Islamabad, Tilford, UK, 24 February 2024: At approximately 16:05 GMT, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, arrived at the Masroor Hall, Islamabad, UK, for the concluding session of Jalsa Salana Ghana 2024.
After his arrival, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa invited Nasir Konado Sahib to recite a portion of the Holy Quran. He recited verses 191-195 of Surah Aal-e-‘Imran, and then Bilal Akwasi Bonso Sahib presented their Urdu translation. Following this, Ehsan Ahmad Sahib was invited to present an Urdu poem of the Promised Messiahas, and its translation was then presented by Ali Muwanda Sahib.
Thereafter, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa came to the podium to deliver the concluding address of Jalsa Salana Ghana 2024. After reciting tashahhud, ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“With the grace of Allah, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Ghana has been holding its Jalsa Salana over the past 3 days, and it has now reached its concluding session. This year’s Jalsa has a special significance as it is being held on the occasion of the centenary of the establishment of the Ghana Jamaat.”
Huzooraa went on to say that as Ghana Jamaat marks its centenary year, where they express their joy and happiness, they must also reflect on the immense blessings of Allah the Almighty. From such humble beginnings, the Ghana Jamaat has gone from strength to strength over the past 100 years.
The blessed seed planted a century ago in Ghana attesting to the truth of the Promised Messiahas has flourished and borne countless fruits. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is now well-known in every part of Ghana. Every Ghanaian recognises the Jamaat and holds it in high regard.
Huzooraa said:
“Where the Jamaat of Ghana is furthering the cause of Islam through tabligh, it has also established schools, colleges, hospitals and other vital services, which has long been a means of outstanding service to the people of your nation.” As we move forward, we should also focus on our responsibilities. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“It must not be that having reached this milestone, you now sit back and relax; rather, as Ghanian Jamaat enters its second centenary, it is the duty of every Ahmadi to strive earnestly to ensure its continued progress and prosperity.
“You must endeavour to convey the message of Islam to every single person of the country, seek to win the hearts and minds of your people through love and compassion. Inform your compatriots, that in this era, in servitude to the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa, the Messiah and Mahdi who was destined to come has arrived in person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian.”
Huzooraa explained that only by associating ourselves with the Promised Messiahas can we in this era truly understand the teachings of Islam. Only by attaching ourselves to him can we comprehend the rights of Allah the Almighty and the rights of His creation. Only then can we do justice to these twin principles that lie at the heart of Islamic teachings. Only then can we become the guarantors of peace in the world at every level of society. Only then can humanity bring an end to the incessant warfare and disorder that are increasingly plaguing the modern world.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that geopolitical conflicts are escalating and hatreds are becoming deeply entrenched both within nations and at the global level. As Ahamdis, we believe that only through the teachings of the Holy Quran, can the hostilities and conflicts destroying the world’s peace and security can be transformed into bonds of mutual love and unity. Huzooraa said, “So, as Ahmadi Muslims, never forget who you are and what you represent.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa added, that people may ask what distinguishes you from other individuals. They will question whether you yourself reflect those teachings that you call others to accept.
Huzooraa said it is our great fortune that the Promised Messiahas has illuminated the path of the code of conduct in the form of the Conditions of Bai‘at. We can only progress if we follow these conditions.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“Hence, today I wish to present the essence of Islamic teachings by reminding you all of the conditions of bai‘at which, as I have said must always remain the means of governing all elements of our life.”
If we can achieve this, we will not only safeguard our own future, but save others as well, and they will come under the protective spiritual shade of the Holy Prophetsa.
The first condition of bai‘at requires Ahmadis to abstain from shirk. The Promised Messiahas explains that idols are not only those made of gold, copper, or silver; rather, any entity that is given such reverence that it is only due to God, is an idol. Tawhid requires a firm conviction that God Almighty is beholden to no one and is All-Powerful and the Supreme Being.
The second condition of bai‘at requires Ahmadis to keep away from falsehood, cruelty, adultery, dishonesty, disorder, rebellion and every kind of evil.
Once, a person came to the Holy Prophetsa requesting his advice to shun only one of his shortcomings. Prophet Muhammadsa advised him to abstain from lying. Consequently, the person was purified from all sins, as he thought if he committed a sin, he would have to lie before the Holy Prophetsa.
The Promised Messiahas further instructed us to avoid all paths that carry even the slightest risk of becoming involved in adultery. It is a very dangerous sin and it takes a person far away from Allah the Almighty.
The Promised Messiahas said that a person who is unable to marry should curb his urges through other means, for example, by fasting or doing extraneous exercise.
The Promised Messiahas said:
“The prayer of the wicked tyrant is not accepted because he is unmindful of Allah, and thus Allah cares not for him. If a son is unmindful of his obligations to his father, the father does not care about him, because of his disobedience. Why should Allah care for such people?”
The Promised Messiahas advised Ahmadis that, “They should perform the five daily prayers regularly, should not utter falsehood and should not hurt anyone by their tongues. They should be guilty of no vice and should not let even a thought of any mischief, wrong, disorderliness, or turmoil pass through their minds.”
The Promised Messiahas also instructed his followers to stay away from every form of rebellion against the government. Moreover, they should keep away from all forms of carnal passions and illicit things.
Huzooraa said, “In today’s world, new means and technology are constantly developing that are pulling people away from morality and pushing them towards vulgarity and depravity.” For example, the internet, television and media are all proving the gateways to vice and corrupting the old and the young. So, every Ahmadi must recite istighfar.
Then, the Promised Messiahas took the pledge to observe daily prayers and instructed us to offer tahajjud.
The Promised Messiah said:
“So all ye people who count yourselves as members of my Jamaat, in heaven you shall be counted members of my following only when you truly begin to advance on the paths of righteousness. Offer your five daily obligatory prayers with such concentration and awe of mind as though you were seeing God in front of you. Observe the days of fasting for the sake of God in full sincerity. All among you who are liable for zakat should never fail to discharge this important obligation.”
The Promised Messiahas also emphasised invoking blessings on the Holy Prophetsa.
Huzooraa said that another attribute an Ahmadi must inculcate is to praise and show gratitude to Allah the Almighty in all circumstances.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the Promised Messiahas instructed us not to inflict injury on any of Allah’s creatures. We should not cause harm with our hands or words to anyone.
Huzooraa said:
“All of you participating in the Jalsa should sincerely pray for an end to oppression and injustice and for true peace to prevail in the world.” We should carefully analyse our own conduct to ensure that we are never guilty of malevolent behaviour.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the conditions of bai‘at also guide us towards exhibiting patience and trust during times of sorrow and hardship. Above all, having taken the bai‘at of the Promised Messiahas, we must show complete fidelity and loyalty to Allah and strive to act upon all the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophetsa.
As Ahmadi Muslims, we must not permit any type of innovation or corruption of our religion and consider the Holy Quran as our guiding light. Only then can we claim to be true Ahmadi Muslims.
Furthermore, we must rid ourselves of all forms of arrogance We should also inculcate true humility. Indeed, it was the utter humility of the Promised Messiahas due to which God revealed to him that He liked his humble ways. Prophet Muhammadsa said that one must shun all forms of pride.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa highlighted that another condition of bai‘at is that we shall consider upholding the dignity and honour of Islam even greater than our wealth, honour, children, and all others. If we wish to bring about a spiritual revolution, we must live our lives in this way.
Then, the Promised Messiahas has taken an oath from all Ahmadis that they will seek to serve the creation of Allah and fulfil their needs. If we do this, we will be the inheritors of the prayers of the Holy Prophetsa and the Promised Messiahas.
The Promised Messiahas said that benevolence does not merely require that a person show kindness to their near ones; rather, it should be for all mankind. The Promised Messiahas said:
“Benevolence does not imply that it should be only for your brothers and relations, but it should be for anyone, any human, and any of God’s creation. Do not consider whether someone is a Hindu or a Christian. I tell you truthfully that Allah the Almighty has taken on the responsibility of ensuring justice for you; He does not want you to take it upon yourselves. The more congeniality you adopt and the more humble and serving you are, the more Allah the Almighty will be pleased with you. Leave your enemies to Allah the Almighty.”
Huzooras said:
“Now and before concluding, I also wish to remind you that the Promised Messiahas has taken a solemn pledge from us in our bai‘at that, after accepting of Ahmadiyyat, we will remain entirely obedient to him purely for the sake of Allah and will hold our bond of love with him higher than any worldly relationship.
“So, after Ahmadi must exhibit true love for the Promised Messiahas. And the way to do it is to faithfully act upon his teachings, which in reality are the teachings of Allah the Almighty and His Messengersa. Only then can we claim to be Ahmadi Muslims in spirit and deed.”
Furthermore, in this era, Allah has blessed us with Khilafat. Every Ahmadi must attach themselves to the institution of Khilafat and it is the key to their continued progress. Huzooraa said:
“If all members of Ghana Jamaat are those who sincerely strive to act upon the conditions of bai‘at, then it can be said that the first century of Ghana will have proven one truly blessed and successful and you will enter the second century of Ahmadiyyat in Ghana in the best possible way.
“I say to all of you that now is that time to come forward and pledge with absolute determination and resoluteness that you will forever seek to bring about all the pure changes required to fulfil the conditions of the oath you have taken with the Promised Messiahas.” If you do so, you will be a means of conveying the message of Islam to the corners of the world. May it be that by following the teachings of the Islam, you become the people to bring about a moral revolution in the world.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa added that he hopes and prays for the Ghanian nation that the young people and coming generation of their nation be those who save the world from duplicity and godlessness as compared to those nations that consider themselves to be the most advanced and civilised on Earth.
Huzooraa prayed:
“May the world come to look towards Ghana and the African nations as the beacons of justice, truth and morality, insha-Allah.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said:
“May Allah the Almighty grant us all the ability to do so.
“May Allah the Almighty bless the Ghana Jamaat in every respect and may you all return to your homes safely having fulfilled the objectives of the Jalsa Salana. Amin.”
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa then led everyone in silent prayer. Thereafter, Huzooraa permitted taranay (choral poems) to be recited.
In the end, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa conveyed his salaam and expressed his regret that Huzooraa was not personally present in the Ghana Jalsa.
Huzooraa then announced that, according to the attendance given to him, the number of participants in the Jalsa Gah was 39,000. The total number in the Masroor Hall was 1333, of which 300 attendees were Africans.
Huzooraa again said salaam to all the Ghanaians and departed at around 17:40 GMT.
(Report by Al Hakam)