I am the 'Mahdi' of this Era

  

On the 'Mahdi'

Today, we come on a most controversial subject, even among Muslims, and that is the advent of the Mahdi. Both the second advent of the Messiah, as well as the Mahdi of the Last Days represent each a prophecy in itself, such a prophecy which links the both of them: Messiah and 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?

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.

‘Work without Delay’

The Messenger of Allah Hazrat Muhammad (sa) said: ‘There are two blessings concerning which many people are cheated: health and free time.’ [Al-Bukhari]                                                                                                                                                                                *******

‘Embark upon works without delay, being as how there are trials like the portions of the dark night, when a man is a believer in the morning but a scoffer by bedtime, or is a believer one evening but a scoffer the next day. He sells his faith for the sake of something that happens to him.’ 

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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.’

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Family Duties of the Muslim

  

‘All of you are guardians and all of you are responsible for your subjects. A man is the guardian in his home and responsible for his wards and a woman in her home is a guardian and responsible for her wards.’ ---Prophet Muhammad (sa) [Reported by Al-Bukhari in his Sahih, Chapter: Friday prayer in villages and towns, 1/248-249: Hadith 893].

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‘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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Holy Prophet: The Perfect Role Model

                                                                                            

'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.

Muhammad: 'Khatam-an-Nabiyyin'

 

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.'  (Al-Baqara 2: 130)

  

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.

The Lineage of Ibrahim (as)

 

'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 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.

A ‘Mujaddid’ in Islam Today

 

‘You are the best people raised for the good of mankind; you enjoin what is good and forbid evil and believe in Allah. And if the People of the Book had believed, it would have surely been better for them. Some of them are believers, but most of them are disobedient.’ (Holy Quran, 3:111) 

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.

'Follow the Prophetic Model'

 

The Duahs of the Holy Prophet ^(sa) & The Promise of Allah- Part 6

'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 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.

Al Ahzab, 42- 49: A Commentary- 2

 

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.

Al Ahzab, 42- 49: A Commentary- 1

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. 

Lessons from Hazrat Ibrahim- 2

 

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.

Mystical Visions in Islam

 

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. 

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)

‘You Are Not A Muslim’

  

Sufyan Bin Abdullah related, “I said to the Messenger of Allah, ‘Tell me a statement on Islam such that I need ask no one else but you about it’. He told me, ‘Say, ‘I believe in God,’ and be upright.’ ”  

‘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’. 

 

‘People, We created you all from male and female, and made you into races and tribes so that you should get to know one another [like relatives from the same origin]. In God’s eyes, the most honoured of you are the ones most mindful of Him: God is all knowing, all aware’. (Holy Qur'an, 49: 14)

On Touching Hearts

 

Tarbiyyat Lessons- 24

            Make Duah

 

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)

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Wisdom of the Holy Prophet (sa):

 

 

"God the Most High said: 'O Son of Adam, as long as you call on Me and place your hope in Me, I forgive you what you have done, no matter how much. Son of Adam, even of your sins pile up to the clouds in the sky, if you then call on Me for forgiveness I will forgive you. Son of Adam, if you come to Me with an earth full of sins, yet you meet Me without associating anything with Me,  I will come to you with that much forgiveness'. " 

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A man came to the Holy Prophet (sa) and said, 

'O Messenger of Allah, indicate to me an action whereby 

when I do so Allah loves me and people like me'  

The Holy Prophet (sa) said: 

'Be disinterested in the world, and Allah will love you. 

Be disinterested in what people have, and people will like you'   

 

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‘Trust Allah in Trials of Life’

 

Tarbiyyat Lessons- 23

 

‘The testing of a believer, male or female,

In respect to one’s person, children, and property

Will not cease until one meets Allah the Exalted

 Unburdened by any sin’ 

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‘When Allah wants good for a mortal

Allah hastens affliction in this world;

And when Allah wants ill for a mortal,

Allah leaves him be with his sin

Until his soul is taken

on the Day of Resurrection’

 

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‘Be mindful of Allah,

And you will find Allah in front of you.

Acknowledge Allah in ease,

And Allah will acknowledge you in distress.

And know that what misleads you 

will never enable you to do right,

And what enables you do right 

will never mislead you.

And know that help comes with patience,

And that relief comes with distress;

And that with difficulty comes ease.’

 

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A Quiz on ‘Muharram’

 

 Tarbiyyat Lessons- 17

(1) What is Muharram?     

 

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar.

 

(2)  What happened in Muharram?

 

Imam Hussain (as) was brutally martyred along with his companions and family members including a six-month old Son after three days of no food and water in a desert.

 

(3)   Who was Hussain?

 

Hussain (as) was the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (sa).

 

(4) `Who martyred him?

 

Yazid, an unjust individual, who claimed to be the caliph of Muslims, martyred Hussain (as), his companions and family members.

 

(5) Why was Hussain martyred?

Yazid tried to bring unlawful changes in Islam and also harm humanity at large. Hussein (as) being the grandson of the Holy Prophet (sa) stood against him and his unjust ways.

 

(6) Why give so much importance to the 10^th of ‘Muharram’?

 

The Tenth Day of the Sacred Month of Muharram is called the Day of  'Aashoora'. This is a special day in the history of Islam. It is the most virtuous day of the month of Muharram. Many important events took place on the Day of ‘Aashoora’.

Tarbiyyat Lessons- 15

 

If you're reading this, then, say:

 

‘Allahumma Inni As-alukal Afiyah!’

 

This is Afiyah. You have now made Duah to save yourself from affliction, to be healthy, to have enough money, to live, to have your children protected and to be granted forgiveness with no punishment.

 

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About ‘Surah Al Ikhlas’,

the Holy Prophet (sa) states:

‘By the one in whose hand is my soul,

 it is equal to a third of the Qur’an.’ (Bukhari 4726).

 

Read this Surah to gain benefits.

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