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THE

SLEM SUNRISE
EDITED BY

5UFI

M.R.

BENGALEE

DOMINION

OF CANADA

'JAI.'I" L A K E C I W

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CHI.~GO

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Kansas City

UNITED

STATES
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V o l . VIII

July, ! 9 3 5

No. 1-

A Quarterly Magazine
Annual Subscription, $ I . 0 0 (England $ / - India Rs. 3 [ - ) Single Copy 2 5 c Founded by DR. M . M. SADIQ. Published by SUFI M. R. BENGALEE 56 E. Congress St., Suite 1307. chi~:ago, Ill., "U. S. Amer.
:27_-

The Ahmadiyya Movement.

The khm:tdivva Movemcrlt was founded by Hazrat A h m a d , the I r~,m,~ed 31cs.,;mh and _Mahdi and the expected Messenger of all nations. In the splint and!power of all the earlier t)rophets, he came Io serve :rod re-interpret the finM and eternal teaching ]aid down bv (;od. in the llqoly.(2uran. The Movement therefore i'epresents fiie Trfie and Real I s l a m and seeks ~to uplift humanitx~ and to establish peace throughont fi~e workl. H a z r a t A h m a d died in 1908. and the l,resent Head of the Movement is his second sucdess0r, Hazrat. Mirza l:a~hirud-lfin Mahmud Ahmad under.whose directions.tile Movement has es-tablished Missions U ~ m a n y .parts of. she world, the "~ following being the addresses of some o f them:
. " . " " -] , ! . .. . .

TI-IF. L O N D O N -- --~ MOSQUE. , 63 Melrose Road, -.South fields. LondOn, S. XV: i8,-~-7. England. T I l E AHMADI~ZY.,\ . " . MOVEMENT IN ISLAMSufi M, R. Bengalee, M.:Ai,
56 E . C o n g r e s s St., Suite 1307, Chicago, Illinois, U. S., A m e r i c a . :

THE AHMADIYYA MOSLEM MISSION, 1419 Roosevelt Ave. . Indianapolis, I n d . f .

U. S, &merica. r

i t tl
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THE AHMADIYYA .. MOSLEM MISS:ION, 928 \V: 7th Street, Cincinilati; O., U. S., America. T H E AHMADIY3ZA" _ MOSLEM MISSION, . " 216 S,-Euclitl A v e . . . . Dayton. Ohio. U. S.. -~imerica T H E "AHMAI.)I Y Y A MOSLEM MISSION, 5311 W o o d l a n d Ave.; Cleveland, Ohio. U. S.. :\merica THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT;. Gold Coast, \Vest Africa.
Commercial' Road.

THE AHMADIYYA MOSLEM MISSION, 913 W o o d l a n d A y e n u e , K a o s a s City. Missouri; U : S , America THE A HMADIYYA MOSLEM -MISSION, 537 Hendrie S t r u t , Detroit, M i c h i g a n . . U. S.. Anmrica THE AHMADIYYA MOSLEM MISSION, 2008 \Vvlie Avemie. Pittsburgh, Pa.,
U. S.. A m e r i c a

..... Salt Pond: THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMEN-T, " Rose Hill, Mauritius. THE AHMADIYYA MOVEMENT. . B o x No. 305, G. P. O., Perth, Vq. Australia. MALANA ABUL=ATA JULLUNDARI, Mt. Karmad. Haifa. Palestine: MAULVI RAHMAT ALI, Care of Deiced Kampoeng. " Djawa, Padang. S. \V. C.

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M o sIe m
56 E. CONGRESS ST., S U I T E 1 3 0 7

Sunrise
I I I I I l l I I I I I l l I l l l I I I El l l I I I l I l l I I 111

II It 111111111111111 I I I I H s t l I I I I I g I 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I l i g I I I I I I l I I I l g I l g g l I I $ I I U I I I I I l l I n i I I I I i i I l I l l I I I l l l l l l I

CHICAGO, ILL., U. S. A.

Vol. VIII
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July, 1935
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No. I
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C.o
F,,u," \'c,'scs from the-it,,1
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The Tomb of Jesus

(See Pages 7-14)

THE

MOSLEM i SU-NRISE,*,IP | ~ , , , ~IPL, p ~ a i d .

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Five "Verses from the Holy Quran

: " Transliteration
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1. Yusabbihu lillalfi ma fi ssammati wa nia. fil-ardhi; lahu-l-mulkU wa

l a l m - l - h a m d u ; w a h u a ala kulli shai-in Qad.eer. ( L X l V 2 I )

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2.: AIlahu la ilaha illa hu-wa, ala-llahi -. ( L X l V - 1 3 )

3. F a - a m m a - l l a z e e n a a m a n o o , wa

fal-yatawakkalil muminoon . . . .
lihati fa-vudkhilu-hum

amilu-ssa

Rabbu-hUm Fee'Rahmatihi.7 Z a l ~ a lm-al fawzul mubee'n: ( X L V - 3 0 ) 4. XVa yut-yimoona-tta-ama ala//hubbihi miskeenan w a y a t i m a n wa Aseera. (LXXV.I-8~ " ./ " : -5. Innama nut-yimukum .li-x~ajhillahi la nureedu m i n k u m jaza-an wa-la shukura. ( L X X V I - 9 ) .'.-" . . . . .. . . .

i i" .~-

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Translation

1. \ V h a t e v e r . i s i n the heavens and whatever is ifi the earth proclaimeth ~ the h o l i n e s s o f God; t l n t o Him belongeth tlie k!ngd0m and unto Himis due all praise, and H e hath power.overal!i things. ( L X I V - 1 ) 2. God,there is none worthy o f w o r s h i p besides'Him.- In God, therefore, let the faithful put their trust. ( L X I V - 1 3 ) " . 3~ Then, as for those who believe and .do g0od:deeds, their Lord wilJbring them in u n t o His mercy. That is t h e manifest victory. (XLV-30)~. . . . 4. A n d t h e y . (the servants of God) give food_unto the poor, fhe orphan and the captive, for love of Him. ( L X X V . I - 8 ) 5. ( S a y i n g ) : W e feed you, for the sake of .God only, we desire no.: reward nor thanks, from you. ( L X X V I - 9 )
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The SaYings of the M a s t e r Prophet Muhammad ..

Abdullah Ilm Masud: relates t h a t the lh)lv Prophet Said, "The man who entertains even a jot.:)r tittlei)f pride-in his heart .will ]iot be admitted into heaven." Son!e one asked "peol)le naturalh-:love to haxe good clothes and good ~shoes. Is that pride too?" The H(ilv 1-'rol)het rel)lied,.'~No,-it is not. God is. 1)eautiful,and. loves beauty. Pride c()nsists in-rejecting the truth and in looking down up(m ethers. ) .'4 (31nslim) Anas rel)orts that the ]loh- I'rol)het said; ) .\llah, there is no joy save in the sl)iritual life." (Bukhal:.i) It is related on the authority of .,\l)dullall Ilm Omar that a certain i)ers.on-askc(l the I-I0]v Prol)liet, "Oh l~rol)hct i)f Allah, what is the best teaching ot: Islam ?" Thc Holy Pr01)het replied, "Feed-the hUn.qry and greet every(me With t h e g r e e t i n g of peace whether you know l~imor not.'; (13uldmri)))
. . . ~ ( ( " .

a b t f .";'aveed reports; ( ) n e e Ul)on :a. lime we were in the: coral)any o f the Holy I-~rol)het on one o f h i s jonrnevs. Suddenly, a man who was ri(ling a she<amel al)l)eare(l i)efore us and began to look around, seeking for hell). ,At tlais the H0!y Prophet said "Anybody who has an animal to ride tqion more ,than he needs must g[x'e it to laim wh() has nofie. Anybodywho has provision for his journey over and above hisneeds, must give it t o him who is in xvant of .it.' I n this way, 'the Holy Prol)het,mefltioned all the different ldnds of wealth till it was made clear t 0 ns that n(). one shouhl keel), with hini his surl)lus wealth lint give it in cliai-ity to the poor and.needy. ~'. ( M u s l i m ) ! ".
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It is related on the authoril T of Muadh, w h o is rel)orte(] to have heard t h e Holy Prophet :say: "God says that those who will love one ano.ther f o r the sake of 3I'~.~glory, will, occupy a high l)laCe in H e a v e n u p o n which-My light will shine. Even the p r o p h e t s a n d the niartvrs will he e n v i o u s : o f that." (Tirmudhi)

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THE. MOSLEM SUNRISE 5

The Lode Star

(Excerpt) " . . i ":

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B y H a z r a t Mirza G h u l a m A b r o a d T h e P r o m i s e d M e s s i a h a n d Mahdi

:~::~

1836"1908
AI-LMAD A N D MUHAMMAD

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The Holy Prophet Muhanmlad's glorification- of God consisted in- his complete attachment to H i m in preference to his own.desires, and in his .isincere,.genuine and'tingle-minded solicitude for Him. God. as a reward, rehu-ned all those praises to the Holy Prophet himself. Such indeed is God's way of-dealing {vith His chosen devotees: He turns His praiser into the praised. The Holy Prophet accolxlingly becomes the praised One b o t h : i n - t h e earth and in the heavens. This incident bears a .moral for all true devotees and a happy promise for ali who praise God, namely that God returns t0ithe praiser all his praises and makes-him the fitting subject of the-same-. T.he praiser. qhen becomes the praised one :in the earth and his acceptance spreads in the land. -Every good soul then begins'to echo his praise. This is the staKe.of perfectionof true devotion a n d the goal o f a l l lmre s0tlls. T h i s stage is recognized by none save those possessed of spiritual insighL This is the Imrpose of the life of man and the highe'st aim Of his devotions. This stage marks the end.of the ambition of all saints and the term ~ !nationof the jbui-ney of all true seekers. This is the stage wherein God brinks to perfection the souls of H-is elecL This is tl{elmrpose of the Law and the ultimate end of: all religious exercises. This is the g i s t o f all t h e m e s s a g e s b o r n e to the Holy prophet by the Anlt~el Gabriel. L e t us,theref0re, invoke peace and blessings upon the H01y Prophet. , The state described above is the end for which all spiritual strivers lint . forth their efforts, as well as :those who detach themselves: from the world for the. tent 0 f i l l s love, who live by God alone and die f o r His sake, Who-place their entii-e reliance upon. Him, who Submit t o His will in perfect integrity of soul and carry out H i s commands with..tears in their eyes and forget themselves in their search _after. H i s pleasure, who d i e at His loss and live with H i s countenance, who-for

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His sakes, leave their nightly beds and e n g a g e tlaemseh, e~ in devotion, and pass their n i g h t s standing o1" prostrate before Him and are never forgotten : and who~when t!ley feel restless remember their Friend with weepin~s and t e a r s and in the watches of the night mutter their complaints and breathe their s i g h s . Nobody knows which way these strivers are be~ ing driven and .howT.thevare tieing directed. Disasters befall. them and the), h e a r them with patience. T h e y are cast into fire and' the w o r d comes "peace"-and they .are saved. These are the t r u e extollers Of His praise, His near ones, andaccessories to H i s s e c r e t s . : : Bless themV " Thex-,~and t h e i r associates are the elect ones. who have heen privileged to i n t e r c e d e - a n d w h o s e intercession has been accepted. This is a di~o-nity not granted to any save t h e favoured ones o f God. I t was to explain this state that Islam made its a d v e n t , It came to save men from the pit of destruction, a n d to lead t h e m to the precincts;of sanctity and t o the f u r t h e r stage Of attained blessedness. I t came t0wary the heedless that the s w o r d is ever ready which will cut them off. Little iudeed do men knox~ in what true praise and glorification of, God Consists. and Why it is lleld in such high-esteem. To realize its worth it is enough to remenaber that God has i :opened the H o l y O u r a n w i t h H i s praise,-so that men may know ,its supreme importance. This p r a i s e c a n never sweil m any htnnan heart save w i t h the complete meltnaff o f ones soul and entire self-effacement and can n e v e r be truly realized till the serpent of passions has heeia Crushed and the cloak of selfishness has been imt o f f . Nor. can this praise move ant human tongue but that the fire 0f.love should first be kindleil" in l~he heart._ Nay, it c a n never take shape until :the traces. of all false g o d s have. first been completely effaced from-the heart, and until the. man has been entirely.consumed in the fire of love-for true God. The man, who casts himsel.f in this fire, a.nd has his heart filled with aches anti his head absorbed i n the rememl)rance ,t~f God i~ alone privileged to utter this praise To such alone is given in heaven the name of A H M A D . H e enjoys nearness of God and is admittedlilt0 the abode of dignity and into the " L o f t y Mansion." The latter signifies the mansion of m a j e s t y anti power and may tropically be said-to be the seat of the Alnaightv. The same seat may b e said tc~ be awarded, to the man who celebrates His praise Such a man by G o d ' s c o m m a n d is Praised both in the

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SUNRISE

The Tomb of Jesus Christ

By
Sufi M. R. Bengalee
*Atthe request of the readers of the MosIem Sunrise, this article is be" imz republished, after, having been thoroughly revised, and enlarge d. T h e Ahmadivva version of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ is of lmi'amount interestl Accxwdlng to the Ahinadiyya belief, lesus did not die.on the crdss. \Vheil taken down from the ~'ross. he w a s still alive in a state of unconsciousness. He was rescued from the selmlchre by his Close friends and followers. .~lcdicine was administered to his wounds, and having been rest,wed to health, he made a long trip to Cashmere and died a natural death there at a i-ipe ;old age. T h e picture on page tw~ is t h a t of his tomb. which is situated a t K h a n Y a r Street, .qriligar Cashmere, India. The followers of .the A h m a d l y y a M o v e m e n t i n Islam ~tlOtC no less.than thirty verses fron~, the Holy O u r a n i n p r o o f of flmir doctrine,, that )esus w a s sa,~e_d frbm" the ignominy o f the accur-4ed death on the cross. . .- They:advance a nuntber.of argtunents even f r o m the Bible ilrsupport of their Claim. . . . . . . 1. "'But lie answered and said unto them. A n ez,il and adultcrons .qt;neration seeketh after.a sign; and there.shaU .no sign be ,(liven to it.. but the sign of the prophet Jonas." "'For as .lonas was t l u ' e e d a y s : a n d three nights.in the whidc'sbellv, so shall the Son of man be three da3,s attd three ~iir.lhlXin the heart of the earth." ( M a t t h e w 12:39, 40) In the above, verses. J e s u s makes t h e prophecy t h a t the sign of the prophet J o n a s will be shown in his case. A n d the sign of the P r o p h e t J 0 n a s was t h a t h e entered into the whale's earth and in t h e h e a v e n and receives the name of " M U H:X/MMAD. This name sig-nifies one who is abundantly praised. Both of ~hese names w e r e especlally designed for the H o l y Prophet even from the vet) beginning of the world. But then by w a y of epithet they a r e a l s o granted to hiin w h o m a k e s himself -thereflection of the Holy Prophet. And whoever is g i v e n t h e least part Of the attributes sigaaified by these names, has his heart illuminated b y a thoiisand effulgences.
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belly alive aml c a m e out alive. This 1)rophecy can be said to have come true. and the siN1 can be said to have been manifested in the person of Jesus, 0nhif he enters i h e total) alive, and comes out alivei " " T h e fuItilhnent o f t h e lw0phecy d e n m n d s that Iesus escapes the accursed death on the cross, and enters into a n d comes out of the selmlchre alive. 1I. T h e mo~ilag prayers of.Jesus on the night bei'ore the day of crucifixiorL w h i c h night he passed i n . e x t r e m e restlesshess. iml,loring to God, ") my Father, if it is possible, let this ctip pass from me." and his h e a r t - r e n d e r i n g cries Of agony on t h e c l o s s . I'31. Eli. L a m a Sabachthani.". "Xl. v God, My .God . \\'lax- hast T h o u forsaken me;" furnish us w~th: a s t r o n g evi; deuce that Jesus was saved from d e a t h on the cross. For it is utterly unl)elievable that such earnest prayers f r o m n() less a personage than Jesus Christ should go u n a n s w e r e d . :Even S t . P a u l bears u s out in t h i s contention and says: "ll'hcn he offer~,d up prayers aim kuppliea'lioit wilk stro)z.q er3'ing altd .tcar.~. ttltlo l l i m thai was able to Saz,c him deatk and was heard in thai h e feared." (Hehrew 5:7) ]II. .~ccording to the Bible, t h e deaih on the c r o s s i s an acctu'se(I d e a t h . "'For. he tkal is ]tan[led is accitrsed ol: God." (Duetl 21:23) t-Iow couM Jesus, an h0noured, belo~,ed ~.ndchosen pr6ph- . et of God. die an accursed d e a t h ~ a p u n i s h m e n t inflicted upon thieves and nialefactors. It follows, therefi)re, that G o d would save him from such a.lmnishment. 1\:. A f t e r Jesus w a s t a k e n d o w n f r o m the cross, a spear was pierced into his side, and bloi)d came out. "'But one of tke soldiers with a spear pierced his side. amt fortkwith came there mtt blood and water.':' (Jotm 19:34), Blood ne+er comes out of a dead body. T h e oozing Of blood is a.sm-e indication and-a conclusive p r o o f of t h e ' f a c t that Jesus w a s still alive. V. Jesus stay~2d on tlle cross f o r too short a time (only a few h o u r s ) to die. Besides his le~s were not b r o k e n . . Tile two thieves Crucified a!on,~ w i t h Jesus did inot die when .taken d o w n .from the cross. Hence, apparently Jesus could not have died s o soon: -T h e following ~iuotations a r e highly illuminating on this point. "Rationalisni has princil)ally given its adhesion to the former opinion (i. e. Jesus was not really dead). The short time that Jesus
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hun.'." tm the cross, together--with the otherwise, ascertMned tardiness oi death liy crucifixion, a~ltl the uncertain nature and effects of the wotuM from the spear.- appeared to render the reality of death douht~ul. ( Slrattss. "'Lifa of Jesus," 17,. 750) "And h0rril)le to relate, the crucified often lived for nmnv laou.rs, --nay. even for two days in'their torture." .. ( " T h e L i f e of Chrtst, "" F. "" rv t:arrar U . '2 P 42-3.~ On the same page tlie author places in tl m ilun~l, of the sohher~ t h e thought of the doubt ahout Jesus' death "C-\nd vet, though He might he in a syncope--as" instances had -been known in which men apparentivdead iaad l~een t,Sk(/n ~lown from the cross and resuscitated and as the lives o~. the soldiers would haw" had to answer for any irregularity, one of the soldiers drove tile broad head of his hesta in]~o His side. ("1:: IV. lrarrqr, V. 2. P. 423). "'It is evident, in fact. that doubts arose as to the :reality of the death of Jesus. A few hours of suspension on flie cross appeared to tll()se accustomed t o see crucifixions entireF insuffieent t o hring about such a result. They cited many instances of persons cv;u:cified. wh-had .heen removed in'time, and hrought to life again hy energet!c , treatment. Origen, later on, thought it needful t o invoke miracle in or(ler to explain so sudden an .end. The same surprise is discovered in the fiarratix'eof Mark . . Pilate was astonished that Jesus was so soon dea d " ( 4 T h e L i f e Of Jesus Renan. P. 398-9) . \ ; I . T h e Gospel ~tcc0unt, as w e l l a s all the a u t h e n t i c xMrks on the life o f J e s u s a r e fully a g - r e e d u p o n t h e e x t r e m e l y "" " r symliathetlc a t t i t u d e o f P o n t" m s P i"l a " e toxxard : t h" e N"fa z a r e n e . t

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\Ve are t o l d that the Romafi P r o c u r a t o r expresse t his conviction o f J e s u faultlessness; and m a d e e a r n e s t :efforts t O s e c u r e
his acquital. : But, a n a c c o u n t of:-the peculiar ant!, a d v e r s e circumstances in w h i c h he W a s placed, he w a s prevailed u p o n against his o w n will t o p a s s u p o n J e s u s - t h e sentence o f crucl ~ , fixion. . . . . A f e w dayS b e f o r e the crucifixion, P i l a t e ' s w i f e distressed by a d r e a d f u l d r e a m , m w h l c h s h e . " s u f f e r e d m a u t h i n g S " on account o f j e s u s , s t r o n g l y ifleaded w i t h h e r ~ . h u s b a n d t o do something f o r " t h i S j t t s t m a , i i " ( M a t i h e w 21":19) T h i s intercession o f P i l a t e ' s w i f e in beh~alf o f the lirophet of N a z a r e t h , in c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h his o w n deep conviction as t6 :Jesus' innocence, is p a r t i c u l a r l y sig-nificant. I t is eviderit that t h e R o m a n g o v e r n o r w o u l d s p a r e no pains to sb.ve .~es.u.s When the o p p o r t u n i t y arose. V I L - T h e even'ing w a s drawing_ nigh. T h e J e w s w e r e "becoming a n x i o u s to r e m o v e the crucified b o d y f r o m the ac-. cursed tree. T h e y W e r e s e r i o u s l y a l a r m e d lest t h e 3 ; should -pollute the sanctity o f t h e ~following day, the d a y of Sahbath, by allowing it t o r e m a i n s u s p e n d e d on the cross. J e s u s had a n u m b e r of secret .followers w h o w e r e m e n

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of wealth and influence. One of these. Joseph of Arimathaea, who was a distinguished nleml)er of the Sanhedrin, and a noble man of high character, seeing the life of his beloved master in danger, flung hissecrecy to the winds, and l)oldly taupet0 Pilate and sough t Jesus" 1)ody. (Mark 14:42, 43) Pilate, wh0 was "the most anxious, if not to spare His agony, at least to save H i s life," in the words Of Farrar, granted JoseI)h his wish. a'nd delivered unto him his master's hody that "he might do with it as he ~pleased:" Another devoted disciple, Nicodemus. also came forward to render his serv!ce to hismaster at this critical juncture. Joseph and Nicodenlus placed the body of Jesus in a rockhewn sepulchre, and rolled a great stone again-~t its entrance. On the third day. 1o anti behold, the stone was. rolled away from the mouth of the,total) and Jesus was .~one. to the bewildered Surprise of all. Credulous inmgination built up the theory o f the so-called resurrection anti physical ascension of Jesus to the sky, wliich. however, belongs entirely to the reahn of pure fiction! fully agree with tl-le noted OXonian when he saS"s: "The ordinary view that Jesus rose from the grave with his human body and after showing himself from time to time to his disciples during a period of forty days. ascended w i l h l h a t body into heave,., cannot be substmziiated, in view of the above discrepancies of the records." (S[ory Behind .the Gospel,, t3ermlrd M. Allen, P. 107-8) This physical ascension of JSsus to heaven Has never been and never will be proved. Jesus, himself, says, that one who does not come from heaven, cannotgo to heaven. (John 3:13) St. Paul, whose account .is supposed to be' earliest Of all. vigorously opposes the idea Of Jesus' physical ascension to. heaven. "'Flesh attd blood cannot inherit the Kinqdom of God." (I Cor. 15:50) But according to the unanimous testim0nv 0f the Gospel records, Jesus was seen by his disciples in "ffl'esh and bloodY His mother saw him and took him for a garde~ier. (John 20:50) His d isc-iples saw him in his ph~-sic.-ilbody. ~_ : Behold nty hhnds and my feet, that it is ~ m3welf ; haHdle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and boiles, as 3;e sec me have.'" / A n d when he had thus spoken, hel shewed thcm his hattds and his feet., "'And while they yet belibimd not lot; joy, and wondered,

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hc s~rid ultto them, Ha'c ye here alty ~neat?'" "Altd they ga~,e him a piec e of broiled fish, aJ~d of a~ hom'Vconzb.'" -",.l~id he took it; amt did eat before them,~" (Luke 24:3943) T h e above verses settle the question decisively that Jesus came out of the tomb alive. I f we make a close scrutiny a n d a thorough reti-ospect of " " ." the whole story in the light Of the toregomg premlses~Jesu S' prol~hecy of Coming Out of the bowels of the e a r t h alive, his iervent:prayersto:beSaved fr6nl: d e a n the cross, the hide0usness of the idea of his being s u b ~ t t 0 the accursed death, the fli~wing of blood fronl his woun/d-, the shortness o f the time " of his suspension and tl~e :coiiseqtlent doubts o f all concerned atlsuch an unexpectedly early death, the pronounced sympathetic, attitude of Pilate and~his delivery of Jesus' body to his d,se friends and followers, ~nd Jesus' subsequent physical appearance to his mother and disciples~then we can easily understand that he was only apparently dead; in a state of unc,nsc~ousness. It becomes as clear as crystal that a secret plot was desig-ned by Jesus' disciples for his rescue, in which Pilate himself: playedan important role. After his escape f r o m the lc,ub~ Jesus had to take recourse to disguise for fear Of b e i n g arrested again. : No~V if Jesus did nordic 0n the cross and did not ascend to heaven, where did h e g 0 ? This introduces us to the followin~ discussion. We read in tile Bible that Jesus ChriSt was sent to the 10st sheep of Israel, Out o f thetwelve tribes of Israel, only ~wo were in the country where Jesus taught his Gospels and was crucified. In order to fulfill his mission, Jesus felt that he should go to that country .~'vhich was inhabited by the remaining tribes of Israel. It surel):does not stand.t0 reason to bebelieve that a man, sent to a particular peoplewith such a grand a/~d heavenly message as that of Jesus, comes a n d lives with a smallfraction o f that people only for three years, and then goes away. Sucfi a man can on no account be said to have achieved any measure. Of success in the great mission of his life. Hence, we must admit that either Jesus Christ did not fulfill his nfission or he Went to that part of the world where were the remaining ten tribes of Israel who undoubtedly were the o~ erwhelming ~najority. Historical investigations reveal to u s that the people of

.!'

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I

C a M m l e r e . . I n d i a , A f g h a n i s t a n , a n d the s t u ' r o m M i n g l)r0vinces r e p r e s e n t t h e t e n lost tribes o f Israel. H e n c e . it foJlows that J e s u s m u s t h a v e g o n e to t h a t 1)art o f the w o r l d . T o 1)rove our c o n t e n t i o n , we g i v e below a f e w q u o t a t i o n s w h i c h corl'ol)orate
()It F.' ,7t l'g't111]el~lt :

1. "On enlerin.ff,the ldng(h)m after crossing the PJre-penjale mountains the inhabitants in. the frontier villages struck me as resembling Jews. Their countenance and m;umer~ and tliat indescribable peculiarity wlficll : enal)les a traveler to distin~fish the inhabitants of different nations all seemed to belong.-to that ancien(people. You are not to ascribe what I say to mere fancy,/t!le Jewish al)l)ear,-mce of these villagers haying I)een reinarked by our Jesuit F;ather and by several other Europeans long 1)ef,)re I visited Cashmere. - " " "Note 'No. 3. In recent times x:igit6rs to Cashmir seeing- tile names l,~ahimju. Lu,sjtL JuJju..etc, etc.. comhmn ones among the tradespeople who cater to foreign v isit0rs in Srinatzar. written u I) as R A I t I 3 [ I EW. J UL JE\V. J US JE\\'. have imagined that t h e bearers of tllese immes" were Jews of nati,malitv! The Je~vish cast ()f: features of ninny ofthe iuhal)itmlts of CashmirTis noted 1)v many modern travelers." (B"emuer" ;s Travels. P. 430) 2. " . . . the maj,)rltv Of Eas~fn writers eonsider them to 1,e the d~cendant.q of one of the t-en tTibe~ of Israel and thi.;; is the opinion ,,f the Afghans theniselves." (llistora, of the ..lfgha'ns by J. E: Ferrh'r. P. 1) 3. . . . . "ermer is disposed 1:o believe tlmt the :\fglmns rel)resent the lost fell tribes, and to claim.for them descent :from~Saul. Kin~z of Israel: t\mongst (,tlier writers concurringCin this vie.w nmv be 'menti0ne d the lmnoured name of-Sir William Jones." T h e H ) s l o r v of .qf~thanislan front the Earliest Period to the Outbreak of tlie IVar'of 1878.. by Colonel G. B. Malleson. d'. S. 1.. P. 39) - ,_4. "The traditi0nS c,ffl!~ie,,ple/refer them t,, Syria as tile coumrv ot their residence ,;tt the til~"tl~e~., Were carried awa;,, into C~tl)tivitv hi' ! tfl,htunasar (Nebuehadnez.zar), and planted as col0msts m different l i f t s of Pelsm and Me(ha..."~om these posmons they, at a subsequent period, emigrated eastward ilr~ the mountaint)us xrountrv of Ghor. where they were call&l 1)v.the neighlx6rinz 1)eoMes 'P,ani Af,,han' and 'Baifi I~rail', or children o'f Afg.han-~,id clTil~lre;1 of lsrael~-]~ttiz0rr,,borati0n (~f tliis we have the testimony ~i'f.;th-e-Pl2~t)het Esdr~as to ilae effect t h a t t h e ten tribes of Israel wlm were cal;riedtnto cal)tivit;c,subscquenth- escal)ed and fotmd refuge in ,tile country of' Arsareth, which is s{H)posed to be identical with tlle H a z a r a h (C,-ts]amere) Country of thepresent da'v and of whicli Ghor forms a par~ It is also stated in the Tabaeati 2ffasri-a historical work which contfi~fi's,amoit~ other information; a detailed account of theconquest 9f tliis~ounirv 1)v ChangiZ K h a n ~ t h a t in the time Of the native Sliansabi dvnast~ there x~:as a people Called Bani Israil iiving in that country and "that -~6pae-of thent were extetlsivelv engaged in trade with the countries arounl .t~ (The Races of ./lfghanistan ~p 15) T h e d t s c o v e r y o f - t i l e T o m b w i t h the i n s c r i p t i o n "55us A s a , f " d e c i s i v e l y .~ettloq-tho m~,~;,,,, "r'l..~. : . . . . . . v...__
. . . ~ ~ ~ . . . , .. . . . ) . , " . ~ . . , ', ~ , z ~ ' . _ .

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,ml~n.g the l~eople o f C a s h m e r e - i h a t the toml~ b e l o n g s to one Yu.~ z \ s a f - - w h 0 Was a Nalfi ( l h - o p h e t ) , S h a l l i b z a d a ( P r i n c e ) . I lc c a m e t h e r e s o m e 1 9 0 0 y e a r s ago from some western
C( ~

,,\ h i s t o r i c a l w o r k . the Tarilehi ,q:itmi. w r i t t e n s o m e t w o l m n d r e d y e a r s ago, Say's r e g a r d i n g t h i s total): "The tomb is gdnera]ly knciwn.as that ~f a:lwophet. He was a prince wh~ came from afiweign land. lie was perfect in pletv, righteousness a.ml clevothm: I hi-was made prol~het bv God and was engaged in preachin.,.,"m thi2 pe, q~le of Cashmere. lli's name was Yus Asaf.'" The following circmnstanct?s prove. thatYus Asaf could bc. n o n e o t h e r t h a n Jesus.: -. .. " 1. T h e .word " ~ ' u s " i s t h e l l e b r e w f o r m o f Y a s a , the ..\ritlfic n a m e f o r J e s u s . A s a f is t h e l l e b r e w - . f i w m o f A s a f , tlle g a t h e r e r , so it oames to m e a n . ]esus the g a t h e r e r , " a s |estlS.Cmne to g a t h e r nhe lost tn:il)es 0 f : I s r a e l . 2. H e - i s k n o w n as Nabi, a proplaet a m o n g t h e M u s l i m s . "l'lae w o r d : ' n a b i " occttrs o n l y - i n t w o l a n g u a g e s . A r a b i c a n d l tebrew H e c o u M nc~t be a" M o s l e m a s n o n e otheY t h a n the Ih~ly" l ' r o p h e t h a s bee n called. Nal-n. so he n m s t be a Hebrew\. l~l:opt~et: . 3: O n e oi: t h e m o s t s t r i k i n ~ c i r c u n t s t a n c e s i s t h a t Y u s . \ s a i g i v e s t h e n a m e o f Btishl]a ( I t e b r e w a n d A r a b i c n a m e f o r (Msliel ). t0 the w o r d h e l w e a c h e d a s in t h e f o l l o w i n f f p a s s a g e in IkfiuthMdiih a h i s t o r i c a l : w 0 r k al)~mt a t h o u s a n d y e a r s old. "Then he bega-n tn compare the tree t~ [Bushra) Which he preached t,,.the iwol~](', a n d he likened the slwing of water t~J wisdom and knowlt.dge wlaich he iiossessed: and the birds he Coml~ared to the people who swarmed art,mM.him and accepted his religion." R e c e n | I v x-re. c a m e a c r o s s a n i n t e r e s t i n ~ book. "'Mystical l.zle oj- Jesus l~x 1t, Spctwer Lewis. w h i c h s u p p o r t s the ;theory flint J e s u s did n o t die on the cross. \ V e r e a d on P a g e 265 t h u s : "'The storm s~ot~ broke mM delayed the removal of the body of J.csus for a few lmurs, lint in that time.food, was given Him. anti support was placed Under His body-to .l;rex;ent it f r o m pulling too greatly Ul.,n the hails which t0rtured His flesh. T h e new faithful ones noted with great anxiet~: that a .~oml)er stillness and a numbness was passing ,,ver the body. anal that ,~raduallv Jesus lost consciousness.-. At the earliest possil,le mimlent.:wllen tlie st~;rm quieted: torches were brought and an.exmnination of. the bodvrevealed tlmt Jesus/ffas not dead. The blood lt,iwing fr, ma tlae Wounds'proved tliat the Imdlv Was not lifeless, and so ihe cross was immediately taken th)qVn and his body removed from it. The hodv was t a k e n t o a'burial vault-owned by Yousef of Arimathaea, which lind been built for. the care of lais family; and being a wealthy man
" " " " t~ " 9 9 ", .
. -

~x

" I t

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it was an elaboi-ate and well constructed burial place. The body was placed in a special part of the tomb which had been pre-arranged for its reception, and l?hysicians connected with the Essene Brotherhood Were at hand to render every l~ossible assistance in caring for the wounds." Again we read on Page 269: "Just before sunrise, Yousef of Arimathaea and other Essenes Who had been hidiilg nearhy approached the tomb when the guards were trying to protect themselves from the rain under the slielter o f some cattle houses sligbtl.~- distant. Using the meagre they had previously provided, and taking advantage of the laxity o f the officials in sealing the doorway l)roperly, they Caused this great stone to be thro~:n over, and t h e doorway to be opened. Wlien !he.~[.entered the torah, thev found Jesus resting easily, a n d rapidly regaining stren~l I and vitalitr." After an hour the storm ceased sufficiently for the Essenes to escort-}Jim from the Tomb." Sitnilarl~., a w r i t e r , J o h n Noel. c o r r o b o r a t e s t h e discoveryo f the tol,l~b'of J e s u s in S r i n a g a ~ , : K a s h m i r , I n d i a in his article entitled, Tlie-:Heavenly Hiy)t"Snow Peaks Of KashJnir p u b - : lished in the A s i a M a g a z i n e , O c t o b e r , 1930. "lmnlenselv strong are those:, picturesque, broad-shouldered Kaslmfiri peasants, and yet docile and meek in temperament. One thing about them strikes you with enohnous force. Tliev seem m o r e perfectly .Jewish than the purest Jews you have ever seen" :not hecause tiler wear a flowing, cloaklike dress that conforms to.your ideas of Bibiical garments, but because their faces have the Jewisll cast of features. T h e curious coincidence--or is it a coincidence? is that there is a strong.tradition in Kashmir of connection with the Jews. For a good manv years there have been afoat in this land rumors that Christ did not really die upon the cross, but wag let down and disappeared to seek 10st tribes, and that he came to Kaslamir, Ladak a n d Little Tihet and died and was hurled in Srinagar. Kashmir legend, IAl2ave been told, i:ontains references to a prophet ,:rho lived here and taught, as Iesus did, b y parables l i t t l e s'tories tlmt are repeated in Kashmir.t0 tile present da~,',i O f recent years certain explorers have also come upon traces of this story of the sojourn of Jesus in these regions. In one version of the story lie-is said to have come to confer and argue witll the Buddhist monkS" on the doctrine of reincarnation during the years of his young manfiood, the period of which there is no Biblical record in reg~ird:to his whereabouts.

Islam and Brotherhood

~B~r Charles S. Braden " " PrOf. Of the Hisiorv of Relioion. Northwestern Unizi,ersitv, Ez'an'slon, IlL, and For;nbr Chri:~tian Missionary to South-As;terica
" A n d so, b r o t h e r s a n d sisters, I p l e a d w i t h y o u to a c c e p t Isla'm, I s l a t n m o d n s peace, I s l a m m e a n s b r o t h e r h o o d , Islatn m e a n s p r o s p e r i t y . S o m e o f y o u h e r e t o n i g h t . a r e a l r e a d y M0sIctus. I p r a y t h a t s o o n .you will all b e c o m e M o s l e m s , and" t h a t all A m e r i c a will c o m e to f o l l o w t h e p r o p h e t , "

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It was a colored man speaking on the occasion of the ol~ening of a Moslem mosque on the south side of. Chicago. It was t h e president of the congregation w h o h a d spoken --Omar Kahn, the missionary in charge hadcalled him. All the converts are apparently given Arabic names. H e wore a fez, as did most of the color.ed men present. The president had beam his address with the Moslem call to prayer; he ended it wi'th a pious ejaculation, i n Arabic, t o which the assembl,ed company gave back an Arabic response. There were other speeches.- Brother Abdur Rahman, beginning with an Arabic prayer, stressed again the brotherhood and democracy of Islam, pleaded with those present speedily to become Moslems, and ended by saying that he felt like starting a collection. Extracting a bill from his purse, he placed it on the. table. Although apparent!y not planned for originally b y the missionary, the-idea was well received, and a brother a n d a sister, each with a fez for a collection plate, circulated among the assembled company. The response was good. " . . . . " Still. other speeches were made, some by ~''distinguished ~lests.": Each found something to praise in Islam. Theconstantly, recurring note was that of brotherhood. Islam, at least the Ahmadiyya branch. here represented,stands strong1~ for brotherho6d. At each. repetition of the idea there was ~i chorus, of enthusiastic approval, expressed, of course, i n Arabic,. Alhamdulillah. Greetings:were read from various parts of America. There was a telegram from the Moslems of Detroit, another from the group in Indianapolis? Strangest of all sounded one signed, "The Moslems of Cedar Rapids; Iowa"! Moslem friends from Michigan City were present in person and Were loudly applauded when they stood a t the leader's request; likewise some from M i n n e a p o l i s . A group had s t a r t e d to drive through from Eas~ St. Louis, but a hundred miles on their way car troublestopped them. " A letter w a s read from a n Indian Moslem; former president of the All-India Moslem League and member of the London Round-Table Conferences, who h a d visited Chicago last ),ear. It was a letter of congratulation and encouragement. It praised the faithfulness o f the members Who had done all the work of cleaning and decorating the place, preparing it for use as a mosque.: " A mosque," he said, "is a first essential of a

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Moslem community:" l i e I'e.itriced that the light h a d ah-eadv 1)e.e,un to break in'America, and voiced ttie lwaver that s~n~l the full light of revelation as found in Islam wt;uld penetrate tc~ the furthest corner of America. "','llhamdulillah "" i-espohded the congregation. , .: _J The missionary in charge, an Indian M~islem--f|w tiffs particular branch l'f Islam (the..\hma~livwt ~10~l-ement ill Islam) laad its rise in India i n t h e latter l~u-t of t~e n i n e t e e n l h . century~rc)se to make ,-i brief cl0sinK a,ldrc:ss, l t w a s already late nearly :eleven o'cloCk. ".I.~lam." he said. "s.. tanus." for brotherhoo~l. It has n o c 0 1 o r - l i a r . [ - w a s t01d whefi I first came to AmeriCa, 'If you surround Votlrself with c~,loi'ed folk you will be unable to.reach the white pet~ple; and if you surround yourself too- mucll with w h i t e folk you c a n n o t reachcolored" folk. Tonigllt t h e r e are botla w h i t e a n d c01ored here. Islam makes n0. distinctionbetween them. The races musf be: ,brough't logefller. I n Islam lies the solution Of the race problem . . . . "I am not (liscollra,,.,-~d, t i e c o n t i n u e d . \~, e-are 0nly a few who have embraced I s l a m a s vet. "l'hevi~ Will be moire. If n o t tomorrow, then day after tom~w~'ow." He sounded so sure. ' But there was s o n | e l h i n g deeph"-stirrin~- aboiit t h e whole thing. It seemed a little affected.- the w e a r i n g of the fez and the use of Arabic names. The wea_rers appeared obviously self-conscious, but on the xvliole seemed to. enjoy the distinctio;l that fez and name Conferred Up~-m. them. Bfit deeper vet to: oile observer. a C ' h r i s t i a n / h e r e 7'as something chalh'ngiitg alum~ il.. \Vhv sllt~rfl.(1 Negroes in" -\merica think they m u s t hecome ~l,,slen~ to find brotherhood ? \Vh~ should= a m~,sqt|e be expected j~o f,,.zive W h a t they.could: not hnd in a Christian church? ' Must NeKroes become M:oslem~; to find I ) r ~ l h e | ' h 6 o d ' i n ,'\merica, overrun as,it is ~'/'ith churches beal-in,~ the name o1 Him whose great life d r e a m was the f6unding of a kin,e,doli-i of God where" brotherh~od shcmld be reallzedr Must Neuroes . . . . J ..... lhiule they have to 1)ectmle Moslems to ~ecure this ? " If the coming x)f Mosl6m missiona|z~es to America. lweach inK, brotherhood; should stinmlate. Christianity to the practtsc'"' of what is e,videntlv its ideal. Would it :liot be a: goo'd thing if mosques were esta]3lished in all o u r g r e a t centers ? , - Z i o n ' s Herald, M a r c h 13, i935. "
t

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The Ahmadiyya Mission News

The N e w Scheme of I ! azart M irza Bashirud Din ~lahn~ood ;\hmad. the present Head of the Ah~ madivva M ~ e m e n t , has inspired his followers : with a new life a nd'tfvnal,,ic spirit of action. The world-wide acilvities-0f the..fal--ttun.g-- movement have been co-ordinated. -trollied, and considerably increased. - . " T h e Special The-Special Appeal of the blessed Leader o-f: Appeal .- our movement for financial Contributions .for tl:ie workinK of. the New Scheme has met w i t h marvelous success everywhere. We are grateful to Allah and arc ;l~r0ud to note. thal~-our ?(merican mission has displayedan admir'able sl~irit Of sincerity and sacrifice in their response t,, the Special Appeal. We-siiam:eiy hope that all the don0rs will-soon fullill theirliledges. " -Ne~ Six-new missions a r e being, opened in foreign Missions -lands. Missionaries have already been sent to various parts of China.and lapan. A new m i > si,,n has als,, 1,een e'stablislledin.Kenva Colony, East Ai'rica. Ahmadiyya : \ sl~ecial fq,ature o:f thi2 N e w S c h e m e is the Press ralfi, l groWtl t ,,f ~he Ahmadiyya Press. T h e weeldv Sunrise has been revived and is bdn~ imblished fron{ LahOl-e. Ptinjal). India with remarkable si.v'ns of vie.-i~ur and potentiality. " " Palestine ~laulana -\Iml" JXta J.hulhuldhary of H a i f a :Mission lnission and the members o f the Ahmadiyya movement in Palestinedeserve o u r h e a r t y congr,ttulations uptm flaeir success i:il b u i l d i n g a .Mosque in ~[ount Karmal, and in makinK their Ouarterlv into a MonthlY anti in estal,lishing the ;\hilla~[ix'x-a-iire~s.~.. 7 i " : T h e L o n d o n . The L o n d o n mlssum seems to have forged Mission ahead 0f-the rest 0f our foreign missions in their recent outl)ursts o f journalistiCenterpri.se: They have started t w o 1)apers~one a fortnightly, The Mttslint Ti,ies. the other. Al-!dam] a Quarterly magazine. The former is edited l:LvMaulana A. R. Dard, M. z \ , the h n a m of the fam6us London Mosque, a n d t h e latter is imblished by 1he student group un'~der the editorship o f ~h{ 5 I . N. Ahmad, H. A., / B . AI, and Mr. 3,I. %. A hma(i, B. A ; \ v e : w i s h them all lastm g success.
. . . . " .

The New Scheme

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Our American publication, The Moslem Sunrise, which has been doing a splendid service to the cause of Islam i n the West, is now being published re~flarly. M a y we make-a humble appeal to all its supporters t o come forward to help us improve this blessed journal so'that we may keel) pac;e With this glorious march of progress? ""

The Moslem Sunrise

Awakening of Moslems InAmerica

A large number of Syrian Moslems live in various parts of the United States of ~kmerica. In many :Cities they have c.olonized and settled~ During recent 3'ears they hav,e shown great signs of awakening. Schools have been established to impart to :the chilfiren the language of their forefathers, and i societies have bee n formed in 0rder to .cultivate: and develop the culture of Islam. In this category, the-Asrel Jadeed Temple in. Michigan . City, Indiana, the Mosquesin Bro0klvn," N . Y ., and inRoss, N . . . j-. orth Dakota stand foremost. \Ve offer o u r sincere Congratulations to those Who have accomplished these worthy: tasks. Recently the Moslems of Cedar Rapids, I0wa, built a tem.~)vle with thecharacteristic dome of.a Moslem Mosque -This ill serve the double purpose of a school for the'children and of a place o f worshipand assembly f o r t h e adults. The opening cereinony was celehratedon the 16th of Jime with great pomp and festivity. -Delegates from many cities were present on the occasion.. The small Moslenl comnmnity in Cedar Rapids has set a splendid example in building this temple We sincerely hope that. others will follow this example, and will serve the great cause of I s l a m f o r which there is a vast field in this far:off country of America. We extend o u r hearty congratulations to the Moslems in Cedar Rapids u p o n t h e i r noble work. May God bless them abundantly. - / . " . i .

i Press Notices
NOTED M O S L E M M I S S I O N A R Y SPOK E H E R E W E D N E S D A Y
T H E STANLEY SUN Stanley, No. D a k . June 6, 1935

2-

We. of this community, had an op~rtunity "~Vednesday evening to hear a message delivered b y a learned man from India, Sufii M. R. Bengalee, M.A. Hemade a ' p r o f o u n d impi'ession by his masterly address, i Those of Us w h o a~.ailed 0urselves of theSpportunity were well re(varded. Direct f r o m the conNested .East" wberc three hundred and fifty mjllon people dwell, Air..Bengalee ~ made it clear how it was possible for these hordes to endure over a period of some six thousand years. Touching upon .the world depression Dr. Bengalee attributed the main cause to ttfe-.concentration of wealth, an evil. which is fast : ~levouring the western civilizati0fi. T h e peril could h e guarded against, observed the speaker, through the;practice o f the economic system of the Islam faith. There are three .main priilciples. First, is the law o f inherita,|/:e. A t death, on6 third .of a matt's fortune m a y go directly t o charity while theremainder is distributed among h i s c h i l d r e n and relatives. Thus .are great f0rttmes onstautlybt'oken up a n d wealth re-distributed. The second, is Z A K A T or purifying tax. BY this e a c h Moslem pays annually one fortieth Of a l l his surplus wealth for t h e use of the poor and needy. This alone, remarked t h e .speaker, would largely solve the unemployment problem. The third is the ban 0n interest; no interest may be paid on loaned money; and business shoull b e conducted on a partnership basis so that gains and losses ma~ be divided between capital and labor. All of these principles taken together would strike at the root of concentration of wealth" and a mot:e equitable a n d a wider distribution Of wealth would result.

Antagonism between t h e different religions is caused n o t b y the founders of the different religions, but by their followers. According to. Dr. Bengale, Islam, which means peace a n d resignat i o n to the divine will, has been the religion of all t h e prophets-since the dawn of history,~and the Moslem believes not only in Mohammed.-but in Jesus, Moses, and all the other prophets: Dr. Bengalee made a strong plea for better Understanding and harmony betweeu various f a i t h s and peoples. "The East and the West must unite for the common good ~ of humanity," gaid Dr. Bengalee2 At, advancement m a d e - b y the followers Of Islam was, the speaker:.contends, tile founding o f a t r u e democracy and. universal brotherhood. The K o r a n says the test of_respectability is not the color of a person's, skin,, but~his honesty, integrity and righteousness. Islam has take n slaves and elevated them t o royalty, stated the speaker. A single visit to a M0ttammedan church would furnish a living p i d u r e as to how tbis faith has ext~i-minated race a n d "color distinction. " T ! t e Holy Book, Koran, h a s - r a i s e d the. status of women. Islam makes a m a r l ' a n d his wife equal. Women inherit property, given a sum by tlie hus band at the time of. marriage and all her expenses are paid by the busband. - Mo= hammed said . t h a t thi~ best matt is t!te o n e Who i:s most well-belmved to his w i f e . - T h i s situatioh bas been an advance over the rest of the world Dr. Bengalee pointed out that whereas the twentieth century America miserably failed in the prohibition of-liquor, Mohammed in the seventh century succeeded in establishing complete temperance, .Since then. wherever Islam. has gone drinking has vanished. We, of this western world, might do well t o heed the message of such m e n as D r . Bengalee and relax briefly from our

20

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p u r s u i t of h a p l l i n e s s and }'-rtune t h r u i n . a g r a d u a t e ~Jf l ' u n j a l l c o l l e g e ::t I.athe c h a s i n g e l S e w D e a l s a n d o t h e r t o h e r e . h l d i n , a n d . f tilt: U n i v e r s i t y of conlplex progranls, It w o u l d s e e l l l - t h a t C a l c u t t a . h a s s p e n t s , m l e s i x yt'ar~ in if o u r . t n a h i . a i h n e n l lies in t h e c o u c e n t h e U n i t e d S t a l e s as" h e a d ,if the .ntis-.. trati-ll of~;,'ealth, tmr"salvati., would s i . n a r y : w o r k iv t h i s . c o u n t r y . lit.. is: lie i n ' i t s w i d e a n d e q u i t a b l e t l i s t r i b u t i . n . the e d i t o r of a - q u a r t e r l y tnagrazint,. W e m i g h t do Well to r a d o p t at] eicttn~mfic pictatresquelv c a l l e d " : T h e . . M o s l e m SilOsystcin similar t. the Islamic ` teaching. r i s e . " ff)undetl b;" l ) r . . M . . M ; . S a d i q . o r we m i g h t g a i n - c o n t r . I of the." l i q t l . r " h i t h e d e l i g h t f u l / N . , o l n e s s ' ( ) f tile Porch q u e s l i . n by the practii:e of ikmlllerant?e. i,f .Xeflew ' S;tlt , 8 IS "]'ellnessee.. I;IS{ T h e r e a r e still: people w h o . b e l i e v e t h a t t-'ennlg, a n d 2 will)' Ih/: h . s l t i t a l i t v , of w t ~ r t h - w h i l e r e f o r n l s - must " ( ' e r i e f r o m c - M i n e w a t e r - a n d l u s c i o u s f r u i t s ? Mr. " tile E a s t f r o m Whence r i s e s t h e Still. S a m p r e s . e n t e d h i s d l s t i n ~ u i s h e d ~uest " a n d a f t e r l i s t e n i n g tO D r . B e n g a l e e . w e 19 r i . ' l ) r c f e n t a t : i v e s o t thi: l l r e s s . " . . . . . . b e l i e v e t h a t the E a s t h a s . ~ o n l e doctrines" "that w o u l d d o well" if t r a n s p l a n t e d here. S p e a k i n g . ill SL [ ' a i d . . M i n t i . . ill Febr t m r y ~f t h i s y e a r ; "a s , r e p o r t e d in the 1 ) i s p a i c h nct,,-spaller o f t h a t city. l h e : MICHIGAN CITY EVENING DISPATCH d - c t o r p o i n t e d '.oiiI, a s h e w i i l here. Thursday, August 9,. 1934 t h a t t h e s y s t e m . f f i i s " t e a c h i n q s is" not .tficrely. s e n t i i n e n t a l i ( l e a l i s n t , but is NOTED MOSI.EM LE:Xl)FR VISITS b a s e d tlpolt s~tlll(I e c , n o m i c llrincili!es, 1X C I T ~ : SI?EAKS :HEIC.E The t h r e e l a w s of I s l a m c o n t a i n ttie SUN1)AY . s o l t l t i t m Of p r e s e n t - d f i v : ~ t l l e r i e a l l ~:co 2
I n.11!ic" prlJblenls. T h e r e ;ire i'iclies lierc,

W c ~ d t h x(:itil k n o w t h a t r e l i g i o u s d i s p u t e s a n d t t l e : - ; = t h r e e . g c . n e r a t i o n s s o l y e s H~is p r o b l e m of t r o u b l e s - o f , t h e ; w o r l d a r i s e t h r o u g h cat)itaFisnl w i t h o u t - r e s o r t to co:ulilisunderstandin~and misinf.rnlati.U," munism or soci-tlisnl --'" t h u s . t h e w o r d s a l l d p r e a c h i n ~ of" S u l l : ' X l u t i u r l~ahnlan l;en~,alee~M.:A.~ h e a ~ l o f .The ] ~ l a t l l i C l a ; ~ v - O f Z a k a t . . a 2!.,~ per the - A h n l a d l v v a -.Moslenl i n o v e m e n t iu "cent tax. Ill)Oil alJ a lllall Ifos~esse_~ over " a l A m e r i ca w h o ' . w i l l -b e s p e a k e .r " n S n t o , ." ", l l d . . .a.b ~ve a c i . l a l lleefl t '' t k c s : c a r e 0f : . " .." " ; t t m s ei . l e s s ' w i -l"l p. l a c e d ' - a r i d ."i" s n .o t chari(tax. a t 8' p . m. i n" tile A s S e t E " J ' a ( l e e t.l l . : ' .. . . . ' s . -,.. t e n"t p l e ell becotl([ stl~eet, . c,n o o s u t g tlten " ,ix" It. i " tile - l a w -" T h e "i h. i r d l 'a w is tile ''. "
D ' IX| (Ill lt*~It :Ir~- . . V,I~ 11 111o ] e ~ m a,.. lit t a .Sh i s s u b j e c t a general exlllanat ~lof s . ' x - . " ' tile itispire(t ' . . lid h~aned, : o,u t ~ t .in{~:rest. .- P-trti~er~hi , a tile t r'u t h o1 tile" . l{oran," "., . . -.,~_, . . :" I n c a p i t a l .and l a l l o r F e q i t a l i t v Of wonten w o r d a s h e a r d l)~. M o l ~ a m n l e d . who. a n d lien w l i i i ' h is ree~,'.ztizeH a n d pracl i v i n g - 5 7 0 ve,3rs a f t e r J e s u s . h a d t h e - , .. . , , ;. O l. ,I l l." - c l,a l r-a U f l l e,. l c"e - t a K e l l; - (l~ltVtl . tuieti:' In tile .~Ioslenl l a w ' . w i I a l(I ca l -. , . results s l ] " ' " ' - h y t h e p e n s of h i s f o l l o w e r s a n d m e n - . " e a d to t l l e p e a c e o f t h e w o r l d .

" T o k n o w y o u r f e l l o w IllaH.. [O till- - y ~ t a l s o wa,lI, t h e r e a s o n d e r s t a n d y o t ! r f e H . w m a ! l , it1 g r a s p t h e . . a u d l a c k , f l d i s t r i b u t i . n . uu.port o f t h e tln!L~~ o f : r e h g ! o n a s a . l a w s . ( i i l h e r i i e n c e w h i c h t l n u g a l l ;t r t I r o n m a n - n l a d e" c r e"t d . sl, " 1o " i'l read- d i s t r i b u t i & l i l f s "

concentration -Th e Islamic give a-wideh'.

ortZed by t h e m ; a n d t h e i r s t u d e n t s a l s o . s o t h a t no w o r d o f e r r o r h a s c r e l ~ t i n t h r o u g h t h e y e a r s i n t h e Kttratt~ " " . " Distinguished Man " -. Stiff B e , i g a l e e , W h o is a m a n o f : i l o w - . erful individuality, i inlelligtmee and p r o d u c t o f t h e h i g h e r s c h o o l s og l e a r n - -

. " . / . ". - . Stiff B e n g a l e e c 0 i n e ~ . w i t h t h e ~ e s s a g e . f lJeace a m l n o t t h e s . w o r d . ~l~lt s a ) s t h a t h e f i n d s r e s p o n s e g r e a t w h e n th,~se . w h o h e a r hiiil h a v e g r a q ~ e d tile i,up,~rt tff.his n t c s s a g e . . H e e x p l a i n s t h e " C I M s t ] a.~ h e e x p l a i n s :the P r o p h e t M o h a m m e d . ' 1

" By-

Peace,

Not

Sword

/-

 H E T

M O S L E M

S U N R I S E

21

Witll " h i m lie carrit:s r e p o r t s f r o m pal,ers t h r o u g h o u t rim l a n d w h i c h n l a k e hb e r u d i t i o n a n d k n o w l e d g e 0f.the:diffic(tlties of . t h e r a c e s ' t o a m a l g a m a t e in th,;tight a n d s p i r i t evident, a n d in h i s wurds he . s a y s , " T h e people a:t:e s e e k , "ing tile divitie kn0wJedge.: tht~.: c r a v e the ck:rtainty of s p i r l t u a l i t y , m a t e r i a l isnl and- tile r e s u l t s of n l e n ' s w r i t i n g s : and r e a d i n g s do n o t satisfy, t h e r e is spirit}tal, h u n g e r . - " i ' h e v want thek n o w l e d g e of t h e d i v i n e . l a w a n d""pox e r V w h i c h h a s b e e n g i v e n in ' the e a r t h : dnce the l, egim~[ng of t i m e . " S . . . . . . . .. ~ Iln l ] e n g a l e e is a gttes.t o 1 ~\ette'~. S;tt|l; a n d will. he p r e s e u t c d to a l a r g e - . attdience of all c r e e d s a n d f a i t h s o n - . Suntlav at t h e local teml)le.. " ' .. . . . . . . . . . . . MICHIGAN CITY EVENING-DISPATCH
. .

Islam

Means

Submission

Explaining that the correct name for those who accept the-teaching Islani, is M o s l e m . S n f i "l~erigalee w e n t on to s a y t h a t I s l a m mea.ns ' s u b m i s s i o n ' . o r a t t a i n m e n t of a life: o f p e a c e t h r o u g h r e s i g n a t i o n to t h e will of God. o r as t h e teacher "Christ sakl. " T h y will be done." "Men have become corrupted and religlons d e g e n e r a t e d . t h r o u g h m i s i n t e r p r e t a t t o n and m t s - n l f o r m a t l o n , c o - t in n e' d t h e . .sp e a k e r :, '"is e V M e n c e s of ,. c o r r u p t i o n c a m e on. e a r t h t h e n G o d s e n t f u r t f i e r teach:ers to e x p o u n d H i s will, a n d m a k e cleai- the w a y . U n f o r t u n a t e ~a v e Iv " " . a ." v m " s"u n o"e - r"s t a n":t n:r s m n " I a g n " =..s e n,., -" ari ' "/;: " ' S t u n n l m g up: t h e r e l i g i o u s c o n c e p t i o n o f r e q u i r e: m e n t s f o r . .t * pea C e on earth,". Stlff.Bengalee stated, "\Ve need knowlt;dge--and understanding of other peoples, i f w~' waiit to e s t a b l i s h peace."
" " . "" : i..

