Huzur opened his Friday Sermon today by citing verses 33 to 38 of Surah Al Zumar (Chapter 39) [ (39:33) ]. He explained that in these verses Allah has mentioned two types of unjust people; those who lie against Allah by false proclamation of being from Him and those who reject the truth sent by God through His prophets.
Huzur said this subject is also cited in the Qur’an in Surah Ankabut (29:69). The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said a slanderer is always ineffective. Allah states that He cuts off and disgraces one who slanders regarding Him therefore how could one who has belief in this invent lies concerning God. In worldly matters the smallest of misdemeanours is punished how can then one who associates falsehood to God be spared? It is written in God’s books that a liar and a slanderer shall be destroyed.
The fact that the Holy Qur’an has cited this in different places is a testimony that it is a fundamental principle that a person who forges a lie against Allah will be punished by God as well as one who rejects the truth and is disobedient to a true prophet of God. Allah commands that when His prophets come with clear signs, people should observe those signs and accept them. Indeed prophethood is accompanied by brilliant Divine signs which enhance with each passing day, therefore, Huzur said those who reject prophethood should come to their senses.
Huzur said the accusation of falsehood were levied against the earlier prophets of God, indeed against the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and today are alleged against the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In the verses of Surah Al Zumar preceding the ones cited above Allah declares the teaching of the Qur’an as manifestly clear and comprehensive, therefore leaving no doubt in what is the truth and what must be followed. Allah states that rejection of this will not escape punishment. The aforementioned verses affirm that one who is commissioned by Allah should be accepted and those who accept him will be prosperous and granted righteousness.
The subject is reiterated in verse 62 of Surah Ta Ha (20:62) and verse 18 of Surah Yunus (10:18) and makes it clear yet again that it is these are the two types of people who cannot escape Divine punishment.
Huzur said this is food for thought those who do not accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Allah has granted the Muslims a most comprehensive Book the safeguard of which He has taken upon Himself, which is present today in its original, unaltered text. Allah has made it extremely clear in the Qur’an that it is not a collection of fables and has warned to take heed from the earlier people. Indeed there will be false claimants from God but they will not be successful and this will manifest in failure of dissemination of their teaching. One who comes from God has a spiritual objective, either bringing in a new religious law (Shariah) or reviving the old teaching so that those who are lost may be brought closer to God. These are the basic points of reference of those who come from God.
In this age the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is - God forbid - accused of being false. One can clearly observe that he has made no change to the [Islamic] Shariah. It is evident from his writings that there is not the slightest alteration about Salat or any other pillar of Islam or any variation from the authentic Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). The fact is that he has presented the beauty of Islam in an enhanced manner and without doubt his advent took place in accordance with the prophecies of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).
Huzur remarked, is the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on the increase, or is it standing still or is it diminishing? Indeed groups upon groups of people are joining it, where as there is dissension and sectarian conflict among those Muslims who accuse and calumniate us. They have introduced harmful innovations in religion. Huzur said for example in the Indian sub-continent offerings are made at tombs and wishes and desires are sought from Pirs, some of whom do not even observe the Salat. Was this practice observed in the times of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)?
Huzur said Baha’ullah was a claimant to a prophetic fulfilment. The soundness of this is clear from the fact that his claim does not have Divine support and succour. There was no clear manifest sign from him, in fact he cancelled the Islamic Shariah about which Allah has decreed that it shall continue till the end of time. At one time Baha’ullah had quite a good following. However, his popularity was nothing compared to the Quranic Shariah. Now his following is sparse and the Holy Qur’an, which is being maligned through a calculated conspiracy, continues to propagate. The Ahmadiyya Community is making headway in propagating its teachings. Success is not to accumulate worldly wealth or a large following, rather, true success is the propagation of Allah’s teachings. This is what supports and corroborates the veracity of the claim of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Those who continually demean the Ahmadis should have some sense and make their decision based on the standards established by God.
Huzur said one who is commissioned by God is truthful in the message he brings and indeed in his word. The message he brings is from Allah and is laden with Divine support and corroboration. In the cited verses of Surah Al Zumar (39:34-35) Allah states that those who abide by taqwa (righteousness) will have whatever they desire from God. They shall have inner peace and contentment. It does not mean that they would always wish for and have finite things of this world. By mentioning taqwa at the outset in the verse it has been made clear that these people seek Allah’s pleasure alone. The next verse (39:36) further unfolds that because of these people accepting one who is from Allah, because of righteousness and because of doing good works Allah shall remove the bad consequences of their human frailties. Mistakes and sins are requited in equal measure but piety is rewarded ten-fold by Allah. The reward of good works makes sin distant.
Huzur said finding inner peace and developing in piety after accepting one who is sent by God is also a sign and benchmark of the truthfulness of the person. In this age the Ahmadis are a testament of this as indeed are the newcomers joining the Community. The verse 39:37 further reassures in the declaration that Allah is sufficient for His servant no matter how many accusations are levied by the slanderers. Here Allah has made it very clear to those who reject and accuse Allah’s people that they cannot harm them in any way and that Allah helps them every step of the way.
Huzur said we witness that to this day opponents make extremely cheap attacks on the Holy Qur’an and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) but they cannot damage Islam. A large number of Muslims endeavour to implement the Shariah in its original form. Huzur said this is a proof that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was from God and his Shariah is alive and shall stay alive and human attempts were not able to damage it before and will not be able to damage it now or in the future. In this age Allah sent a true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to refute the enemy with a renewed vigour and dynamism. If only the Muslims would understand this.
Huzur said it should be clear that in verse 39:37 where Allah states that He is sufficient for His servant the use of the word ‘abd’ (servant) connotes the true servants of Allah who are perfectly obedient to Him, who proclaim to be ‘helpers of Allah’ (AnsarUllah), who worship Him, who glorify Him, who have a great sense of honour for Him and who love Him most dearly. The finest and most excellent model of this was the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to whom Allah demonstrated His attribute of being sufficient to an astounding degree at various times of His life. Allah states that only he is guided whom Allah grants guidance. Huzur said one should turn to Allah for guidance, for enhancement of belief and to stay firm once one is guided. Those who are guided demonstrate themselves as true servants of God and fully realise that therein lies their salvation and are fully cognisant that true triumph is only with Islam and Allah avenges those who are hostile. Allah’s retribution is in the form of punishment. In order to demonstrate the truthfulness of those who are from Allah He not only proves their veracity He also saves them from all the attacks of the opponents. The beloved of Allah and those who believe in them are included in ‘So enter thou among My chosen servants’ (89:30). Indeed the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was the biggest recipient of this grace. Because of him Allah also became sufficient for the slaves/servants of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). From among his slaves/servants the most excellent one is the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to whom Allah revealed the Quranic verse of ‘Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?’ (39:37) many times. The first time it was revealed to him was just before his father’s passing away and was a demonstration of Allah’s love. Allah indeed made the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) free from all kind of financial concerns and a whole world was fed by his hand, indeed is still being fed by his hand. This revelation was repeated many times and saved the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) from the attacks and conspiracies of the enemy and Allah indeed proved sufficient for him just as He had been sufficient for his master the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).
Allah commanded the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to state ‘Say, ‘If you love Allah, follow me: then will Allah love you and forgive your faults…’ (3:32). Huzur said the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) set the most excellent standard in following him and it was due to his perfect obedience to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that Allah loved the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and revealed Quranic verses to him and always disgraced his enemy.
Huzur said to this day the opponents do not accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and try to achieve their objectives. This did not come to pass before nor shall it ever. Indeed, we witness proofs of his truthfulness each day. These are demonstration of Allah being sufficient at every time and they enhance our faith. Each Ahmadi should reflect on this and try and develop in belief, not simply give it cursory attention. In true compliance of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) we will be included in those for whom Allah becomes sufficient.
The opponents may try and make all their effort, Allah is sufficient now as He was before and InshaAllah will be in the future. The religious leaders and the educated classes of Pakistan continue to try and damage us. A while ago a court case was registered against an Ahmadi in Pakistan with a charge that he had torn up a poster that had been put up by a maulwi. There is no truth in this. We display patience and fortitude even when verbally abused, this is what the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has taught us. We have never attempted retaliation. Allah alone seizes those who harass the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). The court case was taken all the way to the high court where a judge passed an astonishingly excessive verdict. Huzur said if this judge considers the maulwis of today holy, then we have nothing to say. These people serve those in power; such is the judiciary of Pakistan for some time now. We have no hope from them we only turn to Allah, He alone is sufficient.
Addressing the people of Pakistan Huzur said they should have some sense and not invite Allah’s wrath the signs of which are on the horizon. The only way out of this is to beg forgiveness of Allah. Our hearts are brimful of a surging sea of love for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) which the others could never even come close. Huzur called on the masses of Pakistan and told them not to follow the so-called religious leaders but to come in the refuge of Allah.
Huzur said these religious leaders continue to incite people against us and this results in martyrdoms. These terrible acts are in accordance to the law of the country where today no law is working.
Next Huzur gave the news of the martyrdom of Saeed Ahmad sahib in Sindh Pakistan who was shot dead as he entered his house. Huzur said he was a sincere and simple person who was ever busy in serving others. He was a hard working, hospitable, patient and forbearing person who had no enemy. He leaves behind two daughters and two sons. May Allah elevate his status in Paradise.
Huzur also gave the news of the death of Rana Muhammad Jan Advocate, who had served as the Ameer of Bhawalnagar, Pakistan. He served the Community for more than forty years and was a most sincere and pious person with strong connection with Khilafat. Huzur said he used to come regularly to the UK Jalsa but could not for the past two years and would write anxiously to Huzur about this. Huzur prayed that may Allah make his offspring follow in their father’s footsteps. Huzur said he would lead the funeral prayers in absentia of both the deceased.