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Ideas on the Prophetic Hijrah
Author : Dr. Hassan Abu_Arqoub
Date Added : 19-09-2016

Ideas on the Prophetic Hijrah

By Dr. Mufti Hassan Abu Arqoob

 

It isn`t out of the ordinary that Omar Bin Al-Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased with him) turned the event of the Hijrah (Prophet`s migration to Medina) into a starting point for the Islamic calendar to distinguish the Muslim nation from other nations as it is not only an earmark in the history of the Muslim nation, but also in that of mankind. This way, Omar (May Allah be pleased with him) teaches us (Muslims) how to have our own identity, how to make our own history and be proud of it and how to preserve our own character among other nations.

Our great Prophet (PBUH) emigrated from Mecca to Medina after having suffered all sorts of torture from Quraish in their attempt to force him to forsake calling people to Islam. They have also offered him wealth and authority in return for leaving the religion of Allah which he has brought to all mankind; however, he didn`t give up to worldly temptations. Despite the tactics of invitation and intimidation employed by Quraish, Prophet Mohammad remained steadfast in propagating the message of Islam until Allah commanded him to immigrate to Medina and leave Mecca, his beloved home.

The propagator of the divine message, Prophet Mohammad, was never deterred from delivering it since he is a man of principle. Worldly temptations couldn`t tempt him because he has firm belief that the Hereafter is better and more lasting. Once he was cornered, and not allowed to worship Allah and to deliver His message as commanded, he was permitted to leave Mecca since the whole universe is  Allah`s and all the creatures are His servants. Whatever the case may be, abandoning one`s beloved homeland isn`t a justifiable act because it contradicts man`s nature, and the love of country is part of man`s identity and character.

We learn from the School of the Prophetic Hijrah that the propagator of the message must strive and leave no stone unturned to deliver that message. Allah, The Almighty, Who did take His servant for a Journey by night from the Sacred Mosque to the farthest Mosque-may Allah free it-, is capable of taking him on the Buraq (a horse-like animal) from Mecca to Medina. Still, how could civilization be established and history made through such a miracle!!? It must be executed through the normal standards of human beings in order for delivering the message of Islam to fit every time and place, and so that none could argue that they (history and civilization) were based on the supernatural.

The Prophet(PBUH) emigrated in secret after having made a water tight plan to leave Mecca. This plan shows that adopting means to reach an end as well as planning for success are key foundations in man`s life. Although supported by Allah, the Prophet adopted the aforementioned means; therefore, it is imperative that all Muslims follow suit. The true meaning of trusting Allah is being satisfied at heart with his divine preordainment; of course after adopting means to reach an end.

I (writer) said "water tight plan" that takes different conditions and circumstances into consideration. As absurdity is rejected, so is foolish and naïve planning because "If you fail to plan, you plan to fail." Consequently, it is imperative that man employs wisdom, patience and reason when planning in addition to taking the various possibilities, conditions and circumstances into consideration because at time of crisis, vision is blurred and sound thinking becomes unattainable. Sound planning and sound management, expecting crises and coming up with early suitable solutions for them are all lessons that we learn from the blessed Hijrah of the Prophet (PBUH).

We also learn from the Prophetic Hijrah how to enhance women`s role in society since the Prophet (PBUH) entrusted Asma` Bint Abi Bakir (May Allah Be Pleased with them) with providing for him while he was in the cave of mount Hira. It was a delicate mission because she had to exercise caution getting into the cave and out of it without being noticed by the disbelievers so that they would never know the Prophet`s whereabouts. As we can see, woman has played a key role in this blessed event, proving that she is able to achieve, participate in making history and civilization, be an active member of society and prevent any attempts to marginalize her role. And Allah Knows Best.

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

Is it permissible to offer an Udhiyah on behalf of the deceased?

In the Name of Allah, and may peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
Offering an Udhiyah (sacrificial animal) on behalf of a deceased person is permissible. This is the official position of the Hanbali school (as stated in Kashshaf al-Qina’ by al-Bahuti,Vol.6/P.428) and was also upheld by the prominent Shafi'i scholar Al-’Abbadi (mentioned in Bidayat al-Muhtaj by Ibn Qadi Shuhbah,Vol. 4/P.358). It has likewise been narrated as a valid view among some Maliki and Hanafi scholars.
 
In fact, Imam Abu Dawud dedicated an entire chapter in his Sunan collection entitled, "Chapter on Sacrificing on Behalf of the Deceased." In it, he recorded a narration from Hanash, who said: "I saw 'Ali sacrificing two rams, so I asked him, 'What is this?' He replied, 'The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded me to offer a sacrifice on his behalf, so I am sacrificing on his behalf.'"
 
Imam Abu Dawud also narrated from Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "O Allah, this is from You, for You, and on behalf of Muhammad and his Ummah (community). In the Name of Allah, and Allah is the Greatest," and he then slaughtered the animal.
 
The textual evidence here lies in the fact that our Master, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), offered a sacrifice on behalf of his entire community—and it is well-established that his community includes those who have already passed away.
 
Furthermore, there is an abundance of sacred texts demonstrating that the rewards of righteous deeds reach the deceased. For instance, it is permissible to fast on behalf of a deceased person who passed away with missed obligatory fasts, and it is equally permissible to perform Hajj on their behalf, both of which are firmly established in authentic Hadiths. Therefore, if the reward of fasting (which is a purely physical act of worship) and Hajj (which is a joint physical and financial act of worship) can reach the deceased, then the reward of an Udhiyah reaches them with greater reason (by way of A Fortiori argument). This is because it is a purely financial act of worship, falling under the general category of charity (Sadaqah).
 
Additionally, scholars have reached a consensus (Ijma') that the rewards of charity reach the deceased, and since the Udhiyah is inherently an act of charity, it falls under the same ruling. Consequently, based on all the aforementioned evidence, we hold the view that offering a sacrifice on behalf of the deceased is entirely permissible. And Allah the Almighty Knows Best.

Is it recommended (mustaḥabb) for the one offering  a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from its meat?

Praise be to Allah, and prayers and peace be upon our Master the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is recommended (mustaḥabb) — not obligatory — for the one offering a voluntary sacrifice (uḍḥiyyat taṭawwuʿ) to eat from it. Allah Almighty says {what means}: "So eat from them and feed the desperate (qāniʿ) and the beggar (muʿtarr). Thus We have subjected them to you that you may be grateful."— [Sūrat al-Ḥajj (22): 36]
 
Explanation of terms:
 
Al-Qāniʿ — the poor person who does not ask people for money, food..eccetera.(beg)
 
Al-Muʿtarr — the poor person who does ask people for money, food..eccetera (begs)
 
And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on fasting?

Fasting in Ramadan is an individual obligation (Fard ‘Ayn) upon every mature, sane Muslim who is capable of fasting.
Fasting can also be recommended (Mustahabb), such as voluntary fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, fasting on the Day of Arafah for those not performing Hajj, and fasting on Ashura.
Fasting can be prohibited (Haram), such as fasting on the two Eid days, the Day of Doubt (Yawm al-Shakk), and the Days of Tashreeq.
Some types of fasting are disliked (Makruh), such as singling out Friday or Saturday for fasting without a specific reason and fasting on the Day of Arafah for a pilgrim.

What are the nullifiers of fasting?

1. Anything that enters the body cavity intentionally, even in small amounts, through an open passage such as the mouth, nose, ears, front, or back private parts.
2. Intentional vomiting.
3. Sexual intercourse.
4. Masturbation.
5. Menstruation and postnatal bleeding.
6. Insanity.
7. Apostasy.
8. Fainting if it lasts for the entire day.

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