Living Signs of Divine Favours

In his Friday Sermon of 17 July 2020~ 25 Dhul-Qaddah 1441 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius narrated a number of interesting, pure dreams made by devout members of the Jamaat in recent times. These dreams, in their own different ways, confirm the validity, power and blessings of prayers in the Divine Way. When believers remain true to the covenant of the Faith, observe the moral teachings of the Holy Prophet (sa) by following in the footsteps of the Khalifatullah (aba) of their times, and show sincerity of purpose in utter self-surrender to the Will of God amidst the trials of earthly circumstances; the Divine gaze keeps such humble ones relatively safe even in times of grave dangers, and elevates them morally and spiritually that they become blessed with countless favours of the Divine. Indeed, the light of Divine mercy and grace embrace and illumine them and their surroundings in myriad ways that they become living signs of pure Faith, notes Hadhrat Saheb (aba) in the discourse. 

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon Below:  

 '...I tell you about an amazing dream that one of my followers in Kerala, Sulfikar Ali Sahib saw last week. 

This dream is based on the importance of duahs and trust in Allah that Allah will grant [realise] these duahs, and it is an extraordinary sign that this dear disciple saw this dream on 05 July 2020, and since a long time, Allah had already helped me to prepare these series of sermons on the theme of duahs, and last week Allah inspired me to start my Friday sermons on the subject of invocations, without me being aware of this dream. It was not until after the sermon last Friday that I learned of this dream. So this is by no means a coincidence. The ways of Allah are truly extraordinary.

So the dream (which he saw around 3:00 a.m.) is as follows: He found that he was in the company of a few people, making fervent invocations to Allah (swt), a lot of Duahs ... yet, he thought there was no way his duahs would be accepted and was on the verge of despair. Then the person who was with him, told him not to despair, but to increase his invocations because Allah (swt) listens to the prayers of His servants in distress ... he advised him to repent a lot, to seek Istigfaar and to continue with his prayers so that Allah the Most Merciful will listen to him. So he continued his prayers ... in abundance. Eventually, he reached a space where he understood that he was meeting Allah. Appearing in the form of a person ... the being said to him: “Your prayers are accepted, you are going to be granted Jannat (paradise)”.

Du'ah: Invocation to Allah- II

Alhamdulillah, all glory, greatness and praise are for Allah (swt), Master of the universe Who gave me, this humble servant the Tawfiq to continue the subject of my Friday Sermon today on the invocations (duahs) that He taught me.

So, whoever hears these duahs and those who bear witness to how these duahs come down from the heavens are very lucky and fortunate among the billions of creatures who inhabit this world....

So listen carefully to these spiritual treasures, these duahs that come directly from my Lord, Allah (swt): -

O My Lord (Rab)! I am a victim of the atrocities of my opponents and the water in my eyes [i.e., my tears] are witnesses to it. It is these tears that know this oppression better.

O Allah! My tears know these atrocities better. How should I console my heart? What to tell it? With whom will I share this pain, because it is a war of pain and suffering and that is my very ordeal! Suffering for religion has killed me and my heart is shattered to pieces. If I had not received the support of my Beloved, then this is the same death that I would have acquired.

O My Master! This favour is certainly Yours and at every moment it is this same hope that I conceive that all my difficulties will be erased.

O my Master! This burden of pain is very heavy.

O my Beloved! Do not hide Your face; that’s my remedy.

O my Master! Treat us with mercy. We have hope and trust in You.

O my Beloved! We are faithful to You; we trust You, and all of Your promises are true. We have come to the brink of peril [dangers] and it is from this very place that we must call You.

Du'ah: Invocation to Allah- I

'Who is it that answers the distressed when they call upon Him? Who removes their suffering? Who makes you successors in the earth? Is it another god beside God? Little notice you take!' .---(Surah An-Naml; 27: 63).

After having expounded on the ATTRIBUTES OF ALLAH – and I hope that you understood the subject well - I begin today a series of sermons [Friday sermons] on invocations [to Allah] - DUAHS.

In the light of the verses that I have just recited before you, I will teach you some invocations (duahs) that Allah (swt) Himself taught me by His grace and His favours. And personally, I think that Allah (swt) had taught in the same way [these invocations] to His chosen servants in the past and I ask you all to listen carefully to these invocations and to say “Ameen” [May it be so] in your hearts.

Allah Himself opened my mind, enlightened my mind, and my heart, and He placed these extraordinary words on my lips [lit. in my mouth], so that I can address Him. As for me, I am just a beggar in front of [my doorstep] my Master’s door. It was by His grace and favours that He taught me how to address Him. Even if these invocations already exist, and I do not know of their existence, then it is a great favour of my Master to have taught them to me; certainly these are extraordinary invocations. So I have to be very grateful to my Allah [God] and I am very fortunate that Allah (swt) Himself taught me all these duahs [invocations]. Alhamdulillah.

O Allah, I am very weak, full of sins; every day by the weaknesses that overwhelm me [that I have], I commit sins. O Allah, I ask You to wash me of all my sins, to cleanse myself of all the faults that I have, to test my heart by the piety of hearts, O You Who effaces the stumbling of sinners.

The Attributes of Allah-XI

By the grace of Allah and the Tawfiq bestowed by Him, I have yet again the opportunity to continue to expound on the attributes of Allah (twa).

Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reported Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) as saying: “There are ninety-nine names of Allah; he who commits them to memory would get into paradise. Verily, Allah is odd [He is one, and it is an odd number] and He loves odd numbers.” (Muslim).

In the Hadith compilation, Sahih Al-Bukhari, it has been recorded concerning the beautiful names of Allah that they are ninety-nine, i.e. one hundred minus one, and whoever believes in their meanings and acts accordingly, will enter paradise; and Allah is Witr (One, which is an odd number) and loves ‘the witr’ (i.e. odd numbers).

Allah is the Creator (Al-Khaliq); the Formidable Creator. This attribute points to the complex and astonishingly beautiful organization of constituent parts of the universe with their complete dependence on an underlying order [that is fundamental and very precise] that is found both in the cosmic universe and each atom or microscopic element.

Man’s part in this lies in acquiring in his soul not only knowledge of the whole and the minutiae of the parts of the physical universe but in knowing generically, and in detail, the arrangements of the spiritual universe – things such as the role and rank of the different angels, as well as the advent of the messengers and prophets of Allah and their ranks in the divine order.

Asma’ul Husna: Names of Allah

The Attributes of Allah- Part X

Wa lillaahil Asma’ul Husna, fad’uhu biha’.

The most beautiful names belong to Allah, so call on Him by them. (7:181)

Asma’ul Husna, means the most beautiful names, and the most beautiful names indeed belong to Allah (twa).

In a Hadith compiled by Imam Bukhari (ra), it has been narrated that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: 

“There are 99 names that are Allah’s alone, one hundred less one. Whoever (learns, understand, and) enumerates them, enters Paradise.” 

The Attributes of Allah- IX

The 'Fall' of Hazrat Adam (as)

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah we continue today on the subject of the attributes of Allah, and man’s thanksgiving to Allah for the sublime favours which He has done to him. We thank Him by mentioning Him by His most beautiful names.

Through the favours that Hazrat Adam (as) benefited from Allah during his creation and also afterwards, it appears to us that the elite has with God states [stages, emotions & connections] that they do not share with any other, and that it is through them, excluding ordinary beings, that God executes His plan.

The fact of having eaten the [forbidden] fruit, and the fall on earth which followed, had indeed many happy effects. But how could this disobedience to Allah have had good repercussions, you may ask? Well, in paradise, Adam and his wife knew God only under His attributes of Provider (Al Razzaq), Donor (Al Mu’ti), and Benefactor (Al Muhsin), but in His Secret Benevolence (Lutfihi Al-Khafi) which presides over the divine plan, it pleased God to reveal Himself to them as The Magnanimous (Al Halim), The One Who conceals [faults] (Al Sattar), The Forgiver (Al Ghafur), The Indulgent (Al Tawwab), and the One Who chooses [His elect] (Al-Mujtabi) among many other attributes. His magnanimity in fact meant that He did not hasten to punish them for their act, which is indeed the characteristic of this attribute, which leaves a delay to the sinner (whether to forgive him afterwards and have mercy on him, or to better exercise His power over him by making him suffer a painful revenge).

The Attributes of Allah- VIII

“He is God: there is no god other than Him, the Sovereign, the Supreme-In-Holiness, Source of Peace, Granter of Security, Guardian over all, the Almighty, the Compeller, the Majestic (Al-Mutakabbir) …” (Al-Hashar 59 : 24).

Al-Mutakabbir is The Majestic, Conscious of His greatness. Allah alone has the right to know and to proclaim His greatness and omnipotence over everything and everyone. He magnifies Himself and sees grandeur and superbness only for Him. All greatness belongs to Him. This attitude is completely justified because it is true.

Allah is distinguished by an exclusive greatness just for Him and by an absolute Royalty. He controls everything. He is the one who shows His greatness in all things and by all means.

Know well [what will follow], O my brothers and sisters! Do not be fooled by the simple verbal intention that you give to the meaning of your life, because God hopes to see a radical transformation [in you which] change this.

He demands that you inflict a kind of death on yourselves, after which He will breathe new life into you. Make haste to promote peace among yourselves, to forgive your brothers and sisters their weaknesses, because the one who is not inclined to make peace with his brother is mean, and he risks being excluded [from the proximity of Allah] because he is a source of dissension.

Give up your base desires and don’t cultivate resentment. Even if you are right, behave humbly as if you were wrong, so that forgiveness is reserved for you. Eliminate obesity from your ego, because narrow is the door you have to go through. So eliminate your ego and pride so that you can go through that door.

The Attributes of Allah- VII

It is essential that you know with certainty that you have a God, Creator, and Support of all existence Who is Almighty, and whose attributes are eternal and immutable. He is distant, yet close. He is close, yet distant. He is One, but His manifestations are manifold. God cannot undergo any change, for He is eternally unchanging and Perfect in His attributes. Do not prefer the world, its resources or your loved ones to Him, but prefer Him to everything else so that in heaven you will be among those registered in His community. 

The Omnipotent God has always shown His mercy. If you want to enjoy it, make sure that nothing separates you from Him, that your will submits entirely to His, and that your pleasures and desires are identified completely with His. Whatever the circumstances, whether successful or unsuccessful, always bow down before the threshold of His Throne, that He may accomplish what He wishes. Deploy whatever is in your power to establish His Oneness on earth. Show kindness and mercy to His creatures; do not harm them, be it with your tongue, hands or any other means, and work to promote their well-being [to improve their plight].

Do not act proudly with anyone, even if he is your subordinate or servant, and do not swear at anyone even if you are insulted. Be humble and kind, and have real sympathy for your fellow human beings so that God accepts you. There are many who are only humble in appearance, but deep down, they are real hungry wolves. Externally, they seem to have a pure nature, but internally, they are real vipers. God will only accept you if your tongue and your actions conform to your heart. If you have a high rank, show consideration for those who are below you, and do not despise them. If you are learned, do not boast about it, and do not conceivably disdain the ignorant, but enlighten them with your good advice. If you are rich, don’t boast about it, and don’t flaunt your pride before the poor, but serve them and help them.

Covid-19: Towards A 'New Normal'

With the Covid-19 pandemic severely disrupting life as we knew it, millions of people around the world face uncertain times.  Indeed, whole nations are in the midst of difficult transitions, adjusting to the 'new normal' in public health, economy and polity. An existential imperative for the nations caught up in the cauldron of the 'invisible enemy'; rebuilding shattered lives through re-energizing decimated economies require governments to adopt prudence and wisdom in national policies. Protecting the most vulnerable social groups in these turbulent circumstances, especially the poor and the indigent, is a collective responsibility. Social and economic plans need to be inclusive in character, and not just cater to the elites in the corporate sector! Unfortunately, around the world, many governments have lopsided priorities. In the name of fighting the pandemic / dealing with public health emergency, democracies are witnessing 'power games': usurping excessive powers way beyond what they actually possess, 'authoritarians' are undermining democratic processes of institutional checks and balances. Transparency, accountability and good governance are all stake in these extraordinary times. Moreover, almost all the time, the real beneficiaries of State policies are the big business/ corporate sector, and not the labour class, or the hungry masses. Indeed, the pandemic is testing national elites as to 'reveal' the strength of resilience of their core values and principles: whether they can 'arise and create a new world'- addressing the problems and challenges in an equitable and just way, respecting the rights and interests of the underclass- the fellow humans among them. In his Friday Sermon of 29 May 2020 ~ 06 Shawwal 1441 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius speaks about this vital issue of contemporary concern. Articulated against the backdrop of recent national initiatives in Mauritius on responding to Covid-19, Hadhrat Saheb's perspective and guidance on dealing with the 'new world' would be of considerable interest to thoughtful people everywhere. 

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon: 

THE “COVID-19 and QUARANTINE ACTS”

Now I’ll talk a little bit about the news in our country, especially regarding the new “Covid-19 & Quarantine Acts” that were passed recently.

As a Mauritian citizen, I too have the right to say a few words on the “Covid-19 Bill” and the presentation of the 2020-2021 Budget which will take place on Thursday 4th June 2020. All Mauritians know very well the “Covid- 19 Bill” and the “Quarantine Bill” because these subjects were at the heart of the news of the National Assembly.

