Rabi ul Awwal arrives and departs with a message

Summary of talk delivered by Shaykh Abdul Mueed (Hafizahullah) in Rabi ul Awwal 1441 – November 2019 in Karachi, Pakistan.

1. The month of Rabi ul Awwal comes with and leaves us with a message. The message of this month is that the noble birth and arrival of the greatest glad tiding ever in this universe, our beloved Master and Leader Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), occurred in Rabi ul Awwal. Significantly, his demise and departure from this transitory abode also took place in Rabi ul Awwal.

2. No one is more beloved to Allah Ta’ala than Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) – yet death came to him also. So the death of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) highlights the reality of life, we are all traveling a journey and the destination is the hereafter.

3. The status of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) is such that the Angel of Death came to him in subservience. Jibrail (AS) accompanied the Angel of Death to seek permission to take the life of Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) – and if he did not permit, then the angel of death would return without his soul. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) chose to return to his Lord.

4. Just as messengers had passed away, the Sahabah, our pious elders, our parents, relatives and friends all have left his world, so too shall we leave. Importantly, we should recognise the purpose of this journey. Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) left us with a trust – the trust of the Sunnah and its guidance – if we follow this guidance we shall be successful – there’s no other model or way to follow for salvation. Whoever will follow this path will become the beloved of Allah Ta’ala. This month has come to reawaken us to this reality. It leaves us with this very message.

5. Sadly and unfortunately this month is passed in frivolity, merrymaking and innovation. Social media has given us this distorted idea that we will fulfill the rights of this month by merely engaging ourselves in some form of merrymaking, eating, drinking and celebrating. The tables of respect and reverence have been distorted such that people believe that if they celebrate and make merry on the 12th then all rights and duties to Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam)  are fulfilled – one may do as he pleases for the remainder of the year.

6. The reality is that Nabi  (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) left us with a mission, not innovation or sheer celebration. The mode and manner of all prescribed deeds remain in their original format as they were 1400 years ago. Salah, Zakah, Hajj and every other act of our faith is conducted in the manner shown to us by Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) – it will remain that way and never change. Yes, acts of innovation and of an unlawful nature will continue to change and evolve. Due to it being unauthentic, every year we hear of a new innovation and a new format.

7. What is true and authentic shall remain as is for centuries – that which is incorrect will continuously be reinvented because this is the nature of man-made practices.

8. Nabi  (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) left us with a mission and that mission is to do good, be good and encourage people towards good, and to guide people from wrong. As long as we remain committed to this mission will be remain guided and attain our goal.