Excellence in Manners

If worldly people whose religion is not even in its original form are sacrificing their worldly affairs for the sake of their faith and do not show any kind of pliancy or cowardice, then how strong should be the faith of those who believe in the final and everlasting Shariah? The office-bearers [of the Jama’at] should pay a lot of attention to this, as I have observed that they are more prone to expressing such weakness. One should not be worried about the opposition, because it is opposition that opens new avenues for tabligh (outreach). (September 8, 2017).
Huzoor said he would also like to draw the attention of those who have been entrusted with Jama’at work, especially those departments tasked with reformation. They must carry out the work of reformation, treading extremely carefully and also with immense compassion and sympathy. No one should feel that their shortcomings have been exposed and revealed to others by any office-bearer. (March 31, 2017).
All office-bearers, particularly presidents and national presidents, must always treat the members of the Jama’at with great love and affection. They must remember that this office is purely due to the blessings of Allah the Almighty and they have no rightful claim to it. Therefore, they must discharge this trust which the Khalifa of the time has placed upon them with utmost humility. According to the Ahadith, the Holy Prophet ^(sa) would always greet people with a smile. The noble example of the Holy Prophet ^(sa) should always be kept in mind. (March 10, 2017).
The Holy Prophet ^(sa) has reminded us to not deem any act of virtue insignificant because even greeting someone with open-heartedness is a virtuous act. If office-bearers address members of the Jama’at with a smile and open-heartedness, this alone can alleviate half of their grievances. Every action and decision of the office-bearers should be done while instilling the fear of Allah, adopting humility and fulfilling the requirements of justice. (March 10, 2017).
So, every Ahmadi, and I would say here, in particular the officeholders, needs to see that how far they are keeping up with the standards of justice and equity as they deliver the rights of their trusts and all of their decisions reach the high standards of justice. (November 25, 2016).
An attribute which should be especially present in office-bearers is humbleness. (July 15, 2016).
Another hallmark office-bearers should have is pleasantness and presenting good manners. That is, deal and converse with people with softness and good manners. Allah says, “… and speak to men kindly …” (2:84). This also is a fundamental virtue which should be prevalent among officeholders. (July 15, 2016).
If, through our actions, we are providing a chance to Satan that he, due to the attitudes of the office-bearers, overpower them showing his sympathy, then such office-bearers, whether they are men or women, are not helpers of the Promised Messiah but are helpers of Satan. (May 20, 2016).
The Promised Messiah ^(as) said that excessive anger leads one to lose their faith. He also said that the beauty of Islam is in high morals, suppressing needless anger, and promoting forgiveness. The Promised Messiah ^(as) has enjoined this in numerous discourses and writings. But it is our weakness that we do not practice this as we ought to, including ordinary Ahmadis as well as officeholders. (October 10, 2014).
Even the Prophet’s ^(sa) slave said that [the Holy Prophet ^(sa)] had never spoken to him harshly, and when a person was given to jitters due to the majestic dignity of the Prophet ^(sa), he assured the man that he was not a despotic king but was the son of a woman who ate dried meat. This is the model which needs to be portrayed by every officeholder in his lifestyle, every worker of the Jama’at needs to portray in his lifestyle and every Ahmadi needs to portray in his lifestyle. (November 8, 2013).
Humility is the provision to gain nearness to God for He does not like arrogance. Jama’at officeholders should show humility as well as members of the Jama’at, and they should suppress anger – which is a sign of true believers. (November 8, 2013).
Another commandment of God is: (2:84) “Speak and deal with the people with kindness.” The very first demonstration of this must be among our own selves, and the officeholders especially need to pay attention to this. (May 17, 2013).
Sometimes officeholders do not control their emotions and hurt the sentiments of those who they deal with … [as a result] those of weaker faith not only turn against the officeholders but also become dismayed with the Jama’at. If officeholders do not take care in this regard, it leads to the person they are dealing with to have bad feelings about officeholders and the Jama’at. (April 12, 2013).
A special quality of officeholders is that they should be able to control their anger … Sometimes annoyance has to be expressed for reformation in Jama’at matters, but officeholders should be able to suppress anger. (April 12, 2013).
Officeholders should have the quality of [hospitality and respect] with regard to guests. Anyone who comes into an office should be met with respect and offered a seat; this is a very important matter. One should stand up to greet them. This courtesy should be followed by elected officeholders as well as regular workers of Jama’at. This will only enhance respect, not diminish it. (April 12, 2013).
[Humility] should be adopted by all our officeholders to the fullest (April 12, 2013).
A huge responsibility that falls on every amir, every sadr and every officeholder is: ‘…enjoin what is good and forbid evil…’ (3:111). This should be kept in mind at all times. Of course, it is only possible to abide by this when one constantly self-reflects and makes his word and deed congruous, inculcates love and fear of God and looks for ways of taqwa that God has drawn our attention to. (April 12, 2013).
[Each of the] Jama’at officeholders should have a good attitude and compassionate sentiments … Jama’at officeholders especially should never get weary of any petitioner or any person who frequently comes to the office or contacts the office, and they should welcome them whole-heartedly. (March 1, 2013).
It should always be remembered that no worker of the Jama’at should, under any circumstances, forsake courtesy. Nowhere should a situation arise giving even the slightest of hint that courtesy has not been extended. Rather, effort should be made to facilitate as much help as possible and converse as gently as possible. (March 1, 2013).
Those few descendants of the Companions who became distant from the Jama’at did so because of the behavior of some other members of the Jama’at or the actions of some officeholders. (October 12, 2012).
An officeholder has to keep his or her character very high and not let the sentiment of sympathy dissipate. (June 1, 2012).
The Promised Messiah ^(as) said that repressing anger was the height of valor and the Holy Prophet ^(sa) said that a champion is one who controls his temper at time of anger. Indeed, one can only be just and fair if one can control one’s temper. This is a standard that all our officeholders should adopt (June 1, 2012).
With the grace of God, an Ahmadi gives sacrifice only for the sake of God. If there is any insufficiency, it is because of the officeholders. Even if they are not thinking ill of their members, they are definitely underestimating them. (November 5, 2010).
If an Ahmadi comes to the officeholders, they should reassure him regardless of the person’s ethnic background. If they are busy, they should make alternative time for the person, and if they cannot give their time, then they should excuse themselves from holding the office. Huzoor said despite heavy engagements, he makes time to listen to the grievances of people so that mutual love is fostered. Huzoor said if the officeholders were diligent, his task would be halved. (June 20, 2008).
It is arrogance that makes one disobedient. It incites one against an officeholder and sets people against each other. It is imperative to inculcate sincere compassion for mankind. (August 31, 2007).
Each officeholder should remember that every Ahmadi is their neighbor; at times, when an officeholder is the cause of hurting an ordinary Ahmadi, it causes them to stumble. (March 24, 2006).
Officeholders should not waste others’ time and should keep the appointments made. (December 31, 2004).
The central and auxiliary officeholders of the Community throughout the world need to bring about a change in their attitude. In particular, complaints are made about Lajna from its younger members and the new converts. (December 31, 2004).
Huzoor counselled officeholders to greet others with a smiling and cheerful manner. He remarked that some people sitting in offices have a very stern look on them. (December 31, 2004).
[Officeholders should] realize that they need to develop mildness in their manners, they need to perform their duties more diligently and personal ego or desire should not play any part in the performance of their duties. (December 5, 2003).
Jama’at workers should give up the habit of getting angry over the smallest mistakes. (December 5, 2003).
[Jama’at workers] should develop the habit of being kind and loving to the members, to listen attentively to their requests, and to pray for them. Then and only then can it be said that the officeholders are discharging their duties properly. (December 5, 2003).

Al Islam

Excellence in Manners

I Solemnly Pledge

by

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

Al Islam

Excellence in Manners

I Solemnly Pledge

byHazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

by

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad