Note: The Alislam Team assumes full responsibility for any errors or inaccuracies in this translation of the Friday Sermon.
March 30, 1923
Topics: Steadfastness, Quran 41:31-33, Apostasy Crisis Root Causes, Religious Education of Converts, Protecting Future Generations, Companions' Steadfastness, Muslim Decline Through Neglect
After recitation of Tashahhud, Ta'awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, as well as Quran 41:31-33:
"Indeed, those who have said, 'Our Lord is Allah,' and then remained steadfast—the angels will descend upon them, [saying], 'Do not fear and do not grieve and receive good tidings of Paradise, which you were promised. We [angels] have been your allies in worldly life and [are so] in the Hereafter. And therein you will have [all] that your souls desire, and therein you will have [all] for which you ask. [It is] a provision from one [who is] Forgiving and Merciful.'"
Huzoor-e-Anwar addressed the community:
These verses, which I have recited, draw Muslims' attention to an extremely important matter. Given the current situation, this matter is so vital and necessary that despite my health not permitting me to deliver an extended sermon on such an important subject, I felt it would be contrary to wisdom to postpone this critical matter further. The benefit of a message comes only when it is delivered at the appropriate time. Once the time passes, the benefit is lost.
There is a story: when a child of the First Caliph passed away, the mother's eyes were filled with tears, and Islam places no restriction on such weeping. However, at that moment, a woman came and wept so intensely that everyone was amazed. Her relatives did not weep with such intensity—why would she weep? When asked the reason, she replied: "I just saw a person who resembles my brother. My brother has passed away. Seeing him reminded me of my brother, and I wept."
This person had seen that man before, but she had not wept then. The reason she wept now was that her heart was soft at that moment due to the impact of the child's death. At other times, this would not have occurred. Similarly, at this moment, the apostasy crisis is spreading throughout India. These verses were revealed specifically to address such trials and crises. This crisis is a result of Muslims' negligence. Therefore, the Jama'at should always keep this matter in mind and never forget it.
This verse describes the responsibility of believing servants. Those who say: "Our Lord is Allah"—they acknowledge that Allah alone is the one they recognize as God. Allah is the One Being. "Allah" is the name of the Essence. Allah is the Lord, and in His own being, He is Perfect. We do not acknowledge anyone besides Him. Complete monotheism is found nowhere except in Islam.
These are the people who say they believe in Islam and who not only believe but also remain steadfast. Steadfastness means they discharge the responsibilities that become incumbent upon them through claiming to believe in Allah the Almighty. When these two qualities are present in them, the angels of Allah descend upon them and say: "Do not fear and do not grieve."
Fear and grief are often paired—fear refers to past errors, while grief refers to future apprehension. So they are told: "Do not fear past mistakes, and do not lose courage by being afraid of the future." And then they are not merely told that no harm will befall them; rather, they are told: "Rejoice! You will have the comfort that was promised to you."
What is stated in this verse is not that merely saying the words brings steadfastness. Rather, steadfastness is manifested in deeds and actions. Steadfastness is not about past events but about demonstrating firmness against future difficulties and hardships. Steadfastness refers to those responsibilities that become incumbent upon someone with the claim of believing in Allah.
In other words, it means that Muslims or Ahmadis must fulfill the duties that Allah the Almighty has imposed upon them. As long as Muslims or Ahmadis—and these are the same, for this is the true Jama'at of Islam—understand that merely reciting words is insufficient, that the Kalimah means "I have undertaken the burden that becomes incumbent upon me through reciting this Kalimah or taking Bai'at," they will not be in accordance with steadfastness.
The act of reciting the Kalimah Shahada and taking Bai'at is like a declaration: "I have undertaken the responsibilities that become incumbent upon me through the Kalimah and Bai'at." When someone undertakes these responsibilities, then angels descend upon them. Yet there are millions of Muslims who recite "Our Lord is Allah" and continue to do so, yet the angels do not descend upon them. They receive no good tidings. They do not experience Allah's kind treatment.
It is inconceivable that a person would be a courtier of a king, yet the king would not treat them with kindness. It is true that there are ranks and stations. A close confidant speaks with the king, but a person who is not so close—though the king may not speak with them—still remains in the king's sight and receives from the king's kindness. Thus, although Allah's beloved servants hold the status of courtiers, they should certainly be protected from fear and grief.
However, we see that Muslims do not have this condition. Today, Muslims suffer so much pain and hardship, while others do not. They lack wealth. Morally, their condition is so poor that it brings shame. Then what evidence could suggest they are free from fear and grief? For angels to descend and give good tidings is an exalted position. Muslims do not even have a lesser position—they do not even have what disbelievers have. Disbelievers are secure, but Muslims are not. Why is this the case? Because they do not truly say "Our Lord is Allah," nor do they possess steadfastness. They have forgotten the responsibilities that were incumbent upon them. The consequence is decline and degeneration.
This apostasy crisis will spread to other communities as well. In many places, there is a hidden movement to make Muslims apostatize. There was a time when Muslims could not be influenced by temptation and fear, and they possessed the truth. No argument could overcome their position. They would draw others to truth through sheer force of truth. But today, every matter shakes the hearts of those calling themselves Muslim.
This means they have lost steadfastness. Temptation and fear have taken their toll. During the time of the Companions, they would say "Our Lord is Allah" and demonstrate steadfastness. Their condition was such that nothing could move them from their position. A Companion was captured by disbelievers, and it was decided to execute him. All preparations were made. At that moment, he was asked: "Would you prefer to be freed, and in your place Muhammad (the Messenger of Allah) be captured and executed, while you sit comfortably at home in peace?"
The Companion replied: "What you propose is something enormous. I would not even want a thorn to prick the foot of Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah." Here was a person ready to be executed, yet he would not accept comfort at the price of even minor discomfort to the Prophet (saw).
This was steadfastness. And the arguments they possessed were such that Constantinople had not yet been conquered. A Christian king wrote to a Muslim king: "Send us a scholar. We wish to investigate religion." The priests gathered in Constantinople, thinking they would embarrass the Muslim scholar upon his arrival. When the court was held, the priest said: "Your Prophet's wife Aisha has been accused of immorality, and those making the accusation are from your own people. This objection is therefore strong."
At that moment, Allah the Almighty inspired the Muslim scholar's heart, and he replied: "This is a simple matter. There are two cases that can be easily resolved. Two women have been accused of immorality. One woman has a husband, and despite the accusation of immorality, she has no offspring. Another woman has not married, is accused of immorality, and yet bears a child." The priest was embarrassed and said: "Scholar, you have taken a harsh approach. I was merely presenting something." This incident shows that when the faith was in such danger, early scholars would respond harshly to protect the honor of the Prophet Muhammad (saw).
Those who say the Promised Messiah (as) spoke harshly about Jesus—let them see that earlier scholars also responded harshly when the honor of Muhammad (saw) was attacked. They sought to safeguard the faith from enemies of the deen through stern rebuttals. Allah the Almighty teaches His servants arguments at the appropriate time.
The First Caliph (ra) used to say: "When an enemy attacks the faith, Allah immediately teaches me the response." Whether people believe it or not is another matter, but the enemy cannot withstand his response. Yet we see that apart from Ahmadis, Muslims are being converted even through arguments. This shows that they have abandoned saying "Our Lord is Allah" and maintaining steadfastness. They are ignorant of the faith and lack genuine concern for it. Such a people cannot deserve to absorb Allah's support.
Such peoples are destroyed. If the scholars of Islam had informed these people being converted today and had made them acquainted with Islamic principles, the Aryans would not dare to incorporate them into their fold. These people do not even have acquaintance with the outward form of Islam, let alone true Islam. This proves that Muslims did not demonstrate steadfastness. They did not understand the responsibility that became incumbent upon them through becoming Muslim. They showed steadfastness for five hundred years, then sat idle.
This is a time for our Jama'at to reflect. We too have said "Our Lord is Allah." Our duty is to demonstrate steadfastness. The condition of Muslims today is saying through their very state: "Beware, be cautious." We must learn lessons from the past peoples and become vigilant.
I say that we should concern ourselves not only with saving those who are apostatizing but also with saving those near them and protecting our descendants. We must ensure that our future generations remain acquainted with Islam, and that they in turn make their generations acquainted with Islam, and that this chain continues until the Day of Judgment.
If we do not take care of this, then, God forbid, we may face the same danger in the future that the Rajputs face today. The Aryans say that because these people have Hindu customs, they were Hindus from the beginning. But which Muslim community in India has no Hindu customs? Are there no Hindu customs among the Sayyids? Are there none among the Mughals? Are these also Hindus?
The fact is that when there is no acquaintance with one's religion, it is no wonder to be influenced by neighboring communities. If Sayyids have such customs and are not Hindu, and if Mughals and Quraysh have these Hindu customs and are not Hindu, then how can Muslim Rajputs, who have some Hindu customs, be proven to be Hindu?
The reality is that these people were Muslim and became Muslim from their hearts. However, their scholars did not educate them properly. They were left as they were. Due to lack of education, Hindu customs came through the influence of neighbors and became firmly rooted. Therefore, the education of new converts is essential. As long as even a single individual remains ignorant of Islam, Muslims have the duty to inform them. Under the principle of steadfastness, Muslims have the duty to strengthen their weaker brothers.
Otherwise, disbelievers will consume them. The Jama'at cannot be protected unless, as a collective body, it becomes firmly established upon Islam and acquainted with its principles. If individuals are in danger, the Jama'at is automatically in danger. If one room of a house catches fire, the entire house is in danger. Thus, if even one disbeliever remains, they will grow and spread disbelief.
The believer has a time [for action]. If the work is not done at the right time, there is danger. There is no guarantee of life, so whatever can be accomplished should be considered a blessing. Our duty is to protect our descendants and bequeath to them the instruction that they should not let their descendants become ignorant of the faith.
If this is not done, then any people that abandons steadfastness faces this very danger. We must protect future generations and those who are part of us. If there exists a single person in the world who does not proclaim "There is no god but Allah," then we have no time to sit in peace.
There was a time when Christians were very few. But today they are spread across the world. If we demonstrate steadfastness and fulfill our duty, we can hear the voice of Allah's angels. Otherwise, we cannot.
When we fulfill our duty, the angels of Allah will give us good tidings: "We are your friends in this world and will be with you in the Hereafter. You will have goodness in this world and in the Hereafter. In that goodness, you will have whatever your souls desire." There, there will be no need to ask, for these things will exist before asking. Therefore, Allah the Almighty says: "What you desire will be fulfilled. Then new provisions will be made and excellent rewards will be granted."
It is stated: "A provision from One who is Forgiving and Merciful." These will be provisions from Allah the Almighty, who is Forgiving and Merciful. On one hand, the good deeds of the believer will attract grace. On the other hand, under the attribute of forgiveness, whatever deficiency remains, He will complete, and after striving, whatever weakness persists, He will overlook.
Therefore, a person's first duty is to demonstrate steadfastness. If you wish to remain protected from suffering, do not abandon steadfastness. It is necessary that every person, beyond caring for their own self, should also care for their lineage. If the lineage is not cared for, there is no protection from fear and grief.
The way to be free from fear and grief is that every generation educates the next generation in truth and strives to keep it established upon truth. Remember! As long as you fulfill this duty, you will remain protected. When your lineage abandons it, they will be destroyed.
May Allah the Almighty teach us lessons from the destruction of past peoples and may we not take the path of destruction. May Allah the Almighty close the doors of destruction before us and open the doors of His grace and mercy.
Published in Al-Fazl, April 23, 1923
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