I posted something on my social media accounts recently regarding the incidents in France; these were quotes of Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V^aba condemning terrorism and stating that Islam is a religion of peace. To my surprise, my post went viral, but not exactly in the way one would hope. I woke up to an astounding amount of abuse on Linkedin. Being an Ahmadi Muslim, it was, of course, the usual group of individuals declaring me to be well on my “way to hell”, and that I would partake in “curses of all 1.2 billion other Muslims” (I’m quite sure the guy who said that didn’t ask all of them).

It’s very difficult reasoning with such people. As Ahmadi Muslims we do, as always, try to prove through our conduct that Islam is a religion of peace, not hate. But examples of such practice fall upon deaf ears.

What’s worse is that my post was literally defending Islam. The French President labeled Islam as a “religion in crisis”. My post merely pointed out that, in reality, that was not the case and that it was those identifying as Christian, whose numbers are dwindling. My post was nothing but condemning the recent attacks while defending the beautiful teachings of Islam. However, I was shocked with the hate I received, from those identifying as Muslim. I am sure they do not know what Islam truly means.

Yet on the other hand, I was very much moved by the messages of love that were directed my way. Understandably, there were people that were genuinely confused about what was wrong with what I had said; they were unaware of the prejudice that many Muslims harbour against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Here are some of the messages of support I received:

One non-Muslim gentlemen posted a comment saying: “I’m struggling to understand some of the horrendous and vitriolic comments that I’ve read in response to this post.”

Another message read: “The people commenting frivolously on a post related to condemning a horrid attack on a religion is being condemned by the believers, why are you guys even commenting on something you do not agree with. You can choose to ignore instead of hurling abuses or simply get yourself excused from Mr. Farasat’s professional network.”

A lady posted a comment which read: “Just fallen upon this post. I am of no religion. When I read the post I thought how good that someone is condemning the acts of violence that have been committed. When reading the comments WOW, some of you guys putting curses on the person who has written this post, being so hateful and saying that if he doesn’t follow the last prophet and those teachings that he can’t be a Muslim. I think whatever religion you follow you should advocate peace, however many of the comments on this post are completely awful and just go to show that if people are not following your teachings you hate them, you truly hate them… what a very sad state of affairs.”

Nevertheless, I feel sorry for all those who misunderstood the whole context of the post and were attacking me personally. But this demonstrates that if such hate can occur on a professional platform, one that has nothing to do with religion per se, then imagine how deeply the hatred of Ahmadi Muslims permeates those societies where persecution is backed by law.  We need to educate people including ourselves more than ever.

My post reached over 81,000 views (growing still). I urge all Khuddam to use social media as a tool to spread the message of love and peace as much as possible. Just imagine if a single effort can make such a big difference, then what can the collective achieve? Honestly, I am not an Imam but a normal Ahmadi Muslim who just loves his faith, his Khalifah and his religion. The abuse I received did move me quite a bit.  After hours in a state of disturbance, a light from within me boosted my faith and gave me so many reasons to keep continuing to spread the Islamic message of peace and love between all people.

1. March 2020 announced the start of national lockdown in the UK and various other countries. With it brought great sorrow to Ahmadis around the world due to them not being able to meet Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V^aba anymore. The Khuddam from Muqami region, who had recently been bestowed the privilege of doing regular duties since Huzoor^aba had shifted to Islamabad, were brought even more sorrow. They were informed that they would not be able to conduct duties in Masjid Mubarak. Nevertheless, whilst adhering to government guidelines Islamabad was closed to visitors. However, since the protection of the residence of the Khalifa-e-Waqt is still the responsibility of Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, by adhering to social distancing guidelines, duties were conducted during the lockdown. What is unique about these duties is that many of our Khuddam experienced numerous blessed and joyful encounters. Here are a few of the incidents Khuddam from Muqami region have experienced. I should point out that, in order to demonstrate the love that Khuddam have for our beloved Huzoor^aba, I have passed on these occurrences to be published as were received.

One Khadim narrates, “I am a Pharmacist by profession, and sometimes I travel further away from home to work in different pharmacies. One day after travelling a long distance, I came straight to Islamabad for my four-hour shift in the evening. When I arrived, I was famished and was shy to ask for any food from my shift in-charge. I prayed to Allah that I am in your holy land, so please relieve me from my hunger. After a short moment, I noticed that a Khadim was approaching my car. When I looked out, he answered: “Huzoor^aba has sent some refreshments for Khuddam, and this refreshment is for you, so please take some.” For a moment, there were tears in my eyes as I had just observed Allah’s love. There and then, I was convinced that this is purely the work of Allah who blessed and rewarded me for coming here to do duty.”

Another Khadim narrates, “I remember Jamia Ahmadiyya UK had the blessed opportunity of offering duties as soon as Huzoor-e-Aqdas^aba had moved to Islamabad. It was Ramadan – a blessed and holy time and it was a Friday. Myself and my classmate were doing duty from 11am to 10pm at Qitta-e-Khas [inner compound]. I remember finding it particularly difficult to fast whilst offering duties; and every hour we would countdown to the moment of Iftar.

There was around an hour until Iftar, and we were particularly struggling at this point but all of a sudden, another Jamia student – who was offering his duty at scanning – needed a replacement so that he could offer his prayers. I volunteered, and walked to scanning whilst he went and offered his prayers.

I was only at scanning for a few minutes, and I knew I had to get back to Qitta-e-Khas soon; but right then and there, lo and behold, Huzoor-e-Aqdas^aba opened the door of the Private Secretary’s office and looked outside. In that surreal moment, it felt like it was just me and my Khalifah. I hesitantly waved, not knowing that Huzoor^aba had even seen me. However, I saw my Beloved Khalifah smile at me, and wave at me before heading back inside his office. At that moment I realised the immense blessing of not only being in Islamabad offering duties for Huzoor^aba, but the sheer blessings of fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.”

Another Khadim narrates, “once Hazrat Ameerul Mumineen^aba  came to inspect the field of Islamabad and to my good fortune I was outside having a drink of water. I was very fortunate to be one of the few that were accompanying His Holiness^aba through the grass. During this 10-15 minute walk he turned towards me and asked whether my wife and daughter had arrived in the UK. To this I replied as of yet they have not but InshaAllah they would be joining me soon. It was a surprise for me as Huzoor^aba was very busy and interested in this inspection and the fact that he took time to ask about my family personally left me speechless and ever more thankful at  having the opportunity to serve so close to Huzoor^aba.”

Another Khadim narrates, “After Eid Prayers Huzoor^aba came out of the mosque and walked over to my class fellows and inquired about each of them, I was one of the few that were not there as I was on duty around the perimeter of Islamabad. When I found out Huzoor^aba had come to see our class, I was happy for those who were present there, however, a slight part of me wished I had been there as well. Soon after I saw a car approaching from which a young man came out and said Huzoor^aba has sent this for those who are on duty. It was Huzoor’s^aba Kahwah [traditional green tea] that Huzoor^aba had drank after the Eid Sermon and was a source of blessing for me and my colleagues. This reminded me straight away that however far I or anyone maybe, we are always in Huzoor’s^aba thoughts and prayers.”

Eid-ul-Adha was one of the most joyful days for Khuddam conducting duties in Islamabad. Not only because it was Eid, but that each Khadim received a precious gift from beloved Huzoor^aba that they will never forget. The gift bags had the Khadim’s name written on them and they contained various different items such as a tie, toppi, pair of socks and scarves.

One Khadim, upon picking up the gift pack from myself, became very emotional and could not express his gratitude. He said this motivated him even more to come and do Amoomi duties.

Another Khadim, when receiving the gift, excitedly sent an audio message to his Qiadat group, expressing his emotions and how blessed he was feeling. He said he wanted to share his feelings with his fellow Khuddam in the Qiadat so that those who are not taking part in the duties may listen and come forward.

In June and July 2020, I learnt that Huzoor^aba had graciously sent mangoes for all Khuddam who have been conducting duties in Islamabad. Sadr sahib instructed that they must be distributed immediately. As a result, a list of Khuddam was made and each one was contacted so they could collect the mangoes. Within the same day, almost all Khuddam on the list came delightfully and collected the Tabaruk [blessing]. I could personally see the joy on everyone’s faces when they came to collect the mangoes that Huzoor^aba had graciously sent for them. All were excited to go home and share this blessing with their families.

