Nasirat and members of Lajna Imaillah Denmark were blessed with the opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, in a virtual mulaqat on 19 February 2023.
At the opening of the meeting, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa conveyed his salaam and invited Hania Saad to recite a portion of the Holy Quran and Rameeza Faizi Ahmad read out the Urdu translation. Liza Malik presented a hadith of the Holy Prophetsa and Tazian Mehmood read its Urdu translation. Aniza Syed Sahiba was invited to read out an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas.
Huzooraa then turned to Sadr Lajna Denmark, Sheeza Munir Sahiba, who said that nasirat and Lajna members had some questions they wanted to ask him.
Zofishan Khawer said that a qudsi hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhmmadsa mentions Allah’s statement that if He had not created the Holy Prophetsa, He would not have created the universe. She asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa for clarification on the meaning of this hadith.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stated, “This means that the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, is the most beloved to Allah the Almighty.” Allah made him a perfect and complete man, embodying all great qualities, and perfected the sharia through him.
Huzooraa said this is an expression of God’s love for the Holy Prophetsa; God desired to create the world and create a man like the Holy Prophetsa so that the world may see him, walk in his footsteps and follow his practice. The Holy Prophetsa is a complete and perfect person, and by following him, one can attain Allah’s love.
Huzooraa then quoted the following verse from the Holy Quran:
وَمَا خَلَقۡتُ الۡجِنَّ وَالۡاِنۡسَ اِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُوۡنِ
[And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me. (Surah adh-Dhariyat, Ch. 51: V. 57)]
Huzooraa explained that the Jinn and the men were created to worship Allah, “and the highest standard of this was established by the Holy Prophet”. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said the Holy Prophetsa is the perfect example of how mankind can attain success in this world.
Zoha Lone expressed that she would feel afraid at night and asked Huzooraa for a prayer she could recite when she experienced fear.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa advised, “Learn the prayer [we Muslims recite] before sleeping. Pray to Allah, ‘O Allah safeguard me.’” Huzooraa then inquired if she had memorised Ayat al-Kursi; to which she responded that she was learning it. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Learn it and recite it at night.”
Madiha Sohail said that in the initial verses of Surah at-Tariq, Allah states, “By the heaven and the Morning Star. And what should make thee know what the Morning Star is? It is the star of piercing brightness.” (Surah at-Tariq, Ch. 86: V. 2-4)
She asked Huzooraa what this verse meant.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “the answer to this can be found in the Jamaat’s tafsir books.” Huzooraa added that the commentary on this is that the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa appeared at a time when spiritual darkness had spread over the entire world, and people had moved far away from religion and God. “To dispel the spiritual darkness and safeguard mankind, God sent the ‘Morning Star’”. Huzooraa added that according to the prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, a dark time for Muslims was to come after which the Promised Messiahas was to be sent, and his advent was to be like the “Morning Star”.
Huzooraa further said, “There are various commentaries for this, and it can refer to both the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Messiahas.”
Shamaila Munir mentioned that their children spend half the day at school and university, where they become accustomed to Western culture. She added that the other half of the day is spent at home. She said that some children, due to this, go through an identity crisis. She asked Huzooraa how parents should raise their children so that they do not go through these complexes.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained, “Children typically start attending school around the age of 5-6, although, in some places, they start at the age of 6-7. During the first 5-7 years, they are with their parents. It is crucial to teach them good things and various [Islamic] supplications at such a young age. Some parents complete their child’s first recitation of the Holy Quran at the age of 4 or 5, but fail to teach their child about religion. As a result, the children may be unaware of the message that the Quran contains, even though they may have read it.”
Huzooraa added that Islam teaches calling the azan in the right ear and the iqamah in the left ear of a newborn. Even though the child’s intellect is not yet developed to comprehend its significance, the name of Allah and His Messengersa is instilled within the child.
Referring to the issue of children being influenced by Western culture at school as the questioner mentioned, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “I have calculated that in Western countries, out of the 365 days in a year, 180-190 days are school days, and the remaining 180 days are holidays. Therefore, children are with their parents for half of the year.” Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa stressed the importance of utilising this time, even if not all 190 days, to teach children about religion and its significance. He suggested that at least 90 days should be devoted to this purpose.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stressed the importance of a mother’s role in raising her children, saying:
“The mother’s primary responsibility is to raise her children. If done correctly, it means that you have taken care of the next generation.” Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa also advised that, unless work was absolutely necessary, mothers should prioritise raising their children during the crucial stage of their development. Likewise, Huzooraa said that fathers should also spend quality time with their children instead of being distracted by other activities during the weekends.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa emphasised the importance of setting a good example for our children. “We should be grateful to Allah for having bestowed upon us a living religion and its teachings, which guide us in every rational matter and enable us to adapt to the current era. However, if we fail to follow these teachings, it will be to our own misfortune.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa urged the members to listen to his sermons, as well as what had been mentioned by the previous Khulafa. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa added that there are informative programmes on MTA to watch too.
Maliha Basharat asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa how she could become his sultan-e-naseer [helper].
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa explained that being a sultan-e-naseer means to be a helper in the mission of the Promised Messiah, upon whom be peace. This mission includes re-establishing the Oneness of God, spreading His message worldwide, and informing people of the exalted status of the Holy Prophetsa being the last law-bearing prophet. “To fulfil this mission, after the Promised Messiah, the system of Khilafat was established [by Allah]. The mission which was given to the Promised Messiah, upon whom be peace, is being carried out by the Khalifa of the time.”
Huzooraa explained that as the Khalifa cannot, simultaneously and physically work across the world, “this is why Ahmadis who are spread throughout the world should serve the Khalifa of the time and help [him]. They should make themselves pious and enhance the standard and level of their worship, and offer five daily prayers fervently, offer voluntary prayers, study the Holy Quran and gain its knowledge, act upon [its commandments] and abandon bad deeds,” Huzooraa listed these things and added that one should do tabligh and said that this is how one can become a great helper of the Khalifa of the time.
“If women, children, elders, young men, and women do this, then you shall see how the true message of Islam spreads throughout the world. [You all should] make efforts in Denmark, the inhabitants of Sweden should make efforts for this in Sweden, those in Norway should make efforts in Norway, people of other countries should make efforts in their respective countries, then a revolution can come about”.
Maleeka Butt mentioned that nasirat have promised to pray for Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in their daily prayers. She then asked if Huzooraa, considering his extensive workload, does not get tired. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa smiled and advised her to include the Khalifa of the time in her prayers, and assured her that Allah would provide His help.
Marriyam Mubashar mentioned that in 1890, the Promised Messiahas claimed to be the Messiah of the age, and in 1891, he claimed to be the Mahdi. She asked Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa where we find evidence of the advent of the Imam Mahdias and Messiahas in the 14th century AH.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa referred to some narrations and explained that they are mentioned in ahadith. He advised her to study Hadith books. Huzooraa then asked if she had a copy of the book Hadiqatus-Saliheen, and pointed out that the last few pages of the book explain the advent of the Promised Messiahas, including his appearance and the time of his advent. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa added that the hadith indicates how many years would pass before his appearance. He further explained that the ahadith the Holy Prophetsa point towards the advent of the Promised Messiahas at the end of the 13th century or the beginning of the 14th century.
Huzooraa went on to briefly explain the hadith, that said, if faith ascended to the Pleiades, a man of Persian descent would bring it back. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that when Surah al-Jumu‘ah was revealed, it prophesied that:
وَّاٰخَرِيۡنَ مِنۡهُمۡ لَمَّا يَلۡحَقُوۡا بِهِم
“And [among] others from among them who have not yet joined them.” (Surah al-Jumu‘ah, Ch.62: V.4)
When asked who the akharin mentioned in this verse were, the Holy Prophetsa placed his hand on Hazrat Salman al-Farisira and said that even if faith were to ascend to the Pleiades, a man from these people would surely find it. “This was also a sign of the coming of the Messiah and Mahdi,” Huzooraa added.
“When you study all these ahadith collectively, you would come to understand that the prophecies concerning the 14th century, the Messiah, and the Mahdi all pertain to the same era”.
A member of Lajna stated that Huzooraa guides the Jamaat through his sermons and speeches, highlighting certain weaknesses that need to be addressed. However, she said, whenever a member or official of Lajna Imaillah addresses spiritual or general weaknesses during meetings etc., their advice is often perceived as mere suggestions, and the audience does not feel compelled to take action. Some individuals even feel targeted by such comments made in meetings. The member then asked: “How can advice be given without hurting people’s sentiments?”
Hazrat Khlaiftul Masih Vaa stressed that if a speaker is offering general advice and someone’s sentiments are hurt, it is a reflection of their own ignorance. In fact, if the individual realises that they possess the weaknesses being mentioned, they should be grateful to God and the speaker for bringing these issues to their attention.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa noted that he has received letters from individuals expressing that during his sermons, historical events and other matters are discussed, and some individuals feel that the message is directed towards them to correct their behaviour. Hence, they try to learn from the advice given during his sermons.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said that there are individuals who are set in their ways and cannot be influenced by advice. These individuals often deflect responsibility and blame others for their actions. In such cases, the best course of action is to pray for them, that Allah may guide them, grant them wisdom, and make them true Ahmadis.
Huzooraa advised that before delivering a sermon or speech, the speaker – be he a man, imam of salat, or a murabbi – should pray to Allah, asking for the audience to be granted the ability to listen and benefit from the message. We can become the Jamaat that the Promised Messiahas desired us to be by doing so.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa emphasised, “Offering salat is a commandment clearly stated in the Holy Quran. However, if people start claiming that it is merely advice and not necessary to observe prayer, [they are mistaken]. Allah the Almighty has stated that He created humankind for worship. If one calls their attention to worship, they say, ‘This is our personal matter.’ If offering salat or not is such a personal matter, then why did the Holy Prophetsa say, ‘I wish to burn the houses of those who do not come for the Isha prayer’? […] This tells us that giving advice to mankind is necessary.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa suggested that we inform others that we have accepted the Promised Messiahas, so that we may apply the true teachings of Islam and propagate them around the world.
Another Lajna member expressed that when one studies the life of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, it becomes evident that he used to assist with household tasks. She highlighted that in contemporary society, some women are compelled to work due to certain circumstances and, as a result, are burdened with more responsibilities. She further noted that some men, in such cases, do not contribute to household chores. She then sought guidance from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa on this matter.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “Are my speeches, particularly the ones delivered at Lajna gatherings and ijtemas, not sufficient guidance? What more can I say to a man who is unwilling to listen? If a person does not offer salat or follow Allah’s commandments, including offering salat, the recitation of the Holy Quran, and the commandments of the Messengersa, why would they listen to me?”
Huzooraa added that he has previously given advice and said that Allah states that to be successful, one must follow the practice of the Holy Prophetsa. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that several men do help out in their homes and added that those men who do not help out around the house are acting incorrectly. As far as advice is concerned, Huzooraa said:
“As for advice, there are many,” pieces of advice. Various of them were given before and will continue to be given, Huzooraa said, and he further added that they should pray that those men act upon the advice given to them.
A Lajna member asked how they could draw the attention of all Lajna members to being 100% regular in offering the five daily prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran, and service to religion.
Huzooraa said that if all these things were achieved by 100% of Lajna members, then they would have to make efforts to maintain them too. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa added that humankind goes through various stages in their spiritual journey, and this is why the Holy Quran states to keep exhorting and reminding people. The companions during the time of the Holy Prophetsa were not all on the same level. Huzooraa said, “It is our duty to keep reminding and making efforts,” Huzooraa also said that one should pray and added, “This is a continuous effort.”
A Lajna member stated that she has a few questions from girls that they have compiled into one question. The question was: “It was difficult to find suitable marriage partners, and in the case that a suitable partner is found, later, various complications arise due to the intervention in the private affairs of a couple by the husband’s or the wife’s parents.” Huzoor’saa guidance was sought on this.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that he had previously answered this question on various occasions. Huzooraa said that the parents of both the husband and wife must acknowledge that their children are married and must be allowed to live in peace without interference in their private affairs. Further, Huzooraa said that where Allah has stated to respect parents, it doesn’t say that parents should act unjustly towards the daughter-in-law. Huzooraa explained that one must first pray to Allah before getting married. The parents and their children should pray.
Huzooraa then alluded to his book, Domestic Issues and Their Solutions, which was a collection of various speeches about how to live a happy married life, with solutions based on the teachings of Islam to the problems faced in domestic life. Huzooraa encouraged them to read this book.
A question was asked on how Lajna members can look after their mental and physical health and how they can motivate their families.
Huzooraa said, “As the nights are long, one should start their day by offering voluntary prayer, then exercise a little in the fresh air, then offer the Fajr prayer, recite the Holy Quran, [by doing this], one’s knowledge shall increase and one’s health will improve.” Huzooraa explained that those who can go out for a walk in the open air should do so and added that Lajna should also have their own arrangements in the mosque complex where they can exercise and play some games or where their events can be held. Huzooraa said that this would help with both mental and physical health. Huzooraa added that one must establish a relationship with Allah and follow His commandments as this will help one’s spirituality.
Lastly, a Lajna member said that the government did not allow women to wear a niqab. However, she added, some women desire to wear makeup when they come to the mosque, a wedding, or an event. She asked Huzooraa for guidance on this matter.
Huzooraa asked if it was absolutely necessary to wear makeup when coming to the mosque and said that they could decide not to wear makeup. Alternatively, Huzooraa said that they can simply take a small mirror with them to the function and apply lipstick there if need be. Huzooraa explained that those who come to the mosque, come for religious events and services, not to show their makeup.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then conveyed his salaam to all members, and the mulaqat came to a successful end.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)
