Today's Friday sermon was about the phenomena of solar and lunar eclipses and their historical significance as regards the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).
A solar eclipse took place in the UK today and also in some other countries. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) instructed to particularly pray, engage in istaghfar, give alms and offer Salat during eclipse. Today special Salat known as Salatul Kusoof [Kusoof is solar eclipse] was offered by the Jama'at in areas of solar eclipse in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).
Ahadith tell us that solar and lunar eclipses are special signs of God and according to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) they were a great sign of the advent of the Promised Messiah. And indeed eclipses of the sun and the moon were witnessed in the West as well as the East in corroboration of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) which makes them very significant for the Jama'at. Today's eclipse was not a sign of the advent of the Promised Messiah but it certainly draws one's attention to the eclipse that took place during the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). It also makes it significant because it occurred on a Friday and Friday is particularly attributed to the advent of the Promised Messiah. The eclipse has also taken place in the month of March three days prior to its twenty third day; the date when the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) made his claim.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) gave particular significance to solar and lunar eclipses. There are Ahadith regarding an eclipse that took place in the life time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Hazrat Asma (may Allah be pleased with her) related: 'I came to 'Aishah during solar eclipse and saw her Praying. I asked her what is wrong with the people that they are Praying at this hour? She gestured with her hand towards the sky and said: SubhanAllah. I asked her is there a sigh and she nodded in the affirmative. So I too stood and Prayed until I swooned and poured water on my head. After the Prayer the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) praised and glorified God and said: Just now I have seen something which I never saw before…including Paradise and Hell. It has been revealed to me that you will be put to trials in your graves… You will be asked: What do you know about this man? A believer will reply, He is Muhammad, the Prophet of God and he came to us with self-evident truth and guidance and we accepted his teaching, believed in him and followed him. The person will be told, sleep peacefully as you were surely a firm believer. On the other hand a hypocrite will reply: I do not know but I heard people saying something so I said the same.' The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) also said: The sun and the moon do not eclipse because of someone's death or life but they are two signs amongst the signs of Allah, so Pray whenever you see them.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote about the prophecy of solar and lunar eclipse: 'I am very much surprised that although sign after sign continues to appear, the Maulawis are least concerned with the truth. They do not realize that God Almighty causes them to suffer defeat in every field. How they wish that Divine support of some sort or other should appear in their favour also, but, instead of support, their failure and frustration continues to become apparent with each passing day.
For example, during the days when the almanacs were widely reporting that both the sun and the moon would be eclipsed in the coming month of Ramadan, many people had begun to think that perhaps this was the sign of the advent of the Promised Imam. This caused the Maulawis to fear lest people should incline towards me, for I was the only one claiming to be the Mahdi and the Messiah. In order to conceal this sign, some of them began to proclaim that the eclipse of the sun and the moon would not take place in the coming month of Ramadan, and that it would only take place when their Imam Mahdi appeared. But when the eclipses of the sun and the moon did take place in the month of Ramadan, they started making excuses and saying that these eclipses were not in conformity with the words of Hadith, because the Hadith says that the lunar eclipse would take place on the first night and the solar eclipse on the middle of the month, while in my case, the lunar eclipse took place on the 13th night and the solar eclipse on the 28th of the month. But when it was explained to them that the Hadith did not mean the first night of the moon, as the moon of the first night was not called Qamar, but Hilal, and the Hadith contained the word Qamar and not Hilal. Therefore, what the Hadith meant was that the moon would be eclipsed on the first of the nights during which lunar eclipse can possibly take place, i.e., 13th night of the moon, and the sun would be eclipsed on the middle one of the days in which it can possibly take place, i.e., the 28th.
After hearing the correct meaning of the Hadith, the ignorant Maulawis were greatly embarrassed, and came up with yet another excuse saying that one of the narrators of this Hadith was unreliable. It was then pointed out to them that since the prophecy contained in the Hadith had already been fulfilled, any criticism based on mere presumption was of no consequence against the actual facts, which provide a strong proof in favour of the authenticity of the Hadith. In other words, the fulfilment of the prophecy testifies that it is the word of the truthful one. To allege now that he is not truthful but a liar amounts to denying self-evident truths. Scholars of Hadith have always upheld the principle that doubt cannot negate certainty. The fact that this prophecy has been fulfilled literally in the time of the one who claims to be the Mahdi, is a sure testimony that he who spoke these words spoke nothing but the truth. To say that one is not sure of the character [of the narrator] is only a conjecture, for sometimes even liars speak the truth. Since the prophecy has also been borne out in other ways and some leading Hanafite scholars have also testified to it, it will not only be unfair, but it will be sheer obstinacy to deny it. After this incontrovertible rejoinder, they were left with no choice but to admit that the Hadith was true, and that it was correctly understood to signify the appearance of the Promised Imam in the near future; but, they said, this man is not the Promised Imam, he will be some other person. But this reply of theirs also proved to be flimsy and false, for had there been some other Imam, he should have appeared at the turn of the fourteenth century, as mentioned in Hadith. But fifteen years of the century have already passed and no Imam of theirs has yet appeared. The final excuse they have now come up with is, 'These people are infidels, don't read their books, and do not have any social relations with them. Do not listen to them, for what they say moves the hearts.' It should serve as a warning for them that the heaven has turned against them and so has the earth at the present time. How shameful it is that while the heaven is testifying against them on the one hand, the earth too has turned against them…' (The Need for The Imam, pp. 63 – 67)
Accounts of some companions of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) regarding solar and lunar eclipses of 1894
Hazrat Ghulam Muhammad Sahib said that during his adolescence there was a Maulawi Sahib called Badr ud Din in his village. He remembered being with him when the eclipse occurred and Maulawi Sahib said SubhanAllah this is a sign of the Mahdi. Maulawi Sahib accepted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and worked assiduously on his family for a year after which they also accepted Ahmadiyyat.
Hafiz Muhammad Hayat Sahib writes that after the eclipses of 1894 people became very keen that the Mahdi must have appeared and the Day of Judgement must be near. People were perturbed and there was much talk on this subject. Some elders decided to walk to Qadian to see the Mahdi in person and if all signs were fulfilled in him they would take his bai'at. They were Sheikh Ameer Din Sahib, Mian Muhammad Yaar Sahib and Sahib Din Sahib. They had very little money on them. It was nearly time for harvest of wheat and they would ask farmers for some ears of wheat to eat. After days of travel when they reached Batala students of Maulawi Muhammad Hussain Batalwi told them that the claimant of Messiahship was God forbid a liar and had made not one but seven claims. They told the travellers to return home. Ameer Din Sahib though uneducated, said: even if he has made seven claims he is still truthful. He is going to go on to make many more claims. If I were to wrestle with seven of you on my own and thrashed you, I would prevail over seven of you. Imam of the age has to contend with all the religions of the world and he is going to make many more claims.
They carried on with their journey and reached a tea stall run by a Sikh. They told him about Maulawi Muhammad Hussein's protégés and he expressed dismay. He told them the way to Qadian and said he knew Mirza Sahib. When the travellers reached Qadian the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was in Masjid Mubarak with a gathering of people. He was conversing with the people as well as writing something and the conversation did not disrupt the fluency of his writing. It was as if the subject-matter was coming to him from an unseen source. When they told the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) about Maulawi Muhammad Hussein's students, he remarked how well an uneducated person had responded to them and said that indeed God had taught him what to say. The travellers stayed three days in Qadian and experienced everything first hand. They went to the mosque and give the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) greetings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and took bai'at.
Qureshi Sahib writes about Hazrat Qazi Akbar Sahib that he belonged to Ahle Hadith community. After the solar and lunar eclipses he realised the time of the advent of Mahdi was close. Following the eclipses discussions took place and Qazi Sahib said we should look for the Mahdi. The task was assigned to some people who found a few books for Qazi Sahib to read. He had seen in a dream prior to receiving the books that he is given three books. Something foul emerges from the first book so he throws it away but the other two books emit light. The dream was fulfilled in that the first book he decided to read was a refutation of the Promised Messiah's claim. He abandoned reading it after coming across hurtful remarks in it and he found the other books as he had seen in the dream, full of light. He sent a group of people to Qadian who took bai'at. This group was also deterred by people of Maulawi Muhammad Hussein Batalwi from going to Qadian by making false and wicked assertions, but they carried on. Later on, Qazi Sahib first took bai'at by post and then in person.
After the solar and lunar eclipses occurred Qazi Maula Baksh Sahib mentioned them in detail in a sermon and said these were signs of the advent of the Mahdi. He said we now have to wait and see when and where the Mahdi appears. This sermon had far-reaching impact on people. Although Qazi Maula Baksh Sahib did not accept Ahmadiyyat but his son Hazrat Mian Imam Din Sahib studied Ahmadiyyat and then took bai'at.
Hazrat Ghulam Mujtaba Sahib writes that he read Durre Sameen (book of poetic compositions of the Promised Messiah) in 1901 when he was employed in Hong Kong. The world situation was crying out for a reformer. Reading Durre Sameen he felt if its writer was truthful it was something most auspicious or else he was an excellent liar. Later he also read the Promised Messiah's book Izala Auham at length. He also held discussions with the Imam of the mosque in Hong Kong. He says when the solar and lunar eclipses took place his father had said the Mahdi has been born.
Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Bakapuri writes that a father and son went to a Maulawi and asked him if the hadith of the solar and lunar eclipse was true. The Maulawi replied the hadith was true but warned them 'not to fall in the entrapment of Mirza Sahib' because he was citing the hadith for his claim. He said the hadith was about the birth of the Mahdi and was not a proof of claim. The father said you have given me the answer I needed, as for what the hadith is applicable on, I have spent a lifetime in law courts but the government never asked me to bring witnesses unless I first made a claim. Mirza Sahib's claim is from before and the solar and lunar eclipses have taken place in corroboration of his claim. Later the father and son were enabled to take bai'at.
Hazrat Sayed Zainul Abideen Waliullah Shah Sahib writes that it was widely held in those days that Muslims were ruined. It was the end of the thirteenth century [Hijrah] and it was said that Imam Mahdi was going to appear and Hazrat Isa (on whom be peace) was also going to appear after him. My dear mother used to mention Imam Mahdi and Hazrat Isa delightedly and would say that solar and lunar eclipse was specific to the advent of Imam Mahdi. After the eclipses occurred God enabled the entire family to take bai'at.
Mirza Ayub Baig Sahib writes Ahadith gave solar and lunar eclipses during Ramadan as a sign of Imam Mahdi. When days to the occurrence came closer in 1894 both brothers headed for Qadian. They first reached Batala. The eclipse was to occur the following day. The weather was inclement and its severity meant the even walking was difficult. One could only see the path when lightning struck. But they were determined to reach Qadian that night. They prayed most tender-heartedly for the weather to calm down entreating that they were going to see the Messiah. Soon after the wind changed direction and headwind became tailwind and helped them on their way. After some time they decided to get some sleep and slept by the wayside. The weather was clear when they awoke. They took their sehri at the food spread of the Promised Messiah and they were enabled to offer Salatul Kusoof behind the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in the morning. The eclipse appeared quite partial at the start and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was concerned that owing to it being so partial people would not able to observe such a magnificent heavenly sign. Later most of the sun was covered by a shadow and the eclipse could be clearly seen.
Maulawi Ghulam Rasool Sahib writes I was in Lahore when the 1894 eclipses took place. The clergy was quite perturbed and this had an impact on me as well. The Maulawis felt that the true heavenly sign was going to have a very positive effect on people regarding Mirza Sahib. Hafiz Muhammad Sahib of Lakho had come to Lahore for medical treatment. I also went to see him. People asked him that he had written about this heavenly sign very clearly in his book and now that it had occurred and Mirza Sahib had called it a sign for him what did the Hafiz think? He replied he was feeling quite weak and frail and could only answer after his recovery. Meanwhile he said he would ask his son to desist from opposing Mirza Sahib. Maulawi Ghulam Rasool writes that although in his heart he was convinced of the Promised Messiah's truthfulness he did not take bai'at until after a few years.
