Lessons from the Week Ahead – Living Islam in Today’s World

Introduction

This week brings multiple significant events from Islamic history, each offering lessons for moral conduct, social responsibility, and spiritual growth. Reflecting on these occasions helps community leaders, imams, and cultural managers empower their audiences to make ethical decisions and live faithful, balanced lives in today’s world.

10 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Marriage of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Khadijah (peace be upon her), 25 Ām al-Fīl

The marriage of the Prophet and Khadijah is a model of love, mercy, and mutual support. Their union exemplified how marriage can provide tranquillity and moral growth. Qur’an says:

وَمِنْ آيَاتِهِ أَنْ خَلَقَ لَكُمْ مِنْ أَنْفُسِكُمْ أَزْوَاجًا لِتَسْكُنُوا إِلَيْهَا وَجَعَلَ بَيْنَكُمْ مَوَدَّةً وَرَحْمَةً

“And among His signs is that He created for you spouses from among yourselves, that you may find tranquillity in them, and He placed between you affection and mercy.” (Holy Quran, 30/21)

The Message of This Event: Cherish and prioritise healthy, faith-based marital relationships as a source of stability and peace.

12 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Beginning of Unity Week & Birth of the Prophet (peace be upon him) according to Ahl al-Sunnah

This day marks the Prophet’s birth and the start of Unity Week, promoting solidarity among Muslims of different schools of thought. Imam Ali (AS) says:

فَإِنَّ يَدَ اَللَّهِ على اَلْجَمَاعَةِ وَ إِيَّاكُمْ وَ اَلْفُرْقَةَ (بحارالانوار، ج ۶۵، ص ۲۸۹)

“Indeed, the Hand of Allah is with the community; beware of division.” (Bihār al-Anwār, 65:289) 

The Message of This Event: Work actively to build bridges across differences within the Muslim community.

12 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Arrival of the Prophet (peace be upon him) to Madinah, 1 AH

The Prophet’s migration to Madinah marked the foundation of a just and inclusive society, where people of different tribes and faiths were united under principles of fairness and mutual respect. This event demonstrates Islam’s emphasis on planning, community-building, and accountable leadership. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:

كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَ كُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ (منیه المرید، ج ۱، ص ۳۸۱)

“Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you will be held accountable for those under your care.”

The Message of This Event: Strive to create inclusive, fair, and accountable communities where everyone is protected and valued, reflecting the Prophet’s example in Madinah.

12 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Beginning of the Obligatory Prayer

The establishment of daily prayer shaped the moral and spiritual discipline of the Muslim community. Prayer is a means to maintain closeness to Allah and personal accountability. Qur’an says:

وَأَقِيمُوا الصَّلَاةَ وَآتُوا الزَّكَاةَ وَمَا تُقَدِّمُوا لِأَنْفُسِكُمْ مِنْ خَيْرٍ تَجِدُوهُ عِنْدَ اللَّهِ إِنَّ اللَّهَ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ (بقره، ۱۱۰)

“Establish prayer and give zakah. Whatever good you send forth for yourselves, you will find it with Allah. Indeed, Allah is All-Seeing of what you do.”

The Message of This Event: Encourage regular prayer as a grounding practice amid modern distractions.

12 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Victory of Banu Abbas & End of Umayyad Rule

The Umayyad’s downfall was a powerful lesson in justice. Their tyrannical rule, built on oppression and a disregard for Islamic principles, eventually collapsed. This event reflects the Quran’s warning:

وَلَا تَرْكَنُوا إِلَى الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا فَتَمَسَّكُمُ النَّارُ وَمَا لَكُمْ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ مِنْ أَوْلِيَاءَ ثُمَّ لَا تُنْصَرُونَ ﴿هود، ۱۱۳﴾

“And do not incline toward those who do wrong, lest you be touched by the Fire, and you have no protectors besides Allah, nor can you be helped.”

The Message of This Event: Reflect on this question: In a world where power often corrupts, how can communities today hold their leaders accountable to ensure justice and prevent the rise of tyranny?

12 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Start of Mukhtār’s Uprising in Kūfah

Mukhtār’s Uprising marks a historical moment of standing against oppression to establish justice. Islam encourages standing for justice and opposing tyranny, as Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) says:

مَنْ رَأَى مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَراً فَلْيُغَيِّرْهُ بِيَدِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِلِسَانِهِ فَإِنْ لَمْ يَسْتَطِعْ فَبِقَلْبِهِ لَيْسَ وَرَاءَ ذَلِكَ شَيْءٌ مِنَ اَلْإِيمَانِ (عوالي اللئالي، ج ۱، ص ۴۳۱).

“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is not able, then with his tongue; if he is not able, then with his heart, and beyond that there is nothing of faith.”

The Message of This Event: Promote justice in your communities through lawful and constructive means.

14 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Death of Yazid ibn Mu‘awiyah

This event serves as a powerful historical lesson on the consequences of tyranny. It highlights a core Islamic principle: that righteous and moral leadership is essential for a just society, while corrupt governance—like that of Yazid—brings only harm and devastation.

The Message of This Event: Uphold integrity and oppose injustice in social and political spheres.

15 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Construction of Quba Mosque

The construction of the Quba Mosque wasn’t just about building a physical structure; it was about establishing the first house dedicated to Allah alone, a tangible manifestation of the Qur’anic command:

وَأَنَّ الْمَسَاجِدَ لِلَّهِ فَلَا تَدْعُوا مَعَ اللَّهِ أَحَدًا ﴿الجن، ۱۸﴾

“And that the mosques are for Allah, so do not invoke anyone along with Allah.” (Surah Al-Jinn, 18)

The Message of This Event: This legacy urges Muslims to actively strengthen their mosques, making them vibrant hubs for both faith and community support.

16 Rabiʿ al-Awwal – Isra and Mi‘raj of the Prophet (peace be upon him)

The Isra and Mi‘raj is a miraculous journey that highlights the spiritual elevation and importance of prayer. This event emphasizes devotion, patience, and complete trust in Allah. The Holy Quran remarks this event as below:

سُبْحَانَ الَّذِي أَسْرَى بِعَبْدِهِ لَيْلًا مِنَ الْمَسْجِدِ الْحَرَامِ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ الْأَقْصَى الَّذِي بَارَكْنَا حَوْلَهُ لِنُرِيَهُ مِنْ آيَاتِنَا إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْبَصِيرُ

(الاسرا، ۱)

“Glory be to Him who took His servant by night from the Sacred Mosque to the Farthest Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed, to show him of Our signs. Indeed, He is the All-Hearing, the All-Seeing.”

The Message of This Event: Draw inspiration to strengthen your spiritual practices despite worldly challenges.

13 Shahrivar – Commemoration of Al-Biruni

On this day, we celebrate the life of Al-Biruni, a pioneering Muslim polymath who brilliantly combined faith with reason. His work in fields like mathematics, astronomy, and history exemplifies the core Islamic value of intellectual pursuit. Islam has always placed a high emphasis on knowledge. The very first verses revealed to the Prophet Muhammad were a command to read and learn:

اقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِي خَلَقَ (العلق، ۱)

“Read in the name of your Lord who created…”

The Message of This Event: Encourage education and lifelong learning within the community.

5 September – International Day of Charity

This day promotes generosity, a central tenet of Islam. Charity is a fundamental pillar of faith, purifying wealth and ensuring its just distribution. Islam encourages both public and private giving:

إِنْ تُبْدُوا الصَّدَقَاتِ فَنِعِمَّا هِيَ وَإِنْ تُخْفُوهَا وَتُؤْتُوهَا الْفُقَرَاءَ فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ وَيُكَفِّرُ عَنْكُمْ مِنْ سَيِّئَاتِكُمْ وَاللَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ خَبِيرٌ ﴿بقره، ۲۷۱﴾

“If you disclose your charitable expenditures, it is good; but if you conceal them and give them to the poor, it is better for you, and He will remove from you some of your misdeeds. And Allah is [fully] Acquainted with what you do.”

The Message of This Event: Engage in both visible and discreet acts of charity to help those in need.

8 September – International Literacy Day

On this day, the world recognises the importance of literacy, a core value in Islam. The pursuit of knowledge is a sacred act that allows a person to better understand both their world and their faith. Islam’s emphasis on learning is highlighted in the Quran:

قُلْ هَلْ يَسْتَوِي الَّذِينَ يَعْلَمُونَ وَالَّذِينَ لَا يَعْلَمُونَ إِنَّمَا يَتَذَكَّرُ أُولُو الْأَلْبَابِ (الزمر، ۹)

“Say, ‘Are those who know equal to those who do not know?’ Only they who are of understanding will remember.”

The Message of This Event: Promote literacy and educational programmes within your communities, empowering individuals with knowledge as a means of personal and societal growth.