Hudhur delivered his Friday Sermon from Basharat Mosque, Pedro Abad, Spain and gave a comprehensive exposition on the essence of Tabligh.
The object of the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was to revive the glory of Islam. Indeed, it was in Spain that after a few hundred years of rise, Islam fell in such a way that its adherents were forcibly converted to Christianity or they got caught in the trap of Christian missionaries due to their own spiritual weakness. India, with its Muslim mystics and saints was considered as the fortress of Islam. But there too Muslims were turning to Christianity. This is the time that the Promised Messiah’s advent took place and the revival of Islam began. Having received knowledge from God, he told the world about the superiority of Islam over other world religions. He presented the reality of Christianity to the Christian priests who had spoken of Christian dominance in India in such a way that they were forced to be defensive about it and some of them retreated, telling their followers never to engage in a discussion with Ahmadis. Christians acknowledged that due to this ‘new’ Islam, which was in fact the real Islam, the greatness of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was being re-established.
Hudhur said today the task of the revival of Islam is the task of each Ahmadi. For this we need to pay attention to our own condition and actively work towards it. Hudhur said each person of the Jama’at in Spain needs to pay attention to this and abandon indolence. There is need to utilise the proofs and reasoning from the scholarly treasures that are at our avail and expedite Tabligh efforts.
Hudhur said it should be clear that in this day and age majority of Christians are far-removed from religion and many have lost belief in the existence of God. They have to be initially brought towards God. For this we need to present good practises and also need to work at our own spiritual development and enhance our taqwa levels otherwise Tabligh efforts will not be blessed. It is God’s decree that the true and living religion is Islam and it is going to triumph and obedience of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) alone is the way to seek God’s pleasure. Acknowledgement of Unity of God and adapting one’s practices accordingly are the only means of salvation. This alone is the objective for which we need to endeavour and pray, put it in practise and take the message to others.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stated: ‘God Almighty desires to draw all those who live in various habitations of the world, be it Europe or Asia, and who have virtuous nature, to the Unity of God and unite His servants under one Faith. This indeed is the purpose of God for which I have been sent to the world. You, too, therefore should pursue this end, but with kindness, moral probity and fervent prayers.’ (The Will, pp 8 - 9)
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) made it our responsibility to try and work, according to our individual capacities and capabilities, for the purpose for which he was sent. Today the whole world commits shirk (associating partners with Allah) in the name of religion or rejects the very existence of God. Hudhur said as his addressees were in Europe, he will speak with that reference. He said there was a time when the sound of La illaha illalla could be heard in the land of Spain. There are relics and reminders all over the country that once Unity of God was in the very air. However, spiritual weakness gave way to the concept of trinity. Indeed, God decreed that He will establish the world on Unity of God and for this purpose, as is His way, He sent His commissioned one, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). It is God’s special grace and mercy that we came in the bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). However, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) did not say that bai’at was the ultimate objective of our lives. Rather, he said that in order to establish Unity of God and to gather people on the one true faith he should be followed, then alone would taking of his bai’at be honoured. However, this task has to be done with gentility and gentility comes into play when one is armed with proofs and reasoning. The reason our opponents are verbally abusive and belligerent and use force against us is because they do not have any proofs and reasoning. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has filled us with so many Quranic proofs that there is no need to lose one’s cool. Discussions should be conducted with courtesy and it should be proven to the world that the teaching of Islam is the beautiful teaching that does not require force for it to spread. It is that light which reaches the soul of each pure-natured person.
Islam draws our attention to rights of God and rights of mankind and a fundamental aspect is that unless prayers are made avail of it will not come to fruition. The real way to spread the true faith is through spiritual development and spiritual development does not come about without prayers and a connection with God. How could the task of summoning people to God be done without first establishing a connection with God? The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) expounded that our triumph will come about with prayers alone. Tabligh too requires prayers and bears fruit with effort and prayers combined with special attention given to improving one’s own practices.
The Holy Qur’an states: ‘And who is better in speech than he who invites men to Allah and does good works and says, ‘I am surely of those who submit?’ (41:34) God declares summoning people to Him as the best of tasks and everything else as secondary. One is to utilize all resources that are available to perform this task and be included in the best of people. The Holy Qur’an states hundreds of commands and forbids many things. Good works constitute when man avoids what is forbidden and tries to do what is enjoined. Hudhur said if we analyse ourselves there is much piety that we overlook in our daily lives. It is a most significant condition for one who invites people to God to be one who does ‘good works’. Then alone can one summon another to the ways showed by the Promised Messiah in the current age. Then alone can one assert that he or she has, to some extent, found inner peace and is heading towards spiritual development and can usher others to listen and try to be obedient as one has been obedient.
Hudhur said while it is essential for a Dai’ Lillah (summoner to God) to remember this, it is also for every single Ahmadi, whether he/she is active in Tabligh or not to be aware that their surroundings and the world knows they are Ahmadi and their being an Ahmadi makes them a silent summoner to God. Hudhur said at times he receives letters from people outside Ahmadiyyat complaining about unfairness of Ahmadis. Thus one act of an Ahmadi becomes a source of disrepute for the entire Community.
Hudhur said obedience of a Muslim entails honouring dues of God and dues of mankind, worship of God is also a significant feature of it. When Hadhrat Ibrahim and Ishmael raised the walls of Ka’ba, they prayed for a Prophet to come in the future but they also prayed for their progeny: ‘Our Lord, make us submissive to Thee and make of our offspring a people submissive to Thee. And show us our ways of worship, and turn to us with mercy; for Thou art Oft-Returning with compassion and Merciful.’ (2:129) Hudhur said without worship of God the purpose for which His Prophets come to this world is not fulfilled. One only truly understands the teaching of God and its wisdom when one’s nafs (self) is purified and nafs is only purified when one knows the ways of worship of God that gain acceptance with Him. It is indeed our good fortune that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) taught us these ways and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) revived them in the current age.
It is the duty of every person who calls himself/herself an Ahmadi and associates himself/herself to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to keep their practices upright for the whole world watches them. If one does not have sufficient religious knowledge to be a Dai’ Lillah one can still attract others by one’s good practices.
Hudhur said generally speaking the reason for most Pakistani Ahmadis to be living outside Pakistan is their faith. Therefore while being grateful, as we work to improve our worldly life, we should at least commit one day a week to summon people to God. Hudhur said if the few hundred Ahmadis of Spain became active in Tabligh it can accelerate the process manifold. If the Spanish Jama’at and the auxiliaries worked on this the Community could be introduced to a good section of the country. Tabligh needs to be done in accordance to the mindset of people concerned; some are far-removed from religion whereas others deny the existence of God. Although most people are not religious, yet due to living in an ambience of Catholicism and due to the historical background some families and ethnicities are still deeply prejudiced against Islam. However, there also seems to some restlessness about Christianity. Hudhur said in fact Dr. Mansoor sahib has informed him that at an event in Valencia to mark 400 years old history an apology [link] for the ethnic cleansing of Muslims may be forthcoming. Hudhur said to further support this developing realisation we should have literature about the true teaching of Islam and should make an effort to do Tabligh about it. There is no need to go into matters relating to Christianity, rather Islam should be introduced in a wise/sagacious manner and the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in the current age should be cited.
Hudhur said the lost glory of Islam will be re-established when the Ahmadis of Spain will realise that it is their responsibility. It should not be assumed that these people are distant or are under the influence of Catholicism. Indeed, a few decades ago, it was unthinkable that we could construct a mosque here or that one day the Spanish would be embarrassed at the past and would think of an apology. These are the works of God. Our task is to plan according to the ways of the country we live in. Hudhur said an extensive and courageous planning is needed. Targets need to be determined that we will introduce Ahmadiyyat to at least one percent of the population in one year. Hudhur said countries where such efforts are being made have had good results. For this task the entire Jama’at, missionaries and the auxiliaries need to work side by side. God had entrusted this very task to His Prophets. God states: ‘But if they turn away, We have not sent thee as a guardian over them. Thy duty is only to convey the Message…’ (42:49) Thus is the responsibility of each Ahmadi in this country. Hudhur said there is no need to distribute big books. One page introductory leaflets should be printed. Those who are interested will contact us themselves. Hudhur said if work had been carried on correctly, as the centre had directed, since the construction of the mosque twenty eight years ago, connections could have developed with its reference alone and the difficulties faced in Valencia may have been eased. Rather than long-term planning we start work at the last minute. We need to change this thought-process and foster regular connections. Hudhur said visits by a few delegations in one year should not be considered a mark of success. There is not sufficient literature around. The world wishes to read/listen to topics of peace, economic matters and what is currently being carried out in the name of Jihad. There is literature available on these topics; it only needs to be translated [in Spanish]. Hudhur said introductions to Ahmadiyyat should be carried in smaller towns and villages, topics should be chosen and other faiths should be invited to inter-faith seminars etc. Halls can be hired for this purpose. Hudhur said if the missionaries and the auxiliary organisations became active a lot could be achieved. Spain is visited by many tourists. Brief literature should be produced for them in different attractive designs. Some may not accept it, others may throw it away after a while but many will read it. Our task is to fulfil our responsibility. God has never said that Tabligh will always have great response. God states: ‘Surely thou wilt not be able to guide all whom thou lovest; but Allah guides whomsoever He pleases…’ (28:57)
Hudhur said our task is to make effort and pray. How can we possibly say that every effort of ours will definitely bear fruit? We have to try our very best and pray. May God cover our faults, overlook our mistakes and accept our endeavours. If our effort is right, the rest God will bring forth.
Hudhur said he wished to say that the Waqfe Nau children who are born and bred in Spain and know Spanish well and are reaching adolescence should apply to Jamia Ahmadiyya so that the deficiency of Spanish-speaking missionaries may be met and our message may be taken to all the Spanish-speaking countries of the world.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that we need people who will achieve objectives. He said tours are needed for Tabligh work as well as people who can devote their lives for this purpose. He also said that to take the message to Europe not only the language of the country should be known but one should also be well-versed in local phraseology.
Hudhur said the Waqfe Nau children should be brought up in a way that they eagerly join Jamia Ahmadiyya. The language and life-style of the country should be familiarised with. The Tabligh work of the Community is permanent. Prompt and emergency planning for Tabligh should be done side by side long-term Tabligh planning done with deep considerations. Sincere efforts will be required for this. The office holders should think beyond the office and recognise the objective for which God is enabling them to serve.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said fear of God entailed that one was mindful of harmony between one’s word and deed. He said an impure heart has no value in the sight of God, no matter how pure the utterance of the person. He said his Community should understand that they have come to him so that a seed may be sown which would make them into a fruit-bearing tree.
Hudhur said we should all reflect on our inner self and that the fruits of each Ahmadi are two-faceted. Firstly, improve our own condition and that of our children and adhere to taqwa and secondly, take the beautiful message of Islam to the world. May God enable us to put this in practice and may there be no contradiction between our word and deed, may we ever turn to God and attain His pleasure and be enabled to do the task entrusted to one commissioned by Him in an excellent manner.