Islam

Becoming a Beacon of Light

Official Transcript of Concluding Address by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) at the National Waqifaat-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 TashahhudTa`awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said:

‘With the grace of Allah, the annual Waqifaat-e-Nau Ijtema [gathering] of the UK Waqifaat-e-Nau is taking place today. I hope and pray that this Ijtema proves blessed in every sense and serves as a means of long-term benefit for you all. 

The Waqifaat-e-Nau consists of Ahmadi girls and women who have been born into a legacy of devotion, as your parents dedicated your lives to the service of your faith before you were born. And upon reaching an age of maturity, all of you have reaffirmed that profound pledge and made it their own.

Hence, at the outset, I wish to make it clear that the Waqifaat-e-Nau are not a minor or insignificant part of the Jama’at [Community]. In truth, every one of you is incredibly important and of immense value as you are the women and girls who, in this era, have pledged to take up the mantle of practising and propagating the true teachings of Islam. As such, the obligations and responsibilities you owe to your faith shall continue to rise over the course of your life like a towering wave.

Together, as Waqifaat-e-Nau, you have the potential to profoundly shape the world around you and inspire generations to come. 

In years gone by, many of the Waqifaat-e-Nau whom I met were young children, and I addressed them according to their age and understanding. However, now, with Allah’s grace, many of those same faces sit before me as adults. In fact, many of you are now married and have children of your own who are also part of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme. Where this is a manifestation of Allah’s blessings, it should also direct the attention of every member of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme to reflect upon their duties.

Understand that with each step you take towards maturity, your connection to your faith must also deepen and mature, and the weight of your responsibilities shall grow heavier. Indeed, all of you who are older, even those who have reached the age of 13 or 14, should reflect upon the true meanings and scope of your pledge. Ponder over the fact that your life was dedicated to the service of Ahmadiyyat by your parents and that upon reaching an age of understanding and maturity, you have, of your own volition, embraced and reaffirmed that sacred commitment. Consequently, you must contemplate how you can honour your pledge.

While some Ahmadi girls pursue higher education and professions such as medicine, engineering, teaching or law, many prefer to stay at home after marriage. Such women should not think that their lack of a profession precludes them from serving the Jama’at or fulfilling the responsibilities of their waqf [devotion to the faith]. Rather, nurturing your children, raising them to be righteous and to possess a deep love for God and ensuring that your home shines as a beacon of Islamic light lies at the very heart of being a Waqf-e-Nau member. In fact, this is the responsibility of every Ahmadi mother.

Yet, for those who have dedicated their lives to their faith, the duty to morally train and guide their children lies even heavier. Remember that your children are always watching you with eager eyes, so let them see virtue and sincerity in your every deed. Above all, your children should learn from you how to build a strong connection with Allah and recognise why this is so important. They should learn the profound value of seeking Allah’s nearness and how He, in His benevolence, listens to the prayers of those who draw close to Him. By setting a pious example for your children and attaining the nearness of God Almighty, you shall fulfil the true objectives of your waqf.

So, at all times, strive to embody the teachings and practices of the Holy Prophet (sa), which, in this era, have been taught to us by the Promised Messiah (as). Indeed, on many occasions, the Promised Messiah (as) stated that his mission was to revive Islam’s true and original teachings and to inspire the people of the world to follow the perfect example of the Holy Prophet (sa).

Further, he stated that Allah sent him with two principal objectives. First, to re-establish the principle of Tauhid, the Oneness of God in the world. Secondly, that his Jama’at should exemplify love and compassion and illuminate the path towards spiritual salvation for all mankind. He expressed his sincere desire for Ahmadis to distinguish themselves from others by consistently seeking Allah’s rewards and pleasure by following His commands.

As a model for his Jama’at, the Promised Messiah (as) presented the example of the blessed Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa), who, upon accepting Islam, shed all of their immoral practices and customs without a moment’s hesitation. Deep within their souls, a spiritual awakening occurred, and as a result, they came to personify compassion, grace, and mercy. Their humanity and benevolence knew no limits.

Consequently, where they were able to excel in righteous deeds and to attain the nearness of God, they were also able to inspire a spiritual revolution in society. Thus, over time, Islam’s teachings spread far and wide. So, as Waqifaat-e-Nau, irrespective of your level of education or qualifications, never underestimate your true value and potential.

If you demonstrate the highest moral standards and conduct within your homes, it will not only be a means of cultivating excellent morals and firm faith in your children, but will also serve as a powerful means of Tabligh [propagation]. Your good character, integrity, modesty, and truthful words will serve as a magnet, drawing the hearts and minds of good-natured people towards you. Thereafter, when you pray for them to be rightly guided, Allah will listen to and accept your prayers. In this way, Insha’Allah [God-willing], you will become the gateway for many people to embrace Islam. Moreover, your words, deeds, and high morals will serve to render futile the false criticism or allegations routinely directed at Islam.

