Shawwal & Hazrat Aisha (ra)

  

After Ramadan, comes the month of Shawwal. During this month, it is recommended to observe six additional days of fasting (Nafil). These days of fasting are not obligatory, but they are recommended by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), who said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan and follows it with six days of fasting in Shawwal will be rewarded as if they have fasted for the entire year” (Abu Dawud). It is possible to observe these six Nafil fasts on any day during Shawwal, except for the 1^st of Shawwal, which is Eid-ul-Fitr, a day of celebration when fasting is prohibited by Allah.

 

For those who have missed obligatory fasts from previous years, it is preferable to make up for those missed days first before observing the six Nafil fasts. However, if someone has only missed fasts during the recent Ramadan, they can start with the six Nafil fasts and later make up the missed obligatory fasts. Alternatively, one can choose to make up missed fasts during Shawwal itself, but these fasts will not be considered Nafil; rather, they will be the obligatory fasts owed to Allah. After completing these obligatory fasts, if they wish, they can observe the six Nafil fasts of Shawwal.

'Eid-ul-Fitr' Sermon 2025

 

The profound message of the Eid-ul-Fitr

 

Eid-ul-Fitr, celebrated at the end of the blessed month of Ramadan, is one of the most important festivals for us, Muslims. It marks the end of fasting (Roza/ Sawm) after a month of physical restraint, spiritual reflection, and devotion. This day is a moment of gratitude to Allah for the blessings we have received, as well as an opportunity to strengthen our social, familial, and community bonds. The word ‘Eid’ itself means something that recurs, repeats, or a recurring event that brings happiness and a festive atmosphere. It represents an occasion that reappears after a certain period, bringing moments of joy and blessings. Essentially, the term “Eid” symbolises a moment of communal celebration, uniting or connecting a group in happiness and gratitude.

 

In the Quran, the word “Eid” is directly mentioned in Surah Al-Maida – Chapter 5, Verse 115. In the context of this verse, we see how the disciples of Hazrat Isa (as) asked Allah to send down a table laden with food from the heavens as a feast (Eid) for them, marking it as a day of celebration and a sign of His grace.

 

Here, we observe how Allah not only blessed Hazrat Isa (as) and his disciples with material provisions but also granted them spiritual sustenance, which was continued and perfected in Islam with the arrival of our beloved Prophet, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh).

 

Thus, beyond festivities, feasts, and gatherings with family and the community, this day carries a profound message: that each Muslim should continue to lead a pious life in accordance with the teachings of Islam. It highlights a way of life rooted in spiritual, ethical, and moral values, which each believer should strive to follow throughout the year, not just during Ramadan.

Al-Qadr: The Night of Decree

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Truly, We revealed it (the Quran) on the Night of Decree. And what will make you understand what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend during it by the permission of their Lord, bringing every command. Peace it is until the break of dawn. (Surah Al-Qadr 97: 1-6) 

Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, we enter the final third of this blessed month of Ramadan. During these last 10 days, Allah and His beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) have taught us that there lies a night within, so magnificent that its blessings surpass those of 1,000 months.

‘Massih Maoud Day’ 2025

 

A Celebration of Spiritual Revival in this Era

 

23rd March is a day of immense historical and spiritual significance. For it marks a momentous event in the annals of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya; it was on this day in 1889 that the Promised Messiah and Mahdi Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, accepted the first Bai’at (initiation of discipleship) of Hazrat Maulvi Hakkim Nooruddin Bhervi (ra). For devout Ahmadis, the spiritual relationship of Bai’at was not an ordinary undertaking, but a pure Divine covenant, fulfilling a sublime prophecy of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) regarding the revival of Islam in the Later days.

Today, almost 136 years after the great spiritual event of the establishment of the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya in 1889 by the then promised Massih Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, his true spiritual legacy of Divine revelations is found only in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International. While Ahmadis remaining with the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Qadian as well as the Lahore Anjuman carry out the publication and dissemination of religious literature, just like every other Muslim denominational groups do in our times; Allah (twt) has blessed the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam with the fortune of being the flagship of the specially- chosen, Divinely-raised messenger of this Islamic era, the Fifteenth century of Islam, in the person of Hazrat Imam Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Al Massih Maoud Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.

Hence, today, as we reflect upon this sacred occasion of the first Bai’at, we are not merely commemorating an event from the past, nor are we celebrating as Ahmadis did in history. Instead, we celebrate the living truth of Islam in this era—a truth upheld not by human hands but by the Hand of Almighty Allah (twt), ensuring the continuity of divine guidance through His chosen servants, Subhaan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar! 

Zakaat in Islam

  

Alhamdulillah, twelve days of fasting have already passed [in other countries, slightly more than this], and I hope that each one of you is making the most of these blessed days to come closer to Allah. Insha-Allah.

 

Today, I return to an important subject, which is Zakaat, the third pillar of Islam. I have noticed that despite the explanations provided about Zakaat, this subject remains unclear to many of you. Hence, I come once again on this subject and request all my disciples to refer to my past sermons, as well as what I am going to say to you today. Compile this into a small booklet and distribute it to everyone so that you have a reference regarding Zakaat and can clearly understand how you need to calculate Zakaat and upon what assets you need to apply it.

 

First of all: What is Zakaat? It is a tax that Allah has made obligatory for all adult Muslims (who have reached puberty) and who possess the minimum sum upon which Zakaat is mandatory, referred to as “Nisaab.” This tax purifies the wealth of believers, not only bringing more Barakat (blessings) to their worldly and spiritual possessions but also serving as an essential means for Islam to gather sufficient funds and resources to help its progression globally. Additionally, it strengthens and enriches the poor, alleviates their suffering from poverty, and offers them a new chance to rebuild their lives – to give them a fresh start in life. Therefore, it is called the Purification Tax (a purifying tax) because sharing it with the less fortunate encourages kindness, generosity, and a balance of wealth within society, redistributing wealth to prevent the rich from becoming too rich and the poor from becoming too poor.

Zakat: The Purification Tax

  

The purification of the heart is very important. A believer cannot perfect their (i.e. his or her) faith in Islam without purifying their heart and soul. With the month of Ramadan, which serves as a training for the upcoming 11 months, Allah has provided several means in a believer’s life to not only purify their wealth but also their heart. One of these means is Zakat.

 

The Creator (Allah) and His beloved Messenger (pbuh) have always linked the purification of the body with that of the heart. Zakat purifies the heart and has several meanings. According to the root of its letters (Ze, Kaaf, Waw), Zakat means ‘to purify,’ ‘the purification of the heart,’ or even ‘the complete purification of the heart,’ which includes the purification of our soul and inner self. The purification of the heart involves the purification of all the members of our body.

 

Allah has established Zakat to purify our hearts and our possessions. Through Zakat, Allah illuminates our hearts as well as all the other members of our body. When we give Zakat in the way of our Creator, our possessions and our souls are purified. Why? Because of the joy it brings, and our beloved Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) used to do it wholeheartedly, helping the needy, which brought him much contentment as he spread wealth to the poor to eradicate poverty and give the needy the chance to live with dignity. This joy of the Prophet (pbuh) was translated into a radiant smile, his heart flooded with contentment for helping others, especially Muslims - those who believed in the one true God and in him (pbuh) as the Prophet of Allah.

The Month of Fasting

  

Ramadan is here once again. This blessed month is filled with many blessings and offers a unique opportunity to every Muslim. To fully benefit from it, it is essential to understand what this month symbolizes and what we can gain from it to come closer to Allah and His paradise.

 

Allah says in the Holy Quran:

“O you who believe! Fasting has been enjoined upon you as they were enjoined upon those before you, so that you may be God-fearing (attain Taqwa)” (Al-Baqara 2:184).

 

Divine commandments, including fasting during Ramadan, aim to instil piety (taqwa) in the hearts of believers. They help purify the soul, develop patience, seek forgiveness for sins, and obtain divine rewards. Fasting during Ramadan, in particular, is a way to draw closer to Allah, strengthen one’s faith, and engage in deep spiritual reflection. It also instils values such as discipline, empathy towards the less fortunate, and gratitude for the blessings received.