On 21 August 2021, members of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Germany were given the opportunity to meet with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a virtual meeting. For the mulaqat, the khuddam were seated in an open field during their national ijtema.
The meeting started with a recitation of the Holy Quran and its Urdu and German translations. Following this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked Sadr Sahib if a poem [nazm] would also be recited as it was not stated in the programme. Sadr Sahib replied that it was not in the programme and added that anyone among the members present would be honoured to recite a nazm with Huzoor’saa permission. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa very graciously granted permission and a khadim was called to recite a nazm.
Next, the khuddam had the opportunity to ask questions and seek guidance on various matters.
The first khadim to ask a question stated that due to the coronavirus, many Jamaat-related events could not be held. However, he said, this year’s Jalsa Salana UK was held and asked how Huzooraa felt about it.
Responding, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“It was good that Jalsa Salana was held. I thanked Allah that He gave the opportunity [to hold Jalsa], albeit on a small scale.” Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that many people also joined this Jalsa through online means, whilst sitting at home.
Huzooraa added, “I have received letters in which people stated that they listened [to the Jalsa] at home and tried to create the same atmosphere […] according to my reports, hundreds of thousands of people listened to the Jalsa. The different jamaats that gathered in their localities, added up, would total more than hundreds of thousands […].”
Huzooraa further said that means and ways had now been created for the future too. “Uncertainty over whether Jalsa would be held or not, and a state of despair that had arisen in the people of the Jamaat has disappeared. And if this kind of thinking is erased, then obviously I will be happy,” Huzooraa said.
Next, a khadim asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa what impact the current situation in Afghanistan would have on the world. Huzooraa answered:
“This war has been ongoing for the last 100 years. This is how it is in Afghanistan – disorder and strife continue”.
Huzooraa said ever since Al-Qaeda and Taliban were formed, disorder was created. “This situation has been going on in Afghanistan since the time when the Promised Messiahas said, after the martyrdom of Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latifra that the land of Kabul would not be at peace’”.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa further said to see what the future held. “What their [Taliban] extremist thinking seems to suggest is that after a while, disorder will break out again”. Huzooraa added that after two or four months, one would be able to further analyse the situation and see what would happen.
A khadim stated that some scientists said that the coronavirus had had a negative impact on the body as well as the mind. He asked for Hazrat Amirul Momineen’saa view on the matter and asked if the coronavirus had brought any change to Huzoor’saa life.
Huzooraa responded:
“No change has occurred in my lifestyle. Scientists say this because those people who are materialistic, who have a worldly bent, who cannot live without going to nightclubs, who cannot live without drinking alcohol in groups, who cannot live without creating a ruckus, and dancing; such people were upset when the [coronavirus] restrictions were imposed.
“When any disease arises and when it spreads so widely – it becomes a pandemic – and the whole world becomes involved, there is a psychological effect that takes root, which is the uncertainty of not knowing whether one will survive or not”.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that one should remember that life and death were in the hands of Allah. One might feel that “there is a slight irritation due to the lack of some activity or change of one’s routine, but there is no need to worry so much. Pray to Allah that the situation may change soon”.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added, “As far as my routine is concerned, apart from the mulaqats that used to take place face to face, my routine has not changed”.
Next, a khadim asked if it was permissible for an Ahmadi Muslim to marry a non-Ahmadi Muslim or even a non-Muslim.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa smiled and replied:
“You are not yet old enough to get married, why are you so concerned? […] An Ahmadi boy should marry an Ahmadi girl. The Promised Messiahas forbade Ahmadi girls to marry non-Ahmadi boys. If Ahmadi boys also marry non-Ahmadi girls, whom will Ahmadi girls marry?” Thus, Huzooraa explained that for an Ahmadi boy to maintain his religion, he should marry an Ahmadi girl.
Huzooraa then mentioned the hadith where the Holy Prophetsa stated that people considered the following four aspects when marrying a woman: her wealth, her beauty, her lineage and her religious commitment.
Huzooraa said, “The Holy Prophetsa stated, ‘The best marriage is when you marry a girl based on her religion.’ […] Yes, at times, due to certain compelling circumstances, an Ahmadi boy can marry a non-Ahmadi girl, but the condition is that an Ahmadi should perform the nikah. And as for others who belong to other religions who are called the People of the Book, but in practice, consider Hazrat Isaas [Jesus] to be the son of God, the nit means that they are committing shirk […].”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added that some Christians today did not fully follow their religion or even believe in God, and in this sense, they became atheists. As for those who followed Christianity, they believed Prophet Jesusas to be the son of God, and in this way, they became polytheists.
Next, a khadim asked Huzooraa if he found his busy schedule difficult.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa replied:
“Obviously, if done correctly, the task can be difficult, but God makes it easy. And, in this way, the work is managed”.
A khadim asked Huzooraa how one should pray to Allah in order to have their prayers accepted.
Answering, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“First of all, you have to look at your condition to see if you have done what Allah has commanded you to do. Allah has commanded to offer prayers five times a day and to offer them at their prescribed times. Do you perform the five daily prayers? Allah says, ‘Remember Me’, do you remember Him? […] After fulfilling all these conditions, God says, ‘Pray to Me and you will become My true servant, and when you do, I answer your prayers.’ Allah Almighty says, ‘You must have firm faith in Me, have faith that I accept prayers’”.
Huzooraa added that if any prayer was not accepted by Allah, then one should consider its acceptance unfavourable and thus, Allah did not accept the prayer. Huzooraa also emphasised the importance of invoking and reciting durood.
A khadim asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa what one should consider when going to another city to pursue higher education.
Huzooraa answered:
“You are an Ahmadi Muslim; how should an Ahmadi Muslim be? He should be punctual in his five daily prayers; he should be regular in reciting the Holy Quran; he should avoid the company of bad people; he should befriend those who are good at studies and not those who merely wander around in canteens or sit and waste time in restaurants or shops. [He should befriend those] who go to study in libraries and are hardworking, whether they are Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, or Ahmadi Muslim. Befriend good people”.
Huzooraa said that one should set a good example, and tell the people in their environment about Islam, what the Holy Quran says, and what the ahadith say.
Huzooraa added:
“Safeguard your religion, safeguard your morals, pay close attention to your studies and work hard to achieve the goal you are aiming for, and come back after completing your studies. Make a good impression on your friends”.
A khadim asked how one could solve domestic issues that had occurred during the pandemic, for example, frequent quarrelling etc.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
“One should bow before Allah [even more than before]. If it is a pandemic and a punishment from Allah, then mutual love should still be established. One should seek forgiveness from Allah and repent. One should create an atmosphere of peace. [One should pray that] Allah may remove this pandemic, and if it is a test, we should still pray to Allah to make us successful in this test […]
“The Promised Messiahas has stated that Allah has laid great emphasis on the rights man owes to others. Sometimes, Allah forgives a person who does not fulfil His rights, but He does not forgive a person who does not fulfil the rights of others. If the husband does not fulfil the rights owed to his wife and instead fights for no reason, then he is sinful. I have recently spoken at great length on this topic at the address in ladies’ session of Jalsa Salana UK. If the wife does not fulfil the rights owed to her husband and aims to fight for no reason, then she is not fulfilling her duties”.
Huzooraa, whilst talking about the lockdown restrictions, stated, “Some restraints have a psychological effect, but the way to overcome them is to pray to Allah to remove the pandemic, and in this way, the restrictions will end; [pray that] may Allah bless us all. Pay attention to prayers and fulfil the rights owed to each other.” In this way, Huzooraa said, problems could be averted.
Next, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa was asked if hunting animals was permissible.
Huzooraa answered:
“Absolutely, hunting is allowed. It is also written in the Holy Quran that hunting is allowed. It is on the occasion of Hajj that hunting is not allowed; rather, only fishing is allowed”. Huzooraa then emphasised that not all animals were created for our consumption and narrating an incident, he said, “Once [before Khilafat], Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra hunted a small bird, probably a parrot or something similar to it. The Promised Messiahas said that although it was not haram to eat it; however, hunting every bird or animal was not good. Some animals were created for beauty”.
A khadim who had been memorising the Holy Quran for the last four years said to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa that at times, he did not feel like reading. He asked Huzooraa what he should do.
Huzooraa said:
“If you do not wish to continue, then you should at least revise the parts you know, so that you remember the parts you have memorised, that is if you do not wish to continue. If you can [carry on], then that would be most excellent. Continuously recite the prayer:
رَبِّ اشۡرَحۡ لِيۡ صَدۡرِيۡ وَ يَسِّرۡ لِيۡۤ اَمۡرِيۡ
Huzooraa reiterated, “If you don’t wish to continue, keep revising what you have learnt so far, so that you always remember it.”
Next, a student asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa how he could serve the Jamaat and which field of education he should pursue to serve the Jamaat.
Huzooraa said that whichever field one chose, one should try to progress in it and be the best at it. Huzooraa added, “This requires working hard in your studies”. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa, after listing the professions of doctor, engineer, architect, lawyer and teacher, said that wherever one worked, they should also try to preach the truth of Islam within their circle. Huzooraa said, “What is our ultimate goal? To establish the oneness of God, and to explain the virtues of Islam”.
Next, a khadim asked Huzooraa how he felt when he was elected as the Khalifa and further asked if he was able to sleep that night considering the huge responsibility.
Huzooraa said:
“Yes, I had an opportunity to sleep for an hour or an hour and a half and then I got up for Tahajud and for Fajr prayer. […] As far as the feelings and sentiments are concerned, MTA has shown that clip many times. You must have seen it. If you rewatch the old video, you’ll see my sentiments.”
After receiving his answer, the young khadim requested Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa to pray as it was really hot in Germany. Hearing this, Huzooraa smiled and asked, “Is it not forecast to rain?”
A young khadim, who wished to join Jamia Ahmadiyya asked Huzooraa how he should prepare.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Create a habit of praying. Be regular in Namaz and pray to Allah. Work hard for your studies and if you wish to go to Jamia, try to go after completing Abitur. You must work hard. Recite the Holy Quran often and try to learn its translation […] Try to read as much Jamaat-related literature as you can, however much you understand.”
Next, a khadim named Masroor had the opportunity to ask a question. He asked Huzooraa for advice in preaching [tabligh] and enquired how he could convert more people to Ahmadiyyat.
Huzooraa, seeing his name tag, said:
“You and I share the same name.” Whilst answering the question, Huzooraa said, “We cannot force anyone to become Ahmadi. If a person does not believe in God, and you tell him about Ahmadiyyat and say it’s a beautiful religion, he will respond by saying, ‘What relation do I have with religion, I do not even believe in God.’ Therefore, the first thing is to make an impression on your friends so that they know that you believe in Allah, you often supplicate to Him, and you are a follower of the teachings of Islam […].”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa emphasised the importance of making friends who were good and pious and who were willing to listen. Huzooraa said that one should not simply focus on verbal preaching methods but should show the true teachings of Islam through one’s practical example.
Upon being asked about the colonisation of Mars and about living there, as scientists were saying that the future on Earth was uncertain, Huzooraa smiled and said that this would not happen in their lifetime. If human life must settle on another planet, Huzooraa said to pray that even then there were people who believed in Allah, who would follow the religion, and who would worship Allah.
Upon being asked if it was permissible to join in silent prayer when a programme, which was not live, was being broadcast on MTA, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“It is better not to join in silent prayer if it is a repeat of a recorded programme; however, it is not a sin. If you raise your hand and pray, it is not a sin, but it is better to join in the live prayer”.
A khadim said to Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa that some scientists said that homoeopathy worked as a placebo and further asked Huzoor’saa take on the matter.
Huzooraa responded:
“I have found homoeopathic medicines to be very effective. I have personally used it myself […] it has also cured people from serious illnesses. Thus, to say that it is not effective is wrong”.
A khadim asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa what his favourite sport was and what sport he disliked. Answering, Huzooraa said:
“I used to play cricket in my childhood and then also in my youth. I also used to play badminton. I had no favourite type of sport. I only used to play in order to exercise. Nor is there any game which I do not like. Everyone has their own preference”.
Upon being asked how one could strengthen their relationship with Allah, Huzooraa said:
“The same method I previously mentioned in relation to the acceptance of prayer is also the method to strengthen the relationship with Allah”.
Following this, whilst addressing Sadr Sahib and all the khuddam present, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said:
“An Ijtema is only beneficial, as I have said before, when one realises what his purpose is. There is no use if a person does not know his purpose. Allah states, with regard to the purpose of life, ‘I have created human beings for worship’. And an Ahmadi Muslim should know that this is the purpose of his life, he must establish a relationship with Allah.
“These various ijtemas, tarbiyat-related gatherings and your Jalsa, which will also take place soon, are held to improve the spiritual and moral condition of man, and so that man also increases his knowledge. And after acquiring knowledge, if one does not apply it and does not act on it, then these congregations are of no use”.
In the end, Huzooraa conveyed his salaam and the meeting came to a close.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)