On Sunday evening, 27 April, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, presided over the UK’s Waqifeen-e-Nau Ijtema 2025. The gathering convened at Baitul Futuh Mosque Complex in London, with Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa addressing the participants via livestream from Islamabad, UK.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa conveyed “Assalamu alaikum,” and then invited Ehsan Ahmad Sahib to recite a portion of the Holy Quran (Surah an-Nur, verses 55-57). Adeel Tayyab Sahib and Fuad Alam Sahib provided the Urdu and English translations of these Quranic verses, respectively. Abdul-Hai Sarmad Sahib presented an Urdu poem authored by the Promised Messiahas, followed by its English translation by Dawood Khan Sahib.
Huzooraa then invited Dr Anas Rana Sahib, Secretary Waqf-e-Nau UK, to present the ijtema report. He expressed that the waqifeen were divided into age-based groups, which embarked on their respective activities. The sessions in the ijtema covered topics like the Superiority of Islam, The Essence of True Khilafat, and The Life of a Waqif-e-Zindagi. The total number of male waqifeen-e-nau over the age of seven is 3490. The total attendance of this year’s Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema was 1615, i.e., 46 per cent of the total tajneed, and the total attendance including guests was 2078.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then took to the podium and delivered his address. After reciting tashahhud, ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Huzooraa said:
“Today, with the grace of Allah, you are attending the National Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema, and I hope and pray that various programmes prove of benefit to you all.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the number of waqifeen-e-nau is in thousands, but this number will only be of benefit if all of them fulfill their responsibilities and the needs of the Jamaat. Some of the waqifeen-e-nau join the Jamia to become missionaries and a few qualify in those professions required by the Jamaat, i.e., doctors, teachers, etc.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“Nonetheless, most of the waqifeen-e-nau comprise young men who have completed their secular education, and are now employed or doing their own private business. Such waqfeen should ask themselves what benefit they are providing the Jamaat.” Huzooraa said that if they truly desire to fulfil their waqf, they must understand the demands of their pledge.
Huzooraa said:
“In simple terms, your pledge requires you to sincerely serve the Jamaat in whatever way or capacity is needed. It requires that even if you are working externally, you should ensure that alongside your worldly employment, you dedicate ample time and effort to fulfilling the needs of the Jamaat and your own spiritual development.”
Regarding dedicating one’s life in the way of Allah the Almighty, the Promised Messiahas said:
“I consider it an obligation to advise my Community and convey this message to them, and each person is free to heed or ignore it, that if any of you desire salvation and a pure and everlasting existence, you ought to devote your life for the sake of Allah.
“Let every one of you strive and anxiously endeavour to reach the stage and rank where you can say that your life, your death, your sacrifices, your prayers are for Allah alone, and like the Prophet Abrahamas, may your soul proclaim اَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ, ‘I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds.’
“Until an individual is immersed utterly in God and does not sacrifice their life in God’s way, they cannot be granted a new existence. So, all of you who associate yourselves with me should recognise that I consider the dedication of my life for the sake of Allah to be the fundamental purpose of my existence.
“Accordingly, all of you ought to look deep within your souls and see if you prefer this action of mine for yourselves and hold dear dedication and devotion of your lives in the way of God.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa highlighted that the above words are for all Ahmadis, but they “apply specially to you as members of the waqf-e-nau scheme.”
Huzooraa advised that if one is obedient to Allah the Almighty, only then will the pledge of their waqf be fulfilled in the best possible way. This obedience would help them pray with complete sincerity, recite the Holy Quran, and study the books of the Promised Messiahas.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said, “With the grace of Allah, the number of waqifeen-e-nau worldwide is nearing one hundred thousand.” Huzooraa said if all of them are united in purpose and wholeheartedly ready to serve their faith, then we will witness a glorious transformation in the world, but we are very far away from achieving that.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa presented the current situation of the world. The peace and security of the world are shattered. The hatred and jealousy burn incessantly. Innocent souls are being massacred in wars and conflicts. In such circumstances, “you must never underestimate your potential and mission,” Huzooraa said to the waqifeen-e-nau.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stated:
“As a waqif-e-nau, you are tasked with bringing about spiritual and moral revolution in the world. Most certainly, with the help of Allah, you can achieve this, but only if you faithfully uphold your pledge to spreading the beautiful teachings of Islam around the world. This should be your objective irrespective of whether you have entered the Jamaat’s full-time service or not.”
Huzooraa reiterated that as a waqif-e-nau, the words of the Promised Messiahas presented above should be taken to heart and one should tirelessly strive to act upon them.
The Promised Messiahas, while discussing the essence of dedication, referred to the example of Hazrat Ibrahimas as described in the Holy Quran: “And of Abraham, who fulfilled [the commandments]” (Surah an-Najm, Ch. 53: V. 38).
Huzooraa emphasised:
“Every waqf-e-nau should understand that failing to fulfil one’s pledge is not a small or trivial matter. Rather, Allah the Almighty has said that He will hold those who do not fulfil their pledges accountable.”
The Promised Messiahas said:
“Unless a person is prepared to completely extinguish his attachment to the world and all its pleasure and prestige, and endure every humiliation, hardship and adversity for God Almighty, the quality of faithfulness cannot be born.”
Huzooraa explained that every breath and movement of a person should be governed solely by a desire to follow the commands of God Almighty. Every humiliation and hardship should be endured for Allah the Almighty. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“Only if a person achieves this state can he be considered to have lived up to his pledge of devoting his life to the service of God.”
Huzooraa highlighted another aspect of fulfilling one’s pledge that all kinds of idol worship must be shunned. The Promised Messiahas said:
“Idol worship is not limited to obvious acts, such as worshipping a tree or a stone. It is not limited to the followers of those religions or beliefs who worship the sun, the moon or the stars, nor is it limited to those who revere certain human beings to such an extent that they become their idols.
“In reality, every single thing that proves an obstacle in the path of Allah or takes precedence over Him is an idol.”
Huzooraa advised that for a waqif-e-zindagi, nothing should become an impediment in the worship of God, spiritual development or pursuit of religious knowledge. Worldly desires must never reach such levels that they become idols.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa again presented the example of Hazrat Ibrahimas. He attained the elevated status because he was ready to sacrifice everything without hesitation or any conditions. He was ready to sacrifice his son, but Allah intervened and saved him from unimaginable pain and sorrow. On another occasion, God Almighty saved him from the fire of his opponents.
Huzooraa said:
“Every waqf-e-nau must therefore seek to become the beloved of Allah, as I have said, whether you are working outside the Jamaat or serving full-time within it, does not matter. Each of you should be ready for every sacrifice your faith requires of you. You must be ready to tolerate any pain or hardship that may come your way for the sake of God Almighty.”
Huzooraa emphasised that merely carrying the title of waqf-e-nau is of no benefit. There is no benefit to being a waqif-e-nau if they do not raise their moral standards, recite the Holy Quran or offer five daily prayers. As a waqif-e-nau, one should be a role model for others. Otherwise, it is a mere deception.
The Promised Messiahas says that after performing one or two good deeds, some people think they have done enough to gain the love of God. But in actuality, complete obedience and steadfastness are required, as was demonstrated by the companions of the Holy Prophetsa. Huzooraa highlighted that for this reason, he presented their qualities and sacrifices in his Friday sermons.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“So if, as you leave this ijtema, you pledge to fulfil your duties in a better way but then forget all I have said by the time you reach home, there is no benefit of you being a waqif-e-nau, neither to the Jamaat nor to you personally. Above all, Allah has no interest in such so-called waqifeen-e-zindagi. Most of you have reached an age of maturity, so every day, you should hold yourselves to account and assess as to what extent you have fulfilled the demands of your waqf.”
Towards the end, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“May Allah enable all of you to inculcate the true spirit required of a waqif-e-nau and fulfil that purpose for which you have dedicated your lives and for which you have gathered today to attend this ijtema.
“May all of you as waqifeen-e-nau play an outstanding role in conveying the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat to every corner of the world. Amin.”
After concluding his address, Huzooraa led everyone in silent prayer.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)