His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) is a beaming beacon of Divine guidance and support. His Holiness (aba) represents the highest level of a connection with God in today’s world and thus he is the spiritual leader for tens of millions across the world, and champions the message of fulfilling the rights owed to God, and fulfilling the duties we each owe to our fellow human beings. Over the course of his Friday Sermons, addresses on various occasions, meetings with different organizations and children’s classes, His Holiness (aba) imparts invaluable knowledge and insight on a remarkably vast array of topics.
The Review of Religions is honoured to present some of these ‘Rays of Wisdom’ from His Holiness (aba) taken from various sources, for the benefit of its readers.
Contents
How Was the Holy Prophet (sa) So Strong Even Though He Ate Very Little?
What Does ‘Love for your country is part of your faith’ Really Mean?
What is the Best Way to Ensure Our Children’s Proper Moral Training?
A Method for Seeking the Truth from God
How Was the Holy Prophet (sa) So Strong Even Though He Ate Very Little?
The Holy Prophet (sa) was known to be exceptionally strong in all respects, and some narrations refer specifically to his exceptional physical strength. Although he was very strong according to various narrations, we learn that the Holy Prophet (sa) did not eat very much. In fact, there would be times where he would not be able to eat anything at all due to the scarcity of food. Yet, despite eating very little, he was still very strong. His Holiness (aba) was once asked how this was possible.
His Holiness (aba) replied,
‘Your question is that Holy Prophet (sa) used to take small amount of food, and despite that, he was very strong man and he discharged his duties very well and he worked more than any other person. In olden days, there was no junk food, [there was] all natural food; no burgers, no Ringwurst [a German dish], no other things – all sort of wrong things. He used to take meat, although cooked, but not in a manner that all the strength of that food or the quality of that food [is] destroyed. They used to take dates – that is very nourishing food, gives you sugar. They used to take milk, that was the food at that time. Meat, milk, dates and mutton or whatever it was, and then of course, they used to take grain of barley and oats. That was very nourishing food – that was [the] available nourishing food at that time. And after having taken that food, they used to do exercise. They would walk for miles and miles, they would do horse riding, camel riding; so they were very strong people. One thing is that although they used to take very small amount of food, but they were quite strong and all that food was very nourishing and full of energy. Then, Holy Prophet (sa) did not say that you should not take food. Every person has his own digestion level, absorbing level, requirement of food, requirement of water. Even now, there are quite a number of people I have seen, those who take only one glass of water during the whole day, even in hot weather. If I take only one glass of water I will be dehydrated. That was the requirement [for him]; this is why he says that whatever your food requirement is, you should take food accordingly, but remember that leave some place, not [that] you fill your stomach up to your throat or the full capacity. Leave some space, and when you are feeling slightly hungry then leave it. And even It is proved now – doctors and scientists say – that whatever food you take, it starts digesting after 20 minutes. So when you stop taking food, after 20 minutes you will feel that you have taken enough. But if you don’t realise that and keep on taking it, then after some time, you will feel indigestion, and sometimes some people vomit. So this is the reason, you must take according to your own requirement, but leave some space, and that is proven now scientifically. If you take balanced food, then it will give you energy, and not only keep you alive, but also help you to work in a way which, otherwise you cannot. If you take too much food, you will sleep the whole night, you cannot wake up for Tahajjud prayer [voluntary pre-dawn prayer]; you cannot even wake up for Fajr prayer [prayer offered right before dawn]. {Questioner: “I have experienced this before”} Since you have experienced it, you better know it. This is the reason, this is the logic behind it, that we should take the food up to the level which is required for our body. A giant person of 6 feet 7 inches height and weighing 190 kilos will be taking food more than you. But at the same time, he will not be that strong as you are, because once he falls on the ground, he will need help from somebody to take him up. You can immediately jump from the ground and stand up. So, this is the reason.’ [1]
What Does ‘Love for your country is part of your faith’ Really Mean?
Patriotism and love of country are very strong sentimenets. Many consider it and obligation to love and serve the country in which they reside. For Muslims, not only is this a sentiment, but it is also a religious duty, as the Holy Prophet (sa) once said, ‘Love for your country is part of your faith.’ In reference to this, once someone asked His Holiness (aba) about the meaning of country (watan) and the scope of loving our country and nation.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘”Love for your country” refers to the place or country in which you reside. It refers to a certain area; in the past these used to be small, and even some large areas. Your nation is the community you live in and the people that surround you. Now, countries have been divided, for example, Switzerland is your country, and its residents make up the nation. You must strive for the progress and betterment of both the country and the nation; this demonstrates your love. Loving your nation does not mean that if the law of the country forbids you from praying or believing in God, then you should abandon these beliefs; there is no love in such instances. Once, Hazrat Ali’s (ra) son asked him, “Do you love Allah the Almighty?” ‘ He replied, “Yes, I do.” His son asked, “Do you also love me?” Hazrat Ali (ra) replied, “Yes, I do.” His son then asked, “How can these two loves co-exist?” Hazrat Ali (ra) answered, “When it comes to my love for God Almighty, then my love for you will become secondary.” Thus, Allah the Almighty has ordained for you to love your country by striving for its betterment and progress, and to use all your faculties and capabilities for the success of your nation. This is what it means to love your nation. At the same time, your love for Allah demands that you fulfil His rights, as taught by His religion which you have accepted. One of the commandments within the teachings of Allah the Almighty is that you fulfil His rights, along with the rights of His people. The rights of people include loving them, loving your nation, and loving your country. These are the parameters of this love [for your nation]; you must not abandon your faith, rather you must do everything within its boundaries. If we love Pakistan, then we provide whatever services we can for the country. However, when they say that we cannot recite the Kalima [Islamic creed] that “There is no God but Allah, Muhammad (sa) is the Messenger of Allah”, or that we cannot pray, then we refuse and say that these are matters of faith and God Almighty, thus we cannot adhere to these things. If the country requires us to give our lives for its betterment, then we are prepared to do so. If the opposition [within the country] is excessive, then you should migrate from your country. The prophets used to migrate, and the Holy Prophet (sa) also migrated. Many of you have also migrated from Pakistan because you were facing hardships there.’ [2]
What is the Best Way to Ensure Our Children’s Proper Moral Training?
Parents are entrusted with the future, as it is their children who will go on to play their parts in society, and in the world. Thus, parents must always be mindful of how they can raise their children in the best possible manner, so that they prove to be valuable assets not only for their surrounding communities, but the world at large. With a task so monumental, it’s never too early to start. Thus, the father of a one-year-old son once asked His Holiness (aba) what can be done at this stage to ensure his son’s proper moral training.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘You should focus on your own moral training (Tarbiyyat), then this will consequently result in his moral training as well. Offer your daily prayers, so he is aware that his parents offer their prayers. Recite the Holy Qur’an so he knows that his parents recite the Holy Qur’an. Have religious discussions in your home so he knows that religious discussions take place in his home. Do not watch useless films and dramas on the television, so he knows that vain films and dramas are not watched in his home because such things are wrong. Use your time wisely; focus on reading books and watching other [informative] things so that they can learn. There are many other virtues, and if you adopt them, then your children will learn that they must also do the same things. Familiarise them with the Jama’at and tell them about the teachings of the Promised Messiah (as); tell them of the teachings of the Holy Prophet (sa); talk to them about Allah the Almighty. If you have these sorts of discussions, then he will be brought up in a religious atmosphere; this is true moral training. If you watch useless films late into the night and tell your children that it is late and they should go to sleep, and that children are not allowed to watch the film that we are watching on TV after 11 pm, then this will not allow for their proper moral training.’ [3]
A Method for Seeking the Truth from God
The journey of faith is life-long and is unique to each individual. A common struggle many face is that of doubt and uncertainty; sometimes to a degree that feels insurmountable. Such has historically been the case when it comes to people determining the truth of a person sent by God, as doubts can become a hindrance to them realising the clear signs of God. While highlighting a proven method of clearing doubts and ascertaining the truth, His Holiness (aba) once said:
‘With regard to how one can determine and ascertain the truth, the Promised Messiah (as) states: “People ought to supplicate to God Almighty in their prayers that He reveal the truth to them. And I firmly believe that if a person removes himself from all bias and stubbornness, and sincerely – for the acquisition of truth – turns his attention towards God Almighty, then a period of 40 days shall not pass that the truth will be made manifest to the supplicant. However, there are extremely few who – fulfilling these conditions – seek a verdict about the truth from God. And so, due to their lack of understanding, or their stubbornness and bias, they end up rejecting the appointee of God, and thereby corrupt their faith. This is because the saintly disposition of the prophet serves as a means of establishing the truthfulness of his prophethood and thus the rejection of a prophet is tantamount to rejecting God, consequently causing one to lose their faith altogether”.’ [4],[5]
ENDNOTES
[1] Meeting with Khuddam from Germany – 30 March 2019
[2] Meeting with Waqf-e-Nau Boys from Switzerland – 21 April 2019
[3] Ibid
[4] Malfuzat, Vol. 4, p.16
[5] Friday Sermon – 22 March 2019
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