Published on Jul 07 2009 by Tommy Kallon, Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK

Respected Regional Amir, Members of Majlis-e-Amila, Honoured Guests, Dear Brothers Ansar, Khuddam and Atfal!
 
Assalamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu.
 
It gives me great pleasure to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to our Respected Regional Qaid South West, Muhammad Noman Sahib, and the members of his administration for successfully hosting this National Cricket Tournament. Let there be no doubt that this is a phenomenal accomplishment for the South West Region. Their membership is the smallest in Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and yet in terms of geographical dispersion their region is the largest. It is, therefore, a remarkable achievement for this Region to host what is one of the most popular events on our sporting calendar and they deserve our special prayers.
 
After that, I must obviously congratulate my dear friend and brother, Respected Mohtamim Sehat-e-Jismani, Farooq Mirza Sahib and all the versatile members of his department for the successful delivery of yet another national event. Farooq knows me, perhaps, more than anyone else in Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK and is only too aware of my high standards and utmost commitment to quality and excellence. I am not surprised, therefore, that he and his team have gone on to deliver increasingly successful national sporting events. Any national event requires a lot of effort over many weeks to organise so I thank them for all their hard work and request you all to remember them in your prayers.
 
My dear brothers! A most humbling event took place two Friday Sermons ago when our Beloved Huzur (atba) mentioned, as an example to the whole world, the way I and the members of Majlis-e-Amila, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK responded to Huzur’s (atba) gentle rebuke in our Mulaqat with him as to the diligence with which the members adhered to Huzur’s (atba)  admonitions. The more I reflect upon the gracious words used by Huzur (atba) in the course of his Friday Sermon, the more I am humbled by them. Quoting from Al Islam Archive Sermons, “Huzur said
 
A few days ago I had a meeting with the Amila of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK. During this, at some point, I told them that you do not put my advice into practice. Afterwards, Sadr Sahib Khuddamul Ahmadiyya came to see me and was overcome with emotion. He apologised in writing and said that from now on we will always obey you in every respect. Similarly, the members of his Amila also wrote me letters of apology.  Such is the connection of the Khalifa of the time and the Community that it fills one with praise and gratitude of God. In this materialistic age and in this materialistic part of the world there are people, who are endowed with worldly education and are engaged in worldly employments but still demonstrate complete sincerity devotion to religion and their love of Khilafat. This is only because the Promised Messiah (as) has taught us ways to develop a connection with God. Our worship is – and indeed should be – purely for the sake of God. Our worship and prayers draw our attention to our responsibilities towards Allah and His creation. Other Muslims are deprived of this.”
 
These were the generous and loving words, Huzur (atba) used to acknowledge our response in front of a live audience of millions worldwide. The following day during his address to Majlis-e-Shura of Jama’at Ahmadiyya UK, Huzur (atba) made another reference to this when he alluded to the fact that some people take the words of the Khalifa very lightly but “as I said in my sermon yesterday, look how the Khuddam responded to me saying they do not follow my instructions.”
 
While our hearts remain in humble prostration at the threshold of Allah for this enormous honour for which we are truly unworthy, we must never forget the fact that this did come about as a result of a concern expressed by Huzur Aqdas (atba) and, for those of you who were not privy to what was said in the meeting, that it was in fact to do with Sehat-e-Jismani, that is, health and fitness.
 
I am made to understand that Huzur had been admonishing the members of Majlis-e-Amila about their general fitness and this is what Huzur Aqdas (atba) referred to in our recent Mulaqat when he said words to the effect that he has been advising the members in this regard but no one appears to be heeding his advice. Now, I say “I am made to understand” because as you know I only returned to Majlis-e-Amila, Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK as Sadr Majlis this Khuddam year and I was not privy to whatever admonitions Huzur (atba) may have made before. This, perhaps, is one reason why Allah blessed our efforts because I decided that regardless of when Huzur (atba) may have admonished us, the fact that he now expressed some concern, we as an Amila must respond by immediately passing a Resolution re-affirming our loyalty and devotion to Khilafat, promising to be foremost in our response to Khilafat and also by writing individual personal letters of apology.
 
Returning to the subject of Sehat-e-Jismani, one thing should be apparent from all this is that it cannot and should not be treated as an adventitious extra. When I highlighted the need for regular exercise to Majlis-e-Amila in an email memorandum earlier this year, I reminded them that we have in Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya a department named “Sehat-e-Jismani” and that we should take our cue from that. It was with great wisdom that Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), under Divine guidance, created this department within our Majlis.
 
It is the teaching of the Holy Prophet (saw) that for the spiritual progress of the soul, it is important to look after one’s physical health. According to Islam and nature, the body and the soul are intimately related and if proper attention is not paid to one little progress can be made. Whenever the Holy Prophet (saw) used to look in the mirror, he would supplicate, “O Lord, make my nature as pleasing as my body.” This not only shows that he took great care of his body but it also shows that in matters religious, the body is not inferior. Without the body, you cannot have a spiritual life. While it is important to take care of your soul, it is equally important to look after your body.
 
Therefore, on the occasion of this national tournament, I wish to appeal not just to you seated in front of me who are obviously from the sporting community within our Majlis but to all members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK to pay special attention to health and fitness. Excursions, recreation and exercise are very important for good health and they should be undertaken regularly even if only a short brisk walk daily. It is proven that the Holy Prophet (saw) used to race Hadhrat Aisha (ra) and it is related, on authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (ra), that the Holy Prophet (saw) used to walk so fast that his companions were always trying to catch up and keep up with him.
 
The Promised Messiah (as) one raced against a Sikh for the honour of Islam and beat him to lower his pride. Similarly, he used to exercise with weights. The Successors to the Promised Messiah (as) have also set us an excellent examples in their daily exercise. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (ru) even devoted to the subject a whole book, Steps to Exercise, published in English by Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK. Despite his manifold and variegated engagements, our Beloved Huzur (atba) undertakes regular exercise by way of his daily walks.
 
And if I can offer you the benefit of my own humble example, none of you can claim to have a more hectic and demanding schedule than I have yet, once a week, without fail, I take to the football pitch. My passion for football is well known by now but I tell you in all honesty I do this most definitely out of a need for exercise and as an outlet for stress release, rather than my love of the game.
 
My dear brothers, our numbers are small yet our challenges are many. If we are to convey the message of Ahmadiyyat to 10% of the UK population, an estimated six million people, as directed by Hadhrat Ameerul Mumineen; if we are to convey the message of Ahmadiyyat to the corners of the earth, it is vitally important that we keep fit and remain healthy.
 
It is my humble prayer that we the members of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK begin the reformation of our souls with the reformation of our bodies. May the continuous fountain of priceless advice for our spiritual health and the matchless instructions for our physical wellbeing contained in the teachings of Islam and the example of its Holy Founder (saw) and the lives of his illustrious and distinguished followers become a beacon to guide us along the path to a fit and healthy lifestyle.
 
May Allah bless all of you who have travelled down here to participate in this event and may He reward all those who worked tirelessly to make it a success.
 
Thanks for having me. Wassalamu Alaikum.