Editor: Nasir Ahmad B.A. LL.B.December 2016

IN MEMORY OF JALAL-UD-DIN AKBAR IBN-I ABDULLAH, SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

ISLAM: I SHALL LOVE ALL MANKIND

EDITOR’S NOTE: KHUTBAHS ON THE QUR’AN 1

A BRIEF INTRODUCTION: IQUBAL HYDAL 2

BOOK REVIEW: “KHUBAHS ON THE QUR’AN 5Dr. Glenville Ashby

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM LADY MARY 6Iain Dixon

MESSAGE FOR THE ANNUAL GATHERING DEC. 2016 8Iain Dixon

Science and Religion 10Iqubal Hydal

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER WHICH COULD NOT BE POSTED 15Masud Akhtar

ACTIVITIES AT THE BELIN MOSQUE 17Amir Aziz

PageCONTENTS

FORTHCOMING EVENTS AT THE BERLIN MOSQUE

• Long Night of Religions: Thursday 25 May 2017.• Monument Day: Saturday: Sunday 9-10 September 2017.• Ist European Jalsa Salana: Fri.- Sunday 15-17 September 2017

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EDITOR’S NOTE...

We are sorry that we kept on delaying a review of a very useful book written by our learned brother Iqubal Hydal of Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha‘at-i Islam, Trinidad. Khutbahs on the Qur’an is a book which has fulfilled a much needed demand by people who are engaged in delivering talks on Friday, Eid and other important Muslim occasions. Instead of writing a note about this book, let us quote some lines from the Preface which will very briefly offer a glimpse into the wealth of material penned and compiled by our learned brother Iqubal Hydal. Khutbahs on the Qur’an to us is a very novel attempt in this direction. It has shown the way for every conscientious Muslim to broadcast the Qur’anic Message and the virtuous example of the Holy Prophet, not only in a mosque, but wherever there is a need. Muslims need such ready-made advice based on the Qur’an and the practice of our be-loved Prophet. The religion of Islam has an organised system of gatherings and celebrations which grooms and educates spiritual faculties and physical behaviour. We strongly recommend this valu-able addition to Islamic manuals. Let us introduce features of the book and its contents. Khutbas on the Qur’an is a compilation of khutbas which have been broadcast every Friday during the “Islamic Hour” hosted on “Askash Vani 106.5 fm” over the last six years. The author has consciously tried to deal with subjects relevant to the Islamic month. The list of khutbahs not only covers almost all the important topics relevant to each Islamic month, but also deals with the basic teachings of Islam. The Special khutbahs have covered celebrations which relate to communities of other faiths and cultures. The beauty of this book is that it has initiated a trend that can now be easily followed. The need for such a manual of khutbahs was felt for a long time but so far no one could produce and compile it. Brother Iqubal Hydal has produced a pioneer work which deserves appreciation and encouragement. Being a teacher, he has been precise and expressed the ideas with reference to the Qur’an and Hadith in a rational and progressive style. We need more such editions of Khutbahs which could cover several other social, economic and inter-religious issues which Muslims living in the West are grappling with. In order to maintain their Islamic identity, Muslims and their youths in particular need rational and pragmatic guidance. For the information of our readers we list below Khutbas which the author covers for each Islamic month.

1. MUHARRAM: In the name of Allah, the Beneficent. All praise is due to Allah. Lord of the World. Master of the Day of Requital.

2. SAFAR: Guide us on the right path. I, Allah, am the best Knower. This Book. Al-Ghaib (The Unseen). 3. RABI AL-AWWAL: Muhammad. Corruption. The Unseen. The Prayer. 4. RABI’ AL-THANI: Sustenance. Allah communicates to man. Revelation. The Divine Being. 5. JAMADI ULA: Allah, There is no god but He. Belief in Angels. Allah, Adam, Angels. Atheism.6. 6. JAMADI AL-THANI: Jews and Christians. Nation of Israel. Apocalypse. No Compulsion

in Religion.7. 7. RAJAB: Freedom of will. The Divine Being. Decisive and allegorical views. Ascension.8. 8. SHA‘BAN: Paradise. Guard against evil. Trials and tribulations. The Crescent. 9. RAMADAN: Fasting. Challenge of the Qur’an. A party which invites to Good. The Night of Majesty. 10. SHAWWAL: Reverence for the Qur’an. Righteousness. Turning to the East and the West. Trust in

Allah. 11. ZIL QA’DAH: Penal laws in Islam. Women’s rights in Islam. The Holy Prophet’s Last sermon.

Swallowing up property.

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12. ZIL HIJJAH: Memory. Abraham’s sacrifice. Family life. The Flight.

Special khutbahs: (a) Lunar New year. (b) Good Friday. (c) Easter. (d) Christmas, Birth of Jesus. (e). Carnival. (f) Mother’s Day. (g) Science and Religion.

Elsewhere in this issue, we have reproduced extracts from a critical review of “Khutbahs on the Qur’an” by Dr Glenville Ashby, published in a Christian paper, The Daily Newsday, in Trinidad on 22nd August, 2016.

We are glad to inform you that brother Iqubal Hydal is also working on another equally important and useful literary work for children viz. Bedtime Conversations with Nana. It is in the form of a conversation where he speaks to and answers questions from his grandchildren. This booklet will subtly teach our children articles of faith in Islam. Khutbahs on the Qur’an, together with Bedtime Conversations with Nana, will provide knowledge and insight into the teachings and message of Islam to the youths in a simple and impressive way. Media in the West is pounding disruptive material and thoughts in the air with such tremendous speed and on such a vast scale that we need to provide equally effective and educative material to groom young minds. Evernew electronic devices coming up, such as email, facebook, skype, wattsapp, twitter, etc. are so quick and easily accessible that all physical checks have become irrelevant. Conveyance of reason, virtue, human values and humane relationship, which is necessary for a good and flourishing society has to be projected with equal content and force. The pulpit needs to be mobile, attractive and persuasive through these modern means of communication. The message of virtue should speak to each and every one everywhere and at every moment when its help is required. The Human mind should now develop an antivirus device for keeping human thought and behaviour in good working condition.

We have also included in this issue a brief introduction of brother Iqubal Hydal and his services in the field of education and religion

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A BRIEF INTRODUCTION: MR. IQUBAL HYDAL

Name: Mr. Iqubal Hydal, (B. Sc., Dip. Ed.) Date of Birth:April 18, 1943. Address:213 Cacandee Road, Felicity, Chaguanas, Trinidad. Phone: (665 2522/783 2880). Status: Retired Teacher (1999). Imaam, Fireburn Ahmadiyya Mosque, Freeport. Muslim Marriage Officer. Married with 3 daughters.

Education: Naparima College, San Fernando – Grade 11(1961). U.W.I. St. Augustine – B. Sc. (Mathematics)1974. U.W.I. St. Augustine –Diploma in Education (1983). John S. Donaldson Technical Institute (Desk Top Publishing # 1) 1996.

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Job Experience: Vice Principal /Teacher T.M.L. College, Princes Town(1962 -1966). Naparima College, Special Teacher (1971-1973). Point Fortin College- Teacher 11 (1974-1975). St. George`s College - Teacher 11 (1975 -1999). Head of the Mathematics Department, 1992. Vista Villas Housing Development (Project Manager)1999 -2000. Assistant Instructor (Mucurapo Senior Comprehensive School) 2001-2003. St. Anthony`s College “A” Level Teacher (2003-2004). International School of Port of Spain (2004-2005).

Community : Secretary (Training) Trinidad Muslim League Inc.(1968).

Social and educational work: Muslim Youth of the Year (T.M.L. Inc.)(1969). Founder/ President, U.W.I. Islamic /Society (1969). Founder/ President, Ahmadiyya Youth Movement (1970). Secretary, T.M.L. School Board of Management (1971). Public Relations Officer (T.M.L. Inc.) 1973. Muslim Marriage Officer 1980. Secretary , Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha‘at-i-Islam Inc. (1975 -2000). Founder/Secretary, Felicity Action Group (1985 -1988). Secretary, County Caroni Technical/ Vocational (1987). Orientation of Education Committee. Vice President, Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha’at-i-Islam Inc. Trinidad, (2000 -2002). Secretary, TTARP (Central) 2002 -2003. Chairman, TTARP (Central) (2003 -2008). Commissioner (UNESCO) 2011 -2015. Member, Advisory Council on Education, University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) (2016).

Hobbies: Cricket, Football, Table Tennis, Astronomy.

Interests: Science and Religion.

Publications : 1.“The Crescent - Religious and Scientific Information Concerning its Appearance” (1985). 2.“Muhammad My Leader” (2001). 3. “The Call” Monthly Journal of the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Isha‘at-iIslam Inc. Trinidad & Tobago,(Editor). 4. “Islamic Calendar for Trinidad & Tobago” (Yearly Publication since 1985). 5. “Jumu’ah Khutbah”‘ (25 minute script) -Weekly Presenter on “Islamic Hour” (106.5 fm, February 2010 - December 2015 ). 6. “Khutbahs on the Qur‘an” (2015).

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BOOK REVIEW….

“KHUTBAHS ON THE QUR’AN” BY IQUBAL HYDAL (B.SC.,DIP. ED.)

KHUTBAHS means “sermons” in Arabic. Oftentimes delivered by an imam (Islamic teacher) during Jumu’ah [congregational prayers at dhuhr (noon) on Friday], these published speeches by Trinidad- born Imam Iqubal Hydal are timely, given the misinformation about Islam and the corruption of the faith by many who purport to be Muslims . Using the Quran (Islam’s holy book) as the source of his

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sermons, Imam Hydal addresses social, political and spiritual issues. His words are measured, and with sound analysis he presents the relevance of Islam to modern times…..

In book format, though, many readers unfamiliar with the Quran are indirectly “invited” to learn more about a religion that continues to attract many to its fold. Hydal is punctilious in his interpre-tation of Al-Fatihah, the most recited prayer in the Quran. It extols the magnanimity and all-encom-passing wonder of the Creator. God’s omniscience, omnipresence and beneficence are immutable. Non-Muslims will find their definition of God is shared with Muslims.

Hydal is scholarly in his examination of physical laws, cosmogony, and the ineffable, unseen forces that sustain the universe. In a laudable undertaking he ably bridges the gap between science and theology, concluding that “even the most powerful and frightening forces in the universe are com-pletely subservient to Him.” In his sermon commemorating the birthday of Prophet Muhammad, Hydal deftly allows non-Muslim authorities to speak for him.

Of the Prophet, Gandhi said: “I wanted to know the best of the life of one who holds today undis-puted sway over the hearts of millions of mankind. I became more than ever convinced that it was not the sword that won a place for Islam, it was the rigid simplicity; the utter self-effacement; the scrupulous regard for pledges, his intense devotion to his friends and followers; his intrepidity; his fearlessness; his absolute trust in God and in his mission.” And in “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History”, Michael H Hart writes, “He [Muhammad] was the only man in history who was successful on both religious and secular levels.” Hydal presents the Quran as an arbiter of social justice. Therein, he argues, are injunctions and warnings against excesses at all levels of governance. …

Undoubtedly, Hydal’s pedagogical offering will add to the discourse on the role of Islam in a chaotic and divisive world. Many will be heartened by Islam’s affinity to Judeo-Christian Thought and Jesus’ august stature in the Quran. Submission to God, justice, equality and the sanctity of life are meticu-lously recorded and well articulated by Hydal. …..

“The revelation of the Holy Quran gave rights to women, which even to this day are non-existent in some civilised societies which boast of women-liberation movements.” He continues, “The Quran, more than 1400 years ago gave property rights and rights of inheritance to women at every level of society.” He then asks rhetorically, “Has any other nation or religion ever given such legal rights in property and wealth to women?” On the spiritual level he affirms that both sexes have been instruments of divine revelation.

He later encourages Muslim women to learn about their rights and responsibilities as enshrined in their holy book and “stand up for their beliefs...” Unquestionably, “Khutbahs on the Quran” is richly informative. Still, it follows the path of exceptionalism and does little to advance unity of faith. Islam assumes pre-eminence and is presented as the balm for a rotting world.

---Dr Glenville Ashby

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WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM LADY MARYAM?

IAIN DIXON

[Text of a talk given in a monthly meeting held at the Lahore Ahmadiyya Centre, Wembley, London. Mr. Iain Dixon is a sincere devotee of Truth. He is a keen student of the Bible and the Qur’an and studies them regularly. We are thankful to him for telling us in his talks how both scriptures inspire him and provide him that inner light, which according to him, elevate him spiritually. His thoughts and daily prayers especially during the month of Ramadan, remind us of the words of the Holy Qur’an: “And We put compassion and mercy in the hearts of those who followed him [Jesus]” (27:27). The Holy Qur’an also claims to be a guidance for all those who yearn for Truth: “It is clear messages in the hearts of those who are granted knowledge…”(29:49). Prophet Jesus’ prophecy about the advent of “Ahmad” and cordial relations with Christians during the life of the Holy Prophet have found a significant place in the Muslim and Christian relationship in the pages of the Qur’an: “… and you will certainly find the nearest in friendship to the believers to be those who say, We are Christians. That is because there are priests and monks among them and because they are not proud.

And when they hear what has been revealed to the Messenger you see their eyes overflow with tears because of the truth they recognize. They say: our Lord, we believe, so write us down with the witnesses” (5:82,83).Besides the chapter “Mary” paying tribute to her and her illustrious son, Prophet Jesus, God has highly appreciated and rewarded Mary’s outstanding chastity and devotion to God in these words: “And Mary, the daughter of Amran, who guarded her chastity, so We breathed into it Our inspiration, and she accepted the truth of the words of her Lord and His Books, and she was of the obedient ones.” (66:12) – Ed.]

Assalamu alaikum! Greetings in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Again it is a privilege as a follower of the Lord Jesus to be speaking to you today. I want us to look at what I have learnt about Maryam in the Honoured Quran, and how we can apply these lessons practically in our lives. I will also be briefly commenting on relevant passages in my Holy Scriptures too....The Bible. I am using the Yusuf Ali English translation of the Honoured Quran for my thoughts. I apologise if my comments do not reflect the exact meaning of the Arabic text.

I remember having a cup of tea with a Christian teacher who announced to me that she had great respect for Muslims. She told me there was a whole chapter in the Quran called ‘Maryam’. I have taken the time to read this chapter, and in it we read the story of the miraculous virgin birth of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ. Many view the religion of Islam as ‘anti Bible’, but in the Quran we read many precious truths, reflections of what is already proclaimed in the Bible. I have had people ask me if the Quran is a book of hate, or is it a book of peace? I respond by personally buying them a

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copy of the Quran in a language they understand, and asking them to read it for themselves. My motto is ‘ Don’t burn the Quran....READ the Quran!’

So, what can we learn from the life of Maryam? Before I comment from Surah Maryam, let us look at a few verses from Surah 3 .

In verse 42 we read : “ O Mary, Allah has CHOSEN YOU and purified you.” Wow! Allah CHOSE Maryam for a specific task! Have you ever been in a plane descending towards the airport runway, and as you come through the clouds you begin to see roads and buildings. Then as you descend further, you see people walking around! This to me is a wonderful heavenly view of Allah’s eyes watching over us, noticing people......not just a crowd, but individuals. And just as he noticed Maryam, and chose her for a specific purpose, have you considered that Allah has chosen you for a specific task? Maryam was chosen to bring a prophet into the world. Just as a candle brings light into a darkened room, so Jesus was born to bring light into a darkened world. I think that is why Jesus describes himself in John 8:12 as “The light of the world.” But what task has Allah chosen you for? Is it to be a good influence around you......in your Jama’at, in your family, in your school, college or workplace? Do you know the difference between a thermometer and a thermostat? A thermometer is affected by the temperature around it, but a thermostat is designed to set and change the temperature around it. Allah calls each one of you to be a thermostat.....affecting the life and environment around you today. Set an example to those around you in speech and conduct. Contaminate the world around you with righteousness! In Surah 3:47 we learn another lesson. Maryam cannot believe it is possible that she could have a son when she has not had marital relations with anyone. The angel tells her “ Even so, Allah creates what he wills. When he has decreed a plan, He but says to it ‘Be’, and it is!” We see the angel Gabriel having a similar conversation in the Holy Bible. In Luke 1: 31-37 we read “ And behold, you shall conceive in your womb and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Jesus. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest........Then Mary said: “ How Shall this be, seeing that I know not a man?” The angel Gabriel responds: “ The power of the Highest will over shadow you, the holy thing which shall be born of you shall be called the Son of God.........FOR WITH GOD NOTHING SHALL BE IMPOSSIBLE.”

