Documentos de Académico
Documentos de Profesional
Documentos de Cultura
Eid Message From the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Community, Hadhrat
Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V. ....................................................................... 3
Notes & Comment Trading Partners: International trading is as much about moral
ethical, human rights and justice than mere commercial and financial benefits.
By Tanveer Khokhar, UK...................................................................................................... 6
The Essence of Islam, Vol.1, part 1 Start of a serialisation of extracts from various
writings and books of the Promised Messiah(as) ................................................................... 8
History of the Ka’aba Background and history of the Ka’aba and related holy sites
in Makkah – By Fazal Ahmad, UK ...................................................................................... 16
The House of Allah A Friday sermon from 1983 delivered by Hadhrat Khalifatul
Masih IV (ru) that explored the significance of a mosque with reference to the Ka’aba....... 32
Hajj and its Significance A short summary of the rites related to the Muslim
pilgrimage to Makkah – By Bilquees Cheema, Kenya......................................................... 38
The Impact of Alcohol on Soceity A brief look into problems caused by alcoholism
and Islamic teachings on the subject ................................................................................. 60
Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. 1
Editorial
January 2004 marks the start of yet This months issue takes Hajj as its
another year when people of all theme. There is an outline of the
faiths and backgrounds will be rites of Hajj and the related
making resolutions related to obligations upon Muslims per-
changing the way that they live. forming this pilgrimage. Then
They will vow to change bad there is an article delving into the
habits. For some it is a physical history and background of the
challenge: give up certain food various sites in Makkah. Finally,
and do more exercise. For others it there are extracts from a Friday
is a time to reflect upon their Sermon delivered over twenty
behaviour and relationships, and years ago looking at the status of a
to change themselves. Mosque, and the events of
thousands of years ago that have
In the same way, Muslims have shaped the activities of Hajj
recently completed 30 days of related to the Great Mosque.
fasting and renewed themselves
phys-ically as well as spiritually. It is essential to understand the
Now, those fortunate few among philosophy and wisdom behind the
the Muslims will be making their Hajj in order to fully benefit from
way towards Makkah to perform it. It is an opportunity to make a
the Pilgrimage of Hajj. sacrifice purely for the sake of
God and thereby get closer to the
To the casual onlooker, this may Creator. Allah enable all of the
appear as a set of rituals performed pilgrims to derive the maximum
in white robes in Makkah. But a benefit from this unique
deeper study provides an insight opportunity. Amin.
into the background to the Holy
Mosque of Makkah itself, and the Fazal Ahmad
history and wisdom behind the
rituals which millions of pilgrims
will be performing this month.
Eid
Message
by Hahdrat
Mirza
Masroor
Ahmad –
Head of the
worldwide
Ahmadiyya
community
Hadhrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad,
Khalifatul Masih V,
conveyed Eid
greetings to every-one during Ramadan) Sermon are
his Sermon delivered on 26 reproduced in a summarised
November 2003 from the form below:
recently inaugurated Baitul
Futuh Mosque in Morden, O soul at rest that has found
Surrey (UK). Some extracts comfort in God, return to thy
from this Eidul Fitr (Eid = lit. a Lord, thou well pleased with
recurring happy day; Eidul Fitr Him and He well pleased
is at the end of month of with thee. Now join My
chosen servants and enter dent on your aid this year would
into My garden. be able to help someone else at
(Ch. 89: V.28-31) next year’s Eid. In this way, not
only would economic condi-
In our faith, Eid is not for tions improve but moral values
boisterous merry making, would also begin to rise higher
wearing of good clothes or and once moral values rise,
eating and drinking. For the other good values would also
sake of winning Allah’s begin to emerge and a healthy
pleasure, we impose upon environment would be
ourselves the restrictions of the established.
month of fasting so that we may
gather His blessings. The Promised Messiah (as) has
said:
Whereas great emphasis has
been placed on worship during Moral values are the ladder
this month, there is also the to all progress. God
requirement to be mindful of Almighty never wastes the
the needy. Do not stop by faith of a person who acts
merely feeding them on Eid. Do kindly towards others.
not break the ties with the less When a person does a deed
fortunate but assess their needs for winning the pleasure of
from time to time and continue God Almighty and deals
to help them. Helping the with his weak brother with
unemployed find a job and compassion, then that
encouraging them would be an person’s sincerity strength-
act of charity. So if in this spirit, ens his faith. But it should
each Ahmadi helps those less be remembered that moral
well off to stand on their own values displayed as a show
feet, then it is possible that the off are not regarded as
same person who was depen- values by God Almighty
Islam, the True and Living Faith Living God and till he knows for
Islam means losing oneself for the certain that God exists, Who
sake of God and surrendering punishes the offender and bestows
one’s own pleasure for the upon a righteous one every lasting
pleasure of God. I perceive that joy. It is a common experience that
through believing in Islam when one believes in the fatal
fountains of light are coursing effects of anything one does not
through me. have recourse to it. For instance,
no one swallows poison con-
The true purpose of adopting a sciously. No one deliberately
faith is that one should acquire stands in front of a wild tiger. No
such certainty concerning God, one deliberately thrusts his hand
Who is the fountainhead of into the hole of a serpent. Then
salvation, as if one can see Him why does a person commit sin
with one’s eyes. The wicked spirit deliberately? The reason is that he
of sin seeks to destroy a man and a has not that certainty in this matter
person cannot escape the fatal as he has in other matters of the
poison of sin till he believes with kind that we have mentioned. The
full certainty in the Perfect and first duty of a person, therefore, is
deprived. The signs that Islam I would set down three hundred
exhibits not only establish its arguments in Braheen Ahmadiyyah.
superiority over other religions but But on further reflection I
enable it to draw the hearts of the perceived that these two
people by exhibiting its perfect characteristics are a substitute for
light. The first characteristic of thousands of proofs and thus God
Islam which we have stated above, made me alter my plan.
that is to say, the perfection of its (Preface to Braheen Ahmadiyyah,
teaching, is not quite conclusive in Part V, pp. 2-5).
establishing that Islam is a true
religion revealed by God. A God Almighty is not held back in
bigoted opponent who is not far- exposition of the claim of the Holy
sighted may assert that it is Prophet, peace be on him. He
possible that a teaching might be came like a sun and manifested his
perfect and yet it may not proceed light from every point of view. He
from God Almighty. This first who turns away from this true sun,
characteristic relieves a wise will come to no good. We cannot
seeker after truth of many doubts credit such a one with good faith.
and brings him close to certainty, Can anyone who is afflicted with
but does not establish the matter leprosy and whose limbs are
conclusively and beyond doubt till corrupted with leprosy, claim that
it is combined with the second he is whole and is not in need of
characteristic. By their combi- treatment? Should he say so, can
nation the light of the true faith we credit him with good faith?
reaches its perfection. A true faith Should such a person insist that he
comprises thousands of proofs and cannot arrive at the truth of Islam,
lights but these two characteristics despite good faith and despite
are enough to carry conviction to every effort such as he puts forth
the heart of a seeker after truth and in his worldly affairs, his matter
expound the matter to the rests with God. We have not come
satisfaction of all deniers of truth. across any such person and we
Nothing more is needed in consider it impossible that anyone
addition. I had originally intended equipped with reason and a sense
that in support of the truth of Islam of justice should prefer some other
One of the most recognisable religious icons in the world is the ancient
House of Worship in Makkah known as the Ka’aba. Every year, millions of
Muslims from around the world flock there on pilgrimage as they will be
doing in January 2004.
This article traces the history of the Ka’aba from its origins, through its
pagan phase and through the events till it became the centre of the Islamic
World. It also takes a closer look at the Black Stone and the Well of Zum
Zum.
the rose-red city carved out of carry it out. It was then that
rock in southern Jordan, and Divine intervention took over.
Damascus in modern Syria. To The army was struck down with
the South, the Christians in smallpox and utterly destroyed
Yemen were becoming perturbed, without even reaching the
and chose to send an army led by battlefield.
Abraha, the Christian viceroy of
Abyssinia to attack the Ka’aba. Islamic Victory
They wanted their local Church The Black Stone needed to be
in San’a to be a greater attraction replaced in the corner of the
than the Ka’aba. Ka’aba in its housing after the
structure was rebuilt following
The most striking feature of the local floods. The various tribal
army was that it also had an leaders felt that it was a matter of
elephant, hence the name of the honour as to who should replace
chapter in the Qur’an. The the Stone, and this was creating
Makkan chiefs (including Abd tension between the tribal
al-Muttalib, grandfather of the leaders.
Holy Prophet (sa)) tried to
negotiate with Abraha, but he It was therefore a great sign of
had his mission and was intent to wisdom when the young Holy
The site that has been acquired Allah has here used the
for this Mosque has, by Allah’s expression ‘all mankind’ which
Grace, a large area which is well indicates that this House was
situated. It is within fifty miles of constructed for neither the
the well known Australian town Muslims, nor Hindus, nor
of Sydney, which is not much of Christians, but for the whole of
a distance. The area of the site on mankind for carrying out the
which the Mosque and the worship of Allah. It was intended
Mission House will, if Allah so that here would, in due course, be
desires, be constructed, is a little born the Prophet (sa) through
more than 27 acres, and it can whom the whole of mankind
provide accommodation of all would be gathered together under
aspects of the activities of the the banner of one faith. The fact
Movement. is that the whole world could be
gathered together under one hand
Our Annual Conference can also only twice, once in the
be held there. We have acquired beginning, and finally towards
such a large area in the hope that the end.
Allah would be pleased to fill it
soon and within a short time Prophethood began with Adam(as)
make it too small for our growing when mankind was not divided.
needs and thus Divine Grace may Adam(as) must have constructed a
outrun our expectations. The house for the worship of Allah,
foundation stone of this Mosque which indicates that Adam(as) laid
will, Allah willing, be laid with the foundation of this House. As
these supplications. there was no division at that time,
Adam(as) was the whole of
Surely the first House mankind. He was the seed which
established for the benefit of God selected for the propagation
all mankind is the one at of His Word. A second time the
Becca. whole of mankind could be
(Ch.3: v.97) addressed after the advent of the
Prophet(sa) who would be
and some dates with his wife. The two great events of those
She felt that he was leaving them years were the reconstruction of
and she asked him whether he the House in which both father
intended to depart. But and son participated, and the
Abraham returned no answer.
(as) readiness of both father and son
She ran after him, but he was in to carry out what they conceived
no condition to answer her. His was the Divine command that
eyes were wet and he feared that Ishmael(as) should be sacrificed.
if he tried to speak, he might The whole background is most
break down. At last Hajirah moving and glorious. It reveals
entreated him to tell her whether the depth of the love that surged
he was leaving them under between Allah and Abraham(as).
Divine direction. There was a The House that was recons-
special purpose in Hajirah’s tructed was a very simple
question. She had been wedded structure, but that simple
by Abraham (as) when he was structure has been the centre of
already married to Sarah and she God's most loving looks. In his
knew that Sarah was jealous of supplications made at the time of
her and had asked Abraham(as) the reconstruction of the House,
several times to get rid of Abraham(as) had prayed for the
Hajirah. advent of Muhammad(sa) through
whom the House was to be
This was the purpose behind her redevoted to the worship of the
question. She wanted to know One God. Abraham’s prayer was
whether Abraham(as) was acting answered in the terms that he had
under Divine direction, or out of himself employed and in due
a desire to please Sarah. In course the advent of
answer to her question, Muhammad , the Chosen One,
(sa)
In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says: There are many benefits in Hajj.
For instance it gives the
And complete the Hajj and opportunity for Muslims to visit
the Umrah for the sake of Makkah, the birth place of the
Allah; but if you are kept Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).
back, then make whatever Makkah has a great significance
offering is easily available; in the history of Islam. It has the
and do not shave your heads History of Prophet Ibrahim (as),
until the offering reaches its Hajirah(as) and Ismael(as). In fact
destination. And whoever while performing Hajj many
among you is sick or has an such acts are performed in their
ailment of the head should remembrance. By performing the
make expiation either by Hajj, all Muslims around the
fasting or almsgiving or a world are bound to a relationship
sacrifice. But when you are of brotherhood and unity. The
safe, then he who would avail most benefit is to get the
himself of the Umrah together opportunity of offering prayers
with the Hajj should make and get closer to Allah the
whatever offering is easily Almighty.
obtainable. But such of you as
cannot find an offering The journey of Hajj starts from
should fast three days during home. It is essential to fulfill the
the pilgrimage, and seven requirements of Saudi Arabia
when you return home; these and the country you are departing
are ten complete. This is for from. If the law forbids someone
him whose family does not to enter the country, it is
reside near the Sacred recommended to obey the rules.
Mosque. And fear Allah and This is what the Holy Prophet
know that Allah is severe in Muhammad(sa) did when he was
punishment. not allowed to enter Makkah; he
(Ch.2: v.197) respected the law and postponed
it to the next year. During the
journey for Hajj, it is preferable,
even cutting the trees or plants except the tawaaf (circuits of the
also stands in this regulation. Ka’aba). It is clearly indicated by
However after the state of various AHadith, but for the
Ihraam, one can have a bath, benefit of the readers I would
comb the hair put on perfume or like to mention only two of them.
deodorant, and can change into
another pair of Ihraam clothes. It is related that on the way to
Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: Hajj, the wife of Hadhrat Abu
Bakr(as) gave birth to a child
The months of Hajj are well named Muhammad Bin Abu
known; so whoever deter- Bakr. She sent a messenger to
mines to perform the inform the Holy Prophet(sa) about
pilgrimage in these months, the birth of the child and asked
should remember that there is whether she should continue with
to be no foul talk, nor any the Hajj. The reply was that she
transgression, nor any quar- should have a bath and complete
relling during the pilgrimage. the Hajj.
And whatever good you do,
Allah knows it. And furnish In another Hadith it is related that
yourselves with necessary when the Holy Prophet(sa) went
provisions for your journey, for Hajj, his wives also
and surely the best provision accompanied him. On the way to
is righteousness. And fear Me Makkah two of his wives started
alone, O men of their menses, so they also
understanding. consulted the Holy Prophet(sa) for
(Ch.2: v.198) their status; he gave a similar
statement and said that you may
An important aspect of Hajj that continue your joumey for Hajj
relates to ladies is that upon except the Tawaaf, which can be
putting on the Ihraam if she carried out after the menses, and
reaches the period of men- after having bath.
struation, she can participate in
all the ceremonies of the Hajj After the Ihraam, the Hajj starts
Hajj Route
After the prayers the pilgrim has Allah says in the Holy Qur’an:
to engage in supplications and
prayers. Once the Holy It is no sin for you that you
Prophet said that, the one who
(sa) seek the bounty of your Lord.
does not supplicate at the plain of But when you pour forth from
Arafaat is unlucky. Arafaat is the Arafaat, remember Allah at
place where Hadhrat Mash’ar al-Haram, and
Muhammad ( s a ) delivered the remember Him as He has
farewell sermon. guided you; although, before
this, you were of those gone
After sunset, the pilgrims have to astray.
leave Arafaat and move to (Ch.2: v.199)
Muzdhalifa where they offer
their Maghrib and Isha prayers. During the entire journey, the
In the Holy Qur’an this place is pilgrim has to recite the
referred to as Mash’ ar al- Talbiyyah. The plain of
Haram. It is a sacred place. The Muzdhalifa is also a significant
night at Muzdhalifa is very place for pilgrims. Actually, the
important for the pilgrims; it is pilgrim has to spend the whole
the night for prayers and night praying and asking
supplications. repentance from their sins and
Ibrahim, the well of Zum Zum induce him to perform Hajj. This
and the Ka’aba are all situated is very important, because Allah
within the Masjid Haram sees into his heart. His deeds and
compound. The pilgrim should intentions are the only things
submit to Allah Almighty in considered in front of Allah.
prayers and Tasbeeh. This is the
time to ask Allah for whatever There are three types of Hajj.
the pilgrim wants and engage in Hajj Tamatto, Hajj Ifrad and Hajj
silent prayers all the time. The Qiran. The one I have described
ceremony of Hajj is completed. above is Hajj Tamatto. The Hajj
of Ifrad starts with the intention
The pilgrim may go to the other of Hajj by reciting this Prayer:
sacred city called Madinah to visit
the Masjid al-Nabwi (the Holy Allahuma innee arfidul hajja,
Prophet’s Mosque (sa)), and the Fayassirhu Iee wa
tomb of the Holy Prophet(sa). The taqabbalhu minnee
Holy Prophet’s(sa) Mosque in
Madinah is a blessed place as ‘O, Allah I have decided to
according to one tradition, forty offer Hajj, make it easy for
prayers observed here are greatly me and accept it.’
blessed by God Almighty. This
therefore means that the pilgrim When the pilgrims reaches the
should allow himself a sstay of at designated place near Makkah,
least eight days in Madinah-tul- they put on the Ihraam and recite
Munawara. The person who is the Talbiyyah. After that they
going for Hajj should have proceed to Makkah and perform
intention of performing his Tawaaf, go for Saiee and remain
Pilgrimage just for the sake of in Makkah in the state of Ihraam.
worship. No other worldly matter
should propel them to perform the On 8th Dhul Hajj the pilgrim
Hajj. Not even the wish to be goes to Mina, Arafat and
called a pious person nor the Muzdhalifa. Next day on the way
desire to be called al-Hajj should back to Makkah, they perform
Journey to the Truth is a series of articles by the author covering the theme
of whether we get the same picture of God and Prophethood from looking
at various faiths. He is attempting to compare the view of God from
different teachings at different places around the world and from different
eras. If all of the teachings show a common theme and common
understanding of God, then this adds weight to the belief in One
Ominipotent God. The series will look at the major faiths, traditional
beliefs and renowned philosophers.
worship the Supreme Being upon The words above, are the direct
hearing about Him from others. words of the Supreme Being
Because of their tendency to hear revealed through Krishna(as), after
from (genuine) authorities, they Krishna(as) had attained Divine
also transcend the path of birth and Consciousness. These are
death. obviously not the words of
Krishna(as). But they are the words
If a person approaches every of the Supreme Being or
teaching with a sincerely open Supersoul, Who manifested within
mind, he is bound to find the Krishna(as) once he attained Divine
correct Teachings of the Supreme Consciousness, guiding all
Being. But if one’s mind is biased Krishna's actions and sayings, and
against other teachings, one would occasionally speaking directly
ignorantly dismiss the correct through Krishna(as).
Teachings of the Supreme Being
whenever it comes one’s way. On attaining Divine Consciousness,
a person does not become the
Warning against worhipping Supreme Being, but is rather
men guided by the Supreme Being. The
The Hindu Scriptures warn against Supreme Being is not human, and
worshipping a person (who attains thus does not possess physical
Divine Consciousness) as the forms 1ike a human being.
Supreme Being.
‘He does not possess bodily
‘Unintelligent men who do not form like that of an ordinary
know Me perfectly, think that entity’
I, the Supreme Being, was (Svetasvatara Upanisad, 6:8)
impersonal before and have
now assumed this personality. Like many other texts in the
Due to their small knowledge, Bhagavad Gita, the words of the
they do not know My Higher Bhagavad Gita presented below
nature, which is Imperishable are not the words of Krishna(as).
and Supreme.’ They are the words of the Supreme
(Bhagavad Gita 7:24) Being revealed through Krishna(as),
The actions and speech of a person ii) The MERCY of the Supreme
who attains Divine Consciousness Being
become ideal moral behaviour ‘But a person free from all
because he is constantly guided by attachment and aversion and
the Supreme Being. Thus he is able to control his senses
potentially capable of directing through regulative principles
others in the right way. of freedom can obtain the
complete Mercy of the Lord.’
‘and (the Supreme Being) is (Bhagavad Gita, 2:64)
the Supreme Director of all
(genuine) directors’. ‘To show them My Special
(Svetasvatara Upanisad, 6:7) Mercy, I dwelling in their
hearts, destroy with the shining
lamp of Knowledge the
The effects of alcohol are being witnessed more and more on the streets
of the developed world through anti-social behaviour and poor health.
The United Kingdom is starting to count the costs of the effects of this
drug upon its society.
Given that Islam banned alcoholic beverages some 1400 years ago, the
author takes a broader look at the effects of alcohol and alcoholism
upon society, and whether there are lessons to be learned from the
Islamic stance.
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