Friday Sermon
23 August 2024
Jalsa Salana Germany 2024
After reciting the tashahhud, ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa stated:
Alhamdulillah [All praise belongs to Allah], the Jalsa Salana in Germany is commencing today. The Jamaat members in Germany wished for me to attend the Jalsa. However, man is bound by human necessities, of which health is one aspect. For this reason, on the dctor’s advice, the trip to Germany was cancelled at the last minute and it was suggested to partake in the Jalsa in Germany from here through MTA and to address the attendees of the Jalsa in Germany from here as well. Even this will transpire through the mere grace of Allah the Almighty. Pray that Allah the Almighty enables me [to do so]. This is also a favour of Allah the Almighty that among the inventions of this day and age, He has provided us with such means of communication. Many people wished for an audience and Allah the Almighty will create an opportunity for this at another time. Nevertheless, through this means, at least 60-70 percent participation in the Jalsa is fulfilled. Scenes from there will continuously be shown, insha-Allah [God willing], and even now I can see people sitting there. May Allah the Almighty bless the Jalsa and all its arrangements in every regard and may He enable people to derive full benefit from all the programmes.
This time, the Jalsa is being organised with a different set of arrangements as to what the Jama’at in Germany is used to. The Jalsa used to be held in halls and indoor facilities and the organisers of the Jalsa did not have to make too many arrangements in terms of the jalsa gah [main hall] either. Generally, people also enjoyed indoor arrangements. However, now, due to the Jalsa being held in an open space, the organisers will face some difficulties as well as the attendees. Nevertheless, they should tolerate these difficulties and the objective of both parties, the organisers and the attendees, should be to fulfil the purpose of the Jalsa; they should not be upset and complain about these difficulties. These arrangements will gradually improve. Similar difficulties were faced in UK as well and [some] remain even today. However, now, the arrangements have improved greatly. Hence, during these days, we should give precedence to happiness and joy over every difficulty and make this our objective. Not a month has passed since the Jalsa was held in UK. Even there, whereas people applauded the arrangements, some also highlighted shortcomings. As such, these shortcomings and weaknesses will remain. The organisers try to eliminate them and will continue to do so in the future as well, insha-Allah. If all participants cooperate and if the workers try their utmost to improve the arrangements according to their abilities and resources, they will be blessed. In relation to this, I will say to everyone on duty that your first and foremost obligation is to accommodate and serve the guests to the best of your ability and with a [true] spirit of service. Always display courtesy and the workers of every department should deal with the guests with a smile. Work while engaged in prayers. Work with the spirit of serving the guests invited by the Promised Messiahas and that whatever may happen, we will keep the standard of our morals high and continue to serve. Similarly, the guests should also remain mindful of the objective of the Jalsa and as I mentioned, they should tolerate every difficulty and try to achieve the purpose of them attending the Jalsa over these three days. The purpose of holding the Jalsa Salana, which I mentioned during Jalsa Salana UK, is the same and every Ahmadi should remain mindful of this in each and every place the Jalsa is held. If we do this, then every participant will tolerate all sorts of difficulties for the sake of God Almighty and acquire the pleasure of Allah the Almighty. May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to do this.
Always keep in mind that the opportunity to congregate once a year to provide the means for our spiritual advancement as well as our moral advancement, is amongst the greatest blessings bestowed upon us by Allah the Almighty through the Promised Messiahas.
Plan such programmes that draw us closer to Allah the Almighty and increase us in righteousness, and spend your days with the intention and determination to establish the greatest moral excellence and to establish the highest standard of fulfilling each other’s rights. Increase love, affection, and mutual ties. We must remove grievances. Strive to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty, and save yourself from all forms of vain pursuits. These are the very things that the Promised Messiahas has expected of us, and these are the actions that please Allah the Almighty, for which He created us as humans and made us the best of creation.
