“Serve Islam through every possible means. Do not act as benefactors, rather render service; this alone should be your sentiment: to please God.”

On 5 December 2025, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), delivered his Friday Sermon from the Mubarak Mosque in Islamabad, Tilford, UK. His Holiness continued his detailed historical account of the Expedition of Tabuk, an expedition undertaken by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) towards the northern borders of Arabia in response to an imminent external threat from the Byzantine Empire.

In the sermon, His Holiness continued to highlight moral lessons that emerge from the events surrounding the expedition, particularly the example of Hazrat Ka‘b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him). Hazrat Ka‘b bin Malik was a sincere companion who stayed behind from the expedition without any genuine excuse. Unlike others who fabricated stories to avoid criticism, he chose to admit his fault openly to the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). His Holiness quoted Hazrat Ka‘b’s own words to show how honesty and truthfulness are core Islamic tenants:

“It is better that instead of presenting excuses which cannot truly be called excuses, I plainly admit that I made a mistake. Thus, when this thought came to me, I resolved to confess my fault, and in doing so Allah saved me from being counted among the hypocrites.”

His Holiness went on to describe how Hazrat Ka‘b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) was subjected to a trial as a letter arrived from a Christian Arab ruler offering him status and support if he would distance himself from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Rather than succumb to this temptation, Hazrat Ka‘b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) immediately recognised it as a final attempt by Satan to mislead him. His Holiness related how Hazrat Ka‘b bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) destroyed the letter as a sign of absolute loyalty to Islam and the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

Drawing the sermon towards the period immediately after the demise of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), His Holiness then spoke about the exemplary leadership of Hazrat Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him), the first Caliph of Islam.

At a time when many tribes rebelled and the Muslim state seemed vulnerable, some companions suggested delaying a group expedition that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had initiated under the command of Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him). Hazrat Abu Bakr resolutely refused to suspend a directive given by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), demonstrating absolute obedience to Allah Almighty and his Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

In conclusion, His Holiness reminded members of the Community that serving one’s faith must never be done for pleasing the desires of others and for recognition, but solely to attain the pleasure of God. Referring again to the guidance of Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-din Mahmood Ahmad (may Allah be pleased with him), His Holiness emphasised that the members of the Community must never consider their service as a favour to God or His religion.

His Holiness quoted:

“Thus, under God’s command, strive for your faith in such a way that Satan is driven away, but never do it so that you may be praised… Then [having worked], do not consider yourselves to have conferred a favour upon God; do not follow a path of favour followed by injury. Serve Islam through every possible means. Do not act as benefactors, rather render service; this alone should be your sentiment: to please God.”