Faran Rabbani, USA Correspondent
On 5 October 2022, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa graced the Waqifaat-e-Nau of the USA with a class at the newly inaugurated Bait-ul-Ikram Mosque. There were 90 nasirat and Lajna members present for this historic class.
The class commenced with a recitation from the Holy Quran and its English and Urdu translation, followed by a hadith and its English and Urdu translation.
Afterwards, an excerpt from Malfuzat was presented in Urdu with its English translation. This was followed by an Urdu poem and its English translation.
During the class, the waqifaat-e-nau had the opportunity to ask Huzooraa any questions they had and seek guidance on matters. This question and answer session lasted for 40 minutes.
Out of the many questions asked, one question was why we said اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ (To Allah we belong, and to Him shall we return) when we had lost a material thing (while also reciting it when someone died)?
Huzooraa said:
“The meaning of this [phrase] is that we are for Allah and to Him shall we return. The Holy Quran says that you not only say these words when somebody dies but also whenever you lose anything or you are [facing] a difficulty or a problem, [even] then you say [it], and it will remind you of the power of Allah the Almighty; that only Allah will always remain in this world, and everything else will have to die. So, say:
اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ
“So, you see, it has a very deep meaning as well. When sometimes you lose something and you have forgotten something, you have kept it somewhere, if you say اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ, it so happens, and it has happened on so many occasions with me and with other people as well, when we say [it], immediately either we find that thing or it comes into our mind that ‘yes I kept that thing in there’. So, it also works to find things to save you from your loss.”
Huzooraa said the prayer was also read when someone died:
“This is the prayer that if a person dies […] I am very sad upon his demise or her demise, but Allah is always there, He will protect me, He will save me. See, the same thing happened when the father of the Promised Messiahas passed away and he was very much worried […]. Then, when he prayed that, ‘God what will I do?’ Then, after saying اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ, immediately it was revealed to him by Allah the Almighty that ‘Is Allah not sufficient for His servant’. You are Allah’s servant, so Allah is sufficient for you. This is how Allah Almighty comforted him. This is a prayer that gives you comfort and this is why we say اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ.”
The waqifaat-e-nau class came to an end at 7 pm sharp and the waqifaat-e-nau quietly exited the main prayer hall and the waqifeen-e-nau boys swiftly entered and took their places. Mirza Harris Ahmad Sahib, Secretary Waqf-e-Nau USA, accompanied Huzooraa for this class. The class started with a recitation from the Holy Quran and its English and Urdu translation, followed by a Hadith and its English and Urdu translation.
Afterwards, an excerpt from Malfuzat of the Promised Messiahas was presented in Urdu, followed by an Urdu poem with its English translation.
This concluded the formal session of the waqifeen-e-nau class and afterwards was the question and answer session with Huzooraa that went on for an additional 40 minutes. Several waqifeen-e-nau also had the opportunity to ask questions of Huzooraa and seek direct guidance from him.
Feedback from the participants
Some of the participants in these two classes shared their sentiments afterwards with Al Hakam.
Rida Rabbani of Dallas Jamaat mentioned:
“Being in the Waqf-e-Nau class with Huzooraa was a unique experience. I felt a spiritual awakening within my being. Seeing and listening to Huzooraa changed my perspective on many things in life for the better. I got the clarity I needed on what I should do in my life. Alhamdulillah. I really felt connected with Huzooraa; he made us all feel like he was our family.”
Husna Ahmed Mirza of Los Angeles said:
“I am feeling amazing and refreshed being in Huzoor’s presence. Very much needed. I am extremely grateful to be a waqifa-e-nau right now. Alhamdulillah.”
Maala Sabah Noor of Los Angeles expressed:
“The feeling of being present with Huzooraa was amazing and memorable. Being able to see him guide us first-hand, and being there and attentive, really made an impact on me as a waqifa-e-nau and as an Ahmadi Muslim.”
Shafia Ahmad of Dallas Jamaat said:
“I feel very happy and blessed for this opportunity. It feels unreal. Meeting Huzooraa in this sitting, especially at our local mosque, made me more motivated to be a better Ahmadi. Alhamdulillah.”
Hiba-tus-Sabooh Haroon Malik of OshKosh mentioned:
“Before the class, I felt really nervous, but when the class started, I felt calm because Huzooraa made it really easy, he was laughing with us. But then I felt a little nervous […] but when I was asking my question, I couldn’t look away. I haven’t had much interaction with Huzooraa in the past. So, I wanted as much interaction with him as I could. It was a really nice experience.”
Amatul-Haleem Zayn Wahab Karim of Indiana Jamaat said:
“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be in the presence of beloved Huzooraa and I felt like I benefited from everyone’s questions. For example, someone asked how to raise children and even though I don’t have children, insha-Allah, I will remember this advice.”
Ehsaan Ahmad Syed of Dallas Jamaat shared:
“This experience was absolutely memorable. I was in a virtual mulaqat a few months ago. It felt unreal to see Huzooraa talking to my fellow brothers and the advice he gave to all of us was amazing. Definitely looking forward to this again.”
Qamar Ahmad Khan from Central Jersey Jamaat stated:
“Alhamdulillah, I was blessed to not only be part of the mulaqat but also to be in the presence of our beloved Huzooraa. I was initially nervous, but Huzoor’s calm and joyful personality made all of us very relaxed. Huzoor’s knowledge and ability to answer questions with such depth were quite inspiring. I cherish these moments and look forward to sharing them with generations to come.”
Khubaib Ahmad Hassan from Houston said:
“This was an amazing experience. I will read Izala-e-Auham now as Huzooraa asked us to read that book. I will be more focused, keeping in mind that I have to serve a very big cause.”
Ahad Khan, who travelled from New York, said:
“Huzoor’s detailed explanation of each question showed his immense love for all of us, which deeply impacted me. Huzoor’s guidance that we should always think to benefit the Jamaat first as waqifeen-e-nau provided a clear expectation for all.”
Nauman Ahmad Farid of Minnesota Jamaat shared:
“It was a wonderful experience, and I feel very blessed to have participated. Huzooraa answered my question in a way that settled the matter in my heart. The class will help me put in more prayer time, so I can do justice to namaz just like my studies.”
Fozaan Azeem Noor of the Los Angeles Jamaat said:
“I felt really happy to have been a part of the mulaqat, and even though I never asked a question, I felt very happy to sit in Huzoor’s presence. Since I plan on joining Jamia Ahmadiyya, Huzooraa gave me the information on the prerequisites that I needed in order to prepare for my admission.”