Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we enter the final third of this blessed month of Ramadan. During these last 10 days, Allah and His beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) have taught us that there lies a night within, so magnificent that its blessings surpass those of 1,000 months.
The
purification of the heart is very important. A believer cannot perfect their
(i.e. his or her) faith in Islam without purifying their heart and soul. With
the month of Ramadan, which serves as a training for the upcoming 11 months,
Allah has provided several means in a believer’s life to not only purify their
wealth but also their heart. One of these means is Zakat.
The Creator (Allah) and His beloved Messenger (pbuh) have
always linked the purification of the body with that of the heart. Zakat
purifies the heart and has several meanings. According to the root of its
letters (Ze, Kaaf, Waw), Zakat means ‘to purify,’ ‘the purification of the
heart,’ or even ‘the complete purification of the heart,’ which includes the
purification of our soul and inner self. The purification of the heart involves
the purification of all the members of our body.
Allah has established Zakat to purify our hearts and our possessions. Through Zakat, Allah illuminates our hearts as well as all the other members of our body. When we give Zakat in the way of our Creator, our possessions and our souls are purified. Why? Because of the joy it brings, and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to do it wholeheartedly, helping the needy, which brought him much contentment as he spread wealth to the poor to eradicate poverty and give the needy the chance to live with dignity. This joy of the Prophet (pbuh) was translated into a radiant smile, his heart flooded with contentment for helping others, especially Muslims - those who believed in the one true God and in him (pbuh) as the Prophet of Allah.
The Quran is an ocean of knowledge and guidance for humanity. It’s very first chapter, an ardent invocation to Allah, embodies the essence of the Quran and the connection between man and his Creator. Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening of the Quran, is also referred to as Ummul-Quran (the Mother of the Quran). Indeed, Surah Al-Fatiha is so significant that without its recitation in every Rakah (cycle) of our prayers (Salat), those prayers are considered incomplete.
Therefore, Surah Al-Fatiha can be seen as a chapter enclosing the entire Quran, with the remaining chapters serving as commentaries on this exalted Surah. We must always bear in mind the profound importance of this Surah, as it holds the key, the solution, and the remedy to many seemingly insurmountable challenges, hardships, problems, and ailments. Reflect also on how, in Surah Al-Baqara, Allah declares: This is a perfect Book, containing no doubt, and it is guidance only for the “Muttaqi” (those who are pious, fear Allah and are conscious of Him).
Ashhadu alla ilaha illallahu
wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan
‘abduhu wa rasuluh.
I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah,
and I bear witness that
Muhammad (pbuh) is His servant and Messenger.
Thus, we recognise that Allah is immensely generous towards humanity. He tests us through various trials. There are periods of drought as well as times of overwhelming rainfall, where the sheer volume of rain can wreak havoc everywhere. We see this exemplified in the great flood during the time of Hazrat Nuh (as), when the entire land (of his nation) was submerged. Hence, a creation of Allah can be a blessing, but it may also act as a tool through which Allah imparts lessons to humanity.
On the 'Mahdi'
Bear in mind that “Mahdi” is derived from the
word, “Haadi”, which means “to guide” and “Massih” means “the
Anointed One”. Now, the term “anointed” refers to the ritual act of pouring or
rubbing oil on a person as a sign of sanctification. In a broader sense, it
signifies being chosen or set apart for a special purpose or role. We use “anointed”
not just for prophets but for kings as well when they are chosen to rule over
their kingdom.
When we study the information on Mahdi, we notice that he is not directly and clearly mentioned in the Holy Quran as well as the two most authentic Books of Hadiths in Islam, i.e. Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim. There are many narrations on Mahdi, the larger part of them being qualified as weak (Da’if) or not so authentic by the Muslim Ummah. But then, if Mahdi is not plainly mentioned in Quran and both Imam Bukhari and Imam Muslim have avoided mentioning him in their respective Sahihs, how then to be sure that one Hadith which the Muslim Ummah regards as weak (Da’if) can actually be powerfully true and be fulfilled in this era?
'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.
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‘Undertake
good works before seven things happen: distracting poverty, corrupting wealth,
debilitating illness, befuddling senility, final death, the Dajjaal- and evil
is the invisible one who waits and watches- or the Final Hour, which is more
calamitous and more painful.’
*******
‘Indeed Allah will question everyone who is
responsible about his charge, whether kept or lost.’ [Reported by Al-Tirmidhi in his Sunan, Book of Jihad,
Chapter: Regarding the imam, 4/208, on the authority of Anas ibn Malik].
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'Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example
for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day, and remembers Allah often.' (Al-Ahzab, 33: 22).
The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was born in Mecca, Arabia, nearly six hundred years after Hazrat Isa (as) [Jesus]. At that time, his people were deeply involved in idolatry, and their society was marked by corruption and decay. The Jews in Arabia had formed tribes and settlements but did not spread the message of the Unicity of Allah beyond their community. Christianity was divided into many feuding sects, and its stronghold, the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantium), was in decline.
The Advent of the Seal of all Prophets, Muhammad (pbuh)
'O our Lord, send among them
a Messenger from among themselves, who will recite to them Your Verses
[revelations], teach them Your Book and Wisdom, and purify them. Indeed, You
are the Exalted in Might, the Wise.'
Hazrat Ibrahim (as) and Hazrat Isma’il (as) made a profound supplication, which Allah has mentioned in the Holy Quran, to endure until the Day of Judgement, and which gives the good news of the advent of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) as an answer to their prayer.
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah,
I continue my Friday sermon on the same subject as my previous sermons, namely,
on the Messengers and Prophets of Allah.
Throughout the history of the prophets, we have seen that they all brought a single message: Worship Allah alone and do not associate any false deities with Him in His worship.
Allah mentions in His divine scriptures that this
Muslim community is the best community among all. However, whether the
contemporary Muslim community is deserving of this distinction is,
unfortunately, a bitter truth to the contrary.
This noble community, which is meant to guide other societies, is now under the influence of Mullahs who propagate misleading interpretations. Consequently, Islam, which is fundamentally a path of peace, is portrayed as a ruthless and violent ideology.
The Duahs of the Holy Prophet (sa) & The Promise of Allah- Part 6
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I am continuing with the sixth part of my Friday sermon, explaining the verse I have just read to you, which has a close connection with the promise Allah made to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims. It serves as a guide on how we can achieve this promise.
The Duahs of the Holy Prophet (sa) & The Promise of Allah- Part 3
'O you who believe! Remember
Allah with much remembrance. And glorify Him morning and evening. It is He Who
blesses you, as do His angels, to get you out of darkness into light, and He
has always been Merciful to the believers. Their greeting on the Day they meet
Him will be, “Peace!” And He has prepared for them an honourable reward. O
Prophet, We have sent you as a Witness and a Bearer of glad tidings and a
Warner, as one who calls people to Allah by His leave, and as a light-giving
lamp. Give good news to the believers that they will have a great bounty from
Allah. Do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Overlook their
annoyances, and put your trust in Allah. For Allah is sufficient to take care
of all matters.' (Surah
Al-Ahzab 33: 42-49)
Alhamdulillah, Summa
Alhamdulillah, I am continuing
my Friday sermon today on the spiritual beauty of the Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh), and how his status, prayers, and the promises made by Allah to
him have been fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled. I had also
highlighted how he was the greatest Caller to Allah (Dai-Illallah), and
how we too, starting with myself as the Khalifatullah of this era, must strive
to become excellent callers to Allah in the image of our beloved Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh).
Like I was saying, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) is not the biological father who produced any surviving male child who came directly from him – he is not the father of any of you in this aspect, but he is certainly a prophet of Allah and a father who produces prophets, such [special] people and prophets who deserve Allah’s blessings.
The Duahs of the Holy Prophet (sa) & The Promise of Allah- Part 2
'O you who believe! Remember
Allah with much remembrance. And glorify Him morning and evening. It is He Who
blesses you, as do His angels, to get you out of darkness into light, and He
has always been Merciful to the believers. Their greeting on the Day they meet
Him will be, “Peace!” And He has prepared for them an honourable reward. O
Prophet, We have sent you as a Witness and a Bearer of glad tidings and a
Warner, as one who calls people to Allah by His leave, and as a light-giving
lamp. Give good news to the believers that they will have a great bounty from
Allah. Do not obey the disbelievers and the hypocrites. Overlook their
annoyances, and put your trust in Allah. For Allah is sufficient to take care
of all matters.' (Surah Al-Ahzab 33: 42- 49)
These verses from Surah Al-Ahzab that I have just recited come right after the mention of Khataman Nabiyyin and it is well connected with the subject of Khataman Nabiyyin.
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 [Praise be to Allah, again (I repeat) Praise be to Allah], the life of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) [Abraham], as I explained last week, was far from easy. He faced numerous trials, starting with his own parents, and also encountered Namrud [Nimrod] and his people who sought to burn him alive in a great fire simply because he made them question the false gods they were worshipping.
In a recent Question and Answer session with the Sahih Al Islam YouTube Channel, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius explains the nature of Visions, Dreams & Revelations as spiritual phenomena. In this conversation with Hazrat Tayyiba Nasrine Aliah, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) describes the Islamic perspective with copious references to Qur’anic teachings as well as the Holy Prophet’s mystical experiences, especially focussing on the Miraj (Ascension) of the Holy Prophet (sa). Furthermore, drawing on his own personal, mystical experiences, Hazrat Saheb (aba) gives a fascinating glimpse into the world of spiritual visions and revelations in this era, SubhaanAllah, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!
For the Text of the Interview, click here.
Qur'an on Night Prayer
‘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)
‘One who observes the same prayer as we do, faces the same direction in prayer as we do, and partakes from the animal slaughtered by us, then such a one is a Muslim concerning whom there is a Covenant of Allah and His Messenger: so you must not seek to hoodwink Allah in the matter of this Covenant.’
'A believer is still within the
scope of his religion as long as he does not shed forbidden blood....If
anyone curses a believer, that is like murdering him; and if anyone accuses a
believer of disbelief, that is like murdering him...A slanderer will not enter
the Garden of Paradise’.
Tarbiyyat
Lessons- 24
Even if it is a whisper, Allah hears it:
‘Whether you conceal what is in your breasts or reveal it, Allah knows it. And He knows that which is in the heavens and that which is on the earth.’ (3:30)
Wisdom of the Holy Prophet (sa):