The moment we repeat after Hazoor (atba) Ash’hadu’un’la’ilaha..( I bear witness there’s none worthy of worship except Allah) we enter into a new world. A world that lit us from dust, one of nothingness and wordless thoughts. 207 nations, people from every religion and dominion coming from different regions of the world have one thing in common: their heartaches, and it cannot be cured by drugs, sleep or games but only by seeing their beloved. His Holiness, Mirza Masroor Ahmad (atba), wearing the historic coat of the founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, takes the oath on his hand from the Ahmadis present at the Jalsa. Making chains through physical contact, the ba’ait ceremony is the symbolic representation of community’s strength and unity.
This is a community of spirits and people here pledge not to become prisoners but to surrender even more deeply to freedom and joy. They don’t want any reward for their submission but just want to be in the presence of their beloved Imam. Weeping and seeking forgiveness before Allah the Almighty, the ba’ait ceremony proves to be a source of spiritual upliftment as it brings new wonders and beauty to their souls.
Many Ahmadis renew their pledge by submitting completely to the will of God. Those newcomers experiencing it for the first time whirl with joy and then kneel down in praise as a true believer. Those who are considered worthless are valued. Those who are disowned are honoured. Those who are thirsty drink from the fountain of freshwater. The persecuted souls rejoice for what they have found. This is what the ba’ait ceremony is all about.
Though the whole Jalsa helps in spiritual enhancement, the ba’ait ceremony is remarkably the most memorable experience one could ever have and one to look forward to, no matter how many times it has been witnessed before.
By Ayesha Ahmad
