Name of the Jama‘at and Its Significance — Essence of Islam Vol. 4

14 Sep, 2026 Essence of Islam 0

Essence of Islam Book Cover by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS)

Introduction

In this discourse from Essence of Islam (Volume 4), Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (AS), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, expounds upon Name of the Jama‘at and Its Significance, presenting profound spiritual insights and scriptural verities.

Book Series: Essence of Islam (Volume 4)
Author: Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian (AS)
Section: Part 5: Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama’at, and Instructions
Navigation: Book Table of Contents | « Previous: Prayers for Members of the Jama‘at | Next: The Need for Acquiring Knowledge and Using it Wisely »

Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama‘at, and Instructions Since I have myself experienced it, if I were to be told by God Almighty that there is no merit and no benefit in such dedication and that all will be pain and misery, even then I would not desist from serving Islam. I, therefore, consider it my duty to advise and convey this to my Jama‘at. It is up to them to lend ear to it or not. If anyone seeks salvation and is searching for a pure and immortal life, then let him devote his life for the sake of God. Let everyone strive to attain the status where he can say that his life and his death, his sacrifices and his prayers are all truly for the sake of Allah. Like Abrahamas, his soul should cry out: 159 So long as a person is not lost in God and does not die for His sake, he cannot acquire new life. You who have established a relationship with me can perceive that the real purpose of my life is to devote myself in the path of God. Now look into yourselves and see how many are there who would choose this path for themselves and would love to devote their lives to the service of God.
[Malfuzat, vol. 2, pp. 99-100]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 305]

The name which is appropriate for this Movement and which I prefer for myself and for my Jama‘at is 159 I have submitted to the Lord of the worlds.—Al-Baqarah, 2:132 [Publisher] Musalman Firqah Ahmadiyyah160. It would also be appropriate to call it Muslims of the Ahmadi faith…I have chosen this name because the Holy Prophetsa had two names, Muhammad and Ahmadsa. The name ‘Muhammad’ contained an implicit prophecy that the Holy Prophetsa would punish with the sword such enemies who would have attacked Islam with the sword and slaughtered hundreds of Muslims. But the name ‘Ahmad’ represented his beauty, which indicated that he would spread peace and harmony in the world. God so arranged the life of the Holy Prophetsa that his Meccan life was a manifestation of his name Ahmad and the Muslims were taught steadfastness and endurance, while in his life in Medina, his name Muhammad was manifested, and God in His wisdom decided to chastise the enemy. But there was a prophecy that the name Ahmad would be manifested again in the latter days and that a person would appear through whom the qualities of beauty, which characterized Ahmad, would be manifested, and all fighting would come to an end. For this reason, it has been considered appropriate that the name of this sect should be the Ahmadiyyah Sect, so that everyone hearing this name should realize that this sect has come into being for the spread of peace and harmony and that it would have nothing to do with war and fighting.
[Majmu‘ah Ishtiharat, vol. 3, pp. 364-366]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 305]

Propagation, Establishment of a Holy Jama‘at, and Instructions Names like Hanafi, Shafi‘i, which people have appointed for themselves, are all innovations. The Holy Prophetsa had only two names, Muhammad and Ahmadsa…. Mosesas described the Holy Prophetsa as Muhammadsa, for Mosesas himself was a manifestation of glory. Jesusas described the Holy Prophetsa as Ahmadsa, for he himself was a manifestation of beauty. Since our community has been established for the manifestation of beauty and harmony, it has been named Ahmadi.
[Malfuzat, vol. 2, p. 208]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 306]

The Need for Acquiring Knowledge and Using it Wisely The best way of holding religious discussions is not to criticize a religion foolishly but to put forward one’s objections respectfully on the basis of the accepted and authentic books and writings of that religion. There should be no mockery or derision or insult and all discussion should be conducted wisely. Nor should such objections be raised against a religion with regard to which the objector’s own faith is open to criticism….Every research scholar can put forward objections pointing out the mistakes of doctrine of any sect in a reasonable and respectful manner. An effort should be made that all objections should be of a scholarly nature so that people may benefit from them, and it should not create any disorder or provocation.
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4]
[Essence of Islam, Vol. 4, p. 307]

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Introduction