However, the measures presented by the government do not seem to be unanimous in parliament and in the country. Personally, I see that there was no consultation or dialogue before their presentation. Yet they affect the freedom of our citizens, labour rights, and the reserves of the Central Bank [among many]. And government can use public funds without transparency, governance and accountability [without being accountable to anyone].

The “Covid-19 Bill” also includes the creation of funds never seen before and draconian measures that affect our democracy.

The Attributes of Allah- VI

Al-Hafeez

It is purely by the grace of Allah that I continue my series of sermons on the attributes of Allah [Part 6] and to quote some attributes of Allah with certain explanations.

Al-Hafeez is an attribute of Allah which is derived from the word Hifz which means protection. So Al-Hafeez means The Protector. There is nothing in existence that can protect [us] all the time and in all situations because it requires knowledge that covers and encompasses every atom that exists and an absolute capacity.

No one except Allah the Almighty possess this. Therefore, He is the only one who has all knowledge. His knowledge covers everything. Nothing escapes His knowledge. And it’s Allah Almighty alone Who has the capacity [power] over everything. Nothing and no one can make Allah the Almighty incapable, powerless or helpless. So it’s He alone Who is Al-Hafeez. Allah the Almighty knows each creature and He knows where and in what situation it is. He knows what everyone needs and how much he needs. And He has the ability to grant him what he needs. Nothing can hinder [becoming an obstacle in] the work of Allah the Almighty. Reciting this attribute in abundance and invoking Him through this is a very effective way to develop trust in Allah the Almighty. It is a way for someone who is in distress and in pain to feel protected in regard to his life, his family, his property, his dignity and his honour.

Al-Hakeem: Hakeem is derived from Hikmah. Hikmah means wisdom, mastery and perfection. Nothing is perfect except Allah the Almighty. His work exceeds all skill and He is beyond all expertise. This is why in the truest sense of the word, it is Almighty Allah alone Who is Al-Hakeem. It is because of the fact that the knowledge of Allah Almighty is perfect. His work is perfect. It was Him who shaped each atom of the universe into a balanced and appropriate shape and dimension.

If we examine this from the verb Hakama which means to govern, then at that moment it will mean that all authority is in the hand of Allah the Almighty. His decision is final. No one can object or overturn His decision. And no one can even surpass Allah the Almighty in His power and authority.

When the word Hakeem is attributed to someone other than Allah the Almighty, then it means someone who has knowledge of the Deen and whose behaviour is based on the knowledge he has. That is to say someone whose behaviour does not betray his knowledge which is based and founded on established and solid principles.

If a person meditates on this attribute, he will completely submit to the decision of Allah the Almighty. Note that this submission does not prevent us from invoking Allah the Almighty, but what is essential is that we leave the final decision to Him and that we are satisfied with what happens to us after having invoked Him in prayers (duahs).

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2020

I wish Eid Mubarak to all my disciples around the world and I pray that this Eid be a blessing for us and the entire Muslim world. Insha-Allah.

Islam uses the word “Eid” to express joy. It’s a day that comes at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and sacrifice. It is a day when our prayers (Salaat and Duahs) are accepted, and we must make this supplication: O Allah, make this day come more often. Ameen.

On that day, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used to praise Allah in a very special way with great love and brilliance. A question was asked: When was Eid first celebrated?

The first Ramadan was observed in the second year of the Hegira and it was during this same Ramadan that Muslims fought the battle of Badr. The Muslims weren’t even done dressing the wounds of war. It is mentioned that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was so exhausted that he leaned on Hazrat Bilal (ra) and it was only with the help of the latter that he stood up and pronounced his sermon.

A few days before the celebration of Eid, he announced the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr which he had made compulsory for every Muslim. As soon as this Fitrana was announced, the companions generously contributed. The money thus collected was distributed among the poor before and after Eid festival.

However according to another tradition (Sunnah), it was during this same Eid that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) had, outdoors and in a vast place celebrated the Eid festival. According to Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (ra), the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in his sermon, placed great emphasis on the glory and the Hamd (praise) of Allah. He praised Allah in an extraordinary and special way.

Ramadan: Training for True Life

The Departure of Ramadan 

The rules governing fasting are clearly defined. They must be applied with diligence and respect within the prescribed framework. Any trend beyond the prescribed limits must be discouraged and abandoned.

In fact, the real purpose of the fast, its meaning, and the spirit that animates it must dominate the heart during this sacred month. In few days, our special guest will bid us farewell. For believers, these are very sad moments because our special guest will leave us with great sorrow and sadness. Those who have benefited from this entire blessed month are very fortunate, as no one knows if next year how many of us will welcome this blessed month again.

In this month of Ramadan most of the believers have benefited enormously from these blessings by putting into practice all the Ibadat (acts of worship) prescribed by our Creator. So the month of Ramadan is a period of intense training for the next eleven months (Insha-Allah). Our hearing, sight, tongue, mind, all are subject to rigorous testing. Those who did not pray five times a day do so now. Those who did not wake up in the latter part of the night to offer prayers [Tahajjud & even Fajr], learn to do so. This discipline, practiced for a whole month, serves as a model for the next eleven months.

Covid-19 Prophecy and the Ahmadis

In an important message on 16 May 2020 ~ 22 Ramadan 1441 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, addresses certain recent allegations and insinuations being levelled by the maulvis and members of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Qadian) in India. By converting a moment of sorrow at the death of an elderly, and admittedly, long-ailing member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in Tamil Nadu in these Covid-times to parade their prejudices and hatred against the Divine mission of the Khalifatullah (aba) in this era; the Ahmadi mullahs in India have exposed their disgusting stupidity for all the world to see.

As graceless and repulsive as their pronouncements are, these decadent Ahmadis, in their own way, confirm the need for a Divine servant in these times, precisely to explain the Divine commandments on good conduct; to show them the path of ethical prudence and spiritual rectitude. In this important message, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (aba) eloquently and beautifully accomplishes this task: teaching Ahmadis on how to read and understand prophecies; the fulfillment of Divine promises amidst worldly trials; reminding Ahmadis about their own history- especially how far they have come to resemble the tormentors of their spiritual father, the Promised Messiah (as), in the way they behave and the way they speak about their fellow brothers- the true believers! 

It is interesting to note that the present caliph of the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya- Khalifatul Massih V Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad- himself has rejected any personal claims of Divine revelations concerning the outbreak of the global pandemics, nor has he got any assurance of security from God in these turbulent days, and in fact, he has given subtle expression, in a recent interview, to his latent, personal fears of being contracted with the Covid-19 virus by pointing to the fact that the man-elected-caliphs in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in the past contracted such deadly-diseases. Consider the refreshing contrast here: in his recent series of Friday Sermons as well as the special messages, Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) clearly mentions Divine revelations on the topic containing dire warnings on the enemies of God, His messenger (sa), and His Khalifa (the Khalifatullah) in this era; glad tidings of security and tranquility for the sincere servants of God in the Jamaat of Allah; and the spiritual path forward for the benefit of all truth- seekers around the world, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.  

Read the Message Below: 

'Is it ever so, that, when there comes to you a messenger (from Allah) with that which you yourselves do not desire, you grow arrogant, and some you disbelieve and some you killed?' (Al-Baqara 2: 88).

The Many Rewards of Ramadan

The Night of Destiny and Spiritual Retreat- II

During the holy month of Ramadan, believers seek divine favours and all opportunities to draw closer to Allah (twa), through whatever Allah has ordained as Farz (obligatory) and Nafl (supererogatory) as well. The reward for a supererogatory work during Ramadan becomes equal to that of a compulsory work, and the compulsory work is rewarded even more.

As believers, we must always seek out all that is good for us in this world, and in the hereafter. We recite this prayer (duah) as follows: 

Rabbana atina fi d-dunya hassanatan w-wa fi-l-aakhirati hasanatan w-waqina ‘adhaba n-naar. 

Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the hereafter, and save us from the chastisement of the fire. [Ameen].

The believer always prays in this way [he recites this invocation often], where he seeks what will benefit his physical body in this world, and also what will benefit his soul, in the spiritual sense [in the field of spirituality]. And when one day he has to appear before Allah, he will come to Allah with a pure soul. 

Promised Messiah and Imam Azim- I

In a recent essay in Malayalam, the respected Amir of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in South Kerala, Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Raother Saheb of Mathra, compiles together some very important extracts from the writings of the Promised Messiah Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908). These writings of the Promised Messiah (as) clearly establish that the descent of Divine revelations among human communities is a Sunnat Allah- a perennial practice of Allah (swt). From the times of Hadhrat Adam (as) onwards, God’s covenant with the Prophets included the duty on believers in every era to help and assist in the establishment of Tauheed on earth, by believing and following in the footsteps of the Divine Elects raised amongst them (Holy Qur'an, 03:82; 33:08, 02:39; 07:36). 

The Promised Messiah (as), through his writings, points out that the door of Divine revelations shall remain open till the Day of Judgement, and that the sincere and steadfast servants of God in every era shall have the opportunity to receive the special blessing and favours of God, like Allah (swt) bestowed upon His perfect devotees in the past- the Prophets; the Truthful in their belief, words and deeds; the Bearers of Testimony to the truth of the religion of Allah  by their words and deeds,; the Martyrs and the Righteous who stick to the right course under all circumstances (HQ, 01: 06-07; 04:70).

