Book Review: Hijra – Story and Significance, by Zakaria Bashier

This is the second in a series of four books written by Zakaria Bashier on the life of the Prophet (ﷺ)  and the second in the series that I've read (the one I read before this one was Sunshine at Madinah). The first part of the book covers the story of the Hijra (i.e. the people and events involved in the Muslim exodus from Makkah to Yathrib). The story is told pretty well but there's nothing really new or fresh here for someone who's already vaguely familiar with the events of the Hijra. The second part of the book covers the events in Yathrib following the Hijra. There is considerable overlap here with the third book in the series but useful I guess for anyone who doesn't own the third book. The third and final part of the book sets out to cover the meaning, significance and implications of the Hijra. I was looking forward to this part the most and hoping that it would provide some fresh insights and lessons into the Hijra. But in the end it was a bit underwhelming and not much more than a textbook jurisprudential discussion on Dar al-Islam vs Dar al-Harb.

There weren't many passages in the book worthy of pulling out and pasting here but here's a few:

"... Yathrib was uniquely fitted to become the base of the first Muslim community-state... the Yathribites themselves were a great asset. The Aws and Khazraj were pure Arab tribes that had migrated from Yemen. Warlike and powerful in spirit, they responded with vigorous, active enthusiasm to the moral idealism of an Islamic community. Possessing the traditional Arab virtues of warmth and hospitality, they were wholly equal to the enormous difficulties of playing host to the impoverished and homeless Muhajirs (emigrants) from Makkah. Tenderness of heart and friendly warmth were prominent traits of Yemeni Arabs – the Prophet, upon him be peace, on more than one occasion, commended the Yemenis for those traits..."

"... they (the Muslims of Makkah) received the order (to leave Makkah) with mixed feelings of great relief and apprehension: the Hijra held out to them the promise of, at last, living freely and unmolested in accordance with the precepts of God and of the Qur'an, but to give up home where they had lived for was generations was no easy sacrifice to make..."

"... In moving verse he (the poet Abu Ahmad) called for the Hijra, honouring those who forsook the warmth and familiar comforts of home and friends, seeking instead a place where they might live according to their convictions, in peace and dignity..."

"... if they (the clan of Ghanm ibn Dudan of Banu Asad ibn Khuzaymah) decided to migrate it was not on account of rootlessness or any lack in lineage or social prestige. Rather, it was because they wished to fulfil religious aspirations and gain favour in the eyes of God and of his messenger, Muhammad, upon him be peace..."

"... Far from being either a flight or retreat, the Hijra, and the Pledge that made it possible, firmly ushered in the beginning of a positive and effective stage in the process of inviting the people to Islam and establishing the first Muslim civilisation..."

Film Review: One Day in the Haram, by Abrar Hussain

I got to see the UK premiere of this documentary movie yesterday organised by the UK-based charity Islamic Help and I'm glad to say it delivered! As the trailer for the movie attests to there are some really beautiful shots in this movie. Both the aerial long-range shots as well as the on-the-ground close-range shots of the Ka'bah, the Haram and wider Makkah are stunning.

As well the stunning shots the movie has a running narrative which works to keep the viewer engaged. Though the movie was shot over a number of weeks it's edited and presented to the viewer as a single day in the Haram from the morning prayer to the night prayer. It works. The narrative also strikes a good balance in my opinion so that it's understandable and enjoyable for both Muslim and non-Muslim audiences.

Yesterday's premiere included a Q&A with the producer and director of the movie (Abrar Hussain) and it was inspiring to hear how such a young team with a limited budget and working against the bureaucracy of the Haram's custodians managed to pull off this project and deliver such a polished product. One thing that I found funny about the movie was how the Saudi workers in the Haram were on their best behaviour when the camera was on and came across as humble, gentle and jovial towards visitors. Although this is a little away from reality it was good to see the filmmakers didn't have to exaggerate this point too much to get the film authorised. It would have been great to see the non-Saudi workers in the Haram get a little more air time in the movie but alas it is what it is.

Overall a stunning first of its kind. Hats off to the producers. An excellent initiative and a beautiful product.

Book Review: Sunshine at Madinah, by Zakaria Bashier

I stumbled across this book in the second-hand books section of a charity shop. There was something captivating about the title and cover image. It gave the impression of being a Seerah book with a difference and it certainly delivered on that front. It's not your standard chronological telling of events from the life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Instead, the author has taken the approach of picking a few key events and themes from the Prophet's years in Madinah and he has focused on explaining and contextualising these. The core events and themes that undergo a detailed study in the book are the Constitution of Madinah drafted by the Prophet on his arrival into Madinah, the Prophet's Farewell Sermon, the role of Muslim women in the Prophet's society, and the socio-economic dimensions of the Prophet's state.

This book, published in 1990, was the third in a series of four books written by Zakaria Bashier on the life of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The first two cover the Makkan period of the Prophet's life and the Hijrah respectively. The fourth is a study on peace and war in the life of the Prophet. The present book – Sunshine at Madinah – has left a good impression on me and I'll definitely be looking to read the other three in the series.

Below is a small selection of passages taken from the introduction of the book:

"... It is the Qur'an's emphasis on the human side of the Prophet that made it possible for ordinary men and women to strive to emulate him as their personal ideal..."

"... no effort should be made to conceal his ordinary human side: Muhammad was the supreme example of human excellence and accomplishment, whose life demonstrated that there is no contradiction between leading a normal human life and total devotion and commitment to the service of God..."

"... It is his highest achievement that even when he had managed to obtain uncontested rule over Arabia, the hustle and bustle of affairs of state, in war as well as peace, did not distract him from the fullest devotion to his Lord, from being ever conscious of Him..."

Qur'an: Intercession

"... All that is in the heavens and in the earth belongs to Him.

Who is there that can intercede with Him except by His leave?

He knows what is before them and what is behind them..."

(Abdul Haleem's translation of Ayah 2:255)

Qur'an: They differed

"... it was only those to whom it was given

who disagreed about it after clear signs had come to them,

because of rivalry between them..."

"... If God had so willed,

they would not have fought each other,

but God does what He will..."

(Abdul Haleem's translation of Ayahs 2:213 and 2:253)

Book Review: Even Angels Ask, by Jeffrey Lang

I enjoyed reading the author's earlier published book entitled Struggling to Surrender so got straight to this one after finishing that one! This book is similar to the previous book and there is considerable overlap between the two but I'd still highly recommend reading both. Like his previous book, there's a good mix of the author's personal experiences and stories on what it means to be an American and a Muslim together with the author's reflections on the Qur'an. I particularly enjoyed in this book the author's discussions on the relationship between culture and religion: how the two can easily be mixed up over time, how the former can influence the way a person approaches the latter, and so on and so forth. Overall this book will probably be of more interest to Muslims living as a minority in a largely non-Muslim environment but there is much benefit and insight here for all.

Below are some of my favourite short quotes from the book:

"... The question of the purpose of life is fundamental, and we can hardly know a person or a society until we understand how this question is treated..."

"... Repetition is indicative of the importance given to certain topics. It should be observed that the Arabic word for knowledge, 'ilm, and its derivatives appear 854 times in the Qur'an, placing it among the most frequently occurring words..."

"... The Qur'anic God is anything but impartial to mankind's condition. He sends prophets, answers prayers, and intervenes in and manipulates the human drama... All is under His authority, and nothing takes place without His allowing it..."

"... The Qur'an's "most beautiful names" of God imply an intense involvement in the human venture. These names, such as The Merciful, The Compassionate, The Forgiving, The Giving, The Loving, The Creator, etc., reveal a God that creates men and women in order to relate to them on an intensely personal level..."

"... the Qur'an shows that God intends to produce through this earthly experience persons that share a bond of love with Him..."

"... Trial and tribulation are held to be inevitable and essential to human development and both the believer and unbeliever will experience them..."

"... It is not surprising that the Qur'an upholds the so-called golden rule. Many do feel that it is better to give than to recieve, to be truthful rather than to live a lie, to love rather than to hate, to be compassionate rather than to ignore the suffering of others, for such experiences give life depth and beauty..."

"... in the winters of our lives, our past wordly or material achievements will seem less important to us than the relationships we had, loves and friendships that we shared, and times we spent giving of ourselves and doing good to others..."

Book Review: Struggling to Surrender, by Jeffrey Lang

Excellent read. Really enjoyed reading the author's journey to Islam and his take on what it means to be a Muslim. Also enjoyed reading the author's attempt at understanding and explaining various contentious issues such as the use of symbolism in the Qur'an, the authenticity of Hadith, the role of women in Muslim communities, apostasy, the People of the Book and many others! Of course not everyone will find the author's opinions agreeable and sometimes his opinions are not in line with the Muslim status quo but you can feel his sincerity and his strong desire to maintain objectivity throughout.

Here are some quotes from the book:

"... I learned very quickly that no one knows loneliness like an atheist. When an average person feels isolated, he can call through the depths of his soul to One who knows him and sense an answer. An atheist cannot allow himself that luxury, for he has to crush the urge and remind himself of its absurdity..."

"...'I do have one question.' I paused, not sure how to formulate it. 'Can you tell me what it feels like to be a Muslim? I mean, how do you see you relationship with God?'..."

"... To me, praying the dawn prayer in the mosque is one of the most beautiful and moving rituals in Islam. There is something mystical in arising while everyone else sleeps to hear the music of the Qur'an filling the darkness. It is as if you temporarily leave this world and commune with the angels in extolling God's praises at dawn...

"... You cannot simply read the Qur'an, not if you take it seriously. You either have surrendered to it already or you fight it. It attacks tenaciously, directly, personally; it debates, criticizes, shames, and challenges. From the outset it draws the line of battle, and I was on the other side..."

"... the Qur'an has no beginning and or end… its fundamental concepts can be ascertained regardless of the order in which it is read. But for one who is about to respond to its call, the arrangement of the Qur'an is pivotal, for the further you progress through it, in the correct order, the more intense and emotive is its expression. As a result, the closer one comes to conversion, the more magnetic is the summons..."