Questions and Answers
The Light (Pakistan), 16th February 1923 Issue (Vol. 2, No. 4, p. 3–4)
Question:
Are we allowed to use slave maids without marrying them? If so, how many? Could they exceed the number four? — Mr Abdul Aziz
Answer:
No. Marriage, that is, the declaration of taking a maid as a wife, is essential.
No, we cannot exceed the limit of four.
Question:
Distinguish fully between a Kafir and Ahl-i-Kitab. Can one be both at the same time? — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
A Kafir is one who does not believe in Islam; he may or may not be Ahi-i-Kitab, that is, follower of the Book.
Question:
Are there mushriks [those who set up false gods with Allah] in the Muslims? — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
Yes. Some Muslims commit a sort of shirk [the act of setting up false gods with Allah].
Question:
Is it lawful for an Ahmadi to say prayers behind a non-Ahmadi Imam? — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
An Ahmadi can say his prayers with non-Ahmadi Imam, provided the latter makes a public declaration that he considers the late Hazrat Mirza Sahib and his followers as Muslims.
Question:
Who is the second successor of the Promised Messiah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian]? — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
All his followers are his successors, provided they do the work assigned by him.
Question:
Can we call a man righteous who is not the recipient of divine revelations? (See Note 598: Muhammad Ali’s Translation of the Quran.)
Answer:
Yes. Every man who leads a holy life is righteous. We cannot always know whether a man is the recipient of divine revelation or not. The Holy Quran, of course, has plainly said that the
الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا وَ کَانُوۡا یَتَّقُوۡنَ ﴿ؕ۶۳﴾ لَہُمُ الۡبُشۡرٰی فِی الۡحَیٰوۃِ الدُّنۡیَا
“righteous shall have good news in this life” (The Holy Quran, 10:63–64).
Question:
Who is greater as regards the number of revelations: Mian Mahmud Ahmad or Maulvi Muhammad Ali? — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
I do not know. You may put this question to them.
It is not revelation alone that makes men great.
Question:
Quote revelations of non-prophets containing the word nabi (prophet). — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
I am afraid the answer to this question is too lengthy for these columns.
Our Society is going to publish shortly a book, the Aulya-i-Ummat, in which this is fully dealt with. I should like to recommend the perusal of this book.
Question:
What punishment did Dr Abdul Hakeem and Sanaullah of Amritsar get for their behaviour against the Promised Messiah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian]? — Syed Inamullah Shah
Answer:
Dr Abdul Hakeem died in the prime of age without attaining any success. Maulana Sanaullah was asked to do mubahila [spiritual duel], but he declined.
For further particulars, please see the pamphlet The Ayatullah.
Question:
Do you admit the immortality of the soul? If so, where does it go after death? — Mr Sachindu Kumar Chakarwarty
Answer:
Yes.
The soul does not require any space.
Question:
What is the necessity of following a prophet? Can we get salvation without following a prophet? — Mr Sachindu Kumar Chakarwarty
Answer:
A prophet is the medium of the divine word, hence the necessity of following him is apparent.
Salvation is the consequence of the evolution of the soul, and our soul cannot be evolved to its highest pitch unless we obey the divine word, which we get only through a prophet.
Question:
What are angels? Have you ever seen them? If not, what makes you believe in their existence? — Mr Sachindu Kumar Chakarwarty
Answer:
Divine functionaries are called angels.
No [I have never seen them].
It is not necessary that we should believe only in things which we have seen. Did you ever see a soul? I hope not; and still I think you believe in its existence, as your first question shows.
Question:
Does your religion allow you to dine with a Hindu in his house? If it does, why? If not, why?
Answer:
Yes, the food of the People of Book is permissible.
I am sorry; I cannot understand your other “whys.”
Question:
What is Id-ul-Azha [Eid-ul-Adha]? Explain it fully. — Mr Sachindu Kumar Chakarwarty
Answer:
Azha means sacrifice; Id-ul-Azha, the festival of sacrifice.
It is a famous festival of the Muslims on which they offer animal sacrifice, which is, of course, a symbolical act for sacrificing everything for Allah.
For further particulars, please read my [Maulana Mustafa Khan’s] book, The Hajj, which can be had from the Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-i-Islam Lahore.
Question:
Suppose I am a Muslim, and optionally become a Hindu or a Christian. Now, will you in such a case apply force to make me give up my new faith?
Answer:
No.
The Holy Quran says:
لَاۤ اِکۡرَاہَ فِی الدِّیۡنِ ۟
“There should be no compulsion in religion” (The Holy Quran, 2:256).
Question:
What is your opinion about our Sri Krishna and Hinduism? — Mr Sachindu Kumar Chakarwarty
Answer:
I think Sri Krishna was a holy man, and Hinduism was originally a divine religion, but by the lapse of time it has become corrupt and obsolete.
Question:
What is Khilafat? Cannot Islam live without it? Cannot the Amir of Afghanistan be a Khalifa. — Mr Sachindu Kumar Chakarwarty
Answer:
Khilafat means succession.
The Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] was the divine teacher and also the head of the Muslim Kingdom of Arabia, which was established according to the divine promise in the Quran. He and his successors (Khalifas) protected the integrity of the sacred places of Islam situated in Arabia.
There must be a Muslim power to protect these places, and as the Turks are decidedly a strong nation, they are fit for it, and not the Amir of Afghanistan.