Jamaat Ahmadiyya al Mouslemeen

Friday Sermon of Hazrat Amirul Momeneen Zafrullah Domun

Friday Sermon 4th January 2008

(Enhanced Version)

After reading the Tashahhud, the Ta’uz and the first chapter, Al-Fatiha, of the Holy Quran, Hazrat Amirul Mo’menine Zafrullah Domun said:

In one of His Revelations Allah, the Almighty said to Hazrat Masih Maood (as) in the Arabic language “Jari’youlllah fi hohalill ambiah”. In English we translate this as “the champion of Allah in the mantle of the prophets” According to the book “Tazkira” which is a compilation of the dreams, visions and revelations of Hazrat Masih Maood (as), the Messiah received this revelation most probably in 1883. When he noted it, he wrote an explanatory to it. He said:
“This means that a person who receives divine guidance and training and who is a recipient of divine revelations wears a mantle which in fact belongs to the prophets but which is lent to non prophets. This mantle of the Prophets is bestowed upon some individuals from among the Muslims so that they might lead the weak and defective in faith to perfection. This is the meaning of the saying of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw): “The learned among my community are like the prophets of the sons of Israil.” Such persons, though they are not prophets are entrusted with the functions of the prophets.” [Tazkira English p52]

When one reads the Tazkira, one will easily notice that Hazrat Masih Maood (as) had received this revelation several times during his lifetime. Of course, he was that champion of Allah in the mantle of the prophets.

Recently during the month of December 2007 I received a revelation which said: “Habloulllah fi holalil ambiah” which literally means “the rope of Allah in the mantle of the prophets”. In the beginning I had some difficulty in understanding what was meant. Therefore I searched for the meaning of "Habloun" from the commentaries of the Holy Quran and I noted that it has several meanings. The main ones are as follows:
(1) a rope or cord or anything with which a thing is tied or made fast (2) a bond or cause of union or link of connection such as a bond of love or friendship (3) mutual connection by such a bond (4) a covenant or compact (5) an obligation by which one becomes responsible for the safety of a person or thing (6) a promise or assurance of security or safety (7) an artery or vein or nerve. These are the meanings that we find in the dictionary of Lane.

There is another lexicographer known as Aqrab and he gives the meaning of habloun as alliance and protection. In Jamaat Ahmadiyya’s literature it is written that the meaning of habloulllah may be taken to mean (1) the Holy Quran (2) the Messenger of God (3) the successors to the messenger of Allah. I think from what Allah has helped me to understand the word habloullah is also that person who receives a commission from Allah to teach the people Tauhid per se and invite them to strictly follow the path of the Holy Prophet .

I have given you these meanings so that you may reflect on this word and try to penetrate its meanings especially in the light of the revelation that I have received. However you should also remember that this word occurs at different places in the Holy Quran with different shades of meanings. Remember also that this expression habloullah occurs in the Holy Quran in chapter 3 verse 104 where Allah says: “And hold fast altogether to the rope of Allah and be not divided…….” In addition we also learn from a saying of the Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) that “the Book of Allah is the rope of Allah which has been extended from the heavens to the earth”(Jarir iv.30).

Now when we take into consideration what Hazrat Masih Maood (as) has told us on this subject and we consider all the different meanings of habloun , we have a better understanding of what Allah meant when He said to me « Habloullah fi holalil Ambiaaé ». Let me tell you briefly what I understand from this revelation. I understand that these days I represent the rope of Allah. Allah has put me here to gather the people to Tauhid which unfortunately they have a tendency to neglect with the passage of time. There is a need to adhere to what Hazrat Masih Maood (as) has said in all matters because he was the best, the Champion of Allah. Allah has put me here to look after those who are weak of faith and to help them so that they may attain to a perfection of their faith. For this purpose Allah has lent to me the mantle of the prophets. Those who want to be guided by me will get a sort of assurance and protection and they will be saved. I am one of the fruit bearing trees of the garden of Ahmadas. Those who want protection from the surrounding heat can have shade under this tree. I have permission from Allah to call the people towards Him and to look after their spiritual well being. That is why recently He has said to me: “wa maa arsalnaaka illa rahmatal lil aalamine”, that is to say “you are a mercy for the whole of mankind”. Allah has put me here so that I may help others. The people are prey to many spiritual diseases and yet they labor under the illusion that because they form part of the Jamaat of Hazrat Masih Maood (as) they will be saved.

The fact is that the Messiah himself has told us repeatedly in his writings and discourses that without personal effort nothing will be achieved. I am not here to help you to increase your worldly wealth, nor to add to your worldly prestige. My task is simply to help you to know your Lord to such an extent that you may be saved or in other words that you may attain your salvation. Remember that usually man cannot see his own shortcomings. Rare is that man who accepts the advices of others. I have read that Hazrat Umarra used to say “may Allah have mercy upon he who showed me my own shortcomings”. I am here quoting from memory. But the gist of what he said is what I have said. Many Ahmadis, out of their ignorance would think that what we are doing is contrary to the interests of Jamaat Ahmadiyya as a whole. But they should have the humility to say “Allah knows and we know not”. And by holding fast to the teachings of the Holy Quran they should know that Allah has reserved the privilege of sending His chosen ones whenever the need is felt. And today there are many things that need to be corrected within Jamaat Ahmadiyya as a whole. My task is to correct these whether you like it or not. But this is the Pleasure of Allah. He does what He pleases.

While I was preparing this sermon, it was time for zohr prayer. After the prayer I sat down to do some tasbih. In a flash Allah helped me to understand that the habloulllah can be compared to the string that holds together the pearls in necklace. It’s task is to keep all the pearls together or else they would be scattered. The habloullah keeps all the members of the Jamaat together as we understand with what follows in the verse 3:104 where Allah says: Hold fast to the rope of Allah and do not be divided…” Anyhow the image of the necklace adds a new shade of meaning to the meanings of habloullah. Moreover the word Qutb also gives a similar meaning. As you may remember Allah said to me: “Ya Qutbuddin unzur ela jammaa’ti” meaning: “O you, the Pole of religion, look after My Jamaat.” And when we read the writings of Hazrat Masih Maood (as), we see that he has very eloquently explained his aim in creating Jamaat Ahmadiyya as follows:
It is the will and desire of Allah that all those living in different settlements in various lands, in Europe or Asia, all those who possess a righteous nature , he should draw them all to the doctrine of Unity, and gather all His creatures on one single religion. This is the aim for the fulfillment of which I have been sent. So therefore, it is incumbent on you that you should strive for this aim, but always with gentleness, humiliation, high morals and prayer.”[Al Wasiyyat- English P 13]

If somebody reads the History of Jamaat Ahmadiyya , he will learn with how much effort and pain Hazrat Masih Maood (as) looked after this jamaat in order to raise its moral standards. He will also learn how the enemies of the Jamaat left no stone unturned in order to uproot it. Nonetheless the Jamaat moved on. Even after his death despite severe opposition the Jamaat was able to brave several severe storms and it pushed forward. But in his wisdom Hazrat Masih Maood (as) knew that the Jamaat would need reform in the future. He has well explained this matter in his book ‘Victory for Islam’. I have quoted the relevant extract in the green booklet. You can check here. What we need to remember is that Hazrat Masih Maood (as) has said that the door remains open for other persons to come from Allah. For the benefit of the umma, Allah will never close that door because He knows quite well that only those men who He would inspire with the Holy Spirit who would be able to set right that which is wrong. The others would be content with the status quo and would defend it tooth and nail.

