Al-Akseer Issue #1, Jan-Mar 2023

AL-AKSEER

V O L U M E 1 • J A N - M A R 2 0 2 3 ﺮﺴﻛﻻا

THE HOLY QURAN

"Verily, those who swear allegiance to thee indeed swear allegiance to Allah. The hand of Allah is over their hands. So whoever breaks his oath, breaks it to his own loss; and whoever fulfils the covenant that he has made with Allah, He will surely give him a great reward." - The Holy Quran, 48:11

HADITH

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MKA IJTEMA 2022

After the pandemic induced lockdowns of 2021, this year Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya New Zealand were able to hold their annual National Ijtema at Masjid Bait-ul-Muqeet Mosque in Auckland

Khuddam from across the country made their way to the city – some on flights, others making journeys of up to 9 hours by road. Masha’Allah, many of those who travelled were new migrants to New Zealand, who had recently arrived as refugees

The programme for the Ijtema spanned three days, beginning on the evening of Friday the 18th November with the first ever Khuddam Majlis-e-Shura, under the instructions of Huzoor (aba). This was followed by elections for Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya

The next morning, the programme began early, with Tahajjud prayers at 4:15 am, followed by Fajr prayers, Dars, and breakfast with Huzoor’s (aba) Friday Sermon. After the flag hoisting ceremony, the Ijtema began in earnest with the Taleem competitions. Khuddam competed in Tilawat, Nazm, Prepared and impromptu speech, and Adhan competitions.

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The next item on the agenda was sports With Lunch and Zuhr and Asr prayers completed, the Khuddam set out to the nearby indoor sports hall. The play began with the ever-popular volleyball tournament, where a series of tightly contested matches saw Wellington Majlis come out on top The 7-a-side football tournament was equally tight, and once again it was Wellington Majlis was declared the winner. A friendly series of dodgeball matches was also held, which proved an entertaining change of pace.

After returning to the mosque for a barbecue dinner and Maghrib and Isha prayers, there was also a friendly armwrestling and pushup competition, followed by a Moshaida Moina memory test on Kahoot to finish off the evening.

The final day of the Ijtema once again began with Tahajjud and Fajr prayers, followed by Dars and Holy Quran recitation. After breakfast, an interactive discussion was held with one of the Murabbiyaan, on the topic of the divine origin of the Holy Quran. A question-and-answer session was also held, which gave the khuddam the opportunity to discuss a variety of contemporary issues.

The ijtema then concluded with the final session, which consisted of the prize distribution and several addresses by Sadr Khuddam and Missionary-incharge Murabbi Shafiq-urRehman sahib, who delivered a detailed address containing valuable Tarbiyyat advice for the attendees. The ijtema programme was brought to an end with a silent prayer.

Alhamdulillah, this ijtema proved a unique and successful one. With the large influx of new Ahmadi migrants to New Zealand, it provided an opportunity for Khuddam across the country to meet one another and strengthen the ties of brotherhood. A total of 80 khuddam attended, making one of the highest attendances for the New Zealand Khuddam ijtema. Inshallah, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya looks forward to an even more successful event next year, inshallah.

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"NATIONS CANOT BE REFORMED WITHOUT THE REFORMATION OF THE YOUTH" - HAZRAT KHALIFATUL MASIH II (RA)

ATFAL IJTEMA 2022

1st and 2nd October, Majlis Atfal ul Ahmadiyya NZ held its National Ijtema at Masjid Baitul Muqeet. The total participation of Atfal was around 30. On 1st October, there was a Taleem and sports competition. On 2nd October, there was a prize distribution.

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NEW YEAR'S CLEANUP ‘23

1st January 2023

This year the New Year's Cleanup was only done in Auckland. Hamilton canceled their programme. Wellington also canceled theirs.

In Auckland we had 24 members take part (17 Khuddam and 7 Atfal). We split into teams of 4 to cover the 4 parks (Myers, Albert, Victoria, and Western Park).

For cricket we had 12 members from Auckland take part (11 Khuddam & 1 Tifl). From Hamilton, we had 14 Khuddam join.

WAQAR E AMAL FOR JALSA SALANA 2023

Held on 15-01-2023 at Baitul Muqeet Mosque. Alhamdulillah, about 30 members including Khuddam, Atfal and Ansar participated in this blessed event.

Cleaning was done from 10 am to 1:30 pm and the main focus was to clean and tidy up all the areas inside and outside of of the Mosque, which has been completed with the active participation of every member at the event.

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JALSA SALANA NZ 2023

By the Grace of Allah, last Saturday saw the conclusion of Jama’at Ahmadiyya New Zealand’s two-day Jalsa Salana, held at Alfriston College in Auckland.

