‘Restrain from Evil Inclinations’

In his Friday Sermon of 28 December 2012, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gave a profound discourse on the hidden pearls of wisdom underlying the Qur’anic teachings on keeping away from evil inclinations and Satanic tendencies. Belivers are those who do good deeds and prefer the welfare of others even over their own personal comforts. They keep away from selfish desires and other evil inclinations and constantly seek to deny giving any corners for Satan to cast his evil whisperings.

“When you, the believers, leave behind the temporary attractions of this world and refuse to follow Satan in his path, and you give Allah preference over all things, it is then that the divine blessings are bestowed upon you; Allah sends down extraordinary blessings, and along with these you reap the good of your good deeds and you get a complete Iman (faith)”, exhorts the Messenger of Allah of our times.

Read the Extracts from the Speech:    

This is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who are certain (in faith). (45: 21)

In this Quranic verse, Allah says that this Quran and the words therein contain such clear proofs for humanity, that is, when someone studies it with Taqwa (fear of Allah) and in whichever he wants, then he shall certainly see clear proofs (of the truth) in it.

Afterwards Allah says that it is guidance and mercy for the holders of faith, those who have complete faith in it. In the next verse, Allah says: “Or do those who commit evils think We will make them like those who have believed and done righteous deeds– (make them) equal in their life and their death? Evil is that which they judge.” (45: 22)

The Dead Sea Scrolls Are Now ‘Online’

The Dead Sea Scrolls or the Qumran Manuscripts are an important source of historical information regarding the material and spiritual life in an early Community of Believers during the Biblical times. According to many scholars, the Scrolls offer illuminating insights on the beliefs and practices of the historical Essene Community of Jewish people to which, it is said, the Hadhrat Jesus (as) belonged. The majority of the Scrolls, preserved at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem, are now available online and can be accessed by all here.

Dating from the third century BCE to the first century CE, the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered between 1947 and 1956 in eleven caves on the northwestern shores of the Dead Sea, Palestine/Israel. 

The manuscripts are generally attributed to an isolated Jewish sect, referred to in the scrolls as "the Community," who settled in Qumran in the Judean desert. The Dead Sea Scrolls, which include the oldest known biblical manuscripts in existence, offer critical insight into Jewish society in the Land of Israel during the Second Temple Period, the time of the birth of Christianity and Rabbinic Judaism.

Remembering Professor Abdus Salam

Professor Abdus Salam (1926-1996) was one of the leading scientists of his generation and his outstanding contributions to the world of theoretical physics were widely recognized, including by way of the Nobel Prize for Physics, 1979. He made seminal contributions to the development of science and technology in his own country-Pakistan- and yet, Pakistan as a nation has not given its due to him, thanks to his unwavering personal faith in the messages of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. In a country that has legalised intolerance and the persecution of people and systemically prosecute the Ahmadi Muslims for their essential personal convictions, the memory of the great scientist is sought to be erased even from his tombstone!

For the benefit of our readers, we reproduce below an article written by columnist Mohammad Ahmed in the Pakistani newspaper The News on November 21, 2012 on the 16^th death anniversary of Professor Abdus Salam.

Unmourned in his own country

Today is the death anniversary of one of Pakistan’s ablest sons, Dr Abdus Salam. Unfortunately, his achievements and services remain unacknowledged in his own country, where he was made an alien because of the belief into which he was born, although they are celebrated around the world.

The True Purpose of Education

In a special sermon on 06 October 2012 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius called the attention of one and all to the true meaning and purpose of education in life. Based on a specific message received from Allah the Almighty, the Messenger of our times points to the gaping holes in the contemporary education system. The students are merely acquiring degrees and do not understand the real significance of education. Modern educational system, on the whole, has become centres of factory production of graduates, limiting its functional effectiveness in resolving the complex contingencies of modern life. It has made people self-centred and individualistic, rather than socially-oriented and empathetic to the less-fortunate in society.

“True education”, says the Khalifatullah “is that which develops your inner vision, provides spiritual illumination and helps you experience everlasting bliss”. Such an education focuses on the moral and spiritual growth of the individual who acquires noble qualities and keeps under control his sensory organs.  “Only when you achieve sense control can you become a learned man in the real sense of the term. Hence, control your senses and become a master of the world”, reminds and exhorts the Khalifatullah.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“By the grace of Allah, I am presenting before you today, especially our youths and the parents, a message which I initially received from Allah during a Safar Zikrullah in the Divine Manifestation of this era, so that you may profit from the same blessings and advices which come from both Allah and His humble Muhyi-ud-Din of this era. And that you may keep away from the harm which Allah and His Muhyi-ud-Din are warning you about, and that you may reform yourselves in such a way that you become the true soldiers of Islam. I know that it is not easy to just reform all at once, but when there is a will, there is a way. When there is trust and firmness in Allah, then Allah Himself shall help you. Therefore listen carefully to what Allah and this humble self have to tell you:

Islamic Ethics for a Better Society

In his special sermon of October 05, 2012 on the occasion of the Annual Conference [“JALSA SALANA”] of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius reflected on the fundamental values and structural norms on which the edifice of human society is constituted. Based on a holistic analysis of the profound Islamic ordinances, the Messenger of Allah of our times pin-points several ethical principles which, if kept in mind in our individual and collective life, would go a long way in making the world a better place to live.  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

Now, allow me to pinpoint certain directives offered by Islam to get rid of some social evils and build a better and progressive society:

1. There should be a good relationship between the high and the low, the aged and the young.

2. Beggary is looked down on with extreme displeasure. The Holy Prophet (saw) has said: “The hand of the donor is better than the hand of the taker.” There came a period in history when people had charity to give but there were no takers.

3. With regard to our neighbours, the needy and the orphans, the Holy Quran has laid this order: “And worship Allah and associate naught with Him and show kindness to parents, and to kindred, and orphans and the needy, and to the neighbour that is a kinsman and the neighbour that is a stranger, and the companion by your side, and the wayfarer, and those whom your right hands possess. Surely, Allah loves not the proud and the boastful.” (4: 37)

Muslim Parents and the Upbringing of Children

In his special sermon of October 05, 2012 on the occasion of the Annual Conference [“JALSA SALANA”] of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius reflected on the fundamental values and structural norms on which the edifice of human society is constituted. The proper upbringing of children is central to the evolution of an orderly society and Islam lays much emphasis on this by insisting upon, inter alia, the moral standing of parents themselves.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“Now I should like to say a few words on the Islamic teachings concerning the right upbringing of children. Islam has laid a strong emphasis on this point. Many social evil can be removed by the way we bring up our children, and the future generation may be saved from a lot of difficulties if kids are brought up properly and made to follow certain lines of conduct. Because we belong to diverse religions and diverse races, our children grow up with certain prejudices that could be eliminated through proper education in their very childhood.

Let us teach our children to love one another irrespective of caste, colour or cult. Let us tell them that the same blood courses through their veins and the incidence of birth in different homes does not make them different from one another. All children are equal and hence they should love one another. The fact of belonging to such a religion or such a race does not make one superior and another inferior. All are children of God and there should be no ill-feelings, rancour or hatred among them.

The Moral Standing of Parents

The first guidance offered to us by the religion of Islam is that husband and wife should marry on the basis of virtue and good moral standing. All psychologists agree on the point that the moral standing of parents leave an abiding impression on the children born of their union. Another guidance is that at the moment of this sexual relationship the father and mother say this prayer: “O our God, keep us away from Satan and keep Satan away from us.”

Islamic Family Values

In his special sermon of October 05, 2012 on the occasion of the Annual Conference [“JALSA SALANA”] of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius reflected on the fundamental values and structural norms on which the edifice of human society is constituted. The speech explains, in simple and eloquent manner, the Islamic family values which are designed to address all the vagaries of human nature and the complex contingencies of   man-woman relationships in society.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

Another infrastructural unit for human society is the family. To constitute a family, the most important part is the relationship between man and woman. Just as Islam has laid down certain rules for the honour and responsibility of man, it has placed woman also on the same footing with respect to man. The Holy Quran says: “They are a garment for you and you are a garment for them.” (2: 188)

Besides, the Quran has placed both man and woman on the same status of equality so far as their rights are concerned by declaring: “O you who believe! It is not lawful for you to inherit a woman against their will; nor should you detain them wrongfully that you may take away part of that which you have given them, except they be guilty of a flagrant evil; and consort with them in kindness, and if you dislike them, it may be that you dislike a thing wherein Allah has placed much good.” (4: 20)

Moreover, the following verse of the Holy Quran shows the basis of the relationship between men and women: “And one of His signs is this, that He has created wives for you from among yourselves that you may find peace of mind in them, and He has put love and tenderness between you. In that surely are signs for a people who reflect.” (30: 22)

The only means of creating a relationship between man and woman is marriage. In today’s world the choice of a partner is made on the following consideration: beauty, wealth and social standing. That’s the reason why difficulties arise and multiply, in social life. Our Holy Prophet (saw) has said: “The first thing to consider when a partner is sought for is virtue and moral standing.”

Islam and Human Rights

In his special sermon of October 05, 2012 on the occasion of the Annual Conference [“JALSA SALANA”] of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius reflected on the fundamental values on which the edifice of human society is constituted. Paying rich tributes to the idea of human freedom and individual liberty from an Islamic perspective,  Hadhrat Sahib underscores the profound correlation between the recognition of identity and individual rights and societal peace and progress.  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

A society is made up of a number of individuals. That’s why Islam has provided a lot of directions for the freedom, progress and protection of the individual. The individual has been granted full liberty of conscience by this revelation to the Prophet (saw): “LA IKRAHA FIDDIN” There’s no compulsion in religion.

Each member has a mind of his own and is free to make his own choice. Man has been granted a free will and he can make use of his own judgement. He is not an automation directed by a blind force. This freedom of conscience, this liberty to choose and make our own destiny, that has been granted to every individual member as his birthright is considered – and justly so – to be the greatest blessing of God to humanity.

Preaching in an Atheistic World

Atheistic notions and materialistic preoccupations generally dominate the societies today- East and West, North and South. The counter-religious, atheistic ideas and prejudices have evolved over the past many centuries, especially in Europe. This is, in many ways, a consequence of the corruption in the very idea of religion itself as presented by its so-called adherents in history. When the ‘religion’ challenged common sense and instituted anti-nature notions and belief systems in the name of God, thoughtful people moved away from what they could see around.

One of the world’s most influential scientists, Sir Isaac Newton (January 4, 1643 - March 31, 1727) was among those who rejected such inherited beliefs and distorted religious traditions. In the 1690's, Newton wrote a number of religious tracts dealing with the literal interpretation of the Bible, including a manuscript in which he disputed the existence of the Trinity. Many others preferred to be agnostics or even atheists, rather than follow what their intellects could not agreed to. The trajectory of spiritual history and the secular revolt in Europe testify to this. Given this historic background and contemporary situation, the dilemma of the Believer is this: how to do the preaching of Islam to a world that does seem to reject the concept of God itself?

In his Friday Sermon of November 02, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius analyses the larger context and problem. The Messenger of Allah of our times points out that the issue is not beyond a solution. The believers have to equip themselves with sufficient knowledge and understanding about the background of people to whom they are bringing the message of God/Allah. Different strategies and tools have to utilised and deployed in reaching out to people from diverse backgrounds. At the end of the day, it is one’s own example-sublime faith in God and the profound practice of Islam in the everyday life of the believer- that will attract the world to the fold of Islam.   

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“And who is better in speech than one who invites (people) to Allah and does good works and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims’.” (41: 34).

The Spirit of Financial Sacrifice

The spirit of financial sacrifice in the cause of Allah is central to the growth and progress of the Community. In the times of a Messenger of Allah, there are many who deeply attach themselves to the Divine cause and are unwilling to let go of the opportunity to learn something new and fresh from the Divine Messenger. They prefer an ascetic and humble life, cherishing knowledge and worship. They forgo the possibility of material gains for the sake of preserving the inherited knowledge for posterity and a distant future. Such dignified people might prefer their poverty over begging to people for their survival. It is the duty and responsibility of the Community at large, especially those who can afford to do so, to take care of the needs and requirements of such spiritual souls.

In his Friday Sermon of October 19, 2012 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius continued with the larger theme of spending in the cause of Allah. Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

HIDAYAT and Financial Sacrifice

The Divine Path has so many subtle verities. True guidance or Hidayat comes from Allah the Most High.  He bestows it on whomsoever He pleases. For, the purity of the human heart is only known to Him. The Messengers have only the duty to convey the Divine Message and not to enforce it on an anyone as they do not have ascendancy over the hearts of men. Likewise, in the spiritual path, mere verbal acceptance of faith does not amount to anything. The transformation of the inner world becomes real only when it leads to good deeds and sacrifices in the service of the religion of Allah.

