By Abdulbasit Oladejo
The Amir (National President) of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at Nigeria, Alhaji (Barr.) Abdul Azeez Alatoye Folorunso, has declared that the Jihad of the current age must be fought with intellectual discourse and moral excellence, not with aggression.
Addressing thousands of faithful during his Jumu’ah sermon on Friday, December 19, 2025, at the 71st Jalsa Salana Nigeria, the Amir directed the focus of the community toward the true spirit of peaceful propagation and the urgent need to adopt contemporary tools for the spread of Islam.
In a direct charge to the youth and professionals within the Jama’at, the Amir underscored the necessity of evolving with the times. While acknowledging the value of traditional preaching, he urged members to embrace modern technology, specifically highlighting social media platforms as vital tools to extend the message of the Promised Messiah (as) to a global audience, adding that an effective digital propagation must be rooted in deep spirituality.
Quoting guidance from the World Head of the Community, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Alhaji Alatoye emphasized that anyone involved in Tabligh must first maintain a sincere relationship with Almighty Allah. He also clarified that Islam does not permit aggression under any guise, noting that while some still wrongly perceive physical warfare as a means of propagation, the true teachings of Islam stipulate that war is permitted only in self-defense.
“The present-day Jihad of Muslims should be centered on intellectual discourse, moral excellence, and peaceful propagation,” he reaffirmed.
The Amir placed heavy emphasis on the power of personal conduct. He urged members to maintain exemplary behavior, noting that good character often attracts hearts even before words are spoken. He further advised on the need for patience and restraint when faced with hostility. Reminding the congregation of the blessed example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), he stated that foul words encountered during propagation should be met with kindness, composure, and gentleness, rather than retaliation.
Dispelling the notion that preaching is the sole preserve of appointed missionaries, the Amir declared that every member of the Jama‘at bears a collective responsibility to spread the message, stressing that to do this effectively, every propagator must attain a deep and meaningful understanding of the Holy Qur’ān. Sound knowledge, he reiterated, is what strengthens confidence and ensures the accurate representation of Islamic teachings.
The national president reminded the participants that Jalsa Salana is a sacred gathering devoted to peace, unity, and worship. He urged all attendees to avoid any form of discord and to display exemplary conduct throughout the convention.
