Where Stars Descend 6 FINAL · Ahmadiyya [the Ahmadiyya jurisprudence] through a course of...
Transcript of Where Stars Descend 6 FINAL · Ahmadiyya [the Ahmadiyya jurisprudence] through a course of...
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Where Stars Descend
Chapter VI
By Asif Mahmood Basit
I consider it this humble one’s good fortune that after any of Huzoor-e-
Anwar’s tours, I get to view the recorded footage before anyone. Some of
the footage would already have been aired live on MTA but most of the
footage is broadcast after Huzoor’s return to London. Among those
programmes, the classes with Waqifeen-e-Nau and university students is
what I look forward to seeing the most. Thus, the classes are what we
view before any other programme. The readers will agree with me that
those classes are indeed captivating and extremely enlightening.
Classes With Huzoor
No matter where in the world, the classes have now adopted a typical
format. They start with Tilawat, followed by Nazm, speeches and
presentations by the students. Following that is what all keen viewers
await; Huzoor’s interaction with the students. That part of the class is as
beneficial to the those present as it is for the viewers, regardless of age,
race and worldly position. The questions asked are always followed by
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informative answers. There are always sublime and inspirational points
that the viewers take away with them.
The Significance of Huzoor’s Answers
It is in these very classes where a young child’s question may seem very
ordinary but the answer that is given becomes a means of taking Fiqah-e-
Ahmadiyya [the Ahmadiyya jurisprudence] through a course of evolution
and making it reach entirely new heights. Huzoor guides his Jama’at on
many of the contemporary issues. For instance, the question was once
asked,
If a restaurant cooks and sells pork with their meals, for example on pizzas or
burgers, then can Ahmadi Muslims work in such a place?
Huzoor answered by saying that if they had to personally deal with pork,
then they could not.
In reference to that answer, in a later class, a child required clarification
because many Ahmadis worked in such superstores that sold alcohol and
pork. Thus, Huzoor replied that if such people did not take part in
cooking or preparing the foods but only worked as cashiers and had
indirect interactions, like placing the money of the customers into cash
registers then it was fine.
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Similarly, I have seen in those classes how puzzling subjects, such as
buying houses on mortgage, have been solved. The students of those
classes have asked questions covering clothing, purdah, mixed schooling,
love marriages, the ways to balance worldly and religious life and so many
other issues relating to the modern western world (which is now dominant
in not just the west but the entire world) and Huzoor has always provided
ample guidance and continues to do so.
Many a time, the question would arise in my mind as to how Huzoor had
the answers to all such complicated matters. But later, I would realise that
the Ahmadi youth around the world write to Huzoor concerning their
every concern and present all their worries before him. Thousands of
people write about it in their letters whilst thousands of people present
their heartrending stories in person.
The worries and concerns of Ahmadis around the world are of all sorts.
There are those who have not yet found satisfaction in the worship of
Allah, while some have doubts regarding the existence of God. A person
may have fallen in love with another person who is not an Ahmadi but
desires to marry them, whereas some are stuck in the dilemma of choosing
the correct path of education. There are some who do not understand the
wisdom of purdah, whereas others face difficulties in practicing purdah.
There are those whose parents may not be happy with them while there
are others who are not physically well and their health is deteriorating day
by day. There are some who desire to migrate to a foreign country and
there are even those who have been married for months but despite that,
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they are still not worthy of considering themselves “married”. After
presenting their issues, all such people ask the same question: What should
I do? But the answer to this question is always different in each
circumstance.
Regardless of where they are from, east or west, people flock in their
thousands to seek guidance from Huzoor in their personal affairs and
Huzoor continues to bestow his beautiful Jama’at with direction and
guidance. Hence, the issues relating to the current climate are always
before Huzoor.
However, just because Huzoor continuously guides people in
contemporary issues does not mean Huzoor always provides immediate
answers. At times, due to the nature of the question, Huzoor instructs for
research to be conducted. Huzoor sometimes instructs the questioners
themselves to refer to a specific department or to contact the Research
Cell in Rabwah or other such departments.
Once a teenager asked a question relating to Prophet Jesus’as journey to
Kashmir. Some would have thought that the answer to the question
would be quite simple and straightforward. However, the answer Huzoor
gave was not exclusively for that teenager because Huzoor’s answers are
always a means of educating the MTA viewers.
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Allah Alone is aware of the wisdom but that day, Huzoor explained
everything in detail. After answering the question, Huzoor looked in my
direction and said,
“Towards the left of my desk in my office is a pile of papers. In that pile,
there is some material relating to this topic. Bring that to me.”
I immediately made a move, when Huzoor repeated,
“Do you understand? On the left-hand side. Among some papers. In a
folder.”
Huzoor desired that the answer should be given in that very class without
wasting any time. That was why Huzoor had confirmed whether I had
understood.
I immediately went and conveyed Huzoor’s message to the Private
Secretary, Munir Ahmad Javed sahib. He quickly got up and began the
search for the material. When he found it, I returned to the class, the
material in hand and presented it to Huzoor. Huzoor removed his glasses
from his pocket, put them on and started to explain what was written.
What Huzoor had read out was exactly what he had already said, but
because there was research material readily available, Huzoor read out the
references to the teenager also.
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On one occasion, a youth asked the question,
Hazrat Sufi Ahmad Jan sahib accepted the truth of the Promised Messiahas well
before his claim of being appointed by God, so much so that he expressed his desire to
perform Bai’at [pledge of obedience] at his hand. However, we know that he passed
away before the Promised Messiah’sas claim and the first Bai’at. Can he be referred to
as a Sahabi [companion] or not?
Huzoor explained that due to his piety, Taqwa and accepting the truth of
the Promised Messiahas his status was very high, however he would not
come under the category of Sahabi, thus he could not be referred to as a
Sahabi.
Thereafter, Huzoor immediately instructed me to enquire from some
scholars in Rabwah, Pakistan, as to what they thought. Accordingly, I
conveyed Huzoor’s message to those scholars. They replied that he was
not a Sahabi and that the Promised Messiahas had not included his name
among the three-hundred and thirteen companions.
Huzoor, repeated that in a later class and said that after thorough research,
Hazrat Sufi Ahmad Jan sahib would not be considered a Sahabi in the
correct use of the term.
It is astonishing that despite Huzoor’s decision undoubtedly being the
final word, Huzoor instructed for research to be conducted on the matter
and to present a conclusive verdict.
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What I understood from that was that the first and foremost item on
Huzoor’s mind is the Holy Qur’an and its teachings. After all, Huzoor is
most aware of the blessings that lay in the Holy Qur’an. Thus, wherever
he can, Huzoor practices the Qur’anic injunction of Mushaawarat (mutual
consultation) so that we too may become habitual in practicing it.
Secondly, it is Huzoor’s ardent desire for the youth to develop a keen
interest in research fields, so that the very soldiers of Ahmadiyyat can
equip themselves with the artillery of knowledge and thus strengthen their
perceptiveness. Thus, does Huzoor cater for the intellectual and moral
wellbeing of the youth seated before him.
Where Huzoor inculcates the habit of making thoughtful decisions as
opposed to abrupt conclusions, Huzoor also teaches the youth how to
process their minds quick enough to make a careful yet swift decision.
Jamia Classes
Jamia Ahmadiyya UK was founded in 2005. That very year, it was
proposed to Huzoor whether Jamia students should be included in the
Waqf-e-Nau classes, because most of the Jamia UK students consisted of
Waqifeen-e-Nau. Huzoor instructed that there should be a separate class
for them. Thus, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK’s class began.
As every class had its own unique name, this class too was called:
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Class Jamia Ahmadiyya UK
The class commenced with this name.
One day, during the Jamia Ahmadiyya UK class, Huzoor suddenly said,
“They sit in classes from morning till evening every day, but you’ve
named this a ‘class’ as well. It should be called something else.”
We were anticipating that Huzoor would give a name. Instead, Huzoor
instructed,
“Think of a name.”
With that, a student began his presentation. When he finished, Huzoor
asked,
“Have you thought of anything?”
I replied that I had not and so, another presentation began. When that
presentation finished, Huzoor enquired,
“What have you thought?”
to which I replied, “Eik Nashist” (a sitting). Huzoor heard it and said,
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“Good. Now go and change the name to ‘Tulaba Jamia Ke Sath Eik
Nashist’”
The name of every class is visible on a television screen placed on the side
of the Mahmood Hall. In accordance with Huzoor’s instruction, I
immediately went to the control-room and changed the name of the class
to what Huzoor had instructed. Thereafter, a new graphics slide was
created on MTA for Tulaba Jamia Ke Sath Eik Nashist to introduce the
programme.
One lesson we learnt from this was that we should have sought Huzoor’s
guidance before naming the class. It was incorrect for us to name it
according to the names of the other classes.
Another lesson we learnt, as did the Jamia students, was that we should
try to work as quickly as possible. In any case, that single programme was
fortunate of having two names in one sitting.
When the Classes Began
The classes, referred to above, began in October 2003. The first class that
was held was called Bustan-e-Waqf-e-Nau, in which children twelve years of
age or younger sat. Then, after a few months, a separate class was initiated
for the elder Waqifeen. That class was called Gulshan-e-Waqf-e-Nau and
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was separated between Nasirat and Atfal. Soon after, classes including
Lajna and Khuddam were conducted by this very name.
Very early on, we were oblivious (in fact, “ignorant” would perfectly sum
it up) of the fact that copies of the Holy Qur’an, Durr-e-Sameen and other
books for reference purposes were supposed to be placed on the table
before Huzoor.
On one occasion, when Huzoor needed to confirm something from a
book and that book was not available, I understood from then on that
they should be placed on the table in front of Huzoor to avoid any wastage
of time.
However, we would realise later that we still had not thought things
through. The copy of the Holy Qur’an that was readily available to us was
placed on the table. In those days, during a Mulaqat, Huzoor said,
“Have you noticed that after the recitation of the Holy Qur’an at Jalsa
Salanas and National Ijtemas I arrange for the translation by Hazrat
Musleh Mau’oodra to be read out and at other times, the translation by
Hazrat Khalfatul Masih IVrt?”
I replied, “Yes, Huzoor.” Huzoor then said,
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“The translations are all pretty similar, but there are certain
interpretations that can be understood better by some, whereas the
others can understand it better by other interpretations.”
Huzoor continued,
“I have always, since my schooling days, been able to grasp the meaning
from Tafsir-e-Saghir a lot better.”
Then, Huzoor instructed,
“When you place the books in front of me during classes or other MTA
programmes, ensure that Tafsir-e-Saghir is also present.”
Thus, in the following class I ensured that the latest copy of Tafsir-e-Saghir
was placed on Huzoor’s table.
After a while, during a Mulaqat, Huzoor needed to refer to the Qur’an and
confirm something. Huzoor opened his personal copy of Tafsir-e-Saghir
and began flicking through the pages. While doing so, Huzoor told me,
“I prefer this old edition. It is much easier to refer to the index in this
and I have become more accustomed to it. The books that you place on
the table should include this older edition.”
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With Huzoor’s instruction I began my search for that specific edition of
Tafsir-e-Saghir. But I was not able to find it. There was a copy in the Private
Secretary’s office but obviously, that could not be taken as it was most
probably there for Huzoor’s use.
Eventually, I managed to find the edition that Huzoor was accustomed to
in a certain office. Fortunately, I was able to persuade the person who had
possessed that copy to exchange it for the new edition that I had.
Huzoor’s Personal Library
I have observed numerous times during Mulaqats that Huzoor always
manages to find the portion of the Qur’an he needs very quickly, either
by flicking through the names of chapters, or by consulting his preferred
copy’s index. Judging by the looks of it, Huzoor seems to have been using
that copy of the Qur’an for a very long time. There are also marks in
various colours. The same is the case with the books of the Promised
Messiahas. Huzoor possesses an entire set of Ruhani Khazain, which is
placed to one side, as well as copies of the Holy Qur’an, Tafsir-e-Saghir and
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV’srt translation of the Qur’an.
Huzoor is well-aware of the exact location of each and every book
surrounding him. This too, I have witnessed on numerous occasions.
Once, when talking about the Jama’at’s services in the Kashmir issue,
Huzoor turned towards his right and said,
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“Look over there. Do you see that set of books. Go and take those with
you. But I want them back!”
Joyfully, I took them with me and benefitted a great deal from them.
Then, for the sake of blessing, I placed them among the books in my
office library.
After a whole year had passed, one day, Huzoor visited our offices. When
Huzoor entered my office, he looked up at the bookshelves and asked a
few questions regarding certain books. Suddenly, Huzoor said,
“You still have my books. Where are they?”
I pointed towards them and said that they were there. Huzoor replied,
“I still want them back!”
Following that, when a Jamia student was assigned a research thesis on
the Jama’at’s services to the issue of Kashmir, Huzoor assigned me the
task of supervising him. With Huzoor’s permission, that student also
benefitted from Huzoor’s personal set of books. Only a few days ago, I
personally delivered those books back to Huzoor and expressed my
gratitude. Huzoor said,
“So you finally remembered? Go and put them over there”
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and pointed towards the same shelf from where I had removed them
many years ago.
One day, I sought guidance from Huzoor regarding some research. I said,
“Huzoor, at one place in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, the Promised Messiahas
has mentioned a پاددرریی ھھھهیيکرر [Pronounced: Padri Haiker]. I have searched
a lot, but have not found any priest by this name. I searched for his
name in relation to the conference which the Promised Messiahas
mentioned him with, bearing in mind the time and location of that
conference, and thus found a Reverend Hector who was around during
that time and spoke at the conference. In fact, he spoke on the same
lines of what the Promised Messiahas had said he spoke about.”
I was about to present some documents to Huzoor, when Huzoor
instructed,
“Go and open that cupboard.”
The cupboard had no glass, through which the contents of it could be
seen. Huzoor added,
“The first edition of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya is in it. First, have a look in
that.”
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Meaning that we should always consult the editions that were first
published during the time of the Promised Messiahas.
Thus, I picked out the first edition of Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya and opened the
page where the aforementioned priest was cited. There, he was also
referred to as Heiker. Huzoor said,
“Now show me what you have found?”
I presented my research to Huzoor. Huzoor instructed that I write to
Nazarat-e-Isha’at in Rabwah, Additional Wakalat-e-Tasnif and the
Research Cell to make corrections to what seemed to be a mistake on the
part of the publishers.
Similarly, at another instance, when talking of a certain religious group’s
behaviour in a particular country, Huzoor said,
“A book has been written on them. I read it when I was in college. I
may still have it with me.”
With that, Huzoor started looking in the direction of a bookshelf. Huzoor
instructed,
“Go and look over there. If I have it, it will be there.”
I began my search when I immediately found it. Huzoor then said,
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“Take it with you. When you have read it, bring it back to me.”
I took that book with me and read it very quickly. But I had not yet
finished, when I received a call from Abid Waheed Khan sahib, saying
that Huzoor had mentioned a book and said that I had it. Huzoor added
that if I had read it then I should give it to him also. Not only is Huzoor
familiar with the context of each of his books and where they are located
in his office, he is also aware of who possesses which of his books at any
given time.
Once, during our Rah-e-Huda programme, a question was asked relating
to John the Baptist (Hazrat Yahyaas) and the prophets that were killed.
The answer presented on the programme was watched by Huzoor also,
but Huzoor was not satisfied with the programme.
During a Mulaqat, Huzoor told me,
“An extensive research on this topic was carried out a few years ago by
Maha Dabbous sahiba. I will give you the material from that research.”
Thereafter, Huzoor started searching for the material in files that were
placed on his desk. When Huzoor could not find it there, he got up and
started looking in some shelves and instructed that I looked in the other
shelves. The search lasted quite some time.
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Throughout, I was in a confused state of mind. At times, I would become
ecstatic at my good fortune that Huzoor very lovingly and attentively
attempted to solve that issue, while on the other hand, I would feel regret
that Huzoor was painstakingly searching for something for my sake.
However, that day, I managed to see inside all of Huzoor’s cabinets and
shelves alongside Huzoor. The cabinets were filled with books and
papers, yet every file, book and paper was placed in pristine order. But it
was not as though they had never been touched.
The colour of the folder, which contained the aforementioned research,
was also in Huzoor’s mind. Whenever Huzoor had previously instructed
me to get a folder from a shelf, Huzoor would tell me,
“No, it won’t be that folder. The folder your looking for is in another
colour and a different style.”
When all shelves had been searched, Huzoor said,
“It is probably in my library upstairs.”
The search for the research material and the Mulaqat eventually came to
an end. I returned to my office in Baitul Futuh, Morden. It was now
lunchtime, so I made my way to have lunch. Thereafter, I fulfilled my
desire for a cup of tea, after which I did some work and most probably
wasted some time also. It was then, that I received a phone call from the
Private Secretary. He said,
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“Huzoor has given a folder to give to you. Please come and take it.”
Allah reward my beloved master! I left Huzoor’s office and returned to
Baitul Futuh, but throughout that time Huzoor took it upon himself to
search for that folder. The importance of a single remark made on MTA
International, no matter how small or big, was explained to me by
Huzoor; when something is said on our behalf, it should be conveyed
accurately.
I should also declare that we have been given ample guidance regarding
the sensitivity of programmes on MTA International by Hazrat Mirza
Masroor Ahmadaa. If the person divinely appointed for the guidance of
humanity in this day can spend so much time and effort in correcting an
answer that was given to a question on an MTA International programme,
then we as humble servants should never sit calmly! We should lose sleep
over such matters!
This was but one aspect of Huzoor’s efforts in making knowledge, and
the correct knowledge, widespread among people. Huzoor, through his
own example, constantly gives us the lesson that if Huzoor can pay so
much attention to detail in factual information then the people belonging
to his Jama’at, whose responsibility it is to propagate religion, disseminate
the truth and dispel falsehood, should spend their days and nights in
seeking knowledge.
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Level of Importance Huzoor Gives to Classes
Initially, when the classes with Huzoor had started, someone asked
Huzoor as to why “Nawab” was added to the name of Hazrat Nawab
Mubaraka Begum sahibara, daughter of the Promised Messiahas. After
giving a lengthy explanation, Huzoor said,
“Before their births, the Promised Messiahas was revealed by Allah the
names of his daughters along with the name, ‘Nawab’.”
A few days later, during a Mulaqat, Huzoor enquired,
“During the previous class, did I say that the name ‘Nawab’ was revealed
by Allah regarding both daughters?”
I replied in the affirmative to which Huzoor said,
“It was only concerning Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begum sahibara that
the Promised Messiah was divinely shown the name ‘Nawab’. Hazrat
Nawab Amatul Hafeez Begum sahibara got the additional name ‘Nawab’
after her marriage to Hazrat Nawab Abdullah Khan sahibra.”
Thereafter Huzoor instructed that any factual errors concerning history-
related matters should be immediately rectified and gave instructions on
how to do this.
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Apparently, such occasions may seem like classes with children, yet
Huzoor’s care for detail remains precise as ever. Huzoor gave a great
lesson, that nothing that has been said on the Jama’at’s platform should
be considered a passing remark.
Having analysed what Huzoor had said, in the following class, Huzoor
explained to the children the reality of the matter and that he had
accidentally said that the name ‘Nawab’ was revealed to the Promised
Messiahas concerning his daughter Hazrat Nawab Amatul Hafeez Begum
sahibara.
Had it been anybody else, they would not have given a second thought on
something that had been said to children. Even if they did give it a second
thought, they would have shunned it for being said in front of mere
children. And if someone had drawn their attention to it, they would have
brushed it off by saying, so what! They’re only kids! But what we learn from
this ocean of knowledge and wisdom is not to ignore such matters, but to
care about even the minutest of detail. It was a lesson for the staff of MTA
International also, that everything said on MTA is relayed to the whole
world. Thus, whatever is said, it should be accurate and crisp.
No matter who the questioner and no matter what the question, Huzoor
never considers any question insignificant or a waste of time. No matter
what, the answer is always given to satisfaction.
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During such classes, Huzoor is also guiding the staff and administration.
Right before the class, a copy of the programme is placed on Huzoor’s
table, mentioning the names of those who would recite Tilawat and Nazm
and who would deliver presentations. Sometimes I have felt that even if
the smallest of typos are made, they are brought to the attention of
Huzoor by a Supernatural Power. They might well be highlighted before
Huzoor, because Huzoor always points out such mistakes and instructed
for them to be corrected.
When Huzoor returns from abroad after a successful tour, the classes of
that tour are viewed and they go through the scheduling process.
Regarding one class, I had a question which I felt needed to be brought
to Huzoor’s attention. Thus, I presented the matter to Huzoor during a
Mulaqat. I said,
“Huzoor, from beginning to end, the administration of the class was
constantly reprimanded. The administration had done everything
incorrectly and everything had to be explained to them by Huzoor,
wherein they were severely reprimanded. Whatever Huzoor deems
befitting, shall be done.”
Huzoor instructed,
“If you are asking me whether it should be played or not, then it most
certainly should! It should be played in its original form.”
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In our ignorance, we seem to forget that during such classes the
addressees are not just the children sitting before Huzoor, rather it is a
“class” for the entire world. The millions of Ahmadis throughout the
world are the addressees of Huzoor during those moments and everything
Huzoor says must be obeyed to the letter. Although there are many who
are able to explain the status of Khilafat and inculcate among the younger
generations the reverence and respect for Khilafat, there is no one who is
aware of the status of Khilafat more than Hazrat Khalifatul Masih. There
is no one who can better inculcate a level of reverence for Khilafat than
Huzoor.
How can it be that Huzoor, out of his precious time, takes out not minutes
but an entire hour to sit among the youth of the Jama’at while the
administration does not place a programme before Huzoor and nor do
the participants know of their duties or when they are supposed to take
to the mic? How can it be that we do not check arrangements beforehand
and instead allow for the microphone to be inoperable in Huzoor’s
presence and not know how to get the microphone across to other
children?
The lesson was not for the administration of that specific class, but having
played on MTA International, it was a lesson for all class organisers
around the world. Thus, Huzoor had instructed that the class would be
broadcast as it was.
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When in London, the classes take place in the Mahmood Hall, adjacent to
the Fazl Mosque. Initially, the students of Jamia Ahmadiyya students
would arrive in the Mahmood Hall in order to sit in the blessed presence
of Huzoor-e-Anwar, but Huzoor then started to travel to Jamia and
blessed them with his presence in their abode. At such occasions, the
students of Jamia consider themselves the luckiest of all as the spiritual
prince would bless them with his presence.
The first building of Jamia Ahmadiyya UK was at a fifteen minute drive
away from the Fazl Mosque. It is God’s grace upon the Jama’at that any
land the Jama’at occupies is very quickly proven small. So too was the case
with Jamia’s first building. The new building of Jamia is situated at a forty-
five minute drive from the Fazl Mosque and its majestic building stands
in a scenic area. Whenever it is time for the students of Jamia to have their
blessed sittings with their leader, Huzoor makes the journey to be among
them.
If I am not mistaken, it was in the winter of 2013 when their sitting with
Huzoor was scheduled. On that day, the snow showed no signs of
stopping. The weather forecasts had given warnings and had said that
people should try to stay indoors and avoid travelling. It was in this
scenario that a message was conveyed from the Fazl Mosque to Jamia
Ahmadiyya that Huzoor would indeed be travelling to Jamia that day and
the sitting would commence.
