By Abdulawwal Intisor
Jalsa Salana, the Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is a sacred gathering where thousands of Muslims, both Ahmadi and non-Ahmadi, are highly welcomed and come together to worship Allah the Almighty. It’s a massive opportunity for Muslims, especially Ahmadi Muslims, to focus completely on their connection with Allah, the Creator of heaven and earth, in a way that is free from the distractions of worldly affairs. For over a century, this blessed gathering has been a cornerstone of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community globally, serving as a platform not only for learning and social interaction but, more importantly, for earnest prayer. The upcoming 70th Jalsa Salana in Nigeria is a special one, as it marks a platinum jubilee of this sacred gathering.
Jalsa Salana is a sacred gathering where all distractions of the world fall away. The hustle of daily life, whether work, family, or social obligations, takes a back seat for those few days. The sole purpose is to communicate with Allah through sincere prayer. The Promised Messiah (A.S.) once said, “Prayers are heard only when they are offered in perfect humility and concentration, and this requires a peaceful environment, free from distractions” (Ruhani Khaza’in, Volume 23, p. 436). This is exactly the atmosphere Jalsa provides—a sacred place where every single moment is dedicated to prayer and spiritual development.
The Jalsa Salana is structured to provide an environment that facilitates earnest prayer to the fullest. In line with the regular proceedings, prayers at Jalsa span all five daily prayers, including Tahajjud, performed daily, and silent prayers at the end of sessions. With the number of people waking up at dawn to offer Tahajjud prayer, one would feel ashamed not to join them in this congregation, including the daily prayers. There is no excuse for not observing the five daily prayers and Tahajjud.
Furthermore, most attendees of Jalsa Salana give testimonies of how their prayers at Jalsa are highly accepted and fulfilled by Allah. These are not just made-up stories but are shared by thousands of attendees. Therefore, knowing that praying at Jalsa is a rare gem and an opportunity for one’s prayers to be accepted, you wouldn’t want to miss this big opportunity. This realization convinces attendees to pray, which plays a role in making Jalsa a sacred gathering for earnest prayer.
To conclude, the Promised Messiah once wrote, “This gathering (Jalsa) will be devoted to the exposition of such truths and spiritual insight as are necessary for the promotion of faith and certainty and spiritual understanding.” As Jalsa attendees, we should all endeavor to make Jalsa a peaceful environment, as this will facilitate its core purpose of being a platform for earnest prayers.
