Spending in the way of Allah; Waqfe Jadid 2021
Financial Sacrifice & Waqfe Jadid 2021
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) recited the following verse of the Holy Qur’an:
‘Who is it that will lend Allah a goodly loan that He may multiply it for him manifold? And Allah receives and enlarges, and to Him shall you be made to return.’ [2:246]
The Meaning of a Goodly Loan
His Holiness(aba) then said that this verse mentions giving Allah a loan, however this does not mean that God forbid, God needs our worldly wealth. Another meaning of the word qarz (loan) also means good or bad recompense. Thus in this context, the verse means ‘Who is it that will spend in the way of Allah so that He may reward him for it.’
His Holiness(aba) said that there are many instances in which financial sacrifices have been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. Indeed, spending in the way of the faith, or spending for the betterment of God’s creations is equivalent to spending for the sake of Allah. And whatever is spent in the way of Allah never goes to waste, rather it is a loan of sorts which Allah returns manifold over. Thus, God is in no need for any worldly wealth, rather when He uses the word ‘loan’ He refers to spending in His way, so that He may return and reward manifold blessings.
His Holiness(aba) said that furthermore, by using the words ‘goodly loan’ God refers to that which one spends and sacrifices of their own volition and will, which then God returns manifold. Hence, the word loan is used to signify that whatever one spends in the way of God, they will be given more in return than that which they give. It is a manner of speech, as loans are to be returned. This concept is further explained by another verse of the Holy Qur’an in which God Almighty states that one shall reap the reward of even an atom’s weight of good that they have done. Hence, it is in recompense of good deeds and actions that one is rewarded by God, hence the metaphor of a loan.
Examples of Financial Sacrifice of Ahmadi Muslims
His Holiness(aba) said, that as it pertains to financial sacrifices, there are none in the world who have more experience than Ahmadis. Their sacrifices are only for the sake of attaining the pleasure of God. They do not present their sacrifices bearing in mind that God will grant them more worldly wealth, rather they do so solely for the sake of God. There are even those who face strained financial circumstances, yet they still present financial sacrifices, trusting that God will take care of them and their needs.
His Holiness(aba) said that he would present some examples of those who benefited from this promise of God; who presented sacrifices solely for the sake of God, some not even considering how they would be able to feed themselves and their children, yet God Almighty took their affairs into His own hands and rewarded them manifold. These examples of those who seek the pleasure of God are found only within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.
His Holiness(aba) presented various incidents from around the world. One such incident was from Guinea-Conakry; His Holiness(aba) said that after he delivered previous year’s Friday Sermon on Waqf-e-Jadid, one person went to the Missionary and gave him all the money he had in his pocket. The Missionary told him that he should at least keep some of the amount with him for his journey back home. He replied by saying that in the Friday Sermon, His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) who said that one cannot have both the love of God and the love of wealth in their hearts, and so he wished to reap the benefits of the love of God. His Holiness(aba) said that this is the true spirit of not only sacrifice, but the attention with which one should listen to the Friday Sermon, which this person exemplified.
His Holiness(aba) presented the example of a woman from France, who said that she had been searching for a good and sustainable job for quite some time. Nevertheless, she offered her contribution for Waqf-e-Jadid. She says that only ten minutes after having offered this amount, she received a call from a large company which offered her a job.
His Holiness(aba) commented that sometimes people wonder why such instances of being rewarded and recompensed do not occur with them. His Holiness(aba) said that everyone should seek forgiveness and analyse themselves to see whether or not their intentions at the time of offering financial sacrifices were solely to attain the pleasure of God. When financial sacrifices are made with this intention, then God always rewards in one way or another; and if not immediately then at a later time which He deems appropriate.
His Holiness(aba) presented examples of sacrifices made by young students in Sierra Leone, especially after His Holiness(aba) had encouraged the Community in Sierra Leone last year saying that they had great potential. Thus, His Holiness(aba) presented examples such as that of a young girl who offered fifty thousand Leones asking that His Holiness(aba) be requested to pray for her. Or there were two youngsters who took up some work, just so that they could offer the acquired amount as financial contribution. His Holiness(aba) said that this is true love and respect for Khilafat, and these are examples of those who hearken to the call of their Caliph. Though they may never have even met him, yet they are at the forefront of acting upon the Caliph’s words and instruction.
His Holiness(aba) presented an example from Tanzania of a person who was reminded of financial contributions for Waqf-e-Jadid before the end of the year. However at the time he did not have any work, nor any money. However he said that his name should be written amongst those who offered their full pledge. Only two days later, he obtained a job as a driver, and only after the first day’s work, he was easily able to pay his entire pledge for Waqf-e-Jadid.
His Holiness(aba) presented another example from the Iringa region in Tanzania of a person, who had pledged 600,000 shillings for Waqf-e-Jadid. However at the time, he was facing strained financial circumstances, and so he wrote a letter to His Holiness(aba) to request prayers that he may be able to fulfill his pledge. His Holiness(aba) commented that not only do people write to him for personal matters, rather they also write to him for prayers so that they may be able to offer financial sacrifices. This person said that after having written this letter he felt at ease that some sort of means would come about. Only a day later, he reconnected with an old school friend and they spoke about an employment opportunity. As a result, this person received a contract of 6 million shillings, with which he was immediately able to fulfill his pledge. Thus, God granted him ten times more than what he had pledged.
His Holiness(aba) presented the example of a woman from Australia, who, after moving into her home, did not even have enough money to properly furnish it as her financial circumstances were not very good and the rent she had to pay for her home was very high as well. However, as the fiscal year for Waqf-e-Jadid was ending, she offered the amount she had pledged, placing her complete trust in God. Only a short while later, her employer gave her a bonus, which he said was received only by her and no one else. This amount was double that which she had offered for Waqf-e-Jadid.
His Holiness(aba) presented the example of a ten year old boy from India, who had saved up quite a bit of money. He decided to give this amount towards Waqf-e-Jadid. He was asked, that normally when children save up money, they use it to buy something for themselves, why had he decided to give it toward Waqf-e-Jadid? The young boy replied by saying that he did so because this is what God, His Messenger (sa), and his Caliphs command us to do. His Holiness(aba) commented that if this is the mentality of our youngsters, then what harm can the opponents of Ahmadiyyat inflict upon us?
His Holiness(aba) presented many other examples of financial sacrifices from around the world, and the manner in which God Almighty ‘returns loans.’ His Holiness(aba) prayed that may this Community always be able to present such sacrifices and see such blessings of God Almighty.
Announcement for New Year of Waqf-e-Jadid & Report of Waqf-e-Jadid 2020
His Holiness(aba) announced the commencement of the new year for Waqf-e-Jadid. The 63rd year of Waqf-e-Jadid came to an end on December 31, 2020 and now the 64th year has begun. By the grace of Allah, during the previous year £10.53 million were collected under Waqf-e-Jadid, which is an increase of £887,000 from the previous year. His Holiness(aba) highlighted the increase and efforts made by various countries.
The order of countries in terms of collection is the UK, Germany, Pakistan, Canada, USA, India, Australia, a country from the Middle East, Indonesia and Ghana. His Holiness(aba) said that the total number of participants who presented financial sacrifices for Waqf-e-Jadid is 1,452,000.
His Holiness(aba) prayed for all those who presented financial sacrifices.
Appeal for Prayers
His Holiness(aba) once again made an appeal for prayers for all the Ahmadis in Pakistan, who continue to face hardships, as well as the Ahmadis in Algeria especially those who have been wrongfully imprisoned. His Holiness(aba) urged that Ahmadis must focus on offering supererogatory prayers and giving alms. His Holiness(aba) also urged for prayers for the general state of affairs in the entire world which continue to deteriorate. His Holiness(aba) prayed that may God have mercy on all of humanity.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.