Let us learn from the life of Maryam, that no situation we face is impossible for Allah to handle. He has power to make planets and stars. He can therefore find solutions to problems we face! Trust Him! I can testify time and time again how Allah has responded to my humble cries for help, and has rescued me from impossible situations and circumstances. There is a God in heaven who hears, knows, and understands. Call to him. He shall answer. Allah just says be, and it is! In Surah Maryam there are many lessons for us. Let us read together verses 19-30. Did you notice verse 25. It reads: “ And shake toward yourself the trunk of the palm tree, it will let fall fresh dates upon you.” We learn from this, that although Allah is the great provider, we are also asked to do our part in obtaining his blessings. Maryam didn’t just sit under a tree waiting for Allah to provide food. She had to actively shake the tree to benefit! Our faith should be an active faith. Trust.....and do! Don’t just pray for a job......go down to the job centre too! Don’t just pray to overcome temptation......unplug the TV or computer if that is what is making you stumble. Let us learn to shake the date tree......not just to be-lieve in it or admire it. In verse 29 we read : “ And [ Maryam] pointed to the babe.” Maryam deflected the attention from herself. Instead, she pointed others to Jesus as the mouthpiece of truth. We need to stop talking about ourselves, and learn instead to point others to the source of truth. In verse 30

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Jesus announces that he is a prophet from Allah. Very interestingly I have had Muslims tell me that Jesus is never called a prophet in the Bible. This is simply not true! For example:

Matthew 21:11 “ And the multitude said: This is Jesus, the prophet.”

Luke 24:19 “ This Jesus, who was a prophet mighty in word and deed.”

John 6:14 “This is of a truth, that prophet that should come into the world.”

Maryam didn’t enter into theological arguments! He let the prophet do the talking! Let us not enter into arguments with people, but gently point them to the word of Allah. Just as a key unlocks a door, so truth is a key that unlocks people’s hearts. Maryam was not the key........but she pointed them to the one who was the

So, let us learn from the life of Maryam. To me, Maryam is an example of purity, and of one who shows us practical trust in Allah. She is an example of humility and obedience. A true Muslim. She is a lady not just of prayer, but of action. May each of us search out her footprints, and follow her footsteps closely. Ameen

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MESSAGE FOR THE ANNUAL GATHERING IN LAHORE DECEMBER 2016

IAIN DIXON

(We are pleased to publish below a message for the Annual Gathering in Lahore December 2016 from a very spiritual friend of the Jama’at, who regularly listens to our Friday sermons and delivers talks at the monthly meetings. He is a zealous student of the Bible and regularly practices meditation. It is amazing that he rises early in the morning and does his acts of devotion regularly. During the month of Ramadan he studies the Holy Qur’an and fasts. This cosmopolitan believer has started coming to our meetings. This is his second talk at the Centre. We hope we will in future have the pleasure of reading and listening to his thoughtful deliberations of the Bible and the Holy Qur’an – Ed.)

Assalamu alaikum!

I greet you all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. I write to you from the land of England, and wish you all the blessings of Allah Almighty as you gather together for your convention. The Lahore Ahmadiyya community may have people who despise it, persecute it, misunderstand it. But you have friends too. I am a friend of your Jama’at and have experienced your love, care and hospitality first hand. I count you my friends. May this Convention be for you a time of renewal, refreshment, renewing of friendships.......and most of all, a time to reconnect with your creator. At this special time of Jalsa, may you all be reminded of the words in the Honoured Quran which say “ Truly my

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prayer, and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are all for Allah the Lord of the worlds.” -Surah 6:162 . All that you have, all that you are, and all that you will become, belongs to Allah. Look for new ways to express your devotion to Allah. Rekindle the passion you once had to serve him wholeheartedly. Let go of the failings of the past, and take hold of the future with a new zeal. We live in a time where the world is full of hatred. I love the motto of your worldwide Jamaat ‘I Shall Love All Mankind.’ I am reminded in the Holy Bible of a prophecy that speaks of the days we are living in now....... “In the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.........lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God ,HAVING A FORM OF GODLINESS, BUT DENYING ITS POWER.”- 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Many today are quick to profess themselves to be Muslims, but their actions would tell forth a differ-ent message. I am thankful to you, the Lahore Ahmadiyya community that you stand out amongst the Muslim crowd. You live out the values of peace, love and tolerance, and have a desire to serve your communities. In your lives corporately, and individually, you echo the words of our Lord Jesus, who said we are to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind.......and to love your neighbour as yourself.”- Mark 12:30-31

Your Jamaat may seem small, but I think of the great Sequoia trees of America which are over three hundred feet tall, but start off from a seed which is only the size of a fingernail! Something that is seemingly small and insignificant, can become something amazing. Almighty Allah can use that which is small, and use it for his glory. Some of the most beautiful words in the Honoured Quran are found in its opening chapter:

“ In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds. Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgement. You do we worship, and your aid do we seek. Show us the straight way. The way of those on whom you have bestowed your grace, those whose portion is not wrath, and who do not go astray.”

May this chapter be the heartbeat of your lives! May it be the blood flowing through your spiritual veins! May you continue to worship Allah alone! May you continue to seek his aid! May you continue to seek the straight path! As the needle of a compass always points north, may the compass point of your heart always point towards Allah, the Lord of the Worlds.

Enjoy Jalsa! Be blessed!

Love in Christ.

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SCIENCE AND RELIGION

Perspectives on the Origin of the Universe

(Text of a talk delivered on May 1, 2014 at Valsayn, University of Trinidad and Tobago).

IMAM IQUBAL HYDAL (B.SC., DIP.ED.)

“Wonderful Originator of the heavens and the earth! And when He decrees an affair, He only says to it , Be, and it is”(The Qur’an, 2:117).

“A religion is an organized collection of beliefs, cultural systems and world views that relate human-ity to an order of existence. Many religions have narratives, symbols, and sacred histories that are intended to explain the meaning of life and/or to explain the origin of life or the Universe. From their beliefs about the cosmos and human nature, people derive morality, ethics, religious laws or a preferred lifestyle. According to some estimates, there are roughly 4,200 religions in the world.” - From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopaedia.

If I should use this premise for the beginning of my discussion, then you would appreciate that it would be more than a lifelong task to view the concepts in 4,200 religions of the world. I therefore seek your indulgence, if I should confine my presentation to those beliefs that have impacted on our society and those with which I am familiar.

Scientific mind of primitive manI wish to submit that religion really started with the scientific mind of primitive man. In this regard, we may conclude that science and religion have always complemented the human mind. Primitive man was placed in an environment, which he did not understand. He became aware that rain en-riched plant life on which he must survive, so he worshipped water. Seasonal changes made him aware that plant life also required light, so he worshipped the sun. When the parched land burnt his crops and destroyed his vegetation he worshipped fire. As soon as his scientific mind taught him that water consumed fire, he no longer worshipped the fire as he could store and control water, he no longer worshipped water. He then turned his eyes to the skies that beautified the blackness of the night. His scientific mind assessed that the moon gave him light at nights and he began to worship the Moon. The Sun and the Moon had thus become his personal deities.

These were entities which he could not control nor master and their “passage,” particularly that of the Sun, gave rise to the sky scriptures. There was something outside of his control which deter-mined his very existence. His scientific mind told him that there was a power beyond him which controlled his daily life and he tried to understand it through the constellations of the stars through which the “passage” of the Sun was apparent to him. Today, even some of the most educated among us check their daily horoscope before determining their day’s activities. The fact that every newspa-per carries a daily horoscope confirms its widespread addiction. In this respect , modern man bears resemblance to our primitive ancestors.

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Search for a Super Power?The purpose of this introduction is to highlight the fact that from the beginning man has always been searching for a super power beyond him which he believes exists. That search has either been through religion or science, both of which I have shown existed from the beginning even if they were in a primitive format. It is not surprising therefore , that with our addiction to the presence of a super- power, our fertile minds have created super-human characters of the nature of superman, Spiderman, Harry Potter and a host of other supernatural beings, with which our children are fed to replace that inner search in ourselves for a superior being which we call God. It is our varying concepts of God which have brought about diversity in religions and hence diversity in religious understanding on the scientific nature of the Origin of the Universe.

Bible on the creation of universeUsing the Bible as the Source for Christianity, in Genesis we are told that the Creation of the Universe was completed in seven days. We are told that God created the heaven and earth. The earth was void and empty, filled with darkness. God said, “let there be light” (1:3) and light was made dividing it into night and day. He then made a firmament above which was heaven and beneath, earth. Each day there was an aspect of creation, which accounts for animals and plants and man also, whom He created in His own image. Creation seems to have been confined to the existence of heaven and the earth on which man resides.

Hindu and Buddhist viewsThe Orisha faith, promotes that creation was an act of a Universal Spirit known and addressed as Akamara, Who is neither “he” nor “she” neither human nor superhuman. The emergence of Akamara was the first of five stages in creation which came out of the breath of this being. Assignments were given to other Universal Beings, referred to as Irunmole, each with specific tasks in each particular stage. Thus Universal Beings account for the creation of stars, gases, Planets and other heavenly bodies as well as their cooling down effect to bring about solidification. The entire solar system is thus maintained up to this day by 801 Irunmole, among whom were those who were assigned to create human beings, plants and animal life. Interestingly enough, 401 Irunmole travel between heaven and earth.

Buddhism’s position on the creation seems to be non-existent. While many Buddhists subscribe to the theory of evolution, analysis about eternity or infinity of the universe are considered among the fourteen unanswerable questions, which the Buddha maintained were counter-productive areas of speculation. Buddhists do not worship any gods or God. The essential philosophy of Buddhism is to escape from suffering and as such, to seek spiritual enlightenment. Through meditation, one’s heart is purified, and, by abandoning yearning for sensual desires and personal attachment to oneself, he becomes “enlightened” and reaches the state of Nirvana.

Sanatan Dharma which is really referred to as “Hinduism” conceives the origin of the universe in the shape of an egg referred to as “Brahma Anda”. Brahma-universe and Anda-egg. The Goddess “Maatha (mother)” manifested herself. Adi Shakti as she is also known exploded the “Brahma Anda”, the universal egg, which burst with the sound of Aum. She created a trinity of masculine “Brahma,’ ‘Vishnu’ and ‘Maheshwara’ or ‘Shiva. They were each entrusted with a particular assignment: Brahma with the task of creation; Vishnu whose job it was to sustain the creation and Shiva for the destruction of creation when it was necessary.

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Concept of creation in Qur’anIn Islam, the Qur’an is the source of knowledge with respect to creation. There are three levels of creation: 1. Allah – Al-Ghaib – the Unseen: the ever living, the self - Creator, by whom all subsists. 2. Malaikah – His angels are His agents and forces of nature. 3. Samawat – the Universe, which includes man who is created from an extract of clay. The Qur’an hints, that the universe emerged from a dense state or singularity: “……see the heavens and the earth were closed up, so We rent them. And We made from water everything living.” (Qur’an 21:30)

In my humble opinion, there is a single thread which runs through each religion with respect to the origin of the universe. There is a knowledgeable Being who created agents and assigned them to assist in the creation. Terminologies may be different in each language that expresses the Divine, and language in itself, by its very nature, is restricted to reflect certain perceptions. The essence of the origin of the Universe, however, is the umbilical cord which binds the birth of all religions.

The origin of the Universe, however, is complex in the perceptions of religion. Science has its own dilemma to combat. The fifty-year search for the “God particle” which is the building block of matter has not answered the question who created the “God particle”. I am told by one of our leading as-tronomers at U.W.I., that it will perhaps take another generation of scientists to unravel this mystery. Just as religion seeks to acquire knowledge of the existence of God, in whatever form this entity is perceived, science seeks to understand what He has created.

One of the most popular scientific notions on the creation of the Universe is the Big. Bang Theory. Almost 14 billion years ago, the universe we inhabit burst into existence in an extraordinary event that initiated the Big Bang. In the first fleeting fraction of a second, the universe expanded expo-nentially stretching far beyond the view of today’s best telescopes. All this, of course, has just been theory. As recent as March this year, Researchers from the BICEP2 collaboration announced the first direct evidence supporting this theory, known as “cosmic inflation.” Their data also represent the first images of gravitational waves, or ripples in spacetime. These waves have been described as the “first tremors of the Big Bang.” In my limited research, the Qur’an is the only scriptural text which asserts the semblance of a Big Bang. It states :

“Do not those who disbelieve see that the heavens and the earth were closed up, so We rent them. And We made from water everything living. Will they not then believe?”(21:30).

While the Qur’an emphatically discloses we (Allah), as the force which propelled the Big Bang, sci-ence cannot go beyond one second after the Big Bang, and with the recent new findings as men-tioned earlier can only go back in time to 10/37 of a second. The mystery of pre – Big Bang still exists in the scientific world.

In this particular verse, Qur’an also addresses the creation of all life from water. This is a significant pronouncement from a scriptural text, since the scientific world in its search for life in the Universe, sets its primary focus on the search for the existence of water whether it is on Mars, Europa, or any other terrestrial body. As recent as April 17, 2014 the Discoverer, in its article headed, “Possibly Habitable Earth size planet discovered,” remarked:

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“Everyone knows the real search is for a planet like ours: rocky, smallish and capable of hosting liquid water. And now scientists have found one, named Kepler-186f ----an Earth-size planet in its star’s habitable zone, the area where conditions aren’t too hot or too cold, but just right, for liquid water to be possible. Of some 1,800 exoplanets we know about, only about 20 orbit in their star’s habitable zone, and only one (now)is Earth-sized and likely rocky to boot. But as those numbers keep going up, it might just be a matter of time before we find one that has everything we want on it----even, possibly, life”.

Should life exist on another planet or exoplanet, it may pose serious issues in our concept of our-selves within the creation of the Universe. Are we unique in creation? The Qur’an does mention: “And of everything We have created pairs that you may be mindful” (51:49). Can this be extended to mean that there is a duplicate earth and human habitat somewhere in the recesses of the Universe? Is there somewhere in the Universe, where others exactly like ourselves are debating the same issues that now confront us? Would religions, as we know them on earth, be the same for such celestial beings?

It is significant to note that the “gravitational waves, or ripples in spacetime” as were referred to above, were detected in an area of “dark matter”. Scientists believe that dark matter makes up more than quarter of the cosmos, yet no-one has ever seen it directly. How can we believe in the existence of something we cannot see? This is exactly what the Qur’an admonishes us to do in Chapter 2 verse 1-3 when it advocates:

“I, Allah, am the best Knower. This Book there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who keep their duty, who believe in the Unseen (Al-Ghaib) and keep up prayer and spend out of what We have given them”.

Is Science compatible with Religion?It is my humble view that science is compatible with religion and has been so from times immemo-rial. Misrepresentations and religious dogmas, however, have made us stray from understanding the Divine Being and what is His nature. To substantiate my view, I list a few excerpts from two of the most celebrated geniuses of our age.

“Quantum mechanics is very worthy of regard. But an inner voice tells me that this is not yet the right track. The theory yields much, but it hardly brings us closer to the Old One’s secrets. I, in any case, am convinced that He does not play dice” -- Albert Einstein(A Popular version of the last sentence is “God does not play dice with the universe.”)

“The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. He who does not know it, and can no longer wonder, no longer feel amazement, is as good as dead, a snuffed out candle. It was the experience of mys-tery….that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds, It is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity; in this sense, and this alone, I am a deeply religious man”. - Albert Einstein.

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“Common to all these types is the anthropomorphic character of their conception of God. In general, only individuals of endowments and exceptional high- -minded communities rise to any considerable extent above this level. But there is a third stage of religious experience which belongs to all of them, even though it is rarely found in a pure form: I shall call it cosmic religious feeling. It is very difficult to elucidate this feeling to anyone who is entirely without it, especially as there is no anthropomorphic conception of God corresponding to it.” -- Albert Einstein – Religion and Science.

“It is cosmic religious feeling that gives man such strength, A contemporary has said, not unjustly, that in this materialistic age of ours the serious scientific workers are the only profoundly religious people.” -- Albert Einstein , Religion and Science.

“While it is true that scientific results are entirely independent from religious or moral consider-ations, those individuals to whom we owe the great creative achievements of science were all of them imbued with the truly religious conviction that this universe of ours is something perfect and susceptible to the rational striving for knowledge.” -- Albert Einstein, Religion and Science.

“The idea that space and time may form a closed surface without boundary also has profound im-plications for the role of God in the affairs of the universe. With the success of scientific theories in describing events, most people have come to believe that God allows the universe to evolve according to a set of laws and does not intervene in the universe to break these laws. However the laws don’t tell us what the universe should have looked like when it started – it would still be up to God to wind up the clockwork and choose how to start it off. So long as the universe had a beginning, we could suppose it had a creator, having no boundary or edge, it would have neither beginning nor end: it would simply be. What place, then, for a creator?”--Stephen Hawking , Brief History of Time.

“We each exist for but a short time, and in that time explore but a small part of the whole universe. But humans are a curious species. We wonder and we seek answers. Living in a vast world that is by turns kind and cruel, and gazing at the immense heavens above, people have always asked a multi-tude of questions: How can we understand the world in which we find ourselves? Where did all this come from? Did the universe need a creator? Most of us do not spend most of our time worrying about these questions, but almost all of us worry about them some of the time……To understand the universe at the deepest level, we need to know not only how the universe behaves, but why?

Why is there something instead of nothing?

Why do we exist?

Why this particular set of laws and not some other?

This is the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe and Everything.”— Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow , “The Grand Design”

“M-Theory is the unified theory Einstein was hoping to find. The fact that we human beings, who are mere collections of fundamental particles of nature, have been able to come this close to an understanding of the laws governing us and our universe is a great triumph. But perhaps the true

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miracle is that abstract considerations of logic lead to a unique theory that predicts and describes a vast universe full of amazing variety that we see. If the theory is confirmed by observation, it will be the successful conclusion of a search going back more than 3,000 years. We will have found the grand design.” -- Stephen Hawking and Leonard Mlodinow, The Grand Design.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -References:

A Brief History of Time, Stephen HawkingThe Holy Qur’an, Maulana Muhammad AliThe Grand Design , Stephen Hawking and Leonard MlodinowDiscovery, April 2014. IssueReligion and Science, Albert EinsteinThe Holy Bible , New American Catholic Edition, Douay Version

* * *

EXTRACTS FROM A LETTER WHICH COULD NOT BE POSTED

WRITTEN BY MASUD AKHTAR CHOUDRY

Dear Brother Nasir Ahmad,Assalamo alaikum wa Rahmatullah-e wa Barakatuh.Reference our telephonic conversation last week.

1. I have found the third part of the English translation of Anwarul Qur’an, which has a red cover as you told me. In fact, this should have been the First Part.

2. I still need the English translation of Para 27, if it could be available from Trinidad.

3. I am interested in getting the English translation of Anwarul Qur’an, both Para 27 and Para 30, printed in paperback…. I will appreciate very much if you could get one quotation from the printer in Pakistan for 1000 copies and supervise its printing.

4. I am attaching hereto my bio, as asked by you.

Please convey our salaam and love to your family members and the members of the Jama‘at.

Was-salaam.Masud AkhtarJune 20, 2012

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A PERSIAN COUPLET

Az qa-zaa shee-sha-e chee-nee shi-kast.Khu-shaa keh saa-maa-ne khud-bee-nee shi-kast.English translation:It was destined that the looking glass of China clay has broken into pieces.Be happy! The source of self-conceit has broken.– Mehrun Nisa, daughter of Aurangzeb, the Mughal king.

* * *

“ The Paigham-e Sulh used to come by post to our home and I used to read it from page to page from the time I was a Fifth Class student.

In addition, Durr-e Thameen (Urdu) was my favourite poetry book and I used to read its verses to my sisters and younger brother.

* *Later, two volumes of Mujaddid-e ‘Azam were printed. Dr Basharat Ahmad, author of this biography, was a maternal uncle of my mother. He sent these two volumes by mail to my mother with a note on the page next to the hardcover: “For Amtullah Begum and children – Basharat Ahmad”. I was at that time a student of Class Seven and read this biography from page to page, and as a result developed a great reverence and love for the Promised Messiah, which has increased ever since till this day.

* *“Hazrat Ameer, the late Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali Sahib, introduced the study of the Qur’an with tafsir (commentary) for the youth of the Jama‘at and to take a written examination thereof. I was a student at the High School in Dera Ismail Khan (NWFP) and participated in it by taking the examination through mail. I still remember that the late Mr Ahmad Zafar Faruqui, son of the late Mian Mumtaz Ahmad Faruqui, stood first in that examination.

* *“In 1949, after taking the Intermediate Examination, I visited Lahore and stayed for some time in Muslim Town, Lahore. I started going to the Ayesha Masjid for Fajr, ‘Asr, Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers. Among others, the late Maulana Muhammad Ali Sahib, the late Maulana Abdul Haq Vidyarthi Sahib, the late Maulana Murtaza Khan Sahib, and the late Col. Bashir Ahmad Syed used to join in all these congregational prayers. It was for the first time that I had the chance to see these stars of the Ahmadiyya Movement from a close quarter.

“On the first day of my visit to the mosque, after the Maghrib prayers, the late Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Ali Sahib, on seeing me, held my hand and asked me how I was and what had brought me to Lahore. He held my hand in his and started walking out of the masjid and was enquiring as to how my father and my mother were and then, at the gate of the masjid, the late Maulana Abdul Majid Salik appeared and he started talking to him. This was an early summer evening and Maulana Abdul Majid Salik, who was a renowned journalist in those days, seemed to be interested in engaging the Maulana in some kind of talk. The Maulana took both of us to his home, which was

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just in front of the Masjid, and asked his driver, who lived in the servant quarter, to bring chairs and a small table on the driveway for us to sit, and said to me, “Masud, you go in and tell your khaala to send tea.” (His wife, who was the eldest daughter of the late Dr Basharat Ahmad Sahib, was cousin of my mother. We used to call her Baree Khaala [eldest Aunty]). I conveyed the message and went back quickly as I was interested to hear what Salik Sahib was going to talk about with the Maulana.”

***

ACTIVITIES AT THE BERLIN MOSQUE, GERMANY

December 2017

IMAM, AMIR AZIZ M.A.

Visit of Hochschule Wirtschaft Berlin8 December. A group of students of Bachelor degree programme of the above-mentioned University visited the Berlin Mosque. It was quite an interesting programme. Students came prepared with references of Holy Quran regarding Jihad and death penalty for an Apostate (Murtad). It was a very long and interesting session. Their Prof thanked the Imam for explaining correct concept of Jihad and that the Qur’an and Hadith categorically negate the abominable punishment. It is against a clear dictum of the Qur’an: “There is no compulsion in Religion.” (2256).They were presented booklets.

Visit of Group from SpainA group of four tourists visited the Berlin Mosque on 8th December. They were informed about the history of the Mosque and Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. They were also presented booklets about Islam and the Ahmadiyya Movement.

Group of Volkhoch Schule9 December. A group of Volkhoch School in Berlin visited the mosque with my teacher. It is the same school where I go for my German language course. This group comprised of people from Berlin, China, Vietnam, Syria, Turkey, Italy, Spain and Bulgaria. Students were all my class fellows. They were all excited to have the presentation and asked questions. They were given leaflets about the history of the Mosque.

Group from District Office11 December. A group of employees of the District office of Berlin visited the Berlin Mosque and had a presentation about the history of Mosque and the work of the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. Imam had a fruitful question/ answer session with the group and tried to clarify their misunder-standings about Islam.

Visit of Dr. Gerdien Jonker12 December. Dr. Gerdien Jonker visited the Berlin Mosque with two distinguished guests. The lady guest is an author and gentleman works for the monument projects. Dr. Jonker explained to them history the Mosque with the help of the photographs of the prominent personalities hanging in the

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Mission House. They were presented books about the history of Berlin Mosque written by Mr. Nasir Ahmad and Mr. Manfred Backhousen. They were happy to know about the activities of the Mosque.

Visit of the Director of Korean Organization15 December. The Director of the Korean organisation (HWPL) from Korea visited Berlin and he spe-cially requested to visit the Berlin Mosque because our organization is actively participating in their interfaith activities. He thanked the Imam and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement for participating in their activities in Berlin. It was a useful meeting and his visit provided opportunity for us to explain to him our point of view.

Visit of Church Students28 December. A group of Church students visited the Berlin Mosque to celebrate their Christmas and to learn about Islam, history of the Mosque and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Movement. It went very well and they were pleased to know about Islam and the Quran. They were presented literature as well.

Visit of a group from Spain.

A group of church students to celebrate Christmas.

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-do-

Dr. Gerdian Jonker, an author and research scholar, with two distingusihed guests, who work for monuments projects.

Students from Volkhoch Schule School, Berlin

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blessings of Allah be on him). LOVE also generates peace and happiness in the society. Follow the commandments of ALLAH and His Messenger, the Holy Prophet MUHAMMAD and earn an ever-lasting life here in this world and in the Hereafter. May Allah bless you all.

Ahmad Nawaz, Hayward, California I have just finished reading the February 2013 issue of the HOPE Bulletin dedicated to the memory of the late Br. Akbar Abdullah. I must say that your team has worked very hard to collect facts about the life and contributions made by our late Br. Akbar. The formatting of the Bulletin and photographs have made it very impressive and visual. Br. Akbar deserved such a beautiful dedication. I wish to congratulate you for making the Bulletin more than just a news bulletin. The brief life history of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sas) by our new sister in the fold of Islam, Christiane Backer, is very impressive and shows how his Perfect Example has inspired her thoughts and behaviour. I am sure her book “From MTV to Mecca” must be worth reading. Thanks for introducing the autobiography of a highly popular figure in the Western media, who, by her own study, has adopted Islam, and is facing challenges with firm faith and conviction.

CONTACT INFORMATION

The HOPE Bulletin E-mail address: thehopebulletin@hotmail.com

ISLAM stands for: I SHALL LOVE ALL MANKIND

Photographs : Mr. Amir AzizDesign & Formatting : Erwan Hamdani, Jakarta, Indonesia

http://www.aaiil.orghttp://www.Lahore.ahmadiyya.org

For Books on Islam and the Ahmadiyya Movement: Translations of the Holy Quran in Urdu, English, German, French, Russian, Indonesian, Dutch, Spanish and Turkish. Visit our websites.

Visit of the Director of the Korean Organization (HWPL)

A group of officials from the District Office, Berlin.