Therefore, every Ahmadi who attends the Jalsa should always keep these things in mind. If one is not striving to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty, if they are not trying to progress in righteousness, if they are not attempting to display the highest moral standards, and not fulfilling the rights of others, then the purpose of attending the Jalsa is not fulfilled, and it serves no benefit. The prayers of the Promised Messiahas will only be accepted for those who understand this purpose and this objective, for which the Promised Messiahas initiated the Jalsa. The Promised Messiahas states:
“I certainly do not wish to gather those who have taken my bai‘at, for mere outward display like the so-called spiritual leaders of today do; rather, the ultimate purpose [and benefit] for which I have made this strategy is the reformation of God’s creation.” (Shahadat-ul-Quran, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 6, p. 395)
That is the fundamental reason and purpose for which the Promised Messiahas organised this Jalsa and made this plan with the will, pleasure and command of Allah the Almighty.
Thus, every Ahmadi should generally keep these objectives in mind, this is not just specifically for the Jalsa. However you all who are gathered here for the Jalsa should particularly bear in mind that if you do these things, then will you fulfil the purpose of attending the Jalsa, and only then will you benefit from attending the Jalsa when you strive your utmost to achieve this purpose. If you do not develop a relationship with God Almighty, if your moral and spiritual conditions do not improve, then the Promised Messiahas expressed great displeasure and discontentment towards such attendees.
Here, under the new arrangements, if you even gather in the thousands, or wherever the Jalsas are held if people gather in the thousands but do not achieve the purpose of the Jalsa, which is to develop righteousness, then attending the Jalsa serves no purpose, nor does holding the Jalsa benefit anyone. The Promised Messiahas states:
“Let it be known to all sincere followers who have joined this humble one in bai‘at, that the purpose of bai‘at is that the love of the world should cool off, and the love of our Noble Lord and the Holy Prophetsa should dominate the heart, creating such a state of separation [from the world] that our journey to the Hereafter does not become disfavoured.” (Aasmani Faisla, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 4, p. 351)
So, what a great responsibility has the Promised Messiahas placed upon us, and what great expectations the Promised Messiahas has of us – that we make the love of Allah the Almighty and His Messengersa dominant over all our loves. There should be no worldly love that can rival this love. Thus, if this understanding settles in our hearts, only then will our worldly lives be settled and our spiritual lives as well. We will be prosperous in this world and in the Hereafter.
Therefore, those who attend should always keep this in mind, and during these three days, they should keep reflecting on it, and continuously remind themselves of it. If you can do this, then understand that you have achieved the purpose of attending the Jalsa, and if not, then we are not truly appreciating the blessings of Allah the Almighty. It is a great blessing of Allah the Almighty upon us that He has granted us the opportunity to accept the Promised Messiahas. But if, after accepting him and entering into his bai‘at, we do not strive to achieve the purposes for one’s spiritual progress and the attainment of high moral standards, then we are not fulfilling the rights of our bai‘at.
Thus, every participant should bear these points in mind. Be careful not to let the blessings of this world become a means of distancing an Ahmadi Muslim from true piety, a cause to neglect our worship or fall below the highest moral standards. These businesses and material blessings that God Almighty has granted us after moving here have improved the conditions of many people. In fact, everyone’s situation is better when compared to the conditions we previously faced in Pakistan, or what you would have faced. Despite things being expensive nowadays and the societal decay that we witness here, from a material standpoint, you still enjoy a better quality of life than what you had in Pakistan.
So always keep this in mind and be grateful to Allah Almighty, and while expressing this gratitude to Allah, strive your utmost to let the love of God and His Prophetsa swell in your hearts, as this is the very reason for which Jalsa Salana takes place.
As the Promised Messiahas states this strategy [of holding the Jalsa] is a means for one to swiftly increase in their righteousness. The Promised Messiahas explained that he has tried to foster an environment conducive to moral growth, by Allah’s grace. It’s not just people who partake in this Jalsa who improve their calibre of spirituality and piousness. Rather, every person who has pledged allegiance to the Promised Messiahas and increases their standards of righteousness will have fulfilled the purpose of the bai‘at.
And since you have joined the Jalsa, then surely you have joined with this intention (and this is why one should join) that I will bring my taqwa [righteousness] to a higher level than before. Hence, every Ahmadi should wholeheartedly endeavour to fulfil this aim.
The Promised Messiahas states:
“The purpose for which God Almighty has created this community is to re-establish the true recognition of God that had been lost upon the earth and the true righteousness and piety that could not be found in the world.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 7, pp. 277-278)
At another place, he stated:
“O ye who count yourselves as members of my Community! You shall be deemed members of my Community in the heavens only when you make truly sincere strides upon the path of piety.” (Kashti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 19, p. 15)
The Promised Messiahas further stated:
“Establish the grandeur and awe of God in your hearts, and give expression to His Unity not just by word but by deed, so that God Almighty also demonstrates for you through actions His benevolence and tender affection.” (Risala Al-Wasiyyat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 308)
So always keep these statements of the Promised Messiahas in mind. As I said, this is the true purpose of coming to Jalsa and being a true Ahmadi Muslim. The Promised Messiahas is explaining that this is the intention with which every Ahmadi Muslim should participate in the Jalsa and that these are the things that we should inculcate in ourselves thereby. Take advantage of the spiritual environment that God Almighty has provided for you and try to rid yourself of all forms of worldly malaise in these days – and do so with the intention that we will keep ourselves pure of the plague of materialism throughout our lives, giving precedence to our faith over all worldly matters by making use of all our God-given faculties.
The Promised Messiahas has counted precisely those people in his community who cultivate piety and true Taqwah in themselves, and while reforming their own conditions, strive to increase the standards of righteousness. He has also expressed his desire that we “try [our] level best to earn the pleasure of Allah.” Continuously keep your tongues engaged in the remembrance of Allah and spend your days and nights in worship. Do not let those worldly needs that are inescapably attached to being human and part of a larger society to be devoid of God’s remembrance. Never let them compete in priority with God. Let every one of your actions shine with your desire to please God.
The Promised Messiahas stated, “Remember that God’s perfect servants are those about whom God Almighty has said:
لَا تُلۡہِيۡہِمۡ تِجَارَةٌ وَّ لَا بَيۡعٌ عَنۡ ذِکۡرِ اللّٰہِ
“[‘They are men whose business and trade does not deter them from the remembrance of Allah.’ (24:38)]
“When the heart forges a union of true and sincere love with God, then it never separates from Him. One aspect of this state can be understood thusly: if someone’s child is sick, no matter where the parent goes or what they do, their heart and mind remain fixated on their child’s condition. Similarly, those who establish a true connection and love with God Almighty never abandon Him under any circumstance.” (Malfuzat [1984], Vol. 7, pp. 20-21)
Thus, an Ahmadi Muslim should always be mindful of His remembrance. There should be a constant effort to become those whose every action is for His pleasure, remain ever-engaged in His remembrance and stay away from every action that He has forbidden us.
We should always remember and remain cognisant, and it should become firmly cemented in our minds that our every action and inaction is seen by Allah, so one should not do anything that might occasion His displeasure.
Thus, this is the condition the Promised Messiahas wishes to see within us and we need to strive in order to achieve this. Therefore, make a pledge today that we will try our utmost to fulfil the oath we have taken with the Promised Messiahas and that we will spread the mission of the Promised Messiahas in accordance with his teachings; we will strive to bring back the faith from the Pleiades as opposed to diminishing our faith by becoming embroiled in materialism. We must pledge to act on the teachings of the Holy Quran so that we are counted amongst the “best nation”, so we can be counted amongst that nation for whom Allah the Almighty has bestowed goodness, and it is through our actions that we can set a virtuous example. We must pledge that this faith and these teachings will become forever etched on our hearts and a part of our every action, God willing. And whilst keeping this command of God Almighty in view we ought to remain engaged in the remembrance of God, as God Almighty states:
يٰۤاَيُّہَاالَّذِيۡنَ اٰمَنُوا اذۡکُرُوا اللّٰہَ ذِکۡرًا کَثِيۡرًا
“O ye who believe, remember Allah much.” (Surah al-Ahzab, Ch.33: V.42)
Therefore, Allah the Almighty has granted us an opportunity as a reminder to us and for us to focus our attention on the remembrance of Allah during these days, as well as focusing our attention on our worship so that we increase in righteousness. So we become those who attain the nearness of Allah the Almighty, consequently, just as the Promised Messiahas has stated, Allah the Almighty will then bestow His benevolence and favours.
