On Sunday, 12 November 2023, a group of waqifeen-e-nau from Belgium had the blessed opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual mulaqat. At the outset of the mulaqat, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam and called upon Zeeshan Ahmad to recite a portion from the Holy Quran. This was followed by its Urdu translation, presented by Ataul Musawwir. Next, Saboor Ahmad presented a hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.
Mabroor Ahmad was then called to recite a poem composed by Hazrat Ahmadas, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, following which Haider Ahmad and Mohid Ahmad Gondal presented an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas.
Huzooraa then enquired about the mosque in which they were seated, to which he was informed that they were at Baitul Mujeeb Mosque, Brussels.
Following this, the waqifeen-e-nau had the chance to ask some questions and seek guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.
The first question presented to Huzooraa was: In which field of research should waqifeen-e-nau engage? Huzooraa responded that they should explore various research domains, including science, history, and archives, and should also delve into research about the ark of Prophet Noahas and medicine. Huzooraa emphasised that waqifeen-e-nau should “participate in all research fields and excel in them.”
Upon being asked at what age one should enter the system of Wassiyat, Huzooraa responded that individuals may do so at the age of 15 and renew it at the age of 17-18 as and when they mature. Huzooraa emphasised that 15 is an age at which one can comprehend, especially as the youngster is entering Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. It is recommended to read the book The Will, understand its contents, and grasp what the Promised Messiahas expects from his followers and why he initiated this system. Huzooraa concluded by stating, “When one understands this, they should enter the system of Wasiyyat.”
Huzooraa was then asked how one can increase their love and loyalty for the Holy Prophetsa.
Huzooraa said, “Recite the durood sharif and understand its meaning.” If one recites the durood sharif with the intention of understanding its meaning, then this will be a means of increasing one’s love and loyalty to the Holy Prophetsa. Huzooraa added that the Promised Messiahas once said that one night, he recited the durood sharif continuously with such fervour that he saw, in a vision, that angels said, “‘This is the man who loves the Messengersa of Allah.’” [Tadhkirah, p. 55]
Muneef Ahmad, 8, asked how he can befriend Allah. Huzooraa replied that Allah the Almighty has stated that he who desires to be His friend must obey Him. Alluding to his age, Huzooraa said that the Holy Prophetsa instructed that when a child reaches the age of seven, they should begin offering salat and that at the age of ten, salat becomes compulsory. [Sunan Abi Dawud, Kitab as-salat, Bab mata yu’maru l-ghulamu bi s-salah] Huzooraa then said that one should begin inculcating this habit of prayer so that Allah may show His love and befriend them.
Khwaja Zeeshan Tariq asked Huzooraa how he manages to read so many letters despite his busy schedule. While explaining this, Huzooraa said to him that he directly addresses certain letters, while others are summarised for him. Additionally, there are letters that Huzooraa reads personally.
A 19-year-old student of economics sought Huzoor’saa guidance on which field he should pursue. Huzooraa advised him to continue and excel in economics, suggesting that he should aim for a PhD in the subject. Huzooraa further recommended studying Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’sra book, The Economic System of Islam, and delving into the teachings of the Holy Quran in this respect. Additionally, Huzooraa emphasised that in a world dominated by interest-based systems, the student should explore how, by establishing an Islamic system, one can liberate society from such practices.
Another waqif-e-nau stated that Allah the Almighty declared in the Holy Quran that His righteous servants shall inherit the land. [Surah al-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.106] He asked if those righteous servants would be from the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. Huzooraa answered that if members of the Jamaat remain righteous, then they shall be the righteous servants. Huzooraa explained that righteous servants are those who follow His command completely.
Huzooraa added that in this era, Allah sent the Promised Messiahas as the most ardent servant of the Holy Prophetsa. He was sent to revive the true Islam that people had either forgotten or embellished with innovations and to establish a Jamaat. Thus, the Promised Messiahas was sent to establish a Community. Now, Huzooraa said, it is the Jamaat’s obligation to be included among those who are His righteous servants.
Huzooraa, upon being asked if a non-Ahmadi relative or friend passes away, can one pray for them, answered, “Yes, if they are Muslim, believe in the Oneness of God, have faith in God, and believe in His Messengersa, then one can pray for their forgiveness.” Huzooraa added that if, due to any misunderstanding, they did not accept the Promised Messiahas, then one can still pray for their forgiveness. If a non-Ahmadi passes away, is a Muslim, and no other Muslim resides in the area, and there is no one to pray his funeral prayer, then one can even lead his funeral prayer.
Next, a waqif-e-nau said that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra mentioned that intelligence is a name for concentration. He asked Huzooraa how one can establish concentration to increase their intelligence. Huzooraa answered that intelligence increases by focusing on something. When one reads an article with full concentration and reflects on it, then one’s mind begins to open, and intelligence increases. “Thus, inculcate the habit of pondering.”
Alluding to today’s critical state of the world, a waqif-e-nau asked how one can prepare themselves for the future. Huzooraa replied that one should pray that Allah safeguards them and that it does not escalate into a global war. Huzooraa said that if it does escalate, then one should pray to Allah that their faith remains strong and that their faith does not give way to fear.
A waqif-e-nau boy mentioned that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated that one can only excel in righteousness if they are serious; those who are not serious cannot be of benefit in religious or worldly matters. He then asked Huzooraa how one could act upon this advice. Huzooraa gave the example that when one is studying, one must concentrate and focus on the topic, whether it be geography, maths, English, another language, or history. One must take their studies seriously; only then can one truly understand the topic. “Similar principles apply to other tasks,” Huzooraa added. He emphasised that all work should be considered important. “Whatever you do, do it carefully, think about it, and give it importance,” Huzooraa added, stating that only then can one excel in the task at hand.
Upon being asked how Allah would treat someone who sincerely believes in their heart that Ahmadiyyat is the truth but does not publicly declare their allegiance due to fearful circumstances, Huzooraa explained that if the circumstances are genuinely fearful and the individual accepts Ahmadiyyat from the heart and refrains from using abusive language against the Promised Messiahas, then they are considered an Ahmadi from the heart.
Huzooraa mentioned an incident from the time of the Holy Prophetsa when a Companion, after being beaten and tortured, said something about the Holy Prophetsa under duress. Later, he came to the Holy Prophetsa weeping, confessing his mistake and affirming his true faith. The Holy Prophetsa simply asked if he was a true Muslim at heart and, upon receiving an answer in the affirmative, assured him of Allah’s forgiveness. [Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir, Vol. 3, Translated by Bewley, A. (2013), pp. 189-190]
Hence, Huzooraa stated that if someone has embraced Islam Ahmadiyyat sincerely in their heart but cannot openly express it due to their circumstances, Allah, being Merciful and Compassionate, may forgive them if He wills. However, Huzooraa emphasised that the continuous use of abusive language against the Promised Messiahas is not acceptable.
Upon being asked about the concept of the evil eye and whether there is any reality in it, and about those who conceal good news to prevent the evil eye, Huzooraa said that there is no reality in the evil eye. However, some do harbour envy, and due to their envy, they may unintentionally bring harm to someone. Huzooraa advised that one should pray to be protected from the harmful intentions of those who envy, as Allah has emphasised the importance of prayer in the last two chapters of the Holy Quran.
Huzooraa was asked how one can help the people of Palestine while also praying.
In response, Huzooraa said that first and foremost, one should pray, as there is immense power in prayer. Huzooraa added that one can also contribute to charity and added that Humanity First is assisting in humanitarian efforts, and donations can be made there too.
A young boy asked Huzooraa why Muslims wear white clothing during Hajj and Umrah. In reply, Huzooraa explained that white clothes are worn as a sign of cleanliness. Hajj and Umrah are forms of worship where man is extremely close to God. Huzooraa added that this is how the Holy Prophetsa has taught us Muslims.
A young Waqf-e-Nau asked Huzooraa what he should do from now to become an exemplary khadim. Huzooraa asked how old he was, to which he replied that he was eight. Huzooraa said that he should start offering salat and continue to do so as he grows older. Huzooraa added that he should avoid wasting his time on futile things and promise that even as he gets older, he will continue to engage in good deeds and increase his religious knowledge.
Upon being asked why Allah made various other religions, Huzooraa said that Allah introduced religion to man through Prophet Adamas. During those early years, as there were no means of transport and the world was not yet a global village as it is today, Allah raised various prophets in their respective villages and places to teach them about religion and the Oneness of God. Huzooraa added that, according to hadith, 124,000 prophets were sent, and Allah has even mentioned some of them in the Holy Quran. Huzooraa added that the prophets were also told that a time would come when a grand prophet would come and unite all religions. Then, when mankind’s mind had matured to understand the final shariah, Allah sent the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa as a Messenger to the entire world.
Next, upon being asked about Satan being made of fire and his ultimate punishment, Huzooraa said that Satan is not a physical being; however, Satan is within each person. The Holy Prophetsa said that Satan flows through the human being like the flowing of blood and added that his Satan had become a Muslim. [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 2174, 2814]
Thus, Huzooraa said that one should continue to pray to rid oneself of the influence of Satan. Huzooraa went on to state that the Holy Quran mentions that Satan asked for respite until the Day of Reckoning and challenged that people would follow him, and he would surely lead them all astray. Upon this, God said that He would cast Satan and all his followers into hell. Huzooraa added that the burning is of two types: one is of hellfire, and the other is of the regret of the heart.
Harris Ahmad, 8, asked Huzooraa if he could lead the congregational prayer at home. Huzooraa replied that if the mosque was far and his parents could not go to the mosque for some reason, then he could do so. However, Huzooraa added, that if the mosque was near and his parents offered salat at the mosque, then he should also try to offer salat at the mosque.
Rana Safeer Ali asked if a waqif-e-nau could become a politician. Huzooraa replied in the affirmative and added that he should be an honest politician and not lie. Today’s politicians are not courageous; they are unable to speak against what is happening to the Palestinians as they adhere to the policies set by their parties, influenced by their funding sources. One should raise their voice against oppression wherever it occurs; if Israelis are being oppressed, then speak up for them, and if Palestinians are being oppressed, then speak up for them. One should speak the truth.
In the end, Huzooraa addressed Muneer Ahmad Anjum, Secretary Waqf-e-Nau, saying, “May Allah enable you to provide good tarbiyat for the [members of] Waqfe-Nau, and may they steadfastly carry out their waqf and Allah grant them the opportunity to excel in religious knowledge.”
Huzooraa then conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a successful end.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)