‘The sun does not set on Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya’: Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud’s address at 1957 Khuddam Ijtema

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam

On 13 October 1957, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad^ra delivered the concluding address at the annual Ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.

During his address, Huzoor^ra reminded the Ahmadi youth about the sacrifices and efforts of the Holy Prophet’s^sa Companions^ra, while fulfilling their duties and responsibilities, despite facing extreme hardship and opposition.

After reciting the beginning verses of Surah an-Nazi‘at, Huzoor^ra said:

“The verses of Surah an-Nazi‘at which I have just recited, mention the duties of the believers. There are many who call themselves a ‘believer’, however, mere verbal claims are not an achievement. As far as verbal claims are concerned, Musaylimah Kazzab and Aswad Ansi had also claimed prophethood. However, there was a huge difference between their claim and the claim of prophethood made by the Holy Prophet^sa. The claims of Musaylimah and Aswad did not create any impact, not even equal to the movement caused when a pebble is thrown into water. However, when the Holy Prophet^sa proclaimed his prophethood, and the nations of Nazi‘at joined him, it was as if the earth had shaken. There was the Battle of Badr, which was followed by the Battle of Uhud and the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, and then the conquest of Mecca. Meanwhile, many other wars also took place. In short, it was a time of great commotion. […] The current era is of a similar kind as well, since God Almighty is creating means to once again make Islam victorious over the world, and Ahmadis have been given the responsibility to serve Islam.” (Al Fazl, 15 October 1957, p. 1)

Huzoor^ra continued by saying that just as the Promised Messiah^as earned the status of burooz (spiritual reflection) of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa by truly following in his footsteps, Ahmadis are also entitled to become the burooz of the Companions^ra of the Holy Prophet^sa by following in their footsteps:

“Considering the apparent means, it may seem beyond your capacity to fulfil the responsibility that has been devolved on you, however, since the help and succour of God are with you, it will not be a difficult task.” (Ibid.)

Huzoor^ra further said that members of the Jamaat are required to continue their tabligh [preaching] efforts, to build mosques around the world, and to never lose heart considering the limited amount of means:

“Therefore, it is very crucial for you to never get disheartened, but rather, you ought to recognise your status; that God Almighty has chosen you to fulfil this duty. Hence, it is your duty to accomplish this task. You must realise your responsibilities and busy yourselves in prayers [du‘a]. You should never lose heart, no matter how much effort you may need to exert or have to endure severe hardships. In fact, these sufferings and hardships, while serving Islam, should make you pleased and proud. If you inculcate within you this spirit, you shall receive  the opportunity to serve Islam till the Day of Judgement.” (Ibid., p. 8)

Huzoor^ra went on to narrate some incidents that exhibited the sacrifices and selflessness of the Holy Prophet’s^sa Companions^ra. Huzoor^ra said that they showed great selflessness and had a passion to offer every possible sacrifice for the service of Islam. They endured many pains and sufferings in the way of Allah and deemed it a source of pleasure and pride. Whenever there was any danger to the Holy Prophet^sa, his companions were not hesitant to even sacrifice their lives.

“Thus, whenever you have to endure hardships and sufferings in the way of Faith, it should never make you disheartened, but rather, you are required to consider those hardships and sufferings as a blessing from God Almighty and to continue fulfilling your duties with even greater passion and sincerity. It has been stated in the words وَالنّٰزِعٰتِ غَرۡقًا [By those who draw {people to true faith} vigorously. (Surah an-Nazi‘at, Ch. 79: V. 2)] that upon facing hardships, a believer begins to fulfil their duties with more vigour, and immerse in their responsibilities so much that they forget about the whole world. Therefore, inculcate within you sincerity, get ready with the passion of truthfulness, and devote your heart, wealth and life to fulfil the duties given to you.” (Ibid.)

While shedding light on the importance of building mosques in Europe, America, and other parts of the world, Huzoor^ra said:

“At present, we have built only three mosques in Europe [Fazl Mosque in London, Fazl-e-Omar Mosque in Hamburg, and Mubarak Mosque in the Hague]. However, we should not be satisfied by building only three mosques, since they cannot be enough to spread Islam in Europe. My wish is that we should build at least ten more mosques as soon as possible in some big European cities. It does not mean that those ten mosques would be enough to fulfil our objectives; rather, we would need to increase that number to 50, then to 5,000, and so forth. You are the followers of that person who has been commissioned by God to establish mosques all over the world.” (Ibid.)

Huzoor^ra continued by saying that at the time, building 50 mosques required around 10 million rupees, which was a huge amount considering the available means; however, if Ahmadis exhibit a great passion for sacrifice, this amount could surely be raised:

“If we are able to build 2,500 mosques in Europe, the slogans of takbir [supremacy of Allah] could be raised in all corners of Europe, […] and the calls of Allahu-Akbar [Allah is Great] will simultaneously echo throughout Europe. […] In addition to Europe, we will build mosques in America as well, and the calls of Allahu-Akbar [Allah is Great] will echo in all of its corners as well.” (Al Fazl, 16 October 1957, p. 3)

Huzoor^ra further said:

“There was a time when it was proclaimed that the sun did not set on the British Empire. Now, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is spreading to faraway places in the East and West, and we can say that the sun does not set on Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. […] My desire is to build mosques in all parts of the world so that the name of the One God may echo in the world, where the call of the Trinity has been echoing for a long time. It will be possible only when you continue to pray [du‘a] and fulfil your responsibilities enthusiastically with true zeal and sincerity.” (Ibid.)

Huzoor^ra concluded by saying that Ahmadi youth are required to make every possible effort to achieve this goal, and if they do so, the day is not far away when the victory of Islam shall be acknowledged throughout the world.