• Huzur recited verse 186 of Surah Al Baqarah and gave a discourse on its opening part in his Friday Sermon.  The translation of the verse reads:

‘The month of Ramadan is that in which the Qur’an was sent down as a guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and discrimination. Therefore, whosoever of you is present at home in this month, let him fast therein. But whoso is sick or is on a journey, shall fast the same number of other days. Allah desires to give you facility and He desires not hardship for you, and that you may complete the number, and that you may exalt Allah for His having guided you and that you may be grateful.’ (2:186)

• The month of Ramadan is associated with the Holy Qur’an and God states in the verse above that the significance of fasting during Ramadan is by virtue of the fact that the revelation of the great Book, with the perfect Shariah, commenced during this month. The verse indicates that simply fasting and worshipping during Ramadan is not sufficient, attention should also be given to reading the Qur’an. 
• During the last Ramadan of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) Gabriel (peace be on him) repeated the Qur’an twice with him. In following this Sunnah (practice) we should try and finish two readings of the Qur’an during Ramadan. If reciting it twice is not possible then it should be done at least once. The rest can be listened to during dars and at Taraweh. People who go out to work can listen to audio recordings of the Qur’an while on the go, in their cars etc.  Effort should be made to read and listen to as much of Qur’an as possible.
• Apart from reciting the Qur’an, one should seek the commandments it details and later, during the rest of the year, these directives should be put in practice, with effort to attain ever higher standards of these commandments. Then alone would one truly appreciate the significance of Ramadan.
• Simply listening to discourses on abiding by taqwa and doing of good works in a customary fashion with no real comprehension is one dimensional. It does not furnish one with the essence of the matter. God states true believers are those who: ‘They to whom We have given the Book follow it as it ought to be followed…’(2:122)
• The Qur’an should be read while reflecting on its words, with regularity and with effort to put its directives in practice rather than casually, as if in the manner of a discarded thing.
• Verse 2:186 states that the Qur’an has been sent as ‘a guidance’ for people. Until it is read with deliberation, guidance cannot be attained and the difference between right and wrong cannot be ascertained. In order to honour the dues of fasting in the real sense, each believer should recite the Qur’an in such a manner.
• True submission to God entails that one pledges to honour the dues of the recitation of the perfect Shariah during Ramadan with regularity, pledges to continue this practice after Ramadan and also tries one’s best to put its teachings in practice. This alone will grant us nearness to God and will be a source of acceptance of our fasting. 
• The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that one who honours the Holy Qur’an will be honoured in the heavens. He also said that salvation is not something which will be given after death. Rather, true salvation shows its light in this very life.
• Huzur said it is our good fortune that having joined the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be pace) we have pledged to comprehend the station of the perfect Shariah and have had insight into the station of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) as the Khatamun Nabiyyeen (Seal of all the Prophets) while others are deprived of it. This honour distinguishes us from others and draws our attention to truly understand the teaching of the Qur’an and to inculcate its true honour in our hearts and make our each word and deed a representation of this. If this is not so, it will be case of treating it like a ‘discarded thing’.
• The verse of Surah Al Furqan, ‘And the Messenger will say, ‘O my Lord, my people indeed treated this Qur’an as a discarded thing.’(25: 31) is serious food for thought for each Ahmadi. May God enable us to establish the kingdom of the Qur’an on the earth and try and live our lives in accordance with it. Putting it’s teachings in practice alone will save us from treating this great Book as a ‘discarded thing’.
• The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that the Qur’an is a source of true salvation. From among those who do not abide by it are those who do not believe in it. However, it is most unfortunate when those who believe in it also do not abide by it. There are some who have never read it. Their example is like that of a person who knows of a water spring that is delicious, pure and healing. He has full knowledge of this water spring, yet he does not go to the spring and remains thirsty. This is extreme ignorance. Muslims should value this magnificent water spring as a grace of God and then practice what it teaches. They will then see how God will alleviate their problems.
• Huzur said our responsibility to implement the teachings of the Qur’an is increased in light of the point the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has raised about the condition of the Muslims. We should adhere to it’s teachings to such an extent that the impudence non-Muslims express towards Islam due to the actions of a few Muslims is stopped. The practice of Ahmadis should impel them to change their opinions. Indeed, many Ahmadis make presentations etc. at seminars and these result in the non-Muslims remarking that they had not heard those aspects about Islam before.
• Huzur said when we make these commandments a part of our daily life then they will not be just rhetorical or academic, rather a practical example will be demonstrated. Huzur said we should say to the Muslim world that if they wish to differ from us, they may do so, but they should not disgrace Islam in the name of Islam. That they should reflect on the teachings of the Qur’an. The illustration of the condition of the Muslims that the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) painted continues today. In fact, in certain ways, their condition is worse. Unless and until they make the Qur’an their modus operandi they will not be rid of their problems. One does not learn Islam by simply vocalising its name, rather its beauty speaks in its teachings. No scholar can elucidate the words of the Qur’an unless God teaches him the ways and means. In this age God taught these ways and means to the person who they called liar and dajjal (anti-Christ). My God have mercy on them and may He enable us to practice its teachings more than ever.
• God Himself guides on how to maintain the honour of the Qur’an and how to give it precedence. The Qur’an states, ‘And when thou recitest the Qur’an, seek refuge with Allah from Satan the rejected.’ (16:99). Huzur said Satan has challenged to deviate man from righteousness whereas every word of the Qur’an leads to guidance. This is why God enjoins that if one wishes to attain high level of nearness to Him, then before reading His teaching one should pray most sincerely to be protected from the attacks of Satan and to be given the ability to practice its teachings. Satan will make many impediments and if an effort is not made to safeguard from him, he will stop us from understanding the Qur’an as we would be in his control. This is why one needs to read the Qur’an after coming into the refuge of God otherwise, the Qur’an cannot be comprehended correctly.
• In Surah Al Muzzammil it is stated, ‘…And Allah determines the measure of the night and the day. He knows that you cannot keep its measure, so He has turned to you in mercy. Recite, then, as much of the Qur’an as is easy for you. He knows that there will be some among you who may be sick and others who may travel in the land seeking Allah’s bounty, and others who may fight in the cause of Allah. So recite of it that which is easy for you, and observe Prayer…’ (73:21). Huzur said the starting part of the verse enjoins Tahajjud Prayer. God states here, read whatever you know. However, ‘Recite, then, as much of the Qur’an as is easy for you’ does not entail that whatever one knows of the Qur’an is sufficient, rather effort should be made to learn as much as possible. It is most important to read, understand and reflect on the Qur’an. God revealed to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) ‘…all good is in the Quran.’ (Tadhkirah, 2007 edition, p. 444).
• Surah Muzzammil also states, ‘Or make it a little more than that — and recite the Qur’an slowly and thoughtfully.’ (73:5). Huzur said recitation of the Qur’an should be such that each word is clear and understandable. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that melodious recitation of the Qur’an is also worship.  Hadith relate that one who does not recite the Qur’an melodiously is not from among us.
• It is stated in Surah Al Baqarah, ‘…and remember the favour of Allah upon you and the Book and the Wisdom which He has sent down to you, whereby He exhorts you…’ (2:232). Huzur said unless the Qur’an is read properly no one will have an insight into the ‘favour’ that is being referred to in the verse above. Reading the Qur’an in itself is a blessing for a believer.
• It is stated in Surah Sad, ‘This is a Book which We have revealed to thee, full of blessings, that they may reflect over its verses, and that those gifted with understanding may take heed.’ (38:30). Huzur said those who believe in it and read it are thus gifted with understanding because the Qur’an contains the matters of the previous Prophets that God wanted to preserve as well as matters of the time it was revealed and of the time to come. It is the task of people of understanding to announce to the world to reflect on the Book and to take heed of its commandments. Huzur said they can thus announce if they themselves practice the teachings.
• It is stated in Surah Al A’raf, ‘And when the Qur’an is recited, give ear to it and keep silence, that you may be shown mercy.’ (7:205). Huzur said each Ahmadi should inculcate such respect for the Qur’an as well as pass it on to the children. Huzur said some people are a little careless when the Qur’an is being recited on the TV they continue to talk. Either they should stop talking or if it is that important to carry on, they should switch off the volume of the TV.
• Surah Hud states, ‘So stand thou upright, as thou hast been commanded, and also those who have turned to God with thee; and exceed ye not the bounds, O believers; for surely, He sees what you do.’ (11:113). Huzur said this commandment is not just for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). All the commandments of the Qur’an are for the believers, here in particular the believers and those who repent are included. Reliance on the mere exercise of worship should not be enough, rather its essence should be attained and that is to seek God’s pleasure. Huzur said Surah Hud had ‘aged’ the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), therein is admonish for us, otherwise, the Prophet was the perfect guide whose advent was for the entire world, whose life was a practical example and interpretation of the Qur’an. Huzur said today this is a lesson for us not to limit this to chit chat, rather to understand it all and then practice it, which is what is the commandment is.
• Surah Al An’am states, ‘And this is a Book which We have sent down; it is full of blessings. So follow it, and guard against sin that you may be shown mercy;’ (6:156)
• Another verse of Surah Al An’am states, ‘And when those who believe in Our Signs come to thee, say: ‘Peace be unto you! Your Lord has taken it upon Himself to show mercy, so that whoso among you does evil ignorantly, and repents thereafter and amends, then He is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’(6:55). Huzur said this beautiful teaching enhances peace in society. At times there is discord in families. We claim to be Ahmadi Muslims who try to put the teachings of the Qur’an in practice. The Qur’an enjoins to send peace on each other, whereas we see discord at times among brothers. We need to reflect on this.
• The Qur’an is a great Book that encompasses everything. It is most essential for spiritual development and to seek nearness of God to recite it while reflecting over its meanings and indeed to practice its directives.
• Huzur said it has not been possible to mention everything today so he shall carry on with the subject next time.
• The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that Qur’an should be reflected on, for it contains everything. He said it has the remedy for every illness and has the antidote for the badness that is apparent.
• Huzur prayed that may God enable us to seek His pleasure through the Holy Qur’an and may we also be able to draw the attention of our children to it’s beauty and inspire it’s love in them.