From One Farewell Speech to 1.6 billion Muslims! Mashallah!

Over 1400 years ago, on this very day (9th of Dhul Hijjah), Prophet Muhammad (SAW) delivered his last sermon in the Uranah Valley of Mount Arafat. His words were quite clear and concise and were directed to the entire humanity. He demanded that the congregating Muslims should deliver his message to all humankind. Accordingly, they did deliver the message and, Alhamdulillah there are in excess of 1.6 billion Muslims in the world today! Mashallah, i reckon they did a pretty good job of spreading the word.. (",)

After praising, and thanking Allah he said:

"O People, lend me an attentive ear, for I know not whether after this year, I shall ever be amongst you again. Therefore listen to what I am saying to you very carefully and take these words to those who could not be present today.

O People, just as you regard this month, this day, this city as Sacred, so regard the life and property of every Muslim as a sacred trust. Return the goods entrusted to you to their rightful owners. Hurt no one so that no one may hurt you. Remember that you will indeed meet your Lord, and that He will indeed reckon your deeds...

Beware of Satan, for the safety of your religion. He has lost all hope that he will ever be able to lead you astray in big things, so beware of following him in small things.

O People, it is true that you have certain rights with regard to your women, but they also have rights over you... Do treat your women well and be kind to them for they are your partners and committed helpers...

O People, listen to me in earnest, worship Allah, say your five daily prayers, fast during the month of Ramadan, and give your wealth in Zakat. Perform Hajj if you can afford to.

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do injustice to yourselves.

Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

O People, no Prophet or Apostle will come after me and no new faith will be born. Reason well, therefore, O People, and understand words which I convey to you. I leave behind me two things, the Quran and my example, the Sunnah and if you follow these you will never go astray.

All those who listen to me shall pass on my words to others and those to others again; and may the last ones understand my words better than those who listen to me directly. Be my witness, O Allah, that I have conveyed your message to your people".

Towards the end of his sermon, the Prophet asked

"O people, have I faithfully delivered unto you my message?"

A powerful murmur of agreement,  

"O Allah! yes!"

arose from thousands of pilgrims and the vibrant words 

"Allahumma Na'm"

rolled like thunder throughout the valley. The Prophet raised his forefinger and said:

"O Allah bear witness that I have conveyed your message to your people."

One can heed words of wisdom and guidelines from these last words of the Prophet (SAW). This final speech was indeed addressed to all humankind at all times and for all generations. It encompasses many aspects of life (general and specific). He laid down the foundation of morality, chastity, modesty, justice, equality, brotherhood, and accountability. He abolished economic exploitation, human enslavement, paganism, transgression and all systems that contradict with the system of Allah.

Let’s do our part in following the Prophet’s message and propagating the message to everyone we know.

More Than Just a Feast... One of History's Greatest Sacrifices

This is the story of Prophet Ibrahim AS and Ismaeel AS, who were prepared to make one of history’s greatest sacrifices. Allah comforted them with news of His pleasure in the strength of their faith, and He promised to preserve the symbol of their submission in the tradition of generations to come.

A father and son make their way in the early light of dawn, to fulfill an obligation that weighs heavily on their shoulders. The father, Ibrahim AS, is facing the ultimate test of his faith. In the days which lead to this morning, he has had recurring visions which instructed him to sacrifice his own son.

Yet this is the child Allah had bestowed on him like a miracle. The boy they had named Ismaeel, meaning God shall hear, because he was Allah’s answer to the Ibrahim’s AS supplication, when he was still childless.

Ismaeel AS is still only a child, but the child follows his father to his imminent death with immovable faith. As they near their destination, his forbearance is tested. Doubt manifests itself in the shape of the doubt-casters whispering, but he remains steadfast, hurling stones at the Devil. When they reach the place of sacrifice the boy does not hesitate. He lies face down in submission to his father’s knife, and with a heavy heart, Ibrahim AS presses the blade against his son’s neck.

‘Oh Ibrahim’ Allah calls out at that moment. ‘You have fulfilled the vision!’ Then, as a ransom for Isma’el AS, the angel Jibra’il brings them a ram to sacrifice in his place, shouting, “Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar!” to stop Ibrahim’s hand. Overwhelmed with relief, on beholding the angel’s arrival, Ibrahim AS cries “Laa ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar!” And his son Isma’el AS, rises to his feet, exclaiming in thanks, “Allahu akbar wa lillahil hamd.”

So every year we celebrate Eid ul-Adha, making and sharing our sacrifices with our communities, in the spirit of a splendid history.

Journey of a Different Kind

This year, millions of Muslims have been granted the honour of migrating to the Holy Land purely for the Sake of Allah and are now undertaking the journey of a lifetime. But how many of us hope and dream of making the ultimate journey – that of your heart? Whilst reading the "Sisters" magazine I was reminded of the importance of the forgotten journey– the jouney to attain an Islamic character.

The migration of the heart to Allah is a strong requirement, if not an obligation, upon every believing servant. Correcting the heart is a fundamental aspect of our migration to Allah, for it is a beautiful struggle performed on a daily basis.

The heart is a spiritual container – the inner port – with the ability to harbour all that is good as well as all that is evil. It can either positively affect or severely corrupt a servant’s actions. As the Prophet (SAW) taught us:

“There is a lump of flesh in the body – if it is set right and made good, the entire body becomes good and healthy; but if it becomes diseased, the entire body becomes diseased. Remember well – it is the heart” (Bukhari).

The goodness evident in a person’s actions is as a result of what emanates from the heart. Thus, a sound heart will in turn produce sound beliefs and actions, whereas a corrupt heart will only serve to be a means of destruction.

Being in control, paves the way for beautiful relationships to blossom. It is not from the character of a believer to violate the rights of others, neither is it to be concerned with the vices of others. We shouldn't go out of our way to look for, or to ‘discover’ faults in others, especially when our own character bears witness to internal faults and weaknesses. If we want to gain Allah's love we should constantly be concerned with purifying our souls and immersing ourselves in performing numerous good deeds, for fear of our own weaknesses and shortcomings.

“For those who act with excellence is the greatest good, and even more. Neither darkness nor humiliation shall afflict their faces. They are the people of the Garden, dwelling there forever" (Yunus:26).

As humans, we cannot harbour 'perfection', however, striving to perfect our character is what is really required. This means reflecting upon ourselves and working to nurture, refine, and polish the content of our character in order to emulate the beauty of this blessed faith.

On the Second Day of Dhul-Hijjah My Allah Gave to Me...

In Ramadan doing good deeds and struggling in worship, especially during the last ten nights, is easier than during these days for a few reasons. Firstly, the atmosphere of the month of Ramadhan, whether culturally, spiritually, or traditionally, makes it easier to focus and strive. Secondly, shaytaan is chained up.

So, to get that drive and direction we had in Ramadan, is much harder when we have most likely fallen out of “Ramadhan mode.” However, since the 'ibaadah is more difficult, the reward is greater, inshaAllah. So let’s keep this in mind and work really hard to gain some extra brownie points! (",)

The Prophet (SAW) said,

“There are no days more loved to Allah for you to worship Him therein than the ten days of Dhul Hijjah. Fasting any day during it is equivalent to fasting one year and to offer Salatul Tahajjud (late-night prayer) during one of its nights is like performing the late night prayer on the night of power. [i.e. Lailatul Qadr].”

On the First Day of Dhul-Hijjah My Allah Gave To Me...

Today (Wednesday 18th November) is the 1st Dhul-Hijjah 1430 and the Muslims performing Hajj will be in Arafah next Thurdsday (9 Dhul-Hijjah), and the Muslim Ummah shall be celebrating Eid al-Adhaa on Friday 27 November 2009, (10 Dhul-Hijjah), inshaAllaah.

Even for those not performing the pilgrimage, Hajj, the first ten days of this month are considered very sacred and a time for increased reflection, seeking Allah's forgiveness, doing good and various other forms of worship.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) has said about the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah:

"There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days." [Sahih al-Bukhar].

So sacred are the first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah that Allah swears an oath by them when He says in the Quran:

"By the dawn; by the ten nights" [al-Fajr 89:1-2].

So what should we be doing?
While any good deed done for the sake of Allah according to the way He approves will be rewarded immensely during the first ten days, some of the more specific actions mentioned in the traditions of the Prophet (SAW) are fasting and verbal Dhikr (remembrance) of Allah.

In terms of fasting, it is particularly encouraged to fast on the ninth day of Dhul-Hijjah, known in Arabic as Yawm Arafah. The Prophet used to fast on this day. Fasting on this day will expiate a Muslim's sins for two years.

Abu Qatadah reported that the Prophet (SAW) said:

"Fasting the Day of Arafah will be credited with Allah by forgiving one's sins of the previous year and the following year." [Muslim]

The day of Arafah is the day when the pilgrims stand in worship on the Mountain of Arafah. It is the best day of the Whole Year.

There is no day on which Allah frees people from the Fire as He does on the day of Arafah. He comes close (to those standing on Arafah) and then revels before His angels, saying: "What are these people seeking?" [Muslim]

Dhikr
The verbal remembrance of Allah is another meritorious act during these first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah.

"And mention the name of Allah on the appointed days" [12:28].

The Prophet (SAW) encouraged Muslims to recite a lot of Tasbeeh (Subhanallah) , Tahmeed (Alhamdulillah) and Takbeer (Allahu-Akbar) during this time.

Remembering Allah in this simple way is something we can all easily do. Be it on our commutes to and from work, in the car or on the train/bus, at our desks, during our lunch breaks, whilst in bed... anywhere, at any time! Let's all make an effort to do more Dhikr in the coming days.

Good Deeds
Generally, all good deeds are rewarded highly at this blessed time. These actions include praying, reading Quran, making Du'a, giving in charity and being good to our families, and other voluntary righteous deeds of worship. These are amongst the deeds that are multiplied in these days.

Seek Allah's Forgiveness and Repentance
In addition, seeking Allah's forgiveness and Tawbah (repentance) at this time is also encouraged. This means more than just a verbal statement of sorrow for past misdeeds. It also requires a firm resolution to avoid making the same mistakes in the future by giving up bad habits and behaviour while sincerely turning to Allah.

Sacrifice
The slaughtering of a sacrificial animal is also legislated for the Day of Sacrifice (10th) and the Days of Tashriq (11th, 12th and 13th).

The tenth of Dhul-Hijjah is Eid ul-Adha or the day of an-Nahr (slaughtering) . It marks the conclusion of the major rites of Hajj and commemorates Allah's bounty on Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon him), when He gave him a ram to sacrifice as ransom for his son.

Here's a Dua for everyone who is going on Hajj this week: May Allah protect them from harm and may their Hajj be accepted and blessed by the Almighty. May they use this opportunity to completely submerge themselves in the remembrance of Allah and may Allah make us all fortunate enough to complete this journey of a lifetime. May Allah be with the Hajis and the whole of the Muslim ummah always. Ameen.