'Salah': Errors to Avoid- 2

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue today the second part of my sermon on the correct way of performing our Salat (Prayers) and to thus avoid all errors which may annul our prayers.

 

8) Reluctance to stand in the front line in the congregational prayer.

 

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “If the people knew what (reward) is in the call (Adhan) and the first row (in congregational prayers), and they found no other way to get that except drawing lots, then they would draw lots.” (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi)

 

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) also said: “If anyone goes out from his house after performing ablution for saying the prescribed prayer in congregation (in the mosque), his reward will be like that of one who goes for Hajj pilgrimage after wearing Ihram (i.e. the two pieces of sheet worn by the Hajj pilgrims).” (Abu Dawud)

'Salah': Mistakes to Avoid

  

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I am continuing my Friday Sermon of last week on Salat (i.e. Prayer), and today I would like to talk to you about some of the major mistakes which Muslim believers do when establishing the Salat. Like I told you, Salat is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam. It comes just after the Shahada [attestation of the faith in Islam’, i.e. Laa-Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadur Rassullullah – There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger.

 

In other words it is to believe in Allah and in His Messenger Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and not associating anybody or anything else in the worship of Allah, to give Allah an exclusive and pure worship, and not worshipping even Muhammad (pbuh) who is only a Messenger of God and not a god or partner along with Allah. It is about believing firmly in the unicity of Allah and submitting oneself completely to His will.

It is only after one has established himself firmly in the Shahada that one establishes himself in prayer, as a sign of the very submission which he proclaimed, not only openly but inwardly, with all his intellectual faculties as well as his inner consciousness which we usually coined as the mind, as well as with his heart and soul. These three mind, heart and soul intertwined each other in nearly similar significance as these three concerns the spiritual side of the believer, which is beyond his body and carnal passions. If these three as well as his body are regulated in the correct way, then the submission to Allah comes naturally without any clash with external or even internal passions which may ruin his bond with Allah. To maintain his body and soul in harmony with Islam, Salat is thus very important. And the establishing of Salat in the correct way will assure the believer success in this world and the Hereafter.

Balancing Rights and Duties

 

Man is a social being. Just living requires the recognition of the duties we owe to others, just as we seek to exercise our own individual and other social rights in the community. Islam provides a range of teachings that address the fine balance of rights and duties to be achieved in society as well as in family; in our relations with parents, spouse/s, children, other members of the clan. In this series of special discourses, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius comprehensively explains the vital considerations of justice, compassion and benevolence the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) took into account while giving shape to the interpretation of rights and duties in social contexts. Read the Part 4 of this series, Friday Sermon of 02 September 2022 ~04 Safar 1444 AH below:  

Fulfilling the Rights of Fellow Muslims 

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue today the subject of my sermon on the rights of our fellow Muslims, especially the rights of the parents, and to what limit should they be obeyed, and the rights of one’s own child and spouse in respect of obedience to parents.

'Respect Rights; Fulfill Duties'- 3

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I am continuing today’s sermon on the same subject as the past two weeks, on the rights of our fellow Muslims, and also most specifically since last week, on the rights of the parents, and to what limit should they be obeyed, as well as the rights of the spouses and the children.

 

In the Hadith books of Imam Bukhari and Muslim as well as in Mishkaat, there is a lengthy Hadith of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) narrated by Ibn Umar (ra). In this Hadith three people are mentioned. They were on a journey when they were caught up in heavy rain. They took refuge in a cave. A huge boulder rolled and blocked the cave-entrance, cutting off their escape from the cave. The three decided to supplicate to Allah (twt) on the basis of some deeds which they had done with the greatest of sincerity. The deed which one of the three offered to Allah (twt) as his basis of supplication was about his aged parents and little children. He implored Allah (twt) in the following way: “O Allah! My parents were old and I used to go out for grazing (my animals). On my return I would milk (the animals) and take the milk in a vessel to my parents to drink. After they had drunk from it, I would give it to my children, family and wife. One day I was delayed and on my return I found my parents sleeping, and I disliked waking them up. The children were crying at my feet. That state of affairs continued till it was dawn. O Allah! If You regard that I did it for Your sake, then please remove this rock so that we may see the sky.” So, the rock was moved a bit.

The Significance of 'Duah'

Supplicating (to Allah) * Making 'Duah'

 

Duah or supplicating is to petition Allah (twt) for one’s needs and requirements, be such needs mundane or spiritual - be they in regard to one’s worldly affairs or Deeni affairs - whether such affairs and needs are within one’s ability of acquisition or not. In all cases, the Muslim has to supplicate to Allah (twt) for the fulfillment of his needs.

 

Duah for unlawful desires and needs is not permissible. While making duahs, all the lawful means and agencies for the requirement should be harnessed, e.g. the farmer while making duah for his farm to yield should at the same time engage in the means and ways of farming; the one making duah for protection against an enemy should at the same time engage in the ways and means of warding off the enemy; the sick while making duah for recovery should resort to medicine and treatment as well; one involved in litigation should while making duah for success in his court-case, engage the proper means of achieving the success as well; one engaged in the acquisition of Qur’ani and Deeni knowledge should make duah for Barakat [blessings] and success while at the same time study properly and acquire whatever ways are essential for the correct acquisition of knowledge; one involved in Ibaadat [worship of Allah] should strive against the lowly desires and the diversions of Satan and the Nafs [ego/ passion] while at the same time make duah [supplications] for aid from Allah (twt) for sincerity and steadfastness in his acts of worship.

 

In affairs in which physical and material means and agencies have no role to play; one should in entirety resort to only duah, e.g. rainfall [protection against rainfall in case of too much rainfall causing floods etc. & prayers for rainfall in case of drought], protection against plagues, the Satan and the deception of the Nafs, protection from the oppression of cruel persons, etc.

Duah does not mean the mere recitation of some words and the ritual reiteration of words after Salat. The nature of duah consists of petitioning in the court of Allah (twt). The earnestness and concern which people have when making appeals in the courts of the world should at least be adopted when making duah in the court of Allah (twt). When making duah, one’s mind and body have to be concentrated and directed into the purpose of duah. One should never lose hope in the event of fulfilment of the duah being delayed or if fulfilment is not discerned. One has to submit to the Will of Allah (twt). Duah is an appeal of His servants. We have no right to become disillusioned and despondent if we cannot discern acceptance of our duah.

Illnesses of the 'Ummah'- 5

 

DAWA/ TABLIGH: How To Do This Work

 

The most important point in this work of Dawa / Tabligh is the way and method that we will do it. We simply need to follow exactly the principles adopted by the Sahaba (ra) who followed the teachings and practices of the noble prophet (pbuh) to the letter.

In this true form and meaning, the Tabligh is a very important action and a very great benefit. Verily, it is to follow truly the path of the prophets (as), because this work is a great work, and it is also based on the high principles that we must always follow carefully. Each individual needs to feel the need to reform himself instead of changing others. While doing this work, and even outside the Jamaat [Community], he should behave like a true Muslim, a sincere servant who at all times obey and follow Allah’s commandments as per the Shariah and he seeks always the blessing and pleasure of Allah (twt). This is the basic condition, the Ruh (soul) and foundation of this work of Tabligh. Once this has been rooted deeply and firmly into the hearts of the workers [of Deen], the other principles, regulations and actions that I will mention further on will become easy to follow:

Illnesses of the 'Ummah'- 4

  

SOLUTIONS

 

As I have already clearly explained before, the sickness that has entered the Muslim Body [Community] these days has been caused by the disappearance of the true value of Islam from our hearts. As a result, the true feelings and love for Islam have died within us and our belief in Islam has disappeared.

 

Certainly, when the “source” has become dry, the paths of good deeds, virtues and excellent qualities which sprung from this source have disappeared. This is exactly what we see today. I have already explained this in detail and made it clear that the only way to rebuild this source and keep it flowing with the deeds of Deen which are profitable is this work which is called Dawa/Tabligh, which we can consider really and truly like the Ruh (soul) of Islam. As long as we do not revive this work, we will not be able to accomplish anything good in this temporal life because no nation, no people can know glory without having excellent qualities and high characters that only Islam can produce.

 

It is our duty as soon as possible to revive this work of Tabligh which is indeed obligatory. Only then can we have hope of bringing the true Deen of Islam to life in the Muslim community. Only by this means can we truly recognize and understand Allah (twt) and His Beloved Prophet (pbuh), and thereafter submit to their commands and desires [i.e., the commands of Allah and of His Messenger (pbuh)].

 

To succeed in doing this, we need to adopt the exact methods and means which Nabi Kareem Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used and which he put into practice to transform the Arabs (from the period of ignorance to Islam). Allah (twt) says in the Holy Quran: “Indeed in the Messenger of Allah you have a good example to follow...” (Al-Ahzab, 33: 22)

Illnesses of the 'Ummah'- 3

 

In his Friday Sermon of 17 June 2022 ~16 Dhul Qaddah 1443 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius continues the larger reflections on the spiritual maladies that afflict the Muslim psyche today: the mental attitudes and emotional roadblocks that prevent them from engaging with energy, vigour, enthusiasm and enterprise in the larger goals of Dawah (preaching and propagating Islam).  In this discourse, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) points out how to think through the confusing maze of Muslim renewal in this complicated era.  

As Hazrat Saheb (aba) alludes in the discourse, based on Qur'anic principles and Prophetic practices, the Sahaba-e-Kiram, the pure Companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) and the Tabi'un, the pious generations that followed them became living exemplars of the Faith in the early days of Islam, and wherever they went to preach the message of Tawheed, people en masse abandoned their pagan notions and embraced the Light of Islam in their midst. As time went by, and the original spirit of faith ebbed away; decadence and degradation have returned to the societies that were once 'Muslim'. And today, in the fifteenth century after the Holy Prophet (sa), the Muslims in general seem to be bereft of the true essence of Islamic teachings in their everyday lives. Even worse, far from upholding the spirit of Tawheed as Muslims, many among them have turned into tomb-worshippers; instead of praying God, they invoke the intercession of long-dead saints, just like the idol-worshippers performing rituals before the lords beside Allah (swt), [God forbid].   

Against this dismal contemporary scenario of gross misunderstandings and corrupt religious practices, reclaiming the true teachings along with its progressive potential and transformative spirit is the larger responsibility of the lovers of Allah (swt), including common followers of the Faith today. Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) notes that this task can only be achieved through sustained work involving every segment of the Muslim society, and not by the Ulama and others working in silos. Promoting goodness of every kind and forbidding the bad from spreading in society are the real tasks of everyone at their own levels- indeed, duties and responsibilities are attached to every 'Muslim'- the one who has surrendered his God-gifted free will and submitted his everything to the Divine commandments. Moreover, Tabligh, or striving in God's cause by communicating Divine message to people also entail the willingness to withstand hostilities and insults at the hands of unfair critics and enemies of the Faith, like the Prophets in the past has shown: with patience and fortitude, they preached and lived the message of God against all odds, and the strength of their conviction and the beauty of their character changed hearts and they became victorious in the battlefield of Dawah. It is by following in the footsteps of true lovers of the Faith and in adopting their strategies and steps of engagement with the people that we can make progress in the path of Dawah, indicates Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) in this discourse.  

'Dawa' and the Renewal of Islam

 

Islam stands for Tawheed, the uncompromising belief in the Lordship of a Unique God who is the controller of all affairs in all the worlds. True faith in the Lord Almighty is reflected in good deeds- actions that stand to benefit all of His creations in this world. Hence, Islam expects the Muslim to accomplish the worship of Allah by serving humanity; standing up for the truth; establishing justice by fighting against evil; promoting goodness in society by caring and sharing life's blessings with the less fortunate, and thereby help creating a social order of equity and balance.

 

In a world riven by competition, and conflicts over mundane resources and other material interests among different groups splintered on diverging identities; the Muslim Ummah everywhere also face these profound structural and existential conditions of societies today. Whereas Allah (swt) has willed the diversity of His creation as a grand Sign of His Unicity, and to test the true mettle of the humans who inhabit this world, the real challenge and larger task of the Muslims in every era is to become a beacon of divine light and spiritual hope. In a morally- darkened world of egoistic passions of jealousy, hatred and arrogance; creating an alternative social order is indeed a heavy responsibility: a world inspired by faith in God and the higher values of life and fostered by true piety and goodwill for everyone.  

 

 

Recently, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius launched a very important initiative for the religious education and spiritual training of the Jamaat members in Kerala, India, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. While announcing the establishment of the Dawa Academy in the region, and also entrusting the coordination of administrative responsibilities among members, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) urged the believers to arise and diligently and patiently strive to create a just world under Islam. In this context, Hazrat Saheb (aba) shared with everyone some of the Divine revelations and visions he received as early as April 2004 during the early days of the Divine Manifestation, in the times of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Al Muslemeen.  The revelations and spiritual visions, between them, contain a deep and profound message of wisdom for the resurgence of the true spirit of Islam among the Muslim peoples in this era. May Allah (swt) grant everyone the blessing of comprehending the ways of attracting Divine pleasure and the benefits of harmony and unity, true faith and patient striving in spiritual and temporal life, Insha Allah, Aameen. 

Civility in Religious Debates

Be it writing on social media, or appearing on television channels on public debates; the persons exercising their free speech rights have a duty to observe civility and courtesy, and not to fan hatred between different classes of people, nor spread bigotry among religious communities, especially so when they are leading politicians and spokespersons of a party ruling a country. When political elites fail to observe restraint and cross the red-lines in public discourse on people’s beliefs, or faith-related controversies; it invariably generates public resistance and political backlash, muddying the social relations- nationally and internationally.

Recently, two leaders of the ruling BJP in India, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, indulged in wanton anti-Muslim tirade, in public television and on social media. In their visceral hatred of the Muslim community in the country, these ruling politicians went to the extreme extend of attacking and vilifying the religion of Islam, and insulting the sacred memory of the Holy Prophet (sa) and his family. Making hurtful comments about the Holy Prophet’s life with his young wife Hazrat Ayesha (ra), these thugs from the majority community in the land sought to humiliate the minority community by insulting their religious beliefs. With the Muslims in India holding angry public demonstrations against the culprits, and many Muslim majority-nations in unison calling out the Islamophobia on full display in India, the episode involving the gross misconduct of its spokespersons embarrassed not only the governing party but also caused deep humiliation for the country’s image and standing internationally. [Inset: People hold posters during a protest demanding the arrest of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokeswoman Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Jindal. Credit: Reuters photo/ Deccan Herald/ PTI, June 10, 2022]. 

A 'Khalifatullah' to Revive True Faith

  

In his Friday Sermon of 27 May 2022 ~25 Shawwal 1443 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyi-ud-din Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius continues his  exposition upon a great spiritual malady afflicting almost all the world of religion today: the problem of worshipping false gods, or the practice of 'Shirk': people joining several deities- an angel, prophet or saints- along with the worship of the True Lord of Humankind. Unfortunately, idolatry has consumed much of the ancient religions. In several Muslim lands even today, the Dargah-related rituals mirror the practices of idolatrous communities of the past- away from the true legacy of Islamic monotheism. In this discourse, based on Qur'anic revelations and Prophetic traditions, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) eloquently elucidates the correct spiritual doctrine of Tawheed and urges folks to avoid 'Shirk' and associated  Satanic practices of deviance in everyday life, in religious practices. 

Moreover, in this era of moral and spiritual corruption where people have lost their inner compass of righteous living, and consequentially, the world is afflicted with many maladies and calamities of all kinds, Hazrat Saheb points out that it is all the more important for humanity to move away from the frenzy of hedonism and return to its sense of balance and moderation by rediscovering the value of Divine-restraints and other higher values of spiritual realization. To guide human kind through this darkness, the All Merciful Lord, our God, has raised a chosen spiritual guide in our midst. In this context, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) in this discourse, once again acknowledges his spiritual mission and Divine mandate, and brings forth to all our collective attention the Divine revelations that were vouchsafed to him almost 14 years ago concerning the appointment of a 'Khalifatullah', the model-exemplar of Faith; the high representative of Allah (swt) in the mantle of the prophets of the past- with all the spiritual titles attached with it, with a view to renew the true legacy of 'Tawhid' and to combat 'Shirk' in all its manifestations,  Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

'Tawheed' & 'Shirk'

 

 

If man is aware that Allah is the Lord Who has created and nourished him, and is the Only True God with no partners associated to Him, and thus, that He is the only True God, Who deserves to be worshipped, and if man knows also that Muhammad (pbuh) is the Messenger of Allah to mankind, he must also know that his faith in Allah and His prophet Muhammad (pbuh) will not be perfect unless he is acquainted with the religion of Islam, believes in it, and behaves according to its precepts. This is due to the fact that Islam is the true religion approved by Allah (twt) to mankind. Allah has commanded all His Messengers, before Muhammad (pbuh), to follow Islam, and He sent Muhammad (pbuh) as the seal of His prophets, to propagate Islam, and enjoin people to behave according to its precepts.

 

WHAT IS ISLAM?

Then, let us see what Islam is. Muhammad (pbuh) the seal Messenger of Allah to mankind, defined Islam as follows: “Islam is to testify that there is no god but Allah, that Muhammad (pbuh) is His messenger, to perform prayers, pay the poor tax (Zakat), fast the month of Ramadan and do pilgrimage to the Holy House in Mecca if you have the means for that”. 

Poem: 'The Successor'

 

The Rise of the Sun & the Moon of Islam

 

The World may be cut Asunder,

But not my Love for You,

Your Essence fills me,

And grants me the elixir of Unity,

In Your pure Divinity;

 

You say to let go of the filth of this world,

And come in Your embrace,

Devoid of the temporalities of temporalities;

 

You crafted a Being,

And breathed in Your Soul,

The Divine Soul will see through,

The Trials of this world;

 

In the Glow of a Setting World,

The Sun will rise again,

To give a Last Ray of Hope to the Universe,

The cry, out of this world

Will fill Your Universe,

With submission to Your Will;

Ramadan & Fasting- 1

 

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil). (Al-Baqara 2: 184)

 

Before I begin, I wish all my brothers and sisters in Islam, as well as my disciples across the world, a Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak -for the month of fasting is behind the door [i.e. close] - so that we let go of all our routines and focus more on Ibaadat and multiply our good deeds.

 

First of all, what is fasting (Roza)? In Quran and Hadiths the word which defines fasting is “Sawm” which means “to abstain”. In our common parlance, this means that we do not drink and eat, and abstain from sexual relations from the beginning of dawn until sunset.

When Ramadan Arrives

 

Alhamdulillah, Muslims around the world are entering into the holy month of Ramadan, observing fasting from dawn to dusk and also channelizing their time and inner resources for the contemplation of the Divine, in devotional worship and supplications to the Lord of Mercy, Summa Alhamdulillah. Ramadan is also a time to reform our impulses by getting rid of greediness and covetousness, and enlarge one's moral compass by standing up for the promotion of the common good, through pious works and charitable deeds that empower the indigent and other less-fortunate ones in society. Along with good deeds, the believers seek to gain the bounties of Divine blessings and favours of special nearness through sincere worship and fervent supplications throughout the Holy Month. Reproduced below are the Qur'anic commandments and Prophetic Traditions (Ahadith) on fasting in the month of Ramadan, forming the foundational values of the Muslim devotional practice and spiritual expectations of Divine approval and sublime rewards, Insha Allah, Aameen.           

Qur’an on Fasting 

In Surah Al Baqarah, Allah (swt) says: 

'You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God. 

Fast for a specific number of days, but if one of you is ill, or on a journey, on other days later. For those who can fast only with extreme difficulty, there is a way to compensate– feed a needy person. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if only you knew. 

 

It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. So any one of you who is present that month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having guided you, so that you may be thankful.

Self-Reform & 'Dawa' - IV

 

Dawat-i-Illallah: Muslims & The Truth

 

The Holy Quran presents the steadfast pursuit of truth as the central stand of Islam, even as it views Kufr as the supreme falsehood. It calls on the believer not to cover truth with falsehood or to knowingly conceal the truth. Truthfulness was the first qualification of the Holy Prophet (pbuh), and it remains the final saving grace of those who would be his followers. No man can claim to be a Muslim if he is a liar.

 

It is recorded that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has stated that four categories of men and women stand excommunicated from the fold of Islam: those who lie, those who bear false witness, those who break a trust reposed in them, and those who commit adultery. All are guilty of crimes that the Quran includes in the term “falsehood”. And how do we believers of today fare in the light of this first criterion of Islam?

Self- Reform & 'Dawa'- III

 

 '...Like I was telling you, the Promised Messiah (as) had great love for the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)… Hazrat Massih Ma’ud (as) gave testimonies about the spiritual power or force of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). He says that he also was alive because of the spiritual power of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). And it is a fact that in respect to time, he had come 1300 years after Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). And geographically speaking, he came in such a place which was far away from Arabia, but despite it all, it is through the spiritual force of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) that he was alive. That is indeed an extraordinary force.

You were amazed how someone could have reformed himself just by approaching the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). But here, someone who came 1300 years after him, he swore in the name of Allah that if he was alive, it was surely due to the sheer spiritual force of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). He claimed that he received this life – directly [in a way of speaking] from the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

Reforming Self and the World- II

 

 Self Reform & Tabligh/ Dawa- Part 2

 

Allah says in the noble Quran: 

And who is better in speech than one who invites to Allah and does righteousness and says, "Indeed, I am of the Muslims." [i.e., one who submits himself completely to Allah]? [Fussilat 41: 34]

 

So, in the context of good deeds and invitation to Allah, we must keep in mind that it is good deeds [of people] that give heights [higher grades or status] to invitations to Allah. The ranks of such people increase before the eyes of Allah, because they are people who make every effort to give the message of Allah, to invite people to the one God Who created this universe.

 

So what better invitation there can be than to invite people to Allah? That is, it's such a beautiful invitation that the world can raise no objection against it. Even those who will not believe in this message, they may not believe but they will not be able to have any objection against you. At the very least they will bow their heads and listen to your message. They will say: You see! We will never believe in Allah, but we must admit that the one who calls us to Him is a very good person.

 

So when you make this invitation, then Allah says it is a better one [a much better invitation]. But what gives heights [higher grades] and honour to this invitation? It is good deeds. If there are not the right deeds that accompany this invitation, then sometimes the invitation will have the opposite effect. This is when people will say: Look at this person! He calls others to Allah but look in what a bad situation he is. He's like a bald man who sells medicine to grow hair!

Reforming Self and the World

 

Self Reform & Tabligh/ Dawa- Part 1

 

Today I will talk to you about a very important subject: The Invitation to Allah. I will speak on this subject just as the Quran says that the invitation to Allah begins in your own homes. As long as we do not invite our own beings to Allah and respond favourably to that invitation, then there will be no [doing of] good deeds. And if there are no good deeds, then the invitation to Allah will become something meaningless.

 

So, see the excellent condition put forward by the Quran to embellish “Invitation to Allah” [Dawat-i-Illallah]. We have been commanded to invite others but also to invite our own selves as well. Indeed, if you invite your own selves to Allah, it is then that you will get the right to invite others as well; otherwise, that latter invitation would be in vain. There is a saying in English as thus: ‘Physician, heal thyself!’ Therefore, people [in the world] could say: ‘Oh, is it you who has come to cure others? Go and cure yourself first!’

 

So, as much as a person makes his own reform, he gains the equivalent opportunity to invite people to Allah. But you can’t wait for your own reformation to invite others. This is the important point that I want to make you understand today. A person cannot say that until he makes his reform completely, then the Quran does not give him the right to invite others to Allah. This is a wrong reasoning because self-reform is something that is continual. 

Muslim Family Life

 

Islam stands for harmonious relations among human beings. Islamic teachings promote peaceful coexistence among people in society: be it at home; among one’s family circles, or within the larger clan, or with other peoples. Islam exhorts everyone to respect and safeguard one another’s dignity, interests and rights. Indeed, in the Islamic view of the Divine scheme of things for the world, all humans remain on a plain of equality. No one has any share in God's divinity, or any superiority over fellow beings, nor any exceptional status that allows them to act with hubris or arrogance. Contrary to pagan notions of special claims of privileges attached to tribal/racial descent, social or national origin, and other markers of group identity; Islam seeks to foster a feeling of realism by reminding man of his truly humble origins and of his duty to cultivate best relations with all of humanity as we are from one another- like a family, as it were.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) famously stated: ‘Behold, God has removed from you the arrogance of pagan ignorance (jahiliyyah) with its boast of ancestral glories. Man is but a God-conscious believer or an unfortunate sinner. All people are children of Adam, and Adam was created out of dust'.  The Holy Prophet (sa) reminds us that all the world is family, and that he who renders the greatest service to God’s creation is the dearest and nearest to him.  

Allah (swt) states in the Holy Qur’an: ‘O mankind, We have created you from a male and a female; and We have made you into tribes and sub-tribes that you may recognize one another. Verily, the most honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is he who is the most righteous among you. Surely, Allah is All-knowing, All-Aware.’ (49: 14)