There are many precious seasons of benefit among the months, days and nights created by Allah (swt). The month of Muharram, which we are in now, is also a precious period of time that must be considered as a gift and spent effectively. It is the first month of the Hijri year, and the beginning of divine favor and blessing, peace and trust.
Dear Muslims!
The month of Muharram is one of the four haram months in which war is prohibited. Our Almighty Lord (swt) states in the Holy Qur'an: "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 straight usage.…"[1] Our Prophet (saw) also pointed out the spiritual fruitfulness of this month with the following hadith: "The most virtuous fasting after the month of Ramadan is the one performed in Allah's month al-Muharram."[2]
Honorable Brothers and Sisters!
The tenth day of the month of Muharram, which we will be experiencing on Thursday next week, is the Day of Ashura. Our beloved Prophet (saw) recommended believers to fast for two days by adding either the ninth or the eleventh day of Muharram to the day of Ashura[3], and said, "Fast on the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it."[4]
Dear Muslims!
The Day of Ashura has also been placed with deep sorrow in our history and memories. On this grievous day, the grandson of our beloved Prophet (saw) and the apple of Ali and Fatimah's (ra) eyes, Hussain (ra) was martyred in Karbala with more than seventy Muslims beside him. Karbala is the common pain and heartache of those who believe in Allah (swt) and His Messenger (saw), and in whose hearts the love of Ahl al-Bayt is engraved. Those who committed this nefarious act have been condemned in the conscience of all Muslims regardless of their madhdhabs (sects) and mashrabs (nature) without exception.
By suffering with pain and tears, many Islamic regions have almost turned into Karbala today. While our brothers and sisters are being persecuted, and innocent women and children are killed, our duty is to understand Karbala correctly, and to stand against injustice with an attitude like that of Hussain (ra).
Brothers and Sisters!
Hussain (ra) took the Holy Qur'an and the glorious Sunnah of the Prophet of Mercy (saw) as his guide. He did not manifest consent to oppression nor was he a mere spectator to injustice. Ignoring the warning of others, he hit the road for the right, truth, peace and quiet to prevail in the world. Thus, his honorable struggle has become a unique example that will guide all humanity until the Last Day.
Honorable Believers!
Allah the Almighty (swt) commands in the Holy Qur'an, "And, [moreover], this is My path, which is straight, so follow it; and do not follow [other] ways, for you will be separated from His way..."[5] The Messenger of Allah (saw) also gave the following advice to us: "Do not look for each other's faults; do not spy on each other's private life; do not be jealous of each other; do not turn your backs on each other; and do not hate each other. O the servants of Allah! Be brothers!"[6]
So, come! Let us be awake against those who by hiding behind ethnic, cultural, sectarian and ideological differences target our brotherhood, and seek to cause new incidents of Karbala in our geography. Let us stand by the side of the good and goodness and be against the bad and badness; and let us keep in good standing the right and the truth just as Hussain (ra) did. Let us run towards solidarity, amity, and unity, with our hearts together under the light of Islam.
Peace be upon Hussain (ra) and Ahl al-Bayt who were martyred in Karbala, and then upon all our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for what is sacred. May their rank in the Hereafter be exalted and their place be heaven.
Esteemed Brothers and Sisters!
A new school year is starting next Monday. I pray to Lord Almighty (swt) that the new school year bring all the goodness to our children who are our hope for the future, and our teachers who prepare our children for the future. May the Almighty Allah (swt) bestow the light of understanding upon our children, and success upon our teachers.
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[1] Tawbah, 9/36.
[2] Tirmidhi, Sawm, 40.
[3] Tirmidhi, Sawm, 48.
[4] Ibn Hanbal, I, 240.
[5] An'am, 6/153.
[6] Bukhari, Adab, 57.
General Directorate of Religious Services