Our Covenant with God

 

In theory, a social contract binds the State and the citizen; defining nature of relations, prescribing rules of engagement, and allocating the rights and duties of the Parties involved. In our societies, the basic social unit of family and kingship is also rooted in marriage contracts between husbands and wives; like the Qur’an reminds: “they have taken from you a firm and solemn covenant (by marriage)” (4:22). Similarly, the Qur’an speaks of humanity’s covenant with God through history: an original covenant that prescribes duties that we owe to God and to fellow beings, in return for Divine approval and rewards in this world and the world to come. In the Divine scheme of things under the covenant, those who refuse to respect the terms of engagement by leading a Godless life in this world, and those who ignore His warnings and go on to persecute His believing servants are the real law-breakers, and they are condemned to severe punishment, as per the Will of Allah (swt).

 

Human servitude to the Lord Almighty

Islam teaches us that Allah (swt), the Creator and Sustainer of all the worlds, raised humans with a certain purpose of life, and through Revelations sent via prophets and messengers, He granted clear guidance on how best to spend our days in this world. The Creator, in His infinite kindness, imprinted all human souls with a deep yearning in quest of Him, and the human heart and mind are designed to be truly inclined to recognize the Lord; an intuitive capacity is ingrained in all persons to observe and reflect and recognize and understand the beauty and wisdom of His revelations sent through the prophets and the sages; to find peace and tranquillity by being mindful of His commandments. The Qur’an says: ‘And when your Lord took from the children of Adam, from their loins, their progeny and made them bear witness concerning themselves, “Am I not your Lord Who sustains you?” They said, “Yea, surely, we bear witness (to it and acknowledge it).” (7:173)

'Nafs': Body Rights in Islam

 

Fulfilling the Rights of Fellow Muslims (Part 5)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue today the series of sermons on the rights of fellow Muslims, and today I will talk about the rights of one’s own self [Nafs].

 

Life on earth is a God-given temporary trust [i.e. Amanat] to the human race. We are all the property of Allah (twt) and all that we are belong exclusively to Allah. And while belonging to Allah, contrary to His other creatures, He has bestowed upon us freewill and rights that we have to both respect and implement.

 

So, it is therefore incumbent for us to use and guard this trust according to the Divine command. Among the rights incumbent on us in respect of our lives are:

 

1.     The protection of its health and strength.

    2.     The guarding of its peace.

 

This means to refrain from any such activity which unnecessarily imposes strain and frustration. Neglect in these rights results in interference with one’s Deen. Peace of mind and courage are destroyed and in consequence one will fail to render service to others. At times, due to the frustration and weakness, one’s condition aggravates to the degree where one’s very faith [i.e. Iman ] is in danger of elimination. This grievous state is manifested due to the impatience and ingratitude fostered by frustration and depression which overtakes man who has failed in fulfilling the rights of his own body and soul.

Balancing Rights and Duties

 

Man is a social being. Just living requires the recognition of the duties we owe to others, just as we seek to exercise our own individual and other social rights in the community. Islam provides a range of teachings that address the fine balance of rights and duties to be achieved in society as well as in family; in our relations with parents, spouse/s, children, other members of the clan. In this series of special discourses, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius comprehensively explains the vital considerations of justice, compassion and benevolence the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) took into account while giving shape to the interpretation of rights and duties in social contexts. Read the Part 4 of this series, Friday Sermon of 02 September 2022 ~04 Safar 1444 AH below:  

Fulfilling the Rights of Fellow Muslims 

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue today the subject of my sermon on the rights of our fellow Muslims, especially the rights of the parents, and to what limit should they be obeyed, and the rights of one’s own child and spouse in respect of obedience to parents.

'Respect Rights; Fulfill Duties'- 3

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I am continuing today’s sermon on the same subject as the past two weeks, on the rights of our fellow Muslims, and also most specifically since last week, on the rights of the parents, and to what limit should they be obeyed, as well as the rights of the spouses and the children.

 

In the Hadith books of Imam Bukhari and Muslim as well as in Mishkaat, there is a lengthy Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) narrated by Ibn Umar (ra). In this Hadith three people are mentioned. They were on a journey when they were caught up in heavy rain. They took refuge in a cave. A huge boulder rolled and blocked the cave-entrance, cutting off their escape from the cave. The three decided to supplicate to Allah (twt) on the basis of some deeds which they had done with the greatest of sincerity. The deed which one of the three offered to Allah (twt) as his basis of supplication was about his aged parents and little children. He implored Allah (twt) in the following way: “O Allah! My parents were old and I used to go out for grazing (my animals). On my return I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel to my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked waking them up. The children were crying at my feet. That state of affairs continued till it was dawn. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then please remove this rock so that we may see the sky.” So, the rock was moved a bit.

