Voice of British Muslim Women

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

Maliha Baig, Leicester

My journey of building a connection with Khilafat started at a young age, when I couldn’t even grasp the true importance of it. Yet, my parents would sit down with my siblings and me and tell us to write a letter to Huzoor. They just gently guided us leaving the content solely to us. Being unable to write at my young age, I would send drawings, or mere lines to our beloved 4^th Khalifa, His Holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him). One would think that being such a busy leader, a reply should not have been expected. However, a Khalifa is truly for everyone, be it a little child, adult or senior person.

With the replies of His Holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad began my feeling of euphoria again and again upon receipt of letters, and to this date with our beloved Khalifa of time, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper ), it has not decreased at all. I still feel the same excitement and happiness that I have felt every single time opening a letter from our beloved Khalifa.

I can recall one particular event, where I was suspended from a school in Germany, merely a few months before obtaining my GCSE. This was due to my hijab/purdah, which I was not ready to take off. Being emotionally overwhelmed, I wrote to our beloved Khalifa, explaining that I was suspended, while being so close to acquiring GCSE and all my hard work being eradicated, about me working towards the award at Jalsa Salana (Our Community’s annual convention). Huzoor not only replied to me, but also sent his reply via Fax, making sure that the 15-year-old me was given assurance and comfort straight away. Along with providing spiritual solace Huzoor most kindly immediately arranged practical help and support for me as well, hence resolving the issue as soon as possible, so that I could finish my studies at the school. Huzoor also took away my worry about the award  and assured me that I would get my award at Jalsa Salana, regardless of the outcome. His assurance, comfort and help were most astonishing to me and gave me a new desire to better myself even more in my hijab. Through Khilafat, I was led closer to the rope of Allah. 

It amazes me how one man can take on the burden of the whole world and still smile, like he is in no pain or worry at all. Only a man of God can do this! When we are struck with any worry, the first thing we do is write to our beloved Khalifa, for prayers and guidance. Now multiply those type of letters by 1000, if not more! No one, other than a man of God, would be able to take such burden and still smile.

When we receive our replies, we all are filled with so much joy, because the replies are written so beautifully, with so much care, that we claim that Huzoor knows us personally. This is not a story of you and me, this is a story of every Ahmadi, who writes letters to Huzoor.

Hence, the least we can do is pray for him every day and offer two Nafl (voluntary) Prayers, so Allah Almighty keeps our rope to Allah in the best of health.