In 1891, two years after the foundation of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat, the first Jalsa Salana was held in Qadian. 

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah, wrote a book, Asmani Faislah (The Heavenly Decree) in December 1891 and invited leaders and followers of all religions, specifically every maulvi, sufi, pir, faqir and sajjada nashin, and presented to them a method to identify the truth. 

He suggested forming a body, which would collect and record the names of afflicted people of every faith and then, after dividing them through a lot between the two participants, both the parties would pray for the healing and betterment of their respective group. The results of mass acceptance of prayers and manifestation of the heavenly signs would show who the chosen one of God Almighty was and who was stubbornly denying the truth. In order to put this proposed method into practice, Hazrat Ahmad (as) called for a gathering to consult his companions (ra). 

This historic meeting was held on 27 December 1891 and 75 fortunate members of the community were present in it. That was the very first Jalsa Salana of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, which was initiated by the founder of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, and also blessed with his presence. 

The proceedings of the Jalsa commenced after the Zuhr prayer at Masjid Aqsa, Qadian. Hazrat Maulvi Abdul Karim Sialkoti (ra) read out the book, Asmani Faislah, before the gathering. Then, the participants of the Jalsa were asked to voice their opinion as to who should be appointed members of the said body proposed by Hazrat Ahmad (as). 

All of them unanimously expressed that the book should be published immediately and later, after ascertaining the intentions of the opponents, the members should be appointed by mutual consent of both parties. 

Thereafter, the Jalsa was concluded and members of the Jamaat had the honour of shaking hands with Hazrat Ahmad (as). (Al Hakam, 14 April 1935)