Today’s Friday sermon was delivered by Khalifatul Masih V (may Allah be his Helper) from Baitul Futuh mosque, London. After Tashahhud and Surah Fatihah he said some people think that the religion and faith deprive them from freedom and put sanctions on them. In this regard God Almighty says in the Holy Qur’an “and has laid no hardship upon you in religion” (22:79). Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that this means that the religion did not put any hardship on you. Rather the purpose of Shariah is to reduce the burden and not only that it wants to save mankind from all kinds of hardships and calamities. Thus in this verse God Almighty clarified that the religion which is chosen for you Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said which means the religion of Islam which is decent for you there is no such commandment in it which should create hardship. Rather from the smallest to the largest all commandments bring mercy and blessings for you. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that it is the thinking of mankind which is wrong, God’s words cannot be wrong. Despite of being His creature if we do not act upon His commandments then we will harm ourselves. If mankind will not heed then the Satan who has taken oath from day one that he will mislead mankind will ditch the mankind in the pit of destruction. Thus if we want to save ourselves from Satan’s assaults then we have to obey all of God Almighty’s commandments.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that there are many things which apparently look small and with the passage of time we start considering them normal but they produce devastating results. Thus a believer should not consider any smallest of the commandments unimportant. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that these days we see that the majority of people are drifting away from the religion. Hence their criterion of good and bad has changed also. For example these days we see that nudity is on the rise both men and women on the name of freedom and fashion adapting it. Open vulgarity is becoming a sigh of prosperity and modesty has become an unknown thing. And it may affact our boys and girls who live here in this society. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that up to some extent is happening also.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that some girls when they reach the age of puberty they write to me why modesty is necessary in Islam? Why we cannot go out with tight jean and blouse without covering or coat? Why we cannot dress like European girls? Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that if we have to stay on religion then we have to adapt religious teachings. If we proclaim that we are Muslim and we are firm on the religion then its restrictions are necessary. We must act upon the commandments of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also. Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said that modesty is the part of faith. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said thus to save our faith veil and modest dress are necessary. On the name of freedom and advancement if advanced countries have relinquishing their modesty the reason is that they have drifted away from the religion also. Thus an Ahmadi girl who has accepted the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) she had taken oath that she will give preference to the religion over the worldly affairs. An Ahmadi boy, an Ahmadi man, a woman and a girl who had accepted Promised Messiah (peace be on him) they have taken oath that they will give preference to the religion above the worldly affairs. And it can happen only when they will act upon the commandments of the religion. This is our good luck that Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has explained everything vide open. Hence regarding the immodesty he said at one place, “that some people stress on the immodesty like Europe but it is not appropriate at all. This immodesty of the women is the root cause of debauchery and immorality. The countries where this immodesty is accepted look at their moral condition? If due to their immodesty they have increased in their morality and chastity then we are wrong. But it is very clear that when men and women are young and promiscuousness also prevails then how dangerous their relationship could be? Casting bad eye and often overcome by the emotions is characteristic of human. And when despite of the modesty indulgence occurs and people get involved into debauchery and immorality, due to promiscuousness what may not happen? Look at the morality of the men they have become like a wild horse. They neither fear God nor believe in the day-of-judgment. They have made the worldly pleasures their god. Thus first of all it is necessary to fix the moral condition of the men. And if it is fixed and men have developed at the least such moral strength that their sexual emotions will never overcome them only then open this discussion of either the veil is necessary or not. Otherwise in present condition using this freedom and promiscuousness it is as if putting sheep in front of the tigers. What happened to these people! that they don’t look at the results of actions at least they should use their conscious to see if the condition of men is such that women should come in front of them without veil.”

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that the evil we see in the society these days every word of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) is showing the picture if it. Thus every girl, boy, man, and woman should increase their level of modesty and save themselves from the evils of the society instead of raising the questions that why we cannot wear tight jeans and blouse or feeling inferiority complex. It is the responsibility of parents especially mothers that they should teach the Islamic traditions and values and inform them about the evils of the society in their childhood. Only then our children will become good and will be saved from the evils of the society. In these countries parents have to do Jihad and for that they have to show their examples.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that few days before a girl wrote a letter that she had completed a higher education and she will be getting senior post in a bank. She has inquired that if at her new job there is a restriction on take hijab or even wearing coat also in that case if she can work there and when she will come out of the work she will take hijab and wear coat also. She further wrote that she had heard that Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) once said that working women can take off their burqa or hijab during the work. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that it is the greatness of this girl that with that she wrote that if I say no then she will not take that job. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that there are many girls have asked similar question that is why I am talking about it. He further said that even if I had said, for example there are doctors in certain situations they cannot work while wearing burqa or hijab. For example in the operation theater, but there they wear cap and face mask and loose dress. Other than that doctors can also work in burqa and hijab. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that in Rabwah there was Dr. Fahmida, we have always seen her in burqa and hijab. Then there was Dr. Nusrat Jehan in Rabwah she was very particular on modesty. She studied here and she used to come to London every year for updating her knowledge and skills she always remained in hijab. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that she was extra conscious about her hijab. No body criticized nor her professional skills were hurt or weakened due to her hijab. She did major operations also. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that if one has a will to remain modest then one can find many ways. He said that similarly I said to those girls who are genius and are doing research and in the laboratory they have to wear a particular laboratory dress then they can wear that dress and may not take hijab as they wear caps in there. But as they come out of the laboratory they should keep that modesty which is commanded by Islam. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that bank job do not deliver any humanitarian services. So for ordinary jobs the permission cannot be granted to remove the hijab where the girl is in every day dress and makeup there is no special dress required for ordinary jobs. Thus always remember that for modesty a modest dress is necessary. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that currently hijab is part of modest dress and if we make any ease in hijab then modest dress will change and many reason will be added to that. Then they will pick the color of this society where there is already immodesty at rampant. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that the world is already bent upon changing the religious people especially changing those Muslims who are practicing the Islam.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that in Switzerland a girl went to court that she feel uneasy to swim with boys while school bounds he for mix boys and girls swimming. She asked permission to swim separately with girls only. Human right activists who proclaim that they value human rights they said that yes it is your human right but it is not such an issue that you can be granted this permission. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that when the issue becomes rights of Islamic teachings or women’s modesty then these human rights activists organizations also start making excuses. Thus in such a situations Ahmadis must become more conscious about Islamic values. If for young children swimming is mandatory in the school then small girls should wear full swimming dress so that they should know that they have to wear modest dress. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that this permission is only for small girls. Parents should teach this to their children and both parents and children should try for separate swimming pools for girls.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that anti-Islamic forces are trying hard to do away with the teachings of Islam. These forces are trying to finish the Islamic teachings on the name of freedom of expression and freedom of conscious. They want to play a role of sympathizer in a sweet manner like Satan so that blame should not fall on them that they have forced to finish the religion. But we should remember that the renaissance of Islam is the responsibility of the Jama’at of Promised Messiah (peace be on him). And for that we have to work hard and have to take pain also. We don’t have to fight with these people but have to resolve the issues with wisdom. Today if we subjugate to one restriction regarding our religious teachings then slowly more sanctions will follow and it will continue. We must stress on prayers also that the Almighty give us courage and strength to counter these satanic moves and help us also. And if we are holding truth and most certainly we are truthful then one day they will see our success. It is the teachings of Islam which has to prevail. Insha’Allah.