Calamities and Divine Commands

The devastating earthquake in Turkiye and Syria earlier this month has resulted in a great humanitarian catastrophe in the region, with thousands of lives being lost enmass, and millions facing acute crisis of existence with displacement-induced shortage of access to basic resources and services. Looking at the sheer scale of the human and material loss at the earthquake, the media and the experts agree that Turkiye is reeling under ‘the disaster of a century’. 

 

And yet looking further around our small world, it appears as though destructive calamities are now a recurring phenomena, with different nations witnessing a range of extreme weather events such as floods, cyclones, droughts, land-sliding and earthquakes, etc. The outbreak of viruses and related public health emergencies are a major concern, long before Covid-19 struck the world with horrific consequences. All these are in addition to the several man-made disasters destroying societies around the world: consider the human cost and material devastation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, and other violent ethnic/racist campaigns creating havoc in many lands.

Disasters striking the world make one ponder over the role and function of the Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of all the worlds. Amidst all that is happening in the world, a spiritual view will be helpful in making sense of our moment here. God is never unjust to humanity. Through His chosen messengers raised and appointed in every era, God provides clear guidance on fundamental values of healthy and balanced living for the benefit of people. Divine teachings prescribe radical moderation and fair-dealings; equity and justice; compassion and empathy for fellow beings. It is by following the ethical code of conduct prescribed by God- the Divine commandments- on diverse aspects of individual and collective life that one can safeguard against the temptations of Evil: the empty promises of all false deities.

Indeed, humans can truly worship God, and make real progress in social life by relying on the Divine principle of compassion and benevolence. Instead of abusing God-gifted resources and faculties of the ‘self’, we ought to use the opportunities to serve the interests of our common humanity and thereby privilege the collective benefit in a spirit of solidarity and compassion for all. Indeed, nations inherit Divine mercy and blessings when they follow the correct and straight path of pure wisdom as taught by the Prophets and the Elects.

 

A believer does not agree with the materialist view that God is indifferent to human destiny and social fortunes. On the other hand, to a believer, Allah (swt) is not only aware of even the whisperings of the human soul, but He also comes to the aid of the one who seeks and prays for His help and assistance in times of need. For a believer, God’s grace and blessings are available to everyone. At the same time, His punishment is also very severe, especially to those ignore Divine commands and promote disorder in society. All that is happening around us is a reflection of the Divine Signs and manifestations involving both Divine Grace and Divine Wrath.   

Khalifatullah’s India Visit 2023

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, and the International Sadr of the Siraj Makin Djawaharatul Kamal- the women’s wing of the Jamaat- Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally completed a historic visit to India between 16 January and 10 February 2023. The Holy visit took place under the will and shade of Allah's Grace in the dawn of a New Year, literally marking a new page in the Book of Time and the evolving spiritual lives of the Jamaat members in India, Masha Allah, Allah-u-Akbar!

 

In spite of the manifold and diverse Deeni works that keep them busy all through the year, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) and Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen International Sadr Saheba chose to find time and be with the disciples and followers in India for a period of almost a month. The presence of these blessed servants of God in India- a journey that took place despite several hurdles, marked a spiritually- uplifting, and morally- ennobling experience for all those who were in the circle of the Divine Manifestation during those days of the Holy visit, Subhaan Allah.  

Disciples and followers of the Khalifatullah (aba) will certainly cherish for a long time the spiritual warmth and filial affection showered by him upon all of them all through the visit, in Tamil Nadu, in Kerala and elsewhere. Like the sunshine and the rain, the servants of God embraced all those who came in search of Divine Grace and succour in their midst. Many devout souls recognized the privilege of joining the High representative of God – the Khalifatullah- in his long invocations and sublime prayers, and the opportunity to directly listen to discourses on finer points of spiritual wisdom, and to hear about Allah’s help and assistance amidst all trials and tests of faith in the everyday lives of those who believe and entrust their affairs to the wisdom and grace of the All Knowing, the All Aware,- relying entirely on the will and pleasure of God, Alhamdulillah. Indeed, the Holy visit gave members of the Jamaat a unique and special opportunity to join and experience the signs of Divine presence and manifestations in their own surroundings in everyday life, Subhaan Allah, Masha Allah, Allah-u-Akbar! 

Unity of the Muslim Ummah- 2

 

Reaching for Unity (Pt.2)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I shall continue to expound today in my sermon about the Unity of the Ummah, and why the community of Muslim believers cannot bring itself to unite while the non-believers are successfully uniting themselves in their common goals.

 

So, the third cause…

 

THIRD CAUSE

 

Disagreement among the people of truth does not arise from lack of zeal and aspiration, nor does union among the people of misguidance arise from loftiness of aspiration. Rather disagreement among the people of truth arises from their misuse of high aspiration, and union among the people of misguidance arises from the weakness and impotence that come from lack of aspiration. What impels the people of guidance to the misuse of their high aspiration - and hence to disagreement, and rivalry - is the desire for heavenly reward that is counted as a praiseworthy quality in the Hereafter.

 

It is even recorded in authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet that at the End of Time the truly pious among the Christians will unite with the people of the Quran and fight their common enemy, i.e. irreligion. Then the people of religion and truth will sincerely unite not only with the truly pious and spiritual ones among the Christians, but with all classes of pious and sincere people refraining from the discussion and debate of points of difference in order to combat their joint enemy, i.e. aggressive atheism.

'Ummah': Unity in Diversity

 

In his Friday Sermon of 30 December 2022~ 06 Jamadi’ul Aakhir 1444 AH, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius begins a series of reflections on forging unity within the global Muslim Ummah. As the existential conditions of the Muslims around the world are characterized by deep diversity- languages, races, regions, nations and peoples, etc.-and the Ummah is virtually split into numerous sects and factions, with each group claiming monopoly over the Truth; formidable challenges confront the tasks of Muslim unity.

Through this discourse, Hazrat Muhyiuddin (aba) addresses this vital question of Islamic unity by calling attention to the foundational guidance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) on the role of sincerity and humility in religious relations. People are prone to 'worship' their own ideas and inherited notions, customs and practices; preferring their own position, wealth and power and other passions of the self. On the other hand, overcoming the inclinations of the self and preferring others to one's own dictates is the path to spiritual progress and God realization. For the sake of Divine approval and pleasure over the Ummah as a whole- rather than seeking fringe benefits and cheap sectarian victories-, people have a strong basis in religious sincerity and humility for remaining united for collective welfare and attracting Divine blessings, points out Hazrat Saheb (aba).      

A Vision for A Just World

In his Friday Sermon of 16 December 2022 ~21 Jamadi’ul Awwal 1444 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius speaks movingly about the struggles of persecuted minorities; stateless refugees and other peoples caught up in climate change-induced migration; the deep connections between ecological disasters and armed conflicts, and also the problem of modern slavery: human trafficking across borders amidst deepening misery and despair at home in several lands.  

Speaking against the backdrop of the material conditions in Mauritius, Imam Azim (aba) urges fellow citizens to be deeply grateful to God for the available social blessings of peace, relative prosperity and global standing of the nation, and at the same time, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) gently reminds people to be conscious of long-term societal trends, and also be aware of the moral and ethical obligations the people owe to fellow beings in their midst- especially those in suffering and are vulnerable due to their difficult circumstances.  In this eloquent discourse, Hazrat Azim (aba) invites our attention to the obligations of our common humanity towards the refugees and the vulnerable migrants. Warning against the pitfalls of indifference, silence and negligence, Hazrat Saheb (aba) urges one and all to stand up for the less privileged and try to make a difference in our surroundings for our collective welfare and shared progress. Muslims especially have a duty to be the forces of good; fighting evil within and outside; standing up for justice and equity. Indeed, true faith and allegiance to Divine worship requires us to be mindful of the needs of our fellow beings and ease up their travails, and engage ourselves in the larger causes of humanity, reminds Hazrat Saheb (aba).

Divine Manifestation: 23 Years

 

‘It is He who made the sun a shining radiance and the moon a light, determining phases for it so that you might know the number of years and how to calculate time. God did not create all these without a true purpose; He explains His signs to those who understand.’----The Holy Qur’an, (10: 6)

‘By the passage of time!  man is [deep] in loss, except for those who believe, do good deeds, urge one another to the truth, and urge one another to steadfastness.’ (103: 2-4)

 

For a man without Faith, the flight of time and all happenings are merely accidental and without any consequences in this world, nor in the world to come! On the other hand, for a believer, there is a meaning and purpose attached to all the events in the ebb and flow of time. He/she lives with a wider consciousness about Divine commands and the Day of Judgement when one’s deed shall make or break one’s fortunes, eternally, as it were. Hence, every New Year is a great reminder- of the years passing by, and the times coming ahead by the Will of Allah, and more importantly, about our duties to choose wisely and act prudently as time goes by.

Kerala Jalsa 2022: A Report

 

Alhamdulillah, with the approval and blessed permission of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius, the Thirteenth Jalsa Salana (Annual Meeting) of the Kerala Jamaat took place at the historic Noor’ul Islam Masjid, Mathra, on 23-25 December 2022, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

In addition to the members in Mathra; brothers and families from Pappankulam, Karunagappally and Alappuzha, and Delhi also could reach the Masjid venue ahead of the commencement of the three-day Programme.

On the first day, all brothers and sisters collectively offered the Tahajjud prayers at 4.45 am, and it was followed later, at 5:10 am, by the Namaz-e-Fajr. Mukarram Amir Jamaludin Raother Saheb conducted a Dars-ul-Qur’an, immediately after the Fajr Namaz. After morning works and breakfast, there was a round of Waqar-e-Amal around the Masjid premises and surroundings. Later, Mukarram Amir Saheb led the Jumuah prayers, and for the Friday sermon, the Amir Saheb chose to speak on “the exemplary life of the Holy Prophet (sa)”- explaining a classic Qutubah of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) on the theme for the benefit of all members present.