Let’s Learn

Hazrat Zanaib (ra)

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Hazrat Zainab (ra) was the eldest daughter of The Holy Prophet (sa) and Hazrat Khadijah (ra). Her mother Hazrat Khadijah (ra) was a very intelligent woman who educated Zainab (ra) with a lot of care. Hazrat Zainab(ra) was married at an early age due to Arab customs, the marriage was to her cousin Hazrat Abul-as Bin Rabi (ra).

At the time when Hazrat Zainab (ra) was born girls were treated poorly they were often buried alive and if allowed to live they were not handled with care or respect, they were denied love, affection, and simple human rights. Our beloved Holy Prophet (sa) bought a new light on the world teaching them that daughters should be adored and appreciated. He said anyone who brought up two daughters with such love and kindness will be close to him in paradise. Hazrat Zainab (ra) had two children a son named Ali and a daughter named Ummah.

Hazrat Zainab (ra) did not question her father’s prophethood but quickly accepted it with no doubt, she said “how can I reject my father who is Sadiq(truthful) and amin (trustworthy)”.

Hazrat Zainab (ra) lived little over a year after her husband accepted Islam. Hazrat Zainab (ra)  was 57 years old when she passed away.

All this information is only a small bit out of the book Hazrat Zainab (ra) that was translated by the children’s book team and was published in 2014. This book was originally written in Urdu to provide children with basic knowledge and understandings.

Written by Zahraa Malik Redbridge South Jama’at.

Rosa Parks

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Mid-20th century America was a time filled with racial injustice and prejudice- it was also the time where civil rights began and revolutionized the treatment of those of colour. Rosa Park was a huge asset in the civil rights movement due to her confidence and strength against those who oppressed her. 

Her childhood

Rosa Parks (Birth name: Rosa Louise McCauley) was born on the 4th of February 1914 in Tuskegee, Alabama. At the age of 2, she moved with her parents to live with her Grandparents. Sylvester, her younger brother was born a year later, shortly after his birth her parents separated. When she was 11, she moved to Montgomery, Alabama. She attended school there, a laboratory school at the Alabama State Teachers’ College (for Black People). Due to her Grandmother’s deteriorating health, she had to leave high school early (at age 16). Her mother developed a chronic illness around the same time. She then married Raymond Parks, who was a member of the National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People- NAACP. Rose then went to earn her high school diploma the following year. 

What was life like for a person of colour in the 19th century?

Prejudice and racism plagued every aspect of life, despite the claim of freedom stamped onto black people’s lives. A key factor of this was the “Jim Crow” laws, which emphasized the acceptance and normalization of segregation between white people and black people. Segregations were everywhere- in the bus, train stations, water fountains, cemeteries, elevators, building entrances even the restroom. This mistreatment spread all over America and fuelled racist behaviour. Constant belittling and injustice lead to the Civil Rights movement from 1954- 1968. 

Rosa Parks sits on a Bus

Around December 1943, Rosa Parks became a member of the Montgomery chapter of the NAACP, she worked as a chapter secretary. This was one of her first actions to helps the Civil rights movement. Around 12 years later, on December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks comes back from a tiring day of work. Rosa decided to go on a municipal bus back home, the bus had been arranged to belittle those from the black community. The bus was set up so that the front of the bus was reserved for white people and the seats behind them for black citizens. Despite this, the law itself gave no one, not even the bus driver permission to force someone out of the seat even if there was no other seat available. Nevertheless, when a white man boarded the bus and the seats had filled, the driver removed 4 seats from the coloured row. Three people stood up; Rosa was not one of them.

When reflecting on the incident in her autobiography: My Story (1992) Rosa explained;

‘People always say that I didn’t give up my seat because I was tired, but that isn’t true. I was not tired physically… No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.’

After some time, two police officers approach the stopped bus and placed Rosa in custody. Rosa was released later that evening. Her trial was held on December 5, she was found guilty of violating segregation laws, and therefore given a suspended sentence and fined $14 around £112 today.

No one sits on the bus

On the day of Rosa’s trial, it had been planned to start the infamous Montgomery bus boycott. 35,000 had been given out the night of the trial and the turnout was exceptional, no one got on the bus. The boycott itself lasted 351 days during the boycott, appeals and related lawsuits found their way to the courts, all the way to the US Supreme Court.

The Boycotts angered some of the white population who were living in Montgomery at the time, which resulted in violence. Despite this, the boycotters continued strong, and the drama gained the attraction of the national and international press. On November 13, 1956, the Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation was unconstitutional. When the written order arrived at Montgomery ( December 20th ) did the boycott finally end.

Rosa Parks became known as “the mother of the civil rights movement”. 

What happened after the boycott?

Rosa no longer had a job and received harassment and threats consistently. She decided to, along with her mother and husband, move to Detroit where her brother resided. Rosa got a job as an ‘Administrative aide’ in the Detroit office of Congressman John Conyers Jr. Her post lasted until her retirement in 1988. During this time, her husband, brother, and mother all passed away due to cancer. A year before her retirement, she co-founded the Rosa and Raymond Parks Institute for Self- Development, to serve Detroit’s youth- giving them opportunities she never had.

Despite her old age, and the myriad of pain and struggle she had gone through, Rosa never stopped fighting, never stopped aiding the rebellion against the world’s views and thoughts. During the years after her retirement, she travelled to support civil-rights events and causes. She even wrote an autobiography simply titled; Rosa Parks: My story. In 1999, Rosa received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honour the United States bestows on a civilian. On October 24, 2005, Rosa passed away, age 92. Another name was bestowed upon her as she died, the first woman in the nation’s history to lie in honour at the U.S. Capitol. 

Why was/is/will Rosa Parks be inspirational?

