My Promise to God

As the Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention] of Ghana approaches, thousands of Ahmadi Muslims from Ghana and beyond flock to ‘Bagh-e-Ahmad’ for the sole purpose of spiritually rejuvenating their souls over the three days. 

The Review of Religions met with Ssenfuka Abudul Maalick, who is serving as the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in Uganda and shared with us a personal account of faith and devotion. 

‘From childhood, I have always been inspired by the story which has been related by our Master, Prophet Muhammad (sa) to his companions about three travellers who were trapped in a cave.^[1] As each one of them supplicated to God Almighty and recounted a noble deed he had done for the sake of God, the rock at the mouth of the cave would give way a little each time, until the third person recounted his deed and they were able to escape. 

I had a burning zeal in my heart and wanted to also perform a noble deed purely to attain the pleasure of God Almighty. It was six years ago that I had the opportunity to fulfil this desire of mine when I was appointed by the Head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, as the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in Uganda. 

I am a mechanical engineer by profession and was earning a very healthy salary but upon my appointment as the National President, I made a promise to God that in order to do absolute justice to my role of the serving the youth in my country, I would dedicate 100% of my time. And so I resigned from my job whereby I turned down lucrative deals that were offered during this time and even changed my phone number so I would not be distracted by any business clients. 

I initially thought that I will only be serving in this position for a period of two years and can go back to my old job. But Allah the Almighty had other plans and now serving my third and final term (of a total of six years). In all this time, I have travelled across the country meeting and serving the youth of the community. Although I have experienced times of financial difficulty but by I am personally a witness to how Allah the Almighty has never abandoned me or my family. I have felt His presence and blessings throughout my life and through means which I could not have imagined, He has granted me out of His grace and mercy.

I had never shared this story with anyone and was a personal vow between and my God, but on this historic occasion I have shared with The Review of Religions in the hope of inspiring the youth about the blessings of giving precedence to God and His faith over worldly gains. 

So my dear brothers in the whole world, don’t fear to do anything for the sake of Allah. Try your best for God is always behind you if you make Him your priority over everything.’

^[1] Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab Ahadith al-Anbiya, Hadith No. 3465