‘Ilm-e-Ghayb’ and the Divine Signs

Signs of our Times

‘Innas-Saa-’ata la-’aatiyatul laa rayba fiihaa wa laakinna ‘aksaran-naasi laa yu’-minuun. – “Indeed, the Hour is coming - no doubt about it - but most of the people do not believe.” (Al-Mu'min, 40: 60).

Nowadays, we are seeing that time is passing so quickly and that all sort of problems are cropping up. We are suffering a change in nature and also a change in the human attitude and behaviour.

Consequently, we (as humans) are worried about our future. When we analyse the situation, we see how the world is being degraded and going to its lost: there are hypocrisy, power thirst, wars, strife, persecution against the weak, infidelity, bestiality, as well as atrocities, complicity and concealed tolerance for the crimes against humanity etc.

On the other hand, in alarming and uncontrolled proportions, there are all sorts of calamities of nature: heat wave, drought, fire, flood, famine, strange maladies (viruses etc.), earthquakes, cyclones and other catastrophes. This tendency brings us to think if there are not other cataclysms in the near future? When nature is inflicting upon us such sanctions, this also means that it is giving us a message, but unfortunately we are not understanding the message it is giving and thus as the situation is now and being presented to the world, spirituality has no place in such a world of decadence.

Divine Servants and the Ilm-e-Ghayb

In the Holy Quran, Allah the Exalted has said that the universe shall not exist forever and that from time to time, there shall be such occurrences and signs which shall announce the approach of the end of the universe. It is therefore necessary for us to be alert of those signs so that we can meditate on them and consequently consolidate our faith. Through the series of sermons (Friday Sermons) which I shall do on this subject, you shall come to realise that all messengers of Allah, and also this humble servant of Allah who is present before you all today have a profound knowledge of the unseen (Ilm-e-Ghayb) through Allah, and you can see that already many of the predictions/prophecies made have been realised, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, and a believer must have faith that the other announced signs also shall come what may be realised by the infinite grace of Allah.

15 Shabaan 1435 Hijri: Shaab-e-Baraat

Today, June 13, 2014 is 14 Shabaan 1435 Hijri. In the Islamic faith tradition, 15^th Shaaban is generally observed with devotional recitations, special invocations and solemn prayers  as Shaabe Baraat. In the course of his Friday Sermon today, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius made certain remarks on the subject, especially in the context of the ways in which many in the Ummah have deviated from the original spirit of these solemn occassions by transforming them into something else. 

Read the extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Before ending, I wish to address you some words on the Shaabe Baraat which is a night in the middle of Shabaan, and therefore tonight is the 15 Shabaan 1435 Hijri, when Nabi Kareem Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used to spend his night in worship of Allah. The reason for this is that he was informed by Hazrat Jibreel (as) that when mid-Shabaan comes, the deeds of man goes up to Allah, and Allah through His Rahimiyyat forgives generously His servants who repent and pray a lot during this interval. According to a Hadith, Nabi Kareem Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) says that he prefers to be in fasting state when his deeds are presented before Allah.

In Islam, each moment of our life is blessed, especially with the coming of a Messenger of Allah. And moreover Allah, from those days of the life of man chose certain days which are better than others, like the 15^th Shabaan, the month of Ramadan wherein are the last 10 days which we shall live again soon, wherein is found the Laila-tul-Qadr (Night of Decree), and also the blessed days of Hajj.

A Historic Jumu’ah in Seychelles

Today Friday 06 June 2014, a historical Jummah by the grace of Allah (swt). After the registration of our Jamaat (Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Seychelles) here and by this divine blessing many Christians in Seychelles like (in Mahe, Praslin, La Digue and the other small Islands etc.) took Baï’ats in the hand of this humble self, the Khalifatullah, and I hope that after my departure, all of you will continue this noble work and to spread this divine message which you have received during the one week’s work I am here. Insha-Allah.

Here in Seychelles most of the population is Christian, so before coming on my sermon of today, first of all I must thank all of you for welcoming me and my delegation here and all of you work have worked hard together with me and Allah has put His blessing in this noble work and now by grace of Allah the Jamaat (Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam) is registered officially in all islands of the Seychelles. And now we have our Managing Committee and a national president and we rented a house for all the activities of our Jamaat and Jummah Prayer and Tarbiyyat class, Alhamdulillah. (For a related Report on the visit, click here). 

Khalifatullah visits Seychelles

 About Seychelles

The Seychelles consist of 115 small islands scattered across a wide area of the western part of Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the equator.

The original French colonists on the previously uninhabited islands, along with their black slaves, were joined in the 19^th century by deportees from France. Asians from China, India, and Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) arrived later in smaller numbers. Widespread intermarriage has resulted in a population of mixed descent.

Creole, also called Seselwa, is the mother tongue of most Seychellois. Under the constitution, Creole, English, and French are recognized as national languages.

