On 16 January 2021, the National Majlis-e-Amila (Executive) of Majlis Ansarullah Bangladesh (Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association) and regional leaders were granted a virtual official meeting and audience with the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
His Holiness presided the meeting from his office in Islamabad, Tilford, whilst the Amila members joined from the Darut-Tabligh Mosque complex in Dhaka, which serves as the National Headquarters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Bangladesh.
During the 60-minute meeting, all present had the opportunity to speak to His Holiness and the National Amila members were able to present a report about their respective departments and to receive the guidance and instructions of His Holiness on a range of issues.
His Holiness encouraged the teaching of the Holy Quran amongst the members of Majlis Ansarullah and set the target that they should ensure that 100% of their members are regular in their five daily prayers.
Speaking about the importance of keeping the members of Ansarullah physically active, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Those Ansar (elders) who have cycles should use them daily. Instead of using cars and buses and other things, it is better that the younger members of Majlis Ansarullah (Saf-e-Dom) use cycles to travel to their workplaces if possible or at other times, for some exercise.â€
The purpose of human creation
One of the Amila members asked how a person can improve their moral deeds.
In response, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Allah the Almighty has said that the purpose of human creation is to worship him. If you worship Allah the Almighty according to the due rights of worship, if you offer the five daily prayers and do so whilst fulfilling all its conditions and if you bow down before Allah the Almighty and sincerely pray to him during your prostrations and you ask for forgiveness for your sins and if you beseech Allah the Almighty for the betterment of your future generations and if you pray for your own spiritual progress, if you weep in your prostrations, then Allah the Almighty says that He will accept your prayers. So, for personal progress, you must beseech Allah the Almighty. This is our purpose, that every task must be accomplished through prayers and this is the purpose of human creation.â€
Command of Prophet Mohammad for Ahmadi Muslims
His Holiness was also asked about how those members could be engaged who are not responsive.
Outlining a detailed and comprehensive approach, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Our job is to continuously remind and draw the attention of our members. Remind them that they are Ahmadi Muslims and this brings with it some responsibilities and duties which we must act upon. We have been instructed ‘zakkir ’ [in the Holy Quran, which means, “Go on remindingâ€]. We have been commanded to advise people and to constantly remind them. This is the commandment that was given to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) from Allah the Almighty and that is the commandment we must follow.â€
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“There are people who become lazy and this can be abated by reminding them. The attention of such people should be drawn with kindness. If they are treated with love, then even if they have reached the age of Ansarullah, they will begin to take part in your programs.â€
Ahmadi Muslim women and children
His Holiness said there should be a concerted effort from each of the auxiliaries of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community – those for the youth, women, and elders – to reach out to the respective members of Ahmadi Muslim households so that if the children become more responsive, or if the women of a household are more active, they may have a positive impact on other family members.
Role of elderly Ahmadi Muslims
Further elaborating upon the responsibilities of a household towards the Ansar members, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“You should draw the attention of the Ansar yourself as well that if they do not pay heed, then their children and family will also move away from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and this will have a negative impact upon them. They should be reminded that they [as the elders] will be responsible in that case and will be held accountable in the sight of God. So, with love and wisdom keep reminding them… Our job is to keep reminding people as we are instructed in the Holy Quran.â€
At the end of the meeting, His Holiness also encouraged that more members should be involved in online programs and those who are not well acquainted with modern technology should be trained so they can easily take part in virtual events.
