SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON

by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
May 30^th, 2003

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In continuation of the series of Friday Sermons on the Divine attribute of Al Khabir (The All Aware) Hazur^aba began by citing a verse of Surah Al An’am (6:104). Reading from the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) commentary on the verse Hazur^aba explained that the person of God is hidden behind veils upon veils and that mere 'intellect' cannot discover Him; human sight and intelligence cannot comprehend His Unity (Tawheed). His Unity can only be established in one’s heart by rejecting external as well as internal 'false gods'. God Himself bestows the light to the eyes, which enable discernment; otherwise one is powerless to see Him with the physical means of sight.

Hazur^aba recited another related Quranic verse from Surah Al-Hashr (59:19) “O ye who believe! Fear Allah; and let every soul look to what it sends forth for the morrow. And fear Allah; verily Allah is Well-Aware of what you do”.
Hazur^aba read out several extracts from Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih’s I (may Allah be pleased with him) writings on the verse explaining the importance of making preparation in the present day for the Day yet to come -- when one's soul will stand accountable in front of Allah for all that it did, in that Allah is Well-Aware of what we do. The root of taqwa (righteousness) is when in every action and conversation one remembers that Allah knows well all that we do. Making a comparative study of Biblical and Quranic teachings Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I (may Allah be pleased with him) writes that the Bible puts emphasis that Today is important and that Tomorrow will take care of itself, whereas the Holy Quran prepare us for the present as well as the world yet to come and teaches that each person has a "soul" (nafs) and nafs is more important than the body, that nafs should be prepared for seeking salvation in the akhirah - the Day to Come!
Stressing upon the observance of taqwa, Hazur^aba admonished the Jama’at to be on their guard and fair-minded in domestic relations, especially the sensitive situation between the mother-in-law and daughter-in -law, and the sisters -in -law. He prayed for the Ahmadi homes in that they uphold taqwa in matters associated with relations within marriage particularly in light of the fact that the verse Hazur^aba elucidated (59:19) is one of the verses recited during the Nikah sermon. Hazur^aba also cited the following verses to explain the Divine attribute of Al Khabir: 63:12, 64:8 and 100:10, 11, 12. Referring to the commentary of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) Hazur^aba further elaborated the meaning of Al Khabir in that it also means that Allah is not only "Aware" but that He also has the power to punish and reward us in the end. ‘Divine Awareness' is on both levels – in the 'knowing' as well as 'in taking appropriate action'.
As regards the prophecies mentioned in the Holy Quran that have materialized in the current age, Hazur^aba related 81:8 and extensively commented on it with references to sayings of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rahma’ullah) and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stating the application of this prophecy on formation of zoos, travel by sea in and other fast systems of transportation, use of instant communication equipments - such as telephone, television and internet. Hazur^aba spoke of the globalisation of the world and as a consequence all the means of Tabligh being put together in our age to take the message to the world. Hazur^aba explained that 90:2, 3, a Surah revealed during the Meccan years of hardship and persecution, speaks with great certainty of the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings be on him) triumphant return to Mecca. Hazur^aba also cited the prophetic hadith where the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) spoke of re-establishment of Khilafat on the precept of Prophethood, and the Heavenly signs to recognize the time of the Mahdi (on whom be peace). Several prophecies of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) were also presented - especially about the rising of the sun from the West and Islam being the religion of Caucasian race. Hazur^aba asked us, who live in the West, to work hard to ensure a fitting fulfilment of this prophesy.