Friday Sermon: 12th August 2016

Today's Friday sermon was delivered by Khalifatul Masih V (May Allah be his Helper) directly from Jalsa Gah, Hadeeqatul Mahdi, Oaklands Farm, Green Street East Worldham Alton, Hampshire, UK.

After Tashahhud and Surah Fatihah he said that by the Grace of God today Juma'at Ahmadiyya Britain will start its annual convention. Formal inauguration will be held this evening. May God make all the attendees to meet those expectations which Promised Messiah (peace be on him) expected from the members of the Juma'at. May all the attendees be the recipient of the prayers of the Promised Messiah (peace be on him). All Ahmadees know this and should know that and Promised Messiah (peace be on him) specially mentioned this that attending the Jalsa is not like attending any worldly convention. So every attendee these days should make the focus of his attention to attain religious, spiritual, and academic knowledge. Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has shown his anger on those who do not attend the Jalsa with this passion. He said that a committee specially prepares the programs of the Jalsa with this intention and the speeches and their topics are selected very carefully and with lot of deliberations so that the quest of religious, spiritual, and academic knowledge is taken care of. A long list of the topics is prepared and sent to the Caliph of the time for approval. He then suggest some topics which are ultimately presented here. This is done to produce the best material for the advancement of the religious, spiritual, and academic knowledge of the members. Hence the attendees should make it incumbent upon themselves that they will participate in the programs and listen quietly these speeches from inside the marquee while they are being delivered. Sometimes from men's side and usually from the women's side complaint is reported that instead of sitting inside the marquee and listening the speeches people sit in small groups outside the marquee and enjoy their time. Some provide gaming material to their children and let them play and make noise beside the wall of the marquee. In this way children will not learn the sanctity of the religious meetings. Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that if children are so little that it is necessary to let them play with toys then their parents should take them to the designated place for children and let them play there – toys are available there. But it is not appropriate in any way for the parents to site outside the marquees and let children play and make noise around the main marquees either those marquees are for men or for women. And when they are stopped from making noise by the workers on duty they show their resentment. It is their own mistake not the mistake of the worker.

As I said earlier that there is a committee which contemplates and suggests topics of speeches and send it to me then I according to the need of the time suggest 7 or 8 topics out of them. Then these selected topics are sent to the speakers. They spend many days some spend more than a month to prepare their speeches. In a short time painstakingly they try to prepare a very comprehensive speech. Hence everyone should be concerned that the speakers and scholars who spend lot of time and prepare their speeches very painstakingly should be given full attention and the contents of their speeches should be memorized. I perceive that if the listeners, men and women memorize 50 percent of these speeches will increase their spiritual, religious, and academic knowledge many folds.

At one time Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said all should listen speeches attentively, listen with full attention and full care because it is a matter of faith. Frailty and lack of attention produces very bad results in this respect. Those who are inattentive, and when addressed they don't pay attention, to them no matter how good is the speaker and how useful and effective the contents of the speech are it would not benefit them. About such people it is said that they have ears but they don't listen and they have heart but don't comprehend. So, remember whatever is said listen it with care and attention. Because one who does not listen attentively does not benefit even if lives with whatever kind of beneficent person.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that another area of complaint both in men side and women side is from those who sit at the end of the marquee. He said if those complaints were true then this time they should make it sure that the duty worker in those area should not have any complaint. They should listen the Jalsa proceedings with utmost seriousness and should not listen just to take a temporary intellectual delight or appreciate a scholarly point. Rather we should listen so as to have permanent academic and spiritual benefit. Then Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that regarding those who have selected likeness for the speakers who just come to Jalsa Gah for a particular speaker for those Promised Messiah (peace be on him) said that for my Juma'at and for myself and my soul I want and like this that apparent words and actions which are evident from the lectures should not only be liked and all the purpose and goal should not rest at that that how fascinating is the speaker, how magical are his words. He said that my satisfaction does not rest at that. I not only like this and it is not by texture rather it is the basis of my nature that whatever is done should be done for the sake of God. Whatever is said should be said for the sake of God. This is a grave reason for the decline and the recession in Muslims otherwise they hold so many conferences, there are so many associations, and they hold so many meetings where very eloquent speakers and lecturers produce their lectures and make such speeches and perhaps they lament and moan on the condition of the nation. What is that that it does not affect the Muslims instead of progress the nation is going down day by day. In fact attendees in these meetings don not bring their sincerity.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has shown the face of those whose meetings are only for show off even if those are held for the religion. Their meetings are only to promote their own name. He said that Promised Messiah (peace be on him) also said at another place that their speakers instead of thinking that their lecture should increase the attendees in spiritual and academic level during the speech they are thinking for appreciation of their knowledge only. Such speakers had made the attendees their lord and such is the case of the attendees that they are not sincere also. If they come with sincerity they will definitely benefit and there will be a positive effect also.

Anyhow neither our speakers come with that intention nor attendees. And it should not be like that that instead of apprehending the meanings and making it a source to improve just take a temporary satisfaction. But if there are any people in our Juma'at they should amend and pay attention to their correction.

It is a beneficence of God that we accepted the Promised Messiah (peace be on him) and to be thankful to Him and to pay His right only if we are doing everything solely and purely for Him and for His satisfaction. Promised Messiah (peace be on him) move our attention towards small things so that a weakness of a few may not become the thinking of the most. From those few the new generations may not think that it is normal not pay attention and talk during the Jalsa meetings. And if I talk regarding this it is only to remind so that if there is any weakness it should be removed so that our new comers our children our young know the importance of the Jalsa. If Jalsa does not have a positive impact and due to our human weaknesses some of us do not benefit from the speeches then it is worrisome situation. May God bless and strengthen the language of the speakers so that they could justify with their topics and be able to positively influence the minds and hearts of the listeners with the mention of God and His Prophet, mention of love and loyalty, mention of relation with God, mention of love of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), the mention of true lover of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and strong relation and obedience to Promised Messiah (peace be on him). May God grant success to all speakers.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that I want to move attention of the guest towards this that for their service there are workers assigned on both sides for men and women. Or I should say that for service of guests of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) those who have volunteered for the service among them there are students of schools and colleges and there are large number of people who have their own business, some are in service and some are very high officials and hold senior positions also. But the passion for the service of the guest of Promised Messiah (peace be on him) has put a student, a labor, a business man, and a high official all on the same level. I am reminding this to guests only because some guests who sometimes become angry on workers they should control their emotions and should respect honor of the workers. Though the workers are always reminded that in all conditions they have to keep patience and endurance. But due to human weaknesses some time under certain conditions some workers reply harshly. So it is incumbent upon the guests to respect the workers and don't show any such attitude due to which a bad situation may arise. And then those children and young who come to work with a passion but sometimes due to bad attitude of guests break their heart and their passion dies down. Out siders, non Ahamadies if show any dissatisfaction which usually they don't it may be acceptable and we should do our best to satisfy them. But Ahamadies who come here as guest though they are guests but it should not be their desire to behave like guest. They come here to take the blessings of the Jalsa. And as I said before that they should come with this thinking. If they find any difficulty they should accept it with open heart. As I said in last Friday also that where all the arrangements are temporary we erect this city for few days. Volunteers do all the work they erect this and then they dismantle it with in few days. Anyhow where there are temporary arrangements there you may have to face some hardships. No matter how much you arrange there will always be few things which cannot be arranged at a temporary place which can be provided at permanent place.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that it is reported to me that a woman participant last year complaint that air conditioners should be provided in the marquees. It is hot and we know it, and administration knows it also but to arrange air conditioning is very difficult. If there is such situation that weather is hot then door should be opened to let the air pass through. People think that it is an easy task but even to arrange fans is not easy. Some technical hardships and problems arise due to which even fans cannot be arranged. And then we have to keep an eye on the expanse also. In Rabwah and Qadian Jalsa is arranged in open air in cold weather. And sometimes it rains also and people keep sitting in the Jalsa Gah. For a good cause if one has to bear small hardships one should do.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said Promised Messiah (peace be on him) once said about such people who demand many different things. He said that if a guest come here only for that he will find tranquility here, will get cold drinks, or will find lavish meals then he came only for these things. While it is a duty of the host to provide best hospitality and make it easy for the guest and he do that. But if the guest think like that then it will be lose for him. So the guest should be thankful to God for whatever arrangements they receive and should be thankful to those workers who have worked day and night to arrange for them different departments and services.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that guests in these three days of the Jalsa should spend their time thinking that how to please God. They should spend their time in seeking His mercy, forgiveness, and help and His shelter form all the calamities and evils.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that if someone taking a temporary shelter if seek this prayer that I take total refuge in the words of God and seek God's shelter from all calamites. He said then from the time taking the shelter and until leaving nothing will harm him. So in these days seek this prayer that what is going on in the world and nobody knows what time any vicious person is going to do any mischief. What wicked people are planning? May God save us from all that. Then there are diseases, people have come with small children and people come with passion and these days children become sick but some parents don't care much. Children are fragile they may get sick. Hence when all these prayers are requested may Allah the Exalted save from all the diseases and evils. So we should always be requesting prayers. And we all know that to get prayers accepted worship is incumbent and follow path of God. Not only these days once we adapt this then it should become our second nature.

Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said I talked about the people with children. I am informed that last night some people came with children and they did not find bedding and mattresses. Some families with little children has suffered. They wrapped their children in the blanket which they brought with them but they themselves suffered. People bring small children with them some are 9 or 10 month old and if we ask them to move to some other place as it is too cold here but they refuse. They want to keep their children in this environment of the Jalsa. If there are such people who ask for ease but on the other hand there some who are very strong and want to make their children also strong. As I said last night some people had bad time. I hope the administration will take care of the shortage of the mattresses.

Those who come to Jalsa they should be mindful towards the congregational prayers. When it is time for prayer they should come and site quietly so that those who come late may not disturb others. If people are getting late due to food service. Then the department who arrange prayers timing should coordinate with the people who serve the food. And if due to any reason people are getting late due to food service then they should let me know also. Huzoor (May Allah be his Helper) said that due to my busy schedule and engagements I also get late especially when I have outside guests and meetings are going on. I have observed that people keep coming in until very late when I am leading prayer. The guests and the department of Tarbiyyat should pay attention towards this. Because when people come late and they walk on the wooden floor it makes lot of noise. If you have arrived early for the prayer then sit inside and keep yourselves busy in remembrance of God this also has a reward. God rewards for very small things also, sitting in the Masjid also has a reward. So time should not be wasted and this is best use of the time in these three days. Instead of waiting for me standing outside it is better to sit inside that will reduce the noise of your walk also. The other thing to keep your cell phones off but if your phone is important then keep it on vibrator. This year administration claim that they have improved the cell phone service here. It will be available here as it is available in the city. So due to that may be people have purchased their SIMs also. But enhancement of the cell phone service should not disturb the Jalsa proceedings.

In the same way those who are coming on cars they should cooperate with the administration. This time administration has tried to make the better arrangement for the parking. But system can only be better when people cooperate. Hence for success of any system depends on the cooperation of the guests. Cooperate with the scanning department also it is all done for your ease and security. It is the beauty of the Juma'at Ahmadiyya that all Ahmadis are part of the system either they are guests or they are workers. Especially parking, scanning, food, and Jalsa Gah in these areas all at all times should be vigilant. If you see any abnormal thing immediately inform the administration and be vigilant also. But in any case there should be no panic. Those who are in private tents or in the marquees they should keep their money and expansive things with themselves. Especially women should remember that if they have any ornaments they keep it wearing. Firstly on Jalsa ornaments and expensive things should not be brought. They come to spend time in religious environment and not for worldly affairs. Those who have brought they should take care of it. Those who come on regular basis instead of showing their ornaments and cloths they should also pay attention to Jalsa proceedings.

There are some departments who have arranged exhibitions. Department of history and archive has arranged exhibition Similarly Review Of Religion is exhibiting old copies of The Holy Quran and Shroud of Turin. They did such exhibition last year also this year they might have done better. Both of the exhibitions are very important. There is a separate time allocated for men and women all must visit and benefit from these exhibitions.

Huzoor (may Allah be his Helper) said that again I will remind all to keep yourselves busy in praying especially, congregational prayers, remembrance of God, Darood Shareef, and other prayers. May make this Jalsa blessed and accept all our prayers and save us from all evils. Ameen