Flight to Light Habibullah SallAllahu alaihi wasallam

FLIGHT TO LIGHT

1428 years ago our Noble Nabi SallAllahu alaihi wassalam and his faithful companion Abu Bakr as-Siddiq RadhiAllahu anhu, were traversing such inhospitable mountain ranges and huge expanses of formidable desert on this historic "flight to light." Fleeing persecutors, fleeing the darkness of ignorance, humiliation and rejection. It was this epic journey, not the birth or Al-Mustafa SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, nor the beginning of his Prophethood that established the beginning of the Muslim era. Blessed is `Umar ibn Al-Khattab RadhiAllahu anhu, the second rightly guided caliph, who sixteen years after the Hijrah, formalized the Islamic lunar calendar beginning with this event. It was the arduous flight of two blessed "fugitives" that heralded the new beginning of the most glorious and pristine of religions, which rapidly illuminated the whole world with Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala’s Divine Commands. The light of this heritage never dims. How much effort do we make to keep this light burning in our hearts? How much do we seek sanctuary in the One by working on just one character trait that hinders the potential lighting of our souls?

Following Allah Ta’ala’s Will, totally submissive to His Hikmah and His Knowledge, the travellers zigzagged across unfamiliar territory from Makkah to Yathrib.
The green line indicates the common caravan route, while the red shows the divergent path chosen for their flight.
How willing are we to criss-cross boundaries of hardship and explore new aspects of instilling the Deen into our everyday journey? To traverse our individual "mountains" and "deserts" in order to reach the goal of radiance in what has been prescribed for us?

It was in the summer months, the unrelenting sun a daily companion, along with all the hazards of the ruthless terrain. There was no better provision, nor weapons than the prayers of the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam as they wound their way northward:

My Lord, let me enter by the entry of truth and let me exit by the exit of truth. And grant me authority from You to help. (17:80)

Rasulullah SallAllahu alaihi wassalam knew that for The Message to reveal its hidden truth, and to reach the peak of achievement, was possible only by turning and imploring the Creator, seeking His support and favour, with his entire being.

For the One Who prescribed the Qur’an for you will surely bring you home once more. (28:85) was revealed as they journeyed.

How often do we voice our concerns in spreading and propagating The Message, so that we too will be assured of being guided "home once more"? Maybe we face difficulties, but then the actual Hijrah as the Qur’an narrates it is that of doing what is difficult in a disciplined, faithful, dedicated, cautious, sincere and honest manner:

I am never unmindful of the work of a worker among you, male or female, You are from each other. So for those who emigrated or were driven from their homes or suffered harm for My sake, or fought or were killed, I will efface their evils and admit them to gardens below which rivers flow, as a reward from the presence of Allah. And the finest reward is in the presence of Allah. (3:195)

On the twelfth day of travel, the midday sun at its zenith, they crossed the blacked Harra, the residue of ancient volcanic activity. The grey-green vegetation of palm groves not only coloured the landscape but also their hearts, recalling the description known to the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam, "the well watered land between two tracts of black stone." Thirteen years of oppression, torture and condemnation finally ended at this Mubarak place, Quba, on the outskirts of what was to become the City of Light.

This present day view of Masjid Quba, nestled amongst the date palms, transports us back to that momentous midday. SubhanAllah!
When the crowd gathered to catch a glimpse, many were unable to distinguish Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu from the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam. It was not until Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu held his garment to shade the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam that they then realized who he was. SubhanAllah! Imagine the sight, the excitement, the joy, THE LIGHT!

As we embrace this new Islamic year, may we too make a "flight to light", a brave and courageous migration of the heart to Allah Ta’ala, confronting the hidden darkness silently lurking where luminosity should dwell. The greater the Iman, the brighter the light, the sweeter the taste.

May we all inwardly reflect upon the deeper significance of the Hijrah of the Bringer of Light, the Light of Light, and the Best of Creation SallAllahu alaihi wassalam.

May the very comforting sentiments from our Beloved Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wassalam’s lips to Abu Bakr RadhiAllahu anhu: “What do you think of two when Allah is their third?” be respite enough in our challenge while striving towards the light, echoing throughout the Ummah, What do you think of a people when Allah is with them?

"O the Full Moon rose over us

From the Valley of Wada`

And we owe it to show gratefulness

Where the call is to Allah."

All good is from Allah Ta’ala whereas mistakes are from this humble speck. May Allah Ta’ala Bless all readers, bringing you all closer to Him and His Rasul SallAllahu alaihi wasallam. Ameen.