Around us, we always see and observe a sociological reality: despite apparent claims of faith in hallowed Divinity, and associated higher values of life; the religious institutions and leaders resemble and emulate the ways of the prevailing material culture, and its everyday practices. Despite holding on to the lofty language, and grand symbols of religion (the rites, rituals, and other practices of offering of prayers and allegiance to forms of worship), people are emptied of the 'spirit' of Divine consciousness in their every day lives. While religions are 'captured' by priestly class, and by the social and political elites in all societies, 'Islam' in our times is not impervious to this wider decay in social culture. Indeed, Islam, as a social identity, has been co-opted to promote the agendas of the prevailing, deviant elites so as to subserve their material/mundane interests.
In his Friday Sermon of 31 December 2021~26 Jamadi’ul Awwal 1443 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius makes profound reflections on the dire state of spirituality today: the glaring crisis of spirit that engulfs the world of Religion in our times. Divinely-mandated and raised with the charge of reviving and renewing the spirit of true Faith in this era as a spiritual Deputy of the Holy Prophet (sa), and also a Trustee of God on earth (Khalifatullah), Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) points to the the ways in which utter darkness looms over the world of spirituality: "Nothing of Islam Except Its Name, Nothing of the Qur'an Except Its Text"- where the spirit of Imaan has virtually 'left' earthly people to the distant stars, to the Pleaides as it were.
Hazrat Saheb (aba) underscores the need for true believers to hold on to the true legacy of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa). Indeed, Islam is a comprehensive code of conduct- as exemplified by the Holy Prophet (sa) through his Sunnah, with its principles and prescriptions covering the whole spectrum of human life. In responding to challenges of social conditions, the Muslims should not be overawed by the apparently alluring, but deviant ways of the Others. Rather we need to revive and renew the true teachings of the Faith, and follow the noble example of our pious ancestors in evolving solutions. Instead of living under the physical and ideological dominance of other religions and other collective groups, Muslims can truly liberate themselves from the clutches of false ideologies only through a true commitment to Allah's commandments and restrictions on what is lawful and what is Haraam, relying entirely on Allah in the shaping of fortunes in the creation of a just society- standing up for individual and collective good, and rejecting all Evil, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba) in this Discourse.
Read the Friday Sermon Below:
‘in-kuntum tuhibbuu-nallaaha fattabi-‘uunii. “Say (O Prophet): ‘If you love Allah, then follow me’.” (Al-Imran 3: 32)
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we have reached the last Jumu’ah of the year 2021, as well as the last Jumu’ah of the month of Jamadi’ul Awwal 1443 Hijri. Today, I will expound on a very important subject, that is, Islam and the Qur'an as it is perceived today and the urgency for all Muslims to return to the fold of Islam and follow the Qur'an and Sunnah and Hadiths of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Islam is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and the Sunnah is Islam. Obedience to Almighty Allah is only via the avenue of obedience to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). This avenue is termed the Sunnah. In the verse of the Holy Qur'an which I have just recited before you, Allah indicates clearly that without submission to the Sunnah of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), love for Almighty Allah is not possible.
There is a Hadith of our beloved prophet (pbuh) where he
(pbuh) says: “There will dawn an age over people when there will remain
nothing of Islam but its name and nothing of the Qur'an but its text”. (Mishkat)
This Hadith has attained full materialization in this
present age. In view of the almost complete abandonment of the Sunnah,
there remains nothing of Islam but its name and nothing of the Qur'an other than
its text. Every one of the millions of people related to the Ummah of
Islam claims to be Muslim. Everyone raises the slogan of Islam and everyone
recites the Qur'an. But, most Muslims know Islam only by name and are aware of
only the text of the Qur'an. The Sunnah is viewed as an alien concept,
hence modernists, the so-called Muslims of today, especially the Ulama
have deviated far from the Qur'an and Sunnah, and their knowledge of the
Qur'an is only mechanical and without any essence, so much so, that whenever
baseless and satanic arguments are targeted to denigrate Islam and the Sunnah
and Hadiths of our beloved prophet Muhammad (pbuh) those Mullahs do not know
how to defend Islam.
They have fallen prey to the inroads and impact of westernism
and modernism. They too, have become apologetic in their attitude towards the Sunnah.
While the Ulama pursue Islamic knowledge, they possess only the external
shadow. They acquaint themselves merely with the text. The spirit and the light
of knowledge are not sought and never acquired because of the disease of aversion
for Taqwa [Righteousness, Fear of Allah]. Even among the learned, the
‘old’ Sunnah practices and Taqwa are deemed to be misfits in this
modern Kufr [infidel] society. They are ashamed of Islam, of the Sunnan
of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is for this reason that the Ulama
have lost their bearings and are following public opinion. They take their cue
from the masses.
The concept of the Sunnah is not restricted to acts of
Ibaadat [worship]. Along with the Masaa-il [rulings] in the
various departments of the Shariah [Islamic Laws], there are the
attitudes of the Sunnah which the Muslim believer has to incumbently introduce
into his daily life regardless of the fiqhi [juristic] designation
ascribed to the attitude or rule. Whether an act be a confirmed and continually
practiced Sunnah or Mustahab [recommended], in so far as
practical life is concerned, there has to be strictness in observance of all
the actions and etiquettes of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) and the Sahaba
(companions). The fiqhi categorization of the rulings is not a license
for laxity and laziness in practical life. Laziness and neglect are the
products of deficiency in Imaan [faith] and weakness in love for Allah
and His Messenger (pbuh).
The Sunnah or the lifestyle of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has to be necessarily introduced in every dimension of the Muslim’s life. The Sunnah attitudes should permeate the acts of worship, social conduct, trade and commerce and all activities of the Muslim. In business, a Muslim is not allowed to assume the form of a hard-hearted money-seeker like a Jew, or any other non-Muslim. In war, he is not expected to become a savage like the disbelievers motivated by lust and greed. The attitudes of the Sunnah such as kindness, mercy, generosity and chivalry have to be displayed in all his activities.
The Sunnah demands that the entire life of the Muslim be devoted to Allah, even the mundane aspects of his pursuits. In this regard, the Qur'an says: “Say (O Prophet!) Verily, my Prayers [Salat], my sacrifice, my life and my death are for Allah.” [Al-Anam, 6: 163]
When everything of the believer is for Almighty Allah, it devolves as an incumbent duty on him to search for the Sunnah methods and attitudes which he has to introduce in every sphere of his life. His involvement in trade and commerce is not solely for earning a living. Rizq [Provision] is predetermined and sealed. Rizq is the responsibility of Almighty Allah. The believer pursues his Rizq in view of such pursuit being a command of the Shariah. He therefore is under obligation to ensure that his operations are always subservient to the Shariah and adorned with the attitudes and etiquettes of the Sunnah.
Since Muslims have fallen headlong in an abyss of Kufr
emulation, the Sunnah appears strange and queer to them. They no longer
can understand the meaning of Rizq being the responsibility of Almighty
Allah, hence the numerous exercises to prove all the Haram [illicit] methods
of the disbelievers to be Halal [licit].
While the Sunnah advocates
caution, abstinence and piety, the Nafs [ego/ passion] desires fulfilment and
satiation for its dictates of greed and lust. Thus, we find even learned men who are supposed to lead the
masses opening up wide the avenues of
corruption to allow the Nafs to fully express its dictates. We therefore find the Ulama involving themselves
in a spiritually destructive occupation of selling Halal certificates
to make the Muslims become addicted to eating chickens and other meat products
processed by the disbelievers. In so doing they have sold their honour, betrayed the upright knowledge of Islam and
abandoned their Office of Guardianship of
Islam. Instead of being concerned with all the fundamental beliefs in Islam as
well as the deeds of the Ummah, they concern themselves with Halal
certificates to bolster the commercial
and monetary interests of the entrepreneurs from among the disbelievers.
Instead of combating disbelief, falsehood, deviation
and all kinds of bad innovations in the way and manner of the illustrious Salaf-e-Saaliheen
[pious predecessors], they emulate the styles of the infidels and waste their
time and the money of the community in stupid radio stations deceiving
themselves regarding the worth or worthlessness of their methods. Since they have lost sight of the Sunnah, they
cannot see and comprehend the glitter and
efficacy of the methods of the Salaf-e-Saaliheen.
That Islam today exists only in name
in most claimants of Islam is an undeniable reality. The un-Islamic methods and
activity perpetrated by Muslims in the name of Islam and under the slogans of “Allahu Akbar” very conspicuously displayed that only the name of
Islam remains. Lip-profession of Islam is not sufficient. One must display
Islam in one’s activities, thoughts, actions, way of addressing others and
dealing with problems. Being rebels and acting in the like of the gangsters do
not reflect the true Islam. Shouting “Allahu Akbar” and lifting up
slogans is not the true worth of Islam. I am not saying that this is not
permitted, but it should be done in a civil, well-behaved way, not like
barbarous people. Islam must be imbibed in one thoroughly – through and through,
invading one’s heart and soul.
Today, we see an array of Ulama
attracted to Haram practices. They pray the five times prayers and
perform and lead Jumu’ah prayers, yet after worshipping Allah and being leaders
among men, they follow the practice of the ignorant and disbelieving people and
let themselves be enamoured by the beauties of Haram and fall into Haram.
They forget the teachings of Islam and prefer to follow the “advices” and ways
of the modern world with its wayward thoughts which are against the very
concepts of Islam.
Today, corruption has gripped the Ulama
to such an extent that Arabia and the other countries which were supposed to be
“Muslim” countries have become again – like in the pre-Islamic times, the hub
of gambling, idol-worship, and all kinds of barbaric acts which are against the
very tenets of Islam. Drinks, drugs, dancing, prostitution, etc. all these have
become common in the vicinity of the House of Allah [i.e. the Holy Ka’aba]. All
these remind me of a famous Hadith where our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) said: “The worst of creatures on earth will (in later times) be the
[evil] Ulama. Fitnah [temptations, unrest, havoc, trials] will initiate
from them and return to them...”
Instead of being the life-giving guides of the Ummah, these false scholars/ savants have become the followers of ignorant laymen who are operating under the aegis of sinister forces. In fact, these miserable learned men cannot be classified as Ulama. Whatever little relationship they had with Ilm-e-Deen [Knowledge of the Religion of Islam] has been cast overboard. When the Ulama fail to seek guidance from the Shariah, what can be expected from the ignorant masses who have long gone lost their Islamic bearings?
Nothing of Islam, nothing of the Sunnah
remains in these miscreants among the masses and among the Ulama
fraternity who are following the infidels into the “lizards’ hole” - in their
mad stupor of emulation!
There is the direction of the Haqq
in the Sunnah for the Ummah in every facet of life. The Shariah
has a solution for all our problems. When Muslims set aside the guidance of the
Sunnah and follow stupidly and blindly in the footsteps of the disbelievers,
adopting their ways, methods and attitudes, it should be clear that nothing
remains of Islam but its name and nothing remains of the Qur'an but its text. Those -
laymen and Ulama (i.e. Ulama-e-Soo or evil Ulama) who howl
loudly Islamic slogans, but follow the infidels in total abandonment of the Shariah
and Sunnah are spiritually and morally bankrupt, hence they fail to
recognise their relationship with Islam. They are the culprits in the sight of
Allah and their crimes are great for they were supposed to be the role examples
of the Ummah, yet they failed by falling prey to the lustre and luxury
of power and adulation. The methods of criminals do not become Islamic when
perpetrated under the slogan of Islam or “Allahu
Akbar”. In fact such perpetration in the name of Islam is blasphemy.
