Friday Sermon: Sacrifice Everything for Spirituality
by Maulana Muhammad Ali (Translated and narrated by Dr. Mohammad Ahmad)
26 February 1937 (Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat-e-Islam Lahore)
I bear witness that none deserves to be served besides Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and messenger of Allah.
After this, I seek the protection of Allah from the accursed devil.
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
اَمۡ حَسِبۡتُمۡ اَنۡ تَدۡخُلُوا الۡجَنَّۃَ وَ لَمَّا یَعۡلَمِ اللّٰہُ الَّذِیۡنَ جٰہَدُوۡا مِنۡکُمۡ وَ یَعۡلَمَ الصّٰبِرِیۡنَ ﴿۱۴۲﴾
“Do you think that you will enter the Garden while Allah has not yet known those from among you who strive hard (nor) known the steadfast?” (The Holy Quran, 3:142)
In the battle of Uhud, the Muslims suffered much. Some people have even called it a defeat for the Muslims, although that is incorrect. The Muslims remained in the battleground. Yes, they indeed suffered a significant loss. Many Muslims received martyrdom, and the Holy Prophet [Muhammad (pbuh)] lost one of his teeth. People asked at the time why this hardship came about since the Holy Prophet and his companions were doing the noble task of propagating the religion of Islam. They would invite people to Islam and exalt the name of God. In response to this, Allah the Most High says:
“Do you think that you will enter the Garden…”
Although Allah has not separated among you, those who strive and remain steadfast in difficulties bear them patiently and are attacked by the enemy. However, their steps do not recede.
Success without Striving and Patience is Impossible:
To enter the Garden and obtain the pleasure of Allah, two things are essential. These are Jihad (striving) and Sabr (patience). The thought of entering the Garden without these is futile and success impossible. In the Eid sermon [22 February 1937], I particularly drew attention to this. We speak, hear, read, preach, exhort, and hold Quran lessons, but that which needs to be part of our lives is seldom seen. In my sermon, I pointed out that sacrificing the lower for the higher is part of our material existence and, inevitably, our spiritual success. Between the two, spirituality, in comparison, is above our temporal existence. Progress cannot be made until the body is sacrificed for the spirit. Undoubtedly, there are many difficulties along this path. However, even these difficulties are a means of progress. Whether one suffers grief at the hands of others, illness, or self-inflicted hardship, the result of all of this is progress, whether someone perceives it or not. Whosoever made progress in the world, it was by bearing physical hardship.
I proposed that whatever we hear or say should be supported by a practical demonstration of its results. I presented a helpful way of doing this: We cut down on our food expenditure every Thursday, making a monetary sacrifice and sacrificing our desires for religion. As a result, some provisions were made for the propagation of religion. Similarly, one day a week should be set aside to work for the religion directly. You serve the religion by giving money and thus provide indirect service. The need is also to serve the religion directly. Therefore, all our friends teaching religion and those not involved in teaching will all dedicate some time to education according to a plan. Thus, every Sunday, all the members should devote some time to this activity. Why choose Sunday? It is because our most excellent Jihad is against Christianity, and Sunday is their sacred day. The work will begin initially by dedicating the time to the organization’s expansion. Afterward, its circle of influence will gradually be broadened. You should initiate this task by taking pamphlets and other essential literature from the office. Carry these by hand to the people or send them by mail. Meet people to talk to them or write letters to them. We have all kinds of literature. Take whatever literature you think is appropriate.
Do not be satisfied with the Current State of Affairs:
The current state is that the focus is not on what should be done for the organization or what rights the organization has over us. We think it is enough that there are congregational services on Friday and a newspaper is published. This, however, does not reflect reality. The organization needs to be expanded, and this will be through your determination and effort. Those members who wish the organization to grow and the propagation of truth to enhance should spend a fixed time every Sunday for this purpose. But I want action now. Those members who wish to do this work should have their names registered so that the work can be organized, and we get to know them. I will not deliver my sermon today. Whosoever wants to work should have his name noted (Eighty-five individuals had their names registered — Editor).
Everyone should work under a System:
I want to organize this work under a principle and a system because, without a system, everything is useless. The Holy Prophet organized everything. Even the names of those participating in the Jihad were registered. You have taken the responsibility to do this work right here in this mosque. Make sure this promise is not violated. It is not a very difficult task. Organizations must make progress; nothing is impossible for them. Listen! You must carry the message of the Promised Messiah [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian] to the people and invite them to join the organization through conversation, literature, or letter writing. This is a small request. Whosoever has the time should do more, but everyone should participate. May Allah the Most High strengthen your determination. Do the work, and you will find out what great results come. If Allah please, the numbers will increase very soon. You have nothing to hide. Even organizations that do not want to propagate their mission continue to try to expand. Your work and belief principles are commendable; no one can object. If your speed of expansion is slow, the reason for it is a lack of effort. Your strength and determination are needed, for nothing in the world can be accomplished without it.
Source: Khutbat-e-Muhammad Ali, Vol. 12, sermon 10 (From: Paigham-e-Sulh, 7 March 1937, p. 3)
Acknowledgement: Audio and text provided by Ahmadiyya Anjuman Ishaat Islam Lahore Inc., U.S.A.