Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2016
I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except God 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. Importance of Salat has been emphasised on many occasions in the Holy Quran. On some occasions, we have been commanded to safeguard our Salat, on others we have been advised to offer Salat with regularity,
While still on others timely offering of Salat has been commanded. Then the right times for daily prayers have been prescribed, which should be observed and followed by a Momin [believer]. In short, God Almighty has repeatedly asked a true believer to offer Salat and has emphasised its importance.
Most of all, He says that the very purpose of man’s creation is to worship Allah. He says: I have not created man and jinn except for My worship. However man has drifted away because he has not understood this purpose. In one of his writings, the Promised Messiah (as) says:
“The main purpose for which God Almighty has created you for is to worship Him. But those who ignore the true and real purpose and think that life is about eating, drinking and sleeping like animals, deprive themselves of Allah’s favour and protection and God Almighty no longer takes on their responsibility”.
Thus the objective of life for everyone who claims to have faith is to make every effort to seek Allah’s favour and to become the recipient of God Almighty’s grace and to attain His grace and blessings. However, how can we fulfil this objective?
In order to achieve this objective we have been commanded to offer Salat five times a day According to a Hadith, Salat is the crux of all worship. We can only achieve our objective by getting to the crux. We are fortunate to have recognised the imam of the time who has
Given us guidance about the most appropriate way for worship and has explained the wisdom of why certain acts of worship are compulsory. He has drawn his Jama’at’s attention to Salat on many occasions. He has enlightened us about the specifics of Salat and its various aspects,
And also the need for them and the wisdom behind them, so that we can understand their importance and are able to adorn our worship. I will present some of the extracts from the Promised Messiah’s writings. Either due to severity of weather or due to shortness of nights.
Sometimes, slackness creeps in especially in offering the Salat of Fajar, I have also noticed that people combine Zohr and Asr Salats, or don’t offer them properly or some even leave them altogether due to excessive work. Whether it is due to the severity of weather, lack of sleep or excessive work,
People either ignore their Salat, or some even say they combine three Salats. These days, the fajar time is receding quite quickly in these countries. I have noticed attendance at Fajar Salat has started to go down by about one to one and a half rows.
Occasionally the number increases as some people come from other areas, but people who live locally should pay attention. Those who live close to the mosque, or those who have their own mosques or Salat centres should regularly go for Salat, especially for Salat of Fajar. Not only in this country but throughout the world
There should be an effort to keep the mosques inhabited, Attendance at Salat can improve especially if the office bearers, Jama’at workers and missionaries make an extra effort for it. The Promised Messiahas writes about offering Salat regularly. ‘Observe Prayer services regularly. Some people content themselves with one Prayer service daily but they must
Remember that no one is exempt from them, not even Prophets. It is narrated in a Hadith that a company of men who had just accepted Islam requested the Holy Prophet (saw) to be exempted from the Salat due to their excessive work engagements.
He observed: ‘A religion that does not demand action is no religion at all. Thus thoroughly understand that you need to perform your actions in accordance with the commands of Allah the Almighty. One of the commands of God the Almighty is that the heavens and earth can only be sustained through His doing.
Some people who are inherently inclined to naturism assert that only natural religions are worthy of being followed. They believe that righteousness and inner purity will have no worth when one’s hygiene and physical well-being are neglected.’ Worldly people say that there are numerous worldly principles
That should be adopted; for example they state that if certain principles are not followed such as those relating to one’s health and well-being then one will no longer be able to maintain righteousness and cleanliness/purity and righteousness alone will serve no purpose. The Promised Messiah (as) says: “It should be clearly understood
“that one of the injunctions of Allah the Almighty is that “often medicines and the physical means “to one’s good well-being and health give no benefit. “At this point neither any doctor nor any medicine prove to be of any use. “However if God’s doing is present then even the worst situation can be rectified.”
Thus, God’s Grace is the real and actual factor. It is a misconception for anyone to believe that good health means that all is well or that by performing certain actions one can maintain good health, or that such and such medicine will cure one of illness or ailments.
All of these things only give effect through the command of God and so we need to worship, submit and prostrate to Him and develop a connection. Where prayers are necessary to fulfil the very purpose of our creation, they also save us from calamities and tribulations.
This is because when one submits to God and forms a relationship with Him, God makes possible things which seem impossible. In short whatever occurs in the world happens purely in accordance with the command of God. Therefore, we should strive to our utmost to accumulate the blessings
And grace of God the Almighty. The Promised Messiah (as) says: “The actual fact of the matter is that God does whatsoever He wills. “He populates what is desolate and makes desolate what is populated. “Where in the city of Babylon man had great plans to populate
“was made desolate by the Will of God and became “a completely deserted place where only owls remained. “And those places man intended to abandon was “made to be the focal point for mankind (that is the Ka’aba in Makkah). Remember that to abandon God and then rely
On prayer and efforts will lead to one’s ruin. You should bring about such a transformation in your lives that you come to realise you have adopted a new life. Seek forgiveness of your sins through Istighfar profusely. Those who are so engrossed in their worldly affairs
That they barely have a chance to act on this, are the ones who should be most fearful those who think they have too many worldly engagements to be able to worship and pray should be most afraid. One’s work and employment often leads him to completely abandoning the obligations towards Allah the Exalted
Thus in compelling circumstances it is permissible to combine the prayers of Zuhr with Asr and Maghrib with Ishaa.’ The Promised Messiah (as) says: “I am also aware that if one seeks permission at work to offer their prayer “from their superior then they do allow it.”
If in employment one has a good reputation and seeks permission from their manager or superior to offer prayers, they normally receive approval. “Further high-ranked people at work issue special instructions to subordinates “in this respect in some places instructions are disseminated to employees.
“Weak spirit and a weak self are the sole reason why misplaced “excuses are cited for not performing the prayers. “Do not transgress and be unjust in offering the rights due to God and to His creation. Fulfil your obligations with utmost honesty and trustworthiness.” The Promised Messiah (as) goes further in his expectations
Of us and does not only remind us about the formal prayers Counselling us towards Nawaafil and Tahajjud prayers the Promised Messiah (as) says: “What provisions have been made for the hereafter if every breath “of one’s life has been spent in worldly matters?”
If a person has spent every minute, every breath and every moment in worldly pursuits, what provisions has he made for the hereafter? “Make a special effort to awaken for the Tahajjud prayer [pre-dawn prayer] “and offer it with passion and pleasure. “Due to one’s occupation, a person may be put in trial for
“the prayers that fall in the middle of the day. Allah the Exalted is the Provider. “Prayer should be offered on its appointed time. “The Zuhr and the ‘Asr prayers can at times be combined. “Allah the Exalted knows that there will be weak people, “therefore, He has permitted this leniency.
“However, this leniency cannot be granted in combining three prayers. “Whereas people are admonished at work and due to other matters “as well as being rebuked by their rulers, how great would it “be to face hardship for the sake of Allah the Exalted.” After all, people are admonished at worldly occupations
And worldly matters as well and at times face hardship. If they would face some difficulty in offering prayers for the sake of Allah the Exalted, then there is only benefit in that. Thus, as shorter nights are now approaching, a believer should always remember
That shorter nights should not hinder him from offering the prayers on time or to offer them at all, nor should worldly occupations become a hindrance for him. Thus, we always need to assess ourselves in this regard. Many of us offer the prayer as an obligation however,
They are not fully aware of its essence. Elaborating on this the Promised Messiah (as)said on one occasion: “What is prayer? It is a special supplication. “However, people consider it to be the tax of kings. “They offer it out of compulsion, as if it is a tax.
“The ignorant do not know what need Allah the Exalted has of these matters, “what need His self-sufficiency has of a person “engaging in supplication, glorification and praise. “Rather, this benefits a person as he achieves his goal by doing so.” The Promised Messiah (as) further states, “It greatly sorrows me to see
“that nowadays, there is no love for worship, righteousness and honesty. “One of its reasons is the general poisoning effect of culture. “Due to this the love for Allah the Exalted is fading and the pleasure, “which should be achieved during prayer, is not being achieved.
“There is not a single thing in the world in which Allah the Exalted “has not placed a certain pleasure and delight. “In similitude to an ailing person not being able to enjoy something of highest quality “and taste, considering it to be bitter or bland” at times a bad taste is generated in the
Mouth due to the illness, “those who do not find delight and pleasure in the “worship of God should be worried about their ailment because, “as I have mentioned earlier, there is not a single thing in the world in “which Allah the Exalted has not placed the slightest pleasure.”
“Allah the Exalted has created man for worship. “Then what is the reason for there not to be pleasure and delight for him in worship?” On one hand Allah the Exalted says that I have created man merely for worship, yet, has not placed any pleasure in it.
“Pleasure and delight are present, however, someone should also be present “in order to derive the pleasure from it someone should be there to acquire that pleasure.” Allah the Exalted says, “And I have not created the Jinn and the men “but that they may worship Me.” [Holy Qur’an 51:57]
“Now, as man has been created for worship, it is necessary for worship “to contain a great amount of pleasure and delight. “We can understand this very well form our daily observations and experiences.” Allah the Exalted has placed pleasure and delight in everything,
And we can understand them through our daily affairs and as they come to be observed. For example, grain and everything to eat and drink has been created for man. Does he then not acquire pleasure and delight through them? It is delighting when delicious food is cooked.
Does he not possess a tongue in his mouth for its flavour, taste and perception? Is he not delighted by seeing beautiful things, whether they are vegetation, minerals, animals or people? (He enjoys food and enjoys beauty through the means of his eyes by looking at it).
Do his ears not find delight from pleasant and melodious voices? (Allah the Exalted has given us ears. When melodious voices reach the ear, it pleases the heart. Hence, what more could be needed to prove that there is delight in worship of God? All of these things, which Allah the Exalted has created,
Contain an element of pleasure and one is delighted by them. However, how can it be possible for worship not to contain any element of pleasure? All of these things are proof that Allah the Exalted has most certainly placed pleasure in worship.
“Allah the Exalted says that we created woman and man as a pair “and have granted man an inclination towards her. “There is no compulsion in this, rather, it manifests a pleasure itself. “If reproduction was the only objective, the purpose could not be achieved.
“The foremost objective of Allah the Exalted was to create humans, “and for this purpose He created a relation between women and men. “Along with this He placed a pleasure therein, which has become “the primary objective of the majority of the ignorant people.” Some worldly people consider this to be their only objective.
“Similarly, understand this well that there is no burden or tax in worship.” It also contains a pleasure and delight, and this pleasure and delight is greater than all worldly pleasures and all pleasures of one’s being. “In similitude to an ailing person being deprived of the pleasure of food
Of the highest quality and taste, is indeed that unfortunate person who does not find pleasure by worshipping God.” If an ailing person dislikes good food and does not perceive its taste due to his ailment, sickness, or the bitter taste of his mouth, it does not mean that
The food is bad, rather, it means that he is ailing. Similarly, the person who does not find pleasure in prayers and worship, it does not mean that Allah the Exalted has not placed any pleasure or delight in prayers. He has done so, however, it is the person’s own nature,
Or an ailment and blandness of a person that does not enable him to derive pleasure. Thus, we should look for such things which possess pleasure and delight, and are not simply performing something by considering it to be a mere burden. And when this condition is developed within them then as I mentioned
That some people attend the Fajr prayer during the longer nights, but stop coming for the Fajr prayer during these shorter night, they will remain ever focused in seeking this pleasure and they will similarly be mindful of the observation of the other prayers.
To expand further on the concept of pleasure and delight of Salat, the Promised Messiah (as) says: “Indeed, I see that people are ignorant of Salat because they do not appreciate “the true pleasure and satisfaction that comes with Salat. “This is undeniably the main reason why people are indifferent towards Salat.
“Then in towns and cities, this apathy towards Salat is much worse. “Even fifty percent of people do not bow down to their God with total dedication and true love. “So the question is why they do not know about the pleasure associated with Salat? “And why have they not ever experienced those pleasures?
“Does their religion not give them such teachings? “At times, they are so engrossed in their worldly tasks that they pay no attention “to the Mu’ezzin [the caller for prayers] he carries on calling for the Prayers. “As if they are sorry to have heard the call for the prayer.
They feel upset that now after hearing this call, they have to offer Salat. At other times, they pay no attention to the call for prayers at all. We need to feel sorry for such people. Some of them have shops underneath the Mosque, but still make no effort to go upstairs to the Mosque.
