15
Jul 2024
This booklet covers the importance of Muharram – the sacred month and the first month of the Islamic calendar, and the inspiring lessons from the Hijra, a pivotal moment in Islamic history. Through exploring these significant events, we hope to offer insights into how we can improve our lives today. Highlighting the power of truth, and the importance of resilience and persistence, it looks at the great sacrifices made during the Hijra and the shaping of the first community of believers. The booklet answers questions such as: What is a Muhajir? How......
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05
Aug 2022
Continual struggle The Prophet (peace be on him) had given dawah (invited people to Islam) tirelessly for 13 years until 610 CE, and withstood escalating torture and persecution and threats during this time. Only a very tiny minority had accepted the divine message he had brought. We do not have accurate statistics, but we estimate that only about 100 had accepted Islam. Dead end Though he tried his best to deliver the message, he was faced by the tyrannical opposition of the leaders of Quraysh who felt threatened by his message, so......
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20
Aug 2021
Todays reminder is about unity and not returning to the habits of pre-Islamic (Jahiliyya) times. In Surat al Imran, Allah Almighty says: ﴿١٠٣﴾ وَاعْتَصِمُوا بِحَبْلِ اللَّهِ جَمِيعًا وَلَا تَفَرَّقُوا ۚ وَاذْكُرُوا نِعْمَتَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ إِذْ كُنْتُمْ أَعْدَاءً فَأَلَّفَ بَيْنَ قُلُوبِكُمْ فَأَصْبَحْتُمْ بِنِعْمَتِهِ إِخْوَانًا وَكُنْتُمْ عَلَىٰ شَفَا حُفْرَةٍ مِنَ النَّارِ فَأَنْقَذَكُمْ مِنْهَا ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ يُبَيِّنُ اللَّهُ لَكُمْ آيَاتِهِ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَهْتَدُونَ And hold firmly to the rope of Allah, all together, and be not divided. And remember Allah’s favor upon you; when you were enemies, and He united your hearts, and by His grace......
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28
Aug 2020
The Islamic calendar begins and ends with a sacred month. It ends with Dhul Hijjah and begins with Muharram. The best days to fast after Ramadan are in Muharram Muharram is a special month. The Prophet was asked which siyam (fasting) and which salah was best after the obligations and this is what he said Abu Hurairah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be on him) said: ‘The best prayer after the prescribed prayers is a prayer offered in the middle of the night. The best fast after the month of......
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07
Sep 2019
Inspiration from the Hijra If you do not help him, God has already helped him, when those who disbelieved expelled him, and he was the second of two in the cave. He said to his friend, ‘Do not worry, God is with us.’ And God made His tranquility descend upon him, and supported him with forces you did not see, and made the word of those who disbelieved the lowest, while the Word of God is the Highest. God is Mighty and Wise. (9:40) This ayah refers to the story......
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23
Sep 2018
Muharram: When did floodgates of fitnah open and how do we deal with Karbala? Why is our Ummah constantly suffering? Hudhaifa Ibn Al Yaman (may Allah be pleased with him) was the collector of all the narrations from the Prophet (peace be on him) regarding fitnah – if anyone wants to know the details of fitnah in our Ummah, he was the expert on it. Fitan is the plural of fitnah, which can describe civil strife, chaos, and sedition within a community or nation, leading to a breakdown of social order. It can......
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22
Sep 2018
Muharram: Never Give Up Allah’s Messenger (peace be on him) was inspired divinely at the age of forty. Then he stayed in Makkah for thirteen years, and then was ordered to migrate, and he migrated to Madinah and stayed there for ten years and then died. (Bukhari) 1. Try your Best and Exert Yourself For 13 years the Prophet (peace be on him) exhausted his efforts and explored all possible means to deliver the message of Islam in Makkah. After a decade of opposition, this intensified exponentially after the death of his......
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22
Sep 2018
Muharram Reflections on the Hijra (Migration) The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said on the day of the Conquest of Mecca: There is no Hijra (migration) after conquering Makkah but (only) jihad (striving in the way of Allah) and niyyah (sincere intention) ; when you are asked to set out (on an expedition undertaken for the cause of Islam) you should (readily) do so. (Muslim) Hijra was an obligation for believers until the conquest of Makkah. After the conquest, the dust had settled, Islam had spread......
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11
Sep 2018
New Beginnings and Effecting Change ‘Oh you who believe! Fear Allah and behave with taqwa. Let every soul consider what it has prepared for tomorrow. Allah is surely aware of everything you do.’ (59:18) Allah Almighty out of His mercy made the last months of the year special months, and the first month of the year a special month. So Muharram – the beginning of our Islamic Year, begins with a shahr haram (sacred month). The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to encourage his companions to increase their good deeds in......
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