Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2016
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. Today, by the Grace of God Almighty
the annual convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Britain will begin, InshaAllah and the formal inauguration will be held this evening. May God Almighty enable all the attendees of the convention to meet those expectations
which the Promised Messiah (as) expected from the members of the Community (Jama’at) attending the convention and may He also enable all the attendees to become the recipients of the prayers of the Promised Messiah (as)
which he made for all those attending this convention (Jalsa). All Ahmadis know this and should know, and the Promised Messiah (as) has also especially mentioned this that attending the Jalsa is not like attending any worldly fair.
Therefore, every attendee in these days should make the focus of their attention towards progressing in their religious, academic and spiritual knowledge. In fact, the Promised Messiah (as) has expressed his displeasure at those who do not attend the Jalsa with this intention.
A committee especially prepares the programmes of the Jalsa with this intention and the speeches and the topics are also selected very carefully and with a lot of deliberation, so that they can aid one’s enhancement of religious, academic and spiritual knowledge.
A long list of the topics is prepared and then sent to the Khalifah (aba) for approval. And from that list, a few topics are selected which are then presented here by the speakers and this is done to produce the best material for the advancement of the religious,
academic and spiritual knowledge of the members. Hence, the attendees should make it incumbent upon themselves that they will participate in the programmes and listen quietly to these speeches from inside the marquee while they are being delivered.
Sometimes from the men’s side and usually from the women’s side, complaints are received that instead of sitting inside the marquee and listening to the speeches, people sit in small groups outside the marquee and are occupied in idle talk.
Some give toys and gaming material to the children and let them play and make noise besides the wall of the marquee. In this way, children will not learn the sanctity of the religious gatherings.
If children are so little that it is necessary to let them play with toys then their parents should take them to the designated place for the children and let them play there and toys are also available there.
But it is not appropriate in any way for the parents in the ladies’ or men’s main marquee to sit outside talking in small groups and allow their children to play and make noise. And when they are stopped from making noise by the workers on duty
then some take offence from it in that, why have they been stopped? However, it is their own mistake and not the mistake of the workers. As I said earlier that there is a committee
which contemplates and suggests topics for the speeches and sends it to me. and then I, according to the need of the time, select seven or eight topics out of them. Then, these selected topics are sent to the speakers and they spend many days
and some spend more than a month to prepare their speeches. These speakers put great effort in trying to prepare a comprehensive speech in such a short space of time that is allocated to them.
Hence, everyone should be mindful of the fact that the speakers and the scholars spend a lot of time and prepare their speeches with great effort. Therefore, listen to them carefully and keep the content of their speeches in mind.
I perceive that if the listeners, men and women, are able to recall even 50% of these speeches then it will increase their religious, academic and spiritual knowledge manifolds. On one occasion, the Promised Messiah (as) stated that everyone should listen to the speeches attentively.
He stated that, ‘One should listen carefully and with full attention ‘because this is a matter of faith. ‘Frailty and lack of attention produces very bad results in this respect. ‘Those who are indolent in matters of faith and when addressed they do not pay attention
‘then to such people, no matter how good the speaker is and how useful ‘and effective the contents of the speech are, it would not benefit them at all. ‘Regarding such people it is said that they have ears but they do not listen
‘and they have hearts but they do not comprehend. ‘So therefore, remember whatever is said, listen to it with care and attention ‘because one who does not listen attentively ‘does not benefit, regardless of how long one spends in the company of a beneficial person.’