‘Do not think that God’s revelation is a thing of the past (The Holy Quran has perfected the Law of God, but this has not brought an end to revelation, for it is the life of a true religion. Any religion which is devoid of ongoing divine revelation is dead and forsaken by God) and that the Holy Spirit can no longer descend as it did so in previous times. 

I tell you truthfully that all doors may close—but the one from which the Holy Spirit descends, never shuts. Open the doors of your hearts so that the Holy Spirit may enter it. By closing the window from which the ray of light enters, you distance yourself from this sun of your own accord. Unenlightened ones! Come forth and open this window so that the sun might itself enter you. God has not closed the paths of His worldly blessings in this age. Rather, He has increased them. Do you then think that the paths of the blessings of heaven, which you sorely need at this time, have been closed by Him? Most certainly not! Rather, this door is wide open. In Surah Al-Faatihah God has taught that the door to every single blessing of the past has been opened for you. Why then do you refuse to accept them?...’ 

---[Noah’s Ark by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, UK: Islam International Publications Ltd; 2018 edn,  pp 39-40]. 

Laila-tul-Qadr and I'tikaaf

The Night of Destiny and Spiritual Retreat

In His infinite Wisdom, Allah (swt) has prescribed unalterable rules for His creatures ensuring them a dignified life in this world and blissful happiness in the hereafter.

Among these rules is fasting which He has ordained to successive communities of believers. Far from being reduced to abstinence from food, fasting must be accompanied by a mastery of the senses and more particularly of the tongue.

The spiritual exercise of fasting must demonstrate to man his ability to deprive himself for a [period of] time of what seemed essential to him. It must reveal to him that, in this domain, as in many others, he can have the power to do it [when there is a will, there is a way!] provided that the intention is firm and that the aim sought is the pleasure of Allah.

The purpose of such an act of worship has been clearly defined as the search for the state of reverential fear of God (piety, Taqwa) criterion of superiority of one individual over another. This quality is only measured by that of the works that bear witness to it.

Covid-19: Lockdown and Beyond

The present lockdown in Mauritius has been extended for the time being till the first of June 2020. My advice to the government is that it does not remove the lockdown all at once, but gradually, keeping in mind that this deadly virus is invisible and the situation, now somewhat stabilised in Mauritius will become chaotic if everything goes back to normal. 

Yet, in the present situation that we are living, things will no more be “normal” like before. A new era of life has come with new standards of living. 

Bear in mind that at the beginning of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, Allah revealed to me: “Arise and Create a New World”. We are presently seeing how this revelation will come to be fulfilled little by little. We are currently witnessing how the norms of the world and its way of life are changing. Perhaps Insha-Allah, this situation will cause the people to return back to Allah!

On the first of May 2020, Allah has again revealed to me that His destruction is coming. Destruction of a greater magnitude is coming. This revelation caused me to be greatly anxious. This revelation also stipulated the destruction of the enemies of Allah and of the Divine Manifestation of this era.

Kaja Mydeen Sahib (1937-2020)

Janab Kaja Mydeen Sahib (1937-2020), one of the senior-most members of the Jamaat-Ul-Sahih Al Islam in India and the patriarch of a large family of Jamaat members in Tamil Nadu, passed away at the age of 83 years at his home-town, Meleppalayam-Tirunelveli, this week, Innallilaahi wa inna ilayhi raajeeoun. 

The death of Janab Kaja Mydeen Sahib occurred against the backdrop of his age-related ailments getting aggravated at a time when India is facing multiple challenges of responding to the Covid-19 pandemic- including adequate facilities for accurate medical testing and other timely-intervention procedures. At a time when the pandemic has exacerbated the 'social virus' of fear and loathing; dehumanizing stereotyping and collective prejudices based on faith/group-based identities among myopic people, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) of Mauritius, in his remarks at the Friday Sermon of 08 May 2020 ~14 Ramadan 1441 AH provides healing words for the bruised souls. May Allah (swt) forgive and elevate the status of the departed soul in Jannat-ul-Firdaus, and grant his family and dear ones all the strength to hold patience, to remain steadfast amidst the trials of faith, Aameen, Summa Aameen Ya Rabbi'l Aalameen. 

