Why Follow A ‘Mujaddid’- I

Islam after the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa)

Contemporary Muslim world is riddled with profound paradoxes and deep ironies both in its secular and spiritual realms. Muslims today stand at the crossroads of time: from providing frameworks for the profound transformation of whole communities and nations, and guiding people on the virtues of inner peace and social equilibrium; the Muslims have come to witness periods of decline and fall in their political and spiritual fortunes as well. Severe trials of history in the forms of colonialism and imperialism- the long onslaught of alien economic, military and ideological dominance over the Muslim lands- scarred the psyche of many Muslim societies and peoples. Even in the face of the jealous machinations of the enemies and the many failings of its claimed adherents, it is astonishing that Islam could survive and flourish against all odds. Indeed, by all indications and empirical projections, Islam is poised to outgrow all other religions and is destined to embrace every nook and corner of this world in the foreseeable future. Insha Allah, Aameen. 

The Path of the Saints: Mujaddid/Muhaddith/Khalifatullah 

Notwithstanding the clear intimations of Divine favour on Islam as the paramount belief system of the evolving future; it is deeply ironical that the religion is besieged by simmering internal crises. Much of the Islamic world is beset with looming fires of various kinds amidst deepening sectarian divisions. At a time when the propaganda against Islam as an oppressive social order (God forbid) remains raging in non-Muslim public/ social circles, it is also disconcerting that there is a glaring disconnect between the ideals of the Faith and the realities of practice in every day life among the Muslims. 

Since most Muslims today have an imperfect understanding of Divine commandments and religious doctrines they have inherited from their pious ancestors, it is a religious imperative that the spiritual appeal and ethical beauty of Islam is reclaimed and renewed by living testimonials in the everyday life of the community at large. It is instructive to note in this context vital Islamic teachings regarding the continuity of spiritual vicegerency in every era of Islam through the advent of some perfect followers of the Light of Muhammad (sa). Indeed the Qur'an makes a spiritual promise that Allah (swt) shall raise His special servants with a mandate to hold aloft the torch of Faith and for the renewal/re-birth of sublime morals of Islam among the believers. Such teachings about the coming of the Saints of the Faith to serve as the guiding stars even in times of crises and confusion powerfully point to the inner vitality of the Islamic Way. If Islam has survived and continues to endure as the Holy Path of God despite all the political crises in Muslim lands, it is indeed in large measure due to the instrumental and exemplary roles of the extraordinary men (and women) of God who appeared to serve the Faith over the centuries. 

Mujaddidin will continue to Appear

The Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian was a spiritual polymath, steeped in all the religious sciences. He spoke with extraordinary urgency and consistency on the need for the wider acceptance within the Muslim Ummah of forgotten Islamic teachings- regarding advent of Divinely-imbued souls such as a Mujaddid/Muhaddith/Khalifatullah among the Muslims in every era. 

Perhaps some of the finest explanations on the purpose and significance of such Divine Manifestations in Islam is found in the enduring writings of the Promised Massih (as). In an era in which his own so called followers and disciples have completely trampled to dust the great legacy of the Promised Massih (as) by ignoring and evading the Divine Manifestation of this era among the Ahmadis in the person of Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius, it is all the more important to revisit his thoughts and reclaim his profound reflections on the advent of Mujaddidin and Muhaddithin among the believers. Reproduced below are certain extracts from the Speeches and Discourses (‘Malfoozat’) of the Promised Massih (as) on the theme:

“If now is not the time for the advent of the awaited one, the earliest that he can appear now is after a hundred years. For a divinely appointed Reformer (Mujaddid) must always appears at the head of the century”. -----The First Address of the Promised Messiah (as) at the Annual Convention on 25 December 1897).

Du'ah: Role in Spiritual Life- II

Du'ah: The Instrumental Role

Alhamdulillah, Allah has given me the opportunity to continue the second part of my sermon on Duahs which I started on Friday 07 September 2018.

The duah (i.e. in this context, Invocation to Allah) is a way to obtain from Allah the Exalted One the prerogative (exclusive right, i.e. in a most humble way) that He hears and satisfies our needs in the broadest sense of the word. It is therefore a factor that can affect even our fate and change our destiny. Surely, Allah the Exalted is always “closer to man than the vein of his neck (jugular vein)” as He explains in a Qur’anic verse (Qaf 50: 17).

