TEN YEARS of the Divine Manifestation

From the long and great history of the arrival of Divine Messengers in the world, believers have numerous lessons and insights to keep in mind. Every Messenger has to go through countless trials- his own people will turn back on him and boycott him. His own people, who may have received countless signs and blessings, may desert him in the hour of need. Countless years may pass by, before the world begins to take notice of the Divine Message in full measure, just as it happened in the time of Jesus (as). It may also happen that those who desert the Messenger may later realise their mistakes. They might return to the path of rectitude eventually, as did the brethren of Yusuf (as) in another time and space.        

The need for the appearance of a Divinely-raised Messenger in this era among the Ahmadi Muslims has been fulfilled with the raising of the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius. Thus, 19 April 2013 (08 Jamad’ul Aakhir 1434 Hijri) marks an important milestone in the sacred history of modern Islam. For, it was on this day in 2003 that the Jamaat of the Divine Manifestation took their first Bai’at in the hands of the Khalifatullah (atba). The first Bai’at was held in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mumineen Sadr Sahiba Fazli Amena on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes.

The fact that the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius has completed 10 years in relative obscurity will only surprise those who have no knowledge or understanding about the working of the spiritual realm. The duty of the Divine Messenger is only and merely to convey the Message; Allah the Most High is the Reckoner. There are indeed many spiritual lessons and lofty insights to be derived by observing and understanding the Divine favour on the Khalifatullah and how he goes about with his deep and unwavering commitment to advance the cause of Allah and His Message in the last ten years.  

It is instructive for Ahmadis to understand that the emergence of the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius coincided with the decline in physical health, spiritual faculties and eventual death of the Fourth Khalifa of the Jamaat-e- Ahmadiyya, Hadhrat Mirza Tahir Ahmad Sahib. In his last years, the ageing Khalifa was already in a zone of his own, where he was in constant need of sound advice for prudent governance of Jamaat affairs. Yet, as it happened, he was badly advised regarding the nature and character of the Divine Manifestation then emerging in the horizon of Mauritius. Unscrupulous and scheming people, who worked behind the corridors of influence, suggested vanity of office and pride of legacy. Instead of showing humility and open heart to understand the lofty claims and spiritual verities on offer, the Khalifa chose the other road. May Allah forgive him for his blurred vision in his last days, Ameen.

Islamic Ethics on Business Transactions

One of the fundamental problems facing the world today is the lack of ethics and fair-dealing. In politics, administration, business, media, academia and public life- virtually everywhere- the tentacles of corruption manifest itself in different ways and forms. So much so that most countries in the world are neck deep in irregularities and corrupt practices. Sadly, Muslims or their countries cannot absolve themselves from blame and shame in this connection. Yet, the teachings of Islam and the noble example of the Holy Prophet of Islam (sa) points to the value of integrity and ethics and fair dealing in all that we do and Islam prescribes a normative code of conduct for economic activities. In his Friday Sermon of April 12, 2013 the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) profoundly expounded on these ethical principles in the backdrop of the high profile-corruption and fraud cases in Mauritius and elsewhere.  

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon:

In the Holy Quran Allah says:

“Do not usurp one another by unjust means, nor bribe with it the judges to wrongfully deprive others of their part.”  (Al-Baqara 2: 189)

“… give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” (Hud 11: 86)

“Give full measure, when you measure, and weigh with even scales. That is fair and better in the end.” (Ar-Rahman 55:  10)

Fraud and Corruption in Mauritius

The predictions and warnings issued by the Khalifatullah (atba) in recent months delivered a Divine message to the world, which may be summarized as follows: The synthetic happiness of material pleasures shall have a blinding impact on people. The greed for accumulation of property and resources will lead to the pursuit of unjust enrichment. Bribery and corruption, fraud and embezzlement- all would appear mere ‘ways’ to reach where one wants to go. Ethics and fairness, prudence and caution – all the  ‘values’ shall reach the vanishing point from the mind-space of man, with consequences for his mental peace and physical happiness,  only to find oneself  among the lost at the end of the day! By the Grace of  Allah the Most High, His Chosen Messenger Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius could comprehend  the national events and understand the shady dealings waiting to unfold among his own people, especially on the great frauds and astounding corruption in society.

Recent weeks have witnessed the unfolding of a spate of corruption cases in Mauritius.  In the tangled web of fraud and deception, duplicity and embezzlement, are the ‘big’ people of society- politicians, corporate honchos and other influence-peddlers such as media-pundits. They have dirtied their hands with ‘shady’ deals and ‘black’ money, or embezzled public funds from the exchequer or defrauded the people by indulging in bribery or corruption. An account of the financial corruption scenario in Mauritius and the fulfilment of the predictions in this regard, emerge from the Friday Sermon of April 12, 2013 delivered by the Khalifatullah (atba).

A Messenger in Service of Humanity

Divine Messengers are human beings, with the simple but profound and quiet but substantial difference that they are recipients of Divine revelations as against the ordinary folks like us. They work among the people day in and day out, calling them to an ethical and spiritual life that draws its sustenance from an abiding faith in the Unicity of Allah the Almighty. They bear witness to their times and their people by inviting to prudent conduct. They deliver glad tidings to those who follow guidance. And they caution the world against the egregious violations of ethical norms. When their warnings are fulfilled and disaster strikes the land, they are pained at the suffering humanity, even as they recognize that the nature and the times are witnessing to their truthful prophecies and warnings. Such is the image of the Divine Messengers of the past emerging from their lived history as recorded by the Holy Qur'an. 

The Divine Messenger of our times Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib (atba) of Mauritius has predicted and warned against great calamities waiting to unfold in Mauritius and elsewhere, in recent months. The DELUGE in Mauritius, the tragedy and loss of which shook the nation to its core last week and led to collective mourning, in its own way, testified to the majesty and might of the Lord  who descended the Message on His Messenger. In the aftermath of the Great calamity of stunning proportions- "NABAA AL AZIM", to use a Qur'anic metaphor [78: 3]- in Mauritius, Hadhrat AZIM Sahib (atba) himself led the relief and social work undertaken by the members of Jamaat Ul Sahib Al Islam.