Mahé, the largest island, is 29 km long and mostly about 3 to 6 km wide. It has a population of over 70,000. About half of the population lives in or around Victoria, which is the capital, and indeed the only town in the Seychelles (nothing else is bigger than a village). Praslin, the second-largest island, is 13 km long and has a population of about 5,000. More than four-fifths of the population are Roman Catholics. There are also Anglicans, Christians of other denominations, Hindus, and Muslims.

A Dawah Mission to Seychelles 

The start of June 2014 saw to the departure of the Khalifatullah, Hazrat Munir A. Azim (atba) along with his delegation to the Seychelles, according to the Divine Instructions. Allah is ever with His chosen servants. When Allah gave an instruction, therefore He is the One who opens the way for His Elect to go and accomplish the works He has been instructed to do. Therefore, in the process Allah makes that way so bright and miraculous that it leaves no doubt as to the truthfulness of His blessed Messenger.

'Laa Ilaaha Illallah': Essence of Islam

Do you not see that Allah has cited the example of the good word as a good tree whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches are high in the sky?

It produces its crop every season, as designed by its Lord. Allah thus cites the examples for the people, that they may take heed.

And the example of the bad word is that of a bad tree chopped at the soil level; it has no roots to keep it standing.

The verse of the Quran which I just read before you today, in a way or another is indicating to the Kalima Tayyeba, in an indirect way without the words “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” are being mentioned. In this verse, Allah (swt) “cited the example of the good word as a good tree”.

The good word which has been mentioned in this verse has been compared to a tree and the roots of this tree, is the proclamation of faith (Iman) which comes from within the depth of the heart of a believer; and its branches reaches the sky, and by this means, the good actions of a believer reaches the sky.

Like Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran (Ch. 35; v.11): “Anyone seeking dignity should know that to Allah belongs all dignity. To Him ascends the good words, and He exalts the righteous works.”

Poem: 'A Prayer in Solitude'

O Allah, open the door of the heart

The mind has tried and tried and failed; 

not once has it succeeded.

You are All-Powerful and lacking nothing; 

why do You delay?

I am tossed between pain and pleasure; 

why have I not yet had a chance?

Have mercy, O Bountiful One! 

Take my mind at attention to the skies.

The mind asks for false comforts, 

and does not know the reality.

It hankers after worldly pleasures, 

and does not taste the nectar of the sound.

What should I tell the mind, and how should I persuade it?

It does not take to heart the words of my Rab

The mind is strangely made; it does not love and care for the sound.

How can it escape the cycle of eighty-four?

It does not repeat the Name of my Rab.

I will be buffeted in this world, 

and will be dragged headlong to the regions of death.

I have borne these sufferings for a long time. 

The mind does not heed and has forgotten.

You are the Moving Spirit in all hearts, O Lord, 

why do You not call this sufferer to You?

Except for You I have no other; 

You alone can take me to the eternal abode.

Triumph of Islam: Our Obligations

Advent of the Khalifatullah

As the Khalifatullah of this era, I am telling you again and again that in our present times, Allah has not neglected this world. He has established the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and He is the one to have sent a man from among yourselves, that is, this humble servant (of Allah) who is present before you, who sits among you, talk with you and you are indeed fortunate that you are living in such a era where the divine grace is pouring down from the heavens like rain falls in the times of drought.

I tell all those who have believed in me, you are surely very blessed to be living in the times of a prophet of Allah. Therefore, pray a lot and establish brotherhood and recite a lot the Darood Shareef which is an excellent means to acquire (and strengthen) brotherhood. Do not do all this by routine. Take into consideration the great deeds which our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has taught us and you shall receive the delicious fruits of the realisation of your supplications (duas).

Obedience and Sacrifice

Consider the example of the battle of Uhud, after the partial defeat of the Muslims just because of the disobedience which some Muslims showed against the orders of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) placed them in a place on a hill and told them come what may not to move from there, but when they perceived that the enemies were not coming their way to attack (thinking that they were moving away in defeat), they thought the orders of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) were now irrelevant. Therefore, they abandoned the instructed place. Had the Muslims placed on that hill shown strict obedience to the prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), there would not have been any defeat. We must realise the importance of the discipline when showing obedience to a prophet of Allah. To be able to see achievements/victories, one must show an example of devotion, submission and total obedience to the Elect of Allah.

The truth shall triumph and the sun of Islam shall once again rise like the first time with the advent of the noble prophet (pbuh). This sun shall reach its zenith, in all its splendour like before. The heavens can delay that victory, but we, the Sahih al Islam shall have to make many efforts in the field of spirituality and make great sacrifices of wealth and leisure. Bear this in mind and do not be dejected at all. Before the victory of Islam, we must have to suffer a lot of humiliations and disgrace. The renaissance of Islam necessitates a great sacrifice from us. What is this sacrifice? It is dying in the path of Allah and His divine teachings and verily the life of Islam shall depend on that death.