Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that Allah the Almighty has told us that the Holy Prophet (sa) is the perfect example for us in every matter. His Holiness (aba) said that over the past few sermons, he has been relating incidents regarding the Holy Prophet’s (sa) love for Allah. This also included incidents pertaining to the Holy Prophet’s (sa) devotion to worship.
His Holiness (aba) said that he had thought that after the topic of ‘Love for God’, he would deliver sermons about the Holy Prophet’s (sa) standard of worship. However, within the topic of ‘Love for God’, incidents pertaining to the Holy Prophet’s (sa) devotion to worship could not go without mention. His Holiness (aba) said that despite intending to, he could not separate the two topics of Love for God and Devotion to Worship. This is because the two are intertwined; one cannot exist without the other.
The Holy Prophet’s (sa) Standard of Worship
His Holiness (aba) said that today he would continue mentioning incidents regarding the Holy Prophet’s (sa) standard of worship, which at the same time exhibit the great levels of love that the Holy Prophet (sa) had for God. The Holy Prophet’s (sa) standard of worship has been described in the Holy Qur’an as follows:
‘Say, “My Prayer and my sacrifice and my life and my death are all for Allah, the Lord of the worlds.”’ (The Holy Qur’an, 6:163)
His Holiness (aba) said that God instructed the Holy Prophet (sa) to say, ‘If you love Allah, follow me, then will Allah love you’, thus instructing us to strive to emulate the example of the Holy Prophet (sa).
His Holiness (aba) said that through the Holy Prophet (sa), God has imparted an abundance of guidance in the Holy Qur’an regarding worship. For example, God says in the Holy Qur’an:
‘And I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 51:57)
His Holiness (aba) said that thus the Holy Prophet (sa) taught that just as he set the example of fulfilling the purpose of life through worshipping God, so too should one follow his example and strive to fulfil the rights of worship as their ultimate purpose. It is only then that one will attain the love of God.
His Holiness (aba) said that at another instance in the Holy Qur’an, God says:
‘O ye men, worship your Lord Who created you and those who were before you, that you may become righteous.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 2:22)
His Holiness (aba) said that God also states:
‘O ye who believe! bow down and prostrate yourselves in Prayer, and worship your Lord, and do good deeds that you may prosper.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 22:78)
His Meticulousness & Concentration in Prayer
His Holiness (aba) said that not only did the Holy Prophet (sa) bring these teachings, but he practised them in their perfect form. His prayers for his people will only be fulfilled in our favour if we strive to practically emulate his examples of worship. There are various examples of this.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) never let any opportunity for worshipping God go to waste. In fact, according to the Holy Prophet (sa) himself, he would even worship whilst he was sleeping, as he said that although his eyes may be asleep, his heart remained awake in the remembrance of Allah.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) was very meticulous about his prayers. Once, the Holy Prophet (sa) offered prayers while wearing a sheet that had some images on it. After completing his prayer, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that the sheet should be removed and replaced with a plain one, because for a brief moment during prayer he had caught sight of an image and did not wish to be distracted while offering prayer.
His Holiness (aba) said that this shows us that simplicity is the best course, especially in prayer, so that the clothes do not become a distraction. Sometimes, even in prayer, some people become preoccupied with their clothes, either becoming distracted by them or constantly worrying about fixing them as they pray. However, as per the example set by the Holy Prophet (sa), we should do our utmost to eliminate distractions so as to maintain complete attention towards offering prayer. True prayer is defined by complete attention in prayer. Thus, any such things that can cause distractions, such as designs or images, should be avoided at the time of prayer.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, Hazrat A’ishah (ra) described the Holy Prophet’s (sa) bed as being made of leather and filled with date leaves. Hazrat Hafsah (ra) described the Holy Prophet’s (sa) bed in her home as being soft and comfortable. One night, she thought to make the bed even more comfortable. In the morning, the Holy Prophet (sa) asked her what she had done to the bed, and she explained that she had made it more comfortable for him. The Holy Prophet (sa) advised that the bed should be returned to its original form, as the increased comfort was making it difficult to wake up in the night to offer prayer. Although nothing could have stopped him from waking up to offer prayer, and indeed he did, he did not wish for anything to detract from his prayer, even the increased comfort of a bed.
How Did the Holy Prophet (sa) Pray?
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet’s (sa) devotion in prayer has been described in various ways. For example, some have described that the Holy Prophet (sa) would weep so profusely and fervently in prayer that the sound coming from his chest was like that of a grinder. Others have described the sound to be akin to the sound of a boiling pot.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet (sa) advised a companion, saying that Allah’s right over his servants is that His servants worship Him and not associate partners with him. Then, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that the right of man upon Allah is that Allah will not torment His servants. Thus, worshipping God is a means to protect against the punishment of God.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), who writes that upon receiving the commandment from God to offer prayers, the Holy Prophet (sa) practically established all facets and forms of prayer, thus establishing his own practice and showing all generations to come how to worship God. Thus, the practice of the Holy Prophet (sa) was not only to convey what he was commanded, but also to practise it to perfection and to teach his companions to follow his example.
His Emphasis on Offering the Pre-Dawn Voluntary Prayer
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) put great emphasis upon offering the pre-dawn voluntary prayer (tahajjud). Though this prayer is voluntary, the Holy Prophet (sa) would go around early in the morning to observe which of his companions were offering the pre-dawn voluntary prayer. Today, if someone is asked or reminded about offering prayers in the mosque, people mind this and say that this is their personal matter. However, here we see that even when it came to the pre-dawn voluntary prayer, the Holy Prophet (sa) would take stock of who was offering the prayer.
His Holiness (aba) said that once someone was being spoken about in a complimentary manner, and the Holy Prophet (sa) agreed that this person was indeed a good individual, so long as he offered the pre-dawn voluntary prayer. This was a young man who would sometimes become lazy in offering the pre-dawn voluntary prayer. However, in this wise manner, the Holy Prophet (sa) gave a reminder about ensuring to offer the pre-dawn voluntary prayer.
His Holiness (aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that God bestows His mercy upon the married couple who, when the husband wakes up for the pre-dawn voluntary prayer, he awakens his wife, and if she does not wake up, then he should sprinkle water on her. Similarly, if the wife wakes up for the pre-dawn voluntary prayer, she awakens her husband, and if he does not wake up she sprinkles water on him. Where Islam has emphasised the importance of respect between husband and wife, it also teaches that it is appropriate to sprinkle water on the other in order to wake them for the pre-dawn voluntary prayer. This was the emphasis that the Holy Prophet (sa) placed on the pre-dawn voluntary prayer.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) encouraged people to offer the pre-dawn voluntary prayer by saying that even if one were to offer two units (rak‘at) of the pre-dawn voluntary prayer, it is better than not offering the pre-dawn voluntary prayer at all. Similarly, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that God draws nearest in the latter part of the night, and so it is a time for the acceptance of prayers.
Can Our Mere Efforts in Prayer Grant Us Salvation?
His Holiness (aba) said that a person’s own efforts cannot suffice to attain salvation; God’s grace and mercy are vital. Even the Holy Prophet (sa) did not rely on his own efforts; rather, when asked why he worshiped so much despite all his virtuous deeds, he replied that it would not be his own deeds, but only the grace of God, that would enable him to enter paradise. When this was the mindset of the Holy Prophet (sa), whose every moment and action was dedicated to worship, then who else is there that can think their actions will suffice to grant them salvation and grant them passage into paradise?
His Holiness (aba) said that one may wonder how the Holy Prophet’s (sa) every action was a form of worship. The fact is that the Holy Prophet’s (sa) every action was done with the attainment of God’s pleasure in mind. And so, by striving to attain God’s pleasure with every single one of his actions, no matter what it might be, the Holy Prophet’s (sa) every action became a form of worship. It was through his actions that not only did the Holy Prophet (sa) fulfil the commandments of God, but he also exemplified how to fulfil the commandments of God. In doing so, every action and deed of the Holy Prophet (sa) was truly an act of worship. Thus, God’s grace is essential, and that grace cannot be attained by mere claims. Rather, the path to attaining the grace of God is through actions which strive to attain His pleasure.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Second Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who said that there are some who might be offering prayer, however their attention and sights or thoughts are elsewhere. Because their other faculties are not also engrossed in the prayer, their eyes remain dry and the heart does not melt in prayer. However, the example established by the Holy Prophet (sa) was that he would be deeply engrossed in prayer to the extent that his fervent weeping is described to have sounded like the boiling of a pot on a stove and his blessed beard would become wet due to his tears. Thus, in true prayer, one’s eyes should weep, one’s heart should melt and one’s thoughts should be fully immersed in offering prayer.
His Holiness (aba) said that thus, weeping in prayer is an integral facet. The Promised Messiah (as) has advised that for some this may be difficult in the beginning, however one solution is for one to bring upon their face the expressions of crying, which naturally move the heart and can bring about tears and result in more heartfelt prayers.
Prayers for Seeking Forgiveness and Nearness to Allah
His Holiness (aba) said that before sleeping, the Holy Prophet (sa) would recite Ayatul Qursi and the last three chapters of the Holy Qur’an three times. Then he would blow on his hand and would pass his hands over his body starting from his head and going down as far as he could reach. This was a constant practice of the Holy Prophet (sa).
His Holiness (aba) said that people often write to him asking for a small prayer they can recite which will forgive their sins, grant them nearness to God and fulfil all their objectives. His Holiness (aba) said that the foremost solution is to first ensure the fulfillment of the obligatory prayers and to offer them properly. Then, after the obligatory prayers there are the additional components and recitations which have been taught through the practice of the Holy Prophet (sa) such as the prayers he offered before going to sleep and then blowing on his hands and passing them over his body.
Holy Prophet’s (sa) Example of Great Simplicity in Prayers
HIs Holiness (aba) said that some religious leaders are of the mindset that by virtue of being leaders they must have greater worship than their followers. However in doing so, their worship becomes only for the purpose of show and ostentation. However, the Holy Prophet (sa), who had reached the heights of worship and righteousness, he was free from all such displays. For example, the Holy Prophet (sa) once said that there are times when he begins his prayer thinking he will prolong it, however he would hear the crying of a child and think of the mother’s difficulty in that moment and so he would shorten the prayer so as to relieve her of any difficulty. Such was the simplicity of the Holy Prophet (sa). Today, mystics and clerics would consider such an action to be a disgrace to their reputation and would insist on prolonging the prayer in any case. However, the Holy Prophet (sa), whose worship was of the highest standard set an example of great simplicity.
His Holiness (aba) said that similarly, the Holy Prophet (sa) would not fall into unnecessary complications but would prioritise the worship of God alone. For example, it is recorded that if and when required, the Holy Prophet (sa) would also offer prayers whilst wearing shoes. Today, if someone is seen offering prayers whilst wearing shoes there would be a great commotion raised. However, the Holy Prophet (sa) taught to assess the circumstances, not to fall into unnecessary complications. The requirement is cleanliness, and so as long as one’s shoes are clean and have not been worn in places where there is filth, then there is no harm in wearing them and there is no reason for there to be any dispute or debate on the matter.
Importance of Offering Prayer in Congregation
His Holiness (aba) said that prayer is a form of meeting God. Through prayer, one adopts the hue which God wishes His servants to adopt through the teachings of His prophet. Thus, the Holy Prophet (sa) lay great emphasis on offering prayer in congregation. Once, someone asked the Holy Prophet (sa) if he could offer prayer in his home instead of the mosque on the days when it rained due to the distance of his home from the mosque. Initially, the Holy Prophet (sa) granted him permission. Later he called him back, the Holy Prophet (sa) asked if he was able to hear the call to prayer from his home, and he said yes he was able to hear it from his home. The Holy Prophet (sa) said that if one can hear the call to prayer from their home, then they should offer prayer in congregation at the mosque, even if there are difficulties along the path.
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) brought great glad tidings for us, and we can only partake of those glad tidings when we follow his example particularly when it comes to worshiping God. It should be remembered that doing so requires great effort and sacrifice. When asked, some people say that they try to offer the five daily prayers, however this mentality is merely a deception of the mind. True effort denotes fear, and so we must analyse whether our efforts are indeed true efforts.
His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who said that true prayer eliminates the fears that arise in this word. It is like the example of a mother who is otherwise fearful, however when her child is unwell and must go out to get what her child requires, she will even go out into the darkness of the night into dangerous areas in order to provide for her child. In the same manner, offering true prayer eliminates those fears which would otherwise dominate a person.
His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah enable us all to worship Him in the truest manner, and to adopt and emulate the example of the Holy Prophet (sa).
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