“The initiate shall solemnly promise that he/she shall abstain from shirk [associating any partner with God] right up to the day of his/her death.”

Recently, at Jalsa Salana Qadian 2025, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aa) reminded us to keep the Ten Conditions of Bai‘at displayed in our homes and to make a conscious effort to live by them strictly. Huzoor’s words reiterated that Bai‘at isn’t an oath we can take lightly. Rather, it is something we have to fulfill in our day to day lives, and a pledge that must dictate our actions. For Khuddam, reflecting on each condition is essential in strengthening faith in an age full of distractions and competing loyalties.

The first condition of Bai‘at focuses on abstaining from shirk, which lies at the very heart of Islam. Tawhid defines a believer’s complete relationship with Allah. In everything they do or say, a believer has to keep the principles of Tawhid in mind. Any compromise in this principle means our faith at its foundations is weak.

Allah the Almighty clearly declares in the Holy Qur’an:

اِنَّ اللّٰہَ لَا یَغۡفِرُ اَنۡ یُّشۡرَکَ بِہٖ وَیَغۡفِرُ مَا دُوۡنَ ذٰلِکَ لِمَنۡ یَّشَآءُ ۚ وَمَنۡ یُّشۡرِکۡ بِاللّٰہِ فَقَدِ افۡتَرٰۤی اِثۡمًا عَظِیۡمًا ﴿۴۹﴾

“Surely, Allah will not forgive that any partner be associated with Him, but will forgive anything short of that to whomsoever He pleases. Whoso associates partners with Allah has indeed devised enormous evil.”

— Surah al-Nisa, 4:49

This verse establishes that while Allah’s mercy is vast, shirk occupies a uniquely dangerous position. Reflecting on this warning, the Promised Messiah (as) explains that every sin is forgivable except shirk, and therefore a believer must not even approach it, likening it to a forbidden tree whose danger lies in going near it at all.
         — (Damimah Tohfah-e-Golarhviyyah, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 17, pp. 323–324).

Importantly, shirk is not limited to idol worship. The Promised Messiah (as) clarifies that relying entirely on worldly means, exaggerating their importance, or believing that material success alone guarantees security is also a form of shirk (Al-Hakam, vol. 7, no. 24, 30 June 1903). In today’s world, where careers, wealth, qualifications, and status are often treated as sources of honour and stability, this warning is especially relevant for Khuddam.

The Holy Qur’an further reinforces this understanding through the advice of Hazrat Luqman to his son:

وَاِذۡ قَالَ لُقۡمٰنُ لِابۡنِہٖ وَہُوَ یَعِظُہٗ یٰبُنَیَّ لَا تُشۡرِکۡ بِاللّٰہِ ؕؔ اِنَّ الشِّرۡکَ لَظُلۡمٌ عَظِیۡمٌ ﴿۱۴﴾﴾

“And remember when Luqman said to his son while exhorting him, ‘O my dear son! associate not partners with Allah. Surely, associating partners with God is a grievous wrong.’”

— Surah Luqman, 31:14

Here, shirk is described as a grave injustice, showing that it distorts not only belief, but also moral judgement and priorities.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad^(sa) also warned that shirk would appear in subtle forms within his Ummah. In a hadith narrated by Shaddad bin Aus, the Holy Prophet^(sa) explained that although his followers would not worship idols, the sun, or the moon, they would fall prey to ostentation and hidden desires. Acts of worship would appear righteous outwardly yet inwardly be driven by ego or temptation.
         — (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol. 4, p. 124).

This hadith highlights that shirk does not always manifest through open disbelief. Showing off in worship, prioritising personal desires over obedience to Allah, or seeking approval from people rather than from Allah are all forms of hidden shirk. Similarly, placing pride and reliance in one’s job, family, children, or influence rather than realising and accepting Allah’s help in all matters will inevitably lead us further away from Tawhid.

Expanding on this, the Promised Messiah^(as) explains,

“Tauhid [Unity of God] does not simply mean that you say la ilaha illAllah [There is none worthy of worship except Allah.] with your tongue but then hide hundreds of idols in your heart. Anyone who gives reverence to his own plans, mischief or clever designs as he should revere God, or depends upon another person as one should depend upon God alone, or reveres his own ego as he should revere God alone, in all such conditions he is an idol-worshipper in the sight of Allah. Idols are not merely those that are made of gold, silver, copper or stones. Rather, every thing, every statement, or every deed, which is revered in a manner that befits Almighty Allah alone, is an idol in the sight of Allah…. Remember that the true Unity of God, which God requires us to affirm and upon which salvation depends, is to believe that God in His Being is free from every associate, whether it be an idol or a human being, or the Sun or Moon, or one’s ego, or one’s cunning or deceit; it is also to conceive of no one as possessing power in opposition to Him, nor to accept anyone as Sustainer, nor to hold anyone as bestowing honour or disgrace, nor to consider anyone as Helper or Supporter; and it is also to confine one’s love to Him and one’s worship, and one’s humility, and one’s hopes, and one’s fear to Him. No Unity can be complete without the following three types of particularisations. First, there is the Unity of Being—that is, to conceive the whole universe as nonexistent in contrast with Him and to consider it mortal and lacking reality.

Secondly, the Unity of Attributes—that is that Rabubiyyat [Lordship] and Uluhiyyat [Godhead] are confined to His Being and that all others who appear as sustainers or benefactors are only a part of the system set up by His hand. Thirdly, the Unity of love, sincerity and devotion—that is, not to consider anyone as an associate of God in the matter of love and worship and to be entirely lost in Him.”

         — (Siraj-ud-Din Isai ke Char Sawalon ka Jawab, Ruhani Khazain, vol. 12, pp. 349–350).

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^(ra) further explains that associating anyone in Allah’s name, actions, or worship constitutes shirk. He observes that many people profess belief in Allah’s power, yet bow before others, lie for worldly gain, fast or give charity for people rather than for Allah, and seek honour through creation instead of the Creator
         — (Khutbat-e-Nur, pp. 7–8).

Hazrat-Khalifatul Masih-I (ra) – Ahmadiyya Archive & Research Centre

The first condition of Bai‘at therefore calls Khuddam to constantly look at their actions. It demands sincerity in intention, humility in success, patience in hardship, and complete reliance upon Allah alone. By guarding against both open and hidden shirk, a believer safeguards the essence of Islam and strengthens their bond with Allah.

Taken from Conditions of Bai‘at & Responsibilities of an Ahmadi by Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba).

Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (aba) has reminded the world multiple times that sanctions that are levied against nations hit the poor people the hardest. He has reiterated that in times of war, nations should come together to address the underlying issues and justice should prevail. Check out the infographic above to see how sanctions impact the world we live in.

To download the infographic, click here.

On the 1st of April 2022, after Asr Namaz, Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (aba) inaugurated the MKA Tuck Shop in Islamabad. Huzoor (aba) opened the Homeopathic Dispensary adjacent to the Tuck Shop before gracing the Khuddam store.  Huzoor (aba) unveiled a plaque and led everyone in silent prayer after which Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Abdul Quddus Arif, Mohtamim Sanat-o-Tijarat, Umar Hassan, and Motamid Khuddamul Ahmadiyya UK, Nassar Bhatti, had the opportunity to show Huzoor (aba) the store and its wares.

Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (aba) unveils the plaque outside the Convenience Store.

Huzoor (aba) leading Silent Prayer after opening the Store.

Sadr Sahib MKA UK and Mohtamim Sanat-o-Tijarat have the blessed opportunity to present the Store to Huzoor (aba).

Huzoor (aba) graced Khuddam with his precious time and distributed sweets to children who had gathered outside.

Hazrat Khalifatul-Masih V (aba) graces Naib Mohtamim Isha’at, Mudabbir Din, with his attention.

Immediately after Huzoor (aba) stepped outside the store, Huzoor (aba) was informed by Sadr Sahib about the Khuddam present with Huzoor (aba) speaking to a few as well. All those who had gathered were greatly  moved by Huzoor’s presence.

This tuck shop will Insha’Allah serve as a small convenience store for the residents of Islamabad and visitors. The Homeopathy Dispensary has also opened alongside the MKA Tuck Shop.