Cemal Inam, Thornton Heath

Khilafat for me has been a source of peace in times of stress. 

The COVID-19 pandemic left many school exams, like my A-level exams last year, onto the brink of uncertainty. I remember the tireless nights I would spend studying and revising in order to get into university, a goal of mine for a long time, only to face the pandemic. When the pandemic came around, my A-levels went online and then there was the unknown about whether exams were going to be held or not. There were a million questions flying around my head. The pandemic led to the previous cohort’s results being determined by an algorithm leading to many not getting into university [1]. This was my exact worry; I did not want to be in that position. My aim had always been to get into university and that was now uncertain. 

Throughout the two years of my A-levels I had many moments of anxiety full of stress and worry, but those increased in number when the pandemic started, until I spoke to one of my friends. I talked to her, signalling my distress and she said to “write a letter to Huzoor”. So I took upon her advice, and I started writing. When I put the pen to my paper and continuously started writing down my worries to our beloved Khalifa, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad, (current worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community) about my studies, there came upon me this sense of peace in my heart, I was not worried anymore. I remember finishing that letter and feeling like the calmest person I had ever felt in the last two years. And this is the blessings of Khilafat.

Khilafat for me is a sense of comfort in the most distressed times. That comfort was enduring because on 10^th August 2021, I got into university. 

Despite getting into university the letter writing to His Holiness has not stopped, whether I’m stressed or not, those letters will continue to be sent out because writing them continues to provide me peace and clarity in times of confusion. The biggest lesson I have learnt throughout my journey of getting into university is to trust Allah the Almighty. Once you trust Allah whole heartedly you slowly see less stress within you, and I clearly see that today. I know if ‘old me’ had been given the number of deadlines and essays to submit that I receive today, then I would not have been able to cope. This journey has transformed my way of thinking.

Our beloved Khalifa (may Allah be his Helper) has provided all students with guidance on how to succeed in their studies countless number of times. His Holiness has said “you should … pay great attention towards prayers, improve your connection with Allah and offer your five daily prayers at their prescribed times.” [2]. This is the exact same guidance I received as a response to the letters I wrote throughout the two years of my A-levels, and I continue to get similar guidance now I am in university too. Thus, the key to success has always been and will always be observing regular Prayers.

A Khalifa is divinely appointed as a person who shares the closest relationship with Allah. Thus, the guidance our beloved Khalifa gives to every student within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is not aimless or offhand. Instead, there is deep thought put into the guidance, so everyone can achieve their academic successes.

Khilafat provided me peace when I needed it the most, it showed me the light at the end of the tunnel. My A-level journey reminds me of a Quranic verse: “No soul is burdened beyond its capacity” (2:234) [3] and Khilafat showed me this. I pray that we continue to follow the guidance of our Khalifa for academic successes and beyond. Ameen.

References:

[1] “A-levels and GCSEs: How did the exam algorithm work? – BBC News.” 20 Aug. 2020, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers-53807730. Accessed 4 Feb. 2022.

[2]  “UK Waqf-e-Nau university students get thorough direction from Huzoor.” 5 Mar. 2021, https://www.alhakam.org/concentrate-on-your-studies-and-pay-attention-to-prayers-uk-waqf-e-nau-university-students-get-thorough-direction-from-huzoor/. Accessed 2 Feb. 2022.

[3]  “Chapter 2 : The Heifer (Al-Baqarah) – Open Quran.” https://www.openquran.org/2.html. Accessed 4 Feb. 2022.