On 6 April 2019, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Nakuru Kenya had the opportunity to host a tabligh seminar at their main Mubarak Mosque in Nakuru. The programme was attended by imams, teachers and students from a local well-known Islamic institution within Nakuru County.
After the formal start with the recitation of the Holy Quran and an introduction to the team and organisation, Sheikh Nasir Mehmood Tahir Sahib, regional missionary in-charge Nakuru delivered a comprehensive speech about the introduction of Jamaat and its main beliefs.
This was followed by a question and answer session which lasted for about an hour and a half. At the end of the session, Sheikh Suleiman Maravino made a vote of thanks to the Jamaat for inviting them to their mosque and said that it was the very first visit for him and his fellow imams, teachers and students to the Nakuru Mosque. They were very impressed and learnt a lot about Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, contrary to what they used to believe before then.
Later, all the guests had a tour of the mosque and library. The transmission of MTA Africa was also shown to the guests. Guests prayed Zuhr prayer at the mosque.
In total, 50 people attended the seminar, including 35 non-Ahmadi Guests.
All the virtuous deeds performed by a person may be divided into two categories: obligatory and voluntary. Obligatory deeds refer to that which is compulsory on man, such as the repayment of a debt or goodness in kind. In addition to these obligations, every good deed is accompanied by an aspect of voluntary service, that is to say, virtue which is above and beyond the call of duty. An example of this would be for one to reciprocate greater benevolence than that shown to him by another. This serves to complete and perfect compulsory actions. This Hadith expounds that the saints of Allah perfect their religious obligations through the observance of voluntary acts of worship. For example, in addition to zakat, they also give charity. Allah the Exalted becomes the friend of such people and states that this relation grows to such intimacy that He becomes the hands, feet, etc. of such a person; in fact, He even becomes the tongue with which such a person speaks.
Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK held its
7th national talimi & tarbiyati class officially known as the
Spring Retreat in the serene campus of Jamia Ahmadiyya UK, Haslemere.
The theme of this year’s event was, in
line with the UK national ijtema theme, the existence of God. This residential
class ran from 7 to 13 April.
196 Khuddam and Atfal were vetted and
confirmed, from which 168 attended the class from various regions across the
country. The age group of these Khuddam and Atfal ranged from 13-17.
As a previous nazim-e-ala of this
event, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK chaired several committee meetings
in the build-up to the event to guide and support a new, youthful and energetic
committee.
The core committee consisted of seven
naib nazimeen-e-ala.
Just hours after the conclusion of the
national Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema, participants began arriving on the evening of
Sunday, 7 April to be registered and allocated accommodation.
The opening session was held at 9am the
following day and was chaired by Ataul Mujeeb Rashed Sahib, Missionary
In-charge UK, who also addressed the Khuddam and Atfal present.
Khuddam and Atfal were divided into seven classes, based on their age and whether they had attended the class before.
The subjects being taught during the week were as follows:
Memorisation and correct pronunciation of the Holy Quran
Salat with translation
Basic Islamic knowledge
Ilm-ul-Kalam – Our viewpoint about the death of Jesusas and the existence of God
History of Islam & Ahmadiyyat
The teachers for these core Islamic
subjects were all current Jamia students who all taught one subject each as a
specialism.
The week prior to the class, the Jamia
students attended teacher training sessions with a teaching professional.
Together with members of the committee and tarbiyat teams, the young teachers
also received safeguarding and well-being training from an accredited
trainer.
A special social issues class was also
held daily, which covered various aspects such as peer pressure, free mixing,
relationships & homosexuality and drugs & alcohol. The teachers for
these classes were field missionaries from the UK Jamaat, selected with the
approval of Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa.
As per tradition, an extensive and
challenging schedule was set for the participants, which started with Tahajud
and Fajr prayers (followed by dars) every morning.
After breakfast at 7:30am, assembly was
held at 9am with the recitation of the Holy Quran. At 9:20, students
would be dismissed for their lessons. Students attended five classes a day,
lasting approximately 40 minutes each, set around regular breaks serving
refreshments.
After the conclusion of classes, Zuhr
and Asr prayers were offered followed by lunch. After lunch, half an hour was
allocated to Waqar-e-Amal so students could clean their accommodation and the
surrounding areas.
This was followed by a daily sports
session, in which students had the option of either playing football,
volleyball, basketball, cricket or dodgeball. An indoor games room (table
tennis, table hockey, table football and board games) was also set up for those
who chose to stay indoors.
A new addition to this year’s Spring
Retreat was the introduction of classes in the ancient Asian martial art of
Muay Thai. One of the top Muay Thai instructors in the UK, Chris Kistan, taught
the Khuddam and Atfal the basics of this ancient discipline. The objective of
this innovation was to encourage more health, fitness, wellbeing, character
development and discipline amongst our youngsters, as well as teaching them to
defend themselves in situations where their personal safety is at risk.
What has also become a regular feature
of the Annual Spring Retreat are the daily evening lectures by prominent &
inspiring members of the Jamaat. This year’s speakers and topics were as
follows:
Major Mahmood Ahmad Sahib – Experiences with Khilafat
Syed Taalay Ahmed Sahib – This year with Huzooraa
Umar Nasser Sahib – The existence of God
Mansoor Clarke Sahib – Experiences of missionary work in Africa
Safeer Qamar Sahib – Jihad from home: Social media
The Retreat is also an opportunity for
us as office bearers and young missionaries to spend time with the younger
generation and discuss the challenges and issues they face such as social
media, drugs, relationships, gang culture as well as the importance of
obedience to the Nizam-e-Jamaat and the blessings of Khilafat.
As the youngsters became more
acquainted with their allocated mentors, they would ask more questions and even
deeper discussions would occur, thereby building closer relationships.
On behalf of Majlis
Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK, I would like to express my sheer gratitude to the
administration of Jamia Ahmadiyya UK for their co-operation with us and allowing
us access and use of this blessed facility, as well as the use of their
minibuses to transport children back and forth from the sports grounds.
We were also extremely grateful to Amir
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya UK, Rafiq Ahmad Hayat Sahib for travelling to Jamia
Ahmadiyya UK and chairing the closing session where prizes, including signed
certificates from Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa, were distributed to
those who came first, second and third in the end of the class examination that
was held on Thursday (written paper & verbal exercise).
We commend the young participants for
sacrificing a week of their personal time in obedience to their parents,
obedience to Nizaam-e-Jamaat, in recognition of their Creator and out of love
for Khilafat.
On 23 and 24 March, Jamaat Haiti held their third Jalsa Salana.
Preparations for the event began three months in advance with visits to various local chapters informing members of the importance of the annual convention. 15 members were trained specifically for the administration of Jalsa this year. With the grace of Allah, the Jalsa was a success, with a total attendance of 158, including 22 non-Ahmadi guests.
We were fortunate that the Jamaat was sent a special message by Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa. In his message, Huzooraa said:
“… During the Jalsa, in addition to the obligatory prayers (Salat) and voluntary worship (Nawafil), you should remain constantly engaged in the remembrance of Allah. Your thoughts should be pure and your attention should be directed towards Allah the Almighty.”
Huzooraa went on to say:
“I urge you to listen regularly to my Friday sermons and my addresses at other important functions and events. This will not only increase your knowledge and understanding of the true beliefs and teachings of Islam, but will also enable you to strengthen your attachment and loyalty to the blessed institution of Khilafat.”
Advising the attendees of Jalsa about the unique qualities of the blessing we have in the form of Khilafat, Huzooraa said:
“Today, the task of the revival of Islam and indeed the attainment of world peace can only be achieved by adhering to the system of Khilafat. Therefore, you should always uphold this noble institution and ensure that you and your future generations always remain within the blessed guidance, shelter and protection of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.”
Thyroid
diseases are present due to iodine deficiencies as iodine is an essential
element for the production of thyroid hormones. In resource-rich countries,
food is already fortified with iodine and thus autoimmune thyroid diseases are
more common here.
The
thyroid is a gland located in the front of the neck which is responsible for
synthesising thyroid hormones (T3 and T4). These hormones are essential for the
growth and function of the basal metabolism in our body.
In
the brain, the hypothalamus produces the TRH-hormone which orders the pituitary
gland to stimulate the thyroid. The pituitary gland then produces a hormone
called TSH, which binds to the thyroid and regulates the synthesis of the
thyroid hormones. When an imbalance of this regulation occurs, it leads to
abnormal regulation of the synthesis of these hormones and this can lead to
either hypothyroidism (an underactive thyroid) or hyperthyroidism (overactive
thyroid).
Both
conditions can lead to a goitre, an enlargement of the thyroid gland.
Hypothyroidism is more common than hyperthyroidism and both will be discussed
separately in this article.
According
to statistics in 2017, hypothyroidism affects 2% of the UK population and of
these, 5% of patients are aged above sixty. Women have 5-10 times more chance
of developing hypothyroidism than men.
Hypothyroidism
in resource-poor countries is mostly caused due to iodine deficiency, whilst in
the UK it is usually caused by an autoimmune disorder – Hashimoto’s disease. In
this disease antibodies are formed against the proteins TPO (thyroid
peroxidase) which are essential for the synthesis of the thyroid
hormones.
Other
causes of hypothyroidism can be a history of thyroid surgery or the use of
thyroid destructive medication. These patients can present themselves with
symptoms of weight gain, tiredness, hard stool, dry skin and depression.
The
diagnosis of hypothyroidism is made on the clinical symptoms together with a
blood test for checking the TSH, T4, T3, TPO antibodies (Hashimoto’s disease).
Usually TSH is above the normal range and T3 and T4 are below the normal range.
In addition, a scintigraphy or an echography of the thyroid gland may
subsequently occur.
Treatment
of hypothyroidism consists of giving thyroxine hormones as medication known as
levothyroxine. Usually this medication has to be taken daily and for the rest
of one’s life. The dose of levothyroxine depends on the age, weight and the
patient’s profile. Doctors will start with a prescribed dose and check the
efficiency after four to six weeks. The dose can be adjusted until the TSH is
in normal range, thus regular checking of the thyroid in the blood is vital for
proper follow ups.
