Huzoor(aba) continued to further elucidate the Divine attribute of compassion in his Friday Sermon today. Huzoor(aba) recited verse 117 of Surah Al Tauba (9:117) and spoke with reference to several Ahadith, thus illustrating the attribute of compassion through the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him). Huzoor(aba) related incidents from the expedition of Tabook when, the Muslims were faced with severe heat, on request the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) raised his hands to pray to Allah for rain and did not bring his hands down until dark clouds had gathered and it had begun to rain and his companions could quench themselves. He similarly prayed most fervently at Tabook for the left over food to be blessed and be plentiful for his famished companions and his prayer was accepted.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that Allah is Compassionate to those who are compassionate to their fellow beings and Allah alleviates the need of one who alleviates the need of his brother. Huzoor(aba) said the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) told of three characteristics that will ensure Allah’s mercy and admittance to Paradise: kind-heartedness to the weak, Love and affection for one’s parents and being gracious with one’s servant. Once, addressing people aloud, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that those who had verbally become Muslims but faith had not really touched their hearts yet should not trouble and find fault with the Muslims for Allah would subsequently expose the faults of these very people who practiced this. Adding Huzoor(aba) said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) instructed to treat one’s servants with absolute parity in matters of food, clothing etc. as did he indeed enjoin to pay a labourer his dues before the sweat generated by his toil dries out.
Next Huzoor(aba) related instances of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) compassionate nature. Huzoor(aba) related how at times someone would fall asleep while massaging the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) feet at night and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), oblivious of his own comfort, would instead let that person have a restful night’s sleep [on the bed].
Huzoor(aba) related how at times the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) would personally serve his companions with refreshments and at times use a hand held fan to cool them off, how he chose to accept the invitation to have a meal with a most impoverished and uneducated Ahmadi during his travels. In particular, Huzoor(aba) said, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was most caring and compassionate to the sick and the ailing, how he would personally visit them for long hours at a time and that he enjoined that visiting ailing people was an act of faith.