Eight Years of the Jamaat in India

A Divine Elect in our Times

The Holy Founder and Imam of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International, Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) belongs to, and lives in, the Indian Ocean- island State of Mauritius. For close to two decades now, this devout servant of Islam has been proclaiming through all means available that he has a Divinely-inspired mission: of reclaiming and revitalizing the enduring message of Tawheed-thereby helping people appreciate the correct spiritual path; strengthening them morally and spiritually in these bewildering times. Like all men of God throughout history, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) preaches Divine Love. Sharing pure Divine Messages coming from the Unseen, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) invites people to recognize the advent of his humble self in our midst as an Elect of God and consider the extraordinary possibility of acceding to the Divine countenance in this era as well by following his personal example. 

Those familiar with the profound history of Islamic spirituality over the last millennium and more- that witnessed the appearance of so many Divinely-imbued souls as the Pole Stars of the Religion and the Way- would not be surprised by the claims and arguments of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) in our times. 

Like the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian noted in the previous era, perfect followers of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) have always been blessed with Divine converse and guidance, all through Islamic history. The Promised Massih (as) referred to this special Divine phenomenon in many of his writings, when he stated: 

“Of all the leaders of Tasawwuf that there have been till the present day, not even one has disagreed with the point that in this religion the path to become the likes of prophets is open, as the Holy Prophet Muhammad has given the glad tidings for spiritual and godly learned persons that ‘the Ulama of my nation are like the Israelite Prophets’. 

An Advice: 'Live for Allah'

Oh My Dearest Disciple,

Be Always Dynamic,

And Overpower all 

Hurdles which may 

Come your way.

The World and its beauties 

And majesties

Shall try to cast your eyes away

From that Moment of Nearness

Which you share with Allah and His Messenger.

Let go of every shackle,

Which bounds you to this

Temporal Life;

Live for Allah

And Allah shall be for you.

The blood of your soul,

Shall then taste finally

Of the Elixir of Allah's Praises,

As to keep it 

Alive for Eternity. (Insha-Allah. Ameen)

[---Being an inspired, special Advice given by Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius to a disciple on 19 March 2016]. 

Conjugal Relations in Islam

Imam Bukhari mentions a Hadith of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), reported by Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) which is as follows: “If a husband calls his wife to his bed (i.e. to have sexual relation) and she refuses and causes him to sleep in anger, the angels will curse her till morning.”

 

There are many women who, as a result of a dispute between themselves and their husbands, think that they are punishing them (i.e. their husbands) by not allowing them to satisfy their carnal desires. However, this attitude can lead to serious problems that can lead the husband to commit a prohibited act or things can turn against her (i.e. the wife) and he will think about getting married to a second woman. The wife must therefore satisfy his desire by putting into practice a recommendation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh):  “If the man calls his wife for sexual intercourse, she must answer spontaneously even if she is on the saddle of a camel!” 

 

All the same, the husband must also take into account the condition of his wife, who may be sick, pregnant or have trouble, all this to reach an agreement (with her, mutual agreement) without difficulty.

Shi‘a Islam: Beliefs and Practices

The Shi'a belief on 'Imamat'

The Shiites believe that after the death of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and this till the end of the world, Allah has nominated twelve Imams. According to them, those twelve Imams had been nominated by Allah through Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The first Imam according to them is Ali (ra), the second one, his son, Imam Hassan, the third one Imam Hussein and the rest of the nine Imams being found in their bloodline.

 

From the first Imam (i.e. Ali) till the eleventh Imam (Hassan Askari), all died a natural death like the rest of mankind. As for the twelfth Imam, the son of Hassan Askari, he mysteriously disappeared in this youth and went into hiding in a cave. Now till the end of the world, according to the Shiites, he alone has the exclusive right to reign upon the world. The belief in Imamat is obligatory (Farz) for a Shiite and the one who does not believe in it shall see himself being rewarded hell as resting place. In one of their books, Al-Kafila there is the mention that if the earth (i.e. the world) remain without an Imam, it shall sink. Still according to this book, the (Shiites) Imams are selected by Allah just like Allah chose the prophets.

The Legacy of Imam Hussein

“The evil is dominant and the good can be likened to leftover drops in a drinking bowl. The righteous conduct has become rare and the wrongful behavior is raging. A believer is obliged by his faith to seek truth in all circumstances. Living under a tyrant is disgrace and dying at the hands of an oppressor is true martyrdom”.

