Friday Sermon of
Hazrat Amirul Momeneen
Zafrullah Domun

15 May 2009

^{FRIDAY SERMON}

^{15th 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:}

^{When we cast a broad look on the history of Islam especially after the Holy Prophet Mohammad (saw) and the rightly guided caliphs may Allah be well pleased with all of them, we notice that wherever there have been differences or opposition, they have been settled at the point of swords and by chopping heads. The one who had might imposed his views and very often the Muslim opponents were killed by fellow Muslims. Fortunately for us we do not live at a period where might is right. Nonetheless we cannot say that such mentalities do not exist. In recent history we have seen how a mighty superpower has tried to impose its will on a Muslim country but it has not been able to do so despite using enormous human, financial and military resources. These days within some religious groups we also see that might is right and there are and there have been many persons who have been victim of what a mighty organization like for example the government, the church and even some Muslim organizations can do to the individual who may have a difference of view with those in power. Such cases have been amply recorded and anyone who is interested may investigate and see for himself.}

^{Even these days we see that religious differences are still the cause of plenty of strife around the world. The Sunni – Shia differences have taken a great toll on the people where these two communities live as neighbors. In Pakistan, it is well known how many persons are killed on both sides every year. In Iraq where the Sunnis and Shias have been living in harmony for years, recently they have been fighting with each other. In Ireland for years there have been fighting between Catholics and Protestants. In addition in Pakistan the majority Sunni have been persecuting the minority Ahmadis whenever they get an opportunity. All these strife and troubles have been happening only because of differences of opinion. The Ahmadis also have not been behind in “persecuting” and in manifesting their hatred of those who have opposed the official line of thinking. It first started with the Lahoris. Later on in Mauritius itself in the 1950s the Managing Committee and those who were of their views were the victims of boycott by the others who formed the bulk of the association then. In Canada also there have been lots of opposition to the established authority of the Amir until he was removed. Similarly in some other countries also like Nigeria and South Africa up till these days there are two groups of Ahmadis and they oppose each other.}

^{However when we read the teachings of the Founder of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), we see that what he has taught us if far from the narrow minded bigotry that most of today’s Ahmadis display. Ahmadis are incapable of discussing ideas but they are very adept at labeling their own fellow ahmadis as rebels, deranged or even hypocrites. Their first reaction to an opposing view is that the person who is a proponent of such a view is mentally deranged or a trouble maker or someone who craves power. They do not dare to have an open, frank and rational discussion of the ideas that are being put forward. They will always take refuge in their own orthodoxy even if such an orthodoxy run counter to what the Founder of the Jamaat himself said. Any thing that challenges their deeply held beliefs is anathema to them.}

^{Recently while visiting the website of our brothers of Anjuman Ishaa’at Islam of Lahore commonly known as the Lahoris, I came across the Reviews of Religions that were published between the years 1902-1914. I am really grateful to them for making these historical documents available to the world. For those who might not be aware, I would like to inform you that the “Review of Religion” was started at the request of Hazrat Masih Maoodas in his own lifetime and he gave the responsibility of the publication of the magazine to Molvi Mohammad Ali  (may Allah have mercy upon him). So I came across a translated speech of Hazrat Masih Maood (as) which he delivered after one of his lectures was read in front of an audience composed of people of diverse religious denominations. In view of the importance of what he said and its educational value for an Ahmadi worthy of that name and for others I will read you some extracts of this document. Its title is “The first duty of a true reformer” and it is found on page 369-374 of the issue September and October1904. He says:}

^{“Gentlemen, I thank you for the patience and silence with which you have listened to my lecture. I am a stranger in this city and will, if it please God leave tomorrow morning. But I will take with me this feeling of joy and gratitude that notwithstanding your opposition to my views on many points expressed in that lecture, you have not shown any impatience. Men are too often prone to be excited upon hearing an adverse criticism of their cherished principles, and the more so when the principles so criticized are religious doctrines. But I observe that in this gathering which comprises men of all the creeds upon which I have expressed my views, no one has given way to passion or excitement. I know and fully realize the difficulty which a man must experience in bidding farewell to long established institutions and old beliefs even though their harmfulness or erroneousness may be apparent. It is by the Grace of God only that a transformation can be effected within a man either with regard to the beliefs he entertains or his practical life.”}

^{In another extract he says:}

^{“Bear in mind that odium theologicum (hatred in matters of theology) is a sign of narrow mindedness and illiberality of views. A difference of opinion whether in religious matters or in any other matter should not lead you to treat with discourtesy your antagonist in opinion, for good manners do not in any way depend upon an agreement of opinions in all matters. Nay, the man who shows good manners only to those whom he knows to be at one with him, cannot claim our respect and does not deserve to be called a good mannered and well behaved gentleman. The credit of being a truly courteous and civilized gentleman belongs only to him who does not get into a passion when he is opposed in his views and speaks in a friendly manner even when he is hostilely criticized. It is in this that the excellence and perfection of good manners lies……. I know well that unless there is an inclination in a man’s disposition to listen to hostile opinions and hostile criticism of his own views with patience, he cannot remain silent on such occasions, but loses his temper and gets excited. The silence and patience shown by this vast gathering composed of heterogeneous elements, seems to me to be a good sign of the times………..}

^{It should be remembered that in a controversy a man should have at heart the manifestation of truth and not his opponent’s defeat or his own victory. The man deserves to be praised and will ultimately ascertain the reality and find the truth, who when hears his opponent, does not forthwith stand up to condemn his views, but ponders over them before saying anything. The seeker after truth must, therefore consider opinions which are antagonistic to his own in calm and judicious manner, for this is the only way by which he can get to the bottom of the question and ascertain reality. This is the course by walking in which a man can have access to the treasure of wisdom and knowledge, a treasure which is more valuable than all the treasures of the world, and which has permanence while all other treasures have it not. The man, therefore, who does not hasten to condemn views opposed to his own , but ponders over them with a calm mind , and prays to God that He may reveal to him the truth and grant him sight and knowledge if he is in error , is granted the treasure of wisdom and knowledge and he guards it from being wasted. It is my sincere desire that you may all get to this treasure, and accordingly I entreat all the gentlemen here to give a deep reflection to what they have heard this morning, so that even my labor may not be wasted……}

^{I again request the followers of all the creeds to keep a distinction between antagonism which must necessarily arise out of a religious difference and a general hatred for those who follow a faith different from our own. In no case should religious difference be made to develop into a feeling of hatred. For what does religion teach? It teaches broad-mindedness and fellow-feeling, a high degree of morality and refinement of manners. Religion teaches a man to imitate divine morals. Make yourself meek for do you not see how mild is God who is provoked by the presumptuousness of man? He does not at once rain stones on the man who abuses Him and utters blasphemy. In like manner, the man who follows a religion which is from God is kind to others, meek in his behavior and liberal in his manners. A narrow-minded and easily provoked man whether he be a Mohammedan or a Hindu or a Christian is a disgrace to the good man he professes to follow. I do not say that you should not express the difference of your opinions on religious questions or that you should not criticize religious doctrines, but let those who take this delicate position be guided by good faith and not be blinded by animosity and prejudice, lest instead of bringing about any good, their harsh words should only be productive of evil…..}

^{Bear in mind that religion does not mean the utterance of some words or the going through of a few ceremonials. Religion tells you to purify your lives and to mend your ways, to be good in practices and to be righteous in your deeds. Remember that Almighty God does not like mere talk, and a babbler has no honour with Him. If the lives of the Mohammedan saints or Hindu Avatars are read, it would appear that they did not attain to this dignity until their lives have been purified. They did not undertake the reform of others until they had first reformed themselves and they did not preach to others until they first conformed their own conduct to the high standard of morality to which they invited others.The Holy Quran gives the same teachings and says “Yaa ayyohallazina amanou a’laykoum anfosakoum” which means “O believers take heed of yourselves!” This shows that we are first required to mind ourselves. Until we have pleased God by our deeds it is vain to call others to the path of His Pleasure, for this is assuming a position which we do not deserve. How can he who has no light within himself give light to others? Or how can he who is himself stumbling take others by the hand? Or how can he who is himself impure purify others? The person who is a mere talker will make religion a plaything……..”}

^{There are some more important points that are raised in this short speech that incha Allah we will talk about in another sermon. I am sharing this document with all Ahmadis so that they may check their own behavior against the standard that has been set by Hazrat Masih Maoodas. They need to ask themselves if following the recent controversy that has cropped up between us and the Jamaat, the bulk of Ahmadis especially those living in Mauritius have shown that they have followed in the footsteps of their master, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmadas or they have been a disgrace to him. They need to ask themselves if they have shown broadmindedness and generosity or if they have preferred a narrow-minded view of Islam with all its ugliness? They need also to wonder if they are interested in the treasures of wisdom and knowledge that are with Allah or those ones that we find on earth. May Allah help each Ahmadi to understand his privilege of being an Ahmadi and may he and she rise up to the occasion and do what is expected of him or her incha Allah.}