SEEK PIETY-SEEK FORGIVENESS

SEEK PIETY-SEEK FORGIVENESS!!

Oh, my brethren, be prepared!

In the past months, we as Muslims have been witness to the coming and going of two great and major seasons important to Muslims round the world. Namely, Ramadhan and Eid-al-Fitr; and the haj and Eid-al-Adha.

And this past month the world has witnessed the passing of yet another year. It is now the year 2006 (Gregorian).

As well, we are now upon the change into the new year according to the Islamic lunar calendar of the Hijri year, 1427.

Allah's book says (meaning translated):

'It is He Who made the sun a shining thing and the moon as a light and measured out for it stages that you might know the number of years and the reckoning. Allah did not create this but in truth. He explains the ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations, etc.) in detail for people who have knowledge.' (s. 10, v. 5)

And:

'Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th, and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein, and fight against the mushrikun (polytheists, pagans, idolaters, disbelievers in the Oneness of Allah) collectively as they fight against you collectively. But know that Allah is with those who are al-muttaqun (the pious).' (s. 9, v. 36)

Now is the time to recount your year. What have you to show for the time? What have you accomplished? The funds that you spent-where did they come from and what did you spend them on?

Bring the year to a close in the best possible manner-by turning to Allah in humble repentance, seeking His forgiveness much and praising Him much.

Recall the truly countless blessings He has bestowed upon you.

It is not until a blessing has been taken from us-whether that be time, money, health, a loved one, or otherwise, that we begin to realize it's value and importance.

The prophet(SAAW) has said:

(Narratec by Ibn Abbas(ARA)): The prophet(SAAW) said: 'There are two blessings which many people lose: (They are) health and free time for doing good.' **This means that many people do not use their health and free time in gaining more and more of good deeds.
(Sahih-Al-Bukhari, v. 8, The Book of Ar-Riqaq, p. 282, #421)

And although I do mention the passing of one year into the next, do remember that the door to forgiveness is always open, and that our account is not closed until our earthly lives have come to an end. It is just that the passing of yet another year is a stronger reminder to us of the passage of time. So many of us go through the days and nights, which develop into weeks, which develop into months, very seldomly taking notice of the passage of this time, until the date of the year of the calendar changes yet once again.

As we enter into this first month of the new year on the Islamic calendar, we should also realize the importance of this month.

The month of Muharram is one of the four sacred months. It is the first month of the Islamic hijri year. It marks the migration of those first Muslims to Madinah, in escaping the persecusion of the Quraish of Makkah.

Within this month is contained the holy time of 'Ashura'. This is in reference basically to the 10th day of this month.

When the Muslims first immigrated to Madina, the prophet(SAAW) noticed the jews fasting on this 10th day of this month. When the prophet(SAAW) inquired as to this practice, they explained to him that they recognized this date and remembered it by fasting, worshipping Allah, and giving thanks to Him, for it was on this date that Allah enabled and guided Moses to lead his people out of Egypt, freeing them of the tyrannical Pharoh.

At hearing this, Mohammed(SAAW) was so impressed that he himself adopted the fast and ordered his companions and followers to fast as well, stating that the Muslims (i.e. those who submit their will to the Will of Allah) are more entitled to recognizing and celebrating Moses and his teachings.

It was not until later, when the command for the fast of the month of Ramadhan was revealed, that the fast of Ashura became a voluntary option rather than an obligatory one.

And to differentiate the fast of the Muslims from that of others for this recognition, he(SAAW) directed that the day (i.e. 10th Muharram) be coupled with another corresponding day-either that which precedes or that which follows. In other words, to correctly observe the fast of 'Ashura', we should fast either the 9th and 10th, or the 10th and 11th.

(for some selected ahadith on Ashura, refer to Sahih Al-Bukhari, v. 3, p. 122-125, #'s 218-225)

The fast of Ashura, as we are told, is an expiation of the sins of the preceding year.

So, my dear brethren, do not remain ignorant nor arrogant, and let this grand opportunity for forgiveness pass you by.

As we are told in the Quran, fasting has been prescribed for us, in order that we attain piety. So seek piety, and fast for the sake of Allah in full humility, and seek His Forgiveness.

May Allah have mercy upon us all, accept our worshipping, and grant us piety in this life, and salvation in the next.