The flag-bearer of Islam in the age of materialism
Another year of prosperity
Atheism, as we know it today, finds its roots in the 15th century CE, but what marks its boom and zenith is unanimously agreed by historians, social scientists, theologians, philosophers and atheists themselves, to be around the year 2000 – the turn of the millennium.
It was by this time that religion had come to be seen as a relic that needed to be buried away with other myths of the premodern age of mankind. Modernity was declared the new “religion” of the world, where liberalism was the basic tenet in a bid to rid the world of religiosity.
It was around the same time that Islam – the only source of salvation for mankind – was used by its opponents and some adherents to blemish its face and everything that came as part and parcel. Hence, at the crossroads of the millennia, religion in general and Islam in particular found itself at another crossroads where all paths apparently led to annihilation. What the Quran refers to as “Zaharal fasadu fil-barri wal-bahr” – a total chaos on every inch of the earth – was clearly manifested through the state of global affairs.
It was in such a time that the Khilafat of the Promised Messiah(as) – the saviour of the latter days – took a turn and the fifth Khalifa, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba), appeared on what can undoubtedly be called the most tumultuous stage ever witnessed by the world.
22 April 2003 was the blessed day when Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) was elected the fifth Khalifa of the Promised Messiah(as), and the world head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.
The Promised Messiah(as) and his Khilafat had always stood for the propagation of the true teachings of Islam and it was this mission that was to continue and see new heights. From the very outset, the greatest mission that Huzoor(aba) took upon himself was to highlight the peaceful teachings of Islam. This was no less a challenge in a world that had – owing to the trumpets blown by the media – become convinced that Islam was a synonym of terror and violence.
But the results of these efforts of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) soon became visible when parliaments from around the world started to invite him to address their houses and present the version of Islam that was the only true one and hence, the only practicable one.
While this served the cause of Islam, this representation also proved that the only Muslim sect that had a leadership was the Ahmadiyya Jamaat. It also proved that Khilafat – wished and desired for themselves by so many Muslim clerics and their circles – is not, and can never be, a man-made institution, but is one that only comes from divine decree and Allah’s support and favour.
Hardships had been inflicted on members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat from its very founding, but this era of Khilafat-e-Khamisa saw Ahmadis brutally martyred in episodes like the Lahore massacre of 2010. Nothing wavered the steadfastness and progress of the community that followed the footsteps of its leader and Imam, and this great Imam sailed the Jamaat through any and every hardship with great perseverance.
In return to this inhumane treatment by the opponents, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) always gave projects that were aimed at serving humanity in return – multimillion-pound projects, all funded by the community’s humble contributions. Facilities of clean drinking water, eye clinics, organ donation facilities, model housing schemes for the underprivileged, and education have been set up in the time, and under the auspices, of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba).
Although Huzoor(aba) has often expressed his love for Africa, this love has spoken loudly for itself through the humanitarian schemes that Huzoor(aba) has initiated across this continent.
Although great parliaments have invited him to visit them and although dignitaries from great metropolises of the world have presented him keys to their cities, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) has described the primary purpose behind his visits to be able to meet the members of the Jamaat who live in those countries. This demonstrates the love Huzoor(aba) possesses for the Jamaat. He is aware that every single Ahmadi in the world wants to meet him, but not everyone is capable of doing so, and this very passion of the Jamaat turns into the underlying motive of his travels to various parts of the world.
Huzoor(aba) is the only Muslim leader who stands firm on the teachings of Islam and never hesitates to express before any assembly of dignitaries, the media, the academia and politicians, his honest opinion on their policies. Where he disagrees with their policies, he is sure to let them know of it, while also offering the solutions.
Alongside condemning the havoc created by the extremist circles of the Muslim world, Huzoor(aba) has, to the faces of members belonging to the Western political process, traced the supply-chain of their weapons back to the West.
During the past 16 years, the character of the Holy Prophet(sa) of Islam has been ridiculed and mocked by the Western media. While the rest of the Muslim world opted to take it to the streets through violent protests, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba) has continued to present the most reasonable and Islamic response by drawing the world’s attention to the beauties of the Holy Prophet’s(sa) character.
His response to such situations has proved that words can sometimes speak louder than actions and that if actions do speak louder than words, then Muslims have to be extremely cautious in the way they act and react in such provocative situations.
A significant rise in media attention towards the Ahmadiyya community has been observed in these 16 years of Huzoor’s(aba) Khilafat. What he has provided the media with is something that they proudly include in publications, and publishing in this day and age means placing it online; hence reaching millions of readers through the worldwide web.
In the blessed era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba), mosques emerged in such great numbers on the global skyline that the community behind them could not be ignored by the media, politicians, governments and the general public at large. Deep interest has always been shown when Huzoor(aba) has inaugurated a mosque in any part of the world. All in attendance can be seen deeply engrossed in the message of Islam when Huzoor(aba) speaks to them in his addresses.
Muslim Television Ahmadiyya International, referred to as MTA, has grown from strength to strength in this blessed era and has been able to take the message of the One God and His Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad(sa) to all continents in all major languages of the world. While MTA 1’s transmission covered the whole world from its inception, the launch of MTA 2 for mainland Europe, MTA 3 Al-Arabiyya for the stretch of the Arab world and MTA Africa for the great continent of Africa have come into existence in the blessed era of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba). Many more broadcast schemes, exclusive to other major regions, are underway as you read these lines.
Hundreds of thousands of Ahmadis have turned to Huzoor(aba) seeking guidance in personal, educational, professional and social matters and have received the best life-changing advice. Hundreds of dignitaries have approached him and sought advice on matters of social, legal and political nature and have left saying that Huzoor(aba) was better informed about what they discussed with him. They too have felt better-informed after the audience.
Thousands of letters a day is not an overstatement when it comes to the unique connection that Huzoor(aba) maintains with members of the Jamaat who are as close to his heart as he is to theirs.
So here we have a man of God, a man of peace, a man of love, relentlessly propagating the message of Islam to the corners of the earth; occupied with transforming the lives of millions through his blessed words and busy in calling the world to the One God in the most challenging of times in world history.
We know that Huzoor(aba) recently moved from London to Islamabad as part of the shift of Markaz. Those who presented official letters on the same evening that Huzoor(aba) had arrived in Islamabad received replies the very next afternoon. Those who visited his new office for the first time found Huzoor(aba) busy with his work just as he is always seen during the time of official mulaqats.
May Allah bless this great man, our beloved Huzoor(aba), with much more energy, health and a long, prosperous life. May Allah always protect him. Long live Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V(aba)!