One Ummah, One Leader- 3

Every Muslim must keep in mind that Allah’s promise to preserve the Qur’an until the Day of Judgement is a true promise. Reflect well that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) came as the Qur’an in flesh and blood – that is to say, he was a perfect representation of the Noble Qur’an.

Therefore, the Muslim world and all seekers of truth must realise that the truth of Islam cannot be erased! No matter how many conspirators try to destroy Islam, seeking at all costs to divide Muslims, place obstacles between our unity, and create wars so that we fight amongst ourselves – there always comes a point when Allah overturns their plans and removes the blindness from the eyes of Muslims, guiding them back to the straight path.

The Spiritual Renewal of Muslims

The Cure of the Hour 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Verily, Allah will send for this Ummah (Community) at the beginning of every century a person who will renew (reform and renovate) for it the Deen (i.e. Islam – the perfect way of life).”

 

The condition of the Muslim Ummah at all levels and in all spheres of life is gloomy, pitiful and deplorable. The Ummah is grounded in the quagmire of decadence. Its state of dishonourable existence is indeed heart-wrenching to those who understand the value of Islam and the true position of the followers of Islam. The way of life of the Ummah in present times and the Islam handed down by Muhammad Al-Rassullullah (pbuh) more than fourteen centuries ago are entities widely divergent and poles apart. There is extremely little affinity between the present Ummah and the Islam of the Sahaba of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh).

 

Spiritually, morally, culturally, socially and politically, the Muslim nation has fallen to the lowest position. The Muslim Nation is bankrupt in all spheres of its life in relation to Islam. Muslims are in name only. Nothing in their behaviour or clothing reflects the true Islam.

 

Even if they do put on Islamic clothes, covering them, yet their behaviour is not that of Islam, of true Muslims. Be it the men or the women, they have drifted far away from the essence of what Islam stands for and preaches. Islam has become a farce for them, something to be discarded in favour of a westernised way of life. The prayers of the Muslims have now become hollow, without the essence of the true faith which drove the first Muslims to the glory and victory of Islam. Today’s Muslims have let themselves be trapped by the infidels who strive to divide the Muslims in order to better enslave them by giving them the lollypop which shall bring them to destruction. They have let themselves be tempted by this world and all that it contains. The attractions of this world have made them forget Allah. Power, money and a rich life in the luxuries of this world have blinded them. They have become corrupted, or are on the road to corruption. The Muslims are now behaving like the non-Muslims and following them in their creed without even realising it. Even though Allah may be invoked on the lips, but a hundred gods are hijacking their souls and concentration on the true God, i.e. Allah. They have Allah and His Rassool, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) on the lips, yet they discard the teachings which God Almighty and His Prophet (pbuh) have told them to do and those things which they have forbidden the Muslims to do. This is indeed very sad.

Qur'anic Commandments- 3

In times like ours, the world of ‘religion’ resembles every other arena of human affairs: a fertile field full of thieves, scamsters, fraudsters, scoundrels and speculators! Wishful thinking, metaphysical speculation and theological conjecture seem to ‘thrive’ on the bazaar of religions today. For instance, in our country (India) today, countless ‘godmen’ (and ‘godwomen’) literally capitalize on the ignorance and stupidity of gullible masses. Out to exploit the emotions and devotional sentiments of the people who flock to them, the religious fraudsters confuse and deviate the ignorant folks who come to seek respite from their everyday problems. Through deceitfully claiming nearness to God or presenting themselves as no less than 'Avtaar', promising welfare and spiritual salvation; the religious thugs rob the poor of their precious financial savings, and what not! It is as though a Qur’anic warning has come alive: “many rabbis and monks wrongfully consume people’s possessions and turn people away from God’s path.” (9:35). In South Asia and elsewhere, the moral decadence and corruption among the chiefs and the priests is found widely among all communities of the land- Hindus, Buddhists, Christians, and the Muslims- today. 

