As we gather for Jalsa Salana Germany 2024, it is essential to reflect on the profound purpose of our presence here. Germany holds a unique place in the history and future of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra foresaw Germany as a nation that would be inclined to accept Islam. (Mash‘al-e-Rah, Vol. 1, pp. 377-378) This foresight, coupled with the dedication and sacrifices made by the early pioneers, laid the groundwork for the flourishing of Islam Ahmadiyyat in this nation. Despite the initial challenges, Allah’s grace and mercy have brought us to the brink of fulfilling the grand vision for Germany. With increased media coverage, Jamaat Germany is gaining significant public attention and Islam Ahmadiyyat is being introduced on such a large scale for the first time.
In reflecting on this journey, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa once also shared a remarkable insight. He recalled that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra predicted a time of great progress for the Jamaat in Germany, foreseeing its spread across the nation. Additionally, his late mother, Hazrat Sahibzadi Nasira Begum, saw in a dream that she was handed the keys to Germany. This dream symbolises the breakthrough that, insha-Allah, will one day occur, leading many locals to embrace the true teachings of Islam. However, Huzooraa emphasised that this breakthrough depends on our diligence and our ability to set the best possible example in all aspects of life. (“Huzoor’s Tour of Germany, April 2017, Part 2,” A Personal Account by Abid Khan, pp. 6-7)
This vision is a testament to the importance of the responsibilities that members of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Germany carry. Hence, the Jalsa Salana is not merely an annual event; it is a blessed opportunity to renew our commitment to these noble objectives, reflecting on both the sacrifices of the past and the duties that lie ahead.
Last year, the centenary of Jamaat Germany was celebrated with great fervour, with Huzoor’saa presence highlighting the significance of this milestone. This year, although Huzooraa will, insha-Alalh, address us via video link, our resolve towards tabligh and tarbiyat must remain unwavering, and our focus on self-reformation must grow even stronger.
In his sermon during last year’s centenary Jalsa, Huzooraa emphasised the need for deep reflection on our spiritual growth over the past century. He posed critical questions about the extent to which we have safeguarded our faith and made efforts to achieve the pure transformations expected by the Promised Messiahas. Huzooraa urged us to consider whether we have attached our children to our faith and whether our spiritual state has improved over time. He warned that without true spiritual progress, mere celebration of milestones would be of no benefit.
Huzooraa said:
“We should also reflect on what we have achieved in these 100 years. To what extent did we safeguard our faith? When the Jamaat was established here, there were only a few individuals. Then, the situation in Pakistan and around the world changed, and many Ahmadis came to this country and settled here. They came here because, as Ahmadis, they were not able to freely practise the teachings of Allah the Almighty and His Messengeras in their country and restrictions were imposed upon them. Hence, after coming here and being granted the religious freedom to openly practise the teachings of their faith, they should make arduous efforts to bring about those pure transformations within themselves and to remain firm upon them, which the Promised Messiahas expected of his Community.
“In light of this, have we made such an effort? Have we improved our spiritual state and, along with this, tried to attach our children to our religion as well, so that we would be counted among those devotees that the Promised Messiahas desired to see? If we have, then this is the true way of expressing our gratitude on this centenary, and this indeed is expected of an Ahmadi. If we have not achieved this, then to rejoice upon the completion of 100 years as mere worldly tradition will be of no avail.
“On numerous occasions, the Promised Messiahas has given those who pledge allegiance to him a guideline on how to bring about pure and revolutionary transformation within themselves and imparted various guidance in relation to this. If we are truly among those sincere devotees who have pledged their allegiance to the Promised Messiahas, then we must constantly reflect on these things and assess whether our words and deeds are in accordance and to what extent we are fulfilling the objective of our pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiahas. After having come to this materially developed country, have we forgotten our true purpose? Have the allures of the world caused us to forget the purpose of the pledge of initiation [bai‘at]? If they have caused us to forget this, then this 100-year celebration is useless.” (Friday Sermon, 1 September 2023, “Germany Jalsa 2023: Best ways to celebrate the centenary”, www.alhakam.org)
As we ponder these words, we recognise that the true essence of Jalsa Salana lies in this introspection and the renewal of our dedication to these lofty goals.
The challenges and opportunities of the next century were also addressed by Huzooraa, who reminded us of the ambitious targets we must set for the future. He called for an assessment of our connection with Allah Almighty, our commitment to prayer, and our efforts in imparting faith to our children. Huzooraa emphasised that the true target for the next century is to achieve a transformation in our conduct, giving precedence to faith over all worldly pursuits.
Huzooraa said:
“Amir Sahib of Germany was asking me in recent days, what their target is for the next century. Firstly, the few things that I have mentioned do not encompass everything; I have merely mentioned a few things that the Promised Messiahas guided us towards; have we achieved all of these in the last century? Have we forged a strong bond with God Almighty? Have we attained the excellent ranks in prayers? At prayer times, do we put our worldly endeavours to one side and go for prayers or are we focused on simply constructing mosques? Do we regularly recite the Holy Quran? Do we search for the injunctions of the Holy Quran and try to act on them? Are we striving to do our utmost to ensure our children remain attached to their faith? Are we simply concerned with our children’s secular education or are we worried about their faith as well? Have our morals and conduct with one another reached the level where they resemble رُحَمَآءُ بَيۡنَهُم [‘tender among themselves’ (48:30)]? Are we showing excellent morals to others and telling them about the beautiful teachings of Islam or do we simply show some good manners and claim that we are peaceful people? […]
“Therefore, we should first assess ourselves to gauge where we are with respect to fulfilling the rights of Allah and the rights of mankind. If one has attained this – which in my opinion has not been attained yet – and everyone can reflect and assess for themselves, there is no need for me to mention it. So what then is the need to set a new target for the next century?
“The target for the next century is the brief code of conduct, which I mentioned in light of the guidance imparted to us by the Promised Messiahas. We passionately claim that we will win the hearts of everyone. We must convince everyone of the Oneness of God Almighty and bring everyone towards the Holy Prophetsa. Therefore, every one of us should analyse ourselves in this regard, and the Germany Jamaat should begin the new century with even more vigour and resolve that they will strive to achieve their goals by giving precedence to their faith over all worldly pursuits, and that they will advise their children and progenies to follow suit and ensure for their moral training, in a way that this yearning to form a connection with God Almighty is transferred from one generation to the next.” (Ibid.)
As we partake in Jalsa Salana Germany 2024, let this guidance serve as a reminder of our true purpose. While we may feel the physical distance from Huzooraa this year, we are grateful for the modern means of communication, provided by Allah Almighty to connect with and receive guidance from him. It is imperative that we not only cherish these moments but also implement the teachings in our daily lives.
The true measure of our devotion to Khilafat lies in how we translate these teachings into reality, striving to achieve the spiritual and moral excellence that Huzooraa continually emphasises.
May this Jalsa inspire us to renew our commitment to tabligh and tarbiyat, ensuring that our spiritual and moral development keeps pace with the material advancements around us. May Allah enable us to achieve these lofty goals. Amin