“May you all prove to be the true Sultan-e-Naseer of the Khalifa of the Time” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 21^st May 2023, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered a faith-inspiring address at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community U.K.’s National Majlis-e-Shura, which took place 20-21 May at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London.

The institution of Majlis-e-Shura is the main consultative body established by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to discuss proposals to further the efforts of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in propagating the true peaceful teachings of Islam.

After arriving at the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London, His Holiness addressed the delegates of the Majlis-e-Shura and outlined their duties and responsibilities.

His Holiness referred to the Friday Sermon he delivered on 12 May 2023 about the duties of the Shura delegates and reiterated that their responsibilities were far greater than just sharing their opinions during the deliberations of the Shura.

Speaking to the delegates, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Your responsibilities do not cease once the Shura concludes. Rather, you should consider that your duties have only just begun. Once the formal proceedings end, all delegates and office bearers of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community must strive to ensure that whatever recommendations are approved by Khalifatul Masih are enacted. With this in mind, I pray that Allah the Almighty enables you to serve with the spirit and diligence required. May you all prove to be the true Sultan-e-Naseer of the Khalifa of the Time and may all of you fulfil the objectives with which Allah the Almighty sent the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in this era.”

His Holiness then went on to speak of a historic address delivered by the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community at the occasion of Majlis-e-Shura of 1944 and presented several points from the address about the responsibilities of Shura members whereby they must try and become like the companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

His Holiness referred to a couplet of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) which included the words “You shall join the companions when you join with me.”

Referring to the address of the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness said that it is not only the people who lived during the time of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) who could become his companions.

Speaking of the title ‘Companion’, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Concealed within this word [‘companion’] is a much deeper meaning. A companion of a Prophet is a person whose heart is spiritually cleansed and transformed through his association with Allah’s beloved.  It is a person whose spiritual pulse beats obediently in perfect harmony with his master. It is a person whose faith and sincerity is pure and who is ready to make every possible sacrifice for the sake of his faith…”

 Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:

“To be a companion does not require physical proximity to one’s leader, rather, a spiritual and emotional connection allied with unyielding loyalty is fundamental to companionship.”

Explaining the qualities requires to be considered a ‘companion’, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Three qualities are fundamental to being a faithful companion – a firm belief and conviction in the truth of the person, endeavouring to act like him and to live according to his moral values and teachings.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad went on and said:

“History attests to the fact that many of the people who had the honour to be in the blessed company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) attained the rank and status of a true companion. At the same, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states that it is also true that amongst the Ummah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) there are countless people who, despite never being in the physical company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), attained the status of a companion. Their piety and sincerity enabled them to overcome the distance of time and geography and to be counted amongst the truthful companions. They achieved this honour because they were utterly immersed in the love of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and strived with boundless passion to attain the nearness of Allah the Almighty.”

His Holiness said that throughout Islam’s history, many devoted servants of the Holy Prophet of Islam (peace and blessings be upon him) attained the status of the companions due to their devotion to him, despite never having met him physically.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Though they could not physically see the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the spiritual eyes embedded deep within their pious hearts enabled them to perceive him and forge an unbreakable bond with him.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further said:

“In this era, having entered the fold of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and taken his Bai’at, those who serve his mission faithfully can also attain the status of being his companion. So, I urge all of you to reflect upon the words of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) that: “You shall join the companions when you join with me”. Strive to avail the eternal gift bestowed to mankind by Allah the Almighty of gaining spiritual companionship of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued and stated:

“This requires that, having accepted the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), we strive evermore to act upon the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), absorb his teachings and establish a living relationship with Allah the Almighty. It requires us to be ready for all possible sacrifices and to hold a deep and resolute determination to spread the message of Islam.”

His Holiness said that in order to attain lofty spiritual standards, sometimes people and communities have to traverse extreme hardships and they must then face them with “patience and unwavering trust in Allah.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Indeed, it is the way of Allah the Almighty that sometimes it is through adversity and hardship, that He offers a path to spiritual salvation and true freedom for His people. Once free from worldly shackles and materialism, a person can focus all their energies on living up to their faith’s ideals and playing a key role in its propagation. It is also the case that, on occasion, through trials, Allah the Almighty demonstrates His Glory and Majesty. He desires to show mankind that He alone will ensure that the Community of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) continually flourishes and that He is not reliant upon the support or assistance of any individual or group.” 

Noting that millions of Ahmadi Muslims are sincerely devoted to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“In this era, it is the members of our Community who strive to live their lives according to the noble and righteous examples of the companions and stand ready to make every possible sacrifice for the sake of their faith. Whatever suffering or problems we may endure – none of which can ever match the distress felt by the companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) upon his demise – Ahmadi Muslims will, Insha’Allah [God willing)], always remain steadfast and resolute in our faith. Not only do we verbally claim to be ready for every possible sacrifice, but, in practice, Ahmadis worldwide have manifested immense sacrifices to fulfil their objective of furthering the mission of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).”

As His Holiness concluded, he reminded the delegates of the steadfastness and trust in Allah of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) who overcame the toughest of trials where he brought the Muslims together after the demise of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Never forget that we are the people who have pledged to give precedence to our faith over all worldly matters and have sworn that we will strive to fulfil the mission of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) until our dying breath and endure every form of sacrifice and suffering required to achieve this. For the sake of the prosperity of our Community and to fulfil our religious objectives, we must exhibit the same conviction and trust in Allah the Almighty as was displayed by Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who, when faced with the ultimate crisis, remained patient and steadfast. Only if we strive to live our lives in this way can we fulfil our duties as servants of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). Only then can we fulfil the purpose of the advent of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).”

As he concluded his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Always pay heed to the trust placed within you by the members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community who have elected you to represent them at the Shura and through which you have gained the opportunity to serve your faith. Always remember that you must not be representatives and delegates of your respective chapters in name only. Rather, in reality, you must set aside all personal and worldly desires and make every effort to fulfil your true purpose, which is to serve your faith and religion until your dying breath.”