From 29 September to 1 October 2023, Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK held their annual ijtema in Kingsley, Hampshire. Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his helper, graced the ijtema on the final day to formally conclude the event with an address.
At approximately 16:07 local time, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived at the ijtema site. Huzooraa conducted the flag-hoisting ceremony. After this, various groups of khuddam had the honour of having their photos taken with Huzooraa. He then proceeded to the ijtema gah and led the attendees in Zuhr and Asr prayers.
At 16:35, the formal proceedings of the final session of MKA UK’s national ijtema commenced. Huzooraa invited Ihsan Ahmad Sahib to recite a portion of the Holy Quran. He recited verses 28-31 of Surah ar-Ra‘d, and Salman Khawar Sahib presented their English translation.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa then stood up, as did all those present, and took the Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya pledge. Thereafter, Huzooraa invited Hafiz Mirza Marfood Ahmad Sahib to recite an Urdu poem. He presented a poem written by the Promised Messiahas. Amrindar Singh Maan Sahib presented the English translation of the couplets.
Huzooraa then invited Abdul Quddus Arif Sahib, Sadr Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK, to present the ijtema report. Sadr Sahib said that the theme for this year’s ijtema, as per Huzoor’saa instruction, was “Salat, the Delight of our Eyes”. He then went on to describe various aspects of the ijtema and some new additions this year. The total attendance at this year’s ijtema was 6,909. Sadr Sahib expressed special thanks to Huzooraa and requested him to continuously grace them with his prayers. He then thanked all the volunteers and khuddam who helped make it a successful ijtema.
A short video presentation was then shown to Huzooraa with highlights of the ijtema. Mutamid Sahib Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK was then called to announce the Alam-e-Inami prize for Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya and Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya, which Huzooraa awarded to the winning qiadats.
At 16:59, Huzooraa came to the podium and conveyed “Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah” and recited tashahud and ta‘awuz. Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa then said:
“With the grace of Allah, the national ijtema of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya UK has taken place this weekend and is now reaching its conclusion.”
Huzooraa said that he would take benefit from the saying of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra who was the founder of the Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra explained that communities and nations have the potential to live on and thrive for centuries. In terms of Ahmadiyyat, the Ahmadi youth must sincerely long to fulfil their obligation to ensure Jamaat’s preservation and everlasting success. This requires generation upon generation of Ahmadis to act on the true teaching of Ahmadiyyat and to strive to convey its message to all parts of the world.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra gave the example of Prophet Jesusas who was the Messiah of Mosesas. If the followers of Jesusas have spread worldwide, there is no reason why the community of the Messiahas of Muhammadsa, whose status is higher than that of the Messiah of Mosesas cannot reach all parts of the world.
The Promised Messiahas prayed fervently for the Jamaat. In a couplet, he wrote, “O Allah, direct the reign of the world towards me.” Huzooraa said, the Promised Messiahas beseeched Allah to give in his hands the reigns controlling the directions of mankind so that the people flock towards Ahmadiyyat. The Promised Messiahas expressed in this couplet his deep anguish and heartfelt desperation for people to turn towards Allah and free themselves from the shackles of immorality and materialism.
Huzooraa said, “Unquestionably, every sincere khadim, in this era must endeavour to fulfil the grand mission of bringing mankind towards belief in the Promised Messiahas. Indeed, until the end of times, generations after generations of Ahmadis should consider this their foremost objective.”
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that striving in the way of God is not just a mere expression; in fact, it is our duty to save mankind. Our mission is to stand against the rising tide of atheism and work tirelessly until the day all traces of Godlessness are eliminated from the world and Islam Ahmadiyyat prevails.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra presented a divine vision of the Promised Messiahas and explained that he was given a glad tiding that a day was destined to come when heads of state, be they monarchs, presidents or otherwise, in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Russia, etc., would come to accept Islam Ahmadiyyat. Huzooraa said that indeed, according to the promises of Allah, a time will come when Ahmadiyyat will be accepted in such vast numbers that all other religions will be rendered insignificant in comparison.
Huzooraa said that this prophecy will be fulfilled so long as we fulfil our duties. We must be prepared to make enormous sacrifices for the sake of our faith, and our determination and efforts to spread the message of Islam must never waver. Moreover, Ahmadis must never fall prey to complacency in the belief that, as these are prophecies of God, they will come true regardless of their efforts. Every Ahmadi should ask themselves if they are playing their role to fulfil the prophecies of the Promised Messiahas and to what extent they are praying that Allah the Almighty shows the fulfilment of these prophecies in their lifetime. To what extent are they striving to live their lives according to the teachings of Islam?
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that the Promised Messiahas was referred to as Noahas by Allah the Almighty. The Holy Quran mentions that Prophet Noahas attained an age of 950 years, which means that his teachings and community lasted for this period. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra says that in this age, the Promised Messiahas was sent by Allah as a pure reflection and as a devotee of Prophet Muhammadsa, the greatest of all the prophets of God. Thus, if the community of Prophet Noahas lasted for almost 1000 years, then the era of the Messiah of the Holy Prophetsa, whose teachings and status far exceed that of Prophet Noahas, should, and insha-Allah, will far exceed that period and last of thousands of years.
The Promised Messiahas said that God promised him that his Community and the religion of Islam would last till the end of times. Huzooraa said that we must be highly motivated and determined to tabligh [preaching].
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra instructed the office of tabshir to ensure that the various reports received from jamaats about the activities and successes of tabligh should be published regularly in our Jamaat’s newspapers. Reading such reports, Ahmadis will know how Allah has blessed the Jamaat with success. Moreover, these reports will inspire young Ahmadis, instil in them a burning desire to serve the cause of Islam and direct them towards the true purpose of life.
Huzooraa said, “Today, in this era, Allah the Almighty has blessed us with MTA and various other platforms, which should be used to present such reports regularly.” By doing so, members will know that Allah is fulfilling His promises and so they will be personally motivated to convey the message of Islam.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra, explaining the success and progress of the Jamaat, gave the example of a tree, saying that it cannot flourish if its roots are weak. The deeper the roots, the taller the tree. He mentioned chapter 14, verse 25 of the Holy Quran, where Allah the Almighty likened the words of God to the most magnificent and pure tree, whose trunk is outstanding and whose roots are deeply embedded in the ground. It means that when the followers of a divine religion act upon its teachings, its roots become strong. As a result, they increase in number and spread their faith to others.
Huzooraa said, “It has been narrated in a hadith that when a believer wakes during the middle of the night and offers Tahajjud, Allah comes down from the heavens to accept their prayers.” So, it is essential that all of us, especially our youth, cultivate a sincere bond with Allah so that He accepts their prayers.
Huzooraa said, “When all members of the Jamaat, men, women and children develop such standards, the special blessings of Allah will most surely rain down upon us. As a result, the roots of the divine tree of Ahamdiyyat will become ever deeper and there will be no circumstances where its progress or growth be stunted, insha-Allah.”
Huzooraa said that alongside tabligh, we should also pray that Allah grants extraordinary success and prosperity to our Jamaat.
In a couplet, the Promised Messiahas said:
“I am a tree bearing fruits of the qualities of David; I became David and Jalut is my prey.”
The name Jalut means the one who creates disorder and destroys the peace of society. Therefore, it means that Allah the Almighty will establish peace in the world through the Promised Messiahas, and eradicate all kinds of evil, injustice, and corruption.
The Promised Messiahas has stated in The Will:
“I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence and I am a personification of His Power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power [of God].” (The Will, p. 8)
Huzooraa said that the Promised Messiahas has clearly stated that the institution of Khilafat will be established upon his demise. Consequently, every khadim must attach themselves with sincerity to Khilafat and Ahmadi parents should pledge that where they seek to instil a desire in their children and future generations to spread the message of Islam, they should also instil in them a desire to stay faithfully attached to the institution of Khilafat.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra gave the example of the Pope, saying he continues to be revered among Christians and is considered a spiritual leader among Roman Catholics. Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that if Christians have been able to maintain a lifeless type of spiritual leadership through the course of many centuries, we should awaken such a great passion among the Ahmadi youth to protect forever that living Khilafat which is true and from God.