Read the Announcement Below: 

'...I announce the sad news of the death of the father of my dear disciple K.M. Saleem Sahib, yesterday 07 May 2020. His name was Kaja Mydeen [Khawja Mohyuddin] (like his son). He was 8 [3] years old. During my visit to India in the year 2018, I had met him, and after this meeting he made the decision to integrate the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam just like his sons, his wife and his entire family [except for one of his daughters]. Exactly one year ago, he fell seriously ill and his family informed me of his critical condition and saw a miracle when he recovered. Alhamdulillah. Admittedly, this was only a reprieve from Allah, and after exactly one year (May 07, 2019-2020), his time arrived and Allah took him with Him (same decreed date – 07 May). Innallilaahi wa inna ilayhi raajeeoune. 

The Value of Fasting in Islam

The blessed month of Ramadan is a favour of Allah for Muslims, but it would be a great benefit [to us] only when it is taken into account. Otherwise it would be nothing for us. It is foolish to shout “Ramadan, Ramadan!” and then that’s all. In a Hadith it is said, “If people knew what Ramadan is, then they would want the whole year to be Ramadan.”

It is also said in another Hadith that fasting during Ramadan and in addition three days of each month keeps bad intentions and doubts away from the heart.

Now it had to bring great blessings, especially the fast of Ramadan - so that the Sahaba (ra) even in wartime during Ramadan would take all the precautions to observe the fast.

Hazrat Salman (ra) relates that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) at the end of the month of Shabaan, gave them a speech saying: “O people! You are going to enter an important month, a blessed month, a month that contains a night that is better than a thousand months. Allah has made its fast compulsory and the prayers made during its nights supererogatory. Anyone who does a good supererogatory deed in it is like someone who observes a compulsory action outside this month. 

Anyone who performs a compulsory action in it is like someone who performs 70 compulsory actions outside of Ramadan. It’s a month of patience. Patience will be rewarded with admission to paradise. It is a month of mutual consolation, a month in which the subsistence granted to the believer is increased. Anyone who gives a faster something to break their fast in it will get forgiveness of their sins and freedom from hell. He will be rewarded for this act without his initial reward being reduced.”

The Virtues of Ramadan Fasting

Why Fasting ? 

يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ ۝

“O you who believe! fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become righteous.” (Al-Baqara 2 :184)

Each year, for a month, more than a billion Muslim believers around the world fast between dawn and dusk. During these fasting hours, they are strictly prohibited from consuming any food, drink, or having intimate relationships between spouses, among other deprivations. Why?

First, what Ramadan fasting is not: it does not have the character of penance, as in other religions.

From the Muslim perspective, it enjoys with God an unparalleled grace with other acts of piety. It is an abstinence which concerns the body and the spirit and/or mind. Indeed, God has given us a brain, a marvellous mind in wonder; our body itself is a perpetual miracle. Our body, our ideas, our decisions are led by our spirit. The better the food of the spirit, the better our faculties and capacities of judgement, of evaluation, the better will be our initiatives. Fasting is thus perceived as total submission to God.

Ramadan Mubarak 2020

My dear Muslim brothers, sisters and children,
Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu.

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, a blessed month is coming to us in the hope that we, weak creatures that we are, we maximize our time in the worship of the true God, the Unique One, Who has no associate. The month of Ramadan has come once again, and it has come in a critical moment where many countries are on lockdown and facing much difficulties due to the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19.

Our duty as a Muslim is to help save the lives of people, and to act generously, with utmost kindness to re-establish the world order as envisioned by our Noble Creator. Allah has given you all an opportunity to turn to Him with great humility and to beg Him of His mercy and favours. Allah is All-powerful and kind. He has the power to change things, and for this, He has vested us with the power of invocations, and He has made incumbent on Himself to respond to the call of His callers who are true, sincere and devoted to His cause, especially in this era of Divine Manifestation.

Gadgets and Life Balance

In a special Message on 22 April 2020, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (atba) of Mauritius exhorts everyone of us- youths and children of the Jamaat, as well as their parents- to be aware of the harmful effects of 'addiction' to electronic gadgets: smartphones, earphones, digital entertainment, etc. As technology 'machines' help in simplifying daily tasks in several, different ways; one can easily appreciate their instrumental value. Yet, it is also critical to strike a correct and fine balance in our approach to these machines. In our gadget-driven world of hyper-connectivity, the omnipresence of smartphones as 'entertainment' machines raises special challenges for impressionable children. Being glued to these gadgets can cause the deeply-vulnerable youths to lose focus on the issues that matter; setting them on a path of 'alternate reality' where they become oblivious of their true surroundings. The widely-observed contemporary phenomenon of lack of respect, and rift in relations between young-adults and their parents; tension and turmoil in family and social life, etc. can be explained in terms of such harmful addictions and negative influences. To secure our ethical values and to reclaim balance in individual and social life, it is essential to adopt a correct approach to technology devices and what they bring on the table, points out Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) in this discourse. 

Read the Special Address Below: 

Qur'an and Imam Azim (atba)

Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) of Mauritius is a servant of God in our turbulent times. Deeply attached to the faith of ISLAM from his early childhood, Hazrat Azim (atba) devoted himself to a life of spiritual contemplation and preaching, helping people appreciate the beauty and merits of the correct and straight path in life to tread on. Even as he guided hundreds of people in different nations in the Indian Ocean Island States to embrace Islam through his preaching efforts in the 1990's,  as he turned 40 years of age in the year 2000-01 Allah (swt) took him under the wing of His Mercy, giving him scores of spiritual titles, and inspired him with special Messages for the attention of all humanity. Alhamdulillah,  the Divine Mission of Imam Azim (atba) now enters its glorious twentieth year of existence, Summa Alhamdulillah.   

When a servant of God appears on the spiritual horizon and begins his sublime preaching, it is only natural that the Holy Qur'an will emit a glorious light of its pristine teachings in support of such Divinely-inspired claims. Indeed, the whole Qur'an will testify to the veracity of the Elects of God, for both the 'word' of God- Qur'an- and the 'act' of God- raising of His representatives- cannot be incompatible. A recent article, prepared and published by Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Raother Saheb of the  Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- South Kerala explains 10 verses of the Holy Qur'an that provides evidences in favour of the spiritual claims of Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (atba). 

Read the Article Below: 

Look at the spiritual titles given by Allah (swt) to Imam Azim (atba): 

Amir'ul Mu'mineen (19 January 2003); Hazrat (25 July 2003); Muhyi-ud-Din (06-07 December 2003); Musleh Maoud (20 February 2004); Khalifatullah (26-27 May 2008); Imam-e-Inquilaab (26-27 May 2008); Massih Maoud (10 September 2010); Mujaddid (10 September 2010); Rasulullah (October 2010); Nabiullah (October 2010). 

The Attributes of Allah- V

By the grace of Allah I continue the 5th part of my Friday Sermon on the subject of the attributes of Allah. So Allah tells us that He is Supreme over His servants. He has all the control and has absolute power. He has the power to destroy everything, He has the power to punish. It is He Who gives death and it is He Who gives life. And it’s Him Who made all of the arrangements for your protections so that you don’t destroy yourselves by His decree. And this is the subject that the Quran mentions in other places, that you have committed so many sins; so many sins that it would have then been completely appropriate that Allah eliminates you completely. It will be within His right to do so, not only you, but all forms of life.

In another place in the Quran, it is mentioned as a result that for every person, even if he is visible or hidden, even if he goes out in the evening or in broad daylight, Allah has placed watchers [guardians] upon him to protect him. To protect him from what? To protect him from the decrees of Allah.

So here we are dealing with what subject? In fact it is the very divine decree which gives life and it is the very divine decree which gives death. No one has the capacity to die without the divine decree. So if Allah’s decree calls you to your death, then Allah tells us that it’s His very Taqdir (decree) that protects us for a time and protects us from His other decree as well. Otherwise Allah is completely Supreme. He has so much power and ability that He can eliminate and destroy everything, but in fact it is His very decree that protects you from His other Taqdirs.

The Attributes of Allah- IV

By the grace of Allah I continue after a month (4 weeks) the 4th part of my Friday Sermon on the attributes of Allah. As I told you, Allah has no need to lie. He Himself is Malik, Rahman and Rahim. He is also Al-Haqq. He made the truth clear when people use tricks and all kinds of illusions to deceive people. We have this clearly in the example of Hazrat Musa (as).

So when we read the Holy Quran, it also mentions the example of Hazrat Dawud (as). Allah (swt) says that two people climbed the walls and entered the castle of Hazrat Dawud (as) and they said to him: O Dawud, do not be afraid; don’t think we are thieves or burglars; it won’t do you any good to make noises. In fact, we came to present a case [a concern] to you. I have a ewe, but he (my friend present here) has 99. He tells me to give him my eve, so that will make a number of 100 (i.e. 100 ewes). But I told him I only have one and I can’t give it to you. So tell us what to do.

So Hazrat Dawud (as) gave his judgment, but immediately after he turned to Allah (swt) in prostration and thought that Allah was in fact testing him. Allah certainly tested him and warned him against greediness to acquire small kingdoms to add to his own kingdom. Allah (swt) made him understand that he should not put pressure on the kingdoms that were nearby (in the vicinity), to be careful not to commit excesses.