On Saturday, 13 February 2021, students of Jamia Ahmadiyya Bangladesh, who are training to become missionaries, were blessed with an opportunity to meet Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual mulaqat.
As the live stream started, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked where the students were seated. Huzooraa was informed that they were in Jamia Ahmadiyya’s premises in Ahmadnagar and not in Dhaka. Throughout the meeting, MTA Bangladesh showed scenic aerial shots of Ahmadnagar Mosque, Jamia Ahmadiyya premises and the Jalsa Gah to Huzooraa.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then commenced with the programme of the class by calling up different students to present what they had been assigned to present.
Hafiz Safi Alauddin Sahib recited a portion of the Holy Quran, who was followed by Akmal Hussain Sahib for the Urdu translation of the verses recited.
Naser Ahmad Sahib recited an Urdu poem of the Promised Messiahas and Moinul Islam Sahib presented a hadith. Muhammad Tarif Hussain Sahib presented an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas.
An Arabic qaseeda (poem in praise of the Holy Prophetsa) was then sung by three first-year students – Muhammad Ferdaus Hasan Sahib, Suleiman Ahmad Sahib and Mahbub Ahmad. After the three concluded reciting the qaseeda together, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked them their ages and what studies they had done prior to Jamia.
Mobasher-ur-Rahman Sahib, Principal Jamia Ahmadiyya Bangladesh presented a report to Huzooraa, relating the history of Jamia Ahmadiyya Bangladesh. He said the Jamia started through the instruction of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh in 2002 and was initially a mubashar course of three and a half years. The first graduates of Jamia Bangladesh passed in 2005. The next year, with the approval of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, Jamia Bangladesh was upgraded to Jamia International and the standard seven-year Shahid course was implemented.
Initially, Jamia Bangladesh was in Dhaka, but soon it became congested. In 2019, Huzooraa permitted Jamia Bangladesh to relocate to the beautiful Ahmadnagar area. Opposite Jamia in Ahmadnagar is the 16-acre Jalsa Gah and Jamia is surrounded by greenery and beautiful scenery. The principal said that a jamaat, Shalshiri, was close to Ahmadnagar, in which 1,200 Jamaat members resided. Aerial shots of Shalshiri Jamaat were shown to Huzooraa.
The principal described the premises of Jamia Ahmadiyya Bangladesh and at the same time, videos of Jamia Bangladesh were shown to Amirul Momineenaa on screen.
Currently, Jamia Ahmadiyya Bangladesh has 47 students and 14 teachers.
The assembly takes place outside and after reciting the Holy Quran, the national flag is hoisted and the national anthem is read out, as this is the requirement by the government for all educational institutions.
Principal Jamia Bangladesh thanked Amirul Momineenaa for sending Abdul Majid Tahir Sahib, Additional Wakil-ul-Tabshir to Jamia Bangladesh last year for guidance.
The principal ended his report by saying, “We are trying to build the characters of our students as per Huzoor’s expectations and we expect that with the grace of Allah, they will be worthy soldiers of Khilafat. I humbly request Huzooraa to pray for us all and for Bangladesh.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then spoke directly to the students and opened the floor for any questions.
Ataul Wasay, a student, said Jamia studies were very difficult and wanted to know how to easily get through the course of Jamia.
In response Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“An easy way is, whatever you are going to study the next day, ask the teacher and study it at home before going to the lesson. Whatever you are taught by a lecturer in Jamia, revise it again when you return from Jamia and go to the hostel.
“First, study the lecture you will be taught [the next day], then once you have listened to a lecture, revise and repeat it again; in turn, you will be able to remember it.
“You must take interest and pray too! Pray to Allah the Almighty too that He enlightens your mind and you are able learn things. Pray:
رَبِّ اَرِنِیْ حَقَائِقَ الْأَشْيَاءِ
“[‘O my Lord, show me the reality of matters’]
“And:
رَبِّ زِدْنِیْ عِلْمًا
“[‘O my Lord, increase my knowledge’]”
Next, a third-year student, Mosihur Rahman, asked how we can become God’s beloved and how God can become our Beloved. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa answered by saying:
“Allah the Almighty has taught the method already. [Allah says] ‘If You listen to My commandments, you will become those whom I love’ … What would the Companionsra do? They would love the Holy Prophetsa, right?
فَاتَّبِعُوْنِیْ يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللّٰه
“Allah the Almighty said to the Holy Prophetsa, ‘Tell them, “Follow me, then will Allah love you and make you His beloved.”’
“And what is ‘following’ him? Acting on the sunnah; whatever deeds the Holy Prophetsa carried out, follow them. The way the Holy Prophetsa would offer his Salat in a beautiful manner, offer your Salat like that too. The Holy Prophetsa would offer nawafil, offer them too; the Holy Prophetsa would perform zikr-e-ilahi [remembrance of Allah], do that too; the Holy Prophetsa would meet others with high morals, so you should meet others with those high morals too – you will then become the beloved of Allah the Almighty …
“Offer the five daily prayers, recite the Holy Quran, understand it and act on the commandments of Allah the Almighty therein and along with worship, fulfil the rights of others too. These are the aspects which makes a person the beloved of Allah the Almighty and it is these factors that should be the characteristics of a murabbi.
“When you possess these characteristics, then will you be successful in the field. You will be a means of bringing people towards the worship of Allah and drawing their attention to the rights of others. Only when you set your own examples first, will you be a successful missionary. It is this that will make you the beloved of Allah.”
Huzooraa also advised to invoke durood (prayers) on the Holy Prophetsa, which can enhance our love for the Holy Prophetsa and Allah the Almighty.
Usman Goni, a sixth-year student, asked Huzooraa how to develop the true spirit of a waqf (live devotee).
Huzooraa said:
“The true spirit of waqf [life devotion] can be developed when one kills their ego and becomes truly at one with Allah the Almighty.
“The Promised Messiahas has said:
بدتر بنو ہر ایک سے اپنے خيال ميں
“‘Deem yourselves to be lower than everyone else.’ Always remember, Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiahas, ‘He is pleased with your humble ways’. [Therefore] remain humble and do not let arrogance develop after gaining knowledge …
“While remaining humble, always keep in mind [the words of the Promised Messiahas];
ميں تها غريب و بے كس و گمنام و بے هنر
“[‘I was poor and helpless; unknown and without skills’.]
“Remember that ‘I was nothing; Allah the Almighty gave me the opportunity to enter Jamia; Allah the Almighty gave me the opportunity to pass Jamia and become a murrabi and mubaligh; Allah the Almighty gave me the opportunity to create the means for people’s spiritual and moral education; Allah the Almighty gave me the opportunity to become a mubaligh and preach the message of Islam and teach my nation religion.’
“‘Thus, these things should create humility within me and should be a means of granting Allah the Almighty’s closeness.’”
Huzooraa further said:
“Always reflect and be conscious of whether or not there is anything within your ego that Allah the Almighty dislikes. Allah the Almighty is always observing us – always be mindful that our every deed is witnessed by Allah and we are to carry out deeds to gain the pleasure of Allah. When you do this, you will be successful.”
Rashid-ul-Hassan, a first-year student, asked what prayers Huzooraa recites when he meets different world leaders and speaks at world parliaments.
In response, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Firstly, there is no need to fear anyone. We are Ahmadis and we know that an Ahmadi Muslim does not need to be overawed by anyone. Allah the Almighty told the Promised Messiahas:
نُصِرْتَ بِالرُّعْبِ
“That is, ‘You have been helped with prestige’. Therefore, our prestige is established upon the world; we do not need to be overawed by anyone. Apart from this, we should pray to Allah the Almighty that He broadens our cognitive abilities; pray the usual prayers and with the name of Allah, deliver the speech. There is no need to be afraid of anything …
“When we are their teachers, then what need is there to be afraid, whether you are facing the parliament or a parliamentarian? I have observed that neither do world parliamentarians know anything – their knowledge is very limited, apart from knowing a few things about politics, they remain silent – nor are kings or prime ministers something extraordinary … Even our good and experienced missionaries meet highly influential people and meet them without fear because they know we are to guide world.
“Keep in mind that we are to guide the world. When you know we are to guide the world, then there is no need for any fear. And you should also know that the support of Allah is with us too. Allah the Almighty told the Promised Messiahas, ‘I will support and help you’.”
Huzooraa advised to read the following prayers too:
رَبِّ هَبْ لِیْ حُكْمًا وَّ اَلْحِقْنِیْ بِالصّٰلِحِينَ وَاجْعَلْ لِیْ لِسَانَ صِدْقٍ فِی الْاٰخِرِينَ
رَبِّ اشْرَحْ لِیْ صَدْرِیْ وَيَسِّرْ لِی أَمْرِیْ وَاحْلُلْ عُقْدَةً مِّن لِّسَانِیْ يَفْقَهُوْا قَوْلِیْ
“My Lord, bestow wisdom on me and join me with the righteous; and give me a true reputation among posterity.” (Surah al-Shu‘ara, Ch.26: V.84-85)
“My Lord, open out for me my breast, and ease for me my task, and loose the knot of my tongue, that they may understand my speech.” (Surah Ta Ha, Ch.20: V.26-29)
Huzooraa said, “So continue to read these prayers and believe that you are to lead and guide the world. If these things are in your mind, you will not be worried.
“By Allah’s grace, I have never been worried, no matter how great a leader was. When I went to America – a day before my speech at Capitol Hill – three high level priests, who deliver speeches in their army and [other] services and who are very experienced people, came to meet me. They said to me, ‘You are to deliver an address in Capitol Hill, so you are probably getting fearful and preparing etc.’
“I responded by saying, ‘I have no fear – I am to speak in light of the Holy Quran’s teaching, in light of Allah and the Messenger’s commandments and I know this teaching is such that you people cannot compete with it.
“They responded by saying, ‘Really? We are very experienced, have been working in the services for years and sometimes, we must speak before prominent parliaments and at Capitol Hill, but every time we go, we are fearful of how we will speak – but you say you have no fear?’
“I said, ‘I have no reason to be afraid, Allah is with us.’
“So there is no reason to be scared; Allah gives His support.”
Next, Muhammad Jahangir Alam, a fourth-year student, said he wanted to hear in Huzoor’s blessed words about the revelation of the Promised Messiahas that kings would seek blessings from his clothes.
Huzooraa explained:
“The Promised Messiahas received the revelation, ‘Kings shall seek blessings from your garments.’ This means there are blessings in every action, word and even garments and other such objects of the Promised Messiahas. Great kings will consider it an honour and of great significance to receive a gift of the clothes of the Promised Messiahas and thus, receive blessings.
“Nowadays, that blessing cannot be attained and if we are to find that blessing, [it should be kept in mind that] not every Ahmadi can get this blessing, nor can this blessing reach every king practically, through [just his] clothes.
“And so, we should first adopt the teachings of the Promised Messiahas that he taught us and try to fulfil his mission [to attain these blessings].
“The blessing of the advent of the Promised Messiahas; the blessing of the new revival through him; the blessing of the second manifestation of Islam through him; the blessing of waving the flag of Islam in the world through him; the blessing of establishing the One God’s kingdom on earth through him; the blessing of bringing the world under the flag of the Holy Prophetsa through him; the blessings he [the Promised Messiahas] gave us; now, we are to gain these [blessings], benefit from them and spread them in the world.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the garments of the Promised Messiahas also have blessings and while pointing towards a ring he was wearing, Huzooraa said:
“I am wearing this ring with ‘Alaisallah …’ on it. This is the ring of the Promised Messiahas; that same first ring when he received the revelation, had the ring made and wore it. I am wearing it for blessings. So, whoever can gain blessings practically through clothes or any other item [of the Promised Messiahas] should take those blessings.
“However, apart from this, like I said, to spread these blessings, to spread his teachings and to fulfil his purpose and further his mission are also blessings. It is the duty of every student of Jamia to spread them. They should attain those blessings first and then spread them.”
Jahangir Alam then asked Huzooraa whether this could be applied to the current prime minister of Canada as he has attended Jamaat events and meets Huzooraa etc.
In response, Huzooraa highlighted the previous prime minister of Canada who came to meet Huzooraa too and attended the opening of the mosque in Calgary after taking a 3-4-hour flight just to visit Huzooraa, before flying to Japan for a G7 conference. Huzooraa said that other presidents and prime ministers had met him too, including those in England. Huzooraa said it was to their credit that they met, showed great love and commended the works of the Jamaat – sometimes it was to meet political interests, while at other times they genuinely did so and fulfilled the rights of friendship.
Huzooraa noted lots of other world leaders meet him too, including many leaders of African countries who meet him with great sincerity and at times, speak to Huzooraa over the phone. And so, it was not just the current prime minister of Canada who respects the Jamaat and meets Huzooraa.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa noted that this revelation could therefore not necessarily be applied to prime ministers and world leaders who show respect and meet Huzooraa and the Jamaat.
Huzooraa said:
“Blessings will come when they accept Ahmadiyyat – mere meetings do not mean the fulfilment of everything.”
Ehsan Asif, a fourth-year student, asked Huzooraa about modern religious trends, atheism, those who were religious but not inclined towards it and those with extremist views of religion.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Those who do not have an interest in religion, have fallen into materialism. Today, a large number of people in the world have no interest in religion anymore. Muslim countries express this less, but practically they are in the same condition, whereas people from other religions openly say they do not believe in God. Therefore, atheism is spreading and the number of atheists is increasing in the world.”
Huzooraa noted that there are Muslims or Christians who are not inclined towards religion because they have no interest in religious teachings – they have drowned in materialism. Huzooraa said that these are signs of the Last Days, which the Holy Prophetsa had described and for such a condition, the Promised Messiahas was to come. Huzooraa referred to the last three verses of Surah al-Jumuah that talk of those people who give preference to the world over their faith.
After describing these two groups, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said the third are those who are religious extremists.
Drawing a backdrop, Huzooraa noted how Muslims had forgotten and left the essence of Islam prior to the advent of the Promised Messiahas – that is why Christian missionaries were able to convert scores of Muslims to Christianity in India, including famous Muslim scholars who became priests.
The Promised Messiahas came and gave the Muslims some life. But when Muslims stood up to oppose the Promised Messiahas, though some people developed a passion for Islam, they also created extremism. The Promised Messiahas said that his enemies and opponents actually rekindled their Islam in his opposition; otherwise, prior to this, they had grown cold to Islam and had forgotten it.
Huzooraa said:
“Now, we need to tell these extremists what the true teachings of Islam are. This is what the Promised Messiahas said, that the two purposes of his advent were, firstly, to draw man closer to God – to make him a worshipper and one who fulfils the rights of Allah. This teaching is for those who are inclined to atheism and those who have been drawn to materialism but still call themselves religious;
“Then … to encourage mankind to fulfil the rights of one another – this is for all three categories; to tell atheists what the rights of mankind are and those too who believe in religion but do not practice it, that after fulfilling the rights of God, one must fulfil the rights of mankind. This is the commandment of Allah and the Quran is replete with this teaching.
“Thirdly, to tell those who are extremists that extremism is not the teaching of Islam. The Holy Prophet’slife passed in showing compassion to everyone. In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty called the Holy Prophetsa ‘A mercy for mankind’ – when he is a mercy for mankind, such people [on the contrary] act as trouble for mankind. Narrate even one incident in which the Holy Prophetsa took the initiative himself to wage war on people – there is no such reference anywhere.
“Where the first commandment for fighting was given in Surah al-Hajj … it says, ‘You have been given permission to fight because these people have passed all limits and it is essential to stop them … if they continue, then no church, no synagogue of the Jews, no temple and no mosque will remain.’
“When Allah the Almighty gave this commandment for war, He gave it to protect religions. Ask extremists where they got their teachings from. Allah says to protect religion and to protect other religions too.”
Huzooraa explained that the life of the Holy Prophetsa was testament to his mercy and compassion for mankind and the views of extremists are in complete disharmony with the life of the Prophetsa.
Huzooraa said:
“Some extremists do not want to listen, but this takes a long time, personal relationships are required – establish personal relationships with them, sit with them and convince them. Then will they listen.”
The last question was asked by Misbah Uddin, a third-year student. He said he had non-Ahmadi relatives, but whenever he spoke with them about Ahmadiyyat, they would not listen. Misbah asked for Huzoor’s advice on what to do.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“If they turn away, then this is their misfortune; they do not want to listen to the truth. Pray for them and do not talk to them about Ahmadiyyat. Only speak to them about Islam in general. Do not preach to them about Ahmadiyyat.
“First, pray for them that Allah the Almighty softens their hearts. Secondly, say ‘You are Muslims. So come, let us talk about the life of the Holy Prophetsa, let us talk about the life and examples of the Companionsra, let us talk about the commandments of the Holy Quran.’
“When they see that you act upon the Holy Quran, talk about the Quran, talk about love for the Holy Prophetsa and his Companionsra, then they will continue talking with you. Slowly, they will think that our teaching is the same as theirs so ‘let us listen to what else he has to say’ … however, this will take time.”
Huzooraa advised to use wisdom too as the Quran exhorts towards wisdom – every situation requires a different approach. Huzooraa also said to use the weapon of prayer as it is a very powerful means.
Hazrat Amirul Momineensa said it is not our duty to force people to convert to Ahmadiyyat; our duty is to preach and leave the rest to God. That said, there are various approaches to preaching and one should use wisdom and different ways to preach. Huzooraa gave the example of the Holy Prophetsa who, at the time of the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, had even accepted not to preach to the residents of Mecca and that Muslims would preach only to others on the suburbs of Mecca etc. Huzooraa said the Holy Prophetsa knew preaching had to cease in Mecca for some time and in the end, they would accept his message anyway.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa advised:
“You have to change your strategy at times, for a while. It is not necessary for you to go directly and say, ‘The Promised Messiahas has come, so if you don’t accept him, you will be Hell-bound!’ The others [hearing this] will want to sever your neck, saying ‘Hell-bound? Who are you to say I am Hell-bound!’
“For this reason, speak to them about the Quran, the hadith, the life of the Holy Prophetsa, his great character, the Companionsra – speak to them on common issues. Allah the Almighty has said the same to the People of the Book, correct? Come to ‘a word equal between us and you’, meaning that ‘what is common between us, let us talk about that’ … If we can talk with the People of the Book and others, then we can talk with our relatives in this manner too.
“One should speak on common issues and in this way, they will listen in their own time. There is no need to fight and quarrel with anyone.”
With this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa announced that the time had finished and briefly spoke with Amir Jamaat Bangladesh, Abdul Awwal Khan Chowdhury Sahib, before closing the mulaqat.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)