Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2018
Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest Allah is the Greatest I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah
I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah Come to Prayer Come to Prayer Come to success 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 displeasure and those who have not gone astray All praise belongs to Allah. By the Grace of God Almighty, we are able to participate in yet another Jalsa Salana [annual convention] today. Some people are taking part in the Jalsa for the first time.
Many who have the means and the necessary documents to travel have been attending the Jalsa for numerous years. There are also some from the United Kingdom, who are attending the Jalsa for the first time; they have only come here and settled down since a short while.
There will also be some children, who will be benefiting from the atmosphere of the Jalsa for the first time since they matured. Thus, everyone should try to benefit from the spiritual atmosphere of the Jalsa over the three days. They should listen to the proceedings of the Jalsa quietly and attentively.
Only then will the participation in the Jalsa be beneficial. Only then will they be fulfilling the objective of holding the Jalsa, as set out by the Promised Messiah (as). As everyone is aware, the Jalsa arrangements, especially during the days of the Jalsa,
Are entirely or at least up to 90 per cent made by members of the Community on a voluntary basis. That is why some of the arrangements are prone to shortcomings or weaknesses. However, all of us participants must rectify and remove those weaknesses and shortcomings.
While the workers are analysing and seeking to improve their work, the guest participants should ignore those weaknesses and shortcomings. Wherever the workers require help, they should come forward to help them. We can only be united if we bear the burden of each other and help each other whenever required.
Thus, this fundamental matter should be remembered by both the guests as well as the hosts. Usually I remind the workers and the hosts of their responsibilities and obligations in my sermon a week before the Jalsa and say a few words to the guests about their obligations
During the sermon at the [first] day of the Jalsa. The beauty of our Jalsas or rather the system of our Jama’at that or [I should say that] we can only live alongside each other with mutual harmony if everyone fulfils his/her obligations in the most befitting manner and understands their importance.
Anyway, today I will say a few words to both and draw their attention towards those matters. I did not say anything to the workers in my last sermon. However, I reminded them as to how their attitudes should be and how they ought to work
During my address at the inspection of the duties last Sunday. By the Grace of Almighty, one can say that the majority of these workers have been performing the duties since a long time. Thus, as far as understanding the nature of the work or performing it in the best manner is concerned,
The workers here have been trained to quite an extent. While benefiting from their experience, the accomplished workers and officers provide training to the newly-joined workers, children and youth every year. However, reminders need to be given about some matters that require more attention.
Thus, as I said, I will now draw the attention of both the guests as well as the hosts towards a few matters. The first matter for the attention of the workers is that they have presented themselves to serve those people, who have come to participate in the Jalsa
Initiated by the Promised Messiah (as) upon the command of God Almighty. They have not come to attend any worldly fair. They have rather gathered to raise their standards of spirituality, knowledge, morality. I hope that every participant of Jalsa entertains this thinking. This is how it ought to be.
Otherwise, their participation at the Jalsa would be in vain. Anyway, the workers should always remember that no matter what attitude the guests may have, those who are serving must care for their feelings and sentiments while exhibiting the highest morals. Even if a guest or a participant were to adopt a wrong attitude,
It is still the duty of the worker to keep his passions under control and not to reply with the same attitude. Once the workers have presented themselves for serving the guests for the sake of God Almighty, then, if it comes to it, they will also have to tolerate the wrong attitudes
Of some of the guests for the sake of God Almighty. Only then can they become the recipients of the pleasure and happiness of God Almighty. What was the most excellent model of the Prophet, we follow, regarding guests? Those guests were not such, who just came occasionally or once a year on Jalsa.
Rather those people, who used to live in the same town, used to meet him daily. If he used invite them to a meal due to their straitened circumstances or used to invite them otherwise and they started to talk for long
And started to intrude in his rest or his work, he never stopped them. He never used to say to them, “Do not come earlier than the agreed time for I am busy.” He never used to say to them, “Depart immediately after having partaken from the food.
“I cannot tend to some of my other duties due to your staying behind.” When God Almighty saw the ways of the people and saw his forbearance, patience and morals, Allah the Almighty said to the believers: (Arabic). That is, “Being considerate of your sentiments, he shies away from stopping you
“but Allah is not shy of saying it. “Thus, do not cause inconvenience to the Prophet “by remaining at his home for a long period unnecessarily. ” Thus, on the one hand, God Almighty has mentioned the most excellent model of the Holy Prophet (saw) regarding hospitality and mentioned his highest morals
And on the other hand, He especially commanded the guests not to go beyond the bounds of their rights, while being guests. It is important to remain within the limits and bounds. Guests should not wrongfully take advantage of their being guests. Then there was a standard of hospitality with regards to non-Muslims.
There was magnanimity of such a standard that one is taken aback and astonished. We observe an example of this when a non-Muslim came as a guest. The Holy Prophet (saw) entertained him. When he got up and departed in the morning, he left his bed dirty.
The Holy Prophet (saw) cleaned it himself and when his companions (ra) ask him to let them serve and he said, “We are here at your service. Why do you trouble yourself.” However he replied, “He was my guests. Hence, I will clean his mess. ”
Thus, this is that most excellent model which nobody can ever match. Our own members as well as others attend our Jalsa. All these participants have good morals. They either come to gain knowledge of the faith or to gain information about Islam and Ahmadiyyat. As for human weaknesses, everyone has them.
Even if someone, were to make small error and mistake, we cannot brand them as immoral or that they have ill intentions. These are all part of human weaknesses. Therefore, even if such minor issues arise, we should tolerate it.
Regardless of whether an Ahmadi is a guest or a host, they should demonstrate high morals. However, those who have offered themselves for the service of the guests of Jalsa, they should demonstrate even higher morals. If the workers act with patience and kindness, the other person will naturally feel embarrassed [by their conduct].
Thus, those who are on duty should demonstrate the highest morals in every department and wherever they are offering duties. Furthermore, they should consider this to be a great challenge for them in these days and as a result of this, they should demonstrate the highest morals.
Turning our attention towards this, God Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an: (Arabic – Holy Quran 2:84) That is, to speak to men kindly and gently. This is the fundamental aspect, which is essential in order to eliminate feuds and in order to demonstrate high morals.
This principle is not merely to be adopted on special occasions, rather, it should be adopted permanently. Furthermore, once a person becomes accustomed to this, it eliminates the possibility of ever holding any grievances or committing injustices. Thus, the hosts and guests should be mindful of this commandment of God Almighty
On this occasion as well as for the rest of their lives. They should act in accordance to this particularly during these days. Everyone has to play a role in creating a pleasant atmosphere here so that we can fulfil the purpose
For which we have gathered here; which is to improve our moral and spiritual state. Furthermore, these very morals will be the means of informing the non-Ahmadi guests in attendance of the high morals taught by Islam. This is a silent manner of Tabligh [preaching the true message of Islam],
Which will be carried out by the guests as well as the workers. The Holy Prophet (saw) states that nothing weighs heavier on the scale than good morals. Furthermore, he also stated that the one who possesses good morals, acquires the status of one, who is regular in offering prayers and observing the fasts.
In other words, one is enabled to act virtuously. Moreover, when one is enabled to act virtuously particularly for the sake of God Almighty, then one also becomes inclined towards worship. They are enabled to express their gratitude towards God Almighty because they are demonstrating good morals in accordance with the commandment of God Almighty.
Furthermore, this very gratitude turns their attention towards worship. In other words, one virtuous deed enables one to perform many other virtuous deeds of the highest standard. One virtuous deed continues to produce many more virtuous deeds. Thus, the workers should make it incumbent upon themselves
That whatever the conduct of the other person may be, they should always have a smile on their faces. This outwardly state also has an impact on their hearts and as a result, they will not develop any harshness in their hearts. Furthermore, when they will not develop any unnecessary harshness in their hearts,
They will also not make any wrong decisions, which are at times made in a state of rage and anger. Mentioning the excellent status of this moral quality of the Holy Prophet (saw), a companion states that he did not witness anyone smile and laugh more than the Holy Prophet (saw).
Furthermore, the Holy Prophet (saw) also instructed his followers to show kindness as the person who has been deprived of kindness has also been deprived of doing good. Now, if the workers and those attending [the jalsa] understand this, they will be able to derive and acquire the blessings and benefits
Of this atmosphere due to its blessings. By the grace of God Almighty, the workers serve every guest wholeheartedly. However, if despite this, a person develops this feeling in his heart that such and such person is being afforded with better treatment than him, they, i. e.
The workers, should seek to help remove such feelings and concerns. However, along with this, I would also like to say to the attendees of the Jalsa Salana, as I have also mentioned before, that by the grace of God Almighty, these vast arrangements are all being made by volunteers.
They have not been employed by us. Some of them work in high positions and offices [outside of the Community]. They are rendering their services for the guests of the Promised Messiah (as) with an ardent devotion. Similarly, there are the youths, who are studying in secondary schools and universities.
Among them are boys as well as girls. There are also young children. All of them serve with a certain passion. Therefore, even if you observe any minor shortcomings and flaws, then ignore them and keep this purpose in mind that we have merely gathered here in order to listen
To the teachings of God Almighty, His Messenger (saw) and of His religion. Furthermore, if we keep this purpose in mind, there will be no reason to be making such complaints. There is a formal and established system for the arrangements of the Jalsa Salana. There are various departments, which have been formed
In order to create smoothness in the overall operation. If a guest notices shortcomings in a certain department, or if he/she believes that in their view they are not being looked after as they ought to be or they are not being served according to their due rights,
Then they should write to the person in charge of the department instead of quarrelling with the workers. Even if the shortcoming is not removed or improved this year, however the Jama’at will be mindful of it for the coming year.
This is the beauty of the system of the Jama’at that whatever flaws and shortcomings are highlighted, efforts are then made to improve them for the future. An important department that deals with hospitality is preparing and cooking the food.
The langar [the area which prepares and serves food] makes preparations of certain kinds of food during the days of Jalsa. For the time being, wherever Jalsas are being held around the world, or at least wherever the majority comprises of members from Pakistani and Indian regions,
However, other types of food are also prepared specifically for people of other origins and by this I mean those who are not Pakistani or Indian. As I have mentioned, the majority of the attendees are originally are Pakistan or Hindustan.
The food that is prepared comprises of Alu Gosht [lamb and potato curry], Daal [lentils] and Roti [traditional bread]. Nevertheless, those preparing the food should also be mindful of the fact that even though we will feed them according to what we wish to cook,
The food should be cooked properly and well, in particular the meat. I have come to know that the meat was undercooked yesterday. There were fewer guests yesterday and as such, many complaints might not have been received. However, if this is the same case today, then the administration should sincerely pay attention towards this.
If the quality of the meat was not good, then the administration should immediately look into this and buy meat of a good quality. I am hopeful that the guests will not complain in regards to this, God Willing. However, even if they complain, it will be a justified complaint.
Nevertheless, they should not do so filled with anger. Rather, they should affectionately inform the administration of this shortcoming in order to remove it. In this manner food will also not go to waste and are also commanded to protect our provisions. Furthermore, those attending the Jalsa Salana should also be mindful of the fact
That the Holy Prophet (saw) said that one of the good morals taught by Islam is that a believer refrains from idle and unnecessary speech. In this Jalsa, which the Promised Messiah (as) has declared to be solely for the sake of God, we should refrain from every kind of idle speech and time wasting.
You should listen to the proceedings attentively. Even if those delivering the speech are not of your preferred choice, however the topics of the speeches are chosen so that they can be of benefit to everyone. Furthermore, there is always one aspect or another during the speech, which leaves an impact on someone’s heart.
