World Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community delivers concluding Address at 124th Jalsa Salana Qadian
“Welcome the New Year by invoking blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so that we may become the recipients of the blessings associated with his personage” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad
The 124th Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Qadian, India, concluded on 30 December 2018 with a faith inspiring address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad.
His Holiness addressed the final session via satellite link from the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London. Over 18,800 people attended the Convention in Qadian from 48 countries, while more than 5,000 gathered in London for the final session.
During his address, His Holiness outlined the grand status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as elucidated by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
Throughout his address, His Holiness laid great emphasis on praying for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and invoking blessings upon him.
Beginning his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke about the great services rendered by the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in proving the pre-eminent status of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“By enlightening the world about the majesty and grand status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) made the Muslims, whose faith at that time had been shaken due to criticisms and allegations levelled at Islam, more resolute in their faith. He silenced the critics of Islam and of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). In light of the rational arguments of logic and reason presented by the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), the opponents of Islam had no option but to put withdraw their critique.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explained that the Promised Messiah’s (peace be upon him) own great status was attained solely due to his complete devotion and incomparable love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
His Holiness quoted several written excerpts of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) expounding the beauties of the character of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), including a famous couplet he wrote in Persian.
In the couplet, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) states:
“After God, I am intoxicated in the love of Muhammadsa,
If this is ‘disbelief’, then by God! I am a staunch disbeliever”
His Holiness explained that at the time of the advent of the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) all faiths had moved away from their true teachings and idolatry was rampant across the globe.
The Arabs of the time were consumed by all possible vices, such as alcoholism, gambling, violence, usurping the wealth of orphans and many other evils. It was amongst such people, and at such a time, that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) brought about a spiritual revolution unlike the world had ever seen before.
His Holiness quoted the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) who said:
“The spiritual and moral revolution brought about amongst the ignorant and barbarous people after they accepted Islam and the Holy Quran is evident to every fair-minded person. The effects of the Word of God and the company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) immediately transformed them in such a manner that after their state of ignorance and vice, they became enriched with Divine knowledge. They abandoned their love for this world and materialism and became so lost in their love of God that in order to please their Lord, they left aside all the comforts of their homelands, wealth, relatives, honour and material luxuries.”
His Holiness also said that Ahmadi Muslims should pray as much as possible for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and invoke blessings upon him.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Pray fervently for the eternal progress of the great status of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and for his success. In reality, praying for his success is to pray for the success of true Islam and for it to spread and become established across the world. His success is to end the violence and disorder that is being carried out unjustly in his name. It is the responsibility of every Ahmadi Muslim today to pray in this way and to invoke blessings upon the Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him). Prayers are the means we have to end the vices in this world.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“May Allah the Almighty instil within our hearts an earnest desire and urgency to forever invoke blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). May Allah enable us to witness the blessings and progress of Islam which Allah the Almighty has promised – those blessings which have been destined to be granted through the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), the ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”
His Holiness said that the sole objective Ahmadi Muslims should keep in front of them was to please God.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued and said:
“We do not need a certificate from any government or so-called religious scholar to affirm that we are Muslims. Neither do we become Muslim or non-Muslim by signing a form. We only need one certificate and that is the certificate of God Almighty’s pleasure. He will only grant us that certificate when we truly fulfil the obligations that arise from being part of the Ummah [followers] of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded his address by referring to the fact that sun was about to set on 2018 and called the attention of Ahmadi Muslims towards increasing their prayers for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in the new year ahead.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Fill these last days of the year by invoking blessings upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and thereafter welcome the New Year by invoking blessings and peace upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) so that we may become the recipients of the blessings associated with his personage.”
The Jalsa Salana concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness.