So, 1431 Hijriah is over and now we Muslims are steadying into 1432 Hijriah. It is marked so to commemorate the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.'s migration (hijrah) from Makkah to Madinah.
We should be reflecting on ourselves. What exactly in the concept of 'hijrah' is relevant to us today? A physical migration to a better place? Well, it would seem fitting, especially if you live in a backwater place that does not bode well with your senses and your overall development.
But 'hijrah' means more that just moving from one place to another (You CANNOT possibly keep moving to a new house every time Ma'al Hijrah comes now, can you?). It also encourages us to change ourselves and improve, which, by the way, is also a 'migration' in itself. From being deviant to being good. From being good to becoming better. From becoming better to being the best. And ultimately, shaping yourself to be an all-rounder - a new you, a you that's better than the you before.
As a young Muslim, I think it's also high time all of us rethink our situation in the past years. What happened? Oh, you know - 9/11, the London bombings, war in Afghanistan and Iraq, the controversy of the offending caricature of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W., and most recently, Terry Jones' proposal of burning the Quran. It's high time we all should go back to our roots and re-think. What, if any at all, is causing so much trouble that people think our beloved religion should be made a laughing stock?
The answer is simply because we don't dare speak. Of course, Saudi Arabia and Iran is helming the crown of defense in reciprocation towards the West's accusations that Islam is a 'terrorist' religion (thank GOD these things are starting to change!). But what about those in countries like Palestine? Or Afghanistan? Or Iraq? The Muslims there seem to have little or no voice at all. Can you really blame them for responding by way of bombing themselves?
And now I'm going to start picking on the faults on the Muslims's side. The Hadith clearly states about relationships with Non-Muslims, ESPECIALLY when they are our friends and allies. The Prophet S.A.W. clearly says this: "Whoever hurts a Non-Muslim citizen of a Muslim state hurts me, and he who hurts me annoys God." (Bukhari) And he also goes on to say the following: "Anyone who kills a Non-Muslim who had become our ally will not smell the fragrance of Paradise." (Bukhari)
So then! Why the bombings? Why 9/11? Did these people take literally this infamous verse: Quran (2:191-193) - "And slay them wherever ye find them, and drive them out of the places whence they drove you out, for persecution [of Muslims] is worse than slaughter [of non-believers]...and fight them until persecution is no more, and religion is for Allah." ? The answer is simple and clear - many of us fail to take into account the social and historical context of the Quran and the Sunnah. That's why you see women wearing burqas, and men having such bushy beards.
It won't be easy to do it. You cannot revolutionize Islam overnight. And there can be no way any perception about Islam can change now, seeing that what we have today is the end product of thousands of years of Islamic teachings. This is where the concept of 'hijrah' once again comes in: we can start moving from old perceptions and draw out new ones that are relevant to today's world. And it can start with the new generation. Who else do you think can do it? Not your grandma and grandpa surely!
In all cases, to those returning from Makkah after Hajj, I wish you a warm welcome back home. Your short hijrah to the holy city does not come without its rewards. How I wish I can go - I want fulfill my obligations while I'm still young and carefree - and I want to stare at the Ka'abah in awe again like I did 11 years ago.
Last but not least, to all Muslims around the world all over, I wish you all a happy Ma'al Hijrah!
Peace, brothers and sisters! <3
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