Srinagar, Oct16: Initiating the drive aimed at strengthening religious awareness and addressing pressing concerns among the community, Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema Jammu & Kashmir (MMU) today delivered first coordinated Friday sermon across participating mosques and Imambargahs in Kashmir Valley, Jammu, Chenab Valley, Kargil and Leh, with Imaan (Faith) chosen as the first common theme.
The initiative follows the decisions taken at the September 15 MMU Ulema Conference, where prominent religious scholars and representatives of various various schools of thought agreed to collectively address important religious and social issues through designated Friday sermons, district-level engagements and sustained community awareness and action plans.
As part of this initiative, Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Mohammad Umar Farooq, delivered the Friday sermon at the historic Khanqah of Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA), Alamdar-e-Kashmir, at Charar-e-Sharief, emphasising the importance of safeguarding Imaan and remaining steadfast in one’s faith and principles, particularly in the face of worldly temptations, pressures and challenges.
Addressing the congregation, Mirwaiz said that faith is not merely a verbal declaration but the foundation of a believer’s entire life, reflected in one’s character, conduct, decisions and dealings with others.
Referring to the Quranic injunction to believe in Allah, His Messenger ﷺ and the divine light revealed through the Holy Quran, Mirwaiz said these constitute the essential foundations of faith. Belief in Allah creates a sense of accountability, following the Prophet ﷺ provides moral and practical guidance, while the Quran illuminates the path of truth and righteousness.
Mirwaiz particularly stressed that faith is the most precious trust bestowed upon a believer and must never be compromised for worldly interests. Pointing to the Quranic warning against exchanging divine guidance for a paltry price, he said that no amount of wealth, position, influence, personal gain or worldly favour can justify compromising one’s faith, conscience or principles.
“A believer may live in this world and pursue its legitimate opportunities, but must never make worldly interests the price of his faith,” Mirwaiz said, adding that the real test of Imaan comes when truth and personal interest, principle and expediency, or conscience and pressure come into conflict.
Emphasising Istiqamat (steadfastness), Mirwaiz said that professing faith is only the beginning; remaining firm upon it through changing circumstances and difficulties is its real test. Steadfastness, he said, does not mean rigidity or confrontation, but upholding truth and principles with wisdom, patience, dignity and moral courage.
Expressing concern over the challenges confronting younger generations, including materialism, misuse of social media, moral confusion and weakening religious awareness, Mirwaiz urged parents, teachers, Ulema and religious institutions to make protection and nurturing of faith a collective priority. He said young people must be encouraged to ask questions and seek guidance through knowledge, understanding and compassion.
Referring to the wider MMU initiative, Mirwaiz said Imaan was deliberately chosen as the first common theme because faith is the fundamental bond that unites the Muslim Ummah, transcending differences of Maslak and religious interpretation. He said that as the Mimbar is an Amanah, Ulema and Imams must themselves exemplify the integrity and steadfastness they preach and use the pulpit to strengthen faith, guide society and bring people closer , rather than make it a source to promote division among them
Besides in the current times that we live , it is all the more important to guard faith as their is a sustained assault on it and our institutions and the best way not to let these efforts succeed is if we stay firm on our imaan and united .
Paying tribute to Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA), Mirwaiz said that the revered saint conveyed the message of Tawheed, Imaan, spiritual purification and moral responsibility to the people of Kashmir through their own language. His teachings and Shruks remain a cherished part of Kashmir’s distinct Islamic and cultural heritage. It is also a way to engage with our mother tongue and preserve and promote it in our life time and for future generations.
He said that the greatest tribute to Sheikh-ul-Alam is not merely to commemorate his legacy, but to live by his teachings, preserve the faith and values he upheld, and pass them on to future generations.
Mirwaiz concluded by urging people to strengthen their relationship with Allah, the Holy Quran and the teachings of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, protect the faith of their children and remain steadfast in truth and righteousness, irrespective of the challenges and pressures they may face.
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