Friday Sermon of
Hazrat Amirul Momeneen
Zafrullah Domun

22 May 2009

^{FRIDAY SERMON}

^{22 May 2009}

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

It is quite unfortunate that the International and local Jamaat despite all the means at their disposal cannot make a real and true assessment of the number of Ahmadis around the world. Previously we heard there were 200 million. With the arrival of the fifth caliph, it appears that there was a need to set matters right. We started hearing 160 million. Yet last year the newspaper Times online published from an interview of the caliph the figure 170 million. Which is which?  How come that the numbers are so exaggerated? Look at Mauritius. We know that the figures are between 2000 and 2500. Yet last year the figure of 5000 was published in two newspapers and no one thought it fit to disprove if it were not true. We all know that these figures are false. We claim to be a model Jamaat yet we do not care at all about the truth. The fact is that the Jamaat is well aware that the number of Ahmadis around the world is may be ten times less the figure that we have been told during the last fifteen years. Yet we do not dare to correct these figures because it would mean that the correct figures were not given in the first place. We need the moral courage to admit that we have been mistaken when these figures cannot be proved by any means. An Ahmadi worthy of that name cannot speak any lie under any circumstance because if he does not do so he flouts the teachings of the Holy Quran which he was expected to uphold. It is unfortunate that those who are at the helm of this Jamaat do not give that importance to the truth. But such is not what we have been told by Hazrat Masih Maood ^as. It was because he was armed with truth that he did not at all fear to challenge the whole world to cross arms with him in the religious field. He knew his arguments were unassailable and he entered the field single-handedly challenging all others and he vanquished them all.

Last week I said that I will continue with quoting from that article of Hazrat Masih Maood ^as in my next sermon. But when I read what I had left I notice that there was not more to be told about the subject we were talking about from that article. But Alhamdo lillah I have seen another article where this matter has been further dealt with by the promised Messiah. The matter under discussion is “religious differences”. Hazrat Masih Maood ^as says:

“Religious difference is a fine thing. God in His wisdom has intended it to be there. It sharpens the human intellect. In the world even if there is agreement on some matter, it is still difficult to get to the finer details and many other minor matters continue to raise their heads. Making speeches in large gatherings for the purpose of exchanging ideas is also a good thing but in our country, up to now, such civilized people have been very few in number who would sit and listen to the views of their opponent in silence. I myself wished and it was my intention that we should make available a place in Qadian where people of different religions could gather and freely express the truth and qualities of their religion. I know that if there were debates and discussions for the expression of truth it would be a very good thing but experience has proved that they contain elements of mischief and disorderliness and therefore such discussions have not been pursued. It is possible that there may be a handful of people who would listen to their opponent’s views with patience and kindness but the majority is made up of ordinary people who are not able to listen to even one word against their own religion no matter how gentle it is.

 But if a person of a different religion is to speak then it is very possible that there may be some things which are said which go against another religion and as a result of this people’s emotions are aroused. In such a gathering there can be peace only when the speaker and the listeners can sit together just as when a father sees something bad in his son and he advises the son who listens with patience and kindness. The attraction of such love proves beneficial. To hope for any benefit to ensue from a state of anger and viciousness is an idle thought.

The difficulty these days is that not only is there the religious difference, but what has compounded the problem is the fact that it is no longer the concern of the people to concentrate upon the basis of the truth but animosity and ill feeling against each other has developed to such an extent that to refer to the opponent’s religion with respect or honour is considered a sin. I see that people speak with much disrespect and rudeness.”

When Hazrat Masih Maood^as uttered these words he was speaking about differences between Muslims and Hindus. But unfortunately these days even Ahmadis are having problems to speak amongst their own brothers in an atmosphere of peace and goodwill. Just imagine how true these words of the Promised Messiah are. I am quoting these extracts from Hazrat Masih Maood^as with a view that our brothers from the mainstream may reflect and act upon these advices of the Promised Messiah and discard their bigoted and narrow-minded attitude which is unworthy of a follower of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, a prince of peace.

