Islamabad, Tilford, 11 October 2025: The national amila and various other office-bearers of Lajna Imaillah Ireland had the honour of a mulaqat with Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
The meeting commenced as Huzooraa graced the hall with his presence and extended his salaam. The Sadr Lajna Imaillah Ireland, Najia Nusrat Malik Sahiba, introduced the delegation and requested Huzooraa to grant a theme for their upcoming year.
Huzooraa bestowed the theme of ‘الْحَيَاء مِنَ الإيمَانِ’ [“Modesty is part of faith” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-iman, Bab al-haya’u mina l-iman, Hadith 24)]. Huzooraa explained that haya or modesty is a vast and comprehensive subject. He instructed them to research its various facets and then explain them to the Lajna members. A person who cultivates haya, Huzooraa stated, is one who obeys the commandments of Allah, worships Him and acts upon the directives of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, the counsels of the Promised Messiahas and all Islamic injunctions while safeguarding their sanctity. Huzooraa advised them to extract short passages on this broad topic and continuously share them with the members of Lajna Imaillah.
After this, each member of the delegation had the opportunity to introduce herself and her responsibilities. During the introductions, Huzooraa enquired from the Ishaat Secretary if they published a periodical. The secretary explained that they did not have a regular publication due to a lack of submissions. Huzooraa noted that there were educated Lajna members in Ireland, including those present in the delegation, who were capable of writing. He guided that if a full periodical was not feasible, they should at least maintain an active Lajna Imaillah website, regularly uploading articles, Quranic verses and inspiring quotations. The secretary affirmed that they would, insha-Allah, act upon this guidance.
Following the introductions, the Sadr requested permission for the members to ask some questions, which Huzooraa graciously granted.
Balancing religious service, child-rearing and worldly matters
A Lajna member sought guidance on how to create a balance between her duties of serving the faith, raising her children and managing other worldly responsibilities.
Huzooraa guided her that he has addressed this very topic extensively on numerous occasions in his sermons, his addresses to Lajna and in MTA International’s weekly “This Week with Huzoor” programme. He advised the office-bearers to listen to and watch these programmes to increase their own knowledge, as it is not feasible to provide an individual answer to every one of the millions of Ahmadis on such recurring issues.
Regarding children, Huzooraa stressed the vital importance of interaction. When children return from school, mothers should sit with them and engage them in conversation, asking about their day and what they learnt. This interaction allows a mother to identify any negative influences and gently counter them with Islamic teachings. It also provides an opportunity to reinforce good values by showing how they align with what Islam has always taught. Huzooraa advised that by spending quality time with children, talking with them, sharing meals and helping with homework, a strong bond is forged and the children feel heard and understood. Weekends, he noted, should be used to give them even more dedicated time.
On discouragement in ijtema competitions
An amila member, who is an elementary school teacher by profession, pointed out that in smaller jamaats, the same group of children often wins prizes at the annual ijtema, which can discourage others. She sought guidance, noting that schools often focus more on personal progress than on public ranking.
Addressing the questioner as the Talim Secretary, Huzooraa advised her to use her professional experience to devise more engaging and inclusive programmes. He clarified that her primary responsibility is to impart religious knowledge and a single annual competition is insufficient for this purpose. The foremost goal, Huzooraa stressed, must be to teach religion for its own sake, not merely for competition.
Huzooraa emphasised that the moral training of mothers is paramount. The Talim Department must ensure that mothers are themselves learning the faith – paying attention to salat, reciting the Holy Quran and studying the prescribed Jamaat literature, such as the prescribed book Barakat-ud-Du‘a [The Blessings of Prayer]. Huzooraa instructed that small extracts from this prescribed book should be sent to Lajna members to help them read and understand it so they can, in turn, teach their children. This must be a consolidated effort involving mothers, the larger Jamaat bodies and the auxiliary organisation.
Regarding competitions, mothers should be taught that the true purpose is to gain knowledge, not to win a prize. To ensure fairness, judges should be neutral and appointed from different regions and their decision must be considered final. Huzooraa also advised seeking suggestions from the youth themselves – nasirat and young Lajna – on how to make the acquisition of religious knowledge more effective and interesting.
On contacting inactive members
Regarding tarbiyat, Huzooraa advised an amila member that those who do not remain in contact should be reached out to beyond official matters – checking on their wellbeing and maintaining friendly, informal contact – so that, gradually, they begin attending Jamaat events.
The necessity of the Islamic nikah
A member enquired if a court marriage is sufficient for an Ahmadi couple to live together, or if the Islamic nikah ceremony is mandatory.
Huzooraa explained that while a court marriage makes a couple legally husband and wife in the eyes of the state and society, the Islamic nikah ceremony is absolutely essential for an Ahmadi Muslim. He stated that the Jamaat will not register a marriage until the nikah has been formally performed. The nikah ceremony establishes crucial Islamic rights and protections for both the man and the woman, including the mahr, which helps prevent future disputes. Huzooraa guided that a person who willingly forgoes the nikah cannot truly call themselves an Ahmadi. While no one can be forced, if someone refuses to register their marriage through the proper Islamic process, their case should be reported to the Jamaat, which may result in the cancellation of their AIMS card.
Marriage: Looking beyond caste and nationality
Concerning marriage issues, Huzooraa said that he has stated many times – and this is also among the duties of missionaries and other office-bearers – that members should be counselled to look beyond caste when considering rishtas or marriage proposals. Those who reject good proposals merely because they are not from the same country, without a valid reason, are in the wrong and acting out of ignorance. Huzooraa added that his book, Domestic Issues and Their Solutions, has been published; Lajna should circulate short passages from it to members for their education.
On integration and countering anti-Islam sentiments
A question was raised regarding the responsibility some Muslims may bear for rising anti-Islam sentiment, particularly accusations of failing to integrate.
Huzooraa affirmed that where Muslims are at fault, they should admit it. He stated that Ahmadi Muslims should not isolate themselves. Lajna Imaillah should be proactive in building relationships with the local community by holding seminars and peace conferences and inviting their neighbours. This, he said, is a vital part of tabligh or outreach.
Huzooraa carefully defined integration. He clarified that it does not mean abandoning Islamic practices like the hijab or adopting immodest dress and attending nightclubs. True integration means serving the country loyally as doctors, teachers, engineers, or in any other capacity that contributes to its progress and betterment, as Ahmadi Muslims pledge to do.
Huzooraa instructed the office-bearers to educate any member who falls short in this duty, directing them to his numerous addresses on this topic from which they can share relevant passages. However, there should be no inferiority complex.
The conduct of office-bearers
An amila member asked for guidance regarding office-bearers who, by virtue of their position as “representatives of Huzooraa”, act as if their opinion is always correct, which can intimidate members.
Huzooraa clarified that an office-bearer is a representative only in their specific field of work. They are not all-knowing experts or “deputy khulafa”. Their role is to convey the Khalifa’s message, ensure its implementation and act upon it themselves. Huzooraa explained that if they truly understood this responsibility, they would focus on worship, truthfulness, fear of Allah and treating people with love and compassion.
He reminded them of the Quranic command given to the Holy Prophetsa to consult with people and not be harsh, as harshness drives people away. (Surah Aal-e-Imran, Ch.3: V.160) If this was the instruction for the Holy Prophetsa, then no office-bearer has any right to behave otherwise. Such an attitude, Huzooraa stated, is arrogance and must cease.
Encouraging Lajna members who feel incapable of serving
Guidance was sought for Lajna members who have a strong desire to serve the Jamaat but lack confidence in their own abilities.
Huzooraa stated that this is, in fact, a very good quality. He explained that humility and not desiring an office are commendable traits, as the Holy Prophetsa forbade seeking out positions of authority. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-iman, Bab mun lum yas’ali l-’imararta a‘anahullahu, Hadith 7146) However, once the Jamaat assigns a duty to someone, it should be fulfilled to the best of their ability. The Sadr or other office-bearers should gently explain to such members that serving the faith is a blessing from Allah. This encouragement, Huzooraa noted, will motivate them to take up the work.
Before taking his leave, Huzooraa kindly enquired about the delegation’s accommodation, food and travel arrangements to the Mubarak Mosque.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)