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!

Preaching ‘Anti-Qadianism’

   

The advent of the Promised Messiah and Al Imam Al Mahdi Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian (1835-1908) was a ground-breaking episode in the preaching of Islam in modern times. For, no one has introduced or presented Islamic perspectives on foundational questions of spiritual humanity in a more persuasive or intellectually- appealing way than what Hazrat Ahmad (as) accomplished through his writings and sublime discourses over a span of three decades at the head of the Fourteenth century of Islamic calendar. More than what the ideological partisans within the community would ever be willing to admit publicly, the rich and sparkling legacy of Hazrat Mirza (as) is in accord with the spiritual and intellectual consciousness of the Ummah. Moreover, powerful worldly events and material conditions in subsequent decades in the Islamic and wider world after his death have forced the religious orthodoxy to revisit and even abandon many of their previously held, wild theories which Hazrat Mirza Saheb opposed in his times (including on the improper application of “Jihad” as indiscriminate violence and killing of all those who disagree with the Muslims), and these circumstances have also allowed them to follow, as it were in the footsteps of this revered figure of Islam and his disciples- the Ahmadis (or the Qadianis) when it comes to peaceful preaching of Islam in the West.  

While Islamic tradition, history and contemporary events bear out the essential truthfulness and veracity of the claims of Hazrat Massih Maoud (as), as well as the spiritual and intellectual appeal of his arguments and perspectives on Islam, the religious orthodoxy continues with their preaching of hatred and violence against this trailblazer in the service of Islam in the modern world. Recently, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius- the spiritual son and disciple of Hazrat Massih Maoud (as) in this era- addressed the critics in the West, and spelt-out the choices available to those who unfairly reject the message of Ahmadiyyat in this era. 

Read the Extracts from the Response Below: 

'Khalifatullah' and Spiritual Revolution

 

In his Friday Sermon of 04 June 2021~ 22 Shawwal 1442 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius continued the theme of the previous week: the purpose of spiritual missions in the times of a Khalifatullah. 

Elects of God come with a mandate to preach pure religion, the clear path to a purposeful and rewarding life in obedience to Divine commandments. Such men of God challenge evil and unfair dealings as well as the unjust ways of the prevailing powers and rulers of the day- leading to an inevitable clash between the bad and the good. The struggle for the establishment of a new order calls for patience, perseverance, steadfastness and  courage on the part of the humble believers, and when they develop supreme reliance and trust on their Lord, and work wholeheartedly to transform the existing centres of power in alliance with other like-minded peoples, it can bring about the impossible transformations.  It is Allah and His messenger and the believers indeed who shall eventually prevail in those searing battles between Islam and all other ideologies in every era, Insha Allah, Aameen. 

Noting the current afflictions and convulsions of a degrading earth with its devastating consequences visible all around the world, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) exhorts everyone to return to the true worship of God. It is by rejecting the Satanic impulses and influences, and by embracing the noble path of the prophets that believers can seek forgiveness,  mercy and blessings of God in transforming every obstacle into an opportunity for the onward march of the Faith. 

Read the Extracts from the Sermon Below: 

Reformation & The Da’ee Illallah

Serve the cause of Allah and the cause of mankind. Invite people around you to Allah. Follow Abraham’s example - how he gave life to the “dead/ those who are dying”. Be kind to people, help them with their needs and share their misfortunes; this is the best way to become a Da’ee Illallah. 

“And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead,’ He said, ‘Do you not believe, then?’ ‘Yes,’ said Abraham, ‘but just to put my heart at rest.’ So God said, ‘Take four birds and train them to come back to you. Then place them on separate hilltops, call them back, and they will come flying to you: know that God is all powerful and wise’.” (Al-Baqara 2: 261) 

The term “Dawat Illallah” or “Da’ee Illallah” means “The call of men to Allah.” I have chosen this theme once again as the subject of my sermon so that you can fully understand how people can be called “to life” and how as a SAHIH AL ISLAM who is aware of his responsibilities, you must put yourselves at the service of Allah, and at the same time of that of humanity by inviting men [people] to our Creator. 

Allah says in the Holy Qur’an: “And as for those who strive for Our cause, We will guide them on Our paths.” (Al-Ankabut 29: 70) 

The Parable of Abraham's Birds

Dawa-t-Allah: Part V

“And when Abraham said, ‘My Lord, show me how You give life to the dead,’ He said, ‘Do you not believe, then?’ ‘Yes,’ said Abraham, ‘but just to put my heart at rest.’ So God said, ‘Take four birds and train them to come back to you. Then place them on separate hilltops, call them back, and they will come flying to you: know that God is all powerful and wise’.” (Al-Baqara 2: 261)

The members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam around the world have become quite familiar with the term Dawat-i-Allah which means: “The call made to men to Allah.”

This term has become familiar to you because in the past years I have continually drawn your attention to the importance of the mission for which you were created. Inviting man to Allah is the best service that man can give to man. A reminder is constantly being made to you but I fear that only a few of you will understand the full scope. If you really knew it, all the members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the rest of the Muslims around the world would be at the moment I speak immersed in this blessed work.

You who are listening to me at this moment, know the importance of this task that has been entrusted to man. But most of you, that I have the happiness to tell this, are almost unfamiliar with this work. You do not know how to do it. You listen to me of course and by the expressions of your faces I know that you are determined to do something, but unfortunately as soon as you get out of here you will forget all that you have heard, and all that I ask you to do. I sometimes wonder why I have to constantly repeat it at the top of my voice to make you understand the importance of this mission, because if you do not take any action, then no one in this world can save humanity from the abyss of destruction.

The world is rapidly moving towards a point of no return. Men have turned their backs to God even though they proclaim loudly and strongly that they believe in Him but practically, the roads they follow are moving them away from Him. If you have any doubt about it, explain to me why there is no peace in this world? Why is there so much rancour and bitterness in people’s hearts? Why so much social malaise, so much fear and mistrust? Where he is, man turns his back on peace, stumbles and loses his balance; he remains an unsatisfied one, with deep fears for his future. All this cannot be the fate of those who worship God or who take the path that leads them to Him.

Social Boycott in the Ahmadiyya Community

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International has just published a new book in Malayalam, entitled ‘Boycott? Or, No Boycott?’. Originally written by Hadhrat Imam Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius, the present Malayalam translation is by Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Raother Saheb of Mathra. Written almost five years ago, the Book remains as relevant and topical as ever, discussing the official policy of of the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya vis-a-vis the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, especially the arrogant institutional decision by the Nizam-e-Jamaat leadership to socially boycott all those who believe or support Hadhrat Munir Saheb (atba) -a Muslim believer who claims he is a recipient of Divine messages in our times.

The Boycott Policy calls for profound spiritual reflections on the part of common Ahmadis as it touches upon, and has grave implications for, their foundational beliefs and personal convictions. Do they plan to behave unjustly and arrogantly in the times of a Divine Elect among them? As the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya is premised on the continuity of Divine revelations within the Muslim Ummah in every era, it is astonishingly ironical to see how the Nizamis seek to dispute God’s messages in this era, with no authority to do so. How can they be so deluded when they can still read the Qur’an?

Indeed, the Holy Qur’an advices humility, openness, caution and wisdom- rather than expulsion and boycott induced by power and hubris- to people who encounter God’s servants in their midst, by referring to the sojourn of Moses (as) among the Pharoah’s people:

“How can you expel a man just for saying, ‘My Lord is Allah,’? He has brought you clear signs from your Lord- if he is a liar, on his own head be it- and if he is truthful, then at least some of what he has threatened will happen to you. Allah does not guide any rebellious, outrageous liar. 

My people, as masters in the land you have the power today, but who will help us from the punishment of Allah if it comes upon us?” (40: 29-30)

Reproduced below is the text of the Introduction to the Malayalam Translation:

The present book entitled ‘Boycott? Or, No Boycott?’, written by Hadhrat Imam Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius in 2014, makes an important contribution to the debates around the anti-Islamic policy of “social boycott” being aggressively implemented by the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in recent times. The profound forensic examination and clinical arguments of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba), unravelling the roots and branches of this anti-human policy of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya, is compulsory reading for all Ahmadi Muslims who care about their foundational beliefs and the ‘directions’ of their Jamaat in recent times.

Khalifatullah visits Seychelles

 About Seychelles

The Seychelles consist of 115 small islands scattered across a wide area of the western part of Indian Ocean between Madagascar and the equator.

The original French colonists on the previously uninhabited islands, along with their black slaves, were joined in the 19^th century by deportees from France. Asians from China, India, and Malaya (Peninsular Malaysia) arrived later in smaller numbers. Widespread intermarriage has resulted in a population of mixed descent.

Creole, also called Seselwa, is the mother tongue of most Seychellois. Under the constitution, Creole, English, and French are recognized as national languages.

Mahé, the largest island, is 29 km long and mostly about 3 to 6 km wide. It has a population of over 70,000. About half of the population lives in or around Victoria, which is the capital, and indeed the only town in the Seychelles (nothing else is bigger than a village). Praslin, the second-largest island, is 13 km long and has a population of about 5,000. More than four-fifths of the population are Roman Catholics. There are also Anglicans, Christians of other denominations, Hindus, and Muslims.

A Dawah Mission to Seychelles 

The start of June 2014 saw to the departure of the Khalifatullah, Hazrat Munir A. Azim (atba) along with his delegation to the Seychelles, according to the Divine Instructions. Allah is ever with His chosen servants. When Allah gave an instruction, therefore He is the One who opens the way for His Elect to go and accomplish the works He has been instructed to do. Therefore, in the process Allah makes that way so bright and miraculous that it leaves no doubt as to the truthfulness of His blessed Messenger.

An Introduction to Islam

In his Friday Sermon of January 10, 2014 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius gives a profound and eloquent introduction to the religion of Islam. The true path to the Divine, preached and propagated by the Messengers and Reformers all through history, continues to remain accessible for those who earnestly strive and transform their own selves to meet the rigours and trials of faith, assures the Messenger of Allah of our times.

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

Without faith in God Almighty, man is blind. The essence of all religions is to bring forward mankind as one family under the banner of the unity of the Creator of the Heavens and Earth.

Religion has been and will always be what man makes of it, and that is why man must take absolute precaution as to how he defines religion and how he goes about implementing religion, the true one in his everyday life. Religion may become a mere thought if not defined properly and acted upon. That is why God Almighty Himself brought forward Islam as the living religion of man. It is not only a religion, but the actual way of life of mankind, and especially the dedicated servants of God. From Prophet Adam to the last of all the law-bearing prophets, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), religion received its true meaning and purpose: to access to God Almighty (Allah – the Supreme and Absolute name of Almighty God; name which no human can and will hold).

Islam: The true purpose of life, absolute submission to the living and unique God, the religion of peace and harmony bringing mankind as one entity in the worship of the Almighty.

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)

Preaching in an Atheistic World

Atheistic notions and materialistic preoccupations generally dominate the societies today- East and West, North and South. The counter-religious, atheistic ideas and prejudices have evolved over the past many centuries, especially in Europe. This is, in many ways, a consequence of the corruption in the very idea of religion itself as presented by its so-called adherents in history. When the ‘religion’ challenged common sense and instituted anti-nature notions and belief systems in the name of God, thoughtful people moved away from what they could see around.

One of the world’s most influential scientists, Sir Isaac Newton (January 4, 1643 - March 31, 1727) was among those who rejected such inherited beliefs and distorted religious traditions. In the 1690's, Newton wrote a number of religious tracts dealing with the literal interpretation of the Bible, including a manuscript in which he disputed the existence of the Trinity. Many others preferred to be agnostics or even atheists, rather than follow what their intellects could not agreed to. The trajectory of spiritual history and the secular revolt in Europe testify to this. Given this historic background and contemporary situation, the dilemma of the Believer is this: how to do the preaching of Islam to a world that does seem to reject the concept of God itself?

In his Friday Sermon of November 02, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius analyses the larger context and problem. The Messenger of Allah of our times points out that the issue is not beyond a solution. The believers have to equip themselves with sufficient knowledge and understanding about the background of people to whom they are bringing the message of God/Allah. Different strategies and tools have to utilised and deployed in reaching out to people from diverse backgrounds. At the end of the day, it is one’s own example-sublime faith in God and the profound practice of Islam in the everyday life of the believer- that will attract the world to the fold of Islam.   

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

“And who is better in speech than one who invites (people) to Allah and does good works and says, ‘Indeed, I am of the Muslims’.” (41: 34).