The Spark Becomes a Flame

Guidance on cycling given by Khilafat over five decades, from a single instruction at a Khuddam Ijtema in 1973 to the cycling programme Majlis Ansarullah runs today.

1. 2 November 1973

   Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Ijtema, Pakistan

   “Why do you stand for buses and waste your time? Exercise, become healthy and ride a bicycle. I have said it before and I say it again today – in a short time, I want 100,000 Ahmadi Cycles! An Ahmadi Cycle is that which is ridden by an Ahmadi. And these 100,000 Ahmadi Cycles should have the ability to cycle up to 100 miles in a day.”

   Malfuzat, Vol. II, p. 384

   This reference is reproduced exactly as supplied and is awaiting confirmation from the committee.

2. 1973

   Mash'al-e-Rah

   “… There are thousands of other advantages to cycling too. For example, many have to go out for household errands or shopping. If you have a cycle, you will save a lot of your quality time and the following glad tiding will also be fulfilled in your person that was given to the Promised Mahdi (as) in these words: ‘You are the sheikh, the Messiah, whose time shall not be wasted’. Thus, we have to be attentive towards time-saving and obtain maximum benefit from the little time available so that those blessings may be fulfilled in ourselves as well.”

   Mash'al-e-Rah, Vol. II, p. 383
3. 1973

   Report Majlis-e-Mushawarat

   “In order to maintain good health, cycling is very beneficial. I desire for a campaign to be run in the Jamaat for them to cycle as much as possible. This exercise is very beneficial […] If one cycles slowly then to cycle 100 miles in one day is not hard at all […] If 100,000 Ahmadis cycle 100 miles then in one day they will have cycled 10 million miles […]”

   Report Majlis-e-Mushawarat, 1973, pp. 34-35
4. 6 March 2021

   Virtual Meeting of Majlis Ansarullah Australia National Amila with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

   Encourage the members of Ansarullah to buy and use bicycles. At least on short distances they should use bicycles instead of using cars and motorbikes or something else. So, Majlis Ansarullah should also play its role in this.

5. 19 June 2021

   Virtual Meeting of Majlis Ansarullah Switzerland with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

   Members of Majlis Ansarullah should become more physically active and to take up walking and cycling which Huzoor said would have a positive impact on their mental health and faculties and would also increase their ability to serve the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

6. 12 September 2021

   Virtual Mulaqat of Members of Nasirat-ul-Ahmadiyya from Midlands & South West UK with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

   It is very important. You should try to avoid using cars whilst travelling short distances. Either walk or use a bicycle. Cycling is good for your health as well.

7. 13 November 2022

   Virtual Meeting with Majlis Ansarullah Switzerland with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

   Huzoor (May Allah be His Helper) mentioned that he has already highlighted to the children’s and ladies’ auxiliaries of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community that they should plant more trees and not make short journeys on cars and should develop the habit of walking and cycling more.

8. 12 May 2023

   Virtual Meeting of Majlis Ansarullah Australia National Amila with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

   Ansar can cycle more than 15–20km. The UK Ansar went to Spain to cycle. They cycled and distributed Tabligh literature. They teamed up with local cycling organisations. They cycled around 200km, which consisted of mountainous and flat routes. So Ansar can cycle, however you underestimate them.

9. May 2024

   Virtual Mulaqat of Majlis Ansarullah Canada National Amila with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

   Just recently 50 cyclists went from the United Kingdom to Spain. Other cyclists from around the world joined them as well. And this became a means of preaching for them. They travelled 250 to 300 km. You should have a separate cycling system in this sense. Keep professional cyclists separate, and organise another event for experienced cyclists. Make it a means of preaching. The UK cyclists also distributed literature and spread the message in this way. Other cyclists from Japan and other parts of the world were also touring with them. They contacted the cycling associations there and 50–60 additional cyclists joined them. They cycling from Pedro Abad to Cordoba and cycled apart from that as well. They conveyed the message of Islam through this. The objective is not only to improve your physical health, but also convey the message of Islam. Expand the scope of your vision. Do not have a limited vision of saying you have achieved so much by cycling 5km, or that you have achieved a great feat by cycling for an hour.

10. 18 May 2025

    Virtual Mulaqat with a delegation of the members of Majlis Ansarullah Finland with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

    Huzoor (May Allah be His Helper) stressed the importance of walking. He advised waking early, offering prayers, and then exercising or walking for at least half an hour. He particularly recommended cycling for ansar in Saff-e-daum. Addressing one nasir, Huzoor (May Allah be His Helper) noted that though he had now moved from Saff-e-Daum to Saff-e-Awwal (the senior-most group), he had not cycled for 15 years, despite having a bicycle at home which he merely looked at with satisfaction. Huzoor (May Allah be His Helper) urged him to use it at least three or four days a week. If not cycling, then walking four to five miles daily, which would take about 45 minutes to an hour, would improve health.

11. 15 June 2025

    Virtual Mulaqat with National Amila of Majlis Ansarullah of the Netherlands with Hadrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba)

    Huzoor (May Allah be His Helper) explained that there is a specific plan for these ansar, which is overseen by the Naib Sadr Saff-e-Dom. This plan includes activities such as exercise and cycling… The Naib Sadr Saff-e-Daum (ansar aged 40-55) was encouraged by Huzoor (May Allah be His Helper) to get more ansar from his age group involved in cycling.