My dear brothers and
sisters,
May the peace of God be upon you.
I most warmly thank you
– guests and members of the Jamaat present – for answering the call of our
religious society – Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam – and came today. By the grace of
Allah (God Almighty), our religious society organised this conference today as
part of the centenary of the advent of the message of a reformer of God named
Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) – originating from India – in Mauritius.
1915-2015: It has been a hundred years since the message of
Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) came to our little island of Mauritius. His
message was spread to the four corners of Mauritius and today there are
thousands of followers (who believed in his message) and who are located in
several towns and villages of Mauritius and also in Rodrigues. His coming was already
prophesied in the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet of Islam,
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh).
An 'Avatar' in the Age of 'Kalyug'
The Bible as well as the religion of Hinduism also
prophesied about the coming of a reformer, and other great religions are still waiting
for the advent of a reformer who will come for the reform of humanity. I’m sure
that you, my Hindu and Christian brothers and sisters will agree with me that
the world has entered the era of Kalyug
(darkness), and therefore everyone is waiting for the promised
Saviour/Reformer.
Then the Khalifatullah (atba) listed a
series of evils which has gripped the present society, describing the actual
Kalyug where people (men, women and children/youths) have abandoned
Spirituality – the mosques and all places of worship – to grip the vices of
this world such as drugs, gambling, fraud, corruption etc. People are now in
places of worship only as a routine, but they are devoid of spirituality.
Long
ago, through the difficulties and sacrifices of parents, children with the
correct upbringing knew the value of this sacrifice – education was not free
and parents had to toil hard to pay for the studies of their children – and
they were grateful and responsible. As for the parents, despite their lack of
secular studies, yet they had true education (good manners, respect, the
know-how to live well together (as one family) in society etc.), and passed this
on to their children. Our forefathers/grandparents (from every religion) were the
“great libraries” of society (meaning to say that they had vast knowledge to
share). Mauritius is a good representation of a multi-cultural, rainbow island.
The know-how of our grandparents to live in society were reflected in the sacred
scriptures (of all religions). They acted according to their good teachings. Verily,
the Quran came as a book which regrouped all the true teachings of ALL
religions. And verily Islam is a religion which has come for all mankind, not
just for the Arabs or a group of people. It is a universal religion.
The 'Second Coming' in the Later Days
So for today I will
quote some words from the Bible and Hindu writings. We learn that the Bible
makes us understand that in the latter times, when the state of religion in
general will be in a pitiable state, at that time God Almighty shall send a
reformer. It is a unanimous belief of the Christian world that Jesus son of
Mary (Virgin Mary/ Maryam) will return to earth before the end of the world.
And we also hold that belief, except for the fact that it shall not be the same
Jesus Son of Mary sent to the Children of Israel who shall come in the flesh.
It is on this point that we have a difference because we believe that, when
this reformer will come, his mission will have a resemblance in spirit and
power to that of Jesus, and he will be a personification of Jesus Christ (as).
So in the Bible there
are several prophecies concerning the coming of Messiah. Jesus Son of Mary (as)
also warned us that, the advent of the Son of Man, i.e., the Promised Messiah
shall be fulfilled at the time prescribed by the Prophet Daniel.
“So when you see
the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the
holy place (let the reader understand)” (Matthew 24:15).
So such a reformer will
come in these times to bring back unity and gather all religions under one same
banner. Thus, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah, and founder of
Ahmadiyya Movement, published his titles and claims. This prophecy of Daniel applies
directly to the arrival of the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad
(as).
Before proceeding to the explanation of
the verse of the Gita (Hindu Scripture), the Khalifatullah (atba) expounded on
the need for everyone, irrespective of his religion to know the religion of the
other, and take the goodness of every teaching therein, for we all have to
learn from one another.
The Khalifatullah (atba) said that in addition to the
Holy Quran, he makes it a must also to study the scriptures of other religions
also.
And he gave the example of our body which takes in every good (in form of
food) which gives us energy and then reject all that is bad (waste). The body
functions in such a way, taking the good and give us energy so that we may be
able to work. If we analyse our own selves, we shall see therein a
manifestation of God. Without the help (and permission) of God we cannot do any
work whatsoever.
In the medical field, sometimes doctors can condemn someone
(because he do not know how to cure him) and give him few days to die, but
through the will of God, this person can live on many days, even years, whereas
healthy people (whom doctors have not condemned) meet with death suddenly.
Therefore, for each person there is an appointed time decreed for him.
Verily,
we are not permanent on earth. If each person – irrespective of religions – ponders
over this truth, then he/she needs to grip firm with spirituality, with what
God has told us to do (His teachings) through His messengers, prophets,
avatars, rishis, reformers. Thus, if we hold fast to the rope of God Almighty,
we shall be truly fortunate people.
Ponder over these words: “If the world is not with you, with God is with you, then everything is
with you, as it is God who is the Originator/Creator of all (who has given you
all necessities like parents etc. even before you are born on earth), but if
the world is with you and God is not with you, then nothing is with you.”
It is
most unfortunate that despite we are temporary on this world and all that we
possess we shall leave here (even the clothes found on us), yet countries are
bent fighting among themselves, spreading blood. Families are fighting.
Brothers/Sisters are not sparing each other because of wealth, power etc.
Verily all that is temporary and we shall take NOTHING with us except our GOOD
DEEDS…
Now in the holy scriptures of Hinduism, it is
said, “My king, at the end of Kalyug (the
time of darkness), innumerable sins would be committed, so Narainji (Krishna)
will make his appearance on earth for the protection of Faith, as Kalangi –
Avatar (Reformer).” (Shrimad Bhagwat Gita Askand, 12, pg. 623).
In the Vedas, the name ‘promised reformer’ is given to
the one who will come in the spirit of Krishna.
“Kannawweyou at sinam torou
girnite marteya. Naheha nou asiyya mahemanam iudrayan sowargini nant anshouh.
Gadou satouwant” (Atharved, Kand 20, Sawkat 50, Mantras 1-2)
Translation: “Who is that man who will
praise truth to boost the souls of men? Those who will praise, aren’t they the
heirs of Paradise? Seekers of truth ask themselves about that Rishi (Prophet)
who will illuminate the earth. O you Messenger, the light, when will you come
after our appeal to you, among the seekers of truth and reality?” – In these mantras (verses) there is the announcement
of the arrival of a Rishi (Prophet),
a call is sent to him for the benefit of his blessings and spiritual progress.
By the grace of God the
Almighty, I have set before you some excerpts from the writings of Hinduism and
Christianity, that predict the coming of the promised reformer who verily came according
to these prophecies (and many others) and his message came to us, in Mauritius.
For the Centenary
remembrance of the propagation and establishment of the message of the Messiah
in our little island, Mauritius, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam has published for
the first time a special magazine on the subject.
Thus the
Messenger of Allah, Khalifatullah (atba) proceeded with the LAUNCHING of the
Magazine/Book: The Silsila Ahmadiyya Mauritius Goldened at
the Sunset of a Century.
And he (atba) also stated that:
with the advent of any divine reformer/messenger, the latter undergoes
persecution, boycott and at the beginning, it is only a handful of (few) people
who recognise and accept him. Before his proclamation he is viewed as a
truthful and trustworthy person, but as soon as he proclaims his divine
mission, he becomes the worst of creatures in the eyes of the people. And those
who believe in him also undergo the same fate (trials, persecutions, boycott
etc.) as the Messenger (and the Khalifatullah (atba) cited the examples of
some past prophets who came in all religions). He (atba) also stressed on the REALITY that the divine
messengers shall come in the future, just like ONE is present today and like
they also came in the past. It is only with
the advent of a prophet of God who comes with the Holy Spirit that Allah helps
and guides humanity (through him) and makes them walk from darkness to light. Afterwards,
the Khalifatullah (atba) ended his discourse by thanking the assistance for
their presence.
-Inter-Faith Conference at Saint-Julien, Mauritius: Extracts from a Report on the Sermon delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba).