Wednesday, December 6, 2023

'Zikr Allah' - VI

  

Allah the Almighty has said: "Remember Me, and I will remember you; and be thankful to Me and not be ungrateful Me." (Al-Baqarah, 2: 153)

 

In the light of this verse which I have read before you, I am thus continuing my sermon on the Remembrance of Allah. The Remembrance of Allah (Zikr Allah) is so important that since the creation of this universe, Allah has talked a lot about it, and both the Holy Qur'an and the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) have stressed a lot on the Remembrance of Allah. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to personally engage himself in the Remembrance of Allah; wherever he went, he used to remember Allah a lot and he also advised his companions and all the people found in his community and also humanity at large to engage themselves in the Remembrance of Allah, even though these people have rejected him, and that they do not believe in Islam, in the Book of Allah and His teachings.

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: "Engage yourselves completely in the Remembrance of Allah to such an extent that people consider you mad."

Tuesday, December 5, 2023

'Zikr Allah' - V

 

“O ye who believe! Remember Allah with much remembrance; And glorify Him morning and evening. He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you forth from all kinds of darkness into light. And He is Merciful to the believers.” (Al-Ahzaab33: 42 – 44).

 

In the light of these Qur'anic verses, I continue my sermon on the Remembrance of Allah. These three verses which I have read before you show that Allah send down His blessings and the angels pray for those types of people who engage themselves in the Remembrance of Allah. The more we remember Allah and glorify Him, the more Allah will remember us and will be with us.

 

I recommend all members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam in Mauritius, on the other islands, and this message of mine addresses all people from all countries, and also all my Muslim brothers, sisters and children around the world, that you all should make it a must to engage yourselves in the Remembrance of Allah as frequently as possible, even if possible at each moment of your lives. The more you will remember Allah, the more this Remembrance of Allah will become like a fortress-like protection for you, against all sorts of evils, sorrows, difficulties, illnesses, evil plots, satanic works etc. Remembrance of Allah will save you from all these and other problems which you may face; you will thus always be safeguarded under the Shadow of Allah.

Monday, December 4, 2023

'Zikr Allah' - IV

  

'We will present Hell, on that day, to the disbelievers. They are the ones whose eyes were too veiled concerning My Zikr.' (18:101-102) 

 

In the light of this verse, I continue my sermon on the virtues and the advantages of Remembrance of Allah.

 

In a Hadith, Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “When a group (of people) come together to practice the Remembrance of Allah only for His pleasure, an angel proclaims in the sky: “Allah has forgiven you and replaced your sins by virtues.”

Sunday, December 3, 2023

'Zikr Allah'- III


In his Friday Sermon of 20 February 2009, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International  Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius gives an illuminating exposition on 'Zikr Allah', the third in the series. Man has a great liking for his wealth and possessions as well as for his children and family. True believers among them will invariably show gratitude to the Lord Almighty for bestowing all the blessings of this life by remembering God's grace and favours, and unlike ungrateful disbelievers, the believers will not ignore or neglect the duty on God's remembrance at the cost of clinging to mundane possessions and earthly attainments. 


Such divine remembrance has many beneficial consequences for those who engage in such special supplications: the heart becomes sensitive, and the sensory organs become receptive to true values of life. When the God-gifted 'free will' is channelled to focus on abiding by holy prescriptions; when divine commands become the guiding code of conduct, such a believer triumphs over satanic temptations; peace and tranquillity of heart permeates the person and his surroundings; angels descent to witness and appreciate his spiritual practices in pursuit of Divine countenance, and the believer may gain a rank even above that of angels along with the approval and pleasure of God, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba).              


Read the Friday Sermon Below:


“O you who believe, do not be distracted by your money and your children from remembering Allah.” (Al-Munaafiqun, 63:10)

Saturday, December 2, 2023

'Zikr Allah' - II

  

"As for him who disregards the Zikr of his Lord, He will direct him to ever increasing retribution." (Ch. 72 Al-Jinn V.18)


I am continuing the Sermon which I had started last Friday on the Remembrance of Allah (Zikr Allah). The verse of the Qur'an which I have just cited is giving a severe warning to those people who turn their backs from the Zikr of our Lord. They do not remember at all their Creator, and thus Allah says that He will bring these types of people towards a severe punishment.


