‘Umrah’: A Pilgrimage to Makkah

 

The city of the Kaaba, variously called in the past as Bakkah, Umm Al-Qura, and Al-Balad Al-Amin, and its mountains witnessed the first revelation received by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), and the birth of Islam. Hence, for the devout Muslim, Makkah is the purest spot on earth, and the holiest destination in the world.

‘Allah has made the Ka'aba, the Sacred House, as a means of support and uplift for mankind and (has sanctified) the sacred months and the sacrificial animals and the garlands (by which they are identified). That is so that you may know that Allah knows what is in the heavens and what is in the earth, and that Allah knows all things well.’ (5:98)

‘We made the House a resort and a sanctuary for people, saying, ‘Take the spot where Abraham stood as your place of prayer.’ (2:125)

‘Let them worship the Lord of this House: who provides them with food to ward off hunger, safety to ward off fear.’ (106: 4-5)

‘Therein are clear signs, the station of Abraham; and whoever enters it is in security. It is the duty of people towards God to make the pilgrimage to the House, all who are able to make their way there. As for the one who disbelieves, God is Independent of all the worlds.’ (3:97)

Eid-ul-Adha Sermon 2021

The Sacrifice of the Self

“Here I am, O Allah, here I am, Here I am, You have no partner, here I am. Verily all praise and thanks and all blessings and all sovereignty are Yours. You have no partner.” 

Pilgrims chant this prayer during their pilgrimage, from within the boundaries of the Ka’aba to the plains of Arafat; A prayer that elegantly underlines the process of this enterprise- total devotion after a complete renunciation of worldly desires. 

There are perhaps about sixty thousand pilgrims participating in the Hajj this year. Faced with the Covid-19 pandemic, it is people of different nationalities who already live in Saudi Arabia who are making the pilgrimage this year. This is the second time in this century [the 21^st century], as well as since the founding of Saudi Arabia [in 1932] that the Hajj has not taken place under normal conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and its variants. Last year for the first time in Saudi Arabian history, Hajj was performed by just about a thousand people in Saudi Arabia. Pilgrims from other countries did not receive visas to perform Hajj during these two years as a precaution and to preserve the health and life of the pilgrims. 

So in this century of divine manifestation, the Hajj, which usually attracts over a million pilgrims from dozens of countries, has not taken place under normal conditions.

All Muslims around the world cherish the desire to one day perform these sacred rites of Hajj - one of the five pillars of Islam. With this pandemic that has changed a lot of human behaviour, as well as the systems of the world, Hajj is no exception. Despite the Hajj taking place, but its normality is abruptly interrupted. 

For the hundreds of millions of Muslims who stay at home, and who mourn this loss of non-observance of Hajj, because of this restriction, there is Eid-ul-Adha, celebrated on the tenth day of the month of Hajj [Dhul-Hijjah] when, in Mecca, the pilgrimage ends. Devotees usually go to the mosque for prayers, after which they slaughter animals as sacrifices. In these days how necessary it is for every believer to remember his duties towards his Creator as well as towards his fellow men!

‘Dawah’ Magazine 2021

 

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International (Mauritius) has just unveiled a new publication, entitled ‘Sahih Al Islam Photo Magazine: Basking in the Light of Memories Past, 2015-2020.’  Originally published in January 2021, the Book is a solemn tribute to Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) on the happy occasion of his 60th (Janam Din) Birthday. Indeed, this year also marks the completion of the first two decades of steadfast preaching of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius. Compiled by the dedicated Jamaat team in Mauritius and edited by Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Sadr Saheba International Fazli Amena Varsally, the book captures stunning images from the last half a decade of Jamaat activities, chronicling historic moments, International Dawah Missions and other social events of Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) along with his disciples, both at home (Mauritius), and abroad.

The present Book, in many ways, carries forward the work already done by the Jamaat team when “Light-Giving Moon” was published in 2016, providing an accessible glimpse into the family and spiritual background and important Dawah missions of Hazrat Saheb (aba) through Photo Essays for the period up to 2015. During the last five years, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam activities have increased exponentially, and the record of very important activities indeed needed to be preserved for posterity, and the present Book goes a long way in celebrating some of the historical events of the Jamaat during this period, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. 

'Duah': Invocations to Allah- XXI

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue, by the grace of Allah, The Possessor of Majesty, Honour and Glory [Dhul Jalali wal Ikram] my 21^st and final sermon in this series of sermons centred on duahs. This subject is certainly very vast and we can never stop talking about the subject of duahs; I cannot put before you [in these few sermons] all the duahs that Allah revealed to His Messengers, Messiah and the Khalifatullah of the time.                                 

Rabbi atinee milladunka ansaaran fee deenika wa adh-hib annee huznee wa asli lee shaanee kullahu laa ilaaha illa anta.

O my Lord! Grant me helpers to assist me in Your religion, and take away my worries and make me succeed in my efforts; there is nobody else to help except You.

 

Wamaa taufeeqee illa billaahi, rabbi’an-tiquaa bil-haqqi waksif’-alainal haqqa wahdinaa ilaa haqqin mubeen.

I am not in a position to achieve anything without the favour of Almighty God. O my Lord, help me to speak truth, reveal truth to us and guide us to righteousness.

 

Bismillah-illazi laa yazwurru ma’asmihi shay-unn fil ardzi wa laa fis-samaa’a-ee wa huwa sami’-ul ‘aleem.

In the name of Allah, the name of Whom none in this world and in the heavens can do any harm, and He hears all and knows all.

 

Rabbin surrni ‘alal qawmil-mufsideen.

O my Rab, help me against the people who are creating havoc.

 

Wa laa tousmitbi aduwan wa laa laasedan.

Let not any jealous or enemy humiliate me.

 

Rabbi kullu shay-inn khaadimuka; Rabbi faahfazna wan surna war hamna.

My Rab, all things are Your servant; My Lord protect us and guide us and have pity on us.

The Murder of Tahir Naseem

Charged with the offence of 'blasphemy' and facing legal proceedings for the last two years in Pakistan, Tahir Ahmad Naseem was murdered by a fanatic youth on Wednesday, 29 July 2020. Apparently, the assassin was able to sneak inside a Peshawar courtroom where a judge was presiding over the case, and  shoot the victim down at point blank range, to silence him forever. Media reports testify that while the gunman Faisal Khan was immediately apprehended by the police; the murder is being openly celebrated as a 'victory of Islam', with many Mullahs competing among themselves to declare the murderer a 'Ghazi' - soldier of Islam-, turning a horrific murdered into national hero! 

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2020

I wish Eid Mubarak to all my disciples around the world and I pray that this Eid be a blessing for us and the entire Muslim world. Insha-Allah.

Islam uses the word “Eid” to express joy. It’s a day that comes at the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting and sacrifice. It is a day when our prayers (Salaat and Duahs) are accepted, and we must make this supplication: O Allah, make this day come more often. Ameen.

On that day, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used to praise Allah in a very special way with great love and brilliance. A question was asked: When was Eid first celebrated?

The first Ramadan was observed in the second year of the Hegira and it was during this same Ramadan that Muslims fought the battle of Badr. The Muslims weren’t even done dressing the wounds of war. It is mentioned that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was so exhausted that he leaned on Hazrat Bilal (ra) and it was only with the help of the latter that he stood up and pronounced his sermon.

A few days before the celebration of Eid, he announced the Sadaqat-ul-Fitr which he had made compulsory for every Muslim. As soon as this Fitrana was announced, the companions generously contributed. The money thus collected was distributed among the poor before and after Eid festival.

However according to another tradition (Sunnah), it was during this same Eid that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) had, outdoors and in a vast place celebrated the Eid festival. According to Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah (ra), the Holy Prophet (pbuh) in his sermon, placed great emphasis on the glory and the Hamd (praise) of Allah. He praised Allah in an extraordinary and special way.

The Ka'aba as a Sign of God

The story of the Ka'aba

Mecca, the Holy City is the busiest city in Saudi Arabia. The Holy Mosque (Masjid al Haram) is located in Mecca. It is a city in the Arabian Peninsula 350 meters above the sea. The Ka’aba is in the middle of the Sacred Mosque. This mosque is located in a space called Bakka.

The date of its foundation goes back to the time of Hazrat Ibrahim (as), the Prophet (Nabi) and the Friend (Khalil) of Allah. It is in this city that the Holy Prophet of Islam was born. It is also the cradle of the revelation that welcomed the light of Islam and it is there that springs the Sacred Mosque, the first installed on earth for the men by virtue as it is evident from the words of the Most High (Allah): “The first House that was built for the people is that of Bakka (Mecca), blessed and a good direction for the universe.” (Al-Imran 3: 97)

It has been safely reported from Abu Dharr that he said, “I asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) about the first mosque on earth? He said, ‘The Holy Mosque’ and then I said to him, ‘Which one afterwards?’ He said, ‘The Al-Aqsa Mosque.’ I told him, ‘How much time has passed between the two?’ He said, ‘40 years old.’”

The Ka’aba towards which the Muslims of the East and West (all Muslims) turn for their prayers (to worship the Unique Lord of the Ka’aba), is approximately found at the centre of the Sacred Mosque. It has a height of 15 metres and takes the form of a large cube almost square. It was built by Hazrat Ibrahim (as) on the command of Allah the Most High. Allah the Almighty and Majestic says: “And when We appointed for Ibrahim the place of the House (the Ka’aba) saying to Him, ‘Do not associate Me with anything; and cleanse My House for those who circle around it, for those who stand up in prayer, and for those who bow and make prostration.’” (Al-Hajj 22: 27).

The term “bawwa’na” means: We directed it and made it available to it and gave it permission to build. In this regard, Allah the Almighty says: “And when Abraham and Ishmael raised the foundation of the House, [saying], ‘O our Lord, accept this from us! For You are the Hearing, the Knowing.’” (Al-Baqara 2: 128).

'Umrah': The Khalifatullah in Arabia

Fulfillment of a Grand Prophecy

He selects for His mercy whom He wills. And Allah is the possessor of great bounty. (3: 75).

But is it (not) that every time a messenger came to you, with what your souls did not desire, you were arrogant? And a party (of messengers) you denied and another party you strived to kill. (2: 88).

When on divine order I proclaimed myself as Muhyi-ud-Din (Reviver of Religion) and the Khalifatullah (Caliph of Allah) of this era, as well as other titles that Allah has granted me, the Muslims, more precisely the envious Ahmadi mullahs, stood up against me and began to heap blames and dirt at me, despising me. People who claim to be theologians and defenders of Islam, of Ahmadiyyat and defenders of the 'caliph' roam everywhere to raise the masses against the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and against the Khalifatullah of this century.

Since the beginning of the Divine Manifestation and the proclamation of this humble servant of God as Muhyi-ud-Din and Khalifatullah etc., the mullahs have mixed politics with their anti-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam designs. But who can stop the steamroller that has become Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam ? When God the Almighty is with us, who would dare to challenge Him and stand up against His will? Certainly the consequence of this one would be very lamentable, because Allah always supports His Elected/ Chosen servants and certainly fulfils His promises.