By: Taha Yunus
Bullay Shah Academy and Anjuman Khudam-e-Suffia commemorated the lives and sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) and Ahl-e-Bayat at Karbala in a spiritual gathering on Saturday, August 31, 2019. The event was attended by a large number of men, women and children, representing a healthy cross section of the community.
The proceedings began with a solemn recitation of the Holy Quran by the young hafiz Ahmed Raza. Mr. Bob Ibrahim welcomed the chief guests and attendants on behalf of the organizing committee. Several prominent Naat Khawans including Haji Sharif, Br. Shahreyar, Br. Muzammil and Br. Ijaz Hussain presented tributes to the august household of Ahl-e-Bayat, honouring their sacrifice for Islam.
Maulana Abdul Latif Naumani then spoke at length about the martyrdom of Hazrat Omar Farooq (RA), the exemplary relations and respect between the blessed companions of Holy Prophet PBUH and His Ahl-e-Bayat (RA) and stressed upon the need of learning from their examples to foster unity in the ummah today.
In his masterful and transcendent keynote speech, Qibla Pir Afzal Ahmed Naqshbandi, who also presided over the gathering, noted that the love of Ahl-e-Bayat is the key to success in this world and the next. Allah SWT has mentioned in the Holy Quran that He has purified the Ahl-e-Bayat with extensive purification. Thus, the easiest way to become a pious Muslim and gain purity of thought and action is through nurturing the love of Ahl-e-Bayat in one’s heart and emulating their example. Just as Allah has purified them, they, too, purify anyone who comes to their door with faith in his heart. Their lovers are able to subdue the inciting nafs (an-nafs al-ʾammārah) and elevate themselves to high spiritual stations. On the Day of Judgement, such people will be safe under the shadow of Allah’s Throne. In a moving and stirring conclusion, he reminded the participants that Allah does not reject any supplication made by any true lover of Ahl-e-Bayat in their Holy name and requested everyone to make due for the whole ummah.
Those wishing to hear the full address of Qibla Pir Afzal Ahmed may do as at Anjuman Khudam-e-Suffia’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/aks00786. The next monthly gathering will be held on September 28th. The organizing committee welcomes everyone to attend these spiritual events.
