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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Friday Sermon
HAZRAT AMIR’UL MUMINEEN MUHYI-UD-DIN
Munir Ahmad Azim
12 April 2013 ~ (01 Jamad’ul Akhir 1434 Hijri)
(Summary of Friday Sermon)
After having greeted all his followers (and all Muslims) round the world – mentioning the nearby islands, India, Kerala, Trinidad and Tobago etc. – with the Salutations of Peace, Hazrat Muhyi-ud-Din (atba) read the Tashahhud, Taouz and Surah Al Fatiha and he said:
یٰۤاَیُّہَا الَّذِیۡنَ اٰمَنُوۡا لَا تَاۡکُلُوۡۤا اَمۡوَالَکُمۡ بَیۡنَکُمۡ بِالۡبَاطِلِ اِلَّاۤ اَنۡ تَکُوۡنَ تِجَارَۃً عَنۡ تَرَاضٍ مِّنۡکُمۡ ۟… Yaaa-’ayyu-hallaziina ‘aamanuu laa ta’-kuluuu ‘amwaalakum baynakum-bil- baatili ‘illaa ‘an – takuuna tijaaratan ‘an- ta-raadim-minkum...
“Oh you who believe! Do not eat up each other’s property by unfair and dishonest means but only (in lawful) business by mutual consent.” (An-Nisa 4: 30)
Mauritius, which was once known as a Paradise Island has since some solid years been slowly, falling deeply in the sea of fraud and corruption. Its good name is being snatched and replaced by a bad name, both by its citizens and at international level also. And who are to be blamed for it? It is verily the people themselves who are getting day by day to be money-minded and opting to make easy and fast money. Embezzlements, frauds of all kind, corruption in all spheres of the national and international society, all are blazing rages which are finishing little Mauritius and the big wide world also.
Years ago Allah revealed to this humble self about the many frauds and corruption which shall strike Mauritius, and I even dreamt that trees were falling from a mountain, and the next thing which happened was the Air Mauritius case and the Mauritius Commercial Bank case and others also where the heads were involved in the coup, thus trees, which represents leaders at the top shall suffer humiliation. This dream and revelations continue to be true till today, and many new fraudsters are being unmasked. And on 30 December 2012, I even said the following in my appraisal of events:
ICAC v/s MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank) after 9 years fraud at the MCB, and for black-marketing of money-fraud upon NPF (National Pension Fund). The fraud was estimated about more than 800 millions of rupees. What has been going on in the past in the Duty Free Paradise Co. Ltd; SAGA around allegations of the traffic of arms in which Yusuf Mohammed and son were implicated. Bernard Maigrot “aux Assises” because of the assassination of Vanessa Lagesse; The relatives of Michaela Hart will claim Rs.25 millions rupees to Sunday Times particularly to the Chief Editor Imraan Hosany and to Starprint Co. Ltd – The list is quite lengthy.”
We see that more “Pandora boxes” are being opened to reveal more fraud and corruption involving great personalities. Indeed recently a “Ponzi scheme”, devised by a company by the name of “White Dot International Consultancy Limited”, which was previously known by many other names since 2008 and having at its head Arun Mossuddee, Bhimal Bissessur, Ashir Calcuttee and Sanjiv Luchoomun – the latter being alleged to be the one who has put his signature on contracts issued to “clients” – among others (a lawyer and policeman also are involved in the coup), has been exposed with one of the business partner’s coming forward on 25 March 2013 to denounce that one of his partners has vanished with Rs 700 million. Some time later, Arun Mossuddee alleged that he was not the mastermind of the bogus company and that he sold his shares to Bhimal Bissessur for the sun of Rs.800 millions. This amount represents deposits of hundreds, even thousands of Mauritians, overwhelmed by the whopping rate of return offered by the company. Certainly “White Dot” offered its clients to grow their deposits at record rates in record time. Indeed, a payment of Rs 100,000 procured Rs 50,000 at the end of six months. And the amount of Rs 1 million procured Rs 500,000 in six months. Initially, so that the fraud may be deemed as a true business deal and investment, many customers have actually hit their profits, but it was in fact a trick to attract others. Attracted by the high rate of return, some clients of ‘White Dot’ filed up to Rs 3 million. Even officials and notables of the Government and even families of ministers fell into the trap.
An investigation was opened by the central CID and the Financial Services Commission, and the sleuths found out the many connections of the ‘White Dot’ fraud company, both national and international. Many of its connections, such as the chain of La Napoletana Pizzerias were forced to closure and this at the same time made several innocents workers become redundant, and victims become of this mind-blowing coup in the history of Mauritius.
The money from the open-theft was transferred in a Switzerland Bank. And the victims, about 800, flocked to the (Central) Bank of Mauritius so that they may seek help to recuperate their lost “investments”. The Central Bank assured the victims that it will try to help, but that its powers are certainly very limited. Thus, it issued a statement to the public advising them to “exercise caution with respect to certain products currently available to ensure high rates of returns in a short period of time.” And to insist that customers “who place deposits with those are not regulated, do so at their own risk.” The regulator should remember that “only banks and non-banking institutions authorized by the Bank may accept deposits from the public.” The central bank published simultaneously on its website a list of all authorized financial institutions and agencies. No trace of “White Dot International Consultancy Limited”. Indeed a cat and mouse race as to whom is the more stupid in dealings, either to propagate the smell and touch of fraud or who is most keen to make the blind in affairs of such paramount importance. Is it a case of the rich are being duped by their thirst for easy money or a lesson that all that glitters is not always gold?
There are more frauds which have taken place recently, such as:
1. A woman who lives at Plaine des Papayes has stolen Rs 3 millions from her husband. The latter has fortunately got refuge from his family, else he would be without shelter.
2. In the Medpoint (Clinic) case, there are political involvement, a cheque amounting to Rs 144,701,300 (for the purchase of the Clinic).
3. Since last year, there was a controversy about a massive fraud made by two ministers. Eventually two brothers from the Timol family were arrested by the CCID (Central Criminal Investigation Department) for defrauding foreigners.
4. Betamax Case: According to the Opposition, “The contract with the company Betamax was tailored so that the clan Jeetah/Bhunjun touches an attractive package of Rs 8 billion.”
5. Nandanee Soornack Case: Being a political activist for the party forming the Government and thus getting political backing and protection, she climbed swiftly and with doubtful resources the ladder of success, rising from the position of salesgirl to that of shareholder in many companies (about five). There are more protected people like her, like Dommeswarsing Gooljaury.
6. An engineer and a clerk embezzled Rs 35 millions from their employer over a period of five years.
7. Alleged fraud of Rs 50 millions within the Air Mauritius Ltd. Five people (at the top of the ladder), including the Number 2 of the company, Seewoosagur (Shiv) Nemchand have been suspended from their functions. The question remains why the employees of the company had not consigned a complaint at the Police Station with the extent of the fraud committed?
If I have to enumerate, the list of fraud and corruption is too long. When Allah the Almighty revealed to His chosen servant, this humble self, therefore the prophecy must be fulfilled, may be not in a month, or a year, or two years, but it shall be definitely fulfilled; the words of Allah must be triumphant. You have yourself notice that the sermon of last Friday on the deluge which struck Mauritius was not yet over, and the Municipality of Curepipe organised a Teledon for the victims of the deluge, and in the event of these contributions and donations, you shall hear in a few days about the several unsettling happenings and fraud that there shall be.
Insha-Allah, all prophecies made at the beginning of the year, I shall mention them as soon as they are fulfilled. May Allah give me the Tawfiq to bring these before you and all humanity, so that each of you may realize the gravity of the situation, and Insha-Allah, at international level my disciple hailing from Kerala, India shall put these on the Sahih al Islam blog for your attention.
Such like happenings and protection from the Government on some political activists like Mrs. Nandinee Soornack, and the blind-folded justice and revenue system in Mauritius compel us to consider what Islam has said on fraud and corruption, about cheating and usurping the trusts of others. In the Holy Quran Allah says:
“Do not usurp one another by unjust means, nor bribe with it the judges to wrongfully deprive others of their part.” (Al-Baqara 2: 189)
“… give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” (Hud 11: 86)
“Give full measure, when you measure, and weigh with even scales. That is fair and better in the end.” (Ar-Rahman 55: 10)
Islam places great emphasis on sticking on the path of rectitude in all dealings, be it at familial, business, social, economic and all that centres on man and his morals. Islam forbids fraud and breach of trust, and forbade them in all circumstances, whether in the sale, trade, or in science and transactions. It is saddening to see with each day that passes that the world population is involving itself in one way or another in immoral activities, such as fraud, corruption, business irregularities, giving and taking bribes, and all such dealings which bring shame to its spiritual and mundane aura. And what is saddening is that Muslims are not separate from this kind of blacklisted population, those who are adamant in persisting in evil ways while maintaining exteriorly an Islamic face and behaviour. The garb of a true Muslim is his heart which regulates his soul. If his heart is clear and filled with fear of God and appreciation for righteousness and justice, then he shall come what may strive to make the commandments of God a reality in his everyday life. He shall strive to make the people around him stick to righteousness and abandon the evil ways.
Islam gives complete freedom to economic enterprise. Each individual in an Islamic society enjoys complete freedom in the earning of his livelihood. He can start, manage and organise any kind of business enterprise within the limits set by the laws of Islam, that is, the Shariah. However, freedom does not and must not operate without a sense of responsibility. Indeed there are limits that are to be respected, for if not, then proper control on the administration of justice and fairness cannot be done.
An individual is free to pursue his economic activities provided he respects the code of conduct prescribed for the profession, which broadly means remaining within the legal frame and shunning all that is unlawful. He has the foremost duty to encourage good and shun evil, and he has to begin within his own self, refining his interior and then putting into practice business according to Islamic norms. The prescriptions of the Holy Quran and the teachings of our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) serve to set a scale in everybody’s mind to distinguish between the lawful and the unlawful means of earning, and to prohibit or disapprove of all things that are either morally wrong or socially unacceptable.
For example, in his many sermons, the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has said:
“He who cheats is not of us. Deceitfulness and fraud are things that lead one to Hell.”
Islam, as a matter of principle, prohibits all activities which may cause harm either to the traders or the consumers in the market. It encourages the prevalence of free market where everyone earns his sustenance without government intervention. However, it puts certain restraints in order to eliminate the incidence of injustice and check malpractices and unlawful operations. In all other respects market in Islam is free from any state intervention. However, if the people fail to take guidance from the Holy Quran in matters relating to business transactions, an Islamic state will strive to organize the market transactions on sound Islamic principles. Freedom of enterprise in an Islamic market will, therefore, be regulated by the (1) prescriptions of the Holy Quran and the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and (2) the directives of the temporal authority, the chief or judges who have the foremost duty to judge with fear of Allah and with justice. During the early centuries of Islam, this function was mainly performed by the institution of market inspectors. This institution was an important institution whose functions were broad-based and multifarious, the most important among them being keeping a watch on the harmful practices prevalent in the market and the society and checking the incidence of injustice and malpractices in the market.
Moreover Islam has stressed and asserted the importance of honesty in monetary dealings and highlighted its vital role in social stability and peacefulness.
The seller and the buyer have the right to keep or return the goods as long as they have not parted or till they part; and if both the parties spoke the truth and described the defects and qualities (of the goods), then they would be blessed in their transaction, and if they told lies or hid something, then the blessings of their transaction would be lost. (Bukhari)
The tradition implies that Allah blesses business dealings if both parties in the transaction are true to each other. Telling lies and hiding facts will result in the loss of divine blessing.
The Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Traders are wicked people”. The Companions asked: “O Messenger of Allah, has Allah not permitted business?” The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) replied: “Of course He has declared trading lawful. But they (that is, the traders) will swear by Allah and do evil, they will not speak but tell lies”. (Ahmad)
Allah says in the Holy Quran:
“Oh you who believe! Do not eat up each other’s property by unfair and dishonest means.” (An-Nisa 4: 30)
Muslims should do everything in their power to resist the urge to deal dishonestly. Dishonesty, cheating, or fraud leads to problems. It hurts others, and damages your integrity. It destroys the trust of others in you. Allah will punish such acts. As He said in His Book, the Holy Quran:
“Woe to those that deal in fraud, – those who, when they have to receive by measure from men, exact full measure, but when they have to give by measure or weight to men, give less than due. Do they not think that they will be called to account- on a Mighty Day when (all) mankind will stand before the Lord of the Worlds.” (Al-Mutaffifin 83: 2-7)
Therefore, it is up to us to ensure that we apply the dictates of the Holy Quran and the traditions of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) so that our society becomes truth and purity. Nowadays, Muslim states are only in name. While applying on one hand the Shariah for a certain class of people, but for the nobler class, all sorts of immoral practices are tolerated in the name of modernisation and globalisation. If the Church has paganised the Christians, now it is up to us Muslims to ensure that we do not let ourselves be westernised by the limited laws and practices of the West. Allah has vouchsafed us the best Book, the Holy Quran, given us the best prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) as role model and the best religion, Islam as the true way of life. Therefore if we follow the lead of these precious examples, then we can assure our future and that of our children; but if not, then the Muslims shall taste much more defeat through our own non-respecting of the divine commandments. In unity and respecting the legal frame of Islamic practices, we can assure a future for the new generations, because if not, they shall fall prey to the evils of a so-called modern society.
May Allah enable us to accomplish our task in the best manner. Insha-Allah, Ameen |
