Flowers for the Women Wearing Veils - Volume II — Page 94
94 Ha z rat Khalifat - ul - Masih II ra drew attention to following: “The time s are changing rapidly; hence we should adjust ourselves accordingly. We listen to advice , but we do not practice it. For example , the issue of cleanliness needs special attention. We must adopt simplicity , but cleanliness is also essential. This is not the time to simply talk; it is the time to act. Islam has put a special emphasis on cleanliness, and I have brought your attention to this matter many times yet there is no appreciable change. Men cannot do this work inside the homes. This task can be accomplished with the women’s attention. To throw trash everywhere and hav e children defecate on the sidewalk is appalling. These days, visitors are coming from foreign countries and their number s will greatly increase. These fo reign visitors will make their own observations from your example. There will be two types of people among them. (1) Hypocrit ic al types, who when they see your bad example , will be the cause for spread ing the ill reputation of Ahmadiyyat. They will be continually misguided. (2) Sincere believers who follow your example in everything and act accordingly. Therefore , you will be responsible for making one group turn away [from Ahmadiyyat] and the other group impure. I call Lajna Ima’illah ’s attention to educate women about this subject through waqar - e - amal 2 to set forth a good example for people visiting from other countries. At the same time, I bring women’s attention towards education, so that they learn and adopt Islam ic ethics and conduct. These virtues and moral values can be created by gaining religious education. You must create a visible change and transformation within yourselves and prepare yourselves to educate the thousands visiting from foreign countries by learning [yourself]. Lajna should now become alert. The war between Islam and k ufr [ disbelief ] cannot end unti l your mothers, sisters, daughters, men , and childr en take full part in this. Lajna should bring about an awakening with in women. The spirit of sacrifice is already present with in the Jama'at ; women only need to be made aware of their responsibilities. ” ( Al - F azl , 20 January 1950 , p. 5) 2 Waqar - e - amal [d ignity of work ] refers to all kinds of voluntary work done by Ahamdis for the Ahmadiyya Community. [Editor]