Good Advice in the month of Muharram
By Sheikh Abdul Hamid Lachporia
“Al-Hamdu Lillaahi Rabbil ‘Aalameen was Salatu
was Salaamu ‘alaa Asrafil Anbiyaa’e wal Mursaleen”
“Oo see kum Ibad’allah Bi Taqwa’llah”
Wa Ba’d:
Alal Muslimeena Jami’ah!
The Mubarak month of Muharram will Insha’Allah help to remind us that it is the love of Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal that unblocks the coldness, the bitterness, and the ache of bereavement, the pain of loneliness and rejection, the resentment of our ill treatment by others. Maybe life is given to us specifically so that we can learn how to believe, love Almighty Allah, and love our fellow human beings and treat them with love, understanding and compassion. The beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam said: (Sahih Muslim).
“You cannot believe until you love one another.”
Ummatul Muslimeen! Even though you may want to move forward in your life, you may have one foot on the brakes. In order to be free, we must learn how to let go. Release the hurt. Release the fear. Refuse to entertain your old pain. The energy it takes to hang onto the past is holding you back from a new life. What is it you would let go of today? Keep your face always toward the sunshine – and shadows will fall behind you. Do not pray for an easy life, pray to Almighty Allah Tabaraqa Wata’ala for the strength to endure a difficult one for He is Gafooroor Raheem and remember His Promise in verse 157 of Surahtul Al Baqara:
“Such are they on whom are blessings and Mercy from their Rabb.”
To handle yourself during this Mubarak month of Muharram, use your head; to handle others, use your heart. Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are. The past is behind, learn from it. The future is ahead, prepare for it. The present is here, live it. Be grateful, trust in Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata’ala, be smart, be clean, be true, be humble and be prayerful for we are reminded in verse 33 of Surahtul Ha Mim:
“Who is better in speech than the one who calls men to Allah,
works righteousness, and says, I am of those who bow in Islam”.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others, even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with Almighty Allah Azza Wajjal, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a most beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy and say Shukran, and Alhumdulillah Hi Rabbil Ala’meen for all of Almighty Allah’s Blessings.
Ayyuhal Muslimoon! Our foremost duty therefore as concerned Muslims is to seek the path of goodness, kindness, upright conduct and charity during this most wonderful month. Did you know that miserliness and greed are not only dangerous for the individual but also for the community. Our Beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam is reported to have pointed it out as one of the three most destructive qualities of man’s character. He said:
“Three kinds of character are ruinous for man:
subservience to miserliness and greed, servitude
to carnal desires, appetites, and vanity.”
Remember, Life is made up, not of great sacrifices or duties, but of little things, in which smiles and kindness, and small obligations given habitually,
are what preserve the heart and secure comfort.
You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force.
And Almighty Allah knows best.
Was Salamualaykum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu
A Joyous Jummah Mubarak to you and to all your loved ones.
With Love & Salaams from Canada
