Never Insult the Beliefs of Others

"...I would like to briefly address on the unfortunate incident which has transpired last week (04-05 September 2015) at Rivière des Anguilles in the South of Mauritius. The Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam and this humble self strongly condemn what some strong-headed and senseless “Muslims” have done at the Amma Tookay Temple, wrecking some idols found there under alcohol influence.

Islam is a tolerant religion, and preaches no compulsion in religion and respect for others. Both Allah, our Glorious Creator and our perfect role model, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) have both condemned such acts because, when one, in occurrence a person who says he is Muslim abuses and wrecks the idols of other faiths on his own, then he is in fact inviting the other party to abuse Allah and Islam and to wreck the perfect teachings of Islam.

And secondly, alcoholic drinks are absolutely forbidden in Islam. Thus the acts of these people are not Islamic at all. Instead they are presenting a dirty image of Islam and its teachings. May Allah protect His Deen-e-Islam from such senseless people who are only “Muslims” in name and who portray Islam as tolerating violence and terrorism. Ameen..."  (From the Friday Sermon of September 11, 2015)

Never Insult Others

It is very unfortunate to see what had happened in the south of Mauritius, as I told you last week how a few idiots spoiled the image of Islam and its teaching. Was all that they did Islamic? First, by the despicable way they behaved, they disobeyed the commandments of Allah and His Messenger (pbuh). So these kinds of people cannot say that they are Muslims. 

I ask those who have the habit of giving fatwas (judgements) on who are Muslims or not, therefore, with such vile actions – and from the teachings of Islam vis-à-vis other religions – can these people still be considered Muslims? 

The religion of Islam has never granted permission to insult, provoke or denigrate people or their beliefs. 

Rather Islam teaches Muslims that tolerance in religion (Islam) is a virtue, and therefore, a Muslim by the belief he professes, he must be someone friendly and who ensures protection for the life, honour and property of his countrymen.

He must not do anything wrong to harm the reputation of others and should respect the beliefs of others and their places of worship.

The Holy Prophet (saws) said that the best Muslim is the one whose hand and tongue do not harm anyone.

The metaphor of 'Fruit-bearing Trees'

“This (Quran) is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who have Faith with certainty. What! Do those who commit evils think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds - that equal will be their life and their death? Ill is the judgment that they make. And Allah created the heavens and earth with truth and so that every soul may be rewarded for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.” ---(Surah Al Jathiya, 45: 21-23).

By the grace of Allah, I continue my sermon today on the same subject that I started two weeks ago.

In my last Friday Sermon (04 September 2015), I told you that when Allah makes this honoured treatment with someone (where the person is under the refuge of Allah), then it is as if he/she becomes a beautiful plant that emerges, which flourished (in the Garden of Allah). He becomes a plant of good deeds, a plant that yields fruit. Allah protects him and keeps away from him all sorts of problems and dangers. Now you may find that this seems to be very difficult in the beginning but with time this journey becomes easy; where there is no difficulty. Therefore, all you have in your possession, you present all with love and affection, in humility to Allah and to Him you say: 

“O Allah! I have nothing more (of what I now present to You), but I certainly have love for Your religion, and this love that I keep in me for Your religion (Islam) forces me to present all that I have for Your cause.” 

And when after addressing Allah in this way you have patience, you will certainly find what treatment Allah shall do with you!

Secure against the coming Divine Wrath

“This (Quran) is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who have Faith with certainty. 

What! Do those who commit evils think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds - that equal will be their life and their death? Ill is the judgment that they make. 

And Allah created the heavens and earth with truth and so that every soul may be rewarded for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.”
               ---(Surah Al Jathiya, 45: 21-23)

These are the same verses of Surah Al-Jathiya (Chapter 45) which I explained last week and my explanation is not yet completed. Thus, by the grace of Allah, I now continue my explanation of these three verses.

So Allah’s wrath is coming down on earth, and only those who make a complete repentance for their sins and come in the refuge of Allah, they are the ones who will be saved from the divine punishment. Certainly the life and death of the righteous people can at no time be like the life and death of those who are immersed in evil. If you want to come in the refuge of Allah, then you need to make Tawbah (repentance) sincerely for all your past sins and present yourself in the refuge of Allah. If you do this, then Allah will create such qualities in you, so that people can testify that there is really between you and them a clear distinction, and where then there will be no need to enter into debates on the subject. Everyone will clearly see the difference, especially those who really want to see that. Now, how will they find this difference, and what treatment has Allah reserved for such people?

'Tabligh' Seminar in Kerala: A Report

By the grace of Allah, our brothers from the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala – North Zone organised a special 2-Day seminar, focusing on the intention and aims of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, and the advent of a Khalifatullah to all people teaching them the way of life, the way to Allah which Islam entails.

The seminar started after the Salat-ul-Jumu’ah on Friday 14 August 2015 with a Holy Quran reading by our brother E. Hamza Saheb at 4.00 pm.

The Zonal Ameer, Janab Dr. Thahir Sahib inaugurated the seminar and delivered the speech. In his speech he described deeply the intention and aims of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam.

He described that after the establishment of the Jamaat by its founder Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) and his proclamation as the Khalifatullah of the age – and as posted on the official website of the Jamaat – the Khalifatullah has explained that the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam is not a new religion or a branch of other existing organisations. 

It was indeed the fulfilment of the prophecy of Hazrat Muhammad Mustapha Rassool-e-Kareem (saws). Allah appointed Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) as the Messenger of Allah in this 15^th Century Hijrah to revive the lost belief (faith).

The Jamaat is a group of believers, which has been established by the reformer Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba) after getting revelations from Allah (twa).

Taqwa: Go Beyond your Comfort Zone

“This (Quran) is enlightenment for mankind and guidance and mercy for a people who have Faith with certainty. 

What! Do those who commit evils think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds -

that equal will be their life and their death? 

Ill is the judgment that they make. 

And Allah created the heavens and earth with truth and so that every soul may be rewarded for what it has earned, and they will not be wronged.” (Surah Al Jathiya,  45: 21-23)

In the first verse (verse 21), Allah says that the Quran and the words of the Quran contain clear proofs/signs for humanity. If someone carefully studies it with Taqwa (fear of Allah, with piety), and in any aspect that he cares to study it, then, he shall therein certainly will find very clear evidence. Then Allah says it is a guidance and a mercy for the believers, for those who have faith (Iman), and who have a certainty in this book (and its words).

In another verse (verse 22), Allah says: “Do those who commit evils think that We shall hold them equal with those who believe and do righteous deeds - that equal will be their life and their death.” In other words, do those who do evil deeds think that We will give them the same treatment so that their lives and deaths become similar to the lives and deaths of the believers? No it’s impossible. For those who have faith (who are believers) and do righteous deeds, Allah will make them on this earth itself such treatment that will distinguish them from all others. And it is indeed such a treatment that shall be ongoing. 

So, the treatment which Allah reserves for the true believers is quite different from the treatment which the people who are immersed in evil shall receive. This treatment is different and it is distinguished and when you analyze this treatment closely then you will know for sure that those who are indeed recipient of this treatment are indeed the servants of Allah and that the others are from Iblis. 

Spirituality: Learn about All Religions

My dear brothers and sisters,   

   May the peace of God be upon you.

I most warmly thank you – guests and members of the Jamaat present – for answering the call of our religious society – Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam – and came today. By the grace of Allah (God Almighty), our religious society organised this conference today as part of the centenary of the advent of the message of a reformer of God named Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) – originating from India – in Mauritius.

1915-2015: It has been a hundred years since the message of Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) came to our little island of Mauritius. His message was spread to the four corners of Mauritius and today there are thousands of followers (who believed in his message) and who are located in several towns and villages of Mauritius and also in Rodrigues. His coming was already prophesied in the Holy Quran and the sayings of the Holy Prophet of Islam, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh). 

An 'Avatar' in the Age of 'Kalyug'

The Bible as well as the religion of Hinduism also prophesied about the coming of a reformer, and other great religions are still waiting for the advent of a reformer who will come for the reform of humanity. I’m sure that you, my Hindu and Christian brothers and sisters will agree with me that the world has entered the era of Kalyug (darkness), and therefore everyone is waiting for the promised Saviour/Reformer.

Then the Khalifatullah (atba) listed a series of evils which has gripped the present society, describing the actual Kalyug where people (men, women and children/youths) have abandoned Spirituality – the mosques and all places of worship – to grip the vices of this world such as drugs, gambling, fraud, corruption etc. People are now in places of worship only as a routine, but they are devoid of spirituality. 

100 Years of Silsila Ahmadiyya in Mauritius

The Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam, founded by Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) of Qadian, originated in British India in the latter half of the 19^th century. At a time when the spiritual crises of the Muslim world was graphically reflecting in the dismal political fortunes of the Muslim Ummah everywhere, Hadhrat Ahmad (as) announced his Divinely-ordained mission as the promised Massih of the Later Days and as the Al Imam Al Mahdi of the Fourteenth century of the Islamic Era, to rejuvenate the Faith.

Muslims, who accepted his spiritual claims and enrolled themselves in the Anjuman, have come to be known as the Ahmadi Muslims. Although they constitute a miniscule minority within the larger Muslim population of 1.7 Billion, the different denominations of Ahmadis- including the Jamaat-e-Ahmadiyya Qadian and the Lahore Ahmadiyya Anjuman- are now found in almost all parts of the world.

The birth of the Ahmadiyya Movement in the Indian subcontinent and the story of its remarkable spread abroad over the course of the last century represent an important Chapter in the religious history of our times. This episode from the modern, living history of man is a standing testimonial to the continuing spiritual appeal and religious vitality of Islam as a way of life. 

Ahmadiyyat expanded and revitalized the spiritual horizon of Muslims and others through its very outlook on important spiritual questions that troubles modern minds. By bringing Divine Revelations back to the realm of individual spiritual experience and to the agenda of religious debates as an enduring, unstoppable path to the Divine, Hadhrat Ahmad (as) unveiled spiritual treasures long considered closed and forbidden.  Islam’s original call of “Laa Ilaah Illallah” -(There is no deity, but Allah)- get revitalized every time Allah (swt) raises His Messenger with the Message and to be a practical model to the people of his times.       

      

In an illuminating essay, published as a special Book by the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International to commemorate the centennial of the Silsila Ahmadiyya in Mauritius, Hadhrat Khalifatullah Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba), provides a fascinating glimpse into the early days of Ahmadiyyat in the Mauritius island located far away (from India), in the vast Indian Ocean. He portraits the devout souls of the Island who, despite all the hurdles of time and space, searched out for the vital signs of a living faith in the message of Ahmadiyyat and embraced it without hesitation, when they  recognized the veracity of the promised Massih (as). 

'Bai'ah' as 'Amaanah': Do Your Duty

The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: 

“Render back trusts to the one who entrusted it to you, and do not betray the one who betrays you.” (Abu Dawud)

Amaanah is honesty. Honesty is the respect of rights and commitments. It is also to assume one’s responsibilities. Responsibilities are a charge that Allah (twa) has entrusted to us. By fulfilling our responsibilities we render back trusts to the one who is entitled to it.

Faith is an Amaanah. The practice of religious obligations such as Prayers (Salat), Fasting (Sawm), Mandatory Tax (Zakaat) Pilgrimage (Hajj) or even the Wudhu and Ghusl, is an Amaanah.

To carefully learn the tenets of the Muslim faith and the laws of Islam is an Amaanah. To teach the Religion (Islam) is an Amaanah. To give sincere and dedicated advice is an Amaanah. Enjoining good and preventing evil, the Haraam (anything that is illegal) and injustices is an Amaanah.

The opposite of Amaanah is Khiyaanah which is only betrayal, cheating, deception, falsehood and deceit. Thus, lying, fraud, deceit and deception are part of Khiyaanah. Amaanah is the characteristic of good, sincere and accomplished believer (Mumin). As for Khiyaanah, it is that of the hypocrite (Munafiq).

The Amaanah which is summarized in the rights and assurance of responsibilities is even more important than charity and forms of supererogatory spending (for cause of Allah) or charity (Sadaqaat). Allah (twa) ordered to first pay off the debts of the deceased, which is a return of the Amaanah to those concerned. Second, beneficiaries of the bequest are to receive their shares, and at last there is the division of the inheritance between the heirs.

Respect for the Amaanah is a character of the Prophets (as). 

When our beloved Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (saws) had sent his letter to the Byzantine Emperor (Heraclius) and to invite his people to Islam, the latter wished to have accurate information about our beloved Prophet. He was in the land of Palestine; so he called the Arab traders who were there. Among them was Abu Sufyan which was still a disbeliever (Kaafir). It was him that the emperor questioned because he was an important dignitary of the tribe of Quraysh, the people of the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (saws).

Khalifatullah visits Madagascar: A Report

On 12 August 2015:  After Tahajjud and Fajr prayers, Hazrat Khalifatullah Munir A. Azim ^(atba) left for the airport. Flight for Madagascar (by Air Madagascar) was scheduled early in the morning. Upon reaching the big island, the Khalifatullah (atba) had to meet the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs respectively who were very busy. The meeting was very important for the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam which by the grace of Allah was very successful.

Top Priority for Service to Humanity

After the meeting, the Messenger of Allah learnt that at the airport, there was a group of our Muslim brothers, sisters and children from a neighbouring island who were facing lots of difficulties and their situation were deplorable. They were not receiving any flight back home after their transit (since many days) and nobody were looking after their needs and helping them. Each time their flight was cancelled. Therefore, the Khalifatullah ^(atba) gave this “Service to Humanity” work priority and went to support these people.

Later on, when the Khalifatullah met with the members of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, he explained why he gave this work priority, saying: “Service to Humanity is the top of my priority, irrespective of people’s religion/faith. Service to Humanity is an act of worship (Ibadah). Our Jamaat is a Jamaat of Allah which needs to talk less and implement good deeds a lot for the pleasure of Allah.”

Eid-ul-Fitr: A Day of Harvest

A great blessed month has just left us; a month which each of us has no guarantee of seeing next year. All we can still hope is that Allah (twt) answers our prayers and supplications and accepts all our acts of worship (Ibaadat) and sacrifices made throughout the past month and grant us the promised rewards. Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah), the holy month of Ramadan has allowed Muslims to meet together, to converge en masse to the mosques, and besides they have committed themselves to fasting for the sake of Allah. Thus, the mosque found for the space of a month, its life and beauty.

How to explain this phenomenon? What could be the explanation for this behaviour if it is not faith (Iman in Allah) the driving force behind it all! Indeed, who is that Muslim who does not know the grandeur, splendour and importance of this month? The Muslim knows that any negligence would lead to his own loss as the chief of all angels, Hazrat Jibreel (as) has cursed the person who has foregone this opportunity to get divine forgiveness. The head of all prophets (as), the “Amin” (Worthy of Trust) Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) said “Ameen” to this curse.

If the faith of the Muslim enables him to have high regard for this month, so where does his Iman (faith) disappear when the new moon of Shawwal appears (for the Eid), and when he deserts the house of Allah? If he knows the blessings of Allah (twt) that are included in the holy month of Ramadan, he must also know the blessings that are included in Salat (Namaz). If he is aware of the serious consequences of his carelessness during Ramadan, he should probably be also aware of the negative consequences resulting from the abandonment of Salat. Why then this carelessness, indifference towards this great Ibaadat which the Namaz is?

