Prime Minister @andyburnham and Foreign Secretary @Ed_Miliband : how much longer will Britain remain silent?
For three years the father of my two sons, and Pakistan’s former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, has been brutally penalised by his political opponents, in a personal vendetta by Army Chief, Asim Munir, which according to the UN, amounts to torture and which is now taking a potentially fatal toll on his physical and mental health.
He has endured 3 years of solitary confinement. For nearly ten months now his family has been denied contact with him. He has been deprived of the most basic human contact, denied access to books, lawyers and doctors.
The international human-rights standards are unequivocal. Under the UN’s Nelson Mandela Rules, solitary confinement lasting more than 15 consecutive days is prohibited and amounts to torture.
He has endured this treatment not for 15 days, but for three years.
Pakistan’s own Supreme Court has now intervened: ordering comprehensive medical treatment, access to his personal doctor, regular family visits and twice-weekly calls with his sons.
Yet those orders are being defied.
This is no longer simply a Pakistani political matter. It is a human-rights emergency.
He has deep and lifelong ties to Britain. He studied at Oxford University, captained Oxford University cricket and spent years playing county cricket in England. His relationship with this country stretches back more than half a century. His charitable activities were internationally recognised, and include building the only free cancer hospital in Pakistan as well as a university.
His sons, my two boys, Sulaiman and Kasim, are British citizens. They have been forced to watch their father’s health decline from thousands of miles away, prevented from visiting him, denied visas, publicly threatened by government officials with arrest themselves, and even denied court-mandated regular phone calls.
I have repeatedly appealed to the UK government to intervene. Purported attempts at back channelling have evidently failed. The previous Foreign Secretary @DavidLammy informed me in writing that Britain would not intervene if my sons, British citizens, are arrested when they travel to Pakistan to visit their father.
@FCDOGovUK: Britain must now speak out publicly and unequivocally. Demand that Pakistan comply with its own Supreme Court; restore Imran Khan’s medical access, his right to see his family, end his prolonged isolation and uphold his fundamental human rights.
Pakistan is a Commonwealth country. Britain has a long and proud tradition of standing against arbitrary detention, inhumane treatment and the denial of fundamental rights. Those principles mean very little if we invoke them only selectively and neglect them when inconvenient.
This an appeal to the new Burnham government to please now do the right thing.
Day 2 | al-Hidayah 2026 | Canada
His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri Lectures on the Love of Allah and the Longing for the Divine Vision
Hamilton, Ontario (Canada): The second day of al-Hidayah Canada 2026, the first-ever three-day residential, spiritual and educational camp of its kind in North America at McMaster University, featured the second part of the three-day keynote lecture series by His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Prof. Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri. The session addressed the spiritual treatment of heedlessness ghafla (غفلة) through the love of Allah the Almighty and the longing for the vision of His Divine Countenance.
Continuing the lecture series "From Humanity to Depravity: A Moral and Spiritual Descent," Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that while the opening session had analysed the process of moral decline, beginning with ghaflah, the second session would present one remedy drawn from the complete prescription for its removal izālat al-ghafla (إزالة الغفلة). This is only achievable through kindling the love of Allah in one’s hearts and nurture the desire for the moment when the believers will behold His Delightful Countenance in the Hereafter. He noted that the third and concluding session would explore the psychological, neurological, Qur'anic and spiritual dimensions of ghaflah in detail, along with the complete methodology of its treatment.
The Supplication of the Beloved Prophet (ﷺ)
Shaykh-ul-Islam anchored the session in the supplication of the Holy Prophet (ﷺ), reported by Imam Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal in his Musnad, Imam al-Nasāʾī in his Sunan, and Ibn Ḥibbān in his Ṣaḥīḥ:
"O Allah, I ask You for the delight of gazing upon Your Noble Countenance and for the longing to meet You." (As’aluka ladhdhata al-naẓari ilā wajhika wa al-shawqa ilā liqā’iqa (أسألك لذة النظر إلى وجهك والشوق إلى لقائك).
He described this as among the most beloved supplications to the Holy Prophet (ﷺ) and invited the audience to make it the direction and longing of their own lives.
The Promised Vision of the Divine Countenance
Drawing upon the agreed-upon hadith of Sayyidunā Jarīr ibn ʿAbd Allāh (R.A), Shaykh-ul-Islam explained the Prophetic promise: "Indeed, you will see your Lord just as you see this full moon, without difficulty in seeing Him." He elaborated that the wording ʿiyānan (عيانًا) in the narration of Imam al-Bukhārī conveys an actual and direct vision, free from doubt, speculation and mere imagination, a capacity Allah will grant to the eyes of the believers on the Day of Judgment.
He then presented the narration of Sayyidunā Jarīr ibn ʿAbd Allāh (RA), reported in Sunan Ibn Mājah: while the people of Paradise are immersed in their bliss, a light will shine upon them; they will raise their heads and behold their Lord, who will greet them with the words "Peace be upon you, O people of Paradise." The Holy Prophet (ﷺ) explained that this is the meaning of the Qur'anic verse "Peace!—a word from a Most Merciful Lord." (Qur'an 36:58) So long as they gaze upon Him, they will pay no attention to any other delight of Paradise; and when the veil returns, His light and blessing will remain upon them and their dwellings.
Citing the narration of Sayyidunā ʿAlī (AS), recorded by Imām al-Mundhirī in al-Targhīb wa al-Tarhīb and gathered by ʿAllāmah Ibn al-Qayyim in Rawḍat al-Muḥibbīn, he described how Almighty Allah will send the Trustworthy Spirit to the people of Paradise with the announcement: "O people of Paradise, your Lord sends you His greeting of peace and commands you to visit Him in the open court of Paradise." The people of Paradise will come forth radiant with glad tidings, and there the supreme honour will be bestowed upon them: the vision of His Most Generous Countenance.
In further narrations on the subject recorded by Imam al-Mundhirī and gathered by ʿAllāmah Ibn al-Qayyim, Shaykh-ul-Islam related that upon beholding the Countenance of the Lord of all the worlds, the people of Paradise will be overwhelmed by the majesty of that encounter and exclaim, "Subḥānaka! Mā ʿabadnāka ḥaqqa ʿibādatik." ("Glory be to You! We have not worshipped You as You deserve to be worshipped."). Allah the Almighty will reply, "By My grace, I have granted you the vision of My Countenance and admitted you into My Abode."
Practical Preparation for the Meeting with Allah
Shaykh-ul-Islam stressed that longing for the Divine Vision demands more than wishes and emotions; it requires practical obedience. He outlined a programme of preparation: guarding the obligatory prayers, declaring "I can die, but I cannot miss a ṣalāh," for prayer is the believer's rehearsal for standing before Allah; sincere and daily repentance, for in the eyes of the lovers no sin is minor; lowering the gaze and purifying the eyes; abandoning unlawful deeds, relationships and income; cleansing the heart of jealousy, arrogance and malice; constant remembrance of Allah; and serving the entirety of Allah's creation, in the light of the hadith, "All creation is the family of Allah, and the most beloved to Him is the one most beneficial to His family."
He explained that the true believer lives between hope and fear al-khawf wa al-rajāʾ (الخوف والرجاء): hope inspires love, longing and passion for meeting with Allah, while fear protects the believer from heedlessness, arrogance and persistence in disobedience.
The Door of Prostration
In the concluding portion of the lecture, Shaykh-ul-Islam expounded the secret of sujūd (السجود): the body descends into its lowest physical position while the soul rises to its highest station. Ablution purifies the body, he explained, while prostration purifies the heart, removing pride, heedlessness and distance from Allah. He urged the youth to teach their foreheads to recognise the prayer mat, to fill their youth with prostration before age and weakness overtake the body, and to rise in the darkness of the night, for this world is the abode of deeds and the Hereafter the abode of reward: Paradise is the harvest, and this life the field in which it must be planted.
Recalling the weeping of Yazid al-Raqqashi at the approach of death, who said, "I weep for the night prayers I shall no longer be able to offer," he delivered his parting message to the attendees: "Who will pray for you when the time is gone? Do not be deceived by your youth. Change your life, change your priorities, and live to know Allah, to love Allah, and to please Allah. This is the supreme success."
Shaykh-ul-Islam repeatedly invited the attendees to commit to a life of preparation for the meeting with their Lord, and the session concluded amid expressions of devotion from the participants.
Accompanying His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam were Prof Dr Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri (Chairman Supreme Council, MQI), Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri, Shaykh Ahmad Mustafa al-Arabi al-Qadri, Dr Faisal Iqbal Khan, Syed Shahzad Ali Faizi, Syed Saad Ali Faizi, Syed Soban Ali Faizi, Dr Ghazala Qadri (President of Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League International), and Baji Khadija Qurat-ul-Ain Qadri, each exemplifying leadership in the pursuit of authentic, scholarly Islam.
The event also saw the presence of distinguished guests Peter Fonseca, MP Ontario, Canada; Shaykh Yasser Ahmed Albaz; Shaykh Waleed Almakee, founder of Noon Academy; Shaykh Nisar Sulaimani; Shaykh Abdulaziz from Dar Foundation, along with other participants from North America.
#AlHidayah2026 #MinhajulQuran #ShaykhulIslam #DrTahirulQadri #SpiritualJourney #LoveOfAllah #Hamilton #Canada #McMasterUniversity
Day 1 | Al-Hidayah 2026 | Canada: The distinguished arrival of His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri at Al-Hidayah 2026, accompanied by Prof Dr Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri (Chairman Supreme Council, MQI), Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri, Shaykh Ahmad Mustafa al-Arabi al-Qadri, Dr Faisal Iqbal Khan, Dr Ghazala Qadri (President of Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League International), Baji Khadija Qurat-ul-Ain Qadri, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
#AlHidayah2026 #AlHidayahWithDrQadri #LoveOfAllah #MinhajulQuran
Al-Hidayah Canada 2026 Opens with Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri’s Landmark Lecture on Humanity, Morality and Spiritual Revival
Hamilton, Ontario (Canada): The inaugural al-Hidayah Canada 2026, the first-ever three-day residential, spiritual and educational camp of its kind in North America, at McMaster University. The event commenced with a profound keynote address by His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri upon the theme "From Humanity to Depravity: A Moral and Spiritual Descent”. Shaykh-ul-Islam presented a comprehensive Qur'anic framework explaining the nature of the human soul, the causes of moral decline, and the path towards spiritual purification and human excellence.
Opening his address, Shaykh-ul-Islam expressed heartfelt gratitude to Allah the Almighty for granting the opportunity to establish al-Hidayah in North America. He described the occasion as a historic milestone for Minhaj-ul-Quran International, expressing hope that the initiative would become a lasting institution for nurturing the spiritual and intellectual development of Muslim youth across the continent.
He congratulated the leadership and volunteers of Minhaj-ul-Quran International Canada, Muslim Youth League, Minhaj Women League, Minhaj Welfare Foundation, Minhaj Sisters, and the entire organising team for their months of tireless dedication in making the event possible. He noted that many of the organisers had previously attended al-Hidayah camps in the United Kingdom and, inspired by their experience, resolved to establish a similar platform in Canada. Shaykh-ul-Islam prayed that this initiative would continue to flourish and eventually expand across North America, including the United States.
A particularly significant aspect of the event, he observed, was the remarkable participation of women. Congratulating Minhaj Women League and Minhaj Sisters, he highlighted the equal representation of men and women throughout the camp. Reflecting on nearly five decades of his mission, he stated that he had never witnessed women lagging behind men in commitment, service or organisational excellence. Rather, he noted, they had consistently stood shoulder to shoulder with men, and in many cases surpassed them in dedication and performance. He prayed that Almighty Allah accept the efforts of every volunteer and reward them abundantly in this world and the Hereafter.
Introducing the central theme of his lecture series, Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that "From Humanity to Depravity: A Moral and Spiritual Descent" is a subject he was presenting publicly for the first time in this systematic order and structure. Spread across three keynote sessions, the series explores how human beings gradually descend from the lofty station of humanity towards moral and spiritual corruption, identifies the signs of this decline, and presents the Qur'anic methodology for restoring human dignity and spiritual excellence.
The Dual Nature of Human Beings
Drawing upon the Holy Qur'an, Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that Allah Almighty has created human beings with both physical and spiritual dimensions, placing within every person two opposing capacities: the ability to ascend towards righteousness and the possibility of descending into corruption.
He explained that every individual possesses the potential to cultivate angelic qualities such as compassion, purity, truthfulness and obedience to Allah. At the same time, human beings also possess a lower self (nafs) that can become dominated by uncontrolled desires, animalistic instincts and satanic inclinations if left undisciplined.
According to Shaykh-ul-Islam, true human dignity lies not in suppressing natural instincts altogether but in bringing them under the discipline of divine revelation, moral consciousness, intellect and spiritual awareness. Human excellence is achieved when desires remain within the boundaries established by Allah.
The Qur'anic Principle of Free Choice
Quoting verses 8–10 of Surah al-Balad, Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that Allah has granted every person eyes, a tongue, lips, intellect and moral awareness, and has clearly shown humanity two distinct paths—the path of goodness and the path of evil.
He elaborated that the Qur'anic expression "An-Najdayn" signifies two elevated, clearly visible and unmistakable paths. Human beings are never left confused regarding truth and falsehood. Allah has made both routes evident, while granting every individual the freedom to choose between them through reason, conscience and free will.
He emphasised that moral character is shaped by personal choices, upbringing, environment, companionship and continuous self-training. The direction a person ultimately follows depends upon the decisions they repeatedly make throughout life.
Guidance Requires Purification
Referring to Surah al-Fatihah, Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that the Qur'an presents guidance as a comprehensive process consisting of both spiritual growth and purification.
He noted that following the path of the righteous alone is insufficient unless one simultaneously distances oneself from the paths that incur Allah's displeasure and those that lead people astray. Spiritual progress therefore requires not only adopting righteous influences but also actively removing the negative influences, sinful tendencies and destructive habits that corrupt the soul.
Quoting the Qur'anic declaration, "Successful indeed is the one who purifies the soul, and unsuccessful is the one who corrupts it," he emphasised that genuine spiritual success cannot be achieved without sustained self-purification (tazkiyah).
Moral Decline is a Gradual Process
A central focus of the lecture was Shaykh-ul-Islam's explanation that moral collapse never occurs suddenly but unfolds gradually.
He described the process beginning when a person repeatedly ignores the voice of conscience. Over time, desires replace divine guidance, sinful actions become habitual, excuses are created to justify wrongdoing, and sensitivity towards goodness steadily weakens. Eventually, repeated choices reshape human personality itself.
According to Shaykh-ul-Islam, human beings ultimately become what they consistently choose, practise and nurture within themselves. Human personality is therefore dynamic rather than fixed, continuously shaped by decisions, environment, companionship, education and moral discipline.
From Humanity to Animality and Depravity
Explaining the title of the lecture, Shaykh-ul-Islam distinguished between humanity, animality and depravity.
He stated that a person descends into animality when instincts begin governing life and higher moral faculties are neglected. This stage is marked by increasing domination of desires over reason and spirituality.
An even more dangerous stage is depravity, where intelligence itself begins serving evil desires. At this level, individuals not only commit wrongdoing but intellectually justify it, defend it, promote it and legitimise immoral behaviour.
Drawing upon the Qur'anic account of the creation of Prophet Adam (peace be upon him), Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that humanity possesses both earthly and spiritual dimensions. While the physical body is connected to material needs and worldly instincts, the divine spirit enables human beings to attain moral excellence, spiritual awareness and closeness to Allah. The lifelong struggle lies in ensuring that the spiritual dimension governs the material one.
Created in the Best Form—but Responsible for Maintaining It
Reflecting on Surah at-Tin, Shaykh-ul-Islam explained the Qur'anic declaration:
"Indeed, We created man in the best of forms; then We reduced him to the lowest of the low—except those who believe and perform righteous deeds."
He explained that being created in "Ahsan Taqweem" refers not merely to physical beauty but to the complete balance of human intellectual, moral, spiritual and physical capacities.
However, he stressed that this excellence is only the starting point, not a permanent guarantee. Using the analogy of a newly manufactured vehicle, he explained that while the Creator fashions humanity in perfection, maintaining that state depends upon human responsibility, discipline and obedience. Neglect, moral accidents and spiritual corruption are consequences of one's own choices rather than defects in the Creator's design.
Ghaflah: The Beginning of Spiritual Decline
Towards the conclusion of the first session, Shaykh-ul-Islam identified ghaflah (heedlessness of Allah) as the first stage of moral and spiritual decline.
He explained that when heedlessness enters the heart, truth, sincerity, accountability, modesty, generosity and moral responsibility gradually cease to guide human behaviour. Instead, life becomes dominated by bodily pleasure, selfish interests, worldly ambitions and unchecked desires.
Unless this decline is halted through repentance, self-accountability, moral discipline and spiritual training, it progresses from heedlessness to animalistic behaviour and ultimately to satanic depravity.
Shaykh-ul-Islam announced that the subsequent sessions of the lecture series would further explore the concept of ghaflah, its destructive consequences, and the Qur'anic remedies for restoring human dignity through spiritual purification, remembrance of Allah and moral transformation.
The opening keynote established the intellectual and spiritual foundation of Al-Hidayah Canada 2026, presenting participants with a deeply reflective Qur'anic understanding of human nature while outlining a practical roadmap for personal reform, character development and spiritual excellence in contemporary society.
Accompanying His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam were Prof Dr Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri (Chairman Supreme Council, MQI), Shaykh Hammad Mustafa al-Madani al-Qadri, Shaykh Ahmad Mustafa al-Arabi al-Qadri, Dr Faisal Iqbal Khan, Syed Shahzad Ali Faizi, Syed Saad Ali Faizi, Syed Soban Ali Faizi, Dr Ghazala Qadri (President of Minhaj-ul-Quran Women League International), and Baji Khadija Qurat-ul-Ain Qadri, each exemplifying leadership in the pursuit of authentic, scholarly Islam.
#AlHidayah2026 #AlHidayahWithDrQadri #LoveOfAllah #MinhajulQuran
Behind every command of #Islam lies a vision of ease for the individual, goodness for society, and mercy for all #humanity. Likewise, the very essence of the Prophethood and Messengership of the Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ is founded on mercy, #love, compassion, and sincere concern for humanity. His blessed mission, teachings, noble character, and exemplary way of life embody mercy, kindness, and goodwill for all people. For this reason, the fundamental spirit of all Islamic teachings is rooted in mercy, peace, love, and the welfare of humanity.
عمران خان کو جیل میں ڈال کر تم نے پوری دنیا کو یہ پیغام دیا ہے کہ پاکستان ایک جیل خانہ ہے ۔۔ تمہیں عمران خان کو باہر لانا ہوگا ۔۔
عمران خان اس ملک کی سیاست کا محور ہیں۔ وہ اس ملک کو اکٹھا رکھنے والی شخصیت ہیں۔ اس وقت پورے پاکستان کے لوگ عمران خان کی جانب دیکھ رہے ہیں- @salmanAraja
At a UNHRC session, Kasim said Imran’s case was not an “isolated incident”. In fact, he claimed, it was the “most visible example of a much wider pattern of repression in Pakistan since 2022”.
https://t.co/ckxugKAhzF
Imran Khan’s sons: Dad will never budge, he’d rather die in prison. An interview with Kasim and Sulaiman Khan who had a 28 minute call with their father Imran last weekend but who haven’t seen him since late 2022 https://t.co/oqwsauMEtS
Imran Khan’s sister Aleema breaks her silence to me about his treatment in prison — from restricted access to family and lawyers to fears for his health and safety. A rare, intimate glimpse inside the jail cell of Pakistan’s most popular — and most divisive — political figure. #ImranKhan #Pakistan
Imran Khan, the former Prime Minister of Pakistan is locked away in conditions the United Nations itself has declared a violation of international law.
He should be free.
The sons of Pakistan's jailed former prime minister Imran Khan fear authorities are concealing ‘something irreversible’ about his condition after more than three weeks with no evidence that he is still alive, one of them said https://t.co/m8Du3uihIK
Imran Khan is in good physical condition but suffering from isolation and psychological strain, his sister said after a rare supervised visit to the jailed former Pakistani Prime Minister.
Uzma Khanum, the only family member allowed to see him in Adiala Jail, said Khan “looked healthy” but has been confined indoors with no contact with relatives or aides for weeks.
Khan, 73, has been in jail since August 2023.
Source: Reuters