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'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, Layla-tul-Qadr & Eid-ul-Fitr:
The Blessings of A Lifetime
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.
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).
'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)
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 & 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)
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.
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.
With the ubiquitous reach of digital gadgets facilitating free flow of all content- good and bad; social morals and ethical values are increasingly under threat in our times. When immorality is allowed free reign in a society, it directly affects the vulnerable young population, corrupting their sense of judgement, and propriety, decency and related behavioural standards. Comprehensive action against the spread of immorality is required by all right-thinking people belonging to all communities and religions coming together for the common good, exhorts Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) in this discourse. Moreover, Hazrat Saheb (aba) also speaks about the vital role of water, illustrating the ways in which this precious resource can help us in leading a healthy life.
Read the Friday Sermon Below:
As the world of Islam observes the spirit of fasting in this holy month of Ramadan, the brothers, sisters and children of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in India and elsewhere are maximizing spiritual blessings through engaging in various forms of worshipful remembrance of God such as Zikr, Tilawat-ul-Qur’an, Dars-ul-Qur’an/Dars-ul-Hadith in this fasting period, Alhamdulillah.
Along with fasting and diligent observance of Divine supplications at individual and collective levels, the Jamaat members in Tamil Nadu, in Kerala, in Delhi have also been socially engaged, with visiting and spending time with people facing various misfortunes, hardships and ill health, offering them possible help and sustenance amidst the great trials of life that engulf them in their economic, social and personal conditions.
O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was
prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard (against evil).
(Al-Baqara 2: 184)
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we have entered the blessed month of Ramadan, and
today I continue the second part of my Friday sermon that I started last
Friday.
Hadith:
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has said: “Fasting is a protection and a powerful
fortress.” (Ahmad, Baihaqi).
As I have mentioned last week, the month of Ramadan is a month wherein a Mumin (believer) must make a lot of sacrifice. The sacrifice he has to make is that he has to get up early in the morning to do the Salaat-ul-Tahajjud and take the Sehri. In my last week’s sermon I quoted this Hadith which shows the importance of Sehri. I also said that Roza [fasting] keeps us healthy. Hazrat Abu Hurairah (ra) reported that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Keep the fast and you will stay healthy.” (Tibrani).
Before
I begin, I wish all my brothers and sisters in Islam, as well as my disciples
across the world, a Ramadhan-ul-Mubarak -for the month of fasting is
behind the door [i.e. close] - so that we let go of all our routines and focus
more on Ibaadat and multiply our good deeds.
First of all, what is fasting (Roza)? In Quran and Hadiths the word which defines fasting is “Sawm” which means “to abstain”. In our common parlance, this means that we do not drink and eat, and abstain from sexual relations from the beginning of dawn until sunset.
Qur’an on Fasting
In Surah Al Baqarah, Allah (swt) says:
'You who believe, fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God.
Fast for a specific number of days, but if one of you is ill, or on a journey, on other days later. For those who can fast only with extreme difficulty, there is a way to compensate– feed a needy person. But if anyone does good of his own accord, it is better for him, and fasting is better for you, if only you knew.
It was in the month of Ramadan that the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear messages giving guidance and distinguishing between right and wrong. So any one of you who is present that month should fast, and anyone who is ill or on a journey should make up for the lost days by fasting on other days later. God wants ease for you, not hardship. He wants you to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him for having guided you, so that you may be thankful.
[Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius made a special address to the global Muslim community on the night of 18 August 2021~10 Muharram 1443 AH, elucidating on the sacred history and spiritual blessings of observing fasts on the days of the 'Ashura' in Muharram].
Read the Extracts from the Text of the Speech Below:
My dear disciples and Muslim brothers, sisters, and
children,
Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakatuhu.
By the Grace of Allah, this evening of Wednesday 18 August is the start of the 10th day of the month of Muharram in this year 1443 Hijri - here in Mauritius, and will end on Thursday 19 August 2021 before sunset, Insha-Allah. It is a very special day for Muslims around the world.
The 10th day of Muharram is better known as Ashura. Ashura comes from the term Ashr, which means 10 [ten] in the Arabic language. Ashura is the name which is given only to the 10th day of Muharram because on this day many events took place in the history of the prophets. Given the importance of this day, some unfortunately associated it with inauthentic events, be it in Mauritius and abroad. Ashura makes us primarily recall the martyrdom of Hazrat Hussein (ra), the grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) in Karbala, in Iraq.
“In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” (Al-Qadr 97: 1-6)
The Night of Destiny or the Night of Power is the blessed night during which Allah (swt) sent down our constitution, this discernment which is His Holy Book, The Holy Quran. Surah Al-Qadr highlights this blessed night by explaining that if the Ummat-e-Muhammadiyya (pbuh) does Ibaadat [acts of worship] during this sacred night, his Ibaadat will be better than a thousand months of Ibaadat. What a huge gift of Allah’s bounty/ goodness! Alhamdulillah.
The Ummah [community] of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) was so honoured by the attribution of this great night because not only can they reap more than a thousand months of Ibaadat, but also no people [or followers] of the other prophets had obtained a similar night.
Hazrat Anas bin Malik (ra) reports that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said at the approach of Ramadan: “Truly, a great month is coming, a month in which there is a night which is better than a thousand months. Whoever does not take advantage of this blessed night will have lost all these benefits.” (Ibn Majah, Mishkaat).
Describing the ways in which ignorant and negligent people waste away the precious occasion of Ramadan for the pursuit of entertainment and social pleasures, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) points to the very many benefits of fasting as an Islamic practice, and exhorts all believers to be conscious of the Divine commandments and Prophetic teachings to fulfill duties in this regard. Indeed, an occasion for the believer to focus on the big picture of spiritual life and therefore, to abandon his vain pursuits of earthly pleasures, in favour of the enduring favours of forgiveness of sins and the open-gates of Paradise. Noting that the many disasters striking the world around us is indeed a grave sign of the Hour (Qiyamah) promised in our sacred books, Hazrat Saheb (aba) exhorts everyone to benefit from the opportunity of Ramadan fasting to bring about internal cleansing and to put things right in social relations among peoples so that we may truly gain the Light of God in our remaining moments in this world, Aameen.
Read the Friday Sermon Below:
Leave the Reprehensible & Return to God
All praise is to Allah for His favours and goodness. He has favoured us by enabling us to reach the month of Ramadan and has strengthened us with the good works that bring us closer to Him. And peace and blessings be on our prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the first [in rank] in the accomplishment of good deeds, and on his family and his companions, those who believed in him, supported him and followed the light that was revealed to him. They are the ones who truly succeeded.
Then I commend you and myself the fear of Allah [Taqwa] both in this month of Ramadan and in other months. But Allah (swt) attributes special merit to this month, since it is a unique occasion for doing good deeds. The prophet (pbuh) called on Allah to be able to reach Ramadan.
If I am not mistaken, when the month of Rajab began, our beloved prophet (pbuh) said: Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Shabaan wa ballighna Ramadan. [O Allah! Bless for us the months of Rajab and Shabaan and make us reach [live] the month of Ramadan!]
And the Holy Prophet (pbuh) also used to encourage his companions to make an effort in good deeds, obligatory or supererogatory, such as prayers and alms, to be good and beneficent, to be patient in the face of obedience to Allah, spend one’s day in fasting, one’s night in prayers and hours reciting the Quran and doing the Zikr of Allah.
The Month of Ramadan
God knows our propensity to forget and not to be persistent in recalling; that is why He has prescribed acts of worship for us in order to make our conscience and our hearts come alive to His remembrance. The fast of the month of Ramadan is part of this education, of this elevation of the soul, once a year for a month. God asks us to deprive ourselves of these essential things that are our daily concerns: eating, drinking; things so common for us that they become commonplace. Abundance makes us forget that one day we might not have any more. We no longer even know how to appreciate the pleasures we taste. Worse, there are on this earth, at the same time as we eat and we are satisfied [i.e. eating to our fill], men and women who would like to be able to have a tenth of what we consume. Because of distress caused by poverty, they have to endure hunger and thirst. But they also and above all have to endure our passivity and our disinterest. However, they are our brothers and our sisters not in Islam only but in humanity as well.
God has put abundance in this world so that every man can benefit from his share of sustenance; however, it is a minority that controls and consumes most of the wealth. It is such an injustice which is accentuated by our passivity when it is not our selfishness.
The
month of Ramadan has been ordained in order to instill awareness and a
reminder. Above all, remember Allah with intensity and foresight. Leaving a
little of this temporal world to rise to the consciousness of the Most High.
The fast of this blessed month is a source of reminder for those who want to
remember. Then, it wants to be a call to altruism and solidarity, because we
cannot as a Muslim or even quite simply as a human being live in the
indifference of what is happening in a large part of the world; to pretend that
there are no men and women who live in destitution and poverty; without knowing
that every day in the world many children die of starvation. “It’s normal”, we say to ourselves, “How could we know that when we’re not
talking about it in the press or on television?”
We cannot as Muslims, as beings with a heart, step back and pretend these sad and bitter realities do not exist, and to just look where the spotlight falls.
Ramadan: Strengthening the ties of Brotherhood
Muslims around the
world began fasting in the month of Ramadan this week. It is a month of great
Divine favour because Allah has Himself promised to those who will fast with
sincerity, who will do their best to obtain the pleasure of Allah, who will
seek Divine help through prayer and good conduct that they would receive His
blessings. This is the long-awaited time [for all believers] to make spiritual
progress. Before being a period of fasting; Ramadan is, first and foremost, an
opportunity to take stock of oneself. Piety is a whole, a totality. Every human
being is liable to commit sins and to transgress the Divine law. It can be due
to our ignorance, or to Satan.
Muslims must, therefore, be particularly careful of hypocrisy, lies, cheating and theft, usurpation [injustice, deception and stealing the rights of others, etc.]… Particularly during this holy month you might tend to go ahead with these bad deeds. But you have to say “No” to all these satanic temptations! On the contrary, this holy month is a training for you for the months to come.
But being human beings [weak as we are], we need to be rightly-guided and to guide and bring others back on the right path. In a certain sense, we could consider the month of Ramadan as a period of training allowing the believer to learn to approach God by multiplying acts of piety (charities, prayers, invocations, etc.) and to put an end to vices which gnaw at him and torment him.
Accelerates
the blockage of the arteries.