Hudhur said usually when a transgressor escapes Divine chastisement in this world he assumes whatever he is doing is correct and this increases him in his transgression. Outwardly such a person could be professing to be pious but God knows what is in hearts. God’s reckoning about such people is very severe.
A Hadith relates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said that he who will be held accountable on the Day of Judgement will be punished. Hadhrat ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) asked him does God not say that He will be lenient in taking account. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) replied, no, not that accountability. That denotes just being presented in front of God. One whose account will be taken searchingly on the Day of Judgement will be punished. Hudhur said may God have mercy on everyone. He said a believer treads the path of taqwa and these are the people who are blessed. They have fear of God and keep an eye on their deeds, they try to honour dues of God and dues of mankind. During their endeavours the Divine attribute of Al Hasib is manifested to them as the Qur’an states: ‘And will provide for him from where he expects not. And he who puts his trust in Allah — He is sufficient for him. Verily, Allah will accomplish His purpose. For everything has Allah appointed a measure.’ (65:4) The verse preceding this states in part: ‘…And he who fears Allah — He will make for him a way out,’ (65:3). Expounding the subject Hudhur said God provides for the righteous and open up ways for them of which they have no concept. A righteous person’s trust is solely in God for any kind of provision and when his trust is this complete, God too exhibits His qualities of being Sufficient to the person. For a believer provision is not limited to things for material sustenance, rather it also includes spiritual provision as well as the wealth of knowledge and all of human faculties. A righteous person who has complete trust in God does not merely need worldly things but wishes for provisions of all sorts.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has elucidated the extensive connotation of the word rizq (provision) most excellently. In discussing spiritual provision he cites the blessed model of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He said that one of the blessings of taqwa is that God eases the difficulties of a righteous person and grants him provision. In terms of provisions of spiritual significance, despite being unlettered, God granted spiritual sustenance of such high order to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that he could contend with academics, philosophers etc. and be critical of them.
The spiritual sustenance in the form of the Holy Qur’an that was given to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was peerless. This sustenance, a treasure of spirituality and of knowledge, not only facilitated to silence objectors in the lifetime of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) but it will continue to unfold secrets of the universe until the end of time, providing of course people have the insight to reflect. God disclosed matters to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) of which people of that time, including the Companions had no concept. For example none had any idea of the concept of the atom at the time, however, in this reference the Qur’an states: ‘And what should make you know what the ‘Hutamah’ is?’ (104:6). Here the Companions are being addressed and informed that it will affect the heart first and foremost. Hudhur said a museum in Nagasaki, Japan has exhibits showing the aftermath of an atomic attack. People froze in the position they were in, their hearts having stopped. Their skin etc. dissolved and fell off later. Hudhur said this is just one example, many more examples can be found where scientific inventions validate the superiority of the Holy Qur’an.
Hudhur said the Companions of the Holy Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) who attained the amazing spiritual beneficence and in accordance with their individual capacity realised treasures of spiritual knowledge would be ever concerned about matters spiritual. Some of them had entrusted the matters of worldly sustenance solely to God and instead pursued attainment of spiritual sustenance. Among them one example is that of Hadhrat Abu Huraira who was ever at the door of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and had no other care. However, the spiritual provision that he gathered is giving us its beneficence till today and indeed will continue to do so for always. Doubtless, majority of the Companions would be busy with their trade but it was their foremost wish to develop and enhance their taqwa levels, they would be ever ready at every single command of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and be of those who availed of spiritual sustenance. Their small efforts bore great fruits and they would accrue incalculable profit. Once a Companion asked the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) to pray for him. His trade was so blessed after this that anything he touched turned to gold. Many Companions who were traders did not have materialistic tendencies. Yet, on their death, they left gold valuing in millions and other property. These were the people who had experienced spiritual as well as material sustenance.
The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that one who fears God and is also a muttaqi (God-fearing) in God’s sight is taken out of all adversity by God Who provides for him from most unexpected means. One who becomes God’s is taken out of every disgrace by God. God never wastes a righteous person and does not break His promise. Hadhrat Daud (on whom be peace) is known to have said that through his life, from childhood to old age, he had never seen any righteous person begging. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said it is true that God saves righteous people from begging. He said it was his belief that God blesses seven generations of a truly righteous person. Hudhur said the basic condition for this is to become God’s and adopt taqwa and this is what should be the endeavour of every believer. The second basis is to put one’s trust in God.
Hudhur said let it be clear that if the offspring of a righteous person transgress then God’s other law comes into action. Offspring of a truly righteous person also treads the path of taqwa, borne out of good upbringing and prayers. However the aforementioned words of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) are not against the laws of God. Some ask, why did the son of Noah drown. Fact is that Noah’s son did not even try to partake of taqwa. If the offspring of pious people have any weakness other than shirk (associating partners with God) or if due to their unawareness they incur any loss in business etc. God does not make their situation such where they have to starve. God picks up their situation fairly soon and if the offspring are also firm on taqwa they themselves experience God’s blessings.
Hudhur said some people say that they are regular in Salat and also try and develop in piety, yet their situation gets from bad to worse. Hudhur said he would like to remind here the aforementioned statement of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace): ‘one who is also a muttaqi (God-fearing) in God’s sight’. Hudhur added this entailed a lot of endeavour. Therefore, people who harbour such thoughts need to profusely do Ishtaghfar (ask forgiveness of God). God’s promise is not false. If there is any deficiency, it is in us. Taqwa signifies carrying out piety on the most infinitesimal level. If our situation is such that despite efforts things are worsening then we need to self-reflect and self-examine. Hudhur said using falsehood on even an insignificant level in business/work is remote from taqwa and is against trust in God. Thus, to attain His beneficence we need to view our actions in minute detail, lest there is any contamination of falsehood in them or any ill-intent and whatever we have done was based on qawl e sadid (the right word). Hudhur said qawl e sadid does not simply mean honesty; rather, it connotes that honesty which is evident and clear. In addition, we should fulfil the right of worship of God.
In the current age a large majority of people amass wealth by deception and apparently appear comfortable. However, in the sight of God, their wealth is like fire for them. For one, they are burnt in this fire in this very world; in the form of disease, lawsuits etc. And then there is the Fire of the Hereafter about which God warns us. This kind of wealth is not something to be envied by believers. When God cites provision for the believers He cites blessed provision. The real objective of a believer is spiritual provision which takes precedence over everything else and this is what leads to inner peace in this world as well as the Hereafter.
The standards of worldly people and believers are very different. Those who wish for God’s pleasure do not chase worldly matters. God states: ‘The life of this world is made to appear attractive to those who disbelieve; and they scoff at those who believe. But those who fear God shall be above them on the Day of Resurrection; and Allah bestows His gifts on whomsoever He pleases without reckoning.’ (2:213). Hudhur said that while this verse specifically points to the disbelievers who consider the wealth of this world as everything, it also signifies all those materialistic people who consider others lowly because of their wealth. They should remember that the Day of Judgement is set when it will be made very clear as to who is truly successful. It also draws attention to the fact that simply accepting truth is not enough and that adopting taqwa, fear of God, is what is required of believers.
Hudhur said a general look at the world of Islam today shows that despite the Divine promise that He gives the believers the upper hand in fighting, the state of affairs of the Muslims is terrible. This shows that there is a deficiency of taqwa, otherwise God’s promise is of opening up ways beyond one’s expectations and He also states that He gives without measure if He so pleases. In the life and times of the early Muslims this ‘giving without measure’ can be seen evidently. As long as taqwa was adopted Islamic rule had might. Today although in material terms some Muslim countries have the wealth of oil, however, they still wear the yoke of economic subjugation to the West. Today Muslim is not being useful to Muslim as he should be. In instances where a Muslim state wishes to help another Muslim state, they first look at the Western governments. The former glory of the Muslim world which was based on being firm on faith has today transformed into it seeking the West as its provider. Clearly, this shows a lack of taqwa. Those who were made leaders for the world are subjugated and this is certainly contrary to the final judgement of God, for He states: ‘…And Allah has full power over His decree, but most men know it not.’ (12:22). Indeed His final judgement is His and His Prophet’s triumph and the destiny of the world is with the religion of Islam. So, how can that come about? The answer to this is that the way in which the Companions of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) attained his beneficence and then by treading the paths of taqwa received the deference of the world, gave precedence to faith over worldly matters and gave tremendous sacrifices of life, property and time for the cause of Islam. When persecution became too much, they migrated and eventually attained great triumph.
The Holy Qur’an states: ‘Say, ‘O ye My servants who believe, fear your Lord. There is good for those who do good in this life. And Allah’s earth is spacious. Verily the steadfast will have their reward without measure.’ (39:11). Hudhur explained that the persecution in Makkah was dreadful and was followed by the migration to Medina. As the aforementioned verse states, God makes the land spacious for those who adopt taqwa and do good works and in return of every persecution He rewards them, just as in the days of early Islam, God granted huge territory to those who were steadfast. It was due to their taqwa and their adherence to the commandments of God. Today, unfortunately, in spite of having governments of their own the Muslims are in a way subjugated. However, just as the people of early Islam enjoyed the fruits of taqwa and steadfastness, it is God’s will that after a long period of darkness, Muslims will once again enjoy these fruits and the triumph of Islam will come about through the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Situation similar to that of the early Muslims will also be faced by the followers of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and the earth will be restricted for them. However, God will open ways for them. This is the reason why the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) advised and bequeathed not to be among the persecutors of the Messiah but to go to him and send him the Prophet’s greetings.
Hudhur said today each Ahmadi is witness to the fact that in Pakistan the earth was restricted for our community. However, today Ahmadiyyat is established in 195 countries of the world. Individual losses do not impede the progress of communities. Just as in the time of early Islam martyrdoms opened up new avenues, in the current age the sacrifices of Ahmadis are being the source of the progress of Ahmadiyyat. Today our message is reaching the ends of the earth via MTA. When blessings and salutations are invoked (Durud) on the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) on MTA, it is infused in the air even in places where there is no one to recite it. No other TV channel in the world can guarantee that it can be seen in 195 countries of the world. MTA is watch by Ahmadis as well as people outside the community, some of whom watch it to raise objections and some to gain knowledge. This indeed is a sign of Divine communities as told by God that when the earth is restricted for them, God grants them expansion elsewhere and through different means. This was in the destiny of the community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) because, in accordance to the prophecies of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) the triumph of Islam is associated with the Promised Messiah.
May God enable us to understand this most significant responsibility on individual level and may we tread the path of taqwa and endeavour for the attainment of the objective of the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and may we experience God’s reward without measure.