SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON

by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
April 15^th, 2005

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

---

Supremely Compassionate nature of The Holy Prophet

Huzur^aba delivered today’s Friday Sermon on the supremely compassionate nature of the Holy Prophet with specific reference to his most excellent practice of visiting and caring for the sick and the ailing.

Huzur^aba said the Holy Prophet was always on the look-out to pray for others and to alleviate their suffering. Citing verse 128 of Surah Al Taubah (9:128) and explaining the Arabic word used therein of ‘harees’ (literal meaning, ‘to covet’) Huzur^aba said it carried extensive connotations and that here it denotes that the Holy Prophet was indeed ‘ardently desirous’ of the well-being of creation of God.

Huzur^aba further explained the subject with reference to several traditions and Ahadith. Huzur^aba said that if a person was ill for more than three consecutive days then the Holy Prophet would visit him, upon visiting he would pray for the ailing and stroke them with his right hand.

The Holy Prophet did not approve of one deriding one’s illness explaining that Allah removes one’s sins during illness just as impurities from gold are removed when it is placed in fire.

The Holy Prophet would be most patient in his own illness. Huzur^aba explained that when prophets of God fall ill, that is not to remove their sins rather it is to set and demonstrate an example to others of their patience and steadfastness during illness.

The Holy Prophet taught us to pray for ourselves during our illness and to give alms. He drew the attention of his ummah towards visiting the sick and the ailing and taught by example to try and provide any specific food that an ailing person wishes to have. He enjoined that the best manner in which to meet an ailing person is to place one’s hand on their forehead and inquire how they are feeling.

Huzur^aba instructed the auxiliary organisations of the Community to arrange programmes to visit the sick in hospitals; to maximise our means to seek nearness to Allah.

Among the foods the Holy Prophet recommended for their healing qualities Huzur^aba cited were kalaunji (tiny black seeds) honey, fig, raisins, olive, dates and cow’s milk.