Ramadan: Moon-sighting Controversies

In his Friday Sermon of 10 May 2019~04 Ramadan 1440 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius spoke on the recurring controversies in the Muslim world surrounding issues of Moon-sighting on the occasions of announcing big events such as starting of Ramadan and Eid Al Fitr, creating confusion among the believers. The existential reality of the Muslims being found everywhere in the world also means that in the absence of unity under a widely-recognized central leadership, Islamic practice is bound to mutate with local communities differing on correct interpretation of theological questions. The 'trouble' now is the deepening sectarianism- that even within small/ provincial Muslim communities, there is lack of consensus- among the believers on issues like Moon-sighting ahead of sacred religious events. The recent round of debates in Pakistan on the issue- the annual controversy over the decisional accuracy of the Clerical committee- even led a Federal Minister in the Imran Khan administration to advocate the establishment of science-based lunar calendar to calculate the start of the Holy Month.  

In this important discourse, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) exhorts the Muslims to use their minds and find a collective solution to avoid this embarrassing parade of sectarian divisions and  the consequential predicament facing Muslim families in different national communities. Hadhrat Saheb (atba) further reminds everyone that 'according to Islamic precepts, in countries where the moon can be easily seen, then the visibility of the moon is a must to start and to end the sacred month of Ramadan, bearing also in mind that an Islamic month can only be 29 or 30 days and not more'. With a spirit of unity; collective well-being and welfare of all Muslims in mind, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) offers practical advices for the Jamaat to deal with the situation and thereby indicates that it should be possible for the Ummah to device local/national solutions for coordinating the Moon-sighting phenomenon across States and communities and thereby avoid the predicament of family members being divided on sectarian lines as to when they commence fasting in Ramadan and or celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr. 

Read the Friday Sermon Below: 

The month of Ramadan (is the month) in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast (observe the 'Saum' during) that month. (Al-Baqara, 2: 186).

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, Ramadan has once again greeted us with its arrays of blessings and invites us to partake it all so that we may accede to the pleasure of Allah.

In the aftermath of a question which I received from one of my disciples in Tamil Nadu, I would like to shed some light – for the entire Muslim Ummah – on the issue of moon sighting and fasting in the month of Ramadan.

The Qur’an, the blessed words and commandments of Allah, as well as Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) have called our attention to moon sighting for the beginning of the fast of Ramadan, and the same applies when breaking the last fast before the Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: I heard Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) saying, “When you see the crescent (of the month of Ramadan), start fasting, and when you see the crescent (of the month of Shawwal), stop fasting; and if the sky is overcast (and you can’t see it) then regard the month of Ramadan as of 30 days.” (Bukhari, Muslim).

'Ramadan': Some Advices

Insha-Allah, in a few days (either next Tuesday the 7^th of May or Wednesday the 8^th of May), we will observe the month of fasting of Ramadan.

The month of Ramadan does not only mean fasting. The ultimate goal is to attain piety as mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. So, it is up to us to make sure to increase our Taqwa and get closer to the Creator during this blessed month. All Muslims must devote more time to acts of worship (Ibadat) such as: Zikr-i-Ilahi (remembrance of Allah through meditation), and Tilawat-i-Quran (reading the Holy Quran).

Do not waste time in the kitchen to prepare several cakes and other foods and therefore letting a precious time go to waste. You should instead use this time to connect to Allah in the mandatory and supererogatory prayers. There are good numbers of Muslims who prepare “Iftaar parties” and thus do not really know the philosophy of fasting Ramadan. A crazy time is lost in the preparation of dishes of all kinds, and this concerns not only women but also men. They invite a large number of people to Iftaar as if this sacred moment is a feast, a moment of enjoyment that is far from the spirit of Ramadan!

It is true that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) had advised Muslims to share Iftaar with a faster, but one should not go beyond limits, losing time by preparing great kinds and large quantity of food, and foregoing the time of prayer etc.

What are Iftaar Parties? It is rather an innovation because the philosophy behind the fast of Ramadan is that we must devote ourselves more and more in the spiritual field by making sacrifices for the pleasure of Allah (twa). Muslims are called by divine order to fast for the pleasure of Allah, and to make certain sacrifices that will make them feel a closeness to Allah and also to all of humanity, especially the poor.

Take Care of Your Physical & Spiritual Health

Ramadan is a sacred month, and it has a great importance in the lives of all Muslims, without exception. Wake up a little earlier than usual, before the Sehri / Suhur, and enjoy supererogatory prayers such as Salat-ul-Tahajjud and remember Allah a lot. Even for the elderly who cannot fast or who are sick and who must take medication, they are advised not to take any risks. But they (those who cannot fast) should not forget to pay Fidya. And the elderly must benefit more in this blessed month in terms of doing Tawba which is also an act through which one gets closer to Allah. Even if you do not fast, then you should maximize this blessed month in the obligatory and supererogatory prayers, the Zikr, the Tilawat-i-Quran and if you cannot read Arabic, then you can also read them in your own language, and also recite the Darood Shariff.

The Self-Disclosure of God

The Revelations of 19 April 2019

‘A living faith is that through which we can find the Living God. The Living God is He Who can make us a direct recipient of revelation, or could at least bring us in contact with one who has been a direct recipient of revelation. I convey this good news to the whole world that the God of Islam is such a Living God.’

---Promised Messiah Hadhrat Ahmad(as) in Majmua Ishtaharaat, Vol 2, p. 311.

Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hadhrat Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius is a recipient of Divine revelations in our times. Over the last two decades (2000-2019), Hadhrat Saheb (atba) has received thousands of messages from the Unseen, informing him and the world at large about the Exalted Presence and All Powerful control of the Ever-Living God on our universe. The claims of Hadhrat Saheb (atba)- of being a recipient of Divine converse and communion; spiritual titles with a mission of Tawheed; and the beliefs of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam rhyme perfectly well with the beliefs in the Islamic spiritual tradition that Allah the Almighty raises His Elects who enjoy Divine nearness, help and succour, in every era and that they speak with the help of Rooh-il-Qudus. According to Islamic tradition, the sublime purpose of such a spiritual favour on the believers-the raising of a Divine servant with revelations- is to guide and lead humanity in the correct and straight path of Shariah in everyday life.

To teach people wisdom and right judgement on all affairs that concern them, Allah (swt) reveals His messages to His chosen servants in every era. Like the Qur’an says, “And it is not given to a human being that Allah should speak to him except by direct revelation ('Wahi') or from behind a veil or by sending a messenger (an angel) who should reveal (to him) by His command what He pleases”.(42:52)

“It is He Who sends down clear signs to His servant that He may lead you from all kinds of darkness (of ignorance) into the light (of faith)”- (57: 9)

Hence, with the great blessing of illumined guidance descending on a living servant of God amongst us, these are unusual and extraordinary times in the annals of Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya. Almost a century after the death and departure of the Promised Messiah (as); in this era, Allah (swt) has raised Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius- a spiritual son of the Massih Maoud (as)- to bear witness to the magnificent reality of a Living God- the same Divine reality that spoke to prophets and saints in the past, now guiding the humans in our times through sending revelations on His Chosen Servant! Alhamdulillah, Allah-u-Akbar!

Reproduced below are certain Divine revelations vouchsafed to Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) on 19 April 2019 after Jumu’ah prayers. The date of the Revelation is significant: ‘Saturday, 19 April 2003 is an historical day for the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. 16 years ago the believers of the Divine Manifestation had taken the first Bai’ah (oath of allegiance) in the hand of the Khalifatullah. And also today (19 April 2019) is Saint Friday for the Christians’. 

The revelations in the Arabic language contain remarkable reassurance and Divine guarantee of continuing support for the humble servant of God and the spiritual mission, and glad tidings to those who submit to God with His Elect. Likewise, there are also clear warnings in these revelations for those who chose to ridicule the precious Divine heritage they were offered. It is also interesting to note that the present series of Divine revelations contain a succinct restatement of fundamental Islamic beliefs, the faith and beliefs of all Muslims all through the centuries, Alhamdulillah. 

Securing the Future of the World

The Future of our Planet

Earlier this week, on 22 April 2019 there was the International Mother Earth Day which commemorates the Earth and all the riches it has brought us through the sheer grace of God Almighty. It comes as a reminder that the Earth is in danger that we all humans have the absolute duty to protect it, each at our level!

Indeed, nature is a gift of God given to mankind to enable each and every individual lead a joyful, prosperous and peaceful life. However, the greed of people and/ or nations to accumulate wealth by all means, coupled by superfluous consumption has prevented them to make a judicious use of the free natural resources at their disposal and has put humanity in the situation it is in today.

Never before has the human race found him to be so uncomfortable, so insecure and so uncertain about the future. Calamities like flood, drought, tsunami, earthquake, tornado, fire, smoke....(Like on Monday 15 April 2019 in Paris where part of one of the largest cathedrals of France and the world, Notre Dame de Paris burned in a fire. France and the Christian world in general have witnessed the destruction of one of their biggest symbols - gone up in smoke!...)

And also intense heat and cold in every nook and corner of the world and occurring even in odd seasons and in unexpected places, are taking everyone by surprise. Disaster of such dimension never occurred before. Many experts say that such changes (i.e. climate change), brought by the hands of man itself have destroyed the ozone layer protecting our Earth, thus causing global warming and bringing in its wake many other calamities. Such natural calamities as they are termed by man have transformed into divine reminders for them to change their evil ways and to embrace a righteous way of life.

God Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “Calamities have appeared on land and sea because of what the hands of the people have earned, so that He (Allah) makes them taste some of what they did, in order that they may return (to the right way).” (Ar-Rum 30: 42).