ASK A MURABBI

My name is Marwan Sarwar Gill. I am 32 years old, born and raised in Germany. I graduated in 2016 from Jamia UK and currently serving as Murabbi Silsila in Argentina.

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH RESPECTED MARWAN SARWAR GILL

What inspired you to apply for Jamia?

I felt inspired by other Missionaries and I felt that serving as a Missionary would be the closest way for myself to live a life according to the pleasure of Allah and also the securest path to receive the nearness and blessings of Khilafat.

Was there anyone who inspired you to become a Murabbi? Someone you looked up to in your childhood.

I looked up to Huzoor Anwar and then afterwards Mubarak Tanvir sahib (a missionary serving in Germany).

Name three things that you experienced in your time studying in Jamia which changed you as a person.

1. My personal relationship and experience with Allah 2. Nearness and blessings of Khilafat 3. Principal sahib as a constant mentor and role model.

Any special memorable moment with Khalif-tul-Masihaba which stuck with you?

During my last Mulaqat with Huzoor I mentioned to him that he gave me the privilege to meet him during the 7-year Jamia career 23 times in total in forms of personal audiences. I mentioned to him as to how I could return this enormous blessing and favour, to which Huzoor replied that I should pray for him. Likewise, I expressed to him that each year new Missionaries will graduate and the spiritual army of Huzoor Anwar will increase by each year. How could I become the bird “Hud Hud” (special servant of Huzoor) among his large army of spiritual servants. (The bird Hud Hud is a symbolic expression of the Holy Quran which refers to a special servant amongst the army of Hazrat Suleiman who accomplished a special task for him.) Huzoor replied that all of them are special to Huzoor, but if you want to become my “Hud Hud” then bring the throne of the queen of Saba. (It’s a reference to the Qur’anic anecdote in which “Hud Hud” prepared a special palace for the queen of Saba which finally convinced her to accept the message of Hazrat Suleiman).

How has studying in Jamia prepared you for your posting?

I benefited a lot, not only from the curriculum, but also the practical examples, experiences and virtues of our teachers.

Where are you posted and what are your daily activities?

I am posted in Buenos Aires (Argentina). As a pioneer in the country, there was no prescheduled or fixed agenda, rather the mission started from the ground level and I have to keep on improvising and planning new initiatives. My daily activities include to accompanying our new Jama’at members and on the other side explore new avenues of Tabligh work. Moreover, I dedicate some time on a daily basis for personal religious studies and to further improve my Spanish skills.

How important is it for a Murrabi to keep in constant contact with Khalifatul-Masihaba?

I believe the personal relationship with Huzoor is the oxygen for a Murabbi to fulfil his duties.

What are two things that you would advise the current Jamia students around the world?

To work on their personal relationship with Allah and build a close tie with Khalifatul-Masih which should be based on spiritual nearness and love.

What advice would you give to anyone who wants to join Jamia but is unsure about this life changing decision?

If you are looking to please Allah and find the love and pleasure of God then this is a very secure path which would lead you to your destination. It isn’t an easy task, rather being a humble servant of the Jama’at requires a high standard of dedication and firm conviction. You may have to confront many obstacles in this journey but if you stay loyal to Allah, He will always take care of your needs and grant you His love and nearness.

Not every Murrabi will be posted near Huzoor. What advice would you give for those Murrabis that are posted far away from Markaz and their families?

To keep in mind that we do such sacrifices for the sake of Allah and the pleasure of Huzoor. We find many examples of prophets who had to mi- grate far away for the cause of Allah and then we see how Allah granted them his love and blessings due to their obedience. The story of Prophet Abrahamas and prophet Ismaelas is very relevant for us. So, as Missionaries, we should reply in the same manner to our spiritual father as Prophet Ismaelas did and should follow his noble standard of sacrifice.