Remedies for the Diseases of the Heart

I don’t know how to thank My Creator, for He keeps increasing my knowledge on this subject and today, Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah I continue my Friday Sermon, on the remedies for the diseases of the heart, and I start first of all with how to guard one’s heart against the attack of the Satan (Shaytan). Shaytan creates doubts in the heart, therefore believing men should distant these doubts with the Zikr (remembrance) of Allah Ta’ala. They should not pay any attention to these doubts and distractions. Doubts and distractions are the talks of the Satan which he instills in the hearts of the believers.

It is reported in a Hadith that Shaytan will come to one of you and say to you: “Who created you?” 

The person will reply “Allah has created me”. Shaytan will then ask:“Who has created Allah?” 

Thus if this question arises in anyone’s heart, he should say:“I have brought faith in Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). This thought will then go away”. (Musnad Ahmad)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is reported to have said: “Two causes take effect on the heart. One, the effect by the angels in the form of truth and virtue, this is from Allah Ta’ala. One should thank Allah Ta’ala for such effect. The other is from our enemy in the form of rejecting the truth and avoiding virtuous acts. One who experiences these effects should seek Allah’s protection from the accursed Satan.” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) then recited the following verse in a way of supporting this Hadith: “Satan threatens you with poverty and orders you to immorality, while Allah promises you forgiveness from Him and bounty. And Allah is All-Embracing, All-Knowing.” (2: 269).” (Musnad Ahmad)

Faith and Fellowship in Rodrigues

All my Rodriguan brothers and sisters who are present here, Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu. I wish to first of all thank you for your presence, and today verily is a historical date: 07 November 2014. We are performing our Friday Sermon in Oyster Bay here in Rodrigues.

And like you all know, my stay here in Rodrigues is for the purpose of seeking a place and also for the construction of our Mosque. And by the grace of Allah, a place has been found, and the construction of the mosque is in progress, but there is also the fact that our opponents of the different religions and from the different sects in Islam are putting obstacles in our works, creating problems so that the construction work of our Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam mosque here in Rodrigues is stopped. It is unfortunate that after doing the necessities for the construction the authorities then reacted differently. It is unfortunate that despite our arrival in Rodrigues, with all the procedures done with the authorities so that we may go forward with the construction project of the mosque and our Mission House here, and to make our Jamaat function and also to have our centre, whereby our brothers and sisters can have a good place for them to perform their Jummah, their programmes and prayers in congregation regularly (therefore there are problems cropping up because of the plans of our opponents).

Another thing I have noticed. When I came here the last time, that is, some months back, I saw the enthusiasm, with the new members etc. But this time around, with this humble self’s presence in Rodrigues, I understood what evil strategies our opponents are using to stop us from propagating the unicity of Allah, to stop our progress. They are making their best in this direction. Therefore those new members who were still weak in faith, whose faith had not had an opportunity to be reinforced in the correct way – and that is why also we need a centre so that someone does this work, to give spiritual education to our members – therefore, the scheming people have seized these opportunities (to brainwash the new members) and unfortunately there are among them people who have left the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam. We have to be frank (reveal the truth). By the reports that we received they have come to know what kind of bad works the opposition have made to influence those people who had left the Jamaat. I need to stress that I am not talking of only one group of people, but this is the work of many who have participated to remove these people from the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, and we can say also from Islam altogether.

Decadence in Rodrigues society

Therefore, when I analyse all that has transpired in Rodrigues (everything has changed). I used to know Rodrigues well, how its inhabitants were nice, and used to love listening to religious speeches. It was in 1993 that I came to Rodrigues for the first time, and this continued till the year 2000. Rodrigues was a very quiet place (island). There used to be no fear to stay here. You could leave the house peacefully, leave the door open and nobody would enter to steal. We did not also hear about crimes and violence.

“I Believe”: Zafrullah Khan’s Faith

“I believe that subordinate prophets will continue to arise in Islam when mankind strays from the path of righteousness and needs divine revelation. It is necessary that, as the pattern of human life develops, mankind should have a living example set before them of a life utterly pure and devoted to the service of God and man”.

 -Sir Zafrullah Khan Sahib (ra) on American Radio Speech, in 1950

Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan Sahib (ra) (1893-1985), arguably one of the greatest public figures to have emerged among the followers and disciples of the Promised Massih Hadhrat Ahmad (as), stated these ringing words in a context where he was explaining his inner most spiritual convictions and beliefs as a devout Muslim. In the 1950’s, the US radio service CBS invited Sir Zafrullah Khan Sahib, who at that time was the Foreign Minister of Pakistan with a formidable reputation of being a preeminent leader-statesman of the Muslim world, to deliver this address in the series on “This, I believe”. This speech was rebroadcast almost sixty years later on The Bob Edwards Show on July 23, 2010 and is now publically available on You Tube and also in Ahmadi media networks. 

This special speech of Sir Muhammad Zafrullah Khan (ra) is a public testimonial of his deeply held spiritual convictions and as such, it beautifully captures the sum and substance of the faith that the Promised Massih (as) had taught all his life and left behind as his spiritual legacy for all his followers and disciples. All members of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya need to ruminate and profoundly ponder over the ringing words of this great ambassador of the Ahmadiyya community.  

For the benefit of our Ahmadi readers, many of whom have been misguided by their current leaders and scholars with the notion that “Ummati-Nubuwwat’ in Islam has been replaced by a system of man-elected man or ‘Khilafat-e-Ahmadiyya’, we reproduce below the transcript text and audio of the Speech.  

Spiritual Balm for the Diseases of the Heart

“Oh mankind! There has come unto you an exhortation from your Lord, a balm for that which is in the breasts, a guidance and a mercy for believers.” (10: 58).

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, My Rab (Lord, Allah) has given me this opportunity in my Friday Sermon of today to explain the remedies for diseases of the heart (7^th Part: “The Heart”). 

Note that cure and remedies of the diseased hearts lie only in obedience to the Quran and in pure and perfect Iman (faith); you can analyse and try to understand that Allah the Exalted says in the verse of Chapter Yunus which I have recited in the beginning of my sermon after Surah Al-Fatiha.

The Quran is a cure for that ignorance of the heart. Ignorance is a much more fatal disease to the heart in comparison to sicknesses of the body. Diseases of the heart are bad character, evil beliefs, destructive and ignorant customs, etc. The Quran is a salutary healer of all these diseases, for it embraces, advices, admonishes, gives warnings, encouragement, etc. Thus, the cure and healer for the disease of the heart is the Quran. 

Yaum-e-Ashura: Remembering Imam Hussein

My sermon will be on the Islamic month; especially the 10^th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic Calendar which is the Yaum-e-Ashura. It is an historical date and deeply memorable in Islam whereby lots of events, in addition to the one at Karbala, took place in the past, and also whereby other events will take place in the future. It is a day which is full of the blessings and on this day, Allah accepts and fulfils prayers made with sincerity. It is recommended to obtain a fast on this day and also one on either the eve or the next day of the Ashura.

On the day of Ashura, perform Ghusl (a complete bath); trim your nails, put on clean clothes and enable yourself to enter a state of Ibaadat (worship of Allah). On this day, besides the obligatory prayers, do some recitations of the Holy Quran, then read two cycles of voluntary prayers by reciting in each cycle after the Surah Al-Fatiha, ten times the Surah Al-Ikhlaas (Qul Huwallaaho Ahad…); After the prayer, read one time the Verse of the Throne (Ayatul Qursi) and nine times the Darood Ibrahim (which we read daily in our Salaat); afterwards ask of Allah whatever you want (which is permissible in the eyes of Allah). Invoke Him with sincerity!

Hazrat Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “On the day of Ashura, the one who reads four voluntary cycles of prayer, and in each cycle, after the Surah Al-Fatiha reads eleven times Surah Al-Ikhlaas, Allah forgives him all his sins and will build for him an illuminated minbar.” This form of prayer purifies a believer from all his sins, and elevates him in his faith, and attracts on him the blessings of Allah. It is recommended to observe two fasts, that is, the 9^th and the 10^th day of Muharram. Hazrat Muhammad (Peace & Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “After the obligatory fasting of Ramadhan, comes the greatness of the Ashura fast, and the latter wash away the sins of the preceding year.” It is also highly recommended on this day to perform other forms of worship to seek the pleasure of Allah, for example: to help the needy people in any way, to feed the poor, give away Sadqua (charity), etc.

The 10^th of Muharram will always remain engraved in the mind of each and every Muslim so that they may always remember the drastic days which befell upon Hazrat Imam Hussein. 

Spiritual Diseases of the Heart

Muharram 1436 Hijri

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) has chosen and given preference to certain days and times that are special and sacred in our religion. As many of you may know by now, the sacred month of Muharram (which begins the new Islamic year and which has been named “the month of Allah” by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) – reported by Muslim), has started last Sunday 26 October 2014. We have thus entered the year 1436 Hijri, and today is the 06 Muharram 1436 Hijri.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic Calendar and it is during this month itself (the tenth of Muharram) that Imam Hussein and his companions have been martyred at the hands of Yazid and his soldiers. Thus, the month of Muharram, year 61 after Hijra, hearts clashed; some were for the sanctity of Islam whereas the others were against the very spirit of Islam. They pierced the heart of the tree of Islam and cut to pieces its exquisite fruits. They tried to extinguish the Light of Allah through all means at their disposal, but Allah persisted to render manifest His Light.

On this note, by the grace and help of my Rab I continue my Friday Sermon (Part 6) for today on the same subject (The Heart), on how it is important to keep our heart clean, white, and pure; such purification with a lot of repentance so that no dot of hatred stay in the heart, so that another Yazid may not see daylight. It is only after that kind of purification that we can set up our motto: “Love For All, Hatred For None” like true believers, in such a way where there is no hypocrisy, no show in our heart. You can make thousands and thousands of signboards, stickers, t-shirts print of “Love For All, Hatred For None” but if this is only for show, if only the outside look matters to you, only to beautify the signboards, t-shirt, stickers while at the same time you have a lot of hatred in your heart, and are applying boycott against your Muslims brothers and sisters therefore this is purely hypocrisy and the manifestation of an ill heart.

Verily, hearts also become sick. Just as the body becomes sick, so does the heart. As crookedness enters the eyes, hearts also become crooked. Allah Ta’ala draws our attention to these sicknesses of the heart in the following verses of the Quran:

“Our Lord! Cause not our hearts to stray after You have guided us and bestow upon us mercy from Your Presence. Indeed, You are the Bestower.” (3: 9).

Heart and the Screen of Virtue

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, I continue my Khutba Jummah on the same topic (The Heart). Today is the 5^th week on the same topic, so it is a very important subject in our life, both mundane and spiritual. So everybody must take care of their own hearts.

Since the heart is an axis and centre for the reception of advices and admonition, Muslims are advised that they should take great care and precaution regarding the heart. They should not overburden the heart. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) has also said: “Give some rest to your hearts for they like your other organs also get tired”.

Hearts also become clean or dirty. Their cleanliness is maintained by the worship and obedience of Allah Ta’ala. By “Kufr” and disobedience they become impure and unhealthy.Allah Ta’ala says regarding the Munafiqeen and the non-believers: “Those are they for whom the Will of Allah is that He cleanse not their hearts.” (5: 42); “Who, when you read unto him our revelation, say: “(Mere) fables of the men of yore!” Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts.” (83: 14-15).

Hazrat Abu Huraira (ra) reports that the Holy Prophet (pbuh) has said: “When a man commits a sin, there appears a black spot on his heart. If he thereafter repents and refrains from committing that sin, his heart is cleansed. If he commits the sin again there appears another spot on his heart until his heart is fully covered. This is what is meant in the following verse of the Quran: “Nay, but that which they have earned is rust upon their hearts.” (Tirmidhi). This verse means that disobedience and sin has covered their hearts from all angles. 

The attitude men should adopt when addressing women has been described in this verse: “And when you ask of them (the wives of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)) anything, ask it from them from behind a curtain. That is purer for your hearts and their hearts.” (33: 54). 

Thus those women who have desire to display themselves and who freely mix with men in the markets, office etc. should fear Allah in this regard. Those men who allow and enjoy these actions of their women should also fear Allah. Men are responsible over their women and they will be questioned regarding the actions of their women on the day of Qiyamah.

Allah Ta’ala says in the Quran: “O you who believe! Ward off from yourselves and your families a Fire whereof the fuel is men and stones…” (66: 7). These people should realize that through Pardah the society is kept chaste and pure and the non-observance of Pardah, free mixing of sexes, nudity and the desire to display destroys every society and makes it bereft of blessings and virtue.

Heart, the Abode of 'Imaan'

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah (swt) have given me the Tawfiq again and also the Ilm (knowledge) to continue the 4^th part of the Friday Sermon on the heart.

The heart is the abode of Iman. If someone believes in Allah and His Rasul (pbuh) and he has no atom of Kufr and Nifaaq in his heart, then such a person can never be a non-believer. No non-believer can be pious, virtuous or a follower of the Quran and the Sunnah of Rasullullah (pbuh). Allah Ta’ala says: “Allah has not assigned unto any man two hearts within the body.” (33: 5).

We learn from the above that no two opposing ideologies can be founded on one platform like how two hearts cannot be formed in a body. A true Muslim will befriend the friends of Allah and stay away from the enemies of Allah. Since the heart has an important position, only what is in it will be taken into consideration. It is reported in a Hadith that Rasullullah (pbuh) has said: “Allah neither looks at your appearance nor at your wealth but looks at your hearts and your deeds.”

The heart is the abode of Iman. Those who claim to be believers and do not haveIman in their hearts have been warned by Allah in the following words: “The Arabs of the deserts say: “We believe. Say: You do not believe (yet), but rather say “We submit”, for Iman has not yet entered into your hearts.” (49: 15).

Allah has also said: “Whoso disbelieves in Allah after his belief – save him who is forced thereto and whose heart is still content with Iman…” (16: 107).

Eid-ul-Adha Retreat at Mathra: A Report

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala (India) organized a Three-Day spiritual retreat programme at the historic Noor'ul Islam Masjid at Mathra earlier this month- October 04-06 2014, on the sacred occasion of Eid-ul-Adha. Sincere members of the Community enthusiastically participated n the Programme with the sole objective of renewal of spiritual brotherhood as disciples and followers of the Imam Muhyi-ud-Din Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. Reproduced below is the extracts from the main parts of an Official Report written about the Programme.



DAY ONE (04.10.2014)

All brothers and sisters assembled before dawn at the Noorul Islam Masjid at Mathra and observed the Tahajjud prayers. Later, Namaz-e-Fajr was conducted at 5.30 am . This was followed at 5. 45 am , by Darz-ul-Qur’an - led  by the Amir Jamaat,  Mukarram  R. Jamluddeen Sahib.   At 12. 50 pm, Namaz-e-Dhuhr was observed by the congregation. It was followed by a study session of a recent Friday Sermon delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. The Amir Sahib. in his explanatory note on the Friday Sermon, exhorted all participants to keep in mind the grave responsibilities of faith and spiritual life in all our every day deeds and dimensions, as underscored by the Imam  (atba) in the original sermon.   

At 4.30 pm , Salat-ul-Asr  was performed and it was followed by a study session on sacred Ahadith on Namaz-  Mukarram Fazil Jamal Sahib based his explanations on the subject on the basis of Hadhrat Imam  Nawawi’s  classic text, Riyadh-ul-Swaaliheen.

'Imaan' and Tranquillity of the Heart

Oh Allah, grant me to pay obeisance to You, open my breast to repentance through Your security and grant me knowledge to continue the third part of my sermon on “The Heart” so that the hearts of the pious (Muttaqi) and the seekers of truth – those who are not hypocrites – may obtain from You light coming down from the heavens, penetrating their hearts and giving them the much sought, Tranquillity of the Heart. Ameen. 

Tranquillity and contentment of the heart lies in the remembrance of Allah the Almighty and in the firmness and steadfastness of Iman (faith). Allah the Almighty describes the speech of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) as thus: “My Rab (Lord), show me how you give life to the dead.”

Allah said: “Do you not believe?” 

He (Ibrahim) replied: “Yes, but I ask so that my heart be at ease.” (2: 261) Meaning: O my Rab, my faith will become more firm by witnessing with my eyes the manifestation of Your power. 

Allah the Almighty describes the request of the companions of Hazrat Isa (upon him be peace) that Allah bestow upon them His blessing in the following verse: “We wish to eat thereof that we may satisfy our hearts” (5: 114), meaning that “Our hearts may rest in peace and we become more firm in our faith. If we see the blessing of Allah showered upon us, then with the proofs we will grow richer in belief and acquire peace of heart.”

'Eid-ul-Adha' and 'Maqam-e-Ibrahim'

Say: Allah speaks the truth. Follow then the religion of Ibrahim, (who was) ever turned (to Allah), and was not among the idolaters. (3: 96)

 

Through this Eid sermon today, I hope that each member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam today ponder over the submission and sacrifices which Hazrat Ibrahim (as) has shown. And realise also how Allah accepted this sacrifice and rewarded him for it. Likewise, each woman must reflect on the special type of submission which Hazrat Hajra (ra) demonstrated. All this was only for the cause of Allah and Allah did not let her down; she did not lose (the sweet fruits of her sacrifices). The children also must reflect on the complete submission which Hazrat Ismail (as) shown and how Allah has honoured him for all times. Therefore, the sacrifices which are done sincerely in the path of Allah shall never be in vain. Today, even when you are performing Qurbani, you must bear in mind that Allah is not looking at the meat or blood (of the animal) only but also at the quality of your sacrifices; that which Allah looks for is your heart, the intention and sincerity within. That’s all.

I pray to Allah that He grants me also and all of us together this true spirit of sacrifice and whenever we have to do a sacrifice, that Allah accepts it from us. Thus, like you heard after the Surah Al-Fatiha, I recited the Verse 96 of Chapter 3 (Al-Imran), where Allah says:

 

 Say: Allah speaks the truth. Follow then the religion of Ibrahim, (who was) ever turned (to Allah), and was not among the idolaters. (3: 96)

The fundamental attribute of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was Ibrahim the Hanif, that is, the ever turned to Allah. He humiliated himself before the One to whom he was ever turned (that is, he curbed/prostrated himself before Allah only). Therefore, even if ever he did an error, but the fact remains that he turned himself completely to Allah, he worshipped Allah only. He did not incline himself to any other than Allah. Therefore the central attribute for him is Ibrahim the Hanif.

Eid-ul-Adha: Prophetic Traditions

Insha-Allah, we celebrate the Eid-ul-Adha on Sunday 05 October 2014. Therefore, in today’s Friday Sermon, I shall put before you some Hadiths which has connection with the Eid-ul-Adha.

Abdullah ibn `Abdul-Rahman ibn Abza from his father (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to say in the morning and in the evening: “We wake up on pure Islam, the word of Tawhid (monotheism) and on the religion of our Prophet Muhammad (peace b upon him) and on the religion of our father Ibrahim (Abraham) who was purely a Muslim and never was from the polytheists.”(Ahmad) 

Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) recited out loud : “Labbaik Allahumma Labbaik, Labbaik Laa Sharika Laka Labbaik, Innal Hamda wan-Ni’mata Laka wal Mulk, Laa Sharika Laka” – (Translation) I respond to Your call O Allah, I respond to Your call, and I am obedient to Your orders, You have no partner, I respond to Your call All the praises and blessings are for You, All the sovereignty is for You, And You have no partners with you. – He cried out that attestation of the unity of God (that is, the Talbiya) and that is all. (Bukhari & Ahmad)

Hazrat Shaddad ibn Aws (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to recite this supplication (duah) in his Salat(prayer): “O Allah, I ask You for steadfastness in keeping Your command. And I ask You for firmness of resolution in (pursuing) the right path…” Therefore, even for doing good deeds, pursuing the right path, there cannot be ‘firmness of resolution’ without duahs (supplication to Allah).

Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the one who showed the most firmness and perseverance and also he used to seek the help of Allah through prayer/supplications to Allah (duah), and he sought guidance, that is, the right path, intelligence and perspicacity. This is what is called ‘Rusht’ (the ability to distinguish good and evil). 

“...And I ask You (enablement) to be thankful for Your favours and to worship You in the best way. And I ask You for a truthful tongue and ‘Qalbi Saleem’ (a sound heart)…”

Now, nobody has received a purer heart than Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and there has not been any person who has been more truthful than him on earth. Therefore, in this way, we can correctly say that it is Allah who gives the ‘Qawli Sadid’(clear/truthful speech), ‘Qawli Salim’ (pure speech) and ‘Rusht’ (the ability to distinguish good and evil), otherwise there is no other means to acquire all these!

Then Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “…And I seek refuge in You from the mischief that You know and I ask You for the good that You know. And I seek Your forgiveness for (sins) that You know Indeed, You are the Best Knower of the unseen.”

‘Eid-ul-Adha’ Retreat at Mathra: An Invitation

The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala (India) is organizing a Three-Day spiritual Retreat at the historic Noor’ul Islam Masjid at Mathra on the occasion of the blessed Eid-ul-Adha in early October 2014, (Dhul Hajj 9-11, Hijrah 1435), Insha Allah. Recently, permission has been accorded by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius to our brother, Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Sahib of the southern region in Kerala, to organize such a Jamaat Programme, inviting all brothers, well-wishers and the other truth-seekers, currently spread across the nook and corners of the Indian province.

For the Kerala branch of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in India, if one may recall, the month of October 2014 also marks its Fourth anniversary. It was way back in October 2010 that the first Bai’at from India- of Janab Jamaluddin Sahib of Mathra- took place at the hands of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and also the subsequent formation of the Kerala Jamaat at Alappuzha, with the Bai’at of several other pioneers of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in Kerala. It is also instructive to note that during the early days of the Kerala Jamaat, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) received the following revelation from Allah:

"Tell them O My Messiah: 'The richness of faith is found in a pure heart, true dedication to the cause of Allah and obedience to you as My representative and beloved Messenger of this era.' Allah is pleased that such endeavours have been made by your disciples in Kerala to recognise you as My Messenger and the message brought by you to the world. Your humble prayers have been graced with divine attention. The Hands of Allah was over their hands, reaffirming their belief in you. Tell them: 'Never let go of the rope of Allah, never turn your backs to the signs you received and the oath of allegiance you took, for then neither Allah nor the angels nor any living human or any creature can ever help you against Allah.' Approval has come from your Lord, thus, make them close to you, as brethren of the same mother and advise them so that they may achieved spiritual insight and come closest to Allah. The Mighty and Wise is ever Watching. All Glory be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds."  --- (Received late at night on Friday 08 October 2010)

Ruminations on Life and Death

The thoughts and prayers of sincere believers revolve around their Lord. And they spend their moment in the Universe with a wider consciousness about the fleeting nature of time and would try to remain detached from, and unaffected by, events around them. In a recent conversation, the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius profoundly explained the right attitude to life to be adopted by true believers. Hadhrat Sahib (atba) was responding in the context of a mail written by a father about his little child’s dream and a subsequent incident at the house of the person concerned. For the benefit of our readers we reproduce below extracts from the exchanged letters. 

The letter addressed to Hadhrat Sahib (atba) read as follows:

“...A couple of days back in the morning, our little ... (child) got up to say that he saw a dove in his dream. And I was wondering what could that dream may mean.

This morning, it so happened that a dove entered the main hall of our house from the balcony and got hit in the ceiling fan, which was at full speed and it fell dead. A bird flying high, gets caught up in a revolving machine and it fell dead on its wings, in the blink of an eye. Between the throbbing life and the stillness of mortality there was nothing but a transient moment. 

Kindly pray that Allah (swa)'s Mercy and Grace allow us to do some good deeds before one's time is up,

Wassalam,

Fi Amaanillah
...”

Falling Prey to the Lure of the World

Knowledge comes from Allah

I thank my Rab that He has given me by His immense grace the golden opportunity to continue the sermon which I started last Friday, and verily without the grace, favour and Ilm (Knowledge) of my creator, I could not have addressed you today on this subject. Indeed the blessings and favours of my Rab is like a never-ending ocean which immerge out of my heart to call out to you to purify your hearts in it, to let them be full of the light of Allah which descends upon each one of you so that you also may benefit from this extraordinary light and blessings. Insha-Allah.

Indeed without the help and guidance of Allah, without His support and tutoring and His increasing my knowledge to carry on this noble work, nothing would have been possible. It is really difficult to explain to people how my Rab helps me and guides me, how He has chosen me in this era as His Khalifa, not elected by men, but chosen by Allah Himself. So I thank again my Rab and I continue on the same topic of my sermon of last Friday.

Prophet's Wisdom

Our beloved prophet (pbuh) is reported to have said: “Do not be envious of one another; do not inflate prices by overbidding against one another; do not hate one another; do not turn away from one another; do not enter into commercial transaction when others have entered into that (transaction); but be you, O slaves of Allah, as brothers. A Muslim is a brother of another Muslim; he neither oppresses him, nor does he lie to him, nor does he look down upon or humiliate him. Piety (Taqwa) is here (and he pointed to his chest three times). It is evil enough for a Muslim to humiliate his brother. All things of a Muslim are sacred for his brother-in-faith: his blood, his property, and his honour.” (Muslim)

 ...and the Ahmadiyya condition today

It is very strange that despite him mentioning this to his companions and Ummah, these very instructions being in both Quran and Sunnah, despite being Muslims, especially the so-called defenders of Islam and Ahmadiyyat they do not follow these clear instructions and commandments. The Jamaat Ahmadiyya who should have been a model for the other Muslims have also fallen prey to the unislamic ways, just like the other Muslims fell prey to the allures of the worldly and unislamic way of life. It is my prayer that my sincere disciples and followers do not fall prey to the traps of the satans who lurk in the alleys of Islam to try to deviate them from the right path and to separate them from their brothers and sisters in faith. May Allah protect you all from this, Ameen.

Heart and Divine Illuminations

Allah created man and made man the best of creation. He is the best of creation because He has the ability to gain the Ma’rifat of Allah. This Ma’rifat (realization) is gained by the heart. The heart has the knowledge of Allah. The heart strives to gain the pleasure of Allah, it strives to gain proximity to Allah Ta’ala. The other organs are all followers and at the service of the service of the heart. If the heart is saved from “Ghairullah” – people and things that drift you away from Allah – it is accepted by Allah and if it is attached to Ghairullah it is rejected by Allah. If an effort is made on the purification of the heart it gains the pleasure of Allah. On the other hand, if it is left to be polluted with sin and disobedience it is rejected and inflicted with hardships. In reality, it is the heart which is obedient to Allah. Deeds and Ibadah are the fruits of the heart’s obedience. It is the heart that transgresses the limits of Shariah and the actions of man in transgression is the result of the heart’s transgression. If man recognizes his heart, he recognizes himself and if he fails to recognize his heart, he fails to recognize himself, he fails to recognize Allah Ta’ala. Unfortunately many are ignorant in regard to their “nafs” and heart.

Oh my Muslim brothers and sisters, Allah Ta’ala is in control of our hearts. He directs it in whichever direction He wills. He inspires the heart and removes from the heart what He wills. Allah Ta’ala says:

“But Allah has endeared the faith to you and has beautified it in your hearts.”(49: 8).

“And whosoever believes in Allah, He guides his heart.” (64: 12).

“And (as for the believers) Allah has put affection between their hearts. If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have produced that affection, but Allah has produced it.” (8: 64).

Divine Guidance and Free Will

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, Allah (twt) has given me this opportunity to continue the subject matter of last week’s Sermon on the need of the advent of a prophet of God, and the reality of the miracles and faith which are joined together for the realization of the designs of Allah.

Indeed God Almighty talked in the past, is talking even today to His humble servants and messengers. It is unbelievable that a Merciful and Loving God would remain unmoved at the sight of mankind floundering in error and worldliness and yet He would take no measures for their guidance and direction. So my dear brothers and sisters, if there is a God, He cannot permit this!

If He feels for His servants in their trials and yet makes no provision, we must conclude either that He has no power to guide mankind to the truth, or that to attain communion with God is not the object of man’s existence, and that man was created merely to eat, drink, and to lead a purely worldly and animal existence. But each of the alternatives previously mentioned is insupportable.

To imagine that He who created the universe has no power to provide means for the spiritual guidance of mankind is absurd. The Creator of the whole must have power to create a part. If we admit the existence of a Creator, we must admit that He has absolute power and that nothing is impossible unto him, and He can accomplish everything except whatever is incompatible with His holiness and perfection, nor can we imagine that man has been created merely for the purpose of a worldly existence for, in that case, we would be compelled to admit that an All-Wise and All-Knowing Creator has brought this huge universe into being to no purpose.

Miracles and the Light of Faith

In continuation to last Friday’s sermon, the condition of the world itself demands the advent of a prophet. For, where can be find today the light and the faith of which we read in connection with the prophets? Who can show the signs and miracles which men were wont to witness at the hands of the prophets and their companions? We find a great deal written in the books of each religion, but where can be find the practical proof of it? Where is the gift of prophecy which the companions of Moses possessed? Where are the signs which the disciples of Jesus were wont to show? The books of every religion talk of a living God, but is that living God living today also? Does He still maintain with His servants the relation which Jehovah was wont to maintain with the followers of Moses or the Heavenly Father with the disciples of Jesus, or Allah with the Muslims?

If not, what reason can be assigned for this change? And, has this change occurred in God, or in man? We find that, in order to avoid having to face this question and to admit that this change has occurred, the contents of the revealed books of different religions are sought to be explained away, and meanings are assigned to passages which the words are incapable of bearing.

It may be permissible to us to say that God spoke to His servants in this or that manner, or spoke to His servants in this or that way, or that His relations with His servants were of this or that kind, but it is not open to us to assert that God has never talked to man in a manner which should exclude all possibility of doubt or misgiving nor is it open to us to say that God never showed any miracles to demonstrate conclusively the truth of a particular religion or of a particular prophet. We may be permitted to assert that the relationship which existed between God and His servants in the past was of a nature different from that ordinarily understood or accepted, but after a perusal of the scriptures of different religions we cannot honestly assert that God has never dealt with His servants in manner from which the world could judge that a Living God exists who displays his Might and Mercy for those He loves.

On Children in Conflict with Law

In a speech in the West of Mauritius on August 27, 2014, the Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (atba) said it is time to question why we refer to children as being beyond control. This is a stigma towards them. 

Our young people are branded as violent and out of control most of the time. The recent incident at the Rehabilitation Youth Centre (RYC) raises many questions on this type of attitude. Many parents, when their children commit a small offence, just lodge a case against them and the children are sent to the Rehabilitation Youth Centre (RYC). Reaching a certain age, many young people face behavioural problems. Just imagine the situation where we are putting all the children with problems in one place; this will surely deteriorate. That is what happens at the RYC. 

He believes that if the situation has worsened, this is because the two main institutions in our society, school and family, have failed. The family is the first institution where we should inculcate values but with growing tensions, the children do not blossom well if they experience a difficult childhood. Now, when the child reaches school, he faces a different kind of situation. If he is a brilliant student then he gets all the attention, if academically poor, he/she is set aside. These kinds of dysfunction provoke the child even more. At school more attention is given to academic education. There is no class on values.

He moreover said: "Our young are undergoing great difficulty. Today’s young are our future and we need to protect them. Personally I have been working with youngsters having behavioural problems since long, and I have never encountered any kind of problem in dealing with them. If we put them behind closed doors, they will surely become frustrated and violent. Many times, they tend to think that because their parents do not love them, they are sent to Rehabilitation Youth Centre. So this creates a kind of negativity in them.”