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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.

 28

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.

 30

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

 33

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

 43

(Pray! The flag never ceases to soar in the skies;

Which summons us towards God’s true religion)