In his Friday Sermon of 12 October 2012, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius continued the theme of financial sacrifice which was started in the previous Friday. Drawing upon the verses of the Holy Qur’an, the Messenger of Allah points to the sublime promise of Allah: those who do good deeds and spend in the cause of His path and to seek His pleasure will find their reward in this world and the Hereafter and they will not be wronged.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

It is not your duty to guide them, but Allah guides whom He wills. And whatever good you spend is for yourselves, and you do not spend except seeking the countenance of Allah. And whatever you spend of good, it will be fully repaid to you, and you will not be wronged. (Charity is) for the poor who have been restricted for the cause of Allah, unable to move about in the land. The ignorant would think them self-sufficient because of their restraint, but you will know them by their (characteristic) sign. They do not ask people persistently (or at all). And whatever you spend of good, indeed, Allah is aware of it. Those who spend their wealth (in Allah's way) by night and by day, secretly and publicly, they will have their reward with their Lord. And no fear shall there be concerning them, nor will they grieve. (2: 273-275)

Zakaat and Financial Sacrifice

In his Friday Sermon of October 05, 2012 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius underscored the significance of Zakaat as one of the pillars of Islam. Financial sacrifice is needed in the noble service of humanity and for meeting the manifold expenses of the growing spiritual community of believers- the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) exhorts the community of believers to assume personal responsibility and to contribute to the larger cause of Islam.  

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“My Friday Sermon shall today have a profound connection with financial sacrifice. By the grace of Allah, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is doing much progress in the field of Dawa and the message is being spread in the four corners of the world, Alhamdulillah.

The message is being propagated, yes, but there are no Dai-Illallah or missionaries there (in those countries) to take care of these seekers of truth. The tree has been planted and is growing, but there is the risk of weeds coming to attack this tree, and dries it up. Why so? Because there is no gardener to care for those trees, to enable it to bloom and produce their fruits in the future. When there is a gardener, the weeds do not have the time to attack, and make this observation: that the weeds grow more in intensity and rapidly than the fruit tree. The fruit tree takes its time to grow, but when it has established itself firmly (in the soil), therefore nobody can uproot it and it brings forth lots of fruits.

Blaming the Victims: a Strategy of the West

In the post-Communist, contemporary world, Islam is considered the potential threat and rival to the designs of the imperial West and its grand strategy of dominating the world. For, Islam is the world’s fastest growing religion with a population of around 2 Billion and counting. Indeed, every fourth person on the face of the Planet is a Muslim and over 50 countries have a predominant Muslim presence. The world’s most strategic energy resources- oil, natural gas and other petroleum products- are located in the Muslim lands of West Asia and Central Asia. With this kind of huge natural advantages, the Muslim nations can and should be able to control the world and its destiny in material terms.Yet, that is not happening. How do we explain this irony of Muslim fortunes and what is the way out for the Ummah? 

The imperial powers of the Occident know their game well. The strategic containment of Muslim nations is thus sought to be achieved through military domination, economic subjugation and political division of the Muslim nations and peoples. Yet, for winning the war of public legitimacy, this agenda of imperial strategy shall have to be camouflaged. For implementing this grand strategy, the language of public articulation and diplomatic positioning comes in handy for imperialism and its strategic deceptions. For instance, while perpetrating ‘‘State Terror’’ against the Muslim Ummah in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan, these western powers claim they are waging “war on Terror”! [Inset: Front cover of "Covering Islam"- Prof Edward W. Said's classic study on media perceptions and projections on issues concerning Muslims and Islam in the US].    

In his Friday Sermon of 28 September 2012, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius profoundly reflected upon this theme. Drawing upon Qur’anic verses, the Khalifatullah (atba)  asserts  that the Islamic ethics and values shall win over all other ideological rivals and belief systems. For the benefit of Muslims, the Divine Messenger also mentions a prayer revealed and taught by Allah the Most High to recite in these troubled times for Islam and Muslims.  

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“And never will Allah give the disbelievers over the believers a way (to overcome them).” (4:142)

Anti-Islam Film: A Challenge for Crossing Swords

Evil elements in society seek to extinguish the light of Allah and trample upon the fair name and basic teachings of the true religion, the Sahih Al Islam and to revile the father of Muslims. The inflammatory anti-Islam film in the United States-- entitled "Innocence of Muslims" on its 14-minuteYouTube trailer -- was such an attempt. The film was produced by a religious group called Media for Christ.  Sam Bacile, the man apparently behind the film is a US-based Egyptian Copt and fraudster who may also have violated his parole. And the film was reportedly directed by a pornographer Alan Roberts.

