SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON

by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
March 11^th, 2005

(NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication in this Synopsis of the Friday Sermon by Sister Shermeen Butt)

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Holy Prophet's attribute of humility

Reciting verse 64 of Surah Al-Furqan (25:64) Hazoor delivered today’s Friday Sermon on the Holy Prophet’s attribute of humility, in particular with reference to his customary and frequent reminder to people that he was but a servant of God. This expression of humility takes on extreme poignancy when observed in light of the exalted status granted to the Holy Prophet by Allah, including the Quranic testimony in Surah Al Qalam (68:5).

The Holy Prophet would ask others not to present him in an overstated manner in that God had first made him a human and a Prophet later. He enjoined that he should not be praised in the manner that Christians praised Jesus son of Mary; that he was a servant of God and a prophet of God and that alone is what he should be referred to as.

Hazoor cited the Promised Messiah in that despite his lofty and perfect model among humans, the Holy Prophet was ever conscious of his servitude to God and had thus made the assertion of him being a servant of God an obligatory part of the Muslim declaration of faith (Kalima). The Promised Messiah forcefully enjoined to reflect on this particular aspect.

Recounting numerous examples of the humility displayed by the Holy Prophet Hazoor related incidents where the Holy Prophet would ask his Companions to remind him when he forgot something during prayer, to be mindful that he was also human when bringing their disputes to him for settling, not to stand up for him (in deference) when he joined them. When anyone would address him with too many appellations he would simply say: ‘I am Muhammad, son of Abdullah and Prophet of God.’

He would always say labbaik (I am here) whenever anyone, regardless of status, asked for him. He would turn his countenance completely towards whoever he addressed but he would always cast his eyes downwards. Such was his meekness and outward humbleness that when he first migrated to Medina and people there were not familiar with his appearance, they mistook Hadhrat Abu Bakr to be the Prophet of God.

Indeed, the Holy Prophet said that he was the chief among the children of Adam but he took no pride in it, that on the Day of Judgement he would be the first to intercede and that he would have the banner of Unity of God in his hand, but he took no pride in it.

The Holy Prophet would join in with his Companions in any tasks that needed doing and said that he did not approve of keeping distinction among friends. At home he would do all the chores, like washing clothes, sweeping the floor, feeding the cattle, milking the goat etc. Likewise, his care and concern for the downtrodden and less fortunate people of society was most gracious and exemplary.

Once a Muslim and a Jew had an argument during which they both vowed by the prophets they believed in, asserting their greatness over all others. The Muslim slapped the Jew on which the Jew took the matter to the Holy Prophet who told the Muslim that he should not have exalted him over Moses. The Holy Prophet enjoined that no one would get salvation because of their deeds, including himself, that it could only be achieved by Allah’s grace.

Hazoor related the faith-rousing incidence of victory of Mecca; a day that bore witness to the greatness of the Holy Prophet yet he entered Mecca on camel back with his head bowed in prostration to the Almighty God as he glorified his Lord. Similarly Hazoor referred to what is now known as the farewell address of the Prophet that he gave on his last Hajj, with expressions of extreme humility and humbleness made to Allah.

In conclusion Hazoor said that the Holy Prophet spent his entire life reiterating that he was only a human and therefore till the very end he sought Allah’s mercy and grace.