“At a certain age, members of the Community may begin to think that since they have so much experience and have rendered so much service, they deserve some reward for it. They should reflect: is it merely worldly reward that they seek, or do they wish to become heirs to the rewards granted by Allah the Almighty?” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On Friday 26 September 2025, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, continued his narration of the events following the defensive expedition of Ta’if.

After the expedition of Ta’if, His Holiness explained that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) distributed all of the wealth acquired in the aftermath of the battle among the leaders of the Quraish and other Arab tribal chiefs. This was done under a Qur’anic principle whereby those who were new to Islam or whose faith was still fragile were shown generosity so that their hearts would be inclined towards the truth.

This distribution demonstrates how the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had no desire for worldly riches or spoils of war; instead, he gave everything away for the sake of others.

His Holiness noted that there were a few young men from amongst the Ansar of Medina who wrongfully complained that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was unfairly giving away the spoils of war to the chieftains of the Quraish.

His Holiness explained that when the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) learned that some of the younger Ansar had made such remarks, he gathered the entire community of the Ansar together. Rather than reprimanding them, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) displayed the highest qualities of leadership and gently reminded them of the immense blessings and spiritual rank that Allah had granted them.

Quoting the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), His Holiness said that it was the Ansar who stood by the Prophet when others rejected him, it was the Ansar who offered him support when he was abandoned, and it was the Ansar who gave him refuge when he was driven out of his home. Thus, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) reminded the Ansar that their true reward lay with God Almighty, and that the spiritual blessing they were attaining was far greater and more lasting than any worldly gain. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Do you not wish that people should return to their homes with sheep, goats, and camels, while you return to your homes with Allah and His Messenger with you? By Allah, the blessing you are taking back is far greater than the blessing they are taking.”

His Holiness drew a parallel to the lesson from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), explaining that just as the Ansar were reminded not to seek material benefit for their sacrifices but only the pleasure of Allah, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community too should serve without expectation of worldly reward, seeking solely the nearness and pleasure of God:

“At a certain age, members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community may begin to think that since they have so much experience and have rendered so much service, they deserve some reward for it. They should reflect: is it merely worldly reward that they seek, or do they wish to become heirs to the rewards granted by Allah the Almighty? The Ansarullah Ijtema [Annual gathering of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Elder’s Association UK] is also beginning today, and in this context too such thoughts may arise at this age, because with age comes experience. I say to members of Ansarullah that if any such thought arises on account of their experience or service, they should cast such thoughts aside and strive instead to attain the pleasure of God.”