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 God
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. The current world situation is something we are all aware of, in which disorder and chaos are strife. As I have said numerous time previously that anti-Islamic powers
lay the blame for this turmoil upon Muslims. It is correct that the actions of certain Muslims groups in the name of Islam, in both the Muslim and non-Muslim world, are nothing but barbarity and cruelty.
Such actions have absolutely no link with the teachings of Islam whatsoever. However, it is also true that there has been and continues to be a deliberate ploy to create these conditions among the Muslims. Generally speaking, the greatest harm to Islam has been inflicted by Muslims
and hypocrites who have been tools in the hands of these powers for their self-serving interests. In any case, the state of affairs in the world today is largely grim. The wrongful acts of some Muslims has given ample ammunition to the anti-Islamic powers to vilify Islam.
Naturally, Ahmadi Muslims also end up being targeted for criticism as well by this. Although those who are familiar with us are aware that the teachings of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community entail nothing but love, peace and brotherhood.
However, the average person perceives Ahmadis in the same light as the general image painted by the media of Muslims and Islam In some countries, Nationalist parties and groups refuse to listen to reason. Their emphasis is on acting according to their purely negative outlook and mentality.
Such opposition is seen in Eastern Germany as well as in Holland, where elections are forthcoming. Similarly, the right wing are gaining strength in other countries of Europe and the situation in the USA is quite apparent.
Ahmadis are thus facing adversity not just as being Muslims [living in the West], but also face hardships as being Ahmadis living in Muslim countries. We face this merely because of the fact that we have accepted the caller to faith
whose advent was promised by Allah the Almighty. In Pakistan the oppressive law has given the Maulvies [Muslim clercis] a free license and fearful of these clerics, the courts of justice are compelled to dispense injustice.
Now in Algeria, the courts have adopted a similar stance and out of fear of the so-called Muslim clerics, they are banishing innocent Ahmadi Muslims to prison on completely baseless charges. At present 16 Ahmadis have been punished with imprisonment there.
And so how should an Ahmadi respond in all of this? We nether possess worldly governance, nor material wealth nor oil money. Certainly, however, there is something that every Ahmadi in the world should give immense heed towards,
which is to attain nearness to Allah the Almighty through worship, Sadaqah (alms/financial sacrifice) and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah). By giving heed to these aspects, the Mercy of Allah the Almighty is stirred and it brings man under Divine refuge and protection.
I have already drawn attention towards worship and particularly observing prayer in my previous Friday Sermons. Today I will give more focus on Sadaqah (giving alms) and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah)
to show how these are ways to attain the mercy of Allah the Almighty. Man is riddled with countless weaknesses and flaws and often fails to discharge the right of worship because of worldly engagements. When faced with a personal difficulty
man will then start to offer a little Sadaqah (financial sacrifice/alms) but otherwise not. Further, man does not give due justice to Istighfar (seeking forgiveness from Allah). If each one of us were to analyse our own state,
it would make evident that most of us do not fulfil these rights. However, if we want to receive the blessings of Allah the Almighty, attract His mercy and to render the efforts of opponents futile,
it is undoubtedly necessary for us to give attention to those matters which will win us God’s pleasure and forgiveness. When Allah the Almighty says He accepts our Taubah (repentance), Istighfar (seeking His forgiveness) and Sadaqah (alms)
it means we must first give attention to repentance and seeking His forgiveness and that He will remove our difficulties and anxieties and will draw us near to Him. Further He will forgive us of our past sins,
grant us the ability to be proper Abd (servant of Allah) and shower us with his mercy. As Allah the Almighty says in the following verse of the Holy Qur’an [Arabic]
“Know they not that Allah is He Who accepts repentance from His servants and takes alms, “and that Allah is He Who is Oft-Returning with compassion, and is Merciful?” (Holy Qur’an 9:104) Explaining the significance of Sadaqah and prayer and their connections,
the Promised Messiah (as) said on one occasion, “’Sadaqah’ has been derived from ‘Sidq’ . “When a person gives Sadaqah (alms/financial sacrifice) in the way of Allah, “it reflects the relationship of Sidq (truthfulness and sincerity) he has with Him.
“Secondly, is prayers. “Prayers develop a state in man where his or her heart melts “and he experiences a depth of feeling and intense passion. “Prayer contains a sacrifice. “If one does both these aspects, that is displays sincerity and prays, it becomes an elixir.”
Both these aspects combine to produce an effective remedy. Thus Istighfar is also a prayer. When man prays whilst keeping in view his transgressions and shortcomings, it produces and should produce zeal and fervour.
One should feel anguish in the heart and not just pay lip service to merely uttering, ‘Astaghfirullah, Astaghfirullah’ (I seek forgiveness from Allah) superficially whereas his attention is not on God but is elsewhere, for this would not serve any purpose.
In short Allah the Almighty accepts prayers and Sadaqah (alms) when it is given in a state of anxiety with the intention of attaining His mercy. Further, when one pledges to strive to his utmost to remove his weaknesses
and endeavours to attract the mercy of Allah, he or she is given a further good news, which has been conveyed to us by the Holy Prophet (saw) who has explained this further. God Almighty said to the Holy Prophet (saw):
“Tell my servants that if they take one step towards Me, “I will advance two steps towards them. “If they walk hurriedly towards Me, I run towards them.” Thus the mercy of Allah the Almighty is boundless and infinite.
The Holy Prophet (saw) also said that Allah the Almighty is greatly pure and munificent. God feels ashamed to leave his servants empty handed who hold out their hand imploring to Him. Of course it is possible that man’s supplications are not answered in the exact way
or at the precise time he desired for. Sometimes Divine wisdom dictates that the effects of man’s prayers and alms-giving manifest some time later or in some other manner, and at other times his or her prayers may be answered immediately.
We must in any case have complete conviction in what Allah the Almighty has said that He accepts our prayers, Istighfar (seeking His forgiveness) and Sadaqah (financial sacrifice). In other words when man asks for forgiveness for his past sins and also promises
to avoid committing future transgressions and makes real efforts towards this, Allah the Almighty accepts this and alleviates him from all types of afflictions and hardships. Always remember that Allah the Almighty knows the state of our hearts.
Pretentious actions performed by us are rejected by Him, rather only pure and sincere actions are accepted and then as the Holy Prophet (saw) has explained, Allah will never leave us devoid of reward. Allah the Almighty is so vastly kind and compassionate upon mankind,
that the Holy Prophet (saw) has said that that the one who does not have sufficient means to give alms and charity, will receive the equivalent rewards to alms-giving if they perform good deeds and forbid vices. Where their worship, seeking forgiveness from Allah
and pious deeds that benefit others will be accepted by Allah in the form of worship and seeking His forgiveness, there good actions will give the same reward as giving alms. A person with the means who is on good standing will gain rewards
by giving Sadaqah (financial sacrifice/alms-giving), whilst an individual in poverty through his pious intentions will earn, as long as he acts upon the other Divine commands, the equal reward to giving Sadaqah (alms).
Thus, one should be extremely grateful to such a loving God, Who has not only taught us the means by which we can safeguard ourselves from our shortcomings, rather He has also stated that by accepting our efforts that we have made
for safeguarding ourselves from our weaknesses and sins, He shall protect us from future difficulties and trials. Therefore, the only way we can escape difficulties is by prostrating before Allah the Almighty and offer our worship and supplications to Him
with complete devotion and sincerity of the heart. We must also pay special attention towards reciting Istighfar [seeking forgiveness] and giving Sadaqah [charity/alms], both individually and collectively as a Jama’at as well.
The Promised Messiah (as) has expounded on the subject of Istighfar [seeking forgiveness] and giving Sadaqah [financial sacrifice/alms] on several occasions. I shall present a few of his extracts. Explaining the true essence of Istighfar [seeking forgiveness],
the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Sin is like a vermin which is subsumed into man’s blood “and its only form of cure is Istighfar [seeking forgiveness]. “What is Istighfar ? It is so that one remains in the protection of Allah the Almighty
“from the pernicious consequences of the sins he has already committed. “And, also to remain protected from those sins which though one has not committed “but has the potential faculties for it (i.e. one has the strength and ability to
“commit a particular sin and also the inclinations which could lead one towards vice), “thus such an occasion whereby sin could be committed should not even arise “and is internally exterminated and reduced to clinker.”
This is Istighfar i.e. to seek forgiveness from the sins previously committed and to seek protection from committing any sin in the future also. It is also so that it kindles the Mercy of Allah the Almighty
and He continues to shower His Mercy and blessings upon us. The Promised Messiah (as) further states: “The current time is one of great fear and trepidation, “thus one should remain engaged in seeking repentance and forgiveness “and assess the state of their souls.
“The people of all faiths and the people of the book all believe that “Sadaqah and charity can avert divine punishment, “however this is only possible when this is done before the actual punishment befalls, “but once the divine punishment comes into motion
“then there is nothing that can be done to forfend it. “Therefore, you should remain occupied in Istighfar [seeking forgiveness] “and Taubah [seeking repentance] from now, “so that your turn does not come and Allah the Almighty protects you.”
The present difficulties that we see before us are very minor, however the direction in which mankind is heading towards without any form of restraint or limits and while incurring the displeasure of God,
is towards a destruction which is going to be wrought by the very hands of man. The world is stroking the wrath of God. In such a time as this, it is the duty of the followers of the Promised Messiah (as) that
while we seek repentance and forgiveness in order to protect ourselves from its harmful effects, we should also pray for the world in general so that Allah the Almighty may cause them to come to their senses.
Explaining the true essence of Istighfar, the Promised Messiah (as) further states: “In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty has been given two titles, Al-Haye and Al-Qayum . “Al-Haye means the Self-Subsisting and One Who grants life to others,
“and Al-Qayum is the One Who came into Being Himself and the true source of all creation. “The internal and external faculties of everything “and their life itself emanates from these two attributes. “Thus, the word Al-Haye demands that He should be worshiped
“as is made manifest in the words, ‘Thee alone do we worship’ in Surah Al-Fatiha. “And, Al-Qayum demands that we should seek help from Him “and this has been expressed in the words, ‘Thee alone do we implore for help’.” The Promised Messiah (as) states:
“The reason why the word, Al-Haye , demands that we worship Him is because “He has created man and after creating him, He has not left him to be. “For instance, a building will not be affected in any way
“if the person who has constructed it dies. “However, man is constantly in need of God, “therefore it is necessary that he seeks strength from Him and that is Istighfar .” Istighfar means to continuously seek the strength from Allah the Almighty
in order to refrain from committing sins and also to acquire the strength to worship Him. The Promised Messiah (as) further states: “This in fact is the true essence of Istighfar
“but the meaning of Istighfar is then extended to also include those who commit sins, “so that they may be protected from its ill consequences. “However, the true purpose [of Istighfar ] is to safeguard oneself from human weaknesses.
“Therefore, a person who does not feel the need for reciting Istighfar “ while knowing that he is only a human, is in fact an ill-mannered atheist.” Regarding the significance of attaining the closeness of Allah the Almighty
and reciting Istighfar , the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Man has been created for a very noble and great objective.” The details of this objective have been outlined by the Promised Messiah (as)
in the earlier part [of the extract] which is to bring about a pure change in oneself and this is a huge task for man i.e. to bring about a pure change within himself. Moreover, one must reconcile with God and must not displease Him in anyway.
He should also be aware of the purpose of his creation. One should know the purpose of why he has been sent to this world, and as we all know that Allah the Almighty has stated that
it is to worship Allah the Almighty and to attain His nearness. Nonetheless, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Man has been created for a very noble and great objective. “However, when the time comes and one does not fulfil those objectives
“then Allah the Almighty bring his affairs to an end. “For instance, take the example of a servant, “if he does not perform his duty properly then the master relives him from duty.
“Thus, why should God continue to grant life to a person who does not fulfil his duties?” Citing an example, the Promised Messiah (as) further states: “Our Mirza Sahib (i.e. the father of the Promised Messiah (as)) “sought various treatments for fifty years.
“However, he is used to say that he was unable to find any proper medical cure. “The truth is that without the decree of God, “no particle that enters the human body can prove to be of benefit. “Therefore, one should profusely seek repentance and forgiveness,
“so that Allah the Almighty continues to show His grace. “When the grace of God is shown then the prayers are also accepted. “Allah the Almighty has stated that at times He will accept the prayer “while on other occasions, His divine decree should be followed.”
The Promised Messiah (as) further states: “Until the divine decree is pronounced, “I have very little hope of the acceptance of my prayers. “Man is extremely weak and helpless, “therefore one should always keep in view the grace of God.”
However, in order to keep view of Allah the Almighty’s grace, we must keep Allah the Almighty in view and remain attached to Him. We need to seek repentance and forgiveness. We also need to fulfil His dues and the dues of His creation.
How weeping and offering Sadaqah [alms/charity] can avert the punishment that has already been pronounced for a wrongdoing, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “Prayer is a means of acquiring great accomplishments. “It was the fervent prayers that
“saved the people of Prophet Yunus [Jonah] from the divine punishment. “According to me, Muhaatabaat means to express anger (i.e. to show anger to one another or to become angry over something). “Huut refers to one’s hasty temperament and also to a fish/whale.
” Nun relates to haste or temper.” “Thus, Prophet Yunus was in a state of anger. “The fact is that when the punishment was averted, “Prophet Yunus had a feeling of grievance as he felt that
“his prayers and the prophecy went in vain. He also felt as if his prayer went unheard. “Thus, this was a state of anger. However, there is a lesson to be learnt from this that “Allah the Almighty can change the course of destiny and intensely emotional prayers
“and Sadaqaat can avert even when the punishment of wrongdoing has been decreed. “Also, the concept of offering charity and benevolence is taken from this “and such an act pleases Allah the Almighty.
“In the book, Ilm-ul-Tabir-ul-Roya [the discipline of the interpretation of dreams], “the liver symbolises wealth therefore meaning that “to offer alms is akin to offering one’s life. “When a person offers alms, he displays a great deal of sincerity and determination and
“the fact is that the mere use of speech is of no avail unless one also practically shows it. (The Promised Messiah (as) further states) “this is referred to as ‘Sadaqah’ because “this act leaves an imprint on the Sadiqeen [truthful]. “Regarding Prophet Yunus,
it has been mentioned in Dur-e-Mansoor [a commentary of the Holy Qur’an] that he said, ‘I already knew that You will show Your mercy if anyone comes before You’.” (i.e. Allah the Almighty will show His Mercy.)
The Promised Messiah (as) once stated in a gathering – the details of this incident have been mentioned in the Al-Badr newspaper. It states that some people had come from outside [of Qadian] and after the Friday Prayer, the Promised Messiah (as) remained seated.
The person who reported this in the newspaper further states that after the Friday Prayer had been offered, various people from the neighbouring area took Bai’at [pledge of allegiance]. Thereafter, the Promised Messiah (as) delivered a short address on the observance of prayer
and fasting and also to safeguard oneself from committing any act of injustice. The Promised Messiah stated that they should frequently counsel the women, young girls and boys of the house to perform virtuous deeds.
Just as a tree or field does not bear its fruits if sufficient water is not provided, in the same way if the heart is not given the water of virtue and piety, it is of no use to a person.
The Promised Messiah (as) stated that the subject of virtue should be often discussed in the homes as it enables one to remain focused on prayers and reciting Istighfar . It also draws one’s attention towards performing other good deeds and
this in fact is the water by which the plant of virtue grows and flourishes and also strengthens one’s faith. Moreover, the person reporting this further states that the Promised Messiah (as) advised against joining gatherings which are purely for ridicule and mockery of others
The Promised Messiah (as) also reminded them of the advice given by the Prophets that Sadaqah and prayer can avert punishment. The Promised Messiah (as) stated that if one does not have any money
but simply fills a pail of water from a well for someone, then even that is counted as Sadaqah . The Promised Messiah (as) stated that to serve others form one’s own wealth
or by utilising your one’s physical faculties is also considered as Sadaqah . Thus, in order to gain the blessings of Allah the Almighty, while it is important to perform worship,
at the same time we must also abstain from committing any sort of injustice and cruelty, as well as helping people in need. In our homes instead of spending more time in worldly pastimes, it is important to remind those in the house of carrying out virtuous deeds.
