Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2019
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. The translation of these verses is as follows: ‘O ye who believe! When the call is made for Prayer on Friday, “hasten to the remembrance of Allah, and leave off all business. “That is better for you, if you only knew. “And when the Prayer is finished,
“then disperse in the land and seek of Allah’s Grace, “and remember Allah much, that you may prosper. “But when they see some merchandise or some amusement, “they break up for it, and leave thee standing. “Say, ‘That which is with Allah is better than amusement and merchandise, “and Allah is the Best Provider.’’
Today is the last Friday of this Ramadhan. As it is usually the case, people are drawn towards it. More people try to attend the Friday prayers and they do so with a special attention. Coincidentally, majority of the schools are on term break
And hence, we can see an increased attendance and this is usually the case. The verses that I recited, are from the final ruku’ of Surah al-Jumu’ah. In these verses, God Almighty has clearly explained the significance of Friday prayers. Thus, in the sight of God Almighty, attending the Friday prayers is of vital importance.
God Almighty has clearly stated that when one is called for the Friday prayer, then do not show any sort of listlessness. Rather, one ought to pay heed immediately and attend the Friday prayer, regardless of how busy one may be. Even if it is the peak business hour,
When neglecting the business affairs and trade can result in a loss of millions for a businessman, one should not care about it and should attend the Friday prayers, without thinking about the potential loss that can occur. This is because going to the central mosque to attend the Friday prayers
And listening to the Friday sermon of the imam is hundreds of thousands of times better for you than your trades, businesses and other worldly affairs. However, only such an individual can realise this, who truly understands its importance. Allah the Almighty states that one who truly understands its worth
Would certainly consider these trades and businesses of secondary importance. At the same time, Allah the Almighty also states that you are free after the Friday prayers. He states, ‘By all means, go and look after your worldly affairs and businesses. “Allah the Almighty will also bless your worldly affairs.’
However, He also makes clear that one should not restrict their worship merely to the Friday prayers. Rather one should remember God Almighty at all times. You should remain focused on the remembrance of Allah the Exalted, as a result of which you will be granted with greater success than before;
Religiously, spiritually as well as worldly. When those who remember Allah the Exalted invoke Him, they are also mindful of the fact that following the Friday prayer, they have to offer the ‘Asr prayer as well, as this is also among their obligations. Similarly, they are mindful that have to offer Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers
As these are also among their obligations. Both worldly affairs and other blessings are acquired through the Grace of Allah the Exalted alone. Thus, prosperity is interlinked with the remembrance and worship of Allah the Exalted. Trying to offer the Friday prayer with regularity,
Remembering Allah the Exalted and fulfilling the due rights of His worship should not be limited to the month of Ramadhan alone. Rather, as it is evident from these verses, this is a general command relating to every Friday prayer. The verse contains a general command as well as a specific command.
While mentioning the importance of the Friday prayer, on one occasion the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Friday is a day of Eid, “and this Eid (Eid-ul-Fitr) is more prestigious than the other Eid celebrations.” With regards to how it is more prestigious, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Surah al-Jumu’ah has been revealed for this Eid.”
That is, particular attention has been drawn towards offering Friday prayers in Surah al-Jumu’ah. Furthermore, whilst stating the importance of Friday prayers, the Promised Messiah (as) has also mentioned a dialogue between Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) and a Jewish man. The incident is as follows that when the verse (arabic)
I.e. ‘this day have I perfected for you your religion’, was revealed, a Jew said that the Muslims ought to celebrate Eid on the day this verse was revealed; or he said that if this verse was revealed to us, we would have celebrated Eid.
Hazrat ‘Umar (ra) replied that the Friday is a day of Eid as this verse was revealed on a Friday. The Promised Messiah (as) states: “However, many people are unaware of truth of this Eid, “which Allah the Exalted has commanded to celebrate every week
“and contains within it glad tidings of the faith having been perfected “and the completion of the favours of Allah the Exalted.” This day is not given its due importance. Instead, people believe that by making particular efforts to attend the last Friday prayer of Ramadhan, they will attain the reward of every Friday prayer.
Hence, we must be very mindful of safeguarding our Friday prayers. We must give the same importance we give to the last Friday prayer of Ramadan each and every Friday prayer throughout the year. Allah the Exalted says that every believer, if he is in fact a true believer, should pay attention towards this.
However, the fact is that in reality many people do not pay attention towards this and they waste their Friday prayers for the sake of worldly affairs and worldly pursuits. Allah the Exalted has stated that one should know that whatever is with Allah the Exalted
Is far greater than these worldly objects, wealth and pursuits. Furthermore, it is God Almighty alone Who grants man provisions. Hence, this is a matter of great importance and one that every believer should pay attention towards. We in particular, who believe in the Imam of the age, must pay special attention towards this.
