Background : In the year 1399 Hijri, a mutlaqa (seminar) was held for four days in Al - Jaemeatus-Saifiyah at Surat. It was called Al-Mutlaqa-Al-Fatemi-Al-Ilmi. At this seminar Aqa Maula reiterated seven golden principles which are in fact based on the original Islamic injunctions brought by Rasulullah 1400 years ago. Aqa Maula advised momineen to follow these principles so as to get the best out of both this world and hereafter. (Akherat) Momineen who had the good fortune to attend this historic meeting took the oppurtunity to raise various questions which were answered to their satisfaction by Shehzadas, with Aqa Maula's raza mubarak. The seminar had a profound impact on the Bohras throughout the world. With Aqa Maula's doa mubarak thousands of momineen freed themselves from the clutches of riba and started to adhere to the Mohammadi shariat very closely. For example the men started to wear beards and the ladies began using the rida. In fact they changed their whole pattern of life style to conform with the Mohammadi shariat. Momineen must have learnt of the principles mentioned above in the waaz or bayaan in the intervening days, but I feel that it is worth recapitulating them as they are evergreen and if sincerely followed would make momineen into a community of highly diciplined, respectable and reputable group and be an example to fellow Muslims and humanity in general.
The Principles pertain to the following :
Rasulullah has left two very important legacies. One is Allah's kitab the Quraan -e-majid (zahiri Quraan) and the other is his iteret or progeny (baatini Quraan). Momineen should endeavour to obtain barakaat from both these legacies, so that they will never ever go astray. Aqa Maula says every momin should acquire the habit of reading the Quraan daily. Even if one does not understand the verses, it is important to read it because it will benefit the soul. Of course it is better if one endeavours to understand the contents of Allah's kitab. In this context, we momineen are fortunate to have a Quraan-e-natiq in our Doat-ul-Mutlaqeen who can accurately interpret it for us.
Allah's only deen is Islam. It is our deen. Imaan or 'aqido' is our faith and on these two foundations rest all our amaal (deeds). Maulana Ali Amirulmomineen says that Islam is based on love for Allah. Islam is an aala deen (highly respectable religion. Aqa Maula says that we should thus give it the honour, obey it, give it it's rights and place it in its rightful place. Next is Imaan, without which Islam cannot be accepted. Our walayet (love) for Aale Mohammad, Aimmat Tahirin and Doat-ul-Mutlaqeen makes our Iman strong and hence we can adhere to Allah's deen - Islam.
The third principle requires us to base our tarbiyat (upbringing) on the Islamic injunctions. Aqa Maula says that a momin's upbringing should be based on Quraan, Islam and Iman. Aqa Maula wants momineen's children to begin their education with Quraan. There is no restriction for a momin to pursue kowledge in this world. He can acquire whatever degree or speciality he wishes provided he adheres to the Islamic shariat. In this respect our beloved 51st Dai-ul-Mutlaq, Syedna Taher Saifuddin Saheb (AQ) has contributed immensely by setting up schools, madrasahs and colleges to meet the educational needs of momineen. Aqa Maula is further enhancing these facilities.
Wherever a momin goes he should never lose sight of the fact that he is a muslim first. He should endeavour to lead a life such that he would be an example to his community where he resides. His home should portray his islamiat and iman. It should be kept clean so that it would emit the fragrance of Islam and Iman. He should similarly take pain to keep the masjid clean as it is considered to be Allah's abode. He should dress according to Islamic code and should not consider it to be outdated in this modern era. Touching on the relationship with fellow muslims and others Aqa Maula says that a momin should be such that they would look on him for guidance and advise. He should always adhere to Islamic shariat in his dealings with others.
Aqa Maula says that a momin should be encouraged to do business. He should avoid being service minded. This is because there is a lot of barakaat in business. However, a momin should work hard to acquire his halal rozi. He cannot expect Allah to give him rozi without first making efforts. Another important message he gives is that all business should be free from riba or interest which is forbidden in Islam. Islam allows one to make profit, but disallows him to indulge in riba.
All momineen's oomur (aspects of life) should be based on the deen. Parents should endeavour to build the character of their children from young such that they would grow up to be citizens with high moral principles. Simultaneously thay should look inwards into their own habits and bring about the changes by getting rid of bad habits like smoking, gambling, drinking etc. They should be just in their dealings with others and follow the shariat closely in all their under-takings. It is important for them to keep abreast with the current development in their community and world at large so that they are well informed and derive positive lessons from it.
Aqa Maula advises all momineen wherever they are to be loyal to their country of residence and be exemplary citizens. At the same time they should not forget their identity as momineen and Bohras.
Conclusion : In this current 15th century Hijri the people of the world are moving away from the righteous path in the name of so called modernisation. However with Aqa Maula's guidance we are adhering very closely to Allah's shariat while still deriving the full benefits of the modern era. We should therefore be grateful to Allah Almighty for bestowing the naemat of a rehbar in our beloved Aqa Maula. It is Aqa Maula's karam and ehsan that we momineen are living in amityand happiness in this world which is full of turmoil and unrest.