أَشْھَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰہَ اِلَّا اللّٰہُ وَحْدَہٗ لَا شَرِیکَ لَہٗ وَأَشْھَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُہٗ وَ رَسُوْلُہٗ

أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَأَعُوْذُ بِاللّٰہِ مِنَ الشَّیْطٰنِ الرَّجِیْمِ- بِسْمِ اللّٰہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰہِ رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ۔ اَلرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ۔ مٰلِکِ یَوْمِ الدِّیْنِ۔ اِیَّا کَ نَعْبُدُ وَ اِیَّاکَ نَسْتَعِیْنُ۔

اِھْدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الْمُسْتَقِیْمَ۔ صِرَاطَ الَّذِیْنَ اَنْعَمْتَ عَلَیْھِمْ غَیْرِالْمَغْضُوْبِ عَلَیْھِمْ وَلَاالضَّآلِّیْنَ۔

When it is said to a worldly person that if true righteousness develops in someone who then receives the blessigs of the entire world, they will certainly say that these are all useless things and in the name of religion, people say these things to gather people around themselves. Yes, it is also true that nowadays some people say such things in the name of religion who have personal interests, but neither do they themselves have righteousness nor do those who follow them have righteousness. But in contrast to this, we see that the Prophets and their communities, those who follow the true teaching—they understand righteousness. They seek righteousness and walk its path; all the while living in this world and being engaged in worldly businesses. I receive hundreds of letters in which it is expressed that “May Allah Almighty create righteousness in us and in our children.” This change is certainly due to believing in The Promised Messiah^(as), and fulfilling our covenant of pledge. This desire and connection with Allah the Almighty - his fear and awe of Him— it has made them indifferent to worldly things, but they have not remained deprived of worldly blessings. Allah Almighty blesses the Prophets with His favors, and also blesses those who truly believe in them and follow their teachings with these worldly favors. Sometimes there are some temporary hardships, but then come Allah Almighty’s graces and circumstances improve. Similarly, the righteous are also content, and due to this contentment, they bear minor hardships. Then they express thankfulness after the graces and blessings of Allah the Almighty. Whatever Allah Almighty gives them, even if it be little, the righteous develops the habit of being grateful to God Almighty, and when the habit of being grateful to God Almighty develops, then Allah Almighty grants further blessings. After seeing these very graces, a true believer then remains ready for sacrifices, and offers them as well... Today, in this age, we Ahmadis have the true understanding of this subject, before whom is the example of the era of the Holy Prophet(sa), and also the era and example of his true servant.

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra), while describing this matter, says at one place:

"Look, people took away everything from the Holy Prophet^(sa), and similarly from the Companions^(ra), but in contrast to God Almighty, they did not care about anything. At last, God Almighty gave them everything. Similarly, The Promised Messiah^(as) also left everything for Allah Almighty, and despite the fact that he was the owner over half the share (of property) in his family, his sister-in-law, to whom Allah Almighty later gave the opportunity to become Ahmadi, thought that he was a freeloader. Although there were great hardships, God Almighty still gave him everything. The Promised Messiah^(as) drew the picture of this condition in one of his Couplet which is as follows:

لُفَاظَاتُ الْمَوَائِدِ کَانَ اُکُلِیْ

وَصِرْتُ الْیَوْمَ مِطْعَامَ الْاَھَالِیْ

“That there was a time when I used to pass my days on others' leftover pieces, but now God has given me this opportunity that thousands of people eat at my table.” (Taken from Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 11, pages 313-314)

Today, our faith as Ahmadis certainly increases when we see his earlier times and later condition. Drawing a further picture of this condition, at one place Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) describes it as follows:

"When The Promised Messiah^(as) was born, his parents would have been happy at his birth, but when he got older and developed a disinterest in the world, his father used to sigh seeing his condition, thinking their son is not capable of any work.

Hazrat Musleh Maud narrated an incident - Ihave already mentioned this before - that a Sikh told him that “We were two brothers. We used to go to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza Sahib. Once, they told our father about the Promised Messiah^(as), that [since] you come and go around, explain [some things] to him.” They say “When I went to Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib and told him that your father is very hurt by this thought that his younger son will live on his elder brother's bread (doesn't do any work), tell him to do some work during my lifetime, and I am trying to get him a good job.”

The Promised Messiah^(as) father said that if he dies, then all means will be closed. Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) states that when this Sikh mentioned going to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Sahib and expressed his father's thought before him that seeing his condition gives him great pain, that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Murtaza Sahib said that if he dies, what will become of Ghulam Ahmad, they told The Promised Messiah^(as) “why don't you listen to your father?”

At that time, The Promised Messiah’s^(as) father was trying [for his^(as) employment] in the Kapurthala state, and the Kapurthala state had decided to appoint him as Officer of Education of the state. An offer to appoint as Education Officer had already arrived. The Sikh said that when we mentioned why he does he not listen to his father?

The Promised Messiah^(as) replied that “My father just keeps worrying like this, why is he concerned about my future? I have done the service I had to do.” He [the sikh] says they came back and told all this to Mirza Ghulam Murtaza Sahib. Mirza Sahib said that if he has said this, then he has said rightly, because he does not lie. Hazrat Musleh Maud (sa) says that this was the beginning of the Promised Messiah^(as), and while the culmination has not yet come, the temporary finale that appears is this: that at the time of his death, thousands and thousands of people were present ready to sacrifice themselves for him. Then he^(ra) mentioned that Couplet which I read earlier:

لُفَاظَاتُ الْمَوَائِدِ کَانَ اُکُلِیْ

وَصِرْتُ الْیَوْمَ مِطْعَامَ الْاَھَالِیْ

That “There was a time when leftover pieces used to be available to me, and today my condition is that I am feeding hundreds of families.” Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says that “How small was his beginning, but his end was such that besides those who served, 200-300 people used to eat food daily in the langar. There is no doubt that he was equal partner with his brother in his father's property, but among landlords this is a common practice—in that era it was more—that whoever works is considered partner in property and whoever doesn't work is not considered partner in property. People generally say that whoever does not work, what share can they have in property? In earlier times, when any visitor came to the Promised Messiah^(as), and he sent word to his sister-in-law for food, she wouldretort that this how he just eats and drinks, and doesn't do any work. Upon this, he would give his food to that guest and himself go hungry, or make do by chewing a few chickpeas.”

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says that “It is God's power—the same sister-in-law who at that time looked at him with contempt, later entered Ahmadiyyat at my hands. In short, when any work is started from Allah Almighty, its beginning does not appear great, but at its end, the world stands amazed." (Tafseer Kabeer, Volume 7, pages 101-102)

Even today we see that not only in Qadian but also outside Qadian, in many countries of the world, his langar is running. At that time roti was perhaps being cooked on two or three ovens while the langar was running, and today we see that in his langar’s, roti machines are installed. In Qadian as well, in Rabwah, and here in the langar too, millions of rotis are cooked at one time. By Allah's grace, the arrangements at the Jalsa here is a very extensive langar arrangement.

As I mentioned in the last Friday sermon, many journalists also came this time. Newspaper representatives came. After Seeing the langar arrangement, the food cooking, the roti plant, they were very impressed. Everyone liked the machine-made roti. One journalist who was watching expressed the desire to eat right there on the spot. When he was given roti, he enjoyed and ate it. Then he asked if he can eat more? So, the Ahmadi who was with them said he certainly can, and as much as he can, because this is the langar of the Messiah—there is no shortage here.

It is such that there was a time when one guest would come and he^(as) would give him his food and himself go hungry, and now today, thousands of people in different countries of the world are eating from his table, and this too is not the end. These langars still have to spread to different countries of the world, God willing. Hundreds of thousands of millions of people have yet to eat from his table. Similarly, hundreds of thousands of millions and crores have yet to increase in righteousness after believing in him^(as).

The standards of sacrifice that we see today in Ahmadis who earn a living—this too is not the end. In this too, God willing, there will continue to be an increase. So, if anyone who reflects were to look at just the langar system and keep before him the early circumstances and times of the Promised Messiah^(as), this alone becomes a sign of his truth. It is a very great sign, and certainly becomes a cause of increase in our faith. Then, we see that if the spirit of financial sacrifice has developed in the members of the community to run this entire system, this too is the result of that very righteousness that developed in us by joining with the Promised Messiah^(as). May Allah Almighty grant each of us the ability to pay more attention toward creating true righteousness.

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra), sheds light on various aspects and describes incidents from the life of the Promised Messiah^(as), and the way he describes them and s the conclusions he draws—that too is a special quality of his. An ordinary person can enjoy the apparent happening of some incident and then continue on [with their affairs] while appreciating it, but the way Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) extracts such subtle points from it—that too becomes a cause of increase in our faith, along with progress in a deeper understanding.

While mentioning the Promised Messiah’s^(as) manner and style of eating, Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says:

“The Promised Messiah’s^(as) manner of eating was completely unique. I have not seen anyone else eat like this. From the thin bread (phulka), he would first separate a piece of phulka [meaning thin bread], [similar] to a chapati that is made). Then before making a morsel, he would keep making smaller portions of it with his fingers and keep saying سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہ, سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہ (Glory be to Allah) with his mouth, and then taking one small piece from them, touching it with curry, he would put it in his mouth. This habit of his had developed so much that viewers would be amazed, and some people would even think that perhaps he is searching for lawful [halal] particles in the bread. But in fact, the reason for this was only this feeling that we are eating food while God's religion is writhing in troubles. Every morsel would get stuck in his throat, and saying سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہ, سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہ, he would, as if, apologize before Allah the Almighty that ‘You have attached this chore (meaning eating food) with us (food is a human necessity), otherwise, at the time of religion's trouble, this would never have been permissible for us.’ Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says that his^(as) sustenance also (which was his) seemed like a nuisance. This was a battle between those exquisite and pure emotions that were rising for the support of Islam and religion, and between those demands that were established by God Almighty for fulfilling the law of nature." (Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 17, pages 269-270)

That is, the emotions that were in his heart for the support of the faith, and the human necessities—eating is a human necessity, drinking is a human necessity—there was a battle ensuing between them. His eating was a necessity. The real concern he had was the support for the faith, for the progress of Islam.

So, the example of the Promised Messiah^(as) draws our attention to the fact that when we use the gifts of Allah Almighty, we should be grateful for them. Firstly, we should glorify Him, and along with that also feel the pain for the condition of the faith. We should strive for how we will t play a part in spreading the faith, and preaching the faith.

Then, from the Promised Messiah’s^(as) manner of eating, he [Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra)] further explained the subject of glorification (tasbeeh) and from this portion of the verse of the Holy Quran: یُسَبِّحُ لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ (At-Taghabun: 2) "Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth glorifies Allah". Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) has extracted the following point. He says that when the Promised Messiah^(as), used to eat food, as mentioned earlier, he would eat barely one puhlka, and when he would get up, a lot of crumb pieces would come fall out from in front of him. It was his habit, as told before, that he would keep making pieces of roti, then pick up some piece and put it in his mouth, and the remaining pieces would remain placed on the tablecloth. He^(ra) says he “I do not know why the Promised Messiah^(as) used to do this, but many friends used to say that Hazrat Sahib^(ra) is searching which of these bread pieces is glorifying [Allah] and which is not. I don't remember hearing this type of thing from the Promised Messiah (as at that time, but I remember that people used to say just this.”

