After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that by the grace of Allah the Almighty, the Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention) UK is beginning today where thousands have gathered to benefit from a religious and spiritual atmosphere.
His Holiness (aba) said that a temporary city has been created in Hadeeqatul Mahdi (in Alton, UK) where people have gathered to remove themselves from the grasps of worldliness in order to improve their religious, spiritual and moral states. Hence, rather than being concerned with being afforded ease, one should be more concerned with how they can achieve these purposes. In any case, the organisation and administration do their level best to afford ease and comfort to all the guests. For this purpose, thousands present their selfless services and volunteers.
Guidance for Jalsa Salana Workers
His Holiness (aba) said to the volunteers that whatever duty they have been assigned, they should strive to fulfil it in the best possible manner. They should consider all guests to be the guests of the Promised Messiah (as). The volunteers should exhibit the highest standards of morality. They should overlook whatever behaviour may be displayed by the guests and should maintain their own high standards of behaviour. Hence, volunteers should exhibit the standard desired by Islam – and certainly the volunteers of the Jalsa work with this passion.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) used to say that the heart of a guest is like a mirror; it is fragile and must be carefully cared for. It can shatter upon the smallest thing and be put in trial over the smallest thing. This generally applies to newcomers or those not part of the Community. The volunteers must take special care to tend to these guests in the best manner, no matter what or where their duty may be.
Guidance for Guests Attending Jalsa Salana
His Holiness (aba) then addressed the guests, saying that first and foremost, they have come to the Jalsa for a righteous purpose and have come as guests of the Promised Messiah (as). Rather than trying to attain any sort of worldly rank or status, they must focus on attaining the lofty purpose of every Muslim, and for which they are attending this convention. Those who undertake a journey for the sake of God care very little about worldly comforts and care more about becoming spiritually nourished. Thus, the guests of the Jalsa should never consider them as worldly guests. When this is the mentality, then small weaknesses or shortcomings can be overlooked.
His Holiness (aba) said that if every Ahmadi Muslim attends the Jalsa in order to be spiritually nourished rather than trying to attain worldly comfort, then both guest and host will be able to pass through the days of Jalsa with ease. The volunteers strive their utmost to ensure everyone attending the Jalsa is treated equally and fairly, however, certain discrepancies can naturally arise. The guests should overlook any such instances. Where the hosts or volunteers are enjoined to care for the guests, the guests must also be mindful of their hosts and should try to afford them ease as well.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) used to care a great deal for his guests. During ordinary times, the Promised Messiah (as) would say that guests should express their needs without any hesitation. However during the days of Jalsa, the Promised Messiah (as) advised that the arrangements should be the same for all as far as possible. Therefore, the hospitality during Jalsa takes on a different form, and the organisers do their best to ensure that the basic and required needs and provided.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) would emphasise to the guests of Jalsa Salana that their purpose is beyond any worldly endeavour, rather it is to learn the faith and to purify one’s mind and heart while drawing nearer to Allah the Almighty. This is the mindset with which one should attend the Jalsa.
His Holiness (aba) said that during the days of Jalsa, everyone should sit attentively in the hall and listen to the speeches. A believer should use their time wisely. Naturally when so many people are gathering from around the world, there is a desire to meet one’s acquaintances and family members from around the world, as is one of the purposes of the Jalsa. This convention does away with borders and brings together all sorts of people. The Promised Messiah (as) said that one of the purposes of this convention is to strengthen ties of brotherhood. Of course this requires meeting one another, however, the focus should be on attentively listening to the Jalsa proceedings, and only afterwards should one then take the time to meet others. Sometimes it has been noticed that these meetings will take so long that they will go late into the night causing people difficulty in waking up for the morning prayer (Fajr). This also puts volunteers in a difficult position when people sit for extended periods in the food marquee or even for hosts at homes where guests are staying. Hence, there must be balance.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) said that guests should not linger after having eaten so that the volunteers can have time to wrap up and prepare for the next shift. Hence, the guests must remain mindful of such things.
His Holiness (aba) said that in such large gatherings, it is possible for disagreements to arise. It could be that a guest becomes displeased with