Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad delivered a special message from his office in place of the weekly Friday Sermon due to Government restrictions amid the Coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the current coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, the World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad did not deliver a Friday Sermon this week and instead delivered a special live message to Ahmadi Muslims worldwide through the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community’s satellite TV channel, MTA International. The message was also live-streamed.
Speaking from his office in Tilford, Surrey, His Holiness prayed for the health and wellbeing of the entire world and instructed Ahmadi Muslims to focus upon prayer and to use their time at home productively. Furthermore, he instructed them to follow all Government instructions and to maintain social distancing.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“Due to the widespread coronavirus pandemic, several governments across the world have placed social restrictions, including the British government where I reside… As a result, it means that the Friday prayers cannot be offered in the Mosque at this time and so I decided, after consultation, that I should address you through a live message.”
His Holiness said that Ahmadi Muslims should continue to offer their Friday prayers within the confines of their own homes in those countries where restrictions on religious services had been ordered by the authorities.
His Holiness said, where this would enable them to fulfil their religious obligations it would also enable Ahmadi Muslims to increase their religious knowledge, whilst preparing sermons to deliver within their homes.
His Holiness also said Ahmadi Muslims should seek to spend this period productively by reading the Holy Quran as much as possible, as well as the various books and publications of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. Furthermore, they should watch as many programmes broadcast by MTA International as possible. His Holiness emphasised that special care should be given toward improving one’s domestic life and helping one’s children progress in their religious upbringing at this time.
His Holiness laid particular emphasis on the importance of prayers.
Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:
“During this period increase even more your supplications and prayers, as it is through sincere prayer that we can gain the blessings of God Almighty and attain spiritual and physical wellbeing. This is what the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) has taught us, that even in such circumstances, as we are currently facing, it is of paramount importance that we seek the forgiveness of Allah the Almighty, purify our hearts and busy ourselves in good deeds. Allah the Almighty has made prayers a great tool for us to utilise and so we should seek to come into the shelter of Allah the Almighty through them.”
His Holiness went on to quote several traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) which show that under exceptional circumstances praying at home was the practice of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
His Holiness prayed in conclusion of his address and said:
“May Allah soon rid the world of this pandemic and may the people of the world fulfil their obligations towards humanity and may they all come to recognise God Almighty. May Allah enable us all to do so.”