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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Friday Sermon
HAZRAT KHALIFATULLAH AL-MASSIH AL-MA’OUD
Munir Ahmad Azim
(27 Muharram 1433 Hijri)
(Summary of Friday Sermon)
After having greeted the members (and all Muslims round the world) with the Salutations of Peace, the Messiah (Massih’ullah) read the Tashahhud, Taouz and Surah Al Fatiha and he said:
That Jesus is the central figure and the very soul of Christian theology is manifestly clear. Without some kind of belief in his Christhood, whichever way may it be defined by various denominations and scholarly theologians, the very foundations of Christianity are totally altered. Throughout the last two thousand years, hundreds of millions of Christians have been sustained in their beliefs through their deep faith in the life of Jesus. The miraculous character attributed to his birth, the stories of the miracles he performed, his encounters with the Romans, Israelites and other gentiles, and finally, his crucifixion provide the basic ingredients which have continued to nourish this leading religion of the western world not only today but through the centuries past.
Yet, it is rather strange, indeed ironic, that most important events of his life have always remained veiled in mystery. Was he born of a virgin mother? When was he born? Why is hardly anything known about his life from early infancy to the time when he proclaimed his ministry? How long did his ministry last? Who were really responsible for his being led to the cross – hostile Jewish leaders or the Roman rulers? Did he really die during the few hours that he was on the cross or was he only unconscious when he was taken off the cross with unusual haste? If there was a resurrection, then who were the eye-witnesses, if any? What is the significance of the blood stains of the shroud in which he was temporarily wrapped and which is now preserved in the Cathedral of Turin, Italy? Did he leave Palestine for the eastern regions to accomplish his proclaimed mission of having come for the lost tribes of Israel? These and several other issues about the life of Jesus of Nazareth have continued to challenge the curiosity of the Christian as well as the non-Christian scholars.
To illustrate, let us briefly comment on just one issue of his birth. Since as early as the second century A.D, the Christian world has been celebrating his birth on the 25th of December. The Christian Calendar leads us to assume that he was born on this date, 2011 years ago. On the other hand, Christian scholars have never come to a consensus either on the exact year or the exact date of his birth.
Mr. David E. Anderson, UPI Religion writer, commented: “Scholars say that there is no hard evidence to determine the precise date of Jesus birthday although most biblical experts now place the date about 6 B.C.” (Newsday – December 22, 1983)
Most biblical scholars of our times not only conclude that Jesus was born 6 years earlier than the popularly acknowledged year but they also do not accept the widely-held belief that he was born on December 25th. As Mr. David Anderson explains, this practice of celebrating Christmas on this date started in “reaction to the Roman Saturnalia, a harvest festival that marked the winter solstice – the return of the sun – and honour to Saturn, the god of sowing.” In other words, Christmas became “a means of replacing the worship of the sun with worship of the son.” He further observes that: “By 529 A.D, after Christianity had become the state religion of the Roman Empire, Emperor Justinian made Christmas a civil holiday and prohibited any work on that day.” From then on the observance of Christmas became so firmly established that even though English Parliament outlawed this holiday on June 3, 1647; it was forced to repeal this law and restore Christmas observance under popular pressure.
It is distinctly clear that the popular beliefs of both the year and the date of the birth of Jesus are totally erroneous and quite contrary to the findings of the historians, scholars and the experts of the Christian faith. The question is this: if the same kind of fictional bases surround the story of the ‘resurrection’, does it not strike a fatal blow to the most fundamental pillars of the Christian theology such as atonement and belief in Jesus as the Saviour?
O you my Muslim brothers and sisters in Mauritius, Rodrigues and in all corners of the world, if your belief is in the Tawheed (unity of God) and in the five pillars of Islam, then why are celebrating Christmas day as if it is your festival. Remember that we, Muslims; Almighty Allah has given us two festivals: (1) Eid-ul-Fitr, (2) Eid-ul-Adha. Christmas is not our festival. On the contrary, it is an insult to Islam, an insult to the Muslim faith.
I also address myself in particular to all Ahmadi Muslim brothers and sisters in the world and especially in Mauritius, why do you celebrate Christmas? Is this the true teaching of Islam and is this what the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (upon him be peace) taught us? It is very sad to see Ahmadi Muslims and other Muslims in Mauritius buy and put the fir “Christmas” tree in their house, with big decorations and they spend a lot of money in buying toys for their children and firecrackers of all sorts to be wasted at night, and moreover there are great family get-togethers around barbecues to celebrate Christmas. Are these our teachings? Does the actual fifth Caliph of the Ahmadiyya Community (Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad Sahib) tolerate all these innovations in the Community of the Promised Messiah (upon him be peace)? Does he tolerate the so-called great defenders of Ahmadiyyat in Mauritius when they are foremost to be the worst of role models for the Ahmadi Muslims? Is there not any boycott on them? They are still in the Jamaat while someone who says that he received divine revelations is expelled from the Jamaat. Whenever there are people coming to talk to us, there is severe warning and menace given to these people not to talk and maintain friendship with us.
He is playing with the religion of Allah and with Allah and His Messenger. There is talk of Justice but no actual justice, but innovations are welcome for the Ahmadi Muslims while he and his circle scoff off the message of Allah. Soon very soon now. Allah is not in a hurry to punish people whereas there is still an opening for them to repent and turn into a new leaf.
