Hudhur gave a discourse on the status of Prophethood of the Promised Messiah and Divine promises of triumph in his Friday sermon.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote in his book Nuzul ul Masih: ‘God has decreed from the beginning and has declared it as His law and His way that He and His Prophets will always triumph. Therefore, as I am His Prophet, that is, I am Commissioned by Him, however without a new law, or a new claim or a new name, rather, I have come in the name of that very noble, Seal of all the Prophets, and from among him and as his manifestation. This is why I say that just as it has been from ancient time, that is, from the era of Adam to that of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), the meaning of this verse has always come true. It will yet again, come true in my support: ‘Allah has decreed: ‘Most surely I will prevail, I and My Messengers.’ Verily, Allah is Powerful, Mighty.’ (58:22)

Hudhur said he recently received a letter from Pakistan and that Hudhur does not agree with the premise of the letter and thinks that it cannot be considered as a generality. The letter stated that it needs to be emphasised in the publications of the Community that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was a Prophet of God because many people hesitate in calling him a Prophet. Hudhur felt this was Bad-zani (thinking ill of others) towards the people of the Community and cannot be given a general tone. Maybe the people with whom the person keeps company have such thoughts due to certain circumstances. These few may have overcome by materialistic tendencies. Such people tend to fall prey to compromising themselves. They have perhaps never read the pronouncements of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In fact, they have probably never even listened to sermons. Although, Hudhur said, he tries, one way or the other, to introduce and explain the station of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in his discourses.

If anyone has any such ideas, then Hudhur wants each Ahmadi to be clear that in light of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was a Prophet. Just as the extract Hudhur read out states that he was a Prophet, without a new law and in complete subordination of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and in light of the Quranic statement: ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them…’ (62:4). Indeed, Ahmadis in Pakistan and Indonesia are being bitterly persecuted because they accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as a Prophet. God forbid, our opponents say that we consider the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as the last Prophet. Whereas this is unthinkable for an Ahmadi. It is part of our faith that such lofty a station has the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), that his follower has been granted the status of Prophethood. Indeed, he is the Seal of all the Prophets and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is a Prophet of God in his subservience alone. If we did not accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as a Prophet then our claim that Islam will be triumphant through its second phase would be erroneous, because God has promised triumph with a Prophet; not a Mujaddad (reformer) as stated in ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them…’. That is also why the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had advised that when the Messiah comes, take my greetings to him even if you have to crawl over glaciers to reach him. This was to strengthen belief and to take part in the final struggle for triumph, which was to be made with proofs and reasoning and to be among those who are true believers.

Ahmadis accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) so that their belief in God and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is further strengthened and they can witness the glory of triumph of Islam. It should also be remembered that without the status of Prophethood for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) there can be no Khilafat. Khilafat is borne out of Prophethood and is to operate on the precepts of Prophethood. The continuity of the system of the Ahmadiyya Community and the Khilafat can only be in the instance when we accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as a Prophet.

Once some people had gathered for Bai’at and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gave them detailed advice. The summation of which is that Bai’at and repentance should not be just verbal professing, rather it should be from the heart. Hudhur said a person taking Bai’at wants to bring about a pure change and this is experienced even today. People develop in spirituality, their letters express this and people around them feel the change in them. Families are astonished at the transformation people go through after taking Bai’at. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also advised not to make Bai’at conditional to any worldly objective. He said one should not be perturbed by difficulties after taking Bai’at. Gradually, true believers prevail over their enemies. The weapons of triumph are: Istaghfar, (seeking forgiveness from God), repentance, familiarisation of religious knowledge and five daily Prayers. Salat is the key to acceptance of prayers. One should pray during Salat, and should avoid all badness, whether it is regarding rights of God or rights of mankind. Hudhur said this advice is not only for the newcomers. An Ahmadi’s faith should be congruous to the time he or she has been an Ahmadi.

Explaining Istaghfar, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said, it is seeking forgiveness for one’s past sins as well as future sins and to come in God’s refuge. Repentance is to feel revulsion at the wrongdoings that one is involved in and make firm resolve to avoid them and to seek help from God. As regards familiarisation of religious knowledge, first and foremost is the Holy Qur’an, followed by in this age, the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in light of the Qur’an and the authentic Ahadith - writings that prove the true superiority of the teachings of Islam through proofs and reasoning. Firm belief in God as the Creator of everything, that He has complete knowledge of all that is in the heavens and the earth, He has power over everything and He watches over us every second. With these thoughts, one cannot do something that is against the will of God and one’s attention is drawn to the five daily Prayers as well as general prayers. With fulfilment of prayers and Divine promises, one’s belief strengthens. When one abides by these aspects one is spontaneously drawn towards fulfilling rights of God and rights of mankind. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said if one brings about these revolutionary changes in oneself, one will become part of the triumph that is destined for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

