Halloween Harmless or Harmful Fun ?

Climate Change or a
Time of Reckoning?
8
God
in Islam
34
Life & Character of
the Seal of Prophets
22
Te Philosophy of the
Teachings of Islam
12
VOL. 106 - ISSUE TEN OCTOBER 2011
HALLOWEEN
HARMLESS OR HARMFUL
FUN?
The Holy Prophet
Muhammad
(saw)
prophesied
that the Promised Messiah
(as)

would be raised near a
white minaret, east of
Damascus. This prophecy
was fulflled with the advent
of the Promised Messiah
(as)
from Qadian, India, a city
directly east of Damascus.
Te Promised Messiah
and imam mahdi and founder of
the review of religions
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
(as)
, the Promised
Messiah and Mahdi was born to a noble family in
Qadian, India. From an early age he had a keen inter-
est in religion and developed a love for the Holy Prophet
Muhammad
(saw)
. He was also known for his honesty,
friendliness and resolve. Over time his knowledge and
understanding of religion and its application to society
deepened. Being a Muslim it was his frm belief that all
religions were true at their source but with the passage
of time had drifted away from their original teachings;
he upheld the dignity of religion and demonstrated its
relevance to everyone.
His earnest defence of religion was ultimately blessed
when he started to receive direct revelation from Allah
a blessing that he continued for the rest of his life.
His mission was to revitalise the truth that all religions
held within them and to revive the teachings of Islam. It
was through this that he would bring mankind together
and establish everlasting peace.
In 1889, under Divine Guidance, Hadhrat Ahmad
(as)

founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community a
community that has since grown in its stature and
strength and has remained active in conveying the
message of Islam to the ends of the earth.
Hadhrat Ahmad
(as)
had established himself as a respected
writer and had written over 80 books. His writings
have been translated into more than 60 languages and
continue to inspire readers to this day. One of his greatest
scholarly works was Te Philosophy of the Teachings of
Islam, prepared as a paper and read out at the Conference
of Great Religions in 1896.
He also wrote a fascinating treatise in 1899 entitled Jesus
in India, a book that uncovered remarkable evidence
of Jesus
(as)
s journey to India. In 1902 the Promised
Messiah
(as)
initiated Te Review of Religions which has
covered a vast array of topics on religion, philosophy
and contemporary issues of the day. It is the longest
running English magazine in defence of Islam and the
values it teaches.
From 1889 until the time of his demise in 1908 tens
of thousands of people accepted him. Tis blessing
has continued and will continue through his Khalifas
(successors).
Currently under the ffth successor, we are seeing that
the tide of acceptance is worldwide and that the message
of Prophet Ahmad
(as)
has really reached the ends of the
earth.

m
a
k
h
z
a
n
-
e
-
t
a
s
a
w
e
e
r
Say, He is Allah, the One!
Allah, the eternally
Besought of all! He neither
begets nor was begotten.
And there is none
comparable unto Him.
ISLAM, THE HOLY
QURAN, CH.112

Jabir narrates that he heard
the Holy Prophet
(saw)
state:
Te most excellent way
of remembering Allah is
to proclaim. Tere is no
one worthy of worship
except Allah. And the best
supplication is to profess.
All praise belongs to Allah.
ISLAM, THE HOLY
PROPHET
(SAW)
, TIRMIDHI

Te Unity of God is a
light which illumines
the heart only after the
negation of all deities,
whether they belong to the
inner world or the outer
world. It permeates every
particle of mans being.
ISLAM AHMADIYYAT, THE
PROMISED MESSIAH
AND IMAM MAHDI
(AS)
,
HAQIQATUL WAHI, P.148 IN
RUHANI KHAZAIN VOL.22

Hear O Israel, the Lord
our God, the Lord is One.
JUDAISM AND CHRISTIANITY,
BIBLE, DEUTERONOMY 6:4

He is the one God, hidden
in all beings, all-pervading,
the Self within all beings,
watching over all works,
dwelling in all beings, the
witness, the perceiver, the
only one, free from qualities.
HINDUISM, SVETASVATARA
UPANISHAD 6:11

He is the Sole Supreme
Being; of eternal
manifestation; Creator,
Immanent Reality;
Without Fear, Without
Rancor
SIKHISM, ADI GRANTH,
JAPUJI, P.1:THE MUL MANTRA
God
is One
WORLD FAITHS
october 2011
6 Editorial
Play a Part in
Te Review of Religions
AMER SAFIR, UK
8 Notes & Comments
Natural Disasters Climate
Change or a Time of Reckoning?
HIBBA TURRAUF, UK
12 Te Philosophy of the
Teachings of Islam Part 10
Continuing the serialisation of
the acclaimed and profound essay
based solely on the Holy Quran.
Tis section looks at what is really
meant by the drinks of ginger and
camphor alluded to in the Quran
HADHRAT MIRZA GHULAM AHMAD
(AS)
,
THE PROMISED MESSIAH AND MAHDI
22 Te Life & Character of the
Seal of the Prophets
(saw)

Part 11
After the Prophet Muhammad
(saw)
,
Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
was the second
Khalifa of Islam. Tis is the story of
his conversion. Also how Hadhrat
Hamzah
(ra)
, the powerful leader,
decided to become a Muslim
HADHRAT MIRZA BASHIR AHMAD
(RA)
34 From the Archives:
God in Islam
In Islam, God is believed to be
One, Unique and All-Powerful.
Muslims attribute to God what
others attribute to men and other
beings, and therefore he can
comprehend Gods existence better.
MUBARAK AHMAD FUELLING
12 22
CONTENTS
46 Halloween Harmless or
Harmful Fun?
Halloween is associated with
pumpkins, scary costumes and
trick or treating. Behind the
innocent fun, however, is the
reality and history of the darker
side of sorcery, occultist rituals and
spiritism, still practiced today.
NAVIDA SAYED, UK
64 Calendar of Religious
Events and Festivals
October 2011
MANAGEMENT BOARD
Munir-ud-din Shams (Chairman)
Syed Amer Safr (Secretary)
Ataul Mujeeb Rashed
Naseer Ahmad Qamar
Mubarak Ahmad Zafar
Aziz Ahmad Bilal
Abid Waheed Ahmad Khan
Abdul Baqi Arshad
CHIEF EDITOR & MANAGER
Syed Amer Safr
EDITORIAL BOARD
Bockarie Tommy Kallon, Fazal Ahmad,
Hibba Turrauf, Mansoor Saqi,
Munazza Khan, Nakasha Ahmad,
Sarah Waseem
PROOFREADERS
Abdul Ghany Jahangeer Khan,
Farhana Dar, Munavara Ghauri
DISTRIBUTION
Muhammad Hanif
DESIGN AND LAYOUT
Ahsan Khan
SPECIAL CONTRIBUTORS
Arif Khan, Maleeha Ahmad,
Khullat Munir, Mansoor Clarke,
Sami Ullah, Shehzad Ahmad
PUBLISHER
Al Shirkatul Islamiyyah Ltd.
Views expressed in this publication
are not necessarily the beliefs of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim community.
All correspondence should be
forwarded to the Editor at:
Tahir House, 22 Deer Park Road
London, SW19 3TL, United Kingdom
Telephone: + 44 20 8544 7614
Fax: + 44 20 3044 3030
info@reviewofreligions.org
www.reviewofreligions.org
34
46
At the frst Jalsa Salana (Annual
Convention) held by the Ahmadiyya
Muslim Jamaat in 1891, the Promised
Messiah
(as)
invited members to
put forth suggestions for how the
true Islam, Ahmadiyyat, could be
conveyed to the West and the English-
speaking world. Members suggested
that an English magazine could be
launched. Subsequently, the Promised
Messiah
(as)
formally announced the
launch of Te Review of Religions.
109 years after its launch, Te Review
of Religions today benefts from the
insightful and visionary guidance of
the Fifth Successor of the Promised
Messiah
(as)
, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor
Ahmad
(aba)
, Khalifatul Masih V, Head
of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim
community. Under his auspices Te
Review of Religions is entering into a
new phase of progress and success. Here
we are opening up an aspect of Te
Review of Religions to our readers so that
you can help us shape this magazine.
Appealing to a Wider Audience
Over the years several diferent logos
for Te Review of Religions have been
used. As Te Review of Religions rapidly
expands, the need to have an instantly
recognisable and consistent logo was
felt necessary. In late 2010, it was
decided for a complete rebranding
to take place to raise the standard
appealing to a wider audience whilst
remaining loyal to the roots of Te
Review of Religions. After extensive
research our aim was to align the new
rebranded magazine on par with other
major magazines. Working with our
new designer, 6 logos were initially
designed. A cross-section of readers
was selected to provide feedback and
editorial
Play a Part in
Amer Safr, UK
6 THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS | OCTOBER 2011
2 logos were shortlisted. From January
2011 until August 2011 Logo A (see
above) was used. Since September 2011
Logo B was used and will continue
until the end of this year. Which of
the 2 logos do you like best and why?
New Look and New Articles
From January this year signifcant
changes to Te Review of Religions
have occurred. We started printing
in full-colour for the frst time since
its launch in 1902. We have also
considerably changed the layout and
style of the magazine by using more
photos, incorporating a colour scheme
for each edition, changing the font
style throughout and improving the
paper quality. We have also tried to
widen our scope of writers and include
more articles relevant to the events
and religious festivals occurring during
the month of publication. Hence, we
featured an article on Muharram in
January, an article on Easter in April,
in this October edition our main
article is on Halloween and in our
next edition we will feature an article
on Hajj to coincide with its start.
New Team
Many new faces joined Te Review of
Religions staf over the past year, whilst
others have been with us for over 10-15
years. From the compilation of articles
to reviewing and editing, proofreading,
design and typesetting, distribution and
despatch worldwide, administration, web
development, our coordinators in various
countries and the Management Board,
all team members, both old and new
have been working with great dedication
to ensure the best quality for our readers.
Please do provide us feedback regarding our new design, logo and also articles.
Email us at info@reviewofreligions.org or editor@reviewofreligions.org with your comments.
Logo A:
Using an all-caps News Gothic style
bold sans typeface, its roots can
be traced back to the 1900s when
the Review was established.
Logo B:
A twentieth century modern typeface,
Melior is based on the squared-off
circle known as the super-ellipse.
The result, a modernised classic.
OCTOBER 2011 | THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS 7
Te Promised Messiah
(as)
and Founder of the
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadhrat
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, said over 100 years
ago:
Remember, God has informed me of many
earthquakes. Rest assured, therefore, that
as earthquakes have shaken America and
Europe, so will they shake Asia. (Haqiqatul
Wahi, pp.256-57)
the world shall know for certain that
they are in fact signs from God which have
appeared in support of His servant, the
Promised Messiah.
(Essence of Islam Vol. V, p.142)
Natural disasters have been occurring since
time immemorial; however their intensity,
frequency and severity have increased
over the last 100 years. Tis year, foods in
Australia and Pakistan, earthquakes in New
Zealand, tsunami in Japan and the recent
Hurricane Irene to hit the Caribbean,
United States East Coast and Atlantic
Canada, have all left extensive damage in
their wake. An analysis by UNEP/GRID-
Arendal shows an exponential increase in
the numbers of natural disasters from 1900
to 2000.
1
According to a report issued by
the International Development Ministry,
major disasters like the Japanese earthquake
and tsunami or Pakistans foods are likely
to increase. Scientists believe recent natural
disasters were not an aberration, but the
beginnings of a new kind of future in
which mega-disasters are going to be more
frequent. Te scale, frequency and severity
of rapid onset humanitarian disasters will
continue to grow in the coming years, and
at an accelerating pace, says Paddy Ashdown
a member of the British House of Lords.
2

