A year passed, another has come
Since 2012-11-11
Now, we are on one side of the bank, we will soon leave it to put our feet on the other side. One step will get us out of a bank and another step will get us to the other.
In the name of Allah the most Gracious the most Merciful
All Praise due to Allah, We praise Him and we seek help from Him. We ask forgiveness from Him. We repent to Him; and we seek refuge in Him from our own evils and our own bad deeds. Anyone who is guided by Allah, he is indeed guided; and anyone who has been left astray, will find no one to guide him. I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the Only One without any partner; and I bear witness that Muhammad (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) is His servant, and His messenger.
Now, we are on one side of the bank, we will soon leave it to put our feet on other side. One step will get us out of a bank and another step will get us to the other. We stand between two banks to welcome and farewell at the same time; we depart a complete year we fulfilled in it what Allah Almighty has destined, and we receive a new year.
A year has gone:
{Allâh causes the night and the day to succeed each other (i.e. if the day is gone, the night comes, and if the night is gone, the day comes, and so on). Truly, in this is indeed a lesson for those who have insight} [An-Nur: 44]
{يُقَلِّبُ اللَّهُ اللَّيْلَ وَالنَّهَارَ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَعِبْرَةً لِّأُوْلِي الْأَبْصَارِ} النور: 44
Transliteration: Yuqallibu Allāhu Al-Layla Wa An-Nahāra 'Inna Fī Dhālika Laibratan Li'wlī Al-'Abşāri
{And so are the days (good and not so good), we give to men by turns} [Al-Imran: 140]
{وَتِلْكَ الأيَّامُ نُدَاوِلُهَا بَيْنَ النَّاسِ} آل عمران: 140
Transliteration: Wa Tilka Al-'Ayyāmu Nudāwiluhā Bayna An-Nāsi
{He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly} [Al-Araf: 54]
{يُغْشِي اللَّيْلَ النَّهَارَ يَطْلُبُهُ حَثِيثاً} الأعراف: 54
Transliteration: Yughshī Al-Layla An-Nahāra Yaţlubuhu Ĥathīthāan
Allah’s Promise is the Truth; and whose words can be truer than those of Allah? And who is truer in statement than Allah?
This fast passing of time takes us away from this worldly life and brings us near to the hereafter; it takes us away from the life of work to get us close to the life of reward or punishment.
Ali bin Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “The worldly life is going away, and the hereafter is coming, and each one of them has children. Hence, you should be among the children of the hereafter, not the children of this worldly life, because today there is work and no account, and tomorrow there is account and no work.”
The poet Said:
We walk towards our fate every moment
while our years pass speedily in few steps
Leave this world with provisions of piety
your years are counted, which are few
These days are merely stages
inevitably leading its bearer to death
Surprisingly when thinking of it
dwellings diminishing while the traveler is sit
A man holding precious letters described the farewell of the year by saying:
“I saw a shadow walking in exhaustion; I saw it walking on the road that does not continue all the time in even land or bumpy land; the road that does not continue all the time on mountain’s versant or sea’s beach; the road that does not continue all the time on desert lands or green lands; rather it passes through the even lands, bumpy lands, mountains, seas, deserts, green lands, and everything it may face during its length that appears like a white line its beginning disappears in the darkness of eternity and its end disappears in the fogs of sempiternity.
“I saw a shadow walking on the road of time, and I heard a caller calls the sleepy world; ‘wake up, the year is going away.’ Is this possible? How could this happen?
“In this night, a year will die. It will go with our memories, pains and wishes to where it will never come back again.
“The other year comes with stretched arms to take piece of our own selves and part of our own lives and gives us nothing in return.”
“Is life something but years after years? Are we something but memories and pain? …..”
The time of departure has come:
The time of this year departure has come. It gathers its belongings and packages its traveling bag. At the same time, all people are moving; some sold their souls to release themselves from punishment and others sold their souls to be liable to punishment! A complete year has gone with all its days. It contained glances of wisdom, events and lessons to be taught. Glorified be Allah that there is no God but Him! How many people did become regretful this year?! And how many others did become happy?
How many children did become orphans?! How many wives did become widows?! How many husbands did become widowers?
A sick person recovered, a healthy person died, people burry their deceased relative, and others carry home their bride in procession!
A house in joy because of having a new born, another receives condolences for missing someone, there are hugs and tears of meeting, hugs and tears of departure, pain turn to be joy, joy turn to be pain, someone wishes the end of the day to have an end to his solicitude and grief and worry, and another wishes his day last forever to enjoy his joy, happiness and pleasure!
Days pass by its traveler like years
And years pass its traveler like days
Years passing with joy and tranquility
Like days
Succeeding it fowl days
Like burden of years
Someone stops traveling where he has a place to rest while another travels to find provision and shelter.
A person has come, a person has gone, a person became sick, a person had been buried … etc. conditions are always changed and people are always replaced; so, glorified be Allah! How wise is His arrangements! How great is His doing! He provides honor, dignity and power to whomever He wants and takes them from whomever He wants! He gives whomever He wants by His grace, and deprives whomever He wants by His justice! He creates what He likes and chooses! Matters come after each other to increase the wisdom of the sane and wake up the inattentive from his mindfulness! So, whoever does not take lessons from whatever is going around him; he has mistreated himself.
A poet said:
My friend how many funerals have I attended
But never had I learned from
How many nights of wonder have I seen
Where days and months have passed by me
How many years have passed me
Many episodes did too
Whoever does not learn from his episodes
Is the one who doesn’t see the light
Varying desires:
At the end of the year, people’s desires become varying and their feelings become disparate; some of them become happy, others become sad, and others in-between the two.
The prisoner becomes happy, because the end of a year makes the time of his release nearer. He impatiently counts nights and days; although, in the past, he was not to feel the pass of the months and years.
A poet said:
I count the night after night
Living for ages counting nothing
Another person becomes happy, because the end of the year means to him collecting the rent of apartments or real estate he had rented to invest its turnover and profits.
Another person becomes happy, because the end of the year means to him having a promotion or any other reason except the reasons that are about the supreme goal, the hereafter. Therefore, a person who feels joy because days and years are passing without any account or taking lessons from them has wronged himself.
A poet said
We feel joy for days passing
Where every day proximate us to our fate
So prepare yourself for death striving
Winning and losing is in deeds
The sane person is the person that takes lessons from yesterday, does his best today, and prepares himself for tomorrow. Among the greatest wisdoms of years passing, change of conditions and persons is its being a proof for the perfectness of the Greatness of Allah Almighty and His Self-Existence.
{He is the First (nothing is before Him) and the Last (nothing is after Him), the Most High (nothing is above Him) and the Most Near (nothing is nearer than Him). And He is the All-Knower of everything} [Al-Hadid: 3]
{هُوَ الْأَوَّلُ وَالْآخِرُ وَالظَّاهِرُ وَالْبَاطِنُ وَهُوَ بِكُلِّ شَيْءٍ عَلِيمٌ} الحديد: 3
Transliteration: Huwa Al-'Awwalu Wa Al-'Ākhiru Wa Až-Žāhiru Wa Al-Bāţinu Wa Huwa Bikulli Shay'in Alīmun
He is the First nothing is before him, he is Last nothing is after him, he is the Ascendant nothing prevails him and he is the Immanent nothing is deeper than him. There is no god except Allah All Glory be to him and Great is his status.
{Everything will perish save His Face} [Al-Qasas: 88]
{كُلُّ شَيْءٍ هَالِكٌ إِلَّا وَجْهَهُ} القصص: 88
Transliteration: Kullu Shay'in Hālikun 'Illā Wajhahu
{Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever} [Ar-Rahman: 26-27]
{كُلُّ مَنْ عَلَيْهَا فَانٍ (26) وَيَبْقَى وَجْهُ رَبِّكَ ذُو الْجَلَالِ وَالْإِكْرَامِ} الرحمن: 26-27
Transliteration: Kullu Man Alayhā Fānin (26) Wa Yabqá Wajhu Rabbika Dhū Al-Jalāli Wa Al-'Ikrāmi
Take care of your times:
The sane person should take care of his times, count his breath, invest his time well, and never waste moments of his life in something that does not benefit him in this life and in the hereafter too.
The years are short, death is close, and there is a definite end to every creature despite its long life.
It was said to prophet Nuh (peace of Allah be upon him), after he had stayed among his people a thousand years less fifty years: “How did you observe this worldly life?”
Prophet Nuh (peace of Allah be upon him) replied, “It is like a person gets in from one door to get out from another.”
O you whom had been provided health and strength by Allah, hence you enjoy luxuries and pleasures, pay attention to the years of your life because death may suddenly come to you during your being in inattentive. Then you will bite your fingers out of regret and cry out when there is no longer time for escape.
Also, you should remember that the felicity and luxury that you enjoy all days and nights may be followed by what eliminates the remembrances of their enjoyments completely. Moreover, whoever occupies his times by worshipping Allah, although his living in suffering and the restriction of his resources, his misery may be followed by what eliminates the remembrances of his pain and poverty.
The Prophet (Peace and Prayers of Allah be upon him) said: «One amongst the denizens of Hell who had led a life of ease and plenty amongst the people of the world would be made to dip in Fire only once on the Day of Resurrection and then it would be said to him: O, son of Adam, did you find any comfort, did you happen to get any material blessing? He would say: By Allah, no, my Lord.
“And then that person from amongst the persons of the world be brought who had led the most miserable life (in the world) from amongst the inmates of Paradise. And he would be made to dip once in Paradise and it would be said to him. O, son of Adam, did you face, any hardship? Or had any distress fallen to your lot?
«And he would say: By Allah, no, O my Lord, never did I face any hardship or experience any distress» [Muslim]
«يؤتى بأنعم أهل الدنيا، من أهل النار، يوم القيامة . فيصبغ في النار صبغة. ثم يقال: يا ابن آدم ! هل رأيت خيرا قط ؟ هل مر بك نعيم قط ؟ فيقول: لا . والله ! يا رب ! ويؤتى بأشد الناس بؤسا في الدنيا، من أهل الجنة. فيصبغ صبغة في الجنة. فيقال له: يا ابن آدم ! هل رأيت بؤسا قط ؟ هل مر بك شدة قط ؟ فيقول: لا . والله ! يا رب ! ما مر بي بؤس قط . ولا رأيت شدة قط » مسلم
A poet said
Isn’t from loss that nights
Pass with no benefit recorded from my life
O Allah, make the end of our year good, and make our future good. Verily, You are most Hearer, Responsive to invocations.
Is Long life grace or is it indignation?
The passing of the months and years could be a grace or indignation. Long life is not grace in its self; if the life of the servant became long and he did not occupy it by goodness, he would increase the excuses of Allah Almighty against him. Imam Ahmed, At-Tirmidhi, and Al-Hakem reported on the authority of Abu-Bakr (may Allah Almighty be pleased with him) that he said that the Messenger (Peace and Prayers of Allah be upon him) said: «The best people are those whose life became long and their deeds became good, (on the other hand,) the worst people are those whose life became long and their deeds became evil»
«خير الناس من طال عمره و حسن عمله، و شر الناس، من طال عمره و ساء عمله» صحيح الجامع
The poet said
Long life is a bless
If the slave knows that the Most Merciful is observing him
If not then death is better
The happy whom is given his guidance
Another said describing whom didn’t benefit from his life
An elder loaded with sins
Which riding animals can’t bear
The night bleached white his hair
And Sins blackened his heart
What did you present?
The time of the elapsed year had gone, but its events remained, and every person will see his deeds; {On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil} [Al-Imran: 30]
{يَوْمَ تَجِدُ كُلُّ نَفْسٍ مَّا عَمِلَتْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ مُّحْضَراً وَمَا عَمِلَتْ مِن سُوَءٍ تَوَدُّ لَوْ أَنَّ بَيْنَهَا وَبَيْنَهُ أَمَداً بَعِيداً} آل عمران: 30
Transliteration: Yawma Tajidu Kullu Nafsin Mā Amilat Min Khayrin Muĥđarāan Wa Mā Amilat Min Sū'in Tawaddu Law 'Anna Baynahā Wa Baynahu 'Amadāan Baīdāan
Every person will see his deeds {so that those who were to be destroyed (for their rejecting the Faith) might be destroyed after a clear evidence} [Al-Anfal: 42]
{لِّيَهْلِكَ مَنْ هَلَكَ عَن بَيِّنَةٍ} الأنفال: 42
Transliteration: Liyahlika Man Halaka An Bayyinatin
{And your Lord is not at all unjust to (His) slaves} [Fussilat: 46]
{وَمَا رَبُّكَ بِظَلَّامٍ لِّلْعَبِيدِ} فصلت: 46
Transliteration: Wa Mā Rabbuka Bižallāmin Lilabīdi
The servant will be asked about all his affairs in this life, although his Lord knows them best, to be a witness against himself. Imam At-Tirmidhi reported on the authority of Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah Almighty be pleased with him) that he said that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Prayers of Allah be upon him) said: «The feet of son of Adam won’t leave the sight of Allah in the day of resurrection before him being asked about five (things): His life, how did he spend it? His youth, how did he utilize it? His money, from where did he gain it? And where did he spend it? His knowledge, what did he do with it?»
«لا تزول قدم ابن آدم يوم القيامة من عند ربه حتى يسأل عن خمس: عن عمره فيم أفناه، وعن شبابه فيما أبلاه، وعن ماله من أين اكتسبه وفيم أنفقه، وماذا عمل فيما علم» صحيح الترمذي
It is stated in another narration, also reported by At-Tirmidhi, on the authority of Abu-Burda (may Allah almighty be pleased with him) that he said that the Messenger (peace and prayers of Allah be upon him) said: «The feet of the servant will not move before his being asked about four (things): His life, how did he spend it? His deeds, what did he do with it? His money, how did he earn it and where did he spend it? His body, how was it worn out? »
«لا تزول قدما عبد يوم القيامة حتى يسأل عن أربع عن عمره فيما أفناه وعن علمه ما عمل به وعن ماله من أين اكتسبه وفيما أنفقه وعن جسمه فيما أبلاه»روا الترمذي، حسن صحيح
So, be very aware of negligence and delay.
A poet said
I regret what I did with remorse
Who seeks what his self-desires will regret
Didn’t you know that judgment is before you?
And a pursuant behind you that cannot be given trust
So fear to be secured of death
Meeting a just God that is not an oppressor
A happy person with this world is not tranquil
He will regret if his feet slips, thus be insightful
O you who had wasted his life in the trivial things, did you not know that you increase your burdens and increase Allah’s excuses against you?! How many years had passed over you while enjoying health and strength, and despite all of that you did not pay the Zakat(Obligatory Charity) of your health and strength; rather you lost the deeds without investing them and working for the hereafter.
Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah almighty be pleased with them) said that the Messenger (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: «There are two blessings which many people lose unknowingly: (They are) Health and free time»[Sahih Al-Jame’]
«نعمتان مغبون فيهما كثير من الناس: الصحة و الفراغ» صحيح الجامع
Amazingly, some people check their health every day and night, and save no effort or money; rather they go to treatment whenever they feel something bad. This is permitted.
However, the contradiction is that you may see such people do not think in recovering their hearts and organs; they might live all their life on such case, till death comes to them.
A new year:
The Muslim nation receives its new Hijjri year with many wounds all over the body; as soon as some of these wounds are recovered others appear. It suffers from ignorance, wars, poverty, hunger, displacements and threats; this is very clear and known from what we read, hear and see. Moreover, it is no longer strange for a disaster to strike some Muslims or settles close to their homes.
The poet sarcastically described this state:
Wherever you head to a Muslim state
You would see it as a bird with injured wings
O Muslims;
Whoever looks, with insight and wisdom, will know that what the Muslims face is a result of their doings and sins; Allah almighty says: {And whatever of misfortune befalls you, it is because of what your hands have earned. And He pardons much} [Ash-Shura: 30]
{وَمَا أَصَابَكُم مِّن مُّصِيبَةٍ فَبِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِيكُمْ وَيَعْفُو عَن كَثِيرٍ} الشورى: 30
Transliteration: Wa Mā 'Aşābakum Min Muşībatin Fabimā Kasabat 'Aydīkum Wa Yafū An Kathīrin
And He says: {(What is the matter with you?) When a single disaster smites you, although you smote (your enemies) with one twice as great, you say: "From where does this come to us?" Say (to them), "It is from yourselves (because of your evil deeds)." And Allâh has power over all things} [Al-Imran: 165]
{أَوَلَمَّا أَصَابَتْكُم مُّصِيبَةٌ قَدْ أَصَبْتُم مِّثْلَيْهَا قُلْتُمْ أَنَّى هَـذَا قُلْ هُوَ مِنْ عِندِ أَنْفُسِكُمْ إِنَّ اللّهَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ} آل عمران: 165
Transliteration: 'Awalammā 'Aşābatkum Muşībatun Qad 'Aşabtum Mithlayhā Qultum 'Anná Hādhā Qul Huwa Min Indi 'Anfusikum 'Inna Allāha Alá Kulli Shay'in Qadīrun
The numerousness of nation’s disasters and wounds:
We do not mean by counting nation’s disasters and wounds to make souls feel despair, we seek refuge with Allah from that. Although the disasters that had happened and still happen to the Muslim nation; good will still be in it till the Day of Judgment.
However, we mention them to waken determinations and resolutions and charge the Muslim souls with the right Islamic enthusiasm, because the status of many Muslims round the Muslim world is miserable as a result of their subjection to enemies of Islam and admiring them totally. This is in addition to neglecting the values and etiquettes of Islam which led to eliminating the signs of Islam, this is not about individuals only; rather it occurred also to societies. Moreover, some Muslims did not consider this enough; rather they became supporters to the enemies of Islam by devoting themselves, pens and thinking for fighting Islam and Muslims. Hence, they are grave threat to Islam and its people, because the enemy is known by his enmity while those are counted as Muslims, and the gravity of their threat becomes worse if they are counted among those who stand up for Islam.
Strengthening the ties between Muslims:
Islam had paid attention to strengthening the ties between Muslims and getting them close to each other; it emphasized the importance of this. Moreover, Islam’s care for its people went to the degree of making them all like one body; they feel pain together and wish together. Al-No’man Ibn Bashir (may Allah almighty be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: «The believers are like a single man; if his head aches, the whole body aches with fever and sleeplessness» [Sahih Al-Jame’]
«المؤمنون كرجل واحد، إن اشتكى رأسه، تداعى له سائر الجسد بالحمى و السهر» صحيح الجامع
In another narration: «Believers are like a single man, if the head aches, the whole body aches; and if the eye is sore, the whole body aches» [Sahih Al-Jame’]
«المؤمنون كرجل واحد، إن اشتكى رأسه، اشتكى كله، و إن اشتكى عينه اشتكى كله» صحيح الجامع
Abu Musa Al-Ash’ary (may Allah almighty be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: «A believer is like a building for another believer, one supporting the other, and he intertwined his fingers» [Al-Bukhari]
«إن المؤمن للمؤمن كالبنيان، يشد بعضه بعضا. وشبك أصابعه» البخاري
This text contained eloquent description to the unity of Muslims as brothers; a normal building could crack or be tottering. However a building founded on Muslims is described as supporting each other. Thus a single Muslim is a brick in this Islamic building.
