We look forward to change; we look forward to newness. We want something exciting to be continuously happening and we want our lives to keep moving forward and not stop. Otherwise, life becomes dull and boring for us. Right? Hence, we all waited for the year 2020 to arrive anticipating big changes.
Let’s now take a moment to stop and reflect how much reform 2020 has given us. As we do that, let’s reflect keeping in mind our role, as the Muslim Ummah. In the last 6-8 months, the world has faced intense and sudden crises, one after another including: fires, storms, plane crashes, earthquakes, closing of the Kaaba, death of Islamic scholars, bomb explosions, suicides, increase number of natural deaths – all along with the unprecedented virus that has put the entire world on hold.
Now ask yourself, “What is actually hitting us and what is Allah (SWT) reminding us? Is there a sign in any of the above? Is there a sign in all of the above? In this 2020, where are we headed?
As Believers, our iman is manifested in our belief in the Ilm-ul-ghayb (Knowledge of the Unseen). Within ilm- ul-ghayb is the belief in the Akhira and the stark reality of death that leads into it.
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:
اِنَّ السَّاعَةَ اٰتِيَةٌ اَكَادُ اُخْفِيْهَا لِتُجْزٰى كُلُّ نَفْسٍۢ بِمَا تَسْعٰي
“Indeed, the Hour is coming – I almost conceal it – so that every soul may be recompensed according to that for which it strives.”
[Ta-Ha : 15]
STOP! SEE! Read this ayat of the Qur’an that if the end of time is reaching us, does this scare you? Our end is near?
Anas bin Malik (R) reported that a desert Arab said to Allah’s Messenger ﷺ:When would be the Last Hour? Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said: What preparation have you made for that?
(Sahih Muslim)
So as you read the catastrophes listed below, try to answer the question for yourself. What have YOU done to prepare for YOUR end? Remember, our Akhira begins with our death. The very moment the rooh is taken, we cease to exist and the new eternal journey begins. In a hadith we learn, Rasul Allahﷺ has said:’
“When you survive till the evening do not expect to survive till the morning and when you get up in the morning, do not expect to survive until the evening”
(Bukhari)
This – definitely is the reality of life or rather the reality of death.
Incidents 2020
- Explosion in Beirut, Lebanon
The Lebanon explosion on August 4, 2020 left several dead and over 6000 injured and displaced. Whole neighborhoods were shattered, with estimates of more than $5 billion worth of damage.” Wikepedia describes the blast with the following: The explosion was detected by the United States Geological Survey as a seismic event of magnitude 3.3; was felt in Turkey, Syria, Israel, and parts of Europe; and was heard in Cyprus more than 250 km (160 mi) away. It is considered to be one of the most powerful non-nuclear explosions in history.
It was an unexpected event and several of the younger generation were a part of the death figures. They all died most probably not knowing their end was going to be so sudden.
- Earthquake in Turkey, A Volcano Eruption in Philippines , PIA Flight Crash
A total of 41 people were killed and more than 1,600 were injured in eastern Turkey on January 24th, 2020 in an earthquake. In Philippines, sudden ash and steam caused villagers to flee, shut down Manila international airport, schools and offices as the angry Taal Volcano spit out ashes and smoke.
On May 22, 2020, the Pakistan International Airline flight crashed into houses in Karachi. This, along with the fire and explosion was a completely shocking event leaving people bewildered. Families were looking forward to being with their loved ones and suddenly death overtook took them in seconds.
Imagine how scary a sight that must have been. Now imagine the Day of Judgment and how it has been elaborated in the Qur’an: “When the sun will be wrapped up in darkness, when the stars will fall and be dispersed and mountains will be removed.” (Surah At-Takweer). What will be your internal state then?
In the above stated tragedies, death has come while people are not even thinking about it. Think, think, think – “What if?” “What if I was in that plane? What if I was in the fire? What if the earth opened up and I was buried in that earthquake?” It is a devastating thought, but it is essential we gear ourselves to this and get ready so we can prepare.
The Almighty says:
فَإِذَا جَاءَ أَجَلُهُمْ لَا يَسْتَأْخِرُونَ سَاعَةً ۖ وَلَا يَسْتَقْدِمُونَ
“When their specified time arrives, they cannot delay it for a single hour nor can they bring it forward,”
[An-Nahl : 61]
2020 Signs Continue
- Deadly California Fire And Australian Bush Fire
The deadly California wildfires have burned over 1 million acres. While the Australian bushfire season (2019- 2020) was a period of intense bushfires in Australia. As of 9 March 2020, the fires burnt an estimated 18.6 million hectares.
- Swarm of Locusts in East Africa and South Asia
Hundreds of billions of locusts swarmed on parts of East Africa (Kenya). The scale of the locust outbreak, which affected seven East African countries, was like nothing in recent memory
Allah (SWT) says in the Qur’an:
فَأَرْسَلْنَا عَلَيْهِمُ الطُّوفَانَ وَالْجَرَادَ وَالْقُمَّلَ وَالضَّفَادِعَ وَالدَّمَ آيَاتٍ مُّفَصَّلَاتٍ فَاسْتَكْبَرُوا وَكَانُوا قَوْمًا مُّجْرِمِينَ
“So We sent upon them the flood and locusts and lice and frogs and blood as distinct signs, but they were arrogant and were a criminal people.”
[Al-A’raf : 133]
Locusts were sent upon the earth as a sign of punishment to the previous nations. This sign is not just for the people of Africa, but the entire Muslim Ummah that such incidents are becoming frequent and nations were destroyed before in seconds with no evidence of their remains. Are we not fearful that we will be overtaken also?
- Killing For Unknown Reasons And Increased Numbers of Suicide
A 46-year-old black American man (George Floyd), was killed in USA on May 25, 2020. Bystanders witnessed the slow and painful death and pleaded for the policeman to remove his knee which was brutally ignored.
In a hadith we learn:
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Rasul Allah (ﷺ) as saying:
“By Him in Whose Hand is my life, a time would come when the murderer would not know why he has committed the murder, and the victim would not know why he has been killed.”
(Sahih Muslim: Book 41, Number 6949)
From personal stories of suicide that we have heard in the last several months to celebrities taking their lives despite showing no evident signs of depression. These people were famous, rich and by far living comfortable lives, yet they wanted to be amongst those who are buried in the grave.
In the chapter of Sahih Muslim, we learn,
بَاب لَا تَقُومُ السَّاعَةُ حَتَّى يَمُرَّ الرَّجُلُ بِقَبْرِ الرَّجُلِ فَيَتَمَنَّى أَنْ يَكُونَ مَكَانَ الْمَيِّتِ مِنْ الْبَلَاءِ
“The hour will not begin until a man passes by another man’s grave and wishes that he was in the place of the deceased, because of calamity. “
(Sahih Muslim : 694)
- Increased Number of Deaths of Scholars
The last several months have recorded a death toll worldwide. Each of us have heard a death and maybe several in our families and friends. The death toll of corona virus patients have been 817,619; this being only the official number published.
This number itself is alarming. What is more alarming is that the number of Islamic scholars that have left us in this time is also worth pointing out. The loss of Islamic scholars is by far a great loss for the world. The death of scholars is death of beneficial knowledge being taken away from the world.
The list of profound scholars that have left us for their eternal journey includes but is not limited to:
- Maulana Muhammad Luqman Salfi (Qur’an Commentator and Islamic Scholar, India)
- Maulana Rehmat ul Allah Rabbani (Scholar of Hadith, Jami Muhammadia MughalPura, Pakistan)
- Maulana Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf (Qur’an Commentator, Religious Author, Director of research and writing department of Dar Us Salaam Mohaqiq-ul-Asr, Lahore, Pakistan)
- Hafiz Sanaullah Khan (Teacher, Lecturer in Lahore, Pakistan)
- Professor AbdurlRehman Ludiyanvi (Religious author, Two Times Gold Medalist in M.A (Islamiat & Arabic Literature)
- (Maulana Younis Butt Nazim of the Federation of Madrassas (Wafaqul Madaris) and Sheikh-al-Hadith of Jamia Salfia )
- Maulana Abu Yahya Muhammad Zakariya Mujahid (Religious Writer, Islamic Scholar and Translator of Qur’an)
The deaths of these scholars and many more that have not been specified above, but have faced their deaths in the last 6 months.
In hadith, we learn in Sahih AlBukhari Chapter: (What is said regarding) the disappearance of the (religious) knowledge and the appearance of (religious) ignorance:
حَدَّثَنَا عِمْرَانُ بْنُ مَيْسَرَةَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، عَنْ أَبِي التَّيَّاحِ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ إِنَّ مِنْ أَشْرَاطِ السَّاعَةِ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ الْعِلْمُ، وَيَثْبُتَ الْجَهْلُ، وَيُشْرَبَ الْخَمْرُ، وَيَظْهَرَ الزِّنَا ”.
Narrated Anas (RA):
Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “From among the portents of the Hour are (the following): –
1. Religious knowledge will be taken away (by the death of Religious learned men). –
2. (Religious) ignorance will prevail. –
3. Drinking of Alcoholic drinks (will be very common). –
4. There will be prevalence of open illegal sexual intercourse.
(Sahih Bukhari : 22)
In another hadith of Sahih Bukhari, In Kitab Al Ilm, it is narrated:
Narrated Abu Huraira :The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “(Religious) knowledge will be taken away (by the death of religious scholars) ignorance (in religion) and afflictions will appear; and Harj will increase.” It was asked, “What is Harj, O Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ)?” He replied by beckoning with his hand indicating “killing.” (Fath-al-Bari Page 192, Vol. 1), (Sahih Bukhari: 85)
- COVID-19
The pandemic Covid-19 by far is what marks 2020 as one of the greatest incident in the history of the world. It prevails even 5 months after its onset in March 2020. It continues to be a time of turmoil and unrest with severe implications in all areas of life to say the very least.
Due to Corona, people have experienced bouts of intense depression. It has led to psychological trauma in many households with fear of death, health, and financial stability along with adjustment to a completely unexpected and different lifestyle. The outbreak has left the world in an economic crises.
Abu Huraira (RA) reported Rasul Allah ﷺ as saying: There would be turmoil and the one who would sleep would be better than who would be awake and the one who would be awake would be better than one who would stand and one who would stand would be better than one who would run. So he who finds refuge or shelter should take that refuge or shelter. (Sahih Muslim: Book 41, Number 6895)
The House of Allah (SWT) is Sealed
By far the most devastating feeling for Muslims was the fact that Bayt Allah was sealed for 3 months or so, not allowing for Umrah to take place for that time! The one time of the year that sends out a strong message to the entire world that the Muslim Ummah combined is one voice, the world witnessed a Hajj that is unprecedented and the Hajis scattered.
For us as the Muslim Ummah, we have to see that Allah (SWT) decided to close the doors of His house upon us! And we all know when someone does not let us into their house, how they feel about us.
Source: https://www.eastidahonews.com/
Narrated Shu’ba: “The Hour (Day of Judgment) will not be established until the Hajj (to the Ka’ba) is abandoned.” (Sahih Bukhari)
The hindrance caused by the virus in the way of performing Hajj as per the hadith stated above is a sign that the end is near. The preparation for our Akhira should begin as we read and understand what we are suffering this year as a nation, as the world, as helpless individuals realizing that only Allah (SWT) is All Powerful and All Capable.
We are driven by materialism rather than our religion. Today the Muslim Ummah is indulged in adultery, interest, and ignorance. Who are we? We do not know ourselves anymore! Let’s not blame the year for our shortcomings.
Allah (SWT) says:
ظَهَرَ الْفَسَادُ فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ بِمَا كَسَبَتْ أَيْدِي النَّاسِ لِيُذِيقَهُم بَعْضَ الَّذِي عَمِلُوا لَعَلَّهُمْ يَرْجِعُونَ ﴿٤١﴾۔
“Corruption has appeared throughout the land and sea by [reason of] what the hands of people have earned so He may let them taste part of [the consequence of] what they have done that perhaps they will return [to righteousness].”
[Ar-Rum : 41]
In another hadith we learn what will happen when evil predominates in our lives.
Zainab bint Jahsh (RA), the wife of RasulAllah ﷺ reported that one day Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) came out in a state of excitement with his face quite red. And he was saying: There is no god but Allah; there is a destruction in store for Arabia because of the turmoil which is near at hand as the barrier of Gog and Magog (Yajuj and Majuj) has been opened like it, and he (in order to explain it) made a ring with the help of his thumb and forefinger. I said: Allah’s Messenger, would we be destroyed despite the fact that there would be pious people amongst us? He said: Yes, when the evil would predominate.
(Kitab Al-Fitan Wa Ashrat As-Sa’ah – (Book Pertaining to the Turmoil and Portents of the Last Hour) Book 41, Number 6895:
In Conclusion
So far in 2020 a lot has been witnessed. The year has NOT come to an end just yet. There is a scare that there is yet more to come. We learn that a small entity such as a virus is under Allah’s command as is the volcano, the swarm of locusts, the earth and the fire. It is just with permission of Allah (SWT) that which benefits us in terms of technology, heat or other resources can turn against us because Allah (SWT) has commanded it to. This is a wake up call for us!
Definitely, it is a time for repentance (tawbah); It is time for istighfar; It is high time we change our actions/ our amal before we anger Allah (SWT) further and further. It is time for global tawbah. That is the need of the hour and we need to rush towards it.
In His Book, Allah (SWT) asks us…And only we can answer that.
فَأَيْنَ تَذْهَبُون
So where are you going?
[At-Takwir : 2]
What is to be Done?
Abu Hurayra (RA) reported the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said,
فَاسْتَبِقُوا الْخَيْرَاتِ
“(Race to good actions) as fast as you can . What are you waiting for except delayed poverty, oppressive wealth, debilitating illness, dottering senility, a swift death or the Dajjal? Or are you waiting for an unseen evil, or the Last Hour? The Last Hour will be most bitter and terrible.”
[Sunan Tirmidhi]
Assess your actions, your deeds, your conversations and interactions with others. And where changes are to be made, make them TODAY! BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE! Let’s as an Ummah aim towards Jannat- ul- Firdaus. May Allah (SWT) grant us all that. Aameen.
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّاقَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ ۖ وَاتَّقُوا اللَّـهَ ۚ إِنَّ اللَّـهَ خَبِيرٌ بِمَا
“O you who have believed, fear Allah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow – and fear Allah. Indeed, Allah is Acquainted with what you do.”
[Al-Hashr : 18]
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