Friday Sermon delivered at Masjid Mubarak, Islamabad, Tilford, UK
Rightly Guided Caliphs – Hazrat Umar(ra)
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).
Hazrat Umar’s(ra) Care for Those in Need
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) once came across some travellers. Upon approaching, he found them to be a woman and her children, who were crying out of hunger. Hazrat Umar(ra) asked if they had anything, to which she replied that she only had water which she was boiling. Then, the woman said that God would judge between them and Hazrat Umar(ra), as he was to watch over them and was unaware of their condition. Then Hazrat Umar(ra) went and brought some food which he carried himself. Another person accompanying him requested that he should carry it instead of Hazrat Umar(ra), but Hazrat Umar(ra) insisted upon carrying it himself. Hazrat Umar(ra) then delivered that food to the woman and her children. Thus, the children and their mother were able to eat to their fill. Then, the woman expressed her thanks, and said that he was more worthy of praise than Hazrat Umar(ra). Hazrat Umar(ra) told the woman that when she went to see the leader of the believers, she would find him there as well. Hazrat Umar(ra) then left and stopped at some distance and looked towards the children, who were playing. He then said that after finding that woman and her children in a state of hunger, he could not leave before seeing them happy and satisfied.
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) would help those in need, but also did not promote laziness through this help. In other words, if someone was young and able, then he would advise them against seeking from others. For example, once there was a young man who had some flour with him, yet he was still seeking from others. Hazrat Umar(ra) took the flour and placed it before some camels, and then told the young man that now he should seek from others. He said that while he had some provisions in his possession, he should not seek from others. Thus, showing that where Hazrat Umar(ra) would help those in need, he did not do so to promote laziness and dependence.
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Umar(ra) had established a stipend for children who were no longer suckling. Once, Hazrat Umar(ra) came across a mother with her child who was crying. Upon asking why the child was crying, the woman told Hazrat Umar(ra) that the child wanted milk, while she was trying to satiate him with something else. She was doing so because Hazrat Umar(ra) had only established a stipend for children who were no longer suckling. Hazrat Umar(ra) asked what the age of the child was. When the woman told him, he told her that she should not stop suckling the child prematurely. Thus, Hazrat Umar(ra) had the announcement made that no one should stop suckling their children prematurely and also announced that a stipend would be established for children from the day they were born.
Aversion to Laziness
His Holiness(aba) said that the Promised Messiah(as) quoted a narration in which it is stated that once, Hazrat Umar(ra) asked a man why he was no longer planting trees in his land. The man said that he was no longer doing so because he was growing old. Hazrat Umar(ra) said that this was no excuse, and then helped that man himself in planting trees. The Promised Messiah(as) quoted this incident to show that one should not be lazy. Similarly, one should not merely benefit from the fruits planted by the previous generation, but should leave something for the next generation as well.
His Holiness(aba) said that once, Hazrat Umar(ra) was passing by a tent wherein a woman could be heard going through the pains of labour. Hazrat Umar(ra) then rushed home, and told his wife, Hazrat Umm Kulthoom bint Ali(ra) the situation. Hazrat Umar(ra) took some food and Hazrat Umm Kulthoom(ra) took the necessary materials, and they both went to the tent. Hazrat Umm Kulthoom(ra) went into the tent to help the woman, and Hazrat Umar(ra) sat outside with her husband, who did not recognise him. The woman gave birth to a son. Later when the man realised who had been sitting next to him, he felt embarrassed. Hazrat Umar(ra) told him that it didn’t matter, and gave him some money to help him and his family.
Hazrat Umar’s(ra) Attention for the Success of Islam
His Holiness(aba) said that once Hazrat Umar(ra) saw a man who was walking with his head down. Hazrat Umar(ra) said to him that it was the era of victories for Islam. Any sort of small hardship should not make one despair, but one should see all the great victories being afforded to Islam. The Second Caliph(ra) cited this example after the migration from Qadian to Rabwah to show that one should not despair over hardships, rather one should consider the reason for which those hardships were endured.
His Holiness(aba) said that the Second Caliph(ra) cited another example of Hazrat Umar(ra) where he had to endure hardship, but did not care about it because it was for the sake of Islam. Once, there was a very wealthy chief named Jabalah who used to be a leader of a Christian tribe which later became Muslim. Once, he had gone for Hajj, when a barefooted Muslim accidentally stepped on the hem of Jabalah’s clothes. Upon this, Jabalah turned around and slapped that man asking whether he knew who he was. Another Muslim man spoke up and said that he had entered the religion of Islam, wherein there is no distinction between the rich and the poor. Jabalah said that he did not care for this. The Muslim man said that if Hazrat Umar(ra) was to learn of this he would not tolerate this. Jabalah later went to Hazrat Umar(ra) and asked what he would do if a prominent person was to slap an ordinary man. Hazrat Umar(ra) said that he would have the ordinary man slap the chief, as Islam does not distinguish between the prominent and ordinary. His Holiness(aba) said that this was the equality established by Islam.
His Holiness said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Umar(ra) in future sermons.
Funeral Prayers
His Holiness(aba) said that he would announce and lead the funeral prayers [in absentia] of the following:
Abdul Waheed Warraich Sahib from Germany who was formerly the National President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association in Switzerland. He passed away on 12 May whilst descending having successfully climbing Mount Everest. He is survived by his wife, two sons and three daughters, his parents, a brother and two sisters. He had a great passion for service to the Community and helping others. He would also present financial sacrifices. He raised his children in an excellent manner, one of whom is studying in Jamia Ahmadiyya Germany. His colleagues from work have also expressed that aside from his profession, he was a person of high moral character which attracted people to him. He was regular in his prayers.
When his company was moving to Silicon Valley, he was offered a job there, with everything provided for him, however he refused due to his obligations and duties in the Community. Later, his company was bought by another Swiss company and so he did not have to move and his salary increased even more than his boss. He was extremely kind, gentle and caring. Once, he was asked if he was afraid when going hiking. He said that he did have some fear, however he had requested permission from His Holiness(aba) regarding whether he should climb the highest mountains in each continent and raise the flag of Ahmadiyyat. Once His Holiness(aba) said that he could do so if he was able to, he no longer felt any fear and no one could stop him. Thus, he was able to climb the highest mountain and raise the flag of Ahmadiyyat there. His Holiness(aba) said that surely, having embarked on a virtuous mission, he must have attained the rank of martyrdom, and prayed that Allah Almighty may include him among the ranks of martyrdom. When asked what he would listen to while climbing, he would say that he listened to the books of the Promised Messiah(as). His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah Almighty treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy and elevate his station in Paradise.
Amatul Noor Sahiba, wife of Dr Abdul Malik Shamim Sahib and daughter of Sahibzadi Amatul Rashid Begum Sahiba and Mian Abdur Rahim Ahmad Sahib. She passed away in Washington, USA on 15 June. She was the great-granddaughter of the Promised Messiah(as), as well as Hazrat Hakim Maulvi Nooruddin(ra). She is survived by two daughters. Her Nikah [Islamic marriage announcement] was led by the Third Caliph(rh). She served the Community in various capacities in the Women’s Auxiliary Organisation. She was regular in offering her prayers as well as the Tahajjud prayers [pre-dawn voluntary prayers]. Her husband passed away in an accident and she was a widow for 20 years, a period of time which she endured with great patience and forbearance. She was very kind and caring to others, her neighbours and her relatives. She always wished to help others and would be anxious to help knowing that someone was in need. There was a lady by the name sister Shakura who saw in a dream that Amatul Noor Sahiba’s home was in Makkah. When she returned, she related this dream, after which she would go on to stay with Amatul Noor Sahiba for 18 years. Sister Shakura was ill and bed-ridden for 8 years, during which time Amatul Noor Sahiba took great care of her. His Holiness(aba) said that he himself saw how she cared for sister Shakura, and she even brought her in a wheelchair to meet him when he was visiting the United States. She would propagate the message of Islam Ahmadiyyat with love and affection. She was an excellent example for women, young and old alike. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may her children continue her virtuous deeds and always remain attached with Khilafat. His Holiness(aba) said that she was extremely attached to Khilafat, and presented herself with great respect and humility before him. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy and elevate her station in Paradise.
Bismillah Begum Sahiba wife of Nasir Ahmad Khan Sahib, former Afsar Hifazat-e-Khaas. She passed away in Germany on 14 June. She is survived by five daughters and two sons. One of her sons is the National President and Missionary in-Charge of the Community in Fiji. She was very caring, and after the passing of her husband, she played the role of both mother and father for her children. She supported her son in his quest of serving the faith and would encourage him. She would also advise him to bring his class fellows home as well. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah grant patience to the family, and may He treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy and elevate her station in Paradise.
Col. Javaid Rusdhi Sahib of Pakistan, who passed away some time ago. After retiring from the army, he spent his time serving the Community in various capacities. He was very caring and loving and took care of his family as well. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah treat the deceased with forgiveness and mercy.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.
