Official Transcript of Concluding Address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) at the National Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema UK 2025
*Please note that this transcript may not be reproduced without express permission either on other websites or in print format.
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta`awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said:
‘Today, with the grace of Allah, you are attending the National Waqf-e-Nau Ijtema [gathering], and I hope and pray that various programmes prove of benefit to you all.
Alhamdulillah [all praise belongs to Allah], just in the UK alone, the number of Waqifeen-e-Nau is now in the thousands. At the same time, having such a large number of Waqf-e-Nau shall only be of benefit if all the Waqifeen [those devoted in service to the faith] actually fulfil their responsibilities and the needs of the Jama’at.
Every year, a few Waqf-e-Nau boys enter Jamia and train to be missionaries. Similarly, a few qualify in those professions required by the Jama’at [Community]. For example, we need doctors and teachers for our Jama’at hospitals and schools. Nonetheless, most of the Waqifeen-e-Nau comprise young men who have completed their secular education and are now employed or doing their own private business.
Such Waqifeen should ask themselves what benefit they are providing to the Jama’at. If they genuinely desire to fulfil their waqf [devotion to the faith], they must understand the true spirit and demands of their pledge. In simple terms, your pledge requires you to sincerely serve the Jama’at in whatever way or capacity is needed. It requires that even if you are working externally, you should ensure that alongside your worldly employment, you dedicate ample time and effort to fulfilling the needs of the Jama’at and your own spiritual development.
So, those Waqifeen-e-Nau who are now pursuing a worldly profession should not just focus on earning money or career advancement. Instead, their priority should be to improve their spiritual and moral standards.
The Promised Messiah (as) has written in great detail about the value of devoting one’s life for the sake of their faith and its requirements. On one occasion, the Promised Messiah (as) states,
“I consider it an obligation to advise my community and convey this message to them – and each person is free to heed or ignore it – that if any of you desire salvation and a pure and everlasting existence, you ought to devote your life for the sake of Allah.”
The Promised Messiah (as) continued,
“Let every one of you strive and anxiously endeavour to reach the stage and rank where you can say that your life, your death, your sacrifices, your prayers are for Allah alone. And like the Prophet Abraham (as), may your soul proclaim,
اَسۡلَمۡتُ لِرَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ [1]
‘I have submitted to the Lord of the Worlds.’”
Continuing, Promised Messiah (as) said,
“Until an individual is immersed utterly in God and does not sacrifice their life in God’s way, they cannot be granted a new existence. So all of you who associate yourselves with me should recognise that I consider the dedication of my life for the sake of Allah to be the fundamental purpose of my existence.”
Then, the Promised Messiah (as) said,
“Accordingly, all of you ought to look deep within your souls and see if you prefer this action of mine for yourselves and hold dear the dedication and devotion of your lives in the way of God.” [2]
These profound words of the Promised Messiah (as) are for all Ahmadis but apply especially to you as a member of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme. Indeed, these words of the Promised Messiah (as) should send a shiver up the spine of every person who has devoted their life for the sake of Allah, as they reveal that dedicating one’s life for the sake of God is no small or insignificant matter.
The Promised Messiah (as) has said that every Waqf-e-Zindagi should seek to honour their pledge in the way of Hazrat Ibrahim (as), who proclaimed and proved through his actions that he stood utterly obedient and faithful to Allah the Almighty. Therefore, your hearts should remain ever vigilant and restless about whether you are meeting the demands of your pledge.
Only when you become obedient to Allah for His sake alone will you fulfil the rights of His worship. Then, instead of offering namaz [the five daily prayers] in a hurried way, you will offer your prayer with complete concentration, humility and sincerity. Similarly, you will recite the Holy Qur’an daily and act upon its commands. You will strive to increase your religious knowledge by reading the Jama’at’s literature, especially the books of the Promised Messiah (as). Only then will you be fulfilling the rights and demands of your waqf. Only then shall your waqf prove a means of self-reformation. Only then will you be able to be successful in spreading Islam’s teachings around the world. Certainly, if you are faithful servants of Islam, you will never be able to rest easily until the message and teachings of Islam do not reach all people and nations of the world.
With the grace of Allah, the number of Waqifeen-e-Nau worldwide, including girls and boys, is nearing 100,000. And I have no doubt that if all the Waqifeen are united in purpose and wholeheartedly fulfil their pledge to be ready for every possible sacrifice for the cause of Islam and utilise all their faculties to serve their faith, then Insha’Allah [God-willing], we shall witness a glorious moral and spiritual transformation in the world.
Yet, we are very far away from achieving this. Instead, across the globe, humanity has become shackled by the heavy chains of material desires and deceptive shimmers and shine of worldly attractions. Immorality, depravity, and corruption have plagued modern-day society. Furthermore, the peace and security of the world has been shattered, both internally within many nations and internationally, a raging inferno of jealousy, hatred, and enmity burns incessantly. Tragically, innocent souls are being massacred in wars and conflicts that have no basis in justice and are being fought only to serve the selfish and malevolent agendas of the rich and powerful.
In such circumstances, as I said to the Waqifaat-e-Nau yesterday, you must never underestimate your potential and mission. As Waqf-e-Nau, you are tasked with bringing about a spiritual and moral revolution in the world. Most certainly, with the help of Allah, you can achieve this, but only if you faithfully uphold your pledge to spread the beautiful teachings of Islam around the world. This should be your objective, irrespective of whether you have entered the Jama’at’s full-time service or not. Accordingly, as Waqifeen-e-Nau, no matter where you are based or what work you are doing, you dedicate regular time to the service of the Jama’at.
Whilst the words of the Promised Messiah (as) I read out were addressed to all Ahmadis, as Waqf-e-Nau, you must take these words to heart even more than others and tirelessly strive to act upon them. Otherwise, your claim of being Waqf-e-Nau shall ring hollow.
Whilst mentioning what constitutes true faith and obedience to God, the Promised Messiah (as) mentioned how Allah has praised the Prophet Abraham, Ibrahim (as) in the Holy Qur’an with the words,
وَاِبۡرٰھِیۡمَ الَّذِیۡ وَفّٰی [3]
“And of Abraham who fulfilled the divine commandments.”
These Qur’anic words testify to the fact that Hazrat Abraham (as) faithfully fulfilled the covenant he made with Allah. He carried out the commands of God and endured severe trials and tribulations for Allah’s sake with immense patience and unconditional loyalty.
Thus, he was awarded the title by Allah the Almighty, as the Faithful One. The obedience of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) is not merely a story for us to narrate and appreciate. Rather, it should serve as an inspiration to every one of you. Indeed, you should consider it a personal instruction demonstrating the standard of submission and unwavering faith demanded of those who dedicate their lives to their faith.
Only if you seek to emulate and manifest such complete fidelity to Allah can you do justice to your pledge. Otherwise, the covenant and promise you have made to Allah the Almighty, shall be meaningless. Moreover, every Waqif-e-Nau should understand that failing to fulfil one’s pledge is not a small or trivial matter. Rather, Allah the Almighty, has said He will hold those who do not fulfil their pledges accountable.
Many of you are now married, and when you meet me or write to me, you happily inform me that you, your wife, and children are all part of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme. This is all well and good. But remember, you and your family’s waqf will only prove of value to the Jama’at if you strive to fulfil the demands of your waqf with loyalty and devotion.
As I have already mentioned, Hazrat Ibrahim (as) gained the love of Allah to such an extent that Allah Himself bore witness to his faith with the words,
وَاِبۡرٰھِیۡمَ الَّذِیۡ وَفّٰی
As Waqifeen-e-Nau, you may wonder what is the standard of faith and obedience required of you. How shall it be measured? In this regard, the Promised Messiah (as) states,
“Unless a person is prepared to completely extinguish his attachment to the world and all its pleasures and prestige and endure every humiliation, hardship and adversity for God Almighty, the quality of faithfulness cannot be born.” [4]
Here, the Promised Messiah (as) states that the true faith and loyalty to Allah can never be limited to words. Instead, it requires a person to vanquish his personal desires. It requires a form of death in which a person suppresses his ego and personal desires to such an extent that they no longer exist. It requires that the person’s every breath and movement is governed solely by a desire to follow the commands of God Almighty. It requires a person to forsake all the pleasures and attractions of the world. It requires the person to patiently endure every possible form of humiliation, hardship, and struggle for the sake of God. And it requires a person to tolerate every type of pain and suffering for the sake of attaining Allah’s pleasure.
Only if a person achieves this state can he be considered to have lived up to his pledge of devoting his life to the service of God. As I have said, some of you proudly tell me that you, your wife, and children are all part of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme. However, recognise that this increases your responsibilities. Not only must you fulfil your pledge, but you must also set an example for your children so that the true spirit and meaning of waqf is cultivated within them. Otherwise, if you instruct your children to uphold their pledge whilst failing to do so yourself, they will soon see through the hypocrisy of your words.
Another fundamental aspect to fulfilling your pledge is that you must shun all forms of idol worship. In this regard, the Promised Messiah (as) has taught that idol worship is not limited to obvious acts such as worshipping a tree or a stone. It is not limited to the followers of those religions or beliefs who worship the sun, the moon, or the stars. Nor is it limited to those who revere certain human beings to such an extent that they become their idols.
In reality, the Promised Messiah (as) says that every single thing that proves an obstacle in the path of Allah or takes precedence over him is an idol. Accordingly, a person shall be guilty of idol worship if they permit their personal desires or worldly influences to take precedence over God Almighty.
For example, if your job causes you to miss Salat or prayer, or you pray late or if worldly tasks prevent you from reciting the Holy Qur’an, it means your work has become an idol and that your worldly pursuits eclipse your devotion to Allah. Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) has warned that many people harbour idols without realising and this ought to be a cause of extreme trepidation for all believers.
Certainly, it does not befit any believer, especially a Waqf-e-Zindagi, that they permit their worldly pursuits or activities to become an impediment in their worship of God and their spiritual development and pursuit of religious knowledge. So, every Waqf-e-Zindagi must truthfully reflect upon their state. Ensure that your worldly desires never reach a level where they become idols by taking priority over Allah Almighty. Surely, that is the path to ruin and a means of cutting yourself off from the love and mercy of Allah the Almighty.
Remember, it is not necessary for a Waqif-e-Nau to serve full-time as an employee of the Jama’at to fulfil their pledge. Instead, your mindset and deeds shall determine your waqf. Everything you do should be to attain the pleasure and nearness of Allah the Almighty. Upholding the teachings of Islam should take precedence in every matter. If you achieve this state, you will witness how the gears of spiritual success and prosperity shall open up before you.
Here, I wish to mention again the example of Hazrat Ibrahim (as). Was he given the title of faithful and the one who fulfilled Allah’s commands for no reason? Certainly not. Rather, he achieved this elevated status because he was ready to make the ultimate sacrifice. Thus, when he thought Allah desired for him to sacrifice his beloved son, he did not take a step back or turn away from his faith. Instead, without hesitation, he stood ready to wield the knife across the neck of his son. He proved in that moment that his claim of devoting his life to Allah was unconditional. His claim to serve God was not limited to words.
In this regard, the Promised Messiah (as) has said that Allah desires the practical manifestation of one’s faith. It is action and deeds that bring His rewards. Yet, striving in the way of God cannot be done without hurt and suffering. In fact, hardship, pain, and grief are fundamental to sacrifice. However, the suffering associated with sacrifice is never eternal.
Explaining this, the Promised Messiah (as) states that if a person is willing to endure all forms of pain for the sake of Allah, then Allah Himself will safeguard and shield him from anguish and suffering. Thus, when Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was ready to wield the knife upon his son, Allah intervened to stop him and saved him from unimaginable grief and sorrow. Allah saved him from unimaginable grief and sorrow.
In the same way, when the opponents of God hurled Hazrat Ibrahim (as) into a fire, Allah created conditions that extinguished the fire and saved him. So, this is the beautiful and merciful way of Allah the Almighty, that He sees who is sincere in their pledge. He observes who is willing to truly withstand pain for His sake. Thereafter, Allah takes such people into his protection.
