'Zikr Allah' - IV

  

'We will present Hell, on that day, to the disbelievers. They are the ones whose eyes were too veiled concerning My Zikr.' (18:101-102) 

 

In the light of this verse, I continue my sermon on the virtues and the advantages of Remembrance of Allah.

 

In a Hadith, Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When a group (of people) come together to practice the Remembrance of Allah only for His pleasure, an angel proclaims in the sky: “Allah has forgiven you and replaced your sins by virtues.”

Libya Floods: A Divine Sign

‘Corruption has flourished on land and sea as a result of people’s actions and He will make them taste the consequences of some of their own actions so that they may turn back.’ (30: 42)

 

 

Consider the heart-breaking images emerging from Libya these days... Devastating floods that hit parts of eastern Libya last week killed more than 11,000 people. According to international media reports, the death toll could be even higher – as much as 20,000 – after whole neighbourhoods in the coastal city of Derna were swept away into the sea. More than 10,000 people are missing amid search and rescue efforts. While Derna has been by far the worst-hit city after dams overwhelmed the city, unleashing a torrent of water on it; the storm also killed people in the towns of Bayda, Susa, Um Razaz and Marj, according to Health Minister Othman Abduljalil.

 

 

The water that rushed into Derna was described as looking like a huge tsunami. While the floods were unprecedented, what happened in Libya cannot be explained as purely the result of a natural disaster. The oil-rich country has been mired in conflict since a 2011 uprising that toppled long-ruling dictator Muammar Gaddafi. With Libya divided between two rival administrations, the storm has exposed vulnerabilities in the nation. Years of neglect and corruption, poor maintenance of public infrastructure, and years of political infighting made the country particularly vulnerable and ill-equipped to tackle Storm Daniel, worsening the tragedy.

 

 

There is little doubt that catastrophic disasters are frequently unfolding around the world. Extreme ecological events are unsettling people’s lives in different nations. Unprecedented floods, forest fires, droughts, earthquakes, etc. are leading to humongous destruction of property, loss of human lives, and much suffering. People are anxiously looking around wondering which land is going to be pulverized next in the fury of nature. Is it not time for humanity to revert to spirituality in quest of Divine mercy and benevolence?

Poem: 'The Humbled Questioner'

 

Of what avail is my life, if You [Allah] in there I don’t find?

The mysteries of Your Love have driven me to Your door,

I hold many universes in my Whole,

Some say, it is mere pretence,

Some say these are but the Imprint of Your Name the High

Which sizzles my very existence with Your Glorious Presence!

On the Day of Judgement

 

Our moment of truth, our moment of reckoning is coming. Indeed, with every minute that is receding by, we are approaching the Day of Judgement. The Holy Qur’an calls this Day as the “Undeniable Reality” [Al Haqqah]. Like the Holy Qur’an states elsewhere, ‘Closer and closer it comes to you. Closer and closer still. Does man think he will be left alone? Was he not just a drop of spilt-out sperm, which became a clinging form, which God shaped in due proportion, fashioning from it the two sexes, male and female? Does He who can do this not have the power to bring the dead back to life?’ [75: 35-41].

 

On that Day, we will be presented at the infallible court of Allah (twt), ‘Master of the Day of Judgement’. On the hour of reckoning, the most comprehensive Book of Records will be unveiled; it is for us, each individual in her own merit, to face our beliefs, words, intentions and deeds- actions in complete detail- and to account for them in all fairness and justice. Our souls as well as our limbs will testify- for or against us. As the Holy Qur’an indicates:

 

‘When the Trumpet is sounded a single time, when the earth and its mountains are raised high and then crushed with a single blow, on that Day the Great Event will come to pass. The sky will be torn apart on that Day, it will be so frail. The angels will be on all sides of it and, on that Day, eight of them will bear the throne of your Lord above them. On that Day you will be brought to judgement and none of your secrets will remain hidden.’ (69: 14-19)

 

‘We have bound each human being’s destiny to his neck. On the Day of Resurrection, We shall bring out a record for each of them, which they will find spread wide open, ‘Read your record. Today your own soul is enough to calculate your account.’ (17:14-15).

 

‘On that Day, man will be told about all his commissions and omissions. Truly, man is a clear witness against himself, despite all the excuses he may put forward.’ (75: 13-16)

Poem: 'The Pen of Eternity'

 

 

The pen of my Heart has written, 

has written the thousand wonders 

and the thousand Secrets 

residing in my heart

The red pen of eternity 

has tasted the black ink of its Lord,

The master and the pen forming an indestructible pair,

In the depths of the Heart revealing their interior,

So brilliant and so dazzling

In the sun of his heart, 

the master has found his Master,

Thanks to the pen of eternity of his Heart,

The Master of the pious is at the door, 

at the door of your Heart

Visible is the light that shines in your eyes,

At the door of your Lord 

you dwell day and night,

The favourite of the humble you are,

In this world you are not alone,

Because your Master will always be there,

Your life in His hands,

Your way in His footsteps

Life and Times of Shuayb (as)

 

Allah (swt) has created the humans as His trustee(Khalifa) on earth. We owe our Creator, our very existence. Human life and progress for a period are all entirely due to His mercy and unending blessings. The Divine Trusteeship entails grave responsibility of conduct on our part. As trustees of Allah (swt) on earth, we owe a duty to care for all of His creations on earth- being just in all financial transactions; doing fair in all human relations; remaining moderate and balanced in our social engagements, etc. It is to remind us of this heavenly trust on our shoulders that the Prophets and saints of God appear in every era, among the people- 'weak' and 'forgetful' and 'prone to the temptations of Satan' as we flawed humans are.

Hence, it is height of stupidity and ignorance to challenge common sense and combat God's Message. Blinded by their own passions, the arrogant elites in their vanity laugh at the messages they dislike, seeking to fight against God and His Elects when they come to lead them to prudence and wisdom. If only the spiritually blind had the 'vision' to recognize the Light they are missing! The light of wisdom that the Prophets bring in do not profit  a people who are self-satisfied, who remain aloof from, and who show contemptuous disregard for the higher values of life that these messengers teach- clinging as those earthly worms to the pleasures of a fleeting time. Like Qur'an testifies in the case of numerous communities that persecuted Prophets in the past, Divine justice will pursue their excesses in ways they will least expect, and in moments of His choosing their reckoning would take place. Indeed, going by evidence of what happened in the recorded past, Divine vengeance is something to be wary of, by anyone who is sensible. Allah's mercy and blessings engulf a people who listen and follow the Divine commandments and teachings that the Prophets bring in, for their own welfare in this world and for salvation in the world to come. 

Divine Calamity To Those Who Disobey

In his Friday Sermon of 26 November 2021~20 Rabi’ul Aakhir 1443 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius explains the life and times of Prophet Shuayb (as) as a spiritual lesson for our times. The Holy Qur'an preserves the example of Hazrat Shuayb (as) as a man of Divine principles and ethical restraint in a society given to the worship of riches at any cost. Yet, all that people amassed in excess through unfair methods proved to be of no use to them on the day of Divine punishment. On the other hand, those who follow the Prophets in letter and spirit, they become recipients of Divine Mercy and Grace in every era, Insha Allah, Aameen.

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

Poems of Divine Love

 

The Presence of God 

 

The warmth of Love is lost to him

Who takes to Sin and Vice

The Face of God is hidden from view

It’s this the Evil's price.

 

You see that He is far away

And cannot or doesn't see

You think of doing whatever you like

You feel that you are free.

 

The fact is this and you must know

Wherever you go and hide

Whatever you think, Whatever you do

He is always by your side.

 

If you can see the presence of God

The sin and vice will go.

For sure, He knows and sees us all

It’s this that you must know.

 ******************************

 

 

My Freedom

 

With head on ground

I pray to God

And there I feel so free,

I talk to Him whatever I like.

No frown from Him I see

I talk of this,

I talk of that too 

I talk of everything.

 

My heart and soul are full of joy 

As if they dance and sing

On 'Zakat' & 'Sadaqah'

 

Qur'anic Commandments- 6

‘And in their wealth and belongings was a rightful share for those who asked for help and for those who could not.’ (51:20)

‘Take alms out of their wealth, so that you may thereby purify them (of their evils) and enhance them in their virtuous deeds.’ (9:103)

‘…and observe Prayer, and pay the Zakāt, and set apart a goodly portion of your possessions to give for the sake of Allah. And whatever good you send on before you for your souls, you will find it with Allah. It will be better and greater in reward …’ (73:21)

‘And whoso is rid of the covetousness of his own soul–it is these who will be successful.’ (59:10)

 

‘Zakat’ is a Qur’anic injunction: an obligation on rich believers to part with a share of their resources and wealth with the needy members of society, in pursuit of individual well-being and collective development. Among numerous teachings that Islam recommends to ‘flatten’ the glaring inequities of the social order- where different classes of people live together with diverse fortunes; altruism and philanthropy are promoted through faith practices such as ‘Zakat’ and ‘Sadaqah’. Whereas Zakat denotes compulsory giving binding on all the rich, Sadaqah is voluntary giving strongly recommended on all believers who seek spiritual merit in Divine pleasure. 

The Holy Qur’an speaks about Zakat, in over 80 places; almost always join the payment of Zakat along with the observance of Prayer (Al- Salat) - both together constituting among the primary obligations of Aqeedah Islamiah.    “And they were not commanded but to serve Allah, bearing true faith in Him, (and) being upright, and to observe Prayer, and to keep on presenting the Zakat. That is the true and firm conduct of faith”. (98:6)

The payment of Zakat and Sadaqah by the believer in service of fellow humans and the society at large has many beneficial consequences. As the Holy Book notes concerning Sadaqah, “the alms are only for the poor and the needy, and for those employed in connection therewith, and for those whose hearts are to be reconciled, and for the freeing of slaves, and for those in debt, and for the cause of Allah, and for the wayfarer—an ordinance from Allah. And Allah is All-Knowing, Wise.” (9:60) 

The believer stands to benefit from these good deeds in both visible and subtle, spiritual ways: “And whatever of wealth you spend, it is for yourselves, while you spend not but to seek the favour of Allah. And whatever of wealth you spend, it shall be paid back to you in full and you shall not be wronged” (2:274)

Altruistic individuals not just stand to derive inner happiness from their generous outreach, but they also contribute to betterment of the social conditions that attract Divine forgiveness, mercy, pleasure and blessings on them and their progeny in this world and the world to come; the Qur’an alludes in so many verses: “And those who persevere in seeking the favour of their Lord, and observe Prayer, and spend out of that with which We have provided them, secretly and openly, and repel evil with good. It is these who shall have the best reward of the final abode” (13:23). Likewise, the Book of God condemns in no uncertain terms those who remain indifferent to the social obligations on payment of Zakat.

Read the Qur'anic commandments Below:

'Rahma': Ethics of Compassion

Humanity is facing perplexing times. With revolutionary advancements in technology and other arenas of human enterprise, the prospects for material well being, collective development and shared prosperity are brighter than ever before in our globalized world. And yet, paradoxically, what we witness today is that instead of coming together for the common good, the world is actually falling apart. Despite lofty rhetoric on rule-based international order, global governance is hostage to narrowly-defined economic interests of certain elite classes in richer nations. Economic affairs around the world are run in such a way that the  rich is getting richer, and the poor is becoming poorer in most places. Indeed, it seems day by day, the world is inexorably heading towards an unsustainable imbalance, precipitating man-made, and other ecological, disasters of all kinds. Already, the growing inequality, characterized by islands of affluence and pervasive poverty, is creating emotional heartburns, leading to competition and conflicts over control of resources, tearing apart  communities and nations. The widening disparity and simmering tensions can and will destroy public order if left unaddressed, and it calls for radical course correction in the way in which affairs of the world are being managed.  

The spiritual teachings of Islam provide a comprehensive framework to save the world from the brink of disasters at the moment.  A just world order is possible when we humans in all our systems recognize and return to the foundational values of life bestowed on us by our Rab, the All-Merciful Creator and Master of the Universe. The saviour of humankind, Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) left behind enduring guidance for creating an alternative, a  more compassionate world from the one in which we are living now. The Qur'an testifies: 'We did not send you (O Muhammad!) but as a blessing and mercy for all beings' (21:108).

