After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) recited the following verses of the Holy Qur’an:
‘Those who spend their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.’
[Holy Qur’an 2:275]
True Purpose of Financial Sacrifice
Then, His Holiness (aba) said that God Almighty has turned the attention of the believers towards spending in His way, many times in the Holy Qur’an. Sometimes this is done in secret, while other times it is done openly. In any case, the only purpose for this spending should be to attain the pleasure of God Almighty. Only then can this be acceptable in the sight of Allah. Otherwise, financial sacrifices made for the sake of showing and pleasing others can never be acceptable in the sight of God. Thus, financial sacrifices must be made with the true spirit of seeking God’s pleasure.
His Holiness (aba) said that by spending and sacrificing wealth only for the sake of spending more than someone else, or for the sake of being complimented by others, or for the sake of being recognised by the Caliph, or for citing their financial sacrifices in order to exert influence in the community and with office bearers; in essence they are doing so solely for the sake of showing off, then such spending renders itself useless. His Holiness (aba) said that those who spend in the way of Allah with sincerity, seeking only God’s pleasure, then they shy away from being recognised by others. If they desire to be recognised by the Caliph, then it is only so that the Caliph may specially pray for them on account of their sacrifices.
His Holiness (aba) said that it should always be kept in mind by those who present financial sacrifices, that they must never neglect the needs of their families, for this is also part of their duties and must be done to seek the true pleasure of God. At the same time, families should inculcate simplicity in their lives as much as they can.
Extraordinary Examples of Financial Sacrifice
His Holiness (aba) then said that he would be presenting recent examples of those who spent their wealth in the way of Allah, as a result of which they were able to see abounding blessings and garnered a greater recognition of God Almighty.
His Holiness (aba) presented numerous incidents of financial sacrifices from around the world. A summary of only a few are presented as an example:
His Holiness (aba) presented the example of a member of the Community from Albania. He had recently accepted Islam Ahmadiyyat and His Holiness (aba) had made mention of his acceptance in his special address on the occasion of Jalsa Salana UK 2020. Up until then, he did not have a job. One day he went to the local missionary inquiring about the various financial schemes of the Community. The missionary informed him, and also told him about a verse in the Holy Qur’an in which God Almighty states that he increases the wealth of those who spend in His way. However, this Albanian member said that he did not wish to spend in the way of Allah so that he may get more in return, rather he wished to spend for it was a divine commandment and emphasised by the Promised Messiah (as). His Holiness (aba) commented that this is the revolution which comes about in the minds of people who were once worldly.
The National President [of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community] of France wrote to His Holiness (aba) saying that there was a member of the Community in France who, earlier in the year, had pledged to double his donations which would total a thousand euros. However as the lockdown started due to the Coronavirus, he became worried as to how he would be able to fulfill this pledge. He pledged to himself that even if would not be able to eat, he would ensure to pay the pledge he had made. He also prayed in order to be able to fulfill this pledge. He was blessed to continue working during the lockdown, and for doing so, his employer gave him a bonus which totalled exactly one thousand euros. He attributed this to his fervent prayers and supplications in order to fulfil this pledge.
A Missionary from the Marshall Islands wrote to His Holiness (aba) that there was a member of the Community who fell on very hard times. He did not have a job, nor did he have a place to live. Thus he was living in the mosque for some time and would eat from the Langar [kitchen of the Promised Messiah (as)]. When pledges were being taken for financial sacrifices, he was told that no matter how small the amount, he should pledge something. At the time, he was only able to pledge two dollars. Some time later, he returned to the mosque, he presented twenty-five dollars and informed the missionary that since that time, he had found a job and was also able to purchase a home. His Holiness (aba) commented that such incidents leave one astonished as to the blessings one receives after sacrificing wealth for the sake of Allah.
The National President of Tanzania wrote to His Holiness (aba) that there was a woman who, despite being in very difficult financial circumstances, always made sure to pay her pledges on a monthly basis. However, in one month, due to these financial difficulties she was unable to pay her pledge on time. She could not sleep at night due to the sadness of being unable to fulfill her pledge. So she got up in the middle of the night and began praying that God may somehow enable her to pay her pledge. In the morning, she received a call from a relative who she had been unable to contact for quite some time. He spoke to her and also sent her some amount of money as a gift, using which she was able to pay her pledge.
His Holiness (aba) presented an example from India, where members of the Community were being encouraged regarding the offering of financial sacrifices. There was an eight year old girl, who would take spare change from her father everyday and collect it in her money box. Upon learning about financial sacrifices, she presented her money box which had a total of more than eight hundred rupees which she had gathered over many months. His Holiness (aba) commented that even children present such sincere sacrifices.
His Holiness (aba) said these were only a few incidents of a great many which had to choose from. His Holiness (aba) prayed for all those who had presented these sacrifices.
Report of 86th Financial Year of Tahrik-e-Jadid
His Holiness (aba) then announced that on October 31, the 86th year of the Tahrik-e-Jadid scheme came to a close and presented the report of collections under this scheme over the past year. By the grace of Allah, the worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community collected a total of £14.5 million under the scheme of Tahrik-e-Jadid. His Holiness (aba) then presented the standings of various countries based on their overall collection, percentage of collections, and number of members who participated in this blessed scheme. He then presented the standings of regional and local chapters within the top-standing countries.
His Holiness (aba) prayed for all those who presented financial sacrifices, that their efforts and sacrifices may be granted acceptance and they may be granted prosperity. Then, His Holiness (aba) announced the start of the 87th year of Tahrik-e-Jadid.
Special Message to Ahmadis
His Holiness (aba) then made an appeal for special prayers. His Holiness (aba) said that we must pray for the entire Muslim world. There are some world leaders who harbour and spread very negative thoughts and ideas regarding Islam. These days, rather than believing in God, these leaders consider the general public to be their god and change their policies and their statements accordingly. They lead their people astray by proclaiming that there is no God, whilst they consider the people whom they lead to be their god. Even if they do not explicitly make such comments, they harbour negativity towards Islam, and the general public is also against Islam due to being unaware of its true teachings.
His Holiness (aba) said that in recent days, the French President made comments against Islam, saying that it is in ‘crisis.’ If anything is in crisis it is their own religion; that is if they even adhere to any religion. As far as Islam is concerned, it is a living, growing and prospering religion. It is spreading throughout the world as a result of the efforts made by the Community of the Promised Messiah (as).
His Holiness (aba) said that these anti-Islamic forces are able to attack Islam in this manner because they are are aware that there is no unity in the Islamic world. His Holiness (aba) commended the Canadian Prime Minister, who refuted that comments of the French President, saying that comments which explicitly injure the religious sentiments of others should be abstained from. His Holiness (aba) said that if only other world leaders could think like the Canadian Prime Minister. His Holiness (aba) prayed for the Canadian Prime Minister.
His Holiness (aba) said that if the Muslim world had been united, then never would such forces rise against Islam. Never would a newspaper publish heinous depictions of the Holy Prophet (sa). His Holiness (aba) said that a few years ago, when such cartoons were published a few years ago, some Muslims countries raised a hue and cry for some time, but then disappeared. It was in fact the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community which responded in the true, Islamic fashion which was appreciated by people and leaders around the world. Our Community’s response was that the actions of a few misguided people cannot be regarded as the true Islam. It is not the place of any world leader to label the actions of a few people as Islam, or to label Islam as being in ‘crisis.’ It is in fact such people who incite the emotions and actions of others. His Holiness (aba) said that publishing such cartoons surely injure the sentiments of any true Muslim; and if they continue to publish such things and remain persistent in their actions, then they themselves are inciting others to commit unlawful acts. Yet, these are things which are labelled as freedom of thought and expression. Thus, it is the non-Muslim world which incites these actions.
His Holiness (aba) said that in a series of previous sermons, he highlighted what the true response of true Muslims should be in such situations. His Holiness (aba) said that whilst remaining within the bounds of the law, we will continue to defend the honour of the Holy Prophet (sa) and we will continue to do so. Above all, His Holiness (aba) said that we must continue sending Durood [salutations] upon the Holy Prophet (sa). No matter how much we may be opposed by other Muslims, we will continue to spread the true message of Islam. The killing of three or four people is only an expression of momentary, misguided passion. Such acts however, do not represent the true message of Islam. Had the Muslim world been united in its response, then the French President would have had no other option but to repent for his words and actions.
Thus, His Holiness (aba) said that we will continue in our mission, for it is the responsibility of those who have accepted the Messiah of this age to spread the true teachings of Islam, and being the world under the flag of the beautiful teachings of Islam. Thus, we cannot forget the Muslim world in our prayers.
His Holiness (aba) said that recently, he wrote to world leaders, including the President of France, in which he warned him that the current condition of the world is due to the grave injustices being carried out. If he and other world leaders wish to see peace in the world, then they must adopt and implement justice in its true forms.
His Holiness (aba) said that we must continue our efforts of bringing the world to recognise the unity of God and bring the world under the flag of the Holy Prophet (sa). His Holiness (aba) appealed for everyone to pray for the general conditions of the world; lest it be that after passing through the calamity of this pandemic, the world is stricken by another calamity in the form of a world war. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may the world come to its senses and recognise the One, True God.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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