Preaching of Islam: Ethical Guideposts

‘Islam does not enjoin upon every Muslim to devout himself wholly to the preaching of Islam; for if it were so, Muslims could not earn their livelihood nor take part in other healthy pursuits of life. Whereas all should try to preach and propagate the truth of Islam, only a section of the community is required to devote itself exclusively to work of propagation. Though all must contribute their quota, there should be a party of men among Muslims who should be entirely devoted to this work'. 

The Holy Qur’an provides guidelines for preaching the message of Islam and the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gave a profound discourse on the subject in his Friday Sermon of January 20, 2012.  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortations and argue with them in a way that is best, surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way, and He knows those who are rightly guided.” (16: 126)

The word “Hikma” (wisdom) in the verse means: (1) knowledge or science; (2) Equity or justice; (3) Forbearance or clemency; (4) Any saying or disclosure dealing with the exigencies of the occasion; (5) Gift of prophesy; and (6) What prevents or restrains from ignorant behaviour.

Freedom of Conscience: An Islamic Value

As a religion and spiritual order, the ideology of Islam is essentially an appeal to the human conscience and its inherent capacity to embrace the right and reject the wrong. Allah, the Most High has extended to all human beings the faculty of reasoning and the intellectual capability of judgement -Free Will- to choose his or her path in life. It is entirely up to a person’s conscience whether (s)he wants to profit from the spiritual guidance on offer in the form of divine revelations. And there shall be no compulsion in matters of faith. 

In his Friday Sermon of January 20, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius expounded on the principle of freedom of conscience in Islam.Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“And had your Lord willed, those on earth would have believed - all of them entirely. Then, would you compel the people in order that they become believers?” (10: 100)

In essence, every religion possesses a missionary character. It starts with an individual and seeks to persuade and convince others of its truth and of the beneficent nature of the values it expounds. It must, therefore, stand for freedom of conscience, including the freedom to change one’s religion and the other freedoms which are conducive to the beneficent adjustment of human beings. The Holy Quran explains that it is only within the competence of God, the All-Knowing, the Almighty, to make a person believe, but even He does not force anyone to believe. He leaves everyone to exercise his or her reason and judgement.

Questions about Ahmadi Doctrines

[Janab R. Jamaluddin Raother, the respected Amir Sahib of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala (India) received a bunch of questions through e-mail from an Ahmadi brother who described himself as a “truth seeker”. 

These questions cover a number of issues that are pertinent to the central ideas underpinning the current Divine Manifestation in the person of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. They include issues such as the continuity of divine revelations and the coming of Mujaddidin and other divinely raised souls in Islam, the historic trajectory of the current Divine Manifestation, especially the episode involving the establishment of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Muslimeen and the issues pertaining to our previous relations with (and present views on) Zafrullah Dumun Sahib, etc.

Reproduced below is the first installment of an edited transcript of the views shared by this humble writer in response to the questions raised by the brother who sought “clear cut one by one answer for (his) questions”. Some of the responses include added material as well.].       

1. I heard that Mr. Munir Azim (is) claming to be Mujaddid, Like that Mr. Nasir Ahmed Sultani, Abdul Gaffar Janba also claiming. All are denying each other. If so, what is the measurement to understand true one and fake one?

To understand and recognize the Imam of the Age, a truth seeker should ideally learn the nature and scope of the views being clearly articulated by the respective persons who says they have a Divinely ordained mission to fulfill. He should examine the claims in the light of the noble teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the path of the Holy Prophet (sa) and the explanations to these teachings given by the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as). Based on a careful study of the views being articulated by the claimants and by applying the spiritual logic to the issues involved, a truth seeker could reach his conclusion. To dispel doubts still remaining, if any, in his mind, he should invoke the ultimate solution of prayer to Allah as famously suggested by the Promised Massih (as).

2. Both this Respected Mr. Munir Ahmed Azim sahib and Mr. Zafarulla Domun were together before, why did they separate? Or (Do you) Still accept Zafarullah Domun as your Imam.

Zafrullah Domun Sahib was the first person to recognize and accept the Divine Manifestation in the person of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba). He was the first person to take Bai’at at the hands of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib as well.

In the recently published Biographical Essay on the life of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib, one can read about an extraordinary event which throws searching light on the special spiritual relationship they shared in the past:    

“On 08 March 2003, the third night of the Safar Zikrullah, Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) supplicated Allah to honour his brother Zafrullah Domun Sahib along with him, and therefore he (Hazrat Munir) without receiving any revelation from Allah, humbly dedicated the title of Amir’ul Mumineen to Mokarram Zafrullah Domun Sahib in a special program with the Jamaat. On the spot, he received divine reprimand whereby Allah told him, who has given him permission to dedicate that title which Allah has given him to Mokarram Sahib?

Responsibilities of a Muslim

In his Friday Sermon of January 13, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) spoke about the distinctive characteristics of a real believer and the manifold responsibilities the membership of his Jamaat entails today. The Khalifatullah defines the basic framework of faith and good deeds expected from the believers who accepted (or seek to recognize) his divine office and become members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam.

