Friday, 6 June 2025, Islamabad, UK: Hazrat Amirul Momineen, Khalifatul Masih Vaa arrived at the Mubarak Mosque in Islamabad, UK at 10:31 BST to lead the congregation in the Eid-ul-Adha prayer.
Following the Eid Salat, Hazrat Amirul Momineen, may Allah be his Helper, addressed the congregation and the many viewers of MTA International with his Eid-ul-Adha sermon.
After tashahhud, ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, Hazrat Amirul Momineenaa recited the following verses of the Holy Quran and proceeded with the Eid-ul-Adha sermon.
وَلِكُلِّ أُمَّةٖ جَعَلۡنَا مَنسَكٗا لِّيَذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَىٰ مَا رَزَقَهُم مِّنۢ بَهِيمَةِ ٱلۡأَنۡعَٰمِ ۗ فَإِلَٰهُكُمۡ إِلَٰهٞ وَٰحِدٞ فَلَهُۥٓ أَسۡلِمُواْ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُخۡبِتِينَ
ٱلَّذِينَ إِذَا ذُكِرَ ٱللَّهُ وَجِلَتۡ قُلُوبُهُمۡ وَٱلصَّـٰبِرِينَ عَلَىٰ مَآ أَصَابَهُمۡ وَٱلۡمُقِيمِي ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ وَمِمَّا رَزَقۡنَٰهُمۡ يُنفِقُونَ
وَٱلۡبُدۡنَ جَعَلۡنَٰهَا لَكُم مِّن شَعَـٰٓئِرِ ٱللَّهِ لَكُمۡ فِيهَا خَيۡرٞ ۖ فَٱذۡكُرُواْ ٱسۡمَ ٱللَّهِ عَلَيۡهَا صَوَآفَّ ۖ فَإِذَا وَجَبَتۡ جُنُوبُهَا فَكُلُواْ مِنۡهَا وَأَطۡعِمُواْ ٱلۡقَانِعَ وَٱلۡمُعۡتَرَّ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرۡنَٰهَا لَكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ
لَن يَنَالَ ٱللَّهَ لُحُومُهَا وَلَا دِمَآؤُهَا وَلَٰكِن يَنَالُهُ ٱلتَّقۡوَىٰ مِنكُمۡ ۚ كَذَٰلِكَ سَخَّرَهَا لَكُمۡ لِتُكَبِّرُواْ ٱللَّهَ عَلَىٰ مَا هَدَىٰكُمۡ ۗ وَبَشِّرِ ٱلۡمُحۡسِنِينَ
“And to every people We appointed rites of sacrifice, that they might mention the name of Allah over the quadrupeds of the class of cattle that He has provided for them. So your God is One God; therefore submit ye all to Him. And give thou glad tidings to the humble.
“Whose hearts are filled with fear when Allah is mentioned, and who patiently endure whatever befalls them, and who observe Prayer, and spend out of what We have provided for them.
“And among the sacred Signs of Allah We have appointed for you the sacrificial camels. In them there is much good for you. So mention the name of Allah over them as they stand tied up in lines. And when they fall down dead on their sides, eat thereof and feed him who is needy but contented and him who supplicates. Thus have We subjected them to you, that you may be thankful.
“Their flesh reaches not Allah, nor does their blood, but it is your righteousness that reaches Him. Thus has He subjected them to you, that you may glorify Allah for His guiding you. And give glad tidings to those who do good.” (Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.35-38)
Hazrat Khalifatul Masihaa said that these verses explain that true sacrifice isn’t merely sacrificing animals for the sake of it, rather the lesson that is imparted is that lesser things are sacrificed for greater ones. So just as animals are sacrificed for God the Great, in the same way if we are ever required to provide any sacrifice for God we should put ourselves forward.
The commandments given by God should be acted upon, as this is how we will reach the true standard of sacrifice. We should be ever ready to extend our necks for the sake of Allah the Almighty.
Huzooraa went on to explain that the meat that we distribute and the resulting blood that is spilled does not benefit God. What He wants is your taqwa (righteousness), that you remember to fear Him, and that you always stay aware of how to act upon His instructions to attain His pleasure.
Huzooraa mentioned that in Pakistan, Ahmadis are barred from offering the Eid sacrifice, since the past few years. However, the purpose is taqwa, so even though we’re unable to sacrifice an animal on Eid, the important thing is that God is more concerned with our intentions. If our intention is that we want to offer a sacrifice in accordance with the commandments of God and to seek His pleasure, then God will accept that as a sacrifice.
