The Blessings of Financial Sacrifice : Tehrik Jadid New Year 2021
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(aba) said that in the Holy Qur’an, one of the qualities of true believers which has been stated is that they spend out of their wealth in the way of Allah.
A Sign of a True Community of God
His Holiness(aba) said that people belonging to divine communities sacrifice their wealth in order to purify their wealth, and in order to please God Almighty and attain His nearness. Such is also the case with the Community of the Promised Messiah(as). The Promised Messiah(as) came to spread the true teachings of Islam throughout the entire world. Of course, there are certain expenditures required in order to fulfil this monumental task. To this end, Ahmadis spread across the world present such examples of financial sacrifice, that it evidently proves that it was indeed the Promised Messiah(as) who was to spread the true teachings of Islam to the world. Had the opponents’ hearts not been turned to stone, then they would have been able to see these signs and realise the truthfulness of this Community.
Having the Right Intention When Making Financial Sacrifices
His Holiness(aba) said that indeed, God has said that those who spend in His way will be doubly rewarded. However, Ahmadis who spend in the way of Allah do so only with His pleasure in mind, and if some worldly gain comes about as a result, then that is an added benefit. Thus, the true essence of such contributions and sacrifices is to gain acceptance in the sight of Allah.
His Holiness(aba) said that God Almighty bestows His blessings in any project initiated by the Community, to the extent that people think many millions must have been spent on it. However, God bestows His blessings so that even small projects seem to be grand.
The True Purpose of Financial Sacrifices
His Holiness(aba) said that there are some who wonder why financial contributions are necessary, and some even speak about this aloud at home which leads to the children wondering the same thing. His Holiness(aba) said it is the duty of office-bearers to remove such doubts from the members of the Community. With regards to where these funds are spent, His Holiness(aba) said that they are spent for the sake of spreading Islam through various different means, whether it is for the Community’s television channel, or training missionaries to go out in the world and spread the true message of Islam. His Holiness(aba) said that he did not mention this because a large number of people have started wondering such things, rather, even small numbers of people can try to raise disorder and create doubts in the minds of others.
Extraordinary Examples of Reaping the Rewards From Tahrik-e-Jadid
His Holiness(aba) said that he would present some examples of how God rewards those who spend in the way of Allah.
His Holiness(aba) presented an incident from Guinea-Conakry, where a lady had just heard a sermon delivered by His Holiness(aba) about financial contribution. She called the Missionary and said that she did not have money for household expenditures. It so happened that her father gifted her 100,000 Guinea. She wondered whether she should use this amount for her household expenses or offer it as a financial sacrifice. She decided to give half to the Community and keep half for her household. She says that later, she received triple the amount which she had received from her father, from somewhere where she could not have expected.
His Holiness(aba) said that there was a person in Australia whose financial situation wasn’t good, but he had made a pledge for financial contributions which he fulfilled. He did so with the prayer that God would bestow blessings in his wealth. That person had a plot of land, however there was no expectation for its value to increase. However, after he had fulfilled his pledge of monetary contributions, it so happened that the value of his land increased by more than 100%.
His Holiness(aba) said that there is a person from Kerala, India who is quite affluent and would present large amounts as monetary contributions every year. During the previous year, due to the coronavirus pandemic, he faced some difficulties in offering his monetary contributions. Although he fulfilled his pledges, he did not have enough to offer in Tahrik-e-Jadid. Just a few days before the end of the fiscal year, he was able to offer the amount of 1 million (rupees) for Tahrik-e-Jadid. Then, during the Friday Sermon, the local missionary read out quotes of His Holiness(aba) about financial sacrifice. As a result, this person increased the amount which he gave to 1.8 million, and said that he was hopeful to receive a government project, and if he did, he would offer an even larger amount. His Holiness(aba) said that in this way, even the affluent members of the Community have a passion for presenting financial sacrifices.
His Holiness(aba) said that there was a lady from Jordan who converted to Ahmadiyyat 22 years ago. In her experience, whenever she spends in the way of Allah, somehow God rewards her even more. In fact, sometimes God grants her the exact amount which she had pledged to give. Once, she did not have anything to offer as a financial contribution and she was worried as to how she would be able to fulfil her pledge. During this time, someone came to her and asked that she tutor her. In this way, she was able to use the amount she received from tutoring to fulfil her pledge of financial contribution.
His Holiness(aba) said that even children living in poor countries have an awareness of presenting financial sacrifices. His Holiness(aba) said that there were some children in Zanzibar who were playing outside of the mosque. An elder passed by and gave them 1400 Shillings so they could buy themselves sweets. The children went and changed the amount into smaller notes, and presented 100 Shillings each as a financial contribution. They were very happy to do so and safely kept the receipts with them. His Holiness(aba) said that these are the children who will keep the foundation of this Community strong in the future.
His Holiness(aba) said that the similar passion amongst children is found from another corner of the world. His Holiness(aba) said that there was a 14-year old child who was from a poor household. He had already spent all of his pocket money for the building of the mosque. When the missionary delivered a sermon on financial sacrifice, he gave one dollar to the missionary and said that this was from his household. He said that this was not from himself however, as he would offer more on his own behalf. The next day, he brought 10 dollars to the missionary, and said that he was certain God would shower His blessings upon his family.
His Holiness(aba) said that a Missionary from Argentina wrote an article about financial sacrifices in order to draw the attention of new converts, and he also included a quote from His Holiness(aba) in his article as well. Later, a young man said that he wished to come to the mosque and present financial contributions. Thus, he came and gave 1000 pesos. The Missionary was astonished because he knew that this person was not well-off, in fact he had not even eaten that day because of not having enough money. However, he said that the words of His Holiness(aba) had a profound effect on him, and so he presented whatever he had.
These are just a few of the many incidents related by His Holiness.
His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah enable us all to spend out of our pure wealth for the sake of spreading Islam and may these sacrifices be accepted by Allah.
Commencement of the 88th Year of Tahrik-e-Jadid
His Holiness(aba) said that he would announce the new year of Tahrik-e-Jadid. His Holiness(aba) said that the 87th year of Tahrik-e-Jadid came to an end, and now the 88th year has commenced. His Holiness(aba) said that over the last year, a total of £15.3 million were collected under Tahrik-e-Jadid which is an increase of £842,000 from the previous year.
His Holiness(aba) said that among the countries of the world, Germany is at the forefront in contributions. His Holiness(aba) said that Ahmadis are facing great hardships and difficulties in Pakistan, despite which they still present financial sacrifices. His Holiness(aba) prayed for the betterment of their circumstances.
His Holiness(aba) said that the top ten positions of countries are 1. Germany, 2. United Kingdom, 3. United States of America 4, Canada 5. a Jama’at from the Middle East 6. India 7. Australia 8. Indonesia 9. Ghana 10. a Jama’at from the Middle East.
His Holiness(aba) presented the positions of local Jama’ats and regions from the top countries in terms of contributions.
His Holiness(aba) prayed that may Allah bestow his blessings upon all those who have made financial sacrifices.
Summary prepared by The Review of Religions