We should avoid all those gatherings which are purely for mocking and poking fun at others, just as the Holy Prophet (saw) has stated that all these points of goodness, fall under the category of Sadaqah [giving alms].
Helping other people is also counted as Sadaqah . Removing hardships of people is also regarded as Sadaqah. Thus, we must take note of this. On one occasion the Promised Messiah (as) stated: “It is commonly found across all religions that
“the giving of alms and acts of benevolence and goodness can avert a trial. “If God Almighty warns one about the forthcoming trial “then that is deemed as a prophecy that contains a warning.
“Thus, by giving alms and charity and acts of goodness and also through true repentance, “inclining towards God Almighty, can any prophecy containing a warning be repelled.” The Promised Messiah (as) continues by saying: “One hundred and twenty-four thousand prophets all believed in the fact that
“trials can be averted through the giving of alms. “If trials and misfortunes are such that they are unpreventable, “then the giving of alms and acts of benevolence are futile.” Therefore, when God Almighty states that ‘I accept the giving of alms and offerings’,
“it means that God Almighty has the power to accept even in those circumstances when “on certain occasions He decrees through His messengers that a certain event will occur. “Even prophecies that contain warnings,
“such as the one given to the people of Jonah, can be averted. The people of Jonah prayed, “gave offerings and their lamenting saved them from the destruction that was forewarned. “Thus, if those prophesies foretold by prophets can be averted through the giving of alms,
“then why would the difficulties that one faces as a result of one’s own actions – “which arise as a result of forsaking God Almighty – “not be averted through inclining towards God Almighty, “reciting Istighfar [seeking forgiveness for sins], repentance, and by giving alms.
“They most certainly can be obviated, so long as our crying and weeping, “worship and giving of alms fall in line with the commandments of God Almighty.” On one occasion the Holy Prophet (saw) stated that
“ Sadaqah averts the wrath of God and saves one from the death of committing an evil act.” Huzoor (saw) then stated “save yourself from the fire by giving Sadaqah, “even if it is by spending half a date.”
We have already heard a saying of the Holy Prophet (saw) in which the Holy Prophet (saw) stated that doing good deeds i.e. conducting yourself righteously and abstaining from vice is also a Sadaqah . Thus, we must always bear these injunctions in mind
while at the same time we must always remember that reciting Istighfar and prayers are of crucial importance. Istighfar that is invoked from the bottom of the heart can save an individual from committing a sin in the future.
It also kindles the mercy of Allah the Almighty and grants nearness to Him. The Holy Prophet (saw) has stated that “If the door of supplication is unlocked for anyone among you,
“it is as if the doors of the mercy of God Almighty have been opened for them.” (The Holy Prophet (saw) continues by saying) “Out of all the things “that can be implored from God Almighty,
“the thing that is most desirable is to seek His shelter and safety; “that is to seek refuge of God Almighty and to fall under his protection.” The Holy Prophet (saw) also stated that “prayer is beneficial against any affliction that
“one may be suffering from, as well as any hardships that one may face in the future.” The Holy Prophet (saw) then states: “O servants of God! “It is incumbent upon you to inculcate the habit of praying.”
The Promised Messiah (as) states: “Be mindful of the fact that “if one commits a sin and fails to recognise it as a sin in its own right, “that is far worse than a vice which is entailed with remorse.
“This type of vice is poisonous and lethal. “If an individual repents, then it is as if they never committed that sin.” The one who repents with sincerity and recites Istighfar ,
then seeks forgiveness for their previous sins and vows to abstain from that deed in the future, will be as if they never committed that sin. The Promised Messiah further states: “the state of that individual who is unaware of their own actions is very dangerous.”
