2011, II - The Muslim Sunrise

64 Pages·2011·5.99 MB·English

SUMMER •2011
$4.00
“In the latter days, the sun shall rise from the west” • Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be on him)
I Shall Cause Thy Message to
Reach the Corners of the Earth
13 The Muslim 22 The Growth of 38 Muslims for 44 The Rising of
Sunrise: Ahmadiyyat in Peace 1921 to the Sun From the
Ninety Diverse Years America 2011 West
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
T he Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a religious organization,
international in its scope, with branches in 189 countries in
Africa, North America, South America, Asia, Australasia, and Europe.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was established in 1889 by Hadhrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas (1835-1908) in Qadian, a small and remote village in
the Punjabi province of India. He claimed to be the expected reformer of the
latter days, the Awaited One of the world community of religions (The Mahdi
and Messiah). The Movement he started is an embodiment of the benevolent
message of Islam – peace, universal brotherhood, and submission to the
Will of God – in its pristine purity. Hadhrat Ahmadas proclaimed Islam as the
religion of man: “The religion of the people of the right path” (98:6).The
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was created under divine guidance with
the objective to rejuvenate Islamic moral and spiritual values. It encourages
interfaith dialogue, diligently defends Islam and tries to correct
misunderstandings about Islam in the West. It advocates peace, tolerance,
love and understanding among followers of different faiths. It firmly believes
in and acts upon the Qur’anic teaching: “There is no compulsion in religion”
(2:257). It strongly rejects violence and terrorism in any form and for any
reason.
After the passing of its founder, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has
been headed by his elected successors. The present Head of the Community,
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, was elected in 2003. His official title is
Khalifatul Masih V or Fifth Successor of the Promised Messiah..
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908)
Editor
Editor's Notes:
Falahud Din Shams
The Muslim Sunrise is published by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, USA,
15000 Good Hope Road, Silver Spring, MD 20905, Phone [phone], Fax
Editorial Board 301.879.0115, under the auspices of Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar, Ameer and National
President. The views and opinions expressed by individual contributers in this
Imam Mubasher Ahmad publication do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ahmadiyya Muslim
Dr. Shanaz Butt Community, USA.
Hasan Hakeem
The Muslim Sunrise welcomes letters to the editor, questions and submissions. Email
Sardar Anees Ahmad
us at [email protected] or go online to www.MuslimSunrise.com.
Staff Editors Library of Congress Call Number BP195.A5 M8
Maham Khan Mailing Address: The Muslim Sunrise, 2 S 510 Route 53, Glen Ellyn, IL
Atif Mir 60137, Phone: [phone], ext. 206, Fax: [phone].
Naser Shams
Muslims follow the name of God’s prophets with the prayer alaehis salaam or
‘may peace be upon him,’ and for the Holy Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu
Staff Writers alaehi wasallam or ‘may peace and blessings of God be upon him.’ Companions
of prophets and righteous personalities who have passed away are saluted by
Lubna Malik
radhi-Allaho anhu/a or ‘may Allah be pleased with him/her.” While such
Sardar Anees Ahmad salutations sometimes are not set out in the text for readability, we encourage
Dr. Zia H. Shah readers to offer these prayers as if set out in full.
Shazia Sohail
Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (1872-1957) was the first Ahmadiyya Muslim missionary
to arrive in America. In 1921, he founded the Muslim Sunrise, which stands today
as the longest running Muslim publication in America. The magazine seeks to open
Religion & Science Dept.
discussions on Islam and topics relating to religion in general. It highlights the role
Dr. Zia H. Shah of Islam in an ever changing global society. It provides a platform for public
opinion on contemporary issues and presenting their solutions from an Islamic
perspective.
