Islam

The Hijrah:

An inspired migration

Nafeela Mukthar

It is of such importance for us who celebrate the Islamic New Year this month to ponder why the beginning of the calendar was calculated from the point of a painful migration, the greatest benefactor of humanity the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w) had to make the supreme sacrifice of tearing himself from the soil of his birth.

The Prophet set out on this journey on June 16, 622 A.D. This was the 13th year of Prophethood. He was then 53 years of age. Safar 27th he left Makkah, for the Cave of Thaur.

The Prophet and his loyal friend Abu Bakr hid in the cave till the 1st of Rabiul Awwal and left towards Madinah. Yes! Allaah in His Mercy had granted permission for migration. Revelations very clear had come regarding this. Wasn’t the Prophet advised: Say, “O my Lord let my entry be by the Gate of Truth and Honour.... And grant me from thee an Authority to aid me” - 17:80.

That meant he had to leave behind such poignant memories. Leaving the sacred city - the lanes and streets he walked since childhood, the beloved Kabah, where he had prostrated for the well-being of his people. He had endured such oppression, ridicule and unbearable physical and mental torture because of his call to the Truth. Yet it was heart-rendering for the human Prophet to leave his beloved city of Birth.

Hijrah

The Arabic word ‘Hijrah’ does not mean ‘flight’ as many writers interpret. It is best translated as ‘emigration’. Here it is not the connotation of geographical transference, but of separation from one’s loved ones, homes and all that they held dear and near. The great strategist Muhammad (SAW) had sent a few of his Makkan followers to Madinah, as Makkah was no more a safe place for the Muslims.

This action ensured that there would be this community of Makkan followers there to support him. It also meant that the Prophet had decided in spite of persuasion and cruelty to stay in Makkah to encourage any waverers.

He couldn’t bear the Muslim’s suffering and tribulations the Prophet appealed bitterly “When (will come) the Help of Allaah” 2:214) He also knew that God was directing his destiny; the brave soldier he was, the Prophet was not seeking refuge for safety.

He was entrusted with a mission as a Messenger of God to all humanity. His appeal to the Makkan tribes was to divorce themselves from idoltory, alcoholism, tribal wars, immoral practices and surrender to the almighty One.

He did not seek any reconciliation or compromise in religion. He had such faith that Allaah would help him to preach the True Faith entrusted to him. Doesn’t Allaah say thus, in the Quraan: “they plotted against thee to keep thee in bonds or slay thee or get thee out (of thy home). They plot and plan and Allaah too plans, but Allaah is the best of Planners” (8:30). In the teeth of intense, persecution, ridicules and abuse the Prophet secretly and openly stood firm courageously to spread the Divine revelation.

Nothing deterred him from Allaah’s chosen path - a mission, a movement based on reason. But his sensitive sympathetic heart bled to see the suffering of his poor followers and friends who had embraced the new movement.

Unable to witness anymore of the persecution beyond human endurance - when permission came to migrate; in the 5th year of his mission sent a group of Muslims to Abyssinia. They were the first migrants and it was the first international relations of the Muslims.

Prophet’s decision

The Prophet himself realised, there was no room for enlightment in the heart of the Quraish and decided to go to a neighbouring town called Taif. The chiefs whom he met in Taif ridiculed and incited the street urchins to pelt him and his slave Zaid with stones. The Prophet bled profusely and sat down when he was unable to stand.

They raised him by his shoulders and assaulted him mercilessly again. Some Christians in whose vineyard this took place witnessed this cruelty offered him some grapes and solace. From Taif he sought the protection of Mutin bin Ali to return to the Kabah. His slave Zaid carried him on his shoulders, when the Prophet became unconscious due to loss of blood. On the way Zaid asked the Prophet to curse these people to which the Rasool replied: “Why should I curse them. If they do not accept Islam now future generation will certainly accept it”.

During his time when the Prophet was physically and mentally tormented Divine help came. He was honoured with the ascent to the Heaven - Known as Mehraj. He was taught the prayer of migration mentioned earlier. Amidst great hostility, this event gave renewed strength to the Prophet and his followers.

Even before the Prophet was entrusted by God with this unique mission there were a few thinking men who were seeking guidance to rebel against the evils that prevailed in Arabian society. But the majority of them were seeped in ignorance and every kind of vice you could think of.

They jeered, tortured heaped entrails of animals on his head and poured dust on his back while prostrating. God comforted him with the Quranic verse 7:199 “Hold to forgiveness; command what is right, but turn away from the ignorant”.

The enemies demanded that he give-up his new creed that asked them to worship One God and not to assign partners to Him. They even went to his uncle Abu Talib a nobleman and pleaded with him to advise his nephew.