"

7.

.,.

..

!-

August

13,

1 9 3 4

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MiSSIOXAR?V

TO

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.... ' Stor~tillustiatesPoint

- .~PI:-XKS-\T ASsER EI JADEED " ..Illustra'ting his stnrv aptlv"with: the " " TFMPI E AN.~IVERS-k]~V " .-.:tale:of tile. m a n in t h e l j u n g l e Wbo s a w ' " : .... .'. . . . . " " % . s01uethin~approai:hing and was terri= . . . .... " ..fled a s h e " t l i o u g h t it a .bear, c o m i n g SlleaKing .as a . - m i s s m n a r y ~.0t..lSm!n" . c l o s e r t h e .!,tiring- p/-o~ed t a b e a b l a c k wrongly terined-Mbllanmledanism, Sufi " . M u t i u r R a l n n a n l l e u g a l e e , M, A.I n o t e d malL again frightened, the "thing" w r i t e r a n d s p e a k e r f r o n 4 : C l i l c a g o find- o n c e m o r e r e s o l v e d itself i n t o a t ~ n like.the o b s e r k . e r . - a u d u p o n a close i l a d a, l a s t n i g h t a t the A S s e t E l J a T . . t n e e t i n g tile o b s e r v e r d i s c o v e r e d t h a t deed t e m p l e , '~V. Second. h e l p e d ill tile it w a s his Own b r o t h e r w h o h a d ap 2 celellration of.. . t h e . a.n l. i v e.r s a.- v . o f the r. . . .. p r-o a e n e t,L q~ening o f t l l a t - b u i h l i n g . ' - " ~ .... :. ~ ' ,. , ~ ~ ' ':':." " T i r o s : w i t h m e t a p h o r anti a lane n o w ." T h e l n i s s i o n a r v e x p l a i n e d " f u l l y t h a t b f l a n g u a g e a- coinnaand Of E n g l i s h tile r e h"~"o n of l.~lam" c m l b t " e d t h e be 7 gt n " " Whicll w a s - l i l r k e l : t t a "n. tiln htv ~ ' Y, Sufi lit'fs of all o t h e r ' r e l i g i o n s a n d c o n - _ i l e n g a i e e I J r o u g h t . h o m e to llis 150 Scqueutly its a d o p t i o n t h r o u g h o u t tlae .listeners t h a t w i t h t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g of w 0 r l d ~ w o u l d r e m o v e p o s s i b i l i t i e s 6f dis" naiions, made possible through such.as a~reelnent, theLeague of Nations. the. spreading "'The w o r l d o f . r e l i g i o n i s in a - s t a t e . f chaos, Christianlt.~' i n t h e ljnited States a l o n e h a s 500 sects, a n d Other. : reli.~ions a r e . s i m i l a r l y d i s r u p t e d , " , s a i d Sufi B e n g a l e e . . - L l a m is n o t a faith founded b y M o h a n u n e d alone, b u t i s a true a n d u n g a r b l e d a c c o u n t of t h e t e a c h i n g s of A d a m , of M o s e s , Of J e s u s . "
~6 S "

. ... '

(~ ~"

of o n e r e l i g i o n s b e l i e f . - t h e r e c a n c o m e t h a t fine k n o w l e d g e as b e t w e e n m a n a n d m a n Which will do awa3-Wit])~.wars and eeononiie troubles. " " .George Dabagia .introduced the s p e a ~ k e r . . MrS Da33agia - w a s p r e c e d e d by N e f f e w S a m . . w l a o - s p o k e .in b o t h Euglish-and Arabic: " " i. .

?'. i.

i~

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THE

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Correspondence
Sufi M. R. Bengalee," M . A . , --Suite 1307, 56 E. Congress Street, Chicago, IllinoiS, M y D e a r Brother-: Since m y j e a r l y )'ears, I h a v e ' b e e t i a seeker after truttr in quest .of which I have unceasingly studied the sacred books o f a l l religions with extreme dglight arid nmch benefit. T h e y a l l h a v e : w i d e n e d my intellectual and spiritual outlook, and h i g h l y Uplifted me, for [ foun[l t r u t h in them all.- B u t m y - s p i r i t u a l hunger was not Completely sat-isfied unti[ I contacted Islam. E v e n as a cliild I never, could reconcile myself to the. orthodox Christian ;,'ersion of Jesus Christ. i - f o u n d it iuconsistent x~'ith di~ vine perfec.tion and lox'e, t h a t God Would send H i s , o n ! y son down - to the earth out o~ h e a v e n - t o Crucify him for m e or f o r anyone else. This and shnilar doctrines Trinity, Godhead of Chr.ist and that man has been born in sin a n d shaped in iniquity nfilled ~.ndmilled around in m y ntind until I discoxtered that Islam gives true conception.of Christ and his faith, .and, instead o[ taking a n y t h i n g from our love and honor Ior him, infinitely adds to His g l 0 r y l a n d honor b y ma.king him a man and a g r e a t prop!let o f God.N o r do an), o t h e r f a i t h s Suffer. T h e Moslem believes in the fundamental and basic unity of all religions and lionors all prophets, such as Buddtaa, K r i s h m a , .-kbraham, Z~oroaster and Confucious. (t,-. Does the B i b l e g a i n or lose by,!)eing SUlq)lemented b y " t h e Quran.?. I t seems to me that the Bible gains, a s the Quran COmlfietes.thc previous teaehi1~gs a n d seeks.'to bring ' t h e m .. back to their pristine purity a f t e r they have lost their originalthoughts. " " Does w o m a n " g a i n or lose by tlie standards o'~ Islam? A n d . . here I p a u s e . t o smile, for, really dods tlae Bible give us m u c h to lose i n . p e r s o n a l i t y andl~ositi0n?. :l'he imswer to; the question c a m e to me that we are still p a y i n g for giving the I apple to Adam. E v e n the v i r g i n M a r y is robbed of any special.attention in tlid p r o t e s t a u t - d e - . . partures. In I s l a m we 'find that the status of-the weaker sex is exalted and their rights safeguarded and they are m u n e a s u r a b ! y more elevated in Social, intellectual, and spiritual~spheres: T h u s by i t s golden teachings and principles, .Islam does a w a y with t h e a g e - l o n ~ - : conflict between the opp~}site sexes. " " -" " Does capital tall and perislt or labor lose its identity, or does each retain its proper place? ! n m y opinion, each one would, under Islam, .automatically find its own place, for under tlm s y s t e m 0f I s l a m . the m o n e y o f t h e wealthy man stands s i d e by side with t h e l a b o r Of the poor m a n and each shares and shares alike. Also, the tflind of a .poor man h a s a chance to p l a c e i t s p o w e r and plans into partnership with the m o n e y 0f him wlm !s the possessor of w e a l t h . N o w I come.to the heart of t h e questi0nt Does Islam. satisfy the m i n d and soul of m a n k i n d ? T h a t of course m u s t be an individual
. " . . .' , . z

Inglewood, California. June22, 1935.

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SUNRISE

23

Address Given on the Goodwill ProgramSundayMay 12, 1935 Hammond, Indiana Station W W A E
By Sufi M. R. B e n g a l e e ~. :
I am-exceedingly happy to have this occasion.to paftici-:pate in t h e . G o o d w i l l P r o g r a m . I h a v e d e d i c a t e d m y ! i r e to the great cause of humanity. Deep down in my hearti I feel 'that~life w o u l d ha~,e n o c h a r m f o r n:le---life w o u l d n o t b e w o r t h l i v i n g u n l e s s I c o u l d d e v o t e it .to b r i n g i n g p e a c e u p o n . e a r t h . andgoodwill to man." . To this end, the best gift that I can offer and the highest ' " w i s d o m t h a t I c a n e x p o t m d u n t o y o u is tlae p h i l o s o p h y o f I s l a m l~roblem. " Speaking for myself, I can say with the certainty of conViction that it d o e s unstirpassinglv. Islam is m y proudest possession.. It fills m y heart with a warm a n d loving . peace. I love the continual l i v i n g o f :islam---daily p r a y e r s t h a t are made an integral_part , f our life, not a confining Of our-worship t o o n e day a ,~eek. T r u e God life must be c o n s t a n t l y l i v e d . - E ~ ery d e t a i l of our daily conduct must be attuned to the wil'l of God. U n i t y of God must be made the e x p e r i e n c e o f : e v e r y man. Then, life b e c o m e s s o true, beautiful "and abundant.. ." : . All through Islam:runs one t h e m e I G o d and H i s L o v e D p u r g ing and--purifying. P r a y e r i s t h e Vital part of Islam. G o d is the head, and prayer the m e d i u m of contact and unfoldment. And as/we ])lend our \vill with t h a t o f G 6 d , i H e USes us f o r His work, t h e n ' w e k n o w bliss. That: i s t h e kingdom Of heaven. I t comes through" selfpurification. " ...... .. ,- " T h e Islamic books which I constantly p e r u s e are v e r i t a b l e w e l l s o f inspiration tO me.~They b r i n g me a f u n d of inexhaustible joy and happiness. Before closing, I want to p a y my-tribute to .the Moslem Sunrise. It brings s o much w a r m t h tO the h e a r t . a n d . f u r n i s h e s so m u c h . f o o d foi" Spiritual uplift. I gliould like to s e e ~it go each month with its radiant a n d throbbing message, flooding the whole western world with its-golden, light.like.the rising sun. I c l o s e w i t h , '~AII-P-raise Belongs to A l l a h ! " ! ~ ' .... ." " Ve'rv sincei'elv yours. " . . . .
. : . . . . .

24

TH'E

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- - r e s i g n a t i o n unto the will of God. The SUl)renm mission (if our life ui)(')!a this l)lane is to fulfill the Dix;ine plan; This is the essence, the sum-total, and the length and b r e a d t h of all religions that have I)een l)reached upon t h e . e a r t h since the dawn of time. C;od has endowed us With intinite i ) o w e r s m M dk:nanfic spiritual qualities by.the proi)er-~ultiv~ttion, develolmlc;nt and u n foldmen t o f whic]l w e can heconle His manifestations. These. glowing qualities that we possess.are the Divine a t t r i h u t e s ~ qualities(~akin to God. The m o r e we demonstrate these mys~ terious q'.ualitie~s and attributes, in. our owh selves, the more we become righteous, the more we taste the wonders of spiritual life, its thrills and joys. This is the life of resignation unto the will Of God the lifeo!i lle,-fect l,eace and eternal haPl)iness. I am a l?r0f0und])eliever in a personal God, in this sense, that every~ man nmst realiie his own God. nmst have direct (lealings w i t h God. 1-very man must establish personal kinship with Go(l: iiltlSt let (Jo(l reveal Himself through the life and action of the individt|al, l-very man must find God in the solution of his tangled problems,-tli)on this side of the grave" It is not hard to do So. God is within 0u/"reach. The. human heart is the throne of God. Only we mus(~ mould ourselves into the divine plan-=unto the will of the one anti only C,o d , n t h e : .living God of all f a i t h s a n d people. W h e n we .will st|cceed in this SUl)reme task a n d attain this supreme goal, the sin1 of peace and goodwill will at once rise on the horizon with t h e e f f u l g e n c e of Celestial light. This is the state in ayhich man is nnited with God and is-the highest point of spiritual evohitiim. " " "" ~ This unity o f Gt)d and man nmst be manifested in the unity of all m~mkind. :,\ glance into the physical plane of the universe makes it abun(lantlv evident that" t h e r e . i s a divine ) desig,ja for peace and unity among all humanity. A s . a result. of the marvelous develop~{~ent oi' t h e means o ( transportation antl communication and similar other facilities, the heterogeneous nations and races of the e a r t h are ral)idh" t e n d i n g to. become, as it were, the members of-0ne big fanlily." The whole world is tending to become a large city. I t is imperative upon us, therefore, to recognize thisldivine purpose of world wide human unity and to constitute ourselves the instruments through which it may be f ulfilled. \ \ e cannot accomplish any ". success in this magnificent purpose-without promoting better " understaflding a m o n g conflicting groul)s of nmnkind. .The

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world is g r e a t l y divided by misunderstanding, prejudice, bias'~ and intolerance. This situation is a story o f tragedy. In lltan 3- instances, the worlil which nmst be the kingdom of God and a heaven, is a living hell. The principal cause o f this melancholy state of affairs is ,,ur appalling i enorance esp~cially about otlaers. The most amazing discovery that we can make is the: discovery of our ignm'ance. T h e onh" way by Which w e can Imild bridges of understanding o v e r :'the chasm o f misunderstanding, disunity and prejudice is liberal education. \Ve m u s t - a d o p t various lncans and methods bv.which we can have first laand informa,ion and gain t r u e ki'mwledge concerning o t h e r lleople, their customs and.tr,'lditions. This will lead us not o n l y t o better mutu a l n n d e r s t a n d i n g but-to better imttual respect and appreciation. T h e n the s t a r t l i n g revelation will be made to us that all t h e different peol)l e of the e~trth are about the same in all essential particulars. Intolerance will be removed and a new earth and a new heaven will be created in which peace, harmony and goodwill will reigm Snl)rehie.. .. The service of humanity is the thi.rd great means by which we can foster peace, [iarmony, hrotherhood and good\viii. Today is Mother's D a y . This day: is set aside for acknowledgment of th e love al~.l reslmct and gratitude in which too{hers should l)e held. Since"the b e g i n n i n g of time, due tribute was paid by the H o l y P r o p h e t M o h a m m a d " w h e n he said, " H e a v e n lies I)eneal~h the feet o f mothers." I mn sure - no greater t.ribute'can be paid. . It is fitting that I t a k e this~'occasion to pay nlv humble tribute to mothers by m a k i n g the staten!ent that we must all t{lrn mothers. I am not Slieaking 1)iologically. I am speaking spiritually by way Of illustrating.)ny p o i n t . To me the ideal o f the service of l'}umanitv'is the mother!s service. Like ff mothel- vce nlust Serve mail w i t h unlimited love, without th~ slight:est t i n c t u r e o f selfishness. N a t u r e has been described i n Oriental literature as mother. This is a n o t h e r wav of paying tribute to mother: H e r e agaill W e c a n take a stq)reme lesson. T h e s u n : w i l l give us a lesson, the moon Will give us a.lesson, the stars, the earth all t h e objects Of nature will give us a lesson: Just as all these bodies of the nniverse are servmg, h m n a n i t y without the least thought of r e m u n e r a t i o n ~ u n s e l f i s h l y , regardless of cast. creed, color, or country, so also must we devote 6ur lives to

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the service of humanity. In short, a life of resignation unto the will of God, the promotion Of mutual understanding, appreciation, respect and love through liberal education and unselfish motherHike and nature-like service of our.fellownmn will mark the .beginnin.~of a new epoch of peace and goodwill. In the end, I hid you good night kvith affectionate best wishes and with our joyous greetinK, Assalam0 Alaikum, peace be unto. you.

T h e M o s l e m .Prayer.
Muhammad Ahmad
I

." . .

By

There is b u t small doubt that the \Vestern \Vorld is becoming more conscious o f the efficacy Of prayer. Above the conflict of ec,ononaic strife in the Uni{eil States.anti throughout the countries of ]urope, strong-minded men anti women are reaching o u t f o r a closer contact with God. it~ is in prayer that they find theirn~ost perfect solace and strength to face the problems with which they are daily confronted. Islamic teachings aretl~e highest exeml~lification of this part of nIan's progress in l i f e . . T h e Islamic mode of worship not only shows man how to pi'ay, but extends t o h'im a means whereby the work of his daily life and his spiritual thought are blended into a perfecl~ expression with God...,It teaches him. thai physical acts. as well as inner i,rayer: are indispensable to spiritual progress. Ameerul Mumineen Khalufatu Massih II, 3Iirza Bashir Ud-din Mahmud Ahnmd, present head of the A h m a d i y y a Movement at Quadian, India, substantiates this idea in the.following quotation from'the Qur~n.: "'It is only rlqht that men should demonslrale ~,eneration for. the places z~ here .God s .qlor3, was -marerested, f o r riqllteousnes~ of the heart does naturalS, e.rpress itself oulwardla,.'" (XI1:32) He expl~.ins:that physical attitudes act and react on the mind, and the conditigrr of the mind reacts. o n thi~ out~i.~ard condition of th'e body~ " -According to Islam, there are five modes of worship: (1) Salat, which is the chief of Islanfic prayers and may be called the Soul of all Islamic worship.
. I " * I . " .

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(2). Zitr,-or the remembrance of God throughout the day, while man is engaged in his business or individual pursuits. (3) Fasth~q, at Certain times during t.he year, which brings man i n t o a deeper appreciation of h i s Spiritual bless- , lugs. " (4) Pilgrimage to Mecca, which occurs at least once during the life of a true Moslem. (5) Sac~:ifice, which teaches the s u p r e m e value of unselfishness.. : " ' T h e s e five practices-have led the rest of the world to openly admit that the ~,Ioslem is more devout about his prayer, it:tan .any of. h i s felim~ men. i A n d it is a fact; that the daily life " ~f a Moslem is an inspiration to anyone. His i)rayer (Salat)~is pert'ormed five times in the course o.f each- twenty=f0ur hoUrS first, in the morning before dawn ; -second, at high noon; t h i r d , i n the afternoon ; fourth, at sunset ; and fifth, again at n i g h t b e f o r e ' h e retires. A portion of the Salat. which is the essence of his prayer, is generally performed in.a congregatior/, with the idea in mind that brotherhood i s t h e r e b y fostered, In o r d e r : t h a t they be brought togethe/ in-congregatign, a. voice, from the mineret ~ f t h e Mosque, repeats the M=alz. or call to prayer. Before the M o s l e m performs Salat, he :performs certain ai~lutions, washing his hands, face, )f~rearms and feet, according tO the.prescribe[l manner. This is-called ~V~t=zt. It is not olilv conducive t o physicalcleanliness and purity, but cleans l l~e'thought in preparatioh to p r a y e r . " He then Stands with face towards t h e Ka'ba at Mecca, remind hini of the sacrifices of Abraham in the path o.f God, to and the good which resulted from them. During the course of Salat, the worshiper must, at different stages, stand with folded arms, b o w down with his hands cin his "knees, stand erect w i t h his a r m s - h a n g i n g by his side, - l~rostrate himself ion t h e ground and s i t w i t h folded legs. All these movements are-symbols of perfect h u m i l i t y and surrender. They are a sign of reverence a n d Unity with the one Supreme Power of the Universe.Thus, a-Moslem's inner prayer is brought into perfect combination with his outer p r a y e r . The true Moslem will .not o.nly spend his tilne in worship at these particular times during the day, upon Friday, which is his Sabbath, but he" will also take his prayer into his individual a n d material lmrsuits; in short, h e Will take his prayer

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into every channel of his ti re, whether it be business or pleasure. ,-ks his material and spiritual energies are, at times; depleted in these daily pursuits, /slam has taught that man nlust, at these certain times, turn to God rand refresh himself with His ever-running fountain of spiritual Good. h a t h i s m a n n e r . the circle of contact with 'God is never broken: This second mode_ of :worship I)rescribed 1)y: Is!am, is Zikr or renrembrance of God. \ The \Vestern world, in its search f o r Truth, might well tak'~e- exaniple Of this metliodical manner i n w h i c h ,the true Moslem approaches the problem of prayer. Many Who, ior example, w o u l d eschew the thought of being haphazard in their individual business dr vocation, are particularly lax when it comes to l)ra_ver. They forget that .system and order are conducive to the right spiritual toni.act wtih God. The Islamic mode of worship isproductive of the higl~est good. Its system is reg~flal-..-Under this system 0 f w o r s h i p , prayer ceases to 1)e hal~hazard and unfolds to man. as a beautiful revelation. " " ""

Arabia Before :tslam

. -. -. . . . . . . . . . . J :
. . . . . : . " . - B y . . . " . . . . . -

Sufi

M.

R. Bengalee

. ....

, "

Arabia was steeped in .~iossest. barl),-/rit3i durJng the centuries before the adcent of Islam. Ignorance The A r a b histiMans designate t h a t period as t.he "days. Of ignorance". \Ve. will give below a brief desc'ripticm of the conditions prevailing in Arahia during that I)ark Age. Conditions --Idolatry :The religion of ,'\brahal~a and Ishmael the worship o f One God w a s c o r r u p t e d ' b y t h e succceding generations Who gradually :fell into idolatry so that by the time of M u h a m m a d , the .sanctuary Kaaba wlaich was originally dedicated to One Supreme Being became a pantheon of malay deities. Histor); tells "
Religious

The Days of

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t~s that the tiolv s h r i n e a l o n e housed three hundred and Sixty id~Is. Besides-those in the Kaaba.. ever3( clan had its own tribal deities. h Introduction The g1:eat a u t o ifl. v Ibn H i s h a m tells us K of I d o l a t r y how idolatry .was i n t r o d u c e d in Arabia. in A r a b i a : \ m r I l m L uhayy of the.tril)e 0 f K h u j a a Who was the g!~mcdian of the Kaaba, n m d e a busincss trip from Mecca to S('ria. whence he brought to Mecca an idol which he set up neai- the: K a a b a and induced people to offer worship u n t o it. .Others followed his-example arid brought their own idols an,t iml)lanted.tll/~nl round the lmlytemple. " From Mecca, !he l)raetice of idolatry oversl)read the whole , f "\ralfia and healhenismcoml)letely conquered, the pure faith cSt}tl~ligllel 1)v Aln-aham.and lshmael. ~ " : : . T h e Aral~ believed in the existence o f God, lint thought Ihat. it was not possil~le fiJr them to reach H i m s a v e through f l w intermediati0n Of idols.. . Other T h o u g l l the lwincipal ' re!igion i n : A r a h i a d u r i n g Religlons the D a r k Age was idolatry, thei~e were other religions .lmsides it. .Atheism Some of the pagan Arabs did not believe in the ex:. isten6e of-G0d lint at trilJuted the origin of. things m nalure. Still there was another.class o f people who were believers.ill (.;od l i n t d i d not believe i11 the life to come nor in ;ihe l)ivine .iudgnients of actions. ~ Sabaeanism l:roni an earh- period, Sabaenism, or the wor" " Ship of the heavenly planets existed in Arabia. ~;acrifices were offered t6 ;sUn; mo()n, stars a n d other heavenly I)~,dies. HanKs T h o u g h Arabia :was generally under the s w a y of " gross idolatry, the light of monotheism was not complcte!y extinguished. T h e r e w a s a Small group of people called Hanifsl who condemned and abstained f r o m i d o l - w o r s h i p and " dlher pagan customs and sought to if.ollow the.true religion of ;\l)ntham . . . . : Christianity Christianity and:Judaism weriz also prevalent and J u d a i s m in Aral)ia; N a j r a n xvas~th~ ~center of Christianity and K h a i b a r and Yathrib (later .~ledina) were the strongholds o f the Jews. Both .these religions, h o w e v e r , exerted but little inflfience.

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Sir ~Villiam Muir says:

"After five centuries of Christian evangelization, we can point to hut a sprinkling h e r e a n d there of Christian converts . . . . . Judaism vastly more powerful, had exhibited spasmodic efforts at proselytism; but as an active and convertiing agent, ttie J e w i s h faith was no longer operative. In fine, viewed in a religious.aspect, the surface of Arabia had been now an d then gently rippled bythe feeble effbrts of Christianity; the sterner influences.0i Judaism had been occasionally visible in a deeper and m o r e t r o u h l e d current; but t h e tide of indigenous idolatry and Ishmaelite superstition, settingstrongly from every quarter toward Kaaba, gaveample evidence that. t h e faith and worship of Mecca held the Arab mind in rigorous and undisputed thraldom."

The women of pagan Arabia .occupied a very lo~v p o s i t i o n . . . " The birth of a female child was regarded as a calamity. The Holy Qt*ran vividly describes it as ollows "'W'llen a female chfld is announced to one of them, his face darkens wrathfltlly; he hides himself f r o m the people because ,of the bad ~wws, :thinleing: "Shall I keep the child to. 1113,disgrace or cover it. away i,. d~tst?'., ( X V I - - 5 9 - 6 1 ) The barbarous custom of burying infant girls alive was prevalent. [ ~,Vomen were deprived of the right of inheritance, but were the inherited property of their stepsons,~who could. make them theii" wives and dispose o f t h e m at theirwill. The veil. was unknown. \Vomen lived, promiscuously intermingling with men. The pagan Arab wonien were free to chose their hus-. bands, but after marriag e they were used as chattels Or. slaves. They could be divorced a thousand times and-taken back. bv their husbmlds~ Polyandry was practiced, .and as-for polygamy, a man could marry an unlimited number of wives. Two blood sisters could be married to the same m a n at t h e s a m e t i m e . . r n addi..tion to the plurality Of wives, a man could keep as many sweethearts as he pleased. . . . . On the-other hand, the pagan Ara.b womari had a keen 'sense of honour and loyalty, and inspired the poet to sing and the warriors to fight. The pre:Islamic women of,Arabia cultivated the art of poetry a n d renowned poetesses were not unknown.
of Women
. - .

T h e Position

Moral .~ During the days of ignorance, the Arabs"~,ere Conditions. submerged in moral degradation. Drinking 'and gambling were rampant: They exulted in immorality and practiced plundering and robbery as professions.

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Slavery Was the basis of the whole social structure. Warfare Bloodshed Was a daily occurrence. \Vith. the pagan A r a b s , blood revenge was a ~necessity based on their code of honor, and-for, trifling causes, w a r f a r e raged incessantly and continued for centuries, so that the pre-Islamic history of Arabia is a record of deadly tribal feuds and constant g-uerrilla w~rfares. Political The pr.e-Islamic Arabs h a d no government C o n d i t i o n s worthy of the n a m e . . T h e y .were divided and suhdivided into numerous petty tribes aM clans, e a c h With i t s head whose .powers, however, were very lifnited: His.chief prerogative, consisted of Conducting all affairs relative t o warfare. Otherwise the tribe, the clan and the individual maintained their independence. Which.. was as dear to the A r a b s a s life itself. By the time of M u h a m m a d , the peninsula was in a state of hopeless political disunity. The authorit3 alread) qu6ted, s a ) s : " . " " " "
"TI,e l,r0sl,e'~s of Arabia before the rise Of Mal~0met were ;S un/Pavorable to religious- reform as they were to political union or national regeneration."

N o t h w i t h s t a n d i n g their vices, the Arabs o f the D a r k A g e , possessed many virtues which made them famous in the annals of mankind. L o y a l t y T h e A r a b was loyal and t r u e tO his Word. H e would d e f e n d with his life the covenant to which h e was solemnly pledged. T h e following story a b u n d a n t l y illustrates this p o i n t : ~ . . ii ~ i "" ._ .' T h e relmted prince and poet Iinra-ul-Oays fled from his enemy, t h e . K i n g of H i r a and took refuge with Samawal in his castle2 Beforehisdeparture; the poet left his five coats of mail in charge of the owner of the castle. A f t e r w a r d the' K i n g cff. -Hira sent .an a r m y to Samawal a n d demanded t h a t he stii:~ - render _the a r m o r . . S a m a w a l refused to betray t h e t r u s t committed to him and defended himself in the castle. Meanwhile, the enemies captured his son and said that unless Samawal would deliver the a r m o r they would k i l l his son. Samawal answered,. "Do with him as you please, I will never break m y pledge nor give-up t h e pi-operty of nay guest."- So they took .his son's life. Hospitality" To a n Arab, hospitality is inviolable2 It is a part and parcel o f - h i s being. No race has yet approached him in his unbounded generosity, H e defends his

Virtues

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guests at the peril of his own life and shares his last m0rs~l with his deadh" enenw. The ideal" of A(-abian g-enerosity an~l hosl~italitv is personified in 1 latim of Taxwi. There are many-anecdotes ~,f his extravagant liberality. O n e i s that Hatina entertained his th.ree guests l)y slaug-htei;~ " in~ three camels and at the time of their delmrture, he divided the wholc Of his herd among- them, each of whom went with ninety-nine/ camels~ . " . / . Other V~rtues" :oura~e and bravery in battle, patience in misfortune, grim resolution, unslaaken devotion to and lender affecti~m fiir kith and kin. protection of the weak. deliance of the strong, and contempt for deatli are the characteristic A r a b virtues. E d u c a t i o n ~According to/ore- concel?tion, tlaere was no edu: caticm in pagan Arabia. "[~h01:!ghthe a r t of writin K was not entirely unknown, the peninsula svas in a state of appallin~ ig'n~wance and illitera~'y. With n0ticeabl6 exc.eptions here and there. Poetr~ Side I)v side w i t h the ignorance wt~iCh prevailed throUgilout t h e country, ln)etrv flourished. The i)re~ Islamic :\ral)s (levelol)ed the art:'tff l)0e{1"v, retinement 0f their language, and eloquence to a de~-ree almost unsurpassed. ( ;" The Poet' The poet )CCnlned an tmique and important ln~sition in socieLv, and wiehled dominant iiatluence. . "The pagal?, shair (pc~et). Was the oracli:~ of his tribe, their guide in 1,eace and their champion i n w a r . It was 1() him they turned for counsel when they-S0ught ilew l,astures.. ()nlv at :I. his word w o u l d t h e y p i t c h or Strik9 thc-q~ houses of h a i r , " a n d ..... when the tired an(l thirsty wanderers f o u n d a well and drank " of its water and washed I hemselves, led !)3" h i m t l i e v may h a v e raised their voices t(,.~ether and s u n g , like Israel: "Spring up, o well, sing" ve unto it." The rise of a'l;oet Was r e g a r d e d ' a s g o o d luck as he was stlpposed tc~ immortalize their ~'lorv, hon0ur. MI1 renown, and it was celebrated with gfeat pomp. Okaz I'-'hnlUence. and pt~etry were much Cherished for accomplislinaents which mosl Arabs s t r o v e t o actluire. At Ukaz. near Mecca, Wa.q heM an a n n u a l fair in which a kind of national assembly was con\'ened ~lor p oefii~al contests. The choicest productions weie rec'ited in rivalry. The best pieces. were w r i t t e n in letters of gold:and were h u n g in the Kaaba.
. [

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Seven S u s p e n d e d
Poems

Memory

-'rhc seven s u s p e n d e d I,oems w h i c h h a v e w , m u n d v i n o f a m e h a v e been h a n d e d d m v n to u s as l n a s t e r p i e c e s o f p r e - I s l a l n i c poetry: ..

.a~,

T h e ~,\rabs w e r e bv n a t u r e , endow.ed w i t h e x c e e d i n g l v stronK; r e t e n t i v e m e m o r y . P r e - i s l a m i c poetrv has been p r e s e r v e d a n d h a n d e d d o w n t o us by o r a l t r a d l tic,n Only: T h e r e w a s R a w i s o r r e c i t e r s w h o s e p r o f e s S i o n it was t o . c o m m i t , p o e m s to m e m o r y , i t ~is r e l a t e d t h a t H a m m a d " said to C a l i p h ~ V a l i d B. Y a z i d , " ' I c a n recite to y o u , f o r e a c h lettel o f t h e a l p h a b e t , one h u n d r e d l o n g p o e m s , w i t h o u t t a k ina into a c c o u n t s h o r t pieces, ,'ind all t h a t c o m p o s e d e x c l u s i v e l y by poets b e f o r e the p r o n m l g a t i o n o f i ~ l a l n Y " .: "" " i n : t t i e same- V,,ay the ~,~eneol0gists c a r r i e d in tlieir a m a z inv m e m o r i e s p e d i g r e e s : w e l c h Could be l~racdd to t h e f a t h e r o f . . . . . mankind. " -

"-

NoIi": Ottr next issue.will deal:with-what .,litthammad accompliMwd:

. . " :

"

"

"

" COMMENTS

AND

APPRECIATIONS

-.

":

"'Tiie Moslem Sunrise. ~qqmarterlv journal.edite{1 1)7 S,.ifi Mutiur Rdmmn Bengaiee, M.:A.,thek&Iissionary of the Ahmadiyya Movement iii Islam, is an excellent or~,nm of the Moslem Cause in this countn'. ItS. aims and ideals are highly spiritual, and it seeks to establish peace through the world The journal is published in Chicago,-Illinois." I)harma:. the O r ~ m of.the All-\\:orld Ghandl Fellowsh3p, New York Cit~, : . Our good friend from India, SUfi Mutiur Rahmmi Bengalee, Missionan" to America from the Ahmadlvva Movement in-Islam:: has recentl-,dstarted an attractive quarterly 1~mgazine ,"The Moslem Sunrise" which gives interesting interpretation of the Moslem Faith with its fine eniphasis On prohibition, brotherhood, peace and human .progress. \\re gladly'welcome the Sufi and his magazine." . . . . \Vorld FelloWship of Faiths. Chicago. Ill.
. . . .

" : ..:-.-,. "-"""

':

"The-Moslem Sunrise, published b y the AhmadiyYa Movement in Islam. from 56 East. Congress-Street; Suite 1307, :Chicago Illinois, United States of America, is undei" the ahle editorship of Sufi M. R. Benk, alee M. A: The title page is most fascinating Though quarterly, ret 'it has drawn attemlon of :the American people.of literary, culture ~vh,, it ~eems are.taking, keen interest aboutall that appears in.it.: It f,resli:tdows.a brighter futui-e tt, guide arigl!t the people of the Con 2 tint-nt. ':\11 praise helongs to Allah the Merciful. . The Review Of Religibns~Qadian. Punjah. India.

.'

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becomes " M . A,

SUFI

M. R. BENGALEE,

Editor Moslem Sunrise

--.

Books for Oriental Scholars

l n t e r e s t b d in
. , . "

Islam, Arabic
The.

and Persian

Quran, Part. !.. ......... ". . . . . . . . . . "..... $2.00 . (English translation with commentary) The Teachings of Islam: English Cloth .......... ". . . . . 1.0t3 Do. P a p e r . . - .................................. :. .50 T h e .Islamic M o d e o f W o r s h i p ( i l l u s t r a t e d ) . " " .50 The True Islam. " " 2.00 Ahmadiyya Movenient. ............................. . 1.00 A P r e s e n t tq t h e P r i n c e o f X V a l e s . . . . . ~ . . . . . . ".. : . . , . 1.00 A S h o r t Li~e of. A h m a d . . . . . . . . . . . . ~. . . . . . :..-. .... 1.00 E x t r a c t s frCm t h e H o l y Q u r a n a n d t h e - S a y i n g s o f t h e Holy/Prophet Muhammad. 1.25. L i f e a n d T e a c h i n g s o f t h e H o l y P r o p h e t M u h a m m a d . . . . 25 M u h a m m a d , t h e L i b e r a t o r o f .~V0men . . . . . . . . ...- ..... 25

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To be had from

Ahm;diyya Movement in Islam:-. 56 East Congress Street Suite 1307 CHICAGO, ILL. - . .