Huzur delivered his Friday Sermon on Allah being sufficient for those who are from Him.
The status that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) attained in complete obedience of his master, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is clear to each Ahmadi. In last Friday Sermon Huzur expounded the Divine attribute of Al Kafi (The Sufficient). In this regard, many Divine revelations were given to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). He became Allah’s beloved due to his supreme and ardent love and devotion for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Some portions of the Holy Qur’an were revealed to him as revelations. Each day that dawns on the Ahmadiyya Community is a testimony to the fact that these revelations and indeed his claim were true.
One who attributes falsehood to Allah, in particular falsehood about prophethood cannot escape punishment. Allah states in the Qur’an:
“And if he had falsely attributed even a trivial statement to Us, We would surely have seized him by the right hand, And then surely We would have severed his jugular vein, And not one of you could shield him from him.” [(69:45)-(69:48)]
In principle, this is a measure regarding one who attributes falsehood to Allah. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) presented this measure as a testimony to his truthfulness. He said that it is a Sign from that one who is false is destroyed. At the time twenty five years had passed since the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had started publishing his Divine revelations and rather than seizing him Allah had manifested hundreds of Signs to corroborate his truthfulness. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said with conviction that no one would be able to match his claim.
Those who state that the aforementioned Quranic verses can only be applicable to the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) overlook that is Allah not to seize any other person who would attribute falsehood to Him? Indeed this is the measure with which each truthful person should be evaluated. At least those who have believed in the Holy Qur’an should desist from deriding it. Neither do those who claim to be well-versed in it understand it themselves nor do they want the masses to understand it.
With reference to Divine Signs of support and corroboration the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote that it was at five instances that the life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was in great danger and it appeared as if his safety was not possible. Had he not been a true Prophet of God he would not have survived these incidents. These were, 1) When the Quraish lay siege to his house and vowed to kill him. 2) When the unbelievers reached the mouth of the cave in which he hid with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him). 3) At the Battle of Uhad when the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was left by himself and the enemy surrounded him and attacked him [in vain] with their swords. 4) When a Jewish woman poisoned the meat intended for him with a deadly poison but Allah saved him. 5) When the emperor of Persia Khusro Pervez decided to have him killed and dispatched someone to execute the plan. Survival from all this is a testimony to his truthfulness.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said it was extraordinary that it was also at five occasions that his honour and life was in danger. 1) At the time when he was taken to court on the charge of instigating murder by Dr. Martin Clark. 2) Police filed a criminal case against him at the Gurdaspur court of DSP Mr. Dowie. 3) A Karam Din of Jehlum filed a criminal case against him. 4) The same Karam Din filed another criminal case against him at Gurdaspur. 5) During the investigation into the death of Lekh Ram his house was searched and the opponents tried their utmost but could not find any evidence. Each of these court cases came to naught.
Indeed the glory of his master, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is supremely elevated, however, in light of his perfect obedience to him, Allah also demonstrated His attribute of Al Kafi to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).
The court case filed by Dr. Martin Clark is well known in the history of the Community. During this time, Muslims, Hindus and Christians all began to oppose the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) but Allah fully exonerated him from this. However, those who derided him or wished to deride him were dealt with by Allah. An example of this is when the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) arrived for the case he was offered a chair [a sign of high regard during the time of the British Raj]. His opponent Maulvi Muhammad Hussein who had come to see (God forbid) the disgrace of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was astonished at this gesture. He was there as a prosecution witness and Dr. Clark requested that he was also given a chair. This was denied by the presiding Deputy Commissioner. When he came to give his evidence he directly asked the Deputy Commissioner for a chair and was refused. On his insistence, he was publically told off and humiliated by the Deputy Commissioner.
Nawab Sadeeq was a religious scholar at the time when the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace)wrote Baraheen e Ahmadiyya. The British government had granted him a few titles including that of ‘nawab’. Despite his opulent life he served Islam and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also considered him to be a pious person. At the publication of ‘Baraheen e Ahmadiyya’ the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote to a few people including Nawab Sadeeq for patronage. He initially responded politely, agreeing to purchase a few copies but then silence followed. When he was contacted for a second time he responded by saying that it was against the wishes of the British government to purchase or to assist with religious books therefore nothing should be expected from him. Huzur remarked that it is alleged that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was ‘implanted by the British’, yet their own renowned religious scholars refused to make the purchase to please the British. The package that was sent to him was returned torn and the book was also torn. Seeing the book in this state the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was deeply angered and said that they could go ahead and please their government, Allah would tear their honour apart. He said he would not be hopeful of the Nawab sahib, Allah was Sufficient for his hopes and may the British government be pleased with the Nawab sahib. A while later the very same British government that the Nawab sahib had tried to please made accusations against him and an Investigative Commission was set to look into allegations that also involved rebellion. All his titles were withdrawn. When he became very helpless he sent requests to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) for prayers. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) prayed for him and it was through his prayers that his honour was restored.
Munshi Illahi Buksh was an accountant who held the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in reverence. However, later on he became an opponent, used extremely unseemly language and alleged that all the revelations of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) were untrue. He would not publish his own revelations regarding the Promised Messiah for fear of litigation. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) assured him that he would never restore to litigation as he was only interested in a Divine verdict so that people could recognise the person who was from God. He said if Munshi sahib’s revelations were from God then certainly [God forbid] destruction would befall the Promised Messiah. However, if Allah had any knowledge against this negative supposition it would become evident. He assured the Munshi sahib that there would be no attack on his dignity – all he wished for was exoneration, which was the way of Prophets of God, just as Hadhrat Yusuf (on whom be peace) had wished. Eventually Munshi sahib wrote a 400 page book with revelations against the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and sent it to him. None of his revelations – some asserting Divine succour for himself and destruction of the Promised Messiah through the plague - came to pass. On the contrary, he himself contracted the plague and died from it in 1907. The plague created havoc [in India] for eleven years but the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and his Community remained safe and today, with Divine support and succour, it has spread all over the world.
Mirza Imam Din sahib and Nizam Din sahib were the cousins of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). They demonstrated great enmity towards him as well as Islam in general and said many audacious things about the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). They collaborated with the Hindus and at one point had Lekh Ram stay in Qadian for two months. They would not leave any trifle matter to harass the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). They built a wall in order to stop the passage of people visiting the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and would not listen to any request to remove it. The only court case that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) registered against an opponent was against these individuals and it was to alleviate the inconvenience caused to the Community. He prayed immensely for this matter and received a powerful revelation from Allah that he would be evidently triumphant in this court case but at the appointed time. Although there was delay and even the lawyers seemed to have lost hope, eventually a document was found from among the records which proved consequential in the court case resulting in the favour of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and the wall came down. The judge stated that if the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wished he could register another court case demanding expenses. The lawyer registered a case. By this time Mirza Imam Din had passed away and Mirza Nizam Din was given the notice. His condition was as the Divine revelation had predicted and he did not have the means to make the payment. He requested concession stating they were relations. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said it was not him who had registered the case. He instructed the lawyer there was no need to pursue the matter and had it put in writing that although these people presumed to dishonour the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), the court case had been decided and he did not wish to retaliate.
Huzur said there are numerous other incidents that illustrate similar incidents of Divine succour for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Indeed even after his passing away each time hostility raised its head Allah’s help came and the Community was saved from any bad consequences of enmity. Despite opposition and restrictions on governmental level the Community continues to spread. Despite lack of resources today a worldly person cannot even imagine how the Community functions. If a worldly-wise person was to see the budget of the Community they would perhaps find it less than the annual income of a wealthy individual. However, it is so immensely blessed that it appears ample to a worldly person and they see our financial condition as strong and envisage us owing great wealth and property. Huzur said with the grace of Allah our finances are strong and this is because the right amount is used for the right purpose. Huzur remarked that during his last African tour the first question the President of Benin asked him upon meeting was how many million dollars worth of investment was the Community about to make in his country!
Huzur said in fact this notion prevails because Allah’s help is with us and this is a Sign of the Living God of Islam which is evident all the time, which each Ahmadi feels and the world also senses. When God, Who is the Master of the heaven and the earth, sends His servants to this world to propagate His message, He assures them in every way and declares to them in every matter. ‘Is not Allah sufficient for His servant?’ (39:37). He also states: ‘And Allah knows your enemies full well. And sufficient is Allah as a Friend, and sufficient is Allah as a Helper.’ (4:46).
Huzur said we witness Divine support and help every step of the way, may Allah make it so that we truly honour their dues so that we may continue to witness them.
Next Huzur said that he had mentioned Baha’ullah in his last sermon in that he had claimed prophethood. Huzur said what should have been said was that even if the claim of prophethood of this claimant is to be believed Divine succour was still not with him. Huzur said it would not be correct to say that the Baha’is do not consider him to be a prophet because there are many among his children who say that he was a prophet. Indeed he had claimed divinity. The religious law that he introduced and which remains unpublished refers to his claim to divinity. Even though he did not claim prophethood but as prophethood was being mentioned [last Friday Sermon], the significance of what was said was that even if it is accepted that he had claimed prophethood, Allah did not demonstrate His help and support for him. In some quarters Ahmadis are likened to Baha’is and both are considered as liars. Allah’s succour for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is evident but none can be seen to be with the Baha’is.
Huzur said he wished to make a few things clear about this as some ill-informed people are easily influenced – for example there are some in Africa and also some in Pakistan. It should always be remembered that Baha’ullah’s own claim was that of divinity and his special son whom he appointed his successor also considered him to be a claimant of divinity. Their method is to gradually entrap ill-informed, peaceful people. They do not mention his claim to divinity at first but later implement the religious law that he, as a god revealed to himself. That is, he was god as well as human. Maulana Abul Atta who was in Palestine, mentioned that some among them, including one of his sons, would come to our mosque to offer Salat five times a day, although congregational prayer is not common among them in fact they do have five daily Prayers. To gain sympathy with Christians they maintain that Baha’ullah is a manifestation of God, just as the Christians consider Jesus (on whom be peace) to be son of God.
Baha’ullah was imprisoned for a length of time from where he maintained that he was in prison and he was the master of the world and there was no god but him. He also maintained that he would continue to help even after his death. Huzur remarked what sort of a god was he who could not save himself from imprisonment. Of what use would he be to others?
Regarding their numbers Abdul Baha, his son and successor said that it is possible that a Christian is a Baha’i, a Jew is a Baha’i, a Freemason is a Baha’i or a Muslim is a Baha’i. Huzur said they convince people to become close to Baha’ullah in accordance with their own religious beliefs. Once they are persuaded then the real teaching is taken to them.
Huzur said when Allah sends His Prophets to this world He commands them to take His message to the world. However, the Baha’is say the message should not be taken to others and consider propagation as forbidden in some countries.
On his tour of the West an English woman, who had become a Baha’i came to see Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) with an Iranian friend. He asked her that the Holy Qur’an had brought a perfect religious law, what new thing had she learnt from the Baha’is. She said that the religious law [of Islam] was not perfect, it had something contrary to nature, like permission for four marriage for men, whereas Baha’ullah enjoined one marriage - Huzur remarked there is great protest at permission or four marriage in the West - On this Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) reminded her that Baha’ullah had himself married twice, to this she replied that one of the marriages was before he had made his claim - Huzur remark this god is strange who did not know what religious law he was to reveal in the future - When Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) asked why had then his son married twice. The Iranian friend replied, he had made the second [wife] his sister. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) asked why is it that he had offspring with her, does one have offspring with one’s sister? Huzur concluded we should always avoid these people, they attack silently. They have kept their religious law secretive by command.
Huzur said Allah states about those who make false claims to prophethood that He severs their very jugular vein and disgraces them in this world. However, regarding those who claim divinity Allah states: “And whosoever of them should say, ‘I am a God beside Him,’ him shall We requite with Hell. Thus do We requite the wrongdoers.” (21:30).
Huzur prayed that may Allah enable us to be completely obedient to the one who is sent by God so that He may keep us in His mercy and grace and continues to make us those who attain His nearness.