Published on May 13 2011 by Nadimur Rahman

Hudhur gave a discourse on the status of Prophethood of the Promised Messiah and Divine promises of triumph in his Friday sermon.

The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) wrote in his book Nuzul ul Masih: ‘God has decreed from the beginning and has declared it as His law and His way that He and His Prophets will always triumph. Therefore, as I am His Prophet, that is, I am Commissioned by Him, however without a new law, or a new claim or a new name, rather, I have come in the name of that very noble, Seal of all the Prophets, and from among him and as his manifestation. This is why I say that just as it has been from ancient time, that is, from the era of Adam to that of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), the meaning of this verse has always come true. It will yet again, come true in my support: ‘Allah has decreed: ‘Most surely I will prevail, I and My Messengers.’ Verily, Allah is Powerful, Mighty.’ (58:22)

Hudhur said he recently received a letter from Pakistan and that Hudhur does not agree with the premise of the letter and thinks that it cannot be considered as a generality. The letter stated that it needs to be emphasised in the publications of the Community that the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was a Prophet of God because many people hesitate in calling him a Prophet. Hudhur felt this was Bad-zani (thinking ill of others) towards the people of the Community and cannot be given a general tone. Maybe the people with whom the person keeps company have such thoughts due to certain circumstances. These few may have overcome by materialistic tendencies. Such people tend to fall prey to compromising themselves. They have perhaps never read the pronouncements of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace). In fact, they have probably never even listened to sermons. Although, Hudhur said, he tries, one way or the other, to introduce and explain the station of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) in his discourses.

If anyone has any such ideas, then Hudhur wants each Ahmadi to be clear that in light of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) was a Prophet. Just as the extract Hudhur read out states that he was a Prophet, without a new law and in complete subordination of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) and in light of the Quranic statement: ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them…’ (62:4). Indeed, Ahmadis in Pakistan and Indonesia are being bitterly persecuted because they accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as a Prophet. God forbid, our opponents say that we consider the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as the last Prophet. Whereas this is unthinkable for an Ahmadi. It is part of our faith that such lofty a station has the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him), that his follower has been granted the status of Prophethood. Indeed, he is the Seal of all the Prophets and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) is a Prophet of God in his subservience alone. If we did not accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as a Prophet then our claim that Islam will be triumphant through its second phase would be erroneous, because God has promised triumph with a Prophet; not a Mujaddad (reformer) as stated in ‘And among others from among them who have not yet joined them…’. That is also why the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) had advised that when the Messiah comes, take my greetings to him even if you have to crawl over glaciers to reach him. This was to strengthen belief and to take part in the final struggle for triumph, which was to be made with proofs and reasoning and to be among those who are true believers.

Ahmadis accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) so that their belief in God and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) is further strengthened and they can witness the glory of triumph of Islam. It should also be remembered that without the status of Prophethood for the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) there can be no Khilafat. Khilafat is borne out of Prophethood and is to operate on the precepts of Prophethood. The continuity of the system of the Ahmadiyya Community and the Khilafat can only be in the instance when we accept the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) as a Prophet.

Once some people had gathered for Bai’at and the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) gave them detailed advice. The summation of which is that Bai’at and repentance should not be just verbal professing, rather it should be from the heart. Hudhur said a person taking Bai’at wants to bring about a pure change and this is experienced even today. People develop in spirituality, their letters express this and people around them feel the change in them. Families are astonished at the transformation people go through after taking Bai’at. The Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) also advised not to make Bai’at conditional to any worldly objective. He said one should not be perturbed by difficulties after taking Bai’at. Gradually, true believers prevail over their enemies. The weapons of triumph are: Istaghfar, (seeking forgiveness from God), repentance, familiarisation of religious knowledge and five daily Prayers. Salat is the key to acceptance of prayers. One should pray during Salat, and should avoid all badness, whether it is regarding rights of God or rights of mankind. Hudhur said this advice is not only for the newcomers. An Ahmadi’s faith should be congruous to the time he or she has been an Ahmadi.

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