36th Majlis Ansarullah Ijtema UK Concludes with Address by Head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad speaks about the power of prayer and says it is the duty of Ahmadi Muslims to observe the highest standards of piety and morality
On 30 September 2018, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered the concluding address at the 36thNational Ijtema (Annual Gathering) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elders Association UK (Majlis Ansarullah).
The 3-day event of Majlis Ansarullah, which comprises male members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community above the age of 40, was attended by more than 3,900 people from across the UK and was held at the Country Market in Kingsley.
During his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad spoke extensively about the importance of offering the five daily prayers and forming a strong personal relationship with God Almighty.
At the onset, His Holiness reminded the attendees that the purpose of human creation, according to the Holy Quran, was to worship God and that the five daily prayers were the best means for Muslims to fulfil this objective.
His Holiness also said that the members of Majlis Ansarullah should not only be regular and prompt in offering their own prayers but had the added responsibility of encouraging others as well.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“After reaching the age of 40, you should pay ever greater heed towards offering Salat. Certainly, every Ahmadi Muslim, even during their youth, should be focused upon fulfilling his or her duty to worship God. Not doing so is against the status of a true believer and takes him or her away from a state of belief. However, after reaching the age of 40, the value of worshiping Allah the Almighty should dawn ever more upon a true Muslim.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“A person should recognise that every day that passes does not increase their lifespan, rather the clock continues to tick and so with each passing day we have one less day ahead of us. Thus, it is imperative we spend whatever time that God Almighty has granted us in this life in trying to seek His pleasure by striving to fulfil the purpose of our creation.”
Speaking about the meaning of the ‘observance of prayer’, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Believers must inculcate a spirit within each other of becoming more attentive towards their prayers. Such a community should be established which reflects the saying of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) that ‘prayer is the hallmark of a believer’.”
His Holiness said that whilst the purpose of human creation is the worship of God, it does not mean a person cannot strive for material success. Rather, true Muslims are those who seek to excel in all aspects of their lives.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Those people are misguided who think that they can disengage from the affairs of this material world. Rather, one should consider that the ultimate purpose behind their material efforts is the seeking of the pleasure of God. Never give precedence to your own personal desires above the wishes of God.”
His Holiness also spoke in response to a common question about prayer, whereby people ask about what benefit prayer offers to God.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“God Almighty is not in need of our prayers. When Allah the Almighty instructed us to pray, it was due to His mercy upon us. This is because through prayer, we are able to become closer to Allah and thus enabled to excel in both worldly terms and spiritually.”
Concluding his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The world today is rapidly forgetting God Almighty and it can only be reformed by the Community of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), who was sent by Allah the Almighty for this very task… We, Ahmadi Muslims, must always remember that if we wish to be a part of those people who bring about a true moral reformation and those people that God loves, we must be diligent in our prayers and worship. May Allah enable us all to do so.”
The Ijtema concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness.