Shawwal & Hazrat Aisha (ra)

  

After Ramadan, comes the month of Shawwal. During this month, it is recommended to observe six additional days of fasting (Nafil). These days of fasting are not obligatory, but they are recommended by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), who said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan and follows it with six days of fasting in Shawwal will be rewarded as if they have fasted for the entire year” (Abu Dawud). It is possible to observe these six Nafil fasts on any day during Shawwal, except for the 1^st of Shawwal, which is Eid-ul-Fitr, a day of celebration when fasting is prohibited by Allah.

 

For those who have missed obligatory fasts from previous years, it is preferable to make up for those missed days first before observing the six Nafil fasts. However, if someone has only missed fasts during the recent Ramadan, they can start with the six Nafil fasts and later make up the missed obligatory fasts. Alternatively, one can choose to make up missed fasts during Shawwal itself, but these fasts will not be considered Nafil; rather, they will be the obligatory fasts owed to Allah. After completing these obligatory fasts, if they wish, they can observe the six Nafil fasts of Shawwal.

‘Allah Teaches Me Wisdom’

 

‘Those who believed and kept to righteousness, for them are the glad tidings in the present life and also in the Hereafter.’ (10: 63-64) 

 

‘As for those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah’, and then remain steadfast, the angels descend on them saying: ‘Fear you not, nor grieve; and rejoice in the Garden that you were promised. We are your friends in this life and in the Hereafter. Therein you will have all what your souls will desire, and therein you will have all that you will ask for. An entertainment from the Most Forgiving, the Ever Merciful’ (41: 31- 33).

 

Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius is a servant of the Faith of Islam in this era. Specially chosen and elected by the God Almighty with His nearness and communion; just like the Israelite prophets and divine messengers mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and also as the Book of God promises true believers in every era, Hazrat Azim (aba) is bestowed with sublime communications from the Unseen known in Islamic terminology as Divine revelations. Although not trained in any secular, modern University or other religious/ theological institutions, Hazrat Azim (aba) is blessed with a deep understanding of the language of heavenly birds. A treasure trove of spiritual perception and practical knowledge emanates from the communications he shares with the world. Indeed, the angels descend on him with an abundant of Divine messages containing purified wisdom for the betterment of human beings in this era, Subhaan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!  

 

The highest purpose of religion is to lead the devotee to the state of Divine communion and the pure pleasure of Divine converse. Prophets and elects of God attain this stage of spiritual development. In a recent message, Imam Azim (aba) gave a profound insight into his intimate spiritual world where Allah (swt) speaks with His chosen servant- teaching him religious understanding and practical wisdom, and through him guiding souls choosing to follow this sublime path of pure Divine communion and converse. Citing the example of Hazrat Bilal (ra), the great companion of the Holy Prophet (sa); Hazrat Saheb (aba) points to the path of sincere Faith and pure commitment and devotion against all  challenges in this mundane world, and the resulting opening up of the path of Jannat of Divine nearness in this very world for the true believer, Insha Allah.   

'Knowledge' and the Muslim

 

Knowledge is a critical factor that can determine the fortunes of an individual, and the fate of a nation. When deployed effectively, the light of knowledge can illuminate hidden realities, and thereby dispel the darkness of ignorance. In the secular realm, knowledge is inextricably intertwined with power and triumph, authority and eminence. Those who master useful knowledge relevant for practical application in everyday life, they gain ranks, status, and authority and superiority in this world. Nations that employ rational faculties and develop science and technology effectively; they rule over others who ignore the laws of progress and prosperity embedded in the commanding heights of knowledge.

 

Beyond secular knowledge, Islamic tradition attaches great importance to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and insight that leads to recognition of God’s exalted station and highest essence by way of unveiling and eye-witnessing.  Knowledge of the Attributes and Names of the Divine, knowledge of Divine Decrees and Bounties also enable one to know that God is Powerful over all things, and to be mindful in choosing wisely in this life, and to seek forgiveness for sins and mistakes. And several traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa) point to the eminent station of the knowledgeable believers:

“The one among you who has the most knowledge of God is the one whose fear of Him is the most intense.”

 

"If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will set him upon a path to Paradise. Verily the angels lower their wings being content with the one who seeks knowledge. And whosoever is in the heavens and on earth, even the fish in the sea, ask forgiveness for the person of knowledge. The virtue of the pious scholar over the devoted worshipper is as the superiority of the full moon over the rest of the stars. Those who have knowledge are the heirs of the prophets, for the prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams; they only left behind knowledge: whosoever receives it, receives an abundance of good fortune.”

 

With the appearance of an Elect of God in an era as a 'heir of the prophets', the treasures of spiritual knowledge and insight become available on an abundant scale for the benefit of all sincere seekers of higher truths, and it is by following such a man of deep religious knowledge and spiritual insight that the renewal of the Faith takes place. In his Friday Sermon of 02 October 2009, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius provides a fascinating exposition on Islamic teachings that underscore the significance of acquiring knowledge, especially knowledge of Religion, in the life of a believer. 

'O Allah': Whispers of the Heart

 

O Allah, forgive me my sins,

Overlook my many faults, mistakes and failings,

Absolve of me of my bad deeds

O my dear Lord, the All Hearing, the All Seeing

I take refuge with You

From the goading of the evil ones;

Save me from the pangs of Evil.

 

O Allah, strengthen my soul in its struggle

Against the evil within and outside;

Secure me from the temptations of the baser self;

Save me against my own impulses and excesses

Protect me from self-inflicted wounds

 

O Allah, do not abandon me

In the wilderness of an unguided existence;

Bless me with a share of Your grace and mercy,

Grant me a Light to walk in the footsteps

of Your noble prophets and saints

For, whoever is gifted Divine wisdom

Has truly been given much good

Ramadan & Fasting- 2

  

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).

‘Tarbiyat’ Meetings in Jamaat

 

'O my dear son, associate with the Learned and sit respectfully in their presence. For, Allah gives life to hearts by the light of His wisdom, as He revives the dead-earth by life-giving rain from the heavens'---Luqman, the Wise. 

With the Holy and august presence and continuous guidance of Khalifatul Muslemeen Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius,  the Jamaat ul Sahih Al Islam International today seeks to revive and renew amongst its members the great Islamic tradition of learning and seeking wisdom in the company of the Righteous. In this context, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- India organized a number of Tai’lim/ Tarbiyat/ Study-Circle meetings in recent weeks for the benefit of its members in Tamil Nadu, and also in Kerala, including by women’s wing of the Jamaat, Siraj Makin Djawaharatul Kamal. In view of the continuing (Covid- 19 related) restrictions on physical meetings in several places, the Jamaat members have used both Online and Offline methods of collective learning, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.  

In Tamil Nadu, Tarbiyat meetings were organized in Kottar and Melappalayam in the last week of September 2021. Brothers such as Khalil Rahman Saheb, Suleiman Samil Saheb, Sheikh Malukar Saheb, and Muhammad Nabil Saheb led the discussions at the meetings- exchanging views on important spiritual themes such as dietary practices of the Holy Prophet (sa); the Promised Messiah (as)’ views on ‘Ilm-ul-Yaqeen’; Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba)’s perspectives on Ghibbat -the sins of thinking and speaking ill of others, backbiting, etc. 

Likewise, on 26 September 2021, a Tarbiyyat meeting was organized at the Melappalayam Masjid under the Chairpersonship of Mukarram Noor-ud-Din Saheb, the respected Tarbiyyat Secretary of the Jamaat in Tamil Nadu. Janab Sabeer Saheb recited the Holy Qur’an; Sofiya Banu Saheba recited a Nazm  from the blessed pen of our beloved Imam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius. Different speakers such as Muhammad Rafi Saheb, Naseer Saheb and the Chair of the session Noor-ud-Din Saheb covered important topics for expanding the spiritual knowledge and awareness levels of fellow brothers and sisters in the community. The holy teachings of Islam as taught by Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) and the Imam-e-Inquilab Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) were broadly explained by the discussants on the occasion, Alhamdulillah.