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said at one place, “that the truth has a determination and courage, liar is always coward, and one whose life is involved in fouls and dirty sins will always be scared he cannot compete. Like a truthful person he cannot show truthfulness and cannot furnish the proof of his chastity. Look at the worldly affairs if one is given ample means of subsistence one will have many envious people around him. All rich people have envious around them and they stick with them. Same is the situation of the religious people. The Satan is enemy of reforms. Thus a man must keep his account clear with God and keep his relationship strong with Him. Keep God pleased and then should not be afraid of anyone nor care for any, must refrain from those actions which will incur wrath by itself. And all that cannot happen without invisible endorsement and the mercy of God Almighty. Only human efforts cannot bring any good results unless His mercy is not bestowed nothing can happen. ‘The human is weak (full of mistakes surrounded by difficulties)’. Thus one must pray that God Almighty grants the strength to do goodness and make one the recipient of invisible endorsements and grace.” Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said, thus it is our prayers which will convince the world. And for the acceptance of the prayers we must make a strong relationship with God Almighty.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that we must remember that other religions were not forever. They came at their time and served the requirements of the training for their time and finished. That is why their books have many manipulations and changes. But Islam is forever, the teachings of the Holy Qur’an are good till the end of the world. Thus, without any inferiority complex we must act upon the teaching of the Holy Qur’an and must stay firm on them. And we should inform others also and tell them that what they preach is against the will of God and will lead to destruction. Islam does not bind people in useless restriction rather according to the need it has softer aspects also. As I have said before that for the doctors and for the patients there is no restriction of veil. There are some patients who have to see a certain doctor for that there is no restriction of veil. To save human life and to take human out from pain is foremost and more important. That is the main and first purpose to ease restrictions. Even at the time of distress and fear of death the carrion is permissible for human consumption - but only to save human life. Similarly alcohol can be used in the medicines. But the way satanic forces want us to behave their purpose is to slowly dismantle the boundaries of the religion. And finish religion for good. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that it is we Ahmadis who have to do this Jihad and it will happen only if we give precedent to religious teachings and bow down in front of God Almighty to seek His help.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that at the time of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) there is no jihad of sword rather there is a jihad of self-correction. He said that I am addressing to Muslims living in these developed countries especially and living anywhere else and Ahmadis living all over the world. They should reach to the higher positions in their countries by loving their country, by sacrificing for their countries, and by serving their countries in every way. When that will happen the mouths of the satanic forces will automatically shut. Because then it will be know that the Muslims are those who are taking their countries to real higher levels of developments and not that they work against the country. We have to convince these people and the governments that due to our religious teachings if we restrict ourselves or our people then it should not have anything to do with the governments or the judiciary of the country. They should not interfere in our systems it will create unrest. It will create a distance between locals and refugees. Though the people they call refugees they are living there for almost two or three generations. Yes! If somebody is harming the country, or unfaithful to the country, or spreading rumors and unrest then they have right to take action and apprehend them and punish them. But it is not right that if someone is taking part in his own religious activities then governments have no right to say that if you will do that it will mean you are not adjusting in the society.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that we Ahmadi should remember that world is going though a dangerous time, Satan is aggressively striking from all directions and if Muslims and specially Ahmadi Muslims men, women, and young, all did not try to keep the religious values alive then there is no guarantee of our future. We will be more liable for the wrath of God Almighty because we understood the truth, the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) made us to understand it and even then if we did not act upon it. Thus if we want to prevail then it is imperative to embrace every Islamic teaching with full confidence. Don’t think that the progress of the advanced countries is a guarantee of our progress and life and to stride with them will guarantee our survival. The progress of these advanced countries has reached its peak and now due to their immorality their fall has already started and it is evident also. Their deeds are inviting the wrath of God, they are inviting destructions. Thus in such a situation we have to show them the right path and save them instead of adapting their colors. Their correction seems to be difficult due to their arrogance and distance from the religion. If they did not correct themselves then the future development of the world will be with those nations who will keep the religious and moral values high. Thus, as I said before also I am saying it especially to youngsters that they should pay attention to God Almighty’s teachings. Instead of getting influenced by the world and walk behind them you should make the world to follow you. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that as I started with veil and dress he said that I want to say this also and I am sorry to say that some people ask that if veil is the only thing necessary for the progress of Islam Ahmadiyyat? Some say that these teachings are now old and if we have to progress then we have to leave these things! We seek refuge in Allah! He said that such people should know that if they keep following the worldly people and keep living like them then instead of competing with the world they themselves will be lost in this world. Their obligatory prayers will gradually become a show off and other good deeds also and then eventually diminish all to gather.

Thus, it would be very dangerous to take any commandments of God Almighty as ordinary. For the progress of Islam all that is necessary for which God and His messenger Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had commanded. The restrictions for modesty are not only for women. In Islam restrictions are equal for both men and women. God Almighty first commanded men and then commanded women. He says in the Holy Qur’an: “Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them. Surely, Allah is well aware of what they do.” (24:31). God Almighty first commanded faithful men because it is necessary for purity. If there is no purity then there is no God. Thus, before commanding women, men are commanded to refrain from all that which may incite their emotions. They are restricted from seeing women with open eyes, mixing with women, watching dirty films, and chatting with forbidden people through social media all this makes it unchaste. That is why Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said, “it is the words of God which in open words restricted all of our talk or action and move or cessation to exact limits and boundaries and taught us respect of humanity and divine trend. It is He who has given us eyes, ears, and tongue etc., etc., bestowed upon us the teachings for their control and said with utmost emphasis: ‘Say to the believing men that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts. That is purer for them.’ Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that it means that faithful men should restrict their eyes and ears and private parts from exposing to forbidden people and restrict themselves from all kinds of visual, verbal, and forbidden actions because in this way their inner will remain clean and their heart will remain free from all kinds of careless passions because, mostly these are the parts which incite temptation to animal passions and put them to tribulation. Now, see that how Holy Qur’an has emphasized to refrain from forbidden and how profoundly it has explained that the faithful people restrict their eyes, ears, and other private parts in control and save them from unchaste situations.”

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that then explaining restraint eyes Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said, “casting restraint eyes on forbidden and save yourselves (from possible slip) and seeing other permissible things is called in Arabic restraint eyes”. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that seeing forbidden things with half opened eyes and then seeing with full opened eyes the other permissible things is called restraint eyes. “And every pious person who wants to keep his heart clean should not cast his wandering eyes on everything like animals rather in this civilized world he should adapt the habit of restraint eyes. And this is that blessed habit with which his physical action will become a weighty morality and his civic relationship will not have any ill effect also. And this is the morality which is called kindness and modesty”. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said then at another place Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said, “tell the faithful not to see forbidden and sexually inviting but with only so much opened eyes that the face should not visible with clarity nor the face should be seen openly. And they should remain steadfast on this that they will never see the face with completely opened eyes neither with lust nor without lust because such action may result in a stumble and without restriction purity may not remain intact. Heart cannot be pure unless eyes are pure and that status of purity for which the desirous of righteousness desires will not be attained. And in this verse this is also instructed that keep all those holes of the body shut from which evil can enter. In this verse the holes of the body means all those parts of the body which are used for sexual performance, and nose, ears, and mouth all include. Now see that all these teachings are of what a high status that by no means any inflation or deflation is mentioned and everything is so leveled that a reader immediately understand that this verse means that one should restrict his eyes. So that people may not fall into temptation and both men and women remain safe.”

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that this the teaching of Islam that first men are put to restrictions and then women are asked to adapt the veil. And in these countries where there is complete promiscuousness how can we say that veil is not unnecessary. Promiscuousness and friendships are creating many problems in this society. From this another thing is proved that if women are not allowed to swim with men then men are also not allowed to swim with women. Thus these restrictions are not only for women they are for men also. The commandments which require men to lower their eyes in front of women had increased the respect of the women. Thus every commandment of the Islam is full of wisdom and reduces the possibilities of evils.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that last year at Jalsa Salan Germany I spoke about the difference between men and women and their rights and responsibilities. A German woman who had listened whole speech came to me. She said that she used to think that Islam usurp women’s rights but after listening to your speech now I know that Islam go into more details for the women’s rights, respect, honor, and protects their right more minutely. Thus, none of the Ahmadi girl, woman or boy should feel any inferiority complex. It is the teachings of Islam which will bring the world to peace and to God Almighty. The world will know one day that it is only Islam which will bring world to peace and there is no other choice.

He said after commanding men to keep their eyes down and respect women then commanded women that they have to keep their eyes down and taught them how to use the veil and where to use it. If you will do this then you will be successful. At the end God Almighty said that veil and modesty are the signs for your success and it will straighten for you this world and the world hereafter. Hence the Holy Qur’an says, “And say to the believing women that they restrain their eyes and guard their private parts, and that they disclose not their natural and artificial beauty except that which is apparent thereof, and that they draw their head-coverings over their bosoms, and that they disclose not their beauty save to their husbands, or to their fathers, or the fathers of their husbands or their sons or the sons of their husbands or their brothers, or the sons of their brothers, or the sons of their sisters, or their women, or what their right hands possess, or such of male attendants as have no sexual appetite, or young children who have no knowledge of the hidden parts of women. And they strike not their feet so that what they hide of their ornaments may become known. And turn ye to Allah all together, O believers, that you may succeed.”(24:32).

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that by keeping eyes down both by women and men and taking veil will guarantee the sanctity of women’s respect and safety. In advanced countries the values of respect and safety have changed. Among the boys and girls having illicit relationship with forbidden if it is with permission is not considered adultery but if it is without consent only then it is called adultery. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that when such degradation happen then it becomes more essential for a faithful to revert to God Almighty with efforts and seek help with prayers for His refuge. The critics say that in Islam women’s rights are compromised by restricting them to veil and modesty. He said that some immature girls are influenced by that. In Islam modesty does not mean to put women in jail, purpose is not to restrict women to four walls of the home veil and modesty is a guarantee of her safety and security.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said, “these days veil is being attacked but these people but they do not know that veil does not mean jail, veil is not a jail rather it is a type of hindrance man and woman. So that two strangers do not see each other, if there is restriction they will be saved from stumble. A fair minded person can tell that where men and women meet without any restriction, go on excursion to gather; how is it that they will not fall into their impulsive desires. We have heard that in certain nations it is permissible for a man and a woman to stay in one room even when door is also shut – this is called culture. Prophet of Islam Muhammad (peace be upon him) restricted from such things so that one many not get stumble and get heart. He said that where there are two forbidden to gather and it is a man and woman alone with them there is a third one and that is a Satan. Look at those bad results which Europeans are suffering from due to these bad traditions. At many places a shameless prostitution is going on and it is due these vices. If you want to save something from deceit then you have to keep it safe. But if you don’t keep it safe and thinking that there are nice people around then remember that that thing will most certainly destroy. Islamic teaching is such a beautiful teaching which saved men and women from stumble by keeping them separate and it did not make life difficult like Europe due to which every day people suicide there. For some women to become prostitutes is directly a result of this permission of free meeting of men and women. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that then Promised Messiah (peace be on him) explained how to have modesty. He said, “God Almighty says that tell faithful women that they should restrict their eyes from seeing forbidden men, restrict their ears from listening to the forbidden voices, and keep their private parts hidden, and don’t show their beauties to forbidden men, and take your veil as it hides head to the chest which means cover from chest to both ears, side of the face, forehead all should remain covered under the veil. And do not strike feet on the ground like the dancers do. These are the measure which can save you from stumble.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that some women raised this question that veil mess up their makeup then how to take a veil? Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that if there is no makeup then face can be open but if there is makeup then veil must be taken. They should think of this that they want to hide their beauty according to the teaching of God Almighty or they want to show their beauty to the people. There is a complete list of relations given in the Holy Qur’an who you can show your beauty and from whom you should hide your beauty. And it is only those beauties which are automatically exposed like face, height etc. This permission does not mean to wear tight jean and blouse and short dress in home in front of brothers and father. This restriction is for near relatives also. Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) that similarly I will convey this to missionaries and their wives that they should be cautious about their dress and their eyes. Jama’at observes their example also. The wife of missionary is also like a missionary she should also show her best example in all aspects of life.’

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) at the end prayed that may God Almighty will that our men and our women should establish high standards of morality and modesty and we all should restrict ourselves to the commandments of Islam. Ameen.