'Sham': The Holy Land

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, today is the third day of Eid [in the context of the Eid’-ul Adha] and an Eid’-ul Jummah. The sacrifice of Abraham and his son will remain forever engraved in the history of mankind, because let us all remember that Abraham (as) as mentioned in the Qu’ran was the father of two nations: The Ishmaelites [that is, the biological as well as spiritual children of Isma’il (as), i.e., the Muslims] and the children of Issac, and consequently those of Israel [i.e., Jacob (as) who are better known as Jews as well as Christians]. 

In these dark times of history, we see the descendants and followers of the two prophets: Ishmael and Issac, fighting among them to dispute a land which since the dawn of time has been a holy land. Although this land came under the responsibility of Muslims, but other countries have widened the chasm of hatred and strife to make this sacred land a land of war and dread.

Eid-ul-Adha Retreat 2021

 

In the clear light of Divine revelations ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha this year, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius recently instructed his disciples /Jamaat members to converge at their area-Masjids and other designated places of prayer for five days and “celebrate the three days of Eid-ul-Adha together and partake of this golden and blessed opportunity to stay as one congregation, as one family and maximize not only the spiritual food [in terms of the Eid-ul-Adha Khutba, the spiritual programmes and Zikrullah], but also partake of your daily food together [breakfast, lunch and dinner]. And on the day of Eid [and for the Sacrifice of Ibrahim (as)], like Allah has instructed me, there will be the Zaba [Sacrifice] of an animal and all of you join together for the Eid prayer and animal sacrifice [Qurbani/ Udhiya]…and you enjoy this exceptional and blessed moment together as one blessed spiritual family and you all sit together and eat from the sacrificed animal [Qurbani].” 

In obedience to Allah and His Khalifatullah’s instructions, the members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, and India recently came together to partake of the Divine blessings in the company of fellow brothers and sisters, in their own respective places. In India alone, Eid-ul-Adha Retreats were organized at the Siraj-um-Munir Masjid in Tamil Nadu, as well as at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra, Kerala. Likewise, members of the Jamaat in distant places within the country organized programmes of devotional worship and remembrance of the Divine with family and friends in their own local settings in these Holy and Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah, experiencing the joy of togetherness and spiritual upliftment, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.

Israel: A Racist Bully

 

Israel & U.S under Fire 

Israel’s attempt to justify its recent brutal assault on Gaza rings hollow to anybody familiar with events in Israel, where the government of Israel, backed by anti-Arab racists, has systematically, cruelly, and persistently violated the basic human rights of the Arab population. Like I told you last week in my sermon, Human Rights Watch, a global NGO with many Jewish leaders, has condemned Israel for crimes against humanity. 

Israel behaviour puts US President Joe Biden’s administration, which professes a foreign policy based on human rights, under the spotlight. If that commitment is genuine, the administration should support an independent UN investigation of Israeli human rights violations against the Arab population and suspend military aid to Israel until the inquiry is completed and the human rights of the Palestinians are secured. 

Eid-ul-Adha Sermon 2021

The Sacrifice of the Self

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am, Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and thanks and all blessings and all sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.” 

Pilgrims chant this prayer during their pilgrimage, from within the boundaries of the Ka’aba to the plains of Arafat; A prayer that elegantly underlines the process of this enterprise- total devotion after a complete renunciation of worldly desires. 

There are perhaps about sixty thousand pilgrims participating in the Hajj this year. Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, it is people of different nationalities who already live in Saudi Arabia who are making the pilgrimage this year. This is the second time in this century [the 21^st century], as well as since the founding of Saudi Arabia [in 1932] that the Hajj has not taken place under normal conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its variants. Last year for the first time in Saudi Arabian history, Hajj was performed by just about a thousand people in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims from other countries did not receive visas to perform Hajj during these two years as a precaution and to preserve the health and life of the pilgrims. 

So in this century of divine manifestation, the Hajj, which usually attracts over a million pilgrims from dozens of countries, has not taken place under normal conditions.

All Muslims around the world cherish the desire to one day perform these sacred rites of Hajj - one of the five pillars of Islam. With this pandemic that has changed a lot of human behaviour, as well as the systems of the world, Hajj is no exception. Despite the Hajj taking place, but its normality is abruptly interrupted. 

For the hundreds of millions of Muslims who stay at home, and who mourn this loss of non-observance of Hajj, because of this restriction, there is Eid-ul-Adha, celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Hajj [Dhul-Hijjah] when, in Mecca, the pilgrimage ends. Devotees usually go to the mosque for prayers, after which they slaughter animals as sacrifices. In these days how necessary it is for every believer to remember his duties towards his Creator as well as towards his fellow men!

Divine Revelations of 17 July 2021

The Sign of ‘Surah Al Munafiqun’

One of the most astonishing ways in which Allah (swt) revives and renews the message of Islam in this era is through inspiring His devoted servant and chosen messenger Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius with the pure revelations of the Holy Qur’an- the Divine book of wisdom and guidance for all humankind. Hence, on countless occasions in the last two decades, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) has been bestowed in revelation many of the phrases, ideas, and even entire texts of the Qur’an in original. These revelations have come not just when the Khalifatullah (aba) is ‘Alone with the Alone’, in the chamber of his utter devotions and soulful worship of the Divine; but also in the company of his humble disciples and followers (like many of us in India have witnessed during his visit to the Noor’ul Islam Masjid, at Mathra in December 2018).

Indeed, as early as 24 December 2000, when Mr Mohammad Ameen Jowahir of the Mauritius Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya trumped up charges for the expulsion of Hazrat Munir from their Nizam for being a recipient of Divine mercy, inter alia, it was, however, acknowledged that ‘on occasion Mr. Munir received as revelation Surah Ibrahim in its entirety’. Two decades later, the verdict of time is pretty-much Chrystal-clear: Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius continues to be immersed in Divine waters and remains a recipient of sublime revelations for the benefit of true believers.  

On 17 July 2021, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) received the message of Surah Al Munafiqun almost in its entirety, in Divine revelations vouchsafed to him, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar. The revelations underscore the need for believers to guard against the problem of Hypocrisy. The Munafiqun (Hypocrites) hide behind the facade of religiosity- by adopting pietical pretences- in order to create impediments in the cause of the Divine Way. They remain among the believers to sow the seeds of doubts and disputes concerning the Divine cause, and try to deviate people by making them afraid of mundane losses- of their material riches and resources, of dominance and sovereignty in the land, social esteem and public prestige- by obeying God's messenger through caring for, and sharing with the humble followers. Instead of active engagement to benefit the poor, the Hypocrites would try to break the chain of social linkages in the new community so as to retain their own prestige and esteem. On the other hand, the Divine revelations remind us that all treasures and honours of this world and the world to come ultimately belongs to God, and hence, to the Messenger and the believers, and that unlike what the Hypocrites are calling to, it is through God-consciousness, prayer and selfless good deeds such as charitable giving and service to others that the bliss of Divine pleasure and mercy need to be sought. Indeed, it is for the believers to be mindful of these teachings so as to benefit from them in life's complex social settings, Insha Allah, Aameen. 

‘Dawah’ Magazine 2021

 

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International (Mauritius) has just unveiled a new publication, entitled ‘Sahih Al Islam Photo Magazine: Basking in the Light of Memories Past, 2015-2020.’  Originally published in January 2021, the Book is a solemn tribute to Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) on the happy occasion of his 60th (Janam Din) Birthday. Indeed, this year also marks the completion of the first two decades of steadfast preaching of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius. Compiled by the dedicated Jamaat team in Mauritius and edited by Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sadr Saheba International Fazli Amena Varsally, the book captures stunning images from the last half a decade of Jamaat activities, chronicling historic moments, International Dawah Missions and other social events of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) along with his disciples, both at home (Mauritius), and abroad.

The present Book, in many ways, carries forward the work already done by the Jamaat team when “Light-Giving Moon” was published in 2016, providing an accessible glimpse into the family and spiritual background and important Dawah missions of Hazrat Saheb (aba) through Photo Essays for the period up to 2015. During the last five years, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam activities have increased exponentially, and the record of very important activities indeed needed to be preserved for posterity, and the present Book goes a long way in celebrating some of the historical events of the Jamaat during this period, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

Balancing 'Freedom'

 

The modern concept of human freedoms and individual rights emerged in the long, complex struggle for a new, social contract between the people and the State in actually-existing social conditions of slavery and serfdom in pre-modern Europe and elsewhere. Against the backdrop of the great struggles for independence from colonial subjugation and imperial practices of racial segregation and social discrimination, people looked upon Constitutionally-guaranteed and legally-defined freedoms as the bulwark against potential oppression and highhandedness of the ruling elites operating in the name of the State.  In Rule of Law theory, it is expected that the provision of separation of powers and the presence of an independent judiciary will facilitate the freedoms of individuals in society.  The proper functioning of the social wheel requires that everyone works within the functional work of personal responsibility and moderation of interests so as to respect the similar rights of others.  

In his Friday Sermon of 25 June 2021~13 Dhul-Qaddah 1442 AH, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba)of Mauritius initiates a probing discussion on the abuse of 'freedom' in our times by those who reject any limitations and restrictions on their concept of freedom. As Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) notes, such a context-free 'freedom' can have very negative implications: Hate speech, Islamophobia, racial and communal prejudice, bigotry and defamation; capitalist ownership of, and monopoly over Natural Resources, etc. 

The Shariah, or the Islamic Way of Life, contains a framework of ideas for shaping norms based on a true conception of individual freedom blended with social responsibility. Avoiding or evading Divine regulations in the name of 'freedoms' may unsettle the delicate 'balance' the Shariah seeks to achieve among competing public interests in a pragmatic way. While libertarians and anarchists call for freedom and rights for the sake of rights without any restraints and regardless of context; in reality, many nations are passing laws that severely restrict even the freedoms that people have reason to value. Sometimes, the laws made in the Assemblies and Parliaments of the people in various States do not get the balance right as they often 'lean' on the State's need to keep regulatory control and authority firmly in place, and when these man-made laws fail to gain the balance right in their regulations and policies, it invariably impacts peoples' freedoms and the  society's true progress, warns Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba).

Read the Friday Sermon Below: