Story: Weighing the Elephant

This time in a family Mulaqat, I requested Hazur’saba guidance on what I should do. I told him the potential topics that were available for me to choose. It was at this time, that Hazuraba prioritised them for me, he initially said that I should try and do stem cell research. And from that point onwards, that was the project on which I started working on, and am still working on today. One peculiar thing for me that Hazuraba mentioned in the Mulaqat at the time was, that as I was getting married now, I should ask my husband’s opinion first. These words of Hazuraba stayed with me for quite some time. I realised, they were in line with Hazur’saba guidance to Waqfe Nau girls, in which he has said time and time again in classes as well as in his sermons, that beyond our studies and careers, our Waqf inculcates that we work towards having pious and righteous families too.

Affiliation with the Jama’at

From an early age, it was ingrained in me that I was a Waqfe Nau, and my time would and should be dedicated to my faith and the community. Thus, from an early age, I would be sure to attend regular prayers at the mosque as well as attend local Nasirat and Waqfe nau classes, and classes with Hazuraba .

With the spirit instilled in me from these, and having seen my family members also serve the Jama’at, I was exceptionally motivated to also partake in these blessings. Hence, from the beginning of my time at university I also became a part of the MTA International Lajna Subtitling team. This was a new department, and thus gave me ample opportunity to learn numerous skills and find what suited me. I remember I enjoyed going to volunteer so much, that I would often go to the office after a full day of lectures at university. In one instance, I had been unable to volunteer for a while due to a hectic exam schedule, so right after my final exam I went directly to Baitul Futuh to subtitle a program that was airing soon. I found it to be a great way to divert my mind from how I did, as well as meet girls who had now become friends, and pray in congregation.

SUBTITLING

Being part of this team has increased my confidence immensely. When I began subtitling, the program that we worked on was the Friday Sermon, which needed to be subtitled in English once the official translation was provided to us. However, soon the team expanded to include more languages. My mother always says that any education that you receive, never goes to waste. I felt this was very true as I would help with subtitling the Friday Sermon and eventually other programs in Spanish, even though I only had studied it at GCSEs. Beyond that though, when needed Allah Almighty had enabled me to help with languages, that I did not know at all. These included Arabic, Persian and German. Furthermore, as a Subtitler of many years I was able to train numerous girls, even having been part of a team of people who were sent by Hazuraba to Germany to train the team there. This filled me with pride, as I was able to pass on what I had learnt to more people, so that a greater number of people could benefit from this blessing.

AMWSA & AMRA

Another aspect of my career, which very seamlessly integrated into my life and studies was my election as the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Women’s Student’s Association – AMWSA. This was a wholly different responsibility to have. Not only was I representing the student Lajna body, but I was expected to cater for students and take part in Tabligh. I felt unprepared and too naïve for such a great responsibility. However, soon after my appointment as President, Hazuraba had a sitting with the AMWSA team. In this Mulaqat, Hazuraba graciously asked us about our concerns, and addressed each of us individually. He also gave us so much advice and guidance, which served as a checklist for us to complete throughout my Presidency. It gave us ideas, resources and topics that needed to be addressed and were also known to the student body. This was a motivational push that inspired me and the team members, and I believe, blessed our efforts. Not only were we then able to help numerous girls, and also begin new initiatives. On a personal level, I was able to learn and gain more religious knowledge as I prepared presentations and for question-and-answer sessions, especially with regards to contemporary issues.

During this time at University, I distinctly remember that I used to try my best to also do Tabligh. My attempt was to inform lab members, supervisors and policy-makers at university about the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, but also how modern science is not in contention with religion. Often at times, I would listen to Friday Sermon in the office. In one instance, my supervisor even told me that he was surprised that I would observe my faith to such an extent, whilst also studying science. At a time when my supervisor was hopeful that I may continue my master’s project beyond my degree, he also jokingly remarked that, “You should come back here and don’t just run off to the mosque.”

After this, I also served in the Lajna chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Research Association (AMRA). This felt like I had somehow made a full circle, as it was a member of Lajna AMRA who had helped me to apply for my PhD. I feel like this role is hugely a part of my Waqf as well, as it relies on my interest and career in research. In this capacity, I can help others to think about a career in research, something which is encouraged by Hazuraba as well. I implement my research into Jama’at programs, such as presenting at Ijtemas as well as the last AMWSA student mulaqat. It is from my experience of university and research that I now often help with personal statements, project proposals, applications and thesis drafts of various Ahmadi students in relation to my areas of interest and expertise. I believe it is the help and sacrifices of my family and other Bajis who have inspired and helped me to reach this far in the realm of education, and thus I owe it to them and the Jama’at to help other Ahmadi girls to excel beyond this, as well, in whichever way I can as part of my Waqf. Hazuraba reiterates that our education should enable the betterment of the future generations and this is what I aim to do.

Now, I am almost at the end of my PhD, and I am often asked what my next career step will be. And the honest answer is, “I do not know”. I will do whatever Hazuraba guides me to do. And I will do so happily, because I will know that there is so much blessing in it. I do know that I wish to continue to be a Waqf, and hopefully serve the Jama’at in even more capacities. I pray that Allah Almighty may enable me to do so. Ameen.

Adapted from an original tale from the Far East.

Illustrated by Wardah Burhan

There was once a time when elephants were a wonderful and mystical creature in China.

One day, a ruler came to see the Emperor of China. He brought a gift, and that gift was a real life elephant!

Our story involves an Emperor and a majestic elephant.

“This elephant is bigger than a water buffalo!” Never in China had anyone seen anything like it. As soon as the royal guest left, it was all anyone at the court could talk about.

One day the Emperor said to his advisors,

“Are you kidding? It’s bigger than a rhino!”

“I want to know how much this amazing elephant weighs. Who can tell me how to weigh it?”

“You must be joking. This elephant is bigger than TWO rhinos!”

Said the first advisor, who used to be a merchant.

Said the second advisor, who used to be a tailor. “We will just put it on a scale.”

“Not likely. There is no scale that could hold the weight of an elephant without breaking.”

“I can tell you!”

“We will measure the elephant.”

“No, even if you measured all the different parts of an elephant, you would still not know how much it weighs.”

“I can tell you!”

“We will cut up the elephant and cook it. Then we will know.”