One person I met in Columbus had travelled with his family from Detroit to meet with Hazur. Detroit was around 3 hours drive and so they had left very early in the morning. He had been told that his name was on the list of Mulaqats but upon arrival he was suddenly told that his name was no longer on the list. Nevertheless he was advised that he and his family could wait if they wished in case later in the day there was a space.
After narrating the situation he said that he hoped and prayed that he would get the chance to meet Hazur. However there was no bitterness or anger that he and his family had travelled and now they were being told that they could not meet Hazur. I sat with him for around half an hour and we spoke about various things but every few minutes the talk would return to Khilafat.
At the end of our talk I prayed that he would get the chance to meet Hazur but as the day passed the chances looked less and less likely. Finally at around 9pm he was told that as it was getting close to Maghreb and Isha time he would not be able to meet with Hazur. I felt so sorry for him as I could see the disappointment on his face. But again he did not say anything to protest or display any anger.
I prayed again that somehow he be able to meet Hazur and I am sure that he too was praying for this. Suddenly an announcement came that those who had been left waiting would not be able to meet Hazur in the office but they could line up and do Musafa as Hazur left for Namaz. My heart was filled with joy and so I immediately made sure that the person knew and was ready. Thus
when Hazur emerged from his office my friend was able to do Musafa and the look of joy on his face was something that filled my heart with happiness.
To the outside world it would have been seemed strange that after waiting all day in the heat, why a person could be so happy after a brief handshake. But not to Ahmadis. For he just wanted to have the opportunity to see Hazur from close and to touch his blessed hand. When he was able to do this, you could see that in an instant he had been consumed with contentment and satisfaction, Masha’Allah.