Muharram Reflections

Posted on December 20, 2009 by Islamasaurus

Last year I researched the month of Muharram and realised how great of a month it really is. Why? Well, it’s called ‘The Month of Allah’, which sounds impressive in itself, but it also has a number of perks that give everybody the opportunity to make a big difference in connecting with Allah. It’s almost like a life line thrown out to all of us who have messed up after Ramadhan, or maybe didn’t take advantage of it as we should have. However, it’s here now and it’s worth knowing why it’s a big deal so we can start the Islamic new year on a good note.

There are FOUR things to remember that make it clear why this month can be a saviour and also a stepping stone in getting closer to Allah… if we realise it’s potential.

1) Fasting. Fasts in this month are the best after Ramadhan.

It is reported from Abu Hurayra (RA), that the Prophet (SAW) said , “The best of fasts after the month of Ramadan are in the Month of Allah, which you call Muharram. And the best of prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.” [Muslim]

2) Ashura. It contains the great day of Ashura, which if fasted atones for the sins of the previous year, a perfect way to lighten the scales with regards to bad deeds. Which will be the 27th of December 2009, so make a note.

The Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was asked about fasting on the Day of Ashura. He answered: “It atones for the sins of the preceding year.” [Muslim]

3) Charity. charity given on this day is as if you’ve given charity for a whole year.

It has been reported from Abd Allah ibn `Amr ibn al-`As (Allah be pleased with him), that “Whoever fasts `Ashura’ it is as if he has fasted the entire year. And whoever gives charity this day it is like the charity of an entire year.” [Imam Ibn Rajab: Kitab: Lata'if al-Ma`arif fi ma li Mawasim al-`Am min al-Wadha'if]

4) Forgiveness. It’s a great month for the forgiveness of our mistakes.

It is a day in which Allah forgave an entire people. The Prophet (SAW) said to a man, “If you want to fast a month after Ramadan, then fast Muharram, for it has a day in which Allah forgave an entire people, and He turns to others in repentance in.” [Tirmidhi]

That’s a summary of our great month. For more on the Muharram or the issue of Imam Hussain see: Muharram and Ashura

Denying the Signs of the Final Day

Posted on December 13, 2009 by Islamasaurus

The end of time is something discussed by many people from a vast array of beliefs, however in the majority of cases it does not lead to any significant change, which is understandable as they ussually lack a relaible source. However, for Muslims this shouldn’t be the case as we have the only divine text that can truly claim the miracle of preservation, the uncorrupted Qur’an and authenticated hadith of the Prophet (SAW).

“The Prophet (SAW) said the day of judgement was very close over 1400 years ago, so what makes you think it’s any different now?”. Heard this? Or “Day of Judgement? Oh yeh, scary…. anyway did you watch the game?”. In my opinion this is a naive cop out, a denial of the reality that exists before our very eyes. You ask why would people not take the signs of the day of judgement seriously? It could be a number of factors, however mostly people don’t like change and anything that will disturb their plans for worldly pursuits, taking them out of their comfort zones. So people continue to live heedlessly ignoring blatant realities, strange? Yes, but if people can ignore and pay no attention to the reality of death, which is a truth no one will deny, then it’s also understandable that they can shut out other realities that require some thought.

Allah said: “Closer and closer to mankind comes their Reckoning: yet they heed not and they turn away.” (Al-Anbiya’ 21:1)

Unfortunately for all those that want to ignore the signs of Allah, the truth is that as soon as you give this area some sincere reflection and research, it becomes all too clear what the Prophet (SAW) meant when he (saw) said the day of Judgement is close. When we hear that the day of judgement was said to be near 1400 years ago, it may cause you to think that if all that time has passed, “i’ll live my life too, it’ll probably be in the time of my great great grand children”, but do not be deceived, think deeper.

The idea that the day of judgement was close during the time of the Prophet (SAW) needs to be thought about in relative terms with the period of time that mankind has existed. If we think about the great amount of time that has elapsed between Adam (AS), the first man, and the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) the final Prophet, it is in relation to this amount of time that it can be concluded that the distance between the Prophet (SAW) and the final day is actually very short. As always the Prophet(SAW) with his wisdom was able to sum this idea up in a few words:

Towards the end of one of his speeches about the day of judgement when the sun was setting and evening was setting in, he(SAW) said, “‘The sun is about to set, and what remains of this world, compared to what has passed, is like what remains of this day compared to what has passed.”

The previously barefoot Arab Bedouins will compete to build tall buildings
The slave girls gives birth to her mistress(the mother who is enslaved by her work situation has children who grow up to be uncontrollable and who dominate and tyrannise the family situation.)
Many women no longer give birth to children
Everyone is concerned with working so that not only men but women also go out to work
That family ties are neglected or abandoned
That time is short
There are many people who are hard hearted and mean
That the leader of a people is the worst of them
That there is much fighting and killing of people
That the ones who do the killing do not know who they are killing and the ones being killed do not know why they are being killed
That there are women who wear clothes like a second skin so that they appear naked even though they are clothed, that many people drink alcohol
That adultery and fornication are common
That men lie with men and women lie with women
That female singers and musical instruments are popular
That usury is so widespread that those who are not directly involved in it are affected by it
That writing is widespread
That attempts are made to make the deserts green
That earthquakes and natural disasters increase in frequency and intensity
That the Muslims are numerous but powerless, because of their love of this world and fear of death and so are unable to stop the nations of the world invading and plundering them
That the sun rises from the west – one meaning of which is that the life transaction of Islam is adopted by people living in the western world – this event is also clear however that it is an event that will literally take place.

Which of the above signs that are well documented can we say we have not seen? And how many of the following have become apparent only recently, i.e. the last few decades.

13 Wise sayings of Ali bin Abi Talib(ra)

Posted on December 8, 2009 by Islamasaurus

Ali bin Abi Talib(ra), cousin of the Prophet(SAW), husband to Fatima(ra) daughter of the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) and father of Hasan and Hussain(ra) was among those 10 special companions given the glad tidings of paradise in this world. He was the fourth Caliph of Islam and was known for his intelect and wisdom in all parts of life.

Ali(ra) said, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) sent me to Yemen, so I said, ‘Messenger of Allah, you have sent me, and I a youth, to judge between them (as a qadi), and I don’t know what the nature of judgement is.’ He struck my chest with his hand and said, ‘O Allah, guide his heart and make firm his tongue.’ Ali said, ‘By the One Who split the grain, I have not had any doubt about passing judgement (in a dispute) between two (people).

Below are some wise sayings regarding the “dunya” (the world) and ones innerself. While Reading them remembering the temporal nature of this world and that it is not the ultimate and final abode, two approaches can be taken: 1) Have a skim read, which probably won’t help us much. 2) Contemplate each one whilst thinking about our own life and how we are living.

1) People are asleep as long as they are alive, they are awakened when they die.
2) Do not run after the world, let the world run after you.
3) Of all the follies the greatest is to love the world.
4) He who trusts the world, the world betrays him.
5) Do not become a slave of your desires.
6) Desire is one’s most inveterate enemy.
7) Overpower desires and suspicions by patience and faith.
8) Greed is perpetual enslavement.
9) Finding fault in others is one’s greatest fault.
10) He who is aware of his own faults is oblivious of the faults of others.
11) The greatest sin is the sin that the sinner considers to be ordinary.
12) Do not sell the Hereafter for the world.
13) Do not soil your conscience for anything but heaven.