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Friday Talks faheemfb@gmail.com

87

In the name of Allah most gracious most merciful. 

Hijrah, Migration of the Messenger (PPBU)

 

By Sk. Omar Khadrawi

Translation: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa.

 

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Dear Muslims,

 

In a few days we shall be saying farewell to a year and we shall welcome a new Islamic year. We will see the new moon and we’ll say: “Allah is the greatest, Allah make this coming year a year of peace, security, a year of faith and Islam. Allah, right through this year guide us to what you love what attains your satisfaction”.

 

At the new Islamic year; the Islamic nation celebrates the immigration of the messenger (ppbu). This event that changed the face of the earth for ever; is celebrated by a nation that has strayed from Allah’s path and from the Islamic way of life. Hijrah or migration is remembered as a mere tale from the past, rather than being commanded to take example of it and implement it into our lives. For Allah says in His book: {You have a beautiful example in the Messenger of Allah; that is for whoever is hoping for Allah and for the day after, and who engages much in the praise and remembrance of Allah}33:21

 

The reason why the messenger (ppbu) migrated from Mecca to Madina was the constant hurt and ill treatment Muslims were exposed to in Mecca. This developed to murder of Muslims and got to the stage of attempts to assassinate the Messenger himself (ppbu). Many Muslims wanted to immigrate but the messenger (ppbu) kept postponing it until given the order by Allah.

 

The migration event was accuracy in planning and precision in control and execution, where nothing was left to chance. The messenger (ppbu) was ordered to migrate when he was fifty three years old, in such difficult and dangerous circumstances such that he had to slip away and exit Mecca at night. He and his companion (Aba-Bakr) had to move under cover not to be recognized by those tracing them. A bounty was put for catching the messenger (ppbu) dead or alive. The messenger (ppbu) put the complete plan, which involved the following:

 

1.      He previously gave permission for Muslims to immigrate while he commanded Abo-Bakr, Ali and himself to remain.

2.      Madina is to the north of Mecca, But as he migrated; he went south in the direction of Yeman to mislead those chasing them.

3.      The trip required an unrelenting means of transport, so Aba-Bakr came up with two strong camels.

4.      A very knowledgeable guide who was expert in the area was given this task of leading them through the journey. He was entrusted with this task despite the fact that he was not a Muslim.

5.      Knowing that the search for the messenger and his companion will be intensified in the first few days, so it was vital that they had to stay put and hide for three days inside a cave.

6.      Updates for news and events and the plans of Quraish were vitally important. Abdullah the son of Aba-Bakr was given the task of coming out at night to give all the news and return by dawn so he will not be missed in Mecca.

7.      As the people of Mecca were experts at tracing and at reading signs and clues, the task of covering up the footsteps, traces and clues was given to Amer ebn-Fuhaira (عامر إبن فهيرة) the servant of Abu-Bakr working as a shepherd. He used to take care of the cheap in the mountains, while he was covering and removing all evidence and clues. He supplied the Messenger (ppbu) and Abu-Bakr with milk and food.

8.      At the messenger’s home, Ali was given the task of sleeping in the messenger’s bed and rapping himself in the messenger’s cover.

 

Abo-Bakr is a nation in a man. He put his money, his home, his brain and his blood into the service of Allah’s religion. He offered love and protection for the messenger (ppbu). He wouldn’t let the messenger walk into the cave until he went in first to check it out. As the infidel came close to the cave, and Abo-Bakr could see their feet and their swords from where he was below, he said to the messenger (ppbu): “O Messenger of Allah, if one of them looks down at his feet, then he will surely see us”. The messenger (ppbu) replies: {Aba-Bakr, what do you think of two, Allah is their third. Do not be saddend, Allah is with us}.

 

The youth had played their part in the migration like Ali ebn Abi-Talif, and Amer ebn-Fuhaira (عامر إبن فهيرة). Women also played their part. Asmaa the daughter of Abo-Bakr gave the best example in sacrifice and wisdom. She became to be called the Duel-Belt lady. When her non-Muslim and blind grandfather was not happy about Aba-Bakr leaving and donating all his money for Allah, she tricked him into thinking that her father left them a lot of money. In fact he left them nothing but she wanted to keep the grandfather quite. She used to go to the mountains carrying and hiding food to her father and the messenger (ppbu). She needed two belts to support and hide the food hence became to be called the duel-belt lady.

 

Dear Muslim, this year is over. Now you are one year nearer to your death, and one year further away from this life. Have you thought about this, and have you asked yourself: what have you done that will be of benefit to you in the next life. Do not let living your presence make you forget about the past and the future. Work for Allah and the religion of Allah. Each and every one of you can attain the reward of the hijra (immigration). Yes, for the messenger (ppbu) said: {doing your worship in patience and perseverance when temptations and luring is widespread; will earn you the reward of migrating to me and to Allah}. Yes, migration is not given the status because of changing one location for another, but it is given the high status because it is a transformation at the spiritual, mental and psychological levels towards Allah and His messenger.

 

I ask Allah with His greatness, the Lord of the great throne, to spare us and protect us from all recognized and hidden temptations. Dear god, bless us before death with a repentance, and at the time of death with a shahada or testimony, and after death with paradise and satisfaction and contentment from you. Allah, guide us, and make us the reasons for others to be guided. Wa Assalamo Alaikum wa rahmatul Allah.

We ask Allah to give us knowledge which will be of benefit, and a good accepted deed. And all thanks be to Allah.

 

 

 

Notes:

1. Adhan - The call to prayer.

2. Ansar (or Al-Ansar): The inhabitants of the city of Al-Medina that received and supported the messenger (PPBU) when he immigrated from Mekkah in the very early years of Islam.

3. Assalam Alaikum - The Islamic greeting, literately means: Peace be with you. Used when approaching or leaving. When used during approaching it will be like saying: I bring no harm to you . and when said during leaving somebody it will mean: No harm will come to you after I leave.

4. Aya (or Ayah): is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.

5. Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat): is a mountain outside the city of Mecca that represents the climax of the Hajj worship. All doing Hajj must stay at this location on the same day.

6. Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.  

7. Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa) 

8. Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.

9. Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.  

10. Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life. 

11. Duaa: a prayer in the form of talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.

12. Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.

13. Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.

14. Fiqh - Religious law.

15. Hadeeth: is something reported that the messenger have said. It includes all the speeches and ceremonies he gave. It is usually narrated or told by one of his companions. There is a list of hadeeths approximately 14000 that are reported and checked to be genuine. No more hadeeths are acceptably added to this list.

16. Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.

17. Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar.  One of the five pillars of Islam.

18. Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.

19. Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers.  Considered authoritative and perfect.

20. Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.

21. Hijra (or Hejrah): the event of the immigration of the messenger from Mekkah to Madina. This event marks the start of the Islamic calendar. the Islamic calendar has 12 months based on the lunar cycle, each is 29.5 days. Hijra is also used as a name for the Islamic dating system.

22. Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.

23. Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.

24. Ibn (Ebn): the son of. Used by Arabs as part of an individual's name. Example: Ali whose father is Omar or the son of Omar, would be called: Ali Ibn Omar.

25. Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.  

26. Iman: belief or faith

27. Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.

28. Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.

29. Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise.  The place of the faithful in the afterlife.

30. Jihad: is striving in the line of Allah in many forms. Includes a very wide scope varying from improving oneself to fighting a defensive war in protection of Allah's word. The greatest Jihad is the fight one's self against temptations. It also means "holy war."

31. Jinn - Supernatural, invisible beings race of beings, below angels.  They were made from fire. Like humans, there amongst them are the faithful and the non beleivers and Jinn shall be judged on Judgment Day.

32. Ka'aba: A cube shaped building in Mecca containing a stone laid there by Abraham and Ishmael. Some say Ka'aba was first built by Adam, and some say by Abraham. It is the holiest place for Muslims. It is where all Muslims face in their daily prayers. Ka'aba also makes a major part of the pilgrimage in a ritual known as Tawaf.

33. Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".

34. Khutbah  - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.

35. Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.

36. Koran - Also spelled Qur'an.  The holy book of Islam revealed to Muhammad by Allah through the Archangel Gabriel.  Koran literally means "the recital."  It is the final revelation of Allah given to the prophet Muhammad. It consists of 114 surahs (or chapters.)

37. Madinah - (Medinah): A city in the Arabian peninsula (in the country known now as Saudi Arabia). A city where the messenger had to immigrate to. Then it was called Yathrib.

38. Masjid - A center for Muslim activity.  It is referred to as a mosque.

39. Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act

40. Mecca or Makkah: is the holiest city for Muslims. It contains the Ka'aba mosque with the famous black cubical shape. Mecca is the birth place of the messenger (PPBU).

41. Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.

42. Muhajir - (Muhajireen) Immigrant, one who leaves his home town due to lack of religious freedom. It was first used to describe early Muslims immigrating from Mecca to Median and Ethiopia.

43. Muhammad - the final messenger and prophet of God whose message abrogated all previous revelations.  He received the Koran through the angel Gabriel over a 23 year period. Born in Mecca and died in Medina at the age of 63. His full name: Muhammad ibn Abd-Allah

44. Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.

45. Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.

46. Nasara - Christians.  Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.

47. Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.

48. Paradise - Another word for heaven.  A garden of bliss, fruits, rivers and all forms of pleasures imaginable and imaginable. No suffering, disease or death. Service is provided by angels. All live  in it an ever lasting youthful life. Promised by Almighty Allah to all faithful, true Jews, true Christians and True Muslims. Paradise is one of two places every person will go to, either Paradise or Hellfire.

49. PPBU (P.B.U.H.) : Peace and Prayers Be Upon him. A statement Muslims use any time they mention the name of the messenger or make a reference to him.

50. Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.

51. Qadr - (night of Qadr): The night when the first revelation of the Koran took place. Most likely it happened during one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Or when the Koran was brought down to the nearest heaven in one go, and from there it was brought down in bits and few verses at a time over a period of 23 years. This night is considered the holiest night for Muslims with tremendous advantages.

52. Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.

53. Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.

54. Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.

55. Salat - Prayers. Generally it covers all forms of worship, but more specifically refers to the Muslim rituals which is performed to worship Allah five times daily.

56. Shiaa: A sect of Islam that teaches that a religion leader (Imam) should be the political ruler and must be direct descendants of the messenger (PPBU). Therefore, disapproving of all Muslim leaders who ruled After the messenger (PPBU) except Ali, the messenger's grandson.

57. Shirk - Associating another god with Allah.  Or associating anyone or anything with Allah. Or using anyone or anything as a medium to Allah. The opposite of Monotheism or Tawheed.  

58. Siam  or Soam- Fasting

59. Sunni: is a the title of  those Muslims who are suppose to be following the life style of the messenger. This differentiates them from the Shiaa of Iran.

60. Sunna (Sunnah): Is how the Messenger PPBU lived, what he did or said. It includes the way he dressed, ate, drank, prayed, interacted with other people and fought. Basically, sunnah is the life style of the messenger PPBU. It is considered the second source of legislation in Islamic laws and it is considered to be an important reference to be used for concluding arguments and disputes. It is also a title give to the main stream Muslims who make 90% if all Muslims.

61. Surah - A chapter of the Koran.  

62. Tawaf: part of the pilgrimage (Hajj) ritual. It involves walking round the Ka'aba Mosque in anti-clock wise direction a number of seven circles.

63. Tauhid - Tawheed - Monotheism, in Islam is the teaching that there is only one God who alone is worthy of worship. The first requirement of becoming a Muslim. It is included in the testimony of faith for new Muslims when declaring that God is one: (No God but Allah)

64. Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah.  A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.

65. Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.

66. Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.

67. Umrah - (Amrah): A mini hajj. A Minor form of pilgrimage to Mecca. Unlike Hajj which can only be done on the 12th month of the Islamic year, Umrah can be performed at any time.

68. Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.

69. Zaboor - The Psalms

70. Zakat - The third pillar of Islam.  Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.