Life is busy and it’s also short. There are so many things to do, learn, see and experience that we often find that our commitment to Allah and our faith gets left behind. We want to read more about our faith, start praying regularly, become more patient, and give more in charity. But every day, week and month just seems to fly by and we find ourselves mired in the mundane, forgetting the bigger picture.
The month of Rabi ul Awwal has begun. This is the third month of the Islamic calendar and it is also when our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), was born. It is an ideal time to remember his example and live it in big ways and small.
Let us dedicate the forty days beginning from 12th Rabi al Awwal to 20th Rabi al Akhar in educating ourselves, our families, our friends, neighbors and coworkers about the Prophet (SAW), Imam Uz Zaman (SA) and Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA). A brief Biography of Ambassador of Peace Dr. Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (RA).
Let’s look at some of the significance of 40 in Islam and other Religions.
Islam:
- Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel at age 40 (610 A.D.).
- Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) prayed and fasted in the cave for 40 days.
- Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) then had 40 followers to spread the religion of Islam.
- Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) grandson Imam Hussein (AS) body lied on scorching heat and sand for forty days without burial.
Other:
- The great flood of Noah’s Ark story lasted 40 days and nights.
- Moses was 40 years old when he was called by God and that he killed an Egyptian, and escaped in the desert of Midian. He kept the herd of Jethro during 40 years. He resided finally 40 days and 40 nights to the summit of the Mount Sinai before to receive the Tables of the Law. (Ex 24,18)
- Prophet Elijah fasted for 40 days and 40 nights during his journey to the mountain of God.
- Forty days after the birth, Jesus was presented to the Temple of Jerusalem for his legal purification, according to the established law.
- The 40 days of fast of Jesus in the desert. (Mt 4,2)
- Forty days separate the Ascension of Jesus of his Resurrection. (Act 1,3)
- Lent, or fasting, lasts 40 days.
Ask these questions below to your insight in your free time and evaluate for your self.
- Was Allah the most important priority in my life today?
- How often did I remember and thank Allah today?
- How did you react to difficulties and tests Allah placed in my life? Was i patient or impatient?
- Did I pray FAJAR, ZOHUR, ASAR, MAGHRIB, ISHA today?
- Did I pray on time at school or at work, or did I make up the prayers when I got home (Qazaah)?
- Did I try praying my five daily prayers with more sincerity, concentration, and focus than usual?
- Did I cry in my prayers?
- Did I make sincere repentance to Allah, really feeling sorry for my sins?
- Did I seek Allah’s Forgiveness and Mercy with sincerity, fear and hope?
- Did I turn to Allah in times of anxiety, need and difficulty?
- Have I kept pace with the amount of Quran I wanted to read, or have I fallen behind?
- If so, how much do I have to read on a daily basis to catch up?
- Did I memorize any more Quran than what I knew before?
- Did i have a meaningful conversation with my parents today?
- Was my behavior towards my parents as respectful as possible?
- Did I do Salaam to my parents?
- Did I encourage my family to good deeds in general, more reading of the Qur’an, doing Sadaqah, etc.).
- Did I help any needy person, even a panhandler or beggar?
- Did I try to be more patient than I normally am?
- Did I try to control my anger?
- Did I try harder to avoid backbiting and slander?
- Did I constantly check my intentions, to make sure that my good deeds were for the sake of Allah alone, not to impress others, gain their favor, or to show off?
- Was there even an atom of pride in my heart?
- Was I quieter and more contemplative?
- Did I forgive those who hurt me?
- Did I avoid hurting anyone with my attitude, words, intentions or actions?
- Did I give any Sadaqah (charity)?
- Did I observe the adaab of Jaman?
- Did I have time for my Family and Children?
- Did I abstain from lies?
- Did I earn halal rozi?
- Did I read Islamic literature apart from the Quran?
- Did I visit hospitals to see the sick ones?
- Did I avail Qardhan Hasanah to the needy?
- Did I perform to attain Allah’s khushi?
- Am I prepared for tomorrow?
- Did I DEPOSIT enough MERITS in my SAWAB bank account today?
- Am I ready for the journey of hereafter?
Dear readers this outline is just a guide. Feel free to modify it in any way you like. Anything which you think you must do should be planned for here.
The Quran invites us to think, evaluate, and achieve for the best of this world and the best of the hereafter.
May Allah accept your plans; give barakat in your time, money, and family!
If you happen to perform the above task for forty days then these good deeds will be instilled in your daily life style. So dear just imagine how important are this forty days of TAABUDAAT. Moula (RA) is our guardian angel and he had come in to life for us only, so let’s change our lives for a better future.