Rosa Parks was a remarkable woman who fought for her rights, and the rights of others until the moment she passed on. A person who did something so irrelevant from a distance drastically changed the treatment of people everywhere. She was so much more than a symbol of civil rights, she was the living embodiment for everything humans should stand for strength, belief, determination. We can only hope to remember her for the extraordinary woman she was;

“I would like to be remembered as a person who wanted to be free so other people would also be free”- Rosa Parks

Sources:

https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/rosa-parks#section_2

https://www.history.com/topics/early-20th-century-us/jim-crow-laws#section_7

Malala Yousufzai

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Malala Yousufzai, a 23-year-old woman, is known for standing up for the rights of women and their rights to education. She was just 15 years old when her life had changed forever, just by one bullet.

The Taliban, people who were against the freedom of girls, ruled Pakistan from 1996 to 2001. Malala was born on 12th July 1997. Her father was a teacher of Khushal School in Pakistan, which was a girls school. However, everything changed when the Taliban took control of their village. In January 2008, Malala had to say goodbye to her classmates, not knowing if she would ever meet them again. The Taliban had banned many things like listening to music or girls going to school but Malala believed that girls should also be allowed to go to school so she had spoken publicly on behalf of all the girls and showed that they had a right to education. However, that action had made her a target.

In October 2012, Malala was on her way home from school when a masked man carrying a gun had entered the school bus. He has asked the students who was Malala? But no one said anything. He told them to speak up otherwise he would shoot them all. Instead, the students looked her way, making it obvious and easier for the masked man, presumably a Taliban. He pointed his gun towards her and shot her three times, one on the left side of her head, and two other girls had been shot but were stable enough. Malala, who was in critical condition being shot in the head, was carried to a military hospital in Peshawar. On 15th October, Malala was finally moved to the UK for further treatment.

She was treated in Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital and was in coma for 3 days before she woke up. The first thing she said was asking where her father was. She had some surgeries for her face. In December 2014, she became the youngest person to ever be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. She had decided to live her life in the UK. Now she still stands up for the education of girls and has helped many who do not have the opportunity to go to school.

Written by Amtul Basit Sehar

Halqa: Birmingham Central

The Holy Prophet (sa) Fountain of Forgiveness

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In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful.

It is said that forgiveness is the fragrance that flowers give when they are crushed.

In an example given by the Promised Messiah (as), to explain why the Prophet of Allah ﷺ had to endure so much suffering in his life, he reasoned that the only way to understand true value is through comparison.

He gave the example of a flower’s true beauty and tenderness, which becomes more pronounced when it stands against the thorns. In essence, this is why the Holy Prophet’s life was full of thorns, sometimes very literally, because his enemies would spread sharp thorns in front of his house, hoping to pierce the skin of his feet as he walked to prayer. But the Holy Prophet ﷺ was enabled by God to endure all the assaults with magnificent patience and forgiveness.

Each trial was an opportunity to demonstrate many of Allah’s attributes. The Holy Prophet ﷺ personifies Allah’s attribute of, ‘Al-Ghafoor’ the Most Forgiving, in various events in his life proving that he, indeed is, ‘Ya Sin’1: The perfect man, and indeed he is a fountain of forgiveness.

The Lady Who Used To Throw Trash:

A famous incident in our beloved Holy Prophet’s ﷺ life was when there was an older woman who had made a habit of throwing waste on the Holy Prophet ﷺ whenever he passed by her house. The story about this incident tells of a neighbour of the Prophet ﷺ that tried her best to irritate him by throwing rubbish on him every day. The waste was not old paper or plastic, she threw decade food and animal body parts, she saved this nasty rubbish all day, every day, just to throw it on the Holy Prophet ﷺ when he walked by her window.

She was so consistent in her actions that the Holy Prophet ﷺ noticed when she missed a few days, and when he asked about her and found out that she was sick, he went to visit her and offered her any assistance she might need. He took care of her and was gentle and loving, and served her water. After first witnessing his patience and now his total and complete forgiveness, this woman’s heart humbled, and she accepted Islam at the Prophet’s hands.

What led this woman to have such a dedication in her hatred for the Holy Prophet ﷺ?

She had been influenced by people who told her lies about the Holy Prophet ﷺ. Of course, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ naturally understood how susceptible humans are to propaganda.

The Holy Prophet’s ﷺ example of forgiveness is as relevant today as it was at the time of the Prophet ﷺ because this happens at the age of every Prophet. And today, society is exposed to similar propaganda daily. Whenever we look at our phones, we see the mainstream media creating fear of Muslims and confusion about Islam. When people act out in fear built on confusion and ignorance, most of them have no idea what they are doing. This is why the example of our Holy Prophet’s forgiveness is essential regardless of any era.

Not only did he forgive his enemies, but he also prayed for them reluctantly asking Allah to forgive them as well.

‘And it is by the great mercy of Allah that thou art kind towards them, and if thou hadst been rough and hard-hearted, they would surely have dispersed from around thee. So pardon them and ask forgiveness for them…’ [Holy Qur’an 3:160]2

Kindness to Women:

Hazrat Ayesha (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet ﷺ would never be harsh with his wives and never raise a hand to them, contrary to the unforgiving behaviour of the pre-Islamic Arabs. She further relates that Prophet ﷺ never returned evil for evil and never held anyone’s past against them. Instead, he would forgive and pardon at every occasion.

He even forgave Habor, the man who attacked his daughter, Hazrat Zaynab (ra), causing her to lose her unborn child. Then there is Hind, the woman who cut organs out of his beloved uncle, Hazrat Hamzah (ra), so that she could chew on them in her insane rage. The Holy Prophet ﷺ forgave her too and prayed for her.

Forgiving the Enemy:

Imagine confronting the man responsible for the deaths of your wife, your daughter, your favourite uncle, or your friends. Would you meet them with anger? Would you be able to forgive them the same way Prophet Muhammad ﷺ did?

Most of us are familiar with what happened when Prophet Muhammad ﷺ returned to Makkah victorious and confronted his enemies after years in exile. The world witnessed the single most generous act of forgiveness in recorded history. To those Makkans who had sworn to destroy Islam, the Holy Prophet ﷺ stated, ‘No blame shall lie on you this day. May Allah forgive you.’