So, Allah Almighty says یُسَبِّحُ لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ—that voices of glorification are rising from the heavens and earth. Now, why does Allah the Exalted say that everything in the heavens and earth is glorifying when we cannot even hear the sound of this glorification? And what we cannot hear—there was no need to tell us about the fact that it is happening. What we cannot hear, what would we know [about it]? Therefore, what was Allah the Exalted's purpose in telling us? Is it written anywhere in the Holy Quran that in Paradise, for instance, a person named Abdul Rasheed has been sitting for ten thousand years? Since there was no benefit for us in mentioning him, Allah the Exalted has not told us such things. Then when Allah the Exalted says یُسَبِّحُ لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ "Whatever is in the heavens and whatever is in the earth glorifies Allah" then its meaning can only be this: ‘O people, listen to this glorification.’

When we say the moon has emerged, its meaning is that people should come and see, or when we say that such and such person is singing, its meaning is: come and listen to his melody. Similarly, when God Almighty says یُسَبِّحُ لِلّٰہِ مَا فِی السَّمٰوٰتِ وَمَا فِی الۡاَرۡضِ—that everything in the heavens and earth is glorifying—then its meaning is that one should listen to this glorification. So, it is understood that this glorification is such that we can also hear it. One hearing is of a lower degree, and one of a higher degree. But hearing of a higher degree can only be available to those people who have capable ears and eyes. This is why it is said to the believer that when he starts eating, he should say بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ  (In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful). When he finishes eating, he should say اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ (All praise belongs to Allah). When he wears clothes or sees any other sight, he should glorify accordingly. So, what is the believer glorifying? It is confirming the glorification of these things. He confirms the glorification of clothes and the glorification of food and the glorification of other things. When a person reads بِسۡمِ اللّٰہِ while eating, reads اَلۡحَمۡدُ لِلّٰہِ after finishing eating, prays while wearing clothes and remembers Allah, then these things that the person himself is doing—this is actually the glorification emanating these things. When a person expresses gratitude seeing all those things, this very glorification is emitting from them as well. Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says - and how many are there who act upon this?” that people eat and drink day and night. They pass over mountains, see rivers, observe green fields, see trees and crops waving, hear birds chirping, but what effect does it have on their hearts? Does glorification also arise in their hearts in response to these things? If it doesn't arise, then it means that they did not hear the glorification of these things. But you will say that ‘the sound of glorification does not come to our ears.’ I tell you in relation to this that many sounds come not from the ear, but from within. (Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 16, pages 149-150)

So, every bit of gratitude that a person expresses for something, or when he sees Allah the Exalted's power and reads سُبْحَانَ اللّٰہِ, then the glorification that the person does—that is actually the glorification of these things, its expression is happening from that person's lips. There is a need to understand this point. So, we should also try to adopt this manner of glorification—rather, righteousness is precisely this: that this type of glorification should become our routine.

In this age, Allah the Exalted has sent the Promised Messiah^(as) to close shut the mouths of those who attack Islam and to show the beauty of Islam. Regarding this as well, while mentioning an incident, Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says:

“Once the Promised Messiah^(as) was sitting in the mosque when a Christian came and said that you say that the language of the Holy Quran is the mother of languages, whereas Max Muller and others have written that the language that is the mother of languages is succinct, then gradually people expand it. The Promised Messiah^(as), said: We do not accept this formula of Max Muller that the mother of languages is brief, but come, to shorten the debate, we accept this formula (to end the debate, we accept this formula) and look at the Arabic language whether it meets this standard or not. This person had also said that the English language is extremely superior compared to the Arabic language. The Promised Messiah^(as) did not know English, but he said, well, you tell me, what do you say for "my water" in English? He (the Christian) said "my water." He^(as) said in Arabic, just saying مَائِیْ conveys this meaning. Now you tell me, is "my water" briefer or مَائِیْ? Now, although the Promised Messiah^(as), did not know English, Allah the Exalted made such words flow on his tongue that the objector himself got caught, became severely ashamed and speechless, and said then Arabic is the briefer language. This is the condition of the Holy Quran. Allah the Exalted promises the Holy Prophet^(sa), that He will protect him from the attacks of enemies—meaning He will always keep creating such people who will be readers of the Holy Quran, will have true love for it, and will be its explainers. They will give such answers to enemies for their attacks that their mouths will be closed shut. Secondly, He has placed such substance in the Holy Quran that whatever objection the objector makes, its answer is present within it.”

