On 19 December 2020, the amila members of Lajna Imaillah Australia were fortunate to have a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.
The mulaqat commenced with dua (silent prayer). After this, Huzooraa directly addressed all the members present and enquired about the tasks and duties of each department, before offering guidance and direction.
Addressing the general secretary, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked how many Lajna majalis there were in Australia. The general secretary replied that there were a total of 23 majalis and six regions.
Alluding to the vastness of the country, Huzooraa asked how many cities were in Australia and further stated, “There are also native people in the country; once you approach them, there will then be more majalis. Thus, there is still a lot of work to be done by Lajna.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa reminded everyone that monthly reports, remarks and feedback should be shared between the local majalis and the centre with regularity.
Following this, addressing the secretary Nasirat, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked about the total number of Nasirat in Australia.
Huzooraa further enquired as to how tarbiyat was being conducted for young Ahmadi girls upon entering Nasirat. Answering this, the secretary stated that the area of focus for this year was Namaz and further quoted the verse of the Holy Quran:
اِنَّ الصَّلٰوۃَ تَنۡہٰی عَنِ الۡفَحۡشَآءِ وَ الۡمُنۡکَرِ
and said that this topic was chosen so that Ahmadi girls were taught about the importance of Namaz.
In addition to this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “This is very good” and added:
“You should, from the very outset, educate them about اَلْحَيَاءُ مِنَ الْاِيْمَانِ (modesty is part of faith) Ahmadi girls should be taught that their clothing must be modest and as they become older, when they reach mayar-e-kabir [12-15 years of age] and eventually enter Lajna Imaillah, they should understand and know that along with dressing modestly, it is Allah’s commandment to observe purdah.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa went on to say:
“When Ahmadi Muslims enter college and university, they should know who they are and also know about Ahmadiyyat. Many among the youth are not fully aware of the purpose of the advent of the Promised Messiahas.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa added, “It is essential that they know about the purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent, which was in accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa … They must also know the basic teachings of faith, why they are Ahmadis and know and understand their responsibilities. If you are successful in inculcating these teachings and values within the youth, then you will see that the next generations of Lajna to come will be far stronger than the Lajna today.”
Addressing secretary tarbiyat nau mubai‘at (new converts), Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked if she had any assistants who themselves were among nau mubai‘at. Whilst offering guidance and direction, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Within your team, you should have members who themselves are nau mubai‘at as they are well aware of the problems, situations and know what manner of tarbiyat can be conducted and how to integrate them into the Jamaat’s system.”
Huzooraa added, “The nau muba‘in secretary we have here in the UK is an Englishman and he is aware of the situations and problems that usually arise with new converts. Similarly, the nau mubai‘at secretary is also among the nau mubai‘at.”
Huzooraa added:
“You should make a team of naibeen [assistants] among nau mubai‘at whom you can train and guide so that they can tell you about the challenges nau mubai‘at face and which method can be adopted for their tarbiyat. One thing all the Lajna members – the secretaries sitting here, who have spent 10-30 years in service – should remember is that working alone and working well is no big achievement … If you have not assembled a team or a second line that can take care of work after you, then it means that you have not accomplished anything. To merely work alone is not important; what is important is that you also assemble a team that can continue the work in your absentia.”
Following this, whilst conversing with secretary tabligh, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked about the plan for this year. Upon this, the secretary replied that they had set a target for 20 Bai‘ats. Hearing this, Huzooraa asked about the population in Australia and further said, “Your target should be more ambitious. If you aim and set high goals, you will be able to accomplish and achieve something.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then added:
“Do not simply try to convert others to Islam for the sake of numbers or so that your reports seem more august. We [should] spread Islam because of our love and sympathy for humanity and so that we may bring them closer to Allah. Thus, our love and sympathy demands that we present the true teachings of Islam before them and bring them closer to God and in doing so, we ourselves should strive to improve ourselves and establish a relationship with God.”
Following this, addressing the tarbiyat secretary, Huzooraa asked about tarbiyat plans and further said, “You should make such a plan that 100% of your members become regular in offering prayers; 100% of your members become regular in reciting the Holy Quran; they all should listen to my sermons; they should monitor their childrens’ progress in offering prayers; they must study hadith and the books of the Promised Messiahas so that their religious knowledge increases; they should dress modestly and observe purdah.
“If this is your plan, then you shall prosper. After six months, you must send me a report stating that you have been able to fulfil 50% of this plan.”
Upon this, the secretary said, “Insha-Allah.” Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said, “You should say ‘Insha-Allah’, but after six months, you must say ‘Masha-Allah’ that you have fulfilled this plan.”
Addressing the secretary talim (education), Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked about the talim plans being made for Lajna and whether any book of the Promised Messiahas had been suggested for Lajna members to study. Huzooraa further stated that topics can also be chosen that are in line with or related to Lajna.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then asked how many Lajna and Nasirat members had memorised the qaseeda (Arabic poem, referring specifically to the qaseeda that starts with “Ya aina faidhillahi wal-irfani …”) of the Promised Messiahas and further said that Nasirat members should also be encouraged to memorise the Holy Quran.
Addressing an amila member serving as secretary tajnid (census), Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked about the total tajnid and further enquired if it covered all the members of Lajna living in Australia.
Whilst addressing the secretary ishaat (publications), Huzooraa asked if there was any magazine being prepared and printed by Lajna. The secretary stated that the magazine Ad-Duha was being printed and prepared for Lajna members and a twice-yearly magazine named Al-Meezan was printed for children.
Following this, addressing muavina sadr waqifaat-e-nau, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked how many waqifaat-e-nau were in Australia and further asked about their programmes and syllabi that were prepared for them. With regard to the syllabi, the secretary asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa if there should be a uniform annual exam based on the syllabus received from markaz so that all waqifaat around the world are examined under one standard.
Responding to this, Huzooraa said, “The standard for each country is separate. If one standard is kept, if will be difficult for each country. Making your own separate exam will suffice. The syllabus has been provided; however, the exam may be different according to each country.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa added, “You must see to it that all members study the syllabus.”
The national Wasiyyat coordinator asked what should be done for those women who wish to do Wasiyyat but their husbands would not allow them. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “What can I say to such miserly husbands; I can only advise.”
Whist offering guidance to muavina sadr talim-ul-Quran and waqf-e-arzi, Huzooraa said, “To begin with, you should tell the national amila members to take part in waqf-e-arzi; then, you should tell the local sadrs.”
Whilst addressing the president of AMWSA (Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Student Association), Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa enquired about the number of students attending universities, those currently doing their PhDs and any seminars that they had conducted.
Addressing the secretary of Waqf-e-Jadid, Huzooraa asked if the target was accomplished for this year and further reminded them that only a few days remained. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked about the Lajna contribution and further said, “You should fix your own targets. Here, in the UK, I have told them that they themselves should fix their own target; then, I add £50,000 to the target and they are able to accomplish this.”
Following this, addressing secretary sehat-e-jismani, Huzooraa enquired as to how many Lajna members exercised, played games or went out for walks. The secretary answered that approximately 1,000 Lajna members went out for walks.
Upon this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked if there was a gym or any hall allocated for Lajna members. The secretary explained that there was only one hall which was used for all auxiliary organisations. Huzooraa said, “You may put up a screen in a specific area of the hall and utilise that space. If you are able to put up a screen for this meeting, then you can arrange for a permanent screen and allocate a space solely for Lajna members.”
Whilst addressing the secretary ziafat (food preparation), Huzooraa asked which dish had been prepared for the Lajna. The secretary replied that they had prepared and served chicken korma with rice.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa was then asked a question regarding increasing attendance for meetings. Huzooraa replied by saying, “Keep reminding them, lovingly explain to them, not as office-bearers, but as sisters … include interesting programmes in the meetings or give those who do not attend the meetings an opportunity to present a speech.”
Huzooraa was then asked how one could motivate those Lajna members who refrained from giving chanda. Answering the question, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “You should continue to remind them [about offering chanda]. [Remember] we are not tax collectors. Chanda is given in the way of Allah.”
A Lajna member stated that an Ahmadi friend of hers asked if one should follow instructions one receives from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in a dream. Huzooraa explained, “If it is a good instruction, then you should follow it. If I say you should not offer prayer, then you shouldn’t follow it.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa further said, “Tell her that it is better to write to me, then I will see what the interpretation of the dream is.”
With this, the mulaqat came to a close.