Hasan Hakeem, Design/Layout
Muneeb Ahmad, Website www.muslimsunrise.com
Shuaib Shams, Circulation
2 Muslim Sunrise in America
Muslims who believe in the Messiah,
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, QadianiAS
In This Issue
• •
Summer 2011 Volume 91 Issue 2
Features
7-8 Special Commemorative Messages Departments
13 Ninety Diverse Years
5 In The Words of the Promised Messiahas
19 The Muslim Sunrise, First Issue
6 Editorial
22 Growth of Ahmadiyyat since 1920
10 Friday Sermon-“Intercession”
26 Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra
17 From the Archives 1921
29 Early Years of Islam in America
55 Religion & Science
31 The Editors of The Muslim Sunrise Allah the Protector of Life on Earth
33 The Muslim Sunrise - Historical Editions 46 Book Review
Islam and Ahmadiyya Jama’at:
37 How I Accepted Ahmadiyyat History, Belief, Practice
38 Muslims for Peace 1921 to 2011
48 Poetry Corner
Ablaze
44 Rising of the Sun from the West
52 Fruits of a Sown Seed - Inspiration from 49 News, Views and Reviews
Islam’s Intellectual Invasion
41 Question and Answer
58 The Muslim Sunrise Vision
65 Perspective
61 Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khanra
Following the Faith of Our Forefathers
Summer 2011 3
From the Holy Qur'an
Chapter Ibrahim: 25-28
Dost thou not see how Allah sets forth the similitude of a good word? It is like a good tree, whose
root is firm and whose branches reach into heaven. It brings forth its fruit at all times by the
command of its Lord. And Allah sets forth similitudes for men that they may reflect. And the case of
an evil word is like that of an evil tree, which is uprooted from above the earth and has no stability.
Allah strengthens the believers with the word that is firmly established, both in the present life and
in the Hereafter; and Allah lets the wrongdoers go astray. And Allah does what He wills.
4 Muslim Sunrise in America
In the Words of the Promised Messiahas
mankind. This workshop
“..God has said, He had divided into
“A Warner came into several branches, all
the world but the devoted to the
world accepted him dissemination of truth, the
not. God, however, propagation of Islam. Of
will accept him and these branches one branch
manifest his truth by is concerned with the
mighty signs.” preparation of books, one
of the tasks assigned to
These words proceed not this humble one. To
from the mouth of man. perform this task I have
They are God’s words, been gifted with special
words of the Mighty Lord knowledge. Knowledge
Himself. The mighty which is not within man’s
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (1835-1908)
attacks mentioned in this capacity, which can be
prophecy are near. acquired only by the help
But these attacks are not by physical Imperative it is that this should not happen of God, which comes not of human
weapons, not swords or guns. These are until we have proved our worth by devoted effort but through the Holy Spirit.
spiritual weapons, which will come as hard work, by offering our lifeblood, by Instruction by the Holy Spirit has
help from God. A battle with the Jews of sacrificing our rest and peace, by dissolved our difficulties.
our time will ensure. And who are these accepting all indignities for the dignity of
Jews? They are worshippers of external Islam. The new life of Islam demands a A second branch of this workshop
forms who have acquired complete great Sacrifice from us. What is this is concerned with the publication of
resemblance with the Jews of yore. The Sacrifice? It is our lives: on this Sacrifice leaflets which, also under divine
sword of heaven will cut them up; the depends now the life of Islam, the life of command and for satisfaction and
Jewish ways will be destroyed. All those Mussalmans, the Manifestation of God in
conviction of all concerned, has already
who resemble the Anti-Christ, those our time. Sacrifice is of the essence of
been undertaken; More than 20,000
who love this world overmuch and who Islam. And this is the Islam that God
leaflets on Islamic truths and arguments
have only one eye, having lost the eye for wants to restore. To bring about this
have been published. The process is
spiritual truth, all of them will end by the great transformation, it was necessary
continuing according to need in the
sword of solid unanswerable arguments. that God Himself should establish a
Truth will prevail. A new bright day will workshop, adequate and efficient in all future.
dawn again for Islam. Same as it did respects. So, He the Most Wise, Most
before. The sun of Islam will rise in full Powerful, let this workshop come into (To see the full text go to Al-Islam.org,
bloom, same as it did before. But this will being by sending this humble one to Book: Victory of Islam)
not be at once. undertake this work of reforming
Summer 2011 5
Editorial
N
inety years ago, in July 1921, the Promised Messiah and the holy reformer of the day.
first issue of The Muslim Sunrise Quran is the final sacred law. Buddhaas and Krishnaas
was published. It was a mere 26 of India, Zoroasteras of Persia, Confuciusas of China,
pages of 8 1/2 X 11 paper folded Mosesas of Egypt, Jesusas of Nazareth, all were the holy
in half and stapled in the middle. There were no men and prophets of God. We honor and respect all of
graphics to speak of and most of the borders and them. The blessed prophet Jesus’ tomb is in Cashmere
even the map of the USA was hand drawn. In (India), where he lies buried in peace. The door of
today’s standards, it could possibly be considered revelation and inspiration is never closed. God still
a substandard newsletter. This humble publication speaks to his people. His Hazrat Mahmudra is the
became the longest running American Muslim present leader of the Ahmadia Community, and a
magazine. living example of the godly men. Sadiqra is the
authorized missioner of the Movement to initiate the
From the very first issue, its secret was the powerful followers into the order from all classes and nations.”
message of the Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of
Qadian, India. He had prophesied more than 70 years Ninety years later, the editorial staff of The Muslim
before 1921 that God was going to spread his message to Sunrise is trying to keep this purpose alive. We have
the corners of the earth. He had also expressed his desire to opened the doors to enriching interfaith dialogue and
have publications in the English language to introduce Islam continue to invite the Western people to look into the
to the West. It was his disciple, Dr. Mufti Muhammad beauties of Islam. The sun is rising in the West and people
Sadiqra who came to America and spread his message. He have started to discover Islam. Sunrise is only a small part
walked on the streets of Philadelphia, Detroit and Chicago of the process in place by God to bring sunshine to the West.
with a green turban and Hindustani attire delivering the The mission started by the first editor of The Muslim
message. The Muslim Sunrise was one of his tools in Sunrise has expanded now to over 70 chapters of the
delivering the divine message to the West. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in America and many
devoted missionaries spreading the message.
In his own words in the first issue he announced:
“There is but one God, Muhammadsa, the master We hope and pray that we will continue to do our part to the
prophet is His messenger. Ahmadas of Qadian is the best of our abilities.
6 Muslim Sunrise in America
Khalifa’s Tarbiyyat and Tablighi nature. May
Allah Almighty grant this magazine
Message to the the flair to acquire and maintain these
Muslim Sunrise expectations with excellent results.
May Allah’s blessing be upon The
T Muslim Sunrise for the distinguished
here is no doubt that
services it has extended loyally for a
the present day media
very long time.
technology and communication
system was invented through Allah’s Mirza Masroor Ahmad
grace to assist Hadhrat Aqdas Masih Khalifat-ul-Masih V
Ma’oodas in his quest to bring to an
Amir’s
excellence the propagation of

righteousness. Message to the
Hadhrat Aqdas Masih Ma’oodas has
Muslim Sunrise
stated:
“So, He the Most Wise, Most
Powerful, let this workshop come Mirza Masroor Ahmad
into being by sending this humble one
to undertake this work of reforming general body of Mussalmans will be
mankind. This workshop He had di- required to promote work in the five
vided into several branches, all de- parts of this plan. Take the compila-
voted to the dissemination of truth, tion of books etc., for instance. What
the propagation of Islam. Of these size of finance will be required for the
branches one branch is concerned publications of books alone? If we are
with the preparation of books, one of interested in a wide circulation of Dr. Ahsanullah Zafar
the tasks assigned to this humble one. books, we should see that they reach T
he Muslim Sunrise is
To perform this task I have been people who most need them and in as entering the final stretch
gifted with special knowledge. short time and in as large number as towards its own centenary
celebration. This is quite a reflection on
Knowledge which is not within man’s possible. Our books are compiled af-
the efforts of the man who landed alone
capacity, which can be acquired only ter due research and after a full analy-
in Philadelphia and right away landed
by the Help of God, which comes not sis of facts. They are designed to in prison. He received this treatment
of human effort but through the Holy draw seekers of truth to the path of only because he professed his faith in
Spirit. Instruction by the Holy Spirit truth. They must reach people who the final Book, the Qur’an.
This periodical is committed to
has dissolved our difficulties.” happen to have been infected by hos-
addressing issues which are relevant to
(Fatah Islam, Roohani Khazain, tile writings, some of them on the
the people around us because we are
Vol. 3, pp 11-12) brink of spiritual ruin.” (Fatah Islam, tied to their lives and expressions as
“It is also true that the plan has Roohani Khazain, Vol. 3, pp. 26-27) fellow citizens in this part of the world.
In reality our message remains the
been promised special assistance. It The aim behind publishing all the
message of the Qur’an, as understood
relies completely on God’s special Jamaati organs/periodicals is pre-
and explained by the enlightenment
grace and help. But, again, it is with cisely the same – that is to constitute given to Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of
God’s command and on hints re- a wide awareness of Tabligh and Qadian, India. It is remarkable that the
ceived from Him that all Tarbiyyat. This charge and privilege teachings of the Qur’an, though still
misunderstood by many, are now
Mussalmans are being addressed is being faithfully achieved by the
discussed without persecution for the
this invitation to help and this is in Jamaati newspapers and journals
followers of the Promised Messiah and
keeping with the practice of proph- within their own circles. I am confi- Mahdias.
ets of the past. To meet with diffi- dent that The Muslim Sunrise must This issue is a compliment to the
current team taking care of this
culties in the way they have always have endeavored to accomplish this
publication. May Allah guide and help
invited people to help in their pro- obligation with full merits. It is ex-
all those who are supporting these
grams. Following them I say it is ob- pected of the journal to always pub-
efforts, the editors and contributors
vious what scale of assistance by the lish influential articles of both alike. Ameen.
Summer 2011 7
and sacrifice to generate the means to print Colonization of the Western world. If you
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful
leaflets, and even if some money was arranged will work with the same love, zeal, sincer-
I Shall Cause Thy
for printing such leaflets, another bigger ity and loyalty as they did your honor and
struggle was to raise funds to send them some- respect and name will be still greater than
Message to
where. And when the message did miracu- their’s, as you will have moreover the Re-
Reach the lously begin to get out into the world, a storm ward at the Last day and Allah’s pleasure,
of opposition arose, the like of which is rarely the grandeur and beauty of which no one
Corners of the witnessed by mankind. The whole world had can estimate in this world.”
suddenly come together, it seemed, to oppose Today, under the directions of Hadhrat
Earth
the message that God had revealed He would Mirza Masroor Ahmadaya the message of
cause to reach the corners of the Earth! Islam-Ahmadiyyat is being delivered to
The Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya millions of Americans daily. And the pace
All praise truly belongs to Allah, the Lord
Muslim Community had prophesied that he is quickening. Just in the past one year
of all the worlds.
had been sent to simply sow the seed and over 60 million Americans have heard this
that that seed had now been sown by his hand message. Now the message appears on
Naseem Mahdi
and that it would now flourish and none would billboards and newspapers and on the elec-
National Vice President and
be able to retard its progress. He had proph- tronic media daily with ever increasing fre-
Missionary Incharge, Ahmadiyya
esied that after him God would manifest His quency and greater visibility. National tele-
Muslim Community, USA Power in the manner in which it had been mani- vision shows with the highest viewer rat-
fested through Hadhrat Abu Bakrra at the ings regularly invite spokespersons of the
This, the longest running Muslim publi- death of the Holy Prophetsa by establishing Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to come
cation in America, was started in 1921 by khilafat on the pattern of prophethood. He and talk about Islam and its message as
Hadhrat Dr. Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra. He was, had prophesied that those given this mantle advanced and interpreted for the modern
without a doubt, an extraordinarily learned would continue his mission until Islam would age by the Promised Messiahas to be ex-
man constantly in motion. His faith was per- become prevalent throughout the world as plained to their audiences. The Ah-
fectly reflected in his actions. He was a de- madiyya Muslim Community has now
voted companion of Hadhzrat Mirza Ghulam translated the Holy Qur’an into the larg-
Ahmadas of Qadian, who claimed to be the est number of languages in the entire his-
Promised Mes- tory of Islam. The 50 million Spanish speak-
siah and Mahdi ing Americans are heeding this call and just
foretold by the two months earlier the first ever Spanish
Holy Prophet issue of The Muslim Sunrise was printed
Muhammadsa. and is being distributed all across the
Everything foretold in the Holy Qur’an: length and breadth of the United States of
Sadiqra did - his America and parts of Central America.
