138th KHUTBAHAT AREA 10 JUMA’AH MASJID ABUJA,
BY YAHYA GARBA AL-YOLAWI ON 1ST MUHARRAM 1439AH/ 22ND SEPT.2017CE
TOPIC:
SIGNIFICANCE OF ISLAMIC HIJRA CALENDER & ASHURA
All
praises and thanks are due to Allah, the Lord of all that exists. Peace and
blessings of Allah be upon Prophet Muhammad (SAW), His family, companions and
those who follow his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
Respected brothers and sisters in Islam;today’s
sermon will discuss the topic: significance
of Islamic Hijracalender&Ashura.
The Islamic calendar was first
initiated by one of the famous companions Umar bin Al Khattab (RA), the second
caliph of Islam. He did that in an attempt
to eliminate differences of dating
systems used during his time.Umar, [RA], consulted other companions on the
starting date of the new Islamic Hijra calendar; and they finally agreed that
the most appropriate reference point for the Islamic calendar was the Hijra.
The Hijra (migration) is a central
historical event of early days of Islam. It led to the foundation of the first
Muslim city-state (Madina), a turning point in Arabs and Islamic world history.
To Muslims,Hijra calendar is not
just an ordinary system of time calculation but rather, It has a much deeper
religious and historical significance to Islam and muslimummah, e.g. issues
concerning verse chapters in the Glorious Qur’an, position the companions
(muhajirun&ansar), jihad, Hajj activities etc.
The Islamic Hijra
calendar reminds Muslims every year on all events that took place in the
Islamic history, especially those historical events during life time of the
prophet (SAW) such as:
1- Patience and
endurance in the cause of Allah as demonstrated by the prophet and His
companions covering over 400km by camel while some even trekked.
2- Put all your trust with Allah but never
relegate taking actions and means an end.
3- Significance of
having, planning,organizing and taking action in everything.
4- Every one of the muslimummah has a role to play in promoting Islam as we
have seen Abubakar (RA) and his family when they were inside cave.
5- High level of love
and brotherhood existed between Muhajirun (migrants) and Al-ansar (people of
Madina) established by the prophet immediately He reached Madina.
6- High level of
sacrifice for the sake of religion by the companion
Unfortunately, our
use of Gregorian calendar is almost keeping us away from those events and
happenings, which serve as a means of reflection upon number of Islamic lessons and instructions.
The first month of the Islamic, Hijrah calendar is Muharram. It is one of the four sacred
months about which Allah SWT says: “Indeed, the number of months with Allah is
twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the
heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion,
so do not wrong yourselves during them” Q9:36.
The four months, according to authentic Ahaadiths, are the months of Zhul-Qa`dah, ZhulHijjah, Muharram and Rajab. The sanctity of these four months was observed in the Shari'ahof people that came before us.
'Allah [SWT] made them (i.e. the four months) sacred and increased their sanctity. Hence declared a sin therein more severe and increased the virtue of good deeds and (also) the reward thereof.' (IbnKatheer).
THE MONTH OF MUHARRAM
The best of fasts besides the month of Ramadan is the fast during Allah's month of Muharram and the best of Salaats besides the Fardh (obligatory Salaat) is the Salaah (performed after midnight). (Sahih Muslim).
FASTING THEDAY OF ASHURA (10th OF MUHARRAM)
The tenth of Muharram, known as the day of Aashura, is a very significant day in the Islamic calendar. The prophet (SAW) has encouraged the Ummah to fast on this day.
Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) said, “I never saw Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) so keen to fast any day and give it priority over any other than this day, the day of `Ashura', and this month, meaning Ramadan.” (Al-Bukhari) In another hadith we are told that fasting the day of `Ashura' expiates the sins of the previous year as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,“Fasting the day of `Ashura' (is of great merits), I hope that Allah will accept it as an expiation for (the sins committed in) the previous year”(Muslim)
IbnAbbaas (RA) narrates that when the messenger (SAW) came to Madinah and found the Jews fasting on the day of Aashura, he inquired, 'What is the significance of this day on which you fast?' They replied, 'This is the day Allah saved the prophet Musa (AS) and his followers and drowned Fir'oun and his army, thus Musa (AS) fasted on this day as a token of thanksgiving; so we too fast on this day.' The prophet (SAW) said, 'We are more worthy of Musa (AS) and nearer to him than you.' Thereafter, he fasted on this day and ordered the Sahaabah (companions) to fast on this day. ( Muslim).
SOME BAD
ATTITUDES &INNOVATIONS IN ASHURA DAY:
The day of Ashura is regarded by many people as the day of sadness, blood shedding from once self, in the name of mourning the martyrdom of Hussain (RA). To attribute the significance of Aashura to Hussain martyrdom is totally baseless and innovation in religion because the sanctity of Aashura is proven, beyond doubt, from the time of Rasulullah (SAW), whilst SayyidunaHussain (RA) was killed 50 years after the holy prophet Mohammed (SAW) left this world.
CONCLUSION
Islamic Hijra calendar is very significant to
every muslim as it has direct connection to his religion which reminds Muslimsumma
every year on all events that took place in the Islamic history, especially
those historical events during and after the life time of the prophet (SAW) to
serve as a lessons for us to prepare for this life and hereafter.
Similarly,
the Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram) is a great day; if possible we
should all fast on that and we should not forget our country Nigeria in
Prayers. While acknowledging its greatness, let us shun all innovations and
unfounded customs which deprive us of blessings and reward. Let us firmly stick
to Qur'an and Sunnah to attain success of both this world and the hereafter.
We ask Allah the most high, to continue to guide
and protect us, protect our leaders, our security personals and the entire Muslims of this
country. Ameen
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