Huzoor^(aba) recited verse 8 of Surah Al Ibrahim (14:8) and continued to elucidate the subject of gratefulness.

Huzoor^(aba) related that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) told us that in the eyes of Allah when mankind remembers Him it is being grateful and when it forgets Him it is in a state of ingratitude. At the fall of Mecca a triumphant Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) entered Mecca mounted on a camel, head bowed in humility to Allah reciting verses of Surah Al Fath (Chapter 48). Huzoor^(aba) recounted that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that a gift is like a provision from Allah and that one should try and give a better gift in exchange and if that is not possible then one should verbally praise the gift. Relating another hadith Huzoor^(aba) explained that Allah the Exalted considers kindness extended towards the sick and the hungry as if it is goodwill towards His Own Self.

Commenting on the present day unstable financial state of affairs Huzoor^(aba) said that due to the ever decreasing value of currency often people end up paying more than they had initially borrowed. Whereas the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) had imparted a solution to this hundreds of years ago in that his practice was to always pay back a little more than he had borrowed. Huzoor^(aba) said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing be on him) would greet others with Assalamoalaikum warahamatullahe and would leave it for the respondent of the greeting to add on wa barakatahu in response. Huzoor^(aba) said if someone presented a gift to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) out of what had been given to them as sadqa (alms) he would accept it.

With reference to the writings of Imam Razi (may Allah have mercy on him) Huzoor^(aba) said that remembrance of Allah is an acknowledgment of Divine beneficence and that it’s practice enhances one’s spiritual and physical blessings and further fortifies the love of Allah. Quoting Khalifatul Masih 1st (may Allah be pleased with him) Huzoor^(aba) stressed the importance of glorification of Allah (Hamd) and remarked upon the correlation between the practice of Hamd and Allah’s beneficence.

Explaining the subject further Huzoor^(aba) read excerpts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and said that it is Allah’s promise to increase and augment His favours on those who are grateful and those who in turn are kind and do favours to fellow human beings. Huzoor^(aba) recounted many incidents relating to the immense graciousness the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) showed in his dealings with his companions.

Next Huzoor^(aba) gave an update on the ‘Maryum Shadi Fund’ and said that extraordinarily generous donations continue to pour in. Huzoor^(aba) expressed his gratitude to Allah the Exalted for facilitating the materialization of this scheme.