Tuesday, February 7, 2017

'Mulaqat' and Bai'at at Mathra

As reported here, the Muhyi-ud-Din Al Khalifatullah, Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim(atba) of Mauritius and the blessed members of the household made a two-week visit of India in the second half of January 2017. Travelling from Mauritius through Dubai, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram airports, with the delegates from the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam- South Kerala joining them at both Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, the larger caravan of people travelling along with Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and family members, reached Mathra on the night of January 16, 2017, Alhamdulillah. For the Blog coverage on the arrival of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) in India on the visit, click here

Members and well-wishers of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam, Kerala travelled to Mathra from their respective places across the State as to stay close to Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) during the days of his stay at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid, Mathra which function also as the headquarters of the Jamaat in Kerala. On the dawn of January 17, 2017 all brothers and sisters in Mathra assembled at the Noor’ul Islam Masjid for Tahajjud prayers, and later, also for the Fajr Namaz under the Imaamat of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba). The long, devout invocations and fervent supplications of the Khalifatullah (atba) during the Tahajjud prayers for the Jamaat and his disciples to the Lord Almighty deeply moved many hearts that morning, Soumma Alhamdulillah.

After the Namaz-e-Fajr, the Amir Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Saheb of Mathra led the Dars-ul-Qur’an session, based on the Al Azim Tafsir-ul-Qur’an. This was followed by a special speech of the Khalifatullah (atba) on the topic of Zikrullah. Fazil Jamal saheb provided the Malayalam Translation of the sermon for the benefit of some of our brothers and sisters. To access the full text of the 'Zikrullah' sermon, click here

After the speeches, our brothers and children stood around Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and the latter began to have an informal conversation with all those who were there that morning, speaking about his experiences and encounters in the world of Jamaat activities over the last two decades and more.

After the breakfast, members assembled at the Mosque and began their cleaning campaign in and around the Mosque complex. In preparation for the welcome of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and Team, the Amir Saheb had initiated certain renovation and beautification projects in and around the Masjid, and such pending works were completed during the process by our hard working brothers. 


Around Noon, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and the blessed family members visited the Office of the Peace Park Special School. Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) expressed his appreciation for the initiatives being undertaken by the Amir Jamaluddin Saheb and his friend Mr. Tamimul Ansari in the service of differently-abled children.


Our brothers Sadiq Ali Saheb, Azim Ahmad Saheb and Fazil Jamal joined the Amir Saheb in discussing the developments in Mathra with the visiting Team. Alhamdulillah, by the Grace of Allah (swt), there has been substantial progress in terms of improving infrastructural facilities and general conveniences for the visiting members in recent years at the Mosque premises. There has been and is remarkable, change in the fortunes of the Mosque in Mathra thanks to  the personal initiative of the Amir Saheb who has been following the advice of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) to accomplish much with the 'little money' each can spare in the cause of God, Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah.

The Mulaqat Programme

In the afternoon, after the Dhuhr Namaz and lunchthe Mulaqat programme started; brothers and their families were provided the opportunity to freely and privately interact with Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba).  The following 30 persons participated in this Mulaqat programme :  Muhammad Basheer Saheb of Alappuzha, P.K. Shamsuddin Saheb of Kodungalloor, Azim Ahmad Saheb and family (wife Rahela Saheba, daughter Shazia Azim),  Sudheer Saheb and family (wife Arifa Beevi Saheba, daughters Aziya and Fatimat-un-Nazriya),  Muhammad Sabir Saheb of Palakkadu, and family (Mubeena Sabir Saheba, daughter Arshana Sabir),     Sadiq Ali Saheb of Kaliyikkavila and family (wife Rajeena Sadiq Ali Saheba and son Munir Ahmad Azim);  YK. Harris Saheb of Alappuzha; KP Shamsuddin Saheb of  Palakkadu;   Abu Baker Saheb of Alappuzha;  K. Saleem Saheb of Alappuzha; and Sulfikar Ali Saheb of Kaliyikkavila. 

Among members from Mathra, the following persons were there for the Mulaqat Programme: DA Zainul Abdeen Saheb of Mathra and family (wife Fauzia Jamal Zain Saheba, daughter Fa-e-zah Maryam Zain Saheba and son Zachariah Ibn Zain);   R. Jamaluddin Saheb of Mathra and family (respected wives Shareefa Beevi Saheba and Sofiya Beevi Saheba); Fazil Jamal Saheb and family (wife Dr. Haseena Masood Saheba and son Zaki Mubarak Aziz Raother). The highlight of the Mulaqat Programme was the opportunity to receive gifts from Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba), as the Team had brought so many gifts for all the members who were present, Masha Allah. The Mulaqat programme was followed by the collective prayers of 'Maghrib' and Isha’.

Bai’at Programme

The Noor'ul Islam Masjid, Mathra also witnessed a historic event: the opportunity to take Bai'at at the hands of a living Messenger of Allah, or a Khalifatullah   Soon after the prayer, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) explained the conditions of Bai’at and procedural stipulations therein and Fazil Jamal saheb read out the Malayalam Translation of the Bai'at Documents and following this, everyone placed their hands on the hand of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and pledged their help and assistance to the Divine Manifestation in Mauritius in the person of Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim (atba).

