Members of Waqf-e-Nau In the UK have Honour of a Virtual Meeting with the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
“Whether you are a medical student or studying any other field, concentrate in your studies and, alongside this, pay attention towards prayers. Increase your connection with Allah.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
On 28 February 2021, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a virtual online meeting with male members of the Waqf-e-Nau Scheme from the United Kingdom.
His Holiness presided the meeting from his office in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst the Waqf-e-Nau members joined the meeting virtually.
The event started with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a poem and sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
His Holiness was also shown a video presentation about the various engaging talks and presentations held the previous day in a Waqf-e-Nau Virtual Retreat organised by the Waqf-e-Nau department of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK.
During the rest of the 50-minute meeting, the Waqf-e-Nau members had the opportunity to speak directly to His Holiness and asked questions on various matters relating to their future career choices, the importance and objectives of life dedication and the challenges facing the youth in this day and age.
His Holiness was asked how a Waqf-e-Nau student of medicine should study to ensure that he becomes the best possible medical professional for the benefit of humanity and in order to fulfil the pledge of being a Waqf-e-Nau.
In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:
“A medical student should study regardless of whether he is a Waqf-e-Nau or not. You will not attain a degree if you do not study well. Indeed, whether you are a medical student or studying any other field, concentrate in your studies and, alongside this, pay attention towards prayers. Increase your connection with Allah. Offer your five daily prayers at their appointed time.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“If an atheist studies and works hard whilst not believing in God, it does not matter; he will receive his recompense from Allah the Almighty for the efforts he puts into his studies. But an Ahmadi Muslim is someone who believes in Islam, in the existence of Allah the Almighty and has certainty that Allah helps him. So, along with his studies he will also have to prove that he has a connection with Allah the Almighty.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further said:
“Do not think that just because an atheist attains success, therefore you should attain success too [without prayer]. There is a difference between the two. And you have to consider this difference. It is a very subtle difference and you will have to bear this in mind. If you keep this in mind, you will have a connection with God and you will pay attention towards your studies and you will then be able to achieve your targets.”
Another question related to what specialisations the Waqf-e-Nau doctors should do to benefit the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“We need all kinds of specialists. If you are going to Africa then we need general surgeons there. If we send you to Pakistan, in Rabwah, then we need cardiologists – interventionists or simple cardiologists. Therefore, every Waqf-e-Nau who is becoming a doctor, once he completes his degree, should write and seek guidance as to which specialisation he should go into. There is no general principle. We cannot say, ‘All Waqifeen-e-Nau should go into this field or that field.’ It depends on the requirements and the interests of the individual. I guide them based upon that.”
One student asked what they should give priority to if they are studying, whilst, at the same time, volunteering in various roles within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
In reply, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Those who are studying in university should see if they can do justice to their Community responsibilities along with their studies. If they cannot do justice then they should mention to their superiors that for a certain time, and particularly during exam periods, it is not possible for them to serve fully. At such times, focus upon your studies. However, other than the time you spend on your studies, at weekends and other free time, utilise for service of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. You should not waste your time in futile pursuits.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“Do not waste your studies at the excuse of serving the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It should not be so. Give first preference to your studies and then use any spare time to serve the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. When your studies are complete, you should write and inform that you are ready to fulfil your life dedication and that you are giving your complete time for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Then without any greed, fulfil the purpose of devoting your life and accomplish your life dedication.”
His Holiness was also asked what prayer or spiritual procedure should be adopted by those looking for work during the difficult period of Covid-19 when many jobs are in short supply.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Do your prayers five times a day and pray whilst prostrating that Allah the Almighty may create ease for us. There is no supplication other than this. The greatest supplication is the observance of the five daily prayers. Allah the Almighty has not said that if you do one particular prayer He will certainly accept it. Allah the Almighty has said that you should do the five daily prayers and fulfil your obligatory prayers and pray during them and He will accept the prayers.”
One of the Waqf-e-Nau asked what sacrifices Waqf-e-Nau members can make which will be acceptable in the sight of Allah the Almighty.
In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Anything you are doing to please Allah the Almighty, for the sake of Allah the Almighty, then He will accept it. Allah the Almighty says that even if you put a morsel of food in your wife’s mouth, for the sake of attaining the love of Allah, even that action will be considered to be your sacrifice and even that will be pleasing to Allah the Almighty. This is the extent of the mercy of Allah!… What more do you need? Whatever you are doing to achieve the love of Allah and for the sake of Allah, Allah will accept it and consider it as your sacrifice for Him.”
His Holiness asked how many of those present were studying engineering and would be devoting their time for the service of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community after completing their studies. His Holiness advised that after their studies they should gain experience in the field and they can then be sent to Africa under the International Association of Ahmadi Architects and Engineers which helps develop deprived areas of the world by providing water, electricity and other basic necessities.
In a very affectionate exchange, His Holiness asked if those present had taken part in previous classes that His Holiness has held over the years with children and youth.
His Holiness remarked that because of the Covid-19 lockdown it had been a long time since he had met them and they had grown and their appearance had changed.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“You have grown up and many of you have grown very beautiful beards and look older and that is why, maybe I am not able to recognise some of you. It has actually been a very long time since Waqf-e-Nau classes have been held. Covid-19 has caused a lot of problems for everyone in the past year and so I have not even been able to meet you all. Today I am seeing your faces and they have changed, and some of you may even have become married! Anyway, you are handsome by the Grace of Allah but I cannot recognise some of the faces. I will most likely remember your faces if I see older photos of you.”
One of the Waqf-e-Nau members asked his Holiness for advice for those studying sciences such as physics, biology and chemistry and whether they should focus more on research or pursue teaching careers.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“We need people in all fields. Ahmadi Muslim scholars should also go into research. Those studying physics in particular should do so. Those studying biology will go into biomedical sciences and then they can go into research. If someone who is studying biology and chemistry and is unable to enter into medicine, he can go into biomedical sciences. The ones studying chemistry should go into research too. Other than that, if someone is not at the level where they can go into research – their second preference should be teaching. First preference should be research and second preference should be teaching.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“From amongst the Waqf-e-Nau we need teachers in every subject. We only need a certain percentage to serve in our Ahmadiyya schools. Other than that we need teachers who can teach in external schools here in these countries. If there are good teachers working in these schools they can at least teach good morals to the children. This is something we also have to consider. As many Ahmadi Muslim teachers go into schools to teach, the greater the moral training that can be done of children, regardless of those children being Christians, Buddhists, atheists or Ahmadi Muslims. Wherever an Ahmadi Muslim is present, then other than his own subject, he will be delivering a moral training too to the children. Therefore, teaching is a very good profession.”
