The Quran and Poverty Alleviation

READ this Article in MALTESE: During the past few years the inflation has increased drastically, making it hard for those who don’t have sufficient resources, and it is very difficult for many families to meet their ends, around the globe including Malta. As per a recent study by the Caritas, in Malta, the average family’s food bill soars by 20% in the last three years, but for the elderly the food bill is up by 30% since 2020.

This increasing inflation has made many families to worry because it has also affected the necessities of life such as food and medicine. This rapid increase in inflation is harming the poor and thus resulting in poverty increase.

Supremacy of God

The Holy Quran explains its philosophy towards poverty alleviation by declaring the supremacy of One God and rejects the idea of any single human being or any particular class of humans having the exclusive right on the available natural resources, rather everyone should have their fair share in those resources. If all the available resources are shared with justice and fairness among all the nations, this alone will become an effective means to alleviate poverty. It says: “He it is Who created for you all that is in the earth…” (The Quran, 2:30)

Universal brotherhood

Moreover, the Holy Quran promotes the idea of universal brotherhood as a tool to reduce the social and economic inequalities in society and to lay the foundation of equity, justice and fairness.  It says:

“Surely all believers are brothers. So make peace between brothers and fear Allah that mercy may be shown to you.” (49:11)

The concept of brotherhood is further defined in the following verse:

“And help one another in righteousness and piety, but help not one another in sin and transgression.” (5:3)

According to the Quranic philosophy all human beings are like a large family, therefore, as we take care of each other in our close families, similarly we should be generous to extend our support to our wider human family. If this principle is adopted today, I am certain that there would not remain a single household that does not have the basic necessities of life. This universal brotherhood will pave the way to lasting peace, security, harmony, calmness and social contentment.

Hoarding money

Besides this, the Holy Quran encourages working hard to meet daily needs, similarly, it also prohibits to hoard money in terms of gold and silver or to keep the money freeze in the banks. Rather, it encourages believers to invest and circulate money in the economy to generate more jobs and opportunities for the entire nation. The Quran says that: “Say, ‘Surely, my Lord enlarges the provision for such of His servants as He pleases and straitens it for such of them as He pleases. And whatever you spend, He will replace it; and He is the Best of providers.’” (34:40)

If we analyse, we find that many a times the food inflation is due to the hoarding, therefore, Islam instructs that supplies should not be deliberately withheld from the market with the purpose of artificially boosting prices. If a person hoards goods for this reason, he does so by going against the Islamic principles. If a trader has wheat but deliberately withholds its supply from the public in order to raise prices, he is engaged in a sinful activity, according to Islamic teachings.

Prohibition of Interest Islam forbids lending and borrowing of money on interest and promotes the idea of mutual help and support. Because, interest puts extra burden on the business and thus slows down its productivity. Undoubtedly, the interest has been the main cause of economic and financial downfall in the world. Interest is one of the most destructive economic forces in the world and a major hurdle that stops the poor from moving forward. The Holy Quran (2:276) encourages believers to adopt legitimate trading practices and avoid interest. It says: “Allah has made trade lawful and made interest unlawful.”

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National Book Festival Malta 2023

Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta will be participating in the Malta National Book Festival 2023 organised by National Book Council (Malta) . We are glad to present to you a good variety of Books in Maltese on different topics and subjects, including the latest editions of monthly Maltese Magazine ID-DAWL. We look forward to welcoming you at our Book Stand Number 37. For more info: amjmalta@gmail.com or +35679655255.

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Humility and meekness

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, In His Own Words

“Thus, in my view, the finest path to purification is to relinquish any form of arrogance or pride – be it intellectual, familial, or financial. No better method than this could possibly be found. When God Almighty bestows insight upon a person, one realises that every ray of light that can extricate us from various forms of darkness descends from the heavens. Humanity is perpetually in need of this celestial illumination. The eye itself cannot perceive unless illuminated by sunlight, which also originates from the sky. Similarly, inner illumination, which dispels all manner of darkness and instils in its stead the divine light of piety and purity, also descends from above. I state unequivocally that a person’s righteousness, faith, worship, and purity are all heavenly gifts. It all hinges on God Almighty’s exceptional grace; He may either sustain it or withdraw it.” (Malfuzat [1988], Vol. 4, p. 213)

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Id-Dawl 70

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The Holy Quran – A Casket of Jewels

Read this Article in Maltese: The purpose of our being is to worship God and to establish a close communion with Him. Worship to God means we pay homage to Him, show total obedience and submission to Allah; and to absorb His attributes and make the best use of all our faculties and capabilities, our time and our money to reach Him and to earn His pleasure.

The Holy Quran is such a magnificent treasure that provides guidance at every step. The Promised Messiahas says: “The Holy Quran is a casket of jewels, but people are sadly unaware of it.” It also helps us to achieve the objective of our being. It shows us the path and means to become godly and to abstain from vice. Therefore, we request the critics of the Holy Quran to read it and benefit from its profound teachings and wisdom, rather than raising baseless allegations against it or burning its copies.

After having firm belief in God, we can find God through prayers, following the footsteps of His Messengers, and by practicing divine teachings commandments. Moreover, it provides the principles of absolute justice, benevolence, kinship and serving mankind to achieve the objective of our being.

Burning Quran: An act of hatred

Quran-burning incidents in Sweden and Denmark in recent months have once again sparked the debate about the freedom of speech. These painful and loathsome incidents of burning the Quran in the name of “expression of an opinion” are not acts of freedom of speech, rather, acts of provocation and hatred. Indeed these incidents are severe violation and abuse of the right of freedom of speech; and an act of extremism.

Burning a copy or a few pages of Quran – the Holy book of around two billion Muslims – can serve no purpose except hurting the religious sentiments of Muslims around the globe. Even if all the existing copies of the Quran are burned, that will still not serve any objective as God the Almighty has promised to preserve the Quran and states: “Verily, We Ourself have sent down this Exhortation, and most surely We will be its Guardian.” (Quran, 15:10)

Furthermore, millions of Muslims have memorized the Quran off by heart and millions of new copies of the Quran can be printed in no time. Therefore burning the Quran cannot eradicate the Quran, but such acts of hatred and provocation may destroy and compromise the peace of the world.

We believe that burning any religious scripture is directly contrary to the teachings of all of the world’s major religions.

Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate to discuss any objections or questions he has about the teachings of the Quran? Because if any rational person has an issue with the teachings of the Quran, the natural course of action is to find an explanation for it either by doing individual research or asking a learned, educated and wise person on the subject.

We invite the world to open a civilized dialogue and to study Islam firsthand in light of its true teachings and in light of a community that reflects its most peaceful message. His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, says:

“There is nothing wrong with intellectual or theological debate but this should be conducted within the bounds of decency and tolerance. Instead what we are seeing is hatred being spread.”

As far as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is concerned, we wholeheartedly welcome every question that arises about the Holy Quran and Islam. If anyone has any questions, please contact us and we will try to address all of them to your satisfaction. His Holinessaba further says:

“The world needs peace, love and brotherhood. The world needs an end to wars. Instead of walls of hatred being erected we need peace to prevail and for this to occur people of all faiths must join together. As I said there is nothing wrong with debates but they should take place in a peaceful and respectful environment.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community champions “Love for All, Hatred for None” – a peaceful and inclusive motto – and extends it to our Christian and Jewish brothers and sisters and indeed all of God’s creation. We hope that by engaging in civilized dialogue we can build bridges, remove misunderstandings and lead the way together to create a more peaceful and harmonious society.

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Id-Dawl 69

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Religions in Malta and interfaith harmony

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Summer and parents

IS-SAJF U L-ĠENITURI

Kunu ġentili man-nies fid-dinja, Alla jkun ħanin magħkom fis-sema

Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif | In-Nazzjon 12.09.2023 | amjmalta@ahmadiyyamalta

Is-sajf hu żmien ta’ festi, divertiment u tgawdija. Matul is-sajf hemm it-tendenza li jiġu organizzati ħafna ħarġiet, laqgħat, ikliet, u parties bl-għan tad-divertiment u l-pjaċir.

Imma xi kultant xi nies li huma tal-akbar importanza f’ħajjitna jiġu injorati jew minsija u dawn huma l-ġenituri jew l-anzjani tagħna. B’ċertezza sħiħa nista’ ngħid li esperjenzajt li l-anzjani ħafna drabi ma jridux l-aqwa servizzi iżda jridu u għandhom bżonn il-kumpanija ta’ xi ħadd, u ma jistax ikun hemm akkompanjament aħjar milli jkollhom il-maħbubin tagħhom madwarhom inklużi wliedhom u n-neputijiet tagħhom. Ħafna drabi huma jridu jitkellmu u meta xi ħadd jgħidilhom xi kelmtejn jew jisma’ dak li jridu jgħidu dan jagħtihom ħafna kuntentizza u sodisfazzjon.

Personalment, kull meta nżur xi dar tal-anzjani jew niltaqa’ ma’ xi anzjan xi mkien u nitkellem magħhom u noffri jekk nistax ngħinhom, dan il-ġest żgħir jintlaqa’ b’mod tajjeb ħafna minnhom, u jipprovdilhom serħan u wiċċhom jixgħel bil-ferħ, kuntentizza u tbissim.

L-anzjani: ċentru ta’ kull attività

Għalhekk huwa ferm importanti li matul dawn il-ġranet tas-sajf fejn kulħadd jista’ jifraħ, b’mod jew ieħor inżommu l-ġenituri u l-anzjani tagħna f’moħħna. Dejjem nagħmluhom ċentru ta’ kull programm tagħna, kif kienu jagħmluna ċentru ta’ kull attività tagħhom meta konna żgħar. Meta konna fil-bżonn tal-għajnuna huma tawna kollox, kemm setgħu, mingħajr ma fittxu xi ħaġa lura jew xi premju. Issa, meta huma saru anzjani u ma baqax saħħa biżżejjed f’ġisimhom minħabba l-età tagħhom, allura sar obbligu fuqna li nservuhom b’mod tajjeb, bl-imħabba u l-kompassjoni.

Sidi, ħenn il-ġenituri tiegħi bħalma rabbewni

Alla jispjega dan fil-Koran Imqaddes b’mod tajjeb ħafna u jgħid:

Sidek amar, “Uru tieba lejn il-ġenituri. Jekk xi ħadd minnhom, jew it-tnejn li huma, jixjieħu miegħek, qatt tgħidilhom kliem iebes jew ta’ stmerrija, iżda indirizzahom bil-ħlewwa. U b’umiltà u tenerezza itlob: Sidi, ħenn għalihom bħalma rabbewni meta kont żgħir.” (Il-Koran, 17:24-25)

Il-kliem tat-talb, “Sidi, ħenn għalihom bħalma rabbewni meta kont żgħir”, jispjega kollox; kif u sa liema punt għandna nieħdu ħsieb il-ġenituri tagħna huwa ‘bħalma rabbewni’. Dan huwa l-livell li għandna nieħdu ħsieb il-ġenituri tagħna u qatt u qatt ma ninsewhom imma dejjem nagħmluhom parti integrali ta’ ħajjitna, u dejjem nittrattawhom b’mod ġentili.

L-għemil ferm nobbli

Huwa att ferm nobbli li f’dawn il-ġranet sajfin ta’ ferħ inqattgħu ħin mal-anzjani tagħna, il-ġenituri tagħna jew in-nanniet huma min huma. Barra minn hekk, naħseb huwa wkoll għemil mill-aqwa li nuru simpatija u benevolenza ma’ dawk l-anzjani li forsi ma jkunux qraba qrib tagħna, imma kull meta u kemm nistgħu rridu nieħdu ħsieb l-anzjani kollha tagħna.

Bla dubju ta’ xejn din hija qima, din hija reliġjon u fidi, li aħna naqdu lill-ħolqien ta’ Alla fid-dinja; u dawk li jgħinu lin-nies jiġu ppremjati minn Alla. Qed niftakar vers minn poeżija li jgħid:

Kunu ġentili man-nies fid-dinja, Alla jkun ħanin magħkom fis-sema.

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The protection of places of worship

IL-PROTEZZJONI TAL-POSTIJIET TA’ QIMA

Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif |It-Torċa 17.09.2023 | amjmalta@gmail.com

Minn qoxra sa qoxra, il-Koran Imqaddes iwassal messaġġi ta’ rikonċiljazzjoni, paċi, imħabba, affezzjoni, u l-ispirtu tas-sagrifiċċju; u jgħallimna biex nirrispettaw il-Profeti, ir-reliġjonijiet, u l-postijiet reliġjużi. Fil-kapitlu 22, versi 40-41 tal-Koran Imqaddes, Alla jitħaddet b’mod ċarissimu dwar il-protezzjoni tal-postijiet tat-talb bħal kunventi, knejjes, sinagogi u moskej li fihom jissemma ħafna Isem Alla.

Il-libertà tar-reliġjon hija dritt bażiku ta’ kull bniedem li jgħix f’din id-dinja. Dan huwa dritt divin kif Alla jgħid fil-Koran Imqaddes li, “M’għandux ikun hemm sfurzar fir-reliġjon” (2:257). Għalhekk, naħseb li ħadd ma għandu dritt li jċaħħad lil xi ħadd minn dan id-dritt bażiku u fundamentali tal-bniedem.

Meta naraw it-tagħlim tar-reliġjonijiet differenti nsibu li huma f’kunsens li l-libertà tar-reliġjon huwa dritt ta’ kulħadd, mingħajr ebda favur jew diskriminazzjoni.

L-għan ta’ reliġjon

L-għan ta’ kull reliġjon huwa li jqarreb lill-bniedem lejn Alla u li jistabbilixxi l-valuri umani. L-ebda fundatur ta’ kwalunkwe twemmin ma għallem lid-dixxipli tiegħu biex iċaħħdu d-drittijiet tal-oħrajn jew li jaġixxu bi krudeltà lejn bnedmin oħra, anzi, kienu ċ-ċampjins tad-drittijiet tal-bniedem inkluż id-dritt li wieħed jemmen u jadura kif jixtieq hu.

L-attakki fuq il-minoranzi

Imma sfortunatament, dan l-aħħar rajna xi attakki fuq postijiet tal-qima fl-Indja u l-Pakistan, fejn knejjes u djar tal-Kristjani ġew maħruqa, partikolarment dak li ġara f’Jaranwala, Faisalabad, il-Pakistan. Hija sfortuna kbira li f’ċerti pajjiżi bħall-Pakistan ma teżistix il-libertà reliġjuża għal kulħadd. Il-komunitajiet minoritarji bħall-Insara u l-Ħindu, anke minoranzi Musulmani bħal Shiti u Ahmadiyya, huma dejjem beżgħana  minn attakki mill-maġġoranza Musulmana Sunni.

Irrid nagħmilha ċara li, għaldaqstant, l-għemil ta’ xi Musulmani li jaġixxu b’mod żbaljat, u jattakkaw in-nies li jħaddnu reliġjonijiet differenti, jew jagħmlu parti mill-fergħat l-oħra tal-Iżlam, m’għandux jintuża bħala skuża biex jiġi attakkat l-Iżlam.

Knejjes, Sinagogi u Moskej

L-Iżlam jgħallimna biex nirrispettaw il-Profeti, ir-reliġjonijiet, il-fehmiet reliġjużi u l-postijiet reliġjużi kollha kemm huma. Fil-kapitlu 22, versi 40-41 tal-Koran Imqaddes, Alla jitħaddet b’mod ċarissimu dwar il-protezzjoni tal-postijiet tat-talb bħal kunventi, knejjes, sinagogi u moskej li fihom jissemma ħafna Isem Alla.

Allura, kif jista’ jkun li xi Musulmani jattakkaw id-djar tal-Insara u l-knejjes tagħhom?

Huwa importanti li nifhmu li jekk xi Musulman ma jsegwix it-tagħlim Iżlamiku kif suppost waqt li jiddikjara li huwa jemmen fl-Iżlam, mela hija l-persuna li qed tiżbalja, u mhux it-tagħlim li huwa żbaljat. Il-kelma ‘Iżlam’ li ġejja mill-għerq s-l-m fil-fatt tfisser paċi, imħabba, sigurtà u sliem.

Il-Koran minn qoxra sa qoxra

Nixtieq nassigura lill-qarrejja kollha li, minn qoxra sa qoxra, il-Koran Imqaddes iwassal messaġġi ta’ rikonċiljazzjoni, paċi, imħabba, affezzjoni, u l-ispirtu tas-sagrifiċċju. It-tagħlim kollu tal-Koran Imqaddes huwa bbażat fuq li nwettqu d-drittijiet ta’ Alla, u d-drittijiet tal-bnedmin kollha kemm huma. Allura kif il-Musulman veru jattakka l-knejjes tal-Insara?

Ahmadiyya spalla ma’ spalla

Il-mexxej tal-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana, il-Qdusija Tiegħu, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad, jgħid: “Il-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana ssegwi biss it-tagħlim ġenwin tal-Iżlam u taħdem purament biex togħġob lill-Alla l-Omnipotenti. Jekk xi knisja jew xi post ieħor ta’ adorazzjoni jkollhom bżonn ta’ xi forma ta’ protezzjoni, lilna se jsibuna spalla ma’ spalla magħhom biex ngħinuhom.”

Huwa jkompli jenfasizza dan il-punt billi jgħid li, “Illum naraw taqlib kbir fid-dinja, ma’ kull ġurnata li tgħaddi, il-paċi tad-dinja qed tiġi mdgħajfa u kompromessa, għalhekk huwa essenzjali li tinżamm il-paċi fis-soċjetà, u dan jitlob minna li kull wieħed u waħda minna jelimina minn qalbu s-sentimenti kollha ta’ mibegħda u jżid il-gradi ta’ tolleranza.”

L-imħabba u għożża

Huwa mhux importanti biss, anzi, sar kruċjali u sejħa tas-siegħa li flimkien noħolqu atmosfera ta’ mħabba u għożża, u aħna nwasslu messaġġ ta’ mħabba u sliem lil dawk kollha ta’ madwarna, li aħna nitgħallmu ngħixu f’armonija ferm akbar minn qatt qabel u għalhekk noħolqu ħajja aħjar, u li nagħrfu l-vera valuri tal-umanità.

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The Religious Leaders for Peace

Il-Mexxejja Reliġjużi għall-Paċi

Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif | Il-Leħen 17.09.2023 |amjmalta@gmail.com

In-nies dejjem iwaħħlu fir-reliġjon għal kull vjolenza, mibegħda u tixrid ta’ demm, imma fir-realtà huwa l-kuntrarju. L-għan ta’ kull reliġjon dejjem kien li jqarreb lill-bniedem lejn Alla u li jistabbilixxi l-valuri umani, jistabbilixxi l-paċi, l-armonija u l-ħbiberija bejn in-nies kollha. L-ebda fundatur ta’ kwalunkwe twemmin ma għallem lid-dixxipli tiegħu biex iċaħħdu d-drittijiet tal-oħrajn jew li jaġixxu bi krudeltà lejn bnedmin oħra.

Anke fl-istorja riċenti, insibu żewġ mexxejja reliġjużi li għandhom ilħna għoljin u kredibbli favur il-paċi, fost oħrajn. Qatt ma jistrieħu minn dan id-dmir nobbli li jsejħu lin-nies lejn il-paċi, ir-rikonċiljazzjoni u l-armonija.

Il-Qdusija Tiegħu, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad

Min-naħa l-oħra, il-Qdusija Tiegħu, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad, il-Mexxej tal-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana, qed jaħdem b’ħeġġa kbira u hu dejjem ħerqan għall-benesseri tal-umanità kollha. Mindu ġie elett bħala l-Mexxej fl-2003 huwa dejjem xtaq u ħadem biex ipoġġi l-pedamenti għall-paċi fid-dinja kollha.

Huwa saħaq li f’ġieħ Alla li Jista’ Kollox, bl-aħjar mill-kapaċitajiet u r-riżorsi tagħna, inġibu ruħna b’qalb tajba u ġentili lejn il-ħolqien ta’ Alla. Huwa dmirna li naqdu l-ħolqien ta’ Alla. Huwa minnu li meta persuna tiltaqaʼ maʼ persuna oħra f’dan l-ispirtu, jirriżultaw biss l-imħabba u l-affezzjoni u l-paċi. Mhu se tibqa’ l-ebda traċċa ta’ mibegħda, għedwa jew malizzja, u dan iwassal għall-paċi dejjiema fid-dinja fejn ma jibqa’ xejn ħlief imħabba u mogħdrija.

Il-kriżi dinjija u t-triq għall-paċi

Il-ktieb notevoli tiegħu, Il-kriżi dinjija u t-triq għall-paċi, huwa xhieda ċarissima tax-xewqa tiegħu. F’dan il-kiteb hu jipprovdi soluzzjonijiet fattibbli għall-kunflitti u l-problemi tagħna u jwassal għat-triq tal-paċi. Barra minn hekk, huwa kiteb ittri lill-mexxejja dinjin biex jiġbed l-attenzjoni tagħhom għad-dmirijiet u r-responsabbiltajiet tagħhom għall-promozzjoni u l-ħolqien tal-paċi u l-armonija fis-soċjetajiet tagħna u madwar id-dinja.

Il-gwerra toħloq aktar kunflitt

Huwa enfasizza wkoll dwar it-tneħħija tal-armi u t-tnaqqis tal-baġits militari u tad-difiża u t-tnaqqis tal-produzzjoni u l-bejgħ tal-armi militari. Huwa jgħid li, “il-verità hi li l-gwerra ħafna drabi toħloq aktar kunflitt.” Għalhekk, il-partijiet kollha għandhom jilħqu ftehim li jwassal għal paċi u rikonċiljazzjoni fit-tul taż-żmien.

Dawn huma vuċijiet qawwija ħafna u kredibbli li d-dinja għandha tisma’, biex tevita l-qerda, aktar diviżjoni u t-tielet gwerra dinjija. Hija wkoll tweġiba ċara għal dawk in-nies li dejjem iwaħħlu fir-reliġjon għal kull vjolenza u gwerra.

Photo: Kai Pilger | Unsplash

Il-Qdusija Tiegħu Papa Franġisku

Riċentement fil-Jum Dinji tal-Għajnuna Umanitarja, il-Papa Franġisku sejjaħ lid-dinja biex tnaqqas il-baġit militari u tad-difiża u minflok dawk ir-riżorsi għandhom jintefqu fuq bżonnijiet umanitarji u għall-benesseri tal-umanità.

Fl-appell tiegħu fuq X jew Twitter huwa saħaq li, “Hija responsabbiltà tagħna li neradikaw il-mibegħda u l-vjolenza minn qalbna. Ejjew inħeġġu biex jitwarrbu l-armi, li jkun hemm tnaqqis fl-infiq militari biex ikunu jistgħu jiġu pprovduti l-bżonnijiet umanitarji u biex l-istrumenti tal-mewt jiġu mibdula fi strumenti tal-ħajja.”

Allura, huwa ferm importanti li naħdmu flimkien biex l-istrumenti tal-mewt jiġu mibdula fi strumenti tal-ħajja, u r-riżorsi disponibbli kollha huma utilizzati għall-benefiċċju tal-umanità.

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Terrorism has NO Religion

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Human privacy and social media

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The social media has undeniably revolutionized the way we communicate and share information. These digital platforms have become an undeniable reality of today’s society. Millions of people around the world actively use these mediums about various aspects like communication, business, education, and much more. There is no doubt that there are many positive aspects of social media but its harms are also beyond imagination, including the impact on human privacy caused by social media. It looks that posting anything and everything on social media has become a fashion, without realizing the impact it can create. Therefore, we must be very careful when we use the social media and refrain from posting any personal or sensitive information on these mediums. We must remain cautioned against unnecessarily posting everything on social media.

In the past any news, misinformation, disinformation or rumour would only reach to few people and the extent of spreading rumours was limited at that time. However, now, with the advent of social media, rumours spread rapidly and widely.

His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has on many occasions emphasized on this subject. At one occasion he said that Allah the Almighty has prohibited engaging in gossip, spreading false information, and speaking ill of others. It is essential to refrain from indulging in such negative behaviours. Privacy is being compromised, and it is due to the actions of humans themselves that this damage has occurred. So it is important to being mindful in such circumstances. It is crucial to educate those around us, children, students, and siblings about the negative implications of these actions.

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True happiness and Islam

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The Key to Unlocking Peace

Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif | In-Nazzjon 05.08.2023 | amjmalta@gmail.com

Illum id-dinja riesqa b’mod veloċi lejn gwerra globali katastrofika u bil-kunflitt bejn l-Ukranja u r-Russja bla sinjal li jbatti, anzi bil-possibbiltà li jisplodi f’kunflitt akbar, kull soluzzjoni attwali tidher li mhu se twassal lejn imkien. L-idea ta’ gwerra nukleari devastanti qed tissemma spiss bħalissa bħala possibbiltà. Hija meħtieġa soluzzjoni differenti li tbiegħed is-sħab ta’ qerda li qed jinġema’ malajr u tiġi stabbilita l-paċi dejjiema.

Il-Qdusija Tiegħu, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad, il-mexxej tal-Komunità Ahmadiyya li jixtieq  jaħdem ħafna sabiex il-paċi tiġi stabbilita fid-dinja kollha, reġa’ ġibed l-attenzjoni tad-dinja għal dan ir-rigal imprezzabbli, li qed jisparixxi malajr mis-soċjetajiet tagħna, li hu msejjaħ “paċi u sliem”.

Huwa enfasizza li huwa importanti li n-nazzjonijiet kollha jingħaqdu flimkien għall-paċi, għax mingħajr għaqda xejn mhu possibbli. L-aħjar ħaġa hija li l-pajjiżi kollha l-ewwel jippruvaw  isibu soluzzjoni paċifika għall-kunflitti. Imma, jekk xi pajjiż isir l-aggressur, il-pajjiżi l-oħra għandhom flimkien iwaqqfu l-oppressur. Madanakollu, kif jieqfu l-ħruxijiet, ma jridx ikun hemm retribuzzjoni inġusta jew vendikazzjoni.

Imma sal-akbar possibbiltà, il-gwerra għandha tiġi evitata, għax il-gwerra ma ssolvi xejn, u l-verità hi li l-gwerra ħafna drabi toħloq aktar kunflitt. Għalhekk, huwa estremament importanti li dejjem nippruvaw insibu soluzzjoni lil hinn mill-gwerra.

Id-djalogu u l-komunikazzjoni effettiva huma wkoll pilastri ewlenin fix-xenqa għall-paċi, għalhekk huwa importanti li l-bibien tal-komunikazzjonidejjem jibqgħu miftuħin beraħ, sabiex ir-raġġi tas-sliem u tal-paċi jistgħu jidħlu ġewwa u bil-fwieħa tagħhom jagħmlu l-atmosfera pjaċevoli.

Is-soluzzjoni aħħarija għall-paċi dejjiema hija biss li aħna tassew u b’qalbna nagħrfu lil Alla tagħna, u meta l-bniedem iwarrab il-modi egoistiċi u x-xewqat materjalistiċi u jasal biex jagħraf u jqim lil Alla Wieħed u jħabrek biex jissodisfa d-drittijiet Tiegħu u jaġixxi fuq it-tagħlim Tiegħu.

Il-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana f’Malta ppubblikat bil-Malti dan id-diskors tiegħu li fih wera triq ’il quddiem biex il-paċi vera u dejjiema tiġi stabbilita. Il-qarrejja tagħna jistgħu jaqraw dan il-ktieb fuq il-websajt www.ahmadiyya.mt.

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Forever Blessed

Those Who Are Mindful of the Hereafter Are Forever Blessed

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas, says:

I observe that despite the appearance of calamity upon calamity and the emergence of danger on all fronts, the hearts of the people are as hard as stone, and they continue in pride and conceit. How long will these foolish people go on in this heedlessness? Until the people give up their obstinacy, refrain from their evil activities and do not reconcile with God Almighty, these calamities and afflictions will go nowhere… in the present time insolence and imprudence has exceeded all bounds. May Allah have mercy!

A wise person is heedful of punishment before it descends and a far-sighted person is one who remains concerned to save them from an affliction before it appears.

It is incumbent upon all people to be mindful of the hereafter and repent from evil actions because true happiness and pleasure lies in this. It is a matter of certainty that no evil deed and sinful act can give a person true happiness, even for a moment. A sinful person of ill conduct is always haunted by the fear of his secret being exposed. How then can such a person find a means of comfort in wicked actions?

Those who have their sights set on the hereafter are forever blessed. Those who keep their sights set on the hereafter are truly fortunate. (Malfuzat – Volume 1, p 245-246) | Read this Article in Maltese

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Protests, Strikes, Violence and Islam

Protesti, strajks u vjolenza

It-Torċa 06 August 2023 | Laiq Ahmed Atif | amjmalta@gmail.com

Dan l-aħħar rajna xeni disturbanti fit-toroq ta’ Franza fejn rajna eluf ta’ nies jipprotestaw kontra l-qtil taż-żagħżugħ Nahel Merzouk, immigrant ta’ 19-il sena li kien jgħix fi Franza. Dawn il-protesti saru wkoll vjolenti u xi kultant kriminali wkoll. Il-pulizija ppruvat trażżan lid-dimostranti u titfi bosta nirien li għamlu ħsara lill-iskejjel, lill-għases tal-pulizija u bini pubbliku, skont kelliem għall-pulizija nazzjonali.

Min-naħa l-oħra, smajna wkoll ilmenti għal żmien twil ta’ vjolenza tal-pulizija u razziżmu sistematiku ġewwa l-aġenziji tal-infurzar tal-liġi. Hemm nies li jgħidu li dan huwa r-riżultat ta’ razziżmu li dawk in-nies iffaċċjaw għal snin twal.

Din is-sitwazzjoni li qed tmur għall-agħar kompliet tħeġġeġ lil dawk li dejjem iwaħħlu fir-reliġjon b’mod ġenerali għal kull tip ta’ vjolenza u nuqqas ta’ paċi, u li b’mod partikolari jippruvaw jgħaqqdu din il-mewġa ta’ vjolenza mal-Iżlam. Hemm ħafna nies li jinsistu li din il-vjolenza ġejja minn immigranti u refuġjati Musulmani u li għandha tittieħed bħala evidenza li l-Musulmani kienu se jirvellaw u jiksru l-paċi tas-soċjetà peress li dan huwa dak li tgħallem ir-reliġjon tagħhom.

Il-vjolenza

Għalhekk, huwa sewwa li niddiskutu dan is-suġġett fid-dettall u naraw xi jgħid l-Iżlam dwar il-vjolenza u jekk din ir-reazzjoni għandha x’taqsam mat-tagħlim tal-Iżlam? Huwa wkoll importanti ħafna li naraw  x’jgħallem l-Iżlam lill-Musulmani dwar id-dimostrazzjoni pubblika? Il-Musulmani jistgħu jisirqu jew jiksru l-paċi pubblika biex isemmgħu leħinhom?

Meta naqraw il-Koran Imqaddes b’mod sħiħ insibu li l-ħsara lill-proprjetajiet pubbliċi u privati bħal skejjel, sptarijiet, djar u negozji biex taffettwa l-bidla soċjali u forsi morali hija kompletament ipprojbita fl-Iżlam. L-Iżlam assolutament ma jaqbilx mal-ħsara għall-interessi nazzjonali u l-infrastruttura, u dejjem jenfasizza li kull membru tas-soċjetà għandu dmir li jaħdem għall-paċi u ħadd m’għandu permess li jikser is-sliem nazzjonali. Alla jgħid fil-Koran Imqaddes: “It-tiġrib, il-persekuzzjoni u d-diżordni huwa agħar mill-qtil” (2:192); “Alla ma jħobbx id-diżordni u l-ħsara lill-paċi” (2:206).

Il-qdusija tal-ħajja umana

Barra minn hekk, il-Qaddis Profeta Muħammad, is-sliem għalih, enfasizza fuq il-paċi sa tali punt li fl-aħħar diskors tiegħu huwa enfasizza l-qdusija tal-ħajja umana, u quddiem eluf kbar ta’ nies qal:

“Alla għamel il-ħajja, il-proprjetà u l-unur ta’ kull persuna sagri. Li wieħed jieħu l-ħajja jew il-proprjetà ta’ xi ħadd jew jattakka l-unur tiegħu huwa inġust u ħażin daqs li wieħed jattakka l-qdusija ta’ dan il-jum, dan ix-xahar, dan it-territorju. Dak li qed nikkmandakom illum ma jgħoddx biss għal-lum. Jgħodd għal dejjem. Intom mistennija li tiftakruha din u li tobduha sakemm tħallu din id-dinja u tmorru fl-oħra biex tiltaqgħu mal-Ħallieq tagħkom.”

Dawn ir-referenzi ta’ fuq juru biċ-ċar li ħsara lill-interessi nazzjonali u soċjali u lill-paċi hija kompletament ipprojbita fl-Iżlam, għal kwalunkwe raġuni tkun xi tkun.

L-effetti negattivi tal-protesti jew l-istrajkijiet

Dan huwa spjegat u elaborat aktar mill-Qdusija Tiegħu, Ħażrat Mirża Masroor Aħmad, il-Mexxej tal-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana, li qal:

“Wieħed irid jiftakar illi anke fejn il-protesti jew l-istrajkijiet isiru fil-paċi, mingħajr ħsara kriminali jew vjolenza, dan xorta jista’ jkollu effetti negattivi. Dan għaliex, anke l-protesti paċifiċi ta’ spiss jirriżultaw f’telf ta’ miljuni fl-ekonomija tal-pajjiż. Taħt l-ebda ċirkostanza mġiba bħal din ma tista’ titqies bħala eżempju ta’ lealtà lejn in-nazzjon.

Prinċipju tad-deheb mgħallem mill-Fundatur tal-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana hu li rridu nibqgħu obbidjenti lejn Alla, il-Profeti u l-mexxejja tan-nazzjon tagħna. Dan hu l-istess tagħlim mogħti fil-Koran Imqaddes. Għalhekk, anke fejn pajjiż jippermetti l-istrajkijiet u l-protesti, dawn għandhom isiru biss kemm-il darba ma jikkawżawx ħsara lin-nazzjon jew l-ekonomija.” (Il-kriżi dinjija u t-triq għallpaċi, p. 50)

Reazzjoni għal ħakkiema inġusti

Tqum il-mistoqsija kif il-Musulmani għandhom jirrispondu lill-ħakkiema tagħhom jekk jaħsbu li huma inġusti. Darba, il-kumpanni tal-Qaddis Profeta Muħammad, is-sliem għalih, staqsewh:

“O Profeta ta’ Alla, x’nagħmlu jekk ikollna ħakkiema fuqna li jitolbu d-drittijiet tagħhom iżda jżommu d-drittijiet tagħna?” Hu wieġeb: “Isimgħuhom u obduhom [irrispettivament]. Fuqhom hu t-toqol tagħhom u fuqkom ikun it-toqol tagħkom.”

Id-dmirijiet tal-gvern

Fuq kollox, il-gvern għandu wkoll jaqdi d-dmirijiet tiegħu li jwettaq id-drittijiet liċ-ċittadini kollha tiegħu mingħajr ebda favur jew diskriminazzjoni; u l-istituzzjonijiet u l-awtoritajiet tal-Istat għandhom ukoll isiru konxji tar-responsabbiltajiet tagħhom.

Il-gvern għandu jifhem ukoll is-sitwazzjoni li sempliċement l-użu tal-forza biex iwieġeb għal kwistjonijiet bħal dawn mhuwiex ir-risposta, u lanqas l-użu tal-forza s-soluzzjoni biex isolvu l-problemi. Fil-fatt, il-gvernijiet jistgħu jiffunzjonaw biss meta ċ-ċittadini kollha jingħataw id-drittijiet dovuti lilhom.

Għalhekk, kull meta tinqala’ xi problema, il-gvern għandu mill-ewwel jibda d-djalogu bejn l-imsieħba kollha sabiex jifhem is-sitwazzjoni sew u jsib soluzzjoni tajba u jassigura lill-parti milquta li l-ġustizzja tkun moqdija u ħadd ma jkun imċaħħad mill-ġustizzja.

L-ugwaljanza, il-mogħdrija u l-ġustizzja

Meta l-gvern jikkonsulta u juri simpatija matul dawn iż-żminijiet, tassew jipprovdi kumdità u serħan lil dawk affettwati; u s-sitwazzjoni tista’ tinżamm kalma u paċifika.

Il-Koran, b’hekk, jagħmilha ċara li l-bnedmin kollha jitwieldu ndaqs u jgħallem b’mod ċar bħall-kristall li persuni minn nazzjonijiet jew razez differenti huma ugwali. Huwa ċar ukoll li l-persuni kollha għandhom jingħataw drittijiet ugwali mingħajr ebda diskriminazzjoni jew preġudizzju.

Jien ċert li dawn il-valuri tal-ugwaljanza, il-mogħdrija, l-empatija, u l-ġustizzja huma soluzzjonijiet mill-aqwa f’sitwazzjonijiet bħal dawn; u dawn il-valuri jistgħu joħolqu t-triq għar-rikonċiljazzjoni, il-ftehim, l-armonija u l-paċi dejjiema.

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What does Islam say about happiness?

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We often tend to seek happiness in worldly pursuits, often forgetting that true and eternal happiness in its greatest sense, lies only in the remembrance and pursuit of our Gracious and Loving God, Allah the Almighty.

Our sole purpose – by which true happiness can be achieved – is living a life full of purpose, righteousness and performing deeds which are pleasing to Allah, not only in the pursuit of a good and happy afterlife but because “surely, Allah loves those who do good”. (Holy Quran, 2:196) 

How to find true happiness?

God says in the Holy Quran:

“And that it is He Who makes [people] laugh and makes [them] weep,” (53:44). It means that happiness and contentment come from God; if there is no God, there is no contentment; there is no reason of our living.

It is further elaborated that: “It is only in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort,” (13:29). “For him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Gardens,” (55:57).

It means that, those who develop their bond of friendship with their Creator, they are promised that they will be made heirs of true and everlasting happiness – that will not be limited to this world alone, but will continue in their next life. In these verses we are told that pursuit of spiritual knowledge and higher moral values gives man perfect contentment and equanimity in this life and in the Hereafter.

Appreciation and gratitude

Furthermore, the values of appreciation and gratitude, and valuing everything that we have is also a means of happiness. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said that in matters of the world look at those who are below you, and do not look at those who are above you, for that is more likely to hold you back from belittling the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon you.

I have learned this golden principle of happy life that, we must become grateful of whatever we have, and never think and concern about that which we don’t have, or which is beyond our capacity; and always remain satisfied with Allah’s blessings. A beautiful aspect of satisfied life is simplicity, because greed and jealousy are the means of disappointment, affliction, agony, anguish and despair.

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Happiness and Entertainment

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With the start of summer, the words ‘entertainment’, ‘enjoyment’ or ‘happiness’ are largely heard all over the world, including our beloved Island – Malta. Different people have different understanding of the happiness, contentment and satisfaction; and they apply different means and ways for their entertainment and happiness. Some see the glass half filled, when some see it as half empty; some find peace in spending thousands for concerts, where some find peace in helping those in need. This is a very dynamic subject to deal with.

In search of fun, many outings, gatherings, dinners, fun and boat parties are organised throughout the summer. Moreover, numerous musical nights, concerts, shows, wine tours, dance nights, just to name a few, are held in the name of entertainment and fun.

So, what is happiness and what does it mean to be happy? What are the true means for entertainment, enjoyment or happiness? What remedy one should apply in the search of having true and lasting satisfaction of heart and mind?

What is happiness?

It is a natural phenomenon that human nature wants happiness and peace of mind. Every human being – be it Asian, European, African or American – has an ingrained thirst of happiness. And when we analyse this further we find that, all human efforts are in pursuit of gladness, contentment and satisfaction. Man is in a constant struggle in finding the real meaning of life, the real purpose of life, the real objective of life, and for that they set many goals to achieve their aims.

One can argue this notion is holistically individualistic and subjective because happiness means something different for everyone, everywhere. Some attribute their happiness to a strong sense of community, some relish traditional forms of singing which makes them happy, some ascribe happiness to their infrastructure, strong social support and a healthy appreciation for individual liberty, whilst some associate happiness through living in harmony with, and having an appreciation for the natural environment around them. The religious understanding and cultural differences also shape our understanding of happiness.

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Id-Dawl 68

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Dialogue over aggression

Freedom of speech and expression are vital and fundamental human rights but, just as no right is absolute, similarly this right also demands and expects decency, sensitivity and responsibility.

The painful and loathsome incident of burning the Quran in Stockholm, Sweden in the name of ‘expression of an opinion’ is not an act of freedom of speech but, rather, an act of provocation and an act of undermining the peace of the society.

We see similar incidences from time to time but I always wonder what the end goal is. Does such provocation serve any aim?

Burning a copy or a few pages of Quran – a holy book for around two billion Muslims – can serve no purpose except to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims around the globe. Such acts of hatred and provocation may destroy and compromise the peace of the world.

Salwan Momika, who burnt the Quran, said he wanted “to express his opinion about the Quran”. Wouldn’t it have been more appropriate to discuss any objections or questions he has about the teachings of the Quran? Because if any rational person has an issue with the teachings of the Quran, the natural course of action is to find an explanation for it either by researching or asking a learned person on the subject.

There are already so many divisions, wars, conflicts and problems that have fractured the entire fabric of the world and decency and wisdom require us to apply ointment to the wounds of the bleeding world, instead of adding further injuries to it; we must try to heal the wounds.

If we ponder over the current situation of the world, we find that many academics, political experts and respected analysts are warning that we are approaching a grave period in the history of humanity. They have stated that we are living in a time of unprecedented danger and have warned that there is a significant risk of a global war being triggered either intentionally or by miscalculation.

Burning a copy or a few pages of the Quran can serve no purpose except to hurt the religious sentiments of Muslims– Laiq Ahmed Atif

Therefore, time requires us to bring an end to the cycle of warfare and bloodshed that we witness today. This is a time to pour ointment on the wounds, not to rub salt into them. It is a time to extinguish the fire with water instead of fanning the flames by adding petrol; and of spreading love and compassion, instead of hatred and extremism.

It is a time to build bridges of faith and trust between peoples, countries and regions, instead of building walls of uncertainty and despair. It is a time to promote unity, not division; of living with humanity, decency and respect and not with discourtesy and mockery.

In line with the above, Islam guides its followers to always be respectful of the sentiments of others. The Quran touches upon this on different occasions: “Revile not those whom they call upon beside God, lest they, out of spite, revile God in their ignorance” (6:109); and “O ye who believe, let not one people deride another people, who may be better than they, nor let women deride other women who may be better than they” (49:12).

To create an atmosphere of love and peace in international relations and a tolerant and harmonious world, we need to follow these principles. Harmony between different people and faiths can be increased by not uttering anything that is hurtful to others, even in a lighter vein.

It is my heartfelt appeal that we should always be mindful of our actions and what we say and write. We should not fan the flames of hatred, malice, animosity and hostility because they endanger the peace and security of our planet.

In addition, we must promote and spread the message of ‘Love for all, hatred for none’ throughout the four corners of the world. And may we be the guardians of respect, peace and prosperity rather than the agents of insult, war and bloodshed.

Times of Malta | Monday 24 July 2023 | amjmalta@gmail.com | Laiq Ahmed Atif | Laiq Ahmed Atif is president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta.

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The Hope to Live

It-Tama li Ngħix

Il-ħajja hija sabiħa għalhekk irridu nippruvaw ngħixuha bis-sħiħ, b’mod tajjeb u ġenwin, u nieħdu ħsieb tagħna nfusna u m’għandniex nieħdu l-affarijiet for granted, anzi, irridu naħdmu ħafna, inxammru l-kmiem u nagħmlu ħilitna kollha biex insegwu l-ġmiel tal-ħajja u nagħmlu ħajjitna l-aqwa ħajja li qatt tista’ tkun f’termini ta’ saħħa, edukazzjoni, karriera, moralità u spiritwalità.

Dan l-aħħar kelli opportunità biex nattendi ċ-ċerimonja tal-gradwazzjoni tal-Caritas li saret f’San Blas, u smajna l-istejjer ta’ erbatax-il persuna li temmew il-programm ta’ riabilitazzjoni b’suċċess.

‘M’iniex numru’

Fl-istejjer tagħhom innutajt ħafna messaġġi u punti importanti fosthom is-suċċess, il-kuraġġ u t-tama. Kulħadd ried u kellu tama li jgħix ħajja diċenti, ħajja normali, ħajja b’dinjità u fuq kollox ħajja mal-familja.

Dan il-messaġġ ġie enfasizzat aktar permezz tat-tema magħżula għaċ-ċerimonja ta’ din is-sena, li, ‘M’iniex numru’, imma l-persuna, il-bniedem bħal ħaddieħor, bl-istess demm fil-vini u bl-istess emozzjonijiet bħal kulħadd.

Kulħadd huwa gwardjan

Il-Qaddis Profeta Muħammad, is-sliem għalih, qal li kull wieħed minnkom huwa gwardjan fuq xi ħadd, inti se tkun responsabbli tan-nies li inti maħtur gwardjan fuqhom. Ilkoll kemm aħna nsiru gwardjani fl-oqsma tar-responsabbiltajiet tagħna. Aħna se nkunu responsabbli.

Kull wieħed u kull waħda minna huwa responsabbli dwar dmirijiet differenti. Aħna responsabbli għal saħħitna stess, dwar il-familji tagħna, il-ġenituri, l-imsieħba, it-tfal u f’ħafna kapaċitajiet oħra bħala ċittadini. Għalhekk, huwa importanti ħafna li dejjem inkunu konxji dwar id-doveri tagħna.

Rigal mill-isbaħ

Il-ħajja u s-saħħa tajba hija rigal prezzjuż u mill-isbaħ ta’ Alla, għalhekk, irridu nibqgħu dejjem konxji u viġilanti dwar dan ir-rigal għali minn Sidna, u qatt ma nħalluh jitħassar jew jiddgħajjef.

Jekk verament għandi tama li ngħix, u mhux li neżisti biss, allura huwa dmiri, huwa obbligu fuqi, li għandi biex nieħu ħsieb lili nnifsi.

Kif jingħad li “l-karità tibda mid-dar”, bl-istess mod, jekk nixtieq nieħu ħsieb lil dawk li l-aktar huma importanti għalija, allura, qabel kollox irrid nieħu ħsieb tiegħi nnifsi u saħħti, sabiex ikolli s-saħħa u l-kuraġġ kollu li nkun nista’ nħares lill-għeżież kollha tiegħi.

Il-qerda tal-ħolm

Mingħajr l-ebda nitfa ta’ dubju nafu u nafu sew li t-teħid ta’ sustanzi illeċiti ta’ drogi jagħmel ħsara enormi lis-saħħa tal-bniedem. Ma tgħaddix ġurnata waħda mingħajr aħbarijiet daqshekk koroh u ta’ wġigħ. Nisimgħu aħbarijiet bħal dawn u stejjer ta’ tbatija ta’ nies li huma dipendenti fuq id-droga.

Dawn il-vizzji jkaxkru, ifarrku, iħassru u jeqirdu mhux biss is-saħħa, iżda wkoll il-ħolm; mhux biss illum, imma wkoll għada; mhux biss il-preżent iżda wkoll il-futur.

Fil-qosor, id-dipendenza fuq id-droga mhi xejn ħlief it-telf u t-telf biss

Biex jindirizzaw din il-problema, il-Ġnus Magħquda josservaw is-26 ta’ Ġunju bħala l-jum internazzjonali kontra l-abbuż mid-droga biex isaħħu l-koperazzjoni bejn l-imsieħba differenti ħalli jinkiseb l-għan ta’ dinja ħielsa mill-abbuż tad-droga.

Ir-rivista ‘Id-Dawl’

Min-naħa tagħna, bħala dmir nazzjonali, il-Komunità Ahmadiyya Musulmana Malta indirizzat dan is-suġġett fir-rivista tagħha li toħroġ kull xahar, Id-Dawl. Sabiex nedukaw lilna nfusna u lil uliedna, u flimkien naraw kif se nsalvaw in-nisġa soċjali milli taqa’ fin-nasba tal-użu ta’ sustanzi illeċiti.

Inħeġġeġ lill-qarrejja tagħna biex iżuru l-websajt tagħna biex jaqraw aktar dwar dan is-suġġett importantissimu. http://www.ahmadiyya.mt/id-dawl . In-Nazzjon 15.07.2023 | Laiq Ahmed Atif | amjmalta@gmail.com

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The family wellbeing

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Family well-being is vital to thriving communities, societies, and nations. Families, who are able to make informed decisions, manage their basic needs, and tackle pressing human and community issues are better equipped to lead happy and healthy lives. A range of factors can affect family well-being, and investments in families contribute significantly to the spiritual, social, and economic development of every nation.

Righteousness and trustworthiness

I would like to highlight some basic and key principles for strengthening family unit and for their wellbeing. The Holy Quran has instructed to make righteousness and trustworthiness the foundation for all of our relationships. God Almighty has taught us a prayer in the Holy Quran which is,

“Our Lord! Grant us of our wives and children the delight of our eyes, and make us a model and leader for the righteous.” (25:75)

A role model

It means that, the underlining principles of righteousness, morality, virtues, positivity and piety are the key factors for building strong, healthy, prosperous and vibrant families. The words ‘makes us a role model and a leader for the righteous’, are very important words to ponder over. The message of this verse is that if we truly want strong, healthy, valued and principled families, if we truly are concerned for the wellbeing of our families, then we must display high moral values; then we must lead by examples, then we must try to become people of tall and strong character.

For strengthening the family, everyone must let go every kind of arrogance, pride, jealousy etc. Instead, the relationship should be like that of true and sincere friends. In addition, patience and forbearance is the key to a successful, peaceful and harmonious family life.

A garment for each other

For the family wellbeing the relationship of parents is vital and both should complement each other in every matter. The teaching of the Holy Quran in this regard is: “Your wives are a garment for you, and you are a garment for your wives.” (2:188)

This verse points out that in the institution of marriage, mere fulfillment of individual pleasure and emotional gratification is not the ultimate goal, rather the goal is to create a harmonious environment of trust, respect and love between the married couple and their families.

The reformation of the youth

I would like to quote two wonderful quotations, as guiding principles and food for thought, for better and stronger future families. Napoleon once said: Give me an educated mother, I shall promise you the birth of a civilized, educated nation.”

The second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has provided us a golden principle that, “Nations cannot be reformed without the reformation of the youth.” If we truly desire the wellbeing of our families then we must reform our youth so when they form their families they always keep their families wellbeing close to their heart and an integral part of their priorities.

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Quran Burning in Sweden and Protests in France

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A happy married life

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Islam, as a complete religion valid for every time and place, has provided a solution to every problem and issue. Among the matters that Islam has addressed with great accuracy is marital life. Both the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa – who was the complete embodiment of the Quranic teachings, emphasize that the foundation of a successful marriage should be built upon affection, love, togetherness, and mercy.

“And one of His Signs is this, that He has created wives for you from among yourselves that you may find peace of mind in them, and He has put love and tenderness between you. In that surely are Signs for a people who reflect.” (Holy Quran, 30:22)

This verse clearly shows that a true and happy marriage is a means of ‘peace of mind, love, tenderness and compassion’. However, if a married couple does not find ‘peace of mind and unconditional love’ then it means that the marriage is void from its true meaning, philosophy and objective.

Positive attributes

Islam also instructs them that they should always focus on the positive attributes, good habits and strong features of each other; and always overlook each other’s shortcomings. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa highlighted this golden principle of focusing on positive features instead of weaknesses of each other, and said:

“A believer must not hate a believing woman; if he dislikes one of her characteristics, he will be pleased with another.”

A fragile load

Before the advent of Islam women had limited or no rights and it brought about a revolution that established countless rights for women. Such rights paved the way for a better and happy married life. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa always advised his followers to take great care of their wives. He was an exemplary person in this respect. Once he was on a journey and a young boy was driving the camels fast, the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said to him, ‘slow down; slow down, because there is fragile load (women) on the camels’.

The duties and rights

To make the married life happy and means of peace, Islam clarifies the duties and rights of both husband and wife. Islam teaches that if a peaceful society is sought, then everyone’s rights must be given and everyone must play their role and duty. This shows, from the very outset of a marriage, it has been made clear that men and women are equal, and they have been created from a single soul, and thus both possess similar qualities. Therefore, both should focus on discharging their duties properly to make their family life ideal and happy.

Two best friends

A true friendship is a strong bond between two people. Hence, the same friendly relationship should be established between a husband and a wife. This however, must be established after marriage. In today’s society, a man and a woman establish a friendship beforehand, and then get married. However data shows that such marriages have a higher percentage of breaking down.

In Islam, one marries under the shade and for the pleasure of God. If both, husband and wife, keep this in mind that they are becoming a married couple for the sake of God and according to His teachings and commandments, then such family life will become a true means of happiness, satisfaction and contentment.

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The basic building block for peace

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I truly believe that the peace in the society depends on the peace of our homes and families. Moreover, serenity within our homes and healthy families are a means for the success, prosperity, comfort and fruitfulness. The Spiritual Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaba, has, in a nutshell, highlighted the importance of healthy and peaceful families, and said:

“The basic building block for peace in society is tranquillity and harmony within the family home. The situation within a home is not limited, but has a knock-on effect on the peace of the local area, which in turn affects the peace of the wider town or city. If there is disturbance in the home it will negatively affect the local area and that will affect the town or city. In the same way, the state of the town or city affects the peace of the entire country and ultimately the state of a nation affects the peace and harmony of the region or the entire world.” http://www.ahmadiyya.mt/id-dawl

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Id-Dawl 67

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God really exists

Alla Tassew Jeżisti

Il-kunċett ta’ Alla dejjem kien suġġett importanti, u nsibu li nies ta’ kull età, imma b’mod partikolari t-tfal, kienu u għadhom ħerqana biex ikunu jafu jekk verament hemmx Alla.

Bħala Musulmana, nemmen li l-preżenza ta’ Alla fil-ħajja tagħna hija l-essenza tat-twemmin tagħna. L-għan primarju ta’ kull reliġjon huwa li tiggwida lill-umanità lejn Alla u li taqdi l-ħolqien Tiegħu.

Imma kif nistgħu nifhmu u nesperjenzaw l-eżistenza ta’ Alla? Dan ifakkarni storja qasira ħafna, iżda profonda u għaqlija ta’ bedwin Għarbi.

Darba, filosfu ltaqa’ ma’ Bedwin Għarbi. Il-filosfu staqsieh: Inti temmen f’Alla? Il-Bedwin wieġbu: Iva jiena nemmen f’Alla. Il-filosfu staqsieh: Xi prova għandek tal-eżistenza ta’ Alla? It-tweġiba tal-Bedwin kienet sempliċi ħafna iżda mimlija bl-għerf. Ir-risposta tiegħu tant kienet importanti li titfa’ dawl biżżejjed b’mod komprensiv fuq is-suġġett tal-eżistenza ta’ Alla. Il-Bedwin wieġeb:

Meta xi ħadd li jkun għaddej mill-ġungla jilmaħ il-ħmieġ tal-ġemel, huwa jikkonkludi li ġemel ikun għadda minn hemm; jekk jara l-marka ta’ sieq ta’ raġel fir-ramel tad-deżert, huwa jiddeduċi li xi vjaġġatur ikun għadda minn din it-triq. Issa, meta nħarsu lejn din id-dinja, bil-marki wiesgħa kollha tagħha, u din is-sema, bix-xemx tagħha, u l-qamar u l-kwiekeb, ma jġagħluniex naħsbu li bilfors kellhom bżonn Ħallieq?

Kemm huwa kliem profond, razzjonali u għaqli dak ta’ Bedwin Għarbi illitterat. Bla dubju ta’ xejn, kollox f’din id-dinja huwa prova definita tal-eżistenza ta’ xi Ħallieq – Alla tagħna – li ħalaqha.

Sempliċi pinna jew karta ma jistgħux jeżistu mingħajr disinjatur jew kreatur. Mela, kif inhu possibbli li l-univers sħiħ li huwa tant organizzat, u li huwa kapulavur ta’ perfezzjoni u glorja, beda jeżisti mingħajr disinjatur jew kreatur?

Imam Laiq Ahmed Atif | Il-Leħen 25.06.2023 | amjmalta@gmail.com

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Eid-Ul-Azha 2023

Eid-Ul-Azha 2023 Mubarak #EidAlAdha #EidUlAdha2023 #EidUlAdha2023 #EidMubarak #AhmadiyyaMalta #Malta

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Where are you Lord?

The institution of pilgrimage in the history of religions has a great significance. Muslims from all over the world gather in Mecca for the pilgrimage and they are expected to spend about 10 days entirely dedicated to the memory of God.

This grand display of universality points to the message of unification of humanity on earth under the Lord of the Universe. The pilgrimage is an affective instrument for the purpose of establishing the true and strong bond between mankind and the creator.

According to Islam, the purpose of life and of our being is to acquire true understanding of God, to fall in love with him, worship him and strive to become a reflection and mani­festa­tion of his divine attri­­butes. In brief, the purpose of life for all humans is to find God and lose themselves in him.

This can be accomplished by two means.

Firstly, humans must strive to attain absolute moderation in their worldly pursuits and work tirelessly for the service of humanity. And, secondly, humans are to use the talents bestowed on them and direct all their efforts to establish an everlasting and sacred attachment to God Almighty.

When we humans start our journey towards spirituality, our souls ask the age-old question: God, where are you and how can I find you?

According to the Holy Quran (50:17), “God is nearer to us than even our jugular vein”. However, to truly find him and fall in love with him requires a concerted effort, as God says: “And as for those who strive in our path – we will surely guide them in our ways. And verily God is with those who do good deeds” (Quran, 29:70).

Those who strive in the path of God will not be abandoned; they will find God the Almighty. The Holy Prophet Muhammad once said that God says when a servant of mine advances towards me a foot, I advance towards him a yard and when he advances towards me a yard, I advance toward him the length of his arms spread out, when he comes to me walking, I go to him running and when he runs to me, I pick him up in my arms.

And when a man turns to God with a pure heart praying “our Lord guides us to the right path” he not only makes the way easier but it also earns his pleasure.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad also stated: “God is more pleased by a servant of his who turns to him than a person who finds his lost camel in a barren desert which carries his food and drink.”

