Masood Ashraf, USA
As a child, I often imagined the people who stood by the great spiritual leaders of history – those who followed prophets and reformers in times of immense challenge. What kind of courage, conviction and clarity of heart did they possess to support a message that defied the norms of their time? Were they poor or wealthy? Were their voices trembling or strong? And, what did their adversaries look like – those who jeered at the truth and plotted in the shadows to silence light?
These questions lingered in my heart like whispers through time. I used to wonder, if I had lived in those moments, would I have recognised them?
As I grew older, I realised something profound: history doesn’t just repeat events, it repeats people. It echoes the same spirits, the same moral choices and the same human archetypes. The sacred texts of many faiths point to this pattern. The Holy Quran speaks of future generations who embody the spirit of early believers: “And among others from among them who have not yet joined them.” (Surah al-Jumu‘ah, Ch.62: V.4)
Tests and triumphs of faith are never confined to one time – they unfold in every generation, including our own. And now, I no longer need to imagine how those people looked because I can see them. I have seen the faces of the faithful and the faces of the enemies of truth. They are not hidden in dusty history books, but are living among us. They walk into mosques, into parliaments, onto screens, into prisons. Some inspire and some deceive.
The echoes of the past now have names and faces.
Today, I no longer wonder what those companions of truth looked like – I see them. I see them in the quiet dignity of young and old Ahmadis in Pakistan who walk to attend a prayer at a mosque, knowing the risk of attack, yet smiling with resolve. I see them in the men and women who donate their wealth for the cause of Islam, remembering the legacy of sacrifice left by the companions of the Holy Prophetsa and followers of the Promised Messiahas. I see them in the Khulafa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – towering examples of patience, prayer and purpose who guide the world with spiritual clarity amid a storm of confusion.
I see them in the lives of those whose names we hear during Friday Sermons and funeral prayers. Ordinary men and women whose extraordinary devotion is remembered by the beloved Khalifa. When he describes their sacrifices, their love for Khilafat, their quiet endurance under persecution, it feels like listening to the stories of the Companions of the Prophetsa. Their lives echo the same sincerity and unwavering faith. Just as early Muslims were honoured in Medina for giving everything in the way of Allah, today Ahmadis across the world are honoured not only by their Khalifa but, God willing, by the angels themselves.
I see them, too, in those Christians who shelter Muslims in war-torn regions, in those Jews who march for justice for Muslims despite backlash, and in those Hindus who speak out against injustice at the cost of their social standing. They are the spiritual descendants of Mosesas and Jesusas, of Asiyaas and Maryas, of Abu Bakrra, Umarra and Uthmanra, and of Alira and Fatimara. I have seen descendants of Bilalra among the martyrs of Burkina Faso, saying “Ahad Ahad”. They are living proof that the noble spirits of the past are reborn in every age.
But just as the righteous walk among us, so do the enemies of truth. I used to imagine them with dark cloaks and snarling expressions, like villains from ancient pages. But now I see them far more clearly, and more subtly. Some wear suits and hold microphones; others sit behind social media accounts, spreading falsehood, mockery and fear. Their tactics are more refined, but their essence is unchanged. The Holy Quran warns:
“And thus have We made for every prophet an enemy from among the sinful…” (Surah al-Furqan, Ch.25: V.32)
These enemies do not always come with swords – they come with satire, with biased headlines and with policies that erode religious freedom and demonise belief.
Just as I see those who carry the torch of truth today, I also see, in our time, spiritual leadership that mirrors the Golden Age of Islam. The first four caliphs of Islam – Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra, Hazrat Uthmanra and Hazrat Alira – faced immense trials. They endured civil strife, external attacks, false allegations and betrayal, yet they upheld justice, guided with wisdom and preserved the unity of the Muslim ummah.
Today, I see the same noble qualities in Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, the divinely guided successors of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas.
Hazrat Hakim Maulana Noor-ud-Deenra, the first Khalifa, like Hazrat Abu Bakrra, provided stability in a fragile moment after the Promised Messiah’sas death. Hazrat Mirza Bashid-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra, like Hazrat Umarra, expanded the mission of Islam across continents with unmatched administrative insight and spiritual clarity. Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh, much like Hazrat Uthmanra, played a significant role in preserving and spreading the Holy Quran. Just as Hazrat Uthmanra ensured the unity and consistency of the Quranic text by compiling authorised copies for the Muslim world, Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmadrh began important efforts to translate the Holy Quran into numerous languages. He spread them worldwide, making the message accessible to people across continents. These translations, carried out with care and scholarship, allowed the universal message of Islam to reach new audiences and strengthened the foundation for the Community’s future global outreach.
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh, like Hazrat Alira, led the community during turbulent times with wisdom, foresight and spiritual strength. He established MTA (Muslim Television Ahmadiyya), which became a lifeline for Ahmadis worldwide and a means of spreading the peaceful message of Islam in countless languages.
And today, in Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmadaa, I see the reflection of all of them. Under his leadership, the community continues to thrive despite growing opposition. In his voice, I hear not just sermons, but echoes of the same truth spoken in Medina centuries ago. In his prayers, I see the living continuation of a divine promise.
The story of faith and opposition is not just a tale of the past; it’s a reality we live today. The Quran declares:
“Truth has come, and falsehood has perished. Surely, falsehood is bound to perish.” (Surah Bani Isra‘il, Ch.17: V.82)
This promise inspires hope but also challenges us to examine our own roles. Are we among those who uphold truth with courage, or do we, even unintentionally, enable division through silence or apathy?
The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa once said, “A time will come when holding onto faith will be like holding onto burning coal.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith 2260) That time is now. In a world where faith is often scorned, where belief is considered backwards, and where devotion is tested in subtle and severe ways, those who cling to spiritual truth do so with blistered hands and unyielding hearts.
We live in an era where the trials of the past are re-lived, but so are the triumphs. Every act of kindness, every stand for justice, every moment of unwavering faith writes a new chapter in this timeless story. The question is not just whether we can recognise these modern heroes or their adversaries. It’s whether we will join them.
Let us honour those who carry the torch of truth, regardless of their background or creed. Let us celebrate the unsung heroes who build bridges, serve communities and hold fast to their beliefs. And most importantly, let us ask ourselves: where do we stand in this eternal struggle between truth and falsehood?
The choice is ours, and the echoes of the past call us to act.
