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Hijrah - emigration, Lessons learnt
Written by Sk. Dr. Younis Saleh
Translated by: Dr. Faheem Bukhatwa
14 September 2018ac
04 Al-Muharram 1400h
All thanks be to Allah, we ask for His support and His forgiveness. We seek His protection from the evil within ourselves, and from the sins of our deeds. Whosoever is guided by Allah; nothing will misguide him/her. And whosoever is misguided by Allah; then there shall be no guidance for them. I testify that there is no other God but Allah, the one and only who has no partners, and I testify that Muhammad is his slave and messenger ppbu.
Slaves of Allah, be God fearing. God fearing is the peak of all good deeds. It is the profitable business. Gain as much of it as you can, and ask for forgiveness of your sins. Those secretive sins and publicly known sins.
Dear brothers in faith, you and I stand today at an important event. It is the topic of this talk today. It is the event of Hijrah or emigration. One year has just gone, and another year is starting, and where am I? The Hijrah or emigration of the messenger ppbu from the city of Mecca to the city of Madina. That migration which recreated Muslims into a new creation. It changed their weakness into strength, and their small numbers into much larger numbers, and changed their humiliation into honour and respect.
Slaves of Allah, the messenger ppbu lived in Mecca for thirteen years preaching to his people the word of “One and only God (áÇ Åáå ÅáÇ Çááå)”. Only a few believed into his message, but they were a truthful few. Faith got mixed with the pureness of their hearts. This faith is what got his companions to be worshipers and to become leaders. And it is that which made them struggle and be martyrs, until the entire worldly life became under their control. This was because of the faith which the messenger ppbu implanted into their hearts. This faith which turned worshiping idols into worshiping the Most Gracious. And it turned people of ignorance into people who would spend their nights praying and kneeling to their God. This faith is what made them men who wrote the most wonderful pages of history in so many fields.
Slaves of Allah, the hurt that was inflected by the idolaters onto the messenger ppbu and his companions was one reason for the emigration of the prophet ppbu from Mecca to Madina. The messenger ppbu suffered a lot, he had patience and endurance. He endured with so much hurt which other men could not put up with. The idolaters continued with their stubbornness, persistence and scheming and conniving. They held a meeting at the “Seminar Room ÏÇÑ ÇáäÏæÉ” and they convened a conference of plotting, treachery and betrayal. Some suggested exiling or banishment for the messenger ppbu. Some suggested imprisonment and finally they settled murder. They decided to pick one strong and gallanted young man from every tribe, who would surround the messneger’s home, and when he came out is that they all hit him at once. So revenging his death would split between all the tribes and becomes a lost cause. But Allah exposed their secret planning and had them disappointed as He says: {and when the unbelievers plot and scheme to neutralize you, or kill you, or banish you. However, they plot and scheme, but so does GOD. GOD is the best schemer.} 8:30. Then Allah sent down Gabriel to the prophet ppbu to tell him that Allah Has given him a permission to emigrate from Mecca to Madian.
Slaves Allah, the emigration of the prophet ppbu was overpowering and a defeat to efforts to corrupt the faith, and a loss to the misguided ideas, as well as emigration being a new opening in the human history and a supportive victory.
Lessons in life taught us that truth and the right must have a land base, a place and supporters. Also, the wrong and evil do not hand over leadership to the truth and the right easily. In fact it would stand with resistance in the face of the right, and blocks it way and close its exits, and lurk and wait for the opportunity to destroy it. That’s when the right then needs to take its call in refuge to a fertile land and a safe place and faithful supporters.
We learn from the emigration that if the youth from a young age are brought up facing danger then they would be strong. This is an example: Ali ebn Abi-Talib who was brought up in the prophetic school. He is one of the Muslim young men who was brought up as a God fearing individual, and fears no one else besides Allah. The prophet said to him on night of emigration: {Sleep in my bed, for no harm shall come to you from them}. Ali accepted the sacrifice for the messenger ppbu without fear or hesitation.
Emigration also teaches us that our deeds and actions must be for the sake of Allah and not for achieving some other lust or greed. The messenger ppbu said: {Deeds depend on the intentions. And every person gets according to his/her intention. So, whosoever emigrates for the sake of Allah and His messenger then his migration is for Allah and His messenger. And whosoever emigrates for something in this life to achieve or for some woman to marry then his emigration is for that purpose}.
Brothers in faith, emigration of the prophet taught us the protection of Allah to His sincere slaves. The messenger ppbu was hiding with his companion in the cave for many nights. They had no protection except for Allah’s care who gives victory to His sincere slaves. Allah says: {If you fail to support him (the messenger), God has already supported him. Thus, when the disbelievers chased him, and he was one of two in the cave, he said to his friend, “Do not be saddened; God is with us.”} 9:40.
Hijra or emigration taught us that the Muslim woman can perform her duties when she is needed and when the circumstances are right. Not when the enemies of Allah want her to be as an available comodaty. Asmaa the daughter of Abu-Bakr Essedique who carried food supplies from Mecca to the cave. Unstartled and not frightened by the spies observing and tracing her. She split her waist strap into two parts. She used one part to hold the pouch bag of food, and used the second part to hold the goatskin water bag. Eventually, she became to be called the lady with the double straps.
Hijrah (emigration) taught us the love for our homeland. The messenger ppbu leaves Mecca in the sake of Allah but quite saddened by being separated from his homeland. As he was leaving he turns back and addresses his beloved Mecca by saying: {O by Allah, out of all Allah’s lands, you are the most loved land to me, and if your people had not expelled me out I would have never left}.
Dear Muslims, Cave Heraa was the real happy starting point of this new faith. After a tiring travel and after a difficult effort, and enduring the unmerciful heat, suddenly the blessed Tibah appears and its people give the prophet a glorious welcome. Allah says about them: {As for those who provided them with a home and a refuge, and were believers before them, they love those who immigrated to them, and find no hesitation in their hearts in helping them. In fact, they readily give them priority over themselves, even when they themselves are in need of what they are giving. Indeed, those who overcome their natural stinginess are the successful ones}59:9.
The prophet ppbu started a new page in preaching and spreading the message. It was styled by legislation and a fantastic planning. Its hope was to avoid the conspiracies of those scheming against it and its protection from the destruction by the hatreds. And it is from here that Hijra or emigration was the beginning of a difficult struggle.
Slaves of Allah, the highest level of emigration is that which migrates from evil to good, and from low scum standard to morality, and from darkness to light. Possibly some types of Hijra or emigration is that the messenger ppbu was ordered by Allah in the Quran which says: {And glorify your Lord * and purify your clothes * and forsake or stay away from wrong or dirt} 74:3-5. So, let us emigrate to Allah with our hearts, emigrate to goodness, love and purity. The messenger ppbu said: {The emigrant is that who stays away from what Allah made forbidden}. The messenger ppbu also said: {No emigration after taking Mecca back, except for a struggle and support, and if you were called for a conflict then go}.
I ask Allah to give victory to Islam, and honour the Muslims. I ask forgiveness for me and for all Muslims from all sin. Ask Him for forgiveness, He is the most Forgiving, the most Merciful.
Notes:
Adhan - The call to prayer.
Ahmad (Ahmed)- Another name for the messenger Muhammad (PPBU).
Allah - The Arabic word for "god." It is often used as a name for God in Islam.
- 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.
Ansar (or Al-Ansar):
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.
- is a verse of the Koran. It also means a miracle or a sign from God.
Aya (or Ayah):
- 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.
Arafa (or Arafah or Arafat):
Badr - The place of the first significant battle between the Muslims and the pagans of the Quraish. It is located in Saudi Arabia.
Caliph - A Muslim ruler. See: (Khalifa)
Dajjal - Antichrist or the False Massiah.
Dawah - The proliferation of Islamic teachings through word and deed.
Deen (Din) - Religion or way of life.
- talking to Allah; praising him and asking him for help.
Duaa: a prayer in the form of
Fatwa - Legal verdict given based on the Qur'an (Koran) and the Sunnah which are the recorded sayings and deeds of Muhammad.
Ferdose: is the highest level of the all the gardens of Eden or paradise.
Fiqh - Religious law.
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.
Hajar - The Black Stone set into the corner of the Ka'aba in Mecca. It is said to be a stone from Heaven.
Hajj - The pilgrimage to Mecca which takes place in the last month of the Islamic calendar. One of the five pillars of Islam.
Hasana or hasanas: is the reward for a good deed. a hasana is a point or a merit for a good deed.
Hadith - The sayings and not deeds of the prophet Muhammad recorded by his followers. Considered authoritative and perfect.
Hajj: is the worship of pilgrimage.
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.
Ibadah - Worship. All the words and deeds with which Allah is pleased. These deeds could be prayer and charity.
Iblis - (Ibleese): On of Satan's names.
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.
Imam (or Emam)- The leader for a prayer. In the Shiaa sect, an Imam is the individual who has the religious authority.
Iman: belief or faith
Injil (Enjeel) - The Bible. The book inspired to Jesus for the Christians.
Islam - Submission, the religion of all the prophets of Allah culminating in Muhammad.
Jannah - The heavenly garden, Paradise. The place of the faithful in the afterlife.
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."
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.
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.
Khalifa: is the Muslim ruler. Head of the Islamic empire. Exact translation: "Successor".
Khutbah - A sermon given in a Mosque, usually on Friday.
Kufr - Denial or Disbelief. A term Muslims use for anyone who denies existence of Allah or the prophecy of Muhammed.
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.)
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.
Masjid - A center for Muslim activity. It is referred to as a mosque.
Masiah - A sin, or a sinful act
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).
Mosque - A Muslim house of worship.
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.
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
Muslim - One who holds faith to the religion of Islam.
- Nafilah: a voluntary prayer other than the five obligatory prayers; performed at any time.
Nasara - Christians. Nasrani: A Christian individual. Nasraniah: Christianity.
Ommah: is the Arabic word for a nation. It usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise specified.
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.
- 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.
Qadar - Fate. Preordainment is the teaching that all things, good and bad, are preordained to occur.
- 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.
Qibla - The direction which Muslims turn for daily prayers, towards Mecca.
Quraish - An ancient Arab tribe to which the messenger Muhammad belonged.
Ramadan - The ninth month of the Islamic calendar which is the month of the fast. The holiest month in the Muslim colander.
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.
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.
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.
Siam or Soam- Fasting
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.
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.
Surah - A chapter of the Koran.
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.
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)
Taqwah - Proper fear and veneration of Allah. A divine spark that enables the person to understand God.
Taurat: The old Testaments and scriptures of Mosa.
Ummah - the word means: a Nation. Usually refers to the Islamic nation unless otherwise stated.
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.
Wathoo (wadoo): a washing up ritual done by Muslims before each of the five daily prayers known as ablution.
Zaboor - The Psalms
Zakat - The third pillar of Islam. Alms giving, charity that is given to the poor.
