Allah says in His Book: '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.' (s. 10, v. 5)
We see by this that the moon was created for the purpose that we may count the number of years, that we may determine when one year has passed, and the next is beginning.
But why should we count the years? Why should we count the passing of time?
Before the revelation of this verse, the years were not yet counted necessarily in the numerical fashion that we are accustomed to today. At least not yet on the basis of the changing stages of the moon. The Gregorian calendar, as we know it in the Christian and western world, is not based upon the changing stages of the moon. It is based upon the assumption that there are 356 days to the year, excepting leap year, when there will be an extra day.
The Lunar calendar was instilled into the Islamic calculations, because it is based upon the stages of the moon to account for the coming of a new month, and therefore the passing of a year.
For many years, it has been a tradition in the non-muslim world to celebrate the passing of the old year and the beginning of the new year. It has become such an established tradition as to surpass all religious celebration-almost a religious celebration in and of itself. But there are no religious ties to this date whatsoever. It is merely the attraction of the celebratory nature of this date that entices so many people worldwide to its notification and celebration. It has raised to such a status that almost all business and commerce comes to a halt worldwide for the day and perhaps continues on into the day following, such as to allow for recuperation from the parties of the previous night.
It has now come to a sad state that many Muslims worldwide are not only recognizing the passing of the new year (both in the Gregorian as well as the Hijjri calendars), but they have taken one step further to celebrating it, even if only in the sense that they exchange sentiments of congradulations and remembrances on the date of the first day of the first month of the new year.
By sheer coincidence of the closeness of the dates of the two calendar systems this year (the Gregorian and Hijjri), the passing of the old year into the next are very close together this year. And so it become even more confusing to many Muslims, in that they tend to opt to exchange sentiments of congradulations and remembrance at this time.
My dear brethren, many reputed scholars worldwide have announced and recognized this mistake that Muslims are falling into, issuing religious rulings (fatawa) to the effect to remind us that there is no evidence whatsoever that this occasion (the passing of the previous year and the beginning of the new) was something recognized and so celebrated by the prophet(SAAW) or his companions(ARA). In fact, all evidence points away from this, and suggests that it is not something acceptable to celebrate this marking of time. Allah Himself has told us in His Book that He has set up the moon and appointed it in stages in order that we may count and mark the passage of time- the passing of the years, one into the next.
Another grave mistake that many Muslims are entering into by their practice of recognition and celebration of this passage of an old year into the new by exchanging congradulations and remembrances is that they mention, in their greetings to one another, the mention of the assumption (presented in a format such as the one exchanging the greetings has firm knowledge of this statement) that the record that had been going on for the previous year is now being rolled up and sealed, only to be released later on the day of judgement.
This in and of itself is a great danger that the Muslim engages in, by appearing or assuming to know something of the unknown, which Allah Himself has already claimed as His reign alone. There is no evidence whatsoever in any Islamic literature that the record is rolled up and sealed at the completion of a year, and a new record begins with the new year. This claim gives impression that once that record is rolled up and sealed, there is no chance for redemption by seeking forgiveness for sins made during that time of which the record represents. This goes strongly and completely against the teachings of Islam. As long as this world is in existence, and as long as the person has life, then his/her record is still open and in the process of being recorded. Hence there is still chance of the person to do something right to offset the wrongs he has done any time in his/her past.
For us as Muslims, and in following the Hijjri calendar, we have a more important date to recognize with the passing of the new year. The first month of the Hijjri calendar is the month of Muharram. It is the month in which the first generation of Muslims, at the direction of their beloved prophet(SAAW), made their immigration from Makkah, where they were persecuted, to Madinah, where they found solace and recluse and protection and brotherhood. It is also the month in which the 'ashura' (the tenth) occurs. And yet, the prophet(SAAW) never did once celebrate the passing of the old year into the new by the coming of Muharram, nor did he advise his companions to do so either. He merely recognized the passing of time by the changing of the moons, and so noticed when one month changed into the next, and therefore continued on in his life and leading and teaching the new Muslims their religion.
