Many may say that human DNA has
existed for thousands of years, but they overlook the fact that the genetic
code Allah teaches us in the Qur’an, linking us to His prophet, is the true
code we carry within us. Our race is more recent than we think. We may estimate
long ages have passed, but in Allah’s estimation, our creation is recent. This
is undeniable truth, for when Allah created Hazrat Adam (as) and breathed into
him His spirit – a divine essence connecting Adam (as) and his righteous
descendants to Allah – the angels said: “Will
You place therein one who will cause mischief and shed blood, while we glorify
You with praise and sanctify You?” Allah replied: “I know what you do not know.” (Al-Baqara 2: 31)
Allah had already planned, and He is the best of planners. In this trial called life, Allah established that evil would exist, so that those who perfect within themselves the divine essence He breathed into them could strengthen themselves to combat evil. This divine essence, this gift, is Divine Revelation. It is not only Prophethood or Messengership, but the factor of guidance that comes directly from Allah, guiding His servants upon the straight path. This gift is Divine Revelation.
In the struggle for divine
closeness, Allah has set for humanity a test. It may seem simple, but in
reality it is difficult, and many fail to escape satanic influence. Shaytan,
the source of all evil, first took hold of Iblis after the creation of Hazrat
Adam (as). He allowed evil to overwhelm him to the point of rebelling against
Allah over something that seems simple to us today, and which, had he sought
forgiveness, Allah could have forgiven him. But Iblis, through satanic
temptation, let his faith collapse, his devotions lose value, when arrogance
and jealousy consumed him at Adam’s creation – especially when Allah decreed
Adam (as), the human race, to receive the gift of direct connection with Allah
through the divine essence breathed into Adam’s soul, and consequently into
every soul. This displeased Iblis, and in his jealousy he defied Allah. That
defiance was the greatest sin ever known.
Reflect upon this carefully: here
we are not speaking of Shirk (associating partners with Allah). We are
speaking of defying Allah in His power and decision. Remember that Iblis is
always a creature of Allah, a jinn who believes in Allah’s absolute power, who
knows Allah is his Creator, and who knows also that without Allah’s permission
he could never have the reach (i.e. the permission) to mislead humanity from
Allah’s path. This is crucial to understand. Iblis was given permission by
Allah, and he believes in Allah, for the Qur’an repeatedly mentions Iblis
addressing Allah as his Lord, and that he was granted permission to mislead
humanity. Thus he became a trial for mankind, a barrier between Allah and
humanity, to test human sincerity towards Allah.
Iblis and the source of all evil –
Shaytan – are two distinct entities. Shaytan overwhelmed Iblis with evil, but
whether Shaytan or Iblis, both believe in Allah and fear divine punishment, as
the Qur’an mentions in Surah Al-Anfal and Al-Hashr. Shaytan is not a title for
Iblis, but the source of evil Allah created to test His creatures at Adam’s
creation. Jinns and angels were considered excellent servants of Allah,
obedient, yet doubts touched them at Adam’s creation. While the angels accepted
Allah’s explanation, Iblis let himself be tempted by evil and was led astray. He
committed the irreparable: he defied Allah, rose against Him in His very
presence, fully aware that Allah is his Creator and that he was supposed to
submit to His decision. When Allah spoke directly to him and the angels,
without any intermediary, what did Iblis do? He defied Allah. That defiance,
that disobedience, gave mankind today the capacity to choose their path in
life.
And as Allah said to the angels: “I know what you do not know.” Allah wished to
honour humanity, for we are not ordinary beings without intelligence or
spiritual guidance. Our souls and bodies were fashioned in a special way, so
that even if one is not a prophet or messenger, one may receive divine
inspiration, even revelation – though not attaining the rank of Nabuwwat
(Prophethood) or Risaalat (Messengership).
From the beginning, Adam (as) faced
direct confrontation with Shaytan – not only Iblis, but Shaytan in its full
form. The Qur’an teaches: “Inna sh-shaytana
lakum ‘aduwwun fa-ttakhidhuhu ‘aduwwa” (Surely Shaytan is an
enemy to you, so take him as an enemy.) (Surah Fatir 35: 7). Whoever
follows the spirit of evil falls into the same trap as Iblis, into ruin. When
Hazrat Adam (as) erred by disobeying Allah and listening to Iblis, who had
already fallen into Shaytan’s trap, Adam (as) did not rebel against Allah as
Iblis did. Instead, he felt shame and sought forgiveness. This shows the
greatness of Allah’s mercy. Instead of rebellion, Adam (as) offered repentance,
humility and shame. Divine mercy then took place: Allah accepted Adam’s
repentance, while Iblis received eternal curse. The satanic spirit of evil
continued to accompany Iblis in his mission to mislead humanity until today and
until the end – whether the end of our race or the Day of Judgement.
So here, it is not a question of Shirk.
Iblis did not associate anyone with Allah in His worship; but what he did was
to give preference to the spirit of evil which Allah had created to test him
and Adam and even the angels, and he took refuge in that satanism instead of
submitting to his Creator. Yet Allah is speaking to him, and he is conscious
that Allah is his Creator. But here it is not a question of submitting to Allah
physically in Ibaadah (prayer); rather it is a question of submitting to
the human race by an order that came directly from Allah. Iblis did not refuse
to worship Allah, but he refused to submit to Adam (as); he refused to
show his inferiority in front of the superiority of Adam (as). And so he
revolted, but his revolt was in fact directly against Allah because it was
Allah Himself Who asked him to submit, to show obedience to Allah, to show
respect for the superiority of Adam (as). And that was more than Iblis could
bear, because the spirit of evil had already taken hold of him.
Today, we know of evil jinns and
evil humans as Shaytans. We do not say that they are Iblis, but we say that
they are Shaytans, and that makes a great difference. While Iblis continues his
work, you must reflect well that he can do this with the collaboration of that
Source of evil which attacked his Imaan (faith) and his conscience, even
towards Allah when Allah was speaking to him directly. So imagine the audacity
he had to speak like that to Allah in His presence, and how that satanic force
succeeded in leading him astray and condemning him for eternity!
Today, you humans – all of us, the
human race, descendants of Adam the intelligent, Adam who received the divine
breath and the gift of divine revelation and Prophethood – should bear in mind
that the truth has come to you, to all of us, through centuries of guidance
where Allah has each time sent His messengers, His chosen ones, and honoured
the descendants of Hazrat Adam (as) with the gift of divine guidance and
revelation.
Whenever the enemy of truth sought
to destroy the divine plan, Allah continued to protect His chosen ones and all
those who remained faithful to Him. Adam (as) taught his children Tawhid,
but some of them fell under the influence of Shaytan and went astray. While
many generations after went astray and fell into idolatry – that is, where they
did not bring faith at all in Allah, and they worshipped false gods, and even
worshipped Shaytan – then keep in mind also that Allah has His sincere servants
whom He protects. Each time the enemy of truth tries to divert people, there
will always be a good number who will remain firm upon the truth, who will hold
fast to Allah, and stay far from the greatest crime in the sight of Allah: Shirk,
and defying His order and His decree.
Bear in mind that Hazrat Nuh (as)
preached in a society filled with corruption and mockery. People said he was
mad, and refused to believe in his message. Allah says in the Qur’an: “The chiefs (and people of high status) of his people
said: We see you in manifest error.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7: 61). But
Allah destroyed his adversaries by the flood. Allah says: “We saved him and those with him in the ship (Ark), and
We drowned those who denied Our signs.” (Surah Al-A‘raf 7: 65). This
proves that the enemies of truth always end in destruction, and Allah will
continue to protect the true believers who are truly sincere, whatever happens.
The patience of Nuh (as) is a lesson for each of us, that despite mockery,
despite persecution, he remained firm, and the truth consequently triumphed.
As for Hazrat Ibrahim (as), he had
Nimrud as enemy! Nimrud was a tyrant who claimed himself to be god. He ruled
with arrogance, making people worship him. But Ibrahim remained firm, he broke
the idols physically and metaphorically, and he defended Tawhid with his
life and his honour. When people threw him into the fire, Allah said: “O fire, be coolness and peace for Ibrahim.”
(Surah Al-Anbiya 21: 70). Nimrud perished, but Ibrahim (as) remained
victorious. This shows that Allah, whatever happens, will protect His
messengers, and all the enemies of Allah and His prophets will go to ruin.
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was alone against an idolatrous society, but he remained
firm, and Allah supported him. So you must always reflect that truth does not
depend on the number of people, but on sincerity and the support of Allah with
them – with us.
As for Hazrat Musa (as), he had an
arrogant Pharaoh as enemy. The latter was so arrogant that he took himself as
god on earth, and used his power to oppress those he considered inferior. He
said (God forbid): “Ana rabbukum al-a‘la”
(I am your supreme lord.) (Surah An-Nazi‘at 79: 25). What did Allah then
do to him? Allah drowned him in the sea. This proves that arrogance always ends
in destruction, and truth always triumphs. Pharaoh ruled with oppression, made
the Children of Israel suffer, but Allah supported Hazrat Musa (as) and gave
him victory. This is a reminder that oppression never has the final triumph,
because Allah is the Protector of the truthful.
Concerning Hazrat Isa (as), he had
plotters who tried to crucify him. But Allah protected him. Allah says in the
Qur’an: “Wa makaru wa makar-Allah; wallahu
khayrul makirin” (They plotted, and Allah plotted; and Allah is
the best of planners.) (Surah Al-Imran 3: 55). So his plotters perished,
but truth remained alive. Isa (as) was the miracle of Allah’s creation, a
miracle he shares with Hazrat Adam (as), whom Allah created directly without a
mother or father. While Hazrat Isa (as) had a mother but no father,
unfortunately after the success of his mission, people began to take him as god
and as an intermediary to enter paradise. But Allah closed that path. Isa (as)
has the same status in Allah’s sight as Hazrat Adam (as). Hazrat Isa (as) is
the word of Allah, His Messiah and His Messenger, not His physical son. Hazrat
Isa (as) honoured his mission and preached the truth, but adversaries opposed
him. Allah gave him victory before his death, where he accomplished his mission
towards the lost sheep of the house of Israel. So despite plots to kill him,
his survival and the accomplishment of his mission demonstrate that the plots
of evildoers can never destroy truth, because Allah is the best of planners.