Hazrat Musleh Maud (sa) says that “Sir Syed Ahmad Khan also gave answers to Christians' objections in his time. Then, Allah the Exalted raised the Promised Messiah^(as) who clashed with the enemy for such a long period that upon his death, even enemies admitted that he defended Islam in such a magnificent manner that before him no Muslim scholar defended Islam in such a manner. This was the miracle of وَاللّٰہُ یَعۡصِمُکَ مِنَ النَّاسِ (And Allah will protect thee from men.) (Al-Ma'idah:68). Allah the Exalted's promise to Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah (sa), was that He was to protect him in any case. When the enemy attacked with the sword, He blunted his sword (enemies' swords broke). And when he attacked through history, God Almighty raised such Muslims who, by examining historical books, refuted the enemy's objections and, opening the books of the opponents' own elders, showed that the objections they are making against Islam also apply to their own religion, while he^(as) rectified the part that related to the Holy Quran and Ahadith.— (Taken from Al-Fazl, November 22, 1956, page 2-4, Volume 45/10, Number 274)

So even today, those who object to Islam—we can shut the mouths of those who object to Islam with the very scholastic works of the Promised Messiah^(as). Therefore, we should pay attention to this.

Allah the Exalted Himself shows signs in support of His religion and also informs of arguments. He also further opens the hearts of those who have scholarly taste. But some people are also such who, despite little knowledge, in the desire to become scholars, make unnecessary statements, which at times gives rise to difficulties and, in fact, gives opponents and opportunity to ridicule.

While mentioning one such incident, Hazrat Musleh Maud (sa) says that “people are introducing new issues into religion, and they don't even sense how shameful this is. In the time of the Promised Messiah^(as) there was a friend who was from Batala. Later he became a very sincere Ahmadi. The Promised Messiah^(as) had stated this point (it has been mentioned before also) that the Arabic language is the mother of languages, meaning all languages emerged from it. So, this friend took up this viewpoint and became engaged in this very work to prove every word to have emerged from the Arabic language (but he did not have much knowledge, did not have much understanding of Arabic, but still got engaged in this effort). The Promised Messiah^(as) was familiar with linguistics, familiar with grammar and syntax, and familiar with language. Whatever issue he^(as) extracted, he did so on the basis of knowledge. When he (sa) stated that everything is present in the Holy Quran, he did not mean that it is also written in the Holy Quran how carpentry work should be done, or what the principles of agriculture are. ‘Everything’ meant that all religious necessities are present in the Holy Quran. But this gentleman thought that everything is present in the Holy Quran. So, when he started making a lot of clamors—started saying these things everywhere in every gathering, that everything is present in the Holy Quran—then some mischievous person said that potatoes and chilies are nowhere mentioned in the Holy Quran. They also had to give their argument. They said اللُّؤۡلُؤُ وَالۡمَرۡجَانُ (Actual meaning of this is pearls and coral)—its meaning is in fact potatoes and chilies.”

Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says “On one side there is so much darkness that according to some, the statement of jurists also does not change like God Almighty's statement (some people give great preference to the jurists' statements and think that whatever decision has been made by some jurist, it is the final decision and cannot be changed), and on the other side, people keep changing and fabricating, giving rise to darkness.” (Taken from Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 33, pages 309-310)

This reminded me—in Faisalabad when the riots of 1974 were happening, a maulvi was delivering a speech and explaining قُلۡ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ اَحَدٌ. He said that it is written in the Holy Quran قُلۡ ہُوَ اللّٰہُ اَحَدٌ— and its meaning is that Ahmadis are disbelievers. This is what he deduced from it. In any case, Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) says that such people commit excess on both sides. There are no principle and rule. Whereas the real method is the middle way. A person should be ready to accept change, but creating change is in Allah the Exalted's hands, and when He wants, He creates change, and when He wants to create change, the world cannot stop it from so.

Then, Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) also described some people's wrong thoughts. He^(ra) says that “in the time of the Promised Messiah^(as) a person came to Qadian. He said that if it is said to Mirza Sahib that ‘you are Abraham, you are Noah, you are Moses, you are Jesus, you are Muhammad^(sa), then (he said) God Almighty also tells me all the time that ‘you are Muhammad’’.

People tried to temper him down, so he said that ‘the voice of God Almighty comes to me. He himself tells me that you are Muhammad. What effect can your arguments have on me? (There will be no effect.) When people got tired of explaining things to him, they thought it would be better to present him in the service of the Promised Messiah^(as). So, they requested Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I^(ra) to make mention to the Promised Messiah^(as). Hazrat Khalifa I^(ra) then put it forward to the Promised Messiah^(as).

He^(as) said, very well, call this person. So, that person was brought into his presence, and he said that ‘God Almighty tells me all the time that you are Muhammad.’ He [the Promised Messiah^(as)] said that ‘God Almighty does not tell me all the time that I am Abraham, I am Moses, I am Jesus.’ The Promised Messiah^(as) said ‘when He tells me that you are Jesus^(as), He gives me Jesus's^(as) attributes, and when He says you are Moses^(as), He gives me Moses's^(as) signs, and if Allah the Exalted says that you are Muhammad^(as) all the time, then does He also give you the insights, subtleties, and realities of the Holy Quran or not?’ He (the visitor) said He does not give anything. He^(as) said, ‘Look, this is the difference between a truthful one and a false one.’

If someone truly makes someone a guest, they give them food to eat, but if someone wants to jest with someone, they invite them and merely places empty utensils of food before them, and says this is pilau, this is zarda. God Almighty does not joke. Satan jokes. If you are called Muhammad^(sa) and then the insights, subtleties, and realities of the Holy Quran are not given, then such a caller is Satan, not God. If God Almighty says something, He also places something accordingly before the person. The Promised Messiah^(as) said that if nothing is placed before you, then you be certain that the one calling you Muhammad is not God but Satan. And the reality is that change is created by God Almighty.” (Taken from Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 33, pages 310-311)

So, those people who, at times due to some dreams, become afflicted with misunderstandings and start making big claims— are actually under Satan's influence. When God Almighty grants something to someone, He also shows its brilliance, manifests His support, signs appear - Allah the Exalter’s practical testimony is working with it. This is what we see with the Promised Messiah^(as), and this is what we saw fulfilled in favor of Khalifatul Masih II^(ra) regarding the prophecy about the Promised Reformer, and this very glad tiding that he gave about the establishment of Khilafate-Ahmadiyya—we saw it fulfilled from Allah the Exalted's practical testimony. May Allah the Exalted grant progress in the faith and certainty of every Ahmadi, and may they be of those who understand these matters.

After the prayer I will also lead a funeral prayer, which is of respected Sahibzadi Amatul Bari Sahiba. she passed away in the night between August 31st and September 1st, 2015, at the age of 87, اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ (Surely to Allah we belong and to Him shall we return).

Respected Amatul Bari Begum Sahiba was the granddaughter of the Promised Messiah^(as), the daughter of Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad Sahib^(ra), and granddaughter of Hazrat Nawab Muhammad Ali Khan Sahib^(ra), and daughter-in-law of Sayyida Amatul Hafeez Begum Sahiba and Nawab Abdullah Khan Sahib. Her husband was respected Abbas Ahmad Khan Sahib, deceased, and she was also my paternal aunt. She was born on October 17th, 1928, in Qadian. On December 29th, 1944, when her marriage took place with Mian Abbas Ahmad Khan Sahib, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^(ra) announced a few marriages on that Friday before starting the sermon.

He said that “I want to announce a few marriages, and I have expressed this matter many times that for some time I will be able to perform marriages of such people who are either my relatives, or my relations with them are like relatives—for instance, they have dedicated their lives for religion. Apart from this, I will be able to perform someone else's marriage only in such a circumstance when requests will be presented on such an occasion when relatives' marriage is taking place.”

In any case, he^(ra) said that “Today I want to announce the marriage of dear Abbas Ahmad Khan, who is my younger sister and Mian Abdullah Khan Sahib's son, and the girl is dear Mian Sharif Ahmad Sahib's daugher. So, the boy is my nephew, and the girl is my niece.”

Then he gave various pieces of advice and mentioned life devotion, and in this mentioned the name of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III, that at that time among the boys of the family [of the Promised Messiah^(as)], he is from those who have firsthand presented themselves the most for this devotion—he took his name and drew the attention of others also.

Then he says that “The Promised Messiah^(as), published this revelation sixty or seventy years ago: تَرٰی نَسْلاً بَعِیْدًا (You will see a lengthy progeny), and we are, by Allah's grace, seeing this sign being fulfilled in such a manner that day by day this sign's importance and greatness keeps increasing. Some signs are of such type that when they are published, they stand great and are more glorious, but as time passes, the greatness of that sign gradually diminishes. But some signs are of such type that in the beginning they are small, but with time they keep becoming greater. As time passes, their greatness keeps increasing. Indeed, when the Promised Messiah^(as), received this revelation تَرٰی نَسْلاً بَعِیْدًا, at that time Hazthe Promised Messiah^(as) had only two sons. After that, by Allah's grace, some more sons and daughters were born to him, and then God Almighty expanded them, while now the progeny of these sons and daughters, under divine revelation, are getting married and providing new proofs of تَرٰی نَسْلاً بَعِیْدًا.”

He^(ra) says that “The world sees one progeny after another being born. An objector can say ‘what kind of sign is this—the progeny of most people continues in the world.’ But the question is: how many people's progeny is so that are also attributed to them, and feel pride in being so? Most people's progeny is such that if they are asked what was your great-grandfather's name, they would not know. But the revelation تَرٰی نَسْلاً بَعِیْدًا infers that the Promised Messiah^(as) progeny will continue to be attributed to him, and people will say, pointing their hands [at them], that the Promised Messiah’s^(as) progeny, under his prophecies, is a sign of his truth. So in تَرٰی نَسْلاً بَعِیْدًا, there is not only this prophecy that his progeny will be in abundance, but this prophecy also hints at the Promised Messiah’s^(as) greatness and stateliness in this manner: that his^(as) rank is so elevated and his status so lofty that his progeny will not tolerate not being attributed to him even for a minute, and their dignity and greatness will grow in being attributed to him alone. So, in this prophecy, there is not just a mention that the Promised Messiah’s^(as) progeny will be in abundance, but an indication that they will increase day by day, and however high a position and rank they may reach, even if they attain kingship, still they will feel pride only in attributing themselves to the Promised Messiah^(as).

So, these are the meanings of تَرٰی نَسْلاً بَعِیْدًا. God Almighty is telling the Promised Messiah^(as) that his progeny will never make him cease from being in their sights, and that his progeny will never try to forget its forefather. The Promised Messiah^(as), while explaining the revelation ‘One day of sorrows and four marriages’ says that it means that indeed some people from his progeny will also die, as is God Almighty's practice, but his progeny will not decrease but will keep increasing. If one dies, four will be born, and where one dies and four are born, it necessitates that that progeny will keep increasing.

Thus, the progeny of the Promised Messiah^(as) will always remain a sign of the Promised Messiah^(as) greatness and elevated rank, and will always feel pride in attributing themselves to him, and when they feel pride in attributing to him, in other words, its meaning is that the progeny acknowledges its forefather’s greatness and eminence, and the world acknowledges the splendor of that acknowledgment. (Taken from Khutbat Mahmood, Volume 3, pages 605-608)

I gave this a thorough mention so that because this matter also places a great responsibility on the members of the Promised Messiah’s^(as) family, that they should understand their responsibility and always, at all times, keep before them this instruction of the Promised Messiah^(as): "Don't defame me after attributing yourself to me." (Taken from Malfuzat, Volume 7, page 188)

So being from the progeny alone is nothing lofty—rather, acting upon his^(as) teaching and, being attributed to him, establishing his honor and respect and the position that he has—this is everyone's duty. May Allah the Exalted enable this family the ability for this as well, and grant us this ability as well.

When the partition of India took place and Pakistan was formed, at that time she had the honor of traveling in the same bus in which Hazrat Amma Jan^(ra) and some other ladies of the family were traveling, and then after reaching Lahore, in the initial days, they stayed in Ratan Bagh where Hazrat Musleh Maud^(ra) was staying. After that, she [the deceased] always remained in Lahore. A great quality of hers was care for the poor and hospitality, and she possessed a very informal nature. Her house was always full of guests. Any type of guest that might have come—whether a relative, a friend, a stranger, a poor person—she would host them in the best manner, and this was a very great quality in her. She would treat them with great honor and respect. Then similarly, her [social] circle was very wide. Besides the family, she also had extensive relations with people, with every member of the community. Whoever came in contact with her became fascinated wither. Then similarly, she always maintained and sustained relations with the non-Ahmadi relatives of Malerkotla.

Some guests are temporary, but there are permanent guests also, family members, young boys and girls when they studied in college and universities in Lahore, and similarly many others also—I have seen—stayed at her house, and her hospitality would continue for them with an open heart. And it was not that there was some (special) time—whenever you reached, she would immediately be ready for hospitality. Similarly, she had knowledge of many historical incidents from Hazrat Musleh Maud's^(ra) life, which she would narrate to her relatives, and these are preserved. Allah the Exalted granted her affluence which she always used in service of the poor, for the poor. She bore the educational expenses of many children. At weddings she would give with an open hearty. Similarly, after the death of her husband Abbas Ahmad Khan Sahib, through the Nazrat-e-Taleem, she started a permanent scholarship in his name. She had fallen which led to a fracture in the leg, and due to this, two or three operations also took place. For some time, she was in great pain, b she continued to bear it with great patience and courage... Towards the end, on the night between August 31st and September 1st, she had a heart attack and presented herself before her True Creator. اِنَّا لِلّٰہِ وَاِنَّاۤ اِلَیۡہِ رٰجِعُوۡنَ.

She gave [chanda] donations of the highest standard. Her share of property [hissa jaidad], share of income [hissa amad], share wasiyyat, etc.—all of it she paid during her lifetime. From 1958 to 1994, in the Lahore disctrict, she served as personell of the Jamaat, as secretary, and in various other capacities continued in Lajna. At one time she was also the General Secretary of Lajna in Lahore. As I said, she was very sympathetic to the poor, one who cared for them, and the way I saw her participating in everyone's happiness and sorrow, considering them as her own—whether they were strangers or her own—I have not seen anyone else like this. Then, if someone did something that she liked or served her in any manner, she would reward them. Munir Hafiza badi Sahib of Qadian writes that in the Jubilee Convention of 1989 she came to Qadian, and Munir Hafiza badi Sahib had the opportunity to serve her. She also gave him a relic from the cloth of the Promised Messiah’s^(as) turban. Similarly, members of the community, would have seen this time that at the time of the International Bai’at, I was wearing a coat of a different color. It was not green—it was of a slightly different color. This coat too was sent to me by her. It was the Promised Messiah^(as) coat which was with Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad Sahib^(as). Then it came into her share, so she sent it to me saying that she is handing it over to me. Then, her connection with Khalifate was paramount, and it was a connection of great honor and respect. She would always call me. She would express great desire that she could have a talk. She always had the concern that may Allah the Exalted grant her children the ability to do virtues and that they remain united with each other. May Allah make it so that her children always continue her virtuoso and also remain united with each other. May Allah the Exalted elevate her rank and grant her with forgiveness. As I said, after the prayer I will lead her funeral prayer in absentia.