Khilafat – Pure And Selfless Love

*Huzoor is the term Ahmadi Muslims use to refer to His Holiness, the fifth Caliph/Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community*

Saleha Bakhtiar, London

My short story begins with my 14-year-old-self receiving a phone call from an organiser of a Waqfe Nau event. (Waqf-e-Nau scheme in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is for the parents to dedicate their children for the propagation of Islam before their birth). I was offered the chance to present Tilawat (melodious recitation of the Holy Quran) in the presence of the worldwide head of our Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper), at an event that hundreds would attend. I had prayed for this opportunity my whole life but doing Tilawat in front of my Huzoor was no ordinary task. Hence hours and days of practice later, the day and moment to get on the stage arrived. My first time presenting, I read the blessed verses in front of my Khalifa, my spiritual leader, trying my best to avoid the sounds of my pounding, anxious heart from reaching the mic. Then I stepped off the stage with the scanned copy of the Holy verses in my shaking hands. Being far from satisfied, I thought that an opportunity like this, to stand so close to the Khalifa, would not arrive again any time soon.

Then my Khalifa spoke to me, asking where the translation of the Arabic verses I had just recited was. Thinking that another girl was to present them, I looked at the organiser and told her that I hadn’t prepared for it. The organiser responded, ‘Saleha, you are to do the translation.’

So, with absolute embarrassment and head lowered as much as possible, I reached the stage (again!). Huzoor took the scanned paper from me, looked on both sides, and asked where the translation was. I said I didn’t have it. Then Huzoor instructed the organisers to bring a copy of the Quran with the translation to be read. While I thought my Khalifa would tell me off for the lack of preparation, instead, Huzoor shared a warm and enjoyable conversation with me. Before talking to my Khalifa, I felt like a foolish servant in front of a king, but after the exchange I felt I became the cherished daughter to her beloved father.

Now, as I ponder, I realise that not only was Huzoor patient with me but the conversation made me feel like what I had to say was of value.

One will see sacrifices in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community occurring that they will leave one wondering why and how they are possible. The answer lies in our Khalifa, one who possesses such altruism that it causes storms to change their direction (and I don’t use this analogy unintentionally)¹. His guidance, prayers, and constant hard work are from and for the sake of Allah entirely. As a result, this spiritual leader alone leads a worldwide Community of humane and selfless Muslims. These individuals collectively strive to unite under the flag of ‘Love for all hatred for none’- giving up their time and comfort to serve humanity. Thus, in this Community, you will find some who will look and lead lives happier than the wealthy, regardless of living in such simple homes and underdeveloped countries.

Not only am I enormously grateful to be part of such a religious Community, but I pray everyone gets to partake in this pure and selfless love. Ameen. Something which every single member of our Community receives from their beloved Huzoor. We will continue to, by every means, spread our love to the corners of the earth and awaken hope, where it’s previously dormant. Inshallah.

Reference:

1 – https://www.alhakam.org/acceptance-of-prayers-of-khulafa-e-ahmadiyyat-2/

2 – https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02627/full