Islam

Islam

Monday, 30 June 2025

Virtues of the Month of Muharram

 


Muharram: A Sacred Month in the Islamic Calendar

Indeed, the sacred month of Muharram is a blessed and important month. It is the first month of the Hijri calendar. It is also one of the four sacred months concerning which Allah says; {Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so it was ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them, four are sacred. That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein.} (At-Tawbah 9:36)

Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Time has come back to its original state which it had when Allah created the Heavens and the Earth; the year is twelve months, four of which are sacred. Three of them are in succession: Dhul-QidahDhul-Hijjah and Al-Muharram, and (the fourth being) Rajab Mudar (named after the tribe of Mudar as they used to respect this month) which stands between Jumad (ath-Thani) and Shaban.” (Al-Bukhari)

Muharram is called so because it is a sacred (muharram) month and to confirm its sanctity. Allah Almighty says, “so wrong not yourselves therein“, which means do not wrong yourselves in these sacred months, because sin in these months is worse than in other months.

Increased Reward and Sin During Sacred Months

It was reported that Ibn Abbas said regarding the above verse that these four months were singled out and made sacred. Sins in these months are more serious and good deeds bring a greater reward.

Qatadah said concerning this phrase “so wrong not yourselves therein” that:

“Wrongdoing during the sacred months is more serious and more sinful than wrongdoing at any other time. Wrongdoing at any time is a serious matter, but Allah gives more weight to whichever of His commands He will.

Allah has chosen certain ones of His Creation. He has chosen from among the angels Messengers and from among mankind Messengers. Also, He chose from among speech His remembrance or dhikr.

He chose from among the earth the mosques, from among the months Ramadan and the sacred months, from among the days Friday and from among the nights laylat al-qadr, so venerate that which Allah has told us to venerate.

People of understanding and wisdom venerate the things that Allah has told us to venerate.” (Summarized from the Tafseer of Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him. Tafseer of Surat at-Tawbah, verse 36).

The Special Virtue of Fasting in Muharram

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “The best of fasting after Ramadan is fasting Allah’ month of Muharram.” (Muslim)

The phrase “Allah’s month”, connecting the name of the month to the name of Allah in a genitive grammatical structure, signifies the importance of the month.

Al-Qari said:

“The apparent meaning of the above hadith is to fast all of the month of Muharram. But it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) never fasted any whole month apart from Ramadan, so this hadith is probably meant to encourage increasing one’s fasting during Muharram, without meaning that one should fast for the entire month.

It was reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to fast more in Sha`ban because he may have not learnt of the virtue of Muharram until the end of his life, before he was able to fast during this month, or because certain circumstances may happened during this month hindering him from fasting such as sickness, travel, etc.” (Sharh al-Nawawi `ala Saheeh Muslim).”

Seizing the Opportunity of Muharram’s Blessings

Thus, a true Muslim has to seize the opportunity of these blessed days and tries his best to get as much reward in them as possible.

Allah Almighty knows best.

Source: Excerpted, with modifications from, www.islamqa.info.

Sunday, 29 June 2025

Hijrah: A Never-Ending Source of Inspiration

 


It is a momentous event in the course of Islamic history. Constituting a turning point in the history of Humanity. It is the Hijrah or the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Madina.

The Significance of the Hijrah

The term Hijrah is derived  from the Arabic root word ‘ha/ja/ra’, which primarily means to leave and to move away from. What is meant by Hijrah in this context is the emigration of Prophet Muhammad along with his noble companion Abu Bakr al-Siddiq from Mecca to Madina, which they undertook 1441 years ago. This journey is such a significant one that it was chosen to mark the beginning of the Islamic calendar. 

The real reason behind the Hijrah

The question now is, why did the Prophet leave Mecca for Madina? I am aware that the common answer to this question is that it was to escape persecution by the polytheists in Mecca and save the Prophet’s life from an evil assassination plan.

However, in fact, there is another reason. Remaining in Mecca proved being unproductive in view of all those circumstances of oppression and persecution. Thus, the Prophet found out that it was not conducive for the message of Islam and it was a vital necessity to find away out in pursuit of a new avenue for the message of Islam to flourish.

For this reason, in essence, the Hijrah was not in quest of a luxurious life or an even better life. Rather, the idea was to save the message as well as to fulfill the Prophet’s mission. This is evidenced by the fact that immediately after reaching Madina, the Prophet did not just relax. On the contrary, the Prophet engaged in and conducted  an all-embracing process to establish a strong and faithful community.

For instance, the Prophet built a mosque, and established a market. Furthermore, he created a bond of unity and fraternity among the Muhajireen (The Immigrants) and the Ansaar (the Supporters)

Here, we need to pause to reflect and think beyond what we normally think about the Hijrah. What is it that we need to emigrate from in order to lead a successful life in line with our aim of worshiping Allah. It does not necessarily have to be a migration from one place to another. But, it could be migration from sins to repentance to Allah the Almighty. It could be migration from evil doings to good deeds and productivity. 

7 Practical lessons and morals that can be extracted from the Hijrah

In actuality, there are numerous lessons and morals that can be extracted from the Hijra of the Prophet to implement in our day-to-day life:

1- High Aspiration and Proactivity

We can learn this from the positive attitude of the Prophet. In spite of all the prevailing adversary circumstances, he did not quit or fall back. Contrarily, he had very high aspirations and was determined with such an unshakable resolve in the support and victory from Allah the Almighty. This is why he was proactive to move from Mecca to Madina in pursuit of a safe haven for the message of Islam to flourish and to transform the whole world. 

2- Honesty and Justice towards all

This lesson can be extracted from the instruction of the Prophet to his cousin Ali to give back the trusts and deposits to their rightful owners in Mecca. Here, I need to put you in the full picture so as to better appreciate and understand the magnitude of this act of honesty.


Even before the prophethood or the mission of Muhammad, the people of Mecca, where he grew up, used to recognize him as al-Sadiq (the truth teller) and al-Ameen (the trust worthy). This is why they used to entrust and keep with him their most valuable possessions. Obviously, because they were certain that an individual like Muhammad would safeguard their deposits. 

When it was time to leave Mecca for Madina, the Prophet instructed his cousin Ali to return the deposits to their rightful owners in Mecca.

When you stop and think of this, it can be said that anyone in his position having suffered all these hardships and endured all these abuses, would have said to himself I can take whatever I can carry with me and who cares whether or not I return their deposits.

However, this was not the approach of the Prophet. Consequently, this serves as a lesson for us that the criterion for us when dealing with others, whether or not they are Muslims, is justice and honesty, and not our whims, desires or revenge. This is how we truly become the worshipers of Allah the Almighty.

As Muslims, we are to do justice even towards our worst enemies. Evidently, this is one of the most important lessons that we need to implement in our lives when dealing with our brothers and sisters in humanity. 

3- Seeking the Lawful Means

The third lesson concerns taking the required action and using the lawful and legitimate means that Allah has provided. The Prophet and his companion went through a lot of preparation for this epic journey. For instance, they planned their means of transportation, they planned how to hide their tracks, they hired an experienced guide, whose name is Abdullah ibn Orayqit, to lead them through the most strategic route from Mecca to Medina. 

4- No Discrimination Against non-Muslims

Noteworthy, at that point ibn Orayqit was not a Muslim yet. Irrespective of the fact that he was a non-Muslim, the Prophet hired him and appointed him because he was the best for this job. Hence, as Muslims we do not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their faith or religion.

5- No Discrimination on the Basis of Gender

Furthermore, the Prophet appointed the individual who would bring them food and drink each night. This individual was Asma, the daughter of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with her and her father).

Clearly, this individual was a woman and she managed to play a vital role in the Hijrah. The fact that she is a woman did not make the Prophet say she can not be part of the plan. Hence, in Islam there is no room for discrimination on the basis of gender. 

Accordingly, the abovementioned serves as a lesson to teach us that even the messenger of Allah, who is the best of mankind, and even when you pray to Allah the Almighty, still the required action needs to be taken in parallel with utilizing the lawful means to achieve one’s goals and objectives. 

6- Maintaining a high opinion of Allah

This can be highlighted during the precious moments while the Prophet and his noble companion sought refuge in the cave of Thawr. The polytheists of Mecca were able to track them down to the cave. 

As the polytheists approached the cave, Abu Bakr whispered into the ears of the Prophet: “O Messenger of Allah, if one of them were to look at his feet, they would find us.” Yet, the Prophet was very confident in Allah the Almighty. He said to his noble companion: “ O Abu Bakr, what do you expect regarding two men, Allah the Almighty is their third?” In the sense that Allah would definitely save and support them. 

Evidently, the life of Prophet Muhammad was all about hope. Even in the most difficult times, he always gave hope to his companions.  He used to handle hardships with positivity. And we Muslims need to follow his example, with patience (sabr), hope, duaa and trust in Allah especially at this unprecedented time of the Corona pandemic.

7- Authentic Reliance on Allah   

Thus, my dear brothers and sisters such powerful words should constantly be in the heart and mind as well as on the tongue of each and every Muslim man and woman whenever faced with a situation of difficulty  in their lives after having exhausted all the law and legitimate means.

This is how we can adopt a balanced and moderate approach. We take all the necessary means and on equal footing we humbly and wholeheartedly rely on Allah the Almighty. In fact, striking and maintaining the balance constitutes the essence of the concept of Tawwakul. 

In conclusion, in light of the previously highlighted lessons, we realize that the Hijrah was not only about the prophet and his noble companion. Rather, this journey is for us to learn and internalize memorable lessons to live by.

Furthermore, it is safe to state that, whether or not you are a Muslim, still you can learn and benefit from the life of Prophet Muhammad. Hence, now it is our duty to further read and reflect on the life of the Prophet.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Hossam Ed-Deen Allam
Hosam Ed-Deen Allam holds an MA of Diplomacy and Religion with Distinction from the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Religion at Lancaster University in the UK. His main research area concerns Faith-based Diplomacy, Conflict Transformation, De-sectarianisation, and Peacebuilding. In parallel, Allam works as a member of Al-Azhar Fatwa Global Centre in addition to serving as a lecturer of the sources of Islamic jurisprudence at the Faculty of Sharia and Law at Al-Azhar University in Cairo. Hossam Ed-Deen is a Graduate of Al-Azhar University in Cairo from the Faculty of Shari’ah and Law in English. He has served as a lecturer of Islamic jurisprudence and its principles at the renowned Al-Azhar mosque in Cairo and has served as a religious leader in a number of communities in North America including NYC. Through his years of community work, he has provided training and guidance to government departments along with developing educational projects and community centers.

