When the command for migration was revealed, Saidina Suhaib
joined in to heed the call for hijrah. He left Makkah to join Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
to move to the city of Madinah. When the people of Quraish found out, they were
determined to chase Suhaib and prevent him from migrating. They said to Suhaib:
“Oh Suhaib, we will not let you leave along with your wealth. You came to
Makkah in a state of poverty and then became rich.” And so Suhaib responded that if the condition
for him to migrate is to leave behind the wealth that he gained through his own
sheer hard work, then he would leave behind his wealth to the people of Quraish
in Makkah. And Saidina Suhaib (RA) left for Madinah, leaving all his wealth
behind.
For an individual who has never experienced poverty and a
hard life, probably his perception and appreciation of wealth is different
compared to those who have experienced poverty. One who has slept with the sky
only as the roof above his head the ground as his mattress will definitely
appreciate wealth better after having undergone years of hardship, and it would
be more difficult to be separated with that wealth. Saidina Suhaib Ar-Rumi (RA)
knew how it was to be poor, living with so much less and in a state of
hardship. Yet, he was willing to sacrifice everything that he had in order to
gain Allah’s pleasure and that of Rasulullah (SAW). The sacrifice of Saidina
Suhaib (RA) was acknowledged in a revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and
Angel Jibril (AS) as the witness in surah Al-Baqarah verse 207: “And there is
the type of man who gives his life to earn the pleasure of Allah: And Allah is
full of kindness to (His) devotees.”
There are many important lessons that we can learn from the
story of Suhaib Ar-Rumi’s migration. But the lessons we will focus on for now
are:
- · What is Hijra or what does hijrah mean?
- · How can we make changes?
Firstly, Hijrah has a comprehensive meaning. Suhaib Ar-Rumi (RA)
did not only perform a physical migration to Madinah, but he also adopted the
meaning of hijrah. It doesn’t simply refer to moving from one place to another.
It also means making a ‘change for the
better’ in order to attain Allah’s pleasure, even if it means having to
sacrifice’s one’s comforts all for the sake of obeying Allah’s commands.
Rasulullah (SAW) explained the true meaning of hijrah:
“A Muslim is someone who spares
people the harm of his tongue and his hand, and a migrant is someone who
migrates (hijrah) away from what Allah (SAW). has forbidden". [Hadith
reported by Imam Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
So, know that we should perform hijrah to Allah on a daily
basis. Every day we are moving closer to the day that we will meet Allah (SWT),
and so, every day we are moving closer to Allah, our Creator. Which is why, every
day we should increase our good deeds. As we age, our Takwa should also
increase.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said:
“The best people are those with long lives and many good deeds.” [Hadith
reported by Imam Tirmidzi]
Secondly, how can we make changes? Hijrah represents that every change must
start from us.
Suhaib Ar-Rumi (RA) performed the hijrah and sacrificed his
personal wealth. His intention was not gain popularity in the present of the
public. His Hijrah was sincerely for the sake of Allah (SWT) and Rasulullah
(SAW).
That should be how we embark on changes and our own form of
“migration”. Hijrah demands big sacrifices on our part, but Allah will, also
accept the small changes that we undertake, as long as they are sincere.
A companion asked a question:
“Ya Rasulullah, Verily they claim that whoever doesn't emigrate is
destroyed.”
So Allah's Messenger (SAW) said:
"Establish prayer, pay Zakat, abandon inquiry, and live in the
land of your people wherever you please.” [Hadith reported by Imam Ibnu
Hibban]
Thus, let us increase our self-reflection (muhasabah): Have
we sacrificed our wants and desires simply to gain the pleasure of Allah (SAW).?
What about our willingness to abide by the commands of Allah and the teachings
spread by Rasulullah(SAW), even though at times we may feel it is
difficult?
If we feel that our efforts in pursuing something is still lifeless,
then we should embark on a change immediately. Do not procrastinate until
tomorrow or the day after to make the Hijrah and return to the path of Allah (SAW).
While we still have today, no one knows if we will see tomorrow or the days
after.
May Allah grant us Taufik and Hidayah that will propel us and our families to improve ourselves and make the move to the path that will enable us to gain Allah’s pleasure. May Allah make this year a year full of happiness and peace for us and our loved ones.
Amin Ya Rabbal ‘Alamin.
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