Huzoor^(aba) delivered today’s Friday Sermon on the subject of contentment and sobriety. Huzoor^(aba) recited verse 15 of Surah Al-Imran (3:15) the translation reads:

“Beautified for men is the love of desired things – women and children and stored up heaps of gold and silver, and pastured horses and cattle and crop. That is the provision of the present life; but it is with Allah that is an excellent home.”

Huzoor^(aba) said worldly people desire to marry into wealth in order to further their material acquisitions and even today the so-called educated, progressive people wish for male offspring with the idea that sons would help promote their acquisitive ventures. Thus a spiral of greed and self-indulgence is created. As the above verse indicates, all these are temporary measures of this world and are contrary to the dignity of a believer whose objective should be the worship of God and service of creation. Unfortunately Muslims today have befallen into the materialistic web. Huzoor^(aba) said in this negative climate the responsibility on Ahmadis across the board is ever greater to adopt ways of contentment and simplicity so that we are enabled to be inclined towards Allah rather than consume ourselves in worldly affairs. Indeed Allah’s blessings are there to be enjoyed and benefited from, however it is the element of covetousness that tarnishes.

In expounding the concept of contentment and sobriety Huzoor^(aba) related numerous Ahadith. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) enjoined that if one is righteous one attains Divine nearness and if one is content one acquires the highest level of thankfulness. Huzoor^(aba) said these days unemployment is very high and it can be difficult to find the employment of one’s choice. However, if one is content at whatever job one finds, and accepts it gratefully Allah does improve the situation.

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) said that moderation in expenditure is half economy and one who is obedient during difficult times and remains content has found refuge. He admonished that if a man owns even a valley full of gold, he will wish for still another valley. Huzoor^(aba) counselled against getting entrapped in the wish to acquire wealth to a degree where people invest capital etc with erratic individuals and end up losing everything. Huzoor^(aba) said the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) taught to be always aware of those lesser fortunate than oneself rather than covet the wealth of those who are better off then us.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote that the less a person is occupied with [worldly] struggle the more satisfied and fulfilled he would be.

Huzoor^(aba) related a few Ahadith illustrating the remarkable frugality of the blessed life of our Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him); there would be days when even some discarded date would not be available for him to eat, after prophet-hood the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) did not eat bread made with milled wheat flour, rather his bread would be made of coarse barley. In his supreme sense of contentment the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) referred to vinegar as a ‘fine’ broth and once for the duration of two months food was not cooked in his house and they survived by eating dates, drinking water and at times his neighbours would send some milk to drink.

With reference to the stark simplicity with which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) had his daughter married Huzoor^(aba) commented on the self-indulgent limits people go to organise weddings nowadays and how it leads to those with lesser resources emulate, putting themselves through financial burden. Khalifatul Masih IV rahma’ullah initiated ‘Maryum Shadi Fund’ to assist less advantaged families with their daughters’ weddings. Huzoor^(aba) said that at times there are undue demands made from parents of young girls from the Fund, Huzoor^(aba) said parents should practice contentment and inculcate a sense of gratitude.

Huzoor^(aba) related a few traditions from the life of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) expounding his frugality and contentment.

Addressing the life devotees of the Jama’at as well as the older Waqf e Nau children Huzoor^(aba) read an excerpt of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), which stated that the Community needs those individuals who dedicate themselves verbally, as well as in practical terms, those who are totally committed and are given to contentment.

Huzoor^(aba) prayed that may Allah enable us all to abide by these principles.