Compiled by Shermeen Butt, Lajna Imaillah UK
The amila of Lajna Imaillah UK had the immense privilege and honour of a virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa on Saturday, 2 January 2021 and were particularly blessed that the first virtual mulaqat of the year was granted to us.
Amila members gathered in a Covid-safe environment set up in Tahir Hall, Baitul Futuh (London) while MTA International provided the video link to Huzoor’s office in Islamabad.
It was a spiritually uplifting and blessed mulaqat. Although it was a virtual mulaqat, it felt that we were in Huzoor’s blessed presence.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa graciously listened to each amila member’s report on their work during the past year and most kindly counselled and gave guidance on how to improve our work.
The departmental secretaries reported on their respective department’s work and each received detailed guidance on how they can expand their work and further improve what they are already doing.
Huzooraa asked meticulous questions, which indicated the aspects of each department’s work that are of greater importance and what we need to focus on. It was inspirational to experience Huzoor’s indepth knowledge of every area and ability of Lajna’s endeavours and how he pointed out the key issues and gave direction.
Various muavinas of Sadr Lajna UK also submitted their reports and were blessed to receive pertinent guidance from Huzooraa.
As Lajna Imaillah’s varied work ranges from academic, moral training, outreach to physical fitness and much more, Huzoor’s counsel was also all-encompassing.
Secretary Tabligh Farzana Yousuf Sahiba commented:
“It was an immense blessing to receive Huzoor’s precious guidance for the tabligh department, especially during the current times when the message of Islam is so desperately needed. Huzooraa reminded us that we must convey this message to all members of society, including school children, so that they are the recipients of the true teachings of Islam from a young age.
“Huzoor’s beautiful wisdom reminded us that even though we may hold our tabligh events virtually and may not physically be present with our guests, we should never forget our hospitality and duty to look after them. It was a most inspiring and motivating mulaqat, alhamdolillah.”
Secretary Nau Mubai‘at Nusrat Safir Sahiba said:
“The most beneficial aspect of attending the mulaqat is to have the blessed opportunity to discuss one’s department directly with Huzooraa and to receive specific guidance. It inspires me that Huzooraa spares time from his incredibly busy schedule to discuss and guide the department that has been entrusted to me, then I should also do my utmost to fulfil all the responsibilities that have been put on me.”
Muavina Sadr Nimrah Butt Sahiba observed:
“During this virtual mulaqat, beloved Huzooraa enquired about the work Lajna had done during the pandemic and provided invaluable guidance for the year ahead. After months of lockdown restrictions that had prevented us from seeing our beloved Khalifa with our own eyes (a blessing which this pandemic has highlighted in a new light) this live interaction was simply priceless.
“The entire experience was uplifting and motivational and undoubtedly left all amila members with a renewed desire to work harder to fulfil our responsibilities and the expectations of our beloved Imam.”
Muavina Sadr for Waqf-e-Nau Shahnaz Ahmad Sahiba said:
“We were very fortunate and blessed to have a mulaqat with Huzooraa despite the lockdown. When Huzooraa spoke to me directly about my department, I was nervous, but they were very special moments for me. Huzoor’s detailed and keen awareness of the needs of all waqifaat was touching and inspiring at the same time, asking about their reconfirmation, their contact with local secretaries and their coverage of the syllabus.
“Huzooraa kindly instructed all Lajna about regularity in Namaz, regular recitation of the Holy Quran, listening to the Friday Sermons on MTA, study of hadith and writings of the Promised Messiahas. I will endeavour to work with these guidelines in my department as waqifaat-e-nau need to be at the forefront of the standards set by Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa.”
Sadr Lajna UK Dr Fariha Khan Sahiba remarked:
“Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired about our programme for the coming year and gave us extra guidance regarding that. It is a unique blessing to be given guidance in this way. The mulaqat once again highlighted how our beloved Khalifa takes such great interest and care in the development and training of Ahmadi Muslim women and girls.
“Lajna Imaillah UK is building a maternity hospital in Sierra Leone to mark the 100 years of foundation of Lajna Imaillah worldwide. Huzooraa directed that not only should we build the hospital, but we should also provide it with doctors, nurses and staff.
“Huzooraa guided us about inspiring our future doctors to pledge themselves towards dedicating their lives to serve there. Similarly, when enquiring about Lajna work regarding cottage industries, Huzooraa advised Lajna UK to initiate this service in Africa, yet again reconfirming that there was indeed no one like our beloved Huzooraa who champions service of humanity.
“Huzooraa graciously gave a motto to our Nasirat based on a hadith of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be on him: ‘Modesty is part of faith.’ Huzooraa went on to beautifully guide that this motto would encompass many current day topics. The way the world is forgetting moral and ethical values, which many religions uphold, this motto will serve as a guiding light for our young generation, insha-Allah.
“Huzooraa gave us many targets to work towards, including spiritual and charitable. This framework was an embodiment of covering both huququllah (the rights of Allah) and huququl-ibad (the rights of mankind). An overall impression was that Huzooraa wants us to set targets for ourselves every year, in every department and work towards them in the true spirit of the Islamic injunction that a true believer always moves forward.”
While Lajna UK’s virtual mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa was an extremely uplifting and inspirational experience, it also firmly reminded us of the solemn responsibilities we are privileged to be entrusted with.