As for Muharram itself, I have already mentioned that it is the marking of time when the Muslims first migrated to Madinah in bulk. And it is also the month during which we witness the 'ashura' (the tenth). This is an important date as well, perhaps at least as important as, if not more than, the coming of a new year.
It is reported that when the prophet(SAAW) migrated to Madinah, he came upon a community of Jews fasting on this occasion. Upon asking about the reason for their
fast, he was told that this was the date on which Moses(AS) led his people out from under the tyranny of slavery under Pharoh, and into freedom. Upon hearing this, Mohammed(SAAW) replied that they (i.e. the Muslims) were more of right and deserving to follow the ways of Moses(AS), and so he began to observe the fast of ashura (the tenth of Muharram), and directed his companions(ARA) to do so as well. At this time, the divine command for the fast of the month of Ramadhan had not yet been revealed, and so this was basically the only fast yet observed by the Muslims. And at this period of time, it was a mandatory fast that Mohammed(SAAW) directed his companions to observe. In order to differentiate themselves from the Jews, the prophet(SAAW) made order that they combine with the tenth either the day preceding (i.e. 9th) or the day following (i.e. the 11th). In other words, the fast of ashura then developed into a two-day fast, not simply one day of the tenth. Then, when the divine revelation later gave directive to the Muslims to fast the obligatory fast of the month of Ramadhan each year, the status of the fast of ashura was released from obligatory to a thing of voluntary nature, of which it remains to this date. Hence, the fast of the month of Ramadhan is an obligation each Muslim owes to Allah yearly, while the fast of ashura is a voluntary form of worship that renders great reward to those who practice it, yet no harm or punishment to those who do not practice it.
It is in this vein that I extend my greeting to all in remembrance of these important dates in our Muslim Hijjri calendar-the passage of the Eid Al-Adha, the coming of the new year by the end of the month of Dhul-Hijja and the beginning of Muharram, the month in which our pious predecessors migrated from their lives of religious persecution, and the recognition and remembrance of the first fast of the very first Muslims-the fast of ashura.
I heartily congradulate those who attended and completed their haj-may Allah mercifully accept from you and forgive you and me our sins. I congradulate all of my Muslim brethren on the passing of the occasion of Eid-Al-Adha, even though belated it may be. And I beckon to all to remember this important month in our Hijjri calendar-the advent of the month of Muharram-the occasion in which the first Muslims migrated from the state of religious persecution and humiliation to a state of religious freedom and expression.
Let's all remember this time not by greetings of a happy new year, but by worshipping Allah as He deserves and as our beloved prophet(SAAW) himself did, by observing the fast of ashura, praising Allah, giving thanks to Him, and humbling ourselves in hopes of attaining piety through the fast and remembrance of Him.
Sunday, January 6, 2008
THE ESSENCE OF THE HAJ
Many years ago before the advent of Islam, or Christianity, or even Judaism as we know of these religions today, Allah gave the command to His chosen prophet Ibrahim (AS): 'And proclaim to (among) the people of the haj (pilgrimage).' (Holy Quran, 22:27). He followed up this command with the reassuring promise that it (the call) will be answered by the response of people coming from far and wide, literally from the furthest corners and deepest valleys of the earth-walking and riding every possible beast available for travel. This, in a time and age when no such commodity or technological aid such as microphones and speakers existed. This, in a time and age in man's history when methods of determining the passage of time, in terms of months and years, had not yet been deciphered by man. This, in a time and age when there was not yet discovered such devices for providing comfort such as refrigeration for cooling water and preserving food, or air conditioning or even tents-all providing comfort and ease for today's pilgrims. This, at a time and age in which it took many months-even years-to pass over the land and through the hardships it took for the people to reach their destination of the sacred spot known as "Makkah'.
As a great honor of commemoration to Ibrahim (AS) and even greater honor to Allah, millions of people now answer this age-old call. The conveniences of modern travel and accommodation coupled with a major rise worldwide in the monetary station of people has enabled such masses of over 2 million pilgrims to attend the pilgrimage yearly.
This is no small feat, and something which we should not take lightly by forgetting to thank Allah for this great blessing.
Many hardships and tragic obstacles have scarred the pilgrimages of the past. But those associated with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and comfort of the pilgrims-the honored guests of the Most Merciful-have learned the hard lessons of those tragic events. And they have worked long and diligently in making the proper corrections to ensure the safety and comfort of all. Great strides have been taken in this direction by the Saudi Government:
As a precautionary method to preventing the wildfires that have previously taken over the tent city of Mina, gas and even electric cookers have been prohibited, and a system of bringing in food prepared outside or in assigned kitchens to the pilgrims has been established and enforced. Even the very tragic incidents of the stampedes at the jamarat areas (the sites where the pilgrims toss the stones in imitation of Ibrahim's stoning the devil when he was tempted by him) have been eliminated by the construction of multiple-level bridges and enforcement of one-way traffic for this procedure, as well as an enforced orderly admittance from the lanes of tents into the jamarat region.
Nowhere in the world will you witness any such gatherings of nearly 3 million pilgrims gathered at one spot, at one time, dressed in the same bland simple cloth, facing the same direction at one time, all praying essentially for one thing: forgiveness. All asking of One God for admittance into heaven by His Mercy. Pauper, beggar, king, businessman, lower laborer, all standing shoulder to shoulder on the same standing--none outshining the other in the sight of Allah by anything other than their piety held within the depths of their hearts.
Such a beautiful spot and time--the mountain of Mercy on the Day in which He lowers His vast Mercy on the masses!
To repeat the words the pilgrims so humbly and hopefully repeat: 'Labaik Allahumma labaik' (I am here, O Allah-I am here in answer to Your call).
Allah has extended the invitation, and the humble, hopeful pilgrims have answered. They have accepted Allah's invitation to be His honored guests. He is by sure the Most Generous and Beneficial! He has promised His Mercy and forgiveness for those who come to Him, and He never relinquishes on His promise. His only stipulation is that His slaves answer His call.
On this Day of Mercy-the Day of Arafat-we have many multitudes of yearning pilgrims answering His call.
May He shed His Everlasting Mercy upon us all!
As a great honor of commemoration to Ibrahim (AS) and even greater honor to Allah, millions of people now answer this age-old call. The conveniences of modern travel and accommodation coupled with a major rise worldwide in the monetary station of people has enabled such masses of over 2 million pilgrims to attend the pilgrimage yearly.
This is no small feat, and something which we should not take lightly by forgetting to thank Allah for this great blessing.
Many hardships and tragic obstacles have scarred the pilgrimages of the past. But those associated with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and comfort of the pilgrims-the honored guests of the Most Merciful-have learned the hard lessons of those tragic events. And they have worked long and diligently in making the proper corrections to ensure the safety and comfort of all. Great strides have been taken in this direction by the Saudi Government:
As a precautionary method to preventing the wildfires that have previously taken over the tent city of Mina, gas and even electric cookers have been prohibited, and a system of bringing in food prepared outside or in assigned kitchens to the pilgrims has been established and enforced. Even the very tragic incidents of the stampedes at the jamarat areas (the sites where the pilgrims toss the stones in imitation of Ibrahim's stoning the devil when he was tempted by him) have been eliminated by the construction of multiple-level bridges and enforcement of one-way traffic for this procedure, as well as an enforced orderly admittance from the lanes of tents into the jamarat region.
Nowhere in the world will you witness any such gatherings of nearly 3 million pilgrims gathered at one spot, at one time, dressed in the same bland simple cloth, facing the same direction at one time, all praying essentially for one thing: forgiveness. All asking of One God for admittance into heaven by His Mercy. Pauper, beggar, king, businessman, lower laborer, all standing shoulder to shoulder on the same standing--none outshining the other in the sight of Allah by anything other than their piety held within the depths of their hearts.
Such a beautiful spot and time--the mountain of Mercy on the Day in which He lowers His vast Mercy on the masses!
To repeat the words the pilgrims so humbly and hopefully repeat: 'Labaik Allahumma labaik' (I am here, O Allah-I am here in answer to Your call).
Allah has extended the invitation, and the humble, hopeful pilgrims have answered. They have accepted Allah's invitation to be His honored guests. He is by sure the Most Generous and Beneficial! He has promised His Mercy and forgiveness for those who come to Him, and He never relinquishes on His promise. His only stipulation is that His slaves answer His call.
On this Day of Mercy-the Day of Arafat-we have many multitudes of yearning pilgrims answering His call.
May He shed His Everlasting Mercy upon us all!
THE RECORDERS
We are told in the Qur'an that there are five things explicitly of which the knowledge is with Allah alone. As it says in His Book: 'Verily, Allah, with Him (Alone) is the knowledge of the Hour, He sends down the rain, and knows that which is in the wombs. No person knows what he will earn tomorrow, and no person knows in what land he will die. Verily, Allah is All-Knower, All-Aware (of things).' (s. 31, v. 34)
We are told also that Allah knows full well what is in our hearts, and that this knowledge is also for Allah alone.
However, out of His everlasting mercy for us-His creatures, and His truly Omniscient power over all things and all of creation, He has decreed that a small section of His creation is endowed with an eminently small morsel of His tremendous knowledge and insight. Glory be to Him, in whose Hand is the dominion over all! It is only for Him to decree for anything to be, and it is!
He has granted a portion of His powerful knowledge and insight of the world of the unknown and the unseen to a select group of angels. Of these angels, He has appointed two for every single soul as recorders of their deeds. And He knows full well that these angels are worthy of the grave responsibility not only of recording everything, but as well of delving into their charge's hearts and comprehending and then recording their intentions as well. For Allah has created the angels in differing fashion from mankind-whatever they have been appointed to do, they do so in the most perfect obedience to Allah's directive, and with the utmost dignity and without questioning or hesitance.
It says in His Book: '(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one of the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).' (s. 50, v. 17-18).
Now, you may say-but what does that have to do with the unknown, or the unseen? What a person does or says has been publicized-at the very least to those constantly around him/her- i.e. the recording angels.
Yes, but Allah also tells us: 'And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him that his jugular vein.' (s. 50, v. 16)
Yet, still, this above-mentioned verse is referring the knowledge of that which is in our hearts to be with Allah.
But we have indication otherwise, in a hadith qudsi, of how Allah has decreed for the recording angels to have the insight and ability to know what is in the deepest depth of our hearts.
Narrated Abu Huraira (ARA), that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: Allah says:
" Whenever My slave intends to do a bad deed, (I say to the deeds-recording angels): Do not record it against him until he (actually) commits it. If he has done so, write it down exactly as one in his record book. But if he refrains from it for My sake, write down this as a virtue in his favor. And when he intends to do a good deed, but does not actually do it, write it as a virtue for him. And if he puts it into practice, write its reward equal to, from ten to seven hundred times (in his account). (Muslim, Bukhari, and Tirmidhi).
Glory be to Him the Most High, the Most Compassionate, certainly the Most Merciful!!
We see with the evidence of this hadith, that Allah's grand mercy and compassion reaches out to us in such an extent that we are not only rewarded for our deeds ten-fold, but we are even rewarded for merely thinking to do a good deed. As well, not only are we held accountable only one time for a bad deed-but we also receive recorded reward for merely thinking to do a bad deed without commencing to commit it. Glory be to Him-such compassion and mercy.
I pray that we can all find the inspiration to be had from these examples given here, that we may not only form our lives to performing more good deeds, but that we may also be blessed by His mercy and guidance to clear and purify our intentions as well.
May our scales of deeds weigh heavy towards the good.
We are told also that Allah knows full well what is in our hearts, and that this knowledge is also for Allah alone.
However, out of His everlasting mercy for us-His creatures, and His truly Omniscient power over all things and all of creation, He has decreed that a small section of His creation is endowed with an eminently small morsel of His tremendous knowledge and insight. Glory be to Him, in whose Hand is the dominion over all! It is only for Him to decree for anything to be, and it is!
He has granted a portion of His powerful knowledge and insight of the world of the unknown and the unseen to a select group of angels. Of these angels, He has appointed two for every single soul as recorders of their deeds. And He knows full well that these angels are worthy of the grave responsibility not only of recording everything, but as well of delving into their charge's hearts and comprehending and then recording their intentions as well. For Allah has created the angels in differing fashion from mankind-whatever they have been appointed to do, they do so in the most perfect obedience to Allah's directive, and with the utmost dignity and without questioning or hesitance.
It says in His Book: '(Remember) that the two receivers (recording angels) receive (each human being), one sitting on the right and one of the left (to note his or her actions). Not a word does he (or she) utter but there is a watcher by him ready (to record it).' (s. 50, v. 17-18).
Now, you may say-but what does that have to do with the unknown, or the unseen? What a person does or says has been publicized-at the very least to those constantly around him/her- i.e. the recording angels.
Yes, but Allah also tells us: 'And indeed We have created man, and We know what his ownself whispers to him. And We are nearer to him that his jugular vein.' (s. 50, v. 16)
Yet, still, this above-mentioned verse is referring the knowledge of that which is in our hearts to be with Allah.
But we have indication otherwise, in a hadith qudsi, of how Allah has decreed for the recording angels to have the insight and ability to know what is in the deepest depth of our hearts.
Narrated Abu Huraira (ARA), that Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said: Allah says:
" Whenever My slave intends to do a bad deed, (I say to the deeds-recording angels): Do not record it against him until he (actually) commits it. If he has done so, write it down exactly as one in his record book. But if he refrains from it for My sake, write down this as a virtue in his favor. And when he intends to do a good deed, but does not actually do it, write it as a virtue for him. And if he puts it into practice, write its reward equal to, from ten to seven hundred times (in his account). (Muslim, Bukhari, and Tirmidhi).
Glory be to Him the Most High, the Most Compassionate, certainly the Most Merciful!!
We see with the evidence of this hadith, that Allah's grand mercy and compassion reaches out to us in such an extent that we are not only rewarded for our deeds ten-fold, but we are even rewarded for merely thinking to do a good deed. As well, not only are we held accountable only one time for a bad deed-but we also receive recorded reward for merely thinking to do a bad deed without commencing to commit it. Glory be to Him-such compassion and mercy.
I pray that we can all find the inspiration to be had from these examples given here, that we may not only form our lives to performing more good deeds, but that we may also be blessed by His mercy and guidance to clear and purify our intentions as well.
May our scales of deeds weigh heavy towards the good.
THE TIME PASSES
Allah the Almighty says (translation of the meaning): ' 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.' (Qur'an 10:5)
Through the usage of these signs that Allah has mercifully given us to mark and know the passage of the years, we have witnessed the passage of yet another year and another Ramadhan. So quickly it has come, and so quickly it has gone.
It seems like only yesterday that we were awaiting the sighting of the new moon to determine the beginning of the fast. And it seems not so long ago that we were witnessing the passage of the previous Ramadhan.
A month has come and gone-the holy month of Ramadhan. A year has come and gone. Many years have passed from each of our lives. And for each one of us, our time to end this earthly life is coming nearer. With the passage of every moment, we come closer. How much closer, none of us knows for sure. But it is without question that with each breath we take in and then release, we become closer at the end.
With the passage of this time, our records are updated with whatever we have done or not done in that time. Imagine if you yourself were to keep a written daily log of your own activities, speech, and comings and goings. What would you find if you were to re-open that daily log for review? What will be found is your record that Allah has commanded to be recorded? What – if anything – did you accomplish in this holy month of Ramadhan? What have you accomplished during this past year since last Ramadhan, or during the previous years?
Allah the Almighty has endowed us humans with the great honor and responsibility of being His vicegerents on this earth. It is our duty to Him that we take this position seriously to make the best out of the time He has granted us. It is our duty to ourselves that we not waste the time granted us on things truly unworthy of our precious time.
I ask again-what have you accomplished in this Ramadhan? Did you review the Qur'an? Did you learn something new? Did you learn the value of patience? Did you learn how the poor feel when they are hungry? Did you help someone out in need? Did you increase your prayers?
If you did any of these or similar acts, then I commend and congratulate you heartily. For that is in part of what Ramadhan is all about, to help return us on the right path towards pleasing Allah and coming closer to Him through the various acts of worship.
And if you did not accomplish any of those mentioned, but spent Ramadhan in the flimsy cares and worries of this life-only fasting in the physical sense without paying attention to your spiritual needs, then I pray for you that you will soon awaken to the starvation that your soul is going through.
For, there is much more to be gained from Ramadhan than the mere accomplishment of the physical fast.
The greatest gain one can find with Ramadhan is the nourishment and maturing of the soul. Feed it with the knowledge and inspiration found only in the Qur'an. Sustain it by your connection to the Creator through prayer. Help it towards maturity by the patience necessary to continue on through a month-long fast.
I bid farewell to this beloved month of ours with the supplication to Allah that He may graciously accept our meager efforts and forgive us our misgivings and mistakes. I pray that if we should not live to witness yet another Ramadhan that He will grant us His Merciful Pardon, for He is the Most Merciful and Gracious of those who grant pardon. I pray also that if He shall grant us a longer life to witness yet another Ramadhan, that He shall bless us with the health and stamina to worship Him as He deserves.
The moments come and go; they pass and add up to days. The days turn into weeks and months, which then turn into the passage of yet another year. The years pass us by, and before we know it, a lifetime has passed us by. And what do we have to show for it all?
May Allah have mercy upon us and grant us His pardon.
Through the usage of these signs that Allah has mercifully given us to mark and know the passage of the years, we have witnessed the passage of yet another year and another Ramadhan. So quickly it has come, and so quickly it has gone.
It seems like only yesterday that we were awaiting the sighting of the new moon to determine the beginning of the fast. And it seems not so long ago that we were witnessing the passage of the previous Ramadhan.
A month has come and gone-the holy month of Ramadhan. A year has come and gone. Many years have passed from each of our lives. And for each one of us, our time to end this earthly life is coming nearer. With the passage of every moment, we come closer. How much closer, none of us knows for sure. But it is without question that with each breath we take in and then release, we become closer at the end.
With the passage of this time, our records are updated with whatever we have done or not done in that time. Imagine if you yourself were to keep a written daily log of your own activities, speech, and comings and goings. What would you find if you were to re-open that daily log for review? What will be found is your record that Allah has commanded to be recorded? What – if anything – did you accomplish in this holy month of Ramadhan? What have you accomplished during this past year since last Ramadhan, or during the previous years?
Allah the Almighty has endowed us humans with the great honor and responsibility of being His vicegerents on this earth. It is our duty to Him that we take this position seriously to make the best out of the time He has granted us. It is our duty to ourselves that we not waste the time granted us on things truly unworthy of our precious time.
I ask again-what have you accomplished in this Ramadhan? Did you review the Qur'an? Did you learn something new? Did you learn the value of patience? Did you learn how the poor feel when they are hungry? Did you help someone out in need? Did you increase your prayers?
If you did any of these or similar acts, then I commend and congratulate you heartily. For that is in part of what Ramadhan is all about, to help return us on the right path towards pleasing Allah and coming closer to Him through the various acts of worship.
And if you did not accomplish any of those mentioned, but spent Ramadhan in the flimsy cares and worries of this life-only fasting in the physical sense without paying attention to your spiritual needs, then I pray for you that you will soon awaken to the starvation that your soul is going through.
For, there is much more to be gained from Ramadhan than the mere accomplishment of the physical fast.
The greatest gain one can find with Ramadhan is the nourishment and maturing of the soul. Feed it with the knowledge and inspiration found only in the Qur'an. Sustain it by your connection to the Creator through prayer. Help it towards maturity by the patience necessary to continue on through a month-long fast.
I bid farewell to this beloved month of ours with the supplication to Allah that He may graciously accept our meager efforts and forgive us our misgivings and mistakes. I pray that if we should not live to witness yet another Ramadhan that He will grant us His Merciful Pardon, for He is the Most Merciful and Gracious of those who grant pardon. I pray also that if He shall grant us a longer life to witness yet another Ramadhan, that He shall bless us with the health and stamina to worship Him as He deserves.
The moments come and go; they pass and add up to days. The days turn into weeks and months, which then turn into the passage of yet another year. The years pass us by, and before we know it, a lifetime has passed us by. And what do we have to show for it all?
May Allah have mercy upon us and grant us His pardon.
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