Thus, by progressing in righteousness, Allah the Almighty’s benevolence and favours will become manifest; one aspect of this is fulfilling the rights of Allah, and we will only gain this through fulfilling the dues to our worship and through the remembrance of Allah. Whilst expounding on this matter and relating it to Jalsa Salana, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says:
“The Jalsa Salana is among the signs of Allah the Almighty.” (Iftitahi Taqreer Jalsa Salana, Anwar-ul-Ulum, Vol. 12, p. 389)
And the reason mentioned by the Promised Messiahas for it to be deemed as such is because it is a means to increase in spirituality and one key method to achieve this is worship and the remembrance of Allah. With regards to the remembrance of Allah, from among the great benefits of this highlighted by God Almighty is:
اُذْکُرُوا اللّٰہَ يَذْکُرْکُمْ
It means that if you remember Allah, in turn Allah will remember you. Thus, most fortunate is the one who is remembered by his Master, the one Who created him and is the true Sovereign, and then blesses him with beneficence and bounties.
Therefore, during these days, everyone should pay particular attention to this important matter; whether it is the men sitting in the jalsa gah, women, or it is the men and women who are assigned various duties, or whether they are Lajna members, nasirat or atfal, everyone ought to bear this in mind.
If we fail to give due importance to our worship and to the remembrance of Allah, then neither will we establish a sincere bond with the Representative sent by Allah, nor can we become the recipients of Allah’s pleasure; just as the Promised Messiahas states:
“You will be counted as members of my Community in heaven when you truly tread upon the ways of righteousness.” (Kashti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 19, p. 15)
This statement ought to make our hair stand on end. We often read these words or hear them in our Jamaat events, and they are often repeated. However ,we pass a fleeting glance over them, and after repeating it, we overlook them, or perhaps we pay attention to them for a short time and temporarily we focus our attention towards it, but then we forget them. Thus, a sincere and true Ahmadi should always be mindful of this statement and ponder over it deeply. Each and every piece of advice issued by the Promised Messiahas to his community ought to shake us to the core. We may make countless verbal claims that we are Ahmadis, but if the Lord of the Throne has not deemed us as such, then for us to make this claim is futile and attending the Jalsa will be in vain. Thus, pray fervently during these days. Forge a connection with God Almighty, focus your attention on the remembrance of God and cleanse your heart of the darkness that lays within it and remove all malice.
In this regard, I wish to draw your attention towards an important matter. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh saw a vision in which an elderly gentleman said to him, “If every member of this community recites the durood 200 times:
سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ وَبِحَمْدِہٖ سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ الْعَظِيْم اَللّٰھُمَّ صَلِّ عَلٰي مُحَمَّدٍ وَّاٰلِ مُحَمَّد
He then said those who are of a mature age, between the ages of 15-25, should recite it at least 100 times a day, children should recite it at least 33 times; and younger children should repeat after their parents three or four times. Alongside this one should recite Istighfar 100 times.
Furthermore, I wish to add that one should recite:
رَبِّ کُلُّ شَيْءٍ خَادِمُکَ رَبِّ فَاحْفَظْنِيْ وَانْصُرْنِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ
100 times. [Recite this], especially during these days and generally going forward. In this vision, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh was shown that if you do this, then you will enter a secure fort, in which Satan can never enter. The walls of the fort are made of iron, which reach the heavens. Thus, no crack will remain through which Satan can enter. (Report Majlis-e-Mushawarat Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya 1968, p. 233)
In these times, when Satan is making every effort to attack us, both as a Community and on a global scale, there is only one means to protect ourselves: to place special emphasis on prayers, not just during the days of the Jalsa, but forever onwards. Reciting salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa and the remembrance of God should be a permanent part of your lives. Everyone—children, adults, women, and men—should pay attention to this.
Another important point is that there will be many speeches aimed at increasing knowledge, training, and spiritual improvement. Listen to these as well. While listening to these speeches, make a pledge before God and seek His help, saying, “O God, we have come here with pure intentions, responding to the call of Your Messiah for the reformation of our hearts. However, we cannot achieve this reformation through our own efforts alone. We need Your help. If You do not hear our prayer of اِيَّاکَ نَسْتَعِيْن [You alone do we implore for help]and assist us, we cannot reach the standards of Your worship. Therefore, we pray: ‘O my God, O my Beloved God, for Your sake, save us from being ruined. Grant us an abundant share of the noble purpose for which we have gathered here. Bestow Your grace upon us, for without Your grace, we can achieve nothing. Purify our hearts so thoroughly that whatever we hear, we do not merely enjoy intellectually or literarily, but instead, we elevate the standards of our morals and spirituality that bring us closer to You, and make these qualities a part of our lives. We must act upon them and also ensure that these virtues continue in our future generations.’”
So, when we sincerely try to benefit from the Jalsa programs, pray and strive to apply these teachings to our lives, only then will we be able to bring about a transformation in our lives. We will participate in the revolution for which the Promised Messiahas was sent, and as a result, we will bring about a revolution in the world. Otherwise, as I said, the world, which is currently immersed in frivolity and play, is heading towards destruction. Satan is attacking from all directions, and the world cannot save itself. If we fall into this trap, then there will be no one to save the world, and we too will perish with it. Hence, it is a moment of great fear. An Ahmadi must always reflect and constantly focus on achieving the purpose of life, which is also the purpose of our pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiahas. We have pledged to strive with all our might to attain this goal.
The Promised Messiahas has stated that one of the purposes of the Jalsa is for the participants to increase their mutual acquaintance—meaning to foster love, affection, and friendship among each other. (Shahadat-ul-Quran, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 6, p. 394)
If we fulfil this right and achieve this purpose, only then can we truly become the members of the Community that the Promised Messiahas desires. Therefore, during these days, place great emphasis on strengthening relationships, promoting love, spreading peace among one another, and improving the bonds you already have. If there has been any grievance for any reason, try to remove it. For the sake of seeking God’s pleasure, not only avoid idle talk, but also strive to create an atmosphere of love and affection. Not only should you avoid quarrels, but also seek to apologise and offer forgiveness for any past disputes. Free yourselves from the snares of personal ego. I receive complaints that people get into serious altercations over trivial matters, causing disrepute to the Community. I have mentioned this several times before, including in the previous Jalsa UK. Give due attention to this. Sometimes, in unavoidable circumstances, the Community’s administrative system has to impose punishment for such behaviour to protect the dignity of the Community, which then causes discomfort. But these punishments are not imposed with joy.
Always remember that we must uphold the sanctity of the Community. If the administration or the Khalifa of the Time imposes any punishment, it is done to preserve the sanctity of the Community, because the Community’s sanctity is above all relationships. If you have a true connection with the Promised Messiahas, then, while feeling remorse for your actions, strive to mend the rifts that have formed and create bonds of love, not only because of that love but also because of a genuine desire to follow the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa. He instructed that no Muslim should harm another Muslim with his tongue or hand. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Iman, Hadith 10)
So, during these days, when we have gathered to seek God’s pleasure, bow before Him and continue to pray. Engage in the remembrance of God with perfect faith. Follow the path that Allah has prescribed with complete obedience. If this is done, then it is impossible to disobey the system of the Jamaat at any time. On the one hand, there is an effort to be counted as a member of the Promised Messiah’sas Jamaat in the heavens, while on the other hand, one may be disregarding the system established by the Promised Messiahas and his successors. This cannot happen. These are two contradictory actions. Those who sincerely bow before God cannot display such contradictions. Therefore, during these days, strive to cleanse the impurities from your hearts through prayers and self-reformation. Value the opportunity that Allah has provided. If you have come to the Jalsa for the purpose of reformation and not as if attending a festival – as the Promised Messiahas has stated that this Jalsa is not a festival – then surely the impurities of the hearts will be cleansed.
Sometimes, even in daily life and in the days following the Jalsa, a general Ahmadi may have conflicts and grievances with office-bearers. In such cases, if they keep in mind the purpose of this Jalsa, every Ahmadi will try to resolve their past conflicts. If any bitterness has arisen here, they will also try to remove it. Office-bearers and those on duty during the Jalsa should also keep in mind that we must display the highest standards of morals and strive to remove personal egos and grudges for the sake of Allah the Almighty. We must fulfil the pledge we have made to live as brothers. The highest standards of morals should be exhibited, especially by those on duty, because as office-bearers, they have a greater responsibility. Therefore, they should display more patience, even if there is any wrongdoing, and never respond harshly. When you do this, your high morals will set an example for others. If office-bearers consider themselves servants rather than office-bearers, and every worker considers themselves a servant, and the members of the Jamaat regard the office-bearers as workers appointed by the Khalifa of the Time to run the administration of the Community, then these relationships will always remain as bonds of love and affection. They will give the true message of peace and security to the world under the guidance of the Khalifa of the Time. They will bring about a revolution in the world. They will fulfil the mission of the Promised Messiahas. They will follow the paths on which the Promised Messiahas wanted us to tread. They will achieve the standards that the Promised Messiahas guided us to attain.
The Promised Messiahas says in one place:
“O fortunate people, enter this teaching with full force, which has been given to me for your salvation. (That is, you have already taken the first step towards success by pledging allegiance to me, because you were fortunate). But now make this teaching a practical part of your lives so that your virtues are polished.”
The Promised Messiahas further states:
“Know that God is One and without partner. Do not associate anything with Him; not in the heavens nor in the earth.” He then states, “God does not forbid you from using material means; you can absolutely use worldly means, but a person who abandons God and relies solely on worldly means is an idolater. From time immemorial, God has been saying that salvation cannot be achieved without becoming pure-hearted. So, become pure hearted and abandon personal rancour and enmities. Man’s self that incites to evil comprises many impurities, the greatest of which is arrogance. If there was no arrogance, then no one would remain a disbeliever. So become meek of heart, and seeing as you are preaching about offering Paradise, you should generally show empathy towards humanity.” In other words, we say that Islam is the real religion that grants salvation, and it is through it that one can attain nearness to Allah the Almighty. Thus, we preach Paradise to people. The Promised Messiahas states, “Seeing as you are preaching about offering Paradise, you should show empathy towards humanity. How can your preaching be considered true if you wish ill for others in this temporal world? Fulfil the duties owed to God Almighty with the heartfelt fear that you will be questioned about them. Supplicate a great deal in your prayers so that God may draw you unto Himself and purify your hearts, because man is weak. Any sin that is removed is removed through the power of God Almighty.” He states, “Until one does not receive the power from God Almighty, they do not have the ability to remove any evil. Islam is not simply for one to attest to the Kalimah [Islamic creed] as a formality; rather, the essence of Islam is that your souls fall upon the threshold of God Almighty and that God and His commandments take precedence over every aspect of your world.” (Tadhkirat-ush-Shahadatain, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 20, p. 63)
In other words, you should become one who gives precedence to faith over the world.
These are the standards established by the Promised Messiahas that we must strive to establish and attain within ourselves and thereby eliminate personal rancour and enmities. This is an excellent opportunity to do so. You should strive towards this end during these days.
Seeing as a spiritual atmosphere is fostered during these days, one is also drawn towards self-reflection, as should be the case. The Promised Messiahas states that one should focus on avoiding arrogance, because arrogance breeds disobedience. It is arrogance that led people to reject the prophets. It is arrogance that incites against the system of the Jama’at and then incites to stand up against the system of the Jamaat. It is arrogance that leads to quarrels amongst one another. It is arrogance that exhibits the false honour associated with one’s pride. Hence, strive hard to avoid arrogance. Then, you are enjoined to show empathy for the creation of Allah the Almighty. Your words can only be influential and your efforts in propagation will only be impactful when true empathy is established for the creation. Whenever people visit our Jalsas, they become impacted upon seeing the atmosphere because, at that moment, they see Ahmadis humbly serving their guests and interacting with one another with love and affection. This is the silent tabligh which I always draw attention towards. This is the tabligh which strives to enable the truth of Ahmadiyyat to prevail in the hearts of people. People from different countries are also attending your Jalsa, and as always, I trust that these people will take away a positive impact, given that you strive to establish a positive impact and that whilst unifying your words and your action, and whilst acting according to the teachings of the Promised Messiahas and Islam you bow before God Almighty with humility and meekness in order to become those who attain the objectives of the Jalsa; the objective of attaining righteousness, which then enables one to act with virtue. When this happens, then our calling unto Allah will also become blessed.