Therefore, you should listen to it attentively so that it can have an impact on you. Do not leave the Jalsa Gah [main arena of the Jalsa Salana] unless there is a urgent need to do so. The attendance in all other programmes should be as much as it is right now
So the children and youth are able to realise the importance of Jalsa Salana and they are able to connect with faith and strive in this way. In this day and age of increasing materialism, it is indeed a very significant and crucial task
For the parents to make their children and youngsters understand the importance of faith and to form a connection with it. Every mother and every father should endeavour towards this. May Allah Almighty grant everyone the ability to do so. In terms of upbringing children and connecting them with faith,
The most important aspect in relation to this is worship. In order to fulfil this task, the five daily prayers have been made obligatory upon us. We are combining prayers these days due to the Jalsa programmes and for everyone who has travelled from abroad. The prayers should be offered on time.
You should be mindful of the prayer times and also bring the children for prayer if you are in Hadeeqa-tul-Mahdi. If you are not in Hadeeqa-tul-Mahdi and have returned home during Salat times for Fajr, Maghrib and Isha’a prayer, then one should go to the nearest Salat centre or mosque to offer prayers.
If someone’s house is far away from their mosque or Salat centre then there should be arrangements to offer prayer in congregation at home. Similarly, the workers who are available during Salat times should offer their prayers in congregation here [in the Jalsa Gah].
Those workers who are on duty should offer their prayers immediately after their duty is over. The management or the person in charge should be mindful of the prayer times when assigning duties. It should not happen that prayer time is missed by someone because of their duty.
Shifts should be managed in a way that both shifts get the opportunity to offer some prayers on time. If our focus is not on offering prayers then all our efforts are worthless. I would like to say a few more things in regards to the management.
Those people who drive here should cooperate with the administration and they should park their cars where and how they are instructed to do so. From time to time there are difficulties in this regard and some people show stubbornness. They even argue with the workers and this ruins the arrangement
And sometimes this leads to risky situations and cause distress and danger. I had directed the attention of volunteers towards this on Sunday, but those guests and attendees of Jalsa who offer their prayers in the Fazl mosque should also keep in mind
To park their cars in areas that do not block the driveways of our neighbors and to not cause them any kind of difficulty. I mentioned on Sunday to the volunteers about our neighbors who complained that some of us park the cars in front of their homes in such a way
That it blocks their driveways. And so, they are neither able to take their car out nor are they able to park it inside. Some of them who know the Community, as they meet us every year or they receive presents on Eid from us or we meet them during the days of the Jalsa,
Have gone to the extent to say that although we speak so highly about Khilafat and claim that we are guided by Khilafat, therefore either your Khalifa does not advise you about fulfilling the rights of your neighbors or then you do not obey him.
Such a comment by an outsider is a source of shame for everyone. In any case, this caused me a great deal of embarrassment and what they said is indeed correct. If we block our neighbours’ driveways, then it has to be either of the two scenarios mentioned.
Therefore, everyone should pay particular attention towards this and be mindful of this. If needed, then inconvenience yourself but do not block the driveway of our neighbours and thus causing them discomfort. No other religion teaches fulfilling the rights of neighbours as much as Islam. Despite that if we do not
Follow this teaching then it is indeed a great source of shame for us and such people are committing sin. Particularly I would like to address those who travel from outside of London and who come from Europe, from Germany etc, those who drive here in their cars, they should be particularly mindful of this.
Some of them do not pay attention to this and I have been informed that when the youngsters on duty direct their attention towards this, they speak to them in a very inappropriate manner. So firstly, they commit a crime of wrongful parking and are usurping one of the rights of [our] neighbours
And secondly, because of their behavior, they are reducing the respect and reverence which the youngsters have for elders. When this happens, the youngsters will also respond in a similar fashion resulting into a quarrel. Therefore, why even allow for such a situation to arise.
Hence, it is futile for people with such attitudes to incur the expenses of traveling for Jalsa. It would be better if they do not come here at all. They are not only adversely affecting themselves by not fulfilling the commandments of God Almighty,
But they are also damaging the upbringing of children as I mentioned just now. Therefore, particular attention should be paid towards this in future. In terms of management there is a department of hygiene and cleanliness. Particular attention needs to be direct to this as well. I have always reminded about this.
We should always remember that hygiene and cleanliness is part of faith. Guests should clean up and dry the bathrooms and toilets after using them. Some complaints are received that there is so much water that the person going afterwards is unable to use the washrooms.
This is also the duty of the volunteers but it should not be left for the volunteers to handle all by themselves, rather, you should help them in this regard. Similarly, if there are any cups, cans, paper bags or any rubbish on the road
And the walkways then it should be picked up and put in the bins. There is another very important aspect that needs to be addressed here. These days due to the lack of rain, the grass has become very dry resulting into a fire hazard.
Even though it has been cut and efforts have been made to secure it, however despite these efforts there is a chance of an accident. Therefore all preventive measures should be observed in this regard and those on duty and the guests should all be particularly mindful about this.
Do not throw any inflammable items or anything with a spark on the ground. Since this is the reality and it should be mentioned to ensure we avoid any harmful situations, therefore if anyone is a habitual smoker they should smoke outside the premises of Hadiqa-tul Mahdi
Anyways but do not consider this as a permission from me to smoke or that I do not consider smoking as a bad thing. It is a bad habit and one should endeavor to quit smoking and to abstain from it. I have delivered sermons on this topic.
The Promised Messiah (as) has not adjudged it as forbidden but he did not approve of it as well. In fact, he has expressed his dislike regarding it at certain times and has instructed to refrain from it. Some youngsters add certain drugs in cigarettes whilst socializing with the wrong crowd in the society.
Such things are wrong and are forbidden and considered sinful. Then from a security point of view you must keep an eye on your surroundings. Whether you are in the Jalsa Gah or outside anyone can cause mischief so one must remain vigilant of this. If you see anything suspicious or anyone acting suspiciously
Then you must immediately inform the nearest people on duty. Women must also take great care in this regard that no woman enters covering her face or enters the Jalsa Gah with her veil. Furthermore, the scanning at the gates must be carried out properly,
Check their faces and whilst entering the Jalsa Gah they should have their faces uncovered. If it takes longer during scanning due to the extra measures taken and the guests have to wait a while then they should bear this, because of course precaution and security are far more important.
Sometimes women complain regarding the mothers who come with children that when the children are making less noise in the children’s marquee, when the mothers give them something to play with or something to eat and they are playing quietly, the mothers think that once they have kept them quiet they themselves can make noise
And begin talking amongst themselves. At times it is also the case that whilst the speeches are delivered during the Jalsa they start to talk to one another and disturb others, whilst those mothers who wish to listen carefully are unable to do so.
So therefore the Lajna and those on duty there must bear this in mind. The noise made by children in the children’s marquee can be tolerated but the noise of the mothers will not be tolerated. Similarly, there is also the complaint from the ladies that during the speeches
In the main marquee some women continue to chat amongst themselves and address those trying to keep them quiet in an incorrect manner by answering them inappropriately, and this is not acceptable. May Allah enable us to reap maximum benefit from the Jalsa and to follow the instructions which I have just given
And which have been outlined in the programme booklets given to you. However, one thing you must keep in mind which is above and beyond all these instructions, which is incumbent upon us all and extremely important and that is to pray for the success of the Jalsa.
Pray especially that out of God Almighty’s grace alone this Jalsa remains blessed in every respect and He protects us from all evil and that we all partake of the blessings for which we have gathered here today. Likewise, I would also like to tell you that as always this year The Review of Religions
Have the Turin Shroud Exhibition in their marquee and there is the Al-Qalam Project running adjacent to it. Similarly the Archive Department also have an exhibition which should be visited and is a source of increasing one’s knowledge. This time the Tabligh Department have setup a Quran exhibition
Which I hope will be very informative for everyone, that too should also be visited. Likewise, two websites will be launched – True Islam and Rational Religion. The Tabligh Department have also held an online speech competition on the topic
Of the life and character of the Holy Prophet (saw) in which people are taking part. So this too is a new feature for this Jalsa which they have introduced today. As it were, these are extra programmes and exhibitions which are running on top of the
Programme in the Jalsa Gah in these days, so you should try to take benefit from them. May God Almighty make all the participants of the Jalsa recipients of the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as). 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.