“A believer’s happiness lies in truly finding God” – Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad

The World Head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the Fifth Khalifa (Caliph), His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, delivered the Eid-ul-Fitr sermon on 31 March 2025 from the Mubarak Mosque in Islamabad, Tilford.

Across the world, millions of Ahmadi Muslims were able to listen live to the Eid Sermon of their Caliph and join in with the silent prayer led by their spiritual leader through the global television channel MTA International.

His Holiness spoke of the true significance of Eid as a means to permanently inculcate the virtues and piety sought during the month of Ramadhan.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Today, by the grace of Allah the Almighty, we are celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr. It is a day of joy because we are rejoicing in the good deeds we performed during Ramadan. Thus, this Eid is not just a day of celebration but also a day to pledge that we will continue all the good practices we observed during Ramadan. Only then will it be a true Eid.”

His Holiness said that for righteousness, it is not enough to avoid sins, rather one must endeavour to actively carry out good actions.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The reality is that the deeds we performed for the sake of Allah the Almighty during Ramadan can only prove of true benefit and blessings if we make them a permanent feature of our lives.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:

“It does not behove a believer that, if, after celebrating Eid, he reverts to the same (moral) state some were in before Ramadan or does not seek to move towards continuous spiritual progress.”

His Holiness said that mere celebration of the day of Eid is superficial if there is no genuinely positive change within a person. His Holiness narrated an example of how some people rejoice over the day of Eid and consider the mere ‘celebration’ to be of value.

His Holiness narrated an old example of a man he met who was mentally ill, possibly due to some financial loss. He had an obsession with collecting wealth and would often beg for money. The man only accepted banknotes, refusing coins. One day, when offered money, he declined, claiming he no longer needed it because he had accumulated great wealth. His “wealth” turned out to be stacks of cigarette box cutouts, which he believed were bundles of banknotes. He proudly displayed them, convinced that he had become rich, demonstrating a flawed understanding of wealth.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“A believer’s happiness lies in truly finding God and attaining real wealth – not in mistaking pieces of cardboard, pebbles, or shards of glass for jewels and riches.”

His Holiness said that finding God and developing a relationship with Him is a believer’s true wealth.

In light of the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), His Holiness narrated how Allah the Almighty looks at a person who turns to Allah the Almighty.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said that if a man loses his camel, loaded with his belongings, in the wilderness and has no other means or resources, he will be deeply distressed. After searching tirelessly, he eventually collapses in exhaustion and falls asleep in his helpless state. When he wakes up and finds his camel standing before him, the joy he experiences in that moment is immense. However, Allah the Almighty feels far greater joy when a servant turns back to Him in repentance. Allah rejoices when His servant seeks Him and strives to attain His nearness. Similarly, the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) also said that just as a mother experiences immense joy upon finding her lost child, Allah the Almighty experiences an even greater joy when a person returns to Him.”

His Holiness also said that the good deeds practiced during Ramadan should be continued consistently. Whether in family relationships – between spouses, in-laws, siblings – or in friendships and interactions among Ahmadi Muslims, efforts should be made to maintain exemplary relations. When such efforts are made solely for Allah’s pleasure, He not only fulfils the needs of His servants but also compensates for any temporary material losses they may face as a result of making compromises for the sake of others and for maintaining good relationships with them.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“If someone says, “I am suffering a loss because of a certain person,” then Allah the Almighty says He will compensate them for it if they reconcile with the other party and extend a hand of love and friendship for Allah’s sake. Since Allah knows the state of every heart, He recognises when a person is genuinely striving to improve their relationships for His pleasure. When this happens, its impact is not limited to just that individual – it influences the entire environment. Others also begin to notice this pure transformation and realise that there must be a reason behind it. They understand that the person is gaining something valuable from this change; otherwise, why would they make such an effort? Thus, this transformation positively affects those around them as well.”

As the Eid Sermon concluded, His Holiness reminded Ahmadi Muslims to pray for the world in general and in particular for Ahmadi Muslims who are suffering persecution.

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad said:

“Many Ahmadi Muslims around the world are suffering unjustly under the weight of oppressive laws, particularly in Pakistan, where they are denied even the basic right to offer Eid prayers freely. May Allah grant them the opportunity to experience a true Eid – one where they not only bring about spiritual transformation within themselves and draw closer to God, but also celebrate openly and worship Allah without restrictions. May they fulfil the rights of one another and attract Allah’s blessings. May Allah soon remove their hardships.”

Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad further stated:

“Today, many Ahmadi Muslims in Pakistan prayed Eid under a state of fear, having to change locations and timings, unable to offer prayers in their central mosques. In Karachi and other places, police and authorities even prevented them from praying, while opponents attacked their mosques. Instead of stopping the aggressors, the authorities locked our mosques. May Allah the Almighty swiftly bring His justice upon these oppressors.”

The Sermon concluded with a silent prayer led by His Holiness.

After the Sermon, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad again assured Ahmadi Muslims of Pakistan, and said:

“The Ahmadi Muslims of Pakistan should be remembered in constant prayers, as they are facing very difficult circumstances. May Allah the Almighty grant them a true Eid in every sense. Eid Mubarak to all of them. Many are confined to their homes, seemingly in despair, but they should rest assured that Allah will, Insha’Allah, change their situation soon for the better. May Allah bless them all.”