Duties in Islamabad have been blessed for every Khadim who participated. We hope and pray that this pandemic ends quickly so Khuddam can continue serving the Jama’at.

The Promised Messiah^as says that there is now one way for us to seek salvation and the love of Allah. That is through complete devotion and obedience to the Prophet^sa. As Allah the Almighty says to the Holy Prophet^sa :

Say, If you love Allah, follow me: then will Allah love you and forgive you your faults. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful. (3:32)

This year’s theme approved by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul-Masih V^aba is: The Power of Durood Shareef.

The importance of such a theme cannot be taken lightly. Rather it is a theme that should be part and parcel of our entire lives. The love of the Holy Prophet^sa should be infused within us with such vigour that we, as Ahamdi Muslim youth, are always ready to sacrifice ourselves to defend the honour of the Holy Prophet^sa and seek to obtain the blessings of Allah the Almighty by invoking Durood on His beloved Messenger^sa.

The importance of loving the Holy Prophet^sa was once explained by the Prophet^sa himself. Hazrat Anas^ra narrates that Prophet^sa said:

“None of you will have faith till he loves me more than his father, his children and all mankind.”

It is only by increasing our knowledge about the life of the Holy Prophet^sa that we can truly love him and understand his exalted station. We should inculcate in ourselves, based on that knowledge, love, honour, and respect for the Holy Prophet^sa; which is a requirement of our faith.

To truly send Durood, we must be conscious of the rank and honour that Allah the Almighty granted the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa.

The Promised Messiah^as stated:

“I always wonder how high was the status of this Arabian Prophet, whose name was Muhammad, (thousands of blessings and peace be upon him). One cannot reach the limit of his high status and it is not given to man to estimate correctly his spiritual effectiveness. It is a pity that his rank has not been recognised, as it should have been. He was the champion who restored to the world the Unity of God which had disappeared from the world; he loved God in the extreme and his soul melted out of sympathy for mankind. Therefore, God, Who knew the secret of his heart, exalted him above all the Prophets and all the first ones and the last ones and bestowed upon him in his lifetime all that he desired.

He is the fountainhead of every grace and a person who claims any superiority without acknowledging his grace is not a man but is the spawn of Satan, because the Holy Prophet^sa has been bestowed the key to every exaltation and he has been given the treasury of every understanding. He who does not receive through him is deprived forever. I am nothing and possess nothing. I would be most ungrateful if I were not to confess that I have learnt of the true Unity of God through this Prophet. The recognition of the Living God we have achieved through this perfect Prophet and through his light. The honour of converse with God, through which we behold His countenance, has been bestowed upon me through this great Prophet.”

Allah and His angels send blessings on the Prophet. O ye who believe! You also should invoke blessings on him and salute him with the salutation of peace. (33:57)

We should send blessings upon him, keeping in mind his high status and the great pains and lengths he went to  so that we could learn Islam, and with a realisation that even now it is only possible to come closer to Allah if we have love for him in our heart and follow his footsteps.

The Durood that we send upon the Prophet Muhammad^sa should be heart-felt. The Promised Messiah^as stated in a letter to one of his companions:

“Stay intensely focused in invoking Durood and seek blessings for the Holy Prophet^sa with the same sincerity and discernment with which one seeks blessings for a dear one.”

Durood Shareef is a way to gain blessings, wipe out our faults and elevate our spiritual rank. Hazrat Anas bin Malik^ra narrated that the Holy Prophet^sa said:

“Whoever sends salutations upon me once, Allah will send peace upon him tenfold, and will erase ten sins from him, and will raise him ten degrees in status.”

Durood Shareef is thus an essential part of the life of a Muslim. There is no other person upon whom so many blessings are sought, and in consequence of which so many blessings are reaped.

In today’s world where the blessed and noble character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa is deliberately mischaracterised in the media, it is essential for us to not only counter such negativity by manifesting his exalted status, but it is equally important for us to always invoke salutations upon him.

It is only when we truly begin to love our beloved Prophet^sa that we can truly be counted as Muslims, this is because it is in his practice that we find perfection, and it is by emulating his example that we can come to understand the significance and value of the teachings of Islam.