actions, his [61:10] He it is Who has sent His Mes- How true then were the words of the
travels, his writ- senger with the guidance and the Reli- Promised Messiahas when he had predicted
ings, his relent- gion of truth, that He may cause it to pre- just at the dawn of the 20th Century:
less toiling in vail over all religions, even if those who
the way of God, associate partners with God hate it.
“Hear ye people carefully, and
his constant And so it came to pass. Upon his
Imam Naseem Mahdi remember that these prophecies are
search for those death in 1908 khilafat was again estab-
from God Almighty, Who made the
looking for God lished and it was under the guidance of
heavens and the earth. He will
– testified to his utter faith in the truth of the the Promised Messiah’s second khalifa
spread this, His Own Community
message of the Promised Messiahas and his that Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra
into all countries of the world, and
full conviction that it was what mankind had arrived in the United States in 1920.
with reason and argument, He will
needed to attain peace. And the message that Hadhrat Mirza
make it prevail everywhere. …..I
In those early days in Qadian, India, I try Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra,
have come only to sow the seed, and
to imagine how this early revelation must have Khalifat-ul-Masih II had sent to the Mus-
this has been accomplished by my
sounded: I shall cause thy message to reach lims in America was published boldly in
hand. The seed shall now grow and
the corners of the earth. It was first published the very first issue of The Muslim Sun-
flourish; it will now bloom and bear
in Al-Hakam, vol 2, nos. 5-6, March 27 and rise:
fruit and there is none to stop it from
April 2, 1897, p. 13. A short 23 years later, “The Pioneers in the Colonization of
so doing.”
Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra was halfway across American land are always looked back
the globe, personally witnessing the fulfillment upon with great honor and respect. Their [Tadhkirat-us-Shahadatain, pp. 64 – 65]
of that early revelation. work was temporal but now, my dear
In those early days the Ahmadiyya Mus- Brothers and Sisters, Allah, the Almighty Our last word is all praise belongs to
lim Community had to put forth great effort has made you the Pioneers in the spiritual Allah, Lord of all the worlds.
8 Muslim Sunrise in America
Famous scientist,
Dr. Hafiz Saleh
Muhammad
Alladin passes
away in India
Jammu Kashmir NewsPoint
Written by Newspoint Bureau | Amritsar
D
r. Hafiz Saleh
Muhammad Alladin
( 1 9 3 1 - 2 0 1 1 )
President of Ahmadiyya
As an astronomer, Dr. Alladin’s was noted for his famous
Muslim Community of India
research on the Solar / Lunar Eclipse of 1894
chapter and famous Indian
scientist Dr. Hafiz Saleh
Centre Cambridge UK 2003, Bharat
"He was a very humble,
Muhammad Alladin passed
Excellence Award, Friendship Forum
unassuming and a Godly
away on 20th March after a
of India, 2006, 500 Great Leaders Di-
man," said Anwer Ahmad
brief illness at the Age of 80. ploma, American Biographical Insti-
Khan of Chino Hills,
The news was announced in a tute USA 2008.
California, a brother-in-law
press release issued by the Ahmadiyya At the time of his death, he was the
Muslim Community of India. of the deceased. President of Ahmadiyya Muslim Com-
Famous Astronomer was born in munity, India Chapter.
Hyderabad (India) in 1931, accord-
ing to the press release. Dr. Alladin’s famous research Dr. Alladin visited Los Angeles in
Dr. Alladin had completed PhD in was on the Solar / Lunar Eclipse of 1994 where he presented his scholas-
1963 from University of Chicago in 1894 and has remained in different tic speech on the occasion of the 100th
the USA and joined as a professor in famous Committees like International anniversary of the great Celestial sign
Osmania University of Hyderabad, Astronomical Union, Astronomical of Sun and Moon Eclipse of 1894.
India where he was later elected as Society of India, Plasma Science So- "He was a very humble,
the director of Centre of Advanced ciety of India, and Indian Association unassuming and a Godly man," said
Study in Astronomy. for General Relativity and Gravitation, Anwer Ahmad Khan of Chino Hills,
Indian Association of Physics Teach- California, who is brother-in-law of
He was among the famous 100 As- ers. the deceased.
tronomers of the world and served as Dr. Alladin was awarded with Dr. Alladin died at Escort Hospital
the educational advisor to former Meghnad Saha Award 1981 from Amritsar and his body was brought to
President APJ Abdul Kalam of India. UGC New Delhi, Man of the Year Qadian, District Gurdaspur, Punjab.
He wrote many books, penned 2000 American Biographical Institute The funeral prayers were per-
hundreds of articles and published USA, 2000 Outstanding People formed as thousands of people from
more than 50 research papers. Medal, International Biographical all over India participated.
Summer 2011 9
‘Allah — there is no God but He, the Living, the Self-Subsisting and
All-Sustaining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor sleep. To Him belongs
whatsoever is in the heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. Who is
he that will intercede with Him except by His permission? He knows
what is before them and what is behind them; and they encompass
nothing of His knowledge except what He pleases. His knowledge
extends over the heavens and the earth; and the care of them
burdens Him not; and He is the High, the Great.’
(2:256)
INTERCESSION
cation, a large majority in India and Paki-
Christianity claims that
stan assume that Pirs can fulfil their wishes
through the atoning death
and some exceed in this wrong practice to
of Jesusas his followers the extent of prostrating before graves of
are ‘reconciled’ to God. Pirs and saints and women maintain that
they have been blessed with child through
Some saints are also
the help of a dead saint. While the teaching
thought to be means of
of Islam focuses on the Oneness of God
intercession. and demands of its adherents to be believ-
H ers in it, unfortunately many are embroiled
udhur recited Ayatul in shirk (associating partners with God). At
times the extent of their involvement in
Kursi at the beginning
shirk makes them closer to idolaters.
It was God’s great favor on us that He
of his Friday Sermon
sent the true and ardent devotee of the Holy
and gave a discourse on the Prophetsa so that he could guide us away
from the deteriorated state of the teaching.
correct Islamic viewpoint of He was the Hakm (Judge) and the Adl (Ar-
biter) of the age and as such in order to rid
intercession. The translation of Summary of a Friday Sermon delivered
us of the infestation of shirk, he guided us
May 6, 2011 by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor
precisely in light of the teaching of the
Ayatul Kursi reads:
Ahmad at, the Head of the Ahmadiyya
Quran, which had established the Oneness
Muslim Community
‘Allah — there is no God but He, the of God and which tells us about the true
Living, the Self-Subsisting and All-Sus- teachings of the Holy Prophetsa as well as
taining. Slumber seizes Him not, nor tends over the heavens and the earth; and Islam’s superiority over other world reli-
sleep. To Him belongs whatsoever is in the the care of them burdens Him not; and He gions.
heavens and whatsoever is in the earth. is the High, the Great.’ (2:256). Christianity claims that through the
Who is he that will intercede with Him ex- Hudhur said a while ago he had men- atoning death of Jesusas his followers are
cept by His permission? He knows what is tioned the erroneous practices by some ‘reconciled’ to God. Some saints are also
before them and what is behind them; and Muslims to visit shrines of Pirs and ascet- thought to be means of intercession. It has
they encompass nothing of His knowledge ics as well as some saints and ask in a man- been recently said about the previous
except what He pleases. His knowledge ex- ner that one asks God. Due to lack of edu- Pope, John Paul II that owing to a miracle
10 Muslim Sunrise in America