Huzoor^(aba) delivered his Friday Sermon at Burkina Faso today. He based it on the subject of worship of God. Reciting verse 22 of Surah Al Baqarah (2:22) Huzoor^(aba) said that the purpose of man’s creation is to worship Allah. Although man has taken other objectives as his idol the way to adopt taqwa (righteousness) is only through worship of the One God and by following the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him). The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) had however warned that a time would come when his people would go astray which is when the Promised Messiah would manifest, who among other things would expound the ways to worship Allah.

Huzoor^(aba) said with the grace of God we are among those who believed in the Messiah, however, we need to be continually self-analysing in that do we simply profess verbally or do we sincerely work towards being servants of the Gracious God.

Huzoor^(aba) read excerpts from the noble writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) elucidating the subject of worship of God. He said worship of God develops into a pure form when man filters all base inclinations from his heart and purifies it in the manner that a farmer prepares land for sowing. Only this level of refining one’s righteousness enables one to ‘see’ God. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) enjoined that it is imperative to recognize that the main purpose of our creation is Divine worship and its paradoxical that man tends to be ever distant from this objective. He explained that worship of Allah does not connote abandoning the world, rather Islam discourages and disallows monasticism, it aims for man to be alert and keen and carry out one’s trade/business etc in the best possible manner, thus winning the pleasure of Allah but never allowing it to hinder worship. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that Salat is prayer and dua is the kernel of worship and the congregational prayer is of utmost significance. He said that one who submits oneself sincerely to Allah is never wasted and the worshipper who passes this virtue in his children is true and sincere.

Huzoor^(aba) related that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) said that after death all deeds come to an end, however three deeds continue to earn reward, these are having arranged sadqa jaria, (posthumous alms-giving) knowledge that one leaves behind from which people can benefit and a male offspring who continues to pray for one. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that good moral and spiritual training of one’s children was better than alms giving.

Huzoor^(aba) stressed the importance of sending children to school and urged that financial difficulties should not be allowed to come in the way of a child’s education. He asked that the Community should be duly informed and help should be sought to ensure that no child misses out on education. Huzoor^(aba) also drew the attention of the Burkina Faso congregation to the blessing of their Ahmadiyya radio station, which is serving tremendously in spreading the message of Islam, and advised that each Ahmadi should ensure that their actions match the beautiful teaching of Islam that is transmitted on the radio. Huzoor^(aba) advised that in line with the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) we should share whatever we like for ourselves with our brothers, and as we have made the most excellent choice of Islam we should endeavour to bring our brothers, fellow human beings in its fold as well, and we should do so with prayer.

In conclusion Huzoor^(aba) prayed that may those who had travelled from afar to attend the congregation return safely to their homes and may on their return they present a righteousness example to the world as they call to the message of Allah.