Holidays into Holy Days

Kindi’s Blog


Holidays into Holy Days, via www.Tablighuddeen.Com, Courtesy of Kindi’s BlogPosted: 22 Dec 2011 09:54 PM PST

There has been suchsuch an increase in the volume of readers of this blog from the Northern Hemisphere, that they not only constitute the majority of  readers forrecent months, but have displaced the South as all-time majority. I thereforeapologise if this article reflects a Southern bias, but the points remain universal.
Our Mother ‘Aishah radiyallahuanha narrated that they slaughtered an ewe [and distributed most ofthe meat in charity]. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam then asked,”What remains of it?” 
She replied,”Nothing remains of it besides the shoulder.”
 Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam responded, “All of it remains except for its shoulder.”[at-Tirmizi]
In other words a believer’s focus is not limited to what is physically apparent, but his gazestretches to Allah and the next life.
The response of ‘Aishah  radiyallahuanha was correct in material terms that all that was left in theNabawi Household was the shoulder. Yet Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam wished to train her in gazing “with the light of Allah.” A gaze of faith would show that the meat given in charity was “banked”in the Hereafter which is forever. The meat left for worldly consumption wouldbe consumed and gone. Thus, “All of it remains except for its shoulder.”
The friends of Allah generally have this quality. I especially notice this ability to draw spiritual benefit from the mundane in the writings of Ibnul Jawzi. I view these few penned words to be inspired by that spiritual and mental titan of Iraq.
The following Hadithauthenticated by al-Imaam as-Suyuti and al-Imaam ash-Shawkaani is often quotedin the context of “miraculous inspiration,” yet in the light of theabove lesson of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam , there is no reason why the ordinary believer cannot train himself to look at the most mundaneexperiences “with the light of Allah.”
Abu Saeed al-Khudri radiyallahuanhu narrated that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam said, “Bewarethe insight of a believer, for indeed he gazes with the light of Allah MostHonorable and Majestic.”
The western world is undergoing a holiday season. There is no way we living in the west can expectto be unaffected. Yet there is no reason why we should not gaze at this with”Allah’s light” and gain spiritual profit from what otherwise is ofno gain to our eternal life.
The beginning ofevery holiday involves the use of some kind of vehicle or the other. Rememberto recite the dua of  Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. More than recitation,reflect on the sublime wisdom of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and the lesson heimparts.
“Pure is He who brought this [vehicle] into our control when wewere not capable.” 
Reflect how thesewords apply not only to man taming giant camels and elephants but any modernvehicle and even spacecraft.
Entering a vehicle can be a mundane activity or ameans of reflection, appreciating Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam and drawingcloser to him. The choice is yours.
“And indeed weare moving towards our Rabb”
Every dua in one wayor the other contains this reminder that we are on a journey towards Allah.Reflect on this and your journey will be free of sin. Holiday is no excuse to disobey Allah.
Many people headtowards the sea or other bodies of water. An opportune time to meditate overthe words of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam The comparison of this world to the Hereafter is like a man who dips hisfinger in the sea and looks at what it returns.”
What returns is not even a drop. When I reflected on this Hadith when visiting Mombasa, Kenya, Irealised my error is thinking of this Hadith in terms of drops. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam never used the word, “drop.” There was a thin film ofwater on my finger which only by holding my finger upright, coalesced into adrop. This world compared to the next is less than the drop compared to the seaof the Hereafter. Spend a moment reflecting on the wisdom of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  and you might come home with something better than just sunburn.
Most people spendmore money this time of the year than during other times. Reflect that Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam refused to fix market prices as prices are set byAllah. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam explained in the Tafseer of Surah ad-Dukhaan that conditions descend upon us based upon the deeds we send to the heavens.
Every purchase we make should not be limited tomoaning how prices keep rising, but is a chance to reflect how the rebelliousdeeds of man being sent to the heavens are causing unfavourable conditions tofall back on him.
Summer heat drives us to air-conditioners, cold beverages etc. What will our condition be on the Dayof Resurrection when the sun will be so much closer above our heads? The only”air-conditioner” will be Allah’s Throne. Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam taught us that seven categories of people will receive theshade of the Throne and there will be no other comforting shade. Let us gaze atthe heat with Allah’s light and ponder how we can join this exclusive club ofseven.
Unbearable thirst?
Avert your gaze from Coke and Pepsi and look with Allah’s light. Whoever drinksKawthar water from the blessed hands of Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam will never feel thirst ever again.
In  which category of Kawtharapplicant will I be associated with?
1.     An imitator of the Muhajirun whosacrificed everything for Islam?
2.     The Ansaar who helped Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  and those who sacrificed?
3.     The people of Yemen who embodied thequalities of Imaan i.e. hear and obey?
4.     An ordinary Muslim who just makes themark?
5.     A rejector of the Sunnah whom theangels will block from Kawthar and Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam  himself will chase away?   
The end of the year is also the time of announcingexamination results, graduations and congratulations. How will I do in theexamination of the grave?
May Allah grant that we all be recipients of thebest of congratulations – the angels lining up and congratulating us as we enterJannah – aameen!!
Peace be upon you! You have done well! Enter here forever!!! [az-Zumar: 73]

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