Bhai Abdul Rahman Sahib writes that he was in Year/Grade 8 when the solar eclipse of Ramadan 1894 took place. The headmaster at his school declared that Imam Mahdi should be searched for because his sign had been fulfilled. In spite of making this announcement, the headmaster did not accept the Imam Mahdi. Bhai Abdul Rahman Sahib did not have any knowledge about Imam Mahdi but did not feel comfortable asking his teachers. So he asked his class fellows and after listening to their opinions he had the following five-point view on the solar and lunar eclipses of 1894. 1. A phenomenon foretold 1300 years ago which was fulfilled with precision. 2. It was a phenomenon beyond human efforts and was entirely from the heavens. 3. Signified Imam Mahdi's role to defend Islam. 4. It showed the significance of prayer; God had listened to prayers of saints and revered people who had prayed over centuries for Imam Mahdi to appear. 5. All these aspects were proof of the truthfulness of Islam. Bhai Abdul Rahman says all these matters had a deep impact on him and he developed in spirituality. He prayed fervently to find Imam Mahdi. Although young, he would call out for this scared person as he looked for him, at times in wilderness. Eventually he was enabled to fulfil his wish.
Sheikh Naseer ud Din Sahib, companion of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was inspired to take bai'at after a dream. He belonged to Ahle Hadith community. His heart bore witness that it was time for the Promised One to come but he had not yet appeared. Once he saw a Maulawi in mosque perturbed and lamenting that the solar eclipse had taken place and people were going to accept Mirza Sahib. Sheikh Sahib could not quite understand why the Maulawi was worried if the eclipse had taken place. Surely it was a joyous occasion. He prayed most earnestly and touchingly for guidance. He had a dream that a huge monster attacks him but he fires at him with a gun and the monster disappears in a puff of smoke. And then he joins a congregational Prayer in a mosque on an elevated spot. This dream was interpreted for him as him overcoming his demons and joining a righteous community. Around this time Sheikh Sahib heard about the Promised Messiah's claim and he went to Qadian and took bai'at on the blessed hand of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).
Huzoor announced that after Friday Prayer he would lead funeral Prayer in absentia of Ahmad Yahya Bajwa Sahib who passed away on 11 March in an accident. He was 27 years old and a student at Jamia in Germany. He was a very promising young man with a very humble and charming nature. May God elevate his status.
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۔
Today there was a solar eclipse here. Similarly, eclipses occurred in several other countries as well. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has specifically enjoined supplication, seeking forgiveness, charity, and prayer on such occasions. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eclipses, Chapter on Prayer During Solar Eclipse, Hadith: 1044; Sahih Muslim, Book of Eclipses and its Prayer, Chapter on Announcement of Prayer During Eclipse, Hadith: 2117)
Accordingly, the Jamaat was instructed wherever news of an eclipse reached to perform the eclipse prayer. We too performed this prayer here in accordance with the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
In the Hadith, solar and lunar eclipses have been mentioned as one of the special signs of Allah Almighty. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eclipses, Chapter on Women Praying with Men During Eclipses, Hadith: 1035)
According to the instruction of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), one of the great signs of the advent of the Promised Messiah was the eclipse of the sun and moon, which by the grace of Allah Almighty was fulfilled in support of the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the east and the west. Therefore, the sign of the eclipse has a special relationship with the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him) and the Jamaat.
Today's eclipse cannot be said to be the sign of the mission of the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Eclipses that occur are signs among the signs of Allah Almighty, though they cannot be specified as particular signs. However, this eclipse certainly draws attention to that eclipse which appeared as the sign of the mission of the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And moreover, today's eclipse, on this day, draws attention to that sign in the sense that today is Friday, and Friday has a special relationship with the advent of the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Furthermore, because it is the month of March, attention is drawn to it as well, for after three days, on the 23rd of March, the Day of the Promised Messiah falls in this very month. His claim was also made. Thus this month, this day, and this eclipse remind the Jamaat of its history from different angles. Therefore, when I considered references for the sermon of the eclipse prayer, I thought that in the Friday sermon too I should speak with reference to the eclipse and present excerpts of the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) regarding the prophecy of solar and lunar eclipses, or present one or two excerpts. And likewise also some incidents of the Companions who, upon witnessing this eclipse, joined the Community and polished their faith.
As I have mentioned, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has given special importance to these eclipses. Therefore, when once during his lifetime an eclipse occurred, there are many Hadith about it. So first I present one Hadith. It is narrated by Asma' (may Allah be pleased with her) that when a solar eclipse occurred, I came to 'Aishah and saw that she was praying. I said, "What is wrong with the people, that they are standing in prayer at this time?" 'Aishah pointed to the sky and said, "Subhan'Allah." I asked, "Is this a sign?" She gestured by moving her head: "Yes." Asma says, "I also stood up until I began to lose consciousness. (That is, the prayer that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) led was so long.) She says I began to lose consciousness, so I poured water over my head. When the Messenger of Allah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) finished praying, he praised and glorified Allah Almighty. Then the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, "There is nothing that I had not seen before except that I saw it while standing in this place. Even Paradise and Hell. And I have been revealed that you will be tested in your graves like the trial of the Dajjal or something similar to it."
Then he said, "One of you will be brought (before Allah). He will be asked, 'What is your knowledge of this man, that is, Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)?' Then the believer or one who has faith, (Asma' says one of these two words was used), will say, 'Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) is the Messenger of Allah. You came to us with signs and guidance. We accepted you and believed in you and followed you.' He will be told, 'Sleep well. We know that you were certainly a believer.' And the person who was a hypocrite or one who harboured doubt, regarding the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), will say, 'I do not know. What is it? I only heard people saying something, and I said the same.' (Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Eclipses, Chapter on Women Praying with Men During Eclipses, Hadith: 1035)
Similarly, he also said that this is one of the signs of Allah Almighty. It has no connection with anyone's life or death, and one should pray during it. One should seek forgiveness. (Sahih Muslim, Book of Eclipses and its Prayer, Chapter on Announcement of Prayer During Eclipse, Hadith: 2117)
Now I present an excerpt from the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) regarding the prophecy of solar and lunar eclipses. He states:
"I am greatly astonished that despite sign upon sign appearing, yet the theologians still show no inclination towards accepting the truth. They do not even see that Allah Almighty defeats them in every arena, and they very much wish that some form of divine support should also be manifested on their behalf, but instead of support, their forsaking and failure becomes manifest day by day. (That is, their misfortune and disappointment become evident.) For example, in those days when through astrologers it became known that during Ramadan both the sun and moon would be eclipsed, and people's hearts were filled with the idea that this was the sign of the appearance of the promised Imam, at that time the theologians' hearts began to palpitate with fear that there is only one person claiming to be the Mahdi and Messiah in the field. Lest people turn towards him. Then to hide this sign, first some began to say that there would be no eclipse in this Ramadan, but rather when their Imam Mahdi appears. And when the eclipse did occur in Ramadan, they then presented the excuse that this eclipse does not accord with the wording of the Hadith, because the Hadith states that the moon will be eclipsed in the first night and the sun will be eclipsed in the middle of the month."
He said, "Whereas in this eclipse the moon was eclipsed on the thirteenth night and the sun was eclipsed on the twenty-eighth date. And when it was explained to them that the first date of the month is not intended in the Hadith, and the moon of the first date cannot be called the moon (qamar), its name is the crescent (hilal), and the word used in the Hadith is qamar, not hilal. So the meaning of the Hadith is that the moon will be eclipsed in the first night of those nights in which it can be eclipsed, that is, the thirteenth night of the month. And the sun will be eclipsed in the middle of those days in which it can be eclipsed, that is, the twenty-eighth date, which is the middle day of its eclipse days. Then these foolish theologians, upon hearing this correct interpretation, felt greatly ashamed, and then with much audacity they made this second excuse, that one of the narrators among the authorities of the Hadith is not a reliable person. (That is, one of the narrators was not reliable.) Then they were told that since the prophecy of the Hadith has been fulfilled, the criticism which is based on doubt has no standing against this certain reality, which is strong evidence for the authenticity of the Hadith. That is, the fulfillment of the prophecy bears witness that it is the word of one who speaks the truth, and now to say that he is not truthful but a liar amounts to denying the obvious. And this has always been the principle of the scholars of Hadith that they say doubt cannot remove certainty.
The fulfillment of a prophecy according to its meaning in the time of a claimant to a Mahdi is certain witness that he who uttered these words spoke the truth. But they say, 'We have an objection against his conduct.' (That is, the claimant's.) This is a doubtful matter, and sometimes even a liar speaks the truth (that is, sometimes a liar can speak the truth.) Besides, this prophecy is also proven through other methods, and some of the great scholars among the Hanafis have also written about it, so denial is not a condition of justice, but sheer obstinacy. And after this crushing reply, they had to say that this Hadith is indeed authentic, and from it, it is understood that the promised Imam will soon appear, but this person (that is, the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)) is not the promised Imam, but someone else who will appear shortly after him. But their answer too proved baseless and false, because if there were another Imam, then as the meaning of the Hadith is, that Imam should have appeared on the head of the century, but fifteen years have passed since the century and no Imam has appeared. Now their final answer from their side is that these people are disbelievers. Do not look at their books. Do not associate with them. Do not listen to them, for their words make an impression on hearts. But how much of a matter of reflection is it that even the heavens have testified against them, and the present state of the earth has also testified against them. How much of a humiliation for them that on one hand the heavens testify against them and on the other hand the earth testifies due to Christian domination. (The Need for the Imam, Spiritual Treasures, Vol. 13, pp. 507-509)
And in another place, he said: "For us the sign of the eclipse became manifest and hundreds of people entered our Community upon witnessing it, and from this eclipse we received joy and our opponents received humiliation. Can they swear and say that their heart wished that at the time when we claim to be the promised Mahdi, an eclipse should occur and in the lands of Arabia there should be no trace of it? And then when what was against their wish became manifest, surely their hearts would have ached and they would have seen humiliation in it. (Anwar al-Islam, Spiritual Treasures, Vol. 9, p. 33)
After this, now I recount some incidents of the Companions. Hazrat Ghulam Muhammad Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) states, "In my village, there was first a gentleman named Maulvi Badruddin Sahib. In those days, the humble one was about fifteen years old. I was standing with Maulvi Badruddin Sahib in front of his house when a solar eclipse occurred during the day, and Maulvi Sahib said: 'Subhan'Allah! The signs of the appearance of the Mahdi have come, and the time of his advent has arrived.' After some time passed, Maulvi Sahib became an Ahmadi. Maulvi Sahib was very sincere, pure-natured, and devoted. He succeeded in converting his parents and wife to Ahmadiyyat through a year of effort." (Register of Companions' Accounts, unpublished, Vol. 6, pp. 305, 306, Account of Hazrat Ghulam Muhammad Sahib, father of Ali Bakhsh Sahib, residing in Qadiabad, District Amritsar)
Then Hafiz Muhammad Hayat Sahib of Lalian wrote an article titled "Ahmadiyyat in Lalian." He writes: "The sign of the eclipse stirred hearts. He says: Similarly, in 1894, due to the fulfillment of the sign of solar and lunar eclipses, people's hearts were moved with the search that the Imam Mahdi had appeared and the Day of Judgment was near. From narratives, it is evident that people's hearts were in a state of anxiety—what would happen now? The Day of Judgment has arrived. During these times, these signs were frequently mentioned. Indeed, Hafiz Muhammad Lakho in his 'Conditions of the Hereafter' mentioned the signs of the appearance of the Imam Mahdi in Punjabi verse. Similarly, a guardian of a shrine and Sufi poet of Lalian, Mian Muhammad Sadiq Lali, also mentioned these signs in his verse. (That is, he wrote about these signs in it.) The thirteenth moon and moon will eclipse, and the twenty-seventh sun will eclipse. The twenty-seventh is written; it should be the twenty-eighth sun. This is the translation of those Punjabi verses.
In any case, they say these signs were discussed in every household, and there was a search among common people for the Imam of the time. In these circumstances, Maulana Taj Mahmud Sahib and some other elders consulted together and formed a delegation to go to Qadian to see the Mahdi (Peace be upon him) and carefully examine the fulfillment of all the signs related to the promised Mahdi mentioned in various narratives, and if those signs were fulfilled, they would pledge allegiance to him. Among the persons selected for this delegation, the foremost were three individuals: Sheikh Amir al-Din Sahib, Mian Sahib al-Din Sahib, and Mian Muhammad Yar Sahib. This delegation set out on foot. As provisions for the journey, according to the current currency of that time, they had only one and a half rupees. (In some accounts, it is mentioned that a delegation of two men went, only Mian Sahib al-Din and Sheikh Amir al-Din. In any case, they say these two men had only one and a half rupees.) And it was the month of March. The wheat was near ripening. These people travelled ten to twelve miles daily on foot. When they became hungry, they would take stalks of ripened wheat from the farmers' fields, roast them, and eat them to sustain themselves. If there was any inhabited place or camp nearby, they would spend the night there. In any case, travelling hundreds of kos (approximately one hundred fifty to two hundred miles), when these two companions, (according to some accounts, all three companions), came near Batalah, the students of Maulvi Muhammad Husain Sahib Batalvi caught up with them. They asked for directions to Qadian. When the purpose was known, the students prevented them from going to Qadian and said that the person who has claimed to be the Mahdi is, Allah forbid, a liar, because he has made not one but seven claims. Which of his claims will you have faith in? Therefore, turn back from here. Upon hearing this, Sheikh Amir al-Din Sahib responded (he was not educated, but gave a brilliant response. He said,) that even if he has made seven different claims, he is still truthful. He still has more claims to make. And he gave evidence according to his understanding, saying, for example, here you are all seven men and I am alone. All of you fight with me and wrestle. If I throw all of you, then am I one or seven? That is, I have overpowered seven, and he said that the Imam of the time must confront different religions of the entire world. Therefore, he will have even more claims. Upon this, they all fell silent and said, "Go your way, dear sir," but still did not give directions.
They say we went a little further. There was a Sikh's tea stall. The Sikh made tea and offered biscuits. Sheikh Sahib told the incident and conduct of Batalvi Sahib's students to the Sikh, at which the latter expressed regret. The Sikh said, "I will show you the way. You must go to Qadian. It seems he is truthful in his claim." (Regarding the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him).) Then he said, "We know Mirza Sahib." Accordingly, that Sikh accompanied them some distance and left them on the path that led straight to Qadian. At that time, there was no proper road to Qadian. When these two companions reached Qadian, the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was present in the Masjid Mubarak. A gathering was assembled. Several non-Community scholars and theologians were seated in the gathering with whom the Holy Master was in conversation and answering their questions, and at the same time was also engaged in writing. This too was a sign that on one hand he was writing, and the pen was flowing as if a topic was descending into his heart from the unseen, and on the other hand he was conversing with the people seated in the gathering. There was no interruption in the pen.
These companions were introduced to the Master. Sheikh Sahib submitted, "Master, we have come from Lalian." The Master asked, "Where is Lalian?" (Most people probably know. For those who don't, let me inform them that Lalian is now a town, indeed a city, approximately eight miles from Rabwah. In any case, these people went from there at that time.) At that time, Hazrat Hakim Maulana Nur al-Din Sahib, who had connections with Bhera, was seated in the gathering. Therefore, he knew about Lalian. He submitted, "Master, Lalian is near Kirana and Lakbari." Upon which the Master said, "Yes, yes, that is Lakh and Lali." (Because he had heard Lali's verse. Perhaps that is why it was in his knowledge.) Hazrat Maulana Hakim Nur al-Din Sahib submitted, "Master, they are our neighbours." Since Sheikh Sahib and Sahib al-Din Sahib were illiterate, they spoke up and said, "Yes, Master, we too (said in Punjabi) are their neighbours." Then they presented all the details and incidents of the journey before the Master. When the Master heard the incident of Batalvi Sahib's students, the Master said, "Look, what an illiterate person this is. What an excellent reply he gave. He silenced them. Who taught him? Allah taught him." The Master repeated these words three times. The Master then instructed them to stay with him for some days. For three days they remained in the Master's gathering. They also went for walks with the Master. They reviewed the signs that the scholars of Lalian had mentioned. They witnessed with their own eyes the fulfillment of these signs. Finally, before returning, they went to the mosque and presented the salutations of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) (which he had instructed to convey to his Mahdi) and requested to pledge allegiance. Upon this, the Master said, "Stay with us for some more days." Upon hearing this, Sheikh Sahib became tearful and showed his feet to the Master and submitted, "Master, our feet have become swollen from such a long journey. We have endured such hardship, and we have found you to be the true Mahdi. We do not know if life will stay with us or not. Please accept our pledge of allegiance." Accordingly, their hand pledge was then taken in the Masjid Mubarak. (Taken from Monthly Ansar Allah, Rabwah, June 1995, pp. 32-34)
Asad Allah Qureshi Sahib writes regarding Hazrat Qazi Muhammad Akbar Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him), "Hazrat Qazi Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) was an Ahl-i-Hadith before becoming a member of the Ahmadi Community. He had relations with Hazrat Maulvi Burhan al-Din Sahib Jehlumi. He was the imam of his area. He was engaged in the religious education and teaching of the people of his region when the sign of the eclipse appeared in the sky. You were already aware before this that the time of the appearance of the Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) was near. Upon the appearance of the great sign of the eclipse, discussion began among your students and circle of friends. Bashir Ahmad Sahib, who is his grandson, says, 'I heard this account from Mian Manga Sahib that while we studied under Qazi Sahib, when the solar and lunar eclipses appeared in Ramadan,
