Opinion

Qamar Fazal

Sat, 04/29/2023 – 17:00

(In the name of Al’lah, the Merciful, the Compassionate)

Dear readers of the magazine Atalayar:

Assalamu alaikum again, may God’s peace and blessings be upon you. I wish you all well.

After having spent more than a year elucidating on “ISLAM’S ANSWER TO PROBLEMS OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD”, and after commenting to Don Javier Arribas on the need to reinstate moral values again [so much in decline in these turbulent times we live in], we have agreed to provide weekly instalments with a fascinating topic from the point of view of moral and spiritual elevation, which will deal with “THE PHILOSOPHY OF ISLAM’S TEACHINGS”.

The Holy Quran states in no uncertain terms:

“Verily, Al’lah does not change the state of a people so long as they do not change what is in their hearts”. (13:12)

The aim of these issues is to offer the esteemed reader of the magazine Atalayar the possibility of understanding from the point of view of spirituality, what Islam means, and what it really means to be a Muslim. This type of issue is necessary in view of the way world events are going, where it is more than necessary to convey a message of peace, love and fraternity.

For this purpose, and as a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to which I belong, a Muslim community established in Spain since 1946 and registered with the Ministry of Justice under number 73, I have selected a lecture given in India in 1896, where the Holy Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, India, [1835 – 1908], addressed a large audience on the beauty of Islamic teachings at the Great Conference of Religions attended by representatives of the Christian, Sikh, Arya Samaj, etc. religions.

The characteristic of this writing is based on the fact that it only analyses the beauty of the Muslim religion itself, without attacking any other religion, sticking only to the Book Revealed by Al’lah [God the Father] to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him [hereafter lpbD]) which is the Holy Quran. One of the premises of this conference on religions was that each speaker should only confine himself to his own Holy Book without attacking other Holy Books.

My father, Don Karam Ilahi Zafar, who was the first Muslim Ahmadi missionary to come to Spain in 1946 to found the Spanish Ahmadi Muslim Community, had the honour of translating this lecture into Spanish, and in turn sent copies of this beautiful text to political, religious and university authorities of that time. Throughout these instalments, we will include some letters from Spanish authorities who read this lecture in the years 1960 – 1970, showing their appreciation for the excellent teachings presented therein. These letters will help us to understand how the Spanish authorities viewed these teachings, which are not far from Christian teachings in terms of morality. On the other hand, we should never forget the 700 years of Islamic influence on Spanish culture.

I hope that all readers will enjoy this new initiative.

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

• First consideration: The physical, moral and spiritual qualities of man.
• Second Consideration: What is the state of man after death?
• Third Consideration: The aim of human life, and the means for its attainment.
• Fourth Consideration: The effect of the practical ordinances of the Law in this life and that in the life to come. 
• Fifth Consideration: The sources of Divine knowledge.

Great News for Seekers of Truth.

At this Assembly on the Great Religions, to be held in the Assembly Hall of the Lahore Town Hall on the 26th, 27th and 28th December 1896, a paper written by this humble servant, on the miracles and graces of the Holy Quran, will be read. This paper is not the fruit of human effort, but is one of the many signs of God, and has been written with His special help. It expounds the beauties and truths of the Holy Quran, and establishes with utmost clarity that the Holy Quran is indeed the Word of God, a Book Revealed by the Lord of all creation. Whosoever listens to this paper from beginning to end, and hears my treatment of the five topics proposed for the Assembly, will develop a new faith, will perceive that a new light illumines his soul, and will acquire a comprehensive concept of the Holy Word of God. This paper of mine is free from all human weakness, vainglory and extravagant claims…..

I appeal to all to attend the Assembly in Lahore, however difficult it may be for them, and to listen to these truths. In so doing, your reason and faith will derive benefits beyond hope.

Peace be upon those who keep these rules.

Ghulam Ahmad
Qadian, 21st December 1896

INTRODUCTION.

It is essential that every assertion and the arguments adduced in its support should be based on the Revealed Book.

In this auspicious Assembly, which is intended for those who have been invited to participate to expound the merits of their respective religions, with reference to the five considerations formulated, I shall today expound the merits of Islam.

Before I begin, I think it is appropriate to inform you that I have made it my duty to base all my assertions on the text of the Holy Quran, which is the Word of the Exalted God. I consider it essential that whoever follows a book, believing it to be a Revealed Book, should base his exposition on that book, and not extend the scope of the defence of his faith as if he were writing a new book.

Since my purpose today is to establish the merits of the Holy Quran, and to demonstrate its excellence, it is incumbent upon me not to affirm anything that is not contained in the Holy Quran, and to conduct my whole exposition by sticking to its verses, according to their meaning and the sense that can be deduced from them, so that the hearers may not find it difficult to compare the teachings of different religions.

Since all those who believe in a Revealed Book will also attend to the statements contained in the respective Revealed Books, I will not refer to “traditions” [Ahadith], because all true “traditions” are simply explanations of the Holy Quran, which is a perfect book, and comprises all other books. In short, this is the day of the manifestation of the glory of the Holy Quran, and I humbly pray to the Exalted God to help me in my endeavour. Amen.

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source https://atalayar.com/en/blog/philosophy-islamic-teachings