Tariq Mahmood, Canada
Father and son huddled close to one another as they left the hall.
To others, nothing was out of the ordinary. The father and son, however, were just coming from ‘one of those experiences you can’t describe in words.’
Mirza Nasir and Mirza Anas, a father and son from Chicago, graciously allowed The Review of Religions to interview them following their audience with the worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba).
On that cold night in Zion, they described their experiences.
Mirza Anas (The Son): ‘I was a little nervous at first, but then as soon as I went inside the room, all the nervousness was gone. It was such a warming experience. Huzoor [His Holiness] just has that strong, yet warm, personality, so I think that helped…
Whatever time we got to meet Huzoor (aba), that was enough for us.’
RoR: [To Mirza Nasir, the father] Could you please describe your sentiments?
Mirza Nasir: ‘It’s beyond words. When I saw Huzoor (aba), I cannot express what my condition was. I pray to Allah that He always bestows blessings on our Caliph (aba), and that Allah allows us the blessing of acting on his every command.
These 5 or 7 minutes I’ve spent with Beloved Huzoor (aba), I will never forget them. I have never seen such a smile. His beautiful words will echo in my ears until I die.’
RoR: It has been three years, and many Ahmadis are ardently waiting for that blessing which has been afforded to us by Allah’s grace. If you had one message for Ahmadis, what would it be?
Mirza Anas (The Son): ‘I only have one message. Stay close to Khilafat [the Caliphate]. This is the true path, and this is the real Islam. If you are confused or you do not know which path to follow, just get connected to any local chapter in your country, and have a conversation. I’m confident that once you receive that warm welcome from each member of this community, and once you get to know Khilafat, you will be satisfied.
I have been struggling to meet Huzoor (aba) since back in 2012, which was the last time Beloved Huzoor (aba) was here in Chicago. Unfortunately I never had the chance to meet Huzoor (aba) until today.
A week after Huzoor (aba) left Chicago in 2012, I had a dream. I was in a mosque, and there were stairs. I was climbing these stairs, and as soon I reached the top, there was a huge picture of the Promised Messiah (as), and on the right side there was a library.
Two or three months after that dream, I had the privilege to go meet Huzoor (aba) in the UK. When I entered Baitul Futuh Mosque, I saw the same stairs [which I had seen in my dream]. When I started walking up the stairs, I saw the same picture of the Promised Messiah (as) in front of me, that’s when it hit me that I had a dream of what I was exactly seeing.
I believe that at that time, when I didn’t get a chance to meet Huzoor (aba), Allah the Almighty told me that you will meet Huzoor (aba).’
RoR: How long have you been waiting for this audience with Beloved Huzoor (aba)?
Mirza Nasir (The Father): ‘Ever since Huzoor (aba) had been given the mantle of Khilafat, I have been waiting since then to meet him. It was very hard for me to get through my meeting with Huzoor (aba) [due to emotions]. It is beyond love. [Mirza Nasir struggles to speak due to emotions] Before this meeting, I never felt this way. I pray Allah allows me to meet him once more, this is my only wish. After seeing that smile, I forgot everything.’
RoR: Allah bless you! Congratulations. May Allah accept your prayers.
And so, on that frigid night in Zion, the hearts of the believers were once again warmed by the sight and speech of their Caliph (aba).
About the Author:Tariq Mahmood is a graduate of the Ahmadiyya Institute of Languages and Theology in Canada and serves as Secretary of The Existence Project Team for The Review of Religions.
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