June 2005, Vol.100, No.06

CONTENTS June 2005, Vol.100, No.
06
Notes & Comments – Tobacco – its continued globalisation and effects . . . . 2

Despite the Global Health Treaty on the effects of tobacco use in the West being implemented in 2005,
‘developing countries’ are now becoming successful targets of tobacco manufacturers who exploit their
economic and social vulnerability.
Maidah Ahmad – Canada
Knowledge of God – Part 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

An insight into how God’s knowledge is Perfect. The capacity for receiving divine revelation to seek an
understanding of the Divine is and will always be open to man. Hadhrat Mirza GhulamAhmad(as) – Promised Messiah and Mahdi
Raising the Standard of Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

An address given by the Head of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community at the 2005 Kenya Annual
Convention – Being an Ahmadi Muslim is not enough; one should sincerely follow the teachings of Islam
especially in worship. Our conduct in our everyday lives and our treatment to other human beings should be
exemplary.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V
Foundation stone Ceremony of the London Mosque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Historical speech by the second Khalifa of the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim community at the Foundation
Stone Ceremony of the London’s first mosque.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)
Glimpses into the Qur’anic Concept of the Environment - Part 1 . . . . . . 36

How every aspect of the environment, including the animal and plant kingdom, affects not only our physical
well-being but also our moral and spiritual condition – as revealed by the Holy Qur’an.
Maha Dabbous – UK
The Philosophy of Zakat – Part II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Zakat is taken from the well-to-do and given to the poor. It teaches sympathy of the highest order.
The Late Maulana Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad
The Holy Prophet If a Muslim plants a tree and men and animals eat from it, all of
Muhammad(sa) said: this will be regarded as an everlasting act of charity.
Basit Ahmad Chief Editor and Manager: Mansoor Ahmed Shah

Bockarie Tommy Kallon
Management Board: Special contributors: Design and layout:
Fareed Ahmad Amatul-Hadi Ahmad Tanveer Khokhar
Mr Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)
Fazal Ahmad Mr Mansoor Shah (Secretary) Farina Qureshi
Publisher:
Fauzia Bajwa Mr Naseer Ahmad Qamar Proof-readers: Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah
Mansoor Saqi Mr Mubarak Ahmad Zafar Shaukia Mir
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Distribution:
Mahmood Hanif Mr Mirza Fakhar Ahmad
Khan Muhammad Hanif
Mr. Abdul Baqi Arshad
Mansoora Hyder-Muneeb
Navida Shahid All correspondence should The Review of Religions © Islamic Publications, 2005
Sarah Waseem be forwarded to the editor at: The London Mosque ISSN No: 0034-6721
16 Gressenhall Road
Saleem Ahmad Malik London, SW18 5QL
Tanveer Khokhar. United Kingdom
Views expressed in this publication are not necessarily the beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community 1
Notes &
Comments
Tobacco - its continued globalisation and effects
Tobacco is the second major packet and bans on tobacco

cause of death in the world. It is advertising, promotion and
responsible for the deaths of 1 in sponsorship. Although smoking
every 10 adults worldwide, has not been directly outlawed in
amounting to 5 million people a the Holy Qur’an, the treaty is a
yeari if smoking patterns step towards following the
continue.ii This number is likely Qur’anic injunctions to enjoin
to double in the next 10 years. It good and forbid evil and to
is to offset this pattern that the hasten to vie with one another in
world’s first global health treaty good works (Ch.3:V.115).
came into force on 27 February
2005. Formally known as the Moreover, it is not only the
WHO Framework Convention health costs which have spurred
on Tobacco Control (WHO on this global treaty. Economic
FCTC), it is the first legal costs of tobacco use are equally
instrument designed to reduce devastating. For example, the
tobacco-related deaths and World Bank estimates that high-
disease around the world it has income countries spend currently
been signed by 168 countries and between 6% and 15% of their
ratified by 57 of them. total health-care costs to treat
Unfortunately, some of the tobacco-related diseases. In
richest nations, including the US, addition to the high public health
have not signed the treaty. The costs of treating tobacco-caused
demands made by the treaty are diseases, tobacco kills people at
health warnings on cigarette the height of their productivity,
packets to cover 30% of the depriving families of bread-
2 The Review of Religions – June 2005

NOTES AND COMMENTS
winners and nations of a healthy Developing World minds –

workforce. Due to increased where 84% of the world’s 1.8
sickness, tobacco users are also billion smokers live. iv
less productive while they are
alive. For example, although Due to the immaturity of
Canada gains $3 billion annually economies and the health sector
from tobacco, tobacco’s costs – in poorer countries, the effects on
including physicians’ services, less developed societies are more
hospital bills, drugs and serious. In Egypt, annual costs of
administrative services come to treating diseases caused by
$2.4 billion. To this another $1.5 tobacco use have been estimated
billion can be added for the loss at US$545.5 million and in China
of productivity caused by health costs of smoking were
smoking-related health diseases. estimated at US$6.5 billion per
So, leaving aside environmental year.v This diverts scarce
costs, the tobacco industry resources away from other much
causes Canada a loss of almost needed sectors such as education
$1 billion annually.iii and infrastructural development.
However, in recent years as Studies across all the regions in

Western nations and people have the world show that it is the
become increasingly aware of the poorest people who tend to
health, social and economic smoke the most in both
problems of smoking and enforce developing and developed
stricter regulations, the tobacco countries, and who bear most of
industry is increasingly looking the disease burden. In poorest
to the East in the search for new households in some low-income
markets. The tobacco industry countries as much as 10% of total
has laid a firm grip on household expenditure is on
Developing World markets – tobacco. This means that these
with governments playing an families have less money to
active role in the promotion of spend on basic items such as
the industry, as well as on food, education and health care.vi
The Review of Religions – June 2005 3

NOTES AND COMMENTS
Not only is tobacco linked to society, people are given more

poverty, but it also has a bearing knowledge on which to base their
on development. Researchers personal choices.
working in parts of Africa have
shown the effect which growing By Maidah Ahmad – Canada
tobacco has on the physical
environment. Tobacco has been References
referred to as the ‘greedy i WHO, ‘Why is tobacco a public
weed’viii for it depletes the soil of health priority?’, WHO,
its nutrients taking up to 3 years www.who.int/tobacco/health_priori
for it to regenerate. During this ty/en/, Last accessed 18/04/2005.
time the land lies fallow unable ii ibid
to support any food crop. iii John Madeley, ‘Agribusiness:
Burnt fingers, Tobacco’s balance
Thus, what we see is that after sheet’, New Internationalist, Issue
years of social relaxation in the 167, January 1987.
name of freedom of choice, there iv Nick Triggle, ‘Smoking gets own
is an explicit acknowledgment ‘Kyoto treaty’, BBC News, Sunday
that the liberty much sought after 27 February 2005.
is not as sweet as once thought. v WHO, ‘Why is tobacco a public
The problems which tobacco has health priority?’, WHO,
caused are global in magnitude www.who.int/tobacco/health_priori
and as such the solutions should ty/en/.
also be global. The treaty is a vi WHO, ‘The World Health
step in the right direction towards Organization says that tobacco is
fulfilling this objective, and in bad economics all around’,
accordance with Islamic
www.who.int/tobacco/en/.
teachings, does not outlaw
viii New Internationalist, ‘The greedy
smoking, but rather through
weed’, New Internationalist, Issue
increasing awareness to the
107, January 1982.
dangers of smoking on the
health, social, economic and
environmental well-being of

Knowledge of God - part 11
This series sets out, in the words of the Promised Messiah(as), Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam
Ahmad, a summary of his exposition of four outstanding topics: ISLAM; ALLAH,
THE EXALTED; THE HOLY PROPHET(sa) and THE HOLY QUR’AN. The original
compilation, in Urdu, from which these extracts have been translated into English,
was collated with great care and diligence by Syed Daud Ahmad Sahib, Allah have
mercy on him and reward him graciously for his great labour of love. Amin. The
English rendering is by the late Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan, may Allah be pleased
with him, and is quoted from The Essence of Islam, Volume 1. All references
throughout, unless otherwise specifically mentioned, are from the Holy Qur’an.
Knowledge of God certain and most absolute of all

It is a very fine question, what the types of knowledge is the
is the nature of the knowledge of knowledge that we possess
Almighty God through the concerning our own existence.
perfection of which He is aware
of the overt and the covert of No man can in any condition
every particle? It is true that forget his own existence or
reason cannot comprehend the entertain any doubt concerning
true condition of that knowledge, it. So far as our reason extends,
yet it is entirely true to say that of we find this type of knowledge
all types of knowledge that can more powerful and stronger and
be conceived of, that knowledge fuller and more complete. We
is more powerful and stronger find it inconsistent with the
and fuller and more complete. perfection of God Almighty that
When we observe our own ways His knowledge with regard to
of acquiring knowledge and His creatures should in any way
consider its diverse types, we be less perfect than this,
find that the greatest and most inasmuch as it would be a

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
default that God Almighty most perfect is that which a

should not possess the highest person has with regard to his
kind of knowledge that could be own existence. We have there-
conceived of and it can be fore to acknowledge that God’s
objected why God’s knowledge knowledge concerning His
fell short of the highest kind. creation is like that knowledge
Was it by His own design or by though we cannot comprehend
some compulsion? It could not its true nature. Our reason tells us
be by His own design for no one that the most certain and absolute
deliberately permits a deficiency knowledge is that which should
with regard to himself. Then exclude any distance or barrier
how should God Almighty, Who between the knower and that
loves perfection, permit such a which is to be known. That
deficiency concerning Himself? knowledge is of this type. As a
If it is said that it is by some man is not dependent upon other
compulsion, then it would sources of knowledge in order to
follow that the compeller would be aware of his own existence, to
be supreme over God Almighty be animate and to consider
in his powers and his strength, so oneself as an animate are so close
that on account of that excess of to each other as to be identical.
strength he should be able to Such should be the knowledge of
restrain God in His designs. But God Almighty concerning the
that is impossible in itself whole universe. Here also there
because nobody is supreme over should be no difference and
God Almighty through whose distance between the Knower
obstruction He could be and that which is to be known.
confronted with some com- This high quality of knowledge
pulsion. It is established, there- which God needs for the
fore, that God’s knowledge is establishment of His Godhead
perfect. can be predicated of Him, when
it is accepted concerning Him
We have just now affirmed that that there is so much closeness
of all types of knowledge the and such relationship between

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Him and the subject of His

knowledge, greater than which it
is not possible to imagine.
This perfect relationship with the

subjects of His knowledge can
exist only when all of them
should have proceeded from Him
and should be His creation. Their
being must be dependent upon
His Being. In other words, when
the situation should be such that
the true existence should be only The founder of the Ahmadiyya
Muslim community was Hadhrat
His and all others should have Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as).
proceeded from Him and should The founder of the Ahmadiyya
subsist with His support. Even af- Muslim community was Hadhrat
ter their creation, they should not Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as). In 1891,
be independent of Him, nor be he claimed, on the basis of Divine
revelation, that he was the Promised
separate from Him, but in truth Messiah and Mahdi whose advent
after the creation of all things, He had been foretold by Muhammad,
alone should be truly alive and all the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) and by
other life should have proceeded the scriptures of other faiths.
from Him and should exist only His claims constitute the basis of the
beliefs of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
with His support. He alone community.
should be subject to no limitation
and everything else, souls as well
as bodies, should be confined hand and should not be included
within the limits set by Him. He within His Rububiyyat, nor
should comprehend everything; should it exist without His
everything should be compre- support. It is only in such a
hended in His Rububiyyat. There situation that God Almighty
should be nothing which should would have a perfect relationship
not have proceeded from His with the subjects of His

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
knowledge. This relationship is knowledge concerning a thing

referred in the Holy Qur’an as: has the power to make it also,
and if he has not the power then
...We are closer to him than his knowledge must be
even his jugular vein. defective in some respect. In
(Ch.50: V.17) the absence of full knowledge,
it would be d i fficult to
Similarly at another place it is distinguish between similar
said: things, let alone to have the
power of making them. If God
... He is the Living, the Self- Almighty is not the Creator of
Subsisting and All- things then He not only suffers
Sustaining... from the deficiency that His
(Ch.2:V.256) knowledge is incomplete, but it
also follows that He would be
That is to say: He alone sustains subject to confusion in
true life and everything else has distinguishing between millions
proceeded from Him and has a of souls and might often
life because of Him. mistake the soul of X as the soul
of Y. Partial knowledge often
In truth He is the Life of all lives leads to such confusion. (Surma
and is the Power of all powers.... Chashm Arya, Ruhani Khaza’in,
Vol. 2, pp. 221-226 footnote)
If the soul is not accepted as
having been created, then there It might be asked that if full
would be no reason to assume comprehension of a thing implies
that someone who bears the the power to create it then, as
fictitious title of Permeshwar God’s knowledge of His Own
would have any knowledge Being is perfect, is He the Creator
concerning the reality of the of His Own Being or has He
soul, whose knowledge would power to create the like of Him-
extend to the ultimate limits of self? The answer to the first part is
the soul. A person who has full that were God Almighty the

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Creator of His Own Being, it attributes. It is true that God, if

would involve His being in He so desires, can create that of
existence before His coming into which He has perfect knowledge,
existence and this is an but it is correct and does not
impossibility. God Almighty pos- follow that whatever He has the
sessing complete knowledge of power to do He should proceed
His Own Being means that, in this to do without regard to His
instance, the Knower and His perfect attributes. In the exercise
knowledge and that which is of all His powers, He has regard
known are all the same and cannot to His perfect attributes and He
be separated. There is here has it in mind whether that which
nothing which should be regarded He wills is not contradictory to
as having been created. God’s His perfect attributes. For
knowledge of His Own Being instance, He has the power to
cannot be compared to anything burn a pious and righteous
else. In this instance, the Knower person in the fire of Hell, but His
is not something apart from that mercy and justice and attribute of
which is known so that one may reward would stand in the way,
be designated as the Creator and and, therefore, He never does it.
the other as creation. The proper In the same way His power is
way to put it is that His Being is never inclined to destroy Himself
uncreated and is eternally and for this would be contrary to His
everlastingly Self-Existing and eternal life. He does not create
that is the meaning of God. His Own like because His
attributes of Unity and
The second part of the objection Peerlessness, which are eternal,
is that God’s complete know- prevent Him from thinking in
ledge of Himself means that He that way. It should be understood
has the power to create His Own that to be unable to do something
like. The answer to this is that is one thing, but despite the
God’s power directs itself power to do a thing, not to
towards matters which are not address Himself to something
inconsistent with His eternal contradictory to His attributes, is

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
quite another. (Surma Chashm Our Ever-Living and All-

Arya, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 2, Sustaining God talks to me like
pp. 230-233 footnote) one person talks to another. I ask
Him something and supplicate
It is characteristic of God Him and He answers in words
Almighty alone to know the full of power. If this should
hidden by virtue of His personal happen a thousand times, He
power and His personal con- would not fail to answer. In His
dition. From ancient times, those words He discloses wonderful
who based themselves upon hidden matters and displays
truth have believed that it is scenes of extraordinary powers
proper for God Almighty that He till He makes it clear that He
should know the hidden. This is alone is the One Who should be
a personal speciality of His. He called God. He accepts prayers
has no associate in this attribute and intimates their acceptance.
as He has no associate in His He resolves great difficulties and
other attributes. It is, therefore, through repeated supplications
impossible for anyone to have revives those who are sick and
personal knowledge of the very nearly dead. He discloses
hidden whether he is a Prophet all these designs of His in
or Muhaddath or Wali. It is true, advance through His words
however, that favourites and which relate to future events. He
chosen ones are given proves that He is the God of
knowledge of hidden mysteries heaven and earth. He addressed
through revelation. This has me and told me that He would
been so since ancient times and safeguard me against death by
continues today, but such plague and all those who dwell
experience is now confined to in my house in piety and
the followers of the Holy righteousness. Who else is there
P r o p h e t( s a ) . in this age except myself who
(Tasdiq-un-Nabi, pp.26-27 or has published such a revelation
Maktubat-e-Ahmadiyya, Vol. 3, and disclosed God’s promise
p.57) concerning the members of his

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
family and other pious people In truth, it is the same attraction

who dwell within his house? which is vested in a child’s
(Naseem-e-Da’wat, Ruhani nature for God. Every exhibition
Khaza’in, Vol. 19, pp. 448-449) of affection by a person in fact
proceeds from that very
Among the natural conditions of attraction, and the restlessness of
man, is the search for a Higher a lover which a person expe-
Being for Whom there is an riences is in truth a reflection of
attraction in his heart of hearts. that very love, as if he takes up
The effect of that search begins diverse things and examines
to be felt as soon as a child is them in search for something that
born. As soon as it is born, it he has lost and whose name he
exhibits a spiritual characteristic has forgotten. A person’s love of
which is that it leans towards its property, or children, or wife, or
mother and entertains a natural his soul being drawn towards the
affection for her. As its senses song of a sweet voiced singer, are
develop and the flower of its in fact all in search of the lost
nature blooms, this attraction of Beloved. As man cannot per-
love, which is inherent in it, ceive with his physical eyes the
begins to exhibit itself patently. Imperceptible Being Who is
It finds no comfort anywhere latent in everyone like fire and
except in the lap of its mother. If yet is hidden from everyone, nor
it is separated from its mother can he find Him through the
and is put at a distance from her, exercise of his imperfect reason,
its life becomes bitter, and he has been subject to many
though a heap of bounties may errors in his understanding of
be placed before it, it finds its Him and through his errors he
true comfort only in its mother’s renders to others that which is
lap and nowhere else. Then what His due. God Almighty has
is this attraction that it feels mentioned an excellent illus-
towards its mother? tration in the Holy Qur’an that
the world is like a great hall
paved smooth with slabs of glass

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
and a current of water flows depended upon the physical

underneath them which runs very system despite their careful
fast. A person looking at the consideration of its perfect
slabs of glass wrongly imagines orderliness which comprehends
them to be water also and is hundreds of wonders within
afraid of walking upon them as itself, and despite their pursuit
he would be afraid of walking of astronomy and physics and
upon water, though in reality philosophy to a degree which
they are only glass but very clear shows that they had penetrated
and transparent. Thus, these great through heaven and earth, could
objects in heaven like the sun and not get rid of their doubts and
the moon etc. are transparent like suspicions and became involved
glass and are worshipped by in all types of errors and
mistake. Behind them, there is a wandered far afield chasing
Higher Power at work which is their imaginary will-o’-the-
flowing swiftly like water. It is wisp. If they thought of the
the mistake of those who worship Being of the Creator, they
created things that they attribute proceeded only thus far that
to the glass all this activity which observing the great orderliness
is being manifested by the Power of the wise system they
behind it. This is the explanation imagined that it should have a
of the verse: Creator. It is obvious, however,
that this idea is incomplete and
.. ‘It is a palace paved smooth this under-standing is imperfect,
with slabs of glass’... for to say that this system needs
(Ch.27:V.45) a God is not equal to saying that
God in fact exists. This was only
As the Being of God Almighty, their conjectural understanding
despite its brightness, is h i d d e n which cannot bestow satis-
beyond sight, the physical faction and contentment upon
universe is not adequate for its the heart, nor can it altogether
true recognition. This is the remove doubts. This is not a cup
reason why those who which could quench the thirst

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
of complete understanding be brought out of its grave by

which is inherent in man’s man. If God has to be discovered
nature. In fact, such imperfect through human effort, all our
understanding is very dangerous, hopes of such a God are vain.
for after a great deal of noise it
leads to nothing. Indeed God is the Being Who has
ever called mankind to Himself
So long as God Almighty does by announcing: I am present. It
not affirm His Existence by His would be impertinence to
word, as indeed He has done, the imagine that man has laid Him
mere observation of His under an obligation through his
handiwork does not afford understanding of Him and that if
satisfaction. For instance, if we there had been no philosophers
see a room which is bolted from He would have remained
the inside, our first reaction unknown. It is another imper-
would be that there is someone tinence to enquire whether God
inside who has put up the bolts has a tongue wherewith He can
for it is impossible to put up the speak. Has He not created all
bolts from the outside. But if heavenly bodies and the earth
over a long period no one from without physical hands? Does He
inside should respond to repeated not see the whole world without
calls, we would have to abandon physical eyes? Does He not hear
our assumption that there is us without physical ears? Was it
someone inside and we would then not necessary that He should
imagine that there is no one also speak?
inside and that the bolts have
been put up through some clever It is not at all correct to say
device. This is the case of the that all God’s speaking has
philosophers whose understand- been left behind and that there
ing does not go beyond the is nothing in future. We c a n n o t
observation of God’s work. It is a seal up His words and His
great mistake to imagine that speech in any age. Without
God is like a corpse which has to doubt, He is ready to enrich the

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
seekers from the fountain of to them that He is God on the

revelation as He used to do one side by His majestic and
before. The gates of His grace delicious words, and on the
are as open today as they were other side, by His miraculous
at any time. It is true, however, works and His Powerful and
that the needs for law and Mighty signs. To begin with, by
limitations having been way of prophecy He promises
fulfilled, all M e s s e n g e r s h i p s them His support and help and
and Prophethoods found their special guidance and then on the
perfection at their last point, other side, in order to augment
which was the person of our the greatness of His promises, He
lord and master, the Holy causes a whole world to oppose
Prophet(sa). them. Those people use all their
(Islami Usul ki Philosophy, power and their deceit and all
Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 10, pp. 363- their devices to frustrate God’s
367) promises of support and help
and supremacy which He
True knowledge of God makes to His favourites, but
depends upon this that we God brings to naught all their
should reach the Living God e fforts. They sow mischief and
Who speaks clearly to His God uproots it. They kindle a fire
favourites and bestows satis- and God puts it out. They put
faction and contentment upon forth their utmost efforts and
them with His Majestic and God turns their designs against
delicious speech. He speaks to them.
them as one man speaks to
another and converses with The righteous ones of God are
them as a certainty that is simple and straightforward and
beyond doubt or suspicion. He in the presence of God Almighty
listens to them and responds to they are like children in the lap of
them and hearing their their mother. The world opposes
supplications He informs them them because they are not of the
of their acceptance. He proves world. All sorts of plans and

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
devices are resorted to in order to This is the God through Whose

destroy them. Peoples combine verbal and factual manifestations,
to put them to trouble, and all which comprise thou-sands of
unworthy ones shoot arrows at bounties and affect the heart
them from the same bow, and all powerfully, a person acquires a
manner of calumnies and charges living faith and a true and holy
are invented against them, so that relationship is established with
somehow they might be God, which removes all personal
destroyed and all signs of them dirt; and all weakness being
might be wiped off, but God excluded, inner darkness is
Almighty fulfils His words all dispelled by the fierce rays of
through their lives. They are hon- heavenly light and a wonderful
oured with God’s true word change is manifested. Therefore,
which is clear and conclusive, the religion which does not
and they are given knowledge of present God as possessing these
hidden matters, which is beyond attributes and confines faith to
the power of man, through the ancient tales and fables and such
clear word of God, the Mighty matters as are not seen or heard,
and Powerful. On the other hand, is certainly not a true religion. To
through miraculous events which follow such a fictitious god is like
establish the truth of that which expecting a corpse to work like
they had been told, their faith is living beings. A god who does
strengthened and is further not prove his own existence
illumined. Whatever need man’s afresh every time is as if he does
nature feels, it has of not exist. He is like an idol which
understanding for the purpose of neither speaks nor hears nor
the certain recognition of God, answers questions, nor can he
that need is filled is imparted manifest his power in such a
through verbal and factual manner that even a confirmed
manifestation of the Divine so atheist should not be able to
that not a particle of darkness is doubt it. (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya,
left. Part V, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 21,
pp.31-32)

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
‘
The righteous ones of God are simple and
straightforward and in the presence of God
Almighty they are like children in the lap of their
mother. The world opposes them because they are
not of the world. All sorts of plans and devices
are resorted to in order to destroy them.
OBJECTION: It is disrespectful
to affirm that God speaks to man.
’
one-sided. Such a notion is utter
nonsense. Can a seeker of One
What relationship can subsist Who bestowed upon man the
between a mortal and the Eternal capacity to win nearness to Him
and Ever-Existing? What resem- and made him restless with His
blance can there be between a own love be deprived of the
handful of dust and Light itself? grace of converse with Him? Can
it be true that to be lost entirely in
ANSWER: This is a baseless the love of God is both possible
objection. To meet it, it is enough and detracts nothing from God’s
to understand that the Noble and dignity, but that the descent of
Gracious God has inspired the revelation upon the heart of His
hearts of perfect human beings true lover is impossible and
with untold eagerness for His improper and detracts from
own understanding, and has God’s dignity? Man’s plunging
drawn them so powerfully to His into the limitless ocean of God’s
love, affection and devotion that love and stopping nowhere in
they have been lost to their own that pursuit, is conclusive
selves. To propose in such a case evidence that man’s wonderful
that God would not desire to soul has been fashioned for the
converse with them would be understanding of God. If it is not
tantamount to saying that all their bestowed the means of perfect
love and devotion are vain and understanding, which is reve-
that all their eagerness is only lation, it would have to be said

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
that God did not fashion him for the Brahmo Samajists which
His own understanding. Even the proposes that the All-Wise Who
Brahmo Samajists do not deny has made it the good fortune of
that the soul of a man who man that he should be able to
possesses a true nature is hungry witness to the full the rays of
and thirsty for the understanding Godhead in this very life, so
of God. that he should be drawn towards
God by this powerful attraction,
When it is agreed that a true man that that Gracious and
naturally seeks understanding of Compassionate One does not
God, and it is established that the desire man to arrive at his
perfect manner of the under- needed good fortune and at his
standing of the Divine is Divine natural goal.
revelation and nothing else, then (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, Ruhani
if that means is impossible of Khaza’in, Vol. I pp. 230-232,
attainment and to seek it is footnote 11)
disrespectful, God’s wisdom
would be open to the criticism Whatever God has desired for
that He bestowed upon man man, He has in advance invested
eagerness for His Own under- him with all the faculties that
standing but did not bestow upon were needed for its achievement.
him the means of acquiring such For instance, the human soul
understanding. In other words, possesses a capacity for love. A
He afflicted man with hunger but person through error might love
would not bestow upon him bread another person and might choose
enough to satisfy his hunger, or someone as the object of his
that He afflicted man with thirst, love, but sane reason can easily
but would not bestow upon him understand that this capacity for
water enough to quench his t h i r s t . love has been vested in his soul
Wise people will understand so that he should love his true
that such a notion amounts to Beloved Who is his God, with
failure to appreciate God’s great his whole heart and his whole
mercies. It is a strange logic of power and his whole eagerness.

KNOWLEDGE OF GOD
Can we say that this capacity for But it should be considered

love, which is vested in the that the demand of
human soul, and whose surge is Permeshwar for His own
limitless and at whose height worship and for righteous ac-
man is ready to lay down his life, tion proves that He has Himself
is inherent in the soul from the invested the human soul with
beginning? If God has not the capacity for love and
created this relationship between obedience. He, therefore,
man and Himself by vesting the desires that man in whom He
capacity for love in the human has vested these capacities
soul then this capacity is a matter should devote himself to His
of chance; that by the good love and obedience; otherwise,
fortune of Permeshwar souls how can Permeshwar desire that
were inspired with the capacity people should love Him and
for love and that if the chance should obey Him and should act
had been otherwise and this in accordance with His will.
capacity had not been found in (Naseem-e-Da`wat, Ruhani
the souls, nobody would have Khaza’in, Vol.19, pp. 385-386)
ever turned his attention to Per-
meshwar. Nor could Permeshwar
have devised any plan in this
behalf.
In this journal, for the ease of non-Muslim readers, ‘(sa)’ or ‘sa’ after the
words, ‘Holy Prophet’, or the name ‘Muhammad’, are used. They stand for
‘Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam’ meaning ‘Peace and blessings of Allah be upon
him’. Likewise, the letters ‘(as)’ or ‘as’ after the name of all other prophets is
an abbreviation meaning ‘Peace be upon him’ derived from ‘Alaihis salatu
wassalam’ for the respect a Muslim reader utters.
The abbreviation ‘ra’ or (ra) stands for ‘Radhiallahu Ta’ala anhu and is used for
Companions of a Prophet, meaning Allah be pleased with him or her (when
followed by the relevant Arabic pronoun). Finally, ‘ru’ or (ru) for
Rahemahullahu Ta’ala means the Mercy of Allah the Exalted be upon him.

Raising the
Standard of
Worship
A n address delivered at the kenya
Parklands Primary School,

Nairobi by Hadhrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul
Masih V at the 40th Jalsa
Salana (Annual Convention) of
the Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission,
Kenya.
Today, by the grace of Allah, the important that we should attain

40th Annual Convention of the this goal. And, you may well ask,
Ahmadiyya Muslim Mission of what is this great purpose? It is a
Kenya is being held. Divine purpose for which God
Almighty sends His appointed
Let me remind those taking part persons as His messengers and
in this Convention and who call prophets and it is for this purpose
themselves Ahmadi Muslims and that Allah sent the Promised
who claim that Allah has enabled Messiah(as). This purpose is best
them to believe in the Promised expressed by the Promised
Messiah(as) that they should Messiah(as) who states:
always remember that it is not
enough to believe in the ‘The primary purpose of the
Promised Messiah (as) alone. advent of prophets, on whom
Believing in the Promised be peace, and the glorious
Messiah(as), of course, serves a aim of their teachings and
very big purpose and it is their preaching is that the

SPEECH BY HADHRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH V AT THE 40TH ANNUAL CONVENTION IN KENYA
people should find their Lord Let me explain this in another

and they should be saved way. The basic teaching is to
from the life that is drawing create a bond with God
them to Hell and destruction Almighty, to worship Him, to try
and which is also called a life to avoid all kinds of sin and to
steeped in sin. In reality, this honour the rights of His human
is the main goal ahead of the beings. Therefore, the foremost
prophets. So at this time too, thing, as the Promised Messiah(as)
the purpose of my coming has stated, is the worship of God
and for which God has Almighty, righteousness towards
commissioned me and the Him (that is to say, to love Him
movement that God Almighty so much as to fear anything that
has established, is the same might invite Allah’s displeasure)
purpose shared by all and to recognise Him. If this is
prophets. In other words, I created in every Ahmadi, then
want to tell and in fact show know well that you have attained
what God is and I want to that goal.
guide you to the right way to
avoid sin.” Now, we have to see what
(Malfoozat Vol. 3 p.11) worship is. In this connection,
Allah says:
So it is very obvious that the
purpose of our being an Ahmadi And continue worshipping thy
and being called an Ahmadi will Lord, till YAQEEN, that is
only be served when we adopt literally to say, absolute
the ways of the teachings of the belief, or in its broader
Promised Messiah (as) which in meaning, a form of death
fact are the true teachings of comes to thee.
Islam the understanding of which (Ch.15:V.100)
was given to him by God
Almighty because of his In other words, never tire of
complete love for the Holy worship. Never let it cross your
Prophet Muhammad(sa). mind that I have prayed for such

a long time, that I have sought you. Hence, the Promised

Allah’s help in such and such a Messiah(as) states:
thing I need, yet He does not
listen to me. What is the use of ‘It is vital that a believer
such prayers and such worship? should not tire of worship nor
An Ahmadi should never think in slacken till such time that this
such a way. Such worship has no false life is reduced to
use. Pray so that Allah is pleased nothing and in its place a new
with you. When you worship life that is everlasting and
God Almighty, pray with the comforting begins to emerge.
thought in your mind that if And, until the pain and
Allah does not accept such and anguish of this temporal
such prayer of mine, then there earthly life is removed and
must be something in my desire creates in one a delight in
that is not for my benefit. Your one’s faith and belief and a
idea of worship should not be peace and tranquillity in one’s
that if Allah listens to me and spirit, rest assured that till one
gives me everything that I ask reaches that state, that belief
for, then I will worship or else is incomplete and wrong.
what is the use of praying to This is why Allah Almighty
Him. The Promised Messiah(as) has stated here that you
says that you should not think should continue to worship
like that but pray with a different till absolute faith is achieved
kind of thinking in your mind. and all veils and shrouds of
You can only be called a believer darkness are drawn away and
when every moment is spent by one understands that I am not
making sure that this world what I used to be before, but
which is a false life is not ended now, there is a new country, a
and a new life cannot begin new world, a new sky and I
without a connection with God too am a new creation.”
Almighty. Do not sit in comfort (Al Hakm Vol.4: p.31 dated
till such time that you are fully 31 August 1900)
satisfied that God is pleased with

So remember that if you want to Now it seems that I am a being of

attain closeness and nearness to some other world. Unlike other
Almighty Allah, to become persons of this world, I do not
recipients of His pleasure, to be have eyes fixed on this world at
granted such an everlasting life all times. The purpose of my
that is full of bliss and happiness, existence is not merely to earn a
want to spend this worldly life living in this world but to
filled with happiness and to gain discharge the duty of honouring
nearness to God in the life after the rights of the Creator.
death and receive God’s love, However, Allah does not prevent
then become true worshippers of anyone from earning a
Allah. livelihood, of trading, of doing a
job, of farming or working in
The Promised Messiah (as) says some other way. But to make
that till you leave behind the these things the only purpose of
pleasures of the world and one’s life and to not pay attention
materialism, your worship is of towards the worship of Allah and
no use. So make your worship to not even think about the Being
also the means of getting nearer that created and nourished one,
to God and praying to Him. are matters from which Allah
When you reach that state within stops us. Allah says that you can
yourself that worldly matters only be called My people when
seem meaningless in comparison you continue to worship Me and
to matters relating to the worship never become tired of wor-
of God, then it can be said that shipping Me. So the Promised
your belief is of a standard Messiah(as) came to create these
where, apart from deriving the standards in us.
pleasure of Allah, you have no
other desires. At that time, man So as I have said, those of you
begins to feel within himself that who call yourselves Ahmadis
I am not what I used to be. should not sit back and rest
Because of this worship, I feel thinking that having fulfilled the
that I have a new lease of life. words of the prophecy of the

Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa), you provides its shade and showers

have accepted the Promised nothing but blessings from Allah.
Messiah(as) and have now joined So this is the standard of
his Community. This is not reformation that we have to
enough, but a new country, a new create within ourselves.
world and a new sky will have to
be found by you. As I said before, just observing
the five daily prayers will not
In this age when materialism is establish the standards of
spread all over, sin is no longer worship because there are some
treated a sin, when the ease and worshippers about whom the
comfort of this world are all that Holy Qur’an says that they are
matter, you will have to shape the means of destruction as it
your actions and deeds in says:
compliance with the com-
mandments of Allah as Allah So woe to those who pray…
requires you to do. It is only (Ch.107:V.5)
when you have made this clear
change within yourselves that Now, what can be a source of
you will be entitled to enter a destruction and a curse for those
new country or territory in which who pray? It is because their
no one else lives other than those prayers are only by way of show
who seek Allah’s pleasure. The and so that people should say
world of your heart will be that such and such a Haji1 is a
totally under the control of very holy man. People should
Allah’s commandment. say that ever since he has
returned from the pilgrimage, he
Whenever you sow the seeds in prays a lot. However, the prayers
such a soil, apart from the green observed for the sake of Allah
crops of good deeds ever should at least have a tinge or
blowing in the wind, nothing else effect of the commands of Allah.
can grow. Over these, there Yes, perform the pilgrimage and
should be such a sky that observe the prayers, but if in

your daily dealings and your

trade you are cheating people,
then such a deed or such worship
has no value before Allah.
If you seemingly observe the

prayers but your neighbours are
fed up of you, then your prayers
have no value before Allah
because Allah says be kind to
your neighbours. The
Companions of the Prophet (sa)
were very kind in their treatment So worship is not limited to
of their neighbours. The Holy observing the prayers and
Prophet(sa) himself always performing the Hajj or
emphasised the rights of the pilgrimage but a true worshipper
neighbour so much so that the is the one who obeys the
companions thought that the commandments of Allah and
command would soon come that does not transgress nor exceed
the neighbours are designated as the limit against anyone. He tries
inheritors of their estate. his best never to usurp the rights
of anyone or snatch the
A quality that Allah has belongings of others. One who
identified about the people who usurps the rights of another can
worship Him is that they treat be a rich man or a common
their parents with kindness. labourer. If a common worker
They are also kind towards their does not do justice to his work,
relatives and honour their rights. then he too will be included
They also take care of the needy amongst those who usurp the
and the orphans and do not look rights of others. If an employee
down at them with pride and does not do the work of his boss
arrogance. in a fair manner, then he too will
be guilty of the offence. It will be

just as bad as when a rich man with this principle. These

commits a sin by usurping the conventions that are held also
rights of a poor man. Or if a civil serve the same purpose. The
servant does not spend full time Jama’at2 has no interest in
at his work, then he too is showing its strength or standing
committing a sin and his acts of by congregating people but the
worship and his prayers will not purpose of such Jalsas is so that
serve him any purpose. those few weak souls in whom
any shortcomings have arisen
So, the truth of the matter is that over the year, should be
as long as the manner in which a reminded what God wants and
person deals and conducts what Ahmadiyyat, that is true
himself is not in accord with Islam, requires of them. We
winning the happiness and should change our lives accord-
pleasure of God, and good deeds ingly.
are not done other than for the
purpose that Allah may be The two or three days of the
pleased, and worship is not for Convention should, therefore, be
any purpose other than that Allah spent in supplications and wor-
may be pleased, till then he ship. Pledge to purify yourself
cannot benefit from the bounties from every bad thing. Pray
and blessings of the Almighty fervently and crying in the
Allah. This is what we learn from manner that a baby cries:
the Holy Qur’an, the Ahadith,
and the teachings of the ‘O Lord! Thou art the only
Promised Messiah(as). So every One Who can cause these
Ahmadi should try and raise his pious changes in our hearts.
worship to this standard, because We have found this pure
in its absence there can be no environment in which every-
concept of Ahmadiyyat. one is trying to reform
oneself. We have discovered
Understand this objective and this environment in which all
change your lives in accordance Ahmadis have gathered to

observe prayers. We have amongst them. So whether they

found an environment in are new Ahmadis or old
which all those who have Ahmadis, if they have come to
come together are listening to participate in the Convention
good things so that virtuous with good intentions, then
changes and reformation may because such conventions and
occur amongst them. These such gatherings that are intended
good things that we listen to for good deeds and making good
are nothing else except plans, Allah showers His
matters about Allah and His blessings on the participants.
Messenger. So O Lord, grant These blessings are so much that
us the opportunity to listen to we cannot comprehend them.
these good things so that we
may act on these good things There is a Tradition that
and try and make them an describes such a gathering.
integral part of our lives. O Hadhrat Abu Hurairah(ra) relates
Allah! Let it not be that in that the Holy Prophet
these two days there is a Muhammad(sa) said:
temporary excitement in us
but when we return homes, ‘Allah has angels who go
we forget Thee and we around looking for a gathering
become forgetful about the engaged in the remembrance
times of worship. Let it not be of Allah, and when they find a
that we should ignore the company so occupied, they sit
rights of Thy people.’ down there and cover it by
extending their wings. The
Moreover, there are new whole environment is blessed
Ahmadis who have not been very in abundance. When the
long in this Jama’at. people depart, the angels go
Conventions are also held for up to the heaven where Allah
their Tarbiyyat, that is, training asks them, although Allah
and reformation, so that good knows everything, ‘Where
changes should begin to occur have you come from?’ The

angels report, ‘We have come which they asked.’ Upon this,
from Thy servants who were the angels say, ‘O Lord!
proclaiming Thy Holiness and There was amongst them so
Thy Greatness. They were and so misled person who
engaged in Thy worship and happened to be passing by and
were repeatedly praising and seeing the gathering engaged
glorifying Thee and were in the remembrance of God,
supplicating Thee.’ Upon this sat down in it as a spectator.’
Allah asks, ‘What were they Upon this Allah says, ‘I
seeking from Me?’ The angels forgive him also because
respond, ‘They ask of Thee those who take part in it are
Thy paradise.’ Allah asks, such people that even the one
‘Have they seen My who sits amongst them can
paradise?’ The angels answer, never remain unfortunate and
‘No, Lord, they have not seen deprived of blessings.’
Thy paradise.’ Allah asks, (Muslim: Kitab Al-Dhikr,
‘What if they saw it?’ Then Chapter: Fadhal Majalis Al-
the angels say, ‘They seek Dhikr)
Thy protection.’ Upon this
Allah asks, ‘From what do See how much grace and blessing
they seek My protection?’ is there for such gatherings where
They answer, ‘They seek Allah is remembered, where
protection from Thy Fire.’ plans are made for attaining the
Allah asks, ‘Have they seen nearness to Allah and where
My Fire?’ The angels plans are devised for kindness to
respond, ‘No, they have not humanity. So if you have come
seen it.’ Allah inquires, ‘What together with this thought, then
if they saw it?’ Then the you too are the fortunate ones
angels say, ‘They seek Thy upon whom the angels spread
forgiveness.’ Allah says, ‘I their wings of protection. The
forgive them and grant them angels are praying for you.
whatever they asked of Me
and I protect them from that Similarly, Allah is also pleased

that these of My mortal people, amidst their company. But we

despite being tempted by the should remember that it is the
Devil, did not fall prey to the Law of God Almighty that He
temptations of Satan and instead punishes sins also. This is why
preferred to sit in gatherings by doing good deeds and despite
devoted to My remembrance. In the means for forgiveness
this age when there are all sorts of existing, it is important to remain
plots hatched by Satan and when resolute because true repentance
the followers of Satan lurk and is such that one should let perish
hide on every corner waiting to the thought of any bad deed after
lead man astray, the significance such a realisation. Despite seeing
of such gatherings becomes all evil, instead of being drawn
the more important. towards evil, one should take a
step towards God Almighty and
On such people who assemble for should always seek His
the remembrance of Allah, Allah salvation.
showers His blessings in great
abundance. Allah says that even So when you depart from this
though they have not seen My gathering, only go after making
paradise but having believed in changes in yourselves towards
Me, are eager to go to paradise piety and creating in yourselves
and though they have not seen the righteousness and making these a
Fire because of their belief in Me, permanent part of your lives.
seek My protection from it. They should be such changes that
Allah says further that these after witnessing them in you,
people are remembering Me and even your future generations
are favourably inclined towards should become holy. Your morals
Me. Because of this opinion they should be of such high standards
hold about Me, I grant them that there should be no match for
everything that they desire of Me. them.
Then Allah forgave an evil I have been drawing the attention

person who happened to sit of the Jama’at for a long time

towards this but because this is ladies. If we do not train the

the first time I am addressing you ladies and try and make them
directly I repeat myself. understand their faith in the same
Whether you are a commercial way that the men try and do it for
trader or a small businessman, themselves, then there can be no
whether you are an employee or guarantee for the training of the
a labourer, whether a proprietor future generations. So consid-
or an officer, at every place and erable attention needs to be paid
every moment, others should to this aspect. In the Third World
know that having accepted or the Developing World as it is
Ahmadiyyat, this person has now called, because of a lack of
caused a special change within knowledge, a tendency grows
himself. He has the badge of amongst men that there is no need
Ahmadiyyat on him. If he works to teach the ladies anything about
in a government department, he their faith or that they need not
would never accept a bribe. If he obtain any worldly education.
is a trader, he never mixes his Some ladies of rich families do
commodities nor sells a faulty acquire worldly education but are
object. If he is an employee or a totally unknowledgeable about
labourer, then no one works matters of faith. If this situation
harder than him and he does full also exists amongst Ahmadis,
justice to his work. You have the then your future generations can
capacities and faculties with never be trained in spiritual and
which you can create a name for moral matters. They will be of no
yourselves through hard work use to their faith, nor will they be
and sincerity. The only thing of any use to the country.
needed is attention and an Therefore, if you wish to have a
Ahmadi must pay attention radical progress and want to be
towards it. leaders in secular and non-
secular matters, then educate
Another important thing towards your ladies in religious and
which much attention is needed is worldly matters. Their job is not
the Tarbiyyat or training of the just to go the market and sell

some goods and thus feed the their supplications and are
families and look after your mindful that being Ahmadis they
children. Looking after the have to reform themselves and
children and their upbringing is have not become Ahmadis
indeed their responsibility but merely because their husbands
they have also a status in society. became Ahmadis, then definitely
Therefore, it is the responsibility their future generations will be
of men to take care of the ladies such that it would be beneficial
and to keep them with you in for the world as well as for the
religious matters. So do not country and the nation. The ladies
forget your ladies. will be pressed in the effort that
we are believers in the One God
Likewise, I tell the ladies that the before Whom alone we bow
status of an Ahmadi lady is very down. It will not have its sight
high. Pay special attention towards the world. It cannot be
towards the upbringing and that our people continue to beg
training of your children. Create always from other people and
such an environment for your other nations. The thought should
children that they get religious be in the heart that the command
education and also pay attention of the Lord Whom we worship is
to their worldly education. Every to adopt all good values.
Ahmadi child, be it a boy or a
girl, should march forward in Therefore, I urge again that in
education. Education should not order to save yourselves and your
be abandoned because of poverty. nation, you will have to restore
The Jama’at should arrange it and yourselves to the status that you
take care of this and the Jama’at enjoyed in the past when the
will do so Insha Allah (Allah economy of this country was very
Willing). strong. In order to regain the
standing of your nation and earn
If the ladies themselves scale new respect in the eyes of the world,
heights in their worship and pay you will have to adopt all those
attention to doing good and to excellent values towards which

God Almighty has directed you Finally, I wish to thank all the
and which are mentioned very honourable guests who have
clearly in the Holy Qur’an. You taken their precious time to
will have to abandon all those attend this Convention and have
evils that Allah has forbidden and provided testimony of their
which are mentioned in the Holy brotherly love and affection.
Qur’an. And most of all, in order Allah reward them with His
to gather all the blessings of grace.
Allah, you will have to pay
attention towards His worship
which is His right. And every
person of the house and every REFERENCES
member of the Jama’at, man, 1. One who has performed the
woman and child, when you bow Hajj or pilgrimage to Makkah.
in the presence of Allah, then 2.Community.
most certainly, you will be the
ones to bring about a revolution (Reproduced at the exclusive
in your lives and in your country responsibility of The Review of
and the world will witness that Religions)
those whom we thought were of
no value are not valueless but are
our equals. The Hon. Vice President of Kenya
Mr Moody Awori, declared open
the Annual Convention and paid
Allah enable you to recognise tribute to the Ahmadiyya Muslim
your status. May you all be the community n Kenya which has
beneficiaries of the supplications erected 63 permanent mosques, 5
of the Promised Messiah(as) for medical clinics and has
those who participate in the translated the Holy Qur’an into 5
Jalsa. Allah make the Jalsa a local languages.
success in every way and bless it
and that when you return home
you return with a new spirit.

Speech by
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra)
at the Foundation Stone Ceremony of the
Fazl Mosque, London on 19th October 1924
With the Grace and Mercy of God. apparent differences.

He Alone is the Helper. Differences there have been in the
Sisters and brothers. world and they will continue to
arise. Never was there a time, nor
We have assembled here today for will it ever be, when these
a function which is unique in itself. differences would disappear: for so
It is to lay the foundation stone of a long as there is in man the capacity
building erected to remember Him to progress and advance, his needs
who is the Creator of all, and to must differ. Whatever advance we
give expression to our feelings of notice in the world is all the result
devotion and worship of Him Who of this fact. So difference, in this
is the centre of all. When we stand respect, as the Holy Prophet
in His presence we forget all Muhammad(sa) has said, is the
distinctions of age, rank, colour, source of blessing and not a
east or west, for the nearer a man harmful thing. Evil creeps in only
attains to Him the less he through over-zealousness in laying
remembers the difference, and the too much stress upon unity
more he realises the unity of culminating in intolerance. As a
mankind. So the house in which we matter of fact, the cause of human
have assembled here today, is a brotherhood has never suffered
sign of the unity and brotherhood more than at the hands of its own
of man: it assures us of the fact that warmest advocates whose zeal
our source and our place of return outran their sense of proportion,
is the same and that we should not and who, consequently, adopted
fight with each other or create means which defeated their own
trouble merely owing to some object. The cause of unity has

FOUNDATION STONE CEREMONY OF THE FAZL MOSQUE, LONDON
indeed suffered more at the hands terminology of Islam, a mosque is

of its friends than at the hands of its called ‘Baitullah’ (The House of
enemies. God), that is such a place where no
one has a right to disturb or evict
If difference is really as bad as it is another owing to differences of
painted, what is the function of opinions, for it is the House of God
toleration? Toleration and large- and not the private property of any
heartedness can only be exercised individual, and God is as much the
when there exist some differences. Lord of His opponent as his. Says
So what the world needs today is the Holy Qur’an: ‘Who can be a
not so much the mitigation of worse tyrant than him who
differences as the inculcation of prevents people from entering the
toleration at breadth of view, that is mosques, wherein the name of God
to say, people should learn to live is remembered? (Ch.2:V.115)
on terms of mutual love and
fellow-feeling, in spite of their Once a deputation from a Christian
differences of beliefs and opinions. tribe waited upon our Holy Prophet
There can be no doubt about the Muhammad(sa). They were having a
fact that there can be no real discussion with him on doctrinal
progress without the propagation points. The argument grew long
of truth and that therefore everyone and it was their time to pray. They
has a right to call people to the asked his permission to go out and
truth (as one understands it), but it say their prayers. He said there was
does not mean that one has a right no need for them to go out for they
to enforce his views upon others could pray in the mosque where
and to impose his will upon the they were holding the discussion.
tongue and action of others before So we know from the Holy Qur’an
bringing about any change in their as well as from the life of the Holy
hearts. Nor should one begin to Prophet(sa), that the doors of
persecute others on the basis of Muslim mosques are open to all
mere differences of opinion. those who want to worship God
alone and that the Muslim mosques
Sisters and brothers, mosques are are the centres of unity.
built for fostering its spirit of love
and mutual amity. In the In the same spirit and with the

same motives as I have described way of progress of others, we will

above, the Ahmadiyya Community help and co-operate with each
intends to lay the foundation stone other.
of this mosque, and before I do it I
want to proclaim it throughout the Just as a father does not like that
whole world through you who have his children should fight among
kindly assembled on this occasion themselves, so does not God like
that this mosque is built to worship that His creatures should be busy
and serve God alone, so that His fighting against each other.
love may become fully and firmly
manifest and people may be drawn In fact, all quarrels and frictions are
towards religion, without which due to our straying away from God,
there can be no true progress. We so He out of His mercy sent the
shall not, God willing, prevent Promised Messiah, Ahmad(as), the
anyone from worshipping God founder of this movement, to draw
here provided he does not infringe people to God, so that their
the rules which are necessary for attention being drawn away from
the upkeep of this House of God internal friction they be drawn
and provided also that they do not towards mutual understanding and
interfere with the worship of those harmonious living. The Ahmadiyya
who are building it. I have faith and Movement is willing, with the
hope that the spirit of toleration grace of God, to make all sorts of
and large-heartedness which the sacrifices and endure all sorts of
erection of the mosque will create hardships until the time when all
will help to remove all friction and racial and political wars are ended
strife and establish peace and unity and love reigns supreme. We hope
and goodwill among men, and the that good people of all nations,
days are not far off when people whatever their creeds and beliefs,
will give up all war and the ideas of will help the Ahmadiyya
war, and they will learn to live in Community in their efforts to
peace and harmony, and the whole promote peace. The signs are
world will realise that with God as already visible, as assemblage here
our One Creator it is necessary to of distinguished people of various
be as brothers and sisters, and races and creeds clearly shows. So
instead of being hindrances in the with ample hopes and full

expectation, I, Mirza Bashiruddin

Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih FACTS & FIGURES
II, Head of the Ahmadiyya The appeal for the collection of funds
Community which has its head- for the building of the London Mosque
quarters at Qadian, Punjab, India, was launched on 6th January 1920
by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II.
lay the foundation stone of this
mosque today the 20th Rabiul 95,000 rupees was raised for this
Awwal 1343 Hijri, to seek the purpose of which as much as 6000
Rupess was collected on the very day
pleasure of God so that His name the appeal was launched. The major
be glorified in England and that the contribution of 83,000 Rupess was
people of this country may also made by the ladies of the Jama’at.
partake of the blessings which have The one acre site for the mosque was
been vouchsafed to us. I pray to purchased by Chaudhrey Fateh
God that He may accept this Muhammad Sayaal for £2,223 in
August 1920.
humble and sincere effort of all the
members of the Ahmadiyya The foundation stone for the mosque
Community, both women and men, was laid at a ceremony attended by
and that He may provide means for 200 guests. The foundations were
dug by more than 15 volunteers,
the growing prosperity of this including two ladies and were led by
mosque: and may He make it Maulana Abdul Rahim Dard.
forever and ever a centre for
The construction work started on 28th
promulgating the views of purity, September 1925 and took ten months
piety, justice and love, and may to complete at a cost of £4,000.
this place prove a Sun of spiritual
The mosque was named the Fazl
light radiating forth in this country Mosque by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih
and in all the countries around the II.
blessed beams of the heavenly light
It was formally opened at 3.00pm on
of the Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa), 3rd October 1926 by Khan Bahadur
the chosen one of God and the Seal Sheikh Abdul Qadir in the presence
of the Prophets and of Ahmad(as) the of 600 guests.
Promised Messiah, the Prophet of
Maulana Abdur Rahim Dard was the
God, the vicegerent, and the first Imam of the London Mosque.
reflection of Muhammad (sa).
Asr prayers were the first prayers to
be offered in the mosque.

GLIMPSES INTO THE
QUR’ANIC CONCEPT
OF THE ENVIRONMENT
By Maha Dabbous – UK
ne of the issues that comes to selecting the food they

O concerns the world at the
present time is the problem
eat and to abandon any foods that
may in any way cause injury to
related to the protection of the their health. As a result, people
environment. We hear many are becoming more aware of the
voices alerting people to the problem and they are now very
dangers that threaten the particular in the choice of the
environment, urging people to food they eat and are even
take immediate action to save the worried about the air they
world from the bad effects of the breathe.
modern way of living and to stop
further pollution of the Of course this is very sensible, as
surrounding atmosphere and to people around the world today
draw their attention to any health are suffering from many
hazards that may affect them. problems and physical ailments
Many organisations have been caused by the pollution of the
founded to protect nature and environment. Yet, if we are
wildlife. Others are urging facing these kinds of troubles due
people to be cautious when it to the pollution of our envi-

GLIMPSES INTO THE QUR’ANIC CONCEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT
ronment, and if some of us are surrounding conditions which

already becoming aware of the come into contact with a certain
problem and are trying to find object and have influence on it.
solutions, how can it be that the As human beings are not merely
All-Knowing Creator of the physical objects but are also
Universe is unaware of the endowed with a soul that can be
problem or that He has neglected described as a spiritual being, the
providing solutions for it? environment for them can be
defined as the surrounding
As every Muslim believes, the circumstances and conditions
final and perfect universal Divine that affect them in any way,
teachings that are ordained for physically, morally or spiritually.
mankind for all times to come, So according to this definition,
are all contained in the Holy the environment of human beings
Qur’an. Naturally, if there is any is not just the surrounding
problem that is facing the world physical world that affects their
today, then undoubtedly there physical bodies, but it also
must be some reference to it in includes all aspects that may
the Holy Qur’an, and there must affect their moral condition and
be also some Divine guidance that are responsible for their
which, if acted upon, can solve spiritual status.
this problem.
The Holy Qur’an informs us that
So now we will need to turn to Allah has provided all necessary
the Holy Qur’an to find out what requirements for the healthy
it tells us about this matter. But living of each and every creature
before doing so, it is first on earth.
essential to define the meaning of
the environment that we are And there is no creature that
referring to, and to understand its moves on the earth but it is
relationship with mankind. for Allah to provide it with
sustenance. And He knows its
The environment means the place of temporary settlement

and its permanent abode. All Man was that unique being who
this is recorded in a clear was chosen by Allah to be
Book. appointed as His representative
(Ch.11:V.7) on earth, to maintain order and to
enforce the Divine law and to
In this verse Allah is announcing spread justice in the world. For
that He provides not only for the this purpose, Allah created man,
physical nourishment of His the apex and crown of all
creation, but He provides also for creations. He endowed him with
the spiritual sustenance of all great natural powers and
creation; as understood from the qualities and the capacity to
phrase (‘And He knows its place become the mirror in which the
of temporary sojourn or Divine attributes are reflected. In
settlement and its permanent this way, man became fit to
abode or dwelling’) which discharge the great responsibility
clearly points to the temporary for which he was created. To
life on this earth and the further help him attain this
permanent spiritual dwelling in purpose, Allah exalted man
the hereafter. above all the other beings and He
made the whole universe
Before man, Allah created other subservient to man. The heavens
creations in the universe and with all its celestial bodies and
many forms of life that continued the earth with all its treasures, the
to develop and expand through deep seas and the high mountains
time. The creation of man came were all put at man’s service.
at a relatively later stage. When
Allah willed to place a vicegerent Have you not seen that Allah
in earth, He chose man for this has pressed for you into
purpose. service whatever is in the
heavens and whatever is in
..I am about to place a the earth, and has completed
vicegerent in the earth.. His favours on you, both
(Ch.2:V.31) externally and internally?

And among men there are Himself has revealed to man in

some who dispute concerning the form of the teachings of His
Allah, without knowledge or religion. These Divine teachings
guidance or an illuminating are not a series of arbitrary orders
Book. that Allah has issued to force His
(Ch.31:V.21) will on mankind. There is great
wisdom behind each of them and
But this does not mean that man they are meant to help any
is the master of the world. He is individual in his progress, phys-
only acting as a guardian, ically, morally and spiritually.
appointed by the real Master
Who created the universe. The From this we can understand that
whole universe, including man the environment surrounding
himself, belongs to Allah and man was created even before him
Allah allows man to exploit what and was meant to serve him and
He has created for his sake, enable him to achieve the
provided that he does this with purpose of his creation.
the intention of fulfilling the Nevertheless, as we can all see
purpose for which he was today, the majority of human
created. beings have strayed away from
achieving this target. Not only
And He has subjected to you did man fail to make use of what
whatsoever is in the heavens Allah provided for man’s own
and whatsoever is in the good, but also man went on
earth; all this is from Him. In corrupting the provisions that
that, surely, are Signs for a Allah bestowed upon him,
people who reflect. spoiling it for himself and for
(Ch.45:V.14) others as well.
The purpose of man’s creation And when he is in authority,

can be achieved through he runs about in the land to
complying with the Divine rules create disorder in it and
and regulations which Allah destroys the tilth and the

progeny of man; and Allah provided for you of what is

loves not disorder. lawful and good. And fear
(Ch.2:V.206) Allah in Whom you believe.
(Ch.5:Vs.88-89)
By doing this, the good and
wholesome provisions that Allah In this there is a clear indication
made lawful for man, became for the believers to protect the
harmful. As a result, these lawful environment in which they live.
provisions were rendered It is clear that the more they
unlawful for human consumption pollute their environment, the
because Allah allowed only the more things will be made
consumption of what was good unlawful for their consumption
and wholesome. as they will become injurious and
harmful for them. This does not
O ye who believe, eat of the only apply for the food that one
good things We have provided eats; this is a general instruction
for you, and render thanks to that applies for anything
Allah, if it is He Whom you provided for humankind.
worship.
(Ch.2:V.173) But as we see today, the majority
of human beings do not follow
Allah has clearly instructed the these simple instructions and
believers not to be the cause of instead, they continue to pollute
turning the lawful thing into an their environment rendering it
unlawful one. unwholesome and harmful for
their own use. Allah has set His
O ye who believe! make not laws in such a way that the
unlawful the good things offender is the first to suffer the
which Allah has made lawful consequences. The corruption
for you, and do not that humankind caused to the
transgress. Surely Allah loves environment has now become
not the transgressors. And eat visible and apparent to all, and
of that which Allah has the harm that humankind is

suffering as a result, has also importance of protecting the

become apparent to all. physical environment, there are
However, the materialisation of only a few who are aware of the
this damage in itself is a blessing moral corruption of the envi-
in disguise. Allah’s actions are ronment, and there is hardly
always for our own good. He anybody who is even aware of
says: the existence of a spiritual realm
that is also affected by the
Corruption has appeared on environment.
land and sea because of what
men’s hands have wrought, However, this important issue
that He may make them taste was not neglected in the
the fruit of some of their teachings of the Holy Qur’an.
doings, so that they may turn Allah has taken care of
back from evil. protecting all aspects of the
(Ch.30:V.42) environment to ensure a healthy
physical, moral and spiritual life
The last phrase in this verse for humankind. As we have seen
explains to us the reason why above, His commands in the
Allah has made visible to us this Holy Qur’an enjoin the believers
damage in our physical envi- to protect the environment in
ronment. Allah says that He which they live. He also teaches
made this corruption apparent to them to care for the other
people (so that they may turn creatures who share this envi-
back from evil). Allah wants to ronment with them.
draw man’s attention to a more
significant corruption that he has And create not disorder in the
to deal with. It is the evil of his earth after it has been set in
soul. order, and call upon Him in
fear and in hope. Surely, the
While the majority of the mercy of Allah is nigh unto
civilised population in the world those who do good.
today has became aware of the (Ch.7:V.57)

However, special emphasis is physical examples are to be taken

always placed in the Holy also metaphorically to illustrate
Qur’an to the spiritual aspect of the Divine guidance related to
life: the moral and spiritual prosperity
of man, in addition to his
This is the home of the physical well-being.
Hereafter! We give it to those
who seek not self-exaltation And, indeed, We have set
in the earth, nor corruption. forth for mankind all manner
And the (good) end is for the of parables in this Qur’an
righteous. that they may take heed.
(Ch.28:V.84) (Ch.39:V.28)
Beside this the Holy Qur’an also As an illustration for this, let us
explains the reasons and wisdom now consider the teachings of
behind doing so and it guides its Islam related to the consumption
followers to the methods of of meat. In the physical
keeping their physical, moral and environment, Allah has created
spiritual states in a healthy many kinds of animals for the
condition all the time. service of man in different ways.
One of the benefits which man
But we have to remember here can draw from these animals is to
that the Holy Qur’an expresses use their flesh as food because
its teachings in physical terms animal protein is beneficial as a
and this is simply because part of man’s diet. Therefore, a
physical objects can be perceived Muslim is allowed to use the
by the physical senses of man flesh of some of these animals as
and therefore they become easy a source of food. But at the same
for him to comprehend. Yet the time, the flesh of these animals is
meanings of these Divine only lawful for him after
instructions must also be fulfilling certain conditions.
considered more deeply and it First, the animal must be chosen
must be understood that these from the group of animals whose

flesh is allowed as food. It must Now when we come to study the

be alive and healthy at the time reasons behind these Divine
of its slaughtering. It must be instructions we will find that
slaughtered in a specific way these are not meant only for the
with a sharp knife. The name of physical well-being of a person,
Allah must be pronounced before but we will also find that it is for
slaughtering the animal. The his moral benefit and spiritual
flesh of the slaughtered animal welfare.
must also be cooked thoroughly
to get rid of any trace of blood We all know that the con-
left in it. It is only after fulfilling sumption of some kinds of meat
all these conditions, the meat can cause negative effects on the
becomes lawful for a Muslim to human body and hence we
consume. understand why Allah has
forbidden the consumption of
But it should be remembered such categories of meat. It is also
here that under certain cir- obvious that the consumption of
cumstances, things which are a dead or diseased animal can
lawful become forbidden have dangerous effects on the
because they become harmful. physical health of a person.
Islam enjoins the Muslims to eat Likewise, the blood of the animal
only from what is good and may contain harmful substances
wholesome. It teaches them to that can cause serious effects on
eat from what is pure and it the physical health. The process
forbids them to eat any unclean of slaughtering the animal
or impure food or partake of ensures the free flow of blood out
anything which might injure of its body and thus avoid such
one’s health. So any lawful food danger. Further extensive cook-
which becomes contaminated ing gets rid of any traces of the
even by germs or becomes blood of the animal which may
unsuitable for one’s health in any have been left behind.
way, becomes unlawful.
But the negative effects are not

only confined to the physical transmitted to man through

sphere. Food can also have an eating its flesh. This is why Islam
effect on the moral and spiritual has subjected the food that is
state of human beings. It has lawful for human consumption to
been proven that there exists a certain limits and conditions and
deep and subtle connection obviously it is for the benefit of
between the food that a person man himself.
eats and his actions. This fact has
only recently started to be Concerning the flesh of animals
increasingly recognised by that was made lawful for human
medical science, while the Holy consumption Allah says:
Qur’an has acknowledged this,
fourteen centuries ago. And of the cattle He has
created some for burden and
The Holy Qur’an has taken the some for slaughter. Eat of that
necessary precautions and which Allah has provided for
prescribed directions and you, and follow not in the
instructions relating to the food footsteps of Satan. Surely he
we eat. This has a great is to you an open foe.
significance. The basic principle (Ch.6:V.143)
laid down by Islam is that as man
must develop all his natural This verse clearly indicates that
instincts and faculties, therefore the food that man consumes has a
he should partake of all kinds of direct effect on his ability to fight
food, except those that are likely the insinuations of Satan as
to do him physical, moral or understood from the phrase
spiritual harm. The use of pure ‘follow not in the footsteps of
and good food produces healthy Satan’. And Allah instructed His
mental conditions which in turn Messengers:
produce good and righteous
actions. Food exerts a powerful O ye Messengers, eat of the
influence on man’s morals. Even things that are pure and do
the habits of an animal can be good works. Verily, I am well-

aware of what you do. reaches Him. Thus He has

(Ch.23:V.52) subjected them to you, that
you may glorify Allah for His
Hence these regulations alert guiding you. And give glad
Muslims and exhort them to be tidings to those who do good.
careful in selecting their food and (Ch.22:V.38)
to examine its effect on their
health before they decide to eat Hence it is the righteousness of a
it. And this automatically urges person that is meant to be
them to be conscious about the achieved by these actions.
condition of the environment that
is surrounding them because it From the above we can see that
can have a direct effect on their although these instructions were
food and can even make it given in the physical sense, they
unlawful for them to partake of have their effects on the moral
it. This further stops them from and spiritual state of man as well.
doing anything that can cause This applies to all the teachings
harm or damage to their of the Holy Qur’an.
surroundings or injure their
health in any way. In the environment of
humankind, Allah has created
Moreover, the way by which the everything that would be needed
animals are slaughtered has also by man to accomplish his duties.
further effects on the moral and At the same time, Allah revealed
spiritual condition of a Muslim. the directions which can guide
man to the best means by which
To sum up these benefits, Allah he can utilise these facilities. It is
says concerning sacrificed for man’s own good that he
animals: should do only what is lawful
and refrain from doing what
Their flesh reaches not Allah, Allah has forbidden. Only then
nor does their blood, but it is will man ensure good physical,
your righteousness that moral and spiritual health. For

this reason, it is the responsibility He always showed gratitude to his

of man to protect his Beloved for His great bounties
environment so that it continues and he was very careful not to
to provide the beneficial means destroy any of Allah’s creation or
of his overall prosperity. let anything go to waste.
Following his example, it is the
In addition to the above reasons, duty of every person to look after
Islam also teaches its followers all that Allah has created. It is in
the love of nature through the the interest of man to do so
love of Allah. A true Muslim is because everything was created
absorbed in the love of Allah and for his sake and he can benefit
consequently he loves the entire from it in one way or the other.
creation because it belongs to his
Beloved One. The Holy Prophet As the real object of man’s life in
of Islam(sa) demonstrated this fact this world is his spiritual
in his own person. Beside his advancement, it is beyond any
mercy towards mankind, he had doubt that if Allah has made
mercy for all animals and ample provisions for his physical
creatures and even for trees and needs, He could not have
plants. This is why Allah neglected the provisions for
addresses the Holy Prophet(sa) in man’s spiritual needs also. And
the Holy Qur’an saying: as man very gladly accepts and
uses all the physical provisions
And We have not sent thee but made for him, he should also not
as a mercy for all the worlds. decline to make similar use of
(Ch.21:V.108) Allah’s spiritual gifts. A human
being is a body and a soul. If
The Holy Prophet of Islam(sa) was Allah has provided man with the
a mercy for all the worlds food that nourishes his body and
including the animal kingdom, the keeps him fit and well, he must
plant kingdom and every other have provided him also with the
world that was created by his spiritual food which nourishes
Beloved Creator of the universe. his soul and raises it to the

physical environment,
he should also care
about the purity of his
ISLAM ALSO TEACHES ITS spiritual environment.
FOLLOWERS THE LOVE OF
NATURE THROUGH THE
To fully understand
LOVE OF A L L A H. A TRUE
MUSLIM IS ABSORBED IN THE LOVE
this, man must reflect
OF ALLAH AND CONSEQUENTLY HE on the physical
LOVES THE ENTIRE CREATION BECAUSE objects in the universe
IT BELONGS TO HIS BELOVED ONE. because they
symbolise spiritual
aspects as well. The
physical world
materialises the
spiritual one so as to
make it easy for man
to comprehend. The
Holy Qur’an is full of
illustrations to help us
highest spiritual levels. As a in this regard. It will suffice to
person should be aware of his cite a few examples here.
body’s physical health, he should
also be conscious of his soul’s If we study what the Holy
spiritual well-being. If Allah has Qur’an has mentioned con-
provided man with a suitable cerning the plants in the physical
environment to maintain the best world, we will learn some
health of his physical body, He amazing spiritual lessons. As a
must have provided man also matter of fact, the Holy Qur’an
with the perfect spiritual has likened human beings
environment to ensure the somewhat to plants when Allah
highest spiritual station of his said:
soul. Hence, it is the duty of man
that as he should protect his And Allah has caused you to

MESSAGE FROM HEAVEN
grow out of the earth like the soundness of the seed that is
raising of vegetation. sown in it, will never produce
(Ch.71:V.18) anything without the help of
water. Similarly the latent and
Allah also said about Mary – the inherent powers and faculties of
mother of Jesus (as): man fail to find their real
spiritual development and
So her Lord accepted her with growth without the help of the
a gracious acceptance and spiritual water. Life on earth
caused her to grow an depends on water which
excellent growth and made descends from heaven in the
Zachariah her guardian... form of rain. In the same way, the
(Ch.3: V.38) spiritual life cannot exist without
the spiritual water which
According to the physical laws of descends from heaven in the
nature, a plant can grow in a land form of Divine revelation.
if a healthy seed is sown in its
soil which happens to be rich and And He it is Who sends the
fertile. In the same manner a winds as glad tidings before
human soul can develop His mercy, and We send down
spiritually if it is provided with pure water from the clouds,
the healthy spiritual seed of faith That We may thereby give life
and the healthy spiritual soil in to a dead land, and give it for
the form of a sincere heart that drink to Our creation - cattle
accepts the truth. and men in large numbers.
(Ch.25:Vs.49-50)
However, the power of making a
seed grow into a plant might be
hidden in the soil, but it does not Continued next month
come into play unless the soil
receives water from heaven. The
latent powers of the soil to grow
vegetation together with the

The Philosophy An Urdu speech delivered at
the 1975 Annual Jalsa in
Rabwah, Pakistan.
of Zakat Translated by the Late Mr

Muhammad Akram Khan
Ghauri.
By the Late Maulana Sheikh Mubarak Ahmad, former Imam of the London Mosque
The blessings of paying the The above Tradition has been

Zakat reported both by Bukhari and
The importance of paying the Muslim. And there is another
Zakat may also be judged from report which says: ‘Whenever
the fact that the Holy Prophet(sa) anyone brought his Zakat to the
always used to supplicate on Holy Prophet, he used to
behalf of those who paid it. supplicate, “O Allah, shower Thy
Hadhrat Abdullah ibn Abi Aufa, blessings on this man.”’
God be pleased with him, has
related: Why has so great an importance
been given to Zakat? As I have
‘When the people brought the already mentioned the basic aim
Zakat offerings to the Most and object of Zakat is sympathy
Favoured Prophet(sa), he used for mankind; rendering assistance
to supplicate in these words, to the poor; to raise the standard
“O Allah, shower Thy mercy of life of those who had been left
on the progeny of such and unprovided for and to protect
such a man, the son of such them from mental and social
and such a man.” When my degradation arising for want of
father brought his due Zakat means; and by means of Zakat
to the Holy Prophet (sa), he provide the path of progress and
prayed, “O Allah, shower prosperity and also of national
Thy mercy on the progeny of betterment and stability. Over and
Abi Aufa.”’ above all this, there is also the aim

THE PHILOSOPHY OF ZAKAT – PART II
through which every man may The love of riches is ingrained in

avail his birthright of partnership man’s mind and it possesses the
in all that Allah has created for the strongest attraction for him. That
benefit of mankind. Pointing out is why it is the main cause for
this basic philosophy of Zakat, the one to stumble and he throws all
Promised Messiah (as) has the Commands of God
explained: overboard. Regular and due
payment of Zakat destroys in
‘What is Zakat? It is that man the love of lucre and
which is taken from the well- releases him from the bonds and
to-do and given to the poor. the curse of capitalism.
This teaches us the sympathy Indifference towards wealth
of the highest order and gives protection from many evils
shores up the Muslim and induces man to walk in the
peoples. It is incumbent upon paths of virtue. He who does not
the rich to pay. Even if it had bolster up his income through
not been made incumbent foul means also gives up this evil
human sympathy demands habit and saves his soul from
that the poor must be helped.’ such contamination as love of
dirty lucre. He does not remain
Zakat is the source of purifying any more a prey to niggardliness
the soul and similar obnoxious habits.
I had explained that according to The Holy Qur’an says:
lexicology the basic philosophy
of Zakat is to purify the soul and ... And whoso is rid of the
to polish it. The Holy Qur’an covetousness of his own soul-
says: it is these who will be
successful.
Take alms out of their wealth, (Ch.59: V.10)
so that thou mayest cleanse
them and purify them In other words, we could say that
thereby... Zakat is the ‘healer’ of the
(Ch.9: V.103) disease of niggardliness. Love of

riches is weakened and the spirit gain admission to a haven where

of brotherly sympathy is born. Satan has no access.
This is because he pays Zakat in
obedience to the command of Zakat – means of purifying
Allah. In return he is rewarded wealth
with the love of Allah which is Zakat not only purifies the soul
the main source of all virtues; and inculcates good morals, it
and he gains the object for which causes one’s wealth and
he was created – perfect possessions to be purified. While
submission to Allah. The Holy explaining the meanings of the
Qur’an says: word Zakat, we also explained
that when the Zakat portion has
And the case of those who been paid, the remainder does
spend their wealth to seek the indeed become purified as it
pleasure of Allah and to provides protection from loss and
strengthen their souls is like ruin. This is because in the
the case of a garden on possessions of the wealthy there
elevated ground. Heavy rain is a share of others also. Unless
falls on it so that it brings and until their share has been
forth its fruit twofold. And if paid, the wealth remains impure
heavy rain does not fall on it, and sullied. The Holy Qur’an
then light rain suffices. And says:
Allah sees what you do.
(Ch.2: V.266) And in their wealth was a
share for one who asked for
The above verse explains the help and one who could not.
philosophy of Zakat. Those who (Ch.51: V.20)
spend to seek the pleasure of
Allah find a place to stand on a The above verse clearly points
firm rock and their hearts are out the fact that all wealth is
filled with God’s love and for earned through joint effort and
this reason they become pure- they all have their share in it.
hearted and righteous and they There are some who are

connected directly with its have not put in any labour in

earnings and there are those who working the mine? The whole
are not so directly connected. world has a share in the treasures
They did not work but they still of the earth.
have their share in it. Let us, for
instance, take the case of a rich Islam has, therefore, made it
man who makes a huge profit incumbent to pay the Zakat – a
from working a mine. He has share from the earnings into the
paid for the labour of all those treasury of the government so
who helped him in the working. that they would spend these for
Whatever he has paid them is due the benefit of the whole nation.
to them only for the labour they In this way every man gets his
have put in. But according to the due share directly or indirectly
teachings of the Qur’an, they and he reaps the benefit of his
also hold a share in that mine share that God Almighty had
because all the treasures of the granted him in His creation.
earth were created for the benefit
of all mankind – not for any Therefore, the wealth from
single person. Therefore, even which the due share of the others
after having been paid for their has been paid becomes purified
labour, their share of the and when people understand and
ownership of the mines still realise that due share of everyone
remains unpaid. One way of has been paid they will not
doing it would be to pay an clamour for and claim any more
additional amount, out of the for their rights. There shall be
profits, to the labourers or other peace in the country; and the
workers. But even doing that spirit of righteousness and doing
would not absolve the miner of good to others and culture and
all his obligations. Yes, he did good behaviour shall be
pay an additional amount to all inculcated. This, as we all know,
those who gave him assistance in is most urgent and essential for
making the huge profit. But what national stability.
about the share of those who

Hadhrat Shah Waliullah, virtue personified and this is

Muhaddith of Delhi, while what is called the training of
discussing the philosophy of the soul.’
Zakat, writes in his book
Hujjatullah-il-Balighah : ‘Zakat is also the best
remedy for all social and
‘It must be clearly national necessities. This is
understood that Zakat has because social admin-
been made incumbent an istration cannot become
account of two reasons. stable unless it is backed by
Firstly, for the training of the strong and stable finances. It
soul; secondly, for fulfilling is because with sound
the social and national re- finance the government is in
quirements. As regards the the position of looking after
training of the soul it is quite all the highest or the lowest
clear that wealth is the root requirements of the admin-
cause of social ills like istration and fulfilling all the
niggardliness, selfishness, needs of the society
mutual enmities and other equitably, and the poor, the
known immoralities. The needy, the weak, the orphans
true remedy for this is and the widows do not stand
spending the wealth suitably in need of going a-begging
and generously. This puts an from others and are saved
end to niggardliness, self- from all this humiliation and
ishness dies out and instead in this way the government
of mutual enmity, a spirit of may be able to look after
love is born and this mutual them properly. All these
love is the true foundation of duties of the government can
the highest moral behaviour be duly performed only
and makes men treat each when, along with the other
other with love and resources, the government
kindness. The net result of could safely depend upon
all this is that man becomes the revenue obtained

through Zakat from the rich Lord God, so long as I live, I

and the wealthy.’ should be poor and take me to
(Hujjatullah-il-Balighah: Yourself while I am still poor and
Vol.2, Ch. Zakat) on the Day of Resurrection raise
me up with the poor people.’ He
The means of sustaining and did not confine his help of the
helping the poor poor only to their spiritual
Zakat is the best means of enhancement but took practical
assisting and providing suste- steps to remove their poverty and
nance to the poor of the nation. want. He adopted practical
Through this, the poor and the means, the best and most
have-nots can be properly and effective of which was the
timely assisted. The command of institution of Zakat and which
the Holy Prophet(sa) that ‘Zakat served as a sure guarantee for
should be taken from the rich and their sustenance and other needs.
given to the poor’ denotes that History provides us with an
the basic principle of Zakat is undeniable evidence how
sympathy for mankind and splendidly the institution of
helping the poor. From the Zakat worked and helped the
details given by the Holy Qur’an, needy in such a manner, that in
it becomes quite clear that the no time the social conditions
underlying idea is the support of were radically changed so much
the poor. The Holy Prophet(sa) so, that few have-nots were to be
was always very anxious to help found in the length and breadth
the have-nots in their distress, of the Muslim Empire and people
their difficulties and in their became so prosperous that when
scanty means and he, therefore, people went about in search of
took the undermentioned steps in the needy they could not find one
this matter: who deserved help.
The Holy Prophet(sa) spent his Zakat is not only the most
own life like that of the have-nots effective means of ending
and always supplicated, ‘O my poverty and want in the society,

but is the best course of one’s rescue. The poor consider

improving the moral conditions them to be their only benefactors,
of the nation. Facts and figures sustainers and patrons. They
provide us with an undeniable begin to fear them more than
truth that poverty, destitution, they ever fear God. How true is
hunger and want are the main the saying: ‘Poverty makes a
causes of crimes. When man susceptible to disbelief and
individuals of a nation live in rebellion.’
straitened circumstances and the
empty purse looks them in their These moral ailments and
faces all the time, they are bound weaknesses suppress people’s
to commit crimes to put an end to capabilities. The only way to
their distress. It comes to our improve matters is to find ways
daily experience that merely and means to remove poverty
because of their straitened means and hunger, want and scarcity.
some people start thieving and Islam has given us a viable
robbing and start pick-pocketing remedy to remove poverty in the
and when in extreme poverty, nation. This remedy is the system
they do not even hesitate to of Zakat which guarantees
murder people and adopt this as a prosperity and happiness for the
profession. This causes an people who will accept it. When
upheaval in the country’s peace. Zakat was the law and the people
obeyed and paid the Zakat into
Poverty does not only force the government treasuries,
people to commit crimes – crimes were seldom committed
thieving and robbing – but and most certainly not for want
induces them to enter the walks and poverty. The moral state of
of immorality. Poverty also tends the people was indeed enviable.
to make one niggardly and mean,
and the fear of God vanishes Zakat ensures economic
from the heart and only begins to prosperity
think that the rich people are Zakat is not only advantageous in
one’s gods who would come to the moral and spiritual uplift of

man but is also a guarantee for economically prosperous. This is

economic betterment. The word very easily understandable be-
Zakat also implies increase and cause when the poor and the
growth. This, therefore, means needy obtain financial assistance
God has made Zakat an and the people get financial
important means of increase and support in their difficulties and
multiplying of national wealth distress, they would naturally
and betterment of social condi- tend to stand on their own feet
tions. The Almighty God has and try to become independent
said in the Holy Qur’an: and would enter the highroad of
success and prosperity.
. . . thou mayest cleanse and
purify them... Economic welfare and prosperity
(Ch.9: V.103) of the nation is never attained
through the wealth of the nation
And again He says: going into the hands of a limited
few capitalists. National pros-
The similitude of those who perity means the happiness and
spend their wealth for the prosperity of all the members of
cause of Allah is like the the nation collectively. When
similitude of a grain of corn Zakat funds are distributed
which grows seven ears, in among the poor, the wealth of the
each ear a hundred grains. nation shall pass from the hands
And Allah multiplies it further of a limited few into the hands of
for whomsoever He pleases the have-nots who form the
and Allah is Bountiful. All- majority. They shall in turn, by
Knowing. the means of this financial
(Ch.2: V.262) assistance, be able to make their
own livings. The social and
From the above two verses, it is economic conditions are bound
evident that Zakat is the means of to become stable and rest on very
ameliorating social conditions firm footings.
and of making the nations

It is often pointed out that in And again the Holy Qur ’an
modern times revenue from mentions:
Zakat alone cannot fulfil the
needs of the poor and the needy. Those who spend their wealth
This is not untrue, because of the in the cause of Allah, then
heavy expenditure of govern- follow not up what they have
ments. Some of this is legitimate. spent with taunt and injury,
It is for this very reason that for them is their reward with
Muslims are enjoined to give their Lord and they shall have
additional alms in the name of no fear nor shall they grieve.
Allah, both collectively and (Ch.2; V.263)
individually. In this respect the
Holy Qur’an says: O ye who believe, render not
vain your alms by taunt or
And spend for the cause of injury, like one who spends
Allah, and cast not yourselves his wealth to be seen of men,
into ruin with your own and believes not in Allah and
hands, and do good; surely, the Last Day. His case is like
Allah loves those who do the case of a smooth rock
good. covered with earth, on which
(Ch.2: V.196) heavy rain falls and washes it
clean, leaving it bare, smooth
And again it says: and hard. They shall not
secure aught of what they
Those who spend their wealth earn. And Allah guides not
in the cause of Allah, by night the disbelieving people.
and by day, secretly and (Ch.2: V.265)
openly, have their reward
with their Lord; on them shall The evils of Capitalism and
come no fear, nor shall they Communism
grieve. The biggest evil of Capitalism is
(Ch.2: V.275) that the wealth of the nation is
amassed in the hands of a limited

few and the rest of the nation the state determining such needs.
becomes a prey to want and
poverty. It was on account of this The history of Capitalism tells us
iniquity that Communism gained that the capitalist countries tend
its roots. It is based on the to rob the others so that they may
principle that no one really is the get more and more rich. They
rightful owner of what he earns openly trample over the rights of
and the real master of the the others and usurp the rights of
national wealth is the State which others as if it was their right to do
must distribute it according to the so. They not only rapaciously
needs of the members of the grabbed the rights of individuals
community. but also seized the wealth of
other peoples and nations. As
When we devote our mind to opposed to this, the Communist
both these systems we are bound nations not only ravished and
to come to the conclusion that pounced upon the wealth and
both these systems belong to the properties of individuals but also
opposite extremes. If Capitalism put them to torture and took
is responsible for the wretched- away their lives mercilessly. But
ness and distress of a great Islam does not at all favour
number of the people living tyranny and injustice. Islam
under it and due return is given to neither allows the poor to be
the real producer of wealth, suppressed nor lets the rights of
Communism also completely the rich to be swept away. Both
ignores the labour and effort put the poor and the rich are God’s
in by the real producer of wealth. creation. He, therefore, provides
Under this system the person protection to them both and
who has put in the labour to guides them to progress and
produce is totally deprived of its prosperity.
possession. The result is that the
true zeal to work with earnest- Islam, unlike Communism and
ness dies out. Communism also Capitalism, gives due regard to
fails to define human needs with labour and upholds its dignity

and approves the right of owner- things which have the quality of
ship so that zeal and enthusiasm, increasing. Islam has laid the
for hard work and best results, is condition to pay the Zakat each
not lost. For this very reason, it year so that one could take the
has provided such a wise code of best advantage of his posses-
law as the Zakat so that wealth is sions. The Companions of the
not accumulated into the hands Holy Prophet (sa), were fully
of a few men. It must keep in aware of this point and engaged
circulation and should never be themselves in trade and business.
allowed to stagnate. Under the During his Caliphate, Hadhrat
Zakat rules, one-fortieth of one’s Umar(ra) had given special
savings and stock-in-trade must instructions to those who held in
be paid after every twelve trust the property and wealth of
months. This is a great incentive the orphans, always to make
for the man in business to see investments so that their inher-
that he is earning and increasing ited wealth may not be eaten up
his wealth otherwise the annual by Zakat by the time they
payments will ultimately eat up became of age and took over
all his capital. their properties.
Moreover, when capital is It has, therefore, become quite

employed in trade or industry, it evident that Zakat gives an
naturally provides work for incentive to work hard and
labour and it keeps on circulating produce more wealth. Expert
among different classes of economists have often said that
people. The businessman tries to nations which do not employ
pay the Zakat from profits and themselves in business and trade
not from his capital and the and produce more wealth are
farmer will try to work harder bound to become bankrupt if
and produce more so that he is their capital lies stagnant and
able to keep his head above unused. But the Holy Prophet(sa)
water. That is the reason why had given this warning some
Islam has imposed Zakat on fourteen hundred years ago in the

following words of the Holy work for others. But it is a great

Qur’an: pity that very many people do not
realise this fact and try to evade
... And those who hoard up paying Zakat. They wrongly fear
gold and silver and spend it that this might cause a great loss.
not in the way of Allah – give They do not understand that God
to them tidings of a painful enforced this law to induce men
punishment. to make more wealth and become
(Ch.9: V.34) richer and richer.
In this verse ‘painful There is an assurance from God

punishment’ does not only mean Almighty for those who pay the
punishment in the world to come. Zakat that their wealth will not
Nay, along with that punishment, decrease, it shall, on the contrary,
withholding wealth and capital continue to increase. Therefore,
from circulation and hoarding those who pay it reap the benefit.
money is bound to lead the God Almighty says:
nation to a certain economic
disaster. Therefore, all those who Whatever you pay as interest
hoard money and keep the that it may increase the
national wealth idle, are guilty of wealth of the people, it does
bringing down their nation to not increase in the sight of
ruin and degradation and they Allah; but whatever you give
themselves begin to decay and in Zakat seeking the favour of
ultimately totter to their fall. Allah – it is these who will
increase their wealth
The system of Zakat provides to manifold.
the wealthy a great incentive to (Ch.30: V.40)
earn more and more in order to
save it being eaten up by annual Value and worth of Zakat in
payments. In this way a good the eyes of non-Muslims
businessman not only increases Even a number of non-Muslims
his own wealth but also provides truly acclaimed the worth and

fruitfulness of Zakat and how it The famous German scholar,

is beneficial to mankind; how it Joseph Hell, has also discussed
supports and sustains the poor the commendable commands of
and safeguards the rights of the Islam in his book The Arab
high and the law; and how this Civilisation. Having discussed
system improves national pros- the beauty and the admirable
perity and raises the moral and concept of social equality in
spiritual conditions of the nation. Islam and the practical training
They regard the system of Zakat given in the congregational
in Islam as a very outstanding prayers in the mosque or outside,
feature of the faith. he goes to express his very high
opinion regarding the excellent
‘Besides the institution of the system of Zakat in Islam:
pilgrimage, the payment of
the legal alms is another duty ‘Besides the common prayer,
that continually reminds the the conception of social
Muslim that the faithfuls are equality was an innovation
brothers (XLIX-10) – peculiar to Islam. Help and
religious, theory that is very maintenance of the poor thus
strikingly realised in became a sacred trust. It was
Muhammadan society and left no longer to individuals
seldom fails to express itself to give what they pleased, but
in acts of kindness towards the poor tax (zakat) became
the new convert, whatever be an obligatory duty and was
his race, colour or collected in a central treasury,
antecedents, he is received and administered therefrom.’
into the brotherhood of (Joseph Hell, The Arab
believers and takes his place Civilisation)
as an equal among equals.’
(T. W. Arnold, The Preaching This, he points out, is a very
of Islam Lahore edition, important religious obligation.
pp.415-416) Every Muslim of means must
pay the Zakat to the State and it

Zakat enhances the spiritual, moral and
‘ economical standards of mankind. It is a

devotion offered through one’s wealth which
purifies the heart and cleanses the soul.
is their duty to disburse these

funds where they deem to be fit.
’
the proletariat to obtain their
birthrights in the national wealth.
The payment of these alms has Zakat also guarantees human
not been left to the whims and dignity and keeps the capital in
caprices of the individual paying circulation which in turn brings
the Zakat. The needy person prosperity to the whole nation
receiving the aid does not feel and foremost and above all the
under any obligation or humil- benefits, causes spiritual
iation to a private individual. happiness and exultation for the
individual and a pleasant and
In summing up the benefits of happy atmosphere to live in.
Zakat, we must also remember
that Zakat enhances the spiritual, What we have said above is not a
moral and economical standards mere boast. It is a stark naked
of mankind. It is a devotion truth and history provides an
offered through one’s wealth undeniable evidence to its truth.
which purifies the heart and Under the direct guidance of the
cleanses the soul. It also destroys Holy Prophet(sa), his Companions
the evils of Capitalism and faithfully observed this divine
underwrites the sustenance of the command and so did those who
poor and needy. It provides followed them later for the next
dependable security for those two hundred years. They truly
who need assistance. It also inherited the spiritual qualities
creates the spirit of sympathy and and the zeal of their fathers and
brotherhood among men; obeyed all the commands and
maintains peace in the society walked steadfastly in the paths of
and provides the opportunity for obedience and virtue. They paid

the Zakat as an act of devotion very same true understanding of

and seldom failed in their the system of Zakat and its
religious as well as their national importance. May He grant us the
duty. The result was that history strength and determination to
recorded that poverty and want observe this vital command
practically disappeared from the along with all His other
Muslim society. Muslim culture commands, so that each and
and the Muslim way of life every individual of our society
became the hallmark of may get his rightful share with
prosperity, progress and success dignity and honour. May it so
in all fields. There was such a happen that we all live together
radical change in social con- in brotherly affection without
ditions that those who at one time any enmity or hatred for any of
stood in need of assistance, us and that there may be no
began to contribute towards restlessness, no rebuffs, no
Zakat themselves. However hard repulses and no tumults in our
the administration of the State midst. May we all gather
searched for the poor and the together around our God, seeking
needy, they could not trace them. His pleasure. Amin.
They were pure-hearted and
righteous practical Muslims and
followed all the injunctions of
the Qur’an faithfully and
steadfastly. The result was that
they not only became the
benefactors and patrons of the
then civilised world, they also
became a people whom God
loved because they had become
the torch-bearers of truth.
We earnestly pray that God

Almighty may grant us also the

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CONTENTS June 2005, Vol.100, No.

Notes & Comments – Tobacco – its continued globalisation and effects . . . . 2

Knowledge of God – Part 11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Raising the Standard of Worship . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Foundation stone Ceremony of the London Mosque . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Glimpses into the Qur’anic Concept of the Environment - Part 1 . . . . . . 36

The Philosophy of Zakat – Part II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Basit Ahmad Chief Editor and Manager: Mansoor Ahmed Shah

Tobacco is the second major packet and bans on tobacco

2 The Review of Religions – June 2005

winners and nations of a healthy Developing World minds –

However, in recent years as Studies across all the regions in

The Review of Religions – June 2005 3

Not only is tobacco linked to society, people are given more

4 The Review of Religions – June 2005

Knowledge of God certain and most absolute of all

The Review of Religions – June 2005 5

default that God Almighty most perfect is that which a

6 The Review of Religions – June 2005

Him and the subject of His

This perfect relationship with the

The Review of Religions – June 2005 7

knowledge. This relationship is knowledge concerning a thing

8 The Review of Religions – June 2005

Creator of His Own Being, it attributes. It is true that God, if

The Review of Religions – June 2005 9

quite another. (Surma Chashm Our Ever-Living and All-

10 The Review of Religions – June 2005

family and other pious people In truth, it is the same attraction

The Review of Religions – June 2005 11

and a current of water flows depended upon the physical

12 The Review of Religions – June 2005

of complete understanding be brought out of its grave by

The Review of Religions – June 2005 13

seekers from the fountain of to them that He is God on the

14 The Review of Religions – June 2005

devices are resorted to in order to This is the God through Whose

The Review of Religions – June 2005 15

16 The Review of Religions – June 2005

The Review of Religions – June 2005 17

Can we say that this capacity for But it should be considered

18 The Review of Religions – June 2005

Parklands Primary School,

Today, by the grace of Allah, the important that we should attain

The Review of Religions – June 2005 19

people should find their Lord Let me explain this in another

20 The Review of Religions – June 2005

a long time, that I have sought you. Hence, the Promised

The Review of Religions – June 2005 21

So remember that if you want to Now it seems that I am a being of

22 The Review of Religions – June 2005

Holy Prophet Muhammad(sa), you provides its shade and showers

The Review of Religions – June 2005 23

your daily dealings and your

If you seemingly observe the

24 The Review of Religions – June 2005

just as bad as when a rich man with this principle. These

The Review of Religions – June 2005 25

observe prayers. We have amongst them. So whether they