On 19 February 2022, members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya Germany, aged 10 to 12 (mi‘yar-e-dom), met Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual mulaqat.
As the live stream started, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa conveyed his salaam and called Attiya tul Wakeel Bilal to recite a portion from the Holy Quran. After the recitation, she presented the German translation. Huzooraa called upon Javeria Naeem to read the Urdu translation. Then Fariha Chaudhry recited a poem of the Promised Messiahas.
Thereafter, the nasirat had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa questions about various religious matters and other day-to-day issues.
The first questioner asked Huzooraa if Jamaat books would be made available in Braille for the visually impaired. Answering, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa replied in the affirmative and said, that as time passed and the Jamaat made further progress, a time would come where “these shall be made available, insha-Allah Ta‘ala.”
Inbisat asked Huzooraa how she could explain to her class fellows that her wearing of hijab was her personal choice and not something forced upon her. She said that she had tried to explain that she wore the hijab as an act of personal choice; however, they would reply by saying that she was lying.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that if one kept a cheerful disposition whilst wearing the hijab, then people would automatically know that what this girl was wearing was by personal choice. However, Huzooraa said, if she remained depressed whilst wearing the hijab, then people would say that she was lying and that she was forced to wear it. Huzooraa added that in America a girl had said to him that some people believed by wearing the hijab women were being oppressed and were under pressure. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that he had replied to her by saying that if one remained depressed or gave the impression that they were unhappy, people would tend to think like this, but, “if you remain happy, then nobody would have such an opinion.”
Huzooraa explained that she should tell her friends, “What is in my heart, I have told you. The rest is up to you whether you desire to believe it or not. I am an Ahmadi Muslim and I believe that we should not have a duplicitous policy. We must act according to what our religion teaches. Allah the Almighty tells us that as girls grow older, they should start wearing hijab, cover themselves, maintain a certain barrier so that they can avoid the ills of this world, the evil of Satan and his confrontations. This is why I do this [i.e. wear the hijab].”
Huzooraa explained that if they did not desire to believe what she was telling them then there was no need to engage in a debate over it. “You should not have any complexes; you should not feel inferior, thinking that ‘girls would tease us.’”
Upon being asked how one could attain hikmat (wisdom), Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Hikmat meansintellect. Use your intellect! Intellect also increases by acquiring knowledge. Gain knowledge, and when you gain knowledge, you will have the ability to understand more. And when the ability to understand something is developed, then the ability to respond to [a question] with wisdom is also developed. Hikmat is to respond wisely according to circumstances. If someone is asking you a question and if you answer it harshly, that is in a harsh tone, and the person gets angry and starts fighting with you then that is not hikmat [by you]. However, if you answer gently and with love and understanding, then that is hikmat.”
Huzooraa explained that if, for example, one was to harshly tell someone to adopt purdah otherwise God would be angry and punish them in hell, then such a person would respond in a negative way and say “Who are you to say such a thing? My matter lies with Allah”. However, if the same thing was taught and explained in a loving manner, and that purdah was a commandment of Allah, then this would be, Huzooraa said, equal to explaining a matter with hikmat.
Nirmal Virk asked Huzooraa if it was compulsory to wear a coat if one was already wearing appropriate loose clothing and a scarf. Huzooraa asked, “Did people wear coats during the time of the Holy Prophetsa? There were no coats. Even in the time of the Promised Messiah, upon whom be peace, people used to cover themselves with chadors. This is what Allah has said in the Holy Quran; cover yourself [with] headscarves in such a way that your head is covered, the sides of your face are covered, and your chest is covered.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that even if one was wearing appropriate long clothing, and wore a coat that was tight, then this was not the right kind of purdah. Huzooraa explained that if one was to wear a coat then it should be loose. Huzooraa gave the example of the loose robes of the Arabs.
Sofia Kawal Ahmad asked Huzooraa how one could overcome hardships and strengthen one’s faith. Huzooraa answered that to strengthen one’s faith, one must know and believe that there was an All-Powerful God. “When one realises that Allah Almighty exists, then [naturally] it is also necessary to realise that the Prophets, whom Allah Almighty sends for mankind’s reformation, are true [in their claim].”
Huzooraa said that if one did not offer prayers and did not weep before Allah to seek strength for their faith, then their faith could be ruined. Huzooraa added that if one did not recite the Holy Quran and did not act upon the commandments contained in it which strengthen their faith, then their faith could also decline. Huzooraa further said that if one was to read the literature of the Promised Messiahas, their knowledge and faith would increase.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih aa quoted the verse وَالَّذِيۡنَ جَاهَدُوۡا فِيۡنَا and said:
“‘[…] as for those who strive in Our path—We will surely guide them in Our ways.’ Jihad means to strive for one’s faith. Striving means that you should pray to Allah Almighty, try to increase your knowledge, and try to understand Allah’s commandments [mentioned in] the Holy Quran.”
Shafia Khan asked Huzooraa how one could attain the closeness of Allah. Answering this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“In order to attain nearness to Allah, Allah says, ‘Worship Me, come near Me, offer prayers, offer the five daily prayers’, and in five prayers weep and pray that Allah may grant you His nearness. Then Allah shall grant His nearness. When Allah hears your prayers, He will hear your words, and when you pray to Allah, your heart will be at peace, and you will realise that you have attained the nearness of Allah. And when the nearness of Allah is attained, then Allah Himself puts it in the heart that ‘you should be nearer to him to whom you have pledged allegiance to. You must obey him, and follow what he teaches.’ […]”
Upon being asked which poem Huzooraa enjoyed listening to and often listened to, Huzooraa said, “I hardly ever listen to poems, [however] I like every poem that is well recited […]”
Huzooraa then said that the poems composed by the Promised Messiahas were very good. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa further mentioned Kalam-e-Mahmud, Durr-e-‘Adan, and said that there were many other poets whose poems were good.
Huzooraa then asked the questioner, Maria Mehmood, what poems she liked to listen to. She replied that she enjoyed listening to poems and mentioned the poems Khalifa ke hum hain and Khalifa dil hamara hai.
Huzooraa replied, “Read the poems from Durr-e-Samin and Kalam-e-Mahmud. This shall increase your faith […]”
Alluding to the poems she mentioned, Huzooraa said that such poems create temporary enthusiasm but, to increase one’s faith, one should read the words composed by the Imam of the age and his Khulafa.
Next, Anmal Roi said that in countries such as Japan, Korea, and China, people greeted each other by bowing. She asked Huzooraa whether it would be permissible to bow before them when greeting.
Answering, Huzooraa said that bowing upon greeting each other was a tradition and practice in those countries. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that in Asian countries such as Pakistan also, people said salaam by placing their hand over their chest and bowing slightly. This was not shirk, Huzooraa said.
He added that this was their practice of greeting and it was not considered an act of worship. “They do not bow down thinking that the person before them is God,” Huzooraa explained. Rather, it was a form of courtesy. Huzooraa then said that one must always remember the hadith إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ that deeds are judged by motives.
Elize Awan asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa what should be done if something wrong was being taught in school regarding Islam. Answering, Huzooraa said that one should tell the teacher that what had been stated about Islam was incorrect. He said that one could volunteer to explain the true teachings of Islam and explain what the true teachings of Islam were. “Children should have the courage to tell their teachers to ‘give us a chance to tell you about Islam.’”
Huzooraa said that that was often appreciated by the teachers. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added, “When an objection is raised against Islam, a believer should stand [and defend Islam].”
Maria Langah asked if God still rewarded a person who recited the Holy Quran but was unable to recite it with its correct pronunciation. Responding, Huzooraa said that a person should try to recite the Holy Quran in the best manner possible and continue to learn its correct pronunciation. Huzooraa added, “Allah rewards one based on their intention, as I just said. However, one should make an effort to continue to improve.”
Sania Anas asked Huzooraa when he would come to Germany. Answering, Huzooraa said, “When the prevailing circumstances have improved.”
Fozia Mubarik asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa about the Lahori Jamaat and why they separated from the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Answering, Huzooraa said that during the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira there were some who used to say that Khilafat should be under the Anjuman and officeholders of the Anjuman desired to run it. Huzooraa said that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira did not agree with this and said that the establishment of Khilafat was the Islamic way. Huzooraa said that at the demise of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, however, some of the office-bearers and people such as Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib started saying that there should be no Khilafat. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra replied to this mischief by saying that there should be Khilafat. Huzooraa said, “[…] Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra said that ‘there should be Khilafat no matter what. If you suspect that I would become the Khalifa, then know that I have no desire to be a Khalifa. We would even accept one of you as the Khalifa. However, [the institution of] Khilafat must be established. […]’”
Huzooraa further explained that Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmadra said that a Khalifa should be elected, whether it be Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib or anyone else. Upon this, those who opposed Khilafat did not agree and refused to believe in Khilafat.
Huzooraa said that it was Allah Almighty’s promise that Khilafat would be established after the Promised Messiahas, as alluded to by him in his book, The Will. “However, these people were not ready to accept Khilafat. So, they separated and went to Lahore, where they formed their own Jamaat, and took with them the funds and treasury of the Jamaat. Many great scholars also went with them. However, as Allah the Exalted was to protect Khilafat, this is why this [Lahori] Jamaat, after some time, slowly began to disappear and has now almost finished. However, the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, which remained attached to Khilafat and was associated with it, is growing and shall continue to spread and has now reached 212 countries of the world. […]”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that the Lahori Jamaat also had a mosque in Berlin, Germany. He said that when he visited Berlin, he also visited this mosque. Huzooraa added, “At that time there was a boy from America [there in their mosque] who said, ‘I am the imam here and I have come here temporarily.” Huzooraa said that the young boy did not have any formal religious education.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that it was due to the blessings of Khilafat that the Jamaat was spreading throughout the world. Regarding the Lahori Jamaat, Huzooraa said, “They denied Khilafat, and so they are no more; and they have suffered the loss [of denying Khilafat].”
Amtul Wakeel Bhatti asked Huzooraa why we looked right and left whilst saying salaam at the end of salat. Responding to this, Huzooraa said, “First and foremost, we are to act according to how the Holy Prophetsa has taught us.” Secondly, Huzooraa said that after praying and saying salaam to our right and left was a means and desire of spreading salaam (peace) around us.
Tuba Malhi asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa that if Allah was One, then why had He referred to Himself as “We” in some places in the Holy Quran. Huzooraa explained that where Allah desired to emphasise on His power and majesty, He has used “We”. Huzooraa said, “It was just an expression of language. It is not that Allah is One in some places and two in another. Allah is One.” Huzooraa expounded that sometimes even kings would proclaim “This is our decree”. This meant, Huzooraa said, that the king was saying and proclaiming something whilst also demonstrating his strength.
Hibah Nasir said that when we heard the name of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, we prayed for peace and blessings to be sent upon him by Allah the Exalted. She asked whether one should not also say something similar when hearing or saying the name of Allah Almighty. Huzooraa said that Allah Almighty had instructed us in the Holy Quran to send durood upon the Holy Prophetsa. Huzooraa quoted the following verse:
اِنَّ اللّٰهَ وَمَلٰٓئِكَتَهٗ يُصَلُّوۡنَ عَلَی النَّبِيِّ ؕ يٰۤاَيُّهَا الَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا صَلُّوۡا عَلَيۡهِ وَسَلِّمُوۡا تَسۡلِيۡمًا
“Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe, you too should invoke blessings on him and salute him with the salutation of peace.” (Surah al-Ahzab, Ch.33: V.57)
Huzooraa then said:
“It is the command of Allah to proclaim صلّی اللّٰهَ عَليه وسلّم. And the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa said that ‘if you send blessings on me and pray, then your prayers will also be accepted because Allah has said so.”
Huzooraa said that Allah had stated that He even Himself sent blessings upon the Holy Prophetsa. Huzooraa said that when one said Allah’s name, they should do so respectfully; and added that there were more blessings in saying Allah Ta’ala than in just saying Allah. Huzooraa narrated that when he was young, there was house in Rabwah and on the wall of this house, it was written, “There are great blessings in saying ‘Allah Ta’ala’.”
Attiya tul Malik Muhammad asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa how one could be safeguarded from the negative use of mobile phones. Huzooraa asked her if she was aware of the negatives and positives of using a mobile phone; to which she replied in the affirmative and said that the negative usage was the continuous playing of games. Huzooraa said that when one was aware of the negative usage of something then such a person was safeguarded. Those who were unaware of the negative usage of something should be told that such and such thing was bad as it could be harmful and so and so was good as it could benefit a person, Huzooraa said.
Huzooraa said that if one knew the negatives and positives of a matter, then one should “Develop willpower, instil strength in yourself and make a firm decision that I should not do anything bad,” otherwise the negative usage of it could cause one to forget to offer their prayers and to recite the Holy Quran. Extensive usage of mobile phones could also cause damage to one’s eyes, Huzooraa said.
Attiya tul Wakeel Bilal stated that in a hadith one reads that when the Holy Prophetsa would receive a revelation, he would begin to sweat despite cold weather. She asked why such a condition came about and further asked if this was the same condition of the Promised Messiahas upon receiving revelation.
Huzooraa stated that prophets of Allah feared Allah the most and when a revelation was sent, “the burden of revelation is so great that one who has true comprehension of God’s Being, his heart starts to tremble, and out of all people, prophets [are most conscious of God’s Being].” Huzooraa explained that the Promised Messiahas also experienced something similar upon receiving revelations.
Alisha Malik asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what the meaning was of the revelation of the Promised Messiahas:
آسمان سے دُودھ اُترا ہے، محفوظ ركهو
“Milk has descended from heaven, guard it.” [Tadhkirah [English], p. 816]
Huzooraa stated that the “milk” meant the true teaching of Islam, which was a means of developing a relationship with God and His Messengersa. Thus, Huzooraa said, we ought to hold fast to it, “guard it”, believe in it, place it in our hearts, and act upon the guidance given by the Promised Messiahas, who was given this “milk” in this era through the agency and due to the blessings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa.
Huzooraa said that the Promised Messiahas “has said, that he is the Hakam ‘Adal of the current age and that we should accept his decisions and decrees. Thus, we ought to accept them without criticising or debating them […]”
Huzooraa then asked National Secretary Nasirat about the number of nasirat in Germany. She replied that there were 3352 nasirat in Germany. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then conveyed his salaam to everyone and the mulaqat came to a close.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)