Are We Done?

The Holy month is coming to a close. For the seasonal Muslims, their journey is about to end, whereas Muslims for a reason, their journey is about to begin as we move away from the folds of security, restraint and spiritual upliftment.

But, the question is, “are we done”? Let us take a moment to understand where we are, even though we have a pretty good idea.

Technology has heightened. Morals have weakened. Faith has been compromised. Materialistic values have taken over. Rituals are common: Brushing teeth in the morning, taking a shower. Grabbing that early morning cup of tea, reading the newspaper. Picking up the car keys, opening the door. Going to school or work. These actions don't need a thought process. They are ritualistic; daily routine. The need to be done in order that life continues in a sound manner. Sadly, following the lifestyle of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt (a), also seems a ritual, perhaps in a traditional sense, but a ritual nonetheless.

Most recently, feverish pitches of love and compassion for Ali ibne Abu Talib (as) from the 19th to the 21st of this Holy Month, emotions running wild against his killer(s), the need to compete against time and beg for forgiveness against our (unacceptable) deeds we may have committed, changes in FaceBook statuses to reflect all the passion being extruded, requests for dua's and prayers flood the messages of ours and those on our lists. In the midst of all this compassion and love that comes with a climax of iftars and sehri's in the mosque, surrounded by our social network whom we just chatted with an hour ago about the next soccer game or how we had a great time in school just this morning, we hit the 'like' button on pages along the lines of 'why girls like boys,' or 'what you missed out on if you didn't have a relationship with me'. We also enjoy a game of online poker, perhaps without money, but we enjoy it, following the footsteps of those who took the wrong path. Unlike the beautiful hadith left behind by our beloved Prophet (s):

• [“Live like 'Ali (a) and Die like Husayn (a)”]

The statement did not mean during the 30 days; nor the 12. It meant during every breath we draw. Failure to act on what is required, no – mandated – is what angers our living Imam (a):

• [“Then each one of you should perform such actions which will bring you close to our love and should abstain from those deeds which are a cause of our displeasure and anger”]

Six times a year, we ask 'God' to bless us in our exams and tests, and maybe we might even pray our Salaat, out of desperation, on time, and as soon as they are over our actions claim; “What God?”. Sometimes, only sometimes, we look at a picture of someone without hijab and boldly and arrogantly bring God in between the indecent act of glorifying the beauty by claiming “Masha Allah! you look beautiful!”. Or, we look at our modern idols, the soccer stars, and worship their choices of girlfriends they rotate depending on their whims, praising the Lord for such beauty. And such messages just roll off on our tongues, without restraint, considering it very small:

• [24 An-Nur:15 “When ye welcomed it with your tongues, and uttered with your mouths that whereof ye had no knowledge, ye counted it a trifle. In the sight of Allah it is very great.”]

Is that the same God we praise that we need to submit to and give our lives for?:

• [6 Al An'am:162 “Truly, my prayer and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death, are (all) for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds”]

Or is it another god that is driven by our desires to love what we shouldn't be going after?:

• [25 Al Furqan:43-44 “Have you seen him who takes his low desires for his god? Will you then be a protector over him? Or do you think that most of them do hear or understand? They are nothing but as cattle; nay, they are straying farther off from the path.”]

Submission towards Him and sacrificing our life [6:162] does not mean our life during these Glorious 30 days, or the additional 12 in Muharram, (40 if we can stretch it that far). It means that our entire life from the moment the name of Allah is recited in our ear, to the moment when the angels begin to question us (and this too is too late), is filled with sacrifice and restraint, guard, against that which is detested and disliked by Allah. How else can we call the Book, revealed in this month, a guide, that which we follow?

• [2 al Baqarah:2 “This Book, there is no doubt in it, is a guide to those who guard (against evil).”]

As these days come to a close, we need to reflect on what we will bring forth next year. Do not be fooled that our sins will be forgiven, and as soon as the moment our bellies begin to bloat, our desires too begin to expand:

• [4 An Nisaa:17 “Forgiveness is only incumbent on Allah toward those who do evil in ignorance (and) then turn quickly (in repentance) to Allah. These are they toward whom Allah relenteth. Allah is ever Knower, Wise.]

