Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad says persecution can never weaken the faith of Ahmadi Muslims
The 123rd Annual Convention (Jalsa Salana) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Qadian, India, concluded with a faith inspiring address by the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, on 31 December 2017.
His Holiness addressed the final session via satellite link from the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London. Over 20,000 people attended the Convention in Qadian from 44 countries, while more than 5,000 gathered in London for the concluding session.
During his address, His Holiness explained the true meaning of the title, ‘Seal of the Prophets’ given to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the Holy Quran.
His Holiness said that whilst Muslim religious clerics continued to allege that Ahmadi Muslims denied this status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), nothing could be further from the truth. To the contrary, His Holiness said that Ahmadi Muslims understood and fully believed in the true status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and always had.
Furthermore, His Holiness said that it was a cause of regret that so-called Muslim religious clerics continued to incite the masses against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community by propagating grievous lies and making false claims.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“From its inception, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has constantly reiterated and proven the fact that that the Muslim religious clerics and opponents of the community are completely wrong in their assertion that Ahmadi Muslims do not believe the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) to be the Seal of the Prophets. Their assertions are not based upon facts but only upon lies.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“Whilst, the religious clerics have continued to incite the masses and sown seeds of hatred against us, those willing to look at the facts objectively are realising the truth. They understand that the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) testify to the fact that Ahmadi Muslims are true Muslims. They realise that the true exalted status of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) can only be understood once a person accepts that the Founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community was the awaited Messiah and the true servant of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
His Holiness said that the opponents of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community would remain forever frustrated in their efforts to stop the spread of Ahmadiyyat.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The opponents of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community seek to turn people against us, however they should remember that their human efforts and tactics are bound to fail and are worthless compared to the plans of God. It is destined by God Almighty that the followers of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) will one day become the majority.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“God Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) that He would grant him honour and would increase his community and we are seeing the fulfilment of this prophecy every single day. Despite the opponents making all possible efforts to stop us by propagating falsehood about our belief in ‘Seal of the Prophets’, hundreds of thousands of people continue to join us each year, mostly from amongst other Muslims.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad drew the attention of the attendees towards their individual responsibilities to inform people about the truth of their faith and the actual meaning of ‘Seal of the Prophets’ as given to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) by God Almighty.
Regarding the status of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), His Holiness quoted the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) said:
“No person can be deemed a true Muslim and nor can anyone follow the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) until they accept him to be the ‘Seal of the Prophets’.”
Emphasising the true status of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him), Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:
“Let it be clear to the world that the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (peace be upon him) brought no new religious law, nor can any new religious law henceforth be revealed. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) exalted status is the very reason that God Almighty granted the status of Prophethood to the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him). He attained this status due to his complete obedience and servitude to his master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).”
His Holiness also highlighted the need for the advent of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“God Almighty sent the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) to re-establish and spread the true religion of Islam, a faith established by the most beloved of God, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) was sent with the promise of God that He will grant him victory and so how can the constraints of worldly powers or the injustices and abuse of so-called religious clerics hinder his Community from succeeding?”
Discussing the continued opposition faced by Islam more generally, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“In this era, where the so-called Muslim religious clerics are defaming Islam, we are also seeing worldly and materialistic people in all parts of the world opposing Islam and seeking to undermine it. They are vilifying Islam with the intention of gaining territorial and political power and seizing the wealth of Muslim countries. In other words, Islam and Muslims are being targeted through both religious and material channels.”
Concluding with an emotional and faith inspiring message to Ahmadi Muslims worldwide, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad stated:
“Let the so-called religious Muslim scholars and governments pass edicts against us and incite common Muslims to harm and murder us by falsely stating that we do not believe in the ‘Seal of Prophethood’ or by claiming that we do not believe that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the last law-bearing prophet. Whatever they say or claim, they can never shake or weaken our faith, for we have found that which the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) desired for us to find. We have learned the principles of love for Allah the Almighty and for His Prophet (peace be upon him) through the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad continued:
“In the face of opposition and hatred, it is the responsibility of every Ahmadi Muslim to elevate themselves by seeking continuous spiritual and moral development and attaining the nearness of God Almighty.”
The session concluded with silent prayers followed by various poems recited by attendees in Qadian via satellite link.
