The Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa)

Friday Sermon Summary 26th February 2021: ‘Rightly Guided Caliphs – Hazrat Uthman (ra)’

After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Uthman (ra).

Hazrat Uthman (ra) - His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

His Holiness (aba) mentioned the Battle of Sawari which took place between the Muslims and Romans. Constantine set out an army of 500 ships against the Muslims. But in the end, the Muslims prevailed. Similarly, His Holiness (aba) highlighted the victories in various regions and countries afforded to the Muslims during the time of Hazrat Uthman (ra). These include places such as Rome, Armenia, and Afghanistan.

Message of Islam Reaches the Indian Subcontinent 

His Holiness (aba) said that the message of Islam also reached the Indian sub-continent during the time of Hazrat Uthman (ra). It is narrated that Hazrat Uthman (ra) sent armies towards Mukran and Sindh where the Muslims were able to spread the message of Islam. Similarly, an envoy was sent to what is now Balochistan in Pakistan where the opponents of Islam were defeated. Similarly, the message of Islam was spread to Kabul, which historians say was also part of the Indian sub-continent at that time.

Dissention Foretold by the Holy Prophet (sa) 

His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) had foretold the fact that there would be opposition against Hazrat Uthman (ra). The Holy Prophet (sa) said to Hazrat Uthman (ra) that it could be that one day, God would grant him a mantle to wear, and there would be those who would wish for him to take it off. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that if the hypocrites tried to make Hazrat Uthman (ra) take this mantle off which was given to him by God, he should not take it off. According to another narration, the Holy Prophet (sa) mentioned a disorder which would soon arise. At that time, there was a hooded man walking by. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that when this disorder arose, that person would be on the rightly guided path. 

His Holiness (aba) said that during the days of his illness, the Holy Prophet (sa) called Hazrat Uthman (ra) and they sat alone and the Holy Prophet (sa) spoke to him. It is narrated that as the Holy Prophet (sa) spoke to him, the colour in his face changed. Later, on Yaumud Dar (the day when Hazrat Uthman (ra) was martyred) Hazrat Uthman (ra) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) had foretold and warned him about what was about to happen. 

His Holiness (aba) said that it was during the time of Hazrat Uthman (ra) that disorder amongst the Muslims began to arise. His Holiness (aba) quoted the Second Caliph (ra), who said that some blame either Hazrat Uthman (ra) or Hazrat Ali (ra) as the reasons why this disorder began, however he explains that such a notion is completely false, for both were great servants of Islam and had reached such heights of spirituality that they could not commit any deed that would contradict the teachings of Islam. 

Furthermore, the first 6 years of the Caliphate of Hazrat Uthman (ra) was a period of great peace. He was awe-inspiring and greatly respected amongst all, due to the great services he rendered for Islam. Hazrat Uthman (ra) was also well-known as one who fulfilled the rights owed to others.

Spreading of Mischief 

There was in fact a group of people who were spreading falsities regarding the Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa). They would go around and express their complaints to whoever would listen. Slowly, this group began growing, being easily influenced as they would be entrapped as soon as they accepted Islam and their faith was weak. Furthermore, they had never met or spent time around the Holy Prophet (sa), or even his senior Companions (ra). Thus they were easily influenced. Those who spread these falsities included some from among the Jewish people as well as less-learned Muslims.

Clemency & Wisdom of Hazrat Uthman (ra)

During the time of Hazrat Uthman (ra), this disorder was brewing, however even the perpetrators of the disorder accepted the fact that they would not be able to openly spread this disorder whilst Hazrat Uthman (ra) was in power. In fact, Hazrat Uthman (ra) gathered these people as well as the Companions (ra). At this time, those raising this disorder began seeking forgiveness from Hazrat Uthman (ra). The Companions (ra) however said that it would even be permissible to kill those who were raising this disorder. However, Hazrat Uthman (ra) said that he would accept their apologies and that there was no reason to take such action.

His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Uthman (ra) clarified the various allegations being levelled against him by the hypocrites. For example there was an allegation that Hazrat Uthman (ra) whilst travelling, Hazrat Uthman (ra) would not shorten his prayers as instructed by the Holy Prophet (sa). Hazrat Uthman (ra) clarified that this only took place once when he travelled to Mina, and he did not need to shorten his prayer there because he owned property there, and his in-laws also resided in Mina. Furthermore, another allegation was that he would appoint youngsters to high posts. However he clarified that he only appointed those who possessed high levels of piety and possessed the capacity to undertake the duty of the given post. 

Even still, when the Companions (ra) insisted that they should be killed on account of the disorder they were brewing, But Hazrat Uthman (ra) firmly said that no such action would be taken, for he hoped for the reformation of those people. This was the level of mercy shown by Hazrat Uthman (ra). Unfortunately however, this forgiveness and mercy shown to them did nothing for the hypocrites, and instead they continued to increase in their dissension and disorder.

His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Uthman (ra) in the future.

Masjid Mubarak drone shot

Funeral Prayers

His Holiness (aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayers in absentia of the following:

Abdul Qadir Sahib

Abdul Qadir Sahib who was originally from Peshawar was martyred on February 11. He was working at the medical clinic, when the bell rung by patients was rung, and when Abdul Qadir Sahib went to open the door, there was a boy posing as a patient, who then shot and killed Abdul Qadir Sahib. His grandfather accepted Ahmadiyyat during the time of the First Caliph, after his older brothers had gone earlier to meet the Promised Messiah (as). Abdul Qadir Sahib loved Khilafat a great deal, and had a zeal for propagating the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat, due to which he was made to face great opposition. He always treated his wife and children with great kindness. He was regular in offering prayers, in fact his prayers were such that his family would often check to see if he was alright as he had been in prostration for so long. He is survived by his wife, four sons and five daughters. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may elevate his station in Paradise, protect his family and enable his children to keep the legacy of his virtues alive.

Akbar Ali Sahib

Akbar Ali Sahib who passed away on 16 February. He was in jail as a prisoner in the way of Allah, on account of his faith, where he passed away due to a heart attack. He had been imprisoned for four and a half months, after the case had not even been properly heard. He worked as a security guard and was a very brave person. He worked as a security guard at a bank, and when someone told the bank manager that he had hired a disbeliever, the manager replied that he saw him offering prayers and reciting the Qur’an, how could he be disbeliever? He is survived by two wives, a son and a daughter. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah treat him with forgiveness and mercy and enable his children to continue the legacy of his virtues.

Khalid Mahmood-ul-Hassan Bhatti Sahib

Khalid Mahmood-ul-Hassan Bhatti Sahib who was Wakilul Maal Thalith in Rabwah. He was also serving as the Vice-President of Majlis Ansarullah and the Naib Afsar Jalsa Salana. He served the Community in various capacities over a span of thirty-eight years of service. In his capacities, he would travel to various places where he would help teach people about the Community, its system, and would encourage people to increase their connection with Khilafat. He is survived by a wife, two daughters and a son. He worked with great passion and dedication, and always trusted God in all matters. He established the spirit of a life-devotee in its true sense. Despite always being busy with his work, he never neglected his duties at home and was always present. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah elevate his station in Paradise and enable his children to keep alive the legacy of his virtues.

Mubarak Ahmad Tahir Sahib

Mubarak Ahmad Tahir Sahib who passed away on February 17. He is survived by his wife, four sons and two daughters. One son is Hafiz Ijaz Ahmad Tahir, a professor in Jamia Ahmadiyya UK and Nasr Ahmad Tahir, a life-devotee serving in The Review of Religions. Mubarak Ahmad Tahir Sahib served as a life-devotee in various capacities, including as a teacher in Uganda. Upon returning to Rabwah he served in various offices. He was appointed as the Mashir-e-Qanuni by the Fourth Caliph (rh), a post which he served in until his demise. He always came home with a smiling face, and always recounted his stories and incidents with the Caliphs and would advise youngsters to remain attached to Khilafat. He always trusted in God and had a great connection with Khilafat, which he would attribute as the reasons for any success. His Holiness (aba) said that he himself saw him to have great trust in God, and no matter the difficult circumstances being faced, he would be content as he trusted in God and knew that the prayers of the Caliph were with him. Once, The Third Caliph (rh) placed some money in his pocket, due to which his pockets always remained full. He would always spend in the way of Allah and would give to the poor and needy. He advised his children who also became life-devotees, that to devote one’s life is to become completely obedient. It is on the basis of this advice that his sons are serving as life-devotees. He was granted great wealth by God Almighty, a majority of which would be spent in helping the less fortunate and poor. His Holiness (aba) commented that he possessed many great qualities and saw him work with great patience and care and never became worried as he constantly kept his trust in God.

Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.