This world was never created to make things easy. But we are looking for ease. This world was never created for merry making and joy. But we are seeking it. This world was never created to compromise with God. But yet, against all odds and wisdom, we want to:

• [10 Yunus :23 “O mankind! your insolence is against your own souls,- an enjoyment of the life of the present”]

• [11 Hud:116 “But the wrong-doers pursued the enjoyment of the good things of life which were given them, and persisted in sin.”]

If that were the case, then verses that speak of trials and tribulations would remain meaningless:

• [2 Al Baqarah: 214 “Or do ye think that ye shall enter the Garden (of bliss) without such (trials) as came to those who passed away before you? they encountered suffering and adversity, and were so shaken in spirit that even the Messenger and those of faith who were with him cried: “When (will come) the help of Allah.” Ah! Verily, the help of Allah is (always) near!”]

• [33 Al Ahzab:24 “Such trials are imposed upon man so that God may reward the truthful for having been true to their word”]

Indeed, let us not forget, this world is full of trials and tribulations. Of difficulty and pain. Without which, the Justice of God would not be able to be substantiated. But for a person who follows the pathway of God and seeks salvation, trials, tribulations, difficulty and pain are, ironically, a source of comfort.

For satisfaction comes from Satisfying the Sustainer. That's all that matters:

• [13 Ar Rad:28 “Those who believe, and whose hearts find satisfaction in the remembrance of Allah. For without doubt in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.”]

• [89 Al Fajr:27 “(To the righteous soul will be said:) “O (thou) soul, in (complete) rest and satisfaction!”]

It is reported in Al Kafi (Volume 2, page 74, Hadith No. 3) that Imam Muhammad Baqir (AS) addressing Jabir said:

“O Jabir, do you think that it is enough for anyone just to claim by his tongue that he loves Ahlul Bayt(a)? Does he, by such a claim, become our Shiah? Jabir, I swear by the Almighty that until a person fears Allah and obeys Him, he cannot claim to be our Shiah. He must have humility, be just, fulfill his promises, engage as much as possible in the remembrance of Allah, fulfill his obligations of salah and fasting, show affection and sympathy and obedience to his parents, assist and be kind to his neighbours, the poor, those in debt as well as show sympathy and affection to the orphans. He must always be truthful. He should read and study Qur'an. There must never be any malice in his heart. Without these qualities, he ca not qualify to claim that he loves us or is our Shiah. O Jabir, it is not enough for any person only to say by word of mouth that he loves Hadhrat Ali and the Ahlul Bayt. He must follow the 'seerah' (way of life) of the Holy Prophet and the Ahlul Bayt and act according to the sunnah established by them. If he does not, then his claim of love for Ahlul Bayt can never benefit him.

O Jabir, without 'ita'ah' (obedience and submission), nobody can attain proximity to Allah. We do not like them to claim to be our friends if they do not fulfill all the conditions. A sinful person is our enemy. Without good deeds and abstinence from sins, any claim of friendship to us is of no avail.”

The Eternal Sacrifice

In the blink of an eye, the first 12 days of Muharram simply floated by like passing clouds, filled with showers (or downpours) of tears that dropped on the earth’s surface with sorrow and sadness. For some, the messages, authorizations and admonitions during these sacred nights represented flashes of lightning strikes, illuminating the ugly darkness for but a few seconds; for others, they serve as beacons of light radiating and guiding the soul’s ship during the rough storms and unstable oceans, understanding the full cause of such a momentous journey. Yet for others, they serve as a cultural ritual that binds man into wearing black to show solidarity, though, unlike the former two, void of any guiding factor to salvage the crumbling self amongst demonic instigations.

Throughout the world, from Hong Kong to Dubai, Dar es Salaam to New York, Montreal to Los Angeles, year after year, Shia’s mourn the tragedy that befell the family of the Prophet (s); his men, his women and his children. The message of Husayn's (a) reform attributed to his grandfather, Prophet of Islam, was inculcated much earlier - the sacrifice that Prophet Abraham was willing to give of his son, setting a standard and a basis for all Muslims from time immemorial: submission to God’s will. This message transcended from one generation to the next, making its way across the barrier of the Seal of Prophets, through his cousin and son in law, and finally, to his grandson, Husayn (a), son of Ali (a).

The epitome of submission and sacrifice manifested itself 61 years after the migration of the Prophet from Makkah, and 680 years after the birth of Jesus Christ. This was no ordinary sacrifice. Neither was it an ordinary submission. It was the height of mans will breaking every barrier against oppression, injustice, tyranny, and above all, the barricading walls of Satan that continues to threaten and make extinct the elevated nature of mans soul.

His mission was to reform, reevaluate, and return what was rightfully the message of his grandfather. It was a resolution that stemmed from a perfect background that made his forefront message a model for all generations. What is important to understand is that his message was not limited to those after him, but that it played a significant role to those before him, as far back as the first man on earth. Ever since, Husayn served and continues to serve as a role model that begs to be emulated only by those seeking God's love and nearness. The reformation highlighted the need to seek awareness within ourselves, to seek solace in His pleasure, as well as break the backbone of every illegitimate ruler.

Husayn (a) exemplified this nature by giving up everything he loved for His love. In return, millions of followers have taken that message and engrained it within their souls, and for whatever reason, it stands as an eternal testimony for time to come; a message that will never die despite the despotic rulers and heads of state that rule with an iron fist, but which is easily melted by the extreme heat and fervor towards Husayn (a), son of Ali (a), of Fatema Zahra (a), and grandson of the final Prophet of God.

He only sought to expose oppression, and not eradicate it. It will only become extinct with the arrival of the promised savior, al Mahdi (a), and his beloved companion, Jesus Christ.

Emirates, once more.

This time, after almost two years, travel to Canada was one of the most beautiful experiences ever, thanks once again to the services of Emirates Airlines.

Yet again I chose Emirates as my preferred carrier since - besides the loyalty towards their skywards program - the airline is by far one of the best out there. All that said, what I was minutely concerned about was the quality of the in flight meal between Nairobi and Dubai. This could be overlooked, but airline meals, with the tarnished history that it has, require to maintain their marked improvement over the years.

The two days I spent in Dubai was so much more convenient because of the new metro train that began services back in September 2009. The metro meant easy access to the major shopping attractions from the Deira City Center to the Burjuman to the Dubai Mall, and beyond. Not only is it convenient, but its a fraction of the price of a taxi cab - much needed relief when your pocket change are now accompanied by the threads of your pants.

The next flight to Toronto took me beyond inspiration. The A380. Bold, beautiful, and with every bragging right out there. From the front, it looks like a monstrous whale, yet sophisticated enough to admire from a distance. The side view makes you wonder - it's an illusion that the aircraft is shorter than it looks simply because of its height that spans the entire plane giving two floors of unspoken admiration.

As you enter the plane, one can only wonder what the future will hold if the present is remarkably so. The seats are by far the most comfortably spaced in comparison, with leg room you cannot complain about. Okay, considering I am not that tall, I may be biased on this one. The in flight system is set on a 10" widescreen with a number of channels that can keep you occupied for a while before you settle down to watch your selection. What I enjoyed the most however, was the aerial view of the camera. Usually, cameras are located on the front of the aircraft or the underside, but a third camera that is mounted on the tail gives you a spectacular view of the airplane as if you were viewing things from the top. Just when you thought you cannot go any higher than the second floor!

The food was really good. Perhaps, thats why I have not complained too much about the previous flight. Since this is a 14 hour journey, meal service is divided into three: a lunch service after departure, followed by a snack, which in turn is followed by another light meal prior to arrival. The crew are, as always, courteous and calm which adds to the value of what you pay, in combination with everything else.

The next portion of my trip took me once again on Air Canada, from YYZ to YUL. Surprisingly however, considering the 'slow economy', every flight I was on was full. From Mombasa to Nairobi, Dubai, Toronto and Montreal - if there was a seat, it was taken, or at least 90% of available occupancy was filled to capacity. What can I say - travelling by air is no longer a luxury but a necessity. What I can vouch for is that the excitement of air travel is still the same even if its a necessity - and that will never fade away.

Just a word of advice: Baggage claim can take an awfully long time especially if your aircraft lands in cities other than Dubai - so allow on average, 1/2 hour more to exit the airport. t took 1hr 20 mins for many of the passengers personal belongings to emerge from the conveyor belt.