By Abdulbasit Oladejo
The Amir (National President) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Abdul Azeez Alatoye Folorunso, has charged serving missionaries to prioritize personal moral reformation, declaring that true propagation begins not on the pulpit, but within the community.
Addressing a congregation of Muballighīn and Mu‘allimīn (Missionaries) at the Rabwah Multipurpose Hall on Friday, December 19, 2025, the Amir set the tone for the 71st Jalsa Salana Tabligh Seminar by establishing an inseparable link between moral training (Tarbiyyah) and preaching (Tabligh).
In his keynote address, Alhaji Alatoye emphasized that effective propagation requires credibility. He noted that an individual’s conduct with their own relatives is the true indicator of their readiness to invite others into the Jama’at. According to him, drawing people to the faith must be preceded by personal reformation, as moral excellence strengthens the message being conveyed.
He described Tarbiyyah as the backbone of Tabligh, highlighting that discipline is an essential element of spiritual development. The primary objective of the seminar, he explained, was to reinforce the reality that without high moral standing, preaching lacks impact. He urged everyone involved to serve as living examples of Islamic values, noting that people are often influenced more by actions than by words alone.
While expressing appreciation for the sacrifices of the missionaries over the past year, the Amir cautioned against passivity. He encouraged every missionary to make deliberate, proactive efforts toward gaining new converts. He acknowledged that while guidance ultimately comes from Allah, sincere effort and proactive engagement are required from the missionaries to spread the message effectively.
Furthermore, the Amir called on the participants to actively embrace modern means of communication. He described social media platforms as a contemporary frontier for effective Tabligh and urged the missionaries to utilize these tools responsibly to extend the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat to wider audiences.
Concluding his address, Alhaji Alatoye admonished the missionaries to uphold the highest standards of decency and discipline within their homes and communities, reiterating that consistent moral integrity is the fuel for successful propagation.
The seminar concluded with participants expressing a renewed motivation to intensify their efforts, particularly through the adoption of the modern methods highlighted during the session.
