Sunday, November 21, 2004

My Eid Sermon: We are a family.


Ramadhan
Love For All, Hatred For None

The Prophet constantly prayed, O Allah ! Grant me the ability to perceive things as they really are.

This kind of reflection is ever the more significant today for people of faith, especially as Muslim Americans.

At a time when we face the worst anti-Islamic propaganda and Islamophobia is running rampant.

Look not at the “I”, but at the “me” Look not at the I, but at the community.

What is “my” role in a troubled world at a difficult time? What is your role in the Jama’at (community)? There is a dire need for introspection, honest self-evaluation and self-criticism and a concerted effort to bridge the gap between values and actions, ideals and realities, sloganizing and activism, past glory and a viable future.

We cannot inspire others to higher values of peace, equality, love and justice if we ourselves do not embody these inwardly and practically in our lives.

We need to align our lives with our highest values and behave in ways that we believe all will need to behave in order to create the world we want to live in. All change begins with us, and remember: Allah will not change your condition unless you change yourselves.

“You are the best people raised for the good of mankind; you enjoin good and forbid evil and believe in Allah.” Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil change societies, shape them and make them distinctive.

Islam teaches us that we are to carry out His commands for the welfare and benefit of all of existence. Such a role relies heavily on the interpersonal conduct, behavior, character and morality of each and every individual Muslim, in essence, the "quality" of each personality.

This is one of the foremost responsibilities of Muslims, following the example of the Prophet, to model good human relations. Each human personality is unique.

The Qur'an expounds in very clear terms a distinct concept of individual growth and development. A human being is body and soul, matter and spirit. It is the unique balance between these that makes humans uniquely what we are, and according to Islamic belief, the highest of all created beings..."Surely, We have created man in the best make" [Qur'an 95:5].

Surah Al Imran (3:135). The translation reads: "Those, who spend in prosperity and adversity, and those who suppress anger, and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good"

In his Eid Sermon early today, Hazoor, ayyadahullahu ta’ala binasrihil-‘aziz, once again reminds all Muslims of their responsibility and duty to avoid self-centeredness and the tendency not to forgive the other person’s fault.

This is how, Hazoor, ayyadahullahu ta’ala binasrihil-‘aziz, said, family quarrels ensue and even squabbles with strangers can instigate.

In this environment of intolerance the responsibility upon the Ahmadi Muslim is to abide by the teachings of Islam and as stated in the Quranic verse: and those who suppress anger, and pardon men; and Allah loves those who do good"

It is also stated in verse 200 of Surah Al A’raf (7:200)
Do thou ever forebear, O Prophet! and enjoin kindness, and turn away from the ignorant.

As Muslims we are urged to restrain one’s temper and seek forgiveness for the one who has angered you. If this does not work and someone or persons continue to anger you, then it is better to remove yourself from the situation.

Some say that by suppressing anger and walking away, you allow the perpetrator of the crime to “get away” with his abuse and oppressive behavior, but we are reminded in the Holy Quran, Surah Al Shura (42:41) "Remember that the recompense of an injury is an injury the like thereof; but whoso forgives and thereby brings about an improvement, his reward is with Allah. Surely, He loves not the wrongdoers."

It is better to forgive if there is hope of reformation; otherwise punishment has to be given for misdeed committed. Bur it is important to remember that not everyone who is wronged can retaliate and one has to resort to the law of the land that can deal with the matter.

Today, Hazoor, ayyadahullahu ta’ala binasrihil-‘aziz, called on members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community to avoid the “Satantic Circle” of arguing and fighting with such hatred that it does damage to the dignity of the Jama’at.

He strongly urged every Ahmadi to exercise patience and restraint and to use the system of our Community, the Nizam e Jama’at to resolve disputes.

In a previous sermon, he said people who are disciplined for an offence are often verbose about the virtue of forgiveness, failing to notice that it is indeed also Allah’s command to punish a wrong.

As ever elucidating the subject further with ahadith Hazoor, ayyadahullahu ta’ala binasrihil-‘aziz, related that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) said that the greatest excellence was to overlook and pardon one who mistreats you and that the more a man forgives the more Allah raises his station.

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) greatly enjoined to pardon the mistakes of one’s employees. Once he was displeased with Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) who had, after displaying remarkable patience to a reproachful man, had eventually responded to him.

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) said as long as Hadhrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) was silent Allah’s angels was keeping an eye on him but once he responded Satan came in.

Hadhrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) said that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) did not ever retaliate to personal mistreatment.

He also most magnanimously pardoned the man whose assault on his daughter had caused her a miscarriage and eventual death. After the fall of Mecca, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) also famously forgave Hind, the once vicious wife of Abu Safyan, who had committed incredible brutalities against Muslims.

Hazoor, ayyadahullahu ta’ala binasrihil-‘aziz, said each episode of pardon and forgiveness in the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be on him) surpasses the other. Today, each Ahmadi must adhere to his teachings.

Next Hazoor, ayyadahullahu ta’ala binasrihil-‘aziz, recounted a few examples of forgiveness from the life of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace) on how he would totally forgive blunders made by people who worked for him and how he was resolutely fair-minded and honourable even when dealing with his staunch enemies.

By his example, we are enjoined to control one’s anger and forgive, to adopt taqwa (righteousness), The Pormised Messiah (alaihissalaam) wrote: ‘The reformation of each community primarily begins with good manners.’

Let us resolve at this time in our lives to be among those who exhibit great fortitude, who adhere to the teachings of the Holy Qur’an, who follow the Sunnah and who mould themselves according to the wishes of the Promised Messiah (on whom be peace).

Living a positive, meaningful and effective life requires living to our full potential and manifesting the cardinal virtues in our daily lives as social beings. The Cardinal Virtues/ al-Ma’roof – (Enjoining what is good and forbidding what is evil) are those principles of social living that are universally acknowledged and globally applicable.

The Ancient Greek philosopher, Plato suggested that the cardinal virtues are wisdom, courage, self-control and justice. Each one should pursue a life of Integrity.

People of Integrity are Character-Driven

Therefore, they are motivated by commitment, not convenience. They are encouraged by the common good, not only personal gain. They make decisions based on principles, not on expediency. They continue when challenges/problems arise, rather than quit. They do right then feel good; rather than doing right when it makes them feel good.

Doing your best at being your best leads to the best results, for as Allah poses the rhetorical question in the Qur'an [Qur'an 55:60] ... [55:61] Is the reward of goodness anything but goodness?

Times are not really bad

We live in a time when academic standards are high and moral standards are low; where people are more likely to demand their rights than fulfill their responsibilities; where the age is made the scapegoat for lack of individual character.

“Don’t let yourself be victimized by the age you live in. It is not the time that will bring us down any more than its society. There is a tendency today to absolve individuals of moral responsibility and treat them as victims of social circumstance. You buy that and you pay with your soul. What limits people is a lack of character.” [Author, Tom Robinson]

Remember that...fashions do change, beauty fades, wealth becomes depleted, friends and fame come and go; but of lasting value are acts that emanate from sincere hearts, acts that reflect integrity and good character .."As you do so shall you benefit" [Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)]

Your spiritual journey during this month has ended and we are always saddened at the passing of a good friend and indeed the fast has been a good friend.

This 30 day journey has been an awesome exercise in pursuit of Divine blessing, Divine approval and an attempt at manifesting the best of ethical values and moral practices, don’t let it end today. Don’t walk out that door today without a pledge to make this day a start of a new day in your life.

A day of reformation and reconciliation with self…a day to forge ahead and be a better person in the world. A better Muslim in the family. A better Muslim in the Jama’at. What can I do today to better serve Islam?
You have the power to free one's yourself from the shackles of those basic animal tendencies within our selves.

So as our friend, Ramadhan moves on, we need to perpetuate the positive spirit we have imbibed and continue on the spiritual journey towards fulfillment and excellence. May Allah make this Ramadhan for each and everyone of you here today a source of spiritual change and strengthen your lives.

Today, let us pray for our nation and those young soldiers who give their lives for this nation, let us remember the Muslim Ummah, peace, progress and prosperity of the world; our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh, the prisoners of conscience, the martyrs, the sick, the needy, the helpless, the homeless, the unemployed, and lastly, remember those who are seeking the truth…may Allah the Almighty help them to enhance faith, belief and understanding to accept Ahmadiyyat.

Hasan







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