SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON

by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
August 22^nd, 2003

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Hazur^aba delivered this Friday Sermon at the opening of the Jalsa Salana Germany. The theme of sermon was obedience

Hazur^aba said that the success of any system is very much dependent on the observance of its rules and regulations. Certainly one of the main reasons of the progress of the Western World is because here the law of the land is adhered to whereas in the Third World quite the opposite is true. Hazur^aba said if the success
of a worldly system could be so dependent on adherence to its rules and regulations then this requisite is all the more intense in a spiritual system.

Hazur^aba said matters of faith and religion are established by God and were brought to us through His Messenger (peace and blessings be on him). In our Community not only do we have the privilege to be among the people (ummah) of the perfect guide Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) but also in the present age God has enabled us to be among the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and this Community has a distinctive system which is the system of Khilafat. Hazur^aba said all believers are enjoined to inculcate a sense of obedience of excellent order in that no single commandment is omitted. As regards settlements and disputes, Hazur^aba explained that at times, to suit their convenience, people tend to pick and choose between the rules and regulations of the system of the Community and the civil courts. Hazur^aba admonished against this practice and said that certainly salvation is not in orally professing to be a believer rather it entails to abandon all kind of hypocrisy and faithlessness. Hazur^aba further stressed the significance of submitting to the decisions taken by the system of the Community. He said even if a wrong decision has been taken one has to accept it and that Allah will indeed reward this state of patience. Hazur^aba said true and sincere obedience, which is not an easy practice, is instrumental in spiritual development.

Citing the blessed example of the Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) Hazur^aba said they had totally negated themselves in the spirit of obedience and compliance to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and therein is the key to Islam’s triumph – contrary to the gross misinformation, Islam did not spread by force - it was this excellent spirit of obedience of the Companions that entranced people to the beauty of Islam.

Hazur^aba further elucidated the concept of the significance of obedience by relating several ahadith. Hazur^aba recounted that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) had said: ‘One who obeys me obeys Allah and one who is noncompliant to me is non complaint to Allah and one who obeys my ameer (leader) obeys me and one who is non compliant to my ameer is non compliant to me.’ Hazur^aba said in light of this we should be obedient to the system of the Community purely for the sake of Allah. Hazur^aba explained that within the system of the Community it is possible that an error is made by an individual, yet, it is obligatory to be obedient in that this practice evades disorder and turmoil. However, Hazur^aba said if one seeks general reformation one ought to come out in the open and go through the proper channels, but disobedience is not allowed. He said it was for the advantage of all to adhere to the pledge that they will be ever ready to make every sacrifice.

Next Hazur^aba spoke briefly about the prayers and admonishments of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) regarding the Jalsa and gave a brief admonitory discourse about the general etiquettes to be observed at Jalsa time.