Saturday, February 28, 2015

'Killing of Innocents is against Islam'

The face of the Muslim world is increasingly stained with the blood of the innocents. In the recent past, imperial interventions over a number of Muslim countries have unleashed political consequences and  thereby, exacerbated sectarian tensions among different ethnic and religious groups. Trapped in the quagmire of the sectarian tensions between the Shias and the Sunnis,  in many States- Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen, etc- a host of terror groups are operating  in the name of Islam- ranging from the Taliban in Afghanistan/Pakistan to the ISIL ( the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) under its Caliph Abu Baker al Baghdadi. These entities have poisoned the fair name of Islam by inextricably linking their quest for political power-grabbing with Islamic ethics. They make world headlines for all the wrong reasons in our times- including the destruction of historic monuments and cultural artefacts of enduring significance for the human civilization. They commit wanton and indiscriminate murders in the name of Allah. The targets of their attacks are not just the religious/sectarian/political opponents. The most brutal and heinous killing of innocents- women, children and even innocent civilians who have not taken arms against them- have been rightly described in the media as a crime against humanityThe victims of ISIL, for instance, include fellow brethren-in-faith, the Shiah Muslims and also the other religious minority groups in the region such as the ancient Yazidi community and the Arab Christians who over centuries, lived amicably among their Muslim brethren in the Middle East. 

In this complex, political and religious matrix, it is important to assert and reclaim Islam and its original, peaceful teachings that holds human life as a sacred responsibility. Unlike what  the ISIL in Iraq/Syria and the Taliban in Afghanistan/Pakistan assert, Islamic teachings promote social peace and tolerance of diversities under the rule of law- the maintenance of amicable relations among different, religious communities by recognizing the sanctity of life. In his Friday Sermon of February 27, 2015 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius eloquently explains the Islamic norms for the balancing and stabilization of social life and peaceful co-existence, with the framework of Islamic law recognizing equitable retaliation only for the purpose of meeting the exigencies of justice and for preserving social order against extreme evils.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

The Instrumental Role of Divine Revelations

Revelation may be a single word but its meaning is immense, just like a drop of water rippling a whole ocean. The nature of revelation is various, and among the types of revelations, we have satanic whisperings also which are not to be confused with the spiritual truthful context of revelations, that is, Divine Revelations. Any person can receive divine inspirations, yet divine revelations, as pure and frequent as that received by messengers of Allah are of an exquisite nature, which leaves no doubt as to the source of this special light. Therefore, revelation in Islam is tantamount to the extraordinary connection which links an exceptional servant of Allah to His Lord. ( Inset: a depiction of the archangel Gabriel instructing Divine revelations to the Holy Prophet (sa), from the manuscript Jami' al-tawarikh by Rashid-al-Din Hamadani, AD 1307). 

This servant of Allah comes to taste of a special bond through which Allah reveals Himself to His servant, and little by little – just like a gardener who waters a newly planted seed into the soil to see it grow big, strong and productive – this servant of Allah through dreams, visions, divine inspirations and revelations grows from one spiritual state to the other and in capacity of exceptional blessed instrument of Allah, he gets to receive within him such light as to illuminate the whole world. His being becomes an object of light, a beacon of light as to attract those who are within the nexus of the pleasure of Allah to perceive his light, just like a radar emitting a powerful signal, to manifest his presence among the people of the earth, especially, those endowed with true knowledge. (Inset: Prophet Moses (as) with the tablets of the Ten Commandments, a painting by Rembrandt (1659).  

Very often, these people who are qualified as “Ulul’al-Baab” (People of understanding, people endowed with true knowledge) are very humble in nature. They may be viewed as hopeless and poor people in the eyes of men, whereas in the eyes of the Almighty, their status is most high. This is because they do not sell their consciousness and pure heart and faith to the attractions of this world; they do not let themselves be attached to it. A person also can be rich and be among the true Ulul’al-Baab because despite the money and riches he earns, yet he is not greedy for it, and canalise this wealth in its proper channel, that is to say, he obeys the instructions and commandments of the Quran and he shares his wealth to the poor in the proportions made obligatory to him by Allah, and also those parts of his wealth that he gives in charity, with good faith as a voluntary action due to tenderness of his heart to help the less fortunate and also the community of believers in Dawah Mission (Inviting and Bringing people to Allah, to Islam).

Therefore, the Ulul’al-Baab, whether rich or poor, or in-between (neither too rich nor poor) captures the signal emitted by the special radar sent by Allah, so that within the circle of this exquisite connection one may be able to reach to Allah without any doubt. This Messenger of Allah, the Holder of Light, the guidance to the world comes to teach people how to get this connection with Allah. And this he is able to do with the help of the Ruh-il-Quddus (Holy Spirit).

Like I have always told my disciples in Mauritius ever since the beginning of the Divine Manifestation, connection with Allah comes with a purification of the heart, and it is in that state of purification – whereby there is no doubt as to the truthfulness of the Spiritual Guide (that is, this humble self) and the Divine Manifestation – and with belief, faith, and trust that the God who has sent His Messenger with the Holy Spirit has indeed the power of speech despite having no tongue to talk, that the person in question can reach to Allah. I am talking for the current Divine Manifestation of this age, because I have been sent in this era to you all to guide you to Allah, and thus, belief, faith and trust in the veracity of this humble self is essential if someone wants to get to the exquisite proximity of Allah taking this humble self as guide and mentor.

Saturday, February 21, 2015

'Musleh Maoud': Trajectories of a Grand Prophecy

Before ending my sermon on this vast subject – Revelations – I wish to say a few words on the prophecy of 20th February 1886. Today is the 20th February, and this reminds us of the grand prophecy in the announcement of 20th February 1886 concerning the Promised Messiah’s entreaties to Allah in Hoshiarpur to bless him with such a physical son as to become his physical and spiritual heir in majestic respect.

A prophet, envoy of Allah always wants pious children, from his own lineage and blood to carry on his mission, his works with the same intensity of devotion as he showed towards Allah throughout his life on earth. Prophets of Allah seek such gems from their own blood but only after supplicating Allah for them. When Hazrat Ibrahim (as) prayed for a blessed son and messenger of Allah, after being childless for years, he sought a miracle of Allah from the grace and majesty of Allah, and his Zaki Ghulam (Pure Son) was not only from his own blood, but also his spiritual heir, in that which he became a Prophet of Allah, chosen and purified by Allah. The same was for Hazrat Zakariyya and Hazrat Dawud (as) among others. 

A prophet of Allah is not mistaken in his entreaties to Allah as to which type of son he is seeking from Allah! He seeks a biological and spiritual heir, who shall have both these attributes in him (physical and spiritual for the sake of Allah and from Allah) from his own body to carry on the works he is blessed with from Allah. And when a prophecy, more specifically a glad tiding is granted to him from Allah that he shall father such a son, and for whom Allah has granted much more spiritual and divinely attributes in him to reflect that purity of being the son of a prophet of Allah, therefore, the prophet of Allah, in occurrence, the Promised Messiah of Islam, the first of his kind, was granted such a request.

Through several of his announcements, he made it clear that he was waiting for the fulfillment of a physical son who shall be that reformer of Islam, who shall be his mirror image, that is, possessing messianic qualities to carry on his mission to the end of the worlds.

As you all will agree with me, whenever a prophet of Allah comes on earth, as it has always happened ever since the creation of the earth, it is expected that this prophet of Allah shall have spiritual heirs, prophets of Allah who shall confirm his veracity and spread his mission and honour for as long as life exists on earth. Moreover, it is Sunnat-Allah (the way of Allah) to preserve the honour of all His prophets from the beginning to the end of times. Therefore, spiritual heirs of prophets are bound to come, especially after the advent of the final religion, Islam whose extent is a universal one, and the purpose of receiving messengers from Allah is for the revival of the state of Muslims and to bring back the glory of Islam.

Monday, February 16, 2015

'Divine Revelations are not the Inspirations of Mind'

A very serious misconception which is prevailing in my time, in this era with a divine manifestation, and which has undermined the foundations of all religions, so that the very essence of religion is being completely revolutionized as a result of which, in place of the divine light of revelation, it is the ideas and conceptions of the human mind which are being substituted and put forward as the truth and thus it is that entirely erroneous definition of revelation which has found general acceptance. Independence of thoughts and the length of time which had elapsed since the appearance of the seal of prophets Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had led the greater portion of the world to believe that revelation was mere inspiration of the mind. This was due, to the belief and conception that God could not speak in words as He was not a materiel Being and was not dependent upon material means like men.

I explain from my personal experience that revelation is conveyed in words and the mode of conveying is as certain and free from doubt as the talking of one man to another. If revelation was not to be conveyed in words, it could not be entirely free from doubt and could not lead to perfect certainty. For, perceiving every inspiration as divine revelation, every man can fancy himself inspired and thus deceive himself and mislead mankind, as has actually happened in several instances since this erroneous conception of revelation has found currency. 

Revelation is intended to remove doubts and misconceptions, and if it is not conveyed in words, it opens, still wider the doors of doubt and uncertainty for there is then no means of distinguishing between revelation and the fancies of a man’s own mind. Revelation is conveyed in words possessing extraordinary glory and majesty, and also a dialogue is possible between God and man in the same manner as between two men, so that a recipient of revelation attains to that degree of certainty which dispenses with any further proof or argument.

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Into the sunset: Navin Ramgoolam

Before closing my sermon, I would like to say a few words on the Charges and Arrest which the ex-Prime Minister of Mauritius, Navinchandra Ramgoolam had to undergo since last Friday 06 February 2015. It never pays to be arrogant and creating such an atmosphere as to make Mauritius be led by autocratic leadership disguised as a democratic one. 

You will recall my dear disciples that since 2010, I and some of our members have gone from circumscription to circumscription to pray that Allah overturns such a leader and political party whose agenda is to finish Mauritius, bringing Mauritians to a state of poverty and tight economic state. And you will recall that recently in the midst of the general elections 2014, I told you about a dream in which Sir Aneerood Jugnauth was not condemning Paul Berenger, but instead praising him for the strategies that he has (to clean Mauritius and the Labour Party also). 

And you are witnessing that since Friday, 06 February, 2015 the former Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam has been placed under arrest. He even spent a few hours in the Moka detention centre before being brought before the Bail and Remand Court. Last weekend has been hell for him; he was torn between searches and going back and forth to the Central CID to give statements over statements, and counting the millions of money (more than Rs. 185 millions which was seized at his house in two massive safes and suitcases) before the Central CID, the Police Force, Lawyers, representatives of the Bank of Mauritius and the Government officials. He is a suspect of money laundering and being involved in the Roche-Noire Murder case. He was arrested and humiliated amidst thousands of Mauritians who assembled at his house to see the end of his political career, and witnessing his arrest.

Friday, February 13, 2015

A Message of Peace for the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya

Some Ahmadi Muslim brothers grope in the darkness of their sheer ignorance of a sublime reality among them. They, in their naivety, harp absolutely baseless and foolishly wrong notions on the advent of a Man of God among them, the Khalifatullah (a Reviver of Faith/ a Messenger of AllahHadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius who speaks with the help of the Holy Spirit (Roohul Qudus). They delude themselves with suspicion and ill feelings, as they consider that the advent of the Khalifatullah (atba) will destroy the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya as they know it, instead of seeing it as the very fulfillment of the sacred revelations vouchsafed to, and grand prophecies made by, the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian in the previous era. 

Some Ahmadis in India have recently asked us certain questions regarding the origins of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius and its relationship, encounters with the Nizam-e-Jamaat , sharing their view that with the descent of Divine revelations on him, the Nizam-e-Jamaat should have been informed about the matter so that they could have a fair chance to comprehend the sublime reality and deeper roots of the Divine Manifestation and to accommodate themselves within it and partake of the enduring Divine blessings on offer. As we have always maintained, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) and the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam do not harbour any ill will, hatred or malice against any Ahmadi brothers, it is the nizam-e-Jamaat that has enforced with the manifestly un-Islamic and despicable policy of social boycott against us, with its dire consequences for the Islamic decency, elementary courtesies of spiritual brotherhood and destroyed the behavioural propriety of the common Ahmadis, who were unfortunately instigated to keep malice, ill will and hatred for us, instead of love and affection and fellow feeling for fellow brothers in the Jamaat of the Promised Massih (as). 

Even 14 years after the enforcement of the social boycott policy on us during the last days of the previous caliph, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) reiterates and renews his message of love and peace. During his recent visit to the United Kingdom, the Khalifatullah (atba) wrote a letter to the present Head of the nizam-e-Jamaat, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Saheb, a message filled with the desire for the recognition of Truth and the reconciliation of spiritual brothers under the umbrella of the Divine Manifestation, Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah . 

Read the Message of Peace:   

Allah says in the Holy Quran: “The believers are but brothers, so make settlement between your brothers. And fear Allah that you may receive mercy.” (49: 11)

Thursday, February 12, 2015

'Khalifatullah' in London: A Report

By the grace of Allah, the year 2014 has been full with the blessings and miracles of Allah. Allah showed His support, succour and blessings upon His Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir A. Azim (atba) and Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in extraordinary ways. Allah opened such doors which were thought to be long closed. These doors were opened by divine will and under the special instruction of Allah to His Khalifatullah to show His infinite power and the truth of His Divine Manifestation in this era through the appointment of His chosen servant Munir A. Azim (atba) to the office of Khalifatullah.

After years of patience, Allah blessed His Jamaat, opening the doors of victory whereby not only people received the divine message but many also entered the fold of the Divine Manifestation of this age. Alhamdulillah. Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is not in need of many people who are empty of faith, but it needs quality believers, even if they are only a few. But Allah shall breathe in His essence to purify them more and more so that they may reflect the true spirit of Islam. Insha-Allah.

The year 2014 saw to the establishment of Allah’s Jamaat, the true Islam as well as the true representation of the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). From the United Arab Emirates, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Reunion Island, Seychelles, to Rodrigues, Allah closed this blessed year with an extraordinary victory in the form of sacrifice and further victory for the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, culminating in the recent visit of Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (atba) to the United Kingdom.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Divine Elects Lit Up the Path of Guidance

The Universality of Divine Providence

Wa ‘immin ‘ummatin ‘illaa khalaa fiihaa naziir.
“There is no nation but has had its Warner.” (Surah al Fatir; 35: 25)

All nations received revelation. There is an important question which relates to the person of God and man and that which subsists between man and man; in other words; which nations have been the recipients of revelation and on what principles were they selected by God to receive His revelation? Without the solution of this question, the reform which the Promised Messiah had attempted in relation to other questions relating to the being of God, would not have been complete. With regard to this question he pointed out that, as God is the Lord of the whole universe, his guidance could not be confined to any particular nation. As he is the Lord of all mankind and has equipped all of them with thinking minds, he could not deprive any nation of His guidance. As I have recited in the beginning of my sermon: “There is no nation but has had its Warner”. (Fatir; 35: 25)

God has sent His messengers among all nations and in all ages, and as the sun lights up the whole world, the light of revelations has ever lit up the darkest corners of the earth. If today we cannot discover the light of revelation among a particular people, it does not mean that no prophets have appeared among them, but the truth is that these peoples have allowed their national traditions and faith to die out.

In pursuance of this doctrine this testified to the truth of Krishna, Ram and Buddha, the prophets of India, and all the other prophets, messengers and reformers of Almighty God, and the rejection of their claims is, in a sense, amounting to a denial of the universal providence of God. 

Why accept some and reject some? Why not accept all as of divine source? This is a doctrine which was not to be found among the teachings of any sect or religion, and, as a matter of fact, the majority of people believe that revelation had been confined to the founders of their respective religions, and even those who believed that revelation had been vouchsafed to people of other religions did so, more as a sort of personal tribute to the founders of those religions on account of the services rendered by them to the cause of humanity than as a result of the acceptance of the doctrine of the universal providence of God.

The Enduring Light of Muhammad

But the Promised Messiah demonstrated from the Quran that not only were those men the righteous servants of God whose services to humanity are recorded in history, but that the attributes and the words of God alike bore witness to the fact that every nation, whether its traditions have been preserved or not, has had its prophet, and that to receive guidance through prophets was the right of humanity which God would never ignore. The extent to which this doctrine has opened to all nations the doors of the Love of God, has placed the internal relation of mankind on a basis of concord and amity, and has secured the founders and righteous men of all religions against insult and abuse.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Shocks of Trial after the Loss of Faith

Mir Abbas Ali Ludhiyanwi was among the very first disciple(s) of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad(as) of Qadian- by joining him in 1882, when the Promised Massih (as) was beginning to appear on the religious horizon, on the very early days of the Divine Manifestation in the then British India. His sincerity and spiritual services over a period of a decade was of such quality that the Promised Massih (as) wrote about him, mentioning even Divine revelations he said he received: "Mir Sahib is a person with great spiritual condition and has a spiritual connection with this humble self. And to prove his level of sincerity, it is enough that once this humble self received an inspiration in his favour: 'aslohoo sabitun wa farohoo fis samaa' (his roots are firmly fixed and his branches are in the sky)." (Izala-e-Auham, Roohani Khazain vol.3 p.528). Yet, unfortunately for him, Mir Abbas Ali failed in the trials of patience and steadfastness in course of time, the Divine revelations regarding his lofty destiny notwithstanding.

This episode of trials of faith is a grim reminder for all believers in every age. With the appearance of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius-with the advent of the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) in the new century of Islam- such incidents have come alive, within the ebb and flow of the life and experiences of the people who once embraced the blessings of Allah (swt), only to let go of their Imaan, to be tried with the very words and sentiments they expressed once. In an Open Letter written in December 2014, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) profoundly reminded the concerned persons and their chieftains about the evil consequences of their bad choices and evil deeds of rejecting the Signs of Allah amidst them. The document provides interesting insights on the early days of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius when Allah raised His Elect and even blessed the people who attached themselves with him, with inspirations and Divine revelations so as to enable them to understand and comprehend the profound reality, like the Qur'an states:

"And when I inspired the disciples of Jesus to believe in Me and in My Messenger, they said, ‘We believe and bear Thou witness that we have submitted.’ [5:112]

Read the Extracts below:  

The very beginning of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius was overflowed with Divine Grace and Mercy, so much so that with the manifestation of His Messenger, Reviver of Faith on earth, Allah sent down His blessings in multitudinous forms upon all those who have attached themselves, their own identity to that of the Messenger of Allah of their times.