Spirituality: Learn about All Religions

My dear brothers and sisters,   

   May the peace of God be upon you.

I most warmly thank you – guests and members of the Jamaat present – for answering the call of our religious society – Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam – and came today. By the grace of Allah (God Almighty), our religious society organised this conference today as part of the centenary of the advent of the message of a reformer of God named Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) – originating from India – in Mauritius.

1915-2015: It has been a hundred years since the message of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) came to our little island of Mauritius. His message was spread to the four corners of Mauritius and today there are thousands of followers (who believed in his message) and who are located in several towns and villages of Mauritius and also in Rodrigues. His coming was already prophesied in the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). 

An 'Avatar' in the Age of 'Kalyug'

The Bible as well as the religion of Hinduism also prophesied about the coming of a reformer, and other great religions are still waiting for the advent of a reformer who will come for the reform of humanity. I’m sure that you, my Hindu and Christian brothers and sisters will agree with me that the world has entered the era of Kalyug (darkness), and therefore everyone is waiting for the promised Saviour/Reformer.

Then the Khalifatullah (atba) listed a series of evils which has gripped the present society, describing the actual Kalyug where people (men, women and children/youths) have abandoned Spirituality – the mosques and all places of worship – to grip the vices of this world such as drugs, gambling, fraud, corruption etc. People are now in places of worship only as a routine, but they are devoid of spirituality. 

Some Questions on Eating Pork

All in all I must say that I did not intend to do another Friday sermon on the subject of ‘Pork’, but after last Friday’s sermon on this subject, and on what that Mullah Basharat Naveed said, so I received several questions on the topic of ‘Pork’, from people in Mauritius, and those of the neighbouring islands also such as Reunion Island, Madagascar, the Seychelles and even Rodrigues. So through this Friday sermon, I will answer those questions. Insha-Allah, may Allah help me and give me the best answer to their question and that they are satisfied; and may Allah (swt) illuminates their hearts to Islam, Ameen.

1^st Question: Being Christian, I have no difficulty to eat pork and I ask you then why are Muslims not allowed to enjoy this so delicious food, like the Christians do?

I reply that this question is somewhat surprising, because according to the scriptures, even Christians are not allowed to eat pork. Well! Let’s see what the Bible says about pork, “You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” (Leviticus 11: 7-8). The same command is repeated in Deuteronomy (14: 8).

So, to make a commentary on these verses: the laws were inculcated and obeyed because they embodied the divine will. Pork, though one of the most common foods is one of the worst. God had forbidden Jews to eat pork, not merely to assert His authority, but because it was not a healthy food for humans.

2^nd Question: We, Christians want to know, what was the teaching of Jesus Christ on this subject?

The teaching of Jesus Christ was the same. He clearly said that the laws of the Old Testament were to be obeyed without change. So the answer I give you not only concerns our Christian brothers and sisters, but is also for all our Jewish brothers and sisters.

So in response I say:

Jesus Christ (pbuh) said: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven…” (Matthew 5: 17-19)

End of the Year: Celebration of Vanity

December - the month of revelry

The end of the Gregorian year is drawing to a close; everyone is so busy, so much that he forgets his own soul. December is a month of great temptations. Everyone is preparing for the end of year party, because the fun and entertainment are paramount whatever the circumstance, as an excuse just to relax after a long year of hard and stressful job.

Joy or excitation reigns in the atmosphere especially when people have a lot of money. It’s time to spend the hard-earned money. Like you know, the last month of the year allows officials, employees and workers to receive their bonuses or their rewards. So they feel a desire to buy, spend. But buy what? All they have under the eyes, little everything and nothingness. This is a first sign of temptation. They buy clothes and expensive footwear, alcoholic beverages that cost thousands of rupees, they organize parties, banquets, open buffets that cost a fortune. They buy firecrackers and fireworks at very high prices. Everyone thinks to do more than the other, if not to compete for more glory.

As for the merchant/seller, he is there to attract customers and to satisfy their needs as much as possible. Often, the (market) place (or place where the sales are being done) is invaded by loud music or songs that wreck the ears. We find the men and women mixed, especially in very narrow places. Many of these Muslim traders do not perform Salat (prayer) or do not close their stores for Salat-ul-Jummah (Friday prayers); for the simple reason of not losing a single client and not to leave any money to escape from their crates.

'Ethnic Cleansing' of Muslims in Central Africa

LIBREVILLE: "Ethnic cleansing" is being carried out against Muslim civilians in the Central African Republic, with international peacekeepers unable to prevent it, Amnesty International said on Wednesday. France's defence minister earlier called on international forces deployed in the Christian-majority country to put an end to attacks by the militias "by force if needed". Amnesty said it had documented at least 200 killings of Muslim civilians by Christian militia groups known as the anti-balaka, set up in the wake of the March 2013 coup by the mainly-Muslim Seleka rebellion. (Inset: Burning/looting of Muslim property and a mosque in PK 26 area, north of the capital Bangui in late January.© Amnesty International)

"Ethnic cleansing' of Muslims has been carried out in the western part of the Central African Republic, the most populous part of the country, since early January 2014," Amnesty International said in a report. "Entire Muslim communities have been forced to flee, and hundreds of Muslim civilians who have not managed to escape have been killed by the loosely organised militias known as anti-balaka."