Islamabad, Tilford, 5 October 2025: A delegation of members from Lajna Imaillah Norway had the honour of a mulaqat with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
The mulaqat commenced as Huzooraa arrived in the hall and extended his salaam. The National Sadr of Lajna Imaillah Norway briefly introduced the delegation and, on their behalf, requested permission for a question-and-answer session, which was graciously granted.
On the wisdom behind creation
The first questioner asked how to respond to people who, during preaching, question why God created them and the world without their consent.
Huzooraa explained that Allah is the Master and Creator. Just as one can place, for example, a notebook in one’s hand wherever one pleases without needing permission, so too does God, as the Ultimate Owner, have sovereignty over His creation. He created animals, mountains, trees and the entire universe and the Holy Quran states that all of creation glorifies Him and understands how to show gratitude.
Huzooraa drew attention to the sheer vastness of the universe. When one looks at maps of galaxies, our entire planet Earth is smaller than a single dot, often marked with a note like “our Earth is somewhere here.” In this cosmic context, the existence of a single human being is less than that of a microscopic organism. Therefore, it is a great favour of Allah that He created humanity and bestowed upon us countless blessings on this tiny planet, allowing us to live in comfort.
To illustrate this further, Huzooraa narrated an incident from the life of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira. He would often see a man on the street who would constantly lament, “O Allah, I do not like Your world.” One day, the man was sitting silently. When asked why, he replied, “Today, Allah answered me. He said, ‘Then go to a world that you do like.’ And I had no reply.” Huzooraa remarked that if this simple man could understand this reality, then so too should those who raise such questions.
Overcoming the fear of marriage
A Lajna member expressed that the increasing rate of marital disputes and divorce in the world instils a fear of marriage in some and she asked for guidance on how to overcome this anxiety.
Huzooraa explained that the moral training of the members is the collective responsibility of the entire Jamaat system, from the local sadrs and secretaries to the national leadership of all auxiliaries. This is a subject Huzooraa has repeatedly addressed in his sermons, including recent addresses to Lajna Imaillah in Germany and the UK, calling on all members to reform themselves.
Allah the Exalted has established clear rights for both men and women. Men are commanded in the Holy Quran to live with their wives with kindness. (Surah an-Nisa, Ch. 4: V.20) The Holy Prophetsa provided the most excellent example of how to care for one’s wives. Huzooraa narrated an incident where the Promised Messiahas became extremely angry with a Companion who had sworn he would never again let his wife visit her parents after she had stayed longer than planned. The Promised Messiahas reprimanded him severely. A Companion, deeply affected by this reprimand, immediately went to the market, bought gifts for his wife and returned home, promising her he would never speak harshly to her again.
Huzooraa guided that if people would act upon such teachings, these problems would not arise. Men, as the “guardians over women”, are required to have stronger nerves and greater emotional control and tolerance. The Holy Prophetsa advised that when considering marriage, one must prioritise righteousness in a partner above all other worldly considerations like wealth, beauty, or family status. If men would seek righteous wives, they would become righteous themselves and vice versa.
Huzooraa said:
“Some people see whether they are marrying into a wealthy family, or if the family is of good standing, or whether the girl is attractive, but all these things are not of significance. If she is pious, then one ought to accept that proposal. If this mindset develops within men, then if they look for a righteous woman (for marriage), they will become righteous themselves. If they become righteous themselves, only then will they look for a righteous woman. It is not the case that a man is engrossed in evil deeds but says that his wife should be very pious. This cannot happen. When we adopt these teachings, then there will not be any divorces, as our mindset will change.
“In the same way, a woman should consider that ‘I want to get married to a righteous man,’ instead of thinking, ‘Does he have such and such a car? Does he have his own house?’ Often, parents place a condition before marriage, saying: ‘We are giving our daughter to you; first tell us, do you have your own house, or will she live with her in-laws?’ If for six months or one or two years, he doesn’t have the means to afford his own house or even to rent, they will say, ‘If she will live with her in-laws, then our daughter cannot live there.’ One has to show patience for some time. Girls should also show patience; they seek divorce over the smallest of issues. This mindset works both ways; change your mindset, instil righteousness within yourselves, and instil the fear of Allah the Almighty in your hearts.”
The current materialistic mindset creates friction. If both spouses were to develop the fear of God in their hearts and truly act upon their pledge to give precedence to their faith over all worldly matters, there would be no divorces and consequently, no fear of marriage. It is not the case that a man is engrossed in evil deeds but says that his wife should be very pious.
Balancing faith with worldly commitments
Guidance was sought on how to advise Lajna members who do not give time to the Jamaat due to their work or studies.
Huzooraa reminded them of the pledge every Ahmadi takes to prioritise their faith over worldly matters. He stated that tarbiyat must begin in childhood. A concession can be made for those who are studying, but Huzooraa added that, out of 365 days in a year, students are only in school or university for about 160 days. This leaves nearly 200 days of weekends and holidays where time can be dedicated to the Jamaat. Even working women have weekends and annual leave. They should be encouraged to devote at least 30-50 days a year to their faith, which would cover their duties at Jalsa Salana, the ijtemas and other tarbiyat classes.
This advice must be given with consistent love and affection. Huzooraa highlighted that the Holy Quran repeatedly commands us to remind one another, because Allah, our Creator, knows our nature and that we are prone to forgetfulness. (Surah adh-Dhariyat, Ch.51: V.27) The approach of office-bearers must be balanced – neither overly strict nor completely absent – and based on their own good example.
Conveying the message of Ahmadiyyat with wisdom
A Lajna member, who had herself accepted Ahmadiyyat, asked for the best way to explain the message of Ahmadiyyat to non-Ahmadi Muslims or atheists in an effective and wise manner.
Huzooraa guided her that the arguments that convinced her to accept Ahmadiyyat are the same ones she should present to others. She should explain the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa regarding the advent of the Messiah and Mahdi in the Latter Days to revive Islam. She can then contrast the logical and wise teachings of the Ahmadiyya Movement with the senseless beliefs of other Muslims, who await a sword-wielding Mahdi and a Messiah who will physically descend from the heavens.
She should explain that she accepted Ahmadiyyat because its arguments are based on the true teachings of Islam and fulfil the prophecies of the Holy Prophetsa. The Promised Messiahas produced a wealth of literature to explain the true meaning of the Quran and Hadith. Ahmadis believe in the One God, the Seal of the Prophethood of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa and the Quran as the final law-bearing book. The Promised Messiahas has come only as a subordinate Prophet and servant to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa to revive his faith. If explained in this way, those with pious natures will understand. The duty of an Ahmadi is only to convey the message (balligh); guidance itself remains in the hands of Allah the Almighty. (Surah al-Ma’idah, Ch.5: V.68; Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.273)
The wisdom of halal and tayyib
Guidance was sought on the concepts of halal (lawful) and tayyib (pure) and whether it is permissible to eat any meat by simply reciting “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah).
Huzooraa explained that “halal” refers to that which is slaughtered in the name of Allah. Allah the Exalted has forbidden four or five things, as mentioned in the Holy Quran. (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.174) Other than that, if an animal is slaughtered by a method that allows its blood to drain and it was not slaughtered in the name of any idol or entity other than Allah, one can recite “Bismillah” and eat it.
Tayyib, on the other hand, refers to that which is pure and wholesome. Huzooraa clarified that something can be halal but not tayyib. For example, a chicken is halal, but if it dies and begins to rot, it is no longer pure and thus becomes forbidden to eat, except in a state of extreme starvation [iztirar].
To illustrate this, Huzooraa narrated the story of a man who had saved money his entire life for Hajj. He discovered his neighbour was cooking the meat of a dead donkey out of starvation. The neighbour explained the meat was halal for him due to his desperate state, but not for the man who had food. Deeply moved, the man gave all his Hajj money to his neighbour to buy pure (tayyib) food. Later, it was revealed to a holy man that the only Hajj accepted by Allah that year was that of the man who had stayed home and helped his neighbour in need.
Being a true role model in a diverse society
A question was asked on how Ahmadi women in Norway can preserve their identity and become role models in a multi-religious society.
Huzooraa advised that the approach should not be to create a competition between religions, as this only breeds jealousy. Instead, Lajna should organise seminars and present the Islamic teachings on various contemporary topics, such as women’s rights, economics, science, etc. The example to follow is that of the Promised Messiahas, whose treatise for the Conference of Great Religions, later published as The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, presented the beauties of Islam and was judged to be the best. The task is to present Islamic teachings and let people judge for themselves.
The most crucial element, however, is to become a true role model. Huzooraa cautioned against hypocrisy, such as advising others about purdah while not observing it oneself. Honesty, trustworthiness and practising what one preaches are essential. To become distinct, one must undertake a great Jihad or struggle of self-reformation. Huzooraa also advised that they should send short clips from his sermons to Lajna members each week to aid in their tarbiyat and moral training.
The challenge of translation and the importance of the original word
A Lajna member noted that when Jamaat literature is translated into other languages, the spiritual impact and depth can sometimes be lost. She asked how this can be better preserved.
Huzooraa explained that a perfect translation is impossible, even for the Holy Quran, due to the vastness of the Arabic language. The same is true for the eloquent Urdu books of the Promised Messiahas. Therefore, Huzooraa strongly advised that those who can, especially those of Pakistani descent, should make a dedicated effort to learn Urdu so they can read these treasures in their original language. He gave the inspiring example of an English convert, a lawyer by profession, who dedicated his life and learned Urdu to such a high standard that he now speaks it better than some native speakers, precisely so he could understand the true message.
For those who cannot learn the original language, Huzoor’saa advice was not to read hastily. They should read with deep reflection and pray to Allah to touch their hearts with the knowledge they are acquiring and to grant them its true understanding.
Serving humanity
Finally, a Lajna member asked how the Jamaat in Norway might play a distinguished role in serving humanity so that Islam’s true and compassionate message also reaches wider society.
In response, Huzooraa directed attention to Quranic injunctions that place service to humanity at the heart of a Muslim’s life: supporting orphans, the needy and vulnerable, assisting travellers, helping those burdened with debt and treating those who ask for help with kindness and dignity.
Huzooraa encouraged Lajna Imaillah to make purposeful use of established Jamaat-led charitable initiatives, including Humanity First. Where Ansarullah organise charitable activities such as charity walks, Lajna can also participate by walking behind them, raising funds and channelling proceeds to charities, including local organisations within Norway.
Publicity, Huzooraa advised, should be pursued not for self-promotion but to raise awareness that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat actively serves society.
Beyond local initiatives, Huzooraa noted that distinctive, sustained impact naturally emerges from concrete humanitarian projects – such as installing water pumps in regions of need, establishing medical facilities and clinics, or supporting orphan care, which themselves convey Islam’s authentic message of compassion in action. Huzooraa emphasised that the worldwide Jamaat already engages in a wide array of such endeavours and that Norway’s Lajna should also continue to shoulder this responsibility in accordance with Quranic guidance.
At the conclusion of the mulaqat, Huzooraa graciously gifted a pen to each of the Lajna members and enquired about their stay.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)
