The Signs of Qiyamah- 5
As we observe the current times, we are living
in societies where corruption has infiltrated every sector. In the context of
the signs of the Hour, we see that what our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) foretold is manifesting more frequently and in greater numbers than
before.
In a Hadith reported by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) and recorded in Sahih Bukhari, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “When honesty is lost, then wait for the Hour (As-Sa’at).” He (pbuh) was asked: “How will honesty be lost, O Messenger of Allah?” He (pbuh) replied: “When authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then wait for the Hour (As-Sa’at).”
It is unfortunate that the world has plunged
into extreme decadence. Honesty, as foretold by this Hadith of our Prophet
(pbuh), has disappeared, and sadly, even small islands like Mauritius have not
been spared from this corruption. Gone are the days when corruption, bribery,
fraud, and politicians seeking power to engage in shady dealings were only
found in large countries. Nowadays, with globalization, where all means have
facilitated the encouragement of corruption, our small island has also not been
spared from this disaster.
Today, I will not take examples from large
countries. Today, I will take the example of our own small country. As a result
of a series of audios published on social networks, Mauritians have been
shocked to learn how corruption and bribery reign supreme at the highest levels
of the political hierarchy, especially within the government of Mauritius.
Unfortunately, we see how those in power have no respect for their fellow
citizens, where one person does not respect what belongs to another, and
everyone is seeking their own gain to enrich themselves and seize power. But
what they forget is that all this is very temporary. If someone steals another
person’s money or property, do they think they will carry all this to their
grave? Or do they think that ill-gotten wealth will make them more prosperous
in the eyes of God, or will it lower their honour before God? No! Think
carefully. Ill-gotten wealth will end badly!
We have reached a period in human life where
people no longer care about what is right. They are immersed in a competition
to acquire more worldly possessions, even if the means they use are corrupt.
Ponder over this carefully: we are living in a world where almost everywhere
there are Pharaohs, and we can even say “Yazid Ibn Mu’awiyah.”
We all know the story of Yazid – I have given
several sermons about him and Imam Hussein. Yazid was an extremely corrupt
person. He was someone who was within the fold of Islam, yet he was corrupting
Islam from within. This corruption, which Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) predicted,
began when there were plots to kill the Rightly Guided Caliphs, such as Hazrat
Umar, Usman, and Ali. We see that just after the death of Hazrat Muhammad
(pbuh) and Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra), this fitna (chaos) infiltrated
the Ummah (Community) of Islam. People began to interpret Islam in their own
ways, leading to divisions, hatred, and conspiracies. What do we see now? As
soon as the Prophet (pbuh) closed his eyes [i.e. experienced death], his
followers began to deviate from his teachings, despite the establishment of a
Caliphate to guide them on the right path. This fracture within the Ummah has
increased, causing the Ummah to gradually stray from the path of Allah.
Today, the Arab-Muslim world, as well as the
non-Muslim world, trample on the teachings of all the prophets of Allah and
have instituted what we call their own code of laws, which go against the
fundamental laws of Allah. While the Muslim world suffers due to corrupt
leaders, the non-Muslim world has also decayed to a great extent. Honesty has
disappeared. The political systems of countries are devoid of honesty. No
politicians are willing to speak the truth or lend a helping hand, together
with righteous people, to rebuild the human society that has been trampled upon
today.
I return to what is happening in Mauritius. It
is unfortunate that audio evidences leaked on the internet presenting a Police
Commissioner using very unpleasant language and engaging in high-level
conspiracies. I will not delve into his private life, as that too has been
leaked, but what is grievous in all this is the lack of respect for religions,
especially an audio presenting him and one of his interlocutors criticizing the
Virgin Mary [Hazrat Maryam].
It is true that in Islam, we do not pray to any
idol made of stone or marble, but our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
has taught us to respect the faith of our fellow citizens. Whether in the
Christian faith or in Islam, Hazrat Maryam (ra), the mother of Hazrat Isa (as)
[Jesus], holds a very high status. Although we, as Muslims, condemn the making
and worshipping of statues of the Virgin Mary, we respect the faith of our
fellow Christian citizens, whether here in Mauritius or elsewhere in the world.
I must say, the comments made by the Police
Commissioner about the Virgin Mary, if thrown into the ocean, would pollute the
entire ocean! As a Messenger of God, it is my duty to warn him and all those
who seek to throw mud on pious people, the excellent servants of Allah. Think
carefully, there is an Almighty God who can make them swallow all the filth
they speak about the beloved servants of Allah.
If today we, as Muslims, find ourselves within
the circle of Islam, it is because we have a duty to establish the true
teachings of Allah on earth. Every Muslim needs to be a Muslim not just in
words, but also in heart, deep within their Ruh (soul) [and in practice as
well].
Remember, not all countries are Muslim
countries. Some are multi-racial, multi-cultural, like Mauritius. We find
ourselves in a situation as our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “When
authority is given to those who do not deserve it, then wait for the Hour
(As-Sa’at).”
It is unfortunate that there are incompetent
people leading our country, and this representation is valid in other countries
around the world as well. For example, we have learned how a Prime Minister has
allowed himself to be influenced by his wife and let her interfere in the
political affairs of the country, as if it is not the Prime Minister who is the
Prime Minister but his wife. We see that there are no “free and fair
nominations” for government officers based on merit. Each political party
protects its supporters. This is not something new. Today it concerns this
government, but it has existed in the past as well. What is not good about this
is that during a 10-year mandate of a government, it rejects people for
promotions based on their political colour. It should not be like this! Honesty
and hard work in a job should be the basis for promotions. Honesty is the
opposite of corruption.
Therefore, we see how the words of our beloved
Prophet (pbuh) have come true: “When authority is given to those who do not
deserve it, then wait for the Hour (As-Sa’at).”
We are in the midst of this period of darkness.
As the Hindus say, we are in the midst of Kalyug, but in this Kalyug, God has
not forgotten His promise. He has sent His Avatar, a Rishi, a prophet to bring
divine light back into the hearts of this world. Who will benefit from this? It
is only those who fight against corruption, the righteous people, who are truly
intelligent. Their intelligence is not only academic – although that is also
important – but their intelligence is a spiritual intelligence, which makes
them fear God more than they fear people like themselves. As a Messenger of
Allah, it is my duty to warn. Those who listen to my advice will prosper, while
those who turn their backs will head towards their own loss.
So, I make an appeal to the Mauritian
authorities, whether it is the outgoing government (as we are heading towards a
new National Election on November 10) or the new government that will take
office. Do not engage in delusions of grandeur on earth. Treat the people who
have placed their trust in you and voted for you in a good manner. Do not plan
to spread corruption on earth, because you will neither be able to split the earth
nor reach the height of the mountains; that is to say, every action you take
will have its repercussions. In Hinduism it is referred to as: KARMA. There are
causes and effects of all our actions on earth. Those who strive for good will
be rewarded with good. And those who strive for evil will be rewarded with
evil, which is hell. A true servant of God is one who knows how to respect his
fellow man, even if he does not share the same faith. When there is mutual
respect, great wars can be avoided, because remember, it is not you, it is not
us who are the Master of the Last Judgement. It is only our Creator! And in the
Arabic language, the Absolute name for the Creator, Who is One without any
partner, is “ALLAH.” If we look at the Arab world, even non-Muslims living
there, especially Jews and Christians, call God “ALLAH” because that is the
personal name of the Creator in Arabic. So, it is useless to slander Allah,
because Allah is the Creator of all people and the entire universe. Those who
slander Allah, remember that Allah is sufficient to protect His honour by
Himself. He gives a lapse of time for people to reform and seek forgiveness,
but after this, all those who deserve His wrath will taste His wrath, and those
who deserve His love will receive His love.
So, I make an appeal to Mauritians and the
global community. Do not commit excesses on earth. Become honest people, and
reject taking and giving bribes. We can put a stop to corruption in our own way
by dealing with problems honestly. Satans [whether you call them “Shaytan” or “Raakshiass”],
are present everywhere, and they are happy when evil spreads and when they see
the kingdom of Allah weakening on earth. So do not lend a hand to Satans to
throw yourselves into the fire of hell. It is you who must lead this struggle
in this century, so that a better generation is born tomorrow that will stand
firm in honesty, to lead this world in righteousness before Allah destroys this
world. Insha-Allah, Ameen.
---Friday Sermon of 08 November 2024~ 05 Jama'dul Awwal 1446 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.