The main themes and important points from the 8th November 2024 Friday Sermon delivered by Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba), Khalifatul Masih V of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community.

Core Themes

• The Importance of Financial Sacrifice: The sermon heavily emphasizes the significance of financial sacrifice in Islam, particularly within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. It draws upon the Quranic verse 2:275: “Those who spend their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, have their reward with their Lord; on them shall come no fear, nor shall they grieve.”
• Tahrik-e-Jadid and its Impact: The sermon highlights the role of Tahrik-e-Jadid, a financial scheme within the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, in fostering financial sacrifice and supporting the global propagation of Islam.
• Blessings of Financial Sacrifice: Numerous personal accounts are shared showcasing how individuals, despite facing financial constraints, prioritize contributing to the community and experience spiritual and material blessings in return.

Key Takeaways

• Selflessness and Sincerity: Ahmadi Muslims, regardless of their financial status, are described as being at the forefront of offering financial sacrifices, both openly and secretly, without expectation of personal gain or recognition. His Holiness (aba) states: "Whenever the need arises, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community offer financial sacrifices, both openly and in secret, without any worry about falling into financial difficulties."
• Simple Living for Greater Giving: The sermon encourages Ahmadi Muslims to adopt a simple lifestyle, as advocated by the Second Caliph, to enable them to contribute more generously towards the cause of Islam.
• Weight of Sacrifice: The value of financial sacrifice lies not solely in the amount but in the weight it holds in the eyes of Allah. It's about sacrificing what is dear and meaningful, as demonstrated by various examples shared.
• Tangible and Spiritual Rewards: The sermon underscores how financial sacrifice can lead to both material and spiritual blessings, including increased wealth, ease in overcoming difficulties, and heightened faith.
• Continuing the Mission: The examples of new converts and youth actively participating in Tahrik-e-Jadid demonstrate the continuation of the spirit of financial sacrifice within the community, fulfilling the mission of spreading Islam's message of peace and guidance.

Notable Quotes

• "They do this in a world that is steeped in attaining the pleasures of this world and hoarding wealth. There are many who will make such sacrifices in secret, never seeking to be known."
• "It is not always that the amount itself is large; rather, it is the weight it holds, just as once, the Holy Prophet (sa) said in one instance that a single dirham became more valuable than a thousand."
• "God has granted the Community such people who earn not to gather wealth but to spend it in the way of Allah."
• "This passion for financial sacrifices and attaining the pleasure of Allah the Almighty is at the heart of the Community’s progress and success. So long as this spirit remains, Allah will continue blessing this Community."

Call to Action

The sermon serves as a powerful reminder for Ahmadi Muslims to prioritize financial sacrifice, not just as a duty but as a pathway to spiritual growth, communal progress, and divine blessings. It encourages introspection and a commitment to emulate the examples of those who prioritize the pleasure of Allah above worldly gains.