Love and Brotherhood

With the grace of God the Qadian Jalsa Salana starts from today. Some might view this Jalsa after the Indian partition as the Jalsa Salana of India, however Qadian has a great status as regards being the home town of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and as the centre from where his message spread all over the world. These aspects make Qadian the centre of the second phase of Islam and in turn Qadian Jalsa Salana an international event. With the grace of God thirty two to thirty three countries are being represented at the Qadian Jalsa today.

The inhabitants of Qadian and the attendees of Jalsa Salana Qadian both are significant. However their significance is only real and worthwhile when the inhabitants pay the dues of this significance and the Jalsa attendees spend their days and nights in attaining the objectives of the Jalsa as explained by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Generally speaking the atmosphere of Jalsa Salana anywhere in the world has a spiritual effect on its attendees. However, a special aspect of spirituality is felt during Qadian Jalsa. Every sincere Ahmadi should feel this aspect as the air of this place is fragrant with memories of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and this takes its spirituality to a different dimension. As such the advice given in the atmosphere of Qadian Jalsa has a special effect and for this reason all the attendees of the Jalsa should focus that while they derive benefit from the scholarly speeches, they should also keep the objectives of Jalsa Salana in view and should constantly remind themselves about them. They should spend the three days of Jalsa in view of the expectations of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

One of the objectives of the Jalsa as explained by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is to enhance mutual connection of Ahmadis and to foster mutual unity, love and affection. Today this connection and unity has grown incomparably extensive as inhabitants of Qadian meet people living in USA or Russia or inhabitants of Arab meet people from Europe or they all meet each other exhibiting the spirit which enhances the quality of unity among true believers. However, someone with arrogance will not meet his brothers with this spirit or a city-dweller may not meet his less fortunate brothers by laying aside all differences in social standing in which case all the speeches and spiritual atmosphere of Jalsa will not have any positive effect. Even the spiritual atmosphere of Qadian Jalsa will be devoid of any spirituality for such a person due to the harshness of his heart. In this atmosphere all differences in social standing should be eliminated and personal grievances should be removed as if they never existed. Inhabitants of Qadian should also self-reflect and appreciate that God has given them the chance to live in the town of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and they should realise that the atmosphere of this place should be according to the wishes of the Imam of the age. In addition God has given them the opportunity to participate in yet another Jalsa Salana and they should avail this excellent opportunity of Tarbiyyat which would lead them to fear and love of God as opposed to love of the world. And they would keep in view the subject of: ‘…and let every soul look to what it sends forth for the morrow…’ (59:19) with pleasure of God and good in the Hereafter in their thoughts. They will be mindful to keep temperance and Taqwa in view and not worldliness. Self-analysis would tell us how much we keep the aforementioned verse in view.

Observance of Tahajjud creates a very special ambience at Qadian Jalsa, this Jalsa also enables people to pray in places where the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) once prostrated before God and where he prayed to God. Each Ahmadi should fully avail of this three-day camp and there should be no inhabitant of Qadian who has not made the