By : Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri

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This new fatwa from the renowned authority of Islamic world, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, a spiritual leader of the overwhelming majority of Muslims deals a devastating blow to al-Qaeda and its affiliates by removing decisively any remnant of theological justifications for terrorism. No longer can the Taleban and similar organisations employ Muslim scripture with impunity to advance the onslaught of civilians, be they non-Muslim or Muslim.

 While most Muslim scholars denounce terrorism, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri goes that crucial step forward and announces categorically that suicide bombings and attacks against civilian targets are not only condemned by Islam, but render the perpetrators totally out of the fold of Islam, to become unbelievers in the divine, pristine message of Islam. This empowering, unprecedented fatwa strengthens troops and civil society bodies that are engaged in counter terrorism operations, and expels terrorists from within Islam.

http://www.fatwaonterrorism.com/

Islam does not permit, under any circumstances, the massacre of innocent citizens, terroristic explosions and suicide bombings. The continuous carnage and slaughtering of people, suicide bombings against innocent and peaceful communities, explosions at mosques, shrines, educational institutions and businesses; the destruction of government institutions, buildings, trade centers; attacks on defense training centers, embassies, transports systems and other institutions of civil society; all these acts are grave violations of human rights and constitute kufr, disbelief, under Islamic law. The founder and patron in chief of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, and Chairman of Pakistan Awami Tehreek, Shaykh-ul-Islam, Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri issued his detailed edict (fatwa) today, consisting of 600 pages, while addressing a press video conference from Canada.

Describing the background of his edict he said a terrible wave of terrorism has been maligning Pakistan in particular, and Muslim and non-Muslim nations in general, for the last many years. There is no doubt that, while Muslims as a collective entity condemn, resist and fight terrorism, and do not accept even its remotest possible link with Islam, unfortunately there are some people who remain quiet on the issue, silence taken as a tacit approval of such atrocities.  Indeed there are others, who, instead of opposing and condemning terrorism openly, confuse the issue, merely concentrating upon the politics that cause these atrocities. Dr. Qadri appealed to all Muslim scholars, intellectuals, and opinion-makers not to concentrate on who these people are, who is behind them and why they are committing these acts. Whatever justifications they may give for their actions, they act against the teachings of Islam. They are in clear contravention of what Islam stands for. Their each action is premised on bringing harm to Islam and to the whole of humankind. Their existence is an open danger against the integrity of Pakistan and world peace. The entire nation should dissociate itself from these elements, and condemn them in the strongest possible terms, unequivocally and with one voice. The Pakistani nation is in a state of war. It is the need of the time for Pakistan to form unity among its ranks at every level. The entire nation should stand behind their armed forces busy fighting a war for the protection of the lives of the innocent citizens, and securing national defense by eradicating terrorism.

Those who commit these atrocities claim they are doing so for the preservation of Islam and Muslims.  They claim their heinous acts constitute ‘jihad’, and thus, those who join in their misguided cause will enter paradise.  They justify the killing of innocent civilians by misinterpreting Islam and brainwashing susceptible and often vulnerable individuals.  Dr. Qadri argued it is thus imperative to make Islam’s stance on terrorism precisely evident in the light of the Quran and Sunnah so that the Muslims as well as non-Muslims of the world do not suffer from any misunderstanding and ambiguity.

He explained at length, in the light of the Quranic verses, Prophetic traditions, and expositions by eminent Islamic authorities of faith and jurisprudence that perpetrating terrorism against innocent citizens, massacres of humankind, suicide bombings, the destruction of national assets and property is absolutely against Islam; it amounts to an ‘act of kufr’. Islam does not permit such acts under any excuse, reason or pretext.

Moreover, Islamic teachings do not allow any group of people to take up arms, and wage war against the state and challenge its written authority. This is sheer mischief-mongering and civil war. Islamic law regards it rebellion and insurgency. He clarified that even if Muslims, living within a state, are being persecuted at the hands of foreign non-Muslim powers, and the Muslim government remains silent over such persecution, even then no individual or group of individuals is allowed to take the law into their own hands.  Instead, one should use democratic means of protest and peaceful ways of resolution should be adopted.

Citing various Quranic verses, Prophetic traditions, sayings of the Companions, and renowned jurists and scholars of Hadith, Dr. Qadri made it clear that even in a state of war, and during warfare, Islam strictly prohibits the killing of peaceful citizens, women, children, the sick and the old.  Moreover, during a battle, it is unlawful in Islam to destroy trees, crops, buildings and places of worship of any faith.

Dr. Qadri said the first ever ‘war against terror’ in Islamic history occurred during the Caliphate of Sayyidina Ali (r.a). The Khawarij and Harooria were a rebellious group of people and the first militant terrorists.  They rejected Sayyidina Ali’s (r.a) policy of dialogue, arbitration and peaceful means of dispute resolution.  They were in favor of resolution through armed conflict.  They used Islamic slogans of Jihad and rebelled against the state, and justified human killings according to their extremist theology.  The Khawarij committed acts of terrorism whilst citing Divine law in their defense, arguing they were acting for the dominance of Islam.  However, the Holy Prophet (saw) had already identified the Khawarij in more than fifty Prophetic traditions. He (saw) stated they were outside the ambit of Islam, had no legitimate authority to declare jihad, and instead, were the worst of humankind. Sayyidina Ali (r.a), with his army, himself fought against them in order to stop their atrocities, and eradicated the Kharijite terrorism.

Dr Qadri’s detailed religious edict consists of 200 pages, and clarifies his point of view in the light of dozens of verses from the Holy Quran, Prophetic traditions, countless commentaries of Muslim jurists, etc. This religious edict is in the process of publication, and will be available in the form of a book in Arabic, Urdu and English, later this week.

Addressing the conference, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that Islam was a religion of peace and harmony. Conservatism, terrorism and fundamentalism had nothing to do with Islam. Today’s Mashaykh Conference condemned these negative attitudes at every level in the strongest possible words. He said that the Sufis changed the destiny of millions of people through their character and by popularizing the notions of love, peace and security. They made different societies the hub of peace through their endeavours. He said Mashaykah and Pirs were playing their central role in promoting the peaceful attitudes in society.

He said that there was need to do more because the country was caught in the fire of worst kind of terrorism and conspiracies were being hatched to defame Islam and Pakistan. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that this big gathering of Mashaykh indicated the fact that the spiritual centres in the country wanted peace and security. Minhaj-ul-Quran International would formulate such a system of spiritual training with the consultation and guidance of Mashaykh that would be instrumental in fostering spiritual values in society and would help establish durable peace in Pakistan.

He said that it has been decided to formulate a one-year course for spiritual training which would contain such ingredients as lectures of the Holy Quran, Hadith, moral, spiritual and scholarly aspects of Islam. This would have positive and deep impact on the society. It has also been decided that real spiritualism would be promoted by doing away with excesses and evil customs. The Pirs and religious scholars would play their role in spearheading these efforts.

Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that it was also agreed that spiritual training of women was as important as that of men. He said the Conference also agreed that spiritual values would have to be revived in society to correct the moral disorder and chaos and Pirs and Mashaykh would play their role in the promotion of these values. He said that only spiritual Households could steer clear the ship of society, which was caught in the unchartered waters of materialism and today’s Mashaykh Conference was witness to the fact that spiritual personalities were aware of their responsibilities. He said that Mashaykh Conference also agreed that society needed to be equipped with modern, contemporary education in addition to religious one so that religious scholars could be able to respond to challenges facing Islam successfully.

Text of joint Communiqué adopted at All-Pakistan Mashaykh Conference

The participants showed their complete consensus over the following points in the joint communiqué:

1. The Conference condemned terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations taking place anywhere in the world including Pakistan and it was resolved that Sufis & Mashaykh would play their role in promoting Islam’s message of love, peace and brotherhood throughout the world.
2. The participants vowed to work out a reformation strategy for all chains of spiritualism and for restoration of ‘Khankahi’ system.
3. It was decided to establish Mysticism Research Centre aimed at responding to the objections raised against the Sufis and promoting the mystic teachings in the light of teachings of past mystics and spiritualists. 

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   1. The conference also decided to establish religious centres in all the Mazars and ‘Khankahs’ and the institutions which are run by MQI would make arrangements for special meetings of Sahibzadgans and respected Pirs.
   2. The conference vowed to take practical steps in order to do away with negative traditions, customs and excesses in the convents. A supervisory committee comprising effective and influential Mashaykh would also be established in this regard.
   3. A Contact Group comprising religious scholars and spiritualists would be established to oversee the implementation of the above-mentioned aims and objectives.
   4. The conference also decided to bring into mainstream those centres of Ahl-e-Sunnat, which were working for promotion of education and imparting of training individually.
   5. It was also resolved to formulate such a comprehensive syllabus for revival of ‘khankahi’ system as makes it easier for the general people to follow the teachings of Sufis.
   6. It was also decided to hold workshops for imparting training and education to the people associated with Shrines, Darbars and other religious places.
   7. The participants decided to establish good, standardized libraries in order to meet the need of references and research.
   8. It was also decided to establish groups of Dhakkir & Durood keeping in view the system of training of different spiritual chains.
   9. The conference decided to promote Dawa work based on reformatory and preaching ways of Sufis in shrines and Darbars. Special arrangements for education and spiritual training of women would be made and priority attention would be given to the problems of people.

