and heated I am hopeful that Allah the
exchanges ensued. The Holy Almighty will uphold your
Prophet(saw) calmed them down and innocence. If you have
proceeded home (The mischief had committed a mistake then you
reached a point where it would should seek forgiveness of
have started a fight amongst the Allah the Almighty and turn to
young Muslim community). Him in repentance, because
when a servant of Allah the
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) says: Merciful Lord, bows to Him,
confessing his or her mistake
“I was in continuous agony, and seeks His forgiveness,
and my tears were not then Allah the Almighty turns
stopping; it had been two to that servant with acceptance
nights and one day in that of his/her repentance and is
state, while it had been a most merciful to that
month of being ill. I felt that servant.’”
my heart would burst with
grief. I was crying, sitting Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) states:
with my parents, when an
Ansar lady came to visit us. “On hearing the words, my
She also started crying in tears stopped. I asked my
sympathy with me. While we parents to make a response.
sat thus, the Holy Prophet(saw) They both said: ‘We swear in
arrived. He came and sat next the name of Allah the
to me. For a month since the Almighty that we do not know

what to say!’ At that time of might be vouchsafed on my

my life I was a young girl, I behalf or Allah the Almighty
did not know a great deal of would state my innocence in
the Holy Qur’an. I lost hope in His divine words. But I swear
my parents that they would in the name of Allah the
speak on my behalf, so I spoke Almighty that only a few
up myself with utmost moments had passed, while
humility and said to the Holy the Holy Prophet(saw) was still
Prophet(saw): ‘I realise that you in our house, I observed
have been affected by what perspiration over his face like
people have been saying , so if it used to be at the time he was
I were to protest my receiving revelation, and in
innocence, you might doubt spite of the cold weather,
me, and if, although my God droplets of perspiration started
knows that I am innocent, I to trickle down his face. After
were to confess myself guilty, a while the state ceased and
you might believe me. I swear smilingly he looked at me and
by Allah the Almighty that to said: ‘‘A’ishah! Allah the
me my case seems to be like Almighty has declared you
that of Joseph’s father, who innocent!’ On hearing the
had said: ‘It behoves me to be words, my mother imme-
steadfast. It is Allah alone diately said: ‘‘A’ishah! Get up
Whose help can avail against and thank the Holy
that which you assert, and Prophet(saw).’ But my heart was
Him shall I beseech for help!’ brimming with gratitude to
After saying this, I laid down Allah the Almighty, so I said
on my bed, turning my face ‘Why should I thank him? I
away from every one, in the will offer my gratitude to
full certainty that as I was Allah the Almighty Who has
guiltless, God would soon declared my innocence!’”
proclaim my innocence. What
I had in mind was that God When Hadhrat ‘A’ishah’s mother
would assure the Holy instructed her to thank the Holy
Prophet(saw) of my innocence Prophet(saw), this was a demon-
through some dream or vision. stration of how the Companions,
I had no notion that revelation men and women, loved the Holy

Prophet(saw) more than all other required witnesses, they are

relations. Hadhrat Umm indeed liars in the sight of
Rumman (Hadhrat ‘A’ishah’s(ra)
(ra) Allah!
mother) was keen to the Holy
Prophet’s(saw) grief and the intense Were it not for the grace of
prayers he would have made in this Allah and His mercy upon
regard, which had attracted the you, in this world and the
Mercy of Allah the Almighty. This Hereafter, a great punish-
is why she told her daughter to ment would have befallen
thank the Holy Prophet(saw). you for the slander into
which you plunged.
The revelation that had just been
received was the ten verses of When you received it and
Surah Al-Nur of the Holy Qur’an, then talked about it with your
which read as follows: tongues, and you uttered with
your mouths that of which
Verily, those who brought you had no knowledge, and
forth the lie are a party from you thought it to be a light
among you. Think it not to be matter, while in the sight of
an evil for you; nay it is good Allah it was a grievous thing.
for you. Every one of them
shall have his share of what And wherefore did you not
he has earned of the sin; and say, when you heard of it, ‘It
he among them who took the is not proper for us to talk
chief part therein shall have about it. Holy art Thou, O
a grievous punishment. God, this is a grievous
calumny!’
Why did not the believing
men and believing women, Allah admonishes you never
when you heard of it, think to return to the like thereof, if
well of their own people, and you are believers.
say, ‘This is a manifest lie?’
And Allah explains to you the
Why did they not bring four commandments; and Allah is
witnesses to prove it? Since All-Knowing, Wise.
they have not brought the

Those who love that Holy Prophet(saw) and an attack on

immorality should spread Islam. Allah vindicated not only
among the believers, will Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra), but also
have a painful punishment in upheld the honour of all mankind
this world and the Hereafter. whenever they are faced with false
And Allah knows, and you accusation against their virtue. Sir
know not. William Muir has summed up the
allegation:
And but for the grace of
Allah and His mercy upon ‘Little remark is needed
you and the fact that Allah is regarding the character of
Compassionate and Merciful, ‘A’ishah… her life both before
you would have been ruined. and after, must lead us to
(Ch.24:Vs.12-21) believe her innocent of the
charge!’
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) has related (Life of Muhammad, p.304)
that:
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) used to count
“When my innocence was this as a foremost blessing that the
established, my father, who Lord and Master of the universe
used to support Mistah bin spoke in this divine revelation,
Athathah due to his poverty thereby putting on record that she
and his relationship, swore was as pious and virtuous as her
that as Mistah had been a sacred and noble husband, the Holy
party to the slander against Prophet(saw), had declared on oath in
me, he would not help him the Mosque:
again. But soon thereafter, the
Holy Prophet(saw) received “I swear in the name of Allah
revelation that this was not the Almighty that I know
pleasing to Allah the nothing about this wife of
Almighty, upon which he mine except her being good
resumed his support of Mistah and pious.”
and vowed never to stop it.”
The attack on Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)

was, in actual fact, an attack on the

Iqamatus Salat
Observance of Prayer in Islam
By Maulana Ataul Mujeed Rashed – (Imam of the London Mosque)
Introduction worship Allah. Islam has made it

The topic of Iqamatus Salat, the compulsory for Muslims to observe
observance of Prayer, is based on a specified form of worship, called
just two words, yet its subject Salat, one of the five pillars of Islam
matter entails a diverse ocean of and a fundamental requirement of
wisdom and understanding. These faith. The topic of Iqamatus Salat
two words encompass a funda- possesses a major significance in
mental commandment of Allah the the life of a Muslim. It has been
Exalted; in fact, they entail the made the responsibility of every
purpose for mankind’s creation and Muslim that he firmly acts upon this
the means of acquiring this purpose. commandment, enlightening him-
The first injunction for mankind self with its true understanding and
mentioned in the Holy Qur’an is to fulfilling this purpose of his life,

Iqamatus Salat – Observance of Prayer in Islam
when he hears the call, is but a name for such a state

wherein God, and only God
And thou, O soul at peace! remains in sight; and man
Return to thy Lord well pleased progresses to such a state
with Him and He well pleased wherein he speaks when God
with thee. So enter thou among wishes, and walks when God
my chosen servants, and enter wishes; the whole of his moving
thou My garden. or remaining still, his per-
(The Holy Qur’an, forming an action or abandon-
Ch.89:Vs.28-31) ing an action begins to conform
to Allah’s will; and the ego is
Significance of Prayer annihilated.’1
The entire Holy Qur’an is full of the
emphatic mention of prayer. Prayer ‘Prayer does not imply that
possesses central significance in the prayer which is observed by the
prophetic Traditions, the Sunnah, common people as a mere
and there is abundant mention of tradition, rather, prayer is that
prayer in the Hadith of the Holy by which the heart of man is
Prophet(saw) as well. Benefitting from tendered, and falls before the
all three of these means of guidance, Divine threshold becoming so
and becoming saturated by that immersed that it begins to
fountain of knowledge and melt.’2
understanding, the beautiful manner
in which the Promised Messiah(as), Then he states:
the Imam of the Age, has mentioned
prayer is a faith-inspiring exposition ‘What is prayer? It is a
and one that should be pondered. supplication, which is humbly
implored with Tasbih
The Promised Messiah(as) has stated: [glorifying Allah], Tahmid
[praising Allah], Taqdis
‘In reality, Salat is but a name [proclaiming His Holiness],
for plunging into a fire, and Istighfar [seeking His
after plunging into a fire of forgiveness] and Durud
Divine love and fear of Allah, to [invoking blessings on the Holy
burn one’s being and burn Prophet(saw)].’3
everything except Allah; and it

Furthermore, the Promised detained in a dreadful lawsuit

Messiah(as) writes: and a verdict of imprisonment
or hanging is to be announced.
‘What is prayer? It is to present What is his state before the
one’s humility and suppli- judge? Similarly, one should
cations and weaknesses before stand before Allah with a
God and to desire the fulfilment fearful heart. A prayer in which
of needs from Him; at times, to the heart is at one place, while
stand before Him respectfully, the thoughts are somewhere
to pay homage to His else, and the mouth says
magnificence and fulfil his something, is a curse, which is
commandments; at times, to fall thrown back in the face of man,
before him in prostration with and is not accepted…True
complete humility and modesty, prayer is that which feels
to implore one’s needs from pleasurable. It is this very
Him – this is Prayer. Just like a prayer, in the description of
beggar, to praise Allah saying, which, it has been said that
‘You are like so and you are like prayer is the spiritual apex –
such and such’. To express His Mi‘raj – of a believer. Prayer is
magnificence and majesty and the means of spiritual progress
inducing His mercy, then for a believer.’ 5
imploring of Him.’4
Significance of Observing Prayer
He states: The observance of prayer is a
fundamental pillar of Islam, the
‘A prayer in which there is no fulfilment of which is obligatory
humility, no attraction towards upon every true Muslim. In the
God the Exalted, no weeping beginning of the Holy Qur’an, Allah
supplication before God the says that true believing and virtuous
Exalted, is in itself a deficient people are those who possess the
prayer. Prayer is that in which attribute of Yuqimunas-Salat, who
one feels pleasure in observe Prayer (Ch2:V.4). Later on
supplication. Stand before God in the Qur’an, Allah emphatically
the Exalted with such attention states:
that a state of emotion over-
comes you, as if an individual is … observe Prayer, and be not

of those who associate With regards to the safeguarding of

partners with God.6 prayer, Allah the Almighty’s
commandment is:
On the day of resurrection, when the
wrongdoers will be asked what led Watch over Prayers, and the
them to Hell, their answer shall be: middle Prayer, and stand before
Allah submissively.12
… ‘We were not of those who
offered Prayers,’7 In other words, the more
engagements to which one is tied, the
In the sight of Allah the Exalted, greater the significance becomes of
beloved and accepted worshippers observing prayers on time.
are those: Abandoning all other engagements,
granting precedence to the prayer
…who are constant in their and assembling for its observance on
Prayer8 time is in actuality the true meaning
Who are humble in their of Iqamatus Salat. This shall be the
Prayers,9 apparent expression of the oath
And those who are strict in which every Ahmadi Muslim, by the
their observance of Prayer.10 grace of God, undertakes, namely
that ‘I shall give precedence to my
Consistency in prayer, humility in faith over all worldly affairs.’
prayer, and the safeguarding of
prayers are the fundamental pillars It is mentioned in Hadith: “One
of Iqamatus Salat. Similarly, the who does not offer his prayers
offering of prayer in congregation intentionally has committed infi-
and its timely observance, and the delity.” And in another Hadith:
fulfilment of all the conditions with “On the day of resurrection, the
firm assiduousness are essential for first thing one shall be called to
the fulfilment of Iqamatus Salat. account for is the prayer” 13.
Regarding the consideration of Elsewhere in the Hadith it is
time, the Qur’an states: mentioned that the thing which
separates a believer from an infidel
… verily prayer is enjoined on is the observance of prayer.
the believers to be performed Furthermore, it is stated: “Salat is
at fixed hours.11 the pillar of religion”

In other words Salat is the paradises, one of which is the

foundation of Islam, without which paradise of this world, which is
the edifice of faith cannot remain the Prayer.’15
erect.
True Meaning of Iqamatus Salat
The books of the Promised The idiom used in the Holy Qur’an
Messiah(as) are replete with for the observance of prayer is
resounding instructions pertinent to Iqamatus Salat. This phraseology
the observance of prayer. For has not been used in the Holy Qur’an
entrance into the Community, in the merely once or twice; rather, it has
ten conditions of Bai‘at (Initiation), been used forty seven times, by
formulated by the Promised which one can fathom its
Messiah(as), the third condition states significance and greatness. The word
that every individual who does ‘Iqamah’ is a complete and eloquent
Bai‘at: word that houses a world of
meanings. In Tafsir-e-Kabir, Hadhrat
‘Shall regularly offer the five Mirza Bashir-Ud-Din Mahmud
daily Prayers in accordance Ahmad(ra), Second Khalifa of the
with the commandments of God Ahmadiyya Muslim community, has
and the Holy Prophet mentioned various meanings of
Muhammad ’ (saw) Iqamatus Salah:
Then the Promised Messiah(as) 1. Regular Observance of Prayer

writes:
‘The meaning of Iqamatus Salat is
‘One who does not assiduously to observe prayer regularly
offer the five daily prayers is because the meaning of Qama
not from my community.’14 ‘alal amri means to remain
constant in something. Therefore,
Then he states: the meaning of Yuqimunas-Salat
would be that ‘they do not intermit
‘Prayer is the right of Allah; in offering their prayers’. A prayer
fulfil it well…Even if the entire wherein there is an intermittence
house is destroyed, let it be, but is not considered true prayer in
do not discard the prayer. The Islam, because prayer is not of
Holy Qur’an speaks of two temporary deeds, rather, it is

considered a complete deed if the conditions set by the

there is no intermittence from the Shari‘ah. Similarly, they offer
first prayer after repentance or their prayers at the appointed
after reaching an age of maturity, time, and perform the actions of
until the last prayer before one’s Qiyam, Ruku‘, Sajdah and
demise. All the prayers of those Qa‘dah correctly. They recite
people who tend to miss their the appointed passages and
prayers in between are rejected. prayers upon their proper place
Therefore, it is the obligation of properly and correctly.
every Muslim that when he Therefore, they pay consid-
reaches an age of maturity, or eration to all the apparent
when Allah enables him to do so, conditions and fulfil them
from that time until his demise, he properly.
should not miss a single prayer,
because prayer is equivalent to At this place, it should be
meeting Allah, and he who remembered that although the
refrains from meeting his beloved, Shari‘ah states that the prayer
passes a judgement contrary to his should be offered with its set
so-called claim of love by conditions, this does not mean
himself.’16 that when the fulfilment of
these conditions is not possible
2. Observance Along with the in extreme circumstances, one
Fulfilment of all Requirements should abandon the prayer
altogether. The prayer itself is in
‘The second meaning of any case precedent to the
Iqamah is of equilibrium and conditions. If someone does not
rectitude, i.e., the virtuous offer have clean clothes, he may offer
their prayers according to its his prayers in dirty clothes, and
apparent conditions, and do not especially, to abandon the
break the rules set for it. For prayer on the basis of suspicion
example, in a state of health or is completely illogical...Until
in the availability of water, they the fulfilment of the conditions
offer their prayers after per- is possible, to disregard them is
forming Wudhu’ (ablution), and sin. However, when it is
even then, they perform their impossible to fulfil the con-
Wudhu’ properly according to ditions, to abandon prayer due

to their unavailability is a sin, 4. To Encourage and Motivate others

and such a man shall not be for Prayer
considered excused, rather, one
who abandons the prayer.’17 ‘Another meaning of
Yuqimunas-Salat is that the
3. To Erect a Falling Prayer virtuous encourage others to
pray, because one manner in
‘The third meaning of Iqamah which to erect something is to
is to erect something, i.e., the make it common and to
worshipper does not let his encourage others to it.
prayer fall. They remain Therefore, the virtuous who act
forever adamant in offering upon Yuqimunas-Salat are those
their prayer correctly and as who in addition to praying
per the stipulated conditions. If themselves, keep instructing
in his prayer someone…is others to pray as well, and make
assailed by thoughts of those who are negligent prompt
difficulty, he should not be and vigilant.’
dismayed, and should not
consider his prayers useless, 5. Prayer in Congregation
because Allah the Exalted only
expects sacrifice from his ‘Wherever the Holy Qur’an has
servant to the extent of his enjoined prayer, it has
capacity. Therefore, those instructed for prayer to be
worshippers, whose thoughts offered in congregation.
remain dispersed, if they Nowhere is it ordered that one
continue to try and beautify simply offers prayers alone. It is
their prayers and remain evident therefore that prayer in
attentive, they will be striving congregation is a significant
to erect their prayer whenever principle of faith, rather, the
it is falling. Allah the Exalted Holy Qur’an…states that
shall not waste their prayers, prayer is only observed
rather, He shall accept them, correctly if offered in
and shall include one who congregation, unless there is an
endeavours to erect his prayer uncontrollable restraint. As
among the virtuous.’18 such, an individual who
abandons prayer in congre-

gation, except in the case that he as a result of laziness and

is ill, out of town, or other negligence, and the essence of
Muslims are not present, even if prayer is lost.’20
he offers his prayer at home, it
shall not be accepted, and he An Important Matter
shall be considered as one who With regards to Iqamatus Salat, it
abandons the prayer.’ should be remembered that for a
Muslim to observe prayer on his
In the Holy Qur’an...the actual own is not sufficient, rather, prayer
instruction is that the must be established as a communal
compulsory prayers be offered worship, and this system should
in congregation, and prayer in continue generation after gener-
solitude is permitted only ation. This issue is so important that
under extreme circumstances. Allah the Exalted especially
If one cannot offer the prayers instructed his beloved Holy
standing, he is permitted to do Messenger(saw):
so whilst sitting. However, just
as if someone who possesses And enjoin Prayer on thy
the ability to stand and pray but people, and be constant
does so whilst sitting, he shall therein…21
be considered a sinner,
similarly, one who can offer It should be remembered that every
the prayer in congregation, but individual who attributes himself to
does not offer his prayer in the Holy Prophet(saw) and makes a
congregation, he too shall be claim of love and devotion to him,
considered a sinner.’19 is included in this injunction. To
continually instruct members of the
6. To offer Prayer with Complete household to offer prayer is a
Attention, Togetherness, and responsibility and a quality which is
Vigilance greatly liked by Allah the Exalted.
Whilst alluding to Hadhrat
‘Another meaning of Abraham(as), Allah the Almighty
Yuqimunas-Salat is also that states:
the prayer be offered in a lively
manner and with vigilance, He used to enjoin Prayer and
because thoughts are dispersed almsgiving on his people, and

he was well-pleasing to his Prayer, and my children too.

Lord.22 Our Lord! Do accept my prayer.
Our Lord, grant forgiveness to
It is necessary to keep this aspect of me and to my parents and the
Iqamatus Salat in consideration, for believers on the day when the
it is the means of securing a good reckoning will take place.’23
family and good children.
A Few Points of Wisdom
A Beautiful Prayer I present two points of profound
Iqamatus Salat is such an excellent wisdom from the Promised
quality and so very necessary for a Messiah(as) that shed further light on
true Muslim, that the prayer which the topic under discussion. Firstly, in
Hadhrat Abraham(as) offered for this order for a Muslim to establish his
purpose, was so liked by Allah the prayer, sacrifice is necessary. The
Blessed and Exalted, that He made strictness and discipline inflicted
it a part of the Holy Qur’an, thus upon the soul also becomes a means
preserving it for all eternity. In this of reward and blessings. The
manner a message has been given to Promised Messiah(as) states:
every individual of the Muslim
Ummah (Community) that if you ‘Opposing the self is also a
wish to acquire the Muqam-e- form of worship. When man is
Ibrahim (the lofty status of sleeping, he desires to sleep
Abraham) in your worship, if you more, but he opposes the self,
wish to attain the Muqam-e- and goes to the Mosque. This
Mahmud (the highly commended opposition is also worthy of
status) , then it is incumbent that reward.”24
you fasten this Abrahamic prayer to
your soul. Moreover, not only Secondly, in a youthful age when
should a Muslim adopt Iqamatus one’s health is good and the body is
Salat in his own life, but wish and strong, one should especially pay
pray for the same in the lives of attention to worship. The Promised
one’s future generations as well. Messiah(as) states:
What a beautiful prayer it is, which
has been taught to us: ‘If he spent this period (i.e., the
period of his youth) in the
My Lord make me observe worship of Allah, the

reformation of the self, and and does not break in between,

obedience to God, the fruit acquires the lowest level of
which he shall reap is that in his faith.
old age, when he shall be
unable to perform any worship, The second stage in prayer is
and inactivity and tardiness that all five prayers are offered
shall overcome him, the angels at the stipulated time. When one
shall continue to record the offers his five daily prayers on
same prayer, fasting, Tahajjud time, he steps to the second
(pre-dawn Prayer), etc., which ladder of faith.
he used to offer in his youth.
And this is the grace of Allah, The third stage is that the prayer
that despite the fact that he is be offered in congregation. By
unable to perform deeds, God the congregational observance
considers him exempt, and the of prayer, man steps to the third
same deeds are recorded in his ladder of faith.
account.”25
The fourth stage is that man
Seven Stages in the Spiritual observes the prayer whilst
Journey of the Observance of understanding its meaning. An
Prayer individual who does not know
There are seven stages in the spiritual the translation of prayer, should
journey of the observance of prayer. learn the translation and
The right of the establishment of observe prayers. Moreover, one
prayer can fully be offered only after who does know the translation,
one passes through these stages. should offer the prayer slowly,
Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din until he understands that he has
Mahmud Ahmad(ra) has elaborated done justice to the prayer.
upon this exquisite topic in a
remarkable manner. He states: Then, the fifth stage is that man
becomes fully engrossed in the
‘The first stage, below which prayer. Just as one plunges into
there is no stage whatsoever, is water, man should plunge into
that man offers his five daily his prayer, until he acquires one
prayers regularly. A Muslim of the two ranks: either that he
who offers his five daily prayers is seeing God, or if not, he

firmly believes that God the and after learning its

Exalted is seeing him. translation. It is the
responsibility of every indi-
After this, the sixth stage of vidual that in addition to the
belief is that an individual obligatory prayer timings, he
offers the Nawafil (Voluntary offers the Nawafil during the
Prayers). One who offers the night and day......Then every
Nawafil expresses to God the individual should offer his
Exalted, that he has offered his obligatory and supereroga-tory
obligation, but he has not yet (Nawafil) prayers with such
become satisfied by them, and assiduousness that even his
he says, ‘O God, it is my desire nights become days. Similarly,
to remain in Your royal court one should try to acquire the
beyond the times of greatest possible advantage
obligation.’ from the suppli-cations of
Tahajjud. Until and unless one
The seventh stage of belief is does not safeguard his prayers
that man not only offers his in this manner, for one to think
five daily prayers and observes that one can please God is
the Nawafil, but also prays nothing more than a fallacy.’26
Tahajjud (Late night/pre-dawn
prayer) during the night. These Curing Insipidity in Prayer
are the seven stages by which When alluding to the topic of
prayer is deemed complete. Iqamatus Salat, the question can
arise that if one finds no pleasure in
Hence, it is necessary for an offering the prayers, how can one
individual to attain these seven habituate oneself to it? The answer
stages. It is the responsibility has been provided most beautifully
of every individual that he by the Promised Messiah(as):
observes prayer on time. It is
the responsibility of every ‘Whenever such a state persists
individual that he observes the that the love and pleasure
prayer in congregation. It is the which was once felt in prayer
responsibility of every indivi- no longer remains, one should
dual that he observes the not tire, and should not be
prayer whilst understanding it, dismayed and lose strength but

should be concerned as to how attention in prayer, but has also

this lost wealth can be taught the specified words which
reacquired, and the cure is are to be prayed:
Taubah, Istighfar (repentance)
and supplication. One should ‘One should supplicate before
not abandon prayer due to Allah the Exalted in extreme
insipidity, rather, should emotion and passion, saying
increase prayer even further. that just as You have endowed
Just as when an alcoholic is not us with the various pleasures of
intoxicated, he does not fruits and other things, let me
abandon drinking, but drinks once taste the pleasure of
more and more, until finally, he prayer and worship as well.’ 28
experiences pleasure and
satisfaction; likewise, someone In other words, one should
who feels insipidity in prayer, supplicate in the following words:
should offer prayer in further
abundance, and it is not ‘O God, I receive the pleasures
appropriate to tire. Ultimately of this world everyday; grant
a state of pleasure shall come me the pleasurable taste of
about through that very worship once as well.’
insipidity.
Then he states that one should stand
Look at how deep one must dig in every Rak‘ah of the prayer and
into the earth to acquire water; supplicate in the following words:
those who tire are left
deprived, while those who do ‘O Allah the Exalted, the
not, ultimately acquire it. Omnipotent, the Possessor of
Therefore, in order to attain Majesty, I am a sinner, and the
that pleasure Istighfar, an poison of sin has affected my
abundance of prayer and veins to such an extent that I
supplication, readiness, and am devoid of emotion and
steadfastness are necessary.’27 attention in prayer. Forgive me
my sins with Thy blessing and
The Promised Messiah(as) has not grace, and forgive me my
only prescribed supplication in lapses, and soften my heart,
order to acquire pleasure and and place Your greatness and

Your fear, and Your love in my Hadhrat Mirza Masroor

heart, so that my hard- Ahmad(aba) on the subject of
heartedness may be dispelled, Iqamatus Salat
and I am granted attention in Ever since the initial stages of his
my prayer.’29 appointment to the exalted status of
Khilafat, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor
Then the Promised Messiah(as) states Ahmad(aba), Khalifatul Masih V,
that one should pray in the following Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
words: community, has repeatedly laid stress
on supplication, worship and
‘O Allah, you see how blind especially Iqamatus Salat. I present
and lacking of sight I am, and two of these instructions as a
at this time I am in a complete reminder:
state of death. I am aware that
soon hereafter, I shall receive “Worship Allah the Exalted,
my calling, and will return to and worship him as is His right.
you. At that time, there shall be Do not associate anyone with
none who will be able to stop Him. During the timings of
me. My heart is blind and prayer, as is His instruction,
ignorant. Send down such a keep your full attention towards
flame of light upon it, as your the prayers. Your engagements
love and attraction are or other excuses should not
developed in it. Bless me such become a hindrance in your
as I am not raised without offering prayers. Do not leave
sight, and do not become your prayers because of your
amongst the blind. work, rather, leave your work
for the prayers. This is also a
He said: When a man form of hidden Shirk
supplicates in such a way with (associating partners with God),
continuity, he shall see that because if you leave your
such a time will come when prayers because of your work
something of heaven will this means that your worldly
descend upon his insipid engagements are more dear to
prayer, which shall produce you than the worship of your
emotion.’30 God.”

Then he states: love with his Lord! The Holy

Prophet(saw) has stated, “O People! I
“Every individual who wishes like three things from this world, but
to become a worshipping I tell you that Qurratu ‘aini fis-salat
servant of Allah the Exalted – that the delight and pleasure of my
wishes to acquire His nearness, eyes is in the observance of prayer.”
wishes to purify himself and his
future generations, wishes to In Iqamatus Salat, the perfect
save himself from the example of the Holy Prophet(saw) is
onslaughts of Satan – there is spread throughout his life. The
only one method, and that is, system of congregational prayer
pay attention to worship, and began since the inception of Islam,
the most important aspect of after which, throughout the whole of
this is the congregational his life, the Holy Prophet(saw) did not
prayer.”31 let any lapse interfere in this
obligation, whether in a state of
Model of the Holy Prophet(saw) in travel or residence, health or illness,
Iqamatus Salat or in a state of war or peace. In a state
Thus far a brief exposition on the of travel, the Prophet(saw) would stop
details of Iqamatus Salat has been the travelling caravan and shorten or
provided. Now let us see the actual combine the prayers. In the case of
examples of Iqamatus Salat in the rain, he would also offer his prayers
real world. The personality, which upon his ride, and would not let any
the Creator of the universe, Allah, excuse interfere with observing
has presented as a perfect model is prayer.
that of the Holy Prophet
Muhammad(saw). The Holy On one occasion the Holy
Prophet(saw) fulfilled the right of Prophet(saw) was severely wounded
Iqamatus Salat so beautifully that after falling off a horse. It was
Allah testified that his prayers, his impossible for him to offer his
worship, his living and dying, were prayers while standing, but the Holy
all for His sake, the Lord of all the Prophet(saw) did not like that he
worlds, and even the enemies of the should miss the congregational
Holy Prophet(saw) publicly announced prayer, and led the prayer while
‘Ashiqa Muhammadun Rabbahu, sitting.32 At the Battle of Badr, the
that Muhammad(saw) has fallen in supplications which the Holy

Prophet(saw) made in a small pavilion, pleasure of heart in worship. In the

to this day, warm the hearts. The darkness of night he would enlighten
state of his engrossment was such as the rays of spirituality with his
his mantle would fall off his back worship and would strain his soul.
again and again, but this worshipper Someone asked Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra),
of the One God was above all that, the blessed wife of the Holy
and remained engaged in his Prophet(saw), to narrate the state of the
invocations. In the Battle of Uhud, Holy Prophet(saw)’s prayer. She
the Holy Prophet(saw) was weakened responded:
by severe wounds. He was also
grieved by the martyrdom of seventy “Where shall I find the words to
of his Companions, yet the Holy describe the beauty and length
Prophet(saw) offered his prayers in of those prayers?”34
congregation even on that day, as per
his custom. Due to the engagements The Holy Prophet(saw) would stand in
of war during the Battle of Ahzab, prayer for so long that his blessed
when the Zuhr (Noon Prayer) and feet would become swollen. When
‘Asr (Afternoon Prayer) prayers someone suggested that he take rest,
could not be offered on time and the he responded saying, “Shall I not be
sun declined, due to his exceeding a thankful servant to my Lord?” The
love for Iqamatus Salat, the state of his prostrations to Allah were
expression which spontaneously also something to behold. The
came to the blessed lips of the Holy narrator relates that the state of the
Prophet(saw) was that, Allah destroy Holy Prophet(saw) in prostration was
this enemy, due to whom a delay has like a pot fervently boiling upon the
occurred in our prayers.33 stove, or like two millstones in a
grinder hitting each other. To think of
Another aspect of Iqmatus Salat is this causes the body to tremble and
fear and humility. This magnificence the following supplication comes
was at its peak in the prayers of the from the heart:
Holy Prophet(saw). With eyes of
perception, just observe the young “The emotion that existed in
man who would abandon the the supplications of
attractions, beauty and pleasure of Muhammad , if only a
(saw)
this world, and retire to the cave of glitter of it were granted to my

Hira’ in complete solitude to find prostrations as well.”

Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) was the dearest stood up, performed his Wudhu’ and
and most beloved wife of the Holy began to offer prayer, and he spent
Prophet(saw). She narrates: One night, the whole night in worship and
when I woke up, I noticed the Holy invocations, until his place of
Prophet(saw) was not in bed. I thought, prostration became wet with tears36.
perhaps he had gone to the house of
another wife. As I looked here and With regards to prayer, the
there, I found the Holy Prophet(saw) attachment and interest of the Holy
had left his comfort and bed, and was Prophet(saw) was such as even in his
on the ground, prostrating at some final illness, he was suffering from a
distance and was engaged in severe temperature, and was drifting
supplications. Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) in and out of a state consciousness.
states: When I saw this, I was very In anxiety, he would ask again and
disappointed at myself and I said to again, “Is it time for prayer?” He
myself, O ‘A’ishah(ra), what thoughts was told that the companions were
are you preoccupied with, whereas waiting for him in the mosque. In
look at the state in which the order to decrease the severity of his
Messenger of Allah is in35. In another temperature he asked that cold
narration it is mentioned that she water be put on his body, and as he
found the Prophet(saw) prostrating in a got up to go to the mosque, he fell
nearby graveyard in the darkness of into a state of unconsciousness
the night. again. Upon regaining conscious-
ness, he once again asked about the
Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) mentions prayer. He was told that the
another incident: One night the companions were waiting in the
Holy Prophet(saw) came to my house. mosque. He had cold water put on
That night, it was my turn for the his body again. The temperature fell
Holy Prophet(saw) to spend the night to some extent, but he became
with me. When the Holy Prophet(saw) unconscious again. Afterwards,
entered the quilt in the cold night of when his state became a bit better,
winter, he said, “O ‘A’ishah! Do you he placed both hands on two
permit me to spend this night in the Companions and went to the
worship of Allah?” I responded, “I mosque in such a state that his feet
desire your happiness, I happily were being dragged behind him.
grant you permission.” Therefore, The Holy Prophet(saw) led the
the Holy Prophet(saw) immediately prayers sitting beside Hadhrat Abu

Bakr(ra) (later to become the First Promised Messiah(as) could not come
Khalifa of Islam) and thus set such out for the Maghrib (evening prayer)
an example of Iqamatus Salat that it and ‘Isha (night Prayer) he would
shall remain unparalleled until the gather the women and children in
end of time. the home and offer the prayers in
congregation38. In his early days, the
Model of the Promised Messiah(as) Promised Messiah(as) would keep
in Iqamatus Salat Hafiz Mu‘inuddin with him for the
Let us study the state of Iqamatus mere purpose that in this way, he
Salat in the blessed life of the would receive the opportunity to
Promised Messiah(as) in light of only offer prayer in congregation. During
a few examples. The most luminous the law-suits that he faced, the
aspect of the life of the Promised Promised Messiah(as) never missed a
Messiah(as) was his love of Allah. prayer. He would seek permission
The whole of his life was absorbed from the court and offer his prayers
in this very love and the observance on time.
of worship and prayer was his
spiritual food. His observance of The Companions of the Promised
prayer in congregation was Messiah(as) have described a
unparalleled. In the days of his wonderful image of the prayers of
youth, he was referred to as a the Promised Messiah(as). There is a
Masitar, i.e., one whose time is narration of Hafiz Hamid ‘Ali that
primarily spent in the mosque the Promised Messiah(as) would offer
engaged in worship. Hadhrat Pir his prayers with great preoccupation
Sirajul Haq Nu‘mani(ra) writes: I and interest. He would repeat the
presented myself before the words Ihdinas-siratal mustaqim
Promised Messiah(as) in 1882 and (Guide us in the straight path) very
remained in his presence until a few often and would repeat the words Ya
months prior to his demise. I always hayyu ya qayyumu birahmatika
found the Promised Messiah(as) astaghith (O Living and Self
compliant to the observance of Sustaining Allah, I beseech Thy
congregational prayer37. It is Mercy). He would repeat these words
narrated by Hadhrat Mufti again and again with great emotion
Muhammad Sadiq(ra) that two or and passion as if someone asking for
three years prior to the demise of the something of his superior, and
Promised Messiah(as), whenever the weeping, asking for his desired item

again and again. Generally, his Promised Messiah(as) was

prostrations before Allah in prayer saying, ‘If these people are
were very lengthy and at times it destroyed in this chastisement,
seemed that he would melt and flow who shall worship you39?’”
away in his emotions.
In addition to Tahajjud, the Promised
Another description of the prayer Messiah(as) would sit in complete
and supplication of the Promised seclusion for the worship of Allah
Messiah(as) is found in a narration of during a part of the day. In his last
Hadhrat Maulawi ‘Abdul Karim years, when he had the Baitul Du‘a
Sialkoti. He narrates that it was the built, he would shut the door and sit
days when the plague was rampant in inside for about two hours and
the Punjab and people were falling engage himself in the worship of
prey to this disease. This was the Allah. Many a time, in search of
plague which had been manifested as seclusion, he would go out and
a sign of the truthfulness of the would sit and worship his Lord in
Promised Messiah(as), but due to his seclusion.
love for mankind, he was engaged in
prayer for them. The manner in Another aspect of Iqamatus Salat is
which the Promised Messiah(as) was that when the time for prayer arrives,
praying astounded Maulawi Sahib it should be given precedence over
and he said: all other engagements. I present a
beautiful example of this from the
“There was such grief and life of the Promised Messiah(as).
emotion in this prayer of the Hadhrat Sayyidah Nusrat Jahan
Promised Messiah(as) that the Begum Sahibah(ra), the blessed wife
heart of the listener melted, and of the Promised Messiah(as), states
the Promised Messiah(as) was that the Promised Messiah(as) said to
weeping before the Divine her:
threshold in such pain just as a
woman in childbirth. Upon ‘Once, I travelled for a law-suit.
listening more attentively, I Other cases were being dealt
noticed that the Promised with, while I waited under a tree
Messiah(as) was praying for the outside. Since it was time for
salvation of mankind from the prayer, I began to offer my
punishment of the plague. The prayer right there. However,

during my prayer I began to The great care of the Promised

hear my name being summoned Messiah(as) regarding the issue of
by the court, but I continued Iqmatus Salat reminds us of the
praying. When I completed my perfect example of the Holy
prayer, I noticed an attendant Prophet(saw) at every step. The soul is
of the court standing next to entranced to see how this true
me. As soon as I completed it, servant followed his Master, the
he said, ‘Mirza Sahib! Holy Prophet(saw) at every step.
Congratulations, you have won Furthermore, his state is such, that
the case.’40 after fulfilling his responsibility of
worship to the maximum limits of
Despite being in severe pain and his capacity, he still feels
illness, the Promised Messiah(as) embarrassment and shame. There is
always paid due regard to Iqamatus an incident in the era of the
Salat. I present one example of this. Promised Messiah(as) when a dancer,
The Promised Messiah(as) was who was invited to a non-Muslim’s
authoring a book called Nurul Haq home for a wedding, sang and
in response to a book written by a danced all night long. When the
Christian. Only four or five pages Promised Messiah(as) was informed
had been written when the Promised of this, he enquired, “Why don’t
Messiah(as) was struck with a severe you find out how much this poor
headache. The pain increased so lady earned for the night?” It was
much that the Promised Messiah(as) discovered that she earned five
could not come to the mosque for rupees. When the Promised
three days. On the fourth day, after Messiah(as) came to his Companions
feeling slightly better, he came for the next morning, he said:
the Fajr (morning) prayer and
offered the congregational prayer “I was embarrassed all night
with great difficulty whilst sitting. long that this lady worked so
The state of his illness was such that hard for a mere five rupees. We
the Promised Messiah(as) was receive thousands and thou-
heavily perspiring, and he was so sands, nay, countless gifts and
weak that after the prayer he could rewards from our benefactor
not even sit any longer, and lay and protector, Allah the
down in the mosque41. Exalted and we still do not
work as hard. Similarly, when I

hear the security guard at night, was said that, ‘Yes Hudhur, it is
I become embarrassed that he time.’ Then he intended for
watches guard all night long prayer again and offered his
for a mere four or five rupees a prayer whilst lying there.”43
month. He does not even rest
during the shorter nights, he Conclusion
does not care about the cold or This point is especially worthy of
rain. On the other hand, some remembrance, that there is a very
of us sleep so negligently in close relationship between
comparison to him. Man Iqamatus Salat and the institution of
should do justice to himself in Khilafat. In the Ayat-ul-Istikhlaf, by
his own heart.”42 stating Ya‘budunani la yushrikuna
bi shai’a (“They will worship Me,
The final action of this blessed and they will not associate anything
individual was prayer. In his last with Me” – Ch.24 V.56), Allah has
moments the Promised Messiah(as) promised the believers that through
became very weak. Hadhrat Mirza the blessings of Khilafat they shall
Bashir Ahmad(ra), his son, describes observe their worship merely for the
these last few moments: pleasure of Allah the Exalted. The
community of believers, under the
“When the time for morning shade of Khilafat shall become a
prayer arrived…[The Promised community of worshippers, and
Messiah(as)] asked in a faint every individual of this community
voice, ‘Is it time for prayer?’ A shall be an exemplary model of the
servant responded, ‘Yes divine injunction of Iqamatus Salat.
Hudhur, it is time.’ Upon This is why they shall receive a
hearing this, the Promised reward for standing firm upon the
Messiah(as) touched the sides of wholehearted unity of Allah the
his bed, to perform Tayyamum Exalted.
(an alternative for ablution
when water is unavailable) and Today, God has placed the crown of
intended for prayer whilst Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyyah upon this
lying, but fell unconscious. community and it is we who have
When he regained his been granted this great reward.
consciousness he enquired Therefore, O lovers and devotees of
again, ‘Is it time for prayer?’ It Khilafat! Come, let us express our

