Kerala Jamaat: Sacrifice and Obedience

Spiritual history is replete with deep and profound ironies. Whenever Allah the Most High raises a Messenger of His, leaders of the society will reject him. The elite of the community will vehemently oppose him. Only a very few, relatively materially-poor and humble in spirit, will accept the Divine Messenger. This small band of believers will go on to undertake extraordinary sacrifices in pursuit of their deeply held convictions. They will display nobility of character against all odds and in the face of adversities, eventually to emerge as the shining stars in the darkest of skies.  

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam of Kerala today straddles this path of sublime spirituality. In spite of their small numbers, modest economic conditions and adverse social circumstances, members of the Jamaat in Kerala compete among themselves in the spirit of financial sacrifice and to show perfect obedience to the words and wishes of the Messenger of Allah. In his Friday Sermon of 30 March 2012 and also on April 06, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) took note of the spirit of sacrifice and obedience being displayed by the Kerala Jamaat.

Extracts from the Sermons:

Before ending my sermon, I wish to address all my brothers, sisters and children in Kerala. First of all, Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu (May the peace, grace and blessings of Allah be upon you). It is my humble prayer that Allah keeps you in good physical and spiritual health always, give you long life and increase your wealth, Insha-Allah.

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam of Kerala has made extraordinary efforts in the field of financial sacrifice, only for the pleasure of Allah in the 72 hours which has just went by. From among the existing Jamaats in several countries, the Jamaat of Kerala has excellently done “Fastabikul Khairaat” (vying each other in good deeds). By their deeds, they are reviving Alhamdulillah the great sacrifices of the Sahaba Karaam in the times of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Despite their meagre financial positions, the Sahaba Karaam used to go and work in the market only to receive some money to put in the hands of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) to spend in the path of Allah. They have done this with joy in their hearts despite not having any food at home or adequate clothing. For them, Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) came first. Their sacrifices were such that Allah the Almighty blessed them and this blessing made them reached the peak of glory today, spiritually speaking.

With the advent of this humble self, the humble servant of Allah in this era, whereby Allah has raised me with a Jamaat, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, that beautiful spirit of sacrifice shown by the Sahaba Karaam has been awaken today in Kerala despite their difficult financial situations. Nevertheless they did not hesitate to say “Labbaik” to the Khalifatullah of this era.

Hadhrat Ahmad (as) and the Miracle of the Pen

In his Friday Sermon of March 23, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius paid glowing tributes to the staggering literary contributions and special spiritual achievements of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian. The sermon succinctly summarises the extraordinary efforts of the Promised Massih (as) to defend and espouse the cause of Sahih Al Islam by wielding the pen as the sword of Allah.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“… Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah and Mahdi was born to a noble family in Qadian, India. From an early age he had a keen interest in religion and used to devote the majority of his time in reading books and staying in the Mosque because of his love for Allah.

He was also known for his honesty, friendliness and resolve. Over time by the grace of Allah his knowledge and understanding of religion and its application to society deepened. Being a Muslim it was his firm belief that all religions were true at origin and he always sought to uphold the dignity of religion and to demonstrate its relevance to everyone. His earnest defence of religion was ultimately blessed when he started to receive direct revelation from Allah – a blessing that he received for the rest of his life.

His mission was to revitalise the truth that all religions held within them and to revive the teachings of Islam. It was through this that he would bring mankind together and establish everlasting peace. In 1889, under Divine Guidance, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (upon him be peace) founded the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, a community which had grown in stature and strength and conveyed the message of Islam to the ends of the earth.

But today, after having reached its peak, it (this community/Jamaat) has lost its credence and essence as true all because of some rebels (creators of chaos) found therein who have trampled the teachings of Islam under their feet. But Allah remained true to His promise which He made to His Messiah and He sent another Messiah to hold fast the torch of True Islam which Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (upon him be peace) came to revive in his era.

Points for Preaching of Islam

As a religion and spiritual order, Islam offers comprehensive ethical and moral guidance on all aspects of life in its varied facets. And a Muslim will be able to find solutions within the framework of the teachings of Islam to the many problems he or she is confronted with. This can be done even without injecting ideas and processes antithetical to the Islamic perspective (Bid’ah) by seeking to equip oneself with the correct knowledge of Islam. Apart from practicing Sahih Al Islam, a Muslim ought to share the richness of the Islamic path- “beauty, rationality, practicality and completeness”- and its innate ability to appeal to the human mind with all of mankind. 

