Published on Sep 24 2010 by Nadimur Rahman

In his Friday Sermon today Hudhur said it is in the months of September and October that Ijtimas of the various auxiliaries of most countries are held. Today the Ijtima of Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya UK starts while next weekend it will be the turn of Ansar and Lajna. For the past 27 to 28 years the presence of the Khalifa of the time has become a part of the Ijtimas of the UK Jama’at. Prior to the migration from Rabwah, Pakistan, the Khalifa of the time attended the Ijtimas of all the auxiliaries there. During Ijtima days Rabwah would bustle keenly, in particular the Atfal and Khuddam participated with much eagerness. Each majlis (branch) would bring their own sheets to make tents in the accommodation area as manufactured tents were not available. So, majalis brought their own bed-sheets to make tents and this would result in an array of colourful, floral improvised tents. Month of October in Pakistan is pleasant and this made all this possible. Given the weather here, it would certainly not be possible to have similar arrangement.

Hudhur said the Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya UK Ijtima had reminded him of the Ijtimas of his childhood and youth and of those victims who have been deprived of the right to hold Ijtimas due to the oppressive laws of the oppressors. They cannot organise gatherings for their reformation, Tarbiyyat, and for the remembrance of God and His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him). Hudhur said, he and us are firm on the belief that this situation is not permanent. One day the oppression and the oppressors will be wiped off the face of the earth. May God continue to enable us to remain patient, steadfast and to remain engaged in prayer.

Hudhur said in fact he should have addressed these issues at the Ijtima, as each year he addresses the various auxiliaries accordingly. But Hudhur thought of addressing the subject in his Friday sermon. In the Ijtimas in Pakistan the Khalifa of the time gave an inaugural and concluding address. Here, the concluding address at the Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya Ijtima is not televised live. It is broadcast a few days later and perhaps a large number of people do not get to see it. Thirdly, wherever in the world Ijtimas are being held, this should be considered as a corresponding message and the victimised Ahmadis of Pakistan be remembered. Fourthly, wherever new majalis are being formed direct benefit can be derived by listening. Thus, today Hudhur addressed Khuddam ul Ahmadiyya in particular and every single Ahmadi in general.

With reference to youth, the Holy Qur’an cites servicing religion, reformation and establishing the Unity of God twice in Surah Al Kahf. These were the youth who believed in the Mosiac Messiah (on whom be peace) and who endured oppression for three hundred years. For a long period of time, they had to inhabit caves in hiding. They were also chased by the representatives of the ruling groups in the caves and murdered. Yet they endured persecution for the sake of religion and Unity of God. When the situation alleviated, they came out of caves but time and again had to endure persecution and oppression. Such was their endeavour for establishing Unity of God and safeguarding faith that God has mentioned them in the Qur’an. It is stated:

‘When the young men betook themselves for refuge to the Cave and said, ‘Our Lord, bestow on us mercy from Thyself, and provide for us right guidance in our affair.’ (18:11)

‘We will relate to thee their story with truth: They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.

And We strengthened their hearts, when they stood up and said, ‘Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never shall we call upon any god beside Him; if we did, we should indeed have uttered an enormity.’ (18:14 – 15)

They endeavoured for the establishment of the Unity of God, endured oppression and prayed to God to stay firm on the belief of Oneness of God and to remain guided. The Surah also refers to the current Christian belief where a man is deemed son of God. This has nothing to do with the true teaching of Christianity and is so perilous a matter that it will make them blameworthy. The real Christian teaching was not of the concept of Trinity, it was of Unity of God. The Christians who believed it and worshipped One God had their belief strengthened because of this. They were most averse to the idea that there could be other than God worthy of worship. Under the influence of time and ruling powers, the concept of Trinity came into Christianity and worldliness took over. God has warned of Fire for those who associate partners with Him. As long as Christianity remained in its original form, it was the youth who safeguarded it. Due to their faith and regard for God alone to be worthy of worship, God kept them guided. These people had no care for worldly rewards. Like wise, God ‘…increased them in guidance. And We strengthened their hearts…’ Armed with this strength and this guidance they declared to the oppressors of the time: ‘…Never shall we call upon any god beside Him…’ . Their stance was that they could sacrifice their rights, loved ones and their wealth and lives but they could not turn away from the Unity of God.

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