24/4/24

THE BATTLE OF UHUD – 15th of Shawwal 

Many verses of Sura Aali Imran are dedicated to this battle (3: 121-179)

I remember my Papa telling me about this battle every year. He would say it is in this battle that the only one who didn’t run away was Imam Ali (pbuh) and it was in this battle that it was said

“There is no soldier like Ali and no sword like Zulfikar”

“Never run away from a difficult situation” he would say  “Face it and ask with the waseela of Imam Ali and all will be well.”

17/4/24

YAWM GHAM – DAY OF SADNESS 8th Shawwal

AND ITS ALL ABOUT JANNATUL BAQEE

Literally “Al-Baqee” means a tree garden.
It is also known as “Jannat Al-Baqee”

The first companion buried in Al-Baqee was Uthman Ibn Madhoon who died on the 3rd of Sha’ban 3AH. The Prophet (pbuh) buried his close  companion, placing two stones over the grave.

On the following years, the Prophet’s son Ibrahim, who died in infancy  was also buried there. The people of Madina then began to use that site for the burial of their own dead, because the Prophet (pbuh) used to greet those who were buried in Al-Baqi by saying, “Peace be upon you, O abode of the faithful! God willing, we should soon join you. O’ Allah, forgive those buried in al-Baqee”.
The site was extended.

Nearly seven thousand companions of the Prophet (pbuh) were buried there, including the 3nd, 4th, 5th & 6th Imams.

The wives of the Prophet (pbuh), his young son, the mother of Imam Ali (pbuh), the mother Hazrat Abbas – Ummulbanin (pbuh)   are also buried in Baqee.

On the 8th Shawwal 1344 AH.(21 April 1925) the Wahhabis under the rule of Ibn Saud, began destroying all the burial grounds and shrines including ‘Jannatul Baqee’. An attempt was even made to demolish the Prophet’s tomb, but for one reason or another, the idea was abandoned.

The Wahhabis believe that visiting the graves and the shrines of the Prophets, the Imams, or the saints was a form of idolatry

SO TODAY RECITE A SURA AL FAATIHA FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE BURIED IN BAQEE AND AROUND THE WORLD WHOSE GRAVES HAVE BEEN DESTROYED, AND FOR ALL THE MARHUMEEN ESPECIALLY THOSE  WHO HAVE LEFT AN INDELIBLE MARK ON YOUR SOUL (They should also be on your Salatul Layl list)

14/4/24

The Battle of Hunayn 6th Shawwal 8AH

‎لَقَدْ نَصَرَكُمُ اللَّهُ فِي مَوَاطِنَ كَثِيرَةٍ ۙ وَيَوْمَ حُنَيْنٍ 

Certainly Allah helped you in many situations  and on the day of Hunayn…….. 9:25

‎ثُمَّ أَنْزَلَ اللَّهُ سَكِينَتَهُ عَلَىٰ رَسُولِهِ وَعَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَأَنْزَلَ جُنُودًا لَمْ تَرَوْهَا

 Then Allah sent down His tranquillity upon His Messenger and upon the believers, and sent down hosts (angels)  which you did not see…9:26

1. The Prophet received intelligence that the tribes of Thaqeef and Hawazin were moving toward Makka. He didn’t want Makka to become a battle-ground and therefore left to meet them in the valley of Hunayn between Makka and Taif.
2. Although the Muslims had initially outnumbered the enemy; after they were ambushed in a mountain passmany ran away leaving the Prophet (pbuh) with very few supporters.
3. The Prophet (pbuh) took a handful of soil (or pebbles) and threw it towards the enemy, saying: “O Rabb, to You belongs praise and intercession, and You are the help” 
4. ⁠The tide of the battle suddenly turned and this led to the enemy running  away when they saw the angels that Divinity had sent just like in the battle of Badr

WHEN  YOU WANT DIVINITY TO HAVE YOUR BACK

If you find yourself in a situation that is unbearable and overwhelming , recite Sura Al Mujadilah (58) (preferably 3x) for Divinity’s help. You could throw some earth in the direction of that which is causing you harm.
Recite YAA ALLAH YAA HAYYU YAA QAYYUM BIRAHMATIKA ASTAGHIYTHU…

12/4/24

THE MONTH OF SHAWWAL

Also known as Shawwaal Mukarrama (شوّال المکرّمة)
Literally means to take provisions for going on a journey (or to lift and carry). When the months were named this month coincided with the hunting season for the Arabs and so it was called Shawwaal.

The Prophet (pbuh) said that the month was called Shawwaal because sins and negative consequences of actions were lifted (removed). Shawwaal signifies new life and renewal after a month of spiritual cleansing. 

EVENTS OF THE MONTH OF SHAWWAL

• 1st Eid ul Fitr
• 6th Battle of Hunain
• 8th Destruction of Jannatul Baqee
• 9th Battle of Ahzab/Khandaq
• 10th Start of Ghaibatul Kubra of Imam Muhammed Mahdi (pbuh)
• 23rd Battle of Uhud
• 25th Death anniversary of Imam Ja’fer As-Sadiq (pbuh)
• 30th Death of Ibrahim (pbuh) son of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)

12/4/24

ASH  HARUL HAJJ (Shawwal, Dhulqa’da & Dhulhijja)

It is the  3rd of  the month of Shawwal which is the first of the months of Ash harul Hajj.

Even if you are not anticipating going for Hajj, a good time to look into the different aspects of Hajj starting with Prophet Ibraheem (pbuh).

He was titled ‘The friend of Allah’.

 I love this conversation with his Friend –  2:260 
When Abraham said: “Show me, Rabb, how You will raise the dead, “
Allah replied: “Have you no faith?”
He said “Yes, but just to reassure my heart.”
Allah said, “Take four birds, draw them to you, and cut their bodies to pieces. Scatter them over the mountain-tops, then call them back. They will come swiftly to you. Know that Allah is Mighty, Wise.”

Its all about ‘itminaan of the qalb’ – satisfaction of the heart

REASSURANCE

Often in life we want reassurances from those who love us even though deep down we know that they love us.

Whenever we are reminded to pray, recite Qur’an, do dua  or recite Asmaaul Husnaa,  it’s Allah reassuring us that He is there for us and wants the best for us …

That in essence is  Him saying – I AM HERE AND WILL ALWAYS  BE HERE AS LONG AS YOU CALL ON ME.