The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at Nigeria, through its School of Theology otherwise known as Jamiatul Mubashireen Ilaro Ogun State has graduated nineteen (19) new set of missionaries.
The convocation ceremony came up at the institution’s playground and has in attendance Dr. Mashhud Adenrele Fashola, the Amir (Head) of the Muslim organization who was the chairman of the occasion.
11 Nigerians, seven (7) Beninese and one Cameroonian make up the graduating list. The young missionaries were between the ages of 20 and 25 years old. Two of them successfully completed the memorization of the Holy Qur’an within the four years of academic study.
In his goodwill message, the Supreme Head of Ahmadiyya Community worldwide Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (May Almighty God be his helper) urged the graduands to carry out missionary duties with all sense of humility, modesty and with the fear of Almighty God. Being a life devotee, the global head enjoined the missionaries to fulfill the mission of the Promised Messiah (as), the founder of the community, which is to spread the true message of the Holy Prophet.
‘’This pledge you have made of devoting your entire lives in the cause of Islam is not an insignificant matter. Having studied the Holy Qur’an over a long period, you are well aware of the importance of fulfilling pledges and so remember that you will certainly be called to account by Allah the Almighty, regarding the fulfillment of your pledge as a life devotee,’’ he stated.
In their efforts to succeed in Missionary activities, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V advised: ‘’it is of paramount importance that you develop a strong and everlasting bond with Allah by being diligent in your Salat (prayer). Unless you have a deep personal connection with Allah you will be unable to realize your pledge of giving precedence to your faith over all worldly matters, and then you will not be able to fulfill your duty of bringing others closer to Allah.’’
‘’You must constantly self – assess and increase your knowledge in the subjects you have studied and also those that you have not. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said that the pursuit of knowledge should continue throughout one’s life. Hence besides paying attention to your worship, you must reflect upon the deeper meaning of the Holy Qur’an and study its commentary. You should continue reading the books of the Promised Messiah every day as they offer the best interpretation of the Holy Qur’an. You must also endeavour to raise the spiritual and moral standards of the members of the Community.’’
‘’Remember that genuine faith and devotion requires a person to willingly invoke the demise of his personal ego. Certainly, every missionary of the community must seek to attain such standards and be prepared to sacrifice his own honour for the sake of his faith. You must be willing to bear all forms of hardship because only then will you be in a position to guide and reform others. Only then will you be ready to call people towards the truth.’’
‘’By the Grace of Allah, those young missionaries who have graduated from our Schools of Theology in various countries in the past few years have been a source of much comfort for me and are acting as my constant helpers. It is a cause of happiness for me to see them serving in this way and I hope and pray that this graduating class will also prove to be excellent and worthy servants of Ahmadiyya Community,’’ His Holiness submitted.
Dr. Fashola, while addressing the graduands, advised them to be perfect morally and spiritually before preaching to the people. He also urged the new missionaries to be dynamic and desist from laziness and idleness.
‘’You must be ready to serve Allah anywhere and don’t look for comfort. Endeavour to redeem your pledge as a life devotee. As a true servant of Allah, do not fear anyone. Nothing will happen to you except with the permission of Allah. You must reach the highest level of humility and have a strong connection with God,’’ Amir said.
The Missionary Incharge Maulvi Afzaal Ahmad Rauf emphasized that missionaries must be role models to all. That practical example in the matter of religion is very important in the life of a missionary otherwise it will be difficult to convince the disbelievers to the way of Allah.
Earlier, the Amir and his entourage visited the Exhibition center where the Holy Qur’an, Hadith, commentaries, and books written by the Promised Messiah (as) and the Khulafah (Successors to the Promised Messiah) were on display for guests in a bid to have in-depth knowledge of Ahmadiyya Community.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion are Mrs. Latifat Bolanle Ajayi, the newly elected member Ogun State House of Assembly; Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Ilaro Division represented by Superintendent Oni Abdul Waheed; Obaladi of Afon Land Adetona Busari whose son was among the graduating students; Engr. Abdul Waheed Adeoye, leader of the Elders Forum (Majlis Ansarullah); and Mrs. Taofeeqah Fagbolade, leader of the Women Wing (Lajna Imaillah).