These days, much is said against Islam and Muslims – owing to their wrong actions or the bad teachings they promote – but when people see the atmosphere here of love, affection, brotherhood, our high morals, and our connection with God Almighty, then the doubts and concerns in the minds of many will be dispelled. So during these days, through your words and actions, make the environment so peaceful – in fact, always apply this to your lives as a whole – which positively impacts the world, so that people attest that these are the people who act according to the true teachings of Islam and the true teachings of Islam alone can bring about true peace and security in the world. Hence, you will be doing silent tabligh without the use of any literature or argumentation. If we truly establish our lives to become an example of the true Islamic teachings then we will become those who fulfil their pledge of allegiance. Pledging allegiance to the Promised Messiahas will only benefit us when we give precedence to faith over the world and are not those who raise empty slogans. The Promised Messiahas has advised his Jamaat with great pain and longing, and I will present an example of this before you. The Promised Messiahas states:
“I pray, and I will continue to pray so long as I live, that God Almighty purifies the hearts of my community, and turns their hearts towards Himself by extending His hand of mercy; that He rids their hearts of all mischief and malice and grant them true mutual love. I am certain that this prayer will be accepted at some point and that God will not let my prayers go to waste.” The Promised Messiahas also cautions and gives warning when he says, “Indeed, I also pray that if, in the knowledge and design of God Almighty, someone from my community is perpetually misfortunate and is not destined to attain true piety and fear of God, then O God, the All Powerful, cast him away from me as he has become cast away from You, and replace him with someone whose heart is tender and for whom searching for You is a part of life.” (Shahadat-ul-Quran, Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 6, p. 398)
This should serve as a huge wakeup call for us. If we wish to partake of the prayers made by the Promised Messiahas, then we must bring about virtuous changes within ourselves. Otherwise, as the Promised Messiahas said that if this does not happen, then they have nothing to do with him, because he only wished to associate with those who are virtuous and pious. Whereas this prayer gives us hope and draws our attention, towards becoming those who act virtuously, it is also a frightening prospect that if we do not act with virtue, we could become distanced from the Promised Messiahas. We should not be those who pledge allegiance merely in name; those who pledge allegiance and then, instead of attaining the blessings of Allah the Almighty, become those who incur His displeasure. May Allah the Almighty save us from this.
I also wish to say that during the days of Jalsa, everyone on duty and all the attendees should keep an eye on their surroundings. With the conditions prevalent these days, some mischievous faction could take advantage. Hence, remain vigilant when it comes to security. May Allah the Almighty safeguard everyone against every evil; may this Jalsa attract every blessing; and may everyone remain in the protection of Allah the Almighty.
Pray a great deal for the state of the world; pray a great deal for your country as well. When we sincerely act according to the commandments of Allah the Almighty, when we attain His pleasure, when we act according to the true teachings of Islam, when we express true love and devotion for the Holy Prophetsa, and when we complete the revival of Islam and the spreading of Islam’s teachings for which the Promised Messiahas was sent in servitude to the Holy Prophetsa then Allah the Almighty will certainly hear our prayers if these are our intentions and we will become a source of guiding the world. May Allah the Almighty enable us to benefit from the blessings of Jalsa. May Allah the Almighty keep you in His protection during these three days and beyond. May He continue to shower His blessings and enable you to recite the prayers for which I mentioned earlier; reciting durood sharif 200 times, istighfar 100 times, as well as:
رَبِّ کُلُّ شَيْءٍ خَادِمُکَ رَبِّ فَاحْفَظْنِيْ وَانْصُرْنِيْ وَارْحَمْنِيْ
Give due attention to reciting these not only during these three days, but rather every Ahmadi should recite these prayers continuously. Mothers should also have their children repeat these prayers. May Allah the Almighty grant the ability to do so.
The organisers of the Jalsa have also written to me that there are some exhibitions being held there. They have requested me to announce that people should visit these exhibitions, and so I draw attention towards this; you should visit these exhibitions and benefit from them so that you may see how Allah the Almighty is bestowing His favours upon us. May Allah the Almighty grant the ability to do so. During these days, those in Germany, who I can see are quite large in number masha-Allah, should focus on offering prayers and the remembrance of Allah. May Allah the Almighty make this blessed in every way.
(Official Urdu transcript published in the Daily Al Fazl International, 13 September 2024, pp. 2-8. Translated by The Review of Religions.)