Furthermore, I wish to address the issue of Mubahila issued to Janbah Sahib and Mansoor Ahmed Sahib. The latter was so entangled in this situation that he wished to implicate and traumatise my disciple Fazil Jamal Sahih on this issue, but alas for him he did not succeed. You (Mansoor Ahmed) think that you are traumatising him but in other words, it is yourself who is being traumatised with this whole situation, and you are afraid to come forward to sign this Mubahila along with your Guru Janbah Sahib.
I have acted exactly as the Holy Quran has stipulated in Chapter three (Al-Imran). In the capacity of Spiritual leader of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, I have already signed since long, and all members of my Jamaat is behind me in this challenge of Mubahila (when I signed in their name also), including my disciple Fazil Jamal Sahib also.
If you Mansoor Ahmed you are insisting that Fazil Jamal Sahib must put on his signature, but what are you doing, playing the field (hide and seek) when you yourself emailed him on 16 December 2011, and said:
“Should for any reason you do not wish to sign this document, please immediately inform us so that we could sign this Mubahila Challenge with Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib. Your immediate response is required...” (SO WHERE ARE YOUR SIGNATURES OF MUBAHILA WITH ME?)
You said that even if Fazil Jamal Sahib does not sign, but you and your Guru Janbah Sahib shall sign this Mubahila Challenge. You told him to respond, and he responded, for he is already included in the Mubahila along with this humble self, so now why are you staying behind, not coming forward. Why are you and your Guru sending childish emails to make us “afraid”… but verily it is you both you are afraid, who are giving excuses not to sign this Mubahila Challenge and in your email of 19 December 2011, you are full of contradictions! By the grace of Allah, we are not afraid to confront you both.
Mansoor Ahmed in this email (19 December 2011) labelled me a liar in his fear of death, of what shall happen to him if he signs the Mubahila Challenge. He saw the vision of death and he says that I am a liar. Come forward you personally before any other party then! You are talking more than your Guru Janbah Sahib.
Look how they strike for you comparisons; but they have strayed, so there is no way out for them. (Revelation)
Even if you label me a liar, a sick person, this does not affect me, but this Mubahila Challenge is being launched to you and your Guru because of the lies you used against Hazrat Mirza Bashiruddin Mahmud Ahmad as the Promised Reformer and Promised Son of the Promised Messiah (upon him be peace). By the grace of Allah, my Jamaat and I, including Fazil Jamal Sahib, we put our trust in Allah. If you insist in your stupidity and ignorance so that Fazil Jamal Sahib sign; As I have already signed, I give you a sacred word that after your Guru Janbah Sahib and yourself (Mansoor Ahmed) have signed the Mubahila Challenge, then as a last signatory, Insha-Allah, my disciple Fazil Jamal Sahib shall also sign. Sign you both (in the second round), the decision lies in your hand (to sign or not, to accept the Mubahila or not), and let the world know who is the truthful ones and you are the false ones (between our two persons (leaders) and groups).
Let me tell you Mansoor Ahmed, you cannot weaken the power of Allah by your nonsense emails and the negative role you are enacting in this whole affair (Mubahila Challenge); let me tell you one sure thing, that neither you nor your Imam shall come out of this situation; there is no one to protect you against Allah. Your punishment shall be doubled; it is you both who are bringing yourselves (your own souls) to your ruin, and all that you invented shall be reduced to dust.
I tell you Mansoor Ahmed: “aaminuu bihii aw laa tuminuu” – Either accept it (the Mubahila Challenge) or not (accept it). If you accept it, then come without losing time, like the Holy Quran says: “Wa laa taquu-lanna lishay-in annii faa-ilun-zaalika gadaa” – Do not say concerning something (a matter): ‘I shall do it tomorrow.’ Mansoor Ahmed, do not take this Mubahila as a plaything when you and your Imam’s hearts are in distraction; do not act like the evildoers. It is the evildoers who discuss in secret.
Those who argue concerning Allah after He has been responded to – their argument is invalid with their Lord, and upon them is (His) wrath, and for them is a severe punishment. (Revelation)
Bear this well in mind, the one upon whom the wrath of Allah falls, he is sure to be reduced to pieces (dust).
You believe or not to believe, Mansoor Ahmed, but moreover, while I was refuting you concerning your email, Allah revealed to me: “Laa takhaf innaka antal-a’alaa” – Fear not, for you shall have the upper hand. We make truth shine forth compared to falsehood. Truth demolishes falsehood for it (falsehood) must disappear. Woe to you for what you said about Hazrat Musleh Maud (May Allah be satisfied with him).
Do not run away, honour your words and make your Guru sign the Mubahila Document as well as you also. You are afraid like asses when they come face to face with the real Lion of Allah. All are waiting, wait you also; very soon you shall know who is in the right path and is following the right guidance.
An advice to my disciples and especially to my disciple Fazil Jamal Sahib: “Be steadfast and your steadfastness shall come from Allah alone. Do not be sad for them (these people) and do not let your heart contrite due to the plots they are making. Allah is with those who lead a good life and who do good.” Insha-Allah. Ameen.
I end here for the moment concerning Mansoor Ahmed and his Imam. I shall come back later on their subject if they do not sign (the Mubahila), Insha-Allah.
May Allah guide all Ahmadi Muslims, and all Muslims in general and also humanity to well understand the priority of Allah’s messages and messengers and not to take these messengers as gods or sons of god. The repercussions for these kinds of association with Allah shall be grievous if people persist in their wrongs after warning has come to them from Allah and His chosen Warner for this era. Insha-Allah, may Allah open the eyes and hearts of the true repenting people and seekers of truth. Ameen. |
