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Divine Attribute of Rabb (Lord)

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

November 17th, 2006

NOTE: Alislam Team takes full responsibility for any errors or miscommunication in this Synopsis of the Friday Sermon

Huzur delivered his Friday Sermon on the subject of the Divine attribute of Rabb (Lord). Huzur explained that Allah has expressed and declared this attribute of His in the very beginning of the Holy Qur’an in Surah Al Fatiha with the mention of ‘Lord of all the worlds’.

The meaning of the word Rabb is detailed in the lexicon. It encompasses all the in-between stages of the quality of creating something and taking it to the point of excellence. Huzur explained that when the word rabb is used for humans in Arabic idiom it is always in terms of one who trains and is always used for others in conjunction of and with an additional word and on its own the word Rabb only indicates Allah.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) elucidated that the word Rabb has seven meanings. Firstly, that of Master and this entails that He has complete possession and absolute authority over everything. Secondly, Syyed, which connotes One Who is most Excellent and most Supreme. Thirdly Mudabbir, and this connotes One Who has sight of the conclusion of all affairs. Fourthly Qai’yam and this denotes One Who watches over things and Who puts things right. Fifthly, Mu’nim, and this signifies that Being which grants prosperity and good and Who bestows favours. Then it is Mu’tamimum, One Who meets each and every need. The merger of all these qualities is that Being Who is most High, most Excellent, Whose works have no likelihood of any error, Who fulfils the affairs of His creation and arranges prosperity for them, Who meets all their needs, is Omnipotent and the complete Master.

Allah has mentioned this attribute of His in the Holy Qur’an hundreds of times. In the beginning of the Qur’an He has used it to declare that all beneficence is to be sought from Him and in the end of the Holy Qur’an in Surahs Al Falaq and Al Nas, this Divine quality draws on that protection from all trails and tribulation is in the refuge of Allah.

With reference to elucidation by Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) Huzur further expounded the implication of the word Rabb when used for Allah. It signifies One for Whom alone is complete praise, Who bestows all capacity and all ability. The quality of Rabb denotes awareness of the good and welfare of others rather than simply be aware of one’s own good. Other than Allah, the quality of rubbubiyyat (the quality of sustaining) in all others is subject to and dependent on evolution. It is Allah’s Being alone that is not subject to change and alteration and this proves that all that is subject to change cannot exist on its own accord. Humans were created to achieve endless progress in knowledge, in doing good and in worship of God; it is therefore needed that one is grateful in that by virtue of His Rubbubiyyat He has granted us all this. The Divine quality of Rabb continues to lead us on never-ending paths of spiritual zenith. The claim by Sufis and such like that they have attained God and therefore are not in need of His worship etc. is contrary to this principle.

Huzur said now salvation for everyone lies in gathering towards God and it is the obligation of Ahmadis to take the message of this Lord, Who is the Lord of all the worlds and Who takes one to the highest degree, to everyone and to assemble them under the banner of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him).

Huzur explained that in the Holy Qur’an Allah has stated commandments as well as taught ways to pray with reference to His attribute of Rabb. Every Ahmadi should reflect over this Divine attribute and in doing so inculcate a strong connection with his Lord and to never allow anything or any situation to cause waver in this resolve.

Citing the Quranic mention of Ashab al Kahf ‘People of the Cave’ (Surah Al Kahf – Chapter 16) who endured extreme hardship and adversity in the name of One God and suffered tremendous oppression but were resolute and ever turned to God, Huzur said each Ahmadi should be mindful that we are those who have believed in the Messiah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and as such our connection with God should be very strong. We have not experienced a fraction of what the Ashab al Kahf endured; they did not abandon their belief. We are those who have believed in the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) through whom faith was perfected and who underwent a period of great suffering and persecution. Today the majority of Ahmadis are living comfortably and in peace; we should be grateful to God for this and ever turn to Him.

In adversity and in comfort, our progress is linked to our Lord. In the West and elsewhere people are abandoning God, it is the task of those who believe in the Messiah of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to impart the significance of adhering to the One God to these people, to enlighten them to relinquish associating partners with Him and to believe in the Seal of all the Prophets, for without this they will not find peace of mind. Huzur explained that those who believe in the One God, the Lord, do not just think of their own good rather they also seek good for others.

Next Huzur read an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) expounding the concept of God in other faiths and said that these do not acknowledge Him as ‘Lord of all the worlds’ and that this point has been only explained in Islam.

Huzur concluded on the prayer that may Allah enable the Ahmadis to enhance their observation and spiritual knowledge of ‘Lord of all the worlds’ and make them of those who show others the ways to recognise and appreciate Him so that the whole world may worship One God, Who is everyone’s God and is the Lord of all the worlds.