Every Waqf-e-Nau must therefore seek to become the beloved of Allah. As I have said, whether you are working outside the Jama’at or serving full-time within it does not matter. Each of you should be ready for every sacrifice your faith requires of you. You must be ready to tolerate any pain or hardship that may come your way for the sake of God Almighty. Otherwise, claiming to be a Waqifeen-e-Nau is a form of deception.
On many previous occasions, I have said that merely having the title of Waqf-e-Nau is meaningless and confers no special status on its own. Consequently, let it be clear that if you do not fear Allah more than others, then there is no benefit to being a Waqf-e-Nau.
If your standard of worship is not superior to others, then there is no benefit to being a Waqf-e-Nau. If you do not recite the Holy Qur’an daily and do not seek to learn its meanings, then there is no benefit to you being a Waqf-e-Nau. If your morals and values are not of the highest order, there is no benefit to being a Waqf-e-Nau. If your way of speaking, conduct, dealings, activities, and engagements are not in accordance with the commands of Allah, then there is no benefit to you being a Waqf-e-Nau. If instead of increasing your religious knowledge or striving to excel in your secular education, you poison your mind by viewing immoral, indecent, and violent content, then there is no benefit to you being a Waqf-e-Nau. If you are not sacrificing your time regularly for the Jama’at, there is no benefit to being a Waqf-e-Nau. If you do not treat your relatives with love, and if you do not treat your colleagues, friends, and those you meet with kindness, there is no benefit to you being a Waqf-e-Nau. If you are not extending the highest morals and courtesy in all your interactions, then there is no benefit to you being a Waqf-e-Nau. And if you are arrogant and lack humility, then there is no benefit to being a Waqf-e-Nau.
So, always remember that as a Waqf-e-Nau, you should be a role model for others. Furthermore, you must be consistent in your efforts to attain the pleasure of God. The Promised Messiah (as) says that after performing one or two good deeds, some people think they have done enough to gain the love of God. However, he states that attaining Allah’s love requires steadfastness and complete obedience to Him, as was demonstrated by the blessed Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa). So, it is their example we must seek to emulate, and this is why I have spoken in detail about their qualities and sacrifices during my Friday sermons for several years.
The Promised Messiah (as) has warned us that just as there are many doors leading to Heaven, similarly, there are many doors leading to Hell. Thus, he expressed his fear that it should not be that his followers close one door leading to Hell but keep another one open.
Therefore, to attain Allah’s pleasure, we must strive to act upon all of His commands. It requires that if you are a member of the Jama’at, you should follow its system and be obedient to it. Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) has said that an Ahmadi who lacks obedience shall be a means of defaming his Jama’at.
So, if, as you leave this Ijtema, you pledge to fulfil your duties in a better way, but then forget all I have said by the time you reach home, there is no benefit of you being a Waqf-e-Nau, neither to the Jama’at nor to you personally. Above all, Allah has no interest in such so-called Waqf-e-Zindagis. Most of you have reached an age of maturity, and so every day you should hold yourselves to account, assess to what extent you have fulfilled the demands of your waqf, and if you are progressing in your spiritual development, you see. Analyse whether you have sought to improve your moral standards and religious knowledge. Only then can it be said that you are Waqf-e-Nau, not just in name, but in spirit and deed. Only then will you reach that level and standard of a Waqif-e-Nau which the Jama’at needs and which Allah requires, and for whose sake Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh) initiated the Waqf-e-Nau scheme.
May Allah enable you to achieve that esteemed standard of obedience and loyalty to your faith, which is the hallmark of a true Waqf-e-Nau. May every one of you rise to the challenge of playing a pivotal role in igniting a profound and transformative spiritual revolution in the world, which is your life’s true purpose and objective. May Allah enable all of you to inculcate the true spirit required of a Waqf-e-Nau and to fulfil that purpose for which you have dedicated your lives and for which you have gathered today to attend this Ijtema.
May all of you, as a Waqifeen-e-Nau, play an outstanding role in conveying the message of Islam and Ahmadiyyat to every corner of the world.’
ENDNOTES
[1] The Holy Qur’an, 2:132
[2] Malfuzat, Vol. 2, p. 100, Ed. 1984
[3] The Holy Qur’an, 53:38
[4] Malfuzat, Vol. 4, p. 429, Ed. 1984
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