Men of Excellence

After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) stated that because of the current circumstances, and in accordance with the law of the land, it was not possible to deliver the Friday sermon in the mosque with people in attendance. Whether they are physically present or not, many hundreds of thousands of people listen to this sermon, and this is important to maintain unity. Pray that the circumstances change soon, and our mosques are populated once again.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) said that two Fridays ago, he had been explaining the life of Hazrat Talha^(ra) bin Ubaidullah, a companion of the Holy Prophet^(sa), who took part in the Battle of Badr. Hazrat Talha^(ra) also took part in the Battle of Jamal [Battle of the Camel]. Huzoor^(aba) had mentioned in this previous sermon that he had mentioned then that he would give more details about the Battle of Jamal.

Huzoor^(aba) then went on to explain that Hazrat Umar^(ra) [the second successor of the Holy Prophet^(sa)] had set up a committee to elect a Khalifah [Caliph] to lead the Muslims after his demise and then described how the election process took place during the election of Hazrat Uthman^(ra).

After Hazrat Uthman’s^(ra) selection as Khalifah, Hazrat Talha^(ra) bin Ubaidullah took the Bai’at [Pledge of Initiation] at his hand. After the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman^(ra), Hazrat Ali^(ra) was elected as the Khalifah. Along with Hazrat Zubair^(ra) and Hazrat Aishah^(ra), Hazrat Talha^(ra) bin Ubaidullah also took the Bai’at of Hazrat Ali^(ra). Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) elucidated this in great detail from the writings of Hazrat Musleh Mau’ud^(ra). Hazrat Talha^(ra) bin Ubaidullah and Hazrat Zubair^(ra) were Ashra Mubashra [among the ten companions who were given the glad tidings that they would enter heaven].

After the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman^(ra), Hazrat Ali accepted the Bai’at after approval from the committee comprising of those companions who had taken part in the Battle of Badr. Some of the cunning hypocrites, who were a part of the group led by Abdullah Bin Saba, who conspired against and killed Hazrat Uthman^(ra), also took Bai’at of Hazrat Ali^(ra). This made some people raise the objection that Hazrat Ali^(ra) was complicit in Hazrat Uthman’s^(ra) murder. Some people went to Makkah to see Hazrat Aishah^(ra). They counselled her that the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman^(ra) should be avenged and jihad should be declared because of this. Hazrat Aisha^(ra) agreed with this and called for the companions to join in the jihad.

Hazrat Talha^(ra) and Hazrat Zubair^(ra) took the Bai’at of Hazrat Ali^(ra) on the understanding that the martyrdom of Hazrat Uthman^(ra) would be avenged soon. However, Hazrat Talha^(ra) and Hazrat Zubair^(ra) had interpreted “soon” differently from Hazrat Ali^(ra). Hazrat Ali^(ra) wanted the whole disorder to settle down and let the rule of the law consolidate before taking rebels on. In his opinion, that would avoid further bloodshed. While Hazrat Ali^(ra) was not suspicious of some of the cunning hypocrites who had been involved in the conspiracy to martyr Hazrat Uthman^(ra), some of the other companions had become suspicious of these people. This made Hazrat Talha^(ra) and Hazrat Zubair^(ra) think that Hazrat Ali^(ra) was reneging on his promise. They joined together with Hazrat Aishah^(ra) and travelled to Basra, where some members of the public joined them as well. At this Hazrat Ali^(ra) also gathered troops and travelled to Basra.

Hazrat Ali^(ra) sent an ambassador first to Hazrat Aishah^(ra) and then to Hazrat Zubair^(ra) and Hazrat Talha^(ra) to seek their opinion. They said that they wanted the situation to be corrected. After mutual discussion, it was agreed that the best course of action would be to contain any further unrest and to let the rule of law be established so that the offenders could be brought to justice. When the news of this agreement spread to the hypocrites in both camps, who were the followers of Abdullah Bin Saba, who had masterminded Hazrat Uthman’s^(ra) martyrdom, they held a secret meeting and agreed that the reconciliation between the two parties of Muslims would mean that they would be held to account for the murder of Hazrat Uthman^(ra). Hence they planned to make sure that this battle between Muslims had to continue.

Hazrat Ali^(ra) categorically declined that he had any involvement in the murder of Hazrat Uthman^(ra) and said that he cursed the people who were involved in such a heinous act. Hazrat Ali^(ra) reminded Hazrat Zubair^(ra) that the Holy Prophet^(sa) had foretold them that there would be major disagreement between the two of them in the future. In that instance, Hazrat Ali^(ra) would be right. Hazrat Zubair^(ra) readily accepted his mistake and withdrew from the battle. The hypocrites in the two camps, who were the followers of Abdullah Bin Saba, attacked Muslims in the other camp and a battle ensued. Hazrat Ali^(ra) called out for Hazrat Aishah^(ra) to help contain the unrest. Hypocrites killed Hazrat Zubair^(ra) while he was saying salat and one person killed Hazrat Talha^(ra). Hypocrites attacked Hazrat Aishah’s^(ra) camel and the battle only came to an end when her camel was injured.

The companions^(ra) had nothing to do with this war. It was a ploy and the action of the hypocrites, who created unrest, confusion and bloodshed. These were the people who killed Hazrat Uthman^(ra). Both Hazrat Zubair^(ra) and Hazrat Talha^(ra) were martyred while under the Bai’at of Hazrat Ali. Hazrat Ali^(ra) safeguarded all the belongings of Hazrat Talha^(ra) and gave them to his son later. Hazrat Ali^(ra) was very saddened to see Hazrat Talha^(ra) and Hazrat Zubair^(ra) martyred like this.

Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) then read out an extract from the writings of the Promised Messiah^(as) that during the days of epidemics, houses should be kept very clean and well-ventilated. All safety precautions should be taken. He advised to pray in the pre-dawn Tahajjud prayers, seek repentance and reform and reconcile with Allah the Exalted. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) advised to use josh sticks [incense] to clean the air, use antiseptic spray and follow the national guidelines. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^(aba) prayed that Allah the Exalted safeguard all Ahmadis against this and enable them to specifically focus on prayers. Ameen.

Summary prepared by The Review of Religions