Over 600 people, including numerous political, community and religious leaders, attended the event to hear discourses on a wide range of topics, focusing on the concept of promoting societal peace.

“Islam teaches to reduce conflict in the world by focusing on commonalities that unite us rather than differences that may exist, whether of race, religion or background. We are united as humans,” explained Mr Bashir Khan, National President of New Zealand Jama’at.

During the guest session, several guests had the opportunity to address the attendees. Dr Anae Neru Leavasa, MP for Takanini, commended the Jama’at for their initiative in holding the event: “I love that we have these Annual Conferences where we can visit each other’s religious organisations, talk amongst each other, and understand your origins and where your faith comes from.”

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The keynote speech of the event also took place during the guest session, delivered by Murabbi Mustenser Qamar. Murabbi sahib explained the Islamic teaching, quoting from the Holy Quran: “Verily, Allah enjoins justice and the doing of good to others, and giving like kindred; and forbids indecency, and manifest evil, and transgression.”

The event proved a success, providing an excellent and informative platform for discussion; the New Zealand Jama’at looks forward to holding the event next year and welcoming the guests and attendees to another Jalsa Salana.

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Khuddam hard at work at Jalsa

YOUTH KORERO

HELD SATURDAY ON THE 11TH FEBRUARY 2023

THE EVENT WAS ORGANISED AS A NEW INITIATIVE UNDER THE TALEEM DEPARTMENT AND BY THE GRACE OF ALLAH WAS ATTENDED BY 23 KHUDDAM AND 2 ATFAL AND 6 MEMBERS JOINING ONLINE.

THE SESSION WAS HOSTED BY MURRABI ASIF MUNIR SAHIB.

THE WORD KORERO IS THE MAORI WORD FOR DISCUSSION / CONVERSATION. HENCE KEEPING WITH THE NAME THE OBJECTIVE OF YOUTH KORERO WAS TO PROVIDE A PLATFORM FOR AHMADI YOUTH TO COME TOGETHER AND HOLD CONVERSATIONS IN A SAFE, OPEN AND NON-JUDGEMENTAL SPACE. THE TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THIS TIME WAS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH.

A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE PRESENTATION INCLUDE A MIX OF BOTH RELIGIOUS AND SECULAR APPROACHES TO DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES -

ON KEEPING GOOD COMPANY -

NARRATED ABU MUSA: ALLAH'S MESSENGER (ﷺ) SAID, "THE EXAMPLE OF A GOOD COMPANION (WHO SITS WITH YOU) IN COMPARISON WITH A BAD ONE, IS LIKE THAT OF THE MUSK SELLER AND THE BLACKSMITH'S BELLOWS (OR FURNACE); FROM THE FIRST YOU WOULD EITHER BUY MUSK OR ENJOY ITS GOOD SMELL WHILE THE BELLOWS WOULD EITHER BURN YOUR CLOTHES OR YOUR HOUSE, OR YOU GET A BAD NASTY SMELL THEREOF." (SAHIH AL-BUKHARI 2101)

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FIG 1: KNOWING YOUR SELF-WORTH. DEPRESSION AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES CAN CAUSE ONE TO SEE LIFE AND THEMSELVES NEGATIVELY. HENCE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO REALIZE YOUR SELF ESTEEM AND TRY TO BE OPTIMISTIC AND CHEERFUL.

AND WE WILL SURELY TEST YOU WITH SOMETHING OF FEAR AND HUNGER AND A LOSS OF WEALTH AND LIVES AND FRUITS, BUT GIVE GOOD TIDINGS TO THE PATIENT. (SURAH AL-BAQARAH, 2:155)

ALLAH THE ALMIGHTY TESTS US IN THE WAYS CLEARLY STATED IN THE VERSE ABOVE AND IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO BEAR EVERY HARDSHIP WITH UTMOST PATIENCE AND STEADFASTNESS SO THAT WE MAY BECOME RECIPIENTS OF ALLAH'S BLESSINGS

WHICH IS DEMONSTRATED VERY CLEARLY IN THE SUNNAH OF THE HOLY PROPHET MUHAMMUD (SAW)

ABDULLAH IBN AL-HARITH REPORTED: I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYONE SMILE MORE OFTEN THAN THE MESSENGER OF ALLAH, PEACE AND BLESSINGS BE UPON HIM

SOURCE: SUNAN AL-TIRMIDHĪ 364

FIG 2: IS SELF EXPLANATORY BUT IT IS DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE AS IT REQUIRES ACTIVELY EXERCISING YOUR WILL-POWER TO FEED YOUR MIND WITH POSITIVE AND USEFUL CONTENT AS OPPOSED TO DRAMA, GOSSIP, NEGATIVITY WHICH IS EASY TO FALL INTO AND DESTRUCTIVE TO YOUR MENTAL HEALTH.