Divine attribute of Al Momin (Bestower of Security)

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

July 6^th, 2007

Today Huzur gave a discourse on the Divine attribute of Al Momin (Bestower of Security) in his Friday Sermon. Citing verse 24 of Surah Al Hashr (59:24) Huzur said the individual, communal and indeed global peace and security for each person lies in being associated with that Being which bestows security.

Only those will reap beneficence from this who put this quality in practice, having imbibed themselves in the Divine attribute on a human level. All efforts for peace which exclude this fact will be fruitless and this peace can only be attained when one’s faith is sincere and perfect and indeed a perfect faith may only be attained by believing in all the prophets of God. Having faith in the Seal of all the prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in actual fact takes a believer to the state of perfect faith.

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) made it obligatory for a believer to accept the Promised Messiah upon his advent, saying that he would be fair and just. He enjoined to accept his commentary of the spiritual knowledge of the Qur’an and said that it will be him alone who would gather Muslims and non-Muslims on one hand, that is, the hand of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

Huzur said in accordance with this only those who have accepted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) will derive beneficence and are those who will live in peace and security and are the ones who will bring about peace and security, indeed should be the ones to do so.

Each Ahmadi should develop their spirituality and not suffice with just having faith; rather putting it all into practice is most essential. May Allah make each Ahmadi stronger in faith so that he/she may be a true reflection of a believer.

The word Momin is described in the lexicon as that Being Who has bestowed peace to His creation from all oppression. Huzur said Allah’s mercy encompasses everything so there is no question of oppression. As for the tribulations that befall friends of Allah, these are mere trials from which they pass without complaining and through prayer and with Allah’s help.

Citing verse 90 of Surah Al Nahl (16:90) Huzur quoted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was among his people for only 23 years (after prophethood) so why is it that he is to be a witness for all time? It is because Allah has willed to have Khalifas in place for him till the Day of Judgment.

Huzur said it is only the Ahmadis who have accepted the seal of all the Khalifas (the Promised Messiah), therefore we will be blessed with the distinction that we accepted the earlier as well as the latter one.

Another connotation of the word Momin is One Who fulfils the promises made to the believers. Huzur said this fact is also being materialised today due to the blessings of [Ahmadiyya] Khilafat, as we observe the other Muslims do not have the same dignity of faith.

Huzur commented on verse 126 of Surah Al Baqarah (2:126) and said that it is an open declaration from God that the Ka’ba is a House of God. Huzur said no matter what state the Muslims are in Allah has enabled them to take care of this sacred place, which Allah in fact Himself watches over. This place was considered as a symbol of peace even in the times of ignorance and Allah has protected it over the centuries. In accordance with the verse cited above this House is a place of security, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote that this verse indicates that when the people of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) will be spilt in sects, an ‘Ibrahim’ will be raised in the Latter-days who will be a reflection of the Ibrahim (on whom be peace) who built the House of God.

Huzur said Ahmadis should keep this House of God in their prayers; the House which was indeed the first and foremost symbol of peace and security but today there is no guarantee for the safe entrance of an Ahmadi in this House, Ahmadi who is the follower of that ‘Ibrahim’ who is most deserving to enter this House.

Huzur prayed that may Allah facilitate the followers of the Messiah and the latter-day Ibrahim safe passage to this House. InshaAllah when that time will come, the world will concur that indeed the true beneficiaries of the place have arrived.

Quoting Imam Raghib, Huzur said peace and security is associated with the advent of the Promised Messiah and added that indeed his advent has taken place and it was him who was to censure against fighting and war. Those who have not paid heed to his call are unfortunate, in their view the Messiah is to instigate bloodshed. Does bloodshed bring about peace and security?

Giving various other definitions of the word Al Momin, Huzur said Allah bestows peace and this signifies that one who believes in the One true God is not embarrassed in any situation because he/she will always have proofs and arguments to counter others. Huzur said one’s strength of faith grants one the courage to face opposition.

Al Momin is One Who bestows security, Who keeps in security and Who strengthens faith, therefore Huzur said, Ahmadis should endeavour to imbibe this attribute of Allah with sincere faith. A mosque is a house of God and is built for the purpose of His worship as well as to deliver the message of peace and security to the world. However, unfortunately, those who have not accepted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) are doing quite the opposite turning the Lal Masjid [in Islamabad , Pakistan] in a terrorist camp in all but name. Their allegation used to be that we had made Rabwah a ‘state within a state’. Now they have seriously taken the law in their own hands and have indeed professed it themselves. Huzur said such is their strength of faith that they have donned ‘burqas’ and joined with women [to avoid confrontation with the authorities]. Whereas the Ahmadis did not ever hesitate and filled up the prisons [as prisoners of conscience] but did not ever abandon declaring the Kalima (Muslim proclamation of faith). It was because Allah had granted them serenity of heart and had assured them of replacing their fears with peace and this indeed strengthened their faith further.

Ahmadis should remain steadfast and firm on faith to attain the purpose for which we were all created and for the attainment of which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) gave us his teachings and it is through his teachings that we accepted the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). May Allah enable each Ahmadi to be an all-inclusive adherent of this teaching.