Similarly for Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh), and all his prophets-followers until the Day of Judgement, we have
received the most perfect favour since the creation of Hazrat Adam (as). Thanks
to his Seal of Prophethood, today humanity continues to enjoy Prophethood,
while honouring the Noble Qur’an and his Sunnah. Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had enemies
among the Quraysh mainly, and also hypocrites, and also Jews and Christians who
opposed him. But Allah supported him with the Qur’an, with sincere companions,
and made Islam victorious.
Today the reign of Shaytan
continues, and Allah has sent this humble servant after Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
and after the Promised Messiah of the past century, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
(as). I have come to make people hold firmly to the Qur’an and Sunnah, and just
as for Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and the prophets of the past, Allah has said
concerning this humble servant present among you in this century: “Huwa alladhi arsala rasulahu bil-huda wa dinil-haqq
li-yuzhirahu ‘ala d-dini kullihi.” – It is He who has sent His
messenger with guidance and the religion of truth, to make it triumph over all
religions. (Surah At-Tauba 9:33).
Keep in mind that just as the
Quraysh perished in their arrogance and truth remained alive, just as Allah
gave Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) victory over his enemies, likewise this
humble servant, the Khalifatullah, has the hand of Allah upon him. The Hand of
Allah is above me and will cut off all my enemies, one by one. Therefore I tell
you, as long as there is hope and time for reform, reform yourselves before the
divine punishment comes, because when it comes, it sweeps away all falsehoods,
all impurities of Shaytan. All of us prophets pass through enormous
persecutions, through boycott, through plots of enemies and hypocrites, but
when the moment decreed by Allah comes – what we call THE APPOINTED TIME – then Allah will manifest
the truth in such a way that even those who were enemies of the truth will see
the truth, and while some will repent, others will persist in their
degradation. That is what is called entering into a state of “Summum Bukmum”
(not hearing, not speaking and not seeing).
So we, workers for the Cause of
Allah – myself and my sincere disciples – although we will continue to face
illusions and traps of Shaytans, reflect well that all this is a test, and if
you love Allah and wish to gain a place of closeness with Him, then you must
not let yourselves be tempted by those traps which may appear beautiful but are
only an illusion of happiness. True happiness is Allah, and all His gifts which
He offers you. Do not let yourselves be dazzled by this worldly life which is
only a test, a trial for you. Your true abode is the Hereafter. So struggle to
keep your Imaan (faith) firm in Allah and His prophets and in the
Khalifatullah of this era. Do not lose this divine favour which Allah has
offered you in this century during your lifetime. Struggle with Imaan
(faith) and Ikhlaas (sincerity) and make the Qadr (Decree) of
Allah incline in your favour and not against you. Allah has certainly promised:
“Indeed Our word has already gone forth to Our
servants, the messengers: surely they will be the ones who are victorious. And
surely it is Our army that will triumph.” (Surah As-Saffat 37: 172-174).
These verses are a guarantee: Truth
will always triumph, and enemies will always perish. In a Hadith Qudsi reported
in Sahih al-Bukhari by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra), the Prophet (pbuh) said that
Allah said: “Man ‘ada li waliyyan faqad adhantuhu bil-harb” – Whoever
takes a Wali (close friend) of Allah as an enemy, I (Allah) have declared war
against him.
This shows that the enemies of
truth always end in destruction, because Allah is the Protector of the
truthful. So today, despite modern adversaries, Islam will remain alive,
because Allah has promised to protect His Qur’an, just as He mentioned in Surah
Al-Hijr. That promise is a guarantee that truth will never perish. Each time
Allah sends one of His Messengers, enemies will oppose him, but their end is
destruction. Allah will always safeguard the truth, will always protect His
Messenger, and will always support the truthful. Whoever rejects His Messenger
rejects salvation; whoever accepts His Messenger acquires eternal victory.
So never commit the crime of
rejecting a Messenger of Allah, because the consequence of that crime is
enormous. The enemies of truth will always end in ruin, but truth will persist
and triumph. Allah is the Protector, the Guardian, and the support of the
believers. Whoever rejects Allah’s Messenger, His Khalifatullah, His Adam of
the time, rejects Allah Himself; whoever accepts, gets eternal victory. Reflect
well that Allah is the Protector of faith, He is the Guardian of the Qur’an,
and He is the support of His Messenger and of all believers who are truly
sincere. May Allah guide you towards Salvation, a salvation that will distance
you from the impurities of Shaytan and bring you to Allah and His closeness,
whether in this world or in the Hereafter. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of