‘Say A BIG NO to Birth Control’

The long term sustainability of the economic development models being pursued by various nations is under a shadow these days with multiple crises-economic, political, social and financial- afflicting even the affluent among the peoples and societies. Instead of addressing the glaring inequalities in income and wealth and the insane disparities in the resource distribution structures that under grid the modern economies, the priority of our finest minds seems to have been diverted to no less a thing than ‘playing’ God. How else would you explain the global focus on ‘birth control’ as the panacea for gross mismanagement of economies/ resource distribution patterns?! Alas, for a world that has lost its sense of proportionality and is out of ‘balance’, flawed logic, warped thinking and anti- natural policies seem to appeal more than ethical concerns.

To contain the many issues emerging out of the inequitable economic and social policies followed thus far, nations seem to have found a magical solution in population control/ birth control. Abortion and Birth Control as a conscious state policy to reduce population figures is antithetical to the spirit of life and natural growth and as such, against the Islamic values. In his Friday Sermon of June 15, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) explained at length the ethical teachings of Islam with special reference to marital life- the ways in which Islamic ethics seek to inject personal happiness, the joy of togetherness, emotional bonding and the bliss of progeny into the very special relationship between a man and his wife. Drawing on the fine metaphor of beautiful flowers, the Messenger of Allah of our times points out that children are the Roses in the garden of life and calls our attention to the traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa) who wanted to see hundreds of flowers to bloom in the garden of Muslim Ummah.

Read the extracts from the Friday Sermon:

The Other Half of Women’s ‘Freedom’

That sexual permissiveness is morally unacceptable may have been a part of the long-standing common sense in most societies. But, increasingly, such views are being challenged by people who brazenly and wantonly, ‘celebrate’ the cause of individual 'preferences' and identity 'orientations' by arguing that there is nothing deviant in being a homosexual or a lesbian for that matter. The fact is, world over, sexual permissiveness is increasingly gaining societal acceptance and public legitimacy. The language of human rights and basic freedoms are increasingly being deployed for the recognition and in the service of homosexual, bisexual, transgender and lesbian communities and also for legalising abortion and even prostitution. In this twisted world of legality,  the heinous practice of abortion is projected as a mere question of a woman’s basic right to reproductive choice.  Any perceived 'interference' by the society through regulatory laws/rules would be seen as a grotesque invasion of the right to privacy and self- determination in the private sphere!

In his Friday Sermon of June 08, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius took note of these larger societal trends in the backdrop of the recent policy debates in Mauritius on the issue of legalizing abortion.  The Divine Messenger of our times points out that all of these have profoundly negative implications for the orderly development and long-term health of societies and the human civilization's onward march.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

Brothers and sisters, you know that since Friday 04 May 2012, in the Mauritian Parliament and even before this, the government has taken the decision to legalise abortion, but after debates on the question, they (that is, the government) persisted to go forward with the legalisation of abortion in specific cases and this has been published in the newspapers here in Mauritius. Each time that the government has gone against religion and the religious leaders, and each time that the subject of abortion has become the talk of the day, as the Khalifatullah of this era, like in the past, I shall continue to rise against all things which are against the divine teachings and which are encouraging all the more the spread of sins.

Immorality is annihilating our youth, be it in Mauritius and the world as a whole. Due to the fact that some 20% of women do not want children, therefore accordingly (people of modern times or government) seem to think that abortion must be legalised. I warn you: Do not invite the punishment of Allah on this small island, and I warn also the other countries who have legalised (or in the process of legalising) abortion.

'Tests of Faith are Essential'

For success in the world, hard work and sacrifices are essential. The capacity to face difficulties and to surmount challenges in your chosen field of work will determine the orbit of your achievements. Likewise, in the spiritual realm, the path of Allah is only for those who make a conscious effort to remain on the journey and strive hard to attain progress. Tests of faith will swiftly follow those who claim they have a spiritual commitment- only to sift the grain from the chaff.  In his Friday Sermon of 18 May 2012 Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al slam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius comprehensively dealt with the subject of spiritual trials and tribulations and exhorted Muslims to show high resolve and be prepared for all manner of hardship and suffering in order to attain spiritual benefit.

 

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

 

“Spiritual benefit comes only to those who make an effort themselves. You will note that our Holy Prophet (sa) was the best and held the highest spiritual position yet he, too, suffered much for the sake of his faith. Religion is attained truly only after ‘dying’ for it. Had God so wished, he would not have ordered things in this way. However, God has made the same law even for worldly matters; that is, everything is achieved only through effort. With God’s grace and one’s effort, a person can reach his desired destination. In worldly affairs, achievement comes only after overcoming numerous difficulties and suffering.

 

Should it then be the case that no effort or striving is involved in religious achievements? In worldly affairs even a small court case sends a person running in all directions to gather support and backing for his case. Great expense is incurred and much effort is made for such matters and if, after all the effort, should the case be decided against that person, appeal after appeal is submitted and the person keeps striving to achieve his aim.

 

When such is the nature of striving for worldly affairs, are then matters of religion to be considered so simple that one can achieve success in them by living a life of ease and comfort? Is religion to be attained merely by someone’s touch or just by chanting a few words when God states:

 

“Do the people think that they will be left to say, ‘We believe’ and they will not be tried?” (29: 3)

 

(That is) Do these people think that they will be left untried because of their verbal utterances and will be considered people of faith merely on the basis of their verbal proclamation of “we believe” and will not be tested? Tests and trials are very essential. All prophets are agreed on this that trial is an essential element in one’s progress and until a person passes successfully through the different levels of trials, he cannot become truly religious.

---

 

 

It is an established rule that pleasure follows suffering. Remember, however, that the person, who is not prepared to suffer hardship or face difficulties in the path of God, shall be cut asunder. Progress always comes after suffering and the state of one’s faith can be assessed only when one is faced with difficulties and tribulation. In order to gain spiritual benefit, one should first prepare oneself for hardship and suffering.

 

Some people in different villages of Mauritius come to me and expect to attain spiritual elevation and purity of heart just through being touched by me. Such people should remember that nothing is attained without facing difficulties and undergoing hardship and this is necessarily so. If the prophets of God went through all kinds of trials, if this humble self is going through hundreds of trials in different ways and from all directions, do my disciples and the seekers of truth expect that they shall not also undergo trials?

 

All believers go through trials, and Allah tests your faith through this, and the one who succeeds in his tests, it is him whom Allah shall be pleased with and shall come closer to him, and shall give him the Tawfiq to remain steadfast along with His Caliph (Khalifatullah) come what may. Our ultimate Goal is to get Allah as our reward. Without Allah, we are nothing. It is Him our Protector, the One who is 24/7 with us, who humiliates our enemy or transforms them into firm believers like in the case of Hazrat Umar (May Allah be pleased with him). It is only Allah who gives faith. It is Allah the true Goal of His messenger and of His sincere servants, who come forward, saying “Labbaik” (Here I am) to all divine decrees, who give away without expecting anything in return, who spend their time, their life for the progress of Islam, the Sahih al Islam, Islam in its pure state and truthfulness; not for an Islam which has been trampled under the feet of people.

 

However, on the difficult path of spiritual advancement it should be remembered that God does not allow a believer to go to waste. Given that in worldly affairs people struggle so hard, are matters of religion to be considered so light that success in them is possible just at a touch and no test or trial is deemed necessary?

 

Look at a farmer how he wakes in the last hours of the night to tend his crops with great effort and facing much hardship – he rests neither by day nor by night. After all this effort, when the crops are ready, he has to continue with the hard work of harvesting. He suffers so much but for a world that is here today and gone tomorrow. He faces numerous problems, one after the other, and suffers much hardship. Given that so much effort is required just to grow a few crops, is religion then the only thing left which can be attained at a mere touch and no effort is required – no test or trial is deemed necessary?

 

To have reliance upon such views in matters of faith and to consider religion an easy matter, like a ripened fruit ready to be plucked, is not the right attitude. You should ponder over the lives of the companions of the Holy Prophet (sa) and consider how they suffered grave difficulties and passed through great hardships. They rested neither by day nor by night. They accepted all kinds of tribulations in the path of God and for the sake of their religion they sacrificed their lives and offered up their heads.

 

I am reminded of an incident that took place when the Holy Prophet (sa) together with his companions set out to confront an enemy. At noon, when the summer sun was at its hottest and hot winds were blowing in their faces, they came upon a spring which was surrounded by lush greenery. One of the companions made a request that he should be allowed to worship at this spot. The Holy Prophet (sa) responded by reminding him that he should offer repentance – did he not know that they had set out upon a task that was undertaken for God and that stopping to offer worship at such a place of comfort would not serve the purpose. If there is no pain or suffering in serving (God) then that is not true service. Nothing is gained by sitting around some pond, like the Hindu Gurus, and living a life of comfort or remembering God while lying down in a lush green spot. What is needed is that at times of trial and tribulation; you should remain steadfast and should not hesitate to give up even your lives for the sake of God.

 

Indeed, you should be prepared at all times to sacrifice your lives for the sake of God. Spiritual benefit is gained only when a person makes a determined resolve to be prepared for all manner of hardship and suffering. It is only after such a resolve that a person can find God. Such is the way of God and ever since the world was created and the system of prophethood was established, it has been so. God’s pleasure cannot be attained without pain and hardship. In fact, by facing trial and tribulation, a person himself realizes that he is now not the same person as before and there is no doubt that God is most certainly to be found after one emerges successful from such tests and trials. Unless a person becomes prepared to face difficulties and hardships in the path of God, he cannot hope to achieve (spiritual) progress.

The Road to Spiritual Progress

The path to attain nearness to Lord Almighty is narrow and slippery. One needs to traverse it through prayer, patience and concentration. One can evolve spiritually by establishing a firm relationship and bond of love with the Guided Ones who are sent by Allah the Most High from time to time. Listening to them and following their noble precepts and practices are absolutely essential for those who seek true guidance to the correct path. This way one will gain right and correct belief which are free from blemishes and mythical haze. In his Friday Sermon of 11 May 2012, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius underscores the struggles involved in attaining spiritual progress and offers special guidance on how to proceed on this sublime path.

 

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

 

“According to Islam, our beautiful and perfect religion, the only spiritual way is that of prayer and concentration. But time is needed for a person to benefit from this because until a relationship takes deep roots and a bond of love is created, its effects cannot be felt. The way of guidance is only through prayer and concentration.

 

It is God’s rule of nature that every spirit requires a physical mould. When such a mould is ready, a spiritual form is breathed into it automatically. It is an essential objective that you should gradually gain acquaintance with the reality which God has opened to me in the capacity of Khalifatullah of this era. There are many errors in the beliefs which have common currency among the ordinary people of Islam and also in Jamaat Ahmadiyya and these errors have arisen as a result of intermingling with the Christians. But now God has wished that the pure and bright face of Islam be shown to the world, that is, the Sahih al Islam. Clarity of beliefs is very essential for spiritual progress. The clearer the beliefs, the greater will be the progress.

 

Prayer and concentration are needed in this struggle because the true reality is hidden from some people by the veil of their negligence, from others by their prejudice and yet some others are kept away from it because they have no devotion to the people of truth. However, without God’s help these veils cannot be lifted and that is why prayer and concentration are needed. Ever since the system of prophethood has been instituted, it has been the case that mere talk cannot lead to any progress. It is always prayer and devoted concentration which prove beneficial.

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You will observe that there was a time when the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) stood alone but people were attracted to his true righteousness. On the other hand, there are now thousands of Mullahs, Maulvis and Amirs who give sermons but because they are not honest and do not possess any spirituality, they do not have similar effect on people.

 

The ‘poisonous matter’ contained within a person cannot be removed by mere talk. What is needed is proximity to pious people and their attention. To benefit from this, adoption of their ways and an understanding of the correct beliefs, as taught to them by God, are very essential.

 

Moreover, when you are acquainted with the various aspects of belief in which there is a conflict between us and other Muslims, then, you will be strengthened and that will also be beneficial for the spiritual development which all of you seek. It can be discerned from such statements that you may be able to fulfil our conditions and, Insha-Allah, be able to absorb some guidance. But, remember, that the way of God is such that if two things are present, then, a person can succeed in the attainment of spiritual progress.

 

One is that the time should be spent in close proximity to the spiritual guide – and in the time of a Messenger of Allah, the latter is therefore the mentor around whom gather the seekers of truth and guidance – and attention paid to his conversation and, should there be anything causing doubt or apprehension, it should not be kept hidden inside but rather, such things should be aired openly and immediately so that they can be resolved and thereby allow removal of a piercing ‘thorn’ from the heart. Such attention and interaction should be beneficial for spiritual advancement. What is required is to remain in such close proximity with patience and perseverance, paying close attention to what is being said and not keeping any doubts to oneself. Doubt can have a poisonous effect which seeps deep inside and eventually destroys.

 

The second thing is that when a new heavenly system is being instituted, a reformer or reviver of faith is sent and because his task is to correct the errors of all factors, everybody becomes his enemy and they try to create difficulties for him to harm him.

 

So that when someone enters his fold, he too is subjected to all the difficulties and hardships. Enemies attack him, friends and acquaintances alike become his enemies and wherever he hopes for any assistance, it all comes to nothing. He has to enter the very difficult path of hopelessness and disappointment. Whatever hopes he had of gaining any respect or honour from people, all that is wiped out, but it is an ancient tradition that one must be prepared for such disappointments.

 

If a person meets these challenges bravely and courageously he will remain steadfast. Otherwise there are many who enter this realm with great enthusiasm but are not able to withstand the pressures which are brought to bear upon them and eventually they lean towards the world. Their hearts cannot bear the worldly losses that they and their families have to suffer. For such people the eventual outcome is worse than the beginning. It is essential, therefore, that the worldly abuse be borne bravely and that one is prepared for suffering and disappointments before one enters the fold of Sahih al Islam.

 

If such an attitude is adopted, the attainment of truth is achieved more quickly and all that he had to forego initially is returned to him by God. For a seed which must become a tall tree bearing fruit, it is necessary that it should be buried under the soil for some time. Only then will it become a tree. For this, patience is essential so that a person may humble himself before God’s will in order that he may be raised up and hence achieve further development and progress.

 

Before ending my sermon, I advice all of you, it is one of our principles that we live a simple life. Our gatherings are not tainted by the many outer, customary formalities which have become an essential element of the European, American, Asian or even African way of life, for if we look at the world, we can see an Americanisation or Europeanization of the world. We are not bound by empty customs only to the extent that their abandonment may lead to severe hardship or some other vice. Other than that, in the matter of eating or in the matter of joining or leaving our gatherings, we prefer a simple way of life.

 

May Allah enable all of you to understand the Friday Sermon of today well and guide you in the right path. Insha-Allah, Ameen.

The Concept of Khalifatullah

 

In his Friday Sermon of 25 May 2012, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius gave a discourse on the concept of Khalifatullah or the Vicegerent to Allah on earth. The speech is especially important for Muslims, including Ahmadis, to ponder over, for the extraordinary light it throws on the concept of Khilafat in Islam and the insights it provides on the circumstances in which the favour of Allah deserted the man-elected Khilafat system and resulted in the emergence of the current Divine Manifestation in Mauritius.  

The spiritual history of countless prophets in the Holy Qur’an is a living testimonial to an enduring Divine practice: Allah the Most High raises His Messengers, who (did and) would call people to the sublime path of spirituality. These Messengers would teach people Divine Word and invite them to partake of the Divine blessings that pour down like a heavenly rain on a parched earth. Depending on the depth of their immersion in the Divine waters, these holy men of God are decorated by Allah the Most High Himself with spiritual titles of magnificent proportions- Rasulullah, Nabiullah, Khalifatullah, Muhyi-ud-Din, Mujaddid, Massih, etc.  

 

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:  

 

“The word Khalifatullah can be explained with reference directly to Allah (swt) or with reference to an earlier prophet. The Khalifatullah is created on earth by the word of God and he is vicegerent to Allah, or a deputy to Allah. Hazrat Adam (as) is referred to as Khalifatullah and it (that is, the title and seat of Khalifatullah) came to its perfection in the person of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) and that also is the meaning of Khataman-Nabiyyeen. This is one understanding of the word Khalifatullah.

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The second is that when a Khalifatullah created by Allah passes away, then the Khilafat descends among his followers and in that case, although that Khalifa is called the Khalifa of the previous prophet, the previous Khalifatullah, he inherits the Khilafat of Allah through that prophet or Khalifatullah only in the sense that it becomes binding upon him to follow exactly the teachings of the prophet whom he is following.

 

The true Khalifa of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), who was to be the Imam Mahdi and Messiah of the last century in the person of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) and in this century, in the person of this humble self, we see that Allah in this century continues to send His blessings in the universe, and in a world wherein people have fallen in a complete darkness. Allah (swt) has therefore sent in this century this humble self as the Muhyi-ud-Din (Reviver of Faith), Khalifatullah (Caliph of Allah) and Mujaddid (Reformer) of this era, Alhamdulillah.

 

 

So I have come just for this purpose to forge unity among all the Muslims but remember that unity can be forged only among those who agree to the leadership that has been created by Allah (swt), not a leadership elected by man nor someone who wants to hold the sceptre of leadership by his own will, without the help of Allah (swt). If people reject a leadership (that of the Khalifatullah) that has been created by Allah (swt) and continue to reject him, then no unity can be forged among the Muslims. Only gradually, with the passing of time, those who follow this Khalifatullah created by Allah, will go on spreading and spreading and the others who reject him shall be squeezed into smaller and smaller units until this process becomes complete and a new unity is born in which all the previous Muslims are also included.

 

So, a Khalifatullah initially is the person whom Allah (swt) appoints to deputise Him on earth and as such its meaning varies in relation to the person chosen by Allah (swt) for this task at any particular time. According to the Holy Quran, the first Khalifatullah from among the humans was that prophet of Allah in whom Allah had breathed in His spirit. The breathing of spirit and bestowing of revelation is one and the same thing. So, a Khalifatullah begins with revelation bestowed specifically by God upon His servant whom He chooses to represent Him and deputise Him on earth, a task for which he has to be totally honest. He must deliver the message perfectly as it was delivered to him. The choice of the person lies entirely with Allah.

 

Since the appointment of the first Khalifatullah, all prophets of Allah (swt) were Khalifatullah on earth without exception, but their area of work depends on the nature of revelation bestowed upon them. Some prophets were given the task of deputising God among specified communities. Some were given a task by Allah (swt) to act upon His behalf within a race or a nation, as you see in the case of the Israelite prophets. We believe that the last perfect law-bearing Khalifatullah was to be the deputy of Allah (Glory be to Him) for the entire universe. Addressing the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), God states in the Holy Quran: “… We have not sent you except as a source of blessing for the entire universe.” (21: 108) and similar verses are found elsewhere in the Quran in which the universality of the message of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) is specially emphasised.

 

After a prophet (as) has passed away, his task is taken up by a person who is under him and below him and as such he is also called a Khalifa, like Hazrat Abu Bakr, Umar, Usman and Ali (ra). So, as long as he remains within the jurisdiction of his task, he is the caliph. If he steps outside that, then in that part he is not a caliph.

 

However, it so happens that no prophet of Allah leave behind truly pious caliphs who deviate from the right path. But if this happens after a prophet passes away, whereby a caliph deviates from the true teachings of Allah and His prophet, immediately Allah raises His Elect One, His Khalifatullah to make shine the true divine teachings.

 

So, the Khalifatullah come to perform the duty of the prophet with apparently the same effort on the Divine Guidance to fulfil the task and the Khalifatullah will be definitely successful in his task which Allah (swt) put on his shoulders. Allah (swt) breathes His spirit on His Khalifatullah, rendering him solid physically, morally and spiritually.

 

Let’s take for example what has happened in our own era. Just like the Holy Quran states in Surah An-Nisa Verse 70, Allah shall raise prophets from among the followers of His perfect prophet and messenger Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon). Then, some 1300 years after the demise of the best of mankind, after the Khulafa-e-Rashideen, and the other caliphs, disruption and defragmentation of the Muslim Ummah happened so much so that the Muslims were left without a pious leader to unite them on the laws of Allah. Therefore, came the Promised Messiah and Khalifatullah of his time Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). He came into the mantle of a blessed deputy-prophet of Allah and His Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa).

 

After his demise, there were elected caliphs to continue on the pattern of progress he came to open. From among his caliphs, there was even one who represented the accomplishment of the promise of Allah in the form of a blessed son, reformer and caliph at the same time. Thereafter, with the advent of a fourth Khalifa, the awaited progress did not come but instead the followers of the previous (non law-bearing) prophet became dismantled through their association to the fashionable trends of this world, a thirst for earthly power and their constant worship of the established Khalifa. When Allah saw this situation He raised from among the followers of that same prophet/Khalifatullah, another Khalifatullah to stop the un-Islamic behaviours and trends which these followers and the world as a whole are adopting. He has come to make shine the unicity of Allah in all hearts, instead of Khalifa-worship or world-worship.

 

...May Allah bless all humanity to understand the concept of Khalifatullah and the need to accept the Khalifatullah of their time. Nobody can defy Allah in His ways of doing things. Whenever a system becomes corrupt, Allah changes it for a better one with is in line with the true teachings of Islam and the satisfaction of Allah.

 

May Allah accept our humble efforts to propagate His Deen as He has commissioned us. As a Jamaat we are bound to face many many trials but at the end of the day, it shall be Allah and His Khalifatullah and His Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam who shall be victorious; Islam shall be victorious under the gaze of believers and non-believers and the Might of Allah and His Supremacy shall become manifest. Insha-Allah, Ameen.

Islamic Way: Secret of a Long Life

"Any one who wants to have his provision expanded,

 his term of life prolonged and for people to speak well of him

 should maintain ties of kinship" 

                                                                                        - Prophet Muhammad (sa)

In his Friday Sermon of May 04, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius spoke about the practical ordinances of Islam to be kept in mind in our everyday lives. Islam detests idleness and forbids practices such as usury that breeds and perpetuates a culture of idleness and irresponsibility. On the contrary, it envisions the believers as a community of people devoted to constant personal improvement in their spiritual states and collective progress in material conditions. The very lifestyles and priorities on every single day of their lives will reflect this enduring commitment to individual enterprise and collective growth. 

The believers are to strive for excellence in their chosen fields of occupation or profession so that the world may benefit from their work. Their charity, generosity and service will embrace not just family and kin, but will extend to neighbours and strangers as well. Thus, the Muslim becomes a source from which flow virtue, goodness and peace which everyone around him shall benefit.  ‘That which benefits the people endures in the earth’, says the Holy Qur’an. Adhering to the Islamic way has beneficial consequences, including possibly, a long and productive life, asserts the Messenger of Allah.   

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

The Muslim, if he wants that Allah grants him a long life, must comply with the scheme of everyday life as prescribed by Islam. This requires, inter alia, that the Muslim wakes up early and goes to bed early. The Muslim begins his day at dawn at least, before daybreak. And he welcomes his morning by being pure, before the afternoon catches up with him, full of weaknesses, shortcomings and even sins. This is why our beloved Saviour, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) showed us that we must come what may, and in any situation seek God’s forgiveness for the soul is prone to evil, except that which Allah protects against the ravages of Satan. Therefore, Muslims greet their day early, and this is the virtue praised by the Holy Prophet (sa) when he wished them prosperity and abundance in these times, “Allah bless the precocity of mine (that is, my people).”

Time Planning: A Virtue

In his Friday Sermon of 27 April 2012, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim of Mauritius (aba) continued his discourse on the significance of leading a full life in this world. Good deeds form half of the Faith. Believers are to diligently pursue their noble objectives on every single day of their lives. One must rank one’s priorities and set objectives in terms of importance and try to accomplish each of these tasks in the required time. The main duty or sacred duty (Farz deed) must be fulfilled before performing a supererogatory one, and this is equally valid for other cases. ‘Exploit (your) time fairly and effectively’ and ‘not be among the thoughtless and forgetful’, exhorts the Messenger of Allah of our times.

 

Read the Extracts from the Sermon:

“...There is no favour to any particular person where time is concerned. This is because the latter is split equally between men. But some have more merit in how to manage, operate and profit from it. Allah (swt), who evaluated time, and shared it among His servants, distinguished some moments that are better than others.

 

In terms of ritual actions, Allah (swt) has spared some time for the seasons where expected rewards are increased, as the month of Ramadan and the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah. Other moments are more favourable to the fulfillment of prayers, as the last third of every night, every Friday afternoon, the breaking of the fast for the faster, and the sacred night (Laila-tul-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan!

Every day you have before you a moment in the morning, a moment in the evening and another at dawn, where you can raise your pure mind to the heavens to win both favours of this world and the hereafter. Before you, there are the seasons of the submission, the days of meditation and nights of sacrifices, to which you refer to the Holy Book (the Quran) and the teaching of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Try then to be among those who remember and call on their Lord, and not be among the thoughtless and forgetful. Be those who act, not of those who laze. Enjoy your time, time is like the sword, and neglect procrastination because there is nothing more harmful.

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At the level of earthly actions, concerning the efforts of man to improve his stay here on earth, Allah has made the precocious actions one of the factors of their effectiveness and success. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “O my God, let the precocity of mine (that is, my people) be blessing and happiness for them.” The Muslim must therefore be on the lookout for these precocious times, to want more (of them), so as to bring together his life and religion.

Time planning and organisation of these priorities are factors which the Muslim must absolutely hold on to, because these factors are crucial to exploit time fairly and effectively. The people of the past understood this wisdom, for while on his deathbed Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (May Allah be pleased with him) called Hazrat Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) to give him the Khilafa and gave him this advice: “Allah has rights during the day that He does not accept by night and rights during the night which does not accept during the day. The supererogatory deed is only accepted when the sacred duty has been fulfilled”.

These are words which Hazrat Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with him) murmured in the ear of Hazrat Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) so that he may carry the torch (of Khilafat) after him. He must therefore be careful in planning and organising his time. He must rank his priorities and set objectives in terms of importance, and to accomplish in the required time each of his task. The main duty or sacred duty (Farz deed) must be fulfilled before performing a supererogatory one, and this is equally valid for other cases.

Planning time by the Muslim, his good exploitation (of time), are among the principles, recommended by Hazrat Abu Bakr As-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) just before his death, and this is because he knew full well the importance of time and the need to exploit it. That's why his last wishes were a call to manage it well. This is a valuable rule that can be summarised as follows: The importance is not that man accomplishes anything at any time, but to perform an appropriate action at the right time.

Islam has encouraged Muslims to meet deadlines and keep promises. Allah (swt) has praised the believers in these words: “And they who are attentive to their trusts and honour their promises.” And about Moses, He (Allah) said: “Then you came, O Moses, according to a decree,” referring to actions which must arrive at the right time, because the meaning of the verse is: You came at a time when We have decreed (wanted) to send you as a messenger to Pharaoh.

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) warned against broken promises, which he counted among the signs of hypocrisy. And he (peace be upon him) said: “The hypocrite is perceived by three signs: When he speaks he lies, when he promises he breaks his promise, and when he is given something, he betrays.” Not holding true to his engagement or pact, not realising the promises (made to others) indeed to harm these other people and cause them to lose their time waiting unnecessarily (for that person to honour his promise).

Islam has warned against losing time. It establishes the principles that allow the Muslim to safeguard his own time. It requires that the Muslim ask for permission: no one has the right for example, to just barge in someone's home without asking permission. The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said about this: “You ask permission three times (knock on the door three times). Then, either they give you permission or (then) return back on your steps (that is, go away).”

Allah (swt) said: “O ye who believe! Do not enter houses other than your own houses until you ascertain welcome and greet their inhabitants. That is best for you; perhaps you will be reminded. And if you do not find anyone therein, do not enter them until permission has been given you. And if it is said to you, "Go back," then go back; it is purer for you. And Allah is Knowing of what you do.” All this is to preserve the time of Muslim and to prevent him from losing time in unannounced (and also unnecessary) visits.

Among the diversions that waste time, we can name postponement of a good deed and dishonoured promises (or such promises which people take a very long time to honour). Whoever drags hopes (by not accomplishing his promises) can only interfere with the action. Excessive hope leads to laziness, encourages laziness and procrastination. It also leads to diversions and a perverse want to be idle, and even to physical inactivity and extreme idleness (which more often happens because of the pleasure they take in such inactivity).

O son of Adam, beware of procrastination, because you live only today, not tomorrow. So when you're in tomorrow do as you are today. And if you have no tomorrow, then you will not regret anything today. Another word before I end this sermon: One for whom today is like yesterday suffers harm, one for whom today is worse than yesterday is cursed.

So, my brothers and sisters understand that the time for action is now behind and will not return, the world is the scene of action, not of accounts, while the Hereafter is the place of accounts, and not of action...”