The soldier of Islam of our times Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius, has now decided to confront these elements in a duel of prayers [Mubahila] through a special speech made on September 17, 2012. Instead of hiding behind the facade of fraudulent methods and virtual space, let these elements,- if they have any spine, that is- come to the open space and battle it with the ‘sword’ of Muhammad (sa)- the armament of prayers and supplication to the Lord Almighty. [Inset:  Zulfiqar - the bifurcated sword of Prophet Muhammad (sa). Hadhrat Ali (ra) who inherited it from the Holy Prophet (sa), went on to become the Fourth Khalifa of Islam and the sword is famous in Islamic history as the Sword of Ali].

Read the Extracts from the Invitation for Duel of Prayer:    

In the Name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful

INVITATION TO DUEL OF PRAYER TO MEDIA FOR CHRIST, PASTOR TERRY JONES, STEVE KLEIN, ALAN ROBERTS AND NAKOULA BASSELEY NAKOULA (ALIAS “SAM BACILE”), AND ALL THE HIDDEN PEOPLE BEHIND THE PRODUCTION OF THE ANTI-ISLAM FILM ENTITLED “THE INNOCENCE OF MUSLIMS”

As God Almighty said in the Holy Quran (Al-Imran Chapter 3 Verse 62):

“If anyone argues with you, despite the knowledge you have received, then say, “Let us summon our children and your children, our women and your women, ourselves and yourselves, then let us invoke Allah’s curse upon the liars.”

MUNIR AHMAD AZIM of Mauritius challenges Media for Christ, Pastor Terry Jones, Steve Klein, Alan Roberts and  Nakoula Basseley Nakoula (alias “Sam Bacile”), and all the hidden people who are behind the production of the Anti-Islam film entitled “The Innocence of Muslims”, and therefore tarnished the honour and image of Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

Anti-Islam Film is ‘Hate Speech’

For the Western Orientalists and their intellectual progenies, in the post- Communist era, Islam is the quintessential ‘Other’- the evil enemy that does not share their values of ‘freedom’ and ‘liberty’. The ‘West’, in this narrative, represents all that is ‘liberal’, ‘progressive’ and ‘modern’, in that order. Correspondingly, Islam is deemed the negation of all that ‘civilization’ and ‘culture’ stands for. Under this skewed logic and perverted reading of history and blatant distortion of the lived experiences of people, a political and cultural climate is created that incites the lampooning of the sacred symbols of Islam.

Thus,anyone who abuses the religion of Islam or vilifies the father of Muslims automatically and instantaneously becomes a champion of free speech and liberty! Muslims who oppose such characterizations and resist these representations would be branded intolerant and worse. In short, anti-Islam hate speech and the vilification of Holy Prophet (sa) would be mere expressions of freedom of speech and intellectual liberty and those who oppose such elements are projected the real trouble-makers! [Inset: A protest march in Cairo against the recent anti-Islam Film].

In a special speech on September 17, 2012, the Messenger of Allah and Khalifa of Islam Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius took note of the disturbingly, deviant social trends in the western world which incites the vilification of the noble character of the Holy Prophet (sa). The Khalifatullah (atba) took serious note of these contemporary trends where Muslims and their sacred symbols are treated as “doormats...to rub their dirty feet...” and warned the anti-Islam elements and hate-mongers against what they are sowing. 

 Read the Extracts from the Speech:

And if Allah were to punish people for what they do, He would not leave upon the earth any creature; but He grants them respite until an appointed term. And when their time comes, then Allah has all His servants ever under (His) sight. (Fatir 35: 46)

Prophethood: A Divine Favour

Islam, as taught by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), validates the universality of spiritual experience and recognizes the fact that all communities in the past were recipients of Divine favour through the raising of spiritually awakened souls among them. Reflecting upon the profound impact of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) on the history of spirituality, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius, in his Friday Sermon of 21 September 2012, spoke about the extraordinary spiritual revolution brought about by the arrival of Islam in a world of pagan rituals and animistic practices. The Khalifatullah describes the raising of prophets as a special Divine blessing for the human kind, for such spiritually-aware souls provide a living, practical example for the common folks to emulate in their own individual, spiritual lives.  

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“Certainly Allah has conferred a favour upon the believers by raising among them a Messenger from among themselves, who recites to them His revelations and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.” (3: 165).

The expression, by “by raising among them a Messenger from among themselves”, is intended to awaken in the hearts of Muslims a desire to follow the example of the Holy Prophet (sa) who was like them and one of them. The prophet was not only a man like them but was actually one of them. If he could rise to such spiritual heights, why could they not?