Friday Sermon
25 May 2018
Khilafat: The Mercy of Allah
After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta‘awuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa recited verses 56 and 57 of Surah Al-Nur and then stated:
The translation of these verses is as follows:
“Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will surely make them Successors in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious. And observe Prayer and give the Zakat and obey the Messenger, that you may be shown mercy.”
In the aforementioned verses, God Almighty has mentioned a promise. It should be clear that God Almighty has set certain preconditions in order to bestow this blessing that is the institution of Khilafat, through which one will be granted strength and peace after various states of fear. Thus, this is a promise and not a prophecy in that God Almighty will grant it unconditionally. God Almighty has not stated that He will most surely bestow this blessing, rather it is a promise granted to those who fulfil the necessary conditions. What are those conditions? God Almighty states that they will worship Him and they will completely refrain from shirk [associating partners with God]. If they do not fulfil the due rights of worship; if they do not completely abstain from and protect themselves from shirk, as God Almighty desires, then they will not be able to fully benefit from this promise. Thus, despite Khilafat being present, the people who do not act and do not fulfil the conditions, would not be able to derive any kind of benefit from it. It is evident from the Holy Quran as well as the Ahadith [traditions of the Holy Prophetsa] that Khilafat was to be established on the precepts of prophethood in the latter-days and that this was to be an everlasting institution of Khilafat. The Promised Messiahas has also clearly elucidated to us that the institution of Khilafat would be established after him and that it would remain forever. However, in the same verses, God Almighty has also made clear to the Muslims that in order to benefit from the promise of Khilafat and to receive a share of the favours attached to it, they will have to bring about a change in their conditions. To be merely called Muslim or to just verbally proclaim one’s faith, will not make one deserving of the favours of Khilafat. Thus, God Almighty admonishes the Muslims that in order to fulfil the due rights of worship and to be protected from shirk, they need to observe prayers, pay the Zakat and obey the Messengersa. Only then can one receive the mercy of God Almighty.
With regards to obedience to the Holy Prophetsa, we should also remember the guidance he imparted to us wherein he stated that one who obeyed a leader who was appointed by him, inadvertently obeyed him. Conversely, if one disobeyed a leader who was appointed by him would in fact have disobeyed him. Furthermore, in the institution of Khilafat, the Khalifa serves as the highest authority of being the appointed leader by the Holy Prophetsa. Thus, it becomes evident from this fact that demonstrating obedience to Khilafat is as equally important as showing obedience to the Holy Prophetsa. However, this does not refer to a caliphate that is forcefully established with the aid of worldly powers. In fact, this Divine promise refers to the Khilafat that was to be established on the precepts of prophethood and with regards to which the Holy Prophetsa had clearly mentioned that it would be established following the advent of the Promised Messiahas. The institution of Khilafat would continue from there as the Promised Messiahas would be the Khatam-ul-Khulafa [seal of the caliphs, or successors]. Furthermore, this Khilafat would not engage in wars and cruelties. Rather, it would draw our attention towards observing prayers, towards paying the Zakat for the sake of the propagation of religion and for the fulfilment of the rights of mankind and it would draw our attention towards making financial sacrifices. Thus, presently this institution can only be found within the Ahmadiyya Jamaat.
Similarly, another objective of obedience towards the Holy Prophetsa is to become united, which cannot be achieved without the institution of Khilafat. Although other Muslims observe their prayers, however due to a lack of unity, their hearts are divided. Despite believing in the same essential doctrines, they have created divisions as a result of delving into the finer details of faith. In order to uphold their authority and fulfil their objectives – which now also include political objectives in the case of Pakistan – scholars constantly fight with one another. The same is the case of those who follow them.
A short while ago, the protests against the government in Pakistan were taking place. Following that, two groups of scholars started to fight with one another. One of them was trying to attain its objectives and acquire authority through a group called Labbaik Ya Rasulullah, whereas the other was trying to achieve the same objectives under the name of a group called Khatm-e-Nubuwwat. Furthermore, the world was observing this chaos and disorder on television as it was broadcast on Pakistani television. In spite of this, the people following this group are unaware of the nature of the people they are following.
Are these the people who shall become the means of strengthening the faith for the general public as well as for Muslims? Will they guide them appropriately? This is impossible as they themselves are corrupt. As a matter of fact, they are corrupt in accordance with the Hadith of the Holy Prophetsa which stated that such scholars of that time would be the worst among creation. (Al-Jami li’Shu’bil Iman, Vol.3, pp317-318, Hadith no. 1763, Maktabat-ul-Rushd, Riyadh, 2003).
Even when they offer the Zakat, the government remains unaware of how it is spent. The government claims to spend it on the poor. However, billions of rupees are embezzled from Zakat funds, which is highlighted in the media; the propagation of Islam does not even cross their minds. What are those oil-rich nations doing that is established in the name of Islam? They are unable to carry out a single task in relation to the propagation of Islam.
If a community is offering sacrifices and carrying out this task, it is the Ahmadiyya Community. This can only be truly carried out under the institution of Khilafat. Some scholars and fair-minded individuals express this fact that the institution of Khilafat should be established. However, when it is said to accept the institution which has been established by God Almighty, they are unwilling to do so, rather they are at the forefront in opposing it.
The latest incident of this opposition occurred in our mosque in Sialkot two days ago. The mosque and the building adjacent to it was raided and attacked by the police and the authorities. As a matter of fact, one can say that this carried out by the maulvis [religious clerics] and their followers under the supervision of the police. They consider this to be a great achievement on their part having acquired great success in their defence of Islam! Two days prior to this incident, the police sealed the house without any reason, and even though no one was residing in it, the police supervised an organised attack in which they destroyed the building and caused extensive damage.
This house and mosque were built well before the formation of Pakistan. In fact, they were built over a hundred years ago. Thus, there was no justification where they could claim that since Ahmadis have recently constructed it therefore they will demolish the minarets and domes. Hence, this is the state of those who are at the forefront in their opposition. They are now threatening that they will damage and destroy even more mosques.
One of the individuals instigating this is a Hafiz [a person who has committed the entire Quran to memory] and the other is a Qari [a person who is able to read the Quran according to its proper rules of recitation] and belongs to a political party. Although they claim to have committed the entire Quran to memory, however they are completely devoid of the teachings of the Holy Quran. Indeed, they were certainly going to be bereft of the true essence of this teaching as they have opposed the appointed Khatam-ul-Khulafa of God Almighty and the Just Arbiter of this era. As a result of this, they have become devoid of the teachings of the Holy Quran. They may have memorised the literal words, however, their minds are sealed shut in order to comprehend the teachings of the Holy Quran. This in fact is also a punishment from God Almighty in that they are unable to comprehend these teachings. Indeed, in terms of creating disorder and corruption, their minds are very fertile. If they are asked to create disorder and widespread chaos they would invent new methods to achieve this goal. We however are unable to compete with them in these matters. Nevertheless, this is their condition.
They preach against one another even in their own mosques, hatch schemes of creating disorder and corruption and thereby destroy the sanctity of their mosques. Furthermore, they also destroy the sanctity of our mosques, which are purely constructed for the worship of God Almighty, by closing them, attacking them and damaging them. This is the result of giving precedence to their personal objectives over their faith. Furthermore, until they do not accept the Khilafat, which was to be established in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa, they will continue to act in this manner and nothing good can be expected from them.
Indeed, there are always a few civilised individuals in society. There are certainly a number of decent people. Yesterday, a lady from the senate very courageously expressed her concern regarding this issue and also condemned it. We wait to see how the maulvis and those who are of the same nature as them as well as the corrupt politicians will treat this poor lady. So far it has been observed that they trouble such civilised people to such an extent that they either have to leave politics or seek forgiveness.
As far as our emotions are concerned, since they have damaged a historical building from the time of the Promised Messiahas and the government has taken it into their possession, our response is as usual, and should always be:
اِنَّمَاۤ اَشْكُوۡا بَثِّيۡ وَ حُزْنِيۡۤ اِلَي اللهِ
“I only complain of my sorrow and my grief to Allah” (Surah Yusuf: V. 87). Even though we have a sentimental attachment to that place, however our great bond of attachment to the Promised Messiahas cannot be simply limited to safeguarding the physical buildings. Rather, it is demonstrated by acting in accordance with his teachings; to be firmly attached to the institution of Khilafat which has been established after him; by acquiring the blessings and deriving benefit from them, which God Almighty has mentioned in relation to the reward of Khilafat; by improving the standard of our worship; by acting in accordance with the commandments of God Almighty and by elevating the standard of our obedience. For all this we need to make a concerted effort.
Someone once asked the Promised Messiahas what the objective was of the advent of a Khalifa? We should always keep the Promised Messiah’sas response in mind. He stated, “The objective is to bring about reformation.” He then elaborated upon this saying, “Prophet Adamas was the progenitor of this current human cycle. When the physical condition of humans weakened and they forgot about the true purpose of God’s word and strayed away from the path of guidance, then purely due to the grace of God Almighty, He guided the world and took them out of darkness by commissioning a messenger.”
The Promised Messiahas further states, “The magnificent glory of God exhibited its luster and the light of Divine wisdom was established once again in the world like a lamp. Faith once again shined forth with its spiritual light. Hence, this has been the practice of God Almighty since eternity.” We have witnessed this since the time of Prophet Adamas to Prophet Muhammadsa.
The Promised Messiahas states, “Therefore, this has been the practice of God Almighty that after some time passes and people neglect the teachings of a prophet, consequently going astray from the right path and lose the true light of Divine knowledge, at the time the vicious darkness of ignorance, deception, transgression and debauchery becomes widespread, then the attributes of God are impassioned. Subsequently, through the agency of a great man, God’s name, His Unity, and high morals are established once again through Divine insight. Clear proofs of the existence of God Almighty are provided with thousands of signs and the lost cognizance of the Divine, righteousness and purity is reestablished in the world.”
Therefore, faith has vanished from amongst the Muslims and non-Muslims alike. For this reason, God Almighty sent the Khatam-ul-Khulafa for this age in accordance with the prophecy of the Holy Prophetsa.
The Promised Messiahas states, “And a magnificent revolution takes place. Thus, our movement,” pay particular attention to this statement, “was established according to this very practice of the past.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 10, pp. 274-275, 1985, UK)
The Ahmadiyya Jamaat was initiated in order to present the clear proofs of the existence of God and to once again reestablish the Unity of God and excellent morals. As we can see, the moral condition of the majority of Muslims is dire. They are involved in the worshiping of graves, setting partners with God and have introduced all kinds of harmful innovations into the faith. Disobedience of God and immorality has become the norm and they admit this themselves. There are many articles written about their state of affairs but as I mentioned, they are not willing to accept the ardent devotee of the Holy Prophetsa who was sent by God Almighty to guide them and to rescue them from the abyss of ignorance. They are involved in many forms of hidden shirk and high morals are nowhere to be found. However, as I stated earlier that the aforementioned statement of the Promised Messiahas should be kept in mind, that our movement was formed under this established practice of God Almighty. When the world is surrounded by impiousness and chaos, and good morals are lost, and people stop thinking about the Unity of God, and Shirk becomes widespread, it is then that God Almighty sends His beloved and this initiates the revival of faith.
Therefore, if we are not making these changes within ourselves after accepting the Promised Messiahas, then this is a matter of great concern. We should always evaluate ourselves [by asking]: are we fashioning our lives according to what God Almighty has instructed us to do in order to attain the favors associated with Khilafat? What are the standards of these requirements? We have to assess our worship, the condition of our prayers: are we pure from shirk in our every word and action; what are the standards of our financial sacrifices and what is the level of our obedience? Are we meeting the standards set by God Almighty and His Messengersa? And in this day and age, are we trying to achieve the standards which the Promised Messiahas desired from members of his community?
There is a saying of the Holy Prophetsa regarding the importance of worship and prayers. It is mentioned in a hadith in which Hazrat Abu Hurairahra narrates that the Holy Prophetsa stated, “On the Day of Judgment, observance of prayer is the first question that mankind will be asked about. If they succeed in this, they will prosper and attain salvation. However, if they fail in this regard, they will be unsuccessful and suffer loss. If there is any deficiency in obligatory prayers then God Almighty will say, ‘Does my servant have any voluntary prayers which could replenish the deficiency in these [obligatory] prayers.’ Their other actions will also be judged in the same manner.” (Sunan Al-Tirmadhi, Kitab-ul-Salat, Hadith 413)
Hence, this is the importance of prayers. These days everyone is much focused on prayers and going to the mosque due to the month of Ramadan. However, this should not be limited only to the month of Ramadan. God Almighty will not enquire about prayers offered during the month of Ramdan only, rather, prayers offered throughout one’s lifetime will be accounted for. Therefore, one should show great concern in this regard.
God Almighty will immensely favour His servants by saying that the deficiency in the obligatory prayers, which occur as a result of human weakness, can be fulfilled through the voluntary prayers that were offered in one’s lifetime.
There is also another narration, Hazrat Jabirra narrates that he heard the Holy Prophetsa say, “Not offering prayers brings one closer to shirk and disbelief.” (Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Iman, Hadith no.246)
Hence, one should be greatly concerned in this regard. Shirk is a sin that God Almighty has greatly disapproved and does not forgive. Can we benefit from the gift of Khilafat whilst being guilty of this crime? Certainly not.
How should prayer be offered? What is the true essence and spirit of prayer? In relation to this, the Promised Messiahas states, “Some go to mosques and offer prayers and observe other pillars of Islam as well but the help and succour of God Almighty is not with them and no significant transformation in their morals and habits can be observed…” There should be a significant change in the actions and morals of those who observe prayers.
“…through which one can ascertain that their worship is merely superficial and customary. Because fulfilling the commands of God is equivalent to planting a seed that impacts both the soul and body.”
The example of prayers is like a seed in that it should have an impact on the soul in the same manner when a seed is planted and it can be clearly observed when it flourishes and grows. In the same fashion, the impact of prayers should be witnessed in our soul, our body and our morals.
The Promised Messiahas further states, “A person who undertakes great effort to irrigate a cultivated land and sows the seeds but does not see the bud sprout within one or two months, would be resigned to the fact that the seeds were ineffective.”
Here, the “bud” refers to the seed in that if it does not germinate and shoot forth then this is the same state of our worship. The reason why I explained the meaning of this term is that some translators later come and enquire that certain words were used which they could not understand.
“If one believes God Almighty to be One and without partner, observes their prayers, fasts and seemingly tries their best to act upon the commandments of God Almighty, yet they do not receive any help from God Almighty, then one must conclude that the seed which they are sowing is rotten.” (Malfuzat, Vol.10, pg.43, 1985, UK)
Thus, this is the point which we must always keep in mind so that we can identify the nearness of God through the progress of the standard of our worship, our moral conduct and our habits. If they have improved, then it means that our prayers are beneficial to us and we are drawing closer to God Almighty. If our outer state is not changing then we have not attained nearness to God and our prayers are of no benefit to us.
The Promised Messiahas states in relation to this, “What is meant by prayer? It is a supplication that is humbly entreated by extolling His holiness, praise, sanctity, seeking his forgiveness and by invoking salutations upon the Holy Prophetsa. So, when you observe prayer, do not recite Arabic phrases alone like those who are unmindful.”
That is to say, if Arabic is not your mother tongue, then those who do not know Arabic should not constrain themselves to it, as that state of the heart which should be present in the supplicant cannot be brought about in them.
The Promised Messiahas further states, “For the prayer and forgiveness sought by such persons is nothing more than a superficial demonstration, which is devoid of essence; their prayers are not sustained by any foundations. When you offer your prayer, use words besides the verses of the Quran, which are the Word of God, and besides the various prayers taught by the Holy Prophetsa.
“There are some prayers of the Holy Prophetsa and the Holy Quran which we should recite, we should understand and we should learn their meanings in order to understand their essence. There are also other prayers which people recite and have constructed their wording themselves.”
The Promised Messiahas further continues, “Make all your other entreaties in your native tongue so that the humility and meekness that they are born of may touch your heart.” (Kishti-e-Nuh, Ruhani Khazain, Vol.19, pp.68-69)
The Promised Messiahas then states, “Prayer is such a thing which cause the heavens to descend upon man” meaning that God Almighty draws closer to man. “The one who pays the due rights to prayer deems themselves to have died as if their soul has left them and they have fallen at the threshold of God Almighty.” The Promised Messiahas further states, “The home in which such prayer is performed shall never be destroyed. It is written in a Hadith that if Salat [the Islamic prayer] had been ordained in the time of Noahas then his people would never have perished.”
The Promised Messiahas further states, “Hajj has its prerequisites for man.” It has certain conditions for which it can be performed, therefore it is not incumbent on everybody. Fasting also has prerequisites and is not obligatory on the sick and those travelling. Those travelling can of course perform it later but certain people who are sick are unable to fast at all.
The Promised Messiahas continues, “Paying Zakat is also conditional.” Only those who possess wealth can give Zakat. “However, prayer has no prerequisites. While the rest are all performed once a year,” i.e. all these modes of worship are performed once annually, “but we have been commanded to observe our prayers five times in a day. Therefore, if one fails to perform all the prayers, they cannot attain the blessings thereof, nor will there be any benefit of taking this Bai’at [oath of initiation].” (Malfuzat, Vol.6, pp.421-422, 1985, UK)
The Promised Messiahas states that until one does not fully perform their prayers, the blessings usually found in them will not be attained, nor will there be any benefit of taking this Bai’at which we have taken at his hand. Therefore, this is the standard which we should be striving to attain.
God Almighty then states that you should abstain from committing shirk. There is a narration with reference to this that the Holy Prophetsa feared the spread of shirk in his Umma [followers].
In a hadith it states that Ubadah Bin Nasi once informed [some companions] about Shaddad Bin Aus saying that once, when he was crying, he was asked, “Why do you cry?” He replied, “I recall something that I heard from the Holy Prophetsa and it has made me cry. I heard the Holy Prophetsa say, ‘I fear about the spread of shirk in my Umma and their hidden desires.’ I asked, ‘O Prophetsa of God, will your people be involved in shirk after you?’ The Holy Prophetsa responded, ‘Yes, although my people will not worship the sun, the moon or stone idols, however they will suffer from ostentations in their actions’” they will deceive others through their actions and will be filled with artificiality, “‘and they will fall prey to their hidden desires. One of them will start the day fasting but then he will come across a desire and he will break the fast and indulge in his desire.’” (Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 5, p. 835, Hadith 17250, Alim-ul-Kutub, 1988, Beirut)
Such a person will be unmindful of his fast and it will be for pretence. In the previous sermon, I mentioned the incident where people fast for the sake of their parents, yet in the middle of the day they go to the shops and eat whatever they like. Then later on in the evening they return to their homes normally and break their fasts with their families as if they had spent the entire day fasting. So this is the state of certain people, and the newspapers here wrote an article on it as I mentioned in the previous sermon.
Hence, this is a very worrying situation. If we examine ourselves in depth, we will find several forms of hidden shirks. At times, our prayers are wasted due to following our inner desires and our fasts are squandered out of some worldly justifications. A young man met me saying that his work entails making pizza and that he has to taste it whilst making it. Therefore, he does not fast or abandons some fasts. To this one can only say Inna lillah that despite being Ahmadis we are acting in such a manner. I do not know if he even understood or realised what he was saying but I am deeply embarrassed to hear such things from people. We claim to wish to attain the bounties of God Almighty, but this claim will be rendered false if we do not act in accordance with His commandments.
The Promised Messiahas says, “God Almighty states in the Holy Quran:
وَيَغْفِرُ مَا دُوۡنَ ذٰلِكَ
That is, ‘He shall forgive every sin…’” This is just one part of the complete verse that the Promised Messiahas quoted. “…however God Almighty will not forgive shirk. So stay away from shirk and consider it to be the forbidden tree.” (Tohfa Golarwiyah, Ruhani Khazain, Vol.17, pp. 323-324 footnote).
Here, shirk is being discussed. The Promised Messiahas states, “Belief in the Unity of God does not mean merely to utter the words La Ilaha Illallah while one’s heart is full of idols. On the contrary, every person is an idolater in the sight of God who gives his own plans and actions the same importance as should be given to God, or relies upon a human being as he should rely on Him, or exalts his own self the way God should be exalted.” This is the explanation of the earlier Hadith. “In the sight of God, idols are not merely things made of gold, silver, bronze or stone in which people put their trust, rather every object and every word and deed that is given the same importance as should be given to Him is an idol.” (Siraj-ul-Din Isai Ke Char Swalon Ke Jawaab, Ruhani Khazain, Vol.12, Pg.349)
Hence, we must analyse ourselves with great attention.
Then it has been deemed necessary for those who have attained the blessing of Khilafat to give Zakat and make financial sacrifices.
It has been related in a Hadith by Hazrat Ibn Masudra that the Holy Prophetsa stated, “One should not envy anyone but only in case of two persons: One, whom God Almighty has endowed with wealth and they spend it in the cause of faith, and the other is whom God Almighty has granted wisdom, knowledge and sagacity through which they settle the matters of people and teach it to others.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Ilm, Hadith no.73)
Hazrat Hassanra relates that the Holy Prophetsa stated, “Secure your wealth by paying the Zakat and cure those suffering from ailments among you through offering Sadqa [charity].” (Al-Jami li’Shu’bil Iman, Vol. 5, p. 185, Hadith 3280, Maktabat-ul-Rushd, Riyadh, 2003).
Thus, this draws our attention towards all kinds of financial sacrifices, including Zakat and Sadqa.
Therefore, those upon whom Zakat is obligatory should pay it but as the Promised Messiahas stated that Zakat is not obligatory upon everyone, therefore he advised those upon whom it is not obligatory that they should pay focus towards Sadqa and take care of those who are in need and the poor. Thus, where it points out towards the importance of looking after the needs of the less privileged, it also points towards establishing unity because Zakat and other wealth can only be spent in the most effective manner under the institution of Khilafat. Moreover, the Jamaat has an administrative structure in place which has a proper record of all those who are in need. The local Jamaats should carry out an assessment and provide assistance to those in need. Generally, such lists are submitted and the Khalifa of the time also receives reports from various places. Certain people express their needs themselves and the Khalifa then instructs the local administration to spend on them. In Africa and other countries, the Jamaat tries to help the local people as much as it possibly can within its means. It provides assistance in the form of medical treatment, providing educational facilities and also food items, etc. I have observed many Ahmadis making heartfelt sacrifices in order to help their less fortunate brothers, and by doing so, it creates unity among them.
With regards to fulfilling the due rights of prayer, offering the Zakat and forging a bond with one another in accordance to the teachings of God Almighty, the Promised Messiahas states, “Those who show great humility and fervency in their prayers, the natural result of this is that they refrain from vain things.” When prayer is offered in its proper manner then one will be able to refrain from all that which is vain. “And they are saved from this impure world. Their love for this world diminishes and they develop love for God Almighty, as a result of which they become those
هُمْ لِلزَّكٰوةِ فٰعِلُوۡنَ
‘who are active in paying the Zakat’.”
Their attention is drawn towards spending in the way of God Almighty. If they possess wealth but are refraining from squandering it on vain things, and are instead paying focus towards worship, then they will also spend their wealth in the way of God Almighty. The Promised Messiahas further states:
“This is a direct result of those
هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُوۡنَ
‘who shun all that which is vain.’” When one shuns all that which is vain, as a result, one’s attention will be drawn towards spending in the way of God Almighty. “When one’s love for this world diminishes, then a direct result of this is that they will spend in the way of God. Even if such people have riches in abundance like Korah, even then they will not hesitate to spend it in the way of God. There are thousands of people who do not pay the Zakat to the extent that many of the poor and destitute from their own people perish but they show no concern, even though God Almighty has commanded to pay Zakat on one’s each and every possession. One even has to pay Zakat on gold and silver, although it is not obligatory on stones and gems. Therefore, those who are rich and affluent should assess their wealth and pay the Zakat according to the prescribed rate.”
Thus, Zakat does not just apply on actual physical money, but if other forms of wealth reaches a certain amount for a certain period, then Zakat should be paid on that too.
“However, they fail to pay this. Therefore, God Almighty states,
هُمْ عَنِ اللَّغْوِ مُعْرِضُوۡنَ
‘who shun all that which is vain’ i.e. this condition will only develop within them when they are also paying the Zakat.”
It is through paying the Zakat that they then can also be enabled to strive to refrain and shun all that which is vain. If their prayers are offered in true spirit and with humility and fervency, then they will refrain from all that which is vain and will turn their attention on offering financial sacrifices. The Promised Messiahas has stated that those who offer financial sacrifices are in fact those who refrain from all that which is vain. Thus, everything is linked with one another. The Promised Messiahas states, “Thus, one of the means by which one can shun all that which is vain is through paying the Zakat.” (Malfuzat, Vol. 10, p. 64, 1985, UK)
Therefore, prayer reminds us of refraining from all that which is vain and, by doing so, allows one to focus their attention towards fulfilling the commandments of God Almighty and also instead of spending one’s wealth on unlawful pursuits, one spends it in the way of God Almighty. Thus, one of the conclusions the Promised Messiahas has drawn from this is that one is able to refrain from many vain things by spending in the way of God Almighty.
God Almighty also reminds those who have been rewarded with the institution of Khilafat that they should raise their standards of obedience. It has been related in one hadith from Hazrat Ubadahra, “We took the covenant with the Holy Prophetsa on the oath that we would listen and we would obey, whether we liked it or disliked it; wherever we were, we would not dispute with the rightful authorities we would stay firm on the truth or that we would only speak the truth and that we would not be afraid of the rebuke of anyone in matters concerning Allah the Almighty.” (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Kitab-ul-Ahkaam, Hadith 7199 & Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Amaarah, Baab Wujoob-e-Ita’at-ul-Umaraa Fi Ghari Masiya…)
The Holy Prophetsa did not just state this in regards to him only but also for the institution of Khilafat and the Nizam. In this regard, it has been mentioned in a Hadith that Hazrat Abu Hurairahra said that the Holy Prophetsa once said, “It is incumbent on you to listen to and obey the directives of the ruler of the time in austerity or prosperity, happiness or grief, inequity or favouritism – in any and all situations.”
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab-ul-Amaarah, Baab Wujoob-e-Ita’at-ul-Umaraa Fi Ghari Masiya….Hadith 4754)
In relation to demonstrating obedience, the Promised Messiahas states, “Show obedience to God, His Prophetsa and to the rulers. If one shows true obedience from the heart, it causes the heart to illumine and the soul to experience a certain delight and receive light. One is not required to exert as much physical effort as is required to show obedience, but the condition is that one should show obedience in its true sense and that is the most challenging part. In order to demonstrate obedience one has to completely eradicate one’s inner desires because without this, obedience is not possible and it is these inner desires that take the form of idols in the hearts of even the great saints who profess to believe in one God.” One’s desires can become idols and then it is impossible to display obedience.
The Promised Messiahas further states, “The Companionsra were greatly blessed and they were completely imbued with the obedience to the Holy Prophetsa. Indeed it is absolutely true that no nation can be called a nation, nor can they have any spirit of unity in them until they do not adopt the principles of obedience, and if they differ with one another and are divided then let it be known that these are signs of decadence and downfall.” If there is a difference of opinion, then this will lead to dissension. This, in turn, would lead to regression and a lack of development.
The Promised Messiahas says, “The reason why the Muslims are weak and are facing regression, amongst other reasons, is mutual disagreement and internal disputes. Thus, if one abandons their differences in opinion and obeys that one individual, whose obedience has been decreed by God Almighty, then you will be able to achieve whatever you please. The Hand of God Almighty is with the Jamaat. The key to this is that God Almighty likes oneness, and this unity cannot be established unless there is obedience. In the time of the Holy Prophetsa, the Companionsra were men who possessed great judgement. God Almighty had made their disposition such that they were well-acquainted with the matters of politics. The example of this can be seen when Hazrat Abu Bakrra, Hazrat Umarra and other Companionsra were elected as the Khalifa and they were made sovereigns [of the Islamic Empire]. The manner in which they discharged their responsibilities demonstrates the fact that they were men of great judgement and insight. However, it was their habit that whenever the Holy Prophetsa said anything, they would put their own opinions and wisdoms to one side and would consider their own judgement as inferior to that of what had been instructed to them.” They paid no regard to their own judgments.” Whatever the Holy Prophetsa instructed, they considered that as an imperative command. Their passion to show obedience was of such a standard that they [the Companionsra] would rush to the water left by the Holy Prophetsa after he performed his ablution and would deem his saliva as blessed. If they did not have this trait of obedience within them and instead, each one of them deemed their own judgement to be greater, then there would have been a state of disarray and they would never have reached those lofty heights that they did.”
The Promised Messiahas further states, “I am of the opinion that in order to abolish the conflict between the Sunni and Shia factions, this argument should be sufficient that the Companionsra had no mutual disputes or even a shred of enmity against one another. Their success and accomplishments point to the fact that they were united and had no resentment of one another. The ignorant opponents of Islam claim that Islam was spread by the sword, but I declare that this is a false notion and the truth of the matter is that obedience ran through the veins of the Companionsra. It was this obedience through which they managed to win the hearts of others. It is my belief that the Companionsra only took up arms to defend themselves. Even if they did not raise the sword, they would have conquered the world with their words alone.
سخن كزدل بروں آيد نشيند لا جرم بردل
This means that verily the advice given from the bottom of one’s heart would surely have an impact on the hearts of others. “They accepted a verity and truthfulness from the bottom of their hearts. They had no unnecessary formalities, nor did they show any sort of pretentiousness. It was their truthfulness that was the reason for their success. It is true that a truthful one only uses the sword of veracity. God’s Messenger’ssa countenance – which was illuminated through Divine trust in God and with all forms of majestic and beautiful colours – had such a charm that it would involuntarily attract the hearts of people towards him. Furthermore, the community of the Holy Prophetsa displayed obedience to the Prophetsa with such great steadfastness that anyone who would see them would want to join them. In short, we are in need of following the condition and unity of the Companionsra even today because God Almighty is preparing this Jamaat [Community] at the hand of the Promised Messiah and it will join the Community prepared by the hands of the Holy Prophetsa. Since the progress of any community is dependent upon examples set by such individuals (therefore in order to progress one must sincerely follow this teaching and also display an exemplary level of obedience). Thus, all of you, who are the Community of the Promised Messiah and wish to be deemed as the Community of the Companions, should follow the example set by the Companionsra. Your obedience should be of the same level [as that of the Companionsra] and your mutual love and brotherhood should also be of the same nature. Therefore, in every matter possible you should adopt the practices of the Companionsra.”
Although the Promised Messiahas was addressing his companions at the time, however if we wish to continue progressing as a community and in order for the institution of Khilafat to remain, then we must emulate the example of the Companionsra with steadfastness. The Jamaat will then be granted progress, the likes of which were granted in the earlier times.
Thus, this is standard one must achieve in order to gain the blessings of God Almighty. We must elevate the standards of our worship; we must safeguard our Salat; ensure that our every word and action are devoid of any sort of shirk; spend in the way of God Almighty and safeguard our levels of obedience and loyalty to Khilafat. Only then can we derive benefit from the blessing that is Khilafat and also attain those blessings attached to this institution. Only then can we remain attached to this everlasting Khilafat and ensure that our progenies remain attached to it also.
Giving glad tidings of this eternal Khilafat, the Promised Messiahas says, “For 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 Jamaat who are your followers, prevail over others till the Day of Judgment’. Thus, it is inevitable that you see the day of my departure, so that after that day, the day comes which is the day of an ever-lasting promise. Our God is He Who keeps His promise and is Faithful and is the Truthful God. He shall show you all that He has promised. Though these days are the last days of this world and there are many a disaster waiting to happen, yet it is necessary that this world continues to exist until all those things about which God has prophesied come to pass. 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]” (Risala Al-Wasiyyat, Ruhani Khazain, Vol.20, pp.305-306)
Thus, God Almighty granted us that blessing and approximately for the past 110 years we are witnessing the blessings attached to it and also the fulfilment of Divine promises vouchsafed to the Promised Messiahas. May God Almighty enable every single person who enters the Bai’at of the Promised Messiahas to reap the blessings of Khilafat, in light of the commandments of God Almighty.
Last week I urged everyone to pray for those in Pakistan and I am reiterating especially again for all Pakistani Ahmadis to pay attention towards this prayer and that they should increase in their Salat, nawafil [voluntary prayers] and remembrance of God, even more than before. May God Almighty enable all of us to do so.
(Translated by The Review of Religions)