Monday, June 15, 2020
The Attributes of Allah- VIII
Thursday, June 4, 2020
Covid-19: Towards A 'New Normal'
Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:
Monday, May 11, 2020
Covid-19: Lockdown and Beyond
Monday, December 9, 2019
'Taqwa': 'Shun the Roots of Evil'
Saturday, November 16, 2019
The Blessings of Jalsa Salana
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Mauritius Elections and the Muslims-II
Tuesday, October 29, 2019
Mauritius: Politics and the Muslim
It is against this ideal of a multicultural and multi-ethnic society reflecting the diversity of its peoples and respecting the equal rights of all communities that we can examine the lived reality of our nation-States. In his Friday Sermon of 25 October 2019~ 26 Safar 1441 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) takes a closer look at the state of national politics in his home country, Mauritius, at a time when the Island-nation is gearing up for the general elections in the coming week. As responsible citizens, it is the duty of everyone to participate in the electoral process to ensure that good and just representatives are elected to serve the larger cause of the nation and the people, reminds Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba).
The forthcoming elections are also a time for soul- searching for the Muslim community of Mauritius. Representation in all levels of government, including the civil services, is critical for ensuring that the legitimate interests and rights of the community are not overlooked. However, in the absence of prudential interventions to protect its identity, the minority community continues to see erosion of its political space and identity-related group rights, including the right to exercise its religious freedoms under the Shariah.
Setting the agenda for discussion, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) highlights a number of social justice issues that need urgent political attention at this point of time. In a cultural environment where every community's sacred festivals are acknowledged and celebrated, it is scandalous that the country does not observe Eid-ul-Adha Holiday, the biggest festival day of the Muslims. One can only agree that the situation does indicate an appalling neglect and cultural insensitivity towards a minority community. Likewise, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) also calls attention to the anomalous situation created by the virtual abandonment of Muslim Personal Law in the country, especially for the Mauritian women- those of them who are in religious marriages are deprived of the legal sanctity of a civil marriage.
Sunday, October 27, 2019
Elections 2019: Whither Mauritius?
Saturday, October 5, 2019
'Ghibbat': Part-III
Tuesday, July 16, 2019
The 'Bid'ah' of Eid Parties
Tuesday, June 4, 2019
The Future of Chagos and Agalega
Responding to global shifts in power and the emerging equation with the US in the post-second World War/ Cold War scenario, the UK later through a bilateral agreement, leased the strategic Islands to the United States for establishing its grand military base in the heart of the Indian Ocean- the Diego Garcia Naval Base. Almost in parallel, within a decade (1967-1973), Britain ensured that Chagossian villagers were systematically and stealthily ousted from their homes and lands permanently, without any opportunity of returning to their homeland forever! British national security and strategic interests trumped over the rights of poor and vulnerable islanders. Even as the Big Powers- the United States and the United Kingdom- consolidated their strategic interests and military control of the region, the hapless Chagossian people were left to languish in the wilderness of their own catastrophe- in mainland Mauritius, Seychelles, the UK and elsewhere. No wonder, the British colonial excesses in the region continue to scar the national spirit of the formerly subjugated people, the Chagossians in particular.
Friday, April 19, 2019
19 April 2003: First Bai'ah
19 April 2003 is an important day in the annals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya (Qadian). It marked the end of an era, and also the formal beginning of another, within the larger concept and actual working of the system of spiritual succession or ‘Khilafat’ in the Jamaat. Many Ahmadis relate that day with the passing away of the fourth Khalifatul Massih Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad (1928-2003). More importantly, the day marks the inaugural of a new ‘Khilafat’ as well; a Divine Manifestation with an Elect of God in our era, Hazrat Amir-ul-Mu'mineen Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, accepting Bai’at at his hands, marking an important milestone in the sacred history and trajectory of Islamic renewal over the centuries. The first Bai’at was held that evening in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mu'mineen Sadr Saheba Fazli Amena on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes, Mauritius.
Indeed one of the questions that deeply
divide devout Ahmadis today relate to the events of 19 April 2003, its
meaning, interpretation and implications. As is well known, it was in the final years of the caliphate
of Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Saheb that a pious and devout Ahmadi Muslim
mystic in Mauritius, Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba), began to make
the extraordinary claim that Allah (swt) has raised him as His Elect of this
era, to invite people to God and to strengthen Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya by
sharing the Divine revelations and other spiritual verities being
vouchsafed to him, with the assistance of Rooh-il-Quddus. It
is a matter of historic record and Divine destiny that the
fourth Khalifatul Massih thought highly of the noble qualities and
preaching attainments of the future Divine Elect when he was still working as a
missionary-ambassador of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to the
various communities and nations of the Indian Ocean region.
The emergence of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius coincided
with the decline in physical health, spiritual faculties and eventual death of
Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib. In his last years, the ageing caliph was
already in a zone of his own, where he was in constant need of sound advice for
prudent governance of Jamaat affairs. Yet, as it happened, he was badly advised
regarding the nature and character of the Divine Manifestation then emerging in
the horizon of Mauritius. Unscrupulous and scheming people, who worked behind
the corridors of influence, suggested vanity of office and pride of legacy. Hence, when
the saintly figure was reported to have made the claims of being a recipient of
Divine revelations, he was expelled from the Nizam-e-Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya under
misleading circumstances. Social boycott was administratively enforced on
those Ahmadis who preferred faith above the world. Instead of showing
humility and an open heart to understand the lofty claims and spiritual
verities on offer in the new era, the Nizam-e-Jamaat chose pride
and vanity in the material legacy they amassed from the past, and it is
only unfortunate that the fourth caliph passed away before he could
reflect on his decision vis-a-vis the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, may
Allah forgive him.
The fact that the Divine Manifestation in
Mauritius has completed 16 years in relative obscurity will only surprise those
who have no knowledge or understanding about the working of the spiritual
realm. There are indeed many spiritual lessons and lofty insights to be derived
by observing and understanding the Divine favour on the Khalifatullah (aba)
and how he goes about with his deep and unwavering commitment to advance the
cause of Allah and His Message in the last eighteen years. The duty of the
Divine Messenger is only to convey the Message; Allah the Most High is the
Reckoner. Fortunately, Ahmadis are beginning to come out of the shadow of
that colossal mistake of their leadership. Increasingly, they are aware of this
alternative trajectory of the Divine Favour in the Jamaat, for truth can be
eclipsed, but only for a period. Like the moon, it will eventually come out of
the shadow of clouds and confusions created by the enemies of truth, Insha-Allah, Aameen.
Reproduced below are certain brief
comments and points mentioned at the beginning of the Friday Sermon of 19 April
2019~12 Shabaan 1440 AH by
Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad
Azim (aba) of Mauritius on the significance of the aforesaid
historical event :
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, today (19 April) marks 16 years that a historical event happened within the framework of the Divine Manifestation of this era. The first Bai’ah (oath of allegiance) in the hand of Allah was made and that day also marked the death of the 4th Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Movement. Before I get up to deliver my sermon, I feel that I shall receive many important messages from Allah. These revelations may come down during or after my sermon. Anyway, these are messages [they are coming and Huzur (atba) is aware of it] that I must share – soon – with you my dear disciples and all humanity, Insha-Allah.
[The Caliph of Allah - Khalifatullah (aba) - then spoke of this important day in the annals of the history of the Divine Manifestation and the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. He recounted how he and the one who was always by his side to write down the divine revelations - and to whom Allah had made great favours (Z. Domun Saheb) - gathered with the believers of the Divine Manifestation at that time for the study circle at Quatre-Bornes. That day was the day when the 4th Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Movement died, and Z. Domun Saheb asked Amir’ul Mumineen, Munir Azim Saheb, a question about whether he had received any revelation about giving Bai’ah (oath of allegiance) to the believers.
Huzur (atba) said that at that time he had
not yet received any revelation, and that if he did not receive a revelation,
it means that he did not receive any revelation from Allah and that he could
not say at that time that he received any revelation because lying about
revelation is a very serious act in the eyes of Allah.
It was only during the study circle that
the divine revelation came, and through it, Allah had manifested Himself and
the first Bai’ah had been taken by all those present in the Hand of Allah
(represented by the Khalifatullah’s hand). Huzur (aba) mentioned names like M.
Ramjaun Saheb, his wife and children who were present and who had taken
the Bai’ah. So he gave a warning, and he advised those who had
taken the Bai’ah at that time (and who turned their backs on
the Divine Manifestation) to think carefully about what they did.
Huzur (aba) then said that by the grace
of Allah, it is Allah who consolidates the truth and helps His elect and by His
grace He has sent other people, from other countries who have acknowledged the
truth and who have integrated the Divine Manifestation - the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al
Islam. Alhamdulillah.
Huzur (atba) seized this opportunity to
mention the initiative for a gathering by the female wing (Siraj Makin) of
the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam of Kerala which begins today on this
blessed day 19 April 2019 and their function will end tomorrow 20 April 2019.
He congratulated them by telling them “Mubarak Ho” and
prayed for the success of their gathering.]
Saturday, February 16, 2019
The Youth and 'Synthetic' Pleasures
Saturday, February 2, 2019
Fourth Caliph and the Divine Signs
In this context, the establishment of the MTA International commencing its operations from Mauritius on 07 January 1994 was an important event in the annals of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. The then (fourth) caliph Hazrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Saheb profoundly understood the significance of the moment and the opportunity MTA represents for the community. He recalled the prescient words of the second caliph on the occasion as he believed that the time to spread the teachings of Islam-Ahmadiyya around the globe arrived, with the satellite broadcasting channel in place. Anticipating the promised "victory" of Islam-Ahmadiyya in the second century of the Jamaat (1889-1989; 1989-), the fourth caliph even unleashed a programme of global bai'at, setting targets for the rank and file to convert the whole world. As it happened, afraid as they were to speak truth of the situation to the caliph, the Nizam-e-Jamaat 'cooked the books' to reach the figures their 'boss' wanted to see and thereby perpetuated a culture of caliph-worship in the Nizam-e-Jamaat, creating a permanent crisis of credibility in its functioning 'methods'. Consider the searing paradox here: on the one hand, the caliph projected the Nizam- 'establishment'- as the true 'heirs' of the Promised Messiah (as) for all times; yet, he ended up presiding over the destruction of the fair name and legacy of the institution. Allah (swt) raising an Elect of His choice would upset and 'disrupt' the 'order' (the system of elected, infallible leadership) in the Jamaat. Hence, exaggerating the 'ego' of the elected chiefs of the Jamaat, the caliph propagated that only a man-elected caliph could be the Divine Elect in future. Despite his line of thinking and public pronouncements, the caliph also understood that the All-Powerful and Exalted Allah (swt) might raise someone, anyone He chooses at a place of His choice, especially at the beginning of a new century of the Jamaat. The ambitious caliph did seem to have wished, and he certainly asked the Jamaat in so many words on the occasion of the annual Jalsa in the year 2000 CE, that everyone pray for him to be elevated as the "Mubarak Wajood "('blessed person'), like mentioned in the prophecies of the Promised Massih (as).
The Divine signs narrated here calls for deeper reflection by those who use their minds- including truth seekers among the Ahmadis. In this era when the world is 'flat', the old order of special claims- of inherited family legacy and infallible authority of tribal chieftains (think of the Ahmadiyya Khilafat today)- are out of sync with the times and are bound to vanish. In the new order of God on earth, everywhere- both materially and spiritually speaking- 'the underclass', i.e., those who were previously looked down upon, truly humble people are to inherit the earth: Indeed, the Divine favour of prophethood and sovereignty is being bestowed upon a new class of people in the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya as well- through the advent of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius, Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!
Signs for the 'Ulul-Al-Baab'