On 28 December 2019, a group of over 80 atfal and khuddam from Belgium travelled to Islamabad for a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.
The group departed from Belgium on Friday, 27 December and upon arrival, offered the Jumuah prayer behind Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa in Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.
Our reporters spoke with Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Belgium, Tauseef Ahmad Sahib regarding how this trip materialised. He said:
“We expressed to Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa that some of our khuddam and atfal wished to visit Islamabad. Upon this, Huzooraa graciously granted us permission and so we left on 27 December at 3am Belgium time and arrived at 12:30pm at Baitul Futuh.”
During the mulaqat, upon Huzoor’saa arrival, Sadr Sahib was asked about the travel and accommodation arrangements for the khuddam and atfal.
Throughout the mulaqat, aftal and khuddam asked Huzooraa various questions and also had the opportunity to request for prayers.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa also asked Sadr Sahib what language the aftal and khuddam were comfortable with. Sadr Sahib replied that among the khuddam, there were some who spoke Flemish and only a few who were able to speak English.
A young khadim asked Huzooraa about the history behind Khuddam Ijtemas and how they began. Huzooraa first presented a brief insight into the history of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and said that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra initially started ijtemas on a local level in Qadian and then spread them to other cities in India. Huzooraa instructed Sadr Sahib to prepare a separate book for aftal and khuddam in Flemish or French for general religious knowledge, Islamic history and Jamaat history.
One tifl asked Huzooraa when the first Jalsa Salana took place. Huzooraa said that Jalsas started during the time of the Promised Messiahas with divine guidance from Allah Almighty. Huzooraa explained how the first Jalsa took place in Qadian in 1891, with 75 people in attendance. Huzooraa noted that “there are more people present here in the hall than the first Jalsa”, and now we see that in every corner of the world, jalsas are being held with attendances in the thousands.
Following this question, one tifl asked why we held Jalsa Salana. Upon this, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stated that it is imperative to hold such jalsas so that people can listen to speeches and increase their knowledge. Huzooraa further added that Jalsa Salana helps with brotherhood and also develops our inner (spiritual) progress.
A khadim asked Huzooraa how he prays to Allah and how all his prayers are answered. Answering the khadim, Huzooraa stated that it is not necessary for God to accept prayers as they are. It is only by God’s will that prayers are fulfilled. Huzooraa further explained that one should remain persistent in their prayers and continue praying to God. If the prayer is good for them, then God will accept the prayer, and if not, He will fulfil it in another way. Huzooraa added that some people, after their prayers are accepted, become unmindful of their prayers. This should not be the case.
One khadim, who is originally from Ghana, asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa how long will it be for Islam and the oneness of God to spread worldwide. Upon this, Huzooraa stated that there will be some people who will not believe in Allah and the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. Alluding to what the Promised Messiahas stated, Huzooraa said that 300 years will not pass before the majority of people will accept the true Islam.
A question was asked with regard to Prophet Adamas. The khadim said that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had said that Prophet Adamas was not the first man but was the first prophet, whereas other Muslims believe that he was the first man. Upon this, many Muslims around the world do not accept this notion and are enraged at this belief. Huzooraa said that not only did Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra say this, but the Promised Messiahas and also the Holy Prophetsa held the same view and mentioned this fact. Huzooraa further stated that even modern day scientists say that mankind has existed for many thousands of years.
Further explaining this, Huzooraa said that the Holy Quran, when alluding to Adamas and Eve leaving, uses the words “you all”, meaning that many people were also present and not just Prophet Adamas.
One tifl asked Huzooraa how he prepares for his sermons. In response, Huzooraa said that once a topic comes to mind, his preparation begins. Talking about his preparation, Huzooraa said that he spends around 8-10 hours preparing for each sermon.
A khadim asked Huzooraa how he sees the state of the world unfolding in the future. Huzooraa said that the more the world continues to move away from God, the closer it will approach destruction. The world is at the brink of war; the conditions of India and Pakistan have worsened again and the same is the case with Turkey, Iraq and Syria. America wishes to become a superpower; China wishes to control the world through trade. Thus, the world is continuously moving away from God. Huzooraa added that only those would be saved who love God.
The sitting concluded with an opportunity of group photos with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.