Rights and Justice in the Family

 

'Respect Rights; Fulfill Duties'- 2

By the grace of Allah, I pursue the same subject-matter of my sermon of last Friday in which I talked about the having great considerations for the rights of our Muslim brethren. The rights explained are applicable to all Muslims in general. However, it is obvious that the importance and significance of rights will increase if these are related to special people.

 

In regard to rights, parents enjoy priority and greater significance because of their close relationship with their offspring. The rights of parents are unanimously accepted. I will not therefore elaborate on the details of these rights, as they are foremost mentioned in the Holy Quran and Hadiths, unless the parents deviates the child and intimates him or her to adopt false gods other than the true God, i.e. Allah. But even then, despite the wall of difference between parents and children who do not share the same faith, whether the parents are true Muslims and their children non-Muslims or vice-versa, even then Islam while ordaining the believers not to obey the disbelievers, even if they be their parents when they force them [i.e. the children] to worship others than Allah, Islam also commands that the non-Muslim parents be respected and treated well. They are not to be obeyed in religious matters, but concerning the affairs of the world, the children should show consideration and respect towards them and pray for their salvation.

 

In all things [and situations] there should be a balance. Like I taught you about the equilibrium which there needs to be in one’s own reform and preaching the unity and message of Allah, likewise, Islam teaches equilibrium of the rights of parents. Almighty Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Surely, Allah commands you to deliver trusts to those entitled to them, and that, when you judge between people, judge with justice.” (An-Nisa, 4: 59)

'Respect Rights; Fulfill Duties'

 

Fulfilling the Rights of Fellow Muslims

“O believers! Do not let any people [group of men] ridicule others, they may be better than them, nor let women ridicule other women, they may be better than them... O believers! Avoid many suspicions (for) indeed, some suspicions are sinful. And do not spy, nor backbite one another...” (Al-Hujurat, 49: 12-13)

 

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Masud (ra) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Verbally abusing a Muslim is an evil sin and fighting him is disbelief.” (Tirmidhi)

 

Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “When a man observing faults of others says (by way of complaint and adopting a ‘holier than you’ attitude considering himself free of fault): ‘People are corrupt’, then this person will soon become the most corrupted (because he has despised the believers).” (Muslim)

 

Hazrat Huzaifa (ra) narrates that he heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) say: “The person who goes about with calumnies will never enter paradise.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

'People, Strive with Humility'

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Kerala organized a Two-Day Spiritual Retreat Programme at the historic Noor'ul Islam Masjid- Mathra, on 13-14 August 2022, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. Mukarram Amir- Jamaat R. Jamaluddin Raother Saheb; Nai'b Amir Mukarram Sulfikar Ali Saheb of Kaliyikkavila; Secretary- Tabligh Mukarram Sadiq Ali Saheb; Secretary-Tarbiyat Mukarram Muhammad Sabir Saheb; Secretary-Finance Mukarram DA Zainul Abdeen Saheb;  Sahib Al Faraj Zachariah Ibn Zain, etc. led the Programme. Women members of the Jamaat, led by Sadr- Siraj Makin Djawaharat-ul-Kamal Fauzia Jamal-Zain Saheba, also took part in the Retreat Programme. Collective prayers, including Tahajjud Namaz, Zikr-e-Ilaahi; Duahs; recitations of the Holy Qur'an; discussions around Ahadith, and also on the explanations of vital spiritual teachings by the Promised Messiah (as) and Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba); singing of  Nazm, etc. characterized the time our members spent together at the premises of the Masjid, Masha Allah.  A meeting of the Central Working Committee (Majlis-e-Aamila) of the Jamaat also took place on the occasion, to take stock of the progress achieved so far, and to plan and strategies for future.  

By the immense Grace and Blessings of Allah, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius addressed the members of the Jamaat gathered on the occasion, on 14 August 2022 (8 Muharram 1444 AH). In his special discourse, Hazrat Imam (aba) exhorted members to keep aside all our human weaknesses and mutual differences and to focus on the Divine expectations and to pursue the path of Divine approval through imbibing true values of life: humility; respect for other people's rights; cultivating empathy and understanding for other's predicaments. Humility elevates ranks and conquers hearts- a quality that testifies to the true faith in God of the believers and a sign of great leaders- notes Hazrat Saheb (aba) in this discourse.

At a time when true Faith is facing various dangers, Hazrat Saheb (aba) points out that to restore the vigour and spirit of Islamic teachings, believers today have the duty to keep firmly in mind the big picture of Divine Mission in our times: we need to recognize the wisdom of a balanced approach: while pursuing personal reform, we also ought to engage in public exhortation of the right path for social transformation. We need to do sincere striving in our own surroundings, among our peoples; we need to make sacrifices; display true commitment by being generous contributors in the cause of God with the absolute trust in Divine Mercy and rewards in this world, and in the world to come, Insha Allah, Aameen.