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Jalsa Salana West Coast USA

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Jalsa Salana West Coast USA
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Anwer Mahmood Khan

USA Correspondent

On Friday, 21 December 2018, prominent civic, political and religious leaders across Southern California lauded the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in USA during its 33rd West Coast Jalsa Salana at Baitul Hameed Mosque in Chino, California. 

More than 2,000 delegates, including 220 guests, took part in a special session to discuss ways to establish peace. The special event kicked off the weekend convention that saw members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat from several western states, as well as Canada and Europe, convene in Chino. The gathering featured various speeches on social and religious topics for men, women and children. 

The theme of the evening gathering was Justice – the Foundation of Lasting Peace. National vice president and missionary in-charge of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in USA, Azhar Haneef Sahib, highlighted the life example of the founder of Islam, the Prophet Muhammadsa, and his standards of kindness and justice to all: “It’s not just about being kind to one another, its being kind even to the one who hates you.” 

California Assemblywoman Eloise Gomez Reyes acknowledged the work of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat towards promoting peace, commenting, “I value your voice at the table. We must promote peace and interreligious harmony. We must focus on building bridges and finding common grounds.” 

Mayors from the cities of Chino and Pomona, alongside local police chiefs, voiced their deep appreciation for the Jamaat’s efforts to unite faith communities across southern California. They were joined by prominent faith leaders from the San Bernardino Diocese, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Jewish and Buddhist communities, as well as local academics from University of La Verne and Chaffey College. 

Chino Mayor Eunice Ulloa commented, “I will admit to you, as I did when I was first invited to the mosque, I was fearful… there is so much misunderstanding out there. Now when I come here, I am completely at peace in visiting the mosque, and in visiting you. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is truly a community of peace.” 

California State Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon sent a special message to the convention acknowledging the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat’s True Islam campaign which was launched in the aftermath of the 2015 San Bernardino attacks to educate the public about Islam: “The actions enacted by your community across California inspire both hope for the future and goodwill for those around us. The campaign to educate people about the basic tenets of Islam is an important example of outreach and expression.” 

As is customary in all Jalsas around the world, food was served to the guests throughout the course of the event with a special marquee being put up for seniors. A tent was installed in the basketball court where dinner was served to guests. 

The weather overall was excellent and the event was hailed a success. Alhamdolillah.

Sahibzada Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib

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Sahibzada Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib
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Sahibzada Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib passed away on 18 December 2018 at the age of 81. Surely, to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return.

Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib was the eldest son of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh and the eldest paternal grandson of Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIra. He was the maternal grandson of Hazrat Nawab Mubaraka Begumra and Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khanra.

He received his early education from Qadian, which he later completed in Rabwah. He then obtained a master’s degree from the University of Punjab, and further went on to study at Oxford University in England from where he received a master’s degree.

In 1955, he dedicated his life as a Waqif-e-Zindagi. He studied philosophy and English literature and had a great personal interest in Hadith. He attained his initial study in Hadith from the late Khurshid Ahmad Sahib.

Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib had a remarkable library at his home, which contained numerous books on various subjects. He had a great eye for detail and spent a lot of his time continuously reading and studying various subjects.

He served in many offices of the Jamaat for 56 years. His initial posting was in the Talim-ul-Islam College as a teacher. Then, in 1975, he was appointed as Naib Nazir Islah-o-Irshad. He also served as the private secretary of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIIrh, and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh during his first trip to Europe.

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In his Friday Sermon, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa narrated a beautiful incident regarding Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra with Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib, in which the sacrifice of Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra and his love for his grandchildren can be seen. When Ahmadis were migrating from Qadian, after the partition, due to the hardships, there was a lack of food to go around for everyone. Thus, everyone was only permitted one roti and this limit was not to be exceeded. Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib, who at the time was a young boy (around 10 years of age), said to Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra that he was unable to suffice on one roti. Upon this, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra stated that due to the lack of food and provision, this limit could not be exceeded. Thus, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra arranged half of his roti to be given to Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib.

Huzooraa narrated an incident of Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib in which his true love for Khilafat can be seen. During the elections of the fourth Khalifa, when it was announced from the mosque that Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh had been elected as Khalifatul Masih IV, Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib fell in prostration, paying gratitude to Allah. This incident demonstrates his deep love and relationship with Khilafat.

Huzooraa further stated in his Friday Sermon that when he was appointed as Amir-e-Muqami and Nazir-e-Ala by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh, Mirza Anas Ahmad Sahib showed complete obedience to him, even though Huzooraa was at least 13-14 years younger. This was purely due to his obedience towards Khilafat. Then, when Huzooraa was appointed as Khalifatul Masih, he continued to show complete obedience and devotion.

Towards the end, Huzoor prayed, “May Allah grant him mercy and forgiveness. Indeed, he was a scholar and possessed tremendous knowledge. May Allah continue to produce more scholars and may Allah continue to elevate his station.”

Durood for the Holy Prophet s.a.

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Durood for the Holy Prophet s.a.

Hazrat Asim r.a. bin Ubaidullah, Allah be pleased with him, said:

“I heard Abdullah bin Amir bin Rabi‘ah narrating from his father that the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, ‘There is no Muslim who sends peace and blessings upon me, but the angels will send peace and blessings upon him as long as he sends peace and blessings upon me. So let a person do a little of that or a lot.’”

(Sunan ibn Majah)

The Reality of Sin and Repentance

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The Reality of Sin and Repentance
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Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad a.s.

The reality of sin is not that Allah first created it and then thousands of years later conjured up the idea of forgiveness. For example, a fly has two wings, one containing poison and the other its antidote. Similarly, human beings have two wings, one of sin and the other of shame, repentance and remorse. This is a general rule. For example, if someone were to violently beat a slave, remorse would overwhelm such a one. It is as if  both wings move in unison. Poison is not without its antidote. Now the question is, why was this poison created in the first place? The answer is that although this is a poison, if harnessed, it possesses remedial properties. If sin did not exist, the venom of vanity would surge forth within man and lead to his ruin, but repentance prevents this from happening. Sin protects man from the calamity of arrogance and conceit. When the Prophet Muhammadsa would seek forgiveness seventy times in one day – despite being sinless – how great an effort should we exert? Only one who is content with sin does not repent; an individual who considers sin to be evil will ultimately refrain from it.

It is narrated in a Hadith that when a person weeps before Allah time and again to seek forgiveness, ultimately, God says, “We have forgiven you, now do as you please.” This actually means that the heart of such a one has been transformed and thereafter he shall feel an innate aversion towards sin. No one who observes a sheep eating filth is driven by greed to consume it as well. Similarly, a person who is forgiven by Allah will never commit sin. Muslims instinctively abhor the flesh of swine though they may be indulged in thousands of other unlawful and forbidden things. The wisdom in placing this form of disgust in Muslims is to illustrate that mankind should develop a similar revulsion towards sin.

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 3-4) 

To Honour One’s Neighbour and Guest

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To Honour One’s Neighbour and Guest

Hazrat Abu Huraira, Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the Holy Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day should either utter good words or observe silence; and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should treat his neighbour with kindness and he who believes in Allah and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.”

(Sahih al-Muslim, Kitab al-Iman)

The Oath of Allegiance and Repentance

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The Oath of Allegiance and Repentance
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Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad a.s.

One should understand the benefit and need of swearing an oath of allegiance to a spiritual guide. Until the benefit and worth of a thing is known, its value cannot be appreciated. For example, a person possesses diverse forms of wealth and property around their home, comprised of rupees, paise, cowries, and firewood, etc. Everything is safeguarded according to the degree of its worth. A person would not tend to the safekeeping of a cowrie as carefully as one is compelled to look after a paisa or rupee; firewood and the like is usually left lying around in the corner of one’s home. In the same manner, a person is more protective of that which inflicts more harm if lost. Likewise, the outstanding aspect of swearing allegiance to a spiritual guide is repentance (tawbah), which means to turn back (ruju). Repentance refers to the state when man forsakes the ties that bind him to sin. When a person is indulged in a life of sin, he begins to dwell in this state and sin becomes his homeland, as it were. So, tawbah is to leave one’s homeland and ruju means to purify oneself. It lies heavy on a person to leave their homeland and one is faced with thousands of difficulties in doing so. There are a myriad of problems that one is confronted with even when he leaves his home. But when it comes to migrating from one’s native land, an individual must sever ties with friends and loved ones, and bid farewell to everything, such as his hearth and home, his neighbours, the streets and alleys of his prior homeland, and its place of business. He is compelled to move to a new country and he never returns to his homeland. Th is is called tawbah. Th e friends of evil are different from those who befriend righteousness. The Sufi s have named this transformation “death”. A person who repents is compelled to sustain a heavy 
loss. Indeed, true repentance demands great sacrifices, but Allah the Exalted is Merciful and Munificent. God does not let a person die until He bestows upon them a better substitute for all such losses. Th is is the very indication in: 

اِنَّ اللہَ یُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِیْنَ

Allah loves those who turn to him.

When one repents, they become destitute and helpless and this is why Allah the Exalted holds love and affection for such a person, and includes them among the community of the righteous. Other nations do not consider God to be Merciful and Munificent. The Christians effectively hold God to be a tyrant and His son to be merciful, for the father refused to forgive sin, while the son gave his own life to have others forgiven. It is absurd for there to be such a stark difference between father and son. Father and son always carry a resemblance in morals and habits, but here the case is exactly the opposite. If Allah was not Merciful, man could not survive for even a moment. How can one imagine that He who has created thousands of things for the benefit of man, even prior to his performing any action, would disregard his repentance and good deeds?

(Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas, Malfuzat, Vol. 1, pp. 2-3)

Jalsa Qadian 2018 – Touching Base

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Jalsa Qadian 2018 – Touching Base
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By the grace of Allah, Jalsa Salana Qadian 2018 has commenced today and the Friday Sermon recently delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa marks the official inauguration of the three day event. It was in Qadian that under divine inspiration, the Promised Messiahas first called members of the Jamaats, from all over the Indian Subcontinent, to convene in Qadian for a gathering that he named “Jalsa Salana”. Although only around seventy-five members could manage to attend, but who could have known that this handful of people would act as pioneers of an institution that was to spread, along with the message of Ahmadiyyat, to the corners of the Earth? The following Jalsas saw the number of attendees soar from this two-digit figure into four-digits, then five and then there came a time – when the Markaz had moved from Qadian to Rabwah – that the small town of Rabwah hosted an attendance that had soared to six figures.

As a tradition, Qadian is decorated during the days preceding Jalsa Salana. The same has been the case this year where colourful lights are seen hanging from the walls and rooftops of buildings. The Minartul Masih is lit up so beautifully that it serves as a feast for every eye that looks towards it.

Thousands of members of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat have flocked from various parts of the world to attend the blessed event. Jalsa Qadian is extensively reported in the press and media every year, which means a considerable presence of media-men in the town.

The three days will be traditionally filled with day-long schedules that kick off with the Tahajud prayer in the latter part of the night, followed by the pre-dawn Fajr prayer. The sunrise witnesses these thousands of attendees walking to Bahishti Maqbara to visit the last resting place of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Ira, many companions of the Promised Messiah and a great number of revered personalities of the Jamaat. While breakfast is served under Jamaat’s arrangement, cafes, bakeries and restaurants are seen full of those willing to have something of their own choice. The rest of the day has in store a morning session and an afternoon session, punctuated by Salat, lunch and dinner.

All Jalsa sessions are packed with informative, faith-inspiring and motivational speeches, the topics ranging from the teachings of Islam, modern day challenges, biographical descriptions of the Holy Prophetsa of Islam and of the Promised Messiahas. Each session starts with the recitation of the Holy Quran while poetic verses of the Promised Messiahas and his Khulafa are recited in melodious tunes at the start and even between speeches.

The highlight of Jalsa Salana Qadian is the concluding session where Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivers his concluding address from London, relayed not only to Qadian but to all parts of the world. This address of Huzoor formally concludes Jalsa Salana Qadian. This concluding address of Huzoor enables all Ahmadis around the world to virtually be part of this blessed assembly. Millions of Ahmadis join their beloved Imam in the concluding prayer live via MTA. The seventy-five pairs of hands raised for supplication in 1891 have multiplied manifold into millions, raising before Allah the Almighty not only from the blessed hamlet of Qadian, but all over the world.

Huzoor’s concluding address to Jalsa Salana Qadian this year will be broadcast live on MTA on Sunday, 30 December 2018 at 10:30 GMT. 

28 December – 3 January

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28 December – 3 January

28 December 1897: The Promised Messiahas delivered his speech after the Zuhr prayer at the occasion of Jalsa Salana in Qadian.
28 December 1907: The Promised Messiahas delivered an address to listeners gathered in Qadian for Jalsa Salana. It was after Zuhr and Asr prayers in Masjid Aqsa. 
28 December 1907: With connection to Jalsa Salana, taking benefit from the presence of members of the Jamaat, Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya conducted its conference after Maghrib prayer in Qadian. 
28 December 1908: A massive earthquake occurred on this day, in Sicily and Calabria, southern Italy, with a moment magnitude of 7.1. The cities of Messina and Reggio Calabria were almost completely destroyed and between 75,000 to 200,000 lives were lost.
28 December 1939: Liwa-e-Ahamadiyat (the flag of Ahmadiyyat) was displayed and raised for the first time in Qadian. 

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30 December 1897: The Promised Messiahas delivered his third address of Jalsa Salana 1897. He started it after the Zuhr prayer, it was stopped for Asr prayer and continued with his topic following the prayer. 
1 January 1877: Alexandrina Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, took the title “Empress of India” in 1876. The new title was proclaimed at the Delhi Durbar on this day. 
1 January 1896: On this day, the Promised Messiahas inaugurated a movement for the general introduction of a holiday for Friday prayer, which is one of the most useful institutions of Islam, and a symbol of its greatness. He made arrangements for a proposal to the government of India regarding the closing of government offices on Fridays.
1 January 1897: A well-known Pir of India, Miyan Ghulam Farid of Chachran Sharif (a town in Khanpur Tehsil of the Rahim Yar Khan district in the Punjab state of Pakistan), testified in favour of the Promised Messiahas. Upon receiving an open invitation of mubahila (prayer duel), he wrote to the Promised Messiahas on 1 January 1897 (27 Rajab 1314 AH), in which Pir Sahib wrote: “O my dearest friend, know that I have held cherished feelings of deep respect for you from the very beginning in order that I may have its reward. Never has any word of disrespect been uttered by me about you. Now I have to inform you that I acknowledge your goodness and there is no doubt about it. I am sure that you are a righteous servant of God.”
1 January 1899: The Promised Messiah’s Urdu book Ayyamus-Sulh (The Age of Peace) came from Zia-ulIslam Press Qadian on this day. 
3 January 1898: The Promised Messiahas had expressed multiple times his intention to open and establish a middle school in Qadian to meet the educational requirements of the growing community. On this day, this historic milestone was achieved and Talim-ul-Islam school was inaugurated in Qadian. 

Jalsa Qadian 2005 – Setting the Ball Rolling

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Jalsa Qadian 2005 – Setting the Ball Rolling

The image below is of a letter from Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa to the late Sahibzada Mirza Waseem Ahmad Sahib (then Nazir-e-Ala, Sadr Anjuman Ahmadiyya Qadian) in which Huzooraa gave guidance in a particular matter of Jalsa Qadian, where Huzooraa was to participate. This letter is one of the many where Huzooraa gave instructions to the administration of the India Jamaat in relation to this historic Jalsa where Khalifatul Masih was to be present in person. The translation of the letter is as follows:
 

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Respected Nazir-e-Ala Sahib Qadian

Assalamo Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahe Wabarkatohu

I am in receipt of your fax dated 21.6.2005 in relation to the formal sessions and speeches of Jalsa Salana Qadian 2005.

Apart from the opening and closing addresses, my third address will be to the Lajna, meaning that I will deliver three addresses this year. Arrange for eight other speeches to be delivered by other speakers; three from Pakistan, three from India. Suggest names to select two speakers from other countries. You may introduce external speakers before the concluding session, but I may not necessarily be present during this part.

The proposed site for Jalsa Gah sent by the Rabwah committee is acceptable. You may, accordingly, have the men’s Jalsa Gah on the land behind the Buyutul Hamd colony and the Lajna Jalsa Gah on the ground adjacent to Masjid Nasir Abad (formerly men’s Jalsa Gah).

May Allah graciously bless the occasion. Amin.

Wassalam

[Signed]

Khalifatul Masih V

Early Jalsa Salanas in Qadian

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Early Jalsa Salanas in Qadian
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The Promised Messiahas

In 1891, the Promised Messiahas, to further deliberate upon the establishment of an Anjuman as explained in his book Asmani Faislah (The Heavenly Decree), invited his followers to come to Qadian on 27 December. 

Hence, on this date, 75 fortunate individuals gathered at Masjid Aqsa, Qadian before the Promised Messiahas and a meeting was held after Zuhr prayer. Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Silakotira read out Asmani Faislah before the gathering. Then the matter was discussed as to who should be the members of this Anjuman as well as the manner in which it was to operate. These were the proceedings of the first Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in which only 75 companions of the Promised Messiahas participated. It was after this Jalsa that the Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he informed his Jamaat that the Jalsa would now be an annual gathering. 

In the early days, there was no continuous system of chanda [donations] for the purpose of Jalsa Salana and the Promised Messiahas would bear all costs for the hospitality and catering of guests. It should be noted that even when regular donations began to be made by Ahmadis towards Jalsa Salana, the Promised Messiahas took such care in ensuring that the needs of guests were being met that it was as if he himself was making all the arrangements. 

Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmadra of Kapurthala narrates:

“Once, on the occasion of Jalsa Salana, there remained no means of expenses. In those days, chanda would not be collected for Jalsa Salana and Huzooras would spend from his own pocket. [Once] Mir Nasir Nawab Sahibra came and stated that there was no food for guests in the evening. The Promised Messiahas instructed to obtain some jewellery from his wife, which would be enough to cover the costs, and to make necessary arrangements. Hence, Mir Sahib sold the jewellery and used the money so it could cover the needs of the guests. After two days, Mir Sahib, again in the evening and in my presence, said that there were no means for the arrangements of the following day. Huzooras replied by saying that he had made the necessary material arrangements prior to this to the best of his ability, but now he ought not to and the host of each guest should make arrangements themselves. The following day, at around 8 or 9am when the postman arrived, the Promised Messiahas sent for me and Mir Sahib. The postman had 10 or 15 money orders in his hand containing notes of 50 and 100 rupees which had been received from various places. The money orders were sent with the words: ‘We were unable to attend the Jalsa, therefore, this money is for hospitality of the guests.’ The Promised Messiahas accepted the money orders and then spoke to us on reliance upon God.” 

The second Jalsa Salana was held in 1892 and it was this Jalsa that was the first to extend for longer than one day. On 27 December 1892, the Jalsa began with a speech by Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra on the death of Jesusas which was followed by a recitation of a Qaseeda by Hazrat Syed Hamid Shahra. The Promised Messiahas then delivered an address negating the allegations of the opponents regarding angels. Huzooras continued delivering his sermons after Asr and Maghrib as well with the proceedings concluding in the evening. 

It was the second day of Jalsa, 28 December 1892, in which a formal session of Shura took place. The main topic of deliberation was how to conduct tabligh in Europe and America. The decisions that were made during this Shura were:

  • A magazine should be distributed in Europe and America which provides infromation regarding Islam free of charge
  • A printing press should be setup in Qadian
  • A newspaper should be published by the Jamaat
  • Hazrat Maulana Syed Muhammad Ahsan Amrohi should be appointed as a preacher who would journey throughout India propagating the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat
  • A committee be setup to look after the arrangements of Jalsa Salana – the president of which should be Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nuruddinra. 

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Qadian in the early days

On the second day of Jalsa Salana 1892, around 40 people took the oath of initiation and entered the fold of the Jamaat. 

The Jalsa Salana in Qadian has a rich history that is heavily linked to the progress of the Jamaat. Even though at times the conditions were strenuous enough to sometimes not allow for a gathering, yet even in such times, the Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat has been a ray of light for not just Ahmadis but people of all faiths to gather, reflect and deliberate upon how they can improve the world we live in. 

On the first Jalsa Salana the attendance was 75. During the course of the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas this number grew as more and more people visited Qadian especially during the Jalsa days. The final Jalsa Salana during the lifetime of the Promised Messiahas was attended by 3000 people, a number which continues to grow till this day. It is the occasion of the 124th Jalsa Salana Qadian. What began as a few individuals deliberating upon how to propagate the message of Islam in a remote village in India has now turned into an internationally commemorated occasion. 

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