When he did so the Prophet was faced with a great crisis as he was the only support from the rival camp. But the Prophet with his characteristics fearless fortitude born of his conviction declared firmly “Dear uncle, if these people place the Sun on my right hand and the Moon on the left and ask me to give up my mission, I will not do it even if I loose my life in the struggle”.

That was the voice of determination that changed the course of history. Realising the great future of this movement they bargained for, a compromise which the Prophet rejected. Affirmed in the Quran: “It is not for me to change it on my own accord; I only follow that which is revealed to me” (10:15).

leaving Makkah

The great leader of humanity left his beloved Makkah. What Makkah lost, Madinah gained. When the Prophet and Hazarath Abu Bakr hid in the Cave of Thaur, the enemy pursued them upto the entrance of it. Abu Bakr voiced his fear. The Prophet comforted him. “Have no fear for God is with us”. Many attempts were made on the life of the Prophet while in Madinah too. But the chosen one was saved by Divine Protection.

His life in Makkah was concerned with the fundamentals of his faith - Belief in One God, righteous deeds and the purification of the soul. In contrast, he Hijrah to Madinah, gave the Prophet and the Muslims to establish the Islamic State in which was embodied both spiritual guidance and a social structure of peace and democracy. What political vision and wisdom the Prophet possessed.

This new State became a portent force the continued to develop, expand into a great civilization in a short time. Do we Muslims ponder even for a moment sincerely deserve to be called that followers of a unique Prophet who made supreme sacrifices stood with indomitable courage tact and wisdom?

The IC PH at Thihariya school for disabled

Jayaweera Sugathapala Attanagalla special corr.

Free special education for disabled children at the Islamic centre for the physically handicapped (ICPH) Doolmala Thihariya dates back to 1984 when Al Haj Jiffri Haniffa first started this charity in a rented house with one teacher and five students.

Today it has 250 students and 40 member staff. This school was registered as a voluntary social service institution on 21.10.1986 under the voluntary social services organisation act and is eligible for annual grants by the social services department, Sinhala, Muslim and Tamil disabled children, both male and female receive special education, vocational training and rehabilitation at this school.

On completion of education and training most of these disabled youth have found lucrative jobs and leading normal lives with their families as able citizens and some have found employment overseas too.

Director of the school, Al Haj Jiffri Haniffa said, with the grace of he Almighty Allah, one of our students, M. Rasak from Beruwala, who does not have any talking ability has been selected to attend the university of Hong Kong. Likewise M. Akbar a sight impaired student gained admission to Colombo University to pursue his higher education.

Special education

Hearing impaired students both male and female are taught by the use of sign langauge and lip reading techniques. Sight impaired (blind) students are taught in Braille and physically disabled are provided with standard education in accordance with the Government stipulated curriculum. Mentally retarded male and female pupils are taught according to locally accepted special syllabus.

Vocational Training

Students who have completed general or special education are trained in various vocational disciplines such as gem cutting, tailoring, printing. Carpentry, dental technology, computer, Juki machine operating, jewellery making, Home science ladies dress making, house keeping courses are also provided for female students.

Students who complete the vocational training are assisted to find employments and also provided with equipments to encourage self-employment.

Education, vocational training rehabilitation, accommodation, food clothing, medical care and other basic necessities are provided free of charge.

Immediate requirements

This school aims to develop and maintain a new and separate facility for mentally retarded children, in place of prevailing day care service which is restricted to 32 mentally retarded children. The school now has a list of more than 100 applications for admission on a full time in house basis.

To address this problem we have to acquire land and build class rooms, hostel and other accommodation with full fledged facilities, the school’s director Jiffri Haniffa added.

Dialogue between Buddhism and Islam

An international conference on dialogue between Buddhism and Islam was organised by the Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya in collaboration with cultural section of the Embassy Islamic Republic of Iran Colombo at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Kelaniya, recently.

The Chief Guest was Mahmoud Rahimi Gorji Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Sri Lanka. In his address the Ambassador said “I am honoured that during my tenure as ambassador this historical event of dialogue between Buddhism and Islam has taken place for the first time in Sri Lanka, although it has been long overdue.

I consider today as a day of much significance in that, for the first time a dialogue between two great religions, Buddhism and Islam has taken place in Colombo organised by the University of Kelaniya and the cultural section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

As you are all aware the holding of such a dialogue assumes greater importance in bringing about mutual and better understanding between different cultures and religions and promote peace and harmony in a world of conflicts terrorism and strife. Certainly, there are more commonalities than differences between religions and it is the factors that have to be explored, studied and presented to the people by religious scholars. In fact, the roads are many but the goal is the same.

Foreign policy of Iran

I may also add that the dialogue of religions and civilisations is considered as one of the main aspects of the foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran which was initiated by the late Imam Khomeini the architect of the Islamic Revolution in Iran.

