Salamun alaykum,
What was missing in the Ummah?
Barely some 50 years after the sad passing away of the Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW from this world, the essence and the values of Islam as taught by Noble prophet who is Rahmatu lil ‘aalamin – mercy of the worlds- had been corrupted and trampled upon. The sacred rights of a mumin-believer- were being trampled. Their lives and property were at stake. The pristine teachings and values of Islam were being corrupted. The Muslim Ummah had fallen into a slumber. Its conscience had been doused.
What had been lost from the ummah – community-that it had slid into such a state resembling the ayyamal jahiliyyah; pre-Islamic era of ignorance?
The response to this question can be inferred from the will of Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn a.s. to his brother Muhammad Al-Hanafiya in explaining the purpose of his mission:“I do not exit to create evil, discontentment, mischief, corruption or injustice, but I only leave with seeking islah- reformation- in the Ummah of my grandfather, the Messenger of Allah….”
It is the principles of respect, freedom, good, contentment, peace, honesty and justice that that were missing in the ummah. It was the values of amr bil m’aroof- performing good deeds and order nahy ‘anil munkar -refrain from the evil- and to practice Islam on the path of Rasulallah- the Messenger of Allah- that had become rare in the Ummah.
These standards are among the fundamentals of Islam leading to submission to pleasure of Allah SWT.
Where is one today?
Link the scenario of the Muslim community in 61 A.H. to our contemporary times: What is the state of the Muslim ummah and the wider community today?
What is the state of a Muslim believer today?
Are the fundamental values of Islam being practised and laws of Allah being upheld today in complete submission?
What was strategy of Aba Abdillah a.s. to bring Islah?
In explaining his plan to rectify the ummah, Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn a.s stated that he desired to enjoining towards amr bil m’aroof- performing good deeds and order nahy ‘anil munkar -refrain from the evil- and to tread the path of his grandfather Rasulallah- the Messenger of Allah- and his father.
Each year in the days of azadari the above will and statement of Aba Abdillah a.s. are mentioned repeatedly. The fervent desire of Imam to enjoin amr bil m’aroof and order nahy ‘anil munkar and to practice Islam on the path of Rasulallah eventually leading to the tragic martyrdom is narrated in the various majalis and Azadari sessions.
5 Questions for the azadar:
Is this mission and desire of Aba Abdillah a.s. for Islah to be confined to the walls of history?
In our living we come across our own ‘Karbala moments’ that require us to choose between the ideals and values of Imam Husayn a.s. and the Yazidi deviations. When we come across our ‘Karbala moments’ How do we respond?
Do you refrain from creating evil, discontentment, mischief, corruption or injustice in daily living?
How is one striving to enjoin amr bil m’aroof and order nahy ‘anil munkar and to practice Islam on the path of Rasulallah?
Are you living Islam as modelled by Aba Abdillah Imam Husayn a.s.?
Raise the Husayni alam- flag- high in your hearts. Labbayk Ya Husayn.
أَعظَمَ اللهُ أُجُورَنا و أُجُورَكُم بِمُصابِنا بِالحُسَين ع
May Allah make our and your reward great for our mourning for Imam al-Husayn (as).
May He place us and you from those who help his cause with His representative, the guided Imam from the family of Muhammad, peace be on them.
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah.
With salaams and duas,
Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat