The Children of Abraham

Divine Favours to Hazrat Ibrahim (as)

As we are in the month of Hajj (Dhul-Hijjah), after the Eid-ul-Adha which was celebrated last Monday, today’s Friday Sermon is on the divine favour granted to Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and how thereafter the favour of prophethood has eternally been given in the Muhammadan Ummah.

I must also say that following my article in French on the newspaper ‘Le Mauricien’, on 12 August 2019, day of the Eid of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Adha), there are people from other communities who have written misplaced comments on Islam, and some even attacked the honour of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and condemned the practice of slaughtering [sacrifices] of animals. There are also those who do not even believe in the purpose of religion, and belief in God. So, these types of people say that Islam has copied on the practice of people from before Islam.

So, I wanted to answer their questions [through this sermon] before going into the heart of the subject of my sermon today which is also a refutation also for them, which preserves the honour of Abraham (as) as well as the honour of all his children and that of his legitimate and honourable wives.

'Super Blood Moon' : A Grand Celestial Sign

There is no doubt that our Earth is dying. Day after day, hour after hour, the Earth nears its end, just like all humans and every living being shall inevitably meet their end. 

But no one can with exactitude say when the final Hour shall occur. Only the Almighty, Allah (twa) owns information about it and has not disclosed it to anyone, even His closest and most beloved of all prophets and creatures, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

WHAT IS THE “FINAL HOUR/
THE DAY OF JUDGEMENT”?

In the Holy Quran, Allah (swt) clearly states:

They ask you about the Hour: when is its arrival? 

Say, “Its knowledge is only with my Lord. None will reveal its time except Him. It lays heavily upon the heavens and the earth. It will not come upon you except unexpectedly.” 

They ask you as if you are familiar with it.

Say, “Its knowledge is only with Allah, but most of the people do not know.” 
----(Qur'an , 7: 188)

“People ask you concerning the Hour. Say, “Knowledge of it is only with Allah. And what may make you perceive? Perhaps the Hour is near.” (Quran 33: 64)

The Bible also makes clear that only God Almighty knows the timing of such, and anyone who makes such a prediction (claiming that he knows the time of the Hour) acts contrary to the Word of God.

Some Questions on Eating Pork

All in all I must say that I did not intend to do another Friday sermon on the subject of ‘Pork’, but after last Friday’s sermon on this subject, and on what that Mullah Basharat Naveed said, so I received several questions on the topic of ‘Pork’, from people in Mauritius, and those of the neighbouring islands also such as Reunion Island, Madagascar, the Seychelles and even Rodrigues. So through this Friday sermon, I will answer those questions. Insha-Allah, may Allah help me and give me the best answer to their question and that they are satisfied; and may Allah (swt) illuminates their hearts to Islam, Ameen.

1^st Question: Being Christian, I have no difficulty to eat pork and I ask you then why are Muslims not allowed to enjoy this so delicious food, like the Christians do?

I reply that this question is somewhat surprising, because according to the scriptures, even Christians are not allowed to eat pork. Well! Let’s see what the Bible says about pork, “You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” (Leviticus 11: 7-8). The same command is repeated in Deuteronomy (14: 8).

So, to make a commentary on these verses: the laws were inculcated and obeyed because they embodied the divine will. Pork, though one of the most common foods is one of the worst. God had forbidden Jews to eat pork, not merely to assert His authority, but because it was not a healthy food for humans.

2^nd Question: We, Christians want to know, what was the teaching of Jesus Christ on this subject?

The teaching of Jesus Christ was the same. He clearly said that the laws of the Old Testament were to be obeyed without change. So the answer I give you not only concerns our Christian brothers and sisters, but is also for all our Jewish brothers and sisters.

So in response I say:

Jesus Christ (pbuh) said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 5: 17-19)