Note: The Alislam Team assumes full responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies in this translation of the Friday Sermon.

أَشْھَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہٗ لَا شَرِیکَ لَہٗ وَأَشْھَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہٗ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ

أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ- بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ۔ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ۔ مٰلِکِ یَوْمِ الدِّیْنِ۔ اِیَّا کَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْنُ۔

اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ۔ صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ غَیْرِالْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلَاالضَّآلِّیْنَ۔

These days, we see that the examples or incidents of cruelty and barbarism that we see in the so-called Muslim countries are not found in other non-Muslim countries. These examples are not very frequent there. When incidents do occur, a voice is generally raised very strongly against them in those developed countries or non-Muslim countries, whether this cruelty is from government officials or from any group or individual. In recent days, incidents also occurred in America, and there were very strong protests there. But Islam enjoins love, affection, and brotherhood so much—yet these days, Muslim governments and similarly other groups that have been formed in the name of Islam, those organizations, demonstrate cruelty to the same extent for the sake of personal interests, or for establishing peace, or in the name of Islam. As if they are going completely against the teachings of Islam. And these days, in the name of Islam or in the name of enforcing Shariah, countless extremist organizations have been formed that are demonstrating such cruelties that a person becomes distressed upon seeing them, whether human beings are doing these acts or whether some creature worse than animals in human form is doing them.

In recent days, such a form of cruelty came before us in Pakistan that was not merely cruelty but was the worst example of savagery and brutality. Something that makes a person's hair stand on end. An incident that made humanity cry out. Every person who has even a slight trace of humanity cried out and became restless. Such a bloodbath was also played in our mosques in Lahore about four and a half years ago. A TV channel here, apparently the BBC, mentioned five such worst incidents that have occurred in Pakistan in the past few years, and among them, the incident of our mosques in Lahore was also mentioned. However, our grief and the cruelty committed against us were perhaps not considered worthy of attention by the government due to the fear of the Maulvis, nor was it considered worthy of sympathy and sorrow by the majority of the public, or it was done. But we Ahmadis are those who sympathize with humanity, and seeing humanity in distress, we become restless. And then the incident that occurred in Pakistan in recent days—these were our compatriots, and perhaps all were those who called themselves Muslims, for whom our hearts are filled with feelings of compassion. We are restless for them. As I said, there is sympathy within us. Seeing cruelty upon them, we had to become restless and did become so, because as I said, these Pakistanis are not only compatriots of most of us sitting here but are also Muslims. And then in this incident, bestiality was taken to the extreme because the majority of those who fell victim to this cruelty were innocent children. There were also children of five, six, and seven years. There were children up to ten, eleven, twelve, and thirteen years of age. Children who were five or six years old also became martyred in between, who perhaps did not know about terrorism or non-terrorism. They probably did not even know the difference between Muslim and non-Muslim. But in a very cruel manner, their lives were taken. May Allah the Exalted wrap them all in the mantle of His forgiveness and mercy and grant their parents patience and courage as well.

These children were made the target of cruelty because the so-called enforcers of Shariah wanted to take revenge on the army in Pakistan. What Islam is this and what Shariah is this? The Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] had strictly forbidden raising the sword even against the children and women of non-Muslims in the case of war. When, during the war, you questioned your Companion about killing a child of a polytheist, the Companion said, "O Messenger of Allah! This was the child of a polytheist. If he was killed by mistake, what of it?" Then you [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] said, "Was he not an innocent child of a human being?" (Adapted from Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Volume 5, Page 365, Musnad al-Aswad bin Sarih, Hadith 15673, Published by Alam al-Kutub, Beirut, 1998)

So these are the standards that we see from the noble example of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] for establishing the sanctity of humanity. This is the noble example of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], and these are the actions of those who commit cruelty in the name of Islam that we generally keep seeing. However, as I said, every human expressed grief at this savage cruelty—whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims. Two days ago, the Church of England made a woman its first bishop. Their ceremony was taking place, and they too expressed grief at this incident before their ceremony. They observed silence for one minute. They prayed in their own manner. So, in any case, the point of saying this is that every human was pained by this incident regardless of what their religion was. But these so-called Muslims—not one or two but three or four organizations together—proudly announced that yes, it is we who have committed this cruelty, and we have no shame about it. So we see that even a person with a little decency expressed grief at this, expressed sorrow. And as I said, in the hearts of Ahmadis, the pain for humanity is extremely great. We are always ready for human sympathy. Even a small incident happens, and our hearts melt. I received many letters that, from this incident, we remained in restlessness and distress the whole day, and this is the reality. My own state was that the whole day there was a great effect on my mood, and when such a state exists, then curses come out for the destruction of the oppressors. May Allah the Exalted soon purify the country from these oppressors and wretched ones—rather, purify all Islamic countries. Seeing these incidents, the wounds of the cruelties committed against Ahmadis also become fresh. But there is also severe distress felt for these innocents. May Allah the Exalted also give these children courage, patience, and have mercy on them, and become the guardian of those whose parents have also been taken from them.

As I had said, these incidents of extremism and cruelty are the tragedy of almost all countries that call themselves Muslim. This is not a matter of Pakistan alone. In Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc., cruelty is happening in all countries. And the greatest cruelty is that all this cruelty is happening in the name of God Almighty and His Messenger [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. In Syria alone, in the government and Sunni conflicts, according to one report, about one hundred and thirty thousand people have been killed. Out of the total deaths, six thousand six hundred children were killed. More than one-third of civilians were killed. Thousands of people have been killed by ISIS. Hundreds of women and girls were killed—stood in a line and shot—because they had refused to marry these people. Rather, according to some sources, the number of cruelties and deaths is much more than this.

Seeing all these things, the mind of a person who understands the reality of Islam becomes dizzy that all this is happening in the name of Islam. Seeing this, a person becomes distressed as to which Islamic teaching this action is happening under. Is all this happening in the name of that God who is the Rahman (Most Gracious) God, who is the Ra'uf (Most Kind) and Rahim (Most Merciful) God, who is so kind that it cannot even be imagined? This cruelty is happening in the name of that Messenger whom God Almighty called Rahmatun lil-'Alamin (Mercy for all the worlds). This cruelty is happening in the name of that Shariah in which Allah the Exalted has enjoined holding fast to justice and fairness even with the enemy. Allah the Exalted says:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا کُوۡنُوۡا قَوّٰمِیۡنَ لِلّٰہِ شُہَدَآءَ بِالۡقِسۡطِ ۫ وَلَا یَجۡرِمَنَّکُمۡ شَنَاٰنُ قَوۡمٍ عَلٰۤی اَلَّا تَعۡدِلُوۡا ؕ اِعۡدِلُوۡا ۟ ہُوَ اَقۡرَبُ لِلتَّقۡوٰی ۫ وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ خَبِیۡرٌۢ بِمَا تَعۡمَلُوۡنَ  (Al-Ma'idah: 9)

O ye who believe! Be steadfast in the cause of Allah, bearing witness in equity; and let not a people’s enmity incite you to act otherwise than with justice. Be always just, that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah. Surely, Allah is aware of what you do.

Now here, Allah the Exalted is raising the standards of justice high for a believer. If this is not there, then there is no faith that even the enmity of a people should not incline you to fall below the standards of justice. In the teaching of justice, show such examples that the beautiful teaching of Islam becomes manifest to the world. Let your examples of justice and goodness become witnesses to the beautiful teaching of Islam. Let no one's finger be raised against Islamic teaching. Would that these so-called Muslims take stock of themselves, whether their examples are drawing non-Muslims towards Islamic teaching. The actions of these people are even pushing their own people away. The children who have seen their companions become the target of cruelty and barbarism—will they ever consider these people to be Muslims? And if they do consider, then these questions will arise in their minds—is this the Islam that we should believe in? So these people are not only committing apparent cruelty and carnage but are also ruining future generations. They are taking them away from Islam. Would that those who call themselves Muslim scholars, who have given birth to these extremist groups in the name of Jihad and sectarianism, correct their direction and become the ones to tell their generations the true Islam and use the weapon of true Islamic teaching for the uprooting of these extremist groups. And this can only happen when, by accepting the word of the Imam of the age, they themselves act upon true Islam and also make others act upon it. The true lover of the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him], while drawing the attention of these Maulvis to their reform, said at one place:

"If the Maulvis of Islam unite and emphasize removing this error from the hearts of wild Muslims (meaning the error of extremism and wrong kind of Jihad), they will undoubtedly do a great favour to the nation, and not only this, but through them, the great root of the beauties of Islam will become manifest to the people, and all those aversions that the religious opponents hold against Islam due to their own errors will be removed." (Gunah se Nijat Kiyunkar Mil Sakti Hai, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 18, Page 634)

So this is the pain of the Promised Messiah [peace be upon him] for spreading the beautiful teaching of Islam, and he has also appealed to these non-Ahmadi Maulvis that, for God's sake, remove from your minds this teaching of extremism and promote the teaching of love and affection. But when are these so-called Maulvis ready to hear this? Their objectives have now become the pursuit of political and personal interests instead of establishing the sanctity of the religion of Islam. As far as I have seen, the expression of grief and anger at this incident has also not come from the scholars in a forceful manner. Some people may have done so today, on Friday. They should always remember this command of Allah the Exalted: وَاتَّقُوا اللّٰہَ—Fear Allah. Surely, Allah the Exalted is always aware of what you do. And Allah the Exalted does not keep the knowledge of every matter only to keep the knowledge; rather, every action determines the fate of a person. Those who commit cruelty certainly reach their bad end. So if they want to improve their world and hereafter, they should keep the commands of Allah the Exalted in view—that they should deal with justice even with the enemy. And then about those who recite the Kalimah, God Almighty says: رُحَمَآءُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ (Al-Fath: 30). But here, رُحَمَآءُ بَیۡنَہُمۡ is a far cry; they treat even their own worse than enemies, the spectacles of which we keep seeing. Now these one hundred thousand, one hundred and fifty thousand, two hundred thousand people who have been killed in just one country—these are indeed cruel treatments with their own, aren't they? Or this is also the extreme of cruelty that in this treatment, children were killed, martyred.

Do they think that they will pass without being caught for the cruelty they have committed or keep committing? No, it can never happen like this. Allah the Exalted says:

وَمَنۡ یَّقۡتُلۡ مُؤۡمِنًا مُّتَعَمِّدًا فَجَزَآؤُہٗ جَہَنَّمُ خٰلِدًا فِیۡہَا وَغَضِبَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیۡہِ وَلَعَنَہٗ وَاَعَدَّ لَہٗ عَذَابًا عَظِیۡمًا (Al-Nisa: 94)

And whoso kills a believer intentionally, his reward shall be Hell wherein he shall abide. And Allah will be wroth with him and will curse him and will prepare for him a great punishment.

Then Allah the Exalted further says—Who is a believer?

 وَلَا تَقُوۡلُوۡا لِمَنۡ اَلۡقٰۤی اِلَیۡکُمُ السَّلٰمَ لَسۡتَ مُؤۡمِنًا (Al-Nisa: 95)

and say not to anyone who greets you with the greeting of peace, ‘Thou art not a believer.’ So Islam has established a sanctity of brotherhood. If anyone tramples this sanctity and kills one who recites the Kalimah, then certainly Hell is his abode. This is what Allah the Exalted says. And he will always remain under the curse of Allah the Exalted. Those people who have died by carrying out suicide attacks or were killed in confrontation, and due to the wrong teaching that their scholars gave them, thought that by dying we will attain the pleasure of Allah the Exalted—God Almighty has made it clear that by killing a believer, you are not attaining the pleasure of God Almighty but are becoming the target of His curse, and Hell is your abode forever. And regarding being a believer, it was said that if someone sends you a message of peace, then you have no right to kill him. Now, let someone tell what the fault of these innocent children is. They were acquiring education to become a better part of society, to become an asset of the country, and to spread peace. That is why they would have come to these schools to get an education. It is astonishing to hear the words of these so-called scholars who give the teaching of extremism despite this beautiful Islamic teaching. It is by hearing their words that the less knowledgeable and ignorant become influenced, and then they commit such acts in which nothing is proven except bestiality. And then God Almighty has told its end—that it is Hell. But perhaps these people consider Hell to be some mythical thing, or they do not have faith in the words of God Almighty, that despite these warnings of Allah the Exalted, no effect is made on them, and they keep cutting each other's throats. If there is no complete belief in the Hereafter, then God Almighty has also told them about the condition of this world—what will then be your fate? If you have trampled the sanctity of brotherhood, then your credibility will also end here. The interests that are in this world, you will not be able to attain them. The world for which you are doing all this, that too you will not get. Thus, Allah the Exalted says:

وَاَطِیۡعُوا اللّٰہَ وَرَسُوۡلَہٗ وَلَا تَنَازَعُوۡا فَتَفۡشَلُوۡا وَتَذۡہَبَ رِیۡحُکُمۡ وَاصۡبِرُوۡا ؕ اِنَّ اللّٰہَ مَعَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ (Al-Anfal: 47)

And obey Allah and His Messenger and dispute not with one another, lest you falter and your power depart from you. And be steadfast; surely, Allah is with the steadfast.

So this word of Allah the Exalted, looking at the condition of Muslims today, seems to be fulfilled one hundred percent upon them, because of these very fights and quarrels, the power of Muslims has ended. Because of countless mutual extremist groups, most countries have become battlefields. These people stretch their hands before Western powers. Indeed, there is an organization of Muslim countries made by themselves, but it has no standing. Neither is there mutual unity, because of which peace and security could be established in the countries. Nor do they have any standing before non-Muslim countries. Their reins are in the hands of big powers. From these Muslim countries, if the president or prime minister of any country or even the military chief comes to a Western country and talks to the presidents or prime ministers here, or these people give them some reception, then our leaders think as if they have received all the blessings of the world. The house of God Almighty is empty. They have abandoned Him, and abandoning Him, there is an inclination towards worldly people, and these people consider this to be the means of their survival. So, what all things should be mentioned that are taking the so-called Muslim countries towards destruction? One cruelty happens. For a few days, the effect remains on the public; they make noise, and then the majority of the public becomes a tool in the hands of these very oppressors. So until they obey the word of God Almighty, until they establish standards of justice even with enemies, until they give peace to every one who greets with peace, until they establish their standards of brotherhood, until the government takes care of the subjects, until the subjects become obedient to the government, until the fear of God Almighty is created in hearts—until then, such cruel incidents will keep happening. Would that these things be understood by our leaders and those who call themselves scholars, and also by the public. The distress of the Muslim Ummah also puts us in distress. Because these are the ones who attribute themselves to our beloved Master. The Imam of the age has taught us the art of showing sympathy and love to those who attribute themselves to our Master and Lord. He has told us this:

O heart! You should also take care of these people. Keep a sympathetic eye on them

because, after all, these people claim love for my Prophet.

(Izala-e-Auham Part 1, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 3, Page 182)

If there is cruelty towards us, even then we are sorry, and we pray—we do not take revenge—that God Almighty purify their hearts. They understand this reality that only Ahmadis have true sympathy and well-wishing for the Muslim Ummah in their hearts. And as I said, the feeling of sympathy and well-wishing within us has been created by the Promised Messiah [peace and blessings be upon him] himself. According to Islamic teaching, he has enjoined us to make his feeling of sympathy prevail over both our own and that of strangers.

He said: "The command is for softness and kindness towards believers and Muslims. So always keep this in view." (Malfuzat, Volume 10, Page 232, Edition 1985, Published in England)

Then he says: "Every person should review himself every day—to what extent he cares about these matters and to what extent he shows sympathy and good treatment to his brothers." (Malfuzat, Volume 7, Page 280, Edition 1985, Published in England)

Then he said: "The common purpose of the advent of all prophets [peace be upon them] has been this—that true and real love of God Almighty be established, and in the rights and love of mankind and brethren, a special color be produced. Until these things happen, all matters will only be ceremonial." (Malfuzat, Volume 3, Page 95, Edition 1985, Published in England)

Then he said: "Have mercy on His servants and do not commit cruelty upon them by tongue or hand or any means, and keep striving for the good of creation. And do not show arrogance to anyone, even if they are your subordinates. And do not abuse anyone, even if he abuses. Become humble, gentle, well-intentioned, and sympathetic to creation so that you may be accepted."

Then he said, "What does God want from you? Only this—that you deal with all mankind with justice. Then, greater than this is that you also do good to those who have not done any good to you. Then greater than this is that you deal with the creation of God with such sympathy as if you are their real relatives, just as mothers deal with their children." He said, "The ultimate degree of goodness is natural zeal, which is like that of a mother." (Kishti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain, Volume 19, Page 30)

So when we are to achieve such standards of sympathy, or when we have been given the teaching of achieving such standards of sympathy, and we are also going to act upon it, only then can a person feel the pain of another. And by the grace of Allah the Exalted, the majority among us have such feelings for mankind, and an Ahmadi should be one who has such feelings. When such feelings exist for ordinary human beings, then for Muslims, we have feelings even greater than this. Every cruelty that befalls any Muslim, we feel it in our hearts. And this cruelty that has happened in Pakistan is certainly a cause of extreme distress for us. And the cruelty that is happening in the Muslim world, at the hands of anyone, is a cause of distress for us. And the feeling of this distress increases even more when we call out to the world, saying that Allah the Exalted has, according to His promise, sent the Promised Messiah to end these cruelties, who was to spread love and affection by ending wars and hardships. So listen to his word so that you can implement the true teaching of Islam in the world. But despite this call, those who call themselves scholars are advancing most in enmity against us, and when such a situation exists, then the sense of justice and sympathy ends, and consequently, only disorder is seen in every society, and the blood of innocents is shed, and this is what is happening. Would that those who call themselves Muslim scholars understand this and instead of trying to destroy the Muslim Ummah by putting it into sectarianism, instill within Muslims the teaching of peace, love, and affection of Islam—as the Promised Messiah [peace and blessings be upon him] has said—and also remove from non-Muslims this wrong impression about Islam that Islam is, God forbid, a religion of extremism and the sword.

May Allah the Exalted grant them this understanding. Pray a lot for Pakistan and Muslim countries. May Allah the Exalted establish peace in these countries, and may both governments and the public become those who recognize the true Islamic values. May Allah the Exalted also grant us the ability to establish its high examples. Ahmadis in Syria, Iraq, Libya, etc., due to the conditions through which these countries are passing at this time, are in distress because of being citizens there and also because of being Ahmadis. Pray especially for them as well. May Allah the Exalted deliver them from these difficulties. Some are lying under the sky in a state of great helplessness. Both groups have become opposed to Ahmadis. No help can reach in such circumstances. It is only Allah the Exalted who may bestow His grace and have mercy and soon take these people out of these days of distress.

After the prayers, I will also lead some funeral prayers in absentia.

The first funeral is of our martyred brother. Mubarak Ahmad Sahib Bajwa, son of respected Amir Ahmad Bajwa Sahib of Chak 312 JB Kathuwal, District Toba Tek Singh. He was martyred. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'un. Some unknown persons had abducted him from his quarters on October 26, 2009, and nothing could be found out about him until now. However, a few days ago, some terrorists arrested from an area of Gujarat revealed that we also killed Mubarak Bajwa of Kathuwal by declaring him a blasphemer and buried him in a pit dug in the Bhimbar Canal located in the District of Gujarat. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'un. Now they have also become the ones to issue all these fatwas. Ahmadiyyat entered the family of Mubarak Ahmad Sahib through his grandfather, respected Pir Muhammad Sahib. He had a great attachment to the Jama'at. It is a very pious family. The late martyr was a born Ahmadi. The late martyr was born in 1953. He studied up to primary school and was a farmer. The late martyr was extremely honest, good-hearted, of good character, noble of soul, and of a sociable personality. His father, Amir Ahmad Bajwa Sahib, and brother, respected Rashid Ahmad Bajwa Sahib, both served one after the other as President of the Kathuwal Jama'at. One son, Zahoor Ahmad, is at this time receiving the opportunity to serve as Qa'id Majlis. Besides his wife, Shahid Begum Sahiba, there are four sons: Zahoor Ahmad, Mansoor Ahmad, Nasir Ahmad, and Atiq Ahmad. Similarly, he has two brothers and one sister who are bereaved. Some more details of the incident are as follows: Mubarak Ahmad Bajwa Sahib and his non-Ahmadi servant Sikandar Mahmood, who was fourteen years old, were abducted by some people on the night of October 26-27, 2009—five years ago from today—from their quarters. The abductors were riding in two cars. A few days later, the abductors released the said servant after giving him a mobile. Then they contacted this mobile number for ransom. A ransom of two crore was demanded, which came down to ten lakhs. The condition of the abductors was that the money be delivered to Kohat or Parachinar. Then contact with the abductors was lost. The police also could not reach any conclusion. Now, respected Amir Sahib of District Toba Tek Singh informed that the DPO of the district called the brother of the abducted, Aziz Ahmad Bajwa Sahib, and said that there is some information about your brother with the DPO of Gujarat; meet him. He went there. He met the DPO Gujarat. The DPO Gujarat said that some people of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Afzal Fouji Group (there are many groups formed there as well) have been caught. Among them, a person named Wajid has revealed that after abducting Mubarak Ahmad Bajwa Sahib, they slaughtered him with knives and buried the body in Bhimbar Canal. When Aziz Ahmad Bajwa Sahib and other individuals met the said person named Wajid, who was under investigation, he also confirmed this killing. On the question of whether any local person was also with him, the said accused said that a person named Ahmad from the neighboring village was with us, who told us that Mubarak Ahmad Bajwa, the deceased, was a blasphemer. This person was previously a Christian. Later, after becoming Muslim, he joined Tehreek-e-Taliban. His father had been an employee of the Bajwa family. And then he also told that we abducted him and kept him tied with chains in the basement of the mosque in Kotli village, and then one day after Isha prayer, we—as has been mentioned—ran a knife across his throat and then cut him into pieces and buried him in a pit. So the police officer asked the said criminal why did you do this? He said we have the order of our commander that these people are blasphemers. Therefore, kill them. And we needed to obey his order. This is the condition. Just now, children were killed—so in retaliation for what was this done? This is also the work of the Taliban. May Allah the Exalted elevate the ranks of the late martyr and grant his children patience and courage. Anyway, at least now we know; earlier, there was only news of the abduction.

The second funeral is of respected Amina Assaf Sahiba (Kababir), who passed away on December 12, 2014, by the will of Allah. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'un. She was a born Ahmadi. Her father, respected Assaf Sahib, was among the early Ahmadis of Haifa. She had the opportunity to serve as President and Secretary Tabligh of Lajna Ima'illah Kababir. She was extremely devoted to worship, prayerful, very hospitable, and made financial sacrifices abundantly. She was a pious, sincere, and righteous lady. She would specially arrange the hospitality of guests coming to Dar-ut-Tabligh. She would preach to women very well. She would treat the families of missionaries with great love and kindness. When Masjid Mahmood Kababir was being constructed, she paid a substantial amount for it and also arranged the hospitality of the workers during construction. She had an extreme relationship of love and devotion with the Khulafa of Ahmadiyyat. She would listen to my sermons with great attention that are broadcast here on MTA. She would also tell others their summary. She was always ready to act upon every instruction with heart and soul. She taught many children to read the Holy Quran. All the friends of Kababir would treat her with great love. She also had the blessing of performing Umrah. She also had an intense desire to go to Qadian—that I should go to the tomb of the Promised Messiah [peace be upon him] and pray. So Allah the Exalted also fulfilled this desire of hers. Rather, not once but three times she had the blessing of going to the Jalsa Salana. The deceased was a Musia and was the respected maternal aunt of respected Muhammad Sharif Odeh Sahib, Amir Jama'at Kababir, and Munir Odeh Sahib, Director MTA Production. Munir Odeh Sahib writes that Aunt Amina spent her life in the service of Islam Ahmadiyyat. She had raised us like her own children, and when my parents would go away from home for work, she would raise us. She strictly made us adhere to praying on time. She was among the first ones in the Jama'at to do Wasiyyat. She used to do tailoring work, and despite limited resources, she would not take help from anyone; rather, she helped in the education of children in the family. In this way, she would be of help in difficulties. She was not married. Marriage proposals came from non-Ahmadi families, but she refused, saying I am Ahmadi, and she remained firm on Ahmadiyyat and never married. He says that at the time of death, I was present near her, and her last words were La ilaha illAllah. Before death, she had willed that all her belongings be handed over to the Jama'at. Similarly, the wife of the Missionary in charge there, Bushra Shams Sahiba, also says that she had deep love for the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him]. She says that one day, I was giving her medicine, and she took one sip, so I told her that the Holy Prophet [peace and blessings of Allah be upon him] preferred taking three sips. So hearing this, she immediately drank two more sips, even though earlier she had refused.

The third funeral in absentia will be of respected Ibrahim Abdur Rahman Bukhari Sahib of Egypt, who passed away in Egypt on December 13, 2014, at the age of 63 years. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji'un. He had the opportunity to take Bai'at in his youth, at the age of eighteen in 1969. In those days, the President of Jama'at Ahmadiyya Egypt was respected, Muhammad Baseoni Sahib. The deceased saw the era of the three Khulafa and benefited from the company of early Ahmadis like respected Muhammad Baseoni Sahib, respected Mustafa Thabit Sahib, and respected Hilmi Shafi Sahib. After Bai'at, despite cruelty and injustice from his family and in-laws, he fulfilled the pledge of Bai'at with complete steadfastness, courage, sincerity, and loyalty—to the extent that he was also given the threat that they would separate husband and wife. Similarly, many troubles and obstacles were created in his work as well. He needed a permit to continue his work, which, due to Ahmadiyyat, was issued very late merely to harass him, from which, besides psychological distress, his work was also significantly affected. Besides this, attempts were made to harass him on various pretexts, but he never showed weakness. For this reason, despite financial constraints, he would very regularly pay contributions and charity, etc. After marriage, his wife also took Bai'at upon seeing his preaching and example. In 1988, he traveled with his family to Nigeria, where he served as an Arabic language teacher in a Jama'at school for two and a half years. He was regular in offering prayers and paying contributions. And despite illness, in the last days as well, he would regularly come for Friday prayers. He has also been coming here. By the grace of Allah the Exalted, he was a very sincere person. He had a great connection with Khilafat. Besides his widow, the deceased has left behind one daughter, Aziza Mariam, and three sons: Ahmad, Mahmood, and Muhammad, as his legacy, who by the grace of God are all born Ahmadis. The daughter is married and resides in America. Sons Ahmad and Mahmood are in the UK. The youngest son is with his mother in Egypt. May Allah the Exalted elevate the ranks of all of them. May He treat them with forgiveness and mercy and grant their relatives patience and courage as well.