DISCLAIMER: This reminder was originally delivered in Arabic on this Friday. Any meanings lost in translation are not to be attributed to the speaker as reminders are translated by volunteers. The mosque has no official translator and volunteers often have no formal qualifications to translate on the day. Please forgive any errors as they are from our human weakness and any right guidance is from God.
Lessons from the month of Muharram
Dear brothers and sisters
Allah (swt) says in Surah At-Tawbah :
“ Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them… “ [9 : 36]
The 4 sacred months of the year are: Zhul Qidah, Zhul Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. The first 3 are consecutive and Rajab is by itself.
We are currently on one of these sacred months, the month of Muharram. And in the verse we quoted at the beginning Allah (swt) has warned us not to wrong ourselves during these sacred months. Therefore we should beware of wronging ourselves by committing sins , major or minor sins, and by leaving our obligations and worship of Allah. Allah (swt) has made these 4 months sacred and made sinning in them greater than in other months and likewise the reward for doing good as narrated by adbullah ibn abbas.
Dear brothers and sisters.
Muharram is a month on which a great calamity took place that divided the Ummah and caused it great pain. Of course we are referring to the killing of Hussain (ra) and upon him be peace in Karbalaa. Hussain (ra) the beloved grandson of our Messenger (saw), the son of Ali and Fatima, may Allah be pleased with them both. His killing was a great trial for this Ummah even till this day. And there is no doubt that Hussain (ra) was wrongly killed and martyred, and his killing was disobedience of Allah and his messenger from whoever killed him, or helped in his killing or was happy with it.
The reason we mentioned this event is to learn form it. When a time of trails and tribulations such as this occur, some people will become involved in them, and this will begin to become unclear and identifying to truth from falsehood becomes more and more difficult. The boundaries set by Allah are crossed , and the sanctity of that which he has made sacred is violated. The times of these such trials can be very dangerous , which is why our messenger (saw) advised us to seek protection from them. He said (saw) “
Seek protection from the Fitna ( trails and temptations) , that which is visible an invisible. “ [ Sahih Muslim ].
And this is a form of prevention to save us from falling into problems.
And in such tims a person does not know what they should do. They cannot see the path of guidance unless Allah (swt) shows them, as he (swt) said in a Hadith Qudusi :
“ O my salves, All of you are lost except who I guide, so ask me for guidance and I will guide you. “ [ Sahih Muslim ]
So do not forget the greatest weapon that was given to all the prophets throughout history , which is Dua ( supplication ) . Allah (swt) tells us about Nuh (as) ,
“ So he called his Lord, Indeed I am overpowered so help me. “ [ Qamar, 54:10]
The messenger (saw) said ,
“ The most incapable people are those who are incapable of making dua. “ [ Ibn Hibban].
Meaning whoever leaves making dua, especially in times of trials and temptations, then they are the most incapable people as they have an act of worship and a command of Allah , which is to make dua. And Allah has promised to respond to those who call him and ask from him. And Allah will never the person who called him down. So whoever does not ask Allah for what he needs and call upon him then they are the most incapable people.
But the question is which dua do we make. Dua is not words that leave out mouth while our hearts are elsewhere. Rather it is when we say words that are coming from our heart and we are feeling and experiencing, and we are certain that Allah is listening and will response.
An the best Duas are the duas taught to us by our messenger (saw), such as the dua:
"اللهم إني أسألك فعل الخيرات، وترك المنكرات، وحب المساكين، وأن تغفر لي وترحمني وتتوب علي، وإن أردت بعبادك فتنة فاقبضني إليك غير مفتون" (أخرجه الترمذي)
O Allah! Indeed I ask of You, the doing of good deeds, avoiding the evil deeds, and loving the poor. And that you forgive me and show me mercy and accept my repentance. And when you have willed Fitnah [ trials and temptations ] for your slave, then take me to You, without making me suffer from Fitnah.
Likewise at such times we should be constantly repenting to Allah and seeking his forgiveness regularly, and remembering him , as this provides us with protection. Allah (swt) says:
“ Then why, when Our punishment came to them, did they not humble themselves? But their hearts became hardened, and Satan made attractive to them that which they were doing.” [ Al-Anaam, 6:43]
Ali (ra) said,
“ No hardship has descended except due to sins, and it has not been lifted expect with repentance. “
And the greatest way to save ourselves from any Fitna is to hold firm to the book of Allah and the Sunnah of the messenger (saw). And Allah (swt) says in Surah Aal-Imran,
“ And whoever holds firm to Allah then he has been guided to the straight path”. [ Aal-Imran, 3:101]
So hold firm to Allah by understanding his book and the Sunnah of the messenger (saw) and the understanding of the companions and those who came before us, and those who have followed in their footsteps.
And remember the hadith of the messenger (saw) :
“ Everything belonging to a Muslim is sacred/forbidden for a Muslim; his honour, his blood and property. It is enough for a Muslim to commit evil by belittling his Muslim brother." [ Muslim, Tirmidhi, Abu Dawood]
So remember the sanctity of the life, wealth and possessions of your brothers and sisters, and that violating this sanctity only increasing the flames of Fitna.
So listen to the voice of reason and knowledge. And follow the truth, as the truth as a light upon it. And seek wisdom in your actions. And do not allow the wrong or unjust actions of a people drive you to become unjust. Allah (swt) said in Surah Al-Maidah :
O you who have believed, be persistently standing firm for Allah, witnesses in justice, and do not let the hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just; that is nearer to righteousness. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do. “ [ Al-Maidah, 5:8]