Saturday, 28 June 2025

Marking New Hijri Year 1447, Kaaba Receives New Gold-Embroidered Kiswa

 


A new Kiswa (the black cloth covering the Holy Ka`bah) has been changed to commemorate the new hijri year 1447.

Saudi Arabia unveiled the new Kiswa—the black and gold silk cloth draped over the Kaaba in Makkah—on the first day of the Islamic New Year, continuing a sacred tradition rooted in the time of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Al-Arabiya English reported.

Woven from 670 kilograms of natural black silk and adorned with 150 kilograms of gold and silver-plated thread, this year’s Kiswa features 68 Quranic verses intricately embroidered with 24-karat gold-plated silver.

These verses are hand-stitched by skilled artisans at the King Abdulaziz Complex for the Manufacturing of the Kaaba’s Kiswa in Makkah, which produces the Kiswa annually at an estimated cost of $4.5 million (SAR 17 million).

The cloth spans 658 square meters, consists of 47 silk panels, and weighs over a metric ton.

A Ritual of Reverence

The installation of the new Kiswa takes place each year on the 1st of Muharram, the first day of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Over 100 specialists take part in the carefully timed operation, using electric lifts and scaffolding to ensure the Kaaba remains covered throughout the process.

To protect the fabric from wear during the crowded Hajj season, a white cotton covering known as the “Ihram of the Kaaba” is temporarily fitted around the lower portion of the cloth, shielding it from direct contact as millions of pilgrims perform tawaf (circumambulation).

What Happens to the Old Kiswa?

Once the new cloth is in place, the previous Kiswa is delicately removed, cleaned, and cut into around 56 pieces. These fragments are distributed by royal decree to dignitaries, religious institutions, and international Islamic organizations.

Some sections are preserved in government archives and conservation facilities to prevent deterioration.

Revered as symbols of spiritual and cultural legacy, these fragments are also featured in museums and official displays around the world. - aboutislam.net

Friday, 27 June 2025

What Can We Learn From Remembering Hijrah Each Year?

 


The Meaning of Hijrah

The word Hijrah is derived from “hajara” meaning, “to emigrate, to dissociate, to leave.”

And in Islamic history, the Hijrah is used chiefly to refer to the Emigration of the Prophet and his followers from Makkah to Madinah in 622 C.E.

Hijrah was a deliberate choice of the Prophet under Divine Guidance to leave the land of persecution seeking freedom, peace, and security.

Throughout history we can see migration playing a crucial role in the history of all religions, and most specifically of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Abraham’s migration from Haran to CanaanMoses’ migration to the Promised Land and Jesus’ from Galilee to Jerusalem are all cases in point.

All these were responses of faith in God and obedience to His commands, though their spiritual significance and temporal consequences may vary in the respective religious traditions.

Without massive movements of populations, wars of conquest, and missionary enterprises, the three Abrahamic religions would not have been what they are today.

The Prophet’s Hijrah to Madinah

In Makkah, the Prophet’s impassioned call to the tribes resulted in several people embracing the Message of Guidance he brought to them.

This provoked the ruling Quraysh to conspire against him, with a view to getting rid of him once for all.

After a harrowing period of severe trial that lasted thirteen years, the Prophet in obedience to the Divine command decided to migrate with his followers to Madinah.

Allah Almighty says in the Noble Quran:

Those who believe, and migrate and strive in Allah’s cause, with their goods and their persons, have the highest rank in the sight of Allah: they are indeed the successful people. Their Lord does give them glad tidings of a Mercy from Himself, of His good pleasure, and of Gardens where enduring pleasure will be theirs: They will dwell therein forever. Verily in Allah’s presence is a reward, the greatest (of all). (Quran 9:20-22)

For the Sake of Allah’s Mercy

The foregoing means that the Hijrah was not a flight from persecution, pain or perseverance; but it was a dedicated struggle to attain the Mercy of Allah Himself.

Ultimately, the emigrants attained the pleasure of God, along with the Gardens of eternal happiness prepared for them by Allah, the All-Merciful.

So for the Prophet and the early Muslims, the Hijrah signified a transition from a position of weakness to a position of power.

It was, for them, the abandonment of a life of complacent subordination to a decadent tribal system dominated by the crudest type of idolatry, to a progressive and dynamic socio-political order based on the Submission to the One True God of the universe.

That is to say, the Hijrah marked the Muslims’ act of breaking free from the narrow confines of a religion in the narrow sense, to a comprehensive way of life, a perfect universal religion.

Hijrah a Crucial Milestone in Islamic History

It is significant that the people of Madinah did not look upon Muhammad (peace be upon him) as a refugee; in fact they welcomed him as their own leader.

And soon after reaching there, he laid the foundations for a strong society based on the universal principles of the Quran.

The movement he started overwhelmed the mighty empires of the day; and today, despite all the turmoil in the Muslim world, Islam continues to shine.

Thus we can see that in the variegated history of Islam, the Hijrah became a crucial event and a watershed that led to the establishment of the glorious Islamic civilization.

And for this reason, Khalifah ‘Umar made the inspired decision (in approximately 638 C.E) to declare the Hijrah as the focal point to mark the beginning of a new era, a new civilization and a new history for mankind.

The Hijrah: What We Can Learn Today

We should realize that the Hijrah was not just a physical journey of the Prophet and companions from Makkah to Madinah; it was at the same time a spiritual journey too.

It was in effect a spiritual breaking away from persecution to freedom; from selfishness to charity; from fear to courage; and from violence to peace; from defiance and resistance to complete reliance on God.

The Hijrah is most emphatically an emigration from lawlessness and defiance to peaceful obedience and wholehearted submission to the laws and commandments of Allah Almighty.

This is the lesson for all Muslims, no matter in what land or in what age they live.

For Muslims who are subjected to oppression beyond toleration, Hijrah to a land where they can live in freedom and practice their religion is an option, as Allah Almighty says in His Noble Quran:

NOW as for those who forsake the domain of evil in the cause of God, after having suffered wrong [on account of their faith] – We shall most certainly grant them a station of good fortune in this world: but their reward in the life to come will be far greater yet. If they [who deny the truth] could but understand. (Quran 16:41)

Exile for the Sake of Allah

Regarding those who cannot make such a physical journey, Dr. Ramadan writes:

What remains, and is open to everyone through the ages and for eternity, is the experience of spiritual exile which brings the individual back to himself and frees him from the illusions of self and of the world.

Exile for the sake of God is in essence a series of questions which God asks each conscience: who are you? What is the meaning of your life? Where are you going?

Accepting the risk of such an exile, trusting the One, is to answer: through You, I return to myself and I am free.

And Allah knows best.

- aboutislam.net

About Professor Shahul Hameed
Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

Thursday, 26 June 2025

Allah Says: My Mercy Prevails Over My Wrath!

 


First of all, we need to understand what we mean by “humanly quality” and what we mean by “divine quality.” I hope you understand the Quranic idea that humankind is Allah’s khalifah (vicegerent) on earth. This means, among other things, that Allah has endowed man with some of His own qualities, but within limits.

Allah’s Forgiveness Has No Limits

Some of the qualities like mercy or kindness that we call “human” are given to humankind by Allah, and these same qualities are present in its fullness in Allah. For this reason, a comparison between human kindness, for instance, and divine kindness (though it is incommensurable) is possible for our understanding.

In the Quran, we read of Allah as “Al-Wadud” (the Loving) what means:

{And He is the Oft-Forgiving and Loving} (Al-Buruj 85:14)

You can see that for all practical purposes, Allah’s love is His mercy that is freely given to His creatures.

Allah says what means,

{Say: O My slaves (humankind) who have been prodigal to their own hurt! Despair not of the mercy of Allah Who forgives all sins. Lo! He is the Forgiving, the Merciful} (Az-Zumar 39:53)

The idea is that those who do wrong are hurting themselves, however, Allah’s forgiveness has no limits and the only condition is that we should repent and pray for His Mercy.

The Quran tells us of the angels praying for the believers:

{Our Lord, You comprehend all things in mercy and knowledge. So, forgive those who repent and follow Your way and save them from the torment of the Blazing Fire} (Ghafir 40:7)

Prophet of Mercy

The infinite mercy of Allah the Most Compassionate, the Most Forgiving, manifested itself when Allah sent His messengers and revealed to them His books. And He has guaranteed His special mercy to those who are willing to accept His guidance:

{O humankind! There has come to you a good advice from your Lord and a healing for that (disease) which is in your breasts — a guidance and a mercy for the believers} (Yunus 10:57)

And to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) Allah said what means:

{And We have sent you not (O Muhammad), but as a mercy for all} (Al-Anbiyaa’ 21:107)

Allah’s mercy is bestowed on all His creatures and is seen in everything around us — in the water we drink, in the air we breathe, in the sunshine we enjoy, and so on. Allah says: {Your Lord has inscribed for Himself (the rule of) mercy} (Al-An`am 6:54)

{And My Mercy embraces all things} (Al-A`raf 7:156)

The Prophet said:

“When Allah created the creatures, He wrote in the Book, which is with Him over His Throne: “Verily, My Mercy prevailed over My Wrath.” (Al-Bukhari)

He also said:

“Allah has divided mercy into 100 parts, and He retained with Him 99 parts, and sent down to earth 1 part. Through this one part creatures deal with one another with compassion, so much so that an animal lifts its hoof over its young lest it should hurt it.” (Al-Bukhari)

Show Mercy

In fact, the two attributes of Allah, Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim, which mean “The Most Gracious” and “The Most Merciful” respectively are probably the most repeated ones, as they are mentioned again and again in different verses as well as at the beginning of 113 chapters of the Qur’an: “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.”

Prophet Muhammad said:

“Those who show mercy to their fellow beings will be shown mercy by the Merciful Lord. So, show mercy to those on the earth, and He Who is in the heaven will show mercy to you.” (At-Tirmidhi)

The Prophet also said:

Allah ordered the appointed angels over you that the good and the bad deeds be written, and He then showed how to write. If someone intends to do a good deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed, and if he intends to do a good deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him its reward equal from 10 to 700 times to many more times. And If someone intends to do a bad deed and he does not do it, then Allah will write for him a full good deed (in his account) with Him, and if he intends to do a bad deed and actually did it, then Allah will write for him one bad deed. (Al-Bukhari)

There is another famous hadith where the Prophet is reported to have said,

Allah, the Almighty, says, ‘Whosoever does a good deed, will have a reward 10 times like it and I add more, and whosoever does an evil, will have the punishment like it or I will forgive him, and whosoever approaches Me by one span, I will approach him by one cubit, and whosoever approaches Me by one cubit, I approach him by one fathom, and whosoever comes to Me walking, I go to him running, and whosoever meets Me with an earth-load of sins without associating anything with Me, I meet him with forgiveness like that.’ (Muslim)

It is Allah’s infinite compassion and mercy to His obedient servants that is expressed in the above two hadiths.

A Mother’s Mercy

`Umar ibn Al-Khattab said: Some captives were brought to the Messenger of Allah and there was a woman among them whose breasts were full of milk. Suddenly, this woman saw an infant in the midst of the captives. She took hold of it, brought it into her bosom, and started nursing it. The Prophet then told the Companions, “Do you think that this woman would throw her child in the fire?” We said, “No, By Allah she would not, if she is able not to.” He then said, “Allah the Exalted is more merciful with His slave than this woman with her child.” (Al-Bukhari)

Here, the Prophet clearly tells us that the mercy of Allah is far greater than the mercy of a mother for her child. This comparison is made by the Prophet to make the idea of Allah’s boundless mercy as clear to ordinary humans as they can comprehend.

This example makes it clear that it is permissible for us to illustrate by way of examples and comparisons what one cannot make others easily understand by way of reasoning, just as the Prophet did in the above case. As it was impossible to describe the immensity of Allah’s mercy, he cited the example of a mother’s mercy for her child.


And what is more, the word for mercy (rahmah) is derived from the root r-h-m, which means a mother’s womb. The complete protection provided to the unborn baby in the womb is symbolic of Allah’s own mercy. Therefore, a comparison between the mother’s mercy and Allah’s mercy is quite in order.

To say that Allah’s love for us is “70 times (meaning a great number of times) greater than a mother’s” is the kind of common expression used to give an idea of the inexplicably huge difference between Allah’s love and a mother’s love.

First, there is no element of shirk in it, as the speaker highlights the immense difference between the Creator and the creature. Second, it is the Prophet who used this comparison and obviously there cannot be any element of shirk in it.

- aboutislam.net

About Professor Shahul Hameed
Professor Shahul Hameed is an Islamic consultant. He also held the position of the President of the Kerala Islamic Mission, Calicut, India. He is the author of three books on Islam published in the Malayalam language. His books are on comparative religion, the status of women, and science and human values.

Wednesday, 25 June 2025

Why Madinah Was Chosen for the Hijrah

 


Madinah was chosen for the Hijrah because of its growing support for Islam, the readiness of its people to receive the Prophet, its tribal openness, and its strategic location. It offered a pluralistic society where Islam could flourish and become the foundation of a new Muslim state.

Why the Prophet Chose Madinah for Hijrah

Makkah elders devised a plot to assassinate the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) in order to nip the Islamic movement in the bud. When affairs reached that pitiful state, Almighty Allah ordered His Messenger to leave Makkah and migrate to Madinah.

Madinah, a city some 450 kilometers from Makkah, was growing as a centre for Islam. A number of people had already converted to the new faith. Islamic teachings were winning new supporters every day. Leaders of the two major tribes of Madinah had accepted Islam; and were ready to sacrifice their lives and property for the cause of Islam. At this point, the Prophet started planning to move to Madinah.

In order to have a clear view of other reasons for choosing Madinah to be the centre of the nascent Muslim state, we would like to cite the following for you:

“Allah has chose Yathrib to shelter the Prophet (PBUH) after his migration and to bring forth not only the first Islamic Society but also to serve as a focal point for the universal call of Islam.

The great honor accorded to the city makes it necessary to know its distinctive features. Such as its physical, social and cultural conditions, the Arab tribes living there and their mutual relations, the economic and political manipulations of the Jews and their fighting spirit as well as the way of life sustained by its fertile land.

Various religions, cultures and communities flourished in the city tremendously, contrary to Makkah, which was dominated by one faith and one cultural pattern.

The state of affairs in Madinah

The following details depict the state of affairs in Madinah when the Prophet made his debut in that city.

Three Jewish tribes, Banu Qaynuqa, Banu an-Nadir and Banu Qurayzhah, settled in Madinah. The number of adults belonging to these tribes was over two thousands; Banu Qaynuqa was estimated to have seven hundred combatants, with Banu an-Nadir having almost the same number too; while the grown-ups of Banu Qurayzhah were reported to be between seven and nine hundred.

These tribes were not in good terms and very often they are caught in confrontations with one another. The Quran makes a reference to the mutual discord between the Jews:

{And when We made with you a covenant (saying); Shed not the blood of your people nor turn (party of) your people out of your dwellings. Then you ratified (Our covenant) and you were witnesses (thereto). Yet it is you who slay each other and drive out party of your people from their homes, supporting one another against them by sin and transgression; and if they come to you as captives ye would ransom them, whereas their expulsion was itself unlawful for you.} (Al-Baqarah 2:84-85)

The financial relationship of the Madinan Jews with the other tribes focused mainly on lending money on interest or on security or sequestration of personal property upon payment failure.

In an agricultural region like Madinah, there was ample scope for money-lending business since the farmers very often needed capital for purposes of cultivation. (Dr. Muhammad Sayyid TantawiBanu Israel Fil-Qur’an was-Sunnah, pp. 80-81)

The system of lending money was not limited merely to pledging personal property as security for repayment of the loan, for the lenders very often forced the borrowers to pledge even their women and children.