'Eid' in the Times of a 'Khalifatullah'

THE TWO FESTIVALS OF MUSLIMS

We Muslims belonging to the spiritual family of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and Islam have two festivals, two days of celebrations which Allah (twt) has given us as moments of joy and as a token of His love and satisfaction to the sacrifices we happily do for His sake, as per the fulfilment of His divine commandments. These two moments of joys are the Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha.

The Eid-ul-Fitr comes after the blessed month of Ramadan, the month of fasting for the sake of Allah with the intention to reap the harvest of Allah’s proximity and belonging to Him heart and soul. As for the Eid-ul-Adha, it is what is known as the greater Eid, the greater celebration as it concludes the Hajj rites and commemorates the great sacrifice of the Patriarch and Prophet of Allah, Ibrahim (as) and his devoted son Prophet Ismail (as).

By the grace of Allah, after a month of Ramadan, we are to celebrate the Eid-ul-Fitr, Insha-Allah, tomorrow. This Eid (Joy) is of the essence of Allah and reflects the devotion of the faster who sacrificed himself and his way of life for a whole (lunar) month just for the sake of Allah, as fasting during this blessed month has as reward Allah Himself.

THE SUNNAT ALLAH CONCERNING THE ADVENT OF DIVINE ELECTS

And by the grace of Almighty Allah, Allah has enabled us (Ahmadi Muslims) to be born Muslims and also belonging to the spiritual family and identity of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) who came more than 100 years ago with a rise of a new century to bring people from darkness into light.

It is Sunnat Allah (the blessed practice of our Lord Almighty, Allah) that whenever the original divine message is in danger of extinction, that is, when people have deviated from the right path and has taken their own souls as prisoners and cast them in the dungeon of unfaith, then Allah, merciful as ever, before seizing them with His mighty punishment, chooses to send to them, time after time, era after era someone from Him to bring back the pristine message of Islam, the pristine divine message.

It is a reality which existed since the dawn of time and which the Quran highlights that those in power try to manipulate the mass so that the people listen to what the corrupted divines have to say instead of the true Messengers of Allah who come to the world with the Ruh-il-Quddus (Holy Spirit) to warn mankind and to give good news of the approval and pleasure of Allah when those who come forward embrace the divine light which is offered to them.

If the teachings of Islam as a whole were being manipulated by the so-called divines and scholars so much so that Allah saw the need to send the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), then do you think that now the people in the Jamaat of the Promised Messiah (as) shall remain as devoted and pure as when the Ruh-il-Quddus was still descending on the Promised Messiah (as) when he was yet alive?

Money: Spend Prudently

Money is not easy to obtain, especially if we mean the lawful source of money. Certainly, the acquisition of wealth requires great efforts. “One must work to earn his bread” is a phrase we hear very often. 

Allah, the Regulator of all that is in this world and in heaven has commanded us in His Blessed Book:

“It is He Who has made the earth manageable for you, so walk through its tracts and enjoy of the Sustenance which He furnishes: but unto Him is the Resurrection.” (67: 16).

Allah is the Lord of immense grace, and all that is in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. Therefore, man must know that although he is the actor of his efforts, but all that which is in his hand really belongs to Allah. Allah is He Who has power over everything he is and everything he owns. Certainly man is not the true owner of the property/wealth which is in his hands. Allah exposes this fact very clearly in His Glorious Book: “And give them of the wealth of Allah which He has given you.” (24: 34). 

If this is the case, man must be very careful about how he spends his wealth. The Quran, best guide for humanity gives him better guidance about it. “Those who when they spend, are neither extravagant nor niggardly, but they hold a just balance between the two.” (25: 68). The believer should not be an extravagant spender and on the other hand, he/she must not also be stingy. He must hold firm to a just position between the two, practicing the middle way.

Wealth is without a doubt a great trial, or even a great temptation. When a person accumulates money, he tends to make unnecessary expenses. Like the one who buys what he wants as and when he pleases without even reaping the benefit of this money/expenditure in any way. Otherwise he tries to have the money multiplied through illicit means or thrown in gambling without taking into account the great lost that awaits him both in this world and in the hereafter. Or he may spend this money in vain pursuits (reaping no benefit whatsoever) such as alcoholic drinks, cigarettes, giant screens (home cinemas), etc.

'Value Your Life'

Neither the existence of man nor his presence on earth is due to chance and without purpose. Its creation is a divine decree for specific purposes. Undoubtedly, and without exaggeration, he is the only creature whom the Supreme Creator, Allah has preferred to others.

“And We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things, and conferred on them special favours, above a great part of Our creation.” (17: 71).

His superiority over other creatures occurs in different ways: Allah granted him free will, and he has a spirit that allows him to distinguish good from evil. He has also a soul which has been created by Allah and which He has breathed into him to make him human, and holder of some divine attributes.

True Piety: Being Mindful of God

RIGHTEOUSNESS & SUBMISSION TO ALLAH

 

Who is a Mumin (Muslim)? How to become a good Muslim? These are questions which Allah answered in several of the verses of the Quran and which are also found in the Hadiths of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh). Allah says in the Quran:

Righteousness (Devotion to Allah) is not that you turn your faces toward the east or the west, 

but (true) righteousness is (in) one who believes in Allah, the Last Day, the angels, the Book, and the prophets and gives wealth, in spite of love for it, to relatives, orphans, the needy, the traveller, those who ask (for help), and for freeing slaves; 

(and who) establishes prayer and gives Zakah; (those who) fulfil their promise when they promise; and (those who) are patient in poverty and hardship and during battle. 

Those are the ones who have been true, and it is those who are the righteous/God-fearing. (2: 178)

Righteousness which comes from the heart and which is a vital instrument to obtain true piety (Taqwa) is found in obedience to Allah in all the commandments which He has established for His male and female servants on earth. Be them men or women, young or old, all have duties towards Allah, such duties which they have to respect so that they may become true servants of Allah.

The Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has said:

“How wonderful is the situation of the believer, for all his affairs are good. If something good happens to him, he gives thanks for it and that is good for him; if something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience, and that is good for him. This does not apply to anyone but the believer.” (Muslim)

But I have to mention also that there are stages in the types of believers, like Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) expounds to us: “A strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than a weak believer”.

Despite the fact that a believer remains a believer as he believes in Allah and all that which He has prescribed, but not all believers 100 % succeed in establishing/put into practice all that which Allah has ordained him to do. There are even some who go on to lose their faith while believing that they were doing a good deed while they were on the contrary attracting the displeasure of Allah upon them. There are some who do good deeds, partly for the eyes of Allah, and partly for the eyes of people (ostentation). Therefore, this finally annuls the deed because of the weakness displayed in the fulfilment of that good deed.

Verily, someone, especially someone who says that he is Muslim, who says that he believes in Allah and all that which Allah has told him to believe (i.e., belief in Allah, His angels, prophets, divine books, destiny and the rewards and punishments of the afterlife) shall not succeed in anything if he does not submit to the will of Allah. The devotion which he says he has (towards Allah) shall become useless if he does not follow that devotion/righteousness with sincerity of the heart.

'Ruh-il-Quddus' and 'Laila-tul-Qadr'

“The month of Ramadan (is that month) in which the Quran was revealed as guidance for mankind, clear proofs of right guidance, and criterion (for distinguishing right and wrong). So whoever of you witnesses this month, let him fast it.” (2: 186)

The Quran is the living miracle revealed to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and is the perfect Word of Allah (twa). It explains to us where we come from and where we are going to, and leads us to the path of eternal bliss, that is, paradise, but it also warns us at the same time of hell and all paths which culminate to hell. It is a means of education, inspiration, physical, mental and spiritual healing, yet the sad reality is that as we continue to preserve the text, we have lost the meaning and injunctions, due to our poor understanding.

There is no means of deliverance in this Ummah, unless we return to the Book of Allah. Indeed the Quran may be guidance for humanity, but not all those who read it are guided, for such guidance has been preserved for selected individuals (the Muttaqeen, that is, the God-fearing and those who guard themselves against evil) who wish to sincerely tread upon this enlightened path of ultimate guidance. Not only does the meaning of the Quran inspire people from all over the world, the words alone bear a magnetic force and have the ability to move people, who may not know a word of Arabic.

The Quran, revealed in the mother tongue of the best of mankind, our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh), and mother of all tongues has stood the test of time for more than fourteen centuries and verily no other scripture can boast of such an achievement. Rivers change their courses, kingdoms rise and fall, languages become extinct along with its people and new ones are developed, but not the Quran. Of course this preservation is due to the divine promise made in the Quran itself, and verily Allah has enabled this miraculous preservation through the love, devotion and care that generations of Muslim showed towards the Quran but most importantly Allah accomplishes this task through raising from time to time His chosen people, the messengers and reformers of Islam to uphold the sanctity of the Quran and to expound it to others.

I'tikaaf and 'Laila-tul-Qadr'

Ramadan: Supplications to Allah

Du’a is an act of worship which also acts as one of the most important and powerful weapons of a believer in this world. Du’a can help a person defend himself from any type of evil, be humble knowing that he is weak and vulnerable without Allah’s help and thus get closer to Allah (swt). A believer knows that without Allah he is nothing, and to accede to peace from every and any direction, he needs to equip himself with such spiritual weapon which shall grant him access to the Lord of the Worlds, and Ultimate Protector of mankind, so that this weapon, i.e. Du’a becomes effective as and when he uses it in his everyday life. As we are living the blessed days of the Holy month of Ramadhan, it is good to know that du’a can be of a great avail to us, and we Muslims should make use of this spiritual weapon and means for peace to accede to the stages of honour and pleasure which Allah grants to those who seek him through prayer and supplications.

Allah (swt) says in the Holy Quran, right after the verse of the prescription of fasting in Ramadhan:

“And when My servants ask you, (Oh Prophet), concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me. So let them obey Me and believe in Me that they may be (rightly) guided.” (2: 187)

When we take into account the place this verse occupies in the Holy Quran, we will find that it is between the verses concerning fasting. This alone brings on the importance of Du’a when fasting, as fasting holds a very great importance and significance in Islam.

Abu Said narrates from the prophet (pbuh) that: “No Muslim supplicates to Allah with a Du’a that does not involve sin or cutting the relations of the womb (i.e. the blood/family relations), but Allah will grant him one of the three things. He will either hasten the response to his supplication, save it for him until the Hereafter, or would turn an equivalent amount of evil away from him.” 

They (the companions) said, “What if we were to recite more (Du’a).” 

He said, “There is more with Allah.” (Ahmad)

'Fidya' and 'Fitra' in Ramadhan

“The month of Ramadan (is that) in which the Quran was revealed, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.

So whoever sights (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. 

Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and (wants) for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (2:186).

Ramadhan is a month of countless blessings and virtues. 

The word RAMADHAN is derived “ramdh” which means “burning the feet from heat”. This is because of the fast, which burns the sins of a Muslim into ashes. Ramadhan has been given the name of blessed month because:

1)   In this month, the Quran was revealed, and the angel Gabriel used to come to make the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) recite the Quran, from beginning to end.

2)     In this month, there is the night of Qadr, which is better than 1000 months.

3)     In this month, the reward of a good deed is equal to the fardh of another month.

4)     This is the month of patience and the reward of this patience is Paradise.

5)     This month teaches the lesson of kindness towards others.

6)     In this month, the first ten days are of mercy, the second ten days are of forgiveness and the last ten days are of being freed from hell.

7)    The month of Ramadhan is a month in which the mercy and blessing of Allah (swt) descend upon us continuously if we are truly seeking the mercy of Allah and His countenance.