Surah An-Nur: A Commentary

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- Kerala has just published a new Book in Malayalam: ‘Surah An-Nur: A Commentary’. The present book, originally written in English by  Hadhrat Ummul Mu’mineen Fazli Amena Varsally (International Sadr Saheba- Siraj Makin), is translated into Malayalam by Fauzia Jamal-Zain Saheba, Na’ib Sadr- Siraj Makin, South Kerala. This important treatise contains a treasure trove of spiritual insights and practical guidance useful for all believers who use their God-gifted faculties to study and reflect on the Word of God. The present translation is an important contribution to Qur’anic studies in Malayalam and a vital addition to the growing literature of the Jamaat in Kerala.

Read the Introduction to the Malayalam Edition Below:

‘Surah An Nur’ constitutes the 24^th chapter of the Holy Qur’an. The chapter is named after the Divine Attribute of Light (Nur) indicated in the Light Verse (v.36). Focussing on Allah’s relationship to the humans, the chapter declares that Every Light that is visible in the universe and in human souls is a bounty of Allah’s Grace and Mercy. As the Source of all Lights, mercies and laws; Allah provides illuminating guidance in this chapter for the believers- men, women and children- clarifying several social and legal questions.

The Youth and 'Synthetic' Pleasures

The Youth of the Ummah in Peril

Liberal, lawless practices of the modern era, under the influence of Westerners and Americans, mainly affect young people. If this fringe of society of non-believers does not care so much about misdeeds, damage and other major problems caused by globalization, the youth of the Ummah, on the other hand, cannot and must not remain indifferent to its influence on their way of life, their way of behaving. And especially the harmful effect it causes to their faith and piety. This is disturbing.

The Youth's Mission

Now, the youth is the future. For all, without exception. Nations, countries, organizations, communities, family. All depend on the youth of today to take over for continuity. The same goes for Muslim youth, the youth of the Ummah in the four corners of the earth. This youth has a mission. To take over from the elders. To continue to propagate the Sahih al Islam (true Islam/ true teachings of Islam) in righteousness. To build educational centres for children and adults. But above all, to fraternize with members of other communities. For it is quite clear, according to Qur’anic verses and Hadiths, that to have respect for one’s neighbour is piety.

It is through this respect for everyone that this youth, the pillar of tomorrow, can build solid foundations for the Ummah to live in peace, serenity, tranquillity, and harmony. However, the youth of this century is going through difficult times with the rise of globalization that touches all corners of the world.

The Youth's Embarrassment

This situation really embarrasses the youth of the Ummah because they seem to be caught between two fires: (1) the principle of Islam which makes the clear-cut clear difference between the lawful (Halal) and the unlawful (Haram); (2) The boundless freedom in all matters of the unbelievers in this temporal world.

Service to Humanity as Divine Worship

The following is a revealed text which I initially received from Allah on 09 April 2004 at the beginning of the Divine Manifestation, in the times of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen. Today, under divine instructions I address you, the members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam throughout the world with those same pearls of knowledge, those precious advices and revelations.

Service To Mankind: The Greatest Spiritual Practice

People today are very enthusiastic about the New year. When New year is coming, people spend a lot of money for the celebration of New Year. It is a sign of ignorance to single out one particular day in a year for celebration. For a true devotee, everyday is a festival. In fact, everyday is New Year day. Hence, we should consider every day, every minute as new and celebrate it with joy.

Service is the Highest Spiritual Practice. All that exists in this objective world is impermanent and unreal. Man should contemplate on that which is eternal and real. But man out of his ignorance, wastes his time in brooding over the past and worrying about the future while forgetting the present. The present only is real. Past is past; you cannot get it back, however much you may pray for it. The future is hidden in the womb of time. It is not possible to visualize it. Therefore, only the present is true and real. Instead of wasting your time in thinking about the past and worrying about the future, you should engage yourself in the service of your fellowmen. Service is the foremost spiritual practice. You should therefore, always engage yourself in the service of others. There is no greater spiritual practice than this. People totally forget the importance of service. They should understand that only the fruits of service are eternal. God has given us this body for service to others, and not merely for eating, drinking and wasting our valuable time in mundane activities. We must realise the truth that serving others is the most worthwhile activity for us. There is nothing greater than service to humanity. All great men redeemed their lives only through service.

A 'Ta'lim' Meeting at Mathra

Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, South Kerala (India) organized a One-Day Divinity Study Programme for the benefit of its members-men, women and children- at the historic Noor'ul Islam Masjid, Mathra on Saturday, 09 February 2019 ~ 04 Jamadi’ul Aakhir 1440 AH. Many members of the Jamaat from different places across the State- Palakkad, Kodungallur, Alappuzha, Karunagappally, Kaliyikkavila, etc.- reached at the Masjid ahead of the Programme so as to participate also in the Friday Jumu'ah Namaz as well, Alhamdulillah. 

Brothers who participated in the programmes include Muhammad Sabir Saheb of Palakkad; PK Shamsudeen Saheb of Kodungallur; K. Saleem Saheb, and Na'ib Amir YK Hariz Saheb of Alappuzha; DA Zainul Abdeen Saheb of Karunagappally; Na'ib Amir/Jamaat Sadiq Ali Saheb; Zachariah Ibn Zain, Munir Ahmad Azim (Jr.), etc. Mukarram Amir/Jamaat Janab Jamaluddin Raother Saheb led the study sessions.

The Ta’lim/ Tarbiyyat meeting took place at the Masjid in three different sessions through the day: morning, afternoon and evening. In the morning and afternoon, parallel sessions took place for the men and the women. In the men’s section, the meetings were  done in a way like an extended conversation where the ‘floor’ was open for raising points to every one. Maulvi Ismaeel Saheb of Mathra was also present on the occasion.   In an age of doctrinal rigidity and sectarian feelings among the Muslims, it has become difficult to have a civilized dialogue among the co-religionists themselves. How the ‘big picture’ of Islam gets lost out due to such blurred visions and narrow readings of the Divine Will was highlighted. In such bewildering times, Mukarram Amir saheb suggested all members to study the  Friday sermons and discourses of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) on a regular basis to know Islamic teachings and to appreciate the straight and correct path ahead of us in our own individual and collective lives.        

Siraj Makin, the women's collective of the Jamaat, also held its special sessions on the occasion. Senior member Razia Hariz Saheba, Na'ib Sadr Fauzia Jamal- Zain saheba, Rajeena Sadiq Ali saheba, Sofiya Beevi saheba, Mubeena Sabir saheba, Fa-e-zah Maryam Zain and Arshana Sabir participated actively in the various programmes: Tilawat-ul-Qur'an, Nazm recitation, speeches on Qur'an themes as well as topics from Ahadith, etc. Na'ib Sadr Fauzia Jamal saheba, who recently translated into Malayalam the Commentary on Surah An-Nur (originally written in English by Hazrat Ummul Mu'mineen International Sadr Saheba (Siraj Makin), shared parts of the forthcoming book at the meeting. The Malayalam translation of the Commentary is to be published by the Jamaat shortly, Insha-Allah.    

The key take-away from the Study Programme was the Special Address of Hadhrat Imam Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius on the importance of Salat (Prayer) and Zakat (Financial Sacrifice) in our individual and collective spiritual life, including community welfare and progress.  In his discourse, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) notes the foundational role of Salat  in the shaping of our spiritual future: its intrinsic worth in being the "unique gateway" to the Divine Presence and its instrumental role in seeking the mighty help of the Divine in facilitating our challenging tasks. Like wise, Hazrat Khalifatullah (atba)  points to the critical role of Zakat in community life. To meet the manifold expenses of the community in the larger cause of Islam, Hadhrat Saheb (atba) exhorts the believers to assume collective responsibility to contribute liberally to the cause of Allah.