Why are scientists predicting this huge rise
notes & comments
Natural Disasters -
Climate Change or a
Time of Reckoning?
Hibba Turrauf, UK
in mega-disasters, and why has there been
such a dramatic increase in natural disasters
over the last 100 years?
Scientists dont really have an answer, with
most blaming global warming, climate
change and consumerism. Te giant reinsurer,
Munich Re, explained: Te high number
of weather-related natural catastrophes
and record temperatures both globally and
in different regions of the world provide
further indications of advancing climate
change.
3
But scientists and climate change
experts negate this view. Sapir, Director of the
CRED said for example: It is not clear that
climate change itself is an important factor.
4
Earthquakes are not linked to climate change,
so what explanation could be given for the
sharp rise in their occurrence? Earthquakes
made up 60 percent of the natural disasters
from 2000 to 2009.5 The governor for
Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara was quoted as
saying the earthquake and tsunami that hit
Japan was divine punishment for excessive
consumerism. Similarly, the rightwing
Fox News radio talk show host and TV
presenter Glenn Beck said the earthquake
could be a message from God. Obvious
from such statements is that even in this
contemporary and secular world, the question
of a supernatural, divine force causing these
does arise.
All religions, especially Islam, Judaism
and Christianity believe it to be a form of
divine act , that is, God showing His wrath.
Both the laws of nature/climate changes (as
scientists posit) and divine wrath are causes.
Natural disasters caused by climate changes
or the laws of nature happen unexpectedly,
in accordance with existing climatic
conditions, whereas a disaster that occurs
as divine punishment has been foretold to
us in detail. Chapter 71 of the Holy Quran
Trends in natural disasters.
(2005). In UNEP/GRID-
Arendal Maps and Graphics
Library. Retrieved October
3, 2011 from http://maps.
grida.no/go/graphic/
trends-in-natural-disasters.
describes how Prophet Noah
(as)
forewarned
his people about the impending deluge that
would occur if they disobeyed God. Prophet
Noah
(as)
states:
I said to them: seek forgiveness of your Lord; He
is the Great Forgiver. He will send down rain
on you in abundance, and will help you with
wealth and children, and will bestow gardens
on you, and will cause rivers to fow for you.
(Ch.71:Vs.11-13)
However, those rejecting his claims came
under the might of the great deluge.
Describing this, Surah Al-Qamar of the
Quran states:
Tereupon, We opened the gates of Heaven with
water pouring down (Ch.54:V.12).
Te Holy Quran gives numerous examples of
how a people were annihilated because they
rejected the prophets sent by Him. Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih V
(aba)
in his Friday Sermon
of 18
th
March 2011 explained:
It is true that natural disasters occur due
to natural laws or that climatic changes are
a trigger, but noteworthy is that, is there
someone commissioned by God in the current
age who foretold earthquakes and natural
disasters to support his advent? Te Founder
of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the
Promised Messiah
(as)
has indeed connected
his advent with earthquakes and other natural
disasters.
Te Promised Messiah
(as)
said:
the world shall witness a terrible sight:
not only earthquakes but also many fearsome
calamities shall overtake man, some from
the skies and some from the earth. This
will happen because mankind has stopped
Te Holy Quran gives
numerous examples of how
a people were annihilated
because they rejected the
prophets sent by Him.
worshipping its true God and has become
lost in the afairs of the worldBut with my
coming the secret purposes of an afronted
God which were hidden so far, became
manifest.
(Haqiqatul Wahi, pp.256-57)
Being informed by God, he foretold that
natural disasters would take place as a sign
of his advent. His warning was an act of
mercy, so we recognise our Creator, accept
his Chosen Messiah and hence not fall under
His wrath. His book Haqiqatul Wahi Essence
of Islam, Vol. V explains this further. Te
Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has been
propagating this true message of Islam to
convince mankind to recognise its Creator
and accept the Messiah of Muhammad
(saw)

thereby saving it from Gods wrath and also
warning mankind of the consequences if they
do not. Resources of the Community such
as Muslim Television Ahmadiyya (MTA)
International, Te Review of Religions, its
thousands of missionaries etc. are all helping
to further the message of the Promised
Messiah: to bring man closer to God and
to discharge the rights due to His creation.
ENDNOTES
1. Trends in natural disasters, http://maps.grida.
no/go/graphic/trends-in-natural-disasters (Last
visited September 10, 2011)
2. http://www.dfd.gov.uk/Documents/
publications1/HERR.pdf?epslanguage=en
3. http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-world/
natural-disasters-killed-295000-in-2010-
20110104-19e06.html
4. http://english.sina.com/
technology/p/2010/0128/302222.html
5. http://english.sina.com/
technology/p/2010/0128/302222.html
His warning was an act
of mercy, so we recognise
our Creator, accept His
Chosen Messiah and hence
not fall under His wrath.
Te Philosophy of the
Teachings of Islam
part 10
Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
(as)
,
the Promised Messiah and Mahdi
TRANSLATED FROM URDU BY
SIR MUHAMMAD ZAFRULLA KHAN
Te Meaning of Drinks Prepared From
Camphor and Ginger
We have already explained that the word
Kafur has been used in this verse for the
reason that the Arabic word Kafara
means suppression and covering up. Tis
is an indication that these people have
quafed the cup of cutting asunder from
the world and turning to God with such
sincerity, that their love of the world has
become quite cold. It is well-known that
all passions originate in the heart, and
when the heart withdraws altogether
from all undesirable fancies and never
reverts to them at all, these passions begin
to decline until they disappear altogether;
that is what is conveyed in this verse, that
is to say, that such people draw far away
from the passions of self, and incline
so completely towards God that their
hearts become cold to worldly pursuits,
and their passions are suppressed as
camphor suppresses poisonous matter.
Ten it is said: Tey will be given to drink
therein of a cup tempered with ginger.
Te Arabic word for ginger (Zanjabil)
is a compound of Zana and Jabal. Zana
in Arabic idiom means ascending and
Jabal means a mountain, thus Zana Jabal
means: He ascended the mountain.
It should be remembered that after a
person recovers from a poisonous disease
he passes through two stages before he is
restored to full health and strength. Te
frst stage is when the poisonous matter
is completely overcome and dangerous
tendencies are reformed, and poisonous
conditions are safely averted and the
attack of the fatal upsurge is completely
suppressed; but the limbs are still weak,
strength is lacking and the patient treads
wearily. Te second stage is when the
patient is restored to full health and his
body achieves full strength, and he feels
that he can climb hills and run along
the heights. Tis condition is achieved
in the third stage concerning which God
Almighty has said, that godly people
of the highest rank drink of cups that
are favoured with ginger; that is to say,
that arriving at the full strength of their
spiritual condition they can climb high
mountains; meaning that they carry out
great projects and make great sacrifces
in the cause of God.
It is well-known that all
passions originate in the heart
The Holy Quran, upon which The Philosophy
of the Teachings of Islam was based.
Te Efect of Ginger
It should be remembered that one of the
qualities of ginger is that it strengthens
the system and relieves dysentery and
warms it up so that a person becomes
capable, as it were, of climbing a
mountain. By placing camphor and
ginger in juxtaposition it is intended to
convey that when a person moves from
a condition of subordination to his
passions towards virtue, the frst reaction
is that the poisonous matter from which
he sufers are suppressed and the surge
of passions begins to subside, as camphor
suppresses poisonous matter. Tat is why
it is found useful in the treatment of
cholera and typhoid. When poisonous
matter is completely suppressed and the
patient recovers his health to a degree
in which he still feels weak, the second
stage is that he derives strength from a
drink favoured with ginger. In spiritual
terms, this drink is the manifestation of
Divine beauty, which is the nourishment
of the soul. When he derives strength
from this manifestation he is enabled to
climb high mountains, that is to say, he
performs such surprisingly difcult feats
in the cause of God, that no one whose
heart is not inspired by the warmth of
love can perform. In these verses, God
Almighty has employed two Arabic
terms to illustrate these two conditions;
one term is camphor, which means
suppression, and the other is ginger, which
means climbing.
Tese are the two conditions, which are
encountered by seekers after God. [Te
Quran states] that for the disbelievers
who have no inclination towards
accepting the truth, we have prepared
chains and collars for the neck, and
the burning sensation of a blazing fre.
1

Tis means that for those who reject the
truth and have no inclination towards
accepting it, God has prepared chains and
collars and a blazing fre. Te meaning is
that those who do not seek God with a
true heart sufer a severe reaction. Tey
are so involved with the world as if their
feet are secured by chains, and they
bend down so much towards worldly
pursuits, as if there are collars round their
necks which do not permit them to lift
their eyes towards heaven. Tey have
THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE TEACHINGS OF ISLAM
In spiritual terms, this
drink is the manifestation
of Divine beauty, which is
the nourishment of the soul.
a burning desire for the things of the
world: property, authority, domination,
wealth, etc. As God Almighty finds
them unworthy and committed to
undesirable pursuits, He inficts them
with these three suferings. Tis is an
indication that every human action is
followed by a corresponding action on
the part of God. For instance, when a
person closes all the doors and windows
of his room, his action is followed by a
Divine action whereby the room becomes
dark. All the inevitable consequences of
our actions that have been appointed by
God Almighty under the law of nature
are all Gods actions, inasmuch as He is
the Cause of causes. For instance, if a
person swallows poison, his action would
be followed by the Divine action that
he would sufer death. In the same way
if a person acts in some improper way
which attracts an infectious disease, his
action would be followed by the Divine
action that he would be aficted with
that disease.
Tus, as we observe clearly that in our
worldly life, there is an inevitable result
for every action of ours, and that result
is the act of God Almighty. Te same
law operates in religious matters also. For
instance, it is said that in consequence
of the full striving of a person in seeking
God, the inevitable act of God is to
guide him along the ways that lead to
Him.
2
As a contrast it is said: When they
deviated from the right course and did
not desire to tread along the straight path,
the Divine action followed in that their
hearts were made perverse.
3
To illustrate
this even more clearly it is said: He who
remains blind in this life will be blind in the
hereafter also, and even more astray.
4
Tis is
an indication that the virtuous see God
in this very life and they behold their
True Beloved in this world. Te purport
of this verse is that the foundation of the
heavenly life is laid in this very world,
and that the root of hellish blindness is
also the vile and blind life of this world.
Ten it is said: Give glad tidings to those
who believe and work righteously, that
for them there are gardens beneath which
rivers fow.
5
In this verse, God Almighty
has described faith as a garden beneath
which rivers fow, and has thus indicated
that faith is related to righteous action,
Te meaning is that those who
do not seek God with a true
heart sufer a severe reaction.
as a garden is related to the water of
the river or stream. As a garden cannot
flourish without water, faith cannot
survive without righteous action. If there
is faith but no righteous action that faith
is vain; and if there are actions but not
faith, the actions are mere show or display.
Te reality of the Islamic paradise is that
it is a refection of the faith and actions of
a person in this life, and is not something
that will be bestowed upon a person from
outside. A persons paradise is developed
inside him and everyones paradise is his
faith and his righteous actions, the delight
of which begins to be tasted in this very
life, and one perceives the hidden gardens
and streams of faith and righteous action
which will become concretely manifest
in the hereafter. Gods holy teaching
instructs us that pure and perfect and
frm faith in God, His attributes and His
designs, is a beautiful garden of fruit trees,
and righteous actions are the streams that
irrigate the garden. Te Holy Quran says
that a word of faith that is free from every
extreme defect and falsehood and vanity,
and is perfect in every way is like a tree,
which is free from every defect.
6
Te root
of that tree is frm in the earth and its
branches spread into heaven. It brings
forth its fruit at all times and at no time
are its branches without fruit. Tus, it will
be seen that God Almighty has described
a word of faith as a tree that bears fruit
at all times, and has set forth three of its
characteristics.
Te frst is that its root, that is to say,
its true meaning should be frm in the
earth, meaning that its truth and reality
should be acceptable to human nature
and conscience.
Its second characteristic is that its
branches should spread out into heaven,
meaning that it should be supported
by reason and should be in accord with
the heavenly law of nature which is the
work of God. In other words, the law
of nature should furnish arguments in
support of its correctness and truth, and
those arguments should be beyond the
reach of criticism.
Its third characteristic should be that its
fruit should be permanent and unlimited,
If there is faith but no
righteous action that faith is
vain; and if there are actions
but not faith, the actions
are mere show or display.
that is to say, the blessings and efects
of acting upon it should continue to be
manifested at all times, and should not
cease to be manifested after a period.
Ten it is said:
Te case of an evil word is like that of
an evil tree, which is uprooted from the
earth and has no stability; meaning that
human nature rejects it and it cannot
be established by reason, nor the law of
nature or human conscience.
7
It has no
more stability than an idle tale.
As the Holy Quran has said that the
trees of true faith will appear in the
hereafter as grapes and pomegranates
and other good fruits, in the same way
the evil tree of faithlessness is called
Zaqqum, as is said: Are the gardens of
paradise better entertainment or the tree
Zaqqum which We have made a means of
trial for the wrongdoers? It is a tree that
springs forth from the root of hell, that is
to say, it grows out of arrogance and self-
esteem. Its fruit is, as if it were, the heads of
Satan, meaning that he who eats it would be
ruined.
8
Ten it is said: Te tree of Zaqqum
is the food of the deliberately sinful. It will
boil in their bellies like molten copper. Te
sinful one will be commanded: Now sufer
this, thou who didst hold thyself mighty
and noble.
9
Tis is a wrathful expression
meaning that if he had not been arrogant
and had not turned away from the truth
out of pride and a false notion of his
dignity, he would not have had to sufer
in this fashion. Tis verse indicates that
the word Zaqqum is compounded of
Zuq, meaning taste it, and Am, which is
formed by the frst and last letters of the
remaining portion of the verse.
10

Tus, God Almighty has described the
words of faith uttered in this life as the
trees of paradise. In the same way He
has described the words of faithlessness
uttered in this life as the tree of hell,
which He has called Zaqqum, and has
thus indicated that the root of paradise
and of hell is laid in this very life. At
another place hell is described as a fre, the
source of which is the wrath of God and
which is kindled by sin and overcomes
the heart.
11
Tis is an indication that at
the root of this fre are the sorrows and
grief s and torments which afict the
God Almighty has described
the words of faith uttered in
this life as the trees of paradise.
heart. All spiritual torments arise in the
heart and then envelop the whole body.
At another place it is said: Tat the fuel
of the fre of hell, which keeps it blazing, is
of two types.
12
One, those men who turn
away from God and worship other things,
or who require their own worship; as is
said: False deities and their worshippers
will all be thrown into hell.
13
Te second
type of fuel of hell is the idols. If there
had been no false gods and no idols, nor
any worshippers of these, there would
have been no hell. All these verses show
that in the Holy Word of God, heaven
and hell are not like the physical world.
Teir source is spiritual, though it is true
that in the hereafter they will take on
concrete forms, and yet they will not
belong to this world.
Means of Establishing a Perfect
Spiritual Relationship with God
The method of establishing a perfect
spiritual relationship with God that the
Holy Quran teaches us is Islam, meaning
devoting ones whole life to the cause
of God and being occupied with the
supplications which we have been taught
in Surah Fatihah [opening Chapter of
the Holy Quran]. Tis is the essence of
Islam. Complete surrender to God and
the supplication taught in Surah Fatihah,
are the only methods of meeting God
and drinking the water of true salvation.
Tis is the only method that the law of
nature has appointed for mans highest
exaltation and for his meeting the Divine.
Tose alone fnd God who enter into
the spiritual fre of Islam and continue
occupied with the supplication set out in
Surah Fatihah.
Islam is the blazing fre that burns up
our life, and consuming our false deities,
presents the sacrifce of our life and our
property and our honour, to our Holy
God. Entering it, we drink the water of
a new life and all our spiritual faculties
establish such a relationship with God
as subsists between kindred. A fre leaps
up from our inside like lightning, and
another fre descends upon us from above.
By the meeting of these two fames all
our passions and our love for anything
besides God are totally consumed and
we become dead vis--vis our previous
Complete surrender to God
and the supplication taught
in Surah Fatihah, are the
only methods of meeting
God and drinking the
water of true salvation.
life. Tis condition is named Islam in
the Holy Quran. Trough our complete
surrender to the will of God our passions
are killed, and through supplication
we acquire new life. Tis second life is
signalised by the receipt of revelation.
Arriving at this stage is interpreted
as meeting with God, in other words
beholding God. At this stage, a person
establishes a relationship with God by
virtue of which he becomes as if he were
beholding God, and he is invested with
power and all his senses and his inner
faculties are illumined, and he feels the
strong pull of a holy life. At this stage,
God becomes his eye with which he sees,
and becomes his tongue with which he
speaks, and becomes his hand with which
he assaults his enemy, and becomes his
ear with which he hears, and becomes
his feet with which he walks. Tis stage
is referred to in the verse: Allahs hand is
above their hands.
14
In the same way it is
said that: it was not thou who didst throw,
but it was Allah Who threw.
15

In short, at this stage there is perfect
union with God and His holy Will
pervades the soul thoroughly, and the
moral power that had previously been
weak becomes frm like a mountain, and
reason and intelligence are sharpened to
the extreme.
16
Tis is the meaning of the
verse; at this stage the streams of love for
and devotion to Him surge up in such a
manner that to die in the cause of God
and to endure thousands of torments
for His sake, and to become disgraced
in His path, become as easy as breaking
a small straw. One is pulled towards God
without knowing who is pulling. One is
carried about by a hidden hand, and to
do Gods Will becomes the purpose of
ones life. At this stage God appears very
close, as He has said: We are closer to him
than his jugular vein.
17
In this condition
the lower relationships of a person fall
away from him, as ripe fruit falls away
automatically from the branch of a tree.
His relationship with God deepens, and
he draws far away from all creation and
is honoured with the word and converse
of God. Te doors of access to this stage
are as widely open today as they were at
At this stage, a person
establishes a relationship
with God by virtue of
which he becomes as if he
were beholding God.
any time, and Divine Grace still bestows
this bounty upon those who seek it, as
He did before. But this is not achieved
by the mere exercise of the tongue, and
this door is not opened by vain talk and
boasts. There are many who seek but
there are few who fnd. Why is that so?
It is because this stage demands true
earnestness and true sacrifce. Mere words
mean nothing in this context. To step
faithfully onto the fre from which other
people run away is the frst requirement
of this path. Boasts avail nothing; what
is needed is practical zeal and earnestness.
In this context God, the Glorious, has
said: When my servants enquire from
thee concerning me, tell them I am close. I
respond to the call of the supplicant when he
calls on me. So should they seek me through
their supplications and have frm faith in me,
that they may be rightly guided.
18

Continues in the next edition
ENDNOTES
1. Verily, We have prepared for the disbelievers
chains and iron-collars and a blazing Fire.
(Ch.76:V.5)
2. And as for those who strive in our path
we will surely guide them in Our ways
(Ch.29:V.70)
3. So when they deviated from the right
course, Allah caused their hearts to deviate...
(Ch.61:V.6)
4. But whoso is blind in this world will be blind in
the Hereafter, and even more astray from the way.
(Ch.17:V.73)
5. And give glad tidings to those who believe and
do good works, that for them are Gardens beneath
which fow streams (Ch.2:V.26)
6. Dost thou not see how Allah sets forth the
similitude of a good word? It is like a good tree,
whose root is frm and whose branches reach
into heaven. It brings forth its fruit at all times.
(Ch.14:Vs.25-26)
7. Te case of an evil word is like that of an evil
tree, which is uprooted from above the earth and
has no stability.(Ch.14:V.27)
8. Is that better as an entertainment, or the tree
of Zaqqum? Verily We have made it a trial for the
wrongdoers. It is a tree that springs forth in the
bottom of Hell; Te fruit thereof is as though it were
the heads of serpents. (Ch.37:Vs.63-66)
9. Verily, the tree of Zaqqum. Will be the food of
the sinful, Like molten copper, it will boil in their
bellies, like the boiling of scalding water Taste
Tere are many who seek
but there are few who
fnd. Why is that so?
it! You did consider yourself the mighty, the
honourable. (Ch.44:Vs.44-47, 50)
10. You did consider yourself the mighty, the
honourable. (Ch.44:V.50)
11. It is Allahs kindled fre, Which rises over the
hearts. (Ch.104:Vs.7-8)
12. whose fuel is men and stones
(Ch.2:V.25)
13. Surely, you and that which you worship beside
Allah are the fuel of Hell (Ch.21:V.99)
14. Te hand of Allah is over their hands...
(Ch.48:V.11)
15. And you threw not when you did throw, but
it was Allah Who threw... (Ch.8:V.18)
16. and whom He has strengthened with
inspiration from Himself (Ch.58:V.23)
17. and we are nearer to him than even his
jugular vein. (Ch.50:V.17)
18. And when My servants ask you about Me, say:
I am near. I answer the prayer of the supplicant
when he prays to me. So they should hearken to me
and believe in me, that they may follow the right
way. (Ch.2:V.187)

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www.reviewofreligions.org
Te Life and Character
of the Seal
of the Prophets
(saw)
part 11
Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad
(ra)
CHAPTER VII Days of Struggle
Departure of Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
with
the Intention of Migration
It is narrated by Hadhrat Aishah
(ra)
, that
after the Muslims migrated to Abyssinia,
at one time, Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
also
left Makkah with the intention of migra-
tion. While travelling south, when he
reached Barikul-Ghimad, he coinci-
dentally met Ibni Daghinah who was
a Chieftain of the Qarah tribe. When
Ibni Daghinah inquired as to the cause of
this trip, Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
responded,
My people have exiled me. For this reason, I
have decided to travel throughout the land of
Allah freely, and worship my Lord.
A man of your calibre should not leave
Makkah on his own accord, nor should he be
exiled, said Ibni Daghinah, Come, I take
you into my protection. Return and wor-
ship your Lord in Makkah. As a result,
Abu Bakr
(ra)
returned as per his request.
On reaching Makkah, Ibni Daghinah
rebuked the Chieftains of the Quraish
saying, Do you exile a man of such and such
virtues? After this, Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)

made a small mosque in the veranda
of his home, where he would observe
prayers and recite the Holy Quran.
Since he was exceedingly soft-hearted, he
would often weep while reciting the Holy
Quran. Tis sight would especially move
the hearts of the women and children of
the Quraish, who were relatively simple
and free of religious prejudice. Since
Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
was extremely
revered among the Quraish, his fervent
worship would pull the hearts of people
towards Islam. Upon this, the Quraish
complained to Ibni Daghinah that Abu
Continued serialisation of the English rendering of Hadhrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad
(ra)
s
outstanding biography, Seerat Khatamun Nabiyyin, on the life and character of the Holy
Prophet Muhammad
(saw)
. Seerat Khatamun Nabiyyin has been translated into English
for the frst time, and is being serialised in Te Review of Religions. Tis section of the
series looks at the conversion to Islam of Hadhrat Hamzah
(ra)
and Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
and the
attempts by the leaders of the Quraish to dissuade the Holy Prophet
(saw)
from preaching Islam.
My people have exiled
me. For this reason, I have
decided to travel throughout
the land of Allah freely,
and worship my Lord.
TRANSLATED FROM THE URDU
BY AYYAZ MAHMOOD KHAN
Bakr
(ra)
recited the Quran aloud and due
to this their women, children and weaker
ones were put to trial, thus he should be
forbidden. Ibni Daghinah attempted to
stop Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
, but he refused
saying, I cannot leave this on any account.
However, if you are fearful, then I leave
your protection, the protection of my Lord is
sufcient for me.
1
After this, the Quraish
inficted many hardships upon Hadhrat
Abu Bakr
(ra)
,
but he remained steadfast
like a resolute rock.
Acceptance of Hamzah
(ra)

In an attempt to narrate all the events
related to the migration of Abyssinia in
one place, many other concurrent events
were left out, which shall be mentioned
now. Until now the apparent state of the
Muslims was very weak, because among
them there was not a single person
(excluding Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
), who
possessed infuence among the Quraish,
or who at least from whom the Quraish
were somewhat pressured. But now, by
the Grace of Allah two such persons
entered the fold of Islam, who, to some
extent by their dignity and awe, proved
to reinforce the apparent glory of Islam.
Our intent is (to mention) Hadhrat
Hamzah bin Abdul-Muttalib
(ra)
and
Hadhrat Umar bin Al-Khattab
(ra)
, who
accepted Islam one after the other in 6
Nabawi.
Hamzah
(ra)
was the biological paternal
uncle of the Holy Prophet
(saw)
. He loved
the Holy Prophet
(saw)
dearly, but until
now, he was an idolater. It was his prac-
tice to set out in the early morning, bow
and arrow in hand, and hunt all day long.
In the evening, he would return to per-
form the Tawaf [circumambulation] of
the Kabah and he would then hold ses-
sions with the various gatherings of the
Quraish, which were held in the court-
yard of the Kabah, in groups of twos and
fours. Afterwards, he would return home.
One day, when Hamzah
(ra)
returned from
hunting, a female servant said to him,
Have you heard that Abul-Hakam [that is,
Abu Jahl] just went on to say awful things
to thy nephew, and cursed at him in flthy
and profane language, but Muhammad
(saw)

did not react at all? Upon hearing this,
Hamzahs
(ra)
eyes gorged with blood in
THE LIFE & CHARACTER
OF THE SEAL OF THE PROPHETS
Te Quraish inficted many
hardships upon Hadhrat Abu
Bakr
(ra)
, but he remained
steadfast like a resolute rock.
rage and his family honour was infuri-
ated. He immediately started of towards
the Kabah, and frst performed circuits of
the Kabah. After this Tawaf, he moved
towards the gathering in which Abu
Jahl was sitting. Upon reaching there,
he frmly struck Abu Jahls head with
his bow and said, I have heard that you
cursed Muhammad
(saw)
. Ten listen, I too
follow the religion of Muhammad
(saw)
and
I also say what he says. Hence, if you possess
even a little courage, speak before me! Te
associates of Abu Jahl rose in his sup-
port and a brawl almost erupted, but Abu
Jahl, who was struck in awe of the bravery
and courage of Hamzah
(ra)
, stopped his
associates saying, Hamzah
(ra)
is true, I did
Night view of the minarets of Masjid al-
Haram where Hadhrat Hamza
(ra)
would return
in the evenings after hunting all day.
Credit: Basid D Soufi
in fact act unjustly, and in this way the
matter was settled.
2

In his outburst Hamzah
(ra)
said, I am
also upon the religion of Muhammad
(saw)

but when he returned home and his
anger subsided, he was somewhat appre-
hensive and began to ponder over the
best course of action. Ultimately, his
heart decided that it was now best to
forsake polytheism. Consequently, he
came to the Holy Prophet
(saw)
, recited the
Kalimah [i.e. the Muslim creed: there is
none worthy of worship except Allah and
Muhammad(saw) is His Messenger] and
entered the fold of Islam.
3
Tis incident
is from the sixth year of prophethood,
when the Holy Prophet
(saw)
was still situ-
ated in Dar-e-Arqam.
4
In happiness of
The Kabah in Makkah, where the
encounter between the Makkan leaders
and Hadhrat Hamzah
(ra)
took place.
Hadhrat Hamzahs
(ra)
acceptance of Islam,
or perhaps in the ardour of his sincerity,
Hadhrat Abu Bakr
(ra)
openly announced
the unity of God in the courtyard of the
Kabah, the same day Hadhrat Hamzah
(ra)

accepted Islam. At that time, the Holy
Prophet
(saw)
and various other Muslims
were also present. When the Quraish
witnessed the boldness of Hadhrat Abu
Bakr
(ra)
,
they attacked him. Tey beat him
so mercilessly that when the people of
his tribe helped him up and took him
home, he was completely unconscious.
Due to the severe beating, his body was
seriously injured. When he regained con-
sciousness, his frst question was How is
the Holy Prophet
(saw)
, and until Hadhrat
Abu Bakr
(ra)
received word of his security,
he did not feel at ease.
5
Acceptance of Umar
(ra)
Only a few days had passed after the
acceptance of Hadhrat Hamzah
(ra)
, when
Allah the Exalted blessed the Muslims
with another instance of happiness, in
other words, Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
who was
a vehement enemy, accepted Islam. Te
story of his acceptance is very interest-
ing. Te disposition of Hadhrat Umar
(ra)

enclosed a kind of stifness which was
further increased by his enmity towards
Islam. Therefore, prior to his accep-
tance of Islam, Umar
(ra)
subjected poor
and weak Muslims to great torture on
account of their [belief in] Islam. But
when he was exhausted by inficting this
agony, and saw no signs of their return,
he thought, why not fnish the founder
of this very disease. Upon this thought,
he took hold of his sword and set out
in search of the Holy Prophet
(saw)
. On
the way, when someone noticed him
walking with an unsheathed sword in
hand, he inquired, O Umar
(ra)
, where
to? Umar
(ra)
responded, I have set of to
slay Muhammad
(saw)
. He replied, By
slaying Muhammad
(saw)
can you remain
safe from the Banu Abdi Manaf ? Why not
then look after your own home frst? Your
sister and brother-in-law have accepted
Islam. Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
immediately
turned and started of towards the home
of his sister Fatimah
(ra)
. As he approached
the home, he could hear the sound of
the recitation of the Holy Quran from
inside, which Khabbab bin Al-Arat
(ra)

Due to the severe beating,
his body was seriously
injured. When he regained
consciousness, his frst
question was How is
the Holy Prophet
(saw)

was reciting very melodiously. When
Umar
(ra)
heard this voice, he was further
enraged and entered the home. As soon
as Khabbab
(ra)
heard his footsteps, he hid
somewhere, and Fatimah
(ra)
also hid the
various pages of the Holy Quran here
and there.
6
When Hadhrat Umar
(ra)

entered, he shouted, I heard that you
have left your faith! Ten, he attacked
his brother-in- law Said bin Zaid
(ra)
.
Fatimah
(ra)
was also wounded as she
moved forward, in an attempt to save
her husband, and very courageously
said, Yes Umar! We have become Muslim.
Do as you wish, we shall not leave Islam.
Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
was a very stern man,
but beneath this veil of stifness was also
a touch of love and tenderness, which
showed its colours on certain occasions.
When he heard the courageous words of
his sister, he glanced at her and noticed
that she was covered in blood. Tis sight
had an inexplicable impression upon the
heart of Umar
(ra)
. After a short silence, he
said to his sister, Show me the word that
you were reading. I shall not, responded
Fatimah
(ra)
, for you will destroy the leaf-
lets. Umar
(ra)
replied, Nay, Nay! Please
show me, I shall indeed return them to you.
But you are unclean, said Fatimah
(ra)
, and
the Quran should be touched in a state of
purity. First bathe, then read. Perhaps
As he approached the home,
he could hear the sound of
the recitation of the Holy
Quran from inside.
Quranic Manuscript from the 7th Century
written on vellum in the Hijazi script. Hadhrat
Umar
(ra)
s sister had parchments with verses
of the Quran on them which she gave
to her brother Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
to read.
her desire was also that by taking a bath,
Umars
(ra)
rage would fully subside, after
which he would be able to refect with a
cool heart. When Umar
(ra)
had taken a
bath, Fatimah
(ra)
placed the leafets of the
Quran before him. When he took hold
of them and saw, they were the open-
ing verses of Chapter Ta Ha. Hadhrat
Umar
(ra)
began to read them with an awe-
inspired heart, and every single word
deeply impressed the heart of this well-
natured man. While reading, Hadhrat
Umar
(ra)
read:
I am the one and only Creator and Master of
this world. Tere is none worthy of worship
except Me. So worship Me alone and devote
your prayers to My remembrance. Lo! Te
promised hour cometh, but we have kept it
secret, so that everyone may be recompensed
for his endeavours.
7

When Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
recited this
verse, it was as if his eyes was opened,
and his latent disposition was suddenly
aroused. He powerlessly said, What a
strange and holy word this is!
When Khabbab
(ra)
heard these words, he
immediately came out, thanked God, and
said:
Tis is due to the prayer of the messenger of
Allah. By God, it was only yesterday I heard
the Holy Prophet
(saw)
pray that, O Allah!
Do bless either Umar bin Al-Khattab or
Umar bin Hisham (meaning Abu Jahl)
with Islam.
Each and every moment was now
becoming difcult for Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
,

and he said to Khabbab
(ra)
, Tell me the
way to Muhammad
(saw)
at once. In the
fervour of his excitement, he kept his
sword unsheathed. At this time, the
Holy Prophet
(ra)
was in the Dar-e-
Arqam; as such, Khabbab
(ra)
gave him
the location. Umar
(ra)
went there, and
frmly knocked at the door. When the
Companions peered through the crack
in the door, and saw Umar
(ra)
holding
an unsheathed sword, they were reluc-
tant in opening the door, but the Holy
Prophet
(saw)
said, Open the door. Hadhrat
Hamzah
(ra)
also said Open the door. If he
has come with pure intentions then well
and good, otherwise, if his intentions are
evil, by Allah, I shall sever his head of by
When Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
recited this verse, it was
as if his eyes was opened,
and his latent disposition
was suddenly aroused.
his own sword. Te door was opened,
and Umar
(ra)
entered, unsheathed sword
in hand. Upon seeing him, the Holy
Prophet
(saw)
moved forward and taking
hold of Hadhrat Umars
(ra)
mantle he
yanked it, saying, O Umar, with what
intention have you come? By Allah, I see
that you have not been created for the chas-
tisement of Allah. O Messenger of Allah,
responded Umar
(ra)
, I wish to become a
Muslim. When the Holy Prophet
(saw)

heard these words, in the fervour of his
happiness he said Allahu Akbar!
,
and
his companions called out the slogan of
Allahu Akbar so loudly that the moun-
tains of Makkah began to resonate.
8
At that time, Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
was
thirty-three years of age, and he was the
Chieftain of his tribe, the Banu Adiyy.
Among the Quraish he also held the
responsibility of being an ambassador,
and was very awe-inspiring, valiant, and
courageous. By his acceptance of Islam,
the Muslims gained signifcant strength.
Tey left the Dar-e-Arqam and began
ofering their Salat openly in the Masjid-
e-Haram. Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
was the last
companion to accept Islam in the Dar-e-
Arqam. Tis occurred in the last month
of the sixth year after the prophetic
commission. At that time the number
of Muslim men totalled forty.
9

When news of Hadhrat Umars
(ra)

acceptance spread, the Quraish became
exceedingly furious. In this very state of
fury, they besieged the home of Hadhrat
Umar
(ra)
. When Hadhrat Umar
(ra)

stepped out, a large party of people gath-
ered around him. It was nigh that various
enraged young men attack Hadhrat
Umar
(ra)
, but he stood his ground with
extreme audacity. At last, in this state,
a Chieftain of Makkah, As bin Wail,
arrived and upon noticing this multitude,
he moved forward in his authoritative
manner and said, What is the matter?
The people said, Umar has become a
Sabi. After judging the situation he
said, All right, even still, there is no need
for this commotion. I give Umar my protec-
tion. At this voice, in accordance with
the Arab custom, people were compelled
to silence and they gradually dispersed.
After that, Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
remained
in security for a few days, because no
Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
was the
last companion to accept
Islam in the Dar-e-Arqam.
one would confront him on account of
the protection of As bin Wail. But the
honour of Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
could not
bear this state for long. Hence, much
time had not passed before he went to
As bin Wail and said, I leave your protec-
tion. Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
relates, After this,
I would remain in a constant brawl in the
streets of Makkah.
10
However, Hadhrat
Umar
(ra)
never lowered his gaze before
anyone.
Shortly after Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
accepted
Islam, his son, Abdullah bin Umar
(ra)

