15 May 1908

(10 a.m.)

Two respected barristers-at-law came for a meeting. The following exchange took place with them.

It Is Essential to Say Insha’Allah

The Promised Messiah (as) mentioned a future plan that it shall be done so, but also said Insha’Allahul-Aziz [‘If Allah the Mighty so wills’]. He then explained:

It is very important to say insha’Allah, because all the affairs of man are not under his control. He is surrounded by all kinds of adversities, impediments, and obstacles. It is possible that whatever he has willed to do may not come to fulfilment. That is why help is sought from God Almighty, who is the Fountainhead of all powers, by saying insha’Allah. In this age, people who are foolish and oblivious of the consequences, laugh at it.

Benefit of Opposition

Abuse and slander at the hands of the opponents were mentioned. The Promised Messiah (as) said:

Note that all kinds of things are made use of in farming. There is water and seed. Still, there is the need for manure which is extremely filthy. So, in the same way, filthy opposition does the work of manure for our Movement.

Purpose of Establishing the Jama’at

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

Divisions are developing day by day among Islamic sects. This division is extremely detrimental to the cause of Islam. Thus, Allah the Exalted says:

وَ لَا تَنَازَعُوْا فَتَفْشَلُوْا وَ تَذْہَبَ رِیْحُکُمْ1

Ever since the divisions started in Islam, it has been in continuous decline. This is why God has established this Movement so that people may leave sectarianism and join this Jama’at [Community] which is totally secure against absurd disagreements, and is treading upon that Straight Path that the Holy Prophet (sas) had pointed out.

Our Differences With Others Who Also Recite the Kalimah

I long for some civil, decent, fair-minded, and God-fearing people to be assembled so that I might explain to them what I believe and wherein I differ—as well as why—from others who similarly recite the Kalimah [Islamic creed]. The fact is that God has established this Movement at a time when Islam is suffering the brunt of two assaults—one assault is external and the other is internal.

For instance, some from among the Muslims themselves say that there are no injunctions in Islam—all this Fasting, Salat [Prayer], and Hajj [the Pilgrimage] are things belonging to an age gone by, that could have been of some benefit only for the savages of Arabia. Then they raise various and sundry objections about the details related to the circumstances of the Day of Judgement. Then there are others who have veered towards exaggeration and they have gone to such a degree in exaggerating the status of some Prophets that they have made them God. Take, for instance, just the one example of Jesus (as). He has been credited with certain attributes which are unique to God.

Why Hold a Special Distinction for Jesus (as)?

No doubt, he was from among those near to God. He was blessed by Allah and had the distinction of prophethood. However, it is incorrect to accredit him with any attribute that is not present in other Prophets. They say that he has been sitting in the heavens with his physical body for many centuries whereas the disbelievers solemnly pledged to the Holy Prophet (sas), that they would accept him if he could climb into the heavens in front of them. The reply that was given to them was this:

سُبْحَانَ رَبِّیْ ہَلْ کُنْتُ اِلَّا بَشَرًا رَّسُوْلًا2

When Allah had established the principle from the beginning, that فِیْہَا تَحْیَوْنَ3 then why would He act against His own practice? Had this belief [of the bodily ascension of Jesus (as)] existed among the Muslims of that time, the disbelievers had the right to indict them by questioning how they could allow it for one Prophet but not for another; whereas, you believe that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was superior to all Prophets—and to Jesus (as), in particular—and is the embodiment of all the excellences of prophethood.

Thus, this ascension to Heaven while still alive, is not mentioned in the Holy Quran. The Quran, in fact, rejects this doctrine. This is a verse of the Holy Quran that I have recited; it is not a hadith that it could be susceptible to the objection of being weak or fabricated etc. You can peruse the entire Quran from start to finish, but you will not find support for Jesus (as) being alive to this day. What you will find is فَلَمَّا تَوَفَّیْتَنِیْ4 . Jesus, peace be upon him, is submitting to the Lord of Honour, ‘When You caused me to die, then You were the Guardian of things—I did not come back again, and the Christians became misguided after I was gone.’ That تَوَفِّیۡ  means death is so obvious that it cannot be denied. This word has been used in the Holy Quran for other Prophets too.

For example, Joseph (as) said تَوَفَّنِیْ مُسْلِمًا5 and then for the Holy Prophet (sas) himself: اَوْ نَتَوَفَّیَنَّکَ6. Both uses are as a verb. You will not find a meaning opposed to this in any lexicon either. So this is the testimony of the Word of Allah the Exalted. Now, look at the testimony of the Holy Prophet (sas) through his actions which relates to his vision. He says that on the night of Mi’raj [Spiritual Ascension], he saw Jesus (as) with Yahya (as) [John the Baptist]. Now, no Muslim has any doubt about the death of John, peace be upon him. Thus, to see someone among a group that has passed away and is in Paradise has no explanation other than that he, too, has died. In short, these are two testimonies.

Now, one should judge impartially what this proves. What reason is there that exceptions be made for Jesus? The Christian priests put forth the argument in favour of the ‘Divinity’ of Jesus (as), that he used to raise the dead, whereas God Almighty says:

فَیُمْسِکُ الَّتِیْ قَضٰى عَلَیْہَا الْمَوْتَ7

Now, there cannot be a contradiction in the Word of God that in one verse He says that the dead do not come back to this world and in the other He says that the dead do come back to life. Then He says, with regard to the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, that the dead are brought back to life at his hand: لِمَا یُحْیِیْکُمْ8 yet everyone knows that this means giving life to the spiritually dead. So the Muslims who, following in the footsteps of the Christian priests, believe that Jesus (as) could bring the dead back to life, are making a mistake.

Then they allege that the only ones who were free from the touch of Satan were Jesus and his mother. Look, just imagine what an insult to the Holy Prophet (sas) is implicit in this belief! There are many other similar distinctions that the Muslims have accorded to Jesus (as) that are necessarily insulting to the Holy Prophet (sas). I can never tolerate that anyone be made to appear greater than the Leader of All Messengers (sas) who was far better and superior than Jesus. (أَللّٰھُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰی سَیِّدِ نَا مُحَمَّدٍ) [O Allah shower Thy blessings on Our lord and master Muhammad.]

God Continues to Speak

Then, I hold the difference with these Muslims that I believe God will continue to have converse and dialogue with the people of this Ummah till the Day of Judgement. This is verily the truth, for this has been exactly the belief held by all the saints of this Ummah. Remember it well that the religion of Islam is not such a faith whose excellences have been left behind and for which nothing lies for it in the future. If this was so and it, too, depended only on ancient anecdotes, then tell me what difference would remain between it and the other religions?

If there is any distinguishing quality in Islam, then it is that its followers are honoured with Divine converse and discourse. There are other religions that believe in dry monotheism as well—the Jews and Brahmu Samaj, for example.  It can be asked what is the benefit of reciting مُحَمَّدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰہِ [‘Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah’] together with لَآ إِلٰہَ إِلَّااللّٰہُ [‘There is no one worthy of worship except Allah’]? The benefit is, of course, that following our lord and master Muhammad (sas), and testifying to the truth of his being the Messenger of Allah, makes one the beloved of Allah the Exalted, and heir to the rewards that were bestowed upon the previous Prophets. In other words, He will bestow a distinction upon you.

That is why it is stated that یَجْعَلْ لَّکُمْ فُرْقَانًا9 . That is, He will bestow a distinguishing quality upon you. Therefore, it is necessary that there should be a distinction between it [Islam] and other religions in this very world.

I do not mention my own case. Keeping my issue aside, can someone explain to me that if Islam also had brought the same dry monotheism that the Jews have and that the Brahmu Samajists subscribe to, then what was the need to put [upon man] such a huge burden of the Shariah? On the one hand, they acknowledge that Islam is a living religion, while on the other, they do not present any distinguishing quality in it. All the blessings and excellences it does have are described by them to be evident in those who have passed away as if there is nothing in it for the living.

To gain recognition of the Creator from its creation cannot be the sublime proof for the existence of God Almighty. The only way of knowing God is if He Himself says that أَنَا الْمَوْجُوْدُ  [‘I am present’]. Stories of the past are narrated by other religions too. If you, too, narrate a few accounts of the past events in competition with them, then how is it any better? And what is the proof that while your stories are true, what the other one says that their leader showed such and such a miracle is false?

Look, it is written in the New Testament that when Jesus (as) was put on the cross, all the dead had risen from their graves. I fail to understand, how all the dead could fit in one town. And then, despite having witnessed their emergence, why did the Jews still not accept Jesus (as)? Thus, if in answer to such stories we too present only stories, then what impact can this have on an opponent?

Miracle of Shaqqul-Qamar

At this point, one of them asked the view of the Promised Messiah (as) about the incident of Shaqqul-Qamar [Splitting of the Moon].

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

I believe it to have been a type of eclipse. I have written about it in my book, Chashma-e-Ma‘rifat.

The Reality of Mi’raj

Then a question was asked about the Mi’raj [Spiritual Ascension]. The Promised Messiah (as) said:

In Sahih al-Bukhari, which is the most authentic book after the Book of Allah [the Holy Quran], the entire episode of the Mi’raj is mentioned and at the end the word فَاسْتَیْقَظَ10  [‘then he woke up’] is written. Now, you can determine for yourself what it was. In the Holy Quran also, the word vision is used: وَ مَا جَعَلْنَا الرُّءْیَا الَّتِیْۤ اَرَیْنٰکَ.11

Current Sects in Islam

Then the other person asked, ‘There are other sects in Islam, such as Hanafi, Shafi‘i, Naqshbandi, Chishti, Qaderi etc. Is this a sect like them with similar differences or is there something more to it?’

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

In my view all these sects, in their current conditions, are far removed from the teachings of Islam that the Holy Prophet (sas) provided. They are mired in a variety of sundry innovations. They have invented different forms of durud [invoking blessings on the Holy Prophet (sas)], wazaif [formalized forms of benedictions], and zikr [remembrance of Allah], that are not proven to be from the Holy Prophet (sas). One form of such zikr can result in hectic fever. And some go insane and then people call them a Waliullah [Friend of Allah; i.e. saint]. There are no such teachings in Islam that would make people insane, nor is this the way to realize union with Allah. What is said in the Holy Quran is:

قَدۡ اَفۡلَحَ مَنۡ زَکّٰٮہَا ۪ۙ﴿۱۰﴾وَقَدۡ خَابَ مَنۡ دَسّٰٮہَا ﴿ؕ۱۱﴾ 12

When a person restrains his passions only for the sake of Allah the Exalted, its result is success and honour in the religious and secular realms. Falah [Success] is of two kinds. Cleansing of the soul in accordance with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (sas) brings about salvation in the Hereafter as well as comfort in this world. Sin is a suffering in itself. Those who find enjoyment in sin are sick. The result of evil is never good. I have seen some drunkards who suffered from cataract, became paralyzed, developed tremors, or died from stroke. When God Almighty admonishes against such evils, it is for the good of people similar to when a physician prescribes preventive measures to a patient, it is for the benefit of the patient and not the physician.

Thus, if you wish to have physical and spiritual falah, you should stay away from all these threats and prohibitions. Do not let your passions become unbridled, lest the chastisement befall you. Allah the Exalted has shown, out of His utmost mercy, the way to save yourself from every affliction. So now, if someone does not save himself from these afflictions and sins Islam cannot be criticized for it.

To sum it up, there are two kinds of people. One kind of people have gone to the extreme of naturalism and they are at the brink of becoming atheists. They consider different components of Salat to be absurd acts. To them, the Prophet was illiterate as were his companions, and this commandment was appropriate for them alone. This is one extreme. The second kind of people are those who trivialize. They have usurped the rights of Islam. The ascetics have invented a variety of their own methods of remembrance of God. Allah the Exalted says, ‘You are  اُمَّۃً وَّسَطًا [A people following the middle path].’ Therefore, one should be moderate and it is incumbent to take the middle path.

I Do Not Declare Anyone Who Subscribes to the Kalimah as Being Outside the Pale of Islam

Then a respected guest (Mr. Fazal Husain, Barrister at Law) stated that if all non-Ahmadis are called kafirs then Islam is left with nothing.

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

I do not consider anyone who affirms the Kalimah to be outside the pale of Islam until he becomes a kafir [disbeliever] himself by declaring me to be a kafir. You may not know perhaps that after I proclaimed having been appointed by God, Muhammad Husain Maulawi Abu Saeed of Batala very painstakingly prepared a fatwa [religious verdict] in which it was declared that this person is a kafir [disbeliever], dajjal [deceiver], and zall [misguided one]; that no one should offer my funeral prayer; and anyone exchanging greetings of peace with me or shaking hands with me or considering me a Muslim would be a kafir just as well.

Now, pay heed!! It is a universally accepted precept that if anyone calls a Muslim kafir, he himself becomes one. How can I deny this precept? You tell me what is my option in these circumstances? I did not initiate any fatwa [religious verdict] against them. Now when they are called kafir, it is the consequence of their own proclamation [not mine].

One individual petitioned for a mubahalah [prayer duel] with me. I replied that a mubahalah is not permissible between two Muslims. He wrote in reply, ‘I consider you a full-fledged kafir.’

This person submitted, ‘If they say that you are a kafir let them, but what is the harm if you do not say the same.’

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

I never call him a kafir who does not call me one. But, if I do not consider him who calls me kafir to be one himself, it would, necessarily, be antagonistic to a hadith and a unanimous religious precept, and this, I cannot do.

The same person asked, ‘What is the harm in joining those in Prayers who do not call you a kafir?’ The Promised Messiah (as) said:

 لَا یُلْدَغُ الْمُؤْمِنُ مِنْ جُحْرٍ وَّاحِدٍ مَّرَّتَیْنِ13 [‘A believer is not bitten from the same hole twice’]. I have tested this thoroughly that such people are, in fact, hypocrites.

Their condition is:

﴾ وَاِذَا لَقُوا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا قَالُوۡۤا اٰمَنَّا ۚۖ وَاِذَا خَلَوۡا اِلٰی شَیٰطِیۡنِہِمۡ ۙ قَالُوۡۤا اِنَّا مَعَکُمۡ ۙ اِنَّمَا نَحۡنُ مُسۡتَہۡزِءُوۡنَ ﴿۱۵﴾ 14

Meaning that in your presence they say they are not opposed to you but when they are among their own, they say that we were merely joking with them. Thus, once these people make a public announcement stating that they consider members of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at to be believers, and also consider those who call them kafir to be kafir themselves, I would immediately order my Jama’at to join them in Salat.

I abide by the truth. You cannot force me to go against the Shariah of Islam. Everyone is in agreement that it is an accepted and agreed precept of the Shariah of Islam that the one who calls a Muslim a kafir is a kafir himself. Then how can I call them Muslims? And those who declare the people of truth to be kafir, how can I consider them not to be kafir? How can I regard them to be true Muslims when they have no respect for the saying of the Holy Prophet (sas) in their heart while it is incumbent upon every Muslim to respect the saying of his Leader and Guide, the Holy Prophet (sas), and his belief should be in conformity with his teachings?

The person repeated his statement. The Promised Messiah (as) again explained in detail by saying:

Look, you should first ask your mullahs [Muslim clergy] and witness how they perceive us. What they say is that my kufr [disbelief] is greater than the kufr of even Christians and Jews.

When Joseph (as) received the message of his release he said, ‘First you should ask them what my guilt is.’ Accordingly, prior to reconciliation, you too should ask them what it is that makes me a kafir. Whatever I do and whatever I say bear the expression of greatness, glory, and honour of the Holy Prophet (sas) manifest within them. The Holy Quran says:

فَمِنۡہُمۡ ظَالِمٌ لِّنَفۡسِہٖ ۚ وَمِنۡہُمۡ مُّقۡتَصِدٌ ۚ وَمِنۡہُمۡ سَابِقٌۢ بِالۡخَیۡرٰتِ 15

I call people of all these three grades to be Muslims, but what am I to designate those who declare a believer to be a kafir? I would consider those who do not call me kafir to be included with them until they declare their disassociation from them through a published announcement. They should also mention the names of those that issue these fatwas and say that according to a sahih hadith [authentic saying of the Holy Prophet (sas)], they consider them to be kafirs.

Women’s Education

Then the second person asked, ‘What are your views about the education of women?’ The Promised Messiah (as) said:

There is a hadith that طَلَبُ الْعِلْمِ فَرِیْضَۃٌ عَلٰی کُلِّ مُسْلِمٍ وَّمُسْلِمَۃٍ16 [‘It is the duty of every Muslim man and woman to seek knowledge’]. I would first talk about men. It is very dangerous to occupy oneself with secular learning before becoming aware of the essence of Islam and its beauties. If young children are only educated in a school and are not informed of religion at all, those values will get absorbed into them like mother’s milk gets absorbed into their bodies. What would be the outcome of this except that they would renounce Islam? Very few would become Christians as belief in the Trinity, Atonement, and Divinity of a human being are so absurd that no wise or intelligent person could accept them. However, there is a real risk of them becoming atheist. Therefore, it is essential to simultaneously teach them spiritual philosophy from day one.

When today’s education has not had a salutary effect on men from the religious perspective, what could be expected from women? I am not against the education of women. In fact, I have even established a school here, but I consider it necessary that the fortress of faith be secured first, so that they may remain protected from the evil influences of the outside. May Allah enable everyone to repent, develop righteousness and piety, and to tread the path of rectitude.

Type of Employment

The Promised Messiah (as) said:

If employment prevents one from unlawful things, then it is a blessing for which one should be grateful in every way. As opposed to this, if it is cause for evil deeds, it is a curse one must stay away from.

Developing a Bond Is Highly Beneficial

To develop contacts is very useful. For instance, if there is a thief and he is a very close friend of a certain person and that person deals with him with graciousness and hospitality, the thief would never steal from him and would never break into his home no matter how evil an individual the thief might be. So, isn’t God better than even a thief? Can a bond of loyalty with God be of no benefit? Of course not!

All praiseworthy morals are, indeed, a reflection of His attributes. For those who come to Him with a pure heart, He creates a distinction between them and others.

Humble, Heartfelt Prayers Are a Fortress

The saintly people say that if forty days pass without a person’s eyes even once shedding tears in the fear of God, such a one is susceptible to death in a state of faithlessness. Now, there are even such creatures of God who pay no attention to God for forty years, let alone a mere forty days!

Prudent is the one who prepares for a calamity before the calamity befalls him. When the calamity has befallen, neither science nor wealth helps at that time. Even friends last only so long as one is healthy. After that, no one is available to give someone so much as a drink of water. There are many calamities. Our Noble Prophet (sas) has advised to repent as soon as possible, for there are numerous dangers surrounding a person—even more than there are ants.

The manner in which those who have a bond with God are saved from these calamities is never afforded to others. A relationship is a great thing. [As is said] بہ زیر سلسلہ رفتن طریق عیاری است [‘To come under the protection of your obedience is the way of wisdom.’]. There is no man who does not have his share of calamities. اِنَّ مَعَ الْعُسْرِ یُسْرًا17.

Nor should one be despondent. As is said, برکریمان کارہا دشوار نیست [‘Nothing is difficult for the brave’]. He can transform things in an instant, as it is said:

نومید ہم مباش کہ رندان بادہ نوش
ناگاہ بیک خروش بمنزل رسیدہ اند

[Do not be despondent because the ascetic intoxicated in the love of the Divine can instantly reach his destination with just one loud shout out.]

Appreciate the time of peace and health. The one who turns to God in times of peace and health is helped in times of one’s adversity and illness. Sincere heartfelt humble prayers are like a fortress that cannot be breached by any external attack.18