On Saturday, 24 May 2025, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, addressed the participants of Majlis-e-Shura UK and Canada via livestream from Islamabad, UK.
After conveying “Assalamu alaikum,” Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa called Hafiz Fazle Rabbi Sahib to recite a portion of the Holy Quran, who recited verses 59-60 of Surah an-Nisa’. This was followed by the English translation of the verses, presented by Jonathan Butterworth Sahib.
Thereafter, Huzooraa took to the podium and recited tashahhud, ta‘awwuz, and Surah al-Fatihah. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then said:
“With the grace of Allah, this weekend the UK Jamaat is holding its Majlis-e-Shura, and at the same time, Canada Jamaat and Belgium Jamaat are also holding their shura today. And it is my sincere hope and I pray that Allah the Almighty enables all of you to fulfil its profound objectives.”
Huzooraa said that the views, opinions and insights offered by shura delegates should be anchored in the indispensable principle of justice, integrity and righteousness.
This year, the Jamaat elections are also being held. In light of this, the message and instruction to each of you is that you should cast your vote for those individuals whom you genuinely believe most appropriate for the various elected offices.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa advised never to let personal ties or friendships cloud judgement. Always remember that the basis of every act should be taqwa (righteousness). Otherwise, the purpose of shura will remain unfulfilled.
Huzooraa highlighted that only a few decades had passed since the time of the Promised Messiahas when Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra established the institution of Majlis-e-Shura in the Jamaat and many delegates who took part in that shura were not born Ahmadis. And today, there are also many who have taken the bai‘at in recent times and they are also taking part in the shura.
Upon establishing this institution, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra gave many instructions through his various speeches and lectures. All of them underscored the true essence and status of Majlis-e-Shura and the sanctity of its proceedings. They have been compiled and published in the form of books. Each member of shura and office bearers should read them to understand the immense magnitude and the weight of their responsibilities.
Huzooraa then presented some fundamental principles from the blessed guidance of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, who stated:
“The supreme aspiration and the foremost priority for every member of the Majlis-e-Shura must be to attain the pleasure of Allah. In reality, only if a person’s true objective is to gain Allah’s love can they present their views and opinions with absolute integrity, unwavering justice, and free from all forms of self-interest.”
Fundamental to gaining Allah’s love is sacrifice. In this regard, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that all of us, to a certain extent, have sacrificed our relationships, friendships, wishes, and opinions for the sake of gaining the love of Allah the Almighty. However, he cautioned that even those who have sacrificed for Allah’s love are not immune to negligence or weakness. If one deviates from the path of Allah, they risk severing their connection altogether from Allah. However, the world will not offer any solace or compassion, but rather, they will treat such a person with anger and disdain. Such a person would be cut adrift from both the spiritual and worldly perspective.
Huzooraa advised that in all our actions, attaining the pleasure of Allah should be at the forefront of our minds. We must utterly vanquish our ego and quell our selfish desires. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“Rest assured that if every shura member and every office-bearer prioritises attaining the love of Allah above all else, then no worldly system, no human organisation, and no community on earth shall ever rival that of our Jamaat.”
In this regard, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that the attainment of the nearness of God Almighty is not an ordinary thing. It requires such sacrifices that do not match any other sacrifice. The fact that people are ready to sacrifice for Allah is not of importance, but the intention is what matters most. In most cases, sacrifices are made to attain honour and power. However, those sacrifices are not beneficial and do not lead to spiritual success because the objective is not to attain God’s nearness.
Huzooraa advised that the sacrifices driven by tainted motives can never yield benefits. Many people sacrificed their lives and yet they failed to attain the love of God. Many people presented immense monetary sacrifices but yet failed to attain God’s love. Similarly, many people sacrificed their honour but remained distant from God. Many people often gave their property, but still remained in the clutches of Satan. Hence, people offer their time and even their nation, but still they remain far from God. The reason is that such sacrifices were not presented to attain the love of God.
In this context, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra states that beyond all other forms of sacrifices, the ultimate sacrifice is one that demands the other to surrender one’s desire and ego. For it is a person’s desire and ego that they prize above all else.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said:
“On the surface, it may seem that the person is making sacrifices for the sake of his nation, country, and honour, but in reality, he is motivated by his ego. It is a reflection of how he considered himself to be most worthy. He is only willing to make sacrifices because they align with his wishes and opinions. He makes sacrifices to ensure that his wishes or fulfilled. However, God Almighty says that the type of sacrifice that leads to Him is one where a person foregoes and sacrifices his deepest desires and inclinations.”
Huzooraa emphasised that this shows that it is not enough to sacrifice one’s wealth, knowledge, time, and even one’s life to gain nearness to God. Rather, He requires one to sacrifice their ego and forego all forms of self-importance.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“Therefore, as you partake in Majlis-e-Shura, and as office bearers, throughout the year, you should reflect upon these words and search deep within your souls.”
Huzooraa advised to assess whether the sacrifices being made are purely for attaining the love and pleasure of God Almighty, or if they are just to retain the status and honour in the Jamaat. If it is the latter, then there is no benefit to such a position or office, and there is no benefit of being a representative at the shura.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that until a person entirely extinguishes the concept of “me,” he will not be accepted by God because such a person, in reality, is guilty of associating a partner with Him. Such a person can verbally say that there is none worthy of worship except God, but within his mind and heart, he elevates his own status to such a level that it is akin to associating partners with God Almighty.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa gave an example of a man who fought alongside the Holy Prophetsa and his Companionsra during one battle. He fought with such courage against the opponents that many Companionsra heaped praise upon him. However, the Holy Prophetsa observed him and remarked that he was destined for hell. Everyone was surprised at how he was bound to hell because he fought with such bravery and courage. One of the Companionsra followed that person closely with the conviction that the words of the Holy Prophetsa could never be false. The companion observed that the said person was seriously injured and was not able to tolerate the pain. Thus, he took his spear and leaned forward so that his chest was pierced. As a result, he died by suicide. Moreover, before that person passed away, he said that he was not fighting in the cause of Allah but rather to settle his personal scores.
Huzooraa explained Islam teaches that a person who commits suicide lacks trust in God and, as a result, becomes deprived of His mercy. Hence, that man was deprived of the status of a martyr. Ultimately, he was fighting for himself and not for God Almighty. In this way, the words of the Holy Prophetsa were proved true to the letter.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“In terms of the Jamaat elections, those who have been elected or may be [elected] in the coming days, should recognise that if their names are approved to serve the Jamaat, they must strive to fulfill their duties purely for the sake of Allah the Almighty, rather than to impress other people or to seek to demonstrate what they consider to be their qualities.:
Huzooraa gave the example of the Secretary Tabligh that he should not think that it was only due to his efforts that they achieved the target of bai‘ats. Secretary Maal should not think that it was due to his efforts that all the targets of chanda were completed. Secretary Talim should not say that the Talim Department’s achievements were contingent upon him. Secretary Umur-e-Aama should not consider that his success was due to his personal skills.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“None of you should ever think that the Jamaat’s success is due to your efforts, skills or capabilities. To the contrary, if you genuinely believe in your heart that whatever has been achieved was due only to the blessings of Allah and that without His help you are nothing, you will see how the blessings of Allah will rain down upon you and how He will reward whatever sacrifices have been made for His sake. It will yield magnificent and fragrant fruits and will symbolise and demonstrate the continued progress of our Jamaat. And it shall be the means of elevating your status in the eyes of Allah the Almighty.”
Huzooraa cautioned that if one lets their ego take root, then instead of prosperity, they would encounter harm and destruction. So, every Jamaat’s office-bearer must recognise the objectives, which are, and always will be, the same as those with which the Promised Messiahas was sent by God Almighty and those were to bring mankind closer to their Creator, to establish the Oneness of God, and to fulfil the needs of mankind. So, if in our hearts lies even a trace of impurity or if we come to possess the idol of one’s ego, then it is not possible for an idol worshiper to establish the Oneness of God.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa reiterated:
“Thus, if the concept of ‘me’ continues to exist within your heart, you will not achieve anything of substance.”
Huzooraa advised that if one remains faithful to Allah, they shall witness the blessings of Allah at every turn and corner. “Such people are those who become a means of true support and help for Khilafat,” he said.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa highlighted that as office bearers, every work is a trust. Any duty that is given by the Jamaat or the Khalifa should be performed for the sake and pleasure of Allah the Almighty. Such a mindset will prove to be a means of success and salvation. Huzooraa said:
“Every office-bearer and delegate should remember and recognise that arrogance is a huge vice and sin, which we must avoid at all costs.” One should never become arrogant when one observes the blessings of Allah.
Huzooraa admonished that the implementation of the decisions is also very important. One should not forget the tasks and responsibilities after delivering passionate speeches at the shura. Therefore, one should review previous decisions and seek to implement the recommendations made at this year’s shura. If they are approved, one must strive to fulfil them in a timely and appropriate manner.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said:
“Set an example of hard work, sincerity, and readiness for all possible sacrifices for younger Ahmadis to learn from and emulate. If and when you serve your faith in this way, you will be amongst those who abide by and implement the decisions made during the shura.”
Huzooraa guided that during the proceedings of the shura, if any point is already mentioned, then there is no need to waste time and present it again. As mentioned earlier, one should keep aside their ego.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said:
“Remember, there is only one thing that sets us apart and upon which we can take pride and that is that we have listened to Allah the Almighty and accepted the call of a crier of this era and believed in him and have presented ourselves to further his blessed mission.”
Huzooraa said:
“As I have said, this is what distinguishes us, and having accepted the Promised Messiahas, it is incumbent upon us to constantly elevate the standard of our love and the fear of Allah the Almighty.”
“If this is your guiding principle, then insha-Allah, you will play your role in igniting the spiritual revolution for which the Promised Messiahas was sent and for which all of you have accepted him and for which the members of the Jamaat have entrusted you to represent them here today. Only with this understanding and spirit can this shura be truly deemed a success.”
“May Allah the Almighty, with grace and mercy, enable all of you to perceive this and grant you the ability to achieve the true objectives of the shura. Amin.”
Huzooraa then addressed the gathering in Urdu, providing guidance in that language, as it was better understood by many present and those listening in other countries. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa stated:
“It is absolutely essential for us to seek the pleasure and happiness of God Almighty in all our undertakings, and to efface our egos in the process. If every shura member – indeed, every office-bearer – were to keep this principle at the forefront of their conduct, a remarkable system could be established within our Jamaat, one that would be unparalleled elsewhere.”
In this context, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra once stated that attaining nearness to God is no ordinary matter; it demands a sacrifice so profound that it stands unmatched among all other forms of sacrifice.
Huzooraa then reiterated the earlier points made by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra regarding the need for self-effacement and the spirit of sacrifice for the sake of Allah the Almighty.
In the end, Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa led everyone in silent prayer.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)