Divine Union in Islam

Union with Allah 

The experience of union with Allah, as I have already mentioned in my previous sermon, is profoundly spiritual and transcends human understanding, to the extent that it cannot even be described in words. A person who experiences a connection with Allah will find that the words they (i.e. he or she) use (uses) to describe this experience do not truly capture the depth of what they have lived through spiritually. It is something that the person – the believer – feels and experiences personally, yet cannot fully explain. Only those who have personally gone through this deep connection can truly understand it, and even they struggle to convey the essence of this extraordinary experience to others.

Gazing God in Heaven

The Vision of Allah in the Afterlife

 

Every true believer wishes to see Allah one day, whether they are believers from among the various peoples of the earth, or especially the chosen ones of Allah – the prophets. Allah states in the Quran:

 

“Glory be to Him (Allah)! His greatness surpasses all that they (meaning the people – the disbelievers, the idolaters) describe. He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth from nothing. How then could He have a child when He does not have a spouse? He has created everything and knows all. That is Allah, your Lord. There is no deity besides Him. He is the Creator of all things; therefore, worship Him. He is in charge of everything. The eyes cannot perceive Him, yet He perceives all eyes. He is kind to us and fully aware of everything.” (Al-Anam, 6: 102-105)

 

The human mind’s conception and perception of Allah are very limited. The intellect cannot fathom the true nature of His existence. Allah is Omniscient, and Omnipresent, meaning He is everywhere, and He hears and knows everything. Nothing escapes His knowledge. One may attempt to conceal oneself, but no one can ever hide from Allah.

Al-Fatiha: A Commentary

 

The Quran is an ocean of knowledge and guidance for humanity. It’s very first chapter, an ardent invocation to Allah, embodies the essence of the Quran and the connection between man and his Creator. Surah Al-Fatiha, the opening of the Quran, is also referred to as Ummul-Quran (the Mother of the Quran). Indeed, Surah Al-Fatiha is so significant that without its recitation in every Rakah (cycle) of our prayers (Salat), those prayers are considered incomplete.

 

Therefore, Surah Al-Fatiha can be seen as a chapter enclosing the entire Quran, with the remaining chapters serving as commentaries on this exalted Surah. We must always bear in mind the profound importance of this Surah, as it holds the key, the solution, and the remedy to many seemingly insurmountable challenges, hardships, problems, and ailments. Reflect also on how, in Surah Al-Baqara, Allah declares: This is a perfect Book, containing no doubt, and it is guidance only for the “Muttaqi” (those who are pious, fear Allah and are conscious of Him).

The riches of 'Sabr'

  

Alhamdulillah, on the blessed occasion of the 8^th Jalsa Salana of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Tamil Nadu (India), International Sadr of the Siraj Makin [- the women’s wing of the Jamaat] Hazrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba of Mauritius addressed the spiritual gathering at the historic Sirajum Munir Masjid through a special message on 29 December 2024. For the benefit of our readers, we reproduce below the Text of the Speech:

 

‘My dear Spiritual Children,

 

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakaatuhu.

 

You all need to bear in mind the riches of Sabr (Patience). Life on earth is a temporary abode which only the Sabereen (those endowed with patience) know how to tread upon and live it.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran: 'And be patient, for indeed, Allah does not allow to be lost the reward of those who do good.' (Surah Hud,  11, Verse 116)

 

A true believer makes countless efforts to remain on the right path. The right path is not an easy path. It is filled with all kinds of turns and obstacles and trials, but it is only those who persevere and remain true and sincere to Allah and strive through steadfastness and trust in Allah to continue on their way shall be victorious.

'Follow the Prophetic Model'

 

The Duahs of the Holy Prophet ^(sa) & The Promise of Allah- Part 6

'The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. (They proclaim) “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You (alone) is the final return.” (Al-Baqara 2: 286)

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I am continuing with the sixth part of my Friday sermon, explaining the verse I have just read to you, which has a close connection with the promise Allah made to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and the Muslims. It serves as a guide on how we can achieve this promise.

God's Prophets

 

'The Messenger believes in what has been revealed to him from his Lord, and so do the believers. They believe in Allah, His angels, His Books, and His messengers. (They proclaim) “We make no distinction between any of His messengers.” And they say, “We hear and obey. (We seek) Your forgiveness, our Lord! And to You (alone) is the final return.” (Al-Baqara 2: 286)

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah has done a great favour to mankind, and in the past to every nation of the world, whereby sometimes He sends one, two or sometimes even four prophets at the same time with the same message, i.e., to preach: “Laa Ilaaha Illallah” (There is no one to worship but Allah).

 

Even today, Allah continues to pour down His favours and has chosen you, in this century to witness the advent of one of His Elects and Messengers, this humble servant to show and guide you to Allah, and to manifest such positives changes in you to enable you to see the divine light.

‘Trust Allah in Trials of Life’

 

Tarbiyyat Lessons- 23

 

‘The testing of a believer, male or female,

In respect to one’s person, children, and property

Will not cease until one meets Allah the Exalted

 Unburdened by any sin’ 

*****

 

‘When Allah wants good for a mortal

Allah hastens affliction in this world;

And when Allah wants ill for a mortal,

Allah leaves him be with his sin

Until his soul is taken

on the Day of Resurrection’

 

*****

 

‘Be mindful of Allah,

And you will find Allah in front of you.

Acknowledge Allah in ease,

And Allah will acknowledge you in distress.

And know that what misleads you 

will never enable you to do right,

And what enables you do right 

will never mislead you.

And know that help comes with patience,

And that relief comes with distress;

And that with difficulty comes ease.’

 

*********

'Khilafat' After A Prophet

 

Khilafat is a Sunnat Allah. According to Islamic teachings, and historic evidences of enduring Divine practice ['Sunnat Allah'], a Prophet of God is usually succeeded by a system of 'Khilafat' among the believers who followed in the footsteps of that elect of God. Since the traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa) also acknowledges prophets of the past without any large body of disciples and followers in their times, how the mission of God as represented by the Messenger is continued in a new era after the Prophet's times is indeed a matter of Divine Plan and related decisions. In the aftermath of a question received by a member of our Jamaat on prophethood and Khilafat, Hazrat Imam Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius has advised his disciples to bear in mind that Allah’s works and plans are always perfect. People may not understand a matter but that Allah has the perfect reply for it.

 

Reproduced below is the Question raised to, and the Response offered by Hazrat Saheb (aba): 

The Question is as thus: Huzur, there is a Hadith which states that: 'There had not been any prophethood which was not succeeded by Khilafat' (Kanz al-Ummal, Hadith 32246)

 

But in another long Hadith it is mentioned that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) had said: 'Nations were displayed before me, one or two prophets would pass by along with a few followers. A prophet would pass by accompanied by nobody…' (Bukhari)

 

The question here is that if a prophet had no follower, how could he be succeeded by Khilafat?

Allah & His Chosen One

In his Friday Sermon of 05 July 2024~28 Dhul-Hijjah 1445 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Mahdi Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius speaks on true faith and devotion to God, explaining what it entails from sincere believers in every day life.  In this era, as in the times of Divine Elects in history, believers stand to gain rewards when they demonstrate  gratitude and loyalty to God and His commands; a commitment to struggle against the selfish [evil] impulses through patience and prayer; a sound heart embracing God’s will and pleasure at all times regardless of mundane setbacks and personal losses, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba). 

'Has God Stopped Talking?'

Proof of the Existence of God Almighty 

In response to the question which I have received from a Muslim man who was about to renounce his faith in Islam and in Allah altogether, I am hereby through this sermon answering him so that this explanation may benefit one and all. 

Is there conclusive evidence that God exists? Is the existence of God a fact that can be proven like any other scientific fact that can be proven in a laboratory? 

It is surprising that atheists and believers today share the same belief regarding one of the attributes of God that provides conclusive proof of His existence. In today’s world, it is a fact that everyone agrees upon, both atheists and followers of the various religions of the world, that God has stopped talking.

The 'Sheikh' on Life Lessons

  

In times of chaos and confusion in some place in the Universe when ethics and morals decline and irreligion advances, Allah (swt) sends someone with the Rooh’il Quddus- to repair and restore the path of Truth corrupted by the hands of men. With the help of divine revelations, the chosen servant of God re-establishes Tawheed back on earth: through setting standards of just conduct and practical wisdom, and by becoming a moral exemplar for the people of the times. As per Sunnat Allah, and the great Promise contained in the sacred books of the Muslims, God Almighty raises a noble soul with the light of guidance; a high representative and true successor to the spiritual throne of the Holy Prophet (sa) is sent in every era; a ‘Khalifatullah’ who preaches pure scripture and practical wisdom appears in every century of Islam. Indeed, this is the true concept of 'Divine Khilafat' in the Holy Qur'an [24:56]. 

 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, the holy founder of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, Hazrat Imam Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius, is the Divinely-raised Mujaddid of the 15^th century of Islam, and this great spiritual mentor of our times speaks with the help of Rooh’il Quddus. While speaking to his disciples and followers, the Sheikh-ul-Islam (aba) famously stated once: ‘I give not lectures but mixtures for your mental health and moral invigoration. So take my words as medicines necessary for your health...’ 

YK Hariz Saheb [1953-2024]

Yusuf Khan Hariz Saheb of Alappuzha [71 Years], senior member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Kerala, passed away on Friday, 26 April 2024. Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi raaji’uun. 

 

Nai’b Amir of the Kerala Jamaat, Hariz Saheb belongs to the first group of believers in India who recognized the spiritual claims associated with the advent of Hazrat Imam Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius as the Mujaddid of the 15^th century of Islam, Alhamdulillah. 

In October 2010 when news reached the shores of India that, from among the ranks of African Ahmadi Muslims, Allah (swt) raised a servant of the Faith as a chosen messenger and reformer of spiritual morals in this era, and subsequently the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam was formally established in the Indian State of Kerala to share the great Divine message in this era among the people of the world; Haris Saheb and his respected wife Mahrooma Razia Beevi Saheba were among the pioneering group of believers who took Bai’at at the hands of Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah, Summa Alhamdulillah.  

Water: A Divine Sign

‘Did We not make the earth a home for the living and the dead? Did We not place firm, lofty mountains on it and provide you with sweet water?’ (77: 26-28)

 

‘Do they not see the sky above them––how We have built and adorned it, with no rifts in it; how We spread out the earth and put solid mountains on it, and caused every kind of joyous plant to grow in it, as a lesson and reminder for every servant who turns to God; and how We send blessed water down from the sky and grow with it gardens, the harvest grain, and tall palm trees laden with clusters of dates, as a provision for everyone; how with water We give [new] life to a land that is dead? This is how the dead will emerge [from their graves].’ (50: 7-12)

 

‘It is He who sends the winds as heralds of good news before His Mercy. We send down pure water from the sky, so that We can revive a dead land with it, and We give it as a drink to many animals and people We have created.’ [25: 49-50]

 

Say, ‘Just think: if all your water were to sink deep into the earth who could give you flowing water in its place?’ (67: 31)

A Book on ‘Qur’anic Commands’

 

'Guidance for the Human Soul'

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International- India Chapter [Noor’ul Islam Masjid- Mathra, South Kerala] recently published a new Book on the Amazon Publishing Platform, Alhamdulillah. The Book, titled “Qur’anic Commands: Guidance for the Human Soul” is essentially a compilation of selected Verses of the Holy Qur’an concerning Divine commandments, prescriptions and prohibitions.

 

Reproduced below are the Acknowledgement and Preface sections as they provide an intimate glimpse of the new Book for the benefit of our interested readers:

Acknowledgement

 

‘All praises are due to the Almighty Alone. That is the defining thought for me as I complete this modest effort to educate myself on the Divine Teachings of the Holy Qur’an.

 

According to the great Muslim saint and reformer of the previous century, Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian [1835-1908], there are over 700 verses of clear rulings in the Holy Qur’an and it is only by being aware of, and following them in full measure, that one becomes a true believer. Hazrat Mirza writes:  ‘...beware and do not take a single step contrary to the teaching of God and the guidance of the Qur’an. I tell you truly that anyone who disregards even a small injunction of the seven hundred commandments of the Qur’an, shuts upon himself the door of salvation’.(Noah’s Ark, p. 42, English edition, UK: 2018). 

'Daughters, Help to Grow the Jamaat'

On the occasion of the Ijtema of the Siraj Makin Djawaharatul Kamal [Women's wing of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International]- Tamil Nadu, International Sadr of the organization Hazrat Ummul Mu'mineen Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba addressed the spiritual gathering of women believers in India, on 24 December 2023. In this deep discourse, International Sadr Saheba underscores the spiritual significance of cultivating a personal  relationship with Allah (swt), our Creator and Sustainer of the worlds, and the role of women believers in strengthening the collective cause. Furthermore, Hazrat Saheba notes what it takes to lead a life of commitment to the cause of God in our times: cultivation of a strong personal relationship with God; a readiness to contribute selflessly, morally and materially; embracing a culture of giving and sacrifice for the sake of community; devotion to the strengthening of bonds and relations within the Jamaat; re-establishing the noble values and practices of the early Muslim believers, etc.

Read the Special Discourse Below:

My dear daughters,

Assalamu Alaykum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakaatuh.

 

I pray, may Allah bless your togetherness for His sake, and help you in all spheres of your life which you devote to Him and His works.

 

I am delighted to address you today on the occasion of your IJTEMA. It is time that all the Siraj Makin stand up and come to help the Jamaat in great ways. Whether you are good at knitting, translating, speaking many languages, and other talents, Insha-Allah, through these gifts from Allah, I pray that you may help the Jamaat financially with your contributions and participations.

Financial Sacrifice- 3

 

'Say, My Lord extends provision for whomever He wills of His servants and He restrains (it). And anything you spend (in His Cause) He replaces it, and He is the Best of providers.' (Surah Saba, 34: 40)

Today, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I am continuing my sermon – series of sermons – on Financial Sacrifice.

 

Like I read before you, Allah is [initially] addressing Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) in Surah Saba, Chapter 34, Verse 40, and telling him: Qul! (Say!) – Tell them that your Lord, your Rab increases provisions for whomsoever He wants and He decreases provisions for whomsoever He wants. And Allah puts emphasis on spending in His path, for His Cause, and He says that each spending that His servants do for Him, for His Cause, then He takes upon Himself to replace this by a better reward for His servants, because it is Allah Who is the Best Provider – and it is to Him alone that people must turn to and put forward their requests.

 

That is why in connection with this, Allah has established for His servants patience – they should have patience.

Financial Sacrifice- 2

  

In his Friday Sermon of 15 September 2023~29 Safar 1445 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius gives an exposition on the larger theme of financial sacrifice in the Divine Way. Continuing on the theme from previous week, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) underscores that true believers only seek God’s approval and pleasure in obeying His prescriptions and prohibitions and it is they who inherit Paradise as a reward for their goodness in this world. Just as the rich are on trial on how they conduct with the possessions they have been entrusted with, the needy also have obligations of patience and goodness in the Divine Law of life.

Elaborating on the theme of a Qur’anic verse identified at the beginning of the sermon (13:23), Hazrat Saheb (aba) notes that the true believers perform their social obligations and do all the services that they render only for the sake of God’s countenance: they do not do charity or other good deeds for selfish reasons, or out of pride or religious ostentation. Needy believers endure hardships caused by restricted means of livelihood, or other emotional deprivations, and yet they do not incline to evil and bad deeds, remaining steadfast in faith, in goodness and in fact, they also race to do good in their own way. Diligent in the performance of devotional prayer at prescribed times; disciplining the self and its inclinations in this temporary world; being mindful of the reckoning before the Lord on the Day of Judgement, true believers are hopeful of the enduring rewards of God’s pleasure and blessings in the Hereafter.  

'Zikr Allah' - VI

  

Allah the Almighty has said: "Remember Me, and I will remember you; and be thankful to Me and not be ungrateful Me." (Al-Baqarah, 2: 153)

 

In the light of this verse which I have read before you, I am thus continuing my sermon on the Remembrance of Allah. The Remembrance of Allah (Zikr Allah) is so important that since the creation of this universe, Allah has talked a lot about it, and both the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have stressed a lot on the Remembrance of Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to personally engage himself in the Remembrance of Allah; wherever he went, he used to remember Allah a lot and he also advised his companions and all the people found in his community and also humanity at large to engage themselves in the Remembrance of Allah, even though these people have rejected him, and that they do not believe in Islam, in the Book of Allah and His teachings.

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "Engage yourselves completely in the Remembrance of Allah to such an extent that people consider you mad."

'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.”

'Zikr Allah'- III

In his Friday Sermon of 20 February 2009, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International  Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius gives an illuminating exposition on 'Zikr Allah', the third in the series. Man has a great liking for his wealth and possessions as well as for his children and family. True believers among them will invariably show gratitude to the Lord Almighty for bestowing all the blessings of this life by remembering God's grace and favours, and unlike ungrateful disbelievers, the believers will not ignore or neglect the duty on God's remembrance at the cost of clinging to mundane possessions and earthly attainments. 

Such divine remembrance has many beneficial consequences for those who engage in such special supplications: the heart becomes sensitive, and the sensory organs become receptive to true values of life. When the God-gifted 'free will' is channelled to focus on abiding by holy prescriptions; when divine commands become the guiding code of conduct, such a believer triumphs over satanic temptations; peace and tranquillity of heart permeates the person and his surroundings; angels descent to witness and appreciate his spiritual practices in pursuit of Divine countenance, and the believer may gain a rank even above that of angels along with the approval and pleasure of God, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba).              

Read the Friday Sermon Below:

“O you who believe, do not be distracted by your money and your children from remembering Allah.” (Al-Munaafiqun, 63:10)