Voice of British Muslim Women

Ayesha Naseem, Blackburn

The idea of unity is very unique – it is a prerequisite for anything that involves more than one person. Families, friendships, teams, communities, nations – you name it – none of these can survive in harmony if they are void of unity or mutual respect.

Establishing and preserving unity among Muslims is a fundamental teaching in Islam. In the Holy Qur’an, it is said:

“And hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided; and remember the favour of Allah which He bestowed upon you when you were enemies and He united your hearts in love, so that by His grace you became as brothers; […]” [1]

The words “and hold fast, all together, by the rope of Allah and be not divided…” are at the centre of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its principle aims. The idea of holding the “rope of Allah” does not just require Ahmadi Muslims to have belief in the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and his Caliphs but also to ensure that this Community safeguards itself from every hypocrite or opponent’s attempt which seeks to divide it. Every member of the Community has a responsibility to protect and preserve that unity.

While reading the Lajna Ima’illah’s Constitution, I found that the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him) emphasised on this in his 17 aims and objectives for Lajna Ima’illah. The eighth objective says:

“You shall endeavour to be constantly active in promoting unity among the Jamaat as enjoined upon every Muslim by the Holy Qur’an, The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) and you should always be prepared to offer every sacrifice for this cause.” [2]

For me, it is the gracious belief of the Second Caliph (may Allah be pleased with him) in Lajna Ima’illah that is so inspiring. As we come to celebrate our organisation’s centenary this year, I reiterate how significantly ahead of its time this objective was. In 1922, in a remote village in Northern India, the divinely appointed Caliph of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) urged women to realise their true potential and to see beyond their daily house chores. When parallel to this was a society in the West and in the Sub-Continent that did not see women capable of giving an opinion let alone worthy of gaining basic rights. It was owing to the confidence and empowerment Islam provides to women that the Second Caliph (may Allah be pleased with him) did not just tell us to blindly follow the Community, but instead, encouraged women to learn, to ask questions, and then to actively take part in protecting its values and most importantly, its unity.

I know someone whose husband is unjustly imprisoned in a Muslim country for believing in Ahmadiyyat. She was once asked why the young people of the Community must live this life of hardship while those leading the Community seemingly lived in ease. Although this question was far removed from the truth, it was her response to this that was so profound. She said that when during the Battle of Badr, the opponents of Islam were continuously attacking in the direction of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), it was the Companions who came forward and willingly sustained painful injuries and martyrdom just so they could guard the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and Islam.

This might just be one example but there are countless Ahmadi Muslim women who feel and believe the same. They fear nothing when it’s about defending their faith and Khilafat. And they know that their Caliph or Khalifa prays for them day and night and has great love for all Ahmadis. Lajna Ima’illah continues its service in the cause of Islam and endeavours to raise a generation that stands ready to defend and protect Khilafat, this Community and its unity just like the Companions during the time of Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) did. This aspiration and strength come with the grace and help of Allah the Almighty and also with the constant confidence and guidance of the current worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper). 

References

[1] Surah Aal-e-`Imran, Verse 104.

[2] https://lajna.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/english-lajna-constitution.pdf