Significance and Merits of Worship of God with Taqwa

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

November 11^th, 2005

Huzur^aba delivered his Friday Sermon from Masjid Nasir, Hartlepool (north east of England) at the occasion of the inauguration of the new mosque.

Huzur^aba recited verses 27 and 32 of Surah Al A’raf (7:27 & 7:32) and gave a discourse on the significance and merits of worship of God with taqwa (righteousness).

Huzur^aba expressed his delight at the completion of the new mosque and mentioned the expediency with which Ansarullah UK, who were responsible for it, managed this project. Huzur^aba said the volunteer force that physically worked on the building site made the impossible into possible by their commitment. He prayed for everyone involved in the project.

Huzur^aba said with the building of the mosque our responsibility has increased for now we have to populate it with sincere worshippers. Citing verse 57 of Surah Al Dhariyat (51:57) Huzur^aba said today it is the Ahmadiyya Community that has true comprehension of this Quranic command; that once you make a declaration of faith the five daily prayers are obligatory on you and that, Huzur^aba said, is the purpose of building of a mosque. Speaking specifically to the local people Huzur^aba said those who are home should attend the mosque for five daily prayers and others should join for Fajr and Isha. Huzur^aba said having believed in the Promised Messiah^as we have made ourselves distinct from others and it is not becoming if we do not adhere to these principles and that all the sacrifice and hard work would be of no avail unless we ‘adorn’ the mosque with worshippers.

Referring to the two verses Huzur^aba had recited at the beginning, he said satanic temptations follow us everywhere and unless we adopt the apparel of taqwa our human frailties cannot be overcome. Huzur^aba explained that during Salat one is at one’s most humble, especially during the prostration posture and that Salat is an act that brings one close to Allah. Therefore the Quranic verse enjoins to prepare oneself for it by physical (through wudhu) as well as spiritual cleansing. Huzur^aba said indeed Allah is ever on the look out to embrace His servants, once a person thus purifies himself/herself and turns to Allah, He would promptly embrace them.
Huzur^aba recounted a few Ahadith to expound the merits of those actions that are related to Salat; sitting and waiting for an Imam before Salat in remembrance of Allah is as if one is in a state of Salat and when one walks to the mosque for Salat, each step one takes is of merit and if one approaches the mosque having performed one’s ablutions in a fine manner, each step one takes pardons a sin and elevates one’s station in God’s eyes by one notch.

Referring to verse 32 of Surah Al A’raf that Huzur^aba recited earlier, he said that one’s diet has an effect on one’s spiritual demeanour; hence the significance of shunning what is forbidden to eat and drink. Huzur^aba said the verse also indicates towards waste and said that in this age when life is packed full of conveniences, food-related ailments are common, intoxicants are widely used and all this eats up and wastes one’s health. Huzur^aba said when health is not good one cannot pray with due concentration.

Huzur^aba read an extract from the Promised Messiah’s^as writings elucidating the effect of food on one’s spiritual condition and said that it is imprudent to think on the contrary. Huzur^aba said one should eat and drink from what is wholesome and halal and enjoy Allah’s bounties but make sure that one does not simply remain in pursuit of improving one’s material possessions. One’s wealth should not make one negligent from remembrance of Allah; rather it should take one closer to Him. Huzur^aba said we are grateful to Allah that in believing in the Promised Messiah^as we have understood this sagacious point and our splendour and prominence is not in arrogant attitude and wealth, rather it is by abiding by Allah’s commandment and by spending in His way. Huzur^aba recalled from his childhood that each time a child passed exam he/she would donate some money towards building of mosque. Huzur^aba said the auxiliary organisations should work towards introducing this practice in the Community and parents too should train their children for this.

Praying for the new mosque, Huzur^aba said may we fill it with taqwa and may it open doors for Tabligh opportunities. Huzur^aba said the completion of the mosque in Hartlepool stirred the memory of late Dr. Hameed and Mrs. Sajida Hameed who had worked tirelessly and most altruistically for the Hartlepool Jama’at and whose children are now trying to follow in their footsteps. Huzur^aba said they should be remembered in prayers and that their names will be most prominent in the history of Hartlepool Jama’at.

Next Huzur^aba announced the start of the new Tehrik e Jadid year – he gave some details about certain aspects of the scheme restored and announced that the total donations received last year stand at £3,443,000 with Pakistan in the first position followed by USA and then UK.

Huzur^aba prayed that may those who participate in Tehrik e Jadid be immensely blessed and be among the recipients of Allah’s loving grace and those who recognise the purpose of their creation.