The Prophetic teachings work to refine the humans by making them mindful of the Divine expectations of a life lived in absolute certainty of personal responsibility and accountability for all our deeds. It seeks to cultivate within the believer the  spirit of fairness, justice, kindness, compassion, benevolence and residual goodwill for all living beings who share the world with him/her. In seeking to obtain the approval of a Merciful Divine, a believer spreads kindness and compassion for all and would not cause harm or injury to anyone- fellow humans, the animals or the natural environment. In addition to insisting on justice and fairness in all settings of life, the Prophet of Islam taught people to develop beneficial solidarity across our differences- class,  race, language, nation, etc.- in a spirit of goodness and equity, and thereby respect the Will of God reflecting through the magnificent diversity in His creations in this world.   

Reproduced Below are some of the Qur'anic verses, and the sacred traditions and sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) that address the larger theme of Divine Mercy, and also  extracts from the final sermon of the Holy Prophet (sa) on enduring values for a just society: 

'Salaat-ul-Wustaa': An Interpretation

What is Salaat?

Haafizuu ‘alas Salawaati was Sala atil wustaa: wa quumuu lillaahi qaani-tiin.

“Secure your Salaat [God will guarantee your protection]. Observe the middle prayer strictly, and stand before Allah in submission.” (Al-Baqara, 2: 239) 

The etymological and semantic approach teaches us that, in the context of the aforementioned verse, it is grafted on the primary meaning of Haafizuu (protect, secure or rigorously observe), the idea of constancy and of fighting against an opposing force in the dynamic of protection. 

Hazrat Mirza Bashir-ud-Din Mahmud Ahmad, second caliph of the Ahmadiyya Movement and Musleh Ma’ud (ra), has explicitly evoked the game of reciprocity to indicate that protecting (observing) the Salaat would be equivalent to benefiting in return of the protective umbrella of the Salaat. 

“Innas-Salaata tan-haa ‘anil-fahshaaa-’i wal-munkar” [The Salaat prevents turpitude and reprehensible acts] and “Wasta-’iinuu bis-Sabri was-Salaah” [And seek help in steadfastness and prayer] state and delve into the same subject. In other words, all the characteristics inherent in Salaat, as mentioned in the Holy Quran, will work together to ensure your protection forever. This gives an even larger dimension to the act of Salaat. 

Regarding the Middle Salaat [Salaat-ul-Wustaa], the opinions of commentators on the Holy Quran vary depending on the subjective criteria they set for themselves. For some, chronologically speaking, the Salaat-ul-Asr would be the Middle Salaat. For others, in terms of importance, it would be more the Salaat-ul-Tahajjud. 

With the advent of a new era of Divine Manifestation and my coming as a Reviver of Faith, it is my duty to clear up with the help of Allah the confused points that divide the Ummah.

Poem: 'The Wondrous Qur'an'

 

Listen dear people! Without the Quran,

Man never reaches God.

 

Whoever is unaware of this light,

Is not fit for the eyes of the Friend.

 

The Furqan [the Holy Quran] has a wonderful effect,

In that it makes one a lover of the true Beloved.

 

It gives us authentic tidings of the One,

Whose name is the Greatest, the Almighty.

It draws man towards the abode of the Beloved,

And then it shows him signs beyond his ken.

 

It fills the heart with light divine,

And cleanses the breast thoroughly.

 

What more of its excellences should I describe,

Suffice it to say that it gives a new life to life.

'Duah': Invocations to Allah- XI

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah I continue on the series of sermons on “duahs” (invocations). Today, we shall hear the invocations which the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) used to pray. He gave importance to Salat (prayer) and how to beautify our Salat with duahs (invocations) and praises of Allah and His Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh).

The Promised Messiah (as) says: Salat is very important and it is the apex of the spiritual exaltation of the true believer. Salat is the best medium of interacting with God in prayer.  

Salat is nothing but presenting oneself before God Almighty, and it is a combination of praising God and an attempt at the expiration of one’s sins. One who does not keep these purposes in view, derives no benefit from Salat. Therefore, you must perform Salat in the best possible manner. When you are in the standing posture, your whole appearance must reflect the fact that you are standing before God in all humility. When you bow before Him in Salat, it must be a reflection of the bowing of your heart. When you fall prostrate, your manner must be that of a man who is inspired by fear of God. And pray a lot for your spiritual as well as material uplift. (Al-Hakam, 31 May 1903).

Du'ah: Invocation to Allah- II

Alhamdulillah, all glory, greatness and praise are for Allah (swt), Master of the universe Who gave me, this humble servant the Tawfiq to continue the subject of my Friday Sermon today on the invocations (duahs) that He taught me.

So, whoever hears these duahs and those who bear witness to how these duahs come down from the heavens are very lucky and fortunate among the billions of creatures who inhabit this world....

So listen carefully to these spiritual treasures, these duahs that come directly from my Lord, Allah (swt): -

O My Lord (Rab)! I am a victim of the atrocities of my opponents and the water in my eyes [i.e., my tears] are witnesses to it. It is these tears that know this oppression better.

O Allah! My tears know these atrocities better. How should I console my heart? What to tell it? With whom will I share this pain, because it is a war of pain and suffering and that is my very ordeal! Suffering for religion has killed me and my heart is shattered to pieces. If I had not received the support of my Beloved, then this is the same death that I would have acquired.

O My Master! This favour is certainly Yours and at every moment it is this same hope that I conceive that all my difficulties will be erased.

O my Master! This burden of pain is very heavy.

O my Beloved! Do not hide Your face; that’s my remedy.

O my Master! Treat us with mercy. We have hope and trust in You.

O my Beloved! We are faithful to You; we trust You, and all of Your promises are true. We have come to the brink of peril [dangers] and it is from this very place that we must call You.

'Live A True Ramadan'

Ramadan's Identity

We are living the days and nights of an exceptional month; a blessed month that has a lot of benefits and an opportunity for every Muslim. In order to enjoy it fully, it is important to know what this month symbolizes and what we can draw from it so that we can acquire the divine love and salvation, and hope to enter paradise one day. Insha-Allah.

Our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said, “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast.” (Nasai).

For some Muslims, the arrival of the month of Ramadan is not welcomed because they will have to deprive themselves of food and drink and a lot of pleasures that they used to do. However, for a true believer, Ramadan is synonymous with Allah’s favour because this month is:

(1) The Month of Victory

Ramadan is a symbol of the victory of Islam and the Muslims because it was during this month that the first great battle took place at Badr on the 17^th day of Ramadan in year 2 of the Hegira (AH) between the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – accompanied by his 313 companions / believers – and the infidels of Mecca and it was the Muslims who came out victorious. It is during this month that Allah chains our worst enemy, Satan, so that each individual can be victorious over him.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said, “When the first night of the month of Ramadan comes, the devils and rebellious jinn are chained up and the gates of Hell are closed, and not one gate of it is opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and not one gate of it is closed…” (Tirmidhi).

It is an undeniable truth that our life on earth is marked by a perpetual fight against Satan. He swore to deviate us from our Creator and to enslave us through his many attractions. He desires at all costs to separate us from the Master of the Worlds [Allah] and to make us become his own slaves; like puppets moving at his command. This makes Ramadan an opportunity to free ourselves from Satan’s slavery and avoid his traps. If a person cannot get the upper hand on Satan during the holy month of Ramadan, when does he think he can do it? That is why Allah and His Messenger (pbuh) taught us that through the prohibitions imposed during the holy month of Ramadan, and through our attachment to Allah and spirituality (Islam), we need to abandon Satan and prevent him from attacking us.

So who will succeed in this initiative? They are the true believers! It is for them that the gates of paradise will remain open and the gates of hell will remain closed. Allah gives each of us an opportunity to reform, to take the right path and to keep treading on it. It is for those who will take into consideration these divine counsels and commands that the demon will not succeed in influencing.