On the "Charlie Hebdo" Attack in Paris

The European religious history in the last millennium is stained with despicable attacks on Islam and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa). The culprits, in their ignorance and hostility, seek to insult and defame the faith of the Muslims, parading and projecting a most hateful image of the religion of Allah (twa) and slandering and caricaturing  the fair name of its Holy Founder so as to destroy his reputation in the eyes of the general public in their societies. Contemporary caricaturing of the Holy Prophet (sa) in the Western media essentially inherits this imbecility from that unfortunate legacy of hate speech and blasphemy, and all of this is indulged in the sacred name of liberty of expression and press freedom.   

As a Divinely-raised Warner and the Mujaddid (Reviver of Faith among the Muslims) of our times, Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius has, on several occasions in the last decade, spoken up against this caricaturing of the Holy Prophet of all Muslims in the western press, warning that such offences are punishable in this very world and the repercussions shall be worst for the culprits and their societies. In the aftermath of the recent incidents involving Charlie Hebdo, political analysts confirm that the attacks indeed constitute an "earthquake" for the French society, parading the inadequacies of the French Republic to come to terms with the societal transitions in its backyard and the collective failures in imagining a shared future that accommodates the diversities and integrate the people on the basis of its professed, foundational principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. The astonishing prophecy issued by Hadhrat Sahib (atba),  warning the Charlie Hebdo and the likes in 2011,  had been documented at that time in the Blog and can be read here. 

Presented below are brief remarks on the Chalie Hebdo attack in Paris made by the Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) in his Friday Sermon of January 16, 2015: 

Before coming to the heart of my Khutba Jummah (Friday Sermon) on the duties and obligations of parents towards their children, I would like to say few words concerning the Paris “Charlie Hebdo” attack.

As you all know by now, on Wednesday 7^th January 2015 some people opened fire on the newspaper staffs (among others) of “Charlie Hebdo” in France (12 victims), in one of the abominable bloodshed on the soil of France, as the news channel and other media do not hesitate to state. And as usual, Islam is being blamed for such atrocity and not the people behind it.

And as you all know, years ago, around 2006 and 2011, in the backdrop of the first cartoon calumniation of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), I issued a prophecy, a clear warning that those who shall play with the purity of the person of the Holy Prophet of Islam shall be punished by Allah, the Most High. Indeed liberty of expression is one thing and calumniating the heart of a religion on the basis of a so-called liberty of expression is another. Indeed the Messenger of Allah cannot tolerate that a single calumniation be brought on the person on the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh) and I shall continue to defend his honour till my last breath.

A 'Khalifatullah' among Ahmadis

 The System of Khilafat in Islam

Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will, surely, make them SUCCESSORS in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will, surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and exchange security and peace after their fear; They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso disbelieves after that, they will be the rebellious.

Hazrat Huzaifa (r.a) reported that Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) said that prophethood will continue to stay among you for as long as Allah wishes and whenever there is a need to remove these favours, then Khilafat based on the system after prophethood will be established. Then Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) remained silent for a while.

The lapse of time of his quietness, Hazrat Muhammad (s.a.w) was receiving some messages. That silence increased the inquisitiveness of the sahabas. That silence announced a message coming from Allah that He will send a Khalifa who will stand as a guardian and will guide people to the right path. But when this will continue, people will start having fear for the Khulafa, instead of Allah (swt). And when this fear takes place in the heart, they will start having fear of man and they will invite others towards him, instead of ALLAH. From the verse “Khalifa” is based from prophethood system. Allah raised this person with the status of prophethood where revelation descends upon him.

Khulafa-ur-Rashidun and the Mujaddidin

We all understand that after the deaths of the four Khulafa of Islam, were there not Khulafa who guided their communities on the right path? This procedure had continued till Allah sent Mujaddidin and even nowadays do you think that only the Ahmadiyya Association has a Khalifa, other Muslims sects do not have Khulafa (for their respective sects)? So to understand this. (Khilafat based on the system after prophethood), when this system is being corrupted and misguided, by the grace and mercy of Allah, He raises a Khalifa on the prophethood system. The “Khalifatullah” as he is chosen by Allah. Allah raises him, and he is not elected by man. Then Allah takes controls over him completely.

This verse of the Qur'an is very clear and there is no controversy into it; Allah makes a promise from this verse that those who do good actions, what are these good actions? Those who will worship Allah only and will never associate anybody to Him, that is, those who will have only the fear of Allah in their heart. Allah will give these people successors in this world. Allah will raise a Khalifa among them as a reward of these good actions and He will bestow peace and security after their fear.

'Treat Your Parents Well'

The Khalifatullah (atba) is back home from London

Before getting to the heart of the subject of today’s Friday Sermon, Alhamdulillah, I thank Allah for the immense favour He pours down upon me and our Jamaat, which is making great progress day by day. Recently, like I informed you, I had to go to London, in the United Kingdom and Alhamdulillah, Allah has manifested many signs and has opened the door of Dawa all the more, so that people in general, and the Ahmadis in particular receive the message of peace which comes from Allah and His Khalifatullah of this era. 

The Dawa was great whereby many people – Christians, Hindus and Muslims (Afghans and Arabs etc.) received the message of the unity of Allah and of the advent of a Muhyi-ud-Din (Reviver of Faith) and Khalifatullah (Caliph of Allah) who has come to unite them together under the banner of “Laa-Ilaaha Illallah Muhammadur Rasullullah” (There is no God but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, as I was journeying to London, I made it a duty to try to contact the Khalifatul-Massih V, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad. Even before my departure, I sent his officers an email to inform him about my visit to London, and in London itself, I sent him a letter, a Message of Peace, which Insha-Allah, shall be official (along with the other materials) on the website very soon.

What is pleasantly astonishing is that the Ahmadis in London has not put any boycott on me. On the contrary, they received me with lots of love and teary eyes, in the mosque itself. And there was some talks and explanations on the divine manifestation which were very cordial and they even offered me a place to stay (with all provisions) but by the grace of Allah, Allah already made my provision in this regard, and I must appreciate this also. All in all, they are completely different from the Ahmadis in Mauritius with their boycott policy!

OBEISSANCE TO PARENTS

“And your Lord has commanded that you shall not worship (any) but Him, and good treatment to your parents. If either or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them (so much as) “Ugh” nor chide them, but address them in terms of honour.” (17: 24).

These days, pupils are preparing themselves to take the way back to school. Children also have duties/homework which are not only academic in nature; indeed they also have to accomplish duties with due respect to Allah and His Messenger Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). I have to tell you all children to keep in mind this motto: Water your mind with academic knowledge/education and water your soul with spiritual knowledge/education which is verily essential in the life of a believer, be him a small child or an adult. And this applies also for all children, even the adults who still are children of their old parents and who have the duty to take care of them.

Muhammad- the Universal Prophet

The Holy prophet (pbuh) was born on 12^th Rabi’ul Awwal. His father was Abdullah son of Abdul-Muttalib and his mother was Amina daughter of Wahab. It was in the year of Elephant, the year when Abraha an Abyssinian at the head of an army marched towards Mecca mounted on elephants in order to attack Mecca and demolish the Ka’aba. The march of elephants frightened the Arabs but Allah sent down a swarm of flying creatures which threw stones on the Abyssinian army. This event marked history for Allah after nominating the Muhammad (pbuh) as prophet, later revealed to him about what occurred to Abraha and his army in the year of his birth. This Surah is none other than Surah Al-Fil (The Elephant: Chapter 105). Allah relates therein how He crushed them and their evil plans.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) came to change the course of human history. His birth was like a spring of light which illuminated the Arabian Peninsula and the whole world.

According to various Qur’anic verses and prophetic traditions, we see the magnificence of the Prophet, whether in his physical features, and in his character. His physical beauty is comparable to the beauty of the fourteenth moon; and much more! Several of his companions have given details of his physical traits and his character. The Prophet (pbuh) had a beautiful constitution. He had a white complexion; a splendid white. His forehead was wide, and the place between his eyebrows was bright like pure silver and his eyes were beautiful, and the pupils of his eyes were black. His cilia were abundant. As for his nose, it was thin, and he had a sweet face. His beard was thick, and his neck was beautiful, being neither long nor short, to the point that if the sun hit him, it seemed like a cup of silver mixed with gold. In addition, the space between the shoulders of the Prophet (pbuh) was wide and his hair, which was neither thin nor curly, almost touched his shoulders. Aisha, his beloved wife reported that “the blessed hair of the Messenger of God (pbuh) were longer than those reaching the earlobes and shorter than those that reach the shoulders.” He was neither tall nor short. (Inset:  Hazratbal Mosque in Srinagar, Kashmir. It houses a hair of the prophet Muhammad. The "Moi-e-Muqqadas", arrived in Kashmir in 1699 during the time of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, is displayed on various occasions related with the life of the Holy Prophet ).

'Illumine the World with the Light of Faith'

Today is 26 December 2014, and the last Friday of December, and also this is the first Friday of the month of Rabi’ul Awwal 1436 AH.

A new chapter in our lives is opening; a moment which we must seize and reflect upon and also to meditate on the life which God the Almighty, Allah (twt) gave us. Certainly, human life is like a flame we lit in the morning and which is put out in the evening. For the world in general, we enter a new year. Some prepare resolutions for this year, some reflect on their actions over the past year while others have fun and forget the next day and what will happen to them.

As for the believers, the people of understanding, they know very well that time is running out and it is a year in their lives which has died away; such days, nights, moments which they shall never live again, because what's past is past, and shall not return. They realize they are getting older and that the time of the encounter with the Lord is coming. Those who are truly pious and sincere, who consider this temporary world as a prison, it is with joy that they reflect on their encounter with God. This is confirmed in the following Hadith:

Some companions came to our beloved prophet Hadhrat Muhammad (sa) and asked him, “Who is the most intelligent person?” 

He replied, “Those people who remember death most and prepare for it most. These are the intelligent ones; they have excelled in the nobility of this world and the honour of the hereafter.”

The Sahaba (companions) asked: “What destroys passions?”  He replied: “Death.” (Ibn Majah, Tabraani)

Kullu nafsin-zaaa-‘iqatul-mawt.

Every soul shall taste death. (3: 186)

Death does not differentiate between the big, the small, the rich, the poor, the one who is elderly or the young, and it does not act on racial discrimination; therefore it is a reality which affects every living thing on this earth.

If we forget death, then everything in this world reminds us that immutable truth. Everything has an end. The sun sets each day; likewise our life will cease one day. Anything that is inhabited by the breath of life tirelessly reminds us of its end. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (ra) said: “Every man wakes up in the morning amidst his family and death is closer to him than his shoelaces.” Umar (ra) used to say: “O Umar, death suffices as a counsellor.” The Holy Prophet said in an authentic Hadith: “If you knew what I know, you would laugh little and weep much.”

Qur'anic Concept of 'Khilafat'

Allah has promised to those among you who believe and do good works that He will, surely, make them SUCCESSORS in the earth, as He made Successors from among those who were before them; and that He will, surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them; and exchange security and peace after their fear; They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso disbelieves after that, they will be the rebellious. (Chapter 24 Verse 56)

 

The following excerpt from the Quran, known as the “The Istikhlaf verse”, forms the basis of the Quranic concept of Islamic Khilafat, and includes the caliphate of Allah (Khalifatullah). A Khalifatullah govern between the people by that which Allah the Almighty has revealed to him, and follow not their vain desires. The Khalifatullah must beware in case the opponent seduce him from just some part of that which Allah the Almighty has revealed to him. 

 

Let me say a Hadith and this Hadith from Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal prophesies two eras of caliphate (both on the lines/precepts of prophethood). Hazrat Huzaifa (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah said: “Prophethood will remain among you as long as Allah wills. Then caliphate (Khilafat) on the lines of Prophethood shall commence, and remain as long as Allah wills. Then corrupt/erosive monarchy would take place, and it will remain as long as Allah wills. After that, despotic kingship would emerge, and it will remain as long as Allah wills. Then, the caliphate (Khilafat) shall come once again, based on the precept of prophethood.”

In this Hadith the first era of caliphate is commonly accepted by the Muslims as that of the Rashidun. The era after the Promised Messiah, there has been the Khalifatul Massih, a caliphate that the Ahmadiyya Jamaat has elected which would implement the injunctions of the Ahmadiyya Jamaat, and this has remained as long as Allah willed. Then corruption took place and the teachings of Islam and the Promised Messiah (on him be peace) were trampled to dust, and the Ahmadis gave Khilafat more importance than Quran, Sunnah and teachings of the Promised Messiah. And especially when they have said “Khilafat is our life”, Allah has removed His Divine Light, favour and raised this humble one as His Khalifatullah, and this humble one has not been elected by men, but, Allah has chosen His beloved one to continue the work of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the Promised Messiah (on him be peace). 

A 'Mujaddid' after the Promised Massih

“Innii jaa-ilun fil arzi Khalifah”

I am going to place My Vicegerent (Caliph) in the earth. (Chapter 2 Verse 31)

Fa-immaa ya-ti-yan-nakum-minnii hudan faman tabi-a hudaa-ya falaa khawfun alayhim wa laa hum yah-zanuun.

Surely there will come to you guidance from Me, then whoever follows My guidance, no fear shall come upon them, nor shall they grieve. (Chapter 2 Verse 39)

In light of these two verses that I read to you, we see that it (appearance of an Elect of Allah) is a blessing from Allah, not men.

Once man has reached a certain degree of mental maturity, God has sent prophets to guide him. The advent of these prophets is a great manifestation of God’s grace and a source of His many blessings. When these prophets die, Allah favours the world by giving it another manifestation of His grace – blessing its people by sending Mujaddidin, Reformers, and Revivalists, Messiahs or even Caliphs of Allah (Khalifatullah).

The Caliph of Allah (Khalifatullah) as Allah Himself has made clear “Innii jaa ilun fil-Arzi Khalifah”, i.e., Allah Himself, the Most High will place His Khalifah on Earth, and it is not by the vote of men that this Khalifah will be elected. This is by no means the same as the election of a minister or an MP. A Khalifatullah is unique. Why? Because he is not elected by the hand of men, but rather, he is established by God and chosen by Him, Himself. This means that the Khalifatullah is not only intellectually and spiritually speaking, the Chosen One of Allah, but he also commands by his status the highest moral quality. It is for these reasons that a Khalifatullah becomes for the Ummah of Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) a wealth of blessings.

This divine manifestation has been amply demonstrated by God, with the arrival of a Khalifatullah where there is a spiritual revolution, especially when Islam (the universal religion) is now in a painful and difficult situation. Problems did not wait to come to the surface. When we see many so-called Muslims, and great defenders of Islam trampling the teachings of Islam, we realize that they are Muslims in name only.

Now let us see what the Promised Messiah, the founder of Jamaat Ahmadiyya (on him be peace) has said. In his book Shahadat’ul Quran (on pg. 48 - 60), the Promised Messiah (on him be peace) said:

“‘Qudrat-e-Saniyah’ is everlasting and will end till the day of Judgement”. The meaning of the Promised Messiah (on him be peace), in this sentence concerning the word “Qudrat-e-Saniyah” implies to “Khilafat”. And according to the Promised Messiah (on him be peace), “Khilafat” does not only implies to “Khilafat-e-Rassool” but it also implies to “Mujaddid”. The Promised Messiah (on him be peace) believes that “Khilafat” includes “the four rightly guided successors of Rassool” and Allah willed that it should continue to exist permanently till the Day of Judgement.

Thus, the Promised Messiah (on him be peace) has not declared the “Ahmadiyya Khilafat” everlasting in his writings. What he has declared everlasting are two things: (1) Qudrat-e-Saniyah (2) Islamic Khilafat.

'Jalsa Salana' Address to the Kerala Jamaat

My dear brothers, sisters and children of the Kerala Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam,

Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu.

It is a great pleasure for me to address you for your Annual Jalsa Salana in Mathra, South Kerala. I may be far away from you, but you are very close to my heart, in my thoughts and prayers.

Today, I have chosen to talk to you about the need for believers to remain ever true and sincere to their faith. Remember my dear ones, there shall be a thousand, nay a million trial which shall inevitably cross your path, but when you choose to trust in Allah, and keep firm in your faith, and at the same time strive to give your best for the propagation of the message of Allah in the four corners of the world, then definitely Allah shall become your closest Friend and Support, and help you through all ordeals in life.

The time you are living is not an ordinary time. Allah has chosen you in this era and guided you and then placed you in His Jamaat, under the leadership of His Messenger, the Khalifatullah. You are not ordinary people. You may think you are ordinary out of your humility, but indeed you are exceptional, and in each and every one of you – provided you are truly sincere – is found the light of different talents which Allah has vouchsafed you to help His cause and message to propagate in the four corners of the world.

End of the Year: Celebration of Vanity

December - the month of revelry

The end of the Gregorian year is drawing to a close; everyone is so busy, so much that he forgets his own soul. December is a month of great temptations. Everyone is preparing for the end of year party, because the fun and entertainment are paramount whatever the circumstance, as an excuse just to relax after a long year of hard and stressful job.

Joy or excitation reigns in the atmosphere especially when people have a lot of money. It’s time to spend the hard-earned money. Like you know, the last month of the year allows officials, employees and workers to receive their bonuses or their rewards. So they feel a desire to buy, spend. But buy what? All they have under the eyes, little everything and nothingness. This is a first sign of temptation. They buy clothes and expensive footwear, alcoholic beverages that cost thousands of rupees, they organize parties, banquets, open buffets that cost a fortune. They buy firecrackers and fireworks at very high prices. Everyone thinks to do more than the other, if not to compete for more glory.

As for the merchant/seller, he is there to attract customers and to satisfy their needs as much as possible. Often, the (market) place (or place where the sales are being done) is invaded by loud music or songs that wreck the ears. We find the men and women mixed, especially in very narrow places. Many of these Muslim traders do not perform Salat (prayer) or do not close their stores for Salat-ul-Jummah (Friday prayers); for the simple reason of not losing a single client and not to leave any money to escape from their crates.

Divine Precepts on Political Order

Islam is a World Order; hence the conception of Islamic state is that of a World State, for God is the Sovereign of all:

“Command is for none but God.” (12: 41).

“His is the sovereignty of the Heavens and the Earth.” (57: 6).

“Blessed is He in Whose hands is the sovereignty and He over all things has power.” (67: 2).

The ideal of Islamic state (or an Islamic country), like I just mentioned, is righteous life as it further proved by the oft-repeated voice of the Quran, “Believe and act righteously” which forms its leading theme. And to achieve this ideal God says: “Let there arise out of you a band of people inviting to all that is good, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is wrong.” (3: 105).

Righteous life is the life lived in strict conformity with divine laws. The Quran is the code of right conduct which equips man to establish the will of God on earth and to lead humanity to its noblest destiny. Righteous life cannot be achieved unless society is purged of evils and virtue prevails. Virtue consists in moral excellence and in conformity of life and conduct with the laws of God who alone knows what is really good. There is no specific form of government prescribed by the Quran and the Sunnah. It seems that no detailed blue prints for the form of government are given so that flexibility be retained as to the adoption of some form suited to the occasion except despotism, for the head of the Islamic State himself is subject to the dictates of Islamic laws.

Mauritius 2014: General Election Results

Yesterday, Thursday 11 December 2014, people of Mauritius and Rodrigues followed live on TV and several private and national radio/s the results of the general elections in all 21 circumscriptions till late at night. The results came as a surprise. There have been 10 elections since the independence – 1976-2010, and since then there was never such a low level of participation from voters as witnessed yesterday for these general elections 2014. And this despite the dominance of the two main great political blocs in the electoral campaign, with private, regional and national meetings! We learnt that the two main alliances, the PTR/MMM Alliance and also the People’s Alliance (MSM/PMSD/ML) spent a little more than 73 million rupees in only 2 months of electoral campaign.

When one hears about the course of the electoral campaign, especially between the two political adversary blocs, there was the display of hatred and other vulgarities. In many places political agents have been spoiled rotten with free provision of food and alcoholic drinks, and they got several fuel bonds so that they may use their cars (for the electoral campaign). They abused of such monies and enjoyed a lot, spreading money like confetti (that is, spending money in vain things).

