Hazrat Umar(ra) & Guidance Regarding Ramadan & Safeguarding Progeny
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Umar(ra).
A Fierce Opponent Accepts Islam
His Holiness(aba) quotes the Second Caliph(ra) regarding the incident of Hazrat Umar’s(ra) acceptance of Islam. He wrote that Hazrat Umar(ra) was a fierce opponent of Islam before his acceptance, and one day decided that he would kill its founder. Hence, he set out one day towards the Holy Prophet(sa) with ill intentions. However, along the way, someone saw him and informed him that his own sister had accepted Islam. Hence, Hazrat Umar(ra) detoured to his sister’s home. Upon arriving at the door, he heard the Holy Qur’an being recited. He knocked and his brother-in-law opened the door. Hazrat Umar(ra) asked what it was that he had heard, but they tried hiding it. Out of his anger, Hazrat Umar(ra) raised his hand to strike his brother-in-law, but as he was striking, Hazrat Umar’s(ra) sister came in between them, and thus, he accidentally struck her instead.
Upon seeing that he had struck his sister, Hazrat Umar’s(ra) anger cooled and he became remorseful. He then asked to see what it was that was being recited. His sister told him to first perform ablution, after which the verses of the Qur’an were presented to him. Upon hearing them, his heart melted, and he proclaimed his faith in Islam.
Hazrat Umar(ra) then asked where the Holy Prophet(sa) was residing and set out towards him. Upon arriving, the Companions(ra) advised the Holy Prophet(sa) not to let him enter, for they knew of his opposition. However, the Holy Prophet(sa) allowed him to enter and asked how much longer he would oppose them. Upon this, Hazrat Umar(ra) declared his acceptance of Islam. After hearing this, the Companions(ra) loudly proclaimed Allahu Akbar! (Allah is the Greatest)
The Muslims March to the Ka‘bah
His Holiness(aba) further quoted that until that time, the Muslims had been practising their faith in secret due to the opposition of Makkans. However, after the acceptance of Hazrat Umar(ra), they finally marched to the Ka‘bah to pray; with Hazrat Umar(ra) on one side of the Holy Prophet(sa) and Hazrat Hamzah(ra) on the other side.
His Holiness(aba) continued quoting the Second Caliph(ra) who said that upon hearing the fact that Hazrat Umar(ra) had accepted Islam, the Makkans were enraged and surrounded his home. In fact, out of their anger, it was very possible that they would attack him. However, one of the principal chieftains of Makkah declared that Hazrat Umar(ra) was under his protection. Thus Hazrat Umar(ra) was saved from any threat for the time being. However, a few days later, Hazrat Umar(ra) went to the chieftain and said that he no longer needed his protection, and then would walk the streets of Makkah without any fear.
His Holiness(aba) then quoted the Promised Messiah(as) with regards to Hazrat Umar’s(ra) acceptance of Islam. The Promised Messiah(as) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) had entered into a pact with Abu Jahl to kill the Holy Prophet(sa) and would seek him out hoping to find him alone. Yet, such a magnificent change occurred, whereby the same person who was a sworn enemy of the Holy Prophet(sa) and Islam, later ended up laying down his life of the sake of Islam.
Impact of the Prayers of the Holy Prophet(sa) on Hazrat Umar(ra)
His Holiness(aba) continued quoting the Promised Messiah(as) who presented another incident, where one night, Hazrat Umar(ra) learned that the Holy Prophet(sa) was praying alone at night at the Ka‘bah. Hazrat Umar(ra) went and when he found the Holy Prophet(sa) praying, he heard him praying so profusely that this had a profound impact upon him. Then, when the Holy Prophet(sa) got up and left, Hazrat Umar(ra) followed him. The Holy Prophet(sa) felt someone’s presence behind him, and when he turned around he saw Hazrat Umar(ra) following him. The Holy Prophet(sa) said to him, that he did not leave him by day or by night. Hazrat Umar(ra) heard this and feared that the Holy Prophet(sa) might pray against him, and so he said that he would no longer bother him. The Promised Messiah(as) writes that God would have placed it in the heart of the Holy Prophet(sa) at that time, that God would not let Hazrat Umar(ra) go to waste.
His Holiness(aba) said that the incident of Hazrat Umar(ra) following the Holy Prophet(sa) to the Ka‘bah is mentioned by the Promised Messiah(as) on three separate occasions. Hence, it is possible that after this incident, Hazrat Umar(ra) was incited against the Holy Prophet(sa) again and he gave in, and then the incident with his sister and brother-in-law took place.
His Holiness(aba) said that after he had accepted Islam, Hazrat Umar(ra) thought that he should go to the greatest opponent of Islam and inform them of his acceptance. Hence, he went to Abu Jahl and informed him that he had accepted Islam. Initially, Abu Jahl had been very welcoming, but when he heard this news, he shut the door on Hazrat Umar(ra) and cursed him.
His Holiness(aba) presented another narration, in which Hazrat Umar(ra) asked who among the Quraish talked the most and spread the most things? He was directed to a man named Jameel, and so he told him that he had accepted Islam. Upon hearing this, Jameel went to the Ka‘bah, and announced to the crowd present at the Ka‘bah that Hazrat Umar(ra) had become a Sabi (what the Makkans would call Muslims). Hazrat Umar(ra) loudly proclaimed that he had not become a Sabi, rather he had become a Muslim, and accepted One God and His Messenger (sa).
His Holiness(aba) presented a narration in which a Companion(ra) stated that they had not been able to pray at the Ka‘bah until Hazrat Umar(ra) accepted Islam. In another narration, a Companion(ra) stated that after the acceptance of Hazrat Umar(ra), Muslims gained a great deal of respect.
Hazrat Umar’s(ra) Migration to Madinah
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) was among the foremost migrants to Madinah along with twenty others. It is narrated that his bond of brotherhood was established with Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) in Makkah, and his bond of brotherhood in Madinah was established with Itban bin Malik.
Words of the Adhan Revealed to Hazrat Umar(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that one day, Hazrat Abdullah(ra) went to the Holy Prophet(sa) and informed him regarding his dream in which he saw the words of the Adhan (call to prayer). Hence, the Holy Prophet(sa) instructed him to go to Hazrat Bilal(ra) and tell him to call the Adhan. When Hazrat Umar(ra) heard these words, he went to the Holy Prophet(sa) and informed him that he too had seen these words in a dream.
His Holiness(aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Umar(ra) in the future.
Responsibilities Entailed in Ramadan & Saving Future Generations
His Holiness(aba) said that today is the last Friday of this year’s Ramadan; but it should not just be limited to this. In fact, this Friday should open new paths for us in the future, and the virtuous habits which we established during Ramadan should continue on past Ramadan and should increase. If we don’t do this, then there will have been no benefit to passing through the month of Ramadan.
His Holiness(aba) said that in the previous sermon, he drew attention towards reciting durood (sending salutations upon the Holy Prophet(sa)) and istighfar (seeking forgiveness from God). However, these prayers are not only limited to Ramadan, rather they should continue to be recited even after Ramadan.
His Holiness(aba) said that in today’s day and age where worldliness is rampant and our children are vulnerable to these satanic forces, we must pray now more than ever. We must establish a strong bond with our children and also educate them regarding God and faith, and enable them to attain complete certainty. We should attach them to faith to such a degree, that none of their actions or even thoughts go against the will and pleasure of God. This is the best manner of saving our future generations. However, this can only happen when we attain complete certainty ourselves. It will only be possible when we establish a strong connection with God ourselves, and are exemplary in our worship as a true believer should be. We must understand the true reason behind why we have accepted the Promised Messiah(as).
His Holiness(aba) said that immoralities and indecencies are rampant now more than ever; and through means such as television and the internet, the ills that were once only found outside the home are available inside the homes. Hence, we must be very careful and take great care, especially of the children.
His Holiness(aba) said that we should always remember the sacrifices made by the elders who gave precedence to faith and went through great hardships for the sake of their faith. It is not enough to be from the progeny of a very pious person, rather, we must establish our own virtuous deeds and must rectify our weaknesses. We pray a great deal for our children’s worldly success, but we should pray even more for their spiritual success. It is then that not only will we be saved, but so too will our future generations.
His Holiness(aba) said that in these last few days of Ramadan, we should pray that our faith, and the faith of our children be safeguarded, We should pray to be safeguarded from the satanic forces of today, and we must always stay true to our faith and worship, and do justice in our prayers.
His Holiness(aba) said that we should pray for God’s mercy upon the world which is falling prey to the deadly coronavirus pandemic.
His Holiness(aba) said that we should also remember those Ahmadis all around the world who are facing hardships on account of their faith. The Ahmadis in Pakistan in particular should also focus on presenting financial sacrifices. If we do this, then all plots of the opponents will be foiled.
His Holiness(aba) said that we should recite the following prayers:
‘O my Lord! Everything is dedicated to Your service! My Lord, protect me, help me and have mercy on me.’
‘O Allah! We make You a shield against the enemy and we seek Your protection against their evil designs.’
His Holiness(aba) said that it is not enough to merely repeat these prayers, rather we must also take care of our prayers and pay special attention to them. Only then will such prayers benefit us. We should strive to continue the standard of our prayers which we have established during Ramadan throughout the year.
His Holiness(aba) said that we should pray to be able to continue these virtues past Ramadan. We should also remember that by extending the scope of our prayers to include others as well, we will receive even more blessing from God. This will increase our bonds of love brotherhood as well.
His Holiness(aba) said that we must also pray for the Muslim Ummah (nation), which is leading itself to ruin by not accepting the Imam of this age. We should pray for the world in general as well, that they may be guided and saved from God’s wrath.
His Holiness(aba) said that it is our duty to continuously pray, now during Ramadan and after Ramadan as well. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may everyone be granted the ability to do so.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions
