Kerala Jalsa 2023: Announcement

In a recent communication with members, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Kerala officially announced the reception of approval for the forthcoming 14th Jalsa Salana programme at the historic Noor’ul Islam Masjid, Mathra on December 26, 27, 28 & 29. In a recent letter to the Amir-Jamaat, Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Raother Saheb, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius also agreed to address the gathering via YouTube on the last day of the Jalsa programme, i.e., Friday, the 29th December 2023, Insha Allah.

The formation of the Kerala Jamaat, as well as the annual Jalsa programme at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid-Mathra has vital importance in the spiritual lives of the believers in India. For in the annals of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, the Kerala Jamaat is one of the early Jamaats to evolve among the believers outside of Mauritius. With the official establishment of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in the year 2008 after a few years of shaping up in the island-nation, the light of Tawheed emanating from the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius spread in the Indian state of Kerala; a number of brothers courageously declared their intention to recognize the spiritual claims of Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) and took the Bai’at at Alappuzha, Alhamdulillah. 

Sahih Al Islam in Kerala

The spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent has great antecedents in Kerala. For, Islam is said to have reached the shores of Kerala during the very lifetime of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). One of the oldest Mosques, outside of Arabia, is in Kerala. And during the lifetime of the Promised Massih (as) also, there were Bai’ats made in Kerala. Hence, it is interesting and instructive to note that during the very lifetime of the present Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, the Mujaddid of the 15th century of Islam; people in Kerala once again got the blessing of first recognizing the messenger of Allah of their era, Allah-u-Akbar!

Noor’ul Islam Masjid- Mathra

 

Originally built in the early years of the 15th century Hijri- in the second half of the 1980’s- by Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Raother Saheb of Mathra as a spiritual space of pure Tawheed- away from the prevailing Sunni Muslim doctrinal impurities and associated ritualistic practices bordering on Bid’ah and Shirk in the village- and for deep meditation and Divine invocations in seclusion; the modest and remarkably unostentatious prayer room became the hub of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya  activities once Jamaluddin Saheb became the first person from the village to embrace the spiritual mission of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, in February 1988. Almost two decades later, with decadence and materialism eating into the vitals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Qadian as an institutional empire, and Allah (swt) manifesting His Divine Will by raising an Elect in the shores of Africa, Jamaluddin Raother Saheb once again adjusted his spiritual lens and embraced the new Divine Manifestation in Mauritius; the first man of his people to recognize the spiritual claims and take Bai’at at the hands of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba).

In October 2010, with the acceptance of the spiritual claims of Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) as the Mujaddid/Muhyiuddin of the present era [the 15th century of Islam], and with the establishment of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International in Kerala; for the third time in 40 years, the Mathra ‘Noor’ul Islam Masjid’- a name blessed and chosen by Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba)- renewed its spiritual mission of pure Tawheed. 

Speaking on 23 July 2011 at the inauguration of the renovated Noor’ul Islam Masjid-Mathra, Hazrat Saheb (aba) noted:  ‘Indeed you may not see it now as historical, but others after you shall see it as an historical occurrence and Mosque. Indeed, your children, and their children and their children shall profit from the blessings which you have now contributed to the propagation of Deen-i-Islam. Always attach yourself firmly to Tawheed, never let go of Tawheed…A Mosque built for Allah must be a pure sanctuary where the believers derive the blessings of Allah, and not otherwise…’

It is instructive to note in this context that during the early days of the Kerala Jamaat, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) received a very pertinent revelation from Allah:

‘Tell them O My Messiah: 'The richness of faith is found in a pure heart, true dedication to the cause of Allah and obedience to you as My representative and beloved Messenger of this era.' Allah is pleased that such endeavours have been made by your disciples in Kerala to recognise you as My Messenger and the message brought by you to the world. Your humble prayers have been graced with divine attention. The Hands of Allah was over their hands, reaffirming their belief in you.

Tell them: 'Never let go of the rope of Allah, never turn your backs to the signs you received and the oath of allegiance you took, for then neither Allah nor the angels nor any living human or any creature can ever help you against Allah.'

Approval has come from your Lord, thus, make them close to you, as brethren of the same mother and advise them so that they may achieved spiritual insight and come closest to Allah. The Mighty and Wise is ever Watching. All Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.’ --- (Received late at night on Friday 08 October 2010)

The purpose of Jalsa

 

Jalsa Salana (Annual Conference) is an occasion for the believers to come together, to meet and greet all brothers, sisters and children in the community; to pray collectively for those who went ahead of us in their final journey to Allah; to grow in spirit, learning about Deen-e-Islam - a true celebration of the blessings of Tawheed in the company of, and in solidarity with, other believers- our folks. More than a century back, while making the announcement of the Jalsa Salana- programme of annual spiritual gathering of all disciples and followers in Qadian-, the Promised Messiah (as) stated: ‘The primary purpose of this Convention is to enable every sincere individual to personally experience religious benefits; They may enhance their knowledge and – due to their being blessed and enabled by Allah, The Exalted – their perception [of Allah] may progress. Among its secondary benefits is that this congregational meeting together will promote mutual introduction among all brothers, and it will strengthen the fraternal ties within this Community.’ (Ishtihar 7 Dec. 1892, Majmoo`ah Ishtiharat Vol. I, Page 340).

Speaking on 09 December 2018 at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid- Mathra, our beloved Imam (aba) called our attention to the importance and blessings of the Jalsa Salana Programme in the Jamaat; explaining the duties and responsibilities of all sincere believers to participate in the spiritual programme, stated:

 

‘...everybody should make the necessary efforts to come and meet in one brotherhood. Learn Islam together; share your experiences and your knowledge without any animosity. Be like brothers of one same set of parents, but without the brotherly brawl (quarrel). Listen to the Holy Qur’an and its explanations, the Hadiths and speeches. Learn and try to imbibe these teachings in you. And those delivering those speeches also should comply to what they are saying and become like a role model for others to follow. Be pious, and not corrupted human beings.

 

Bear in mind my dear ones, you have come forward today in one brotherhood, you the new buds of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. Now, it is for you to bloom in beautiful flowers in the garden of Allah. For this, Taqwa, and a committed feeling and intention to Islam is very important, and what is also important is implementing those good intentions into action and bringing the Jamaat of Allah further towards the fulfilment of our mission, to reunite mankind under the banner of the Tawheed (i.e. the unity of Allah), and be truly submissive to Allah. Insha-Allah.

 

Therefore, my dear followers, follow the advices of the Promised Messiah (as) and this humble self the Khalifatullah of this era. I could not have better explained the need for you to save your money, little by little, so that it does not become a burden for you at the time when it is needed for you to spend in the way, and this included saving your finances to attend such an annual spiritual gathering which shall bring you lots of blessings.

 

As the Khalifatullah, it is my duty to encourage my disciples to preserve the Sunnah of our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and also the practices of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as).

 

May Allah bless our Jalsa Salanas in an exceptional way like He did during the lifetime of the Promised Messiah (as). May each one of you taste the exquisite love and nearness of Allah and stay close to Him, come what may, till your last breath on earth. Insha-Allah, Ameen.’

 

May Allah (swt) indeed enable all our brothers, sisters and children to benefit from the Blessings of Faith, and may this Jalsa Salana programme turn out to be a mighty success, Insha Allah, Aameen.

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