On 14 November 2021, 535 Ahmadi girls (nasirat) aged 13-14 from Germany met Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual mulaqat.
As the live stream started, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa conveyed his salaam and called Naila Sheikh to recite a portion from the Holy Quran and its German translation. Maliha Shakil read the Urdu translation of the verses. Baria Ahmad then recited an Urdu poem written by the Promised Messiahas.
Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa turned to the auxiliary leaders of Lajna Imaillah Germany who were present with the nasirat. Addressing Sadr Lajna Imaillah Germany, Huzooraa said, “Have you become the new sadr Lajna, masha-Allah?” Huzooraa then asked where everyone was seated, to which Sadr Sahiba said they were in Mannheim, where Jalsa Salana Germany used to be held. On this Huzooraa said, “In Mannheim? You have gone there? I thought maybe it was your jamaat’s property. I thought, ‘What a beautiful place the jamaat has made’.”
Huzooraa then asked Sadr Sahiba for the agenda. Sadr Sahiba sought permission for the nasirat to ask Huzooraa their questions.
The first question was by Fiza Rabbani who quoted the Holy Quran in which Allah the Almighty said the Holy Quran was “made easy” (Surah al-Qamar, Ch.54: V.33). She asked why then tafasir (commentaries) of the Holy Quran were needed when it was meant to be “easy”.
Huzooraa said:
“‘[We] have made it easy’ – it means the things mentioned in it [the Holy Quran] have been made easy to practice […] The clear commandments that have been given [by Allah] are very easy. And Allah the Almighty has said that these commandments are not difficult for mankind. According to human abilities, strengths and the human mind, understanding and acting on these [commandments] is not difficult. That is why saying that ‘Allah the Almighty has given us extremely difficult commandments’ is wrong.
“Yes, if you do not understand something and you find it difficult, then the tafasir are available. The mufassirin, by writing an easy-to-understand commentary, have enabled you to comprehend [the meanings]. However, Allah the Almighty has also taught that pure and pious people are the ones who understand [the Holy Quran]. Allah the Almighty has also said that the transgressors are harmed by it, they don’t understand it – whereas it benefits a believer. Transgressors don’t understand it and will be harmed by reading it. On the one hand, Allah the Almighty says there is benefit in reading the Holy Quran, and on the other, He says it is harmful. Then who benefits? A believer. Who is harmed? The kafir [disbeliever] – the ones who don’t want to believe, who don’t want to understand.
“So, Allah the Almighty has given such commandments in it [the Holy Quran] that a person can abide by and achieve the purpose of their life. Allah the Almighty has said the purpose of mankind is to worship. And the manner of worship which Allah the Almighty has taught is not such that a person cannot do. Allah the Almighty started with 50 prayers [for mankind to offer a day] and then, by making it easier gradually, ended on five prayers [a day]. So it has become easy for you, hasn’t it? […]
“This is what is meant by making it ‘easy’. It means that acting on it [the Quran] is not difficult […] for a believer, it is not difficult, and for a kafir, it is very difficult. It benefits a believer, it harms a disbeliever.”
Next, Tabeena Ahmad said she wrote “bismillah …” (In the name of Allah …) on every exam paper. She asked what to do if a teacher cut out the words of “bismillah …”.
Huzooraa noted that firstly, her teacher was not a Muslim. He continued:
“You can read ‘bismillah …’ in your heart and Allah the Almighty will give its reward to you even if you don’t write it. And if you have written it and the teacher tells you not to write it, then there is no point in clashing with the teacher for no reason.”
Huzooraa said as long as her heart was full of faith and she used the name of Allah in her heart and mind, then she would gain its blessings.
“Allah the Almighty has not said that we must write [bismillah …] before beginning every task”, Huzooraa said. Rather, the commandment was of saying ‘bismillah …’ on ones lips and in one’s heart. It did not matter if one was not able to write it. The intention mattered, Huzooraa said.
Giving further advice on prayers and exams, Huzooraa said:
“In fact, before starting each exam, read the whole of Surah al-Fatihah […]”.
Sabiqa Bilal asked whether one should offer the prayer for entering graveyards for non-Muslims too.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“These days, your graveyards are all in the same area. Where there are Christian graves, in the same area, Muslims have been given some space too. After entering the main gate, if you read the prayer, you will be reading it for Ahmadis.
“Apart from this, the mushrik – those who don’t believe in Allah the Almighty – and whose bodies are not cremated but are buried, are buried there too. What need is there for you to send Allah the Almighty’s salutations to them? They are mushrik [and] how Allah the Almighty deals with a mushrik, Allah knows better. [Allah] has told us, ‘I will not forgive the mushrik’.
“You should offer a general prayer as you enter the main gate and it is up to Allah the Almighty how far He conveys those prayers.It is not up to you, is it? Your intention is that your salaam reaches the pious people who are buried there.”
Huzooraa said when approaching the graveyard, for Ahmadis or other Muslims the prayer could be read again.
Attiyatul Wakil asked whether women could become imams during Salat.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“Women can become imams for women, not for men. This is what the Holy Prophetsa taught us. If we are strong Muslims – we act by the Quran and the sunnah and listen to what the Holy Prophetsa said – then we should do what Allah the Almighty and His Messenger, the Holy Prophetsa instructed us.
“They said that a man should become the imam and if there was some extraordinary situation, then women could become imams for other women only. For this reason, in our community too, when there are some events [for women], then women lead the prayers too.
“I recall that in the early days of Rabwah, when the sound system was not fully operational, when Jalsa Salana used to take place, the Zuhr and Asr prayers in the Lajna side were led by women in congregation – the voice from the men’s side could not reach there.”
Hadiqa Nasir said that in the Jamaat, there were three auxiliaries for men: Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya, Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and Ansarullah. She asked why women only had two auxiliaries: Nasirat and Lajna.
In a light-hearted manner, Huzooraa started by saying:
“[…] Women say they don’t want to get older than 40, so how can we make another auxiliary [for them]? They cannot tolerate someone telling them they have aged. If you tell a woman that she is old, would she accept it? She would defend herself. So, according to the psychology of women, their auxiliaries have been made.”
Huzooraa continued by saying that the day-to-day activities and roles of men and women were different and that was a reason to have this division. With regard to women, Huzooraa said:
“In general, a time comes when women have the same type of activities – taking care of the home. Yes, there are women who work too – they are doctors, engineers and do other work as well. However, in general, they marry, take care of the home. Whether that woman is 20, 25 or 50, her work is generally the same. For this reason, according to their activities, they have been accounted within one group.” On the contrary, in general, men had different activities according to their ages, Huzooraa said.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said there were differences in mindsets too; women matured quicker and therefore, there were no huge differences between the ages. On the hand, men differed hugely in their mindsets, especially when in old age.
“So, three categories [for men] were made to draw the attention of men towards doing more work. Another reason could be that there is also an expectation from women that whether they are 25 or 50, they will work in the same active manner.”
“When Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra made these auxiliaries, he made them for this reason too that in men, the youth are separated and more work is taken from them. And some tasks are taken from men that are tough – one who reaches Ansar cannot perform them. This could be a reason for the difference too. The tasks of women are of one kind, which they can perform whether they are 25 years old, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50 years old. So these could be the reasons.”
With a smile, Huzooraa said:
“This is a good thing, that your ages are not known. Otherwise, it would be known what lady has turned 40 and they will get worried.”
Sabikah Ahmad said that homosexuality was discussed a lot at her school and students asked about her beliefs and thoughts in this regard. She sought Huzoor’s advice on how to respond to those who had no religion and asked about the morals of homosexuality.
Huzooraa said:
“Those who do not have a religion, they possess human nature right? What is the law of nature? What has Allah the Almighty instilled in nature? In nature – apart from some exceptions – every animal has the natural inclination to have relations with the opposite sex, right? […] The nature of animals tells us too that the nature of humans which Allah the Almighty has instilled is this, that relationships are established with the opposite sex.
“Secondly, say to them, ‘You don’t believe in religion, you don’t believe in God, that is why according to you, sex is just fulfilling a worldly desire. Whereas Allah the Almighty has told us – we are Muslims – that ‘your purpose is not to merely eat, drink and sleep and fulfil sexual urges like animals; rather, your purpose is much greater. Allah has given you a brain to use, to think and by using it, you must work for the benefit of mankind and other creatures too.’ Now, it is from humans that doctors emerge who are doctors for other humans and also veterinary doctors – doctors for animals. It is humans who think for the benefit of mankind and for animals too. No animal does this. So, when humans have been given so much intelligence and understanding by Allah the Almighty, then humans should also adopt the right way given by Allah the Almighty. And the law of nature tells us this.
“Say to them that ‘we have a purpose; you just desire worldly lust […] you want to fulfil worldly pleasures. However, if this is the purpose of life for a person, then what difference is left between them and animals?’”
Huzooraa said to inform them:
“Your desires have merely become worldly desires. Now, if you don’t want to accept this, then we cannot force you; however, we believe there is a life after death – there, you will have to answer to Allah the Almighty. And in the sight of Allah the Almighty, this is a sin, it is wrong in the sight of Allah”.
Shireen Shah asked what the consequences would be – in this world and the next – if someone did not act according to the commandments of Allah.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Allah the Almighty gave commandments […] And Allah says that ‘If you act according to them, then I will give you blessings and […] in the afterlife you will be rewarded for it’. And sometimes reward is given in this life too. However, ‘If you do not abide by them, then you can be punished’. But Allah the Almighty is Al-Rahman and Al-Rahim, He is the Compassionate and Merciful, He is Al-Ghafur [Forgiving] too […] So, Allah the Almighty knows better how He will deal with each person after their death.
“It could be that Allah the Almighty liked a good deed of someone, and due to that deed, even though they did not carry out all His commandments, Allah the Almighty forgives them and says ‘because of that good deed, I have forgiven you. I have forgiven your previous sins.’ And sometimes a person does a major sin that Allah the Almighty does not forgive. So, this depends on Allah the Almighty – who He forgives, and who He is merciful towards and who He punishes.
“Our job is to try and act on the commandments of Allah the Almighty and try to save ourselves from what Allah has forbidden […] We do not know when Allah is angry with us or will punish us for something. We should try to do good deeds by acting according to the commandments of Allah and should stay away from sin.
“Apart from this, what will be the result? How will Allah the Almighty treat [us]? This, Allah knows better. Allah is the Forgiver; He can forgive and He can punish.”
Abida Mahmood asked if there was any information about those humans who lived with Prophet Adamas.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa answered by saying that we knew Allah the Almighty gave them instructions to live on the earth and accept and listen to the prophets that He would send. Apart from this, the history of religion did not tell us much more.
Huzooraa said:
“We know that Adam was not alone; there was a nation and that nation inhabited the earth.”
Afia Masood said that non-Muslim youth were drawing further away from God due to the influence of social media and no matter what she told them, they did not listen. She asked how one could convince them about the existence of God.
Huzooraa responded by saying:
“Firstly, take care of your own – that our boys and girls do not come under their influence. Our first task is to protect our own and to convince them that God exists. And for proof of the existence of God, telling them accounts, telling them about our own stories and incidents – this is the task for the elders too, telling them about the fulfilment of our prayers, telling them about a good dream that came true and through these, telling them that God exists.
“[…] We have to take care of ourselves first – our own children. We will need to look at ourselves and see to what extent we are familiar with Allah the Almighty […]
“These people go on social media and talk against Allah or talk about such things that draw one away from religion […] These are satanic ploys. Satan said, when Adam was created, ‘I will try to corrupt them’. In every age, Satan has used various means – in this age, Satan has used social media too. Social media can be used for good works and for evil as well. On social media, by posting good things, you can bring people towards piety and goodness. However, today, such things are posted on social media that corrupt morals, take one away from religion – that draw people away from Allah the Almighty.
“In response to this, when you see such things, those girls who are educated and knowledgeable amongst you should reply” to anything against God Almighty or religion that comes on social media. They should quote what came on social media against God and religion and then reply to it.
“Form a team of young girls who should give replies on social media”. These teams should come from Lajna as well as “Khuddam and other auxiliaries and organisations within the Jamaat.”
Huzooraa said:
“They should give replies on social media – where it comes on social media, there is a column for comments, and you can write what you have to say in the comments section.” Huzooraa instructed for answers to be given exactly where the allegations were raised on social media and in this way, “those who can be easily influenced” by the original post against God or religion will ponder over the replies that Ahmadis give. Huzooraa said others would read the replies given by Jamaat members and in this way, they would think about the matter more deeply.
Huzooraa said that the best manner to respond to satanic attacks on social media was through prayers and also to respond to social media posts that were against religion and Allah the Almighty.
Next, Bisma Zafar said that it was recommended to write short and concise letters when writing to Huzooraa. She asked how one should write to Huzooraa when the matter was more detailed and required a longer letter.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“If there is an issue or the matter is detailed, you can write it. However, you can write in points – one, two, three, four, five [points etc.]. If you write it in points, then it will be processed quicker. If you write a 10-page letter, I will tell my office to prepare a summary of it and they will then summarise it. Through this method, however, it could be that some important points that were in your mind are inadvertently omitted. That is why it is better for you – if the matter is very detailed – to write the letter in points yourself and [tell me], ‘These are the main points and matters, and if you desire for me to expand on them further, then I will write to you in further detail if you didn’t understand my points’.”
Huzooraa said the first letter could be sent in a more concise way through writing the letter in a numbered format, highlighting the main points of the matter. Later, if further details were required, people could write a more detailed letter. Huzooraa said it was okay to read two pages; however, reading a “10-page letter gets difficult.”
The next question was by Noor Afshan Ahmad who raised the issue of racism at school. She asked Huzooraa what response one should give to students who did not even want to include them in group projects or talk to them due to racism.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa advised:
“In such a situation, if there is racism, then firstly you should inform the school’s administration that there is racism and it should end.
“Secondly, not all the girls are racist, right? […] The rest of the girls who are good, or the good students, you can keep company with them. Say to them, ‘Look, we came to Germany, we are speaking the German language, we are also loyal to Germany. This is what our religion has taught us and we are working for your betterment too. I am studying in school so that when I get older, I can do something productive and benefit the country – whether I become a doctor, or engineer or something else.’ Many [Ahmadi] girls have such professions. ‘If there is racism like this, then only fights will occur, that is why we shouldn’t do this.’ And say, ‘Islam teaches us that racism should not exist. So, when we are loyal to the country, why are we treated like this?’
“The decent girls who do not agree with racism, befriend them and speak to them about these aspects – in turn, they will respond to racists themselves. This happens in lots of places – in Germany and other places too – where lots of the locals support foreigners, the Asians living there etc., and say, ‘What our people are doing is wrong’. And they respond to them on your behalf. So befriend good girls and students, they will reply to racists themselves. However, you will have to integrate with them – you will have to mix with them; adopt their good practices and teach them your good values.”
Shafia Qazi said schools trips in Germany were organised which included overnight stays. Those students who did not attend them would be marked absent by the school and this would affect their grades too. She asked Huzooraa about schools trips and what to do in such situations.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Firstly, there are some [overnight] trips that are purely for leisure. In my view, one should most definitely not go to those. They are just for fun and in the name of ‘fun’, immoral things take place on those trips in these [Western] countries.
“Then, there are those trips that are related to your studies, where you go for research. For example, in biology, when studying science, they sometimes take you to zoos, or to show wildlife, they take you on trips to forests etc. If you have to go to those, you should. Usually, they are not for two or three nights, they are usually for one day or so.”
Huzooraa said that in general, overnight trips should be avoided; however, if there was no choice, then going rarely did not make much difference. However, Huzooraa emphasised that there were plenty of Ahmadi women in Germany who gained places in university to study medicine and engineers etc. who did not attend such trips during their school days. This was because they were bright students and had good grades.
“If you perform well and your exam results are good, then they will be forced to give you a place [in higher education]. That is why you should not make this an excuse, that ‘our grades are reduced, that is why we have to go on [trips].’ Grades are not reduced and if they are, then it’s a minor reduction because you can get some points for extracurricular activities”, but they were minor, Huzooraa said. “To say all our grades are reduced” for not attending overnight trips, was not accurate.
Huzooraa said that one-day educational trips were fine; however, “residential trips should be avoided”.
Next, Raheen Malik asked about the reality of someone’s nazar, or the ‘evil-eye’. Huzooraa responded:
“The thing is, when a person develops arrogance, their own nazar affects them – what is the significance of someone else’s nazar?
Huzooraa continued:
“In one place, there is a narration that says a mother’s nazar can affect her child. Now, a mother loves her child, so how can her nazar affect the child? Her nazar happens when she says, ‘Look how good I am at raising my child, and I give him milk, care for him, give him good food and drink – look how healthy he is – and this is due to my hard work.’ She causes her own nazar to affect the child. Allah the Almighty says, ‘I am the One who does everything’.”
Huzooraa said if someone was envious and jealous, then one should save oneself from the evil of their envy. Allah the Almighty taught us the prayer to be protected from them.
Huzooraa continued to say that those who believed in nazar too much were affected by their own superstitions and would fall into psychological imaginations and believe others to be affecting them negatively. “There is not such nazar”, Huzooraa stressed and said that the reality was that those who were envious and jealous could affect another in ways the person was not fully aware of. Huzooraa said one should recite the prayers for protection against such people; for example, reading the last three chapters of the Holy Quran and Ayat-ul-Kursi before sleeping.
“Those who don’t believe in nazar are not affected by it at all. Those who have superstitions are affected by nazar. Don’t worry at all, you won’t be affected by ‘nazar’. You can just read لَا حَوْلَ وَ لَا قُوَّةَ اِلَّا بِاللّٰه [‘There is no power or might, save Allah’]”, Huzooraa advised.
Atiyatul Umar Khan asked whether it was a bad thing to now wear a headscarf.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Allah the Almighty, in the Holy Quran, commanded women, ‘When you mature, when you grow, then keep your head and bosom covered’. This is a commandment of the Holy Quran, right? It doesn’t come from somewhere else, does it? We are Muslims, correct? […] It is written in the Holy Quran to ‘keep your heads covered and keep your bosom covered, so that you are protected from the evil sight of others and the sanctity of a woman is upheld.’ When a girl matures – at 13 or 14 years old – then covering her head and wearing a coat and covering her bosom is a good thing. And this is the commandment of Allah the Almighty too and we are going to do what Allah the Almighty has commanded us, right? If we are Muslims, then we should fully act accordingly, but if we are not Muslims, then we may do whatever.”
Next, Atial-tul-Kayoom Ahmad asked Huzooraa why the status of martyrdom was so high and whether Allah had previously ordained who would get this status.
Huzooraa said:
“Allah the Almighty knows better who will attain martyrdom and who will not. And whether He had ordained this from the beginning or not, Allah knows better […] Or Allah has the knowledge – as Allah has knowledge of all things – and so He knows the person would, in the end, be martyred. Therefore, as far as the knowledge [of someone being martyred] is concerned, Allah the Almighty possesses it.
“Yes, Allah the Almighty knows that if a person does certain deeds, they will achieve martyrdom.”
On why the status of martyrdom was so high, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa explained:
“It is high because through martyrdom, a person sacrifices [their] life for Allah. The one who sacrifices their life for Allah, Allah treats them with more love. And a Muslim who makes sacrifices for Allah [during his life], Allah will reward them.
“You see, if you have a close friend and she is making every sacrifice for you and is ready for any sacrifice, and she says ‘I am ready to sacrifice my life for you’ – your love for that friend will increase, right? And if she ever sacrificed her life to save your life, then you will love her more? You will pray for her more, correct? Thus, those who sacrifice for Allah the Almighty, He loves them more and then gives them greater reward.”
Hania Ahmad asked what one could do for prayers to be accepted quicker. Huzooraa said:
“You see, it is up to Allah when He wants to accept it. Is Allah our servant? […] Our duty is to ask Allah the Almighty. Keep in your mind that there is no other being besides Allah who can give. And it is Allah Who has all powers, and that it is Allah Who says ‘pray to Me and I will answer your prayers’. However, at the same time, Allah also said ‘Believe in Me too’ […] ‘your belief in Me should be strong. You should firmly believe that I listen to your prayers. You should believe that what I have said is correct and you are abiding by them.’
“What is belief in Allah? Belief in Allah is that what Allah has commanded us, we abide by it. Allah has said to offer the compulsory five daily prayers with due attention and pray during them. Now, ponder over whether you are offering the five daily prayers properly and are praying. Allah said not to have bad and immoral thoughts, so reflect on whether your thoughts are pure or not. Allah the Almighty said to stay away from immoral programmes and company, so see whether or not you are protecting yourselves from immoral programmes on TV and the Internet. Allah the Almighty said to show good morals to those who are around you – your brothers and sisters, your friends etc. – you should not have bad morals. So see whether or not you are abiding by that or not.
“When all of our own deeds will be good, and we believe in the commandments of Allah the Almighty, it is then that Allah the Almighty says that ‘if you do all of these things and pray to Me whilst worshipping, I will accept your prayers’.
“You will have to reform yourself a great deal first; it is then that prayers are accepted”, Huzooraa highlighted. Offering prayers and following the commandments of Allah the Almighty needed to be consistent, Huzooraa said. Praying one day and then forgetting Allah the Almighty would not get prayers answered.
At the end of the meeting, Huzooraa asked Sadr Lajna Imaillah Germany how many nasirat were present. She reported that 535 nasirat from ma‘yar-e-awal (aged 13-15) were present. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa responded by saying, “Really? Masha-Allah! You have gathered a large number.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then conveyed his salaam to all the nasirat and those present and the meeting came to a close.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)