On 26 January, Waqifaat-e-Nau Nasirat UK had a sitting with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper. The class commenced with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by hadith and an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah, peace be upon him. Following this, a special message by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa was read out on the occasion of the launch of Maryam magazine, which read:
“It is essential for Waqf-e-Nau girls to remember the history of Waqf. It was a woman who dedicated her child before its birth and the first Waqf-e-Nau was also a woman named Maryam. Her parents who had dedicated her did her tarbiyat with such excellence that she, in turn, understanding the significance of her status, fulfilled the demands of the Waqf in a manner whereby the God of the Heavens mentioned her in the Holy Quran. Her purity and taqwa has thus become an everlasting example.”
Following this, the nasirat had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa some questions on various topics. The first question was why we cannot offer sunnah prayers when we combine compulsory prayers. Answering the question, Huzooraa said, “We are only to do what Allah and His Messengersa have told us. If you try to go beyond that, you will find no benefit in it. You may offer nafl. This is what the Holy Prophetsa taught.”
Huzooraa further stated, “God has said that we should follow what His messenger has taught us. To exceed those boundaries will not be deemed as a good deed, rather it will fall under the category of innovation.”
A question was asked about whether it is possible for a non-Muslim to visit Islamic holy sites such as the Ka‘bah. In response, Huzooraa said, “Yes, it is permissible … Even the Holy Prophetsa permitted Christians to pray in Masjid-e-Nabawi.”
However, Huzooraa said, “Only God should be worshipped, no other idols.”
A nasira asked if there was any truth behind palm reading and if it was linked to our destiny. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “Our palm lines continue to change and develop as we get older. However, this does not mean that your destiny too changes.”
One nasira asked Huzooraa why, during Eid prayer, we say “Allahu-Akbar” seven times in the first rakat and five times in the second rakat. Huzooraa said, “God has told us that on this day, we should proclaim ‘Allahu-Akbar’. This is what we find in the practices of the Holy Prophetsa. For every namaz, we have different methods.”
With this logic, Huzooraa said, “One can then ask why we offer two rakaat for Fajr and four for Zuhr.”
A question was asked regarding the books and tabarrukat (relics) of the Promised Messiahas and where they are today. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated, “The handwritten notes made by the Promised Messiahas are present in the Jamaat’s archives. Other than that, we also have the first edition books amongst various other things.”
Another nasira said to Huzooraa that two years ago, she and her family went to Mecca for Umra. There, she saw many pilgrims kissing the Maqaam-e-Ibrahim. The young girl asked if this was permissible. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stated that there is no need to kiss it. The Holy Prophetsa only kissed the Hajar-e-Aswad. Further, Huzooraa narrated the incident of Hazrat Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, when he once said, addressing the Hajar-e-Aswad, “No doubt, I know that you are a stone and can neither harm, nor benefit anyone. Had I not seen Allah’s Messengersa kissing you, I would not have kissed you.”
Huzooraa further stated, “We are only to follow that which the Holy Prophetsa did.”
One young lady asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what his favourite chapter of the Holy Quran was. Huzooraa stated, “In every chapter we find good lessons that we can learn from. One cannot choose a favourite chapter as the entire Quran is good.”
Huzooraa further expressed, “I like reading ‘Qul huwallahu Ahad; AllahusSamad’ [‘Say, He is Allah, the One; Allah, the Independent and Besought of all.” (Surah al-Ikhlas)] and pondering over the word ‘Al-Samad.’”
Huzooraa added, “When you ponder over the words of the Quran, you will begin to appreciate them more.”
Talking about the prayers in the Holy Quran, Huzooraa said, “I like reciting different prayers of the Holy Quran, such as, ‘Rabbi inni lima anzalta ilaiya min khairin faqir’ [‘O my Lord, a beggar I am of whatever god You bestow on me.’ (Surah al-Qasas, Ch.28: V.25)].”
The Holy Quran is God’s book and one cannot say such and such chapter is better, Huzooraa explained.
A question was asked about Ramiy-al-Jamarat (a part of Hajj in which pebbles are thrown at pillars representing satan). A nasira asked what the reality behind the process was. Huzooraa explained, “This is just a symbolic expression, which the Holy Prophetsa has taught us.” Huzooraa further stated, “The throwing of the pebbles is just a form of expression and does not mean that we are physically throwing pebbles at satan.”
One nasira said to Huzooraa that God has, in some way or another, spoken to prophets through dreams or other means. The nasira proceeded to ask if God had ever spoken to Huzooraa before. Upon this, Huzooraa said, “Through dreams, God Almighty sometimes tells people to do certain works. It is not just through dreams; God also places in a person’s heart to do certain works.”
Huzooraa further said, “Allah inspires my heart to do certain works. Other than that, God promised that He would help me and He has done so.”