It is indeed God’s promise that He will grant triumph to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace), but he advised his followers that these were the ‘weapons’ to bring about triumph, otherwise one’s participation will be merely in name and not in deed. Hudhur said each one of us should try and be a part of this triumph. The Divine glad-tidings about the triumph can be witnessed with each day that dawns on the Ahmadiyya Community. Given the intensity with which we are being opposed, let alone moving one step forward, it would not even have been possible for us to survive for one moment. Yet, it is with God’s promises that the Community is progressing by the day. God informed the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) of the progress through revelations. What we have to remember that while these glad-tidings are absolutely true, but when God gives glad-tidings, those who accept them have also to abide by some responsibilities and some obligations.

God revealed to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace): ‘I shall carry thy message to the ends of the earth.’ Certainly, it is God Who is taking the message all over the world and today MTA is a big source in taking the message of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) to the ends of the earth. However, if having installed the MTA equipment, we sit by idly, make no effort to record programmes etc. we will be depriving ourselves by not availing the source. If we do not utilise the vast literature that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) provided us, we will not be discharging our responsibility and hence will be sinful. God’s work carries on. He would arrange it through other means. It has never happened that a community of a Prophet of God abandoned its task. Who could be dearer to God than the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). However, when he gave the glad-tidings of the gold bracelets of King Kisra, his Companions also had to give great sacrifices. They attained a very high spiritual station through their excellent observance of Salat and their love and deep devotion of God, no worldly pomp had any significance for them. They brought the echelons of Kisra down for they were firm in their belief that in spite of the worldly power and splendour the worldly kings could not harm them for with them was God’s promise.

Hudhur said we should also be like this today. We should be firm in our belief that the promises made to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) will certainly be fulfilled. If our most humble effort can be part of the fulfilment of these promises, then we would attain God’s pleasure. Each Ahmadi worker should understand his or her responsibility and try and put it in practice.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote in his book ‘Tadhkirat-ush-Shahadatain’: ‘O all people, let it be known that this is a prophecy of One Who has created the heavens and the earth. He will spread His community in all the countries. And will grant them triumph over everyone through the spirit of proof and reasoning. Those days will come; in fact they are close by when this will be the only religion in the world which will be evoked with honour. God will place immense and extraordinary blessing in this religion and this mission and every person who wishes to annihilate it, will be disgraced and this triumph will remain until the Day of Judgement will come.’

Such was his determined belief that he thus expressed because once God declared that He would bring it about, then there remained no doubt that Islam will prevail through the Ahmadiyya Community. The aforementioned extract is from 1903. This was a time when although Ahmadiyyat has been introduced outside India, but it cannot be said that it was spreading. Today, the message of Islam has reached in 198 countries of the world through Ahmadiyya Community. God will indeed also fulfil the latter part of the prophecy. In some places, we are facing opposition; however, the pious-natured souls in those areas are being drawn to our Community. In other places people are being drawn through our message of love and also through our most humble efforts at serving humanity. People are also being introduced to Ahmadiyyat through dreams and visions and people are recognising the Messiah. The proofs and reasoning as taught by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) are being relayed on MTA and drawing a huge audience. Our detractors try their utmost that people do not watch MTA. Without exception, Maulwis of every Muslim country tell people not to watch MTA. They tell people it would damage their belief and they would, God forbid, be influenced by kufr (unbelief). However, those who have understood our message tell the Maulwis that such forcible prohibition means they have no arguments of their own to present. 

It is the task of each Ahmadi to understand his or her responsibility and not be complacent that the Divine promise will be fulfilled anyhow. The bigger the promise and the glad-tidings, the more responsibilities we have. We should fully pay the dues of God and the dues of mankind as well as fully take part in taking the message to others, utilising our knowledge and our capacities.

God revealed to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace): ‘Despair not of the treasures of Allah's mercy. We have bestowed upon you abundance of every kind of good.’ [Tadhkirah p.579] Thus God assured the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and informed him that he had been granted an abundance of good. Hudhur said there is restlessness among the mainstream Muslims but they do not see a way and are disappointed and when their restlessness increases, they opt for wrongful ways to address their problems. We need to take the message to them that God has also granted the abundance of good that He gave to His beloved, to the true and ardent devotee of His beloved, because of the devotee’s ardent love for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and it is due to this devotion of his that he was given the status of Prophethood. If people wish to put an end to their disappointment, they should come into the fold of the Community of this ardent devotee and find peace. They should reflect and ponder that all the powers have come together to try their best to suppress and eliminate this Community; but have they succeeded? On the contrary, this voice is resounding all over the world.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also gave earthquakes as a Sign of his advent. He said that these natural calamities will not stop, rather they will continue to occur, so much so that man will wake up to the fact and will wonder what is going on! God states that He will not stop until people reform their hearts. Hudhur said if the world deems the natural disasters as a mere act of nature and disregards them, then it should be remembered the these disasters are closely linked to the era of the Messiah. It is the task of the Ahmadi that he/she strengthens his/her faith, he or she should also alert the world and try to bring people close to God. It is requisite of the love that we have in our hearts that we should try to save humanity from being destroyed.

