124th Jalsa Salana Qadian

 

The 124^th Jalsa Salana Qadian was held on 28, 29 and 30 December 2018 with the concluding address delivered live on MTA International by Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V^aa. 

The humble origins of Jalsa Salana Qadian stem from 1891 when 75 guests attended a convention organised by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as, the Promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi. 

This year, a total of 18,864 guests attended from 48 countries far and wide. A total of 12 speeches were delivered across the three days with the concluding address delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V^aa.

The spiritual atmosphere of the Jalsa Salana was kept alive with congregational prayers, including congregational Tahajud throughout the three days. The focus of the Jalsa was based around numerous speeches delivered by scholars of the Jamaat. The speeches included:

• Answers to the Allegations of Those Who Deny the Existence of God, by Muhammad Karimuddin Shahid Sahib, Sadr Qaza Board, Qadian
• Life and Character of the Holy Prophet^sa in the Perspective of Upholding the Dignity of Humanity, by Muhammad Inaam Ghori Sahib, Nazir-e-Ala Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya 
• The Life and Character of the Promised Messiah^as in the Perspective of Improving Family Life, by Munir Ahmad Khadim Sahib, Additional Nazir Islah-o-Irshad South India
• Significance of Five Daily Prayers, Supplications, Seeking Forgiveness and Remembrance of Allah, by Muzaffar Ahmad Nasir Sahib, Nazir Islah-o-Irshad Markaziya Qadian
• Khilafat in the Footsteps of Prophethood – The True Divine System and its Blessings, by Sultan Ahmad Zafar Sahib, Nazim Irshad Waqf-e-Jadid, Qadian
• Faith Inspiring Incidents of the Acceptance of Prayers of Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa, by Muhammad Hameed Kausar Sahib, Nazir Dawat-e-Ilallah Markaziya, Qadian
• Importance and Blessings of Paying Compulsory Contribution as per the Prescribed Schedule and the Institution of Wasiyat, by Tariq Ahmad Sahib, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya India
• Life and Character of the Blessed Companions Hazrat Jafar ibn Abi Talib^ra and Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawab Sahib^ra, by Hafiz Muzaffar Ahmad Sahib, Nazir Islah-o-Irshad Muqami, Rabwah
• Love for All, Hatred for None, by Giani Tanveer Khadim Sahib, Naib Nazir Dawat-e-Ilallah Markaziya, Qadian
• Truthfulness of the Promised Messiah^as in Light of the Need of the Time and Divine Signs of Support, by Mansoor Ahmad Masroor Sahib, Editor Weekly Badr Qadian
• Sincere and Earnest Advice of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V for Averting the Third World War, by Sheeraz Ahmad Sahib, Additional Nazir-e-Ala South India
• Importance of Dawat-e-Ilallah – Calling Towards the Way of Allah in the Present Conditions of the World, by Zaheer Ahmad Khadim Sahib, Additional Nazir Dawat-e-Ilallah South India

Describing the great interest in listening to the Jalsa Salana speeches, Officer Jalsa Gah, Muzaffar Ahmad Nasir Sahib said:

“All the guests are listening to the various speeches with great attention. The speeches are translated live into nine languages – guests from all over India are greatly benefitting from the translations into their respective languages. At the same time, we also have translations in English, Russian and Arabic to cater for international guests.”

The Jalsa Salana guests had the opportunity to visit the blessed house of the Promised Messiah^as known as Darul-Masih. The three days also saw huge crowds flocking to Bahishti Maqbara, often after Fajr prayer, to pray at the blessed grave of the Promised Messiah^as and his Companions^ra. Jalsa Salana guests also enjoyed the beauty of new renovations of historical sites within Qadian, one such renovation being the house of Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan^ra in which an exhibition has been set up by the name of Islam – World Peace Exhibition. 

The sheer scale of Jalsa Salana Qadian is expanding year upon year. Giving an insight into the arrangements, Officer Jalsa Salana, Sohaib Ahmad Sahib said: 

“By the grace of Allah, once again, we have been given the opportunity to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah^as. The organisational structure of Jalsa Salana is such that we currently have more than 40 nizamats [departments]. Along with this, we have three Langar Khanas [kitchens] which are constantly cooking food – one kitchen is solely for those with dietary restrictions. Rotis [Indian flatbread] are cooked on tandoors when the number of guests is manageable. Thereafter, as the guests begin to increase, our roti plant is turned on and cooks rotis according to our needs.” 

Discussing the accommodation arrangements for guests, Sohaib Sahib explained: 

“Several guest houses, Darul-Ziafat, Sirai Waseem and many other buildings provide accommodation for the guests. Apart from these, several marquees were erected for further accommodation. Permanent toilets have also been built for the comfort of the guests.”

The department of Khidmat-e-Khalq was overseen by volunteers from Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya India. Officer Khidmat-e-Khalq, Tariq Ahmad Sahib explained the role of the department, saying:

“There are various sub-departments within Khidmat-e-Khalq, for example, traffic control, parking and registration. Also, the department provides security for historical sites, mosques and the main Jalsa Gah.”

Speaking about the Khuddam volunteers, Tariq Ahmad Sahib said:

“The Khuddam volunteers who have come here for their duties are serving day and night. They are eager to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah^as to the best of their abilities.”

The local authorities have always been instrumental in assisting with logistical and security services at Jalsa Salana Qadian. Shiraz Ahmad Sahib, Nazir Umur-e-Kharija Qadian, said:

“The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat thanks the government of India, from the depths of our heart, for granting visas to international Ahmadi guests of the Jalsa Salana. In the same way, the government of Punjab arranged a police service, fire service and took care of electrical and water needs during Jalsa Salana for which we are deeply thankful.”

The highlight of Jalsa Salana Qadian was the concluding address on Sunday, 30 December by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa who addressed the Jalsa from London. 5,365 Ahmadis sat to listen to Huzoor’s address in Baitul Futuh, which was broadcast live in Qadian. Huzoor^aa highlighted the great importance of the advent of the Promised Messiah^as and his unmatchable love for the Holy Prophet^sa. 

Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa said:

“When we read the countless passages written by the Promised Messiah^as in love for the Holy Prophet^sa in Arabic, Persian and Urdu, it becomes evidently clear, that no one can ever reach the level of love the Promised Messiah^as had for the Holy Prophet^sa.”

Huzoor^aa presented various visions, dreams and revelations of the Promised Messiah^as which showed Allah’s testimony to the deep love the Promised Messiah^as had for the Holy Prophet^sa. 

Huzoor^aa stressed the importance on invoking durood [salutations] on the Holy Prophet^sa as we approached the end of the year. Regarding this Huzoor^aa said:

“The year is coming to an end. In some countries, only 24 hours remain of this year, and in other countries two days and two nights remain. Therefore, spend these last few days invoking durood [salutations on the Holy Prophet^sa] and begin the new year with salutations and peace on the Prophet^sa so that we can attain the blessings attached to the person of the Holy Prophet^sa as soon as possible.”

As 2019 begins, Al Hakam urges its readers to answer the call of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa and occupy themselves in reciting durood upon the Holy Prophet^sa.