SIGNIFICANCE OF HIJRAH -01

A Note Made From A Khutbah Presented By Bar. Adam Toyin Jamiu At Hilal (Crescent) Islamic Center, Ilorin, on 2nd Muharram, 1437 AH

By

Ibn 'Abdillah As-sudaisiy Al-Iloori

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful

Several reasons have been adduced for the Hijrah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم. One of the most common reasons is that the Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم left Makkah for Madeenah due to the persecution of the Makkan idol worshippers. It must however be noted that the main reason for the migration of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم to Madeenah was to establish the Islamic state characterized by truth and justice for the entire mankind. Despite the fact that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم loved Makkah so much being his home town, he had to leave for Madeenah in fulfilment of Allaah's instruction. There are many lessons derivable from the Hijrah of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and his Companions رضي الله عنهم. Some of the lessons are as follows:

1. OBEDIENCE TO ALLAAH AND HIS MESSENGER صلى الله عليه وسلم

The Hijrah signifies the importance of obeying Allaah and His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم obeyed Allaah by resolving to leave Makkah for Madeenah in order to protect Islaam, and when the Prophet, sollaLohu alaihi wasallam announced this to his Companions رضي الله عنهم, they didn't argue with him. They followed his instruction and left Makkah with him to please Allaah alone. It was due to the obedient nature of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم

and his companions رضي الله عنهم that they were able to spread the religion of Islaam to many other parts of the world. 

It is however unfortunate that today, a lot of Muslims have neglected this significant attribute. Many Muslims do not obey Allaah talk less of obeying His Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم. Some Muslims go to the extent of distinguishing  Allaah' s instructions from the instructions of the Rosul,  صلى الله عليه وسلم, They only want to obey Allaah. They think obeying the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم is optional. This is a wrong assumption because Allaah says

ْ وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُوا ۚ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ شَدِيدُ الْعِقَابِ

".....And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from. And fear Allah ; indeed, Allah is severe in penalty" [Q59:7]

So, obedience to the dictates of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم is as crucial as obedience to Allaah. Whoever obeys the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم has obeyed Allaah and whoever disobeys him has disobeyed Allaah. In fact, in one of the famous verses of Qur'an, Allaah says: we are not believers except we make the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم the judge between us. So, those who do rely on verses of the Qur'an alone (those reject the hadith the way they like) are upon kufr. Some people are fond of this habit today. When you give them an authentic hadith on a matter, they will say, "no! want verses of the Qur'an only". What are they saying indirectly? They are indirectly belying the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم, and this is a kufr act on its own".

2. NO CONDITION IS PERMANENT

From the Hijrah, we are made to understand that no condition is permanent and as Muslims, we must always be ready of all eventualities. Anything can happen at anytime. When the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم called his people to Hijrah, they abandoned all their businesses, families and belongings. They migrated for the sake of Allaah. They knew all what they had were not enough reason for them to abandon the Hijrah. They loved Allaah more than their relatives, children, wives, wealth etc. Allah says in Suratur Rahman:

كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ ,وَيَبْقَىٰ وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ

"Everyone upon the earth will perish, and there will remain the Face of your Lord, Owner of Majesty and Honor" [Q55:26-27]

But today, a lot of Muslim cannot sacrifice their worldly belongings for the sake of Allaah. When they are called to spend in Allaah's cause, they will abscond. They can do anything to please their parents, wives, relatives even if that thing displeases Allaah, their Creator. This is very bad. We must change this our attitude and emulate the Companions of the Prophe رضي الله عنهم by sacrificing anything for Allah's sake.

To be continued in sha Allaah..