FRIDAY SERMON 28 by Imam Zafrullah Domun 28 December 2018 We will continue to remind ourselves of some of the basic teachings of Islam as it has been taught to us by the Promised Messiah (as) who, according to us, had a better understanding of Islam than all of his contemporaries and most people who lived before him. We have recognized him as the Promised Messiah (as) and Mahdi who was to appear at the end of times according to reliable prophecies of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Once we say that we have recognized him as the Promised Messiah (as) and Mahdi, it is incumbent upon us to do our best to know his teachings and live by them throughout our life. Unfortunately, this is not an easy task. In order to know the essence of his teachings, we should at least read his writings. As I have told you before, some important books such as the Buraheen Ahmadiyya, Haqiqatoul Wahy, the Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam, Noah s Ark and plenty of other small books are available in English. Besides, we also have good English translations of several extracts of his books in The Essence of Islam Volume 1-5 and recently the first volume of the five volumes of Malfuzaat was made available in English. So, for any Ahmadi Muslim or any aspiring Ahmadi Muslim, there are ample writings of the Promised Messiah (as) that are available in English which can help one to know what the Promised Messiah (as) said and what he expected from us. But we should be ready to devote time to this study. If we allow ourselves to be more interested in playing or chatting on our phones or watching TV serials one after the other without devoting some time everyday to study the teachings of the Promised Messiah, then the mistake is ours in not knowing what he has said and we will have to content ourselves in following those who tell us what he said. I say again that each and everyone should make an effort to know what the Promised Messiah (as) said. Once we do this, we should do our best to put his teachings into practice. And when we fall short, we should pray fervently to Allah to help us to put these teachings into practice. Now and then I speak about the necessity to learn what the Promised Messiah (as) said because I think that this is one of the best ways that may be used to help our young ones to immerse themselves in the teachings of Islam Ahmadiyyat. Once they know they will become bold and they will not fail to talk to others about the noble teachings of Islam as they
have been presented by the Promised Messiah (as). Now we will read some extracts: And so, it is incumbent upon our community to make progress in morality. As the proverb has it: Al Istiqamato fawqal Kirama, which means Steadfastness is more than a miracle. They ought to remember that if someone behaves harshly towards them, they should insofar as possible respond in a soft and gentle manner. Even at a time of retribution, they ought to avoid cruelty and severity. Humans possess an inner self as well, which is of three types: one which incites to evil, one which reproves man for evil and the soul at rest. In the state that incites man towards evil, a person is unable to restrain his emotions and inappropriate passions, and fails to remain within appropriate bounds, falling from a state of morality. However, in the state of self-reproof, a person manages to restrain himself. I am reminded of an anecdote written by Sa di in his book Bustan, in which he states that once a noble man was bitten by a dog. When he returned home, his house-folk noticed the dog bite. A simple and innocent girl who was present said: Why did you not bite the dog in revenge? The man responded: Humans cannot behave like dogs. Similarly, when a person is abused and cursed by a wretch, it is incumbent upon a believer to abstain from responding in kind. Otherwise, this example of doglike behaviour shall be applicable to such people. The beloved of God have been abused with the worst of invectives and are grieved in the worst possible manner. However, they were always addressed in the following words: ignorant. meaning Turn away from the,ال ج ھ ل ی ن ع ن ا ع ر ض Even the perfect man, our Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, was given immense anguish; he was abused, reviled and insulted, but how did this paragon of morality respond? He prayed for those who inflicted this upon him and Allah the Exalted promised that if the Holy Prophet (saw) turned away from the ignorant, He would protect and safeguard the Prophet s life and honour and save him from the attacks of such miscreants. And so it proved to be. The opponents of the Holy Prophet (saw) were unable to tar his honour and only humiliated and disgraced themselves, ultimately falling at the Prophet s feet or perishing before his eyes. Hence, it is a characteristic of the reproving self that even in a state of struggle, one is able to bring about reformation. It is a common fact that if an ignorant person or some wretch
unleashes abuse or creates mischief, the more one distances oneself from such people, the more one s dignity is preserved. The extent to which you wrangle and contend with such people is the extent to which you will suffer ruin and disgrace. In a state when the soul is at rest, one becomes inclined towards piety and goodness, and one severs one s ties with the world and all that is beside Allah. Such a person walks about on earth and interacts with the people of this world, but in reality, they are not present here on earth. They live in a different realm altogether, where the heaven and earth are of a different kind. We should all try to move to such a state of our soul so that Allah becomes predominant in our thoughts and actions. Speaking about the glad tidings that Allah has given to his followers, the Promised Messiah said: Allah the Exalted states in the Holy Quran: And I will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection. This reassuring promise was given to the son of Mary, who was born in Nazareth. But I give you the good news that the son of Mary who has appeared in the name of Jesus the Messiah has been addressed by Allah Almighty and given glad tidings in the very same words. Now reflect for yourself: can those who desire to maintain a relationship with me, and wish to be a part of this grand promise and glad-tiding, be such people who are steeped in the state that incites one to evil and who tread the path of sin and impiety? Nay! Of course not! Those who truly value this promise of Allah and do not consider my words to be mere tales and fables ought to remember this and listen with their hearts. I address the people once again and proclaim that as for those who hold a relationship with me a relationship that is firm and unwavering; a relationship whose effects are not limited only to my person, but rather which leads one to God; who guided even myself to the perfect, divinely chosen man, a man who brought the spirit of truth and righteousness to this world if the whole affair were limited to my person alone I would have no fear, worry or concern, but this is not the case. This matter escalates to our Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, and ultimately reaches the Holy Being of God Almighty. In this case, bear well in mind and take heed that if you desire to partake of this glad-tiding and hope to be part of this prophecy s fulfilment, and if you possess a true thirst for this grand victory (that is to prevail over the disbelievers until the Day of Resurrection), then my entire message for you shall not secure this success
until you advance from the state where the soul reproaches one s inner self for having committed evil, to the towering state where the soul is at rest and naturally inclines to goodness. Apart from this, I have nothing more to say. You are bound to a man who is commissioned by Allah. Therefore, listen to his words with the ear of your heart and remain fully disposed to act accordingly, lest you become of those who fall into the filth of denial after having accepted the truth, and thus become the recipients of divine wrath. (Mafuzaaat 99-100) By Allah s Grace, I have to say that Allah has addressed me also at least two or three times with the same verse And I will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection. From what I have understood, we are the inheritors of the Promised Messiah s spiritual blessings. I do not say that we are the only ones. As far as I can remember, the second caliph of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Mainstream received this same revelation on the same night that the Promised Messiah received it when he was still a child. I say this so that people may know that I am not just speaking just so satisfy my self. Members should reflect on this extract that I have just quoted. After speaking about supplications, the Promised Messiah said: However, pay heed with an attentive heart that there are certain preconditions for the acceptance of prayer. Some of them relate to the person making the supplication and some relate to the person for whom supplication is made. It is necessary for a person who solicits someone else to pray for them to first fear Allah Almighty himself; such people must remain in awe of God s Being as He is the Independent and Besought of all; they must make peaceful relations and worship of God a practice of life; they must please Allah with righteousness and piety. When this is the case, the gate of the acceptance of prayer is opened to such a one. If a person displeases God Almighty, ruins his relationship with Him and wars with Him, his mischief and evil deeds become an obstruction or a mountain that stands in the way of prayer. As a result, the door of acceptance is closed to such a person. Hence, our friends must save our prayers from going in vain and must not allow for their path to be obstructed by any barrier that may be erected as a result of their own unacceptable actions. They ought to adopt a way of righteousness because it is righteousness alone that sums up the shariah. If one
were to briefly describe what shariah means, it could be said that its essence is righteousness. There are many ranks and levels of righteousness. However, if a seeker faithfully traverses the elementary ranks and levels of piety with steadfastness and sincerity, they ultimately attain the highest grades due to their virtue and desire to seek the truth. Allah the Exalted states: That is to say, Allah Almighty accepts the prayers of ال م ت ق ی ن م ن الله یت ق ب ل ا ن ما those who are righteous. This is a divine promise and God never fails in His promise. In this context, He states: which we translate as Surely, Allah fails not in His ال م ی ع اد ی خ ل ف لا الله ا ن promise. Righteousness is a necessary precondition for the acceptance of prayer. Now if a person desires acceptance of prayer in their own favour, despite their own negligence and misguidance, would such a one not be foolish and senseless? And so it is incumbent upon our community that insofar as possible, each and every member must follow the ways of righteousness so that they can experience the pleasure and delight of the acceptance of prayer, and partake of an increase in faith. (Malfuzaat P104-5) In the light of these instructions of Hazrat Masih Maood (as), our members can easily understand where our priorities should be. May Allah grant understanding to anyone who says he or she is a follower of the Promised Messiah (as). Ameen.