On 12 September 2021, members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya from the Midlands Region, UK were given the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual meeting.
The meeting commenced with a recitation of the Holy Quran and its English translation by Sakeena Bonsu. Following this, a tarana (choral poem) was presented by four nasirat: Hajira, Maimoona, Alishwa and Sakeena.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then turned to Mateen Bhatti Sahiba, Secretary Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya UK, and asked what was planned by the nasirat. She responded that some nasirat had questions they wished to ask Huzooraa.
The first question was asked by Aisha from Stevenage whether waqifaat-e-nau were allowed to work alongside studying.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered:
“If it is work experience, then you can work, and if you are studying in university, and you need some money to continue your studies to meet your expenses – or to gain some work experience – then you can work, but with the condition that your dress is modest, and you wear the hijab.”
“It is a conditional permission,” Huzooraa added.
Ishal Noor from Birmingham East said she had two questions. She said that one of the proofs for the truth of Ahmadiyyat was that it was a growing community within Islam; however, she said, there were many other religious groups, such as Sikhism and Bahaism, that were also “rapidly spreading”. She asked if this was proof for their religions also.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked:
“Do you have data on Sikhism or Bahaism which are ‘spreading rapidly’? You have used the word ‘rapidly’. Where did you get this data from?”
To this, the Nasirat member said that she got the data online. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then asked, “How many people join Sikhism and Bahaism every year? Can you tell me? […] 100 or 150, not more than that. Whereas Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is spreading across the world, from Africa to South America, from Asia to Europe […] This is the only community which has a mission spread across the world […] thousands of people are joining us every year […].”
The second question Ishal Noor asked was that if God was All-Knowing and aware of the actions one was to do, why was it that a person was rewarded or punished for the actions and choices God already knew the outcome to.
Huzooraa answered:
“Allah Almighty has also given free will,” and that Allah knew the choices and actions one would do but nobody was compelled to do those actions. Right and wrong had been distinguished.
“If you do good deeds,” Huzooraa said, “you will be rewarded. If you do bad things, you will be punished.” Nobody was forced or compelled to do something bad, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained.
Next, Maria from Nottingham Jamaat asked if a person, who was not a waqif-e-nau, was allowed to serve or work for the Jamaat. She added that she desired to become a doctor and serve the Jamaat.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa replied:
“There are quite a number of students who study in Jamia Ahmadiyya, who are going to be missionaries, and are not waqif-e-nau […]” Huzooraa alluded to himself and said, “I am not a waqif-e-nau, but I am serving the Jamaat. The people sitting here [in the office] with me, working with me, are not waqif-e-nau. It is not necessary that you must be waqif-e-nau before you opt for serving the Jamaat”.
Liza Aimal from Birmingham West Jamaat stated that there were some examples of Prophets and Khulafa who were religious leaders and also had political authority. She asked Huzooraa that if he was given the opportunity to have political authority, whether Huzooraa would accept it.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“You see. In the past, not all prophets were given political authority. In Islam, the Holy Prophetsa was the prophet who had religious authority, and he was the head of state as well, after migrating to Medina, not before that […] And then, after his demise, four rightly guided Khulafa – Khulafa-e-Rashideen – also had political authority […] But now, in the time of the Promised Messiahas, neither the Promised Messiah, as a prophet, subordinate to the Holy Prophetsa, nor his Khulafa, will have political authority. All the countries will be run by their governments to run their affairs, and the Khalifa of the time will be the spiritual head of those countries”.
Fariha of Birmingham North Jamaat asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa to share a moment where he encountered hardships and how he dealt with them.
Huzooraa said:
“Hardships are a part of life […] If I say I faced any hardship, that means I did not understand the spirit of my waqf […] I never faced any hardship. I always saw Allah’s fazl [grace] on me.”
Next, Sophia from Leamington Spa Jamaat asked if it was permissible to keep dogs inside homes whilst they were being trained to become guide dogs for the blind.
Huzooraa said that it was permissible to keep dogs as guard dogs, for hunting purposes, guide dogs for the blind and for security and safety purposes. “But,” Huzooraa said, “not in your room, not in your bedroom, not in your drawing room [and] not in your dining room. Make a pen for them outside and keep them there. You can take them along with you when you are going outside for a walk but don’t allow them to enter your house.
“Even during the time of the Holy Prophetsa, the companions of the Holy Prophetsa used to keep shepherd dogs […].”
Kiran from Nottingham Jamaat said that she was told by her father that Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, prior to Khilafat, was a quiet person and wouldn’t engage much in conversations. She said that now Huzooraa gave many speeches and met with many people. Huzooraa smiled and responded, “I still try not to speak much.”
Upon being asked how he managed meeting so many people, Huzooraa said:
“It is God’s work. I did not, with my own will and wish, come in this position. It is Allah Almighty who has brought me to this position […] It is Allah Almighty who gives me the strength to do all these things.”
Rashida from Birmingham North Jamaat asked why non-Ahmadi Muslims said Ahmadis were disbelievers.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that it was better to ask them. Huzooraa then said:
“We believe in the same Prophetsa, we believe in the same book, the Holy Quran – we say:
لَااِلٰهَ اِلَّا اللّٰهُ مُحمدٌ رَّسُوْلُ اللّٰهِ
[…] and we practice all the teachings of Islam; not only practice, but we also preach. Therefore, hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims are accepting Islam through Ahmadiyyat. So, you can show your example. You can set your example before them”.
Huzooraa emphasised that one should explain to them our beliefs. “It is now your duty,” Huzooraa said, “to preach to them and remove all their doubts. […]
“[Tell them that] ‘We are Muslims, we believe in one [and the same] thing. The only difference is that you believe that the Messiah of the age who was destined to come, according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa, has not yet come, but we believe that the Messiah has come in the person of Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian.’ And that is the only difference”.
Huzooraa further explained that we believe that Promised Messiahas held the status of a prophet because the Holy Prophetsa declared him as one, whereas non-Ahmadi Muslims say that no prophet would come after the Holy Prophetsa. “We also believe”, Huzooraa explained, “that no other prophet with a new shariah can come after the Holy Prophetsa; but a subordinate prophet can come […]. So, this is the difference. This is why they say we are not Muslims”.
Next, Amtul Sabooh from Birmingham Central Jamaat asked if it was permissible for ladies to lead the Jumuah prayer at home if no male was available.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered:
“If a male is not available, then yes, you can lead [Jumuah]. If you know a portion of the Holy Quran, and you know Khutbah Thania in Arabic, then you can lead Jumuah prayer. Ladies can be the imam of ladies, whether it is at home, or in the Jalsa gah, or Ijtema gah, even outside wherever you are.”
Farida from Wolverhampton Jamaat asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa how one could overcome their anger.
Answering, Huzooraa said that the Holy Prophetsa explained that when one got angry, they should drink water; and if one was standing, then they should sit down.
Haala from Birmingham Central Jamaat said that boys had previously asked how they could establish a relationship with Khilafat. Huzooraa would tell the young boys to frequently write a letter and to attach a photo of themselves. She asked how girls could also create a bond with Khilafat.
Huzooraa said:
“One thing [you can do] is to also be frequent in writing letters. If you are writing letters to me frequently, then I will remember you”.
Aisha from Birmingham North Jamaat asked how important it was for Ahmadi Muslims to fight climate change.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Very important. Try to avoid using your car when travelling a short distance; either walk to that place or use a bicycle. Cycling is also good for your health. Secondly, every Ahmadi should make it a point to plant two trees every year. This is how you can fight climate change […].”
Hibba from Birmingham North Jamaat asked two questions. She first asked how young students could balance religion and worldly affairs.
Huzooraa stated:
“[…] Allah Almighty has made it obligatory to offer the five daily prayers properly, fervently, with full concentration. This is how you can keep your deen [faith] above everything”.
Huzooraa said that one should study the Holy Quran and learn its meaning and what is mentioned in it. Huzooraa further said that one should discard bad habits. Thus, by doing these things, a student could give preference to religion over the world. “If you do these things,” Huzooraa added, “it is enough for you”.
Hibba’s second question was with regard to Hazrat Yunusas (Jonah) who was swallowed by a fish. She said that scientists opposed that he was swallowed by a fish as humans could not hold their breath for a long time. She asked how one could explain that he was swallowed by a fish and also survived.
Huzooraa said that firstly, the Holy Quran had not said that he remained in the belly of the fish for three days; rather, that particular number was only mentioned in the Bible. Huzooraa further explained that, “He did not stay there for a longer period [and] even then the Quran says that when he came out of the belly of the fish, he was sick, he was unconscious and he was injured. […] And then he became conscious and survived that bad episode.”
Next, Kainat of Birmingham North Jamaat stated that in the Holy Quran, whilst providing a description of Heaven, it was written, “Therein are rivers of water which corrupts not; and rivers of milk of which the taste changes not; and rivers of wine”. (Holy Quran, Ch. 47: V. 16)
She asked Huzooraa why “rivers of wine” was presented as a pleasure of Paradise when it was harmful and prohibited.
Huzooraa answered:
“That river of wine is not like the one here [in this world]; it is just a metaphor to help you understand […] that type of wine is different; it is something which is pure”.
Huzooraa further told Kainat to read the interpretation of this verse mentioned in the Five-Volume Commentary.
Aliya from Birmingham South Jamaat stated that expressions of speech had changed over time and what children might say now, may be offensive to parents. She asked Huzooraa for advice on this.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“We have to learn good morals, whether you are speaking to parents, or siblings, or to other relatives. You should not abandon morals […] Be polite and kind to your siblings, to your friends, to your parents”.
Next, Safina of Coventry Jamaat asked how a young girl should pray for a fortunate future.
Huzooraa said:
“As a girl, you should pray to Allah Almighty that He makes your future fortunate and, in the Hereafter as well”. Huzooraa said that one should always remember Allah Almighty and seek His help. Huzooraa added that the following prayer should be recited often:
رَبَّنَاۤ اٰتِنَا فِي الدُّنۡيَا حَسَنَةً وَّ فِي الۡاٰخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَّ قِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ
Hajira from Leicester Jamaat asked what prayers could be recited for a non-Muslim who passes away.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated:
“You can say اِنَّا لِلهِ وَ اِنَّاۤ اِلَيۡهِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ. You can pray for him that Allah forgives him, if you know him. Otherwise, just pay respect to him […].”
Eisha from Coventry Jamaat asked how nasirat should prepare themselves to make sure they were ready to become members of Lajna Imaillah.
Huzooraa said:
“Whether you are ready or not, when you reach the age of 15, you will become a member of Lajna Imaillah. So, you should make it a point that when you enter Lajna Imaillah, you should behave and try to be active in the same way as you are active and well behaved in Nasirat”.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then turned to Mateen Bhatti Sahiba, Secretary Nasirat UK, and asked if she had anything else to say. Mateen Bhatti Sahiba expressed her gratitude to Huzooraa for sparing time for the nasirat.
In the end, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)