“My advice to you all is that you should try to excel in your studies and to gain as much education as you can” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 25 September 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 members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya aged between 9 and 14 from Nigeria.

His Holiness presided the virtual meeting from the MTA International Studio in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya gathered at the Lajna Hall in Ojokoro in Lagos, Nigeria.

Following a formal session starting with recitation of the Holy Quran, members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya had the opportunity to ask His Holiness a series of questions on matters of faith, education and other contemporary issues.

One girl mentioned that some Muslim girls or women might feel reluctant to observe Hijab out of a fear or being mocked or taunted by non-Muslims. She sought the guidance of His Holiness in how to firmly adhere to Islam’s teachings in the face of such opposition.

In reply, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Tell the people – and be confident – that this is the Islamic (standard of) dress and this injunction and commandment has been given to Muslims in the Holy Quran. Allah the Almighty says that women should cover themselves; their head, their chin and their chest and also wear loose and modest dress. This is why we wear it and we are following the commandment of Allah the Almighty and without any fear of any person we will keep on doing it. Be confident and never lose confidence. As long as you claim yourself to be an Ahmadi Muslim, then you should not fear other people.”

Another girl asked His Holiness how someone can be saved from the challenges of modern ‘civilisation’?

Challenging and repudiating the view that religious people are not civilised, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Those people who say that religion is keeping a person away from civilisation are wrong. It is religion which has brought civilisation in the world. Even secular people accept that had there not been any prophet there would not have been any civilisation in the world. At the one side they admit that religion brought civilisation and on the other side they say you should not practice religion because it is taking you away from modern day civilisation… You are the civilised people who follow religion and who follow the teachings of the Holy Quran…”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:

“Being a Muslim, you should follow the teachings of the Holy Quran and so find out its commandments and what it prohibits. So, you are actually the civilised people… So, there is no need to indulge yourself in any complex.”

Another attendee asked His Holiness if he can narrate any incidents of the acceptance of his prayers during the time he spent in Africa.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad replied:

“Once we did not have milk for our small children and so we prayed and Allah the Almighty accepted those prayers and after some time, a person brought a carton of ‘Ideal Milk’. So after 1 or 2 hours our prayer was accepted – prayer of mine and my wife and we were happy someone brought milk not only for that day but for one full month. This is how we can see God listens to your prayers.”

Another girl asked His Holiness what they should study in higher education so that it proves to be of benefit to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

 “From amongst the (Ahmadi Muslim) girls we need more doctors and more teachers and so if you are good in science subjects then try to become a doctor of medicine or a surgeon. Anyway, we need doctors for our hospitals and teachers for our schools. Apart from that if you have any specific interest in a particular subject then you can write to me and I will let you know whether you should study that or if there is any alternative subject which may be of your interest and which can be beneficial for the Community as well.”

Another Nasirat member asked how His Holiness coped with the pressure of leading Ahmadi Muslims from around the world.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad responded:

“They (Ahmadi Muslims) write to me for prayers and I pray for them. I seek Allah’s help to remove their problems and to solve their problems and to help them. Whenever I feel any pressure, I just pray to Allah the Almighty, bow before Him and then Allah the Almighty gives comfort to my heart and the pressure is released. So, you should also, whenever you are under pressure, pray to Allah the Almighty in your prayers very fervently.”

As the meeting concluded, His Holiness advised all the girls to strive to excel in their studies and to become fully educated.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“My advice to you all is that you should try to excel in your studies. All of you should try to learn as much as you can and complete your studies. If you are interested in medicine, do medicine. Or pursue engineering, law, teaching, or, if you want to go into research you can go into research. You should try to excel in your education and try to gain as much education as you can.”