On 15 May 2022, Lajna members of Waqf-e-Nau UK were given the opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa through a virtual class. The waqifaat-e-nau had gathered in Baitul Futuh Mosque, London.
Observing the great number of Lajna members seated in Baitul Futuh, Huzooraa said, “It seems Lajna members from all over the UK have come together instead of just the waqifaat-e-nau.” Huzooraa was informed that all the Lajna members seated were waqifaat-e-nau. Alluding to the vast number of waqifaat-e-nau members, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that a revolution must be brought about in the UK through their efforts.
Huzooraa then called Mariah Rana Sahiba to recite a portion from the Holy Quran. After the recitation, Sabah Un Noor Sahiba presented the Urdu and English translations. Then, Sameena Ahmad Sahiba presented a hadith. Following this, Dania Ahmad presented an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas after which Kashifa Qamar Sahiba recited a poem.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked Kashifa Sahiba what her profession was. She replied that she was working as a pharmacist in a hospital. Huzooraa then asked Dania Sahiba, Sameena Sahiba, Sabah Un Noor Sahiba and Mariah Sahiba about their professions and studies.
Dania Sahiba replied that she was currently in her last year studying biomedical science. Sameena Sahiba said that she had, some years ago, attained a degree in Arabic and French. Sabah Un Noor Sahiba said she was serving as the Urdu editor for the Maryam magazine. Mariah Sahiba replied that she was currently doing her GCSEs.
Thereafter, the waqifaat-e-nau had the opportunity to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa any questions they had.
Sofia Muhammad Sahiba, from Mosque East Jamaat, said that although Islam was our religion, some people desired to merge their culture and their religion. She asked what one should do to return to religion as opposed to culture and tradition.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa answered that our religion was Islam. Through the Holy Quran, sunnah and hadith we learned about Islam, and the Holy Prophetsa explained Islam to Muslims by following the commandments of the Holy Quran. The Holy Prophetsa explained some things through his actions or instructions which were also found in the ahadith.
Being Muslim and adhering to Islam fundamentally was to “establish a relationship with Allah the Almighty, to worship Him and to fulfil His rights. The second thing was to fulfil the rights of one another and the rights of mankind,” Huzooraa said.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained that some aspects had taken root among certain Muslims that stemmed from cultural practices and not Islamic teachings. Some South Asians, due to the influence of Sikhism and Hinduism, adopted some of their cultural traditions, for example in marriage ceremonies. Huzooraa said that Allah taught Muslims that the nikah announcement was the declaration of marriage. However, some had adopted other traditions. It was not necessary to hold separate extravagant functions for mehndi and shadi, etc. In Islam, Huzooraa reiterated, there was the nikah announcement and walima.
There were so many Muslims around the world from different continents who all had their own traditions. Huzooraa added, “That which clashes with the commandments of God must be abandoned.”
The main aspect, Huzooraa emphasised, was that traditions that people adhered to should not become a means of committing shirk – associating partners with Allah.
“The fundamental teaching is to establish the sanctity of Allah the Almighty and not to commit shirk.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa added that there were some good things in different cultures which could be adopted if they did not contradict with the teachings of Islam.
Shamama Dogar Sahiba, from Bournemouth Jamaat, presented a verse of Surah Yunus in which Allah says, “And We spoke to Moses and his brother, saying, ‘Take, ye twain, some houses for your people in the town, and make your houses to face one another, and observe Prayer. And give glad tidings to the believers.’” She said that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, in the commentary of this verse, had stated that the study of archaeology proved the houses of the Israelites were facing their qibla. She said Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra had taken the verse to mean that their houses should face each other. She asked Huzooraa whether, considering the commentary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, Masjid Aqsa could be taken to mean the qibla referred to and if Allah gave Masjid Aqsa the rank of the first qibla.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa first explained that Muslims used to face Masjid Aqsa during prayers. Allah had later instructed the Holy Prophetsa to turn his face towards the Holy Ka‘bah, and this had been mentioned in the Holy Quran.
Huzooraa further explained that as far as Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II’sra interpretation was concerned, that interpretation was given according to the knowledge available at his time and he explained that it could mean the houses should be facing each other to create unity and unite them by the bonds of brotherhood. However, through archaeology, it was found that the houses were facing Masjid Aqsa and thus Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh had noted this in his interpretation of the verse.
“The Holy Quran is such a treasure of knowledge that in every age, as more research is conducted, new things will be discovered. Many matters are expounded upon, explained and interpreted accordingly,” Huzooraa said.
Huzooraa highlighted again that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, according to the circumstances at the time and the knowledge available in that era, explained this accordingly. And Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh explained the matter accordingly also.
Qaanita Faheem Sahiba, from Putney Heath Jamaat, asked Huzooraa how he felt when Ahmadi Muslims waved at him during ijtemas, jalsas and gatherings.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa answered:
“When you become happy, I am also happy, and then I also wave my hand back. What you feel is also what I feel. [In such gatherings, I see] that good people are seated [before me], sincere Ahmadis are seated, loving Ahmadis are seated, loyal Ahmadis of Khilafat are seated. This is what I feel.”
Rofia Mubashar Sahiba, studying at the Aisha academy in London, asked Huzooraa to what extent one should make compromises in a relationship to avoid quarrels and disputes, and when to give priority to their self-respect.
Huzooraa explained that there were many types of relationships such as siblings, parents, uncles and aunts, husband and wife, in-laws, etc. Every relation, Huzooraa said, had a different nature. As far as parents were concerned, they should be respected at all times unless they called one towards shirk or drive one away from religion. And this, Huzooraa said, was a commandment of the Holy Quran. Regarding siblings, even if one must give up their right to establish peace with their brothers and sisters, they should do so. Islam commanded to take care of the rights of others. Thirdly, Huzooraa said, as far as relations with relatives and uncles and cousins were concerned, as they were elders, they should be shown respect. Greet them well, and treat them with good manners; these are high morals.
As for the relationship between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law, there should also be a level of respect.
“It is the teaching of Islam to consider each other’s feelings and emotions,” Huzooraa said.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that the Holy Quran stated that even if enemies were treated with respect, they eventually would become friends.
Anam Ahmedi Sahiba stated that history showed that the way people used to dress according to their gender had changed and she gave the example of the ancient Egyptians, where men usually used make-up and it was considered a symbol of their masculinity and wealth; however, now it was considered against the norm. She said that it was mentioned in a hadith that the Holy Prophetsa said that in the Latter Days, men would start dressing as women and women would dress like men. She asked how this hadith could be interpreted in modern times.
Huzooraa answered, referring to her statement, that it could not be generalised that men used to try to beautify themselves and wear makeup. There were some traditions of old tribes that used to wear special make-up in special festivals they used to have, and in the same way, women also used to wear make-up and wear dresses. Huzooraa added that ancient tribes, such as the Aborigines of Australia and tribes of other countries, all had their own customs and traditions; and so too did the tribes of Arabia. But to say that the men, in general, wore what women wore and became like women, was wrong. Masculinity was the sign of men. Therefore, the Holy Prophetsa had said that a man should appear like a man.
The Holy Prophetsa had said that there would come a time when it would be difficult to recognise and differentiate between men and women, meaning that preferences and priorities would change.
Huzooraa said that now, the custom of changing genders had been created. When such a custom was formed, everyone’s opinion also changed and the environment seemed to affect people; a girl would say that she wanted to be a boy and vice versa.
The Holy Prophetsa said that there should be a visible difference between a man and a woman. When such situations changed and mankind moved away from the natural order and created disorder, Allah the Almighty sent His messengers for the betterment of the world. And in this age, the Promised Messiahas has been sent to teach people and draw them back to the right path.
The Promised Messiahas said that he was sent for two purposes: one was to unite man with God and the other was to offer the rights one owed to other human beings.
Naima Clarke Sahiba, from Islamabad Jamaat, said that sometimes the family of blessed people of Allah, such as prophets, khulafa, martyrs and the righteous, despite receiving prayers and seeing good examples before them, deviated from the right path. She asked why this happened.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“To each belong their own deeds. Prophet Noah’sas son did not believe, so Allah the Almighty punished him and he drowned. […] The Promised Messiahas has written, and it is found in a hadith which I have cited in my previous sermon, that the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘Fatima, do not think that because you are the daughter of the Prophet, you will be forgiven. Your own actions will lead you to forgiveness. […]
“Thus, the prophets and righteous people set good examples; however, if one does not follow their example, does not walk [on the path they have set], one is obstinate or stubborn by nature and does not inculcate the advice even after seeing the example, then the law of Allah the Almighty is set in motion. Allah does not see whether so or so is the son or daughter of a good man. Then, Allah looks at what their own actions are and whether ‘they have followed My teachings or not’. And if they have not, then they are punished in this world or the next, Allah the Almighty knows best.”
Huzooraa added, “If they are wise human beings, they take heed from others; [and] after seeing good examples, begin to act upon them.”
Huzooraa highlighted that it depended on the individual. Huzooraa said that it was not compulsory for a righteous person’s offspring to be noble. “Yes, they are generally good; however”, if one treaded towards bad things, they would eventually become engulfed in bad deeds.
Mashal Chaudhry Sahiba, from Baitul Futuh South Jamaat, said that nowadays, it was commonly seen that when a person gave their opinion on a subject, such as religion, which was contrary to popular trends, people began to ostracise such individuals. With such conditions, people tended not to express their views and agreed with what the norm was. She asked what Huzoor’saa advice was for waqifaat-e-nau on this matter.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, alluding to what he mentioned at the beginning of the mulaqat, that Lajna waqifaat-e-nau were to bring about a revolution. One should not be affected by such influences. Huzooraa explained that when Allah sent a prophet, He sent him at a time when people had become corrupt. When the Holy Prophetsa was sent by Allah, people were corrupt everywhere. Christians and Jews also believed, Huzooraa said, that that time was extremely immoral as people were distant from religion. Allah sent the Holy Prophetsa to bring people back to religion. Then, after 1,300 years had elapsed, corruption crept in. Muslims and people of other religions lost their ways, Huzooraa explained. Nowadays, 65% of people did not believe in God. In this age, Allah had sent the Promised Messiahas according to His promise and had enabled us to accept him.
So, Huzooraa added, as people moved away from religion, they would make fun of religion; not only religion, but also the prophets. Huzooraa said that some people violated the sanctity of the Holy Quran and mocked Islam. Similarly, other countries saw Islam in the wrong light. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that some actions and wrong types of traditions adopted by Muslims were also being made fun of. In such a situation, Huzooraa said:
“It is we, Ahmadis, who must inform people of the correct Islamic teachings. If we have exemplary conduct, good morals and possess knowledge on world matters, then people will listen to us.”
Huzooraa said, “We must neither fear nor stop [our work in spreading the true Islam].”
Huzooraa said that by our deeds, good morals and knowledge – which one must continue to increase – we should preach to people. Huzooraa highlighted that above all, one must supplicate and bow before Allah the Almighty for help. We should strive to fulfil the promise we have made and lead the world on the right path.
Aliya Sadaf Sahiba, from Hayes Jamaat, asked Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa about veganism and diet.
Huzooraa said that the teaching of Islam prescribed a balanced approach. It does not say to eat meat only, nor does it say to eat only vegetables. Both kinds of foods should be consumed. A balanced diet should be eaten and it was nutritionally proven that a balanced diet fulfilled the needs of the human body.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then conveyed his salaam to everyone and the mulaqat came to a close.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)