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That day, the staff and students of Jamia worked hard to clear the snow
in order to make way for Huzoor’s entourage. The hardest part of that
was the long road that travels up the hill and leads to the beautiful building
of Jamia. It became impossible to melt the snow with grit. Afterwards, I
was told by a friend that although the necessary paraphernalia was not
readily at hand, a large metal slab was attached to the back of a car with
two students standing on either side to support it and the car was driven
along the road leading up to Jamia. Having cleared the track, the snow
would fall and settle back on it, but the staff and students of Jamia, in
their love for Huzoor, repeatedly cleared the track in that manner up until
the time came for Huzoor’s arrival.
Huzoor’s entourage managed to safely climb the steep road to Jamia and
the sitting with Jamia’s students commenced. Huzoor told them that no
one should get anxious over small, trivial challenges. Whatever needs to be
done, should be done! Thereafter the programme commenced and the
students, on a cold winter’s day, warmed themselves from the spiritual
warmth of the atmosphere. Huzoor had given a principle of life, to not
be afraid of confronting small challenges.
How the Tables Have Turned!
In keeping with the same topic, I feel that I should mention something
that has always been very spiritually uplifting for me.
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Classes with Huzoor began in October 2003. Very young children would
attend the classes. They would ask innocent questions, narrate innocent
jokes and Huzoor would answer their questions and narrate jokes, simple
enough for them to grasp. Huzoor would teach them the alphabet and
other lessons to do with it and ask simple riddles that they could answer.
The sun of the Fifth Khilafat had only just risen then.
Those opponents of the Jama’at that had seen dreams of the destruction
of the Jama’at after the Fourth Khilafat, God forbid, were only just
beginning to fathom what had happened. Having observed the
commencement of the Fifth Khilafat and the consequent strength of
Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, the opponents’ mouths were left shut. However,
their despair caused them to stoop even lower in aggression.
The depth of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’saa character and personality had
not yet become apparent to anyone. (The truth is that even today, nobody
has been able to decipher the depth of his personality, whether Ahmadi
or non-Ahmadi. This, I say first and foremost on my own behalf.) In their
malice and spite, the enemy had started to make various aspects of
Huzoor’s noble character a target of ridicule and mockery. They would
ridicule his style of talking, make jest of his Sermons and when the classes
started, they began mocking those classes by saying, Go on! Carry on teaching
children their ABCs! How will you give guidance to the Islamic Ummah! (God
forbid!)
26
Huzoor is unyielding in his stance! I am certain that we are unaware of a
lot of the comments that were made at that time. However, permit me to
say that, as far as my experience goes, whenever waves have collided with
the colossal and solid position of Huzoor, they have been rendered useless
as Huzoor remained firm and unmoved at every onslaught. He remained
unmoved then, and continues to remain so today. Huzoor absorbs the
force of every onslaught, yet Huzoor does not move an inch from his
position, so much so that he protects the crowds of Ahmadis that stand
behind him!
Neither do I claim to have observed the state of his heart nor can anybody
do so. Whenever we are stricken with sorrow and grief we immediately
write to our beloved leader or talk to him in person. Just like children, we
immediately run to him to tell him, that man said something which really hurt
me! Or, I have a problem I need to share with you, or my relative is extremely ill and
needs your prayers, or I am extremely worried for my well-being, etc.
We all forget that for that man, there is no other person with whom he
can share his pain and anguish to alleviate his burdens. He is a person who
stays awake for everyone and cries only before his Lord, Who appointed
him the Imam of the final people of God.
Thus, Huzoor does not just face the onslaughts that we observe on the
internet. Only God knows what else the enemies and hypocrites write to
Huzoor about in their anonymous letters. Come what may, his vision
surpasses the petty and trivial onslaughts that come his way!
27
The opponents had begun hurling abuse and mocking those classes, but
despite the other extraordinary missions he was appointed with, he would
sit with those fortunate children on almost a weekly basis, sometimes
teaching them their alphabet while at other times asking them simple
riddles.
In a previous chapter, I have already shown how our sight cannot even
capture the horizons Huzoor has his eyes set on. Those children began to
grow and with time, they started attending the class known as Gulshan-e-
Waqf-e-Nau Atfal after which the elder children (who no longer remained
children) started attending Gulshan-e-Waqf-e-Nau Khuddam and sat in their
beloved master’s presence. Then, from among those who attended that
class, some began to become recipients of Huzoor’s endless love in Tulaba
Jamia Ke Sath Nashist.
Those children who started off learning their ABCs with Huzoor and
found it extremely difficult to converse in Urdu, were now, in those very
Nashists (sittings), conversing with Huzoor in Urdu. Most of them were
now able to deliver speeches in Urdu before Huzoor. There was a special
God-given light in their speech, which could easily be seen by the viewer.
The colour that was most manifest in that light was the colour of
inspiration from Huzoor’s love and attention. It was a ray of that very
same light which one day penetrated my heart.
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A Fruitful Harvest
I had sought permission from Huzoor to start a programme on MTA for
the youth of the Jama’at that would be conducted by students of Jamia
Ahmadiyya, who would answer the youths questions. In effect, the youth
would be answering the questions of the youth and it would have a great
impact. Without a pause, Huzoor immediately replied,
“Of course! What’s stopping you?”
Such a remark with Huzoor’s full approval, boosts the smallest of efforts.
My experience is that if a proposal is not met with Huzoor’s full
permission or pleasure then that idea should be put aside. Even if the
proposal is met with a response like,
Okay. Do it and see what happens,
a second thought should be given to the idea. Initially, after such
responses, I thought that I should go ahead with the idea in any case. In
all those situations, my proposal always resulted in disaster or very near to
disaster. Huzoor’s pleasure is met with, only on a fortunate proposal, at a
fortunate hour, at an hour of God’s blessing and that becomes evident
from Huzoor’s blessed tone and expression.
Thus, it was with Huzoor’s motivating approval that we started planning
the programme. Alogside preparations, the name of that programme was
29
under consideration. Whatever name came to mind would be noted down.
When the list of proposed names had been prepared, I presented it to
Huzoor during a Mulaqat for guidance and approval. Huzoor approved
the name Beacon of Truth.
The time for the recording came; there were three stools on the set with
different coloured curtains as the backdrop. In that simple set-up, the first
recording took place. Mansoor Ahmad Clarke sahib (Missionary, London
Region) presented the programme, while Ayyaz Mahmood Khan sahib
(Missionary, Central Department for Publications and Translations),
Qaasid Muin Ahmad sahib (Missionary, MTA International) and Shahzad
Ahmed sahib (Missionary, Review of Religions) sat on the panel. At that
time, they were all students of Jamia Ahmadiyya UK.
The time for the recording came and I went and sat in the control room.
As I peered up at the screen and looked at those young faces, a wave of
emotions struck me. My eyes became filled with tears.
I recalled those day when Mansoor Clarke was just a small child and would
travel from Birmingham with his mother to attend every class. He could
not read Urdu and so before every class, he would go through the text of
what he was to read in Urdu, but written in English text. His mother
would call me a few days before the class expressing her anxiety, saying
that he had not prepared his part properly and was not sure whether he’d
be able to speak. So, she would suggest that he should stay in the nearby
guesthouse so that he could focus properly.
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I also recalled the young Qaasid Muin, when he was sat in Huzoor’s class
at the age of twelve or thirteen. During one class, Huzoor asked the
children who they knew in a certain picture that was displayed on the
screen. When Huzoor asked about a certain companion of Hazrat
Khalifatul Masih IIra, no one was able to reply, but Qaasid put his hand
up and answered that it was Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmadra. Huzoor asked
that little boy,
“Kamal Kar Diya Hei! (Very impressive!) How did you manage to
recognise him?”
But today, the seeds that Huzoor had himself sown, the seeds that Huzoor
had himself nurtured through classes and personal Mulaqats, those who
he raised up, were now ready to absorb any onslaught for the sake of their
religion.
Where are they, who mocked and ridiculed those classes! God’s Divine
Decree had closed the mouths of the opponents in such a remarkable
way!
Wasn’t it these very children who would be taught their ABCs by a wise
teacher! Wasn’t it these children who would try to decipher the simple
riddles asked by a farsighted leader! It was these very children who would
receive boxes of food from the simple, yet elevated Valiullah (Man of
God), and would go home and eat with their families, who savoured every
31
bite, believing it to be Tabarruk (blessed)! Even at such an act of
innocence, opponents laughed and mocked us.
But now look! How the tables have turned! You still can’t comprehend
what has happened and are lost in the depths of darkness. History is not
ready to accept you! But here, every day we are making history and history
will testify that every day and every night, not one, but many Beacons of
Truth were lit.
Eventually, when the programme had been recorded, a copy was sent to
Huzoor for guidance and approval. Very graciously, Huzoor approved the
programme. But Huzoor’s graciousness knows no bounds! In relation to
some work, I was at the University of Cambridge when I received a call
from Zaheer Ahmad Khan sahib (Lecturer, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK). He
told me that he had just had a Mulaqat with Huzoor in which Huzoor very
lovingly showed the first recording of the programme with great pride.
Huzoor himself turned the DVD player on and then fast forwarded the
programme to different places. Huzoor would tell him with great love
how the students had done tremendously.
That same year, the annual MTA Forum took place in which many
representatives of foreign MTA studios had come to attend. During his
address, Huzoor mentioned Beacon of Truth and very lovingly praised the
work of those students. Huzoor said that one of them stood as the
presenter while the rest took to the panel and in that manner, sought to
defend the religion of Islam. When you think about it, it is extraordinary.
32
It was Huzoor’s wonders that were at work, yet Huzoor still applauded
his servants!
In 2012, the first class from Jamia Ahmadiyya UK graduated. Huzoor
handed them their degrees. Many of them were those who, not too long
ago, were young children and grew up in Huzoor’s classes. Huzoor would
very lovingly give them chocolates, while at other occasions he would give
them pens. Sometimes, Huzoor would give them caps and would tell them
to try them on to check if the size was right. Occasionally, Huzoor would
put them on for the children and say,
“Don’t wear it like this. It should be worn like this,”
and would show them himself how they should be worn. That day, the
children whose caps Huzoor would straighten himself, were graduating as
missionaries of the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam! That day, Huzoor
himself handed them their Shahid Degrees.
The following year, in 2013, the next class graduated. Huzoor graced their
graduation also. That day too, there were faces among the graduating class
that the enemies would have laughed at, seeing them in Huzoor’s classes.
Abdul Quddus Arif, Musawer Ahmad Shahid, Shahzad Ahmed, Aqeel Ahmad
Kang, Qaasid Muin Ahmad. The foundations for their progress were laid in
those very classes, where they were taught the Alphabet, asked simple
riddles and basic religious questions. It was these very children who would
sing Nazms and Taraney [poems] in their innocent voices. I remained a
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silent witness to all of this. If emotions of happiness could strike me then
the one who had played the biggest role in it must surely have been moved
and must have indeed praised Allah fervently. Huzoor would have been
happier than any parent whose child gains success.
Huzoor’s Progressive Approach
But who can say that they have witnessed Huzoor getting emotional at
this? That day, on their graduation, Huzoor was educating them in the
secrets of a successful future; Huzoor was handing them the keys to
prosperity. Huzoor told them to ponder and reflect over the Holy Quran
and to delve into the different meanings of its verses. If they found any
new meanings or interpretations in the Holy Qur’an then they should
inform Huzoor about it and get it endorsed by him, after which they
should flourish it. Huzoor was harvesting his crops, the crops that we saw
as children; the same children who the enemy saw and made a target of
derision. The enemy would laugh but divine decree would laugh at the
enemy saying, What do you know? You know nothing! No work of God’s appointed
Khalifa is without purpose. No effort of his goes in vain!
At first, the enemy would laugh at the fact that a specialist in agriculture
had been made a Khalifa. They continued to laugh, but the Promised
Messiahas had already explained something to us in relation to this.
God Almighty has created both the physical and the spiritual world for
us, but both worlds run parallel to each other. Where God Almighty has
34
made provisions for us in the spiritual world, so has He done in the
spiritual world. Physical hunger can be satisfied through material foods
while spiritual thirst can be quenched through worship. The same is the
case with agriculture. It is the knowledge of sowing seeds, nourishing
plants and letting them stem and branch outwards. The parallel to this in
the spiritual realm has been shown in the form of Huzoor’s classes.
During one class, a student of Jamia Ahmadiyya from the Gambia,
Abdullah Dibba who is now a missionary, asked whether Huzoor still had
an interest in agriculture. Huzoor replied,
“Now you are my crops. How you prove yourselves in the field will
determine whether I have a good harvest or not.”
Through MTA, millions of viewers saw how Huzoor planted the seed of
spiritual education and thereafter nourished his harvest. Not only in
classes, but in personal Mulaqats Huzoor spiritually charged them. He
provided them shade while at other times he taught them how to bear the
intense rays of light. Once that harvest was ready, millions of Ahmadis
would reap the benefits of it, the biggest benefit being the message of
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas and his Khalifaaa. Alhamdolillah!
It is well-nigh possible that God Almighty had intended to show this
sublime example through Huzoor’s expertise in agriculture. Otherwise,
we are all aware, we are all witnesses, we have all experienced and we are
all ready to swear on oath and declare that Huzoor possesses the keys to
35
the knowledge of the Qur’an and the knowledge of the world. If anyone
is doubtful then they can listen to Huzoor’s weekly Friday Sermons, his
discussions with world leaders and politicians, interviews with the press
which are now all available on YouTube. The evidence is all there.
In talking about classes, there is another form of “class” which Huzoor
conducts. It is those sessions in which students present their research to
Huzoor and talk about their respective fields. Now, these sessions have
also become a permanent feature of Huzoor’s tours. Researchers
belonging to the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam throughout the world
have the good fortune of presenting their research before Huzoor.
Those sittings are unique in their own right. When those programmes
reach MTA at the end of the tour, I have the opportunity to watch what
I always find most intriguing; the classes with students of research. It is
always a fascinating and spiritually uplifting experience. For instance,
some students would be researching honey, some would be getting
experience in stem-cell research, some in archaeology, some in cancer
research, some would be studying the causes of Alzheimer’s disease while
others would be pursuing higher degrees in research, for example, MA,
MSc, MPhil and PhD. With great interest and attentiveness, Huzoor
listens to all presentations on such topics and asks them questions related
to it. But what’s more is that Huzoor explains many solutions to the
problems the students may be facing. Huzoor also tells them about such
things to which the students have to concede that their research had not
yet taken them there.
36
Regarding one such sitting with Huzoor, I openly expressed my
astonishment. But the calm and tranquillity on Huzoor’s countenance was
followed with a serene smile; the very smile that gives us all a purpose to
live. Huzoor said,
“By listening to them, at times, something comes to mind and so I either
mention it or ask a question. I haven’t studied those fields, but I know a
little bit about what is being said, so I ask my question or make a remark
based on that knowledge.”
Although I carefully listened to Huzoor’s answer, the question still
remained in my mind. Then I understood, when I pondered over an
incident of the Promised Messiahas. He had heard his children arguing
whether wealth was better or whether knowledge was, to which he told
them,
“Neither knowledge nor wealth is better. Allah’s grace and mercy is
best!”
Just as God was pleased with the Promised Messiah’s humble ways, so
too was the case with the person who sat on the throne of the Awaited
Messaih’s Khilafat, whom God had Himself selected. He has bestowed
upon the Khalifa a large portion of the promise, that He would grant him
both secular and religious knowledge.
37
If Khilafat truly is a manifestation of God’s omnipotence (and indeed it
is), then how is it possible that God’s omnipotence is not manifested in
the Khalifa’s every word and deed. Subhanallah-e-Wa-bi-Hamdihi
Subhanallahil-Azeem! (Holy is Allah, with all His Praise; Holy is Allah, the
Great!)
When Huzoor graciously assigned me the responsibility of all
programmes of MTA, one day he instructed,
“Form a team that can assist you in work.”
Huzoor initiated the programme Persecution, then transformed it into Rah-
e-Huda. Huzoor then initiated Beacon of Truth, followed by programmes like
Tarikhi Haqaiq, Fiqhi Masail and thus, the viewers of MTA began to feel a
change in the variety of programmes presented on MTA. (Here I should
clarify that any programme on MTA that had any amount of good in it was
a result of Huzoor; any shortcomings and errors were the faults of ours.)
Thus, Huzoor began to sow the seeds for many programmes of MTA and
the numbers increased very rapidly. Huzoor’s instruction to form a team
was in this very backdrop.
It had only been four years since Jamia Ahmadiyya UK was established.
The most senior class had only just reached Darja Salisa (the fourth year).
I had sought permission from Huzoor to get assistance from the students
of Jamia. Huzoor very lovingly granted permission.
38
Ansar Bilal Anwar sahib (Missionary, Germany), Musawer Ahmad Shahid
sahib (Missionary, Finland), Abdul Quddus Arif sahib (Missionary,
Lecturer at Jamia UK), Ayyaz Mahmood Khan sahib (Missionary, Central
Department for Publications and Translations), Jeryullah Khan sahib
(Missionary, Germany), Qaasid Muin Ahmad sahib (Missionary, MTA
International), Muhammad Anas Ahmad sahib (Missionary, Spain),
Sabauz Zafar sahib (Missionary, Japan), Mudabbir Din sahib (Missionary,
MTA International), Mustanser Qamar sahib (Missionary, New Zealand),
Raza Ahmad sahib (Missionary, London Region) and Zafir Mahmood
Malik sahib (Missionary, Review of Religions) very swiftly began to play a
role in this team. At the time, they were still studying at Jamia.
On the one hand, the programmes on MTA were expanding and growing
as a result of Huzoor’s love and attention while on the other hand, the
students of Jamia were being trained to bear the responsibilities of these
very tasks. All the while, Huzoor was well-aware where he would plant
each seedling and from where the growth would be most fruitful. The
very students that would seek blessing of Khilafat from Huzoor in sittings,
classes and Mulaqats are now spreading those blessings among the masses
and are the sources of those blessings being spread.
As I write these lines, the very young faces of those children who would
sit in those classes and talk innocently are coming before my eyes. Those
young children are presently serving not just the Ahmadiyya Jama’at but
the world at large. Safeeruddin Qamar (Camera Operator, MTA
International), Tawqeer Mirza (Editor, MTA International), Faiz Ahmad
39
(Architect), Fateh Ahmad (Civil Engineer), Azhar Ashraf (Student of
Medicine), Tasweer Ahmad (Student of Medicine), Danish Ahmad and
many more young faces come and go before my eyes. They were children
who had sat in Huzoor’s presence from very young ages and were
recipients of the blessings of Khilafat. I have had the blessing of being
able to see them spreading those blessings throughout the world.
The Smile in the Midst of Everything
Almost fourteen years have passed with me standing silently and
witnessing all this. There are many things that I have not been able to
fathom and have not had the audacity to ask about. On a daily basis, there
are thousands of letters waiting to be read by Huzoor. Those letters
include such that were written by people in desperation to share their joy
and happiness with Huzoor, but most of them entail those that were
written in desperation by people who were extremely worried and
anxious.
Every day, Huzoor reads letters to do with someone’s grandmother falling
and breaking a bone, someone’s grandfather’s chest infection, failure in
examinations, loss of jobs, domestic disturbance and violence, the
disobedience of wives and children and incurable terminal illnesses. The
letters bear the pain and suffering of many Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis
alike. Then, there are administrative issues, for instance, a government’s
restraint on building a mosque, protests by the locals on building a
mosque, local police arresting Ahmadis for no logical reasons whatsoever
40
or the martyrdom of an Ahmadi on the basis that they believed in the
Imam of the latter days.
These are just samples of what Huzoor experiences on an average day.
Otherwise, there is indeed so much more that Huzoor prays for and has
to solve. Having read such letters, Huzoor attends our classes but
Huzoor’s countenance always bears the radiating smile that gives us
warmth and comfort.
An observer may think that such calm and relaxation could only be
possible if Huzoor’s entire day’s schedule was merely to attend that class,
lead the five prayers and nothing more. But the world is not aware that
this soul is the most burdened soul on the face of the Earth! In love for
Huzoor, people openly express their pain and anguish and place their
feelings at his threshold! Some tell Huzoor of their cases in Qaza and
Umur-e-Ama and how they are demanding for justice, some request
prayers for Huzoor, some seek Huzoor’s forgiveness for working against
the Jama’at’s system, others seek pardon for displeasing Huzoor, while
the opposing party urges not to forgive the other party otherwise justice
would not be served. Alongside this, Huzoor continues to produce
solutions for the Jama’at’s administrative issues. On top of that, the
responsibility for each decision he makes lies on him, which he is
answerable for, only to Allah.
He leads prayers, enters the world of confronting everyone’s problems
and thinks of way to solve those problems, but the moment he steps into
41
the Mahmood Hall for a class with Waqifeen-e-Nau, his smile illuminates
the atmosphere! He sits and talks to the children, answers any questions
they may have, enquires regarding students’ relatives whether their
operations were successful and whether they are recovering while asking
others whether their exams, which they said they were going to have, were
successful. If he observes someone wearing summer-appropriate clothing
in the winter he asks whether they are not cold in such clothes.
Throughout all this, the participants and the organisers are kept engrossed
in the class. If only we could always remember this prayer in our minds at
such moments,
“Allahumma Ayyid Imamana Biruhil Qudus!”
(O Allah, strengthen our Imam’s hand with the spirit of purity!)
If we are incapable of doing anything else, then this is the least we can do,
because only, and only Allah can relieve Huzoor’s anguish and pain. It is
only a result of complete trust in Allah that despite the anguish and pain
people pile up before him, Huzoor’s priority remains our sentiments, our
wellbeing and our betterment.
May Allah make it so, that whenever we see Huzoor, whether in person
or on the screen, the essence of the following couplets remain in our
minds:
Dua Karo Ke Saron Pe Rahey Vo Abr-e-Karam;
Dilon Mein Nur Ki Jo Khetiyan Ugata Hei
42
(Pray! The shade of Mercy remains over us;
Which cultivates the fields of Nur [light] in our hearts)
Dua Karo Vo Shajar Umar Bhar Rahey Qaim;
Vo Jis Ke Saye Mein Har Shakhs Chein Pata Hei
(Pray! That tree stands upright for eternity;
In the shade of which every human attains serenity)
Dua Karo Ke Na Anch Aye Us Ke Sar Pe Kabhi;
Jo Sub Ko Piyar Se Apney Galey Lagata Hei
(Pray! No anguish afflicts him, ever;
He, who lovingly embraces everyone)
Dua Karo Vo Khazana Kabhi Na Ho Khali;
Jo Gham Naseeb Ghareebon Ke Kaam Ata Hei
(Pray! The treasure never ceases to exist;
that which benefits the innocent, anguished people)
Dua Karo Ke Na Gehnay Ta Abad Vo Chand;
Jo Zulmaton Mein Diye Piyar Ke Jalata Hei
(Pray! That moon never sees an eclipse;
Which ignites the flames of love in the depths of darkness)
Dua Karo Vo Parcham Sadaa Buland Rahey;
Khuda Ke Deen Ki Taraf Jo Hamein Bulata Hei
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(Pray! The flag never ceases to soar in the skies;
Which summons us towards God’s true religion)