40 Weekly Fasts
Dear Ansar Brothers,
As-Salamu ‘Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
On the green and grey carpets of Baitul Futuh Mosque, 100 of us were sitting a few feet away during the Friday Sermon of February 12, 2016, when Hazrat Khalifatul Masih launched the initiative of 40 weekly fasts, Sadaqat, and prayers. I remember one of us pulling a white napkin out of his pocket and quickly writing down Huzoor's instructions during the sermon!
Yes, 100 officeholders (including a few guests) of Majlis Ansarullah, USA travelled to the fountainhead of Khilafat in UK.
I will return to the objective of writing this message but first let me share some details of the trip.
Our caravan started arriving on Thursday and officially departed London by Monday, February 15. During this time, we offered many Salats (including Jumu’ah Prayer) behind Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his helper) and were also blessed to have a detailed official Mulaqat on February 13 in Mahmood Hall of Fazal Mosque, London. Huzoor blessed every member with a handshake and gave best Majlis awards and 'Alam-i-In'ami.
In addition, our gracious hosts also took us to Islamabad where we offered prayer at the grave of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV, followed by a tour of Jami'ah Ahmadiyya, UK. Next day, we explored the mesmerizing halls of “Makhzan-e-Tasaweer,” an exhibition of rare pictorial history of the Ahmadiyya Jama’at. The visit concluded with select planning sessions of ALC on Saturday and Sunday.
Many members paid 100% of their expenses, allowing us to keep all expense well within the allocated budget of ALC.
While pictures and details of Huzoor's guidance will be shared in Al-Nahl, let me now return to the objective of this message: to follow our Khalifah.
It was abundantly clear that Huzoor wants us to be role models of spirituality. Therefore, first of all I request your prayers for every member of Majlis Ansarullah, USA. May Allah the Exalted grant us the humility to bow down even further so we may be accepted; to “leave off everything that fattens your vanity for the door you have been invited to enter is not one that would admit a fat person.”
One way to promote such a culture is for us to respond to Huzoor’s call and offer a weekly fast for the next 40 weeks.
This humble one encourages all Ansar to join this effort. As fathers, inspire the adults in your families to start keeping a voluntary fast every Thursday. As elders, offer Sadaqa and Nawafil if your health precludes you from fasting. As role models, lead by example instead of “debating” this initiative. Remember, our children take cues from our behavior. And remember that Allah the Almighty “can see to the inner most depths of your beings.”
You will be receiving a weekly reminder from Majlis Ansarullah. Please don’t ignore it. The world is tumultuous and prayers are our biggest weapon.
We have seen prayers work before. Why wouldn’t they work now?
Was-Salam,
Faheem Younus Qureshi
Serving Majlis Ansarullah, USA