The state of spiritual bankruptcy which
exists in the ranks of the Ummah can be eliminated only by a reversion
to the Sunnah - the pure concept of the Sunnah - as was
understood, propagated and practised by the Sahaba and the Salaf-e-Saaliheen.
The introduction of the Sunnah in worship, social conduct, trade and
commerce, etc., is the only remedy for the ills of the Ummah. It is the
only method for the revitalisation of the sacred bond with Almighty Allah.
Moral and spiritual bankruptcy of the
Ummah cannot be cured by conferences organised by ignorant people and
modernists who lack in entirety Deeni comprehension. When those Ulama
grace such gatherings of the ignorant, it speaks volumes for the deviation of
such Ulama.
The Sunnah - its spirit and
attitude - is lacking in even acts of pure worship. The Ibaadat
which has suffered disastrously in this regard is the Hajj and Umrah.
The demeanour of prospective pilgrims and of all those connected with the
institution of Hajj is most despicable. The Hajj has become commercialised. Before
the Covid Pandemic, numerous persons proceeding for Hajj did so purely as a sight-seeing
tour. It is for this reason that they cannot be bothered with the rules of
Hajj. Their actions clearly demonstrate that they have no concern for the
actual Ibaadat of Hajj. Leave alone the spirit and attitude of the Sunnah
which should permeate every step and moment of the pilgrims, most of them are
even ignorant of the obligatory acts without which the Hajj is not even valid.
The same attitude prevails in Salat
[prayer]. While the majority of Muslims no longer perform the five obligatory Salat
regularly, those who do adhere to this institution are generally ignorant of
the rulings of Salat. And, those who are aware of the rulings are wholly
deficient and even wanting in the Sunnah attitude necessary for Salat.
This same situation of ignorance, indifference and neglect pertains to all acts of Ibaadat.
The consequence of this un-Islamic
attitude of the Ummah is Allah’s punishment which has been imposed over
the Ummah mainly in the form of Kuffar domination. Since
spiritual and moral apathy, lethargy and indifference have deeply set in all levels
or ranks of the Ummah in the masses, among the Ulama, the Mubaligheen
and the Mujaahideen the inevitable results are only disasters,
reverses and domination of the Kuffaar. Allah’s aid cannot be with a
community who has turned its back on Him and is looking askance for guidance at
the Kuffaar.
Our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said:
“Whoever seeks the pleasure of Allah even though people are angry,
then Allah will be pleased with him and Allah will make people pleased with
him. Whoever seeks human pleasure even though Allah is angry, then Allah is
angry with him and Allah will make people angry with him as well.”
[Tirmidhi]
The only solution for this
floundering and corrupt Ummah of Islam is to revert to the Sunnah
and seek its guidance from the Shariah. It is not sufficient to proclaim
that we are Muslims, go to the mosque on occasions of festivals and shout
slogans. When the Sunnah is introduced into our Ibaadat,
businesses, politics, social relationships and in every department of life,
only then will the intoxication of disbelief gripping the Ummah start to
dissipate and disappear. Only then will the Ummah be able to free itself
from the shackles of enslavement with which the infidels have enchained us.
Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: “O believers, if you follow the infidels, they will turn you on your heels (away from Islam). You will then return as losers (losing your honour and your faith). In fact, Allah is your Friend and He is the Best of Helpers.” [Ali-Imran 3: 150-151]
For the success of Islam, we, Muslims need to free ourselves from the bondage of this materialistic world and to stop following the footsteps of the infidels in their way of living life. Ours should be a life devoted to submitting to Allah, to His commands, to spread goodwill and goodness and stay away from all evils, or try to stop them before they harm you or any person, as well as the society.
May Allah reinforce our hands to help His Deen in excellent ways. Insha-Allah, Ameen.