Islam

Moments (7)

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Mohsin Aziz

Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w.) did only one Hajj in his lifetime. There are many lessons and events associated with that Hajj. It was during this Hajj that the Prophet gave his final sermon. It is a sermon that echoed the timeless values of justice, equality, and sanctity of life. It was a charter of human rights. It was a long sermon. At the end of the sermon, Prophet called out Allah and made Him his witness:

O Allah, be my witness. O Allah, be my witness. O Allah, be my witness.‘

To this day, when pilgrims gather in the plains of Arafat, they are reminded of the message of the Prophet. They reflect upon it not merely as philosophical and historical narration but as a covenant between them and the Seal of the Prophet’s.

This moment is preserved for eternity. Immediately after Prophet Mohammad finished his sermon, he received wahi (revelation) from Allah:

‘Today I have perfected your religion for you and completed My favour upon you, and I have chosen Islam as your religion’ (Quran, Surah Al Maida: 3).

Moments (6)

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Mohsin Aziz

Hazrat Fatima, daughter of the Prophet, was facing physical hardship. It was gruelling household chores. Constant use of handmill to grind grains bruised her hands, and her shoulders were hurt carrying water.

One day, Hazrat Fatima learned that the Prophet has received prisoners of war. Hazrat Fatima and her husband Hazrat Ali decided to go and ask for a prisoner so that he may work as a domestic help.

When the Prophet was asked, he turned down the request. The request was not turned down due to anger but out of love. Rasulullah said that the need of ashab e suffa was greater at that time and took precedence over family. Instead, the Prophet gave them a supplication  to recite at bedtime. The servant would have helped with physical fatigue, but the Prophet gave a supplication routine for spiritual health.

Hazrat Fatima was told to recite SubhanAllah (Glory be to Allah) 33 times, Alhamdulillah (Praise be to Allah) 33 times, and Allahu Akbar (Allah is Great) 34 times. He told them that reciting it would be better for both of them than a servant. From that moment, Hazrat Ali never forgot to recite it before bedtime for the rest of his life. Because the Ummah got this precious gift due to Hazrat Fatima, it is also called Tasbeeh Fatimi.

Yoon ki hai ahley bait mut’har ne zindagi

This is how pure family of Prophet lived

Ye maajra e dukhtar e khairul anaam tha

This is the story of the daughter of the best of the creations

Allama Shibli Nomani

Moments (5)

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Mohsin Aziz

It was almost six years since Mohammad ibn Abdullah had declared that he was a prophet and was inviting Makkans to Islam. Slowly the number of believers in his message was increasing and upsetting the social order of Makkah. Established power centers were worried. One of them was Umar Ibn Khattab. One day Umar decided that enough was enough and set out to kill the Prophet with a sword in his hand. On the way he was informed that his sister Fatima Ibn Khattab and her husband have already accepted the message and were Muslims. This enraged him no end and his anger was redirected towards his sister. He decided to first tackle his sister.

Furious Umar went straight away to his sister’s house and found them listening to the Quran. Seething with anger he stuck his brother-in-law and also hit his sister and injured her. Seeing blood dripping from her face, Umar was shaken. Fatima told him that he may kill her, but she would never leave Islam. Seeing her courage and blood he softened and asked her to let him read what they were reading. He read the following passage:

“Indeed, I am Allah. There is no deity except Me, so worship Me and establish prayer for My remembrance.” (Quran, Surah TaHa:14)

Umars heart changed that moment. He asked to be taken to the Prophet. Umar accepted Islam that day. The rest is history. He went on to become the second caliph after the death of the prophet, and it was during his caliphate that the Roman and the Persian empires were defeated. From these victories emerged a new Islamic Civilization and transformed the economic, cultural and political map of the old world in way unmatched in world history.

Moments (4)

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Mohsin Aziz

Abraham was getting old and was childless. He used to pray Allah for a righteous child. He prayed “My Lord, grant me [a child] from among the righteous.” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:100). Allah responded and gave him a son named Ismail as the ripe old age. Quran mentions it thus “So We gave him good news of a forbearing son.” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:101).

When the child grew up and became an obedient son, Abraham saw a dream that the son had to be sacrificed. Abraham had never thought twice when it came to following the commands of Allah. He immediately summoned his son and told him about his dream. It is one of the most poignant moments in the history of mankind when a young boy submitted to the will of Allah instantly. No second thoughts. Quran describes this event as:

“O my dear son! I have seen in a dream that I ˹must˺ sacrifice you. So tell me what you think.” He replied, “O my dear father! Do as you are commanded. Allah willing, you will find me steadfast.” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:102).

Heavens must have moved and angels would have wondered at the steadfastness and immense belief of the young boy. The son even suggested to his father to cover his eyes lest the father falters in the divine task out of love for his child. It was the most demanding of tests. According to Allah: “That was truly a revealing test” (Quran, Surah As Saffat:106)

Peace be upon Abraham (Quran, Surah As Saffat: 109)

Moments (3)

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Mohsin Aziz

The first Azaan in Islam was given by Bilal Ibn Rabah (R.A.). After the death of the Prophet, Hazrat Bilal found it difficult to give azaan (Islamic call to prayer). Whenever he would reach the sentence “Ashhadu Anna Muhmmad ur Rasoolullah” he would break down in tears and found it difficult to finish the azaan. So much so that he left Madina and settled in Syria participating in

Many years later, when he was in Madina, Umar Ibn Khattab (R.A.), during his caliphate, requested him to give azaan. Bilal agreed reluctantly. The moment his voice rang over Madina, companions were overcome with joy and emotions. It is said that the whole of Madina rushed towards the Masjid Al Nabawi to witness the occasion. It is said that men and women wept uncontrollably. Bilal’s voice reminded them of the times of the prophet. This is a cherished story for Muslims even after the passage of more than1400 years because it reminds them of the immense love for the prophet and has resulted in countless poems that describe the scene.

“Reh gai rasm-e-azaan rooh-e-Bilali na rahi”

“Falsafa reh gaya, talqeen-e-Ghazali na rahi”

Ritual of azaan remains, the soul of bilal is missing

Philosophy of Ghazali remains, the spirit is missing

Sir Mohammad Iqbal (Jawab e Shikwa)

Moments (2)

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Mohsin Aziz

Bakkah. Around 2000 B.C.

The land is barren. Not a blade of grass. No sign of life. Nobody has ever lived there. It is inhospitable and is rightly called wadi ghair zee zara ì.e. valley where nobody lives and nothing grows.  From distance, one can see three silhouettes. What are these three people doing there? Who are they? An old man, a woman, and a newborn baby boy. The baby is still nursing.

The old man puts some dates and water in a water skin near the women and the infant and starts walking away. The woman gets worried and calls him asking ‘where are you going, Abraham, leaving us in this barren valley?’ Abraham kept quiet and kept walking. The women repeated her question but again did not get any answer. Abraham kept walking silently. When after repeatedly asking the question and not getting any answer, the woman understood that her husband is not acting on his own initiative but on divine instruction. Finally, she asked him: ‘Did Allah command you to do so?’ Ibrahim replied in affirmative. After confirming from Ibrahim that he was leaving his wife and child in the barren, lifeless valley at the command of Allah, Hajar, at that moment, said the famous sentence dripped in faith ‘ We are not going to be lost, since Allah Who has commanded you is with us‘ (Sahih al Bukhari, 3363 and 3364).