After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta’wwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) stated: By the Grace of God Almighty the Jalsa Salana [annual convention] of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Belgium is starting today. I am participating in your Jalsa after a very long time. Since then, there has been progress here in many respects; for instance, the number of mission houses has increased and the number of mosques and salat centres has also increased. The mosque in Brussels which has been under construction is almost in its final stages of completion. The day before yesterday, I inaugurated another mosque in Alken. Thus, we see that God Almighty has evidently bestowed many blessings upon the Community here. However, these blessings of God Almighty should awaken this sentiment among the members of the Community that “As compared to the past, we should improve in our understanding of and our belief in the commandments of God Almighty and adhering to them, not only in apparent terms but in the true manner. Thus, there is a need to undertake a constant self-analysis, while being mindful of this matter.
There is a need to pay special heed and make a concerted effort in these developed countries, where public is distant from God in the name of freedom. If we come to these countries in the name of faith and then do not prioritise the Words of God Almighty, this would incur the displeasure of God Almighty upon us. Thus, this should always be kept in mind … that you have come here in the name of religion and in the name of God Almighty. Now, if you did not act upon the commandments of God Almighty, these things could incur the displeasure of God Almighty. However, Man is weak. Hence, due to this weakness, he sometimes inclines towards materialistic endeavours.
The Promised Messiah (as) has explained this to us in very clear terms, “God Almighty has deemed worldly endeavours to be permissible.” i.e. worldly endeavours, activities and undertakings are permissible and there is no sin in these matters. However, there is a limit to everything. Engage in worldly endeavours to the extent that they may assist you in religious matters and the ultimate objective of these [worldly endeavours] should be religion.” Worldly activities are not forbidden. However, the condition is to hold faith as the ultimate objective. We are allowed to pursue our livelihood, but the pursuit of this world must not make us neglectful towards religion. You should earn worldly wealth in accordance with the commandment of God Almighty, so that you can fulfil the rights of your wife and children, other creation of God Almighty and to serve the religion of God Almighty. If this becomes your objective, you will acquire the worldly material as well as faith. However, if someone is only focussed on the worldly pursuits and neglects religion, , he becomes deprived and is left with a mere claim on his tongue.
Then, elaborating on the matter of having religion as one’s objective when acquiring the world, the Promised Messiah (as) states on one occasion, “Islam has forbidden monasticism. …The broader the relationship of a believer is with the world, the more it serves as a means of elevating his ranks as his primary objective is religion and the world and its wealth and splendour act as a means of serving religion …. Wealth is similar to a carriage, which a person must ride upon in order to reach the loftiest stages of faith. A person rides upon a good carriage and makes provisions of convenience and ease for his journey in order to reach the destination comfortably. Thus, acquire the world in this manner and make it subservient to religion. Do not become faith subservient to worldly endeavours and subsequently abandon religion.”
The Promised Messiah (as) further states, “In the following prayer taught by God Almighty:
Arabic - [our Lord, grant us good in this world as well as good in the world to come], “From this prayer we can clearly understand that whilst acquiring the worldly wealth, a believer should be mindful of the good of the hereafter. Furthermore and alongside this, the words of “the good of this world” refer to all the best possible means a believer and Muslim should adopt when acquiring the worldly wealth.” Thus, every one of us should strive to acquire such a world, which will become the means of receiving good in the hereafter. We should not become engrossed and lost in the attractions of this world and forget our objective. Furthermore, the attractions and pleasures of this world are such, which increase a person in distress and anxiety. Elaborating on this fact, the Promised Messiah (as) states, “Do not believe that apparent wealth, governance, affluence, dignity and a large number of children can become the means of comfort, tranquillity and peace for a person and he does not become heavenly (i.e. he is not promised or guaranteed paradise).” The Promised Messiah (as) states, “The comfort, reassurance and peace, which are rewards of paradise, cannot be attainted through these means. However, they can be attained through living and dying for the sake of God.” The Promised Messiah (as) states, “Seeking the pleasures of the world develop a form of impure yearning and avarice which further increases one’s desire for them. Similar to the case of someone who suffers from polydipsia, and his thirst is never quenched.” The Promised Messiah (as) states, “Therefore, this matter should not remain hidden from my friends that the love and passion for wealth, affluence, a wife and children …creates a barrier between him and God the Exalted.” In other words, if you become engulfed and engrossed in the world and whatever it contains beyond your needs, a state is created where a person places a barrier between him and God Almighty. Neither does a person advance towards God, nor does God descend upon His servant, as it is up to man to take the first step to God. Thus, if you wish to remove this barrier and obstacle, it can only be achieved by making the world subservient to religion. The Promised Messiah (as) further states that this is the very reason wealth and children have also been described a form of trial for man, as they place a barrier between man and God.
We Ahmadis are very fortunate that we were able to accept the Promised Messiah (as), who at every stage has given guidance to safeguard ourselves from going astray. Then upon the instruction of God Almighty, the Promised Messiah (as) established the Jasla where once a year we gather together to improve in our spirituality. Therefore, all the attendees should keep this purpose in mind that we have to attain nearness to God Almighty, we must give precedence to faith over the world and whilst living in this world we should make the world subservient to our faith. You should not have the spirit only within yourself but try to instil it in your children that what it is that God Almighty desire from us and what the purpose of life is. The hearts of every sincere Ahmadi should feel anxious after listening to this. You should assess yourselves that how impactful of a change this should bring about. This training camp provided by Allah Almighty will only prove beneficial when you will make this world subservient to yourself and bring about a pious change according to the desire of the Promised Messiah (as). So remember to pay attention and listen to what is being mentioned with utmost consideration because those who do not listen carefully cannot attain any benefit even if they stay in the company of a righteous person for a long time. Therefore, everyone should assess themselves to see if we are not amongst such people who do not gain any benefit from the Jalsa as mentioned by the Promised Messiah (as).
Therefore, be mindful of the real objective of coming here. Listen to the proceedings of the Jalsa and act upon it. May God Almighty enable everyone to achieve this objective and may you partake from the blessings of the Jalsa and the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as). May you demonstrate to the world the true teachings of Islam through your actions and speech. May the worldly endeavours become of secondary importance for all Ahmadis and the real objective and goal should be their faith and attaining God Almighty’s pleasure. One who is able to understand the true reality of God Almighty’s pleasure is then able to fulfil the rights of God Almighty and His creation, one is able to establish peace, love and brotherhood, which the world today is in dire need of. The disorder and restlessness in the world today can only be removed by bringing mankind towards recognising God and fulfilling the rights of His creation. Today, this is a huge responsibility of an Ahmadi. Thus, each one of you should pay particular attention towards this.
Huzoor (aba) gave some administrative instructions and prayed that may God Almighty bless this Jalsa in every respect. Everyone during the days of the Jalsa should remain engaged in prayers and pay attention towards their Salat. May God Almighty enable you to become the recipients of the Promised Messiah (as)’s prayers.