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Contents October 2002, Vol.97, No.

10

Editorial - What can we learn from earlier prophets and their followers? – Fareed Ahmad . 2
Notes and Comment: An Aids Memoire – The destructive effect of this plague in
the modern world – Fareed Ahmad – UK ........................ 4
Unity v. Trinity – part I
A critical review of Trinity from a philosophical and historical perspective.
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ......... 6
Ramadan – Part II
How fasting during Ramadan can purify man spiritually as well as physically
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ........ 24
Reformation
True spirituality lies in the sincerity in human action and not just in the actions themselves.
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
The Fazl Mosque – A Mosque for All Time
An insight into the significance of this mosque over the last 50 years.
Hananah Zaheer – Washington, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book


A look at some aspects of this monumental work that remains unmatched in its
defence of Islam. – Dr. Latif Ahmad Qureshi. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 49
Islam and Science
A brief review of how some recent theories are proving the truth of the Qur’an.
Rafi Ahmad, Ph.D – California, USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ...... 56

Chief Editor and Manager Chairman of the Management Board


Mansoor Ahmed Shah Naseer Ahmad Qamar
Basit Ahmad
Bockarie Tommy Kallon Special contributors: All correspondence should
Daud Mahmood Khan Amatul-Hadi Ahmad be forwarded directly to:
Farina Qureshi
Fareed Ahmad. The Editor
Fazal Ahmad Proof-reader: Review of Religions
Fauzia Bajwa Shaukia Mir
The London Mosque
Mansoor Saqi Design and layout: 16 Gressenhall Road
Mahmood Hanif Tanveer Khokhar London, SW18 5QL
Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb
Publisher: United Kingdom
Navida Shahid
Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah © Islamic Publications, 2002
Sarah Waseem
ISSN No: 0034-6721
Saleem Ahmad Malik Distribution:
Tanveer Khokhar Muhammad Hanif

Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. 1
religions have become a

Editorial
brand, with people proudly
showing off their labels
without any care of whom the
labels are attached to.
Religion has everything to
offer our world today, as it did The objective of religious
to those societies to which people today should not be
earlier prophets were sent. that of becoming proud of
Those who accepted them one’s religion, but to make his
benefited manifold, but why is religion proud of him – it is a
it that those who proclaim to struggle of spirituality and
follow the same prophets humanity. The religious
today appear to be in such a standard has been set by the
state of disharmony? prophets who founded them,
now it is the duty of everyone
Whilst there is no denying the who chooses to follow to
nobility of prophets or their attain that standard so that he
teachings or even of the early can be considered worthy of
followers of such prophets, being referred to as a Jew,
what is often overlooked is Muslim etc. Hadhrat Mirza
that the achievements of Ghulam Ahmad(as), did just that
those religions was nothing but and became an exemplary
the achievements of the early follower of the Holy Prophet (sa)
followers – for they were the to such a degree that he
shining examples of what their himself was blessed with
religions taught. What we see prophethood. The blessings,
in the main today are hollow however, did not end there –
personas, soulless shadows of for through him the flame of
those followers that are so far spiritual guidance was re-
removed that the exemplary ignited so that those who
characteristics the early cared to follow him would also
followers possessed can hardly share in the blessings of his
be made out. It is as if nearness to God. Very few ever

2 Review of Religions – October 2002


Editorial

attain such nearness, but just is an opportunity to make


as the moon offers itself as a progress so that we can
guide for even the most witness the real peace that
wayward traveller, the religion has to offer the world
blessings of prophethood is a today as it has done so in the
blessing for all. past. Even if it brings us closer
for a while then it is a
The life of Hadhrat Mirza worthwhile effort, and if we
Ghulam Ahmad(as) was a timely can be closer for a while, then
reminder that religion and who knows, perhaps it can
religious advancement was not spur us to be closer for longer.
just the preserve of people of
a bygone era, rather it was a Fareed Ahmad
permanent challenge to
mankind – to strive to succeed
in it and then reap the
benefits in this life and the
hereafter. If mankind truly
understood religion and what
it stood for then it would In this edition, for the
realise that the path to making convenience of non-Muslim
English readers, (sa) or sa after
sacrifices for the sake of God
the word the Holy Prophet or
lies wide open – a path along the name Muhammad, are
which the prophets, the used. They stand for
truthful, the martyrs and the salallahualaihiwasallam, and
righteous had all journeyed in abbreviated as ‘sa’, meaning
peace and blessings of Allah be
search of God.
upon him. Likewise, the
letters ‘(as)’ or as after the
The path is one of unity and as name of all other Prophets is
we enter the blessed month of an abbreviation (meaning,
Ramadan, Muslims should seek peace be upon him derived
from alaih salato-wassalam)
to revive the spirit of unity
for the respect a Muslim
within themselves and with readers utters.
people of all faiths. Ramadan

Review of Religions – October 2002 3


Notes and Comment
An Aids Memoire in. Theirs may be an act of charity in
Since the first case was reported setting up clinics, hospitals and
twenty-one years ago 25 million launching massive programmes to
people have died as a result of Aids, slow down the spread, but such
and current UN estimates forecast programmes are also rooted in
that in the next 20 years nearly 70 business sense. If your workforce is
million more will die. The stunning dying off then it won’t be long
speed at which it has spread is an before you have no workforce at all.
indisputable reflection of 21st
century morality, or rather the lack Startling also is the response of
of it. Dr. Peter Piot, the UNAIDS governments - South Africa, until
executive director gave a stark relatively recently, rejected the
warning at the Barcelona Conference existence of its Aids crisis and
this year saying, ‘We haven’t ‘solved’ the problem by simply
reached the peak of the Aids ignoring it. It is now bracing itself for
epidemic yet…it’s an unprecedented the colossal impact this silent killer
epidemic in human history…From a will have on its nation. After all
pure medical problem, Aids has when one in nine of your citizens are
become an issue for economic and HIV positive and up to 17% of your
social development and even for citizens are doomed to die young
security.’1 who will be tomorrow’s teachers,
scientists, ministers and leaders?
Who would have believed that a Who will be left to generate wealth
single human impulse could cause and protect your country?
such catastrophe? The very instinct
that was bestowed upon man for his The developing world, already
survival is being used for his own ravaged by war, famine and
destruction. It is a global phenom- globalisation is having to deal with
enon and no country is safe from it - another real and ruthless killer
in Iran a striking poster boldly amongst its ranks that cannot be
warned its new arrivals at its airport caught, captured or killed - it is
of the ‘plague of the century’. Africa Armageddon at its most cunning.
is in crisis and with governments Countries like Botswana where 40%
reluctant to act - either for of the adult population are infected
economic or political reasons - with HIV are being crippled and
multinationals are starting to step there is little hope for its people.

4 Review of Religions – October 2002


Notes and Comment

Even the medical ‘treatments’ Perhaps a cure will be found and


offered - that at the most only delay perhaps this will become a blemish
the inevitable - are priced out of the on man’s history but all these lives,
poor man’s reach. But this is not just all this time, effort and money will
a poor man’s war. The first world - be lost and will have been worth
for all its advancements and nothing if nothing is learned from
prosperity - is suffering with the this sordid chapter.
extent of the damage unfolding as
time goes on. People from all walks That all this was predicted 1400
of life are being hunted down by years ago is astounding and deeper
their past and are being forced to reflection moves one to accept it as
face the plague born out of their a powerful sign of an All-knowing
immorality and indulgence. Yet Being. A Being Whose mercy
despite this it is disconcerting to encompasses all, Who creates,
note that the incoming leader of the nurtures and guides. A Being Who
Church of England, Dr Rowan guards, cares and cherishes His
Williams, who takes over as the creatures. A Being that has clearly
Archbishop of Canterbury at the end distinguished right from wrong and
of October, has failed to endorse the out of mercy made clear the
traditional Christian teaching consequences of both. Yes, man is
condemning extramarital rela- free to do as he wills, but attached
tionships and homosexuality!2 (This to this freedom is the gravest
is particularly odd if one considers responsibility – for his actions impact
the Biblical account of Sodom and upon not only himself but also others
Gomorrah). With the moral reins around him. And if he fails to keep
being loosened it is little wonder himself in check within the confines
that society continues to drift. of morality then his day of
judgement may arrive sooner than
The amoral freedom advocated on he thinks.
the silver screens the world over is
costing dear - billions upon billions of Fareed Ahmad
dollars that could help the destitute
in east and west are being poured
into research and medication to 1. UNAIDS Barcelona Report 2002,
offer some hope of salvation. Recent press conference
UN calculations state that up to $10
billion per year are needed just to 2. Evening Standard, 2 Oct. 2002
provide some medical treatment to
Aids sufferers in the poor nations
alone.

Review of Religions – October 2002 5


Unity v. Trinity - part 1
A Hundred Years Ago: Reproduced from the Review of Religions of
February 1902

For those who believe in God guidance in determining the


and His attributes and in the truth or falsity of the two
reward of good and evil central dogmas of the Christian
hereafter, it is of the first faith. We shall briefly consider
importance to find out the true the evidence of each of these
means of salvation. five witnesses and point out the
conclusions that follow.
If the Divine laws of nature, the
human nature itself, the The doctrine of salvation, as
plainest evidence in the preached by the Christian
teachings of the holy books of Missionaries, is too well-known
God, the opinion of the majority to be stated at any length.
of the believers in His revealed Salvation, they say, depends
word, and other living and upon two things. In the first
incontrovertible proofs, all tend place, a man should believe in
to show and speak with one the doctrine of Trinity i.e., he
voice that there is no salvation should regard the Father, the
except through the blood of Son, and the Holy Ghost as three
Jesus Christ (as), and no separate and co-eternal Gods,
deliverance from eternal pun- yet constituting only one eternal
ishment but through a belief in God. Thus he must believe them
the mysterious doctrine of to be three and one, at one and
Trinity, injustice and iniquity the same time. The second
could go no further than reject indispensable requisite for
these two blessings to fallen salvation according to the
humanity. These are sure and Christians is a belief in the
infallible tests and can never dogma that Jesus Christ(as) died
lead to an erroneous conclusion, on the cross, and by means of
and therefore we may trust this accursed death shared with
their combined evidence for Satan the curse which of old had

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Unity v. Trinity – part I

always been the lot of the Prince with regret that we have to say
of Darkness and the unclean that both these dogmas are
spirits. We are told that those dead against the laws of nature,
who believe in the curse upon repugnant to the nature of man,
Jesus(as), shall be saved the evil unsupported by the holy books
consequences of the dangerous of God, uncorroborated by any
curse which sows the seed of living and conclusive proofs,
unbelief, iniquity and all other and rejected by the opinion of
evils in the heart of man, turns the majority of those who have
him to the path of faithlessness, inherited the revealed books.
blinds the heart, and is the
cause of an ever-widening Take Trinity first and we see
separation and an ever- that Divine law goes quite
increasing enmity between the against this strange doctrine.
heart of man and the Divine Everything in its simplest form
Master. As to those on whom this has been created by God in a
curse falls and who partake of spherical or round shape – a fact
it, it is necessary that, as heirs which attests to and is
of the author of evil, their consistent with the Unity of
hearts should turn away from God. Look at the earth and the
God, and that they should hate great heavenly bodies, the sun,
Him, and thus fall into an the moon and stars; are they
eternal hell; for curse is the not all spherical? The elements
dark taint which brands the face also show a rotundity in shape.
of Satan. But Jesus(as), so it is Take a drop of water and it is
said, so loved the world that he also spherical. Had the doctrine
himself requested his Father to of Trinity been true, all these
subject his heart to this perilous things should have been created
curse so fraught with danger and in a triangular shape. The
attended with consequences handiwork of a three-cornered
equally dangerous. God ought to have been three-
sided like its maker. The stars of
This is the summary of the the heavens and the elements
principles on which rests the of the earth should all have
salvation offered by the been triangular so as to serve as
Christian Missionaries, and it is an indication to trinity in the

Review of Religions – October 2002 7


Unity v. Trinity – part I

person – or persons, whichever whom the doctrine of Trinity has


is consistent with Christian been preached, whom a belief
theology — of the Creator. It in the Unity shall not avail. Had
strikes strange that the nature the doctrine of Trinity any
of God should have been reality, it should have had its
triangular, and the creation of evidence in human nature. Then
His hand should without an all human beings whom God had
exception have followed the granted reason, no matter this
law of sphericity. The more we doctrine had or had not been
look into the laws of nature, the ever preached to them, should
more are we convinced that the have been judged according to
doctrine of Trinity finds no their belief in the Trinity of
support in nature and is plainly God. If there is any trace of this
rejected by the Divine law. doctrine in the human nature,
why is man not culpable for
Evidence from the first source rejecting it? It is evident that
thus utterly subverting the the laws revealed to man
theory of Trinity, we shall now through the prophets of God,
consider if it is consistent with are an image of the principles
human nature. A mere glance implanted in the nature of man.
would show that the idea is as It is highly repulsive to the
strongly repulsed by human moral feelings of man that he
nature as by the natural laws. should be compelled to accept
Christian theologians admit, and that as his faith, of which he
Rev.Pfander supplies written does not witness the least trace
testimony in his Mizan-ul-Haq, in his own nature. The plain
that people who have not been dictates of human nature are
brought to the knowledge of the Unity of God and the
Trinity by missionary efforts, absence of any rival or partaker.
though otherwise endowed with The three or four-sidedness of
reason and all the human God or His alleged composition
faculties, shall not be called to of three persons, is quite
account for not believing in foreign to the nature of man. It
Trinity. Their salvation shall only is otherwise as to His Oneness
depend upon a belief in the strongly impressed upon man’s
Unity of God, unlike those to nature. It is for this reason too

8 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

that although ignorance and strong element in them relating


superstition have invented to the Unity of God. From the
thousands of gods and book of Genesis to that of
goddesses to serve particular Malachi, all the prophets have
purposes, yet human nature, in unfaltering tones declared
never resting satisfied with the Unity of God, and have laid
these self-made deities, has stress upon it to an extent that
always attested to the establishes the doctrine
existence of the One Supreme conclusively and renders it
God. Even idolators have impenetrable to the least
acknowledged the existence of doubt. A few instances will
the Supreme Being with whom suffice by way of illustration:
their minor deities served as Ex. 34:14 ; Dan. 3:28 ; Is. 40:18,
intercessors. How can we 44:6 and 8, 55:5 and 6; Jer.
account for this except that 10:6; Hos. 13:4; Ps. 86:10; Neh.
human nature bearing as it did 9:6; I Chs. 17:20. Instances can
very strong impressions of the be multiplied by hundreds in
Unity of its Creator, could never which the books of the Old
rest contented with the Testament have taught in clear
plurality of gods, but was words the Unity of God. The
compelled from within to Gospels, notwithstanding that
acknowledge, above them all, they have been, most of all,
the One True God? subjected to alterations from
human hands, also bear witness
Having seen the utter failure of to the same teaching in plain
the scheme of Trinity so far as words in their plainest sense
Divine laws and the human and no trace of Trinity will be
nature could testify, we shall observed in them. If the clear
now turn to the third criterion teachings of all those books
and see what the prophets which inculcate the Unity of
taught in plain words on this God were placed in one scale of
much contested point. a balance and the assumptions
Notwithstanding the alterations of Christianity, due either to a
and corruptions which the misconstruction of certain
teachings of the prophets have allegorical phrases of the New
undergone, we still observe a Testament, in the other, the

Review of Religions – October 2002 9


Unity v. Trinity – part I

difference in the weight of former.


evidence will be apparent to
the dullest understanding, if it If any one can show that the
is not dead to all sense of shame same stress is laid upon Trinity
and fear of God. Anyone who as upon Unity in the revealed
takes the trouble to cast a word of God, I would be the first
glance first at the conclusive to recant my principles and
and positive evidence relating accept the opposite doctrine.
to the Unity of God preached by But if such strong proof of
the prophets and the holy Trinity cannot be had anywhere,
books, and then at the dubious it does then become the
assertions of the Christians, Christians to doff their religious
shall not have the last prejudice and not to reject the
hesitation in coming to the strong and conclusive
conclusion that to expect any arguments of Unity. If they are
evidence of Trinity in the Holy determined to erect the whole
Word of God delivered to building of their creed on the
mankind through the prophets, shaky foundation of obscure and
including Jesus(as) is as vain a vague assertions, what reason
desire as blowing at the sun have they to blame their Hindu
under the delusion of brethren for deifying Rama or
extinguishing its light. I Krishna(as). If gods can be made
challenge every hired and in this arbitrary fashion, the list
unhired defender of Christianity of gods, instead of being limited
as it exists today in its present to three, would soon swell to an
form to come forward and show enormous extent. What a bare-
if the same clearness and faced injustice that when the
definiteness, the same words God or Son of God or
emphasis and repetition, mark similar other metaphorical
the teaching of Trinity as that of phrases are spoken of the
Unity in the Word of God. I most prophets in the Bible, they still
emphatically assert that the remain men and do not for that
weight of evidence in the case reason partake of Divinity, but
of the latter principle is out of when the same or even inferior
all proportion to the weight of words are used of Jesus
the alleged proof in that of the Christ(as), or are only deemed to

10 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

have been used of him, it being Now all the books of Moses(as)
a matter of dispute whether without a single exception lay
they actually apply to him or to stress upon and assert the
some body else, he is oneness of the Lord God in
metamorphosed and becomes a clear, definite and emphatic
God. If we can make gods of words, and the Israelites were
men in this arbitrary manner, commanded to learn these
then although the turning of teachings by heart, bind them
copper into gold may be for a sign upon their hands and
impossible, yet the turning of write upon the posts of their
men into gods or the business houses and upon their gates.
of making god would be an They were also warned that if
extremely easy task. But I ask if they strayed from the path (of
we can depend upon and find Unity) set for them and forgot
consolation in a God that is the the teachings relating to it,
creation of mortal whims and they shall be destroyed from off
fashioned by mortal hands. the face of the earth, severely
punished from heaven and as
Having shown that the Bible well as earth, smitten with
lends no support to the doctrine incurable diseases, scourged
of Trinity, we now come to the with scale and itch, and brought
fourth point. Under this heading to destruction in blindness and
we shall discuss if the majority madness. The same teachings
of the people of the Book have were further emphasised by
regarded Trinity as true. It is giving, along with this warning
admitted on all hands that the of curse, a promise of blessings
Jews are the first heirs to the and bounties if they stuck fast
Bible, and among them Moses(as) to them.
was the greatest prophet who
gave a standing and perfect law To all these precautions for the
to his people. He not only safe preservation of this all-
delivered the law to them but important doctrine, is to be
himself acting as the commen- added the fact of successive
tator explained it fully and prophets continuing to rise from
cleared off all doubts as to the among the Israelites for
meaning of any passage in it. fourteen hundred years which

Review of Religions – October 2002 11


Unity v. Trinity – part I

bring us close upon the time of through the prophets should


Jesus(as). They never witnessed have so passed out of their
an interval during which they memories as not to have left the
were left without a prophet. slightest trace behind them.
Moses(as) himself did not leave
them at the time of his death The teachings relating to each
without a guide and guardian, person and attributes of God
but left Joshua his Minister as were not simply related in the
his substitute and as a leader of Bible as tales but were most
the people. The system of deeply impressed upon the
prophets that rose among the minds of the people, so much
Israelites after Moses (as) and so, that their children and old
walked in the footsteps of their women were also cognisant of
great predecessor, is without a them. Now if a denial of the
parallel in the history of the Trinity and Atonement was
world. An enquirer, who casts really such a deadly sin and a
aside the trammels of prejudice blasphemy that the denier was
for a while, will at once be for that reason to be
convinced that nothing could be condemned to eternal hell, how
more wonderful than that the was it that the teachings of the
Jews could have forgotten the prophets related to these
central and most emphatic cardinal doctrines in such an
doctrine of all the books and the obscure and ambiguous style? If
great aim of all revelation, really the case had been as is
which had repeatedly been deemed by the Christians, it
communicated to them through was the primary duty of all the
an unbroken chain of prophets to bring the Trinity to
continuously rising prophets the front and enjoin a belief in
which was ever kept fresh in it in the most unmistakable
their memories and which had terms, taking care to avoid all
practically been acted upon by words that could have led to the
their fathers. And wonder of contrary conclusion of the
wonders that the radical oneness of God. But to the great
principle of the Bible teachings, bewilderment of the Christian
the doctrines of Trinity and theologians, the case is quite
Atonement, taught to the Jews the contrary. All the books from

12 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

the first to the last teem with From the earliest times to
the teachings of Unity, and the today, the Jewish sects have
whole attention of the people borne an unbroken testimony in
was directed to this one great their speeches and writings, and
purpose, and the result was a they still proclaim with a loud
deep impression upon the whole voice, that they were never
nation of the Unity of God. Had taught Trinity and Atonement,
all the prophets from Moses(as) nor is there the remotest trace
downwards inculcated the of these strange doctrines in
doctrine of Trinity and declared their holy books, and that a
this to be the chief object of god-man had never been
their mission from the Most promised to them. Even if we
High, the Israelites could not admit the stubbornness, the
have been so utterly ignorant of thirst of blood, the iniquities
it. If, as is alleged, Trinity and and the transgressions of the
the blood of Jesus (as) formed the Jews, justice compels us not to
ground work on which rested be so hard upon them as to
the salvation of men, why did suppose that they at Expiation
Moses(as) and the prophets keep which were foundation-stones
back this matter of life and of their faith, and inserted in it
death and not promulgate it? If in numerous places the simple
they ever propagated such a doctrine of the Oneness of God
doctrine it still remains to be which resembled the teaching
solved why their books do not of the Quran on the point, and
contain the slightest trace of it? that they had all arranged and
How are we to explain the agreed to take this step. The
obvious fact that all the Jewish absurdity of any such suppo-
sects are as unconscious of this sition appears further from the
puzzle of Trinity as the son of a fact that the various Jewish
Muslim of the gods of Hindus of sects, notwithstanding numer-
their modes of worship and the ous points of difference, all
formulae of idols-worship? The testify in one voice that the
solution of this problem remains doctrines of Trinity and
as great a mystery as the Atonement had never been
doctrine of Trinity itself. preached to them.

Review of Religions – October 2002 13


Unity v. Trinity – part I

To secure further evidence, I everyone who claims to follow


wrote to certain learned Jews truth to decide for himself this
enquiring of them if the most important question and
doctrines of the Old Testament not to allow it to pass
relating to the person an unnoticed. It is known to all
attribute of God, resembled the that the Jews, who are called
Trinity and Atonement of the the People of God, were chosen
Christians or the teachings on as the first scholars in the
the point of the Holy Qur’an. Divine school under the
Their evidence was simply guidance of righteous prophets
asked for as unprejudiced who were constantly among
testimony, for they denied the them during the 1,400 years
revelation of the Qur’an and the that followed Moses (as).
Gospel alike. Their reply was in Notwithstanding the continuous
accordance with what I have revival of the teachings of the
shown above, viz., that the books of Moses (as) by the
Bible taught the Unity of God successive rising of the
from the first to the last, and prophets, and the constant
not one jot of it gave any presence of the Word of God
support to the doctrine of spoken through them, which
Trinity or Atonement. The rendered a resort to the
injunctions of the books of the principle of analogical deduc-
prophets in this respect, they tion unnecessary, nothing is
wrote, resembled those of the more surprising than that the
Qur’an and were totally Jews should have remained so
opposed to the Trinity and ignorant of the doctrines of
Atonement of the Christians. Trinity and Atonement,
The books of Moses(as) and those although upon them alone
of the other prophets did not depended their salvation. In
contain the slightest trace of vain did the prophets preach
the Christian doctrines, and and in vain were their lives
they were at a loss to know how spent if they did not even
to reconcile the plain teachings communicate to the people the
of their holy books with the true doctrine of salvation, and
puzzling innovation of the thus utterly failed to fulfil the
Christian. It is the duty of object for which they had been

14 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

raised by God. Does not a testified, proves it beyond


thinking mind pause here to doubt that as the doctrine of
seek the reason of this deep Trinity is repugnant to the
mystery? Can the Christian Divine laws and to human
doctrine of the attainment of nature, and disclaimed – nay
salvation be reconciled by any repudiated – by the Holy Word
sane person with the utter of God, it is in like manner
absence among the Jews of any rejected by the evidence of an
sect or school which might for a overwhelming majority of those
moment have ever thought of who have inherited the Book of
faith in these two mysterious God.
dogmas?
All these witnesses having
Add to it the circumstance that separately and collectively
among the Christians there have disproved the doctrine of three
been, and there still are, sects Gods, it remains for us to see if
that have rejected Trinity. there is any peculiarity about
Consider now what remains in Jesus Christ(as) on which basis his
the hands of a Christian to claim to Deity is supported.
boast. Had all the sects of With a full knowledge of all the
Christianity been unanimous as facts that are known about
to this doctrine a Christian Jesus(as), I assert it positively,
might have caught at this last before all the world with a
straw to console himself. But as conviction as strong as it is
it is, this is a bitter draught for possible for a man to have, that
Christians that internal there is nothing in Jesus (as)
differences as to the supposed above an ordinary human being,
corner-stone of salvation have which may lead us even for a
undermined the whole moment to entertain the idea
foundation of their faith, and that he was God. Much stress is
brought them face to face with laid upon his birth, but what are
the convincing argument of the we to say of the first man, the
Unity of God. The existence of parent of mankind, who had
Christian sects that have neither father nor mother. We
rejected Trinity from the oldest never consider him God.
times, as the Qur’an has also Moreover, we see in our every-

Review of Religions – October 2002 15


Unity v. Trinity – part I

day experience thousands of teems with such expressions as


worms brought into existence the Son of God, and not only the
without any father. Shall we for sons but also the daughters of
that reason take them to be the God have been mentioned
Almighty Being that created the therein. One verse goes even so
Universe, or are they to be far as to say that we are all
considered as the sons of the gods, and of Israel the Lord
Most High? I consider it as an says, ‘Israel is my son, even my
invaluable favour of the Qur’an first-born.’ Ex. 4:22. Now all
upon Jesus(as) and his mother that is stated is that the
that it falsified the base charges expression Son of God has been
of 600 years’ standing by used of Jesus Christ(as), but as
verifying the birth of Jesus(as) to we have shown above, the same
have taken place in a manner expression and even stronger
which washed off the blemish ones have been used of
from Mary. As to what the Jews numerous other persons in the
allege with regard to this birth, Bible. What is the test to decide
the subject is so indecent that and who shall decide that in the
even a passing allusion could one case the expression has
not be made to it. In short, the been used metaphorically and in
birth of Jesus(as) is unattended the other literally and actually?
with any such peculiarity as may Is there any reason to suppose
entitle him to divinity. On the that the words are to receive a
other hand, learned physicians particular interpretation in the
of the Greek and Indian schools case of Jesus(as)? The truth is
have given instances of such that unable to realise the true
cases, rare though they be, and sense of the expression, the
show the possibility of a child Christian theologians of today
being formed in the mother’s have committed a blunder in
womb without the seed of a interpreting it. Those who
man. understand theological terms,
Neither does the fact that know full well that expressions
Jesus(as) called himself the Son of honour and endearment,
of God serve as any evidence of similar to the one under
his actually being the Almighty discussion, are constantly used
God, for the Old Testament in the Word of God of such of his

16 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

chosen people as are His ‘Say (O prophet!) O my


beloved ones. It is these servants! Who have
metaphorical expressions transgressed your souls, do not
which, when they fall into the despair of the grace of God, for
hands of ignorant persons, are God forgives all the sins.’ In
turned to the use of deifying this verse (Ch.39:V.54) all the
those to whom they refer, an people have been called as the
idea quite foreign to the servants of the Holy Prophet(sa)
original use. In the Gospels even being elsewhere called the
Adam(as) is referred to as the Son servants of God, and
of God. Are we then to take him furthermore the verse gives him
actually so? Before we proceed the right of pardoning the sins
to consider the claims of of men. If the actual Divinity of
Jesus(as), it must be settled man can be inferred from any
whether Adam(as) was actually circumstances, what stronger
the Son of God, for he, too, like evidence than this is required to
Jesus(as) is honoured with the establish the Divinity of our
title. Holy Prophet(sa). And that is not
all. Verses to the same effect
If the use of such metaphorical abound in the Holy Qur’an to
expressions is sufficient to turn such an extent that one may, if
a man into a God, a Muslim may one chooses to take allegorical
as well declare his own Holy language literally, deduce from
Prophet(sa) as God on the them the most definite
strength of the Holy Qur’an. conclusion as to the Divinity of
Speaking of the Holy Prophet (sa) our Holy Prophet(sa), and the
the Holy book says ‘the hand fact stands in bold contrast to
(of the Prophet) which is upon the doubtful evidence to the
your hands is the hand of God.’ sonship of Jesus(as), furnished by
Thus in this verse (The Holy the Gospels, notwithstanding all
Qur’an, Ch.48:V.11), the the pretensions of the Christian
Almighty God terms the hands Missionaries to the contrary.
of the Holy Prophet(sa) as His own
Divine hand. Another verse runs So far as to the evidence from
this: the Scriptures of the two
religions, but when we proceed

Review of Religions – October 2002 17


Unity v. Trinity – part I

a little further and look at deep connection of his soul with


actual facts, we meet with a the Infinite, such a connection
total absence in Jesus Christ(as) as no man has ever before or
of that power and pre- since attained. The Prophet(sa)
dominance which is the was jealous for the honour of
necessary requisite of Divinity, the Lord his God and the Lord
whereas in the person of our was, in return, jealous for the
own Holy Prophet(sa) we find its honour of His Prophet (sa).
manifestation as clear as day-
light. When the Holy Prophet(sa) Comparisons are odious but we
declared his mission, the most cannot refrain from briefly
violent opposition raged against referring to one between the
him. As his mission was Companions of our Holy
universal and contained an Prophet(sa) and the Apostles of
invitation to all the nations of Jesus(as). One of the latter,
the earth to Islam, similarly was Judas Iscariot, betrayed his
the opposition not confined to Master for a paltry sum of thirty
any particular sect or half-crowns. This shows to what
community, but gradually extent the chosen ones had
extended its circle, as the faith in the righteousness of
sphere of his preaching became their teacher. In fine contrast
wider. People of all denom- with the despicable behaviour
inations and religious sects were of Judas, shines out the noble
determined to cut up Islam, conduct of the Companions of
root and branch, and none our Prophet(sa) who forsook
spared the least effort to injure brothers, sisters, parents, sons,
him. Monarchs also sent their lands, properties and all, for
men to have the Prophet the sake of their beloved
arrested and put to death, but master, because they saw in him
were hopelessly baffled in their a visible and glorious manifes-
evil designs. Consider then what tation of the Most High God.
saved Muhammad(sa) from all Their fidelity to their master is
these formidable forces and unparalleled in the history of
what protected him in this the world. Who can fathom the
wide-spread fire of enmity? The bottomless depth of faith which
secret of it lies in the strong and undulated in their hearts? It was

18 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

the face of God they saw clearly when the soldiers of the
reflected in the face of their emperor brought to the Holy
Prophet(sa). But the conduct of Prophet(sa) the news of his
the Apostles in relation to their contemplated arrest under the
Master is quite inexplicable, and orders of the monarch, he
we are unable to say what replied that it was no business
opinion they entertained of of his but that the whole matter
him. Peter, who had charge of lay in the hands of God Who
the keys of heaven, cursed alone would give the response.
Jesus(as) and was not satisfied Next morning he revealed to the
until he thrice repeated his soldiers the news of the
imprecations. assassination of their monarch
under the supreme and
Take another circumstance. Not unavoidable command of the
a few designs of the Holy Lord of the heavens and earth.
Prophet’s(sa) were, over and over Here indeed we see a
again, formed by his internal manifestation of the Deity for
and external foes, but they no sooner did Khosru Parviz
were all helplessly frustrated, conceive the idea of the
notwithstanding his utter Prophet’s arrest than the angel
helplessness against his pow- of Death, in obedience to the
erful enemies. On the other absolute decree of heaven, was
hand, whoever rose with the upon him in Persia and cut short
evil design brought ruin upon his his life. What a contrast again
own head. For instance, Khosru when we cast a glance at the
Parviz, the ill-fated monarch of circumstances of Jesus’(as) arrest
Persia, became thirsty of the as narrated in the Gospels! We
Prophet’s(sa) blood and accord- are obliged, with the utmost
ingly sent his own men to arrest regret, to confess that a whole
him. But hardly a night had night’s prayers of Christ proved
passed before he himself quite barren. He passed the
became a morsel of death, night in a state of restlessness
notwithstanding that there is no with eyes heavy and full of
evidence that our Holy tears, but as soon as the morn
Prophet (sa) even prayed for his appeared, one police constable
destruction. It is reported that of the Roman Government with

Review of Religions – October 2002 19


Unity v. Trinity – part I

IT SHOULD BE CLEARLY NOTED THAT THE FEAR AND TIMIDITY


DISPLAYED BY THE DISCIPLES ON THE ARREST OF JESUS(AS), WAS
WITHOUT ANY FOUNDATION. THE JEWS HAD NOT EVEN THE
POWER AND MEANS TO CAUSE ANY MATERIAL PHYSICAL INJURY,
NOT EVEN SO MUCH AS A SLAP ON THE FACE, TO THE
FOLLOWERS OF JESUS(AS). FOR, IN THE FIRST PLACE, JESUS(AS)
HIMSELF WAS A JEW AND THE PEOPLE WERE ALL HIS KINSMEN.

whom was a multitude of the without his praying for it. Hence
people (the Jews) came and it was that when the com-
having arrested him put him panions of the Prophet(sa)
into custody before 10am. Is witnessed Divine assistance and
this the all-powerful God whose favour distinctly showered upon
end was so sad and pitiable? him, they forsook everything for
How can we put faith in a man his sake, shed their blood in his
having a deep connection with cause and allowed themselves
God so long as we do not see to be butchered like sheep and
him distinctly accompanied with goats and died in faith and
the Grace of God in this very fidelity to him. Had the worship
world? of man been allowed in the
Divine faith, they would have
From the evidence recorded of gladly rejected the gods that
him what is Jesus(as) but a man were the creation of man’s
who fell upon his face before imagination, and worshipped
God and prayed to Him their master, the Lord’s elect as
earnestly that the fatal cup may the great God. The reverence in
pass away, but his prayers were which they held him and the
not answered, or so the obedience which they showed
Christians admit. But our Lord to his commandments, were
and Master the Prophet neither shown towards Moses(as)
Muhammad (sa) was the chosen nor had Jesus (as) the good
one of God, upon whom Divine fortune to witness them in his
assistance was showered even devoted disciples. If anyone

20 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

should care to compare the to forsake their master on being


fickleness and unbelief of the offered the slightest rebuke. Is
disciples of Jesus(as) with the this the effect of the preaching
steadfastness and faith of the of one who appears with the
companions of Muhammad(sa) he powers of the Deity? In short it
should read the disgraceful acts is in the life of the Holy Prophet
related of Judas, or if not of Islam(sa) only that the glory of
satisfied with his conduct, he the great and living God is
may see the testimony of Peter, manifested, and we cannot
the chief of the twelve who imagine the Deity or a
shall sit on thrones to judge manifestation of the Deity being
Israel. laid hands on by the most abject
persons and at last disappearing
It should be clearly noted that from the stage of life without
the fear and timidity displayed any success or any Divine
by the disciples on the arrest of assistance coming to him.
Jesus(as), was without any
foundation. The Jews had not From what has been said it is
even the power and means to clear that the divinity of
cause any material physical Jesus(as) falls to the ground
injury, not even so much as a under all the important tests
slap on the face, to the stated above. We shall now
followers of Jesus (as). For, in the consider the subject from
first place, Jesus(as) himself was another point of view, viz., his
a Jew and the people were all morals. Here again we are sadly
his kinsmen. Moreover, owing to disappointed by the absence of
the dispersion and consequent any sound argument in his
loss of the majority of their favour. Speaking candidly and
tribes, they had been consid- uprightly, not a single excellent
erably reduced in number, and moral in Jesus’s(as) character can
led humble lives under a foreign be proved to any satisfaction.
government. Notwithstanding Morals may broadly be divided
all this weakness and adversity into two large classes. Firstly
of the persecutors themselves, those that may be displayed in
the disciples were so weak of affluence and under easy
faith that they were ever ready circumstances. Secondly, the

Review of Religions – October 2002 21


Unity v. Trinity – part I

time for the display of the forgiving nature, as it is only at


highest moral qualities arrives the time of absolute triumph
when a man, after years of over enemies that forgiveness
suffering and persecution can be shown. We, no doubt,
experienced in a state of love and revere Jesus Christ(as)
helplessness and humility, is and consider him as a great
completely triumphant and prophet in the Mosaic line, but
gains absolute power over his if we are asked to furnish
enemies. In the case of Jesus(as) evidence of his forgiveness and
both kinds are sadly wanting. indulgence towards his
Had he had plenty of resources enemies, we must confess our
and handsome fortune, and in lack in this respect. There is no
that condition spent freely and historical or recorded evidence
given liberally, we would have of great and excellent moral
been entitled to speak of him as qualities ever displayed by him.
a charitable and generous man Our good opinion of him as a
who assisted widows, supported great and good prophet cannot
orphans, relieved the needy, be questioned here as it is
clothed the naked, comforted based on our belief and not on
travelers, took in strangers, fed any such demonstrable facts
the starving and gave timely and historical research as may
help to the famine-stricken. But satisfy other minds.
we have no proof in hand of any
of these commendable deeds. If, on the other hand, we cast a
Similarly, had he after the years glance at the life of the Holy
of sorrow and suffering during Prophet(sa) of Arabia, we meet
which he bore persecutions at with an overwhelming proof of
the hands of the Jews, the presence in his sacred
triumphed and gained com- person of both sorts of morals in
plete victory over them and the highest degree. The evi-
freely forgiven his bitterest dence of the unbelievers, the
enemies, he would have done a opponents of Islam, who praised
noble and exemplary deed the unparalleled generosity and
worthy of emulation. We would charitableness of the Holy
have then had reason to say Prophet(sa) is sufficient to
that he was of a mild and convince every man of common

22 Review of Religions – October 2002


Unity v. Trinity – part I

intelligence, and numerous acts sought for in Jesus(as), but that


of kindness and traits of they were manifested in the
hospitality are recorded in Holy Prophet(sa) of Islam. He is
hundreds of books. When the not only generous and char-
Holy Prophet (sa) made his itable but also meek, open-
triumphant entry into Mecca, hearted and forgiving. The field
after twenty long years of of battle bears evidence to his
suffering, and his bitterest courage and manliness, freely
enemies, who, on account of giving alms to his charity and
their cruelties and bloodshed, bountifulness, and forgiving the
had rendered themselves liable enemy after obtaining triumph
to a wholesale and indis- over him to his clement and
criminate murder of young and merciful nature.
old, of male and female, were
completely reduced to subju-
gation and lay at his mercy To be continued.
alone, he freely forgave them
and granted an amnesty to the
whole population of Mecca, and
said ‘I pardon you as Joseph
pardoned his brethren and grant This article is a translation
freedom to you all.’ By the laws of an anonymous article
of war then prevalent they were reproduced from the
all his slaves. This generous second issue of the Review
treatment unparalleled in the of Religions but a specific
annals of wars, was a sign to the writing of the Founder of
Meccans, and their hearts the Ahmadiyya Muslim
leaped to accept the truth they Community, Hadhrat Mirza
had before rejected. Heavenly Ghulam Ahmad (as)
power attracted them all
towards it and before sunset
almost all of them embraced
Islam. It is manifest from this
that excellent moral qualities
are a manifestation of the
attributes of God, are not to be

Review of Religions – October 2002 23


Ramadan – Part II
By Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad – Translated by Khalilur Rahman Mullick and
Hamida Farooqui. Transcribed by Fauzia Bajwa

Shortly, Muslims will embark on a month of fasting, abstaining from food


and drink during daylight hours for a period of thirty days. The holy month
of Ramadan has great significance in the Muslim calendar. What follows is
a synopsis of a series of Friday sermons, originally delivered in Urdu by
Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, discussing the philosophy and importance of
fasting.
The Editorial Board takes full responsibility for any errors that may have
occurred in the process of translation and transcription.

Financial Sacrifices During up for yourselves; so now


Ramadan take what you used to
treasure up.’
O ye who believe! Surely (Ch.9: vs.34-35)
many of the priests and
monks devour the wealth These verses refer to people
of men by false means and who have religious knowledge
turn men away from the and who renounce the world
way of Allah. And those for the sake of God; they
who hoard up gold and seclude themselves from
silver and spend it not in society ostensibly to worship
the way of Allah - give to Allah e.g. mullahs and Pirs.
them tidings of a painful Many of them devour other
punishment. On the day people’s properties unlawfully.
when it shall be made hot A distinguishing feature of such
in the fire of Hell, and persons is that they prevent
their foreheads and their others from advancing in the
sides and their backs shall way of Allah by placing
be branded therewith and obstacles in the path to Allah.
it shall be said to them: Also mentioned in the above
‘This is what you treasured verses are those who have such

24 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

a deep love of wealth, that its applies to the weak members


acquisition, lawful or unlawful, of the Jama’at Ahmadiyya, and
becomes their goal in life and is the negative result of their
they waste their lives in eagerness to increase their
collecting gold and silver. The wealth. When they make
distinguishing feature of this financial sacrifices, many a
group of people is that they are time they do not do so in
unable to spend in the way of accordance with their capac-
Allah. Both these groups are ity, while poor people
linked to those who deny the generally spend beyond their
truth. The Holy Qur’an says of means to win the pleasure of
such people: Give them the Allah. The Holy Qur’an has
tidings of a severe punishment, given us a way of recognising
when their foreheads will be whether or not we spend
branded by red hot irons and according to our capabilities.
their backs and sides will be People who offer financial
stained and they will be told sacrifices, despite the fact
‘This is what you gathered for that this may cause them some
yourself. Today you should hardship or may make a dent in
enjoy this staining and see their wealth - according to the
what you have collected for Holy Qur’an, these are the
yourself.’ This punishment ones who are spending
applies to both of the above according to their capacity.
groups. The Jama’at Therefore every Ahmadi should
Ahmadiyya is totally different test himself in this way - does
to these two classes of people; he make financial sacrifices for
members of the Jama’at do not the sake of Allah even when he
earn unlawfully and they do cannot afford to and even
not place obstacles in the path when his love of wealth is
of Allah. Rather, they call beckoning him in other
people to the path of Allah and directions? If so, then he
spend their wealth to call enjoys the protection of Allah
people to the path of Allah. A and has nothing to fear.
part of this verse sometimes

Review of Religions – October 2002 25


Ramadan – Part II

This subject matter has a 23-26). These examples given


special link with Ramadan and in the Qur’an and the Bible are
also with one’s entry into similar - both are the Word of
paradise. In another place in God. When religion reached
the Holy Qur’an Allah says: perfection and the Seal of
‘Those who reject Our Signs Prophets, i.e. Muhammad(sa),
and turn away from them with was raised in the world, then
disdain, the gates of heaven the same parable was again
will not be opened to them nor put before us, but in a
will they enter Heaven until a different way. The common
camel goes through the eye of factor in these two examples is
a needle. And thus do We that arrogance, which is a
requite the offenders’ (Ch.7: despicable trait, is in fact the
v.41). Jesus(as) has mentioned sum total of a person who has
this subject in a different way. no link with reality. Man’s ego
He said to his disciples: ‘Truly I results in self-delusion, which
tell you: a rich man will find it leads him to believe that he is
hard to enter the kingdom of greater than in fact he is. This
heaven. I repeat, it is easier is similar to the case of an
for a camel to pass through the insect which could pass
eye of a needle than for a rich through the eye of a needle
man to enter the Kingdom of but deludes itself into thinking
God’. Here, instead of using that it is the size of a camel.
the word arrogant, (as in the What Jesus Christ(as) is trying to
above quoted verse of the Holy point out is that a wealthy
Qur’an) the word wealthy has person bloats himself in size.
been used. The disciples were His love of wealth is such that
astonished when they heard he wastes all his life in
this and exclaimed: ‘Then who collecting riches. As long as he
can be saved? Jesus(as) looked increases his financial stature
at them and said: ‘For men and adds to his material
this is not possible, but possessions he feels satisfied;
everything is possible for God.’ if a stop were to be put to his
(Matthew Chapter 19, Verses acquisitions, he would be in a

26 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

state of misery. For him, the needle.’ In other words,


paradise lies in monetary gain. there is a possibility of it
Jesus Christ(as) has said that passing through and one
such a person will not be able should search out the means of
to enter paradise. The same doing so. The path for
subject is discussed in the achieving salvation is that of
Qur’anic verses mentioned humility, of understanding
above. Why are people who one’s situation. Once one
collect wealth prevented from discards arrogance and
entering paradise? The reason develops humility, one con-
is that entry to paradise is siders oneself to be no better
through the paths of than a worm for whom it is
truthfulness and reality, and easy to pass through any
one who has made his position narrow opening. As the
a false position cannot enter Promised Messiah(as) said, ‘I
the narrow path of reality. The am no more than a worm of
verses of the Holy Qur’an the earth and despised by the
which deal with this subject worldly people.’ If man were
contain a higher point of to give up arrogance, he would
wisdom. Jesus (as) said that it is certainly pass through the eye
easier for a camel to pass of the needle. The words of
through the eye of a needle the Holy Qur’an are deep in
than for the rich to enter the rhetoric and eloquence and
kingdom of heaven. Now, it is they illuminate points of
not possible for a camel to wisdom for us. During the
pass through the eye of a month of Ramadan, if the rich,
needle and hence this parable truly desire to enter paradise,
will make every rich person then the message of Ramadan
lose hope, as it leaves no path is that Holy Prophet
of salvation for him. But the M u h a m m a d (sa) should be
parable which the Holy Qur’an obeyed. They should make
mentions with reference to greater financial sacrifices and
arrogance, says ‘till the camel humble themselves and limit
has passed through the eye of their desires. If one cannot rid

Review of Religions – October 2002 27


Ramadan – Part II

charity of soul,
of course, but
RAMADAN BRINGS A MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE. here he has
ON A PHYSICAL LEVEL, RAMADAN PROVIDES s p e c i a l l y
THE OPPORTUNITY TO REDUCE FAT FROM THE mentioned the
B O D Y, A N D T H O S E P E O P L E W H O A R E charity of the
ACCUSTOMED TO EATING RICH FOOD SHOULD physical body. In
another saying
USE THIS TIME TO SHED THEIR EXCESS FAT. ON
the Holy
A SPIRITUAL LEVEL, R AMADAN ENABLES US TO
Prophet(sa) said:
REMOVE OUR SPIRITUAL ERRORS. if you want to
be healthy you
should fast.
oneself of greed, then one Fasting melts the unnecessary
cannot practise humility or fats and leaves the body in a
lighten one’s burdens. lighter state. Then it goes on
to say: the fast of Ramadan
So in this respect Ramadan removes the impiety of the
brings a message for everyone. heart. How does it remove
On a physical level, Ramadan impieties? From the medical
provides the opportunity to point of view, cholesterol is
reduce fat from the body, and reduced. When arteries are
those people who are blocked the flow of blood is
accustomed to eating rich food restricted and as a result one
should use this time to shed feels a burning pain. Some call
their excess fat. On a spiritual it heart burn, some call it
level, Ramadan enables us to angina. Many of the diseases
remove our spiritual errors. It suffered by man are caused by
is reported by Abu Huraira(ra) his laziness. The Holy Prophet
that the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) says if you pass
Muhammad (sa) said: to purify through the furnace of
everything there is a charity Ramadan your unnecessary fat
and the charity of the body is will be burnt and you will find
fasting. Fasting is also the some health and spiritual

28 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

comfort. He said that there is feed your wife a morsel of


a charity to purify everything food with the sole intention of
and what is meant here is that winning the pleasure of Allah,
Ramadan is a charity for the then that will be regarded as
inner and the physical self. virtue. Start by practising
Also, the practice of the Holy virtue in your own homes.
Prophet Muhammad(sa) calls us Having sorted out your
to increasing our financial domestic problems, you should
sacrifices, which is the remedy take a look at your sur-
for our spiritual ills. Man roundings, your neighbours
removes his accumulated and other people suffering in
physical and spiritual ills the world. You should spend in
during Ramadan. Some people charity and zakat for them and
try to maintain the benefits try to alleviate their suffering.
during the year, some, You should give the zakat of
unfortunately, return to their your body and your heart and
old ways. soul and all your self. And
after giving this zakat, as is
The Jama’at should try to included in the meaning of
benefit fully from Ramadan by zakat, man’s burdens are shed
spending in the way of Allah and his strength increases. By
using various methods. the end of Ramadan, Muslims
Basically one’s intention must have shed their burdens and
be correct and healthy and increased their physical and
whatever one spends should be spiritual strength, with the
purely for Allah. For example, result that their speed
people who loathe spending increases and they can then
money on their wives and progress at an increased pace.
children, could during Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas(ra)
Ramadhan try to gain Allah’s is reported to have said that
pleasure by being generous the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
towards their families. The was the most generous person
Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) has and that his generosity would
said that even if you were to gather even more strength

Review of Religions – October 2002 29


Ramadan – Part II

during Ramadan During the M e s s i a h( a s ) discounts this


times when the angel Gabriel theory. He states that spiritual
visited him to repeat the Holy Ramadan means eagerness for
Qur’an with him, the Holy spiritual blessings. It signifies
Prophet Muhammad (sa) would the kind of burning that melts
spend in charity with more even hard hearted people.
force than the strongest
winds. The Promised Messiah (as)
mentions that the excellence
The Importance of Prayer of Ramadan is indicated by the
The Promised Messiah (as), fact that the Holy Qur’an was
while discussing the spirit of revealed in this month. The
Ramadan, said that Ramadan sufis say that it is a good
is heat of the sun. During month for illuminating the
Ramadan one controls one’s heart. Salat purifies a person
physical desires, and at the and Ramadan enhances his
same time shows an eagerness visionary powers. What is the
to advance towards Allah; this illumination of the heart? A
spiritual and physical burning person with an enlightened
together make Ramadan. heart has many visionary
Ramadh means heat, and experiences, such as true
Ramadan means two heats. dreams or revelation. But the
The Promised Messiah(as) says Promised Messiah(as) has said
that it is necessary for both that one cannot develop
heats to mix together to illumination of the heart
become Ramadan. One should without purifying oneself
give both physical and spiritual through salat. How does salat
zakat and then Ramadan will purify? It purifies by distancing
be created in the true sense of carnal passions and physical
the word. Some people think desires from a person. Without
that the two heats refer to the rectifying errors and dis-
hot climate of Arabia carding sins, the heart cannot
combined with the heat of the be illuminated and reform
fast but the Promised cannot be achieved without

30 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

salat. During Ramadan special one enters an illumined room


attention should be paid to from the darkness one only
salat. Prayers should be sees a little at first. To start
offered in such a way that man with only major sins will come
witnesses his sins falling away to light; these should be
from him and his soul included in one’s prayers and
unburdened. By reflecting on pious intentions will help in
the words of salat and by the acceptance of prayers. As
reconciling one’s conduct with a result, the removal of those
these words, a great trans- weaknesses becomes easier.
formation can be brought There will of course be some
about in one’s conduct. For struggle but with the blessings
example, Surah Fatiha of Allah and with the help of
contains the prayer ‘Guide us Allah those sins will be
in the right path; the path of discarded. Then, as the light
those on whom You have increases and darkness is shed,
showered Your blessings, not one becomes aware of other
the path of those who incurred evil habits. Again, the process
Your wrath.’ Now such a great of prayer and purification
prayer has certain demands. needs to be repeated. The
Who were the people that Holy Qur’an mentions again
were showered with blessings? and again, that the Prophet(sa)
Do I have any of their and his teachings bring his
attributes? Who were the followers out of darkness into
groups who incurred the light and this can only be done
displeasure of Allah? Do I have through sincere prayers. Once
anything in common with a person is purified,
them? Such reflection and self- illumination of the heart is
analysis will result in an bound to come. Truth and
increased self-awareness. falsehood cannot co-exist in a
Initially only one or two person and light will only come
shortcomings will come to when darkness is removed.
mind. This is because one is
engulfed in darkness; when

Review of Religions – October 2002 31


Ramadan – Part II

I’tikaf concept was matured and


Some people choose to spend strengthened. Usually I’tikaf
the last ten days of Ramadan means to sever one’s worldly
residing in the mosque, ties and to dedicate one’s time
devoting their time to the for the remembrance of Allah.
remembrance of Allah. This In some religions, this takes on
taking up residence in the an extreme form. For
mosque for the remembrance example, Christian monks and
of Allah is termed I’tikaf. Hindu hermits exile them-
I’tikaf is actually for the last selves from the world on a
ten days, but as it is not permanent basis. The Holy
always possible to determine Qur’an does not advocate the
whether Ramadan will last for practice of secluding oneself
twenty-nine or thirty days, as for an entire life-span.
a precautionary measure, the Monasticism, as found in
Holy Prophet(sa) would start the Christianity, was not taught by
I’tikaf a day early. When I’tikaf Allah – it is an interpolation of
started and how it started and later generations – and thus a
up to what period the Holy teaching full of wisdom was
Prophet Muhammad(sa) kept on taken to a point where it could
observing I’tikaf are some not be adhered to by every
issues that will be discussed person. The Holy Qur’an is a
now. universal teaching which is
strongly connected to the
Since the creation of the Ka’aba – the first place con-
world, I’tikaf has been inextri- structed for the worship of the
cably linked to the worship of One God. It must therefore be
Allah. The concept of I’tikaf assumed that the Holy
can be found in the first house Qur’an’s teachings are in
that was constructed for the accordance with the way that
worship of Allah the Almighty, I’tikaf was originally observed.
i.e. the Ka’aba. All religions of In this regard, the Holy
the world entertain some form Prophet Muhammad(sa) present-
of I’tikaf, but under Islam, the ed an unparalleled conduct

32 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

which explained the real aim I’tikaf is to withdraw from the


of virtue. The entire life of the world for a short period
Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) was leaving all worldly trials
an example of how to establish behind. The Holy Prophet
personal links with God. Muhammad(sa) did not call
Cutting ties with the world is I’tikaf a high standard of piety,
escapism, an escape from rather he called it a sacrifice.
trials and tribulations. The
conduct of the Holy Prophet(sa) In the early days of Islam, the
was such that he led a full and Holy Prophet(sa) started the
active life and yet remained I’tikaf in the middle of
aloof from worldly attractions, Ramadan and continued until
never letting himself to be the twenty-first night of
overpowered by them. This is Ramadan. This practice
the real Jihad – a person remained in force for some
remains absorbed in Jihad on time and gradually his
all fronts – trials are present- companions took to joining
ed, but the person remains him. As a matter of fact, some
steadfast on the righteous wives of the Holy Prophet
path and does not let himself Muhammad(sa) also put up their
to be waylaid. This is actually camps in the mosque. On one
the way to create a bond with occasion, Hadhrat Ayesha(ra)
Allah Almighty, as established put up her camp in the mosque
by the conduct of the Holy with the permission of the
Prophet Muhammad (sa). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).
Siraat-al-Mustaqeem, the When the other wives came to
straight path, is the middle know of this, they too were
path which Allah has desirous to partake of this
recommended for people; they piety and they took up
should fulfil all their residence in the mosque.
responsibilities and they Permission for this had not
should remain steadfast while been taken from the Holy
still maintaining their bond Prophet Muhammad (sa), only
with Allah. The real concept of from Hadhrat Ayesha(ra). When

Review of Religions – October 2002 33


Ramadan – Part II

the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) right of those ladies were not


arrived, he was surprised to trespassed upon and he was
see all the tents and was told the only one who endured any
that they were the tents of his suffering. He did not under-
wives. The Holy Prophet take I’tikaf.
Muhammad(sa) exclaimed: ‘Is
this their concept of piety?’ He How did this I’tikaf then turn
expressed displeasure, that to the last ten days of
true virtue comes from one’s Ramadan? Once the Holy
inner urge, it does not come Prophet Muhammad(sa) said
from copying others. He was so that he observed night of
displeased that in that Lailatul Qadr, the night of
Ramadan he did not reside in destiny, on the twenty-first of
the mosque for I’tikaf, and Ramadan when I’tikaf had
made up for this loss in the concluded. From then on, he
following month, the month of decided to reside in the
Shawal. This was the glorious mosque for the last ten days of
conduct of the Holy Prophet Ramadan. That year, two
Muhammad(sa)! He did not ask I’tikafs were observed - one
his wives to remove their tents was of the middle ten days and
as he had declared that ladies then the last ten days. The
were permitted to reside in Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
the mosque and Hadhrat then remained steadfast in his
Ayesha(ra) had already been practice of residing in the
granted permission. So there mosque for the last ten days of
was no reason for denying the Ramadan.
other wives that permission.
But he felt that in this instance While observing I’tikaf, one is
they were trying to outdo each not allowed to undertake any
other. So his final verdict in unnecessary tasks, both inside
the matter was to remove the mosque or outside it. One
himself. He did not admonish is only allowed to leave the
his wives but made his views mosque if absolutely neces-
felt in such a way that the sary, and beautification and

34 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

adornment of the self is not this explanation?’ The Holy


permitted. Hadhrat Safia (ra) Prophet(sa) replied ‘Satan is
reports that on one occasion circulating like the blood flows
when the Holy Prophet in human beings and I was
Muhammad(sa) was residing in afraid that for some reason he
the mosque for I’tikaf, she may make you stumble. So
visited him to discuss some that was why I gave you the
important matters and this explanation.’ This was the
was not against the spirit of I’tikaf of the Holy Prophet
I’tikaf. When she was about to Muhammad(sa). He used to
leave, Holy Prophet worship in the concentrated
Muhammad(sa) escorted her to form. His concentration on
the door. There is a special prayers was great in Ramadan
glory which is displayed in that anyway and in the last days
conduct. At that time the Holy the concentration increased
Prophet Muhammad (sa) had even more. This continued
temporarily made the mosque until the last year of his life. In
his home. So, to show his that year he stayed in the
respect to his guest, he went mosque for I’tikaf for twenty
with her as far as possible, and days. He probably had some
then bade her farewell. At fore-knowledge of his
that time two Ansaris were impending death but did not
passing by in the street and publicise it to spare his
saw this. They offered the companions from grief.
Prophet(sa) salutations of
salaam. The Holy Prophet Hadith
Muhammad(sa) asked them to As regards the conduct of the
stop and told them that he had Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) in
been accompanied by Safia. Ramadan, there are various
The two companions were hurt reports which will now be
and said ‘O Prophet of Allah, discussed. Hadhrat Abdullah
did you think we are going to Ibn Abbas(ra) relates in Sahih
entertain any bad thoughts Bukhari that the Holy Prophet
about you? Why did you give us Muhammad(sa) was the most

Review of Religions – October 2002 35


Ramadan – Part II

generous of people and in the something that is automatically


month of Ramadan his granted to every person who
generosity increased. When fasts. Only those who observe
Gabriel presented himself to the fast in a manner pleasing to
repeat the Holy Qur’an, in Allah are referred to in this
those days the Prophet’s Hadith. In Kitab-ul-Tauheed,
generosity turned into gale Abu Huraira(ra) reports that the
force. Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
Abbas(ra) reports that the Holy said that Allah says: ‘The fast
Prophet Muhammad(sa) said is for me and I am the reward
that for every person at the of the fast.’ Closeness to Allah
time of breaking the fast, there is achieved through fasting.
is a time of prayer which is Allah says: ‘My servants have
never rejected. So at the time given up their lawful needs for
of breaking the fast people my sake and the fast is a
should refrain from idle protection against sin and
pursuits. This is an occasion there are two pleasures that
when Allah accepts the prayer are granted the servant. One
and that time should not be pleasure is granted in this
lost. This special time of prayer world when he breaks the fast;
is a point of wisdom – for the every day at the end of the
whole day and for the sake of day, he feels a sense of
Allah the Almighty, one has satisfaction. The other plea-
observed restrictions and has sure will be granted in the
forsaken lawful things; then he Hereafter when that person
starts to consume those lawful will meet his Lord, and the
things in the name of Allah. So Lord will be pleased with that
Allah the Almighty shows His servant.’
appre-ciation of the sacrifices
made for Him by accepting the The Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
prayers of the supplicant. At also said the odour of the
that time one should make such mouth of the person who is
prayers which would be helpful fasting is more dearer to Allah
for the hereafter. But it is not than the beautiful fragrance of

36 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

musk. In other forms of with things. Then by his own


worship one does not abstain free will, he has to attain a
from lawful activities; they kind of death and give up
have been allowed by Allah those possessions; not all of
Himself and nobody is going to them but some of them; if not
renounce them. But during the for long periods then maybe
fast some otherwise lawful for short periods. In the
pursuits are disallowed. Allah concept of Aboodiat (derived
does not need food or drink from Abd), man is forced to
and in everyday life a person is submit to the will of Allah but
dependent on food and drink. Abadat is when out of one’s
As a result of his sacrifice, the own free will, bonds are
servant is drawn close to formed with Allah and ties are
Allah, which is why Allah says I severed from the world. Allah
myself become the reward of is made the central point of
that person because he tried the desires of the heart.
to come closer to me. The Whether this is mental or
Arabic word Abd means slave, physical or spiritual, it is a
one who has nothing of his migration towards Allah. The
own. Allah, in the Holy Qur’an fast becomes helpful in this
has used the word Abd, migration. It is the supportive
because human beings are action in offering oneself to
slaves to Allah. They have Allah in such a way that one
nothing of themselves, then comes close to death.
Allah grants them temporary Ramadan means undertaking
possessions and then it is such hardships that sometimes
demanded that of their own take one to the verge of death
free will they give up their and as a result Allah says: ‘I
possessions and offer them to am the reward.’ The Holy
Allah. This is true worship as Prophet Muhammad(sa) during
taught to the human being - the month of Ramadan
that he came to this world considered leaving the trials of
empty-handed, he was granted the world to be a sacrifice. He
possessions, he formed bonds said when a person breaks his

Review of Religions – October 2002 37


Ramadan – Part II

links with the world and lives impaired. Figuratively speak-


in the mosque, all the good ing, there are five doors
deeds he used to do outside through which human beings
the mosque are still written interact with their sur-
into his account by Allah, as if roundings. If one of these
he is still performing those doors is closed to a person
good deeds. The I’tikaf is to then that world ceases to exist
become attached to Allah. for him; he has no link with
that particular sense and his
In Sahih Bukhari and Muslim, it experiences are restricted. A
is related that the Holy visually impaired person
Prophet Muhammad(sa) said cannot enjoy the pleasures of
that in paradise there is a door sight. People who were unable
called Rayyan, i.e., it is the to fast will also enter
door of fulfillment. On the Day paradise, they will enter
of Judgement, only people because of other virtues. But
who observed the fast will be what is meant here is that a
permitted to enter paradise special sense will be granted
via that door; those who did to those who willingly sacrifice
not fast will not be allowed their rights for the sake of
through it. It will be Allah. This special sense will
announced: ‘Who are the enable them to enjoy the
people who observed the fast?’ blessings of paradise in a
and they will be called one by unique way. This is the door
one and ushered through the mentioned in the Hadith. In
door, which will be closed Sahih Bukhari, Hadhrat Anas
after them. This hadith bin Maalik relates that the
creates a picture of paradise Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
which can be understood in said: ‘O Muslims take your
relation to the five senses. A breakfast before dawn
person with the sense of sight because that is blessed.’ Some
experiences the world in a people try to attain higher
manner which cannot be virtue by giving up breakfast,
shared by one who is visually believing that the greater the

38 Review of Religions – October 2002


Ramadan – Part II

hunger the greater the virtue. them to perform good deeds.


Whenever such people men- Even if they undertake a small
tioned this to the Holy Prophet amount of good they will be
M u h a m m a d ( s a ), he would given ample recompense. The
admonish them. One can only rewards are actually unlimited
please Allah in the way He has and this concept of limit-
prescribed. He has instructed lessness has been taken from
us to take breakfast before the Holy Qur’an because the
dawn; to forego that final edge of infinity is Allah.
instruction is not piety. Taking This is why the Holy Prophet
the pre-dawn breakfast is an Muhammad(sa) has said that the
essential part of the fast. reward can be increased by
more than seven hundred
In Tirmidhi, it is reported that times until Allah Himself
Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) becomes the reward!
said: ‘Your Lord has stated: For
each good deed the reward is
from double to seven hundred
times, but fasting is for Me and
I will Myself reward the person
who fasts. The fast is a
protection against fire.’ In the
Holy Qur’an mention is made
of the seed which sprouts,
then seven cobs of corn grow
out of it, each cob holding
hundreds of kernels. This is
the concept of how good deeds
grow and flourish. The concept
is not of counting things in
these kinds of proportions; the
Holy Qur’an uses such illus-
trations to help people
understand and to encourage

Review of Religions – October 2002 39


Reformation
Presented below, in translation, is an address delivered on 26 December 1903 by
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi (may the
peace be upon him). The Urdu text of the speech is taken from Malfoozat, Volume
6, pp.235-239. Malfoozat is the title of the ten volumes that contain the collection
of discourses, speeches and addresses of Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) of
Qadian, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.
(Translated by Amatul Hadi Ahmad)

[Translator’s Note: All references


to the verses of the Holy Qur’an
are given in Arabic as they occur
in the text. The English
translation, presented in italics,
is taken from the translation of
the Holy Qur’an by Hadhrat
Maulvi Sher Ali Sahib(ra). Where
the Promised Messiah (as) has
himself stated a certain
interpretation of the Arabic
verse, this is incorporated in the
main body of the text].

