RR 2009 09

MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS September 2009, Vol.104, No.
09
Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)
Mansoor Shah (Secretary)
Naseer Ahmad Qamar Editorial – The significance of abstinence
Mubarak Ahmad Zafar (Adam Walker – UK) ..................................................... 2
Mirza Fakhar Ahmad
Abdul Baqi Arshad
The Holy Prophet(saw)
A section from the Essence of Islam
CHIEF EDITOR & MANAGER
Mansoor Ahmed Shah (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as), the Promised
Messiah and Mahdi)...................................................... 4
EDITORIAL BOARD
Adam Walker. Our Teaching
Syed Amer Ahmad The elevated position of the Holy Qur’an compared to
Bockarie Tommy Kallon
Fareed Ahmad the Sunnah (practical example) and Hadith (narratives
Fauzia Bajwa and sayings of the Holy Prophet(saw))
Fazal Ahmad
Khullat Munir (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as), the Promised
Mansoor Saqi Messiah and Mahdi)...................................................... 18
Sarah Waseem
Tanveer Khokhar
Yom Kippur – the Jewish Fast
PROOFREADER A glimpse into the concept of fasting in Judaism
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan (Mehri Niknam MBE).................................................... 26
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Tanveer Khokhar Layla-tul-Qadr – ‘Night of Decree’
DISTRIBUTION
The night ‘equal to one thousand nights’
Muhammad Hanif (Adam Walker – UK) ..................................................... 30
PUBLISHER
Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah ‘Eid ul Fitr
All correspondence should be
The philosophy behind an important Muslim day
forwarded to the editor at: (Hadhrat Maulana Abdur Raheem Dard(ra)) ................. 36
The Review of Religions
The London Mosque Ban the Burqa?
16 Gressenhall Road Reflecting on the French President Sarkozy’s
London, SW18 5QL
United Kingdom comments
(Sarah Waseem – UK) ................................................... 42
© Islamic Publications, 2009
ISSN No: 0034-6721
Qura’nic Teachings on Intimate Human
Relationships
Qur’anic advice on healthy living
EMAIL:
reviewofreligions@gmail.com (Dr. Latif Ahmad Qureshi – Scotland) .......................... 45
Views expressed in this publication are

not necessarily the beliefs of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Cover pic: © Dreamstime.com
EDITORIAL by Adam Walker, UK
The virtue found within abstinence and Muhammad(saw) we find the

can be of great benefit to the social model examples of those who
nurturing and sustenance of any partook in abstinence and
society. The great religions of the maximised the benefits found
world have long taught that therein. They were able to establish
sometimes less is of greater benefit the greatest religions of history,
to man than more. Abstinence is through the grace of Almighty
not simply to shun away from God, by ensuring that they never
excess, rather it is to forego that proceeded beyond the boundaries
which is lawful to man in order to of moderation. This allowed them
facilitate a higher spiritual or social to identify and cater for the needs
ambition. and sensitivities of both the rich
and the poor equally.
It is becoming increasingly difficult
for those of us living in the They were the leaders of millions
wealthiest nations of the world to of people, yet it cannot be said that
put into context and consider our any of their followers served them
lavish lives with the reality of our more than they served their
fellow human beings living in less followers. They lived by the
financially fortunate areas of the universal and timeless teaching of
world. Therefore, abstinence is a Muhammad(saw) – “The Leader of a
path by which man voluntarily nation is a servant to them”. In
lowers his status so that he can short, abstinence ensured that they
more properly appreciate his own were continuously in touch with the
corporeality and existence. He is realities and sensitivities of the
then able to counter-balance the people around them. It is
excesses of his life and move regrettable that many hundreds of
towards moderation. years later countless political and
religious leaders indulge in flagrant
In the prophets Moses(as), Jesus(as) excess and thus cannot relate to the
2 The Review of Religions – September 2009

Editorial
very people they are charged with moderation towards others; even
the responsibility of serving. If they our enemies.
embrace the humility of abstinence
then perhaps they will remove the Abstinence subdues sin and allows
cloud of distrust society has placed man to overcome the temptations
over them. of this world. More importantly, it
facilitates the journey each servant
Another benefit of abstinence is of God must take in order to
that it is the nemesis of greed. If conquer their lower self. This is
man is to eliminate the cancers of indeed the true purpose of man’s
war and economic anarchy then principle striving, the greater jihad
each individual must administer a of subduing one’s self, or as in the
portion of abstinence in their life. It words of Dickens in Nicholas
not only inculcates a sense of Nickleby, ‘Subdue your appetites,
moderation within mankind but my dears, and you’ve conquered
also empowers us to apply human nature’.
NOTE FOR THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS

Verse references to the Holy Qur’an item count ‘Bismillah...’ (In the Name of Allah...)
as the first verse of each Chapter. In some non-standard texts, this is not counted. Should the
reader refer to such texts, the verse quoted in The Review of Religions will be found a verse
earlier, i.e. at one verse less than the number quoted in this journal.
For the ease of non-Muslim readers, ‘(saw)’ or ‘saw’ after the words, ‘Holy Prophet’, or the
name ‘Muhammad’, are used normally in small letters. They stand for ‘Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa
sallam’ meaning ‘peace and blessings of Allah be upon him’. Likewise, the letters ‘(as)’ or ‘as’
after the name of all other prophets is an abbreviation meaning ‘peace be upon him’ derived
from ‘Alaihis salatu wassalam’ which are words that a Muslim utters out of respect whenever
he or she comes across that name. The abbreviation ‘ra’ or (ra) stands for ‘Radhiallahu Ta’ala
anhu and is used for Companions of a Prophet, meaning Allah be pleased with him or her (when
followed by the relevant Arabic pronoun). Finally, ‘ru’ or (ru) for Rahemahullahu Ta’ala means
the Mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon him.
In keeping with current universal practice, local transliterations of names of places are
preferred to their anglicised versions, e.g. Makkah instead of Mecca, etc.
The Review of Religions – September 2009 3

The Essence of Islam: THE HOLY PROPHET (saw)
This series sets out, in the words of the Promised Messiah(as), Hadhrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a summary of his exposition of four outstanding
topics: ISLAM; ALLAH, THE EXALTED; THE HOLY PROPHET(saw)
and THE HOLY QUR’AN. The original compilation, in Urdu, from which
these extracts have been translated into English, was collated with great
care and diligence by Syed Daud Ahmad Sahib(ru). The English rendering
is by the late Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan(ra), and is quoted from The
Essence of Islam, Volume 3. All references throughout, unless otherwise
specifically mentioned, are from the Holy Qur’an.
Every blessing is from That light of high degree that was

Muhammad on whom be the bestowed on perfect man was not
blessings and peace of Allah. in angels, was not in stars, was not
Blessed is He who taught and he in the moon, was not in the sun,
who was taught. was not in the oceans and the
rivers, was not in rubies or
Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa, emeralds, or sapphires, or pearls;
may the blessings and peace of in short, it was not in any earthly
Allah be upon him. or heavenly object. It was only in
perfect man whose highest and
You have in the Messenger of loftiest and most perfect example
Allah an excellent exemplar, was our lord and master, the Chief
for him who hopes to meet of the Prophets, the Chief of all
with Allah and the Last Day, living ones, Muhammad, the
and who remembers Allah chosen one, peace be on him. That
much. (Ch.33:V.22) light was bestowed on this man
and, according to their ranks, upon
After God I am inebriated with the all those who bore the same colour
love of Muhammad. If this is to some degree.... This dignity was
infidelity, then by God I am a great found in its highest and most
infidel. perfect form in our lord and master
and our guide, the immaculate

The Essence of Islam: The Holy Prophet(saw)
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)

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

the Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
Prophet, the righteous one, He was the champion who

testified to by the righteous, restored to the world the Unity of
Muhammad, the chosen one, God which had disappeared from
peace be on him [Ayenae the world; he loved God in the
Kamalat-e-Islam, (Qadian, extreme and his soul melted out of
Riyadh Hind Press 1893); Now sympathy for mankind. Therefore
printed in Ruhani Khazain God, Who knew the secret of his
(London, 1984), Vol.5, pp. 160- heart, exalted him above all the
162]. Prophets and all the first ones and
the last ones and bestowed upon
I always wonder how high was the him in his lifetime all that he
status of this Arab Prophet, whose desired. He is the fountainhead of
name was Muhammad, thousands every grace and a person who
of blessings and peace be upon claims any superiority without
him. One cannot reach the limit of acknowledging his grace is not a
his high status and it is not given man but is the progeny of Satan.
to man to estimate correctly his He has been bestowed the key to
spiritual effectiveness. It is a pity every exaltation and he has been
that his rank has not been given the treasury of every
recognised as it should have been. understanding. He who does not

receive through him is deprived Muhammad, the chosen one,

forever. I am nothing and possess peace be on him. The proof of his
nothing. I would be most spiritual life and holy majesty is
ungrateful if I were not to confess that by following him and loving
that I have learnt of the true Unity him we become recipients of the
of God through this Prophet. The holy spirit and are favoured with
recognition of the Living God we the bounty of converse with God
have achieved through this Perfect and witness heavenly signs
Prophet and through his light. The [Tiryaqul Quloob, Now printed in
honour of converse with God, Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984),
through which we behold His Vol. 15, p.7].
countenance, has been bestowed
upon me through this great The man who in his being and his
Prophet. The ray of this sun of attributes and his actions and
guidance falls like sunshine upon through his spiritual and holy
me and I continue illumined only faculties set an example of
so long as I am adjusted towards it perfection, in knowledge and
[Haqiqatul Wahyi, (Qadian, action and in sincerity and
Magazine Press 1907); Now steadfastness, and was called the
published in Ruhani Khazain perfect man was Muhammad,
(London, 1984), Vol. 22, pp.115- peace be on him... The man who
116]. was most perfect as man and as
Prophet, and came with full
O all ye who dwell upon the earth, blessings, and who through a
and O all human souls that are in spiritual revival and resurrection
the East or in the West, I announce manifested the first judgment in
to you emphatically that the true the world and revived the dead
reality in the earth is Islam alone, world, that blessed Prophet, the
and the true God is the God Who Seal of the Prophets, the leader of
is described in the Qur’an, and the the righteous ones, the pride of the
Prophet who has everlasting Prophets, was Muhammad, the
spiritual life and who is seated on chosen one, peace be on him. Our
the throne of glory and holiness, is Lord, send down on that beloved

Prophet that mercy and blessing under his shadow for ten days one
that Thou hast not sent down on obtains that light which before him
anyone since the beginning of the could not be obtained in a
world. Had that grand Prophet not thousand years... We have found
appeared in the world then we every light by following the
would have no proof of the truth of immaculate Prophet and whoever
lesser Prophets like Jonah(as), follows him will also find it and he
Job(as), Jesus(as) son of Mary, will become so accepted of God
Malachi(as), John(as), Zakaria(as), etc. that nothing will be impossible for
Though they were favourites and him. The Living God Who is
honoured and were beloved ones hidden from people, will be his
of Almighty God, they are under God and all false gods will be
obligation to this Prophet that they trodden under his feet. He will be
were accepted in the world as true blessed everywhere and Divine
Prophets. O Allah, send down Thy Power will be with him. Peace be
blessings on him and on his people on him who follows the guidance
and on his companions, all of [Siraj Muneer, (Qadian, Ziaul
them. Our last word is that all Islam Press 1897); Now printed in
praise belongs to Allah, Lord of Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984),
the worlds [Itmamul Hujjah, Vol. 12, p. 80-81].
(Lahore, Gulzar Muhammadi
Press, 1311 A.H); Now printed in Now under heaven there is only
Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984), one Prophet and only one Book.
Vol. 8, p. 36]. The Prophet is Muhammad, the
chosen one, peace be on him, who
When we estimate justly, then out is higher and more exalted than all
of the whole series of Prophets, we Prophets and is the most perfect of
find one of high courage and alive Messengers and is the Khatamul
and greatly dear to God, the Chief Anbiya, and the best of men by
of the Prophets, the pride and the following whom we find God
crown of the Messengers, whose Almighty and all the veils of
name is Muhammad Mustafa and darkness are lifted and the signs of
Ahmad Mujtaba. By walking true salvation are witnessed in this

very life. The Book is the Holy them. We affirm it on oath, calling
Qur’an, which comprises true and God to witness, that if the Holy
perfect guidance and effective- Prophet, peace be on him, had not
ness, through which knowledge come into the world, and the Holy
and understanding of the Divine Qur’an had not been revealed, and
are obtained and the heart is we had not seen with our own eyes
purified of human weaknesses, the blessings that we have
and being delivered from witnessed, the truth of all past
ignorance and heedlessness and Prophets would have remained
doubts, a person arrives at the doubtful in our eyes. No reality
stage of complete certainty can be gathered from mere stories,
(Baraheen-e-Ahmadiyyah, p. 467- for it is quite possible that they
468, sub-footnote 3). may not be true and it is also
possible that the miracles that are
There have been millions of pure- attributed to these Prophets might
natured people in the world and be exaggerations, for no sign of
there will be more in future, but them is visible today. We cannot
we have found the best of all of even ascertain for certain from the
them and the highest man of God, Books revealed in the past that
whose name is Muhammad, peace God truly exists, because we are
be on him. Allah and His angels not assured that God speaks to
call down blessings on the Prophet man. But through the advent of the
and do you who believe call down Holy Prophet(saw), all these stories
blessings on him and greet him became real. We now realise not
with the greeting of peace. We merely as a statement, but as a
shall leave aside any mention of matter of experience, what
the holy ones from among those converse with the Divine means
people whose circumstances have and how God’s signs are
not been described in detail in the manifested and how prayers are
Holy Qur’an. We shall express our answered. All this we have
view only with regard to the discovered by following the Holy
Prophets who are mentioned in the Prophet(saw) and what other people
Qur’an like Moses, David, Jesus relate as stories we have witnessed
and other Prophets, peace be on it all. We have attached ourselves

to a Prophet who manifests God to in the Holy Qur’an to supplicate:

us.
Exalted then is Allah, the
How shall we express our True King. And make no haste
gratitude to God who bestowed to recite the Qur’an ere its
upon us the good fortune to follow revelation is completed unto
the Prophet(saw) who is a sun for the thee, but only say, ‘Lord,
souls of the righteous as there is a bestow on me increase of
sun for the bodies? He appeared in knowledge.
a time of darkness and illumined (Ch.20:V.115)
the world with his light. He was
neither tired nor fatigued till he This means that the Holy
purified all parts of Arabia from Prophet(saw) was directed to
associating partners with God. He supplicate for perfect knowledge
is the proof of his own truth for his of God’s greatness and
light is present in every age and understanding and attributes. At
true obedience to him purifies a another place it is said:
person as the clear and transparent
water of a river cleanses dirty Thus have I been commanded
linen. Who has come to us with a and I am the foremost of those
sincere heart and has not who submit.
witnessed that light, and who has (Ch.6:V.164)
knocked honestly on that door for
whom it has not been opened? But Reading these two verses together
the pity is that most people prefer we find that the Holy Prophet(saw)
the lower life and do not desire became the foremost of the
that higher light should enter into Muslims because he was the most
them [Chashma Ma‘rifat, learned in the knowledge of
(Qadian, Anwar Ahmadiyyah Divine understanding. For this
Press, 1908); Now published in reason, his Islam is the highest of
Ruhani Khazain (London, 1984), all and he is the foremost of the
Vol. 23., p. 288-289]. Muslims. Another verse also
indicates the vastness of his
The Holy Prophet(saw) was directed knowledge as is said:

He has taught thee that which or make supplication or occupy

thou knewest not, and great is himself with doing good. All
Allah’s grace on thee righteous action is incited by
(Ch.4:V.114) understanding of the Divine and
all the other means proceed from it
This means that God Almighty and are its issue. The beginning of
taught the Holy Prophet(saw) that this understanding is the reflection
which he could not have learnt by of God’s Rahmaniyyat and is not
himself and that by Divine grace the result of any action or any
he was blessed more than anyone prayer, but is a gift of pure grace.
else. That is to say, the Holy He guides whom He wills and He
Prophet(saw) exceeded everyone in lets go astray whom He wills.
his knowledge and understanding Then this understanding is
of the Divine and God Almighty fostered by righteous action and
perfumed him with the fragrance good faith, till it assumes the form
of Divine understanding more than of revelation and descending in the
anyone else. Thus God has word of God, illumines the whole
appointed knowledge and under- expanse of the bosom with the
standing as the principal means of light which is called Islam. At the
obtaining a true concept of Islam. stage of perfect understanding,
Though there are other means for Islam does not remain a mere
obtaining such knowledge, like phrase, but all its reality that we
fasting and Prayer and have described is achieved and the
supplication and carrying out all human soul prostrates itself
the Divine commandments, the humbly before Divine Unity.
number of which exceeds six Thereupon, from both sides it is
hundred, yet the knowledge of the announced: Whatever is mine is
Greatness of God and of His Unity Thine. That is to say, the human
and of His attributes of Glory and soul cries out and confesses: Lord
Beauty is basic for everything. He whatever is mine is Thine; and
who has a heedless heart and has God also speaks and conveys the
no understanding of the Divine, good news: O My servant, the
cannot obtain the strength to heaven and earth etc. that are with
observe the fast or perform Prayer Me are with thee also. This stage is

indicated in the verse: sins he might have committed will

be forgiven him. The word ‘abd in
O my servants who have Arabic idiom also means slave as
committed excesses against it is said:
your own selves despair not
of the mercy of Allah, surely A believing slave is better
Allah forgives all sins than an idol worshipper
(Ch.39:V.54) (Ch.2:V.222)
In this verse instead of: Say: O In the verse to which we have

servants of Allah; the Holy drawn attention, it is indicated that
Prophet(saw) was commanded to he who desires salvation should
say: O my servants. This verse establish the relationship of a slave
was revealed in this form so that with this Prophet. That is to say, he
God Almighty might convey the should not step outside his
good news of limitless mercies commandment and should
and might comfort those who are consider himself bound to his
broken-hearted in consequence of obedience as a slave is bound and
their sins. Thus Allah the Glorious he would then obtain salvation.
desired to exhibit a sample of His One pities those dark-souled ones
mercies and to make it manifest to who bear such rancour towards the
what extent He honours His Holy Prophet(saw) that they
faithful servant with special consider that names like Ghulam
favours. By adopting the form: Nabi, Ghulam Rasul, Ghulam
Say: O my servants; God in effect Mustafa, Ghulam Ahmad, Ghulam
said: Look at My beloved Muhammad, saviour of associ-
Messenger and see at what high ating the Holy Prophet(saw) with
rank he has arrived through his God, whereas, the verse indicates
perfect obedience to Me that now that these names are a means of
all that is Mine is his. He who salvation. As ‘abd implies that a
desires salvation should become person so named should refrain
his servant. That is to say, he from every kind of freedom and
should obey him so perfectly as if self direction and should be
he was his slave. Then whatever completely obedient to his master,

therefore, the seekers after truth of the Holy Qur’an. It should be

have been urged that if they wish remembered that the purport of the
to attain salvation they should verse is that those who become the
adapt themselves to this condition. sincere servants of the Holy
This verse has the same Prophet(saw) will be bestowed the
connotation as the verse: light and the faith and the love and
Announce: the passion which will deliver
them from all that is beside Allah,
you love Allah, then follow and they will be freed from sins
me, Allah will then love you and will be bestowed a pure life in
and forgive you your sins this world and they will be
(Ch.3:V.32) delivered from the narrow and
dark graves of human passions.
Perfect following demands that This is indicated by the Hadith: I
devotion and full obedience which am the resurrector on whose
is conveyed in the expression footsteps people will be raised up.
‘abd. The verse: Say: O my The Holy Qur’an is full of the
servants; means in effect: Say: O idiom that the world had died and
my followers, who are involved in that God Almighty revived it
sins, despair not of the mercy of through sending the Holy
Allah for Allah, through the Prophet(saw) as is said:
blessing of your following me,
will forgive all your sins. If the Know that Allah revives the
word servants in this verse is earth after its death
construed as meaning the servants (Ch.57:V.18)
of Allah, the purport of the verse is
perverted for it cannot be true that In the same way, it is said with
God Almighty would forgive all reference to the companions of the
idol worshippers and disbelievers Holy Prophet(saw):
without their believing in and
following the Holy Prophet(saw). God helped them with the
Such construction would be holy spirit.
contrary to the express directions (Ch.58:V.23)

The help of the holy spirit is that it A person whose six hundred eggs
revives the hearts and delivers are covered by the six hundred
from spiritual death and bestows wings of the capacity of Gabriel is
pure faculties and pure senses and the perfect man whose spiritual
pure knowledge and carries a birth is perfect and whose life is
person to the station of nearness to perfect. If one looks with care one
God through certain knowledge finds that the spiritual issue of the
and conclusive arguments... This egg of humanness which by the
knowledge on which salvation blessing of the following of the
depends cannot be obtained Holy Prophet(saw) were born to the
without that life which is bestowed holy spirit, are more perfect and
through the holy spirit. The Holy complete than the spiritual
Qur’an affirms it emphatically that children of all the other Prophets.
that spiritual life is obtained only This is indicated by the verse:
through following the Holy
Prophet(saw) and that all those who You are the best of people
repudiate obedience to him are who have been raised up for
dead and do not possess that life. the reform of mankind
Spiritual life means the intellectual (Ch.3:V.111)
and active faculties which are
brought to life by the holy spirit. [Ayeenae Kamalat-e-Islam,
The Holy Qur’an shows that the (Qadian, Riyadh Hind Press
commandments of God to which 1893); Now printed in Ruhani
He desires man to conform are six Khazain (London, 1984), Vol.5,
hundred. In consonance with this pp.186-197].
the wings of Gabriel are also six
hundred. Until the egg of The Holy Prophet(saw) came into
humanness lies under the wings of the world so that he might bestow
Gabriel bearing these six hundred hearing on the deaf, who had
commandments, it cannot hatch continued in that condition for
the baby of being completely lost hundreds of years. Who is blind
in Allah. The reality of man has and who is deaf? The same one
the capacity of six hundred eggs. who does not accept the Unity of

God and who does not accept this of every country and it had been
Prophet who revived the Unity of assigned to avatars and stones and
God on the earth; the same stars and trees and animals and
Prophet who converted the wild mortal men, and despised creation
ones into men and then converted was seated in the place of that
them into men possessing true Lord of Glory and Holiness. It is
moral qualities, then dyed them in true that if these men and animals
the Divine colour of those who and trees and stars were in fact
establish their relationship with God, Jesus(as) being one of them,
God; the same Prophet, the sun of then this Prophet was not needed,
righteousness, at whose feet but if they were not God, the claim
thousands of those who had died that our lord Muhammad(saw),
of paganism and atheism and evil made on the hill of Makkah has a
living were revived and came to grand light attending upon it.
life and a sample of the Judgment What was that claim? It was that
Day was exhibited. It was not God, having found the world in
mere talk like that of Jesus(as). The the deep darkness of associating
Prophet who appeared in Makkah partners with God had sent him to
and dispelled the darkness of dispel that darkness. It was not
association with God and the only a claim, but that Messenger,
worship of man, was the true light accepted of God, fully established
of the world, who found the world that claim. If the superiority of any
in darkness and bestowed such Prophet can be established by such
light upon it that he converted a works as proclaim true sympathy
dark night into day. What was the with mankind exceeding that of all
world before his advent and what other Prophets, then, O ye people,
did it become after it? This is not a arise and bear witness that in this
question that is difficult to answer. respect Muhammad, peace be on
If we are faithful our conscience him, has no equal in the world....
will tug at us to persuade us to Blind worshippers of creatures
believe that before that great have not recognised that great
personage the greatness of God Prophet who set forth thousands of
had been forgotten by the people examples of true sympathy with

mankind. I perceive, however, that devotion pulls him towards itself

the time has arrived when this with great force. He then
Holy Messenger would be overcomes his passions and from
recognised. If you wish you might every direction extraordinary
record my statement that works of God Almighty appear as
henceforth the worship of the dead signs in his support and to help
will decline daily till it disappears him [Haqiqatul Wahyi, (Qadian,
altogether. Will man set himself up Magazine Press 1907); Now
against God? Will a despised drop published in Ruhani Khazain
frustrate the designs of God? Will (London, 1984), Vol. 22, p.65].
the projects of mortal man
disgrace Divine commandments? I have observed that by calling
O ye who can hear, listen, and O down blessings upon the Holy
ye who can reflect, consider and Prophet, Divine grace in the shape
remember that truth will be of wonderful light proceeds in the
proclaimed and he who is the true direction of the Holy Prophet(saw)
light will shine forth (Tableegh-e- and is absorbed into his breast and
Risalat, Vol. VI, p.9). then issuing therefrom numberless
streams of it reach everyone
It is my personal experience that to deserving them according to his
obey the Holy Prophet(saw) with a capacity. Certainly no grace can
sincere heart and to love him, reach anyone without the agency
ultimately makes a person beloved of the Holy Prophet(saw). Calling
of God. God creates in his heart a down blessings on the Holy
burning for His Own love and Prophet(saw) brings into movement
such a one, withdrawing his heart His Throne from which these
from everything else, leans streams of light issue. He who
towards God and his affection and desires to obtain the grace of God
desire remain only for God Almighty should call down Divine
Almighty. Thereupon a special blessings on him very diligently so
manifestation of Divine love falls that that grace might be moved
upon him and bestowing upon him (Al-Hakam, 28 Feb. 1903, p.7)
the full colour of love and

One night this humble one called confound and refute his
down blessings on the Holy opponents, God Almighty has
Prophet(saw) to such a degree that made the following arrangement
my heart and soul were filled with by His wisdom and mercy. Some
its fragrance. That night I saw in individuals out of the followers of
my dream that angels were Muhammad, peace be upon him,
carrying water-skins full of light who obey him with thorough
into my house and one of them humility and falling prostrate on
said to me: These are the blessings the threshold of humbleness are
that you called down on completely lost to their ego, being
Muhammad, peace be on him found by God like a clear mirror,
(Baraheen-e-Ahmadiyyah, p.503, exhibit the blessings of the
sub-footnote 3). accepted Messenger in their
humble selves. Whatever praise is
We should not let a doubt enter bestowed upon them by God and
our minds how a mere follower whatever signs and blessings are
can partake of the names and manifested by them, the true
attributes and praises of that source of all their praise and the
accepted Messenger. It is true that perfect fountainhead of all those
in reality even a Prophet cannot blessings is the Holy Prophet(saw).
share equally in the holy In reality and in their perfection
excellences of the Holy those praises are worthy only of
Prophet . Indeed even the
(saw) him and he is their perfect
angels cannot claim equality in exemplar, but as the follower of
that respect, let alone that anyone the way of the Holy Prophet(saw)
else should share in his becomes through his perfect
excellences. But O seeker after obedience like a reflection of the
truth, may God guide you aright, Holy Prophet and the Divine
listen carefully to this. With the lights which are manifested in the
object that the blessings of that latter are also manifested in his
accepted Prophet should be reflection, the appearance in the
displayed forever and that the shadow of the whole form and
perfect rays of his light should manner of the reality is a matter

that is not hidden from anyone. forth like the sun, and the proof of
This shadow is not established in Islam is established conclusively
itself and no superiority is in as against its opponents, and the
reality present in it. All that disgrace and humiliation and
appears in it is a picture of the real frustration of the enemies of Islam
one which is manifested in the are made manifest. They observe
reflection. Do not, therefore, in Islam those blessings and light
consider it a loss that the inner the like of which they cannot find
lights of the Holy Prophet(saw), in the ministers and pundits of
reach those who are perfectly their own religion. Consider this
obedient to him out of his well, O true seeker, May Allah
followers. Two great matters help thee in thy search.... How
result from this reflection of great is the station of the
lights, which, like permanent Khatamul Anbiya, peace be on
grace, manifests itself in some him, and how excellent is the
members of the following of bright effectiveness of this sun of
Muhammad(saw). One is that the righteousness that obedience to
extreme perfection of the Holy him makes someone a perfect
Prophet(saw), is thereby displayed; believer and someone else a
for a torch from which other recogniser of God and bestows
torches can be lit and are ever lit, upon a third one the rank of a Sign
is better than a torch from which of Allah and a Proof of Allah and
no other torch can be lit. bestows upon him Divine praise.
Secondly, the perfection of the (Baraheen-e-Ahmadiyyah, pp.243-
Muslims and their superiority 245, sub-footnote 1).
over the followers of other
religions is established by this
permanent grace and the proof of
the reality of the religion of Islam
is furnished afresh and reliance is
not had only upon the past. This is
the manner in which the lights of
the truth of the Holy Qur’an shine

OUR TEACHING – part 3
Continuation of an extract from ‘Our Teaching’ in ‘Kishti-e-Nuh’

(Noah’s Ark) by the Promised Messiah(as), an important book of the
Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. Hadhrat Mirza
Bashir Ahmad(ra), son of the Promised Messiah(as), wrote in the
foreword to ‘Our Teaching’: ‘This is a time when the darkness of
materialism has overspread the entire face of the earth and obscured
people’s vision. Many there are who profess faith but are deprived of
its true sweetness and strength. They are unaware of the One Living,
Omnipresent God… This book is a torch of guidance through which
every Muslim, nay every man with a craving for truth and spirituality,
can rekindle his inner lamp and illuminate his heart.’
The Door of Revelation is Open simplicity and inevitability of a

Even Now natural process. When God has not
Do not think that Revelation from closed the doors of His blessings
God is not possible in the future; upon the world, when in fact He
that it was possible only in the past: has multiplied them even more than
do not think that the Holy Spirit before, do you venture to presume
cannot come down. I tell you truly that he has closed upon you the
that every door can be closed but doors of His spiritual blessings,
the door for the coming down of even at a time when they were
the Holy Spirit. Open all the doors needed most? No, no, not at all;
of your heart to receive it. With rather that door has been opened
your own hands you remove beyond any possible shadow of
yourself to a distance from that sun, doubt. Now, in accordance with His
where you yourself close the teaching as given in Surah Fatihah
window through which light can [opening chapter of Holy Qur’an],
enter. Therefore, get up at once and when the door of all earlier
throw this window open, so that the blessings has been opened for you,
light of the sun should, of its own why do you decline to receive
accord, enter your heart with the them? Create a thirst for this spring,

Our Teaching – Part 3
and then, of itself, the water will The time is very short, the mission
begin to gush out. For this milk cry of your life not yet fulfilled. Walk
like a child, so that it should well up with speed, for the evening draws
in the breast. Begin to deserve nigh. Whatever you have to put
mercy, so that you should be shown before the Lord, examine it well,
mercy. Show anxiety and deep and as often as you can, lest some
concern, so that your minds should defect remain to cause irreparable
be set at rest. Cry out with pain, loss: or lest you take something
again and again, so that a hand with you which in fact should
should stretch itself and take hold amount to no more than filthy and
of you. Indeed, how terribly spurious goods, not worthy to be
difficult is the way which is the presented at a royal court.
way of the Lord! But, verily, it is
made easy for those who jump into Elevated Position of the Holy
the abyss, resolutely determined to Qur’an
face destruction and death. I have been given to understand
that there are some among you who
Blessed are they who for the sake reject the Hadith [(Traditions)]. If
of the Lord wage a war against this is so, then these people are in
their own selves; while truly ill- manifest error. I have never taught
starred are they who for the sake of that they should hold such views.
their baser selves wage a war Quite to the contrary, I hold very
against the Lord, and refuse to firmly that for your guidance God
mould themselves in obedience to has provided three things. The
His will. Whoesoever, for the sake foremost among these is the Holy
of his own self, evades a Qur’an, which sets forth the unity
commandment of God, will never of God, His grandeur and
enter the kingdom of heaven. Strive greatness, and decides all points in
therefore to the utmost that not a jot dispute between the Jews and the
or syllable of the Holy Qur’an Christians. Further, the Qur’an
should bear witness against you, forbids that you worship anything
and cause you to be apprehended other than God – neither man, nor
on that account. For indeed even a beast, the sun nor the moon, nor
single grain of evil is punishable. any other heavenly body, nor

material means, nor your own the Holy Qur’an; and apart from
selves. Therefore beware. Do not this Book there is no other under
take a single step in contravention the heavens which can provide you
of anything contained in the Holy with direct guidance. It is indeed a
Book. great blessing of God upon you that
He has bestowed on you a book
Verily, I tell you truly that like it.
whosoever evades even the least of
the seven hundred commandments Verily, I tell you truly that the book
embodied in the Holy Qur’an he which has been read upon you, had
slams the door of salvation upon it been read upon the Christians,
himself. The real and perfect paths they would not have perished; and
of salvation have been opened only the blessing and guidance which
by the Holy Qur’an; all others were has been vouchsafed to you, had it
only its shadows. Therefore you been extended to the Jews, in place
should study this Holy Scripture of the Torah, many of their sects
with the utmost attention and would not have ended by denying
deepest thought; and you should the Day of Judgment. Realise,
love it as you have never loved therefore, the value of the blessing
anything else. For, indeed, as God bestowed on you. It is a precious
has conveyed to me, ‘Al Khairu blessing, and a great treasure.
Kullahu Fil Qur’an’ i.e., all good Without the Holy Qur’an, the
lies in the Qur’an. All kinds of whole world would have been no
good are to be found in it – and this better that a dirty clot of half
is the truth. Unfortunate, indeed, formed flesh. Indeed it is a book as
are the people who give preference compared to which all other
to other things over it. The Holy scripture and sources of guidance
Qur’an is the fountainhead for your amount to nothing at all.
salvation, for all betterment and The Holy Qur’an can purify a man
success. There is not even a single within a week, provided there is no
spiritual need which has not been attempt to get away from it in form
met for you in this Holy Book. The or spirit. The Qur’an can make you
supporter or falsifier of your Faith like the Prophets, provided you do
on the Day of Judgement would be not try yourself to run away from it.

Apart from the Holy Qur’an what spoken of as (mukalamaat) and

book is there at the very outset (mukhatabaat). He will con-
which has taught its readers a summate all those blessings on you
prayer like: which He ever bestowed on others.
But whosoever by way of insolence
Guide us in the right path, shall lie and shall claim to have
The path of those on whom received Revelation from Him,
Thou hast bestowed Thy when in fact he had received no
blessings… such Revelation, or claim that he
(Ch.1:Vs.6-7) had the honour of communion with
God of the kind called mukalamah
And has thus held out to them a and mukhatabah, when in fact no
great hope, namely, the hope of the such honour had been bestowed
way being shown to them which upon him, then, with God and all
would lead them to the attainment His angels as my witness I declare,
of those blessings which were that such a one shall perish and be
bestowed on those who were of the destroyed for having lied about his
Prophets, the Siddeeqs [truthful], Creator and for having perpetrated
the Shuhada [martyrs], and the a fraud.
Saliheen [pure]. Therefore elevate
your resolve, and do not reject this The Explanatory Position of the
invitation of the Qur’an when it Sunnah
calls you to work for attainment of The second instrument for
the blessings given to the earlier guidance vouchsafed to the
peoples. God in fact is inclined to Muslims is the Sunnah, i.e., the
bestow on you even more. God has measures adopted by the Holy
made you inherit all their spiritual Prophet(saw) with a view to the
and material substance, but until exposition of the Holy Qur’an and
the Day of Qiyamah [Judgment] its being put into actual tangible
these will not pass away from you practice. For instance, looking at
to anyone else. God will not keep the surface only, there appears to be
you deprived of the blessing of no specification in the Qur’an of
Revelation, and of the tangible rak‘aats [postures] in the case of
forms of communion generally the five daily obligatory prayers,

how many for what prayers, but the Hadith, since Islam had established
Sunnah of the Holy Prophet(saw) has itself upon the earth long before the
made all these things very clear. Hadith came to be collected. Did
not the people offer their prayers at
No one should fall into the error the time when the Hadith had not
that the Hadith and the Sunnah are yet been collected? Did they not
one and the same thing, for what is pay the Zakat or perform the Hajj?
called the Hadith came to be Or, were they ignorant as to what
collected a hundred and fifty years was permissible for them and what
afterwards, while the Sunnah was not?
existed from the very outset side by
side with the Holy Qur’an. After Supportive Position of Hadith
the Holy Qur’an, the greatest debt Of course, the third means of
of gratitude the Muslims owe to guidance is the Hadith, because
anything is to the Sunnah. The many points in regard to history,
obligation on God and His Apostle ethics and jurisprudence are to be
in regard to the guidance of found explained fully in it; and the
mankind was only twofold, namely great utility of the Hadith lies in the
that by sending down the Holy fact that it is a servant of the Qur’an
Book, God by means of His word and the Sunnah. Some people who
indicated His will and pleasure, in are ignorant as to the real position
fulfilment of the demand inherent of the Holy Qur’an, here assign to
in the Divine Law; while the duty Hadith the position of a judge on
which developed upon the Holy the Qur’an, as did the Jews in
Prophet(saw) was this that by putting regard to some of their traditions.
it into actual practice he should We on the other hand look upon the
clearly demonstrate it in all its Hadith as a servant of the Qur’an
aspects in actual operation. and the Sunnah, the existence of
Therefore he transformed into servants being in no way
action what had been said in the derogatory to the master, being in
form of words, and by his actual fact a sign of his importance and
practice solved a number of grandeur. The Holy Book is the
difficulties. It is not proper to say Word of God, while the Sunnah is
that this duty devolved upon the the act of the Holy Prophet(saw), the

Hadith being a supporting witness or a hundred and fifty years

for the Sunnah. It is wrong to say afterwards. These are called the
(God forbid) that the Hadith is a Hadith. The Sunnah, on the other
judge on the Holy Qur’an. If there hand, is the practical example that
is any judge on the Holy Qur’an, it has, from the very earliest
is the Holy Book itself. The Hadith, beginning, existed, all along, in the
which in any case has an element of practical actions of the Muslims,
speculation in it, cannot be given a their number extending to
superior position, being no more thousands at the most conservative
than a supporting argument. The estimate. But even though in a great
Qur’an and the Sunnah have done part of it the Hadith occupies the
all the real work, the Hadith doing position of speculation, still, where
no more than supplying some it does not run counter to the Holy
additional verification. How can Qur’an, it deserves to be accepted,
the Hadith be in the position of a serving as a supporter for the Holy
judge for the Holy Qur’an? Qur’an and the Sunnah, with a
large store-house of material,
The Holy Book and the Sunnah bearing on many Islamic questions.
were extending guidance to
mankind at a time when as yet there Failure to appreciate the Hadith,
was no sign of the so-called judge. therefore, is tantamount to cutting
Therefore, never say that the away a large part of the body of
Hadith is a judge on the Holy Islam. But of course, if a Hadith
Qur’an; say rather that the Hadith falls counter to the Holy Qur’an
supplies further supportive and the Sunnah, and counter to
evidence for the Qur’an and the other Ahadith which are in accord
Sunnah. Of course the Sunnah, with Holy Book, or it stands in
undoubtedly, is a thing which opposition to the Sahih Bukhari, it
indicates the will of the Qur’an, should not be accepted, for
and it signifies the path on which acceptance thereof would imply
the Holy Prophet(saw) put his rejection of the Holy Qur’an, and
companions. The Sunnah is not a of all those Ahadith which stand in
name for the things which came to accord with the Holy Book. I am
be written and collected a hundred satisfied that no righteous person

would want to subscribe to such a weak, while in your own time, or

belief. In any case give due at some time earlier than yours, the
recognition to Hadith and derive prophecy contained in that Hadith
benefit form it to the fullest has been fulfilled, then that Hadith
possible extent, for they come from has to be accepted as authentic,
the Holy Prophet(saw) and unless and all those who adjudged it
they are rejected by the Qur’an and weak and failed to accept it,
the Sunnah, you should not reject thinking that it was a fabrication,
them. You should adhere to the will be held to have been in error.
Hadith to such an extent that no The number of Ahadith containing
action of yours, no pause, no prophecies runs into hundreds, and
performance, and no failure to most of these by the Muhaditheen
perform any work, should be have been held to be fabricated or
without basis in Hadith. But if there defective. Therefore when one of
is a Hadith which stands in these is fulfilled and you try to
contradiction of what has been avoid the point, saying that you
stated in the Qur’an, you should could not accept it since it was
exercise your mind to reconcile it weak, or since this or that narrator
in interpretation; but where no such in the link through which it had
reconciliation is possible, the come was not a righteous man,
Hadith should be rejected and then such a rejection on your part
thrown aside, since it cannot be would be due to your faith-
taken to have come from the Holy lessness, for you would be
Prophet(saw). But if there is a weak rejecting a Hadith of which the
Hadith, which stands, nevertheless, reliability had been established by
in accord with the Holy Qur’an, it God, even to the extent of
is to be accepted, for the Qur’an has fulfilment of the prophecy
confirmed it. contained in it.
Criterion for Judging Ahadith Now suppose there are one

Embracing Prophecies thousand Ahadith of this kind, held
But if there is a Hadith embracing to be weak and unacceptable by the
a prophecy which the Muhadditheen, but suppose the
Muhadditheen have adjudged as prophecies contained in them come

to be fulfilled, would you reject exist a large number of fabricated

them, and also reject all the one Ahadith which have caused a great
thousand arguments in support of deal of disruption in Islam. All the
the veracity of Islam which the conflicting sects take their stand on
fulfilment of the prophecies in this or that Hadith, as suits their
question stood for? If you do needs, so that even such a clear and
anything of the kind, you would well-established question as of the
become, thereby, enemies of Islam. prescribed obligatory prayers has
Allah says: He does not reveal His given rise to extreme differences of
ghaib (future) except when He views. Some cry amen in a loud
chooses to do so to an Apostle. voice, audible to others, while
Therefore, to whom is a true some hold this should be done in
prophecy to be attributed if not to a one’s own mind. Some follow the
true Prophet? Is it not more in an recitation of the Fatihah by the
accord with one’s righteousness of Imam with similar simultaneous
mind to say on such occasions that recitation of the same on the part of
the Muhaddith in question had the congregation, each in his own
erred in so far as he had rejected as mind, while others believe that
weak a Hadith which in fact was such recitation spoils one’s prayer
quite reliable? Or would it be more and is, therefore, forbidden. Some
proper for us to say that in hold their hands folded on the
supporting a weak Hadith with the breast, while others hold them at
testimony of actual events God the navel. The real cause of all
Himself had been guilty of an these differences lie in the Ahadith
error? For you the guiding principle [as the Qur’an states in Ch.23:V.54]
in any case should be that you
follow even a weak Hadith,
provided it is not counter to the
Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, or
counter to other Ahadith in accord
with the Holy Book.
i.e. each group being pleased with
However, great care is needed on what it has in its hand.
this point, for it is a fact that there

YOM KIPPUR, the Jewish Fast
By Mehri Niknam MBE
Mehri Niknam is the founder and Executive Director of the Joseph Interfaith
Foundation. She has worked as a consultant in Jewish-Muslim relations since 1995.
Her academic field is comparative Judaism and Islam in the Middle Ages.
In 2005, she received the MBE for her contributions to Muslim-Jewish relations. In the
same year she was made Honorary Fellow at Leo Baeck College (rabbinic seminary)
for her achievements in Jewish-Muslim interfaith relations.
She is a member of the Imams and Rabbis Committee and The Roundtable of
Academics and Theologians, two governmental think tanks at the Department of
Communities in the UK.
In 2008 she was the Fulbright scholar, representing Britain in Interfaith and
Community Action.
The great fast of Judaism is called only fast day decreed in the Bible.
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)
and is probably the most important The Torah (The first 5 books of the
and awesome day of the Jewish Hebrew Bible revealed by God to
year. It is observed on the first day Prophet Moses) calls the day Yom
of the seventh month of the Hebrew HaKippurim in the Book of
calendar. It is a day set aside to Leviticus and decrees:
“afflict the soul,” to atone for the
iniquities of the past year and to ‘And the Lord spoke to Moses
“Return to our Creator”. Many saying: On the tenth day of the
Jews who do not observe any other seventh month, there shall be a
Jewish custom will refrain from day of atonement [for the
work, fast and/or attend synagogue children of Israel], it shall be a
services on this day. holy convocation unto you,
and you shall afflict your soul.
There are several minor fasts in And you shall do no work in
Judaism, but Yom Kippur is the that same day for it is a day of

Yom Kippur, the Jewish Fast
atonement to make atonement from the physical luxuries.

for you before your God.’ Therefore, the Talmud (the Book of
(Leviticus 23:23-28) Jewish Oral Law written by great
Sages and Rabbis) also specifies
The rites for Yom Kippur are set additional restrictions based on
forth in the sixteenth chapter of interpretations of the Hebrew
Leviticus (cf. Exodus 30:10; Bible. Bathing, anointing one’s
Leviticus 23:27–31, 25:9 and body (with cosmetics, etc.),
Numbers 29:7–11). It is described wearing leather shoes (one should
as a solemn fast, on which no food not wear something which is made
or drink can be consumed, and on as the result of the death of a living
which all work is forbidden. animal) and engaging in sexual
relations are all prohibited on Yom
Abstaining from the pleasure of Kippur.
food is meant to improve one’s
ability to focus on repentance. The The fast of Yom Kippur is
Yom Kippur fast is a 25-hour fast incumbent upon men and women.
that begins before sunset on the Boys and girls from the time they
evening before Yom Kippur and reach the age of majority, 13, are
ends after nightfall on the day of obligated to fast. However, there
Yom Kippur. are exemptions. As always in
Jewish law, the preservation of life
Yom Kippur is a complete Sabbath; overrules all other laws.
no manner of work (such as
driving, lighting of fire, carrying of Therefore, any of the Yom Kippur
items in public, cooking, shopping, restrictions can be lifted where a
buying or selling, etc.) can be threat to life or health is involved.
performed on that day. It is well In fact, children under the age of
known that you are supposed to nine and women in childbirth (from
refrain from eating and drinking, the time labour begins until three
even water. However, spiritual days after birth) are not permitted
elevation is a pre-requisite for true to fast, even if they want to. Older
repentance. One way to achieve children and women from the third
spiritual elevation is to abstain to the seventh day after childbirth

may fast, but are permitted to break are two kinds of forgiveness: from
the fast if they feel the need to do the wrongs we have committed
so. These rules are Talmudic, based against God and the wrongs we
on and interpreted from verses in have committed against our fellow
the Torah. human beings. Therefore, Yom
Kippur atones only for iniquities
Yom Kippur has a highly spiritual between us and God, not for the
aspect called Teshuvah (Returning wrongs committed against another
to the Creator in repentance) which person. These rules are based on
is its highest aim and achievement. the Torah as explained by the
It is an opportunity granted by God Talmudic rabbis. To atone for the
in His Mercy, so that we may wrongs against another person, we
become aware of our iniquities and must first seek reconciliation with
by admitting them before God, that person, righting the wrongs we
correcting our wrongs and asking had committed against them if
forgiveness with a contrite heart, possible. That must all be done
we may return once more to “Our before Yom Kippur.
Father, Our King, the Creator”.
Traditionally the spiritual prepa- Yom Kippur occurs on the tenth
ration for Yom Kippur starts 40 day after the Jewish New Year
days before, when the custom of called Rosh Hashanah. The ten
waking up in the early morning days in between the New Year and
hours to recite Selihot (prayers of Yom Kippur are known as the
asking for forgiveness) starts. Days of Awe. Traditionally, we
Although this traditions may not be believe that on Rosh Hashanah
strictly observed nowadays in the God makes judgement for each
West, it is nevertheless, observed one of us, putting before us the
on a special evening called Selihot, possibility of whether we live or
when Jews attend a special all night die –and the manor of the death –
service at the synagogue in in the year to come. “On Rosh
preparation for Yom Kippur. Hashanah judgement is made, on
Yom Kippur judgement is sealed”
Forgiveness in Judaism, however, (Talmudic). Those, whose time
cannot be taken for granted. There has come to die, will die, but for

the rest of us, we are granted ten ‘When you call Me and come
days – Days of Awe – to recognise to pray to Me, I will hear you
our iniquities, correct those When you seek Me, you will
committed against our fellow find Me
human beings and, ask God to When you search for Me in
forgive us for iniquities committed your heart
against God. At the end of Yom I shall let you find Me.’
Kippur God’s judgement is (Jeremiah 29:12-14)
“sealed”.
And the service ends with the blast
This year Rosh Hashanah is on of the Shfar (Ram’s horn) blown in
Saturday 19th of September remembrance of the ram which was
starting at sunset on Friday 18th.. provided by the Merciful God to
Yom Kippur starts on Sunday 27th replace the sacrifice of Isaac by
September at sunset and ends Abraham, and all the Jewish people
Monday 29th, one hour after in the world declare the chief
sunset. Jewish prayer and belief, “with all
our heart and all our soul and all
After 25 hours of afflicting our our might” Deuteronomy 6:5:
soul, of fasting and standing most
of the time during the all-day “Hear O Israel [Bani Esra’il], the
synagogue service, after long Lord is our God, the Lord is
hours of praying and leaving one’s ONE” Deuteronomy 6:4
soul bare before
“Sovereign of existence”, after

(Please note: This article can only be
shamefully admitting one’s short-
reproduced with prior permission of
comings, mistakes, wrongdoings the author or the Joseph Interfaith
and iniquities before “The Foundation.)
Merciful One who is Slow to
anger and Forgives”, as the
shadows lengthen and the day
draws to an end we read:

LAYLA-TUL-QADR – ‘NIGHT OF DECREE’
By Adam Walker
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

Surely, We sent it down during the Night of Decree.
And what shall make thee know what the Night of Decree is?
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
Therein descend angels and the Spirit by the command of their Lord with
Divine decree concerning every matter.
It is all peace till the rising of the dawn.
(Ch.97:Vs.1-6)
T he Muslims believe Layla-

tul-Qadr to be a night of great
blessing when Almighty God
numerical figure in Arabic).
During this blessed night the
angels are said to descend upon
showers His Mercy upon those of earth and help to breathe a new
His believers who sincerely and life into mankind. We also know
faithfully love and obey His Will. from another place in the Holy
It is a night which is commonly Qur’an (Ch.44:V.4) that it is a
associated with the revelation of ‘Blessed Night’ (Laylatin
the Holy Qur’an but also has Mubarakatin).
other meanings which are all
deeply rooted in Almighty God’s Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din
attribute of Rahmaniyyat (Grace). Mahmud Ahmad(ra), the second
The above verses of the Holy Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya
Qur’an (Ch.97:Vs.1-6) indicate Muslim community, writes in his
that Layla-tul-Qadr literally book of Qur’anic commentary
means the ‘Night of (Al-Tafsir al-Kabir) that the
Decree/Power’ and that it is a words ‘Therein descend angels
night of greater value than a and the Spirit’ (tanazzal al-
thousand months (1000 being a mala’ikah wa al-ruhu feeha)
metaphor for the highest mean:

Layla-tul Qadr – ‘Night of Decree’
‘…the Angels of God Further elucidating on this

descend to meet and satisfy subject, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih
every religious need and to II(ra) has explained that the words
remove all obstacles and ‘one thousand months’ (alfi
impediments from the way of shahr) have several meanings two
the expansion and spread of of which include:
the new Message.’
(Al-Tafsir al-Kabir, p.2859) • As Layla-tul-Qadr is better
than a countless number of
Another traditional view of the nights this signifies that the
chapter of al-Qadr is that it refers period of the Holy Prophet(saw)
to the night in which the Holy is greater than all other periods
Qur’an was revealed to the Holy combined; and
Prophet(saw), when he recited the
blessed verses which will forever • The rich content and value of
live in the hearts of all Muslims: the Holy Qur’an is greater in
worth than the combined
Convey thou in the name of research and efforts of all
thy Lord Who created, learned men. This definition is
Created man from a clot of derived from the word “shahr”
blood. (month/s) which can also mean
Convey! And thy Lord is learned man/men.
Most Generous,
Who taught man by the pen, Layla-tul-Qadr also has a wider
Taught man what he knew understanding and can signify that
not. when mankind reaches a point of
(Ch.96:Vs.2-6) darkness, and is in need of reform,
Almighty God answers its need
Furthermore, this chapter repre- by sending a new reformer. In
sents the entire ministry of the relation to this a period of 1000
Holy Prophet(saw) as the Holy months roughly amounts to a
Qur’an was revealed to him century and can thus be linked to
throughout the latter part of his life. the saying of the Holy Prophet(saw):

‘Verily God will continue value in the estimation of

forever to raise for this God. It was because of that
Ummah (community) in the condition of darkness which
beginning of every century at the time of the advent of
one who Will restore for it its the Holy Prophet(saw) had
faith.’ arrived at its climax and
(Abu Dawud, Kitabul Fitan) demanded the descent of a
Grand Light, that observing
Almighty God is described in the this dark condition and
Holy Qur’an as the Ever Merciful having mercy on the
(al-Rahim) and such a verse creatures afflicted with
personifies the magnificence of darkness, there was an
Allah’s infinite Mercy which is upsurge in the attribute of
safeguarded for the remainder of Rahmaniyyat and heavenly
mankind’s existence. Further blessings addressed them-
expanding on this point Hadhrat selves to the earth. That dark
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the condition became blessed for
Promised Messiah and Imam the world and the world
Mahdi(as) writes: thereby received a grand
mercy so that the Perfect
‘‘Inna anzalnahu fee Layla- Man and the Chief of the
til-Qadr’, This Night, Prophets, like whom there
according to its common had been no one, nor ever
interpretation, is a Blessed will be, came for the
Night, but some of the verses guidance of the world and
of the Holy Qur’an indicate brought that bright Book for
that the condition of the the world whose match no
darkness of the world is also eye has beheld. It was a great
a Night of Decree on account manifestation of spiritual
of its hidden qualities. In that perfection of God that, at a
condition of darkness, sincer- time of gloom and darkness,
ity and steadfastness, and He sent down a Grand Light
piety and worship, have great which is named the Furqan

and which distinguishes sometimes surges up

between truth and falsehood spiritually and has mercy on
and which demonstrated the the condition of those who
coming of truth and the are hungry and thirsty and
disappearance of falsehood. near unto death on account of
It descended upon the earth misguidance and error, and
when the earth had become lack the nourishment of truth
spiritually dead and land and and righteousness which is
sea had been greatly the source of spiritual life.
corrupted. By its descent it Thus the Gracious One, as
accomplished that to which He bestows nourishment
God Almighty has pointed in upon the body at the time of
the verse: A‘lamu ann-Allaha need, so of His Perfect Mercy
yuhyi al-Arda ba’da He provides spiritual
mawtiha’. nourishment also at the time
of need.’
That is to say: The earth had (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya,
died and God revived it Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 1,
afresh. It should be remem- pp414-435, footnote 11)
bered that the descent of the
Holy Qur’an which took
place for the purpose of The ultimate effect of a reformer
reviving the earth came about being sent to the earth is that the
through the upsurge of the world enters a period of peace, as
attribute of Rahmaniyyat. is alluded to in the concluding
This is the attribute which verse of Surah al-Qadr. Hadhrat
sometimes manifests itself in Khalifatul Masih II(ra) explains:
a material way and causes the
rain of mercy to descend ‘The word ‘salam’ (peace)
upon dry land and thus stands for a complete
makes provision for those sentence meaning, “it is all
who are afflicted with peace.” In the time of a
famine. The same attribute Prophet or Divine reformer a

peculiar kind of mental peace (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol.1,

of equanimity descends upon Bk.2, No. 34)
the believers amidst hard-
ships and privations. The In another Hadith the Holy
heavenly happiness which Prophet(saw) advises as to when one
inspires believers at that time should seek Layla-tul-Qadr
transcends all material and saying:
sensuous joys.
‘Search for the Night of Qadr
The expression “hiya hatta in the odd nights of the last
matla‘ al-fajr” (It is all ten days of Ramadan’
peace till the rising of the (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol.3,
dawn) means, the passing of Bk.32, No. 234)
the night of hardships and
the rising of the dawn of The Promised Messiah(as) is
predominance and ascen- known to have said that should
dancy of the cause of truth.’ the 27th night of Ramadan fall
(Al-Tafsir Al-Kabir, p.2860) upon a Friday then this will often
be Layla-tul-Qadr.
Layla-tul-Qadr has another
significant meaning to Muslims In light of the above blessed
as it is a night in which a believer narrations it is incumbent on each
can benefit from great blessings. Muslim to increase his or her
In a reported Hadith (tradition), worship during the last ten days
the Holy Prophet(saw) said: of Ramadan and pray sincerely
that he or she may benefit from
‘Whoever establishes the the fruits of Layla-tul-Qadr. In
prayers on the night of Qadr his weekly Friday Sermon on the
out of sincere faith and subject of Layla-tul-Qadr (14
hoping to attain Allah’s Nov, 2003), Hadhrat Mirza
rewards (not to show off) Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth
then all his past sins will be Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya
forgiven.’ Muslim community, stressed the

need for every believer to pay Layla-tul-Qadr. Indeed the Holy

special attention to not only the Prophet(saw) would gather
last ten nights of Ramadan but immense resolve and deter-
indeed to every night. Hadhrat mination at the start of the last ten
Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah days of Ramadan, spending these
strengthen his hand) indicated days in the worship of God. He
that one reason behind the enjoined us to engage profusely
ambiguity of which night Layla- in the remembrance of Allah
tul-Qadr falls upon is to ensure during these days, to glorify Him
that believers spend all of the last and to exalt His greatness.
ten nights in worship and do not
simply ritualise one appointed To support a Muslim in this effort
night. the following prayer (dua) to be
recited on Layla-tul-Qadr was
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V conveyed to Hadhrat ‘A’ishah(ra)
added that the Holy Prophet(saw) by the Holy Prophet(saw):
said that whoever offers all his or
her prayers during the month of Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun
Ramadan in congregation gleans tuhibbul ‘afwa fa‘fu ‘anni
a large portion of Layla-tul-Qadr.
Therefore, in order to properly ‘O Allah! You are the Great
experience this night one must Pardoner; You love to
maintain the highest standard of pardon. So please pardon
righteousness throughout the me.’
month, discharging the dues of (Ibn Majah, Kitabul Du‘aa)
almighty God and the dues of
mankind. Hadhrat Khalifatul May we each engage in sincere
Masih V explained that although worship during this blessed
certain Hadith signify the month and incur the Mercy of
appearance of signs (like flashes Almighty God, God willing.
of light) to verify that one has
experienced Layla-tul-Qadr,
these signs are not obligatory to

‘Eid-ul-Fitr By Hadhrat A. R. Dard(ra)
(Adapted from The Review of Religions, May 1926, Vol. XXV, No.5)
‘Eid is a day when all the Muslims held in many places and these
of the world, in India, Africa, various expressions of happiness
Arabia, Egypt, Syria, China, and in are continued late into the night, till
every other country, are very, very at last their gaiety is spent, and the
happy and glad. They get up early festival comes to a close.
in the morning at 3 or 4 o’clock,
prepare the choicest dishes, and by It may be asked why a Muslim is
the time the sun rises, young happy at ‘Eid. Most Muslims are
children can be seen going briskly happy on that day perhaps, because
hither and thither, carrying some they look upon it as a festival which
sweet gifts to their neighbours, has been celebrated annually from
friends and relations. After their the very time of their birth, and has
bath on this morning everyone puts some sweet associations attached to
on the best clothes they can afford, it. Some might be happy merely
scented with perfumes, and the because the world looks happy.
streets are variegated with beautiful Some indifferent ones would
fancy-coloured dresses. Even perhaps say they are happy because
serious-minded people yield at this now that the month of fasting is
time of the year to some of the over they can eat and drink when-
innocent beckonings of gaiety. ever they like, and live comfortably
Drinking, music, and dancing are as they could before the month of
not allowed in Islam, but people Ramadan. But it is not really so, for
entertain one another in the most Ramadan is not a burden upon the
sumptuous manner. It is usual on Muslims. If it were so, the early
this day to embrace one another Muslims would not have asked the
and say, “‘Eid Mubarak, ‘Eid Holy Prophet(saw) after it about the
Mubarak,” i.e., “Happy ‘Eid blessings of the other months. They
congratulations, happy ‘Eid would not have been eager for its
congratulations!” Special fairs are arrival. The Holy Qur’an records:

‘Eid-ul-Fitr
They ask you about the new

moons (after the month of
Ramadan), say, they are times
appointed for the benefit of the
people.
(Ch.2:V.190)
The Holy Qur’an was revealed, as is

well-known, in the month of
Ramadan, and the followers of the
Holy Prophet(saw) had had such
spiritual exaltation that in order to
make further progress they inquired if Hadhrat Maulana Abdur
such was the case with the other Raheem Dard(ra) (1894-1955)
was a Companion of the
months as well. This surely shows
Promised Messiah(as). He was
clearly that fasting was not regarded the first Imam of the Fazl
as a burden by the Muslims. Mosque, the first Mosque in
London, built in 1924. He
The ‘Eid may be understood to served as Private Secretary to
commemorate, in a sense, the Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din
beginning of the spiritual ministry of Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul
the Holy Prophet(saw), for the Holy Masih II(ra) from 1920-1924. He
Qur’an having been revealed in the played a pivotal role in the
month of Ramadan, the Holy history of Pakistan by
Prophet(saw) began to preach the truth convincing Muhammad Ali
Jinnah to return to India from
to the world from this day. The
London and resume leadership
Ramadan marks an epoch in the of Indian Muslims, which
history of mankind because in it was ultimately led to the creation of
revealed the best of guidance for all Pakistan. Mr Jinnah said: ‘The
ages and all climes, and to the eloquent persuasion of the
individual Muslim it is a valuable Imam left me no way of
opportunity for great spiritual escape.’ (see The Sunday Times,
progress. So the ‘Eid which London, April 1933.)

‘Eid-ul-Fitr
terminates it is a joy to all, but it happiness that is renewed every

entails a responsibility also for the year because Muslims collectively
preaching of Islam to the four are expected to observe the fasts.
corners of the world.
But ‘Eid has another meaning as
The Arabic language has a well, for it means a day on which
peculiarity of its own. Every word people remember and worship their
has in itself some reason for the God. This shows that there is
meaning it conveys. The word nothing in the day itself that causes
“‘Eid” implies a great event, which sorrow, happiness or anxiety. It is
naturally causes anxiety; and this is only an occasion and an
another meaning of the same word. opportunity, and not a sort of
The beginning of the prophetic superstition attached to the day.
career of Muhammad(saw) is a very This meaning has the same two
great event, and its celebration aspects, for it is a joy to those who
would entail anxious responsibility worship and glorify their Creator
upon all the Muslims for the giving on this day, and it is a sorrow for
of the glad tidings to the world. those who waste it away in the
satisfaction of their lower desires.
As the ‘Eid comes after the month And it is this aspect of ‘Eid upon
of fasting, it can offer little pleasure which the Holy Prophet(saw) has laid
for a person who has not observed great stress.
the fast properly. So for such a
person the ‘Eid is a sorrow; and this Ordinarily a Muslim has to pray
also is a meaning of the same word. five times a day but on the day of
It is an opportunity lost, and there- ‘Eid he is required to offer a special
fore a sorrow. But it cannot be a prayer in the morning to show that
sorrow to those who observe the it is a pleasure only for those who
fasts regularly, make the best of this find their happiness in the
precious opportunity and make a remembrance of God. In the prayer
special progress spiritually, for they itself special stress is laid on the
have a reason to be happy; glorification of God. We begin our
therefore, the word ‘Eid generally daily prayers by saying. “Allahu
means in the Arabic literature a Akbar“ (God is Great) once, but in

‘Eid-ul-Fitr
‘Eid prayers we say, “God is Great” love and will of God alone. He does
seven times in the first part, and not live to eat, drink, and make
five times in the second. While merry, but he eats and drinks to
going to the place of ‘Eid prayers, a live, love and worship his Lord.
Muslim is recommended to say,
“Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar La In the Holy Qur’an the word ‘Eid
Ilaha Illallah“, meaning that God is occurs only once: “Jesus(as) the son
great, God is great, and that there is of Mary(as) said, ‘O God our Lord,
nothing beside Him worth loving, send down to us food from heaven
obeying and worshipping. This which should be to us an ‘Eid to the
aspect is emphasised by another first of us and to the last of us.
commandment of the Holy (Ch.5:V.115)“ This seems to refer
Prophet(saw). Islam really means the to the well-known petition for daily
complete surrender of man to God. bread in the Lord‘s prayer. The
It is a religion of submission rather prayer is granted, and the followers
than of compulsion, and the of Jesus(as) are favoured with the
smallest details of its teachings are riches of this world so that it is
based upon this one principle. almost an ‘Eid for them every day.
Fasting does a man good only when They possess everything in this
he keeps fasts with a view to world, wealth, riches and power;
seeking the pleasure of God in they dress, eat, drink, and enjoy
obedience to His commandment. every day as a Muslim would do on
Otherwise it is lost labour, because the day of ‘Eid. But the Holy
Islam does not allow asceticism. It Qur’an sounds a note of warning
is this spirit of obedience to God for the Christians, which is in fact a
which consecrates the month of warning for all those who enjoy
Ramadan and places it above ‘Eid themselves a little too much:
day and it is, therefore, a sin to fast “Surely I will send it down to you,”
at that time, just as it is sinful to it says, “but whosoever shall
pray when the sun is rising or disbelieve afterwards from among
setting. All this moreover tends to you, surely I will chastise him with
show that a Muslim is one who a chastisement with which I will not
completely submits all his desires chastise any one among the
to God, and finds his pleasure in the nations“. (Ch.5:V.116)

‘Eid-ul-Fitr
Finally, the word ‘Eid means a day close contact so often in the day,
in which people gather together, with the same purpose and object
and it is this which gives the in view, they not only come in
Muslim celebration of ‘Eid a much contact physically, but are also
deeper significance. Islam is a united mentally and spiritually.
religion of unity as it is pre- Facing towards the Ka’aba also
eminently of peace and love, unity signifies the unity of purpose. To
of God as well as of man. God create love, sympathy and affection
being One and only One wants to among men it is necessary that
make all men at one with Him, and people should see one another, and
Islam aims at uniting mankind as a it is to afford suitable opportunities
string unites pearls. Every teaching for this purpose that Muslims are
of Islam has at its root this spirit of enjoined to pray five times daily by
love, peace and unity. The five gathering together in their local
daily prayers offered in congre- mosques.
gation symbolise unity. There are
hundreds and thousands of But as it is not easy and practicable
associations and unions in the for all the Muslims living in a city
world established for the realisa- to assemble five times daily in one
tion of some common object, but place. Therefore, it is taught that
there is not a single institution they should attend the Friday
which holds its meetings five times prayers every week and thus come
daily in a manner which expresses together and pray together. It was
the best of love, peace and unity of not possible for the neighbouring
purpose. Look at the way Muslims country people to come every week
stand in prayer: they make lines, to the city. Islam appointed two
the rich and the poor, the high and occasions in the year for bringing
the low, the master and the servant, the inhabitants of a city and its
the father and the son, the mother neighbouring country people to-
and the daughter, all standing in the gether, and the ‘Eid-ul-Fitr forms
same way facing the same thing one of them, ‘Eid-ul-Adha being
and doing the various movements the second. But Islam, being a
involved all together and at the universal religion, is not confined
same time. By coming in such to a particular locality or city. It is a

‘Eid-ul-Fitr
religion for all mankind. Therefore, one big city. A scientist prophesied
in order to unite all men, God has the other day that within 100 years
commanded that the Muslims of all there would be only one language
the world living in any part of the in the world and only one religion.
globe should hold their meeting at “The old order changeth yielding
the time of Hajj (the pilgrimage) place to new,”‘ According to the
once a year in Makkah, the prophecies of the Holy Qur’an we
birthplace of their religion, so that believe that, Islam will prevail in
thus worshipping their Lord the end because it surpasses all
together they may be afforded the other religions in its universality.
opportunity of discussing and God wants to unite mankind, and
deciding every year matters of for this purpose He has sent a
international importance with a special Messenger at whose blessed
view to spreading and maintaining hands His wish is to be fulfilled,
peace, amity and goodwill among and to Whom He has given the
all men, whatever their colour, race name of “Prince of Peace.” Let us,
or country. And all this is done in therefore, cease from our quarrels
loving obedience to God so that His and strifes, for it is no time for
name alone may be glorified and them. Let us obey God and join the
exalted here below. fold of Ahmad who is a servant of
the Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw),
It may also be added that if peace so that we may hasten the coming
were ever required in the world of the real ‘Eid of world peace and
now is the time. The progress of unity for which all the various
science is uniting men of all institutions of Islam are but sign-
countries. The barriers of time and posts and symbols.
space, once considered absolutely
impassable, are broken, conquered
and shortened day by day, and the
establishment of world-peace is
engrossing the attention of all
civilised people, and the day is
nigh, nay, it is already at hand,
when all the world will become as

BAN T he burqa or hijab, an all-
enveloping garment worn by
the Burqa? Muslim women that leaves only
the eyes exposed, has hit the
headlines again! In an historical
By Sarah Waseem address to parliament on Monday,
22nd June, French President
Nicolas Sarkozy strongly criti-
cised the wearing of the burqa by
Muslim women in France:
“The problem of the burqa is

not a religious problem. It is
an issue of freedom and
dignity of women. This is not
a religious symbol, it is a sign
of subservience, it is a sign of
lowering. I want to say
solemnly, the burqa is not
welcome in France. We cannot
accept in our country women
trapped behind a fence, cut off
from social life, deprived of
any identity. This is not the
idea that we have of the
dignity of women.”
The debate over Muslim women’s

apparel is not new. In 2004,
France passed a law banning
students from conspicuous reli-
gious items, including Muslim
headscarves, in schools. In
December 2008, the European
Court of Human Rights unani-
The Review of Religions – September 2009

Ban the Burqa?
mously ruled that there was no beauty or their embellishment

human rights violation when a save to their husbands…
French school expelled two (Ch.24:V.32)
students for refusing to remove
their headscarves. Last July, a Other religious texts also speak of
Muslim woman’s citizenship veiling:
application was denied because
she had reportedly failed to ‘When Rebekah raised her
assimilate to French culture and eyes, she caught sight of Isaac
she practised a type of Islam found and she swung herself down
incompatible with French values. from off the camel. Then she
said to the servant, ‘Who is
So what does Islam say about the that walking in the field to
wearing of the veil. According to meet us?’ and the servant said
the Holy Qur’an, women: ‘It is my master’. And she
proceeded to take a head cloth
…should pull down upon them and to cover herself.’
their outer cloaks from their (Genesis: 24:64-65)
heads over their faces. That is
more likely that they may thus ‘But every woman that prays
be recognised and not or prophesies with her head
molested. And Allah is Most uncovered shames her head
Forgiving, Merciful. for it is one and the same as if
(Ch.33:V.60) she were a (woman) with a
shaved head. For if a woman
And say to the believing does not cover herself let her
women that they restrain their also be shorn; but if it is
looks and guard their private disgraceful for woman to be
parts and that they display not shorn or shaved, let her be
their beauty or their covered.’
embellishment except that (1 Corinthians: 11:5-6)
which is apparent thereof, and
that they draw their head The Bible then treats the wearing
coverings over their bosoms, of a veil as an inherently righteous
and that they display not their undertaking. Perhaps President

Ban the Burqa?
Sarkozy should look more closely that punishes a woman for not
at pictures of the Virgin Mary in veiling. It is her choice, not a
the famous French gallery, the sanction of her sexuality to be
Louvre. He will note that she is imposed by a man.
often depicted in works of art with
her head covered. Likewise it used France’s problems with Europe’s
to be obligatory upon Catholic largest group of Muslims are not
women to don a headscarf while because of the veil but rather social
attending the church service. Today issues. The unemployment rate for
Christian nuns and Amish women immigrants and their French-born
continue to cover their heads. children is higher than the national
average. Many children of
The extent to which a Muslim immigrants complain of discrimi-
woman covers her face may vary nation, saying they get passed over
according to her situation and for jobs because they have
practical needs. However, the act “foreign-sounding” names. This
of veiling is not considered a frustration of many North African
disgrace or a hindrance for a and black immigrants was evident
woman. Instead it is seen as in France’s three-week wave of
honouring her and freeing her from riots in 2005.
the bondage of society and the
obstacles that prevent her intellec- France needs to engage in dialogue
tual, moral, and spiritual with its Muslim communities. But
advancement. banning the burqa is not the way to
do this. Indeed by deciding for
Veiling only becomes a sign of these Muslims women that the
subservience when it is used by burqa is a mark of subservience,
men to prevent women from fully he, like the Muslim men who force
participating in daily life. Sadly, them to wear it, will be guilty of
some Muslim countries have exerting his rights over theirs,
allowed the perpetration of this hardly an expression of respecting
belief through their cruel treatment the dignity of women.
of women. However, it must be
noted that there is no law in Islam

Qur’anic Teachings on
Intimate Human Relationships
By Dr. Latif Ahmad Qureshi, Scotland
(The author is Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh)
Intimate Human Relationships all human relationships as she:

Healthy living is very closely
related to intimate human • conceives the baby
relationships. Human beings are • keeps it in the womb for 9
social animals and live in clusters months
and communities. There are • gives birth after enduring great
close family members, followed pains and considerable danger
by tribes and clans, communities to her own life
and villages, towns and cities, • nurses on her breast milk or
nations and countries and finally otherwise feeds the newborn
the whole human race that form a • helps it to grow and become
link. If this concept of one strong and independent
closely linked human race is
recognised universally, and What health risks are incumbent
properly utilised, then peace, at each stage? What do we know
prosperity, health and happiness about this from modern science
will prevail over the whole and the guidance found in the
world. The human relationship Holy Qur’an?
within the immediate family of a
person is, however, where it all The Conception
starts. This is a precarious time and
although, in the majority of
The Role of the Mother cases, everything turns out fine,
The mother has a pivotal role in much can go wrong at this stage.

Qur’anic Teachings on Intimate Human Relationships
Modern science has shown that flesh; then We developed it

the human embryo is made up of into another creation. So
a female egg being fertilised by a blessed be Allah, the Best of
male sperm, and each bit creators.
contributes to half of the (Ch.23:Vs.14-15)
characters of the individual. The
embryo then grows and gets He creates you in the wombs
implanted into the womb of the of your mothers, creation
mother, where it continues to after creation, in threefold
grow further. It passes through darkness.
several stages during which (Ch.39:V.7)
various cells of the dividing
embryo specialise and start So what can go wrong at this
forming different tissues of the stage? And what can a mother do
body such as the skin, muscles, to give birth to a healthy baby?
bones, internal organs, brain and These are vital questions and
the limbs. This process continues from our present knowledge of
throughout pregnancy. The embryology we understand them
Qur’an states: much better now than at any
other time in human history.
We have created man from a
mingled sperm-drop Genetic Diseases
(Ch.76:V.3) Genetic diseases often occur if
the genes forming the embryo are
Then we placed him as a defective. The genes exist in
drop of sperm in a safe pairs; if one gene is defective, but
depository; then We the other is healthy and the two
fashioned the sperm into a combine, the individual
clot; then We fashioned the inheriting the defective gene may
clot into a shapeless lump; not display symptoms of the
then We fashioned bones out disease at all and appears entirely
of this shapeless lump; then healthy. On the other hand if both
We clothed the bones with the genes are defective the

individual suffers from full mothers, and your daugh-

manifestations of the disease and ters, and your sisters, and
becomes seriously ill. Very often your father’s sisters, and
such embryos do not even your mothers’ sisters, and
survive and abort spontaneously. brother’s daughters, and
So the correct selection of the sister’s daughters, and your
sperm to fertilise an ovum is an foster-mothers that have
important matter and must be given you suck, and your
considered at the time of the foster-sisters, and the
marriage. This is now a well- mothers of your wives, and
developed science and genetic your step-daughters, who
counselling is often advised are your wards by your
before marriage to couples with a wives unto whom you have
family history of certain gone in – but if you have not
diseases. The genetic make up of gone in unto them, there
close relatives like parents and shall be no sin upon you –
siblings is often very similar and and the wives of your sons
the offspring of such mating have that are from your loins; and
a much greater chance of it is forbidden to you to have
inheriting a pair of defective two sisters together in
genes and thus being borne with marriage, except what has
a serious genetic illness. This is already passed; surely, Allah
referred to as incest and can is Most Forgiving, Merciful.
cause a lot of ill health and (Ch.4:V.24)
diseases. However, in most
societies and countries of the It is also important to know the
world this sort of practice is exact make up of the human
unacceptable and considered to embryo. Short of chromosomal
be illegal. The Holy Qur’an gives studies it is very simple to
the following guidance in this discern if both the partners of
matter: mating are clearly identified.
Hence, the following teachings
Forbidden to you are your in the Qur’an:

And forbidden to you are months and ten days. And

married women… when they have reached the
(Ch.4:V.25) end of their period, no sin
shall lie on you in anything
And come not near unto that they do with regard to
adultery; surely, it is a foul themselves according to
thing and an evil way. what is fair. And Allah is
(Ch.17:V.33) aware of what you do.
(Ch.2:V.235)
This aspect of health is so
important that women who are This point becomes even clearer
widowed or divorced are not when we consider another verse
allowed to get married again that describes the separation of a
until enough time has elapsed to couple bonded in marriage
reveal any pregnancy that may ‘before’ they have touched each
have resulted from the previous other. In such a case there is no
husband, as the following verses waiting period for the woman to
indicate: remarry:
And the divorced women O ye who believe! when you

shall wait concerning marry believing women and
themselves for three then divorce them before you
courses; and it is not lawful have touched them, then you
for them that they conceal have no right against them
what Allah has created in with regard to the period of
their wombs, if they believe waiting that you reckon. So
in Allah and the Last Day... make some provision for
(Ch.2:V.229) them and send them away in
a handsome manner.
And those of you who die (Ch.33:V.50)
and leave wives behind,
these (wives) shall wait Infections
concerning themselves four Infections are closely related to

uninhibited intimate sexual with the infectious nature of

relationship. They harm both fecal matter or sexual
participants in the act as well as intercourse in general.
their offspring. In the modern Among these are:
‘civilised’ society we live in, amoebiasis; chlamydia;
unlimited sex is rampant in the cryptosporidiosis; E. coli
adolescent as well as the mature infections; giardiasis;
age groups. The institution of gonorrhea; hepatitis A;
marriage is laughed upon; men hepatitis B; hepatitis C;
and women like to live as herpes simplex; human
partners rather than as husband papilloma virus; Kaposi’s
and wife. Same sex marriages are sarcoma-associated
being recognised as the basic herpesvirus (HHV-8);
human right of the individual. lymphogranuloma
Pornography is widely accessible venereum; public lice;
in print, internet and all other salmonellosis; shigella;
media. Anal, vaginal and oral sex syphilis and tuberculosis.’
is considered by many to be the
basic human right of the What is the modern medical
individuals to seek pleasure in advice to prevent these terrible
their personal lives as they diseases? The advice is the use of
please. The following quote from condoms and more condoms and
www.en.wikipedia.org may give more condoms and to have safer
us some idea of the grave sex. The use of vaccines is also
dangers of anal sex: advocated where such vaccines
are available. Vaccination of
‘Among the diseases with schoolgirls against human
which anal sex is associated papilloma virus is an example as
are HIV, human papilloma is hepatitis B vaccination in male
virus (HPV) (which can homosexuals. Early consultation
increase risk for anal with the specialists if there is
cancer), typhoid fever and suspicion of contracting a
various diseases associated sexually transmitted disease.

Gonorrhea, syphilis and therefrom its mate, and from

HIV/AIDS played havoc with them twain spread many
public health and caused untold men and women; and fear
misery before the treatment of Allah, in Whose name you
these diseases was discovered. appeal to one another, and
Multidrug resistant and fear Him particularly
completely resistant tuberculosis respecting ties of
(MDR/XDR TB) is a particular relationship. Verily, Allah
problem in those suffering from watches over you.
immune deficiency related to (Ch.4:V.2)
HIV/AIDS infection equally in
the third world countries like O Ye who believe! fear
India or the developed countries Allah, and say the right
like the United States. word. He will bless your
works for you and forgive
The guidance in the Holy Qur’an you your sins. And whoso
to prevent all these problems is obeys Allah and His
comprehensive and foolproof. Messenger, shall surely
Intimate relationship between attain a mighty success.
individuals is governed by (Ch.33:Vs.71-72)
regulations of marriage and is
outlined below. O ye who believe! fear
Allah; and let every soul
The Sanctity of the Institution look to what it sends forth
of Marriage for the morrow. And fear
The Holy Qur’an bases the Allah; verily Allah is Well-
human relationship on Aware of what you do.
righteousness or ‘Taqwa’ as the (Ch.59:V.19)
following verses indicate:
According to Islamic tradition,
O ye people! fear your Lord, the above verses of the Qur’an
Who created you from a are recited at the time of the
single soul and created announcement of a wedding of a

couple. They emphasise the transgressors.

righteousness and fear of God, or (Ch.23:Vs.6-8)
Taqwa, five times as the basis of
sexual relationship. They make it The believers in Qur’an in the
clear that Allah watches over all above verses are strongly advised
our deeds and knows all our to refrain from adultery,
intentions. They tell us to look fornication, rape and any other
after each other’s feelings, extramarital sexual activity. They
convey the absolute are also commanded to guard the
unadulterated truth in our usage of their private parts for
statements and care for our sexual gratification as well as to
coming generations because that be guided about the means to
is the ultimate purpose of sexual achieve such an object in the
relationship. following verse:
About extra marital relationship Say to the believing men that

and other immoral sexual acts the they restrain their eyes and
following verses, some of which guard their private parts.
have already been quoted, give That is purer for them.
full and comprehensive advice: Surely, Allah is well aware
of what they do.
And come not near unto (Ch.24:V.31)
adultery; surely, it is a foul
thing and an evil way. The Arabic word translated as
(Ch.17:V.33) private parts in relation to the
men in the above verse is ‘furuj’
And who guard their and literally means a ‘hole’ or an
chastity. Except from their ‘opening’. The same word is
wives or what their right used in the following verse in
hands possess, for then they relation to women. The best
are not to be blamed; but method of safeguarding the
those who seek anything private parts is to restrain the
beyond that are the eyes from viewing such things

that may excite their feelings. Powerful God who watches over
The ‘hijab’ for women is our actions at all times. He has
prescribed for this very reason given us the guidance for our
and is mentioned in the own benefit and by following
following verse, thus these instructions we reap
pinpointing the relatives who immediate benefits. This is the
are permitted to mingle with Qur’anic way to prevent all those
women freely. terrible diseases that are
prevalent in the promiscuous
And say to the believing society due to aberrant sexual
women that they restrain behavior.
their eyes and guard their
private parts, and that they Risk of Cancer
disclose not their natural and Infection with Human papilloma
artificial beauty except that virus has shown a close
which is apparent thereof, association with genital cancers.
and that they draw their This is an infection that occurs in
head-coverings over their individuals engaged in
bosoms, and that they uninhibited sexual activities with
disclose not their beauty multiple partners. This infection
save to their husbands, or to can be prevented by vaccination
their fathers, or the fathers and recently a drive to get all the
of their husbands or their sexually active schoolgirls
sons or the sons of their vaccinated against this infection
husbands or their brothers, was carried out in some parts of
or the sons of their brothers, America to reduce the risk in this
or the sons of their sisters, most vulnerable population.
or their women...
(Ch.24:V.32) Righteous living as advocated by
the Qur’an and quoted above will
This teaching of the Qur’an is obviously eliminate this risk
precise. It is based on the belief completely.
in the One, All-Knowing and

Another carcinogen sometimes consumed or used by pregnant

mentioned is the smegma, the women in western societies and
material that accumulates are extremely harmful to the
underneath the foreskin of foetus.
uncircumcised men. This may
cause cancer both in the males Alcohol consumption during
as well as their female partners. pregnancy is particularly harmful
The practice of male and can cause a variety of defects
circumcision traditional ranging from low birth weight to
amongst the Muslims to remove full-blown foetal alcohol
the foreskin surgically probably syndrome and brain damage.
reduces the risk of these Similarly, smoking is also very
cancers. harmful and also causes low birth
weight and is associated with
Pregnancy sudden infant death syndrome.
Many things can go wrong Medical advice is to refrain from
during pregnancy as well. Many both alcohol and cigarettes
of the infections referred to during pregnancy.
above can affect the developing
foetus during pregnancy. This The Qur’an gives precise
leads to its infection resulting in guidance that has been discussed
either an abortion or a earlier, but to recap, the
congenital illness in the following verse at this stage may
newborn. It is, however, worth be useful:
mentioning two important
factors that are in the limelight O ye who believe! wine and
these days. One is the the game of hazard and idols
consumption of alcohol by the and divining arrows are only
pregnant mother and the other is an abomination of Satan’s
the effect of active and passive handiwork. So shun each
smoking, on the health of the one of them that you may
developing baby. Both these prosper.
substances are commonly (Ch.5:V.91)

The consumption of intoxicants death during or soon after

mentioned in the Qur’an include delivery. A lot has been learnt
alcohol in all its different about how to prevent all these
strengths and formulations, problems in the modern times.
opium and its derivatives, Some of the important factors
marijuana and its derivatives are good and proper hygiene and
and tobacco that produces a cleanliness, physical and moral
substance called ‘nicotine’ support of the mother and the
which is an addictive substance. nutrition of the mother and the
The Qur’an recognises that baby.
alcohol has some benefits as
well, and alcohol is permitted in Is there any guidance about
Islam for medical purposes. labour in the Holy Qur’an? There
However, because the certainly is. This guidance is
disadvantages exceed its contained in the verses in relation
advantages, alcohol is to the delivery of Jesus(as) to
prohibited. All these are Mary(as), his blessed mother. The
forbidden to the believers and if instructions given to her in the
the pregnant woman sticks to following amazing verses
this guidance she and her baby contain all the guidance one
will be safe from their harmful requires:
effects.
And the pains of childbirth
Labour drove her unto the trunk of a
Labour is a very distressing and palm-tree. She said, ‘O!
painful experience for the would that I had died before
mother. She can suffer physical this and had become a thing
damage, infections, quite forgotten!’ Then he
psychological trauma and many called her from beneath her,
other harmful effects during this saying, “Grieve not. Thy Lord
stressful time. The newborn can has placed a rivulet below
also come to similar harm and thee; “And shake towards
suffer from infections and even thyself the trunk of the palm-

tree; it will cause fresh ripe newborn. There was a time

dates to fall upon thee. “So when artificial feeding was
eat and drink, and cool thy fashionable. No woman wanted
eye.” to breastfeed her baby. They
(Ch.19:Vs.24-27) thought breastfeeding would
cause them to lose their figure
These verses mention the pains and make them look ugly.
of childbirth and the support that Moreover medical advice of the
is needed for women at that time. time was that formula feeding
It mentions good hygiene as the was healthier for the babies as it
driving principle of care during contained all the modern
labour, and finally, the nutrition ingredients of diet necessary for
of the mother and the care of the the proper growth of the babies.
baby which bring immediate However, with new research it
solace and joy to both of them. transpired that the mother’s milk
These are the principles of care is the best source of nutrition for
during and immediately after the newborn baby, and not only
labour that are associated with it supplied all the essential
enormous health benefits. ingredients of the diet such as
protein of the right type,
Caring for the Offspring calcium and vitamins, but also
An important step that has a gave special protection against
lasting effect on the health of an many diseases because of such
individual, and hence the immunoglobulin that the mother
society as a whole, is the proper supplied in her milk. Moreover,
care and nutrition of a newborn. breastfeeding the baby removed
There again is the very all the unnecessary fat that the
important role of the mother in mother had accumulated on the
maintaining the good health of body during pregnancy. There
the society. No one can perform are also many other health
this job as well as the mother; benefits of breastfeeding for the
she alone is provided with the mother. Research has also
means to breastfeed the shown that breastfeeding gives

more satisfaction to the babies, advantages, the practice of

forming an intimate attachment nursing the baby is only short-
to their mothers and that this lived and transient. The formula
helps them develop into more feeds and the nannies finally take
sensible, intelligent and satisfied over again.
individuals. The following
quote from the American So what is the guidance in the
Academy of Pediatrics2 is self- Qur’an about all these matters?
explanatory: The following quotation from the
Qur’an outlines this:
‘Extensive research,
especially in recent years, And mothers shall give suck
documents diverse and to their children for two
compelling advantages to whole years; this is for those
infants, mothers, families, who desire to complete the
and society from suckling. And the man to
breastfeeding and the use of whom the child belongs
human milk for infant shall be responsible for their
feeding. These include (the mothers’) food and
health, nutritional, immuno- clothing according to usage.
logic, developmental, No soul is burdened beyond
psychological, social, eco- its capacity. The mother
nomic, and environmental shall not make the father
benefits.’ suffer on account of her
child, nor shall he to whom
The practice of breastfeeding the the child belongs make the
newborn baby slowly came back mother suffer on account of
for these reasons, though only his child, and the same is
reluctantly. The mother of the incumbent on the heir. If they
newborn, however, has to return both decide upon weaning
to her day job and start earning the child by mutual consent
the livelihood again for and consultation, there is no
economic reasons. So, despite its blame on them. And if you

desire to engage a wet nurse parents are made responsible for

for your children, there shall this, with love, kindness and
be no blame on you, compassion. The following verse
provided you pay what you forbids believers to cause any
have agreed to pay, in a fair harm to their children.
manner. And fear Allah and
know that Allah sees what Kill not your children for
you do. fear of poverty. It is We Who
(Ch.2:V.234) provide for them and for
you. Surely, the killing of
This is very clear guidance. The them is a great sin.
nursing period is two years, but (Ch.17:V.32)
may be reduced by mutual
parental consent. It is the father’s Parental Respect
responsibility to provide food, The Holy Qur’an commands the
daily needs and livelihood, and believers to recognise the role of
he is commanded to look after their parents in their upbringing
the mother and baby and provide and be grateful and respectful to
for them. The following verse them. The following verses point
also points to the fact that men out this fact quite clearly:
must take full responsibility of
the economic needs of the And We have enjoined on
family: man concerning his parents
— his mother bears him in
Men are guardians over weakness upon weakness,
women because Allah has and his weaning takes two
made some of them excel years — ‘Give thanks to Me
others, and because they and to thy parents. Unto Me
(men) spend of their wealth. is the final return.
(Ch.4:V.35) (Ch.31:V.15)
Bringing up children properly is And We have enjoined on

given foremost priority and both man to be good to his

parents. His mother bears Lord, have mercy on them

him with pain, and brings even as they nourished me in
him forth with pain. And the my childhood.’”
bearing of him and his (Ch.17:Vs.24-25)
weaning takes thirty months,
till, when he attains his full So the teaching of the Qur’an in
maturity and reaches the age this respect is that not only is it
of forty years, he says, ‘My necessary to look after one’s
Lord, grant me the power parents when they are old, but it
that I may be grateful for is also essential to constantly
Thy favour which Thou hast pray for them that God has mercy
bestowed upon me and upon on them.
my parents, and that I may
do such good works as may The Spouse
please Thee. And make my The most intimate relationship
seed righteous for me. I do one has is with one’s spouse. The
turn to Thee; and, truly, I am health benefits to the individuals
of those who submit to and the society at large of a long-
Thee.’ term stable sexual relationship is
(Ch.46:V.16) well-documented. The institution
of marriage is a guarantee to this.
Thy Lord has commanded, It gives individuals rights and
“Worship none but Him, and benefits that are unparalleled by
show kindness to parents. If any other means. The principles
one of them or both of them of marriage are laid down by the
attain old age with thee, Holy Qur’an and are mentioned
never say unto them any in many places, but the following
word expressive of disgust verses give the gist of the
nor reproach them, but purpose or marriage according to
address them with excellent Islam:
speech. “And lower to them
the wing of humility out of And lawful for you are
tenderness. And say, ‘My chaste believing women and

chaste women from among the human race as is evident from

those who were given the the following verse:
Book before you, when you
give them their dowries, O ye people! fear your Lord,
contracting valid marriage Who created you from a
and not committing single soul and created
fornication nor taking secret therefrom its mate, and from
paramours. them twain spread many
(Ch.5:V.6) men and women.
(Ch.4:V.2)
So marriage is an undertaking in
which men and women are The following verse is also
bound together in an honest and indicative of the same purpose:
just commitment in which there
is no deceit or fornication. The Your wives are a tilth for
following Arabic words, quoted you; so approach your tilth
from the above verse, when and how you like and
‘Muhsineena ghayra send ahead some good for
Musafiheena wa la Muttakhidhi yourselves… (Ch.2:V.224)
Ahdan’ (meaning that marriage is
a noble deed and is not meant for The feelings of pleasure,
achieving carnal pleasure or enjoyment, love and tenderness
making hidden paramours), in the intimate personal
make this point absolutely clear. relationship with one’s spouse is
fully recognised as the following
Further guidance is given about verse comprehensively indicates:
the way to treat one’s spouses
where it is stated in the Holy He has created wives for you
Qur’an, ‘and consort with them from among yourselves that
in kindness’ (Ch.4:V.20). you may find peace of mind
in them, and He has put love
The main purpose of intimate and tenderness between you.
personal relations is to propagate (Ch.30:V.22)

Despite this fact, however, inhibition on their activities with

seeking only pleasure is not the their lawfully-wedded wives
main object of having intimate would not be present. This point
personal relationship with one’s also supports the argument that
spouse. The following verse the Qur’an was revealed by an
drives this message home: All-Knowing, Powerful God
who cares for all His creatures
And they ask thee whether they are males or
concerning menstruation. females.
Say: ‘It is a harmful thing,
so keep away from women On the other hand, however, the
during menstruation, and go importance of intimate
not in unto them until they relationships is acknowledged
are clean. fully, and even during the sacred
(Ch.2:V.223) month of Ramadan, a time when
Muslims devote their attention
This is an amazing verse. It not towards seeking the pleasure of
only forbids sexual relationship Allah by fasting during the days
with a woman during the seven and praying during the nights,
to ten days of her menstrual permission for such a
cycle, but is also a tremendous relationship is granted as the
lesson in personal hygiene, following verse shows:
cleanliness and health. The
woman is shedding her lining of It is made lawful for you to
the womb during this time and go in unto your wives on the
the inner surface of the womb is night of the fast. They are a
raw and vulnerable to infections garment for you, and you
and other harm. She is also not are a garment for them.
fertile at this time. So if females (Ch.2:V.188)
are merely a source of carnal
pleasure and desires of the Another amazing concept
powerful male sex, then this introduced in this verse is that of
lucid and unmistakable the spouses having the functions

of being a dress or garments for Such divorce may be

one another. This concept is pronounced twice; then,
most unique and novel. This either retain them in a
verse has been discussed becoming manner or send
elsewhere in greater detail, but them away with kindness.
is worth mentioning here And it is not lawful for you
insomuch that it means that men that you take anything of
are a source of protection, what you have given them
comfort, grace and joy for their (your wives) unless both fear
wives; these are all the functions that they cannot observe the
of the clothing. Likewise, the limits prescribed by Allah.
wives fulfil the same objects for (Ch.2:V.230)
their men and each one has to
care for their dress to be tidy, Divorce, though allowed, is
clean, beautiful, and considered to be distasteful, but
comfortable and at the same all the regulations and
time hide all the defects of the conditions pertaining to and
body underneath that wears it. following such an action are
described in detail in the Qur’an
Divorce in several more verses. These
All human beings are different include efforts of bringing an
and sometimes two persons may amicable solution to the
not be compatible and, thus, problem, but if that cannot be
unable to live together. This found then separation should
point is also recognised and proceed in a cordial and just
separation of the couple in the manner without usurping the
form of divorce is made rights of either party. The
permissible in the Qur’an, but divorced women are allowed to
again justice, equity and human marry again after the waiting
rights are safeguarded in this period is over. The rights of the
action. The following verse of children and ownership of the
the Qur’an point to these property are all considered in
circumstances: detail. This teaching is

important for maintaining sanity never-ending battles with their

and the psychological health of opponents. Numerous men were
individuals. killed in these battles, leaving
behind their wives, children and
Objections to the Teachings of property. In many battles the
the Qur’an Muslims were also victorious
There are many objections to and brought with them the
Qur’anic teachings on women’s prisoners of war, some of them
rights, and the permission women, of different faiths and
granted to men to be able to cultures. So this very new
marry four women at any one religion right at the start of its
time. But if you consider these life faced this tremendous
teachings with a balanced view, danger of being wiped out by
it becomes clear that all the other cultures due to the mixture
instructions given in the Qur’an or conversion of large number of
regarding marriage are to keep these men and women who
the society free of corruption, knew nothing about the new
disease and disharmony. enlightened teachings of Islam.
With this in mind, the purpose
Equity, justice, human rights of this guidance becomes
and human feelings are crystal-clear to us and the
safeguarded at every step of relevant verses are as follows:
these teachings. Observe the
following verses that were And if you fear that you will
revealed at a time when the not be fair in dealing with
Muslims were engaged in a the orphans, then marry of
struggle of life and death with women as may be
their enemies who were trying agreeable to you, two, or
to wipe out this new faith and its three, or four; and if you
followers - physically attacking fear you will not deal justly,
them right, left and centre. The then marry only one or
believers were at the time what your right hands
engaged in continuous and possess. That is the nearest

way for you to avoid In short all the above teachings

injustice. of Qur’an keep individuals in
(Ch.4:V.4) society both physically and
mentally healthy and provide
And you cannot keep perfect them with proper support and
balance between wives, help. These measures are also
however much you may the means to replenish the
desire it. But incline not human resources that are so
wholly to one so that you valuable for the growth and
leave the other like a thing progress of a society and may at
suspended. (Ch.4:V.130) such times of crisis and wars
become depleted.
These two verses read together
make it quite clear that marriage
is for providing protection to
women – those who have been References:
left behind as orphans or widows 1. Maulawi Sher Ali, The Holy
as well as to those who have Qur’an: Arabic Text with English
Translation, 2005. Islam
entered society from warring International Publications
factions as prisoners of war and Limited.
have also lost their husbands or
carers. Equity, justice and care 2. American Academy of Pediatrics:
for their physical, economical, Breastfeeding Policy Statement
2005.
moral, psychological, and mental PEDIATRICS Vol.115, No.2
needs are the important February 2005, pp.496-506
conditions imposed on anyone
deciding to marry more than one
wives. This is also made quite
clear that such a justice and
balance between wives may be a
very difficult object to achieve;
hence it is better just to stick to
one wife.

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MANAGEMENT BOARD CONTENTS September 2009, Vol.104, No.

Views expressed in this publication are

The virtue found within abstinence and Muhammad(saw) we find the

2 The Review of Religions – September 2009

NOTE FOR THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS

The Review of Religions – September 2009 3

Every blessing is from That light of high degree that was

4 The Review of Religions – September 2009

Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as)

His claim constitutes the basis of the beliefs of

Prophet, the righteous one, He was the champion who

The Review of Religions – September 2009 5

receive through him is deprived Muhammad, the chosen one,

6 The Review of Religions – September 2009

The Review of Religions – September 2009 7

8 The Review of Religions – September 2009

to a Prophet who manifests God to in the Holy Qur’an to supplicate:

The Review of Religions – September 2009 9

He has taught thee that which or make supplication or occupy

10 The Review of Religions – September 2009

indicated in the verse: sins he might have committed will

In this verse instead of: Say: O In the verse to which we have

The Review of Religions – September 2009 11

therefore, the seekers after truth of the Holy Qur’an. It should be

12 The Review of Religions – September 2009

The Review of Religions – September 2009 13

14 The Review of Religions – September 2009

mankind. I perceive, however, that devotion pulls him towards itself

The Review of Religions – September 2009 15

16 The Review of Religions – September 2009

The Review of Religions – September 2009 17

Continuation of an extract from ‘Our Teaching’ in ‘Kishti-e-Nuh’

The Door of Revelation is Open simplicity and inevitability of a

18 The Review of Religions – September 2009

The Review of Religions – September 2009 19

20 The Review of Religions – September 2009

Apart from the Holy Qur’an what spoken of as (mukalamaat) and

The Review of Religions – September 2009 21

22 The Review of Religions – September 2009

Hadith being a supporting witness or a hundred and fifty years

The Review of Religions – September 2009 23

would want to subscribe to such a weak, while in your own time, or

Criterion for Judging Ahadith Now suppose there are one

24 The Review of Religions – September 2009

to be fulfilled, would you reject exist a large number of fabricated

The Review of Religions – September 2009 25

26 The Review of Religions – September 2009

atonement to make atonement from the physical luxuries.

The Review of Religions – September 2009 27

28 The Review of Religions – September 2009

“Sovereign of existence”, after

The Review of Religions – September 2009 29

In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

T he Muslims believe Layla-

30 The Review of Religions – September 2009

‘…the Angels of God Further elucidating on this

The Review of Religions – September 2009 31

‘Verily God will continue value in the estimation of

32 The Review of Religions – September 2009

and which distinguishes sometimes surges up

The Review of Religions – September 2009 33

peculiar kind of mental peace (Sahih al-Bukhari, Vol.1,