A LESSON TO BE TAKEN ON THE 10^th OF MUHARRAM

WE ARE DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS

Allah Ta’ala has given us honour through Islam. We have lost our respect and we are now looking for it in night clubs, massive buildings, filling stations and properties. We are looking for it in PHD’S, B.A’S and M.A’S. Most certainly, we will not find it in these places as it has been kept in Islam.

The example of this is like a person that is living in a tin shanty. He does not have any lights in his little dwelling. He loses a gold coin in the tin shanty at night. He starts searching for it under the street lamp. A close friend passes by and asks him, “What are you looking for?” He replies, “I am looking for my gold coin which was my only possession.” The friend assists him but when he loses all hope of finding it he asks his friend, “Where did you lose it?” He says, “In my tin shanty.” The friend asks, “Why are you looking for it on the street?” He replied, “As I do not have any lights in my dwelling.” He will never find it under the street light. If he moves his hand around in the dark then too there is a possibility of him finding it in his tin shanty but not in the street. This is the condition of the Ummah. We have lost our respect and honour but we are looking for it in such places where it can never be found.             

The words of Umar Radiallahu Anhu  are,

نحن قوم اعزنا الله بالاسلام فان نطلب العزة فى غير الاسلام اذلنا الله

We are nation whom Allah has given honour through Islam, if we seek respect in other than Islam Allah will humiliate us

The black gold which is oil is pre-dominantly in the hands of the Muslims. The best scientists in America are Bangladeshis. The best military manufacturers are Eygptians. The best doctors are Pakistaanis. We have all these things to our credit yet Allah Ta'ala has placed us at the bottom as we are seeking honour in the incorrect places. It is absolutely simple, search for it in the simplicity of Islam.

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said,

بدا الا سلام غريبا وسيعود غريبا فطوبى للغرباء

Islam has started in a strange manner and will eventually become strange (once again), glad tidings to the strange people

Initially people never wore the Topi but gradually they started wearing Topi, they began wearing the Islamic garbs. They started performing Salaah. The Hadith states that we will once again experience such a time that we will look strange if we have to adorn Islamic dressing. Rasulullah  Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam has given glad tidings for those that are the different type of people.

Our condition has become such nowadays that if our Nikah is simple then the pious people will comment by saying, “Was this a Nikah or a Janaazah?” This is one of the lessons that we should take on the 10^th of Muharram. We have to be different to the others. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam had contradicted the Jews by instructing the Sahaaba to fast on the 9^th and 10^th, or on the 10^th and 11^th.   

The 10^th of Muharram is an honourable day. On other occasions the nights of Qadr, Baraa’at are honourable. On this 10^th day of Muharram, the Masjid will be full. This is imitating the way of the Christians as they attend church once a week and for the remainder of the week they do as they wish. This is one of the lessons to be taken on the 10th of Muharram.