Return of the Taliban

 

The fall of the US-propelled government in Afghanistan along with the swift and dramatic capture of power by the Taliban in Kabul, is nothing short of a geopolitical earthquake in international affairs in our times. For one, it marks a defining moment in the unravelling history of American excesses abroad in the name of “war on terror” and attempts to impose their perception of democracy on other nations and peoples.  Likewise, for the region and the world, the larger question is this: can the Taliban- now, the de facto government in Kabul- live down its dreadful legacy, turn a new page in political pragmatism, and usher in a period of peace, security and development for the people of Afghanistan? 

A Legacy of Excesses on All Sides

Afghanistan’s modern destiny is marred by much internal political strife and blood-letting, especially in the last four decades. Illegal interventions and invasions by foreign powers- [the Soviet Union (1979-1989), and the United States (2001-2021) followed by counter-mobilization by militant groups armed and aided by interested foreign governments, and the consequent internecine warfare destabilized the land for long years. The emergence of Taliban in the Afghan refugee camps of Pakistan, and its militant extremism- blurring the line between political resistance and support for indiscriminate and unrestrained violence in the name of ideology/religion against hostile foreign powers as well as defenceless civilians cannot be divorced from this complex political and regional backdrop- including the lucrative profits from mass cultivation of, and trade in, opium and other narcotic substances across borders with colluding elements in Pakistan. 

Domestically, when the Taliban was in power in the land during 1996-2001, its policies were starkly marked by denial of educational opportunities to girl children; curtailment of women’s rights; cruel and degrading treatment of minorities; institutionalization of vengeance in the form of medieval punishments on opponents and enemies of the regime- all in service of a narrow-minded, extremist and simplistic understanding of the Islamic Shari’ah, bringing disrepute to the very Faith they claimed to serve- with hardly any country in the world recognizing the Mullah Muhammad Omar regime in Kabul in those years.

Poem: 'If All the Seas Were Ink'

 

If all the seas and all the trees

Were ink and writing pen

And writing was the only business

Of all the women and men

If all the time they thought and wrote

And doubled the seas and trees

The words of Allah would never end

They may write as long as they please.

 

'Duah-e-Ganjul Arsh'

 

Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba, the International Sadr of the Siraj Makin (-women’s wing of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam) has, over the last two decades, witnessed countless Divine Signs, Blessings and Revelations from Allah (swt) that testify to the profound truth of the spiritual claims of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

The sublime spiritual experiences- pious dreams, mystical visions and Divine revelations- of this mother of all believers [“Ummul Mu’mineen”- a Divinely-bestowed title on her] will also appeal to our believing hearts- strengthening our Imaan (faith); reassuring every devoted soul to keep faith in the existence and vital presence of Allah (swt) as our ultimate help in this era of this grand Divine manifestation, Insha- Allah, Aameen. 

A 'Bisharat' on Rasulullah (sa)

 

[On Saturaday, 14th August 2021; before Tahajjud prayer, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius saw a Bisharat (true dream). The Bisharat runs as follows]: 

"I am near a tall building, on top of which was fixed an MTA Dish Antenna [at roof top]. I heard a voice from the sky; it is the voice of the Late Mother of Mr. Moosa Taujoo as well as the daughter of Late Hafeez Jamal Ahmad - Third Missionary of AMJ Mauritius [i.e. Marhoom Amina Sahiba]. She told me to remove this antenna from this building. I asked her, “Why?” She told me that this is not useful now. I am thinking [in myself], “Why should I remove it?” And then I told myself that AMJ has failed now, No more Noor-e-Ilahi and no guidance from Allah (twt).Then she repeatedly told me to remove that antenna. I told her that it is not in my capacity to remove this as it is fixed at the roof top. So, she [the voice] told me that she will send someone to remove the antenna. 

Then, I said that this is the time of prayer and found no one in this big/ large building, no one was there to give the Azaan. So, I gave the Azaan. When I said: Hayya alas-Salah, Hayya alal-Falah then I found many people started to gather. And then at the time of prayer, I asked them: “Who is going to lead the prayer?” The people told me: “You are the one to lead the prayer for you are the Imam of this era.” I said: “Ok, No problem.” I recited Surah Al-Fatiha, I forgot what Surah I recited after the Surah Al-Fatiha. 

After leading the prayer, my niece (my sister’s elder daughter Zeenath Rizwan Sahiba) came to me with a white paper and told me: “Mamu (maternal uncle)! Look at this paper. I am very proud of you.” The paper is white in colour and the message therein was written with black Ink – in bold letters: MUNIR AHMAD AZIM IS THE REPRESENTATIVE AND THE SECOND COMING OF HAZRAT MOHAMMAD RASOOLULLAH (PBUH).

The Islamic Fasts of 'Ashura'

  

[Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius made a special address to the global Muslim community on the night of 18 August 2021~10 Muharram 1443 AH, elucidating on the sacred history and spiritual blessings of observing fasts on the days of the 'Ashura' in Muharram].

Read the Extracts from the Text of the Speech Below:

My dear disciples and Muslim brothers, sisters, and children,

Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuhu. 

By the Grace of Allah, this evening of Wednesday 18 August is the start of the 10^th day of the month of Muharram in this year 1443 Hijri - here in Mauritius, and will end on Thursday 19 August 2021 before sunset, Insha-Allah. It is a very special day for Muslims around the world. 

The 10^th day of Muharram is better known as Ashura. Ashura comes from the term Ashr, which means 10 [ten] in the Arabic language. Ashura is the name which is given only to the 10^th day of Muharram because on this day many events took place in the history of the prophets. Given the importance of this day, some unfortunately associated it with inauthentic events, be it in Mauritius and abroad. Ashura makes us primarily recall the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussein (ra), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Karbala, in Iraq.

Women in the Jamaat System

 

[Note: This is the third and final installment of the 3-Part Friday Sermon of 06 August 2021~26 Dhul-Hijjah 1442 AH delivered by Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius on the institutional rules and general regulations applicable to office-bearers in the Jamaat System. 

In this section of the Sermon, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) unveils his vision and expectations concerning Siraj Makin Djawharat-ul-Kamal- the women's wing of the Jamaat; recognizing the extraordinary space women occupy, and the vital, complementary role they can play in the reformation of fellow women as well as in the construction,  nurturing and fostering of larger society through their critical role on the proper upbringing of children in family and community. Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) exhorts women to organize priorities in every day lives so as to reflect the commitment to equip themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective participation in, and performance of varied responsibilities, including in the training of children, and within the fellowship of women like them in the Jamaat. Hazrat Saheb (aba) exhorts us to grow in spirit and become role models and change-makers in personal, family and Jamaat settings so as to bring about much-needed spiritual transformation in society, Insha Allah, Aameen].  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon Below:

The Jamaat System- II

 

In his Friday Sermon of 06 August 2021~26 Dhul-Hijjah 1442 AH Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius unveiled the administrative structure and electoral processes of the expanding Divine mission for the benefit and guidance of all its members living in different countries, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. Keeping in mind the needs of functional efficiency and systemic flow, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) spoke comprehensively in this discourse about the rules and regulations applicable to various office-bearers and their respective duties: from branches in village communities down to the officers in the Central Committee (Majlis-e-Amila). 

Reproduced Below are the Part -2- of the Friday Sermon: