'Dawa' and the Renewal of Islam

 

Islam stands for Tawheed, the uncompromising belief in the Lordship of a Unique God who is the controller of all affairs in all the worlds. True faith in the Lord Almighty is reflected in good deeds- actions that stand to benefit all of His creations in this world. Hence, Islam expects the Muslim to accomplish the worship of Allah by serving humanity; standing up for the truth; establishing justice by fighting against evil; promoting goodness in society by caring and sharing life's blessings with the less fortunate, and thereby help creating a social order of equity and balance.

 

In a world riven by competition, and conflicts over mundane resources and other material interests among different groups splintered on diverging identities; the Muslim Ummah everywhere also face these profound structural and existential conditions of societies today. Whereas Allah (swt) has willed the diversity of His creation as a grand Sign of His Unicity, and to test the true mettle of the humans who inhabit this world, the real challenge and larger task of the Muslims in every era is to become a beacon of divine light and spiritual hope. In a morally- darkened world of egoistic passions of jealousy, hatred and arrogance; creating an alternative social order is indeed a heavy responsibility: a world inspired by faith in God and the higher values of life and fostered by true piety and goodwill for everyone.  

 

 

Recently, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius launched a very important initiative for the religious education and spiritual training of the Jamaat members in Kerala, India, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah. While announcing the establishment of the Dawa Academy in the region, and also entrusting the coordination of administrative responsibilities among members, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) urged the believers to arise and diligently and patiently strive to create a just world under Islam. In this context, Hazrat Saheb (aba) shared with everyone some of the Divine revelations and visions he received as early as April 2004 during the early days of the Divine Manifestation, in the times of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Al Muslemeen.  The revelations and spiritual visions, between them, contain a deep and profound message of wisdom for the resurgence of the true spirit of Islam among the Muslim peoples in this era. May Allah (swt) grant everyone the blessing of comprehending the ways of attracting Divine pleasure and the benefits of harmony and unity, true faith and patient striving in spiritual and temporal life, Insha Allah, Aameen. 

Civility in Religious Debates

Be it writing on social media, or appearing on television channels on public debates; the persons exercising their free speech rights have a duty to observe civility and courtesy, and not to fan hatred between different classes of people, nor spread bigotry among religious communities, especially so when they are leading politicians and spokespersons of a party ruling a country. When political elites fail to observe restraint and cross the red-lines in public discourse on people’s beliefs, or faith-related controversies; it invariably generates public resistance and political backlash, muddying the social relations- nationally and internationally.

Recently, two leaders of the ruling BJP in India, Nupur Sharma and Naveen Jindal, indulged in wanton anti-Muslim tirade, in public television and on social media. In their visceral hatred of the Muslim community in the country, these ruling politicians went to the extreme extend of attacking and vilifying the religion of Islam, and insulting the sacred memory of the Holy Prophet (sa) and his family. Making hurtful comments about the Holy Prophet’s life with his young wife Hazrat Ayesha (ra), these thugs from the majority community in the land sought to humiliate the minority community by insulting their religious beliefs. With the Muslims in India holding angry public demonstrations against the culprits, and many Muslim majority-nations in unison calling out the Islamophobia on full display in India, the episode involving the gross misconduct of its spokespersons embarrassed not only the governing party but also caused deep humiliation for the country’s image and standing internationally. [Inset: People hold posters during a protest demanding the arrest of suspended Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokeswoman Nupur Sharma and expelled BJP leader Naveen Jindal. Credit: Reuters photo/ Deccan Herald/ PTI, June 10, 2022]. 

Poem: 'Bon Voyage, O Hajjis'

 

The Beautiful Days are approaching,

When you will be in the Holy Land, O Muslims,

In the garb of pilgrims,

You will get to taste the elixir of life,

Which purifies one from all sins

And brings one to the pinnacle of submission,

To the Lord’s Will;

This fortune has been opened for you,

O you travellers to Arabia,

Let the sight of the Holy Ka’aba bedazzle you

Into submission to the Almighty;