So I wish to say here that one should supplicate to God with extreme anguish and tenderness that as Allah the Exalted has enabled us to taste flavours of this world such as fruit etc., He also grants us the taste and flavour for the worship.
The Promised Messiah (as) said that as you enjoy and relish the flavours of fruit and other tasty things, pray to God that He grants you the ability to enjoy and savour Salat as well. If someone sees something very beautiful, one remembers it for a long time.
Similarly, one can vividly recall if one sees a very ugly and horrible scene. So we have the ability to recall anything that is either very beautiful or very ugly. We don’t remember things that leave no impact on us.
In the same way, the one who does not enjoy his Salat, for him Salat is mere labour. For someone like this, Salat feels like a chore that one has to carry out by getting up early in the morning from a beautiful sleep giving up one’s comforts
And doing Wudhu [ablution], for no good reason. The fact of the matter is that such a person is not fully aware; he has not comprehended the true pleasure and tranquillity that comes with Salat. So how can such an unaware person feel motivated to say Salat?’ The Promised Messiah (as) says:
“I can see that when a drinker does not get the pleasure and joy of drinking, “he carries on drinking till he can experience the joy of alcohol and is intoxicated. “There is a lesson in this for a wise and knowledgeable person, “i.e. a sensible person can learn from this example.
“That is that one needs to persevere with Salat, till one attains the capacity “to fully enjoy and cherish the Salat. “And this Even if one does not enjoy Salat, one must try one’s best “and pray to God and persists till one attains the joy of Salat.
“Just like a drinker seeks to gain the pleasure of drinking, in the same way, “focus all your efforts and energies to attain thejoy of Salat. “With this, pray with all your commitment, dedication and anguish “that you gain the pleasure of Salat.
“This will lead to a sort of desperation, desire and yearning to pray even more. “I strongly reassure you that if you do this, you will definitely attain the joy and bliss of Salat. “When saying Salat, keep in mind all the benefits
“that can be gained from Salat and focus on all the blessings of God. “Remember, ‘Surely, good works drive away evil works’ [Holy Qur’an 11: 115]. “So one should supplicate, keeping all those blessings and delights in mind, that one may be
” granted the true essence of Salat. The essence that has been granted to the true believers, “who are accepted in the sight of God as truthful and good. This is the ultimate prayers.” The Promised Messiah (as) says: “God says that ‘Surely, good works drive away evil works’ [Holy Qur’an 11: 115]
“and then it is also stated that Salat safeguards one against indecent and immoral activities. However, we see that people who are regular in Salat, still engage in immoral activities. “The reason for this is that though such people offer Salat, “they lack the true dedication, devotion and deep commitment of the soul
“that is the prerequisite of the true Salat. “They offer Salat as a ritual or a habit; their Salat is like empty movements; “their soul is dead. Their Salat is not considered as ‘good works’ in the sight of God. “In this verse, the word mentioned is “good work” and not ‘Salat’,
“but here the meaning of the words ‘Salat’ and “good work” are interchangeable. “This verse explains the beauty and joy of Salat. “The Salat that has the essence and the spirit of truth in it, ” can melt away one’s evil inclinations. “Salat is not the name of some mere bodily movements,
“its essence and soul is the supplication that give one immense pleasure and joy.” Expounding on the wisdom that lies behind the various states in Salat and also the effects they should have on a person, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Bear in mind that it is essential that one’s [physical and emotional] state
“should also reflect one’s speech (i.e. one should develop a state which one ought “to have in Salat and to realise that he/she is standing before God Almighty and speaking to Him). At times, something is practically shown or its indication
Is given physically and by observing it a person can identify its purpose and objective. Similarly, Salat is a practical illustration of what God Almighty wants. Salat and the various states within Salat are a practical indication of what God Almighty wants from His creation. Just as words are spoken in Salat, similarly the movements
Of one’s body and one’s limbs also demonstrate something. Our movements in Salat should be a physical reflection of what we are verbally saying in Salat. When one stands in Salat and praises and glorifies God Almighty, it is known as Qiyam [standing posture]. Everyone knows that the appropriate action for praising
And glorifying Allah the Exalted is whilst standing. One stands in Salat while praising and glorifying God Almighty) When the eulogies are recited before the kings, they are done while standing. Therefore, in Salat, while there is the physical Qiyam [standing posture], corresponding to that physical action is the verbal praise and glorification,
Thus meaning that one should also spiritually be stood before God Almighty. When one is stood reciting Sura Al-Fatiha and praising God Almighty, there one should also spiritually be standing and it should have an impact on the heart. Praise is only expressed when one is firm about a particular point.
A person who testifies in the truthfulness of someone and affords him praise, only does so because he is firm on his viewpoint. One cannot falsely praise someone. When a person praises someone, who is truthful, it is only because he truly testifies in his truthfulness.
Thus, a person who recites Alhamdolillah [All praise belongs to Allah], he can only truly say Alhamdolillah when he has complete certainty that all manner of acclaim belongs to God Almighty alone When one is completely convinced of this in one’s heart, this is spiritual Qiyam.
When one’s heart is convinced that all praise belongs to God Almighty and He alone is worthy of them and one should only praise Him and there is none else who can be praised then the Qiyam will be no longer just simply
Standing with the hands crossed together, in fact it will be a spiritual Qiyam also because the heart is also firmly with it. Then will it be said that a person is ‘standing’ as he is standing in harmony with his inner state, and so that he can also partake in the spiritual Qiyam.
One will stand in reflection of the state of one’s heart. Then there is Ruku [posture of bowing] in which one affirms, ‘Holy is my Lord, the Most Great’. It is a matter of principle that when one acknowledges someone’s greatness one bows to them and the situation demands that one should affirm,
‘Holy is my Lord, the Most Great’ and reflects this physically by bowing down. The tongue expresses the greatness of God Almighty and with that the person bows down. Thus, the words and physical state correlate. And so, when one utters the words it automatically transforms
The physical state which is that it wants to bow down. Thirdly, one affirms, ‘Holy is my Lord, the Most High’. This state is of the highest degree (in other words, the physical condition to express greatness for something is the state of Sajda i.e. prostration).
Such a state calls for one to prostrate. When a person expresses the highest form of praise for God Almighty and this state of expressing His Glory and greatness requires that one should go into Sajda and prostrate before God Almighty. That is why the physical condition in reflection of this affirmation
Is that one should immediately fall into Sajda. Thus, when one affirms the glory and greatness of God Almighty in one’s heart then one also physically places the forehead onto the ground and prostrates. This is the physical reflection of the inner state.
Thus, there are three physical conditions to go with one’s utterances [in Salat]. However, apart from the physical postures and also the tongue which is part of the body and utters these words, there is also something else and if it is not included, the Salat is incomplete.
What is that? It is one’s heart. It is necessary to have the Qiyam of the heart as well, so when God Almighty looks at the person He sees that as the person glorifies God he also stands upright and his soul, as well as his physical self, stands upright to glorify God.
(God Almighty is aware of one’s inner state and therefore knows that along with the Qiyam of the body there is also the Qiyam of the soul, or the soul is also bowing down and prostrating when one physically bows and prostrates). When a person utters, ‘Holy is my Lord, the Most Great’
God sees that not only has the person acknowledged God’s greatness but has also bowed and his soul has also bowed. Thirdly, when a person prostrates before God and is mindful of God’s Exaltedness, God sees that the person’s soul also prostrates on God’s threshold The heart also goes into prostration.
Thus, one should not be satisfied until such a state has not been acquired because this is what ‘observe prayer’ means. If one asks that how can a person acquire such a state, the answer to this is that one should be regular in the observance of Salat
And not anxious about any doubts and misgivings. One should not become apprehensive from the doubts and misgivings that come while offering Salat and instead should continue offering Salat regularly. One has to battle with doubts and misgivings in the early stages, in the early stages, one has to fight a battle with Satan.
However, the antidote is not to tire and continue with resoluteness and steadfastness and supplicate God until that state is attained which I have mentioned.’ Therefore, resoluteness is the condition and if one develops this then God Almighty runs towards such a person and the grace and blessings of God Almighty descend upon that person.
However, there are very few people who understand this reality and are haste in leaving the threshold of God Almighty. Or, they underestimate God and do not give Him the due importance and then run towards worldly people. The Promised Messiah (as) states: ‘It is worth remembering that Salat which is Salat in
The true sense is attained through prayer. It is totally against the ethos and honour of a true believer to seek from anyone save God because supplication is only made to Him. People have general interaction with one another and usually ask one another for something, but seeking from others other than God Almighty
And placing hope in them for something which in fact can only be done by God Almighty is completely wrong. Unless one asks God in complete humility and only asks Him, he is not worthy of being called a true Muslim or a true Momin [believer].
The reality of Islam is that all of one’s inner and external faculties submit to God. Just as all the components of a large engine operate on the power of the engine, likewise unless a person makes all one’s actions subservient
To the high power of the Engine, how can he be really convinced of the Divineness of God and can truly consider himself as a Hanif [one who is ever inclined to God] when uttering: ‘I have turned my face towards Him Who created the heavens
And the earth’, If he is inclined to God just as he utters, then no doubt he is a Muslim. He is a true Momin and a Hanif. If he turns towards God just as he says he does then such a person is a Muslim,
A Momin, a Hanif and also believes in one God. However, he who turns to others besides God and also seeks from God Almighty (i.e. on one hand he bows before God Almighty, and on the other hand, he bows before others and associates others with God Almighty.
He should remember that he is most unfortunate and at a loss, and a time will eventually come when he will not be able to turn to God in a pretentious manner (i.e. God Almighty moves away from such a person and he can longer turn to him even if he did superficially.
One of the reasons why people give up Salat and become weary is also because when a person turns to someone besides God then one’s heart and soul is also drawn to that source just as branches of a tree are trained to grow in a certain direction.
And so, the heart develops severity towards God and becomes like a stone. If the branches of a tree are tied in one particular direction, they will continue to grow in that direction. Therefore, if a person turns towards people, he will continue doing so and his heart will also become hardened by God Almighty.
Just as the branches grow in one direction, similarly the heart and soul grow distant from God day by day. This is a dangerous and frightening matter that man should leave God and seek from another. This is why observance and regularity in Salat is very important so that it is established
Right from the beginning as an enduring habit and one is mindful of turning to God. Gradually the stage also comes when one is completely devoted to God and is the recipient of the divine light and a delight.”
Initially, one has to make an effort for Salat, but when one turns to God with sincerity, it then gradually becomes a habit and one becomes recipient of God Almighty’ grace. I once again emphasis on the point that it is unfortunate that I do not have
The words to describe the ills of those who turn to others beside God. They beseech other people and this impassions God’s sense of honour because this is offering Salat to others. Therefore, God Almighty moves away from them and casts them away.
“I will explain it in broad terms and though it is not exactly like this but will give a worldly example by way of explaining this that an honourable man cannot accept to see his wife have a relationship with another man and in such in instance he will consider the immoral women
To be subjected to death as there are some people who think like this Devotion and supplication are for God alone, He does not like another to be called or considered worthy of worship. Therefore, it should be remembered very well that to turn to others besides God is cutting off ties with God,
Regardless of how much one prays and affirms the Unity of God. The physical reflection of the belief in Unity of God is Salat and it is without blessing and of no avail unless it has humility of spirit and a core that is inclined to God alone.”
Some people say that they prayed and cried a lot, however they attained nothing. Rejecting this claim of people, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Some people think that nothing is attained from God Almighty by crying, “however this statement is completely wrong and false.
“Such people do not have faith in God’s attributes of power and control. “If they had true faith in them, they would never have the courage to say it. “Whenever man comes towards God Almighty, and truly repents and turns to Him, “God Almighty always blesses. How true has some said:
“Meaning, ‘how can a person be classified a ‘lover’ if his beloved “never pays attention towards him? O Sir! “There is an absence of pain, otherwise the doctor is present”. So it is wrong when you say there is pain. God desires that you come towards Him with a pure heart;
The only condition is that you act according to the wishes of God. This is very important. One must formulate himself according to the wishes of God and should act in accordance. One must develop the change that can enable one to reach God.
I truly express to you that God has hidden and incomprehensible powers and He possesses unbound Grace and bounty but you must develop an eye capable to see them’. Cultivate a sincere love for God. The Promised Messiah (as) says that if there is true love then God immensely listens to prayers and grants help.
Therefore we need to make ourselves such that God Almighty would listen to our prayers. Those who allege that God does not listen to prayers, majority of them do not even pray the five daily prayers. Prayer only comes to their minds when a worldly hardship befalls them.
God says that He certainly will listen to one’s prayers but one must follow His commandments. Thus, everyone should asses themselves to see if they are following the commandments of God. If anyone has a complaint against Allah the Almighty, then they should first answer for themselves as to whether or not they follow
His commandments – as the Promised Messiah (as) has written in one place that there are 700 commandments that are found in the Holy Quran then how many of us follow 700 commandments? If one is to make allegations, then one should compare this aspect too.
It is the Kindness of God that despite this, He has mercy on people and forgives them repeatedly. He even listens to many of their prayers. Despite the fact that many of those who do not even do the five daily prayers, God accepts their prayers, this is the mercy of God.
In fact, even without the prayers of people, through the manifestation of His other attributes, God fulfils the needs of people. Therefore one cannot be in any position to complain against God. Therefore we should be trying to follow the commandments of God
And we should try to pray and worship and fulfil our other obligations towards God. The Promised Messiah (as) says: “Until a person is not fully established upon the Unity of God”, such a person cannot inculcate within himself the love and grandeur of Islam.
Such a person cannot attain the pleasure and joy of Salat. It is all dependent upon the fact that unless bad, impure intentions and wicked scheming are not incinerated and arrogance and conceit will not be removed in order to attain humility and humbleness.
Until then a person cannot be called a true servant of God.’ The Promised Messiah (as) has said: “Salat is the best teacher and the most excellent means of attaining complete servitude to God. (The Promised Messiah (as) says I reiterate that if true communion and true connection
With God was desired then one should abide by Salat in a way that not just one’s body or one’s tongue but the very intentions and passions of one’s soul embody Salat. May Allah enable us to safeguard our Salat in such a way
That may our souls and our desires truly fulfil the obligations of Salat. After the prayers I will also be leading a funeral prayer in absentia which is of Asghari Begum Sahiba, wife of Sheikh Rehmatullah Sahib, Amir Jama’at Karachi.
She passed away on 27 March at the age of 90 in USA following brief illness. Her nikah to Sheikh Rehmatullah Sahib took place in 1943 and she accepted Ahmadiyyat in Lahore in 1944 at the hand of Hazrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him). She accepted Ahmadiyyat before her husband.
She fulfilled her pledge to Khilafat with complete honesty all her life and always advised her children to remain connected to Khilafat. She had great reverence for Khilafat. Since its inception, watching MTA was her favourite pastime. She was a moosia, a most steadfast person with keen sense of gratitude.
She was prayerful, observed Tahajjud and was regular in observing Salat and fasting and recitation of the Holy Qur’an. During the time her husband was privileged to serve in Karachi she also served shoulder to shoulder with him. She was a most hospitable person. When Sheikh Sahib was
Amir Jama’at Karachi, among all other activities she fulfilled the responsibility hosting guests a great deal and had the honour to play host to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra), Hazrat Khalifatul Masih III (rh) and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih IV (rh). She was at the forefront of making financial sacrifices.
Once in 1950 the Jama’at went through a time of financial constraints and Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) made special appeal. Following this her husband gave a large portion of his income to the Jama’at and she was also regular in making sacrifices with him. She lived a very simple life free from affectations.
Her son writes that she always advised her children to write letters to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih requesting prayers. She leaves behind five sons and two daughters and 43 grandchildren and great grandchildren. Dr Nasim Rehmatullah Sahib, Naib Amir USA and in-charge of our website alislam.org is one of her sons.
Her son-in-law Rehmani Sahib has lived here in UK for a long time and served as Secretary Wasiyyat UK Jama’at for a long time. His wife Jamila Rehmani has served as Secretary Maal in her local branch and has also served/or is serving in other capacities.
A son, Farhatullah Sheikh Sahib is Naib Amir of Faisalabad, Pakistan. May God elevate the station of the deceased and keep her children and generations connected to Khilafat! All praise is due to Allah. We praise 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.
None can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto the right path. none can misguide him; and whosoever He declares misled, none can guide him onto 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. He is alone and has no partner. 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.