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And like you all know, my stay here in Rodrigues
is for the purpose of seeking a place and also for the construction of our
Mosque. And by the grace of Allah, a place has been
found, and the construction of the mosque is in progress, but there is also the
fact that our opponents of the different religions and from the different sects
in Islam are putting obstacles in our works, creating problems so that the
construction work of our Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam mosque here in Rodrigues is
stopped. It is unfortunate that after doing the necessities
for the construction the authorities then reacted differently. It is
unfortunate that despite our arrival in Rodrigues, with all the procedures done
with the authorities so that we may go forward with the construction project of
the mosque and our Mission House here, and to make our Jamaat function and also
to have our centre, whereby our brothers and sisters can have a good place for
them to perform their Jummah, their programmes and prayers in congregation
regularly (therefore there are problems cropping up because of the plans of our
opponents).
Another thing I have noticed. When I came here
the last time, that is, some months back, I saw the enthusiasm, with the new
members etc. But this time around, with this humble self’s presence in Rodrigues,
I understood what evil strategies our opponents are using to stop us from
propagating the unicity of Allah, to stop our progress. They are making their
best in this direction. Therefore those new members who were still weak in
faith, whose faith had not had an opportunity to be reinforced in the correct
way – and that is why also we need a centre so that someone does this work, to
give spiritual education to our members – therefore, the scheming people have
seized these opportunities (to brainwash the new members) and unfortunately
there are among them people who have left the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. We have
to be frank (reveal the truth). By the reports that we received they have come
to know what kind of bad works the opposition have made to influence those
people who had left the Jamaat. I need to stress that I am not talking of only
one group of people, but this is the work of many who have participated to
remove these people from the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, and we can say also from
Islam altogether.
Decadence in Rodrigues society
Therefore, when I analyse all that has
transpired in Rodrigues (everything has changed). I used to know Rodrigues
well, how its inhabitants were nice, and used to love listening to religious
speeches. It was in 1993 that I came to Rodrigues for the first time, and this
continued till the year 2000. Rodrigues was a very quiet place (island). There
used to be no fear to stay here. You could leave the house peacefully, leave
the door open and nobody would enter to steal. We did not also hear about crimes
and violence.
But today people are doing evil works to such extent that even
recently as read in your own Newspaper “Les Plus”, there is
the mention of the report of the “Crime, Justice and Security
Statistics”, which has been published in August 2014. It states that
from the year 2012-2013, the rate of criminal offences increased in Rodrigues.
In 2012, the police of Rodrigues registered 6352 such cases and in the year
2013, 8408 cases have been registered. Recently, another atrocious crime has been committed
on 28 October in Terre-Rouge (literally: Red land). The victim was a 65
years old widow, by the name of Rita who was found in a pool of blood, and she
was completely disfigured and half-naked. It is her own nephew the culprit. His
name is Alender Eduard, 17 years old, an inhabitant of Terre-Rouge also. A
police officer – who was among the first people whom I preached spirituality
and the unicity of Allah since my first visit here – related to me about that
crime. Two days before the irreparable act, the victim was interviewed and she
had to receive money (from the Government) for the construction of her house
(reinforcing of the roof). When her nephew heard that, he came to her place to
steal and the woman saw him. Thus the disrespect, rape and murder of his aunt
ensued.
This shows the decadence of the Rodriguans. The
youths have taken the wrong path (leading an immoral life), in a population
which has not yet reached 100,000 inhabitants. Nowadays in Rodrigues, it is
very difficult to leave one’s house unguarded. Women and girls cannot walk
alone. Life here itself is no good; immorality has crept in.
Now the question is: Had the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al
Islam built a gambling house, a disco club wherein there is singing and
dancing, sega, would there have been opposition (to such projects)? Verily, if
a gambling house was to be built, then the permit for its construction would
have been given in record time. Construction work would have been done quickly!
