Friday Sermon – Khalifatul Masih V – Mirza Masroor Ahmad – Year 2017
Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah I bear witness that Muhammad (saw) is the Messenger of Allah. Come to Prayer. Come to success. Allah is the Greatest, Allah is the Greatest. There is none worth of worship except Allah.
May the Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon you. 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 on 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. As we are aware, the 20th of February is known in the Jama’at (Ahmadiyya Community) in connection with the prophecy of Musleh Maud (the Promised Reformer).
It is a glorious prophecy in which the Promised Messiah (as) was given the news of the birth of a great son who would possess numerous qualities. [Among other things] it foretold that the Promised Reformer would live a long life and that the [Ahmadiyya] Jama’at would witness extraordinary progress during his era.
The history of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community testifies that all aspects of this prophecy were fulfilled to the letter during the 52-year period of the Khilafat of Hazrat Mirza Bashir-Ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, Al-Musleh Al-Maud (the Promised Reformer) For a fair-minded and spiritually perceptive person, this one prophecy alone is
An immense evidence to support the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (as). The 20th of February is approaching in three days time. Today, in reference to this, I will present some extracts in the words of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) himself. These shed light on how his person fulfilled this prophecy
And was blessed with the Ruhul Haq (Spirit of the Truth). In 1914, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) was bestowed with the mantle of Khilafat by Allah the Almighty. All the characteristics of being the Promised Reformer were evident within him. Even then many members and scholars of the Ahmadiyya Community
Believed him to be the Promised Reformer. However, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) never announced this himself, until the year 1944. In other words, after 30 years of his Khilafat passed by. He then announced, based on a dream, that he was the Musleh Maud (Promised Reformer).
Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) said that, due to his nature, he felt a huge burden to make this announcement and to mention all the aspects of his dream. In fact, he has said in some places that his disposition was such that he felt it very difficult to mention his dreams and revelations.
However, sometimes circumstances compel one to reveal such details. In any case, even prior to this, scholars and members of the [Ahmadiyya] Jama’at would urge Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) to announce that he was the Promised Reformer, but he would respond to them by saying that there was no need to make an announcement.
He said if he was the Promised Reformer and the prophecies were fulfilled in his person, then that is fine, but he did not see the need to make a claim. Responding on one occasion [to those who urged him to make a proclamation], he (ra) said:
‘In the list of the past Mujadideen (Reformers) among the Muslims “that was published after being seen by the Promised Messiah (as), “how many among them had made claims [that they were Reformers]? “I have heard directly from the Promised Messiah (as) that
“Aurangzeb [Mughal Emperor] appeared to be a Mujaddid (Reformer) of his time, “but did he ever announce this? “Umar bin Abdul Aziz is called a Mujaddid but did he ever claim to being one? “Thus, it is not necessary for a non-commissioned Reformer to make a proclamation.
“According to the prophecies, only a commissioned Reformer requires to proclaim it. “For a non-commissioned [Reformer], we only need to look at the work he has accomplished. “If we observe that his work is being done, then what need is there for an announcement?
“Even if such a one constantly denies [that he is a Reformer] “we would still attribute him to the prophecies. “Even if Umar bin Abdul Aziz denied that he was a Mujaddid we would still call him one of his era, “because to be a Reformer one does not need to make a claim.
“Only the appointed Reformers need to proclaim that they are one. “If a non-commissioned individual during his lifetime helps to revive Islam and “defend from attacks by opponents, we would call him a Mujaddid (Reformer), “regardless of whether he is aware of being one or not.
“Only one who announces his claim can be a commissioned Mujaddid (Reformer), “as was the case with the Promised Messiah (as).” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) continues, “Thus I do not need to claim to be the Promised Reformer, “nor do you need to be perturbed by opponents who say things.
“There is nothing slanderous about this because true honour is given by God the Almighty, “even if the whole world considers you disgraced. “If one follows the way of God the Almighty, he will certainly be seen as honourable in His court.
“One who resorts to falsehood and deception in establishing his claim may prevail over people, “but he will never gain respect in the court of God. “One who on the surface is given huge respect but has no honour in the court of God,
“has in reality gained nothing at all and ultimately will suffer humiliation. “Thus always be truthful in both secular and spiritual matters. “One who suffers in the way of God is the one who really benefits.” Thus a fundamental point has been outlined by Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) here.
The truthfulness of one who is deemed to be true by God the Almighty is eventually manifested by God’s own practical testimony. It is not necessary that an announcement has to be made for this purpose. Of course, if Allah the Almighty decides that an announcement is required, then that happens.
In short, the way to judge if one is carrying out the work of the religion according to the Will of God, or is from God, is to assess the support he receives from God. Nonetheless as I mentioned, when Allah the Almighty instructed him to announce this, he made the proclamation and he said:
“Now Allah the Almighty has made it clear to me “and thus I announce that I am the one who fulfils the prophecy of Musleh Maud (Promised Reformer).” Where on the one hand members of the Jama’at (Ahmadiyya Community) were joyous after this announcement was made, there on the other hand
The Ghair Mubaieen (those who refused to take th Bai’at of the Khalifah) began opposing. At the 1945 Jalsa Salana (Annual Convention), on the 27th – the second day – Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) addressed this and particularly the statement of Maulana Muhammad Ali Sahib, and said:
“Since I announced that I am the Musleh Maud (Promised Reformer), “Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib needlessly started his opposition to it, “in similar vein to Maulvi Sanuallah Sahib in the past. “Whilst I relate dreams and revelations and make an announcement based on God’s declaration,
“Mualvi Muhammad Ali Sahib fails to present any dreams or revelations to the contrary. Nor can he. “He only lays all his stress on presenting just one revelation from thirty years ago, “and that too was proved to be incorrect based on context.
“Thus when there is no revelation then how can he present it as a response? “All he is left with is to merely oppose me. If he does not raise objections, how can he contest? “The opponents of Hazrat Abraham, Hazrat Moses and Hazrat Jesus (peace be upon them) could not
“deny the existence of revelation because they believed the past Prophets were given revelation. “Hence, they could not deny the fact that these Prophets had received revelation. “In order to prove their own statement as true and to challenge the prophets, “they would say that their revelations have been conjured up by themselves.
“Similarly, the enemies of the Holy Prophet (saw) would also level this allegation “that he invented all his revelations. “If this statement of the Christians and Jews was correct and “the revelations bestowed to the Holy Prophet (saw) were fabricated by himself (heaven forbid),
“then the honour of God Almighty warrants that they should have been bestowed revelation “to counteract the Holy Prophet (saw), “thereby exposing him to be a liar and for the matter to become evident. “However, the fact that they were deprived of any sort of revelation is testimony to the fact that
“the Holy Prophet (saw) was truthful and his opponents, the Jews and Christians, were false. “Similarly, today, Maulvi Muhammad Ali sahib asserts that revelations bestowed to me are false. “Why does God Almighty not grant him true revelations as opposed to me,
“so that it may be clear for the world to see that Maulvi Sahib is speaking the truth “and that my statements are false?” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “It is astonishing that an individual spends day and night to lead the creation of God astray,
“and expends all his days and nights deceiving and betraying the people, “yet still the honour of God Almighty is not stirred? “If the honour of God is not incited, then the reason for this is none other than the fact
“that surely God Almighty is well aware that Maulvi sahib is far-removed from His nearness. “That is why God Almighty did not bestow upon him any revelation. “Thus, from the very outset, disbelief has always opposed the truth. “This method has been implemented from the very beginning and will continue to do so”
– that is, the fact that the enemies are always opposed to the truth. “Thus, those people who object [to the truth] always level allegations, “but they never present anything on the contrary to oppose it, “nor can they ever call upon God as their witness by saying:
‘we call upon God as our witness that our revelations, dreams and visions are true’, “because they are fully aware that they will be chastised by God the Almighty as a result.” I shall now present some revelations and visions of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra), which he mentioned
At the time when he made the announcement that he was the Musleh Maud [Promised Reformer]. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “This first indication that points towards this station [of Musleh Maud] is a revelation to me, “which I was bestowed during the lifetime of the Promised Messiah (as).
“When I informed the Promised Messiah (as) about this, “he wrote it down in the journal he kept for his own revelations. “I have recalled this revelation on several occasions” (Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) is explaining to the gathering).
“Initially I thought that it was only related to Khilafat , but now my mind is drawn to the fact “that it contained an indication to the station that God Almighty was soon to bestow upon me. “That revelation is as follows: [Arabic]
‘Verily, God Almighty shall make thy followers victorious over those who have rejected thee, ‘until the day of Judgement.'” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “This [revelation] contains a very subtle indication, which points towards a prophecy which “was to be fulfilled in a specific order;
“that revelation is the one vouchsafed to the Messiah of Nazareth (as), [Jesus] “and is also mentioned in the Holy Quran. “However the words used in the Quran are: ‘And will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection’ “but the words of this prophecy are:
‘Verily, God Almighty shall make thy followers victorious over those who have rejected thee, ‘until the day of Judgement’. “The reason for this is that Jesus (as) claimed to be the last prophet in the Mosaic dispensation. “In relation to claims of this nature, it is essential for people to initially oppose it,
“then after a significant period of time has elapsed, people begin to accept that prophet. “However, since God Almighty desired to make the individual, “who was to become the manifestation of the prophecy of Musleh Maud (Promised Reformer), “first as a Khalifah , and a Khalifah inherits an established community instantly,
“therefore the clause ‘And will place those who follow thee’ was not necessary here. “Whenever a prophet would present his claim before the people, just as Jesus (as) did in his time, “they would immediately declare him to be false.
“Should there be an individual of the calibre of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) who accepts the claim, “then that is a different matter altogether; otherwise it is normal practice that “when a prophet announces his claim, the entire world brandishes him to be a liar.
“Initially only three people accepted the claim of the Holy Prophet (saw). “However, from the very outset, a Khalifah is accepted by an entire community. “Thus, by stating: [Arabic] God Almighty indicated that “He will soon bestow upon him [Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra)] an established community.
“Then God Almighty will strengthen the relationship between him and his community, “to the extent that one day, the community would be attributed to him “in his capacity as a subordinate [of the Promised Messiah (as)]. “There would be some people who would oppose him, but God Almighty will grant those who would have
“pledged allegiance to him to prevail over those who reject him, until the Day of Judgement. “This dominance would begin as soon as he was to take the station of the Imam [Leader]. “The clause ‘And will place those who follow thee’ would not be necessary
“as there would be no need to wait for people to accept the message; “nor would there be any need to wait for people to begin their opposition, or to conjure edicts, “as well as mock at him and strive to humiliate him;
“or for the people to travel the breadth of one side of the earth to the other “in order to gather a storm of opposition against him. “On the contrary, God Almighty would ensure that the majority of the community
“established by the Promised Messiah (as) is bestowed to him (i.e. to Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra)). “The day the community is bestowed to him “will signal the start of the victory over the opposition.” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) continues by saying: “Behold! The very same was fulfilled.
“The community of Jesus (as) was granted victory after three hundred years. “However, as soon as God Almighty appointed me as the Khalifah , within a matter of a few weeks, “those people who rose up against me and rejected my appointment to this institution – i.e.
“peghami [[those who refused to pledge allegianc at the hands of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)] – “God Almighty granted me and my followers supremacy over them. “As each day passes by, through the grace of Allah the Almighty, this ascendancy continues to grow.”
Today the Peghami ’s [those who refused to pledge allegiance to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra)] assert that “everything was based upon a single dream,” i.e. that vision upon which Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II (ra) made the announcement that he was the Promised Reformer. Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:
“Even though this was not a dream, because it contains words; the aforementioned revelation “was indeed a revelation, and that was revealed somewhat forty years ago. “God Almighty informed me that I would become the Imam of a community, “out of which some would oppose me, but the majority would join me.
