True Eid of this era

Ata-ul-Haye Nasir, Al Hakam

Muslims around the world will celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr tomorrow, which signifies the day of celebration upon the completion of the holy month of Ramadan. This Eid only lasts a day; however, God has blessed this era with an ‘Eid’ which will continue till the Day of Judgement. Are the Muslims paying heed to that ‘Eid’?

‘Eid’: Advent of a prophet

In November 1907, the Promised Messiah^as received the following revelation:

آمدنِ عید مبارک بادت۔ عید تو ہے چاہے کرو یا نہ کرو۔

“Felicitation on the coming of the ‘Id [Festival]. It is ‘Id [Festival], celebrate it or not.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 1011)

Commenting on this during his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 13 March 1929, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra said:

“The revelation of the prophets comprises vast meanings. […] There is a revelation of the Promised Messiah^as that relates to Eid. There was an immediate import to the revelation, as there was doubt as to whether it was Eid on that day or not. That uncertainty was removed by Allah the Almighty, as He said: ‘عید توہے چاہے کرو یا نہ کرو’. However, in my opinion, this revelation is not limited to that aspect alone. […]

“I believe that in addition to the above meaning, there is another subtle point that has been stated in this revelation, which points to the advent of the Promised Messiah^as. The advent of the prophets is also an ‘Eid’. That is, by their appearance, the grace of God descends upon the world, and the seed of progress is sown through them. It is a seed that grows gradually into such a big tree that the whole world benefits from its fruits and shade. However, many people fail to recognise that ‘Eid’ and turn away. […]

“The sentence: ‘عید توہے چاہے کرو یا نہ کرو’, points towards that ‘Eid’, which is the ‘Eid’ of the Promised Messiah’s^as advent. However, it does not mean that it makes no difference whether you ‘celebrate’ it or not. In fact, it is like the expression, ‘He is truthful, whether you agree or not.’ [Thus, the revelation] means that the blessing has been made available; it is up to the people to benefit from it or not.

“Therefore, the [advent of the] Promised Messiah^as is also an ‘Eid’. God Almighty has provided the means for the progress of the Muslims through him. Now, it is up to them whether they benefit from those means and methods by utilising them to attain progress and honour or whether, by not doing so, they increase in regress and humiliation. Hence, undoubtedly, prophets are also an ‘Eid’. However, God does not compel people to ‘celebrate’ that ‘Eid’, but rather, leaves it up to their own wishes.

“If one celebrates Eid, they attain happiness and contentment; however, if they decide otherwise and continue to mourn, then it is also up to them. There is no compulsion. In this revelation, Allah the Almighty has stated a deep psychological point. To celebrate Eid depends upon one’s inner feelings, and the mere availability of means is not enough. Rather, it is essential that those means be put to use.” (Al Fazl, 19 March 1929, p. 5)

Then, during his Friday Sermon, delivered on 20 February 1931, which was also the day of Eid-ul-Fitr, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra said:

“There are certain days that hold similarities with certain eras, and due to those similarities, they become even more blessed. […] In the same way, today, two Eids have occurred together, i.e., Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Jumuah. Thus, for this reason, this day has become a source of even greater blessings and grace. Moreover, this day becomes more important since it indicates an extraordinary era. Therefore, our Jamaat is the only community that can realise the perfect reflection of this day, because this day is testifying that there can be another ‘Eid’ on the day of Eid. And that is the era in which the ‘Eid’ of Ahmadiyyat manifested during the ‘Eid’ of Muhammadiyyat.

“The era of the Holy Prophet^sa will continue till the Day of Judgement, thus, the ‘Eid’, which was established through him, can never cease to exist. It is a separate matter if someone ‘ends it for themselves’. […] Similarly, if those who claim to be Muslims part ways with the Holy Prophet^sa and abandon the sharia that he brought, it cannot bring an end to his era. […] That ‘Eid’ will continue to flourish, and yes, there can be another ‘Eid’ within it, which has, in fact, manifested itself, i.e., the reformer of the Latter Days and God’s appointed one – whose advent was prophesied by various prophets – has been sent by God Almighty. […]

“Today, Eid has coincided with Jumuah. Thus, just as this day comprises two ‘Eids’, in the same way, the current era is also a compound of two ‘Eids’ – two glorious manifestations have been witnessed. […] It means that this is the era of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa, which is superior to the eras of all other prophets – whether law-bearing or non-law-bearing – with respect to its blessings.” 

Huzoor^ra then added that this era was also the era of the Promised Messiah^as, the most ardent devotee of his lord and master, the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. And, with the Promised Messiah^as being Khatam al-Khulafa i.e., the perfect reflection of his holy master, his era was also superior to the eras of all prophets who came to manifest or establish the blessings of a law-bearing prophet’s sharia. Thus, in this era, two superiorities had merged together.

Huzoor^ra went on to say: 

“The Promised Messiah^as has stated that God Almighty – by His sheer wisdom – has granted him this status to prove the perfection of the Holy Prophet’s^sa spiritual blessings. […] He has gained the [divine] light from that [spiritual] sun, which is second to none [in its status] and was granted the [divine] light for that ummah which is unmatchable because it is the ummah of Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. […]

“Thus, just like this day [where Eid-ul-Fitr and Jumuah have occurred together], this era holds great significance as well. […] In fact, the meaning of a Muslim’s Eid is for them to increase their level of sacrifice for God Almighty. Since God Almighty has created us in such an era which is a manifestation of two ‘Eids’, where the majesty [jalal] of Muhammadiyyat and the beauty [jamal] of Ahmadiyyat have manifested, it is our duty as well to strive to double our efforts.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 13, pp. 67-69)

The greatest ‘Eid’

During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 2 August 1916, Huzoor^ra said:

“In reality, [true] happiness lies in unity, and since gathering together is the source of ‘Eid’, the biggest and greatest ‘Eid’ can only be the one that comprises the greatest assembly. Thus, the greatest ‘Eid’ which has ever occurred was when a person [the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa] called on all mankind and said:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنِّیۡ رَسُوۡلُ اللّٰہِ اِلَیۡکُمۡ جَمِیۡعَا

“[‘O mankind! truly I am a Messenger to you all from Allah.’ (Surah al-A’raf, Ch. 7: V. 159)]

“The world had surely witnessed several small ‘Eids’. There was an ‘Eid’ at the time of Moses^as, and there were ‘Eids’ at the time of David^as, Jesus^as, Krishna^as, Ramchandar^as, and Zartasht^as as well. However, those ‘Eids’ were limited to either India, Egypt, or Iran, and thus, they were small ‘Eids’. However, the greatest ‘Eid’ that has ever occurred in this world since the creation of Adam, was when God Almighty commanded his chosen one [the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa] to unite the whole world on one hand, through him. This was the greatest ‘Eid’. […]

“Then came the day of another great ‘Eid’, when God Almighty appointed the Promised Messiah^as to complete the tabligh [propagation of Islam to all corners of the world]. That was the time when لِیُظۡہِرَہٗ عَلَی الدِّیۡنِ کُلِّہٖ [‘That He may cause it to prevail over all religions’ (Surah as-Saff, Ch. 61: V. 10)] was decreed to occur.

“The sharia of Islam was perfected through the Holy Prophet^sa, and thus, with his advent, the whole world was called on, without any exception, that now such a prophet has come who brings along immense amounts of treasures, and you should join him and get whatever you desire. He raised this call to invite people towards him with such power that its echo continued to rise and reached the heavens, and then [that call] returned to the world in the person of the Promised Messiah^as. Thereafter, he [the Promised Messiah^as] also announced the same [in accordance with the glad tidings from God]:

یٰۤاَیُّہَا النَّاسُ اِنِّیۡ رَسُوۡلُ اللّٰہِ اِلَیۡکُمۡ جَمِیۡعَا

“[‘O mankind, I am the Messenger of Allah to you all.’ (Tadhkirah [English], p. 490)] […]

“Every new soul who joins us is a source of ‘Eid’ for us, and everyone who becomes a Muslim increases our happiness. This is the ‘Eid’ of uniting on the commandments of the sharia, and the ‘Eid’ that will occur when all people will practically gather on one Faith, will be the greatest ‘Eid’. And God Almighty has given us the responsibility to bring about that ‘Eid’.

“It was the act of God Almighty to appoint a prophet [the Holy Prophet^sa] for the whole of mankind, to send down a perfect and complete sharia for the whole world, and then to appoint the Promised Messiah^as to complete the propagation [of Islam to all corners of the world]. However, He has given us the duty to bring about that ‘Eid’.

“Therefore, I advise the members of the Jamaat with great emphasis that they should ponder over the [true] ‘Eid’, and realise that all happiness is achieved through unity. […] You ought to be delighted, and may it be blessed for you that the era of that great ‘Eid’, about which God Almighty has stated: لِیُظۡہِرَہٗ عَلَی الدِّیۡنِ کُلِّہٖ [‘That He may cause it to prevail over all religions’ (Surah as-Saff, Ch. 61: V. 10)] is the era of the Promised Messiah^as.

“That is, the era of the [Promised] Messiah will be the time when Islam will become victorious over all other religions, and all people will be united on one hand by propagating the truthfulness of the Holy Prophet^sa through the Promised Messiah^as and his Jamaat. That will be the time of the true ‘Eid’ for us.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, pp. 28-32)

During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon on 7 August 1948, Huzoor^ra said:

“No doubt, our God has commanded us to celebrate Eid in a manifest manner, and for this reason, we celebrate it. However, we will attain true happiness when Islam spreads to all corners of the world, mosques are filled with those who occupy themselves in remembrance of Allah, and when the majesty of the Holy Prophet^sa and the Holy Quran is established in all corners of the world. Thus, each member of our Jamaat should remember that […] our greatest ‘Eid’ will only be when Islam spreads the world over, and the call of Allahu Akbar [Allah is great] echoes from every corner of the world.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, p. 423)

The need for an Imam: Hope and certainty through the Promised Messiah^as

We witness that Muslims are divided and regressing in all fields – due to their not paying heed to the true teachings of Islam. This was all prophesied by the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa 1400 years ago, and thus, he instructed the Muslims to join the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah in the Latter Days for their reformation. Moreover, the Promised Messiah was to unite all mankind under the flag of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. Thus, God Almighty appointed Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as of Qadian as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi.

During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon on 24 March 1928, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra said:

“It is hope and certainty that bring a true Eid, and it is this very hope and certainty that was brought by the Promised Messiah^as. […] There is a sense of discomfort and worry amongst all nations, communities and countries. However, if there is any Jamaat that is firm in its Faith and filled with hope and certainty, it is the Ahmadiyya [Muslim] Jamaat. […] We are happy that God Almighty has promised us that no one can ever destroy us. The Promised Messiah^as has been told:

آگ ہماری غلام بلکہ غلاموں کی غلام ہے۔

“‘Fire is our servant and indeed, the servant of our servants.’ (Tadhkirah [English], p. 537)

“Fire implies troubles and destruction which are very devastating. Thus, such calamities and troubles are befalling the world, that are very catastrophic. However, God Almighty has stated in His Word, which was revealed to the Promised Messiah^as, to proclaim:

آگ سے ہمیں مت ڈرا۔ آگ ہماری غلام بلکہ غلاموں کی غلام ہے۔

“‘Do not threaten us with fire, for fire is our servant and indeed, the servant of our servants.’ (Ibid)

“Thus, these troubles cannot efface us, since they are the prelude to our progress. […] Therefore, an Ahmadi should never fear  these troubles that are befalling [the world], because God states that they have been made our servants. […] Hence, there is such a glorious festivity and a pleasing ‘Eid’ that has not been granted to anyone else. […] 

“One ought to study the revelations of the Promised Messiah^as, and when you will study them, you will feel as if your worries are vanishing away, and you will come to know about [the value of] your sacrifices, which you are offering for the Faith, as to what you are presenting to God and how great is its reward. After this, I pray that Allah the Almighty may make us the true recipients of that ‘Eid’. That ‘Eid’ will surely occur, but may we also get the opportunity to witness it, may we witness the propagation of the Word of God, may the honour of His chosen Servant [Muhammad^sa] and the Promised Messiah^as spread [to all corners of the world], and may His Religion [Islam] spread so much that it becomes victorious over all other religions.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, pp. 157-162)

No power can efface this God-gifted ‘Eid’

During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 25 April 1925, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra said:

“In this era, we have been granted an ‘Eid’ from God Almighty, and the God-given thing holds so much power that no other power can efface it. Thus, since we have accepted the ma’mur and mursal [appointee and messenger] of God Almighty, pledged bai‘at and become the followers of His prophet, and have achieved great success through him, no power can ever crush us and there is no reason for our hearts to be grieved. I do not say that there will be no troubles in the future, difficulties will occur and will be more than have occurred by now, and even greater sacrifices will be required than have been offered by now. […]

“There is no reason for these worries, troubles and difficulties to end this ‘Eid’ of the Promised Messiah’s^as era. If we [are determined with a] desire to celebrate this era as an ‘Eid’, then there is no one who can halt us from doing so. Therefore, I advise the members to make a firm determination in their hearts to celebrate this ‘Eid’. Hence, when you will be determined to celebrate the Promised Messiah’s^as era as an ‘Eid’, you will witness that the troubles that frighten you today will not do so after this resolve, those worries and anxieties that make you fear today will not do so after this determination, and those difficulties that seem to you like mountains will not hold any significance, not even equal to a straw, after making this resolve.” (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, p. 134)

Speaking about the need for sacrifices, during his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 2 May 1924, Huzoor^ra said:

“The early era of the prophets, denotes ‘Ramadan’, and the era of their progress signifies ‘Eid’. One is required to offer sacrifices along with the prophets, and to be delighted on the day of ‘Eid’ that God’s prophecy has been fulfilled. On that day, even the [spiritually] blind will cry out that ‘we have witnessed the ‘moon of Eid’”. (Khutbat-e-Mahmud, Vol. 1, p. 122)

Continuation of the Promised Messiah’s^as mission through Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya

The Jamaat of the Promised Messiah^as is continuing to flourish and is achieving new heights of progress with each passing day. His mission is continuing under the blessed institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, which was established in accordance with the promise of Allah Almighty and the Holy Prophet’s^sa prophecies.

In regard to the establishment of Khilafat after him, the Promised Messiah^as also said:

“It is essential for you to witness the second Manifestation also, and its Coming is better for you because it is everlasting the continuity of which will not end till the Day of Judgement. And that second Manifestation cannot come unless I depart. But when I depart, God will send that second Manifestation for you which shall always stay with you just as promised by God in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. And this promise is not for my person. Rather the promise is with reference to you, as God [addressing me] says: I shall make this Jama‘at who are your followers, prevail over others till the Day of Judgment. […] I came from God as a Manifestation of Divine Providence and I am a personification of His Power. And after I am gone there will be some other persons who will be the manifestation of the second Power [of God].” (The Will, pp. 7-8)

During the past 115 years, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has not only been a source of peace, tranquillity, and progress for the Promised Messiah’s^as Jamaat, but has also continued to guide the Muslim world and invite them towards the true teachings of Islam. However, the Muslim world is generally negligent in paying heed to the true ‘Eid’ of this era. Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya has not only guided Muslims, but continues to invite the whole world towards the peaceful message of Islam, and strives to remove the misconceptions about Islam. In this era when we witness all kinds of conflicts, wars, and disorders, Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya is a beacon of peace and harmony.

Surah al-Fatihah and the true ‘Eid’

During his Eid-ul-Fitr sermon, delivered on 2 October 2008, which was the first Eid of the second century of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa said that a believer’s ‘Eid’ is the one that comes time and time again and brings along with it the message of God’s pleasure. Huzoor^aa said that such an ‘Eid’ brings along with it the signs of the acceptance of the following prayer mentioned in Surah al-Fatihah:

اِہۡدِنَا الصِّرَاطَ الۡمُسۡتَقِیۡمَ۔ صِرَاطَ الَّذِیۡنَ اَنۡعَمۡتَ عَلَیۡہِمۡ

“Guide us in the right path, the path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed [Thy blessings].” (Surah al-Fatihah, Ch. 1: V. 6-7)

Huzoor^aa continued by saying that the true ‘Eid’ is the one that is accompanied by the blessings of Allah the Almighty, and the true blessings are attained through complete obedience to Allah the Almighty and His Messenger^sa. Hence, in this era, as a result of such obedience, Allah the Almighty manifested the peak of these blessings in the personage of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as of Qadian, who was appointed by Him as the Promised Messiah and Mahdi. He has attained the status of a prophet, but only due to his absolute obedience and servitude to the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa. Thus, these are the blessings that differentiate Ahmadi Muslims from others.

Huzoor^aa said that the Ahmadis are blessed to have the opportunity to celebrate the true ‘Eid’ in this era by accepting the Promised Messiah^as. (Al Fazl International, 17-23 October 2008, pp. 1-2)

Hold fast by the rope of Allah

During his Friday Sermon, delivered on 21 May 2004, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa said:

“Always remember that He is the God Who fulfils His promises. He is still keeping His hand on this beautiful Jamaat of his beloved Messiah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as]. He will never leave us! He will never leave us! Surely, He will never leave us! He is still fulfilling the promises He made to His Messiah today, as He has been doing since the time of the previous Khulafa. Even today, He is bestowing His blessings and favours in the same way as He has in the past and will continue to do so, insha-Allah. Therefore, if there is any need, it is for one to ensure they never stumble on their own by disobeying the commandments of Allah the Almighty, and hence ruin their fate. So, one is required to seek help from Him by praying and bowing down to Him, asking for His grace, and holding fast by this strong rope [Khilafat]. Then no one can ever harm you. May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to do so. Amin.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 2, p. 354)

Every year, we witness hundreds of thousands of people from diverse backgrounds, nationalities and beliefs, unite on one hand through this divine institution of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya. Now, this is the means through which mankind can attain spiritual and worldly progress. This is the pathway that will prevent people from becoming prey to material aspirations.

Commenting on verse 104 of Surah Aal-e-Imran, during his Friday Sermon, delivered on 26 August 2005, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa said:

“It must be remembered that now the ‘rope of Allah’ is the personage of the Promised Messiah^as and acting upon his teachings. Moreover, your connection with Khilafat would also keep strengthening you. Khilafat would be your unifying force and strength. Khilafat would be a means to connect you with Allah the Almighty through the Promised Messiah^as and the Holy Prophet^sa. Therefore, one should hold fast to this ‘rope’, otherwise, those who fail to do so would become scattered. They would not only ruin themselves, but cause the ruin of their progenies as well. […] How could one hold fast to this ‘rope’? This would not be achieved by merely taking the bai‘at [pledge of allegiance] – accepting the Promised Messiah^as – but rather, it is essential to act upon the Conditions of Bai‘at as prescribed by him.” (Khutbat-e-Masroor, Vol. 3, p. 516)

We, the Ahmadi Muslims, are fortunate to be blessed with the divine institution of Khilafat. It is our responsibility to show complete obedience to Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya and to abide by the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih^aa. To read more on this topic, please see “Abide by the words of Khalifatul Masih: Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V’s advice to Ahmadis”, Al Hakam, 10 February 2023, Issue 256, pp. 10-13)

May Allah the Almighty enable us all to become the Sultan-e-Naseer of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih^aa, and to play our part in achieving the true ‘Eid’, i.e., the victory of Islam over all other religions. Amin.