Jamiatul Ulama's New Year Message: Muharram 1426

Muslims do not traditionally "celebrate" the beginning of a new year, but we do acknowledge the passing of time, and take time to reflect on our own mortality. The Muslim lunar year begins from the Hijrah, which is when the Prophet Muhammad migrated from Makkah to Madinah.

The Hijrah marked the beginning of an era, a civilization, a culture and a history for the whole mankind. After the emigration to Madinah (formerly known as Yathrib), the Muslims were able to organise and establish the first real Muslim "community," with social, political, and economic independence. Life in Madinah allowed the Muslim community to mature and strengthen, and the people developed a society based on Islamic principles.

Hijrah is a reminder that life itself is a journey – a journey from this temporary life to the everlasting life of the hereafter, - hijrah is a reminder that patience, faith, commitment and sacrifice will yield fruits of success, if we are prepared to migrate from our carnal desires in compliance with the injunctions of our Rabb.

When the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, made the Hijrah from Makkah to Madinah, he did not just move from one city to another, he also laid down the foundations for the first Muslim commonwealth.

It is important for us to study and reflect on the things that he did in Madinah, some of which are:

1. The Establishment of the Masjid:
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, first established a Masjid for the worship of Allâh. He himself worked in carrying the stones and building that small, humble but most powerful structure. The masjid served as the focal point of all Muslim activity. It gave people a sense of belonging and an identity. It became the centre and rallying point for the Muslims. 

2. The provision of educational institutes:
The first madrassah under the supervision of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, was the school of Suffah. Later many other madâris were opened. According to Maulana Shibli Numani, there were nine madâris opened in Madinah alone in the time of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him. Education gave people a true appreciation of revelation and religion. It gave people direction and purpose in life. It infused Allâh consciousness. 

3. The bond of Muwakhat:
He established brotherly relations between the Muhajirun (Muslims who migrated with the Prophet from Makkah) and the Ansar (residents of Madinah who helped the Prophet and his Companions). This unparalleled bond of brotherhood meant that the Ansaar shared their resources with their Muhajireen brethren. It established the Islamic brotherhood on the basis of faith and not on ethnic or racial origins. It taught us that our generosity, unity, and compassion should not be reserved for our own kind but to all peoples of faith irrespective of their origins. 

4. Intercommunity and Interfaith Relations:
Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, also established good relations with other communities living in Madinah. There was a large Jewish community as well as some other Arab tribes who had not accepted Islam. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, prepared a Mithaq (a covenant or a constitution) that served as the basis for interaction between these communities. Communication, dialogue, and mutual support across the religious divide were vital for the health and stability of the Muslim community.

5. Hygiene and cleanliness:  
Yathrib (previous name of Madinah) was a dirty city. When the Sahabah (Prophet's Companions) came from Makkah to Madinah, many of them took ill. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asked them to clean the city and remove the dirt and filth. `Aishah, may Allâh be pleased with her, said: “We came to Madinah and it was the most polluted land of Allâh. The water there was most stinking. (Al-Bukhari, 1756) The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, asked the Sahabah to dig wells in different parts of the city. More than 50 wells were dug in the city of Madinah and there was enough clean water for every one.  The well being of society hinges on the preservation of the ecology, the adequate supply of water and the preservation and equitable distribution of our natural resources.

6. Agriculture and Gardening:
The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, encouraged the Sahabah to cultivate the land and make gardens. He told them that any one who would cultivate any dead land, would own it. Muslims mastered the art of farming and realised the importance of growing their own food. They became independent and were not reliant on ‘others’ for the fulfilment of their basic necessities.   

As we usher in the New Year, let us take time to reflect on what we have achieved in the past and what needs to be done in the future. The present is the only time we have.

May Allâh give us the opportunity to spend our time wisely.