|
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Friday Sermon
HAZRAT AMIR’UL MOMENEEN MUHYI-UD-DIN AL KHALIFATULLAH
Munir Ahmad Azim
20 August 2010
(09 Ramadhan 1431 Hijri)
RAMADHAN 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:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيَ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ فَمَن شَهِدَ مِنكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ
“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down, a guidance for people, and clear verses of guidance and the criterion. Therefore, whoever of you witnesses the month, let him fast.” (Quran 2:186)
To read the Quran and keep the fasts (of Ramadan) are two deeds which shall intercede in favour of the believers on the Day of Judgement. Fasting shall say: “O my Lord, I restricted him from food and drink during the day” and Quran shall say: “I restricted him from sleep at night!” Both (Quran and Fasting) shall say: “So, give us the right to intercede for him) and both shall get the permission to intercede in his (the believer’s) favour.” (Ahmad)
Allah revealed the Quran so that each Muslim understands His commands and prohibitions and so that they may lead their lives according to these commandments. If the believer does not obey, then the Quran would be a sure witness against him on the Day of Resurrection. Allah also decreed that those who read the Quran and put its teachings into practice in their daily lives, they shall never go astray in this world and they have never be miserable in the next world.
Allah the Exalted says in the Holy Quran: “Whosoever follows my guidance shall neither go astray nor be miserable.” (20:124)
Thus, Allah has already warned the Muslims against abandoning the reading of the Quran and against neglecting its commandments and prohibitions. Allah warns those who ignore the Quran: “We have given you a remembrance from us. Whosoever has turned away from it shall bear a burden on the day of resurrection.” (20:100-101). Moreover, Allah says in the same chapter, Verse 125 that whosoever turns his back from His exhortation, then he shall live his life in shame and on the Day of Judgement, he shall be blind.
This is because the Quran is surely the Book containing guidance and blessings from Allah. Like Allah says: “O people, an admonition has now come to you from your lord, and a healing for what is in the chests, a guide and a mercy to believers.” (10:58)
Abu Umamah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) has said: “Read the Quran for it shall intercede for its companions on the Day of Judgement.” (Muslim)
The bond between Ramadan and Quran reading is very great. Nearly all the Books of Allah had been revealed during this month. It is during Ramadan that the Quran’s revelation began. It was revealed to Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) step by step for 23 years.
Quran reading during this month has holds great import. Lots of people seize the opportunity of this month of Ramadan to try to end Quran reading. The Holy Quran is the words of Allah. It is the basis of the Islamic laws, and a guide for those who believe in it. It is through the Quran that we can understand Islam. Thus, Allah the Exalted has established all the Islamic laws in the Quran and Quran is the foundation of Al-Islam. Therefore read the Holy Quran and ponder over its laws and theories and put them into practice, for it is this which shall lead man to his Creator.
Amongst humans, those who are fortunate are the ones who read the Quran, understood it, put its teachings into practice and taught them to the other people. On the other hand, the most unfortunate ones shall be those who have stopped reading the Quran and remained far away from it (its teachings). It is important that each Muslim read the Quran and he encourages his family members and others to read it and ponder deeply over its teachings and meaning.
Allah, the Exalted has made mention in several places in the Quran about Quran reading, and has mentioned its benefits. Quran is a guide for all those who seek a peaceful life in this world and the other life. Quran brings light to the believers and leads them on the right path. Those who have faith, when they remember Allah, fear of God emerges from their heart and when they read the verses of the Quran, their faith become stronger and their trust in their Lord increase.
This Quran is unique; there is no other book similar to it. Allah Himself challenged man to produce a book like the Quran but this challenge was never accepted. The protection of the Quran will be always done by Allah for it is Allah the Sole Guardian of the authenticity of the Quran; nobody can ever change a word therein.
More than 14 centuries have gone by since the revelation of the Quran upon our beloved Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and till today nobody has been able to change anything from its contents, for Allah has said in the Quran: “it is We who sent down the Reminder (Quran), and We watch over it.” (15:10)
Quran is the word of Allah and there is positive response to it. How many a person has accepted Islam only after having heard its recitation! A concrete example is that of Hazrat Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) who was a fierce enemy of Allah and his heart changed only after he heard the recitation of the Quran and thereafter he became one who believe firmly in Allah, His words (the Quran) and His prophet (peace be upon him).
After what I have told you, there is no doubt that Ramadan is an opportunity to maximise Quran recitation. Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to maximise Quran recitation during Ramadan. According to a Hadith, Hazrat Jibreel used to come down to him to recite the Quran to him (and along with him). Quran recitation is the best Remembrance of God because of its contents which are remedies for the heart of the believer.
Verily, if the maladies of the heart resume to doubts and the relapse of the ego (to evils), then the Quran is the best remedy for it contains clear proofs to distinguish truth from untruth. Thus, the one who studies the Quran with his heart will be able to perceive the truth and distinguish it from falsehood. The Quran is the best means for a servant of Allah to approach his Lord. The one who loves Quran, loves also Allah and His prophet.
May Almighty Allah help each of us to study the Quran during Ramadan and also after Ramadan. Insha-Allah. Ameen. |
