The gifts of Islam

 

Reproduced below is a section from the writings of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908], the Muslim saintly figure who claimed under Divine inspiration that he is the promised Messiah and Imam Mahdi of the Later Days. Hazrat Ahmad (as) explains here the transformative potential of Islamic beliefs and practices upon the spiritual fortunes of a human soul striving steadfastly and sincerely in the pure path of the Prophets, seeking the Face of God: attain true humility and Taqwah; gain Holy Communion- be blessed with Divine converse and dialogue, and thereby partake of lofty discourse and deep guidance; indeed, become a true heir to the cognition of God in their times.

A Prayer in the Mihrab

 

In the quiet mihrab, silver crowned with age,

Zakariya stood, though his frame was frail.

'My bones have weakened, my hair is ablaze,'

Yet his hope in his Lord did not pale.

Childless years weighed heavy on his chest,

He feared for his people when he was laid to rest.

Who would guard the way if heirs went astray? 

So he turned to his Lord, and began to pray.

The Hidden Meaning of Ramadan

  

Fasting in general is filled with many benefits. It does not only bring physical benefits, but also spiritual benefits, hidden benefits. Ramadan is a month in which the hidden truth within the soul is given an opportunity to manifest. It is an opportunity that Allah grants to each of His believing servants to change, to reform, to reflect upon their past mistakes and sins, and to approach Allah with repentance in the hope of acquiring His forgiveness. Whoever Allah forgives during the sacred month of Ramadan is given by Allah a new beginning, a new chance to prove themselves in the world.

 

The benefits of fasting are great, but the fast of Ramadan is greater still, because here lies the question of obedience and recognition that this month, as Allah has revealed, is a month filled with blessings. Thus, whoever observes the fast of Ramadan obtains an inner unveiling of their soul: all their sins or mistakes that they once thought small and without consequence take on a great magnitude in their own eyes, and they truly realise how wrong they were and they ask Allah for forgiveness. And Allah loves the one who becomes conscious of themselves, of their mistakes and sins, and turns towards Him. This is why Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught his wife Hazrat Aisha (ra) to recite often: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa‘fu ‘anni – O Allah, You are Forgiving, You love to forgive, so forgive me.

The Shahada- 1

  

The Shahada, that is, the testimony of faith, is a simple yet profound declaration which forms the heart of a believer in Islam. When a believer says: Ash-hadu alla ilaaha illallahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadar-Rasullullah (I bear witness that there is no other god except Allah and that Muhammad (pbuh) is [simply] His Messenger), it is not merely a phrase upon the lips and tongue; it is a spiritual commitment, a promise that this believer is making before Allah, for this phrase which appears very simple is in fact the key that opens the door of faith.

 

(The first part of the Shahada i.e.) “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” is beyond what people can describe, beyond what they can comprehend; it separates the believers from the disbelievers, those who are blessed and in peace and happiness from those who are far from Allah’s blessings and who make their lives bitter through their own faults; thus this Shahada (Laa Ilaaha Ilallahu Muhammadur Rasullullah) represents the very foundation of Islam. Whoever holds firmly to this word, this key, attains eternal life; whoever neglects it falls into perdition.

Bai’ah & Sincerity in Repentance

  

Sincere repentance towards Allah is a great obligation for every Muslim. When a person makes a mistake, falls into sin, or deviates from the straight path, he must return to Allah with a humble and sincere heart. Repentance is not merely words on the lips; it is a deep commitment in the heart, a true regret and a firm decision not to return to the same error again.

 

In the Holy Qur’an (Az-Zumar, 39: 54), Allah says that His mercy is vast and He forgives all sins if people return to Him with sincerity. This shows that despite the number of mistakes a servant may commit, the door of forgiveness remains open if he/ she asks for His forgiveness sincerely.

 

In a Hadith reported by Anas bin Malik (ra), the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah is more pleased with the repentance of His servant than a traveller who finds his mount after losing it in the desert.” (Bukhari, Muslim). This comparison shows the depth of Allah’s joy when a servant returns to Him.

Divine Mercy

  

In a world filled with distractions, pain, and uncertainty, there remains one truth that is stable and eternal: Divine Mercy. Allah, the Creator of all the worlds, is full of Rahma – that is, a tenderness and compassion that surpasses all human understanding. At the beginning of every Surah in the Qur’an (except Surah At-Taubah), we find this invocation: Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim (In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful). These two attributes, Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, are derived from the word Rahm, which means: the maternal womb – a symbol of deep love, protection, and gentleness. This shows that Divine Mercy is not merely an abstract concept, but a living reality that envelops all of creation.

In Surah Al-A’raf, Verse 157, Allah says: “My mercy encompasses all things.” And in Surah Az-Zumar, Verse 54, He says: “O My servants who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins.” These words are a comfort to the heart; a call towards hope, towards returning to Allah in repentance, towards light after darkness.

 

In a Hadith Qudsi reported by Bukhari and Muslim, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah said: My mercy prevails over My wrath.” This Hadith forms a foundation in Islamic understanding: Allah is Just, but His Mercy is vaster than His punishment. He gives every soul a chance to return sincerely to Him, in obedience.

Gaza: 'Does God See Us?'

 

"Perhaps those outside Gaza are in greater torment, cut off from the spiritual outpouring and mercy that rains down in Gaza."

I attempt to process this vast devastation. I look out at these destroyed homes, the grieving women, widows, orphans, the oppressed, the displaced, the homeless, the hungry, the thirsty, those overpowered by their circumstances, and I ask myself: Does God see them?

I look at the bombed houses, the demolished schools, the burned hospitals, the bulldozed streets, and I ask: Does God see them?

I look at the children trapped under the rubble, while the civil defense men stand helpless before extracting them, as they suffocate and die, and I ask: Does God see them?

I look at those who cannot find their daily bread, those who sleep hungry and wake up hungry; I look at the forcibly displaced, whose bones ache from sleeping on the ground, whose skin has cracked under the burning sun, the bites of mosquitoes, whose muscles are torn from carrying firewood and water buckets, and I ask: Does God see them?

I look at the wounded groaning in pain, without medicine; at those whose limbs have been amputated without anesthesia, unable to move, crying out for medical referrals to restore their hope, and I ask: Does God see them?

The truth is: Yes. God sees all of this.

Duahs for Palestine

 

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of special signififcance for devout Muslims around the world. During this august spiritual occasion, they observe pious acts of Faith in remembrance of Divine commands, and engage in worshipful prayers seeking Divine mercy and grace for personal and social benefits, and for peace and justice in the world, for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah and global humanity. This year, on 28 March 2025~27 Ramadan 1446 AH, on the blessed occassion of the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the living servant of Islam and holy founder of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, Hazrat Imam Al Mahdi Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, delivered a spiritually- illuminating Friday Sermon on the highway to God, explaining the profound meaning of Islam and Imaan. 

Being Muslim entails a commitment to justice and fairness; a rejection of oppression and persecution; resistance to disorder and domineering through lawful means and methods; and invocation of soulful prayers for change of fortunes in favour of the oppressed peoples. Reproduced below are extracts from the aforesaid Friday Sermon containing fervent supplications to the Almighty Allah by this humble servant and elect of God Almighty seeking erasure of a genocidal order in Israel and the emancipation of the oppressed in Palestine:

'When you look at what is happening outside, especially in Palestine, small children – little ones – are sacrificing and keeping fasts with just a sip of water. They have nothing to break their fast with, nothing to eat for Sehri/ Suhur; what kind of hardship they are going through. Some have lost their parents; some have lost their wives, some have lost their husbands, some have lost their children – all because of the oppression that these tyrants are committing. So, this month of Ramadan is a month for us to perform Jihad against these people. Our Jihad is not to throw bombs, not to take swords in our hands, not to kill. Our Jihad is to turn towards the One Who holds all power, that is, Allah; and it is Allah Who can bring an end to them for the kind of oppression they have committed. 

One Ummah, One Leader- 3

Every Muslim must keep in mind that Allah’s promise to preserve the Qur’an until the Day of Judgement is a true promise. Reflect well that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) came as the Qur’an in flesh and blood – that is to say, he was a perfect representation of the Noble Qur’an.

Therefore, the Muslim world and all seekers of truth must realise that the truth of Islam cannot be erased! No matter how many conspirators try to destroy Islam, seeking at all costs to divide Muslims, place obstacles between our unity, and create wars so that we fight amongst ourselves – there always comes a point when Allah overturns their plans and removes the blindness from the eyes of Muslims, guiding them back to the straight path.

The Gift of Quran

 

The Holy Quran is not only a sacred book, but the eternal word of Allah, a direct link between the Creator (Allah) and His servants. It was revealed as a blessing for all humanity (all the worlds), as a warning and glad tidings, but it is more for the one who has fear of Allah and who submits to His will. As Allah tells us in the Quran itself: “This is the Book; there is no doubt in it. It is guidance for the righteous (those who fear Allah and want to follow His path)” (Al-Baqara 2: 3). For every sincere Muslim, their relationship with the Quran must deeply shape their faith, their spirituality, and their destiny.

 

Hazrat Ibn Masud (ra) said: “Whoever wants to know whether he truly loves Allah and His Prophet, then he should observe his relationship with the Quran. If he loves the Quran, then he truly loves Allah and His Prophet.” (Tabarani)

Divine Union in Islam

Union with Allah 

The experience of union with Allah, as I have already mentioned in my previous sermon, is profoundly spiritual and transcends human understanding, to the extent that it cannot even be described in words. A person who experiences a connection with Allah will find that the words they (i.e. he or she) use (uses) to describe this experience do not truly capture the depth of what they have lived through spiritually. It is something that the person – the believer – feels and experiences personally, yet cannot fully explain. Only those who have personally gone through this deep connection can truly understand it, and even they struggle to convey the essence of this extraordinary experience to others.

Gazing God in Heaven

The Vision of Allah in the Afterlife

 

Every true believer wishes to see Allah one day, whether they are believers from among the various peoples of the earth, or especially the chosen ones of Allah – the prophets. Allah states in the Quran:

 

“Glory be to Him (Allah)! His greatness surpasses all that they (meaning the people – the disbelievers, the idolaters) describe. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth from nothing. How then could He have a child when He does not have a spouse? He has created everything and knows all. That is Allah, your Lord. There is no deity besides Him. He is the Creator of all things; therefore, worship Him. He is in charge of everything. The eyes cannot perceive Him, yet He perceives all eyes. He is kind to us and fully aware of everything.” (Al-Anam, 6: 102-105)

 

The human mind’s conception and perception of Allah are very limited. The intellect cannot fathom the true nature of His existence. Allah is Omniscient, and Omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere, and He hears and knows everything. Nothing escapes His knowledge. One may attempt to conceal oneself, but no one can ever hide from Allah.

'Ilhaam' : 14 Shawwal 1446 AH

 

For anyone who is a devout Muslim, willing and able to exercise his spiritual intellect and common sense; the Signs of the times cannot be mistaken.  There is little doubt that the Ummat-e-Muhammdiyya is passing through a time of all-round turbulence and turmoil; there is a dire need today, perhaps more than at any other point in Islamic history,  for social reforms and spiritual renewal through a Divinely-imbued and inspired soul; a time when Islam has been reduced to the bare text of the Qur’an and the books of traditions; even as they followed the symbols and rites of religion, the Muslims have forgotten the substance and spirit of faith: without clear guidance and pure example through a living exemplar. Instead of holding on to the rope of Allah in quest of Divine help and succour, the search for respite has taken the Ummah to the doors of false gods and evil minds that only misguide and deviate them.

 

Against this dismal backdrop of overall spiritual darkness in the world of Islam today, true and devout Muslims ought to embrace the Divine manifestation of our times:  for those who are not yet aware of, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius is a living Saint in this 15^th century of Islam. Over the last two decades, Allah the Almighty has bestowed upon him several titles of exceptional rank and spiritual distinction, such as ‘Muhyiuddin’, ‘Mujaddid’, ‘Khalifatullah’, Imam Mahdi, ‘Musleh Maoud’, ‘Dhul Qarnayn’, etc. This humble servant of the Islamic Faith, the chosen elect of God in this era, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) brings the light of pure guidance with the help of the Roohul Qudus, renewing the spirit of Tawheed and Tawakkul amidst the trials and struggles of life for the illumination of all lost souls. 

On 14 Shawwal 1446 AH~ 14 April 2025, Hazrat Saheb (aba) conveyed to his disciples and followers about a special, mystical experience of sublime spiritual quality that he experienced: indeed this living saint, like so many of the great pious souls who passed away in the Islamic tradition over the centuries, experiences Divine communion and conversations with Allah (swt). Read the Inspired Message Below:   

The Beauty of ‘Zikrullah’

 

On the blessed occasion of the Kerala Jalsa 2024, the women’s wing of the Kerala Jamaat- the Siraj Makin- Kerala organized a special meeting of its members. Alhamdulillah, sisters assembled on the occasion recited the Holy Qur’an, recited Nazms, delivered speeches on spiritual topics. Sadr Haseena Masood Saheba, Naib Sadr Mubeena Saheba, Sofiya Beevi Saheba, Fauzia Jamal Saheba, Rajeena Saheba, Arshana Sabir Saheba, Haseena Abid Saheba, Sajitha Nasruddin Saheba, Nadheera Sudheer Saheba, Faezah Maryam Zain, and Zaahidah Rayhaanah were among the participants. 

Further more, in a special address to the gathering of women members of the Jamaat in Kerala, the ‘Sadr’ of the International Siraj Makin, Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally spoke about the significance of ‘Zikrullah’.  For the benefit of our readers, we reproduce below the Text of the Special Discourse by Hazrat Saheba:   

 

My dear daughters,

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakaatuhu.

 

Allah says in His Pure Quran in Surah Ar-Ra’d (13: 29): 'Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Indeed, it is through the remembrance of Allah that hearts find peace.’

 

The Remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah) is something extraordinary and sacred. It has the power to give peace to a restless mind and soul, and give the sense of completeness to the believer.

 

Remembrance of Allah uplifts the rest of the acts of worship of the believer. This is so because all acts of worship are linked to Zikrullah. We don’t have an act of worship where we don’t remember Allah and praise and glorify Him!

The Light of 'Taqwah'

 

'O believers! Fear Allah and speak correctly. He will improve what you do and forgive your sins. Whoever obeys Allah and His Prophet will indeed achieve a great victory.' (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33: 71-72)

 

The essence of Taqwah (awe-inspiring reverence for Allah/ fear of Allah) lies in total conformity to all divine commandments. This involves doing all that is prescribed and avoiding all that is forbidden or disapproved. It is understandable that this is a very difficult task for people. Therefore, by following the fundamental directive of “Fear Allah and speak correctly,” Allah gives the instruction that all who claim to believe in Allah and His Prophet must speak correctly, meaning they must speak good words, words that correct and improve their own speech or conversation with people.

 

Good words transform hearts. Allah has prescribed in the Quran that while there are specific laws for believers and limits they must not exceed, respecting the barriers that Allah has set for them through Taqwah, Allah has given His Prophet superiority concerning the laws He has prescribed, which are reserved only for him (the Prophet – whether it be the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), but also all prophets who will arise within his Ummah and to whom the Quran’s instructions will apply). Allah says: “Fear Allah and speak correctly.” Do not take the Prophet as an ordinary person like all of you. If Allah gives him certain permissions that He has not given to other believers, then the believers must submit to the divine will and not speak words that could cause their faith to vanish.

The Beautiful Names of Allah

  

'Allah has the most beautiful names. Call Him by those names. So call upon Him by them, and keep away from those who abuse His Names. They will pay (i.e. be punished) for what they do.' (Al-Arraf, 7: 181)

Allah says in the Quran that He is One. He is the only God, the sole Creator of everything He has created, and there are no other gods besides Him, nor does anyone have the power to create like He does. He exists, and no one created Him. He is unique, the Originator of all. And Allah says that He has many names, attributes that describe what He is like – Asma’ul-Husna – the most beautiful names.

Bedtime Ethics in Islam

Qur'an on Night Prayer

 

 

‘Remember the name of your Lord at dawn and in the evening; bow down before Him, and glorify Him at length by night’. (76: 26-27)

‘Proclaim His praise in the night’ (50:41)

 

‘Glorify Him at night and at the fading of the stars.’ (52: 50) 

 

‘Keep up the prayer at both ends of the day, and during parts of the night, for good things drive bad away– this is a reminder for those who are aware.’ (11: 115)

 

‘Celebrate the praise of your Lord, before the rising and setting of the sun, celebrate His praise during the night, and at the beginning and end of the day, so that you may find contentment.’ (20:131)

 

‘Night prayer makes a deeper impression and sharpens words–– you are kept busy for long periods of the day–– so celebrate the name of your Lord and devote yourself wholeheartedly to Him.’ (73:7-9)

 

‘And during the night wake up and pray, as an extra offering of your own, so that your Lord may raise you to a [highly] praised status.’ (17:80)

Adam's Sons: Habil and Qabil

 

God's messengers and Man's free-will

 
'The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. (They proclaim) “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You (alone) is the final return.” (Al-Baqara 2: 286)

 

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue my sermon on the Messengers of Allah and the struggle between good and evil.

 

From the Islamic perspective, all prophets and messengers of Allah deserve the respect and love of believers. When Allah established Adam (as) on earth, He granted him a wife from his own being, of his own quality and essence, to bring forth a new generation of humans. These humans have free will, with the choice to choose their path: either they choose the right path and gain divine love, or they become companions of the Satan and burn with him in Hell.

Prophets and Divine Love

 

The Messengers of Allah 

 

'The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. (They proclaim) “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You (alone) is the final return.” (Al-Baqara 2: 286)

 

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, I resume my sermon on the subject I discussed last week regarding the creation of Adam (as).

 

So, we see that just as the angels submitted to the will of Allah when He created Adam (as), and accepted His will as His law without finding within themselves the idea to revolt against Allah’s will, and where they [i.e. not just the messengers but the angels as well] said: ‘We have heard and obey,’ similarly, all souls, even before the creation of Adam (as), whom Allah had decreed to send to earth, all of them – including us – submitted to Allah’s will when Allah decreed our coming into this world, and where He placed us among the descendants of our ancestor Adam (as) who contained within him the divine essence. Therefore, the human race also bore witness that we would be obedient to Allah and submit to His will. We must be very aware that all prophets and messengers are also included, because we too (the Messengers) must believe in the Messengers who came before us. We have the duty to confirm the coming of the prophets and messengers before us, and we also announce the coming of the prophets after us, until the final limit of the end of the world where it is in Allah’s decision to destroy the earth and create other creations, because nothing is impossible in His power.

God's Prophets

 

'The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. (They proclaim) “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You (alone) is the final return.” (Al-Baqara 2: 286)

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah has done a great favour to mankind, and in the past to every nation of the world, whereby sometimes He sends one, two or sometimes even four prophets at the same time with the same message, i.e., to preach: “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” (There is no one to worship but Allah).

 

Even today, Allah continues to pour down His favours and has chosen you, in this century to witness the advent of one of His Elects and Messengers, this humble servant to show and guide you to Allah, and to manifest such positives changes in you to enable you to see the divine light.