Huzoor^(aba) delivered today’s Friday Sermon on the virtue of humility and humbleness. Having recited verse 64 of Surah Al Furqan (25:64) that illustrates one attribute of the servants of the Gracious God as that of humility Huzoor^(aba) further elucidated the merits of this quality through ahadith and various writings.

Huzoor^(aba) expounded that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) was the most excellent embodiment of humility in spite of the lofty spiritual status that Allah the Exalted had bestowed on him. His teachings are replete with adopting humbleness; he enjoined that one should adopt humility to such an extent that none would feel pride over another. Having declared that he was the chief among all mankind he asserted that he had no sense of pride in it, he enjoined that whoever adopts humility for the sake of Allah is elevated by God and that this is done in corresponding degrees to the measure of humility one observes. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that Allah would grant one who chooses to forsake fine clothes only for the sake of humility regardless of being able to afford them the choice to select a ‘garment of Iman (belief)’ of their liking. With reference Huzoor^(aba) commented on the unfortunate custom of spending excessive amounts on clothes by ladies in particular during weddings. He admonished against the sheer squander in this and counselled Ahmadi ladies to refrain from such practices. Huzoor^(aba) recounted that the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings be on him) humbleness was such that he had said that it is not one’s deeds that lead one to Paradise, and most humbly he included his own blessed self in the matter of being granted Paradise only by the grace of Allah’s covering/shielding and not by virtue of his noble deeds.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explained that if one wished to seek God one should look in the heart of the meek and the humble. He enjoined love and kindness towards all. Huzoor^(aba) said in the current era the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gained exemplary humility by means of his utmost sincere devotion and subservience to the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings be on him) and in turn he taught this virtue to his Community.

Huzoor^(aba) said the individual or communal advancement of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) Community lies in humility for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) had received Divine revelation proclaiming: “He has liked your humble ways”

Huzoor^(aba) related several Urdu poetic verses of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) depicting the virtue of humbleness. Below is an English rendering of one couplet:

The love of the beloved God is

Truly realized by one who

Negates oneself with humility!

O you who seek the love of God

Do avail of this antidote as well!

Summarizing an excerpt of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as regards ways and means of adopting humility Huzoor^(aba) said one needs to love in response of hatred, one requires to forgive and cover other’s faults, one needs to ever try and purify oneself and engage in self-analysis, hurt no one with one’s words, respect one and all and inculcate the habit to saying Assalamoalaikum. Huzoor^(aba) said this is no mean feat and cannot be achieved without Allah’s grace.

Huzoor^(aba) prayed that may Allah enable us to act upon this guidance.

In conclusion Huzoor^(aba) reciprocated New Year felicitations to those who had sent him good wishes and also to others. He wished the entire Ahmadiyya Community a happy new year.