Poem Recitation

Ummahaatul Mu’mineen Hazrat Nazira Begum Saheba and Hazrat Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba recited a poem for the benefit of all the families and persons present on the occasion. Likewise, the Amir Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Saheb recited a Qasidah in praise of Hadhrat Muhammad (sa); written in Arabic by the Promised Massih Hadhrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as). 

 Diary of Events: Wednesday, 18 January 2017

On early dawn, all members assembled for the Tahajjud prayers at the Mosque; and it was followed later by the Fajr Namaz and the subsequent Darz-ul-Qur'an, where the Amir Mukarram R. Jamaluddin Saheb continued his exposition on Surah Al Fatiha, based on the Al Azim Tafsir-ul-Qur'an, the magisterial commentary of the Qur'an being written by Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba). Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) continued his exposition on Zikrullah, a subject started the previous morning and the full text of which can be read here

Divine Revelation at the 'Fatima's 

In the course of his exposition on 'Zikr', Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) also explained the Divine revelations he recieved at the 'Fatima's Thodiyil Veedu' the previous morning (around 11.30 am), in the room in which he was staying. These revelations pertain to the dangerous portends for the humanity at large in a conflict-ridden world where Muslims are vulnerable to multiple types of attacks and much humiliation will come to those who reject the Divine Messages in this era, despite having the duty to abide by it. Hazrat Mukarram Fazil Jamal Saheb explained the revelations to our brothers in the light of the previous revelations and messages Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) had recieved in recent years concerning some of the most serious and painful international events in our times. 

A 'Kashfu' by Ummul Mu'mineen Sadr Saheba

The Ummul Mu'mineen, International Sadr of the Siraj Makin, Hadhrat Fazli Amena Varsally Saheba had made a beautiful Kashfu during her stay at Mathra. She saw two hands giving away rich Diamonds to her and the women, who are with her, are receiving the same and there were so many of it that these diamonds began to flow like a stream flowing beyond, and even the men in the adjacent spaces also receive the same, Alhamdulillah, Soumma Alhamdulillah. 

'Mauritian Biryani' at the Mathra Mosque

One of the most beautiful events of the period of stay of Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and family in Kerala  was the preparation of the Mauritius Biryani' at Mathra. Under the direct leadership and oversight of the Ummahaatul Mu'mineen and Hadhrat Saheb (atba) also joining them, the Biryani preparation in Mauritius-style was an interesting experiment in cultural exchange as well. 


For people familiar with the Biryani dishes of Kerala/India, the Beef Biryani variety on offer was tasty, yet different in terms of being less spicy, less salty and with potatoes, replacing eggs! Our brother Sudheer Saheb of Kaliyikkavila, who is a professional chef, was also involved in assisting the preparation of food for everyone and Alhamdulillah, all participants at the Mosque had a sumptuous lunch thanks to the dynamic initiative and generous spirit of the visiting Team, Soumma Alhamdulillah.  

Local Sight Visit 

On the afternoon of January 18th, after the Namaz and lunch, Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) and family, accompanied by our brothers Fazil Jamal Saheb and family and DA Zainul Abdeen Saheb and son Zachariah Ibn Zain, travelled to have a view of the Kallada Irrigation Dam Look Out Tower at Thenmala and also the historically well known Hanging Bridge of Punalur, across the River Kallada, connecting the Kerala and Tamil Nadu. From the Look Out Tower at Thenmala, one can see the Kallada river and an aerial view of the forest around. One can walk down to the river base and weir bridge from the lookout point which is a one storied tower with spiral staircase. Tourists get an aerial view of the weir bridge, river and a distant view of the Western Ghat mountain ranges as well. 

As a township, Punalur has a rich and interesting history. Located near the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border on the banks of the Kallada River, receiving its name from two Tamil words; 'punal', meaning “water” and ooru, meaning “town”, therefore “town of water”. It is about 45 km north-east of Kollam and 75 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. Punalur is the headquarters of Pathanapuram Taluk, the gateway to Western Ghats. It is also known as the “Lap of the Western Ghats”. According to informed observers, "Punalur Suspension Bridge or Hanging Bridge, the ONLY ONE in Kerala and possibly in the World was built by Albert Henry, a Scottish Engineer,  across the Kallada River in the year 1877. This bridge was made for vehicle movements and was made by suspending huge spans". When it was built up way back in 1877, the Hanging Bridge became the first motorable bridge in the vast Indian subcontinent.  

Sermon at the Mosque

Before the sunset for  prayers, the Team returned back to the Mosque and after the collective prayers of Maghrib and Ishaa', Hadhrat Khalifatullah (atba) gave a long speech on the Divine Manifestation in its historic context and contemporary setting. Fazil Jamal saheb provided the Translations for the benefit of our brothers and sisters in attendance. For the text of the Sermon, click here.   

Dinner was served later, before everyone retired for the night.