Muttaher Mubasher Iffat, Student, Jamia Ahmadiyya UK
As Jalsa Salana approaches, guests from across the globe are gathering in the UK to participate in the annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. With people from diverse backgrounds coming together, this time of the year also serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of hospitality and the values it represents.
In this article, I will present examples from the life of the Promised Messiahas, whose exemplary hospitability serves as a reminder of the level we should aim to attain. There are countless stories of his hospitality towards his community; from giving up his own quilt during the harsh winter cold to personally serving lassi to his followers, Huzooras would often overlook his needs to proactively ensure that every comfort was available to his guests , regardless of what hour they arrived.
However, this exceptional treatment was by no means limited to members of his community. In fact, no matter who the person was, the Promised Messiah’sas hospitable nature consistently remained exemplary. In this article, I will share a few such examples.
A quilt and a lesson
On one occasion, a guest who was residing in Qadian came and said that he did not have bedding. The Promised Messiahas told Hafiz Hamid Ali Sahib (who ran a small shop in Qadian in 1918 and was an old, sincere servant of the Promised Messiahas) to give him a quilt. Hafiz Hamid Ali Sahib submitted that this person would take the quilt away upon his departure.
Upon this, the Promised Messiahas said:
“If he takes the quilt away, that will be his sin, and if he dies of cold without the quilt, that will be our sin.” (Seerat Hazrat Masih-e-Maudas by Hazrat Yaqub Ali Irafanira, p. 124)
This incident suggests that the guest had not come for any religious purpose, and rather appeared suspicious from his appearance and manner. However, the Promised Messiahas made no difference in hospitality towards him and gave priority to his comfort and ease.
Hospitality to a Hindu
We also find examples of the Promised Messiahas interacting with guests of different religious backgrounds. In October 1902, a Hindu sadhu came from Kot Kapura and presented himself in the service of the Promised Messiahas. When it comes to serving food, for Muslims, there would be no particular hesitation or difficulty because the langar was running, where arrangements were always in place.
However, for a Hindu guest, special arrangements had to be made, and since these arrangements had to be made at others’ places, the difficulties were obvious. Nevertheless, the Promised Messiahas always maintained complete hospitality even on such occasions.
On the evening of 6 October 1902, he met with the Promised Messiahas, who spoke with the utmost kindness, saying, “This is our guest; arrangements for his food should be made very quickly. Give special orders to someone for arrangements to be made for him at a Hindu’s house.”
Accordingly, these arrangements were made immediately. (Ibid., pp. 135–136)
For the Promised Messiahas, there was no particular distinction between friend and enemy; he treated every guest with complete respect and generosity. He would often say that a guest’s heart is more delicate than glass; therefore, great consideration and attention is needed when attending to guests. (Malfuzat, 2022, Vol. 5, p. 111)
Guests from Chicago and the truthfulness of the Promised Messiahas
On 7 April 1908, tourists from Chicago, Mr George Turner, his lady, Miss Bourdon, and a Scotsman, Mr Bonser, came to Qadian. They were seated in the offices below the Mubarak Mosque. They had requested to meet the Promised Messiahas. Deputy Magistrate Ali Ahmad Sahib M.A., and Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Sahibra served as interpreters.
A series of questions and answers began. At one point, the American tourist asked: “What are the proofs of the truth of the claim you have made?” Huzooras replied: “You coming here to this small settlement from such distant countries is itself a strong proof of our truthfulness, because at a time when we were in complete obscurity, there came a revelation from Allah:
يَأْتُونَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ وَيَأْتِيكَ مِنْ كُلِّ فَجٍّ عَمِيقٍ
meaning that people will come to you in such numbers that the paths they walk on will become deep, and God’s help will come from such paths that will become deep from people’s frequent travelling.”
The prophecy that the Promised Messiahas discussed with the American tourists was revealed before he had made any formal claim to his mission , at a time when few visitors came to see him. It was during this time that he was informed of this future reality to prepare him for the time when people would flock to visit him from far and wide. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 518)
In relation to this prophecy, the Promised Messiahas received another significant revelation in 1882:
لا تُصَعِّرُ لِخَلْقِ اللهِ وَلَا تَسْتَمْ مِّنَ النَّاسِ
“Remember that a time is coming when people will come to you in large numbers. It is incumbent upon you not to be arrogant towards them and you must not get tired of receiving them in large numbers.” (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya [English], Part 3, p. 212)
Thus, news of guests coming in abundance was vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas at the very beginning and Allah the Almighty prepared Huzooras for the wonderful task that lay ahead, ensuring he would approach every visitor , regardless of their background or beliefs , with the humility and grace that true hospitality demands.
Treatment of Maulvi Abdul Hakeem
Now, it is a natural human reaction that when someone acts in a distasteful manner towards you, it may be difficult to show the same love and respect when asked to serve such an individual. However, the Promised Messiahas was truly indifferent to any such details about the character of his guests. For him, all guests were guests, regardless of their background or previous conduct.
The extent of this indifference becomes clear when we examine the Promised Messiah’sas treatment of Maulvi Abdul Hakeem. Maulvi Abdul Hakeem, who was known as Naseerabadi, came to Qadian. He was greatly opposed to the Jamaat and was the same maulvi who had debated with the Promised Messiahas in Lahore in 1892. On that occasion, he had taken the Promised Messiah’sas papers of that debate with him.
Huzooras was informed when he came to Qadian. Maulvi Abdul Hakeem had built his house in Qadian, and it was still under construction at that time. Since he was residing in one of its completed rooms, the Promised Messiahas gave orders for his complete hospitality and instructed that no one should speak to him in any way that would cause him pain. Since he was an opponent, even if he said something that could cause grief, Huzooras said that patience should be exercised.
Thus, Hazrat Sheikh Yaqub Ali Irfani Sahibra writes:
“Maulvi Sahib had come with great enthusiasm that he would debate again in Qadian, and he would oppose the Promised Messiahas from his residence, and he would do so with great fervour. We would listen to his opposition and, as ordered, continued to host him with utmost respect and love.” (Seerat Hazrat Masih-e-Maudas by Hazrat Yaqub Ali Irafani Sahibra, Vol. 1, pp. 135-136)
This remarkable treatment presents an extraordinary feat of character – the Promised Messiahas overlooked the fact that this individual was a fierce opponent simply because he had come to Qadian. His opposition became a secondary consideration, and he was viewed and treated as a dear guest.
Treatment of government officials
Beyond the religious sphere of guests, we also find examples of the Promised Messiah’sas hospitable nature with government officials.
One such example is of Sir James Wilson, who was the Financial Commissioner of Punjab. He came to Qadian in 1908 on a single-day visit with some other government officials. For the reception of these distinguished guests, tents were set up in the open field of the proposed land for Madrasa Ta’leem-ul-Islam. An entrance gate was also constructed with “welcome” written in golden letters. The students of Madrasa Talim-ul-Islam were standing in a distant row alongside the tent. Hazrat Maulvi Sher Ali Sahibra, Headmaster of Madrasa Talim-ul-Islam, who was standing at the head of the line, received them.
Further ahead, distinguished members of the Jamaat were seated on a platform, most of whom had come from outside Qadian specifically for this occasion. Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib introduced them, and Khwaja Kamal-ud-Din Sahib extended an invitation for dinner on behalf of the Jamaat, which they accepted. Accordingly, as per Huzoor’sas instructions, cooked food from the langar was delivered to the camp.
During the conversation, the Financial Commissioner had expressed his desire to meet with the Promised Messiahas. Thus, Huzooras and other companions sat on chairs, and a conversation began in a very pleasant atmosphere. The Promised Messiahas continued speaking for three quarters of an hour about the excellences of Islam and the purposes and objectives of his mission. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 518)
The principles of hospitality
This remarkable virtue of the Promised Messiahas was not limited to servants and friends ; his hospitality was also extensive and universal. It was not confined to any particular nation or sect. Whether Hindu, Muslim opponent, Christian, or whoever it might be who came, he would treat them all with the same love and affection.
The Promised Messiahas stated on one occasion:
“I am always mindful that no guest should be put through any discomfort. In fact, I constantly emphasise that, as far as possible, guests should be provided with comfort. A guest’s heart is as delicate as a mirror – fragile like glass – and even the slightest hurt can break it.” (Malfuzat, 2022, Vol. 5, p. 111)
Lastly, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa reminds us of our duties, especially in the backdrop of Jalsa Salana:
“The guests who come to the Jalsa, especially here in the UK, come particularly out of love for Khilafat and to learn about their faith. Therefore, serving them is our duty. We must treat everyone with gentleness and love. […] It becomes our duty to treat all of them with the highest morals and to take care of their needs. Whether rich or poor, everyone should be served and considered as guests of the Promised Messiahas.” (Friday Sermon, 18 July 2008; Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 6, p. 285)