Topic: "Prophet Dawood’s (AS) Meetings with the Lovers of Allah and His Supplications and Invocations"

Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri delivered an inspiring address to thousands of attendees in the ninth session of the City of I'tikaf on the topic "Prophet Dawood’s (AS) Meetings with the Lovers of Allah and His Supplications and Invocations."

Dr. Tahir-ul-Qadri remarked that this era is marked by intellectual and ideological turmoil, the spread of discord and anarchy, and the rise of atheism and irreligion to their peak. Purity in speech and action has disappeared, and everywhere one finds hypocrisy, hatred, contempt, backbiting, slander, dishonesty, corruption, betrayal, oppression, and injustice. Humanity has perished from within people.

He said that in such an environment, where disbelief is being nurtured, it is shocking to observe that the lands of disbelief—where the Kalimah of truth is absent, where there is no belief in the Oneness of Allah and the Prophethood—are, in terms of human ethics, a hundred times better than our own societies.

Dr. Qadri urged the audience to reflect: What has happened to us? Why have we become like this? The Holy Prophet (PBUH) bestowed upon humanity the highest moral, intellectual, and religious values. Before his arrival, the world was immersed in disbelief, polytheism, and ignorance. So how did we regress into the depths of disgrace and ignorance? It is essential to ponder over this.

Shaykh-ul-Islam emphasized that blaming a single individual, a ruler, or politicians for the current devastation is incorrect. If the general public is dishonest, deceitful, lawless, and ruthless, then the rulers will be twice as corrupt. Oppression prevails in society because people accept it; injustice exists because the masses themselves are unjust in their actions. If the public reforms itself, righteous leaders will naturally emerge. Blaming a specific party, political or non-political institution is misguided—everyone is responsible for this downfall.

Shaykh-ul-Islam urged people to reform their inner selves, purify their hearts and minds, and correct their thoughts. He called for distinguishing between good and evil, truth and falsehood, purity and impurity, and lawful and unlawful. Recognizing the difference between divine commands and prohibitions, between virtue and vice, is not difficult. That which has deadened faith and awareness should be eliminated, and a new consciousness, illuminated with divine love, should be cultivated in the heart.

He said that MQI is working tirelessly to instill these qualities in people and is actively engaged in revivalist efforts across all fields.

Shaykh-ul-Islam highlighted that MQI is the only religious and reformist movement on the face of the Earth that has provided an enormous treasure of knowledge through thousands of lectures and hundreds of books. There is not a single topic related to faith and beliefs on which a book is not available.

He further clarified that neither he nor any of his family members have ever taken any royalty from book sales, nor will they in the future. All proceeds from books are dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of religious knowledge.

He encouraged the attendees to stay connected with both his lectures and books. He advised them to transform their homes into centers of knowledge and libraries. Whenever they have time, they should visit the book stalls, where books on every subject are available.

A lifelong relationship with knowledge—through both speeches and books—is essential. Listen to the lectures and cultivate a love for books, he said.