Published on Jun 10 2010 

In the Friday sermon today, Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih V (aba) mentioned some of the martyrs who were mercilessly attacked during the massacre in Lahore two weeks ago. Huzoor (aba) said these are those Ahmadi Muslims who were absolutely fearless even in the face of death, who did not beg for life before the assailants, instead remained occupied in the remembrance of Allah and tried to help others and save the life of others. They did not panic but supplicated before God and tried to overpower the attackers, if they could. Some of these believers were granted the status of martyrdom, which is eternal life, and their names shall shine bright like stars in the heavens in the annals of Ahmadiyyat, Insha'Allah. May Allah Almighty elevate their status in Paradise, Ameen.

Before mentioning the martyrs, Huzoor (aba) directed the attention of all Jamaat members towards Syedna Bilal Fund. He reminded that this fund exists since 1986, and was launched by Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih IV (rh) to collect funds for the assistance of the families of martyrs. Huzoor (aba) said that through this scheme, the Jamaat has been providing assistance, but it is the responsibility of Jamaat Ahmadiyya to provide any type of assistance to the families regardless of whether funds are available through Syedna Bilal Fund or not.

Huzoor (aba) then started with brief biography about some of the martyrs.

 

1. Munir Ahmad Shaikh Sahib, Ameer Jamaat District Lahore, martyred in Dar-ul-zikr. His father, Shaikh Taj Din Sahib, was a stationmaster and he performed Bai’at in 1927. He (father) was a friend of Mufti Malik Saif-ur-Rehman Sahib, who were both bitter opponents of the Jamaat. When they read a book written by the Promised Messiah (as), they were impressed by the love expressed towards the Holy Prophet (saw) and after reading a few books, thus accepted Ahmadiyyat. Munir Ahmad Shaikh sahib received his degree in LLB and was posted as a judge in different locations. In Lahore, he was posted as a special anti-corruption judge; then special judge in customs and was working for NAB when he was retired in 2000. He was famous for being a just man, and he was fearless. In Rawalpindi, he was appointed as judge to decide between two parties; where one party consisted of a group of women belonging to the Lahori Ahmadi Jamaat being represented by Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Sahib, and other party consisted of a maulvi. Munir Ahmad Shaikh sahib told both parties that he was an Ahmadi muslim. The maulvi did not seem to have any issues with him being an Ahmadi. In fact, it was Mujeeb-ur-Rehman sahib who was apprehensive that Judge sahib may decide against his client in his keenness to express his justice. Munir Ahmad Shaikh Sahib was a brave man, kind-hearted towards everyone and had great knowledge. He led a simple life. He served jamaat in various capacities (he was Director of Fazl-e-Umar foundation, and Sadr of Model town/Garden Town areas, etc.). He always looked after his family to the best of his abilities. He would say that he was born in the household of a poor stationmaster, but he looks after his own family because his children know that their father is a session judge. He was a moosi. Just one day prior to his martyrdom, his sister gave a talk to Lajna about how the system of wasiyyat is a means to attain Paradise, and when she came home, she asked Shaikh Sahib if what she had said was correct. In response, Shaikh Sahib that although this is correct, but the true guarantee to attain paradise is through martyrdom. Shaikh Sahib called from the mosque before his martyrdom, and told his wife that he had incurred injury to his head and leg, but said that he was fine. When he was directed to go towards the basement, he refused. When the assailants started firing, he requested all members to stay seated and recite durood. He borrowed a mobile phone from a Khadim and called the police, requesting their presence. The police said that they had already arrived at the premises, to which Shaikh Sahib responded angrily that they better get inside. According to an eyewitness (the Khadim whose mobile phone he had borrowed), the last words he heard being uttered by Shaikh Sahib was the proclamation of the Kalima. His wife said that before leaving for Jumma, he gave her the amount owed for chanda, and he had never done so before. He also told her about a case, the date of which was postponed, and entrusted her with some money to put in the case file. His wife says that prior to this, he had never discussed any case matters with her. He had expressed his desire to Hadhrat Khalifatul Massih IV (rh) that he would like to dedicate his life to the service of Jamaat. Khalifatul Massih IV (rh) suggested that he should continue to work where he was as this was an effective way of doing tabligh (propagation of Islam Ahmadiyyat). One of his sons suggested hiring a security guard, to which he said that what will that serve? If I get hit by a bullet, I will be among the martyrs. Mubashar Majeed Sahib, a murrabbi silsila, writes about him that in 1997-1998, when he was in Gulberg, that he received a phone call from the district Murabbi who said that a scholar had requested a meeting with both of them. This scholarly man was an opponent of Jamaat, who had been implicated in an erroneous case by the customs. His complaint was that the judge appointed over the trial was a strange man who puts his fist down forcefully and announces before each session that he is an Ahmadi, and to start the proceedings. The man was fearful that the judge’s declaration of being an Ahmadi meant that the decision would be pronounced against him. The Murabbi Sahib reassured this man that the reason why the judge did so was not because of any other reason, but to let everyone know that since he was an Ahmadi, he does not mean to intimidated you, he means to say that he will not accept any bribe nor entertain any intercession on behalf of anyone, and that he is not afraid of anyone except Allah. He also consoled this man that if he was innocent, the judge would serve a fair sentence. After a few months, the PA of that man called to thank the murabbi sahib as he had been acquitted, who said that there was no need to thank him; instead he should thank the Imam Mahdi of the latter days (as) who has founded a Jamaat of members who are absolutely just in their dealings regardless of their beliefs, etc. He was a courageous man indeed. 

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