“An Ahmadi Muslim should be a true portrayal of the Islamic teachings” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
On 9 January 2022, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a virtual online meeting with members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Students Association (AMSA) in Nigeria.
His Holiness presided the meeting from the MTA International Studio in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst more than 30 members of AMSA Nigeria joined the meeting virtually from the Lajna Hall in Ojokoro in Lagos, Nigeria.
Following a formal session starting with recitation of the Holy Quran, the students had the opportunity to ask His Holiness a series of questions regarding their faith and contemporary issues.
One of the Khuddam asked His Holiness how they can help other Khuddam keep away from vices and immorality common on university campuses.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“An Ahmadi Muslim should be a true portrayal of the Islamic teachings… Keep on reminding our members of their bond with Islam Ahmadiyyat by sending them the book the Conditions of the Bai’at [pledge of Allegiance], informing that these are the conditions on which you accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat and this is your promise that you will give precedence to your religion on worldly matters. It is a great challenge that in the present-day atmosphere, the environment in the university is not very favourable. But Ahmadi Muslim students should avoid these things.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:
“So, if our students realise all these things then they will try to change themselves. You see, we are here to change the world – we claim that we are going to reform the world. If we ourselves indulge in these bad things then how can we fulfil our promise? In the Khuddamul Ahmadiyya pledge, you say that ‘I will sacrifice everything.’ If you cannot sacrifice your emotions, if you are not practising the teachings of Islam then how can you fulfil your pledge? So, make every Khadim realise that this is your pledge – this is our bond, these are the conditions of the pledge of allegiance and we have to fulfil all these things so that we can reform ourselves and as a result, reform our nation and then we shall be the country which will prosper. Otherwise, if we behave like this, Allah the Almighty will punish us and we must realise this fact that ultimately, we have to leave this world and we have to face our fate in the afterlife. These are the things you have to make them realise. If they understand it, well and good, otherwise our duty is only to advise. Keep on advising them.”
Another question related to conveying the message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to such people who are unwilling to listen.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad advised and said:
“Allah the Almighty has said to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) that you cannot forcefully convey your message. Those who do not want to listen to your message, leave them…Try to make friends who are morally good, who are of pious nature and then, when they become your friends you can tell them about who you are, what is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and why we believe in Islam Ahmadiyyat. So, this is the way of preaching to them. Otherwise, you cannot force anybody that they must listen to you.”
One of the attendees asked for His Holiness’ advice on how they can balance both religious activities and secular studies.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Your first religious duty is offering five daily prayers . Get up early in the morning for Fajr prayer and offer your Fajr prayer. Then recite the Holy Quran and prepare for your college, university or school. After attending your school for 6 or 7 hours, when you come back, if there is homework given to you by your teachers or any assignment, then complete it and after that, if you have time, increase your knowledge by reading some religious books. Alongside increasing your knowledge that will change your mindset. You will try to change yourself and try to be spiritually and morally good. And in terms of volunteer work, if you cannot give some time daily to your volunteer activities to Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, then at least during the weekends you should give time to the works of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. But make sure that being a student, your first duty is to concentrate on your studies. Alongside it, never ever leave the five daily prayers and the reading of the Holy Qur’an.”
