An epitome of humanity

On this day (12th of the islamic month Rabbi-ul-Awwal) as the first burst of dawn hid behind the dark veil of last moments of night, a widowed young mother gave birth to a son- her only child, who was named Mohammed, and who was destined and prophecised to change the course of humanity and bring light of knowledge and wisdom in a time when darkness of ignorance, arrogance, hypocrisy and dominance was widespread.

Islamic world celebrate the birth anniversary of this great legend as Milaad-un-Nabi on this day every year (which falls on 4th of january, this year).

Prophet Mohammed was born at a time and in a soceity where a perpetual war of supremacy and dominance raged betwixt the local tribes of Arabia; the teachings of the preceding prophets were manipulated, abandoned or forgotten under the lures of money, power and self-indulgence; the weak and helpless were abused, ill-treated and oppressed; women were reduced to mere domestic objects, female-infanticide and slave-torture was rampant; and atrocity was the way of life of the strong and influential.

He grew up to earn the titles like the Truthful One, the Honest One, The friend of all and The Respectful one, even before his prophethood was revelled upon all. And when his prophethood was revealed, he did earn enemity from the oppressors and way-laid (many from his own kith and kin), he faced en-masse hostility and heart-breaking ridicules, and even lost many of his beloved ones.

But he had a divine duty to perform and never faltered even for once. He reciprocated stones, swords and swearings with a smile, forbearance and forgiveness. He answered every challenge and tests of his opposers and doubtsters with alacrity and precision. He sacrificed willingly, endeavoured relentlessly and taught with utmost love and patience.

When he did go to war it was as a last resort, in compliance of the Divine commandment and to safeguard human values and the lives of those who trusted him. And he never ill treated the war survivors who surrendered to him.

The Treaty of Hudaiwiya and The conquest of mecca are classic paradigms of human-rights and how to treat even our enemies with leniency and respect. He taught the virtues of patience, love, mutual co-existence and kindness.

He even set examples of secularism by often accepting invites and himself inviting people of other religions, passing unbiased judgments in any dispute that was brought to him, visiting and helping the poor, sick and needy, maintaining friendly contacts with all he could and appreciating his followers who did the same.

He lived a very ordinary lay-man life void of any luxury or indulgence, but his life is a treasure-trove of inspiration and wisdom. He fulfilled his divine obligation and- as The almighty Allah states in the Holy Quran that those who live to fulfill his divine will (prophets, martyrs and saints) never die, they only bid adieu to worldly existence; They remain alive even in their tombs- even Prophet Mohammed lives in Medina and reaches out to those who call unto his guidance and aid.

The 10th of Muharram

The 10th day of Muharram (the first month of Islamic Calendar), also called as Yom Aashura meaning the tenth day, has always been known the world-over for the martyrdom of Imam Hussayn and many of his family and supporters (blessed be their souls) in the Battle of Karbala in 61 A.H (islamic calendar), that is, 680 A.D.

Every year I have attempted to pay my homage to these great warriors through a blog dedicated to them. This year I have decided to go deeper and make it a three-part series segregated into The past ( prominence of Yom Aashura prior to Mohammaden era),
The event (the people connected to Battle of Karbala), and
The present (the traditions and state of people today).

The past :

There have occured phenomenal events in the lifetime of several prophets preceding our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon them all) on this day, which have been rather blissful and liberating.

On this day (as revealed by Our prophet and various Hadiths), Our earliest Prophet Adam (blessed be his soul) was forgiven by the Almighty on this day, for eating the forbidden fruit.

Prophet Moses (blessed be his soul) gained victory over the wicked last Pharoah of Egypt on this day, and the Pharoah with his army drowned in River Nile in the epiculean tide.

Prophet Jesus was raised to heaven on this day.

And also Prophet Noah's ark survived The Great Flood beginning on this day.

There are several such incidents which credit this date with great prominence in Islamic History. To know of more of such events, check on towards end of the article SDIPRO: DUA-E-AASHURA by the Sunni Dawate Islami Public Relations Office, Mumbai.

As Islam embraces all the prophets preceding Prophet Muhammad as his ancestors and a true muslim's Faith can never be complete without the acceptance of all the prophets and their religion as true, we commemorate these events in accordance by the guidance of Prophet Muhammad (adapting the gesture of Prophet Moses who observed a Fast on this day in gratitude of the victory over Pharoah), we muslims Fast on the eve of Ashura and observe night long vigil seeking Allah's blessings as He bestowed on this day.

This Fast and vigil is very much appreciated in Islam though not made obligatory (for ease of convenience).

Allah knows His will better but one other aspect about this day which stands out strongly is, He didn't make bestow prominence to this day in the lives of every prophet, or if He has, He hasn't revealed it onto us. Also, the day invokes a rather emotional recollection for muslims, and a mixed feeling of pride and sorrow with regards to the Battle aforementioned. Maybe The Almighty willed so to discourage any superstitious or blind faith to get associated to this day! As I said, He knows his will better.

We shall look into The event of Karbala in my next blog tomorrow.

May this day be peaceful to all world-over.

And lo! He tested even those before us

The Holy Qur'an abounds with stories from the lives and times of innumerous prophets, saints and their families who treaded this earth, each with a lesson to treasure and a message to revere.

But one of the things that amazes me is that all these blessed souls who were destined to serve the divine cause, of whose dedication, submission and deliverance the Almighty testified Himself, and whose love for the Lord are beyond limits and comparison, were tested with such afflictions and time and again proved their honesty and belief in the Divine word. Why?

They need not have gone through any of it. They could have lived a life of comfort (if not of luxury), and preached in the shades of silk! But no sir! Nor did they ever desire it nor did the Almighty so prefer. They had a mission and the road was in no way an easy one.

One such story is of Prophet Abraham and his son Ismael, when Allah tested both the parents' and the son's submission to his will by asking the father to sacrifice his son's life in the name of Almighty.

Prophet Abraham passed the test by willing himself to do so once the message was clear. Our Lady Hajira passed the test by accepting it as the will of Allah when she learnt of it. And Young prophet Ismael (a little boy then) passed by readily laying his life by even suggesting his father to blindfold himself during the sacrifice so that his love for his son may not intrude his love for the Almighty.

Allah rewarded them by replacing young Ismael with a ram (a variety of sheep) just as the father moved his blade across his son's neck and thus sparing the lad's life. And was so pleased by their dedication, love and deeds, that He made their deeds immemorable till eternity and including it as part of every cult that succeeded ever since.

In Islam it is celebrated as various rituals that are part of the pilgrimage to Mecca, and as the Eid-ul-Azha or the Festival of Sacrifice, in rememberance of this incident, in honour of these blessed souls and by the Divine command. But the lesson to be learnt are deeper.

What are the lessons you understand from this story? Are we imbibing the lessons in our life? Are we even pondering over them at least?

Wishing a blessed, peaceful, happy and prosperous Eid-ul-Azha to all.

Of Yom Kippur and Yom Arafath

Today is Yom-Kippur, or the Day of Atonement for the Jews world over. The holiest day in their Faith, when all the Jews gather at synagogues to atone their sins, seek Divine forgiveness and please the Almighty so their names may be written in the book of Life for their good deeds.

By co-incidence, today is also Yom-e-Arafath or Day of Atonement/Repentance for Muslims. It is also the holiest day in Islamic Faith, when all the pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca assemble in the holy-plains of Mount Arafath to atone their sins, seek Allah's mercy and pray that He be pleased with us in this life on earth and ever-after. The rest of the Muslim community the world over enjoin the pilgrims spiritually world over through Fasting (optional), prayers and observing certain restrictions as is binding on the pilgrims.

Yom Kippur is the last day of the 10-day period starting from Rosh Hashanah (day one of Teshrie, 1st month of Hebrew calendar when the Almighty begins to write fate of individuals in the heavenly books). People’s fates are sealed on Yom kippur. Jews observe Fast, spend their day in synagogue prayers and abstain from work and all physical pleasures to please the Almighty on this day.

Sharing similar beliefs is the performance of Hajj, where the Pilgrims to Mecca forfeit all earthly chains, abstain from all physical pleasures and spend their days in prayers to please the Almighty, and muslims across the globe bond with the pilgrims by observing certain restrictions as the pilgrims, and spend the day in prayers, from the sighting of the crescent of the 12th month of Islamic calendar, Zil-Hajj till the three-day Festival of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Azha), which commences on the 10th day of the month.

It is assured by the Almighty that whoever successfully complete their Pilgrimage in true Faith and it is accepted by the Almighty, all their sins are forgiven and they return from the plains of Arafa as pure as a baby emerges from it's mother's womb.

Allah knows better His will behind this phenomenal co-incidence between the two Faiths which are brethren-by-Books, yet divided by conflicts. But, if we are to see, it looks like a divine message of harmony and peace for the two communities and to show how both are more similar than different to each other.

Wishing a peaceful Yom Kippur and Yom Arafath to Jews and Muslims all over the world.

Of Yom Kippur and Yom Arafath

Today is Yom-Kippur, or the Day of Atonement for the Jews world over. The holiest day in their Faith, when all the Jews gather at synagogues to atone their sins, seek Divine forgiveness and please the Almighty so their names may be written in the book of Life for their good deeds.

By co-incidence, today is also Yom-e-Arafath or Day of Atonement/Repentance for Muslims. It is also the holiest day in Islamic Faith, when all
the pilgrims to the holy city of Mecca assemble in the holy-plains of Mount Arafath to atone their sins, seek Allah's mercy and pray that He be
pleased with us in this life on earth and ever-after. The rest of the muslim community the world over enjoin the pilgrims spiritually world over through Fasting (optional), prayers and observing certain restrictions as is binding on the pilgrims.

Yom Kippur is the last day of the 10days period starting from Rosh Hashanah(day one of Teshrie,1st month of hebrew calendar when the Almighty begins to write fate of individuals in the heavenly books). The fates are sealed on Yom kippur.
Jews observe Fast, spend their day in synagogue prayers and abstain from work and all physical pleasures to please the Almighty on this day.

Sharing similar beliefs is the performance of Hajj,the fifth tenet in Islam, where the Pilgrims to Mecca forfeit all earthly chains, abstain from all physical pleasures and spend their days in prayers to please the Almighty, and muslims across the globe bond with the pilgrims by observing certain restrictions as the pilgrims, and spend the day in prayers, from the sighting of the crescent of the 12th month of Islamic calendar, Zil-Hajj till the three-Days festival of Sacrifice (Eid-ul-Azha) which commences on the 10th day of the month.

It is assured by the Almighty that whoever successfully complete their Pilgrimage in true Faith and it accepted by the Almighty, all their sins are forgiven and they return from the plains of Arafa as pure as a baby emerges from it's mother's womb.

Allah knows better His will behind this phenomenal co-incidence between the two Faiths which are brethren-by-Books yet divided by conflicts... But if we are to see, it looks like a divine message of harmony and peace for the two communities and to show how both are more similar than different to each other.

Wishing a peaceful Yom Kippur and Yom Arafath to Jews and Muslims all over the world.