Dated: October 29, 2010
In a thought-provoking and insightful Friday Sermon, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(at) delved into the topic of harmful innovations in religion. He commenced the sermon with a Quranic verse that emphasizes the concept of not associating partners with Allah.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad highlighted the immense benefits of modern inventions while cautioning against the negative aspects of adopting ill practices and forsaking the cherished traditions and beliefs. Some Ahmadis, regrettably, have unwittingly embraced these harmful innovations, leading to undesirable consequences.
One of the insidious innovations that subtly creep into our lives is shirk, the act of associating partners with God. Even the faintest trace of shirk is unacceptable in Islam. As Muslims, we must comprehend the intricacies of the Oneness of God and the perils of shirk, especially in our rapidly changing world. Ahmadis, in particular, have pledged to abstain from shirk as their first condition of bai’at, or initiation, into Ahmadiyyat, the true Islam.
While Muslims already verbally profess their belief in the Oneness of God through the Kalima, it is vital to recognize the prevalence of latent shirk among them. Some prostrate before the graves of ascetics, offer sacrifices at graves, or even supplicate to these resting places. This subtle form of shirk often thrives among those with weak faith, contributing to a decline in devotion to God.
This concerning trend has even inspired a Hindu poet to claim that Muslims, God forbid, elevate the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) to divine status. This is a grave allegation against a Prophet who championed the Unity of God throughout his life. The Holy Prophet’s unwavering dedication to God exemplifies the essence of tawhid, the belief in God’s absolute Oneness.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to pray for the love of God and the love of those whose love would bring him closer to God. His supplications were always directed toward what was pleasing to God.
The reason some Muslims turn to these grave sites is the belief that these individuals were beloved by God. This is reminiscent of the idolatrous beliefs that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) vehemently opposed. The Prophet went to great lengths to ensure that his Companions understood the significance of avoiding shirk, even a hint of hypocrisy.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught his followers to seek refuge from knowingly and unknowingly associating partners with God. His humility and his commitment to monotheism set a shining example for all.
It is crucial for Ahmadis to be the torchbearers of the true message of Islam. The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) emphasized the importance of uniting humanity under the banner of the Unity of God. The task at hand requires Ahmadis to actively and consistently promote the concept of tawhid through their words and deeds.
As history has shown, harmful innovations can erode the original teachings of a religion. The essence of religion often gets lost in the face of new practices. The responsibility of safeguarding Islam from such innovations and shirk lies with the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) and, indeed, with all Ahmadi Muslims.
The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) encouraged the diligent recitation of the Holy Quran, offering Salat with reflection, and sincere prayers to God. It is essential to prioritize obligatory acts of worship and refrain from overemphasizing incantations, as they can lead one away from the core of faith, which is prayer.
For Ahmadi children and their families, a significant contemporary concern is the celebration of Halloween. This festivity, rooted in pagan rituals and embracing concepts of witches, strays from the true spirit of monotheism. Ahmadis must uphold their dignity and not engage in practices that inadvertently promote shirk.
Halloween falsely implies that on October 31, the boundaries between the living and the dead vanish, leading to harmful beliefs and practices. Ahmadis must abstain from participating in such rituals, as they violate the principles of monotheism.
In a world where questionable practices are encouraged in the name of fun, Ahmadis should remain steadfast in their commitment to monotheism. The responsibility of safeguarding the true message of Islam falls on our shoulders. May we heed this call and ensure that the Unity of God remains at the core of our faith.”
Radio VOIB 