Hazrat Khalifat-ul-Masih I (ra) would say that Ahmadis are in fact true believers, as Ahmadis have accepted the Imam of the age. Hence, this belief places a responsibility on us to transform our actions in accordance with the teaching of Allah the Exalted as well as to try and obey His commands.
Worldly desires should not be our preferences, rather, the pleasure of God Almighty and acquiring His pleasure should be our preference. However, there are many among us who tend to forget the reason why we have accepted the Promised Messiah (as). He was sent so that we can strengthen our relationship with God Almighty.
He appeared in order to guide us that one ought to strive to make God Almighty our ultimate preference, above all other preferences and to acquire His pleasure. We should not present ourselves before Allah the Exalted and pray to him and pay attention towards prayer
Only when our worldly desires are not being fulfilled in order to seek them from Him. It should not be that we are unmindful of the importance of attaining the pleasure of God Almighty, and we become those who give priority to their desires and material possessions. In one place the Promised Messiah (as) states:
“I say with the utmost sincerity that this (Friday prayers) is an occasion “which God has prepared for the obedient ones. “Blessed are those who benefit from it. “Those of you who have established a bond with me “should never become arrogant that you have accomplished what was required of you.
“Indeed, it is true that you are closer to me that those who have rejected me – “the ones who have caused God Almighty displeasure due to their vehement rejection and insult.” The Promised Messiah (as) further says: “It is also true that you employed positive reasoning
“with regards to me and protected yourself from the wrath of God Almighty. “However, the reality is that you are a step closer to that fountain established by God “in order to bestow everlasting life. “Indeed the only thing left is to drink from this fountain.
“Thus, implore God Almighty for Him to grant you the ability to drink from this fountain. “It is only through His Grace and Mercy, that one can drink from it and satiate their thirst “and without God, nothing is possible.”
He (as) states “I am certain that whoever drinks from this fountain will not be destroyed “because this water grants life and protects one from destruction and the attacks of Satan. “How can one fully replenish themselves from this spring? “It is by fulfilling the two rights God Almighty has made incumbent upon you
“to your utmost ability; “one of these is to fulfil the rights due to God “and the other is to fulfil the rights due to His creation.” Thus, the Promised Messiah (as) has explained that one’s actions should be in accord with the teachings of God Almighty
And after accepting him, how one can enhance the standards of their worship and fulfil the rights due to humanity. If this is not accomplished, then one cannot be counted amongst those who attain the favours of God Almighty in a befitting manner.
In order to drink water from this fountain, we will have to adjust our priorities. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) once stated: “I am anxious to know “if I am the one being addressed in the statement of the Promised Messiah (as) where he stated “that people have yet to drink water from this fountain.’”
We are all aware of the lofty status of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) as the Promised Messiah (as) has bestowed him with a high status. If he was anxious about this, then what should be the extent of our worry about striving to drink from this fountain
And to become those who discharge the due rights of our pledge of allegiance? Hence, it is vital to attain the pleasure of God Almighty in order to discharge His rights. It is necessary to bear in mind whether we have fulfilled the due rights of His worship
Because He has established worship as the sole purpose of our creation. He states: [Arabic] “And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me.” Therefore, Allah Almighty has elaborated the purpose of our creation. God Almighty did not state
That since one obeys His commandment by offering the last Friday Prayers of the month of Ramadan that one has fulfilled the due right of worshipping Me. Instead, He stated that this is a constant action that you need to perform from a very young age until the time you pass away from this world.
Hence, do not be under the impression that offering one Friday prayer in the year is enough, rather every single Friday prayer is important. Whilst drawing attention to observing the Friday prayers, God Almighty has not stated that one should offer the prayers to fulfil the rights owed to Him
Or offer the daily prayers as they benefit God Almighty in any way, or that God Almighty is in need of our Friday prayers and remembrance. Rather, God has stated that when a person goes for the Friday prayers, offers the prayers, listens to the sermon and remembers God,
There comes an hour wherein God Almighty accepts whatever His servant asks of Him. In other words, if God Almighty grants man such an hour, then apart from things which are unlawful, whatever man requests is granted to him. Bear in mind that this hour and this time is not specific to any particular Friday,
It is for each and every Friday prayers. Whilst stressing the importance of the Friday prayers, on one occasion the Holy Prophet (saw) stated that whoever believes in God and the hereafter, it has been made incumbent upon them to offer the Jumuah prayer on Friday,
Except for the sick, the wayfarer, women, children and the bondsman, as they are all compelled and have certain restraints. He then stated that he who shows carelessness to the Friday prayers due to an activity, pastime or his trade, God Almighty will also give them no regard, surely Allah is Self-Sufficient, Praiseworthy.
God Almighty is not in need of anything from us. In fact, He is the One Who bestows everything, and owing to this, He requires that a believer ought to praise Him. The Holy Prophet (saw) also stated that the reward for good deeds on Friday increases manifold. What further good deeds are there
Outside the sphere of the commands of God Almighty and acting upon them? Therefore, when a believer acts upon the commands of God Almighty, for the sake of attaining His pleasure, among which is the command to attend the Friday prayers
And to pay attention towards prayer and worship, then this is indeed a great virtue. Furthermore, how great a reward will God Almighty be granting a believer, who carries out good deeds, offers his prayers and attends the Friday prayers,
Only in order to attain the pleasure of God and without giving any precedence to worldly desires. Regarding those who forsake the Friday Prayer without reason, the Holy Prophet (saw) gave an alarming instruction that they shall be marked as hypocrites in the book of records.
Then he stated that he who misses three consecutive Friday prayers out of negligence, God Almighty shall place a seal on their hearts. Hence this is a very alarming case, for once the seal is set, the ability to do good deeds also continues to diminish,
And attending the prayers and the Friday prayers unwillingly will continue to foster hypocrisy. Thus, this is a very worrying situation which requires much attention. On one occasion the Holy Prophet (saw) instructed to offer the Friday prayers because the one who distances themselves from offering the Friday prayers
Will remain distant from paradise, even though they may be destined for paradise originally. Likewise, the Holy Prophet (saw) instructed to participate in the Friday prayers on countless occasions. Moreover, he also issued warnings to those who miss it without good reason. He never stated that you should only attend the final Friday in Ramadan
And you shall be forgiven your sins. Rather, as we have seen from one of his instructions that the Holy Prophet (saw) stated that one who forsakes the Friday Prayer or shows negligence due to their trade or being immersed in worldly affairs and endeavours, then God Almighty shall also forsake them.
However, this is not limited to just the Friday Prayer, in fact, let alone abandoning prayers and the Friday Prayer owing to one’s worldly desires, one of the hallmarks of a believer who fulfils the due rights of prayer is that he anticipates and remains anxious between one prayer and the next
And also between one Friday prayer and the next Friday Prayer and between one Ramadhan and the following Ramadan. He does not neglect their Friday prayers for the sake of their worldly endeavours. Therefore, we ought to be mindful of our prayers and ensure to keep our priorities in order.
One must strive in order to attain God Almighty and it is essential to develop a true understanding of this because this cannot be achieved through mere claims alone. If one were to carefully ponder upon this, they would realise that their actions
Are not reflective of one who truly understands the status of God and His grandeur. By assessing the practise of many of us, we cannot say that our conditions are like that of one who truly recognises God Almighty, in fact even our prayers are only to fulfil our personal interests.
If the objective of one’s prayers are to attain God Almighty, there would be consistency in one’s prayers. One’s heart should not only be inclined towards the Friday prayers, rather they should remain ever inclined towards offering all five daily prayers in the mosque.
However, as I mentioned, many do not have a true understanding of this; they prioritise their temporary and urgent needs, but that which is ever-lasting and of greater significance is given secondary importance. They abandon their prayers and the Friday Prayer and seek to acquire their temporary worldly benefit,
Claiming that what difference would it make since they can seek God Almighty’s forgiveness later and so best to first pursue their worldly endeavours. A businessman may say that he does not want to lose the customer for who knows if such a customer will ever come again?
Similarly, in the case of an employee who meets his superior may feel that since he is in a good mood therefore if he were to seek leave because it was the time for prayer or the Friday Prayer then perhaps his superior may become upset with him
And thus he will be deprived from receiving any favour from him. If such a thought arises in a person then their priorities are completely different; their desire for the world supersedes their desire for God Almighty. Similarly, there are many other desires which
Instead of being given secondary importance to God Almighty, have become their foremost priority. For them their worldly desires take precedence over God Almighty. At that moment, one forgets the admonishment of the Holy Prophet (saw) that when one forsakes God Almighty and gives precedence to their worldly desires over Him,
Then God Almighty also forsakes that person and despite him deserving of entering paradise, he is deprived from it owing to his neglectful attitude. Thus, it is the duty of a believer to always be mindful of the fact that any trade and business,
Or any of their affairs for that matter, can only be blessed through Grace of God Almighty. Hence, if one can only attain these blessings through the Grace of God Almighty, then they ought to strive to fulfil His rights first. Therefore, everyone must try and understand this principal.
If this principal is understood, then for the five daily prayers and the Friday Prayers, our mosques will remain populated, in fact will appear to become short of space, even after Ramadan. Indeed, this was the very purpose of the Promised Messiah (as)’s advent
To bring mankind closer to God Almighty and this is also the objective of our Bai’at i.e. to attain His nearness, develop a bond with Him and to become His true servant. Our daily prayers, Friday Prayers, observing fasts and Eid should solely be for attaining the nearness of God Almighty.
It is for this reason that God Almighty has prescribed the month of Ramadan, so that the believers may raise the standard of their virtue and worship by paying special focus in this month. The standard they achieve should then be maintained and then seek to further build on that in the next Ramadan.
It should not be the case that after Ramadan, one degenerates back to the same level they started at. This is precisely what the Promised Messiah (as) has stated that if one’s present is not showing improvement from their past, they cannot be considered a true believer.
Thus, we have not gathered here today to bid farewell to the Friday Prayer, rather we have gathered here to pray to God Almighty to further strengthen us in our piety, worship and love for God Almighty. We should make a solemn pledge that, God willing,
We shall strive to further excel in our relation with God Almighty. However, we can only make this pledge and pray for this when we truly understand what it means to acquire the nearness of God Almighty. In other words, one should truly understand that God Almighty is the possessor and fountainhead of all powers
And He is One Who can complete every task to its perfection. However, if one were to hold worldly pleasures and endeavours dearer than God then their example is that of children, who have no idea of the true value of diamonds.
If such children were to find those diamonds, they would take them as mere pebbles made of glass and would play with them whereby they throw pebbles and the one who collects the most number of pebbles by hitting the other pebbles wins.
This is the example of such people in that they too are playing with diamonds. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) relating an incident states, “Perhaps it was during my travel to Hajj when I was waiting for the ship at Bombay” – in those days they travelled by sea –
“a friend told me that a few days ago a jeweller was going through the marketplace “and lost his diamonds. “It is said that there were perhaps a 105 diamonds in total, consisting of various sizes. “The jeweller reported this to the central police office, “who then informed all the local police stations
“in order to keep an eye out and carry out a search. “After a few days, a person came to the police station “and reported that he had seen some children playing with the diamonds. “When one of the children was asked about it, he replied that he thought they were marbles.
“He said he found them wrapped in a piece of paper “and thought they were marbles and just like other children, he also began to play with them. “He was then asked where the rest of the diamonds were “and he replied that he had shared them with the other children of his neighbourhood.
“Even though those diamonds were worth hundreds of thousands, “how would a child know what their true value was?” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) further states, “If the child’s father had found them, perhaps he would have tried to hide them “and may have even left the city to sell them elsewhere in another city.
“However, they had no value in the eyes of the child “and since he thought they were marbles therefore he shared them with the other children. “If the child had found small sweets, he would have been overjoyed “and perhaps would not have shared them like he did with the marbles.
“However, in the case of the marbles, when the other children asked for them, “he may have thought that what would he do with 105 marbles “and therefore shared them with the others. “However, if they were sweets on the other hand,
“he would never have shared them like that and would have decided to eat them himself. “Thus, the sweets would have had more value in the sight of the child as compared to the ‘marbles’.” Similarly, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) narrated another fable in which a man was travelling across a jungle.
His food and provisions had become exhausted. He was starving to the extent that he did not see how he would survive without food. On the way he saw a sack and thinking that it contained roasted seeds or something edible, he rushed towards the sack.
He slashed it with his knife, only to discover that it contained pearls. Dejected by this he discarded the sack. In that instant, a handful of seeds seemed more precious to him than those pearls. Thus, one appreciates an object according to the need and knowledge of it.
Some people in their estimation strive in search of something insignificant but then overlook the important matters. This is something we observe in relation to worldly pursuits and forging a connection with God Almighty. Many people in the world act in this manner and owing to their lack of knowledge or understanding about this,
They give preference to these pursuits over their prayers. They consider less important matters to be very important for them and push aside those matters which are in fact vital for them. With regards to giving preference to prayer, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has mentioned an excellent point.
Before I mention his point, many people ask me as well that they pray in earnestness and with fervency, yet their prayers are not accepted. I answer them in light of the verses I spoke about during the first sermon of this Ramadan
In which God Almighty has said that He is near to His servants and that He listens to their prayers. God Almighty states: (Arabic). With regards to this verse Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has elaborated on the clause (Arabic) i.e. the prayer of the supplicant,
By saying that this does not include every person who supplicates to God. Rather the acceptance of prayer mentioned in this clause refers to those supplicants who fast in the day for the sake of God Almighty, offer the obligatory prayers, spend time in remembrance of God Almighty, safeguard their prayers and the Friday prayers
And then in the night, they supplicate to God Almighty with fervency and devotion. Although the meaning of ‘ad Daa’i’ – the supplicant – could include every person who prays, however, in these verses, since the topic of Ramadan is specifically under discussion,
Therefore it refers to those supplicants who pray only for the sake of God Almighty. They do not offer their prayers only during Ramadhan, in fact they worship all year round. They do not offer prayers for worldly pursuits, rather they only pray to be granted the nearness of God Almighty.
God Almighty has stated that if a person abandons everything and seeks His nearness, then God Almighty listens to that person’s prayers and this is the meaning of ‘the supplicant’ as explained by Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra). God Almighty has stated that My servants are those who strive to find me,
As explained in the verse: (Arabic) i.e. when My servants enquire about Me and wish to form a connection with Me, they do not enquire about food, employment nor any worldly desire, they only ask ‘where is God Almighty, as we wish to form a connection with Him’.
God Almighty has stated that those who are anxious to meet Him, God Almighty responds to their calling. God Almighty has not stated that He certainly responds to those people who pray to him about employment, food or for them to be bestowed wealth.
Usually it is the case that the people who seek from God Almighty regarding these things are the ones who say that God Almighty did not respond to their earnest and fervent prayers. The people who seek these things from God Almighty are those who worship God only occasionally.
They only pray to God Almighty and fulfil His worship as long as they are in need of something. Their state of fervency is only temporary. Some people say that they prayed with great anguish and fervency, however God Almighty did not listen to their prayers.
God Almighty has not stated anywhere that He would fulfil all of man’s worldly desires and accept prayers related to them. Indeed, if one were to bring about virtuous changes within themselves and then pray in anguish to find God Almighty, then God has stated that He will certainly listen to such prayers.
God will then become the friend of such supplicant and stand side by side with him, fulfil his requests and fight against his enemies. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “Some subject matters are not clear from the words alone, “but instead are hidden deep within the text.
“The same is the case for the meaning of ‘ad Daa’i’ (the supplicant) “in that it does not refer to every supplicant, “rather it refers to the one who seeks God Almighty. “God has stated that when My servants strive towards Me,
“they develop a state of anguish and love within them that they supplicate ‘where is our God’. “(God says) You should reply to them by saying that I do not reject the call of a supplicant “and certainly respond to his prayer.” People pray for worldly objects and when their prayers are not accepted,
They become disappointed with God Almighty. As I mentioned earlier for example they pray for employment and people seeking many other things. A person may be more qualified for the job and will thus get that job. If then the other person complains that he prayed in anguish for that job,
Then it is quite possible that the first person prayed even harder and for that reason he was given the job. The same is the case for other worldly objects as well. Worldly pursuits are limited to a certain sphere.
If a person has a job or works in a few different places, it is limited to that alone. Similarly, other worldly pursuits are also limited. They will be one two or a few, however, God Almighty is limitless and has no end.
When we seek God Almighty, every single person can be granted His nearness, on the condition that they develop the fervency and act on His commands. God Almighty has stated that we ought to obey Him and understand the value of His lofty status and grandeur.
One ought to recognise a diamond when they see it and not consider it to be a glass pebble. When this is the case, one can find God Almighty and whosoever finds God Almighty, every blessing of this world comes under their feet.
Thus, it is the duty of man to obey every injunction of God Almighty. One should not consider that only one month in the year is exclusive for worship. One should not consider that worship (only) on the last Friday of Ramadhan will be accepted.
We ought to have full conviction and belief in God Almighty and should never betray Him. Only then will we be counted amongst those people who are guided, as mentioned by God Almighty. When God Almighty becomes the friend of an individual,
Then all their needs are taken care of and this is a promise of God Almighty. Thus, it is our responsibility as those who have accepted the Promised Messiah (as) to raise the standards of our worship. The standards that your worship has reached this Ramadhan,
Or the level that you are trying to raise it to, strive to prevent it from falling below this. Continue to elevate the status of your prayers and maintain the attendance at Friday prayers, obey the commandments of God Almighty and strive to become counted amongst those people who always pray for God Almighty alone.
Meaning that one ought to pray constantly for them to find God Almighty. May our prayers and worship enable us to reach the level of meeting our God. May God Almighty enable us to achieve these standards. 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.