Hospitality

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

December 23^rd, 2005

Delivering his Friday Sermon from Qadian, India, Huzur^aba gave a discourse on the hospitality aspect of the institution of Jalsa Salana in particular Jalsa hosted by the community of Qadian which is about to start in three days.

Huzur^aba said the Promised Messiah^as established the institution of Jalsa Salana to promote the fraternal bond of believers and to inculcate the love and awe of God among them; to seek Allah’s protection from satanic temptations to adopt taqwa, to espouse compassion and a sense of brotherhood. Huzur^aba said mutual love and affection is necessary for taqwa; piety and devotion can be achieved when people of the Community would set high standards of humility and honesty.

Huzur^aba said people should not simply derive joy from the bustle of Qadian and should engage in prayers to welcome the Jalsa so that they can be recipients of the prayers of the Promised Messiah^as. Huzur^aba urged prayers for those who are travelling for the Jalsa and for those who wish to travel but cannot.

Addressing the organisers and workers of the Jalsa Huzur^aba urged them to make specific considerations for the guests who are travelling in huge numbers to Qadian due to Huzur's^aba presence there – Huzur^aba said their sincerity was palpable and aroused feelings of love for them in Huzur^aba’s heart.

Quoting from the writings of the Promised Messiah^as “Listen, those who care to hear, what is it that God wants of you; just this that you become His; that you do not associate any partners with Him, neither in the heavens nor on the earth”, Huzur^aba said may Allah make us so.

Observing the sense of sacrifice and altruism of the people of Qadian in serving people from all over the world Huzur^aba said he was reminded of the times of Rabwah and asked that prayers are made that God may alter the helpless situation of the people of Rabwah.

Huzur^aba went on to counsel the volunteers of the Jalsa to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah^as in a most excellent manner and while doing so not to be swayed by any likely aggravating situation and be always mindful that they are to serve the guests. Huzur^aba cited verse 135 of Surah Al Imran (3:135) and said that when believers are thus enjoined for everyday matters, in case where people who have gathered for the sake of God this commandment should be applicable in a heightened way.

Huzur^aba gave specific instructions to volunteers in terms of their varied ethnicity and those who had come from Pakistan; Huzur^aba enjoined them that obedience of the person in-charge of their specific department was paramount.

Huzur^aba said each person from the volunteers was at duty at the Jalsa as an Ahmadi and not as a person from a specific ethnic background and that they all needed to keep their own emotions caused by pressure of work etc. under check while serving the guests of the Promised Messiah^as.

Huzur^aba cited hadith and related an incident of the Promised Messiah^as to illustrate the significance of looking after guests and to be accommodating to their needs. Huzur^aba stressed that no social discrimination should be made in serving the guests.

Huzur^aba related an incident from 1991 Qadian Jalsa which a person has reminded him about in a letter; Huzur^aba was on duty as ‘naib nazim’ at the Langer Khana in 1991 with this person who got enraged at something. That person remembered how despite his anger Huzur^aba smiled at him and most politely explained to him the significance of the duty they were performing.

Huzur^aba explained that people in-charge of departments at the current Jalsa were either from Qadian or from India and that they were to be obeyed at all cost and that they in turn were responsible for the duty of their volunteers, their conduct and observance of their Salat.

Huzur^aba urged all attendees to be mindful of the revered ambience of the Jalsa and of Qadian and to promote the greeting of Assalamoalaikum.

Huzur^aba urged those coming from the West to be understanding and tolerant of the arrangements at Qadian and to come prepared especially with regards their bedding and perhaps if at the end of the Jalsa the bedding is in good condition, to donate it to the Jalsa administration.

Huzur^aba said some outsiders are always present at Jalsa and that the attendees should present an excellent model to them; Huzur^aba also reminded that now that the camera of MTA is ‘watching’ everyone, each move of theirs should be dignified. This, Huzur^aba said could be a good mode of Tabligh.

Huzur^aba related that the Promised Messiah^as had said that unless faith is linked with deed, it is nothing. Therefore, Huzur^aba said all those who were enabled to be present in the beautiful and spiritually-charged hamlet of the Promised Messiah^as should inculcate similarity in their word and deed and should make prayers for this. Each Ahmadi present in Qadian should exhibit excellent model of courtesy and civility and no matter where they have come from they should be mindful that they have to enhance the dignity of this place.

Huzur^aba also counselled all to be vigilant and alert in matters of security especially in the ladies side. Huzur^aba concluded on prayer that may Allah protect each Ahmadi from all harm.