Published on Feb 23 2010 

English Text | Audio

After reciting Tashahhud,T‘awwuz and Surah Fatiha, Hudhur(aba) said:

“Alhumdulillah, the Khuddamul Ahmadiyya Annual Ijtima is drawing to a conclusion today.

By the Grace of Allah, as presented by Sadr Sahib in his report, this year’s attendance is almost 350 more than last year. This is evidence that our every step is towards progression (and should be towards progression) – this being a hallmark of advancing and flourishing nations. Therefore, always remember that the attendance at next year’s Ijtima should be more than today’s attendance, InshaAllah Taala – if you undertake this with effort and prayers then there is no reason that Allah will not continually bless all of your endeavours.

This year members of Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, by the Grace of Allah, have also proved that they show complete obedience and fully comply with whoever is appointed as the Sadr; they obey him, make efforts to execute his programmes and progress his work – this is also Allah’s distinctive support for the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at.

Last year, when Sadr Sahib was elected as Sadr and I also gave my approval to his election as Sadr Majlis Khuddamul Ahmadiyya, he was worried. He did not realise at the time, however, that the task assigned to him is not a worldly task. A distinctive quality of Divine communities is that, fully cooperating with whoever is appointed their leader or Amir, they always help to progress his work. This is because this is not the work of an individual; our community does not idolise individuals. The entire Jama‘at, and all members of the Jama‘at; youngsters and children, men and women, work because they want to win Allah’s pleasure.

Thus, Sadr Sahib’s anxiety was due to inexperience and over time it has been proven that his worries were misguided. Allah the Almighty alleviated all his concerns, and Khuddamul Ahmadiyya has implemented its projects with great success this year, even better than in previous years.

This is the beauty of the Promised Messiah(as)’s Jama‘at. This is proof that the Promised Messiah(as) was sent by Allah with distinctive Support and Help from Him. The promises made by Allah to the Promised Messiah(as) continue to be fulfilled today.

Let me tell you further; as the Promised Messiah(as) has explained himself, why Allah’s Help is with him, he says:

‘At this time, there is only one religious Jama‘at in the entire world that has its own Imam, otherwise, all other Jama‘ats [revolve around] individuals. They have no leader. They are proof that: their hearts are divided (Ch. 59:V.15).’
(Malfoozat, Vol. 5, p.220, published in Rabwah)

They may make tall claims that we are united, but their hearts are torn apart, and we see evidence of this everywhere.

After the Promised Messiah(as), Allah created this allure through Khilafat, which, once again, is a great proof of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah(as) and that he was from Allah.

To the Muslims who oppose us we say that the progress and growing influence of the Jama‘at are proof that the Promised Messiah(as) was sent by God for the reformation of the people of this time. This is also proof of Allah’s Being, Allah’s Presence, that He does exist. Those who do not believe in God say that how can you prove that God exists? For an Ahmadi, a substantial proof is that Allah has caused all hearts to converge at one hand.

At the time of the Promised Messiah(as), the opponents would say that his tongue and speech are possessed with magic and his words are enchanted. Allah proved again, after the Promised Messiah(as)’s demise, that this ‘magic’ was in fact from Himself and that it would always remain.  As prophesied by the Promised Messiah(as), it would continue through the establishment of Khilafat, which would transform fear into peace through Allah’s Grace.

The eras of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih I(ra), Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih II(ra) and the system of Khilafat established until today all prove that God is One, for Allah united people’s hearts under one hand. The body may be purchased, but not the heart, and the heart that sacrifices can never be bought. Thus, this is something significant and is substantial proof, not only in favour of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama‘at, but also in favour of God’s existence, because it is Allah alone Who keeps the Jama‘at united.

Furthermore, Allah blesses the decisions made by the Khalifa, and, as I have mentioned, every member of the Jama‘at displays obedience; this is because he wants to attain Allah’s Pleasure. It is because of the system of Khilafat that members of the Jama‘at comply with all auxiliary organisations and systems. Thus, the transformation of hearts, control over them and sentiments of obedience that are borne are all signs of the Divine Presence of Allah.

Always remember, however, that every child and every adult has to keep in mind the magnitude of the issue of obedience. Obedience in small matters alone is not sufficient. Complying if Khuddamul Ahmadiyya pushes for an increase in the Ijtima attendance is not obedience. Merely turning up to meetings is not obedience. Making a financial sacrifice based on a fleeting emotion is not obedience. Offering Salat (Prayer) during the few days of Ashra Tarbiyyat is not obedience. In fact, the issue of obedience is an incessant concern that an Ahmadi should constantly uphold.

You should not only obey because your parents performed Bai‘at and joined the Jama‘at some time ago, and now you feel obliged to carry out their pledge under social pressure; or that, as you have assimilated into this culture, there is no other route for you to take because others are not willing to accept you either. Hence, you feel obliged to continue to submit, or obey because of family ties; or, as I stated earlier, you may feel obliged to obey Jama‘at organisations in some matters, and in other matters where you do not wish to obey the Jama‘at, you feel you have to obey, because if you do not or do not accept certain decisions, you fear punishment. An Ahmadi should not be like this. A sincere Ahmadi, who obeys everyone, from the most junior officers to the Khalifa of the time, should keep in mind that he obeys in order to attain the Pleasure of Allah – when you exhibit this type of obedience it will increase your Taqwa (Righteousness); or, when Taqwa is adopted, your obedience will reach that level in which one does everything purely to attain Allah’s Pleasure.

Allah the Almighty states:

The response of the believers, when they are called to Allah and His Messenger in order that he may judge between them, is only that they say: ‘We hear and we obey.’ And it is they who will prosper.
(Ch.24:V.52)

Only those can acquire this level of obedience who desire to attain the Pleasure of Allah, and whose every work, every action, is solely for receiving Allah’s Pleasure, and not due to social pressures, nor to escape censure from the Jama‘at; rather, such people obey because it is Allah’s command to obey Allah and His Prophet(saw) and accept their instructions.

You should obey for the reason that every person should have the following in mind: that whatever I am about to do, whoever’s instruction I am about to abide by, I will not allow any slackness in my obedience, because Allah is watching me – I do not want to incur Allah’s wrath by not fulfilling this task. Thus, this is pure obedience, and it is such people who attain success.

Allah the Almighty says:

And whoso obeys Allah and His Messenger, and fears Allah, and takes Him as a shield for protection, it is they who will be successful.
(Ch.24:V.53)

Such people reach the heights of success and attain Allah’s Pleasure. Thus, successes will not be achieved through mere verbal proclamations from your tongues that you obey; but, in fact, when you obey purely, when you obey with pure sentiments of obedience, not out of fear of the society, rather out of the fear of Allah and with Taqwa in mind – this is when you will achieve successes. How is Taqwa acquired? It is obtained by following Allah’s commands. Allah has given numerous commandments in the Holy Qur’an.

When performing every task, every youngster and every child should bear this in mind: that Allah is always watching me. I can perform this task hidden from my parents, or hidden from the office bearers of the Jama‘at, but nothing I do is concealed from Allah, and also that I have pledged that my every action will be for Allah’s sake. This is the spirit that should be borne in every Khaadim and Tifl; that I should refrain from performing a bad deed, because if I carry it out it may incur Allah’s anger. When this state is developed then nearness to Allah is also obtained.

Thus, every person should carry out a self-assessment and look into their conscious to determine what the level of their obedience is. Real Taqwa will only be formed when every individual analyses himself in this manner, and when you carry out this self-assessment, then observe the revolutionary changes that will take place in you. However, this accountability will only become a reality when you realise the purpose of being an Ahmadi.

This is something extremely important, why are we Ahmadis? What is the purpose of our being Ahmadis? Why do we need to bear the abuses, the beatings, and in many instances, mockery, from the world? Until you understand this objective, you will not find the answers to these issues.

There are millions of Muslims who say that we are Muslims, we tread on the path of Taqwa, but always remember that people cannot define Taqwa. Taqwa is that which has been explained to us by Allah and His Prophet(saw); or, in this age, in light of the Allah and His Prophet(saw)’s teachings, that which has been further explained to us by the Promised Messiah(as). Thus, the claim from millions of Muslims that they tread on the path of Taqwa is futile, unattainable and baseless.

Those who commit suicide attacks believe that they perform these attacks to acquire Allah’s Pleasure, and they incite innocent people to perform suicide attacks and waste their lives for this. Whenever such people are questioned, they say that we perform this task for the sake of Taqwa, and it is for the sake of Taqwa that we throw children into this work. They take ten, twelve and thirteen year-old children, or even younger, away from their parents on the pretence of teaching religion to them, or for the sake of attaining Allah’s Contentment, and promise Gardens of Paradise and Allah’s Pleasure as rewards – but this is not Taqwa. Playing with an innocent person’s life or ending a person’s life without reason – this is not something that would please Allah. Allah has not commanded this anywhere. Thus, their definitions of Taqwa are self-fabricated teachings.

It is Allah and His Prophet(saw)’s instruction to perform Jihad, but to perform what type of Jihad? To perform Jihad with the conditions which are absolutely necessary to have been met; if these conditions are not fulfilled, then it is not Taqwa and neither is it obedience to Allah and His Prophet(saw) to take lives without reason. Allah the Almighty has actually said that if war is forced upon you, then you have the right to perform Jihad to defend and save yourselves, and to safeguard your mosques and other places of worship. Jihad, however, does not entail blowing up innocent people, women and children through suicide attacks. This is utter disobedience of Allah’s commands. Thus, such people’s claims of acting on Taqwa are entirely mistaken.

Today, only an Ahmadi can state what Taqwa really is. Allah and His Prophet(saw) have instructed us to accept the Imam of the Age. The Holy Qur’an also says: accept the Imam of the Latter Days when he appears. The Hadith of the Holy Prophet(saw) also state exactly this. The Holy Prophet(saw) said: accept the Messiah and Mahdi when he appears. These people are not following this commandment, hence, they are distancing themselves from Taqwa, because only the coming Imam Mahdi was to give proper guidance and advise on when, where and what type of Jihad should be carried out. Any Jihad performed without this guidance is not Jihad, but will be deemed cruelty. Thus, the disturbances created by Muslims today only occur because they have not recognised the Imam of this Age. And today, by accepting the Promised Messiah(as), we are fortunate that we have shielded ourselves from all bad customs, filth, cruelties and barbarities.

Thus, today, only an Ahmadi who recongnises the Imam of this Age can comprehend real Taqwa. Today, obedience to Allah and His Prophet(saw) is linked to obedience to the Promised Messiah(as). It is not obedience to Allah or His Prophet to move away from obedience to the Promised Messiah(as).

Further on in the verses which I recited, Allah makes the promise of Khilafat. Thus, Khilafat also receives the Succour of Allah the Almighty and His Prophet(saw), and this is why the Jama‘at is united under one hand, because of the Help from Allah and His Prophet(saw).

Ahmadis are united at one hand due to obedience to Allah and His Prophet(saw), otherwise, a Khalifa does not possess any worldly power that could have caused different nations, creeds and people of different colours to unite under one hand. Therefore, while remembering Allah, invoke His blessings again and again in your minds and maintain your search for that objective which will increase your Taqwa and obedience. When a man progresses in Taqwa, he gains purpose, and becomes the recipient of the Qur’anic glad tiding in which Allah has promised that such people will flourish.

As I have mentioned, in this age the Promised Messiah(as) has shown us how to identify those paths that lead to Taqwa. I will present a few matters in the words of the Promised Messiah(as) himself, he said:

‘The reality of Bai‘at is that the one who performs Bai‘at should bring about a true transformation, and establish fear of God in his heart and become a holy role model by recognising the supreme objective of his life.’
(Malfoozat, Vol. 5, p.605, published in Rabwah)

The true objective of a believer, as the Promised Messiah(as) has stated that you should recognise your ultimate objective; thus, what is the objective and the ultimate objective? It is to establish true Tauheed (Oneness of God) and to fulfil the rights due to His creation. In fact, if you properly comprehend the concept of Tauheed, then the rights of people will automatically be established and you will begin following all the commandments given by Allah and His Prophet(saw).

The youth among us – the majority of those sitting before me are either youngsters or are of young age – have many problems. There are arguments, for example; if someone says something merely as a joke, some young people react angrily and it leads to that conflict worsening.

Then there are the rights owed to wives – no attention is given to this. Domestic arguments and fights arise from the pettiest of matters. This is despite Allah and His Prophet(saw)’s instruction that homes should be made into paradise – only this is complete obedience.

Then there is the non-fulfilment of the rights due to relatives, despite the rights owed to relatives having been established. Allah and His Prophet(saw) have instructed us to fulfil these rights – this is obedience, because a person fulfils these rights purely to attain Allah’s pleasure.

Some people in the Jama‘at seem very good. They appear to be performing great services and give hours upon end for the Jama‘at; yet there is perpetual dissention in their households. All of this is because of a lack of complete belief in Allah. Thus, it is the duty of every Ahmadi to establish complete belief in Allah. When effort is made to establish absolute belief, then you will not come into Satan’s clutches, who attacks from different directions and lures us, and makes us forget the real purpose of our lives. You will not be influenced by his words and will not be drawn into his reassurances and will always remember this objective.

How did the Promised Messiah(as) describe Tauheed, as it is only when Tauheed is established that everything else moves forward. He says:

‘I say surely that if man grasps the meaning of Kalimah Tayyibah and acts accordingly, he can make huge progress and witness astonishing practical manifestations of Allah.’

He says:

‘I am aware that many people have entered into my Jama‘at and profess Tauheed, but, I say with sadness, that they do not believe. (I say with sadness that they do not believe). I do not believe that a man who usurps the rights of his brother, or breaches his trust, or does not stop committing other evils is one who believes in Tauheed, because this bounty is such that, once acquired, brings about a miraculous transformation in man.’

If a person establishes true Tauheed in his heart, it brings about such a clear transformation, that such an example is not found anywhere. The Promised Messiah(as) says:

‘The idols of enmity, malice, jealousy and hypocrisy etc. do not remain and one attains nearness to Allah.’

He continues:

‘One becomes a true believer in the One God when he removes these inner idols: arrogance, self-conceit, pretence, enmity and animosity, jealousy and stinginess, spite and faithlessness etc. As long as these idols remain within, how can one’s proclamation of  'There is none worthy of worship except Allah)' be deemed true?’
(Malfoozat, Vol. 5, p.91, published in Rabwah)

So, remember, that we may profess belief in , but how many of us in our hearts have that in-depth explanation of given by the Promised Messiah(as)?

Are our hearts free of pride or, do we, for honour and self-respect, become angry on the smallest matters and thus display arrogance?

Are our hearts pure of self-admiration, or do we constantly consider ourselves more important than others? Our thoughts are always that we alone should be praised, that we alone should be projected, that we alone should be applauded; our feelings are hurt when this does not happen. When feelings are hurt in this manner then self-admiration increases; or this desire in the heart continues increasing.

Are our hearts pure of spite and malice, or do we hold grudges on the most trivial of issues and keep adding fuel to our afflictions?

Are we free of jealousies, or does the progress of others fill us with feelings of jealousy rather than admiration, and do we try to harm such people?

Are we free of stinginess, or do our hands stop when it comes to giving in the way of Allah? We go on fulfilling our personal desires, but if we are required to sacrifice in the way of Allah, we stop. There are many in the Jama‘at who, by the Grace of God, do not display stinginess at all, but, in fact, are open-hearted – they go on making sacrifices, but there are those who need to make a self-assessment on whether they are free of niggardliness.

Are our hearts pure of hypocrisy, or do we display something different outwardly to what is in our hearts? The heart of an Ahmadi should be free of hypocrisy, not only in Jama‘at matters, but in personal matters as well. Whatever he says should be true and straightforward, but also considerate of other’s feelings. It is hypocrisy that you hold a grudge in your heart yet outwardly display otherwise; and as a result of these grudges feelings of jealousy increase further and harm a person. Such people are harming their own selves.

Are we fulfilling all our pledges, or do we fulfil some and not others? If you are fulfilling your pledges, then indeed you are making an effort to establish Tauheed in your hearts. And, if you are fulfilling your pledges and striving to establish Tauheed, then you surely are safeguarding your prayers also. Men safeguard their prayers through their efforts to establish their prayers and by offering congregational prayers.

We should remember that is also a pledge that there is none worthy of worship except Allah; God is worshipped, and Allah has taught us the manner to worship Him.

Similarly, there is the pledge to fulfil the rights of people. In this age, by performing the Bai‘at of the Promised Messiah(as), we have made a pledge to act on both of these things. Therefore, if you believe in the Kalimah, then fulfilling the pledge is also necessary. In relation to prayers, the Promised Messiah(as) has stated:

‘Strictness in performing prayers has been repeatedly mentioned in the Qur’an’.

Then, the Promised Messiah(as) says:

‘In actual fact, prayers are a question to Allah the Exalted, that Allah safeguards us from every type of evil and bad deed. Man is engrossed in suffering and separation, and desires to attain nearness to Allah.  For this, effort is required. To purify that inner [self] that is filled with sin, and is far-removed from knowledge of and nearness to Allah, to bring it close [to Allah] from afar, is prayer. These evils can be removed though this mean, and instead of this one is filled with pious sentiments.’

What kind of prayer should be performed? That prayer that brings one near to Allah, purifies one of evil and makes one believe completely in . He says that:

‘The word Salat (Prayer) is proof that mere words and supplications are not enough, but it is necessary that with it there be burning passion, fervour and pain.’
(Malfoozat, Vol. 5, pp.92-3, published in Rabwah)

Thus, an Ahmadi should perform this type of prayer. And if, at a young age, you grasp this root, this principal, then InshaAllah Taala, the relationship of nearness to Allah will continue progressing.

Today, the world writes obscene things regarding the existence of Allah; books and articles are written, and through obscene means, through the media, the existence of God is rejected. A large section of people, despite not rejecting God or religion are, practically speaking, far-removed from God and religion. The world has put forward many idols in front of them. In practicality, Muslims, in the name of Islam, are rejecting  (There is none worthy of worship except Allah, and Muhammad(saw) is His messenger); they may verbally assert it, but practically they reject it, because   has taught us regarding the rights owed to Allah and His creation;   (Muhammad(saw), the messenger of Allah) presented the practical implementation of it.

In the Holy Qur’an, Allah has instructed us to obey:

…Obey Allah and obey the Messenger…  (Ch.47:V.34)

Why? Because, as I have mentioned,  (Obey Allah) entails the instruction to following the commands of Allah, and in  (Obey the Messenger) guidance has been given to follow the most excellent example of Holy Prophet(saw).

Thus, today, to become a practical reflection of the Kalimah, an Ahmadi needs to strive hard. And when we utilise our knowledge according to Allah’s commands and say that we alone are those who believe in the Kalimah, we will be able to progress in Tabligh (field of preaching). And then, by spreading the message of Truth to the world, we will be those who prove the superiority of the Truth over other religions, which the world has forgotten today. And by making our actions according to the excellent model of the Holy Prophet(saw), with our practical examples we will prove to the world that the salvation of mankind lies in following this model. Thus, to broaden the field of Tabligh it is necessary to choose these paths.
You will also need to understand the meaning of (There is none worthy of worship except Allah), and you will need to understand the meaning of  (Muhammad(saw) is the Messenger of Allah). And to follow these path you will need to draw attention towards reading and understanding the Qur’an, Hadith, and the books of the Promised Messiah(as), which are explanations of the Qur’an and the Hadith. Hence, performing these actions and increasing your knowledge is necessary to increase in piety and to open the field of Allah’s nearness, as is paying attention to your deeds. This field, through Allah’s Grace, will thus continue opening.

Thus, come, and pledge that you will make every possible effort for the sake of attaining nearness to Allah!

You have to also right your prayers, increase your knowledge and beautify your actions; and with all of this, you have to spread Allah’s message to the world.

The new century of Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya will not be set with your slogans, but rather, it will be set with your prayers and actions.

Before the Ijtima began, Sadr Sahib requested if the Atfal could be given a separate speech in the Atfal Marquee. I said that the topics for the Atfal (the understanding Atfal) are normally the same as those that are inculcated to Khuddam. So, this same message is also for the Atfal that, from the age of ten, Allah has made prayers obligatory; take care of your prayers and never be slack in them. The age of ten cannot be considered an age when one can say that he has been lazy. Prayers have been made obligatory –performing prayers has unreservedly been made obligatory upon every person.  

Read the Qur’an; many children when memorising the Qur’an, do it in this age of ten to twelve. This is an age where the translation should also be read. And here, by the Grace of Allah, the methods of teaching are such that the child’s mind matures rapidly, and he starts understanding things, if, that is, the child wants to understand. When you start reading the Qur’an with its translation, then you will also become aware of Allah’s commandments; that what the commands of Allah are. For example, one such command is to respect your parents. Thus, if you respect your parents and listen to what they say, then Allah will be happy with this endeavour, because you will be listening to what your parents say so that Allah becomes pleased with your action.

Do not copy the children here. As I mentioned in the beginning, there is no one to explain to the children living in Europe, or non-Ahmadis or non-Muslims; they have no Imam. You are different to these people. You should not imitate these people, but rather, you should make them follow you.

As I also mentioned previously in my Khutbah (Sermon), the question has started being raised now on TV, that what are the boundaries of firmly or politely disciplining children, because if children are treated with a little strictness – in fact, an example is given that, if a child touches something hot, and the mother or father smack him gently to move him away from it, the child starts crying and making a fuss, and because of this, the police and other child protection agencies take such children away and separate them from their parents, and this has made children immoral. They neither respect their parents nor anyone else, and such children disrupt the discipline in their schools.

The uproar has started that boundaries should be set in order for us to say, do not cross such and such boundary; if you exceed it, there will be strictness and child care agencies should not interfere within those boundaries. Islam, however, has already stated these things, according to one’s nature, to respect your parents and elders. Reading and understanding the Qur’an will guide elders and children towards many other good deeds, and you will learn about numerous pious things.

May Allah enable Khuddam and Atfal to realise this that, because of being an Ahmadi, they have a huge responsibility. The Ashaab-e-Kahf (People of the cave) mentions youngsters who preserved Tauheed and made sacrifices to uphold it.

Thus, today, through the Messiah and Mahdi(as), it is the youth who have to play an important role in establishing Tauheed!

And now, it is the task of Ahmadis alone to spread the message Islam and establish Tauheed in the world.

And, as I have said, youngsters have to play full part in this.

May Allah the Almighty enable everyone to do this, Amin.”