Taqwa – The Key to Fulfilling Life’s Purpose

On 9th October 2021, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^(aba) delivered the concluding address for the Annual Convention of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community in Germany. His Holiness^(aba) delivered this address from Islamabad, Tilford, UK. The following is a summary of this address.

This summary was prepared by the Review of Religions. The original post can be found here.

Introduction

After reciting Tashahhud, Ta‘awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad^(aba) said that last year, due to the Coronavirus pandemic and ensuing restrictions, Germany and many other countries could not hold their Jalsa Salana [Annual Convention]. Now, as restrictions begin to ease, The Community in Germany has been able to hold their Jalsa this year. Though it is not at its usual scale, it will certainly help to satiate some of the spiritual thirst which had developed.

Increase in Spirituality and Righteousness

His Holiness^(aba) said that we often hear that the purpose of Jalsa Salana is to increase in spirituality and righteousness and work towards self-improvement. If this is not the primary purpose, then there is no use of holding a Jalsa. His Holiness^(aba) said that he expects that these purposes were met, and if that is the case, then the Jalsa will have proved successful. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that those who attended in person or online will now have attained enough spiritual sustenance for the rest of the year. Now it is up to them to use this in the correct manner.

Taqwa – The Root to All Success

His Holiness^(aba) said that today, he would speak about Taqwa, so that after leaving from this Jalsa, its importance will be ingrained in the minds of the attendees. His Holiness^(aba) said that Taqwa is mentioned at various instances in the Holy Qur’an. If we are able to understand its meaning, then we set ourselves up for success for the rest of our lives.

His Holiness^(aba) said that we are blessed to have accepted the Promised Messiah^(as) who has enlightened us and taught us the true meaning of Taqwa. In a couplet, the Promised Messiah^(as) said that the root of all virtue is Taqwa. Then God revealed to him that if this root remains entrenched, then all other affairs will be taken care of. Thus, if we wish to fulfil our pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiah^(as), and if we wish to combat the satanic forces of this world, then we must establish Taqwa in its true sense. 

His Holiness^(aba) said it is necessary to understand the essence of Taqwa, so that we may be able to safeguard ourselves from satanic forces. The Promised Messiah^(as) has taught in light of the Holy Qur’an that the basic premise for establishing Taqwa is to worship God, and to do so with the purest of intentions. When this is done, then the affairs of such a person are tended to by God Himself. In a world where satanic forces are rampant, an Ahmadi must ensure that they establish and maintain true worship, as this is the best means of being safeguarded from those ill forces. 

His Holiness^(aba) quoted the Promised Messiah^(as) who explained that disbelievers are occupied merely in worldly and carnal pursuits. If an ox eats but then it doesn’t move when it is time to plow, then its owner will simply sell it to the butcher, for it is of no use. Similarly, with regards to those people who care not for their actual purpose and live merely for the sake of the world, God Almighty states:

But for your prayer to Him my Lord would not care for you.

Quran 25:78

This makes it evidently clear that the purpose of our creation is to worship God, as opposed to merely eating and sleeping and chasing after the comforts of the world. Thus God Almighty states:

I have not created the Jinn and the men but that they may worship Me.

Quran 51:57

Seek Allah’s Pleasure in Action

His Holiness^(aba) further quoted the Promised Messiah^(as) who explained that when this is the purpose of life, one should not chase after the world. This does not mean that one should abandon their families and homes and live in seclusion. In fact, Islam desires for a person to be strong and firm, therefore one should work hard in their profession for they are answerable for that as well. In fact, the reality is that in whatever work one does, one should strive to seek the pleasure of Allah the Almighty and fulfil His rights. When these things are done simultaneously, then it can be said that one is fulfilling the rights owed to God. 

His Holiness^(aba) further quotes the Promised Messiah^(as) who said that one must establish Taqwa, because God cares for and tends to those who establish righteousness. His Holiness^(aba) said that this means we must strive hard in this regard. The allures of the Western and European worlds should not detract and steer us away from our life’s purpose. We must fulfil the rights of God, thereby ensuring that our worldly affairs are also taken care of. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that there are further ways of establishing Taqwa as well. For example, the Promised Messiah^(as) explained that God Almighty helps those who are righteous. Therefore, a sign of a true righteous person is that they receive the help of God, for the unrighteous are never helped by God.

Taqwa is the Solution to Hardships

His Holiness^(aba) said that another aspect explained by the Promised Messiah^(as) is that everyone faces hardships in life. However, for those who are righteous, God Almighty promises a way out of those hardships and a path to navigate through the tough times, thereby turning hardships into ease. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that the Promised Messiah^(as) further explains that every person strives to attain comfort and contentment in their lives. However, if we look at those who chase after worldly wealth, we find that instead of being content, there is a continuous fire burning within them to attain more. In fact, they are described to be chained in a burning fire due to their desire and chase after worldly wealth. When this is the case, how then can they even think about progressing towards Taqwa and a relationship with God? On the other hand, true contentment is for those who are righteous, as God has promised them two paradises; one in this world and another in the next.

Find Contentment in the World Through Taqwa

His Holiness^(aba) further explained that those who are righteous are content with what they have, as opposed to those who live in mansions and drive expensive cars, yet contentment eludes them. His Holiness^(aba) said that he himself knows of such examples where people seemingly have attained these worldly allures, yet still live in discontent. For those who say that worldly wealth does result in happiness, His Holiness^(aba) said that they should sincerely look within themselves, and see whether they are free from the burning desire for more. 

His Holiness^(aba) continued to quote the Promised Messiah^(as) who said that Taqwa applies to all matters. For example, Taqwa must apply with regards to the words we utter. God Almighty teaches that one should be mindful of their words and think before speaking. One should refrain from uttering vain, meaningless and useless things. Just as God teaches to seek His help even when it comes to worshipping Him, we must understand that we cannot do anything on our own, rather we need God’s help in every matter. Such is the case with the words we utter; we must speak with Taqwa in mind and through seeking the help of God. God Almighty states that He takes responsibility for those who are mindful of their tongue. Words can be very powerful, so much so that simply declaring something which has been forbidden by God to be lawful, can determine someone to be outside the pale of Islam entirely. If we are not mindful of our tongues, then we stray away from the path of Taqwa.

His Holiness^(aba) said that true Taqwa is also determined by the manner in which we treat our fellow human beings. Not only must we fulfil the rights owed to God, but we must also fulfil the rights of His creation. We must be mindful of our efforts to establish Taqwa in the future generations. In this way, we must remain vigilant about everything and consider whether we are acting upon God’s commandments and refraining from what He has forbidden. If we are doing so, then we can be considered among those who are righteous. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that from our homes to society, we must establish these standards. Failing to do so brings about unrest both in the home and in society. When we ponder over this, we realise that much of the unrest that comes about is the result of ill-thinking. Those who wish to stir unrest say or do things that bring about doubtful and ill-thoughts. This is why God Almighty has rendered this a great sin and a form of falsehood. One should not always endeavour to seek out the flaws and faults of others. One should not be jealous of others, one should not harbour enmity towards others, which often comes about due to ill-thinking. Being the servants of Allah, we must all live in harmony. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that we must all strive to be true servants of the Gracious God. When we collectively work towards this, then it becomes impossible for us to commit sin and this in fact establishes Taqwa. True Taqwa is established within the heart. When we understand this, then no one would ever try to injure the sentiments of others. So we must consider, have we truly established righteousness in our hearts, or is it merely a claim we have made? If we are not mindful of our treatment of others, then even if we pray thousands of times, we cannot be considered righteous in the sight of God. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that the Holy Prophet^(sa) said that three things of a Muslims are made unlawful for another Muslim; their blood, livelihood and wealth. However, if we look at the Muslim world and those who claim to be the flagbearers of Islam, we find that they have made these very things lawful for themelves. The Holy Prophet^(sa) said that simply looking down upon someone is enough to be considered a sin.

His Holiness^(aba) said that this means we must be very careful with every step we take in life. We must analyse our hearts and consider whether we fear God, or whether we are concerned only with attaining the world by any means necessary. If we give precedence to our own rights over others, then we cannot be considered righteous, and in fact, we will be ruining the peace of society. We must consider whether we want to be those who ruin the peace of society, or do we want to be those who attain the pleasure of Allah the Almighty. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that arrogance is another vice which God has commanded to abstain from. People become arrogant about their wealth, families and their worldly possessions and achievements. However, God Almighty says that such things are nothing to be proud of. Instead, God Almighty says:

Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is most righteous among you.

Quran 49:14

His Holiness^(aba) said that thus, this is the true source of honour, not the attainment of worldly things. When adversity strikes, then worldly people begin to scramble and fear, so then what of their arrogance and pride? Therefore, one must establish humility. Of course, as the Holy Prophet^(sa) taught that simply using the bounties of God such as wearing good clothes etc. does not amount to arrogance. Rather, arrogance is to reject the truth, to be unaware of one’s own faults, and to look down on others. The Promised Messiah^(as) said that a person who simply corrects something that another said and does so with arrogance will be considered an arrogant person. Therefore, we must be very mindful of our actions. If we are not mindful to this extent, then we will be moving further away from Taqwa. 

His Holiness^(aba) said that it is also arrogance that ruins the peace in homes and marriages. Until there is humility and the patience to hear what the other is saying, then true love cannot be established. The rights of one another can only be established when true humility is established and arrogance is shunned. 

Importance of Fulfilling One’s Oaths

His Holiness^(aba) said that another thing which is of great importance is fulfilling our oaths, something which God Almighty has drawn great attention towards. He says:

Nay, but whoso fulfils his pledge and fears God – verily, Allah loves the God-fearing.

Quran 3:77

Thus, another sign of a righteous person is one who fulfils the oaths they have made. The Holy Prophet^(sa) stated four things that make one a hypocrite; not fulfilling a trust, lying, breaking an oath, and using foul language in an argument. Thus, we must be extremely careful and mindful.

His Holiness^(aba) said that we have made an oath to the Promised Messiah^(as), and we must consider whether we are adopting righteousness and fulfilling this oath we have made. In order to fulfil this oath, we have no option but to shun all evil and to adopt righteousness. The Promised Messiah^(as) explains that God has described Taqwa as a garment; therefore true beauty can only be achieved through Taqwa. Thus, every Ahmadi must analyse themselves, for the oath of allegiance to the Promised Messiah^(as)  is not a small oath. Once we fulfil this oath, then we will see a great change come about in the world.

His Holiness^(aba) said that repentance is also a great requirement, which one must pay due attention towards in order to establish Taqwa. True repentance requires a sacrifice, but God Almighty promises that a person who makes such sacrifices in His way will never go to waste. Thus, we must vow to fulfil our oath of allegiance to the Promised Messiah^(as) and we must vow to strive in seeking repentance.

His Holiness^(aba) prayed that may we become true Ahmadis, according to the expectations of the Promised Messiah^(as).

After delivering the address and leading the silent prayer, His Holiness^(aba) also mentioned the number of attendees for the duration of Jalsa Salana Germany 2021. On the first day, 1,602 women and 2,840 men attended the Jalsa, making the total attendance for the first day 4,442. On the second day, 1,720 women and 3,207 men attended the Jalsa, making the total attendance for the second day 4,927. Approximately eight to nine thousand members attended the two-day Jalsa.