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SUMMARY OF FRIDAY SERMON

by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community
June 3rd, 2005

(NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication in this Synopsis of the Friday Sermon by Sister Shermeen Butt)


Financial Sacrifice

Huzuraba delivered his Friday Sermon on the subject of financial sacrifice. Citing verse 263 of Surah Al Baqarah (2:263) Huzuraba explained that the verse has the glad-tiding for those who spend in the way of Allah selflessly that their reward is with Him.

Huzuraba alluded to the much-publicised spending in good causes by people outside the Community, especially in the sub-continent, that is almost always generated by ulterior motives, compared to those who believe in the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and spend in the way of Allah with pure intentions for the propagation of Allah’s message and service of humanity.

Indeed from among these people of God there are those who are in dire straits themselves as well as those who can afford huge sacrifices. Their reward is with Allah Who bestows them without measure, these people spend in compliance of the pronouncement of the Holy Prophetsaw ‘not to tighten the purse strings’.

With reference to verses 2:273 and 2:262 Huzuraba said Allah’s grace and bounty is incalculable but as human thought is limited the verse (2:262) illustrates a 700-fold reward for spending in the way of Allah, whereas if Allah so wills He increases the reward further still in line with the measure of one’s faith. Each individual has different spending capacity, however, each person should, within their own sphere, aspire to spend in the way of Allah, and be mindful that the word sacrifice in itself connotes restraining one’s personal requirements in order to give.

Huzuraba related several Ahadith to elucidate the subject. He then explained that this is the last month of the current financial year of the Community and in line with the commandment to counsel and guide he reminded all those who have outstanding prescribed contributions to make the payments. Quoting from the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) writings Huzuraba said each Ahmadi should try and pay their obligatory contributions regularly/monthly. Those who are financially constrained should seek permission from the Khalifa of the Day for any remission but all Ahmadis should keep in mind that Allah is aware of everyone’s specific ability to pay. Huzuraba explained that the six-month margin to pay the obligatory contributions is facilitated for farmers and those running businesses that generate revenue intermittently, while those who are in regular employment and those who do trading should be heedful to pay monthly.

Next Huzuraba mentioned a few tehriks (schemes/movements). First he reminded everyone of the “Maryum Shadi Fund” as started by Khalifa tul Masih IV (rahma’ullah) [that assists disadvantaged young women with their wedding expenditure]. Huzuraba enjoined those with sons to adopt taqwa (righteousness) and refrain from making unwarrantable demands on the girl’s family at the time of marriage. Huzuraba motivated well-off parents to hold-back in spending on lavish wedding ceremonies for their off-spring and give whatever is saved to “Maryum Fund”. Huzuraba said such families should give 1% of what they spend on their own off spring towards the wedding of a needy family.

Secondly Huzuraba mentioned the appeal he had made for a new mosque in Spain and said that although the response was huge, some pledges are still outstanding. Huzuraba gave an update on the potential purchase of a plot for this mosque.

Huzuraba also reminded the German Jama’at to gather pace in their ‘100 mosques scheme.’

Next Huzuraba started a new tehrik (appeal) for the ‘Tahir Heart Institute’ project which is underway in Rabwah. Huzuraba gave details of the work done on the six-storied building so far and appealed to the doctor community in USA, Europe and some from Pakistan to make monetary donations for the speedy completion of this project, he urged them to live up to the claim that we are from among the “Aakhareen” (the latter ones) who are to match up the “Awaleen” (the earlier ones) in good deeds.

Huzuraba said it was his intense wish to have this project completed soon. He explained that this tehrik was specifically for the purchase of specialist equipment for the hospital. He said a doctor from USA Jama’at has devoted time to serve there and would arrive soon, other young doctors from the West would later join and work shall continue in the supervision of Dr. Noori Sahib.

In conclusion Huzuraba read an extract from the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) writing and prayed that may each one of us considers [the ability to offer] sacrifice an honour and be the recipient of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) prayers.

Huzuraba asked for prayers for his tour of Canada that begins June 4, 2005.