Thereafter, do not think that you can fulfil the demands of your pledge simply by giving a few hours of your time to the Jama’at or to Lajna [Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Auxiliary Organisation] each week. Instead, as Waqifaat-e-Nau, you must not only ensure that your homes mirror and exemplify Islam’s values, but also that you play your role in propagating its teachings to your friends, colleagues, and whosoever is within your reach.

Similarly, those girls who are still in school, college or university should not think that their only objective is to gain an education. Of course, gaining an education is vitally important. It is a means of your personal progress and development. It should also empower you to serve the Jama’at proficiently and give you the confidence and ability to defend and propagate Islam with logic and reason.

Furthermore, your pursuit of knowledge shall serve as a resounding answer to those who falsely claim that Islam does not value the education or empowerment of women and girls. Thus, as you progress through school, college, or university, do not have the mindset that your education is merely a means of getting a job or earning money. Rather, Ahmadi students should consider their education as an opportunity and platform to spread the beautiful teachings of Islam through the excellence of their character and the strength of their moral values.

The way to preach to your friends, teachers or those within your orbit is not through force or harsh words. Rather, it is through love, compassion and by exemplifying the Islamic values of truth, integrity, kindness, and piety at every moment of your life. If and when you reach this high standard, you will fulfil the true spirit of your waqf.

In this regard, the Promised Messiah (as) has given us many instructions. For example, he said that a person who devotes their life to their faith should never fall prey to laziness or negligence. Rather, they should be energetic, proficient, and ever ready to work. Therefore, as Waqifaat-e-Nau, pray that Allah saves you from laziness and enables you to serve your religion with distinction, dedication, and proficiency.

Moreover, the Promised Messiah (as) stated that it is the obligation of those who have accepted him to ensure that the divine signs of Allah never fade into obscurity or become lost in the passage of time. So ask yourselves, how can you stop the signs of Allah becoming lost or forgotten? How can you prove that Allah is a living God?

Quite simply, it is by establishing a connection with Him. It is by ensuring that you observe the five daily prayers on time and with immense humility and devotion. It should not be that you offer namaz[the five daily prayers] very quickly as a token gesture or to satisfy your elders. Salat [five dauly prayers] becomes mandatory at the age of 10, and most of you have reached that age. You must prioritise the five daily prayers above all personal tasks and activities. Doing so will never lead to any harm or disadvantage you in any way. Instead, your prayers will serve as a means of your success and continued prosperity.

If you are regular in offering Salat, Allah the Almighty will bless you and He will also safeguard your future generations. In this regard, the Promised Messiah (as) said that if someone is pious and diligently fulfils the rights of Allah and His worship, then Allah takes it upon Himself to fulfil their every need and requirement. Thus, cast aside all fear that prioritising Allah and making worldly sacrifices for His sake will lead to loss or suffering. Allah will never abandon those who put their trust in Him and who make sacrifices for His sake. He will bless you, He will bless such people abundantly, so long as their worship remains sincere.

Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) states that your worship should be pure and free from the superficiality or a desire to impress others. Nor should we treat our prayers like an unwanted burden or assignment that we perform half-heartedly and try to complete as quickly as possible. Allah has no interest in such worship.

Further, the Promised Messiah (as) has repeatedly emphasised the importance of reading the Holy Qur’an every day and striving to act upon its supreme and universal teachings. If you gain knowledge of the Qur’an, it will not only enable you to live a purposeful and beneficial existence, but it will also unlock the doors of Tabligh as you will be able to speak with reason, logic and evidence in defence of Islam.

Moreover, if you act upon the commands given in the Holy Qur’an, it will not only elevate your spiritual and moral levels and draw you close to Allah, but it will also prove the means of fulfilling all your worldly needs and desires. It will facilitate the moral training of your future generations. Strive, therefore, to establish a relationship of faithfulness and loyalty with Allah the Almighty through His worship and by firmly attaching yourself to His words.

All of you should recite the Holy Qur’an daily, read its translation, and seek to understand its deeper meanings by reading the commentaries published by the Jama’at. In every aspect of your lives, always seek to identify Islam’s teachings and act upon them. Be ready for every sacrifice required of your faith.

In this regard, the Promised Messiah (as) expressed his desire and hope that his followers came to resemble and emulate the Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa). It is a matter of historical record that during the era of the Holy Prophet (sa), his female Companions made monumental sacrifices for the sake of their faith. Many endured barbaric cruelties and torture. Some Muslim women even gave their lives to the cause of Islam, and so attained the rank of martyrdom.

Furthermore, several female Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) participated in wars and valiantly fought with remarkable courage and fearlessness. They did not seek exemption as women, nor did they consider themselves too delicate to defend Islam. Instead, they demonstrated immense bravery and rendered extraordinary sacrifices for their faith.

Likewise, in this era, akin to those early heroines of faith, Ahmadi women have also embraced martyrdom, while others have been imprisoned in most inhumane and testing conditions solely because of their faith.

Some Ahmadi women write to me expressing frustration or fear that men have more opportunities to make sacrifices for their faith or to achieve the status of martyrdom. In reply, I refer them to the noble history of our Jama’at, where Ahmadi women have consistently made outstanding sacrifices. For example, recently, a baseless allegation was made against an Ahmadi woman in Pakistan by non-Ahmadi extremists. As a result, she was jailed for months before finally being released on bail. She withstood this trial with exemplary patience and never weakened in faith. As Waqifaat-e-Nau, you should seek to emulate and follow such pious examples.

Be ready for whatever sacrifices are required by your faith and religion. For this, you must never forget Allah the Almighty. Every day, strive to strengthen your connection with Him. Study the Holy Qur’an and seek to understand Allah’s teachings and commands. Only then will you grasp the true values, essence, and importance of making sacrifices for the sake of your faith. Then, whenever you have a chance to make a sacrifice for your faith, instead of feeling pain or loss, you will experience heartfelt joy and delight. You will view sacrifices not as hardship but as a blessing and opportunity to draw closer to your Creator.

Also, it is of paramount importance that you increase your religious knowledge. Some Ahmadis become anxious or fearful when allegations are levelled against Islam and Ahmadiyyat. However, if you have a deep knowledge of your faith, you will not feel anxious or worried. Instead, you will be equipped with the intellectual capability to address any criticism or false allegations made against our religion and beliefs. So, you must study the Holy Qur’an and read the books of the Promised Messiah (as), many of which have been translated into English.

As is often said, knowledge is power. So, if you have religious knowledge, it will not only strengthen your faith, but will also empower you to respond to the opponents of Islam and guide those who are weaker in faith. It will enable you to stop those who seek to incite division within the Jama’at

Therefore, as a member of the Waqf-e-Nau scheme, recognise that you are soldiers serving in the righteous cause of Islam’s spiritual army. It is not a physical battlefield upon which you have been called to serve. Rather, it is a spiritual arena that you have presented yourself in for duty. And, your task is to enlighten mankind to the truth and magnificence of the teachings of Islam.

So, even more than other Ahmadis, it is your duty to stand on the front line and be at the vanguard of defending Islam and the noble character of the Holy Prophet (sa) to win the hearts of mankind through the power of love and kindness. 

This is your mission. 

This is your objective. 

This is your pledge.

Remember, nothing can be achieved without effort and hard work. So, as I mentioned earlier, never fall prey to laziness.

Further, I wish to again highlight the importance of seeking to increase your religious knowledge. You must study the Holy Qur’an and also read the books of the Promised Messiah (as). You should listen to the Friday sermons of Khalifa-e-Waqt [Caliph of the time] and pay close attention to whatever guidance or instruction he gives. 

Remember that the Holy Prophet (sa) said that a true believer is gifted with insight and wisdom. As a result, such believers can refute whatever allegations or objections are raised against their teachings. So, try to cultivate insight by deepening your connection with Allah, enhancing your understanding of the Holy Qur’an, and studying the writings of the Promised Messiah (as). 

As your religious knowledge and insight increase, you will naturally progress both spiritually and morally. And then, surely, the benevolent, loving, and merciful gaze of Allah the Almighty will descend upon you. And if you come to possess Allah’s love, no enemy or adversary can ever harm you, nor can any trial or challenge weaken, misguide, or overpower you.

With these words, I pray that may Allah the Almighty enable you to act upon all that I have said and be among those who truly live their lives according to the teachings of Islam. May you come to fulfil your true objective, which is to play a distinguished role in the spiritual victory of Islam that is destined to come, Insha’Allah.

Finally, to the younger girls present, I wish to remind them of the importance of their studies and education. All of you should be determined to excel in your studies with the intention that where your education will help you personally, it will also benefit others and the Jama’at. Furthermore, from a young age, you should be firm in your faith and never be scared or fearful of those who oppose your religious beliefs.

At the end, I pray that may every single step taken by the Waqifaat-e-Nau be in the direction of Allah the Almighty. May all of you be among those who constantly remember Him and seek His nearness. May Allah the Almighty grant you the ability to remain forever loyal and obedient to Him and to fulfil your pledge to serve your faith with distinction throughout your lives, Ameen.’