Huzur gave a discourse on the Divine attribute of Al Matin (The Strong). Huzur said the word Matin has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an three times, in Surah Al A’raf, Surah Al Dhariyat and Surah Al Qalam. In each instance the word describes the Divine quality and it cites the wretched ending of those who reject the Truth. Explaining the meanings of the word Matin, Huzur said it is used in general terms as well as for God, connoting similar meanings although for God its scope is expansive. A person with a strong back is called matin, also the muscles surrounding the backbone are also referred to as matin.  The word also means something solid, again, a physically robust person with a strong back. For God the word signifies a Being Who has power and is Strong, it signifies a Being that is so Strong, fatigue or tiredness, is unknown to Him.

By virtue of His attribute Al Matin, God seizes those who transgress against His beloved Prophets.  God’s Prophets do not have any knowledge of how He would seize their opponents other than if He so wills, He informs them of the specific way just as God informed the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) during the Battle of Badr of the specific spots where some of the chiefs of the enemy would fall.

‘And those who reject Our Signs, We will draw them to destruction step by step in a manner which they do not know. And I give them the rein; surely, My plan is mighty’. (Surah Al Ar’af – 7:183-184)

‘So leave Me alone with those who reject this word of Ours. We shall draw then near to destruction step by step from whence they know not. And I give them respite; for My plan is strong’. (Surah Al Qalam, 68:45-46)

Huzur said the Meccans who rejected God’s signs and who relentlessly persecuted the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and his Companions did not know they had severe chastisement awaiting them. Its first manifestation was during the Battle of Badr. The aforementioned verses were both revealed in Mecca. It is said that Surah Al Qalam was the fourth or the fifth Surah to be revealed. The desperate condition of the Muslims at that time was extremely agonising. At that stage God consoled the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) that He is Matin, His chastisement is unyielding and the enemy would not escape it. History does not another example of the way arrogance of the Meccans was smashed during the Battle of Badr.  The aforementioned verses explain that those who reject God’s signs will be seized in a way that will take them by utter surprise. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was thus assured not to be concerned by their rejection. God told him that he should not consider that they will be successful or that they will succeed in driving the believers away, their matter was to be left with God Who is the Master of all powers, His chastisement would be so forceful that it would serve as a deterrent. The respite given to them at time was in case they reformed themselves, not because God forbid, God was exhibiting weakness. Everything is in God’s powers and that is why He has no haste. He would destroy them when He so wished. If they did not desist He would reduce them to dust. This was the consolation given to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be on him) when he was being persecuted in Mecca and the enemy was in power.  The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was God’s most beloved. God’s attribute of Matin came into force during the Battle of Badr as a great manifestation of His chastisement for those who persecuted and mistreated His beloved. Two arch enemies, Atba and Abu Jahl, who considered themselves to be very powerful, met their wretched end in this battle. Abu Jahl had exceeded all others in his conceit and was a Pharaoh-like figure. He was killed in battle by two Ansari youths. His last words were to the effect that if only he had not been killed by the hands of farmers. Huzur explained that the inhabitants of Medina were farming people and the Meccans looked down upon them for this and referred to them as farmers and here he was killed by the hands of farming youths!

Twenty four Meccan chiefs were killed during the Battle of Badr. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) instructed for their communal burial. During the burial, he came to the spot, stood by and asked out loud if they had found fulfilment of the promise that God had made to them through him; he had certainly received fulfilment of the promise God made to him. Upon this Hadhrat Umer (may Allah be pleased with him) asked why was the Prophet addressing the dead men. The Prophet replied that they dead men could indeed hear him from where they were.

Huzur said the manifestation of God’s chastisement continued till the victory of Mecca. The King of Persia tried to attack the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and God seized him through his son. Divine retribution did not end here. A short while after the passing away of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) the kingdom of Persia came into the hands of the Muslims.  It is a sign of God’s power and strength that at the appointed time, He makes the weak overcome the strong.

God does provide the enemies of Truth opportunities to reform. During the migration of the Holy Prophet from Mecca to Medina, there were three such occasions where, had the enemy stopped to think about the Power that was helping the Prophet and could have realised that the very same Power could also chastise them. Firstly, when in spite of their guard the Prophet left his house. Secondly, when he hid in the cave with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) and the pursuers came as close as the mouth of the cave but seeing the spider’s web there did not do anything. Thirdly, during the migration journey, despite the enemy’s efforts the Prophet reached Medina safely. In addition, there were many other instances that Huzur mentioned previously.

‘And let not the disbelievers think that Our granting them respite is good for them; the result of Our granting them a respite will only be that they will increase in sin; and they shall have an humiliating punishment.’ (Surah Al e Imran 3:179)

Huzur explained that while God gives respite so that the pious natured people may be identified, it also increases some in their evil ways. It is then that the chastisement of the Most Powerful and Strong God comes and crushes the evil-doers to smithereens. God gives the example of Pharaoh and how he was given respite but then he came under Divine chastisement. Similarly, the enemies of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) were warned by God that He would seize them, and seized them He did. The era of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was intense; it was a time of battles for the enemy continued to impose wars. God’s chastisement also came in accordance. They were humiliated by the very same design with which they persecuted Muslims.

God’s attribute of Matin is in operation today as well. Today too He exhibits signs of ‘And I give them respite; for My plan is strong’. However, the era of the Promised Messiah is not an era of the sword. God has appointed different ways and means of His chastisement for different eras. Today, those who make dreadful allegations on the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) will be chastised in a way that is beyond our imagination. God certainly seized many in the era of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to establish this. However, our task is to use the weapon of prayer. We observed that it was through this very weapon that Lekh Ram, Abdullah Atham and Dowie met their wretched ends. Today, those who deride the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and who use abusive language against him are not outside God’s chastisement regardless of their religious persuasion or no religious leaning.

The Holy Qur’an mentions incidents of other Prophets of God and how their people hurt them and God rebound their own methods on them. Human thought cannot reach the ways and means through which God arranges chastisement of the enemies of His beloveds. God revealed to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), ‘They plan and Allah plans and Allah is the Best of planners. Then He will attack

the planners.’ (Tadhkirah p. 326). Huzur explained God will attack them to obliterate them.

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was the most beloved of God and he had the greatest numbers of his prophecies fulfilled during his lifetime. God told him; ‘So pray to thy Lord, and offer sacrifice, ‘(Surah Al Kauthat, 108:3). This commandment also applies to his followers. Indeed high level of sacrifice absorbs God’s blessings and there is great need to make sacrifice in the current age. The Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) was granted the capacity to make sacrifices of supremely excellent levels that surpass human thinking, but such is the outstanding blessed model that he set for us. The sons and heirs of the very same people, who raised opposition that the Prophet did not have any male offspring to carry on his family line, became devotees of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Rather than be associated with their tribal chiefs fathers these young men preferred to be associated with the Prophet. Ikrama, was the son of Abu Jahl, Waleed was one of the biggest enemies of the Prophet but his son, Khalid bin Waleed made heroic feats for Islam. The father of Umer bin Aas, another gallant general of Islam, was also a sworn enemy. God is Most Powerful and the Best of Planner; He put the offspring of the fiercest enemies of Islam in the embrace of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was given a revelation of ‘Surely, it is thy enemy who is without issue.’ (108:4) and the world witnessed how God annihilated his enemies and we continue to witness the same. Is all this not a fulfilment of this? Most certainly, it is. Ahmadis should reflect on this and should engage in more prayers for fulfilment of God’s promises.  

Huzur read a lengthy extract from the august writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) highlighting how God helps His chosen people through adversity and hard times and how His promises are fulfilled at the appointed time in their favour.

Huzur prayed that may God continue to show us manifestations of Ahmadiyyat, that is, the true Islam, with prayers, sacrifices and strength of faith. Huzur said he wished to ask for special prayers for the stability of Pakistan. He prayed that may God save the country for the sake of Ahmadiyyat for we had played a great role in its creation. Those who are creating disorder in the country did not ever take part in its creation, they were not even in favour of its creation but now, they have developed compassion for the homeland and in the name of Islam and honour of the country they are in pursuit to break it apart. May God soon bring about the chastisement of these enemies of the country and may He save our country. Ameen.