Early Jalsa Salanas in Qadian In 1891, the Promised Messiahas, to further deliberate upon the establishment of an Anjuman as explained in his book Asmani Faislah (The Heavenly Decree), invited his followers to come to Qadian on 27 December. Hence, on this date, 75 fortunate individuals gathered at Masjid Aqsa, Qadian before the Promised Messiahas and a meeting was held after Zuhr prayer. Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Silakotira read out Asmani Faislah before the gathering. Then the matter was discussed as to who should be the members of this Anjuman as well as the manner in which it was to operate. These were the proceedings of the first Jalsa Salana of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat in which only 75 companions of the Promised Messiahas participated. It was after this Jalsa that the Promised Messiahas published an announcement in which he informed his Jamaat that the Jalsa would now be an annual gathering. In the early days, there was no continuous system of Chanda [donations] for the purpose of Jalsa Salana and the Promised Messiahas
would bear all costs for the hospitality and catering of guests. It should be noted that even when regular donations began to be made by Ahmadis towards Jalsa Salana, the Promised Messiahas took such care in ensuring that the needs of guests were being met that it was as if he himself was making all the arrangements. Hazrat Munshi Zafar Ahmadra of Kapurthala narrates: “Once, on the occasion of Jalsa Salana, there remained no means of expenses. In those days, Chanda would not be collected for Jalsa Salana and Huzooras would spend from his own pocket. [Once] Mir Nasir Nawab Sahibra came and stated that there was no food for guests in the evening. The Promised Messiahas instructed to obtain some jewellery from his wife, which would be enough to cover the costs, and to make necessary arrangements. Hence, Mir Sahib sold the jewellery and used the money so it could cover the needs of the guests. After two days, Mir Sahib, again in the evening and in my presence, said that there were no means for the arrangements of the
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