There are many people who buy lots of animals to sacrifice, and make huge announcements about it. But is this really the true essence? Does God instruct those same people to put others through difficulty to attain His pleasure? Not at all. God’s Prophet, Muhammadsa said that whoever said la ilaha illallah (I bear witness that there is no God but Allah) is a Muslim – but what these so-called Muslims do is against the commandments of God about treating others well.
We should remember that these sacrifices are only to improve our taqwa and lead us closer to God. Whilst acting upon His commands, we should obey Him to the best of our abilities. Even if we aren’t able to sacrifice an animal on Eid, but we act on the rest of our teachings then God will accept the intention of that sacrifice, as He has explicitly mentioned that it’s not the meat of the animals that reaches Him (Surah al-Hajj, Ch.22: V.38). In light of this, we should focus on acting on God’s commandments.
Through these commandments, God has informed us that our true purpose is worship. This can only be done once huqooq-ul-Ibaad (the rights owed to mankind) are fulfilled. Huzooraa went on to explain that the other side of this, huqooqullah (the rights owed to Allah), consist of the five daily prayers, particularly in congregation at the mosque.
However, if for instance in Pakistan, Ahmadis are stopped from congregating at the mosques, then if there are places or houses where the conditions are not as harsh, Ahmadis should congregate there for their prayers. This way we’ll be able to find solace in God from our opponents.
Huzooraa went on to explain that in order to fulfill the rights of this sacrifice made on the day of Eid, we must fulfil the rights of our worship by falling in prostration to God, weeping like children and beseeching Him, in result of which He’ll listen to us and safeguard us from our opponents.
Huzooraa instructed the Ahmadis of Pakistan to particularly focus on this because God keenly listens to the supplication of the oppressed. (Jami` at-Tirmidhi, Hadith 3598) Hence, If we give due attention to this we will become the recipients of God’s blessings.
Salat (obligatory prayer) is not meant to just be a tick-box exercise, rather we should offer our prayers in a proper manner. If we do this then God will bless us so much that the obstacles created by our opponents will be removed.
Huzooraa emphasised that on this day, we should take an oath to increase the standard of our worship.
This also applies to others across Europe and other parts of the world where Eid is being celebrated.
In Pakistan, Ahmadis cannot offer Eid in congregation due to the authorities, whilst we [outside of Pakistan] are able to pray feely. However, we shouldn’t let this cause despair. Huzooraa instructed Ahmadis in Pakistan to offer Eid prayers in their homes and to take an oath to fulfill the rights of God, and to worship in such a manner as if they are at the throne of God. This will result in God’s blessings and favours, so much so that the opponents will wither away.
To fulfil the standard of Salat and worship, we should make our utmost effort. Huzooraa explains that the Promised Messiahas has expounded on this philosophy (Al Hakam, 24 July 1902), in which he explains that there are two parts to worship, which are the fear and love of God.
The fear of God is such that it takes us towards the fountain of God, and that we are able to fulfil the rights of worship.
The Promised Messiahas went on to say that man should love God according to His due, by discarding the love of the world and making God the true beloved.
There are many ways to fulfil both of these huqooq (rights), but they are interlinked to the emotions of fear and love. It might seem like a strange thing to have both of these together, how can one love someone Who they fear? However, the fear and love of God is an entirely different philosophy.
The more a person fears God, the more his love for Him will increase and vice versa. This will take him away from vices and bring him closer to good deeds. In this way, both of these emotions are interlinked.
The Promised Messiahas said that to develop both of these emotions, Islam has established Salat (for fear), and Hajj (for love).
Huzooraa mentioned that these days people have gone for Hajj. This is a show of love [for God]. Although Ahmadis are generally barred from Hajj, many manage to go for Hajj anyway to partake in this endeavour.
Hence, because Salat increases our fear of Allah, to transform that fear into love, God instructed us to perform Hajj.
Hajj includes all pillars of love. A person adorns himself with less clothing than in ordinary circumstances, which is a sign of love, since we’re not concerned with what we’re wearing in that condition. This is like the example of a person who removes their clothing for their beloved. That’s a worldy person’s love – our love for God should be even greater. Other elements of the Hajj also emulate the emotion of love, such as the kissing of the black stone, and the sacrificing of animals which is the highest standard of love.
Hence, Hajj is performed to express this love, as is the sacrifice offered on Eid. Wherever we are stopped and obstacles are placed in front of us, God knows the condition of our hearts and of the standards of our worship. He will bring ease for us. And He will reward us for the worship we are being stopped from, since He is extremely generous.
If we attain the proper standards of worship and fulfill the due rights, we will reach a level of the fear of God which will then culminate into love. As we get closer to God, He will make our opponents disappear.
Our opponents desire to make us leave our faith, but those Ahmadis who have true faith in their hearts do not falter.
We should increase our worship. If we can’t sacrifice an animal, then wherever possible and to whatever degree, we should worship God in our houses and prostrate to Him.
We should increase our worship to such a degree that it is an expression of the true fear of God. This will enable us to reach the highest standards of sacrifice.
We should also obey God’s command of helping the poor, since it’s not just about feeding ourselves and our neighbours. Where animal sacrifices are not possible, other sacrifices can be made to help the poor, for which the Jamaat provides platforms.
People should also help their friends and relatives in other countries who are not as well off. There are many Ahmadis who haven’t just sacrificed animals, but also given lots of financial sacrifice using their money as donations.
So even if we’re being stopped from one path of sacrificing, God has provided us with other routes. The Ahmadis of Pakistan are being stopped from these sacrifices, but in other parts of the world we should step forward and increase our tabligh (preaching) efforts, in line with God’s instructions. Whilst fearing him we should pray that he allows us to understand the true essence of sacrifice.
Huzooraa mentioned that these days the world seems to be heading towards destruction, and anything can happen at any time. At this time it is even more important to inform the world about the true path and call them towards God. This is also one of our obligations and a method of sacrifice. Goats and other animals aren’t the only way to offer sacrifice. Our time and money are also means of sacrificing, which should be done for the sake of faith.
Additionally, God instructs us to keep away from vices and bad environments. In this day and age, bad environments aren’t merely confined to physical gatherings, rather they include consuming harmful content on the internet, TV, and other digital platforms. This is not an issue limited to the youth, but even older people fall into this vice. If we partake in such things then sacrificing an animal on Eid won’t be of much benefit to us.
The spirit of sacrifice should be in accordance with that of Abrahamas, Hajraas and Ismail. Only in that case will it be considered a true sacrifice.
Living in this day and age, reaching such standards seems extremely difficult. There are so many distractions and temptations in this world, that keeping away from them and safeguarding yourself is also a sacrifice.
In Pakistan as well as other places, if people can’t offer animal sacrifice, they should increase their good deeds and sacrifice their desires.
Alongside the rights of God, the second aspect that needs to be fulfilled is the rights of mankind. These include the rights of parents, siblings, spouses, children, neighbours, friends, widows, elderly and even so far as the opponents – Muslims who oppose us claim it’s for the sake of Islam – but even if they consider us opponents, Islam instructs them to treat us with due rights. However, in places like Pakistan, by declaring us non-Muslims, Ahmadis are deprived of even many basic human rights.
In any case, orphans and the needy are also owed rights, as well as many others. But an observation of the current day general muslims shows that they are depriving many people of their rights. If we become like them in this regard and deprive others of their rights, then what’s the difference between us and them?
Huzooraa stated that instead of becoming worried that we can’t offer sacrifices in Pakistan and not be able to pray at the Mosque, we should remember that despite these circumstances, as long as we fulfil the rights of mankind, that is also a form of worship and sacrifice.
We should increase our loyalty to God, and also improve in fulfilling each other’s rights. The Holy Prophetsa laid out the fundamentals of this teaching in a hadith:
“You see the believers as regards their being merciful among themselves and showing love among themselves and being kind, resembling one body, so that, if any part of the body is not well then the whole body shares the sleeplessness (insomnia) and fever with it.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 6011)
This is the true standard of fulfilling each other’s rights, which the Prophetsa instructed us to give attention to. If we do this then we will be able to reach the level needed to attain the nearness of God.
Merely sacrificing an animal doesn’t please Allah. There are many paths which he has instructed us to take in this endeavour. If we take advantage of this, then we will reap His blessings.
Another hadith of the Holy Prophetsa reinforces this concept:
“None of you will have faith till he wishes for his (Muslim) brother what he likes for himself.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 13)
This can’t be done without sacrifice. Amongst the ansar (helpers), their passion and connection to their brethren was to such a degree that they sacrificed everything for the muhajireen (emigrants). God liked this act so much that He mentioned it in the Holy Quran, and their example became immortalised till the day of judgement.
In another narration, the Holy Prophetsa said:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my life! You will not enter Jannah until you believe, and you will not believe until you love one another. Shall I inform you of something which, if you do, you will love one another? Promote greetings amongst yourselves.” (Riyad as-Salihin, Hadith 847)
God has made this a path to heaven for us: The love between each other and the spreading of Salaam (greetings). If we truly understand this, then we can become true believers. Naturally, those who give Salaam to each other won’t bicker and argue since they’re spreading peace. Through this, we can reach the nearness of God.
Huzooraa explained that this can’t be done without sacrifice. If Ahmadis truly understand this then they will never deprive anyone else of their rights. This way, they will not only become heavenbound, but they’ll create a heavenly atmosphere in this life as well. We should aim to create such a beautiful heavenly environment, which even the opponents won’t be able to ruin. For this, we should become those who fulfil the rights of God and His creation, and foster love between us.
We should aim to fulfill these rights with utmost loyalty for the sake of God’s blessings. By doing this we make ourselves the recipients of God’s grace and reward, as well as a beautiful environment where everyone sacrifices for each other.
Huzooraa quoted the Promised Messiahas (Malfuzat, Vol. 3, 2022, p. 223) who explained that good deeds are only accepted when they are carried out with righteousness, otherwise they are not accepted. Life is like a piece of ice, even if you cover it manifold, it’ll keep melting. There is no guarantee of life, it keeps decreasing. If we are righteous then we will reach the nearness of God. In contrast, sometimes physical offerings won’t provide any benefit because they do not even reach God because there’s no taqwa involved.
Huzooraa explains that we should do all of our work for the sake of God. We should be humble and try to attain His blessings. Obeying God will help us attain them. Praying Salat, feeding the poor, sacrificing for the faith, treading on the path of taqwa will all make us the inheritors and recipients of God’s grace and pleasure. With the right intentions we’ll receive God’s rewards.
Huzooraa mentioned that the Promised Messiahas states:
“In the Jamaat our Holy Prophetsas created, everyone had a purified soul and every one of them had committed his life for the Faith. Not one of them led a hypocritical life. All of them discharged the rights of God and the rights of His creation. So, keep in mind that God desires this Jamaat to follow their example and wants this Jamaat to acquire the same colour. Anyone who lives a hypocritical life will ultimately be severed from this Jamaat.” (Malfuzat [English], Vol. 10, pp. 89-90)
In another place, the Promised Messiahas states:
“O company of people, do not be oblivious to this station, nor to the secret that is found in sacrifices. Let your sacrifices be like mirrors that reflect this reality. Do not disregard these advices, nor be like those who have forgotten their Lord and their death. A reference to this hidden secret has been made in the Word of our All-Sustaining Lord. The Most Truthful among the truthful says whilst addressing His Prophet:
قُلۡ اِنَّ صَلَاتِیۡ وَ نُسُکِیۡ وَ مَحۡیَایَ وَ مَمَاتِیۡ لِلہ رَبِّ الۡعٰلَمِیۡنَ
“[Say, ‘My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds’]. See how He has elaborated the meanings of the word nusuk [death] by the words mahya [life] and mamat [death]. By this elaboration, He has thereby pointed towards the reality of sacrifice. Hence – O wise ones – reflect upon this.” (The Revealed Sermon [Khutba-e-Ilhaamiyyah], pp. 17-18)
The physical act of eating, inviting others over for meals, sacrificing goats etc. is not the true aim of sacrifice. We must understand the importance of this. Those who have not accepted the Promised Messiahas act on just the physical rituals and think that’s enough, whereas it isn’t. Purifying ourselves, fulfilling the standards of our worship and the rights of others will enable us to attain the true purpose of Eid. Merely wearing nice clothes and eating good food is not the true purpose.
Huzooraa instructed us to pray that may God make us amongst those who understand the true purpose of Eid.
He further reminded us to pray for the children of the martyrs in the sake of Allah, that He may enable them to understand that the sacrifices of the martyrs are not for worldly objectives but for the faith. Prayers for aseeran-e-rah-e-maula (prisoners for the sake of faith) are also needed. May the obstacles of those who are unable to offer animal sacrifices on Eid be removed. And may we become those who understand the true essence and spirit of sacrifice.
When this happens we’ll reach the level God wants us to reach and the true purpose of entering the bai‘at of the Promised Messiahas.
Huzooraa then extended a hearty “Eid mubarak” to everyone and then delivered the khutba thania and led everyone in du‘a (silent prayer).
(Report prepared by Al Hakam)