Hadeeqat-ul-Mahdi, Alton, UK, 24 July 2026: Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V (aa), delivered his Friday sermon from Hadeeqat-ul-Mahdi, Alton, the venue of Jalsa Salana United Kingdom 2026.
Huzoor (aa) began by noting the official start of the Jalsa Salana, with guests attending from all around the country and the world. These, he said, are the guests of the Promised Messiah (as) and they must be treated with great respect.
Rights of guests in Islam
Huzoor (aa) then directed his address towards both the Jalsa duty workers and the guests in attendance. Huzoor (aa) said that our volunteers know that guests must be treated with respect according to the teachings of Islam, which command giving the traveller his due right. (Surah an-Nisa, Ch.4:V.37)
Presenting the example of Hazrat Abraham (as), Huzoor (aa) noted how he didn’t ask his guests if they wanted food; instead, he made immediate arrangements to present them with food. (Surah Hud, Ch.11:V.70)
In a hadith, the Holy Prophet (sa) also said that believers must fulfil the due rights of guests, which means to be hospitable to them during their stay. Since many guests are coming from around the world, even if they stay for three to four weeks, the Jamaat makes arrangements for their stay.
No duty worker who helps host the guests is paid. Everyone works as a volunteer. Every volunteer must keep in mind that since they have presented themselves to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah (as), they should seek help from Allah and strive to fulfil their responsibilities in the best manner, as their goal is to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty.
The UK Jamaat’s hospitality runs throughout the year. This is also because Khilafat is stationed in this country. All the volunteers who set aside time to serve guests do so. Non-Muslim guests are always amazed at how all the volunteers are working seamlessly to serve food, manage parking, security, etc.
The example of the Promised Messiah (as)
In one narration, the Promised Messiah (as) reminded Hafiz Hamid Ali (ra) Sahib, who was put in charge of the Langar Khana (communal kitchen), to always serve his guests in an excellent manner. A Companion narrates that around 1902, he travelled to Qadian with a friend. Per the instruction of the Promised Messiah (as), they were given a scrumptious meal. Throughout their stay, the Promised Messiah (as) would often enquire if everything was to their satisfaction.
A Companion narrates that he was to go to an ijlas at Masjid Mubarak after the Maghrib and Isha prayers. Since time was short, he decided to skip supper to attend the meeting, even though he hadn’t eaten since morning. The meeting ended late, and he went to the Langar Khana to see if he could get something to eat. Although there was nothing to eat, some leftover bread was available, which he had barely begun eating when someone called out and said that if anyone had not eaten, he should come and eat at the Langar.
The next morning, the Promised Messiah (as) stated that he had received an Arabic revelation that Allah the Almighty said:
“O Prophet, feed the hungry and the distressed.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 1018)
The Companion understood that Allah had informed the Promised Messiah (as) of his condition.
Guidance to volunteers and guests
Bringing the subject back to Jalsa Salana UK, Huzoor (aa) stated that since some Jalsa guests come late in the night, arrangements should be made for their food no matter how late it is. Care should also be taken to serve fresh food. Huzoor (aa) also highlighted the Promised Messiah’s (as) instruction that all Ahmadis, no matter rich or poor, are the same to him, so the same kind of food should be prepared for everyone.
Advising the guests of Jalsa, Huzoor (aa) directed that they should also eat whatever is served in the Langar Khana without objections. More attention should be given towards the spiritual objectives of Jalsa Salana rather than the food.
Some people opt to go to the bazaar if they dislike the food at the Langar and this can pose problems for the management. In turn, a lack of appropriate care at the bazaar is highly risky since the weather is dry and cooking outdoors can be a hazard. Thus, guests should strive to happily eat whatever is served.
Huzoor (aa) also cautioned guests against wasting food and emphasised that since our reason for attending Jalsa is to rejuvenate our spiritual conditions, we must not pay much attention to the food.
Presenting another example of the Promised Messiah (as), Huzoor (aa) narrated that he once decided to inspect the food being prepared for his guests. Upon inspection, he expressed a dislike for the odour coming from the sweet rice and said, “If I do not like the odour of the food, how can I allow this to be served to the guests?”
Thus, every department must ensure that guests are adequately taken care of. Even a person on security should not appear harsh to the guests, but instead must remain gentle.
Huzoor (aa) addressed the guests and said that since we have had to bear hardships on the journey here, we must remember to respect the wishes of the Promised Messiah (as) and fulfil the lofty spiritual objectives of Jalsa Salana. We must therefore refrain from conversing aimlessly and be present in the jalsa gah during the sessions.
Women should also ensure that they do not speak amongst themselves. Addressing the mothers, Huzoor (aa) stated that sitting in the children’s area is not an automatic permission to converse freely. Instead, they should only speak if necessary to quieten their children and they should try to speak as little as possible.
Although the bazaar is closed during the sessions, discipline should be maintained in the bazaar at all times. There can be delays if there is a rush at a stall, but patience must be exercised.
Huzoor (aa) advised that we must be among those who adopt taqwa and goodness, because Allah the Almighty is pleased only with the righteous ones. Greet each other with love, and if there are old grudges, exercise taqwa and increase your forbearance. Do not let grudges be catalysts for an unpleasant atmosphere.
Huzoor (aa) also entreated all the guests to be present for all the five daily prayers. Those sleeping in tents or accommodation areas should also ensure that they wake up for tahajjud, as this is essential to nurture faith.
Huzoor (aa) also directed guests arriving with cars to cooperate with those on duty in parking and be patient if there is traffic.
Both the guests and duty workers should also be cautious, and if they see something odd or suspicious, they must report it to the authorities.
Cleanliness must be ensured, Huzoor (aa) instructed. Although duty-workers are appointed to clean up after the guests, guests must also take care to clean up after themselves. We have come here to strengthen our faith; thus, pay attention to cleanliness, as it is part of faith. Every attendee should consider themselves a worker during these days.
At the end, Huzoor (aa) prayed that Allah the Almighty should enable everyone to benefit from the Jalsa and its blessings. Amin.
(Summary prepared by Al Hakam)