Qur'an: On Relations with War Captives

Retrieving the humane and egalitarian voice of the Qur’an is an important task of our times, especially in contexts where politico-militant groups seek to co-opt certain interpretations of the Islamic Shari’ah to promote their dubious projects that subjugate women’s dignity, rights and moral agency. 

Consider the treatment of captured women in war/ “female slaves” by the so-called ‘Islamic State of Iraq and Syria’ (ISIS) under ‘Caliph’ Abu Baker Al Baghdadi. During 2014-’17, when the ISIS under the Caliph ruled over an ‘Islamic State’ after his band of fighters and followers held control over parts of Iraq and Syria; it captured hundreds of females belonging to the minority Yazidi community as prisoners of war. Claiming that Islamic theology permits both the enslavement and the establishment of sexual relations with women captives, the ISIS established “slave markets” in the areas under its control to “trade” in the ‘female slaves’ so as to distribute them among the fighters of the Islamic State. When some of those young women and teenage girls escaped from the clutches of these marauders operating in the name of 'Islam', their harrowing experiences sent shock-waves across the global community. 

The beliefs and actions of the Islamic State and its Maulawis who issued the edicts in favour of establishing slave markets to trade in war captives scandalize the fair name of Islam- the pristine faith of  devout Muslims around the world. The Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian spoke presciently on this dire state of affairs in the previous era, when he wrote: 

"Islam today is in a very precarious state, and its light has been almost completely eclipsed. The Muslims have erred not only in their beliefs but also in their practices. They have fabricated some Traditions which have not only adversely affected their character, but are also contrary to the Divine law of nature. For example, Divine law has established three basic human rights: One must not kill an innocent person, one must not injure someone’s honour, and one must not unjustly appropriate another person’s property. And yet there are Muslims who break all three of these commandments. They murder innocent people and do not fear God, and their foolish Maulawis have even issued edicts declaring it lawful to lure away or capture women of other religions—whom they consider infidels—and to take them as wives. Similarly, they consider it lawful to usurp the property of any disbeliever through embezzlement or theft. Just consider the perilous state of the religion whose Maulawis issue such edicts! All this is the work of egotistic people who falsely attribute such teachings to God and His Messenger." (How to be Free from Sin, pp-15-16, UK: 2008 edn).

Oppressive interpretations of the Divine Speech is often a legacy of flawed Scriptural exegesis and cannot stand the critical scrutiny of Qur’an’s liberatory hermaneutics. Since the ‘Islamic State’ sought to justify the enslavement and sexual assault on female captives in terms of the Shariah, it is important to debunk these fraudulent claims by placing before the world the proper context and interpretation of the verses of the Holy Qur’an pertaining to the subject. In his Friday Sermon of 13 July 2018 (28 Shawwal 1439 AH), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius makes an important intervention on this larger debate. 

Explaining the Qur’anic expression “Maa Malakat ‘Aymaanuhum” (What your Right Hands Possess”, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) draws attention to the need for engaging with the overall framework of the Qur’an in teasing out the meaning of the Divine Discourse. There is no verse in the Qur’an that sanctions concubines and the Holy Book affirms that married women are not lawful for other men before the dissolution of the previous marriage. To protect the dignity of unclaimed female war captives- separated from their relatives socially and morally- who would not be in a position to dissolve any previous marriage; the Qur’an, however, makes an exception in the case of such female prisoners of war and permits that relations with such women (“What your Right Hands Possess”) can be established through wedlock even if the former marriage is not formally dissolved. Any assumption that (sexual) relations with female captives is permitted without marriage is rejected by the Qur’an (24:33, 4:4, 26), points out Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba).  

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

The Expression: What your Right Hands Possess”

“And those who guard their chastity; Except from their wives or what their right hands possess, for then surely they are not to be blamed.” (Al-Mu'minun, 23: 6-7).

Much misunderstanding prevails as to what the expression “their right hands possess” means, and what are the rights and status of the persons to whom it applies.

A Divine Message for the 'Jamaat'

The Divine Messages of 18-19 June 2018

Today’s sermon was to be on the believers who had maximized completely the benefits and blessings of the month of Ramadan, and I deeply wish and pray that Allah (swt) accept all their efforts on the day that they shall present themselves before Him. Insha-Allah. Alhamdulillah many among our brothers and sisters, after Eid-ul-Fitr have observed the six supererogatory (Nafl) fasting. Alhamdulillah, may Allah (swt) reward them for all the love which they have for Him alone. Ameen. 

I need to tell all my dear disciples in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam throughout the world that what I shall deliver to them today was not initially the subject of the Friday Sermon which I wanted to present before you today. But as it is a message which comes directly from Allah (swt), it is my duty to inform you about it as the Khalifatullah of the age. 

On Monday 18 June after the Esha prayers, and after reading the Holy Quran – I was reading the Chapter 3 Al-Imran – and the Attributes of Allah, Rabbanas and other duahs, I went to bed to sleep around 11.00 pm and I was not feeling well at all. All the members of my household were profoundly asleep and as for me, I was awake and not feeling well at all. I was sweating greatly, shaking and having heart palpitation and anxiety. And in that same condition, I felt a heavy weight on my head and I heard a very fine and beautiful voice talking and I at once understood that revelation was coming. I heard:

Auzubillahi minash Shaytaan-ir-Rajeem, Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim. 

Yaaa ‘ayyuhan-naasu ‘inna wa’ dallaahi haqqun - falaa taghurran-nakumul-hayaatud-dunyaa: wa laa yaghurrannakum billaahil Gharuur. (This verse is found in Surah Fatir, Chapter 35).

Translation: O mankind, indeed the promise of Allah is truth, so let not the worldly life delude you and do not let the Chief Deceiver deceive you about Allah.

After the revelation of this verse , Allah (swt) then informed me about various matters (Revelation in Creole Language).

O Munir Ahmad Azim, I have bestowed a great favour upon you when I gave you the title of Amir-ul-Mumineen and afterwards I gave you the title of Muhyi-ud-Din (Reviver of Faith of this era) whereby many [people] put their hands in your hand – indeed it was not your hand but the Hand of Allah – to unite them all on the unity of Allah. In other words, all of them took the oath of allegiance (Bai’at) in your hand and believed in you as the Muhyi-ud-Din of this era.

“O Munir Ahmad Azim, look how your Rab (Lord) does His work, without man understanding [i.e., any of it]. They all expect another proclamation, whereas Allah (swt) in His Majesty (Grandeur) has already manifested Himself as from the start itself with the title of Amir-ul-Mu'mineen and afterwards Muhyi-ud-Din and then I gave and revealed you many other titles such as Muslih-ud-din, Muslih Ma’ud till I elevated you as Khalifatullah and after Khalifatullah, as Massih Maud, Mujaddid, Nabiullah, and Rasulullah.

Man is making his plans and Allah also is planning and the plans of Allah are the best. These people are in torment, and they do not know what is falling upon them and [on the other hand] Allah is elevating His [Chosen] Servant and all those who follows him [i.e., his followers] to a high peak [i.e. station/ rank/ honour]. What your Rab has decreed, nobody can ever restrict (prevent) it. Your Lord shall cause the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Divine Manifestation to be known throughout the whole world without human intervention (effort), Insha-Allah. Do not despair, for Allah is with those who are steadfast (patient).”

'Lailat-ul-Qadr': Times of a 'Khalifatullah'

In the evocative language of the Qur'an, the descent of Divine revelations take place on 'Laila-tul Qadr': the 'Night of Destiny'. When people grope in the darkness of spiritual despair, the Divine Mercy unfolds itself in the form of a Blessed Soul. Hence, the life and times of a Divinely-raised renewer of Faith among the Muslims can be described as a period of Divine Blessings.  As we have recently noted in another post, the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as) specifically linked the coming of a Khalifatullah in every century with the spiritual concept of Laila-tul Qadr. In his book “Victory of Islam”, the Promised Massih (as) clearly stated that the Khalifatullah appears to rouse people to spiritual consciousness and that angels descent with him- through revelations, they enable him to provide a living testimonial to the vitality of Islam in that age. 

As the Divinely-raised "Muhyi-ud-Din" and "Khalifatullah" of this era, Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius is the most qualified spiritual commentator on matters of Divine verities in our times. On the blessed occasion of the 27th of Ramadan (1439 AH) today, we are reproducing an important Friday Sermon of 03 June 2011, wherein Hadhrat Saheb (atba) profoundly explained the relevance of 'Laila-tul-Qadr' to the blessed advent of Divine Elects in every era, also keeping in view the blessed writings of the Promised Massih (as) on the theme.

Read the extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“By the grace of Allah, one of my sincere disciples called my attention on the fact that the Promised Messiah (as) draw the people’s attention to the coming of a Khalifatullah, especially when he speaks about the period of a Khalifatullah as a Laila-tul-Qadr (Night of Decree, of blessings) and that when the Caliph of Allah comes down to earth, he comes down accompanied with the light of Allah which thereafter the sincere people who surrounds the Khalifatullah receive. 

By the grace of Allah, the Promised Messiah (as) has in other others say he has come to earth in the mantle of a Khalifatullah, but that which is much more surprising is that he has already said that not only in his time there shall be one (a Khalifatullah), but this Khalifatullah shall come in confirmation of his (the Promised Messiah’s) truthfulness. It is this Khalifatullah who shall come in conformity with his words and he shall come in confirmation of his truth like the Promised Messiah (as) came in confirmation of the prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), where the Prophet of Allah (sa) said (while putting his hand on the shoulders of Salman Farsi) that when faith shall go to the Pleiades, then there shall come someone from Persian descent shall bring it back.

'Laila-tul- Qadr': Rise of a 'Mujaddid'/ 'Khalifatullah'

In the Muslim spiritual imagination, the month of Ramadan is deeply embedded as the sacred month of Fasting for the sake of God Almighty. The month also reminds us about the advent of Divine revelations on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and the sacred birth of the Holy Qur'an! Indeed the Holy Qur'an itself acknowledges that it was in the blessed nights of Ramadan that the very first verses began to be revealed on the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa). The Holy Book says: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” [2:185] “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” [97:1].  "Truly, We revealed it in a blessed Night"(44:3). 

Distinguished lexicographers and Qur'an scholars have noted that wherever the Qur'an speaks of "Lailah", it has a deep connection with the descent of Divine revelations. The saints of Islam had noted the profound connection of "Lailat-ul-Qadr" with the advent of Muhaddith (recipient of Divine revelations), "Khalifatullah" (Caliph of God) and Mujaddid (Divine reformer) in every era of Islam. The Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian also sought to educate and remind the Muslims of his era about the significance of 'Lailat-ul-Qadr' and the deep spiritual verities of Surah Al Qadr, especially with regard to the raising of great spiritual souls in every era of Islam as 'Mujaddid', 'Muhaddith', 'Khalifatullah', etc. 

Reproduced below are the words of Hadhrat Massih Maoud (as) from one of his books, Fateh-e-Islam: 

“Allah gives glad tidings to the faithful in Surah Al Qadr that His prophet and His revelation descended from the heaven during the period of Laila-tul- Qadr (the Night of Decree).

Every Muhaddath and Mujaddid who is commissioned by Allah always appears during the Night of Decree. 

Do you understand what is meant by the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree or the Laila-tul- Qadr is the name of a night when spiritual darkness reaches its ultimate gloom. That gloom, metaphorically, demands a light from heaven for its dissipation. This night is symbolically called the Night of Decree. In fact, it is not a night, but a period, which is referred to as a ‘night’ because of its intense darkness. 

One thousand months is the approximate life span of a human being. It is also a period after which normal human senses ceases to function. The elapse of a period of one thousand months, following the demise of a Prophet or his spiritual successor also signals the commencement of a ‘night’ of darkness. This ‘night’ triggers fervour in the heavens and the seeds of the birth of one or more reformers (Mujaddidin) is stealthily sown. Thus such a Mujaddid or prepare to emerge at the head of the new century. The following verse is also an indication by Allah towards this phenomenon:

           

  “The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months”.  (Surah Al Qadr, 97:4) .

Islamic Ethics on Training Children

Advices to the wo/men of the Jamaat- Part II

Frankly speaking, to set someone on the right path, is never an easy task. But it is truly an act of highest virtue. It is therefore binding on all of our Jamaat worldwide to not only associate our members with all types of welfare activities but also to enable them to shoulder such social burdens as would tend to make them responsible citizens. It is because the charge of responsibility invariably alters the perception of an individual. It deepens their knowledge and expertise and their thinking power. It enables them to become independent individuals who can bring in ideas for the good maintenance and reform of our Jamaat in the years to come. It helps them develop their personality and maintain a close relationship with their Deen (religion - i.e. Islam).

The office bearers in our different organizations, whatever names or duties we may assign to them, should be trained earlier on to take over their responsibilities later on. The Jamaat should have trustworthy and pious members at the top, such people who shall be able to maintain the equilibrium of the whole Islamic system with the help of Allah, and for that Taqwa is absolutely important. Without Taqwa, man is like a lifeless plant. He shall go wayward without piety, righteousness and absolute fear and respect for Allah, The All-Seeing, All-Hearing.

Thus, by giving our youths responsibilities earlier on in life shall help them to perfect their level of belongingness to the cause of Allah; they shall better understand our cause and shall strive to please Allah in whatever they do. Remember, Satan is the bitterest enemy of man. He and his army shall try to deviate you at different points in life but you need to bypass his whisperings and invitations and focus your attention and love on Allah and His Truth. Always follow the right path, even though it is a million times difficult, but I assure you that at the end of that thorny path is found the most delectable of rewards. Remember your sacrifices is a short-term while the rewards promised by Allah is eternal. Now, it is for you to choose which path you would tread: the path of ruin or the path of salvation.

'Giving in the Way Leads to Blessings'

Financial Sacrifice-Part II

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue the same subject which I started last Friday on Financial Sacrifice.

So like I said last week, the solution of all the economic and other problems of man, of all believers is found in spending in the way of God (Allah the Almighty). This is the remedy for overcoming poverty and all kinds of difficulties and problems.

Another remedy for overcoming poverty is faith. As a result of paying Zakaat and other financial contributions one's faith increases and one wins the pleasure of God. Allah never ignores those who make sacrifices for Him. He never deprives them of their needs. One has to become a beggar either of God or of the world. It is better to become a beggar of God. Therein lies true intelligence.

Hazrat Ahmad: A Life Divine

Remembering the Promised Messiah

Today is 23 March 2018, and it's been 129 years since the Promised Messiah, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, founded the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam and accepted the oaths of allegiance (Bai'at) from his 40 disciples in the house of Sufi Ahmad Jan in Ludhiana. The first person who took the oath from the hand of the Promised Messiah (as) was Hazrat Maulvi Nuruddin (ra) of Bhera who later became the first caliph of the Promised Messiah (as) - Khalifatul-Massih Awwal.

In Mauritius and other countries of the world, this historic day is known as: “Promised Messiah Day” and we, the Ahmadi Muslim, take this opportunity to speak about the life and aspects of the mission of the Promised Messiah (as).

Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) belonged to a Persian clan named Burlass. Among his ancestors was Mirza Hadi Baig, who emigrated from his hometown Samarkand (Khurasan) to settle in India accompanied by two hundred people from among his clan who included his family and his employees. He was a very noble person, a scholar and a pious person. India was at that time under the reign of the Mughal emperor Babar (1483-1530), and the emperor had given vast expanses of land to Mirza Hadi Baig as a gift for his loyal services. (Inset: Illustration of Babur, founder of the Mughal Empire in India, 1526-1857)

Thereafter Mirza Hadi Baig chose a portion of this vast land, and decided to settle there with his clan. He then founded a city and named it Islampur and with the passage of time, the name Islampur passed through several forms of change and was known as Islampur Qadi Maajhi, and then simply Qadi Maajhi, and then Qadi, and where finally this city was known like Qadian.

Inner Peace in A Troubled World

The State of Man in Our Times

The world is developing at breakneck speed. It is constantly modernizing, becoming smaller and less life-size, becoming closer to people like a round table where the whole world can reunite and communicate and share their ideas and lives. But with the race for power and wealth, the rich are getting richer. The poor are getting poorer. And the world continues to exist until the One Creator decides otherwise.

Rich or poor, everyone tries to live in their own way. But how many of us ponder over what health, recreation, food, and tranquillity cost to the inhabitants of a country? But above all, how much of their precious time do they devote in remembrance of the Creator through prayer. The rich have almost no problem in living their lives quietly. The poor, on the other hand, have to work harder to try to make ends meet. This class of population of any country will always remain in poverty with its multiple problems - famine, sickness, housing, unemployment.

However, people, whatever their situation, live. They try to live. Maybe some people want death because they are crushed by poverty and misery. But life or death does not depend on us. It is the exclusive prerogative of Allah Ta’ala.

But then why so much worries, so many misfortunes? ... Does Allah Ta’ala, the Unique Creator, Who knows and controls everything, not love us? Does He not appreciate our way of life, our way of doing things? Not really, according to a Hadith of our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). It is rather that we humans, especially those of the Ummah forget too quickly our obligations to the Creator. So everything turns upside down. When the situation changes, life becomes destabilized. Stress, anxiety, anger, worry, doubt take place.

A World of Dizzying Inequality 

So why the vast majority of the world’s population lives in poverty and a very small percentage, being extremely rich controls everything in this temporal world? Some who feel that they are so powerful because of their fortune, think they are half-gods. But let it be clear. Rich or poor we always live in the same fear, the same anguish, the same anxiety.

We live today in the 21^st century, a time of confusion where materialism (i.e. people with materialistic minds) prevails everywhere, including within the Ummah. Material comfort is only useful to us here on earth. What have we prepared for the afterlife? Are we preparing enough for it? Here on earth, it is total confusion leading to wounded hearts, broken with the weakened soul.

We only have to follow the medical news - to get information about the world of medicines (pharmaceutical drugs). Scientists only produce drugs of all kinds to combat stress - the disease of the modern world, to combat anxiety, anger, nervousness, etc. The medications prescribed which are used in high doses sometimes have side effects. The situation gets complicated. Whether he is rich or poor, whether he gets treatment at the private clinic or the public hospital, the patient does not find the desired happiness or if he gets it, it is very precarious. He then turn to diabolical, satanic treatments that only worsen the situation, while there is only an effective remedy, very effective indeed, freely offered but neglected, forgotten, cast aside: a CALL TO ALLAH TA’ALA.

Turn to Your Creator

Yes, turn to HIM, The Saviour, The Healer, The Protector, The Merciful. He offers all the remedies. Without fees. Without an appointment. He only asks us one thing: to think of HIM at all times. He is here to listen to us. All we sick people have to do is to have unreserved faith and piety. Believe in Him, in His remedies, in His miracles. Are we ready for this?

Divine Message and the Fate of Choices

Acceptance & Rejection of the Divine Message

The Holy Quran makes religious progress dependent upon revolution. It says: And in no way do We send the Messengers except as bearers of glad tidings and as Warners. So those who believe and reform themselves, upon them shall come no fear nor shall they grieve. But as for those who reject Our signs, punishment will touch them for their defiant disobedience. (Al-Anam 6: 49-50).

That is, whenever We send a Messenger, he always proclaims two things: (i) he condemns the existing order to death; (ii) and in regard to the system he originates himself he proclaims, without ambiguity that it would be established in the world in its purity, without change or adjustment under any pressure to make it acceptable to this or that people. Those who submit to the system, and mould themselves in conformity with its requirements, survive and prosper, but those who do not do so, they gradually fade out of existence.

When a revolution occurs in the religious sphere, in Islamic terminology it is called 'Qiyamah'. Another expression used for it is Khalq-us-Samawat-i-wal-Ardh, i.e. the creation of a new earth and a new heaven. Still another name for it in the language of the Holy Quran is Al-Sa'ah.

The word 'revolution' which is roughly translated from the Arabic term 'Inquilab' and described in the context which I just mentioned, refers primarily to the moral and spiritual reformation of oneself, not a political revolution to overthrow a government as may be popularly thought these days by the use of the word.

Hence, when a group of individuals or a society have reformed themselves, a revolution in the noble character of man and his dealings with other people and with God is observed. Thus, a condition in the world existed in which the reformation of oneself was demanded to set things right in the affairs of man.

On Spirituality and Social Service

Street Light Foundation, a Kuwait-based NGO of concerned Indians from Kerala, organized a local community function at Mathra with a view to spread goodwill, empathy and understanding among people on the Indian festival season of Diwali, the Festival of Lights. The event was held at the Old-Age Home (being run by the Meera Charitable Trust ), Mathra (Kerala, India) on October 18, 2017. 

The Amir of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala- South Zone (India), Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Saheb, was among the speakers on the occasion. In his speech, the Mukarram Amir Saheb shared the perennial, sublime spiritual message of all Elects of God all through history- Sri Ramchandran ji, Sri Krishna ji, Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammad (sa)- the essence of which is to lead a good life in service of fellow humans. 

Emphasizing on the common ground of all religious traditions and spiritual messages from the past,  the Amir Saheb urged the audience to gaze at the universality of spiritual consciousness and our common humanity as the foundational bases for building solidarity with the less privileged and to do service to fellow men and women in our (local and global) communities. He emphasized that a life well-lived is one that is dedicated to the service of fellow beings. Indeed,  such service is a noble path to realize the ultimate purpose of life in this fleeting world: Worship of the Divine, Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah. 

Charitable Giving (Sadaqah)

Four members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Kerala visited the Old-Age Home at Mathra, being maintained by Mrs. Jameela Rajagopalan of the Meera Charitable Trust in service of destitute, old women, on Friday, October 13, 2017. The Jamaat delegation consisted of  Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Saheb, Naib Amir Sadiq Ali Saheb, Secretary-Tabligh Sulfikar Ali Saheb and this humble blogger. The visiting delegation offered a Sadaqah in the name of our senior member Shareefa Beevi Esmail Saheba, who has age-related ailments now;  the Sadaqah was in the  form of providing Breakfast for all the inmates of the Institution, Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah. 

‘Qadian is Dead’, says Fourth Khalifa

Qadian- seat of the Promised Massih (as)

Qadian’s spiritual significance lies in the fact that it was once inhabited by a servant of God- a human soul deeply immersed in the Divine waters. Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), whom the Ahmadi Muslims consider as the Promised Massih and Imam Mahdi of the Later Days, lived there in the last century. For the followers of the ‘Promised Massih’, Qadian is thus a sacred space where much of the events pertaining to the life and spiritual experiences and Divine revelations and Signs of God associated with the holy founder of the community originally took place. 

Moreover, the social history of Ahmadiyya community in the last century also evolved from Qadian, including the famous institutionalization of a system of successor-ship in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya known as the “Khilafat” in May 1908, following the death of the Promised Massih (as). 

Likewise, the intellectual tensions associated with the interpretational differences over doctrinal matters leading to the Great Split in the community also evolved and took shape in Qadian in the aftermath of the death of the founder and later, after the first caliph Hazrat Maulvi Hakkim Nooruddin Saheb (ra), leading to the separation of a segment of the Community based out of Lahore under the leadership of Hazrat Maulvi Muhammad Ali Saheb. However, the majority of Ahmadis at that point of time showed preference to work with the second caliph, Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad Saheb (ra) (1914-1965) who went on to preside over the community over half a century, at a critical stage in the fortunes of the community's organizational framework. 

'Eid-ul-Fitr': Origins and Significance

Today is the first day of Shawwal. As some of our brothers and sisters may not be aware, Shawwal is the first of the three months named as “Ashhur al-Hajj” (i.e. the months of Hajj).

Although the major acts of Hajj are normally performed in the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, yet the whole period starting from the first of Shawwal (i.e. Eid-ul-Fitr) up to the tenth of Dhul-Hijjah (i.e. Eid-ul-Adha) is deemed to be the period of Hajj because some acts of Hajj can be performed any time during this period.

For example, the Tawaf-ul-Qudum (i.e. the Tawaf which is usually performed by those who reside outside Makkah), followed by the Sai’ of Hajj (i.e. the quick seven times walks between the hills of Safa and Marwa) cannot be performed before Shawwal, while it can be performed any day after the beginning of Shawwal. Likewise, an ‘Umrah performed before Shawwal cannot be treated as the ‘Umrah of Tamattu, while the ‘Umrah performed in Shawwal can be affiliated to the Hajj, making it a Hajj-e-Tamattu. Tamattu literally means to enjoy or take advantage of a facility. A pilgrim who performs the Hajj of Tamattu combines both ‘Umrah and Hajj.

Moreover, the ihram of Hajj should not be started before Shawwal, because it is a disliked practice (Makruh). For these reasons these three months have been named as the ‘months of Hajj’ and the month of Shawwal has the distinction of being the first of these. Alhamdulillah.

And today, the first of Shawwal is Eid-ul-Fitr. This is really a great blessing which Allah has bestowed on the Ummah (Community) of His beloved and most perfect Servant and Messenger, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). Eid-ul-Fitr comprises of two separate words ʻEid’ and ʻFitr’. ʻEid’ means a recurring happiness or festivity and ʻFitr’ means to break or open the fast. Therefore, Eid-ul-Fitr means the recurring festival of the breaking of the fast.

The Eid-ul-Fitr is a thanksgiving day where we - Muslims - assemble in a brotherly and joyful atmosphere as one united congregation to offer our gratitude to Allah for helping us to fulfil our spiritual obligations as ordained by Him prior to the Eid. It is also a day of Victory for those who have been able to keep every satanic thoughts and acts at bay during the holy month of Ramadan and have enjoyed the performance of all good deeds to please Allah. Indeed, if the acts of worship (Ibadat) and good deeds of this Ramadan are finished and the Eid prayer is now completed, but the Ibadat of the Muslim believer will never finish until death. The believers are required to ever keep the good values and acts which they have learnt to maintain during the blessed month of Ramadan and to keep them alive for the rest of the year until the next Ramadan and so on till their death. Thus, Ramadan comes as a training for the believers to keep them ever on the right path and thus remain in the sight of Allah, ever pleasing and happy.