'Zilzaal': When the Earth Shakes

In his Friday Sermon of 24 February 2023~ 03 Shabaan 1444 AH, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius recited ‘Surah Az-Zilzaal’, the 99th Chapter of the Holy Qur’an. Speaking against the backdrop of the recent earthquake in Turkey and Syria with its profound impact upon the people’s lives in those nations, and also of the Cyclone Freddy-induced damages and other tragic accidents in Mauritius; Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) calls attention to the larger spiritual wisdom underlying the violent shakings of our small world.

In the secular world, the sudden emergence of unknown facts and subtle realities through the occurrence of remarkable events such as new scientific discoveries and striking changes in existing ways brought about by technological advancement, or radical political upheavals shaking up existing social order, can potentially transform the entire outlook of peoples and nations. In the Divine scheme of things, the Hereafter and Day of Judgement is a hidden reality waiting to unfold in the fullness of time. On that Day, men and women who are judged good will have their rewards, just as people who are judged the promoters of evil and carriers of sin shall meet their requital. Hence, to receive Divine Mercy on the Day of Reckoning, we ought to stay away from all types of evil and we should not even neglect small sins as it might get accumulated. Moreover, we should promote every type of common kindness, and do good deeds of every kind- ‘even if by giving half a date in charity, and even if by saying a single word of good’ as a famous Ahadith exhorts all believers. Expressing solidarity with the victims of the devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, and also extending condolence to the people affected by the recent tragic accidents involving Hindu pilgrims in the streets of Mauritius; Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) calls attention to the need to learn from our negative experiences; exhorting everyone to return to the true values of religion- refraining from all types of pomp and show, promoting amity and tolerance among all faiths, peace and wise conduct in social and national life. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

'In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. When the earth is shaken to her (utmost) convulsion, and the earth throws up her burdens; when man says, what is the matter with her? On that day she will relate her news, for your Lord will have commanded her. That day mankind will issue forth in scattered groups to be shown their deeds. Then whoso does an atom’s weight of good will see it; and whoso does an atom’s weight of evil will also see it.' [Surah Az-Zilzaal, 99: 1-9 ]     

Securing the Future of the World

The Future of our Planet

Earlier this week, on 22 April 2019 there was the International Mother Earth Day which commemorates the Earth and all the riches it has brought us through the sheer grace of God Almighty. It comes as a reminder that the Earth is in danger that we all humans have the absolute duty to protect it, each at our level!

Indeed, nature is a gift of God given to mankind to enable each and every individual lead a joyful, prosperous and peaceful life. However, the greed of people and/ or nations to accumulate wealth by all means, coupled by superfluous consumption has prevented them to make a judicious use of the free natural resources at their disposal and has put humanity in the situation it is in today.

Never before has the human race found him to be so uncomfortable, so insecure and so uncertain about the future. Calamities like flood, drought, tsunami, earthquake, tornado, fire, smoke....(Like on Monday 15 April 2019 in Paris where part of one of the largest cathedrals of France and the world, Notre Dame de Paris burned in a fire. France and the Christian world in general have witnessed the destruction of one of their biggest symbols - gone up in smoke!...)

And also intense heat and cold in every nook and corner of the world and occurring even in odd seasons and in unexpected places, are taking everyone by surprise. Disaster of such dimension never occurred before. Many experts say that such changes (i.e. climate change), brought by the hands of man itself have destroyed the ozone layer protecting our Earth, thus causing global warming and bringing in its wake many other calamities. Such natural calamities as they are termed by man have transformed into divine reminders for them to change their evil ways and to embrace a righteous way of life.

God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “Calamities have appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of the people have earned, so that He (Allah) makes them taste some of what they did, in order that they may return (to the right way).” (Ar-Rum 30: 42).

Islam on Protection of the Environment

Cleanliness is not a secondary issue. Islam has placed much importance on cleanliness as it is considered an integral part of our faith. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Purification is half of faith.” (Muslim).

It is also said in the Quran: “Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you; He only wants to purify you and complete His favour upon you, that you may be grateful.” (Al-Maida, 5: 7).

And it also mentions that “Allah loves those who repent and who purify themselves.” (Al-Baqara 2: 223).

However, cleanliness applies not only to the body but it also relates to our environment. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) challenges us: “Keep clean the area in front of your house so as not to offend passersby.”

Then we understand how important it is to properly maintain one’s interior, not only that, but also to respect the environment in which we live, that is to say, our neighbourhood, our city and above all, nature. This is an order of our beloved Prophet (pbuh). Therefore, as Muslims, we must comply to this instruction if we do not want to incur the wrath of Allah (swt) upon us. 

Also, do not forget that our behaviour is a reflection of Islam. Others judge our religion through our behaviour. Some believe that a well-kept house is a waste of time and is quite unimportant in the eyes of Allah (swt). Now we have just pointed out that it is not.