Huzooraa said, “We should never forget that such blessings and rewards are contingent upon our constant prayers and following Islam’s teachings. May it never be that our Jamaat becomes emptied of the righteous or that only a few such pious remains.”
“As Ahmadi youth, you must continue to reflect and analyse your state and try to better your morals, so that your relationship with Allah develops to the extent that you are included among the truthful and righteous,” Huzooraa said.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra also took a pledge from the members of Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya. On that occasion, all khuddam stood and repeated the words of the pledge with a firm desire to fulfil it.
Huzooraa said, “So, today I wish to take the same pledge from all of you.”
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa asked the khuddam to stand up and repeat the following pledge:
اَشْھَدُ اَنْ لاَّ اِلٰہَ اِلاَّ اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہٗ لَاشَرِیْکَ لَہٗ وَاَشْھَدُ اَن مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہٗ وَرَسُوْلُہٗ
“I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, He is one and Has no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammadsa is His servant and messenger.
“I swear by Allah and proclaim that I will always endeavour to convey and propagate the teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat and the blessed name of the Holy Prophetsa to the corners of the earth. And for the sake of fulfilling this most sacred obligation, I shall forever keep my life devoted to the service of Allah the Almighty and His Messengersa. I shall give every possible sacrifice, no matter how heavy its burden, in order for the blessed flag of Islam to be raised aloft in every nation until the end of times.
“I also solemnly pledge to strive with unyielding conviction to protect and strengthen the institution of Khilafat until my last breath. And I shall always urge my progeny to remain firmly attached to Khilafat and to seek its blessings, so that Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya may remain protected until the end of times. And so that, through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the propagation of Islam may continue until the last day. And so that the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammadsa may be raised far higher than any other flag in this world.
“O God, enable us to fulfil this pledge. Allah-humma Amin, Allah-humma Amin, Allah-humma Amin.”
Huzooraa then repeated the same pledge in Urdu, and everyone repeated it after him.
After taking this pledge, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra said that this pledge should be repeated regularly, Huzooraa said. This pledge has some additional words and is more elaborated than the general Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya pledge.
Huzooraa said, “Having made this pledge, you must strive to live up to this. […] Pay heed to your obligations to your faith, knowing that you cannot rest easy until that day when the true and peaceful teachings of Islam have reached each village, town, city, and nation of the world. And its truth is accepted by the vast majority of people worldwide.”
Huzooraa said that those living in Western countries should never be consumed by the desire to earn money or become affluent. Instead, always place your trust in Allah. He will remove all of your difficulties. You must strive to fulfil your pledge and prioritise your faith over the world. Stay free from all forms of greed and lust for material things. Strive to raise the spiritual flag of Prophet Muhammadsa all around the world.
It is the promise of Allah the Almighty to the Promised Messiahas that our Jamaat will prosper, the flag of the Holy Prophetsa will be raised worldwide, and the Oneness of God will be established with great majesty. The only question is whether we fulfilled our divine duties for this cause.
In light of the Holy Quran, Huzooraa said that Allah decreed that the great weight of responsibility was passed unto mankind and placed upon the shoulders of the Holy Prophetsa. In this era, it has been passed down to the most devoted servant, the Promised Messiahas and through him to us, his members of the Jamaat. So, we must understand our responsibilities.
At the end, Huzooraa said:
“The members of Majlis Khuddam-ul-Ahmadiyya should never lose sight of their great objectives and mission. Furthermore, I pray that each and every one of you comes to fulfil the pledge that you have taken before me today and prove to be sincere servants of the Promised Messiahas and the Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya.”
Then, Huzooraa led everyone in a silent prayer to conclude the event.
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)
