Islamabad, Tilford, 15 June 2025: Members of the national amila of Majlis Ansarullah of the Netherlands, along with the zu‘ama’ and nazimeen-e-a‘la, had the honour of a mulaqat with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, at Islamabad, Tilford, UK.
The mulaqat commenced as Huzooraa entered the hall, sat down and extended greetings to all present. Sadr Sahib Majlis Ansarullah, the Netherlands, introduced the delegation. Huzooraa then led the attendees in a silent prayer.
Following the prayer, Huzooraa delivered advice to the amila members.
Assess your actions, not just listen to speeches
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa reminded the members of Majlis Ansarullah that they are of a mature age, having lived for at least 40 years, and therefore, little needs to be explained to them. He cautioned against the habit of merely attending, listening, and leaving without any practical application of the guidance given.
Huzooraa stressed that meetings are only truly beneficial when they serve as a platform to review the implementation of action plans, schemes, and programmes. He stated that it is essential to assess the extent to which targets have been met and to analyse the resulting outcomes. It should not be a time to be still asking how work ought to be done.
He questioned that if, after reaching the age of 40, 50, or even 60, one has not yet determined how to serve the faith, when would they learn? Huzooraa emphasised that there should be no need for further admonitions and speeches, as they were all aware of their duties.
Huzooraa remarked that this is precisely why Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra established the age for Ansarullah at a stage of maturity, when an individual has understood their own self and is capable of guiding others. He advised that every nasir should keep this fundamental principle in mind.
Following this guidance, all attendees had the opportunity to introduce themselves and their respective departments to Huzooraa.
Guidance for departmental secretaries
During the introductions, Huzooraa enquired from the Qaid Tabligh about his department’s target for new converts or bai‘ats. He responded that the target was 150.
Huzooraa asked the Qaid Ishaat if any regular publications were produced. He reported that a magazine for Ansarullah, of about 20-25 pages, was published twice a year in Urdu and English. Huzooraa noted that English is not the common language in the Netherlands and advised that the publication should be in Dutch and Urdu, questioning the relevance of English. Huzooraa pointed towards some amila members who were born and raised in the Netherlands and were fluent in Dutch, suggesting the Qaid should ask them to contribute articles for the magazine.
The Qaid Maal reported some weaknesses in financial contributions from members with higher incomes. Huzooraa instructed that greater emphasis should be placed on these individuals rather than on those with lesser means. He reiterated that the contributions of those who are earning well should increase.
Addressing the Qaid Talim, who reported that 200 members were participating in certain educational activities, Huzooraa advised him to verify these figures to ensure they were accurate and that members were genuinely taking part, rather than them being mere statistics on paper.
Huzooraa enquired from the Qaid Tarbiyat about the number of ansar living near mosques. He advised that for those who live far away but are clustered in certain areas, salat centres could be established to facilitate congregational prayers. He further instructed the department to focus on tarbiyat, which fundamentally consists of prayers. Attention should be drawn towards the five daily prayers and the recitation of the Holy Quran, encouraging members to engage with both its Arabic text and its translation.
A Qaid mentioned that he was still in the process of working out the figures for his department. Huzooraa remarked that for a small jamaat, to still be working on this was a lame excuse.
Huzooraa spoke to the Additional Qaid Tabligh, who is of Moroccan heritage and tasked with outreach to the Arab community. Huzooraa assigned him a personal bai‘at target of no less than ten. The Qaid asked if this target was for the entire year, to which Huzooraa clarified that it was to be achieved by the end of July.
The Naib Sadr Saff-e-Dom (ansar aged 40-55) was encouraged by Huzooraa to get more ansar from his age group involved in cycling.
Speaking to the Qaid for Waqf-e-Arzi and Talim-ul-Quran, Huzooraa instructed him to increase the number of members participating in the temporary life devotion scheme of Waqf-e-Arzi. He advised that the Qaid himself and other amila members should first participate, as this would then enable them to effectively encourage others.
Huzooraa then enquired about the delegation’s accommodation. The members informed him that they were staying in the Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex, attending the Fajr prayer at the Baitul Futuh Mosque and the rest of their daily prayers at the Mubarak Mosque.
Following the introductions and departmental discussions, Huzooraa graciously granted permission for the members to ask questions.
Reaching out to inactive members
The first questioner sought guidance regarding ansar who are listed on the official tajnid register but have a zero balance in their financial contributions. This group includes those who are uncooperative, those who do not wish to maintain contact, and those residing in asylum camps with no income.
Huzooraa advised that any person who calls himself an Ahmadi is part of the tajnid. The very purpose of Majlis Ansarullah is to carry out their moral training and tarbiyat and to explain to them the significance of financial sacrifice. If they have an income, they should contribute; if they do not, they should formally seek an exemption, explaining that their income is insufficient to meet their basic needs. Regardless, they remain ansar and will stay on the register, though they cannot become office-bearers if they do not pay chanda.
The fundamental task is tarbiyat. Huzooraa stated that the auxiliary organisations were established to raise the spiritual, intellectual, and moral standards of all members. The approach should not be to exclude those who are not participating. He reminded them that we are not dictators; the duty is to reform and draw people closer with love and by making them feel valued.
He further explained that if there are members in genuine need, to the extent that they cannot afford to contribute or even feed themselves, then it is the duty of the Majlis to provide for them. He asked what the purpose of the Department of Ithaar [Sacrifice] was, if not this.
Regarding those in asylum camps, Huzooraa suggested that arrangements can often be made with the camp administration to allow them leave for a couple of hours to attend the Jumuah prayer at the nearest centre. This would be a means of training and attaching them to the Jamaat, and through this, their connection would gradually strengthen.
The member added that some ansar are uncooperative when contacted. Huzooraa pointed out that the contact is often made for the purpose of collecting chanda. He asked if they had ever contacted these members simply to enquire about their well-being. He questioned whether the Department of Ithaar had formed a team to identify and assist those who are weak, whether financially or spiritually. He advised them to visit such individuals, ask about their welfare, and make it clear that the visit is not for collecting funds but to remind them, as Ahmadi Muslims, of their duty to attend Jumuah and other prayers.
When such people do come to the mosque, they should not be met with stares or comments like, “Oh, what brings you to the prayer today?” as this causes embarrassment. Huzooraa stressed that they should be welcomed warmly, even if someone is returning to the mosque after ten years. Sarcastic comments should be avoided.
Huzooraa referenced the Quranic lesson of فَصُرۡهُنَّ إِلَيۡكَ (i.e., training them and calling them towards yourself), explaining that through proper training, they will come running towards the Jamaat, insha-Allah. (Surah al-Baqarah, Ch.2: V.261) It is not enough to only visit for chanda or make a single, cursory visit during the year.
Huzooraa recalled that during his past visits to the Netherlands, many people who did not regularly attend prayers would come for the mulaqat, and through that, they would also end up praying. This, he noted, proved that the administration knows they are Ahmadis and that a connection exists; otherwise, they would not have been scheduled for a mulaqat. The objective of the administration is to bring those who have drifted away closer, so that the future generations may be saved.
Role of Ansarullah in Rishta Nata
The next question concerned the role Majlis Ansarullah can play at an organisational level within the national Rishta Nata committee, which was established upon the instruction of the Amir Sahib and includes the presidents of the auxiliary organisations.
Huzooraa responded by asking the questioner, who is married with children, how he went about arranging their marriages and whether he had asked Huzooraa for the method. The questioner replied that he had consistently written for prayers. Huzooraa said that he should continue to do so now as well.
Huzooraa explained that the committee has been formed so that it may work with the same concern and diligence with which members arrange the marriages of their own children and thus pay attention to the matrimonial needs of Ahmadi boys and girls. This is why the presidents of Lajna Imaillah, Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya and Ansarullah, along with the Amir Sahib and the national Rishta Nata Secretary, are all members of this committee, so they may work collectively.
The primary task for the tarbiyat departments of Ansarullah, Khuddam, and the Jamaat, as well as for the murabbian, is to train people to seek spouses from within the Jamaat and to strive to find righteous partners. When people are seeking such righteous matches, the committee must assist them, pray for them and show the same concern as they would for their own children. This is how the work gets done.
Huzooraa mentioned that he had also permitted the appointment of more than one Rishta Nata secretary in different regions to facilitate this work.
He further advised that it is important to create opportunities for introductions between potential matches that are proposed, perhaps by arranging a meeting. Counselling is also needed regarding the types of matches people are looking for, and this should be organised once or twice a year, either under the Jamaat system or by Majlis Ansarullah independently.
The first step, Huzooraa said, is to have complete data: who the individuals are, their age ranges, the number of boys and girls, their educational backgrounds, their countries of origin (e.g., Arab, European, Pakistani), and their personal preferences. With all this information at hand, a comprehensive plan can be formulated.
Dissent and obedience in amila meetings
Another member asked whether an individual who expresses a difference of opinion in amila meetings can be considered to have stepped out of the circle of obedience. He also enquired if merely agreeing to everything without reservation falls under the category of true obedience.
Huzooraa asked the questioner if he had listened to his recent address at the Majlis-e-Shura of UK, where these very points were elaborated upon.
He explained that a difference of opinion is a sign of progress and should exist. However, it should not be accompanied by stubbornness, where one insists that only their view is correct. Once the majority reaches a decision, it should be accepted. If an individual believes that the majority decision is not in the best interest of the Jamaat and maintains their dissenting view, they can have their note of dissent recorded in the minutes, with a request for it to be forwarded to the Markaz. They can also write directly to the Markaz, explaining the reasons for their disagreement. This is neither hypocrisy nor rebellion. If someone honestly holds an opinion that they believe better serves the interest of the Jamaat, they should express it.
The questioner then described a scenario where some members disagree with a matter during a meeting but do not voice their opinion, only to state later in private that the decision was wrong. Huzooraa stated that this is indeed hypocrisy. Honesty demands that one express their opinion openly, at the appropriate occasion when asked to do so. He added that it is also the duty of the administration to listen to differing views with patience, tolerance and magnanimity. He once again advised the questioner to listen to his address to the UK Majlis-e-Shura.
Huzooraa concluded that there is no harm in having a difference of opinion, but to insist that one is right is wrong. If one feels so strongly, they should write to the Markaz or to the Khalifa of the Time, who will then make the final decision.
Integrating new ansar into the Majlis
A question was asked about the best way for younger ansar to fully integrate and become a part of Majlis Ansarullah.
Huzooraa clarified the terminology, noting that “young” and “ansar” are two different things. A young person is a khadim, particularly one who has recently joined Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. A nasir, by definition, cannot be young. He said that one could, however, use the term coined by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh: “the youth amongst the elders” (jawanon ke jawan), referring to the ansar of saff-e-dom (aged 40-55). (Al Fazl, 11 November 1973)
Huzooraa explained that there is a specific plan for these ansar, which is overseen by the Naib Sadr Saff-e-Dom. This plan includes activities such as exercise and cycling. While they are part of the general programmes of Majlis Ansarullah, they also have their own specific activities, and they should be attached to the Majlis through these.
They should be reminded that upon turning forty and entering Majlis Ansarullah, they should not become lethargic. Rather, they must remain as active as they were in Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. Huzooraa recalled how Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra once pondered why a person is very active as a khadim but suddenly becomes inactive upon joining Ansarullah.
These ansar should be told that their responsibilities have now increased. Having crossed the age of forty, they must strive to advance in their connection with Allah and improve their spiritual state. When their tarbiyat is done in this manner, they will remain attached to the Majlis.
Meaning of ‘Qaid’ and ‘Mohtamim’
The fifth questioner enquired about the difference between the titles for national office-bearers in Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, who are called “Mohtamim”, and those in Majlis Ansarullah, who are known as “Qaid”.
Huzooraa explained that a “Qaid” (leader) can lead more effectively after reaching a certain age, and perhaps this is why this title was chosen for them. He urged the ansar to demonstrate this leadership. A “Mohtamim” is one who arranges and properly carries out a service, while a “Qaid” is one who can provide true leadership. Huzooraa remarked that if, even with grey hairs, they do not become true leaders, then when will they?
Commencing amila meetings
The final questioner noted the different ways in which Jamaat and auxiliary organisation amila meetings are commenced – some start with silent prayer, while others begin with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by the pledge and an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiahas. He asked for the best method to start amila meetings.
Huzooraa asked what objection there could be to any of these methods. Whether one starts with a prayer, a recitation, or an extract, are they not all virtuous acts? There is nothing evil in them; they are all spiritual actions. The choice is up to the Sadr Majlis.
The real objective is to hold the meeting. One should pray before the meeting and continue to pray and engage in the remembrance of Allah during it, seeking His help to offer sound counsel and to produce positive results from the meeting. The aim should not be to display one’s own ego or knowledge.
He advised them to remember the core purpose. This purpose is achieved through firm faith in Allah, belief in His absolute sovereignty and oneness, complete faith in the Holy Prophetsa, a connection of love and devotion with the Promised Messiahas as he himself described, and obedience to Khilafat. He stated that the right way is to formulate action plans and give counsel while remaining within this sphere.
Huzooraa cautioned against getting bogged down in arguments over why someone chose to start with a prayer or a recitation, as this yields no productive outcome. He advised that they should engage in discussions that lead to productive results.
Conclusion
At the conclusion of the mulaqat, Sadr Sahib conveyed the salaam of a member who was unable to attend. Huzooraa replied with prayer and wa alaikum-us-salaam. Sadr Sahib then requested a group photograph, which Huzooraa graciously permitted. Following the photograph, Huzooraa distributed pens to all the members of the delegation before taking his leave.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)