Jalsa is once again upon us after a long, demanding year. How fast it comes and goes! Once more, Ahmadi Muslims will unite in this three-day convention to celebrate and strengthen community ties, to advance our spiritual relationship with Allah and learn more about Ahmadiyya.
The magnificence of the Jalsa Salana is that hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life walk, sit and eat amongst each other in complete equality. A doctor cannot be distinguished from a journalist; a mother cannot be distinguished from a teacher. We are all one, united by our common belief in Ahmadiyya. This equality is a likeness of the true teachings of Islam, in which no individual, but for righteousness, is superior to another regardless of worldly possessions or titles. Accentuating the concept of equality, it is written in the Quran (4:125): “But whoso does good works, whether male or female, and is a believer, such shall enter Heaven, and shall not be wronged.”
In a world where we are persistently judged by appearance and worldly qualities, Jalsa Salana succeeds consistently in providing a fresh perspective for us all to recognise that we are all a part of something much greater. Ultimately, we are all servants of God Almighty and thus our foremost motivation on this Earth should be to worship and glorify Him. It is easy to become preoccupied and focus on meaningless things in our daily lives, but after the three-day annual convention, Ahmadis are inspired to rejuvenate themselves and recommit themselves to the life of an Ahmadi Muslim by taking Bai’at at the hands of Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba).
Throughout these three blessed days, we should all aim to detach ourselves from daily routines and unhealthy lifestyles and concentrate on enhancing and refining our spirituality and becoming closer to one another. These are the qualities we should then keep with us and hold on to tightly after the Jalsa.
May Allah enable us all to take full advantage of this coming Jalsa.
Ameen.
By Aalia Qureshi, London
