By Izzud deen Redzuan
As the saying goes: “Hijrah is about change. It is about repentance. It is about transformation. It is about reforms. It is about renaissance. Hijrah is more than just about changing your place of abode to a new address.”
Hijrah definitions
Maal Hijrah, which is also called Awal Muharram, is an important day for Muslims. It falls on the first day of Muharram on every Muslim calendar year, which is the first day on Muslim calendar. The meaning of Maal Hijrah in English translation is a migration.
Migration can be defined as a change from corrupted to decent soul or it can also be a starting point to evaluate inner self on self achievement and goals throughout the past year.
Muharram, derived from the word haram, which means sinful, is a month considered most sacred of all besides the month of Ramadan. Like Allah chose Friday is the most sacred day among all the days of the week, just as He chose the month of Ramadhan from among the months of the year and Lailatul Qadar from among all the nights, and Makkah from among all places on earth, and Muhammad from all of mankind.
The word Muharram is also often used interchangeably with Ashura, the tenth day of the Muharram.
Thus, in this month, Muslims refrain from fighting and causing a war. Hence, it’s promoting peace and salama.
History background
During the Awal Muharram, Muslims are called to remember the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) migration from Makkah to Medina in 1431, years ago and the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, Prophet Mohammed’s grandson, who was killed in the battle of Karbala on Ashura day in the year 61 AH.
Therefore, Ashura is becoming a highly important day for both sects of Islam, which is the Shias and the Sunnis. However, the celebration and its purpose is different.
Sunnis celebrate Ashura as the day when Prophet Moses fast on that day because Allah saved the Israelites from their enemy in Egypt. While Shia believed that this day to be a day of mourning and sorrow of the Hussein ibn Ali’s death.
Activities during Muharram
In the 10th day of Muharram, most Muslims will start fasting from dawn until sunset. Just like other fasting in Islam, Muslims are forbidding from consuming food, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations with one’s spouse during the day. Muslims are also instructed to avoid from sinful behaviour that may lessen the reward of fasting.
Among the unique feature of Muharram is Muslims will cook sweet rice, also known as Bubur Asyura and share them among family members, neighbours and friends.
At the same time, various religious activities will be carried out such as nasyeed, solat sunat and the recitation of Quranic verses. Every religious institution around the world will take this opportunity to conduct special talks in the mosque to gather and strengthen the brotherhood among Muslims.
Muharram is a new life begin
Let’s improve ourselves especially in ibadah as well as our attitudes and cognitive aspects towards becoming a better Muslim.
First, small steps but istiqamah. That is what is required to be a better Muslim. Small changes, yet consistent over times, will result in large shifts in outcome. The reason for making the changes small so that it is not to demotivate and burden a Muslim to change.
Second, always being aware of our final destination, which is the Day of Judgment (Akhirah). Use this awareness in a positive way as a motive to do good deeds to ourselves, parents, siblings and to others.
Third, to be humble towards Allah, realising that no one is perfect except Him, seeking His forgiveness, guidance and support.
And, the most important thing is and always remember that, the door of repentance is wide open. It is never too late for a Muslim to repent to Allah, and to shed tears for the wrong doing he has committed in the past. So, it is better to start a new leaf and let bygones be bygones. As long as you are sincere in your repentance, Allah Almighty will accept your repentance and forgive your sins.
On the behalf of IIUMToday crews, I would like to wish all my Muslim brothers and sisters a very blessed Maal Hijrah. May Allah shower us with rahmah and barakah throughout our lives.
Ameen, Insha Allah.***
Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha