Islamabad, Tilford, 19 April 2025: A group of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya from Germany had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, at Islamabad, Tilford, UK.
The mulaqat commenced as Huzooraa entered the hall and conveyed his greetings of ‘Assalamu Alaikum’. Huzooraa then invited a nasirah to recite a portion from the Holy Quran. She recited Ayat-ul-Kursi (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:256), followed by its German and Urdu translations, rendered by herself and another nasirah, respectively.
The nasirat then had the chance to ask Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa various questions.
Holy Quran to be recited in Arabic
The first question related to the recitation of the Holy Quran, asking if reading only the translation was sufficient.
Huzooraa explained that the command is to recite the Holy Quran in Arabic, the language of its revelation. It is compulsory and therein lie the blessings. He noted that many non-Arabs memorise the entire Holy Quran, indicating that mere Arabic recitation is achievable. However, Huzooraa stressed the equal importance of reading and understanding the translation to act upon its teachings.
Letters to world leaders
Asked whether world leaders had replied to his previous letters warning of global conflict and if he intended to write again, Huzooraa stated that many leaders did not respond. A few claimed efforts towards nuclear disarmament but soon returned to previous ways. Huzooraa remarked that they seem unwilling to heed counsel. Although he has written again to some, the impact appears minimal.
Nevertheless, Huzooraa affirmed that the Jamaat’s duty is to persist in admonishing and conveying the message. Should they fail to listen, Huzooraa warned, the consequences, including world war and other calamities, would inevitably affect them too. He cautioned that the major world powers mistakenly believe themselves immune, but devastation reaching their own shores would compel them to recognise divine teachings and the wisdom they ignored.
Huzooraa advised the nasirat to discuss these issues within their own spheres – friends, family and teachers – explaining the path to peace to avert global catastrophe.
Conversing with Allah
Regarding how one can converse with Allah daily, Huzooraa clarified that Allah communicates even with Prophets and saints only according to His Will, sometimes after long intervals. He cited instances where the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa experienced pauses in revelation, leading disbelievers to mock, yet Allah affirmed He had not forsaken His Messengersa and said to him:
مَا وَدَّعَکَ رَبُّکَ وَمَا قَلٰی
[“Thy Lord has not forsaken thee, nor is He displeased with thee.” (Surah ad-Duha, Ch. 93: V.4)]
Revelation, Huzooraa explained, comes when Allah deems necessary.
Our responsibility is humility before Him, guided by the Holy Prophet’ssa instruction to pray as if seeing Allah, or at least knowing He sees us. This consciousness fosters earnestness in prayer. Huzooraa pointed to the Quranic principle that Allah answers prayers, but first, one must heed His commands – questioning if the nasirat had studied and implemented all 700 commandments of the Holy Quran. Striving in obedience is the prerequisite for Allah communicating, which can occur through dreams, visions, inspiration (ilham), or direct revelation (wahy) to Prophets.
Huzooraa urged self-reflection on one’s obedience and faith, cautioning against rushed, distracted prayers while expecting divine communication. Sincere effort and strong faith are needed for Allah to make His presence felt through His varied means.
Huzooraa said:
“Our duty is to realise that we understand that we must humble ourselves before Allah the Exalted. The Holy Prophetsa said: ‘When you perform your prayers, do so with the thought that you are standing in the presence of Allah the Exalted and beholding Him; and if you cannot attain to that, then at the very least remember that Allah the Exalted is beholding you.’ [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-iman, Hadith 50] Once this awareness takes hold – that Allah the Exalted is watching me, that He is everywhere and that He hears – our supplications will be offered in the proper spirit.
“In the Holy Quran, Allah declares that He will surely answer your prayers, but first you must listen to His words. [Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.187] Ask yourself: have you listened to all of Allah’s words? The Quran contains seven hundred injunctions, directing what is to be done and what is to be avoided – have you read them, understood them, and reflected upon them?
“When you have indeed read, understood and acted upon them, then Allah the Exalted will speak with you. Allah’s ways of communicating are varied: sometimes He manifests Himself through dreams, at times in states of spiritual unveiling [kashf]; He treats different people in different ways. Some experience ilham [i.e., divine inspiration]; Prophets receive wahy [revelation] that descends into their hearts – these are distinct conditions.
“First, therefore, we must examine how much of Allah’s speech we have truly heard and how perfect our faith has become; only then may we claim something. It is not acceptable that we rush through our prayers, rousing ourselves lazily for Fajr, hastily completing Isha because we wish to watch a television programme and then demand that Allah converse with us. Allah does not speak in that manner.
“Allah says: first heed My words and place complete faith in Me; thereafter I shall listen to you. Allah the Exalted possesses many ways of hearing and making Himself heard. His discourse is not like [two of you] casually chatting. Allah the Exalted may convey something in dreams or instil it directly into the heart so that you become certain it is from Him. You witness results: you pray for something essential and if your relationship with Allah the Exalted is genuine and He fulfils it within the desired time, you are convinced that Allah the Exalted has accepted and heard you. Through such manifestations – His attributes and His works – Allah the Exalted becomes evident.”
Moon sighting and Eid
A girl asked, why Ahmadis and other Muslims sometimes celebrate Eid on different dates?
Huzooraa replied that the Jamaat adheres to the Prophetic directive: the fast is begun and ended only after a reliable local sighting of the new crescent; should the moon not be seen, fasting continues and Eid is held the following day. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 1909; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1081c; Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1081a)
He added that others follow their own methods, at times relying on Saudi announcements or, in parts of northern Pakistan, celebrating a day early without producing any witnesses. These varying practices, he said, offer no valid evidence. The Jamaat’s position is: Show us the crescent or present four trustworthy witnesses and we shall celebrate Eid with you. Otherwise, the Jamaat adheres to the principle taught by the Holy Prophetsa.
Huzooraa noted that last year in the United Kingdom, Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis celebrated together because the crescent was genuinely sighted.
Joining the wrong prayer inadvertently
Regarding joining a congregational prayer late under a mistaken assumption (e.g., joining Asr thinking it was Zuhr), Huzooraa advised that if the mistake was genuine, one should complete the prayer joined (Asr in the example) with the imam and then offer the missed prayer (Zuhr) individually afterwards. However, if one knows the current prayer is Asr but has missed Zuhr, they must first offer Zuhr individually before joining the Asr congregation.
Guarding against negative thoughts
To protect oneself from negative thoughts, Huzooraa recommended frequent recitation of istighfar and لاَ حَوْلَ وَلاَ قُوَّةَ إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ العَليِّ العظيم (“There is no might or power save with Allah”). He advised praying for protection during salat and reciting the three last Surahs and Ayat-ul-Kursi before sleep, blowing lightly over oneself and repeating ‘La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah’.
Handshakes with non-mahram men
On explaining the Islamic practice of not shaking hands with non-mahram men, especially when some Muslim women do, Huzooraa drew an analogy: if some Muslims reduce prayers, does that justify others doing so? He emphasised that others ignoring a teaching does not permit us to abandon it.
The Holy Prophetsa, despite greeting women, never shook their hands, even during the solemn bai‘at pledge. If the Purest of Creation, peace and blessings be upon him, refrained, Huzooraa questioned the need for us to do so.
He expressed concern that some Muslim women initiate handshakes out of an inferiority complex, which is incorrect. Huzooraa advised, gently explaining that Islamic dignity requires refraining from such contact. Politely declining an offered handshake, stating it is a matter of faith and honour, is usually understood and respected, even by Westerners. He urged educating others, including elders, about this teaching.
A concern for today’s youth
When asked about his greatest hope for the youth, Huzooraa expressed his desire that they always remain mindful of Allah. He counselled them to be regular in the five daily prayers, study the Holy Quran with its translation, implement its teachings and strive to be true Muslims and believers. Huzooraa stressed that the steadfastness of young women ensures the faith of the next generation.
Huzooraa said:
“My concern is that you remember Allah and never forget Him; I remind you time and again to observe the five daily prayers. […] They should offer the five prayers, read the Holy Quran, act upon the Holy Quran, learn its translation and endeavour to practise it. Become true Muslims, true believers and all problems will be resolved. Then my worry will be removed, for if our young girls remain steadfast in faith, the next generation will likewise remain steadfast. This, then, is my chief concern: that you remain firm upon religion and obey Allah and His commandments.”
Salvation and the ranks of paradise
Regarding paradise and the fate of non-Ahmadis who perform good deeds, Huzooraa explained that entry into paradise and its levels are solely determined by Allah. Both heaven and hell have degrees. Hell serves as purification, with varying durations, after which it will eventually be empty. Allah forgives all sins except shirk (associating partners with God). A person free from shirk might attain a lower level of paradise through good deeds. However, those who persecute God’s servants or commit major injustices will not enter paradise merely by profession of faith or prayer.
Huzooraa said:
“Only Allah truly knows […]. What are Paradise and Hell? Just as Hell has its levels, Paradise possesses various ranks; [for example], the station reached by the Holy Prophetsa is one that every individual cannot attain.
“In the same way, Hell also has different degrees. Think of a hospital: one patient is sent home with nothing more than paracetamol for a headache; another is told that treatment is needed and is admitted for a short while or a single day; someone else is kept in for five days; a person requiring surgery may remain even longer. Hell likewise functions as a place of treatment. As Allah the Exalted completes the punishment for a person’s errors, He releases that soul. Hence, the Holy Prophetsa related that Allah Almighty says a time will come when Hell will be emptied, with no one left within it, because each person will have served his sentence. [Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab ar-riqaq, Hadith 6571; Al-Baghawi, Abu Muhammad al-Husayn ibn Mas‘ud, Ma‘alim at-Tanzīl (Tafsir al-Baghawi), commentary on Surah Hud (11:108)]
“On the Day of Resurrection, Allah will gather everyone together; He will summon the people of Paradise and those of Hell. From among the latter, whoever has completed his punishment will be told, ‘Enter Paradise’, while the dwellers of Paradise will be raised to yet higher stations.
“Allah the Exalted is the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. He says that, apart from shirk, He forgives all other sins. [Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4: V.48] If a person avoids shirk, certain good deeds may lead him to one of the lower degrees of Paradise. But if someone commits shirk, opposes the truth, fosters enmity and persecutes Allah’s servants – like those clerics today who claim, ‘If we kill Ahmadis we shall enter Paradise’ – then, as the Holy Prophetsa has conveyed, Allah declares: ‘I shall not admit such people to Paradise,’ even though they invoke My name, offer prayers and recite the Holy Quran; for Allah states in the Quran that their very prayers will drag them to ruin. Thus, there are many levels and even the slightest degree of Paradise granted to a person is an immense blessing.”
Inheritance shares
Addressing the Quranic inheritance law where a son receives twice the share of a daughter, Huzooraa explained this reflects the greater financial responsibilities placed upon men. A man must provide for his family, whereas a woman’s wealth is her own, with no obligation to spend it on husband or children. Furthermore, a woman might inherit from multiple families through marriage. Thus, the shares are distributed according to divinely ordained responsibilities and ultimately, the woman benefits from the man’s provision as well.
Presenting Islam at school
Finally, on conveying Islam’s beauty amidst negative media portrayals, Huzooraa advised countering negativity with truth. He recommended his book, World Crisis and the Pathway to Peace, as a resource. He drew a parallel: the wrongdoings of some Christians do not invalidate the Bible, nor do the actions of some Muslims invalidate Islam. Huzooraa encouraged the nasirat to study his lectures and writings on peace, rooted in Quranic teachings, to gain the knowledge needed to confidently explain Islam’s true message, noting that brief answers are insufficient for convincing others at their age.
Guidance for nasirat
In his concluding remarks, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa reiterated his advice to the nasirat: read the Holy Quran and act upon its teachings, safeguard prayers, uphold high moral standards, remain truthful despite difficulties and adhere to modest Islamic dress – covering the whole body appropriately and modestly, not just wearing a headscarf with jeans and a blouse. He emphasised that as they grow older, maintaining full modest dress is essential. Simply identifying as Muslim is insufficient; strengthening one’s faith according to Allah’s commands is paramount.
Huzooraa said:
“Perform the five daily prayers, read the Holy Quran, act upon its teachings, safeguard your prayers, display good morals and remain steadfast in truth – never lie, whatever difficulty may arise. Keep your attire modest: it is not sufficient to go out wearing jeans and a blouse with merely your head covered and claim that the scarf is enough; it is not, the body itself must be covered. Some say that I have said one may go out draped only in a chador, yet when a girl reaches adolescence – fifteen years and above – and enters Lajna, she must remember that her whole body is to be covered and modest clothing is obligatory, with the head also veiled. At the ages of fourteen to fifteen, especially and thereafter in Lajna as well, you must remain mindful of these matters. If you practise Islamic teachings, you will become good Ahmadis and good Muslims; otherwise, although you may bear the name of Muslim, your faith will be weak. Strengthening one’s faith is essential; merely bearing the title ‘Muslim’ is not enough, as Allah the Almighty declares in the Holy Quran.”
The mulaqat concluded with Huzooraa graciously distributing gifts among the nasirat before taking his leave.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)