Ataul Baseer – Naib Sadar Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya-South India

The New Year has dawned. It is a common practice for individuals across the globe to engage in contemplation, drafting resolutions that encompass their aspirations for the new year. However, how often do we reflect on our past achievements and the spiritual progress we have made? If the answer is ‘rarely’ or ‘seldom’, then perhaps it is time for introspection.

An important question we should ask ourselves is if our goals are limited to worldly accomplishments. Or, do we also concentrate our focus on achieving spiritual excellence? His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^aba emphasises the significance of working diligently with good planning and prayers. As Ahmadi Muslims, entering and navigating through the new year should be accompanied by prayers.

An enlightening incident shared by the Fourth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Community, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad^rh, underscores the importance of spiritual commitment during significant moments. During his stay in England in his youth, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad^rh happened to be at Euston station during a New Year’s Eve. While all people were engaged in worldly celebrations at midnight, Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad^rh chose to offer voluntary prayers. Upon witnessing this, an elderly English man was very much influenced that there was a man who remembered his Lord, while the whole world was indulged in immoral acts. This incident underscores the essence of commencing the New Year with prayers and setting goals for one’s spiritual advancement.

I would like to share my personal experience that I have observed in my spiritual advance through a dream.

I had a dream where I found myself in a village. There was a mission house that belonged to the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. The village was diverse, comprising people from various religions and non-Ahmadis. I was standing outside the mission house when I saw some non-Ahmadi men coming towards me, unaware of the fact that the mission house actually belonged to Ahmadis. As there was beloved Huzur’s office and library in the mission house, I suddenly went inside before they reached. When I entered the mission house, I saw Huzur Anwar standing beside his working table, which was towards the left side of the hall. The Library was on the right side. As the non-Ahmadi men entered the hall, I positioned myself closer to Huzur assuming a protective role, at which point, the dream concluded.

Initially, I did not understand the interpretation of the dream and hence did not relate it to anyone. However, about a month later, I received a call from Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya India, informing me of my appointment as the Deputy Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya for South India. It then struck me that the dream might have been an indication of the opportunity I was about to receive to serve the Jamaat.

Returning to the context of New Year resolutions, it is crucial to remember that the commitments we make with regard to our spiritual betterment should extend beyond mere formalities. Coupled with prayers, they become transformative. Regularly tracking progress in spiritual endeavours is as essential as monitoring worldly affairs. The Holy Quran underscores this stating, “Surely, success does come to the believers.” (Surah al-Mu’minun, Ch.23: V.2). True success lies in adhering to Allah’s commandments.

But how does one track spiritual success? During his concluding addressing of Jalsa Salana Tanzania, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V said:

“The Holy Quran has urged Muslims that you should always be concerned and try to do your utmost in performing good deeds and making progress in your worship, progress in good works, progress in higher values and progress in fulfilling the rights of others. So, Allah does not merely expect us to safeguard ourselves from evil and do good works but has instructed that we should vie with each other in the doing of good deeds. It is as if you are racing with each other in doing good.”

When you are engaged in trying to overtake each other in this race, then your standards will be of a very high level.

We should always strive to see our brothers and try to take a step ahead in performing good deeds and keep progressing.

Every Ahmadi should make it the goal of his life to conform his words and deeds to the commandments of Allah. Allah says:

“Vie then with one another in good works.” (Ch.2:V.149)

As we embark on the journey of this New Year, let us not merely set goals but infuse them with the transformative power of prayer. May our resolutions be a means to get closer to our Creator, and may the pursuit of spiritual success be as fervent as our pursuit of worldly accomplishments.

In conclusion, may this New Year be marked not only by personal achievements but also by a collective commitment to spiritual growth. Let our resolutions be anchored in prayer, and may the race to outdo each other in goodness lead us to higher spiritual standards. As we traverse the days ahead, may our actions reflect our dedication to Allah’s commandments, bringing true success to the believers. I wish you all a blessed and spiritually enriching New Year.