Qazi Sahib said that the sign of the appearance of the Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) has appeared; we must search for him. During these days, the people of Charkot used to go to Jhelum for wholesale purchases. Qazi Sahib entrusted this task to the friends coming from Jhelum that they meet with Hazrat Maulvi Burhan al-Din Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) and ask him, having consulted with him, that this sign of solar and lunar eclipse has appeared—please guide us regarding the Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him). Accordingly, those people met with Hazrat Maulvi Sahib. Hazrat Maulvi Sahib sent some books and a letter towards Hazrat Qazi Sahib. Before receiving the letter and books, he had a dream. Someone gave him three books to read. When he opened the first book to read it, it was filled with filth and emitted a foul smell. Upon this, he threw that book away. Then he looked at the two books from which flames of light were emanating. Upon receiving the books sent by Hazrat Maulvi Burhan al-Din Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him), his dream was fulfilled in this way: Hazrat Maulvi Sahib had sent him one book regarding the refutation of the claims of Hazrat the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him). He began to read this one first. When he saw words displeasing to the heart regarding the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him), he stopped reading it and cast it aside, and read the other two books and the letter, finding them exactly in accordance with his dream, and he was further motivated to investigate. Accordingly, he sent a delegation of three persons for investigation, and all three of them, upon reaching Qadian, had the honour of pledging allegiance to the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him). And here it is also worth mentioning, as it comes in the narratives and happens with everyone, that when this delegation reached Batalah, Maulvi Muhammad Husain Batalvi also stopped them. He also showed some courtesy and said, "You are needlessly enduring the hardships of walking for several days to go to Qadian. Since you live in a remote area, you do not know. Mirza Sahib's entire enterprise is false. Therefore, turn back." Accordingly, Maulvi Sahib not only said this to them, but also saw them off to the edge of the city. But after taking leave from him, these three, instead of going back, reached Qadian and there, by the grace of Allah Almighty, pledged allegiance. After this, Qazi Sahib first took the written pledge and then, upon reaching Qadian, had the honour of the hand pledge. (Taken from History of Ahmadiyyat in Jammu and Kashmir, compiled by Asad Allah Qureshi Sahib, pp. 57-59)
Then the grandfather of Hazrat Maulana Abu al-Ata Sahib Jalandhari, Qazi Mulla Baksh Sahib, Tehsil Nawashah, District Jlandhar, was a renowned Ahl-e-Hadith preacher. When the sign of the eclipse appeared, in one sermon he explained in detail the eclipse of the moon on the thirteenth and then the eclipse of the sun on the twenty-eighth of the month of Ramadan respectively, clarifying that this is the sign of the appearance of the Imam Mahdi. Now we must wait to see when and from where the promised Imam appears. This sermon had a considerable effect. Accordingly, although Hazrat Qazi Sahib (that is, Qazi Mulla Baksh Sahib, grandfather of Maulana Abu al-Ata Jalandhari) did not himself come to accept, his elder son, that is, the father of Maulana Abu al-Ata Sahib, Hazrat Mian Imam al-Din Sahib, came to know of the claimant and, after some study and reflection, had the honour of confirming and pledging allegiance to the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). (Taken from Monthly al-Furqan, October 1967, p. 43. Quoted from Monthly Ansar Allah, Rabwah, May 1994, p. 84)
Hazrat Ghulam Mujtaba Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him) states, "In 1901, the Durre Sameen came to my attention when I was employed in Hong Kong. Time demanded that a reformer appear in the world, because such differences were found among the scholars of the time that every person with sound reason was fed up with these differences and in search of a reformer. Upon reading the verses of Durre Sameen, I reached the conclusion that if this person is truthful, blessed is the fortune; otherwise, this person has indeed perfected lying. (It is such an exalted book.) During this time, 'Izalah al-Awham' came to my attention, but it could not be known who brought these books to Hong Kong. I read 'Izalah al-Awham' completely and then I continued to debate with the imam of the mosque in Hong Kong on this method. The imam of the mosque of Hong Kong had a Persian copy of the Qasidat Ni'mat Allah Wali Allah. Reading it gave us much help that the time is near when the Mahdi will appear; in fact, this is the time. My late father was a scholar of jurisprudence; when the sun was eclipsed in Ramadan and the moon also, my father said that the Imam Mahdi (Peace be upon him) had been born." (Taken from Register of Companions' Accounts, unpublished, Vol. 7, p. 116, Account of Hazrat Ghulam Mujtaba Sahib, residing in Rasul Pur, Tehsil Kharian, District Gujrat)
Maulana Ibrahim Sahib Baqapuri (may Allah be pleased with him) states, "Two persons, a father and son, came to Maulvi Abdel Jabbar and asked, 'Is the Hadith in which the eclipse is mentioned for the appearance of the Imam Mahdi authentic?' Maulvi Sahib said, 'The Hadith is authentic, but do not fall into the trap of Mirza Sahib, because he presents it as evidence for his claim, and this Hadith concerns the birth of the Imam Mahdi, not as proof of his claim.' The father said, 'Maulvi Sahib, you have answered the question I asked you. As for the rest, regarding whom it applies, I submit that my entire life has been spent in court cases, but the court never asked me to bring a witness except first I made a claim. The same is the case with Mirza Sahib—he made his claim from the beginning, and now this eclipse is evidence for his claim.' Upon this, Maulvi Sahib fell silent, and both father and son left for their village." (Taken from Register of Companions' Accounts, unpublished, Vol. 8, p. 4, Account of Hazrat Maulana Ibrahim Sahib Baqapuri)
Allah Almighty granted them the grace of acceptance. And Allah also immediately teaches the proofs.
Sayyid Nazir Husain Shah Sahib states, "When the sun and moon were eclipsed, I was at my house at that time. My father was saying that this is a sign of the truthfulness of Hazrat Mirza Sahib. This also had an effect on me." (Taken from Register of Companions' Accounts, unpublished, Vol. 10, p. 237, Account of Hazrat Sayyid Nazir Husain Shah Sahib, Ghatiala, District Sialkot)
Accordingly, they also received the grace of acceptance.
Sayyid Zain al-Abidin Wali Allah Shah Sahib states, "In those times, there was general discussion that the Muslims were ruined, and it was the end of the thirteenth century, and this was the time when Hazrat Imam Mahdi would come, and after him Hazrat 'Isa would also come. Accordingly, our mother used to mention with great joy the coming of this Mahdi and 'Isa, saying that the time was drawing near, and she also used to mention that the occurrence of lunar and solar eclipses was specific to the time of Hazrat Mahdi and it has already occurred." (Register of Companions' Accounts, unpublished, Vol. 11, pp. 142, 143, Account of Hazrat Sayyid Zain al-Abidin Wali Allah Shah Sahib, residing in Sahala, District Rawalpindi)
In any case, Allah Almighty then granted the entire family the grace of accepting Ahmadiyyat.
Hazrat Mirza Ayyub Beg Sahib used to state, "The prophecy of the eclipse of the moon and sun in the month of Ramadan is mentioned in the Hadith of Dar al-Qutni and other Hadith as a sign for the Mahdi. In March 1894, first the moon in Ramadan was eclipsed. When the days of the eclipse of the sun in that same Ramadan drew near, both brothers, with the intention of witnessing this sign with the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and performing the eclipse prayer, set out from Lahore on Saturday evening and reached Batalah around eleven o'clock at night. Early the next morning, the eclipse was to occur. (Look at the enthusiasm of these young men.) A storm was blowing, clouds were thundering and lightning was flashing. The wind was contrary and dust was getting in their eyes. (They were walking from Batalah to Qadian on foot.) Their feet could not move properly, and the path was only visible by the flashing of lightning. With you was also a friend from your hometown, Maulvi Abdul Ali Sahib. (There were three people in all.) Everyone decided that no matter what, they must reach Qadian during the night. (They had already accepted Ahmadiyyat. They wanted to perform the eclipse prayer with the Promised Messiah (Peace be upon him).) Accordingly, the three of them stopped on the way and prayed with utmost humility, "O Allah! You are the Almighty Lord of the earth and the heavens. We are your helpless servants. We are going to visit your Messiah, and we are travelling on foot. It is cold. Have mercy on us. Make the path easy for us and turn away this contrary wind. (That is, the wind that was blowing against them.)" (They say) Hardly were the last words of the prayer in our mouths when the wind changed direction, and instead of blowing in front, it blew from behind and became a favourable wind for travel. (That is, it was blowing so strongly from behind that their journey became easy. Their steps became very light.) It seemed as if they were flying through the air. In a little while, they reached a canal. At this place, a little rain began to fall. There was a cottage by the canal. They entered it. During these times, robberies were frequent on most roads in the Gurdaspor district. They lit a match and looked—the cottage was empty, and there were two bricks and one thick stone in it. Each one placed a brick as a pillow and slept on the ground. After some time, when their eyes opened, stars were visible, the sky was clear, and there was no trace of clouds or storm. Accordingly, they set out again and had breakfast at the Promised Messiah's (Peace be upon him) table. (It was the month of Ramadan, after all.) In the morning, he performed the eclipse prayer with the Promised Master (Peace be upon him), which Maulvi Muhammad Ahsan Sahib Amrohvi led on the roof of the Masjid Mubarak. The prayer and sermon continued for approximately three hours. Several friends had blackened glass with soot through which they were viewing the eclipse. Barely had a faint blackness begun on the glass (that is, a ring of the sun had just begun) when someone told the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) that the sun was eclipsed. The Promised Master looked through this glass and saw very faint blackness, that is, the eclipse had just begun. The Promised Master said that we have seen this eclipse, but it is so faint that it will escape the notice of the common people, and in this way such a grand prophecy's sign will become doubtful. The Promised Master mentioned this several times. But after a short while, the blackness on the sun, the eclipse, began to increase until a large portion of the sun became dark. Then the Promised Master said, "We saw onions in a dream last night, and the interpretation of onions is sorrow. So at first there was slight sorrow due to the faint blackness, but Allah Almighty showed happiness.'" (Taken from Ashaab Ahmad, Vol. 1, pp. 92-94, Account of Hazrat Mirza Ayyub Beg Sahib)
Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Rasul Sahib states, "In 1894, when the solar and lunar eclipses occurred, I was studying Tirmidhi Sharif with Maulvi Hafiz Abdul Mannan Sahib in Lahore. The anxiety and concern of the scholars affected my heart. Although the scholars were giving people childish consolations, they were very fearful at heart that because of this true sign, people would quickly turn towards the Promised Master. During these days, Hafiz Muhammad Sahib, the author of Lakho, had come to Lahore for surgery of kidney stones. I also presented myself in his service. When the common people asked him that you have clearly written this sign in your book 'Conditions of the Hereafter,' and the claimant, Hazrat Mirza Sahib, is also present and is treating this sign as his supporter. What position do you take on this matter? He said, 'I am sick and very weak. I can say something after my health recovers.' However, I prevent my son Abdul Rahman Mohiuddin from opposing Hazrat Mirza Sahib, for Allah's secrets are strange. But (in any case) he could not survive, and soon passed away." (The writer says,) "Although my heart was reassured about the truthfulness of the Promised Master through these words, for the sake of completing knowledge of Hadith, I went to Amritsar, and after staying there for two or three years and completing the course of Hadith, I came to Darul Aman and had the honour of pledging allegiance to the Promised Master." (Taken from Ashaab Ahmad, Vol. 10, p. 178, Account of Hazrat Maulvi Ghulam Rasul Sahib)
Hazrat Brother Abdul Rahman Sahib Qadiani states, "In the month of Ramadan of 1894, the famous sign of the appearance of the Mahdi of the Final Age, the eclipse, was fulfilled. That sight is still before my eyes, and those words still resound in my ears that our Head Master, Maulvi Jamal al-Din Sahib, said in front of the entire class (that is, the class) in the school room upon the fulfillment of this sign: 'One should now search for the Mahdi of the Final Age. He must certainly have been born in some cave because a great sign of his appearance has been fulfilled today.' He says, 'I was also present in the class. That room, that place, and the circle of boys are still before my eyes. The chair on which the Maulvi was seated when he spoke these words, the table on which he struck his hand to tell the boys this news—before Allah, they will certainly testify that the aforesaid Maulvi has received the final call to truth. Despite announcing this sign, he himself remained deprived of accepting the Mahdi of the Final Age. (Brother Abdul Rahman Sahib says:) 'Mahdi of the Final Age'—my ears were still unacquainted with this name. 'Being born in some cave,' 'the great sign of his appearance,' these words were even more surprising to me. I was studying in middle school. A desire for inquiry arose in my nature. Due to respect and propriety, I could not ask the teacher. In the end, I sought the solution to this puzzle from my classmates, who, according to their prevailing belief and thought, told the whole story. The impressions that arose in my heart upon hearing these stories and which added further to my spirituality were as follows: (Look at how fertile the mind of an eighth-grade student is. He said that,) First, it is that, thirteen hundred years ago, to give news of an event that had become famous among friends and foes, and then for it to be fulfilled exactly on time.
The second thing that came to mind was that this event is not the result of human effort but happened in the heavens, where humans cannot reach, nor does humanity have any role in it.
The third thing that came to mind was the personality of the Mahdi of the Final Age, his eradication of disbelief, the increase of Islam, and the ideas of preparing an Islamic army and putting the disbelievers to the sword and the victories of the Muslims.
The fourth thing was supplication and its reality. Allah heard and accepted the supplications of His servants, because the saints of the Muslim nation continued to pray for the Mahdi of the Final Age. Finally they were answered. The fifth was that these things are clear and evident proofs of the truthfulness of Islam, and Islam is the only religion that is dear to Allah and is the means to reach Allah.
He says these five matters, in their summarized form, had an impact on my heart, and this event increased and refreshed my faith and added to my spirituality, and I also became anxious to attain the Mahdi of the Final Age, for the attainment of which I developed the habit of supplication. I would stay awake at night and remain restless during the day, and the thought of searching for the Mahdi of the Final Age sometimes had such dominance that despite my young age, I would venture out like a madman into those terrible ruins and would cry out and sometimes weeping beseech Allah Almighty for the attainment of this noble personage." (Taken from Ashaab Ahmad, Vol. 9, pp. 11-13, Account of Hazrat Brother Abdul Rahman Sahib Qadiani.) Finally, Allah Almighty accepted the supplications and granted the grace of acceptance. There are still more incidents. Then there is a Companion of the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) whose name is Hazrat Sheikh Nasir al-Din Sahib, who was born in 1858 in Makandpur, District Jlandhar. Based on a dream, he had the honour of pledging allegiance to the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). He followed the Ahl-i-Hadith school of thought, but did not find peace of heart. When he would hear from scholars in mosques the famous book 'Conditions of the Hereafter' and prophecies, his heart would testify that the time of the one to come seemed to be this very time, but why was the Imam Mahdi not appearing? Similarly, one day while praying in a mosque, a Maulvi Sahib, in a state of great anxiety, was striking his thighs and mentioning the solar and lunar eclipse, saying that now people must accept Mirza Sahib, because the eclipse has occurred according to the prophecy. When this voice reached the ears of (that is, Sheikh Nasir al-Din Sahib's) anxiety increased, for what was the Maulvi Sahib saying? If the prophecy has been fulfilled, it is a matter of great joy. Accordingly, he began to pray with great lamentation, "O Mighty Lord, guide me. Allah Almighty guided him. He saw in a dream that a great calamity attacked him, but he fired at it with a gun and it vanished like smoke. Then he joined the congregational prayer in a mosque in a high place. He narrated this dream to a Maulvi Sahib. He interpreted it saying that you will overcome your inner self and join a righteous community. During this time, he heard about the claim of the Promised Messiah, and upon reaching Qadian and seeing the situation as in his dream, without any hesitation, he pledged allegiance to the Promised Messiah (Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In this way, the prophecy of the solar and lunar eclipse (and the words of the Maulvi) proved to be an important motive for his guidance." (Taken from History of Ahmadiyyat in Rawalpindi District. Compiled by Khawaja Munzoor Sadiq Sahib, pp. 163, 164)
May Allah Almighty grant wisdom to the world and to the Muslims of today, and instead of opposing the Imam of the time, grant them the grace of accepting him.
After the prayers, I will also lead a funeral prayer in absentia. This is for our dear one, Ahmad Yahya Bajwa, son of the esteemed Naeem Ahmad Bajwa Sahib of Germany. He was a student of Jamia Ahmadiyya. He passed away on 11th March 2015 in an accident at the age of 27 years. اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّا اِلَیْہِ رَاجِعُوْنَ Surely we are Allah's and to Him shall we return. He first enrolled in Jamia, then due to some illness, he left his studies and went away. Then after two years, he again expressed the desire that I want to enroll. Therefore, despite his advanced age, he was admitted. Now he was in the fourth year and was a very promising and humble student, possessing the true spirit of dedication, and by Allah's grace was a very dear person. He had an excellent manner of explaining things to his fellow students. Most of his classmates, old and new, have written to me, and each has praised him, and the common feature is extreme humility. He would never quarrel with anyone. If someone was quarrelling, he would try to make them understand and attempt to reform them. Indeed, there was a staff member of Jamia (who was another worker, not from the teaching staff, not from the teachers, but from the general staff) who had the habit of smoking cigarettes. In such a manner did he speak to him that through his efforts, that person gave up smoking. And he was very good at explaining things with love to everyone, and he had a relationship of love and affection with everyone. A very close friendship. May Allah Almighty elevate his ranks. May He show him mercy and forgiveness. As I have said, I will now, Allah willing, lead his funeral prayer.
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