Khalifatullah visits Sri Lanka

Recently, in April-May 2014, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius undertook an International Dawah Mission to three different countries – Sri Lanka, Maldives and the United Arab Emirates (Dubai & Abu Dhabi). At one level, the visit and preaching was part of the organizational work of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, to meet with the well-wishers and new disciples, to propagate the message of the Divine Mission and also to procedurally register and enlist the Jamaat functions on a legal and institutional basis in these respective countries. (Inset: the Sacred Fig tree in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. It is said to be a sapling from the original Bodhi tree under which the historical Buddha became enlightened. It was planted in 288 BC, and is the oldest living human-planted tree in the world with a known planting date.)

At another level, Hadhrat Sahib (atba), as the Divine servant of our times, was redeeming the pious wish and great hope of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) to take the message of Islam to the corners of the world, especially to the peoples and nations that follow beliefs other than Islam, and also to renew the Muslims who, in their own individual and social journeys of life, have fallen away from the essence of the spirit and richness of the religion of Allah.   

In a Speech made at Colombo, Sri Lanka on Tuesday, 29 April 2014, the Khalifatullah (atba) spoke about the sublime and extraordinary legacy of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) whose Divine Mission was specially blessed by time and history. He spoke profoundly on the strategies of preservation Allah (twa) Himself brought about in the fullness of time whereby the essential Message of Islam remained among the people long after the great Arabian Prophet who lived over a millennium ago, left from the gladiator of history. While all other Messengers before him spoke in tongues that lost their vitality and died in the march of history, the language of Arabic- the tongue of the Qur’an- surged ahead and embraced new lands and peoples and became the vehicle for the flowering of culture and civilization in the medieval age, and also in our own times, it retains its vitality as one of the transnational languages, as recognized by the UN systems as well. While the ideational influences of the Islamic world appealed to the hearts and minds of other peoples who came under its magical spell of sublime spirituality, the old Messages in other belief systems got mythicized and reduced into fantastic legends.

Moreover, the Khalifatullah (atba) pointed attention to the Qur’anic arrangement of spiritual renewal of Islam in every age. It is a binding commitment of the Creator of the Qur’an, to preserve the spirit of Islam. And the raising of Divine Reformers in every century is, as the Promised Massih (as) pointed out in the last century, the profound method through which the spiritual preservation and renewal of Islam take place. Such renewal of faith is only through the practical, living example of a Divine soul, who is raised to lead his earthily life in the very midst of his own people. While acknowledging that he belongs to the larger chain of such Divinely-raised souls, the Khalifatullah (atba) calls the attention of one and all to struggle with their own souls to understand the larger purpose of life and to attach themselves to the narrow and straight path of true spirituality.  

Read the Extracts from the Speech:

Of the great world faiths, Islam is unique in several respects. It is the only one that does not rely on any myth or mystery. It is based upon the certainty of proved and acknowledged fact. Muhammad (peace be on him), the prophet of Islam, was a historical figure, and lived his life in the full light of day. The revelation vouchsafed to him, over a period of twenty-two to twenty-three years, has been fully safeguarded, in the Holy Quran, according to the divine promise set out in the Quran itself:

“Indeed, it is We who sent down the Quran and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Al-Hijr 15: 10)

This comprises several aspects: First, the text of the revelation contained in the Quran was vouchsafed to the prophet over a period of twenty-two to twenty-three years, first in Mecca, then in Medina; that this period was marked by persecution, disturbance, and fighting; that the prophet (pbuh) himself was not literate; and that there was no sure method of preserving a record of the revelation except through human memory; it is a truly miraculous fact that the text of the Quran has been preserved intact, down to the last vowel point.

Even western scholars, who do not accept the Quran as divine revelation, affirm that it is word for word that which Muhammad (saw) gave out to the world as divine revelation. Second, the language in which the revelation was sent should have continued to be in use as a living language. Classical Arabic, the language of the Quran, is today understood and used as a means of communication over much vaster areas of the earth and by many hundred times more people than was the case in the time of the prophet.

Besides, history testifies that the passage of time brings about a decline in the spiritual and moral values. It was inevitable, therefore, that over the centuries there should have been a falling off in the true appreciation of divine guidance set forth in divine revelation, as applicable to current conditions and situations. The complete safeguarding of the divine revelation thus necessitated a constant process of spiritual revival and renovation. In the nature of things this must also come about through revelation. It was announced by the Holy Prophet (pbuh) that to meet this need Almighty God (Allah) would continue to raise from among the Muslims, at the beginning of each century, someone who would be divinely inspired to revive the faith by drawing attention to the guidance contained in the Holy Quran opposite to current conditions. History has confirmed the truth of this assurance conveyed by the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

To meet this contingency, the Quran announced that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) had not only been raised in the generation among whom he lived, but would also be raised among others who had not yet joined then (Al-Jumu’ah 62: 3-4). This meant a spiritual second advent of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) for the purpose of setting forth from the Quran guidance that may be needed in the new age, and for illustrating the values demanded by the exigencies with which man may then be faced. 

This promise first, has been fulfilled in the advent of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908) and second has been fulfilled in my advent in this era as the Khalifatullah, Muhyiuddin, Mahdi, Messiah. My coming in this era is to warn mankind and to give them good tidings; if you obey Allah and His Chosen one, then you shall have felicity in both the worlds. Islam is the only religion that has freedom of faith; with all this, man is left to his free choice and acceptance of the truth.

Faith is not commanded on the basis of authority, but is invited on the basis of understanding. There is complete freedom to believe or to deny. But of course, though the choice will follow in accordance with divine law. No one is forced. Everyone must chose and seek the purpose of his life on the basis of faith, or turn his back on the truth and destroy his soul according to his choice.

May Allah save the Muslims from not recognizing the Chosen one from Allah in their era. The truth has arrived and falsehood must depart and falsehood is very flimsy whereas truth is solid and everlasting. Ameen, Jazak-Allah for your attention.

For a video clip of the Dawah Mission Sri Lanka Colombo), click here.