Living Faith: Bond with People

“And they give food in spite of love for it to the needy, the orphan, and the captive, 

(Saying), 

'We feed you only for the countenance of Allah. 

We wish not from you reward or gratitude’.” (76: 9-10)

After the worship (Ibaadat) of Allah, the Quran has put much emphasis also on ‘Khidmat Khalq’, that is, Service to Humanity. Verily, these two (that is to say, the worship of Allah and love for humanity) form part of religion. Bear in mind that it’s not two different subjects, but they are actually two branches of the same tree. 

The more you understand the meaning of Ibaadat and the more you worship Allah, then automatically the more your relationship with humans also shall continue to strengthen. Therefore, these two branches grow together, side by side. It is not possible that a branch of worship (Ibaadat) of Allah grows and blooms, while the branch of relationship with humans becomes dry and leaves room for thorns, etc.

If ever it is like that, then your Ibaadat shall prove to be in vain. It also means that you have not even understood the true meaning of Ibaadat. It shall be therefore a deception on your part if you think you are trying to accomplish the Ibaadat of Allah, because the one who accomplishes Ibaadat of Allah, he has no other option than to establish good relationships with humans. So in this context Ibaadat help you a lot to develop and strengthen your relationships with humans. And this is a way to recognize a sincere Ibaadat. At least on the human level you can recognize it because you will certainly not perceive it at Allah’s level, from the standpoint of Allah. But certainly at the human level, you can easily recognize the sincere Ibaadat, and that recognition shall be possible through the exercise of excellent moral qualities. Moreover, the right treatment you do to Allah’s creatures, with the poor, with those who are in need are indeed signs to show that your Ibaadat are similarly being accepted by Allah.

'Super Blood Moon' : A Grand Celestial Sign

There is no doubt that our Earth is dying. Day after day, hour after hour, the Earth nears its end, just like all humans and every living being shall inevitably meet their end. 

But no one can with exactitude say when the final Hour shall occur. Only the Almighty, Allah (twa) owns information about it and has not disclosed it to anyone, even His closest and most beloved of all prophets and creatures, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

WHAT IS THE “FINAL HOUR/
THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT”?

In the Holy Quran, Allah (swt) clearly states:

They ask you about the Hour: when is its arrival? 

Say, “Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.” 

They ask you as if you are familiar with it.

Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know.” 
----(Qur'an , 7: 188)

“People ask you concerning the Hour. Say, “Knowledge of it is only with Allah. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.” (Quran 33: 64)

The Bible also makes clear that only God Almighty knows the timing of such, and anyone who makes such a prediction (claiming that he knows the time of the Hour) acts contrary to the Word of God.

'Shade of God, For the Truly Humble'

“This (Quran) is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who have Faith with certainty. What! Do those who commit evils think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds - that equal will be their life and their death? Ill is the judgment that they make. And Allah created the heavens and earth with truth and so that every soul may be rewarded for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.” (45: 21-23)

By the grace of Allah, Allah (swt) gives me once again the opportunity to continue the explanation on the subject of the three Friday sermons that I had made in the month of Dhul-Qaddah (that is to say, on 28 August as well as on 04 & 11 September 2015).

It is a subject which is so vast and important and I hope that by the grace of Allah, every Muslim around the world and all my dear disciples who are in the different countries of the world understand what I’m trying to make them understand, in their own interest, for their own good vis-à-vis their Creator and I recommend you to try to make an analysis of what I said in those Friday sermons, and today it’s the fourth sermon which I am doing on the same subject. It is for your own benefit if everyone gets to reform himself; for he will then have no fear on the day when he will have to appear before his Creator. So if everyone understands what I say, then everyone will have to clear all their discussions/disputes, their passions and hatred and grudges they have towards their brothers of the same religion, and the disputes and wars that exists between them.

The majority of people who are engaged in wars (between themselves) and who do nothing to calm their anger and passions are people who cannot become the friends of Allah. So I make an appeal to you all without distinction that it is high time now to give up, to abandon all peccadilloes (vain differences and arguments), all unimportant things because it is now time to engage in the great and extraordinary work (of religion). So I never tire of telling you every time that you need to adopt this path, because without it we cannot come under the shadow of Allah, in the refuge of Allah in peace.

The Larger Meaning of 'Qurbani'

Whenever the month of Dhul Hijjah approaches, we remember the ordeal that Ibrahim (as) had to go through during his old age. 

It was a unique event of its kind, and which history has never mentioned one similar to it.

The Quran confirms this fact:

                        

“And when they had both submitted (to the command of Allah) and he put him down upon his forehead, 

We called to him, "O Ibrahim, 

you have fulfilled the vision. Thus do We reward the doers of good.

‘That was indeed a clear trial. And We ransomed him with a great sacrifice.” (37: 104-108).

If Ibrahim (as) was the subject of such a trial, certainly the Supreme Creator does not require from us this heavy burden. But everyone must know that success in the life on earth, and especially that in the hereafter will never happen as long as the concept of sacrifice is not well rooted in the mind and heart of the believer (the servant of Allah).

The sacrifice is not limited to ‘Qurbani’ or ‘Udhiya’ (blood sacrifice) that everyone already knows. But this term has a much broader meaning. And so the term means to sacrifice in a larger than life way, to give oneself and one’s wealth for the cause of Allah (swt) acknowledging that His words are much better than those of mere humans. Islam is a religion that encourages the believer to sacrifice in all ways. The believer is obliged to sacrifice his life and his soul in order to make Islam prevail over all other religions. He must sacrifice out of his wealth and spend it in the way of Allah just like the Supreme Legislator has commanded.

'Eid' Retreat: Message to Kerala Jamaat

On the occasion of Eid-ul-Adha 2015, Jamaat-Ul-Sahih-Al-Islam-Kerala, South organized a Two-Day Spiritual Retreat Programme at the historic Noor'ul Islam Masjid, Mathra. The Amir Jamaat, Jenab R. Jamaluddin Raother Saheb led the discussions and meeting proceedings held on September 24-25, 2015. 

Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah, those who participated in the Retreat, left the Mosque with a renewed sense of spiritual awareness and unique internal contentment/ inner peace. 

The various expositions of Islamic teachings and viewpoints made by the Khalifatullah of our times, Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius-who is a living Renewer of the Faith of Islam and a frequent recipient of Divine revelations- formed the backdrop of the proceedings and discussions at the Retreat. Presented below is the Transcript of the special Message delivered the Khalifatullah (atba) for the benefit of the fledgling Kerala Jamaat. 

MESSAGE TO THE KERALA JAMAAT UL SAHIH AL ISLAM 

My dear Amir Sahib and all my dear disciples in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam – Kerala,

Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu.

It gives me great pleasure to know that you are holding a two-day special spiritual retreat and maximising your attention and efforts in tarbiyyat and tabligh. May Allah (swt) bless your efforts. Ameen. 

I pray to Allah (swt) that the spiritual retreat may prove a step forward towards realising the aims and objects for which the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam has been founded. The banner of Islam has to be raised aloft, higher than all other banners, and the message of the Holy Quran has to be conveyed to every human being, of every colour (black, brown or white) and race etc. 

The world is groping in darkness. There is a sense of frustration all round. Despite all worldly comforts there is unrest and uneasiness in every heart. This is because people have forsaken religion and lost contact with their Creator.

In this wide world, there is one and only one community – the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam – which is blessed with contentment and satisfaction by the Grace of Allah. The angels descend upon them from heaven and bring solace to their hearts. This is because they firmly believe in a living and Almighty God who manifests profusely His signs of grace, keeps them safe from all dangers and sustains them in all their difficulties.

Eid-Ul-Adha: Sacrificing Our Best Assets

And for all religion We have appointed a rite (of sacrifice) that they may mention the name of Allah over what He has provided for them of (sacrificial) animals. For your god is one God, so to Him submit. And, give good tidings to the humble (before their Lord), 

Who, when (the name of) Allah is mentioned, their hearts are fearful, and (to) the patient over what has afflicted them, and the establishers of prayer and those who spend from what We have provided them. 

And the camels and cattle We have appointed for you as among the symbols of Allah; for you therein is good. So mention the name of Allah upon them when lined up (for sacrifice); and when they are (lifeless) on their sides, then eat from them and feed the needy and the beggar. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may be grateful. 

Their meat will not reach Allah, nor will their blood, but what reaches Him is piety from you. Thus have We subjected them to you that you may glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and give good tidings to the doers of good. (22: 35-38)

The great advices mentioned in these verses apply to every aspect of human life. First they teach us the meaning of sacrifice. And they teach us that we are dependent on these animals (cattle) because we get all kinds of supplies from them. And there are other benefits that are related to these quadrupeds to facilitate your life. Certainly, it is on these types of animals also that you travel.

Hajj: Fifth Pillar of Islam

The Month of Hajj: Dhul-Hijjah

The twelfth and last month of the Islamic calendar is the month of the pilgrimage (Hajj), commonly known as ‘Dhul Hijjah’. It is a month full of blessings and as the name indicates, it is in this holy month that we, Muslims perform the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam. In this blessed month, one must make maximum of acts of worship (Ibaadat), such as: supererogatory (Nafil) prayers (Salaat), Tilawat-ul-Quran, fasting, reciting the Takbir and Tasbih and giving Sadaqaat etc. because there are many blessings and rewards in these works, especially during its first 10 days.

Hazrat Hafsa (ra) said that there were four things that the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) never missed, and these include:

1. To fast the Day of Ashura (10^th of Muharram);

2. To fast from 1^st to 9^th day of Dhul-Hijjah;

3. To fast three days (13^th, 14^th and 15^th) every month (except the 13^th Dhul-Hijjah which is prohibited);

4. To perform before the mandatory Fajr Salaat two cycles of Sunnah prayers (Salaat).

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) demonstrated the virtues of the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.