Even though they torched him, poisoned him, mocked him, had thrown waste and filth on him and lay thorns all around his house, they received nothing but love, comfort, and forgiveness from the noble Prophet of Allah ﷺ.

‘And good and evil are not alike. Repel evil with that which is best. And lo, he between whom and thyself was enmity will become as though he were a warm friend.’ [Holy Qur’an 41:35]3

References:

[0] https://youtu.be/pDWdj0B3UiY Maaz Bajwa, reference

[1] ‘Ya Sin.’ [Holy Quran 36:2]

[2] [Quran 3:160]

[3] [Quran 41:35]

The Holy Prophet (sa) liberator for women

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Allah has promised to believers, men and women, Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they will abide, and delightful dwelling places in Gardens of Eternity. And the pleasure of Allah is the greatest of all. That is the supreme triumph.

(Chapter 9, verse 72)

In Chapter 9 verse 72 of the Holy Qur’an, Allah explains that both women and men have equal spiritual status. The first time these words were heard was 1500 years ago in Arabia where women were second class citizens. Now, suddenly, eternal paradise was promised to women, as equals to men. And who brought this message to the world? It was the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) the liberator of women.

What does this mean for us today?

For ladies, instead of buying the bread and milk on the shopping list, they may decide to buy the pair of shoes they had had their eye on in the shop window.

Secondary school students may enjoy a certain subject that they wish to choose for their GCSE’s.

Younger Nasirat may enjoy spending time with their friends, enjoying their childhood before they take on the big responsibilities of adulthood.

We thank Allah for the little things in our lives, which are normal for us to experience and enjoy. But not all women had these opportunities. Because before the time of the Holy Prophet (sa) a woman’s life was not a life you would want to live. Imagine it like this: 

Ladies would not have been able to buy those shoes because their husband would have used their money.

Students would not have been able to go to school as an education was not something to be ‘wasted’ on girls. They would have been treated as a slave as this was seen as their job.

Nasirat may not be alive to enjoy any kind of childhood because some Arabs killed baby girls.

This was until Allah sent the Holy Prophet (saw) to reverse these harmful and unfair customs and grant women respect. But with rights and freedoms also comes responsibilities. The Liberator of women, our beloved Prophet (saw) wanted us to be righteous, so that we can earn the paradise promised to us.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated at the National Ijtema in 2009:

“The Holy Prophet (saw) gave a most beautiful explanation of the status of women. He said that the world is a provision for this life , that is, the world is a means for this life; and there is no better provision in the world, than a virtuous woman”. 

 

By Mariam Orchard

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)

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Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra)

This is one of a series of books aimed at educating the younger children about prominent figures in Islam. In this particular book, you will learn about the closest friend of our Beloved Master the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and the first Khalifa of Islam. You will be taken on a journey back in time to help you understand the type of society the Holy Prophet (sa) lived in and the powerful contribution that his beloved friend made to Islam. Discover how he helped our Beloved Prophet (sa) bring the light of faith to the world.

His steadfastness after the demise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) kept the Muslims united at a time of the greatest threat to Islam and set them on the path of success. All Muslims owe a debt of gratitude to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) for his life-long devotion and services to Islam, and due to the fact it was through him that Allah established Khilafat in Islam.

The Promised Messiah (as) says, “Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) put on the garment of poverty and humility. He had a deep love for his master, Muhammad Mustafa (sa) and his soul was in complete unison with the soul of the Holy Prophet (sa).”

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) is very highly regarded in the Muslim world as having an exceptional character. This book states many incidents which explore more about his virtuous and courageous nature. His love for the Holy Prophet (sa) was very well-known along with his humility and service to others.

Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was born in the ancient city of Mecca, home to the Ka‘bah (the first house of worship of Allah). Both the Holy Prophet (sa) and Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) belonged to the Quraish tribe. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) was about two-and-a-half to three years younger than the Holy Prophet (sa).

When the Holy Prophet (sa) announced that Allah the Almighty had raised him as a Prophet, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) happened to be away from Mecca. Upon his return, a group of Meccan chiefs came to visit him and told him scornfully that Abu Talib’s nephew had claimed that he was a Prophet. After the chiefs left, Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) went straight to the Holy Prophet (sa) and asked him whether he had claimed to be a Prophet from God. The Holy Prophet (sa) started to explain, but Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) interrupted him and asked once more if he had declared himself to be a Prophet sent by God. The Holy Prophet (sa) responded that, yes, he had. Whereupon Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) immediately said, “Then I bear witness that you are a Messenger from God.”

This book beautifully describes the life of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) touching upon interesting events and incidents that signify his love for Allah and his devotion towards his faith. There were many occasions where his faith was put to the test however, he maintained steadfast and was able to overcome all hurdles especially ones which Muslims faced at the beginning of Islam.

This book is highly recommended for a read in order to get some faithful inspiration and it encourages one to evaluate our actions to ensure a life of being righteous Muslims and follow the path followed by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) and the other companions of the Holy Prophet (sa).

 

Man of God

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Review by: Aalia and Aafia Mazhar, Birmingham South

Book Title: A Man of God

Author: Ian Adamson

Summary:

This book is about Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (ra), the fourth Khalifa of the Promised Messiah (as).  The book talks of his childhood as well as his Khilafat. We learned of his hobbies, such as writing poetry and playing kabaddi, a traditional game played in Pakistan. It includes many great incidences from his life including the guidance he was given by his father, Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-deen Mahmood Ahmad (Hazrat Musl-e-Maud (ra)). It has amazing moral stories that can be a lesson for us all. This book includes funny stories, but also those that tell us of the difficulties that were faced by  Huzoor (ra)  and the Jamaat at the time of the partition and afterwards.

