The Monthly Word – Jamadi al-Awwal 1431

BismiLlah…

As-salamu `alaykum wa rahmatuLlah..

By the blessings of Allah, we will attempt to give a rough translation of Habib `Umar’s brilliant “Monthly Word” series available at the following link:

http://www.alhabibomar.com/MonthlyLetters.aspx?SectionID=4

May Allah reward the individual that requested it, and the organization which facilitated the translation. Here is the Monthly Word pertaining to this month of Jamadi al-Awwal, may Allah accept and please point out any mistakes in the comments section:

In the Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Most Compassionate

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and may Allah’s blessings and peace be upon His beloved and trustworthy one, our master Muhammad, and upon his family and companions, all together.

As for what follows: to our brothers and lovers from amongst the people of “La Ilaha Illa Allah”, there is none worthy of worship except Allah, muhammadur-rasul-Allah, and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, sallallah `alayh wa sallam. We present to you the greetings of peace: As-Salaamu `alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakaatuh, – may the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.

This is the word corresponding to the month of Jamadi al-Awwal of the year 1431 Hijri, after the sacred migration, and upon the one who undertook it, the most virtuous of blessings and peace.

We say: It is necessary upon every individual from amongst us, to understand the effect of story- telling, its dangers, repercussions, results and outcomes, in terms of thought, travelling the path (suluk), and in the upholding of envisioning the realities and ends, and on the method of interaction and fulfilling the obligations. Indeed, even in the realities of the connection with belief, certainty, the descent of Revelation, and the sent Messenger, sallallah `alayh wa sallam.

The effect of repetition of various stories on the ears, and their recitation in the gatherings of our old and young, is no mere trifling matter or passing pre-occupation. Rather it is the essence of the heritage and great tradition, which pertains to the greatest of goals, and the directions [we take in our lives].

Due to this, it is necessary upon every individual amongst us, that he is concerned with his choosing of what is narrated to his children, family, and friends. Even the stories he reads, for indeed, we see that the Qur’an has clarified this reality, and the Most Merciful has taken it upon Himself to narrate many stories upon His chosen Messenger.

He says:

“We narrate unto thee (Muhammad) the best of narratives [stories] in that We have inspired in thee this Qur’an, though aforetime thou wast of the heedless.” (3:12)

And He says about the young men of the people of the cave:

“We narrate unto thee their story with truth. Lo! They were young men who believed in their Lord, and We increased them in guidance.” (18:13)

And He says about the Prophets and Messengers:

“In their history [stories] verily there is a lesson for men of understanding.” (12:111)

And He says:

“And all that We relate unto thee of the story of the Messengers, is in order that thereby, We may make firm thy heart.” (11:120).

Due to this, it is necessary to protect, with regards to every gathering, our hearts and intellects, our families, and meetings of our friends, from evil and filthy talk, and stories which lead to under-estimating the importance of the great matter (Islam), and heedlessness of Allah’s way blessed and exalted is He, His Revelation, and religion. [It is also necessary that] we make excellent our choice of what is narrated by way of storytelling, and what is spoken about between us in our gatherings, and between our families and children.

In this regard, we say, indeed from the deficiencies which the nation (the Muslim Ummah) has acquired, is the neglect of the narration of its most pious people of all eras. Many from the latest generation of Muslims are ignorant of the narrations of the Companions [of the Messenger of Allah sallallah `alayh wa sallam], the Followers, and those that follow them, with excellence. You will not find a spot from the places [whose peoples] entered Islam, in the earliest centuries, except that its inhabitants are exemplars of loftiness, majesty, nobility in character traits, and principles, consciousness, understanding, knowledge, and excellent mutual interaction. All of which is exemplary in implementing what mankind is in need of, in the tone of discourse, beautiful co-existence, and more thereof, which has been lost in our present state – a crisis from the various crisis’s of the [Muslim] nation. Indeed, even for humanity as a whole.

After [knowing] this, speech should be shifted [to speaking about] the solution of those crisis’s and their exposure, its negligence, the useful and effective cure, and principles whereby a correct healing can be prescribed for these states. Due to this, it is necessary that we are concerned with the narratives, good character traits, and distinguishing features of the righteous of nations from all eras; especially that which relates to correct attention, and excellent dialogue with others, the vast benefits and acts of altruism, and that which results in [fulfilling] the interests of others, and the establishment of such deeds for the sake of the Countenance of Allah, blessed and exalted is He. In the legacy of the people of “La Ilaha Illa Allah” one will find a mighty portion. Thus it is necessary that it is not ignored and that its life is renewed amongst us, and that we restrict and determine which of these stories are published and broadcasted through various mediums, to our sons, daughters, families, gatherings, and friends. We must know our obligation and concern in this regard, and we must fulfill our role which should result in goodness, and we must be responsible according to our abilities, in every matter that has been mentioned.

May Allah awaken in us and in the Ummah, that which necessitates closeness to Him, and expand our understanding of Him, and the method of adhering to what He has revealed. And all praise is due to Allah the Lord of the worlds.

Keep me in your duas,

Was-salam