Hadeeqat-ul-Mahdi, Alton, UK, 25 July 2025: Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa, delivered his Friday sermon from Hadeeqat-ul-Mahdi, Alton, the venue of Jalsa Salana United Kingdom 2025.
Huzooraa began by noting the official start of the Jalsa Salana. Huzooraa prayed that all attendees would be able to derive the maximum benefit from the convention.
Huzooraa then directed his address towards both the Jalsa duty workers and the guests in attendance.
The status of guests and the responsibilities of duty-holders
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa highlighted the immense importance Islam places on honouring guests, referencing the emphatic guidance of the Holy Prophetsa. The Holy Prophetsa taught that a guest’s right must be discharged, which includes extending hospitality for a number of days.
This teaching inspired the Companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to make incredible sacrifices. Despite their own financial hardships and frequent lack of food, they would prioritise their guests, often at the expense of their own families. Huzooraa recounted the famous incident of a Companion who, having only enough food for his children, put them to bed and served the meal to a guest of the Holy Prophetsa. The host and his family remained hungry, and this act of selfless hospitality pleased Allah the Almighty so immensely that He informed the Holy Prophetsa, who in turn conveyed this divine pleasure to the Companion.
Applying this standard to the present, Huzooraa stated that the attendees of the Jalsa are the guests of the Promised Messiahas. He instructed every duty worker and office-bearer, regardless of their department, to discharge the rights of these guests with extraordinary effort, patience, and prayer. Even when faced with harshness from a guest, workers must respond with the highest moral conduct to attain the pleasure of Allah.
Huzooraa mentioned the numerous departments involved in the Jalsa, from those issuing security passes to those providing transportation, and stressed that all who interact with guests must exhibit the best of manners. He particularly emphasised the departments responsible for food and hygiene, as these are crucial aspects of hospitality. The food must be of good quality and sufficient quantity, served with respect. Furthermore, as cleanliness is a part of faith, special attention must be given to the hygiene of the Jalsa site, including the washroom facilities.
Examples of hospitality from the Promised Messiahas
Huzooraa narrated several incidents from the life of the Promised Messiahas as profound lessons for all those serving his guests.
On one occasion, a group of guests from Assam became offended by the improper attitude of some workers in the Langar Khana and decided to leave in anger. When the Promised Messiahas learned of this, he was deeply upset and, in his haste, rushed after them without even properly putting on his shoes. He caught up with their horse-drawn carriage and humbly persuaded them to return. He insisted that he would walk back alongside the carriage while they remained seated. This display of supreme moral conduct embarrassed the guests, who then dismounted to walk with him. Upon their return, the Promised Messiahas moved to unload their luggage himself, which prompted the ashamed workers to rush forward and assist. He then arranged for special food to be prepared according to their preference.
In another instance (related by Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra), the Promised Messiahas personally prepared and brought a tray of food and water for him. Witnessing the Jamaat’s spiritual master serving him in this manner moved Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiqra to tears and made him reflect on the immense level of care and hospitality ordinary members should show one another.
Huzooraa quoted the Promised Messiahas, who said that his heart’s desire was to never cause any harm to a guest and that the heart of a guest is fragile like a mirror, which can be broken by the slightest disturbance. The Promised Messiahas advised that one should not question why a guest becomes upset, but should care for their fragile heart before it breaks. Huzooraa noted that with guests of many nationalities and temperaments present, this advice is paramount.
The Promised Messiahas also instructed the head of the Langar Khana to consider every guest as honourable and to serve all equally, without distinction between rich or poor, or their country of origin. Huzooraa reiterated that all attendees are the guests of the Promised Messiahas and it is essential to honour them and care for their needs.
Guidance for Jalsa attendees
Huzooraa then offered counsel to the guests. He reminded them that the vast majority are Ahmadis who have come to attain spiritual treasures. Therefore, their primary focus should not be on the perfection of the arrangements or the conduct of the workers. While hosts must fulfil their duties, guests should graciously overlook any shortcomings they observe.
He reminded the attendees that the duty workers in departments like sanitation, security, and traffic control are not trained professionals but are volunteers, including students and highly qualified professionals, who serve with a passion to please Allah and serve the guests of the Promised Messiahas. Cooperating with them and overlooking their faults helps achieve the true objectives of Jalsa and fosters mutual love.
Regarding meals, guests were advised to vacate the dining marquees promptly after eating to allow others to be seated. They were strongly urged not to waste food, to respect the provisions, and to not discard bread or other items for minor imperfections. Huzooraa presented the powerful example of the Promised Messiahas, who, upon finding no food had been set aside for him, contentedly ate the leftover pieces of bread from the general dastarkhwan or dining area. Wasting food is not only a form of ingratitude but also creates a significant burden for the hygiene and waste disposal teams.
Remembrance of Allah and self-reformation
Huzooraa emphasised that the purpose of attending Jalsa is not merely to listen to eloquent speeches and raise slogans, but to internalise the teachings and act upon them for the sake of Allah.
The key to this, he stated, is to engage constantly in zikr-e-ilahi or the remembrance of Allah. Throughout the Jalsa days, while walking, talking, or sitting, one’s tongue should be moist with the remembrance of Allah. Huzooraa quoted Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, who explained that when a person remembers Allah, He in turn remembers them. There can be no greater fortune than to be remembered by one’s Creator, an act that is never without reward and always brings divine blessings.
Huzooraa cited the Promised Messiahas, who warned that there is no benefit in attending the Jalsa if one does not listen to the proceedings with full attention and concern. A person who is lazy and inattentive will not be affected even by the most powerful speech; they are among those of whom the Holy Quran says they have ears but do not hear, and hearts but do not understand. To derive benefit, one must listen carefully, pray fervently, recite durood sharif, and make a firm resolve to act upon what is heard.
The ultimate goal of Jalsa is personal reformation; improving one’s religious knowledge, spiritual state, and moral conduct. It is an occasion to develop a spirit of sacrifice, remove grudges from the heart, and establish a loving atmosphere of brotherhood and harmony, which is the hallmark of Islamic teachings and the path to nearness to Allah.
Practical guidance and concluding prayer
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa concluded with several practical points of guidance:
- Neighbours: Those staying locally, whether near Hadeeqat-ul-Mahdi, the Fazl Mosque, or Baitul Futuh, must show the best conduct towards their neighbours, follow traffic rules, and keep the areas clean.
- Children’s marquee: Mothers with children should use the designated marquee. They were advised to keep noise to a minimum and focus on the proceedings, setting a good example for their children. Both mothers and duty workers should interact with kindness and avoid creating conflict.
- Cooperation and security: All guests should cooperate with the parking and security staff. They must remain vigilant of their surroundings and immediately report any suspicious individuals or activities. Personal ID cards should be carried at all times.
- Valuables: Valuables should not be left unattended; money and other important items should be kept on one’s person to prevent any loss.
- Exhibitions and bookshop: Huzooraa also drew attention to the various exhibitions organised by different departments, which, as in previous years, were located together in one area. He described them as excellent, intellectual, and attractive displays that attendees should try to visit. Similarly, he encouraged everyone to visit the bookshop, where new publications were available. Huzooraa counselled the attendees against spending all their time and money in the bazaar, urging them instead to benefit from the spiritual and intellectual treasures available at the exhibitions and the bookshop.
In his concluding prayer, Huzoor-e-Anwaraa prayed that Allah the Almighty may enable everyone to benefit fully from the spiritual bounties of the Jalsa Salana. He prayed that all attendees may return home having filled themselves with blessings, drawn nearer to Allah, and become active and pious members of the Jamaat, and that this righteousness may continue in their progeny until the Day of Judgement.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)