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Khalifat—Remembering the Past, Creating the Future
I remember vividly learning about Hazrat Abu Bakr (rz), Hazrat Umar (rz), Hazrat Usman (rz), and Hazrat Ali (rz)—collectively known as the Khulafa Rashideen or the “Rightly Guided Caliphs.”
But I could not merely accept tales of their greatness. I had to see for myself.
As a child, and even today, I studied for hours on end, learning of their compassion, loyalty, bravery, courage, intelligence, and humility. And today, I have seen the Khulafa Rashideen’s greatness for myself. I reflect, and cannot help but marvel at their lives.
But this story does not end here. Khilafat is God’s promise to the righteous, to Muslims who follow the Qur’an and Sunnah. Khilafat is a reward to the Ummah. A reward that strengthens unity, brotherhood, and devotion. As I write this, I cannot help but reflect that my love of the Khulafa Rashideen stems not only from their magnificence and grandeur, but also because I have been so fortunate to witness Khilafat returned to the Ummah once again.
And this Khilafat has been blessed immensely—blessed with the prayers of the Master Prophet Muhammad (sa), blessed with the prayers of the Khulafa Rashideen (rz), and blessed with the prayers of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) who is the long-awaited Imam Mahdi and Messih.
Under this Khilafat e Islam e Ahmadiyya, the Ummah has witnessed a rebirth of unity not seen since the days of Islam’s first century. This weekend, I, along with 30,000 Muslims from over 100 nations worldwide will once again unite to witness that Khilafat strengthen the ties of unity, brotherhood, and devotion at the 45th Annual Jalsa Salana UK, as we sit at the feet of our beloved Khalifa, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba).
His courage, bravery, wisdom, compassion, and righteousness is living proof that Islam is a living religion. That Islam can produce such lions of peace this day in age. Governments across the world, from the United States to the United Kingdom, from Canada, to Ghana, from Holland to Nigeria, and countless more have championed him unreservedly as a paragon of virtue, a pillar of peace, a spiritual guide of unprecedented stature. Millions of Muslims from over 200 nations have united together under his flag of peace and human progress.
His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), is proof that the Khulafa Rashideen were not myths, were not accidents, and certainly were not exceptions. Rather, they were the result of a righteous Ummah who adhered to the Qur’an and Sunnah per the teachings of the Master Prophet Muhammad (sa).
As Muslims, we marvel at the lives of Hazrat Abu Bakr (rz), Hazrat Umar (rz), Hazrat Usman (rz), and Hazrat Ali (rz). I invite you today—do not just look to the past, but also look to the future! Come see Khilafat for yourself! See Khilafat as established by God Almighty in the latter days, to revive and reunite the Ummah. View him live on mta.tv. Write to him and await his reply. Pray to God and await His reply. Above all, take this opportunity to take control of the Ummah’s future, and to take advantage of God’s immense grace and blessings.
This is the lesson the Khulafa Rashideen taught us in the past. And this is the lesson that Khilafat e Islam e Ahmadiyya teaches us as we grow united into the future. But do not take my word for it.
Come see for yourself.
The Islamic Solution to Stop Domestic Violence
Published in The Huffington Post
Critics incorrectly allege that Islam command’s husband’s to beat their wives, often citing the Quran verse 4:34. Unfortunately, like any Muslim man who harms his wife, critics miss the keen wisdom in verse 4:34 that actively pre-empts domestic violence.
In Virginia, I provide pro bono legal support to victims of…
How to cope with the loss of a child?
Below are several hadith and a letter Prophet Muhammad (sa) wrote to one of his companions. Both the hadith and letter, while not exhaustive, address those who have suffered the loss of a child and are self-explanatory. To provide context to Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) comments, several of his own children passed in their infancy, while some at tender young ages. His guidance was based on experience, not theory. If you are of those whom has lost a child, may Prophet Muhammad’s (sa) wisdom provide comfort and increase your trust in God.
Does Shariah Law Let Men Abuse Women?
The headline is a common — baseless — allegation many critics levy against Islam. The fact is, however, men don’t harm women because of Shariah Law. They harm women in spite of Shariah Law. Shariah Law was the first law in history, religious or otherwise, to grant women the right to choose who they marry, the right to choose to divorce, the right to inherit property, the right to own a business, the right to keep their own money, the right to participate in the political process, the right to be a lawyer or judge–and yes, the right to focus on raising children and not have to worry about finances, because that is a burden Islam places squarely on men.
But what of men who abuse women in the name of Shariah Law? Well, the reality is that Read more…
Prayer…or Something Like It
We’ve all been there. The sun is past high noon and you know you won’t get home until after sunset. You’re at [school, work, college, public place] and look around frantically. But, no matter what you do, you can’t find a place to offer Zuhr.
You murmur something in frustration.
You ignore it; put it off. You rationalize that you can combine Zuhr with Asr because [place excuse here]. But pretty soon, you realize it’s now Asr time and there’s no escape. Now you’re in a dilemma. The sun is making a mad dash for the horizon. You curse daylights saving time. (Lousy farmers). As the seconds slip by, you realize the inevitable; it’s now or never.
At this junction, people typically fall into three categories:
Eyes Open
The below short note was sent after my Op Ed, “America – The Greatest Muslim Country in the World” was published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. I was genuinely moved to see genuine, sincere Americans work to constantly become better people.
Convert to Islam you Apostate Infidel
The below messages were unsolicited, on Facebook, and from a Muslim who considers me an infidel and apostate from Islam. Unfortunately, he shares the mentality of the Government of Pakistan. Religious freedom is deplorable in Pakistan, where Ahmadi Muslims face state sanctioned persecution, as do Christians and Hindus.
On the bright side, another Muslim leader in the D.C. area, Robert Salaam, attempted to talk some sense into the discussion. While he did not succeed, Robert demonstrated true patience, respect, and compassion – just as Islam teaches.
To read the hate mail, click below.
Syndication
Qasim’s work is regularly re-published and syndicated on a variety of websites including BeliefNet, The Muslim Times, Ahmadiyya Times, The Crescent Post, The American Muslim.org, The American Muslim.net, Islamophobia Today, The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions, The Star, Examiner.com, The Richmond Law blog, Progressive Scottish Muslims, and numerous other websites.
In addition, Qasim’s writing has been translated and republished in Spanish and Portuguese in various newspapers and websites worldwide.
Interviews
Journalist and Author Pearl Gaskins published two feature segments on Qasim in her 2004 book, I Believe In…, addressing his perspectives on religion in America.
Qasim has interviewed live multiple times on NBC12, CBS6, and CBS9 to discuss American-Islamic issues. He has also interviewed dozens of times on numerous radio stations throughout the country.
On August 6, 2010, Sam Freedman of the New York Times featured Qasim in his column for the Muslims for Peace campaign. Qasim has also given interviews to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, University of Richmond Collegian, The Jewish World, and De Morgan, among other reputable papers.
See the Media Menu for a comprehensive archive of Qasim’s work.
Writing
Qasim is an award winning member of the Muslim Writers Guild of America, where he has helped author and edit two books, (Towards a Greater Jihad and By the Dawn’s Early Light).
Qasim has also published numerous pieces in a variety of periodicals including National Public Radio, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, The Boston Globe, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Virginian Pilot, The Richmond Times Dispatch, The Charlottesville Daily Progress, The Duluth News Tribune, The NewsTimes, The Hartford Advocate, The Galveston County Daily News, The Richmond Law Juris Publici, The Embassy, BBC Arabic, and The Malaysian Kini.
See the Publications Menu for a comprehensive archive of Qasim’s writings.
My Latest on Huff Post
- Do You Even Hear Muslims When We Condemn Violence? April 22, 2013It took 9,000 officers, five days, and roughly $1 billion in lost revenue for Boston, but suspect one is dead and suspect two is in custody. So let me start with the standard roll call: As an American Muslim, I condemn all violence in the name of religion. Terrorism has no religion and Islam is no exception. If the Tsarnaev brothers are guilty of the Boston […]
