'Salah': The Pathway to Allah

Among all religious practices, Salah (prayer) is the most profound experience, an unparalleled means of establishing a connection between a believer and his Creator. 

Throughout the ages, humankind has found a path to Allah through Salah (prayer). This path has always been open to those who seek Allah. Before Islam was established as the perfected religion of Allah, Salah (prayer) was performed in various forms, but what was common in each Salah (prayer) was bowing and prostrating before Allah. For example, the original Salah (prayer) of the Jews before Islam was almost similar to how Muslims perform Salah (prayer) today. However, with the establishment of Islam as a Way of Life and Faith, the Jews changed their way of praying to differentiate themselves from Muslims.

 

This example highlights the true value of Salah (prayer) in the life of a true believer. When a believer stands, bows, and prostrates before his Creator with sincerity and humility of heart (Khushu), his Salah (prayer) brings tranquillity and comfort to his soul, body, and spirit. This Salah (prayer) provides true solace to a troubled mind, elevating the believer from a miserable state to one of peace and extraordinary tranquillity. Through Salat (prayers), one can attain high spiritual levels in the eyes of Allah, levels not experienced by those who lack this true connection with their Creator. Therefore, a believer who perfects his Salat (prayers) can achieve a higher spiritual status than other Muslims who have not unlocked the true potential of Salah (prayer).

Christmas and the 'Messiah'

 

No Christmas for true Christians!

In modern Christianity, facts and fabrications are inextricably intertwined. It is almost impossible for anyone to know and appreciate the true origins of the Faith with any certainty. And yet, scholars paying deep attention to specific details in the life of the historical Jesus- spiritual figure at the centre of all the debates-; studying the evolution of the fortunes of the early community of believers- they have unearthed and reconstructed vital points for the attention of truth-seekers. Consider the following: despite widespread popularity of 'Christmas' today, it is originally and essentially a pagan festival accrued to the Faith in the ebb and flow of time, and has had nothing to do with the historical Jesus! Moreover, even the theological doctrines are based on mythical Jesus and speculative wisdom. Rooted in questionable assumptions, the doubtful positions lead to unsatisfactory explanations only to be rejected by thinking minds- a fact empirically evident in the staggering denominational divisions in Christianity today.

It is to correct mistakes and to guide people in the straight path of true Faith that an Elect of God appears in any era. Since true Faith or certainty of belief comes only through Divine guidance, a Divine Messenger speaks with the help of Holy Spirit to bring the light of revelations for the guidance of humanity. Hence, by the Will and grace of God, at the beginning of the Third Millennium- the 21st Century of the Christian era; a holy personage has appeared in this era as the Reformer of all Faiths for our spiritual guidance, including to comfort the believers in the historical Jesus as a holy messenger of God: Hazrat Imam Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, the Messiah of our times. It is also striking to note in this context that for those who were looking for a spiritual Sign in the birth and times of the new Messiah; the contemporary Messiah has arrived in the cusp of a new era for humanity, and was literally born on a day associated with ‘Christmas’ in the Julian Calendar !

 

Reproduced below is the Friday Sermon of 27 December 2024~ 26 Jamadi’ul Aakhir 1446 AH delivered by Hazrat Saheb (aba)- explaining to a considerable detail the true antecedents of modern Christianity, and the need to move away from speculative doctrines and theological fictions to true and pure beliefs in God:   

Faith and Wealth

 

The World, or Allah?

'And whatever you have been given is (only) the enjoyment of worldly life and its adornment. And what is with Allah is better and more lasting.' (Al-Qasas, 28: 61)

 

In a Hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra), the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) had said: “Richness does not lie in the abundance of (worldly) goods but richness is the richness of the soul (heart, self).” (Muslim)

 

Only a contented heart or a peaceful and satisfied heart, soul or inner self of a person can attain to true abundance. And this abundance cannot be accounted for in this world. Where there is true love for Allah, the heart is grateful for whatever good Allah gives it. The love of Allah is imprinted so deep that no riches can ever deviate the true lover from his Creator. The lover of God and His Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is bound to be tried in every form, as a measure, as a test of his love, as a gauge to gauge his mettle, faith, and the love he proclaims to have for Allah and His Prophet (pbuh).

The riches of 'Sabr'

  

Alhamdulillah, on the blessed occasion of the 8^th Jalsa Salana of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Tamil Nadu (India), International Sadr of the Siraj Makin [- the women’s wing of the Jamaat] Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba of Mauritius addressed the spiritual gathering at the historic Sirajum Munir Masjid through a special message on 29 December 2024. For the benefit of our readers, we reproduce below the Text of the Speech:

 

‘My dear Spiritual Children,

 

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakaatuhu.

 

You all need to bear in mind the riches of Sabr (Patience). Life on earth is a temporary abode which only the Sabereen (those endowed with patience) know how to tread upon and live it.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran: 'And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.' (Surah Hud,  11, Verse 116)

 

A true believer makes countless efforts to remain on the right path. The right path is not an easy path. It is filled with all kinds of turns and obstacles and trials, but it is only those who persevere and remain true and sincere to Allah and strive through steadfastness and trust in Allah to continue on their way shall be victorious.

Faith, Peace, Happiness

 

As the world is engulfed in multiple crises leading to all round restlessness, humanity is in grave danger. Preoccupied with lopsided pursuits, man is on the verge of losing himself to sheer madness. Conflicts and chaos stare him at all levels of human relationships: neither in the global order nor in his national life, there is harmony and tranquillity. Be in inter- community relations, or in the intimate space of family, there is no peace, nor any happiness. Hence, the question of inner and outer peace suggests itself as an urgent concern for humanity at large in our times.

 

In the last week of December 2024, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- India held its annual conferences in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius addressed the gatherings of his disciples and followers in India on 29 December 2024. In this special discourse, Hazrat Saheb (aba) addresses himself on how Islamic values promote tranquility and happiness in all realms of human relationships.  

 

Read the Text of the Speech Below:

The Beauty of ‘Zikrullah’

 

On the blessed occasion of the Kerala Jalsa 2024, the women’s wing of the Kerala Jamaat- the Siraj Makin- Kerala organized a special meeting of its members. Alhamdulillah, sisters assembled on the occasion recited the Holy Qur’an, recited Nazms, delivered speeches on spiritual topics. Sadr Haseena Masood Saheba, Naib Sadr Mubeena Saheba, Sofiya Beevi Saheba, Fauzia Jamal Saheba, Rajeena Saheba, Arshana Sabir Saheba, Haseena Abid Saheba, Sajitha Nasruddin Saheba, Nadheera Sudheer Saheba, Faezah Maryam Zain, and Zaahidah Rayhaanah were among the participants. 

Further more, in a special address to the gathering of women members of the Jamaat in Kerala, the ‘Sadr’ of the International Siraj Makin, Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally spoke about the significance of ‘Zikrullah’.  For the benefit of our readers, we reproduce below the Text of the Special Discourse by Hazrat Saheba:   

 

My dear daughters,

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakaatuhu.

 

Allah says in His Pure Quran in Surah Ar-Ra’d (13: 29): 'Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Indeed, it is through the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace.’

 

The Remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah) is something extraordinary and sacred. It has the power to give peace to a restless mind and soul, and give the sense of completeness to the believer.

 

Remembrance of Allah uplifts the rest of the acts of worship of the believer. This is so because all acts of worship are linked to Zikrullah. We don’t have an act of worship where we don’t remember Allah and praise and glorify Him!

Jalsa Message 2024

 

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- India organized its annual spiritual conferences recently in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, providing a special opportunity for members to come together and partake of the rich spiritual foods on offer- thanks to the living presence of a Divinely-raised soul among us in the person of our beloved Imam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, Alhamdulillah. Indeed, the Jalsa Salana discourses remind us about the larger purpose of life in this world. To learn about the ways of achieving nearness to Allah the Almighty; to  purify the self of its 'longings'; spiritual seekers have a long way to go. Elects of God are the exemplars of the spiritual path, capable of leading souls on the enlightened way of the Prophets and the saints. By striving to follow various Divine commandments that enjoin goodness, the seeker struggles against the temptations of evil in all its diverse settings in contemporary world, focussing exclusively on soulful worship of the Divine while serving humanity. When a community of such devote Muslims assemble together for spiritual benefit and solidarity, they resemble the Jalsa of the Sahihis, Summa Alhamdulillah.     

In Kerala, Amir- Jamaat Kerala south, Mukarram R Jamaluddin Saheb of Mathra; DA Zainul Abdeen Saheb, K Saleem Saheb of Alappuzha, Sulfikar Ali Saheb, Sadiq Ali Saheb, Nasruddin Saheb, Muhammad Sabir Saheb of Palakkad, Abid Saheb, Abu Zaahidah, Zachariah Ibn Zain, Munir Ahmad Azim, etc. were among those who participated in the Jalsa programs, on 25-27 December 2024. A number of brothers and families who could not make it to the venue of the Jalsa at Noor’ul Islam Masjid- Mathra joined the proceedings through online platforms, Alhamdulillah.