Huzoor^(aba) based today's Friday Sermon on the subject of gratitude. Speaking with reference to the conclusion of the Jalsa Salana UK last Sunday, Huzoor^(aba) remarked on the feedback he has had on the wide-ranging spiritual effect it has had on people who attended it and enjoined that to reap further spiritual rewards we need to have a great sense of gratitude towards Allah for enabling us to experience the blessings of the three days. Huzoor^(aba) said if believers associate all success to Allah and are grateful for it then His beneficence increases manifold. Huzoor^(aba) said the benefits of the Jalsa would be continual only if we have a sense of gratitude for them.

Huzoor^(aba) said all the volunteers for the Jalsa should be grateful towards the guests for being appreciative and cooperative and all the guests should be grateful to the volunteers who served them and tried to make the three days as stress-free for them as possible. They should pray for all the volunteers as a sense of gratitude. Huzoor^(aba) particularly mentioned those mothers who had left their small children in the zeal to work for the Jalsa. Huzoor^(aba) said this ambience of gratitude and prayerfulness for each other is indeed heaven on earth.

As customary Huzoor^(aba) elucidated the subject further by relating Ahadith. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) said that one who is not grateful for small matters is not grateful for big matters. Indeed when asked about his extended Qiyam (standing posture of Salat) during late night worship despite being assured by Allah of salvation, he remarked "should I not be a grateful servant God Who has favoured me so?" Huzoor^(aba) said particularly in light of this hadith we should all try and be extremely thankful, specially in the current chaotic world climate He has blessed us with the fraternal ties of the Community.

Huzoor^(aba) expressed his personal thanks to all those who listened to the Jalsa proceedings, those who looked after guests in their homes, the workers/volunteers who served everyone selflessly, particularly the young girls and boys who were on 'water duty' and did a commendable job of providing drinking water to the Jalsa guests in the hot weather. Huzoor^(aba) said in the words of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) the best expression of gratitude is Jazakallaho Khaira.

Huzoor^(aba) re-iterated the counsel he had given in his speech of third day at Jalsa of encouraging maximum members of the Community towards subscribing to the system of Wasiyyat within the Jama'at. He said the response has been good so far, however Huzoor^(aba) impressed upon the well-off members of the Community who most eagerly contribute to other monetary schemes of the Community but have so far not joined this blessed scheme. Huzoor^(aba) read excerpts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) expounding the virtues of spending in the way of Allah. Huzoor^(aba) said along with expressing gratitude for the blessings of the Jalsa we should practically demonstrate our thankfulness by progressing in taqwa (righteousness) and by being a source of advancement for the Community by joining this scheme. Huzoor^(aba) said he believed there is a connection between the system of Khilafat and the system of Wasiyyat. In its 100th year the scheme of Wasiyyat should be dynamic enough to raise the standards of taqwa of the Community.

Huzoor^(aba) concluded on the prayer that may Allah enable us to be thankful for each and every blessing.