Advices
to the wo/men of the Jamaat- Part II
Frankly
speaking, to set someone on the right path, is never an easy task.
But it is truly an act of highest virtue. It is therefore binding on
all of our Jamaat worldwide to not only associate our members with
all types of welfare activities but also to enable them to shoulder
such social burdens as would tend to make them responsible citizens.
It is because the charge of responsibility invariably alters the
perception of an individual. It deepens their knowledge and expertise
and their thinking power. It enables them to become independent
individuals who can bring in ideas for the good maintenance and
reform of our Jamaat in the years to come. It helps them develop
their personality and maintain a close relationship with their Deen
(religion - i.e. Islam).
The
office bearers in our different organizations, whatever names or
duties we may assign to them, should be trained earlier on to take
over their responsibilities later on. The Jamaat should have
trustworthy and pious members at the top, such people who shall be
able to maintain the equilibrium of the whole Islamic system with the
help of Allah, and for that Taqwa
is absolutely important. Without Taqwa,
man is like a lifeless plant. He shall go wayward without piety,
righteousness and absolute fear and respect for Allah, The All-Seeing,
All-Hearing.
Thus,
by giving our youths responsibilities earlier on in life shall help
them to perfect their level of belongingness to the cause of Allah;
they shall better understand our cause and shall strive to please
Allah in whatever they do. Remember, Satan is the bitterest enemy of
man. He and his army shall try to deviate you at different points in
life but you need to bypass his whisperings and invitations and focus
your attention and love on Allah and His Truth. Always follow the
right path, even though it is a million times difficult, but I assure
you that at the end of that thorny path is found the most delectable
of rewards. Remember your sacrifices is a short-term while the
rewards promised by Allah is eternal. Now, it is for you to choose
which path you would tread: the path of ruin or the path of
salvation.
Remember,
training of your children - the future bright elements of our Jamaat
should start early, from their birth till death. But in no way should
parents formulate promises officially - within the Jamaat realm - to
dedicate their newborns to the cause of Allah, to the cause of the
Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. If you have this intention in you, then
bring up your children as per the Islamic norms, make him have love
for Allah and His prophets and for the Quran and Islam and the cause
of our Jamaat.
Become
a little Ibrahim (as) and let your children become like a little
Ismail (as) because it was when he reached the age of understanding,
of adolescence that Hazrat Ibrahim (as) had told him the vision he
saw when Ismail (as) was a baby. And it was then that he wanted to
have the opinion of Ismail (as) - his decision - on the matter. Then
Hazrat Ismail (as) answered his father to do what Allah had shown him
(commanded him to do in the dream). So, regarding the decision to
dedicate one's child in the way of Allah, you have to do like Hazrat
Ibrahim (as) and Ismail (as) and avoid at all costs the same
catastrophic mistake that the Jamaat Ahmadiyya made concerning the
Waqfe Naw.
For even before a child is born or has just been born, they are
dedicated only to please the Caliph (Khalifatul-Massih).
Today we have received the result concerning those 'dedicated' in the
'Waqfe Naw'
scheme. Indeed a very low percentage (of these children lived up to
that initial promise), especially in Mauritius!
Furthermore,
do not force them when they reach the age of comprehension. Instead,
you should talk it over with him or her and let your child to decide
if he or she would want to work for the cause of Allah. Remember the
mistakes of yore, and do not repeat them. Do not promise to dedicate
your newborns for they do not have the power of tongue to express
themselves. If like the mother of Hazrat Mariam (ra), you have a wish
to dedicate your child to the cause of Allah, then it is between you
and Allah, and Allah shall choose to accept your request/ duah
or not (for bear in mind that there were some specific conditions
attached to this acceptation of duah
which both Mariam and her mother had to comply to, especially with
regard to remain secluded (for the exclusive worship of Allah) in the
holy places). But I advise you, never take the decision for your
children in respect to lifelong dedication to the cause of Allah. Let
it come naturally with the help of Allah and your good upbringing of
your sons and daughters in the way of Allah. When they have good
upbringing and have got a solid connection with Allah, then their
decisions shall be influenced by the will of Allah towards that which
is best for them.
Focus on Training Children in the Spiritual Path
So
I advise all Siraj Makin to start the training of their children,
and all children and youths of our Jamaat, the young ladies earlier
on. There is no doubt that the trainers and trainees belong to two
distinctly different departments. When the Siraj Makin imparts normal
training directly to someone it is rewarded with Divine blessing. But
when the Siraj Makin gets things done through other agencies, even
then it earns for itself Divine approbation. And once you start
getting things done by others and in this process you also sacrifice
your own time and resources, then there is nothing that can impede
your swift spiritual development. It is now up to the Siraj Makin
management to assign to their younger members such duties as have
distinct religious background. They should instruct the youngsters to
put to their best their time and talent and also acquaint them with
the inherent joy of working ceaselessly for the faith. To begin with,
the young girls should be invested with minor workloads so that the
distinction between the trainer and the trainee be reduced to the
minimal level. In fact the work schedule should be cast in a way so
as to associate the younger elements of community in a constant work
cycle.
To
be much more efficient, the Siraj Makin needs additional workers. To
add more weight and prestige to the organization, the Siraj Makin
should increase its special field of activities and divide its pack
of responsibilities among the younger generation. This will help to
remove the bars which keep apart groups of different status and
standings. They will see how God starts blessing all their functions
and how quickly the younger generation starts imbibing the true
spirit of the Islamic teachings.
The
girls in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam should be immediately absorbed
in our religious organizations and provided with opportunities to
render service to the community both individually and collectively.
It should be made clear to our children that humanity's most precious
heritage is service to others and most of all service to the faith. I
am confident that if the scheme works out well, then it will be a
prelude to our bright and blessed future.
Men's Duties on Women's Rights
Now
a few words of advice for our menfolk. As a note of precision from my
explanation on Pardah
from last week's sermon, Islam does not enjoin Pardah
on women to make them cheap slaves for male exploitation. Nor the
divine commandment for women to guard their chastity is aimed at
turning them into domestic menials for the menfolk. Mind you! The
truth is that all men and women are equal in the sight of God.
However there are some physical variations between the sexes which
divide their sphere of activities into different channels. It is for
this reason alone that there are basic differences between the duties
and functions of the males and the females. Likewise there are
certain distinctive applications in the code of Islamic law, where
men and women have been treated differently on sex basis.
Husbands, Say 'No' to Domestic Violence!
Nevertheless
this separate approach is not motivated by dogmatic principles; much
less by the cult of male superiority. But as for the human rights are
concerned, there are no variances between the two parties. It gives
me intense pain to mention that due to evil influences prevailing in
our society, there are quite a few male tyrants amidst our own modern society who show scant regard for women's rights. According to them, the
women are only child-producing machines and as such are expected to
undergo all sorts of hardships for the pleasure of their husbands.
They are expected to act like dumb animals and never complain of the
harsh treatment meted out to them by the menfolk. These men also
believe that they have the right to beat their wives on most flimsy
pretexts. There are many instances of this nature also in Islam and my
heart aches bitterly over such prevailing situations.
There are some wretched people in this world who,
instead of entering paradise, would go towards the hell under the
feet of their mothers. They disregard women's rights and thus are
enshrouded in divine displeasure. They are not only tyrants but also
stigmatise the fair name of Islam by their evil-minded actions. These
persons who are really the embodiment of wickedness, have disregarded
our social system so effectively in the outside world that Islam is
now considered almost a symbol for male supremacy and
high-handedness. Muslim civilization and culture in their eyes stand
for degrading the women to the lowest pitch of humiliation. They
think that the Muslim woman is tied to the chariot-wheels of tyranny
and oppression and the shackles of customs and usages keep her
perpetually under the heels of the Muslim male.
Insha-Allah,
I shall continue on the same subject next Friday. Until then, may
each member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam reflect over your deeds
and behaviour, towards your own spouses and towards society.
Remember, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Divine Manifestation
embodying it shall never be your PASSPORT TO PARADISE, until and
unless you reform your deeds and behaviour and mould yourselves in
the purest of states, all for the sake of Allah. Recognising and
accepting the advent of this humble self as the Khalifatullah (atba)
and integrating the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is to no avail unless
you reform your conduct and shape your lives according to the
precepts of Islam, and deal kindly with your parents, spouses,
children, relatives, neighbours, brothers/ sisters in faith and the
rest of mankind. May Allah enable each one of you to rid yourselves
from all satanic influences and be the epitome of Islam on earth.
Ameen.
--Friday Sermon of 20
April 2018 (03 Shabaan 1439 AH) delivered by Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.