“We must ensure that every action we undertake is carried out purely for the sake of Allah, and that we continue to advance in His love. Only when we do so will we become rightful recipients of Allah’s blessings.” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

On 26 December 2025, the Worldwide Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), delivered his weekly Friday Sermon from the Mubarak Mosque in Islamabad, Tilford, UK. His Holiness spoke about the profound love and unwavering devotion of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) for Allah the Almighty. His Holiness explained that the Holy Prophet’s peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) life was entirely shaped by a deep love of God, which formed the foundation of the Holy Prophet’s peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) character and conduct.

At the beginning of his sermon, His Holiness cited Surah ad-Duha, Chapter 93, Verse 8 of the Holy Qur’an, which states:

“And He found thee wandering in search for Him and guided thee unto Himself.”

His Holiness explained, with reference to Qur’anic commentators, scholars, and the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), that the word “dhaal” used in this verse, which is ordinarily associated with being lost or misguided, is employed here in a positive sense. Rather than implying error, it signifies the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) complete absorption in the love of Allah the Almighty.

His Holiness explained that the verse conveys how the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was so deeply devoted to his Lord that he became entirely lost in divine love, dedicating every fibre of his being to Allah the Almighty alone.

His Holiness noted that the Holy Qur’an is the most perfect and complete book, revealed for all of humanity and for all eras. He explained that the Qur’an’s universality and depth required a recipient of the highest moral and spiritual calibre. It was for this reason that the Holy Qur’an was revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), who was a perfect human being, capable of embodying the Holy Qur’an in every aspect of his life, and conveying its message to the world through both word and action.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“It was for this very reason that, through the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), God Almighty proclaimed:

“Say, ‘If you love Allah, follow me: then will Allah love you and forgive you your faults. And Allah is Most Forgiving, Merciful.’ (The Holy Qur’an, 3:32)

This verse establishes a clear principle: the path to attaining the love of Allah the Almighty lies in acting upon the life and teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).”

His Holiness then quoted a prayer frequently offered by the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), which beautifully reflects the depth of his devotion to Allah the Almighty:

“O Allah, I ask You for Your love, and for the love of those who love You, and for the love of every action that brings me closer to Your love. O Allah, make Your love dearer to me than myself, my family, and even the desire for cold water.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad then narrated an incident related by Hazrat Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), which illustrates the depth of his love and devotion to Allah the Almighty. She relates that one night the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) came toher and said, “If you permit, I shall spend the entire night worshipping my Lord.”

His Holiness explained that Hazrat Ayesha, though she deeply cherished the company of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), held such profound love and reverence for him that she wished to fulfil his every desire. Accordingly, she encouraged him to devote the entire night to worship. She narrates that the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) then stood in prayer throughout the night, weeping before his Lord.

When it was remarked to him that Allah the Almighty had already forgiven him completely and granted him every favour, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: “Should I not, then, be a thankful servant?”

His Holiness explained that this response perfectly reflects the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) boundless gratitude and submission to Allah, and exemplifies the highest standard of devotion and thankfulness to the Creator.

His Holiness further explained that even the opponents of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), including those who did not accept his message, bore witness to the extraordinary love he possessed for Allah the Almighty. Such was the visible depth of his devotion that, as recorded, they themselves would remark: “Muhammad has indeed become the lover of his Lord.”

His Holiness noted that this acknowledgement from opponents demonstrates how the Holy Prophet’s (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) relationship with Allah was evident even to those who stood in opposition to him.

Towards the end of his sermon, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Promised Messiah (peace be upon him) stated that whatever he had attained was achieved through following the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). This, then, was his example, and it was for this very reason that he established the Community.

Today, when we claim that we are true followers of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and that by pledging allegiance at the hand of his devoted and truthful servant, the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), we have renewed and affirmed the commitment that we will strive to mould our lives according to the commandments of Allah the Almighty, we must reflect deeply upon this responsibility. We must ensure that every action we undertake is carried out purely for the sake of Allah, and that we continue to advance in His love.

Only when we do so will we become rightful recipients of Allah’s blessings. Only then will we truly fulfil the responsibility of belonging to the followers of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), truly honour our pledge of allegiance to the Promised Messiah (peace be upon him), and be counted among his sincere and genuine followers. May Allah the Almighty grant us the ability to do so. Ameen”

Thereafter, His Holiness urged the community to pray for Ahmadi Muslims around the world, particularly those facing ongoing persecution in Pakistan. His Holiness noted that in recent days, an Ahmadi Muslim in Pakistan was sentenced to life imprisonment solely for possessing and teaching the Holy Qur’an. He observed that while certain so-called clerics have publicly praised this verdict, other people have condemned it as deeply unjust, some even questioning how such a severe case could be brought against an individual merely for owning a copy of the Holy Qur’an and teaching it to children.

In the end, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad prayed:

“There is a great need to devote attention to prayer. Likewise, prayers should also be offered for the oppressed throughout the world. May Allah the Almighty grant peace to everyone, everywhere, and protect all people from every form of disorder and turmoil.”