It is pertinent to note that it was view of the late Imam Khomeini that only though the unity of religious people oppression and suppression in the world could be eliminated.

It was in keeping with the policy of promoting dialogue and exchange of interactions the Islamic Republic of Iran has held such dialogues in Tehran and many capitals of the world. In this regard Iran has even established a permanent secretariat in Tehran to co-ordinate and implement the policy.

The ambassador also said that moreover, as far back as in 1999 the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran proposed to the United Nations to hold a dialogue of civilisation among the members of the organisation. Accordingly, the United Nations declared the year 2001 as the year for dialogue among civilisations.

“I am sure that in a world marked by material considerations, unlimited greed and consumerism which have taken precedence over religious values and which have in turn brought about strife, insecurity and conflict of such magnitude any move towards dialogue of religion and religious values would culminate in ushering in a world of peace and harmony of living.

Sri Lanka and Iran relations which have endured for more than 2,500 years could contribute a great deal towards this end through seminars such as this held the University of Kelaniya of Sri Lanka. Therefore while wishing the seminar every success I have also the pleasure to announce that it is our intention to hold such dialogues alternatively in Colombo and Tehran annually.”

Landmark event

Prof. Sarath Amunugama Vice Chancellor, University of Kelaniya said that the intention of this Conference of Dialogue between Buddhism and Islam, was landmark event in the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of University of Kelaniya.

The conference has been organised at a very significant time when increase attention is being focused on ethnic and religious harmony co-existence of every community in a peaceful environment in Sri Lanka.

Prof. Amunugama further said that today many parts of the world are disturbed due to ethnic, religious and language dispute and people are waging wars against their own socio-religious rights without considering the rights and the heritage of others. To my knowledge this pathetic situation is prevalent everywhere in the world owing to the inherent selfish mentality of mankind.

He said, “To overcome this negative attitude and to establish peace in a multi-cultural society like Sri Lanka, it is necessary to provide opportunities to study the teachings of one’s own faith with an open mind and to have a general understanding of that of others.

“I think this conference on dialogue between Buddhism and Islam will be a great step to achieve this noble objective which has not been practised in the past. In this regard, I am very thankful to the department of Pali and Buddhist Studies of the University of Kelaniya and the Cultural Section of the Islamic Republic of Iran for sponsoring the event.”

Ven. Dr. Nabirittankadawara Gnanaratana Thera, Head, Department of Pali and Buddhist Studies, University of Kelaniya said that amongst the few worldwide faiths in today’s world both Buddhism and Islam have emerged has global faiths. Everyday we experience the increase of the number of followers and adherents to these faiths seeking their worldly and spiritual happiness.

Scriptural teachings

Many of the followers of these religions are well aware of the teachings of there respective religions. And they engage in chanting and prayers with great enthusiasm, and they sacrifice their time and earnings for the preservation and expansion of the Buddhist and Islamic institution.

Therefore we believe that it is necessary to guide the people properly in the direction of scriptural teachings. As a result of globalisation, every community has come closer, in every walk of their life. Today in Sri Lanka Buddhist and Muslims live in every part of the country sharing views and the resources available to them. We know that besides religious beliefs, people have common objectives in their worldly matters.

Ven. Gnanaratana Thera further, stressed that in the globalise context of mankind, knowledge of one’s own faith seems inadequate in order to overcome the fear and suspicion towards other faiths and therefore it is necessary to know what others believe and practice.

Therefore we believe that this conference is organised at a very significant time when increased attention is being focused on ethnic and religious harmony for co-existence of every community in a peaceful environment in Sri Lanka and the world in general.

Ven. Thera further said that this conference will provide significant opportunity and create a stage to discuss religious issues in an academic environment leading ‘How to live in a multi cultural society’. I gratefully remember the co-operation extended by Dr. Seyed Mahmoud Reza Marandi and his staff under the direction of Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Vote of thanks was made by Prof. Sumanapala Galmangoda, Director, Post Graduate Institute of Pali and Buddhist Studies University of Kelaniya, Prof. Ali Mesbah, Ph.D. Department of Philosophy, Imam Khomeini Institute for Education and Research, Qum, Iran, Prof. Siavosh Naderi Farsani, Ph.D. University of Religions and Sects, Qum, Iran, Khalil Ghanbari, Faculty of Religious Studies, University of Religions, Qum, Islamic Republic of Iran, Ven. Prof. Kollupitiye Mahinda Sangarakkitha Nayake Thera, Senior Professor, Faculty of Buddhist and Pali, University of Kelaniya, Prof. Oliver Abenayake, former Senior Professor Buddhist and Pali University, Prof. Tilak Kariyawasam former Senior Professor, University of Kelaniya, were also addressed.