After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated:
The name of the first of the badri companions that I will mention today is Hazrat Hussain bin Haris (ra). His mother's name was Suhaila bint Khazai and he belonged to Banu Muttalib bin ‘Abdi Manaaf tribe. The Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Hussain (ra) and Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin Jubair (ra). Hazrat Hussain (ra) participated in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including the Battles of Badr and Uhud. The two brothers of Hazrat Hussain - Hazrat ‘Ubaidah (ra) and Hazrat Tufail (ra) -also participated in the Battle of Badr. Hazrat Hussain passed away in 32AH.
The next companion is Hazrat Safwan (ra). His father's name was Wahab bin Rabi’ah. The title of Hazrat Safwan was Abu ‘Amr. He belonged to the tribe of Banu Haris bin Fehr. His mother’s name was Daad bint Hajdam, who was known as “Baidaa”. For this reason, Hazrat Safwan was also referred to as Ibn Baidaa [the son of Baidaa]. Various opinions also exist regarding his demise. According to some, he was martyred by Tu’aimah bin ‘Adi during the Battle of Badr. According to another narration he was not martyred during the Battle of Badr, rather he participated in all of the battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa) including the Battles of Badr.
The next companion to be mentioned is Hazrat Mubashir bin ‘Abd-il-Munzir (ra). His father’s name was ‘Abd-ul-Munzir and his mother name was Nasiba bint Zaid. He belonged to Banu ‘Amr bin ‘Auf clan of the Aus tribe. Nevertheless, Hazrat Mubashir participated in the battle of Badr and was martyred during the battle.
Hazrat ‘Abdullah bin ‘Amr bin Haram (ra) relates: “I saw a dream before the battle of Uhud that Hazrat Mubashir bin ‘Abd-il-Munzir is saying to me that I will join them in a few days. I asked him, where are you? Upon this, he said: ‘We are in heaven. We eat and drink wherever we desire.’ I asked him, was he not martyred during the battle of Badr? He replied: ‘Indeed, I was certainly martyred, however, I was revived once again.’” This companion mentioned this dream to the Holy Prophet (sa), upon which the Holy Prophet (sa) said: “O Abu Jabir! This is the reality of martyrdom. A martyr returns to Allah and roams around freely.”
With the support of authentic narrators, Tibrani has related an incident on authority of Ibn Mas’ud in which he stated: “God will most certainly place the souls of the companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) that were martyred on the day of Badr among the green birds in heaven and they will eat and drink therein wherever they please. They will be in this very state when their Lord will appear before them and say to them, ‘O My servants! What do you desire?’ Upon this, they will say ‘O our Lord! Is there anything greater than the fact that we have already entered heaven?
God Almighty will then ask: “What do you desire?” On the fourth occasion of asking, the companions would say: “Return our souls to our bodies, so we can be martyred again in the same manner as we were martyred before.”
The next companion to be mentioned is Hazrat Warqa bin Ayas (ra). There is a difference of opinion about his name. Other than ‘Warqa’, his name has also been recorded as ‘Wadfa’ and ‘Wadqa’. His father’s name was Ayas bin Amr. He was from the Banu Lozaan bin Ghanam clan of the Khazraj tribe. According to a narration by ‘Alama bin Ishaaq, Hazrat Warqa had the opportunity to participate in the Battle of Badr along with two of his brothers; Hazrat Rabee’ and Hazrat Amr. Apart from the Battle of Badr, Hazrat Warqa participated in the Battle of Uhud, the Battle of Khandaq and all other battles alongside the Holy Prophet (sa). He was martyred in 11 AH, in the Battle of Yamama during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra).
The next companion that will be mentioned is Hazrat Muhriz bin Nadhlah (ra). His title was Abu Nadhlah. He had a fair complexion and a beautiful countenance. He was also known by the titles of Fuhaira and Akhram. He was a confederate of the Banu ‘Abd Shams whereas ‘Abdul Al-Ash’al tribe claimed to be his confederates as well. He participated in the Battle of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. Salih bin Qisaan narrates: “Hazrat Muhriz bin Nadhlahh said that ‘I saw in a dream that the heavens were made to open up for me and I entered and reached the seventh heaven. Then I arrived at the Sidratul Muntaha. I was informed that this is your destination.’ Hazrat Muhriz (ra) states: ‘I mentioned this dream to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) who was an expert in the interpretation of dreams. Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) stated: ‘Rejoice at the glad tidings of martyrdom.’” After this dream, he attained martyrdom, and he was close to thirty-seven or thirty-eight years of age at the time of his martyrdom.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) narrated the long incidence of his martyrdom including an incidence of the bravery of Hazrat Salma bin Akwa (ra), who was an accomplished soldier and expert in his knowledge of warfare and combat. During this incidence, he chased bandits to retrieve all the possessions of Muslims from the bandits. Then, Hazrat Salman bin Akwa (ra) sought permission to go in pursuit of the bandits, who were running away. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) did not grant him permission. The reason for this was because the Holy Prophet (sa) did not wish to engage in any battle or bloodshed. Thus, since all the stolen items had been recovered and the culprits ran away with some of their men having sustained injuries as well, the Holy Prophet (sa) therefore did not puruse the the matter further and avoided any further conflict or fighting.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) narrated a further incidence about how, when returning from the war, the companions would engage in light-hearted banter and challenging each other to running races. This allowed them to pass time and also alleviate the constant mental strain they had to endure from the enemy.
The next companion is Hazrat Suwaibit bin Sa’d (ra), who was also known as Suwaibit bin Harmala. His name is also reported to be Suwait bin Harmala and Saleet bin Harmala. Hazrat Suwaibit belonged to the tribe of Banu Abd Dar. His mother’s name was Hunaida and he was from amongst the early Muslims. Many of the historians have counted him amongst those companions who migrated towards Abyssinia. Hazrat Suwaibit migrated to Medina and stayed at the house of Hazrat Abdullah bin Salma Ajlaani. The Holy Prophet (sa) established a bond of brotherhood between Hazrat Suwait and Hazrat Aaiz bin Maaiz. Hazrat Suwaibit (ra) took part in the Battles of Badr and Uhud.
Having narrated the incidents of the Companions, I would like to briefly speak about the revelation of the Promised Messiah (as); [arabic] [“enlarge your abode”]
The Promised Messiah (as) was vouchsafed this revelation at different times. The Promised Messiah (as) says that initially when God Almighty granted him the revelation of “enlarge your abode”, only two or three people would come to meet him and sit in his gatherings, nor did many people know of him. Subsequently the Promised Messiah (as) received many other revelations and alongside them, the revelation of “enlarge your abode” was revealed to him on several occasions. When God Almighty instructs his prophets by way of revelation to carry out a certain task, it means that God Almighty would assist them with Divine succour and support. The history of the Jamaat is proof of how God Almighty fulfilled this prophecy with full grandeur and glory, and how He continues to fulfil the prophecy to this day.
When Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) migrated here, God Almighty immediately showed a miraculous sign of His Divine support and enabled the Jamaat to purchase 25-acres of land, [later] named Islamabad. Subsequently, a further six acres was later added to this. The Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention] would take place here and it contained residential homes for Jamaat employees and Waqfe Zindagis [life devotees]. There was a small house for the residence of Khalifatul Masih, a few offices and one of the barrack-style buildings was used as a mosque to offer prayers. I remember when I came here in 1985, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) especially said to me that God Almighty has granted us an excellent site, which is even sufficient enough to serve as the headquarters. Although these were not his exact words, however he said words to this effect. Furthermore, there are some other evidences which also indicate this, and I am convinced that it was the wish of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) to make the headquarters in Islamabad.
Nevertheless, God Almighty has appointed a time for everything and He has now granted us the opportunity to carry out construction work in Islamabad. New offices have been built with better amenities. A purpose-built mosque has been constructed; along with a residence for Khalifatul Masih; houses for life devotees and Jamaat workers have been built and more will be built in due course. The offices in London were houses that had been converted temporarily into offices. The space was congested and was difficult to operate in these circumstances. Since the workload has increased manifold, it was difficult to continue due to a scarcity of space. In addition to this, the council would make complaints that these houses are for residential purposes as opposed to offices and therefore we should close the offices. From time to time they would voice their concerns.
Now after the reconstruction, the three or four offices that would operate in these houses will be moving to Islamabad, God Willing. Owing to the Islamabad redevelopment, God Almighty has granted the Jamaat a large two storey building in Farnham, situated two to three miles away. In this building there is the printing press and a few other offices. Aside from this, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK have also bought a large building there. Prior to this, God Almighty enabled us to purchase Hadeeqatul Mahdi to hold the Jalsa Salana – a site which spans over 200 acres. In addition to this, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK, which was previously in London, also moved nearby. God Almighty granted us the new site for Jamia Ahmadiyya UK for a remarkably low price, which was far better in terms of atmosphere and facilities. The current site is also approximately 30 acres. All of these places are situated at a 10 – 20-minute drive from Islamabad. There was no plan in place to purchase all of these sited due to the redevelopment of Islamabad, rather, it was God Almighty who provided us with all of these sites close to one another. Alongside the headquarters, God Almighty granted us all of the other sites. It is important for Jamia Ahmadiyya to be close by. Since all of these sites are situated near to one another, pray to God Almighty that may He make this a blessing for us in all respects.
As I have mentioned earlier, the residence of the Khalifa and some offices have been constructed there. A large mosque has also been built. Therefore, in a few days’ time – God Willing – I will also relocate to Islamabad. After the move, pray that may this change in residence prove to be a blessing in every respect. May God Almighty continuously shower His blessings on us. May God Almighty enable us to propagate the message of Islam from Islamabad more than before and may the revelation [Arabic] not only be related to physical expansion, rather, may it aid in fulfilling the plans of God Almighty.
At this point, I would also like to say that the neighbours of the Fazl Mosque have always had grievances and complained about Ahmadis who come to the mosque, of the increased traffic or parking issues. Therefore, the people coming for prayers to Islamabad or anyone who comes to visit should be mindful of this and not allow any instance for the neighbours of Islamabad to make similar complaints. Indeed, the people residing nearby will come to Islamabad, therefore, always be mindful of the traffic regulations.
Nevertheless, I once again would reiterate to pray that may God Almighty bless this plan and relocation in every respect.