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| Ahmadiyya Mosque, France |
Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday during Ramadan, this site is publishing reviews of different books of The Promised Messiah, Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad. Earlier issues of the series are available here. In this edition, we will be looking at Fathe Islam AKA 'Victory of Islam'. The English translation of this 24-page book is avialable here.
Social and Historical Background of the publication of Fathe Islam
In an earlier article of this same series, we had a detailed discussion of the efforts the Christians were making in the 1800s against Islam. Their openly admitted plan was for the religion of Christianity to conquer the Muslims of India. The Governor of Punjab had sanctioned the building of 15 new churches. On the laying of the foundation stone of one church, in 1883, The Lieutenant Governor Charles Aitchson remarked, 'Christianity is spreading in India at four or five times the rate of growth in population'. One publication wrote, 'God has given the dominion of India to Britain so that the whole of India could be converted into a Christian land'.
The Author of Fathe Islam
In 1888, The Promised Messiah had published his previous book, Sabz Ishtihar, in which he had announced at the end that Allah had given him permission through revelation to take the religious oath of allegiance from his followers. Subsequently, on the 23rd of March 1889 in a small room in the city of Ludhiana, Dr. Maulvi Nooruddin became the first of forty men to swear their spiritual allegiance to this leader. In 1890, The Promised Messiah's attention turned towards organising and inspiring a united effort against the Christian attacks and by 1891 Fathe Islam was completed and published.
The Contents of Fathe Islam
In Fathe Islam, The Promised Messiah publicly announced that he had been informed by Allah that he was the Messiah who the world had been waiting for. He gave three evidences which those who wished to test his claim could observe. Firstly, he said that men from continents as far as even Europe and America would begin to accept his claim. Secondly, he said that he would be the recipient of divine blessings. Thirdly, he reminded the Muslims of the fact that his advent was prophecised by The Holy Prophet s.a.w.
He then went on to urge the Muslim community to awake from their slumber and lethargy and unite to confront the challenges that they faced from the Christians in particular. He stated that there were five ways in which the Muslims of India and the world could aid him in the completion of his mission.
1- Through the publication of books
2- Through the publication of leaflets
3- By visiting him and meeting him in search of the truth
4- Through correspondence with him
5- By entering into religious oaths of allegiance behind this Holy Imam.
He also answered certain specific objections which had been raised against him. Towards the end of the book, The Promised Messiah praised and discussed certain companions of his, particularly Hadhrat Dr. Nooruddin.
Discussion of Selected Passages from Fathe Islam
His coming is described in prophecies as a descent from heaven but the descent is a spiritual descent. In holy idiom men who achieve perfection rise to heaven. When they come to reform their people they may be said to descend from heaven. The second Messiah has descended at a time which resembles in all essentials the time of the first Messiah, the Messiah son of Mary, that it may serve as a sign for those who understand. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
In the paragraph above, The Promised Messiah discusses the nature of the prophecies and traditions regarding Jesus.
The meaning is that the messiah son of Mary was a restorer of faith who appeared 1,300 years after Moses; at a time when the Jews had become very weak in faith, when they had come to suffer from evils of various kinds, all symptoms of this one malady viz., weakness of faith. So, now about 1,300 years after the Holy Prophet's advent (on whom be peace), this Umma also has come to suffer from the same evils from which the Jews had come to suffer in their time. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
One of the many similarities mentioned between himself and Jesus.
John or Elijah son of Zachariya was rejected by the Jews and yet the Messiah had witnessed to his truth, saying it was he who had been raised to heaven and whose re-coming from heaven had been foretold in the holy books. God's speech is full of metaphors. It is common for some one, similar to some one else in power, character, and capacity, to be named after this other. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Here, The Promised Messiah teaches that the language of Allah is often metaphorical.
This humble one is similar in character to other holy ones. The subject is described in detail in my Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya. But similarity to Jesus Christ is more pronounced. Because of this similarity, this humble one has been sent in the name of Jesus Christ. So that belief connected with the Cross may be banished. I have been sent to break the Cross, to kill the swine. I have come from heaven with angels on my right and left. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
In the passage above, The Promised Messiah describes his own status.
Many among you will now write Fatwas of Kufr. Many would have proceeded to assassinate if that were possible. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Here, The Promised Messiah correctly predicted that the Muslim scholars and leaders would now turn against him and issue fatwas of kufr.
True this Government knows little about true beliefs - their beauties and blessings. But is many times better than the Government of Herod with whom the Messiah son of Mary had to deal. It is also better than present-day Muslim Governments in providing for security and welfare services, for freedom, for civil rights, for education, for justice through courts and control and punishment of delinquents. There is a significant parallel here. Out of divine wisdom, Jesus was not sent in the time of Jewish supremacy and under Jewish suzerainty. Similar care has been observed by God in the case of this humble one. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
The Promised Messiah above has explained the reasons why he praises the British government.
If, therefore, there are disbelievers today who dismiss me with derision, there is nothing to be sorry about. For, disbelievers of earlier times metted out to their prophets treatment much worse than this. The Messiah son of Mary was derided and mocked at. His own brothers - born of the same mother - conspired to have him imprisoned as an insane person. His enemies attempted several times to murder him. He was stoned and spat upon and, of course, put on the cross and, as they thought put an end to. Yet he survived, his bones had not been broken and a secret believer and well-meaning citizen rescued him. He was raised to heaven after he had lived the remaining years of his life. His followers, companions and friends also proved weak. One of them deserted him for a bribe of thirty rupees, another cursed him, openly pointing at him. The rest who also professed loyalty, disappeared. They had come to have doubts of various kinds about the Messiah. But he was true in his claim. Therefore, God restored to life his mission after he had died. The resurrection of Jesus as entertained by Christians is not physical. It is not a resurrection of his person. It is a resurrection of his creed. It was the creed which was resurrected. Similarly did God give me the glad tidings: "I will give you a new life after death". God also said that the near ones of God come to life again after their death: And He said: "I will show myself as by lightning. I will show my power by raising you". My second life foretold here means life of my mission and objectives. But there are not many who would understand these secrets. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
The meaning of the passage above is that after The Promised Messiah's mission and objectives would still be continuing after his own life came to an end.
But these attacks are not by physical weapons, not swords or guns. These are spiritual weapons, which will come as help from God. All those who resemble the Anti-Christ, those who love this world over-much and who have only one eye, having lost the eye for spiritual truth, all of them will end by the sword of solid unanswerable arguments. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
The Promised Messiah here describes how he will accomplish his mission, through a spiritual jihad.
They do not speak like the speakers of today, who speak to show how learned they are or who speak to delude simple folks into accepting all their bad logic and sophistries - making their own passage to hell so much the easier. No, not thus. But rather in a simple and sincere manner, prophets have communicated whatever happened to move their own hearts. Their speeches are clean and holy, suiting the occasion and fitting the needs of listeners. Nor do they speak only to entertain and amuse. Their approach is the approach of those who find spiritually sick persons around them and who then proceed to counsel these listeners suffering delusions of various kinds. In that case they try and remove these delusions by powerful arguments. Always choosing words economically, putting more meaning in fewer words. This is what this humble one also keeps doing. Visitors and inquirers have their needs and their spiritual aliments. Speeches are adapted accordingly also in keeping with their abilities. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
One allegation raised against the Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyya is that they are, God forbid, not as knowledgeable as others. However, what the opponents of Ahmadiyya fail to realise, as is described in the passage above, is that unlike other leaders the purpose of the Khalifa's mission is not to give grand speeches to show off how high an opinion they hold themselves in. In fact, they are humble people and this is what comes across in their words and speeches.
If I am described as unlettered, what is there to be ashamed of in this? It is something to be proud of. Was not my Leader and Chief, the Chief of all God's creatures, who came to reform and raise all mankind, was not even he unlettered? I have no respect for him who prides in scholarship but is black in outer and inner character. Read the Holy Quran and ponder over the similitude of the ass laden with books. Should not this be enough? (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Another allegation raised is that, God forbid, the Promised Messiah and his successors are not educated enough. Here, he has pointed out the absurdity of Muslims making such complaints.
It is true, quite true, that I avoid attending mosques when I am journeying. But this - I seek refuge with Allah - is not for laziness or for indifference to divine ordinances. Unfortunately mosques in our time, in our country, are in a very bad condition. Should one wish to lead at prayers at such mosques, the official Imams do not tolerate. Should one choose to stand behind an appointed Imam, then I have doubts whether prayers are then properly said at all. Why? Because it is known to all and sundry that leading prayers has become a business with these Imams. Five times in the day they enter not a house of prayer but enter rather a shop to attend to customers.They and their families live on its income. Parties go to court whenever there is dispute over continuing or not continuing a given person as Imam. Maulvi Sahiban file appeal to obtain a legal decree for their status as Imams. This is living off Imamat in the forbidden way, a most disgusting way. Are you not similarly involved in a crooked selfish enterprise? When things are like this, why should one who knows ruin one's faith? The traditions of the Holy Prophet dealing with the latter days, speak of the filling of mosques by hypocrites. This prophecy relates to Mullahs of our time who have the Holy Quran on their lips but who are thinking all the time of their own bread and butter when they face their congregations...It is amazing - you think backbiting halal but combining Zuhr and Asr prayers or Maghrib and Isha prayers by a sojourner haram. "Fear God, ye believers in One God. For, the time to depart is near and Allah knows everything you try to hide". (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
The allegation has recently been raised that The Promised Messiah did not perform congregational prayers in a mosque whilst on a journey to Hoshiarpur. This has been answered above.
This we may not accomplish in 20 years if we put a price on our books. In the latter case, we have to store away our books and wait and look for possible buyers who may or may not turn up. It is possible that during this waiting we may pass away from the world, leaving our books behind. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Fathe Islam was written in 1890. Here, The Promised Messiah has warned that within 20 years he may well pass away. Eighteen years later in 1908 he passed away.
