In this weeks Friday Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V (aba) started off the Friday Sermon by reciting Surah An – Nur (24:54 – 57).  His Holiness (aba) then highlighted the fact that it has been 117 years since the establishment of Khilafat in Ahmadiyya in accordance with the promises of God and the Holy Prophet(sa). 

His Holiness (aba) then stated that in accordance to Hadith, the Holy Prophet (sa) said that Prophethood will remain established as long as Allah wills, then this blessing will be removed whenever Allah pleases. This will lead to a tyrannical monarchy, once that ceases to exist, an even worse Monarchical Despotism (A form of Government where a single monarch holds absolute power, without the constraints of law) would follow until Allah removes that too, after which the precepts of Prophethood would be established. In accordance with this prophecy, the advent of the Promised Messiah (as) led to the institution of Khilafat being established once again. 

His Holiness (aba) also said that in the verses he recited God clearly promised the Muslims that Khilafat would be established among them. After the Holy Prophet (sa) the ‘Rightly Guided Khilafat’ only remained for 30 years, but as the Holy Prophet (as) said after periods of tyrannical rulership’s, a lasting Khilafat would be established in the era of Promised Messiah (as). However, this promise of Khilafat comes with the condition that we will remain attached to Khilafat. 

His Holiness (aba) addressed the idea that some people (even within the Ahmadiyya community) believe that Khilafat will turn into a worldly leadership, however Allah promised the Holy Prophet (sa) that Khilafat will remain spiritual until the Day of Judgement, never will it turn into a monarchy, this concept was also strongly opposed by the Second Caliph, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad (ra) who rectified this notion, correcting this belief for a lot of people including Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra), who at one point also held this belief, abandoning it after this rectification. 

His Holiness (aba) then shed light on the fact that the Khalifa prays and wakes up at night to pray for his community. Is there any King who does this? Allah has promised Khilafat to those who obey Allah and his messenger (sa), hence we must continue to adhere to this if not, these people will become removed from Khilafat. History also backs this as the ‘Rightly Guided Khilafat’ remained among the Muslims as long as they were obedient. Once this obedience was abandoned, they became bereft of Khilafat and so we must remain attached and ever obedient to Khilafat. 

His Holiness (aba) said that those who remain attached to the community and Khilafat witness countless blessings, even if the opponents of the Jamaat continue their cruelties. If the members are firm in their faith, nothing can deter them. A great example of this is Pakistan as we can see the progress of Ahmadiyya there has never ceased, and rather only continued to grow. Despite the continuous opposition and countless martyrdoms, the faith of the Ahmadi’s cannot be shaken. The community still spreads – it has now spread to 214 countries. People around the world are strongly devoted to Ahmadiyya and Khilafat. A prime example being the families of the martyrs from Dori in Burkina Faso who remained steadfast in their faith and did not waver even in the face of death, in fact they too are prepared to offer their lives if so necessary in order to protect the institution of Khilafat. 

His Holiness (aba) said that another condition made clear by Allah for Khilafat is to avoid committing Shirk/associating partners with God – if we truly want to reap the blessings of Khilafat then we must purify ourselves from all forms of Shirk. When office bearers abandon their own pride and egos, only then will they become beneficial for the community, and they will be those who work solely for the pleasure of Allah. Similarly, another condition is that they offer their prayers and remain obedient to the commandments of God and his messenger(sa). 

His Holiness (aba) also said that whilst explaining what it means to establish prayer, the Second Caliph(ra) once said that the best form of prayer in the Friday prayer is when the Imam delivers a sermon and imparts guidance. This is a time at which people come together and are united and everyone turns in the same direction towards the Khalifa as he speaks. Today through MTA the Khalifa’s Sermon is broadcasted throughout the world and people can watch and implement the teachings into their lives. This is an example of how the institution of Khilafat has caused the people to become united. 

His Holiness (aba) said that God has also established Zakat as a condition for Khilafat, consisting of forms of financial sacrifices and contributions, which Ahmadis all across the world offer. These don’t just help the institution of Khilafat and Ahmadiyya but also help people worldwide, as they support the Ahmadiyya community in being able to serve humanity, establish schools, hospitals and take care of the poor among other things – all due to the blessings of Khilafat. 

His Holiness (aba) said that there are certain places in the world where Ahmadis are facing Grave difficulties such as Bangladesh, Pakistan, Palestine some African and Arab countries where the entire nation is being subjected to grave Cruelties. His Holiness (aba) prayed for the easing of these cruelties and said that those associated with Khilafat must pledge to save the world from destruction and by doing this they will also be saving their own progeny and themselves from the calamities of the world. 

His Holiness (aba) the moved on to the Funeral prayers, the first one being of Dr Col Pir Muhammad Munir Sahib. He was an administrator of a hospital in Rabwah and was a convert to Ahmadiyya, later joined by his parents after they saw his good character. His wife says that he was a very kind father and husband. He was regular in offering prayers and was devoted as well as loyal to his faith, He is survived by his wife, three sons and grandchildren, His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah grant him forgiveness and mercy. 

The second funeral prayer was that of Sailma Zahid Sahiba, she is survived by her husband, a daughter and three sons. She taught many children the Holy Qur’an, including many Non – Ahmadi’s children’s whose parents agreed to the fact that she possessed many great qualities and was devoted to her faith. Her son said that she always gave precedence to helping others. His Holiness (aba) prayed that may Allah grant her forgiveness and mercy.