By Zainab Oladapo Abolaji
Jalsa Salana, the annual gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is a momentous occasion marked by spiritual rejuvenation, intellectual discourse, and communal harmony. To ensure a truly enriching experience for all attendees, consisting of Ahmadis from different spheres of life presenting themselves to serve their faith in a world engrossed in materialism, as well as guests from different parts of the country or the world at large. It is advisable to uphold the best of morals during these days.
The main purpose of Jalsa Salana is to achieve a strong relationship with Allah. Participants are encouraged to maintain a pious demeanour, avoiding idle chatter and disrespectful behaviour. During prayers and recitations, it is essential to listen attentively, keep silent, and focus on the spiritual significance of the moment while engaging in Zikr-Ilahi (remembrance of Allah). As the Promised Messiah had mentioned,
“…Always remember that during the Jalsa, the focus should not be on personal matters, but rather, all proceedings and programs should be listened to attentively, and even thereafter, most of the time should be spent in prayers and remembrance of Allah [zikr]. Join with the mindset that we are renewing our pledge of bai‘at in this spiritual atmosphere for two or three days so that our faith becomes stronger and stronger, and we grow in piety.” (Friday Sermon, 18 May 2012, Al Fazl International, 8 June 2012, p. 5)
Jalsa Salana is a gathering for spiritual revitalization and moral enlightenment among believers. Islam is such a perfect religion that provides a way to act in every circumstance that Islam goes ahead to teach us how to act when in a gathering. Allah mentions in the Holy Quran:
يٰۤاَ يُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْۤا اِذَا قِيْلَ لَـكُمْ تَفَسَّحُوْا فِى الْمَجٰلِسِ فَا فْسَحُوْا يَفْسَحِ اللّٰهُ لَـكُمْ ۚ وَاِ ذَا قِيْلَ انْشُزُوْا فَا نْشُزُوْا يَرْفَعِ اللّٰهُ الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْا مِنْكُمْ ۙ وَا لَّذِيْنَ اُوْتُوا الْعِلْمَ دَرَجٰتٍ ۗ وَا للّٰهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُوْنَ خَبِيْرٌ
“O ye who believe! When it is said to you, ‘Make room!’ in your assemblies, then do make room; Allah will make ample room for you. And when it is said, ‘Rise up!’ then rise up; Allah will raise those who believe from among you and those to whom knowledge is given, to degrees of rank. And Allah is well aware of what you do.”(Surah Al-Mujadila Ch58:12).
Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmood Ahmad mentions in the five-volume commentary;
“…as in the preceding verses the subject of holding an assembly was dealt with, it was in the fitness of things that the ethics and etiquette of an assemblage should also be pointed out and this has been done in the present verse.”
Respect and reverence for holy personages
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) are revered figures in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Demonstrating respect for them is paramount during Jalsa Salana as well as the holy persons of other religions. We are ambassadors of peace so we respect not only the revered in our religion but those of other religions too. As the Promised Messiah (as) mentioned in ‘A Message of Peace’ while inviting people of other religions to a truce;
“To consider something to be lawful is one thing, to utilize it is another. The spirit of piety requires that you abstain from whatever God has forbidden. To actually pursue the path of gaining His favour and to have the welfare of His creation at heart and to treat others with goodness and sympathy and to respect all the holy Prophets and Messengers from God, and to accept them as reformers and to not discriminate between them and to serve all mankind irrespective of denominations.”
The Khalifatul Masih (ATBA), the spiritual leader and worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is revered by all members. It is crucial to show utmost respect to the Khalifatul Masih (ATBA), both in person and through one’s actions and words. It is the responsibility of attendees to strive to implement the guidelines and teachings instructed by the Khalifatul Masih (ATBA) in their daily lives. As Ahamdis, obeying the instructions and guidelines of the Khalifatul Masih (ATBA) and praying for the longevity and guidance of the Khalifatul Masih (ATBA) is our utmost duty.
As attendees converge to promote peace, harmony, knowledge sharing, spiritual growth, and community building, observing certain etiquettes is essential to foster a positive and uplifting environment. Among these, respect, responsibility, and reverence stand out as fundamental principles guiding the behaviour and interactions of attendees. Moreover, reverence for the divine and the sacred purpose of Jalsa deepens participants’ relationship with Allah
Respect for fellow attendees
Respect is a linchpin of Jalsa Salana’s etiquette. It encompasses various aspects: respect for fellow attendees, guests, and speakers; respect at Jalsa Salana is dynamic; omnibus respect for individuals, traditions, and the paramount purpose of the gathering.
Respect for guests is paramount. Show appreciation for the time and effort invested by guests and speakers, listen attentively to speeches and sermons, avoid distractions such as mobile phone usage and refrain from any disruptive behaviour, adhere to seating arrangements, observe punctuality for prayers, promote a harmonious atmosphere and follow the instructions of volunteers, who work tirelessly to serve attendees. Patience in such situations is an emblem of respect. The Jalsa brings together participants from various regions, cultures, and backgrounds. Attendees are encouraged to treat one another with dignity, kindness, and compassion, recognizing their shared bond of faith or humanity.
The Promised Messiah (as) emphasized the importance of treating guests with kindness and respect. He was quoted to have said:
“Look, many guests have arrived, some you know and recognize and others you do not, so the proper thing for you is to show humility and consider everyone worthy of respect and honour, I am positively inclined towards you all and trust that you provide every comfort for the guests. Do serve them all to the best of your abilities.” (Malfuzat Volume 10, page 444).
Responsibility for all and one
Responsibility is another essential etiquette at Jalsa Salana. The first and foremost responsibility of everyone, especially those attending the Jalsa, is to pray for the success of the gathering. Among other responsibilities of the attendees are; listening attentively to the messages and teachings, deepening their understanding of Islam and strengthening their faith, taking care of personal belongings and complying with the rules and regulations, planning, arriving early to avoid congestion and parking challenges, participate in prayers, workshops, and spiritual activities to deepen faith and connection with Allah, obey the guidelines provided by organizers, volunteers, and security personnel to ensure a smooth and safe experience and being mindful of one’s actions, and participating in community service such as cleaning or volunteer work.
Taking responsibility for ensuring the comfort and well-being of guests is very important. The Promised Messiah (AS) mentioned:
“I always worry that no guest should suffer any kind of pain or difficulty. Indeed, I always keep advising and urging that as far as possible the guests should be provided every comfort”. (Malfoozat (Vol. 10, Page 444)
Reverence for the occasion
Reverence for the occasion and the guests is also vital. This includes being mindful of one’s behaviour and actions, and ensuring that they are respectful and dignified. Trying every of one’s possible best for the success of the occasion. The Holy Prophet (sa) admonished the Muslims about the reverence of guests saying;
مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلاَ يُؤْذِ جَارَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيُكْرِمْ ضَيْفَهُ، وَمَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ
“Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should not hurt his neighbour and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should serve his guest generously and whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day, should speak what is good or keep silent.”(Sahih al-Bukhari 6136)
In other words, the one who does not honour and respect the guest is weak in his belief in Allah and the Day of Judgment. It doesn’t stop there, refraining from unnecessary chatter, especially during speeches and prayers to maintain decorum is expected from every attendee to get the maximum expected benefit. As stewards of the Earth, it is our responsibility to treat the environment with care and adopt eco-friendly practices, acknowledging that cleanliness is an integral part of faith.
Being mindful of one’s behaviour and conduct
The Jalsa venue is regarded as a sacred ground during the convention; Jalsa Salana provides an opportunity to strengthen bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood within the community. Participants are expected to be of the highest moral conduct and it has always been our practice to impress people with our good conduct. As a religious gathering, every attendee is expected to dress modestly and appropriately, reflecting the dignity of the event.
By observing these etiquettes, we can create a positive and respectful atmosphere during Jalsa Salana, and demonstrate our commitment to the values of respect, responsibility, and reverence.
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS) highlighted the four main purposes of this convention are; to increase one’s communion with Allah the Almighty, to pray for those brothers who have passed away, to meet new members and increase in Brotherhood, to gain and increase in knowledge. In lieu of this attendees should demonstrate reverence through Observing Prayers: Punctuality in the five daily prayers, particularly the congregational prayers, and the supererogatory ones too, supplication (to seek forgiveness, guidance, and blessings from Allah). Attendees should try to actively participate in all sessions.
Conclusion,
Respect, responsibility, and reverence are not just etiquettes but the fundamental etiquettes that underpin the spirit of Jalsa Salana. Attendees should ensure that this annual convention remains a source of spiritual enlightenment, moral refinement, and communal harmony. By embracing these values, attendees can create a positive, respectful, and spiritually enriching experience for themselves and others. The lessons learned at Jalsa extend far beyond its three days, influencing attendees’ lives and interactions throughout the year. Thus, Jalsa Salana stands as a living testament to the transformative power of these key etiquettes in building a truly harmonious and spiritually enriched society. May Allah bless us all with the ability to practice these etiquettes with sincerity and devotion.
