Eid-ul-Adha Sermon 2023

 

The House of Humanity

And We made this House (i.e. the Holy Ka’aba) a resort for mankind and a place of security, commanding people: “Take the station of Abraham as a permanent place for Prayer”. We commanded Abraham and Ishmael: ‘Purify My House for those who walk round it, those who stay there, and those who bow and prostrate themselves in worship.’ (Al-Baqara 2: 126)

 

Allah says: And remember when We made the House i.e. the Ka’aba in Mecca a place of resort for mankind and a place of safety. – He has commanded all those who submit to Him and do not ascribe any partner in His worship, all His believing servants, to take the “Maqam” of Ibrahim, i.e. the place or station of Hazrat Ibrahim (as), or even the stone on which the latter stood while he was re-rebuilding the Ka’aba as a place of prayer, i.e. praying two Rakat (cycles of prayer) after the Tawaf (circumambulation) of the Ka’aba in Mecca.

'Eid-ul-Adha' Message 2023

 

The Rise of Isma'il, the Father of Islam

Among the spiritual treasures which God Almighty (Allah) vouchsafes to mankind are the prophets, His representatives on earth (peace be upon them all). Each one of those highly blessed men achieves excellence in matters of faith. Each is tried in a unique way which distinguishes him from the rest of prophets and mankind.

 

Among those prophets there is Ibrahim, the Friend of Allah. He is known to be the Patriarch of not one, but three great monotheistic religions of the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. We even find traces of his teachings and belief in his existence in the Hindu teachings as well. 

And this exceptional man, Allah tried him in so many ways that it is reasonably fair for us to say that he survived all those trials with flying colours and showed forbearance at an exceptional and praiseworthy level. 

He spread the divine message as he was ordained to like the rest of the prophets, and he showed in many ways his pure love for His Creator. When the tests of faith came one after the other, he never traded faith for unfaith, the divine blessings for worldly honours. He was even prepared to sacrifice his only son Isma’il whom he begot at a very advanced age, when men despair of ever having an heir to continue his lineage and heritage. That exceptional man gave everything up just to get the love, approval and pleasure of His Creator. That is why God Almighty took him as His intimate Friend and blessed him in such a way that it is a sign of wonder and hope today that such a man, Allah blessed him so much that in return for his sacrifice, Allah gave him another son, Ishaq (Issac). All Praise be to Allah!

'Qurbani' in Islam

  

What is 'Qurbani' ?

 

Qurbani means to sacrifice a special animal on a special day, i.e., Eid-ul-Adha (Bakr Eid) with the intention of obtaining the blessings of Allah.

 

One such sacrifice in Islam commemorates the event where Hazrat Ibrahim (as) offered the life of his son at the command of Allah (swt) but which afterwards Allah (swt) replaced with a sheep [ram]. This manifestation of love from Hazrat Ibrahim (as) to Allah (twt) has marked an unprecedented event in the history of Islam. This gave rise to a rite called Qurbani or Udhiya which has been perpetuated in Islam. This practice has been followed by the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Allah (twt) has made it mandatory (Waajib) for Muslims who have the means to do so. This kind of sacrifice is not only prescribed for us, the spiritual people of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), but it was also applied to the past peoples before us, as mentioned in the Holy Quran:

 

“For every community We have appointed a rite of sacrifice so that they may pronounce the Name of Allah over the sacrificial animals He has provided for them.” (Al-Hajj 22: 35)

Objections against Animal Sacrifice

  

We, human beings, share this world with so many other breathing beings. Animals and birds are communities like us, reminds the Holy Qur’an. It is our duty to live responsibly, in fairness and justice, recognizing the interests of collective life and common good on earth, for the natural environment and living beings are among the favours and signs of God on earth. Indeed, Islam teaches Muslims to treat all living beings with kindness and compassion, and not to cause harm, nor inflict pain on animals and birds unnecessarily. Even for slaughtering them as rites of sacrifice, a believer has to abide by rules and regulations, means and methods of Islam that reduce the pain and suffering of the animal concerned. 

While the Holy Qur’an and the teachings of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) as well as his practical guidance on the prescriptions relating to animal slaughter are rooted in wider concern for the fair treatment of these breathing beings, the reality of everyday life show that these foundational rules are frequently violated as not fully implemented, resulting in cruel treatment to animals and birds during the transportation and handling of the animals at various stages and levels of the cattle-transportation and meat market practices. Many people who believe in fair treatment of animals, criticise and object to the ‘Muslim’ practice of animal slaughter as they see it- without understanding the Islamic teachings and guidance on the pertinent issue. 

Reproduced below are two related questions- objections on Islamic ways of slaughtering animals and on meat eating in general- put forward to Imam-Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius and the prescient observations made therein by Hazrat Saheb (aba) on the wisdom of Islamic procedures of slaughtering animals as well as the need for respecting the life-balance in this ecosystem by catering to needs while avoiding excesses on all sides of the debate.  

‘How to share a Qurbani ?’

  

Allah (swt) appointed acts of devotion to every community, for them to celebrate God’s name over the livestock He provided for them. Muslims are ordained by God to mention His name, on specified days during the Hajj pilgrimage season, over the livestock He has provided for them. Indeed, Qurbani is a sacred rite of Islam binding upon devout Muslims everywhere: those who honour God’s rites show the piety of their hearts, and anyone who honours the sacred ordinances of God will have good rewards from his Lord, Insha Allah.

As the Holy Qur’an notes concerning sacrificial animals such as Ox or Camel, ‘There is much good in them for you, so invoke God’s name over them as they are lined up for sacrifice, then, when they have fallen down dead, feed yourselves and those who do not ask, as well as those who do. We have subjected them to you in this way so that you may be thankful. It is neither their meat nor their blood that reaches God but your piety. He has subjected them to you in this way so that you may glorify God for having guided you. Give good news to those who do good.’ (22:37-38)    

 

In this context, devout Muslims who plan to perform Qurbani may have related questions to clarify and understand. ‘How to share a Qurbani ? In case a poor man is giving a Qurbani and a rich one is giving a Qurbani, how to share the Qurbani?’

 

Recently, this question was put forth in front of our Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius by Khwaja Muhyiuddin Saheb of Chennai, a disciple. The considered response given by Hazrat Saheb (aba) on the occasion would be of educative value for everyone who is to perform the Qurbani as part of the forthcoming Eid-ul-Adha rites.  

Hajj: Pathway to Salvation

 

[In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. As the world of Islam enters the Month of Hajj [Dhul Hijjah], Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius profoundly explains the larger, inner meaning and spiritual significance of this ultimate voyage to the House of God in Makkah that the Muslim pilgrim undertakes in quest of Divine pleasure and salvation]. 

 

The pathway to salvation 

 

‘The Hajj, being the fifth and last of the five pillars of Islam, it represents the readiness of the Muslim pilgrim to let go of all worldly attractions and desires, and to make the firm intention for a purified reform in his self and soul, to tread the pathway to Salvation, like a submitted soul offering his whole life and being to Allah, promising a complete reform within himself and seeking the help of Allah to achieve it.’

On Jama'ah Prayer & 'Women' Angels

 

As an inspired servant of God with a mandate to correct the doctrinal mistakes and religious practices of the Muslims of today, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius is in a unique position to clarify the right perspective to be adopted on religious beliefs and everyday practices of the believers in this era, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah; from time to time, Hazrat Muhyiuddin (aba) offers illuminating guidance on spiritual questions brought before him by people from around the world. By the Grace of Allah, these Question and Answer sessions reveal much insight into issues that confuse and confound people, and the guiding light of a servant of God steeped in the spiritual Way is indeed very useful for truth seekers. For instance, in a recent interactive session with the Sahih Al Islam YouTube Channel, Hazrat Saheb (aba) shares his perspective on the need for balance and prudence in the performance of religious duties while explaining the importance of congrégational prayer. Likewise, in the same Interview in response to another question, Hazrat Khalifatullah (aba) explains the nature of appearance of angels in the spiritual visions of human beings. 

Read the Text of the Discourse Below : 

 

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakaatuhu. Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we are here again for another session of Questions & Answers with the Khalifatullah Al-Mahdi of this era, Hazrat Munir A. Azim (atba).