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It was around 1 p.m. local time in Al-Masjid-ul-Badri, when Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) amidst the chants of "Maula! Maula!" ascended the chair to deliver the waaz. Seated all around in the masjid was a mass congregation of mumineen listening quietly in rapt attention to each word that Maula (TUS) spoke. Wherever one glanced, one found all those present dressed in white clothes and wearing either pagdi, or topi as per their ranks.
It was hard for anyone to believe that these uniformly dressed people were in fact coming from different and diverse parts of the globe. Still harder to comprehend was the fact that this divine and luminous gathering was occurring right in the city known as a symbol of western culture, an icon of couture and known for its permissive society.
The enthusiasm of mumineen of France for gaining the heavenly barakat emanating from the presence of Aqa Maula (TUS) amongst them, their adherence to deen and their commitment to shariat in this part of the world are a proof of the endeavours of Du'at Mutlaqeen, especially Syedna Taher Saifuddin (RA) and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (TUS) in keeping the community untouched by modern influences, yet without alienating the community from the times.
It is nothing short of a miracle to witness today that mumineen, wherever they may reside, are uniform in thought and mannerism. They do not hold a nation, yet they are of a single nationality. They have a common bond-that of allegiance to their Dai, the same language, the same culture and the same source of knowledge.
This culture protects a mumin's identity, preserves his deen, gives meaning to his existence, brings him closer to the creator, ensures the continuity of imaan through posterity, earns him the 'izzat (respect) which is reserved for Allah, his Rasul and Dai. That is why it is extremely important to protect this culture. Maula (TUS) in one of his recent bayan mubarak said that no effort should be spared to safeguard this culture.
Maula (TUS) himself takes great pains for this purpose. He travels extensively reaching out to mumineen wherever they may be, reiterating the tenets of faith and reinforcing cultural values. His presence, wherever he may go, turns the place into a beautiful picture of global community.
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