Friday Sermon: Signs of Truth: The Promised Messiah and Mahdi March 21st, 2014 Today Hazrat Khalifatul Masih gave a discourse with reference to writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in which he expounded signs of his truthfulness and his miracles. First Huzoor explained that last Friday he gave a discourse based on extracts of the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) writings regarding the significance and attainment of knowledge of God. Among these extracts Huzoor had also briefly explained one or two difficult passages. Later when Huzoor heard the initial English translation of the sermon and also saw the Urdu transcription for publication in Al Fazl, Huzoor felt that perhaps one extract was not explained sufficiently and this may have caused the translators some difficulty and may have also caused difficulty to those who transcribed it. Therefore, today Huzoor read out part of the extract and then elucidated it in easy to understand phraseology. The extract was: ‘God has appointed knowledge and understanding as the principal means of obtaining a true concept of Islam. Though there are other means for obtaining such knowledge, like fasting, Prayer, supplication and carrying out all the Divine commandments, the number of which exceeds six hundred, yet the knowledge of the Greatness of God and of His Unity and of His attributes of Glory and Beauty is basic for everything. He who has a heedless heart and has no understanding of the Divine, cannot obtain the strength to observe the fast, perform Prayer, make supplication, or occupy himself with doing good. All righteous action is incited by understanding of the Divine and all the other means proceed from it and are its issue.’ (A’ina-e-Kamalat-e-Islam, Ruhani Khaza’in, Vol. 5, pp. 187- 188 - Essence of Islam, Vol. I, pp. 203 – 204) Huzoor said this extract is very significant and this is why he wanted to explain it further so that everyone could understand. The basic thing the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) explains here is that the reality of Islam can only be understood when in-depth effort is made to understand its knowledge. He said there are many sources to attain an understanding of Islam and this understanding can be given to those who utilise them. These sources are Salat, fasting, praying and observance of all Divine commandments given in the Holy Qur’an, which are approximately in excess of 600. However, it should be remembered that one just cannot understand the reality of Salat or the reality of fasting, or obtain knowledge of the reality of prayer or attain true insight and perception of Quranic commandments. The deep significance and the reality of all these can only be attained when one has knowledge and understanding of the greatness of God as well as knowledge and understanding of Oneness/Unity of God; a firm belief that He is the Only God. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) then said that there are different Divine attributes, some of His attributes are based on Glory and others on Beauty and unless one has insight and perception of their fresh manifestations, one cannot practice God’s commandments. Proper practice of God’s commandments will happen only with correct perception of His attributes. If the spirit and essence of Salat, fasting and other commandments is to be understood, then one has to understand and have knowledge of as stated in the Qur’an: ‘…Every day He reveals Himself in a different state.’ (55:30). Thus, the basis of understanding reality of Islam, worship of God and commandments of God is knowledge of the greatness of God and knowledge of His Unity as well as knowledge of different aspects of God’s attributes of Glory and Beauty or it is essential to make effort to understand and appreciate all this. Even if one does not have complete insight and perception, one should make effort to understand God’s attributes in order to carry out His worship and to carry out His commandments because they are all reliant on knowledge/understanding of God. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said how can a negligent person who has no idea of Divine knowledge/understanding and Unity of God pay the dues of offering Salat, observing fast or pay attention to prayer and alms and charity. It is knowledge and understanding of God that inspires one to do good works. The more one’s understanding of God, the better will one appreciate the spirit of worship and good works and practice them. If we pay attention to understanding God we will also be drawn to practice commandments of God. Certainly, in the beginning, understanding of God is granted by virtue of His quality of Rahmaniyyat ( quality of being Gracious) to pious natured people and it is then enhanced by beauty of faith and doing of good works and man reaches that station where he understands the reality of Islam and his heart is illumined with knowledge of God. After this explanation, Huzoor said that in two days InshaAllah the Jama’at will commemorate Masih e Maud Day on 23 March. On this occasion scholars and orators speak on the subject and mention God’s help and support for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). It was a beautiful coincidence that Huzoor spoke today, two days prior, with reference to the same subject. Huzoor also said that this year a three-day programme will be broadcast live from Qadian for Masih e Maud Day. This programme will be in Ilo Abdurauf Arabc. Our Arab friends have travelled to Qadian to present the programme and will explain the significance of the day and the subject from Qadian. It is hoped InshaAllah that Huzoor will also give a message to the occasion on Sunday. Huzoor said people should try and seek benefit from this programme. Next Huzoor presented a few extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). First he presented passages about his advent and truthfulness. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘The following Hadith related by Imam Muhammad Baqir is recorded in Sahih Dar-Qutni: Translation: There are two signs for our Mahdi, and ever since God created the heavens and earth, these two signs have never appeared at the time of any other Appointed One or Messenger of God. One of them is that, in the time of the Promised Mahdi, during the month of Ramadan, the lunar eclipse will take place on the first night, i.e., on the thirteenth; while the solar eclipse will take place on the middle of its days, i.e., on the twenty-eighth day of the month of Ramadan. Such a phenomenon has never occurred at the time of any Messenger or Prophet since the beginning of the world. It was destined to occur only at the time of the Promised Mahdi. All English and Urdu newspapers and all astronomers testify that in my time lunar and solar eclipses of this particular description did take place about twelve years ago, during the month of Ramadan.’(Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, p.202 – Essence of Islam, Vol. V, p. 166) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) further said: ‘Just as another Hadith relates the eclipse took place twice in the month of Ramadan. First in this country and the second time in America and it came to pass both times during the dates the Hadith refers to. Since at the time these eclipses took place, no one in the world except me claimed to be the Mahdi and Messiah and no one declared the eclipse to be a sign of him being the Mahdi like I did publishing hundreds of posters and pamphlets in Urdu, Persian and Arabic around the world, therefore this heavenly sign is designated to me. The other proof of this is that Allah the Exalted informed me that the sign will come to pass twelve years prior to its manifestation and that was published in Barahin e Ahamdiyya and distributed among hundreds of thousands of people before the appearance of the sign.’ (Ibid) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘This Hadith is based on a matter of the unseen that came to pass after thirteen hundred years. Its summary is that at the time of the Promised Mahdi’s appearance there will be lunar eclipse on the thirteenth night during the month of Ramadan and solar eclipse will take place in the same month on the twenty eighth day. Such a phenomenon will not occur at the time of any other claimant apart from the Promised Mahdi. Evidently, only a Prophet can foretell something as manifest as this. Allah the Exalted states in the Holy Qur’an: ‘…He does not grant anyone ascendency over His domain of the unseen. Except him whom He chooses as His Messenger…’ (72:27-28). Since this prophecy has been completely fulfilled in light of its meanings, to say that it is a weak Hadith or the words of Imam Muhammad Baqir are mere lame excuses. People just do not want any prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) or of the Holy Qur’an to be fulfilled. The world has reached close to its end but according to them no prophecy about latter-days has been fulfilled. Which other Hadith can be more authentic than this as it is has not even been criticised by the Muhaddith, in fact it has shown its own authenticity that its validity is of high order. It is a different matter not to accept God’s signs, otherwise it is a magnificent [sign]. Thousands of scholars and Muhadditheen were hopeful for its manifestation and used to stand on pulpits and cry for it. The latest of them was in this age alone; Maulwi Muhammad Lukhokay who wrote a poetic verse in his book ‘Ahwalul Aakharat’ as regards this eclipse (in Punjabi: that it is written in a Tradition that a solar eclipse will take place in the thirteenth century in the month of Ramadan). Another holy person whose poetic verse has been renowned for centuries writes (in Persian) that when solar and lunar eclipse will take place in one month during the fourteenth century, that will be the time of the advent of the Promised Mahdi and Dajjal. This poetic verse gives the correct time of lunar and solar eclipses.’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, pp. 204-205) The following is regarding the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) connection with God even before he made his claim. He wrote: ‘I was informed that my father would pass away after sunset. Owing to the human condition I was aggrieved by this as my source of income was mostly associated with his person. He received a pension from the British government as well as a large stipend which would last as long as he lived. Therefore the thought crossed my mind as to what will happen after his death and I was concerned that perhaps I will face hardship and adversity. This entire thought came and went like lightening, lasting less than a second. Just then I was overcome by slight slumber and received this revelation: ‘Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?’ (39: 37) This Divine revelation strengthened my heart like a most painful wound is suddenly healed by an ointment. This has been experienced many times that Divine revelation has a unique quality of comfort and assurance and the root of this quality is the belief one has in Divine revelation. It is a pity that in spite of receiving revelations some say that their revelations are conjectural, they are not sure if they are satanic or from God and such revelations are more harmful than beneficial. However, I swear by God Almighty that I believe in these revelations like I believe in the Holy Qur’an and God’s other Books. Just as I know the Holy Qur’an to most certainly be Word of God Almighty, similarly I believe that what is revealed to me is also Word of God. This is because I see Divine light and luminosity in it and find illustrations of God’s powers through it! In short, when I received the revelation: ‘Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?’ I instantly understood God will not abandon me. I wrote down the revelation and gave it to a Hindu…who lives in Qadian and is still living. I explained everything to him and sent him to Amritsar to have [the revelation] inscribed on a gem stone through Hakeem Maulwi Muhammad Sharif Kalanoori and have it set in a ring. I chose this Hindu for this task so that he would be a witness to this magnificent prophecy and Maulwi Muhammad Sharif may also be a witness. The ring was prepared via Maulwi Sahib at the cost of Rupee 5 and I received it and have still got it…This revelation came at a time when all my expenses and comforts were dependent on my father’s small income and no one knew me from outside. I was an unknown person living a life of anonymity in the isolated village of Qadian. Later, in accordance with this prophecy God inclined a world to me and provided financial help with such constant success that I do not have the words to express gratitude. Considering my situation I did not even hope to have a monthly income of Rupee 10. However, God Almighty lifts the humble from dust and rubs the arrogant in dust… I can say with certainty that to date Rupee 300,000 has been received or perhaps more. This income should be seen in the context that for many years now on average just the Langar Khana costs Rupee 1500 per month to run. Other expenses, like the Madrassa etc. and publication of books is separate. The clarity, strength and glory with which the prophecy of: ‘Is Allah not sufficient for His servant?’ was fulfilled should be appreciated. Is this the task of a slanderer or are these satanic misgivings? Most certainly not; on the contrary this is from God in Whose hand is honour, abasement, misery and prosperity. If this statement of mine is not believed then look at the official postal registers of the past twenty years to see how much income was received in this period.’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, pp. 219-221) Now this Langar of the Promised Messiah is established all over the world and is operational here permanently because of Khilafat. It is an important branch of the mission of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). This is why it is the task of those who are responsible for the Langar here, who are responsible for Ziafat, to pay attention to the catering of every guest. No doubt, wastefulness is not right and there should be properly planning in this regard, however, there should be no miserliness in any way because this is not your Langar, it is the Langar of the Promised Messiah which continues to be operational. Sometimes complaints are received about the Ziafat team or the office-holders. They should pay attention everywhere in the world, in particular here, likewise in Rabwah and Qadian. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote about progress of the Jama’at: ‘There is a prophecy in Barahin e Ahmadiyya about this Jama’at: [Translation] First it will be a seed that will send forth its sprout, it will then become strong and thick, and then stand firm on its stem. This was a great prophecy made twenty five years ago which foretold flourishing of the Jama’at even before it was created. At that time neither was there a Jama’at nor was there anyone connected to me as regards Bai’at. In fact none of them was even aware of my name. Later with the grace of God Almighty this Jama’at was created which is now more than 300,000 strong. I was like a seedling that was planted by God’s hand. I remained hidden for a long time and later my advent took place and I had many branches. Thus this prophecy was fulfilled merely through the grace of God Almighty.’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, p. 241) Today with the grace of God we number in tens of millions and the Promised Messiah’s (on whom be peace) message reaches the ends of the earth via MTA. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘There is another prophecy also recorded in Barahin-e- Ahmadiyya: i.e., Allah will shield you from all calamities, even though people do not wish to see you saved from them. This prophecy goes back to the time when I lived in obscurity, and no one had any relationship with me, either of Bai‘at or that of enmity. Subsequently, when I claimed to be the Promised Messiah, all the Maulavis and their ilk flared up like fire. In those days a clergyman, by the name of Dr. Martyn Clark, instituted a case Extraordinary Renown and Divine Succour of murder against me, which brought home to me the fact that the Maulavis of the Punjab were thirsty for my blood, and that they considered me even worse than a Christian who is the enemy of the Holy Prophetsa and abuses him. This was because some Maulavis appeared in court against me and testified in favour of the clergyman, while others were busy praying that he may win. I have it on good authority that they would pray in the mosques crying: ‘O God, help this clergyman and grant him victory.’ But God, the All-Knowing, heard none of their supplications. Neither the witnesses succeeded in their testimonies, nor the supplicants in their prayers. So much for the ulema, the so-called defenders of the faith, and so much for the so called umma! They tried their utmost and used all means at their disposal to send me to the gallows, and supported one who was an enemy of God and His Messengersa. Here the question will naturally cross one’s mind as to how I was saved from this blazing fire while all the Maulavis and their followers had become my mortal enemies, and eight or nine witnesses had already appeared before the court to secure my conviction? The answer is that I was protected by the One Who had promised me twenty-five years ago that though my nation will not protect me and will even try to destroy me, He shall protect me. It was also in accordance with what God had foretold twenty-five years ago and what had been recorded in Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, i.e., God cleared him of the charge brought against him, and he has a high standing with Allah.’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, pp. 242-243 – Essence of Islam, Vol. V, pp. 128 – 130) Huzoor said this sign was fulfilled yet again when recently the great grandson of Martyn Clark accepted that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was right while his ancestor was in the wrong. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘Maulwi Ghulam Dastgir of Kasur published a booklet ‘Fateh Rahmani’ in my opposition…in it he invoke a malediction upon me in the way of a Mubahla (prayer duel)…[it said] just as You [God] had ruined a liar and false claimant to be Mahdi through the prayer and endeavour of the religious scholar…similarly this humble person from Kasur prays and pleads to Allah, who is serving Your religion to the best of his ability that You enable Mirza Qadiani and his disciples to sincerely repent and if this is not destined to be then make them a sign of these Quranic verses: ‘So the very roots of the people who did wrong were cut off; and all praise belongs to Allah, the Lord of all the worlds.’(6:46) All praise to Allah Who has power over everything and Who listens to prayer. Ameen. In the footnote of page 26 of the said book the said Maulwi wrote regarding me: he and his followers be ruined. With the grace of God Almighty I am alive and my followers have doubled in number since that time. Obviously Maulwi Ghulam Dastgir had left the decisiveness of my truthfulness or falsehood on the verse: ‘So the very roots of the people who did wrong were cut off’ and it is not hidden from anyone knowledgeable that the purport of the aforementioned verse is known to take effect on an individual who is cruel. Thus it was essential that the cruel person was destroyed through its impact. As Ghulam Dastgir was cruel in the sight of God Almighty he did not even get the respite to see the publication of his book and died beforehand and everyone knows he died a few days after making this prayer. Some foolish Maulwis write that Ghulam Dastgir did not give challenge of Mubahla and only invoked malediction upon the cruel. But I say that since he asked God’s verdict through my death and called me cruel then why did the malediction befall him? And why did God kill Ghulam Dastgir at a sensitive time when people anticipated Divine verdict, whereas he wished my death in his prayer so that he could prove to the world that just as a false Mahdi and Messiah had died through the malediction of Muhammad Tahir, this person died through my malediction. Why did his prayer have the opposite effect! It is true that a false Mahdi and Messiah died through the malediction of Muhammad Tahir and it was in copying Muhammad Tahir that Ghulam Dastgir invoked malediction on me. It is worth reflecting what the effect of the malediction of Muhammad Tahir was and what the effect of Ghulam Dastgir’s prayer was! If it is said that Ghulam Dastgir died by chance, then also say that the false Mahdi had died by chance and there with no credit to Muhammad Tahir. The curse of Allah be upon the liars. About eleven years have passed since Ghulam Dastgir’s death, who was cruel and God destroyed him and ruined his home. Now say with fairness whose root was cut off and on whom did this prayer fulfil. Allah the Exalted states: ‘…and wishfully await for calamities to befall you. Let evil befall them instead…’ (9:98) Thus, in light of this noble verse it is the way of Allah that anyone who invokes a malediction on the truthful the same malediction falls on him. This way of Allah is evident from verses of the Qur’an and Hadith. Now, say if Ghulam Dastgir died of the malediction or not! Do say what is the secret that although a false Messiah died through the malediction of Muhammad Tahir but the one who invoked malediction on me died himself! God extended my age, eleven years on I am alive but Ghulam Dastgir was not even given the respite of one month!’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, pp. 343-345) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘There is a prophecy in Barahin e Ahmadiyya: You will be granted eloquence in Arabic language which no one will be able to equal. Thus no one has yet been able to equal…A revelation was received from God Almighty in this regard: Your discourse has been made eloquent by the Noble Lord. Below is the detail of the Arabic books I have written thus far. Some of these are prose books and others poetry books and none of the scholars among our detractors can match them: Page 73 to 282 of Anjaam Aatham, pages of A’ina Kamalat Islam, Karamat-us-Sadiqeen, Hamamatul Bushra, Seeratul Abdal, Nurul Haq, Part I and II, Tuhfa Bughdad, Ijazul Masih, Ittemamul Hujjat,, Hujjatullah, Sirrul Khalafa, Muwahibur Rahman, Ijaz e Ahmadi, Khutbah Illhamiyya, Al Huda…Tadhkiratush Shahadatain and books which have been written in Arabic but have not yet been printed are: Targhibul Momineen, Lujjatun Noor, Najmul Huda.’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, pp. 235) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘I prayed to God that He may reveal to me a discourse that may triumph over all the speeches that would be made in that Conference. After this supplication, I found that a certain power had been breathed into me, and I felt this heavenly power stirring within me. My friends who were present at the time know that I did not write any preliminary draft of this paper. Whatever I wrote, I wrote extemporaneously. And I wrote the manuscript so quickly and with such flow that the copyist found it hard to keep pace with me. When I finished writing the paper, I received this Revelation from God Almighty, ‘The paper transcends all others.’ Thus when the paper was being read out in that conference, the audience were in an ecstasy and exclamations of acclaim were heard from every corner. So much so that the Hindu gentleman who presided over the conference, could not help exclaiming, “The paper transcends all others.” An English daily, The Civil and Military Gazette, which is published from Lahore, also recorded its testimony, “The paper transcends all others.” About twenty Urdu newspapers also gave the same testimony. With the exception of a few prejudiced individuals, everyone present bore out that this paper had surpassed all others. To this day there are hundreds of people who continue to give the same testimony. Thus with the testimony of every sect, as well as of the English newspapers, my prophecy, ‘The paper transcends all others’, was fulfilled. This challenge was like the one that Prophet Mosesas had to take up against the sorcerers, for in this Conference exponents of different schools of thought delivered speeches about their respective faiths. Some of them were Christians, some were Hindus of Sanatan Dharam or Arya Samaj, some were Brahmus, some were Sikhs, and some were Muslims who oppose us. All of them had turned their sticks into imaginary snakes, but when God unleashed the rod of the truth of Islam against them in the form of a pure and profound discourse, it turned into a python and devoured all their snakes. To this day people are all praise for the address that issued from my mouth. [Praise be to Allah for this.]’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 22, pp. 291-292 – Essence of Islam, Vo. V. pp. 59-61) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘You can see that despite your fierce opposition and your prayers against me, God has not forsaken me, and has defended me in every field. He protected me with His own hand from every stone that was hurled at me. Every arrow that was shot at me was returned by Him to the enemy. I was helpless, He gave me shelter. I was alone, He took me into His bosom. I was a mere nothing, He brought me renown and honour and caused hundreds of thousands to become devoted to me. He further says in the same holy revelation that when My help reaches you, and My words are fulfilled—when My servants turn to you and all kinds of financial help reaches you—then will it be said to the disbelievers, ‘Look, has everything not been fulfilled, concerning which you used to show such impatience?’ Today all those things have come to pass. There is no need to mention that God kept His promise and caused hundreds of thousands of people to turn towards me, and gave me such financial support as was beyond anyone’s imagination. O, my opponents! May God have mercy on you, and may He open your eyes. Just think, can all this be a result of human trickery? These promises had been made at the time when I wrote Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, and it was ridiculous even to speak of these things at that time, and my own worth was no more than that of a mustard seed. Is there anyone among you who can belie this statement? Who among you can prove that even a single one of these thousands of people was with me at that time? I was completely unknown when Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was published. This book was printed in a press in Amritsar which was owned by a Christian clergyman named Rajab ‘Ali. I would travel all alone to Amritsar to check the proofs and come back alone, and no one would even ask me who I was, nor did anyone know me, nor did I enjoy any honourable position. Even the Aryas of Qadian are witness to these things, and one of them, Sharampat by name, still lives in Qadian. He would at times accompany me to Padre Rajab ‘Ali’s press in Amritsar where my book Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya was being printed. All the prophecies were transcribed by Rajab ‘Ali’s scribe, and he himself would read those prophecies, soliloquising and wondering all the while as to how it could be possible that a whole world would turn towards such an ordinary man. But because those words were from God, and not of my own making, they came true in their own good time and continue to do so. At one time people’s eyes regarded them with astonishment, and at another time they beheld their fulfilment. (Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, part 5, Ruhani Khaza’in, vol. 21, pp.79-80 – Essence of Islam, Vol. V, pp. 136 – 137) The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote: ‘God has demonstrated more than 300,000 signs of my truthfulness and there was lunar and solar eclipse in Ramadan. A person who does not believe the word of God and His Messenger and denies the Holy Qur’an and practically dismisses signs of Allah the Exalted and in spites of hundreds of signs considers me a slanderer, how can he be a believer?’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, p. 168) Indeed, these signs continue to be manifested today and thousands come into the fold of Ahmadiyyat after experiencing them and take Bai’at of the true and ardent devotee of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Yes, Ahmadis are facing difficulties in some places but the time will come when they will be removed and this will increase us in faith and understanding of God. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said: ‘For God’s sake the audience should reflect a little at this juncture so that God rewards them for it. God is not finished with His Signs and His help and I swear by Him that He will not stop them unless my truthfulness is made evident to the world. O’ all those people who hear me! Fear God and do not exceed limits. Had this been a man-made operation God would have ruined me and there would have been nothing left of this movement. But you have seen how God’s help has been with me and incalculable signs have been revealed. How many opponents did Mubahla with me and were destroyed. O’ creation of God, think a little, is this how God Almighty deals with liars?’ (Haqiqat-ul-Wahi, p. 554) Today 125 years have elapsed and the Jama’at is moving onwards and upwards. Will these people not have sense? Will our opponents not desist from their opposition? It is our prayer that may God give them sense and they accept the Imam of the age, the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). Because when God’s chastisement comes it seizes no matter how powerful one may be, it blows like dust and turns into cinders! May they understand and recognise the truth. Huzoor asked for special prayers for Ahmadis in Syria and special prayers for Ahmadis in Pakistan and also for Ahmadis in Egypt who also face some difficulties. May God remove all their troubles and may we also witness signs in this regard so that Ahmadis have freedom to practice their faith and further turn to God. May God remove all the restrictions everywhere! Next Huzoor announced that he would lead funeral Prayer in absentia of Sister Latifa Ilyas of Baltimore, USA who passed away on 9 March at the age of 76. She was an African American lady who accepted Ahmadiyyat more than fifty years ago. She was a simple, righteous Ahmadi who had ardent love for Khilafat. Her son Jamal Ilyas is also a sincere Ahmadi. Her Sadr Jama’at writes that in spite of her limited resources Sister Latifa used to bring cleaning materials from home and spent hours cleaning the mosque. And as she cleaned she praised and glorified God. During Ramadan she always came to the mosque ahead of Iftar to clean the kitchen and never complained about people leaving the mosque messy. She was a personification of considering service of Jama’at as a grace of God. She used to walk to the mosque and if someone offered her lift out of courtesy she would decline saying every step walked to the mosque earns reward. She used to give security duty and had also served as secretary for finance and social welfare. She never had any personal ill will with anyone and had great affection for children. She was very particular about listening to Huzoor’s Friday sermon and always motivated others regarding it. When her son changed jobs he could not take time off for Jummah for some time. She advised him not to miss Jummah. Her principles have had an impact on her son who says if he is driving he makes sure to listen to the Friday sermon on MTA. Someone writes that Sister Latifa was a beautiful sign of the truthfulness of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) and was devoted to Khilafat. May God forgive her! May those who do not pay attention to MTA be also drawn to watch it! If every Ahmadi starts watching MTA and is attentive with the grace of God the standard of our Tarbiyyat can become considerably high. May Allah enable everyone to do so and may He elevate the station of the deceased and keep her son firm on virtue.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 11:16:02 +0000
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