After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that two days ago was 23 March which is known in the Ahmadiyya Community as Promised Messiah (as) Day. This was the day on which the first bai’at (pledge of allegiance) was taken at his hand.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Community holds Jalsas (gatherings) to commemorate this day by recounting the purpose of the Promised Messiah’s (as) advent which was foretold by the Holy Prophet (sa) and accompanied with numerous signs.
The Purpose of the Promised Messiah’s (as) Advent
His Holiness (aba) said that with regards to the purpose of his advent, the Promised Messiah (as) said that God commissioned him to defend Islam at a time when it was being attacked from all sides. In fact, there were about 60 million Muslims in India, and there was 60 million books written against the religion of Islam. Had God Himself not procured the means for its protection, then Islam would have been erased from the face of the earth. However God would not allow this to happen, and according to His promise, established the means for the protection of Islam.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would quote various writings of the Second Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) regarding the Promised Messiah (as). His Holiness (aba) said that hearing these incidents can be beneficial only if we ponder over them and use them as a means to strengthen our faith.
Answering An Allegation
His Holiness (aba) said that one of the allegations which is usually raised against prophets is that whatever they say or teach is told to them by someone else. This allegation was also raised against the Holy Prophet (sa), whereas the things taught by the Holy Prophet (sa) could not have been told to him by any other man. His Holiness (aba) said that the same allegation was raised against the Promised Messiah (as).
His Holiness (aba) said it was alleged that Maulvi Charagh Ali used to write about various topics to the Promised Messiah (as) and the Promised Messiah (as) used those to write his book Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) says that it contradicts reason to think that Maulvi Charagh Ali would take his best points and send them to someone else to publish, rather than publishing them himself. Furthermore, if one were to compare the writings of the Promised Messiah (as) with the writings of Maulvi Charagh Ali, it would become clear that there is absolutely no similarity between the two. Maulvi Charagh Ali merely gathered Biblical references in his books, whereas the Promised Messiah (as) presented such knowledge regarding Islam in his books which had never been brought to light in 1,300 years.
How Opposition Serves a Purpose
His Holiness (aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who relates that the Promised Messiah (as) used to say that it bothered him when people cursed him, but it also bothered him if they didn’t, because without opposition, the Community would not flourish. There were various occasions where opposition arose which caused disorder during the time of the Promised Messiah (as), and people thought that it would be the end of the Community. However, every time, in the face of such opposition, the Ahmadiyya Community would always come out of these hardships even stronger. His Holiness (aba) said that this has always been the case, and will continue to be the case. Even today, opponents and hypocrites do their utmost, yet the Ahmadiyya Community will persist and only get stronger.
His Holiness (aba) said that at times when opponents say things against the Community, people wish to see the reality for themselves and whether there is any truth to the claims. Once, during the time of the Promised Messiah (as) a man from Rampur came to the Promised Messiah (as) saying that he wished to pledge allegiance. The Promised Messiah (as) was surprised and asked how the man had come to know of him, as there are not many members of the Community in Rampur nor has the Community extensively propagated its message there. The man said that he was given a book by Maulvi Sanaullah in which he had written against the Ahmadiyya Community and gathered various references of the Promised Messiah (as). The man wished to check the references from the original source, and upon opening the books of the Promised Messiah (as) he was astonished at the manner in which he had praised and expressed love for the Holy Prophet (sa) and the manner in which he had defended Islam. This changed his heart and he decided to pledge allegiance to the Promised Messiah (as).
Example of the Promised Messiah’s (as) Humility
His Holiness (aba) said that another allegation raised against prophets is that they can be stern at times. Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) explained that a prophet is never stern for themselves, rather it is in defence and protection of their faith. Otherwise, when it comes to themselves, prophets adopt the utmost humility. For example, once, while the Promised Messiah (as) was walking in Lahore, a man came and pushed him, however the Promised Messiah (as) did not allow those with him to retaliate. Instead, the Promised Messiah (as) said that he must have done so thinking he was defending the truth, because clerics had indoctrinated him with the thought that the Promised Messiah (as) was false. Thus, a prophet only stands to defend the faith and adopts humility when it comes to themselves.
His Holiness (aba) said that God Himself decides who to honour, and in this day and age, true honour is associated with the Promised Messiah (as). He said that clerics such as Maulvi Sanaullah were only known because of their opposition to the Promised Messiah (as). His Holiness (aba) said that the same proves today, as clerics attain prominence and are known when they raise their voices in opposition to Ahmadiyyat.
Attempts to Dishonour the Promised Messiah (as) Backfire
His Holiness (aba) said that once Maulvi Muhammad Husain Batalvi levelled false charges against the Promised Messiah (as) due to which a hearing was scheduled. When the Promised Messiah (as) arrived, Captain Douglas, the deputy commissioner, offered the Promised Messiah (as) a chair to sit on. Maulvi Muhammad Husain Batalvi had plotted this all in order to try and humiliate the Promised Messiah (as), so it angered him to see that the Promised Messiah (as) was being respected and had been given a chair. Thus, Batalvi also demanded to be given a chair. Upon this, Captain Douglas sternly told him that he would not be given a chair. Thus, although Batalvi wished to humiliate the Promised Messiah (as), it was in fact he who was humiliated by God.
His Holiness (aba) said that once the Promised Messiah (as) had a debate with some Christians. When the Christians realised that none of their arguments were working, they devised a plot whereby they brought some blind, deaf and disabled people and when the Promised Messiah (as) arrived, they demanded that if he claimed to be the second coming of Jesus, then he should cure this people, just as he had. The Muslims present became worried, however the Promised Messiah (as) replied that according to Islam, Jesus (as) did not physically heal such people. He said that he could show miracles similar to those shown by the Holy Prophet (sa). If Christians believe that Jesus (as) physically healed people, then the Bible also says that if one possesses faith even as much as a mustard seed, then they too can cure such people. The Promised Messiah (as) said that the Christians had made things much easier for him, and said that according to their own teaching, if they held even as much faith as a mustard seed, then they should prove it by curing these people they had brought. This answer by the Promised Messiah (as) rendered the Christians speechless.
God Almighty’s Support of the Promised Messiah (as)
His Holiness (aba) said that once, a person said to the Promised Messiah (as) that Muslims only listen to their clerics, and if he wanted to propagate his message, then he should have invited these clerics and explained to them that Jesus (as) has passed away, and then he should have also given various proofs for the second coming of Jesus (as) and the advent of the Promised Messiah (as). The Promised Messiah (as) said that his mission was not a man-made one, and God Himself would see to its spread and success.
His Holiness (aba) said that there was also the sign of the solar and lunar eclipses which were fulfilled as signs of the Promised Messiah’s (as) truthfulness. There were many signs that were fulfilled, however Muslims would say that even though all the signs foretold to accompany the latter day Messiah were fulfilled, it was simply a matter of coincidence that there was a claimant to being the Messiah.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) was always supported by the help of God. There were numerous plots against the Promised Messiah (as) and various false charges levelled against him as well. However, God would bring the falsehood of these claims to light. Once, while people were plotting how to defeat the Promised Messiah (as) and came up with various schemes. One person, Maulvi Umaruddin suggested that there was no reason to devise such intricate plots, he would simply go and kill the Promised Messiah (as). He was told that such plots had already been attempted but to no avail. Maulvi Umaruddin thought that if so many attempts had been made, yet the Promised Messiah (as) was still saved, then he must be truthful. As a result, he went to Qadian and pledged allegiance to the Promised Messiah (as). There were many opponents who wished to eliminate the Promised Messiah (as), but according to His promise, God ensured that the Promised Messiah (as) was always protected.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) said that a seed planted by God is protected by his angels. Had this movement been initiated by man, then it would have been erased, however if it has been established by God, then it will remain strong and strive forth.
His Holiness (aba) prayed that may we fulfil our pledge of allegiance and reap the blessings of Allah by spreading the message of the Promised Messiah (as). May we never be among those who are disloyal.
Launch of Kurdish Website
His Holiness (aba) announced the launch of the Ahmadiyya Community’s website in the Kurdish language, which is yet another means of spreading the message of the Promised Messiah (as). The website comprises various articles, commentaries, videos etc. It also comprises Community literature, including writings of the Promised Messiah (as) and the Caliphs. His Holiness (aba) said that he would launch the website after the Friday prayers. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may this website be a source of blessings.
An Appeal for Prayers
His Holiness (aba) once again made an appeal for prayers in light of the current state of the world. May Allah the Almighty save the world from destruction, enable people to see reason and to recognise their Creator.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
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