بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

 

Friday Sermon

 

HAZRAT AMIR’UL MOMENEEN MUHYI-UD-DIN

AL KHALIFATULLAH

 

Munir Ahmad Azim

 

 

10 December 2010

 

(03 Muharram 1432 Hijri)

 

(Summary of Friday Sermon)

 

After having greeted everybody with the Salutations of Peace, the Messiah (Massih’ullah) read the Tashahhud, Taouz and Surah Al Fatiha and then he said:

 

مَا أَصَابَ مِن مُّصِيبَةٍ إِلَّا بِإِذْنِ اللَّهِ وَمَن يُؤْمِن بِاللَّهِ يَهْدِ قَلْبَهُ وَاللَّهُ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ ۝ وَأَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَ فَإِن تَوَلَّيْتُمْ فَإِنَّمَا عَلَى رَسُولِنَا الْبَلَاغُ الْمُبِينُ ۝

 

No affliction comes about but by Allah’s permission; and whoever believes in Allah, He guides aright his heart; and Allah is Cognizant of all things. And obey Allah and obey the Messenger, but if you turn back, then upon Our Messenger devolves only the clear delivery (of the message). (64 : 12-13)

 

The disciples of a Messenger of Allah go through the hardest of trials when they say that they believe in Allah and His Chosen Messenger. The reality of this fact is in the examples of the past prophets and their disciples. Today we are going through these same hurdles, blames of all sorts which are blowing out of proportions from a hypocrite who had witnessed the years of the divine manifestation since her young age and whom herself got revelations since her tender childhood about the veracity of Allah’s messages and the truthfulness of the Messiah of this age.

 

We have seen some years back how other people have felt the “need” to break free of the divine manifestation on the pretext that they cannot cope with what ISLAM entails, that is, regular waking up for Tahajjud prayers, reading of the Holy Quran and doing the works of Deen-e-Islam. Not many people can do these works. The weak ones who then feel suffocated by the “burden” of Deen work are bound to later on manifest themselves as hypocrites for they are thirsty for the mundane attractions and they feed themselves on disobedience to the commands of Allah.

 

These situations are bound to happen for it was like this in the past prophets’ epochs. Like I told you so many times, and I repeat myself again. I told this also in the times of the original existence of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya Al Mouslemeen, that if their hearts gets even a drop of darkness and slowly they develop the qualities of a hypocrite, then Allah Himself shall abandon them and remove them from the midst of His Chosen Messenger. Likewise this is what happened this time also, and if in the future, and Allah knows better, if there are among you hypocrites, those who feel suffocated with the divine manifestation and want to break free from their ties with Allah and His Rassool, then Allah shall definitely remove you for, bear in mind, Allah is not in need of you but it is the opposite which is true.

 

The sincere believer is he or her who attaches himself to the divine commandments come what may. Many revelations comes down upon a humble Messenger of Allah, and some revelations may suit you while others may not suit you but all in all a true believer is he who submits completely and without complains to the will of Allah. He never forgets the favours which Allah has bestowed upon him and he carries the love of Allah and that of His Messenger in his heart and if tomorrow he has to sacrifice all for the sake of Allah and that of His Messenger, he shall not hesitate to do so.

 

The true believer is him who loves that the good that Allah has bestowed upon him be brought down on other sincere believers like him, their love for Allah and His Messenger being selfless. Allah tries twice or thrice and even more the true believer who says that he believes in Allah and His Prophet and come what may, he accepts with a submitted heart what Allah has decided. A hypocrite has left on her own accord the realm of the divine manifestation. According to hypocrites, when they leave the realm of the prophet of Allah and that of the circles of believers, they feel that they have got back their liberty, but liberty for what and for how long?

 

Indeed, this world is a prison for the true believers and a paradise for the unbelievers and hypocrites. They love that people care for them instead of obtaining the care of Allah and being under the shadow of Allah. They prefer that of people instead of the divine shadow and support. Indeed, Allah has said in the Holy Quran:

 

“Your possessions and your children are only a trial, and Allah it is with Whom is a great reward.” (64 : 16)

 

Youth is a very important step in the life of man. It is a stage where his intelligence is strengthened and where he is in a better position to understand practical life through reflection and analysis. If in his youth a person does not acquire a good formation, then he will waste his youth in vain and bad things, and this will put him in a dangerous situation for his life will take a wrong turn (direction). But if in his prime youth the person prepares himself to follow the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and does the required preparation to take up his own responsibilities as they should be taken, it is then that he will be able to convert a dead nation into an alive one, through his good conduct and his enthusiasm to work – and this dedication of his become a model for others to follow. But there are a lot of young people, be it male or female who despite having been rightly guided to the right path by their pious parents, but deep within them, they do not appreciate the Islam with which their parents have raised them with, and they get beguiled and deviated by the attractions of this world and forget the favours which Allah and their parents (especially their pious and righteous parents) have bestowed upon them.

 

History has and will make mention of those youths who have and will serve humanity as a whole, for these youths understand their roles in life and they do everything in their power to improve the future of their nation by their good conduct, their courage and devotion in (religious and material) work – in all phases of their lives. They get also the faculty to control their mind, and direct it away from all violence and banditry (because in tender age, a lot of children have the tendency to amuse themselves or follow what others do, especially if they commit wrongs).

 

Thus, history shows us that nothing is gained without sacrifice, for the spirit of sacrifice is found in man himself (it is in his innate character) and this character takes form through a basic training. Once the youth is well trained and has been embellished by high qualities of the body and mind, he shall sacrifice all, even his very own life, to attain his objectives of prosperity and stability of his country. When this happens, the young person in question becomes worth of being called a youth.

 

A youth is really the architect of national structure. Thus, it is important that when this youth does a work, he does it with discipline, sacrifice, vigour, patience and especially he should know how to accomplish his work – he has the proper knowledge of it.

 

Do you know how is a house which has been built in concrete called? Another one built with wood? Do you know another word to call them except being called a concrete or wooden house? So, how will you call a national structure which has been built on ignorance, lies, and dishonesty? Thus, all these depend on the materials which you furnish to its construction!

 

The fact that it is not easy, to attain a status like this; the youth needs a good training. At the beginning itself, he must develop a physical vigour and waste not stupidly his time in vain pleasures (such as cigarettes, alcoholic drinks, dancing, gambling – like lotteries, betting on horses etc. – spend the night in clubs, discos etc.)

 

That which makes me very sad and concerned is the state of the young Muslims, in which degrading state they have reduced the perfect religion (Islam) to be. Even parents are not observing these sacred divine commandments (found in the Holy Quran) and are not following the perfect model (the Holy Prophet Muhammad – peace be upon him). We do not have to look further; we look firsthand at the things which are happening in our daily life, here in Mauritius itself. After having been victims to drugs, amusement, all sorts of vices; now people, especially the youths are being encouraged to get themselves drowned in immorality, such as, the legalisation of prostitution and sodomy and also, they are being encouraged to become players of lotto games and all sorts of gambling.

 

A lot of Muslims; be them men, women or even children; especially the youths are falling prey to playing (and obtaining) illicit monies. Moreover the country is filled with crime, robbery, rape, suicide, drug, alcoholic drinks which have become a common routine happening. People are drinking all sorts of rum, beer, wine and so on which are fogging completely their minds, turning them away completely from morality and decency.

 

Life is becoming more and more difficult and struggling, with the prices of all commodities rising up in a flash (and this makes me recall all the revelations which Allah gave me several times since the year 1999 till now, that Mauritius and the other countries will witness such situation of crisis, where prices of all things will rise up…)

 

Even though prices of commodities are rising up, our Muslim brothers, sisters and children are not taking any case of that. On the contrary, they are spending a lot more, showing their riches, and even though they may not be rich, they spend much more than they can afford, thus doing wastage in all fields (not only money).

