For New Year 2016: Advice for Progress

[DawudTalut]

Peace and mercy of Allah be on you…. The new year began with the blessed day of Friday. Greetings are exchanged. Some people in West start new year in spending whole night in drinking alcohol, noise making and enjoying fireworks. In some Muslim countries, new year is welcomed somewhat like this too. In Dubai, a 63- storey building was burning and TV kept announcing that nearby firework will be done on time. It is a manifestation of state of affairs. It would have been better if Muslim countries had collected fund for Muslims in need. Once, the most expensive Christmas tree, worth 11 millions of dollars in world was placed in Dubai’s hotel too. Now such are the priorities of rich Muslim countries.


Many among Ahmadis, by the grace of Allah the Exalted, spent their new year night worshipping, some woke up early morning and offered Nawafil to begin new year. Tahajjud in congregation was offered at many places…………But despite all these, Ahmadis are called non-Muslims and some those who, at new year, do hullabaloo, waste money and celebrate traditions of other religions diligently are considered Muslims.


Hazrat Khaliftul Messiah V (a.t.) said in his Friday sermon that we are Muslims by the grace of Allah the Exalted. We do not need certificate from anyone. Yes! If we need a certificate, it is to become real Muslim in eyes of Allah the Exalted. For it, it is not enough that we offered Tahajjud on the first day of year, or offered Sadqah [alms], or did some other virtuous things and we become rightful to get pleasure of God. Surely the virtue can absorb grace of Allah the Exalted but when there is steadfastness in it. He wants continuous virtues and continuous act on His commandments by His servants. Along with Salaats and Tahajjud, there is need to produce a pure revolution in hearts. Then He is pleased. Any virtue done for one or two day is not a real virtue. We need to think what type of deeds and attitudes we have to adopt, which will make us recipient of pleasure of God the Exalted. To achieve this, here are some advices by the one sent by God the Exalted, for his Jama'at at various times.


Hazrat Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) said:

FOR SUCCESSFUL LIFE
Our Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) showed through his practice and his life and death and everything was for the sake of Allah the Exalted…..............to be the beloved of God Almighty should be the objective of man's life because unless one is the beloved of Allah the Exalted and does not receive God's love, one cannot have successful life. And this cannot be attained until one truly obeys and follows the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him)…..


SEEK GOODNESS IN WORLD AND OF HEREAFTER
Islam does not allow monasticism. That is for the cowardly………Just as when travelling one makes use of means of transport and some provisions with the aim to reach one's destination. The transport and provision is incidental. One should seek the world in a similar manner; as a means to serve faith……….[2:202] Our Lord, grant us good in this world as well as good in the world to come…'[This verse] also gives precedence to the world. But which world? 'Good in this world' which is a source of good in the Hereafter.


ANOTHER HELL
It should be understood as to what is meant by hell? One Hell is that which Allah the Exalted has promised after death and the other is in this life; if it is not for God Almighty, life indeed is a hell…………



IMBIBE COLORS OF GOD AT HUMAN LEVEL
……[1:2-4]'All praise belongs to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, Most Gracious, Ever Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgement' proves that man should inculcate these qualities, that is all the qualities of Allah the Exalted…When man says: [1:5] ‘Thee alone we worship…'he should adopt in a reflective manner, the qualities of Rububiyyat (Divine quality to nature and sustain), Rahmaniyyat (Divine quality of being Gracious), Raheemiyyat (Divine quality of being Merciful) and Malikiyyat (Divine quality of being the Master). The height of excellence in man is to imbibe in the colours of Allah and not to tire until he reaches this station. Following this, an attraction and pull is instilled in man which takes him towards worship of God….


BE MINDFUL OF OWN PASSING AWAY
Who is to know if he will survive from the time between Zuhr and Asr? It happens at times that one suddenly passes away. ……. it is in man's benefit to be mindful of death and the world and its material objects should not be so dear to him so as to cause him difficulties at the time of parting.


BE AMONG THE BLESSED GROUP
Do not live your life without fear of God. Engage in prayer and istaghfar [seeking cover and forgiveness from Allah] and generate pious change. It is not time to remain negligent. ……..Surah Fatihah mentions three groups of people…….stay engaged in prayers so that God Almighty may include you in the group of those on whom He bestows His blessings.


HAVE NO INFLUENCE OF SATAN
The righteous are given a manifestation of God and they are under the protection of God. But what is needed is that one is sincerely righteous with no measure of satanic influence. God does not like shirk (associating partners with God) and if one has some measure of satanic influence God Almighty deems it all to be from Satan.


WHY VIRTUOUS ARE GIVEN PAIN
Pain experienced by beloveds of God comes to pass by Divine will. Otherwise the whole world put together cannot give them the slightest of pain. Because these people are role models for the world therefore it is imperative that they also demonstrate models of how to endure difficulties…………………the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) was left alone during the Battle of Uhad [when the opposing people came second time to eliminate early Muslims]. The idea behind this was to reveal the courage of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). He stood alone in the face of 10,000 in that he was the Prophet of God. No other Prophet had the chance to demonstrate such a model.



FIRST DEVELOP RIGHTEOUSNESS
We say to our Jama'at not to feel proud for merely offering Salat, keeping fasts or avoiding main sins like adultery, theft etc. ……….The narrative of righteousness is exquisite, attain it. Inculcate greatness of God in hearts. God rejects practices which have even a little hypocrisy.…………Man does not become righteous unless he has gone through many stages of death-like state. Miracles and revelations are derivatives of righteousness but the principal aspect is righteousness. Therefore do not be too concerned with revelations and visions, rather pursue attainment of righteousness. Only the righteous have veracious revelations and any revelations received without righteousness are not dependable. They could have a measure of satanic influence. …………………Close your eyes to everything else and first negotiate the stages of righteousness.


USE ALL FACULTIES IN THE WAY OF GOD
Uphold the models of all the Prophets of God. All of them came for the purpose of teaching the ways of righteousness. [8:35]'…Itstrueguardians are only those who are righteous…'. The Holy Qur'an teaches the fine ways of righteousness. Excellences of a Prophet require his people to also possess excellences. Since the Holy Prophet was the Seal of all Prophets (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) he was the epitome of the excellences of prophethood. His Seal of prophethood was borne of this epitomising of excellences of prophethood. Those who wish to please God Almighty and experience miracles in an extraordinary way should make their lives extraordinary…………be prepared to endure every pain to get through the test of righteousness. When man sets out on this path Satan attacks him most strongly. However, a stage comes when ultimately Satan stops. This is the stage when man's base life undergoes a death and he comes under the protection of God. He becomes a manifestation of God and is God's successor. In summary, our teaching is that man should expend all his faculties/energies in the way of God.


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[DawudTalut]

RIGHTEOUSNESS IS BASE
It is conditional for the righteous to spend their lives in meekness and humbleness. This is a branch of righteousness through which we have to battle unwarranted anger. Many highly devout and truthful people find shunning anger the ultimate and most challenging stage. Arrogance and pride is generated from anger and at times anger itself is generated from arrogance and pride because one is angry when one gives preference to oneself over others. I do not want people of my Jama'at to consider others higher or lesser than themselves. Or feel pride towards each other or look down on them. God alone knows who is honourable and who is lowly. This is a sort of derision based on contempt and there is danger in this contempt growing as a seed grows and causes ruin of an individual. Some people are most courteous when they meet those who are important and influential but in fact important is that person who listens to the meek with meekness, is gratifying to him, respects what he says and does not say something mocking to him which could be hurtful. Allah the Exalted states: [49:12] '…Do not slander your own people, nor taunt each other with nicknames. It is bad indeed to earn foul reputation afterprofessingthe faith; and those who repent are not the wrongdoers.'Do not call each other by taunting names, this is a practice of the wicked. One who taunts others will not die until he himself suffers in a similar way. Do not be contemptuous of your brothers. You drink from the same fountain, who is to know in whose fate it is to drink more. No one attains respectability through worldly principles……. [49:14] '…Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-Aware.' ……………………



RIGHT USE OF FACULTIES
All the faculties granted by Allah the Exalted are not to be wasted, they are developed through right and proper use………………. Allah the Exalted gave us the teaching of righteousness at the outset and granted us a Book which carries commandments regarding righteousness. Thus, our Jama'at should be intensely concerned and be more concerned than any other concern of the world, whether they have righteousness or not!'



CONFORMITY IN WORDS AND DEEDS WINS HEARTS
….If you wish to influence hearts inculcate strength of practice because without strength of practice verbal strength or physical strength cannot avail anything……[61:3] '…why do you say what you do not do.'This verse explains that there were people in this world who preached what they did not practice, as indeed there are such people and will be in the future. ……Listen to what I say and remember it well that if man's words are not heart-felt and he has no strength of practice, his words will have no impact. This is what proves the tremendous veracity of our Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) because the successful way he won over hearts has no parallel in the history of mankind. And all this came to pass because there was complete conformity between his word and deed.


PARENTS SHOULD TEACH PURE FAITH FIRST
Another great trouble that befalls educated people these days is that they have no idea about religious knowledge. When they read criticism by a scientist or a philosopher, they develop doubts and misgivings about Islam……….their parents' role is also one of great unfairness in that they did not give them any time at all to obtain religious knowledge and get them involved from the very start in activities which deprived them of the pure faith.


LOVE AND TOGATHERNESS
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) said love each other and pray for each other in secret. If a person prays for another in secret, angels wish the same for him. How superb is that. If man's prayer is not accepted an angel's certainly is. I advise you and wish to say to you not to have discord with each other………..I have brought only two issues. Firstly, adopt Oneness of God and secondly show love and empathy for each other. Be such role models that work miracles even on others. This is the conviction that was created in the Companions (may Allah be pleased with them). Remember: [3:104] '…you were enemies and He united your hearts in love…' Remember, togetherness is a miracle. Unless each one of you likes for his brother what he likes for himself, he is not from my Jama'at. He is in trouble and calamity…………InshaAllah a righteous community will stem from me. What is the reason for mutual discord? It is malice, conceit, self-love and emotions.


HOW TO AVAIL PROMISE OF DOMINANCE
Allah the Exalted states in the Holy Qur'an: [3:56]'…and will place those who follow thee above those who disbelieve, until the Day of Resurrection…' This reassuring promise was made to son of Mary born in Nazareth. But I give you glad-tidings that Allah the Exalted has also given the glad-tiding in these words …….[to whom] who was to come with the name of … Messiah…………Those who truly value this true promise of Allah the Exalted and do not consider my words as fables, remember and listen with sincerity, I once again address those who are associated with me and this is not by way of an ordinary bond, rather it is a great bond. ………Its impact reaches the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and God Almighty Himself! Thus, in such a situation, listen most attentively if you wish to partake of this glad-tiding and wish to be its corroboration and you have true thirst for such a great success (in that you will triumph over disbelievers till the Day of Judgement) I say only this much that this success will not be realised until you traverse the state of reproving to the state of peace.



CONDITIONS OF ACCEPTANCE OF PRAYERS
This should also be listened with sincerity of heart that there are a few conditions for acceptance of prayer. Some of them are regarding the person who makes the prayer while some are regarding the person who asks for prayers to be made. It is essential for the person who asks for prayers that he keeps in view fear of Allah the Exalted…and makes conciliation and fearing God his ways. He should please God Almighty with righteousness and honesty. In such instance the door to acceptance of prayer is opened. If the person displeases God Almighty and is in conflict with Him, his mischief and wrong ways become a hindrance in acceptance of prayer and the door to acceptance of prayer is closed on him. It is important for our friends not to let our prayers go to waste and not create any impediment in their way which may be created owing to their crude acts.


CORE OF SHARIAH
If Shariah was to be explained briefly, then the core of Shariah can only be righteousness……… [5:28] '…Allah accepts only from the righteous.'That is, Allah the Exalted listens to the prayers of the righteous, it is His promise. And His promises are not violated……….. it is essential for our Jama'at that as much as possible each one of them tread the paths of righteousness so that they may experience the rapture of acceptance of prayer and develops in faith.



THE CORE IS IMPORTANT
The shell is of no use and it is the kernel that is used…Similarly a person who claims to have taken bai'at and have faith but does not have the essence of both these aspects within him, should be fearful. A time comes when the slightest of knocks reduces him to smithereens … and he is discarded……….Similarly, one who lays claim to bai'at and faith should grapple and see whether he is a mere shell or does he have a core. …… Remember well that death can strike any time but it is a certainty that death will strike. Therefore, do not suffice on mere claims and be happy. It is most certainly not a beneficial matter unless man adopts many death-like states and does not traverse through many changes and transformations, he cannot find the real objective of humanity.


Hazrat Khaifatul Messiah V (may Allah be his Helper) said: May Allah the Exalted enable us to mold our lives according to the desires of Hazrat Promised Messiah (on whom be peace); and our steps move towards virtues every instant. May we waste not the prayers of Hazrat Promised Messiah (on whom be peace); instead may we be heirs of prayers which he (a.s.) did for his Jama'at. I say the greeting for new year to all of you, with the prayer: May Allah the Exalted make this year source of unlimited blessed for you individually and as Jama'at. Aameen.

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Based on Friday sermon (Januray 1, 2016) by Hazrat Khalifatul Messiah V (may Allah Help him with His Mighty Help), UK, alislam.org and mta.tv