Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam
Prior to modern navigation tools, travellers, sailors or even nomads would use the stars as a natural compass to find their way through their travels. In the same manner, as we navigate through our spiritual journey, we require a spiritual compass to aid us in our journey. The Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, being the best guide and teacher, instilled within his Companionsra the light whereby others, just by mimicking them, can follow the path of the Holy Prophetsa.
In January 1938, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmadra established Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya — an auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat for the spiritual and worldly progress of its youth. Even before its establishment, on various occasions, Huzoorra granted valuable guidance to the Ahmadi youth and urged them to enhance their spirituality and progress in their relationship with Allah the Almighty.
During his address at the Majlis-e-Mushawarat on 20 April 1930, Huzoorra said:
“Everyone of you ought to inculcate a yearning in their hearts to attain the nearness of God Almighty, and until one has such yearning, one should not assume that they have attained the true [essence of] Ahmadiyyat. If such passion is found [within the members], it would create such pious souls in every area and country who would carry out the task of tabligh, and as a result, Ahmadiyyat will spread.
“The Holy Prophetsa has stated that ‘My companions are like the stars.’ [Mishkat al-Masabih, Bab manaqib as-sahabah, p. 554, Delhi, 1932] Every one of us ought to become a star as well; it is then that Allah the Almighty reveals to one the arguments for the truthfulness of Islam.” (Khitabat-e-Shura, Vol. 1, p. 424)
Then, on 15 October 1944, during his address at the 6th annual Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, Huzoorra said:
“The fact of the matter is that until a nation gears up with an objective in mind, it can neither instil a passion in its efforts nor can it swiftly move towards progress. In the same way, a community can never succeed until [its members] inculcate within them a strong determination and tread the ways through which their views and beliefs could successfully be propagated in the world.
“Therefore, firstly, it is essential for us to see whether or not we have any important objective in front of us – so that we know as to what we need to propagate – and secondly, our training should be in such a manner that it helps us realise the method required to propagate our views.
“The matter that is very essential for a community’s progress is that each of its members should know and understand the following two points:
“1) ‘What message are we required to propagate?’ (It also includes, ‘What are we required to do’).
“2) ‘What is the method for delivering the message we are required to propagate?’ […]
“These are the points that are given a lot of importance by the people of Europe nowadays. Particularly, when the newspaper correspondents meet any leader, they ask them: ‘What is your message?’, meaning that what is the point that you wish to convey to the world from which it is unaware yet, or it has been forgotten and thus there is a need for a reminder.” (Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya Ke Liay Teen Eham Baatein, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 17, p. 375)
While advising the Ahmadi youth, Huzoorra said:
“Therefore, both of these points are essential for [the members of Majlis] Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. It is essential for them to get fully acquainted with Islam, and to know how to present [the teachings of] Islam. […] If Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya completely understood the essence and teachings of Islam, they would not require anything else since Islam is superior to all other teachings. The one who is fully aware of the Islamic teachings is not required to be told what they should convey to the world.
“Therefore, Islam is the fundamental thing, and if we name it ‘Ahmadiyyat’, it does not imply that Ahmadiyyat is anything different from Islam. But rather, we name [the true] Islam as ‘Ahmadiyyat’, since the people had damaged the image of Islam and it was necessary to establish a distinctive sign to eradicate the wrong image of Islam and to enlighten its truth.
“Thus, that distinctive sign has been established through the name of Ahmadiyyat, otherwise, there is not even the slightest aspect of Islam that could be abrogated. […] Whatever the Promised Messiahas has stated is completely derived from the Word of God and the teachings of the Holy Prophetsa. […] The truth is that if the slightest aspect is presented against the Islamic teachings mentioned in the Quran and Hadith – or even the addition of a single punctuation – it would certainly be kufr [disbelief] and ilhaad [atheism], and its propagation would not be a source of spreading knowledge in the world, but rather, it would cultivate ignorance and irreligiousness.
“Therefore, it is essential for us to understand the Quranic teachings, and to firmly instil them in our hearts and minds. I had advised that every Ahmadi youngster should be acquainted with the Holy Quran’s translation. In fact, it is the duty of every Ahmadi youth to learn the Arabic [language], or at the very least, they should be aware of what has been stated in the Holy Quran, and what God demands from us. If one learns the Arabic [language], it helps them to understand the translation and gist of the Holy Quran. […] Today, I once again call the attention of the Jamaat in general and the khuddam in particular, that they should make an effort to learn the Holy Quran’s translation as soon as possible. […] The fact of the matter is that all kinds of disciplines [ulum] are found within the Holy Quran. If one learns the Quran in its true essence, then one automatically becomes acquainted with the other disciplines as well.” (Ibid., pp. 379-383)
Huzoorra continued by advising the youth to make efforts to enhance their level of religious knowledge and said that Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya had initiated a programme to select an annual book from the writings of the Promised Messiahas or from the books of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih, and then take an exam from khuddam based on the selected books. Huzoorra commended the initiative and said:
“This method is certainly beneficial, and everyone can enhance their religious knowledge by partaking in this.” (Ibid., p. 384)
Huzoorra further said:
“I have arranged the compilation of ahadith in book form, which will gather 1,000 different ahadith. 800 ahadith have already been extracted, and only 200 ahadith are remaining, which will be accomplished very soon, insha-Allah. And then this book will be published and added to the syllabus of Madrasa-e-Ahmadiyya. The exam from this book of Hadith should be made compulsory for every khadim, so that every one of us may know as to what guidance has been given to us by the Holy Prophetsa for our practical lives.
“As there will be the dars of the Holy Quran – in compliance with my scheme – similarly, this book of ahadith will also be taught, insha-Allah, so that everyone may be connected to and acquainted with Hadith. Meaning, the following three points are essential for religious knowledge:
“1. Translation of the Holy Quran
“2. Hadith
“3. Books of the Promised Messiahas.” (Ibid.)
Speaking about tabligh, Huzoorra said:
“From the practical aspect, tabligh is our foremost duty; however, tabligh can only be impactful when the practical example of the preacher is of a high level. […] Thus, every member should know what morals are required to be instilled within them, as a result of which we could convey to the world our teaching in the best manner. We can never conquer the world until we inculcate within us truthfulness, honesty, diligence, wisdom, determination, a spirit of sacrifice, and selflessness, regardless of how wonderful words we use to present our message to the world.” (Ibid., pp. 385-386)
Towards the end, Huzoorra said:
“If every one of us becomes a shining star for their respective society, it could save the weak people from committing those acts that are against ethics and shariah, and they will begin to follow the path of good deeds and righteousness. This is what God Almighty expects from His faithful servants that they all become the shining stars of guidance and advice. […] This is the objective behind the establishment of [Majlis] Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, and this is what Allah the Almighty desires by establishing a spiritual Jamaat through His prophets.
“Therefore, you ought to radiate your nur [spiritual impact] and disseminate it, so much so that there remains no trace of any darkness. […] If you find any shortcomings in any individual, you should not disclose their flaw, but rather advise them privately and pray in your heart for their guidance and reformation. […]
“I pray to God Almighty that He may enable our volunteers, khuddam, and atfal to understand their respective responsibilities and to act upon them. May He guide you all in each step, to enable you to act upon those points which you are aware of, and Himself teach you the points which you are unacquainted with, so that you may understand the religious teachings and always act upon them.” (Ibid., pp. 391-394)