Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2017
Peace be upon you. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah. Come to Prayer Come to success Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest.
There is none worthy of worship except Allah. Peace be upon you all, I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah He is alone and has no partner and I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is His Servant and Messenger After this I seek refuge with Allah from Satan the accursed.
In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds. The Gracious, the Merciful. Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee alone do we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help. Guide us in the right path
The path of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy blessings, those who have not incurred Thy displeasure, and those who have not gone astray. [Arabic Holy Quran] The translation of this verse is as follows: “Beautified for men is the love of desired things – women and children,
“and stored-up heaps of gold and silver, and pastured horses and cattle and crops. “That is the provision of the present life; but it is Allah with Whom is an excellent home.” This is the outline, which Allah the Exalted has given
And this is how He has described the state of those who abandon God the Exalted. The acquisition of this world becomes their only goal. When man forgets Allah the Exalted, he is seized by Satan. All the [aforementioned] things are created by God Almighty
And they are among the blessings of Allah, from which one should derive benefit. The Promised Messiah (as) has also made it very clear to us that it would be wrong to cut oneself off from matters pertaining to this world.
It is necessary to marry, which constitutes Sunnah [the practice of the Holy Prophet (saw)]. Then there are other such deeds, which the companions of the Holy Prophet (saw) used to act upon. Some of the companions had properties worth tens of millions.
However, they were never inclined towards this world nor were they engrossed in its pursuits. The Promised Messiah (as) sates: “Remember that it is not at all the will of God that “you completely cut yourselves off from this world. “Rather His will is: [Arabic] that is ‘He indeed truly prospers who purifies his soul.’
“Do undertake trade, farming, employment or craftsmanship. Undertake whatever pleases you. “However, endeavour to restrain your Nafs [i.e. ones desires] from disobeying God the Exalted “and undertake such purification that these matters do not make you unmindful of Him.” At another occasion the Promised Messiah (as) stated:
“The [fulfilment of] of the rights of the self is permissible “but transgressions of the self are not.” Thus, a believer should always keep these words before him so that the love of material objects does not grow to such an extent that it makes one forget God.
Allah Almighty stated in this [aforementioned] verse that: [Arabic] i.e. “Beautified for men is the love of desired things.” Then, He further explains as to what those things are. Such people do not merely require these objects to survive. Rather, the people being mentioned here are those individuals
Who are engrossed in the love of this world and are only concerned about acquiring these [material] objects. Shahwat means an intense desire or yearning for something and a constant worry regarding it. It also denotes a thing or a goal, which is merely based on selfish desires, filth
And something or someone with an increased sense of lust can also be described as [the word] shahwat. Thus, when Allah states that the desire of such things has been placed in the hearts of people, it does not signify that this love and desire comes from Allah.
It does not refer to the desire of availing these blessings of God Almighty, rather these objects are from Satan. This is not a general desire, liking or beauty. Rather, the desire and longing for this beauty is to that extent whereby a person becomes restless in order to acquire it.
He becomes extraordinarily in love with these material objects. Thus, when a person becomes engulfed by these objects to such an extent, they no longer remain favours that have been bestowed by God Almighty, rather they become satanic desires. A person then utilises every unlawful method in order to acquire them.
As a matter of fact, it becomes incumbent upon him to act in this manner. This is something we commonly observe amongst worldly people. For the sake of acquiring wealth, worldly statuses and for the sake of having unlawful relationships with women, these people cross all bounds.
Even if they marry, they do so in order to acquire wealth. They desire to find a wealthy wife. Similarly, in other engagements they merely desire worldly gains. It is unfortunate that Allah the Exalted endowed Muslims with a beautiful and pure teaching and also warned them to safeguard themselves from these very pursuits.
He warned not to permit the acquisition of these desires to become the purpose of one’s life, as they are temporary worldly provisions; instead one should be mindful of one’s own condition as they will ultimately return to God the Exalted and present themselves before Him.
Despite all of this, we observe that the majority of the Muslim world is engrossed in pursuing these worldly objects and have forgotten the purpose of their creation. Scholars as well as leaders and every other person who finds the opportunity tries to acquire these worldly provisions in one way or another.
When such desires and traits develop within the leaders of countries, it in turn causes harm to those countries and nations. Presently, the reason why the Muslim countries are in disarray is because the description used by God Almighty to describe those who are distant from religion
And worldly people in general, is the exact condition of the Muslims of today. In order to accumulate wealth, leaders acquire a seat in the government by raising slogans of serving the general public. However, after this, they snatch everything away with their two hands in a manner which is beyond comprehension.
The scholars are less concerned about the religious and moral education of the general public. Rather, their real objective is to make the general public follow them in the name of religion and by acquiring a seat in the government, exploit the government by accumulating wealth and properties.
They cry out the name of Allah, however, their actions do not display the slightest fear of Allah the Exalted. In Pakistan, we commonly observe these conditions. Muslim leaders are butchering their own Muslim citizens as if they were mere carrots and radishes.
Human life has no value and yet they do not leave their seat in the government. This is happening in several countries and their desire is to keep hold of their seats in the government, manifest their authority and also to continue amassing wealth. They will not be content with anything.
What is the reason for Muslims countries, despite the fact that several countries have wealth and natural resources, to be in such a dire state whereby a poor man continues to become even poorer and struggles to find even one meal? Now, it is said that Saudi Arabia is a wealthy country.
However, even there, poverty is continuously on the rise. They previously had a [certain] population who were poor, but now this is increasing continuously. Despite being oil rich, poverty is exceeding all bounds. Only the conditions of the princes, the rich and the leaders are favourable. They spend several million dollars in a single day.
These people acquire money in an unlawful manner, or by depriving the rights of the poor and also spend it in an unlawful manner. May Allah the Exalted grant wisdom to these leaders, kings and all these people who are embezzling, so that, instead of accumulating wealth, they become those who utilise
And spend their wealth in the correct manner. By doing this, they will not only acquire the pleasure of God the Exalted, but will also gain authority in worldly terms. In this way, instead of following orders from non-Muslim powers and acting according to their wishes, the non-Muslim governments will begin to listen to them.
In recent days there has been a great uproar since the president of USA has ordered for the embassy to be moved to Jerusalem and has declared it to be the recognised capital. In practical terms all Israeli offices are already present there. However, the outside world had not recognised and acknowledged it as such.
Now, following this decision there is protest against it throughout the world. All this commotion and disorder and opposition from certain government is a result of the weakness of Muslims. The wars that are taking place between Muslim countries and the internal restlessness has enabled for this to take place
And have also permitted others to create circumstances whereby such decisions are taken. The president of the USA desires that a state of peace should never exist between Muslims and that they continue to do as they please. Saudi Arabia is now declaring that the decision of the American president is not at all acceptable.
A few days ago, they were agreeing to every word of theirs. They supported the decision against Iran. However, at that time they should have stopped them and said that they will support every Muslim country and will, therefore, not tolerate any action taken by any superpower against a Muslim country.
Similarly, they are acquiring help form the superpowers when taking action against Yemen. They took aid from the United States and agreed with everything they said for the sake of manifesting their authority and in order to exert their influence across that region. For the sake of acquiring temporary worldly provisions,
They abandoned the commandments of God the Exalted. Subsequently, this was going to be the imminent outcome of disobeying the commandments of Allah the Exalted, which we are currently observing. Furthermore, these people are continuing to exceed all bounds due to their arrogance. The Promised Messiah (as) has mentioned that people
Who merely remain in search of the worldly pursuits and preoccupy themselves with fulfilling [their] worldly desires, to a person who suffers from pruritus, who feels comfort by itching himself and believes that by doing so he feels a sense of relief. However, owing to this he wounds himself.
By itching himself, he experiences temporary relief and comfort, whereas, his skin is being torn apart and some people even bleed excessively. Thus, those things, which a person desires beyond his needs, subsequently become the means of creating unrest. The people believe that their strength is increasing, or that their following is growing.
However, they are in fact bleeding only themselves, on top of that they are also incurring the displeasure of Allah the Exalted. God has mentioned this subject in another place in the following manner [Arabic-Holy Quran 57:21]. “Know that the life of this world is only a sport and a pastime, and an adornment,
“and a source of boasting among yourselves, and of rivalry in multiplying riches and children. “This life is like the rain the vegetation produced whereby rejoices the tillers. “Then it dries up and thou seest it turn yellow; then it becomes broken pieces of straw.
“And in the Hereafter there is severe punishment, and also forgiveness from Allah, and His pleasure. “And the life of this world is nothing but temporary enjoyment of deceitful things.” Hence, it is the duty of a believer to seek forgiveness and acceptance of Allah Almighty
Instead of being proud of worldly possessions and devoting all their efforts for the sake of obtaining such things. They should not destroy their lives and life after death by acting like a patient who is afflicted with pruritus. While speaking about the provisions and condition of this worldly life,
In one of the gatherings, the Promised Messiah (as) stated: “A person’s wishes are fulfilled to the extent of their efforts “towards abstaining from worldly desires.” That is the struggle to abstain from worldly [immoral] desires. The Promised Messiah (as) further says: “There is fire in the heart of those who wish to abstain
“from obtaining [worldly] objects and they are engulfed in this predicament. “One can only find contentment in this world by removing “this constant struggle [for obtaining material possessions].” One should not chase after worldly pursuits beyond that which necessary [to survive]. The Promised Messiah (as) says: “Once, a man was riding a horse.
“He saw a beggar who was wearing clothes that barely covered him. “The horseman asked the beggar: ‘Good sir, how are you?’ “The beggar’s response was: “‘If all the desires of a person have been fulfilled, what would be their condition?’
“The horseman was astonished at this response and asked: ‘How can all your desires be satisfied?’ “The beggar responded: ‘When one renounces all their desires, “‘then it is as though they have attained them all.’” The Promised Messiah (as) says: “In short, when a person wants to obtain
“everything, then it becomes a source of discomfort for them, “however, when someone is content and forsakes everything, “then it feels as if they have obtained everything.” The Promised Messiah (as) says: “Deliverance and salvation “is when a person feels joy and not sorrow.
“A life of distress is not good in this life or the next. “This life will nevertheless come to an end because it akin to pieces of ice. “Even if you keep it secure in cases and protect it by wrapping it in clothes, “it will continue to melt.”
The Promised Messiah (as) shared this example of ice in comparison to life as it also diminishes accordingly. “Similarly, one can plan as much as possible to live on “but the truth of the matter is that life will come to an end “and with the passing of each day it diminishes.
“There are many doctors and physicians in the world “but no one can ever prescribe a medicine to live forever.” “No one can prescribe a medicine to gain eternal life or live up to a certain age. The Promised Messiah (as) says: “When people reach an old age,
“certain people visit them and in order to make them happy they say: “ ‘Your age is not much at all. It is only sixty or seventy years. This is not old age.’” They say such things but actually these are all transient things. The Promised Messiah (as) says:
“The desire to live traps man in the deception of the self. “We see in the world today that on average, after the age of sixty years, people’s abilities “dissolve completely. Anyone who lives to reach the age of eighty or eight-two “and their faculties remain unimpeded should consider themselves to be fortunate.
“However, in most cases ones faculties are reduced significantly. “Others do not entertain their suggestions, i.e. people refrain from asking their suggestions “and their ability to see reason and their general perception is overall hampered. “Some elderly people like this are subjected to cruelty by their wives “as some forget to feed them occasionally.”
Members of the household do not treat them in a good manner. The Promised Messiah (as) says: “Human beings are careless during their adolescent years and forget about death.” Likewise, the one in power thinks that this state [of power] will last forever. The Promised Messiah (as) further states: “He continues to commit evil deeds
“and eventually when he comes to the realisation of his deeds, “he is unable to do anything about it. “Hence, we should see the years of one’s youth as a treasure.” Sat in the gathering was a Hindu by the name of Sharampat. Whilst addressing him the Promised Messiah (as) explained:
“Of all the desires you harboured in your life, some would have come to fulfilment “but observe how their reality was like that of a bubble which vanished instantly, “leaving you empty handed. “When a man spends his early life in comfort, “he eventually encounters difficulties that are of no benefit to him,
“and instead fill him with grief. “What a wise man can deduce from this is that “one should learn to live in the present “and recognise the need of the time and act accordingly. “As for man’s life at present, the time that has passed is lost and it is useless to dwell on it.
“See how happy one is when in the lap of their mother. “Everyone rushes to pick him up and carry him around. “That period seems like a paradise, but as time passes, if one were to ponder over it, “they would think as to how [quickly] that time had elapsed.
“It too has disappeared just as all the temporary things of the world. “Comforts are also temporary, so whenever one finds comfort, power or is given authority, “they should keep these things in mind and think to themselves, “when will one find these times again?” Whilst narrating an incident, the Promised Messiah (as) states:
“A king was walking and started crying when he saw some young children. “Ever since he left that company he suffered pain. “He began crying because the children were playing and were free from all worries. “From this he remembered his own childhood that what a good era that was,
“yet, now the times have all but changed.” Hence, even kings do not find peace and tranquillity despite all their luxuries. The Promised Messiah (as) states: “The only thing is that one must come to realize that the period of old age is a difficult time
“and in that time even close friends wish for that individual to die, “yet prior to their death, one’s strengths abandon him.” Some relatives of the elderly are so hard-hearted that when they see their illness or in old age they say ‘what a burden he has become on us.’
Regarding life itself the Promised Messiah (as) states: “[In such an age] ones teeth fall out, their eyesight fades “and inevitably one resembles a rock, “to the extent that even their face becomes distorted. “Some are afflicted with such illnesses that it drives them to [commit] suicide.
“We also see that this is happening in the world in this day and age, “so essentially, [such] people have no status. “Despite all this, when one is youthful and full of energy, when it is the time to earn money “and he has the strength to do so, one remains oblivious
“to what will happen to him in the future. “At times when he wishes to escape from certain troubles he is overtaken by them all at once, “and if his offspring are not worthy, then he suffers even more
“and at that moment feels as if he has made a mistake and that his life passed by in vain. “It is during this moment [of realisation] that he remembers that it would have been better “if he had followed the commandments of God Almighty and lived his life according to them,
“instead of being engulfed in the world and neglecting God Almighty.” Hence, many Pharaohs have passed and many Hamans too who, if one studies their lives carefully, were very powerful people. One can learn from them that their worldly status and grandeur came to no avail.
There were kingdoms and empires much more powerful than the governments of today in terms of exerting their authority, but they all perished. The Promised Messiah (as) states: “The truly wise person is the one who turns to God Almighty, deems Him to be One none like unto Him.
“We have trialled and observed that no goddess nor any idol can be of any benefit. “If one does not prostrate solely to God, then no one will have mercy on him. “If any calamity befalls him no one will ask him. “Thousands of tribulations befall man, but remember
“that there is none other than the One Provident God. “It is He who pours love in the heart of a mother and if He did not create the heart, “then they would not be able to raise [their children]. “Therefore, do not take any partners with Him.”
This is what the Promised Messiah (as) advised that Hindu. In some religions people make physical goddesses and idols but some people take worldly objects such as children, power and authority as partners with God Almighty. Then there are friendships or like the example I gave that
Some nations wish to seek the protection of other powerful nations. They make them their gods but all these things are bound to finish and just as God Almighty has stated that their abode shall be Hell. Then on one occasion the Promised Messiah (as) stated:
“Know full well that he who becomes God Almighty’s, God Almighty becomes his “and that God Almighty cannot be deceived by anybody. “If one wishes to cheat God Almighty by mere outward show and deception, “then this is plain foolishness and ignorance. “Only he himself is deceived.
“The beauty and love of the world are the root of all vices. “To be blinded by it takes the humanity out of a person “and one does not realise what they are doing and what they should be doing. “Just as a wise person cannot fall into the deceit of others,
“how then, can God Almighty be deceived by anyone? “Nevertheless, the root to all these evil actions is the love of the material world “and the greatest sin which at this time has laid the Muslims in a state of ruin “and in which they are suffering is this very love for the world.
“Whether is during the day, in their sleep or when they are out and about, this worry consumes them. “Their only grief is the world and they have no worry “or thought for what will happen when they will enter their graves. “If these people feared God Almighty and had the slightest worry
“for their faith they would benefit greatly.” Thus, it is the duty of a believer to worry about his state in the hereafter and attaining God Almighty’s love, instead of being engrossed in the concerns of the world. He should have contentment and by understanding the goods of the world to be
A blessing from God Almighty he should make use of them, but not adore them and run in pursuit of them. Our only deity is He Who is our True God. A believer should love God Almighty the most and it is the love of God which brings about righteousness and contentment in man.
God Almighty Himself has told us that the sign of the believers is that they are the foremost in the love of God Almighty. He says: [Arabic] “But those who believe are stronger in their love for Allah.” (Al-Baqarah 166) With regards to the love of the Almighty, the Promised Messiah (as) states:
“One must know that God Almighty’s sense of honour in His personal love “necessitates for a believer not to associate any partners with Him. “Faith, which is the most dear to us, can remain protected only when we take no partners in our love. “God Almighty states that this is the sign of a believer:
‘[Arabic]’ “Meaning that the believers are those who do not incline to anyone more than God and their love is exclusive to Him. “Whoever give this right to others will be destroyed. “Can all the blessings man receives from God “and all the acceptance attained be achieved through
Mere simple prayers or ordinary worship? Of course not. “It is only attained through the unity in ones love and losing oneself in the love of God. “Whoever becomes His, remains His. “In His path they sacrifice all others by their own hands.
“I myself know full well the reality of this pain which is felt “when one is snatched away from their beloved, who they love to their utmost. “However my sense of honour requires that there be no other in comparison to our True Beloved.
“My heart’s verdict has always been that to have eternal love for those other than the Divine, “be it for a son, a friend or any other is a type of heresy and a great sin, “through which there is a risk of losing faith if the divine blessings
“and mercy do not save one from it. “It is the mercy and grace of God that provide such occasions, if not then faith goes to waste.” Hence, a true believer cannot even contemplate harbouring intimate love for worldly goods that manifest themselves before him.
It is absolutely incumbent upon a believer to make advancement in his righteousness and to develop contentment. This is why the Holy Prophet (saw) said to become a Muttaqi (righteous person) and the most devoted in worship. Only then will God Almighty’s love and fear develop in the hearts
And only then will man be able to fulfil the rights of the worship of God Almighty. It is the duty of a true servant to develop contentment. The Holy Prophet (saw) said that if you develop contentment
Then you will be grateful and man is the most thankful to God Almighty, as he should be. Those who utter that they are grateful to God but are lost in their pursuit of the materialistic things are in reality entangled in [Arabic] (the love of desired things). They can never truly be grateful.
Describing these materialistic people, the Holy Prophet (saw) once said “If the son of Adam had a valley full of gold, he would like to have two valleys, “yet nothing can satisfy his desires until he enters his grave.” Only when he lays in his grave will his greed end.
He then states “God Almighty accepts the repentance of one who repents.” Thus, during ones life one should repent if he has made any mistakes. Whilst explaining the level of contentment of a believer, the Messenger of Allah (saw) says:
“He who spends his morning with content and in physical health and he has a day’s food, “it is as if he has gained the whole world and all its comforts.” Hence, this is the level of contentment of a believer. May Allah Almighty grant us this contentment and righteousness.
May our aim be to attain God Almighty’s love rather than the love of material things and may we be the recipients of the forgiveness and pleasure of Allah. After this I would like to draw attention towards a prayer. As I have previously mentioned briefly that
Leaders of Muslim countries are chasing after worldly desires and in practice have taken powerful governments to be their god in place of God Almighty and who think that befriending them will guarantee them protection and progress. However, just look at the state of America.
In the last few days an analyst of a German newspaper wrote an article, among all other things he wrote that the world which used to take Washington as a model, or turned its attention to it or believed that it was a model which they should follow, perhaps is no longer applicable.
He writes this is because Beijing, the capital of China, has become the model in place of it. America has lost its reputation and status. Thus, worldly support is only temporary. They may exist today, but tomorrow they will perish. The Muslims should now learn from this announcement made by the United States,
To shift the embassy to Jerusalem has only been made in order to strengthen their relations with Israel and grant them more power and that their reputation may remain intact. However, when a decline is ordained by God then worldly relations and pacts cannot be of any avail.
It seems perhaps as if this has begun with these big powers, especially America, only God Almighty knows when we will see the consequences of this. However, the efforts of Muslims to fight back in these circumstances will only increase further. This is why we should pray for the Muslim world
That may Allah grant them understanding, they become united and the chances of war between nations be averted. Furthermore, the fighting between Muslim nations, where thousands, and according to some surveys hundreds of thousands of lives are lost, may Allah grant them understanding and enable them to live as one nation.
May He end these disputes so that the enemies of Islam do not take any benefit. Most of all we must all pray that the Muslims accept the Promised Messiah and Mahdi sent by God, with whom if they attach themselves can establish peace between themselves and in the world at large.
All praise is due to Allah. We laud Him, we beseech help from Him and ask His protection; we confide in Him, we trust Him alone and we seek protection against the evils and mischief of our souls and from the bad results of our deeds.
Whomsoever He guides on the right path, none can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto the right path. And we bear witness that none deserves to be worshipped except Allah. We bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.
O servants of Allah! May Allah be merciful to you. Verily, Allah commands you to act with justice, to confer benefits upon each other and to do good to others as one does to one ‘s kindred and forbids evil which pertain to your own selves
And evils which affect others and prohibits revolts against a lawful authority. He warns you against being unmindful. You remember Allah; He too will remember you; call Him and He will make a response to your call. And verily divine remembrance is the highest virtue.