'Itikaaf' Guidelines

 

In his Friday Sermon of 29 March 2024 ~18 Ramadan 1445 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius offers an exposition on 'Itikaaf’, the devotional Muslim practice of staying in a spiritual retreat at a Masjid or other secluded space in the last 10 days of the fasting month of Ramadan for pure worship of the Divine, far away from all material entanglements of everyday life. In this discourse, as true believers around the world prepare themselves to perform 'Itikaaf' in the final ten days of Ramadan, Hazrat Saheb (aba) offers practical guidance on 'Itikaaf'- related invocations and supplications and additional prayers in the seclusion of the meditative space. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below:   

Religion (Deen, Deen of Allah, Islam) came to bring balance and perfection to man in his life. Without religion, man loses his bearings and therefore will not be able to live a healthy life. It is religion that encourages marriage, family life and prayer.

 

The fact that we are being watched (by Allah, and His angels) and that we must one day be held accountable for our actions forces us to behave well and think twice before committing despicable acts. The religion of Islam advocates moderation and does not tolerate any extremes. On the one hand, there is the obligation of everyone to seek a lawful livelihood, and on the other hand one must engage in religious obligations every day. But during the year one should have a balance between worldly activities and spirituality. And this is where we note that the prophet (pbuh) dedicated the last ten days of each Ramadan to Itikaaf. It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (ra) that after the death of the Prophet (pbuh), his wives also sat down for the ten days of Itikaaf (Bukhari).

'Tahajjud' and 'Tarawee'

  

In the aftermath of a humble request for explanations from his spiritual mentor and guide in this era, a humble disciple of the Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir A. Azim (aba) has axed his questions on the importance of Tahajjud and Tarawee in Islam. His questions are as follows:

 

1. What is the difference between Tahajjud and Tarawee?

2. Do we pray Tahajjud (After Isha, before Fajr) at different times during Ramadan and non-Ramadan (nights)?

3. The Prophet (pbuh) did not perform the Tahajjud prayer or the Tarawee prayer together. Why do we do it?

 

Hazrat Khalifatullah's considered response to these set of questions shine  a clear light of guidance on a vital aspect of Islamic spiritual practice in the fasting month of Ramadan: the devotional practice of offering voluntary prayers known as the Tarawee Prayers after the Esha prayers- both in its original, historical context, but also in relation to the Tahajjud Prayers, explaining the practices against the wider backdrop of the Holy Prophet's own approach and those of the pious second caliph Hazrat Umar (ra), and what these additional prayers mean  in the spiritual journey of the believers in their quest for Divine nearness, pleasure and approval. 

The Petals of Ramadan

  

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the holy month - Ramadan - is here among us since a few days. Today is the 11^th day of this blessed month. Ramadan is such a powerful name that when its name is evoked - remembered - the heart finds its tranquillity. This sacred month par excellence, by its very presence brings contentment in the life of every sincere believer. This month really becomes a moment of exceptional fervour for each of them.

 

The month of Ramadan, metaphorically speaking, is a flower whose petals evoke the Divine Beauty, His (Allah’s) wisdom as well as His mercy towards the believers.

Ramadan & Its Light

  

'Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction. So whoever is present this month, let him fast.' (Quran 2: 186)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, We have received the Quran as a guide (guidance) for humanity and its first verses were revealed in the month of Ramadan. The first verses are: ‘Iqra bismi Rabbikallazii khalaq, Khalaqal-‘insaana min ‘alaq. Iqra’ wa Rabbukal-‘Akram, Allazii ‘allama bil-Qalam. ‘Allamal-‘insaana maa lam ya’-lam (Read, in the name of your Lord, the Creator, Who created man from something that sticks. Read. Your Lord, He is the Most Generous, Who teaches with the pen, teaches man what he did not know).

 

Allah has chosen to make His greatest law-bearing prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) remain an Ummi (illiterate) - whereby he did not know how to read or write - so that the world may know the true worth of the Quran that He has revealed through him. Allah has sent Hazrat Jibreel (as), the chief of the angels of revelations to teach him His pure words which would later serve as guidance for all humanity.

Bai’at with the Khalifatullah

 Bai'at:  In Covenant with God   

‘Whoever obeys the Messenger obeys God.’ (4:81)

 

‘Prophet, when believing women come and pledge to you that they will not ascribe any partner to God, nor steal, nor commit adultery, nor kill their children, nor lie about who has fathered their children, nor disobey you in any righteous thing, then you should accept their pledge of allegiance and pray to God to forgive them: God is most forgiving and merciful.’ (60:13)

 

‘Those who pledge loyalty to you [Prophet] are actually pledging loyalty to God Himself– God’s hand is placed on theirs––and anyone who breaks his pledge does so to his own detriment: God will give a great reward to the one who fulfils his pledge to Him.’ (48:11)

Water: A Divine Sign

‘Did We not make the earth a home for the living and the dead? Did We not place firm, lofty mountains on it and provide you with sweet water?’ (77: 26-28)

 

‘Do they not see the sky above them––how We have built and adorned it, with no rifts in it; how We spread out the earth and put solid mountains on it, and caused every kind of joyous plant to grow in it, as a lesson and reminder for every servant who turns to God; and how We send blessed water down from the sky and grow with it gardens, the harvest grain, and tall palm trees laden with clusters of dates, as a provision for everyone; how with water We give [new] life to a land that is dead? This is how the dead will emerge [from their graves].’ (50: 7-12)

 

‘It is He who sends the winds as heralds of good news before His Mercy. We send down pure water from the sky, so that We can revive a dead land with it, and We give it as a drink to many animals and people We have created.’ [25: 49-50]

 

Say, ‘Just think: if all your water were to sink deep into the earth who could give you flowing water in its place?’ (67: 31)

States of the Human Soul: A Reply

 

Recently, a Muslim lady named Shameenaz (from Mauritius) sent an important question for spiritual guidance to Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim (aba). Explaining the circumstances that led her to approaching Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) with this question, the lady observed that other religious leaders of the various Muslim Jamaats to whom she had sent the question did not provide a spiritually-convincing response to this vital issue. She writes: ‘Imam Sahib, I want to know the three stages of development of the human soul [according to the Holy Quran].’

Faith and the World

 

A believer needs to be mindful of God, and he should adopt righteousness and fear of God in all his pursuits in this world. Those who give preference to the Faith over their worldly concerns, they are never wasted; indeed they attract Divine grace and mercy in their life circumstances, Insha Allah. 

Several verses in the Holy Qur’an points out that Divine succour and help follow those believers who trust in God:   

‘Anyone who believes in God and the Last Day should heed this: God will find a way out for those who are mindful of Him, and will provide for them from an unexpected source; God will be enough for those who put their trust in Him. God achieves His purpose; God has set a due measure for everything.’ (65: 3-4)

 ‘You who believe! If you help God, He will help you and make you stand firm’ (47:8) 

‘God is sure to help those who help His cause– God is strong and mighty– those who, when We establish them in the land, keep up the prayer, pay the prescribed alms, command what is right, and forbid what is wrong: God controls the outcome of all events.’ (22:41-42)  

‘Salat-al-Kasuf’: Prayer of Eclipse

 

'…He created the sun, moon, and stars to be subservient to His command; all creation and command belong to Him. Exalted be God, Lord of all the worlds!’ (7:55)

‘It is He who created night and day, the sun and the moon, each floating in its orbit.’ (21:34)

The sun and the moon follow their calculated courses’. (55:6)

'The night, the day, the sun, the moon, are only a few of His signs. Do not bow down in worship to the sun or the moon, but bow down to God who created them, if it is truly Him that you worship.’—(41:38)

'The sun and the moon are two signs of the Almighty. Solar and lunar eclipses do not occur because of the life or death of someone; in fact, the Almighty warns His people through such phenomena. So, when you see them, beseech the Almighty, celebrate His sovereignty, offer the prayer and spend in His way’. 

---Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa)

Recently a Muslim brother from India contacted Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Siddique Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius requesting guidance on Islamic prayer to be offered in times of solar or lunar eclipses. We are reproducing below the clear guidance given by Hazrat Saheb (aba) on the occasion for the benefit of all truth seekers in relation to the religious prayer to be offered in times of solar or lunar eclipse:

'Ramadan Mubarak!'

 

Ramadan & Its Light

'Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction. So whoever is present this month, let him fast.' (Quran 2: 186)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, with my recent trip to India, I thank my Lord for allowing me to meet my sincere disciples and make our programs with His blessings and graces. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this trip a memorable one.

 

With Shabaan drawing to a close, and the most blessed of Ramadan coming, it is the duty of every believer who is healthy to fast as per the commandment of Allah.

Khalifatullah’s India Visit 2024

                                  

Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, accompanied by Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sayyedah Nazirah Beebi Saheba and Sahebzada Abdul Muhaymine, completed a historic visit to India between 05 February and 07 March 2024, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.

At the Chennai Airport, devout disciples of the Tamil Nadu Jamaat under the leadership of  Hazrat Amir Mukarram Saleem Saheb, and senior Kerala Jamaat member Janab Saleem Saheb of Alappuzha, and our brothers Alauddin Saheb, Saddam Hussein Saheb and Ansari Saheb of Coimbatore, and Khwajah Muhyiuddin Saheb of Chennai received the holy Imam (aba) and dignitaries on arrival.  During his month-long stay in the country, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) and family visited members of the Jamaat in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, bringing so much spiritual joy and happiness to disciples and followers in India, Masha Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar! 

In Kerala, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) and family stayed at the historic Noor’ul Islam Masjid Complex at Mathra for a few days during the visit. In Tamil Nadu, Hazrat Saheb (aba) visited disciples and followers in Coimbatore, and also stayed at the historic Sirajum Munir Masjid for a few days. Members of the Jamaat from different parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu flocked to the Masjids during those days to meet with Hazrat Saheb (aba) and to learn from his inspirational spiritual presence in their midst.