welcome pack for new ahmadis - ahmadiconverts.org.uk pack for new... · website: email:...

Website:http://www.ahmadiconverts.org.uk Email:[email protected] 1

Welcome pack for New Ahmadis


TableofContents

1. INTRODUCTION 3

2. TENCONDITIONSOFBAI’AT 3

3. NEWAHMADICHECKLIST 5

4. THEAHMADIYYAMUSLIMCOMMUNITY 6

5. BROTHERHOOD(MAWAKHAAT) 6

6. TRAINING(TARBIYYAT)COURSE 8

7. MEETINGS(MULAQAAT)WITHTHEKHALIFA 10

8. EVENTS,MEETINGSANDFUNCTIONS 11

9. NEWAHMADIGATHERINGS(IJTEMAS) 12

10. FINANCIALSACRIFICE 13

11. AHMADIMUSLIMID(AIMS)CARDS 14

12. ASYLUMVERIFICATION 15

13. MARRIAGE 16

14. LETTERSTOTHEKHALIFA 16

15. SUGGESTEDREADING 17

16. FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS(FAQS) 19

17. GLOSSARY 22

FrontcoverImage:NewAhmadistakingBai’at(initiation)atthehandofHisHoliness(aba),theFifthKhalifatothePromisedMessiah,duringaGroup

Mulaqaat(meeting)inFazlmosque,London


1. INTRODUCTION – Congratulations (Mubarak)! You haveobeyedGodAlmightyandacceptedthePromisedMessiah(as),whowasprophesisedtocomebytheHolyProphetofIslam(saw),andinallofthegreat religions. The purpose of our initiation (Bai’at) is to win thepleasureofGodAlmighty.EverythingisachievedthroughAllah’sGraceandMercy. As new Ahmadis wemust always safeguard and protectthis sincere intention, while striving to worship Allah Almighty andserveHiscreation.Wepraythatthishandbookwillassistyouonyourpath,offeringbothspiritualandpracticalguidance.

Image:TheHolyKaaba,Al-Masjidal-Haram(HolyMosque),Mecca

2. TEN CONDITIONS OF BAI’AT (INITIATION) - ThePromisedMessiah(as), HadhratMirza Ghulam Ahmad, established theAhmadiyyaMuslimcommunitypurelyon the foundationsof theHolyQuranandthePractice(Sunnah)oftheHolyProphetofIslam(saw).Thetenconditionsdirectlyreflecttheseperfectteachings.Wemustalwaysreflectupon,andseektoembody,thesenobleprinciples:

1. “The initiate shall solemnlypromise thathe/she shall abstain fromshirk [associatingpartnerswithGod] rightup to thedayofhis/herdeath.

2. That he/she shall keep away from falsehood, fornication/adultery,


trespasses of the eye, debauchery, dissipation, cruelty, dishonesty,mischief and rebellion; and that he/she will not permithimself/herselftobecarriedawaybypassions,howeverstrongtheymightbe.

3. Thathe/sheshallregularlyofferthefivedailyprayersinaccordancewiththecommandmentsofGodandtheHolyProphetandshalltryhis/her best to be regular in offering the Tahajjud [prayers] andinvokingDuroodontheHolyProphet.Thathe/sheshallmakeithis/herdaily routine to ask forgiveness forhis/her sins, to rememberthebountiesofGodandtopraiseandglorifyHim.

4. Thatunderthe impulseofanypassion,he/sheshallcausenoharmwhatsoever to the creatures of God in general and Muslims inparticular,neitherbyhis/hertongue,hands,noranyothermeans.

5. Thathe/sheshallremainfaithfultoGodinallcircumstancesoflife,insorrowandinhappiness,inadversityandinprosperity,infelicityandintrial;andthathe/sheshallinallconditionsremainresignedto the decree of God and keep himself / herself ready to face allkinds of indignities and sufferings in His way and shall never turnawayfromHimattheonslaughtofanymisfortune;onthecontrary,he/sheshallmarchforward.

6. That he/she shall refrain from following un-Islamic customs andlustful inclinationsand shall completely submithimself /herself tothe authority of the Holy Qur’an; and that he/she shall make theWord of God and the sayings of the Holy Prophet his/her guidingprinciplesineverywalkofhis/herlife.

7. Thathe/sheshallentirelygiveupprideandvanityandshallpassallhis / her life in humbleness, cheerfulness, forbearance andmeekness.

8. Thathe/sheshallhold faith, thehonourof faithandthecauseofIslamdearertohimthanhis/herlife,wealth,honour,childrenandallotherdearones.

9. Thathe/sheshallkeephimself/herselfoccupiedintheserviceofGod’s creatures forHis sakeonly and shall endeavour towards thebeneficenceofmankind to thebestofhis /herGod-givenabilitiesandpowers

10. Thathe/sheshallenterintoabondofbrotherhoodwiththishumbleservantofGod,pledgingobediencetomeineverythinggoodforthesakeofGod,andremainfaithfultoituntilthedayofhis/herdeath.


3. NEWAHMADICHECKLIST:

ProgressMilestones Deadlines(sinceBai’at)

Bai’at(initiation)formapprovedbycentreCompleteandsendtheTajneed(ID)formalongwiththeBai’atform

Day1

Set up a car pool for new Ahmadi to bring them tomosqueforprayers

1week

Housevisit:givewelcomegiftandwelcome intoJamaat(NOTiffamilyareopposed)

1week

InvitenewAhmaditomosqueorSadrshousefordinner 2weeksMawakhaat(Brotherhood)schemesetup 2weeks

Start local Tarbiyyat (training) class in local Jamaat onweeklybasis

2weeks

Hostwelcome session in local Jamaat (branch)with thenationalsecretary

4weeks

ArrangesubscriptiontoReviewofReligions 4weeks

Complete Mulaqaat (meeting) form to book MulaqaatwithHuzoor(aba)(providednosecurityconcerns):

4-12weeks

ExplainandinviteNewAhmaditopayChandas(financialsacrifices)

6weeks

Allocate local Jamaat (branch) duty (if appropriate) e.g.Assistantroles

12weeks

Book second local visit with national sec. to reviewprogress

6months

Book2ndMulaqaatwithHuzur(aba)usingMulaqaatform 6-12monthsHost local and/or regional new Ahmadi Ijtema(gathering)

Annual

AttendJalsaSalana AnnualArrangerighteousRishtaifnotyetmarried After1year


4. THE AHMADIYYA MUSLIM COMMUNITY – TheSupremeHeadof the Jama’at (Community) isHazratKhalifatulMasihV, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba). Following democratic elections,Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V approves an Amir (National President) forevery country. The Amir heads the National Aamila (Executive Body)whichconsistsofNationalSecretariesofvariousdepartments.Ineachcountry,alocalJama’at(branch)willbeformedandeverymemberwillbeattachedtothenearestJama’at.ThelocalJama’atwillelectalocalPresident-withtheapprovaloftheAmir.ThelocalPresidentwillhavea localAamila (executivebody)toassisthimtorunthe local Jama’at.To help the Amir, he has appointed Regional Amirs to look after aRegion on his behalf. A Region will consist of a number of localJama’ats.

Withinthisstructuretherearesecretarieswhosesoletaskistocareforand support new Ahmadis: the ‘Additional Secretary Tarbiyyat(training)andWaqfeJadid (newdevotion) fornewAhmadis’.There isone such national secretary, and a local secretary in each localcommunity.

Tohelpinthespiritualdevelopmentofthemembers,HazratKhalifatulMasih V has appointed Missionaries to each country. TheseMissionariesarethengivenaRegion(s)bytheAmirtooversee.

To further help the members there are sub-organisations whichfunctionatNationalandLocallevels:Ansarullah(Malemembersabove40 yrs); Khuddamul Ahmadiyya (Malemembers from 15 to 40 yearsold); Atfalul Ahmadiyya (boys aged 7 to 15 years old); Lajna Imaillah(Women members from 15 years and above); Nasiratul Ahmadiyya(girlsaged7to15yearsold).

5. BROTHERHOOD (MAWAKHAAT) – In the times of theHoly Prophet Muhammad (saw) he established a system ofBrotherhood/sisterhood (Mawakhaat) to support the new migrants(Muhajireen)wholefttheirlivesinMecca,inordertolivewithhimin


Medina. The Helpers (Ansar) in Medina cared for their newbrothers/sistersasiftheywerefamily,orcloserstill.HisHoliness,theKhalifa Hadrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), has instructed that weshouldestablishthesameschemefornewAhmadisinthecommunity.

Image:Huzur-e-Aqdas(aba)(HisHoliness)theFifthKhalifa(aba)Huzoor (aba) emphasized during a meeting with the New AhmadiDepartment in July 2014 that Mawakhaat is very important, andinstructedthataHelpermusthavethefollowingqualities:a) “TheyshouldbeofasimilaragetotherespectiveNewAhmadi,

withcompatibleinterests;b) TheyshouldbewellversedintheteachingsofIslamAhmadiyyat;c) Theymustbehumbleandmodest,notarrogantorproud;d) TheymusthaveanaturalinclinationtocarefornewAhmadis;e) TheymustdeveloppersonalcontactwiththenewAhmadi,and

lovethemasabrother.”

Forthisreason,atthelocallevelwewillworktopairyouwiththebestpossibleperson to support youasabrother/sister.WithAllah’shelp,they will support you in everything you need, whether this betransporttothemosque,religiousadvice,aswellasclosefriendship-


Godwilling(inshaAllah).Yourlocalsecretarywillseektofindthebestbrother/sisterforyouASAPafteryouhavetakeninitiation(Bai’at).

Image:TheHolyKaaba,theMosqueoftheHolyProphet(saw),andtheMinaretofthePromisedMessiah(as)

6. TRAINING(TARBIYYAT)COURSE–HisHoliness,theFifthKhalifaHadratMirzaMasroorAhmad(aba),hasinstructedthatwesetuptraining(Tarbiyyat)coursesfornewAhmadisacrosstheUK.Huzur(aba)instructedthatnewAhmadiTarbiyyat(training)classesshouldbeheldonaweeklybasisineachlocalJam'aat.InJuly2014,Huzur(aba)gavethethefollowinginstructionsonthecourse:• “Huzur(aba) said that a monthly class would be insufficient. Like

untamed birds, new Ahmadis will fly from the Jam'aat unlesstheyarecaredforonaregularbasis.Thustheclassesshouldbeonaweeklybasis.

• Huzur (at) instructed thatMissionaries, including thosewhohavegraduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya UK, should act as tutors fortheseclasses.

• New Ahmadis should be categorised on the basis of theirparticular needs, with regard to their knowledge of Islam, andclassesshouldbeheldtocaterforalloftheseneeds.

• The syllabus should start from the basics of learning the Salat(prayer) and Holy Quran, and should gradually rise to higherlevels to cover all necessary elements of Islamic belief andpractice.


• Huzur(aba)advisedthatallnewAhmadisshouldbetrainedinsuchamannerthattheyrealisetheimportanceoftheBai’at,andliveaccording to the true teachings of Islam, with love for thePromisedMessiah(as)andKhalifa(aba).”

Image:NewAhmadivisittoHartlepoolJamaat

Syllabus:Thesyllabusbringstogetheranumberofdifferentresourcescovering Salat (prayers), the foundations of Islamic knowledge andpractice, onwards to the revival of Islam during the time of thePromised Messiah(as). All resources can be accessed online at ourwebsite:http://www.ahmadiconverts.org.uk/training-course

Thestagesofthecourseareasfollows:

• FoundationsofIslam:TheinitialstagesfocusonthefoundationsofIslam, including the five pillars of Islam, the Islamic prayer, thearticlesofFaith;onwardstoIslamicissuesinthecontemporaryage,such as Jihad, equality ofmen andwomen, and Islamicmarriage.Thisisidealforformernon-Muslims(e.g.Christians,agnosticsetc.),aswellasactingasanidealrefreshercourseforallMuslims;

• IslamAhmadiyyat:Thehigher stages covermore advanced topicsrelating to Islam Ahmadiyyat, including the Seal of Prophethood,theDeathof Jesus(as), thetruthfulnessof thePromisedMessiah(as),andthesystemofKhilafatinthemodernage;


• The Holy Qur’an: Running alongside these courses, we provideresources and training to enable new Ahmadis to learn therecitationandmeaningof theHolyQuran,usingthetheYassurnalQuran Qur’an (see link: https://www.alislam.org/quran/Yassarnal-Quran-EN.pdf)andonlineresources.

Again,resourcesforeachoftheabovestagescanbeaccessedonlineatourwebsite:http://www.ahmadiconverts.org.uk/training-course

7. MEETINGS(MULAQAAT)WITHHISHOLINESS,THE5THKHALIFA(ABA)–ItisthewayofAllahAlmightythatProphetsare followed by Successors (Khulafa). Jesus(as) was followed by Peter.Muhammad(saw)wasfollowedbyAbuBakr(ra).ThePromisedMessiah(as)wasalsofollowedbySuccessors(Khulafa).HisfirstKhalifawasHazratMaulvi Noorudin(ra). There have been five successors. Currently, HisHoliness,MirzaMasroorAhmad(aba),istheFifthKhalifa.WearetrulyblessedthattheKhalifaof Islamlives is intheUK.Weareevenmoreblessedthatweareabletomeetwithhim.

Image:Mulaqat(Meeting)withHisHoliness(aba),theFifthKhalifatothePromisedMessiahinFazlmosque,London


Wehavebothindividualandgroupmeetings(Mulaqats):

a. Individual meetings with His Holiness(aba): The process is asfollows-thelocalpresidentsfilloutaformapprovingforthenewAhmaditomeetHisHoliness;thenationalNewAhmadisecretaryverifies this form; the form is passed to the national presidentwho gives final approval; the national secretary then books themeeting on a convenient date for you, the new Ahmadi. NewAhmadisarehumblyadvisedtodresssmartlyandmodestlywhenmeeting Huzur(aba), and to follow the Qur’anic guidance ofbringingagift.AphotomayalsoberequestedwithHisHoliness,iftimeallows.

b. Groupmeetings:Inaddition,thenationaldepartmentalsoseekspermissiontohostagroupmeeting(Mulaqaat)withHisHolinessonce a year. If approval is granted, then new Ahmadis arecontactedthroughtheir localnewAhmadisecretariestoattend.This can be with slightly shorter notice due to the very fullscheduleofHisHoliness.Wewillnotify youas soonaspossiblewhenthenextgroupmeetingisbooked.

8. EVENTS,MEETINGSANDFUNCTIONS:a. TheAnnualConvention (JalsaSalana)currently takesplaceeach

summer in Surrey at Hadiqatul Mehdi (‘Garden of the Mehdi’),(Oaklands Farm,GreenStreet, EastWorldham,Alton,Hampshire,GU343AU).Thepurposeofthe Jalsa istodevelopclosenesswithAllahAlmighty, and tobuildbondsofbrotherhood.WehelpnewAhmadistoattend.Theprocess isthat localpresidentssenda listof all new Ahmadis approved to attend Jalsa. This list is thenapproved by the national president.Wewill then send you yourindividual security code by text, as well guidance on getting toJalsa. When you arrive at Jalsa, come to meet us at the newAhmadiMarqueewhich isatthefrontoftheJalsavenue,nexttothe car park and the registration and reception tents.Using yourcode,wewillthenissueyouwithaNewAhmadiJalsaPass.Youcan


receive assistance through your local presidents/secretaries forboth transport to, and accommodation at, Jalsa. (See also ourwebsitehttp://www.ahmadiconverts.org.uk/jalsa/).

Image:MembersoftheNewAhmadidelegation,JalsaSalana2016

b. Auxiliary gatherings (Ijtemas): Each auxiliary organisation (seeabove) hosts an annual gathering (Ijtema) for its members.Memberscompeteinsportsandacademics, listento inspirationaltalks,andcometogetherforcongregationalprayersattheIjtemas.Youwillbenotifiedofthedateseachyearthroughbytheauxiliaryorganisations.

c. Local meetings: There are monthly meetings in each localcommunity, where local activities are announced/discussed. Byattending you can keep up to date and fully participate in yourlocalchapter.

9. NEW AHMADI GATHERINGS (IJTEMAS) - Each yearthereisanannualGatheringforNewAhmadisatthenational,regional,and, if possible, local level. These Gatherings involve congregationalprayers, academics, sports, as well a blessed opportunity to buildbondsofbrotherhood/sisterhoodwithotherconverts.Wewill letyouknow each year when the national Ijtema date is planned, and theregionalandlocaloffice-bearerswillgetintouchtoinviteyoutotheirnewAhmadiGatherings.


Image:AmirsbUK(NationalPresident)presentingprizesatthenationalnewAhmadiIjtema2016

10. FINANCIALSACRIFICE– TheHolyQuranstates:“Nevershallyou attain to righteousness unless you spend out of that which youlove;andwhateveryouspend,Allahsurelyknowsitwell.”(Ch.3v.93).Allah Almighty has established financial sacrifice as a means ofworship.Therearetwomaintypesoffinancialsacrifice:a)Zakatandb)Spending in the way of Allah. All Ahmadi Muslims are exhorted toengage in financial sacrifice. The local Finance Secretary and/or newAhmadisecretarywilladviseyouonallofthesesacrifices(chandas):

Zakat:ZakatisoneofthefivepillarsofIslam.Thisisforthosepeoplewho havemoney, gold, silver, property etc.which are not in use foronefullyear.Wesacrificeatarateof2.5%.

ChandaAam:This is forallworkingmembersofthecommunity. Wecontribute 1/16th of our income from all sources after taxes. ThemoneyisusedforthevariousactivitiesoftheJama’at.

Tahrik-i-Jadid: This is a scheme to establish newmissions, constructMosques, provide Missionaries etc. The suggested rate is 1/5th ofone’smonthlyincome.


WaqfeJadid:ThisisaschemewhichlooksafterallthemissionsintheIndiansubcontinentandnowhasbeenextendedtoAfricaandRussia.

Sadaqa: A voluntary donation for the poor and needy - it is usuallygiventogainextrablessings

Eid Fund and Fitrana: These are paid at the time of Eid to help thepoorandthoselessfortunate.

Sub-OrganisationFund:Membersarerequestedtocontributetotheirsub-organisations. There is a fixed rate set andauxiliaries collect fortheirIjtemas,whichareheldonceayear.

Image:NewAhmadisattendingaMulaqat(meeting)withHuzur(aba) 11. AHMADIMUSLIM ID (AIMS)CARDS:TheAhmadiyyaCommunity has an ID scheme which enables all Ahmadis to freelyenter mosques and events. This ensures security, at a time whenthreats arehigh forAhmadis across theworld.All newAhmadis can,and should, be entered onto this ID scheme, which is known as theAIMSsystem.Todothis,presidentscompleteaTajneed (registration)formforeachnewAhmadi.Theythensendthistoourdept.ThisformissentwithapassportphotoofthenewAhmadi.Wewillthenverifyitandgetthenecessaryapprovalsatthecentre.Youwillthenbeissuedwith an AIMS ID number. If your President sends a photowith yourform, thenyouwill receivea temporaryAIMScardat this stage.This


can be either by post, or can be collected at theGeneral SecretariesOffice, Baitul Futuh mosque. The temporary card will enable you toenterallmosquesandevents,except for Jalsa.TheabovementionednewAhmadi Jalsa cardwill stillbeused for Jalsaentry.Apermanentcardwillbeissuedafteraperiodofreview(usuallyafteroneyear).

Image: An example of a new Ahmadi temporary AIMS card

12. ASYLUM–

a. Seekingrefuge:SomenewAhmadisarecurrentlyclaimingasylum.Thisisnotaproblem.ManyoftheProphets,andtheirSuccessors,havesoughtrefugeinforeignlands.EventheHolyProphet(saw)ofIslammigrated toMedina due to religious oppression. However,wemustalwaysremindourselvesthatwhilebeinggrantedasylumis important to prevent persecution, the true purpose of seekingrefugeasanAhmadiistobeabletoworshipAllahinsafety.

b. Verification: The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community cannot provideverification foranynewAhmadis in relation to theirasylumcase,for the first two years after their Bai’at. After these two years,permission may be sought to obtain verification for an asylumcase.Thisshouldnotbeacauseforconcern.TheHomeOfficeareawareofthistwo-yearpolicy,anditismentionedintheirCountryofOriginInformationreportconcerningAhmadisfromPakistan.


13. MARRIAGE - TheHolyProphet(saw)instructedthatweshouldselectamarriagepartneronthebasisofrighteousness.AnasibnMalikreported: TheMessenger ofAllah, peace andblessings be uponhim,said, “Whoever Allah provides with a righteous wife, then Allah hasassisted him in half of his religion. Let him fear Allah regarding thesecondhalf”.Thus,marriageisanessentialpartofspirituallife.

a.Findingmarriage:Having takenBai’at,and thendedicated timeto develop one’s faith and knowledge, one will naturally seek tocompletetheirreligionthroughmarriage.RishtaNata(relationshipofmarriage) isthedepartmentresponsibleforarrangingmarriage.There is aRishtaNata secretaryat thenational level, and there isalso an equivalentRishtaNata secretary in each local community.They runadatabaseofeligiblepersonsseekingmarriage.Youcancontact them in order to seek to find a suitable life partner (See:http://www.rishtanata.org.uk). We can also help you to makecontactwiththem.

b.Introductoryperiod:forbrotherswhohavetakenBai’atthereisaone-yearintroductoryperiodbeforetheycanenterintomarriagewith an Ahmadi lady. This is to enable brothers to focus on theirspiritualdevelopmentafterBai’at,andtoensurethattherightsandsecurity of ladies are protected. After this one-year period thenbrothersmayenterintomarriage,providedallnecessarystepsaretaken (e.g. Nikkah, civil ceremony etc.). If a brotherwould like toseekpermissiontomarryanAhmadiladysoonerthanthisone-yearperiod,theyshoulddiscussthiswiththeirlocalpresident.

14. LETTERS TO THE KHALIFA – As Ahmadis, we strive toestablish a close bond with the Khalifa. An initial letter introducingyourself,andrequestingprayers, isanidealwaytobegintobuildthisbond.WeshouldthenstrivetowriteatleastonelettertotheKhalifaeachweek.TheKhalifaisthepersonwho,inthisage,isclosesttoAllahAlmighty. His prayers are a source of great blessings. He receives


thousandsofletterseveryweekfromAhmadiMuslimsthroughouttheworld. Whilst itmay take time forhim to reply to your letter, everyletter(orasummary)ispresentedtohimandyouwillreceiveareply,inshaAllah. The address is: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, The LondonMosque,16GressenhallRoad,Southfields,London,SW185QL.

Image:FazlMosque,London(Builtin1924–London’soldestmosque)

15. SUGGESTEDREADING

Asmentionedabove,wehaveaneducationaltrainingcourseavailableonourwebsite(seeabove).However,therearemanyotherexcellentresourceswhichwewouldalsorecommend.

ThemajorityofthebooksmentionedbelowcanbefoundonlineattheAl Islamwebsite library section (See http://www.alislam.org/books/),and can be purchased at http://store.alislam.org/ or at bookshops inthemainmosques.Wehavecompileda listofbooks(below)thatwefeelwouldbegoodforyoutoreadinordertoprogressinyourspiritualdevelopment.


Beginning: Salat-Prayerbook;YassurnalQuran-Learningtoread Arabic; Life of Muhammad - very good book on the HolyProphet’s(saw) life; Wisdom of the Holy Prophet - short Ahadith(sayings)abouthowtoconductoneself;PathwaytoParadise -usefulspiritual guide book; Book of Religious Knowledge and Basics ofReligiousKnowledge-twobookswhichgivefoundationalteachings.

SecondStage: Invitation to Ahmadiyyat - explains thedifferences between the Ahmadiyya community and other Muslimgroups etc.; Ahmad, the Guided One - book about the life of thePromisedMessiah(as);ManofGod -bookabout the lifeof theFourthKhalifa(ra); Philosophy of the teaching of Islam – a very deep book,which expounds upon the Qur’anic teachings; Holy Quran withCommentary-aCommentarytohelpyouunderstandtheteachingsoftheHolyQuran;IntroductionofthestudyoftheHolyQuran–setsthecontextof theHolyQuran in relationtodifferent religions, the lifeofthe Holy Prophet(saw) and numerous Qur’anic prophecies; Stories ofearly Islam - collection of stories from the early history of Islam;GardensoftheRighteous–renownedbookontheHadith(sayingsoftheHolyProphet(saw));JesusinIndia;WheredidJesusDie;Christianityfactstofiction-booksconcerningthelifeanddeathofJesus(as).

Deeperreading: Guideposts–guidanceonhowtodeveloponeselfmorally and spiritually; Islam’s response to contemporary issues -book by the Fourth Khalifa(ra) on current issues; Revelation,Rationality, Knowledge and Truth – comprehensive book by theFourthKhalifa(ra)onscience,philosophyandreligion;EssenceofIslamIand II - books by the Promised Messiah(as) explaining in-depth theteachingsofIslam.

There are variousotherbooks, audio tapes, CDs,DVDsandYou tubevideosavailable.Pleaseletusknowifthereisaparticularsubjectthatyouwanttoknowmoreabout.


Further, the main Community website is: www.Alislam.org. Thewww.free-islamic-course.org website also provides an excellentmethod of learning about the foundations of Islam. Thewww.WhyAhmadi.orgwebsitefocusesonissuesconcerningtherevivalofTrueIslam,includingKhilafat,thefinalityofProphethood,thedeathofJesus(as)andthetruthfulnessofthePromisedMessiah(as).

16. FREQUENTLYASKEDQUESTIONS(FAQS)• Should people takeBaiaat for the sake ofmarriage?We should

takeBaiaatforAllahAlmightyandnotformarriage.Otherwisewerun the risk of associating partnerswithGodAlmighty.However,alldeedsarejudgedbyintention.Wecannotseeintotheheartofanother.While somepeoplemay initially come to knowof Islamthroughmarriage,theyoftengoontodevelopaverysincerebeliefin Allah Almighty in their own right. Therefore, if you are in thispositionyoushouldnotfeelworriedorshy.Rather,youshouldfeelfullofhopeinthemercyofAllahAlmighty.Weallcan,andshould,strive to developour own spirituality, for thebenefit of our ownsouls,readytomeetourLord,inthislifeandthenext.

• When can new Ahmadis get married to other Ahmadis? Ladiestaking baiaat can marry Ahmadi gentlemen without anintroductory period. Ahmadi gentlemen taking baiaat can onlymarryAhmadi ladiesafteraone-year introductoryperiod. If aanAhmadi gentlemen wishes to marry an Ahmadi lady sooner,permissioncanonlybegrantedbyHuzur(aba),viaAmirsbUK(seeabovesectiononmarriageforfurtherinformation).

• Can asylum seekers take Baiaat? Yes, they can and should takeBaiaat. The acceptanceof True Islam is a great blessing for all ofhumanity.Manyof theProphets andKhulafa (Successors) soughtrefuge frompersecution in foreign lands.However,wemust alsoensurethatwedonottakeBaiaatforthesakeofasylum.WemustonlytakeBaiaattowinthepleasureofAllahAlmighty.Whilebeinggranted asylum is important to prevent persecution, the true


purpose of seeking refuge for Ahmadi Muslims is to be able toworshipAllahinsafety(seeabovesectiononasylum).

• Asylum-cantheJamaatprovidealetterverifyingtheBaiaatandactivities of a New Ahmadi? The Jamaat cannot provideverificationforanyasylumcasewithinthefirsttwoyearsofbaiaat.After this point, new Ahmadis can obtain letters confirmingactivitiesviathenormal(Umurama)route.

• Chanda-cannewAhmadispaychanda?Yes,youcanandshouldengage in financial sacrifice as soon as possible after your bai’at(seeabovesectiononFinancialSacrifice).YoucanpayusingyourAIMSnumber,oriftheydon'thaveone,viaa999code.

Image:BaitulFutuhmosque,London(largestmosqueinWesternEurope)

• WhatshouldIdoifmeetingsarebeingheldinalanguagewhichIdon’tunderstand(e.g.Urdu)?Huzur(aba)hasgivenguidanceonthismatter: all meetingsmust be in the language of the nation (e.g.English in England, Japanese in Japan etc.) and at the end, one-quarter of the content can be translated into another language(e.g. Urdu) if some members don’t understand the nationallanguage.Ifyouarefacingthisdifficulty,pleaseletus(thenational


dept),your localnewAhmadisecretaryand localpresidentknow,andwewillstrivetoresolveitASAP.

• What should I do if only serve spicy food is being served atmeetings?ThenationalZiafat(food/hospitality)departmentseeksto ensure that non-spicy food options are always available forthosewhocannoteatspicy food. Ifyoucannoteatspicy food(orhaveanyotherdietaryrequirements),andarefacingthisproblem,pleaseletus(thenationaldept),yourlocalnewAhmadisecretaryandlocalpresidentknow,andwewillstrivetoresolveitASAP.

• Howcan Idevelopmyknowledgeabout,andpracticeof, Islam?HisHoliness, theFifthKhalifaHadhratMirzaMasroorAhmad (aba),has instructed that training (Tarbiyyat) courses be run for newAhmadis across the UK, on a weekly basis in each local Jam'aat.Attendingtheseweeklyclassesisthebestmethodtodevelopyourknowledge.Wehavedevelopedasyllabuswhichbringstogetheranumber of different resources covering Salat (prayers), thefoundations of Islamic knowledge and practice, onwards to therevival of Islam during the time of the Promised Messiah(as). Allresources can be accessed online at our website:http://www.ahmadiconverts.org.uk/training-course (see abovesectionontheTarbiyyatcourse).

• HowcanIattendJalsaSalana(TheAnnualConvention)?WehelpnewAhmadistoattend.Theprocessisthatlocalpresidentssendalist of all newAhmadis approved to attend Jalsa. This list is thenapproved by the national president.Wewill then send you yourindividual securitycodeby text,aswellasguidanceongetting toJalsa(seeabovesectiononJalsaSalana).

• How can I meet with the Khalifa? You can and should seekpermissiontomeetwithHisHoliness (aba)assoonaspossible.Theprocedure for doing this is set out above under our “Meetings(Mulaqaat)”section:thelocalpresidentsfilloutaformapprovingfor the new Ahmadi to meet His Holiness; the national NewAhmadi secretary verifies this form; the form is passed to thenationalpresidentwhogivesfinalapproval;thenationalsecretary


thenbooks themeetingonanavailabledate convenient for you.You will then be accompanied during the meeting with anappropriateperson(newAhmadisecretaryorpresident)fromthelocalcommunityorarepresentativefromthenationalDept.

• Anyotherquestions:Pleasecontactususingthedetailsbelow.

17.GLOSSARY-Manywordsareusedinthiswelcomepackwhichcanbehardtounderstand.Forthisreason,pleaseseebelowaglossaryofIslamicwordsandterminologytoassist:• (aba) – may Allah Almighty be his helper (commonly used in

relationtotheKhalifa)• (as)–mayPeaceBeUponHim(usedinrelationtoProphets-see

alsotheEnglishrenderingofthisabbreviation‘pbuh’below)• Ahadith–SayingsofHolyProphetMuhammad(saw)• Bai’at–Declarationofinitiation• Durood–theinvocationofblessingsontheHolyProphet(saw)• TheHolyProphet(saw)–referstoProphetMuhammad(saw)• Huzur–means ‘HisHoliness’ (this is a termof reverenceand is

mostcommonlyusedtorefertotheKhalifaofthetime)• Jalsa Salana – Annual convention (the international Jalsa takes

placeeachyearintheUK)• Jama’at–Community(or‘localbranch’ifusedinthiscontext)• Ijtema–Gathering(seemoredetailsintheaboveEventssection)


• Khalifa–aSuccessor,usuallytoaProphet(translatedasCaliphinEnglish)

• KhalifatulMasih–referstoaKhalifatothePromisedMessiah(as)• Mawakhat–Brotherhood/Sisterhood• Tarbiyyat–Moralandspiritualtraining• Mulaqaat–Meeting(commonlyusedtorefertoameetingwith

theKhalifa(aba))• (ra)–MayAllahbepleasewithhim(RasiAllahuAnhuinArabic)• (pbuh)–mayPeacebeuponhim(usedinrelationtoProphets)• (saw) – may Peace and blessings of Allah Almighty be upon Him

(SallalahuAllaihiWasallaminArabic)• Shirk-AssociatingpartnerswithGodAlmighty• Tahajjud – Voluntary prayers done in the middle of the night,

beforetheFajr(‘earlymorning’)prayers• Umurama – the department for Internal Affairs within the

Ahmadiyya Community, who deal with numerous matters,includingtheverificationofasylumclaims

Image:ThedoorofTheProphet’sMosque(Mecca)bearingtheblessednameofTheHolyProphetMuhammad(saw)inArabic

welcome pack for new ahmadis - ahmadiconverts.org.uk pack for new... · website: email:...

Documents