Maybe they would have appreciated it because the youths would have gotten
amusement and play. But unfortunately, wherever there is spirituality, you see
them closing the doors of (such religious) building. They do their maximum to
close the spirituality house where the youths would have received spirituality,
spiritual education, and thus would have been safe from all those atrocious
things being introduced (in society) which promote immorality. It is verily sad
(to see such state of affairs).
Now today, a Jum’ah, despite the number of
people whom I personally know since 1993, all I can say, is that yes, today
there is an attendance but personally for me, this attendance is weak compared
to the number of people that there was here during my last visit and also compared
to the past years when I was working here. It is true that today is not a
public holiday, but today is Jum’ah and they met others! But we must be
grateful (to Allah) that despite these problems, there are still you brothers
and sisters who are present here today. Alhamdulillah, because
when we look at the others, despite their long existence in this island,
despite having mosques and all facilities, but unfortunately today (an
important day – Jum’ah) there are few people only who go to attend Jum’ah and prayer
in congregation. Sometimes these mosques remain empty and when we come near
these mosques, we see that there is only one window open. We may think that
there is someone or people inside, but this is not so. There is no one. The
mosque is empty as well as the centre (of the community for which I have worked
for many years). There are two mosques, yet empty. There is no worshipper,
except randomly at night, there is one or two in there praying. They are mostly
Mauritians’ who have established themselves in Rodrigues and to work.
Now, we (the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam) want to
do a good work with our brothers, sisters and children of Rodrigues. We want to
give them spiritual education, to guide them towards spirituality, to enable
them to make that (necessary) effort to group these youths together. When they
shall receive this spiritual education, then lots of wrongs can be avoided. But
when they are deprived of that spiritual education and do not turn towards God,
neglect prayer and let Satan provoke them, it is then that they go wayward.
Very often like I explained, many people commit evil acts like stealing etc,
all because of money. Money invites to creation of problems. Family units –
one’s own brothers, sisters, and parents become enemies because of money and
property. People compete with each other to have more luxury than the other.
For that, they are prepared to contract loans upon loans (therefore, debts) to
open a business, but Allah knows best with what heart they do it.
Heart and Human Condition
Nowadays, on my website there are my Friday
Sermons in creole. I don’t know if you are still listening to them. These days
I have done a series of sermons on “The
Heart”. If the heart contracts malady, even as little as mustard seed, in
some profound corner somewhere in there, and if there is jealousy or doubt and
displeasure in that kind of heart, then matters worsen just like when one lits
up a matchstick. A matchstick is very small but its repercussions are great. A
little matchstick can lit up devastating fire which can burn acres of land!
Now think a little over the type of devastation
that a flicker of doubt or jealousy or even wrong conception can cause in your
heart. There are such types of people who ponder over ways and means to reap
easy money. All these acts proceed from the heart itself. If such wrongs are
implanted in the heart – like the planters here in Rodrigues, with the heavy
rain falling who quickly go to plant seeds in the soil – if you plant such
seeds like jealousy, wrong thinking, loss of trust and the greed to gain more
and more (of the luxuries of this world or money), therefore (your heart and
acts suffer the consequences). People are now behind money. They want to get
more and more of it. There are such kinds of people who like (to see) that it
is only them who possess riches, but when others are working and claiming them
their (hard-earned) money, they revolt (so as not to give money to their
workers). This is presently the world in which we are living! People are behind
the world. They are not seeking God and spirituality.
We have seen many churches which have been
built – while on our mission we saw a newly-built beautiful church made in the
form of a boat which seems to have cost a lot of money, but I ask myself how
many people go to pray in there! Or is it just beautiful for people to click
photos etc. When I first came to Rodrigues many years back (in 1993), there
were not so many mosques, churches or temples, but now there are many. But
truthfully speaking how many people go there to pray? Had all people been
attached to their places of worship and had there not been hatred for anyone,
had the people reserved a positive thinking on what kind of good works are
being done (to lead the people towards God), then these bad things would have
exist.
It is sad to see the people of Rodrigues taking the wrong path. And it
is painful to see to what extent they are prepared to go to block (the light
of) spirituality (i.e. our works). They block our project. This time, a servant
of Allah is speaking in Rodrigues, and verily just too bad for those people who
have done this bad work to block our mission from propagating, to block the
construction of the mosque, to restrict it from proceeding further and where it
had to stop (for the moment). This is what I have to say for now. I am still
making the necessary in this endeavour, doing my best towards the authorities
but now I see how much arrogance has now entered their hearts. There are even
some who have manifested their hatred against us. Others have gone to create
that hatred in their hearts. Those who did this and are manifesting themselves,
they shall verily bear the consequences of their acts. They shall not reap
“fruits”; they shall reap “pricks”.
“And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those
who disbelieve say to those who believe, ‘Which of (our) two parties is best in
position and best in association?’ And how many a generation have We destroyed
before them who were better in possessions and (outward) appearance? Say,
‘Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an extension (in
wealth and time) until, when they see that which they were promised - either
punishment (in this world) or the Hour (of resurrection) - they will come to
know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers.’ And Allah increases those
who were guided, in guidance, and the enduring good deeds are better to your
Lord for reward and better for recourse. Then, have you seen he who disbelieved
in Our verses and said, ‘I will surely be given wealth and children?’ Has he
looked into the unseen, or has he taken from the Most Merciful a promise? No!
We will record what he says and extend for him from the punishment
extensively.” (19: 74-80).
Therefore, like you heard me reciting at the
beginning of my Friday Sermon, I have read some verses of the Quran, found in
Chapter “Mary”. We call it/her “Maryam”, “Hazrat
Maryam”, and here you know her as “Mary”, “Virgin Mary”. Like you have heard,
we honour the mother of Jesus who was a Messiah. He was not at all (literally)
son of God. And in that Chapter “Mary”, in the verses which I have
read (19: 74-80), therein God says:
“And when Our verses are recited to them as clear evidences, those
who disbelieve say to those who believe, ‘Which of (our) two parties is best in
position and best in association?’ And how many a generation have We destroyed
before them who were better in possessions and (outward) appearance?” (19: 74-75).
It is neither your riches nor your appearances
or numbers (quantity) which counts before the eyes of God. It is quality. God
looks out for quality; He looks at your hearts, if your hearts are inclining
towards Him. God continue to say (addressing the Holy Prophet (pbuh)) in Verse
76:
“Say, ‘Whoever is in error - let the Most Merciful extend for him an
extension (in wealth and time) until, when they see that which they were
promised - either punishment (in this world) or the Hour (of resurrection) -
they will come to know who is worst in position and weaker in soldiers.’” (19: 76).
Who among us (the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam or our
opponents) are on the right path? We have set feet in Rodrigues and I say loud
and clear that God is with us despite our little number. These people are an
army, and they believe that we are only few and therefore that we shall not be
able to do anything! But verily God says about our opponents who think us as
weak that soon very soon they shall see as to whose army is verily weak.
“And Allah increases those who were guided, in guidance, and the enduring
good deeds are better to your Lord for reward and better for recourse. Then,
have you seen he who disbelieved in Our verses and said, ‘I will surely be
given wealth and children?’ Has he looked into the unseen, or has he taken from
the Most Merciful a promise?” (19: 77-79).
Or are you taking pride in your wealth,
children or are you respecting your engagements? Come what may, the engagement
which you made with God, this must come first. This must be your top priority,
not your children or wealth or your own blood because it is the Creator who
sent you in this world. It is the Creator who bestowed upon you parents. And
now that you have become parents and have children, there are those kinds of
parents who take too much pride in those children. Their children come first
for them. They prefer looking at the defaults in the children of others rather
than looking at those of their own children! They do not see how their children
are acting. They close their eyes on it; they prefer commenting on others. That
is why it is preferable that one looks at himself first. And that is why also
God gave us mirrors on earth so that we may look at ourselves before we go out.
The mirror tells us (without making any sound) how we are, if we are
presentable. It tells us our defaults – if we have combed our hair well or not,
if we have put on our clothes well or not. (It must not be that) when we go
out, we look at the clothes and hair of others instead of looking at our own.
It goes the same for the women (they must look at themselves before looking at
the other women). This is one of the means to analyse one’s own faith.
And then, God says in this verse: “No!
We will record what he says and extend for him from the punishment
extensively.” (19:
80).
Thus my dear brothers and sisters, it is very
important that we attach ourselves with the divine commandments, with the
unicity of Allah, and that we remain sincere to God. We must turn to Him and
also have a good agreement and comprehension among ourselves – nobody should be
jealous of his friend – and when someone comes to tell you something, you must
make it a point to know if what that person is saying is the truth or not. You
must ensure that he is not leading you astray.
It is not in vain that God is guiding His
chosen servant of this era to tackle the subject of “The Heart” in his Friday Sermons. How many people are taking that
into consideration? How many are being interested to know how to clean or
purify their hearts? If each one of you succeeds in understanding this Friday
Sermon, you shall be able to become really humble people – filled with
humility. You shall have respect for the elders and the elders shall have
respect for the young ones and vice-versa. And you shall be able to have lots
of love for the unique Creator, your Maker. And at the same time, when you shall
have love for God, you shall love, sympathy, and friendship for His servant
(and messenger) which He has sent. And you shall stick firm to spirituality.
Many people think that spiritual works are
really easy to do, but the truth is, it is very difficult (people refuse to let
themselves be guided). In the Quran (Al-Hujurat), God says: “Say that
you have accepted Islam, but do not say that you have faith.” You have
not yet acquired faith. People need to do lots of sacrifice in times of
difficulties, trials. Allah tries His servants to make them get that faith, to
make him get that (special) bond with God. He must struggle a lot to reach that
height (top level). And the more someone wants to reach God, the more God tries
him.
Trials as Assessment of Faith
Today is the 07 November 2014 – an important
date – many children are now on vacation. But before entering vacation time,
they needed to do a final school examination. They needed to sit for many
little tests during the period of one school year so that they can proceed to
have that (much-awaited) vacation. After succeeding their exams, there are such
pupils who are very happy today and showing their parents, siblings, friends
and family their results/reports. As for those who did not succeed, there is no
joy which is manifested on their face. There are some crying, sad because
despite having a year to study and pass their tests, they did not do so, and
when they reached the final exams, they could not extract good results. Even
those who passed their series of tests during the year, but these tests
represent nothing if they failed the final exams. It is the final exams which
count. Reaping bad results also means that one can get to have an inferior
class to study in next time. As for those who succeed in their exams, this
assures for them better classes and good colleges later on.
Our lives keep going on like this also. When a
Messenger (of God) comes, he has the duty to deliver to you the message. When
that message comes down from heaven (from God), it comes down much like rain fall.
All trees and flowers benefit from that rain, and the grasses also receive it.
The pricks and thorns which you cannot tolerate also get that rain. What do you
observe when rain falls? It falls everywhere – on the fruit trees, vegetables,
and also on the wild grasses and plants. Those wild plants grow much faster
than the other good trees and plantations. Those wild plants will not get any
nuisance like snails, white lices and other insects and animals to attack them.
It is only the good plants that are attacked.
Then try to understand, when a good messenger,
the Messenger of God comes, he gives you the commandments of God (His word),
then imagine what kinds of white lices, snails and scorpions shall try to
attack him. Likewise, there shall be all sorts of bad plants/grasses which
shall grow up fast to try to attack your Imaan
(faith) so that you may remain where you are (and not come to the right path).
They would love to see you in a drunkard state somewhere in some shady roads
rather than seeing you in a mosque and praying one God...
- Friday Sermon of 07 November 2014 delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) at the Rodrigues Island on a Dawah Mission.