Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad(at)
Friday Sermon delivered at Masjid Mubarak, Islamabad, Tilford, UK
Rightly Guided Caliphs – Hazrat Uthman (ra)
After reciting Tashahhud, Ta’awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Uthman (ra).
His Holiness (aba) said that another battle was that of Dhatur-Riqa. It is recorded that when the Holy Prophet (sa) set out for this battle, he appointed Hazrat Uthman (ra) as the Amir of Madinah in his stead.
Incident During Conquest of Makkah
His Holiness (aba) said that on the occasion of the Conquest of Makkah, the Holy Prophet (sa) forgave everyone, except four people. One of them was Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl, who fled before he could be caught by the Muslims, however he later returned and accepted the Holy Prophet (sa). There was another person named Abdullah bin Abi Sarh who had been hiding. When the Holy Prophet (sa) was accepting people’s oath of allegiance, Abdullah came out and Hazrat Uthman (ra) asked the Holy Prophet (sa) on his behalf to forgive him and accept his oath of allegiance. Initially, the Holy Prophet (sa) refused, but then he agreed and accepted his oath of allegiance. With regards to this incident, His Holiness (aba) said that there is a narration wherein it is stated that the Holy Prophet (sa) later asked why his companions had not killed Abdullah bin Abi Sarh when he had initially refused to accept his oath of allegiance. However from other narrations and commentaries, His Holiness (aba) said that it is proved that the Holy Prophet (sa) in fact never said this.
Hazrat Ikrimah’s (ra) Acceptance of Islam
His Holiness (aba) then also related the incident of Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl’s acceptance of Islam according to historical accounts. It is recorded that Ikrimah fled towards the ocean and his wife went after him. He was either just about to, or had already boarded a ship, when his wife came to him and said that she had sought security for him, and that he should return and accept Islam. Hence, Ikrimah returned to Makkah, went to the Holy Prophet (sa) and accepted Islam. After this, the Holy Prophet (sa) told Ikrimah that he would grant Ikrimah whatever he wanted. Ikrimah requested that the Holy Prophet (sa) should pray that Ikrimah be forgiven for all the enmity he had held against him.
The fact that Hazrat Ikrimah (ra) accepted Islam was also the fulfilment of a prophecy, which the Holy Prophet (sa) saw in a dream. He once saw that he was in a beautiful garden where he saw a branch laden with dates. The Holy Prophet (sa) asked who this was for, and was told that it was for Abu Jahl. Initially this worried the Holy Prophet (sa) as he said that the gardens are only promised for the believers.
However, later when Hazrat Ikrimah bin Abi Jahl (ra) accepted Islam, the Holy Prophet (sa) understood that dream to be about him.
Great Sacrifice of Hazrat Uthman (ra) During Battle of Tabuk
His Holiness (aba) said that at the time of the Battle of Tabuk, Hazrat Uthman (ra) rendered great services. The Holy Prophet (sa) made an appeal for financial help in preparation for the battle. When the Holy Prophet (sa) made this appeal, Hazrat Uthman (ra) presented a hundred camels. Then the Holy Prophet (sa) made another appeal after which Hazrat Uthman (ra) presented another hundred camels. The Holy Prophet (sa) then made a third appeal, upon which Hazrat Uthman (ra) presented another hundred camels. It is also recorded that Hazrat Uthman (ra) presented ten thousand dinars to the Holy Prophet (sa) as well. After this, the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed for him and said that whatever Hazrat Uthman (ra) did from then on, he would be forgiven. It is recorded that the Holy Prophet (sa) prayed that God should be pleased with Hazrat Uthman (ra) as he was pleased with him. His Holiness (aba) presented a few more narrations which gave various accounts of all the things which Hazrat Uthman (ra) presented for the preparation of this battle.
His Holiness (aba) said it is also recorded that the Holy Prophet (sa) said that Hazrat Uthman (ra) had bought a piece of heaven. In fact it is recorded that the Holy Prophet (sa) said this to Hazrat Uthman (ra) on a few occasions.
Prophecy Regarding the Caliphate of Hazrat Uthman (ra)
His Holiness (aba) said that the Holy Prophet (sa) also said to Hazrat Uthman (ra) that he would be given a mantle to wear, but there would be those who told him to take it off. But all those who told him to take it off would be hypocrites. His Holiness (aba) said that thus, it was foretold that those who would later oppose and cause disorder against Hazrat Uthman (ra) were hypocrites.
His Holiness (aba) said that Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra) held Hazrat Uthman (ra) in high esteem. He trusted him a great deal, and often consulted with him in important matters and found his advice to be full of wisdom.
Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) Sacrifices Accepted in the Heavens
His Holiness (aba) said that once during the Caliphate of Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), there was a drought. One day, the people went to Hazrat Abu Bakr (ra), who told them not to worry, and that they would find ease that evening. On that same day, Hazrat Uthman (ra) returned with his trading caravan from Syria, carrying wheat and grains. Upon his return, people went to his home and asked him to sell the wheat and grains he had brought back, so that it could be distributed amongst the poor. Hazrat Uthman (ra) asked how much profit they would give him. They said that they would give him one or two more dirhams than the actual cost. Hazrat Uthman (ra) said that there was someone who was offering him more. They asked who was offering him a greater price, to which Hazrat Uthman (ra) replied that God was offering him more. Then he gave the wheat and grains to them as alms so that it could be distributed amongst the poor.
His Holiness (aba) said that later that night Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) saw the Holy Prophet (sa) in a dream, and saw him to be in a hurry. Hazrat Ibn Abbas (ra) asked why he was in a hurry. In the dream, the Holy Prophet (sa) replied that Hazrat Uthman (ra) had given alms, and this was accepted by the heavens, and God had settled his marriage in heaven and they had all been invited.
Hazrat Uthman’s (ra) Election as the Caliph
His Holiness (aba) said that after Hazrat Umar (ra) had been attacked, people used to ask him to appoint a Caliph after him, however he would not do so. Instead, one day he announced that if he died, there should be six people who elect the next Caliph. Thus, he appointed such people with whom the Holy Prophet (sa) had been pleased; Ali bin Abi Talib (ra), Zubair bin Awwam (ra), Abdur Rahman bin Auf (ra), Uthman bin Affan (ra), Talhah bin Ubaidillah (ra), Sa’d bin Abi Waqqas (ra). Hazrat Umar (ra) also outlined how the election should take place. His Holiness (aba) then detailed the election of Hazrat Uthman (ra) as the next Caliph. His Holiness (aba) also read out the first address delivered by Hazrat Uthman (ra) as the Caliph.
His Holiness (aba) said that he would continue highlighting incidents from the life of Hazrat Uthman (ra) in the future.
Appeal for Prayers
His Holiness (aba) again made an appeal for prayers for all the Ahmadis residing in Pakistan, that Allah may ease their situation and turn these dark days into light.
