Role models in the 21st century

How Hazrat Khalifatul Masih continues to revive Islamic teachings

In the hyper-connected world we enjoy, role models and figures of considerable influence come from all walks of life. From Hollywood stars to prolific academics, sports personalities to even YouTubers and Instagrammers; there is a vast array of people who the world idolises.

But, there is one recurring theme among the icons of modern society – materialism. Materialism casts a shadow over religion and spirituality, as the steady growth of atheism strongly challenges any plausible proof of God.

As a result, our society has glorified wealth, class, social standing and fame as the pillars of success, reflected in the role models and icons – especially those who the younger generations idolise.

Yes, there are “role models” who are not so attached to materialism, but even then, the element of spiritual guidance and morals – encouraged by Islam – are missing.

For the Muslim world, the legacy of Islam is in hot water – the arrival of the Mahdi and the son of Mary – the reformers for Islam – is now growing into a fantasy.

The spiritual insight, guidance and leadership, promised to Muslims in the Holy Quran and by Prophet Muhammad^sa is (for most Muslims) nowhere to be seen. There is no one to give direction; no one to follow.

Of course, for Ahmadi Muslims, the legacy of Islam has witnessed a new horizon; the spiritual reformation of Muslims and understanding of Islam in modern light continues under the institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. It is the Khalifa of the time who enables Ahmadi Muslims – and often other Muslims too – to safely embark on their journey towards God Almighty, disseminating insight into the Quran and examples of the Holy Prophet^sa.

Khilafat is a reflection of the teachings of the Holy Quran and its guidance enables one to effectively follow the essence of Islam. For this reason, millions of Ahmadi Muslims across the world not only understand their religion in modern light, but stick to it and practise it.

The Friday Sermons of the Khalifa serve as a weekly boost of spirituality, pregnant with religious guidance.

In the recent past, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa has been narrating the great lives of the early Companions^ra of the Holy Prophet^sa who fought in the Battle of Badr. Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa has detailed with great research and precision the lives of these Companions^ra; their morals, love for Islam, worship, humanity, courage, charity and even their familial backgrounds.

The sermons on the Badri Companions^ra have been a means to understand the level of reformation the Holy Prophet^sa brought through Islam. They have given us a deep look inside the world of early Islam and the tremendous examples of those who left lives full of vice and immorality and changed into “goblets of gold”, as the Promised Messiah^as described.

Listening to how the Companions^ra would worship, serve humanity, display courage for Islam and love the Holy Prophet^sa has enabled Ahmadi Muslims not to be deterred by so-called “icons” and “role models” of the materialistic world. It has reminded us of who we really are and the heights we should endeavour to reach.

Interestingly, a prophecy for the latter days – when Islam would lose its spiritual light – mentioned in Surah al-Takwir, was:

وَ اِذَا النُّجُوۡمُ انۡکَدَرَتۡ

“And when the stars are obscured”. (Ch.81: V.3)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra has explained that “the stars” refer to the light and great examples of the Companions^ra of the Holy Prophet^sa and that their morals and examples would be lost in the world of Islam. He further explained how this verse points towards a period when the very names of the Companions^ra and their works will be forgotten and other role models will be adopted in their stead.

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra explained that Surah al-Takwir first portrays how the example of the Holy Prophet^sa will diminish from the world and people will move away from Islamic teachings, including Muslims. Then, the above-mentioned verse talks about “the stars” being obscured, resembling the examples of the Companions^ra being lost.

The Holy Prophet^sa also said that his Companions^ra were like “the stars”, all of whom provided the means of guidance towards the right path. And so, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra explains:

“… ‘Stars’ refer to his [the Holy Prophet’s^sa] Companions^ra … that not only would people stop following the Holy Prophet^sa, but also the Companions^ra would cease to be followed. Thus, in our age, we can observe this, that whenever someone uses an example, instead of quoting the Companions^sa, they say, ‘Hitler said this’, or ‘Napoleon said that’ and ‘Abraham Lincoln deliberated thus’.

“However, earlier, people used to say, ‘Abu Bakr^ra said this’, ‘Umar^ra said that’, ‘Uthman^ra has said thus’ and ‘Ali^ra had it thus’. Thus, the importance of following the Companions^ra amongst the Muslims began to lose traction and vanished …

“… The practice of living nations is that every member strives to uphold the good works of their forefathers. They say, ‘My grandfather achieved this great feat’, or ‘He did this [great work]’. Until a nation maintains and protects this spirit, the clocks of their lives remain ticking for a long period. And when this spirit dies, the nation also perishes.” (Tafsir-e-Kabir, Vol. 8, p. 201)

Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra then explains that the verse, “And when the stars are obscured” means that Muslims will forget the tradition of the Companions^ra and their great qualities and morals, leading to the downfall of the Muslim Ummah. He then writes:

“When a nation constantly reads that our forefathers held great qualities and abilities, they will also personally endeavour to reach such heights [as practised by their forefathers].” (Ibid)

In this way, Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa has maintained the motivation and correct direction of Ahmadi Muslims through his sermons on the Companions^ra.

While the world is leaning towards materialism and Islam is being polarised between extremes – fundamentalism and absolute liberalism – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aa is, today, the guiding light towards true Islamic practices and his sermons are another proof that Islam Ahmadiyyat is the revival movement of Islam, as promised by the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet^sa.