Published on Jul 21 2009 by Tommy Kallon, Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

The impact of the last century of Khilafat on the world can never be underestimated. No other community since the time of the Holy Prophet [saw] has seen such Divine inspiration and succour as has been offered to the Ahmadiyya Community. And whilst to some in the world, the impregnable unity of tens of millions of Ahmadis who reside in over 190 countries of the world causes them bewilderment, for Ahmadis the refreshing tonic of Khilafat which continually renews the faith and spirituality of each of us is one of Allah’s most beautiful gifts.

Jalsa Salana, that unique spectacle of unity, also affords the opportunity to rejuvenate our faith and has done since the very first one held by the Promised Messiah [as] at Qadian in December 1891. Since that time, the Promised Messiah’s [as] prayers are manifested not only in the exponential growth of Jalsa Salana in all countries where it is held but also in the tremendous success of Ahmadis, individually and collectively. The benefits of the Jalsa Salana are undeniable and it is because of this that the Promised Messiah [as] enjoined upon all Ahmadis to attend and partake in its sweet fruit:

“It is essential for all those who can afford to undertake the journey, that they must come to attend this Convention which embodies many blessed objectives. They should disregard minor inconveniences in the cause of Allah and His Prophet [saw]. Allah yields reward to the sincere persons at every step of their way, and no labour and hardship, undertaken in His way, ever goes to waste. I re–emphasise that you must not rank this convention in the same league as other, ordinary, human assemblies. This is a phenomenon that is based purely on the Divine Help, for the propagation of Islam.” (Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, p.341)

For those who are obedient to the Promised Messiah [as] and attend Jalsa Salana there is a great reward as they benefit from his remarkably all–encompassing prayer for the participants of Jalsa Salana past, present and future:

“May Allah, the Exalted, be with him, reward him in abundant measure, have mercy on him, ease up for him his circumstances of hardship and anxiety and eliminate his anguish and grief. May He grant him freedom from every single hardship and lay open for him the ways of [achieving] his cherished goals, and raise him up, on the Day of Judgment, among those of His servants who are the recipients of His Blessings and Mercy. May He be their Guardian in their absence until after their journey comes to an end. O Allah! O Sublime One and Bestower of bounties, the Ever Merciful and One Who Resolves all problems, do grant all these prayers, and grant us victory over our opponents with scintillating signs, because You alone have all the prowess and power. Ameen! Ameen!” (Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, p.342)

It should therefore be abundantly clear that Jalsa Salana is not an everyday gathering or event. There are many among you who work tirelessly in assisting preparations for this extraordinary assembly so as to welcome the many more who travel thousands of miles, sometimes through astonishing hardships, to witness the historic invocations of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih [atba]. Every word spoken is underlined by Allah’s guarantee to the believers that He will increase their knowledge, every person we meet gives us the opportunity to establish new friendships or renew old ones and every prayer that we submit to Allah in congregation or collective Tahajjud attracts greater reward.

As we move forward in the second century of Khilafat, far from merely celebrating Allah’s blessing on the Jama’at over the previous 100 years, great challenges lie ahead of us. I ask you, my dear brothers, to take the opportunity of Jalsa Salana 2009 to rekindle your spiritual faith, revitalise your desire to increase the brotherhood among each other and refresh your determination to be at the forefront of delivering to the world the glorious message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad [saw] as rejuvenated by the Promised Messiah [as] both through action and words. May Allah make it so and bless you all profoundly.

Ameen.

Yours humbly,
Tommy Kallon
Sadr Majlis Khuddamul AhmadiyyaUK