But as my personal means did not suffice for the purpose and I was burdened also with the expenses of other parts of the plan, the publication of books etc., had to stop...But my brethren, look for a while only at the stream of visitors and inquirers who have to be entertained. In about seven years now about 60,000 or more people have visited me. You can guess how much expenditure the entertainment of such a number of such welcome guests must have meant, and how much we must have had to do for their comfort in hot and cold weather. Those who are given to thinking must begin to wonder how and with what means, was this number of visitors entertained over these years, and how does this still go on. Where from came the finance to print and publish those 20,000 leaflets in English and Urdu? Add to this the postal expenditure involved in circulating this quantity of literature to about 12,000 leaders of hostile groups. Every Christian padre in the country received his portion. People in Europe and America also received this literature in registered covers. Is it not a wonder that with only very meager means this huge work goes on? But I have named only the major items. An apparently minor item like correspondence also involves monthly expenditure of good size. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Another objection raised is that why didn't The Promised Messiah pay for the entire costs of his mission himself. This has been explained above.
I have heard that some persons ignorant of the facts charge me that I received about Rs. 3,000 as sale money on account of the Barahin-i-Ahmadiyya, some of it in subscriptions; yet all parts of the book have not been published. In reply I want to explain that money received was not 3,000 but about 10,000 or more. This was not for the purchase of the book, nor as subscription. This money cameas cash presents from solicitors for prayers or from friends who helped out of love. But all this money went into the expenses of this Workshop.Delay in the publication of the book an act of divine wisdom afforded me time for a fuller grasp of knotty points. Also hostile critics had full time to say what they wanted to say about the book. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Here, The Promised Messiah has answered the false rumours spread about Baraheen-e-Ahmadiyya.
In this very booklet I have mentioned the Quran, Chapter al- Qadr (Chapter 97). In this chapter God Almighty gives glad tidings to believers that His Revelation, His Prophet, have been sent during a night - a night of Power. Every reformer, every restorer of faith, who comes from God descends as it were form above during such a night of power. Do you know what a night of power is? Night of Power is a time when terrible darkness envelopes the world. That time - so dark it is - demands light, light to dispel darkness. It is a metaphorical expression. It is a dark time, called a dark night. It is not a night literally so. It is a time, which because of its darkness is described as a night. It begins to settle down 1,000 months after a prophet or his spiritual successor has come and gone. One thousand months is equal to an individual life span. At the end of this period human senses also come to an end. When so much time has elapsed, heaven sows the seed for the birth of one or more reformers to appear at the head of the new century. We have a further hint in the words of God "The night of power is better than one thousands months" (Holy Quran 97:4). Which means that those who are able to see the heavenly light descend during the night of power are better than the 80 year old who were not present at the time of the descent of this light. One moment of light received during this night is better than a thousand months before the night. And why? Because during this night angels of God and the Holy Spirit descend with the permission of the God of Majesty along with the reformer of the time. Not for anything, but in order that they may move willing hearts and shows them the many paths to spiritual security. They - the angels and the Holy Spirit - open the new paths and draw the curtains. Then the darkness of indifference and ignorance disappears. And instead appears the dawn of spiritual life and light. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Here, The Promised Messiah has given a fascinating insight into a verse of The Holy Qu'ran.
Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin Sahib is highly learned in Fiqh (Religious Law), Hadith (Traditions) and Tafsir (Exegesis). He has a keen eye for philosophy and for natural science, ancient and modern. As for physic, he is a most expert physician. His private library is a unique collection of books on every branch of learning. He has imported them from all over Egypt, Arabia, Syria and Europe. He is as learned in the science and art of religious debate, as he is in other sciences. He has produced some very good books. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
Here, The Promised Messiah has described how learned and knowledgeable Hadhrat Dr. Maulvi Nooruddin, who later became his first successor, is.
It seems proper that I should make clear that all who have joined me in Baiat are not deserving of praise. Not yet. Some among them seem like dry twigs of a tree. These, my God, my Master will cut off from me and throw away as fuel wood. There are others who showed devotion and sincerity in the beginning, but who now seem indifferent. They have lost the warmth and enthusiasm of true followers. Like Bal'am, adapts in intrigue and false poses. Or, like decayed teeth, waiting to be extracted and trampled under foot. They have tired and become corrupted by this vain world. I can tell you - they will soon be separated from me. Excepting such among them as God chooses to save anew with His own Hand. There are those of course whom God has given over to me permanently. They are the green twigs of the tree that is me. I will write about them Insha Allah on some other occasion. (Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, Fathe Islam)
The Promised Messiah made it clear from the outset that certain members of his community would become hypocrites or leave. The anti-Ahmadiyyas make a big fuss and deal every time this happens and one or two people become hypocrites, but the truth is that in reality they are only fulfilling the words of The Promised Messiah and nothing more.
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