Another area of complaint, both in the men’s side and the women’s side, is from those who sit at the end of the marquee. If those complaints are true, then this time they should make sure
that the duty workers in those areas should not have any complaints. They should listen to the proceedings of the Jalsa with utmost seriousness and they should listen to the proceedings, not just to take a temporary intellectual delight or appreciate a scholarly point,
rather they should listen to it so as to gain a permanent academic and spiritual benefit. Then, addressing those who have selected likeness for the speakers and come to the main marquee just to listen to that speaker, the Promised Messiah (as) states that,
‘I desire for my Jama’at and also for myself an my soul that we should not be simply content ‘with the apparent words and actions which are evident from the lectures ‘and also our objective should not be limited at how fascinating the speaker is
‘and how magical his words are.’ The Promised Messiah (as) states ‘My satisfaction does not rest at that. ‘I do not say this pretentiously, in fact, it is the basis of my nature ‘that whatever is done, should be done for the sake of God Almighty
‘and whatever is said, should be said for the sake of God Almighty. ‘This is a grave reason for the decline and the recession in Muslims. ‘Otherwise they hold so many conferences, there are so many associations and organisations
‘and they hold so many meetings where very eloquent speakers and lecturers produce their ‘lectures and make such speeches and perhaps they lament and moan on the condition of the nation. ‘However, why is it then that it does not affect the Muslims and instead of progressing,
‘the nation is declining day by day?’ The Promised Messiah (as) states, ‘This is because ‘those attending these gatherings do not come with sincerity.’ The Promised Messiah (as) has shown the face of those worldly people here, whose lectures are only done ostentatiously
even if they are organised in the name of faith. They are simply done in order to promote their own name. In fact, the Promised Messiah (as) also said at another place that their speakers,
instead of thinking that their lecture should increase the spiritual and academic level of the attendees, during the speech, they are only thinking about the appreciation of their knowledge. During such speeches the speakers had made attendees their lord
and such is the case of the attendees that they are also not sincere. If they come with sincerity, they will definitely benefit and it will have a positive effect on them. However, neither do our speakers come with that intention
and generally, nor do the attendees and nor should it be so, that they just take a temporary satisfaction, instead of apprehending the meanings and making it a source of improving oneself. But if there are any people like this among us then they should correct themselves.
It is a great favour of Allah the Almighty that we have accepted the Promised Messiah (as). However, we can only be truly thankful to Allah the Almighty and also fulfil His rights over us by doing everything solely and purely for Him and for His pleasure.
The Promised Messiah (as) has directed our attention towards these very small matters, so that the weakness of a few does not become the thinking of the majority and by observing those few, the new generations do not think that it is normal
to talk during the Jalsa and not pay attention to the proceedings and when I speak regarding this, it is only as a reminder so that if there is any weakness, it should be removed
so that as I mentioned before, our newcomers and our children and our youth should know the importance of the Jalsa. If the Jalsa does not have a positive impact on our academic and spiritual progress and due to our human weaknesses,
some of us do not benefit from the speeches then this is a very worrisome situation. May Allah the Almighty bless the speech of the speakers so that they are able to do justice to the topics assigned to them
and that they are able to positively influence the minds and hearts of the listeners with the mention of God and His Prophet (saw), of love and loyalty, of forming a relationship with Allah the Almighty, of the love for the Holy Prophet (saw)
and of forming a strong relation and obedience to the Promised Messiah (as) who is the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (saw). May Allah the Almighty grant success to all the speakers.
Thus, all those attending the Jalsa should make it incumbent upon themselves that they are to completely forget about worldly matters in these three days and they are to focus on increasing their religious and spiritual levels. May God Almighty enable everyone the opportunity to do so.
I would also like to direct the attention of the guests that for their service there are workers assigned on both sides, for men and for women or I should say that to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah (as)
there are those who have volunteered their servic during the days of the annual convention. Among these volunteers are students of schools and colleges and there is also a large number of people among them who have their own businesses.
Some are in services and some are very high officials and hold senior positions. However, their passion to serve the guests of the Promised Messiah (as) has placed a student, a labourer, a businessman and a high official all on the same level.
Therefore, those guests who treat the workers in a wrong manner should control their emotions and they should respect the honour of the workers Although the workers are always reminded that in all situations they must remain patient and endure,
however, due to human weaknesses and under certain conditions, some workers reply harshly and so it is also incumbent upon the guests to respect the workers and they should not exhibit any kind of attitude or response due to which an unpleasant situation may arise.
Moreover, those children and youngsters who come to work with a passion sometimes due to the bad attitude of the guests, it can have an adverse effect on them. However, if the non-Ahmadi guests show any dissatisfaction
which usually they do not, but in any case their actions are acceptable, and we should do our best to satisfy them and provide them comfort and alleviate any difficulty they may face. But the Ahmadis who attend the annual convention, though they are guests,
but it should not be their objective to behave like guests. In fact, they come here to receive the blessings of the Jalsa and as I said before they should indeed come with this thinking. Therefore, if they find any difficulty in their accommodation or food
in fact, the majority of them do not even stay overnight here and so if for some reason they experience any kind of difficulty while entering or exiting while parkin they should accept it with an open heart and endure it with patience.
As I mentioned in last week’s Friday Sermon that in just a matter of days a whole city is erected and then has to be dismantled and all of this is done by the volunteers.
Therefore, where there are temporary arrangements you may have to face some hardships no matter how great the arrangements are they will always be a few things which cannot be arranged at a temporary place, as compared to a permanent place.
I was informed that a lady attending the Jalsa last year said that air conditioners should be provided in the marquees as it is very hot. We know this and the administration also is aware of this but to arrange air conditioning is very difficult
If there is such a situation then doors should be open to let the air circulate. People think that it is an easy task and that even to arrange fans is easy. Some technical hardships and problems arise due to which even fans cannot be arranged
and then we also have to facture in the cost element. In Rabwah, when the Jalsa used to take place and even now in Qadian, the Jalsas are arranged in open air and cold weather and sometimes it also rains
and people endure it and keep sitting in the Jalsa Gah listening to the proceedings. Thus, if the attendees have to bear small hardships and have to face the hot weather then they should do so.
The Promised Messiah (as) once said about such people who demand many different things that, ‘If guests come thinking that they can find comfort here ‘and will be served cold drinks or will find lavish meals
‘then it means that one only comes to acquire these things. While it is a duty of the host ‘to provide the best hospitality and make it easy for the guests ‘and they do exactly that,
‘but if the guest themselves thinks like this then it will be a loss for him.’ Therefore, the guests should be thankful to God Almighty for whatever arrangements they receive and they should be thankful to those workers who have worked day and night
to arrange services in all departments in order to fulfil the rights of the guest. During these three days of the Jalsa the guest should spend their time thinking about the ways that they can please Allah the Almighty.
They should spend their time seeking His Mercy, His Forgiveness and His Help and seek His Shelter from all of the calamities and evils. The Holy Prophet (saw) said that if someone, while arranging his dwelling,
whether it be temporary or on a permanent basis, seeks this prayer that, ‘I take total refuge ‘in the words of God and seek God’s shelter from all kinds of calamities’, the Holy Prophet (saw) said that
up until leaving the shelter – that is, if the arrangement a temporary one – up until leaving, nothing will harm such a person. Thus, particularly in these days, we should especially recite this prayer
as, in the current state of the world, no one knows when any vicious person may commit any kind of mischief and also what kind of wicked plans are being hatched. Therefore, may God Almighty keep us in His Protection from them. There are also various illnesses,
people have come with small children and people come with great passion and the sudden change of weather during these days can cause the children to fall ill and parents who come with small children do not give a lot of attention to this.
Children are very fragile and they may get sick. Therefore when all these prayers are made, Allah Almighty protects us from all kinds of tribulations and mischief. Thus, in order to be protected from all kinds of illness, we should constantly be praying to Allah
and we all know that God Almighty has said that in order for our prayers to be accepted, worship is incumbent and we must to adhere to the words of God Almighty. Therefore, during these days one should try and fashion oneself according to this
and it should not just be limited to these days, but once we adopt this, then it should become a permanent habit of one’s life. I spoke in regards to guests with children.
I have also been informed that last night the management fell short of bedding and mattresses and as a result some people who were with young children experienced difficulty. Some of them wrapped their children in blankets which they brought with them.
Due to the immense passion, people will also bring their small children with them, some are nine or ten months old and one and two year olds and have arranged their accommodation here in the tents or the marquees
and if they are told that the arrangement in inadequate or that it is too cold and are told to move to some other place they say that they will bear the hardship and so will their children but that they want to remain here
so that they can derive maximum benefit from the environment of the Jalsa. So while there are such people who ask for ease and comfort by the grace of God Almighty there is a vast majority of those
who say that they have come to attend the Jalsa, therefore, there is no harm if they have to bear a little difficulty. They are very strong themselves and also want to make their children strong. Such guests bring the Mercy of God with them
and because of such guests, the work of those on duty is also made easy. As I said that last night some people experienced some difficulty due to the shortage of bedding and mattresses or whatever kind of difficulty the guests experienced.
However, I hope that inshaAllah the administration will resolve this and the guests will not have to suffer today as they did last night. The members attending the Jalsa should also be mindful
that when it is the time for prayer, they should come on time and sit quietly so that there is no disturbance due to latecomers. If people are running late due to the food servic then the department that serves food should liais
with the department of Jalsa Gah or the department which arranges the prayer timings in order to let them know that the guests are still eating and so to extend the start time of the prayer by 10-15 minutes
then they should also inform me so that we can wait for them. Despite my best efforts, due to my busy schedule and engagements at times I also arrive a few minutes late and sometimes even longer,
especially when I have outside guests and meetings are going on. However, I have observed that even then people keep coming in until very late, even after I have started the prayer.
The guests and the department of Tarbiyyat (upbringing) should pay attention towards this because when people come late, as they walk on the wooden floor it makes a lot of noise and although a lot of effort has been made to reduce this noise,
even then it creates noise. If you have arrived early then busy yourself in the remembrance of Allah the Almighty as this is also rewarded. God Almighty rewards for very small things. Sitting in the mosque also has a reward.
Therefore, this reward should not be wasted and this is the best use of one’s time during these three days instead of standing outside talking and coming in once I have entered and started the prayer,
because as I have said that due to the wooden floor it creates noise and this disturbs those who are occupied in prayer. Similarly, during the prayer times and also during the proceedings of the Jalsa,
you should switch your phones off or at least turn them to silent. If your phone is being used for emergency use or you are waiting for an emergency call then you should at least turn its ringtone off.
This year the administration has improved the mobile phone service here and they claim that the phone signals will be available here as they are available in the city. Therefore due to that many people may have purchased their sims
but it should not be the case that due to the enhancement of the mobile phone service the phones are ringing everywhere and they should not disturb the proceedings of the Jalsa. In the same way, those who are coming in cars,
they should fully cooperate with the transportation department so that it does not cause any kind of problem in the arrangements. This time the administration has tried to make better arrangement for the parking but systems can only function well when people cooperate.
Hence, the success of any kind of system depends on the cooperation of the guests attending the Jalsa. You should also cooperate with the scanning department as it is all done for your ease and for the security of those attending.
It is the beauty of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at that every Ahmadi is part of the administration whether they are duty holders or are guests attending the Jalsa. Therefore, especially in parking, scanning, the food marquee
and the Jalsa Gah, in all these areas, one should be vigilant at all times. If you see anything suspicious or someone acting suspiciously, you should immediately inform the administration and also be vigilant yourselves but in any case, there should be no panic.
Those who are in private tents or in the marquees, they should keep their money and valuable items on themselves. The women especially should remember that if they have any ornaments or jewellery, they should keep wearing it.
Firstly such expensive jewellery and ornaments should not be brought to Jalsa. They have come to spend time in a religious environment and not for worldly affairs. Therefore, those who have already brought it with them they should take care
but those who come on a daily basis from home, they should also be mindful that instead of showing their ornaments and clothes, they should pay attention to the Jalsa proceedings.
There are some departments who have arranged exhibitions during the days of the Jalsa: the department of history and archive has arranged an exhibition and similarly “The Review of Religions” is exhibiting old copies of the Holy Qur’an and also the Shroud of Turin.
They organised one last year and this year they may have done even better. Both of these exhibitions are very educational, and there is a separate time allocated for men and women so everyone should visit and benefit from these exhibitions.
I will once again remind everyone to pay particular attention to prayers during these days and apart from the obligatory and voluntary prayers, you should spend your time in the remembrance of God by reciting Durood Shareef and other praye
May Allah the Almighty bless this Jalsa in every respect, and may He accept all of our prayers and save us from all evils. 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 (sa) 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.