Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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) is commencing.
Serving the Guests of the Promised Messiah (as)
His Holiness (aba) said that people from all around the world have converged for this event, all of whom are considered to be the guests of the Promised Messiah (as). Thus, serving these guests holds a very special significance. Throughout the world, wherever Jalsa Salana is held, everyone, young and old, understands that they must serve the guests of the Jalsa and they present themselves as volunteers. Despite the fact that the priorities of much of the world have changed, the sincere members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community present themselves, having taken leave from their jobs, in order to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah (as).
Hospitality is a Divine Commandment
His Holiness (aba) said that these people do so understanding that God has placed great emphasis on the hospitality of guests, as has also been taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The Promised Messiah (as) also brought constant attention towards this. The Holy Qur’an teaches to give the wayfarer their due rights. The Holy Qur’an also records that when the Prophet Abraham (as) received some guests, he did not ask whether they would eat or not; instead, he slaughtered a calf, cooked it, and presented it to the guests.
The Holy Prophet’s (sa) Teachings of Hospitality
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) is recorded to have said that those who believe in Allah and the Last Day must fulfil the due rights of guests. When asked what those due rights were, the Holy Prophet (sa) responded, saying that it is to show hospitality for one day and one night. At another instance, the Holy Prophet (sa) defined it as hosting guests in one’s home for three days. This, of course, generally refers to those guests who visit one’s home for a few days. Thus, Muslims are enjoined to show hospitality to their guests. Indeed, the guests of the Jalsa Salana come from all around the world and thus will stay for more than three days. As such, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community tends to their hospitality for however long they may be staying, be it three to four weeks. They are all tended to by people who are not paid to do so, but are volunteers. Indeed, in the UK, the situation is such that due to the presence of the Khalifah of the Time, guests of the Promised Messiah (as) visit throughout the year, and so the kitchen of the Promised Messiah (as) remains operational year-round. Volunteers of the community tend to the hospitality of guests excellently, and His Holiness (aba) prayed that Allah may reward them for their efforts.
His Holiness (aba) said that during the days of Jalsa especially, guests should be taken care of. As the Holy Prophet (sa) taught, they should be tended to with complete dignity and honour. One condition for a believer is that they are hospitable, possess good morals, and are kind to their guests. Hence, the thousands of volunteers of the Jalsa, including men, women, children and elders, all have this great honour. They should remember that they can only do justice to this honour when they do justice to the hospitality of the guests.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) explained that the feelings of guests can be very sensitive, and they must therefore be hosted with great care. This is something which every volunteer must keep in mind. Having presented themselves for service, the volunteers should seek help from Allah and strive to fulfil their responsibilities in the best manner they can, hoping to attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty.
His Holiness (aba) said that non-Ahmadis who visit the Jalsa are taken aback by the organisation of the Jalsa; how thousands of people are fed, water supply, parking, security, cleanliness and many other departments, all of which are tended to by volunteers who carry out these duties in an excellent manner. This too becomes a means of propagating the message of Islam. Thus, every volunteer should strive to fulfil the rights of these guests, as doing so is an integral part of their faith.
The Promised Messiah’s (as) Example of Hospitality
His Holiness (aba) said that in a narration illustrating the manner in which the Promised Messiah (as) used to tend to the care of his guests, it is recorded that the Promised Messiah (as) would instruct the in-charge of the kitchen to take excellent care of the guests. In around 1902, someone undertook the journey to visit Qadian. Along the way, he and his travel companion encountered a heavy downpour of rain, which caused them to hire a carriage to take them the rest of the way from Batala to Qadian. Upon reaching Qadian, the Promised Messiah (as) instructed that their accommodation be arranged in what was then the bookshop. The next morning they were given an excellent breakfast. As they ate, the Promised Messiah (as) persistently asked if there was anything that they required or any other way in which they could be served. This was the great attention with which the Promised Messiah (as) sought to care for his guests.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Promised Messiah (as) was having a meal with some other guests. Two dishes of food were prepared. It was noticed that as the Promised Messiah (as) was having his meal, whenever he came across some meat in his plate, he would take it out and place it in the plate of one of his guests so that they could have a fuller meal.
His Holiness (aba) said that sometimes guests would make certain requests. Once, a guest expressed that he wished to eat mangoes. The Promised Messiah (as) expressed that this was an excellent thought. Someone asked the Promised Messiah (as) if he should go to the market to buy mangoes. The Promised Messiah (as) said that he should not. A short while later, a parcel arrived containing eight mangoes, which was also the exact number of guests at the time. The Promised Messiah (as) distributed the mangoes to the guests. The Promised Messiah (as) then took his own mango, cut it into pieces and distributed those pieces among the guests as well.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, on the occasion of Jalsa Salana, one of the guests who had not eaten since morning was unable to eat dinner on time due to an important community meeting in the evening, which was typically held in the evening during the days of Jalsa. When he finally made it to the kitchen, it was eleven in the evening, and he was extremely hungry by then. Upon arriving at the kitchen, he was told that there was no food left, except for a leftover piece of bread. He took the small piece of bread with him and began eating it. Just a short while later, there was a loud knocking on his door and a voice that said, “If there is anyone who is hungry and has not eaten, he should go to the kitchen and eat.” Hence, he went back to the kitchen and ate the food that was now there. The next day, he came across the Promised Messiah (as) who was addressing some workers, saying that the arrangements for food should be excellent. He said that the previous night, God revealed to him that there were some guests who were hungry, saying, ‘O Prophet, feed the hungry’. Thus, the food that this guest received the previous night was as a result of a revelation that the Promised Messiah (as) received.
His Holiness (aba) said that, thus, during the Jalsa, the volunteers should be mindful that sometimes guests may become delayed during their journeys. So there should be arrangements made even later at night for food to be available. Not just this, but they should remain mindful that the food is fresh and has not gone bad.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) advised that there should be one dish prepared for all the guests. Someone submitted to the Promised Messiah (as) that many guests were poor, who would not even have access to lentils at home. Thus, if lentils were prepared for them, they would be happy, and they would not need a dish with meat in it. The Promised Messiah (as) replied, saying that be that as it may, once they observed others eating meat dishes, they too would desire to eat that food, and their sentiments would be hurt to see others being served a different kind of food. It is not appropriate to give one type of food to some guests and a different meal to others. The Promised Messiah (as) said that of his followers, whether they are poor or wealthy, he had the same connection with all of them, and so they should all be given the same type of food, be it meat or lentils.
Advice for Volunteers and Guests of Jalsa Salana
His Holiness (aba) said that guests should always bear in mind that they should happily and contentedly eat whatever food is presented to them from the kitchen of the Promised Messiah (as). Having come to the Jalsa upon the invitation of the Promised Messiah (as) to receive spiritual sustenance, that should remain their primary focus, and they should not make undue requests with regard to food. Sometimes, guests will go to the bazaar instead to eat, causing the shops to remain open late, posing difficulties for the organisers. However, especially given the dry weather these days in the UK, a great deal of care is required, and later in the evening, it may be that the shopkeepers have mostly closed down for the night, and so there may not be as much care and supervision as is required at the bazaar. Thus, guests should remain content with the food they are presented and strive not to express their displeasure at the food.
His Holiness (aba) also drew attention towards not wasting food. One should only take as much food as they are going to eat. Ultimately, the primary focus should remain on the spiritual sustenance that is available at the Jalsa.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, during the days of Jalsa, the Promised Messiah (as) personally inspected the food arrangements by going to the kitchen and checking the pots. When the Promised Messiah (as) inspected them, he did not like the odour of the food. He immediately instructed that something was not right about the food that had been cooked and it should be discarded. The Promised Messiah (as) said that when he did not like the odour of the food, then how could he possibly present it to the guests? Such was the level of care and attention that the Promised Messiah (as) had when it came to serving guests. Thus, His Holiness (aba) advised that similarly, the workers in the kitchen should remain vigilant so that the food does not go bad.
His Holiness (aba) said that the workers in all departments should ensure to take excellent care of the guests. Even for those doing security, they must ensure that while doing their duty, they remain kind and considerate towards the guests. Performing security duty does not require one to become harsh towards others. Rather, they should perform their duty with kindness.
His Holiness (aba) also addressed the guests, saying that they have endured long and difficult journeys to come to the Jalsa Salana for a reason, which is to fulfil the desires and objectives of the Promised Messiah (as) in holding this convention. During the three days of Jalsa, they should remain mindful of the fact that they must listen to the proceedings of the Jalsa, rather than sitting elsewhere or wandering about and engaging in idle talk. Similarly, for those women who will be seated in the children’s marquee, they should still attentively listen to the Jalsa proceedings. If they are to speak, it should only be in order to tend to their children. However, mothers should not be speaking amongst themselves during the Jalsa proceedings as this creates undue noise and distraction.
His Holiness (aba) said that guests should also remain mindful of discipline at the bazaar. There should be no such incident that poses a negative impact on the atmosphere of the Jalsa. Everyone should go about making their purchases with patience and care, especially at times when there is a large rush of people.
His Holiness (aba) said that when describing the desired behaviour of Ahmadis, the Promised Messiah (as) enjoined his community to become those who adopt righteousness and undertake virtuous deeds, for without righteousness, Allah cannot be pleased. Everyone should remember that they have come to attend this Jalsa in order to develop their righteousness. Thus, everyone should treat each other with kindness and compassion. Everyone should spread the greeting of peace. People should strive to dispel any enmities or grievances amongst each other. In order to attain the pleasure of God, everyone should also strive to increase their level of patience. Remember that if the purpose of Jalsa is not fulfilled, then there is no reason to have come to the Jalsa in the first place.
His Holiness (aba) drew attention towards the importance of offering prayers. Especially those residing on the Jalsa site for the three days, they should strive to wake up for the Tahajjud prayer [pre-dawn voluntary prayer].
His Holiness (aba) also advised great care to be taken in the parking lot. Everyone should remain patient and calm and listen to instructions without acting in a hasty manner.
His Holiness (aba) said that special care should be taken in light of the current situation in the UK, whereby there is enmity harboured against Muslims. Thus, everyone must remain vigilant, and if anyone sees something suspicious, they should report it to the authorities.
His Holiness (aba) said that due to the dry weather, there is an increased risk of fires being set ablaze. Therefore, everyone should remain vigilant and should take care not to light so much as a match until and unless they have consulted the relevant authorities and do so in a safe place. His Holiness (aba) said that some people have older cars whose engines become very hot, and given the dry grass, this could also pose a fire hazard. As such, both the volunteers and owners of such vehicles should be very careful.
His Holiness (aba) said that in the matter of cleanliness, everyone should consider themselves a volunteer of this department and look to keep the areas around them clean and tidy.
His Holiness (aba) said that everyone should strive to increase the standard of their faith during these days. Attendees should remain engaged in the remembrance of God and speak to each other about faith and spirituality. To this end, there are also various important exhibitions that have been organised which attendees should visit.
His Holiness (aba) prayed that everyone may benefit spiritually, religiously and intellectually from this Jalsa and partake in the blessings associated with the Jalsa. May everyone become a means of fulfilling the purpose for the advent of the Promised Messiah (as). Everyone should listen to the speeches with attention and care and strive to act upon the guidance within them.
Add Comment