The Hidden Meaning of Ramadan

  

Fasting in general is filled with many benefits. It does not only bring physical benefits, but also spiritual benefits, hidden benefits. Ramadan is a month in which the hidden truth within the soul is given an opportunity to manifest. It is an opportunity that Allah grants to each of His believing servants to change, to reform, to reflect upon their past mistakes and sins, and to approach Allah with repentance in the hope of acquiring His forgiveness. Whoever Allah forgives during the sacred month of Ramadan is given by Allah a new beginning, a new chance to prove themselves in the world.

 

The benefits of fasting are great, but the fast of Ramadan is greater still, because here lies the question of obedience and recognition that this month, as Allah has revealed, is a month filled with blessings. Thus, whoever observes the fast of Ramadan obtains an inner unveiling of their soul: all their sins or mistakes that they once thought small and without consequence take on a great magnitude in their own eyes, and they truly realise how wrong they were and they ask Allah for forgiveness. And Allah loves the one who becomes conscious of themselves, of their mistakes and sins, and turns towards Him. This is why Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) taught his wife Hazrat Aisha (ra) to recite often: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa‘fu ‘anni – O Allah, You are Forgiving, You love to forgive, so forgive me.

The Benefits of Ramadan Fasting

  

Ramadan does not only mean abstaining from eating and drinking, but it is also a complete transformation that touches faith, society, health and spirituality. Whoever practises it with sincerity gets inner discipline, succeeds in drawing closer to Allah, develops a solid brotherhood with the Ummah – his Muslim brothers and sisters – and attains a sure means to purify his body and his soul. The Holy Qur’an and Sunnah have shown us several categories of benefits of Ramadan, and I will cite some of them before you:

 

(1) Taqwa (Fear of Allah) 

 

Allah says in the Qur’an: “O you who have believed, fasting (Roza) has been prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain Taqwa.” (Al-Baqara 2: 184)

The Shahada- 2

  

Shahada, that is, the testimony: Laa Ilaaha illallaahu Muhammadur-Rasullullah, is not merely a formula of faith; it is a complete commitment that Allah demands from a believer, so that he establishes only Allah alone in his heart as his Lord, his God, and that he does not worship any other things, or people, or animals, or claim that these are gods alongside Allah. This person must be conscious that when he pronounces these words, that Allah alone is worthy of worship, not others, and NOT EVEN THE PROPHETS whom Allah sent upon the earth.

 

That is why Shahada is in two phases: first, to believe in Allah and worship Him alone, and second, to believe in Muhammad (pbuh), His Prophet, His Messenger. Here, what is important to retain is that Allah makes it clear: Beware! I alone am worthy of worship – you must pray to Me alone. My Messenger Muhammad (pbuh), just like all the prophets and messengers before him and even those who will come after him, are only human beings who come from Me to show you the path that will lead you to Me.

The Road to Allah

Islam and Imaan

The central pillar of Islam is the worship of Allah, the One, never associating anything or anyone with Him. Any form of worship dedicated to anyone other than Allah is unjust and futile, because He alone holds all powers to grant our wishes and accept our requests and prayers (duahs). This fundamental truth is encapsulated in the core declaration of faith, the Shahada: Laa Ilaaha Illallah (There is no deity worthy of worship except Allah).

To guide humanity towards His pleasure and satisfaction, and thereby towards the path of righteousness, Allah has sent prophets to every people. These Messengers and Prophets of Allah preached, just as their predecessors did, the oneness of Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was the best among men, the most pious and exemplary of his time. As Muslims, it is our duty to love him and follow his path (Sunnah, his practices), for he was sent by Allah as a mercy to the universe. Allah chose him to receive the final revelation of the law (the Quran), which is intended to guide humanity towards righteousness and eternal happiness.

Duahs for Palestine

 

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of special signififcance for devout Muslims around the world. During this august spiritual occasion, they observe pious acts of Faith in remembrance of Divine commands, and engage in worshipful prayers seeking Divine mercy and grace for personal and social benefits, and for peace and justice in the world, for the welfare of the Muslim Ummah and global humanity. This year, on 28 March 2025~27 Ramadan 1446 AH, on the blessed occassion of the last Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the living servant of Islam and holy founder of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, Hazrat Imam Al Mahdi Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, delivered a spiritually- illuminating Friday Sermon on the highway to God, explaining the profound meaning of Islam and Imaan. 

Being Muslim entails a commitment to justice and fairness; a rejection of oppression and persecution; resistance to disorder and domineering through lawful means and methods; and invocation of soulful prayers for change of fortunes in favour of the oppressed peoples. Reproduced below are extracts from the aforesaid Friday Sermon containing fervent supplications to the Almighty Allah by this humble servant and elect of God Almighty seeking erasure of a genocidal order in Israel and the emancipation of the oppressed in Palestine:

'When you look at what is happening outside, especially in Palestine, small children – little ones – are sacrificing and keeping fasts with just a sip of water. They have nothing to break their fast with, nothing to eat for Sehri/ Suhur; what kind of hardship they are going through. Some have lost their parents; some have lost their wives, some have lost their husbands, some have lost their children – all because of the oppression that these tyrants are committing. So, this month of Ramadan is a month for us to perform Jihad against these people. Our Jihad is not to throw bombs, not to take swords in our hands, not to kill. Our Jihad is to turn towards the One Who holds all power, that is, Allah; and it is Allah Who can bring an end to them for the kind of oppression they have committed. 

Al-Qadr: The Night of Decree

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Truly, We revealed it (the Quran) on the Night of Decree. And what will make you understand what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend during it by the permission of their Lord, bringing every command. Peace it is until the break of dawn. (Surah Al-Qadr 97: 1-6) 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we enter the final third of this blessed month of Ramadan. During these last 10 days, Allah and His beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) have taught us that there lies a night within, so magnificent that its blessings surpass those of 1,000 months.

The Month of Fasting

  

Ramadan is here once again. This blessed month is filled with many blessings and offers a unique opportunity to every Muslim. To fully benefit from it, it is essential to understand what this month symbolizes and what we can gain from it to come closer to Allah and His paradise.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“O you who believe! Fasting has been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing (attain Taqwa)” (Al-Baqara 2:184).

 

Divine commandments, including fasting during Ramadan, aim to instil piety (taqwa) in the hearts of believers. They help purify the soul, develop patience, seek forgiveness for sins, and obtain divine rewards. Fasting during Ramadan, in particular, is a way to draw closer to Allah, strengthen one’s faith, and engage in deep spiritual reflection. It also instils values such as discipline, empathy towards the less fortunate, and gratitude for the blessings received.

An Interview with Imam Mahdi

 

Today, 19 April 2024, marks the 21^st anniversary of the first Bai’at [the covenant of repentance with God] initiated and accepted by Hazrat Amir-ul-Mu’mineen Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius on 19 April 2003. On that day in 2003, soon after the demise of the fourth caliph of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Mirza Tahir Ahmad Saheb [1928-2003] in London [UK], Hazrat Amir-ul-Mu’mineen (aba) received the Divine instruction to accede to the request of Muslim brothers and sisters in Mauritius to receive Bai’at in the Hand of Allah (represented by the hand of Hazrat Imam (aba)]; marking an important milestone in the sacred history and trajectory of Islamic renewal over the centuries. Accordingly, the first Bai’at was held that evening in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mu'mineen Fazli Amena Saheba on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius. From that momentous occasion, over the last two decades, the spiritual mission of Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Mahdi (aba) has been, and is, thriving by the grace and blessings of Allah (swt). And for true spiritual seekers- those who have eyes to observe, ears to listen and hearts to understand-, the support and help of God is clearly evident in the progressive trajectory of the Divine Manifestation of our era, Subhaan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!

It is absolutely certain that Hazrat Imam Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius has appeared as a servant of Faith in our midst with proof from Allah the Almighty. The divine revelations vouchsafed to Hazrat Saheb (aba) comprises matters of the unseen and prophecies with regard to the future, acceptance of prayer, revelation in various languages, and revelation of points of wisdom and divine truths- exactly like in the times of the promised messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908]. Since all this is divine testimony, it is the duty of everyone who possesses faith to accept his claim  as the servant of God in this era, the Divinely-raised ‘Muhyiuddin’/ ‘Mujaddid’/ ‘Khalifatullah’/’ Dhul Qarnain’/ ‘Imam Mahdi’- all being spiritual titles bestowed by the Lord Himself upon His servant of this era.    

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2024

 

Eid-ul-Fitr, its Traditions & The Steps forward to Allah

EID-UL-FITR, a day of rejoicing, celebration, visits to relatives and neighbours is among us again. On this blessed day, not only adults are happy but children are also enthusiastic in their beautiful ornaments specially made or purchased for Eid. They are excited to meet their friends and close relatives and receive their gift today: Eiddi - a tradition that is still maintained among Muslim families. Beforehand, there is the major cleaning of the house, the changing of the curtains, and the purchase of various ingredients to prepare the traditional Eid lunch, especially in the Mauritian context, the Briani. As it is mentioned in the collection of Hadiths by Imam Bukhari: “And on this day one must be joyful, share his meal and his time with the family.”

 

This is legitimate because after having fasted during the month of Ramadan for the Pleasure of Allah, our Creator, He offers us – to us, Muslims – this gift. It is a gift He gave us with the advent of His beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and the command to fast the month of Ramadan.

Celebrating ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ 2024

 

With the sighting of the crescent moon on the skies of the Kerala coast on the evening of 09 April 2024, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam members in India celebrated ‘Eid-ul-Fitr’ with special prayers and feasting and festivities on Wednesday, 10 April 2024, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.

Brothers and sisters and children of the Jamaat mainly congregated at the mosques of the community for Eid special prayers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

With many members of the Jamaat observing I’tikaaf in the last ten days of the fasting month of Ramadan at the Sirajum Munir Masjid in Tamil Nadu, and also at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra in Kerala; the mosques became the natural venues for the members celebrating Eid-ul-Fitr. Eid prayers were also conducted in other places in both the States, and also outside of these two States where members live, bringing alive the Qur’anic command to turn ‘places of living’ into virtual mosques for the pure devotion and worship of Allah (swt). 

‘Laila-tul-Qadr’: An Interview

 

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” (2:185)

'Truly, We revealed this on a Night full of blessings...’ (44:4)

We revealed it on the ‘Laila-tul-Qadr’ [the Night of Destiny, the Blessed Night & filled with virtues] (97:2)

Ramadan 2024: Public Message

 

Ramadan, Layla-tul-Qadr & Eid-ul-Fitr: 

The Blessings of A Lifetime

Muslims all round the world are commanded by God Almighty to fast the month of Ramadan. Ramadan is such a blessed month wherein the very first verses of the Holy Quran – the Holy words of Allah – were revealed to Muhammad (pbuh) through the Chief of all angels, Jibreel (Gabriel). Those first revelations have the power even today to make the true believer tremble with awe and love. Its very evocation brings about solace and happiness for the believer at the divine boon received in that blessed moment in time.

Twenty-nine or thirty days of blessings: yet, those days hold therein a concealed night, wrapped in the mystery of divine knowledge, to deliver to those who successfully attain and receive it, the blessings of a lifetime. The Night of Decree (Layla-tul-Qadr) as this night is called is like the most precious of pearls, more precious than any treasure in this world. It is the gateway to such divine blessings which can erase a sincere person’s sins and make him pure like a newborn babe.

'Itikaaf' Guidelines

 

In his Friday Sermon of 29 March 2024 ~18 Ramadan 1445 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius offers an exposition on 'Itikaaf’, the devotional Muslim practice of staying in a spiritual retreat at a Masjid or other secluded space in the last 10 days of the fasting month of Ramadan for pure worship of the Divine, far away from all material entanglements of everyday life. In this discourse, as true believers around the world prepare themselves to perform 'Itikaaf' in the final ten days of Ramadan, Hazrat Saheb (aba) offers practical guidance on 'Itikaaf'- related invocations and supplications and additional prayers in the seclusion of the meditative space. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below:   

Religion (Deen, Deen of Allah, Islam) came to bring balance and perfection to man in his life. Without religion, man loses his bearings and therefore will not be able to live a healthy life. It is religion that encourages marriage, family life and prayer.

 

The fact that we are being watched (by Allah, and His angels) and that we must one day be held accountable for our actions forces us to behave well and think twice before committing despicable acts. The religion of Islam advocates moderation and does not tolerate any extremes. On the one hand, there is the obligation of everyone to seek a lawful livelihood, and on the other hand one must engage in religious obligations every day. But during the year one should have a balance between worldly activities and spirituality. And this is where we note that the prophet (pbuh) dedicated the last ten days of each Ramadan to Itikaaf. It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (ra) that after the death of the Prophet (pbuh), his wives also sat down for the ten days of Itikaaf (Bukhari).

'Tahajjud' and 'Tarawee'

  

In the aftermath of a humble request for explanations from his spiritual mentor and guide in this era, a humble disciple of the Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir A. Azim (aba) has axed his questions on the importance of Tahajjud and Tarawee in Islam. His questions are as follows:

 

1. What is the difference between Tahajjud and Tarawee?

2. Do we pray Tahajjud (After Isha, before Fajr) at different times during Ramadan and non-Ramadan (nights)?

3. The Prophet (pbuh) did not perform the Tahajjud prayer or the Tarawee prayer together. Why do we do it?

 

Hazrat Khalifatullah's considered response to these set of questions shine  a clear light of guidance on a vital aspect of Islamic spiritual practice in the fasting month of Ramadan: the devotional practice of offering voluntary prayers known as the Tarawee Prayers after the Esha prayers- both in its original, historical context, but also in relation to the Tahajjud Prayers, explaining the practices against the wider backdrop of the Holy Prophet's own approach and those of the pious second caliph Hazrat Umar (ra), and what these additional prayers mean  in the spiritual journey of the believers in their quest for Divine nearness, pleasure and approval. 

The Petals of Ramadan

  

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the holy month - Ramadan - is here among us since a few days. Today is the 11^th day of this blessed month. Ramadan is such a powerful name that when its name is evoked - remembered - the heart finds its tranquillity. This sacred month par excellence, by its very presence brings contentment in the life of every sincere believer. This month really becomes a moment of exceptional fervour for each of them.

 

The month of Ramadan, metaphorically speaking, is a flower whose petals evoke the Divine Beauty, His (Allah’s) wisdom as well as His mercy towards the believers.

Ramadan & Its Light

  

'Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction. So whoever is present this month, let him fast.' (Quran 2: 186)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, We have received the Quran as a guide (guidance) for humanity and its first verses were revealed in the month of Ramadan. The first verses are: ‘Iqra bismi Rabbikallazii khalaq, Khalaqal-‘insaana min ‘alaq. Iqra’ wa Rabbukal-‘Akram, Allazii ‘allama bil-Qalam. ‘Allamal-‘insaana maa lam ya’-lam (Read, in the name of your Lord, the Creator, Who created man from something that sticks. Read. Your Lord, He is the Most Generous, Who teaches with the pen, teaches man what he did not know).

 

Allah has chosen to make His greatest law-bearing prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) remain an Ummi (illiterate) - whereby he did not know how to read or write - so that the world may know the true worth of the Quran that He has revealed through him. Allah has sent Hazrat Jibreel (as), the chief of the angels of revelations to teach him His pure words which would later serve as guidance for all humanity.

'Ramadan Mubarak!'

 

Ramadan & Its Light

'Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was revealed as guidance to men and clear proofs of the guidance and the distinction. So whoever is present this month, let him fast.' (Quran 2: 186)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, with my recent trip to India, I thank my Lord for allowing me to meet my sincere disciples and make our programs with His blessings and graces. I would like to thank everyone who contributed to making this trip a memorable one.

 

With Shabaan drawing to a close, and the most blessed of Ramadan coming, it is the duty of every believer who is healthy to fast as per the commandment of Allah.

Celebrating 'Eid-ul-Fitr' 2023

 

Alhamdulillah, the fasting month of Ramadan this year, by the immense grace and favours of Allah (swt), turned out to be an exceptional time for devotees of Allah in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International:  very many signs of Divine pleasure and satisfaction, and related/associated visions and dreams of fine quality and substance were vouchsafed to many humble and sincere members of the Jamaat, Masha Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!

While Islamic teachings promise the special descent of ‘Laila-tul-Qadr’ in the last 10 days of the fasting month, the rank and file of the Jamaat had the great favour of witnessing to a number of interesting Divine Signs during this period- for instance, just like in the times of the Promised Messiah (as), red drops became visible in the copybook of the Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah (aba) of this era: out of nowhere, it suddenly appeared like a Divine attestation on the incredible efforts and profound service of Hazrat Saheb (aba) in making Qur’an accessible to a larger audience around the world in these complex and challenging times, Allahumma Allah-u-Akbar!

Against the backdrop of these mystical visions and experiences and related Divine Signs in the holy month of Ramadan, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr this year with members of the Jamaat-men, women, boys and girls- converging together at Mosques and other prayer centers in various parts of the world, including Mauritius, Comoros, Madagascar, Dubai, Delhi, Sirajum Munir Masjid at VK Puram (Tamil Nadu), and the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra (Kerala), Summa Alhamdulillah. 

Ramadan: Dreams and Visions- I

 

Ramadan is a special month in the devotional calendar of the Muslim. This month of fasting is characterized by an atmosphere of spiritual contemplations, special invocations and other supererogatory acts of worship and remembrance of God whereby the Muslim seeks nearness to his/her Lord. Members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in India have reported several pure dreams and pious visions of a mystical nature that clearly points to Divine Light and Pleasure on the Jamaat of Allah (twt) in this blessed month of Ramadan, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.  

 

Reproduced below is a remarkable description of certain mystical experiences that took place on Saturday, 01 April 2023 & again, on Sunday 02 April 2023 after 9 pm during Taraweeh prayer- reported by our dear brother Muhammad Sabir Saheb of Palakkad (Kerala) on behalf of his pious and humble wife, Mubeena Sabir Saheba:

'Laila-tul-Qadr': The Night of Decree

  

For today’s Friday Sermon, the penultimate Friday of the holy month of Ramadan, the theme I have chosen is on the Laila-tul-Qadr, as well as the Duah that our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has taught us on this occasion.

He taught this Duah to his wife Aisha (ra) so that she and the entire Ummah could take advantage of this illustrious night in divine forgiveness, and thus imitate him in the accomplishment of this great Duah. The Duah is as follows: “Allahumma Innaka Afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’ fu anni.” The translation of this Duah is as follows: O Allah, You are Forgiving, You love to forgive, so forgive me.

 

So, let us see the words that our beloved Prophet (pbuh) used to beg forgiveness from Allah, and that according to him is the greatest Duah that one can recite during the duration of this blessed night.