Tuesday, October 14, 2014

'Eid-ul-Adha' and 'Maqam-e-Ibrahim'



Say: Allah speaks the truth. Follow then the religion of Ibrahim, (who was) ever turned (to Allah), and was not among the idolaters. (3: 96)

 


Through this Eid sermon today, I hope that each member of the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam today ponder over the submission and sacrifices which Hazrat Ibrahim (as) has shown. And realise also how Allah accepted this sacrifice and rewarded him for it. Likewise, each woman must reflect on the special type of submission which Hazrat Hajra (ra) demonstrated. All this was only for the cause of Allah and Allah did not let her down; she did not lose (the sweet fruits of her sacrifices). The children also must reflect on the complete submission which Hazrat Ismail (as) shown and how Allah has honoured him for all times. Therefore, the sacrifices which are done sincerely in the path of Allah shall never be in vain. Today, even when you are performing Qurbani, you must bear in mind that Allah is not looking at the meat or blood (of the animal) only but also at the quality of your sacrifices; that which Allah looks for is your heart, the intention and sincerity within. That’s all.



I pray to Allah that He grants me also and all of us together this true spirit of sacrifice and whenever we have to do a sacrifice, that Allah accepts it from us. Thus, like you heard after the Surah Al-Fatiha, I recited the Verse 96 of Chapter 3 (Al-Imran), where Allah says:

 

 Say: Allah speaks the truth. Follow then the religion of Ibrahim, (who was) ever turned (to Allah), and was not among the idolaters. (3: 96)


The fundamental attribute of Hazrat Ibrahim (as) was Ibrahim the Hanif, that is, the ever turned to Allah. He humiliated himself before the One to whom he was ever turned (that is, he curbed/prostrated himself before Allah only). Therefore, even if ever he did an error, but the fact remains that he turned himself completely to Allah, he worshipped Allah only. He did not incline himself to any other than Allah. Therefore the central attribute for him is Ibrahim the Hanif.



It has been said/ instructed to make the place of Ibrahim become a ‘Mussalla’ (place to do prayer). This is the literal translation. Mistakenly, people believe that they have to pray in that place only. And over there (in Mecca), two footprints have been made as a symbol. And this cannot at all be the footprints of Hazrat Ibrahim (as), because: firstly, he is very tall (imposing figure), and secondly, to stand on a stone in such a way that you put your feet in these footprints is not something to be done. It is unacceptable. (Inset: the footprints from Maqam-e-Ibrahim in Makkah).


 

The truth is that the place about which it has been said that Hazrat Ibrahim (as) has made it become a ‘Mussalla’, in fact means to say that you should make it become your (spiritual) stage/position. Allah has said ‘Makaam’, not ‘Mukaam’; ‘Mukaam’ means ‘that place’, and ‘Makaam’ means ‘Martabah’, stage, grade/status/position. Therefore, follow the example of Ibrahim (as) and make his grade, stage/status/position become your stage in Namaz/Salat (prayer). And this is verily what Hazrat Ibrahim (as) received (the stage he received from Allah) and this is therefore how he has been able to establish connection with Allah. As a result of this connection with Allah, he got to have steadfastness. This firmness/steadfastness, he really could not have got it without duah (supplication to Allah). 


 

Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the one who showed the most firmness and perseverance and also he used to seek the help of Allah through prayer/supplications to Allah (duah), and he sought guidance, that is, the right path, intelligence et perspicacity. This is what is called ‘Rusht’ (the ability to distinguish good and evil). Nobody has received a purer heart than Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) and there has not been any person who has been more truthful than him on earth. Therefore, in this way, we can correctly say that it is Allah who gives the Qawli Sadid(clear/truthful speech), ‘Qawli Salim’ (pure speech) and ‘Rusht’ (the ability to distinguish good and evil), otherwise there is no other means to acquire all these!


 

Now the wonderful way which Hazrat Ibrahim (as) established connection with Allah, therefore, it is in the aftermath of this connection that Allah has named him Khalillullah, that is, Allah befriended him. Thus, Makame Ibrahim means an excellent moral quality where one does all that it takes to please Allah. The qualities which Allah loves and seeks, and Muamla billah, means connection with Allah. Therefore, the way which Hazrat Ibrahim (as) established connection with Allah, you should also connect with Allah in the same way.


 

In this respect, the love of Allah, the pleasure of Allah, and fidelity, these are the very same stage of Ibrahim (as). The love of Allah (within him), his complete submission to Allah, His (Allah’s) pleasure and his (Ibrahim’s) fidelity, these are the same stage (all these are found in that stage) of Ibrahim (as) that the Ummah (community) of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has received as teaching and inheritance. In other words, the Ummah (community) of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has received that stage of Ibrahim (as) naturally, and it was like an inheritance which we received from Ibrahim (as). The one who is a follower of Ibrahim (as), therefore he shall see his stage in that stage (of Ibrahim) itself. The one whose heart is like the heart of Hazrat Ibrahim (as), for that person also, he shall receive peace which Hazrat Ibrahim (as) received therein (in that stage); therein is deliverance for that person, especially when he follows the way of the heart of Hazrat Ibrahim (as). It is similar to that stage: Raziiyatam-Marziyya”, whereby that person is pleased with his Rab (Allah) and Allah also is pleased with that person.


 

About truth, one must bear in mind that if a person does not become a sincere creature of Allah, with all cleanliness and purity (of heart), then it would be difficult for him to accede to that stage. Concerning Ibrahim (as) and his connection to Allah, Allah gave him Shahaadat (martyrdom), in that which Ibrahim (as) was the one who completed all rights of fidelity and completed his deeds (for Allah). Likewise, for you to be able to purify your heart and rid it from all ‘Ghairullah’ (all that which is not Allah and/or for Allah) and fill it with the love of Allah and submit to the will of Allah – and like a complete submission – likewise, you must make it a must to make the will of Allah yours – one same will – not different from one another. These are only granted through duah (supplication to Allah).




Thus, to acquire all these is not that easy. One must supplicate Allah a lot, and with sincerity. And one must have firm belief that these supplication shall be granted, and therefore little by little Allah shall grant him all that he prayed for. Hazrat Ibrahim (as) went through that stage of perseverance, that firmness (in belief) in such a way that he made to see in his dream/vision that he was sacrificing his (only) son. He could have sought other interpretations to that dream/vision, but he did not do so because he had such great faith (Iman) and firmness of belief in Allah that he was ever ready to do whatever he is instructed to do by Allah. And thus, he went forward for the sacrifice of his son, with his own hands.


 

Ponder over this: If today someone’s child dies because of some illness, then he gets all sorts of doubts on Allah, His existence and he opens his mouth to make thousands of complaints and objections against Allah. But it so happened that there such an Ibrahim (as) who crushed down his own paternal love for his son, and was ever ready to sacrifice that same (beloved) son. These kind of people, definitely Allah does not let them lose the value of their good deeds. Their sacrifices/actions are not wasted. 


 

Hazrat Ibrahim (as) used to receive lots of revelations and Allah mentions in the Holy Quran that He sent Ibrahim (as) also with a (sacred) Book, with revelations, commandments. For example, Allah affirms in the Quran: “Ibrahimallazi Waffa”  It is Ibrahim who showed a remarkable example of fidelity. (53: 38). Or: “Ya Ibrahim Qad-sadaqtar-Ru’yaa Inna Ka-zaalika Najz-zil Muhsineen”  Oh Ibrahim! You have fulfilled the vision. Indeed, We thus reward the doers of good. (37: 105-106)


 

This was revealed to Ibrahim (as). This is (the stage) that a person must strive to accede to. If there is not this, therefore what is the use of dreams/vision and revelations? The sight of a believer is always on doing good deeds. Hazrat Ibrahim (as) did not receive this title – “Ibrahimallazi Waffa” easily! He remained sincere and loyal all through his life and as a result, he was granted this title.


 

To obtain the divine blessings and benefits, cleanliness of heart is required, very important. Nothing is granted so long that your hearts are not clean. It must be that when Allah cast a look into your hearts, He should neither see the least taint nor any sign of hypocrisy in any corner of your hearts. When such a situation crops up (when Allah finds your heart clean), it is then that you receive the divine manifestation and all things are made to be clear for you.



On this subject, I need to warn you all in the Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam also that this is a really difficult work. And if you study its reality, then lots of people can lose courage in that path of the divine manifestation, needing to do sacrifices again and again, an stage by stage. It also means that it is such a stage where your heart is rid from all aspects of Ghairullah’ (there should not be any Jesus/Isa, Ram, Shiva, Pir/ Saints (for certain Muslims) and Khalifatul-Massih (for the Ahmadis) in the heart). There should only be Allah, that is, if each person looks into his heart, then in many corners they shall find many Ghairullah’. Therefore, one must not get frightened by this, and flee this (difficult) path. No! The remedy is found in supplicating Allah a lot (make a lot of duah). Allah knows best in whose hearts there are idols and He has the capacity to remove these idols at His will.

 


Thus, you need to have such a level of sincerity and veracity like the like of Hazrat Ibrahim (as). Follow him in his sincerity and also the example of Hazrat Muhammad (saws). When someone follows that example, he shall become a blessed person and no mundane humiliation can ever touch him, and he does not get any problem or difficulty in his provisions. Allah opens the door of His grace and favours on him, and he becomes a heir of the blessings of Allah and Allah guards him against of kinds of temporal humiliations and He gives him a fruitful stage (in felicity, for his good deeds).


 

Likewise when you do financial sacrifice in the path of Allah, therein is good news; all difficulties shall be cleared for you. And Allah gives such person the best of rewards both in this world and the next. Insha-Allah. May Allah count us among these exceptional felicitous people, Insha-Allah, AmeenEid Mubarak. 

 


-Eid-ul-Adha Sermon delivered on 10 Dhul Hijjah 1435 Hijri~ 2014 October 05 by Imam- Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam International Muhyiuddin Al Khalifatullah Hazrat Munir Ahmad Azim (aba) of Mauritius.