33.2 C
Lagos
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Home Blog Page 3

Orthodox Islamic Law Condemns Blasphemy without Prescribing Physical Punishment

0

Since Thursday, May 12, 2022, humanity has been rendered aghast by the brutal murder and lynching of Deborah Emmanuel, a Christian and student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Nigeria, by Muslim students for blaspheming the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

In a viral audio record alleged to have been posted by Debora on a students’ WhatsApp platform, she could be heard making a statement (in Hausa) that:

“Holy Ghost fire, nothing will happen to us. The group is not created for sending nonsense things. It is created to send past questions, if there is test, or if we are given assignments not all these nonsense things. Which kind prophet, nonsense prophet”

Expectedly, the incident has continued to spark mixed reactions and heated controversy over the issue of Sharia and blasphemy by both Muslims and non-Muslims amidst academic and media circles across the world. What is the true attitude of the orthodox Islamic law towards blasphemy? Do the primary sources of the Sharia Law prescribe any physical punishment for blasphemy? This article seeks to expose the true position of Islam on blasphemy.

Foremost, it is important to state that Islam unreservedly condemns in strongest terms every blasphemous expression against God the Al-Mighty and divine Scriptures and Prophets or Holy Founders of revealed religions (Quran, At-Taubah 9:65-66; Al-Ahzab, 33:58). It is not debatable that committal of blasphemy against sacred personalities and scriptures is a gross abuse of freedom of speech, because not only does it evidences a transgressional act against such sacred personalities, but it also hurts the religious sensitivities and sensibilities of billions of humanity who revere such sacred personalities and scriptures.

In this light, since any blasphemy against one of the divine prophets or scriptures is a blasphemy against all of the divine prophets and scriptures, and by extension, against all religions and entire humanity in general, and God in particular, it is most appropriate that all adherents of all religions, all well-meaning, peace-loving and civilized world citizens and all civil societies, human rights organizations and governments at all levels should always condemn and discourage every act of blasphemy as totally anti-prophethood, anti-religion, anti-social, anti-human and anti-God.

Be the foregoing as it may, turning to the flip side, it is, however, compelling to state, that “while blasphemy is condemned on moral and ethical grounds by the Qur’an, however, no physical punishment is prescribed for blasphemy in Islam despite the commonly held view in the contemporary world. Having studied the Holy Quran extensively and repeatedly with deep concentration, I have failed to find a single verse which declares blasphemy to be a crime punishable by man. Although the Holy Quran very strongly discourages indecent behavior and indecent talk, or the hurting of the sensitivity of others, with or without rhyme or reason, Islam does not advocate the punishment of blasphemy in this world nor vests such authority in anyone.” (1)

In this light, it becomes compelling to condemn and denounce every instance of jungle justice by overzealous and radical Muslims as well as the capital punishment for blasphemy codified in the Sharia penal laws of various Muslim countries and states as not only jurisprudentially un-Islamic, but also fundamentally anti-Islam and anti-Sharia in its implications. This is because such jungle justice and legal judgement are not based on the orthodox Islamic law as entrenched in the Quran and the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

From every available evidence, it is incontrovertible that such jungle justice and penal code against blasphemy are merely based on or derived from the juristic consensus of the medieval Muslim scholars and jurists, like the Maliki jurist, Qadi ‘Iyad al-Yahsubi [d.544/1149] in his Al-Shifa and also Imam Ibn Taymiyya [d. 728/1328] in his Al-Sarim Al-Maslul ala Shatim Al-Rasul; all of which have been merely ratified and adopted by the modern Muslim states, scholars and jurists.

As Sirajul Haqq Khan noted, they strongly believed and adduced painstaking evidences from their preceding and contemporary scholars to prove that the punishment for blasphemy is death.(2) For example, Qadi ‘Iyad stated under a sub-chapter titled Ruling on the Blasphemer and Insulter of the Prophet, that, “Anyone who maligns the Prophet or discredit him or attribute degradation to him in his personality or his lineage or his religion or any among his traits or demonstrate with him or exemplified him with anything in a way of insult to him or underrating him or belittling his affairs or disregard him or attribute blemish to him, he is an insulter to him and hence, the ruling for him is the ruling of an insulter and hence he shall be killed.” (3)

Similarly, Ibn Taymiyya also stated in the opening paragraph of the first chapter of his above-mentioned book that, “It is legally binding to kill whoever blasphemes the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), whether a Muslim or an unbeliever. This is the school of the preponderance of the scholars.” (4)
It is important to note that, as well-articulated as these legal provisions may appear, they are, however, not based on any Quranic or Prophetic source. Rather, as any scholar of Muslim history would agree, the legal ruling only reflects and was influenced by the turbulent political situations and judicial exigencies that characterized the medieval period of the Muslim era. More so, they are only modelled after the Biblical legal sources where, as evident in Leviticus 24 verse 16, it is particularly stated that, “And he that blasphemeth the name of the Lord, he shall surely be put to death, and all the congregation shall certainly stone him: as well the stranger, as he that is born in the land, when he blasphemeth the name of the LORD, shall be put to death.”

Notwithstanding, for Muslims and entire humanity, it is imperative to appreciate that such a Biblical law – which has limited application in terms of time and clime – is one of those laws which Islam – being the summit of religious evolution– had actually abrogated and replaced with teachings which are far better, more civilized, and of universal and eternal application, as declared in the verse 107th of the Chapter al-Baqara of the Qur’an, and as will be mentioned in the following lines.

It is undisputed that the Quran – being the first primary source of the Islamic legal system – has very authoritatively and exhaustively dealt with the issue of blasphemy as evident in its numerous pronouncements on the subject. Notwithstanding, never was capital punishment for blasphemy stipulated in its entire 114 chapters, 6,236 verses (Kufic reckoning) and 330,000 letters. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad’s Sunnah (Practice), which stands as the second primary source of the Sharia, also does not present any instance of proven and conclusive traditional evidences that the Prophet (Peace be upon Him) – in his capacity as head of the Islamic state and religion – ever practically ordered any of the scores of his blasphemers to be executed.

As this writer’s study of both the Qur’an and historical events in the Prophetic era shows, there were both non-Muslims and hypocrite Muslims who habitually committed blasphemy against Allah, the Qur’an and the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Yet, none of those was sentenced to death on the pronouncement of the Quran or by the order of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). Even when some hypocrite Muslims, particularly as mentioned in the chapter 9th of the Quran, were clearly adjudged disbelievers for their mockery of Allah, His Signs and His Noble Messenger, yet, we found that none was sentenced to death. Rather, while some of them were promised forgiveness, others were threatened with divine punishment (Quran, at-Taubah, chapter 9 verses 65-66).

The cases of Ka’b bin Zuhayr and Ibn Zaba’ra are good examples. Both of them were gifted poets who composed satires against the Holy Prophet. (5) Similarly, the case of blasphemy committed by Abdullah bin Ubayy has been mentioned in the 9th verse of Chapter Al-Munafiqun of the Qur’an. In all the above cases, however, no physical punishment have been recorded against them, rather, they were all forgiven by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him). In fact, history recorded that the Holy Prophet (saw) even led the funeral prayer of Abdullah bin Ubayy. (6) It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari (one of the canonical books of Ahaadith – Prophet’s Traditions) that whenever people sought his permission to kill the blasphemers, he would object, saying, “Leave them, lest people after me should remark that even Muhammad used to kill his companions.” (7)

This writer strongly contends that if truly death was the prescribed punishment in Islam, the Prophet would have applied the law, without fear or favour. This is corroborated by his popular saying that, “By Allah, if Fatima, daughter of Muhammad, were to commit theft, I would have her hand cut off,” (8) according to the law, without fear or favour!

Instead of killing blasphemers, the Holy Prophet and his faithful companions practised the true and orthodox Islamic teachings and commandments on blasphemy as enjoined by the Qur’an. And what are those teachings and commandments? For example, Quran commands that, “Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! You also should invoke blessings on him and salute him with the salutation of peace eternally. Verily, those who malign Allah and His Messenger – Allah has cursed them in this world and in the Hereafter, and has prepared for them an abasing punishment. (Quran, Al-Ahzab, 33:57-58) Thus, Allah has, in this verse, reserved the prerogative right to punish the blasphemers neither to the Prophet nor to the Muslim government and public, but to Himself exclusively.

Quran therefore enjoins on the Prophet to bear with patience all the blasphemies of the blasphemers and part with them in a decent manner (Quran, al-Muzzammir, 73:11). This is because, as it declares, nothing is said to him but what was said to the previous Messengers before him (Quran, Fussilat, 41:44). At another place, Qur’an commands the Prophet (peace be on him) and Muslims to adopt boycott as a protest against any blasphemer or a gathering of persons where blasphemy is being committed, including the blasphemous contents or messages (Quran, An-Nisaa, 4:141; Al-An’am, 6:69).

Again, Allah instructs Muslims never to blaspheme the idols of the idolaters, lest they would, out of spite, blaspheme Allah in their ignorance. He says that, in such manner He has caused every people’s doing to seem fair to them. But He will surely inform them about the consequences of all what they used to do (Quran, Al-An’am, 6:109).

Thus, Prophet Muhammad (peace be on him) exemplified all the commandments by bearing all their insults with patience or with superior moral values that eventually even compelled some of the blasphemers (i.e. Ka’b bn Zuhair, etc.) to repent and become adorers of Muhammad (peace be on him). Sometimes when their insults became too much, he would allow his celebrated poet, Hassan bin Thabit, to compose eulogy in reply to the blasphemers. (9)

In the light of the foregoing, it is clear that the issue of the legal ruling on blasphemy does not come under what Muslim jurists would need to use their human legal reasoning (Ijtihād) to promulgate or hide under the permission of Ta’zir (discretionary punishment by a judge) to punish blasphemers. This is so, because, the commandments on them have already been appropriately given, as evidenced by the various Qur’anic pronouncements on blasphemy and Prophetic practical attitude toward the blasphemers. Therefore, Muslims are to go by what the Qur’an has enjoined upon them to do. They are to exemplify the Prophet’s Practice (Sunnah) in response to the blasphemers.

So, today’s Muslim states and public should learn to react like the Prophet (peace be on him). They should not behave like a person whose cloth a madman has removed while in the bathroom naked, and he ran out pursuing the madman nakedly. The world would see both of them as mad. Unfortunately, that has been how the world has often been seeing Muslims and Islam each time blasphemers are being subjected to jungle justice or sentenced to death. Rather, Muslims have been enjoined to engage the blasphemers in academic or intellectual discussions and prove to them where they are wrong; and use every civil and humane approach to show the world how uncouth and insane the blasphemers are.

Conclusively, this writer solemnly appeals to the entire world Muslim states, jurists, scholars, and public to consider as imperative the reform or repeal of the extant blasphemy laws in their respective countries and states.

The rationale of this appeal is informed by the fact that, as Sirajul Haqq Khan aptly maintains, “Notwithstanding all the ills of blasphemy, modern day blasphemy does not in any way threaten the existence, continuity and dynamism of Islam as a great religion, legal system and civilisation. Thus, although it should not pass without protest from the Muslims, the protests must be academic, philosophical, dialectical and must be grounded in the common and shared values of dignity and respect for humanity,” (10) as exemplified by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace be and blessings of Allah be upon him.)

References

1. Ahmad, Mirza Tahir, Islam’s Response to Contemporary Issues, Islam International Publication Ltd, UK, 2007, p. 38
2. Sirajul Haqq Khan, Freedom of Expression and Islamic Ideals, p. 9
3. Al-Yahsubi, ‘Ayad bn Musa, Ash-Shifa Bita’rif Huquq al-Mustafa, Maktab ar-Rida Lid-da’wah wa al-Il’an, Egypt, 2008, vol. 2, p. 225
4. Ahmad ibn Abdul-Haleem, al-Sarim al-Maslul ala Shatim al-Rasul, Dar al-Kutub al-‘Ilmiyyah, Lebanon, p. 3
5. Saheed O. Timehin, In Search of Peace, [2010], p.62
6. Bukhari, Kitabul Jana’iz, Babul Kafanni fil Qamis alladhi Yukaffu ‘au laa Yukaffu
7. Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 4,905, narrated by Jabir bn Abdullah
8. Reported by Bukhari and Muslim from Aisha
9. Hassan bn Thabit, Maddah an-Nabi wa Sha’ir al-Islam, https://al-ain.com/amp/article/islam-hassan-thabet-prophet-ramadan Accessed 25th August, 2020
10. Sirajul Haqq Khan, Freedom of Expression and Islamic Ideals, p. 10

Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo is a Missionary and Journalist of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, and the National Chairman of the Muslim Writers Guild of Nigeria. Email: al-hafiz@thetruth.ng

“And Thy Lord Will Soon Give Thee And Thou Wilt Be Well Pleased” – An Astonishing Real-life Story

0
The above title – which, actually, is verse 6 of Chapter 93 of the Holy Qur’an – conveys a divinely vouchsafed motivational, hope-inspiring and promising message to every trial-stricken and breakthrough-seeking faithful. Inasmuch as, in the immediate two verses preceding it, He has assured that, “Thy Lord has not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased with thee; surely, every hour that follows is better for thee than the one that precedes.”
Across ages and climes, God has always fulfilled this powerful promise and, whenever and wherever such transcendent fulfillments have manifested, they’ve always revealed the transcendent powers of God, giving faith to the faithless, hope to the hopeless and opening divine doors to those against whom the doors to success have been closed.
The real-life story you’re going to read in this write-up is a confirmative narrative of one of the most astonishing fulfillments of this divine message of hope.
About half a century ago, Mr. Yahaya Obadara began his sojourn on earth. He was born a Muslim with a mixed sanguine that gushed from his Yoruba father and Bassa mother – two prominent Nigerian ethnic groups.
Growing up, he had a good fortune to be enrolled in an Arabic Center where he learnt some rudiments of Arabic language and Islamic religion. After, he went on to pursue his secular studies. Today, he is a civil servant under Kogi State of Nigeria.
While a child, life moved on pleasantly for Mr. Yahaya and, as he advanced to his late twenties and early thirties, so did the natural urge to marry begin to get hold of him — as it’s, normally, the case with any other youth.
At this stage, he began his ultimate search for a damsel with whom he would share marital destiny. And, in the long walk, he was able to hook, ultimately, a woman who would become his better half, much as each looked forward to becoming a delight of the eye to the other.
The marriage was solemnized, laying a new phase in his life. The marital experience began smoothly and advanced cordially, too, as they mutually consort with each other with love, affection and mercy. In fact, it was soon becoming a matrimony rife with joy, peace and tranquility, even as they began to see it fulfilling their mutual vision of an ideal marital experience, with much promising future for their marital destiny.
Sadly, however, whilst their marital relationship seemed advancing in a glorious marital experience on the one hand, the duo were to quickly realize that their matrimony was beginning to lack a vital reality, on the other hand. And, what could that be? Well, the answer is nothing but negative: several months had gone well into the marriage, but Mr. Yahaya and his wife were yet to be blessed with any child – the fruit of marriage!
At the initial stage, they had taken solace in praying privately with faith and hope that conception would soon beacon at them. But it didn’t. Moved by the turn of things, they began to go from one place of prayer to another, and as well as from one hospital to another where they both had several medical consultations, check-ups and treatments. However, whilst they were assured all was okay with them, nonetheless, the medical assurance and hope received from each of such outings would only alley their anxiety temporarily before it would be dashed swiftly by the wife’s menstrual flow.
As the situation continued from months to years without conception, so were their anxiety and distress grew deeper, their hope dimmer and faith shaken. As usual, but more disturbingly, now, the in-laws of both sides, too, were not only feeling deeply concerned and disturbed about this plight, but the mounting pressure from them was equally disturbing, too.
At this juncture where ten years had gone already into the barren marriage with no light seemed in sight at the end of the tunnel, and as the going gets tough and the tough gets going, it became obvious to them that the situation they were facing was nothing but a marriage-murderous challenge!
There had never been a single instance of conception, not even a miscarriage! Now, the thought of an eventual separation must have not only begun to fluctuate in their minds, but also in the whisperings coming from families and friends. But they could sum up the courage to manage to keep on pushing still. True, cancelling a contract of a life relationship that had begun on a good note and rife with strong mutual love and compassion cannot easily come about. But, for how long would they get the strength to hold on tenaciously?
Sadly, the span of ten years seemed to be the limit decreed for their marital destiny. And, as no any sun of a son has risen to cast its radiation on the tree of their marital union to entail their continued photosynthetic process of sustenance and growth, the leaves of the tree gradually withered away while the branches soon dried up. And, in the same 10th year, the marital tree was eventually cut asunder, and Mr. Yahaya and wife went their separate ways! A tragic end, indeed!
Of course, the intent of their separation was for each of them to try another marriage contract respectively. Pursuant to this, therefore, Mr. Yahaya was able to remarry in a not-too-long a time after. And with this second marriage, begins another chapter of our astonishing true-life story.
Will the apotheosis of Mr. Yahaya’s marital destiny change from the tragedy that had characterized his first episodic marital experience to a climatic comical ending in the second marital journey? For now, this writer can’t forecast this. All that yours sincerely can tell, tentatively, is that what is in the offing for us is much more intriguing and mind-blowing than what has preceded. So, let’s patiently walk on along with Mr. Yahaya through the slippery and tempestuous terrain of his matrimonial odyssey.
No doubt, while the new wife was just getting her first ever entry into a marital encounter, one can guess right that Mr. Yahaya’s escapade at this second marital shot must have been filled with deep anxiety and high hope carried over from the previous marriage. This is understandable, anyway.
However, the question is: will this new marriage easily offer Mr. Yahaya’s much-sought-after fruit of marriage like a bed of rose? Only the following storyline can reveal the answer to this.
It’s rather intriguing that Mr. Yahaya’s new marriage began on the note of more tragic experiences!
It all began when, within few time after their marriage, the new wife was blessed with a pregnancy. To the couple and their respective in-laws, this must have been one pregnancy, too many! Deep joy and rejoice must have permeated everyone and everywhere, from all the recesses of their hearts to the surrounding atmosphere beyond. Sadly, however, just as the conception had come within few time after marriage, the same way it had given way so quickly to a miscarriage that blew up their hearts and shattered their hope! That’s deeply tragic! Isn’t it?
However, as common to every human life, life-struggle must continue; as some would say, it’s not finished until it’s finished! In this light, Mr. Yahaya and wife continued their quest for the fruit of their marriage with more prayer and medical approach.
Soon after, Mr. Yahaya did it again. And again, the wife conceived, the second time, beaming rays of renewed happiness to the couple and families.
Notably, however, the atmosphere was that of a mixture of joy and fear. And it was not any fear of the unknown; it was the fear that the history of the first experience should not repeat it. And with this concern, the couple were full of prayer, earnestly entreating God to make their joy everlasting. But, sadly again, just sooner after the conception, another miscarriage stroke, even before the fetus could span the first three months, throwing the couple into a mourning mood, yet again!
To cut the tragic story short, it’s pathetic to note that within the first five years of their marriage, Mr. Yahaya and wife had experienced a total of five miscarriages! Notably, the same pregnancy his first wife could not conceive for the ten years of Mr. Yahaya’s first marital experience, his second wife had conceived it five times within five years of his second marriage. Tragically, however, all of them have been miscarried within the same five years. And, so, for the fifteen years of the two marriages so far, Mr. Yahaya has continued to remain childless!
As believers, it seemed that while God must have heard their prayers – as He hears all prayers always – one may plausibly concede that He has, out of His wisdom, perhaps, decreed the couple should go through a school of life where lessons of life trials are taught and experienced; albeit, for the manifestation of God’s will and decree, and also for the particular individual’s ultimate victory over trials and his/her promotion, progress, peace and, ultimately, realization of the Divine Being and the human self.
And it is from this stage that our interesting real-life story will take U-turn from Mr. Yahaya’s and wife’s negative/tragic adventures to their positive/comical experiences.
Events in Mr. Yahaya and wife’s quest for the fruit of marriage began to take a positive turn from the mid-year 2019. This was when a Muslim youth, Mr. Abdulwahhab, who is Mr. Yahaya’s colleague at work, came to meet yours sincerely in my office at Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Mosque, Otokiti, Lokoja, Kogi State, Nigeria, where he briefly narrated to me the plight of Mr. Yahaya and requested for special prayer for him.
Mr. Abdulwahhab had come to me because, about three years earlier, precisely in 2016, the same quest for children had brought Mr. Abdulwahhab and his wife to me, having been childless for some few years after marriage. Then, however, just three months after the commencement of our supplication before God, the wife conceived, and subsequently, today, both of them are parents to two male children.
With the above experience, Mr. Abdulwahhab said he felt resolutely that bringing Mr. Yahaya to the Imam of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at could be a sure way to getting God’s blessings, for the same God that had done his own, would still do Mr. Yahaya’s by His grace.
Having listened to him, I told him to ask Mr. Yahaya to come in person, importantly too, to enable me listen to his story in details and to explain to him the details of the particular prayer which we would do collectively.
Mr. Yahaya came, and we talked. After, I recommended the relevant prayer to him and his wife, while I, myself, undertook to join in a daily prayer that was to consecutively extend beyond a month.
They departed with hope. And, so was the prayer commenced with hope and faith in God’s positive response soonest.
To my amazement, after few weeks, he informed me that the wife has conceived. However, since the earlier five pregnancies didn’t reach or go beyond the first three months, both of them were having fears and concerns over this present. I cheered them up with words of hope and faith.
Gradually, the pregnancy continued to grow, while the prayers, too, continued concurrently. He would often call to update me at intervals. And so, three months passed, later five, then nine, and the pregnancy continued to grow and grow to the surprise of all.
It’s noteworthy that, during this period, my wife, had been pregnant, too, and had just delivered my third child, on 27th of February, 2020.
Now, it was a day to the naming of the baby (whom I was intending to name Yunus), and while I was planning to drive out to purchase some things preparatory to the naming, there came a call from Mr. Yahaya, and after the initial greetings and informing me that he is in the Federal Medical Center, Lokoja, he went on to let the cat out of the bag, as he exclaimed:
“Yaa Imam, I’m pleased to inform you that my wife has delivered safely. And it is a twin!”
“Twin! What a great news!” I, too, exclaimed.
At such an auspicious moment, the utmost way to express joy is to render words of praise to the God of creation and command. I did so.
But, Mr. Yahaya was not done yet. He continued,
“Imam, please, ever since the pregnancy, I had vowed that you will be the one I would request to pronounce the Adhan and Iqamah (words announcing the time and start of the prescribed Islamic prayer) to the ears of the babies.”
Initially, in view of my schedule for that moment, I humbly apologized for my inability to come. However, with a protest from members of my family, I had to call him that I was already on my way to help him fulfill his vow.
It was the 5th of March, 2020. With his special invitation, I joyfully joined the naming of the twin to felicitate with the family in an occasion that celebrated the grace and blessings of God upon Mr. Yahaya and wife and their victory over life-long trials and the break-through to success and joy.
In a hearty expression of gratitude, Mr. Yahaya busted emotionally, “Yaa Imam, I can never forget you and will forever be appreciative to you in my life, God willing!”
I responded that all were by the grace of Allah and I have only been instrumental through the blessings of the Khilafat (Caliphate) of Ahmadiyya.
Through this long journey of life-trials, Mr. Yahaya and family have realized they’ve been taught the ways of God and divine realization, and are now resolute to devote to the praise and glorification of God, by His grace.

Do you feel you’ve been inspired in any way by this astonishing real-life story? If yes, then, rest assured that, like Mr. Yahaya’s experience: “Your Lord will soon give you and you will be well pleased.” You have the right to claim this prayer.

Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo is a Missionary and Journalist of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria and the current National Chairman of the Muslim Writers Guild of Nigeria. Email: al-hafiz@thetruth.ng

Obedience to Constituted Authority in Islam

0
The rationale and relevance of the discourse on the subject of obedience to constituted authority in Islam may be informed, understood and appreciated in light of the following declaration by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community:
“A community cannot be a community and cannot have the spirit of nationhood and concord unless it adopts the principles of obedience. If difference of opinion and discord is prevalent, then consider these as signs of misfortune and decline. Along with various other reasons, mutual disagreements and internal conflicts are also behind the weak state and decline of Muslims. If difference of opinion is abandoned and only one person is obeyed, whose obedience is commanded by Allah the Exalted, success is achieved in everything. The hand of Allah the Exalted is on the community; therein lies the secret.” (Vide: Friday Sermon, Essence of Obedience and Submission, December 5th, 2014)
Furthermore, the current Supreme worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) also emphatically maintained that, “Obedience is the pre-condition of Khilafat; obedience is the lifeline of the moral and spiritual existence of the believers and striving to excel in the standard of obedience is extremely important for a believer”. (Friday Sermon, Khilafat and Obedience, May 24th, 2019)
In the light of the above, it is the thrust of this article to demystify the meaning, the essence, significance, scope and merits of obedience to constituted authority in Islam.
Islam and Obedience
If Islam means submission to the will and command of Allah – as it really denotes; and, if to obey is to submit to the will and order of a superior authority; then, Islam is obedience, and obedience is Islam. Hence, the significance of obedience, its standards, benefits as well as the harms in disobedience all occupy prominent place in the teachings of Islam.
In the celestial kingdom of Allah, the Quran represents absolute obedience as the standard principle which the angels accord to every divine will and command: “they disobey not Allah in what He commands them and do as they are commanded,” (Quran, 66:7). “And remember the time when We said to the angels: ‘Submit to Adam,’ and they all submitted,” (Quran, 2:35). Thus, absolute obedience to Divine Authority is the order that governs the heavenly relationship between the Transcendent Authority and the subordinate angelic entities.
Coming down to the terrestrial terrain, a look into the teachings of Islam also reveals that, in order for the faithful to establish, maintain and sustain strong divine-human relationship and moral and spiritual development, and to achieve concord, orderliness, cohesion, success and progress in all ramifications of human social, religious and political organization and community, Allah’s will also emphasizes the primacy of obedience to the following hierarchical order of authorities: the Divine and Prophetic authorities, the Caliphate (Khilafat) authority and the rest forms of constituted authorities.
Going by the above perspective, let us dissect our subject of obedience in the following contexts.
Obedience to Divine and Prophetic Authorities
The Holy Quran enjoins upon Muslims unconditional obedience to Allah and His Messenger, Muhammad (saw), declaring that Messengers are sent to be obeyed (Quran, 4:65), and that obedience of Messenger is obedience of Allah (Quran, 4:60).
The Quran often mentions the reward or benefits of obedience along with the commandment of obedience to Allah and His Messenger. For example: Allah enjoins on Muslims obedience to Him and His Messenger so as to be shown mercy (Quran, 3:133, 173); obedience of Allah and His Messenger leads to prosperity, success and guidance (Quran, 24:52, 53); it leads to highest spiritual upliftment and ranks (4:70); safeguards efforts and works from going in vain (Quran, 47:34). Obedience is better than sacrifice (24:54) and is an evidence of true faith (8:2).
Instructively, when Iblees disobeyed Allah through refusal to bow in obeisance to Adam, he was condemned to eternal curse and perdition (Quran, 15:32-36; 38:75-79). Similarly, though his error was absolved as not borne out of conscious resolve but sheer forgetfulness (Quran, 20:116), Quran yet admits that Adam disobeyed his Lord (Quran, 20:122), and was, consequently, sent out of the garden (Quran, 20:124); only to be forgiven, elected and guided afterward, following his repentance (Quran, 20:123).
While describing the highest level of obedience which the noble Companions demonstrated towards the Holy Prophet (saw), Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) as saying that, “How blessed were the Companions (ra) that they were a community wholly devoted in their obedience of the Holy Prophet (saw)…….Allah the Exalted likes oneness, and unity cannot be established unless obedience is practiced.”
“In the time of the Holy Prophet (saw) the Companions were learned and had the ability to make judgments. God had thus created them that they were also well-versed in politics. The competence and excellence with which Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), Hazrat Umer (ra) and others Companions handled power when they became Khalifa demonstrates very well how capable they were at being learned with the ability to make judgments.”
“However, in the presence of the Holy Prophet (saw) they considered naught all their opinions and discernment. Whatever the Holy Prophet (saw) said they deemed it worthy of practice. So devoted were they in his obedience that they sought blessing in the leftover water of his ablution and considered his blessed mouth venerable. If they did not have this spirit of obedience and compliance and everyone considered his opinion the best there would have been discord among them and they would not have attained high status.”(Friday Sermon, Essence of Obedience and Submission, December 5th, 2014)
Obedience to Constituted Authority
Allah says: “O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey His Messenger and those who are in authority among you. And if you differ in anything among yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger if you are believers in Allah and the Last Day. That is best and most commendable in the end.” (Q. 4:60)
In his classic Quranic exegesis, Imam Qurtubi, as quoted by Dr. Khalid Ahmad al-Shantut, reviewed the various views of the classical commentators and rationalized that the Quranic term “Ulul-Amr, translated above as ‘those who are in authority’, refers to both the rulers and the scholars of the Quranic sciences and knowledge. (Khalid Ahmad al-Shantut, man hum ulul amr? www.dr-khalid.net )
In the same light, Hadhrat Mirza Bashirudeen Mahmud Ahmad, making reference to the duo Arabic lexica, Taaj al-Aroos and Aqrab al-Mawarid, defined the term as implying “(1) those who possess or hold authority, command or rule; and (2) the learned men who, as it were, possess authority in knowledge.” (The Holy Quran with English Translation and Commentary, vol. 2, p. 532)
Obedience to Caliphate (Khilafat) Authority
Interestingly, the Promised Messiah (as) posited that, “In worldly terms, ‘ulul amr’ [who are in authority], means the king, and in spiritual terms, it means the Imam of the age.’ (The Need for The Imam, p. 37)
As divinely established successorship in the pattern of the Prophethood, Muslims understand the Khulafaa (Successors) as occupying the highest position in the hierarchy of the Ulul-Amr or the possessors of authority. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) declared that: “The obedience of the Khalifa of the time is much more important than obedience of a general Ameer.” (Firday Sermon, Khilafat and Obedience, May 24th, 2019)
Addressing this issue, the famous historian, Hazrat Ibn Khaldun(rh), quite magnificently explains that:
“it is not the Khalifah who should qualify his position because it has already been certified by Almighty Allah through the mechanism of divine appointment; rather, it is, in fact, the members of the Ummah who must qualify their status and worthiness to be led by a Khalifah…The obligation to recognize and obey the Khalifah is a ‘legal obligation’ and not rational necessity.” (Adam Walker, Obedience to the Institution of Khilafat, http://www.alislam.org/…/obedience-to-institution-of…)
Furthermore, Ibn Khaldun defined the pledge of allegiance (Bay’ah) which is to be offered by the Muslims to the Rightly Guided Khalifah: ‘’It should be known that the bay’ah is a contract to render obedience. It is as though the person who renders the oath of allegiance made a contract with his amir, to the effect that he surrenders supervision of his own affairs and those of the Muslims to him and that he will not contest his authority in any of (those affairs) and that he will obey him by (executing) all the duties with which he might be charged, whether agreeable or disagreeable.’’ (ibid)
Similarly, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih 11 (ra) writes that the concluding words of the verse of Istikhlaf, ‘Whosoever is ungrateful after that, they will be rebellious’ (Quran, 24:56) signifies, ‘’…that Khilafah is a great Divine blessing. Without it there can be no solidarity, cohesion and unity among Muslims and therefore they can make no real progress without it. If Muslims do not show proper appreciation of Khilafat by giving un-stinted support and obedience to their Khalifas they will forfeit this Divine boon and in addition will draw the displeasure of God upon themselves’’ (The Holy Quran with English Translation and Commentary, vol. 4, p.1870)
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) also impressed that, “Within the framework of worldly system of government a spiritual system can and does function. Fortunate are we to be part of this spiritual system. Khilafat endeavours to establish kingdom of God and His Messenger in hearts and minds and in situations of discord the Khalifa reaches judgement according to the commandment of God and His Messenger.”
“It is a favour of God that we have the system of Khilafat among us otherwise different sects and different jurists have different views about matters. And rather than resolve issues, they can further entangle them. Similarly, different views can create different issues with the government as well. Thus interpretation of Islamic law over issues can only be achieved under Khilafat. Ahmadis could not be grateful enough for this and this gratefulness can be expressed by showing complete obedience to Khilafat.” (Friday Sermon, Essence of Obedience and Submission, December 5th, 2014)
More so, he (aba) “addresses Jama’at office-holders and said that if they wish to assist in the progress of the Jama’at then they need to understand the concept of obedience more than anyone else! If all office-holders on all levels understood the concept of obedience, the members of the Jama’at would inevitably understand it. Everyone would appear as the straight line of travelling camels.”
“Amirs, Sadrs and other office-holders should self-reflect over their standards of obedience and ponder how they respond to any instruction of the Khalifa of the time. Do they obey instantly or do they construe their own meanings of what is instructed? Some office-holders act upon instructions received from the Khalifa of the time but with some hesitation. This does not signify obedience. Obedience is when something is followed instantly. Indeed, it is fine to have your own opinion; however when the Khalifa of the time decides upon something, then one must overlook one’s opinion. (Friday Sermon, Unconditional Obedience to Khilafat, June 6th, 2014)
“What is needed is to understand the essence of what Khilafat is. And this can only happen with perfect obedience. No matter how academic or authoritative one thinks one may be, there is no room in Jama’at Ahmadiyya for one who is not obedient and such knowledge and wisdom cannot spiritually benefit the world either….. Intellect and wisdom is fruitful with obedience of the Khalifa of the time and cessation of one’s own interpretation of matters. …..Office-holders cannot rightfully be ‘authority over’ people unless they too completely obey Khilafat and do not desist from making their own interpretation; rather they consider each word of the Khalifa of the time as worthy of being obeyed. (Friday Sermon, Unconditional Obedience to Khilafat, June 6th, 2014)
Obedience to Other Forms of Constituted Authority
As noted above, the term Ulul-Amr has general application that incorporates all types or aspects of leadership i.e. political, organizational and cooperate leaderships etc., and Islam enjoins obedience to every possessor of such authority.
Again, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) quoted the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) as saying that; ‘After me you will see injustice, rights suppressed and others given preference over you. You will see matters that you will disapprove of’. When asked what was the commandment in such circumstances, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied, ‘pay their [leaders] rights to them and ask God for your rights.’
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) also said: ‘Whoever disapproves of something done by his ruler should be patient, for whoever disobeys the ruler even as little as the span of a hand will die a death of ignorance.’
A man came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and complained that he had appointed so and so as a ruler and had not appointed him, to which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied: ‘After me you will see others given preference over you but you should be patient till the Day of Judgment.’
Once the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was asked how people should react if unjust rulers are imposed on them. He declined to answer, he was asked again, and again he declined. When he was asked the third time, he replied that even in such a situation the ruler should be obeyed. He would be accountable for the responsibility given to him while the subjects would be accountable for the responsibility laid on them.
Once the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) took Bai’at, after which he said once someone is made a ruler he should not be quarreled with unless he does Kufr (disbelief) publically and for this they [they people] have a proof from God. (Friday Sermon, Obedience to the State, 01/04/2011)
Conclusion
The incident of disobedience by a few Muslims which turned their victory to defeat at the battle of Uhud (H.M.B. M. Ahmad, Life of Muhammad, p.101-114) should remain an eternal lesson for Muslims to always demonstrate obedience to constituted authority.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) noted that the Holy Prophet (saw) said that whoever obeyed his amir, obeyed him; and whoever disobeyed his amir, disobeyed him. The Holy Qur’an also commands obedience in several places and it is indeed the secret for communal success and is a point that members of the Jama’at need to understand a great deal. (Friday Sermon, Unconditional Obedience to Khilafat, June 6th, 2014)
“If each member of the Jama’at is obedient we will head towards spiritual heights and our faith will be as strong as mountains and as a result message of Islam will spread in all directions in the world.” (Friday Sermon, Unconditional Obedience to Khilafat, June 6th, 2014)

[This article first appeared in the February, 2020 edition of An-Nasr magazine, Volume 18, No.1]

Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo is a Missionary and Journalist of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria and Chairman of the Muslim Writers Guild of Nigeria. Email: al-hafiz@thetruth.ng

BREAKING! Eid Al-Fitr 2022: Al-Hafiz Yunus Shares Smiles To Communicate Love, Peace And Happiness To The World

0
Jabir reported God’s Messenger (saw) as saying:
“Every act of kindness is a charity, and kindness includes meeting your brother with a cheerful face and pouring water from your bucket into your brother’s vessel.”
: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «كُلُّ مَعْرُوفٍ صَدَقَةٌ وَإِنَّ مِنَ الْمَعْرُوفِ أَنْ تَلْقَى أَخَاكَ بِوَجْهٍ طَلْقٍ وَأَنْ تُفْرِغَ مِنْ دَلْوِكَ فِي إِنَاءِ أَخِيكَ» . رَوَاهُ أَحْمد وَالتِّرْمِذِيّ
(Ahmad and Tirmidhi transmitted it.)
May Divine love, peace, and happiness illuminate our hearts, souls, lives, homes, countries, and the globe. Āmīn!

EIDUL FITR MESSAGE BY THE HEAD OF AMJN

0

LET US DECIDE TO PERMANENTLY RETAIN THE PROGRESSIVE HUMAN VALUES TAUGHT BY RAMADHAN – TEMPORARY CHANGE IS INSUFFICIENT

All praise and glorification belong to Allah through Whose providence, grace and blessings we have been able to begin and complete this year’s Ramadan fasting. May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad and upon his family and companions and his true followers till the Day of Judgement.

On behalf of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, I am deeply delighted to felicitate with the Muslim Ummah in Nigeria and across the globe on this auspicious day of Eidul Fitr of the year 1443/2022.

Lessons of Ramadan

The just concluded Ramadan fasting has offered us the unique opportunity of engaging in moral reformation, spiritual rebirth and regeneration of our social values and ethos. Indeed, like a medical clinic, we have been discharged from the Ramadan clinic after a month-long admission for both therapeutic cleansing of our bodies and the treatment of our various moral and spiritual diseases and vices including hypocrisy, unrighteousness, corruption, dishonesty, fraud, selfishness, cruelty, lying and wickedness, among others are all temporarily cured.

More importantly, now, having completed our annual Ramadan training, it is crucial for us to continue to engage in those various CORE VALUES of worship and virtues that had characterized our lives during Ramadan as we pass through the rest eleven months ahead and beyond.

The Build up to the 2023 Elections.

The month of May and June are very crucial to the democratic growth of Nigeria. The political parties are set to conduct their party primaries in readiness for the 2023 general elections, with the presidential election in February 2023.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community enjoin political participants to ensure a smooth and rancor free party primaries with the fear of Allah and absolute patriotism. It is expedient to appeal to all aspirants, delegates and citizens to ensure justice, equity and fairness in the choice of candidates for various elective positions in Nigeria.

It is time to pray that Allah choose leaders for us as a result of the elections those whom He will support fully to enable us get out of the economic, security, civil and physical challenges. We should be hopeful that our dear country Nigeria will rise.

We employ all to participate in the current voters’ registration exercise which will enable us to elect good political leaders.

The Global challenge

As the state of global affairs shows, our world is currently passing through a precarious, crises-laden phase shaped by the effect of the post-Covid-19 economic and political challenges that are being aggravated by the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian war the growing global effects and tensions of which are driving humanity to the brinks of a world war. Despite warnings by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih the fifth, (May Allah Be His Helper) on the consequences of the Russian- Ukraine war, he has continued to pray for the peaceful resolution of the self-inflicted war. In his words”, I pray that the World leaders strive earnestly to safeguard and protect mankind both today and future, from the torment of warfare, bloodshed and destruction”.

In the same vein, at the national level, while some levels of progress are being made in some sectors of our national life, there is no gainsaying that Nigeria has continued to be bedeviled by the crippling challenge of insecurity characterized by the pandemic of kidnapping for ransom and/or ritual killings and the spate of senseless and heinous bloodshed and destructions being perpetrated by the terrorists, bandits and the so-called “unknown gunmen.” More so, our country has continued to wallow in the whirlpool of intra and inter-religious distrust and unhealthy relations, bitter partisan politics, crises of political economy, poverty and unemployment and widespread economic, political and social vices, like corruption, nepotism, injustice, fraud and immorality, all of which have combined to sink the lives of many individuals and the nation into the abyss of deprivations and miseries.

In light of all these, there is need for us to resolutely imbibe and practice continually all the virtues and learnings of Ramadan, like fear of Allah, selflessness, righteousness, honesty, truthfulness, simplicity, generosity, dutifulness, sympathy and sacrifice, among others, in order to positively turn things around. Expediently, we must entrench mutual cooperation for the promotion of common good and welfare, not warfare, and of inclusivity and social responsibility; rededicate to serve God sincerely and humanity selflessly and beneficially; and let reconciliation, loyalty to the nation, peaceful relations, justice, equity and mutual respect, tolerance and love for all and hatred for none be our guiding principles (Qur’an 5:3 & 9; 4:115; 49:10-14) as we move ahead to frontally tackle our common challenges with a view to realizing sustainable peace and development of ourselves, our country and the world.

Once again, I heartily rejoice with everyone on this blessed, festive season and pray that Allah let the peace, blessings and happiness that characterize the Eidul Fitr be permanent in the life of every individual, the nation and our world at large. Āmīn.

Ramadan Mubarak !!!

Alatoye Folorunso Azeez
Amir (National Head), Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria

ISRAEL’S APARTHEID AGAINST PALESTINIANS AND THE MISSING LINK IN THE STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM

0

Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo
Journalist, Missionary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, and Chairman, Muslim Writers Guild of Nigeria. (E-mail: al-hafiz@thetruth.ng)

An array of both immediate and remote factors stimulated this piece. On February 1, 2022, Amnesty International released a damning report titled “Israel’s apartheid against Palestinians: a cruel system of domination and crime against humanity.” The investigation details how Israel enforces a system of oppression and domination against the Palestinian people wherever it has control over their rights. This includes Palestinian living in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OTP), as well as displaced refugees in other countries. (1)

Particularly, the comprehensive report sets out how massive seizures of Palestinian land and property, unlawful killings, forcible transfer, drastic movement restrictions, and the denial of nationality and citizenship to Palestinians are all components of a system which amounts to apartheid under international law. This system is maintained by violations that Amnesty International found to constitute apartheid as a crime against humanity, as defined in the Rome Statute and Apartheid Convention. (2)

Remotely, over the centuries, particularly, both the 20th and the 21st, the Middle Eastern Israeli-Palestinian region has been a hotbed of incessant inter-racial, inter-religious and international crises, conflicts and wars the ominous impacts of which have not only continued to bedevil the socio-political conditions and landscapes of the region, but have also polarized the larger world with resultant jeopardy to global peace and harmony.

Historically, the bone of contention in the Israeli-Palestinian crisis initially was: who are the rightful aboriginal owners of the Holy Land of Palestine: the native Arab Palestinians or the Jews? The debates, the crises and the wars on this question spanned the centuries, in fact, the millennia, which preceded the modern 20th century. Then, during the course of some historical moves made by certain Euro-American powers backing the Zionist movement from roughly the late 19th to almost mid-20th centuries, the issue shifted to: why should or should not the Jews in the Diaspora be re-settled and granted statehood in the Holy Land? Subsequently, since the Euro-American sponsored UN’s creation of the State of Israel in 1948 till date, the incessant crises and wars have been revolving around not only the issue of: why should or should not the Arab Palestinians be granted autonomous statehood status in the Holy Land, but also: what geographical area should or should not the boundary of such a state cover? This is the crux of the monster.

Importantly, “the essence of this case”, as Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad [rta] maintained, “is that a conspiracy of the Western powers, in which the defunct League of Nations and subsequently its successor, the United Nations actively participated and the government of Britain and the U.S. played the pivotal role, resulted in the emergence of a Jewish state in Palestine which no standard of justice, international law, or the Charter of the United Nations would have sanctioned. They could not have moved a step towards the creation of Israel without the active connivance of these powers. Anyhow, this fateful decision was taken and, ever since, this region has been a scene of armed conflicts and a hotbed of international intrigues.” [3]

Observably, one emerging fact from the above is what Professor Ismail Raji Al-faruqi referred to as a “three-cornered affair, involving the Muslim World, Western Christendom and the Jews.” [4] However, there is no gainsaying the fact that none of the three worlds locked in the crisis can be seen to have been pathetically victimized and bedeviled by its devastating consequences much more than the Muslim-dominated Palestinian camp. Little wonder that Al-Faruqi further starkly declared that “the problem of Israel confronting the Muslim World today has neither precedent nor parallel in Islamic history. The Muslim World has tended to regard it as another instance of modern colonialism, or at best, as a repetition of the Crusades. The difference is not that Israel is neither one of these; but that it is both and more, much more.” [5]

Notably, the past decades have seen a number of failed peace processes initiated by the Superpowers as well as numerous never-to-be-implemented UN’s resolutions on the crisis. Woeful developments which many observers believe are largely due to the fact that their initiators are themselves the masterminds of, and complicit in, the whole monster. Similarly, the decades of Palestinians’ strategic resort to suicide bombings or martyrdom operations have merely always left the Palestinians with greater devastating consequences.

Now, as the conundrum further exacerbates and the Palestinians stand at a crossroad where future prospect seems almost not foreseeable, the self-imposing questions confronting the Palestinians, in particular, and the global Muslim world, in general, are: Why has Palestinians’ continuous looking towards the Western or Eastern Superpowers or the UN for solution failed to bring about the dire freedom? What should be the ultimate move? By highlighting the Palestinians’ and Muslim world’s neglected obligation, this piece interrogates and recommends the missing link in the struggle towards actualizing the freedom of the Palestinians.

The Age-Long Most Disputed Land of Palestine

The land of Palestine, located in the Middle East, witnessed the first recorded form of civilization in human history in the city of Jericho which was established ten thousand years ago. Ever since it was inhabited by the Canaanites and the sea immigrants named Philistines who integrated with them later on. [6] The land, previously known as the land of Canaan, took the name of the new settlers and came to be known as Palestine. [7]

Prophet Ibrahim [Abraham] came to this land around the year 1900 B.C.; in narrating this story the Torah called the area “the Land of Canaan”, admitting the existence of a civilization on the land prior even to the coming of Prophet Ibrahim, the great grandfather of Arabs and Jews. His grandson, Yaqoob [Jacob or Israel], from whom Jews descended migrated with his children from the land of Canaan to Egypt, where they stayed until 1250 B.C. in which Moses took them to the Holy Land.[8]

The history of the Jews in Palestine started during this period, between 1250-1000 B.C., but they managed only to settle in a few areas around Al-Quds [Jerusalem] and in the north. From that time, the reign of Prophets Dawud [David] and Sulayman [Solomon] started, marking the real beginning of Jewish reign over Palestine. The reign of the two Prophets lasted only for 80 years [1004-923 B.C.] [9]

It was thereafter invaded by the Assyrians, the Romans, the Jews, the Moguls, and the Christian crusaders. Since the seventh century, most of its population [the descendants of the ancient Canaanites] embraced Islam and joined successive Muslim rule until 1917, the year of the collapse of the Ottoman State, when Palestine came under the British Mandate that undertook to facilitate the realization of the Zionist dream of creating Jewish home in Palestine. [10]

From the above, it is glaring why the whole Holy Land, particularly, Jerusalem, is of huge socio-religious and historical importance to both Israel and the Palestinians. It contains sites sacred to the three major monotheistic faiths – Judaism, Islam and Christianity.

Prophecies and Fulfillments – A Combined Reading of both the Scripture and Cosmic Events

Any objective endeavour to examine the Israeli-Palestinian crisis should begin from an objective assessment that focuses on a combined reading of both the scriptural references and cosmic events. The isolation of the two would invariably lead to futile efforts on the part of anyone that ventures into unraveling the missing link in the struggle for the ultimate establishment of a Palestinian state.

As Malik Badri noted in his foreword to Jerusalem in the Quran, “The Zionists have continuously referred to distorted scriptures from the Torah and other Biblical material to justify their atrocious behavior and to motivate the Jews to establish a State of Israel that extends from the Nile to the Euphrates with Jerusalem as its capital. For example, David Ben Gurion, the first Prime Minister of Israel, is quoted to have said, “The Bible is our deed to the land of Israel.” Muslim scholars, on the other hand, have largely failed in refuting Zionist claims from authenticated historical and religious sources and have also failed to accomplish their religious responsibility in clearly documenting this question from the Holy Qur’an and the Blessed Ahadith of our beloved Prophet (PBUH).” [11]

The Quran’s Recap of the Grand Prophecy

It is curious to note how the Holy Quran made very striking prophecies about both the remote and current cosmic events of the Israeli-Palestinian crisis. Firstly, the Quran declares: “And We revealed to the children of Israel in the Book, saying, ‘You will surely do mischief in the land twice, and you will surely become excessively overbearing.” [Quran, 17:5] “This verse”, Hadhrat Mirza Bashirud-Din Mahmud Ahmad [ra] noted, “shows that it was foretold in the Book of Moses that the Israelites would disobey and defy divine commandments twice and twice would they be visited with punishment. The word al-Kitab [the Book] here means, the Book of Moses – the Bible.” [12] Accordingly, we can find the referred Moses’s warning to the Jews in Bible’s Deuteronomy 28: 15; 49-53; 63-64.

The First Destruction and Exile of the Jews

“So when the time for the first of the two warnings came, We sent against you some servants of Ours possessed of great might in war, and they penetrated the innermost parts of your houses, and it was a warning that was bound to be carried out.” [Quran, 17:6]

Making reference to the Jewish Encyclopedia, Hadhrat Mirza Bashirud-Deen Mahmud Ahmad [ra] maintained in his commentary of the Quran that the first disaster befell the Israelites after David, and the second after Jesus. It appears from the Bible that the Jews had become a very powerful nation after Moses and in the time of David they laid the foundation of a mighty kingdom which continued to flourish for some time after his death in its old might and glory. Then it fell prey to gradual decay and about 733 B.C. Samaria was conquered by the Assyrians, who annexed the whole of Israel north of Jezreel. In 608 B.C. Palestine was ravaged by an Egyptian force under Pharaoh Necho and the Israelites came under Egyptian sway. In the reign of Jehoiakim, Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon made his first invasion of Palestine and carried off some of the Temple vessels, but the city was spared the rigour of a siege. In 597 B.C., also the city was invested and fell victim to a severe famine. The rebellion of Zedekiah, however, caused a second invasion in 587 B.C., and after a siege of a year and a half, the city was taken by storm. King Zedekiah fled from the city but was taken prisoner. His sons were slain and his eyes were put out and he was bound in fetters and carried off to Babylon. The Temple, the King’s palace and all the great buildings in the city were burnt down, the chief priests and other leaders were put to death and many people were carried off in captivity. [13]

The First Return of the Jews from the Diaspora

“Then We gave you back the power against them, and aided you with wealth and children, and made you larger in numbers. Now, if you do well, you will do well for your own souls; and if you do evil, it will only go against them…..” [Quran, 17:7]

Again, citing authorities of both the Historians’ History of the World and the Jewish Encyclopedia, Hadhrat Mirza Bashirud-Deen Mahmud Ahmad [ra] showed how the Jews fared well in exile. Most of them were employed on public works in central Babylonia and many among them eventually gained their freedom and rose to influential positions. Their faith and religious devotion were renewed; the literature of the kingdom was studied, re-edited, and adapted to the needs of the reviving community, and the hope of restoration to Palestine was preached and cherished. About 545 B.C., This aspiration took a more definite form. Cyrus, King of Media and Persia, had by this time attained to dominion over the whole uplands of Asia as far as the shores of the Aegean Sea. The Jews made a secret agreement with him and helped him to conquer Babylon. The city surrendered to his army without resistance in July, 539 B.C. As a reward for their services Cyrus permitted the Jews to return to their country, and also helped them in the building of the Temple. In 538 B.C. Cyrus proclaimed the rebuilding of the Temple as his divine mission but the work was not started till the following year. The Judean, Sheshbazzar (a Governor under Cyrus) brought back to the Temple vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away and prepared to undertake the work at the expense of the royal purse. A large body of exiles returned to Jerusalem (Ezra 1: 3-5). The work of rebuilding the Temple steadily progressed and it was completed in 516 B.C. [14]

The Second Destruction and the Exile of the Jews

“So when the time for the latter warning came, We raised a people against you to cover your faces with grief, and to enter the Mosque as they entered it the first time, and to destroy all that they conquered with utter destruction.” [Quran, 17:8]

This verse speaks of the Jews’ second relapse into iniquitous and evil ways and of the punishment which befell them in consequence. They persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him on the Cross and stamp out his Movement. So God afflicted them with a terrible punishment when in 70 A.D. the Roman forces under Titus swept the country and amid circumstances of unparalleled horror Jerusalem was destroyed and the Temple of Solomon was burnt down. [15]

More precisely, as Dr. Saleh’s History of Palestine shows, the Romans controlled the area in 63 B.C. They kept the Jewish autonomy over Jerusalem intact until 6 A.D., when they assumed direct control over it. The Jews revolted between 66-70 A D, but the Romans brutally suppressed this revolution and destroyed Jerusalem and its new Temple built by Herod. The Jews revolted again and for the last time in 132-135 A.D. The Romans responded more aggressively aiming to end any possible future instability to be brought by the Jews. They destroyed the City that they replaced by a new one built over the area and called it Aelia Capitolina. They placed the statue of Jupiter, the Roman god, over the ruins of the Temple of Herod. By this time, the effective Jewish presence in Palestine came to an end. …from that time, 135 A.D. and until the beginning of twentieth century, the Jews did not have any form of physical ties with Palestine or Jerusalem. [16]

The Holy Quran and the Jews’ Second Return from the Diaspora in the End Time

The Holy Quran declares thus: “And it is an inviolable law for a township which We have destroyed that they shall not return. Until when Gog and Magog are let loose and they shall hasten forth from every height.” [Quran, 21: 96]

One possible way to paraphrase the above verse is: and it is an inviolable decree upon Jerusalem Township which has been destroyed that its exiled citizens [the Jews in Diaspora] shall not be re-settled back in the Holy Land until the emergence of and facilitation by the Gog and Magog Superpowers who shall dominate all spheres of world affairs. The historical developments analyzed below should justify this interpretation.

As mentioned in the foregoing lines, Palestine, and Jerusalem in particular, was thoroughly destroyed and its citizens, the Jews, exiled in 135 A.D. and scattered abroad where they continued to face further exiles in the Diaspora from one clime to another. For instance, “they were turned out of Portugal and Spain. They were driven out of England in 1290. They were twice pushed out from France, once in 1306 and again in 1394. They were exiled from Belgium in 1370 and from Czechoslovakia in 1380. Holland drove them out in 1444, and Italy turned them out in 1540. Germany pushed them out in 1551. Russia exiled them in 1510.” [17] And modern history has documented the 20th century anti-Semitic Holocaust perpetrated by the German Nazi government. Thus, for almost two millennia, was fulfilled the divine decree that the Jews shall not return to the destroyed township of Jerusalem.

However, as the context of the above Quranic prophecy shows, the exile of the Jews was destined to continue until the appearance of Gog and Magog nations who would facilitate their re-settlement back to the Holy Land. This however raised some intriguing questions like: who are the Gog and Magog and have they appeared? If they have, has the prophecy of the resettlement of the Jews in the Diaspora through their effort been fulfilled?

Identifying the Gog and Magog

It is noteworthy that the Holy Quran mentioned Gog and Magog at two different places. First, in the foregoing Quran, 21: 96, and second, in the verse of Al-Kahf where it says: “They said, ‘O Dhu’l Qarnain, verily, Gog and Magog are creating disorder in the earth…” [Quran, 18: 95]. The Traditions of the Holy Prophet [saw] are replete with references to them too. Particularly, a Tradition made prophecy about their appearance in the latter days amid the encounter of the trio of Dajjal or the anti-Christ, the Promised Messiah and the Gog and Magog thus: “…..The Messiah will then come to people whom God has shielded from the Anti-Christ. He will wipe away the dust from their faces and will inform them about their grades in Paradise. While he will be so occupied, Allah, the Exalted, will send revelation to him: I have created some people whom no one will be able to fight and withstand. Therefore, lead these, my servants, to Mount Sinai. Allah will then raise Gog and Magog and they will spread out leaping across every barrier of land and sea …..” [18]

The 19th century saw an astonishing unraveling of the identity of the Gog and Magog when a Muslim divine, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as] – who claimed to be the fourteenth century Islamic Reformer and the Promised Messiah and Mahdi – identified, by means of divine revelation and powerful deductive reasoning, the surging Euro-American Superpowers to be the representation of Gog and Magog. He amazingly declared thus:

“I have also proved that it is essential for the Promised Messiah to appear at the time of Gog and Magog. Since Ajij, from which the words Gog and Magog are derived, means ‘fire’, God Almighty has disclosed to me that Gog and Magog are a people who are greater experts in the use of fire than any other people. Their very names indicate that their ships, trains and machines will be run by fire. They will fight their battles with fire. They will excel all other people in harnessing fire to their service. This is why they will be called Gog and Magog. These are the people of the West, as they are unique in their expertise in the use of fire. In Jewish scriptures too it was the people of Europe who were described as Gog and Magog. Even the name of Moscow, which is the ancient capital of Russia, is mentioned. Thus it was preordained that the Promised Messiah would appear in the time of Gog and Magog. [19]

He further expatiates that,

“on the one hand, it is proved from the Bible that the Christians of Europe are Gog and Magog, and, on the other, the Holy Quran has mentioned specific signs concerning Gog and Magog which can only be applied to European powers, as, for instance, it is written that they will scale every height, i.e. they will overcome all other powers and be supreme in all worldly matters. Similarly, it is also mentioned in the Ahadith that no country will be able to stand up to them. Thus, it is conclusively established that these powers are Gog and Magog. To deny this is sheer obstinacy and opposition to God’s Word. Who can deny that in accordance with the Word of God Almighty and the explanation of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) these are the people who, in their worldly power, are superior to every other people. They have no equal in the art of war and statecraft. Their inventions and machines have established new patterns, both of war and in worldly comforts and luxuries. They have brought about an amazing revolution in the culture of mankind and have displayed such mastery in statecraft and in providing equipment for war and peace, as has no parallel since the creation of the world.”

“Thus, centuries after the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the rise of European powers is the event in accordance with the sign specified in his prophecy. As God has disclosed the meaning of Gog and Magog and events have proven that a certain people fit the signs that have been mentioned, refusal to acknowledge this would be denial of an established verity. No one can stop a person from persisting in his denial, but every just-minded one who is a seeker after truth would, on being informed of all these particulars, testify with full confidence that these people are Gog and Magog.” [20]

How Gog and Magog Facilitated the Return of the Jews

As Malise Ruthven and Nanji Azim opined, there has been an “age-old yearning of Jews to return to Eretz Yisrael, the land promised by God to the Prophet Abraham. Modern Zionism built on this tradition, seeing salvation from persecution in the acquisition of land where a Jewish sovereign state could be created.” [21]

Hence, after centuries of living in a Diaspora, the 1894 Dreyfus Affair in France shocked Jews into realizing they would not be safe from arbitrary anti-Semitism unless they had their own country. In response, Jews created the new concept of political Zionism in which it was believed that through active political maneuvering, a Jewish homeland could be created. Zionism was becoming a popular concept by the time World War 1 began. [22]

Earlier, in 1878, the first Jewish settlement was established at Petah Tikva. During the First World War the British made contradictory commitments to Arabs and Jews. They promised an independent state to the Sharif of Mecca, whose sons Faisal and Abdullah led the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Turks, while allowing the establishment of a national homeland for the Jewish People in Palestine. [23] This commitment was enshrined in the Balfour Declaration of November 2, 1917 which was a letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild. It reads in part thus: ‘…His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this objective…’ [24]

In 1917-18, a British army led by General Allenby defeated the Turkish army and liberated the Holy Land of Muslim rule. [25] Following this development, and based on the Balfour Declaration, the League of Nations entrusted the United Kingdom with the Palestine Mandate in 1922. [26] From 1919 to 1948 Britain ruled over the Holy Land on the basis of the Mandate conferred by the League of Nations. During this period of time the world witnessed the massive emigration of European Jews to the Holy Land. [27] Meanwhile, a plan for dividing Palestine into Arab and Jewish states, which followed an uprising by Palestinian Arabs beginning in 1936, was suspended on the outbreak of hostilities in 1939. [28] Furthermore, the tremendous German hatred of the Jews for their betrayal in the first world war (the German Jews made a deal with Britain that they would get USA to enter the war in support of Britain if Britain, in turn, would promise to give them the Holy Land when the war was won) and the resultant rise of Hitler led to such wholesale persecution of the Jews dramatically increased the Jewish emigration from Europe to the Holy Land. [29] Consequent upon the conspiracy by some Euro-American supper-powers, a 1947 UN partition plan providing for Arab and Jewish states “each entwined in an inimical embrace like two fighting serpents,” in the words of one official, was accepted by the Jewish leaders but rejected by the Arabs. On May 14 1948, the British withdrew [from Palestine] and on the following day Israel’s independence was recognized by the major powers. [30]

Thus did the twentieth century witness the return of the Israelite Jews to the Holy Land after almost 2000 years of exile. But, by whose help? Indeed, it was brought about by the Euro-American Superpowers – the Gog and Magog – to fulfill exactly the Quranic prediction of history! “Israelite Jews,” says Imran Hosein, “have now ‘returned’ to reclaim the Holy Land after their divinely ordained 2000-year exile. This has occurred exactly as the Qur’an declared 1400 years ago that it would happen at the ‘End Time’.” [31]

More so, this historical development further fulfilled another Quranic prophecy: “And after him We said to the children of Israel, ‘Dwell you in the land; and when the time of the promise of the latter days comes, We shall bring you together once again.” [Quran, 17:105] Commenting on this verse, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad [rt] writes, “The destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, by the Romans tolled the bell for the death of the Jewish state. From then on the Jews were scattered throughout the world moving on from country to country. It is this state of ultimate diaspora to which the above verse refers when it declares that one day the Jews will be gathered from all over the world and once again they will be assembled in the Holy Land. It is a covenant of God which shall be fulfilled. We have already seen the fulfillment of this promise on such a wide scale as has never been witnessed by man before. Never in the history of the Jewish people after any diaspora were they brought back from all the countries of the world as it happened in the recent past after the creation of the state of Israel. [32]

Israel’s Occupation versus Arabs’ Futile Wars of Liberation

The fact of the unprecedented havoc brought upon the Palestinians by the past over seventy years of Israel’s forceful, continuous and ever- expanding occupation of the greater percent of the Holy Land in the face of Arabs’ futile and armed struggle and resistance have always evoked pathetic situation.

Right from the Israeli-Arab war that took place in the post-creation of the Israeli state, the new state survived simultaneous but poorly coordinated attacks by the armies of the surrounding Arab states, leaving it with more territory than had been awarded to it under the UN plan. Transjordan—later Jordan—gained control of a part of Palestine, including East Jerusalem, which contains shrines sacred to Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Attacks by Jewish irregulars, such as the massacre of Palestinian villagers of Deir Yassin in 1948, prompted the flight of thousands of Palestinians, creating the refugee problem which would fuel subsequent wars in 1956, 1967, 1973, and 1982. The third Arab-Israeli war, in June 1967, left Israel in control of Sinai, Gaza, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights, with Israel subsequently annexing Arab East Jerusalem and planting Jewish settlements in the Occupied Territories.

Limited military success achieved by the Egyptians in the fourth Arab-Israeli war in October 1973 emboldened the Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to make his historic visit to Jerusalem in 1977. This initiated the process that culminated in the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli peace treaty at Camp David in 1979, followed by disengagement agreements with Syria and a treaty between Israel and Jordan in 1994. The Palestinian problem, however, remains unresolved. Although the Palestine Liberation Organization, under its chairman Yasser Arafat, recognized Israel’s right to exist in 1988 and achieved limited autonomy for Palestinians in Gaza, Jericho, and other parts of the West Bank under the 1993 Oslo accords, the Islamist organizations, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, reject the peace process. Continuing Jewish settlements, terrorist attacks on civilians (including suicide bombings), and Israeli measures such as the creation of a Berlin-style wall between Israel and the West Bank and the targeted killings of Palestinian leaders, have made the prospects for peace increasingly difficult. [33]

Interrogating the Missing Link

Having experienced decades of subjugation this far amidst successive failed peace processes brokered by the Western powers; and having experienced continuous failure of armed resistance, what should be the way forward for the Palestinians?

It is disappointing noting the various strategies that have so far been proffered by various Muslim scholars and leaders in this respect. For example, as if ignorant of what the reality has invariably been, one of the prominent writers on this crisis, Imran Hosein, could still persistently make a global appeal to the global Muslim world on the following proposed armed-resistance strategy. He wrote thus:

“The first is that Jerusalem and the Holy Land should be dearest of all to their hearts – as dear as Makkah and Madina – and the struggle to liberate the Holy Land from the abomination of the secular Euro-Jewish State of Israel should be the dearest of all struggles (of liberation) for the Muslim. If a Jew can leave USA or Europe or Russia and join the Israeli Defense Force and participate in the armed oppression of the Muslim and Christian Palestinian people in the Holy Land, then a Muslim should also have the same freedom to leave wherever he resides in the world and join in the armed resistance of the oppressed in the Holy Land. … It is, in fact, a minimum tangible expression of faith in today’s world that Muslims should at least have the desire in their hearts to participate in that armed resistance (Jihad) in the Holy Land. Muslims should be warned, however, that as soon as they publicly declare their belief that the State of Israel will be destroyed by a Muslim army, and express the hope that they would be members of that army, they would eventually be intimidated and even arrested in order to silence them and make of them an example which would intimidate others. Secondly, the financial and other resources of the Muslim world should be directed primarily to assist in the cause of the liberation of the Holy Land from oppression.” [34]

Gog and Magog are War-Indomitable – A Prophetic Declaration

It is surprising how the collective mind of the mainstream Muslim world could be so oblivious of the clear prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [saw] which states that no human being would be able to defeat Gog and Magog in warfare. This particular prophecy reads thus: “While he [the Promised Messiah] will be so occupied, Allah, the Exalted, will send revelation to him: I have created some people whom no one will be able to fight and withstand. Therefore lead these, my servants, to Mount Sinai. Allah will then raise Gog and Magog and they will spread out leaping across every barrier of land and sea.” [35]

The Necessity of Aligning with the Mahdi-Messianic Movement

Now, the question is: what is the missing link, the prophetically recommended ultimate Islamic strategy which the Muslim world must adopt to decimate the menace of the Gog and Magog? The answer lies in the underbelly of the following statement of the Holy Prophet of Islam [saw] thus:

“Then the Prophet of Allah, the Messiah, and his companions will turn to Allah, the Exalted, and will supplicate Him so that Allah will create a germ in the necks of the people of Gog and Magog in consequence of which they will all die suddenly one day. Thereafter the Prophet of Allah, the Messiah, and his companions will descend from the Mount but will not find a hand’s breadth of space free from the corpse of the followers of Gog and Magog and their stink. Then the Prophet of Allah, the Messiah, and his companions will supplicate Allah, the Lord of honour, and He will send birds like the necks of Bukhti camels which will send down rain whereby every dwelling whether made of clay or of hair will be cleansed and become like a mirror. The earth will be commanded to produce its fruits and to regain its blessing, so that a whole group of people will be filled by eating of one pomegranate and will be able to take shelter under the shades of its leave. Milk will be so blest that the milk of one she-camel will suffice for a large company and that of a cow will suffice for a tribe and that of a goat will suffice for a family…” [36]

Evidently, the above Prophetic prophecy clearly links the emancipation of those wallowing under the domination of Gog and Magog superpowers to the prayers and leadership guidance of the Promised Messiah (as). As mentioned before, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad [as], based on divine revelation, claimed to be the Promised Messiah and established the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat as his Mahdi-Messianic movement. Subsequently, he declared the emerging Western powers as the Gog and Magog, and forcefully warned the Muslims to beware of their temptations and take shelter under his Messianic fort. He also launched his array of divinely inspired Messianic agendas, some of which, particularly, concern the Arabs. For instance, he declared thus: “My God has given me a glad-tiding in respect of the Arabs, and has instructed me through His Revelation to look after them, guide them on the right, and set their affairs straight. And God willing, you will find me successful and victorious in this task.” [37] Specifically, and again, based on divine revelation, he declared that his global victory for Islam will assume its complete manifestation within the period of the first three centuries proceeding the time he proclaimed his mission. [38]

Sadly, majority of the mainstream Muslim world rejected him and declared him an impostor, a liar and an anti-Christ etc., while continuously looking towards heaven in anticipation of the physical descent of the ancient Jesus Christ [as] about whom they have established an entrenched traditional belief of his ascent to heaven. Given to literalist interpretations, they are also awaiting a Messiah that would launch bloody war against the Gog and Magog, just as the Jews of Jesus Christ’s time were expecting the descent of a Messiah who would wage bloody war against the Roman Imperialist government of the time and help them establish their Jewish kingdom. However, against their wish, such bloody Messiah did not emerge and, ever since, the Jews continue to anticipate their fantasized Messiah even though global circumstances have changed completely.

Consequently, since preponderance of the modern-day mainstream Muslim world has not believed in Hadhrat Ahmad [as] as the Promised Messiah, they could neither accept his identification of the Western powers as the Gog and Magog nor his declaration of peaceful and spiritual warfare. This also informed the reason why in the early 20th century when the Palestinians began to sell their lands to the Jews, the Second Successor to the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Bashirudeen Mahmud Ahmad (ra), forcefully warned them against such development, but they did not listen. Would that the Arabs had listened to the Mahdi-Messianic voice!

However, the forgoing analysis has clearly established the fact that the protracted Israeli-Palestinian crisis has transpired and continues to transpire within the purview of divine predictions, almost all of which have already seen their cosmic fulfillments: [1] we have witnessed the proclamation of the descent of the Promised Messiah and the establishment of his Mahdi-Messianic movement in the 19th century; [2] we have seen the emergence and domination of the Gog and Magog nations and the globalization of their civilization which has become entrenched since the last 20th century; [3] we have seen the Jews been brought back to Palestine through the effort of Hadhrat Ahmad’s identified Gog and Magog – the Euro-American Powers; [4] we have seen scientific and technological warfare advancement achieved by the Gog and Magog nations and how they have become indomitable in the face of the combined forces of the Arabs.

In the circumstance, human logic, reason and rationality demand that, after all the cosmic events have fulfilled the Quranic and Prophetic prophecies, the Palestinian Arabs in particular, and the global mainstream Muslim world, in general, should now understand and appreciate the primacy of forging alignment with Hadhrat Ahmad’s [as] Mahdi-Messianic movement so as to benefit from the prophesied Messiah’s ultimate divine guidance and prayer for the global decimation of Gog and Magog’s menace, paving the way for the eschatological triumph of the religion Islam, the will of Allah. This is the ultimate Islamic-oriented link to solving not only the Palestinian issue but also the general challenges confronting the Muslim world of our eschatological times.

In the final analysis, this writer is compelled by the ongoing rejectionist attitude of the preponderance of the mainstream Muslims to conclude that, until then when the Muslim world will realize and embrace this simple truth, let the Mahdi-Messianic movement continue its silent but steady and peaceful in route to the world!

End Notes

1. Amnesty International (2022), Israel’s Apartheid against Palestinians: a cruel system of domination and crime against humanity. https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde15/5141/2022/en/
2. Ibid
3. Ahmad, Mirza Tahir, The Gulf Crisis and the New World Order, [2009], Islam International Publications Limited, UK, pp. 215-6
4. Al-Faruqi, Ismail Raji, Islam and the Problem of Israel, Islamic Council of Europe, p. 5
5. Ibid, p. 5
6. Saleh, Dr. Mohsen Mohammed, History of Palestine – A Methodical Study of the Palestinian Struggle, Al-Falah Foundation, p. 5
7. Ibid, p. 5
8. Ibid, p. 19
9. Ibid, p. 19
10. Ibid, p. 5
11. Hosein, Imran, Jerusalem in the Quran, Masjid Dar-AlQuran, Long Island, New York, USA, foreword
12. Ahmad, Mirza Bashirud-Din Mahmud, The Holy Quran, English Translation and Commentary, [2002] Nazarat Nashro Ishaat, India, vol. 3, p. 14
13. Ibid, vol. 3, pp. 1412-1413
14. Ibid, vol. 3, p. 1414
15. Ibid, vol. 3, p. 1415
16. Saleh, Dr. Mohsen Mohammed, History of Palestine – A Methodical Study of the Palestinian Struggle, Al-Falah Foundation, pp. 21-22
17. AbdulAziz, Maulana, Jewry in Historical Perspective, in Misbahul Islam Faruq’s Jewish Conspiracy and Muslim World, [1992], Islamic Publications [PVT] Ltd, Pakistan, p. 15-16
18. Zafrullah, Muhammad Khan, Garden of the Righteous, [1996] Islam International Publications Ltd, UK, Hadith no. 1814, p. 305
19. Ahmad, Mirza Ghulam, Essence of Islam, [2005], Islam International Publications Ltd, UK, vol. 111, p. 305; Ayyam-us-Sulh, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 14, pp. 424-425
20. Ibid, vol. 111, pp. 307-308; Chashma-e-Ma’rifat, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 23, pp. 83-88
21. Malise Ruthven and Nanji Azim, Historical Atlas of Islam, [2004], Harvard University p.162
22. Rosenberg, Jennifer, The History of the Balfour Declaration, www.thoughtco.com/balfour-declaration date retrieved: 26/12/2017
23. Malise R. and Nanji A, Op. Cit. p. 162
24. Rosenberg, Op. Cit.
25. Hosein, Imran, Jerusalem in the Quran, Masjid Dar-AlQuran, Long Island, New York, USA, p. 65
26. Rosenberg, Op. Cit.
27. Hosein, I. ibid p. 65
28. Malise R. and Nanji A. Op. Cit., p. 162
29. Hosein I. Op. Cit., p. 65
30. Malise R. and Nanji A. Op. Cit., p.162-163
31. Hosein I. Op. Cit., p. 65
32. Ahmad, Mirza Tahir, Revelation, Rationality, Knowledge and Truth, [1998], Islam International Publications Ltd, UK, p. 597
33. Malise R. and Nanji A. Op. Cit. p. 162-163
34. Hosein I. Op. Cit., p. 9
35. Zafrullah, Muhammad Khan, Garden of the Righteous, [1996] Islam International Publications Ltd, UK, Hadith no. 1814, p. 305
36. Ibid, p. 305
37. Ahmad, Mirza Ghulam, Hamamatul Bushra page 7, Roohani Khazain vol. 7, p. 182
38. Ahmad, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam, Tadhkiratush Shahadatain (The Narrative of Two Martyrdoms), {The London Mosque} p. 63-64

FORMAL COMMISSIONING OF AMJN CENTRAL MOSQUE AND SCHOOL

0

The Formal Commissioning of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria Central Mosque and Ahmadiyya Nursery and Primary School, Oke-Ore, Owode Circuit, Ogun State. The Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alh (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso AbdulAzeez, Sadr Majlis Ansarullah, Alhaji Adeoye AbdulWaheed Akanji; Former Naib Amir Special Duties, Alh (Engr) Ahmed Al-Hassan; Circuit President, Owode, Alh. Ajibade; Circuit President, Ota, Bro. Salman; Naib Sadr Admin, Alhaji Raji Dauda; Engr. Aziz Shonibare, Chairman, Building Committee, Coordinator Zone 2, Ustaz Shoboyede, Chief Imam Oke Ore Central Mosque, and others, during the commissioning of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria Central Mosque and Ahmadiyya Nursery and Primary School, Oke-Ore, Owode Circuit, Ogun State on Saturday, January 29th, 2022.

OBALADI OF AFON PAYS COURTESY VISIT TO AMIR AMJN

0

Courtesy visits Obaladi of Afon to Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr) Alatoye Folorunso AbdulAzeez at National Headquarters, Ojokoro, Lagos. With Obaladi Babade, Missionary Ikumapayi Abdul Jelili; Circuit Missionary Afon, Babade Yusuf; Missionary Bankole Jamiu, Circuit Missionary Ayetoro, and Bro Omidokun Abdul Lateef, Circuit President, Afon.

NEW YEAR GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE AMIR OF AHMADIYYA MUSLIM JAMA’AT OF NIGERIA

0

The entire members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria heartily rejoice with Nigerians and the government on the occasion of the new year 2022 that just started.

Just like the year 2020, the year 2021, was also a challenging one for the country, no thanks to the ravaging COVID-19 pandemic especially with the discovery of OMICRON Variant. The efforts of the government and the health institutions in curtailing the pandemic are well commended. The masses are further urged to implement all COVID-19 protocols to further stop the spread of the OMICRON Variant.

The Jama’at further recognized and applaud the indomitable spirit for survival and resilience of Nigerians in the face of daunting challenges in the socio-economic, political, and technological spheres. The religion of Islam has no room for terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, ritual killing of human beings, exploitation of any kind or any act of wickedness against one another. The government, as a matter of urgency, is urged to be more proactive towards eliminating the social vices which are now daily occurrences in the country.

The high level of poverty, unemployment, and under-employment are still serious challenges to Nigerians, in spite of the abundance of both human and material resources at our disposal. It is incumbent on all levels of government to provide affordable food, health care facilities, shelter, security, and good road network for the populace.

On the part of Nigerians, they should not lose faith in the present government and continue to support her with prayers and good deeds. They should also be alive to their civic responsibilities.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria also uses this medium to admonish Nigerian government on corporate and all-embracing governance, maintenance of equity and justice as well as fair play. No region should be segregated or denied rightful needs. This act will no doubt, bring about peaceful coexistence and progress to the country. There should be justice for all. Leaders of all agitators should be invited for a meeting in a bid to address all contending issues in an amicable way. The government is urged to eschew nepotism, religious bigotry among other ills.

Pointedly, as the 2023 general elections draw nearer, the Jama’at hereby advises the President, General Muhammad Buhari GCFR to ensure a hitch-free election exercise at all levels. All necessary machinery must be put in place to achieve free and fair elections. All political parties must resolve their differences internally. Politics should be seen as a game of numbers and not a do-or-die affair. No eligible voters should be disenfranchised. Nigerians must be allowed to exercise their civic duty without any form of molestation. Electoral malpractices must be totally wiped out. Government should ensure appropriate electoral reforms are duly signed into law.

Conclusively, the role of religious bodies towards the attainment of our dream country cannot be over-emphasized. Religious leaders must continue to preach peace and unity. Religious Centres must be Holy places void of social vices and where worshippers are well enlightened on a true value system.

We pray fervently for a new order and more prosperous years ahead for Nigeria.

Signed:

Alhaj (Barr.) Alatoye Folorunso AbdulAzeez
Amir (National Head)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat of Nigeria.

The Truth Newspaper@ 70 Years: Reminiscing the Pioneering Muslim Newspaper in Nigeria

0

Just like the Presbyterian Reverend, Henry Townsend had pioneered the first-ever newspaper in Nigeria with the founding of Iwe Iroyin in 1859 (Philip Onuoha (2015), History of Nigerian Mass Media, National Open University of Nigeria, p. 21), The Truth Newspaper enjoys historical relevance of being the first and longest-running Muslim Newspaper established in Nigeria seventy years ago, precisely, in December 1951, by the prominent expatriate Muslim Missionary and Journalist, Maulvi Naseem Saifi Sahib.
Maulvi Saifi Sahib served as the Chief Missionary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria and West Africa for twenty years, from 1946 through 1966. As such, The Truth Newspaper was not only used as an official newspaper of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, but has ever been used as a means of actualizing media contribution of Islam to the religious, literary, social, and educational development of Nigeria in particular, and humanity, in general.
It is interesting to note that, initially, the newspaper was being published monthly and entitled The Nigeria Ahmadiyya Bulletin from August through November 1951 (The Nigeria Ahmadiyya Bulletin, The Nigeria Branch of the Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya, Qadian, September 1951, Vol 1. No. 2.) It, however, acquired its nomenclature of The Truth in December of the same year, and, subsequently, began to publish weekly henceforth (The Truth Newspaper, December 1951, Vol. 1, No. 1).

More interestingly, a host of historians and chroniclers of the history of media in Nigeria have reckoned with the pioneering place of The Truth Newspaper in the trajectory of Muslim newspapers publication in Nigeria. For instance, in the page 26th of his pioneering work published in 1968 and titled, Landmarks of the Nigerian Press – An Outline of the Origins and Development of the Newspaper Press in Nigeria (1859 to 1965), the renowned media scholar and practitioner, Increase H. E. Coker acknowledged that “The only regular Muslim newspaper was the one started in Lagos at this period and entitled Truth. It was pioneered by the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, Lagos branch, which continues to subsidize its production.”

Incidentally, Ahmadiyya is also reputed for pioneering in Nigeria the first Muslim-established school that combined both Islamic and secular education. Again, it also pioneered Muslim hospitals through the establishment of the first Muslim medical dispensary in Nigeria in 1961 and continues to run a number of schools and hospitals, and clinics across various states in the country till today. (Centenary History of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in Nigeria, Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Nigeria, (2016), p. 175).

To continue with our tracking of the memory lane of The Truth Newspaper, it is exciting to note that the noble mission of this Newspaper, as stated by the veteran journalist-founder in its maiden edition, is that it aims at “calling humanity toward the Creator of the Universe” and “inviting every soul to the fountainhead of peace – Islam.” This is “the message that THE TRUTH has pledged to impart to every soul in West Africa in particular and the rest of the world in general” (Our Message, Editorial, The Truth Newspaper, December 1951, Vol. 1, No. 1, p.3).

The newspaper pages feature News segments, From the Holy Quran, The Friday Sermon, Special Interviews, Features, Photo News, Children’s Corner, Our Women, Personalities, Yoruba and Hausa Columns, and Sports pages.

From any evaluation of media history in Nigeria, three factors should evidence the long history of media relevance, contribution, and popularity of the The Truth in Nigeria: (1) the fact that, regardless of being a foreigner, its founder was elected as the first Vice-President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists for many years, the Treasurer of the Nigerian Press Club and an Executive Member of the Guild of Newspaper Editors (Naseem Saifi, My Hearty Thanks, The Truth Newspaper, Friday, 5th August 2016, p.13).      His contemporaries in the newspapers industry are the revered Segun Osoba, Late Alhaji Kayode Jakande( John West)  Late Bisi Onabanjo( Ayekoto Fame) Late Alade Odunewu( Allah De)Late Muslim Kola Animashaun ( The Voice of Reason, Late Bisi Lawrence( BizLaw).

Secondly, that the first Nigerian staff of The Truth Newspaper, Mr. Yisa A. Safi, was offered Federal Government Scholarship for journalism at the then London Polytechnic in October 1953 by the then British Colonial Administration in recognition of the contributions of The Truth in Nigeria.  At the completion of the study, he returned to serve the country under the Federal Ministry of Information till his death in 1969 (Z.O. Elias, First Nigerian Ahmadi to Serve The Truth Passed Away, The Truth, Friday, MAY 30 – June 5, 1969, p. 7).

Thirdly, and in contemporary history, the current chairman of the editorial board of The Truth Newspaper, Dr. Qasim Akinreti, has been the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos State Council from 2017 through December 6, 2020. He is a member Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, and The International Press Institute, IPI. Dr Akinreti has contributed his quota to the growth of the Nigerian media through practice and teaching and research. One of his latest co-authored books is entitled “The Secrets of Online/Multimedia Journalism: A handbook for African Journalists. Currently, he is the Deputy Editor of Digital Media, Voice of Nigeria.

From the above, it is not surprising that Maulvi Naseem Saifi once reminisced how, while traveling by sea in the company of Nigeria’s first indigenous President, Nnamdi Azikwe, (himself a journalist and publisher of the renowned nationalist newspaper, The Pilot), he “was surprised to hear him (Azikwe) talk about The Truth; he knew almost everything about it, even the press where it is printed.” (Naseem Saifi, My Hearty Thanks, The Truth Newspaper, Friday, 5th August, 2016, p.13).

Today, taking the advantages offered by the postmodern-day Information Communication Technology (ICT) through online journalism, The Truth Newspaper has since 2016 begun its online publication via www.thetruth.ng. This has continued to avail the immediacy, frequency, and global reach of its publication. Observably, through its news stories, editorials, features, and opinion columns, etc., the newspaper has been renowned for its coverage of a wide range of issues of religious, social, health, and educational relevance in Nigeria, over the years.

Al-Hafiz Yunus Omotayo is a Missionary of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at of Nigeria and Correspondent of The Truth Newspaper. E-mail: al-hafiz@thetruth.ng