One of my favourite part is, after migration to the newly-made Pakistan: once Huzoor (rh) started to settle in Rabwah, Huzoor (rh) recited a dramatic poem to keep up the spirits of the members of the community. Hazrat Musleh-Maud (ra) listened to it and said ”That’s the kind of poem we need at a time like this. I wonder who it is reciting this poem. ”He didn’t recognise that this was his son, and when one of his wives told him who it was, he made a noise in his throat and went away. Hazrat Musl-e-Maud (ra) was known to keep his emotions in control for all of his children.

Recommendations:

I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading biographies and learning about the difficulties and amazing progress of the Jamaat that led it to be what it is today.

Our God

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Our God

‘Our God’ is an English translation of ‘Hamara Khuda’. It is an excellent Book written by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), which highlights outstanding and supreme points, concerning the belief in God. It also proclaims comprehensive explanations of how reason, science and human nature itself are all evident to the Existence of God. This book awakens one’s spirituality and makes one question their personal belief and connection with God. Furthermore, ‘Our God’ refutes several arguments that are put forward by atheists or people with frail faith and belief in the existence of God.

The author asks those who already believe in God to reflect: Whether or not they actually feel the love of God in their hearts and fear His displeasure and whether, in all matters they put their utmost trust in God and not in the material means?

Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) further deals with advantages of belief in God; it manifests about unity, discourages evil, encourages to do good, helps to understand the nature of things and talks about true satisfaction and contentment once one starts believing in the true teachings of God the Almighty.

I would highly recommend this book to those people who are determined in reflecting and testing their belief in God and also to those who are or would like to do tabligh, as this book answers all the questions and makes a compelling argument related to the existence of a Supreme Divine Being. This book can have an impact on someone’s life or can even change someone as a whole! Huzoor – e –Anwar (aba) has also emphasised and encouraged Ahmadis, especially Waqf e Nau to read Books that increase their knowledge and allows them to understand their God and religion more, so that they can preach the astounding teachings of Islam and Ahmadiyyat to the World.

I would urge everyone to read this book as it allows one to recognise their weaknesses and helps them establish and develop a secure bond and connection with Allah the Almighty.

Aneeqa Ahmad 

Morden Park

 

Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra)

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Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) was a female companion of the Holy Prophet (sa) who was renowned for her un-paralleled bravery in protecting the Holy Prophet (sa) and the name of Islam. Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) was born in Medina, about 40 years before Hijrah (the migration of the Holy Prophet (sa) from Mecca to Medina).  She belonged to a very respectable tribe in Medina called Najjaar, the same tribe to which the Holy Prophet’s (sa) great-grandmother belonged.

Acceptance of Islam

Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) had four children and accepted Islam alongside her husband, three months before Hijrah when a delegation of believers including Hazrat Mus’ab bin Umair (ra)  travelled from Mecca to Medinah and gathered in the valley of Aqabah. She was one of only two females in that group to accept Islam. The Holy Prophet (sa) took bai’at from both women without holding their hands out of modesty and respect – the Holy Prophet (sa) considered a woman’s oral oath sufficient for bai’at.

Hazrat Umme Ummaarah’s (ra) bravery

Three years after Hijrah, the battle of Uhud occurred when an enemy of Islam called Abu Sufyaan approached the city of Medina for war against the Muslims. When women came to know about the war, a group of them including Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) requested permission to join the battle by tending to the wounded soldiers and giving them water.

Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) fought in the battle of Uhud alongside her husband and two sons. She was running between wounded soldiers to give them water when she saw that the Holy Prophet (sa) became surrounded by danger as there were less than 10 men left to protect him. She threw down her water pot and ran to stand in front of the Holy Prophet (sa) to defend him against the enemy. In this difficult moment when the Muslims were overpowered and were closing in on the Holy Prophet (sa), some brave men panicked and ran away, however Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) stood her ground and defended the Holy Prophet (sa). She picked up the shield of one of the men who had run away and defended the enemy’s blows. At one point, she swung her sword with such force at the feet of a horse that both the horse and the rider fell to the ground.

During this same battle, Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) saw her son Abdullah (ra) get injured. She put a bandage on her son’s wound and said “Son! Go fight till your last breath!” When the Holy Prophet (sa) witnessed her sacrifice, he said “O Umme Ummaaraah! No one has the strength you possess!” The same attacker who had injured her son returned and Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) launched her sword at the attacker with such vigour, she cut him into two pieces.

At another moment in the battle, the enemies of Islam started throwing stones at the Holy Prophet (sa), which broke his teeth and pierced his armour. As Muslim soldiers became distracted tending to the injured Holy Prophet (sa), an enemy of Islam swung his sword at the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) was standing close by and took the attack, ensuring the Holy Prophet (sa) was not reached. This resulted in a deep wound in her shoulder.

At the end of the Battle of Uhud, Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) had wounds in twelve places and was bleeding heavily. The Holy Prophet (sa) supervised to ensure she was bandaged properly and did not return home until he was informed that Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) was doing well. At the end of the battle, the Holy Prophet (sa) listed the names of many brave Muslim men and then said: “By God! Today Umme Ummaarah (ra) has preceded all those men in courage!” The Holy Prophet (sa) used to say, “On the day of Uhud, wherever I looked, I saw Umme Ummaarah (ra) fighting.”

Conclusion

Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) fought in all the battles in the lifetime of the Holy Prophet (sa). After his death she took part in the battle of Yamama against a false claimant of prophethood. Hazrat Umme Ummaarah (ra) is thought to have passed away during the Caliphate of Hazrat Umar (ra).

May Allah increase Hazrat Umme Ummaarah’s (ra) status in Heaven as she increased the status of Muslim women by displaying immense courage in battle. May we all have the courage to defend the name of Islam in the same selfless, fearless manner. Ameen

By Mashel Maliha Chaudhry

The Holy Prophet’s (SA) Kindness to Children

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“And we have sent thee not but as a mercy for all peoples”

(The Holy Quran 21:108)

The Holy Prophet (sa) was sent by Allah the Almighty as a mercy to all mankind. Children were no exception. He taught parents to respect their children and to pray for them.

“Respect your children and cultivate (raise, care) in them the best of manners.” (Ibn Mājah)

He taught Muslims to treat their children equally and with justice. At the time of the Holy Prophet (sa) the Arabs would kill their daughters, sometimes burying them alive at birth because they thought they were a source of disgrace. This was because women at that time had no rights and were treated as if they were nothing more than slaves. The Holy Prophet (sa) abolished this cruel custom and gave women rights of inheritance which was unheard of.

“Anyone who has a daughter, does not bury her alive, does not humiliate her or give preference to the son over her, God Almighty will enter him in paradise.” This clearly shows how the Holy Prophet (sa) laid great value upon girls.

Regarding orphans, the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed his followers to look after the needs of orphans. He is reported to have said,

“Anyone who looks after the needs of an orphan and brings him or her up in the best possible manner, will be together in heaven like two fingers of a hand”.

 

TRAINING CHILDREN WITH KINDNESS

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) set excellent examples for training children. Huzoor (sa) trained them in such a way so they would flourish in God’s love as this would make them independent of everything except God. He always trained them with love and by offering prayers for them. He used to pray for them in the words, “O Allah, I love these children, so You love them too.”

He showed extreme consideration towards mothers and young children and would even shorten his prayer if he heard a child cry.

 

KEEP YOUR PROMISES

Once the Holy Prophet (saw) went to the house of one of his Companions. The woman of the house called her son, who was playing outside, in order to present him before the Holy Prophet (sa) to seek his blessings. She said ‘Come here, I will give you something to eat.’ (in order for her child to come and listen to her.) The Holy Prophet (saw) enquired, ‘what are you promising to give him?’ She replied, ‘A dried date.’ The Holy Prophet (sa) remarked, ‘If you promise something to a child and you do not keep your promise, you commit the same sin as the one who tells a lie.” This teaches how important it is for parents to always keep their  promises to children as they’ll also do so in future.

 

AFFECTION FOR HIS OWN CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN

Hazrat Anas bin Malik(ra) said that he had not seen anyone more loving and affectionate towards children than the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) Once Huzoor (saw) was kissing his children with love, a Bedouin chief was watching and remarked on this saying, “I have ten children but I have never kissed them.” The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) said with sadness, “If God has deprived your heart of love, there is nothing I can do about that.”

It is related that very often when he was riding a horse or a camel, he would carry his grandson on the horse either on his back or his front and sometimes upon his shoulders. Very often the Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) would see Hasan, his grandson, seated on his right thigh while Usama, the son of his freed slave Hazrat Zaid (ra), seated on his left thigh. He would embrace both of them lovingly and pray, ‘O Lord! Shower Thy Mercy and Grace, on both of them.’

Hazrat Abu Qatadah (ra) relates that once “We were waiting for Salat. The Holy Prophet (sa) appeared with his granddaughter, Umama on his shoulder. Umama stayed on Huzoor’s (sa) shoulder. He started the Salat and we followed him. When Huzoor (sa) prostrated, he put Umama down and when he stood, he carried her again.

Hazrat Ya‘la ‘Amari (ra) relates, “I was accompanying the Holy Prophet (sa) to a feast, when we saw young Husain who was the Holy Prophet’s grandson, playing with other children. Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) engaged in playing with him and tried to catch him. Husain started to run around. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) made him laugh and in the end caught him. He then placed his one hand at the back of his head the other hand under his chin and by bringing his face near to his own, started to kiss him. He said, “Husain is from me and I am from Husain whosoever loves Husain, Allah will love him. Husain is our progeny.”

 

LOVE FOR THE CHILDREN OF COMPANIONS

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) when visiting the homes of the Ansar, would caress their children and pray for them. When a child was born he would give them a bit of a date as blessing.

Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Harithra (ra) relates; “The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) used to make Hazrat ‘Abbas’s (ra) children, ‘Abdullah and ‘Ubaidullah and other children stand in a row and would tell them to race towards him. He told them that whoever raced to him first would get a reward. The children would race towards him and if one climbed up on his back the other would be riding on his chest. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) would kiss them and embrace them.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) used to say humorous things to children and kept them close to himself. Once he visited his attendant, Anas’s house. He enquired from his younger brother as to why he was so sad. Huzoor (sa) was told that his pet starling had died. Later on whenever Huzoor (sa) visited his house, he would lovingly tease him saying, “O Abu ‘Umair, tell me about your starling.” Imagine how the child must have enjoyed talking about his pet with the holy Prophet (sa) by feeling the importance that was given to him.

Children loved his company. Seeing him in the street the children would come to him jumping with joy. He would pick them up one by one, cuddle them, kiss them and pray for them. Sometimes it so happened that a mother handed him over her baby to seek his blessing. Once while he was holding a baby in his arms, the baby wetted. The Holy Prophet (sa) did not mind. Instead he immediately got his clothes washed.

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) relates, “Whenever a new fruit of the season was brought to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) he would pray for blessings from the fruit and would then offer the fruit to the youngest child present in that gathering.

 

LOVE FOR THE CHILDREN OF MARTYRS.

Hazrat Ja‘far (ra) was martyred in the battle of Mu’tah. His wife Asma relates, “The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) visited our house and asked for our children to be brought to him. He embraced them and cuddled them. His eyes were brimming with tears. Asma enquired ‘Why are you crying. Is there any news about Ja‘far’? He replied, “Yes, he has been martyred in the way of Allah”.

Huzoor (sa) particularly had felt great love and concern for orphans. This shows how much the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) cared and loved children. He was a model for mankind in order that we follow his actions by cherishing all children whether they be their own or not.

Allah humma Salle Ala Muhammadin wa Aalay Muhammad

References

https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Muhammad-The-Perfect-Man.pdf

https://www.alislam.org/library/books/KindnessToChildren.pdf

https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Forty_Gems_of_Beauty.pdf

Examples of Financial sacrifice by young Ahmadis

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Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) often mentions the financial sacrifice made by young Ahmadis towards the blessed schemes of Tehrike Jadid and Waqfe Jadid.

We have set out below extracts of some of Huzur (aba)’s sermons where these sacrifices are mentioned.

 

6th November 2020

Huzoor (aba) narrated the story of a young girl from India. She was an eight year old girl, who would take spare change from her father every day and collect it in her money box. Upon learning about financial sacrifice, she presented her money box which had a total of more than eight hundred rupees which she had gathered over many months. Huzoor (aba) commented that even children present such sincere sacrifices.

 

8th November 2019

Huzoor (aba) gave the magnificent examples of two pre-teen children, who took jobs to raise funds for Chanda. One of them went to the woods to collect firewood. This sort of sacrifice in which one has to work or go to the jungle to collect wood and then sell it, is a concept which the children here are unable to relate to as the conditions here are better. Undoubtedly there are excellent examples of sacrifice here as well; there are some children who gave their entire pocket money or that they were saving money to buy something, but instead they gave away that amount. Nonetheless, we find examples of sincerity and loyalty everywhere, each sacrificing according to their own situations. May Allah the Almighty continue to increase them in their sincerity and loyalty.

9th November 2018

A missionary in Ivory Coast writes that he went to a place to collect Tahrik-e-Jadid, where there was a community of new converts. Only a year ago they took the Bai’at and became a part of the Jama’at. He says, “I delivered a speech to these people with regards to the importance of Tahrik-e-Jadid and its purpose. I further explained that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that all members should participate and partake of this blessing. The following day, after the morning-prayer some members of the community began donating according to their own means and the Imam of the mosque participated in this, also paying on behalf of his family towards Tehrik-e-Jadid. Later on, his 6 year-old son brought 100 CFA Francs from his father saying this was his contribution.” He further says, “We were delighted by the extent of this young child’s desire to make financial sacrifices.”

A missionary in the Ivory Coast writes: “There was a tifl in the city San-Pedro who was 14 years old. The boy’s father says that he asked him to perform an errand for the house on a Sunday, to which his son replied that he is finance secretary in the Atfal Amila and he collects Chanda from other people, however he has been unable to pay his own Chanda. Since he has to attend school on the other days, on that day he intended to go and work on a farm, and through this labour he would be able to earn some money and pay his Chanda. His father said that he would pay the money on his behalf, however the son replied that the Missionary had said that children should pay the Chanda from their pocket money. Since he was unable to give any Chanda from his pocket money, he was adamant that he would go and earn some money to pay for the Chanda. He completed his work and gave the money he earnt as part of Chanda.”

Thus is the thinking of children, living in distant places and of those who have recently joined the community – this is something only God Almighty can instil in a person.

 

3rd November 2017

The missionary of Nakuru, Kenya writes that the current President of the community, Abu Bakr Kibi Sahib who is a very sincere Ahmadi and serves as a Sergeant in the Kenya Defence Forces, despite living far from the mosque in cantonment area, he always travels a long journey to attend the Friday prayers and brings his three daughters with him. A few days ago after the Friday prayers he told the missionary that my daughters also listen to this sermon and during the month a guest visited his house. When leaving they gave twenty-five Shillings in the hand of my youngest daughter who was five years old at the time. When the guest had gone this girl approached her father and whilst handing over twenty Shillings said give this for Tahrik-e-Jadid from myself and the remaining five Shillings I shall spend on something to eat.

Thus, such examples of sacrifices can only be the hallmark of an Ahmadi, both young and old and living anywhere in the world. The sacrifices offered by children is in fact a resonance of their pious nature. May God Almighty enable the Jama’at to continue producing such children and elders who are instilled with the passion and zeal to offer sacrifices for the sake of God Almighty and they continue to fulfil their pledges that they have made.

 

4th January 2019

The finance secretary from India writes, “A refresher course was held in the Karnataka province which I attended along with the Naib Nazim Mal [assistant finance secretary] and Waqf-e-Jadid secretary. There, the Naib Nazim Mal mentioned in the house of a local Muallim that there were severe rains in Kerala causing terrible destruction, and for this reason there had been difficulty in receiving the donations for Waqf-e-Jadid in that area.” As he was leaving the house, the Naib Nazim Mal gifted 100 rupees to each of the children of the Muallim. He says, “Later on I returned to that Jamaat on tour and the children of the Muallim donated the 100 rupees towards Waqf-e-Jadid which was gifted to them saying that due to the flood, the situation in Kerala was not so good, therefore they desired that they accept the Chanda from them.” Despite their young age, they had understood the significance of giving Chanda.

 

References

https://www.reviewofreligions.org/26211/friday-sermon-summary-6th-november-2020-new-year-of-tahrik-e-jadid-important-message-for-ahmadis-the-world/

https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2019-11-08.html

https://www.khalifatulmasih.org/friday-sermon/2018/11/09/english-financial-sacrifice-tehrike-jadid-2018/

https://www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2017-11-03.html

https://www.alhakam.org/financial-sacrifice-waqf-e-jadid-2019/

Ruby’s Kindness

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It was another miserable and sad day. Ash woke up once again dreading to go to school, she hated being judged and stared at for her disability. After finally sulking, she decided to get ready. Walking to school was always the worst, all the snickering and backbiting purposely made to make her feel horrible. She really wished she could tell her parents, but she didn’t want to worry them. No one was there for Ash and she could tell that people felt embarrassed to be around someone with a disability. Whenever, she was partnered up with someone for projects, they treated her like dirt. She didn’t blame them though. She would love  to blend in and not be the odd one out. However,  she was the odd one out and there was nothing she could do to change it.

 

Sitting in the last lesson of the day, Ash felt overjoyed that no one had bothered her that day . Not  one single person! It was a miracle. Counting down the seconds 5,4,3,2,1.. the school bell rang. ” Don’t forget to take your books!” the teacher yelled, as all the students dashed out of class. ” Have a good day miss” I said.

 

It was still shocking to Ash that no one had said anything to her. Maybe they were starting to get used to her? Maybe she was starting to blend in! With a spring in her step, Ash stepped out of the school gates only to hear a group of girls calling her horrible name’s. She couldn’t hold back her tears, they streamed down her face. She felt her cheeks burn red. Ash longed to be normal. She was startled to feel a comforting hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see Ruby; one of the popular girls who had never once spoken to Ash. . Ruby felt disgusted at her friends behaviour. She had always felt so sorry for Ash but was scared of being made fun  of if she supported her. Ruby’s friends saw her comforting Ash and realised their mistake. They apologised to Ash and they all became good friends. Ash felt tears filling her eyes again, but this time they were  tears of happiness and went to hug Ruby so tight.

 

After this, Ruby and her friends became inseparable from Ash. They all realised that it was so wrong to make fun of someone. We should embrace each other’s differences and wish the best for everyone. Ash had never felt so eager to start her school day, as soon as she entered the gates she was greeted with a warm embrace by her friends. This is all she ever wanted, all she ever wanted were friends who she could rely on and feel safe with.

 

By Ghazala Bajwa (Cheam Jamaat)

The Girl Who Was Lazy In her Prayers

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Once, there was a girl named Maariya who didn’t like to say her prayers. All she wanted to do was play on her iPad.

“Maariya wake up for your prayers, I won’t say it again,” demanded her mum.

“Noooo, I hardly had any sleep last night,” she moaned.

“Maariya, did you offer prayers when you woke up?”

“Yes Ami.”

“Good girl.”

But Maariya didn’t offer her prayers. She was not telling the truth.

The next morning, while on her iPad, Maariya found something that she really wanted: the trainers of her dreams! She couldn’t contain her excitement and begged her parents to get them for her. Her mum told her that if you are genuine in your prayers and ask Allah for them, He won’t turn you away empty handed. Maariya realised that she wasn’t saying her prayers and was not telling the truth about it. She sat down with her mum on the sofa and told her the truth.

“Maariya saying your prayers is important because Allah can protect us from evil, provide us with what we need and help us whenever we need Him”, explained Maariya’s mum. “You obtain great benefit from prayers and build a great connection and relationship with Allah the Almighty. Once you have Him as your friend then you have everything and nothing to fear”.

Maariya was determined to change her ways after talking with her mum and decided to not only start saying her prayers regularly but also sincerely too.

It was only a short while later that Maariya got her trainers. She was so happy! She knew Allah had rewarded her as she had started being more honest about her prayers. Moreover, she had discovered that prayers were the formula for success!  Maariya always sought forgiveness from Allah for all her mistakes and never missed a prayer again.

 

Written by, Zaina Ahmad (Worcester Park Jamaat)

Hazrat Ismail (as) – Part 1

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After the birth of Hazrat Ismail (as), God desired to test his father by means of a difficult trial. Allah said: “Ibrahim! Take the child and his mother to the bleak and barren desert of Arabia and leave them there.” The child had been born after great longing and prayer. Abandoning him in such desolate place would surely mean his painful death. Hazrat Hajra (as) had been brought up in a palace surrounded by riches. To abandon her in the isolated wilderness would also mean to condemn her to death within days.

 

Hazrat Ibrahim (as) knew these dangers, but his devotion to God was stronger than his love for his wife and son.  With minimal water and a few dates, Hazrat Ibrahim (as) left them in this land. He put his complete trust in God and prayed:

‘Our Lord, I have settled some of my children in an uncultivable valley near Thy Sacred House — our Lord — that they may observe Prayer. So make men’s hearts incline towards them and provide them with fruits, that they may be thankful. (Surah Ibrahim verse 38)

‘Our Lord, certainly, Thou knowest what we conceal and what we make known. And nothing whatsoever is hidden from Allah, whether in the earth or in the heaven. (Surah Ibrahim verse 39)

Hazrat Hajra (as) followed with her innocent child clasped to her bosom. When this small group arrived in the desolate valley where the city of Makkah is situated today, Hazrat  Ibrahim (as) stopped. He placed the small leather bag of water upon the ground and handed over the bag of dates to his wife. When Hazrat Hajra saw him leave, she ran after him and asked him: “Are you leaving us here?”. He did not answer. Then she asked him again saying: “Are you leaving us here by the command of God?”. Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was unable to speak and just pointed towards the sky. She understood this and said: “Then God will not waste us”, and returned to the baby.

 

After the departure of her husband, Hazrat Hajra (as) began to wonder how she would survive with a little child in a place like that. There was no tree visible, nor any other form of shelter. She had no means of protecting her son from the heat of the blazing sun. She had to put Hazrat Ismail (as), on the stony ground.

 

When the water in the small leather bag ran out, the little child became agitated due to thirst. The mother’s heart was torn to pieces and she looked around in desperation for water. In her state of anxiety, she climbed the hill in front of her, hoping to perhaps find a spring of water, but it was useless. She came down and climbed another hill opposite the first one to look for water but here too, she met with failure. Then she thought to herself that maybe the child had passed away and ran down the hill to check on him. The child was still alive but had grown weaker. She thought to herself: Let me climb the hill one more time- maybe I’ll find some sign of water. She climbed the hill a second time and looked far and wide but did not find any water.  Heartbroken, she came down and ran up the second hill one more time. In this way she made seven circuits of the two hills, which are named Safa and Marwah. She would come back each time to check on her precious child and then climb the hill yet again in great anxiety.

 

Certain incidents seem ordinary at first, but they often have a magnificent impact later on. The running of Hazrat Hajra (as) for instance between the two hills became an unparalleled event in history. To this day, when Muslims gather in Makkah for the observance of Hajj, they run between the hills of Safa and Marwah in memory of this incident.

 

Later in history, our Holy Master (sa) climbed these historical mountains and made the first proclamation of prophethood.

 

When Hazrat Hajra (as) returned for the seventh time, she saw that the ground was moist at the place where the child was striking his heels.  She moved forward quickly and began to scrape the earth. Her joy knew no bounds when water began coming out. As she continued dig deeper, the flow of water increased until it began flowing freely. The disappointed mother’s heart began to burst with joy! Quickly, she lifted the child and gave him a drink by taking the water in the palm of her hand. The child was thus revived, and he opened his eyes. Hazrat Hajra (as) was overjoyed upon seeing this and immediately fell down into prostration before God who, with His divine power, had caused a spring to come out of the rocky land. The water was still flowing and increasing in its quantity. Seeing this, she quickly collected stones and formed a raised boundary around the spring to save the water.

 

The water soon reached up to the edge of the stones and a sort of reservoir basin was formed. There was always a shortage of water in Arabia. Various tribes used to wander this way and that, carrying their camps with them. They would settle down wherever they found water and when the water dried out, they would move on in search of another spring. Soon, a tribe called Jurhum passed through this area. They were surprised to see a woman and a child living alone in that desolate valley. They asked Hazrat Hajra (as): “Who are you and where have you come from?”. On hearing her story they said to her that: “If you allow us, we will settle down in the area around the spring. In this way we’ll get water and you will not have to live alone.”

 

Hazrat Hajra (as)was amazed at the miraculous plan of God. She told the tribe that they could settle next to the spring. In exchange for water she asked them to take care of food supplies for herself and her child. She also asked them to accept her son as their chief when he grew up.

 

The people of the tribe accepted both these conditions and settled there. this is how the foundation of Makkah was laid, the city where The Holy Prophet (saw) was born. It is the religious centre of all Muslims today. Millions of Muslims travel to Makka every year to perform Hajj. The spring still exists in the form of a well. It is known as Zam Zam.

 

At that time there was no sign of life and no means of sustenance at that place. However God had so designed that this place should become the scene of the activities of God’s last message for mankind. Hazrat Hajra (as) and Hazrat Ismail (as) were chosen as the vehicles for the implementation of this divine plan.

 

Reference:

https://www.alislam.org/holyprophet/Our-Beloved-Master.pdf – A difficult trial

Holy Prophet’s (saw) Kindness to Children

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This book, written by Rashid Ahmad Chaudhry, is about the immense love, kindness and forgiveness that the Holy Prophet (saw) had for children especially. Each small section of the book tells us about all the different ways in which the Holy Prophet (saw) taught the people of Arabia about the correct treatment and upbringing of children.

At the time of the Holy Prophet (saw), the people of Arabia practiced unfair customs and did not abide by a proper system of justice. The book details how the Holy Prophet (saw) changed this and granted proper rights to children too, especially girls and orphans who were most overlooked at that time!

The book narrates different points that the Holy Prophet (saw) taught us. For example, the Holy Prophet (saw) said: ‘One who has no compassion for our young ones and does not recognize the rights of our elders is not of us.”

It is evident from all the different stories about the life of the Holy Prophet (saw) that he led by example in the treatment of children. He was often seen picking them up, cuddling them, kissing them and praying for them!

This short and informative book is a must-read for everybody to remind us just how many favours the Holy Prophet (saw) bestowed upon us. Both children and adults have so much to learn from the life of the Holy Prophet (saw) to ensure we always live in a healthy, happy society!  We should always remember to send salutations to our Holy Prophet (saw) by reciting Durood, if Allah had not bestowed with the Holy Prophet (saw) to guide and teach us the Islamic way of living, we would still be practicing the unfair customs that were the norm in Arabia in the time of the Holy Prophet (saw).

Childhood of the Holy Prophet (SA)

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Think of your childhood. What have been the blessings? Can you remember your first home? Can you remember family times? Some of us have to pass through difficulties yet many of us have care-free childhoods filled with toys, laughter and love. How would you have felt if things had been different?

 

The Holy Prophet (SA) had a very different childhood to many of us. He had to overcome many challenges and changes. First, before he was born, his father had passed away. He was the first child of his parents so had no brothers or sisters to share this loss with. His mother, as was the custom of many families of the time, sent him to live in the countryside with a wet-nurse. It was thought that the countryside had fewer illnesses and a better lifestyle than Makkah, where his respected mother, Hazrat Amina (ra) lived. His wet-nurse was called Hazrat Halima (ra) and she cared lovingly for the young infant until he was summoned back to his hometown.

From the age of two, the Holy Prophet (SA) lived with his mother in Makkah. His family were noblemen from the Quraish tribe and were well known and influential in the city. Sadly, at the age of six, his mother suddenly passed away and the young boy became an orphan with neither mother, father nor siblings. He was taken into the care of his grandfather, Hazrat Abdul Muttalib (ra), a person who had always loved and cared for him since birth. But the young Prophet (SA) was dealt another challenge to face when his grandfather also passed away.

 

So many losses, in such a young life can often shape personalities and develop difficulties but, the Holy Prophet (SA) grew up to be a king, honest and patient person. He was known to be fair in all his dealings and to have impeccable manners. He was taken into the care of his uncle and his wife, but he was not always treated equally to his cousins. Sometimes he was not given the gifts and treats they received yet he never showed anger or frustration. He managed to find a job in a trading company where he was entrusted with goods and money as a result of his honest reputation.

 

Throughout his life, the Holy Prophet (SA) showed love and care to so many people regardless of their status or wealth. He cared for orphans, slaves, widows and divorced people. He was forgiving, generous and polite. He maintained a simple lifestyle and never boasted of riches or power.

 

Such a wonderful example for mankind came from tragedy and loss experiences at an early age. He overcame all his struggles to earn the love and blessings of Allah. He showed respect and care for Hazrat Halima (ra) throughout his life and always treated anyone of her tribe with warmth and love. A real life example for all of us.