A ‘Bow’ to Adam

 

‘When We told the angels, ‘Bow down before Adam,’ they all bowed.’ (2:35)

In the Islamic spiritual realm, Hazrat Adam is the first Khalifatullah; the human who was taught the true values of life and elevated by God Himself as the perfect exemplar of his people. Like Adam, the prophets who followed him in history, and all other Elects of God are the embodiment of Divine vicegerency; a serious responsibility to ascertain divine will and strive to imbibe divine attributes; sent in this world  to be the guiding lights for humanity in every era. Indeed, Allah (swt) raises an Adam, His Khalifatullah, in every era. As the Qur’an notes, ‘Allah chooses whom He pleases (for exclusive nearness) in His presence, and shows the path to come towards Himself to everyone who turns (towards Allah) heartily.’  (42:14) 

These exemplary servants of God are the teachers of mankind; they are the carriers of the Divine Light of justice, compassion and love for fellow human beings and all other creatures in this world. As the trustee of the Divine mission on earth, such a saintly figure is worthy of the respect, esteem, affection, assistance, submission and obedience of their fellow beings. When such a servant of God appears, it is likely that devoted hearts will bend down before him in veneration, and offer their respects and offerings to him.  At one level, it is this conceptual principle that the aforesaid Qur’anic verse in Surah Al Baqarah embodies within it.

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we are pleased to bring to the attention of everyone a sublime sign heralding the special spiritual status of the Khalifatullah of this era. On Monday, 18 April 2022, in the North of Mauritius in the afternoon, a Great Divine Sign unveiled on the person of Allah's Messenger, the Khalifatullah of this era, Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Munir A. Azim (aba).

 

Describing the incident/ the event of the great Sign, Hazrat Tayyeba Shaheeda Aliah Nasrine writes:

 

‘While he was walking on the main road, suddenly a man came and cried out, addressing Huzur as: ‘JAI JAI GURU DEV, JAI JAI GURU DEV. His cry attracted other people, who in turn also cried out JAI JAI GURU DEV, and they all fell down in prostration before Huzur.

They cried out: ‘GURU DEV KI... JAI!’

'Musleh Maoud' Day 2022

  

A majestic Sign of special nearness, communion and holy communications between Allah (swt) and his devoted servant, the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908); Prophecy Musleh Maoud, although revealed 136 years ago, continues to resonate among the believers in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. 

Far beyond its historical relevance in the early days of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya and its partial fulfillment through the dreams vouchsafed to the great, second caliph of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad (ra) in 1944, the Prophecy has gained much contemporary spiritual attention due to certain prescient observations left behind by the second Caliph while claiming to be the 'Musleh Maoud' (Promised Reformer) in the previous era, especially with the advent of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius in the last two decades in the person of Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba). 

Indeed, against the backdrop of the second Caliph's own prophecies and statements vis-a-vis the fulfillment of prophecy Musleh Maoud, based on the supreme authority of Divine revelations, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) has clearly and consistently acknowledged before the global spiritual community that he is 'Musleh Maoud' in this era, as of 20 February 2004. 

Alhamdulillah, this week the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International commemorated the Musleh Maoud Day in India and elsewhere with much spiritual fervour and in Thanksgiving to Allah (swt). Special Jamaat meetings took place both in Tamil Nadu and in Kerala, at the historic Mosques of the Jamaat- the Siraj-um-Munir Masjid, VK Puram, and at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid, Mathra, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

Sexual Assault in the Nizam-e-Jamaat

  

Recently, alleged incidents of incestuous relations and other forms sexual crimes- including child sex abuse and rape, involving  members of the reigning Caliph’s own family within the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya became international headlines, shocking and embarrassing Ahmadis everywhere. A woman member of the ‘first family’ of the Jamaat- no less than a granddaughter of the 3rd and the 4th Caliph through different bloodlines- publicly revealed her struggles for justice within the Nizam-e-Jamaat. After apparently being sexually abused and exploited as a child by her own father for many years, the woman said that she was also raped on different occasions by three influential persons in the Jamaat/close male relatives of the present Caliph Mirza Masroor Ahmad Saheb. 

From the record of conversations with the Khalifatul Massih V that the impugned lady publicly shared over the Internet on the alleged incidents, it appears as though the Caliph Masroor Saheb has virtually failed to actively intervene and take substantive and procedural measures to deliver justice to a deeply vulnerable and traumatized woman family member at a critical juncture of her life. With no process of justice in the Nizam-e-Jamaat, the victim approached the British Police, and investigations are presently on all those incidents of sexual assault and other crimes, and the Police is apparently holding interviews with members of the family of the Caliph himself in this matter. 

The claims and counter allegations in the present controversy over issues of criminal justice within the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya highlighted the need for clarity of principles and practice on a number of related matters within an Islamic perspective. In a recent Interview with the Sahih Al Islam You Tube Channel, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb of Mauritius spoke about Islamic teachings pertaining to sexual offences. Hazrat Khalifatullah's guidance came in the backdrop of a series of questions and clarifications raised by many Ahmadi Muslims from around the world.  

'Khalifatullah': The Rope of Allah

 

‘Hold fast to God’s rope all together; do not split into factions. Remember God’s favour to you: you were enemies and then He brought your hearts together and you became brothers by His grace; you were about to fall into a pit of Fire and He saved you from it– in this way God makes His revelations clear to you so that you may be rightly guided. Be a community that calls for what is good, urges what is right, and forbids what is wrong: those who do this are the successful ones. Do not be like those who, after they have been given clear revelation, split into factions and fall into disputes: a terrible punishment awaits such people.’ [3:104-106)

Elects of God appear to call people to the Right Path- providing them with true and clear guidance to discriminate between good and the bad; reforming their communities through Divinely-gifted teachings; laying solid foundations for great nations by unifying hearts in Divine worship and urging adherence to the higher values of life. It is those sublime teachings established by the Prophets through their noble personal examples that constitute the Rope of Allah for their nations to cherish and act upon in all their lives. Hence, Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) left behind a treasure-trove of eminently-sensible, behavioural principles and practical guidance in the form of the Holy Qur’an and the sacred traditions of Holy Practices for the Muslims to hold on for all times. If only people follow the teachings of God in the way in which they are expected to be followed: it would benefit the believers in their individual and social lives, and would also profit them in the world to come, Insha Allah.

When Prophets leave this world, their spiritual successors are elected by the assembly of the Pious to carry on and establish the heavy tasks of Faith in all its divine sanctity and purity. And then comes a time in the life of the community- especially when error and deviance impact people’s lives in profoundly negative ways- when Allah (swt) in His infinite wisdom raises His Elect in the community to repeat the cycle of spiritual renewal once again. Islamic history bear witness to this grand Divine principle and established practice. After the death of the Holy Prophet (sa), the Muslim Ummah witnessed the presence of righteous Caliphs in the early days, and also, in later centuries, the advent of a series of Mujaddidin who appeared to guide and rejuvenate Islam at times of difficult fortunes for the Ummah. In our own times, to renew the original teachings of the Prophet (sa), Allah (swt) has raised a Muhyiuddin, a Khalifatullah, a Mujaddid, a Mahdi, a Dhul Qarnayn in our midst. Indeed, with all the aforesaid spiritual titles and more, the Divine Manifestation in the person of Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius is here to revive and restore sublime Faith in the Prophetic Path as an enduring, living, thriving Highway to God. It is by recognizing and following such pure servants of God that believers can cling to the Rope of Allah in this era, and access felicity and progress in both the worlds. 

Hazrat Khalifatullah @ 61

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah...the Birth and Living Presence of an Elect of God is the greatest Divine Gift for a community of believers. Hence, the devotees of Allah (swt) found in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International today are truly a blessed group. For, they have in their midst a Divine Elect in the person of Imam- Jamaat, Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius. And today, January 7^th marks the blessed Birth Day of Hazrat Saheb (aba). The Sahih Al Islam Blog joins the larger Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam family in wishing our beloved Imam (aba) a very happy Janm Din Mubarak, Hazaar Hazaar Mubarak!   

As Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) marks his 61^st Birthday Today, it is our prayers that as time go by, may Allah (swt) continue to bless his august self with good health, long life, great energy and meaningful initiatives to sustain and establish the momentum and reach of the Divine Mission among ever-widening circles of peoples, Insha Allah, Aameen.   

 

In this context, for the benefit of our readers, reproduced below is a beautiful Ode to our Imam (aba) by the respected members of the Holy Family, and originally published in the Dawah Magazine 2021 edited by Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen International Sadr Saheba Fazli Amena Varsally. The sublime invocations to Allah (swt), inter alia, give expression to the innermost thoughts and prayers of every devout member of the Jamaat for Divine Forgiveness, Mercy and Grace; for the long life, good health and well-being of our beloved Imam Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) and for the glory of the Divine Mission entrusted to him, through stage by stage progress of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam against all obstacles and enmities, Insha Allah, Aameen. 

Divine Signs: A Memoir

 

[The world of Islam earnestly hopes for the advent of a Divine Elect in the End Times- the Days of Satanic Mischief. All Muslims agree that Allah (swt), in His infinite Wisdom and Mercy for mankind, could and would raise a Khalifatullah to reinforce His original message taught through countless Prophets in the past. Just like the arrival of an Elect of God in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908) rejuvenated the ranks of the Muslims in the last century, Islam as taught by the Holy Prophet (sa) and his spiritual Khulafa over the previous centuries also calls for spiritual renewal in the present century. Indeed, it is this pious spiritual hope of Islam that is redeemed through the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius- the advent of a Divine Elect- Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius- in the beginning years of the new millennium- 2000-01, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.  

Whenever a servant of the Gracious Lord appears on the spiritual horizon, there are the Signs that clearly point to such a Divine appointment- a study of which will certainly strengthen the faith of the believer, and plausibly benefit the people in general, if truth is indeed what they are seeking when they study these Divine Signs. Speaking about the Signs of an Elect of God or the advent of a Divine Manifestation among the people in a new era, Hazrat Massih Maoud (as) made certain prescient observations in one of his books on the larger theme: 

“...when the Imam of the age appears in the world, thousands upon thousands of lights accompany him and heaven is filled with joy. With the dissemination of spirituality and light, the right potentialities become alive. Anyone who has the capacity begins to experience a series of revelations. And anyone who has the capacity to pronounce judgement in matters of faith by the use of reason and reflection, his ability is enhanced. Anyone who has the inclination towards prayers is granted pleasure in his worship. Anyone who is engaged in debates with other faiths is given the power to argue and arrive at incontrovertible conclusions. All these blessings are in fact the outcome of the spiritual radiation which comes with the Imam of the age and descends upon the heart of every ready and eager person. This is a general law and a Divine practice, to which we have been guided by the Holy Quran and authentic Hadith, and our personal experience have testified to it. 

The age of the Promised Messiah^(as), however, has even greater distinction in that it is recorded in the books of earlier Prophets and Hadith of the Holy Prophet^(sa) that, at the time of his advent, this radiation of spirituality will become so universal that women too will begin to receive revelations, minors will make prophecies, and ordinary people will be inspired by the Holy Spirit. All this will be a reflection of the spirituality of the Promised Messiah^(as)... all revelational light is a reflection of the light of the Imam of the age...”  [Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad of Qadian, Darurat-ul-Imam: The need for the Imam, pp.6-7,  English edn; London: Islam International Publications Ltd, (2007).

JALSA 2021: Photo Report

 

Alhamdulillah, with the approval and blessings of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius, the Eleventh Jalsa Salana (Annual Meeting) of the Kerala Jamaat took place at the historic Noor’ul Islam Masjid, Mathra, on 22-23 December 2021. Likewise, the Jalsa Salana of the Tamil Nadu Jamaat took place at the historic Siraj-um-Munir Masjid, VK Puram, Tamil Nadu on 24-26 December 2021, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

In addition to regular spiritual programmes, the Tamil Nadu Jalsa also witnessed the joyous presence of some members of the Kerala Jamaat who travelled from the Noor'ul Islam Masjid under the leadership of Mukarram Amir Jamaludeen Raother Saheb of Mathra, after the conclusion of the Kerala Jalsa to the Mosque in Tamil Nadu in great solidarity with their Tamil brethren,  and they were well recieved by the brothers in Tamil Nadu, led by Hazrat Mukarram Amir Khwajah Muhyiuddin Saleem Saheb and Hazrat Mukarram Shahul Hameed Faizal Saheb of Kottar, Masha Allah, Allah-u-Akbar. 

Reproduced Below are extracts from the Kerala Jalsa Report along with certain photos taken on the occasion by the brothers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. 

Poem: 'The Light of Your Face'

 

It is You who wipe the tears

It is You who change the fears

It is You who walk beside

Where there is none to guide.

And the way is full of beasts

For whom the men are feasts

You give the courage and Will

And that, to Heart's Fill

You take us to the goal

Safe and sound and whole

You are by my side

You are my Help and Guide

The Blessings of 'Jalsa Salana'

 

Jalsa Salana (Annual Conference) is an occasion for the believers to come together, to meet and greet all brothers, sisters and children in the community; to pray collectively for those who went ahead of us in the journey to Allah; to grow in spirit, learning about Deen-e-Islam - a true celebration of the blessings of Tawheed in the company of, and in solidarity with, our folks. 

With the blessed presence and participation of Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) and the Holy Family, the Mauritius National Jalsa of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam assumes profound significance for the community of believers everywhere. This year, the Jalsa Salana in Mauritius took place on Friday, 10 December 2021~ 06 Jamadi’ul Awwal 1443 AH. Among the programmes made in Session 1 & 2, there is Tilawat-ul-Qur’an  as well as reading of Al Azim Tafsir-ul-Qur’an by Janab Abdul Muhaymine Azim Saheb, and  Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen International Sadr (of Siraj Makin) Fazli Amena Saheba. Between them, they shared an exposition on the evocative Duahs of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) as taught in Surah Al Baqarah: 

‘And remember the time when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundations of the House, praying, ‘Our Lord, accept this from us; for You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing. Our Lord, make us submissive to You and make of our offspring a people submissive to You. And show us our ways of worship, and turn to us with mercy; for You are Oft-Returning with compassion and Merciful. And, our Lord, raise up among them a Messenger from among themselves, who may recite to them Your Signs and teach them the Book and Wisdom and may purify them; surely, You are the Mighty, the Wise.''(2:128-130)  

Likewise, Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sayyida Nasira Azim Saheba offered a discourse on Ahadith relating to the topic/s:  “’Cleanliness is Half of Faith’ & Good Manners”. Based on personal, mystical experiences of Divine Signs, Hazrat Tayyiba Shaheedah Nasrine Aliah Saheba also made a Testimonial Speech on the Signs of the Divine Manifestation, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

Reproduced Below is the Opening Speech of the Jalsa by Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba):

Revelation: Ahmadi Speculations

 

Recently, an Ahmadi brother sent us a question. According to him: 'It was Allah who had already revealed to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad, the Promised Messiah(as), ‘Inni ma'aka ya Masroor' (Surely, I am with you, O Masroor) Hence it is very clear when Allah Himself said that 'I am with you, O Masroor’- that is, He is with the fifth Khalifa Mirza Masroor Ahmad after the Promised Messiah. Then, how can Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib, or anyone else, have the authority to do so? 

Before, we can answer the question first of all, we have to discuss about the divine revelation revealed to the Promised Messiah(as). Actually, this revelation is the third from the chain of revelations which is vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah (as) in Arabic language and these revelations were received by him on December 1907. (Tadhkirah, p. 1016) In that, Allah (swt) had revealed to him, "Inni ma'aka ya Masrur" (I am with you, O Masrur [happy one]) and Further, it was revealed to him “Inni Ma'aka ya Ibrahim” in the same day! One thing we should also remember is that these revelations were vouchsafed to the Promised Messiah (as).

But now, the Nizamies are completely devoid of this heavenly blessings and they are claiming that this revelation is a prophecy for Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib and certainly, we will have no objection; rather, we will happily welcome it. But the question is did he (Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib) proclaim and declared that the revelation of Promised Messiah (as) would prove that he has been raised from Allah for the benefit of the whole of mankind? And if not, what is the significance of this own claim by Nizamies? 

Revelations of 25 November 2021

Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim. On Thursday, 25 November 2021 at 9.10 pm, after Esha Prayer, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al-Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius received Ayat-ul-Qur'an as Divine revelations, Alhamdulillah. 

Reproduced Below are the received Revelations in Arabic; their meanings in English, and also a helpful, expository commentary by Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba), Summa Alhamdulillah.  

   Wa in-tatawallaw yastabdil-qawman gayrakum summa laa yakuunuuu        amsaalakum.

 

And if you turn your backs, He will bring in your place another people; then they will not be like you.

Commentary of the Khalifatullah (atba): From what I have understood from this revelation, if you turn back from the right path, the path of Allah (swt) or turn back to Divine Revelation or Divine Instruction, the cause will not fail. Better men than you will uphold the flag of Tauheed, spread the Divine Message. But you should fall, and others will take your place, who are not so timid, hard-hearted or stingy.  

No plots against the Truth or Faith will succeed faint-heartedness condemned; those who strive and those who turn away will be sorted out. Be firm in the fight, and Allah (swt) will guide. Rebellion against Allah (swt), His Prophet, His Khalifatullah is destruction.  

 

Wa yutimma ni’matahuu alayka wa yahdiyaka Siraatam-Mustaqiimaa.

And that He may complete His favour upon you, and may guide you on a right path.

Qur’an on ‘Khalifatullah’

 

'Is there a Qur'anic Verse which stipulates that a Khalifatullah is a Messenger of Allah?' This question was recently raised by some Ahmadis when they were told about the spiritual messages and Divinely-elected status of Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius. It's indeed a measure of the extend of ignorance prevailing among the current crop of Ahmadis that they have started questioning the very foundational beliefs of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya without any knowledge and understanding of spiritual doctrine! Do they know that their spiritual father Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian was a Messenger of Allah by virtue of the fact that he was a Khalifatullah of his times? Don't they know that Allah (swt) has promised the believers through the Holy Prophet (sa) that He will raise one or more Khalifatullah in every era ? When someone is raised and sent by Allah (swt) as His Khalifa with Holy Spirit (Divine revelations), can such a Khalifatullah be addressed except as a Messenger of Allah? 

Based on Qur'anic teachings and the history of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius explains the concept of Khalifatullah- distinguishing it from mundane selections that men's assemblies do make and take for their own social leadership and community cohesion, such as the office of the Khalifatul Massih in the Nizam-e-Jamaat. Drawing on the Qur'anic examples of Hazrat Adam (as) and Hazrat Dawud (as), Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) points out that those Khulafatullah were indeed Messengers of Allah as well.  

Read the Extracts from a Jamaat communication sharing the response of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) in this regard, on the Qur'anic antecedents of the concept of Khalifatullah:  

'The answer to this question can be found in several verses of the Holy Quran. If we delve into the Holy Quran, we find that Allah has said as from the second chapter itself, i.e. Al-Baqarah, that He shall place His Representative (Khalifa) on earth. 

Allah says:

“Behold, your Lord said to the angels: Verily I will create a vicegerent (Khalifa) on earth.” (Al-Baqara 2: 31).

The Khalifa (Caliph) whom Allah raises comes from Him, and not through any election promoted by man. He takes instructions only from Allah – i.e. divine instructions. 

Knowledge of God in Our Souls

'On earth there are signs for those with sure faith- and in yourselves too, do you not see?' (51:21) Regardless of our social and cultural background, each of us as humans are programmed as it were with inbuilt faculties for an innate recognition of the existence of a Higher Being. Whereas idolatry defy reason and logic and has no leg to stand on the rational disposition of any human being, God's Oneness and Lordship is intuitively understood by every human soul. Embedded in human nature is an original consciousness of God's Oneness; a natural disposition to recognizing and worshipping God and toward accepting the Prophets and the messages that they bring as 'reminders' of what they already intuitively 'know' to be the Truth in their latent consciousness. Being true to our inner disposition as a  sincere and morally uncorrupted soul, one can only adapt one's choices in tune with His ordinances in this world. Indeed, knowledge of God's Lordship enable us to care for the higher values of life, rather than incline towards selfish desires and worldly things- the greed for which debases man, turning him away from the path of God's messengers, and lead him to the misfortune of being held accountable as a disbeliever, or a hypocrite (God forbid). 

Recently, a Lady from Canada raised a question: 'How can people with diverse backgrounds, societies and cultures, believe in the one true God'? Based on Qur'anic teachings and Prophetic traditions, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius provides a considered response to the question. 

Reproduced below is the Extracts from the Response: 

'...So for people to be held responsible for worshipping the one true God, they all need to have access to knowledge of Him. The final revelation teaches that all human beings have the recognition of the one true God imprinted on their souls as a part of their very nature with which they are created.  

The Criterion of True Faith

 

Is there a way to identify and understand a correct and straight path to God amidst all that different religions (and their denominational groups) claim to offer? How do we know and distinguish between true concept of God and false beliefs of people? Does Faith in God entail the duty to choose wisely and with equity, and to follow the Right Way at all times?  These  questions arise in many minds in our times. Especially so when we hear many people, professing different creeds, offering diverging views on the vital issue of spiritual guidance in the Divine Way. Recently, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius responded to a similar concern raised by a truth-seeker, Mr. Paul Robert Chaiya. His question was like this: 

'Mr. Munir Ahmad Azim, you have made your proclamation as the Prophet and Messiah of this era, so why there are so many religions which proclaim to be in the right way? I want your answer. Thank you very much.' 

Reproduced Below are the Extracts from the response of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) on the occasion: 

'There are so many sects, cults, religions, philosophies, and movements in the world, all of which claim to be the right way or the only true path to God! How can one determine which one is correct or whether, in fact, all are correct? 

One method by which the answer can be found is to clear away the superficial differences in the teachings of the various claimants to the ultimate truth, and identify the central object of worship upon which they call directly or indirectly. False religions all have in common one basic concept with regard to God: They either claim that all men are gods, or that specific men were gods, or that nature is god, or that God is a figment of man’s imagination.

The Signs of 'Qiyamah'- 7

The Signs of the End of Times 

The signs of Qiyamat, both predicted by the founder of Islam Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and also by way of divine revelations when I was preparing this sermon, are such words and happenings which, as per the revelations of Allah, despite already existed and known from before, yet their intensity will be much more grievous, much worse in this era than in the previous eras. People will take the Maal-e-Ghaneemat [spoils of war] and Amanat [trust] which are not theirs [i.e. they will take the wealth and properties of others] as their own. Some will consider the Zakaat as tax; others will learn religion only for this temporal world [only for grandeur and to benefit from the contributions of people who are contributing for religion] and they will take religion as a marketplace, as business for their own gain and to fill in their pockets. Now, we all know that this is what is exactly happening in the case of most politicians, those who make politics to garner grandeur, honour, to fill in their pockets – to spend away [waste] the money of the people – and all this is also happening in the realm of religion as well. 

Destiny on the ‘Bridge of Sirat’

All through history, Prophets and Sages appeared among nations calling people to the one and only God promising felicity in this life and the Gardens of Paradise in the world to come when they die and face God with the record of their deeds. “Every person’s deeds have We fastened firmly to his neck, and on the Day of Judgement We shall bring out for him a book which he will find wide open” (17:14).

Invariably, the Divine messengers also cautioned humanity against the trappings of the Satan- following in his footsteps without any moral restraints for mundane gains and glory will only invite the Fires of Hell in this world and on the Day of Reckoning: “Mutual rivalry in seeking worldly increase diverts you from God. Till you reach the graves. Nay! You will soon come to know. Nay again! You will soon come to know. Nay! If you only knew with certain knowledge, You will surely see Hell in this very life. Aye, you will surely see it with the eye of certainty. Then, on that day you shall be called to account about the worldly favours” (102: 2 - 9)    

Indeed, on the Day of Judgement, every human will face his deeds on the ground of gathering, Arz Al Mahshar.  When records speak and accounts settled on the basis of evidence by none other than Allah (swt), man will pass on the Bridge of Sirat to meet his awaited destiny. True believers, walking in the light of their pious good deeds, will become the dwellers of Paradise: “And think of the day when you will see the believing men and the believing women, their light running before them and on their right hands” (57:13)

On the other hand, the wrongdoers will have no Protective Friend, nor any help of light in that dungeon of darkness, in the way to the Valley of Hell: Like the Qur’an says: ‘On that Day, We shall seal their mouths. Their hands will speak to Us, and their feet will bear witness to that which they used to earn. And had We willed, We would have blotted out their eyes. Then they would race to Al -Sirat, yet how would they see?’ (36: 66- 67)

Celebrating 'Sirat-un-Nabi'

 

Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (sa), the holy founder of Islam and the greatest Prophet of all times,  left behind enduring teachings for the benefit of humankind for all times.  The Qur’an, and the sacred Prophetic Sunnah remain amongst us, to guide us from the darkness of selfish pleasures to the illumination of souls in remembrance of God. It is by striving to follow in the footsteps of the holy Prophet (sa) that true believers can lead a life that attracts the approval and pleasure of Allah (swt); a  balanced life that recognizes our duties to Allah (swt) and the responsibilities we owe to fellow human beings in society, pursuing goodness in this world and the world to come, Insha Allah.  

The Holy Prophet (sa) had penetrating insights into the future conditions of the world, especially of the events that will unfold among his people, the Muslims of the Later Days. A close reading of sacred Ahadith would leave no one in doubt about the fulfilment of those Prophetic words in the stark realities being obtained in our own times-in many different ways. While warning the Ummah about the times in which knowledge of Deen will be taken away from the society of the Muslims, it was also reassured that to renew the spiritual path of Islam, true heirs of the Holy Prophet (sa) would be raised by Allah (twt) Himself. Among the believers, it was foretold, there would be one or more savants of Faith- the pole stars of the Faith in morally-darkened times, and that these individuals and their followers would seek to revive and renew the values of Islam and Prophetic Aqidah in turbulent times.