On 12 December 2020, the amila members of Lajna Imaillah Mauritius were fortunate to have a mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper.
The mulaqat commenced with a silent prayer followed by the recitation of the Holy Quran.
After this, Huzooraa directly addressed all the members present and enquired about the tasks and duties of each department whilst offering guidance and direction.
Addressing an amila member serving as secretary tajnid department, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked about the total tajnid (number of members) and further enquired if it covered all the members of Lajna living in Mauritius.
The secretary informed Huzooraa that the total tajnid of Lajna was 1,449.
Whilst addressing the secretary of Tahrik-e-Jadid and Waqf-e-Jadid, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked about the Lajna contribution towards Tahrik-e-Jadid and asked if work was being conducted to collect the Waqf-e-Jadid contributions as the year was almost coming to a close.
The secretary replied in the affirmative and said that local secretaries had been contacted in this regard.
Addressing the general secretary, Huzooraa asked how many Lajna majalis were present in Mauritius and further enquired if the monthly reports were being sent to the general secretary with regularity.
Huzooraa further asked, “Whenever you see any shortcoming in their report, do you suggest how they can improve in their work?”
The secretary replied in the affirmative and stated that they had been meeting with the presidents and local amila members where they personally give and provide their feedback.
Addressing the secretary talim, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked about the talim plans being made for Lajna and whether any book of the Promised Messiahas had been suggested for Lajna members to study.
The secretary said that they had assigned the book Barakaat-ul-Dua (Blessings of Prayer) for Lajna members to read. Additionally, the secretary expressed that they would be holding special classes for Lajna members who were unable to read or write.
In light of this, whilst offering guidance, Huzooraa said, “You may send audio books to those Lajna members who are unable to read.”
Following this, addressing the tarbiyat secretary, Huzooraa emphasised the importance of tarbiyat and said that this is a “very important assignment”.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa further asked which point of tarbiyat was being emphasised for this year.
The secretary said that they had identified a few weaknesses in tarbiyat issues, such as observing proper purdah and general behaviour in society.
Upon this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said even when they are not having to observe purdah, they should at least be dressing modestly. Huzooraa also added that special emphasis should be given on helping others understand the importance of prayers.
Whilst offering guidance and direction to the secretary tarbiyat nau mubai‘at, Huzooraa said, “You should allocate a naib secretary with you whom herself is a new convert as she will be able to better understand the problems and situations the nau mubai‘at face. From this, you will see improvement.”
Huzooraa further advised, “You should remain in contact with the nau mubai‘at, do their tarbiyat and within three years you should bring them into the mainstream Jamaat … What is meant by bringing them into the mainstream Jamaat is that they should become pious.”
Following this, whilst addressing the secretary khidmat-e-khalq, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked about plans and targets for the year.
Upon this, the secretary said that all khidmat-e-khalq secretaries were given a one-year work plan in which they would visit 36 homes and one shelter home. The secretary added that a sponsorship programme was soon to be initiated for those students who were facing financial difficulties.
Whilst addressing the secretary maal, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa took a keen interest in the chanda being paid by nonearning members and whether they were able to afford to make such sacrifices.
Addressing the muhasibah maal, Huzooraa asked if she was an accountant by profession.
Upon this, the muhasibah maal replied in the affirmative and further said that she had not worked under employment for the past six years due to looking after her children.
Hearing this, Huzooraa said, “Masha-Allah! Now you should look after your children more than any other thing. Make them good Ahmadis. Every Lajna member should take care of their children and make them good Ahmadis.”
Following this, addressing the secretary Nasirat, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa asked about the total number of Nasirat in Mauritius.
Upon this, the secretary replied that according to the AIMS list, there were 133 Nasirat.
Huzooraa further asked about the year’s plan which had been set for nasirat.
Responding to this, the secretary stated that they had prepared a progress book for the Nasirat to regularly record and monitor their progress in important matters such as Namaz, recitation of the Holy Quran, watching MTA and listening to Huzoor’saa sermons.
The secretary added that there was a Shura recommendation to include tabligh for Nasirat, which Huzooraa then enquired about.
The secretary explained that they would start by consolidating the knowledge of Nasirat themselves about Ahmadiyyat. From January, the secretary said that they would introduce a series of videos of basic knowledge on Ahmadiyyat based on the Ahmadiyya 101 programme on MTA.
Following this, whilst conversing with the tabligh secretary, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked about the plan for this year and further stated, “Mauritius is a small island; you should convert the whole island within 10 years into true Islam and Ahmadiyyat and if Lajna play their role properly, then I hope there can be a very big, significant change in tabligh activities.”
Addressing the secretary ishaat, Huzooraa asked if there was any magazine being prepared and printed by Lajna.
Whist responding to this, the secretary stated that they would be launching a magazine for the Nasirat which would start in February and would release a quarterly magazine for Lajna which would start from March. In addition to this, the secretary said that efforts were being made to launch a Lajna website.
Whilst addressing the secretary ziafat, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked what dish had been prepared on the day. The secretary replied that they had prepared Chinese food for the Lajna.
Upon this, Huzooraa lovingly remarked, “Enjoy it.”
Following this, addressing the secretary sehat-e-jismani, Huzooraa enquired as to how many Lajna members exercised regularly. The secretary explained that according to data collected through a survey, more than 43% partake in activities such as yoga, badminton, swimming, and further plans for self-defence class, headed by a female sensei, was to be included.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then turned to the secretary umur-e-talibat and asked how many students went to university. Further, whilst emphasising the importance of studies, Huzooraa expressed his desire that Ahmadi Muslim girls should pursue medicine.
Whilst addressing the sadr muqami, Huzooraa asked whether all Lajna muqami members were cooperative.
Responding to this, the sadr muqami replied that some were cooperative; however, some, even after being informed, do not come to Lajna sessions.
Upon this, Huzooraa said, “You have to remain persuasive. Do not leave them.”
Towards the end of the mulaqat, sadr Lajna Imaillah said that the country needed the presence of the Khalifa and expressed that it had been 15 years since Huzooraa came to Mauritius.
Hearing this, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “Pray that I make another visit to Mauritius.”
Following this, one Lajna member expressed that on one occasion, Lajna members were individually asked to provide a tarbiyati report. They were asked about their regularity in offering Salat, reading the Quran and paying chanda.
Upon this, some Lajna members did not give their report and said that these questions were all “personal matters”.
Upon this, the Lajna member asked Huzooraa what should be done with regard to this. Responding to the question, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said, “In my sermon last week, I narrated the incident where the Holy Prophetsa asked Hazrat Alira if he used to offer the Tahajud prayer, upon which he replied, ‘When Allah causes me to wake, I offer it’ … The Holy Prophetsa disliked this.”
Huzooraa further added:
“Similarly, the Holy Prophetsa said, ‘For those who do not come to the mosque for Namaz, I desire to order somebody to stand in my place so that I may go to the houses of those who do not attend the prayer and burn their houses.’ If Namaz was a personal matter, then what was the need for the Holy Prophetsa to say this. Thus, it is not a personal matter.
“When a question is asked by any of the Jamaat’s organisation or a representative of the Jamaat, then it is the duty of all the members – be they Lajna, Khadim or Nasir – that they should provide that information to the concerned department so that a better planning can be done for betterment of those people and for improving the tarbiyat strategy for the Jamaat; this is very essential.”
Further, one Lajna member expressed that as mothers, it was becoming difficult to protect children from the vices of society and to keep them on the right path. She asked how one could ensure that they stay on the right path.
Huzooraa replied by saying:
“This is a continuous process. From the very childhood, from the very beginning, you should start giving instructions to your children, with love and care, that they are Ahmadi children and they should respect and honour the teachings of religion.
“When the child is born, Azan in called in the right ear of the child and the takbir on the left ear; because Allah knows that tarbiyat starts from the very beginning. So, you should not think that when they grow up, they will improve themselves. When they turn five or six, ask them to offer prayers. When, at times, you offer prayer, ask them to stand beside you and when they are seven to 10 years old, ask them to offer at least three to four prayers daily.
“Of course, you have to be very loving towards your children so that they understand, ‘Whatever my parents are asking me to do is for my benefit’.
“When they reach the age of 10, it is obligatory on them to offer the five daily prayers; so, tell them that this is the commandment of Allah that they have to offer the prayer. Being an Ahmadi, you have to follow all the commandments and injunctions of Allah given to us in the Holy Quran or through the Holy Prophetsa.
“So in this way, from the very childhood, until they attain the age of maturity, they should be advised to practice the religious practices; and, of course, at the same time, your own example also counts. If you are not behaving well towards your children, if your own attitude and behaviour is not good towards your other fellow brothers and sisters, and if your attitude in the house is not good as husband and wife, then it will not help your children to get better training with regard to your religion. So, you will have to set your own example first and then keep on asking them to practice according to the teachings of Islam.
“Then, when they see that this is the example of my parents and this is the teaching, then they will, insha-Allah, follow and will be less affected by the environment which they come across outside the house.”
With this, the mulaqat came to a close.