Text Box: بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم Friday Sermon HAZRAT AMIR’UL MUMINEEN MUHYI-UD-DIN Munir Ahmad Azim 19 April 2013 ~ (08 Jamad’ul Aakhir 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 Verse 97 of the Surah Al-Araf, Chapter 7 of the Holy Quran: Before coming into the heart of the matter of his sermon, the Khalifatullah said: 19 April 2013 marks 10 years, a historical date since the Jamaat of the Divine Manifestation took their first Bai’at in the hands of the Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir A. Azim (atba). The first Bai’at was held in the house of Hazrat Ummul Mumineen Sadr Sahiba Fazli Amena on the second storey, at Louvet Avenue, Quatre-Bornes. Unfortunate are those who later left the Divine Manifestation. (Huzur (atba) later on, at the end of his sermon talked lengthily on this historical subject.) In the course of his sermon, the Khalifatullah talked on these matters: Before coming for the Khutba Jumu’ah, Allah showed Hazrat Khalifatullah (atba) a verse of the Holy Quran: “Each time Allah sends His Messenger to a nation, they belied him (they take him as a liar).” While he was talking about how a Messenger of Allah prays earnestly to Allah to stop a punishment from falling upon his nation, Huzur (atba) talked about how last week, Mauritius faced a cyclone warning up till class 2 (but Rodrigues island was not spared). Allah does what He wants; He manifests His anger. The Meteorological services are not to be blamed. There was panic everywhere, and there was the fear of a general blackout, but then Hazrat Khalifatullah (atba) told his household that come what may but they shall not suffer from power cut, and indeed nothing happened, because of the intense prayer of Huzur (atba) to Allah. No power cut in the North of Mauritius. Huzur (atba) said that since 30 December 2012, he has made lots of prophecies about crime, fraud, corruption; people being money-thirst. Each one of those prophecies is materialising, becoming worst. Huzur (atba) listed some of the frauds which have cropped up this week, frauds in millions of rupees, involving another company (45 millions), and another one involving the daughter of an ex-vice-president of the republic of Mauritius (11,4 millions). Huzur (atba) talked about the recent fraud in millions, Ponzi-style from among the Jamaat Ahmadiyya. A man from a great family in the Jamaat embezzling millions from several members of his relatives. The victims are those who mocked the Divine Manifestation. One of them, one who lost more money than the others was the one who came to snatch his wife and daughter right in the middle of Tarawee prayers years ago. He spied on them coming to pray behind Huzur (atba) and while they were praying, he entered and forced his wife and daughter to come with him. (Ultimately, the woman and daughter lost faith) and that wife, and the second wife of this man also was defrauded in this scam. – Huzur (atba) said concerning the fact that his wife used to pray behind him (along with the other believers in the Divine Manifestation), did he asked for a salary, to bring money for him and he will give them dividend? Huzur (atba) would have given them the riches of spirituality. The culprit, the head behind the scam is the son of a once great businessman. That businessman in question, one day during the wedding of his son proudly gifted (with arrogance) keys to a brand new car to his son. Huzur (atba), said: Now where are all these mundane favours? (Finish, they have been humiliated). His son committed other fraud in the past. All these people mocked Huzur (atba). They are trying their best to hide all internal frauds. Those who were adamant in hiding the fraud of their ex-Amir, now they are themselves victims of this fraud from among their own. Huzur warns: Do not try to fool the Messenger of Allah! ... In Sahih al Islam we never ask for bonuses, a salary, PRB (Pay Research Bureau), etc. Here we have divine favour, divine manifestation. Not Rice-cooker, fridge etc. They have money-favour, but they have mocked, ridiculed the Divine Manifestation… see their consequences. He has already witnessed punishment with his sons. Allah manifests His anger in many ways. Huzur (atba) also talked concerning the letters which the fifth Khalifa of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya sent to Huzur (atba) and addressing him by his full honourable name and titles. Some members of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya refused to believe that such thing could have happened, and they sent smses to their family in the Divine Manifestation, wanting to have the reference number of the letters so that they cross-check it. They were even prepared to go to U.K to investigate the matter. وَ لَوۡ اَنَّ اَہۡلَ الۡقُرٰۤی اٰمَنُوۡا وَ اتَّقَوۡا لَفَتَحۡنَا عَلَیۡہِمۡ بَرَکٰتٍ مِّنَ السَّمَآءِ وَ الۡاَرۡضِ وَ لٰکِنۡ کَذَّبُوۡا فَاَخَذۡنٰہُمۡ بِمَا کَانُوۡا یَکۡسِبُوۡنَ ۝ Wa law ‘anna ‘ahlal-quraaa ‘aamanuu watta-qaw lafa-tahnaa ‘alay-him barakaatim-minas-samaaa- ‘i wal- ‘ardi wa laakin kazzabuu fa-’akhaznaahum-bimaa kaanuu yak-sibuun. “And if people of the towns had believed and feared Allah, then certainly, We would have opened for them the blessings of the heaven and the earth, but they disbelieved. So We seized them for what they used to earn.” (Al-Araf 7: 97) Coming on the subject of my previous sermon (05 April 2013) on divine punishment and natural disasters, one may ask: “Why God allow suffering?” According to the verses of the Quran, each cause has its effect, action and reaction. We reap what we sow! Sincere repentance and undoing wrongs, be it to our own selves, our brethrens and nature, we assure for ourselves the pleasure of God. Nature revolves as we make of it. We preserve it by our noble acts, and we stay true to the Creator of it all, therefore we contribute to our own physical, moral and spiritual well-being by acting upon the commands of God. These commands enable us to keep balance of our own selves, and that of our environment. This brings us to the second distinctive feature of a divine punishment. The second distinctive feature of a divine punishment is that disaster which is impendent on a nation or person’s head unless it/he changes his own condition, reforms himself, and in the case of a nation, it sticks to the divine message which its prophet has brought from Allah. In our times, we are in a worldwide nation, and the prophet comes for the world, as a sign of the universality of the message bestowed upon the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The prophet in question warns of impending calamity, but then if mankind, or a specific people to whom the Messengers addresses listens and abides to the divine commandments, then the calamity is annulled. In other cases, due to the earnest prayers of His messenger, Allah postpones a punishment for another time, but then when the calamity strikes, then it shall be too late for these people. Sometimes Allah tests His Messenger’s people so that their obeisance or disobedience may become manifest, and also so that their dirt become dirtier. An example is Thamud, the nation of the Prophet of Allah, Hazrat Salih (as). Allah tested them with the she-camel. The she-camel was a way to dig out their rebellious nature out in the open, and therefore, after this no one could blame Allah for having destroyed such a people, for they openly manifested their hatred against both Allah and His Prophet. The punishment which they received was in form of a mighty earthquake (7: 79), which is also described as a mighty blast (54: 32). That terrifying blast, whether one calls it a volcanic eruption or an earthquake, finished them in no time. Allah used the forces of nature to destroy them, and this is no coincidence. They decided to rebel against the command of Allah and sent their so-called fearless man, the most evil-hearted to do the dirty work on their behalf. The disabling of the she-camel was therefore sacrilegious and they refused outright to take turns with a she-camel which they thought was only a so-called divinely-sent she-camel and refused to give her from their drinking water and they tormented her. Moreover, the she-camel was hamstrung. Therefore, Allah did not come down on earth to personally chastise them, but He manifested Himself through the forces of nature which surrounds man to finish him. When the people of Hazrat Salih (as) therefore became clearly a despised people, Allah used a mighty earthquake, from a mighty blast or unbearable sound-wave to finish them off. They in fact wrought that punishment from what their hands have sent forth, by tormenting and hamstringing the sign of Allah on earth, such a sign which Allah sent specifically for them to test them. The third distinguishing sign separating divine punishments from natural disasters is that Allah does not allow the believers to incur the same fate as the disbelievers when His punishment strikes. The believers are ultimately saved and made to progress towards their goal along with the chosen messenger of Allah. They leave behind a cursed people and go elsewhere to spread the divine message. This applies for such prophecies or warnings which the prophet in question has already foretold that while the unbelievers shall be annihilated, but the believers shall be safe and sound from these catastrophes. An example of this divine succour and help is found in the story of Prophet Lut (as). “The people of Lot denied the warning. Indeed, We sent upon them a storm of stones (which destroyed them), except Lut’s household: them We delivered by early Dawn, as favour from us. Thus do We reward he who is grateful. And (Lut) did warn them of Our Punishment, but they disputed about the Warning.” (Al-Qamar 54: 34-37) By Lut’s household, it does not mean only some of Lut’s own blood relations, but also all the people who believed in him. Sodom and Gomorrah was ultimately destroyed by being pelted with stones. This can also be a representation of a tornado which has carried in its wake stones to finish them off. In other places of the Quran, we find that from the household in the literal sense of the word, the wife of Lot disbelieved in her own husband and was thus among those who was left behind to die the death of the accursed ones. It must be reminded that when a divine punishment strikes, it may be that some believers do suffer from them and this is clear from the Holy Quran. The path to Allah is paved with thorns. Only the forbearing and those of pure hearts, who despite the calamities think good of Allah and His Prophet; those are they who are fully rewarded for their patience in the dire situations they face. Like these Hadiths tells us: Narrated Ibn ‘Umar: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “If Allah sends punishment upon a nation then it befalls upon the whole population indiscriminately and then they will be resurrected (and judged) according to their deeds.” (Bukhari & Muslim) Narrated ‘Aisha (the wife of the Prophet): The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “No calamity befalls a Muslim but that Allah expiates some of his sins because of it, even though it were the prick he receives from a thorn.” (Bukhari) Therefore, Allah does as He pleases. If He promised by way of divine revelation to His Messenger, that warn such and such people, even his own people as a whole (and Islamic Messengers of Allah in a universal aspect) and tell the believers that nothing shall befall them, and they shall be rescued, then it shall be so. An example of it is the promise which Allah made to the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as) that no harm shall befall those who shall be within his home. “I shall safeguard from the plague all who dwell in this house.” Now, his home can literally means his household, and the people who come to seek shelter in it, and also all the sincere believers in the Messiah (as). They were saved. This is the way which Allah makes His Messengers understand the proper meaning of revelations. Sometimes revelations come in parable which is subject to interpretation by the prophets, and this is a Knowledge vouchsafed to them so that they may accomplish their missions in the best way. The fourth sign which distinguishes a divine punishment from a natural calamity is that in the wake of the divine punishment, the philosophy or way of life of the rebellious people is annihilated or cause to disappear and Allah established a “New World”, a new way of life whereby the people live according to the divine instructions for a certain period of time, because as it is also a cycle, the future generations, later in time shall deteriorate also and divine punishment shall seize them. We find mention of this in the Holy Quran: “It was said, “O Noah, disembark in security from Us and blessings upon you and upon nations (descending) from those with you. But other nations (of them) We will grant enjoyment; then there will touch them from Us a painful punishment.” (Hud 11: 49) That is why, we have first of all a golden era, where a Messenger of Allah is present among mankind and his mission is defined in that era as a golden mission, a golden era, then comes the time after him (his death) when his first true and sincere successors strive to spread his message to the ends of the world (for example, after the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) there was the four righteous caliphs, and after the demise of the Promised Messiah Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), there was his first pious successors, among whom there was his Promised Son with messianic qualities who came to continue the work of both his biological and spiritual father), then comes a bronze age where things starts to deteriorate and the promised people ceased to be what Allah expects of them, and they fall headlong into sin by introducing innovations into the religion of Allah, and this state persists and even become worst in the iron age where everything is spoiled, irreligion is spread everywhere. Then comes again a golden age with the presence of another chef Messenger of Allah (who is a true follower of the deceased chef Messenger of Allah) and the cycle continues till Judgement Day. We find also mentioned in the Holy Quran how Allah annihilated some nations and cause the earth, sand and even water to cover or submerge them. Today, through archaeological researches, these nations are being retraced, but all this is food for thought for the people, as a sign for them not to follow the footsteps of these rebellious people lest they fall prey to the same fate as them. Even the Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used to avoid passing through the land of the accursed people, and if he and his companions had no option than to pass through these routes, then the Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to cover himself up and have teary eyes, and commanded his followers to do the same, because these were the places upon which Allah sent His punishments. Moreover ‘Abdullah bin ‘Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, “Do not enter (the places) of these people where Allah’s punishment had fallen unless you do so weeping. If you do not weep, do not enter (the places of these people) because Allah’s curse and punishment which fell upon them may fall upon you.” (Bukhari) So we note that whenever Allah wants to exterminate a rebellious people, He sends beforehand His Warner to warn them and test them to uncover what is in their hearts. Even believers who say that they believe with their lips have to go through the test so that their interior may become manifest. If there is a diamond in the breast, then it shall shine on the face, but if there is a malady in the heart, then that malady shall become manifest. The past people underwent such trials, so: Oh those who seek to strive to have faith and believe sincerely in the Divine Manifestation of this age; do not think that the same tests shall not fall upon you. Allah will try you like He tried the people of yore. Indeed, now the punishments shall be more intense and the good rewards shall be sweeter just because of the universality of Islam, of its pure nature. This is the true way of life which Allah has safeguarded for His chosen servants, those who strive to offer themselves everyday for Allah, those who make the will of Allah become their will, and have no objections to the ways of Allah. They let themselves be guided, be used to Allah, just like an instrument for the accomplishment of the victory of Islam in the final days. Verily, during this last decade, and today is 19 April 2013; verily exactly ten years back, the first believers in the Divine Manifestation took their first Bai’at in the Hands of Allah (which was manifested through this humble self’s hand). My hand became the Hand of Allah, like Allah explains in both the Quran and Hadith. The Hand of Allah was upon their hand. But what happened? Allah tried them with some little tests, and instead of remaining true to Allah and His Messenger and the sacred covenant which they took with Allah and His Messenger, they turned on their backs, thinking the worst of the Messenger of Allah. All kind of evil thoughts came to their mind and most of them thought that the Messenger of Allah had to act according to their will, not that of Allah’s. Ten years, and later on, they took more Bai’ats, but where are they now, in a deserted valley wherein there is no cultivation, no progress. Allah gives respite to a people, for them to curb their evils and repent and to recognise their sins or faults. But if they persist in their hatred against the Messenger of Allah, therefore Allah knows best what He shall do to them. Beware Oh my followers, do not follow the example of the people who ridiculed the Message and Divine Messenger and created their own notions of the Divine Manifestation. Allah does what He pleases and He is the indweller of every heart, knowing exactly the degree of your faith. If you turn your back today, then bear in mind that your tomorrow shall not be glorious. It shall seem glorious for a limited time, but then the Hand of Allah shall strike and leave you in a deplorable state or He shall finish you up. Cultivate fear of Allah and remain ever under the obedience of Allah and His Messenger, His Khalifatullah of this era so that you may be saved, in this world and the hereafter. Insha-Allah, Ameen. Huzur (atba) related the unique historical event of first Bai’at on 19 April 2003, and Insha-Allah, he instructed that the historical recording be available on our official website soon. He related how Allah informed him that the fourth Khalifatul Massih in fact made a Mubahila with him when he said that he and Zafrullah Domun Sahib shall have a fearful destiny. He talked about the arrogance of the Khalifa how he said that 2 go away, and Allah shall bring Ahmadis in millions. Huzur (atba) asks (for the attention of all), to say truthfully that if verily millions, even as little as one million every year came to embrace Ahmadiyyat since the two were expelled from the Nizam-e-Jamaat Ahmadiyya. Huzur (atba) related his vision where Allah informed him that it was in fact a Mubahila that the fourth caliph made with me, and how Allah’s Hand crushed the letter of Muhabila and dumped it in a dustbin. Huzur (atba) says that had the fourth caliph been in the truth, then he should have been alive today, yet, as soon as he launched this Mubahila, on 19 April 2003, he passed away. And on 19 April 2003, during the Study-Circle of the Divine Manifestation, Mukarram Zafrullah Domun Sahib told him that now the time has come for him (Hazrat Amirul Mumineen Munir Ahmad Azim) to take bai’at of his disciples, but Huzur (atba) says that he cannot do that until Allah vouchsafes him the revelation to do so, and that the Study-Circle shall be held like they always hold it. But then, a strong wind began to blow, and the atmosphere change and revelation descended on the humble servant of Allah, and Allah through His Messenger hold out His hand, and all believers, and even some members of the Jamaat Ahmadiyya who came to attend the Study-Circle all came forward to take the Bai’at as one body. Huzur (atba) relates how Mukarram Zafrullah Sahib at the time told him that while taking Bai’at in the state of revelation, and he being the first to hold the Hand in Bai’at, he related how the hand of Huzur (atba) did not move one bit, either up or down with the weight of all the hands of the disciples and witnesses present. And after revelation (long revelations), Huzur began to tremble greatly and it was the Shawl of the mother of Mukarram Zafrullah Domun Sahib, “Dadi Nusrat” which was sent to cover Huzur (atba)… Huzur (atba) expresses how he feels “rehem” (mercy) even for those who have left the Divine Manifestation and prays that they realise their error, and he says and invites one and all, all Ahmadi Muslims, including the ex-members of the Divine Manifestation and the Muslims and all people of every community forward and says that his door is always open for them, and that we should all reunite to become one solid body, Insha-Allah.