Huzur gave a discourse on the Divine attribute of Al Jabbar (the Subduer) in his Friday sermon today.
Citing verse 24 of Surah Al Hashr (59:24), the translation of which reads:
“He is Allah, there is none worthy of worship except Him, the Sovereign, the Holy One, the Source of Peace, the Bestower of Security, the Protector, the Mighty, the Subduer, the Exalted. Holy is Allah, far above that which they associate with Him.” Huzur explained that when the word Jabbar is used for Allah its connotation and meaning is different from when this word is used for man. With reference to various lexicons Huzur expounded that the word Jabbar, when used for Allah, denotes as in giving to a beggar because His Being grants His grace on people. For man this word is used for the haughty and for those who make claims that they are not worthy of; in short this word is only used in a censorious way for man.
However as a Divine attribute it signifies, among other things, One Who rules His creation according to His will. Huzur explained that it should be clear here that this does not denote any compulsion. Allah has made clear the wrong from the right, besides His attribute of Raheem (Ever Merciful) prevails over everything else and He decides in accordance to that, if He so chooses. Another meaning of Jabbar is that Being which continues to be higher and higher and Whose honour and esteem never diminishes. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) explained that the word Jabbar when used for Allah denotes One Who fulfils the needs of people whereas for others it signifies the rebellious and those who break the law. For Allah the word denotes One Who reforms. Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II (may Allah be pleased with him) also said that as Allah is the Master of everything and has power over everything the word Jabbar cannot be used in a negative sense for Him as He has no need to usurp the rights of others, everything belongs to Him.
Quoting an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in which he explains the aforementioned Quranic verse by elucidating the various Divine attributes Huzur cited the significance of Al Malik (the Sovereign), Al Quddas (the Holy One), Al Salam (the Source of Peace), Al Momim (the Bestower of Security), Al Muhaimin (the Protector), Al Aziz (the Mighty), Al Jabbar (the Subduer) and Al Mutakabbir (the Exalted). Huzur said these are the attributes of Allah that take man close to God and make him the recipient of Divine mercy. Huzur said He is the Sovereign, is free from all flaws, from Him originates all peace, He protects man, makes good what is broken and makes good all loss, therefore the ‘other/alternative’ meanings of Jabbar could not possibly be attributed to Allah. Indeed in terms of man the words mercilessness, haughtiness etc. signify the word Jabbar. In the Holy Qur’an the word is used for man in a negative light only, as in (5:23), (26:131), (19:33), (28:20), (50:46). Huzur said our task is to take the message of truth to the world, no one can be reformed forcibly.
In Pakistan, following many disasters, columns upon columns were written acknowledging that perhaps all that was occurring as a result of their mistakes. However, they do not seem to wake up to the facts. In any case, Huzur said, we are commanded to take the message to others out of human kindness and in accordance with Divine commandment. Indeed, Huzur said, Allah promised the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) ‘I shall take your message to the corners of the earth’ and we see this being fulfilled on a daily basis. However, this signifies that it is our task to make endeavours and it is up to Allah to make resources for us and to win hearts and minds. We have to do what is entrusted to us, may Allah enable us so.
Huzur further cited Quranic verses that cite rebellious, haughty people: (11:60) and (40:36). Huzur said the message in all these verses is one that people need to pay heed to in future as well. Further expounding verse 131 of Surah Al Shu’ara (26:131) of which the translation reads: ‘And when you lay hands upon any one, you lay hands as tyrants’ Huzur said this verse speaks of the ancient people of Ad but we see today there are also some powers who operate on the same premise. Although in the name of ‘political correctness’ they occupy other countries to help out, but it is evident that their real objective is to subjugate.
Unfortunately some Muslim governments who should be practising the teachings of the Holy Qur’an are exceeding in tyranny and persecution. In the beginning it was just Pakistan that persecuted [Ahmadis] but now there is much persecution in Indonesia also. They do this in their presumption that since they have power they can do what they like with the Ahmadis. This is happening only because there is a presence of the mullah in the [Indonesian] government; the mullah who has always created disorder in the name of religion. They do not comprehend that their actions put them in the category of the haughty, they do not comprehend what the Qur’an states about those commit such acts due to rejection of Prophets of God.
Citing verse 69 of Surah Al Shu’ara (26:69) Huzur said we are aware that our Lord is with us and that the final triumph will be ours and it is also our belief that these people will meet their end. They do not know that soon earth will be moved from under their feet and instead of ascending they will descend into darkness. Huzur said wherever in the world the Ahmadis are being persecuted, they should remember to turn to the Mighty and the Ever Merciful God and seek His mercy. If those who persecute us are not capable of reforming that may He rid us of them. Citing (40:36) Huzur said Allah indeed seals the heart of the haughty therefore Ahmadis have to pray for the rest of this world and need to take the message to them. May Allah enable us so. To the Indonesian Ahmadis Huzur said until recently only the Pakistani Ahmadis were witnessing the Quranic prophecies of the persecution, now Indonesian Ahmadis are experiencing the same scenarios one after the other. Huzur said InshaAllah soon the persecution of the persecutors will rebound on them. May Allah grant us steadfastness and resilience.
Next Huzur gave the tragic news of the passing away of a 20 year old Waqf e Nau from Ghana who was a student of Jamia Ahmadiyya, Ghana. Huzur said he was a devout, dedicated person who had discharged of his duties at the recent Jalsa Salana [which Huzur had graced]. He passed away after a brief illness on 4th May. Huzur said all kinds of medical treatments were tried but it was the will of Allah. Huzur said the young man belonged to an island off the coast of Ghana, his father had accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat and theirs was the first Ahmadi family on the island. His mother is a school teacher who is very fervent in her Tabligh efforts. His late father also was dedicated to the Jama’at. May Allah forgive his father and also forgive the Mujahid son and elevate his status. Huzur said he was their first son and was born after Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) had prayed for them. May Allah grant steadfastness to his mother and may she accept the will of Allah. Huzur asked for prayers for his family, in particular for his mother and announced that he would lead his funeral prayer in absentia after the Friday Prayer.