Acceptance of Prayers (dua)

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

October 6^th, 2006

Huzur continued with the subject of prayer (dua) in his Friday Sermon today. Citing verse 187 from Surah Al Baqarah (2:187) Huzur quoted the Promised Messiah (on whom e peace) in elucidating the essence of prayer and said that prayer is a special distinction of Islam; however it is not the name of mere verbal babble. Rather it is that state when the heart is filled with awe of God and the very soul of the person making the prayer is drawn to God in complete submission and utter humility. When a person attains this state they may be assured that the door to acceptance of prayer is opened.

Huzur said in recent Friday Sermons he has given discourses on incidents of the phenomenon of acceptance of prayer in this manner.
During the month of Ramadan when people are particularly drawn towards worship of God and Allah too turns to them with mercy in that He has declared that He Himself is the reward of a person who fasts, Huzur said prayers made in such conditions would gain acceptance. The verse cited at the beginning appears in the Holy Qur’an where Ramadan is mentioned and is therefore an indication that in this month exceptional forgiveness is granted.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that prayer attains acceptance when it is made in a state reaching the utmost degree of angst. Huzur said each Ahmadi should endeavour to bring about pure changes, turn to Allah and experience the manifestation of acceptance of prayer.

Huzur referred to verse 11 of Surah Al Hashr (59:11) and explained that while praying for one’s own forgiveness one may also remembers one’s brothers who have ‘preceded’ one in matters of faith, who serve the Community selflessly and are then blessed by Allah. Rather than be jealous, we should look up to them and try and emulate them and pray for this purpose. When, we pray, having rid ourselves of all rancour then Allah’s kindness is stirred. Huzur said it is extremely essential to absorb the Divine attribute of Compassionate and Merciful (that the verse refers to) that we free ourselves of all rancour and pray for our brothers as well.
If the rest of the Muslim brothers make this prayer while understanding it, Allah would remove their rancour against the Ahmadis, rancour that they harbour with no real reason and in simply replicating others. Huzur urged them to reflect over this prayer, which is in the Qur’an and is thus for everyone, to ponder over the state of the ummah. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had informed his ummah to complete their faith, reflecting on this commandment, they should accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). May Allah grant this power of reasoning to the rest of the Muslims. Ahmadis too should provide a model representation.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) enjoined mutual concord and unity and said that the commandment to stand side by side in Salat is to promote unity. He said love each other and pray for each other in absentia for angels pray for those who pray for others.
Next Huzur cited verse 60 of Surah Al Mumtahinah (60:6) and explained that here Allah has drawn our attention that by not abiding by Allah’s commandment we may err causing the opponents of Islam to attack it. Huzur said indeed that is exactly what is going on these days - so this prayer is much needed these days - when whoever gets an opportunity, gets up to make a stand against Islam.
Prayers should also be made for those Muslims who provide these opportunities to non-Muslims; all they are bothered with is to cause damage and destruction [through protestations]. While the gallant of Allah (the Promised Messiah) who was sent by Allah to contend with these attacks on Islam is being opposed by the rest of the Muslims; they are thus assisting the sedition against Islam.

Huzur prayed that O Allah Who is Mighty and Wise give us and the entire ummah some wisdom from Your Divine attribute to desist from all that which is harmful to Islam.

Huzur cited verse 48 of Surah Al Hud (11:48) and explained that this prayer teaches us not to complain about the wisdom behind acts of God. At times people complain that their prayers are not answered etc. If one reflects on all Divine attributes one would know that He is the Knower of the unseen and has knowledge of everything. He knows best what is harmful for someone and what is not. The verse is a prayer of Hadrat Nuh (on whom be peace) who did not understand the motives of his sons and later sought forgiveness and mercy of Allah most humbly. Huzur said this draws our attention to never complain in this way. We should take an action, give alms and pray and then leave the matter with Allah, praying that we may always be content with the will of Allah.

Huzur said particularly during times of acute disappointment and bereavement in order to avoid confusion one should thus turn to Allah.

Huzur cited verse 9 of Surah Al Tahrim (66:9) and said that the prayer at the end of the verse should be regularly made to rid one of one’s weaknesses while making practical endeavours to do so at the same time. Allah then forgives and enters us in [spiritual] light. Huzur said fortunate would we be if we availed of this advantage. We should self-reflect and spiritually analyse ourselves while we are experiencing the auspicious month of Ramadan when the doors to forgiveness are open wide.

Expounding this verse the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that the verse tells us that inmates of Paradise too will engage in Istaghfar, but not for sins because there would be no sin in Paradise and their previous sins would have been pardoned. They would pray to increase their [spiritual] light and will never be satiated with this light because Allah’s light has no limits, no end and as a result spiritual development has no limits. Prophets of God seek the full measure of this light.

Last Huzur cited verse 287 of Surah Al Baqarah and explained all the prayers within. The verse seeks forgiveness for any oversight that we may make due to our weakness lest it hinders our spiritual growth. Huzur said the Waqfeen (life devotees) and Community office-holders should make this prayer in abundance. The verse seeks protection from any bad consequences of our oversights and from protection from those deeds that lead to sin and seeks to be ever the recipient of Divine forgiveness.

Huzur said for an Ahmadi the most trivial of penalties is most painful. A restriction [within the administrative system of the Community] placed on people whereby they are not allowed to write to the Khalifa of the day makes them most anxious. Therefore one should always pray for protection against all kinds of oversights and their bad consequences.

The verse seeks Divine forgiveness and calls on Allah as the Master; Huzur added we are the Community who claim that we abide by Your commandments, we are the people who associate ourselves to Your Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and Your Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Have mercy on us and in accordance to Your promise grant us progress. Remove our individual as well as communal weaknesses and grant us victory over the non-believing people.

In conclusion Huzur prayed that may Allah accept this prayer and all the other prayers and may we witness acceptance of prayer during this Ramadan in the manifestation of the triumph of Ahmadiyyat that is the true Islam. Huzur urged to engage profusely in prayers and prayed that may Allah enable each Ahmadi to do so.