Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih Vaa delivered his Friday Sermon earlier today from the Baitul Futuh Mosque in London.
Referring to the Promised Messiah’sas work, The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Huzooraa mentioned the importance of financial sacrifice and its benefits. Huzooraa outlined how it was impossible to continue to love worldly wealth and still expect to gain nearness to Allah. Allah the Almighty has stated in the Holy Quran that Allah’s love can only be attained by sacrificing things that are dear to us.
Huzooraa said that he encourages new converts to be included in the system of financial sacrifice to enable them to tread the paths of spiritual progress. Huzooraa cited examples of Companionsra of the Promised Messiahas who readily sacrificed their wealth whenever the Promised Messiahas required funds for Jamaat purposes. Huzooraa said that this spirit continues to this day and by the grace of Allah, there is a large number of people who are ever-ready to offer financial sacrifice in the way of Allah.
Huzooraa presented incidents from various parts of the world where Ahmadis have come forward to offer financial sacrifice even when they were themselves in need of the funds. Allah, however, rewarded them manifold in return.
After this, Huzooraa announced the 63rd year of the Waqf-e-Jadid scheme.
The results from the previous year, as announced by Huzooraa, were as follows:
The UK came in first, followed by Pakistan, Germany, USA, Canada, India, Australia, Indonesia and two countries of Middle East.
Waqf-e-Jadid
On 27 December 1957, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IIra started the blessed project called Tahrik-e-Waqf-e-Jadid (the new dedication).
The primary objective of this project was to look after the spiritual upbringing of the members living in rural communities. The secondary objective was to bring the message of Islam to the Hindu population of the country at the time.
Hazrat Musleh-e-Maudra planned to create a network of muallims (teachers of religious knowledge) who should be wholly devoted to the edification of members of the Jamaat throughout the length and breadth of Pakistan.
On 1 February 1958, 14 such muallims were dispatched to selected rural areas of the country. Now, by the grace of Allah, the number has reached thousands. Huzoorra asked members to donate six rupees each towards this project. However many members donated their farmland for this purpose. Huzoorra appointed Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Tahir Ahmadrh as its first director (nazim irshad).
Hazrat Mirza Nasir Ahmad, Khalifatul Masih IIIrh encouraged Ahmadi children to become part of Waqf-e-Jadid and to donate whatever little amount they could from their pocket money.
Up to 1986, the project was intended mainly for the rural communities of Pakistan. However Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IVrh broadened the scope of this project and now all the countries of the world are within the scope of this plan. Huzoorrh issued a directive in 1984 whereby there is no prescribed amount of donation for this blessed initiative and members can donate as much as they want. Children can make financial contributions as well.
By the grace of God Almighty, the scheme is operating very successfully. Under the guidance of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, a great deal of useful and productive work is being carried out in the vast, rural areas; from preparing muallims to building mosques and clinics and providing other amenities for the underprivileged.
The details of this sermon will Insha-Allah be published in Al Hakam in the coming few weeks.