If one analyses well this verse, one will see that Allah is teaching us (humans) a good for our own well-being, and the words which Allah has used in this verse: "As for him who disregards the Zikr of his Lord", thus by the word: "the Zikr of his Lord"; even though Allah has not mentioned it directly here in this verse, but reference is being made to "Laa Ilaaha Illallah" — There is no god but Allah (The Creator of the Universe Who possesses all powers and Who is All-Powerful).


We must always look for those things which is a source of purity for us and with which we will stay clear from all impurities. A small example is that one must have soap to clean dirty clothes, or one usually takes shampoo or perfumed soap when bathing to keep one's body clean and perfumed — so that no dirt or other impurities may be found on his body.


Likewise, the thing which will keep our heart clean and pure is none other than the Remembrance of Allah and this Remembrance of Allah is the best alternative to purify us and rid us from all dirt which there may have been in our heart. Moreover the Remembrance of Allah protects us from the wrath and punishment of Allah.

Friday, December 1, 2023

'Zikr Allah' - I

 

“Alaa bizikrillahi tatmainnul qulub”--- Is it not in Zikr Allah (Remembrance of Allah) that the heart finds tranquillity? (13:29) 


A servant of Allah does not have the right to forget his real Benefactor. The favours and blessings which Allah pours upon us at each moment of our lives are so great that it would be impossible for us to count or compare it with other things. It is thus absolutely natural that we must turn towards our Benefactor and remember Him and thank Him for all the things which He has done and is doing for us. We must always show our gratefulness towards Him Who is The Most Generous Lord – that is, by doing Zikr Allah.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

'Knowledge' and the Muslim

 

Knowledge is a critical factor that can determine the fortunes of an individual, and the fate of a nation. When deployed effectively, the light of knowledge can illuminate hidden realities, and thereby dispel the darkness of ignorance. In the secular realm, knowledge is inextricably intertwined with power and triumph, authority and eminence. Those who master useful knowledge relevant for practical application in everyday life, they gain ranks, status, and authority and superiority in this world. Nations that employ rational faculties and develop science and technology effectively; they rule over others who ignore the laws of progress and prosperity embedded in the commanding heights of knowledge.

 

Beyond secular knowledge, Islamic tradition attaches great importance to the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and insight that leads to recognition of God’s exalted station and highest essence by way of unveiling and eye-witnessing.  Knowledge of the Attributes and Names of the Divine, knowledge of Divine Decrees and Bounties also enable one to know that God is Powerful over all things, and to be mindful in choosing wisely in this life, and to seek forgiveness for sins and mistakes. And several traditions of the Holy Prophet (sa) point to the eminent station of the knowledgeable believers:


“The one among you who has the most knowledge of God is the one whose fear of Him is the most intense.”

 

"If anyone travels on a road in search of knowledge, Allah will set him upon a path to Paradise. Verily the angels lower their wings being content with the one who seeks knowledge. And whosoever is in the heavens and on earth, even the fish in the sea, ask forgiveness for the person of knowledge. The virtue of the pious scholar over the devoted worshipper is as the superiority of the full moon over the rest of the stars. Those who have knowledge are the heirs of the prophets, for the prophets did not leave behind dinars and dirhams; they only left behind knowledge: whosoever receives it, receives an abundance of good fortune.”

 

With the appearance of an Elect of God in an era as a 'heir of the prophets', the treasures of spiritual knowledge and insight become available on an abundant scale for the benefit of all sincere seekers of higher truths, and it is by following such a man of deep religious knowledge and spiritual insight that the renewal of the Faith takes place. In his Friday Sermon of 02 October 2009, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius provides a fascinating exposition on Islamic teachings that underscore the significance of acquiring knowledge, especially knowledge of Religion, in the life of a believer.