Fortunately, Islam has a way  for reclaiming its original spiritual moorings even when its true legacy is twisted and corrupted at the hands of lesser men who "consume people’s possessions and turn people away from God’s path” (9:35). Muslims could go back and rediscover the spiritual treasures of their religion by seeking to know and understand the framework of Qur'anic ethics. To put at rest the metaphysical speculations and theological conjectures widely seen among other peoples- practices that have deviated the peoples from the correct appreciation of their own true spiritual doctrines-, the Qur'an emphatically declares that in ‘religion’, true guidance is the guidance of God. Whenever men interpret religion to suit their own whims and vanities (Bid'ah), as they will in every generation, there is a need for a stream of Divine Elects, to teach the Scripture and wisdom, and to purify the people morally and spiritually, through their own exemplary lives. The roots of the Islamic concepts of spiritual renewal, moral awakening of the Ummah, true succession to the Prophetic heritage, etc.- represented in the august spiritual office of 'Mujaddid', 'Muhyi-ud-Din', 'Khalifatullah', etc. claimed by Divine savants throughout the history of Islam-  can be traced back to the very philosophy of religion that Islam espouses. Whenever corruption and evil stalk the land, believers can be reassured by the fact that Allah (swt) will raise High representatives (24:56) to reclaim the True Legacy of Divine worship among the humans.

Indeed, the Book of Revelations, sent by God Almighty through His chosen messenger(s), set the criterion for distinguishing between good and evil. Inspired by the Holy Spirit (Roohul Quddus), the Heavenly-imbued souls who teach the Holy Book to their own people after their Prophet(s), strive to illumine the correct and straight path of life for the benefit of all around them. Most certainly, Divine guidance is built on solid foundations, and the Arc of the Prophets is firmly anchored on Divine waters. It is the obligation of the believers, individually and collectively, to implement the spirit of the Divinely-ordained code of conduct in their everyday life- be it in private and family spaces; in professional and social life; in community and national practices; in the rules and regulations a people abide by in the global comity of nations. Hence, it is important for the believers to be aware of Divine commandments and expectations so as to guard against evil, and to remain on the path of God- consciousness and prudence in life. 

'Qudrat-e-Saniah' and the Ahmadi Caliphs

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam-Tamil Nadu (India) organized its second Jalsa Salana at Tenkasi on Sunday, 25 November 2018. The Tamil Nadu State Jalsa this year was special for all its participants, including for the delegation of brothers and sisters from Kerala, with the august presence of Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius and the respected and honoured members of the holy family among them. In his closing Speech at the Jalsa, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) gave a profound discourse on the advent of Divine Elects in Islam. Apart from explaining the promise of Allah (swt) contained in the Holy Qur'an and also the prophecy of Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) in this regard, the Speech is also noted for its exposition on the beliefs of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). Examining the speculative notions and opinions held by the latter caliphs in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya on the advent of Divine Elects (Mujaddidin)in the era after the Promised Massih (as), Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) draws on textual and documentary analysis of Jamaat literature to tease out the  meaning and interpretation of the much misunderstood concept of 'Qudrat-e-Saniah' (Second Manifestation of Divine Power), and thereby helps to correct the mistaken beliefs prevailing among many Ahmadis today. 

Read the Extracts from the Closing Speech below: 

My dear disciples,

Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu.

Alhamdulillah, you have all come here to benefit from the spiritual treasure to enrich your knowledge, and indeed all your sacrifices for the sake of Allah shall not go in vain.

For my closing speech today, I have chosen to speak about the coming of Mujaddids in Islam as per the promise of Allah and the prophecy of the Seal of all prophets, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) as well as the beliefs of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as).

Allah says in the Holy Quran: “This is a blessed Book (the Quran) which We have sent down, so follow it and fear Allah, that you may receive mercy.” (Al-Anam 6: 156).

Like you all know, the Holy Quran is the perfect book which has been revealed to the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). What many people do not realise, is that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was actually the perfect human representation of the Holy Quran on earth. His wife, Hazrat Aisha (ra) has beautifully expressed this similitude in the following words: “He was a personification of the Quran.” In other words, a walking Quran.

Thus in the verse which I have put before you, whenever Allah refers to the Holy Quran, He refers also to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) because both are one and the same. The pure revelations of Allah, His law-bearing commandments were all reflected in the person of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). The Holy Spirit and God’s Words formed one with the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

And likewise, Allah has also promised that He shall be the guardian of the Quran for all times. Allah says: “Indeed, it is We who sent down the Qur’an and indeed, We will be its guardian.” (Al-Hijr 15: 10).

Reframing Ahmadiyya Doctrines

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community, founded by Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian in the last century in India, is one of the most dynamic missionary movements in the world today. Despite persecutions in Pakistan and some other Muslim-majority states, the community continues to prosper around the world with its peaceful propagation of Islam. While upholding that Divine revelations descending on God’s chosen servants is a special blessing and an enduring spiritual reality in every era of Islam till the last century, the community leadership now preaches the pious facade of Ahmadiyya Khilafat as the Divinely- endowed institutional order of Islam and rejects the descent of Divine revelations on grounds of expediency and ‘institutional’ discipline. 

Against the backdrop of most common Ahmadis today being ignorant of the theological engineering and interpretative understandings that gave birth to, and continue to sustain the pious facade of ‘Ahmadiyya Khilafat’; last month, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International published a new book, ‘Khalifatullah’: Reframing Ahmadiyya Doctrines. 

The Book is a compilation of 15 Sermons made by Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb of Mauritius over the last 15 years. Since the turn of the present century 2000-01 when this devout Ahmadi Muslim announced that he has a Divinely-inspired mission to revive the original teachings of Islam as taught in the last century by the founder of the Ahmadiyya community Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, the Discourses provide a fascinating glimpse into the rich, inner world of Islamic spirituality and thereby reframes the current Ahmadi doctrines that perpetuate mythical beliefs around the infallibility of the elected community leader- the Khalifatul Massih. The book argues that the system of Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya has incrementally corroded the very idea of Divinely-revealed guidance as irrelevant in this era, posing a “threat” (Fitna) to the institutional order of the community. In reframing the Ahmadiyya doctrines such as Qudrat-e-Saniah, ‘Islamic Khilafat’ etc, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) helps to richly contextualize the role of Ahmadiyyat within the wider and larger framework of Islamic spirituality.

Reproduced below are Extracts from the Introduction to the Book:

Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba), the Founding Head of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen, Mauritius and the Supreme Head of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International belongs to, and lives in, the Indian Ocean- island State of Mauritius. Hadhrat Saheb (atba) is a born-soldier of Islam, having had with him from a relatively very young age of his blessed life, an abiding interest in religious matters and an intuitive understanding of effective preaching and an exceptional drive to spread further and further the true message of Islam for all of humanity.

'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.

'The Khalifa of Islam': Of Titles and Tasks

10 Years of the official proclamation as "Khalifatullah" 

In a special lecture delivered on 27 May 2018, coinciding with the 10th Anniversary of his Divinely-inspired proclamation of 26 May 2008 as the Caliph of God-"Khalifatullah"- the foremost Islamic spiritual personality of this era Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius- Holy Founder of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- gives an illuminating discourse on the system of the advent of the Spiritual Heirs of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) in every era of Islam, to rejuvenate the Faith and to be a practical exemplar of the Holy Tradition/ Islamic Practice in everyday life for the devout. 

The Islamic sacred tradition recognizes the devout savants of the Faith by conferring upon them grand titles: "Khalifa", "Imam", "Mujaddid", "Muhyi-ud-Din", "Sheikh-ul-Islam", "Hujjatul Islam", "Mahdi", "Massih","Ummati-Nabi", etc. Drawing on the Holy Prophet's teachings, and also keeping in view the additional explanations of the Promised Massih (as) in the previous era, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) in his discourse, succinctly summarizes the spiritual doctrine on the purpose of the advent of the Elects of God in every era. Moreover, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) reminds both his enemies and friends of the need to be critically aware of the "mistakes of the past" when peoples and communities have preferred the adulation of the powers that be and ignored perennial Divine teachings and thereby they let go of a precious heritage of sublime faith represented by the advent of a Divine servant among them. 

Alhamdulillah, the message is of immediate relevance to the Ahmadis of our times- in a context where their elected Khalifatul Massih Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Saheb has been bereft of Divine illumination. Many devout Ahmadis are now seeking to engage with the larger question of Divine Guidance and revelations with the advent of a Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah in this era in the person of Hadhrat Munir Azim Saheb of Mauritius (atba), Soumma Alhamdulillah.

‘Dhu’l Qarnayn’: History and Prophecy

In a recently released book entitled Dhul Qarnain: The One of Two Epochs (Originally written in Creole in 2009; Translated into English by Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli A. Varsally Saheba), the Holy Founder of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Divinely-raised Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) of Mauritius makes an important declaration: 

“Once I was reading the Chapter 18 of the Holy Quran, Surah Al Kahf, which means “The Cave”. This Surah mentions the Dhul Qarnain. When I studied this chapter deeply, I noticed that the story mentioned in it coincides with the conditions we are living in this era. This chapter mentions the first trip (travel/journey) of Dhul Qarnain (in the West), where he reached a place where he found the sun setting as if it were in a pool of murky water. 

After that, the Dhul Qarnain made another trip and this time he went to the East. During the course of that travel, upon reaching midway he met a person/people who were naked, totally exposed to sunlight; there were nothing to protect them from that deep heat, not even a shadow. Then the Dhul Qarnain made a third journey and at the end of it he met a people who informed him about the persecution and ill treatment of Gog and Magog upon them. These people even supplicated him to protect them against Gog and Magog. 

Allah, the Great has given us a parabolic description. However, the name of Dhul Qarnain can be given to the one who lives during two centuries and I have come in two centuries in such a way that no objection can be levelled upon me. Definitely, I belong to both Islamic centuries, and if you do the calculation in the proper way, this will prove my veracity.”

God Speaks Today: 10 Reasons

A GOD WHO SPEAKS AND GUIDES

If God spoke to His servants in the past, why does He not talk to them now? If He used to send His guidance in times of trouble, doubt and bewilderment, why does He not open for men the door to His guidance today? Does this mean that all religions are corrupted and cannot find any truth, and thus we cannot get any results by following any one of them; or is it possible that the true religion exists on earth, but men do not follow its teachings and therefore cannot make any progress in the spiritual realm?

Whatever opinion we espouse, the following question shall always be asked: why did God not reveal a new religion if He thought that the world needed one; and if He had already given His guidance to be followed and that people have not heeded it, why did He not raise a reformer to guide them on the right path so that they can enjoy His proximity and thus achieve the purpose of their creation?

It’s unbelievable that a Merciful and Loving God remains unmoved at the sight of humanity struggling in error and worldliness and does nothing to indicate to it the direction and right path to take. God must be kinder and more merciful than a father or a mother, for a mother and a father are only the instruments of procreation of children, but God is not only the creator but also the ultimate goal of human existence.

The relationship between a child and his parents is temporary, but the one between man and God lasts forever. The faculties and resources of parents are finite and perishable, but God’s power is boundless and His treasures are inexhaustible. He who has such a relationship with His creatures and Who is the Master of such powers cannot forget His creatures and remain indifferent to their suffering. He Who asks His weak creatures to be lenient to others cannot be inclement so much so, that He leaves mankind without any means of direction and spiritual progress and He leaves them to wander haphazardly in darkness and lose sight while seeking light.

If there is a God, He cannot permit that! If He sympathizes with His servants in their trials and yet does not provide means of protection, we must conclude that either He has no power to guide humanity towards the truth, or that it is not the purpose of human existence to be in communion with God, and that man was created only to eat, drink, and live a purely material and animalistic existence. But these alternatives are without any support (they are baseless). 

It is absurd to imagine that the One Who created the universe has no power to provide the means for the spiritual guidance of humanity. We cannot also imagine that man was only created for a purely material existence, because in that case we would have to admit that an All-Wise and All-Knowing Creator manifested the existence of this great universe without purpose. There is no machine invented simply to let it run by itself; any machine has a precise/ designated purpose.

Divine Guidance and Free Will

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah (twt) has given me this opportunity to continue the subject matter of last week’s Sermon on the need of the advent of a prophet of God, and the reality of the miracles and faith which are joined together for the realization of the designs of Allah.

Indeed God Almighty talked in the past, is talking even today to His humble servants and messengers. It is unbelievable that a Merciful and Loving God would remain unmoved at the sight of mankind floundering in error and worldliness and yet He would take no measures for their guidance and direction. So my dear brothers and sisters, if there is a God, He cannot permit this!

If He feels for His servants in their trials and yet makes no provision, we must conclude either that He has no power to guide mankind to the truth, or that to attain communion with God is not the object of man’s existence, and that man was created merely to eat, drink, and to lead a purely worldly and animal existence. But each of the alternatives previously mentioned is insupportable.

To imagine that He who created the universe has no power to provide means for the spiritual guidance of mankind is absurd. The Creator of the whole must have power to create a part. If we admit the existence of a Creator, we must admit that He has absolute power and that nothing is impossible unto him, and He can accomplish everything except whatever is incompatible with His holiness and perfection, nor can we imagine that man has been created merely for the purpose of a worldly existence for, in that case, we would be compelled to admit that an All-Wise and All-Knowing Creator has brought this huge universe into being to no purpose.

Saints and the Trajectory of Divine Light

After the death and departure of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa), Islam could survive and flourish as a religious order and Muslims as a community through the centuries against all odds. On the temporal field, the Muslims achieved great progress and built magnificent empires and astounding forts and palaces and their victories and progress went on to attain an entire civilizational scale thanks to their massive impact wherever they went. As it happened, however, in the ebb and flow of time, their material fortunes declined and the single community disintegrated into splintered sects and partisan groups. On the contrary, regardless of the political fortunes of the Community, spiritual Islam continued to be vitalized and straddle on the lofty trajectory of Divine light almost every century or so with and by the appearance of noble saints, Revivers of faith and Vicegerents of Allah as the Guided Ones in the community. It is through the spiritual insights and practical example of these Divinely-blessed saints that Islam retains and continues to expand its appeal as a religious order among the masses in all the corners of the earth.

In his Friday Sermon of May 10, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius provides illuminating insights on this spiritual subject of profound depth and sublime complexity. In this speech, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) offers a profound commentary on the Qur’anic promise of mighty success for the sincere believers by describing the qualities and faculties of the Divinely-raised saints who are allowed to establish live connection with, and receive communications from, the Creator. While the Khilafat of a Divine Messenger may continue among his physical progeny so long as they remain in the straight path of Allah, the trajectory of Divine light and blessings may alter and embrace the spiritual progeny when Allah deems it so necessary. In our times, the Khalifa of the Ahmadiyya community has been stripped off the benefit of Divine revelations in spite of claiming themselves to be the followers of the Promised Massih (as) and on the contrary, Allah has blessed a spiritual progeny of the Promised Massih (as) with the Divine Light and favour. Significantly, the Sermon also specifically contains an important Divine revelation received in the early days of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, clearly conveying the lofty spiritual status of the Khalifatullah (atba) in our times.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“... And whoso obeys Allah and His Messenger, shall surely attain a mighty success.” - (Quran 33: 72)

Decline of Muslim Spirituality- II

 

The task of real spirituality is to restore sublime faith in Allah the Almighty and to reflect Divine attributes through the moulding of purified individuals. Islam perfected and preserved in itself the purpose of all religions which preceded it by recognizing the divine revelations of the past. Further, it channelized the continuity of Divine revelations through itself for all times to come. Leading the world on spiritual purification was the heavy responsibility cast on the shoulders of the Muslim Ummah by the Creator of the Universe. Contemporary Muslim leaders have failed to recognize the extraordinary magnitude of the task, nor could they preserve the solid faith of the early Muslims.

In his Friday Sermon of 06 April 2012 Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius continued his discourse on the ways in which true faith has deserted the present day Muslims. Drawing upon prescient prophecies of the Holy Prophet (sa), he sketches out the causes of spiritual decline. The preservation of true faith and real spirituality is a Divine Promise engraved upon the Holy Qur’an by Allah the Almighty Himself. At a time when sectarian divisions have proliferated among Muslims and the spirit of Islam has gone away from the life of Muslims, the raising of a Khalifa by Allah- a Khalifatullah- is in tune with the enduring Divine practice.

 

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

 

'By time, indeed, mankind is in loss, Except for those who have believed and done righteous deeds and advised each other to truth and advised each other to patience.' (103: 1-4)

 

Like I explained in my sermon last Friday, history has proved that the first Muslims reached the highest degrees of honour and glory whereas Muslims today have taken the opposite route. It is clear according to these verses that the first Muslims reached such a dignified status in life because their faith was solid and they had excellent character.

