Ayesha Naseem, Blackburn
The term ‘revolution’ has several meanings, and it is manifested in different ways; but broadly speaking revolution is about bringing or causing a great change. The world has witnessed political, social, and economic revolutions throughout history. But there is one rather distinct kind of revolution that is not as greatly explored nor studied.
That is a revolution that takes place within the self, a kind of change that then has a domino effect on those around you, and then on the society and the nation and then ultimately, the wider world. The Islamic concept of Jihad – meaning to struggle or to strive – adds to this as well. Among the three kinds of Jihad in Islam, the greater and the most important Jihad is the struggle against the self. The struggle to subdue one’s own ego and a spiritual endeavour to attain nearness to God Almighty.
The history of Islam is full of examples of people who led this comprehensive change and lived their lives in a way that put their faith above everything else. The one Muslim woman from early Islam who comes to my mind instantly is Hazrat Umme Haani (may Allah be pleased with her). Her acceptance of Islam resulted in her husband abandoning her and their four children. Hazrat Umme Haani bravely chose to keep her faith when faced with the decision on protecting her marriage or her precedence to Islam. To do this in a time when attitudes towards women were harsh, she stood out as a woman who was not afraid to sacrifice her worldly relations or material comfort in order to protect her belief in Islam.
This zeal and courage exemplified by a woman was certainly not ordinary. It was not something that existed in the pre-Islamic society. In fact, it was Islam, its empowering teachings, and the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that gave women the confidence to challenge misogyny and to be the flagbearers of their faith.
Lajna Ima’illah – an auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – was founded in 1922 by the Second Caliph of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), His Holiness Mirza Bashirrudin Mahmud Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him). Since the day of its establishment, Lajna Ima’illah has been building on the same zeal of steadfastness and sacrifice. In the pledge that women repeat at every Lajna Ima’illah meeting, they promise to be ever ready to sacrifice their ‘life, property, time, and children for the cause of faith and nation.’ Ahmadi women pledge to ‘be prepared to make every sacrifice for the perpetuation of the Ahmadiyya Khilafat.’ [1]
These are not mere words or promises. They carry immense weight, influence, and most importantly, a responsibility.
On a number of occasions, our Caliph, the current and fifth worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper) has addressed Lajna Ima’illah and has urged us ‘to bring about a revolutionary change’ among ourselves and the wider society and the world. [2] He has said, we must make ourselves ‘exemplary for others’ in our ‘practical life’, in our ‘discourse’ and in our ‘moral values.’ [3]
Practicing what one is preached is not easy. It requires a constant burning effort but through Lajna Ima’illah, together, everyone tries and aims to excel at this. This empowerment, this confidence, and this determination to achieve this goal is given to us by the Caliph of the Community himself. Our spiritual father, who day in and day out truly practices what he preaches, whose every minute is spent in praying for his Community and the wider world, and whose entire attention and time is directed for us.
From the diverse departments of religious education, outreach, journalism, publications, student affairs, physical wellbeing and literally so much more, Lajna Ima’illah is a home for Ahmadi Muslim women. 100 years on, this organisation stands as a strong testament to Islam’s progressive stance on women. With the help of Allah the Almighty and the constant prayers and guidance of the Khalifa of the time, Lajna Ima’illah unites women from all backgrounds to learn, to grow, to celebrate, to embrace and most importantly, to be.
References
[3] https://www.khalifatulmasih.org/articles/the-significance-of-sacrifice-in-your-pledge/
Voice of British Muslim Women 
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