“As for those who remain attached to Khilafat, “God Almighty would grant them ascendency over the others until the Day of Judgement. “Where it has been stated that ‘God Almighty will grant thy followers dominance over those who reject thee’
“serves as an indication that one day, Allah will grant me the title of prophethood, in so far as “a mere shadow or reflection of the prophethood of Jesus (as) and the Promised Messiah (as). “The reason is that the community of a Khalifah is associated with him only in his lifetime.
“After his demise it is only associated with the prophet or those who are reflections of them. “Similarly the word [Arabic] ‘they disbelieve’ indicates that after Khilafat, “I would receive another status, “which would be akin to the spiritual manifestation of certain earlier prophets.” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states:
“The second [sign] was a Kashf [vision] which I experienced during the lifetime of “the Promised Messiah (as) and that also alludes to this status [of a Promised Reformer]. “I saw that I am came out of the room which the Promsied Messiah (as) used to reside in and
“came out into the courtyard where the Promised Messiah (as) was also present. “At that moment, a person came and handed me a parcel and said, ‘some of it is for you and some of it is for the Promised Messiah (as).’
“Still in a state of Kashf , I looked at the name on the parcel and it had two names written on it, “Muhiy-ul-deen [one who gives life to faith] and Muin-ul-deen [one who assists the faith].
“In the state of Kashf [vision], it was made to appear to me that one of the names “was the Promised Messiah’s (as) and the other name was mine. “Since at the time I was only a child and had not previously heard of
“Hazrat Muhiy-ul-deen Ibn-e-Arabi’s name and only knew of Aurangzeb [Mughal Emperor], “whose name was also Muhiy-ul-deen, therefore I assumed that I was Muhiy-ul-deen . “And, since Hazrat Muin-ul-deen Chishti was a well-known saint that had lived in India, “I therefore assumed that the Promised Messiah (as) was being referred to as Muin-ul-deen .
“However, later I came to know that Hazrat Muhiy-ul-deen Ibn-e-Arabi was a very “renowned saint and therefore I believed that since the Promised Messiah (as) came for the “revival of Islam, therefore he is Muhiy-ul-deen “and I am Muin-ul-deen who came to assist and help the cause of Islam.
“The Promised Messiah (as) revived Islam; whilst I assisted in the cause of Islam “just like a mother who gives birth to a child and the nurse then feeds it with milk.’ Speaking about the third [sign], Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “I received the third revelation in a similar manner
“but received it after the demise of the Promised Messiah (as). “The revelation was, ‘O progeny of Daud! ‘Adhere to the commandments of Allah the Almighty while remaining grateful to Him’. “By saying, ‘adhere’, Allah the Almighty commanded me in this revelation to completely act according
“to His Divine will, and by saying, ‘progeny of Daud’, “Allah the Almighty likened me to Hazrat Suleman (as). “Hazrat Suleman (as) became the Khalifah after Hazrat Daud (as) and was also his son. “I remember that this revelation was revealed to me with such intensity that for a long period of
“time I continued to remain in the same state in which I received this revelation. “This revelation was so clear that even though the Promised Messiah (as) had passed away, “when I related this revelation to some of my friends during a walk, “I completely forgot for a moment about his demise and
“I felt a sudden impulse to run to the Promised Messiah (as) and inform him of this revelation.’ Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) then states: “The fourth sign which testifies the dream Allah the Almighty showed me in which
“I was the Musleh Maud [Promised Reformer] is a Kashf [vision]. I saw that I am sat praying “in Bait-ul-Dua [small chamber in which the Promised Messiah used to pray] when suddenly it “was made apparent to me that the Promised Messiah (as) was Abraham.
“It was also revealed to me that many Abrahams have appeared in this Ummah . “Regarding Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra), I was told that he was also Abraham “and I was told his name is Abraham Adham. “Adham was a king, who abandoned his sovereignty and took up Tassawuf [mysticism].
“Thus, I was told that Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) was Abraham and that I was also Abraham.” Relating the fifth sign, Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) states: “The fifth sign which was revealed to me by Allah the Almighty was “close to the time of the Promised Messiah’s demise.
“I saw in a dream that a bell was rung and the “sound produced from it was as if a brass cup was knocked against something. “However, the sound that reverberated from this bell was so melodious and beautiful that it was as
“if the delightful sounds of all the world’s music were filled inside this sound. “The sound became louder and louder until it transformed into the form of a frame.” The sound spread into the atmosphere and then transformed into a frame just like a photo frame.
“I saw that an image of an extremely beautiful and handsome person appeared inside the frame. “The picture then began to move and after a short while someone sprung out from the frame and “stood before me and appeared to me as if it were an angel of God.
“The angel said, ‘Come! I shall give you a lecture/discourse on Surah Al-Fatihah ’. “He began to give me a lecture on Sura Al-Fatihah and continued but when he reached the verse ” Iyaaka Nabudu Wa Iyaaka Nast’aieen [Thee alone we worship and Thee alone do we implore for help],
“he said, ‘Until now all the commentators of the Holy Quran have only written their commentary ‘up to the words, Yaum-e-Deen [the Day of Judgment]. ‘However, I shall teach you the commentary beyond that.’ “Thus, he taught me the complete commentary of Surah Al-Fatihah .
“When I woke up, I could still recall some of what I had been taught in my dream by the angel “but I did not note it down and later I forgot that too. “In the morning when I related this dream to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) and
“also told him that when I awoke from the dream, I was able to recall some of what I had been taught “by the angel but by the morning I had completely forgotten what I had been taught. “Hearing this Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) said in an upset tone
“that I had let so much knowledge go to waste and that I should have noted it down.” ‘However, since that day, “Allah the Almighty has continued to teach me new and fresh ideas from Surah Al-Fatihah .
“In fact since that dream, even now when I was reflecting on how to devise a programme to help in “the reformation of the Jama’at and establish the superiority of the Islamic Nizam [system], “Allah the Almighty taught me a very sound and comprehensive programme from Surah Al-Fatihah
“which if followed could enable Islam to attain such success that would leave opponents astounded “and would be compelled to accept the superiority of Islamic customs and practises. “Also, the errors committed by the Muslims after the Holy Prophet (saw) while trying to understand
“the Islamic Nizam and its various injunctions relating to its customs and practises can also be “rectified by the grace of Allah through this programme.” Those errors which were committed by the Muslims after the time of the Holy Prophet (saw).
“All of this was taught to me through Surah Al-Fatihah and “the true meaning of this dream was that Allah the Almighty has filled my intrinsic faculties with “the comprehension of the Holy Quran generally, and particularly the knowledge of Surah Al-Fatiha
“which in view of the need of the time will be internally revealed to me every so often.’ Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) also states: “At the time when the internal discord developed in the [Ahmadiyya] Jama’at, “Allah the Almighty revealed to me, ‘Surely We will shatter them into pieces.’
“Those who left the Jama’at at the time used to claim that they made up 95 percent of the Jama’at “but what is their state today? “According to this prophecy, Allah the Almighty in reality shattered them into pieces. “Prior to his demise, Khawaja Kamal-ul-Din Sahib wrote,
‘The revelation which Mirza Mahmood [i.e Hazrat Musleh Maud] published regarding us has been ‘fulfilled to its letter and in reality we have been shattered into pieces.'” Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) further states: “In short, Allah the Almighty has revealed the knowledge of the unseen on countless occasions
“and thus proving the prophecy which stated that “the Promised Reformer will be granted the Spirit of Truth from Allah the Almighty. “These are the signs of Allah the Almighty which He has manifested through me.’ This is what Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) stated.
In any case, the details of the actual prophecy are quite lengthy and in the coming days many Jalsas [gatherings/events] will be held to commemorate the fulfilment of this prophecy and also various programmes will be broadcasted on MTA in relation to this.
Members of the Jama’at should make the utmost effort to attend and listen to these programmes in order to develop a deeper understanding of this prophecy. There are countless signs mentioned in this prophecy and Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) has at times identified 50, 55 and even 60 qualities and signs
Which have been mentioned in this prophecy and all of these have been fulfilled in the person of Hazrat Musleh Maud (ra) with great splendour. 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.