Qualities of a Momin (believer)

Summary of Friday Sermon

delivered by the Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community

August 10^th, 2007

Resuming the subject he was speaking on before his series of Jalsa Salana sermons, today Huzur gave a discourse on the qualities of a Momin (believer) in his Friday Sermon.

Citing verse 26 of Surah Al Baqarah Huzur said he would elucidate the qualities of a true believer, after adopting which the faith of a person becomes authentic and he/she is the recipient of Divine blessings and beneficence.

Indeed a believer is one who does good works and believes in the Unity of God, the Prophets of God, the Books, the angels and the Day of Judgment; a person whose heart surges with love of God at the mention of His name. Such a person would be ever mindful not to indulge in something that would incur Divine displeasure and as a result would be primarily conscious of only doing what Allah favours.

Expounding what is needed to be a true believer, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote that first of all one needs to put in maximum endeavour to establish the Unity of God on the earth. Simple vocalisation of one’s faith is not enough; it needs to be put in practice. A practical step to establish Unity of God will come to pass once a person frees their heart of everything except Allah, will not use cunning means and falsehood to achieve personal goals, will make effort to inculcate love of God in one’s children through one’s practice of harmonic word and deed and to propagate the unity of God in one’s sphere of life with all of one’s capacity.

Secondly, compassion for fellow human beings is needed. A true believer is one who is not unfair to another person through his word or deed. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) declared it as a distinctiveness of a believer that others would be safe from his/her tongue and hand. Huzur said it also entails that one feels another person’s pain as if one’s own; of course when such feelings would materialize only then a person would have true belief in the Gracious God.

Thirdly, Huzur said when one reaches the stage of compassion, where, as he mentioned feeling another person’s pain as one’s own, one should not limit this sentiment as something one feels. Rather one should communicate this emotion by actively trying to do good for others, for God’s creation. If any sacrifice needs to be made for this, it should be made. As the Holy Qur’an states (Surah Al Hashr) that there were some (Companions) who gave preference to others above themselves, Huzur explained, that even before the advent of his prophethood, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had a great reputation of sympathy and concern for others. After his prophethood the practical examples of this standing got overwhelming in their profusion. It was this blessed model of benevolent benefaction and indeed his power of holiness that inspired his Companions to transform their lives.

In the current age, it was the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) who established excellent examples of service to humanity – regardless of race or religion – which are a guiding light for us. Despite his tremendous scholarly undertakings to strive against falsehood he would find time, hours at a stretch, to dispense medications to the poor and the needy, listening to them and consoling them.

Then there is the matter of curbing arrogance. Huzur said one should not give in to any arrogance, even with people who are subordinate to one, In fact one should be grateful that one has been provided with people who can help out with one’s tasks. It is the distinction of a Momin, a true believer that the great his/her standing and authority, the greater is his/her level of humility and thankfulness. Citing verse 19 of Surah Luqman (31:19) Huzur said if one wishes to attain the pleasure of Allah, one needs to give serious consideration to the things explained in the verse. If one claims to have fear and awe of God then one has to free oneself of all manner of arrogance. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) enjoined to be mindful of the self-respect of even the slaves and advised that they should be referred to as ‘my boy or my girl’ rather than the then prevalent custom of ‘my slave’. Indeed, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) counselled against abusive language even if the other person indulges in it. A true believer is always expected to be pure of speech, abusive language is out of the question. To desist upon receiving abusive language keeps one’s mind clean. It is a natural and impulsive to react to abusive language with anger and be inclined to be abusive back or be insulting. However, the objective not to use the words that Allah has forbidden is a great virtue. It is not easy and cannot be attained without spiritual endeavour and striving. This also facilitates one’s level of patience to develop and enhance. A believer has been assured that when he/she exhibits patience in such a circumstance, then angels respond on his/her behalf and indeed Allah’s blessings and grace descends on him/her. By preventing any escalation of bad feelings, a believer thus facilitates promotion of peace in society.

Huzur said as long as one does good works one is a true believer, otherwise one who does not focus on adopting what is enjoined is one who has accepted Islam but has not quite adopted true belief as stated in verse 15 of Surah Al Hujurat (49:15). Huzur said if the level of faith is moving that way, we could not bring about the revolutionary change in the world. For this purpose we need to have a burning desire to do good works and try our best to follow the blessed model as set by the Holy prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

Referring to the verse that Huzur had opened his sermon with, he elucidated in the words of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) that the glad tiding therein is of Gardens where streams flow. Here faith is analogised with the gardens and good works with the streams; just as it is not possible for a garden to be verdant without water, similarly without good works entry to Paradise will not be facilitated. The pleasures promised in the verse are of course metaphorical and it does not indicate that, for instance, one will be rewarded with milk and honey in Paradise. The rewards of the Paradise will be different in their origin. Of course those who endeavour and strive to do good works are shown glimpses of the Hereafter in this world as well. This can be in the form of acceptance of prayer, tranquillity and peace of mind that can only be attained through spirituality as well as worldly and spiritual blessings. Each good work will be thus when it is done to seek the pleasure of Allah otherwise Allah states that there are Salats offered by some which will work adversely for them because they are offered only as pretension. Any good works that are done for affectation and pomposity will be adjudged in accordance.

Huzur said all Ahmadis should be mindful of these matters when offering their Salat and other good works so that they are the recipients of Allah’s pleasure. May Allah enable each Ahmadi to his/her life in accordance with this thought.

Next Huzur announced that following Jummah he would lead the funeral prayers in absentia of Sahibzadi Amatul Aziz sahiba, who was Huzur’s aunt. Huzur paid tribute to the deceased lady, highlighting her piety and her devotion to worship of Allah, her compassion for the needy and her loyalty to Khilafat. In particular, Huzur acknowledged the bequeath of the ‘green coloured coat’ of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to Khilafat by her. The coat was inherited by her late husband Mirza Hameed Ahmad sahib, who had, in turn, lent it to Khalifa tul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) when he came to UK. Huzur said upon becoming a Khalifa he mentioned the ‘entrusted coat’ to his aunt, Sahibzadi Amatul Aziz sahiba, who said that as it had now become identifiable with the ‘International Bai’at’, she bequeathed it to Khilafat. Huzur prayed that may her station in Paradise be elevated.

The second funeral prayer was to be for Naeema Saeed sahiba, wife of a missionary, Saeed Ahmad Rasheed sahib. Huzur prayed for her children.