In one of his revelations, God addressed the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as the son of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him): ‘I am with you. O son of the Messenger of Allah’. [Tadhkirah p. 707] Hudhur explained that he was the Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) spiritual son who had to fulfil his mission and this is also the responsibility of those who accept him. The intensity with which natural disasters are occurring in the world in recent years, we need to alert the world with corresponding energy, in particular, the Muslims, because this revelation was accompanied with another revelation that said: ‘Gather together all the Muslims on the earth on one faith.’ [Tadhkirah p.707]

Hudhur said we face restrictions in some Muslim countries and cannot openly do Tabligh there. If one Tabligh source is not available, with wisdom another can be adopted. If direct Tabligh is not allowed in places, God provided us with MTA, which is taking the message all over the world. People are watching and Bai’ats are taking place. Although in some countries we do not face any legal restrictions, but the religious leaders carry on with their opposition. However, people from such places are also getting inclined towards our message via MTA. In places, like African countries, where there are no legal restrictions, greater efforts should be made; it is the task of local Jama’ats. It is a God-sent that entire communities are joining us along with their Imams in Africa. 

Expounding the revelation about gathering all Muslims on one faith, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explained that it is a special commandment. Some commandments are related to Shariah, like those regarding Salat and Zakat. These carry the prophecy that some people will disobey them, as the Jews were told not to alter the Torah. Therein was a suggestion that they will do so.  The other kind of commandment is one that comes into force by God’s direct decree, as in the instance of: ‘We said, ‘Turn cold, O Fire, and be a source of peace for Abraham’ (21:70). The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said such was the commandment in the revelation he received; it would definitely come to pass. Hudhur explained that this relates to God’s command of ‘Kun’ (Be) and whatever He wills takes place.  These commands come to pass within the laws of nature. This is something which should be borne in mind that the result is not instantaneous. Once God decrees something, the process starts and thus has started the process of people gradually coming into the Community of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). We need not be troubled as to how will this come to pass in places where Ahmadis are treated less than second-class. It is God’s decree; it will therefore come to pass.

Those who are weak-natured and those who are inclined to the world, should be assured that God’s decree will prevail and there is no reason why we may at any time show weakness. We should not be concerned about the consequences of asserting our beliefs. Believers consider such matters no more than the prick of a pin. We cannot let such things come in the way of our belief. 99.99% of Pakistani Ahmadis are facing intense opposition with great bravery. It is the sacrifices of Pakistani and Indonesian Ahmadis, as well as Ahmadis of countries where persecution takes place that are opening new avenues of Tabligh and InshaAllah one day the Muslim world as well as the rest of the world will connect to the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and be one ummah.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said: ‘Allah the Exalted has repeatedly informed me that He will give me much greatness and shall inculcate my love in hearts and will spread my mission over the entire earth and shall give my sect triumph over all other sects. People of my sect will acquire excellence in knowledge and spiritual cognisance to a degree that they will silence everyone with the light of their truthfulness and with their reasoning and signs.’ Hudhur said this is a tremendous glad-tiding. May we strengthen our faith, adorn our worship of God and enhance our connection with God, so that we can be helpers of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in the second phase of Islam so that we as well as our generations to come will be the recipient of blessings.

Next Hudhur announced three funeral Prayers in absentia:

Sahibzada Rashed Latif sahib Rashedi. He passed away on 27 April in Los Angeles. He was the grandson of Sahibzada Abdul Latif shaheed. He had a very sincere connection with Jama’at.  He had moved to USA in 1965. On the instruction of Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih IV (may Allah have mercy on him) he translated Tadhkirat-ush-Shahadatain in a regional Afghan language.

Mubarak Mahmood sahib, a missionary of the Community. He passed away on 4 May after long illness at the age of 42. He graduated from Jamia Ahmadiyya in 1989. He served the Jama’at in Tanzania for eight years but later came back to Rabwah. He was diagnosed with cancer but kept working in spite of the illness and always remained cheerful. He leaves behind a widow and three sons. His parents also survive him.

Muzaffer Ahmad sahib from Sheikhupura, and his family Farzana Jabeen sahiba, Amtul Noor, Waleed Ahmad and Tassawer Ahmad, all lost their lives in a road accident. Muzaffer sahib was a qaid of Khuddam and had served the Jama’at in various capacities. He was an honest, fair-minded person.

May God elevate the station of the deceased and may He forgive them.