بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Friday Sermon
HAZRAT AMIR’UL MOMENEEN MUHYI-UD-DIN
AL KHALIFATULLAH
Munir Ahmad Azim
10 September 2010
(01 Shawwal 1431 Hijri)
EID MUBARAK
(Summary of Friday Sermon)
After having greeted everybody with the Salutations of Peace, the Khalifatullah read the Tashahhud, Taouz and Surah Al Fatiha and then he said:
Eid-ul-Fitr celebrated in loud noise or takbir? Firecrackers, fireworks, rockets, etc. – This is what normally characterizes the moments of celebration. If our coreligionists have witnessed the relentless fight against backfire (in the forms of fire-crackers, rockets etc.) during the New Year celebrations in Islam, since long, however, we must admit that the results were not spectacular: precisely, when the campaign of awareness was favourable for one minority who quickly abandoned this practice, whereas the majority continue to eschew multiple calls (to cease it).
Another surprising fact: how are those who think that fireworks, prohibited only during New Year times, is permitted during Islamic festivities? With this in mind that the day of joyful celebration, Eid-ul-Fitr is characterised by noisy and impossible fireworks. Certainly, any celebration, Islamic or otherwise, marked with fireworks is severely condemned according to the Shariah (the Islamic laws). How to characterize this ban? Is it excessive extremism or a categorical intolerance?
In this context, a careful and sound analysis serves to highlight the many wisdoms of such a rule: firstly, fireworks and firecrackers are wastage of resources coming from Allah (which He gave us). Upon knowing the seriousness of the matter of wastage in Islam, we understand the gravity of such a practice. Indeed, everyone who encourages wastage is a brother of Satan, the accursed one! This is what Allah tells us: “The extravagant are brethren of the devils, and the devil is unappreciative of his Lord.” (Al-Isra 17:27-28)
In addition, the practice of fireworks is imitating the anti-Islamic principles. However, Islam has strongly encouraged contradicting the principles of idolaters and infidels.
No one can ignore the superstitious aspects of fireworks. Indeed, for many, fireworks is an effective means of getting rid of any potential misfortune or misery. However, the severity of superstitions in Islam is consistent. Who says fireworks, says infernal noise, harmful to all those who aspire only to serenity and tranquillity, the natural rights of everyone. However, fireworks threaten these very rights of citizens. In fact, Islam condemns unreservedly the various wrongs committed to the people, in one’s neighbourhood. Harming one’s neighbours depicts a weak faith. Know that freedom stops where that of your neighbour’s begins!
Being a temporal, ephemeral and misleading enjoyment, fireworks are one of the inspirations of Satan which he try to embellish so as to deviate us from the right path. Now, therefore take notice O those who indulge in the fleeting pleasure of this practice which marks the triumph of Satan. Being a waste of time and energy, a waste of vast sums of money on the purchase of firecrackers, fireworks will be subject to questioning on the Day of Resurrection.
Finally, when considering the potential danger that fireworks poses to the small children, as well as to grown-ups, it will be sheer neglect to insist upon adhering to this practice. So after this brief overview of the many drawbacks of the spiritual, economic, social or individual aspect of crackling fireworks, it is the duty of each Muslim to consider his share of responsibility. The limit of Allah is obvious. Whoever transgresses it works to one’s own ruin. Only submission to the commands of Allah and the prophetic teachings ensure the success of the servant in this world and the hereafter. The word would be: Invest your money wisely!
O servants of Allah, think! How can you celebrate so extravagantly the advent of Shawwal, when the disappearance of the shadow of the blessed Ramadan still leaves obvious afflictions? Thus, is it not our responsibility to rather express our deep gratitude to Allah (Exalted Be He) Who has filled us of His great favours during this miraculous month? In this context, Ramadan having already disappeared gives place to a spiritual capital to maintain and enhance. All our efforts must thus converge towards a real change in our daily life starting as from the day of EID itself! Day of celebration and joy, certainly, but the Eid-ul-Fitr, is first and foremost, the fateful day when the wise resolutions taken during Ramadan are actualized.
Thus, the position of the faithful servant who really benefits from the training of Ramadan is obvious: preferring the extravagant celebration of the greatness of Allah (all praise be to Allah) to the grand (temporal) festivities, as is demonstrated to us in the following verses: “... that you may fulfil your obligations, and to glorify Allah for guiding you, and to express your appreciation…” (Al-Baqara 2:186)
EID MUBARAK!
All praise belong to Allah, the All-Powerful, Who has gave us, in Islam, in the Jamaat Ul Sahih AL Islam on this Eid’ul-Fitr and Eid’ul-Jumu’ah another greater Eid, the Eid of Proclamation of the Massih Maoud (Promised Messiah), Mujaddid (Reformer) Munir Ahmad Azim, Humble servant of Allah, the Khalifatullah, Muhyi-ud-Din, Amir’ul Momeneen, Khawja Nooruddin, Qamaram Munira... In other words, an Eid for humanity. The Official Proclamation was followed by a collective Ba’ait (Oath of allegiance) in a deep moment of emotion, tears, joy and absolute trust (faith) in Allah. May Allah reinforce the hand of His Promised Messiah of this era and make him victorious in his divinely appointed mission. Ameen.