At another place Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad speaks about the attitude of some people who engage in religious debates with people who are so passionate about their religious beliefs that they are rude in the way they talk. He says:

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“To go to gatherings made up of such people and to enter into religious debate then becomes a very delicate matter. Because you know that when two people stand opposite each other with the sole purpose of proving that the other’s religion is completely wrong and has no share in truth or spirituality, and is in fact dead and has no connection with God, until such time as they prove this of the other person’s religion, they find it difficult to show the beauty of their own religion. The errors of the other religion have to be pointed out. If the faults which exist in it are not mentioned then there can be no expression of truth. But some people get over-excited by this and they cannot bear to listen and their emotion erupts into violence and they are ready to fight.

Hence, to go to such gatherings is against good sense because for religious analysis it is essential that people come to a religious gathering with a cool heart and with a nature which is fair and just. It is better if they don’t have any inclination toward quarrelsomeness or violence. Then, in such an atmosphere one person can describe the qualities of his religion and speak as much as he can and then someone from the other group can stand up and in a similar civilized, gentle manner can describe the qualities  of his religion. This can be repeated many times but, unfortunately, in our country up to now such patient and gentle (religious) analysts do not exist. Such a time has not yet come. But, yes, it is hoped that God will soon bring such a time. I even intended that we should prepare a building here in which people from various religions could speak freely (about their religion). In truth if a matter is not heard with a cool heart and a fair mind and with an inclination towards tolerance then it is extremely difficult to get to its true reality.

Take a small case in the courts, for instance, where the judge listens with a cool head to the evidence and excuses from both sides and, after much thought and careful analysis, he makes a decision. Sometimes this takes many years. When such is the case with worldly matters, how can matters of religion be resolved in two or four, or ten or twelve minutes? It is easy for the enquirer to put the question but the difficulties faced by the person responding are not easy to imagine. If a person puts the question that tells me about the solar system and the stars and the earth and (also states that) answer me in the time that I have taken to put the question – give me the answer within that time otherwise you are a liar. Now, the predicament of the person who has to give the answer is quite evident. What can he do? Until he writes a book made up of many chapters, the answer will not be complete! In short, these are the types of difficulties I face. These are the reasons which prevent me from attending such gatherings. If, however, the questioner takes the stance that this is my question and I will listen quietly until you have completed the answer, then the person replying would enjoy giving the answer. In truth that which is spoken for God and the heart which does so for the sake of attaining God’s pleasure and is full of righteousness, such a person would never do this (i.e. indulge in the use of bad language). But these days tongues are like knives and objections are raised one after the other (for no real purpose). When it is done (i.e. questions are asked) for the sake of God then the style is different and the language used is different. That which comes from the heart reaches the heart! I can smell the scent of the question which comes from a sincere seeker of truth. Even harshness when it comes from a seeker of truth has a certain element of enjoyment. It is his right that he persists until he finds satisfaction (in the answer given) and until all the evidence is provided he can certainly continue in his questions. I don’t mind this at all. On the contrary, such a person is worthy of respect. Words which are for God have no comparison with deceiving utterances of the baser self. I have repeatedly explained to my community that they should not be hasty in objecting to others. Every ancient religion was infact, from God but the long passage of time has caused errors to develop. These should be removed gently and softly. Don’t present anyone with the stone-like gift of an objection. We see that if today we buy some material and have it made up into a garment, after a short time it becomes old and undergoes change so much so that it becomes something very different (from its original shape). Likewise, ancient religion too contains the root of truth within it. God is with truth and the true religion contains within it living signs.”(Review of Religion August 2002)

Incha Allah whenever I have new quotations from Hazrat Masih ^as I will speak about them so that we may educate the members of the mainstream Jamaat about the teachings that they have forgotten. In addition all members of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen may know what are the real teachings that they have to adhere to always. May Allah help us to stay on the right path for ever.