Last week’s sermon ended with a warning from the Holy Prophet (sa) about harming someone who greets you with peace. In today’s sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih (aba) returned to that point briefly before opening a deeper reflection on the grand event of the Conquest of Makkah.

The Conquest of Makkah took place during Ramadan in the 8th year after Hijrah, and was the same victory Allah had promised the Holy Prophet (sa) before he even left for Madinah. From that very day of migration, Allah had assured the Prophet (sa) that He would return him to his homeland as a victor. Verses such as: “Most surely He Who made the teaching of the Qur’an binding on thee will bring thee back to thy place of return” (28:85)  were clear prophecies — and even in the eyes of non-believers, they seemed impossibly bold. At the time, Muslims were outnumbered and had little military strength, yet Allah promised them not only return but triumph. Today, these verses are often read for spiritual comfort, but in their time, they were declarations that shook the status quo.

Huzoor (aba) explained that the instruction to “turn thy face towards the Sacred Mosque” (2:144) wasn’t merely about the Qibla during prayers. It was about the direction of all Muslim efforts. No matter which expedition they were on, or where they were sent, every step was meant to lay the foundation for the ultimate return to Makkah. It was a message to not sit back just because Allah has promised victory. Unlike human promises, divine promises come with responsibility. If you don’t put in the effort, you’re delaying your own progress. But also, you’re dishonouring the trust Allah placed in you. That’s what happened with the Israelites when they refused to fight for Canaan, thinking the promise was enough. Allah replaced them with a generation that would actually strive.

Even when the Muslims were still scattered and vulnerable in Medina, and the Quraish outnumbered them in both manpower and experience, Allah made it known that Makkah would be theirs. And He did it through verses that were revealed at a time when this victory looked totally impossible. That’s how sure the truth of the Prophet (sa) was — and how powerful Allah’s support can be when people are steadfast and obedient. Huzoor (aba) shared that every campaign and encounter before the Conquest was really a piece of that larger goal — a coordinated divine plan. And understanding this background, he said, is crucial for what’s to come in the next sermons.

At the end of the sermon, Huzoor (aba) announced the funeral prayers of Dr Sheikh Muhammad Mahmud of Sargodha, who was recently martyred. After Jumu‘ah, while walking back to his office in the hospital, he was followed and shot in the back. A kind, dedicated liver specialist, he offered free medical care to the poor, covered their transport costs, and even battled cancer while continuing to serve others. He loved Khilafat, regularly took sermon notes, and paid his chanda in full before his death. Huzoor (aba) prayed for Allah to raise his station and protect his grieving family.

May Allah grant peace to his soul and strength to those left behind.