Voice of British Muslim Women

Ayesha Naseem, Blackburn

In a time of great unease in the world, fear and a degree of pessimism could easily take over one’s mind, making them worry for the future. At that point, it is very human to want to look for support, security, and comfort.

For believers in God, that peace and that solace is to be sought from God Almighty. Fervent prayers for peace and stability, for the protection of humanity and the wider world, and for the end to injustices and oppression against all is a powerful weapon possessed by a believer.

Allah the Almighty is so Benevolent and Gracious that in this world as well, He has provided believers with leadership that He has Chosen in the form of Khilafat [Caliphate] that draws our attention towards worship and the remembrance of Allah. In this era, it is the Khilafat that was established on the precepts of prophethood and following the demise of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him).

In the Holy Qur’an where Allah the Almighty gives believers the glad tidings and promise of Khilafat, it is stated that Allah Almighty “…will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear…” [1]

We, as Ahmadi Muslims, have so many moments on count when we have seen the fulfilment of this promise by God Almighty. I am reminded of my father telling me about the period of fear after the demise of the fourth Caliph His Holiness Mirza Tahir Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) and the instant restoration of feeling of security and peace after the election and appointment of the fifth and current spiritual head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community His Holiness Mirza Masroor Ahmad (may Allah be his Helper). I am also reminded of the fear after two Ahmadi mosques in Lahore were attacked on 28May 2010 which was replaced with peace and security after we saw His Holiness deliver his weekly Friday Sermon with the familiar characteristic calm and the peace that he maintains at all times with the Help of God Almighty.

Even when the matter of concern is not related to the Community itself, His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper), as the Khalifa of the time, is still the same source of peace and security for us.

In recent months with the Israeli aggression against the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, and with the ongoing deterioration of international relations within the Middle East as the conflict spreads, there is uncertainty and fear for the dire state of the world and what it might lead to. But that’s as far as the thoughtfulness would go for someone like you and me, who would see the news, perhaps worry but then, would be immersed in their daily chores.

The attention of the Khalifa of the time is different, however. His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper) spends his days and nights guiding the Community and its members in its routine and urgent matters, he is also holding official meetings with office bearers, he is receiving correspondence and also responding to it, he is being regularly informed about the different branches of the Community across the world, and he is holding private family meetings with Community members. Alongside all this, His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper) is also aware of the issues and conflicts affecting humanity and he is deeply concerned for them.

With the Help of God Almighty, while doing all that he does during the day till late in the night, His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper) is also constantly praying for the Community, for the world, and for mankind.

For perspective, in the period of six months, there are just about twenty-eight Fridays. That translates to twenty-eight weekly Friday Sermons delivered by His Holiness. Except a couple of sermons in all these weeks, His Holiness has consistently drawn our attention towards intense prayers for Palestine, wider Muslim Ummah and the whole world. While world leaders, including leaders of the Muslim world, are busy serving their own political and economic interests, His Holiness is urging restraint and is giving regular in-depth guidance on Islamic principles on conflict resolution through his addresses and sermons.

In a meeting with students from Germany just recently, someone asked His Holiness about maintaining communication with the headquarters of the Community during a possible world war. His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper) said that we must be assured that God would provide guidance in such a situation and that even if there is significant destruction, everything will not come to a halt and contacts would be restored after a short period. [2]

God Forbid that we witness any such destruction at all but if it comes to it, and as unfortunate possibilities of its likelihood rise, it only takes one glimpse or one piece of guidance of His Holiness (may Allah be his Helper) to feel assurance, security, and peace that God has promised His believers.

Ultimately, Khilafat is faith and hope. For only by holding onto the rope of Khilafat can we attain the nearness and Mercy of Allah the Almighty and can in effect, feel the security and peace that safeguards ourselves from all forms of fear and uncertainty.

References

[1] The Holy Qur’an, Chapter 24 Surah An-Nur, verse 56

[2] “Strengthen your connection with Allah: Students from MKA Germany meet Huzoor”, 23 April 2024, https://www.alhakam.org/students-mka-germany-meet-huzoor/