Thus it is vital to abandon all acts of heedlessness. One should have full knowledge of what they are doing and should be aware of their actions. The Promised Messiah (as) states: “Repent for your sins and fear Allah the Almighty.
“If one repents and reforms themselves, “they stand a better chance of being saved as compared to others. “Thus, prayer can only be of benefit to those who reform themselves “and establish a sincere connection with God Almighty.”
The Promised Messiah (as) further states: if a prophet intercedes on behalf of an individual, “yet that person fails to reform themselves and continues to live a life of ignorance, “then that intercession will be of no benefit to them.”
May God Almighty enable us to understand the true spirit of prayer and may we incline sincerely towards Him. May we draw our attention towards reciting Istighfar and seek forgiveness for our wrongdoings of past by prostrating before God Almighty;
and may we make firm pledges to abstain from sin in the future and endeavour to fulfil those pledges. May we present offerings to avert misfortunes of the standard that would be accepted by God Almighty. May God Almighty always keep us in His protection
and safeguard us from our enemies every attack and deflect it back onto them. May we always be counted amongst those people who have the fear of God in their hearts. May we become the recipients of the prayers supplicated by the Promised Messiah (as)
and the Holy Prophet (saw) and partake of those blessings. After the prayers I will offer the funeral prayer in absentia of Mrs Sa’da Bartavi Sahiba, the wife of Murree Bartavi Sahib, who passed away in Kosharab, Damascus.
A gas leak from the heating system in her home caused a fire resulting in her suffering from severe burns. She was taken to hospital where she received treatment and her health began to improve. In this ordeal she demonstrated an enormous amount of patience and
would remain occupied in rendering praise and gratitude [to God Almighty]. She would say to everyone that she is content with the Will of God Almighty. However, according to her Doctor, four days later she suffered a heart attack
from which she was unable to recover and passed away on 10th January 2017. To Allah we belong and to Him we shall return. She accepted Ahmadiyyat after her husband in 2004,
but in terms of loyalty and sincerity she was more devoted than even her husband and children. Her husband, Murree Sahib stated that soon after she accepted Ahmadiyyat she fell pregnant. One day she fell down the stairs and there was a risk that she may suffer a miscarriage.
During the night in a dream she heard a voice from the heavens in which a person exclaimed: “Fear not! Allah will protect this child.” After this experience they decided that if they were blessed with a boy they would name him Ahmad. Thus they did exactly this.
Then, when the child was six years old she saw a similar dream in which a voice from the heavens resounded that “Allah will safeguard this child”. One day she was walking on the side of the motorway with her son.
He let go of his mother’s hand and began crossing the motorway. She held her head and shut her eyes. When she opened her eyes, to her amazement, her son had safely crossed the motorway
and stood on the other side waving. This reminded her of the dream she had seen earlier. Her husband writes that “she would always excel in pious deeds. “Whenever I would think of performing a virtuous deed and say to myself that
“I will inform my wife about how we will do such and such good act, she would reply that ‘I also thought of the same thing and with the conviction in my mind that ‘you will not oppose me, I fulfilled that task already’.”
The husband would only be at the stage of thinking about it and she [the deceased] would already have finished the task and would motivate him. Her husband states: “Rarely a week would go by when such an incident had not taken place”
Her son in law, Musab She’ri Sahib, who resides in Germany stated that she was a very simple pious natured woman, who would never quarrel with anyone and was very generous. Her husband was arrested in 2009 and up until 2013
she looked after her children with great effort and attention. She had to work in order to look after everyone and pay off their debt. She would readily partake in every pious endeavour. She would treat everyone with love and respect.
She was always regular in paying her Chanda [obligatory contribution]. She is buried in the Hosharb region of Damascus. Prior to her burial Ahmadis and non-Ahmadis offered funeral prayers for her separately. May Allah the Almighty have mercy on the departed and elevate her status;
may her offspring be granted the ability to establish a strong connection with the Jama’at and Khilafat. 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 (saw) 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.