Voice of British Muslim Women

Iffat Mirza, Raynes Park

Growing up, the high status of the Khalifah was never underestimated. My parents and grandparents consistently reminded us of the magnificence of Khilafat and though I was only four, I remember the tears streaming down everyone’s face as we heard of the sad demise of His Holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on his soul;) but tears of sorrow were soon overcome with tears of comfort and relief as we heard news that His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Allah be his Helper) was the fifth Khalifah of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Yet even though I was always consciously grateful to the fact that I had the opportunity to grow up so close to Khilafat in London, it seemed that a small part of me inevitably took this fact for granted. It wasn’t until the pandemic hit that I could not pray behind my beloved Khalifah and as days turned to weeks and weeks turned to months, the yearning grew stronger. Perhaps it was a sorely needed reality check. Khilafat is a blessing like no other.

I was fortunate enough to be at the Jalsa 2021 inauguration. As we prayed behind our Khalifah after two years, we were overwhelmed by feelings of comfort. Indeed at such a time it occurred to me just how lucky I was – my yearning to be near my Khalifah was only a glimpse into the lives of countless Ahmadis who had gone years and decades without having seen the Khalifah. Their strength suddenly struck me.

Indeed, Khilafat is a sacred institution which we are all deeply appreciative of. The Successor, or viceregent of the Prophet of God is the only way we can maintain a living relationship with Allah the Almighty. Above all, it s a promise the Almighty has made to believers. In chapter 24, verse 56 of the Holy Qur’an it states:

Allah had promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then who so is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious.

The Holy Qur’an tells us that the institution of Khilafat is a blessing for us, it is through such Successors that we can access the religion of God in its truest form.

Sitting here, now at Jalsa, having just heard the address to the ladies, the necessity of Khalifat is strongly underscored for me. His Holiness’ words of guidance on how to navigate the world which has become so engrossed in materialist pursuits and selfish attitudes towards our rights rather than our duties, is forever a reminder of the true purpose of our existence.

He has reminded us Ahmadi Muslim women of our God-given rights, and that this makes Islam the religion at the forefront of women’s rights, despite what mainstream narratives maintain. In a world where feminism is defined by tokenistic representation of women in the media, His Holiness consistently tells us of the stature of women as someone whose rights are not afforded by men, but rather are divinely protected.

The institution of Khilafat is a beautiful blessing upon us, one which we women must be particularly grateful for, as without it, we have no guarantee that our God-given rights will be afforded to us. In other societies, where issues such as femicide, FGM, domestic abuse, are a consistent concern for women, it is apparent that these horrific acts can only be abolished if we turn towards our Creator, towards the religion ‘which He has chosen for them’ as the Holy Qur’an states. Khilafat is a helping hand towards this, and it is through this guidance that so many of our rights and responsibilities are protected. And indeed, it is through such guidance, that we are able to flourish.