Sikander Hashmi – A Unique First Ten of Dhul Hijjah KMA Friday Message
AI: Summary ©
AI: Transcript ©
Respected elders, your brothers and sisters,
my young friends,
We begin by praising Allah
the Lord of the Universe,
our designer, our creator,
our sustainer,
our nourisher, our protector.
We begin by sending peace and salutations upon
his beloved messenger,
Muhammad,
son of Abdullah,
sallallahu alayhi wa'ala alayhi
wa'ala. Brothers and sisters, I hope that you're
all doing well
and are under the protection and the blessings
of Allah
May Allah
always protect you, bless you,
and may he always keep you safe and
happy.
Alhamdulillah.
Today, by the mercy of Allah
we continue
on our recovery
from the global pandemic
and its local impact
as we enter
into stage 3
of reopening. And
what that means is that
we have probably
the highest level
of,
normalcy in terms of
the reopening or restarting of activities of work,
of businesses, of parks, of gatherings
possible
under the current circumstances. Because, of course,
the pandemic is still ongoing, so
the return to normalcy is not going to
be,
100%
as it's you as it used to be
before this all started.
But in under the circumstances,
this is probably,
the most that we will be able to
have in terms
of a sense of normalcy.
Now there are still some important guidelines and
restrictions,
to be followed such as physical distancing and,
of course, we have the rules with regards
to the mandatory use of masks indoors.
But
we are slowly seeing improvements
locally at least.
And for places where there are,
no improvements
or slower rate of improvements,
we ask Allah
to protect the good people there, to protect
our brothers and sisters there,
and to, to save them from any type
of harm.
As we discussed in the former brothers and
sisters,
getting back to normal,
even if it is a new normal,
means
on one hand,
it means that we are able to return
to,
a a a sense of normalcy in our
lives. But it also means,
on the other hand,
that there are more distractions for us.
That there are more distractions for us. There's
because you see, there's nothing that happens
that does not have an impact.
Everything that happens. Right? Even the slices slightest
of movements, even the slightest
or the smallest of acts of ours,
every single thing has an impact,
large or small. But somewhere there has to
be an impact.
So
when this pandemic came, it clearly had a
a huge impact on the world, upon people,
upon us.
It had positive impacts for animals, for example,
as we discussed,
perhaps I think in March, you know, and
and positive impact on nature,
on,
in terms of, purity of air and the
lack, of pollution or the lessening of pollution,
for example.
So there is on one hand, the impact
could be negative for some. It could be
positive for some. Or as we have also
discussed, it could actually be positive for some,
but they perceive it as being negative.
Right? It's possible Allah says that perhaps
you dislike something, but it is actually good
for you. Right? And the opposite is also
true true.
That you dislike something
or sorry. That you like something, you love
something, but it is actually bad for you.
Right?
Allah knows and you do not know. So
and the reality is that Allah
knows best as to exactly what is good
for us and what is bad for us.
But of course, the things which he has
made haram,
that the prophet
have disc has discouraged,
has disliked, has prohibited,
Allah has disliked and prohibited. Those things are
bad for us. There's no discussion around them.
No matter what anyone else tells us, those
things which have been categorically stated as being
prohibited or disliked
or, as as being wrong, they are bad
for us.
And that is why they have been prohibited.
Out of the wisdom of Allah
and his mercy towards
us to protect us and to keep us
safe from harm, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has
made things prohibited for us. And likewise, the
things that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has made,
obligatory upon us, that the prophet has
advised and recommended,
that is only for our own benefit as
well. Right? It is because they are better
for us in this world than in the
hereafter.
So,
you know, there are,
some, harms that we see and then there
are some benefits to that as well. And
then there are things that we see as
beneficial such as this reopening. I think most
people will agree if we speak to them
that, yes, this reopening should happen and, you
know,
it's it's a good thing for us as
as a society and as a community that
we can go back
to living our our our lives with as
much, you know, with as few restrictions,
as possible and as needed.
So that can be seen as a good
thing. And for those part, I think everyone
will agree that, yes, overall, it's probably good
for us.
But in some ways it can be harmful
for us as well. Right? And that means,
as we discussed previously,
that there are more distractions
for us. Distractions from what? From the connection
that we have built with Allah
during our time of need. Because As when
a person is in need, when a person
is ill, for example,
when you have a loved one who is
ill, when you are
in, in pain, when you are in,
a difficulty,
your level of turning to Allah
is certainly different than under normal circumstances.
Right? So in our time of need, we
built a connection with Allah
and now this reopening will serve as a
distraction for us from that connection.
And also from the good habits that we
developed during lockdown and during restrictions.
Right? When we're living through this period,
we have,
you know, established perhaps some good habits,
some good, practices,
especially when it comes to the worship of
Allah
and when it comes to our behavior,
then
it seems that, it is likely that once
the restrictions
come back,
that perhaps those good habits will become more
and more difficult for us, or we will
become distracted
from practicing upon those good habits.
Now we had also discussed extensively in the
beginning of the pandemic
the various types of tests
that we are facing or that we were
facing. Right? There was a test of faith.
There was a test of
patience.
There was a a a test of patience
and perseverance.
There was a test of trust and reliance
in Allah
The test
of the acceptance of Allah's decree. Right? So
Allah
tests human beings in different ways including us,
and one event.
Right? One event and subhanallah, I'm still amazed
when I think about it, months in now,
that is just one tiny virus.
One tiny virus which is smaller than even
other bacteria.
Okay? Which you need even more special microscopes
to look at because it's so tiny.
And through this one tiny virus,
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
has tested us and has tested the world
in
unimaginable
ways, in a numerous ways.
Right? So we were also tested
in different ways and different things which were
tested. So our faith, our patience, our perseverance,
our trust and reliance to Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala, meaning our and
the acceptance of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's decree.
Right?
Acceptance.
You know, being pleased, being, okay with,
being at ease and at peace with the
decree of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
So those were tests that we experienced.
And those tests
may be coming to an end,
but there's another test that takes place after
the initial test.
Okay? So one is the actual test that
we go through while we are going through
the pandemic or while we are actually going
through the trial.
But then there's another test that takes place
after the initial test,
and that is
the test of what
how does it impact
the experience has on
has had on us.
How does it change our lives for the
better?
Right? Whether the test was easy for us
or whether the test was difficult for us,
what impact what positive impact
does
the test or the experience have upon us?
How does it change our life for the
better?
How does it change our attitudes
for the better? How does it change us
from within,
and for how long? So definitely there was
change.
I think for most people during this time
in terms of our spirituality, in terms of
getting closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. But
how long does that last?
You see, this pandemic
gave us a great sense of longing
towards Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
And during the pandemic, we also experienced Ramadan.
So it was the coming together of 2
great motivators
to get closer to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
Ramadan, anyway, most Muslims,
Many Muslims
experience a heightened level of spirituality as we
shared, alhamdulillah.
So that coupled with the pandemic give us
2 motivators, 2 great motivators to get closer
to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
Because we wanna take advantage of Ramadan,
and, of course, we want relief from the
situation and this trial that we were in.
But it is likely now, my brothers and
sisters,
that you experienced
how that changed. So that feeling, that level
that we had
with the coming together of these 2 2
great motivators of Ramadan and the pandemic,
it is likely that you experienced how that
changed as Ramadan departed
and now as restrictions are lifted and
the summer came to us.
Now the good news is, my brothers and
sisters,
is that we have another opportunity
that is coming.
We have another opportunity that is coming. And
think of it as,
you know, a a an opportunity
slash test that Allah
schedules
60 days after the end of the month
of Ramadan.
And that opportunity is that of the 10
days
of the month of Hajj, which is going
to be starting in this coming week, Insha'Allah.
Now, of course, the loss of the Hajj
this year is also a major event. And
what I mean by the loss of the
Hajj is the fact that instead of 1,000,000,
instead of 2, 3,000,000 people, there will only
be approximately a 1000 people who will be
performing the Hajj. Okay. This is a major
event. The loss of the Hajj are people
not being able to go for the Hajj
and, you know, situations where masajid are closed
throughout Ramadan
and people are not able to pray in
the masjid in Ramadan,
not able to offer umrah, not able to
in Ramadan, not able to offer hajj, for
those who would like to go from around
the world. These are major events. Doesn't mean
they haven't happened before. I mean, the Ramadan
and the masjid closers, I think, was unprecedented,
perhaps in 100 of years.
And even the Hajj being restricted is also
a major event,
meaning historically as well. And, inshallah, we will
be having a discussion on this and it's
what it means,
next Friday, insha'Allah, July 24th in the evening,
insha'Allah, we'll be having a special online program
where we'll be discussing the laws of the
had insha'Allah.
But these 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are
still there. Just like, you know, Ramadan was
still there. The mercy of Allah Subhanahu Wa
Ta'ala was still there.
Ramadan,
even though we were not able to gather,
even though we were not able to offer,
salah together in the masjid.
These 10 days of the are still there,
and we are going to enter them
very soon. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gives us
the opportunity.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala highlights
the importance of these days.
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala highlights the importance of
these days according to some of the commentators
of the Quran in the first few verses
of Surat Al Fajr.
Right? By the dawn, Allah swore them both.
By the dawn and by the 10 nights.
Said that the 10 nights referred to here
are the 1st 10 days, the nights of
the and
this was also the opinion that was held
by
and others as well.
Now commentators of the Quran have given other
explanations for these 10 as
well, but amongst them are
that it is referring to possibly the first
10 days of Dhul Khidya. And the prophet
has told us
regarding the the greatness
of these days that
That there are no days in which righteous
deeds are more beloved to Allah Subhanahu Wa
Ta'ala,
then these 10 days, meaning these 10 days
of of Dhul Hijjah.
Another hadith,
That there are there is no deed more
precious in the sight of Allah Subhanahu Wa
Ta'ala.
No deed more precious in the sight of
Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
Nor greater in reward than a good deed
done during the 10 days of sacrifice, meaning
the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah, the first
time of Dhul Hijjah.
Now, Gul Hijjah
mentions that the most apparent reason
for the 10 days of Dhul Hijjah being
distinguished
in excellence
is due to the assembly of the greatest
acts of worship in this period,
salawat
prayers, salawat
salawat
and the Hajj.
And in no other periods do these great
deeds combine.
Now what's interesting is that, you know, in
Ramadan,
the actions are prescribed.
In Ramadan, the actions
are prescribed.
What is to be done is mentioned very,
very clearly. Right? Everything is
clearly spelled out to us in terms of
what is virtuous and what we should be
doing what we are obligated to do. Now
here, when it comes to the 10 days
of Dhul Hijjah, regarding which the prophet
has told us that, you know, there is
no, deal more precious in the sight of
Allah nor greater in reward than a good
deal get done during this period.
Regarding that, there are very few specific details
as to what exactly should be done, very
few prescriptions
about special acts of worship to be done
at that time.
So this is something which is not forced
upon us. Right? It is not obligatory upon
us.
But it is a test perhaps to see
how much of a desire we have
to become closer to Allah
to take upon another opportunity
to get closer to Allah
Think of it as a scheduled test, an
opportunity
60 days after Ramadan.
Now how or what should we do? Allah
subhanahu wa ta'ala says,
that mention the name of Allah
on appointed days. And there's a difference of
opinion as to which,
appointed days this is referring to. The majority
of the scholars mentioned
or say that it is the first hand
days of the khidja. So Allah
is referring to that in the
Quran.
Now the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam has
recommended
abundant recitation
of the praises of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala
on these days.
To increase the remembrance of Allah subhanahu wa
ta'ala and to try to do it with
the heart.
And we talked about this in Ramadan as
well. That when we remember Allah, 1 the
first level is to do it with our
tongues, of course.
Right?
The ultimate though is to do it with
our hearts and our tongues and our mind.
Right? So that we are fully engaged in
the Dhik of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala. But
most importantly, we need to try to do
it with the heart.
So the heart feels the remembrance of Allah
Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala.
One way to get the heart to feel
is to start with the tongue. So even
if you can't feel it, you start with
the tongue and then inshallah,
you know, by the abundant data through the
tongue, it will start permeating into our hearts
inshallah.
But to try to do it with the
heart is the ultimate. So what does that
mean? We try to feel the greatness of
Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.
We feel gratefulness, thankfulness towards Allah
We feel passion towards Allah
And the prophet said
that
And during this time,
recite a great deal of tahleel
of tahleel, takbir, and tahmid.
So tahleel is to say,
k. So tahleel refers to
is to say,
and
is to say.
K.
So
And this is beautifully summarized in,
in the,
in the Tagbiraat.
So you have hamder.
Right? You have the tagmid there. You have
the taglim.
And we have the tagbir for there as
well. So this is,
it's a good idea that once we enter
the first, 10 days of the hija,
that we we we build a habit of
reciting
this. Right? Of course, the announcement will come,
but most likely, to begin on Wednesday. But
stay tuned,
for for the announcement regarding the beginning of
the
Ma'am Buhari mentions
reports that Ibn Umar and Habu Hureira,
that the 2 of them used to go
out to the marketplace
during the 10 days of the
saying
and causing the people to say it also.
Right? So when they were walking around, they
would be reciting the
and
the people would also be repeating or they
would also be encouraged
to say it as well.
Secondly,
fasting is also
recommended highly recommended until the 9th day of
Dhul Hijjah.
Like the practice of the prophet sallallahu alaihi
wa sallam,
the hadith
that mentions this,
you know, could be perhaps interpreted in a
couple of ways whether it's referring to 9th
or until 9th,
day.
The 10th day at is the day of
the Eid ul Adhaq.
So, of course, there's no fasting allowed then.
The fasting of 9th, until
9th day of the Hijjah,
Like I said, likely practice of the prophet
and
says the So it is recommended. It doesn't
mention that it is a sunnah of the
prophet
It's a it is it is, it is,
you know, virtuous.
It was it is recommended,
with special emphasis.
It's the brother Shadida. Right? So it's not
just a regular,
virtue, but it's something which is highly virtuous
or highly recommended.
Thirdly then, my brothers and sisters, is the
fast of 9th
day of the Hijjah which is the day
of Arafa.
So the day of Arafa, which is the
day, the climax of the Hajj. And of
course, as I mentioned earlier, it's gonna be
very different this year,
because there's so few people. Somehow, it's gonna
be like the Hajj back in back in
the day. It's like 100 years ago, you
know.
So, a 100 years, 75 years ago, what
the Hajj used to look like. Perhaps even
longer before that. That is what the HAD
is gonna look like this year. Because what
has happened is and I'm digressing here but
just very briefly. What has happened essentially that
with the, growth in air travel,
right, with larger airplanes,
and flights coming in, of course, the capacity
to bring in people,
increased and it became a lot easier for
people to make the journey. You probably have
heard from your grandparents,
great grandparents, they do a go for Hajj.
You know, they would get on a ship.
They would pack the rice and lentils and
everything.
Or they will go along caravans,
on camels,
traveling for months perhaps, you know, or a
month or more. And it would be a
long arduous journey. So it's a very difficult
journey for Hajj in the past.
And, that's the capacity was also much less
and there will be much fewer people who
would actually be able to go.
But now because of
the, the increase in in in air travel,
in the,
increase in in,
in facilities,
increase in half ones in terms of people
being able to afford,
trips. Of course, those numbers have, gone much
higher, but this year is gonna be very,
very different. Like I said, it's gonna be
like we are back perhaps a 100 years
or maybe even more or
approximately around there in terms of, the number
of people performing Hajj.
So the day of the Alfa is gonna
be very different. The 9th of the hija.
But the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam was asked
about the fast of 9th day
and
he said
that it next be it's for the sin
or for the sins of the previous year
and of the coming year. K. So it's
a very virtuous fast of the day of
Arafa,
Arafah.
So, again, that is something that we should
try to do for our own benefit.
Now apart from these, any other acts of
worship
of repentance
and virtue
may be done.
And on the, that are done on these
days,
will be, rewarded greatly inshallah.
The hadith is general. Right? That there is
no there are no days in which righteous
deeds are more beloved to Allah
than those 10 days. So what else can
you do? Very briefly, some suggestions.
Increase your level of worship during the day
and
during the night. Right? So that means adding
some extra prayers,
sunnah prayers if you're not offering them, nafil
prayers if you're already offering your sunnah prayers,
you know, setting time aside for tawba, for
istighfar
in abundance.
Right? So it's one thing to do the
zikr of Allah in passing. It's another
to set time aside
or it's another to, you know, take time
to do abundant dikr of Allah Subhanahu Wa
Ta'ala. So tawba, istighfar, especially
in abundance.
