The Signs of ‘Al Abrar’

 

Rituals of prayer and rites of sacrifice are a part of every Faith. Indeed, those aspects of Faith are its unique markings and as such representative of the very distinct identity of a community- like the anthems and flags of a nation proud in its independent existence. For Islam, the external forms of ‘identity-markers’ of a Muslim includes: performing ‘Namaz’, fasting on Ramadan; feasting on Eid, etc. Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) stated: ‘Whoever prays like us and faces our Qibla and eats our slaughtered animals is a Muslim.’ 

Yet, Faith is much more than just doing religious ceremonies in a mechanical fashion. In Islam, mere physical compliance to rites and rituals does not meet the requirements of piety. Even while explaining God’s sacred rites of animal sacrifice on the occasion of the great pilgrimage, the Qur’an states: ‘It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God but your piety’. (22:37). The Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa) said, “God does not look at your bodies or at your forms, but looks at your hearts”.

'Sham': The Holy Land

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, today is the third day of Eid [in the context of the Eid’-ul Adha] and an Eid’-ul Jummah. The sacrifice of Abraham and his son will remain forever engraved in the history of mankind, because let us all remember that Abraham (as) as mentioned in the Qu’ran was the father of two nations: The Ishmaelites [that is, the biological as well as spiritual children of Isma’il (as), i.e., the Muslims] and the children of Issac, and consequently those of Israel [i.e., Jacob (as) who are better known as Jews as well as Christians]. 

In these dark times of history, we see the descendants and followers of the two prophets: Ishmael and Issac, fighting among them to dispute a land which since the dawn of time has been a holy land. Although this land came under the responsibility of Muslims, but other countries have widened the chasm of hatred and strife to make this sacred land a land of war and dread.

Eid-ul-Adha Retreat 2021

 

In the clear light of Divine revelations ahead of the Eid-ul-Adha this year, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (aba) of Mauritius recently instructed his disciples /Jamaat members to converge at their area-Masjids and other designated places of prayer for five days and “celebrate the three days of Eid-ul-Adha together and partake of this golden and blessed opportunity to stay as one congregation, as one family and maximize not only the spiritual food [in terms of the Eid-ul-Adha Khutba, the spiritual programmes and Zikrullah], but also partake of your daily food together [breakfast, lunch and dinner]. And on the day of Eid [and for the Sacrifice of Ibrahim (as)], like Allah has instructed me, there will be the Zaba [Sacrifice] of an animal and all of you join together for the Eid prayer and animal sacrifice [Qurbani/ Udhiya]…and you enjoy this exceptional and blessed moment together as one blessed spiritual family and you all sit together and eat from the sacrificed animal [Qurbani].” 

In obedience to Allah and His Khalifatullah’s instructions, the members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Mayotte, and India recently came together to partake of the Divine blessings in the company of fellow brothers and sisters, in their own respective places. In India alone, Eid-ul-Adha Retreats were organized at the Siraj-um-Munir Masjid in Tamil Nadu, as well as at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra, Kerala. Likewise, members of the Jamaat in distant places within the country organized programmes of devotional worship and remembrance of the Divine with family and friends in their own local settings in these Holy and Blessed Days of Dhul Hijjah, experiencing the joy of togetherness and spiritual upliftment, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.

Israel: A Racist Bully

 

Israel & U.S under Fire 

Israel’s attempt to justify its recent brutal assault on Gaza rings hollow to anybody familiar with events in Israel, where the government of Israel, backed by anti-Arab racists, has systematically, cruelly, and persistently violated the basic human rights of the Arab population. Like I told you last week in my sermon, Human Rights Watch, a global NGO with many Jewish leaders, has condemned Israel for crimes against humanity. 

Israel behaviour puts US President Joe Biden’s administration, which professes a foreign policy based on human rights, under the spotlight. If that commitment is genuine, the administration should support an independent UN investigation of Israeli human rights violations against the Arab population and suspend military aid to Israel until the inquiry is completed and the human rights of the Palestinians are secured.