1The following is a translation by the Fazle Umar Foundation Rabwah, of a speech delivered by Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih II (ra) in 1952 on the 12th annual ijtema of Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya.
After the recitation of tashahhud, ta‘awudh and Surah Al-Fatihah, Huzoor said:
I am happy to announce that Khuddamul Ahmadiyya is organising its twelfth annual [ijtema]. This is the age of adolescence, [meaning to say] the phase of life where the first of the five stages of maturity begins. The second starts at 15 when a person can participate in jihad. The third stage begins in the eighteenth year as jihad becomes obligatory, and then at 21 a person attains ownership of their wealth and property in accordance with the [Islamic] sharia. The fifth [and final] stage of maturity starts at the age of 40—the time ordained by Allah Almighty for the appointment of His prophets.
Accordingly, this first year of your maturity has been marked by various hurdles and crises. Of all the uncertainty and critical moments [our] community has faced, the period between your eleventh and twelfth year has been the most fraught with peril. This movement has endured several cycles of cruelty and hardship in the past, but until now our members did not falter from the fear of oppression. Our enemies have exaggerated the numbers of those [who have exhibited weakness in recent times] and in my estimation they are no more than 50 or 60. Even the majority of those were quick to repent and there is hardly any one among them now who has not expressed embarrassment and remorse at [their actions]. Vulnerability is not a trait that is prevalent among believers. [Divinely inspired] communities ought to be strong enough to overcome such shortcomings.
The purpose [for creating] Khuddamul Ahmadiyya was that if ever the need for sacrifice arose, its members—not 99 from a hundred but all of them—would be ready to sacrifice everything for its sake. If this spirit is instilled in you then no one in the world can bring you harm and no earthly power can stand in your way. By the grace of God Almighty, the majority of [our community] reside in a country where the government adheres to principles of democracy and the fundamentals of Islam, and therefore, they work towards stifling tyranny and oppression as best they can. However, you will not always remain restricted to a single country. Your task is to pitch the standard of Islam everywhere in the world. Today there are countries where persecution is carried out in the name of religion. Violence is used to compel people to change their faith. It is your duty to ready yourselves to dwell in such places, so that when the time comes, you will not display any weakness.
Allah the Exalted has blessed the rulers of Pakistan with the opportunity to uphold justice and prevent iniquity in accordance with democracy and the teachings of Islam. We beseech God to safeguard it from that wretched day when persecution [in the name of religion] is perpetrated in its borders. Yet, to some extent, it is possible that acts of abuse and oppression are committed here. Elsewhere they most certainly will be. You must, therefore, ready yourselves for a time when your faith comes up against violent hostility. When this moment comes, many of you will pledge to give your lives and stand firm in your faith. But these are just words of emotion. In truth all things require time and preparation. Through the circumstances you have had to face this past year, Allah the Exalted has in the first year of your maturity sent you warnings, so that you can prepare yourselves for the perils and dangers that lie ahead.
From the reports I have received, it is evident that Khuddamul Ahmadiyya has worked tirelessly during the recent troubles. Allah the Exalted has enabled the organisation to give assistance to Ahmadis, bring relief to women and children and publish numerous advertisements. Though this is extremely pleasing it should not be a cause for complacency.
As I have already said, this is the first year of your maturity, but it should be remembered that not everyone is the same. Some people, even at the age of 20 still behave like children, while others achieve great things from their earliest youth. It remains to been seen whether in your twelfth year, your minds have developed sufficiently to face up to all possible danger.
Although in accordance with God’s commandment, believers look to protect their lives, but in a scenario whereby you had to choose between your life and your faith, how many of you would willingly and unhesitatingly sacrifice the former and deem it an obstruction between yourselves and God.
Allah the Exalted has given you warning. Now you should make firm your hearts and be prepared for imminent danger. One way of training yourselves is to make the best use of your time and immerse yourselves in tabligh and the service of humanity.
Hitherto, you have not made sufficient strides with regards to the latter. Whether it is in the aftermath of earthquakes or other similar calamities or during the jalsa and other gatherings you should, at the very least, meet the standards of organisations such as the Red Cross or the Boy Scouts. Indeed, you should be setting standards of excellence in this field which far exceed others. Let it be clear that by service to humanity, I do not mean tending to the needs of just Ahmadis or Muslims, rather I refer by this to helping all of God’s creation regardless of cast and creed to the extent that even if our enemies are in trouble help should be given to them. This is the true meaning of humanitarian service. Raise yourselves to a position whereby you know for certain that you will not falter with cowardice. Ready yourselves for this, but in accordance with Islamic principles. There are two essential means for this found in the world. First, to strengthen yourselves physically and materially. This was the method adopted by leaders such as Napoleon [Bonaparte], [Adolph] Hitler, Genghis Khan and Timur. Or secondly to purify and strengthen the soul. The world has seen its most manifest and exalted example in the sacred being of the Holy Prophet (sas). Thus instead of imitating the likes of Hitler, Napoleon, Genghis Khan and Timur, prepare yourselves in accordance with the exalted example of the Holy Prophet (sas). His example is a thousand times better than the joys of the world, and even to this day the angels shower praise on those who follow it.
(Alfazl, 01 November 1952)
1 In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. We praise Allah, the Exalted, the Greatest, and we invoke His blessings on His Holy Messenger (sas). [Publishers]