The System of Mushawarat in Jama'at-e-Ahmadiyya — Page 148
T he S ystem of M ushawarat in J ama ‘ at - e -A hmadiyya forefathers offered great sacrifices and suffered great hard ships and persecution— as a result o f which they realized the importance o f their faith, and prayed, and studied the books o f the Jama'at; the new generation, on the other hand, when it grows up, finds only relatives and friends all around them. Thus they do not suffer at the hands o f the enemy, not get beaten and persecuted for their faith and, consequently, they do not realize the significance o f prayer, nor possess the strength and forbearance to face persecution and hardship. They do not progress in the higher morals, they do not attach themselves to the Jama'at, and always remain in need o f guidance. This is an ongoing process, without which no community can be called a living community. But this does not mean that new converts themselves do not have to strive to learn about their faith. True, it is the responsibility o f old Ahmadls to educate the new ones, but the latter are also under obligation to learn and follow the good examples o f their predecessors. For instance, there may be many here who have never attended Majlis-e-Shura before. They should observe those who have had this experience and should try to express their view s as they do, and show the same kind o f patience, forbearance and cour tesy as they show. The same teaching has been given to us by the Holy Quran. God Almighty says (Al-A n‘am, 6:91), which means that you should follow the good example o f your elders, for they have lived un der the influence o f the Holy Prophetsa for a long time. He prayed for them and they grew and flourished under the blessings o f God. Why not make use o f the model that is before you, rather than experimenting on your own? The Holy Prophetsa said: 148