After reciting Tashahud, Ta`awuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa said that the Imam of the age, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi, peace be upon him, was sent as the hakam and adl [judge and just arbiter] in this era according to the promise of God Almighty and under the servitude of the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. The purpose of his arrival was to unite the Muslim ummah under one banner through the true teachings of Islam and remove all sorts of discord present among its various sects. Consequently, a great number of people, who possess true knowledge and understanding, joined the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas and continue to accept him every year. Huzooraa said that Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya was not formed on the basis of difference of opinion or interpretation of another sect of Islam, but rather it was established in the last age under the leadership of Ghulam-e-Ahmadas solely according to Allah’s promise and the prophecy made by the Holy Prophetsa.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that the task of the Promised Messiahas was to unify the Muslim ummah and his Jamaat was established to serve this purpose. We have been carrying out this task for the last 130 years since the foundation of this community, by the grace of God Almighty, or 112 years since the beginning of the institution of Khilafat. Not only are Muslims being taught the Holy Quran, the sunnah of the Holy Prophetsa and the ahadith according to the divinely enlightened understanding of the Promised Messiahas, but these teachings are also being introduced to non-Muslims, who are accepting and entering into the realm of Islam. Hence, the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas has been formed to end the differences and spread the message of peace. Neither have we ever, nor shall we in future refrain from speaking the truth. Divine communities are always opposed, but eventually, Allah the Almighty causes them to prevail.
Huzooraa said that we should continue to pray and try to spread the message of the Imam of the time. The wise and far-sighted people should ponder over the fact that apart from the first few years, Muslims’ unity is constantly weakening due to differences among themselves.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that we are currently passing through the Islamic month of Muharram. When the new year, according to the Gregorian calendar, begins, we wish each other a happy New Year, but unfortunately, at the beginning of the Islamic year, killings and bloodshed are experienced in many Islamic countries. We must change our attitudes and eliminate our mutual differences to once again unite the Muslim ummah. We should recall that our master and leader, Prophet Muhammadsa, along with the news of Faij-e-A‘waj [1,000 years of spiritual and moral degradation] after the period of early development of Islam, had also given the news of Khilafat on the precepts of prophethood. Thus, when the circumstances are showing that the signs of the Holy Quran and ahadith are being fulfilled and have been fulfilled, we must contemplate about the one who has been commissioned for the revival of Islam. We Ahmadis believe that Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas of Qadian is that person. Only if we truly follow him, we will be able to reform the world. Thus, this month should not merely be one of mourning or expressing anger, but rather we should make it one of spreading love and peace. We must follow the true teachings of Islam and tread the path of the Promised Messiahas.
Huzooraa said that the Promised Messiahas explained to a scholar on one occasion, “I do not have the status of a maulvi. My status is like that of the sunnah of the Prophets. If you will believe in me, only then will you find a solution to the disagreements. Otherwise, continue to wait and see when the Shia-Sunni disputes are resolved.”
Describing the status of the rightly guided Khulafa, the Promised Messiahas says, “I know that no one can become a believer and a Muslim unless he acquires the attributes of Abu Bakrra, Umarra, Uthmanra and Alira, may Allah be pleased with them.”
Hazart Amirul Momineenaa said that all the four rightly guided caliphs have a special position and status; the Promised Messiahas mentioned it in different places. “I will explain about the four separately,” Huzooraa stated.
Regarding Hazrat Abu Bakrra, the Promised Masihas says, “He was the second Adam of Islam and the first manifestation of the best of creation [the Holy Prophetsa]. Although he was not a prophet, he had the qualities of prophets and messengers.”
The Promised Messiahas stated about Hazrat Umarra, “There is a hadith about him that Satan runs away from the shadow of Umar.”
Regarding Hazrat Alira, the Promised Messiahas says:
“Hazrat Alira was one of the most pious, holy and most beloved servants of God. He was the chosen one among his contemporaries and leaders of his time. He was the mighty lion of God and the kind-hearted man of God. He was generous, pure-hearted and incomparably brave.
“Even if an entire enemy army was against him, it was impossible to remove him from his place in the battlefield.
“He lived his life in simplicity. He was on the highest pedestal of righteousness and devotion as compared to other people of his time. He was at the forefront to donate his property and alleviate the suffering of people and to care for orphans and the needy and the neighbours. He was prominent in all kinds of bravery in battles and in the fight of swords and spears.
“Moreover, he was very friendly and eloquent. His speech would penetrate the heart and the rusts of the minds would go away and the light of the argument would become clear.
“He was capable of all kinds of style of speech and whoever competed with him in this field had to apologise like a defeated man. He was perfect in every good deed and expert in eloquence and articulateness. Whoever denies his perfection, they have taken the path of wickedness. He was always ready to comfort the restless. He would instruct to feed the poor and those who were troubled by poverty and he was one of the close servants of Allah. In addition, he was among the first to drink the goblet of the beauties of the Holy Quran. He was given a unique understanding of the wisdom of the Holy Quran.”
The Promised Messiahas categorically stated that whosoever opposed and rebelled against Hazrat Alira during his Khilafat, committed a grave transgression. All four Khulafa were true aides of the Holy Prophetsa and presented astonishing sacrifices in the way of Islam. They did everything for the love of Islam. How then, can certain people label them as deviants and thieves?
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that 10th of Muharram is approaching, which marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussainra. On this occasion, many Muslims, especially belonging to the Shia sect of Islam express sorrow and grief. It is a general perception of the people that we do not love Ahl-e-Bait [members of Prophet Muhammad’ssa immediate family]. Huzooraa then narrated various quotes and sayings of the Promised Messiahas which express great respect and reverance for the family of the Holy Prophetsa.
The Promised Messiahas saw a vision in which the daughter of the Holy Prophetsa, Hazrat Fatimara treated him with the love of a mother. He saw that she placed his head in her lap, just as a loving mother does with her child. Huzooraa commented that some non-Ahmadi clerics raise an allegation against this as well, objecting that saying this is a form of disrespect to Hazrat Fatimara; however, Huzooraa said that this is merely their deluded thinking for which we can do nothing. It is a pity that the general Muslim population listens to them in such matters. In any case, the Promised Messiahas saw that Hazrat Fatimara was worried for him, on account of the hardships he would have to face, just as a mother is worried for her child. He then saw Hazrat Hassanra and Hazrat Hussainra with whom he had a brotherly bond and a great deal of love. The Promised Messiahas said that he had a very strong connection with Hazrat Alira and his family, and that he wrote a qaseedah [ode] in praise of Hazrat Hussainra, which was divinely inspired to him.
Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Bashir Ahmad Sahibra narrates that once, when it was the month of Muharram and the Promised Messiahas was lying on a charpai [traditional woven bed used in the Indian subcontinent] in his garden, he called their sister, Mubaraka Begum Sahibara and the youngest of the brothers, Mubarak Ahmad Sahibra, to him and said, “Let me tell you the story of Muharram.” Then he narrated the events of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussainra in a very anxious manner. He would wipe away the tears with the tips of his fingers. He said with great anguish, “This was the heartless injustice which the despicable Yazid had perpetrated against the grandson of the Holy Prophetsa. But soon after, God seized these callous people with His punishment.” The heart of the Promised Messiahas was throbbing at the thought of the tragic martyrdom of the Prophet’ssa beloved [Hazrat Imam Hussainra].
Huzooraa then narrated an incident of the Promised Messiahas in which he expressed great regret about a member of his Jamaat who used disrespectful words about Hazrat Imam Hussainra as he was not aware of his great honour and status. The Promised Messiahas explained that Hazrat Imam Hussainra was chaste and pure. He emphatically dispelled all sorts of doubts about the great personage Hazrat Imam Hussainra and advised every member of the Jamaat that they should show affection towards him.
Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa said that in light of such incidents, how can it be said that we do not honour the family of the Holy Prophetsa. As the Promised Messiahas was the Hakam and Adl, he rectified the erroneous beliefs of various sects and especially, the false views of Shiites in this regard. Despite of all that, it is our Jamaat which is the target of persecution and criticism. Huzooraa said that the sacrifices made by this Jamaat will never go to waste. The Promised Messiahas stated that this Jamaat will truly be victorious not only in spirit as Hazrat Imam Hussainas, but will prevail apparently as well.
In the present circumstances, we should specially focus on prayers, Huzooraa said. Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa asked to pray for the Muslims that may Allah grant them wisdom and that this year, none of them harm any other Muslim in any country of the world. May Allah help them understand that their success lies in swearing allegiance to the Imam of the age. Amin.