A BRIEF GUIDE Lajna Ima’illah USA REVIEW OF RELIGIONS THE THE HISTORY OF

THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS – OUTLINE 1.NEED 2.BEGINNING 3.REACTION 4.SAYINGS of the Promised Messiah (as) 5.SUCCESS 6.SUBSCRIPTION 7.NEW ITEMS 8.CONTACT THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE

1. NEED THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Why was The Review of Religions needed?

THE PROMISED MESSIAH (AS) SAID: THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE “ the sun rising from West means that the Western countries which had been engulfed by the darkness of infidelity and ignorance, will be illuminated by the sun of truth, and they will have a share of Islam … ”

THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE … my writings would spread amongst those people” ( Izala-e-Auhaam)

2. BEGINNING THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Beginnings of The Review of Religions

THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE 1 st Jalsa in 1891 at Qadian Darul Aman  Promised Messiah (as) invited participants to “ put forward sound policies for the religious benefit of Europe and America ”  2 nd Jalsa Salana: Members put forward their suggestions and it was decided that an English Magazine providing the true and beautiful teachings of Islam should be compiled and printed

1 ST EDITION THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  On 15th January 1901, the Promised Messiah(as) formally announced the launch of The Review of Religions.  In January 1902 the first edition was published in English from Lahore.  The Promised Messiah (as) would write articles specifically for the magazine, which were translated from Urdu into English.

3. REACTION THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Reaction to its launch

TOLSTOY AND THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq (ra) sent copies of the first few Review of Religions to Russia’s Leo Tolstoy, considered by many as the greatest novelist of the 19th century

TOLSTOY’S LETTER IN REPLY: THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE “Dear friend! Your letter along with Mirza Ghulam Ahmad’s picture and a sample of the magazine Review of Religions has been received. To engage in the proof of the death of Christ or in the investigation of his tomb, is a futile effort because an intelligent man can never believe that Jesus is still alive.... We need reasoned religious teaching and if Mr Mirza presents a new reasonable proposition then I am ready to benefit from it. In The Review of Religions specimen number, I approved very much two articles, ‘How to get rid of the Bondage of Sin’ and ‘The Life to Come’, especially the second. The idea is very profound and very true. I am most thankful to you for sending me this and am also grateful for your letter. Yours Sincerely, Tolstoy, from Russia. 5th June 1903.”

4. SAYINGS OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH (AS) THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Promised Messiah’s (as) sayings about The Review Of Religions

PROMISED MESSIAH (AS) SAID: THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  ‘The Breaking of the Cross’ in the traditions of the Holy Prophet (saw) means an English magazine: The Review of Religions, which has been started  The Review of Religions has begun to influence many hearts

PROMISED MESSIAH (AS) SAID: THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  If, God forbid, this magazine ceases to exist as a result of a lack of interest of this community then this would be a cause for mourning for the community.  Therefore, I urge the sincere members of my community to provide as much support and financial assistance as may be possible for them.

5. SUCCESS THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Role of The Review of Religions in the propagation of the Jama’at

MAURITIUS, PHILIPPINES & MANY MORE THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  First Ahmadi of Mauritius Nur Muhammad Nuraya Saheb converted through The Review of Religions  Ahmadiyyat was first introduced to the Philippines through The Review of Religions  Many people were drawn to Ahmadiyyat by reading articles

FAMOUS EDITORS OF THE MAGAZINE THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Malik Ghulam Farid (ra) Maulvi Sher Ali (ra) Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)

6. SUBSCRIPTION THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Why subscribing to The Review of Religions

THE PROMISED MESSIAH(AS) SAID: THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  If 10,000 people of this community subscribe to the English or Urdu editions, then it would run according to one’s wishes.  And in my view, if those taking the oath of allegiance on initiation strive in this cause to do justice to their oath, then this number is not much. Instead, compared to the number of the members of the Jama’at, this is but a small number.

THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  In an appendix of the early editions of The Review of Religions was written: “On hearing of Hudhur’s appeal some friends sent up to ten copies of the magazine abroad at their own expense. ”  Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) mentioned that: “Some read The Review of Religions and write to us. We have received letters from Sweden and England. There are such rightly minded people willing to hear, what is needed are the ones to address them! ALSO:

TARGET OF 10,000 THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE At Jalsa Salana UK 2011, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) said that subsequent to his appeal in 2010, there were now 8000 subscribers to The Review of Religions. However, Hudhur said that we were still behind, and need to increase our efforts and attain the 10,000 target.

HADHUR’S (ABA) TARGET FOR USA THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  Canada and USA should have subscribers

7. NEW ITEMS THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Improvements of The Review of Religions

IMPROVEMENTS THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE  Since January 2011 the magazine started printing in full color on a monthly basis for the first time ever in its 109-year history  Pictures can be used more widely  Increased paper thickness of the inside pages from 75/80gsm to 100gsm, this enhanced the reading experience for subscribers  Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) has appointed some of the top scholars of the Jama’at to write regularly for the magazine  A number of special series will shortly be introduced

8. CONTACT THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Feedback and Subscription of The Review of Religions

THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Magazine can be subscribed online with Credit Card: Subscription costs are US$30 per year Or Contact Faiza Bajwa - The Review of Religions Coordinator for USA Feel free to give your feedback regarding any aspect of The Review of Religions, whether it relates to the new design, suggestions for article topics, or any other matter: For more information visit:

SOURCES THE REVIEW OF RELIGIONS - A BRIEF GUIDE Izala-e-Auhaam pp Second Edition