Concentration of capital in the hands of the Jews had given them power to exercise economic pressure on the social economy of the city. The stock markets were at their mercy. They rigged the market through hoarding, thereby creating artificial shortages and causing rise and fall in prices.

Why the People of Madinah Detested the Jews

Most of the people in Madinah detested the Jews owing to such malpractices of usury and profiteering, which were against the substance of the common Arabs. (Banu Israel Fil-Qur’an was-Sunnah, p. 79)

The Jews being driven by nothing but their haughty cupidity and selfishness in their social transactions with the Arab tribes, Aws and Khazraj, spent lavishly, though judiciously, in creating a rift between the two tribes.

On a number of occasions in the past, they had successfully pitted one tribe against the other; leaving both tribes worn out and economically ruined in the end. The only objective Jews had set before themselves was how to maintain their economic dominion over Madinah.

For many centuries, the Jews had been waiting for a redeemer. This belief of the Jews in the coming prophet, about which they used to talk with the Arabs, had prepared the Aws and the Khazraj to give their faith readily to the Prophet. (Banu Israel Fil-Qur’an was-Sunnah, pp. 73-101)”

Within all these communal differences, it was necessary to place this growing Muslim community so as to give Muslims a good chance for better interaction and sufficient training that will help them in their coming days.

Madinah had many unique features that made her the due recipient of that honor. It was very important for Muslims to receive training and establish their state amongst all these communities and different levels of thinking.

Dealing with Jews taught Muslims how to argue with the People of the Book in good words; and how to know the wicked and cunning conspiracies being made for them behind their backs. It was very important for the growing Muslim communities to receive training on the way of fighting those enemies who take refuge in their fortifications, a thing, which the Jews practiced.

It was also necessary for the Islamic Dawah, at this very early age, to face hypocrites who apparently declare that they believe in Islam but, in the meantime, help its enemies.

All these are no more than some aspects of the Divine wisdom behind choosing Madinah to be the place for establishing the first Muslim state.

Allah Almighty knows best.

- aboutislam.net

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

The Islamic New Year – Hijri

 

The Islamic New Year is soon upon us. We know it also as Hijri. Why do Muslims celebrate the Islamic new year.

It is the day of the start of the Islamic calendar and it is also when Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) emigrated to Madinah from Makkah. 

How do Muslims celebrate the Islamic new year? It is a time for self-reflection. People think about the good and bad that they do. On the 10th of Muharram Muslims choose to fast the day of Ashura out of respect and remembrance of Prophet Musa and his victory against Firaun.  - aboutislam.net

Monday, 23 June 2025

Why Is Prophet Moses Mentioned So Often in the Quran?

 


The Gems in the Quran

The Quran is a source of guidance for all humanity on how to live a perfect and Divinely-guided life.

One of the ways to deliver this guidance to us is through giving examples of real people who lived in the past and detailing their life stories from which we can take heed and plan for the future.

It is because of this that we will read always in the Quran such a hint after each story, that we should take admonition and learn a lesson. Almighty Allah says what means:

{In their histories there is certainly a lesson for men of understanding. It is not a narrative which could be forged, but a verification of what is before it and a distinct explanation of all things and a guide and a mercy to a people who believe.} (Yusuf 12:111)

In each story mentioned in the Quran, there are loads of lessons, some of which we can discover now and some of them we are yet to discover. The more we live, the more we will be able to discover.

On top of that, each story is unique, and therefore, it is there to deliver that unique lesson.

Every time we read a story, we can see that something new clicks in our minds as if it is the first time we are reading it. This is, without doubt, something very special about the Quran due to its being a Divine book.

Stories & Lessons Learned

Of all the stories of previous nations and prophets, the story of Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) and the Children of Israel have a number of experiences.

These very rich experiences can benefit people on various levels: on the leadership level, on the individual level, and on the community level.

The story of Prophet Moses does not only relate to him as a person; it relates to a whole nation whom God saved from tyranny and humiliation.

The story tells us many incidents on how they were saved, how one individual like Moses could stand against a big tyrant like Pharaoh, and how such a regime tried to tarnish the image of Moses, who was symbolically the only voice of objection in the country.

The story also tells us how Moses won the magicians to his side when they realized the truth, how Moses led the Children of Israel through the sea to the safe abode, how Pharaoh and his guard tried to tarnish the image of such a small believing community and forge lies against them, and how Allah took care of the Children of Israel in the barren desert and disgraced their enemy by drowning in the sea.

Out of Egypt

The story also tells us about the later disobedience of the Children of Israel. 

It mentions their ungratefulness when they asked Moses for the food of Egypt.

They refused to enter the Holy Land and fight beside their Prophet.

And they asked Moses to make them an idol to worship, and they worshiped the calf after he went to receive revelation from his Lord.

It also tells us the story of the cow, which the Children of Israel were commanded to slaughter and strike a murder victim with its tail to discover the killer, and how they argued with Moses about its color and qualities until things became difficult for them.

Similarities Between Moses & Muhammad

The similarity between Prophet Moses and Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them both) is another important reason that necessitates such focus on the story of Moses.

Of all previous prophets, no prophet other than Moses and Muhammad led their people and fulfilled their roles as prophets and state leaders who govern a community and lead a society.

They succeeded on both earthly and heavenly levels. This does not mean that other prophets did not lead their people in this life; rather, we are speaking specifically about establishing a state and liberating people from tyranny.

In the life of Moses, Pharaoh represented the tyranny while in the life of Prophet Muhammad, the leaders of the Quraish tribe represented tyranny with their persecution to slaves and weak people.

Both Moses and Muhammad led their people to deliverance and managed to establish a government. In such a similarity, there are many lessons, all of which can only be perceived by detailing the story of Moses in the Quran.

The Story of the Cow

On top of that, the life experience of Prophet Moses with his people is so rich that we can benefit people on various levels.

Let’s take the story of the cow as an example.

It teaches the community as well as the individuals to avoid meaningless arguments and disputes.

It also teaches that when people start to argue for the sake of argument, Almighty Allah can make things very difficult for them.

Imagine if the Children of Israel obeyed the command of Allah and slaughtered a cow from the very beginning without further inquiring about its specifications. It would have been much easier for them as any cow would have been suitable.

However, rigidness in asking and arguing led to strictness in the specifications of the cow, and, therefore, the lesson remains that we should not argue just for the sake of argument and our questions should always be for the sake of getting beneficial information.

The lessons in the story of Moses are beyond counting, but one thing remains: that none of them is repetitive. Rather, they all work to form a perfect and complete picture that can be seen only by reading the whole Quran.

- aboutislam.net

About Sheikh Ahmad Saad
Ahmed Saad is the founding director of Ihsan Institute of Arabic & Islamic Studies-UK. An international speaker and dynamic scholar. (http://www.ihsaninstitute.co.uk )

Sunday, 22 June 2025

How the Prophet (PBUH) Beat Difficult Times

Difficult times are part of Allah’s laws in this universe; they are part of the tests that people go through.

They are not necessarily something evil, however. A difficulty we go through, on the contrary, could be a learning experience, a reminder, purification from sins and mistakes, a test of patience and perseverance, or all of these together.

We can emerge from difficult times closer to Allah, stronger, united, more skilled, and more guided, but only if we know how to live through them and respond to them.

Prophet Muhammad: The Best Example

There is no one to learn from who better responded to difficult times other than our beloved Prophet, Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). Not only was he a great man with noble character, he was also guided by revelations from Allah Almighty.

Following his footsteps is essential to live a successful life and is part of us being Muslims. By definition, Muslims are the ones who bear witness that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is His Messenger. Therefore, following his example is an integral part of Islam.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went through a lot of difficult times both on a personal and a community level. His life was extremely successful, yet it was the most challenging.

By the will and the guidance of Allah, he was able to meet all the challenges he faced and come out of difficult times much stronger than ever before.

In this article, we will learn from our prophet some of the guidance to help us through difficult times we are going through and to enable us to use these challenges to our advantage.

The Prophet Facing Tough Times

We read the Prophet’s story hundreds of years after it was over. It is a successful story that contains one victory after another with a very positive final outcome.

This positive experience masked all the difficult times in his life and we tend to overlook them when reading or relating the story, especially in the absence of deep analysis.

The fact of the matter is that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) went through a lot of challenges and difficult times throughout his whole life.

In one year, his uncle and his wife, who both supported him emotionally and physically, died. In the very same year, he was subjected to physical abuse from the people of Makkah.

Gross Insults


The following story, as narrated by one of the Prophet’s companions, Abdullah Ibn Mas`ud, tells you how he was treated during this very tough year:

Seven from the leaders of Makkah were gathering next to Al-Ka`bah while the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) was praying. He elongated his prostration. Abu Jahl, one of those leaders, said,

“Who would bring the innards of the camel so-and-so family just slaughtered? We can put it on top of Muhammad while prostrating!”

`Uqbah Ibn Abi Mu`ait, the most idiot amongst them, brought it and put it on the back of the Prophet while prostrating. The Prophet did not move and I (`Abdullah is talking) could not dare to do anything, for I have no clan to protect me.

Fatimah, the Prophet’s young daughter, came and removed the dirt and insulted all of them. The Prophet then raised his head and started supplicating to Allah against them all.

He was also challenged as a messenger tasked by Allah to convey His message. He was called a liar, a sorcerer, a poet, and a fortuneteller, and people started calling him Mudthamam (dispraise worthy) while his name is Muhammad (praise worthy).

His reputation was attacked, and his companions were tortured to the extent that people stopped listening to him.

For two consecutive years before he migrated to Medina, only four people believed in him, two of whom died shortly after.

The Ta’if Trip


His trip to the neighboring city of Ta’if was just another example of those tough times. He traveled, walking, for over fifty miles to deliver his message to the people of Ta’if and ask for their support.

Not only did they mock him, disbelieve in him, and let him down, but also asked their slaves and youngsters to throw stones at him for a few miles until his sandals turned red from his bleeding.

Even after migration to Madinah, his life wasn’t easy. He suffered the curses and the disrespect of the hypocrites in Madina. His noble wife `Aishah was subject to an ugly rumor spread in the society for days.

Madinah under his leadership was challenged by war from almost every single tribe in Arabia. He witnessed the killing of seventy of his companions among whom was his dear uncle Hamzah.

Moreover, he faced a siege of ten thousand soldiers, an attack on which his whole city, where all the believers lived, was about to be destroyed.

He faced treason from Jewish tribes in Madinah: some plotted to kill him and others betrayed him to side with an attacking army.

Many of the messengers he sent to teach people Islam were killed in cold blood and he grieved for them for months, seventy of them in one incident and twelve in another.

Learning from our Messenger (PBUH)

How did the Prophet manage to face all these challenges?

How was he able to come out of them stronger and with even more influence?

And how did he develop such a community that was able to be steadfast in the face of difficult times during his life and after he died?

Below are a few simple, yet very effective, concepts that the Prophet embraced and taught his Companions.

These concepts are extremely important for us to understand and embrace. While going through the ideas below, you will realize that they are a mix of:

– Personal qualities the Prophet and his Companions displayed

– Ideas taught by the Qur’an and the words of the Prophet

– Practical actions taken by the Prophet to face difficult times

1. Know! Difficulties are inevitable tests

This is the first and the most important concept one should believe in: going through difficult times is almost inevitable.

{Do people think they will be left alone and they will not be tried? …} ( Al-`Ankbut  29:3)

When you claim to believe in Allah, stand for what is right, oppose what is wrong, support justice, or fight oppression, these claims will all be tested. Allah will show who is truthful and who is lying.

This is the tradition of those on the straight path at all times. The Prophet and his companions were asked in the Qur’an, a question that is also asked to all of us,

{Do you suppose that you will enter Paradise untouched by the suffering endured by the people who passed before you?

They were afflicted by the misery and hardship and they were so convulsed that the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: “When will Allah’s help arrive?”} (Al-Baqarah 2: 214)

2. Know! Difficulties happen by the Will of Allah

It is very important to know and believe that nothing will happen to you except what Allah has decreed for you. The Prophet was asked to say, {Nothing will befall us except what Allah has decreed for us } (At-Tawbah 9:51)

He taught one of his young cousins, `Abdullah Ibn `Abbas, “Know that what hits you would not have missed you

This belief gives you comfort and prevents fear from future difficulty, but more importantly, helps you overcome any difficulty you are already going through. Allah said,

{No misfortune ever befalls unless it be by Allah. And whosoever has faith in Allah, Allah guides his heart } (At-Taghabun 64:11)

3. Flee to Allah

“O Allah I display before you my weakness …” This phrase was part of the prayer of the Prophet while coming back from his trip to Al Ta’if. Taking refuge in Allah and asking for His help and support is a very important action we should do during the time of difficulty. This is a trial by Allah, it happened with His permission, and it is only He who can alleviate it.

4. Examine your actions

“If you are not angry with me, I do not care …” was also part of the Prophet’s prayer returning from Al Ta’if. During times of difficulty, we should examine our actions. This difficulty may very well be a warning from Allah that we are doing something wrong. It may be because of our sins and mistakes:

{Whatever misfortune befalls you is a consequence of your own deeds …}  (Ash-Shura 42:30).

It may be because we strayed and Allah sent this difficulty to us as a reminder to bring us back. Malek Ibn Deenar, one of the great scholars of Islam, transformed from being an alcoholic person to the great person we know as a result of the death of his own two-year old daughter.

5. Be optimistic

Having hope and being optimistic were two important attitudes the Prophet embraced when facing difficulty.

By Allah, Allah will perfect this matter until the traveler can travel from Sana’a to Hadhramaut fearing no one but Allah and the wolf that may eat his sheep“, The Prophet told Khabbab when he complained to him about the severity of torture he and other Muslims in Makkah were going through. (Al-Bukhari)

It was this hope in Allah, and confidence that there will be ease after difficulty, that kept them going.

This hope was not only kept in the hearts but was also spread through words and attitude. The Prophet mastered optimism and looked for optimism: “Evil omen is false! And I likes Al-fa’l (good omen)” the prophet told his companions. They asked, “What is Al-Fa’l?” He responded, “A good word.” (Muslim)

6. Do not get distracted

One of the very bad consequences of going through difficult times is the amount of distraction the difficulty creates. Ibn Al-Qayim says,

“It is a complete fiasco to be distracted by the blessing away from the One who blesses, and by the trial away from the One who tries.

Sometimes the difficulty itself scares us away from the good we are doing. Allah says,

{And let it never happen that they might turn you away from the revelations of Allah after they have been revealed to you…} (Al-Qasas 28-87)

The prophet never stopped delivering his message because of a personal difficulty he went through or because of a threat or torture he received from his enemies.

7. Expect reward

This was one of the teachings the Qur’an instilled in the hearts of Muslims. Whether the calamity happens naturally, or whether it is due to the harm of others, being patient and perseverant results in a lot of reward. The calamity will eventually be over,

{Indeed with the difficulty there is an ease. Indeed with the difficulty there is an ease.} (Ash-Sharh 94:5-6) 

And when the ease comes, the pain will go away and will be forgotten. What remains and will never go away is the tremendous reward one would get,

{We shall certainly test you by afflicting you with fear, hunger, loss of properties and lives and fruits. Give glad tidings, then, to those who remain patient.

Those, who when any affliction smites them, they say: “Verily, we belong to Allah, and it is to Him we shall return.”

Upon them will be the blessings of their Lord, and it is they who are rightly guided.} (Al-Baqarah 2:155-157)

- aboutislam.net
About Dr. Wael Hamza
Wael Hamza is a Muslim writer, thinker and an active figure in MAS (Muslim American Society ), U.S.A.