During the sacred month of Ramadan, Huzoor-e-Aqdas (aba) in his Friday Sermon of 5 April 2024, delivered a deeply moving discourse on 'The Philosophy of Prayers and Supplication for Protection.' This sermon, rich in spiritual wisdom, included some Qur'anic invocations, supplications taught by the Holy Prophet (sa) and prayers by the Promised Messiah (as).
These prayers are not merely for remembrance during Ramadan but to serve as a guide for all times to serve as solace for the soul, especially for those affected by distress or turmoil in their lives.
Immersing oneself in this Sermon is to journey through an emotional and mental awakening, arriving at the profound realisation, that within the sanctity of prayer, lies the remedy for every trial, tribulation or any type of worry.
Below is just a summary and one is advised to listen to the full sermon, which is also available to listen to in a number of languages at www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2024-04-05.html
These prayers are not merely for remembrance during Ramadan but to serve as a guide for all times to serve as solace for the soul, especially for those affected by distress or turmoil in their lives.
Immersing oneself in this Sermon is to journey through an emotional and mental awakening, arriving at the profound realisation, that within the sanctity of prayer, lies the remedy for every trial, tribulation or any type of worry.
Below is just a summary and one is advised to listen to the full sermon, which is also available to listen to in a number of languages at www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2024-04-05.html
PRAYERS FROM THE HOLY QUR'AN
Huzoor (aba) said that the first prayer he would mention is Surah al-Fatihah. Not only is this recited during prayers, but this should also be repeated aside from that as well. The Promised Messiah (as) said that reading Surah al-Fatihah with focus and sincerity purifies the heart, removes darkness and grants certainty, drawing a searcher for the truth towards the threshold of God. Hence, one can draw nearer to God by constantly and focusedly reciting the Holy Qur’an.
(Click image to enlarge with translation and further explanation about the importance of this Chapter) |
Huzoor (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah(as) who said about this above prayer that the connection that a believer has with this world enables them to achieve higher ranks in the sight of God, because their actual goal and purpose is the faith. Thus, even their worldly affairs are ultimately for the sake of their faith.
This teaches the valuable lesson that the world should not become one’s ultimate purpose. Thus, the good in this world mentioned in the prayer refers to such good in the world that leads to good in the hereafter. Thus one should always strive to give precedence to the faith over the world and whatever they strive to attain of the world should be to improve their faith.
Huzoor (aba) said that there can be fire even in this world – the weapons used in wars effectively cast fire, hence we should pray that Allah the Almighty protects us from this fire as well. Ahmadis should pray a great deal for themselves and the world.
This teaches the valuable lesson that the world should not become one’s ultimate purpose. Thus, the good in this world mentioned in the prayer refers to such good in the world that leads to good in the hereafter. Thus one should always strive to give precedence to the faith over the world and whatever they strive to attain of the world should be to improve their faith.
Huzoor (aba) said that there can be fire even in this world – the weapons used in wars effectively cast fire, hence we should pray that Allah the Almighty protects us from this fire as well. Ahmadis should pray a great deal for themselves and the world.
Huzoor (aba) said that another prayer in order to strengthen faith is:
‘Our Lord, let not our hearts become perverse after Thou hast guided us; and bestow on us mercy from Thyself; surely, Thou alone art the Bestower.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 3:9)
‘O Allah, I have greatly wronged my soul, and there is none who can forgive except You, so forgive me and have mercy on me. Surely You are the Most Forgiving, Oft-Returning with Mercy.’
PRAYERS TAUGHT BY THE PROMISED MESSIAH (peace be upon him)
Huzoor (aba) said that another prayer which the Promised Messiah (as) wrote at the beginning of his book A Message of Peace:
‘O my Almighty God, my Beloved Guide! Show us the path which leads the righteous and the sincere to Thee. And save us from treading the path which leads to carnal desires, malice, spite and worldly pursuits.’ (A Message of Peace, p.5) |
References for this webpage: Alislam and The Review of Religions.