Practice What You Preach

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

September 30^th, 2005

Huzur^aba recited verse 41:34. The translation is:

And who is better in speech than he who invites men to ALLAH and does righteous deeds and says, `I am, surely, of those who submit ?

Huzur^aba stated that Allah has reminded us in this verse that you who claim to be believers and call yourselves Muslims, not merely by name but in total obedience and true spirit of the faith, there are some responsibilities that your claim lays down upon you. One of those responsibilities is that of spreading the message of Islam in the world. Huzur^aba stated that you will truly be successful in discharging this duty if your actions are in complete harmony with the message that you convey.

When an Ahmadi claims that he has accepted Hadhrat Masih Maud^as to show his complete obedience to the commandment of the Master Prophet Hadhrat Mohammad^saw then he should also remember that he will derive the ultimate benefit from his actions if he follows all the instructions of the Imam of the age, Hadhrat Masih Maud^as.

Allah has commanded the Holy Prophet^saw to call the worlds towards Allah and has told us that he was like the bright sun that caused the darkness of this world to disappear. While he himself worked day and night to spread the light of Allah's message, he exhorted his followers to follow his example and do the same. Huzur^aba stated that your preaching efforts would only be counted as acts of goodness if your practices are also good. Otherwise, all your efforts will be wasted and will bear no fruits. Your arguments may impress some people temporarily but your practical examples can cause some to go astray.

Effective preaching demands that you do what you say. The Promised Messiah^as has also said that when you match your actions with your arguments then they will be the most effective.

Huzur^aba stated that there is an element of prejudice in Holland but at the same time there is a large section of the population that is interested in the spiritual development and is interested in knowing about Islam. There are many who have come from other parts of the world to settle here. Huzur^aba directed the Jama'at to make a concerted effort and preach among these people and also pay special attention towards setting a good example for these people. Huzur^aba stated that this will lead to success.

Huzur^aba stated there we should not think that by organizing an occasional bookstall or an exhibition here and there we have discharged our duty. The Holy Prophet^saw preached in this manner also, but he also employed other techniques. We should follow his example and go into villages where there is relatively more receptive audience. School and college students should try among their peers. Preach among the Arabs who are settled here. Huzur^aba gave the example of Denmark where young Ahmadies developed contacts with the learned people of their community and introduced them to Islam and Ahmadiyyat. Huzur^aba stressed on the need to developing and maintaining good relationships with such people and also to show them what Islam is with your example. This will ease the work of propagation. This also requires a lot of patience and perseverance. Huzur^aba stated that if this is coupled with prayers then Allah will grant you the good fruits.

Huzur^aba stated that he has seen a lot of interest among the people during his recent travels. People ask questions with great enthusiasm. They also enquire about the Jama'at WEB sites so they can obtain the information from there.

Huzur^aba stated that our duty is to convey the message to the people and to purify ourselves. Those who are of good nature will automatically be drawn towards Allah. If we spend all our time in making plans and do not act upon them then we would have wasted our time and would become deserving of Allah's displeasure. Huzur^aba stated that if those who have come here to seek asylum would spend a little of their time in this field then Allah, who has the power to remove all difficulties, would surely rid them of their problems.

Huzur^aba stated that today, only Ahmadis can present the beautiful face of Islam in front of the world and we must do this according to the teachings of the Holy Prophet^saw. May Allah enable us to pay due attention to this duty, and may Allah grant us the good fruits as a result. Ameen.