also became Muslim. At that time
Abdullah
(ra)
was only a child, but after
the demise of the Holy Prophet
(saw)
he
acquired great status, and was looked
upon as a great scholar of Islam.
ENDNOTES
1. Sahih Bukhari, Kitabu Manaqibil-Ansar,
Babu Hijratin-Nabiyyisa wa Ashabihi ilal-
Madinah, Hadith No. 3905
2. * Tarikhut-Tabari, by Abu Jafar Muhammad
bin Al-Jarir Tabari, Vol. 2, pp. 235-236, Babu
Dhikril-Khabri amma kana min Amri
Nabiyyillahi
(sa)
inda Ibtidaillahi Taala..., Darul-
Fikr, Beirut, Lebanon, Second Edition (2002)
* As-Siratun-Nabawiyyah, by Abu Muhammad
Abdul-Malik bin Hisham, p. 219, Babu Islami
Hamzah
(ra)
, Darul-Kutubil-Ilmiyyah, Beirut,
Lebanon, First Edition (2001)
3. Ar-Raudul-Anf, by Imam Abul-Qasim
Abdur-Rahman Suhaili, Vol. 2, pp.44-45, Babu
Islami
Hamzah
(ra)
, Darul-Kutubil-Ilmiyyah, Beirut,
4. Sharhul-Allamatiz-Zarqani alal-Mawahibil-
Ladunniyyah, by Muhammad bin Abdul-Baqi
Az- Zarqani, Vol. 2, p. 3, Babu Islamil-Faruq,
Darul-Kutubil-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First
Edition (1996)
5. Tarikhul-Khamis, by Husain bin
Muhammad bin Hasan Dayar Bakri, Vol. 1,
p.294, Dhikru Islami
Hamzah, Muwassasatu Shaban, Beirut
6. Tis instance should be remembered,
because through it we fnd that even from the
early era, the Holy Prophet
(saw)
had the Holy
Quran written along the way and these manu-
scripts were preserved by numerous companions
When news of Hadhrat
Umars
(ra)
acceptance
spread, the Quraish became
exceedingly furious. In
this very state of fury,
they besieged the home
of Hadhrat Umar
(ra)
.
of the Holy Prophet
(saw)
. (Author)
7. Surah Ta Ha (Ch.20:Vs.15-16)
8. * As-Siratun-Nabawiyyah, by Abu
Muhammad Abdul-Malik bin Hisham, p.253,
Babu Islami Umar bin Al-Khattab
(ra)
, Darul-
Kutubil-Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First
Edition (2001)
* Ar-Raudul-Anf, by Imam Abul-Qasim Abdur-
Rahman Suhaili, Vol. 2, pp.120-124, Babu
Dhikri
Islami Umar bin Al-Khattab
(ra)
, Darul-Kutubil-
Ilmiyyah, Beirut, Lebanon, First Edition (2001)
* Sharhul-Allamatiz-Zarqani alal-Mawahibil-
Az-Zarqani, Vol.2, p.8, Babu Islamil-Faruq,
Edition (1996)
* With regards to Hadhrat Umars
(ra)
acceptance
of Islam there are various other narrations as
well, but here, we have only taken the well-
known narrations of the scholars of Sirat.
(Author)
9. Sharhul-Allamatiz-Zarqani alal-Mawahibil-
Az-Zarqani, Vol. 2, p.3-4, Babu Islamil-Faruq,
Edition (1996)
10. Sharhul-Allamatiz-Zarqani alal-
Mawahibil-Ladunniyyah, by Muhammad bin
Abdul-Baqi Az-Zarqani, Vol. 2, pp.9-10, Babu
Islamil-Faruq, Darul-Kutubil-Ilmiyyah, Beirut,
OF THE SEAL OF THE PROPHETS NOTE ABOUT REFERENCES
Verse references to the Holy Quran
count Bismillah (In the Name
of Allah) as the frst verse of each
Chapter. In some non-standard texts,
this is not counted. Should the reader
refer to such texts, the verse quoted in
Te Review of Religions will be found
a verse earlier, i.e. at one verse less than
the number quoted in this journal.
For the ease of non-Muslim readers,
(saw)
or saw after the words, Holy
Prophet, or the name Muhammad,
are used normally in small letters.
Tey stand for Sallallahu alaihi wa
sallam meaning peace and blessings
of Allah be upon him. Likewise, the
letters
(as)
or as after the name of
all other prophets is an abbreviation
meaning peace be upon him derived
from Alaihis salatu wassalam which
are words that a Muslim utters out of
respect whenever he or she comes across
that name. Te abbreviation ra or
(ra)

stands for Radhiallahu Taala anhu and
is used for Companions of a Prophet,
meaning Allah be pleased with him
or her (when followed by the relevant
Arabic pronoun). Finally, ru or
(ru)
for
Rahemahullahu Taala means the Mercy
of Allah the Exalted be upon him.
In keeping with current universal
practice, local transliterations
of names of places are preferred
to their anglicised versions, e.g.
Makkah instead of Mecca, etc.
Front cover of the recently published book, Seerat
Khatamun Nabiyyin, The Life and Character of the
Seal of Prophets. Since December 2010 The Review
of Religions has been serialising this book.
MUBARAK AHMAD FUELLING
GOD IN ISLAM
FROM THE
Archives
Te Review of
Religions,
JANUARY 1932 EDITION
Te fundamental doctrine of the religion
of Islam is that of the existence of
Almighty God and His Unity. Te Holy
Quran teaches us that in the Unity
of God are crystallised all the perfect
attributes to an infnite capacity. It also
teaches us that the attributes of God are
all-inclusive and inter-dependent. It is
not logical according to Islam, that any
single attribute or perfection could be
distinguished from any other attribute
or perfection so as to justify a separate
God. We cannot, therefore, in believing
that a God exists, further believe in a
multiplicity of gods. The God-head
cannot be triply decentralised for example,
into a Creator, a Preserver and Sustainer,
and a Destroyer. For, according to Islamic
doctrine, we should fnd it ridiculous and
illogical to conceive or believe in a deity
who was all-powerful to the exclusion
of other attributes, for in everything
else that deity would command a status
inferior to that of mankind. It is therefore
wrong to stress the fact that God is
Love, or Fear-inspiring, or All-Merciful,
or All-Knowing, to the detriment or
exclusion of other necessary and essential
attributes.
If Almighty God, such as we believe in,
were in any way to be deprived of any
attribute or perfection, He would cease
to command our total submission to
His Will. To the Muslim it is essential
that God should possess every moral
attribute conceivable. If Almighty God
is to command our everlasting love,
submission and worship for all time,
in all climes and in all conditions, it is
positively necessary that we delegate to
Him the highest qualities conceivable.
Te attributes of God, which we consider
to constitute His Perfect Essence, are
innumerable. Although the Holy Quran
quotes many of them in explaining how
they are applicable to the actions of
human beings, it by no means claims
to mention them all. Te attributes of
God are such that often their subtlety
and wisdom are lost on the ordinary
human being, and there are millions of
Islam holds that God has not
only infused into our minds a
belief in Him, but that God
has given us a book wherein
we can fnd out how to use
that belief to our proft.
factors working for our good for which,
although Almighty God is responsible,
we never really appreciate or realise in
our life-time.
It is interesting here to remark that the
pious Muslim can fnd more workings
of God in this world than can any other
mortal, for, the Muslim constantly
attributes to God what obviously cannot
be attributed to man.
Te belief in Almighty God, whilst a
natural one, is a very involved belief. It
is really a stupendous mental task to
conceive Him fully in the correct light,
and it is difficult to conceive by one
mental expression the vast perfection
embodied in Him. We must not conceive
God through the channels of His Love
rather than through the channels of
His Mercy or His Justice, but one must
conceive Him collectively through as
many of His attributes as possible. Te
clearer we perceive His attributes the
clearer image we have of Him. The
magnitude of each attribute is far beyond
the bounds of mortal perception, and we
can only basically defne it and partially
realise it. To know to what depths and
to what extent these attributes are
employed, is too subtle a task for our
poor brains. But, the Muslim has a great
consolation. Te Muslim believes that
God so employs His capabilities that
if we take advantage of His Grace, we
cannot but raise ourselves in an ever
nearing position to His Trone. We know,
too, in a positive way that the purposes
and the methods of Almighty God are
GOD IN ISLAM
Te Holy Quran is the
refections of Gods thoughts
and ideas. Because it is His
Word, His Ordinance, it
is natural that we should
know more of Him by
studying His Word.
Close-up of front cover of the Holy Quran
so wonderfully combined, interlaced,
inter-dependent and consistent, that
the huge superstructure of our physical
and metaphysical laws is ever respondent
to our lawful needs, and ceaseless in its
sameness.
In our concept of God we must at frst
understand His existence introspectively.
It must be from inside us that we fnd the
spark of the realisation of the existence of
God. Although we are surrounded by the
wonders of nature, from the infnitesimal
protozoa to the complex structures of
matter, this material should not be the
source of our belief in God. In other
words, we should not believe in God
because we believe in a Creator. It can
be argued logically or metaphysically
that God exists, but these arguments
must not convince the Muslim that God
exists. Te Muslims must believe in God
because his soul, his innermost being
naturally impels him to that belief. Man
should be able to believe in God without
Gods manifestation in this world. I
want to stress this point because it is
important to understand that we should
not necessarily believe in God because of
His creation, but because we instinctively,
by the nature of our soul, fnd that we
know Him to exist. When we have fred
the spark of realisation within ourselves,
we can feed it by our good actions and
cause it to glow when we look about and
see His wonderful creation. By realising
more deeply the outward manifestation
of God and by doing good deeds to all
men and by constantly remembering
Him, we no doubt feel within us the
fre of the truth of His existence. Te
realisation of the existence of God grows
more deeply in us as we deal uprightly
and remember Him, for it is thus that the
attachment between God and a human
being is made more sweet and enduring.
The manifestations of God can only
deepen our belief in Him and His Will.
Te existence of God is the only existence
about which a man can be certain, for
if philosophers could convince us that
we ourselves are not realities, they could
never convince us otherwise as to the
It must be from inside us
that we fnd the spark
of the realisation of the
existence of God.
existence of God. To the Muslim the only
reality worth investigating is the reality
of God Himself; for if the universe and
its glory were to vanish in a trice, the
true Muslim would fnd God just as real
as before.
GOD IN ISLAM
The Orion Nebula is 24 light years across and
is the closest region of massive star formation
to Earth, visible to the naked eye from earth.
Credit: NASA/ESA
Te Holy Quran as the Word of God is
not, however, the primary proof of His
Existence. A man may believe sincerely
in the Existence of God without having
ever heard of the Holy Quran or the
Holy Prophet Muhammad
(saw)
, or indeed
of any scripture or prophet. But his
belief will not bear fruit, neither will
his actions reap any reward unless he
knows how to practise his beliefs and
what constitutes good actions. Just as
the theorist is a poor practitioner, if he
possesses no instruments wherewithal
to make an experiment, so a man who
merely believes that there is a God,
unless he makes use of that belief for his
moral uplift, cannot beneft from it. Islam
always, as a religious principle, upholds
the theory that if a thing is to be believed
in, it must be of some use to humanity.
Muslims uphold the Holy Quran in as
much as they claim that fred with the
belief in Almighty God, any man can
beneft by that belief by accepting the
injunctions laid down in the Holy Quran.
Islam is essentially a practical religion,
for in exchange for the acceptance of its
doctrines it ofers an everlasting reward.
The Muslim, therefore, is told in the
Holy Quran what to do with himself in
his actions towards his fellow creatures
and towards God. Islam holds that God
has not only infused into our minds a
belief in Him, but that God has given us
a book wherein we can fnd out how to
use that belief to our proft. It is foolish
merely to profess by lip our belief in
anything, unless we can show to the
world what that belief means to us. It
is a unique point that in Islam there are
no injunctions which, if practised, do not
reap a spiritual reward. We therefore fnd
a double tie with God. For, not only does
He teach us but gives us the means with
which we should use our knowledge to
our beneft.
Te imparting of knowledge of spiritual
guidance from God, called Divine
Revelation, is an essential doctrine.
Our belief in Almighty God evolves
into a belief in a Living God, a God in
We shudder at the magnitude
of the universe and at the
multitude of thoughts fowing
therein, and we gaze at the
beauty of this world, and
realise the comparative
insignifcance of a single man.
everlasting contact with His creation. Te
Muslim believes in an Ever-Watching
Deity and Ever-Helping Master.
We believe that God, in His Love for
mankind, constantly communicates to
His creatures in all ages. To call Him a
God of Love and at the same time to
believe that after Jesus Christ
(as)
He has
not spoken to the world by means of a
Messenger, is to believe in opposite and
contrary doctrines. Tose who are fond
of citing that that love is best of all, are
usually those who with the same breath
deny a Guide after the prophet Jesus
(as)
.
A shepherd who loves his fock of sheep
will keep them from wandering astray
at all times of the day, for he sleeps not.
Muslims do not believe in the power of
Jesus Christ
(as)
, to foster righteousness in
man for all time. History has repeatedly
shown to the world the disastrous
efects resulting from man believing in
the powers of a man, rather than in the
Power of God.
Te basic communication from God to
mankind is the Holy Quran, and it is
really the covenant between man and
God. For if a man is conscious of the
existence of God, he will next become
conscious of the nature of God, and fnally
of His Wishes and Prohibitions; for, all
these consciousnesses are contained in
His Wordthe Holy Quran.
A Muslim not only sows a good seed by
his beliefs, but reaps a fruitful harvest
from them. The Holy Quran is an
inexhaustible mine of spiritual treasures,
and whoever troubles to stoop before
His Trone, cannot fail to fnd the most
precious of gems. Te Holy Quran is the
refections of Gods thoughts and ideas.
Because it is His Word, His Ordinance,
it is natural that we should know more
of Him by studying His Word. Muslims,
born after the desire of God, must live to
earn His Pleasure and must die to claim
His Paradise. Truly, it is said that if all the
sea were ink there would not be enough
wherewithal to write of His Glory.
GOD IN ISLAM
A Muslim believes, in this
respect, that God could, if
He so willed, either cause
this huge machinery of
National or Scientifc
Laws to cease functioning
or to function otherwise.
If we meditate sincerely for a fraction of
time and really endeavour to concentrate
our attention upon Him, we shall always
realise how much we are indebted to
Him, and the infnite extent to which
we owe Him gratitude.
Whilst we shudder at the magnitude
of the universe and at the multitude of
thoughts fowing therein, and we gaze
at the beauty of this world, and realise
the comparative insignificance of a
single man, we should also realise that,
incapable as man is, sinful and corrupting
and vile as his actions are, yet the love
of God for mankind goes beyond our
wildest thoughts. He is the Almighty
Deity Who hears the prayers of both the
wretched and the rich, Who is cognisant
of the destruction of even the smallest of
the animal world, Who is cognisant of
all ideas and intentions and actions of
mankind, since creation began and to all
futurity. It is enough for the good man
that he understands the signifcance of
His attributes, for to comprehend them
deeply overwhelms our faculties with
awe.
We have found the material of this earth
a ready servant to our desire, for we have
harnessed most of natures forcesthe
air, the land and the seato our whims,
yet there are men who are ungrateful. A
Muslim believes, in this respect, that God
We have harnessed most
of natures forcesthe air,
the land and the seato
our whims, yet there are
men who are ungrateful.
High altitude view of earth
with the moon visible
could, if He so willed, either cause this
huge machinery of National or Scientifc
Laws to cease functioning or to function
otherwise. He is therefore essentially one
who relies on the constancy of scientifc
laws, and on Him Who created or
conceived those laws.
It is as well to understand what a Muslim
believes as regards his relations with God.
A Muslim lives a life of consolation.
Consolation on the one hand because he
is created by God and bears the stamp of
God on his soul, and consolation on the
other hand because he must ultimately
return to his Maker. For, it is absurd to
suppose that those mortals whom God
has created shall ever be consigned to
eternal damnation. It would be admitting
that the power of evil, as opposed to God,
has won against Him. Te religion of
Islam plainly points out the ridiculous
and absurd conclusion that is to be drawn
from the Doctrine of Eternal Damnation.
All mankind, according to Islam, must,
of necessity, return to the Essence from
which it sprang, for it is the Muslims
belief that in the battle between Good
and Evil, no life can be lost forever. As
Good must ultimately prevail, it will
prevail with each and every individual
that has ever been born. It is a beautiful
doctrine and a great consolation to know
that God will never repudiate mankind
whatever vileness it commits, for while
our ultimate return to His Grace may
be preceded by an agonising physical or
mental operation or treatment, we shall
nevertheless return to Him.
In the face of this doctrine, Islam has been
accused by our Christian contemporaries
of stressing the God of Power rather than
the God of Love. Might I point out that
if the Christian God of love is content
to allot to the non-Christian eternal
damnation, then the Muslim concept is
ten thousand times more justifable, and
infnitely more lovable and loving.
Te soul of man, since it is created by
God, bears the stamp of God upon it,
and there is no shadow of doubt that all
Te Holy Quran is the
refections of Gods thoughts
and ideas. Because it is His
Word, His Ordinance, it
is natural that we should
know more of Him by
studying His Word.
GOD IN ISLAM
human beings possess in them an instinct
which, if developed, would cause them
to do good constantly and act uprightly
and shun evil, and to try to seek the
Pleasure of God, and imbue themselves
with the attributes of God, so that they
are constantly drawing nearer to Him.
Man is like a mirror and if he would turn
towards the light which emanates from
the Divine Being, he would refect that
light in his person, in his actions and
in his heart. Indeed, there is nothing as
natural and pleasing to the soul of man
as the capability of refecting, however
imperfectly, the attributes of God. With
all men, even with the vilest of mankind,
there exists that potential, that capability
to refect the Divine Light of God. Te
Islamic idea is that if man endeavours
to turn towards God, God will help him.
If any man sins, he does so under an
infuence which cannot emanate from the
Divine Being. God can prevent sin, but
the great purpose of the free-will of man
is lost if he were to become a machine of
the Divine Will. Te true believer is one
who constantly treads the path leading to
God. If a man dallies, or loiters, or looks
back, or retraces his steps then he himself
is the loser. God is a magnet for all
mankind and whoever moves away from
that magnet is necessarily using a force
to do so. Te path leading to the Trone
of God brings to one the realisation of
what is good and what is evil, and also
prompts one to bear good-will to ones
fellow creatures. It promotes hundreds
of virtues and extinguishes thousands of
vices. Such is the path of righteousness.
Te Muslim believes that God judges

each and every man by his relative and
comparative morality, for it is known
that all men have not had the same
opportunity to manifest what is best in
them. But it shall be enough that a man
who cannot bestow charity, act charitably
and has the intention, should he ever be
in the position to do so, of bestowing
charity. A man is judged by his thoughts,
especially if he cannot realise his good
intentions through no fault of his own.
Man is like a mirror and if
he would turn towards the
light which emanates from
the Divine Being, he would
refect that light in his person.
In this light, according to Islam, a man
who has never heard of the religion of
Islam cannot ever be ranked so low as
a Muslim who, whilst he knows them,
neglects to follow the precepts laid
down in the Holy Quran. A rich man
has more opportunity and more time to
help others, yet a Muslim believes that a
poor man shall not be the loser on this
account. He who has abundant time all
day to read and imbibe the Holy Quran
and glorify God, shall not be counted
by God higher than he, who, by force of
necessity, is working in a busy place and
has not so much time to give to religious
knowledge. God judges a man by what
he makes of the life that is given him,
whether he is a prince or a sweeper. Tis
is a truth that is more clearly brought
home to us in the mosque, the House
of God, where we all stand shoulder to
shoulder before the Majesty of God,
equal in His Sight. It is unique in Islam
that in the House of God all men are
equals, for who shall speak of values in
the presence of God, and what an absurd
status that of emperor becomes in the
presence of the Master of Judgment.
All pomp and display with which men
herald the great among them, appears so
insignifcant in the mosque. To earn the
Pleasure of God a rich man may spend
a thousand pounds and a poor man but
a penny. It is comforting to realise that
whatever we may be, we can all achieve
the greatest ambition of our lifethat of
having earned the Pleasure of the Divine
Being. Te mosque expresses relations
between God and man better than
anything else, for it is in that place that
our souls are clothed in the best light.
Tis is a truth that is more
clearly brought home to us in
the mosque, the House of God,
where we all stand shoulder
to shoulder before the Majesty
of God, equal in His Sight.
GOD IN ISLAM
It is our duty to depend upon the Mercy
of God, for we cannot ever dispense
with it. It is our duty to depend upon
God for all the success that should
accrue from good works. Furthermore,
we should ever treat Him as our Helper,
as a loving Guardian and as a Judge.
Whilst we feel His proximity, we should
realise His altitude and while we refect
His attributes, we must remember that
our refection is incomparable with His
Light.
We are comforted as Muslims to know
that while God is so infnitely removed
from us His presence is nearer to us than
our jugular vein. Whilst He is remote,
He knows all our most trivial thoughts
and ideas. It is, therefore, according
to Islam, foolish to think or to intend
evil, for God knows all thoughts and
intentions. A judge condemns a man
only after a crime, but God knows the
criminal before the crime is committed.
Also, if we advance towards the Trone of
God we shall be divinely assisted, but if
we turn from His Trone we shall never
proft by our worldly actions.
This fundamental doctrine of the
existence of God, therefore, is to a
Muslim nine-tenths of his religion.
A Muslim can reveal his respect and
submission to the Divine Will by sincere
prayer and prostration, whilst other men
must spend hours in chant, helped by
organs, exotic music and instruments of
gold. A Muslim can pour out his heart
before a Potent Deity with serenity and
tranquillity, whilst others must hire a
confessor. A Muslim can summon his
brothers to prayer with an intelligent
and beautiful call from his lips, whilst
others must use jangle bells. A Muslim
can lavish his surplus money on the poor,
whilst others lavish theirs in adorning
their places of worship. A Muslim cannot
fnd a sentence in his Scripture which
does not ring with purity and truth,
whilst others must search their books
from beginning to end to fnd justifable
statements. Shall not then the Muslim
fnd pleasure in prostrating himself in
gratitude before the Lord of the Worlds?
Shall not a Muslim hold his head high
among the people of mankind? For, in
his belief in the Existence of Allah, a
Muslim fnds the perfect expression of
the Soul, and thus evolves as the most
contented of mankind.
Halloween is a festival celebrated around
the world on 31
st
October. It is a day
which has become commercialised, most
people being unaware of its true origins.
Instead, most associate Halloween with
only pumpkins, scary costumes, bonfres
and trick or treating. Societies go to great
lengths to ensure that no one misses
out on this festivity. Even a pregnant
mother can obtain an outft of a witch
or a devil to wear. Supermarket aisles are
the centre of attraction with their vast
variety of Halloween themed goods,
and the bookshelves are loaded with
Halloween themed books. Advice and
special tips are given out at this time of
year, on how to include and be sensitive
to the vulnerable senior citizens in society
during Halloween.
In short, Halloween is considered by
many around the world as a harmless
day of fun. But how did Halloween
actually begin? Behind all the innocent
celebrations is the reality and history of a
darker side of festivities linked to sorcery,
spiritism and occultist rituals.
Te History and Origins of Halloween
Te history and origins of Halloween are
predominantly linked to pagan beliefs.
Te word pagan was originally used by
the Urban Romans to refer to people who
preferred the faith of their local ruling
body, it was later applied to people who
worshipped local deities, or people who
practiced polytheism.
1
Pagans are people
who practice non-Abrahamic religions.
Paganism or Neo paganism (modern
paganism) promotes reverence for the
NAVIDA SAYED, UK
Halloween Harmless
or Harmful Fun?
earth and/or deities of pre-Christian
religions. Halloween or Samhain is a
very important Holy festival in their
calendar. Troughout history, the Church
(the church is not only a building, but
a body of religious people), attempted
to invite pagans to Christianity by
including religious ceremonies or holy
dates coinciding with pagan festivals,
so that the pagans could keep some of
their traditions and come into the folds
of Christianity. One of these festivals was
Halloween.
Celtic Origins and Druids
Halloween, or Samhain, is one of the
eight festivals in the Celts wheel of the
year. Te Celts are one of the groups who
branched of from the Norse/Germanic
people (originating in Scandinavia,
Norse/Germanic people were several
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
Troughout history, the
Church attempted to invite
pagans to Christianity by
including religious ceremonies
or holy dates coinciding
with pagan festivals.
groups of people whose beliefs varied,
but had some similarities).
The origin of Halloween is from the
Celtic festival of death marking the
beginning of their New Year, called
Samhain, pronounced sow-en or saw-
win, celebrated on 31
st
October or 1
st

November.
From the earliest records, Samhain is
seen not simply as a day for the dead
but when the dead might reach out to
the living.
2
Tis came to be known as the feast of
the dead, because the Celts believe that
on this night the veil or border between
the worlds of the living and dead is the
thinnest, enabling souls of the dead to
re-enter the world. Tis was a time when
the Celts anticipated communing with
the dead spirits, in the hope that their
dead ancestors would guide them about
the forthcoming new year.
On this day the spirits of the dead
left their graves and roamed the earth or
visited their former homes and families.
3

During Samhain, Druid priests believed
that the evil spirits were responsible
for bringing about the advent of cold
weather and shorter hours of daylight,
(a druid could be a priest, teacher, judge
or philosopher). Te Celtic Druids lit
bonfres to mark Samhain and to combat
the powers of darkness, and offered
sacrifces as a request and plea to the gods
to return sun and warmth after the cold
and dark winter. Many historians believe
that ancient Druids performed human or
animal sacrifces and there is evidence
of human ritual sacrifces being ofered
to the gods in exchange for the troubled
life of the people... these were sacred
and magical acts made in great times of
need.
4
However, modern Druids do not
ofer human or animal sacrifces and they
have not revived this practice.
5
Druids
past and present, celebrated or celebrate
the festival of Samhain, and their prime
focus is to honour the dead on this
Druidic New Year Day.
Te ancient Druids believe that the soul
is immortal, that after a person dies
their soul reincarnates and lives again
in another living entityeither in a
plant or the body of a human or animal.
Te Druid priests and priestesses acted
as mediums through which the spirits
could be summoned and heard. Samhain
is a time for divination and magic.
Te Druids foretell the future on this
powerful night.
Witches/Wiccans Holy Night
Witches or wiccans (wicca is the name
for the modern witchcraft movement)
honour many gods and goddesses. Wicca
is amongst the fastest growing religions
in the United States. In 1999 results
based on a voluntary poll estimated that
there were around 768,000 Wiccans and
Pagans in the United states.
6
Witches or
Wiccans have their magical tools (wand,
chalice, pentacle etc.), and they may dress
mainly in the colours purple and black.
For witches black is the colour of deep
creativity, the inner-self and the mysteries
of the universe, however the witch clad
in black is an old image.
7
Contrary to
popular belief, they do not wander the
world in pointed hats waving their magic
wands, this is the stereotypical image
which was created and is illustrated in
childrens stories and flms.
8
Te wiccans
do not follow any sacred text, but they
follow a rule not to harm others. Te
Wiccan Book of Rites and Rituals states
...whatever harm is done to others will
come back threefold....
9

On Samhain, or Halloween, the wiccans/
witches believe that the God is dead.
Some say the goddess is in mourning and
enters the crone stage. For most wiccans,
she is in the mother stage for although
she mourns, she is pregnant with the
gods child and due to give birth...
10
Wicca is amongst the
fastest growing religions
in the United States.
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
Pentagram Parchment. The Pentagram is a
symbol used by many followers of Wicca
Te crone, or old hag, is associated with
the witches Samhain season of the dead.
Tey believe that this is the time when
the crone prepares the shrouds for the
dead, and she is the midwife who receives
the dead at the end of their life when
they are reborn into the otherworld.
11

Samhain, or All Hallows Eve, is one of
the eight major Sabbats, of the witches/
pagan calendar.
A Sabbat is a gathering of witches for
the purposes of celebrating allegiance
to the devil, casting spells, plotting evil
and indulging in feasting, drinking,
dancing....
12
.
Samhain is considered to be the highest
holy day and the busiest night of the year
for witches, who are deeply engrossed in
casting spells, fortune-telling and magick.
Tey believe that:
This is the time to perform rituals
dealing with communication with the
dead, honouring the deceased, psychic
abilities, divining...and to pay special
homage to the dead. Because the real
magick begins at midnight on October
31
st
, and continues for a full twenty-four
hours to November 1
st
.
13

On this night, witches perform many
ritual s incl uding honouring and
communicating with the dead. This
On this night, witches
perform many rituals
including honouring and
communicating with the dead.
Witches perform many rituals on this night
involving the use of candles, cauldrons,
incense and other ingredients
process involves the use of candles,
cauldrons, incense, spider-webs and
many other ingredients depending on
the ritual, followed by citing incantations.
Some of these spells or rituals involve
visiting graveyards. Witches or wiccans
honour the dead and celebrate Samhain
by forming circles, either on their own
or with other witches and perform
various rituals in a process of inviting and
communing with the dead. Black cats,
owls, toads and bats are an important link
between Halloween and the occult, which
are known as the witchs familiars.
A familiar is a demon or imp, usually in
the outward form of an animal that was
assigned to a witch or sorcerer to carry
out a magic on their command.
14

Te witches Sabbats holidays are still
celebrated today, by modern-day pagans.
Roman Infuence on Halloween
Te Romans believed in many deities,
their laws were based on logic, but also
on omen, and divination was common.
15

Alongside the worship of deities, the
Romans celebrated several festivals,
and two of their festivals infuenced the
celebration of Halloween. Around A.D.
50, the Romans had conquered most of
the Celtic lands, the Romans brought
their traditions with them.
16
One was the
traditional festival Feralia, (a day in late
October when the Romans traditionally
commemorated the passing of the dead)
and the other festival was a day to honour
Pomona (the Roman harvest goddess of
fruit and trees).
The Romans pictured Pomona as a
beautiful young maiden, her arms flled
with fruit, and a crown of apples on her
head. To thank Pomona for good harvests,
the Romans laid out apples and nuts in
her honour. Tey played various games,
held races and celebrated throughout the
day and night.
17

Te Roman festival of the dead Fernalia
and Pomona, became mingled with
Samhain, because they were celebrated at
Wiccan/Celtic Wheel of the Year
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
the same time. It is believed that: many
Halloween customs and games including
apples, such as apple bobbing and apple
peeling probably dates from this time.
18
Halloween and the Christian Church
In Christian tradition, Halloween is
the abbreviated term for All Hallows of
Eve, the day before All Saints Day, a day
when Christians commemorate all the
known and unknown deceased saints of
the church.
On May 13, 609/10, Pope Boniface IV
declared November 1
st
to be All Saints
Day to honour Catholic saints and
martyrs. November 1
st
became known
as All-Hallowmas and All-Hallows,
thus making October 31
st
All-Hallows
Eve, which in turn came to be known
as Halloween. Around A.D. 1000, the
Catholic Church expanded the holiday
to November 2
nd
All Souls Day a day
to honour all of the dead.
19
Tis was
the Churchs attempt to associate their
own Saints with the time of the pagan
spirits.
20

It is believed that:
As Christianity spread throughout
Europe, the church sought to eliminate
the pagan practices of the Celts by giving
the Samhain a new meaning. Most
cultures set aside a day for remembering
the dead, so the Roman Church
designated November 1
st
as All Hallows
Day to eulogise departed saints.
21

Te frst testimony to All Souls Day is
found around the tenth century.....and
probably represents an attempt on the
part of the church to turn the minds of
the faithful away from the pagan belief
in and tendance of ghosts, to the
contemplation of saints in the glory of
paradise.
22

On this holy day of obligation for the
Catholics and many other Christians,
a custom of singing the Litany of the
Pope Boniface IV, who was Pope from
608AD until his death in 615AD, declared
November 1st to be All Saints Day, thus
making October 31st All Hallows Eve.
Saints follows, where the names of
the Saints are invoked. Following the
invocation of the saints, the Litany
concludes with a series of supplications
to God to hear the prayers of the
worshippers.
Unfortunately, even though the Church
tried to Christianise (adapting and
accommodating parts of pagan festivals
into the Christian faith, by giving them
new names and celebrating them on the
same days or seasons,) this pagan holiday,
they did not succeed, because they could
not infuence witches or pagans to turn
away from and abandon their witchcraft,
divinations and sorcery, instead it became
a mockery for the Witches.
Halloween became known as the night
of the witch. It was then, according
to superstition, that the devil and all
his followers witches, warlocks, and
demons gathered. Tey would mock
the coming of the Churchs festival
of All Saints Day on November 1
st
by
performing unholy acts.
23
Creating a day such as All Hallows to
remember the departed saints or souls, in
the name of Christianity, only alludes to
the spiritual weakness of such believers.
Tis day is not an instruction of the Bible
either, nor is it a teaching of Jesus
(as)
. It is
ironic that any follower of Jesus
(as)
could
ever contemplate creating such a day,
which goes against the teachings of the
Old Testament. Many devout followers
of the Bible do not celebrate Halloween
and its pagan customs, bearing in mind
the teachings of the Bible:
24

It is evident that Halloween is a day
of the dead and the peak moment
of Sorcery, divinations and occultist
practices associated with harmful
innovations. Many of these practices
date back thousands of years and over
time. Prophets warned people about
the harms of such practices, Prophet
Moses
(as)
warned:
When thou art come into the land which
the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt
not learn to do after the abominations of
those nations. There shall not be found
among you any one that maketh his son or
his daughter to pass through the fre, or that
useth divination, or an observer of times, or
Te Church tried to
Christianise this pagan
holiday, they did not succeed.
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
an enchanter, or a witch, Or a charmer, or a
consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard,
or a necromancer. For all that do these things
are an abomination unto the LORD: and
because of these abominations the LORD
thy God doth drive them out from before
thee. Tou shalt be perfect with the LORD
thy God. For these nations, which thou
shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of
times, and unto diviners: but as for thee,
the LORD thy God hath not sufered thee
so to do. [Deuteronomy 18:9-14]
This is a very clear message, and a
scriptural injunction forbidding the
Creating a day such as All
Hallows to remember the
departed saints or souls, in
the name of Christianity,
only alludes to the spiritual
weakness of such believers.
Nowhere in the Bible is there mention of
All Hallows nor did Jesus
(as)
instruct it.
Photo: Handwritten Latin Bible written
in Belgium from 1407 AD on display
in Malemusbury Abbey, England.
people of Israel from having anything
to do with the satanic practices of
people around them. Tere is obviously
some logic and wisdom in following
this scriptural principle. What is most
striking are the verses which immediately
follow;
Te LORD thy God will raise up unto thee
a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy
brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall
hearken; [Deuteronomy 18:15]
According to the above verses, not
only does the Old Testament warn
people against the practice of harmful
innovations, but it clearly goes on to
inform people about the coming of a
Law giving Prophet who was to appear
after the time of Moses
(as)
, to whom they
should listen . The fulfilment of this
prophecy relates to none other than the
Promised Holy Prophet Muhammad
(saw)
,
through whom the wonderful religion
of Islam and its beautiful teachings
were revealed, in the form of the Holy
Quran. Tus, the glad tiding was given
to the people of Israel of the advent of a
prophet from their brethren, who would
be far superior in his guidance than any
diviners, witches or enchanters, that
had previously been mistakenly perceived
as sources of Divine knowledge.
Many Abrahamic Prophets warned
to keep away from practices relating
to divinations, sorcery, and the occult,
and many devout believers follow
the teachings of their scriptures. But
the scripture revealed through the
(saw)
the
Holy Quran, takes this subject a step
further by defining the wisdom and
logic in not partaking in any such
harmful innovations, by introducing
and explaining the concept of shirk
(associating partners with God).
Regarding this the Holy Quran clearly
states:
Surely, Allah will not forgive that any
partner be associated with Him; but He
will forgive whatever is short of that
to whomsoever He pleases. And whoso
Many Abrahamic
Prophets warned to keep
away from the practices
relating to divinations,
sorcery, magic, superstition
and occult practices.
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
associates partners with Allah has indeed
devised a very great sin. (Ch.4:V.49)
Accordi ng to the Fi ve Vol ume
Commentary of the Holy Qur an
by Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-Ud-Din
Mahmud Ahmad
(ra)
, Khalifatul Masih II:
Te reference in this verse not only refers
to idol worship but also to also to such
idolatrous practices as are in vogue among
common people, even among present-day
Muslims, such as the adoration of Saints
and ofering prayers and oblations to
them. All such abominable practices are
shirk in the sight of God. But loving or
trusting in a thing or being as one should
love and trust in God may be forgiven,
if done in ignorance and through lack
of proper care. Tis is provided one is a
sincere believer in God and his Prophet,
and strives to do good works. The
expression, Allah will not forgive, does
not mean that an idolatrous person can
never repent or that his or her repentance
cannot be accepted even in the present
life. Te expression relates to the time
after death i.e. one who dies in a state of
shirk, will not be forgiven.
25
Explaining the sin of shirk, the Promised
Messiah
(as)
writes:
Similarly, Allah has said in the Holy
Quran that every sin is forgivable except
shirk. Terefore, do not go near shirk and
consider it to be a forbidden tree.
26
Warni ng agai nst shirk, Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih V
(aba)
states:
Among the i l l s that take over
imperceptibly is shirk. Even a hint of shirk
is unacceptable to God. A Muslim who
claims to be frm on the Unity of God,
needs to understand the subtlety of the
concept of Unity of God and the subtlety
of shirk and be extremely careful in this
fast developing world.
27

Anything associated specifcally with
Halloween would equally be tantamount
to shirk, therefore it would be preferable
to avoid association with any Halloween
activity or festivity.
Halloween customs and traditions
Over the decades the commercialisation
of Halloween has downplayed and
Anything associated
specifcally with Halloween
would equally be
tantamount to shirk.
shifted the Christian emphasis of All
Saints Day, to Halloween costumes,
decorations, partying and entertainment.
Tis can also be a dangerous and harmful
day especially for teenagers who are at
the greatest risk of being lured into the
occult. Te pagan roots of Halloween
associate it with evils spirit, satanic
rituals and a day of the dead, therefore,
one can hardly call it fun. Tere are many
traditions and customs associated with
Halloween celebrations.
Bonfres Bonfres around the time of
Halloween depict the huge bonfres built
by the Druids at the time of Samhain.
These fires served double duty: they
warded off demons and such which
roamed around, but they also provided
for a sacrifce to the sun god. In enormous
wicker baskets, they caged both human
and animal sacrifces and burned their
victims alive. By observing the way they
died, the priests predicted good or evil
for the future.
28
Pumpkins Tis is a tradition which can
be traced back to the Middle Ages, Celts
often hollowed out a turnip and carved a
grotesque face on it to fool demons. Tey
carried such lanterns to light their way in
the dark and to ward of evil spirits at the
same time. While the turnip continues to
be popular in Europe today, the pumpkin
has replaced it in America. Jack is a nick
name for John which is a common slang
word meaning man. Jack O Lantern
then, means, man with a lantern.
29
It
was thought that the jack-o-lanterns
would scare away earthbound ghosts.
Tus, people hollow out pumpkins and
turnips, placing candles inside to scare
evil spirits from their houses.
Trick or treat and costumes Trick or
treating dates back over two thousand
years.
30
Tis custom can be traced back
to the Celtic rituals :
...for the sake of their safety and well-
being, people put out sweets and other
good things to eat to placate evil spirits
and keep them from doing harm. Some
people, hoping to fool the demons,
disguised themselves as evil spirits and
roamed the countryside, committing
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
Te pagan roots of Halloween
associate it with evils spirit,
satanic rituals and a day
of the dead, therefore, one
can hardly call it fun.
malicious pranks, until dawn sent the
ghosts and devils back to their unholy
realm.
31

This custom continued to grow over
the centuries and it was very widely
believed, that if people failed to please
the evil spirits by tricking them with
nice foods and treats, then the evil spirits
would intrude into their houses. Tis
led to a custom of making and giving of
soul-cakes on All Saints and All days,
mainly in English counties and Scotland.
Youngsters would go door to door
begging for cakes in return for praying
for the dead relatives of the household.
Over time, this custom also included
giving the beggars apples or money.
32

Over the years this custom became a
day of fun especially for pranksters. For
example:
In Tyrol All Souls is a licensed day of
begging, which has become a serious
abuse. A noisy rabble of ragged and
disorderly folk with bags and baskets
to receive gifts, wanders from village to
village, claiming as a right the presents of
provisions that were originally a freewill
ofering for the departed, and angrily
abusing those who refuse to give.
33

Halloween parties, telling of Ghost
Stories and Horror movies It is
widely becoming ever more popular to
party throughout the night, dressed in
scary costumes, decorate the house with
haunted decorations, make Halloween
foods and watch horror movies all
night. However, this can be extremely
dangerous and harmful for children, who
cannot diferentiate between reality and
fantasy. They can become engaged in
harmful acts and can become traumatised
by watching horror moves all night.
34

Sometimes this is the first time that
children become exposed to the occult,
It was thought that the
jack-o-lanterns would scare
away earthbound ghosts.
The word occult means hidden.
Included in a catalogue of occult practices
are the following: Divination, astrology,
spiritualism...demonology, diving with
rod or pendulum and numerous other
related practices.
35

Watching Friday the 13
th
with your child
is probably not a good idea. Children
under the age of fve may be too young
to actually watch and understand violent
movies; however, they are psychologically
afected by the scenes they are exposed
to,
36
says Dr. Daniel S. Schechter,
the studys principal investigator and
director of the Infant-Family Service at
Morgan Stanley Childrens Hospital and
assistant professor of clinical psychiatry
(in paediatrics) at Columbia University
College of Physicians and Surgeons and
the New York State Psychiatric Institute.
Haunted Attractions, Ghost hunts
and Fright nights in theme parks
Haunted attractions are held in Castles,
abandoned asylums, old prisons, ships,
boats, or any place that would be suitable
to host a haunted attraction. Some of
these attractions also include ghost
hunts. Fright nights in Teme parks
around the world are the transcendent
horror destinations on Halloween
nights, having extended opening hours
through the night for people to go on
the rollercoasters and rides in the dark,
surrounded by scary images, lights and
spooky music playing in the background.
Many people may be unaware that, the
traditions and customs associated with
Halloween have pagan origins, which
are tantamount to shirk. Believing that
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
Watching Friday the 13th
with your child is probably not
a good idea. Children under
the age of fve may be too
young to actually watch and
understand violent movies
Horror movies inundate the TV schedule
during Halloween, which can have
negative effects on children
anyone other than Allah shares His
powers constitutes shirk. As Hadhrat
Khalifatul Masih I
(ra)
explains:
To associate anyone in the name, action,
or worship of Allah constitutes shirk, and
to carry out all good deeds solely for
the pleasure of Allah is called worship.
People believe that there is no Creator
except Allah, and they also believe that
life and death are in the hands of Allah
Who has complete control and power
over them. Even though they believe in
this, they prostate in front of others, tell
lies, and perform circuits before others.
Instead of worshipping Allah, they
worship others; instead of fasting for
Allah, they fast for others; and instead
of praying to Allah, they pray to others
and give alms for them. To uproot these
false notions, Almighty Allah raised the
(saw)
.
37
Conclusion
Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
(aba)
,
Fifth Successor to the Promised
Messiah
(as)
and Head of the worldwide
Ahmadiyya Muslim community provides
us most crucial guidance relevant to our
time through his Friday Sermons. During
a Friday Sermon about Halloween, he
said that the reality of Halloween entails
the belief in the existence of witches, evil
spirts and satanic worship. Whilst people
celebrate Halloween on the pretext of
having fun, it is entirely wrong and
dangerous to believe in things that are
supernatural for fun. Ahmadi children
in particular should therefore avoid this.
Even until recently some villagers would
ofer something to children believing
that it would save them from sprits.
Tis also emboldens children to commit
wrong acts for the sake of fun. For
example, rude manners towards elders
is becoming common. Movies also give
wrong messages and in particular when
children are encouraged to watch them
by adultsthe result is the society will
only deteriorate. Hudhur said:
For us, the biggest matter is the bringing
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V
(aba)
, Head
of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim
community explained the reality behind
Halloween in his Friday Sermon
of dead spirits, as if, equal to God and
thus committing shirk.
Hudhur further said, that rituals at
Halloween are not limited to wearing
scary costumes and going door-to-door;
rather, some older children deliberately
frighten people in their homes, cause
trouble and disturb the surrounding
population. Hence, Ahmadi Muslims
should avoid this and should instead
focus on strengthening their connection
with God, in Whose hands rests all real
power. Tus, it is evident that Halloween
is indeed harmful rather than harmless
as people are drawn into indulging
in hidden shirk. We should pray that
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V
(aba)
s prayer
that May God protect everyone from
this, is accepted on behalf of all of us.
ENDNOTES
1. Silverwind, S. (2006), Everything You Need
to Know About Paganism, Devon: David &
Charles, p.3
2. Mackillop, J. (2005), Myths & Legends of the
Celts. London: Penguin, p.97
3. Ingraham, Dr. D A. (2000), Pagan
Traditionsof the holidays. Oklahoma: Bible Belt
Publishing, p.71
4. Worthington, C. (2005), Druids a beginners
guide. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
5. Moran, S. (1999), Te Secret World of Cults.
Surrey: Bramley Books.
6. Silverwind, S. (2006). Everything you need to
know about Paganism. Devon: David & Charles,
pg20
7. Gallagher, A.-M. (2001). Inner Magic a guide
to witchcraft. London: Octopus, pg. 67
8. Pickering, D. (1996). Dictionary of Witchcraft.
London: Cassell, pg.244
9. Moon, S. (2004), Te Wiccan Book of Rites
and Rituals. New York: Citadel Press, p.xiii
10. Silverwind, S. (2006), Everything you
need to know about Paganism. Devon: David &
Charles, p.45
11. Gallagher, A.-M. (2001), Inner Magic a
guide to witchcraft. London: Octopus, p.14
12. Pickering, D. (1996), Dictionary of
Witchcraft. London: Cassell, p.406
13. Moon, S. (2004), Te Wiccan Book of Rites
and Rituals. New York: Citadel Press, p.171
14. Pickering, D. (1996). Dictionary of
HALLOWEEN HARMLESS
OR HARMFUL FUN?
Hence, Ahmadi Muslims
should avoid this and should
instead focus on strengthening
their connection with God.
Witchcraft. London: Cassell, p.182
15. Silverwind, S. (2006). Everything you need to
know about Paganism, Devon: David & Charles,
p.6
16. Ingraham, Dr D A. (2000), Pagan
Tarditions of the Holidays, USA: Bible Belt
Publishing, p.72
Publishing, p.73
Publishing, p.73
19. Encyclopedia of the Early Church, 1992 , p.14
20. Nozedar, A. (2010), Signs and Symbols
Sourcebook, London: Harper Collins, p.477.
Publishing, p.74
22. Miles, C. A. (2010). Christmas In Ritual and
tradition, Christian and Pagan. Emereo Pty Ltd
p.120
23. Ingraham, Dr D A. (2000). Pagan
Traditions of the Holidays. Oklahoma: Bible Belt
Publishing, p.74
24. Leviticus 19:31, 2 Chronicles 33:6, Isaiah
8:19, 2Kings 23:24
25. Te Holy Quran and English Translation
with Commentary, Islam International Ltd
(Note 523)
26. Damimah Tohfah-e-Golarhviyyah, Ruhani
Khazain, vol. 17, pp.323324, footnote
27. Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad,
(2006), Conditions of Bait & Responisbilities
of an Ahmadi. Tilford: Islam International
Publications Ltd.
Traditions of the Holidays, Oklahoma: Bible Belt
Publishing, p.71
Publishing, p.80
Publishing, p.72
31. Limburg, P. R. (1991), Te complete book of
Halloween, Camelot.
32. Miles, C. A. (2010), Christmas In Ritual
and tradition, Christian and Pagan, Emereo Pty
Ltd.p.122
33. Miles, C. A. (2010), Christmas In Ritual
and tradition, Christian and Pagan, Emereo Pty
Ltd.p.123
34. http://www.sciencedaily.com/
releases/2006/10/
Traditions of the Holidays. Oklahoma: Bible Belt
Publishing, p.70
36. http://www.sciencedaily.com/
releases/2006/10/
37. Khutabat-e-Nur, pp.78
Saturday 8th October
Faith: Jewish
Event: Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is the
great fast of Judaism. Jews will refrain
from work and set aside time to atone for
shortcomings in the past year, and to return
to the Lord in repentance. Yom Kippur
Is the only day of fasting mentioned in
the Bible (Leviticus, 23:23-28) and falls
on the frst day of the seventh month of
the Hebrew calendar. Although fasting is
mandatory for mature men and women,
pre-adolescent children, those whose illness
would mean fasting would harm their
health and women in childbirth are not
permitted to fast (see article, Yom Kippur
the Jewish Fast, from the September 2009
Edition).
Sunday 9th October
Faith: Sikh
Event: Birthday of Guru Ram Das
Guru Ram Das (1534-1581) was the
fourth of the ten Sikh Gurus. He was born
in Lahore, Punjab and his father-in-law,
Guru Amar Das, was the third of the ten
Sikh Gurus. One of his main achievements
was the establishment of a structure in Sikh
society. He was also the author of Laava,
the four hymns of the Sikh Marriage Rites.
688 of Guru Dam Das hymns are included
in the Guru Granth Sahib, the Sikh Holy
Scripture.
CALENDAR OF
RELIGIOUS
EVENTS &
FESTIVALS
Wednesday 26th October
Faith: Hindu, Jain, Sikh
Event: Diwali
Commonly known as the festivals
of lights, Diwali, or Deepawali, is a
signifcant festival for Sikhs, Hindus and
Jains. Jains celebrate Diwali to mark the
moksha, or nirvana of Mahavira, who
established the core tenants of the Jain
faith today. For Sikhs, Diwali marks the
Celebration of Freedom, or Bandhi Chor
Diwas, and for Hindus Diwali is celebrated
to commemorate the return of Lord
Rama from his exile. To celebrate Ramas
return residents of Ayodhya, Capital of
Rama, lit diyas, or oil lamps all over the
land, a tradition that continues today.
Monday, October 31st
Faith: Christianity
Event: All Hallows Eve (Halloween)
All Hallows Eve is the day before All
Hallows Day, also known as All Saints
Day. Although Halloween has become
commercialised with most associating it
with pumpkins, scary costumes and trick
or treating, behind the innocent fun is a
reality of dark side of sorcery and occult
practices that has its roots in the pagan
festival of Samhain (for further reading see
main article in this edition Halloween,
Harmless or Harmful Fun?)
OCTOBER 2011
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In the next Edition...
HAJJ
PILGRIMAGE
TO THE
HOUSE OF
ALLAH
Hajj, Pilgrimage to the House of Allah.
Every healthy and able Muslim is bound to perform
the Pilgrimage once in their life. What is the
background to the Pilgrimage? What does one
actually have to do during the Pilgrimage and why?
ISLAMIC PUBLICATIONS, 2011
ISSN NO. 0034-6721
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