Qur'anic Commandments- 3

In times like ours, the world of ‘religion’ resembles every other arena of human affairs: a fertile field full of thieves, scamsters, fraudsters, scoundrels and speculators! Wishful thinking, metaphysical speculation and theological conjecture seem to ‘thrive’ on the bazaar of religions today. For instance, in our country (India) today, countless ‘godmen’ (and ‘godwomen’) literally capitalize on the ignorance and stupidity of gullible masses. Out to exploit the emotions and devotional sentiments of the people who flock to them, the religious fraudsters confuse and deviate the ignorant folks who come to seek respite from their everyday problems. Through deceitfully claiming nearness to God or presenting themselves as no less than 'Avtaar', promising welfare and spiritual salvation; the religious thugs rob the poor of their precious financial savings, and what not! It is as though a Qur’anic warning has come alive: “many rabbis and monks wrongfully consume people’s possessions and turn people away from God’s path.” (9:35). In South Asia and elsewhere, the moral decadence and corruption among the chiefs and the priests is found widely among all communities of the land- Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and the Muslims- today. 

Fortunately, Islam has a way  for reclaiming its original spiritual moorings even when its true legacy is twisted and corrupted at the hands of lesser men who "consume people’s possessions and turn people away from God’s path” (9:35). Muslims could go back and rediscover the spiritual treasures of their religion by seeking to know and understand the framework of Qur'anic ethics. To put at rest the metaphysical speculations and theological conjectures widely seen among other peoples- practices that have deviated the peoples from the correct appreciation of their own true spiritual doctrines-, the Qur'an emphatically declares that in ‘religion’, true guidance is the guidance of God. Whenever men interpret religion to suit their own whims and vanities (Bid'ah), as they will in every generation, there is a need for a stream of Divine Elects, to teach the Scripture and wisdom, and to purify the people morally and spiritually, through their own exemplary lives. The roots of the Islamic concepts of spiritual renewal, moral awakening of the Ummah, true succession to the Prophetic heritage, etc.- represented in the august spiritual office of 'Mujaddid', 'Muhyi-ud-Din', 'Khalifatullah', etc. claimed by Divine savants throughout the history of Islam-  can be traced back to the very philosophy of religion that Islam espouses. Whenever corruption and evil stalk the land, believers can be reassured by the fact that Allah (swt) will raise High representatives (24:56) to reclaim the True Legacy of Divine worship among the humans.

Indeed, the Book of Revelations, sent by God Almighty through His chosen messenger(s), set the criterion for distinguishing between good and evil. Inspired by the Holy Spirit (Roohul Quddus), the Heavenly-imbued souls who teach the Holy Book to their own people after their Prophet(s), strive to illumine the correct and straight path of life for the benefit of all around them. Most certainly, Divine guidance is built on solid foundations, and the Arc of the Prophets is firmly anchored on Divine waters. It is the obligation of the believers, individually and collectively, to implement the spirit of the Divinely-ordained code of conduct in their everyday life- be it in private and family spaces; in professional and social life; in community and national practices; in the rules and regulations a people abide by in the global comity of nations. Hence, it is important for the believers to be aware of Divine commandments and expectations so as to guard against evil, and to remain on the path of God- consciousness and prudence in life. 

The Importance of Prayer- II

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) has given me this opportunity to continue my sermon on the Importance of Prayer. So, it is said in the Holy Quran: “O God, give us in this world that which will help us hereafter also, and save us from the suffering of hell.” 

So, your daily duty is to pray to God. This is your real work. Never ponder whether or not your prayer has been heard in the Court of God. That is His prerogative. Our prayers should be in harmony with the will of God, and we should feel happy in whatever He wills. 

To pray effectively, it is necessary that we should conduct our life as desired by the Master, and that we should experience happiness in the remembrance of God Almighty.

Qur’anic Commandments-II

A TREASURE TROVE of practical wisdom, beneficial to humans in their every day individual and community life, are preserved in the Holy Qur'an in the form of Divine Commandments. Long before the advent of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) in Arabia, God's Prophets addressed their own communities on good and evil, on right living and right conduct, and on how to avoid wrongdoing and mischief in the land, and to preserve justice and peace among different communities in society. Thanks to the Divine Blessing of the advent of the Holy Prophet (sa) and the Holy Qur'an, we have access to those timeless teachings- the universal wisdom of the Ages- originally addressed by Allah (swt) to the ancient communities through their own messengers. 

The pearls of practical advice, recorded in a succinct way in the Book of God, invite every human to lead a life in profound awareness of the Oneness of God, the Creator, the Controller and Fashioner of our destinies in the world; a life of ethical moderation and spiritual contemplation where a Seeker trains his soul to leave behind the temptations and evil impulses of earthly existence, so as to embrace its heavenly destiny in remembrance of, and nearness to, God.  

The spiritual guideposts encourage one to adopt the virtues of modesty and balance in personal habits and temperament, beginning from the food we eat and the provisions we seek. We should cultivate humility and the spirit of accommodation as personal qualities in our relations with others. We should neither be domineering, nor high-handed in our engagements involving fellow beings. We should seek to avoid discord in relations with spouses, with the rest of the family, and within the wider community and society. Put differently, strive to be fair and just in fulfilling all your responsibilities; respect the rights and free choices of others; discharge your duties towards relatives as well as strangers, and try to avoid all that can lead to discord and conflicts in social and community relations. Learn to forgive and forbear in times of differences with others. Indeed, Qur'anic ethics, when practiced by real men and women, will lead to both inner peace, community solidarity and social tranquillity. 

The Divine Law warns against injustice and domineering attitudes in society as it can lead to disputes and violence and anarchy, destroying the whole edifice from within. Reminding us about those who sold their souls for cheap victories in this life at the price of the Hereafter, the Heavenly Light strongly urge us to consider, prefer and embrace truly-rewarding choices, in weighing the priorities in our moment in this world. Indeed, Qur'an's discerning teachings could work as foundational basis for anyone who seeks to construct a life rooted and nurtured in spiritual values; a life of prayer and utter devotion to God, and of performing good works and of sacrificing and giving for the benefit of fellow beings.  

The Importance of Prayer- I

Prayer is such a medicine that it can turn a dry wood into a green branch and can fuse life into (spiritually) dead people. It has unlimited credentials. If someone is in an unresolved situation, the prayer only can save him. 

A materialist considers this life to be a machine, the parts of which are being run by the blind forces of cause and effect, and he does not admit that there is an ultimate Being who is directing it. But one who knows the reality, while agreeing that the law of cause and effect is working, further knows that this is being done under the orders and directions of a Supreme Being. He, therefore, while keeping an eye on the causes and their effects, appeals to the Creator of the universe, the Supreme Cause for help, and surrenders gladly to His will and pleasure. God [Allah], the Creator of the Universe, may do whatever is good for him, for it is only the Lord (God) who knows what is good for him. 

Qur’an: Guiding Souls

Our life on earth is a gift from God, the Lord and Master of the Universe. It is our solemn duty to learn and recognize the Way of Life ordained by our Sustainer. For, His laws and commandments throw clear light on life’s complex crossroads so that we  find right directions and always remain on the correct path, the Way of the Righteous (Muttaqin). Indeed, a Muttaqi, even when bruised by the complicated trajectories of earthly trials, in submitting to the Divine expectations and regulations, will invariably find sprouting signs of  mercy, grace and infinite kindness of God around her. 

Moreover, to help and guide the deeply-flawed and evil-prone humans in every day life, our Creator and True Friend has sent down the Book of revelations (Kitaab) with practical wisdom (Hikmah) through the sublime blessing of Prophecy (Nubuwwah). Likewise, Sunnat Allah has established Wilayah/ Khilafa -the Divine practice of  raising holy men as an unbroken chain in every age in the Ummah to preserve, sustain and to renew the spiritual highway for all times. It is by accepting the Divine revelations and messages as well as by following in the noble footsteps of the Divinely-inspired men when they arrive that we can remain on the Way of Divine Pleasure, so as not to be lost or drowned, or be confused, in the difficult journey of earthly life. The ringing words of the Qur'an is as follows:  ‘When guidance comes to you from Me, as it certainly will, there will be no fear for those  who follow My guidance, nor will they grieve’----(2:39) 

'Duah': Invocations to Allah- XXI

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue, by the grace of Allah, The Possessor of Majesty, Honour and Glory [Dhul Jalali wal Ikram] my 21^st and final sermon in this series of sermons centred on duahs. This subject is certainly very vast and we can never stop talking about the subject of duahs; I cannot put before you [in these few sermons] all the duahs that Allah revealed to His Messengers, Messiah and the Khalifatullah of the time.                                 

Rabbi atinee milladunka ansaaran fee deenika wa adh-hib annee huznee wa asli lee shaanee kullahu laa ilaaha illa anta.

O my Lord! Grant me helpers to assist me in Your religion, and take away my worries and make me succeed in my efforts; there is nobody else to help except You.

 

Wamaa taufeeqee illa billaahi, rabbi’an-tiquaa bil-haqqi waksif’-alainal haqqa wahdinaa ilaa haqqin mubeen.

I am not in a position to achieve anything without the favour of Almighty God. O my Lord, help me to speak truth, reveal truth to us and guide us to righteousness.

 

Bismillah-illazi laa yazwurru ma’asmihi shay-unn fil ardzi wa laa fis-samaa’a-ee wa huwa sami’-ul ‘aleem.

In the name of Allah, the name of Whom none in this world and in the heavens can do any harm, and He hears all and knows all.

 

Rabbin surrni ‘alal qawmil-mufsideen.

O my Rab, help me against the people who are creating havoc.

 

Wa laa tousmitbi aduwan wa laa laasedan.

Let not any jealous or enemy humiliate me.

 

Rabbi kullu shay-inn khaadimuka; Rabbi faahfazna wan surna war hamna.

My Rab, all things are Your servant; My Lord protect us and guide us and have pity on us.

'Duah': Invocations to Allah- XX

First of all, I must thank my Rab for giving me such golden opportunities to make up to now, twenty sermons on the subject of “duahs” (invocations) for the benefit of all my sincere disciples, the seekers of truth and all our other Muslim brothers, sisters and children, and also for humanity at large.

As you are aware, humanity is in danger; so we need to pray a lot. Only Allah (swt) will save us from all kinds of difficulties, dangers, sicknesses, viruses, crimes, economic problems, etc. Insha-Allah. 

In this era, you all people are very fortunate to have a Messenger of Allah among you but alas few of you heed the message. Most people turn their backs to the divine message and blessings and scoff at the Messenger of Allah. 

So fortunate are those who recognize the divine blessings and accept with full sincerity the Messenger of Allah. And I can assure these sincere disciples that Allah (swt) will bless you and you shall be always in the care of your Rab and in the hereafter you will receive, Insha-Allah, a great reward from your Creator and Allah (swt) will be pleased with you and you also will be pleased with Him. And all those sacrifices that you are presently doing for His cause in this temporal world shall be boundlessly magnified for you in the eternal world of Allah. Ameen.

Now, I put before you again some of the revealed duahs during this present Divine Manifestation (our era of great divine blessings):