“Allah the Almighty has given us, as Ahmadi Muslims, the duty to keep the flag of Islam Ahmadiyyat aloft until there remains life on earth. He has bestowed upon us the solemn duty and challenge to save mankind and to relentlessly strive towards that day when Islam’s message of love and peace penetrates the hearts of all mankind.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad addresses over 6,900 Ahmadi Muslim youth from across the UK
On 1 October 2023, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered a faith-inspiring address to conclude the National Ijtema (Annual Gathering) of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, the auxiliary organisation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community for young men and boys.
The 3-day event which was held at Old Park Farm in Kingsley was attended by more than 6,900 young men and boys and served to inspire the attendees towards practicing their faith with devotion.
During his address, His Holiness took a most significant pledge reminding the Khuddam of their fundamental responsibilities in ensuring that the world is informed of the true peaceful teachings of Islam and so that the youth may remain attached to the blessed institution of Khilafat.
Throughout his address, His Holiness referred to an address of the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) in which he outlined his expectations of the members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya.
At the outset of his address, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) began by stating it was a natural course of life that people come and go from this world. Every human is born, lives their life and leaves this world. At the same time, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) explained that communities and nations have the potential to live on and thrive in perpetuity. Some communities exist for decades or even centuries. In terms of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, he said that Ahmadi Muslims youth must sincerely vow to fulfil their obligations to ensure our Community’s preservation and everlasting success. This requires generation upon generation of Ahmadi Muslims to act upon the true teachings of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community and to strive to convey its message to all parts of the world.”
His Holiness went on to explain the deep anguish the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) felt for people to turn towards Allah the Almighty.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Unquestionably, in this era, every sincere Khadim must endeavour to fulfil the grand mission of bringing mankind towards belief in the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him)… Allah the Almighty has given us, as Ahmadi Muslims, the duty to keep the flag of Islam Ahmadiyyat aloft until there remains life on earth. He has bestowed upon us the solemn duty and challenge to save mankind and to relentlessly strive towards that day when Islam’s message of love and peace penetrates the hearts of all mankind.”
His Holiness spoke of how a day shall come when the victory of Islam through spiritual means will mean that a large number of people will become members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
His Holiness narrated a vision of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) in which he saw that mounted on horses were a long line of monarchs from all across the globe who testified to the truth of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him).
Referring to the vision, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“In this vision lay a remarkable prophecy, whereby Allah the Almighty gave the glad tidings to the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) that a day was destined to come when Heads of State, be they Monarchs, Presidents or otherwise, in countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Russia and Germany would come to accept the truth of Ahmadiyyat. Indeed, according to the promises of Allah, a time will come when Ahmadiyyat will be accepted in such vast numbers that all other religions will be rendered insignificant in comparison.”
In order for this victory to take place through spiritual means, His Holiness said Ahmadi Muslim youth must endeavour to fulfil their duties and responsibilities towards Allah and His creation.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad outlined the longevity of the mission of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and said:
“In this era, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) was sent by Allah as a pure reflection and devotee of that Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) whose rank was far greater than any other Prophet of God. Thus, if the Prophet Noah’s community lasted almost a thousand years, then the era of the Messiah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), whose teachings and status far exceed that of the Prophet Noah, should and, Insha’Allah, will far exceed that period and last for thousands of years. In fact, the Promised Messiah (peace and blessings be upon him) has said that Allah the Almighty has promised him that his community and the religion of Islam will last until the end of times.”
Highlighting how the mission of the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) is intrinsically linked with Khilafat, His Holiness quoted the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) who wrote in his book ‘Al-Wasiyyat’ (The Will):
“I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence, and I am the personification of His Power. And after I am gone, there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power of God.”
Explaining the meaning of these words, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Here, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) clearly states that, upon his demise, the institution of Khilafat would be established once again in the world and remain until the end of time. Consequently, every Khadim must sincerely attach themselves with sincerity to Khilafat and Ahmadi parents should pledge that, where they shall seek to instil a desire in their children and future generations to spread Islam, they also instil within them the fundamental importance of staying faithfully attached to the institution of Khilafat.”
His Holiness went on to take a solemn pledge from the youth which was initially taken by Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra). The atmosphere, as the participants took the pledge, was emotionally charged, as the youth expressed their determination to serve the cause of spreading the peaceful teachings of Islam and to forever stay loyal to the institution of Khilafat.
All in attendance stood up and in unison repeated the pledge behind their Imam, which included the words:
“I shall give every possible sacrifice, no matter how heavy its burden, in order for the blessed flag of Islam to be raised aloft in every nation until the end of time. I also solemnly pledge to strive, with unyielding conviction, to protect and strengthen the institution of Khilafat until my last breath. And I shall also always urge my children and their descendants to remain firmly attached to Khilafat and to seek its blessings so that Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya may remain protected until the end of time. And so that, through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the propagation of Islam may continue until the Last Day. And so that the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) may be raised far higher than any other flag in this world.”
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad then repeated the pledge in the original Urdu language and said:
“Having made this pledge, you must strive to live up to it. You should regularly read its words so you are always aware of your responsibilities. Reflect seriously upon it and pay heed to your obligations to your faith, knowing that you cannot rest easy until that day when the true and peaceful teachings of Islam have reached each village, town, city and nation of the world and its truth is accepted by the vast majority of people worldwide.”
His Holiness said that a lust for wealth and material pursuits should never distract Ahmadi Muslim youth from their noble objectives.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“The biggest obstacle blocking the path to victory of any nation or community is if its members gain a lust for money and wealth. Such material cravings can easily corrupt people and weaken their resolve to offer sacrifices for their faith and to fulfil their religious objectives. So, all of you living here in Western countries should never be consumed by a desire to earn money or become affluent. Instead, always place your trust in Allah that He will provide for you. Insha’Allah, He will support you and fulfil your needs in ways beyond your comprehension. And He will remove all your difficulties if you are sincere with Him. So, do not enter the race to earn money or unnecessary luxuries. Instead, your race should be the one that leads to God Almighty.”
As the address concluded, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad once again emphasised the dire need for Ahmadi Muslim youth to understand and fulfil their responsibilities.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“We must understand our responsibilities so that it may never happen that, God forbid, due to our negligence or inaction, Allah the Almighty dispenses with us and passes the task of igniting a spiritual revolution to the next generations. Rather, every Khadim and every Ahmadi must focus all their prayers and energies on bringing about a revolutionary spiritual awakening in humanity, in which the banner testifying to the Oneness of God and the truth of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) stands higher than any other in the world.”