21st June, Manchester: His Eminence Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered a spiritually profound and intellectually rich address at The Amore أحب Banquet Hall in Manchester, as part of the MQI UK North Zone Workers Convention 2025. The convention gathered active members and representatives from all North England centres, regional tanzeemat, and forum leaders of Minhaj Women League, Minhaj Sisters, Minhaj Muslim Generations, Minhaj Scholars Forum, and Minhaj Welfare Foundation.
His Eminence was joined by Professor Dr Hassan Mohiuddin Qadri (Chairman of the Supreme Council of Minhaj-ul-Quran International) along with Shaykh Ahmad Mustafa Al-Arabi Qadri and Dr Ghazala Qadri (President of Minhaj Women League International) who all graced the occasion with their presence.
In his keynote, Shaykh-ul-Islam began by reminding attendees that Minhaj-ul-Quran is not merely an organisation, but a sacred mission; a vision of revival, guidance, and tarbiyah for future generations. He reminded members that Minhaj-ul-Quran is a vision that must be lived, not just supported. The time for passive affiliation is over; this era demands daily, practical, and spiritual contribution. He emphasised that every home must become a marakaz-e-ilm (centres of knowledge) and gosha-e-durood (corner of remembrance). Members were urged to transform their membership into living commitment through action, service, and propagation.
He called on every Rafiq (member) to become a Da’i (an active caller to Allah’s path) through daily engagement, regular dawah, and a sense of responsibility to spread the message of the Qur’an.
A major theme of the address centred on the formative development of children. Shaykh-ul-Islam explained that modern neuroscience confirms what the Qur’an and Sunnah have long emphasised: the first five years of a child’s life are critical. By age five, 90% of the brain’s neural connections are formed. These shape personality, temperament, and spiritual receptivity. The environment at home, what a child sees, hears, and experiences, leaves a lasting imprint.
He elaborated that by age twelve, parental influence begins to wane, and by thirteen, a child’s personality is mostly complete. From that point, development continues, but the foundation has already been laid. What was absorbed in those early years, consciously or subconsciously, becomes the lens through which the child engages with the world.
Addressing mothers directly, Shaykh-ul-Islam highlighted the prophetic wisdom: “الجنة تحت أقدام الأمهات” - “Paradise lies beneath the feet of mothers.” He explained that while the father may be the “door” to paradise, the mother is its “foundation”. Without the foundation, no wall can be built, and without a wall, there can be no door. Therefore, the spiritual structure of the home depends first and foremost on the presence, character, and engagement of the mother.
He urged families to prioritise early spiritual exposure: letting children hear the name of Allah ﷻ, the sound of the adhan, Qur’anic recitation, and dhikr, even from the womb. The child’s heart, even before birth, is influenced by the rhythm and sanctity of its environment. Reciting the Qur’an at home, listening to Naats and good speech, and surrounding children with virtuous actions builds deep-rooted connections in the soul.
Shaykh-ul-Islam warned against the modern trend of passive parenting, urging parents not to blame their children’s misguidance when the groundwork was neglected. He stated that if children develop stubbornness, disobedience, or a lack of spirituality, it is often the result of what they were exposed to or deprived of in their earliest years. Parenting, he explained, is not just provision but active tarbiyah.
The speech strongly emphasised the power of Jama’at (community). Quoting Surah Al-Fatiha, “إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ” - “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help,” he taught that even in individual prayer, Islam uses the plural “we.” This is because divine protection comes through collective belonging. Shaykh-ul-Islam noted: “I puts you in isolation whereas We puts you in protection.” Disconnection makes one vulnerable to the whispers of Shaytan. Staying actively connected to Jama’at provides spiritual safety and nourishment.
He explained that being part of the mission must be practical and visible. It is not enough to hold a membership card or label; one must be actively engaged in da'wah, service, and regular study. He advocated for the culture of “Khitaab and Kitaab”, listening to the speeches of Shaykh-ul-Islam and reading his books daily. These were described as tools for building inner strength, resilience, and knowledge, enabling believers to walk steadfastly despite external attacks on their faith and morality.
To strengthen grassroots engagement, Shaykh-ul-Islam announced a strategic call to action: to establish 10 new MQI centres in the next two years across cities in the UK currently without a local base. He advised communities not to wait for purchased or owned buildings, but to begin by renting suitable venues and making them accessible to all, including women, youth, and families.
He further reminded attendees that the biggest attacks today are not just physical but spiritual, emotional, and psychological. The modern world constantly targets our values, minds, and hearts. In this context, Jama’at becomes not just a platform for organisation, but a defence system for the soul and the home. Being alone makes one easy prey for Shaytan. Being part of Jama’at places the hand of Allah’s protection over us, as taught in the hadith of the Prophet ﷺ.
This powerful convention reaffirmed that Minhaj-ul-Quran is a living mission - a movement of guidance, transformation, and protection for the present and the future. Every member, every household, and every child must be nurtured through this collective vision. The message was clear: if we keep listening, we will keep walking (progressing) on the path of Allah ﷻ.
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