Ramadan: A Gift

 

A Gift in Bliss and Misfortune

Whether a Muslim is happy or sad, in trials or bliss, God Almighty, lovingly called by His personal name: ALLAH (The One without any partner) in Islam, is sure to bring him out of this state, on and off to make him realise that without Him, he is powerless, without Him no true happiness can be reached.

Allah says twice in Chapter Ash-Sharh of the Holy Quran: “So truly where there is hardship there is also ease; truly where there is hardship there is also ease.”

The blessed month of Ramadan is one such gift, one such ease, one such month when the true believer gets to live peace in both his spiritual and worldly lives. This month comes once a year, but the sincere one yearns it so much, that is, that opportunity to have his sins forgiven, to get the pleasure and approbation of Allah, and finally to accede to Allah Himself through his selfless sacrifice. Such a believer is a model among the believers. Such a believer follows in the footsteps of his beloved prophet and mentor, the Honourable Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (pbuh).

Khalifatullah at Sirajum Munir Masjid 2023

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam official YouTube Channel has just unveiled a photo and video report on the recent India visit of Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, and the International Sadr of the Siraj Makin Djawaharatul Kamal Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba in January- February 2023. The photos and videos taken since the blessed arrival of the holy servants of Allah (swt) in India, especially in Tamil Nadu and North Kerala are blended together to form not just a journey report but also an excellent introduction to the inner world of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in the country, Masha Allah, Allah-u-Akbar! 

The spiritual sons of the Khalifatullah (aba) and leaders of the Jamaat in India, Hazrat Mukarram Amir Saleem Saheb and Hazrat Mukarram Naib Amir Shahul Hameed Faisal Saheb received Hazrat Saheb (aba) and the Hazrat Saheba on their arrival  at the Mumbai Airport, in the second week of January 2023, Alhamdulillah. Later, for the first time, we have had a historic Jumuah Namaz and Qutubah led by Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) at Mumbai, Summa Alhamdulillah.

23 March: Bia'at Day

     

March 23 is an important day in the annals of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. For it was on this historic day in the beginning of the 14th century of Islam that the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian formally began to initiate his disciples through the system of Bia’at into the spiritual Order of Silsila Ahmadiyya, a community of true believers who will be sincere helpers and supporters of the larger causes of Islam in the modern world. The first Bia’at into the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya took place in Ludhiana on Rajab 20, 1306 AH ~23 March 1889.

        Historically speaking, the idea of Bia’at in the then, newly-established Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, in many ways, resembled the practice in Sufi Orders of the medieval Islamic world where disciples formed a chain of spiritual relationship with their spiritual preceptor and Imam through Bia’at, the rite of initiation of a disciple into the Sufi spiritual path or Tariqah. In the Sufi traditions, Bia’at denotes ‘Wilayah’ or the transmission of the spiritual power, from the Prophet to certain of his Companions and through them to one generation after another of those seeking to follow the spiritual path.     

       

As a spiritual concept and practice, Bia’at has strong and deep antecedents in the faith traditions of Islam. Indeed, the Holy Qur’an speaks of the original covenant of humanity with God through the Prophets: ‘[Prophet], when your Lord took out the offspring from the loins of the Children of Adam and made them bear witness about themselves, He said, ‘Am I not your Lord?’ and they replied, ‘Yes, we bear witness.’ (7:173)

“And remember God’s blessing upon you, and His covenant by which He bound you, when you said, ‘We hear and we obey.’ And reverence God. Truly God knows what lies within breasts” (5:8).

“Fulfill My covenant, and I shall fulfill your covenant, and be in awe of Me.” (2:41)

Poem: ‘A Hymn to God’

 

 Lo! How manifest is the Light of God,

Who is the Ultimate source of all Light

The whole universe is turning into a reflective mirror

For the eyes to perceive Him.

 

                               Last night while watching the Moon

I became so agitated

In the beauty of the Moon

Were the traces of the beauty of my Beloved.

 

Under the influence of that consummate beauty

My heart is in a state of turmoil

Mention not to me

the comeliness of the Turk or the Tartar.

 

O my Beloved,

How wonderfully is Your

Creative power manifested everywhere

Whichever way I look I find

Every road leading to Your presence.

A Kashf on ‘Divine Hug’

 

True devotees are a sign of Living Faith. Love of God drives them to respect and act upon Divine commands and prohibitions as they should be. For instance, they offer regular prayers at specified times of the day; they recite the Holy Qur’an at dawn. Moreover, they sincerely engage in remembrance of God all the time. In the pure quest for the grand favour and blessings of Divine nearness, they even wake up at night and pray as an extra offering of their own: in the long hours of the night prostrating before God and weeping in supplication, nurturing their souls even in a state of exhaustion. Like the Holy Qur’an notes, Allah Himself indicates the standards of readiness and rewards of sincerity: 

‘O you who are bearing a heavy responsibility, stand up in Prayer at night except a small portion thereof—Half of it, or make it a little less than that, or make it a little more than that—and recite the Qur’an slowly and thoughtfully.’ [73: 2-5]. 

‘O Ye who believe! Offer Tahajjud prayer in the latter part of the night. It may be that your Lord will raise you to a highly praised status.’ (17: 80) 

True devotion to God, or Divine Love, has beneficial consequences for the believer when God gazes at the heart of the sincere soul with forgiveness, mercy, kindness and indulgence. A famous Hadith-e-Qudsi reads as follows:  

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) narrates that the Holy Prophet (sa) said: “Allah the Almighty says … ‘My servant can be close to Me through the things that I love and that I made obligatory upon him. By offering Nawafil, My servant gets so close to Me that I start loving him. When I make him a friend of Mine, I become the ears with which he hears, the eyes with which he sees, the hands with which he holds and the feet with which he walks. Thus, I fulfil all that he desires. If he begs of Me, I provide for him; if he seeks My protection, I grant him protection. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitabul Riqaq, Bab-ul-Tawazu)

Indeed, the pious men and women who are steeped in Divine waters and absorb themselves in Divine remembrance and sublime invocations- the special servants and friends of God; it is they who are blessed to partake in the subtle mysteries of this universe, and special signs of Divine nearness appear in and among their circle. Indeed, at the highest levels of this mystical journey, the believer will become alone with the Alone, almost 'lose' himself in God. With such depths of Faith in a Divinely-imbued servant, the blessings of the Islamic Way will be demonstrated- it is  as if the heaven and the earth are renewed through his presence and work for the sake of Allah (swt) as the new ‘Adam’, the ‘Khalifatullah’ of the era.

 

Today, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International with a Divinely-appointed ‘Khalifatullah’ [who speaks with the help of ‘Roohul Qudus’ at the head of the Jamaat] strives for the creation of a new heaven and earth; in its own humble and sincere way of pure devotion and submission to the Will and Decision of Allah (swt), it is a stunning example of the kind of Divine Manifestations that have had been witnessed through the centuries in different lands, with the advent of prophets and messengers and saints of God who strove to uphold the pristine truth about God through a correct appreciation of the eternal teachings of Faith, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.   

 

Reproduced Below is a mystical experience of special Divine Nearness reported by none other than our Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908] in the previous era- at a time when Allah (swt) raised him as the commissioned one of the age to demonstrate the blessings and favours of the living religion of Islam:

Interview: Jamaat @ 15

The Muslims of our times, especially the new generation of spiritually-inquisitive minds, search for pure role models in Faith. As against the self-serving leaders and myopic scholars of traditional religion who merely trade in the external symbols and rituals of their specific community, the changing times and dismal fortunes of the wider Ummah requires a renewal of the Divine Way of Islam: yes, what we need is an exemplary reflection of the original spirit of the Faith as taught and practiced by the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa); someone who can teach and preach the holy principles of the lofty Book of revelations in this era. Most certainly, the appearance of spiritual savants in every era of Islam is a deeply-held, sanctified belief among the Muslims around the world as the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) famously foretold this perpetual path of purified guidance as a great Divine favour on the Ummah. That is why devout Muslims eagerly await the advent of a Mujaddid [Divinely-appointed spiritual reformer and exemplar of the Faith] in every century of Islam to revive and renew the days of the Prophet (sa) among the believers.

  

A special Divine Manifestation takes place in an era when a servant of God who follow in the enlightened footsteps of the Holy Prophet (sa), experience pure Divine communion in the depths of his heart and soul, and share the Divine communications that he receives on matters of faith and practice for the benefit of the community at large. Over the centuries, devout Muslims have welcomed the appearance of ‘Muhyiuddin’ among them with much spiritual fervour- indeed it is as though they are witnessing the very return of the Holy Prophet (sa) in the new era of Islam! Hence, the appearance of a Khalifatullah- a Divinely-imbued soul who speaks with the help of Roohul Qudus- is the greatest spiritual gift for a community of believers in any era.

Milk: The Elixir of Life

 

‘In livestock, too, you have a lesson– We give you a drink from the contents of their bellies, between waste matter and blood, pure milk, sweet to the drinker’. (16:67)

‘There is a lesson for you in livestock: We produce milk for you to drink from their bellies. And they have many other benefits: you eat them and you ride on them, as you do in ships.’ (23: 22-23)

‘Can they not see how, among the things made by Our hands, We have created livestock they control, and made them obedient, so that some can be used for riding, some for food, some for other benefits, and some for drink? Will they not give thanks?’ (36:72-74)

Divine Blessings abound in this world. It is the extraordinary convergence of so many beneficial elements that make life possible on planet earth. The Holy Qur'an calls attention to the grand creations of God Almighty that sustain life: the Sun, the Moon, the stars and their orbital sojourns; the wind and the clouds; the rain and the seasons, the mountains and the rivers; the oceans and the giant ships, the plants and the fruits, the insects and the animals, etc. For instance, as mentioned in the aforesaid Qur'anic verses, cattle provides many benefits for the human beings: beauty,  warmth, clothing and furnishings, riding and transporting goods, food and the milk. In the Islamic tradition, apart from the benefits in this world, milk is one of the four rivers of the Garden in the Hereafter. Moreover, it is mentioned in the traditions that the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) chose milk during his Night Journey when he was offered a choice between milk and wine. Indeed, milk is the symbol of the drink of primordial purity, the drink of Fitra in Islam.   

All these blessings and benefits of a life-time should make man reflect on his utter dependence on the Almighty for everything. Indeed, man should recognize the wisdom and incomparable kindness of the Lord in assembling all those benefits, and remain grateful to His Lord, submitting to the Divine commands, the will and wisdom of the Creator and Sustainer of the worlds; he should reject Satanic temptations that make him forget his true condition and feel 'self-sufficient' and ignore God, betraying arrogance and hubris. Remaining a true servant of God on earth, all believers should be thankful and grateful for all the blessings of this world that come their way by the sheer kindness and mercy of the True Master and Lord of All the worlds.   

Reproduced Below is a fascinating essay written by Imam- Jamaat Ul sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius on the significance of Milk and Milk products for humanity; the very many benefits of milk consumption for human beings, for their health and well-being, as a medicine and elixir of life:   

Coping with Disasters

  

In his Friday Sermon of 03 March 2023~10 Shabaan 1444 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius continues his profound reflections on the larger meaning of the recent, devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.  

Every disaster is a grim reminder of the mighty forces of nature at work: be it floods, earthquakes, land slides, forest fires. Man needs to learn his lessons from experiences and observations, and act wisely. With prudence and responsible behaviour, much of the disaster-related damage and destruction can be contained, if not prevented altogether. Collective choices of a society in terms of development model pursued can make a difference. Consider for instance, ecological sensitivity and fragility of certain regions. Public consciousness around environmental protection and wider issues of sustainability need to be foregrounded in rules and regulations for common welfare. Moreover, we owe a duty to care for our neighbours, to help them in times of distress and disaster, to mitigate their suffering through selfless service, reminds Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) in this discourse.  

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

Khalifatullah at Mathra Masjid

Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, and the International Sadr of the Siraj Makin Djawaharatul Kamal- the women’s wing of the Jamaat- Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally completed a historic visit to India between 16 January and 10 February 2023, Alhamdulillah. As reported earlier,  during this all-India visit, Hazrat Saheb (aba) and team found time to meet with disciples and followers in various parts of the country: visiting Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south, and also in the north of India, visiting places such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Mumbai. 

One of the highlights of the nearly-month long holy visit was the time spent at the Noor'ul Islam Masjid- Mathra, 21-28 January 2023, Alhamdulillah. By the grace and blessings of Allah (swt), this is the third visit of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) to the historic Masjid in Kerala in the last decade, Summa Alhamdulillah. Members of the Jamaat in Kerala still fondly remember Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) and members of the pious household visiting the Mathra Masjid in January 2017, and also later in December 2018: both journeys took place under the will and pleasure of Almighty Allah. Indeed, the Jalsa (spiritual get-together that took place with the arrival of the Khalifatullah (aba)] at the Masjid brought so much joy and happiness to all disciples and followers present on these occasions, Masha Allah, Allah-u-Akbar!

Prophetic teachings note the significance of maintaining mutual relationships and beneficial exchanges: “Visit each other periodically. It will increase your love. Exchange gifts, you’ll grow to love one another.” Once again, by the immense grace and blessings of Allah (swt), the visit of the Khalifatullah (aba) and Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sadr Saheba to the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra- along with, and accompanied by, scores of disciples and followers from Tamil Nadu-, virtually created an atmosphere of spiritual festival (Jalsa) for all humble devotees and servants of God in this part of the world.

On the Day of Judgement

 

Our moment of truth, our moment of reckoning is coming. Indeed, with every minute that is receding by, we are approaching the Day of Judgement. The Holy Qur’an calls this Day as the “Undeniable Reality” [Al Haqqah]. Like the Holy Qur’an states elsewhere, ‘Closer and closer it comes to you. Closer and closer still. Does man think he will be left alone? Was he not just a drop of spilt-out sperm, which became a clinging form, which God shaped in due proportion, fashioning from it the two sexes, male and female? Does He who can do this not have the power to bring the dead back to life?’ [75: 35-41].

 

On that Day, we will be presented at the infallible court of Allah (twt), ‘Master of the Day of Judgement’. On the hour of reckoning, the most comprehensive Book of Records will be unveiled; it is for us, each individual in her own merit, to face our beliefs, words, intentions and deeds- actions in complete detail- and to account for them in all fairness and justice. Our souls as well as our limbs will testify- for or against us. As the Holy Qur’an indicates:

 

‘When the Trumpet is sounded a single time, when the earth and its mountains are raised high and then crushed with a single blow, on that Day the Great Event will come to pass. The sky will be torn apart on that Day, it will be so frail. The angels will be on all sides of it and, on that Day, eight of them will bear the throne of your Lord above them. On that Day you will be brought to judgement and none of your secrets will remain hidden.’ (69: 14-19)

 

‘We have bound each human being’s destiny to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring out a record for each of them, which they will find spread wide open, ‘Read your record. Today your own soul is enough to calculate your account.’ (17:14-15).

 

‘On that Day, man will be told about all his commissions and omissions. Truly, man is a clear witness against himself, despite all the excuses he may put forward.’ (75: 13-16)

'Duah': Prayer of Light

 

Oh Allah!

Place light in my heart

And light in my tongue

And light in my hearing

And light in my seeing

And light from above me

And light from below me

And light on my right

And light on my left

And light ahead of me

And light behind me

 Place light in my soul

Magnify for me light

And amplify for me light

Make for me light

And make me light

'Zilzaal': When the Earth Shakes

In his Friday Sermon of 24 February 2023~ 03 Shabaan 1444 AH, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius recited ‘Surah Az-Zilzaal’, the 99th Chapter of the Holy Qur’an. Speaking against the backdrop of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria with its profound impact upon the people’s lives in those nations, and also of the Cyclone Freddy-induced damages and other tragic accidents in Mauritius; Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) calls attention to the larger spiritual wisdom underlying the violent shakings of our small world.

In the secular world, the sudden emergence of unknown facts and subtle realities through the occurrence of remarkable events such as new scientific discoveries and striking changes in existing ways brought about by technological advancement, or radical political upheavals shaking up existing social order, can potentially transform the entire outlook of peoples and nations. In the Divine scheme of things, the Hereafter and Day of Judgement is a hidden reality waiting to unfold in the fullness of time. On that Day, men and women who are judged good will have their rewards, just as people who are judged the promoters of evil and carriers of sin shall meet their requital. Hence, to receive Divine Mercy on the Day of Reckoning, we ought to stay away from all types of evil and we should not even neglect small sins as it might get accumulated. Moreover, we should promote every type of common kindness, and do good deeds of every kind- ‘even if by giving half a date in charity, and even if by saying a single word of good’ as a famous Ahadith exhorts all believers. Expressing solidarity with the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and also extending condolence to the people affected by the recent tragic accidents involving Hindu pilgrims in the streets of Mauritius; Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) calls attention to the need to learn from our negative experiences; exhorting everyone to return to the true values of religion- refraining from all types of pomp and show, promoting amity and tolerance among all faiths, peace and wise conduct in social and national life. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

'In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion, and the earth throws up her burdens; when man says, what is the matter with her? On that day she will relate her news, for your Lord will have commanded her. That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds. Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it; and whoso does an atom’s weight of evil will also see it.' [Surah Az-Zilzaal, 99: 1-9 ]     

2023: New Books

 

1. Al-Azim Tafsir'ul Quran Series: Volume 3

Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim, Al-Azim Tafsir’ul Quran, Vol.3: English Commentary of the Holy Quran, pp. 785, Mauritius: Jamaat U; Sahih Al Islam International, 2023 edn.

Excerpts from the Blurb: 

'By the grace of God Almighty, this is the third instalment in the Al-Azim Tafsir'ul Quran Series (#3) authored by Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (atba) through Divine Inspiration and compiled, edited and published by Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International through Amazon.com for the benefit of mankind.' 

To buy the Book on the Amazon, Click Here.