With the ubiquitous reach of digital gadgets facilitating free flow of all content- good and bad; social morals and ethical values are increasingly under threat in our times. When immorality is allowed free reign in a society, it directly affects the vulnerable young population, corrupting their sense of judgement, and propriety, decency and related behavioural standards. Comprehensive action against the spread of immorality is required by all right-thinking people belonging to all communities and religions coming together for the common good, exhorts Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) in this discourse. Moreover, Hazrat Saheb (aba) also speaks about the vital role of water, illustrating the ways in which this precious resource can help us in leading a healthy life.
Read the Friday Sermon Below:
The Importance of Fasting
Fasting preserves from
hell, like a shield in battle. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that Ramadan has
three favours from Allah the Almighty namely: The Grace of Allah the Almighty,
the Mercy of Allah and the Liberation of the fasters from the fires of hell. Truly,
they are fortunate Muslims those who observe Ramadan properly and who know how
to take advantage of it.
In a speech in Medina,
the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) spoke of the importance and virtues of fasting.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said that Allah the Almighty grants the believer a
reward ranging from 10 times to 700 times for his good deed, depending on the
believer’s sincerity and his fear for Allah the Almighty, but the reward of
fasting is exceptional. Allah the Almighty has said that fasting in Ramadan is
a gift to Him from the fasting person.
One who fasts (observes
the Sawm/ Roza) consents to sacrificing and silencing his passions for
the pleasure of Allah the Almighty alone, so Allah Himself will reward such
devotion and it is up to Him to fill the believer with His favours. (Bukhari, Muslim).
Allah the Almighty said
to the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) regarding fasting: “As-sawmuli wa ana ajzi
bihi”, i.e. “Fasting is for Me and the reward is Myself”.
There is a story that
illustrates this very well: King Mahmood, discovering that his viziers were
jealous of his servant Ayaz because of his preference for him, organized an
exhibition of valuable jewellery and precious stones and invited his viziers
there. The latter were amazed and King Mahmood declared that everyone will be
entitled to everything he could touch. The viziers hastened to seize as much jewels
as they could touch. Seeing that his servant Ayaz remained impassive, the King
said to him: ‘And you Ayaz?’ And Ayaz put his hand on the King’s
shoulder saying: “You must keep your word now, and you belong to me from now
on!” King Mahmood then asked his servant to explain his gesture and Ayaz
answered, in front of the viziers: “Those who took jewels have only jewels,
but I, since I have chosen you, the King Himself and everything that belongs to
him belongs to me!”
The moral of this story
is that when a believer observes the fast, his reward is Allah the Almighty.
The faster chooses Allah Himself, and Allah is rightfully His. In other words,
Allah the Almighty being pleased with the sacrifice of the faster, wants to please
him by granting his duahs (supplications) – in order to strengthen his
faith and his effort to pursue the right path.
Progress in this
temporal world, satisfaction and happiness are offered to him as a gift, as
well as tranquillity after his death and his place in Paradise. And these favours
from Allah the Almighty do not only go to the fasting person, but also to all
those for whom he will have asked supplications (duahs): his wife, his
children, his parents, his friends, and as well as the Ummah.
Remember that at the
hour when the believer breaks the fast by asking for duahs, the angels
say ‘Ameen’! And these supplications are answered by Allah the Almighty
(Tirmidhi).
The Messenger of Allah
(pbuh) said: “Whoever fasts but does not refrain from evil or useless words,
and also from evil deeds, Allah the Almighty has nothing to do with his
fasting; Almighty Allah does not need him to starve himself.” (Bukhari).
According to this
Hadith, only the fasting of the believer is accepted who, abstaining from food,
also abstains from bad thoughts, words and actions. Ditto for those who do not ignore
the divine command to not approach the prohibitions during the times of fasting
- such as intimate relations, etc. Certainly, the one who fasts by not
respecting the teachings of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), fasts only in the
eyes of the world only, but in the eyes of Allah the Almighty, his fast is not
valid and does not contain the virtues that will make him merit the Grace and
Mercy of Allah the Almighty, as well as freedom from the fires of hell. May
Allah the Almighty help us to fast according to Islamic principles. Ameen!
On the occasion of
Ramadan, I appeal to provoke common and united action to revive the values that
contribute to building a society where tolerance, peace and harmony are the key
words. It is sounding the alarm on the progressive degradation of values in the
Mauritian and international societies. It is high time for Muslims to reflect
on this state of affairs and remedy it.
Action against Immorality
The scale of indecency
and immorality in countries around the world is alarming. The common action
regrets that the population, with the rise in force of groups of libertarians,
have set aside the standards of decency inherited from our grandparents and
which were part of the culture of Mauritians, following their religious
precepts. It seems that indecency is now the norm.
As the concept of
modesty is devalued, we are witnessing the promotion of self-promotion, even
self-flaunting through selfies and other posts on social networks, where events
of private life are exposed. We [humans/ Muslims in particular] thus allow an
intrusion into our privacy.
Immorality and adultery
have become commonplace. Could it be the consequence of the fact that adultery
has become normal among political decision-makers and other great
personalities? The example coming from above, infidelity in couples have become
acceptable, such a situation leading to other problems including verbal and
physical violence.
This situation is the
consequence, among other things, of the accessibility, through Smartphones and
other gadgets, to pornography, which sums up relations to the carnal or even
bestial act, to the detriment of love and conjugal relations in the respect for
the other. According to a study, young people under the age of 18 have already
had sex outside the bonds of marriage.
Among other scourges
that challenge the Islamic society of Mauritius and the International society,
let us note the scourge of drugs, synthetic drugs in particular, the rise of
homosexuality, and other sexual depravity, verbal and physical violence among
young people, the extent that gambling has acquired and its negative impact on
family and society, without the authorities caring.
I appeal to imams and
leaders of mosques to pay special attention during this month of Ramadan to the
situation within the community and to build bridges with other beliefs in order
to find common solutions to preserve our values.
This joint action calls
on all people of good will to organize themselves with a view to raising
awareness and a common plan of action. Insha-Allah.
The Importance of Water
Something else I wanted
to talk to you about today is about the importance of water. Water is a vital
source that should not be neglected. Water is life! How many times have we
heard this famous adage? So why is it vital to drink enough water during
Ramadan? Water is essential:
1.
For the proper functioning of the kidneys. Water helps dilute toxins and minerals and eliminates pathogens
present in the bladders, and thus prevents us from stones and urinary tract
infections.
2. For cognitive and physical performance. Dehydration can cause symptoms like headaches, fatigue
and lack of concentration.
3.
For the digestive system.
It also needs water for the evacuation of faeces. A lack of water can be linked
to constipation.
When breaking the fast (Iftar),
you should drink just enough to quench your thirst. Some fasters begin by
drinking lots of ice water. The empty stomach suffers the full brunt of a
thermal shock. In addition, too much water weighs down the stomach and cuts the
appetite. The water must therefore be at room temperature even when the feeling
of thirst is strong enough. After performing the Maghrib prayer, one can have
another drink. In this way, liquids gradually enter the stomach. What has been
said about water also applies to other drinks. Moreover, it is recommended to
vary them: a little water, a little green tea, a little coconut water, etc.
Eating water-rich
fruits such as watermelons, melons, or ripe peaches is recommended. Not only do
they bring water to the body, but they fortify it with vitamins and fibre.
It is necessary to
reduce the consumption of highly salty foods (cachous, peanuts, pistachios,
walnuts, etc.).
The body is equipped
with sensors that evacuate excess water. The best solution is to take this
water in fruit foods and salads (tomatoes, cucumbers, avocados, etc.). Thus,
the nutritive channels are irrigated gradually during the day.
May Allah bless us and
bless our fasts and help us to observe them with all due respect, for the
pleasure of Allah. May Allah accept our fasts and preserve us under His
protection and His Mercy. Ameen.