After reciting Tashahhud, Taawwuz and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) said: “It is the grace and blessings of Allah the Almighty upon us that we have been enabled to enter the Bai’at [oath of initiation] of the Promised Messiah (as). On the one hand, this is something that should be a means of increasing us in our faith, but if we fail to increase in our faith and belief after having accepted the Promised Messiah (as) then we have derived no benefit from accepting him.”
Huzoor (aba) then said that some people have become too involved in worldliness in the Western countries and though they verbally claim to give preference to faith over all worldly things, however in reality their practise is contrary to it. The Ahmadis here are very good with integrating with the people here and also in showing good morals but their standards of worship and fulfilling the rights of Allah the Almighty are not that of what is expected from an Ahmadi.
Huzoor (aba) further stated that since more and more mosques are being built in Germany and also more Jama’ats are being established, the Jama’at is gaining more exposure and subsequently the world will look at us more critically. Naturally as our numbers increase, the Jama’at will become further introduced to the world and the more we become introduced to the world, the more critically we will be viewed and this is continually increasing. Thus, this demands from us that we improve our standards of practical conduct and also fulfil the purpose of the Promised Messiah’s Bai’at.
Huzoor (aba) said: “I always say this and will once again remind you all that 99.9% percent of the Ahmadis who have migrated here to the Western countries is not because of their own talents or qualities. Rather, it is because of Ahmadiyyat and therefore every Ahmadi who lives here is a silent preacher of Ahmadiyyat. By the grace of Allah the Almighty due to the good example of the Ahmadis here and also because of their good relations in society they have left a good impression on the people about the community and people express this at various occasions.”
As I mentioned that in the various functions organised here as well as in other parts of the world, I have met many people, including the functions that have been held here, who say that after listening to you not only have our reservations been removed. I shall present a few examples of how people’s views have completely changed after listening to the message of Islam.
The first function for the inauguration of the mosque was perhaps in Waldshut. One of the guests, Simon Klauss said:
‘My view about Islam has completely transformed. Today, I have learnt about the true meaning of Jihad. After learning of the true meaning of Jihad there is no reason to fear from the word Jihad. In fact, there is nothing that one needs to fear about.’
He further states:
‘Prior to attending the function, I feared that there could be a terrorist attack committed against me and therefore even though I had accepted the invitation but I decided not to attend the function. However, a friend of mine who had researched into the community on the internet and had also saw some videos, told me that this was a very peaceful community and therefore told me that there is no harm in attending their function.’
Another Guest, Dr France, said:
‘Today, I have witnessed an Islam that does not spread by promoting hatred, but in fact it is spreading through love.’
A lady who attended the inauguration of the second mosque said:
‘What I have heard today, I have never heard this before from any other Muslim leader.’
A Syrian Muslim also attended the function and said:
‘Today, was a very emotional day for me. I was told before coming to the event, or this was the general view, that Ahmadis are not Muslims and their Quran is also different. However, today I have learnt that this was all completely untrue and Ahmadis read and adhere to the same Quran as the rest of the Muslims and also believe in the same Prophet (sa) as them.’
After meeting me He then said:
‘After meeting the Khalifa of the time, it is quite possible that I will also become an Ahmadi.’
The Vice-Chancellor of Marburg University said:
‘I am completely overcome with emotions at this moment in time. After listening to the address of the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya Community, particularly after listening to explanation of the concept of two heavens.’
She also said:
‘I have also learnt about the life of the founder of Islam, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), and the early history of Islam. I also learnt how Islam teaches one to fulfil the rights of others.’
She further said:
‘If the world comes to understand all of this then this will establish peace, love and brotherhood in the world.’
This lady was so emotional that the person who she was speaking to said that she began to cry and said that she cannot say anything more as she does not have the strength to continue. She was a Christian lady who came to a Muslim function and previously had no knowledge of the teachings of Islam. In fact Amir Sahib [National president of the Jama’at in Germany] told me that she was unaware of Islam and was searching for her. She is a Vice-Chancellor and therefore a very educated lady and after listening to the address, she became so emotional that she could not even control her emotions. This is how beautiful the teachings of Islam are and therefore we do not need to have any kind of inferiority complex.
As I mentioned previously, the foundation stone of the Marburg mosque was laid, in which there were Muslims present and also many guests attended, including University professors and students, as well as the vice chancellor, whose sentiments I mentioned earlier. Among them were two university professors of Egyptian origin, who taught Islamic Studies and Arabic. Upon my asking they mentioned that in the Islamic studies course they teach Islamic philosophy. I asked them if they had read ‘The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam’ written by the Promised Messiah (as)? They replied “No”. I told them that they must read this book, because without this one cannot fathom the intricacies of the philosophy of Islam, no matter how much knowledge one gains from different sources.
Huzoor (aba) then stated: “Some of our university students, both girls and boys, believe that by reading about ancient jurists and scholars or studying Imams’ and Saints of the past, their knowledge has increased manifold and now there is nobody that can challenge their knowledge. They may have increased their knowledge in this aspect, however, the non-Ahmadi scholars have more knowledge than them in this regard. Therefore, just by reading that alone one should consider themselves as a scholar. If anyone entertains such a thought, they should rid themselves of it. One should leave aside the scholars and the saints of the past as now true knowledge and the correct concept of Islam can only be perceived through the knowledge of the writings of the Promised Messiah (as).”
Huzoor (aba) continued by saying: “The Promised Messiah (as) was sent as the Just Arbiter of this era and this is a fact that we should always bear in mind. Therefore, whatever the Promised Messiah (as) has pronounced, that is the truth and the real teachings of Islam. Do not suppose that by reading the books of others, the books of [other] scholars, books of Jurists or the books of Imams of the past, that one will become a scholar. One cannot become a scholar unless they read the books of the Promised Messiah (as).
Huzoor (aba) then read an extract of the Promised Messiah (as) in which he stated: “Whosoever professes belief should ensure that their faith evolves into conviction and cognizance, rather than falling prey to suspicion and doubt. Hearken! Conjecture will never prove to be beneficial. God Almighty Himself declares: ‘Surely, conjecture avails nothing against truth’.
The Promised Messiah (as) continues to say: “Now, just think for yourselves and derive a conclusion from your own hearts, that if, having performed the Bai’at [oath of initiation] on my hand and accepting me as the Promised Messiah and the Just Arbiter, yet after professing this belief you still harbour any malice or discomfort in your hearts owing to a certain decision or action of mine, then you should be concerned. Faith that is maligned with doubts and suspicions will not be able to derive any virtuous outcome. However, if you have accepted with a true heart that the Promised Messiah (as) is the authentic Arbitrator, then you should throw down your armaments before his verdicts and actions.”
The Promised Messiah (as) further adds: “The testimony of the Holy Prophet (sa) should suffice in which he said the Promised Messiah (as) that will appear will be your Imam and he will be the Just Arbiter. If one is not content with this, then what is it that will prove to be adequate? For one to have faith, yet also harbour evil suspicions in certain parts of the heart can never prove to be beneficial nor blessed. If I am not truthful then leave and search for the truthful one. Be absolutely certain that there is no other truthful one. Subsequently, if you fail to find another truthful one, and never shall you find one, then, I seek only that right that was granted to me by the Holy Prophet (sa). Those people who have rejected me and raise allegations against my person have failed to recognise me. As for those who have accepted me and having entered into the Bai’at [oath of initiation] still makes assertions, their state is even more deplorable, for they were rendered blind despite previously being able to see.”
The Promised Messiah (as) further states: “In actuality, being the contemporary of another diminishes their status and grandeur. Living together in the same area prevents one from recognising and understanding the status of another. That is why Prophet Jesus (as) stated: “A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country.”
Thus, some people raise allegations against Ahmadiyyat or against the claims of the Promised Messiah (as) by saying that the religious scholars from among his own people rejected him and declared Ahmadis to be non-Muslims. From among these there are Arabs as well as people of other nations. For them this argument should be sufficient that prophets appeared among every nation in every era, yet his own people rejected him
Huzoor (aba) then stated: “In certain matters where elders and saints have given opinions, they hold no value as compared to any of the views or decisions that have been given on that issue by the Hakam and Adl (Judge and Arbiter i.e. the Promised Messiah). Those past saints served Islam greatly during their respective time periods and strove to guide the Muslims within their spheres. However now after the Khatmul Khulafa, Khatmul Auliya, Mujadid Akharuz Zaman and Hakm and Adl has appeared, his decisions, knowledge and teachings on Islam are all the truth whilst all else is incorrect. After carrying out the Bai’at we have to follow him and this is something we should always keep in mind.
In short, every Ahmadi should strive themselves to derive maximum benefit from the literature of the Promised Messiah (as), and they should also convey it to others. We should never worry what the world will think in response nor how non-Ahmadi Muslims or worldly people will view what we say.
Huzoor (aba) then read an extract of the Promised Messiah (as) in which he said: “There are two types of vice. One is to associate partners with God Almighty, failing to recognise His grandeur becoming indolent in worshiping Him and obeying Him. The second vice is not showing kindness to His people and failing to fulfil their rights. One should try to avoid both types of vice. Be firm in the obedience of Allah the Almighty. Remain firm on the pledge you took. Do not pain the servants of Allah. Recite the Quran with deep understanding and also act upon it. Eschew all futile idolatrous gatherings and observe the five daily prayers. In short, there should not be a single command of God Almighty that you overlook. Keep your body clean and your heart free from all excessive malice and jealousy. These are the points that God Almighty requires of you.”
Huzoor (aba) then said: “Thus, we must analyse ourselves with this level of depth. The Promised Messiah (as) reminded us especially to observe the five daily prayers and to observe prayer means to pray in congregation, on time and with consistency. I have assessed the situation and I see a lot of weakness in this regard. People request prayers from me, but when it is asked if they pray themselves and offer their obligatory prayers, the response is in the negative or that they attempt to do this.
Thus, we should always seek repentance for our mistakes and shortcomings. May Allah the Almighty enable all of us to achieve this and having entered the Bai’at with the Promised Messiah (as), may He enable us to do justice to it.