Men of Excellence: Hazrat Ali (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Ali(ra).
Hazrat Ali’s(ra) Love for God
His Holiness(aba) related an incident in which Hazrat Hussain(ra) asked his father Hazrat Ali(ra), as to whether he loved him, to which Hazrat Ali(ra) replied that he did. Hazrat Hussain(ra) then asked whether Hazrat Ali(ra) loved God, to which he replied that he did. Hazrat Hussain(ra) wondered that would this not then be considered Shirk [associating partners with God]? Hazrat Ali(ra) replied that this was not Shirk, for between the love for God and the love for his son, he would choose the love of God.
His Holiness(aba) related an incident that once Hazrat Ali(ra) called out to one of his workers, but he did not respond. He called out a few times but did not hear any reply back. Later he saw him walking by and asked him why he had not responded. He replied by saying that he knew Hazrat Ali(ra) was kind and would not punish him, but would rather show kindness and compassion which he wished to avail. Hazrat Ali(ra) liked this response so much that he freed him.
His Holiness(aba) said that once Hazrat Ali(ra) passed by his sons whilst they were being taught the Holy Qur’an by someone. When he passed by, he heard that they were being taught to say Khatimun Nabiyyin rather than Khatamun Nabiyyin [Seal of Prophets]. He said that though there may be other dialects, however to say Khatimun Nabiyyin would mean the one who ended prophethood, whereas Khatamun Nabiyyin means the Seal of Prophets and that is the correct pronunciation and meaning.
Eagerness to Fulfil Commandments of the Holy Qur’an
His Holiness(aba) said that in the Qur’an, there is a commandment that one should give alms before consulting with the Holy Prophet(sa) on a matter. Hazrat Ali(ra) had not consulted the Holy Prophet(sa) on a matter before the revelation of this commandment, however after it had been revealed, he went to the Holy Prophet(sa), gave alms and said that he wished to consult with him on a matter. Thus, the Holy Prophet(sa) took him to the side and spoke with him. Later, someone asked Hazrat Ali(ra) what he had consulted the Holy Prophet(sa) on. Hazrat Ali(ra), replied saying that in fact there was no specific matter, he merely wished to fulfill this commandment of the Holy Qur’an which instructs to give alms before consulting with the Holy Prophet(sa).
His Holiness (aba) said that this was the manner in which the companions used to try and fulfill the commandments of the Holy Qur’an. There was a companion who had wished to fulfill the Qur’anic commandment which states that if you go to someone’s home and they do not allow you to enter then you should happily go away. However Hazrat Ali (ra) said that no one ever refused him entry upon his asking. His Holiness (aba) commented that these were the ways of the companions. Today, if someone was to say they are busy and denied another person entry, then they would mind and would be offended.
His Holiness(aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet(sa) advised Hazrat Ali(ra), that if he were to guide even one person to the rightly guided path, it would be better than having the area between two mountains filled with sheep.
His Holiness(aba) said that once, the Holy Prophet(sa) said that anyone who loved Hazrat Ali(ra) loved the Holy Prophet(sa), and whoever loved the Holy Prophet(sa) loved Allah; and anyone who had enmity towards Hazrat Ali(ra) had enmity towards the Holy Prophet(sa), and whoever had enmity with the Holy Prophet(sa) had enmity with Allah. The Holy Prophet(sa) also said that only true believers would love him, whilst the hypocrites would have enmity towards him.
Hazrat Ali’s(ra) Desire for Justice and Equity
His Holiness(aba) said that Hazrat Ali(ra) would always appoint trustworthy people to posts of authority. However, if he ever learned of a certain person’s dishonesty, he would write a letter to them which contained verses of the Holy Qur’an pertaining to justice and equity.
His Holiness(aba) related an incident when Hazrat Ali(ra) was walking through a market, and he was advising all those he met, to always speak the truth, to be just and equitable, and to conduct business with complete transparency and honesty.
His Holiness(aba) quoted Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad(ra) who said that during the Caliphates of Hazrat Abu Bakr(ra) and Hazrat Umar(ra) there were less disorders which arose because there were more people who had benefited from being in the company of the Holy Prophet(sa). But later in the Caliphates of Hazrat Uthman(ra) and Hazrat Ali(ra), the number of such people was fewer, and thus there were more disorders. Hence, once when a person asked Hazrat Ali(ra) why there were there less disorders during the eras of the earlier Caliphs, Hazrat Ali(ra) replied by saying that “during their Caliphates they had people like me under them, and during my Caliphate, I have people like you under me.”
His Holiness(aba) said that when the Roman Emperor saw the discord between Hazrat Ali(ra) and Amir Mu‘awiyah(ra), he saw it as an opportunity to attack the Muslims. However, a priest advised the Emperor that he should abstain from any sort of attack, because even if there seemed to be a division amongst the Muslims, they would unite to defend against him. When Hazrat Mu‘awiyah(ra) learned of the Roman Emperor’s intentions, he wrote a letter to him saying that though there may be a disagreement between himself and Hazrat Ali(ra), however if the Roman Emperor decided to attack the Muslims, then he would be the first person to stand in defence along with the army of Hazrat Ali(ra).
Noble Qualities of Hazrat Ali(ra)
His Holiness(aba) said that once, Amir Mu‘awiyah(ra) asked someone to recount the qualities of Hazrat Ali(ra). He said that Hazrat Ali(ra) was steadfast and had great strength. He would make firm and just decisions. He was a fountain of knowledge and wisdom. He had no desire for material things, rather loved the solitude of nightly prayer. He was very wise; he wore simple clothes and ate simple food and lived among the people like an ordinary person. He was always ready to answer any questions asked of him. Though he always showed a great deal of compassion to the people and the people had a great deal of affection for him, people would still feel the awe of his grandeur. He loved those who were spiritual and held the poor close. Even the greatest powers could not convince him with their false stories, and even the weakest would never be disappointed with his high level of justice.
His Holiness(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as), who said regarding Hazrat Ali(ra), that he was righteous, pure and of those who are dearest to Allah. He was a lion of God, and was very generous. He was extremely brave in battle, to the extent that he would never move from his place in the battlefield. He was also very proficient in speech, and his words would pierce the hearts. His knowledge was so great that no one could ever compete with him. He always advised people to help the less fortunate and was exemplary in doing so himself. He was extremely close to God Almighty.
His Holiness(aba) said that now he had completed highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Ali(ra).
Launch of MTA Ghana
His Holiness(aba) said that after the Friday prayer, he would be launching a new television channel; MTA Ghana.
The Wahab Adam Studio in Ghana was completed in 2017 and named in honour of the late Ameer and Missionary In-charge. The studio produces over 60 percent of the current programmes for MTA Africa channels. The studio has 17 full-time staff members and over 60 volunteers who are trained in the various departments. The Wahab Adam Studios is one of the most advanced studios in Ghana and has some of the best facilities. Various media organisations and broadcasters send their staff to the studio for training purposes and work experience. The studio has produced many LIVE programmes including the 1st African Qur’an Competition, Ramadan programmes and many others.
A new channel is now being launched under the name of MTA Ghana. MTA Ghana will be a new 24 hour national TV channel broadcasting on the digital platform in Ghana. MTA Ghana will be available to view without the need of a satellite dish and can be accessed through a normal aerial. This means that Ghanians can easily access the channel. The channel will be in the same location as the other major channels in Ghana and will be accessible to millions of homes within the country. The main regions of coverage will be Accra and greater Accra, Central Region, Kumasi and surrounding areas, Tamale and Wa.
Programmes will be produced from the Wahab Adam studios in various languages of Ghana including English, Twi, Ga, Hausa and others. The transmission and scheduling of the channel will be run locally from the Wahab Adam studios through Lajna volunteers and other teams. Many programmes have been produced to provide moral training and educate Ghanaians on the true and beautiful teachings of Islam. The addresses of Huzur-e-Anwar [His Holiness] are translated into Twi and the LIVE Friday sermon is broadcast with Twi translations in various mission houses. MTA Ghana will be the only dedicated Islamic channel on the digital platform in Ghana.
Appeal for Prayers
His Holiness(aba) said that the opponents of the Community attempt to hinder our progress, yet God Almighty continues to open new paths.
His Holiness(aba) again made an appeal for prayers, for the Ahmadis in Pakistan and Algeria who have been falsely imprisoned. His Holiness(aba) also said to pray for the general state of affairs in Pakistan, that may Allah grant Ahmadis ease and enable the opponents to see reason, and if they are not destined to see reason then may the Ahmadis be saved from their grasp. His Holiness(aba) said that the Ahmadis in Pakistan should give special emphasis to offering supererogatory prayers and giving alms.
(After the Friday prayer, His Holiness(aba) inaugurated MTA Ghana and led silent prayers)
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions.