‘Say A BIG NO to Birth Control’

The long term sustainability of the economic development models being pursued by various nations is under a shadow these days with multiple crises-economic, political, social and financial- afflicting even the affluent among the peoples and societies. Instead of addressing the glaring inequalities in income and wealth and the insane disparities in the resource distribution structures that under grid the modern economies, the priority of our finest minds seems to have been diverted to no less a thing than ‘playing’ God. How else would you explain the global focus on ‘birth control’ as the panacea for gross mismanagement of economies/ resource distribution patterns?! Alas, for a world that has lost its sense of proportionality and is out of ‘balance’, flawed logic, warped thinking and anti- natural policies seem to appeal more than ethical concerns.

To contain the many issues emerging out of the inequitable economic and social policies followed thus far, nations seem to have found a magical solution in population control/ birth control. Abortion and Birth Control as a conscious state policy to reduce population figures is antithetical to the spirit of life and natural growth and as such, against the Islamic values. In his Friday Sermon of June 15, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) explained at length the ethical teachings of Islam with special reference to marital life- the ways in which Islamic ethics seek to inject personal happiness, the joy of togetherness, emotional bonding and the bliss of progeny into the very special relationship between a man and his wife. Drawing on the fine metaphor of beautiful flowers, the Messenger of Allah of our times points out that children are the Roses in the garden of life and calls our attention to the traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa) who wanted to see hundreds of flowers to bloom in the garden of Muslim Ummah.

Read the extracts from the Friday Sermon:

The Other Half of Women’s ‘Freedom’

That sexual permissiveness is morally unacceptable may have been a part of the long-standing common sense in most societies. But, increasingly, such views are being challenged by people who brazenly and wantonly, ‘celebrate’ the cause of individual 'preferences' and identity 'orientations' by arguing that there is nothing deviant in being a homosexual or a lesbian for that matter. The fact is, world over, sexual permissiveness is increasingly gaining societal acceptance and public legitimacy. The language of human rights and basic freedoms are increasingly being deployed for the recognition and in the service of homosexual, bisexual, transgender and lesbian communities and also for legalising abortion and even prostitution. In this twisted world of legality,  the heinous practice of abortion is projected as a mere question of a woman’s basic right to reproductive choice.  Any perceived 'interference' by the society through regulatory laws/rules would be seen as a grotesque invasion of the right to privacy and self- determination in the private sphere!

In his Friday Sermon of June 08, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius took note of these larger societal trends in the backdrop of the recent policy debates in Mauritius on the issue of legalizing abortion.  The Divine Messenger of our times points out that all of these have profoundly negative implications for the orderly development and long-term health of societies and the human civilization's onward march.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Brothers and sisters, you know that since Friday 04 May 2012, in the Mauritian Parliament and even before this, the government has taken the decision to legalise abortion, but after debates on the question, they (that is, the government) persisted to go forward with the legalisation of abortion in specific cases and this has been published in the newspapers here in Mauritius. Each time that the government has gone against religion and the religious leaders, and each time that the subject of abortion has become the talk of the day, as the Khalifatullah of this era, like in the past, I shall continue to rise against all things which are against the divine teachings and which are encouraging all the more the spread of sins.

Immorality is annihilating our youth, be it in Mauritius and the world as a whole. Due to the fact that some 20% of women do not want children, therefore accordingly (people of modern times or government) seem to think that abortion must be legalised. I warn you: Do not invite the punishment of Allah on this small island, and I warn also the other countries who have legalised (or in the process of legalising) abortion.

'Tests of Faith are Essential'

For success in the world, hard work and sacrifices are essential. The capacity to face difficulties and to surmount challenges in your chosen field of work will determine the orbit of your achievements. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, the path of Allah is only for those who make a conscious effort to remain on the journey and strive hard to attain progress. Tests of faith will swiftly follow those who claim they have a spiritual commitment- only to sift the grain from the chaff.  In his Friday Sermon of 18 May 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius comprehensively dealt with the subject of spiritual trials and tribulations and exhorted Muslims to show high resolve and be prepared for all manner of hardship and suffering in order to attain spiritual benefit.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“Spiritual benefit comes only to those who make an effort themselves. You will note that our Holy Prophet (sa) was the best and held the highest spiritual position yet he, too, suffered much for the sake of his faith. Religion is attained truly only after ‘dying’ for it. Had God so wished, he would not have ordered things in this way. However, God has made the same law even for worldly matters; that is, everything is achieved only through effort. With God’s grace and one’s effort, a person can reach his desired destination. In worldly affairs, achievement comes only after overcoming numerous difficulties and suffering.

Should it then be the case that no effort or striving is involved in religious achievements? In worldly affairs even a small court case sends a person running in all directions to gather support and backing for his case. Great expense is incurred and much effort is made for such matters and if, after all the effort, should the case be decided against that person, appeal after appeal is submitted and the person keeps striving to achieve his aim.

When such is the nature of striving for worldly affairs, are then matters of religion to be considered so simple that one can achieve success in them by living a life of ease and comfort? Is religion to be attained merely by someone’s touch or just by chanting a few words when God states:

“Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried?” (29: 3)

(That is) Do these people think that they will be left untried because of their verbal utterances and will be considered people of faith merely on the basis of their verbal proclamation of “we believe” and will not be tested? Tests and trials are very essential. All prophets are agreed on this that trial is an essential element in one’s progress and until a person passes successfully through the different levels of trials, he cannot become truly religious.

The Road to Spiritual Progress

The path to attain nearness to the Lord Almighty is narrow and slippery. One needs to traverse it through prayer, patience and concentration. One can evolve spiritually by establishing a firm relationship and bond of love with the Guided Ones who are sent by Allah the Most High from time to time. Listening to them and following their noble precepts and practices are absolutely essential for those who seek true guidance. This way one will gain right and correct belief which are free from blemishes and mythical haze. In his Friday Sermon of 11 May 2012, Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius underscored the struggles involved in attaining spiritual progress and offered special guidance on how to proceed on this sublime path.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“According to Islam, our beautiful and perfect religion, the only spiritual way is that of prayer and concentration. But time is needed for a person to benefit from this because until a relationship takes deep roots and a bond of love is created, its effects cannot be felt. The way of guidance is only through prayer and concentration.

It is God’s rule of nature that every spirit requires a physical mould. When such a mould is ready, a spiritual form is breathed into it automatically. It is an essential objective that you should gradually gain acquaintance with the reality which God has opened to me in the capacity of Khalifatullah of this era. There are many errors in the beliefs which have common currency among the ordinary people of Islam and also in Jamaat Ahmadiyya and these errors have arisen as a result of intermingling with the Christians. But now God has wished that the pure and bright face of Islam be shown to the world, that is, the Sahih al Islam. Clarity of beliefs is very essential for spiritual progress. The clearer the beliefs, the greater will be the progress.

Prayer and concentration are needed in this struggle because the true reality is hidden from some people by the veil of their negligence, from others by their prejudice and yet some others are kept away from it because they have no devotion to the people of truth. However, without God’s help these veils cannot be lifted and that is why prayer and concentration are needed. Ever since the system of prophethood has been instituted, it has been the case that mere talk cannot lead to any progress. It is always prayer and devoted concentration which prove beneficial.

The Concept of Khalifatullah

In his Friday Sermon of 25 May 2012, Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) of Mauritius gave a discourse on the concept of Khalifatullah or the Vicegerent to Allah on earth. The speech is especially important for Ahmadi Muslims to ponder over, for the extraordinary light it throws on the concept of Khilafat in Islam and the insights it provides on the circumstances in which the favour of Allah deserted the man-elected Khilafat system and resulted in the emergence of the current Divine Manifestation in Mauritius.  

Islam offers the spiritual history of countless prophets in the Holy Qur’an as a living testimonial to an enduring Divine practice: Allah the Most High raises His Messengers, who (did and) would call people to the sublime path of spirituality. These Messengers would teach people the Divine Word and invite them to partake of the Divine blessings that pour down like a heavenly rain on a parched earth. Depending on the depth of their immersion in the Divine waters, these holy men of God are decorated by Allah the Most High Himself with spiritual titles of magnificent proportions- Rasulullah, Nabiullah, Khalifatullah, Muhyi-ud-Din, Mujaddid etc.  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:  

“The word Khalifatullah can be explained with reference directly to Allah (swt) or with reference to an earlier prophet. The Khalifatullah is created on earth by the word of God and he is vicegerent to Allah, or a deputy to Allah. Hazrat Adam (as) is referred to as Khalifatullah and it (that is, the title and seat of Khalifatullah) came to its perfection in the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and that also is the meaning of Khataman-Nabiyyeen. This is one understanding of the word Khalifatullah.

Islamic Way: Secret of a Long Life

"Any one who wants to have his provision expanded,

 his term of life prolonged and for people to speak well of him

 should maintain ties of kinship" 

                                                                                        - Prophet Muhammad (sa)

In his Friday Sermon of May 04, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius spoke about the practical ordinances of Islam to be kept in mind in our everyday lives. Islam detests idleness and forbids practices such as usury that breeds and perpetuates a culture of idleness and irresponsibility. On the contrary, it envisions the believers as a community of people devoted to constant personal improvement in their spiritual states and collective progress in material conditions. The very lifestyles and priorities on every single day of their lives will reflect this enduring commitment to individual enterprise and collective growth. 

The believers are to strive for excellence in their chosen fields of occupation or profession so that the world may benefit from their work. Their charity, generosity and service will embrace not just family and kin, but will extend to neighbours and strangers as well. Thus, the Muslim becomes a source from which flow virtue, goodness and peace which everyone around him shall benefit.  ‘That which benefits the people endures in the earth’, says the Holy Qur’an. Adhering to the Islamic way has beneficial consequences, including possibly, a long and productive life, asserts the Messenger of Allah.   

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

The Muslim, if he wants that Allah grants him a long life, must comply with the scheme of everyday life as prescribed by Islam. This requires, inter alia, that the Muslim wakes up early and goes to bed early. The Muslim begins his day at dawn at least, before daybreak. And he welcomes his morning by being pure, before the afternoon catches up with him, full of weaknesses, shortcomings and even sins. This is why our beloved Saviour, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) showed us that we must come what may, and in any situation seek God’s forgiveness for the soul is prone to evil, except that which Allah protects against the ravages of Satan. Therefore, Muslims greet their day early, and this is the virtue praised by the Holy Prophet (sa) when he wished them prosperity and abundance in these times, “Allah bless the precocity of mine (that is, my people).”

Time Planning is an Islamic Virtue

In his Friday Sermon of April 27, 2012, Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) continued his discourse on the significance of leading a full life in this world. Good deeds form half of the Faith. Believers are to diligently pursue their noble objectives on every single day of their lives. One must rank one’s priorities and set objectives in terms of importance and try to accomplish each of these tasks in the required time. The main duty or sacred duty (Farz deed) must be fulfilled before performing a supererogatory one, and this is equally valid for other cases. ‘Exploit (your) time fairly and effectively’ and ‘not be among the thoughtless and forgetful’, exhorts the Messenger of Allah of our times.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“...There is no favour to any particular person where time is concerned. This is because the latter is split equally between men. But some have more merit in how to manage, operate and profit from it. Allah (swt), who evaluated time, and shared it among His servants, distinguished some moments that are better than others.

In terms of ritual actions, Allah (swt) has spared some time for the seasons where expected rewards are increased, as the month of Ramadan and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Other moments are more favourable to the fulfillment of prayers, as the last third of every night, every Friday afternoon, the breaking of the fast for the faster, and the sacred night (Laila-tul-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan!

Every day you have before you a moment in the morning, a moment in the evening and another at dawn, where you can raise your pure mind to the heavens to win both favours of this world and the hereafter. Before you, there are the seasons of the submission, the days of meditation and nights of sacrifices, to which you refer to the Holy Book (the Quran) and the teaching of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Try then to be among those who remember and call on their Lord, and not be among the thoughtless and forgetful. Be those who act, not of those who laze. Enjoy your time, time is like the sword, and neglect procrastination because there is nothing more harmful.