Khalifatullah at Mathra Masjid

Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, and the International Sadr of the Siraj Makin Djawaharatul Kamal- the women’s wing of the Jamaat- Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally completed a historic visit to India between 16 January and 10 February 2023, Alhamdulillah. As reported earlier,  during this all-India visit, Hazrat Saheb (aba) and team found time to meet with disciples and followers in various parts of the country: visiting Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the south, and also in the north of India, visiting places such as Delhi, Chandigarh, Shimla, and Mumbai. 

One of the highlights of the nearly-month long holy visit was the time spent at the Noor'ul Islam Masjid- Mathra, 21-28 January 2023, Alhamdulillah. By the grace and blessings of Allah (swt), this is the third visit of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) to the historic Masjid in Kerala in the last decade, Summa Alhamdulillah. Members of the Jamaat in Kerala still fondly remember Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) and members of the pious household visiting the Mathra Masjid in January 2017, and also later in December 2018: both journeys took place under the will and pleasure of Almighty Allah. Indeed, the Jalsa (spiritual get-together that took place with the arrival of the Khalifatullah (aba)] at the Masjid brought so much joy and happiness to all disciples and followers present on these occasions, Masha Allah, Allah-u-Akbar!

Prophetic teachings note the significance of maintaining mutual relationships and beneficial exchanges: “Visit each other periodically. It will increase your love. Exchange gifts, you’ll grow to love one another.” Once again, by the immense grace and blessings of Allah (swt), the visit of the Khalifatullah (aba) and Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sadr Saheba to the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra- along with, and accompanied by, scores of disciples and followers from Tamil Nadu-, virtually created an atmosphere of spiritual festival (Jalsa) for all humble devotees and servants of God in this part of the world.

The World on 'Fire': A Spiritual Gaze

On December 4, 2018 the Peace Park Library- the cultural wing of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in South Kerala- at Mathra organized a social outreach programme in solidarity with the victims of the recent, devastating floods in Kerala- the worst ever in its modern history, and also to recognize and honour the humanitarian and charitable works being undertaken by Mrs. Jameela Rajagopalan, an ageing social worker in the village. On the occasion, pecuniary contributions made by members of the South Jamaat to the Kerala Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund was handed over to a senior official of the government. Village officials, public servants, civil society activists, writers and journalists were present on the occasion, and they applauded the works being done by Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Saheb of Mathra in channeling his spiritual convictions towards humanitarian relief works and service to the people. The event was widely covered in the local press, electronic media/television as well as YouTube channels in Kerala, and the comprehensive Blog report on the same shall be published later, Insha Allah. 

In a Special Address delivered on the occasion, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius pointed to the profound dangers facing our common humanity. Reflecting on recent catastrophic events and vast disruptions, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) raised fundamental questions that require credible engagement by all those who are concerned about what is happening to our 'lonely' planet, the living Earth with all the profound challenges of atmospheric pollution, natural calamities; global warming and climate change. The obvious, and almost irreversible, imbalances that have been caused to the earth's stability and carrying capacity by the greed and corruption of the humans and their industrial and economic development models require a radical course correction, and that requires turning back to the ethical and spiritual way of life at the core of the teachings of Divine Elects in every era of humanity. It is when mankind begins to worship the True Divine- and not their false gods of riches and selfishness-that it will be in a position to do true service to humanity in a spirit of solidarity, recognizing the values of common humanity amidst all the diversity, alludes to Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) in his subtle but profound message, Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah. 

Read the Speech Below:        

Humanity in Danger

Honourable guests and my dear disciples,

May the Peace & Blessings of God Almighty be upon you all.

The world in which we are living is in a deplorable state. Calamities of every kind are striking the earth from the sky, the sea and from within the land itself. The question is why all this is happening? Why so many calamities? Are these merely natural calamities or signs of the displeasure of God Almighty?

From an Islamic point of view, as established in the Holy Quran, God Almighty says: “Corruption has appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of men have earned, that He (Allah) may give them a taste of some of their deeds: in order that they may return (to righteousness).” (Chapter 30, Verse 42).

If we look all around us, especially here itself in Kerala which has recently, in August 2018, faced major floods and landslides, we see desolations and destructions of houses and roads and many people’s homes have been destroyed. More than 500,000 people have been displaced to refugee camps and over 500 people have lost their lives. Floods and landslides of such magnitude have not been witnessed since the great flood of 1924.

‘Days of Noah’ over Kerala

"And indeed, We sent Moses with Our signs: Bring out your people from the depths of darkness into light. Remind them of the Days of God:" (Surah Ibrahim, 14: 5). 

Less than a year back, at the beginning of the present Islamic year AH 1439, Imam Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius made a Divinely-inspired Sermon, cautioning the peoples everywhere about the impending calamities that are about to strike around the world, including the Indian Ocean region. In that Friday Sermon of 29 September 2017, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) specifically cautioned against the dangers from looming calamities such as devastating floods in our times:

“Today is the 8th of Muharram of the year 1439 AH… I ask you to listen to all that I am telling you. From this Muharram 1439 AH to the next Muharram 1440 AH - believe me brothers and sisters - there are a lot of happenings/ events/ catastrophes which shall occur: earthquakes, floods, lots of people shall lose their lives, atrocious crimes, wars/ fights (nations against nations), blood of innocents shall be shed... 

I ask you to take this into consideration and start counting - from the 1st Muharram of this New Year 1439 AH till its end. Write down all that which shall happen throughout the world and even small islands and even all that which is found in the Indian Ocean (and its vicinity) shall not be spared from divine punishment, in the form of earthquakes, floods, great wars which shall be very difficult to stop.

Believe in what I am saying. O Muslims and Humanity at large. Take precautions and stock your food- buy, keep, preserve….”

Speaking against the backdrop of the deluge in Mauritius earlier this year, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) further repeated the Divine reminder: 

“O all of you, you are not safe. No country in the world will be spared, even you who live on the islands. No divinity of your imagination can help you. I see with the eye of my Lord (Allah) many terrifying things that will seize this world....O humanity, the decrees of God will be inevitably executed, and you will see the coming days as the days of Noah...” (Friday Sermon of 26 January 2018---08 Jamad'ul Awwal 1439 AH).

The Kerala Floods

Nature's fury in the form of torrential rains has engulfed most parts of Kerala this week. The land and its people are in profound pain, perplexed by the sudden hardships enveloping them. The magnitude of the disruption of everyday life in the otherwise scenic Indian State is mind-numbing. As one scribbles down this note, the “God’s own country” (as Kerala is known), is battling one of the worst floods in all of its modern history. 

With the India Meteorological Department predicting heavy rains for the next two days as well, the ground situation is being viewed as extremely grave. With heavy rainfalls in the catchment areas of major reservoirs across the State and the opening of all shutters of all major dams including Mullaperiyar, Cheruthoni, part of Idukki reservoir, and Idamalayar, lives of people in downstream areas have been severely affected, for areas and villages where floods had never occurred are witnessing inundation. 

Heavy water-logging has disrupted the road, rail traffic across the State, and even flight operations at the Kochi airport will remain suspended for the next 10 days. With telecommunication lines down, and electricity transmission cut off, thousands of flood victims remain marooned in their own residences/places without access to essential help. The death toll in the ongoing rain-and flood-related incidents (including landslips) has already crossed 150, with more than 2,23,000 people shifted to over 1550 relief camps across the State. Rescue operators fear that due to the heavy inflow of water, the death toll would go up.