gratitude for this divine blessing and Allah make it so that we stand firm
let us express our attachment, on this oath with a true heart, firm
loyalty and obedience to Khilafat-e- determination and true loyalty such
Ahmadiyyah by leaving this as every one of our prayers falls true
assembly with a resolute intention to every level of Iqamatus Salat.
that we shall apply the divine order May we remain alive with lively
of Iqamatus Salat upon ourselves in and life-giving prayers, and may we
such a manner that every aspect of hand over our lives to our Lord
this topic holds true to our whilst offering such acceptable
personalities. May prayer become prayers.
our soul food. May prayer become
the delight of our eyes and may our
hearts find pleasure in prayer. May
References 22 Ch 19:V.56
1 Malfuzat, Vol.10, pp.314 23. Ch 14: Vs.41-42
2. Malfuzat, Vol.5, pp.402-403 24. Malfuzat, Vol.2, pp.552, new edition
3. Kishti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khaza’in, 25. Malfuzat, Vol.4, pp.199 – footnote,
Vol.19, pp.65 new edition
4. Tafsir Masih-e-Mau‘ud, Vol.3, pp.612, 26. Tafsir Kabir, Vol.2, pp.135-136
published in Rabwah, new edition 27. Malfuzat, Vol.5, p.432
5. Malfuzat, Vol.5, pp.44-45 28. Malfuzat, Vol.1, pp.163
6. Holy Qur’an, Ch 30:V.32 29. Fatawa Hadhrat Masih Mau‘ud, pp.37,
7. Holy Qur’an, Ch 74:V.44 published in 1935
8. Holy Qur’an, Ch 70:V.24 30. Malfuzat, Vol.2, pp.616, new edition
9. Holy Qur’an, Ch 23:V. 3 31. Al-Fazl International London, 28
10. Holy Qur’an, Ch 70:V.35 January 2005
11. Holy Qur’an, Ch 4:V. 104 32. Bukhari
12. Holy Qur’an, Ch 2:V.239 33. Bukhari
13. Al-Nisa’i 34. Bukhari, Kitabus Saum
14. Kishti-e-Nuh, pp.19, Ruhani Khaza’in, 35. Al-Nisa’i
Vol.19 36. Suyuti
15. Malfuzat, Vol.2, pp.370 37. Tadhkiratul Mahdi, pp.70
16. Tafsir Kabir, Vol.1, pp.104 38. Speech at Jalsa Salana, 1930
17 Tafsir Kabir, Vol.1, pp.104 39. Sirat Masih-e-Mau‘ud, Vol.3, pp.395
18 Tafsir Kabir, Vol.1, pp.105 40. Siratul Mahdi, Vol.1, pp.15
19. Tafsir Kabir, Vol.1, pp.105-106 41. Tadhkiratul Mahdi, pp.48-49
20. Tafsir Kabir, Vol.1, pp.106 42. Al-Fazl, 16 August 1998
21. Ch 19:V.56 43. Silsilah Ahmadiyyah, pp.182

The Birth of Jesus(as)
Death Strangely enough, the three great

religions of the world Judaism,
Christianity and Islam are at
on the variance with one another about
both the birth and the death of
Cross Jesus Christ(as), who was born

among the Jews. The Jews declare
his birth to be illegitimate and are
guilty of uttering a grievous
By Hadhrat Abulata Jallandhari calumny against Mary, mother of
Jesus(as). They declare him to be
unfit to “enter the congregation of
Hadhrat Abulata the Lord” because of his
Jallandhari (1904-1977) illegitimate birth, God forbid. The
studied at the Theological Christians on the other hand,
College of Qadian and believe that Jesus Christ(as) was
dedicated his life for the born without the agency of an
cause of Islam. He started earthly father and that he was the
working as a missionary in Son of God Himself. This shows
1927 and was posted in that both the Jews and the
Palestine (1931 to 1936)
Christians have gone to the
where he started
opposite extremes as regards the
publishing the magazine
birth of Jesus(as). The Muslims on
‘Al-Bushra’ in Arabic. He
was the founding Editor of
their part believe that Jesus(as) was
the Urdu magazine ‘Al- born without the agency of an
Furqan’ and remained earthly father, but he was not the
Editor for 26 years until Son of God. A fatherless birth may
his death. He also served be a strange incident but it is not
as Principal of the unnatural. There have been cases in
Theological Colleges of medical history where innocent
Qadian, India, and virgins have given birth to babies.
Rabwah, Pakistan.) Even Adam(as), the progenitor of
the modern human race is

Death on the Cross
unanimously believed by the three the cross as the accursed of God.

great religions of the world, to be
born without the agency of either The Christians also believe that
father or mother. The Muslims Jesus(as) was hanged on the cross
believe that Jesus(as) was a true and died an accursed death. Paul
prophet of God. His birth without says:
the agency of man has nothing to
do with his sonship or his divinity. ‘Christ hath redeemed us from
He was human, pure and simple. the curse of the law, being made
Jesus(as) invariably calls himself the a curse for us: for it is written,
‘Son of man’ in the New cursed is every one that hangeth
Testament. on a tree.’ (Galatians 3:13)
The Death of Jesus(as) But the Holy Qur’an declares that

The death of Jesus(as) is an equally Christ did not die on the Cross. God
controversial affair with the Jews, saved him from death by
the Christians and the Muslims. crucifixion, in the same way He
The Jews believe that Jesus(as) died saved His dear ones from
on the cross because he was a false tribulations. Did not Jonah(as), the
prophet. In this connection they Prophet, come out alive from the
quote the Bible. belly of the whale? The fact of the
matter is that Jesus Christ(as) only
‘And if a man have committed a fell into a swoon on the cross, but
sin worthy of death, and he be when he was taken down from it,
to be put to death, and thou he recovered, then died a natural
hang him on a tree his body death at the age of 120.
shall remain all night upon the
tree, but thou shalt in any wise On the strength of their belief that
bury him that day; for he that is Jesus(as) was a false prophet, the
hanged is accursed of God…”’ Jews, particularly the Pharisees of
(Deuteronomy 21:22-23) his time, brought serious political
charges against him, alleging that
According to them, Jesus(as) was a he was disloyal to the Roman
false prophet, therefore he died on Emperor, and that he had claimed

Jerusalem ©dreamstime.com
himself to be the King of the Jews. several days. But it was not so in
The governor, Pilate, was not the case of Jesus Christ(as). He was
convinced of his guilt, but being put on the cross on a Friday after-
influenced by the tumult of noon. The following being the
multitude, he delivered Jesus(as) to Sabbath day, a day of religious
be crucified. They put him on the observance for the Jews, and no
cross where he remained, at the criminal could remain on the cross
most, for three or four hours only on that holy day, he was taken
and then was taken down in a down from it after about three or
comatose state and placed in a four hours. The loss of blood from
sepulchre in a garden nearby. In the wounds caused him to fall
those times, it took several days for unconscious. He was taken for a
criminals to die by crucifixion. dead man. His body was placed in
They suffered the pangs of hunger a sepulchre in a garden by Joseph
and thirst and in most cases their of Arimathaea, his own disciple.
legs were broken. They died a Jesus(as) being still alive in the
lingering death, extending over sepulchre, left it on the third day in

Death on the Cross
disguise, met his disciples at then the whole of Christianity is

Galilee and ate with them. His a farce.’
wounds were healed by the
application of an ointment I – The Sign of Jonah(as)
especially prepared by his disciples Now we proceed with arguments
for the purpose. This is the real from the Bible itself, which show
story of the crucifixion of Jesus(as). that Jesus(as) did not die on the
cross. We read in the New
The Christian version of his death Testament:
is not only inaccurate but is also
against historical evidence – they ‘And when the people were
believe that Jesus(as) actually died gathered thick together, he
on the cross and on the third day he (Jesus(as)) began to say, this is an
rose up to the heavens. What a evil generation: they seek a
paradox! What a myth! Modern sign: and there shall no sign be
Christianity rests on the belief that given to it but the sign of Jonah
Jesus(as) died on the cross. But if it is the prophet. For as Jonah was a
proved that he did not die on the sign unto the Ninevites, so shall
cross nor did he rise from the dead, also the Son of man be to this
then the whole edifice of Chris- generation.’ (Luke 11:29, 30)
tianity crumbles to the ground.
Paul, who is the real founder of Again:
modern Christianity, himself says:
‘But he answered and said unto
‘And if Christ be not risen, then them: an evil and adulterous
is our preaching vain and your generation seeketh after a sign
faith is also vain.’ and there shall no sign be given
(1 Corinthians 15:14) to it, but the sign of the prophet
Jonah: For as Jonah was three
The late Dr. Zwemer, the well- days and three nights in the
known American missionary, says: whale’s belly; so shall the Son
of man be three days and three
‘If our belief in the death of nights in the heart of the earth.’
Christ on the cross is wrong (Matthew 12:39, 40)

Death on the Cross
Jesus Christ(as) is here comparing of Jonah(as). Now what is the

his own fate with that of the resemblance between the two signs
Prophet Jonah(as). Now what was of Jonah(as) and Jesus(as)? It is
the sign given by Jonah(as) to the nothing but going alive into the
Ninevites? The Bible says: belly of the fish and the heart of the
earth and coming out alive. Both
‘Now the Lord had prepared a Jonah(as) and Jesus(as) cried by
great fish to swallow up Jonah. reason of their respective afflictions
And Jonah was in the belly of and prayed to their Lord for
the fish three days and three deliverance. The prayers of both
nights.’ were heard. If Jesus(as) did not enter
the heart of the earth (sepulchre)
‘Then Jonah prayed unto the alive, and come out alive, where is
Lord his God out of the fish’s the resemblance of the two signs?
belly. And said, I cried by Jesus(as) promised to show only one
reason of mine affliction unto sign to the generation of his time,
the Lord, and he heard me out but even if that sign is not proved to
of the belly of hell cried I, and be true, is there anything also to
thou heardest my voice.’ prove the truth of his claim to be a
(Jonah 1:17, & 2:1, 2) prophet? Jesus(as)’s reference to the
sign of Jonah(as) simply means that
According to this verse in the he would not die on the cross.
Bible, Jonah(as) was swallowed up Therefore, there is every reason to
by a big fish, where he remained believe that the swoon theory is not
for three days and three nights and based on a wrong hypothesis.
then came out alive from the belly
of the fish. It was a sign given to the II – Pontius Pilate’s Wife Sees a
Ninevites. Jonah(as) prayed to God Dream
for deliverance while in the belly of ‘When he (Pilate) was set down
the fish. The Lord heard his prayer on the Judgement seat, his wife
and Jonah(as) came out alive. sent unto him, saying, Have
Jesus(as) says that no sign shall be thou nothing to do with that just
given to the evil and adulterous man (Jesus(as)): for I have
generation of his time except that suffered many things this day in

Death on the Cross
a dream because of him.’ ye accused him.’

(Matthew 27:19) (Luke 23:14)
Pilate’s wife’s dream was very true ‘He went out again unto the
and quite opportune. It purports to Jews and saith unto them, I find
mean that Christ be saved from the in him no fault at all. But ye
accursed death on the Cross. God have a custom, that I should
saves his dear ones by showing release unto you one at the
dreams to other people, as was the passover: will ye, therefore, that
case with Joseph(as) who was I release unto you the King of
released from jail having the Jews? Then cried they all
interpreted the two dreams of the again, saying, Not this man, but
king. God wanted to protect Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a
Jesus(as) against his enemies, hence robber.’
the dream of the Roman (John 18: 38, 40)
governor’s wife which influenced
his judgement. ‘And from thenceforth Pilate
sought to release him: but the
III – The Roman Governor’s Jews cried out, saying, if thou
Sympathetic Attitude let this man go, thou art not
The Jews presented the case of Caesar’s friend: whosoever
Jesus Christ(as) to Pontius Pilate, the maketh himself a king speaketh
Roman governor of Palestine. He against Caesar.’
held a judicial inquiry into the case (John 19:12)
and declared that Jesus(as) was not
guilty of the charges brought From the references given above, it
against him. He said to them: is evident that the Governor
regarded Jesus(as) innocent of all the
‘Ye have brought this man unto charges brought against him by the
me, as one that perverteth the Jews. He tried his utmost, to release
people: and behold, I, having him but when the Jews threatened
examined him before you, have to report him to the Caesar in
found no fault in this man Rome, he yielded to them and
touching those things whereof handed Jesus(as) over to them, but

Death on the Cross
secretly took measures to see that aloes about a hundred pound

Jesus(as) should be saved. He had his weight.’
wife’s dream before him and he (John 19:39)
knew full well that the chief priests
had conspired against him because It was very wise of Pilate to choose
of envy. Friday afternoon as the time for
Jesus(as)’s crucifixion so that he
IV - Pontius Pilate’s Attempts to could not remain on the cross after
Save Christ sunset, the following day being
Pilate, the Governor, was Sabbath, a holy day to the Jews. He
thoroughly convinced of the selected Joseph and Nicodemus as
innocence of Jesus Christ(as). He the most trusted friends to execute
therefore, had devised a scheme to the pre-arranged scheme. All
save Jesus(as)’s life. As a responsible necessary measures were adopted
official of the Roman Empire, he to bring Jesus(as) to consciousness.
could not openly come to the Otherwise, what did Nicodemus
forefront, but he was the mas- mean by bringing the mixture of
termind of the whole scheme and myrrh and aloes? Jesus(as) was
the lead character in the drama. shown to have died in official
Other characters of the show were records, to pacify the Jews and the
Joseph of Arimathaea, an Imperial government in Rome.
honourable councillor and disciple Joseph of Arimathaea, boldly asked
of Jesus Christ(as). He had already the Governor to hand over the
had a sepulchre hewn out in a rock ‘body’ of Jesus(as), a request he
garden nearby. Another actor in the readily granted. If the plan was not
drama, was a learned Jew named preconceived, how could the
Nicodemus, who was also privy to Governor hand over the ‘body’ of
the whole matter. We read of him in Jesus(as) to a stranger from outside?
St. John: There is reason to believe, that
Jesus Christ(as) himself must have
‘And there came also been informed of the plan, so that
Nicodemus, which at the first his prophecy might come true;
came to Jesus by night and “That as Jonah was three days and
brought a mixture of myrrh and three nights in the whale’s belly, so

Death on the Cross
shall the Son of man be three days within such a short time, especially
and three nights in the heart of the when his legs were not broken as
earth.” Nicodemus’ meeting with was done in the case of the two
Jesus Christ(as) the previous night robbers crucified with him the
brings into light the whole story. same day. It may not be out of place
here to note that, according to the
V – Duration of Crucifixion Roman calendar, the day began
The period of time Jesus(as) with the rising of the sun and ended
remained on the Cross was not long with its setting. The same custom is
enough to warrant his death by in vogue even to this day in Arab
crucifixion. Criminals generally countries. According to John
took several days to die a lingering (19:14) it was about the sixth hour
death on the cross, on account of of the day (Friday) that Pilate spoke
the loss of blood from the wounds last to the Jews about Jesus(as)’s
on hands and feet, the physical crucifixion and handed him over to
exhaustion, pain, pangs of hunger them.
and thirst. The minimum time of
death on the cross ranged between ‘And when the sixth hour was
24 and 28 hours but in some cases come, there was darkness over
it took several days to die on the the whole land until the ninth
cross. In such cases they used to hour. And at the ninth hour,
break the legs of the criminals with Jesus cried with a loud voice,
a cruciflagrum so that death may be saying, Eloi, Eloi, Lama
hastened by internal haemorrhage. Sabachthani? My God, My God
Further investigation into the why hast thou forsaken me?’
matter of Jesus Christ(as) tells us that (Mark 15:33, 34)
Jesus(as) remained on the cross for a
few hours only. The actual duration This clearly shows that Jesus(as)
of the time Jesus(as) remained on the retained his consciousness up to the
cross was not more than three or ninth hour of the day and then he
four hours. Jesus Christ(as), who was fell into a swoon or lost
in the prime of his youth (33 years consciousness. This is what the
old) and enjoyed excellent health, New Testament writers call “giving
could not be expected to have died up the ghost.” None of the writers

Death on the Cross
were present on the spot to stand as due to the absence of blood

eye-witness. The ‘swoon’ was pressure being exerted by the
taken to be ‘death’ and ‘death on heart. There is much food for
the cross’ means an accursed death. thought for those who care to
Do we not read in the Bible, “for he ponder over it.
that is hanged is accursed of God.”
(Deut. 21:23) What an audacity on VII – No eye-witnesses
the part of Christians to call a true Three writers of the Gospels state
prophet of God accursed of God! that there was darkness over all the
land from the sixth to the ninth
VI – Blood and water hour and that there was an
‘Then the soldiers came and earthquake and the rocks were rent
broke the legs of the first and of and the veil of the temple was rent
the other, who was crucified in twain. It is a matter of common
with him. But when they came experience, that at the time of a
to Jesus, and saw that He was severe dust storm, accompanied
‘dead’ already, they did not by an earthquake, people generally
break his legs. But one of the hasten to go home and they do not
soldiers with a spear pierced his enjoy the luxury of a bloody sight-
side, and forthwith came there seeing. Now imagine for a
out blood and water.’ moment, who could stand as an
(John 19:32, 33, 34) eye-witness to tell the story that
Jesus(as) actually died on the cross?
The soldiers did not break the legs The Jews, if at all there were any
of Jesus(as) for they took him for a on the spot, must have run away at
dead man, while actually he was in the sight of the rising storm and
a state of swoon, or just to silence the shaking of the earth must have
the angry Jews he was declared to frightened them to turn on their
be a ‘dead’ man. But one of the heels and hasten to their homes.
soldiers “pierced his side and As to the disciples they had
forthwith there came out blood already fled from the scene of the
and water,” which is a sure sign of crucifixion.
life, for blood and water do not
come out of a dead man’s body ‘Peter began to curse and to

Death on the Cross
swear saying, I know not this am sent.’

man (Jesus) of whom you (Luke 4:43)
speak.’
(Mark 14:71) ‘But he answered and said, I am
not sent but unto the lost sheep
‘And they all forsook him of the house of Israel.’
(Jesus) and fled.’ (Matthew 15:24)
(Mark 14:50)
From the quotations given above, it
To be brief, there was no one is clear that Jesus(as)’s mission was
present of substance on the scene to preach to all the twelve tribes of
who could definitely and certainly Israel scattered in the eastern
say that he saw Jesus(as) ‘giving up countries extending from Palestine
the ghost.’ This is all mere to India at the time of Jesus(as)’s ap-
conjecture and imagination. pearance. Of the twelve tribes of
Israel there were at that time, only
VIII – Jesus(as)’s mission to the two tribes in Palestine, while the
lost sheep of Israel other ten were found scattered in
the lands stretching from Palestine
‘For the Son of man is come to to the confines of India. Jesus(as)
seek and to save that which was cannot be said to have been
lost.’ successful in his mission, if he
(Luke 19:10) does not address and preach to the
ten lost sheep of Israel. The sup-
‘And other sheep I have, which posed death of Jesus(as) on the
are not of this fold: them also I cross at the early age of 33 years
must bring, and they shall hear deals a shattering blow to the
my voice; and there shall be one mission on which he was sent. The
fold and one shepherd’ truth of the matter is that, after his
(John 10:16) escape from the cross, Jesus
Christ(as) migrated to the East in
‘And he said unto them, I must search of the lost sheep, for which
preach the Kingdom of God to there is ample historical evidence
other cities also; For therefore I and has recently been supported

Death on the Cross
by the modern finds of was false, in calling himself the

archaeology. Jesus(as) found his lost Messiah. They had in their support
sheep in Persia, Afghanistan and the Biblical statement that,
Kashmir, preached to them and
comparatively, he was much more ‘...he that is hanged is accursed
successful there than in Palestine. of God’
He died a natural death and was (Duet. 21:23)
buried in Srinagar, Kashmir.
But if we believe that he was
IX – Jesus(as)’s victory over his taken down from the cross alive,
enemies (in a state of swoon, of course)
Addressing his disciples Jesus(as) and he entered the heart of the
says: earth alive and came out of it
alive, then he can rightly be said
‘Behold, the hour cometh, yea, to have overcome his enemies and
is now come, that ye shall be frustrated all their evil designs.
scattered, every man to his Jesus(as) said:
own, and shall leave me alone:
and yet I am not alone, because ‘For as Jonah was a sign unto
the Father is with me. These the Ninevites, so shall also the
things I have spoken unto you, Son of man be to this
that in me ye might have generation.’
peace. In the world you shall (Luke 11:30)
have tribulation but be of good
cheer; I have overcome the In other words, Jesus(as) said to the
world.’ Jews that God Almighty would
(John 16:32, 33) save him from the clutches of
death, in the same way as He had
Now what does Jesus(as)’s victory saved Jonah from the belly of the
consist of? Was it in his death on whale. The similarity between the
the cross, or in his escape from the two incidents can be real and
cross? If he died on the cross, then genuine only when Jesus(as) enters
the Jews were successful because the heart of the earth (grave) alive
their very aim was to prove that he and comes out alive.

Death on the Cross
X- His prayer was heard take away this cup from me:
From the study of the Bible we nevertheless not what I will but
learn that God listens to the prayers what Thou wilt.’
of his apostles and saves them from (Mark 14:36)
tribulations and trials. In the New
Testament we read: From the quotations given above,
it is clear that Jesus(as) was terribly
‘...The effectual fervent prayer afraid of being put on the cross, so
of a righteous man availeth he fervently prayed that the bitter
much”. Elias was a man subject cup be taken away from him.
to like passions as we are, and Jesus(as) passionately and fervently
he prayed earnestly that it might prayed to God that he might be
not rain: and it rained not on the saved the accursed death on the
earth by the space of three years Cross. How could he then say that
and six months. And he prayed he overcame the world? If he had
again and the heaven gave rain, died on the Cross, the mission of
and the earth brought forth her his whole life would have come to
fruit.’ naught and wrongdoers could
(James 5:16-18) challenge his claim to prophet-
hood. The thought of death on the
Again we read: cross was unacceptable to him.
Being a righteous prophet, he was
‘…And Jesus lifted up his eyes not afraid of mere death; he was
and said Father I thank Thee certainly afraid of dying on the
that Thou hast heard me. And I cross, as such a death could be
knew that Thou hearest me interpreted to mean an accursed
always: but because of the death, which was the very
people which stand by I said it negation of his prophetic mission.
that they may believe that Thou
hast sent me.’ ‘In the days of his flesh, when
(John 11:41, 42) he had offered up prayers and
supplications with strong
‘And he said, Abba, Father, all crying and tears unto him that
things are possible unto Thee; was able to save him from

Death on the Cross
death and was heard in that he preach The Kingdom of God to

feared.’ other cities also; for therefore
(Hebrews 5:7) am I sent.’
(Luke 4:43)
Hence, we must presume that his
earnest prayer was, no doubt, Dear People! These arguments
heard and he miraculously escaped prove that the idea of the death of
death by crucifixion and lived long Christ by crucifixion cannot be
enough to preach his mission to justified even from the Biblical
the lost sheep of the Israelites in point of view. Therefore, it is
the East: evident that the present Christian
faith based on this erroneous idea
‘And he said unto them, I must cannot hold ground.
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The Review of Religions: April 2010, Vol.105, No.

2 Revelation, Inspiration, Visions and Dreams

12 Calendar of Religious Events and Festivals - April 2010

13 Hadhrat ‘A’ishah Siddiqah(ra) and the Holy Prophet(saw) –

30 Iqamatus Salat – The Observance of Prayer in Islam

51 Death on the Cross

Cover pic: ©dreamstime.com

This series sets out, in the words of the Promised Messiah(as),

The Book of Revelation is the of temperament and nature. A

The Review of Religions – April 2010 3

4 The Review of Religions – April 2010

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)

His claim constitutes the basis of the beliefs of the

of nature, which according to the lation and had no revealed book to

The Review of Religions – April 2010 5

remained ignorant of human he did not discover the straight

6 The Review of Religions – April 2010

The Review of Religions – April 2010 7

own reflection. Thus in effect they thus clear that by denying

8 The Review of Religions – April 2010

The Review of Religions – April 2010 9

10 The Review of Religions – April 2010

NOTE FOR THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS

In keeping with current universal practice, local transliterations of names

The Review of Religions – April 2010 11

Day Event Significance

The Friday before Easter – The day that

Most significant festival for Christians.

The eighth and final day of Passover. In

Festival commemorating Sikh new year.

St. George’s Day St. George is the patron Saint of

12 The Review of Religions – April 2010

Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra), daughter of Hadhrat Abu Bakr(ra), was one of the

Life in Madinah life revolved around her most noble

Due to her exemplary upbringing, Tirmidhi has recorded that Hadhrat

The Review of Religions – April 2010 13

Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) observed that This was his reminder to everyone

14 The Review of Religions – April 2010

The Relationship of Love between she made where he admonished her.

The Holy Prophet(saw) introduced a Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) would lovingly

The Review of Religions – April 2010 15

behold! I was watching with Ibn Qayyim p.177, Mutahher

16 The Review of Religions – April 2010

‘A’ishah(ra) in turn demonstrated her choice of words was in order to

The Review of Religions – April 2010 17

this gracious attitude to women, the At this Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra) laughed

O Allah, Our Almighty Lord! Depicting the general attitude of

18 The Review of Religions – April 2010

The Review of Religions – April 2010 19

The background to this calumny The Holy Prophet(saw) directed the

20 The Review of Religions – April 2010

companions were asked, they from the most reliable narrator of

The Review of Religions – April 2010 21

On the return journey when they will come looking for

22 The Review of Religions – April 2010

and Safwan started walking spreading the accusation

The Review of Religions – April 2010 23

whole night crying, grieved to ‘A’ishah except for her

“I swear in the name of Allah Syed Salman Nadawi has quoted

24 The Review of Religions – April 2010

“Holy is Allah! Like the Sita wife of Ram Chandra Ji in

The Review of Religions – April 2010 25