A
rare form of hypothyroidism is congenital hypothyroidism (CHT) in newborns.
This condition occurs due to an underdevelopment of the thyroid in the baby
resulting in insufficient to no production of thyroid hormones. Thyroid
hormones are essential for the normal development of the brain and normal
growth of children. These babies can look normal at birth and vague symptoms
can develop later on, such as jaundice, poor growth, constipation and
floppiness. If untreated, it can also lead to mental retardation. In most
countries, newborns receive a heel-prick blood test where this can properly be
screened and treated if necessary.
Hyperthyroidism
is usually caused by Graves’ disease and is the most common cause of
hyperthyroidism in the UK. In Graves’ disease, there is a production of
antibodies against the TSH receptor of the thyroid and leading to
overstimulation of this gland. Graves’ disease is common in women between the
ages of 30-50.
Other
uncommon causes of hyperthyroidism are infections of the thyroid (thyroiditis),
medication (amiodarone) and toxic nodular goitre. These patients present
themselves with symptoms of weight loss, excessive sweating, increased
appetite, tiredness, fast heartbeat, trembling (tremor), hair loss, diarrhea
and if left untreated it can lead to heart failure.
In
women, hyperthyroidism can also lead to infertility and menstruation disorders
such as heavy, frequent menstruations or even absent menstruations. Sometimes
these symptoms are not properly recognised and can go undiagnosed for several
years. Thus, it is important to evaluate the thyroid function in non-specific
symptoms.
In
elderly patients, other symptoms such as dementia and depression can also
occur. In Graves’ disease, there are also eye symptoms such as bulging eyes
with eye discomfort and double vision.
The
diagnosis of hyperthyroidism is made on the clinical symptoms accompanied with
a blood test like that stated above for hypothyroidism. for checking the TSH,
T4, T3, TSH-R antibodies (Graves’ disease).
Treatment
of hyperthyroidism relies in suppressing the excessive production of the
thyroid hormones. This can be done by medication, known as the thio-ureum
derivaten (carbimazole, strumazole, PTU). They inhibit the synthesis of the
thyroid hormones and they can be given either on a short-term (just prior to
surgery) or on a long-term basis.
However,
such medications can cause serious side effects which can lead to severe
infections and hepatitis, thus it is not preferable to continue on them on a
long term basis. While waiting for another proper treatment, symptoms of
hyperthyroidism can be temporary suppressed with b-blockers.
The
second step is radioactive iodine (iodine-131) treatment. With this medication,
the thyroid gets destroyed while the effect becomes clear after 3-4 months.
Sometimes this can lead to an underactive thyroid.
Surgical
removal of the thyroid gland is used as a last resort in the treatment of
hyperthyroidism. This either includes a partially removed thyroid gland or a
total removal of the gland. Surgery of the thyroid is indicated when the
treatment above with medications fails.
A
regular check-up of the thyroid hormones remains important and is vital for a
proper follow up.
(Please always consult a doctor or specialist to diagnose
health conditions and follow the advised plan of a qualified doctor)
Atheism, as we know it today, finds its roots in the 15th century CE, but what marks its boom and zenith is unanimously agreed by historians, social scientists, theologians, philosophers and atheists themselves, to be around the year 2000 – the turn of the millennium.
It was by this time that religion had come to be seen as a relic that needed to be buried away with other myths of the premodern age of mankind. Modernity was declared the new “religion” of the world, where liberalism was the basic tenet in a bid to rid the world of religiosity.
It was around the same time that Islam – the only source of salvation for mankind – was used by its opponents and some adherents to blemish its face and everything that came as part and parcel. Hence, at the crossroads of the millennia, religion in general and Islam in particular found itself at another crossroads where all paths apparently led to annihilation. What the Quran refers to as “Zaharal fasadu fil-barri wal-bahr” – a total chaos on every inch of the earth – was clearly manifested through the state of global affairs.
It was in such a time that the Khilafat of the Promised Messiahas – the saviour of the latter days – took a turn and the fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, appeared on what can undoubtedly be called the most tumultuous stage ever witnessed by the world.
22 April 2003 was the blessed day when Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa was elected the fifth Khalifa of the Promised Messiahas, and the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.
The Promised Messiahas and his Khilafat had always stood for the propagation of the true teachings of Islam and it was this mission that was to continue and see new heights. From the very outset, the greatest mission that Huzooraa took upon himself was to highlight the peaceful teachings of Islam. This was no less a challenge in a world that had – owing to the trumpets blown by the media – become convinced that Islam was a synonym of terror and violence.
But the results of these efforts of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa soon became visible when parliaments from around the world started to invite him to address their houses and present the version of Islam that was the only true one and hence, the only practicable one.
While this served the cause of Islam, this representation also proved that the only Muslim sect that had a leadership was the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. It also proved that Khilafat – wished and desired for themselves by so many Muslim clerics and their circles – is not, and can never be, a man-made institution, but is one that only comes from divine decree and Allah’s support and favour.
Hardships had been inflicted on members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat from its very founding, but this era of Khilafat-e-Khamisa saw Ahmadis brutally martyred in episodes like the Lahore massacre of 2010. Nothing wavered the steadfastness and progress of the community that followed the footsteps of its leader and Imam, and this great Imam sailed the Jamaat through any and every hardship with great perseverance.
In return to this inhumane treatment by the opponents, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa always gave projects that were aimed at serving humanity in return – multimillion-pound projects, all funded by the community’s humble contributions. Facilities of clean drinking water, eye clinics, organ donation facilities, model housing schemes for the underprivileged, and education have been set up in the time, and under the auspices, of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa.
Although Huzooraa has often expressed his love for Africa, this love has spoken loudly for itself through the humanitarian schemes that Huzooraa has initiated across this continent.
Nasir Hospital, Guatemala was recently opened by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V a.a.
Although great parliaments have invited him to visit them and although dignitaries from great metropolises of the world have presented him keys to their cities, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has described the primary purpose behind his visits to be able to meet the members of the Jamaat who live in those countries. This demonstrates the love Huzooraa possesses for the Jamaat. He is aware that every single Ahmadi in the world wants to meet him, but not everyone is capable of doing so, and this very passion of the Jamaat turns into the underlying motive of his travels to various parts of the world.
Huzooraa is the only Muslim leader who stands firm on the teachings of Islam and never hesitates to express before any assembly of dignitaries, the media, the academia and politicians, his honest opinion on their policies. Where he disagrees with their policies, he is sure to let them know of it, while also offering the solutions.
Alongside condemning the havoc created by the extremist circles of the Muslim world, Huzooraa has, to the faces of members belonging to the Western political process, traced the supply-chain of their weapons back to the West.
During the past 16 years, the character of the Holy Prophetsa of Islam has been ridiculed and mocked by the Western media. While the rest of the Muslim world opted to take it to the streets through violent protests, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa has continued to present the most reasonable and Islamic response by drawing the world’s attention to the beauties of the Holy Prophet’ssa character.
His response to such situations has proved that words can sometimes speak louder than actions and that if actions do speak louder than words, then Muslims have to be extremely cautious in the way they act and react in such provocative situations.
A significant rise in media attention towards the Ahmadiyya community has been observed in these 16 years of Huzoor’saa Khilafat. What he has provided the media with is something that they proudly include in publications, and publishing in this day and age means placing it online; hence reaching millions of readers through the worldwide web.
In the blessed era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, mosques emerged in such great numbers on the global skyline that the community behind them could not be ignored by the media, politicians, governments and the general public at large. Deep interest has always been shown when Huzooraa has inaugurated a mosque in any part of the world. All in attendance can be seen deeply engrossed in the message of Islam when Huzooraa speaks to them in his addresses.
Many mosques have been established in the blessed Khilafat of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad a.a.
Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International, referred to as MTA, has grown from strength to strength in this blessed era and has been able to take the message of the One God and His Prophet, Hazrat Muhammadsa to all continents in all major languages of the world. While MTA 1’s transmission covered the whole world from its inception, the launch of MTA 2 for mainland Europe, MTA 3 Al-Arabiyya for the stretch of the Arab world and MTA Africa for the great continent of Africa have come into existence in the blessed era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa. Many more broadcast schemes, exclusive to other major regions, are underway as you read these lines.
Hundreds of thousands of Ahmadis have turned to Huzooraa seeking guidance in personal, educational, professional and social matters and have received the best life-changing advice. Hundreds of dignitaries have approached him and sought advice on matters of social, legal and political nature and have left saying that Huzooraa was better informed about what they discussed with him. They too have felt better-informed after the audience.
Thousands of letters a day is not an overstatement when it comes to the unique connection that Huzooraa maintains with members of the Jamaat who are as close to his heart as he is to theirs.
So here we have a man of God, a man of peace, a man of love, relentlessly propagating the message of Islam to the corners of the earth; occupied with transforming the lives of millions through his blessed words and busy in calling the world to the One God in the most challenging of times in world history.
We know that Huzooraa recently moved from London to Islamabad as part of the shift of Markaz. Those who presented official letters on the same evening that Huzooraa had arrived in Islamabad received replies the very next afternoon. Those who visited his new office for the first time found Huzooraa busy with his work just as he is always seen during the time of official mulaqats.
May Allah bless this great man, our beloved Huzooraa, with much more energy, health and a long, prosperous life. May Allah always protect him. Long live Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa!
Huzoor’saa arrival in Islamabad, Surrey on Monday evening
Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered a Friday Sermon on 12 April 2019 in the Baitul Futuh Mosque. A series of sermons had been delivered on the Companionsra of the Holy Prophetsa and on this day too, the Companionsra were the focus of the sermon.
Towards the end of the sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa informed the Jamaat that of the meanings of the revelation vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas:
وَسِّعْ مَکَانَکَ
one interpretation was that along with the expansion of the Jamaat’s tasks, Allah would bestow physical expansion also. And in light of this very meaning, Huzooraa said, Allah had bestowed upon the Jamaat a new Markaz in Islamabad, Tilford. With that, Huzooraa urged the Jamaat to pray that Islamabad lived up to its name – an abode of Islam.
Thereafter, Huzooraa said:
“In a few days, I shall leave London for Islamabad.”
This one sentence caused emotions to surge, especially for those who, like me, had become accustomed to the streets surrounding the Fazl Mosque; those who, like me, had to make at least one trip to the Fazl Mosque a day and those who, no matter where they were headed, would prefer to acquire the route travelling past the Fazl Mosque.
Above and beyond all emotions, however, was the delight of a new Markaz and the expansion of the Jamaat.
That very same evening, I was informed that I had a mulaqat on Monday, 15 April. I had an inkling that this mulaqat could well be my last mulaqat in Huzoor’s Fazl Mosque based office.
What didn’t go through my mind whilst thinking about this! Attempting to conceal these emotions, I found myself ready on the day to enter Huzoor’saa office for my mulaqat. All important matters were discussed.
Huzooraa mentioned a recent group mulaqat with German Ahmadis and referred to an answer he had given to a question on the issue of taqdir – divine decree. Huzooraa said:
“I wanted to draw their attention to a fact that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra mentioned in one of his couplets:
‘تدبیر کے جالوں میں مت پھنس، کر قبضہ جا کے مقدر پر’
(Don’t just sit and weave plans; go out and grab your fate.)
“We should aim to make our destiny along with maintaining determination, effort and prayers, rather than sitting idly and awaiting our fate.”
Thereafter I presented a few more pending issues, which Huzooraa graciously gave guidance on. Then came the subject of Islamabad.
Here, I asked a question that had etched itself in my heart for some time:
“An ordinary human being remains uncertain about even the smallest decisions, but the Khalifa has to make huge decisions, for example, shifting the Markaz from one place to another…”
Huzooraa replied:
“The Khalifa has to bear in mind the entire Jamaat before making a decision. When the idea initially occurred to me of shifting the Markaz to Islamabad, I gave it great thought. At times I felt that it may not be suitable, while at other times I felt that the time was not fitting. Sometimes I would reflect on whether we should even shift to Islamabad or to some other location. Then I would pray to Allah that He bestow guidance so that we adopt the best method. Thereafter, Allah reassured me about establishing the Markaz in Islamabad, and thus, this decision was made easy. The hurdles that had initially made it difficult to move soon began to disappear. The biggest hurdle was one related to the local council, but Allah caused that too to vanish. After that, everything began to go smoothly and very soon the new Markaz began to take shape.”
A pause followed this – the pause in which to interrupt is somewhat disrespectful. Alhamdolillah, I did not interject and Huzooraa graciously carried on:
“After my sermon, those who had played an active role in purchasing the land of Islamabad in the time of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh are writing to me saying that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh expressed his desire many a time that Islamabad serve as the Markaz. However, at that time, there were many constraints. There were so many restrictions by the local council that to adhere to all those became an impossibility. I am writing back to all such people saying that Allah has appointed a fixed time for everything. Here, too, it is all about what is destined. The fruits of the labour done back then had an appointed time. We carried on with our determination and very soon the time that Allah had appointed for this arrived. In this manner, Allah blessed all the efforts and determination.”
The moment Huzooraa mentioned the shift of Markaz in his Friday Sermon, the thought occurred to me that people must have written intriguing opinions and facts to Huzooraa in this regard. Obviously, I did not have the courage to ask such a blunt question to Huzoor, and even if I did, I would have done so very apprehensively, and the moment would have been squandered. By God’s grace, Huzooraa himself added:
Huzooraa leading Maghrib prayer after arrival at the new Markaz
“Some people have said that Rabwah served as the Markaz for almost 35 years and now, almost the same period has passed for this Markaz, and it is time to move. People are writing many different points to me.”
After a slight pause, Huzooraa said:
“People with an interest in linguistics and languages have also written to me. Mirza Muhammad-uddin Naz Sahib wrote that Islamabad is based in Tilford. In English, Tilford means a fertile piece of land, adjacent to a river. He said that the Hadith that refers to a person named Harith who would appear from beside a river, is perhaps an indication to this move.”
After the mulaqat, when I searched the meaning of Tilford in the dictionary, it read, “From a fertile ford” (ferTILE-FORD perhaps became Tilford).
Then I searched for the Hadith which my beloved Imamaa had made a reference to. In Izala-e-Auham, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiahas says:
“It says in Abu Daud’s Sahih that a person named Harith, that is Harith who lives beside a river … shall come forward, who shall give strength to the people of the Prophet; whose assistance and support will be the foremost duty of every believing person.”
The individual about to dwell on the lush green ford is Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih-ul-Maudas and has vast experience and education in agriculture.
In the sermon, Huzooraa also urged members to pray that this land of Islamabad became a centre for the propagation of Islam.
With all these points before me, I recalled a sitting with Jamia Ahmadiyya UK in which a student asked Huzooraa:
“Huzoor, do you still have an interest in agriculture?”
Huzooraa replied:
“I do, but now you are my crops.”
I gathered all these memories and the deeper meanings of Islamabad being situated in Tilford.
The mulaqat was almost coming to a close. Along with the delight of Huzoor’saa move to Islamabad was another thought that had made its presence felt in my mind. It became difficult to word – so difficult that I only managed to say:
“Huzoor, now the Fazl Mosque…”
May Allah always keep my Imamaa happy for he bestowed such an answer to my incomplete question, the wording of which is worthy of being engraved on stone:
“The significance and importance of the Fazl Mosque can never diminish. Including Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, four Khulafa have led prayers in this mosque and prayed to Allah. This is an asset that cannot be taken away from this mosque. In my sajdas [prostrations] whilst praying in this mosque, I always pray to Allah, ‘O Allah, fulfil the desire Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra had when establishing this mosque; accept the prayers he made in this mosque; accept the prayers of all the Khulafa who prayed here.’ I even pray that the prayers said by the Khulafa in this mosque are always attached to this mosque and that we continue to reap the fruits of those prayers and become worthy recipients.”
The mulaqat came to a close and I left that office.
I only had two mulaqats with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh and they both took place in that very office.
My very first mulaqat with Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa took place in that office; my Waqf-e-Zindagi was accepted in that office; when I was assigned responsibilities by Huzooraa and had to report to or seek guidance from him, I always returned to that very office.
As a Waqif-e-Zindagi, I was taught to walk in that office. For 16 years, the rust on my soul was continuously cleansed in that office. My master, who is aware of my weaknesses and flaws, graciously attempted to purify me in that office.
With respect to my spiritual ailments, I always sought guidance on remedies in that office. In that office, I fell in love with this person. In that office, I learnt the true meaning of love for Khilafat and the grandeur of Khilafat.
All these memories flickered through my mind; however, memories are limited to emotions. The happiness that is paired with reality is far superior and powerful.
The reality is that Allah has bestowed on the Jamaat a new Markaz and has enabled us to establish the Qasr-e-Khilafat (residence of Khilafat) in the heart of Christianity, rather, in the heart of disbelief. From here shall project the rays of Islam and illuminate the world.
I end with the poetic couplets of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra written in 1920 when the land that now holds the Fazl Mosque was purchased:
مرکزِ شرک سے آوازۂ توحید اٹھا
دیکھنا دیکھنا، مغرب سے ہے خورشید اٹھا
نور کے سامنے ظلمت بھلا کیا ٹھہرے گی
جان لو جلد ہی اب ظلمِ صنادید اٹھا
“A call to God’s unity is heard from the centre of polytheism; watch the sun rise from the West.
“How will darkness prevail before light; the tyranny of old gods is now to see its end.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh leading the first prayer at Islamabad after its purchase
Sheephatch School was a wartime evacuation centre, established in Tilford in 1939, but after the war, it turned into a rural centre for problem children of the suburbs of London, later turning into a regular boarding school.
The school, having provided safety, security and education for children, shut down in 1977.
The land was sold for £80,000 but was again put on auction in 1984.
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in the UK purchased the land with all the wooden structures that had once served as classrooms, administrative offices and dormitories for pupils of the boarding school.
Old image of Sheephatch School | Mark Buckingham
Strict restrictions by the Waverley Borough Council, the home of the complex, did not permit any structural changes to the timber-framed blocks, and the Jamaat had to make do with only superficial alterations to turn the facility into a residential colony and some offices.
The Jamaat consistently contacted the council with requests for a complete overhaul of the structures, and by the grace of Allah, this permission was eventually granted – almost 30 years aft er the purchase.
A major refurbishment plan was drawn, approved by the council’s planning permissions department, and contractors were hired to materialise the new complex.
Map of Tilford in 1913 – the year when the first Ahmadiyya missionary was sent to England | Copyright Cassini Publishing Ltd
This new complex has a beautiful mosque – the Mubarak Mosque – alongside office blocks and a residential colony for personnel of Jamaat offices.
Islamabad now hosts the residence and the office of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, hence becoming the new Markaz of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.
Map of Tilford in the time of the Promised Messiah a.s. (1895) | Copyright Cassini Publishing Ltd
Mark Buckingham was a student at the Sheephatch School in Tilford. Ahmadiyya ARC contacted him and he was kind enough to share some photos and also the below impressions of the Old Sheeptonians, an alumni association of the school:
Old image of Sheephatch School | Mark Buckingham
“Sheephatch School was home to thousands of children from 1940 to 1977, allowing them to develop and learn to live with each other. Since it closed in 1977, we all knew in our hearts that the buildings had come to the end of their useful lives. We are pleased to see that this small part of the Surrey countryside is the focus of yet another thriving community dedicated to peaceful living, where we have always been welcome to visit.”
“And whoso emigrates from his country
in the cause of Allah will find in the earth an abundant place of refuge and
plentifulness.” (Surah al-Nisa, Ch.4: V.101)
This promise of God was fulfilled with
prophets of the past and their true followers, and similarly is valid and
effective for all ages and time.
Abrahamas
Prophets of Allah were forced to leave
their homelands amidst hostile environment created by their opponents. Hazrat
Abrahamas migrated from Ur (Iraq) and travelled all the way to find
the Promised Land with his true followers. Abrahamas fled from the
idolatrous people who desired to murder him.
Allah the Almighty commanded Hazrat
Abarahamas in the following words?
“Now the Lord had said unto Abram, ‘Get
thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house,
unto a land that I shall show thee.’” (Genesis 12:2)
“And I will make of thee a great
nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a
blessing.” (Genesis 12:1-3)
During his travels to Haran, Moab,
later to Egypt and then to what we today know as Palestine, his message became
more commonly known and his following grew abundantly. Wherever he travelled
to, he devoted his time in spreading the message that Allah the Almighty had
bestowed upon him, and in return, Allah endowed both his sons Isaacas
and Ishmaelas with mighty nations in the form of progeny and
following.
God said to Abrahamas, “Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, [and] with his seed after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard thee: Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.” (Genesis 17:19-21)
In fulfilment of this divine covenant,
two great nations emerged through Prophet Abraham’s progeny: the Israelites and
the Ishmaelites. Both were rewarded by God with great blessings as it was
promised to them.
Many prophets like Jacobas,
Josephas, Mosesas, Davidas and Solomonas
were born among the Israelites. Through Ishmaelas, the king of all
prophets Hazrat Muhammadsa was born and, as promised to Abrahamas,
we know that his message spread to all parts of the world and people from all
nations of the world accepted him.
Before hijrat (migration), Hazrat
Abrahamas was not only abandoned by his family but was also
issueless. Such a person, for his piety and for the obedience that he showed to
Allah’s commandments in all matters, was given the status of prophethood and
his travelling from one land to another brought a whole array of fruitful
results; the blessings that we witness to this day.
Mosesas
A few hundred years after Hazrat
Abrahamas came another man of God, Mosesas, who fled from
his homeland so that those who believed in the One God could profess and
practice their religion freely and spread the message further.
He saved them from the atrocities of
their tyrant king who had proclaimed divinity. Mosesas migrated,
along with his followers, from Egypt to the desert of Sinai. Right from its
onset, the journey of his hijrat came with many challenges and difficulties.
But as he and his followers remained steadfast, all hurdles in the way of their
faith were removed by Allah’s will. He strived to propagate the message of
Allah under all circumstances up to his last breath. Soon after his demise,
Canaan, the land promised to his forefathers, was given to his nation that
settled their under the leadership of Joshua the son of Nun.
The incident is recorded in the Bible
in the following words:
“Now after the death of Moses the
servant of the Lord, it came to pass that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of
Nun, Moses’ minister, saying, Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go
over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to
them, [even] to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot
shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses. From the
wilderness and this Lebanon even unto the great river, the river Euphrates, all
the land of the Hittites, and unto the great sea towards the going down of the
sun, shall be your coast. There shall not any man be able to stand before thee
all the days of thy life: as I was with Moses, [so] I will be with thee: I will
not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Be strong and of a good courage: for unto this
people shalt thou divide for an inheritance the land, which I swear unto their
fathers to give them.” (Joshua: 1-7)
With this land given to them by Allah
the Almighty, they found the freedom to practice their religion and this hijrat
proved for them to be an abundant and plentiful refuge. This God-gifted land
was to later flourish into one of the mighty empires of the world where
Israelites lived prosperously under the prophethood of Davidas and
Solomonas.
Thus, Allah kept his promise that he
made while Abrahamas was leaving his homeland.
Jesusas
Fourteen hundred years after Prophet
Mosesas, a promised reformer came for the Israelites, who had
forsaken their true faith and had gone astray. Jesusas, son of Mary,
the long awaited Messiah of the Israelites, was divinely appointed to revive
the message of God. His people humiliatingly rejected him and tried to blemish
him with an accursed death through crucifixion. His own people turned against
him and rejected the message of revival that he had brought from Allah. Since
Allah never leaves his chosen ones alone, Jesusas not only survived
this great ordeal but also undertook a hijrat, fleeing to the Eastern lands. He
travelled extensively as part of his hijrat in pursuit of the lost tribes of
Israelites. He was granted success in his search and he was able to impart the
teachings of Allah the Almighty all along his route and later in the Himalayan
lands where he had finally settled.
He too had left his country in the
cause of Allah and was accepted by many nations around the world. As the Holy
Quran mentions that he was revered in this world and hereafter. Even the name
“Messiah” has an innate meaning of sayyahat which means travelling. This
interesting reference to his Messianic title indicates to the importance of his
migration. Ibn Kathir, in his great work Bidayah wa an-Nihaya, relates:
“It is said that he [Jesusas]
was called Messiah for the travels that he undertook and for having fled his
homeland in the way of his faith.” (Bidayah wa an-Nihaya, Vol 2)
The
Holy Prophet Muhammadsa
Then came the time when Allah’s promise
to Abrahamas was to be fulfilled once again, but this time with the
greatest grandeur. From among the Ishmaelites, a great and final law
bearing prophet, Hazrat Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was
sent to not only his nation but to all peoples of the world.
His people tried to create hurdles in
the way of propagating and practicing his religion. The Holy Prophetsa
and his followers were severely persecuted in their hometown of Mecca, from
where he had to migrate with his people to the town of Yathrib, later to be
called Medina. This migration, known in Islamic History as Hijrat-e-Medina (or
Hijrah), was through divine commandment and, as a result, was blessed with
great rewards from Allah the Almighty. It was after this migration that the
days of glory dawned upon the small immigrant community that rapidly
transformed into a city, later into a state and then emerged as a global
phenomenon; a revolution in every sense of the term.
This great hijrat – which he undertook
on a Monday – brought about great blessings right from the time when it was
underway. En route Medina, the Holy Prophetsa was followed by
enemies, but was protected miraculously in the cave of Thaur. One of the
enemies had been able to track down the Holy Prophetsa but ended up
accepting Islam rather than killing him as had intended.
The
Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas
The Holy Prophetsa of Islam
had informed his people that when they too would go astray like the Israelites,
the same Mosaic pattern would be repeated with a messiah being sent to reform
the initial teachings of Islam.
This grand prophecy was fulfilled, and
Allah sent Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas as the promised reformer,
Messiah and Mahdi to safeguard the fortress of Islam. A revelation vouchsafed
to him by Allah the Almighty said:
داغِ هجرت
indicating
that his community too would have to undergo the strenuous task of migration.
This revelation was fulfilled first in
1947 with the partition of India when the community, under the leadership of
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, had to migrate from Qadian in India to
Lahore, now Pakistan.
It was a time of great tribulation when
the entire community had to settle in migration camps and temporarily allocated
buildings in Lahore. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra, under divine
instruction, envisioned a town where Ahmadis could profess and practice their
faith with freedom.
Early days of Rabwah
A barren piece of land, unfertile and
without water, was purchased. The world saw it as a waste of money, but Allah
the Almighty showed a great sign by turning what seemed like a wasteland into a
blooming city. This town, built from scratch on a barren land, turned out to be
the first planned town of Pakistan with the highest literacy rate, a place
equipped with amenities of education and health and an infrastructure that even
state-sponsored settlements have not been able to achieve in a similar fashion.
Among the first few structures built in this town was a mosque called Masjid
Mubarak.
This new Markaz of the Jamaat, named
Rabwah, was soon fully functional and the propagation of Islam by the Jamaat
saw new heights. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra lived the rest of his
life in this town.
The time of the third Khilafat
(1965-1982) was also spent with Rabwah serving as the Markaz of the
Jamaat.
Present-day Rabwah. Against all odds, Rabwah soon became inhabited and served as Markaz
Right at the onset of the fourth
Khilafat (1982), the political situation of Pakistan became such that it became
impossible for the Khalifa to remain in Pakistan. This situation had been
brewing for many decades, but by 1984, certain legislation – proposed by the
anti-Ahmadiyya clergy and advocated by the government of Pakistan – brought
about another migration for the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
This hijrat was to be the first
intercontinental migration in Islam as all other hijrats in Islam had been to
the same part of the country or continent. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh
moved to London and with him, the Markaz was established in the Fazl Mosque,
from where it was to function for a period of three and a half decades.
As the hijrat of 1984 had happened in a
state of emergency, the Markaz in London was more of a make-shift setup with
offices put up in porta-cabins and residential properties around the Fazl
Mosque. Despite frequent and consistent complaints by the neighbourhood and the
local authorities, Allah enabled the Jamaat’s Markaz to continue functioning
from whatever facilities it had.
With these very humble facilities, the
Jamaat progressed manifold and it was from here that Muslim Television
Ahmadiyya (MTA) was launched in 1992; literally taking the message of Islam to
the corners of the Earth.
But Allah has His own ways. Just as Rabwah
had remained the Jamaat’s Markaz for a period of three and a half decades, the
Fazl Mosque too served as the Markaz for the same span of time. It was in this
very Markaz that Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa took office as
Khalifatul Masih V and a new era of propagation of Islam began. The Jamaat’s
operational growth called for further expansion in the nerve-centre of the
Jamaat.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa
announced in his Friday Sermon on 12 April 2019 that – staying in line with a
revelation of the Promised Messiahas, “Expand your abode” – the
Markaz was now to be established in Islamabad, Surrey where the office and the
residence of Khalifatul Masih would be based, along with his private
secretariat and other Markaz offices.
This called for another hijrat of
Khalifatul Masih and naturally, the Markaz of the Jamaat – two inseparable
entities.
Our beloved Imam, Hazrat Khalifatul
Masih Vaa moved to this blessed place – the new Markaz of
Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya – on Monday, 15 April 2019.
Arrival of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa in Islamabad on Monday, 15 April
This marked another turning-point in the history of Islam. The Markaz became functional from the very first day of this hijrat. In the words of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, we pray that Allah makes “Islamabad” the source of spreading “Islam” to the corners of the earth.