In his Friday Sermon of March 09, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gave a discourse on how to conduct the preaching of Islam and underscored certain points to keep in mind in Dawa.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

(1) Planning

Dawa requires effective planning and strategy formulation. We should never do Dawa by haste. We have to plan it out very carefully with deliberation. We have to plan how to do Dawa to various kinds of peoples coming from different backgrounds. We need to plan especially if we are organizing Dawa for groups through lectures or seminars. We have to plan ahead of time, plan for the theme, topics, venue, time particulars, speakers concerned. We have to consider planning what to say and how to say it. As Dai-Illallah, it is imperative for us to plan but we have to acknowledge that Allah is the Best of planners like mentioned in the following verses of the Holy Quran:

“And the disbelievers planned, but Allah planned. And Allah is the best of planners.” (3: 55) and “But they plan, and Allah plans. And Allah is the best of planners.” (8: 31)

Thus, we have to pray for His help to bless our plan, our Dawa because “When He decrees a plan, He only says to it, ‘Be’, and it is!” (3: 48); and that,  “He does command according to His will and plan”. (5: 2)

(2) Inviting people with Hikma (wisdom) and beautiful preaching. 

Allah the Almighty commands us, so that we can be successful Dai-Illallah. Allah says:

“Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and beautiful preaching, and argue with them in a way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His way, and He is most knowing of who is (rightly) guided.” (16: 126)

Promised Massih (as): Portrait as a Young Man- I

In his Friday Sermon of March 16, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius spoke about the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). The speech graphically portrayed a picture of Hadhrat Ahmad as a young man and also that of Qadian, birthplace of the Promised Massih (as).  The growing up years of the man who would eventually be raised with a Divine Mission, as emerging from this Biographical note, makes one really appreciate the Divine Plan behind it all.  

Read the Extracts from the Speech:

"When Massih Ma’ud (upon him be peace) was born in India there was no schools or colleges. Education in Muslim households consisted of learning the Holy Quran and, at the best, learning to read Urdu and Persian.

The first tutor of Hazrat Massih Ma’ud (upon him be peace) was engaged when he was about six or seven, around 1841. He taught Massih Ma’ud (upon him be peace) verses of the Quran and started on a few elementary Persian books. When he was about 10 years old, another tutor was engaged. He worked hard with Hazrat Massih Ma’ud (upon him be peace) and taught him the elements of Arabic. A few other boys came to his house to share the services of the tutors. One tutor was often teased. It is not known whether Hazrat Massih Ma’ud (upon him be peace) joined in, but it is unlikely. He was a serious, studious boy and when the day’s lessons were done, they were held in what was a living room, he normally climbed the stairs to his room, which was immediately above and continued reading.

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam: Basic Beliefs

In October 2010, an Ahmadi seeker of truth from Kerala, India wrote a letter to Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (aba) of Mauritius. While seeking information about the exact nature of the claim of Hadhrat Sahib, he expressed his conviction: "[i]t is incumbent upon me as a Muslim to accept the divinely appointed Khalifatullah of the Age". Hadhrat Sahib’s considered response to the letter throws profound light on the concept of Tawheed and the continuity of Divine revelations in Islam and a brief account about the divine bounties bestowed on him in recent times by Allah the Most High.

As the letter provides a glimpse into the nature of foundational beliefs held by Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, we are reproducing the letter below (omitting personal details), for the benefit of our readers:

“….By the immense grace of Allah, He has recently officially (10 September 2010) raised me in addition to being an Amir'ul Momeneen, Muhyi-ud-Din and Khalifatullah to the honourable position of Mujaddid and Massih Maoud of this age. I have come to revive the teachings of Islam, the teachings of the Holy Quran and to guide the whole humanity towards the worship of one God, Allah (Tabaarak Wa Ta'ala).

Islam and Slavery

Slavery as a social institution existed in different parts of the world for a very long period of time.  It is a stark reminder of the dark episodes in world history when men- including in Muslim lands- had had no qualms about treating his fellow beings as mere chattel. [Illustration: "Slave-dealers and slaves—a Street Scene in Zanzibar" ]. In this post-modern age, ideas of basic human dignity and fundamental rights have gained widespread acceptance all over the world. And, the very notion of slavery militates against the concepts of decency, propriety and equality in human relations.

The teachings of Islam are designed to gradually eliminate evil practices such as slavery. While all Muslims cannot absolve themselves of not indulging in slave trade in the past,  Islam as practiced by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) certainly envisions a social order designed to reflect the sublime spiritual values it espouses: live in this world with a wider consciousness about your duties towards the Creator and the fellow beings. Learn to recognize the essential unity and common brotherhood of all mankind. Discharge your responsibilities towards fellow human beings. Empathy and understanding, compassion and consideration for people who are in need of assistance is a Qur’anic obligation on believers, reminds the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) in a recent article on the subject in “Le Socialiste” Newspaper of Mauritius on February 15, 2012.

Read the Article: 

The advent of Islam was to be known as the absolute way of life of a human being. Islam verily means complete submission to the Creator of the Universe, the Supreme God, our Master and Guide.

As a Creator, Almighty God does not differentiate between His servants and thus, so as to guide us all to His path, He sends from time to time His elects to make people understand His Divine Message. Muhammad (saw) was such an Elect, who through his perseverance and absolute obedience to Almighty God received the distinction of Seal of Prophethood, the Best of Mankind and the best example and role model to follow. He indeed was the personification of the divine laws as established in the Holy Quran.

To know Islam, one must analyse deeply the life of Muhammad (saw). In fact, his life reflect many aspects of life as lived by both the poor and the rich, and among the poor there was of course the slaves who were devoid of rights in the pre-Islamic times. Muhammad’s (saw) compassion to the poor and the slaves knew no bound.

Preaching of Islam: Ethical Guideposts

‘Islam does not enjoin upon every Muslim to devout himself wholly to the preaching of Islam; for if it were so, Muslims could not earn their livelihood nor take part in other healthy pursuits of life. Whereas all should try to preach and propagate the truth of Islam, only a section of the community is required to devote itself exclusively to work of propagation. Though all must contribute their quota, there should be a party of men among Muslims who should be entirely devoted to this work'. 

The Holy Qur’an provides guidelines for preaching the message of Islam and the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gave a profound discourse on the subject in his Friday Sermon of January 20, 2012.  

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“Call to the way of your Lord with wisdom and goodly exhortations and argue with them in a way that is best, surely your Lord knows best who has strayed from His way, and He knows those who are rightly guided.” (16: 126)

The word “Hikma” (wisdom) in the verse means: (1) knowledge or science; (2) Equity or justice; (3) Forbearance or clemency; (4) Any saying or disclosure dealing with the exigencies of the occasion; (5) Gift of prophesy; and (6) What prevents or restrains from ignorant behaviour.

Questions about Ahmadi Doctrines

[Janab R. Jamaluddin Raother, the respected Amir Sahib of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala (India) received a bunch of questions through e-mail from an Ahmadi brother who described himself as a “truth seeker”. 

These questions cover a number of issues that are pertinent to the central ideas underpinning the current Divine Manifestation in the person of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. They include issues such as the continuity of divine revelations and the coming of Mujaddidin and other divinely raised souls in Islam, the historic trajectory of the current Divine Manifestation, especially the episode involving the establishment of Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Muslimeen and the issues pertaining to our previous relations with (and present views on) Zafrullah Dumun Sahib, etc.

Reproduced below is the first installment of an edited transcript of the views shared by this humble writer in response to the questions raised by the brother who sought “clear cut one by one answer for (his) questions”. Some of the responses include added material as well.].       

1. I heard that Mr. Munir Azim (is) claming to be Mujaddid, Like that Mr. Nasir Ahmed Sultani, Abdul Gaffar Janba also claiming. All are denying each other. If so, what is the measurement to understand true one and fake one?

To understand and recognize the Imam of the Age, a truth seeker should ideally learn the nature and scope of the views being clearly articulated by the respective persons who says they have a Divinely ordained mission to fulfill. He should examine the claims in the light of the noble teachings of the Holy Qur’an, the path of the Holy Prophet (sa) and the explanations to these teachings given by the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as). Based on a careful study of the views being articulated by the claimants and by applying the spiritual logic to the issues involved, a truth seeker could reach his conclusion. To dispel doubts still remaining, if any, in his mind, he should invoke the ultimate solution of prayer to Allah as famously suggested by the Promised Massih (as).

2. Both this Respected Mr. Munir Ahmed Azim sahib and Mr. Zafarulla Domun were together before, why did they separate? Or (Do you) Still accept Zafarullah Domun as your Imam.

Zafrullah Domun Sahib was the first person to recognize and accept the Divine Manifestation in the person of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba). He was the first person to take Bai’at at the hands of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib as well.

In the recently published Biographical Essay on the life of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib, one can read about an extraordinary event which throws searching light on the special spiritual relationship they shared in the past:    

“On 08 March 2003, the third night of the Safar Zikrullah, Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) supplicated Allah to honour his brother Zafrullah Domun Sahib along with him, and therefore he (Hazrat Munir) without receiving any revelation from Allah, humbly dedicated the title of Amir’ul Mumineen to Mokarram Zafrullah Domun Sahib in a special program with the Jamaat. On the spot, he received divine reprimand whereby Allah told him, who has given him permission to dedicate that title which Allah has given him to Mokarram Sahib?

Responsibilities of a Muslim

In his Friday Sermon of January 13, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) spoke about the distinctive characteristics of a real believer and the manifold responsibilities the membership of his Jamaat entails today. The Khalifatullah defines the basic framework of faith and good deeds expected from the believers who accepted (or seek to recognize) his divine office and become members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam.

‘The distinctive characteristic of a member of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam should be undivided and consummated attachment to Sahih al Islam; and this devotion should control his life to such an extent that the slightest deviation from God’s laws is abhorrent to him’, states the Khalifatullah.

Read the Summary of the Sermon:

“A member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is a Muslim who believes in One God, Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah and Mahdi whose advent had been foretold by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and in the Khalifatullah and Muhyi-ud-Din raised by Allah in this era with Divine Revelation.

The Khalifatullah of this era (that is, this humble self) is a Messenger of God. I call upon all mankind to accept the truth of my divine office; but this is not all. Islam is a practical way of life which demands total resignation to the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The attainment of this deal must be the resolve and goal of every member of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in whose life the principles of Islam should be manifested in every manner of living. The real object of man’s life according to the Holy Quran is, therefore, a true knowledge and worship of God and a total resignation to His will that whatever is said or done is said or done for His sake only. What is the Sahih al Islam? It is the burning fire which consumes all low desires and, setting fire to false gods and it is the offering of our property and honour as a sacrifice before God. It is that sacred fire which burns all papers of trials to uncover the face of God Almighty in the true believer’s pure golden heart.

Munir A. Azim Sahib: Family Background

Hundreds of thousands of men of God and His Messengers have passed away in history. Most of them lived among the common people, preached the message of Tauhid, in a language the people could understand and relate to. Invariably, the Messengers used to say: ‘I am only a man like yourselves; but I have received the revelation that your God is only One God. So let him who hopes to meet his Lord do good deeds, and let him join no one in the worship of his Lord’.  (HQ, 18:111)

The followers of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) used to consider that Allah never leaves aside the requirements of Deen-i-Islam and would raise-up His Messengers to call the people back to the path of Allah whenever faith degenerates in society, just as had been His practice in the past. All praise belongs to the Almighty Alone. Today, at a time when the land and the sea are both corrupted materially and spiritually, we have a Messenger of Allah among ourselves, who fits the Qur’anic descriptions of Divine Messengers, word by word, phrase by phrase!

Now the same Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya has changed doctrines and adopted an official policy that Allah cannot raise a common Ahmadi with a Divine Mission to rectify the creeping mistakes and blunders within! Surely, no people can be fooled by the official system for long. Those who make an independent study of the claims and doctrines of the Promised Massih (as) and his prophecies regarding the future of the Jamaat cannot condone what they see- Ahmadis now venerate their man-elected Khalifa by elevating him to the august status of an Elect of Allah. 

'Feel Welcome, O Ramadan!'

[Alhamdulillah, on 02 August 2011, LE MAURICIEN Newspaper, published from Mauritius, carried an article by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) on Fasting in Islam against the backdrop of the fast-approaching holy month of Ramadan under the Islamic Calendar. We are reproducing the article here for the special attention and benefit of all seekers of spiritual treasures].

The most desired guest for the believers is the Holy Month of Ramadan. Believers are commanded to welcome this special guest with fear of God in their heart and purity of mind and soul. The Almighty (Allah) says in the Holy Quran: “O you who believe, fasting is decreed for you, as it was decreed for those before you, that you may attain salvation.” (Chapter 2; Verse 184).

First of all, what is Fasting? In Quran and Hadiths the word defining Fasting is “Sawm” which means “to abstain”. In our current language, this means that we must not drink or eat, and abstain from sexual relations from the beginning of dawn till sunset. Fasting existed even before the advent of Islam, for all people before Islam received divine commandments to fast, even if the quantity and quality of the different fasts were not the same.

Fasting is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. The first pillar being the Shahada (Attestation of Faith), the second being Salaat (Prayer), the third being Sawm (Fasting – especially in the month of Ramadan where it is obligatory for a believer except if one is ill, on a long journey, and for the ladies who are in their menses, or pregnant or are breastfeeding their babies), then afterwards come Zakaat and Hajj.

Ahmadis: Love for All, Hatred for None

In a recent e-mail to the Amir Sahib of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala, the Ahmadiyya Youth Movement of South Kerala wrote:

We, at the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, firmly believe that its time for we all to think about what we have been doing. For the past 122 years we have been working on this goal of restoring love, peace and brotherhood across the globe. Our mission is to instill our motto inside every human being on earth which is "Love for All, Hatred For None" which as you can perhaps understand, is today, the need of the hour".

People should be forgiven if they thought the Ahmadiyya Community means what it says. For, they swear by peace, love and empathy for all mankind. And yet, ironically, the same people cut off blood relations even as they speak of fostering universal brotherhood.

A prophecy on the Renewal of Islam

“He it is Who has raised among the Unlettered people a Messenger from themselves who recites unto them His Signs, and purifies them, and teaches them the Book and wisdom, although they had been, before, in manifest misguidance;



 

And among others from among them who have not yet joined them. He is the Mighty, the Wise. 

That is Allah’s grace; He bestows it on whom He pleases; and Allah is the Master of immense grace”.     [Holy Qur’an, 62: 3-5]

These verses from the Surah Al Jum’ah point to the appearance of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) among the unlettered Arabs and to the same spiritual phenomenon repeating through a great Deputy of the Holy Prophet in the latter Days. A well known Hadith of the Holy Prophet (sa) throws light on the issue. Says Abu Hurairah:

“One Day we were sitting with the Holy Prophet when Surah Jum’ah was revealed. I asked the Holy Prophet,

Who are the people to whom the words “And among others from among them who have not yet joined them”, refer.

Salman, the Persian was sitting among us.Upon my repeatedly asking the same question,  the Prophet put his hand on Salman and said, If Faith were to go up to the Pleiades, a man from these would surely find it” (Bukhari).   

Reflecting on the Hadith,  Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) stated:  

All of us do agree with this Hadith, that it refers to Hazrat Massih Maoud (a.s). No doubt in it. This question was being asked twice or thrice from this Hadith because Allah made His Rassool understand that when Imaan would go high up the furthest star, Surrayya, someone of Persian descendants of Salman Farsi (r.a) would bring faith back on earth. In other Hadiths, it is mentioned more than one person from his descendants. So, we understand fully that Hazrat Massih Maoud (a.s) was that chosen one to bring back faith on earth. Then when faith would go back to Surrayya again, people of his Jamaat will bring back faith to others. This Khalifa cannot appear from outside the Jamaat Ahmadiyya, the Jamaat of Hazrat Massih Maoud (a.s)

Now, how can Imaan which has gone till the furthest star Surrayya be brought back on earth? How Hazrat Massih Maoud (a.s) brought back that Imaan? Through revelations – Divine Revelations. Allah spoke to him and guided him how to bring faith into the heart of people. He had to exile himself completely from this materialist world to seek help from Allah. Surely, Allah has guided him through revelations how to achieve this task. Imaan did not reach the earth like this. Hazrat Massih Maoud (a.s) had to suffer a lot, in this field of his bad health and persecutions.