Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2019
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah.
I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah. Come to Prayer Come to Prayer Come to success Come to success Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Peace be upon you all,
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah He is alone and has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is His Servant and Messenger After this I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed. In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.
All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Gracious, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us in the right path – The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings,
Those who have not incurred displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. In the last Friday Sermon, I related the account of the life of Hazrat Hilal (ra) bin Umayyah. In relation to this, I also mentioned about the Battle of Tabuk and Hazrat Hilal (ra) bin Umayyah
Was among the three men who stayed behind and did not take part in this particular battle. When the Holy Prophet (saw) returned from the battle and expressed his displeasure at them and punished them as well. The three companions were extremely anxious as result of this and bowed down
Before Allah the Almighty and continued to seek istighfar [seeking forgiveness] and taubah [repentance] until the cry of those three companions was accepted and Allah the Almighty revealed a verse regarding their pardoning. It was also mentioned in reference to this battle that the companions offered great sacrifices while preparing for this battle.
It was also mentioned that certain other individuals, who had hypocrisy in their hearts, also did not participate in this battle and presented false excuses before the Holy Prophet (saw). Some refused to go along right from the beginning and so the Holy Prophet (saw) left the case of such hypocrites to Allah the Almighty.
And so, in continuation of this incident, I will now present some further details. Among those individuals who did not wish to go with the Holy Prophet (saw) was Jadd bin Qais. The Holy Prophet (saw) asked him if he would join them in the battle against the Roman forces.
He replied that this will place him in a trail on account of the women. In other words, there were women at home and he had some responsibilities and faced certain other issues as well. Hence, he asked not to be put into this trial.
And so, the Holy Prophet (saw) let him be and permitted him to stay behind. In light of this incident, the following verse was revealed: (Arabic – Holy Quran 9:49) “And among them is he who says, ‘Permit me to stay behind and put me not to trial.’
“Surely, they have already fallen into trial. And surely, Hell shall encompass the disbelievers.” A Jew from Medina, whose name was Su‘ailam resided in a suburb of Medina called Jasoom. It was also referred to by the name of Bi’r Jaasam, which was well in Medina
Which was situated in the direction towards Syria and belonged to Abul Haitham Bin Tihyaan. Its water was excellent and the Holy Prophet (saw) also drank that water and liked. The house of that Jew was a hub for the hypocrites. The Holy Prophet (saw) was informed that the hypocrites were assembling their
And stopping people from joining the Holy Prophet (saw) in the Battle of Tabuk. The Holy Prophet (saw) told Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) to go to those people and to confirm what they have said. If they deny, tell them that I have been informed of what they have said.
When Hazrat Ammar (ra) arrived there and said all of this, as a result these individuals started coming to the Holy Prophet (saw) to present their excuses. Allah the Almighty has described their condition in the following words: (Arabic). The hypocrites fear lest a Surah should be revealed against them,
Informing them of what is in their hearts. “Say, ‘Mock ye! Surely, Allah will bring to light what you fear.’ “And if thou question them, they will most surely say, ‘We were only talking idly and jesting.’ “Say, ‘Was it Allah and His Signs and His Messenger that you mocked at?’
“Offer no excuse. You have certainly disbelieved after your believing. “If We forgive a party from among you, a party shall We punish, for they have been guilty.” Nevertheless, these were the conditions at the time prior to the departure [for the battle] and such schemes of not going were being plotted.
The hypocrites were a part of this conspiracy and the Jews were also inciting them in this regard. Some presented their excuses prior to going to the battle, whilst others offered excused when the Holy Prophet (saw) returned from battle. Nevertheless, the Holy Prophet (saw) left their matter with Allah.
When the Holy Prophet (saw) returned from the Battle of Tabuk and reached near Medina, he stated, “There are some people from Medina, “who accompanied you on every journey and in every valley.” The companions submitted, “O Prophet (saw) of Allah! How could they have been with us “if they are in Medina?”
The Holy Prophet (saw) replied, “Indeed they are in Medina. “However, they were hindered due to some excuse or ailment. “These were such people, whose excuses were acceptable and they either fell ill “or were hindered from going due to some other reason, even though they desired to do so.
“Therefore, Allah the Almighty has counted them among you.” ”During the journey whilst returning from Tabuk, the Holy Prophet (saw) said on one occasion, “I am returning swiftly. “Hence, whoever from among you wishes to return swiftly with me may do so
“and whoever wishes to stay behind,” i.e. to return at their own pace, “may do so.” The narrator says that “Following this, we departed until we were able to see Medina. “Upon this, the Holy Prophet (saw) said that, ‘This is Ta’bah, which is pure and pleasant
‘and this is Uhud, a mountain which loves us and we love it.’ “Following this, the Holy Prophet (saw) said that, ‘The best household from among the Ansar is ‘that of Banu Najjar, which is followed by the households of Banu Abd-il-Ash’al, ‘Banu Abd-il-Harith bin Khazraj and Banu Sa’ida’
“and the Holy Prophet (saw) went on to declare all of the households of Medina to be good.” The narrator relates that “Hazrat Sa’d (ra) bin Ubadah joined us upon which Abu Usaid said, ‘Are you aware of the fact that the Holy Prophet (saw) has mentioned
‘the excellence of the households of the Ansar and has kept us at the end?’ “Hazrat Sa’d (ra) went to the Holy Prophet (saw) and submitted, ‘O Prophet (saw) of Allah! You have mentioned the excellence of the households of the Ansar ‘and have kept us at the end.’
“Upon this, the Holy Prophet (saw) said that ‘Does it not suffice you that you are among the virtuous?’” This is a narration from Sahih Muslim. When the Holy Prophet (saw) retuned, the men, women and children of Medina had already gathered at Thaniyat-ul-Wada
In order to welcome the Holy Prophet (saw) on the outskirts of Medina. Thaniyat-ul-Wada is a place near Medina and those traveling from Medina to Mecca were accompanied to this place and bid farewell, hence, it was called Thaniyat-ul-Wada.
According to the historians of the life of the Holy Prophet (saw), when the Holy Prophet (saw) migrated from Mecca and to Medina through Quba, Thaniyat-ul-Wada also appeared on this route. According to the narration of Hazrat ‘Aisha (ra), the children of Medina welcomed the Holy Prophet (saw) there and the girls were reciting: (Arabic).
That is, the full moon has risen over us from the valley of Wada. It is incumbent upon us to be grateful towards Allah for as long as a caller towards Allah remains [among us]. Some commentators of the Ahadith, such as ‘Allama Ibn Hajar ‘Asqalani,
Who has written a commentary on Sahih Bukhari, believe that it is well possible that the poetic verses which have been mentioned in Hazrat ‘Aisha’s narration and which I have just recited, are in fact in relation to the return from the Battle of Tabuk as people and children welcomed the Holy Prophet (saw)
On that occasion at Thaniyat-ul-Wada. The reason for this is that the people coming from Syria were welcomed at this very place. When the people of Medina found out about the return of the Holy Prophet (saw) from the Battle of Tabuk, they rejoiced and gathered at this place outside of Medina
In order to welcome the Holy Prophet (saw). In light of this, Hazrat Sa’ib (ra) bin Yazid narrates, “I remember that, along with the other children, “I also went to Thaniyat-ul-Wada in order to welcome “the Holy Prophet (saw) on his return from the Battle of Tabuk.”
Imam Bayhaqi has also stated that the children welcomed the Holy Prophet (saw) with these poetic verses when the Holy Prophet (saw) returned to Medina from the Battle of Tabuk. Nevertheless, both views of historians and biographers can be found; according to some,
These verses were recited on the occasion of the migration of the Holy Prophet (saw) to Medina, whereas others believe that they were recited on the return from the battle of Tabuk. It was the practice of the Holy Prophet (saw) that whenever he returned to Medina
After a journey, he would go to the mosque and offer two Rakats [units] of prayer. Thus, when the Holy Prophet (saw) returned from Tabuk, it was in the early afternoon and he first offered two Rakats of prayer in the mosque. Afterwards, he sat down in the mosque in order to meet with everyone.
Those who intentionally stayed behind from travelling to Tabuk without any reason had also come to meet the Holy Prophet (saw), and they began presenting their excuses before the Holy Prophet (saw). There were eighty of them approximately. Even though the Holy Prophet (saw) knew the true reality of their false excuses,
Yet even then he accepted what they said and pardoned them. He would take their oath of allegiance and seek forgiveness for them. However, as it has been mentioned in detail already that Hazrat Hilal (ra) bin Umaiyyah, Hazrat Murarah (ra) bin Rabee’ and Hazrat Ka’ab (ra) bin Malik did not present any false excuses.
As a result of this, they faced the displeasure of the Holy Prophet (saw) for some time. They prostrated before God Almighty and profusely weeped before Him and implored for His forgiveness. Later, Allah the Almighty accepted their repentance and also mentioned the acceptance of their repentance in the Holy Qur’an.
The second companion who will be mentioned today is Hazrat Murarah (ra) bin Rabee’ ‘Amri. Hazrat Murarah (ra)’s father was Rabee’ bin Adi. His father’s name is also recorded as Ribi’ and Rabi’ah as well. Hazrat Murarah (ra) bin Rabee’ Amri belonged the tribe of Amr bin ‘Auf from the Ansar tribe of Aus.
According to another narration, he was from the Quza’ah tribe, a confederate of the Banu Amr bin ‘Auf. Quza’ah was a famous tribe in Arabia which was located a little further from the Valley of Al-Qura, ten miles from Medina and towards the west of Mada’in Salih.
Hazrat Murarah (ra) had the honour of participating in the Battle of Badr. According to Imam Bukhari and other books about the Companions (ra), it mentions that he took part in the Battle of Badr. Whereas, according to the list compiled by Ibne Hisham,
He has not been mentioned in the list of Companions who participated in the Battle of Badr. He was among the three companions who were unable to participate in the Battle of Tabuk, which has already been mentioned. Also, Allah Almighty revealed the following verses of the Holy Qur’an regarding them: “And He has turned with mercy to the three whose case was deferred, “until the earth became too strait for them with all its vastness, “and their souls were also straitened for them, “and they became convinced that there was no refuge from Allah save unto Himself.
“ Then He turned to them with mercy that they might turn to Him. “Surely, it is Allah Who is Oft-Returning with compassion and is Merciful.” As it has been mentioned previously that all three of these companions, Hazrat Hilal (ra) bin Umaiyyah, Hazrat Murarah (ra) bin Rabee’ and Hazrat Ka’b (ra) bin Malik,
Were from among the Ansar. In reference to this incident, there is not separate account by Hazrat Murarah (ra). The only detailed account we have is by Hazrat Ka’b (ra) bin Malik (ra) which was mentioned in the previous sermon in relation to Hazrat Hilal (ra) bin Umaiyyah,
Therefore there is no need to mention it again here. The next companion who will be mentioned is Hazrat Utbah (ra) bin Ghazwan. His title was Abu Abdullah and Abu Ghazwan. Hazrat Utbah (ra) was a confederate of the Banu Naufal bin Abd Manaf. His father’s name was Ghazwan bin Jabir.
Hazrat Utbah (ra)’s title Abu Abdullah and Abu Ghazwan – which has just been mentioned. Hazrat Utbah (ra) was married to Ardah bint Harith. Hazrat Utbah (ra) narrates, “I was the seventh amongst those initial individuals “who accepted the Holy Prophet (saw) and joined with him.”
According to Ibn Aseer, Hazrat Utbah (ra) was forty years old when he migrated to Abyssinia [Ethiopia]. On the other hand, according to Ibn-e-Sa’ad, Hazrat Utbah (ra) was forty years old at the time of migration towards Medina. In any case, when he returned to Mecca from Abyssinia, the Holy Prophet (saw)
Was still residing in Mecca and he stayed with the Holy Prophet (saw). He migrated to Medina along with Hazrat Miqdad (ra) bin Aswad. Both of these companions were from among the early converts to Islam. The incident of their migration to Medina is as follows:
Hazrat Utbah (ra) bin Ghazwan and Hazrat Miqdad (ra) bin Aswad departed with the army of Quraish, and they intended to join the Muslims. The Messenger (saw) of Allah dispatched a Muslim army under the command of Hazrat Ubaidah (ra) bin Harith towards Thaniyat-ul-Marrah,
Which is situated almost 55 km northeast from the city of Rabikh and approximately 200 km from Medina. The Messenger (saw) of Allah dispatched this Muslim army. The army of the Quraish was under the command of Ikramah bin Abu Jahal. They did not engage in any battle except for one arrow
Which was shot by Sa’ad (ra) bin Abi Waqas and this was the first arrow shot in the way of Allah. On that day, Utbah (ra) bin Ghazwan and Hazrat Miqdad (ra) fled and joined the Muslims and this incident has already been mentioned in reference to Hazrat Miqdad (ra)
That although they came with disbelievers, however they fled from them and joined the Muslims. In light of the various historical sources, Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad sahib (ra) has mentioned in his book, The Life & Character of the Seal of Prophets (saw), about the commencement of Jihad of the sword,
And other details regarding the defensive actions that the Holy Prophet (saw) took: “It has already been mentioned that the first Qur’anic verse “which allowed Jihad by the sword was revealed on 12 Safar 2 A.H. “In other words, the divine indication which was made of defensive war in the migration,
“was officially announced in Safar 2 A.H., when the Holy Prophet (saw) had become discharged “of his initial undertakings relevant to his stay at Medina, and in this manner, Jihad began. “It is discovered through history that the Holy Prophet (saw) initially employed four strategies
“in order to protect the Muslims from the evil of the disbelievers. “This is conclusive evidence of the expert political aptitude “and military insight of the Holy Prophet (saw). “These strategies are as follows: Firstly, the Holy Prophet (saw) began travelling “to nearby tribes and establishing peace treaties with them,
“so that the surrounding region of Madinah would become free of threat. “In this respect, the Holy Prophet (saw) gave special consideration to those tribes “who were situated close to the Syrian trade route of the Quraish. “As every individual may gather, it was these tribes in particular,
“from whom the Quraish of Makkah could have derived most benefit against the Muslims “and whose enmity could have resulted in severe threats for the Muslims. “Secondly, the Holy Prophet (saw) began to dispatch small companies “in order to obtain intelligence in different directions from Madinah,
“so that he was able to remain informed of the movements of the Quraish and their allies; “and the Quraish also understood that the Muslims were not oblivious, so that in this manner, “Madinah could be safeguarded from the dangers of sudden attacks.
“Thirdly, another wisdom in dispatching these parties was so that the weak and poor Muslims “of Makkah and its surrounding areas could find an opportunity by these means, “to join the Muslims of Madinah. “Until now, there were many people in the region of Makkah who were Muslims at heart,
“but were unable to publicly profess their belief in Islam due to the cruelties of the Quraish. “Furthermore, due to their poverty and weakness, they were unable to migrate either, “because the Quraish would forcefully hold back such people from migrating. “As such, Allah states in the Holy Qur’an: (Arabic).
‘O ye believers! There is no reason that you fight not for the protection of religion, ‘and for those men, women and children who are in a state of weakness, who supplicate saying, ‘O our Lord! Take us out of this town, whose people are oppressors,
‘and make for us, who are weak, a friend and helper from Thyself.’” Hence, one wisdom in dispatching these parties was so that such people could receive the opportunity to be delivered from a wrongdoing people. In other words, such people could reach close to Madinah
Along with the caravans of the Quraish, and then escape to join the Muslim forces. Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib further writes: “Therefore, it is evident through history that when the Holy Prophet (saw) dispatched “the very first company in the leadership of Abu ‘Ubaidah bin Al-Harith (ra),
“who happened to encounter a group led by ‘Ikramah bin Abi Jahl, two weak Muslims “who had come along with the Quraish, managed to escape from the Quraish “and join the Muslims.” As such, it is narrated: “In this campaign, when the Muslim party encountered the army
“of the Quraish, two people, namely Miqdad bin ‘Amr (ra) and ‘Utbah bin Ghazwan (ra), “who were allies of the Banu Zahrah and Banu Naufal, fled from the idolaters “and joined the Muslims. “They were Muslims and had only set out to join the Muslims under the cover of the Quraish.”
Therefore, one of the purposes of the Holy Prophet (saw) in dispatching these parties was also to give such people an opportunity to be delivered from the Quraish, and join the Muslims. “Fourthly, the fourth strategy employed by the Holy Prophet (saw) was “that he began to intercept the trade caravans of the Quraish
“which travelled from Makkah to Syria passing by Madinah enroute. “The reason being that firstly, these caravans would spark a fire of enmity “against the Muslims wherever they travelled. “It is obvious that for a seed of enmity to be sown “was extremely dangerous for Muslims.
“Secondly, these caravans would always be armed and everyone can appreciate “that for such caravans to pass by so close to Medina was not empty of danger. “Thirdly, the livelihood of the Quraish primarily depended on trade. “Therefore, in these circumstances, the most definitive and effective means
“by which the Quraish could be subdued, their cruelties could be put to an end “and they could be pressed to reconciliation, was by obstructing their trade route. “As such, history testifies to the fact that among the factors which ultimately compelled “the Quraish to incline towards reconciliation,
“the interception of these trade caravans played an extremely pivotal role. “Hence, this was an extremely sagacious strategy, “which yielded fruits of success at the appropriate time. “Fourthly, the revenue from these caravans of the Quraish was mostly spent “in efforts to eliminate Islam. “Rather, some caravans were even sent for the sole purpose
“that their entire profit may be utilized against the Muslims. “In this case, every individual can understand that the interception of these caravans, “was in its own right, an absolutely legitimate motive.” In the Sariyyah of Ubaidah bin Al-Harith (ra), Hazrat Utbah (ra) fled from the Quraish and joined the Muslims.
I have narrated some parts of this account in a previous sermon however I shall briefly relate the account again. “In the month of Rabi‘ul-Awwal, the Holy Prophet (saw) “dispatched a company of the Muhajirin, “comprising of seventy men mounted on camels, in the leadership of a close relative, “Ubaidah bin Al-Harith Muttalibi (ra).
“The objective of this campaign as well was to forestall “the attacks of the Quraish of Mecca,” this reference is also from Sirat Khaatam ul Nabiyeen. “As such, when Ubaidah bin Al-Harith (ra) and his companions covered some ground “and arrived close to Thaniyyatul-Murrah, they suddenly noticed
“that 200 armed young men had set up camp in the command of Ikramah bin Abi Jahl. “The two parties encountered one another and a few arrows were exchanged in a confrontation. “However, this group of idolaters then stood down from further conflict
“due to the fear that the Muslims probably had hidden reinforcements at their disposal “and consequently, the Muslims did not pursue them. “Albeit, two individuals from the army of the idolaters named Miqdad bin Amr (ra) “and Utbah bin Ghazwan (ra) fled from the command of Ikramah bin Abi Jahl and joined the Muslims.
“It is written that they set out with the Quraish for this very purpose, “so that they could find an opportunity to join the Muslims. “The reason being, that they were Muslims at heart, “but could not migrate out of fear of the Quraish due to their weakness.”
Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahib (ra) offering his commentary on this states, “Moreover, it is possible that this very occurrence caused them to lose heart “and they decided to step back considering this to be an evil omen. “History has not recorded whether this army of the Quraish,
“which was definitely not a trade caravan and regarding which Ibni Ishaq has used “the words Jammun Azeem (a grand army), set out in this direction with a specific objective. “However, it is definite that their intentions were not favourable. “It was due to the Grace of God that upon finding the Muslims vigilant
“and upon witnessing some of their own men joining the Muslims, “they lost courage and retreated. “Moreover, a practical benefit which the Companions derived from this campaign was “that two Muslim souls were delivered from the tyranny of the Quraish.” There is a tradition in Al-Tabaqaat-ul-Kubra that when Hazrat Utbah (ra) bin Ghazwan
And his freed slave, Khubbab, migrated towards Medina they stopped at Quba at Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma Ajlani’s house. When Hazrat Utbah (ra) arrived in Medina, they stayed at Ibaad bin Bishr’s house. The Holy Prophet (saw) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Utbah (ra) bin Ghazwan and Hazrat Abu Dajana.
There are more details in regards to Hazrat Utbah (ra) bin Ghazwan which I will relate in the coming sermons. Now, I would like to make an announcement in regards the launch of the Daily Al-Fazl website. I will also mention some details regarding two deceased members. On the completion of 106 years of Al-Fazl,
The online edition of Al-Fazl will be launched from London. 106 years ago on 18th June 1913, with the permission and prayers of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra), Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) started the Al-Fazl newspaper. After the establishment of Pakistan, the Al-Fazl newspaper was printed from Lahore for a short while
And then under the leadership of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) it began to be published from Rabwah. The online edition of this historic daily newspaper in urdu shall, God Willing, be launched today on 13th December 2019 and can be easily accessible to everyone across the world through the internet.
The website, Alfazlonline.org is now ready and the first edition is also available online and our central IT team has worked with great effort towards this project. There is a lot of material available in regards to highlighting the importance of Al-Fazl and its benefits.
Under the heading of Divine Commandments, they will publish verses of the Holy Qur’an and under the section Sayings of the Holy Prophet (saw), there will be Ahadith and in addition to this there will also be extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (as).
There will also be some articles from various Ahmadi authors and various other important topics. They will also publish the works of Ahmadi poets. Apart from the website, it is also available on twitter and its android app has also been prepared.
Through various social media platforms, this has now been launched as a daily publication, therefore urdu readers should derive benefit from this. Also, authors and poets should assist in this regard through their writing, so they can publish well prepared and well researched articles.
The daily edition will also be available on the website in a PDF image file which can be read online and can also be downloaded, so that those who wish to read it in its printed form can do so. In any case, this will be officially launched today God Willing
And every Monday the entire transcript of the Friday Sermon will also be published and the summary of the most recent sermon will also be made available. God Willing, this will be officially launched after the Friday Sermon. There are two deceased members whose details I will mention
And will also lead their funeral prayers [in absentia]. The first is Respected Syyeda Tanvir-ul-Islam Sahiba, who was the wife of the late respected Mirza Hafeez Ahmad Sahib. She passed away on 7th December at the age of 91: “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”
By the grace of Allah the Almighty she was a Moosia [part of the Nizam-e-Wasiyyat]. Her father was Mir Abdus Salam and the deceased was the great granddaughter of Hazrat Mir Hissam-ul-Din Sahib (ra), who was among the very early and devoted companions of the Promised Messiah (as).
She was the granddaughter of Hazrat Syed Mir Hamid Shah Sahib and the daughter-in-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra). Hazrat Mir Hissam-ul-Din Sahib (ra), who is a famous companion, was born in Sialkot in 1839 and was well-renowned physician in Sialkot. When the Promised Messiah (as) stayed in Sialkot for some time,
Hakim Sahib practised as a physician and prescribed medicines. During this period, the Promised Messiah (as) also stayed for some time in one part of Hakim Sahib’s house. In 1877 when the Promised Messiah (as) travelled to Sialkot, Hakim Sahib also invited him to his house.
When the Promised Messiah (as) announced his claim, the pious natured and fortunate individuals, who were enlightened with wisdom, accepted the Promised Messiah (as) since they had witnessed his level of piety in his youth and his excellent example. Among those who accepted the Promised Messiah (as) in Sialkot with utmost sincerity
And devotion, this family was among the foremost. Mir Hissam-ul-Din Sahib (ra) did the Bai’at of the Promised Messiah on 29th December 1890 and according to the Register of Baits, his number is 213 and his wife, Fairozah Begum Sahiba’s number is 246, who did the Bai’at on 7th Febraury 1892.
The Promised Messiah (as) has mentioned Mir Hissam-ul-Din Sahib (ra) many times in his following books, Izala Auham, Aasmani Faisla, Aiena Kamaalat-e-Islam, Tohfa Qaisariyyah, Siraj-e-Munir, Kitab-ul-Bariyyah, Haqiqatul Wahi and also Malfuzat Vol.5 in reference to the attendees of Jalsa Salana, contributers towards Chanda, Jalsa Diamond Jubilee and a Peaceful Jama’at.
Respected Syyedah Tanvir-ul-Islam Sahiba is from the progeny of Mir Hissam-ul-Din Sahib (ra) and she was born 1928 in Sialkot. In January 1948 her marriage took place with Mirza Hafeez Ahmad Sahib and thus she became the daughter-in-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra). During various periods between 1956 and 2008,
For approximately 48 years she had the opportunity to serve in the central Lajna department. Similarly, she has rendered many other services. She had a very loving bond with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra). Respected Syyedah Tanvir-ul-Islam Sahiba was very regular in observing her Tahajjud prayers,
In fact one of her assistants in the house states that the night she passed away, she woke up at 3am to offer her Tahajjud prayer and then went to back to sleep and then passed away whilst in the state of sleep. Her daughter states that she would tell her that after her marriage
When she became the daughter-in-law of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), she received so much love, respect and care from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) and Hazrat Umme Nasir that she completely forgot about her previous home. She further states that she had a very strong memory
And would recall many accounts of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra). May God Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her status. The second funeral is of Sister Haaja Shakoora Noor Sahiba from the USA, who passed away on the 1st December: “Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.”
She was born in 1927 and spent the early years of her life in Washington DC. She worked as high school teacher for history in the mid-1960s and later obtained an MA in World History. After retirement, she wished to become a protestant missionary
But later when she learnt that prophet Jesus (as) is not the son of God, she changed her mind and then completely left the church in 1968. After travelling in USA, Mexico and Canada, she also studied in various universities of Africa. She then took a year’s leave from this and travelled Europe.
She would always remain in search of seeking the answers to the various religious questions and issues that would arise in her mind. Upon her return to Washington DC, she was introduced to Islam as by chance, she happened to meet one her friend’s son at the airport
Who had accepted Ahmadiyyat only a short while ago. At the time, Respected Mir Muhammad Ahmad Nasir Sahib was serving in USA and along with Respected Mubasher Ahmad Sahib they were waiting to receive this gentleman and it was during this meeting that they introduced her to Islam.
Their interaction continued and gradually she became inclined towards Islam and she was able to find the beliefs/doctrines she was in search for in the religion of Islam. In 1979 she experienced a dream in which she saw a copy of the Holy Qur’an
And the Kalimah [Islamic declaration of faith] and was thus convinced that Islam and Ahmadiyyat is indeed the true faith and then did the Bai’at. After her Bai’at, she served the Jama’at in various capacities. She would not only attend the various programmes organised by Lajna Imaillah USA,
But would play an active role in them. In 1986, she was appointed as the local president [of Lajna] in Washington DC and served in this role for 5 years. Alongside this she also served as the Deputy National President as well. Aside from this, she also served in various other departments.
In 1995, she had the opportunity to perform the Hajj. She was also part of the team which prepared the 118 page index of the 5 volume commentary of the Holy Qur’an under the guidance and supervision of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh). She played a very significant role in this regard.
She wrote many articles on a vast array of topics for the magazines of the Jama’at and lajna. In 1997 and 1998, she started classes every Sunday for Atfal. She also served as a councillor for the Ahmadi summer camp for Nasirat. For many years she served in the Ahmadiyya National Human Rights Committee
And during this period she worked extremely diligently in producing very comprehensive documents which detailed reports in regards to the unjust treatment of the Pakistani government against Ahmadis. However, she would say that above all these works, her greatest passion was Tabligh. She would always give precedence to Tabligh work.
For many years she served as the National Tabligh Secretary for Lajna. She would also do Tabligh on radio and television programmes. She also played an active role in setting Tablighi programmes in university campuses and churches. She had also devised a proper plan to distribute leaflets of the Jama’at to various ethnic communities.
Shamshad Sahib, who is a missionary, writes, “Sister Shakoora Sahiba was very strict in her observance of purdah. “She would always wear the Pakistani style burka “and her burka would never be a hindrance in any of her activities. “Due to her Jama’at responsibilities she would have to meet senators and congressmen
“on an official level and even then she would wear her burka “and would fulfil all her responsibilities in an excellent manner. “She would greatly assist the missionaries in the field of Tabligh.” He further states, “When I first arrived here in the USA, she sat with me
“and told me about the history of USA and would greatly assist me in my work. “She had great respect for Khilafat and a deep bond of attachment.” Recently when I travelled to USA in 2018, despite her illness and having to endure great pain, she came to meet me in a wheelchair.
“She would regularly listen to the sermons and in the beginning when there was no MTA “the sermons would be received in the form of cassettes, “she would assist in translating the sermon into English. “She was regular in her congregational prayers.” He further says, “Whenever I saw her, it was always in the mosque
“and she would regularly come to attend the prayers in congregation.” May God Almighty grant her His forgiveness and mercy and elevate her status. May God Almighty continue to grant such individuals to the Jama’at, who are filled with the passion to serve and who display utmost sincerity and devotion.
All praise is due to Allah. We laud Him, we beseech help from Him and ask His protection; we confide in Him, we trust Him alone and we seek protection against the evils and mischief of our souls and from the bad results of our deeds.
Whomsoever He guides on the right path, none can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto the right path. And we bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. We bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
O servants of Allah! May Allah be merciful to you. Verily, Allah commands you to act with justice, to confer benefits upon each other and to do good to others as one does to one ‘s kindred and forbids evil which pertain to your own selves
And evils which affect others and prohibits revolts against a lawful authority. He warns you against being unmindful. You remember Allah; He too will remember you; call Him and He will make a response to your call. And verily divine remembrance is the highest virtue.