‘The distinctive characteristic of a member of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam should be undivided and consummated attachment to Sahih al Islam; and this devotion should control his life to such an extent that the slightest deviation from God’s laws is abhorrent to him’, states the Khalifatullah.

Read the Summary of the Sermon:

“A member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is a Muslim who believes in One God, Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent had been foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and in the Khalifatullah and Muhyi-ud-Din raised by Allah in this era with Divine Revelation.

The Khalifatullah of this era (that is, this humble self) is a Messenger of God. I call upon all mankind to accept the truth of my divine office; but this is not all. Islam is a practical way of life which demands total resignation to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The attainment of this deal must be the resolve and goal of every member of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in whose life the principles of Islam should be manifested in every manner of living. The real object of man’s life according to the Holy Quran is, therefore, a true knowledge and worship of God and a total resignation to His will that whatever is said or done is said or done for His sake only. What is the Sahih al Islam? It is the burning fire which consumes all low desires and, setting fire to false gods and it is the offering of our property and honour as a sacrifice before God. It is that sacred fire which burns all papers of trials to uncover the face of God Almighty in the true believer’s pure golden heart.

Nizaam-e-Jamaat: Evolving a Parallel ‘Culture’

‘‘Within a century after the departure of a Mujaddid, his followers lose their spiritual self. They become creatures of the earth, lusting after material riches and vain pursuits’. 

This prescient observation of the Promised Massih (as) is today staring the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya in its face- the same Jamaat that he established to revive the faith of Islam more than a century back in India. 

While Ahmadis continue to delude themselves that they remain in the right path, a parallel ‘culture’ has developed within the Jamaat that has corroded and subverted its inner core of sublime spirituality. The empty shell of Khilafat as it exists today is virtually incapable of stopping the eroding ground beneath its feat. Forget about reversing the tide altogether! 

In his Friday Sermon of January 06, 2012 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius confirms what thoughtful Ahmadis have feared for years- the development of a parallel ‘culture’ within. The sermon contains a searing critique of the gross mismanagement and the resultant disarray within the rank and file of the Nizaam-e-Jamaat. It describes the apparent features of this parallel ‘culture’ that has eaten into the vitals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya's value systems, corroded the ethics of its members and has come to define their ill-informed decisions and wrong choices today.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“The fifth Caliph is not taking care of the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah (as) like the latter had established the management of the Jamaat. The Caliph is basing himself on false reports of his amirs and mullahs. It is his so-called mullahs and amirs who are leading the Jamaat astray and the caliph is not taking the right decisions for the cause of Allah and according to the precepts of Islam. It is those around him who are taking the major decisions, especially about whom the Ahmadis should greet salaam or not, and boycott.

State of the World- 2012: A Grim Reminder

In his first Friday Sermon of the year on January 06, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius took stock of the precarious state of the world in general and his country Mauritius in particular. In a succinct statement of extraordinary breadth and depth, the Khalifatullah shares his assessment on virtually all important aspects of national and international life- individual and society, family relations, polity and economy, education, health and finance, war and peace, crime and calamities, etc. It is a grim reminder of the stark realities facing a world that has lost its spiritual vision and ethical grounding.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“I shall now tell you the precarious state of the world – international level: There shall be world financial crisis – depreciation of the Euro – in many countries there shall be riots, strife and national state of war in many countries, especially in the Arab countries – there shall be rivers of blood, the problem between Palestine and Israel shall not alleviate, neither finishing nor stopped, there shall be loss of lives and many buildings shall be damaged.

In Africa, there shall be famine, rise in poverty – creating havoc along with epidemics, and viruses which shall make thousands of deaths. In some countries there shall be more floods and cyclones (hurricanes, typhoons etc.) which shall cause many deaths (where lot of people shall disappear), epidemics, and many buildings shall collapse. There shall also be air-crashes whereby many passengers and the crew shall die.

Pakistan and Afghanistan shall not be spared from the Divine punishment, and even Bangladesh and Kashmir, because of that which they did with the Ahmadis. On the international level, petrol, essence and diesel shall climb up (high prices). Many international companies shall shut down and many people shall lose their jobs. Immorality in all countries, with thefts with violence, crimes filled with violence, rapes, prostitutions, sodomy, abortion, and more devastating marriages between same-sex people (homosexuals).

Great countries which took themselves as the superpowers of the worlds and which used to dominate (arrogantly and pitiably) the other small countries shall be weakened (no more super-powered) and the Divine wrath shall seize them in a hard way. In many countries there shall be increase of fraud, corruption, embezzlements whereby many chiefs of state (of countries) shall go to prison and there shall be some whom their people shall revolt against them. The year 2012 shall also mark the death of world leaders and also religious leaders.

National level (Mauritius):

The year 2012 shall mark more frauds, corruption – ongoing corruption; appalling secrets shall be unfolded, and there shall continue to be protection of “petit copain” (the privileged associates of the Government – especially this present Government).

‘Allah Blesses me with His Revelations’

In his Friday Sermon of January 06, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) spoke about the inextricably intertwined Universe.  The grandeur and majesty of the Creator par excellence is written all over the space so much so that an accidental coincidence is impossible to conceive. Human mind perceives the potential role of an intelligent design behind it all. While human sensory organs are incapable of observing God, Almighty Allah reaches out to his Chosen servants in every age through the medium of divine revelations.  In this speech, the Khalifatullah throws light on the subtle subject of divine revelations by quoting from the writings of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). Further, the Khalifatullah (atba) confirms that for the last 12 years, he has been blessed with the special Grace of Allah and that he is a recipient of divine revelations, Alhamdulillah.      

Read from the extracts of the Sermon:

“And verily this Quran is a revelation from the Lord of all the worlds.” (26: 193)

There is an accurate orderly design and deep interrelation between different creations in the universe. How could food, air, water and sunlight, which are all indispensable for life, come to assemble accidentally on the earth? If the eye was created accidentally, then how the sun was also brought into existence accidentally? If the ear was formed accidentally did the air also come into existence accidentally to aid the ear in hearing sounds? If man appeared accidentally did woman also accidentally to aid him in procreation and to relieve his emotions?

Example after example could be listed. There is a deep interrelation and interdependence between different things in the universe which cannot happen by accident. We are forced to come to the conclusion that there exists an All-Knowing, All-Powerful and All-Wise Creator Who designed the whole pattern of the universe and then brought it into existence. It is the view of some people that, no doubt, God created the universe, designed it and set in motion but after that it is operating automatically in accordance with inherent laws and God never interferes with its operation. Were this so then we are unable to find answers to the following questions. Why did God create such a strange universe and what was the purpose of its creation? Did He reveal His purpose to man? Is there life after death and will man be rewarded or punished in the Hereafter in accordance with the merits of his actions?

Perils of Alcoholism

In his Friday Sermon of December 30, 2011 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius spoke about the inevitably disastrous consequences of liquor consumption. Speaking on the eve of a New Year, the Khalifatullah called the attention of one and all to the foolish pursuit of synthetic happiness and entertainment so pervasive in all the societies of our times. 

Read the extracts from the Sermon:

“In this last sermon of the year 2011, I seize this opportunity to talk on alcoholism in society. Alcohol can be very dangerous and it is the country’s most abused drug. Alcohol is a drug that is taken mainly for its psychological effects. Alcohol drink is very, very expensive in Mauritius and in the last budget of the Government; the latter has made it a must to increase the price of cigarette and alcohol drink. But these are two evils which the Government knows that shall not decrease, because the more the prices of these commodities go up, the more people will continue to buy, regardless their prices, because these evils have already become some people’s drugs.

So, basically alcohol depresses the nervous system and allows people to lose their inhibitions. If drug companies had discovered the effects of alcohol, then today maybe there would be no chance of it receiving approval from a drug’s safety committee and it would never be marketed for human consumption.

The immediate effects of alcohol are:

 The loss of inhibitions,

 Less self-conscious behaviour,

 Loss of self-control,

 Becoming more talkative and,

 A feeling of cheerfulness.

However, alcohol acts more as a depressant than a stimulant (i.e. it is a drug that dampens down the activity of the nervous system rather like a tranquilliser). Many heavy drinkers are aware that their thinking is not as good as it used to be.

Children of Adam, ‘God is One, Let us be United’

[On the eve of a new year unfolding in the horizon, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) addressed the world on the larger theme of unity in diversity through an article published on December 29, 2011 in the newspaper Le Mauricien. His reflections are deeply imprinted with a profound vision of the essential unity of mankind and human solidarity. In an age ravished by the passions of man- “strife, war, jealousy, arrogance, and thirst for power”- the Messenger of Allah calls the mankind back to sanity and reason and exhorts us all to reclaim our original identity as “Children of Adam”. We are reproducing the original article below for the benefit of our readers].

   

UNITY IN DIVERSITY: The following adage is widespread yet so little understood and put into practice:  The world goes round and round and the mentality of people does not change despite the flying years.

The Torah, Gospels and the Holy Quran inform humankind that we are one, from one Source, from the divine essence, and we come from one man, Adam, the father of mankind. That is why, the Almighty addresses human species as “Children of Adam”. Yet, blood ceases not to be oozed out from our own body – the body of mankind - because of strife, war, jealousy, arrogance, and thirst for power. Blood of red incarnadine ceases not to mar the surface of the earth in the name of justice, yet justice is a long way to be attained by sheer bloodshed.

The Muslim world is shredding itself to pieces because of disunity and a feeling of superiority over their own Muslim brethrens. The rest of humanity is fighting against Islam in the name of terrorism. And some people blame religion for the chaos which the world is facing on a daily basis. The question is: Should it have been so? Should the world be divided and sub-divided till a point that we feel estranged to each other, that we lose our identity as the “Children of Adam”, the ultimate perfected creation of God, that is, the human species?

We are from the essence of God, believe it or not! Good and bad is in our nature but the Almighty has given us the ability to fight against our own devilish side and plunge into the light of felicity through unity and compatibility to each other, the whole mankind as one manifestation of the Lord. Is this utopia? Is this aim so impossible to imagine?