29th October 1982 – Houses for the Poor
This scheme was initiated in support of building houses for the poor. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that there are three ways to express the praise (Hamd) of Allah Almighty, namely Nazriati (by one’s opinion), Dilli (from the heart) and ‘Amali (by actions and conduct).
When introducing the scheme, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that we build Allah’s Houses for worship but the community also needs to focus on houses for the poor to further seek the pleasure of Allah. This is the third way of seeking the pleasure of Allah i.e through actions. He initiated the scheme through a personal donation.
28th January 1983 – Da‘i ilallah Scheme
This is one of the most enduring schemes launched by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) and one that, in many ways, characterised his Khilafat. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) stated that in the eyes of Allah, the most beautiful and dear person is he who calls people towards Allah Almighty espe-cially when this is done not for the benefit of personal or worldly gain but purely for His sake.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) emphasised that this can be achieved by sacrificing comfort for the blessings of Allah and provided guidance on how to propagate the faith.
12 July 1983 – Eid
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) wished all members of the community to share the joyful occasion of the two Eids with the poor and disadvantaged (Eid-ul-Fitr – a celebration to mark the end of Ramadan and Eid-ul Adha – a religious festival celebrated as a commemoration of Abraham’s(as) willingness to sacrifice his son as commanded by Allah). Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) explained that there are two primary lessons and purposes of Eid. Worship of Allah and compassion towards people created by Allah.
29 June 1984 – Jama’at Centres
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) invited members to donate funds for the establishment of Centres in Europe and America. As a result of this scheme, for instance, Islamabad (the community centre in Farnham, UK) and Nasir Bagh in Germany were acquired.
9 November 1984 – Famine Relief
This scheme was initiated to provide relief and help in the famine struck areas of Africa. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that whereas others who assist in these times may be doing so for political or economic reasons, the Ahmadiyya community should engage in this purely for Allah’s sake and to genuninely help the needy. At the time of the scheme, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) gave the example of Abyssinia and how the Jama’at enabled the creation of continued harvest in 1000 acres of land for the people, ultimately to help themselves.
This was one of many initiatives launched by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) for the welfare of the poor and disadvantaged which ultimately led to the formation of ‘Humanity First’.
27 December 1985 – Waqf-e-Jadid
The focus was to enlarge the institution of Waqf Jadid beyond the sub-continents and Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) urged members all over the world to contribute to this blessed scheme.
14 March 1986 – Shuhada’ (Martyrs)- Syedna Bilal Fund
This was an appeal launched for the dependents of Shuhada’ (Martyrs) and Aseeran Rahe Mawla (prisoners of conscience). Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) felt very deeply about innocent victims of oppression and was known to spend the whole night in prayer for them.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) advised that members should persevere with patience, steadfastness, courage and, most of all, prayers. The victims themselves, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said, displayed a tremendous sense of patience and fortitude. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that anyone who leaves the world for the sake of Allah’s true Islam, Ahmadiyyat, should never be concerned, as they are always the responsibility of the community who will continue to look after the children with utmost care, since this was their right.
22 August 1986 – Shuddhi Tahrik
This scheme against Shuddhi Tahrik in India was initially started in 1922-24 to protect the rights of Muslims. The same issues that led the Second Khalifa(ra) to introduce this scheme then were being observed now in Malkana, Pakistan also. To counter this, the Shuddhi Tahrik was revived.
6th February 1987 – Jubilee Memorials
With this scheme Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) asked for the construction of a memorial building in every country for commemorating the commu-nity’s Jubilee in 1989.
Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that all countries should construct monuments celebrating 100 years of Ahmadiyyat. The construction should reflect each country’s uniqueness.
3rd April 1987 – Waqf-Nau Scheme
This was yet another outstanding initiative undertaken by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru). When launching this, he said that for the next century the community needed to devote and offer the present generation and those children not even born as yet as the true servants of Allah Almighty. This would be the ultimate and dearest present to mankind the community could offer in the dedication of one’s children in the path of Allah.
24th November 1989 – Inculcating 5 Basic Values
This initiative was launched to encourage the incorporation of five basic Akhlaq (virtues) in oneself. The objective of this was to be supervised through the community’s auxiliary organisations of Lajna Imaillah, Ansarullah and Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that there are five basic attributes/morals that should be focused on:
• The habit of speaking the truth from childhood.
• The use of soft, humble and respectful way of speaking.
• The control of feelings in a balanced manner by parents when they interact with children. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) gave an example of Promised Messiah(as). This was when the young Hadhrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad(ra) in playing with a manuscript of a book for publication set fire to it. Any other person would have exacted severe punishment for the child but the Promised Messiah(as) was different. He did not reprimand the child in this way but simply said that Allah would enable him to write something better.
• Educating children in the sympathy for the poor and removing their misery.
• Teaching children to be courageous and resolute in the way of Allah.
Finally Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) emphasised the importance of regularity in prayer, recitation of the Holy Qur’an and helping mankind.
21 February 2003 – Maryam Shadi Fund
This was the last scheme launched by Hadhrat Khailifatul Masih IV(ru). It was named the Maryam Shadi Fund in memory of his blessed mother. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) explained that it was his mother, who had taught him, by her own example, how to be caring and supportive to the needy.
He announced his intention to help and support all those young women of marriageable age within the community who could not afford to have a few items of embellishment at their marriage. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said the Sunnah (practice) of the Holy Prophet(saw) in this respect was to adopt extreme simplicity. However, nowadays it has become customary to have a little adornment at the time of marriage. In announcing this blessed intention, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV(ru) said that he hoped to be able to meet the required needs. He added that if he is not so enabled, then Allah’s community had adequate funds to sponsor this particular need.
Other Schemes/Initiatives
There were many other initiatives launched during the blessed period of the fourth Khilafat. Some of them are mentioned more briefly below:
• Launching of a programme to publish books on the lives of elders/seniors of the Ahmadi Community and members of the family of the Second Khalifa(ra).
• Launching of a scheme of Tabligh (preaching) in islands, villages and in all the capitals of the world.
• The launching of a scheme of delivering the message of Ahmadiyyat to at least one-tenth of the population of each country.
• The scheme of making (Ahmadi) women aware of the response to the criticisms made by non-Muslims regarding the status of women in Islam and trips (of scholars to be arranged to enhance this awareness) at a global level.
• Launching of the Scheme of Hifz-e-Qur’an on 11 November 1984 and urged more members to commit the Holy Qur’an to memory.
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