The Role and Function of 'Imam'

 

In his Friday Sermon of 26 May 2023 ~05 Dhul-Qaddah 1444 AH, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius reminds us profoundly about the forthcoming accountability that all of us- human beings on the face of earth- are bound to face  on the Day of Judgement. Allah (swt) has gifted us the freedom of choice in this world, and the power is hinged with responsibility and consequences for our own future well being- both in this world and in the world to come. As God is Just, and no injustice shall be done to anyone on the Day of Decision when the Book of Records shall be unveiled; indeed, in the life to come, the fire of Hell or the bliss of Heaven awaits people based on the record of their deeds. 

Allah (swt) raised messengers and prophets in the past to guide human communities on the correct path to follow in life. The 'Imams' so raised  warned people about the two highways of life: of the need to believe in Divine guidance and messages, and to be wary of the deviant path and temptations the Satanic forces promote. Indeed,  Prophets and saints imbued with the Holy Spirit (Roohul Quddus) provide true guidance to people in every era. They are the true ‘Imam’ believers follow in their spiritual quest, for these men of God lead people to the heavenly abode whereas the deviant ‘Imam’s- satanic leaders- marshal people to Hellfire. Whereas the True Imam leads to Divine Contentment and Heavenly Bliss, Divine Wrath and Hell fire is the fate of those who follow their own whims, or the lead of those who promise delusion.

In this discourse, Hazrat Muhyiuddin (aba) points out that Divine revelations and inspirations are a subtle spiritual reality that has meaning and substance even in this era. Contrary to popular perception, the door of Divine communion and communications remain wide open. To attain true guidance and certainty, one needs to purify one’s heart for sincere faith in God; offer repentance in true devotion to the One and Only God. Such truly humble devotion and secret invocations and prostrations at the Throne of God can open up one’s spiritual path, and enable one to experience true guidance and mystical communion even in this era.     

Read the Friday Sermon:  

The Divinely Elected Imam & True Guidance

 

“One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams; those who are given their record in their right hand will read it (with pleasure), and they will not be dealt with unjustly in the least.” (Al-Isra 17: 72)

 

In the Holy Quran Allah (swt) says: “One day We shall call together all human beings with their (respective) Imams”

 

What is the meaning of being Imam here? Some understand the meaning to be that each nation or group will appear with its leader, who will bear witness to its virtues or sin. Another view is that the imam is their revelation, their book [which they received].

Divine Message and Our Choices- 2

Guidance & Misguidance: Rewards & Punishments: Part 2

 

“Those who reject Allah and hinder from the Path of Allah, for them will We add penalty to penalty, for that they used to spread mischief.” (An-Nahl 16: 89)

 

Allah has established the system of reward and punishment as the result of the deeds and intentions of mankind on earth. The rewards are doubled and multiplied much more - to a larger extent, more than one can imagine - for the true believers who recognise, accept and follow His Messenger whenever He sends one to this world.

 

As for those who harbour hatred and hinder people from the way of Allah, by restricting them from listening to the prophet of Allah and to believe in the Divine Message he has come equipped with, therefore such people invite upon themselves penalty upon penalty because not only have they disbelieved but they have also contributed to a larger extent to the ruin of the faith of others, lying as barriers in their path to forbid them from the way of Allah.

 

Hell is a place made by Allah to punish the evildoers in the hereafter. Paradise and Hell each has seven levels. The concept of stages or levels in Hell is based on the extent and weight of the sins committed by the sinner and those levels are associated with different kinds of punishments that are both physical and spiritual in nature.

Divine Message and Our Choices

 

Guidance & Misguidance: Rewards & Punishments

 

'And Allah’s is the direction of the way, and some (paths) go not straight. And had He willed He would have led you all aright.' (An-Nahl, 16: 10) 

The existence of man revolves around his Creator and he does not even perceive it except for the truly intelligent. When Allah sends His Messages or Revelations upon His Elect, He guides him to guide the people through them. These Divine Messages come in the form of good news as well as warnings. The good news is imparted to all the people without distinction, giving them the blessed opportunity for reform. Those who submit to the will of Allah and reach out their hands to receive the divine boons are those who will go to become lights in their own rights through the light of Allah and His Messenger. They are those who will light up new lights through their efforts to invite others to Allah, and to accept the gift of Divine Revelations and the advent of a Messenger in their era.

As for those who turn their back to the Divine Messages and Messenger, they are those who fall prey to the mirages which the Satan make them see – of a world filled with success and power which are but flimsy and fake.

Had Allah wanted, He could have guided all people on the Straight Path. He has the power to do so. Apart from His Chosen Path, the Path of Righteousness, there are other paths which are crooked and misleading and which do not lead to Allah. This is the trial which He has set upon man, to seek the true path, tread on it and keep walking and striving, despite the great hurdles on the way so that they may accede to none but Allah.

Poem: 'When the Ocean Calls'

 

When the Ocean calls me in its deep waters,

In it I find the Arms of my Lord inviting me 

To the unknown places of the Known Kingdom,

He is the King and I am His Subject,

Yet He raised me up high to the Pleiades of His pleasure,

And made me a Prince of peace,

Though I am not His Son,

But He is etched in me like a fiery essence of Love and Light,

Guiding my every step to fulfilment,

He is my Port of Call, my Haven and Heaven,

The Realm of Divine Revelations- II

 

The Mysterious & Wonderful Realm of Divine Revelations and the Advent of a Messenger of Allah

'It is not granted to any mortal that Allah should speak to him except through revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger to reveal by His command what He wills: He is Exalted and Wise.'  (Ash-Shuraa 42: 52)

 

Alhamdulillah Summa Alhamdulillah, I will continue today’s Friday Sermon on the subject of Divine Revelations and the Advent of a Messenger of Allah.

 

As I told you last week, the Messenger of Allah is such a recipient which is empty of himself and filled instead with Allah’s Will. He submits himself to the Will of Allah and makes the divine essence control him, in his actions so that he is able to properly transmit the divine messages that he has been commissioned to distribute to his people and to all humanity (especially for the Islamic Prophets and Messengers of Allah - who come after the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (saws) and who follow in his footsteps in order to revive the teachings and commandments of the Quran and his own Sunnan (practices) – i.e., the Sunnan of our Beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh).

The Realm of Divine Revelations- I

 

The Mysterious & Wonderful Realm of Divine Revelations and the Advent of a Messenger of Allah 

'It is not granted to any mortal that Allah should speak to him except through revelation or from behind a veil, or by sending a messenger (angel) to reveal by His command what He wills: He is Exalted and Wise.' (Ash-Shuraa, 42: 52)

Since the dawn of time, it has been Sunnatullah, i.e. the practice of Allah to guide His servants through His revelations and inspirations. These divine signs are manifested in many forms on the Chosen Servants of Allah, especially the prophets and those very near and dear to Him, those to whom He grants such blessings to reinforce their faith, and which also serves to increase the faith of others.

 

In this era of Divine Manifestation like the previous eras of Divine Light, in the Darkened Night of Despair, Allah has sent to you all a Messenger, His Own Caliph and Representative to act on His behalf to all mankind, to bring you all to Him with a purified soul.

 

The Messenger of Allah is such a recipient which is empty of himself and filled instead with Allah’s Will. The ego, the passion disappears to reflect the Will of Allah. While being humane and weak, yet Allah couples his weaknesses with His might, grants him the treasures of heart to heart communication with Him.

Imam AbdAllah Amadi [1960-2023]

  

With a heavy and painful heart, Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Sheikh Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius announced the sad news concerning the passing away of our Amir and Imam Abd Allah Amadi of Madagascar, at the age of 63 years, on 27 April 2023 at 8.00 am [Local Time], Inna Lillahi Wa Inna Ilayhi Raajioon.  

 

As the ambassador of Islam to several Indian Ocean countries, Hazrat Sheikh Khalifatullah (aba) had been travelling on Dawah missions, and Imam Amadi recognized the spiritual light of Islam in this era he witnessed when he came in contact with, and became a very sincere disciple of the Hazrat Sheikh Saheb (aba) in November 2019 during one such Dawah visit in Madagascar, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.

 

After taking Bai’at,  Imam Amadi and his son Ismail became the light-bearers of Islam, Sahih al Islam in Madagascar. Imam AbdAllah was relentless in Dawah, and spreading the divine message to other brothers and sisters and many of them received Hidaayat through his exceptional efforts.

 

Born on 01 August 1960, Imam AbdAllah devoted much of his life to spread the cause of Islam and he was fortunate to encounter the Khalifatullah of this age (aba) and become his disciple.

 

In a special condolence message shared with the Jamaat members around the world, Hazrat Sheikh Saheb (aba) remembered the devoted works and services of Marhoom Imam Amadi Saheb and also shared a vital Divine revelation he received that foretold Divine Will/ the impending demise of the humble servant of Islam in Madagascar. Hazrat Sheikh Saheb (aba) also prayed for the progress, salvation and good fortune of the departed soul, Insha Allah, Aameen: