Divine attribute of As Salam (The Source of Peace)

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

May 18^th, 2007

Huzur continued with the subject of the Divine attribute of Al Salam in his Friday Sermon.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote expressing profuse gratitude to God Almighty for bestowing a religion on us that is a incomparable source of gaining His nearness. He invoked blessings on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) abundantly for imparting this faith to us and sent many blessings on his Companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) who nurtured the faith. He said that if one truly and sincerely follows the Word of God one may experience His presence in this very world; to receive the beneficence of this Godly faith one is required to adhere to it by abiding by Divine commandments and following the guidance.

God has named our religion “Islam” because all its commandments lead to peace, love and brotherhood, it entails abandoning all evil and endeavouring to gain the nearness of God Who Himself is called Al Salam and Who promises security and peace in this world and the Hereafter to those who do good works.

On reflection a Muslim’s sense of responsibility should be heightened in that Allah is associating him/her to a name that is also His own name. We will partake of His beneficence not by merely declaring ourselves as Muslims but by imbibing His attributes on a human level.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explained that the connotation of word Islam in the verse “Nay, whoever submits himself completely to Allah, while he is excellent in conduct, shall have his reward with his Lord. No fear shall come upon such, nether shall they grieve” (2:113 Surah Al Baqarah) is that a Muslim is one who submits his entire being in the way of Allah and is firm on good deeds, expends his entire literary prowess that he has and considers all of his being solely for the love and pleasure of Allah. Who, in practice does good purely for the sake of Allah as if he can see Allah reflected in his obedience.

The Holy Qur’an states, “And when they hear vain talk, they turn away from it and say, Unto us our works and unto you your works. Peace be on you. We seek not the ignorant.” 28:56 Surah Al Qasas. Huzur said once a believer submits himself completely to seek the pleasure of Allah that equates not responding to what is frivolous with frivolous. Ahmadi is one to promote peace and security therefore an Ahmadi avoids what is frivilous. Huzur said some opine that this message of ‘peace’ signifies avoiding the unruly and the disorderly. Ahmadis do not take the law in their own hands and this is in line of this commandment that enjoins to avoid what is vain and frivolous. They avoid it because that is God’s commandment and not because they cannot respond; they do not take the law in their hands and are not embroiled in the frivolous activities that others are. Others, who are ignorant in that despite being associated with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) they have rejected the Imam of the age.

Huzur referred to the severe opposition the Community is facing currently in Sri Lanka. In their presumption to serve Islam opponents have gathered, rallying behind a mullah, whereas in fact they are inviting the curse of God by persecuting those who profess to Islam and by calling them kafir (infidel). Huzur said, we Ahmadis are the ones who propagate Islam and are with whoever is inclined to seek peace and whoever avoids evil-doers like them.
Citing Hadith Huzur said Allah has placed peace and security on this earth that is why we have to promote it amongst ourselves.

Allah states in the Holy Qur’an, “Gardens of Eternity. They shall enter them and also those who are righteous from among their fathers, and their wives and their children. And angels shall enter unto them from ever gate, saying: ‘Peace be unto you, because you were steadfast; behold how excellent is the reward of the final Abode!’ 13:24-25 Surah Al Rad

Explaining Huzur said steadfastness that is practised for Allah and not out of fear of other is always rewarded. It is mere supposition of the non-Ahmadis that they can frighten us, be it the governor of Sri Lanka, the Pakistani mullah, the so-called religious scholar of Bangladesh or the extremist of Indonesia. Although we shall not take the law in our hands we have the glad tiding of peace and security in this world and the Hereafter. Indeed those who fulfil the rights of Allah and the kinds of mankind are given the glad tiding of Paradise. “And those who believe and do good works will be admitted into Gardens, through which rivers flow, wherein they will abide by the command of their Lord. Their greeting therein will be ‘Peace’. 14:24 Surah Ibrahim.

Elucidating Huzur said what are these ‘good works’ that will be rewarded with peace. Indeed it is worship of God for which man was created, endeavours for the glory of His religion, endeavours to make physical and financial sacrifice to propagate the faith, effort to summon people to the faith, to point the True God to them, “enjoin what is good and forbid evil” (3:111). Huzur said while a believer actively shuns evil himself he also takes the message of peace to others and in this age it is only the Ahmadis who are partaking of this beneficence.

Among good works, kindness to close relations has high priority and it also facilitates peace in society. Fulfilment of this obligation is applicable to one’s brother as well as to the outsider. Care of the needy promotes peace as does fulfilling one’s promises and whatever one is entrusted with. Not only does one have to be considerate about the rights of others, in instances where no rights are applicable, one should demonstrate goodwill and kindness and look after others.

Citing Hadith Huzur said a Muslim is the brother of a Muslim. He neither oppresses him nor leaves him alone in time of need. One who helps a brother will be helped by Allah. Allah will remove the trouble of one who removes the trouble of a Muslim on the Day of Judgment and one who covers the faults of others Allah will cover their faults on the Day of Judgment.

Huzur added that many altercations stem from negative conjuncture and inference about others. He gave some example of instances that are presented to him where brother bears ill will to brother on mere suspicion and doubt, marital cases too originate from such feelings. It is indeed ill will that has prevented the Muslims from accepting the divinely appointed Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

Truth and honesty are pivotal among good works. Falsehood jeopardises one’s faith. If one is to seek beneficence from the God of Islam then no matter what truth should never be abandoned. Another good work is forgiveness, forgiveness that promotes love and affection which is not applicable to a habitual criminal who disturbs the calm of society. Huzur counselled that people should not make recommendations on behalf of such people because this does not promote peace. Huzur read a relevant extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and added that it is not up to individuals to mete out punishment, as one’s ego might get in the way. Therefore any such cases should be referred to the administration of the Community or the recourse of law should be taken so that the objective to preserve peace in society is maintained.

Thankfulness is also a ‘good deed’, that is gratitude to man and to Allah. Then there is establishment of justice, which unfortunately is made a mockery of in some Muslim countries. For example in the current upheaval in Pakistan neither is the judiciary acting fairly, nor the government; the judiciary is caught up in egotistical issues and is being used by the political parties for their ulterior motives. The government is left with nothing for allowing erosion of justice and the poor are bearing the brunt of it all. Let alone others, it is our own, who are deprived of the beneficence of peace and security. They need to ponder over the state of affairs; evidently it is due to not following the Divine commandments, due to the rejection of the Imam of the age, who was sent with a message of peace and security. This person made the claim in the name of God that peace and security was with him and he was promised this by the Omnipotent God. Huzur read out the text of the relevant revelation of the Promised Messiah and said that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) associated this to Allah and today we witness the verification of his claim taking place before our very eyes in the shape of the achievements of the Community. There are pockets where the Community is facing difficulties, but these are relatively minor and are not an impediment to our achievements. In fact these are trials which enhance a believer’s faith. Huzur said therein is a warning for all those who do not believe the Promised Messiah, they should pay heed for Allah has promised peace and security to him and with Allah’s fulfilment of His justice and equity the Community shall stay in peace and security. Huzur urged to pray for the people of the countries where our Community is being persecuted, and asked for prayers for the Ahmadis of Sri Lanka where trouble is intense. He asked the Ahmadis of Sri Lanka to be patient and steadfast and that Allah will fulfil His promises.

In conclusion Huzur prayed that may we be mindful of our deeds so that we may be among those who attain His blessings and peace and security in accordance with His promise made to those who do good works. May Allah enable everyone to do so.