Insights from the Hijrah

Lessons from Muharram and Aashura by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib Rahmatullahi Allaihi

In this month of Muharram, we are reminded of the great sacrifices made for the Deen of Islam. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and his companions had to leave their beloved Makkah Mukarramah, their homes, and even their families and that too after a long and trying period of immense persecution, torture, and trials.

The month of Muharram delivers us to the days of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and we see the many trials and difficulties that the Beloved of Allah Ta’ala underwent. As we turn the pages of history, we see the three solid years of ostracism which were so patiently endured, despite the extreme and severe conditions, where food and drink and other necessities of life were cut off from the Muslims.

We take a glimpse at the grief and sorrow that burdened the heart of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) when his beloved wife, Hazrat Khadija Radhiallahu Anha passed away; his support and his companion through those trying times. Then followed the loss of his uncle, Abu Talib, who had also been a means of support and protection. The year was thus called ‘The year of grief’.

We turn another page and we behold the cruel experiences which Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) endured in Taif: The rejection, the scorn, the mockery and the stoning. …Of whom? The greatest after Allah Ta’ala.

And as we turn more pages of history, we read of the culmination of all the evil plans and plots, with the decision to assassinate Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). This was the setting which opened the door to the Hijrah. Family, property, land… everything was sacrificed on the instruction of Allah Ta’ala to migrate from Makkah Mukarramah to Madina Munawwarah.

Life was a constant struggle: Overcoming one obstacle meant being confronted by another and yet another – but there was no losing hope, no despondency. Just absolute trust and unwavering faith in Allah Ta’ala.

On every occasion, there was the assurance that Allah Ta’ala was with. …How beautiful and comforting the words of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) to Hazrat Abu Bakr  Radhiallahu Anhu during their perilous stay in the cave of Thaur… “Don’t be sad. Verily Allah is with us.”

So these incidents – which run into thousands – are lessons for mankind till the Day of Qiyaamah, more especially, we who are Muslims. Reflecting over that period of struggle and we learn that if we say that we believe and that we have submitted, then we too will face different challenges, tests and trials, toil and struggle, and sacrifices will have to be rendered for this Imaan and for this beautiful Deen of Islam.

At the same time, each incident offers consolation to us all: If Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and his faithful companions could have undergone such severe trials, then what are our trials in comparison?

Life in this world will never be smooth sailing. There will always be some tests and some kind of sacrifices. For many of us, it is the small test of getting up for Fajr or giving up sins. What great sacrifice is there in this? Compare it to the sacrifices of the Sahaaba-e-Kiraam.

In today’s time, a little difficulty comes the person’s way and the person gives up his Deen; a little test and the person accepts another religion.

Our lives will offer us a share of struggle: The tests we face are sometimes in our home life, sometimes with family or neighbours, sometimes in business, sometimes at the schools, colleges, and universities … but we should keep before us these exceptional incidents from the life of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the lives of his noble companions, of sacrifice and endurance against all odds.

The Hijrah of the Sahabah-e-Kiraam was such an amazing and remarkable expression of sincere love, with most of them leaving behind and sacrificing everything for Allah Ta’ala and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) to establish this Deen of Islam.

As for us: Our Hijrah is to give up sins. Sins which should not even be in our lives! Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “And a (true) immigrant is he who abandons all wrongs and sins.”

The true Muhajir is that person who gives up that which Allah Ta’ala has prohibited. His Hijrah is from that which has been declared Haraam – whether adultery and fornication, drugs and other intoxicants, interest taking and giving, music and dance or any other Haraam.

My Shaykh, Hazrat Maulana Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb Rahmatullahi Allaihi says in poetry:“It is incumbent to abandon sins also; The true hijrat is not just giving up one’s town.”

This is the demand of faith, of love, and of loyalty. Let us prove our faith and love to Allah Ta’ala…..

Let us make this month of Muharram the stepping stone to obedience to Allah Ta’ala and Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). Where there is a will, there’s a way. Where there is a sincere effort in the right direction, we will find the assistance of Allah Ta’ala.

Allah Ta’ala grant us the correct understanding of Deen and the taufeeq to practise on our knowledge.

Lessons from Muharram and Aashura by Hazrat Moulana Yunus Patel Sahib Rahmatullahi Allaihi