Light of the Lamp

Arfa Yassir, Swindon

“Education is the kindling of a flame, not the filling of a vessel.” –  Socrates, regarded as the founder of Western philosophy, is known to have said.

In this day and age, in context of religious knowledge, I cannot resist but say the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) also kindled a flame through his writings. The flame of yearning to learn religious knowledge, insight about the existence of God Almighty and glory of Islam. His writings perfectly elucidate how Islam is the way forward for our own spiritual well-being and the world at large.

The Promised Messiah (peace be on him) writes with regards to his advent: “He who forsakes me, forsakes Him who has sent me, and he who forges a bond with me, forges a bond with Him from whom I have come. I hold a lamp in my hand. He who comes to me will certainly partake of that light, but he who takes flight from me out of doubt and distrust will be flung into darkness.” [1]

What exactly is this light? Of course, the teachings of Islam and Holy Qur’an is the light of the lamp that the Promised Messiah holds in his hand. His advent was meant to protect, revive, restore and illuminate the glory of the Holy Qur’an, as indeed it did. We continue to reap benefit from these teachings. Under the shade of blessed Ahmadiyya Khilafat, the writings of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) have been published, translated and spread far and wide. And now these are all available online in digital format.

In any field of study, the resources available are not enough on their own, that is why education is institutionalised. To learn and excel in any field a systemic and organised approach is required not just to impart education but to sow the seeds of interest and thirst to learn more, to question and to discover. Lajna Ima’illah is exactly that institution for seeking religious knowledge, which for the most part is derived from the Holy Qur’an.

If we were to imagine just for a second that there was no organised structured auxiliary i.e., Lajna for Ahmadi women, the connection, the bonding we share and the things we learn and do together would vanish from our lives. Let alone the accomplishments of Lajna as a community, there would be a tremendous loss on personal level. That would be a long, unwelcome one second!

The carefully designed syllabuses/syllabi and frequent meetings of our auxiliary enable us to constantly uncover new verities of the Holy Qur’an through the writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him). If we disconnect from our auxiliary, we inadvertently disconnect from these teachings. Because then we disconnect from the learning-together environment, which helps us grow as a person. When the younger members see senior Lajna members actively participating and eagerly learning like young students they feel really motivated to put more effort into their own learning and try to be an example.

Qur’an classes held at local level are phenomenal in which members discuss and study the Holy Qur’an using literature and various commentaries available within our Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Everyone has a different level of understanding when it comes to the writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him), so those who understand the writings on a deeper level can, and do educate  others who, may not be at the same level.

The best part of being a Lajna member as a student of the Holy Qur’an is that you have a place to ask questions in a friendly environment. It is such a blessing for someone who wants to learn to be assured that they will be taught and will never be alone in the quest!  Lajna is always ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘together’. Never alone!

Let’s pause and think where we would stand without this auxiliary! Indeed, it is a blessing for us to be thriving under the blessed shade of Ahmadiyya Khilafat. As Lajna members lets be ready to take our efforts up a notch to stay connected, contribute and never miss a blessing. Let’s choose real success, well-being and spiritual upgrade, let’s choose Lajna Ima’illah!

1. Victory of Islam Pg 29 [https://www.alislam.org/library/books/Victory-of-Islam.pdf]