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Farghana Institute (Manchester chapter) hosted historic and prestigious conference in a grand hall of a local hotel in Manchester on August 31, 2008. In addition to Khateeb Jam-e-Mosque Damascus Fazeelat as-Shaykh Muhammad Saeed as-Sagharji, President Supreme Council MQI Sahibzada Hassan Mohi ud Din Qadri, as-Shaykh Sakhroof, As-Shaykh Abdur Rahman al-Hamami, Member European Parliament Sajjad Kareem, Counselors Muhammad Afzal Khan, M. Abid, Muhammad Naeem and other distinguished personalities, participated in the conference. Thousands of people especially youth came to attend the programme from across UK including Birmingham, Bradford, Halifax, Nelson and Scotland.

The proceedings of this historic conference got under way with the recitation of the Holy Quran by Hammad Mustafa al-Madani, the grandson of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. The principal of Farghana Institute and young scholar, Allama Muhammad Ramzan Qadri, conducted the proceedings of the programme.

Addressing the audience of the programme, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that fifteen centuries have gone by with the result that vast changes have taken place in economic, social, political and sociological domains, also incorporating individual and family needs. The demands of the contemporary age have engulfed every walk of life. In these circumstances, the question arising in the minds of young people is that why are the teachings of the Holy Prophet (saw) the source of security, stability and direction? He said it is the perfect obedience of the Prophet of Islam (saw) that provides the only way to achieve success and can steer the Umma from its present state of decline.

Throwing light on the reservations and misgivings about Islam and Shariah, Shaykh-ul-Islam said the youth and modernist society are caught in the web of these reservations. These reservations owe itself to the misinterpretation and misconstruction of Islamic teachings in the Western society. This face of Islam has been presented by a group of people called Taliban. The reality is that these people are themselves unaware of real Islamic teachings.

He said the teachings and ideal conduct of the Last Prophet (saw) are the source of inspiration for the Muslims. He said that accepting the Prophetic guidance as final guidance is the preliminary condition of being a Muslim. It warrants a thorough study of the Holy Prophet’s (saw) life, his universal teachings, sayings and the circumstances in which he was raised as a Prophet.

He said the pre-Islamic Arab society was known for extremism, injustice, tribal arrogance, social and moral evils. It was a time when humanity used to be degraded and dishonoured. He said that the mention of Roman civilization can be found at that time along with Greek, Persian and Hindi civilizations but these societies were unaware of the meanings of human values, culture and morality. In these circumstances, the Holy Prophet (saw) was sent with Divine message and he introduced those principles of civilization, morality and tolerance whose source was the Holy Qur’an and Sunna, The touchstone of its authenticity was his own ideal conduct.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (saw) said while delivering his address to people after conquest of Makkah: none of you can enter paradise as long as he does not embrace faith and no one can be believer as long as he does not become paragon of good, virtue, peace for one another.

He said the so-called champions of modern-day world have come to know the meanings of extremism today but 15 centuries ago, while founding new civilization, the Holy Prophet (saw) eliminated terrorism, extremism and sectarianism by urging his companions to behave nicely with their neighbours with benevolence. The Companions were so led to feel by his insistence on this command as if the Holy Prophet (saw) eradicated the difference between Muslim and non-Muslim as a human being and neighbour.

Mentioning the rights of the downtrodden and less privileged sections of society, Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (saw) emphasized on his followers to worship their Lord, feed those of the needy whom they knew and also those whom they did not know.

He said that the Holy Prophet (saw) gave a special instruction to establish a charity for the poor, talk to them tenderly and not hurt their feelings. He said the instructions about prayer, Zakat and fasting came later on but teachings about individual and familial brotherhood and ideal code of conduct were put into practice first.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that the Holy Prophet (saw) gave the first constitution of the world 15 centuries ago. Islam introduced the concept of federal, provincial and local governments at a time when word coming from the mouth of King was a law unto itself and its violation or disobedience invited punishment and even death at times. Islam presented the consultative system and endowed on women their legal and human rights, whereas the fact remains that the so-called torch-bearers gave women the right to vote in 1920s for the first time in history.

He said 15 centuries ago, the Muslim women were appointed on the positions of judge and sent to other countries as diplomats during the days of rightly guided Caliphs. He said the sister of Sultan Saluhuddin Ayubi was the governor of Halab. Whatever the champions of human rights may say today, they cannot present even a semblance of similar human values and rights, which the Holy Prophet (saw) presented while addressing his followers when he said that the protection of the Muslims and non-Muslims in man and material without discrimination, guarantee of freedoms of traditions and culture and their religious rights would be legal and constitutional responsibility of the Islamic state. Islam is a religion of peace and love and its message also denotes the same. No one can be allowed to pass religious edict at personal and sectarian levels in the name of Jihad and Caliphate. Labeling Muslims to be terrorists is nothing but injustice, pure and simple.

Urging all participants especially the youth to carve out their position in their societies and live amicably and peacefully along with other communities, Shaykh-ul-Islam said that Islam does not preach isolation.

Referring to the reconstructive work of Shaykh-ul-Islam, Sheikh Ahmad Dervaish of Egypt said that Shaykh-ul-Islam does full justice to a topic to which he commits his pen. He urged the youth and people living in UK and Europe to join his caravan practically. He also requested all religious scholars to spread the reconstructive and research work of Shaykh-ul-Islam throughout the world. He also appreciated the services of the Principal of Farghana Institute.

Great religious scholar and Hadith-narrator, Shaykh as-Saad Muhammad Saeed as-Sagharji, said in his speech that the meanings of the Holy Quran and Hadith of the Holy Prophet (saw) are revealed upon the heart of Shaykh-ul-Islam like en enlightening light of Allah. That is why his research-based and scholarly speeches compel everyone to ponder and act. He said the passion to learn Hadith and love of Shaykh-ul-Islam attract him to attend such conferences each year. He said he considers his knowledge to be just a particle in comparison to knowledge of Shaykh-ul-Islam. Shaykh Asad Muhammad Saeed said he is a ray of hope in this age of mischief and disorder.

Counselor Afzal Khan said in his talk that it was a matter of fortune for people of Manchester that Shaykh-ul-Islam came here whom we hold in high esteem from the core of our hearts.

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COVENTRY, England – By Luke Baker

Like any rousing Islamic preacher, Muhammed Tahir ul-Qadri’s voice rises to a shout and his index finger jabs as he hammers home a point.

But rather than angry calls for jihad (holy war) or a vitriolic denunciation of the West and its aggressions against Islam, Qadri’s message, equally forcefully delivered, is about moderation, peace, inclusion and understanding.

Addressing a packed auditorium from a raised platform, his words beamed on to large screen behind him, more than 1,000 young followers hang on his every word, even as his lecture moves into its fourth uninterrupted hour.

“Islam is not a religion of seclusion, it is not a religion of detachment,” he thunders from the dais, occasionally pausing to wipe the sweat from his brow or adjust his spectacles.

“Any killer of a non-Muslim citizen, he will go to hell. Those who are committing terroristic acts from Pakistan and Afghanistan and claiming it is jihad — they do not know what jihad is. It is forbidden. There will not be janna (paradise) for them,” he hollers, to shouts of approval from his listeners.

Qadri, 58, who was born in Pakistan but now lives in Canada, is a renowned scholar of Sufism, a long tradition within Islam that focuses on spirituality, emphasizing peace and moderation.

The author of more than 400 books on Islamic scholarship and law, Qadri travels the world delivering sermons to Sufis, while his organization, called Minhaj ul-Quran, has spread to 80 countries, from Greece to Fiji, since its founding in 1981.

In Britain, he is the main draw at a three-day retreat for young Muslims called “Al Hidayah” (Guidance), which over the past five years has grown into the biggest spiritual camp of its kind, with more than 1,200 attendees from a dozen countries.

Qadri believes camps like his, which attract teenagers — girls and boys wearing traditional dress who sit separately in the auditorium — as well as their parents and children as young as six, can play a part in combating extremism within Islam.

For Britain, that has been particularly important since 2003, when the country joined the invasion of Iraq, and 2005, when four young British Muslims carried out suicide bombings on the London transport network, killing 52 people.

“I feel it is my duty to save the younger generation from radicalization,” Qadri said quietly over lunch on Sunday, shortly after finishing the second of several lectures and question-and-answer sessions, which concluded on Monday.

“We need to prepare them mentally and academically, intellectually and spiritually, against extremist tendencies and radical and terrorist attitudes. We need to provide them with an awakening of the true picture of Islam,” he said.

TACKLING EXTREMISM

Around the world, and particularly in the United States, there has been a steady increase in adherence to Sufism in the past decade. Governments keen to tackle the spread of more radical branches of Islam in their countries have worked with Sufi scholars and tried to emphasize their teachings.

In Britain, home to around 1.7 million Muslims, the bulk from Pakistan, the government at first worked to promote Sufism, supporting the creation in 2006 of the Sufi Muslim Council, a group that took a strong stand against Islamist extremism.

But since then, it has moved away from explicit support, saying that working via the Sufi community — whose exact number in Britain is not known — is just one element of a wider approach to countering Islamic radicalism.

“It’s part of a broader engagement. We don’t want to isolate any one group over another,” a government spokeswoman said.

Supporters of Qadri, though, are adamant about the benefits of his teachings, with students coming from as far as Denmark and Canada to hear him speak during the three-day retreat. Women in particular like his emphasis on female equality within Islam, an element not always touched on by other Islamic scholars.

“What he says is mind-opening, it makes you feel good as a woman,” said Sofia Saeed, 27, a legal assistant who traveled from Manchester to attend the retreat with a friend.

“There’s no discrimination here. It makes you feel like a stronger believer, a stronger person,” she said, comfortably mixing designer sunglasses with her full hijab head covering.

Qadri, a former minister in Pakistan and close associate of Benazir Bhutto, the assassinated former prime minister, does not believe his teachings can change radical minds overnight, but he is a believer that intellect can ultimately defeat extremism.

“If the terrorists are 10 people and the peaceful are 1,000, then they are more powerful than us with their arms, even if we are 5,000,” he said. “But the point is that we have to make the 5,000 more powerful not with arms, but by the communication of the right message of Islam.”

Copyright 2009 Reuters.

The proceedings of the ceremony got underway with the recitation from the Holy Qur`an by Qari Allah Baksh Naqshbandi followed by recital of Na`t by Muhammad Afzal Nawshahi. Farhat Hussain Shah of Directorate of Training conducted the proceedings of the ceremony. Chairman of Mir Khalil-ur-Rahman Memorial Society and renowned journalist, Wasif Nagi, felicitated Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for undertaking the translation of the Holy Qur`an. He said the Memorial Society felt privileged to organize such a sacred ceremony.

Addressing at the occasion, Secretary-General of Minhaj-ul-Quran International, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, said that MQI had become the leading organization of the Muslim world in its 25-year-long journey. The scholarly contributions of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri would continue to guide the Umma for hundreds of coming years. Irfan-ul-Qur`an is a unique and valuable addition to the history of translations of the Holy Qur`an.

Mufti Muhammad Iqbal Kharal, the Khatib of Hazrat Mian Mir Mosque, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri had a distinguished status among the contemporary intellectuals and scholars. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri had tried to spread the gnosis of the Holy Qur`an in the world by undertaking the translation of the Holy Qur`an. He said Shaykh-ul-Islam was such personality who was uniting Umma on a single platform as well as spreading the Quranic teachings in the modern way.

Dr Jamil-ur-Rahman Chishti of the Chishtia Abad, Kamoki, which is a famous seat of spiritualism, said that Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s translation of the Holy Qur`an enlightens the readers with the real spirit of the Holy Book. The unique and lucid style of translation distinguishes Irfan-ul-Qur`an from the existing body of translations.

Central Amir of Jamat Ahl Hadith, Pakistan, Allama Zubair Ahmad Zaheer said that Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri did full justice to the demands of translation and rendered the translation beautifully by rising above sectarian affiliations. He congratulated Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri for doing translation of the Holy Qur`an for the entire Muslim Umma and all sects.

Renowned scholar Dr Tahir Hameed Tanoli said that if the translations of the Holy Qur`an done in the subcontinent were the tree, Irfan-ul-Qur`an, the translation of the Holy Quran by Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri was its fruit. This translation had the unique quality of an exegesis in terms of its meaningfulness. Shaykh-ul-Islam’s translation of the Holy Book was a great scholarly feat of the contemporary age from which the Umma would continue to derive benefit for centuries. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri has made the reverence for the Holy Prophet (saw) the pivot and no where does the translation go away from this.

Khawaja Muin-ud-Din Koraija of Kot Mitthan said that Irfan-ul-Qur`an would continue to be read till the Day of Judgment. Irfan-ul-Qur`an not only removes the doubts and reservations of the modern mind but also offers remedy for the scourge of sectarianism. Our society is engulfed in terrorism. The Islamic message of peace was the dire need of the hour and Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri is known as an ambassador of peace in the entire world. He also declared to hold the inauguration ceremony of Irfan-ul-Qur`an in the annual spiritual celebrations of Kot Mitthan.

Provincial Minister for Religious Affairs of the Punjab, Sa`id-ul-Hasan Gilani, said that there was a need to revive the passion for reading the Holy Qur`an. Irfan-ul-Qur`an is the unique translation, which would surely ignite the fire of getting connected with the Holy Qur`an, and the readers would further be led to develop the understanding of the Holy Qur`an.

Principal of Pakistan Law College, Dr Hamayun Ihsan, said in his talk that undertaking the translation of the Holy Qur`an was the most difficult job of the world. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri deserved felicitation that he did a great favour to the Umma by doing simple, lucid and modern translation of the Holy Qur`an, which is also compatible with the contemporary demands. Dr Ihsan said that if the translations of the quality books were undertaken, it would go a long way in guiding people through a maze of problems. The Umma could regain its lost glory by reading Irfan-ul-Qur`an, for such is its scholarly depth.

Shaykh-ul-Hadith Muhammad Mi`raj-ul-Islam said that there were a few translation of the Holy Qur`an, which did not contain the element of reverence and respect. Irfan-ul-Qur`an is such a valuable treasure as removes all doubts and enhances respect for the holy personages.

Sayyid Ali Ghazanfar Kararwi said that people undertook translations of the Holy Qur`an in accordance with their personal belief system but the Divine and Prophetic demands were kept in view in Irfan-ul-Qur`an. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri stands for unity among sects and Umma. His translation, Irfan-ul-Qur`an, would certainly extinguish raging fires of sectarianism.

Provincial Tourism and Culture Minister of the Punjab, Mian Muhammad Aslam Iqbal, said that Irfan-ul-Qur`an would revive the relationship with the Holy Qur`an which was otherwise getting disconnected. He said that the scholarly contributions of Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri were a matter of immense pride for the nation especially Irfan-ul-Qur`an, which had the potential of providing remedy for the spiritual ills. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s efforts were of historical nature so far as conveying of the Qur`anic light to people was concerned.

Shaykh-ul-Hadith of Jamea Nizamia, Lahore Maulana Abdut Tawab Siddique said in his speech that there was dire need of reviving our relationship with the holy Quran. This endeavour of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri really deserves appreciation. His Quranic translation “Irfan-ul-Quran” is a became of light for all Muslims.

Arab scholars, ash-Shaykh Dr al-Farfur, ash-Shaykh Dr Sayyid Mahmud Abu al-Huda al-Husaini and ash-Shaykh As`ad Muhammad Sa`id as-Sagharji also addressed at the ceremony at the occasion. They said that they could not fully benefit from Irfan-ul-Qur`an because of their ignorance of the Urdu language, which they branded as great deprivation.

Concluding the ceremony, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that great scholars undertook translations of the Holy Qur`an but he only made humble effort to translate it in a way as is compatible with the contemporary demands so that doubts and questions facing the youth could satisfactorily be addressed. He prayed to Allah Almighty to grant his efforts.

http://www.irfan-ul-quran.com

-          A beautiful collection of authentic Prophetic traditions on the virtues and excellence of saints and friends of Allah along with Urdu translation and references

-          Description of love for the beloveds of Allah Almighty and seeing them in dream

-          Attributes, status and stature of friends of Allah has been highlighted in the book based on 23 chapters

-          The rare blessing of seeing Allah Almighty would be endowed on the His friends and saints on the Day of Judgement

-          Righteous and pious believers get to know about the inner conditions of man with the help of insight and wisdom conferred on them by Allah

In the quest of knowledge, the modern man has also discovered that the centuries old concepts about religion are contrary to the scientific thought and, therefore, need to be either discarded or made compatible with the scientific method. This is the challenge that the religious scholars and theologians have failed to face. Instead of analyzing the problem on scientific basis, they have adhered to their timeworn ideologies with a practical surrender to the materialistic values in vogue. Even the torchbearers, the so-called intellectuals and modern scholars of Islam who pretend to be abreast with the modern scientific thought have given in to the onslaught of modern sciences and in secret depths of their hearts feel nervous how to defend their position. They are doing more harms than good by defending their post with archaic weapons.

However, towards the dawn of new millennium, there has risen one guiding star on the intellectual horizon that has showered rays of his effulgent wisdom on the modern mind fallen prey to stray ideologies. Equipped adequately with the scientific and religious knowledge, he has given the call to modern man that Islam is the religion that, ever since its revelation, has the scientific bases which the modern scientific thought is now claiming to discover and further needs to explore in its totality. What Descartes and his successors (Locke, Barkeley, Hume, Kant and Hobbes, Montesquieu, Mill and Benthem and others) did to promote scientific method and rational thought in Europe, has been accomplished in the world of theology, single-handedly by Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. The world has already recognized him as ‘outstanding man of the century’ and ‘leading intellectual of the world.’

This is not in our purview here to reckon the contributions made by Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri to the modern Islamic thought and its reconstruction. Nor can we measure his achievements in clearing and purifying Islamic ideology from muddling of various ‘isms’ wrought over centuries. But the aspect of his intellectual ventures focussed here relates to a sensitive issue that has disintegrated the intellectual unity of Muslim thinkers and their followers.

Who is ‘Wali’ and what role he plays in spreading light of divine guidance among the believers is a question that has been answered divergently under the reflective influences alien to Islam. A huge reservoir of literature exists on Mysticism, Islamic Mysticism, Pantheism and Transcendentalism, nature of Mystic Experience, its variety, allied philosophies and schools of thought. The antagonists too have generated colossal works proving it contrary to the ‘true Islam’ and labeling it as an impious innovation in the approved Islamic code of life. This controversy has inflicted serious damage to the modern Muslim mind leading the young educated Muslims all over the world to desperation and abhorrence from Islam. They are confused and blatantly question the intellectual validity and logical wellbeing of Islamic thought. The Muslim scholars engaged in this unfortunate controversy, however, ill afford any attempt to recover from the ‘spin’. They drastically lack in advanced knowledge and are unaware of the ‘phenomena’ of modern scientific mind. Being the odd ones, they now stay out of this war of wits, which has spread over East and West. How to satisfy the modern scientific mind on the question of Islamic Spiritualism, its nature and significance; the ‘Friends of Allah’- Auliya, their role and task, status and dignity and the phenomenology of spiritual experience is an uphill task which Prof. Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri, however, has performed with tantamount facility, authority and command.

Without entangling himself in sterile controversy on mysticism and its various ‘schools’ and types, he has taken the Holy Qur’an as the basic and exclusive source of his logic. He triumphantly convinces the reader that a Wali Allah (a friend of Allah), whether a mystic or a saint (whatever term one may use to describe him), is a spiritually privileged Muslim. He acquires heavenly acquaintance and proximity to Allah through absolute obedience to and an overpowering love and adoration for the Holy Prophet (A). He then himself becomes a source of spiritual bliss and inspiration for those who stand fast in his company.

Simultaneously, endowed with a vividly historic insight, he educates the modern Muslim mind how, centuries ago, the Muslim scholars defeated their rival thinkers employing the then contemporary logic against them. He emphatically exhorts all educated Muslims of the world to acquire perfect knowledge of modern logic and defeat the antagonists of Islam who have joined hands against the ‘Ummah’ with an intention to shake the solid spiritual realities which are the bases of Islamic thought and ideology. Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri, the intellectual spirit of our age, the divine genius of the new millennium and a ‘Friend of Allah’ has a sagacious eye on rise and fall of the Muslim and non-Muslim empires. He possesses a vision that penetrates into future and clearly discerns the impending dangers and their remedies.

While handling this most difficult and controversial subject of Islamic spiritual philosophy, disseminating it to the modern inquisitive mind, he has adopted an easy and logical style to communicate the ideas with the help of similitudes and parables and enviably sublime and inspiring expression. This is exactly the style of exposition and elucidation manifest in the Holy Quran where the divine principles and the spiritual realities of life are made home to man loud and clear through parables and similitudes. While explaining the nature of friendship with Almighty Allah he has based his arguments on the verses of the Holy Qur’an and has taken similitude from modern scientific subjects specially ‘Magnetism’ and ‘Electric Charge’. The concept of ‘Spiritual Magnetism’ and ‘Spiritual Charge’ enabling Auliya Allah to get into the ‘spiritual channel’ which originates from the Holy Messenger (A) is a dazzlingly unique and exceptional addition to the existing literature on Islamic Spiritualism. It attracts and convinces the modern educated reader and deletes his disbelief in spiritual values. It irrefutably proves that the phenomenology of Islamic Spiritualism is compatible with the modern scientific method. This dissertation in this way is, by any standard, a classic piece of literature produced on the subject.

            This work, besides spiritualism, also enlightens the reader on ventures of modern science especially in the field of parapsychology. An account of scientific research into finding the underlying reality of psychic experiences and supplying empirical interpretations to extra-sensory perception (ESP) and out-of-body-experience (OBE) has added substantial value to intellectual status of this exposition. The glimpses from spiritual life of Auliya, of their divine experiences in comparison to ESPs, OBEs and the concept of an infinite power within man, highlighting the real significance of Islamic Spiritualism, invite the scientific mind to struggle if it can and belie the spiritual reality. When they decline to disbelieve in psychic reality and its wonders on electromagnetic ground, how can they decline to believe in spirituality of real self of man, its special link with Allah and its acquired infinite spiritual competence towards conquering the universe, demonstrated by Auliya Allah. Studying spiritualism in the perspective of most modern scientific investigation in the field of parapsychology is an amazingly emphatic maiden attempt in the field. It has indeed opened the doors, to embrace Islamic Faith, on those who have been enabled by this study to develop their belief in Islamic Spiritualism on rational scientific grounds. We the believers, welcome this courage to convert to Islam on this rational basis.

The central leaders who spoke in the Workshop included Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri, president of MQI Supreme Council, Dr Raheeq Ahmad Abbasi, Secretary General of MQI, Allama Sadiq Qureshi, Amir of MQI London, Allama Hafiz Iqbal Azam, Director of Minhaj-ul-Quran Foundation Europe, Allama Noor Ahmad Noor and Allama Hassan Mir Qadri.

The topics upon which speeches were delivered in the Workshop included aims and objectives of Training Workshop, aims & objectives of MQI, requisite character for service of religion in the light of the Holy Quran and Sunna, mutual relationship between the leader and worker, and qualities of an ideal organization etc. A documentary film of ‘Aagosh’ (Orphan Care Home under Minhaj Welfare Foundation) was also shown on a big digital screen. Sahibzada Hassan Mohi-ud-Din Qadri delivered argumentative, logical and thought-provoking Juma address on the topic of ‘relationship with the Holy Prophet (saw).

The formal proceedings of the camp got underway with recitation from the Holy Quan by Qari Zaheer Ahmad followed by recital of Naat by Minhaj Naat Council Denmark. Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered special address to the training session.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said in this speech that only that journey undertaken for the sake of knowledge is blessed in which knowledge learnt is implemented in practical life. He said that the Prophets, saints and blessed people of Allah would undertake frequent journeys to the distant and far-off places for the sake of knowledge because whatever a person can learn during journey, he cannot do the same while staying at the same place. He said that little importance should be given to facility because it is part of training. He said that we were on a journey in our lives and we should not lose sight of our final journey. He urged the participants to love Allah intensely because love does not admit of polytheism. Whenever Allah talks of love, He does not want this love to be devoted to Him alone. Rather He includes the love for the Holy Prophet (saw) in this whole.

Shaykh-ul-Islam said that man was also a traveler and we should try to get rid of love for the Satan by replacing it with love for Allah and His Prophet (saw) so that our conditions both internal and external could undergo transformation. Allah Almighty eliminated any difference in the realm of love and brought down wall that might separate it. The first sign of faith is that love of Allah and His Prophet (saw) should be superior to any other kind of love in the world. Allah Almighty did not adopt this style of description for any one else. He did not mention the name of any other creation with His Name and ordain His subjects to hold it superior to others. It is only lawful for the person of the Holy Prophet (saw). He in fact eliminated difference in the domain of love that love for no other object should be intense except for both of them.

Two Norwegian people embraced Islam at the hands of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri in the training camp. It was announced after the Juma prayers that a Norwegian woman wanted to get into the fold of Islam and wanted to acknowledge it in front of everyone present there. The woman was brought main hall fully dressed in Islamic veil and she accepted Islam at the hands of Shaykh-ul-Islam. A large number of people were present in MQI Oslo Islamic Center.

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri asked the woman in English language whether she was embracing Islam out of her free will or under coercion. She replied that she was accepting Islam willingly and out of her free volition. Shaykh-ul-Islam then administered Kalma to the woman and briefed her about basic pillars of Islam and beliefs. She was renamed as Zainab. In the similar manner, a man also accepted Islam at the hands of Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. The newly converted Norwegian was renamed as Ahmad Hussain at that occasion.

A meeting presided over by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri and attended by office holders and worker of MQI decided to establish ‘Halq-e-Durood’ at forty different places in the city. The duration of one such session would not be longer than two hours and forty sessions would be held at different places in every week.

Talking to the people at the occasion, Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri said that this step would help promote the message of MQI and strengthen the weakening spiritual relationship of the Umma with the Holy Prophet (saw). “This is how the broken relationship would not only be repaired but the worries of people would also be lessened,” he concluded.

Expressing her views during her visit, she said that MQI was busy performing important obligation of promoting real spirit of Islam in the Islam world and getting together of so many people on a single platform was a matter worthy of appreciation. She said that she observed the welfare system, plans and visited various department of MQI and could say with authority and surety that no other organization outside Pakistan could compete with Minhaj-ul-Quran International.