Trying to achieve
1 kadma 1 kadma of Quran reading it
from cover to cover as an example.
Keeping your tongue moist with the and praise
of Allah wherever you are. So whether it's
with the tageel, the pirat, the mention,
or other forms of remembrance of Allah,
keeping our tongues moist with the of Allah,
and the praise of Allah.
Maintaining a state of the and will do
at all times. So even that is something
which is virtuous, it is good. You know,
going to sleep with will do. You know,
little things sometimes
can have an impact on us as well
in terms of the blessings of Allah Subhanahu
Wa Ta'ala.
Making arrangements for sacrifice. So for the here.
And then we'll talk about that
special session,
coming up,
next week, the week after next week before.
But making arrangements for the sacrifice as an
example.
Waking up before pajar and praying to Amulei.
Praying your father, of course, on time. It
goes without saying.
Giving charity, helping those who are less fortunate.
Preparing helping them prepare for, for their 8th
day.
We get to choose how we want to
get closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. How
we wanna get closer to our Lord and
to our master. And these are special days,
you know, intense level of the and spirituality
at the most sacred place on earth. Right?
Meaning in,
in Makkah to Makarah.
And perhaps this year, with the Hajj being
severely diminished
in terms of attendance,
it might be better for us perhaps to
value the first 10 days of the Khudjah
even more so.
Because you think when there's 2,000,000 people
performing Hajj
right?
2, 3,000,000 people performing Hajj,
there's a great elevated
state of spirituality and in the world, in
the on the earth. Right? Especially in the
most sacred place on earth. When that is
diminished,
right, that's not gonna happen. Right? The 2,000,000
people, 3,000,000 people that used to be doing
and their remembrance of Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala
and performing this great act of worship will
be done to a 1,000.
Yes. So that creates a deficit, meaning it's
a lessening in
the overall state of spirituality
and remembrance of Allah in the world. So
if people are not able to go for
Hajj and do it, then perhaps that that
indicates to us that we should increase it,
that we need to increase it without going
for Hajj in our own places, in our
own homes, in our own cities. We try
to increase our remembrance of Allah
We can't make up no one can make
up for for the spirituality that we have
during Hajj in the sacred places,
but
we try to do whatever we can. Allah
grant us his closeness in these days and,
may we be included among all of those
who will be forgiven and accepted at this
time of year.
Oh, Allah, we thank you for all of
your blessings. Oh,
Allah, these contest from uncles were from the
grateful. Oh,
Allah, please make us people of guidance. Oh,
Allah, please
make
Oh, Allah, please make us
people of guidance. Oh, Allah, please make us
people of wisdom. Oh, Allah, please make us
the people of.
Oh, Allah, please make us the people
who are filled whose hearts are filled with
your love and the love of your beloved
Oh, Allah, please cure all of our brothers
and sisters who are ill. Oh, Allah, especially
our elder sister who is who is in
pain. Oh, Allah, especially
our brothers and sisters suffering from long term
pain and injury challenges.
While our sister was going through surgery for
cancer.
Oh, Allah, our brothers,
who who are facing,
unknown symptoms and challenges in their lives, oh,
Allah, all of those who are ill or
at risk of becoming ill, oh, Allah, you
are the protector. You are the healer. Oh,
Allah, please
protect them and all of us from all
types of illnesses and pain and suffering.
Oh, Allah, please grant relief.
Special relief to all of those who are
in pain, who are in grief, who are
in stress and anxiety and depression.
Oh, love. Please replace all of those feelings
and those those difficulties with happiness and peace
and joy.
Oh, love. We are your weak servants. Oh,
Allah, you have brought us through this trial.
Oh, Allah, you are bringing us to, back
to our whole lives. Oh, Allah, please,
make our return good for us, you, Allah.
Oh, Allah, please allow us and guide us
to return in a better way.
Oh, Allah, please grant, allow us to continue
living our lives with a greater level of
inan, greater
level of taqwa, and a greater, level of
adherence,
and and and closeness to you and your
beloved messages.
Pray for at home, my brothers and sisters
who are watching online. If you have registered
for Friday prayer, please come at your allotted
time.