“Raising children with religious morals and spirituality is a very important task and if you manage to do it effectively, it means that you have protected your future generation” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 19 February 2023, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad held a virtual meeting with members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya (Ahmadiyya Muslim Children’s Auxiliary) and Lajna Imaillah (Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Auxiliary) from Denmark.

His Holiness presided the meeting from MTA Studios in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst the Nasirat and Lajna joined the meeting virtually from the Nusrat Jahan Mosque in Denmark.

Following a formal session, the Nasirat and Lajna had the opportunity to ask His Holiness a range of questions regarding their faith and contemporary issues.

One of the Lajna members asked His Holiness about the meaning of the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) where it mentions that God Almighty states that He would not have created the heavens and the earth had it not been for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad replied:

“It means that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is most beloved to God Almighty and He has made him the perfect man. Allah has said that there is no perfect man in this world bar the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He was complete with regards to the capacity of a human being, the law that he brought was most perfect and so too was the guidance he established for the world. Thus, Allah the Almighty wanted to demonstrate an example of His Omnipotence by fashioning him in the perfect manner… The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was so beloved to Allah the Almighty that Allah said that the reason He created the world was so that it may witness a perfect man, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and so that the world may abide by his teachings and follow in his footsteps, and act upon his practices, for he is such a complete and perfect man that by following in his footsteps, you will be able to attain the love of Allah the Almighty.”

Another attendee asked His Holiness about cultural clashes and identity complexes some youth face in the West.

His Holiness emphasised the role of parenting at home, whenever children are not at school. His Holiness said that a large portion of a child’s life is spent at home and so the parents should ensure that they are taught religious teachings and morals and parents should spend time with their children.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“You should create a close relationship with your children and work hard towards it. You should teach them about the faith. The way the teachers work hard at school and teach so-called ‘freedoms’, so too should parents strive hard to teach their children morality and spirituality at home. Raising children with religious morals and spirituality is a very important task and if you manage to do it effectively, it means that you have protected your future generation.”

His Holiness said parents should spend time on the training of their children on a daily basis and on weekends they should particularly spend time with their children, rather than being occupied in futile things.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“When both the parents make a joint effort at home, then despite the fact that their children will be learning other teachings at school, they will also be learning their faith. Your children should see the practical example of their parents, whereby they should see that their parents are observing the five daily prayers, studying the Holy Quran, worshipping Allah and are engaged in religious discourse. So, if the elders are not practically setting the right example, then what will the children learn?”    

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:

“If we do not teach faith to our children and we do not act according to it ourselves and set examples for our children to follow then our children will follow whatever the society teaches them and they will not give any value to Islam. We should be grateful to Allah the Almighty that we have with us the living religion whose teachings inform us of all things that appeal to our intellect. That teaching also shows us how to adjust ourselves according the changing times. So, when we have this teaching with us then it would be extremely unfortunate of us if fail to follow it and we will be guilty of leading our children astray. So, parents should sit together and plan how they are to raise their children. I have been speaking about this over the years and so have the past Khulafa. You should listen carefull to each Sermon of the Khalifa of the time as they contain lessons which help towards this.”

Another Lajna member mentioned the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him) involvement in day-to-day chores at home. She then enquired from His Holiness about the role of men in a household.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“I am continually exhorting and reminding everyone that following the example of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is paramount. Allah the Almighty says, ‘Follow the example of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) if you desire to excel.’ A lot of men do assist at home. As I have just mentioned earlier in relation to the upbringing of children, that both parents will have to lead by example – if the environment at home is cordially maintained, only then will yku be setting the right example. There can only be a cordial relationship at home when the man also helps his wife at home wherever the need arises. If he does not aid her, then this is wrong.”

Another Lajna sought advice on how to preserve one’s mental and physical health as well as how to motivate one’s household in this regard.

Responding to the question, His Holiness explained how currently the days are longer, allowing us to offer more voluntary prayers and advised the attendees to offer these prayers. His Holiness also suggested to do some physical exercise in the mornings and embark on a walk to catch a breath of fresh air. Additionally, His Holiness recommended that the Lajna organise get-togethers in the Mosque where they engage in some activities and prepare some programmes for religious and recreation purposes.

With regards to children, His Holiness once again reiterated that they should not be immersed in video games and the internet, rather, they should spend time outdoors which will help maintain their health and the environment at home.