His Holiness, Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad (aba) is a beaming beacon of Divine guidance and support. His Holiness (aba) represents the highest level of a connection with God in today’s world and thus he is the spiritual leader for tens of millions across the world, and champions the message of fulfilling the rights owed to God, and fulfilling the duties we each owe to our fellow human beings. Over the course of his Friday Sermons, addresses on various occasions, meetings with different organizations and children’s classes, His Holiness (aba) imparts invaluable knowledge and insight on a remarkably vast array of topics.
The Review of Religions is honoured to present some of these ‘Rays of Wisdom’ from His Holiness (aba) taken from various sources, for the benefit of its readers.
Contents
Is There Conflict Between Religion and Modern Day Civilisation?
How Can We Maintain Righteousness in the Internet Era?
How Were Humans Created?
Throughout the history of humanity, many have wondered about the beginning of life – where it all started. Just over a century ago, many renowned scientists probed at the theory of evolutionary biology to answer how life took root on this planet. Unbeknownst to them, this question was answered by God Almighty Himself in His holy book, the Holy Qur’an. In this regard, on one occasion, His Holiness (aba) was asked about how humankind was created.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘We believe that the creation of man was through evolution. First, the universe was created, then galaxies formed, and eventually the earth – which was a molten ball of fire. Then, gradually, vapours formed, and water began to precipitate on it and cooled it down. As a result, the earth cooled and the surface formed. Allah the Almighty had created such bacteria that was able to survive in fire, following which new life was formed. Thus, humans were created through this evolution by Allah the Almighty, and this is how humans and animals came about in this world.
However, there is no such evolution that animals evolved from some beetle or animal or ape. The human species was a species of its own, and it gradually progressed and developed into the humans of today. Indeed, in the stone age, humans lived in caves, and also in jungles where they consumed foliage. Then, agriculture was developed, and with slow and gradual progression, the humans have come into the computer age of today.
Nonetheless, even in the previous eras, there existed many extraordinarily intelligent people. Today’s engineers still do not understand how people carried heavy blocks of stone in the era of the Pharoah when the pyramids were constructed. There is also Alhambra in Spain; during the era of Muslims about 1400 to 1500 years ago, or 1200 to 1300 years ago, they designed a system by which water flowed upwards by itself. The engineers of today tried to open it to study and understand mechanics and how the water was flowing upwards on its own. When they opened the pipe, they were unable to restore it back to its original form. Now, a pump pushes the water up to Alhambra’s rooftop garden. Even at that time, they had a developing science, and now that science has advanced even further. At the same time, some old sciences are still not fully understood by scientists today.
Therefore, an evolution came about from a small human species living in the wild to the human that has slowly developed up until today. In respect to how Allah the Almighty populated the earth, He created the human species and it multiplied from one to two, and from two to three and so on. This is something that started billions of years ago. This did not begin 6000 years ago, from Prophet Adam (as); this was well before that time. There have been several Adams that have come and gone.’ [1]
Is There Conflict Between Religion and Modern Day Civilisation?
Is religion archaic and backward? Is irrelevant and in conflict with modern civilisation? Where did modern civilization really originate from? It isn’t unusual to come across heated debates centred around these questions in this day and age. On one hand, there is an ever-advancing global society of humans, and on the other, there is divine doctrine and guidance. Once, His Holiness (aba) was asked whether there is conflict between religion and modern civilisation.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘Actually, those people who say that religion [is] keeping you away from civilisation – they are wrong and we are right. It is religion which has brought the civilisation in the world. Even these people, they accept that had there not been any prophet, there would not have been any civilisation in the world. On one side they claim that religion brought the civilisation, and on the other side, they say that no, you should not practice religion because it is taking you away from the modern-day civilization. Modern-day civilization is nothing but immorality and freedom of everything which is not giving you something good, but rather spoiling your life. So, do not fear these people. You are the civilised people who follow the religion and who follow these teachings of the Holy Qur’an. Even as being Muslim, you should follow the teachings of the Holy Qur’an and find out what are the commandments given to you in the Holy Qur’an which you have to do. So, you are actually the civilised people, not those people who are atheist or not believing in any religion. There is no need to indulge yourself in any complex.’ [2]
How Can We Maintain Righteousness in the Internet Era?
In this age of the internet, where social media is more prevalent than ever before, we have access to all the information and content in the world at our fingertips. This accessibility to everything has its benefits, but also carries a risk of exposing someone to a world of inappropriate content. On one occasion, His Holiness was asked how one could develop taqwa (righteousness) while still using the internet and technology.
His Holiness (aba) replied:
‘There are good things accessible through the internet and social media, are there not? MTA, various addresses, Darsul Qur’an [lessons on the Holy Qur’an], the question and answer sessions of the Fourth Caliph (rh) and the addresses of the Second Caliph (ra), there are various books, my sermons, my sittings with you; all of these are accessible and you should benefit from them. Is it really necessary to indulge in pornography or lewd images and other vain and immoral things, or indulge in games that waste or require spending a lot of money like Fortnite and other similar games? You should utilise the internet for its benefits, and this will help you to perform good works. You should also be mindful that you do not become addicted [to the use of technology]. Make it a habit to offer your five daily prayers as they have been made obligatory for us after the age of 10…The five daily prayers are obligatory and so, you should leave whatever programme you are watching at the time and offer your prayers. Firstly, you must fulfil the rights of Allah the Almighty, and then the rights of humankind as well. Allah the Almighty says that the only time it is permissible to slightly adjust the timing of prayers is when there is a genuine need. For example, a genuine need arises during our Jalsa (annual conventions), where there are various speeches and programmes that must be accommodated; since these are all to serve a virtuous purpose the prayers are combined [in those days]. There are other instances where there is not enough time [between the prayers] due to the weather, in which case the prayers are combined. If it so happens that while going to offer prayers, you see that someone has gotten into an accident, and there is no one to help them and so you help them to the hospital or stay with them until the ambulance arrives, then this is a service to humanity and [according to the circumstances at hand] this becomes a virtue greater than prayer [at that time]. Otherwise, good deeds comprise fulfilling the rights of Allah and the rights of humankind. If you utilise the internet to view good things, then righteousness will develop on its own. If you indulge in vain things, then righteousness will not develop.’ [3]
ENDNOTES
[1] 27 April 2019 – Meeting with Delegation of Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya from Germany
[2] 25 September 2021 – Meeting with Nasirat Students from Nigeria
[3] 27 April 2019 – Meeting with Delegation of Atfal-ul-Ahmadiyya from Germany
Add Comment