“And indeed We created man from
an extract of clay. Then We placed him as a drop of sperm in a firm resting
place. Then We fashioned the drop into a clinging clot, and We fashioned the
clot into a lump [of flesh], and We fashioned the lump into bones; then We
clothed the bones with flesh. Then We developed him into another creation. So
blessed is Allah, the Best of Creators.”
(Al-Mu’minun, 23: 13-15)
Man receives life when he is formed in his
mother’s womb, and he is sent to Earth with a gift from Allah called the soul,
which grants him an eternal connection with his Creator. The Holy Qur’an says:
“Then He (Allah) proportioned him and breathed into him of His spirit; and He gave you (humans) hearing and sight and hearts. Little are you grateful!” (As-Sajda 32: 10)
From the moment a person is born until the
moment he returns to Allah, he is given many opportunities to recognise his
Creator, to worship Him, and to fulfil the sacred duty entrusted to him when
Allah sent him to this Earth. Many submit to Allah and worship Him alone,
without attributing any partners to Him. However, there are also those who lose
their way, who forget the true purpose for which Allah placed them on this
Earth. They become swayed by what this worldly life contains, seeking ways to
increase their wealth and power to such an extent that they seek to make others
fear them, follow them, or even revere them as if they were all-powerful; thus
forgetting Allah altogether.
We must keep in mind that the creation of
mankind is a divine favour upon humanity itself. A human being, in and of
himself, is lifeless without the soul that resides within him; he becomes a
cadaver. As soon as the soul departs from the body, it becomes a lifeless
corpse, which then decomposes and disappears.
What Allah helps us understand through the Qur’an
– and not only through the Qur’an but across the ages – is that He has honoured
humanity by appointing man as His representative (Khalifa) on Earth.
This responsibility carries immense significance, as it means that Allah has
entrusted mankind with the role of upholding justice, truth, and righteousness.
Allah has created a being capable of forming a
special connection with Him through the soul, for this soul is a breath from
Allah Himself. It is of divine origin. The one who learns to guide his soul may
gain access to vast knowledge of the spiritual realm. But the one who clings to
his desires, allowing the distractions of the world to dazzle him and make him
forget his inevitable return to Allah - such a person forfeits the opportunity
to discover that sacred bond between himself and his Creator.
In the Holy Qur’an, Allah says:
“And [remember, O Prophet] when
your Lord said to the angels: ‘Indeed, I will place upon the earth a representative
[a successive authority].’” (Al-Baqara 2: 31)
This is a great honour that Allah has granted
to mankind – from our wise and knowledgeable (intelligent) forefather, Adam
(as). Allah bestowed upon him an extraordinary gift: the soul. This soul is
filled with the love of Allah and acts as a guide toward righteousness and
closeness to Him. Therefore, whoever follows this path will rise spiritually
and attain a higher level of faith and understanding.
The Messenger of Allah, the Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh), achieved the highest degree of divine love; the purest form of
Allah’s love. Through his compassion and wisdom, he guided humanity toward
truth. He (pbuh) said: “Allah does not look at your appearance or your
wealth, but He looks at your hearts and your deeds.” (Muslim)
Those whom Allah has chosen carry His light,
guiding mankind toward the fulfilment of the divine mission with which they
were entrusted.
While Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) was the final
prophet of divine law (i.e. last law-bearing prophet) -the Seal of the Prophets
– Islam nevertheless recognises that there will come other righteous and
virtuous spiritual leaders who will honour and defend Islam, and guide humanity
(through Islam) toward the pinnacle of faith.
These noble leaders will also be regarded as
messengers and prophets, but without bringing any new laws, for the Holy Qur’an
will forever remain the final code of law for mankind.
The Qur’an speaks of the continuation of divine
guidance in the following words:
“O Children of Adam, whenever
messengers come to you from among yourselves reciting My revelations, then
whoever fears Allah and reforms - there will be no fear upon them, nor will
they grieve.” (Al-Araf, 7: 36)
Throughout history, sacred texts – especially
the Holy Scriptures – have spoken of a saviour awaited by humanity. In
Christianity, this often refers to the return of Christ, while Jewish texts
speak of the coming of the awaited Messiah. Within Islamic tradition, it is
clear that a guide is destined to emerge, one who will walk in the footsteps of
the previous prophets.
The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh)
foretold the arrival of leaders who would revive the faith:
“At the beginning of each century, Allah will
send someone who will renew the religion for this nation (i.e., the Ummah of
Islam).” (Abu Dawud)
Belief in a future guide reflects the divine
promise that Allah will never abandon His servants to darkness. The prophets
whom people await – even after the coming of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) – will
honour Islam, affirm the truth of all previous prophets, and lead humanity to
the pinnacle of faith. Insha-Allah.
In various religious traditions, people await
divine intervention in the form of a guide who will bring truth and justice.
The Bible speaks of such a future guide:
“He will not cry out, nor raise His voice, nor
cause His voice to be heard in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break,
and a faintly burning wick He will not extinguish. He will bring forth justice
in truth.” (Isaiah 42: 2-3)
In Islamic eschatology, the coming of a just
guide – following in the path of the prophets - is inevitable. He will embody
divine love, purity, and truth, leading humanity back to Allah in the most
honourable of ways.
This promise of divine guidance is a powerful
reminder that Allah will never abandon His creation. After the advent of Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh), Allah has continued to support both Islam and humanity through
just and righteous guides, including Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) and, in this
century, myself. As is the way or practice of Allah (Sunnat Allah), for as long
as humankind walks the Earth and the heavens and Earth remain, Allah will
continue to send forth His light in the form of His chosen ones – those who
will proclaim His words and commandments to humanity. His light will persist in
the world through these divinely appointed men, ensuring that mankind is never
left to wander alone in search of truth.
From the creation of man to his final return to
Allah, he carries the sacred trust (Amaanat) which Allah has entrusted to him.
He must guard this trust with faith and never allow it to be lost. His journey
on this Earth is to be guided by divine love and illuminated by the wisdom of
the prophets. And it is those whom Allah has personally chosen for great
missions to lead humankind who are blessed with this sacred mission – to guide
souls back to Allah, to righteousness.
When a person possesses faith, walks upright in
conduct and intention, and keeps his soul pure from the pollution of this
world, he is known as one who has succeeded – a person who has passed his test
in this earthly life. While humanity awaits its saviour in this age, the
saviour is already among you, praying for you. But is there anyone who sees? Is
there anyone who understands and is ready to sacrifice their time, wealth, and
self for the cause of Allah alongside him – this humble servant – for the
reformation of the world and the spiritual guidance of mankind?
Today, hearts search for the saviour. But have
the eyes of the heart been opened to recognise him – this humble servant? True
believers know that the promise of Allah is always true, and that He will never
forsake them or allow Satan’s corruption to overcome the truth. So O believers
around the world: come together as one – for truth, for the Creator, the One
without partner. Turn to Allah in prayer, and you shall find Him. He is near;
and He has sent me as a Messenger to you. Let the one whose heart can hear,
listen to my call and understand. Insha-Allah.
Reflect deeply, for Allah has said: “Indeed, the help of Allah is near.”
(Al-Baqara 2: 215)
So place your trust in Allah and obey me. It is
through obedience to Allah and to the humble servant of your time that you
shall find salvation, Insha-Allah.
---Friday Sermon of 13 June 2025~ 15 Dhul Hijjah 1446 AH delivered by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.