Nasirat from Germany have Honour of a Virtual Meeting with Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
“Rather than fretting over the way others dress, we should consider how pure we are in our hearts and whether we are caring for one another and respecting each other’s sentiments” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
On 22 January 2023, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a virtual educational online class with members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Muslim Girls’ Association) from Germany aged 10 to 12.
His Holiness presided the meeting from MTA Studios in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst the Nasirat joined the meeting virtually from Baitus Subuh Mosque in Frankfurt.
Following a formal session which began with the recitation of the Holy Quran, members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya had the opportunity to ask His Holiness a range of questions regarding their faith and contemporary issues.
One of the girls in attendance asked His Holiness what the best way of expressing love for Khilafat is.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad replied:
“You should pray that Allah the Almighty enables you to establish a true spiritual bond with Khilafat. Secondly, try to act upon the instructions of the Khalifa of the time; it should not be that you pick and choose instructions to follow that you prefer and reject those which are not to your liking. You should not make your own interpretations of what the Khalifa of the time says according to your own preference. Rather, you should try to act on the instruction to the letter. This will enable you to build a bond and love.”
A girl also mentioned to His Holiness that some of the non-Muslim girls in her class do not like her wearing the headscarf and do not befriend her because of it. She asked for advice on how to respond to them.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“You should tell them that, ‘Everyone has their own preferences. Even if you leave religion aside, you can be of any faith or no faith and despite that you make choices about your clothing and you choose to wear what you like, such as a dress or a mini skirt. You do so because you prefer that piece of clothing. Similarly, a headscarf is something I wish to wear and so I wear it. And that is not something you should object to.’ They must be girls of similar age to you and so try to explain this to them that they wear what they like and you also wear what you prefer…”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:
“Ask them that if we are living our lives as we each prefer, what is the need to argue and quarrel over such things? Remind them that we are all human beings and so we should live amicably with one another. Rather than fretting over the way others dress, we should consider how pure we are in our hearts and whether we are caring for one another and respecting each other’s sentiments. We should see how we can better serve one another. These are the things that truly matter. Otherwise, wearing the headscarf or not wearing it is of secondary importance. So, tell them to focus upon human values and also tell them that you believe in Islam and so when you grow older then you will wear a headscarf and will adhere to modest dress.”
An attendee asked His Holiness what his favourite activities were with his parents when he was a child.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“There must be countless activities, but it has been a very long time now. I remember the time spent with my parents; I remember their way of giving advice, going for excursions with them and going into the mountains. All the memories that are spent with one’s parents are pleasant.”
Another girl asked if girls can go for jogging in the park whilst being dressed modestly.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad replied:
“It is certainly ok and you can go out and run… You can design and make a modern covering for your hair whilst you exercise. According to Islam, your dress should be loose rather than tight. You can walk in the park and can also go for a jog. However, you should be mindful not to mix with men too much. Do your exercise, and then come back home. It is also better if you go with a brother or your father because nowadays in the parks there are some people who are ill-intentioned who come there at certain times.”
A question also related to what a person should do when approached by a beggar on the street.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The better approach is to give money to charity organisations. There are charities established by other communities or agencies that the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community supports either through Humanity First or directly so that they are able to help the poor and they know where the need is greatest for the poor in terms of providing food, education and making medical care available. So that is why we give money to the charities. However, if a beggar approaches you directly, then our teaching is that we should not reject them, instead we should give them something, even if it is a little. If you do not want to give them money, then at least never speak harshly to them because we do not know if they are in genuine need or not as we do not know what is in the hearts of others.”