Sunday, August 7, 2022

The Importance of 'Jumu'ah'

 

In his Friday Sermon of 05 August 2022 ~ 06 Muharram 1444 AH, Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Hazrat Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius underscores the importance of Jumu’ah in Muslim spiritual and social life.  Drawing upon Qur’anic commandments and Prophetic traditions and the devotional practice of early Muslims, Hazrat Muhyiuddin (aba), in this discourse, traces out the spiritual philosophy and history of Jumu’ah as a veritable institution of Islam.  


Communities before the advent of Islam evolved their own special days of devotion. It was Allah (swt) Who chose Friday for the Muslim Ummah as a day of great blessings: to enable the community of believers to prioritize the call of God to prayer over material pursuits; to foster and develop solidarity and brotherhood in society; a time to come together as a devotional community. Islamic teachings exhort believers to pay attention to this special opportunity of weekly congregational prayer as an occasion to strive to please Allah (swt) and to invoke His blessings on the Holy Prophet Muhammad (sa), and his family and pure companions. Hence, neglect and laziness around participation in Jumu’ah prayer and sermon is a serious matter that the faithful needs to be conscious of, notes Hazrat Saheb (aba).


Speaking about the larger message of Surah Al Jumu’ah, Hazrat Khalifatullah Al Mahdi (aba) notes the dynamics of decline and renewal in the spiritual world. When people ignore Divine commandments in a phase of time and Imaan flies away from amongst them to the Pleiades, it is the Sunnat Allah to raise some purified individuals to bring it back and establish the spiritual way.  These chosen servants of God are raised in the mantle of the Prophets of the past.  As high representatives of Divine Trust on earth, these sages are devoted to the Pure Way- the true living heirs of the Holy Prophet (sa). Hence, in this era of spiritual neglect, Allah (swt) has raised His Khalifatullah (aba) to renew the days of the Prophet and his spiritual practice as a grand blessing for those who believe and follow guidance, Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah.  

Monday, August 1, 2022

The Significance of 'Duah'


Supplicating (to Allah) * Making 'Duah'

 

Duah or supplicating is to petition Allah (twt) for one’s needs and requirements, be such needs mundane or spiritual - be they in regard to one’s worldly affairs or Deeni affairs - whether such affairs and needs are within one’s ability of acquisition or not. In all cases, the Muslim has to supplicate to Allah (twt) for the fulfillment of his needs.

 

Duah for unlawful desires and needs is not permissible. While making duahs, all the lawful means and agencies for the requirement should be harnessed, e.g. the farmer while making duah for his farm to yield should at the same time engage in the means and ways of farming; the one making duah for protection against an enemy should at the same time engage in the ways and means of warding off the enemy; the sick while making duah for recovery should resort to medicine and treatment as well; one involved in litigation should while making duah for success in his court-case, engage the proper means of achieving the success as well; one engaged in the acquisition of Qur’ani and Deeni knowledge should make duah for Barakat [blessings] and success while at the same time study properly and acquire whatever ways are essential for the correct acquisition of knowledge; one involved in Ibaadat [worship of Allah] should strive against the lowly desires and the diversions of Satan and the Nafs [ego/ passion] while at the same time make duah [supplications] for aid from Allah (twt) for sincerity and steadfastness in his acts of worship.

 

In affairs in which physical and material means and agencies have no role to play; one should in entirety resort to only duah, e.g. rainfall [protection against rainfall in case of too much rainfall causing floods etc. & prayers for rainfall in case of drought], protection against plagues, the Satan and the deception of the Nafs, protection from the oppression of cruel persons, etc.


Duah does not mean the mere recitation of some words and the ritual reiteration of words after Salat. The nature of duah consists of petitioning in the court of Allah (twt). The earnestness and concern which people have when making appeals in the courts of the world should at least be adopted when making duah in the court of Allah (twt). When making duah, one’s mind and body have to be concentrated and directed into the purpose of duah. One should never lose hope in the event of fulfilment of the duah being delayed or if fulfilment is not discerned. One has to submit to the Will of Allah (twt). Duah is an appeal of His servants. We have no right to become disillusioned and despondent if we cannot discern acceptance of our duah.

Sunday, July 31, 2022

Internet Sniffing Scandal in Mauritius

 

[Has the Prime Minister of Mauritius compromised national security by permitting a Third Party to conduct internet sniffing operations in the country? Will his shady actions also have wider strategic and international  ramifications, escalating big-power military rivalry in the region and impacting the peace and tranquility of the Indian Ocean peoples in the neighbourhood of Mauritius? These are serious issues of import for the Mauritian people to deliberate upon today. In his Friday Sermon of 29 July 2022 ~29 Dhul Hijjah 1443 AH Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim (aba) of Mauritius took note of these recent developments, especially the huge scandal involving the Prime Minister's ever-shifting statements on the events and issues at the center of the present controversy].   

Read the Extracts from the Friday Sermon Below:


'Allah says in the Holy Quran: “Do not mix truth with falsehood or hide the truth knowingly.” (Al-Baqara 2: 43).

 

With the accusation of high treason brought against the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth in the case of Illegal Access to the SAFE Landing Station in Baie-du-Jacotet, the Government House is betting on a double or quits as an outcome. On the side of the parliamentary and extra-parliamentary opposition, the pressure is increasing to demand the departure of the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, at the head of the government. Circles close to the top chefs, nicknamed members of “The Kitchen”, i.e. the Prime Minister’s Office argue that the recent low profile of Pravind Jugnauth is part of the perspective of a scenario likely to lead to a diplomatic and political Gamble in the process of development. In principle, high-level negotiations between Port-Louis and New Delhi have been initiated with a view to obtain the return to Mauritius of one of the members of the “Mr. Moustache” mission in mid-April to develop “a parade in the offensive” led vigorously by the former Chief Executive Officer of Mauritius Telecom, Sherry Singh, since Friday the first of July.

Monday, July 25, 2022

'Taqdir,' 'Tawakkul' & 'Tadbir'

 

Belief in Destiny & Putting One’s Trust in Allah 


The belief that everything which happened, happen and will happen is according to the knowledge, will and command of Allah the Almighty is called Taqdeer [Destiny]. Belief in Taqdeer is compulsory.


The advantages of belief in Taqdeer (Destiny) and Tawakkul (Trust – Here meaning the Trust in Allah) are as follows:

 

No matter what hardship or misfortune befalls one, it will be accepted without panic and the heart will remain strong in the face of such hardships. Strong belief in Taqdeer will indicate that Allah’s wish is in operation and it cannot be opposed. The hardship will disappear only when so desired by Allah the Almighty. Thus the man of Taqdeer [i.e. who truly believes in Taqdeer] accepts what comes his way with contented resignation.

 

One who has understood and accepted this conception of Taqdeer will not be overcome with frustration at the delay in the passing of the hardship. He will not become despondent and lose hope when the misfortune endures for any length of time. He will banish weakness.

 

The adherent of Taqdeer will not adopt unlawful ways and means of combating the difficulty, for he knows that the adversity has been brought about by Allah (twt). He understands well that elimination of the hardship is not possible without the Will of Allah (twt). He therefore realizes the futility of his efforts in trying to eliminate what Allah (twt) has willed. He will thus not unnecessarily court the displeasure of Allah by the adoption of unlawful measures. Why court Allah’s Wrath when one’s purpose cannot be achieved even after having displeased Him?