Thankfulness on blessed conclusion of Jalsa Salana UK

Summary of Friday Sermon

Delivered by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad ^at, the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

July 31 ^st, 2009

Huzur said last Sunday, with the grace of God, the UK Jalsa Salana concluded amidst great blessings. Not only did its conclusion spiritually satiate those who were present but also, all Ahmadis, the world over, felt this via MTA. For this we could not thank God enough. He has made the Ahmadiyya Community all over the world as one; this is what the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) aimed for. If today, the general Muslim populace understood this point and came into the bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) they would become true servants of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). As a result, each hostile look and evil intent aimed at the world of Islam would not only be rendered useless against the sphere of this sanctuary but would also come under the chastisement of God. This is what we have been experiencing for the past 120 years.

Huzur said when he mentions the blessings of the Jalsa or in one of his addresses at the Jalsa when he cites the blessings on the Community, in fact just a few of the numerous blessings are mentioned. A small fraction of these blessings is cited. In any case, these blessings will be presented in different ways during the year, but today, in line with tradition, Huzur would mention the blessings of Jalsa in the spirit of thankfulness. Huzur said this gratitude is for what is apparent to all. There are countless blessings during Jalsa which most do not see or experience. The Holy Qur’an states: ‘And if you try to count the favours of Allah, you will not be able to number them. Surely, Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’ (16:19). Huzur said this draws our attention to the fact that we need to constantly thank God; thank Him for what we observe and also for what we do not know.

Huzur said on the first day of Jalsa, it rained. It was for our benefit. When the rain stopped, that was also with God’s grace. He saved us from all evil. With such a huge number attending Jalsa, there was great concern about the prevalent swine flu. Contagious ailments spread where a large number of people gather anyway and with the current spread of swine flue the concern was very real. With God’s grace, only three or four cases have been reported to me. This is a great blessing among many blessings of God. Certainly we are most grateful to God and turn to Him with greater fervour so that His blessings on us increase. God states, ‘…surely, then, Allah is Appreciating, All Knowing.’ (2:159). If our gratitude is sincere, God will be appreciative; He states: ‘…If you are grateful, I will, surely bestow more favours on you…’ (14:8). Huzur said real gratefulness is when we are thankful consistently.

Huzur said he thanked the men and women workers of Jalsa. All those who attended Jalsa and those who watched it on MTA anywhere in the world should be grateful to the volunteer workers because a section of these volunteers plays an important part in broadcasting the proceedings. We are also commanded to thank people and this gratitude also leads to thankfulness to God.

Huzur said people have told him that this year, with the grace of God, the Jalsa organisation was much better than previous years. All men and women workers served in a better way and each department tried its utmost to serve in a fine manner. For this, the guests should be thankful. Huzur said during Jalsa, he noticed the faces of the youth workers showing signs of fatigue and lack of sleep, but they worked on efficiently. Huzur said a brother and sister who were the nazim and nazima of a department gave non-stop duty. As a result they fainted. It seems they had come determined to test their endurance level. Huzur said this is not right. As a result, on doctor’s orders they could not give duty on the last day. Huzur said those in-charge should also be mindful that people get sufficient rest and are fed.

The Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) Community has been blessed with amazing souls. Among the attendees of Jalsa there were Asians, indigenous British people and UK resident Africans. Those performing duties were just as diverse. Children performed the ‘water-duty’ in a fine manner. The youth, girls, women; all did their respective duties very well.

A new department of Health and Safety was established this Jalsa. Governmental representatives regularly inspected various sections of the Jalsa. Health and Safety covered all aspects of Jalsa and it was a concern that any deficiency may become a pretext for the inspectors. However, with God’s grace all arrangements met their standard. Huzur said in his Friday Sermon he had drawn attention towards cleanliness. People have written in to say that after Huzur’s advice regarding placing foot mats to address the issue of mud, it was noticed that post-Jummah the mats were in place. The toilets were also, in line with Huzur’s specific advice, kept clean by the workers and guests alike. May God reward them. It is also a blessing of God that people are enabled to obey every word of the Khalifa of the time.

Huzur said he had instructed that the homoeopathic remedy for swine flu should be dispensed to all attendees of Jalsa. With the grace of God, this was fully implemented. The homoeopathy department arranged this and every day fifteen to twenty kilograms of medicine was used. Huzur said mixing this amount of medicine is not easy. He joked that whether the department properly mixed the medicine or simply gave sweet granules, but God put healing in the sweet granules. It was reported to Huzur that one Lajna refused to take the granules. The volunteer responded that it was fine if she did not wish to obey the Khalifa of the time. At this, the lady promptly extended her hand to take the medicine. Huzur said these are small blessings, they appear small but they are countless.

Huzur said it has been reported to him that the proceedings were heard very well in the ladies marquee. One guest from USA went to see Huzur and said that she could not listen to the speeches properly due to disturbance. Huzur said maybe such was the situation in some sections but the general report is that of silence. A college student from USA, who attended the Jalsa for the first time, told Huzur that there was no disturbance in the marquee. She said she had the opportunity to sit in various sections of the marquee and was most impressed by it all. Huzur remarked, the earlier complain that came from USA also had its antidote from USA. Huzur said he does not believe that failings should not be mentioned, but he noted that he felt most of the time where failings occurred it was the guest who was at fault. The German Jalsa is forthcoming, it is also organised on similar manner as the UK Jalsa. Huzur said when Huzur gives advice, it is meant for all. Huzur said theft took place in the residential tents in Islamabad. People should be careful about their valuables and not leave them behind. In spite of repeated announcements it is their fault if they leave their valuables behind. In every place wrong sort of people also come. It is carelessness to leave one’s valuables in a tent in an open place. People should either take their valuables with them or deposit them in the office. It is the task of the Officer Jalsa Salana to continually announce this. The tents should be completely fenced in and secured with security at the gate. This should be kept in mind in Germany’s forthcoming Jalsa. Huzur said it is important to mention the odd failing to raise awareness in other places.

In general, the traffic arrangements were very good. Two years ago the complaint that the police had in terms of traffic is now fully removed. This year they have written that we may go ahead and publish in the press that traffic regulations were adhered to extremely well and this level of discipline is not seen elsewhere. Huzur said, a guest remarked that although some police were present outside, there really was no need for them. The Mayor of Alton has also said that he has no fear from us. Huzur said with the grace of God while the volunteers worked most enthusiastically, the guests also cooperated, especially by opting for public transport. Train was extensively used and people enjoyed the alleviation from the stress of car driving. Guests have said that Ameer sahib and the management should be thanked as they regularly visited and enquired about the accommodation facilities. Huzur said this model should be replicated over the world. Huzur is receiving countless letters thanking MTA for their broadcast that enabled everyone to watch the Jalsa proceedings, including the International Bai’at. The whole world thanks the men and women volunteers of MTA. Huzur said he too would like to personally thank all those who served in any capacity at all during Jalsa and served the guests. Huzur said he did so in the spirit of what we learn from Hadith: God states that one who does not thank the person through whose hand God’s favour is received, as if does not thank God.

Next, Huzur presented the sentiments of some of the Jalsa guests from outside the Community. A county president from Sweden wrote that he has attended as well as organised many conferences in his country. However, the atmosphere of diversity he experienced at the Jalsa was unique. There was no sign of weariness after sitting through lengthy convention proceedings because everyone greeted each other so warmly. A Swedish politician said that what he witnessed for three days at Jalsa was matchless. People rose and sat down at one voice. All this was due to the love of one individual. He said this was a unique experience in his 74 years. A professor of Kazakhstan wrote that this gathering was a testimony to the success of beautiful ideologies. Another professor from Kazakhstan said that this Jalsa was the first step in the introduction of the Ahmadiyya Community for him but he could tell the peaceful nature of it. The experience of attending the Jalsa made him realise that for the Ahmadis God’s creation was most precious for in return of their hospitality they only wished for God’s pleasure. A minster from Benin said that Ahmadiyyat was indeed the true Islam and was the likely future of Islam in the world. He said it presented high values of spirituality and was a practical manifestation of ‘love for all hatred for none’. He said it seemed people here were some other creation and had no idea of the selfishness of the world. He remarked on the selfless service the children gave, saying it seemed they received this training while still in the wombs of their mothers. Huzur said, although a Christian, the minister said that the International Bai’at and Huzur’s concluding address changed their life. He said that whenever God’s people move onwards with the Truth, the world opposes them. He told Huzur that Huzur should now consider that he has a child in Benin.

A governor from Burkina Faso said that although people from diverse nations were attending the Jalsa, they all seemed to be standard-bearers for humanity. He said that in the past twenty years Ahmadiyyat has won over the people of Burkina Faso. The Ahmadiyya Community was awarded a high civil award of the country by the head of state last year. A Muslim lady member of the Belgian parliament, whose origin is Moroccan, said that attending the Jalsa was a great experience for her. During one meal time she had the chance to sit next to Begum sahiba who did Tabligh to her about the station of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), the station of Jesus (on whom be peace) as well as the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). They talked for about half an hour. Later, she referred to our missionary and said that she has been explained everything in such a way that her mind is changed. She sat late into the night seeking further information. She said Begum sahiba had explained things to her in such a way that she could not rest until she had further information. She also said that God willing, if she came into Ahmadiyyat, she will not be on her own but her friends and dear ones will be with her. She said that when Huzur specifically addressed the Arabs in his concluding address, arousing their faith, she wept a lot because she belongs to the Arab nation. It was only one day earlier that Begum sahiba had explained to her about the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). She said she has decided that next year she will have other members of parliament accompany her to Jalsa. Huzur said these are blessings of God reaped through silent Tabligh. One of the bus drivers at Jalsa was an Iranian and Khuddam did Tabligh to him. Huzur said these efforts result in excellent outcomes.

Huzur said he is receiving messages from all over the world, in particular from Arab nations. While the world in general is embroiled in greed, the servants of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) are moving onwards with renewed passion. Intense fervour is being expressed which is most difficult, if not impossible, to mention. In accordance with the Divine promise, tremendous love for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has been infused in hearts the like of which is not seen in this world. This love also translates into love for Khilafat. May God enhance the sincerity of each Ahmadi. May He also enhance their spirit of thankfulness. May the axis of all our loves be the Being of God. May God enable us to do this.