Extraordinary message in extraordinary times

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V addresses the worldwide Jamaat from his office

Today, on Friday, 27 March, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V, may Allah be his Helper, delivered a live message for the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih^aa, at the beginning of his address, said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, governments around the world, including the British government, have stopped all congregational prayers.

Huzoor^aa pointed out that at present, the exact law is not clear. There are various interpretations; some say that a few close relatives and people can congregate, while others have differing opinions.

Nevertheless, in such conditions, until it is not made clear, we cannot offer Jumuah prayers. For this reason, after consultation, Huzoor^aa said that instead of delivering a Friday Sermon, he would deliver a message.

It has become the habit of Ahmadi Muslims around the world to watch the Friday Sermon on MTA. Huzoor^aa said that if he had not addressed the Jamaat today, then they would have had a longing to watch the sermon and so, Huzoor^aa thought it best to address the Jamaat in one way or another.

Huzoor^aa said, “We cannot, for a prolonged period, leave the Jumuah prayer, and my connection with the Jamaat is also essential”. After consultation, Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa explained, a solution to this will be found.

In the UK, people are allowed, individually, to pray at mosques while maintaining distance. But congregational prayers are not allowed at mosques.

In this condition, “Jamaat members should offer congregational prayers at homes and also offer Jumuah prayer with the family. Extracts from Malfuzat, or Jamaat literature, or the writings of the Promised Messiah^as, or extracts from Al Fazl or Al Hakam can be read and the khutba [sermon] can be given.”

The Jumuah cannot be left for a long time. “When people will prepare their sermons”, their knowledge will increase.

Huzoor^aa said, “Al Hakam has started an initiative on how people are spending their time at home. In those comments, most people are writing that they are increasing their knowledge by reading the Quran, hadith and writings of the Promised Messiah^as.”

Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa explained that even in the wider world, people are commenting on how they are spending their time.

MTA International has lots of beneficial programmes, which should also be watched. Huzoor^aa emphasised that the governmental advice that is being spread should be followed.

Huzoor^aa made it clear that prayers are key and through them, one can draw the grace of God. This is what the Promised Messiah^as continuously said, that the most important thing is that “we seek God’s forgiveness, cleanse our hearts and remain engaged in good works”.

Where the question of not offering Jumuah prayer comes, it is clear from ahadith that in some conditions, the Jumuah prayer become exempt in mosques. Hazrat Amirul Momineen^aa mentioned a hadith from Bukhari and Muslim in which Hazrat Ibn Abbas^ra, when it rained, told the muazins to say “Sallu fi buyutikum” (pray in your homes) as opposed to “Hayya alas-Salah” (come to prayer) and this is also what the Prophet^sa of Islam practised when such conditions arose.

Further references from Islamic scholars of jurisprudence were presented by Huzoor^aa to support this fact. 

In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and instructions from the government, Huzoor^aa said that in their homes, everyone should continue congregational prayers and offering Jumuah prayers.

Huzoor^aa made it clear that from an Islamic perspective, narrations prove that during contagious pandemics, people should practise distancing and taking cautions.

Everyone should offer Jumuah prayers at home and Huzoor^aa said that he would make arrangements for this as well.  

Towards the end, Huzoor^aa prayed that this virus may quickly subside and that mankind makes the most of this time in helping one another in the best possible manner.