Published on Sep 30 2009 by Tommy Kallon, Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

Honoured Guests, My Dear Brothers Khuddam and Atfal,

Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.

I take this opportunity to extend a warm and personal welcome to you all in my capacity as Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK.

Since my appointment to this exalted office, I have had the honour and pleasure of touring the country, meeting and addressing Khuddam and Atfal at various events and gatherings. Today, as I stand before the largest assembly of the Majlis I have ever addressed, I am delighted to see a galaxy of Khuddam and Atfal congregated here today, determined to excel in mind, body and spirit. Determined, I might add, to excel not just in today’s victories, but in fact tomorrow’s. I will speak more about that in a few moments.

Today, I want to speak to you about Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya and its celestial rank. I want to speak to you about your responsibilities in this regard. I pray that these serve both as a cause for reflection and an impetus for action.

Speaking of action, it certainly seems from this morning’s football that the recent experience at the National Football Tournament of playing in the hometown of the world’s most successful, skilful and consistent football club, that is, Premiership and World Club Champions, Manchester United, inspired the regional teams to play with skill and passion.

Though I begin with humour, there is a more serious point here. Reflect for moment on a footballer’s pursuit of both the great glory of victory and that elusive moment that turns to uncontrollable cheer as the ball struck with conviction now glides into the back of the net.

It is that momentary ecstasy which every player on the pitch struggles for. And struggle they have. From childhood, many wanted nothing more than to be professional footballers. As children, they collected and swapped panini stickers of their favourite players; played in all season – the wind, the rain and the snow. They dressed like their heroes, acted like their icons, attending trial after trial in the hope of being discovered. Of thousands of seekers only a handful would be victors, who then gave up everything for their passion.

Whilst I certainly do not agree with many of the lifestyle choices of footballers, their commitment to their passion is something that we can learn from. They train until their bodies could endure no more, gladly sacrifice their sleep, their social lives and perhaps even the very sentiments towards a team they may have supported their whole lives.

Despite the inherent weaknesses of their value system, they doggedly pursue their aspirations, no matter how remote the possibility of success. As members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, as standard-bearers of a much greater ideal, their sacrifices and determination should, by comparison, be infinitesimal. In some cases it is, yet in some cases it is not. For, by my estimation, we have three types of Khuddam in our Majlis. We have:

1.    Khuddam who make things happen;
2.    Khuddam who watch things happen; and
3.    Khuddam who wonder what the hell just happened.
 
In the first category, there are many Khuddam both within and outside of the team that organised this Ijtema who, with minimum encouragement, have offered tremendous services to Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya and to the cause of Allah. Guided by the glorious Qur’an, the most beautiful example of the Holy Prophet (saw), the precepts of the Promised Messiah (as) and a Divinely-inspired Khilafat, these Khuddam are true to both their pledge and to their Bai’at. They invest time away from their families, friends, workplaces and educational establishments. They employ their wealth in the service of Allah’s religion and creatures.  Most of all, they spend their nights in deep earnest supplication to the Divine. They have discovered that the permanence of Allah’s succour and the blessings of the great chalice of truth entrusted by our beloved Master Hadhrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw), to the Promised Messiah (as), the Holy Founder of this Divine Jama’at, is the most magnificent of trophies. Unlike the footballer and the elusive football deal, they have realised that Allah’s Providence is available to every Khadim in equal measure because the grace of Allah is infinite. They are cloaked in the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as) and are shadowed by the canopy of Allah’s mercy.  The success of this Ijtema and every single Khuddam event is a testament to their dedication and is immutable evidence that Allah’s support is with them. Devoted servants of Islam, Ahmadiyyat and Khilafat, they are always in my prayers. May Allah bless them profoundly.

Yet despite the accolade I confer on these loyal servants and the reward that I pray Allah gives them for their endeavours, the success and progress of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya cannot be attributed to their efforts. It is, in fact, Allah’s grace and the blessings of Khilafat that are the key to the tremendous success of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya.