The founder of the Ahmadiyya The reason why I consider it


Muslim Community was Hadhrat important to address you today
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) is that the time of death is
In 1891, Hadhrat Mirza Ahmad unpredictable and no one can
claimed, on the basis of Divine say with certainty that his life
revelation, that he was the will be so long and that so many
Promised Messiah and Mahdi
days of it remain. Hence, it is a
whose advent had been foretold
by the Holy Prophet of Islam matter of deep concern to me
(peace be upon him) and by the that those who are still
scriptures of other faiths. unfamiliar with the reasons as
His claim constitutes the basis of to what God’s purpose is for
the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya establishing this Community,
Muslim Community. such people should become
40 Review of Religions – October 2002
Reformation

familiar with the reasons and the Book of religious Law until
should know what it is that is the end of time. In other words,
expected of our Community. It after the Holy Qur’an there is
is also a mistake to consider no need for another book or
that a customary declaration of religious law. Remember this
Bai’at, [i.e. initiation into the well that the Holy Prophet
Community] is by itself a Muhammad(sa) is Khaatam-ul-
sufficient means of salvation. [It Anbiya, [i.e. the Seal of
is to remove such miscon- Prophets], meaning that after
ceptions] that I have felt the our Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)
need to put before you the true there will be no new religious
purpose [of the establishment law nor a new Book nor any
of a new Community] and what different commandments.
it is that God really wants [from There will be only this Book [the
those who join this Community]. Holy Qur’an] and its
commandments.
Everyone should remember that
a formal declaration of The term ‘Prophet’ or
initiation or merely believing ‘Messenger’ that is found in my
me to be the Imam is certainly books in relation to myself [as
not sufficient for achieving the appointee of God] are not
salvation because God Almighty intended to imply that any new
looks at the heart – He does not religious law, Sharia, or new
look at verbal utterances. commandments are being
taught. The intention is only to
Salvation requires all that God convey the principle that when
has repeatedly stated [in the at the time of need God
Holy Qur’an] and that is, firstly, appoints a person [for a specific
that one should truly believe purpose], such a person is
God to be One without any granted the elevated station
partners and then to believe the where he hears God’s words and
Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) to is given knowledge of unseen
be a true Prophet of God. One and future events. It is due to
should also believe the Holy this that the term Nabi or
Qur’an to be a divine book and ‘Prophet’ is applied to such a
one that will not be replaced as person and such an appointed

Review of Religions – October 2002 41


Reformation

one of God is given this title [by distinction of communication


God]. It does not mean that he with God. In this age and at this
brings a new religious law, time God has appointed me as
Sharia or, God forbid, that he the [Messenger of the time to
negates the Sharia of the Holy rekindle in mankind the true
Prophet Muhammad(sa). On the love of God] because it is a time
contrary, whatever he attains, when the love of God had
he attains through a sincere and become totally cold.
total obedience of the Holy
Prophet (sa) [and complete Even though it may be generally
adherence to the practice of observed that people believe in
the Holy Prophet(sa)], without [the declaration] La ilaha
which such a station cannot be illalah, i.e. there is no God but
attained. Allah, and they verbally attest
to the truth of the Holy Prophet
In an age when a multitude of Muhammad(sa) - they perform
sins are committed and the Salat and keep fasts but
people of the world do not spirituality is lacking. On the
understand the true nature of other hand, the prevalence of
faith – all that remains [of faith] acts and practises that go
is just the outer shell or bones against the principles of
without any inner kernel or true righteousness bear witness to
essence. The force of faith the fact that performance of
becomes very weak while the the stipulated worship is
domination of satanic forces customary and there is not to be
increases greatly. Moreover, found even a hint of true
there does not remain any spirituality. Otherwise, what is
interest or enjoyment in faith. the reason that their acts of
At such times the perpetual rule worship are not accompanied by
of God manifests itself, namely, the blessing [in the form] of
that God appoints a true and righteous deeds and by the light
sincere servant of His, a servant [of faith].
who is completely immersed in
the true obedience of God. Such Remember this well, unless
a person is appointed and deeds are done with a true and
ennobled with the rare sincere intention and are

42 Review of Religions – October 2002


Reformation

accompanied by true spiri- and lack of recognition of God.


tuality, they can be of no [The creation of division] is not
benefit and will be of no avail. my doing - if there is division, it
Deeds can only be referred to as is God Who has created this
righteous when there is no division because it is God Who
corruption in them of any kind. has established this Community.
The opposite of rectitude is The reason for this is that the
disorder. The pious person is he spiritual state has become so
who is completely free from all weakened that it has reached
forms of disorder and the point where the force of
dissension. Salat that is in a faith has completely disap-
state of disorder and is tainted peared. However, God wishes to
with ulterior motives, is give new life to true faith and
certainly not for God – it does this He has done through the
not ‘reach’ up above the ground new Community. Given these
by as much as even a hand circumstances the objections of
because such people are devoid the people who question the
of sincerity and spirituality. formation of this Community
are absurd and without any
There are many people who basis.
raise the objection, questioning
the need for [the formation] of In short, remember this well
this Community when according that such doubts and suspicions
to them they, too, offer Salat should not enter one’s heart and
and keep fasts. In this way they if one were to consider this
deceive others and there is no matter fully, such thoughts
doubt that some people who are should not even arise. It is when
unfamiliar with [our teachings careful consideration is not
and with our Community] may given to these matters that
well be deceived and join the doubts and suspicions arise and
others in saying that we, too, some people who look only at
offer our Salat and keep fasts the surface, make the objection
and recite the various prayers, that there are other people who
why then has this division been are also Muslims. Such doubts
created? Remember that such and suspicions can very quickly
talk is the result of ignorance lead a person to his destruction.

Review of Religions – October 2002 43


Reformation

I have seen letters that have those who follow only the
been written by people who customs and traditions. Their
apparently belong to our sight is set only upon the
Community but say that they apparent – it is not upon the
are asked by others as to what reality. What they have is only
need there is for a new the outer skin not the inner
Community when they too offer kernel.
Salat, declare the same Kalima,
and keep fasts? Such people Remember and understand this
further write in their letters point that at the time of the
that those who question them Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa) had
appear to be good people, doing the Jews abandoned the Torah?
good works. Despite the fact Had they abandoned practising
that the writers of such letters the Torah? Certainly not! The
belong to our Community, upon Jews even now believe in the
hearing objections and doubts, Torah and their practice is
they write that they do not according to this Book. Their
know the answer [to such sacrifices and other customs are
objections]. I feel regret and still carried on today as they
pity for such people that they were at that time. They
have failed to understand our continue to face towards Bait-
true purpose and intention. ul-Muqadis while performing
They only see that other people their prayers. At the time of the
customarily adhere to the Holy Prophet(sa) there were also
practice of Islam and in this vein present great Jewish scholars
they deem to fulfil their duty to and Jewish priests, so what
God but their practises lack the need was there for the Holy
spirit of truth. Hence, such Prophet(sa) and for the new Book
objections work like the of God [namely, the Holy
suspicions created by acts of Qur’an]? There also existed at
magic and [those influenced] do that time the Christian people.
not care to think that our Among them, too, was a sect
intention is to create a true that believed in the Unity of
faith that saves a person from God. What then was the reason
the death of a sinful life. Such for the appointment by God of
motives are not to be found in the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa)

44 Review of Religions – October 2002


Reformation

and for the Book of God? This is with [acts that are only] an
a question that should be outer shell, an outer covering –
carefully considered by our God is not pleased until there is
opponents and by those who loyalty and true sincerity.
raise such objections [against
the formation of our A person who is without loyalty
Community]. This is a very [to God] is like a dog - [just like
subtle issue but those who a dog falls upon dead flesh], a
ponder and consider matters disloyal person falls upon the
carefully will be able to see that rotten world. Such people may
it is not such a difficult matter. sometimes appear to be good
but they will be found to hide
Remember that God looks only their ill-deeds and disgraceful
upon the soul and upon practices. What use is the Salat
spirituality. God does not look that is full of ostentation – what
at the apparent actions – He possible benefit can there be in
looks only at the reality and the such Salat?
inner state as to whether the
actions are tainted by an
element of selfishness and
personal desires or whether (To be continued)
there is sincerity and true
obedience to God. The apparent
form of deeds, however, may
deceive a person. He may be led
to think highly of a person who
is seen with a rosary in hand or
if he observes a person to be
offering voluntary prayers at
night or mid-morning. Similarly,
when he sees someone to be
performing noble acts of virtue,
he may believe him to be a
saintly person but God does not
like the show of ‘outer layer’ [of
deeds]. God is never pleased

Review of Religions – October 2002 45


The Fazl Mosque – A Mosque for All Time
The role of a mosque is more that simply being a place of worship. It is an
integral part of the community that it serves. Over time it is looked back
as a pillar of society and a centre of religious and social assurance. This
article presents a personal snapshot of the Fazl Mosque in Washington, USA
and touches on different aspects of its history.
By Hananah Zaheer, Washington USA

Cast in the shadows of the building. I walk towards the front


evening, it stands between the door as the wind makes it way
Turkish and Russian consulates, an across the driveway, sweeping
embassy of sorts itself. The along dry leaves, and I feel the
sidewalk in front of it is shaded timeless energy of the building.
and cool, and as I enter the black Perhaps it is only because it is
iron gate of the enormous part of my past, or perhaps it is
townhouse, my eyes fall on the because the mosque is like a
sign in front which boldly living entity, witness to its share
proclaims its identity. Washington of history and drama, like an old
Fazl Mosque. The words are man whose wisdom is apparent in
etched on a metal plaque which, his lines, in the cracks and folds.
like the building, has grown duller
with age. The workmen’s ladders The inside of the townhouse is
and the scaffolding hide most of just as peaceful as the outside,
the front of the brick and stone although perhaps a bit more
building, and I cannot help mysterious. The air feels a little
thinking that it must have been a damp, and even as I strain to
beautiful structure in its early listen for any sounds from the
days. upper levels of the townhouse
where the resident missionary’s
And yet, even in its current state, family lives, my ears are met by
the building inspires a certain nothing but silence. In the room
awe, a certain respect. It is to the right of the entrance waits
almost as if there is a tangible Ahmed Haleem, a man who has
layer of peace around it, and been a member of the mosque
standing in front it, one is aware since 1954, four years after Fazl
that history was made around this mosque was established as the
46 Review of Religions – October 2002
The Fazl Mosque - A Mosque for All Time

first mosque in the nation’s Coincidentally enough, the make-


capital. up of the local Ahmadiyya Muslim
community, and the mosque,
Sitting on the sofa in his khakis, shifted just as the political and
white t-shirt, and a super bowl social situations were shifting in
xxxii hat, Haleem presents a the country. The mosque started
friendly figure. He takes off his in 1950 as a small one, with a
hat as I approach, and greets me membership of only seventy-five
with a traditional ‘peace be upon people. Even though ‘a majority
you.’ He has been a silent figure [of the mosque members] were
in the local history of the Caucasians,’ the mosque served
mosque, a devoted member, now as a place for unity in a country
the president of the DC chapter, a where segregation was rampant.
man of quiet dignity.
‘Even the Sunnis and Shia’s could
He speaks of his first contact with come and offer prayers and
Islam, and recalls with a smile a celebrate Eid here.’
woman he worked with who
would take her lunch hour to say It was this mosque that enticed
her prayers. ‘I would wait by the him towards the religion, how-
bus stop to see if Saeeda was on ever. After attending a Nation of
the bus. If she was, I would get Islam meeting, and a brief talk
on. If she wasn’t, I would just with Elijah Mohammad, Haleem
walk.’ The woman, Saeeda, decided he was not interested in
eventually became his doorway militancy. After being introduced
into the community of Ahmadi to the mosque by Saeeda,
Muslims, a minority sect within Haleem was struck by the
Islam, considered non-Muslims by peaceful atmosphere at Fazl
most other Muslim factions. mosque, where he saw people
Haleem recalls the segregation of living together in harmony,
society in general at the time. advocating ‘Love for all, hatred
for none,’ the slogan that still
‘Schools, hospitals, union serves as a motto for the
stations…’ His tone is amused. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
‘You get on the same train. You
just get on through different Over the next ten years the
doors.’ make-up of the mosque membe-

Review of Religions – October 2002 47


The Fazl Mosque - A Mosque for All Time

ship shifted and became pre- and stay for hours to answer
dominantly African American. people’s questions on politics,
Today, the majority of members physics, and anything else that
are Pakistanis, although the came up.
African American and Caucasian
members still continue to attend. Over the years, the mosque has
Haleem names missionaries that served as not only a place to offer
attended to the mosque over prayers, but also as temporary
time. He is just stating facts, but residence for several young
I am stuck by the realisation that members of the community, for
he, like this building, has been others, it presented itself as a
here through all the changes. I safe haven.
ask him what impressed him most
about this mosque. I am ‘Sister Rashida moved here after
expecting him to talk of the she got divorced…she lived on the
space it affords for prayers and third floor for twenty years.’
big functions, the sense of
peacefulness it brings, but I am Even though the Ahmadiyya
surprised by his answer. ‘I was Muslim Community has now
most impressed with the fact that outgrown Fazl mosque, moving to
personalities that came to the a bigger, more modern structure
mosque were such that you talk in Silver Spring, a number of
with them like you talk to anyone members still continue to visit
else.’ Fazl mosque. The building, being
nearly ninety years old, same age
The Community is based on as Ahmed Haleem, has borne its
principles of equality and share of rough weather. But in
brotherhood, and Haleem was the face of all that has gone on
surprised by how accessible the around it, it stands still as a mark
leaders of the movement were. of faith. As I take my leave of
Even personalities like Dr. Abdus- Ahmed Haleem and walk out the
Salam, Nobel Prize winner for door and into the darkened road,
physics, and Sir Chaudhry I take with me the image of the
Zafarullah Khan, president of the symbol of peace and tranquillity,
UN General Assembly and the and the man who holds that
International Court of Justice, image within his heart.
would come to offer their prayers

48 Review of Religions – October 2002


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book
By Dr. Latif Ahmad Qureshi

Saturday 23rd March 1889 was had realised a need to


the fateful day when Hadhrat rationalise their religious
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad the beliefs. These were the times
Promised Messiah(as) accepted of thinkers like Swami Dyanand
the hands of a few faithful who while making an effort to
servants in allegiance to the rationalise Vedic teachings for
Ten Conditions of Bai’at the people of India founded an
(initiation) and founded the organisation called ‘Arya
community which he called Samaj’. Sir Sayyed Ahmad
‘The Muslim Ahmadiyya Khan, a Muslim thinker, was of
Jama’at’. This was a revo- the opinion that the uplift of
lutionary yet a very modest Muslim masses was only
beginning to a new chapter in possible through Western
the history of Islam. education and founded the
Mohammadan Anglo Oriental
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam College Aligarh for such
Ahmad(as) was already a well- education. The British rulers
known figure in the religious and elite among them like Dr.
circles of the then British Hunter and others, who were
India. It was a time when Christians by faith, had a deep
British Raj in India was well mistrust of the Indian Muslims
established. The events of because of their beliefs in
1857 were already a part of ‘Jihad’ or the Holy War. The
the history. The Muslim Christians firmly believed that
government in India was the salvation of the Indian
totally crushed. All factions in people was in their conversion
the society were scrambling to the Christian faith. Such a
for more and more gains. change could, in their view,
Hindus, who formed the not only bring religious gains
majority of the population, to them but also bring a lasting

Review of Religions – October 2002 49


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book

stability to the British rule in faith. However despite all this


India. A large number of religious activity there was one
Christian missionaries, doctors very commendable aspect of
and teachers had, therefore, British rule and that was that
come to India from Britain, there was a stable govern-
Ireland, America and other ment, which sought to uphold
Christian nations to preach and justice. The rule of law
propagate Christianity in India. prevailed. Every one was free
Churches were built in remote to propagate one’s religious
villages. Dispensaries were point of view in a fair and
established under Christian peaceful manner. There was no
Missions in rural areas and interference by the
schools were established in government in the religious
every important town of India. practises of the masses.
In the Province of Punjab, the
districts of Lahore, Sialkot, The Challenge:
Amritsar and Gurdaspur were Such were the days when
special centres of Christian Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
preaching activities. Large Ahmad brought out the first
(as)

areas of lands were earmarked volume of his monumental


for missions. The Bible was book Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya in
translated and published into the year 1880. This book was
local languages and widely the result of tremendous
circulated. The priests and research and thinking. It
Christian mission-aries went contains the evidence to show
out among the masses and the truth of the Qur’an as a
ideologically attacked all other revealed Divine book and that
faiths including Islam. It of the prophethood of Hadhrat
appeared that their victory Muhammad(sa).
was very near. Every year the
figures of new converts were In the early part of the book
published and showed there is a challenge and the
thousands of native Indians offer of a huge prize money of
accepting Christianity as their Rs.10,000 by the author for any

50 Review of Religions – October 2002


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book

person who could counter this unique in its depth and


evidence put forward by him. meaning. This book contains
Every claim and its supporting commentary on the Surah
evidence are deduced from Fatiha – the opening chapter of
references from the Qur’an. Qur’an and many other verses
The religious groups who do not of the Qur’an to prove this
believe in the truth of Qur’an point. Another important point
such as the Jews, Christians, the author makes is that it is
Hindus and others who also not possible to recognise God
have their own religious books simply by using obser-vations,
are invited to put forth similar intelligence and logic. Divine
arguments and evidence based revelations are vital in the
on their own religious education and teaching of the
scriptures. Those people who human mind. God reveals
do not believe in any religion Himself to His chosen people
such as some philosophers and at all critical times. This has
scientists were invited to do always happened in the past
the same based on logic and and continues to happen even
reasoning. Three more volumes to this day. God possesses the
came out one after the other ability to communicate with
till there were four volumes of His creations just as He has
the book. A logical answer many other attributes such as
could not only prove the truth listening to and accepting
of an opponent but could also prayers; having perfect know-
make him rich. Yet one hundred ledge; creating without the
and twenty two years have necessity of any material and
gone by and no one has come so on. People can also talk,
forward to write a reply and hear, see and make things but
claim the prize. the work of God and that of
man have clear distinctions
The Evidence: and are not comparable. Here
The evidence put forward was he quotes the example of
basically that Qur’an is the simple insects like flies and
Word of God. Hence it is mosquitoes and stresses the

Review of Religions – October 2002 51


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book

point that a man cannot even beings. Then from being


imagine to create the likes of ordinary human beings into
the leg of an insect with all its being civilised human beings
intricacies. and finally from being civilised
human beings into God fearing
The same difference is observ- human beings. This amazing
able between the Qur’an, transformation occurred with-
which is the Word of God, and in the short span of just a few
any other words written by a years. The time from the start
human being. He describes the to finish was about 23 years.
prophecies contained in the He profusely quotes from the
Qur’an and makes the point text of the Qur’an to make his
that this book was revealed to point. He describes the need
an unlettered person who of the Qur’an and mentions
could neither read nor write. ten amazing characteristics of
He was born and lived his the Qur’an. Such a commen-
entire life between a tary of the Qur’an was never
barbarian, uncivilised and seen or heard except during
mostly illiterate people in a the times of the Holy Prophet
far away desert. He had no Muhammad(sa).
contacts with the civilised
people of the time who lived Revelation in Our times
in the outside world and were The author then goes on to
either Jews, Christians or quote his own revelations and
philosophers and thinkers of they are recorded in a
the time. Yet that author fascinating sequence. In these
accurately described the past personal revelations Allah
history, the future occurrences addresses him by different
and gave a superb moral and names such as Muhammad,
spiritual teaching for mankind. Ahmad, Noah, Abraham,
It was a teaching which Maryam, Isa, Sulaiman and
practically transformed his Dawood etc. implying that he
followers and his nation from would carry the grace of all
being animal into human these previous prophets in

52 Review of Religions – October 2002


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book

these modern times. This is self. He says that revelation is


especially astonishing, as he the ultimate proof of the
had not yet claimed to be existence of God. There is no
appointed the messenger of proof greater than this proof. In
this age. He had not even these revelations God tells His
initiated the Jama’at nor chosen servants about events,
started accepting the Bai’at of which are to follow, and great
people. These verses tell that: prophecies are made about
he will start such a Jama’at; forthcoming days. They are
there will be violent opposition made at a time when the
to him so much so that two Prophet is alone and without
persons will be sacrificed only any friends. He is unknown and
for the crime of believing in unimportant. These prophe-
him as a true messenger of God cies tell about the success of
during his life time – a referral the prophet of God and failure
to the two Afghan Martyrs, an of his opponents. Eventually
event that took place almost everything foretold is proved to
twenty years later. His ultimate be true.
victory and that of his followers
is clearly foretold. He explains The Reception
very clearly and without any Some of the Muslims were
reservations that all these jubilant. Here was the final
Graces of God are bestowed light in their totally dark and
upon him because of his total desperate world. Here the
and complete submission to the sword of reason appeared to
commands of his master the have slain all the dragons of
Holy Prophet Hadhrat godlessness, multiple deities,
Muhammad . He actually is
(sas) trinity, worship of human
the real person and those who beings, submission to base
follow him are only his images. objects and the power of ill
He explains by quoting the conceived and incomplete
example of a mirror in which a sciences. One of them wrote
man sees his image although it the famous verse “All the eyes
is no different from his own of us ailing patients are on

Review of Religions – October 2002 53


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book

you. May God make you the whether Islam lived or died.
Messiah.” This blessed person They neither wanted to spend
‘Sufi Ahmad Jan’ had passed any money nor risk their
away by the time of the honour and other worldly
initiation or Bai’at took place. possessions for this cause.
Yet to remember him the first
initiation was carried out in his The Final Volume:
house. Muhammad Hussain The final volume of the book
Batalvi an Ahle Hadith scholar ‘Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya’ was
wrote a long review praising complete for publication in
the book in his journal. The 1905 and was printed in 1908.
review is worth reading. This contained the final
Another scholar Nawab Siddiq evidence for our present
Hassan Khan who had done a modern times about the truth
lot of research about the of Islam, the Qur’an and the
coming and timing of the Prophet Muhammad(sa). In this
Promised Messiah(as), was very final 5th volume the Promised
pleased and promised to help in Messiah(as) quotes extensively
publishing the book. But when from his previous volumes,
he read the searing and fatal published more than twenty
attack launched in the book on years earlier, and tells about
Trinity and other modern the fulfilment of all the
Christian doctrines he became prophecies contained in them.
very frightened and withdrew This is in fact a conclusive and
his support. Keep in mind that irrefutable proof of the truth
the British were the rulers of of Islam, the Qur’an, the Holy
the land and Christianity was Prophet Muhammad(sa) and
their faith, which they wanted finally the truth of the
to be propagated amongst the Promised Messiah (as).
Indian masses.
The Promised Messiah (as) wrote
The majority of the Muslims more than 80 books in between
however did not bother at all. these volumes of Braheen-e-
They were not concerned Ahmadiyya but as we read

54 Review of Religions – October 2002


Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya – A Monumental Book

them one by one we seem to There is however, much more


see the same theme being that remains in the works of
elaborated in many of his the Promised Messiah (as),
books. The theme of peaceful including the awesome
living between various religious Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya, for
groups, the importance of future generations also. For it
revelation, the mutual respect is not just a book from the past
for religious leaders, but it is also a book for the
explanation of Qur’anic verses future.
particularly Surah Fatiha is
present in many books.
Bibliography:
There is a famous vision of the Roohani Khazain, Vol.1,
Promised Messiah (as), he Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya, Vols.
experienced during his young 1,2,3,4.
days. In this vision he
presented a book written by Roohani Khazain, Vol.21,
himself to the Holy Prophet Braheen-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol.5.
Muhammad(sa). When he took
this book in his hands it Tareekh-e-Ahmadiyyat (Urdu)
transformed into a fruit. One History of Ahmadiyyat,
portion of this fruit was given Vols.1,2,&3.
to a dead person and it revived
him back to life. A large portion
of the fruit remained in the
possession of the Promised About the Author
Messiah(as). The logic and Dr. Latif Ahmad Qureshi
reasoning in support of Islam has written several
contained in this book has medical articles and
already revived the faith. It is participated in television
proigramme sin the past
now strong enough to reason
out any philosophy or scientific
advancement that the world
may experience in our times.

Review of Religions – October 2002 55


Islam and Science
This essay is based on a speech delivered by the author for West Coast
Jalsa, Chino, California, U.S.A. on December 29, 2001.
By Rafi Ahmad, Ph.D. – California, USA

In the modern age, religion is essence of science. The


often presented as purely a boundaries of science, the
matter of faith. It is said that chain of deductive and causal
science and religion fall into relationship, due to the very
complementary, if not con- nature of this enterprise, must
flicting, domains. It is then be allowed to extend as far
argued that a clear demar- back and wide, as it can. But
cation between the secular the experimental validation
and the spiritual is necessary. must remain the sole arbiter
In order to separate the and judge of which theories
domains of religion and are accepted as immutable
science, it must be recognised laws of Nature and which
that science is reason theories are relegated to the
organised for understanding heap of mere speculations.
the material universe. It is
claimed that religion, on the Islam rejects the belief that
other hand, is prudent science and religion belong to
abdication of reason with opposite domains. We hold
regard to those questions that that reason must be the
are outside the reach of primary means of evaluating
science. the validity of Islamic beliefs.
We believe that a Supreme
Science involves observation, Creator exists and that the
analysis, hypothesis, and Creator communicates with
empirical validation. The last – man through divine revelation.
that is, the experimental How can these two
verification – forms the fundamental assertions be

56 Review of Religions – October 2002


Islam and Science

reconciled? We propose that different from that of the


Islam is a reasonable appli- knowledge gained through
cation of revelation and secular scientific investi-
rationality with regard to gation. The divine scrip-
those questions that are tures are not text books of
outside the reach of science. science, hence any
reference therein to
There are three aspects of the scientific subjects could
relationship between Islam not be merely incidental.
and science. First, our premise The main purpose is to
is that the descriptions of establish the unity of
cosmology, embryology, and source.’
the origin and evolution of (p. 285)
various forms of life given in
the Qur’an conform to modern That is, the Qur’an assures us
scientific findings and thus that there can be no
point to the Divine origin of contradiction between the
the Holy Qur’an. The second scriptural universe — the word
premise is that Islam and of God — and the material
science are not only universe — the work of God.
compatible but that Islam
encourages scientific enquiry. The Qur’an makes highly
The third aspect is the accurate observations about
scientific contributions of the creation of the universe. It
Islamic societies. says.

The Qur’an and the Universe Do not the disbelievers see


Hadhrat Khalifatul-Masih IV, in that the heavens and the
his book, Revelation, earth were a closed-up
Rationality, Knowledge and mass, then We clove them
Truth, observes that: asunder? … Will they not
then believe?
‘The knowledge gained (Ch.21: v.31)
through revelation is quite

Review of Religions – October 2002 57


Islam and Science

The Qur’an continues: came as a total surprise,


and it completely changed
And We have built the the discussion of the origin
heaven with might and We of the universe. If the
continue to expand it galaxies are moving apart,
indeed. they must have been very
(Ch51: v.48) close together in the past …
(this) implied that the
The reference in these two universe and time itself
verses is to the origin of the must have had a beginning
universe as envisioned by the in a tremendous explosion.’
Big Bang theory and to the (p. 76)
expansion of the universe from
a black hole, a dark ‘closed-up A controversy raged for fifty
mass’ in the apt Qur’anic years over whether the
phrase. universe was expanding. And
when it became inescapably
The expansion of the universe, clear that it is expanding,
discovered by Edwin Hubble in another controversy started
the 1920s, is a cornerstone of over whether this expansion
modern cosmology, and is best means that the universe had a
envisaged as the continual beginning — that is, the Big
stretching of space itself. Bang. The support for the
Stephen Hawking, who is one notion of a Creator in the Big
of the most eminent Bang theory arises not only
theoretical physicists of our from the fact that the theory
time, writes in his recent book provides a moment when
The Universe in a Nutshell: creation could have occurred
but also because at the
‘The discovery of the beginning of the universe we
expansion of the universe encounter the unexplainable.
was one of the great Laws of physics break down at
intellectual revolutions of that point. In physics, that
the twentieth century. It point is called a singularity.

58 Review of Religions – October 2002


Islam and Science

The foregoing Qur’anic verse First, we must grant this


mentions disbelievers. The theory quite a body of pre-
reference might very well be existing laws of physics in
to the agnostic and atheistic order to get away with the
scientists of today. The idea of trick of avoiding boundary
origin of the universe with a conditions. Second, given our
singularity did not sit well with present state of knowledge,
many distinguished astrono- this remains an extremely
mers. Herman Bondi, Fred speculative model with little
Hoyle, and others came up chance of observational veri-
with a steady state theory, an fication.
attempt to explain the
expansion of the universe in a Thus the Qur’an can still
way that would not require the rightfully ask:
universe to have had a
beginning — and by implication Do not the disbelievers see
a Creator. But this theory was that the heavens and the
readily discarded, as it did not earth were closed-up mass,
correspond to the observa- then We opened them out?
tional data. A few years later, And We made from water
James Hartle and Stephen every living thing. Will they
Hawking proposed a model, not then believe?
where the universe has no (Ch.21: v.31)
boundary either in space or in
time — so that this allegedly The cycle of creation and
self-contained and self- destruction of the universe
creating universe could just might mislead one to believe
be. In his popular book, A Brief that the universe is eternal.
History of Time, Hawking then The theory of entropy – the
asked: What place, then, for a tendency in the universe
creator? ( p.141) towards irreversible disorder
– can be used to dispel this
There are two main objections misconception. There is also
to Hartle-Hawking theory. a constant dissipation of

Review of Religions – October 2002 59


Islam and Science

matter and energy, which evolution and a theory of


indicates that the universe evolution. The fact of evolu-
will finally perish. The tion means that there is
Qur’an also declares its evidence that life has
ultimate annihilation. It says: progressed in nature from
lower to higher forms over
All that is on it (earth) will time. A theory of evolution, on
pass away. And there will the other hand, attempts to
remain only the Person of provide a mechanism for that
thy Lord, Master of Glory process. The Darwinian theory
and Honour. of natural selection hypoth-
(Ch.55: v.27-28) esises the evolution of life as a
purely physical process fully
The Qur’an throws light on explainable in terms of small
many aspects of the origin of random variations and
life on earth. The Qur’an selection of the fittest. It is a
observes that living things quasi-scientific theory full of
were created from water critical flaws; and it does not
[21:31], which is a well- lend itself well to either
established scientific fact. deductive analysis or empirical
verification, the hallmarks of
The Qur’an refers to the fact true science. The under-
of human evolution in the pinning of the Darwinian
following verse: theory is that the role played
by a supernatural agency in
What is the matter with the evolution of life can be
you that you do not ascribe completely eliminated.
dignity to Allah? And
certainly He has created The Qur’an recognises the fact
you in stages. of evolution but rejects the
(Ch.71: vs 14-15) Darwinian theory of natural
selection. Many Qur’anic
It is important to make a verses speak of the evolution
distinction between the fact of of man on earth in planned

60 Review of Religions – October 2002


Islam and Science

and progressive stages, where its Creator. The Qur’anic


accidents play no major role in verses inviting reflection on
the survival of the species or nature outnumber those that
individual. Hadhrat Khalifatul- are related to religious obser-
Masih IV writes ‘at every step vation. Prophet Muhammad(sa)
of creation, choices that had said that the quest of
to be made were made not by knowledge is obligatory upon
the blind hand of natural every Muslim, man and
selection but by the will of woman. He enjoined his
God.’ [Revelation, Rationality, followers to seek knowledge
Knowledge and Truth, p. 103] even if they have to travel to
far away places. His constant
Fourteen hundred years ago, prayer was for the knowledge
when the Qur’an was revealed of the ultimate reality of
to Prophet Muhammad (peace things.
be upon him), human
understanding of the cosmos The Qur’an invites the
was extremely rudimentary. believers to scientific enquiry
Nonetheless, as we have seen, on the premise that they are
there are extraordinary guided by this knowledge to
scientific facts revealed in the their Divine Creator. It
Holy Qur’an. declares:

Islam and Scientific Enquiry And in your creation and in


The Qur’an invites reflection that of all creatures, which
upon the universe, the stars He scatters in the earth,
and the planets, the light and are Signs for a people who
the rain, the life in its myriad possess firm faith.
variety — and the extra- (Ch.45: v.5)
ordinary conditions that
govern them. It recommends Verily in the creation of
pondering over the prime the heavens and of the
cause of creation and the earth, and in the
evident wisdom and power of alternation of the night

Review of Religions – October 2002 61


Islam and Science

and of the day, there are heavens in harmony. No


signs for men of incongruity canst thou see
understanding. Those who in the creation of the
remember Allah standing, Gracious God. Then look
sitting and reclining, and again; Seest thou any flaw?
reflect upon the creation Aye, look again and yet
of the heavens and the again, your sight will only
earth, saying, ‘O Our Lord, return to you frustrated
You have not created this and fatigued.
universe in vain’. (Ch.67; vs.4-5)
(Ch.3: vs. 191-192)
These verses have profound
The spiritual longing, the significance as we are
remembrance of God, and challenged to study the
reflection upon the God’s universe, explore it, and
creation heightens the sense appreciate its perfection and
of wonder for the believer and precision.
reinforces his faith that the
universe was created with a The universe and its physical
purpose. laws are indeed without any
flaw. The structure of the
The Holy Qur’an says: physical laws are delicately
balanced and finely tuned.
And We have not created Many of the basic features of
the heavens and the earth, the universe are determined in
and that which lies essence by the values that are
between the two, but with assigned to the fundamental
truth; constants of the universe. The
(Ch.15: v.86) features of the universe would
be drastically different, if the
And then it makes a unique constants assume even
proclamation. It says: moderately altered values.
Paul Davies in his book The
Who has created seven Accidental Universe writes:

62 Review of Religions – October 2002


Islam and Science

‘… why, from the infinite The Holy Qur’an further says:


range of possible values that
nature could have selected And He has subjected to
for the fundamental you whatsoever is in the
constants, and from the heavens and whatsoever is
infinite variety of initial in the earth; all this is from
conditions that could have Him. In that surely, are
characterised the primeval Signs for a people who
universe, the actual values reflect.
and conditions conspire to (Ch.45: v.14)
produce the particular
range of very special It would be impossible to
features we observe. For conceive a more powerful
clearly, the universe is a gesture of encouragement for
very special place: the limitless exploration of the
exceedingly uniform on a universe. It is implicit that
large scale, yet not so everything man would discover
precisely uniform that could be of service to him.
galaxies could not form;
extremely low entropy per Muslim Contribution to
proton hence cool enough Science
for chemistry to happen; Under the influence of the
almost zero cosmic Qur’an, the attention of its
repulsion and an expansion followers was turned towards
rate tuned to the energy the study of nature and its
content to unbelievable laws. Three centuries after the
accuracy, … and many more Hijra, one of the most dynamic
apparent accidents of scientific movements in
fortune’. history began and rapidly
(p. 111) gained momentum in the lands
of Islam. It continued unabat-
But we observe no accident, ed for several centuries, and
only design — perfect and Muslims remained the torch-
precise! bearers of science and

Review of Religions – October 2002 63


Islam and Science

civilisation. It produced the This scientific spirit of Islam


greatest physicists, astrono- produced a school of
mers, mathematicians, rationalist philosophers known
chemists, clinicians, zoolo- as the Mut’azilites, who
gists, and geologists of their emphasised that the real
time. Most eminent among message of revelation could
them are Al-Jabir, Ibn-Hayyan, not be understood without the
Al-Jahiz, Al-Damiri, Ibn-Musa use of reasoning. It is reported
Al Khwarizmi, Abu Kamil, Razi, that the doctrine of
Masudi, Al-Beruni, Ibn-Sena, Mut’azilite became the distin-
Omar Khyyam, Al-Kindi, Ibn- guishing mark of the
Rushed, Yahya Ibn-Mansur, Ibn- intellectuals. And phenomenal
Al-Haitham, Al-Farisi, Abul progress in the secular
Wafa, Al-Beruni, Sharafu-Din sciences occurred under the
at-Tusi, Al-Farghani, Al- Mut’azilites rulers.
Battani, and Ulugh Beg. These
scientists produced seminal Commenting on the scientific
work in medicine, decimal achievements of Muslims, a
number system, algebra, well-known historian, Robert
mathematical algorithms, Briffault writes in his book,
hydrostatics, propagation and Europa: The Days of
diffusion of light, measure- Ignorance:
ment of celestial movements,
the length of the solar year, ‘What we call science arose
and the radius of the earth – to as a result of new methods
name a few among their of experiment, observation
numerous achievements. The and measurement, which
word alge-bra is derived from were introduced in Europe
the title of a book by the by the Arabs … This modern
Muslim mathematician, Al science is the most
Khwarizmi; and the word momentous contribution of
algorithm is derived from his the Islamic civilization’.
very name. (p. 232)

64 Review of Religions – October 2002


Islam and Science

This historical verdict is Alas, that is true. By the end


echoed by George Sartan, the of the 12th century, an
great historian of science, in intellectual decline has set in
his monumental book, the Muslim world — and it
Introduction to the History of continues to this day. There
Science: were external causes, but
religious extremism and moral
‘The main, as well the least decadence seem to have
obvious, achievement of played a central role in the
the Middle Age was the demise of Islamic science. Add
creation of the to this, the isolation of
experimental spirit, and scientific enterprise and a
this is primarily due to rigid orthodoxy with a lack of
Muslims.’ tolerance for innovation.
(p. 675)
Prof. Hoodbhoy, a well-known
The prestigious scientific Pakistani physicist, writes:
journal Nature says:
‘The decline of science in
‘At its peak about one Islamic culture was
thousand years ago, the contemporaneous with the
Muslim world made a ascendancy of an ossified
remarkable contribution to religiosity, making it harder
science, notably, and harder for secular
mathematics and medicine. pursuits to exist. ... But
… A spirit of freedom certainly, as the chorus of
allowed Jews, Christians intolerance and blind
and Muslims to work side by fanaticism reached its
side. Today all this is but a crescendo, the secular
memory.’ sciences retreated further
(Francis Ghiles, Nature, and further. Finally, when
March 24, 1983) the Golden Age of Islamic
intellect ended in the
fourteenth century, the

Review of Religions – October 2002 65


Islam and Science

towering edifice of Islamic weak nuclear forces. This


science had been reduced discovery is considered one of
to rubble.’ the most profound contribu-
[Islam and Science, p.95- tions to the twentieth century
96] science. Besides his pre-
eminent work in the area of
It is an unfortunate fact that particle physics, Dr. Salam
today science is the weakest in dedicated his life to the cause
the Muslim countries. Dr. of scientific advancement in
Mehdi Golshani, an Iranian the third world in general and
professor of physics, says that in the Muslim world in
less than one percent of the particular.
scientific papers published in
the internationally recognized Regarding the future of
journals originates from the science in Islam, Dr. Salam
Islamic countries. Prof. remarked that “so long as the
Hoodbhoy remarks that Qur’anic and the prophetic
‘although Muslims are one- tradition of religious liberty
fifth of the world’s population, and tolerance prevails, science
they are barely noticeable in in Islam will flourish, for the
the world of scientific two are closely linked, so far
research.’ (Islam and Science, as our faith is concerned.”
p.50) [Renaissance of Sciences in
Islamic Countries, p.179].
After centuries of darkness
and intellectual decline in the In that spirit, we hope and
Muslim world, we see a ray of pray that our young men and
hope, a silver lining in the women pursue science for the
cloud. One follower of the establishment of the truth of
Promised Messiah (as), Dr. Abdus the Holy Qur’an, for the
Salam, discovered the refutation of quasi-scientific
fundamental theory uniting theories, and for the
the two basic forces of nature enrichment of life.
– the electromagnetic and

66 Review of Religions – October 2002


Islam and Science

Bibliography
• George Sartan, Introduction
• Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, to the History of Science,
Revelation, Rationality, Krieger Publishing Company,
Knowledge and Truth, Islam 1975.
International Publications
Ltd, 1998. • Robert Briffault, Europa:
The Days of Ignorance ,
• H. Dalafi and M.H.A. Hassan Charles Scribner & Sons,
(Ed.), Renaissance of New York, 1935.
Sciences in Islamic
Countries, World Scientific,
1994.
About the author
• P.C.W. Davies, The
Rafi Ahmed is a computer
Accidental Universe,
scientist. He has a
Cambridge University Press,
graduate degree in
1982.
mathematics and a Ph.D. in
computer science. He has
• Stephen Hawking, A Brief
published over thirty
History of Time, Bantam
research papers, book
Books, 1988.
chapters, and encyclopedia
article in the areas of
• Stephen Hawking, The
applied mathematics and
Universe in a Nutshell,
computer science. He has
Bantam Books, 2001.
also written and spoken on
theological and religious
• Pervez Hoodbhoy, Islam and
subjects. He serves as the
Science, Zed Books Ltd.
education secretary for the
1991.
San Jose (California,
U.S.A.) Chapter of the
• Michael Behe, Darwin’s
Ahmadiyya Muslim
Black Box, The Free Press,
Community.)
1995.

Review of Religions – October 2002 67


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