Promised Messiah – A Beacon of Truth Promised Messiah emulated Rasool Allah (saw) to the highest degree. Today, we will commemorate Huzoor (as)’s commitment to truthfulness. After reviewing related information over the next 5 minutes, we will hold an interactive discussion

O ye who believe! be strict in observing justice, and be witnesses for Allah, even though it be against yourselves or against parents and kindred. Whether he be rich or poor, Allah is more regardful of them both than you are. Therefore follow not low desires so that you may be able to act equitably. And if you conceal the truth or evade it, then remember that Allah is well aware of what you do. (4:136)

Once Promised Messiah’s (as) father sued one of his tenants for cutting down trees from his fields. Promised Messiah (as) felt his father’s allegation was wrong as the trees were a product of the fields just as the crops. So a portion of the tree’s belonged to the tenants. The day before he left for the court, Huzoor (as) told people that he was going on his father’s instruction and that they should pray for the victory of truth. “I do not ask that the judgment be given in our favor; whosoever is in the right in the sight of Allah may be declared victorious. (Ahmad, The Guided One. Page 35)

In another court case, where his family members were involved, the defendant called promised Messiah (as) as a witness for his defense. Huzoor’s testimony was crucial. Due to Huzoor (as)’s honest testimony, the case was decided in defendant's favor. It caused a major family uproar; his father displayed displeasure. But Huzoor (as)’s answer was: “I can not be expected to deny the truth”. (Ahmad, The Guided One. Page 36)

Discussion: What would you do ? The members of your Majlis are renting a van to travel to the Ijtema. Since it’s going to be a long drive, you know that multiple people will be driving the van. The counter clerk asks you: “There is $10/day extra charge for each additional driver. How many other people will be driving the van? What would be your response and why?

Discussion: Hikmat (wisdom) or a Lie? A parent tried their best to bring their teenaged child to a Jamaat program but despite their utmost efforts, the child remained defiant and did not come. “I get bored over there” the child said. At the mosque, when another person inquired about the child, the parent responded: “Just a lot of homework. It’s hard for children to come you know.” Is it Hikmat (wisdom) or a lie or neither? Why?

Barriers In the light of Islam’s teaching, the character of Rasool Allah (Sadiq and Ameen) and the degree of honesty in our secular society, what steps should we as the Jamaat of Masih Maud (as) take to truly enhance our level of truthfulness after commemorating this Masih Maud Day? What are some of the cultural barriers that we face when it comes to practicing honesty?

Inspire Us Narrate the story of an Ahmadi Muslim’s honesty – without naming names – that you personally witnessed

Why Honesty? 2 nd Condition of Bai'at That he/she shall keep away from falsehood

Jazakallah

Resources The official presentation should end at the previous slide about the condition of bait. The following slides are just for the knowledge of the moderator as resources.

Story of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (ra) It is related that as he was about to leave home on this momentous journey, his widowed mother sewed forty gold coins inside his coat as part of his inheritance, and as parting advice told him to be forever truthful. The caravan with whom he was traveling was attacked by a gang of robbers. In the course of their loot, one of the robbers asked him whether he had anything with him and he truthfully replied that he had forty gold coins sewn in his coat. The robber obviously thought he was joking and narrated this incident to his chief who decided to come and see this young man. When his coat was torn open, sure enough there were forty gold coins. The gang leader was astounded. He asked Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani as to why he revealed this when he could have very well kept it secret. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani told him that his mother had advised him not to lie and he was duty bound to obey his mother, Hearing this, the gang leader was overpowered with remorse, repented, accepted Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani as his Spiritual leader and so did all his followers.

Once in another case, when his family lawyer asked Promised Messiah (as) what was he going to say ? His reply was I am only going to tell the truth. After hearing this family lawyer shrugged his shoulders and commented that there was no point in going to court and withdrew case before it was called before front of Judge. Once Promised Messiah (as) mailed a package unknowingly with both ends open and instruction letter inside it. Since package with both ends open was considered printing paper and was carried at much lower rate. Case was made against him. Upon consulting a lawyer, he suggested only way to beat the case was to deny and say servant had put in letter not knowingly. Promised Messiah (as) refused to be a party to this deception.

Hadith 1) Abdullah ibn Mas'ud relates that the Holy Prophet said: Truth guides to virtue and virtue guides to Paradise. A person persists in telling the truth till in the sight of Allah he is named Truthful. Lying leads to vice and vice leads to the Fire; and a person goes on lying till in the sight of Allah he is named a liar (Bokhari and Muslim). 2)Once someone asked the Holy Prophet (sa) for advise, because that person was suffering from many weaknesses and did not think he could leave all of them at once. Holy Prophet (sa) told him ‘ promise that you will always speak the truth and never tell a lie. Just by adopting the path of truthfulness, he was freed from all of his sins one by one.

Hikmat (wisdom) In the battle of Uhad when only handful of Muslims were left along with holy Prophet (sa), enemies started to proclaim that they have killed Muhammad (sa), companions wanted to answer back in loud voice that you have not killed him but holy Prophet (sa) stopped the companions from replying, enemies claimed once again about Abu Bakr (ra) and about Hazrat Omar (ra) that we have killed them also but holy Prophet (sa) stopped his companions from replying back and keep quiet. But when enemies proclaimed that their god Hubul is superior than Allah, holy Prophet (sa) looked at his companions and said why are you quiet now ? Answer them back