Opening Address Jalsa Salana Qadian 2005

Summary of Opening Address

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

December 26^th, 2005

Huzur^aba opened his address citing verse 14 of Surah Al Hujurat (49:14). He remarked that with the grace of Allah the 114th Jalsa Salana of Qadian had commenced and reminded all of the objective of the Jalsa; the attainment of taqwa. The Promised Messiah^as had called taqwa the root of all good and was Divinely informed that if this ‘root’ remains then all is achieved.

Expounding the subject further Huzur^aba said if we wished to receive Divine beneficence then we need to protect this ‘root, irrigate and nourish it by sincere worship and by avoiding what is forbidden.

Huzur^aba made several quotes from the august writings of the Promised Messiah^as in his address. Among them one was from a Jalsa speech in which it was explained that it is necessary for the well being of the Community that they are counselled regarding taqwa; for taqwa pleases Allah the most.

Huzur^aba said all Ahmadis should continually endeavour to attain taqwa and be never complacent as regards the piety of their family elders because with Allah the reckoning will be based on an individual’s level of taqwa.

Stressing the significance of it, the Promised Messiah^as said that it had been revealed to him several thousand times that Allah is with the muttaqi (one who adopts taqwa).

Huzur^aba remarked that unfortunately there was extensive discrimination based on ethnicity in the sub-continent as well as in the Western world, whereas the verse he had recited at the beginning of the address maintained that the ‘difference’ among people is only to identify them and is not a standard or measure of their nobility. Islam holds that person noble who is a muttaqi.

Huzur^aba said people from numerous races and tribes had gathered at the Jalsa from countries afar. Their identity was that they were Ahmadis and that it is the obligation of each Ahmadi to achieve the great objective of creating and maintaining an atmosphere of love and brotherhood.

Huzur^aba drew attention to the ‘farewell sermon’ of the Holy Prophet^saw in which he most eloquently clarified that there can be no difference and no sense of superiority based on class colour or creed.

Huzur^aba said today this egalitarian atmosphere can be found in Jalsa of the Community and Inshallah, that day is not far when the current restrictions will cease and the devotees of the Promised Messiah^as will have the opportunity and we will witness Ahmadis gathered like so at Hajj.

Commenting on the sense of equality in the Community Huzur^aba said to endeavour and maintain this and that this is what will cause the Community to advance.

Huzur^aba related a prayer of the Holy Prophet^saw ‘O Allah I seek guidance, taqwa, chastity and content from You’ and explained that if this was the condition of the Holy Prophet^saw then how greater would our need be. He said we should make full use of the sanctity of the three days of Jalsa and make entreaties for attainment of taqwa and to be steadfast on it.

Huzur^aba explained that Allah has made taqwa conditional to paying dues of Allah and dues of mankind.

Huzur^aba said certain evils blight the society and some Ahmadis are also influenced by some of their effect. Citing verse 64 of Surah Al Furqan (25:64) and 19 of Surah Luqman (31:19) Huzur^aba cautioned against the ill of arrogance. Huzur^aba explained that arrogance and taqwa cannot fuse and that after the evil of shirk (associating partners with Allah) was the evil of arrogance. Huzur^aba quoted extensively from noble writings of the Promised Messiah^as on the evil of arrogance and the subtle ways it can creep in one’s life, from the wickedness of it and the absolute necessity of avoiding it.

Huzur^aba said it was an immense favour of Allah that the Promised Messiah^as has unfolded and explained the intricacies of attaining taqwa.

Further elucidating the deeds and ways of strengthening the roots of taqwa Huzur^aba said that Allah has assured the muttaqi in many ways.

Next Huzur^aba mentioned the commemoration of a hundred years of the institution of Wasiyyat as established by the Promised Messiah^as. Huzur^aba mentioned the fervent response of the Community to his appeal for the number of people subscribing to the institution of Wasiyyat to reach fifty thousand by the centenary year. Huzur^aba said the number has exceeded the target. He said that he had included specific prayers in his address that would help those who maintain that perhaps they do not feel adequate enough to subscribe to Wasiyyat. He said resolve to stay on taqwa and prayer is most essential.

Huzur^aba also announced that according to lunar calendar the 100 years of Ahmadiyya Khilafat are also completed and that it was a Divine Sign that despite some hold-ups Huzur^aba was present in Qadian on this occasion, Qadian, the place where the Promised Messiah^as had originally announced Wasiyyat and the place where Ahmadiyya Khilafat had commenced.

Huzur^aba concluded on prayers for the Community and inspired them that it is them who have to wave the banner of Muhammad^saw in the world and it is them who have to establish excellent standards for the glory of Unity of God.