Maryam Oct-Dec 2023 (English)

WAQF IN THE FIELD

Aisha Academy

When I was younger, like many other girls, I had a desire for a ‘Jamia Ahmadiyya’ specifcally tailored for girls. The prospect of having an institution dedicated to training devotees of the Jama’at was captivating, and while we admired the one for boys, we longed for a similar opportunity. Aisha Academy UK emerged as the fulflling answer to that void! As Hazrat Mirza Masoor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his helper, stated, ‘the Waqifeen who enrol in Jamia Ahmadiyya should also – alongside their religious studies – try to increase their secular knowledge. It is vital for missionaries to have an understanding of what is happening in the world so they can relate to other people.’ This perfectly aligns with the ethos of Aisha Academy, where we not only delve into religious studies but we also strive to enhance our worldly knowledge, preparing us well for the future missions ahead of us.

Being a Waqfe Nau means devoting one’s life to the service of the Jama’at. Having graduated from Aisha Academy only a few months ago, I fnd myself refecting upon a transformative journey marked by a once in a lifetime experience, perfect for us Waaiqfaat-e-Nau. As I share my journey, it is my hope that you will be able to witness how Aisha Academy plays a crucial role in aligning with the responsibilities of a Waqf.

Madiha Mubarik Cheema

My academic journey commenced at the University of Roehampton, where I studied History, Religious Studies, and Theology for my undergraduate degree. The dual focus on history and religious studies allowed me to delve into the complexities of both subjects. This gave me a strong understanding of the historical context and religious dynamics that shape societies all over the world. The religious studies component of my degree was particularly interesting; what stood out most during such studies was the open dialogues I had between classmates and lecturers about religion. These conversations made me think a lot about what my faith meant to me at that point in my life, and how I did not really know exactly what to say when I found myself in a conversation with others. After completing my university studies in 2022, I was at a point where I yearned for something more – a deeper connection with my faith. This bridging of academic knowledge and Islamic knowledge became essential, in better understanding and explaining my Ahmadi faith to others. It was during this transitional period that my dad and cousin (who was part of the frst cohort of students of Aisha Academy), seeing my wish for spiritual growth, recommended Aisha Academy to me. Intrigued by the course content, I decided to explore this unique educational institution, established under the insightful guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba, back in 2021.

Handling family responsibilities and educational pursuits has been a unique journey for me. Working part-time outside of the Academy while living with my parents provided a supportive backdrop to my learning. The proximity and familial support played a signifcant role in making it all a good balance. Throughout this journey, the unwavering support of my teachers, parents and sister, and in particular, my father, Abu, has been my greatest help. Abu’s commitment to my education was exemplifed in small but profound ways. Sometimes, when I needed to prep-read some Urdu for the upcoming class, he would willingly come home early from work and read to me, so I could understand some concepts better. Also, challenges are an inevitable part of any part of life, and in those moments, the power of prayer was the best remedy. My parents, with hearts full of love, lifted me up in prayer. I now thank Allah Almighty daily for the warmth of their prayers.

Experiences of classmates managing family responsibilities added another level to my understanding. Some, caring for up to three children, demonstrated resilience in attending the Academy. Their commitment is a source of inspiration. It was a testament that, with the right mindset, Lajna could overcome familial responsibilities and continue their pursuits. Mash’Allah. In our cohort, Aisha Academy began offering online classes, meaning that we had a few Lajna studying from Spain –some of whom had a family. Witnessing their dedication was invaluable in driving my motivation.

Maintaining such a balance often relies heavily on support from family members. Whether parents, a spouse, or children, familial support makes it easier to handle responsibilities. Family understanding and encouragement are paramount to success. I am continually grateful for the support I received. Alhamdolillah.

The Waqfe Nau scheme is a blessed endeavour which aims to ensure our future’s prosperity and growth of the Jama’at. In particular, the children of our future generation require nurturing at every stage of their development. We are constantly taught that it is not merely a duty; it is a sacred bond and a lifelong commitment for the sake of faith. We should be ready to contribute by learning the best ways to engage in Tabligh and Tarbiyyat. Aisha Academy is an excellent resource for gaining knowledge and putting it into action to fulfl our duty.

Aisha Academy stands as an institution dedicated to nurturing both our religious and educational perspectives. According to my honourable Principal Sahiba, Mrs Lubna Sohail, the academy provides us with the “opportunity to strengthen [our] bond with Allah, enhance [our] understanding of Islam, and allows us to always be prepared to make every sacrifce for the perpetuation of the Ahmadiyya Khilafat.” The overarching goal of the academy is to enlighten our hearts with the light of Islamic guidance, transforming us into role models for the coming generations. The mix of learning about our faith and studying at Aisha Academy fts perfectly with being Waqf.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba has said to “Always remember that it is the duty of a Waqf-e-Nau to propagate the mission and objectives of the Khalifa-e-Waqt and to be his constant helper. You can only do this if you are completely obedient to Khilafat; only if you are following the guidance and instructions of Khalifa-e-Waqt can you urge others to do the same”. Aisha Academy has instilled this love of Khilafat in me.

Another point I would like to add is that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaba consistently emphasises the importance of acquiring religious knowledge in Waqfe Nau Ijtema addresses. In one address, Hazooraba mentioned that Ijtemas were for “Waqifeene-nau to join together to enhance their moral state, to increase their religious knowledge, to better understand their objectives, and above all, to be inspired towards developing an everlasting bond with Allah the Almighty.”1 Such Ijtemas have instilled in me a desire to research even more about Islam and delve into the books of the Promised Messiahas .

Aisha Academy proved ideal for this purpose, offering subjects such as the Holy Qur’an (Nazirah, Hifz, Split Word Translation, and Commentary), Hadith, Kalam, Comparative Study of Religions, Fiqh (Jurisprudence), and History, which are studied extensively. These subjects cover a comprehensive range, including the recitation and memorisation of the Holy Qur’an, understanding Hadith, exploring Ahmadi principles with excellent arguments, comparing religions critically, studying Islamic law, and delving into the history of Islam and Ahmadiyyat. Studying the languages: Arabic, Urdu, and English simply enhanced the learning experience, as all three are crucial for a comprehensive understanding of the material we engaged with. I fnd each of the 12 subjects equally intriguing; I simply cannot decide which one I like the most!

Overall, Aisha Academy’s curriculum serves as an ideal platform for all members of the Waqfe Nau scheme, by giving us in-depth knowledge while fostering that deeper connection with Allah, which is perfect for preparing us to contribute to society and the wider world, particularly future generations.

Beyond our regular classes at Aisha Academy, I, as well as my classmates experienced signifcant growth in communication skills. As a Waqifa-e-Nau, I’ve found our weekly Question & Answer Sessions to be very benefcial. We would watch Q&As with Hazoor-e-Anwaraba, and we ourselves would research to cover General Knowledge topics like Politics, Economics, Science, Weather, Business, Technology, Jama’at News, Sports, and Health - So, there were secular additions too. These sessions let us have open discussions on a wide range of topics, encouraging us to explore and deepen our understanding of any misconceptions that were raised externally.

The Academy also encouraged us to explore diverse topics in-class presentations

(e.g.looking at the question of God in our God Summit) and also through the hosting of our very own events, which not only brought us together even more but also helped our confdence majorly. There are so many extra-curricular activities we engaged in, but as a Waqifa-e-Nau, engaging in Waqfe Arzi and Aisha Academy’s own Field Practice has been very satisfying. It meant that I could actively contribute to the betterment of society and my community. Practicing in such environments serves as an opportunity to discover different approaches to communicating the teachings effectively to different audiences. For such experiences, I am grateful.

Post-Aisha Academy

Having recently graduated from Aisha Academy, I fnd myself continuously reminiscing about this transformative experience that I was fortunate to have.

Alhamdolillah, I am now serving as a teacher at the Academy for Qur’anic Commentary, which is a great honour. I am joined by some of my classmates who are also teaching at the Academy and in ITQA (International Talimul Qur’an Academy) classes. I fnd myself feeling immense gratitude that I have a chance to contribute to the development of future generations by helping them build stronger ties to their faith, while continuing to nurture my own faith, as I learn a thing or two from students too.

Along with this, I am currently pursuing a Master’s in Law while also working part-time at Hampton Court Palace. Motivated by the teachings of Aisha Academy, which encourage active participation in the Jama’at, I have recently taken up roles as writing for Voice of Islam Radio and as the General Secretary in my local Halqa. The responsibilities bestowed upon me are something I do not take lightly. In fact, taking on these duties gives my life a meaningful purpose.

Aisha Academy UK gave me the confdence and knowledge that I yearned for my whole life. My gratitude toward the Academy knows no bounds. The teachers, each amazing in their own right, have shaped me in some way or another. Every one of them has given me the strength to achieve things I never thought I would do. May Allah bless them all immensely.

Above all, I am humbled to have opportunities to fulfl my duties in accordance with the vision set forth by the Promised Messiahas for all Ahmadis, as well as the Khulafa-e-Ahmadiyya.

May Allah enable all of us Waaqifaat-e-Nau sisters to use our education and experiences to serve our Jama’at well. Ameen. 1