Hudhur gave a discourse on the excellence of the Holy Qur’an and belief in the unseen in his Friday Sermon today. Hudhur began by reciting the following verse: ‘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). Hudhur explained that this verse mentions the particular significance the Holy Qur’an has with the month of Ramadan. It is a month to read it with particular attention and deliberation. The revelation of the Qur’an started in this month to the perfect man (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) about whom the Qur’an states: ‘Say, ‘O mankind! truly I am a Messenger to you all from Allah…’ (7:159) and ‘And We have not sent thee but as a bearer of glad tidings and a Warner, for all mankind, but most men know not.’ (34:29).

The Qur’an expounds that the advent of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was for the rest of time. There will be no Prophet after him who will bring a law-bearing Book. He is for all mankind till the Day of Judgement and this is the message the Qur’an gives.

If only the extremist mullah realises that the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and Quranic teaching is to dispense mercy and grace in the world and not to take away the peace of the peaceable and to ruthlessly play with the lives of the innocent.

The Qur’an has guidance for entire mankind with manifest signs, it distinguishes between truth and falsehood. It is thus for a true believer to avail of the blessings of Ramadan, which is a month of spiritual development, to gain Divine nearness, to enhance the level of worship of God. And to keep the teaching of the Qur’an in view and reflect over it while reciting it.

The Qur’an states that ‘…it is a guidance for the righteous,’ (2:3). Hudhur explained the standard of this guidance are varying. There is guidance for the righteous because guidance does not discontinue after belief, rather it is a continual process. If the claim of those who say they are righteous is true, it is essential for them to adhere to the all the finer points of this teaching. Otherwise, as the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said, the fast of those who do not deliberate on the Qur’an is merely going through thirst and hunger. Stress is given on self-purification in this month. Adherence to all this can alone make us worthy of taking this teaching to other and we can tell the rest of the world that the way they have opted for leads to destruction and that it is not a mere claim of the Qur’an that in it is guidance for mankind.

In order to call others to Islam, the practices of Muslims should be first and foremost. Unfortunately, today it is the practice of the Muslims that is giving the detractors of Islam opportunities to raise objection against the Qur’an. An American Church, Dove Outreach Center, has a vicious plan to burn the Qur’an on 11 September. They have raised ten frivolous objections against the Qur’an. Objections can also be raised against the Bible, but we do not wish to create disorder. However, intellectual discussions should be carried out about these matters and this indeed is our practice. Yet, no Muslim has the right to burn the Bible because it negates the Unity of God. Indeed, the Qur’an purports the Unity of God from the beginning till the end, all Prophets of God came to establish it and no religion can have a basis without it.

In the current age, the one who was commissioned by God expounded the teaching of the Qur’an in such a great manner that those who gave man status of god, declared that religious discussions should not be held with Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani (on whom be peace). Modern day Christianity is based on the concept of trinity. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) proved it from the Bible and from the words of Jesus (on whom be peace) that no one can be son of God. The main objection raised by the Dove Outreach Church against the Qur’an is the very same as well as that Islam states that Crucifixion was not a source of salvation rather man’s own good works are. These senseless people do not understand that Jesus (on whom be peace) himself believed this.

When one is defeatist and has no argument left, one has no choice but to turn to extremism. This is what the Dove Outreach Center is doing. Quoting from the Bible, Hudhur said, ‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ (Mark 12:29, 30). He explained that apart from this many other passages of the Bible also refute the divinity of Jesus (on whom be peace). The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) established the superiority of the Qur’an and refuted every argument of Christians and the Ahmadiyya Community continues to do this. The Qur’an teaches that: ‘Surely, right has become distinct from wrong;’ (2:257). However, there is no compulsion in this, whoever wishes to accept it, may and whoever does not, may not. They are now making a concerted effort to burn this teaching, which in itself is against the teaching of the Bible, which enjoins ‘If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also’. Many Churches have condemned this proposed burning and have declared their non-alliance with it. The Ahmadiyya Community is also trying to dissuade the Dove Outreach Church through the media and other means. Hudhur explained that the ‘dove’ is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christianity.

Hudhur said he has asked the US Jama’at to work on this as a project and other Jama’ats should do the same. This attitude of the Dove Church will create disorder in the world. They seem oblivious of the status the Qur’an gives to Jesus (on whom be peace) and Hadhrat Maryam. This action of theirs will raise barriers of hatred. Muslims, who have not accepted the Imam of the age and are unrestrained, or are in the hands of those with ulterior motives, may react badly and incorrectly. Today peace and brotherhood is needed. It is needed to absorb love of God. For this the Christians as well as the Muslims need to correct their religious thoughts. By all means, hold academic discussions but do not injure the sentiments of others.

Muslims should try and search for the guide who came in accordance with the prophecies. The Qur’an was revealed in the month of Ramadan and is a source of guidance. Muslims should inculcate those standards of guidance which the Qur’an has stated and try to find the person who came to give guidance with sincerity of heart. God has taught us the prayer of: ‘guide us in the right path’ (1:6). If supplication is made to God with this in view, He would certainly help Muslims for He even guides the non-Muslims with this prayer. If only our Muslim brothers would pay heed to this compassionate message of ours.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) remarked on the sad aspect of those who considered the Qur’an to be Word of God but did not put its teaching in practice. He likened them to those who in spite of being thirsty do not go to a water spring which is sweet and pure and has healing properties. He said Muslims know that the Qur’an is the key to all success, yet they do not put its teaching in practice.

Hudhur said today let alone reflecting on the Qur’an, the majority of Muslims do not even pay attention to reading it and follow the so-called religious leaders who incite them that while the Qur’an states that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is Khatamum Nabiyyeen (the Seal of all the Prophets) Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiani has claimed to be a Prophet. If only they would ask what was his claim. As they do not have any reasoning to support what they say, they have enforced restrictions on the Jama’at especially in Pakistan. People are told that it is an act of unbelief to talk to Ahmadis and to greet us. Similar extremism is being displayed by Christians. In fact they have been led to this because of the way Muslims act. Muslims do not seem to have enough confidence that if the creed of Ahmadis is incorrect they should refute it. Do they consider their belief to be so weak that if they speak to Ahmadis their belief will be ruined?

Similarly, it is the obligation of Ahmadis to honour their dues, to become a practical model of the way to guidance. Now that we have again been granted the blessed month of Ramadan, we should make full use and enhance our spiritual development and practice Quranic teaching. This can only be availed of when the Quran is recited regularly as well as practised on. The Qur’an gives commandments to practice virtues and to shun evil. The first step to attain the way to guidance is belief in the unseen. This is not an ordinary matter, it is what becomes a source of spiritual development which in turn takes one to the ways of guidance which are the ways to find God, to understand the teachings of God; ways to develop connection with God.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that ‘belief in the unseen’ (2:4) should not be considered an insignificant stage. It has a lot of worth in God’s sight. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said that the greatest level of faith was of those who would come centuries after him and will see no apparent sign, unlike his Companions who witnessed many Divine signs, but would still believe. One practical display of such a belief is observance of Salat. Those who are granted steadfastness in belief, even endure weak phases in Salat without wavering and remain resolute in their belief.

Hudhur said these days when everyone is drawn to observance of Salat, concerted effort should be made to contend with Satan. When progress will be made towards strong connection with God, when it will be strengthened, it will lead to that guidance which the Qur’an gives. It is a requisite of belief in the unseen that all the prophecies of the Qur’an are believed in. Prayer should be made that God strengthens our belief in the unseen by exhibiting His signs. A true believer prays that just as God’s commissioned ones had their advents previously, they may come to pass again for that is what the state of the world requires. As the Qur’an states: ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them.’ (62:4).

Hudhur said there should be no misunderstanding about the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) saying that the belief of those who will not see signs will be strong, rather this is a reference to the period which he himself referred to as a period of darkness. When Muslims did not have any organised system for spiritual development and there were Mujaddads (reformers) in their own, isolated spheres.

With the advent of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) the era of Divine signs started again in accordance to the prophecy and the Ahmadiyya Community is witnessing them to this day and because of belief in the unseen is firm that all the prophecies will be fulfilled. We shall continue to repel satanic attacks with observance of Salat and satanic forces cannot weaken our steadfastness. They are using their might to abate the belief of Ahmadis. However, we know that the Qur’an states that godly communities face trials. Hudhur said our endeavour should be to utilise the blessings of Ramadan and pray for strengthening of our faith and for God’s promises to be fulfilled soon. When, in this holy month, we will make earnest prayers for the kingdom of the Holy Qur’an to be established, most certainly God will manifest a powerful new series of His signs and we will witness through the greatness of the teaching of the Qur’an, establishment of truth and untruth defeated.

People will thus pay attention to the voice of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who is inviting people to the truth exactly in accordance with the Holy Qur’an. If anyone stands for God today, it is the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and it is incumbent on his Community to be resolute and turn to prayers. It is the obligation of each Ahmadi to fully try to put the teachings of the Holy Qur’an in practice.

Hudhur said the objections raised by the Dove Outreach Church are age old objections and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) has provided the answers to all of them. No one could challenge his reasoning. It is unfortunate that rather than gather around him, as the Holy Prophet (may peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had enjoined, Muslims opposed him. This was a rejection of ‘belief in the unseen’. Today this opposition is getting intense. May God enable us that we may, in accordance to our capacities, be excellent helpers of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

Hudhur gave the sad news of two further martyrdoms in Pakistan. Our detractors do not see what fate is showing them for the cruelties they perpetrate against us. They acknowledge and are writing column inches that God’s chastisement is befalling them due to the errors of their ways, but they are identifying their mistakes wrongly. They are so blinded that one ill-natured mullah has said that God’s chastisement has befallen them because they have not tried hard enough to obliterate Qadianis.

Hudhur said Ahmadis will InshaAllah pass through this trial but the ill-natured mullah who is ridiculing the teaching of the Qur’an will definitely be seized by God. Hudhur said some people say to him that when, at times, Hudhur addresses the mullah, his words further incite them. Hudhur said this is a misunderstanding of the innocents and he wished to explain to his own that whether Hudhur said something or not, our detractors have terrible schemes and plots against us in Pakistan and are also trying this abroad. Hudhur said he says what he says so that someone decent may avail of his words and alert the nation against evil among men. Hudhur said we must be patient, may God save us from all evil of the enemy.

Next Hudhur gave news of the two martyrdoms. Unknown assailants fired at Dr. Najmul Hassan sahib on 16 August in Karachi. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries and passed away. He was struck by 13 bullets in his chest. Dr. Najmul Hassan was born in 1971 in Dhaka and was a Moosi. He was 39 years old, had seven brothers and one sister. When advised to move his clinic to another area he would say, ‘I was brought up here and will serve the people of this area with my practice.’ He was regular in his Salat and chanda payments. He is survived by two young daughters and one son.

The other martyrdom is that of Habib al Rehman sahib. He hailed from district Gujrat. His grandfather’s brother was the first in the family to accept Ahmadiyyat. In 1912 his ancestors purchased land in Sindh. He was educated in Rabwah and studied with Hudhur. He was a cheerful person who arranged good gatherings of pious nature. Yesterday morning unknown masked men on motorcycle approached his car as he left home in Sindh and shot him. He passed away on the spot. He had moved to the US in 1990 and made distinctive contributions to alislam.org. He was among its pioneering workers who helped in finding talent for the website. In 2006 his brother was martyred and he moved back to Pakistan to serve his elderly father. Later, as he was a widower himself, he was advised to marry the widow of his brother. He was a sincere person, who was regular in Salat and payment of chandas and had great connection with Khilafat and shared the pain of the underprivileged. He is survived by his 91 year old father and his children are aged 32, 28 and 23 who all live in US. His second wife’s children are aged 13, 11 and 7. May God elevate his status in Paradise and grant steadfastness to the bereaved.

Hudhur said he also wished to mention another sincere friend, Musa Rustawi sahib, whose funeral Prayer was offered a few days ago. He passed away on 5 August 2010. In his Jalsa speech at Kosovo this year he had mentioned how his brother met with and was influenced by Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) in 1985. In turn he was influenced by his brother. When he dedicated his life Hudhur asked him to go to Albania, but he could not do this due to some reasons. Later, in 2000, he volunteered to go there with Hudhur’s permission. He served as president of Kosovo for ten years. He was very keen on Tabligh work. At one point he came to know that his wages were slightly more than those of missionaries. He took it upon himself to lower his wages. He did not have a car and travelled on a bicycle. He treated all the new converts like his family members and it is due to his Tarbiyyat that most of the Kosovo Jama’at is Moosi. He had fervent love for Khilafat and would meet with Hudhur at the Germany Jalsa. Our detractors in Kosovo spread the propaganda that Ahmadis do not go to Hajj. On Hudhur’s advice he performed Hajj last year and was very happy about it. He passed away after sudden illness. May God elevate his status, and keep his family firm on Ahmadiyyat. May God provide us with more people like him who have heightened sincerity and loyalty and who selflessly serve the Community.