As Hadhrat Musleh Maud (ra), that visionary of inestimable proportions, who established Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, once remarked:

“It is Allah's promise that He will make you grow, give you success and through you will raise the name of Islam and the Holy Prophet (saw). Remember God’s promise is never false. Even if the whole world gets together and tries against it even then God’s word will be fulfilled and will surely be fulfilled. So keep faith in the promise of God and do not think that day is far when the whole world gathers under the flag of the Holy Prophet(saw). (Al Fazl, 1st November 1959)

The continued success of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK is a rolling testament to Allah’s promise of victory for Islam. When Hadhrat Musleh Maud (ra) addressed Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, the UK Jama’at itself, never mind its youth wing, was in the rudimentary stages of its development. Yet it was Allah’s design that Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK would be destined for greater things.

When in 1984, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ru) miraculously escaped from the enemies of truth in Pakistan who conspired to challenge the Will of Allah and the promise of Hadhrat Musleh Maud (ra), it was Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK that was called to the service of the Khalifa. From the preparation of Huzur’s residence to assuming Huzur’s security detail, Khuddam stood first and stood tall. Under the tutelage of Khilafat, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK was to become the backbone of the UK Jama’at.

When in 1989, Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ru) approved the new constitution of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, the UK, like all other countries outside of Pakistan, went from being a Qiadat with a National Qaid to a Majlis-e-Mulk with its own Sadr. Under Rafiq Ahmad Hayat Sahib, our first Sadr and now of course Ameer UK, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK would grow into an increasingly active and organised group of young men, that would play a significant part in the 1989 Ahmadiyya Jama’at Centenary celebrations, pioneer career seminars and organise a groundbreaking charity cycle marathon from Bradford to London which saw the service to humanity by young Muslims become a benchmark for every other Muslim community in Britain.

As Ameer Sahib entered Majlis Ansarallah, a youthful Sayed Ahmad Yahya Sahib was appointed Sadr Majlis. The challenges presented by the major influx of people from Pakistan which now began arriving in the UK were met head on as the humanitarian endeavours by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK intensified. When there was genocide in Bosnia, it was the members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK who risked their lives driving aid trucks into war torn regions and with that, a new era of service to humanity was pioneered that would lay the foundations of Humanity First, a humanitarian organisation of global magnitude.

It was also in this very period that, at the height of the civil war in my native Sierra Leone, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK organised an aid container full of food, clothing, medical supplies and even artificial limbs to Freetown. This container arrived at the Mission House in Freetown where a host of Ahmadis had taken refuge just as the city came under its heaviest bombardment and all supplies were cut off. As Allah willed, the aid sent by Majlis Khuddumul Ahmadiyya UK was to be the source of sustenance for these local Ahmadis including members of my immediate family for days. Even though I was instrumental in facilitating that aid container back then, yet I remain indebted to Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK for this.

Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK was clearly evolving into a well organised, structured and inclusive tool for the propagation of true Islam and just as the need to Tabligh in Europe became a priority, a young, stocky and outspoken Irish man with a passion for Tabligh, Ibrahim Noonan Sahib, was appointed Sadr Majlis after Ahmad Yahya Sahib and, under his Sadarat, Tabligh stalls became a common sight across the country. Hyde Park’s Speakers Corner was regularly dominated by members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and its reach beyond the UK’s borders became unstoppable. Groundbreaking Tabligh excursions were sent to Iceland, Ireland and the Isle of Man.

When Ibrahim Noonan Sahib was appointed as missionary in-charge for Ireland, Mirza Fakhar Ahmad Sahib, a descendant of the Promised Messiah (as) and a masterful administrator became Sadr Majlis. This was the time for Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK to demonstrate its maturity. It was a Sadarat that began the greatest shock and most significant challenge to befall the Majlis when our beloved Imam Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ru) passed from this world to the next. Within hours of his passing, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK was called to task – to organise the mourners, to assume security detail, to undertake Waqar-e-Amal and despite the intense sadness and sense of personal grief at the loss of a father-like Khalifa that they had grown up with, Khuddam stood tall and steadfast and discharged all of the many responsibilities assigned to them, many of which they had no previous experience of.  When the time for the election of the new Khalifa came, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK was once again an instrumental part of the organisational machinery. And if that Sadarat began with a challenge, it also ended with one in the form of the Khilafat Centenary celebrations last year where, for the best part of a year Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, were called upon to play a significant role in the organisation and hosting of many key events.

My dear brothers! A full review of our history would run into volumes and is beyond the scope of this address. I have attempted only a cursory glance to demonstrate here that, in its short history and under the tutelage of my illustrious predecessors, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK has continually made progress at each twist of the kaleidoscope.

However, no one should be under the illusion that the success of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK can be attributed to these or any one individual. Make no mistake about this, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK is destined to progress irrespective of who is serving it. It is because of Allah’s promises in the Holy Qur’an and the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as) and his Khulafa that Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK is what it is today.

I know from my own personal experience in my brief tenure as Sadr Majlis that it the grace of Allah that is sustaining and carrying Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and we are merely the conduit for the fulfilment of Allah’s Divine purpose. It is, in fact, a great Divine bounty that He presents us with the opportunity to serve His cause while success is guaranteed by His own promise.

The Promised Messiah (as) has commented on this in the following terms:

“I tell you truly that if all of you should desert me and should hold back from service and help, He will create another people who will render Him, the needed services. Be sure that all this is from heaven and your service is for your own good, so let no pride enter your heart, nor should you imagine you are helping financially or otherwise. I tell you again and again, God is in no need of your service, and it is His grace upon you that He provides you with an opportunity to serve.” (Essence of Islam Vol. IV, p.254. Majmu’ah Ishtiharat Vol 3 pp.496-499)

So for those Khuddam who either watch things happen or, worse still, wonder what is going on, I can say with impeccable confidence that Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, like this Divinely instituted Jama’at, is destined to succeed whether you come forward to its service or not. As our Most Respected Ameer Sahib noted in his inaugural address yesterday, mosques around the UK will get built whether or not individual members of the Jama’at contribute financially to them or not. By the same token, the vanguard of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK will march forward to it ultimate destiny whether or not individual Khuddam came forward to its service. This is the victory which I alluded to at the start of my address and it is to share in this sweet victory that I invite you all greater service of the Jama’at through Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. Do not ever fall under the illusion that you are doing anyone or the Majlis a favour by your participation. On the contrary, you should consider it an honour and a privilege to be counted among Khuddamul Ahmadiyya – the Servants of Ahmadiyyat.

It represents the best training ground for the future leadership of the Jama’at which we will inherit from our elders. For the sake of our ancestors who made tremendous sacrifices in the cause of Ahmadiyyat and by virtue of which many of us are here today; for the sake of our progenies and our duties towards them; for our own salvation, let us seize the opportunity to serve the cause of the Jama’at and to be included among the helpers of the Promises Messiah (as).

Situated on the seat of Khilafat and in close proximity to the Khalifa of the time, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK must, in our dedication and devotion to Khilafat, lead the way for all other Majalis. Listen to the discourses of Hadhrat Ameerul Mumineen (atba) and let your love for Khilafat lead you to its absolute obedience.

The Holy Qur’an states:

“Surely virtues drive away evils.” (Ch.11:V.115)

We live in a society steeped in immorality and irreligion. The evil and unhealthy influences that cause us to slip are many and real. This verse gives us the assurance that by following up our wrongdoings with righteous deeds we will be not only overcome them but we will be safeguarded against their evil consequences. The more virtue we practice, the more secure we will be against the evil consequences of our misdeeds.

And if this society is morally and spiritually bereft, then it also has many blessing and values. The access to the finest educational institutions, the wealth of resources such as libraries, museums and media are available to us. We must avail ourselves of these to enhance our secular and religious knowledge giving us both the courage and conviction to contribute meaningfully to society and affect change in the world for the better.

The freedom to practice and propagate your religion in this Western society is a value our brothers in other parts of the world can only dream of. Having migrated to the UK away from persecution, to be close to Khilafat, it would be a travesty if you get caught up in the vain pursuit of materialism or benefit fraud and fail to profit from the beacon of light that is Khilafat. As the Bible would say, ‘What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?’ (Mark 8:36)

The founding father of our Majlis, Hadhrat Musleh Maud (ra), outlined our purpose as follows:

“Our young men need to develop strength of will and devotion. This is what I am bringing toward the attention of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya. The reason for the existence of (Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya) is so it would create more strength of will and devotion in young men.”  (17th December 1954. Published Al-Fazl, 22 December 1954)

That devotion must serve as a catalyst for bringing change both within ourselves and in the world around us. At a time when morality is conspicuous only by its absence, when the world’s financial institutions have collapsed under the weight of injustice, when the configuration of world power is sowing the seeds of tension and disaffection, Ahmadiyyat in Islam remains the only salvation for mankind. It is our duty to change the perspective of Islam in the world today, and usher humankind to a new world instituted and guided by the Promised Messiah and Mahdi (as).
 
My dear brothers, in a society tainted by self-indulgence and depravity, if we are to remain the guardians of Islam and benefactors of Allah’s mercy and protection, our pledge can never become a mere credo of convenience.  It cannot be enough to simply profess: “There is none worthy of worship except Allah” yet not be engaged in His worship.  We cannot guarantee Allah’s mercy by frequently repeating his pious formulae yet disregard the moral change necessitated by them.  

The conditions of Bai’at set out by the Promised Messiah (as) impose upon us a great responsibility. He admonished:

“Let me make it absolutely clear that a mere verbal pledge has no value if it is not supported by a genuine and firm resolve to live up to it in every way. Therefore, whoever fully lives up to my teaching, he alone enters that house of mine with reference to which God Almighty has promised, “I shall Myself protect all those who are in this house.” (Essence of Islam Volume IV page 255. Kashti-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain vol 19 pp.10-14)
For the theme of this Ijtema, I decided upon Salaat and I would be remiss in my duty here if I did not touch upon this topic. The Promised Messiah(as) instructed:

“So all ye people, counted as members of my Community! In heaven you shall be counted members of my following only when in all truth you actually begin to advance on the paths of righteousness. Offer your five daily obligatory prayers with such concentration and awe of mind as though you were seeing God in front of you, with your physical eyes.” (Our Teachings, p.7)

In response to this call from the Promised Messiah (as), hold fast unto prayers. Pray profusely; pray earnestly. For when the tumult and joy of this Ijtema has been and gone, when the lights are extinguished and when the clear-up is done, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya will be left with the stark reality of our future custodianship of Islam and stewardship of Ahmadiyyat. This is our purpose, this our destiny. Seek the grace and mercy of Allah through prayer so that when the time comes we are ready to assume the leadership of the Jama’at from our elders and carry this Jama’at forward till we hand over to posterity. Cloaked by the prayers of our Khulafa, render relentless services and sacrifices with unyielding purpose so that we bring nigh the time when Jama’at Ahmadiyya will seize the day.

In closing, I would remind you once again that the success of Ahmadiyyat, under the Divine leadership of Khilafat is guaranteed. No man, woman or child, no earthly power, no military machine, no Trojan horse or force of nature can derail its momentum or delay its destination. Ahmadiyyat, my dear brothers, is a train that will certainly arrive.

Therefore, my brothers Khuddam and Atfal, congealed by the truth of our faith, bonded by the love of our beloved Master, Hadhrat Aqdas Muhammad Mustafa (saw) and cemented to our unhindered belief in the Promised Messiah (as), stand up and be counted the true servants of Ahmadiyyat. For Khuddamul Ahmadiyya is more than a name. I say this with conviction in my heart and passion in my voice, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya is a Divinely-instituted body that ranks higher than all worldly organisations. The role it plays, therefore, in this interdependent world and global community has to match its celestial rank. We must cross borders to spread the Islam of peace, the Islam of truth and the Islam of justice and in doing so I am convinced that Allah’s grace will banish the hatred, disbelief and fear of many of the misguided. We must bring hope, guidance and enlightenment to this country and to a world bereft of values, in desperate need of salvation and in search of truth.

My dear brothers Khuddam and Atfal, we have not just reached the end of a century of Khilafat, we have begun a new one. A century with greater responsibilities and immense challenges for us; a century of significant victories and abundant reward for us. This will be the century when flag of Islam flies higher in the world; this will be the century when the torch of Ahmadiyyat shines brighter in the world; this will be the century of salvation and enlightenment; and Insha’Allah, under the stewardship of our beloved Khalifa, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK shall lead it.

May Allah make it so and bless you all profoundly.

Thank you for having me. Wassalamu Alaikum.