Furthermore, the following verse of the Holy Quran (2:187) demonstrates how God is closer than we think and, by making a simple effort, we can attain his nearness: “And when my servants ask thee 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.”

The above references show that if we are truly willing to find God, it is not only possible but simple and when we turn to him with a pure heart and intention, we can experience him.

The existence of God is evident universally and he is visible everywhere and in every­thing. The Lord calls on creation: Look for me in the mountains and in the valleys. Find me in the eyes of a beggar and in the glory of a king. Look for me in the yearning of the heart, in the tears, through the supplications and prostrations. Find me in the chirping of birds and in the beauty of the flowers. My glory is in autumn, my glory is in spring.

As the Quran (2:116) eloquently states: “To Allah belongs the east and the west, so wherever you turn (face) there will be the face (presence) of Allah.” The presence of God is evident everywhere, in the complex and beautiful design of our home planet, in our galaxy and beyond.

If we know through logic and rationality that a house has a builder and a watch has a maker, how can we logically deny that our beautiful planet has a creator? If we still don’t see him, then this is the fault of our eyes, hearts and souls.

How can God love us and accept our turning to him if we are harming and afflicting his creation? In this regard, I love the following golden words of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad, the fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community: “If you love the artist, then you must love his art. And if you love the creator, then you must love his creation.”

However, we find that, in today’s world, the coldness, disbelief, hard-heartedness and self-interest of the socie­ty and materialism is taking us away from God Almighty and human values.

I believe this current time is calling us to return to our Lord and our core human values. We must try our utmost to bridge the rift and void that is growing between humanity and God Almighty, along with helping people in their time of need.

In this time of global disorder, disparity and economic difficulty, our mission and duty should be to utilise whatever resources are available in order to ease the pain and bring comfort to those who are deprived or facing trials and tribulations, without seeking any benefit or return.

To conclude, these are the keys to unlocking the doors that lead to the eventual result: a firm relationship with God. Unfortunately, the sad truth is that this is a lock that not many nowadays can open or do not even attempt to open.

The Holy Quran (18:111) states: “So whoever wants to meet his Lord, he should become a true benefactor of humanity and do righteous and good deeds.” Let us all attempt this endeavour together.

Times Of Malta | Laiq Ahmed Atif | amjmalta@gmail.com | Laiq Ahmed Atif is president of Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat Malta. http://www.ahmadiyya.mt

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Youth and addiction

NAUMAN ATIF .| Read this article in MALTESE

Addiction is the condition or compulsive need for a particular substance or activity. Examples include addiction of smoking, alcohol, drugs, a certain food, and online activity; addiction is just anything in excessive amounts. Addiction is like a parasitic association. The longer you keep taking it the harder it is to remove it. The excess of everything is bad, this even includes water and food an essential source for living, is also deadly in excess. Having a balance between works and studying, different activities, and having some free time is also essential. Even balancing foods with having a daily intake of dairies, fruits and vegetables, protein, fats and sugars, oils, and carbohydrates are also important.

In these times the most dangerous addictions are the excessive usage of alcohol, drugs and screen time. Governments are spending big amounts of money in tackling drug misuse, fighting the war on drugs and other ruinous addictions. But, worryingly, the number of people turning to drugs and addictions is dramatically rising.

A way for numerous diseases

There are huge problems with the consumption of alcohol, drugs and smoking cigarettes. It ruins the way one thinks, makes way for numerous cancers, diseases and weakens the immune system. The tar that is inhaled into the lungs remains there for numerous years before being removed. Imagine the damage smoking would do.

To avoid falling into addiction, it is important to be resistant early on. Vanity disguised as entertainment can quickly turn into a serious problem, affecting behaviour, health and one’s social and economic well-being. Addiction leads to an aversion towards the more important matters of life.

Man is lacking trust and faith in God and when there is no trust in God then man tries to find relaxation through these addictions. Unfortunately, the reality is that, even in these addictions, man does not find either solace or satisfaction.

Good works drive away the evil ones

God has taught us a beautiful way to remove bad habits and help addicts, that, “good works drive away the evil ones,” (Holy Quran, 11:115). This means that if a person desires to get rid of an evil habit, he should begin to practice a corresponding virtue. In this way, he will soon get rid of his evil habit. This principle is very profound as it counters evil with good.

One should spend time in praying, remembering God, The Creator and doing good to fellow human beings. One should try to spend time on good, virtuous deeds rather than evil ones. One should not stay without something to do as Satan starts to fill up the empty space.

The Almighty God says: Aye! It is in the remembrance of Allah that hearts can find comfort. Oh, you the restless society, oh, you the restless world know for certain that true tranquility, true peace of mind is in the remembrance of God and is in the relationship with God.

This is a great and extremely natural truth. The more the people of the world seek the paltry goods of this life, the greater becomes the hunger and the consequent burning of their hearts as opposed to those who seek God, the more they turn to Him, the greater is their peace of mind and God surely helps His believers.

Cultivating a positive change

Mere abstention would not help the purpose. A person who has nothing to do would relapse in his vice many a times unless the nothing is replaced by something valuable, something greater, something more attractive, which cultivates a positive change in a person

Parents have a huge responsibility to guide their young children, their youth, as only through their compassionate preparation and by leading with their own example can the child stay away from addictions.

Nip the evil in the bud

There is a story in accordance to this. There was once a man who had committed many crimes and had exceeded all limits. After he was caught and was about to be hanged for all his crimes, he was asked whether he had a last wish.

He said he wished to meet his mother. When his mother came closer he told her he wanted to say something in her ear. He then bit her ear so hard that she cried loudly in pain.

Hearing all this noise, the guards rushed forward and cursed him: had he no shame? Despite having committed so many crimes, moments before his death he does injury to his own mother.

The criminal replied: “Indeed, today is when I have done a good deed. When I committed petty crimes and people used to complain to my mother, she took my side and, despite knowing the truth, she did not reprimand me. As a result, I became bolder and a big criminal. Had she stopped me from committing minor evils at the time, I would not have become a criminal.”

The moral of this story is that every habit, good or bad, starts with small steps. With the passage of time, it becomes an unbreakable habit and then an addiction.

Solace and satisfaction

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to always avoid every kind of addiction, live healthy and balanced lives, remain focused on positivity and enjoy every blessing of God bestowed upon us, and surely this will lead us to eternal happiness and success.

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Is addiction a source of peace?

MUSKAN ATIF .| Read this article in MALTESE

It is said that ‘youth are the backbone or strength of any nation’ and they are ‘the future of their nation and country’. Therefore, they must take care of themselves and live a healthy and safe life, far away from any bad habits or addictions.

If we read newspapers we find that addiction is a huge problem of our societies. Drug misuse is a massive problem facing the world today. Children are losing their lives, dreams and future to drugs. Countless homes have been wrecked and drug-related crimes are destroying families and ruining the social fabric of communities.

People, who aren’t addicted, will feel alive, fresh, strong and competent. They will spend time with their families and also with friends. They will feel really happy and proud of their selves that they aren’t addicted.

They will have time for studying, making a better future by studying and they will also get a good job and good salary and much more. They’ll feel like they are in heaven. Their good health, positive attitude, strong family, nice friends, thriving career and positive thinking will lead them to the love of God and love of humanity; these will lead them to satisfaction, contentment and happiness.

Because, there can be no true peace of mind without God and without serving others. The more we turn to God and love others, the greater is the peace of mind and happiness.

Never forget, on the other hand, addictions lead to anxiety, loneliness and depression, and they can never lead to satisfaction and happiness.

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Prevention is better than cure

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The life itself is a great challenge, however, in the times of live in, it has been become even far greater challenge for every one of us. One of such challenges is the increasing usage of illicit drugs, addiction and the easy availability and cheap price of drugs. To address this ever increasing problem, to highlight its harms, to raise awareness and to educate the general public, the United Nations observes 26 June as the international day against drug abuse to streamline cooperation between different stake holders to achieve the goal of a world free of drug abuse.

In this issue of “Id-Dawl” we will be discussing this issue according to Islamic perspective to provide our readers some food for thought and how we can prevent our social fabric to fall into the trap of usage of illicit drugs.

Undoubtedly, ‘prevention is better than cure’. So, we must educate ourselves, our children, our communities and our nation about the destruction such drugs cause to human health, family and social bonding. Such addiction literally destroys individuals, families and their loved ones. Therefore, we must role our sleeves and leave no stone unturned to defeat this destructive poison that is rapidly infiltrating within our societies.

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Id-Dawl 66

Prevention is better than cure – Is addiction a source of happiness and peace? – The Youth and addiction – Nip the evil in the bud!

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