Summary

The following points below are summary from this week's Friday Sermon:

• After reciting Tashahhud, Ta`awwuz and Surah al-Fatihah, His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) said that in this era, the greatest example we have of following the model of the Holy Prophet (sa) is found in his most ardent devotee, the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). 
• His Holiness (aba) said that in the previous sermons, he has highlighted various aspects of the Holy Prophet’s (sa) devotion and worship of God. His Holiness (aba) said that in today’s sermon he would narrate incidents of the Promised Messiah’s (as) worship of God which he did in emulating the example of his master, the Holy Prophet (sa).
• His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) described that his manner of worship was a grace bestowed by God, otherwise it is not in everyone’s ability to worship with as much devotion as he did. He also did not adopt monasticism, rather he ensured to worship God in the same manner established through the example of the Holy Prophet (sa). 
• His Holiness (aba) quoted the Promised Messiah (as) who writes:
• ‘I have never submitted myself to rigorous physical discipline, nor have I subjected myself to hard exercises like some contemporary Sufis, nor did I undertake retreat in complete mystic solitude. Nor, indeed, have I done anything by asceticism which is contrary to the practice of the Holy Prophet (sa), or which may be objectionable according to the Word of God Almighty.
• However, during the lifetime of my father, when his death was approaching, it so happened that I saw in a dream a holy man who was elderly and had a pure countenance, and he pointed out to me that it is the tradition of the family of the Holy Prophet (sa) to observe some days of fasting in order to attract the heavenly lights; thus pointing out that I too should observe this tradition. Hence, I thought it appropriate to observe fasts for some time.
• Among the wonders of this kind of fasting that I experienced are the fine visions which were bestowed upon me during that time. I met some past Prophets (as) and some of the exalted Muslim Auliya’.
• In addition, one benefit that I derived from this prolonged practice of fasting was that after having subjected myself to this discipline, I found myself capable of enduring hunger and thirst over long periods, if the need should ever arise. I have often thought that if a corpulent person, who is also a wrestler, had to starve along with me, he would die before I could feel any acute need for food.
• embark upon such a discipline, nor did I do so of my own accord.
• Not all humans possess similar mental faculties. Those whose faculties are naturally weak cannot bear any physical discipline.
• His Holiness (aba) said that today some people promote various forms of physical toiling and torment as a means of gaining nearness to God. However, one should adopt the middle path and endeavour to fulfil the rights owed to God and to His creation according to their own capabilities.
• His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) was devoted to worship from a very young age. Once, as a child, he fell and became unconscious.
• His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah’s (as) fasting was also in accordance with the teachings of Islam taught by the Holy Prophet (sa). When it came to the pre-dawn meal before keeping a fast, it is recorded that the Promised Messiah (as) would sometimes continue eating even until the call to prayer ended.
• His Holiness (aba) said that in the midst of various court cases which he attended upon the instruction of his father, the Promised Messiah (as) would endeavour to ensure that he never offered any of the five daily prayers later than their appointed times. In fact there were instances where the Promised Messiah (as) would be offering prayer at the courthouse when the case he was there for would be announced yet he would still be engaged in offering prayer.
• His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) would advise that there were those who lived at a distance from the mosque and would offer prayer at home, however they would do so individually. In instances where this was the case, the Promised Messiah (as) advised that rather than offering prayer individually it should be offered in congregation.
• His Holiness (aba) said that the Promised Messiah (as) was very devoted to offering congregational prayers. One day, he described how he was feeling light headedness and nausea.
• His Holiness (aba) said that today, we should strive to increase the attendance of congregational prayers at our mosques. 
• His Holiness (aba) said that he would lead the funeral prayers in absentia