The Muslim with his brothers:
Islam did not satisfy by making the unity of the Muslim with his brothers in the case of gathering only; rather it also makes it in the case of absence. The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) once was outside Al-Medina with a group of his companions, so he said to them: «There are some people in Medina who were with you all the time, you did not travel any portion of the journey nor crossed any valley, but they were with you excuse made them fall behind (i.e. the people) » [Al-Bukhari]
«إن بالمدينة أقواماً، ما سرتم مسيراً، ولا قطعتم وادياً إلا كانوا معكم» قالوا: يا رسول الله، وهم بالمدينة؟ قال: «وهم بالمدينة، حبسهم العذر» البخاري
This should be the manner of a Muslim with his brothers in sorrow and in joy, and in their presence and in their absence; he should feel pain because of their pain, wish what they wish, feel joy for their joy, and feel sad for their sadness.
The ship of Islam is one ship, and it is affected positively and negatively by the manners of its people.
Fixing ourselves:
As long as this is the matter, every Muslim should take care not be a weak point that Islam could be attacked from; whether it is by default in himself or by passed from someone else. Moreover, every Muslim should know that he is responsible for himself in special and whoever follows him in general.
The process of fixing starts from one’s self, then its circle widens to cover the house, neighborhood and society, according to the ability of every Muslim.
Feeling responsible:
Whenever the individual feels responsibility and stands up for it, as possible as he can, this will lead to the strength of the community in special, and Islam in general.
If the Muslims stood with their weak brothers and supported them with money, invocation and sentiment; this would affect positively on gaining the victory by the will of Allah. Also, when the preachers propagate awareness with the true creed and make people know how should be their worship, transactions and behaviors; this will benefit the whole community.
The point is that when every individual feels his responsibility and does it well, this will be (by the will of Allah) one of the greatest reasons for gaining victory for both Islam and Muslims, because the issue of responsibility is great.
It is narrated on the authority of Abdullah Ibn Omar (may Allah Almighty be pleased with him and his father too) that the Messenger of Allah (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: «Surely! Every one of you is a guardian and is responsible for his followers: The Imam (ruler) of the people is a guardian and is responsible for his subjects; a man is the guardian of his family (household) and is responsible for his subjects; a woman is the guardian of her husband's home and of his children and is responsible for them; and the slave of a man is a guardian of his master's property and is responsible for it. Surely, every one of you is a guardian and responsible for his followers» [Al-Bukhari]
«كلكم راع ومسؤول عن رعيته، فالإمام راع ومسؤول عن رعيته، والرجل في أهله راع وهو مسؤول عن رعيته، والمرأة في بيت زوجها راعية وهي مسؤولة عن رعيتها ، والخادم في مال سيده راع وهو مسؤول عن رعيته. قال فسمعت هؤلاء من النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم، وأحسب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: والرجل في مال أبيه راع ومسؤول عن رعيته، فكلكم راع، وكلكم مسؤول عن رعيته» البخاري
Hence, we ask Allah almighty to give us the strength of caring for our subjects, and invoke Him to facilitate to us all our affairs.
Good deeds and disciplining one’s self:
Do much good deeds and never degrade any good deed, because a simple good act may give its doer a great reward. Let’s recommend one another to the truth and recommend one another to patience. Let’s check, periodically, ourselves in special and each other in general to take care of any default.
Islam is communities and the communities are individuals; and whenever an individual fixes himself, part of the Muslim community will be fixed. Hence, each one of us is in a fort of the forts of Islam, and he should be very attentive in order not to have inroad on the Islam from his direction.
Fasting on the day of Ashura:
Making the self accustomed to doing good is one of the things that help in refining one’s self; the good deeds include Fasting on the day of ‘Ashura, because it atones for the sins of the preceding year. The Messenger (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) said: «Fasting on the day of ‘Ashura may expiate sins of a past year» [Sahih Al-Jame’]
«صوم عاشوراء يكفر سنة ماضية » صحيح الجامع
The Prophet (Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon him) fasted it and intended to fast a day before it and said: «If I remained to the next year, I would fast the ninth» [Sahih Al-Jame’]
«لئن بقيت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسع» صحيح الجامع
O Allah, make this year a year of good and blessing for Islam and Muslims.
Finally, Prayers and Peace of Allah be upon our prophet, Muhammad, and all his family and companions.
Sheikh: Abdel-Azeez As-Sadhan
Al-Qasem House
Translated by Wathakker.net website
with little modification
- Category: