Men of Excellence
After reciting the Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz, and Surah Al-Fatihah, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) continued his series of sermons on the lives of the Badri companions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), before turning to the issues of the rights of women established in Islam and the current situation in the United States of America.
His Holiness (aba) started the sermon by mentioning two Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa).
Hazrat Suhaib bin Sinan (ra)
Regarding Hazrat Suhaib bin Sinan (ra), he mentioned:
His father was sent by the Sovereignty of Iran as an employee; he was captured by the Romans and made a slave. For some time he remained among them as a slave after which he was finally purchased by ‘Abdullah bin Jad‘an Quraishi, a Makkan chieftain, and set free. Hazrat Suhaib bin Sinan (ra) was considered among those early Muslims who were considered weak in Mecca and as a result of this, they endured intense persecution for the sake of Allah Almighty. According to one narration, Hazrat Ammar bin Yasir (ra) afflicted with such torture that he became unconscious and unaware of what was being done to him. Same was the condition of other companions (ra). The following verse of the Holy Qur’an was revealed regarding them: “Then, surely, thy Lord — to those who fled their homes after they had been persecuted and then struggled hard in the cause of Allah and remained steadfast — aye, surely, after that thy Lord is Most Forgiving, Merciful.” (16:111)
Hazrat Sa’d bin Rabi’ (ra)
The second companion that His Holiness (aba) mentioned was Hazrat Sa’d bin Rabi’ (ra). Hazrat Sa’d bin Rabi’ (ra) participated in the Battle of Badr and Uhud and was martyred in Uhud. After the Battle of Uhud, the Holy Prophet (sa) stated: ‘Who will bring me news about Sa’d bin Rabi’?’ Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka’b (ra) volunteered to do so. When Hazrat Ubayy bin Ka’b (ra) was searching for Hazrat Sa’d bin Rabi’ (ra) among the bodies, Hazrat Sa’d bin Rabi (ra) saw him and said, ‘I am here’. He responded: ‘I have been sent by the Holy Prophet (sa) to find out about you’. Hazrat Sa’d (ra) responded: ‘Convey my salam [message of peace] to the Holy Prophet (sa) and mentioned to him that I have received 12 spear wounds but my opponents have met their fate. And tell my people: ‘If the Holy Prophet (sa) is martyred and any one of them remained alive, they will have no excuses before Allah Almighty.’
Rights of Women
His Holiness (aba) then said that the world today speaks about upholding the rights of women, but raises allegations against Islam by pointing to certain aspects which have no connection with freedom at all. In fact, the restrictions laid in Islam are there to establish the honour of women, peace within households and for the proper upbringing of future generations.
He prayed that may the world understand this truth and be saved from disorder, and may Ahmadi women also understand this, for at times some of them follow the world and their definition of freedom. May they understand the true status Islam has granted to them, as this has been granted by no other religion or women’s rights movement. May Allah enable men to also uphold the rights of women in accordance with the teachings of Islam, so that there may be peace in society.
Guidance Regarding Pandemic & Situation in America and the World
Thereafter, His Holiness (aba) also solicited we pray for the world to be saved from the coronavirus and that the world may be granted the understanding that their sustenance is solely in prostrating to the One God, upholding the rights of others and putting an end to disorder. He prayed that the governments may be given the wisdom to act with justice.
His Holiness (aba) then prayed that all Ahmadis especially, be protected from the disorder rampant in America. May the people be enabled to present their requirements and obtain their rights. He stated that if however the African-Americans burn down their own houses, they will only be harming themselves, and some African leaders have also urged them not to do so. They should of course try to obtain their rights, but in a lawful manner, not by burning down their own property. Hence, those protesting should be mindful of this.
His Holiness (aba) said that in any case, the governments should come to realise that all this chaos will not be solved through force, nor is it the answer to all problems. Rather, the sustenance of a government is in its just dealing of all its citizens. Only then can law and order be established in the land. If the people become restless, then no government can stand against them.
In the end His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah remove the disorder all around the world, may the governments uphold the rights of their citizens and may the people obtain their rights through lawful measures. Likewise, with the increasingly difficult situation for the Ahmadis in Pakistan, the Pakistani government should not allow this to happen out of fear of the religious clerics. They should rather act with justice and learn lessons from their history. By oppressing and acting unjustly, no previous government has lasted, nor can any do so now. Hence, they should not be under the impression that this issue will allow their government to remain intact. In fact, these injustices have allowed the Ahmadis to make further progress.
His Holiness (aba) stated that this is the work of God, and no one has the power to halt it. May Allah Almighty remove all the injustice, disorder and turmoil in the world. May the world learn a lesson from the pandemic which we are currently facing and make changes within ourselves. May Ahmadis increase in their efforts towards upholding the rights of God and the rights of mankind, in order to attain greater love of God Almighty.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions