The Crisis of Muslim Identity

Who is a Muslim ?

Allah says in the Holy Quran: “I have created jinns and men only so that they worship Me.” (Az-Zariyat, 51: 57)

And to be more explicit, Allah (swt) says: “O believers! Fear Allah as He should be feared. And die only in complete submission (to Him).” (Al-Imran, 3:103)

Allah (swt) wants to make it clear that he who dies without knowing his creator dies spiritually blind, and the Holy Quran also tells us: “He who is blind on earth will also be blind in the hereafter.” (Bani Isra’il, 17: 73)

This verse is a serious challenge for all who call themselves Muslims. But what is the situation today? The majority of Muslims are like passengers aboard a boat that took on water and has lost its oars and is tossed about by big waves. Are we then in perdition? Without a doubt [we, Muslims will be lost if the situation continues like this], and moreover, the Holy Quran says: “By time! Indeed, man is in lost, except those who believe and do good works, and exhort one another to truth and exhort one another to endurance.” (Surah Al-Asr, Chapter 103: 1-4)

The Holy Prophet (sa) once said to Abu Darda (ra), “O Abu Darda, consider yourself to be dead at all times. No one knows when he will die nor does he have any sign of his death. So act like you’re going to die in a moment and be ready to meet it (death).” [In other words, be ready to meet your Lord after death].

Tamil Nadu Jalsa: Special Message

O my disciples in Tamil Nadu and the whole of India who have entered into a covenant with me, 

Assalamoualaikum Warahmatullah Wabarakaatuhu

It gives me great pleasure to address you this message on the occasion of your 3^rd Jalsa Salana of the Tamil Nadu Jamaat – in Kottar.

It is true that today your number is small and you are being treated in every way. For the cause of Allah, you will have to bear all sorts of disagreeable things, you will have to pass through some heavenly trials also that you may be tried in every way. Your way to victory will not be through dry logic or your returning abuse with abuse. If God does not wish to destroy us, we cannot be destroyed by anyone. How shall we win without human support? Through righteousness! Through trust in Allah! Put forth every effort that we become righteous, and that Allah may become our eternal Support and Help.

Divine Reminder of 08 January 2020

Revelation received on Wednesday 08 January 2020 

(after long duahs at 07.05 am)

Ulaaa-ikallazii-nashtara wul-hayatad-Dunyaa bil-Aakhirati falaa yukhaffafu an-humul-azaabu wa laa hum yunsaruun.

‘Those are they who have bought the life of this world at the price of the Hereafter. Their torment shall not be lightened nor shall they be helped'.

Anahumullaahu bi-kufrihim.

Allah has cursed them for their disbelief.

Bi-sa-mashtaraw bihiii anfusahum.

How evil is that for which they have bartered their souls.

Wa laqad jaaa-akum Khalifatullah bil-Bayyinaati.

And the Khalifatullah has surely brought you clear proofs.

*** 

'Khalifatullah': A Divine Blessing- III

The Promise of Allah to the Prophet & the Believers

It is by sheer grace of Allah that He has enabled me – armed me with the opportunity, courage and knowledge – to explain this subject to you in more details so that in the century you live in, this present century, you cannot say that you did not receive the message and that nobody gave you explanations, or did not enlighten you on the subject.

So, as the Khalifatullah of this era, I do the work that I have [been ordained] to do, and it is Allah Who guides and directs me to give those very important message because tomorrow when you present yourself before your Creator, you will not be able say you weren’t aware of anything. You will not be able to say, “No one said anything; I did not receive the message.” You will not be able to say this to your Creator! I am doing the work that Allah (swt) has given me, according to divine instruction and now it is up to you to take the responsibility to either accept or reject the message. It is up to you whether you accept it or turn your back on the divine message. Each one of you will be responsible for his action, on the Day of Retribution when each will be accountable to the Creator. In this temporal world, we are all travellers, we are temporary in this world; so we have to think a little bit about the afterlife, because it’s life after death that will be permanent for us.

Now I quote a verse found in Surah An-Nur, the Chapter “The Light” (24: 56), where Allah says: “He will surely establish for them their religion which He has chosen for them”. Similarly in Surah Al-Maida (5: 4), Allah also said, “This day I have perfected for you your religion, and have completed My favour upon you and have approved Islam for you as religion.”

'Good Life': Prophetic Teachings

‘Bear in mind that the present life is just a game, a diversion, an attraction, a cause of boasting among you, of rivalry in wealth and children. It is like plants that spring up after the rain: their growth at first delights the sowers, but then you see them wither away, turn yellow, and  become stubble. There is terrible punishment in the next life as well as forgiveness and approval from God; the life of this world is only an illusory pleasure. So race for your Lord’s forgiveness and a Garden as wide as the heavens and earth, prepared for those who believe in God and His messengers: that is God’s bounty, which He bestows on whoever He pleases. God’s bounty is infinite.’ (57:22) 

Leading a good life is an all-embracing aspiration for every human person in this world. And yet, what it means to lead a good life? In life’s varied settings, values professed by a person would guide the decision on what is ‘good’ for him/her under the conditions of individual and social life. Perhaps in shaping one’s frame of reference in such critical junctures, an ethical and spiritual outlook intuitively appeals to the human mind. Certainly, the teachings of religion -rooted as it is in the wisdom of the ages- offer fascinating ideas to reflect on, especially for those who are at the crossroads of life journeys. 

Those who struggle with life’s contingent circumstances could find profound insights, generative of amazing hope of Divine mercy in the rich legacy of Islamic teachings. The Islamic Way, or the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (sa), offers us glimpses of a good life for anyone hoping to embark on a journey in the highway to God. Muslim saints of the past have preserved in their books some of these appealing pieces of advice on leading a good life left behind by that great prophet of human kind. For the benefit of our readers, we reproduce below the gist of certain vital advices in the words of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) describing what it takes to lead a good life:

I. Ibn Abbas (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age; your health before your illness; your riches before your poverty; your free time before your work; and your life before your death.” (Attributed to Shu’ab al-Imān).

II. Abu Dharr reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, instruct me.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “I advise you to be mindful of Allah Almighty, for it will beautify all of your affairs.” I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “You must recite the Quran and remember Allah Almighty, for you will be mentioned in heaven and you will have light upon earth.” 

I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “You must observe long periods of silence, for it will drive away Satan and help you in the matter of your religion.” I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Beware of too much laughter, for it will deaden the heart and take away the light on your face.”

I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Speak the truth, even if it is bitter.” I said, “Tell me more.” The Prophet said, “Do not fear the blame of any critic in the matter of Allah.” ----[Attributed to Shu’ab al-Imān]

'Khalifatullah': A Divine Promise- II

The Promise of Allah to the Prophet & the Believers- 2

By the grace of Allah I continue the second part of the sermon that I started last week. It is a very important subject for all of humanity in general and also for all Muslim brothers and sisters around the world as a whole and especially for all Ahmadis in general. If we study Surah An-Nur (Light) correctly, it is indeed a Surah which gives light to all people and especially to all Muslims and to all Ahmadis as well, because Allah (swt ) says:

« Wa’adalluhul lazina aamanuu minkum wa’amiilus-swalihati layastakhli fannahum fil arzi kamastakhlafallazina min qablihim. »

“Allah has promised to those of you who believe [in His oneness and His message], and do good works, that He will surely make them Caliphs [Successors or Heirs] on earth, just as He made Caliphs (from among) those who came before them.” (Surah Al-Nur 24 : 56).

So, without a doubt, this is a chapter that projects [gives] extraordinary light, and thus you cannot then say that you do not understand its verses or that you see nothing [of its clear meanings and explanations]. Allah (swt) shows us very clearly that in the Muslim Community also He will send His Caliphs (successors) just as He sent Caliphs in the community of Musa (Moses) (as), such as Harun (Aaron), Yushaa (Joshua), Dawud (David) and Sulaiman (Solomon) - May God’s peace be upon them all, and these Caliphs are even mentioned in the Holy Quran. They are not caliphs elected by man. So, this verse means that there will be caliphs with the same titles as the prophets before [their advent].

In a Hadith found in Mishkat, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) explains this verse clearly where he says [this is a long Hadith - I only mention part of it]: “Takuunun-nabuwatu fikum mashaa allahu… Summa takuunu khilafatun alaminhajin nabuwat summa takuuno mulkan ‘azzan… Summa takuno alan minhajin nabuwate summa sakata.”

Translation: Prophethood will remain among you as long as it pleases Allah (swt); then the caliphs based on prophethood will be instituted and then there will be the reign of wicked and tyrannical kings ... and then there will come again caliphs based on the system of prophethood [after the prophet]. That’s all. [He stops with these words]. (Mazahir’ul Haq, Vol. IV; pg. 26)

'Khalifatullah': A Divine Promise

The Promise of Allah to the Prophet & the Believers

“O you who believe! Turn to Allah with sincere repentance! It may be that your Lord will remit from you your sins, and admit you into Gardens under which rivers flow (Paradise) the Day that Allah will not disgrace the Prophet and those who believe with him. Their Light will run forward before them and by their right hands, while they say, ‘Our Lord! Perfect our Light for us, and grant us Forgiveness: for You have power over all things’.” (Surah At-Tahrim, 66 : 9)

In light of this Quranic verse, I present to you a Hadith where Hazrat Abu Dharr and Hazrat Abu Darda (ra) reported that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said that: On the Day of Judgment I will recognize my people. The Sahaba (companions) asked him: O Prophet of Allah, how will you recognize your people? Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said: 'I will recognize you by the light that will be before you'.

Therefore, in the world there are those who have the light of Imaan (faith) and on the day of judgement this light will be before them and on their right.

When you read Chapter ‘The Light’, i.e., Surah Al-Nur, Verse 56, where Allah (swt) says:

“Allah had 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 that He will surely give them in exchange security and peace after their fear: They will worship Me, and they will not associate anything with Me. Then whoso is ungrateful after that, they will be the rebellious.”

This has always been the way of Allah, a practice that He has demonstrated since the existence of man, that it is Allah (swt) Himself Who raises His Chosen Messenger, His Prophet, His Khalifatullah as this verse makes us understand. And Allah says in this verse that it is a promise that He makes to those who believe and do good works.