 

In contrast, today the situation of the Muslims has become deplorable because there is lots of weakness in our faith and character. It is the opposite of what was found in the first Muslims. Therefore it would not be untrue to say that nowadays, we have just preserved our names as Muslims! In the same context, the truthful Messenger of Allah the Almighty, Hazrat Muhammad (sa) foretold: “There shall be a time soon when Islam shall exist in name only, and the Qur'an shall exist only in writing.”

---

  

This is applied clearly to the Muslims of today. In such a situation, it is necessary to consider these points quickly:

 

(1 Because true Islam, as approved by Allah and His Messenger (sa) and that which shall bring spiritual and material success is not found anywhere; then through which means shall we find this true Islam again?

 

(2 Which is the real cause of the disappearance of this true Islam and along with it, for which reason the Spirit of Islam has flown away from the life of Muslims?

 

The Purpose of Islam versus the Deviant Practices of Muslims

 

When we study the Quran, we shall see clearly that the capability to preserve true faith and Islam on the same high level and then in the next go reach the position of honour and glory, this only depends on the exceptional work which Allah the Almighty has given solely to Muslims. It is for this reason that the Muslims have obtained that high position in the Quran, that is, the Khair-ul-Ummah (the best of nations).

 

According to the religion of Islam, the true reason behind the creation of the universe is to establish and prove the sacred character, the unicity and existence of Allah, the Noble and Almighty, and to show His infinite power and qualities through man, when the latter shall be guided with the light of true knowledge (the Holy Spirit). It is impossible for man to develop and serve this knowledge without first purifying himself from all impurity and immorality. It is only after this purification that man shall be able to perfect himself with good qualities, develop an excellent character and the needed capability to do good deeds. It is for this reason that Allah the Almighty has sent thousands of messengers and prophets to purify man and to develop in him the capability to do good deeds.

 

The greatest (prophet, like the most beautiful of medallions) who came in that chain (of prophets) is none other than “Sayyed-ul-Amibiyya wal Mursaleen” (the chief of all prophets) Muhammad (sa) whereby he is that most important medallion of that chain. In a chain there is only one medallion or locket, but there are many links intertwined. The more there are links, the more they are attached with the medallion. It is through Hazrat Muhammad (sa) that Allah has perfected religion and Allah gave it the name of Islam and it is through Hazrat Muhammad (sa) that Allah has sent down His divine message upon His Messenger for the duration of 23 years and has enabled these revelations to be compiled into one sacred book called the Holy Quran. And it is Allah the Almighty who said that it is Him the Guardian of the Holy Quran, for He shall preserve it till the Day of Judgement, and in this Quran there are 700 commandments.

 

Therefore the question which must be asked is how shall Allah preserve this sacred book, His 700 commandments and the religion which He perfected? Shall Allah let Islam remain only in name (and/or writing)?

 

Let us analyse history with the coming of the Holy Prophet (sa). It is truly a spiritual revolution which had taken place, for it is through the Holy Prophet (sa) that man has reached the highest degree of the development of his mind and body till he purified himself completely. It is then that man received this good news in Chapter 5 Verse 4: “This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favour upon you”.

 

The highest goal in the creation of man has at last been realised; good and evil have manifestly been separated. A complete mode of life has been revealed. In that complete mode of life itself Allah the Almighty has made the believers understand that for as long as you (the believers) obey “Me” (Allah) and My messenger, you shall receive great favours, and you shall be among those who have received the grace of Allah, that is, the prophets, righteous, truthful and martyrs. And Allah says: “Wa hasura ulaaa-ika Rafiqaa” – And excellent are those as companions! And Allah continues to say: “Zaalikal Fazlu minallaah” – That is the bounty from Allah, and “Wa kafaa billaahi Aliimaa” – and sufficient is Allah as Knower.

 

Today, What Do We See?

 

It is man himself who has shut the door of this favour (prophethood). They have wronged their own souls. But Allah the Almighty shall preserve His Religion and His Sacred Book. He shall continue to send His favour and this is a (solid) promise. Unfortunately, the Muslims have turned their backs to this great favour (prophethood) and they say that Allah the Almighty talked in the past but that now He has ceased to talk. They say that all this ended with the Holy Prophet (sa), God Forbid! And they say that the Holy Prophet (sa) is the last prophet, that shall never be another prophet after him. But then what do they make out of the verse which I have just put before you? This is the word of Allah, whereby He shall give man the divine favour of prophets etc. Allah the Almighty gives you this bounty and favour which come from Him, and what do you do? You close this door! Look now at the state of Muslims today. Allah the Almighty has said in Chapter 7 Verse 57: “And cause not corruption (or disorder) upon the earth after its reformation.”

 

Nowadays Allah the Almighty is pouring down His grace and bounty upon the best of nations, when He sends His chosen servant to encourage goodness and to forbid evil without in the least extracting or adding anything to what teachings are found in the Holy Quran. He says also that he comes from Allah and that it is Allah Himself who has sent him to unite you all, like for the first Muslims who reached an elevated position of honour and glory. They (the Muslims) are surprised with such a declaration and they begin to create disorder on the earth, despite the commandment that Allah the Almighty has placed, that not to create chaos on earth after that Allah has caused its reform. It is then that Allah the Almighty says: “Then do you wonder that there has come to you a reminder from your Rab through a man from among you, that he may warn you?” (7: 70)

 

There are lots more verses in the Holy Quran where Allah has said: “O Children of Adam, anytime a guide comes to you from Me, there will be no fear concerning them, nor will they grieve.” And Allah the Almighty says in the Holy Quran, in another verse: “Inni Jaa-ilun Fil Arzi Khalifa” – Indeed I shall place on earth My Caliph.

 

It is not for man to elect his caliph, for it this was the case, then each person or group would have elected his or their caliph and follows his or their own precepts or teachings, like we are seeing nowadays. People today have discarded the Quran and Sunnah and are following such precepts decided by a man-elected caliph, and they have given him great importance. If a group does not agree with a leader, then they look for another one and therefore a successive chain of sects are formed in Islam. There is no difference with an idolater. He on one hand does not believe at all in a unique God, the Creator of the Universe, of all things, and his very own Creator (that is, the Creator of man). But when he turns his back to this Unique God before whom he has to account one day, he therefore turns to a hundred false gods which are powerless, and cannot even create an insect’s leg.

 

Like this, Allah the Almighty sends His messenger, His vicegerent, but they turn their backs to the messenger or caliph of Allah, only to elect one man of their own choosing to make him become their chief, and each group takes great pleasure in their own elected leader, and now the Muslims are divided and subdivided into several sects, school of thoughts, and innovations. These multitudes of leaders in Islam bring about the existence of more sects and create disorder and hatred in the hearts of Muslim brothers of one same faith (Islam). These chiefs are not divinely elected ones and as such they do not receive any divine revelation and it is them the ones who create disorder on earth and they do commerce with the verses of the Quran. They do not have the fear of Allah in their heart, and when you look at them, you are amazed by them, by the way they read, talk but these are only on their lips and for show.

 

It is these people who have brought the religion of Islam to its degradation, and they are the ones who are the greatest troublemakers. Whenever these so-called leaders are told not to create chaos on earth, they are the ones who shall reply that “on the contrary, we want to establish peace!” Allah Himself responds to that statement of the so-called leaders, saying: “Alaa innahum humul Mufsidunna wa laakil laa yash-uruun”– Unquestionably, it is they who are the corrupters, but they perceive (it) not. (2: 13) Allah Himself denies their words and establishes the truth in that which it is these people themselves who creates unrest and disorder everywhere but they realise it not. This is so because they are not people whom Allah the Almighty has chosen as His representatives on earth. And when Allah did not elect them, then definitely the Holy Spirit shall not be sent to them. Therefore they become the worst creatures on earth, like our Holy Prophet (sa) had foretold. He said that when (Muslims) shall become the worst creatures on earth, they shall create lots of chaos on earth and they shall bar people from taking the right path.

 

See now how Islam, the perfect religion has become (compared to its past glorious days). Shall Allah let this situation like this? Ponder over this! I recall a Hadith where Hazrat Muhammad (sa) has told his disciples: “By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you must enjoin what is good and forbid what is evil, and you must stay the hand of the wrongdoer and give him a stern warning to adhere to the truth, otherwise Allah will surely turn the hearts of some of you against others, and curse you as He has cursed them (the past people – the Children of Israel).”

 

“O you who believe! Do not obey those who disbelieve; they will turn you back on your heels, and you will (then) become losers.” (3: 150)

 

Allah says not to listen to them for it is Allah who is your Protector and there is none worthy of giving help except Allah. These kinds of leaders have invented all sorts of innovations in that pure religion (Islam), and Allah the Almighty has never sent any authorisation for the implementation of these innovations, for these are closely associated with association of false deities with Allah and therefore Muslims are following these false precepts blindly. But verily Muslims know very well that all these innovations are neither mentioned in the Holy Quran nor practiced by our beloved prophet (sa). Who are they (the so-called leaders) to make implement these innovations? That which is mentioned in the Holy Quran, they will not believe and shall not put emphasis on it and to educate (rightly) the Muslims about how important these teachings of the Quran are! They prefer giving importance to such things which shall profit them materially, and you (the Muslims), you are readily believing them whereas those imbeciles are the ones who are closing the door of prophethood and that of divine revelations. This is so because (if they do not close these doors) then their business shall not work and people are therefore not honour them or give them any importance.

 

But it is a fact that Allah the Almighty has bestowed great favours when He gave you the rightly-guided caliphs (after the demise of the Holy Prophet (sa) and at the head of each century He sent reformers, and Allah the Almighty sent His Messiah (of the last era) and his promised son, the promised reformer and there were also the deputies of the Promised Messiah (as). But when the people started giving more importance to the deputies of the Promised Messiah (as) more than Him, more than His words, therefore Allah saw the need in this era to raise this humble servant of Allah (this humble self).

 

When Allah elect His messenger, it is to recite His verses, His revelation, to purify you, like Allah says:

 

“Certainly did Allah confer (great) favour upon the believers when He sent among them a Messenger from themselves, reciting to them His revelations and purifying them and teaching them the Book and wisdom, although they had been before in manifest error.” (3: 165)

Mujaddid of the Last Millennium-II

As argued in the First Part, the idea that Hadhrat Ahmad (as) is the Last Mujaddid and that there can be no Mujaddid after him is a view that has no evidentiary basis in the perspective and belief of the Promised Massih (as) himself. Then, the question is: 

Why do Ahmadis hold such a view?As the Holy Qur'an asks: "Do their intellect and reason enjoin this upon them or are they a rebellious people?" [52: 33].

The only plausible answer is that they merely follow certain statements issued and opinions expressed by the Ahmadiyya Khulafa in the past. Out of deference for, and veneration of, the Khulafa, they simply endorse what they are told without thinking about their spiritual validity or examining their doctrinal content.  In short, they are just pursuing the path of the previous generations who preferred conjectures, instead of the certain knowledge encompassed in the Divine message of the day.

It is interesting to note that Ahmadis are making the same mistakes against which the Promised Massih (as) used to warn the Muslim leadership of the day: clinging to the apparent meaning of certain prophetic traditions that metaphorically prevented the raising of Prophets after the Holy Prophet (sa). Indeed even today, clinging to such literal phrases and spiritual metaphors, the Muslim world opposes the coming of Prophets after the Holy Prophet of Islam.Indeed, “the Promised Massih (as) said that at the time of arrival of Prophets, people generally adopt two types of attitudes in spiritual matters: They apply metaphors to spiritual Reality and interpret Reality as Metaphor” (Urdu- Malfuzat, Volume 1, Page 586).

The Promised Massih (as) repeatedly cited the Holy Qur’an to bulldoze all such resistance- including by way of Prophetic traditions- to the coming of Elects of Allah in the Ummah Muhammadiyya. Even the authentic statements of the Holy Prophet (sa) have to be interpreted in the light of the Holy Qur’an and they cannot be used as a pretext to oppose a Messenger of Allah. The Promised Massih (as) asked: "Why don’t they leave aside their false viewpoints? Do they have any contract with Allah that ‘He will do only what they desire’? Allah is Most Holy, the Exalted! "He cannot be questioned as to what He does, but they will be questioned". (HQ, 21:24)