We are currently going through the Islamic month of Muharram-ul-Haram which is the first month of the Muslim calendar. Generally we exchange good wishes at the start of a new year. Last Friday, when Muharram had started, someone expressed good wishes to Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih; but what was that about? The same day there had been an explosion in Iraq attacking Shia people, in which dozens were martyred. Indeed, we usually wish each other at the start of a new year, however at the start of the lunar year, the large majority of decent Muslims who have compassion for the Ummah, express concern and fear. This is because explosions, murder and mayhem take place during this month. In spite of governmental announcements and joint statements issued by various religious leaders of different sects, either Sunni and Shia hostilities start or somewhere or the other Shias are attacked by other sects or mischievous elements. Now those with vested interests and extremist leanings play into the hands of others and take dozens of Shia lives. These include people who have no religious disagreement or indeed objectives; rather, their objectives are political. Usually the tenth day of Muharram is most dangerous and in the eastern countries, that date falls today. At times, limits of barbarity are exceeded on this day. Currently, attacks have started on different Shia gatherings. In Pakistan many lives have been lost in attacks in Rawalpindi, Quetta, Karachi and Swat. In Rawalpindi, attacks were carried out day before yesterday and again yesterday. Twenty three people lost their lives yesterday. When they get a chance, Shias take their revenge. Muslims are in a very strange and pitiable situation.

It is these religious or other disagreements which are also creating gulf between Muslim countries. In countries where a minority sect is in power, extremist reaction is forthcoming from the majority sect. Where the minority sect gets a chance, it attacks the majority sect and on this basis and in the name of fighting terrorism governments too take innocent lives. Thousands of own countrymen are killed, as it is happening in Syria. This is also the reason why the anti-Islam powers are free to have their way. Israel’s attack on Palestine is because there is no unity among the Muslims. There is no Muslim country where moral values are not trampled upon and oppression against each other is not taking place due to religious differences. In light of this, foreign powers too close in on them. If only the Muslim countries wised up and became one. If only they took lesson from their forefathers and observed history. The powerful anti-Islam Roman Empire tried to take advantage of the differences between Hadhrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and Hadhrat Muawiya. In order to restore their repute and while considering the Muslim strength weakened, they tried to attack. When Hadhrat Muawiya came to know he sent a message to the Roman king that he should not take advantage of their mutual differences and attack Muslims. He said in the instance of an attack, he would be the first general to fight them on behalf of Hadhrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him). And today they join forces with others and hatch plans against Muslim governments. Yet, they have agreement on one matter and that is planning against the Jama’at of the Muhammadan Messiah and to declare Ahmadis, who have sincere, heart-felt belief in the Kalima, outside the pale of Islam. They have no care what the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in whose name they carry out all this said in this regard, said. In principle he said no one had seen what was in the other person’s heart as far as faith was concerned. If only they understood and those who are called Ulema (religious leaders) rather than lead the public astray told them the truth based on justice and if only they associated themselves with the one who is sent from God so that all sectarianism and along with it oppression could be stopped. So that the concept of religious war was eradicated and the beautiful teaching of Islam as given by the Messiah of the age was disseminated and thus the enemy’s power was eliminated and people gathered under the banner of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him).

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih said he had begun with reference to Muharram and would present some extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) so that hundreds of thousands of Ahmadis may hear, those who are new and the young may understand how the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) upheld the honour of holy persons. How he eradicated the Sunni Shia differences and taught ways to be as one Ummah. Those outside our Jama’at who listen to the Friday sermons may also appreciate the true illustration of ‘…tender among themselves…’ (48:30). How long will they assume that they are paying the dues of Islam by posturing to hold conventions and through extremism? Whether the absence of peace and restlessness in the Muslim countries is due to mutual oppression or due to the anti-Islam powers, its antidote and the power to restore the glory of Islam is now only in the hands of one commissioned by God, who is the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him); who is appointed for the mission to spread his teachings. If Muslims wish to reclaim their unity, if they wish to save themselves from the attacks of the other, they will have to eradicate the Sunni Shia differences and follow the Islam brought by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in which there was no division. The Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) were like guiding stars, the status of some of them excelled others. The status of Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) in the sight of God and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) surpassed all others. The stature of Hadhrat Umer, Hadhrat Usman, Hadhrat Ali, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with them all) follows degree by degree.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) writes in his book ‘Sirrul Khalafa’: ‘I have been given the knowledge that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (may Allah be pleased with him) had the greatest glory and highest stature among all the Companions. Without doubt he was the first Khalifa and verses regarding Khilafat were revealed about him.’ He also wrote: ‘By God, he [Hadhrat Abu Bakr] was Islam’s second Adam and the first manifestation of the best among mankind (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Although he was not a Prophet, he had the strengths of Prophets.’ He also stated: ‘Allah the Exalted knew that Hadhrat Abu Bakr Sadeeq (may Allah be pleased with him) was the most valiant and righteous and was the most beloved of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He was a victorious general, who was completely absorbed in the love of the chief among creation. From the very beginning he was his confidant and helper in his tasks. This is why God assured His Prophet in time of adversity through him and made the title of Sadeeq [the truthful] specific to him. He was a close friend of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and God granted him with the robe of honour of: ‘…he was one of the two…’ (9:40) and included him in His special servants.’

Malfoozat record that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said: ‘By becoming a Muslim at the time of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) the first Khalifa, who was a great merchant, gave incomparable help. He was granted the status of being called ‘Sadeeq’ and was the leading friend and first Khalifa. It is written that he was returning from a trade trip and had not yet reached Makkah when along the way he met a man and asked him for any latest news. The man said there was no latest news other than that his friend had claimed Prophethood. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) said on the spot that if he had made such a claim, it would be truthful.’ The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also stated: ‘Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) gave all his property in the way of God and assumed a destitute life for himself. But what did Allah the Exalted grant him for this? He made him the king of entire Arabia and gave Islam a new lease of life through his hand and demonstrated triumph over apostate Arab and conferred on him what was beyond anyone’s imagination.’

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stated about Hadhrat Umer (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘Do you realise how high is the stature of Hadhrat Umer (may Allah be pleased with him) among the Companions? So much so that at times, Qur’an used to be revealed in accordance with his viewpoint. A Hadith states about him that Satan runs from the shadow of Umer. Another Hadith states: ‘If there was to be a Prophet after me, it would have been Umer.’ Third Hadith is: ‘There were Muhaddath (recipient of Divine revelation) in earlier people. If there is any Muhaddath in this Ummah, it is Umer.’ The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also stated: ‘Umer (may Allah be pleased with him) also used to receive revelation. He did not consider himself to be anything and did not wish to be a partner in the Imamat e Haqqa (true leadership) that God in Heaven created on this earth. On the contrary he declared himself to be a lowly servant and this is why God’s grace made him a deputy of the Imamat e Haqqa.’ The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) writes in his book ‘Hujjatullah’: ‘Two persons buried adjacent to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) were pious, pure, wholesome and accepted and God deemed them friends of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in life as well as after their death. Indeed, it was friendship that endured till the end and it is rare to find a model of it. Felicitations to them that they spent their lives with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and were appointed Khalifa in his city and in his place and were buried adjacent to him and were brought close to the paradise of his shrine and on the Day of Judgement will be raised with him.’

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) writes in Sirrul Khalafa: ‘My Lord has made it evident to me that Hadhrat Abu Bakr, Hadhrat Umer Farooq and Hadhrat Usman (may Allah be pleased with them) were pious and had faith and were from among those people who are chosen by God and are made exclusive for His conferments.’ He wrote that God made them doors of Islam and the vanguards of God’s army.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stated about Hadhrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘He was extremely righteous and pure and was from those people who are the most beloved of the Gracious God. He was from a good family and was from among the chiefs of the time. He was the lion of the Supreme God and was the youth of the Kind God. He was very generous and had a clean heart. He was that unique valiant who did not move away from the battlefield even if an army of enemy stood against him. He spent a life of destitution and attained a high status in temperance. He distributed wealth, alleviated pain and anguish and was foremost in care of orphans, poor and neighbours. He displayed great bravery in different expeditions and was wondrously skilful in wielding the sword and spear. In addition to this, he spoke mellifluously and eloquently. His words had very deep effect and he removed erosion of hearts with his words and illuminated hearts with the light of reason. He was aware of every kind of manner/style and experts in various fields would approach him vanquished and apologetic. He was excellent in every quality and in eloquence. Rejection of his excellences is tantamount to committing shamelessness. He used to promote sympathy for the helpless and would instruct to feed those who were content as well as those who insisted to be fed. He was among the chosen people of Allah the Exalted and excelled in deep understanding of the Holy Qur’an. He had an amazing insight of the understanding of the profound points of the Qur’an.’

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also stated about Hadhrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him): ‘A close relative who was stirred with love and faith, covered his face and laid on the bed of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) out of bravery and on the signal of the Prophet, so that the spies of the enemy would not investigate the leaving of the Prophet and would stay around thinking him to be the Prophet.’

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stated: ‘I have an exquisite likeness with Ali and Hussein (may Allah be pleased with them) and no one apart from the Lord of the East and the West knows this secret. Most certainly, I love Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) and both his sons and have enmity with whoever has enmity with them.’

He also stated: ‘In my view it was very good that Hadhrat Hassan (may Allah be pleased with him) stepped aside from Khilafat. Thousands had been killed and he did not want more people to be killed…As this action of Hadhrat Hassan (may Allah be pleased with him) is contrary to Shia [creed], therefore they do not fully accede to Imam Hassan. Indeed, we praise them both. Fact is that each individual has diverse strengths. Hadhrat Imam Hassan did not want internal fighting among Muslims to increase leading to more killing; he kept preference of peace in view. Hadhrat Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him) did not choose to take Bai’at at the hand of a wicked man because this is detrimental to faith. They both had good intentions: deeds are judged by motives. It is a different matter that there was Islamic progress through the hand of Yazid. It is the grace of God the Exalted, if He so wills, even a wicked person can bring about progress. Yazid’s son was a good person.’

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) stated: ‘It should always be remembered that Prophets (on whom be peace) and similarly honest and truthful people of God come in this world as models/exemplars. A person who does not try to be according to their model but is prepared to prostrate before them and consider them as relievers of needs can never be acclaimed in the sight of God the Exalted. Rather, such a person will see that after death the Imam will be weary of him. Likewise, those who exaggerate the status of Hadhrat Ali or Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with them) are tantamount to idolising them; they are not from among the followers of Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him). This cannot please Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him). Prophets (on whom be peace) always come as models to be followed and the truth is that without following them there is no point.’

Admonishing Ahmadis, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said that it should be very clear that anyone who says that God forbid Hadhrat Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him) did not take Bai’at of the Khalifa and was rebellious is a great liar. He said that it is our belief that Yazid was an impure person who did not fulfil what a true believer signifies. Love of world had blinded him whereas Hadhrat Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him) was pure and among those chosen people whom God purifies Himself. He was among those who are of Paradise. His devotion to God is a model for us. Destroyed is the heart who is his enemy and successful is the heart that demonstrates his love by practice. It is extreme lack of faith to deride Hadhrat Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him), one who does this, wastes his faith.

With reference to Hadhrat Hassan and Hadhrat Hussein (may Allah be pleased with them) the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) states: ‘The term spiritual progeny is extremely appropriate for the beloveds of God. It was their spiritual inheritance from their spiritual maternal grandfather, which no plunderer can plunder and they are the inheritors of those gardens which no other can usurp. Thus, this evil notion has currently come into some Islamic sects because their soul has become dead and it has had no measure of being spiritual progeny. Therefore, as non-recipients of spiritual wealth, they have lost their sense and their hearts have become short-sighted. Which person of faith would argue that Hadhrat Imam Hussein and Imam Hassan (may Allah be pleased with them) were God’s chosen people, that they were persons of excellences, were pure and chaste and were leaders of guidance. Without doubt they were the progeny of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) in both respects. People who have knowledge are of the creed that even if Hadhrat Hussein and Hadhrat Hassan (may Allah be please with them) were not the physical progeny of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), since due to their spiritual connection, they had been considered [his] progeny in the Heaven, without doubt they would have been the inheritors of his spiritual wealth. The mortal body has relationships; could the soul not have any connections? Rather, it is proven from Ahadith and the Holy Qur’an that souls too have connections and have friendship and enmity from the very beginning. A sensible person can think if it is a source of pride to be progeny of the Prophet on an eternal and everlasting level or to be the progeny of the Prophet on a physical level which is nothing without righteousness, purity and faith. No one should infer from this that we infringe on the dignity of the family of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). On the contrary, the objective of this writing is that it is not worthy of the dignity of Imam Hussein and Hassan (may Allah be pleased with them) to be the progeny of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) only on a physical level because it is meaningless without a spiritual connection. Only those have true connection with the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) who are included in his progeny on a spiritual basis. The spiritual light and the spiritual knowledge of Prophets is like the offspring of Prophets which is created from their pure beings. Those who attain a new life from this spiritual light and knowledge, in fact obtain a new birth. It is these who are known as progeny of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) on a spiritual level ’

Each Ahmadi and Muslim who truly follows the teachings of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) will be included in his progeny. This is the path treading on which is essential for every Muslim. The status of each holy person should be acknowledged and honoured. Mutual hostilities, murder and mayhem should be stopped. It will not be too far-fetched if anti-Islam powers had a hand in the current disorder, murder and mayhem, by dividing the Muslims or by financing them. The attacks on Shias are being carried out by an organisation which is deemed as a terrorist group by the government and it is reported about them that they are not Muslims. May God have mercy on the Ummah.

Hadhrat Khalifatul Masih said that he wished to say to Ahmadis that while other Muslim sects take revenge from each other, but after coming into the Bai’at of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and in spite of all the persecution that all these sects are perpetrating against us, we should not even think of revenge. What is needed is that after every persecution we should enhance in righteousness and piety and pray to God more than before and forge a better connection with Him.

We have the practical model of Hadhrat Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him) before us and it is a guide for us. In light of this Hadhrat Musleh Maud (may Allah be pleased with him) advised the Jama’at in a poetic composition:

They make you Hussein -like and themselves become like Yazid

What a good bargain it is; let the enemy hurl arrows

By giving us lesson in steadfastness, Hadhrat Imam Hussein (may Allah be pleased with him) has shown us the way to Paradise. Prayers should be made especially these days, during Muharram, for our own steadfastness and each Ahmadi should abundantly say the prayer ‘O Lord, everything is subservient to You. O Lord, protect us, help us and have mercy on us.’ It has been stated before that this prayer is very important for security. The prayer: ‘O Allah, we make you a shield against the enemy and we seek Your protection against their evil designs’ should also be said abundantly. As said many times, blessings and salutations (Durud) should be invoked a lot. May God keep each Ahmadi safe and help us against our enemies. By virtue of His mercy, may He keep each Ahmadi safe from the enemies of the Jama’at and may each evil they plan against us rebound on them. May He include us in the true progeny of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), as explained by the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) that real progeny is the spiritual progeny. We need to constantly self-reflect. When invoking blessings and salutations (Durud) we should reflect on how much beneficence do we attain from it. How much do we live by the word of the Holy Qur’an! May our sacrifices bring pure-natured souls in the fold of Ahmadiyyat, true Islam and may we witness triumph.

Abundant prayers should be made that God may save innocent souls in the Israel aggression against Palestine. Israel is issuing statements on the lines that they attacked because they cannot live in a state of fear. Indeed, they were the first to attack and kill Palestinians and when the Palestinians responded it was said that they were creating fear. This is strange case of bullying; a strange way indeed that people of this world are adopting and it is only because there is no unity among Muslims. May God have mercy on innocent Palestinians and save them from every kind of cruelty.