Asif M Basit
Some young members of Majlis Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya Australia and Waqf-e-Nau Norway were on a visit to London over the last weekend. They were very fortunate to have exclusive audiences with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. As I watched the recordings of these two events with Huzoor, there was a lot, as usual, for one’s amazement to feast on; how Huzoor comes down to the level of children to understand them and to make them understand what he has to say; how Huzoor finds something that can interest a child’s imagination to be able to communicate to them; how Huzoor always has an answer to any question posed to him by children in such audiences. But here, I would like to mention one particular aspect of Huzoor’s personality that struck me most as I went through the recordings.
Children usually introduce themselves when they take the microphone to ask a question; their name is usually sufficient. But these children, as they introduced themselves, said their name, their father’s name and, unusually so, their grandfather’s name also. Huzoor seemed to know almost every one of them. For some, their own name was sufficient if it had a suffix of their family name like Sethi or Gondal. Others had their father’s name help in Huzoor telling them who they were and what family they were from. With the rest, their grandfather’s name came in handy. I was amazed to see how Huzoor knew almost all of them; more so to see how these children felt relaxed in talking to Huzoor when Huzoor had recognised them and their families.
Some children had only started their introduction that Huzoor would complete it. To some, he even told them who their relatives were and where they lived. Huzoor even asked some of these fortunate children whether they had been to see their relatives and whether their relatives had taken good care of their hospitality. Huzoor would even tell them how so and so was related to them; their phupha or khalu or mamu [paternal and maternal uncles].
As Huzoor very lovingly gave them pens at the end of their mulaqat, a young boy stepped forward to receive it from Huzoor. He received the pen and just as he turned around to go back to his seat, Huzoor asked him, “Do you have a brother or a cousin studying here in Jamia?” He said, “Yes, Huzoor”. I cannot say how surprised he must have been, but for me, it left a very deep impression and left me thinking about the unique relationship that exists between Khalifatul Masih and members of the Jamaat; even with those who are very young.
All of us have our own social circles. We have family, friends and acquaintances that we get to know at different stages of our lives. Some are simply forgotten as we move on in life, others are remembered as long as the connection is maintained. Despite our social circles being very limited, it is often hard to remember everyone and even more, to remember their family members and then the extended circles of those family members. But here we have Hazrat Khalifatul Masih with millions of people around the world. Everyone stays in touch through writing letters to Huzoor, visiting him or requesting someone visiting him to convey their Salam. All Ahmadis writing to Huzoor receive replies from him; almost everyone visiting him is over the moon when they talk of how Huzoor asked about a certain family member just as soon as they walked into Huzoor’s office; those who had previously conveyed their salam through a relative to Huzoor report that they fail to understand how Huzoor had remembered that salam after so many months or even years. A telephone call from Huzoor to the family of a deceased, they tell, is not only comforting but also a means of strengthening their belief that Khalifatul Masih’s heart is connected to every Ahmadi’s heart. Patients admitted in hospitals are usually not envied, but this too is seen happening when a patient received a bouquet of flowers from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. How is it possible for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih to be so deeply connected to his Jamaat despite his extremely hectic schedules? Every moment of his day and night is occupied with work. Then how is this connection possible?
The simple answer is in the Hadith where the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him, says that the underlying passion in our love for a person should be the love of Allah. The love of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih for his Jamaat, and vice versa, is a pure example of such love.
So, as Ahmadis, as we rejoice this unique form of love that exists between Hazrat Khalifatul Masih and his Jamaat, it also reminds us of the great responsibility that it brings along; of increasing our love for this man who is completely devoted to the service of Islam and humanity; of remembering him in our prayers; of doing anything and everything that he expects of us.
May our beloved Imam live long. May he prosper in every step that he takes. May Allah strengthen his hand. May Allah be his Helper.
