More than 238,500 people join the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad concluded the 58th Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community on 28^th July 2024 with an inspirational address.

More than 43,400 people attended the Jalsa Salana, which took place at Hadeeqatul Mahdi in Alton, Hampshire.

The entire event, which saw participants attending from 121 countries, was broadcast live on MTA International and streamed online.

A highlight of the three-day Jalsa Salana was the pledge of allegiance, known as Bai’at, on Sunday afternoon. The participants once again formally pledged allegiance to Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad as the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph) of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in order to elevate their spiritual standards and to fulfil the rights of all humanity.

The participants formed a human chain leading to the Khalifa as they repeated the words of the pledge in unison.

Prior to the ceremony, His Holiness announced that 238,561 people had joined the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community during the past year from 114 countries around the world.

During the concluding address, His Holiness outlined the virtues of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) in light of the writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).

His Holiness also shed light on how the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) had unparalleled love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and that opponents of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community always wish to paint a false picture that God forbid, he insulted the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), which could not be further from the truth.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Promised Messiah’s (peace be upon him) core claim is that whatever he achieved, he did so through the means and love of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). He clearly stated that without this love and devotion, he is nothing. From his earliest writings and gatherings to the end of his life, one sees nothing but love and devotion for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). In various contexts, he proclaimed that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the most exalted Prophet and the supreme guide. He clarified that just as our God is one, so is our Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) the sole worthy of our obedience, whose obedience can lead to success in this world and the Hereafter.”

Further explaining the way in which the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) manifested the beauties of the personality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:

“The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) declared, emphasised, and clarified that the light bestowed upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was unparalleled and unmatched by anyone else. Additionally, he proclaimed that neither Jesus (peace be upon him) nor any other prophet achieved the same standard of reviving the spiritually dead as did the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). It is entirely incorrect to claim that Jesus revived the dead; rather, the highest and most exalted status in this regard belongs solely to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). This revival pertains to spiritual resurrection, and it is due to this unique status that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was able to bring to life those who had been spiritually dead for years.”

His Holiness said that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was most unique in the passion that he felt for humanity.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) emphatically declared that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) was truly the ‘Mercy for all mankind’. No heart, other than the pure and blessed heart of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), ever held such profound compassion for God’s creation.”

His Holiness said that the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) was always devoted to invoking blessings (Durood Shareef) upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and always reminded the members of the Community that they could never attain Divine blessings until they indulged themselves in profusely reciting Durood Shareef.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad went on to rebut false accusations against the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and said:

“It is inconceivable that the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) ever committed blasphemy against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). These accusations are baseless fabrications by so-called scholars, who have been making these allegations since the inception of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. They have been inciting the emotions of the general Muslim populace under the guise of defending the Finality of Prophethood, in an attempt to turn them against Ahmadi Muslims. The points I have mentioned are just a few examples demonstrating his profound love and devotion for the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). All these expressions of love and reverence can be found extensively in his writings and the literature of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.”

As an example of the love that the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) had for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), His Holiness quoted one of the Persian couplets from the writings of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in which he stated:

“After God, I am intoxicated with the love of Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). If this is considered disbelief, then by God, I am the greatest disbeliever.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This is the profound devotion that resided in his heart out of his love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him)…Have the opponents [of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community] ever expressed such deep sorrow for him or made any effort to uphold the honour of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), other than hurling accusations at us? Today, it is the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community that is responding to the objections against the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:

“Indeed, these so-called guardians of religion [who oppose the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community] are the ones attempting to tarnish the name of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), but they will never succeed. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) transformed people with animalistic traits into educated, godly humans. In contrast, these individuals, through their actions, are dishonouring the beautiful teachings brought by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and, under his name, are shedding humanity’s blood like beasts. Yet, they claim to be the true standard-bearers of Islam. May Allah protect everyone from their evil.”

His Holiness went on to quote the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) about the true and sincere belief of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) states:

“We firmly believe that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) is the Seal of the Prophets, and the Holy Quran is the Seal of the Scriptures. Therefore, religion should not be treated as a child’s play. Remember that we have no claim other than being servants of Islam. We assert that we are merely servants of Islam, and anyone who attributes anything to us that is different to this is making mere false accusations against us.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“This belief and conviction is held by every Ahmadi Muslim. If our opponents continue their hostility and oppression despite hearing this, they will ultimately be unable to escape the grasp of Allah the Almighty. Indeed, Allah the Almighty does not permit an oppressor to go unpunished, and sooner or later, these people will face the consequences of their actions.”

Concluding his address, His Holiness prayed that all Ahmadi Muslims may become exemplary in their love for the Holy prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“May there always be a fervent zeal in your hearts to uphold the dignity of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), and may you forever strive for this purpose. We should all earnestly endeavour to receive the blessings that are associated with him and should work towards bringing the world under his banner as soon as possible. This requires both effort and prayer. May Allah the Almighty grant us the ability to do so. Ameen.”