Hazrat Musleh Maudra on Education

Is he who prays devoutly to God in the hours of the night, prostrating himself and standing, and fears the Hereafter and hopes for the mercy of his Lord, like him who does not do so? Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who know not?’ Verily, only those endowed with understanding will take heed.

(The Holy Quran 39:10)

This article will be in regards to some aspects of the amazing life of the Promised son, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmadra Khalifatul Masih II, revolving around education and his focus on the students of Jama’at.

In January 1886, the Promised Messiahas travelled to Hoshiarpur under divine instructions and spent forty days under intense worship. He was given the glad tidings of a son. A sign for all people. Some of the qualities mentioned in the divine promise was that - He would be extremely intelligent and understanding, and will be meek of heart and will be filled with secular and spiritual knowledge.

As prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, the Promised Messiahas and his progeny were to revive the true teachings of Islam in every aspect and enlighten the world with the true meaning of gaining knowledge from the cradle till the grave. Now if we take a look at the early days of the Promised Son, we learn that he was taught by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I from an early age who was renowned for his knowledge and excellence throughout India. Where he would permit other students to ask questions, giving them detailed replies, he would not permit Hazrat Sahibzada Sahib the same right. One reason for this may have been that he considered Hazrat Sahibzada Sahib to be so brilliant that with some thought he could arrive at the answer himself. The second reason seems to be that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira considered attainment of Quranic knowledge to depend more upon God’s Grace than mere effort. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira was convinced that this child would learn the Holy Quran under God’s own stewardship and guidance. Initially, Hazrat Sahibzada Sahib felt that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira treated him harsher than the other students. However, the reason for this distinction slowly began to dawn on him. Hazrat Sahibzada Sahib himself recalls:

“…Hence, teaching me in this fashion, he stated, ‘whatever knowledge Nooruddin possessed he has taught it.’ There was a subtle point hidden in this statement. A Muslim is only required to read the translation and understand it thoroughly. The rest of the knowledge comes through God-given insight. For that, one must make the necessary effort and seek it from Allah. If I had written down all I was taught by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira then where would I have found the answers to all these objections that are being raised against Islam? Was he to live forever? No! For this reason, he taught me this formula which was to prove useful even after his death.”

On another occasion he stated:

“Allah the Almighty has now blessed me with so much knowledge … but it was he who created a relish and craving for the Holy Quran and he set me on the right course concerning its commentary. And He laid such foundations upon which I was able to build a structure. For this reason, I always consciously pray for him.”

And we are witnesses of the structures he built upon these foundations. And it was this formula that he inculcated into the hearts and minds of the students of this Jama’at. At one occasion, he stated that students have the same right to meet him as anyone else does, and that they should come and discuss things with him. He then went on to say that students should get used to paying attention to detail themselves. Remember, just merely reading a book isn’t enough, but if you find that the book is lacking something, it is your duty to complete whatever its lacking. In other words, he wanted people to read between the lines and not just be satisfied with what was provided. Rather, to dig deeper and find new things that may have been left out….

He states ‘Alas! Turn towards knowledge with your full will, and present new findings to the world. And remember to be familiar with what is new and needed in this age. Look at the Promised Messiahas. His Holiness had no education in the worlds eyes but if one studies his publications then you can see the sheer amount of knowledge he uncovers. They are according to the world’s needs. You should do the same and bear in mind this day and age and study the publications of European Authors and analyse how they think. If you begin to work in this way, then you will see how Allah the Almighty will bless your efforts. He further stated that remember this! That your books will only truly be beneficial when Christian authors will write that the problems we are facing right now, the answer to them are in these books.

Hazrat Musleh Maudra wanted his people to leave a scholarly mark on this earth. Something they would be remembered by for centuries to come.

He stressed to the youth that they should revive the tradition of publicising knowledge in the Jama’at and think of ways to remove any of our weaknesses, and devise such schemes that if they were to be acted upon, the Jama’at would progress. He said they were the future of the Jama’at and gave the example that their teacher is of 50 years and they are 30 years old. In 20 years’, time the same burden will be put upon their shoulders. If they do not prepare as of now, then when they are 50 and they come face to face with reality, their hearts will tremble just as his did.

In 1944 he addressed the Jama’at and urged people to take on learning new languages. He stated that day by day we are getting closer to the Jihad of preaching and the time of concern is fast approaching. There are nine main languages that are renowned and known across the globe as not just being a mother tongue but as a language that is spoken in several countries.

These were Arabic, English, Russian, German, Dutch, French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese. If we want to preach in the world, then it is compulsory that we know these languages so that we can make the Jama’at’s literature available in these languages.

At another occasion he said that to attain the best fruits from our efforts, man must acquire such an employment that will prove beneficial for him, his people and for mankind in this day and age and which he has the strength to carry out as best as possible. So, in essence it was not only about the person, but about the people. Not just about what you enjoyed doing. But rather what you would be able to carry out to its peak.

Furthermore, he stated that you should ponder deeply and discuss with me thereafter what conclusion you have drawn as to how the youth can be of assistance to the nation and its people. His target wasn’t just to create knowledgeable and literate members of the community but rather to shape the minds of the youth to help and be of assistance to the nation and its people…

But as well as all this, he always brought the topic back to its original form which was that nothing was possible without Gods help. He said as well as worldly efforts, prayers are key and stated that the Promised Messiahas has a revelation where God Almighty said if all of mankind was to turn away, I can assist you from beneath the ground or from up above. He emphasised that to take full advantage of this blessing was only possible through prayer.

Hazrat Musleh Maudra also addressed the people that had completed their studies and gave valuable advice on where to go and what was needed at the time. First and foremost, his aim was for people to give as much assistance to Islam Ahmadiyyat as possible. He even explained that he desired for there to be a Murabbi in a radius of every mile or so. He also stressed that after finishing studies, it was wrong to think that you are done. He said “Our youth should always keep this in mind that in this day and age, relaxation is the death of you. Whoever stops will end himself or push himself back. After finishing their studies, they should not even think for a minute that maybe this is the time for their relaxation. They should know that it’s not the time to relax but it is the time to work.”

But as well as studying and gaining knowledge and working hard, he also cared about the well-being and health of his people.

In February 1920, he delivered a speech in Lahore addressing men, ladies and the students of Lahore.

He stated:

“The child who does not play in his days of being a student. He is in vain. Physical exercise should even be carried on after the days of studies are over to ensure a healthy life. I became this ill because of my work load and not being able to do any physical exercise. No matter how much work there was, the Promised Messiahas always used to go on walks. Sometimes even twice a day, morning and evening. By going against this practise of his, I damaged myself greatly.”

Then in June 1942 he stated that I have mentioned many times to the youth that they should practise such activities that will be useful to them in the future. For example, Running, extinguishing fires, escaping from fires, jumping from heights, swimming, these activities are such that make you more masculine and they will come in use later in your life. He also mentioned that a person with a sharper sense of smell, sharper hearing and sight are able to do much more than a normal person.

Hazrat Musleh Maudra took a brief review of this and no one answered in the positive so Huzoor said, if all the work is at zero then what work has actually been done? If what the Imam said has not been done, then all that has been done is equivalent to zero as well.