******The start of the Islamic new year for a significant amount of Muslims is a period of sadness and mourning. While some Muslims commemorate this time each year with speeches, recounting of the atrocities, and latmiya or poetry dedicated to Hussain, all Muslims agree on the historical event that occurred, the massacre of the beloved grandson of Prophet Mohammad (as) and his family. This commemoration for many serves as a deep connection to Islam and it’s ideals, as the grandson of the Prophet encompassed Islam perfectly in his manner and action. He rose up against an oppressor to establish justice giving his life for Islam. What calls us to this mourning year after year? Love. Love for Hussain, love for his grandfather the Prophet, and love of God. For those who want to learn more on why we commemorate you can find more information here: https://www.al-islam.org/al-tawhid/vol2-no1-muharram-1405-ah/editorial-about-muharram/significance-months-muharram-safar#significance-month-shi%E2%80%99ah-muslims******
In the peaks and troughs of life and spirituality, sometimes we feel like we have lost motivation. In fact we do not “loose” it, we close our eyes to it. Our motivation is in front of us, closer to us then our jugular vein (Quran). Our hearts harden, like stale bread. We get distracted, we forget. Verily man is forgetful. Our tears seize to flow, our mouths forget to mention His name.
In the mundane, repetitive motions of physical life, we often forget our purpose.
The month of revival is here. Like deprived, destitute, thirsty people we run to the cool river that refreshes hearts and quenches our thirst. The tiredness we feel drifts, like clouds, far away. It shocks our hearts, and makes it beat for a purpose. It makes blood flow through our cold arteries and veins like a sudden flood. With its arrival, we are revived.
It is the month of Muharram. Many ask what lessons can we learn from the tragedy of Karbala? I ask, what lessons can you not? It is a life giving university. It is a all-encompassing manual for life. It is the Quran lived and alive.
From broad ideas like living tawheed, our life’s goal (God), etc to subscribing to truth (if you have watched the series “Mukhtar” you can appreciate how hard it could be to pick the side of truth in society truth is mixed with falsehood), even small details of personal interaction between siblings, family we see -this event gives us guidance. It show us what Islam is and how to live it. If I were to write a book on lessons from it, I could not do justice to its value.
That is why we see year after year we go to majalis, and year after year we gain new insight into life- with hopes this insight leads to action.
How blessed we are that we have this university of life. I sincerely pray that we can take advantage of it this year, transform our hearts and and implement what we learn.
FREE PRINTS in honor of Moharram for your home. The simple act of putting up a sign connects our hearts to thousands of others around the world commemorating Ashura and to his cause.
