Thursday, December 23, 2021

Sin & Its Consequences

 

When you hear people say, “I feel bad about myself [litt: not to feel well in one’s skin]; I feel uncomfortable”, we can say that this person is wrong and that the reality of his condition escapes him. 

In fact, if he feels bad, it is because he is no longer in his “skin”. If we remove a fish from the water to put it in a living room with oriental rugs, from which aromas of noble leather and precious woods rise, or to place it on a tablecloth where delicious dishes are arranged, and from where we can distinguish, through huge bay windows, magnificent landscapes, will this fish jump for joy? Will it start to sing? Or, on the contrary, won’t it eventually perish after a long agony? 

We can perfectly imagine its horrible end. But why? Quite simply because it is no longer in its natural environment and has been removed from the environment which Allah has specially intended for it, from its living space. He is out of his “skin” because out of the water. By analogy, we may wonder what we are talking about when we talk about the natural environment, the living environment or even the “skin” of human beings, and especially of Muslims. It is easy to understand that it is about living according to the divine prescriptions, that is, according to the Sharia, and therefore, to do what is commanded and to refrain from what is prohibited. 

Saturday, December 18, 2021

The Blessings of 'Jalsa Salana'

 

Jalsa Salana (Annual Conference) is an occasion for the believers to come together, to meet and greet all brothers, sisters and children in the community; to pray collectively for those who went ahead of us in the journey to Allah; to grow in spirit, learning about Deen-e-Islam - a true celebration of the blessings of Tawheed in the company of, and in solidarity with, our folks. 

With the blessed presence and participation of Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) and the Holy Family, the Mauritius National Jalsa of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam assumes profound significance for the community of believers everywhere. This year, the Jalsa Salana in Mauritius took place on Friday, 10 December 2021~ 06 Jamadi’ul Awwal 1443 AH. Among the programmes made in Session 1 & 2, there is Tilawat-ul-Qur’an  as well as reading of Al Azim Tafsir-ul-Qur’an by Janab Abdul Muhaymine Azim Saheb, and  Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen International Sadr (of Siraj Makin) Fazli Amena Saheba. Between them, they shared an exposition on the evocative Duahs of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) as taught in Surah Al Baqarah: 

And remember the time when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House, praying, ‘Our Lord, accept this from us; for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our Lord, make us submissive to You and make of our offspring a people submissive to You. And show us our ways of worship, and turn to us with mercy; for You are Oft-Returning with compassion and Merciful. And, our Lord, raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves, who may recite to them Your Signs and teach them the Book and Wisdom and may purify them; surely, You are the Mighty, the Wise.''(2:128-130)  

Likewise, Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sayyida Nasira Azim Saheba offered a discourse on Ahadith relating to the topic/s:  “’Cleanliness is Half of Faith’ & Good Manners”. Based on personal, mystical experiences of Divine Signs, Hazrat Tayyiba Shaheedah Nasrine Aliah Saheba also made a Testimonial Speech on the Signs of the Divine Manifestation, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

Reproduced Below is the Opening Speech of the Jalsa by Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba):

Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Revelation: Ahmadi Speculations

 

Recently, an Ahmadi brother sent us a question. According to him: 'It was Allah who had already revealed to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah(as), ‘Inni ma'aka ya Masroor' (Surely, I am with you, O Masroor) Hence it is very clear when Allah Himself said that 'I am with you, O Masroor’- that is, He is with the fifth Khalifa Mirza Masroor Ahmad after the Promised Messiah. Then, how can Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib, or anyone else, have the authority to do so? 

Before, we can answer the question first of all, we have to discuss about the divine revelation revealed to the Promised Messiah(as). Actually, this revelation is the third from the chain of revelations which is vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah (as) in Arabic language and these revelations were received by him on December 1907. (Tadhkirah, p. 1016) In that, Allah (swt) had revealed to him, "Inni ma'aka ya Masrur" (I am with you, O Masrur [happy one]) and Further, it was revealed to him “Inni Ma'aka ya Ibrahim” in the same day! One thing we should also remember is that these revelations were vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah (as).

But now, the Nizamies are completely devoid of this heavenly blessings and they are claiming that this revelation is a prophecy for Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib and certainly, we will have no objection; rather, we will happily welcome it. But the question is did he (Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib) proclaim and declared that the revelation of Promised Messiah (as) would prove that he has been raised from Allah for the benefit of the whole of mankind? And if not, what is the significance of this own claim by Nizamies? 

Tuesday, December 14, 2021

Faith: 'Don't Judge Others'


 

There is no greater misfortune than choosing ‘spiritual death’ after attaining faith. Indeed, sacrificing one's firmly held convictions and principles while one is still physically alive amounts to the death of an honorable man. True believers would never agree to let go of the life-giving Divine commandments and prohibitions. Coming under the sway of the evil-prone self and bargaining with the Satan for a temporary ecstasy is nothing short of ruining one’s spiritual future. It needs to be noted, however, that Allah (swt) has linked each man’s deeds to his neck, and while all deeds fly away like birds once the 'moment' is over, the light and shadows of his deeds remain imprinted in his soul even beyond- to give its account in the court of Allah in the life to come: for the rewards of the good, and the punishment of the wrongdoers.  Hence, all judgement of human deeds is, ultimately, in the court of Allah, the Best of Judges. And striving untiringly for achieving purification of the heart is the life-long obligation, and prayer of all believers: ‘Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us. Grant us Your mercy: You are the Ever Giving’. (3:9) 


Recently, attributing certain contemporary deeds of a man who once associated himself with the ranks of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam (and later disassociated himself with it for reasons best known to him); some bigoted and ignorant Ahmadi Mullahs have sought to insinuate and sully the image of the Jamaat of Allah. Due to their inbuilt biases and prejudices against the Elect of Allah of this era and His mission in their midst, these Mullahs from other Muslim denominations speak as if they are willfully “dumb, deaf, and blind”- unable or unwilling to distinguish between right and wrong. In a recent Jamaat communication, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius explains the true perspective on belief and disbelief in Islamic precepts.  

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Shaik Malukar Sahib


'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' (2:156) Shaik Malukar Sahib of Kottar, one of the respected members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in Tamil Nadu passed away this week, Innaa Lillaahi Wa Innaa Ilayhi Raajioon. 

In a communication to the Jamaat in India, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius remembers this sincere and righteous disciple who lived a fruitful life in remembrance of God before that final journey to Allah (swt) destined for all living persons.  Janaza Namaz Ghaib -funeral prayers in absentia- were performed by brothers and sisters of the Jamaat in India: may Allah (swt) forgive him, accept his good deeds, and welcome him to the happiness and fragrance of Paradise, Aameen.   

Reproduced below are the extracts from the special message from Hazrat Saheb (aba):   


'On 06 December 2021, one of my dear disciples in Tamil Nadu, Shaik Malukar Sahib died due to a heart-attack at the age of 46 years old. He was the President of the Kottar Branch of our Jamaat. On that day, he performed his Salat-ul-Tahajjud & Fajr and participated in the Al-Azim Tafsir’ul Quran Dars, and it was afterwards that he felt pain in his chest. He was then taken to the hospital and according to the information received, on the way to the hospital he told his wife to look after his two children and then he recited the Kalima. The doctors tried to revive him but in vain. When they were still in the hospital, I received the sad news of his demise from the Mukarram State Amir of Tamil Nadu and I phoned his wife and son and talked to them in the hospital. 

I am saddened today, as a Spiritual Father, I lost one of my dear and sincere disciples. 

Saturday, December 11, 2021

Understanding 'Shahada'

 

'Shahada': First Pillar of Islam

لا إله إلا الله محمد رسول الله

Laa-Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadur Rassoolullah

“There is no other God but God [Allah] and Muhammad (pbuh) is His Messenger.” 


It is by accepting this confession that one becomes a Muslim. This is the first pillar of Islam. It is the profession of faith of every Muslim. It proclaims the oneness of God and totally refutes the idea that He could have been begotten (like human beings) or created. 

The Shahada therefore leads us to submit to God and become His servants. By reciting it, we affirm to our Creator that we will follow His recommendations and refrain from His prohibitions. Our goal is to try to correct ourselves, by leading our life according to the commands of our Master. 

To this end, the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “He who recites the Shahada with sincerity will enter paradise”. He was then asked: “What is the sign of sincerity?” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) replied, “It prevents him from doing things forbidden by Allah.” 


We must therefore strive to obey Allah in all circumstances, whether in the way we eat, drink, dress or behave with others. It is not appropriate to be satisfied with what suits us, by conforming ourselves, for example, to the customs and behaviours of other people, foreign to Islam, by abandoning the Sunnah and all that Allah has prescribed to us in His Holy Book.

Friday, December 10, 2021

Kerala: Gifts for Kids

 

“Do good to others. Allah loves those who do good.” (2:196) 


Islam instils a culture of caring and sharing, and a sense of responsibility within individuals for fostering a just society. Rather than being content to live with one’s wealth and family, the Qur’an expects you to be virtuous and do good to others as an obligation of faith and commitment. Being a trustee of God on earth, it is your duty to deploy all that Allah (swt) has gifted you in this life so as to work for the well being of all of God’s creations. 


This is especially so in times when glaring inequality and  deep fractures and fault-lines in our communities call for robust initiatives for a just and caring social order. Indeed, our broken times call for the creation of 'a new world' that foregrounds the protection and benefit of the poor and the indigent, the orphans and the widows, the homeless and the landless, the elderly and the sick; that facilitates education, skills training and other beneficial capabilities among the young for a better future.  
   

Inspired by the illuminating guidance and leadership of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, the humble and devoted brothers of the Jamaat are increasingly engaging themselves in beneficial social engagement programmes at their own local communities, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.