Summary: Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that two aspects of purification are very important for man; one is purification of thoughts and views and the other is to have pure and pious sentiments. Deep and enduring pious sentiments and emotions are borne of a heart that is completely cleansed. Constant and enduring pure thoughts are borne of a cleansed mind and this state is called tanveer in Arabic. This is a state when a light is generated in man that always produces pure thoughts. Tanveer does not mean generating pure and proper thoughts with effort, rather it is when one acquires the capacity to always have proper and pure thoughts and when wrong thoughts never occur. This state is generated with constant endeavour and with grace of God.

Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he had heard the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) refer any questions on matters of Islamic jurisprudence to those who were well versed in the matter and had recollection of the answers. He would refer to people like Hazrat Maulana Nur ud Din or Hazrat Maulawi Abdul Karim (may Allah be pleased with them) or other maulawis. At times however the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) felt that the matter necessitated that the guidance came from one commissioned by God and he would explain the matter himself. At other times he would simply say, ask Maulawi Sahib, even in assemblies where he would be present he would refer the matter to other religious scholars who were also present. At times he would also say, my natural instinct tells me that the matter should be like so and so and he would say, I have experienced that although at times I do not have knowledge of a specific matter but I instinctively give the answer which is later proved correct in light of Hadith and Sunnah. Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said) this is what tanveer is!

Explaining he said tanveer signifies that whatever thoughts come to a human mind are correct and proper. State of good health can be having good health at a specific time and state of good health can also be when a person remains in good health. Tanveer is propriety of thoughts and views as a result of which thoughts and views in future are also right and proper. Tanveer in thoughts is important for spiritual development as is righteousness and purity. Tanveer is associated with the mind while righteousness (taqwa) is associated with the heart. People sometimes consider piety and righteousness are one and the same although piety is doing something good or having the intention to do it whereas righteousness means that any future thoughts would also be pious. Tanveer signifies thoughts, pondering and is to do with the mind whereas righteousness is when emotions are firmly established on piety and this is to do with the heart.

Although the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) referred some questions to other religious scholars, at times he would correct those scholars in some minor matters, for example shortening of Salat when travelling.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that his creed was that man should not put himself in too much difficulty. He explained that state of being in travel can be when one goes just a few miles away. It was all relative, as the hadith says, deeds are judged by motives. Sometimes one goes out with friends and it does not feel as if one is travelling. However, when one steps out having packed one's bag that is being on travel.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that state of being on travel is when one starts off with the intention of travel. He said he went to Leicester recently on a day trip and while there led full Isha Salat. Question was raised why Salat was not shortened. Huzoor had the Promised Messiah's pronouncement in mind at the time that state of travel is when one packs one's bag to travel. While travel to Leicester was not like this and was the reason why Salat was not shortened. Besides, keeping the hadith deeds are judged by motives in view leads one's outlook to neither put oneself through too much difficulty nor make too much use of facilities.

Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said one should be very mindful of one's intent behind doing something. If one travels/commutes daily then that is not being in a state of travel. In fact state of travel is when one specifically steps out to go somewhere and which is commonly known as travel. Just going out for a walk for a few miles is not travelling. Salat should be shortened when one's heart is inclined that one is in a state of travel.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was asked whether one should shorten Salat when visiting a religious centre. This question continues to be asked to this day. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) replied that when a person goes to stay at a religious centre for three days it is correct for him to shorten Salat. When the intention is to travel, then even if it is a few miles away, it will be deemed as state of travel. However, if the imam is local [at the centre] he will offer full Salat in which case the traveller should also offer full Salat behind the imam. He also said that when officials make their tours and visits that is not categorised as travelling, it is like taking a walk in one's garden.

A companion of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) Qazi Amir Hussein Sahib writes that he was convinced that shortening of Salat was not right during travelling and was only allowed when in a state of war and he often discussed this matter with Hazrat Maulana Nur ud Din Sahib (may Allah be pleased with him). Once he accompanied the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to Gurdaspur to attend a court case. Hazrat Maulana Nur ud Din Sahib and Hazrat Maulawi Abdul Karim Sahib (may Allah be pleased with them) were also present. At Zuhr time the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) asked Qazi Sahib to lead Salat. He decided to offer full Salat so that the matter would be resolved once and for all. Just as Qazi Sahib was about to start the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who stood behind him on the right side, stepped ahead and said in his ear, you are going to lead just two units of Salat, aren't you? To which Qazi Sahib responded, yes, only two and thus the matter was resolved for him!

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) elucidated various matters of jurisprudence which have now been collated most painstakingly by scholars in Rabwah and published under the title of Fiqh e Masih. Jama'at should obtain this book for information on many matter of jurisprudence. May God reward those who have collated the material in a very nice manner!

Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said that he was told that during Friday Prayer some friends had a disagreement. It was said that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had passed an edict that if Friday Prayers were combined with Asr then the first, middle and latter Sunnah Salat were not offered. When Zuhr and Asr were combined the first and middle Sunnah Salat were not offered. Or when Maghrib and Isha were combined the middle and latter Sunnah Salat were not offered. However, the disagreement arose because someone said that he had been with Hazrat Musleh Maud on a previous travel where he had led combined Friday Salat and Asr but had also offered the first Sunnah Salat of Friday Prayers. Hazrat Musleh Maud said both the instances were correct. When two Salats are combined the Sunnah is not offered and it is also correct that he had offered the Sunnah before Friday Prayer during travel and he offers them as a matter of course. The reason for this is that the Nawafil Prayer offered before Friday Prayers is different from the first Sunnah Prayer before Friday Prayers. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had established them in honour of Friday. It is both right to offer Friday Prayers when travelling and also to replace it with Zuhr. He had he had seen the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) do both.

Once while travelling to Gurdaspur for a court case the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that he and his companions would not offer Friday Prayers as they were travelling. A companion travelling with them thought that the Promised Messiah had said this because Hazrat Maulana Nur ud Din was not among them who usually led Friday Prayers. So the companion, who had a very candid nature, started insisting that he also knew how to lead Friday Prayers, so could they offer them. Upon his insistence the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) agreed to offer Friday Prayers on the occasion.

Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) said he had seen the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) offer Friday Prayers when travelling and at times replace them with Zuhr. He said when he offers Friday Prayers during travels he also offers the first Sunnah Salat and in his view they should be offered because they are specifically in honour of Friday. The first Sunnah should also be offered when Friday Prayers are being combined with Zuhr.

Hazrat Musleh Maud said (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) came to make people follow the Islamic teaching and adopt the way of moderation. As such he gave guidance on outwardly minor matters which are worldly in nature. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) allowed lighting or illuminations. At the time of the jubilee of Queen Victoria illuminations were carried out as well as for King Edward VII. Hazrat Musleh Maud said children like such things so he remembered well that small oil lamps were lighted on the sides of Masjid Mubarak and when they extinguished the Promised Messiah sent for some more. Hazrat Musleh Maud said the illuminations were carried out at their home as well at the Madrassa. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was the Judge (Hakm) and the Arbiter (Adl) of the time and as such he did not do anything which was contrary to the Holy Qur'an. Therefore there was no need to have discussions over whether it is right to have illuminations or not. The way in which the Promised Messiah had illuminations it was an expression of joy and had wisdom behind it. If illuminations were accepted to be carried out in every household it could be a cause for expense without any real advantage. However, it is fine when done on a national level or political reason or done where more lighting is need. There are traditions that Hazrat Umer (may Allah be pleased with him) organised extra lighting in a mosque and mosque is a place where extra lighting helps as people read the Holy Qur'an and other books there. In Islam happy occasions are celebrated in a way that benefits humanity. For example at Eid animals are slaughtered and Fitrana fund is given to help the needy. Thus, in Islam expressions of happiness are aimed at as much benefit to humanity as possible. Illuminations do not seem to have any such benefit but they were carried out by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) for a political reason. Likewise sometimes the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) would let the children enjoy small fireworks so that they could have fun. He also used to say that fireworks have gunpowder which cleans the air. Many times he sent for small fireworks like sparklers for children to enjoy. Although it is a kind of wastage but it has a temporary benefit. Though it is not a significant benefit but it makes children happy and thus the harm caused by suppressing children is avoided.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) did not say that the Jama'at could go ahead and indulge in fireworks, he only allowed children to occasionally enjoy them especially as it also helps clean the air. It is fine for children to have some fun, their sentiments should not be completely suppressed so that they understand that Islam does not dismiss their rightful demands during their playing days, like illuminations and fireworks. When these celebrations are on a national level they will also make them realise of their connection to their country. There is nothing wrong in having fun at the right time and place and in moderation but it should be made clear to children that our celebrations are within the sphere of teachings of Islam and the law of the land.

Hazrat Musleh Maud said (may Allah be pleased with him) said he had a childhood memory of a stay in Lahore when he was about 7 or 8 years old. An exhibition of waxworks was going on depicting court scenes of kings. People asked the Promised Messiah that he should see the waxworks as they were very educational but he refused. They then started persuading Hazrat Musleh Maud to go and see the waxworks. Owing to his young age he started coaxing the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to go and see the waxworks. And it was on his insistence that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) took him along. The waxworks depicted life stories of various kings. Indeed, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) agreed to go because people had given very positive reviews especially about the educational aspect of the waxworks and he did not simply go because a child had insisted.

The other incident that Hazrat Musleh Maud remembered from the same stay at Lahore was that someone had invited the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to their house in inner Lahore or maybe he was visiting an ailing person. As they returned Hazrat Musleh Maud noticed a crowd outside the Golden Mosque as a man stood in the middle of the crowd. As their carriage passed the crowd Hazrat Musleh Maud thought it was a funfair. He stuck his head out to look and saw something that he could not forget. A man with one hand cut off which was bandaged was striking his stump hand on his other hand and saying, 'Mirza has run away, Mirza has run away.' Imagine a man with a stump hand which was bandaged but presumed that he could God forbid eliminate Ahmadiyyat with his stump hand! What dangerous enmity! People had such animosity and in those days they tried so hard to stop people from coming to Qadian to accept Ahmadiyyat. Hazrat Musleh Maud said there were many Ahmadis who had travelled up to Batala to come to Qadian, but were stopped at Batala by Maulawi Muhammad Hussein who asked them to return home!

All this animosity from clerics was based on their ignorance and vested interests but they provoked the public in the name of religion. Although what they based their animosity on is precisely the reason of the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Which is to establish the true teachings of Islam and to establish the station of finality of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and it was for this task that his true servant and his true ardent devotee came, so that he could tell the world that today salvation was only possible through the Seal of all Prophets. It is the misfortune of the so-called Muslims that rather than accept the Messiah they make allegations against him that God forbid he denies the finality of Prophethood of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and considers himself higher than him. The fact is that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) challenged all world faiths that salvation was now in being a servant of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The opposing clerics are making efforts but it is in the destiny of the community of the true and ardent devotee that it will grow and shall continue to grow. May God enable us to bring about true changes in ourselves which the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wanted and expected!

Next, funeral Prayer in absentia was announced for Amatul Hafiz Rahman Sahiba was passed away on 15 April. She was a moosia and had served Sahiwal Lajna in Pakistan over a long period.