His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, delivered the Eid al-fitr sermon today from Mubarak Mosque, Islamabad, UK- here is a summary:
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that by the sheer grace of Allah, after having passed through the month of Ramadan, He has enabled us to witness the day of Eid. But is this the only purpose of us having passed through the month of Ramadan; that we fast for a month and then at the end celebrate? In fact, we can only reap the true blessings of this bounty of Allah, when we truly understand the purpose of Ramadan and Eid. If we have truly reformed ourselves and developed good habits, then they should clearly be visible after a period of thirty days.
His Holiness (aba) said that from one Ramadan to the next, we should continue acting upon those virtuous habits which were brought about during the month of Ramadan. Only then will we witness the true blessings of Ramadan.
The Blessings of Accepting the Imam of the Age
His Holiness (aba) said that we are fortunate to have accepted the Imam of the Age, who guided us towards treading upon the path which has been established for us by God and His Messenger (sa). It is in following this guidance that we will be able to do true justice to our worship and fulfill the commandments of God. The Promised Messiah (as) clearly stated that there were two primary objectives of his advent; to help people recognise God and fulfill their rights owed to Him, and to help people recognise the rights they owe to their fellow human beings. These are the essence of Islam and the purpose of our lives. The purpose of Ramadan is to strive in fulfilling these purposes.
The True Blessings of Ramadan and Eid
His Holiness (aba) said that the true blessings of Ramadan will only be recognised when a true change is brought about. Furthermore, one will only experience the true happiness of Eid when these changes become a permanent part of one’s life.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) has guided us as to how to become true believers. His Holiness (aba) said that he would be presenting quotations of the Promised Messiah (as) which explain how we can truly continue the blessings of Ramadan and celebrate Eid in the true fashion; what the rights owed to God are and what the rights owed to fellow human beings are.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that to truly love God is to love Him more than one’s parents, wife, family and all other things. God Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an:
‘Celebrate the praises of Allah as you celebrated the praises of your fathers, or even more than that.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 2:201)
If we can establish this level of love, then we can say that we are celebrating Eid in the true sense. We must analyse ourselves and see if we are ready to strive in achieving this. The Promised Messiah (as) further said that the true love of God cannot be achieved simply through words, rather there must be a true and concerted effort made in this cause. Hence, along with the verbal affirmations, there must be actions to accompany them. This is the true Islam, and this is the purpose for which the Promised Messiah (as) came.
His Holiness (aba) said that life-devotees should especially consider that everything they do and every action of theirs should be solely for the sake of Allah Almighty.
Become Like Abraham (as)
His Holiness (aba) further quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that the story of Abraham (as) was told to show the great levels of sacrifice which one should attain. Islam seeks to make many Abrahams and instill that same spirit in everyone. We should not merely seek to follow other aulia`ullah (friends of Allah), rather we ourselves should seek to become friends of Allah. No doubt that attaining these standards requires one to walk down a difficult path, but after crossing that path is great ease and happiness. However, it is necessary to shed all bad habits and qualities. Without sincerity, one cannot attain the true pleasure of God Almighty. No one can deceive God Almighty, hence we must be truly sincere to our core.
His Holiness (aba) said that hence, we must analyse our claims of loving God. If we love Him in the true sense as described, then we will experience the true happiness of Eid.
Experiencing True Prayer
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that one should always continue seeking forgiveness from God Almighty. When one truly turns to God in repentance, then Allah turns to him with mercy and forgiveness and erases his sins and faults. To do this, one must offer their prayers with great care. One should establish the true fear of God in their hearts. Before doing anything, one should stop to think whether these actions will please, or displease God. The Promised Messiah (as) said that the purpose of prayer is not merely to go through the physical actions and postures. Rather, the purpose of prayer is to glorify God and to seek His forgiveness. When these two things are combined with true attention and sincerity, then one experiences true prayer. When one bows, their heart should bow along with them, and when one prostrates, then it should be with the true fear of God.
His Holiness (aba) said that it is in attaining such standards that we can experience the true Eid. We must analyse ourselves as to whether we are striving to attain these levels and standards, so that we may truly experience the essence of Eid.
His Holiness (aba) further quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that true worship is to wholly devote one’s self to God. One’s sole purpose should be attaining the pleasure of Allah. All good deeds carried out should not be done forcefully, rather one’s worship and prayers should be carried out with happiness and heartfelt desire. The sign of a true believer is that they never abandon worship and doing good deeds, for they do not do so merely for the sake of reward; rather they consider their very being to be created for the purpose of recognising and seeking the pleasure of God. When one strives in this way, then they are able to witness the bounties of God. The Promised Messiah (as) said that even experiencing hardships would be a means of happiness and contentment for him, as they would lead him closer to God, rather than leading him away from the path of God. This is the path to Paradise, and no one can attain it without treading this path.
Tread the Path That Leads to Paradise
His Holiness (aba) said that this is the essence and this is the path of attaining the true spirit of Eid. So we must consider whether we are treading upon that path which leads us to attaining Paradise.
His Holiness (aba) said that we must establish high standards in our worship, in attaining the pleasure of God, and in fulfilling the rights owed to fellow human beings. Only then will we experience true Eid.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that a true believer never takes personal enemies, nor tries to cause anyone harm. To do so in order to uphold the honour of God and His Messenger (sa) is another matter, but even then, one should pray for such enemies, and keep in mind the moral standard established by the Holy Prophet (sa).
Importance of Reading the Holy Qur’an
His Holiness (aba) said that reading, studying and pondering over the Holy Qur’an is also the sign of a true believer. It is necessary to recite and act upon the Holy Qur’an, along with worship, in order to increase in belief and certainty. The Promised Messiah (as) said that we must read the Holy Qur’an and offer prayers with great care. We should recite the Holy Qur’an and read it’s translation so that we may understand its commandments. We should not recite the Holy Qur’an just as an ordinary book, but should do so keeping in mind that it is the Word of God. Similarly, the essence of Salat is prayer. Hence, we must offer our prayers with great care and attention, rather than simply going through the motions, without even realising what we are doing or saying.
His Holiness (aba) said that offering our prayers with great care, and reciting the Holy Qur’an with true understanding will lead us to experiencing the true Eid. We must always strive to offer prayers with great care, and must always strive to recite, ponder and act upon the Holy Qur’an.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) that our victory lies in the Holy Qur’an. The Holy Prophet (sa) himself said that one who has not memorised any portion of the Holy Qur’an is like an empty home. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet (sa) instructed that we should not recite the Holy Qur’an quickly, rather we should recite it with great care while pondering over its meanings.
His Holiness (aba) said that many will have recited the Holy Qur’an and memorised some portions during the Holy Qur’an. We should strive to continue this and continue revising those portions we have memorised. But we must also strive in continuing to ponder over its meanings. Then,