The Sanctity of Places of Worship

 

In democratic theory, freedom of religion includes freedom to profess, practice, and propagate the beliefs that are closely held by a person and worship in a place of worship with security, regardless of what others think about his beliefs, or faith. Yet, in actually existing conditions in our societies, often majoritarian groups try to control and limit the freedoms of worship available to minority religious groups, often attacking the places of worship of such minority groups. Indeed, in an era of identity politics, inter-religious tensions as well as intra-religious sectarian strife within communities, places of worship of different religious communities bear the 'markings' of the times.

Consider the recent inaugural of a grand Ram Temple at Ayodhya in India. At the very place where a historic Masjid of the Muslim community stood for close to four-centuries, after destroying the Masjid, a Hindu Temple is recently built over there, after the country's top court endorses Hindu claims over the mosque on the basis of religious majoritarianism! While Hindu extremists executed the despicable crime of destroying the historic Masjid after a vicious hate campaign against the Muslim minority, the Indian State-despite its supposed secular neutrality- exonerated and rewarded, rather than punishing, the thugs involved in the horrific crime. [Inset: Babri Masjid at Ayodhya, a picture from the 19th century, taken by Samuel Bourne, sourced from Wikipedia]. 

While in India, extreme-rightwing Hindu assertions of majoritarianism trump the rights of the Muslim minorities on a range of issues; in Pakistan, it is Sunni fundamentalism that thrives at the cost of other minority groups within- such as the Ahmadi Muslims. For the Ahmadis of Pakistan, in the last several decades, the freedom to worship in a place of their choice without hindrance is at stake due to the Mullahs calling the shots in society through blasphemy laws and violent mobilizations, attacking Ahmadi mosques and killing Ahmadis- painting a bloody picture of gross distortion of foundational Islamic teachings by the far right among the Muslims. [Inset: debris of an Ahmadi mosque demolished in Sialkot, Pakistan, May 2018].       

 

Against this backdrop, in his Friday Sermon of 28 June 2024~21 Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius reflects profoundly on Islamic teachings on the sanctity of places of worship. Hazrat Saheb (aba) gives an exposition, and underscores the need for all Muslims to understand, respect and adhere to correct teachings of Islam when it comes to our approach towards the places of worship of other communities as well as fellow groups within the Muslim community. 

'Has God Stopped Talking?'

Proof of the Existence of God Almighty 

In response to the question which I have received from a Muslim man who was about to renounce his faith in Islam and in Allah altogether, I am hereby through this sermon answering him so that this explanation may benefit one and all. 

Is there conclusive evidence that God exists? Is the existence of God a fact that can be proven like any other scientific fact that can be proven in a laboratory? 

It is surprising that atheists and believers today share the same belief regarding one of the attributes of God that provides conclusive proof of His existence. In today’s world, it is a fact that everyone agrees upon, both atheists and followers of the various religions of the world, that God has stopped talking.

Tarbiyyat Lessons- 18

 

‘Salah’: Five Times A Day

 

‘Why have prayers been prescribed for Muslims five times a day? It may be asked: would not once or twice, or whenever one happens to feel like it, be sufficient?’ 

 

 

In response to this set of questions from Mr. Louis Babel Christopher from Algeria, Hazrat Imam Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius states:

        

In answering these questions, it must first be pointed out that the Islamic prayers (salat) are somewhat different from "prayer" as used in the Christian sense, although personal supplication and glorification of God (known as Duah) are also a very important part of the Muslim's worship.

 

Basically, Islamic prayers consist of recitations from the Holy Quran and glorification of God accompanied by various bodily postures. The five times of worship correspond to the five periods of the day: daybreak, noon, afternoon, the close of day and night, corresponding to the organization of Man's time around various activities.

A Quiz on ‘Muharram’

 

 Tarbiyyat Lessons- 17

(1) What is Muharram?     

 

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.

 

(2)  What happened in Muharram?

 

Imam Hussain (as) was brutally martyred along with his companions and family members including a six-month old Son after three days of no food and water in a desert.

 

(3)   Who was Hussain?

 

Hussain (as) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (sa).

 

(4) `Who martyred him?

 

Yazid, an unjust individual, who claimed to be the caliph of Muslims, martyred Hussain (as), his companions and family members.

 

(5) Why was Hussain martyred?

Yazid tried to bring unlawful changes in Islam and also harm humanity at large. Hussein (as) being the grandson of the Holy Prophet (sa) stood against him and his unjust ways.

 

(6) Why give so much importance to the 10^th of ‘Muharram’?

 

The Tenth Day of the Sacred Month of Muharram is called the Day of  'Aashoora'. This is a special day in the history of Islam. It is the most virtuous day of the month of Muharram. Many important events took place on the Day of ‘Aashoora’.

'Duah' for Healing

Tarbiyyat Lessons-16: 

Duah for Prevention of Cancer 

'Start reciting this powerful verse from the Qur'an, for yourself, and for your loved ones, and Allah will protect you from cancer developing in your body.

You must be always in a state of wudu (ablution). Recite every day, especially after Salah:

 

‘Rabbi qad aataitanee minal mulki wa allamtanee min taaweelil ahaadees, faati ras samaawaati wal ardi anta waliyyee fid Dunyaa wal Aakhirati tawaffanee Muslimanw wa alhiqnee bissaaliheen.’

 

‘My Lord! You have given me authority; You have taught me something about the interpretation of dreams; Creator of the heavens and the earth, You are my protector in this world and in the Hereafter. Let me die in true devotion to You. Join me with the righteous.’

 

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‘When I Die’: A Reminder

  

‘Every soul will taste death and you will be paid in full only on the Day of Resurrection. Whoever is kept away from the Fire and admitted to the Garden will have triumphed. The present world is only an illusory pleasure.’ (3:186)

‘Bear in mind that the present life is just a game, a diversion, an attraction, a cause of boasting among you, of rivalry in wealth and children. It is like plants that spring up after the rain: their growth at first delights the sowers, but then you see them wither away, turn yellow, and become stubble. There is terrible punishment in the next life as well as forgiveness and approval from God; the life of this world is only an illusory pleasure. So race for your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers: that is God’s bounty, which He bestows on whoever He pleases. God’s bounty is infinite.’ (57:22) 

‘Lord, inspire me to be thankful for the blessings You have granted me and my parents, and to do good deeds that please You; admit me by Your grace into the ranks of Your righteous servants.’ (27:20)

Life is transient in this world, and the lost moment never comes back. It is our responsibility to be conscious of our precious opportunity in this world before go forever from here to the Hereafter: to be good, and to do good; to uphold justice and to help God and His messenger/s, in our times among the people. On the Day of Resurrection and of Judgement, we are to give an account of our deeds- good and bad- to the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, our Lord Almighty as we await our rewards- the Paradisical Gardens of Divine pleasure and nearness in the world to come; or, our punishment- the Hellfire of Divine Anger and Rejection, God Forbid.  

 

Reproduced Below is a powerful reminder on the big picture of human life in this world, and the forthcoming accountability that everyone of us need to be prepared for, in the world to come after death and departure from here; a devout Muslim writer of Arab descent has left behind a succinct statement of our essential beliefs on individual accountability on the Day of Judgement when we face the chronicle of our records before God:

The Essence of ‘Taqwah’

  

In response to a question on the real meaning of ‘Taqwah’, received from a young Muslim  from abroad, Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius offered spiritual guidance, the text of which is reproduced below for the benefit of all seekers of higher wisdom.

 

Ms. Nusrat Alibagh [Germany]: ‘Assalamu Alaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarkaatuhu. Hazrat Munir Sahib, l want to have an answer from you: what is the real meaning of ‘Taqwah’?

 

Answer: ‘You know in the Holy Quran Allah (swt) say: ‘Verily, the Believers are those whose hearts feel fear when Allah is mentioned, and when His signs (or revelations) are recited to them they increase their faith, and who put their trust in their Lord.’ (8:3).