                                                                    - Hadhrat Imam Hussein (ra) 

These ringing words of uncommon courage spoken by that grandson of the Holy Prophet (sa), addressing his small band of followers and family members who accompanied him, on the eve of the great tragedy of Karbala, in spiritual defiance of Yezid ibn Muawiya, the accursed- the oppressive ruler of the day- reverberates through Islamic history as the golden standard of religion, politics and morality for all times. 

As the Holy Prophet (sa) had established the State of Islam in Madina through the famous “Covenant of Madina”- with all peoples/communities expressing their trust (Bai’at) in a just ruler bound by principles of law and a working process of consultation (Shura) with the governed; Islamic political order assured the dignity of man, ensuring the freedom of expression and participation in public affairs both by the elders and the ordinary and the young citizens. It is this egalitarian system of Islamic values and political order that was sought to be defiled and overturned into a dynastic authoritarian order by that licentious prince Yezid in the times of Imam Hussein (ra), setting up that encounter between the despot and the saint. As a man who led a life of pious rectitude engaged in spiritual and academic pursuits in Madina, Imam Hussein (ra) was a conscientious and upright visionary of Islam. Rather than seeking to compromise in the pursuit of chance gains of this life, he thought no sacrifice is great in confronting evil; in upholding foundational Islamic values of justice and resistance to oppression, and chose to embrace the eternal life of a martyr than be a mute spectator to the erosion of values. Beyond tragic history, the episode of Karbala and the enduring legacy of Imam Hussein (ra) offers powerful opportunities for reflection for all believers in confronting evil that exists around us. 

In his Friday Sermon of 21 September 2018 (11 Muharram 1440 AH), Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius reminds the Muslims about the fatal flaws that have crept into the community practices surrounding this great legacy; the ultimate futility of empty ritualism and spiritual corruption they are indulging in; and the important lessons the great Imam’s life offers for all of us in these turbulent times.

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon: 

Every year, during the month of Muharram, many Muslims mourn the death of Imam Hussein (ra). 

Peace and Unity among Ahmadis

The world of Islam today is splintered on denominational and sectarian lines. The lineages of the great divide among the Muslims go far back into history, originating in the disputes over obedience to authority and the sharing of power in the times after the Holy Prophet (sa) and his rightly-guided successors, the pious Caliphs. It’s a searing fact of history that after that first century of Islam, the Muslims had never been united as a single spiritual and political order. With the great schism among the believers leading to the formation of sectarian identity among them; the lofty identity of Islam receded to the backdrop and the Muslims were reduced to be either Sunnis or Shiites and in course of time, with the entrenchment of deep divisions over questions of Islamic law, new groups emerged among them on sectarian lines.

Indeed, there is no monolithic/single/unified ‘Islam’ in our times; there are many ‘Islams’ as the proliferation of religious groupings among the nearly two billion Muslims around the world so clearly demonstrate. This is unfortunately true as well, even in the relatively humble and small world of Ahmadiyya Islam- the community of Muslims assembled originally by the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian in the previous century. Today, despite all that the Promised Massih (as) had taught about the unity of all religions in Islam, the Ahmadis or the people who claim themselves to be the followers of that great saint of Islam, themselves are splintered into numerous sects and groupings. For instance, the different Ahmadi sects include the following: Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Qadian, Anjuman Ahmadiyya Lahore, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Al Muslemun, Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Islah Pasand, Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Haquiqui.

No one can deny that the Holy Qur’an had indeed warned the Muslims about the lessons of human history. Whereas unity and cohesion leads to progress and blessings, disagreement and splintering leads to decline and fall. The Divine Book says, “This community of yours is one single community, and I am your Lord. So fear Me. But they are divided into sects, each sect rejoicing in its belief.” (23: 53-54). “And if your Lord had willed, He could have made mankind one community. Yet they continue to disagree (among them) except those upon whom your Lord has bestowed His Mercy. This is why He created them ...” (11: 119-120). 

It is possible to look at the diversity of situations and the plurality of opinions among Ahmadis as the existential condition of the times we are living in. In dealing with questions where we differ among ourselves, however, it is important to keep the big picture in mind all the time- including the obligations of brotherhood left behind by the Holy Prophet (sa) when he stated: “A Muslim is the brother of another Muslim. Do not hate each other and do not be jealous of each other and do not desert each other, O worshipers of Allah! Be brothers! And whoever meets the needs of his brother, Allah will meet his needs”. Indeed, the Ahmadi believers have a duty to respect the integrity and religious choices of our fellow humans found in different sects of Islam. Rather than seeking to project narrow interests, group-based prejudices and sectarian mindsets; engage with the brethren in faith in a spirit of solidarity and kindness in furthering the shared ideals of Islam. 

An Appeal to All 

In October 2008, in the seventh year of the present Divine Manifestation, Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius made a fervent, Divinely-inspired Appeal to all mankind, especially to his Ahmadi brothers found in various sects of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya to improve the quality of their spiritual engagements and public debates and to rise above their sectarian perspectives so as to truly embrace the purpose of a spiritual life. 

Read the Document Below:

Hijri Era: Islamic Calendar

THE ISLAMIC CALENDAR

I shall now address you some explanations on the Islamic Calendar. The Islamic Calendar has a story and origin and we should know about it.

All nations used to keep count of years as from a specific epoch. Whenever there was a highly important event that is known to the whole world, then people took it as a starting point of an epoch, to start a calendar. The best way to start a calendar would have been to date it back to the advent of Hazrat Adam (as) on earth or even start the calendar as from the deluge in the times of Hazrat Nuh (as), for these are highly important events in history. But unfortunately, we do not have exact information on the times when these events occurred. Therefore, each nation took as starting point a main event/ situation which they witnessed in their own times.

It has been reported that the descendants of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) began to count the days/ years as from the day that he was thrown into the fire. As for the Arabs, they based their calendar on the Year of the Elephant, and here is its story:

Muharram, 'Ashura' Fasting

A new Islamic Year

'Best wishes for the Islamic New Year to all my followers and the entire Muslim community in the world. Alhamdulillah, we begin the New Year of the Islamic calendar and therefore, the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam presents to all Muslims and Muslims its best wishes for the New Year. We hope that this year we can continue to do good deeds with solid faith (Iman) in Allah and the will to fulfill His instructions and commands in the best way possible.

 

The month of Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar. This month is not only sacred but also full of blessings. Even in the pre-Islamic era, the Arabs respected this month, stopped fighting and prevented themselves from harming each other. It’s a month dedicated to Allah.... 

'Khilafat': Ahmadi Misconceptions

Serious misconceptions exist among Ahmadis today about the spiritual status and authority of their 'Khalifatul Massih'. Through an incremental process of  theological engineering in institutional practices over a century of its existence, the Nizam-e-Jamaat manufactured a special spiritual 'aura' around its assembly-elected leader. The institutional role and administrative authority of the office of the Khalifatul Massih has been calibrated into an 'infallible' league of its own, almost as an equivalent of an Elect of God. Today, the carefully-crafted image of 'a leader who enjoys the shadow of Divine protection' has been conferred upon the Caliph by his own sect and as such the title of 'Khalifatul Massih' holds special significance in the mind-space and religious imagination of the folks within. So much so that most members of the Jamaat today swear by a notion that 'Ahmadiyya Khilafat' is the unchanging institutional order of Islam till the Day of Judgement (Qiyamah). 

Living Islam: Importance of 'Duah'

Invocations (Duah) in Islam

“Seek ways to get closer to Him.” (Al-Ma'ida, 5: 36).

“O Allah, You are forgiving and You love to forgive, so (please) forgive me.” Ameen.

The duah is an imploration, a prayer, a request, a supplication that we, the Muslim Ummah, address to Allah (swt) to satisfy our needs, to grant us His blessings, to forgive our sins, to help us overcome our difficulties, to solve our problems, to correct our faults, to find (and tread upon) the right path, to enlighten our hearts to make the difference between good and evil, to find the true path and inner peace and to draw closer to Him.

The duah is the favourite weapon of all prophets and true believers so as to carry out the difficult tasks assigned to them and to endure the ordeals they have often suffered and shall continue to suffer. That is to say, just like there were the prophets of Allah and the pious people who had to go through all kinds of ordeals in the past and they used to invoke Allah to help them, likewise, presently and in the future also, there shall be such elects of Allah and the pious people who shall also seek the help of Allah in all their ordeals through prayer (duahs). Through various verses of the Holy Quran, we learn how the prophets (Hazrat) Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Ayub, Zakariah and other messengers made duahs, especially during the difficult moments of their lives. 

And the Holy Book teaches us how the Seal of the Prophets Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) strongly urged believers to seek the help of Allah (swt) in all circumstances. So much so that to start any particular job/ task you have to do a very easy duah, saying: “Bismillah”. The duah is the best way to have a healthy, perfect, agreeable relationship between man and his Creator, as well as his rooting in the notion of faith, since even the prophets who represent the peak of humanity as to their closeness to Allah (swt) and their connection to Him always resorted to duahs.

We must in no case neglect this act of worship, this great and best worship of Allah (swt) – after Salat and Quran reading. For if you meditate of its importance, you shall find that in Salat (prayer), it is mostly Quranic verses and duahs which are recited. It is duahs which embellish our Salat. The Holy Prophet (pbuh) was right and he made it clear about duah: “Duah (Supplication) is the essence of worship.” (Tirmidhi). 

Patience in Adversity

Patience, Perseverance and Endurance

To succeed in establishing in his soul beautiful qualities, such as patience, perseverance, endurance, the Muslim must absolutely resort to various verses of the Holy Quran and explicit Hadiths on the subject. Certainly the Holy Quran gives us clear examples that make us think, to boost us to take this path and succeed. Without patience, perseverance and endurance, the believer will not succeed in opening himself spiritually to the understanding of religion - in this case, Islam - and the essence of faith in itself.

Our Lord, Allah (swt) tells us in the Holy Qur’an:

“Give good tidings to the patient, those who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return.’ Those are the ones upon whom are blessings from their Lord and mercy. And it is those who are the [rightly] guided.” (Al-Baqara 2 : 156-158).

“O you who believe! Persevere in patience and constancy; vie in such perseverance; strengthen each other; and fear Allah; that you may prosper.” (Al-Imran 3 : 201).

“We will surely give those who were patient their reward according to the best of what they used to do.” (An-Nahl, 16 : 97).

“Be patient, your patience is not but from Allah.” (An-Nahl 16 : 128).

“Bear anything that happens to you steadfastly, for this is firmness (of purpose) in (the conduct of) affairs.” (Luqman, 31 : 18).

“And We made from among them leaders guiding by Our command when they were patient and [when] they were certain of Our signs.” (Al-Sajda 32 : 25).

“The patient will be given their reward without account.” (Az-Zumar, 39 : 11).

These are some blessed verses from the Holy Qur’an that God the Exalted has sent down to humanity for all times. They show that where patience and endurance prevail, success is a sure cure. To these two elements forming the character of man, we must certainly add faith and piety as a whole. It is then that the divine blessing falls. For Allah (swt) reminds the Ummah through the Qur’anic verses of the value of patience and endurance.

Indeed, among the virtues that constitute the adornment of a Muslim, there is patience and endurance. These two elements, adopted with conviction help to combat the harm of others for the sake of Allah. Patience is simply the constraint of the soul to accept what is repugnant to it and to endure with impassivity, with constancy the evil that reaches it.

In times of trials, Muslims and especially my disciples of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam must restrain themselves and persevere in the accomplishment of good deeds and become models of virtues. You must not be alarmed or irritated or angry. On the contrary, you must have complete trust in Allah. Remember that the difficulties you are experiencing are only trials that you must overcome for the sake of Allah. These are tests, exams that God makes you undergo to bring out your true value and your true faith.

A Poem on ‘Taubah’

On Repentance and Returning to Allah

The time has come for me to see after the darkness of ignorance

My old age is a morning that calls me to its dawning rays

The night of youth is short, so proceed deliberately

The morning is the end of the road for the night traveler.

How have I been deceived by the world and its adornment,

Building my home on the crumbling ground, at the edge of a precipice?

A home whose transgressions remain, but whose delights perish:

How wretched is such a home!

The happy one is not one who is delighted by his worldly trinkets;

Rather, the happy one is the one saved from the torment of Hell.

I have awakened from wickedness, fearful and trembling,

For Allah knows my deeds, open and secret.

If I hold my sins to be grave and they fill me with despair,

I can only hope that they will be eradicated,

By the One who alone can do so…

The All Forgiving.

---(Written by Hadhrat Abul Hasan Abdul Aziz al-Jurjani (ra). Translated from the Arabic by Zaid Shakir)