122nd Jalsa Salana Qadian concludes with address by Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad says all Muslims must heed the perfect example of Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him)
The 122nd Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Qadian, India, concluded with a faith inspiring address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, on 28 December 2016.
The address took place exactly 125 years after the Jalsa Salana was first established by the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Promised Messiah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (peace be upon him).
His Holiness addressed the final session via satellite link from the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London. Over 14,200 people attended the Convention in Qadian, while more than 5,200 gathered in London for the concluding session.
During his address, His Holiness spoke of the outstanding moral and spiritual example set by the Founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the unparalleled impact he had upon his followers.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) established a community of sincere followers who were unique in their worship of God Almighty.”
His Holiness continued:
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, ‘Every prophet of God has a desire, and my ardent desire is the worship (of God Almighty) of the night’.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad explained the impact of the example set by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) upon those around him.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The worship and prayers of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) were offered with the intense desire that his followers became true worshippers of God Almighty and prostrated before Him alone. When they adopted his example, the same people who were previously idolaters, became the very best examples of sincere worship for all people and for all times to come. Certainly, a true spiritual revolution occurred amongst those people.”
His Holiness quoted from the writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) who wrote:
“When one looks at the transformation that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) brought about in the Arab people of those times and analyses how they were elevated from a state of despair, a person is unable to control his tears. It was a truly magnificent spiritual reformation, the like of which has never been seen in the history of any other nation.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that despite being the most beloved of God Almighty, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) manifested the highest standards of humility at all times.
His Holiness cited the example of the victory of Mecca, the city where the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers had been severely persecuted for many years and driven out of.
When eventually the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) returned in victory, he peacefully marched into the city without any desire for vengeance and showed an unparalleled example of forgiveness and compassion.
Contrasting the example of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to worldly leaders of today and the past, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Throughout history we have seen how when many worldly leaders have attained power they became dictators or tyrants. In fact, even when a normal person attains success or victory, he often raises his neck with arrogance and pride. However, the example of the perfect human being, the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) was to profess only humility and forgiveness at the time of triumph.”
Mentioning the attribute of gratefulness of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), His Holiness said that Founder of Islam (peace be upon him) would always turn to Allah the Almighty in gratitude. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) would also express gratitude to people.
For example, he remained forever grateful to his esteemed first wife Hazrat Khadija (may Allah be pleased with her) for her support, love and devotion throughout their blessed marriage.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) never forgot the devotion of his wife and considered it to be a favour upon him and always remained grateful to her.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said that Muslims were duty-bound to follow the example of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and so it was incumbent upon Muslim men to treat their wives with love, kindness and to be grateful to them.
His Holiness also quoted the example of how the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) expressed gratitude to the Christian monarch of Abyssinia, King Negus (Najashi), who gave protection to some Muslims when they escaped the persecution of the Arab Meccans.
The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) remained forever grateful to the Christian King and personally received a delegation sent by King Negus out of gratitude.
His Holiness concluded his address by praying that Muslims worldwide came to reflect and honour the values taught by the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him).
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The Holy Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) set the highest possible standards of morality and righteousness in all respects and so may Allah enable all of us, to not only claim to follow him, but to truly follow his blessed example.”
The session concluded with silent prayers followed by various poems recited by attendees in Qadian via satellite link.