Therefore, I come back today on the dream that I made prior to the fixed date for the general elections. I dreamt of Sir Anerood Jugnauth in a beautiful coat, very chic and he was in the car with me and I was asking him several questions. When I enquired with him about Paul Raymond Berenger, he told me that he was not a traitor, and it was a strategy which he used when he decided to walk with the Labour Party (PTR); what I omitted to say (publicly) is that in the dream I told him: “Oh, it is to remove Navin Ramgoolam as the Prime Minister and the useless people around him who used their power ruthlessly against the people (of Mauritius)!”

Now, I relate to you a recent Vision (Kashaf) which overcame me on the 07 December 2014. On that day the two main political blocs held there grand meetings before the elections of 10 December 2014. It was after Namaz Zuhr and Asr, and I was in my office looking for my driving license when suddenly I felt very weak and I had to sit down a bit when suddenly this vision overcame me. The vision lasted 15-20 minutes. I was shown many heads of the Labour Party were falling down and when the vision ended, I understood that in response to the prayers that I made since a long time now against this ruthless Government which is making the people suffer, thus I came to know (there and then) what shall happen to them in the coming elections. And on the spot, a thought crossed my mind that the Mauritian Militant Movement shall not also be spared – when one walks with dirt, one is bound to get the bad odour of that dirt around him – and it is verily what happened!

South Kerala Jalsa Salana 2014: A Report

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- South Kerala (India) organized its Fourth  Jalsa Salana at Noorul Islam Masjid, Mathra, 22-23 December 2014. Alhamdulillah.

Brothers from Kannur, Alappuzha and Malappuram, and also from Delhi, reached ahead of the commencement of the two-day programme that largely revolved around speeches and extended conversations, discussing the finer points of being a believer in these difficult times where the world around us is largely indifferent to Tawheed and all that it entails in our private lives and public conduct as a community of people with shared interests and concerns, common goals under the banner of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and the Imamat of the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius.  

On the first day, all brothers and sisters collectively offered the Tahajjud prayers and it was followed later by the Namaz-e-Fajr.  Mukarram Amir Jamaluddin Sahib of Mathra formally inaugurated the Jalsa Salana programme by conducting a Dars-e-Qur’an, immediately after the Fajr Namaz . In his speech, the Amir Sahib pointed to the subtle verities of spiritual wisdom contained in Surah Al Fatihah and the enduring promise of Divine guidance available to all true and sincere believers in every age till the Day of Judgement. 

At 12.00 noon, all members assembled for a new session. Based on the recent series of Friday Sermons delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba), the Amir Sahib explained at length the significance of purification of heart for spiritual life.  A Malayalm Translation of the booklet, “Heart: A Study”, being a Translation of the aforesaid series of Friday Sermons of Huzur (atba) was released on the occasion. Senior member Saleem Sahib recieved the first copy of the Book from the Mukarram Amir Sahib. After the Inaugural Session Namaz-e- Zuhar was followed by Lunch and rest. 

Elections and Political Faultlines in Mauritius

First of all I thank Allah (swt) who has given me the opportunity to continue the subject of the sermon which I addressed you last Friday. Like you all know, there remain only a few days for the General Elections in Mauritius, Rodrigues and Agalega – Wednesday 10 December 2014.

For all people of Mauritius, this General Election to be held on 10 December 2014 is a prospect to make Mauritius a second republic and whereby the ex-leader of the opposition shall become the Prime Minister of the island for 5 years, Insha-Allah, after having struggle really hard for the goodwill of all Mauritians. He is verily a man who deserves that position, with the intelligence, competence, and capacity as state leader. He is a honest man with great visions for the country. He spent 47 years in politics, struggling for all Mauritians, and he even escaped death (when there was an attempt to kill him when he was a young man) and ever since his young days, he plunged into politics and struggled for the rights of workers so that they may get their dignity and he protected them from being crushed by their employers. He gave a lot of himself for the people of Mauritius, but the Mauritians did not (or refuse to) recognise his value, competence and capacity. Very often the politicians and people from different religions who do not have any real competence, along with the socio-cultural groups have crushed this able man, honest, whereby nobody can say that he is power-thirst or that he stole something, or even was involved in fraud and corruption. He did not also protect male and female allies. That honest man is Paul Raymond Berenger, the historical leader. It is the fanatics who have all the time tried to create all sorts of communal problems to bar him from becoming Prime Minister. This shows to you that the sincere, honest and devoted people have all the time great enemies and adversaries who try to create all sorts of problems and spread communal talks for them. Such is the case also for Paul Raymond Berenger who had to face all these people who do not want him to become the Prime Minister of Mauritius.

General Elections in Mauritius: Prospects for Change

Like you all know here in Mauritius, as well as in Rodrigues and Agalega, we entered the phase of general elections which will be held on Wednesday 10 December 2014. Some 74 political parties have registered for the general elections 2014.

For a small country like Mauritius with a population of about 1,200,000, there are the two major political blocs who are engaging in polemics everyday with their congresses in the several circumscriptions, meetings, house-to-house visits etc. There is firstly the PTR/MMM Alliance, with the two leaders Navin Ramgoolam and Paul Berenger and there is also the other political bloc, MSM-PMSD-ML which call themselves “People’s Alliance” (Alliance Lepep). The motto of the PTR/MMM Alliance is a united people, a modern country and their aim is to make Mauritius a second republic, while the legislative elections stand along the presidential one (a proposal forwarded in the wake of a possible victory at the elections with at least three-quarters of seats). Therefore, Paul Berenger shall be then the Prime Minister for 5 years and Navin Ramgoolam shall be the president for 7 years. 

On the other hand, the People’s Alliance is completely against making Mauritius a second republic. According to their analysis, these two heads of the PTR-MMM Alliance (Navin and Paul) are power-thirst and are primarily seeking their personal interest instead of that of the people of Mauritius. They claim that this new plan (the second republic) shall pave the way for more dictatorship and they claim their own People’s Alliance is not at all like the adversary alliance, saying that they have formed an alliance for the people and (are) with the people. They further claim that they are not seeking power and that they are here to care for the people.

Therefore the Mauritians – an intelligent people – should bear in mind that Mauritius neither belongs to any political bloc nor to the majority, in terms of religious communities. On Wednesday 10 December 2014, each Mauritian shall have the opportunity to do a good clean up and remove all those who are power-thirst, fraudsters, incompetent and those who are sucking the blood of this nation in cups and thus reducing the Mauritians to a life of misery. Verily, everything is becoming quite expensive. The cost of living is high; price of all commodities have risen and there is no law and order as it should have, and consequently, there are lots of crimes, thefts, rapes, unemployment etc. There are a lot of graduates and professionals – doctors, lawyers, are other professionals – who are jobless. Their families sacrificed a lot to send them for further studies while others are amusing themselves with state money.

Islamic Law as 'Divine Law'

Islamic Law is divine in origin and is based on divine revelation. Being divine in origin, Islamic Law is distinct from human law which is the outcome of customary rules and which can never, with perfect success, produce uniformity of conduct within the field of action to which they apply as do the divine laws with their specified norms of good and bad, virtue and vice.

Divine Laws are the standards of right conduct and provide guidance, not only in establishing a well-ordered society, but also in distinguishing between “good” and “evil”. As a well knit system of obligation they safeguard the rights of all, and as the product of divine wisdom which alone knows what is absolute good, they ensure the welfare of the entire humanity. The peculiarity of Divine Law is that it is eternal and immutable and yet contains principles broad enough to meet the growing needs of society. 

In contradistinction to this, human laws are based on human reason which is liable to err. Further, they are made according to the needs of society and to sub-serve its interest, hence they change with the change in society. They depend for their existence on the vagaries of public opinion or upon the whims and fancies of a ruling monarch and, as such, cannot represent that unity of divine law which results in the uniformity of society.

Divine Law is a declaration on all matters and provides for every possible eventuality and this is the claim advanced by the Quran itself: “And We have revealed to you a Book as an exposition of all things.” (16: 90)