Happy Islamic New Year 1442

Happy Islamic New Year 1442! ‘Shekara Kwana!’ (Hausa for “A Year is as A Day!”). Exactly an Islamic year ago (usually Gregorian year less eleven days) on this page, we celebrated the arrival of Hijri 1441 with a Khutba (Sermon) titled ‘Importance of Time’ by Imam of Al Manar Mosque, Kaduna, Shaikh Muhammad Tukur Adam Abdullahi, whereinhe reiterated the Prophetic caution to all of us on ‘Sittuna au Sab’una’ (that we may generally expire in our sixties or seventies). Alas! With COVID-19, many transitioned even at Khamsuna (fifties), or even younger. May Allah forgive us all.

This Column continues to call on the Federal Government to, as a matter of justice and fair play, declare Muharram 1 as Public Holiday to ‘balance the equation’of January 1. Doing so at the federal level will short-cut the reluctance of some states, including Muslim-majority ones, in doing same. Sadly, it has been reported that the ‘new’Makinde Government of Oyo State has ‘rolled back’ the Hijra Holiday generously instituted by later Governor Ajimobi. Time awaits!

Today’s Islamic New Year Message is contained in the Khutba ofShaikh Murtadha Muhammad Gusau ([email protected]), Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah Mosque in Okene, Kogi State, in a Sermonfor yesterday Friday Muharram 1st, 1442. The following are excerpts, as his almost 4,000 words areabridged to 1,000:

“Respected Servants of Allah! Today, 1442 is upon us. The new year corresponds with the migration, or the Hijrah, of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah. The migrationwas one of the most important turning points in the history of Islam. The story of the Hijrah should be told and retold every year so that we may continue to learn from its valuable lessons.

“Indeed, there are in the Hijrah admonitions and lessons for every Muslim, especially of patience and perseverance. Another lesson is that it was that Allah willed to make His Prophet perform the Hijrah with means that human beings are well accustomed to, such as riding on a camel, and hiring a guide. If Allah had wished, He could have provided his Prophet the Buraq (that extraordinary animal that moved at great speed, with which the Messenger did Isra’ and Mi’raj from Makkah to Al Quds Jerusalem, and thence to the Heavens), but Allah wanted us to emulate the Prophet and to aid the religion with whatever means He has facilitated us.

“On the night of the Hijrah, while theidolaters were standing in wait outside the Prophet’s home so they could assassinate him, he was cleverly thinking several steps ahead of them,and anticipating their moves. He had first arranged for his cousin Ali ibn Abi Talib to lie in his bed that night. The miracle here was that when he emerged, the enemies were all there at the ready – but he recited the opening verses of Surah Yasin and threw sand in their faces; by Allah’s leave, the enemies went into deep slumber, there a-standing! Allah could have spirited him out any which way–but He wanted to teach us how to plan.

“Careful planning and tremendous efforts were executed to make that escape possible.He knew the Quraish would search for him on the common routes from Makkah to Madinah, so rather than taking the expected northern trail, he and his companion Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) first headed south, and hid in Cave Thawr to ensure the trail was dead. He had also previously made preparations for provisions, the camels to ride, and other necessary precautions.

“Keeping good company is an important lesson in the Prophetic Hijrah that we can benefit from. The Prophet did not set out on his journey alone; he wanted a friend to accompany him, and he chose the best of friends, Abu Bakr. The lesson here is that we should likewise try to maintain good friendships in our lives. Friends can be a strong source of support, inspire us to do good deeds, remind us of Allah when we are heedless, share with us our happiness, and keep us safe when tragedies strike.

“Another lesson is that great accomplishments usually come about due to collective effort. The energy and fervor of the youth should be utilised, and the role of women is as important as that of men: Ali was a young man when he courageously slept in the Prophet’s bed to deceive the Quraish who were lurking outside with intent to kill; Abdullah, Abu Bakr’s son, another young man, was entrusted with the secret of where his father and the Prophet were hiding. Abdullah would listen to what the people of Makkah were plotting, andwould report to the Prophetand his father under the cover of the night.

“Another heroine of the Hijrah was Asma’, Abdullah’s sister. She used to secretly take food and water to the Prophet and her fatheras they hidin that cave, risking her own life, considering she was even pregnant at the time. Suspecting that she knew something, Abu Jahl, one of the fiercest men of Quraish, once stormed into her home and demanded she tell him their hiding place. She faced him bravely and refused to utter a word. Abu Jahl slapped her so violently that her necklace broke, and she fell to the ground, bruised but not broken.

“Dear brothers and sisters! There are so many lessons for us in the life of Prophet Muhammad, upon whom be peace, and his Hijrah. And although we cannot partake in the Prophet’s Hijrah physically today, we can still learn from it symbolically as theProphet had said: ‘Hijrah will not cease until there is no more repentance and repentance will not cease until the sun rises from the west.’”

Let us all remember the significance of Prophet Muhammad, whom Allah Himself (exalted be His Name) unceasingly celebrates the praises of, and orders us to do so accordingly (Qur’an Surah al AhzabChapter 33:56:The Confederates or “The Coalition Forces”) “InnalLah wa mala’ikataHuYusallunaalannabiy; yaayyuhallazinaamanusallu alaihi wa sallimutaslima.” (Allah and His angels shower blessings on the Prophet. O you who believe! Shower blessings on him and salute him with a worthy salutation.”

Allahumma Salli wa Sallim ala Muhammad! May the peace and blessings of Allah be upon Muhammad!