 

The youth, the one who have taken engaged himself to get married must take his disposition also, and make his parents understand the importance of a simple engagement ceremony, and an even simpler wedding which is filled with the blessings of Allah and Divine favours. The youth must take the upper hand (if his parents are not cooperating) to build his future. He must not let his Islam die.

 

He must be dedicated in his work, must be a person whom others can trust him. He must have a great spirit of sacrifice, and must be pious. He must avoid telling lies. All these are essential in the formation of good character, without which the future structure will be menaced. With all the necessary qualities, this youth will be like a solid construction (like a concrete construction) who will be a model for others to follow.

 

The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has said: “You will not succeed in your duties, despite the riches which you possess, but you will succeed in your duties through the good qualities which you possess.

 

When you succeed in inculcating these good qualities, these good values in you and also, when you direct other youths, other people to inculcate in themselves the same good qualities, then we can have great hope for the national collective interest and the interest of the individual also. It is in this spirit which one can change the destiny of a nation.

 

It is not so easy to obtain the spirit of sacrifice; one must have great training and behind the spirit of sacrifice there must be moral and spiritual strength, good conduct and honesty, it is only then that no trials of this world can harm you. The young people who have had the courage to demonstrate this perfect example have left their mark as an illuminating light for future generations.

 

Now, each youth of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam must make the necessary efforts to establish the unicity of Allah on earth. You must be kind and merciful towards the creatures of Allah. You must neither use your tongue nor hands to hurt others. Do not persecute others, but try with all your might to spread goodness everywhere around you. Do not talk in an arrogant tone (do not show arrogance) and do not hurt anybody, even he be your servant, or someone who works under you. Do not fool others, even if someone has once fooled you. Walk on earth with humility and gentleness and sympathise with other people in their problems, so that Allah may be pleased with you. There are a lot of people who may seem polite outwardly but inwardly their hearts are filled with rancour, jealousy, and hatred and their minds are ever directed towards harming others.

 

Moreover, there are some people whose exterior appearance is gentile, but they hold a wicked nature in them. Allah will not accept you as long as your heart is not in tune with what your tongue speaks.

 

Reform yourselves and place your trust in Allah alone. Become like those rare youths who wake up early in the morning to pray Salaat Tahajjud, and who is busy worshipping Allah (make time to worship Allah alone). When he does so, the youth will, if Allah wills, become such a person who is blessed with good and true dreams, visions and also divine revelations. Our elders have attained the ranks of Abdal – and through their prayers, remembrance of Allah and supplication, they have forged a strong relationship with Allah and thus the divine light reflects on them and they become models and guides for humanity.

 

Therefore, you also the youths should become Abdal (dervishes; exceptional devoted servants of Allah whose prayers are answered by Allah) in respect to the Deen of Islam. An Abdal is a model of virtue. Do great efforts to approach Allah more and more till people will recognise the truth of your piety, when they will hear that your prayers are answered by Allah, and thus they shall come from all corners of the world to ask you to pray for them.

 

O young people, as from today, each of us, let us analyse our own conscience. Have we illumined our own lives with these good qualities? Have we succeed in putting ourselves together and reaffirm our sense of duty and responsibility, having a mind to serve others and sacrificing ourselves in the cause of Allah, by first serving the people? Are we inculcating in ourselves really the sublime qualities of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in our daily life? With all these questions as guidelines, if your answer is yes, then you be aware that the putting into practice of these sublimes qualities either individually or collectively will render you pleasurable not only in your own life, but moreover, you shall become a means to instil peace, tranquillity and stability in your surroundings, in your town (or village); in brief, in the country as a whole.

 

A youth must become a good servant of Allah. A good servant of Allah is someone who establishes a special and privilege connection with Allah, his Lord. He will be able to establish this contact when he put his Islam into practice with his whole body, in all circumstances. The rewards and gifts which Allah has promised in the Holy Quran and which the Holy prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has mentioned in Hadiths applies for such a servant of Allah. Therefore, O my dear young people, putting in practice only a part of your Islam or with only a part of your body in a certain place, for a limited period is not wastage, but you may agree with me that this is just not enough. You must give your all (not a part of it) for your Islam and your Lord. Especially when we know that a hole in a ship can provoke a great shipwreck. Therefore, you must never underestimate a sin for sin remains sin and thus holds the ability to destroy the whole future of a person. The real taste to live in the pleasure of Almighty Allah is found in living plentifully our Islam, with our whole body, every time and everywhere.

 

O young people, never forget that when someone commits a wrong, a sin, Allah the Most High deprives him of the knowledge of religion because knowledge of religion is a light which cannot shine in the presence of sins. The one who commit sins does not like the company of the pious and hate their company. Thus people who commit wrongs lose all goodness in this very world. There is no success for such people and sins blacken their hearts, and when this happens, this darkness is reflected on their faces also.

 

In a Hadith narrated by Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be pleased with him) the Holy Prophet said: “Through a good deed, a person acquires a light (nur) on his face and heart. He is blessed in his food (and drink), obtains strength in his body and people loves him. And when someone commits a sin, there is darkness on his face and heart. And in his tomb also there will be darkness. If he is lazy, there is no blessing in his food (and drink) and normally people do not like him.”

 

Our youths must be aware what divine favours are pouring down upon them and they must inculcate in them to be thankful to Allah. In what way shall we thank Allah? We must thank Him for everything that He has given us. There is nothing on earth which we have obtained which has not come from Allah. We are highly indebted to Allah for all the favours which He has blessed us with, that it will be impossible to count them. Thus, Allah the Most High wants us to be grateful to Him and thank Him.

 

We must thank Allah in three ways:

 

1. With our tongue: for example, we recognise His favours with our tongue, and express it: that it is Allah the Almighty who has provided with everything which we possess.

2. With our heart: that is, it is not sufficient to express something verbally without our heart joining in prayer to thank Allah the Almighty. Thus, we must feel grateful to Allah through our heart also.

3. With our body as a whole: that is, we engage our whole body in such activities which will please Allah. We do not use any member of our body to do acts which will displease Allah. We do not look at, listen to, and speak nothing which displeases Allah. In this we learn to keep all parts of our body from all things which are hateful in the eyes of Allah and forbidden by Him.

 

Usually what is important is that we show our gratefulness to Allah in our heart, with our whole body so as to stay in the obedience of Allah the Almighty. This means that, someone who engages himself in activities which is hateful in the eyes of Allah; holds no gratefulness for Allah in his heart. Allah the Most High says:

 

“If you are grateful, I would certainly give to you more, and if you are ungrateful, My chastisement is truly severe.” (14 : 8)

 

When we will have thankfulness for Allah in our heart, we will be able to express it with our tongue and therefore it will become all the more easy to manifest this gratefully in all our manners, ways of being, and activities. And it is this which shall guaranty for us salvation in this world and in the next (the other world).

 

Moreover, we have now entered into the month of Muharram of the Islamic year 1432 Hijri. It’s the first month of the Islamic calendar, and one of the four sacred months during which time it is forbidden to wage war or fight. According to the following Hadith, the month of Muharram is considered to be the month of Allah.

 

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan are in the Month of Allah, which you call Muharram. And the best of prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer (Tahajjud).” (Muslim)

 

It is in this month that Imam Hussein, the beloved grandson of our beloved prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was murdered under the wretched instructions of Yazid. Among the youths of Islam, both Imam Hussein and his elder brother Imam Hassan were really devoted to the cause and glory of Islam. It is reported in Ikmal of Al-Saduq that both Imam Hassen and Hussein are the chiefs of the youths of Paradise. Insha-Allah, in the forthcoming weeks, I will expound further on this subject.

 

“O Allah! Enable us to engage ourselves in your remembrance, your thankfulness and best ways to worship you. O Allah, let us all remain firm in your Divine Manifestation. Let not among us be hypocrites and infidels who shall impede the progress of Islam. O Allah, make my disciples real and sincere soldiers of Islam and purify them so that they may be able to hold the greatest of responsibilities and undergo the greatest of trials with a smile on their face and true faith in Allah and this humble self in their heart. Ameen.