Islamabad, Tilford, UK, 30 November 2024: A delegation of khuddam from Virginia, USA, were blessed with an in-person mulaqat with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V aa, at Islamabad, UK.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa greeted the khuddam upon entering the mulaqat room and first addressed the amir-e-qafila, Zeeshan Ahmad Sahib, who informed Huzooraa that he was born in America and worked in IT.
Huzooraa then engaged with each khadim individually, enquiring about their professions and family backgrounds, etc. Observing that they all spoke Urdu fluently, Huzooraa appreciated their efforts to maintain their native language and emphasised the importance of maintaining a connection with one’s heritage:
“You must be aware of your roots. When you know your own language, you become aware of your roots. Otherwise, […] you will neither belong here nor there.”
During the introductions, one khadim shared that despite applying in 2019 and making numerous efforts to bring his wife over from Pakistan, including contacting Congressmen and Senators, there had been no progress. However, he joyfully informed Huzooraa that just the previous night, he received a call of approval regarding his wife’s visa. Expressing his gratitude, he said that meeting Huzooraa and receiving his prayers had led to Allah accepting his supplications.
The khuddam then sought Huzoor’saa permission to ask their questions, which Huzooraa graciously granted.
Huzoor’saa greatest concern for the Jamaat
A khadim asked Huzooraa what his greatest concern for the Jamaat was, and whether there was any particular matter that worried him.
Huzooraa replied that fulfilling the purpose of the Promised Messiah’sas advent should be our greatest concern. He said:
“What was the purpose of Promised Messiah’sas advent? To bring people closer to God and to ensure that individuals fulfil each other’s rights. And to establish the true teachings of Islam. So this should be our concern. The greatest thing is worship. To meet God, worship is necessary. So this is our concern within the Jamaat.”
He observed that a large part of Jamaat members regularly perform their five daily prayers at their appointed times. However, he expressed concern that the rest – who make up a substantial portion – either combine their prayers or do not pray at all. Huzooraa emphasised:
“So this should be the greatest effort – both for Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and for all of you. Once a relationship with Allah is established, then other matters will follow accordingly. So focus on establishing a relationship with Allah; pay attention to worship and salat. This should be our concern. If we achieve this objective, then other objectives will also be fulfilled.”
Instilling love for Allah in children
Another khadim asked Huzooraa what prayer parents should offer to instil the love of Allah in their children’s hearts.
Huzooraa advised that parents should first set a personal example. He explained:
“When you display your own righteous models before your children and are yourselves engaged in prayer – offering a couple of nafl prayers in front of them – they will notice, ‘My father is weeping and praying in this manner,’ or ‘My mother is praying like this,’ and thus they will also develop a connection [with God].”
He further emphasised the importance of active engagement with children:
“Sit with them and discuss matters at home. When you return from work in the evening, talk to them, sit with them. On weekends, spend time with them, or on any day off, sit and converse with them. In this way, you will interact properly with your children, and they will improve. In your prayers, supplicate for them; regularly offer two nafl prayers for them.”
Sources of Huzoor’saa happiness
A khadim asked, while leading the worldwide Jamaat, what brings Huzooraa the most contentment and happiness.
Huzooraa responded:
“If members are performing good deeds within the Jamaat, that brings satisfaction. The prayer and desire are that every individual in the Jamaat, as I have mentioned, establishes a relationship with Allah and becomes one who fulfils the objectives of the advent of the Promised Messiahas. This is what brings contentment.”
He noted that if members are fulfilling these objectives, satisfaction is achieved; if not, there is concern, and reminders need to be given through speeches and sermons.
Huzooraa advised khuddam that while some efforts may bring temporary pleasure, true satisfaction lies in significant milestones, like spreading the Jamaat’s influence to at least a quarter of the world. He stressed starting locally by introducing themselves and the Jamaat to their neighbours and communities as a foundation for broader achievements.
Double standards of Western leaders
A khadim asked Huzooraa about his thoughts on Western leaders, particularly concerning their double standards on issues like Israel and Palestine.
In response, Huzooraa expressed concern over a lack of honesty and fairness among such leaders. He observed that many appear to prioritise safeguarding their political careers over upholding principles of justice. He pointed out that some politicians receive funding during elections and for other purposes, often influenced by powerful lobbies, including the Zionist lobby, which exerts considerable influence in areas such as business and politics. This lobby also plays a significant role in funding major research universities and other programmes.
Huzooraa highlighted the double standards of some politicians, noting that privately, they admit to making unjust statements but feel constrained by fear and vested interests. He urged maintaining contact with such individuals, instilling in them a sense of accountability and the fear of God, as private discussions could eventually influence them positively. Citing an example, Huzooraa mentioned a Jewish congressman who attended the Jalsa and spoke against Israel’s actions in Palestine, showing that some non-Muslims acknowledge injustices but refrain from speaking openly due to personal interests. Huzooraa encouraged fostering these relationships, as they may one day take a stand against injustices.
Ahmadis in politics and public service
The khadim further enquired whether Huzooraa suggested that Ahmadis should pursue careers in politics.
Huzooraa responded affirmatively, emphasising the importance of Ahmadis contributing to public service, including politics, bureaucracy and law enforcement, to promote justice and establish a positive influence. He highlighted the need for Ahmadis to expand their presence in all fields, including business and industry, to foster economic progress and societal development. Drawing from examples of other communities, he encouraged Ahmadis to actively engage in diverse sectors to contribute constructively to society and ensure equitable practices.
Why do we need congregational prayers?
A khadim asked Huzooraa why congregational prayer is necessary when one can speak to God more openly and without shyness during individual prayer.
Huzooraa explained the importance of both private and public worship. He said:
“That is precisely why Allah the Exalted has stated in the Holy Quran, regarding worship and sacrifices – both financial sacrifice and acts of worship – that one should perform them secretly and openly. Sirran wa ‘alaniyatan; that is, perform them privately and publicly. Performing them openly is so that others – those who are not practising, who are weak – may develop a habit; they may pay attention.”
He continued:
“For every kind of sacrifice, whether it is a sacrifice of worship, financial sacrifice, or any other good deed, when it is done in front of others, they also gain some awareness from it and develop enthusiasm to do it themselves.
“Secondly, Allah the Exalted has instituted congregational worship so that your unity and oneness become evident – that the Jamaat is one. That is why the Holy Prophetsa said that the reward for praying in congregation is twenty-seven times greater. Because you all are praying together. There is strength in this unity. This manifests itself. And Allah the Exalted prefers that worship is established. Allah desires to establish unity within the Community. So the communal spirit will only develop when there is unity.”
Huzooraa emphasised the symbolism of unity in congregational prayer:
“The Promised Messiahas has said that when your shoulders are joined together, you feel within yourselves that we are one unit and possess strength. And as Allah the Exalted has used the term in the Holy Quran, they become like a solid structure (bunyanun marsus), like a fortified wall – they become like a rock.”
Huzooraa also addressed the balance between congregational and individual prayers:
“In your congregational prayers, the imam who is leading should not make the prayers excessively long – make them shorter – so that there are many weaker ones, children, and such people who cannot perform long prayers, so they can also endure. So one should lead the [fardh] prayers of moderate length. Whereas for nafl [voluntary] prayers, it has been said that there is great reward. And the one who rises at night to offer nafl prayers – the Tahajjud prayer – there is immense reward. In that, you may offer lengthy prayers.”
Huzooraa explained that Hazrat Aishara mentioned how the Holy Prophetsa would lead short fardh prayers in the mosque, ensuring they were manageable for all. However, when offering nafl prayers at home, they were so long and profound that their beauty was indescribable. He would stand for extended periods, reciting Surah al-Fatihah and other chapters while standing upright for so long that his feet would occasionally become swollen due to prolonged standing. Similarly, his prostrations were exceedingly long, so much so that on one occasion, one of his wives, who was praying alongside him, remarked that she thought she might start nose bleeding because of their length.
Huzooraa concluded:
“So these were such lengthy prostrations. Their reward is separate. That is why Allah the Exalted has said that you will receive the reward of these nafl prayers as well. But to establish the unity of the Community, to demonstrate unity, to establish oneness, you should offer your prayers in congregation. So that others are also motivated by this – others are also inspired.”
Climate change
A khadim then asked Huzooraa how they can play a positive role in addressing climate change.
Huzooraa encouraged young people to reduce their environmental impact by minimising car use and opting for walking, cycling, or electric bicycles for short distances. He emphasised avoiding unnecessary car trips, such as driving to nearby shops. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of tree planting, urging participation in government projects and planting thousands of trees annually to contribute positively to the environment.
Understanding the roles within Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya
A khadim enquired why, within the amila of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, there is a nazim for Tahrik-e-Jadid but no nazim for Waqf-e-Jadid.
Huzooraa explained that the nazim for Tahrik-e-Jadid is also assigned the responsibility for Waqf-e-Jadid, performing both duties. He elaborated that in the case of Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh had directed the establishment of the Atfal department, and as a result, a nazim was appointed to oversee the atfal.
Raising children with Islamic values in the West
Next, a khadim enquired about how to raise children in the West with gratitude and humility while fostering a strong relationship with Allah and a sense of responsibility towards both Allah and humanity.
Huzooraa advised:
“As I mentioned earlier, demonstrate your own example before your children; engage in worship yourselves, exhibit righteous deeds, and then explain to them that what I am doing is prescribed by my religion – this is the teaching of Islam, and we are Ahmadi Muslims. We have accepted the Promised Messiahas so that we may practise the teachings that people have forgotten.
“When these matters are presented before them, and you are consistently discussing these topics, holding sessions with your children at various times, and interacting with them while understanding their emotions appropriately, then the children themselves will develop the thought that they need to learn religion – that religion is our priority.
Secondly, Huzooraa stressed teaching good morals such as humility, modesty, and gratitude. He encouraged parents to explain Allah’s countless blessings, like the care He provides even before birth – such as the mother’s ability to nurture and the father’s capacity to provide. By helping children recognise these provisions, parents can instil a sense of gratitude and responsibility toward Allah. He advised parents to instil in children, from an early age, an understanding of why we should be grateful.
Huzooraa explained that understanding Allah’s immense blessings should inspire gratitude, which, in turn, leads to a commitment to worship and fulfil obligations to Him. When parents demonstrate these principles in their own lives, children are naturally inclined to follow these values and develop a strong sense of thankfulness and devotion.
Adapting to changing societal norms and challenges
Another khadim asked how Huzooraa sees Ahmadiyyat adapting to changing societal norms and challenges.
Huzooraa responded:
“We have to reform the world. It is not for us to adapt ourselves to everything; rather, we need to change people’s attitudes, change their psyche, so that they accept the system – which is our system, the religious system – instead of us altering ourselves by entering into their system or their culture. We also need to tell our children that this is the teaching of Allah the Almighty; it is for this purpose that we were created, and it is for this reason that the Promised Messiahas came.
“This is a very difficult task; there are great challenges. I have said it quite easily but this is not a trivial matter. Implementing this is very challenging for you, living in this society, in this environment. Then, from all sides, from various places, things emerge that attract you in the wrong way. Avoiding them and protecting your children from them is a challenge. For this, you will need to make efforts, pray, explain to them, become friends with your children, and provide them with good programmes. Offer them some substitutes as well. It is not sufficient to simply say, ‘You are not to do this,’ and then they will ask, ‘What should we do?’ Tell them, ‘We are to do this instead.’ Then take them out; take them on weekends or to the holidays; show them what nature is, the beauty of nature, what Allah the Almighty is, and how He has created everything. In this way, they will develop a different kind of interest, rather than wasting time constantly sitting on internet games and other frivolous types of games.
“Then, if they want to play, let them play football outside, play cricket, play some basketball – engage in outdoor games – rather than sitting indoors playing all the time and damaging their eyesight. To save your children, do not simply sit them in front of the TV, thinking, ‘We are busy; here, children, take the iPad, take the phone, keep watching.’ And when you give these devices to a child at the age of five or six, they become addicted; they develop a habit. To protect them from this, parents will have to make sacrifices themselves. Parents have responsibilities; they should make sacrifices and save their children from these things, save them from this addiction.”
Acceptance of prayers
A khadim enquired how one could understand that their prayers had been accepted.
Huzooraa explained:
“The state of the heart tells you itself. If prayers are flowing from the heart, if you are weeping and imploring intensely, and such a condition has arisen where you feel that you have established some connection with Allah, then the state of the heart indicates it. The tears of the eyes, the emotions of the heart, and the prayers emanating from the tongue themselves reveal that now the prayer has been accepted or has reached Allah the Almighty, and now Allah will accept them. So that is the condition.
“Otherwise, Allah the Almighty is not going to reveal to you, ‘It has been accepted, O pious saint; now you can stop this prayer and do something else.’ Our task is to continue praying and to keep asking Him; we should keep asking. As for the condition of the heart, the one who is praying realises it himself.”
He further asked the khadim: “Have you ever experienced a state of weeping? Have you ever implored abundantly in prostration?”
The khadim replied affirmatively.
Huzooraa asked, “Then sometimes, at such a moment, while praying, you attain peace?”
The khadim again replied affirmatively.
Huzooraa concluded, “That is when the prayer has been accepted.”
Attitudes of officeholders and strengthening bonds with Nizam-e-Jamaat
Another khadim asked how to guide members who distance themselves due to the behaviour of certain officeholders, by highlighting the beauty and purpose of Nizam-e-Jamaat and strengthening their connection with Khilafat and the system, while distinguishing individual flaws from the sanctity of the institution.
Huzooraa advised:
“Tell them that you have not taken the bai‘at of this officeholder; you have understood the religion. You accepted the Promised Messiahas as truthful, recognised Khilafat as rightful, and so you took bai‘at. Now, if this person, whom you yourselves have elected to an office – whether he is the Secretary Tarbiyat, or the Sadr Jamaat, or the General Secretary, or the Secretary Umur-e-Ammah – you yourselves have elected him. So it may be that Allah desires to try you due to your own mistake. Therefore, your duty is to obey. That is why the Holy Prophetsa said that even if someone with a head like a raisin – a completely senseless person – is made your Amir, you should obey him. So now, obey; but do not bracket your personal grievances with your Jamaat or your religion. This officeholder will finish his term after six years, but if you deviate due to him, you will permanently lose your faith and incur the displeasure of Allah the Almighty. Therefore, keep religion separate from these matters.”
Huzooraa continued:
“And it is also the duty of officeholders – you should explain to those you are acquainted with – that people are being negatively affected because of you. Therefore, correct your attitude, rectify your behaviour towards people, and deal with them gently, taking care of their needs; not that arrogance develops, or pride arises, thinking, ‘We have attained a position of power.’ Rather than viewing their roles as positions of power, they should regard them as opportunities to serve and consider themselves servants. This way, fewer difficulties will arise.
“Moreover, regarding the weaknesses that people have, the Secretary Tarbiyat, or the Sadr Jamaat, or whoever he is, should not mention anyone’s faults in front of others. If you wish to do the tarbiyat of your brother, then advise him privately, not by starting to mention his faults while sitting in front of others. Similarly, every believer should consider every other believer as a brother. An officeholder should consider every member of the Jamaat as a brother and should do his tarbiyat privately, with a spirit of sympathy, not for the purpose of boasting about himself.
“Our system exists not for arrogance or self-promotion, but rather for fostering humility, brotherhood, and mutual love. To maintain the smooth functioning of this system, we have established a structure – not to create divisions among others, but to embody these values. Indeed, even in the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty instructed the Holy Prophetsa to treat people with love and gentleness. It was said to him that if harshness or severity were shown to them, they would disperse from around you. Consider the lofty status of the Holy Prophetsa; if Allah the Almighty could caution him in this regard, then who are we? Therefore, one must speak to everyone with kindness and love.”
Methods to serve the Holy Quran
A khadim enquired about effective methods that can be adapted to serve the Holy Quran.
Huzooraa explained that serving the Holy Quran involves reading it, understanding its teachings, and spreading its message. He emphasised presenting its commandments in ways relevant to modern society, highlighting its teachings on peace, love, care for orphans, and good morals, which naturally attract attention.
He stressed that the greatest service is practising these teachings oneself, as personal example inspires others. Tailoring the approach to the audience is key – for instance, explaining the Quran’s moral principles, such as respect for neighbours, honouring parents, and proper upbringing of children, rather than urging atheists to pray.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa concluded that spreading the Quran’s message and living by its teachings are the most effective ways to serve it. “This is the service we owe to the Holy Quran: to spread its teachings far and wide, ensuring that we first act upon them ourselves,” he said.
Conclusion
At the end of the mulaqat, Huzooraa graciously allowed the khuddam to take a group photo with him. He also enquired about their stay and food arrangements, ensuring their comfort before taking leave.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)