Recently I saw in a vision that a woman was burning a bird’s nest. I was given to understand that it takes much time for a bird or two birds (male and female) to prepare a nest. This is a very time consuming work. Slowly and painstakingly they will gather together the necessary construction materials for their nest. Once they have a nest, the female bird will lay its eggs in it and then she would sit on the eggs and a new little bird will be born after some time. Sometimes we human beings, find ourselves in a situation where we need to burn these nests because they are spreading invisible lice which are harmful to other humans. Therefore that same nest which these birds took so long to build and which is also a resting place for their young ones are burned when they no longer serve their purpose and are a threat to others. So when I saw a woman burning a bird’s nest Allah helped me to understand that times when a Jamaat stops serving the purpose for which it was created and it stops serving its original purpose, it is burned by a Superior Intelligence which in this case is Allah. Once birds’ nests are burnt what do they do? They start building another one. That is exactly what happens with Jamaat. Another one is created to continue the work of providing comfort and above everything else to give salvation to those who are thirsty for it.

This vision helped me to understand another revelation which I received sometime back and which is also a verse of the Holy Quran. It is as follows: “Yamhoullaho maa yashaao wa yousbit; wa indahou oummoul kitaab”. This translation of this verse is as follows: “Allah effaces and establishes what He wills and with Him is the Source of all commandments.” I understand it to mean that Allah Himself established the original Jamaat Ahmadiyya to carry out a Mission. Despite its best intentions, the Jamaat needs a breath of fresh air to continue to carry its mission. This fresh air comes in the form of someone who is commissioned by Allah to continue the work on its original guidelines. Incha Allah slowly it will establish what Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen stands for because “He effaces and establishes what He wills”. Since Allah “is the source of all commandments”, no one will teach Him what Jamaat Ahmadiyya stands for. He teaches what Jamaat Ahmadiyya stands for by raising someone within it to continue to carry out its objectives even though this may displease many. He does what He likes. You cannot question Him. He will question you. Once He decides to do something He says to it ‘Be and it is’. The ijtehad of any caliph pales into insignificance when Allah commands someone to stand up within the Jamaat to call the people towards Him. If He is giving me the mantle of the prophets, the mantle of successorship (khilafat) also is included because He has revealed to me:
Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good deeds that He will surely make them successors in the earth as He made successors from among those who were before them; and that He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and that He will surely give them in exchange security after their fear. They will worship Me and they will associate nothing with Me. Then whosoever disbelieves after that they will be of the rebellious. (Holy Quran, Ch 23:56)

Incha Allah in the future I will comment this revelation in more details. For the time being I want everyone to know that Allah has revealed this verse to me. The learned ones within the Jamaat should think about this if they are really aware of the teachings of Hazrat Masih Maood (as). Beware o ye people who are endowed with insight.

I personally think that in the light of the relevant Qoranic verses and also the relevant extracts from the writings of Hazrat Masih Maood (as), and in the light of what Allah has said to this humble one the Jamaat Ahmadiyya worldwide needs to revise the concept of khilafat that we have had up till now. Allah says in the Holy Quran “Fa laa tozakkou anfosakoum ; Howa a’lamo manittaqa” Ch 53:3. Which is translated as “So do ascribe purity to yourselves. He knows best who is truly righteous.” So no one should think that He knows better than Allah who should look after the Jamaat of Hazrat Masih Maood (as). He knows to whom to He has called “the Leader of the Righteous” - “Imamoul Muttaqeen”. This is Allah’s Grace and He gives it to whomsoever He wants. I say it again let not false certainties become your impediment to know the Truth. Allah sent Hazrat Masih Maood (as) so that the Jamaat should not fall into the same trap that others have fallen. But unfortunately through their own ignorance, the Jamaat is committing the same errors that those people of the past committed. As far as we are concerned, I mean, members of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen we continue to pray in the following words:
‘Al hamdo lilla hillazi hadana lehazaa , wa maa kounna lenahtadeya law laa an hadaanallaho la qad jaa’a rosolo rabbena bil haqqé ’

which means ‘All praise belong to Allah who has guided us to this. And we could not have found guidance if Allah had not guided us. The Messengers of our Lord did indeed bring the Truth.” Holy Quran, Ch 7:44.

Ameen.