World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Delivers Special Address to Mark Centenary of Majlis-e-Shura
“There is only one party that we desire to serve and be part of and that is the divine party of Allah the Almighty” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
On 22nd May 2021, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered a faith inspiring address to mark the centenary year of the establishment of the institution of Majlis-e-Shura within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
His Holiness delivered the address from the Baitul Futuh Mosque at the concluding session of the 43rd Majlis-e-Shura of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community UK. Several other countries including Germany, Belgium, Canada, USA and Guinea Bissau also held their Majlis-e-Shura on the same weekend and attended the concluding session virtually.
The occasion also marked the first time His Holiness graced a public event at the Baitul Futuh Mosque since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
During his address, His Holiness outlined the vast responsibilities of the delegates of Majlis-e-Shura and how the institution differed from any political parliament.
Speaking of the occasion of the centenary, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Alhamdulillah, this year marks the Centenary of the institution of Majlis-e-Shura and so I hope all members will have reflected upon this milestone and appreciated how, ever since its foundation, the institution of Majlis-e-Shura has gone from strength to strength and its scope has greatly increased. Even a cursory glance through the history of our Community is enough to testify to the fact that the Help and Support of Allah the Almighty has always been by our side and has enabled the Community to progress and flourish in all respects and this is certainly true with regards the institution of Majlis-e-Shura. The blessed seed that was sown one hundred years ago has not only taken firm root but has flourished and its fruits are now spread all across the world.”
His Holiness pointed out that where the institution has significantly progressed administratively in many of the larger chapters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community such as in the UK and in European, North American and African countries, there was yet much need for improvement in understanding the weight of the responsibilities of the delegates of Majlis-e-Shura.
Speaking of the responsibilities, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Always remember that the Majlis-e-Shura is a body that is unlike any worldly parliament or assembly. If we cast an eye upon the proceedings of worldly parliaments, we often see how endless debates take place that lead to nowhere other than to fuel hostilities and bitter conflict amongst the parliamentarians. Ultimately, their proceedings often serve to sow division within their people and often ferment tensions between nations, as we are seeing at this time.”
Contrasting the Majlis-e-Shura with the parliaments of the world, His Holiness highlighted that the political parliaments are inclined towards party politics and often the politicians “crave power and lust after public approval”.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Certainly, it is a hallmark of the worldly parliaments and assemblies that their members often prioritise loyalty to themselves and their party over and beyond loyalty to their nation and to the cause of truth and justice. By the Grace of Allah, the institution of Majlis-e-Shura is, as I have said, unlike any political or worldly assembly. Rather, it is a consultative body that has far greater value and stature than any Parliament or Congress but this can only remain the case so long as the members of Majlis-e-Shura are those who personify integrity and manifest the highest moral values and remain free from all forms of politics or deception.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:
“Always remember that the principal objective and goal of Majlis-e-Shura is to formulate proposals that serve to fulfil the divine mission of the Imam of the Age, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), who was sent to revive the noble and glorious teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and to spread the message of Islam to all corners of the world. Therefore, as members of the Majlis-e-Shura, it is your duty to present your sincere recommendations to the Khalifa of the Time, who serves as the spiritual father of the entire Community. Thereafter, he will consider your advice with the sole objective of ensuring that whatever plans or policies are devised are those that facilitate the spread of the message of Islam and draw mankind towards its Creator and towards fulfilling the rights of one another.”
Reminding the delegates of the mind-set they must adopt, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“You should understand that the Majlis-e-Shura is a united body with one common purpose and so you must fulfil your duties with the utmost seriousness and with absolute integrity. If you participate with this spirit, you will never think that only you can be right or that your opinion has greater weight than others. You will not seek to establish groups like a worldly political party, rather you will recognise that, as members of the Jamaat and as members of Majlis-e-Shura, there is only one party that we desire to serve and be part of and that is the divine party of Allah the Almighty.”
His Holiness reflected on the past 100 years and mentioned the humble beginnings of the Majlis-e-Shura of 1922 when the entire international budget of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was 55,000 rupees. Now however, His Holiness said the national budget of several countries is worth millions of pounds.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Unquestionably, the blessings and favours of Allah the Almighty bestowed upon our Community are without any measure. There was a time when the Jamaat did not even have the means to pay the basic allowances of the Waqifeen-e-Zindighis [life devotees]. During those times of hardship, the Waqifeen set a great example of patience and trust in Allah the Almighty. They never complained if they did not receive their allowance or stipend. Rather, they and their families tolerated hunger and lived lives of great simplicity, whilst continuing their service to the Jamaat with great devotion and zeal. We should never forget their sacrifices and, indeed, they are examples for all of today’s Waqf-e-Zindighis, office bearers and Shura delegates. Every Ahmadi Muslim should offer thanks to Allah the Almighty that the financial circumstances of the Community have greatly improved since then.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:
“Accordingly, the question we must now ask ourselves is whether we still have the same spirit of sacrifice, tolerance and patience that those before us displayed? Are we ready to serve Islam with the same passion and dedication that our predecessors did and are we ready to make every possible sacrifice for the sake of our faith or are the words we repeat in our pledges simply hollow and meaningless claims? This is something for every office bearer and every Shura delegate to reflect upon.”
During his address, His Holiness also mentioned that books, including the Holy Quran were being printed in large numbers by the Ishaat department for the propagation of the true peaceful message of Islam, yet there is a lack of uptake of these books and stocks are often remaining on the shelves.
Setting a challenge for the various chapters of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community around the world, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“True justice with regards to Ishaat required that the books would fly off the shelves in both the Central and national stores and that they would reside in the homes of every Ahmadi Muslim and in the hands of external contacts across the world. Accordingly, the UK chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and other chapters who are listening to my address, must make a firm effort to ensure that our literature is distributed much more than before. It should be disseminated far and wide amongst the general public so that a widespread introduction to Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and its teachings and beliefs should occur across society. Further, you should encourage individual Ahmadi Muslims to acquire and read the books of the Community and to distribute them to their contacts.”
Similarly, His Holiness also mentioned the importance of utilising social media platforms in conveying the message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to the wider world.
MTA International, His Holiness said, was also a great means to convey Islam’s true message to others and His Holiness said that all Shura members and office bearers should “make a concerted effort and plan to introduce MTA to non-Ahmadis and non-Muslims.”
Concluding his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“We must strive with every fibre of our beings to ensure that as many people as possible come to hear the message of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and to understand the purpose for the advent of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). Only then can it be said that we are fulfilling the objectives of the institution of Majlis-e-Shura. Only then will you be truly serving as sincere helpers to the Khalifa of the Time, as he seeks to guide the Community in a way that enables the spread of Islam Ahmadiyyat to reach new heights. Only then will you be playing your role in ensuring that all members of the Community across the world are moving in one direction, as a united community at the hand of Khalifatul Masih, towards the true and final spiritual victory of Islam and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), Insha’Allah.”
The event concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness.