The Fragrance of Jannah: Sacrificing All for Allah's Promise

The Price of Paradise & The Blessed Month of Muḥarram

In the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate, and peace and blessings be upon the most honored of the Prophets and Messengers, and upon his family and all his companions. After that, my dear respected brothers and elders and sisters, peace and blessings of Allah be upon you. The blessed month of Muḥarram is currently upon us.

What Is Jannah Worth?

As we gather together in these blessed days, in these blessed moments, I want every single one of us to reflect upon one simple question. What is Jannah worth? How much does the ticket to Jannah cost? Have we paid the price of Paradise yet? Are we halfway there yet? Are we a quarter way there yet? What needs to be sacrificed in order for us to gain Jannah? What is a person willing to do in order to receive the pleasure of Allah, the glad tidings of Jannah on the Day of Judgment? And what would a person be willing to give up if he truly understood what Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has promised for the righteous believers in the hereafter?

The Story of Anas ibn Nadr (رضي الله عنه) at Uḥud

There is a remarkable companion, a ṣaḥābī, who answers this question for us. There was a ṣaḥābī whose name was Anas ibn Nadr radiyallahu anhu. During the battle of Uḥud, Anas radiyallahu anhu arrived late to the battle. He was engaged in some personal obligation, some sort of business, and he was unable to attend the battlefield when the battle of Uḥud even started.

By the time he got to the battle of Uḥud, as we know, in the beginning the Muslims were very strong. It seemed like they were victorious, but towards the end, the tide had shifted, and ultimately the tide had turned against the Muslims. So as he's going to the battlefield, he sees some Muslims coming back — they're retreating, they're running back. He's asking them, "What's going on? Why are you retreating?" And they informed him that so many Muslims had been martyred, that the battlefield was now in chaos.

At this time, there was a rumor going around that Rasulullah ﷺ had been killed at Uḥud. So everyone is in shambles, everyone is running around, not knowing what to do. Because the most beloved person in their life, they assumed, had been killed.

If we put ourselves in the situation — in the shoes of Anas ibn Nadr radiyallahu anhu — imagine hearing that news: that my Messenger of Allah, the closest person to me, the most beloved creation to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, has passed away. Many people would have lost hope, many people would have turned around, many people would have said, "Okay, the battle is over now. What's the point of even going to war?" But what does Anas ibn Nadr radiyallahu anhu do? He looks towards Mount Uḥud, and he says a remarkable thing:

"Indeed, I smell the fragrance of Jannah coming from Uḥud, right around that corner. I smell the scent of Jannah."

In that moment, he drops everything and he runs. He goes into the battlefield, and he fought until he could not fight anymore. Very courageously, he took down as many enemies of Islam as possible, but ultimately he was struck so many times that he ended up passing away. After the battle, when the Muslims tried to gather all the bodies and prepare them for burial, they noticed that Anas ibn Nadr radiyallahu anhu had over 70 wounds on his body — 70 to 80 at least.

The question comes: why would a person do this to himself? Why would a person go through 80 wounds over his body, ultimately losing his life, giving up his dunya, giving up his family, giving up his personal comfort? The answer is that because he believed. He believed in Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala's promise. He believed that there are glad tidings for the one who gives up for the sake of Allah, the one who fights in the path of Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala.

So we have to ask the question: if a man who merely smelled the fragrance of Jannah — he just smelled it; Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala did not give him glad tidings, he did not see Jannah, he didn't see a vision of Jannah or a dream of Jannah — all he did was smell the fragrance of Jannah, and he was willing to give up every single thing of this dunya for the smell of Jannah — then what are we willing to sacrifice for the deen? What are we willing to sacrifice for our own hereafter?

And I'm not asking — we are not asked — to go into the battlefield. But we have to ask: what excuse do we have when it comes to delaying our repentance? What excuse do we have for delaying our ṣalāh? What excuse do we have in delaying our return to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala?

Every Moment Brings Us Closer to Our Meeting with Allah

Every day that passes by doesn't mean that we're going further away from Allah — it's quite exactly the opposite. Every single moment that goes by is a step closer to the appointment with Allah that we all have. Each and every single one of us is nearing our appointment, our meeting with Allah azza wa jal. Every single birthday, every single gray hair, every single illness, every single janāzah prayer that we attend, every single Ramadan that we spend, every month of Muḥarram that goes by — these are all reminders that our meeting with Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is approaching.

We may feel distant from Allah, but that does not change the fact that most definitely we will all meet Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala soon. And this is why Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala blesses us with certain seasons — sacred seasons throughout the entire year. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has given us special moments, special opportunities, special days and nights — moments in which Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala opens the doors of mercy even wider than usual. In these moments, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is giving us another chance to renew ourselves before we meet Him on the Day of Judgment.

The Sacred Months & the Virtue of Muḥarram

One of the greatest seasons is the season that we have now entered, which is the month of Muḥarram. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says in the Qur'an:

"Indeed, the number of months in the sight of Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred."

And Rasulullah ﷺ describes what these sacred months are. He mentions that Dhul-Qa'dah is one sacred month, Dhul-Ḥijjah is another sacred month, Muḥarram is another sacred month, and the fourth sacred month is Rajab — that these hold a special place in the sight of Allah azza wa jal.

And when it comes to Muḥarram specifically, Rasulullah ﷺ describes this month in a way which he does not describe any other month besides the month of Ramadan. Rasulullah ﷺ says:

(Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Book 13, Hadith 2645)

"The best fasting after the fasting of Ramadan is the month of Allah, Muḥarram" — شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّم.

SubhanAllah — that's something to reflect upon. We just went through Ramadan, we just went through Dhul-Ḥijjah, we just went through Arafah, and we experienced the blessed ten days. Yet the Prophet ﷺ is saying that the greatest fasting after the month of Ramadan is Muḥarram.

The Significance of شَهْرُ اللَّهِ — "The Month of Allah"

We have to think about this title for a moment, because we know that every single thing belongs to Allah azza wa jal — every single month, every single day, every single minute, every single second. Yet Rasulullah ﷺ is saying, شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّم — the month of Allah is Muḥarram.

The scholars mention that whenever Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala attributes anything to Himself, it is to show some sort of importance, some sort of distinction, some sort of honor to that thing. For example, we hear the words بَيْتُ اللَّهِ — the House of Allah. What does that mean? It means that you have all the houses on one side — and then when you say بَيْتُ اللَّهِ, that's on a completely different level. The masājid hold a special level of importance — we know that the angels descend there, the mercy of Allah descends in these places. The House of Allah is unlike any other.

Same thing when it comes to كِتَابُ اللَّهِ — the Book of Allah, referring to the Qur'an. All the books on one side, but the Qur'an is on a different level — it is the most perfect book that has ever been revealed. So when Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala says شَهْرُ اللَّهِ, that means all the months on one side, but the month of Allah, Muḥarram, is on a different level. It means that this month has a specific honor, and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has placed some sort of special value in it.

Beginning the New Year with 'Ibādah

Muḥarram is the first month of the Islamic year. It shows that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala wants us to begin the year on a strong note, on a strong foot. If we look at today's day and age — or even in history — people throughout the world, whenever they would hear about the new year, they would celebrate. These days they celebrate with entertainment, parties, distractions, with ḥarām. They celebrate with resolutions and goals that they have for the upcoming year, and most of the time those goals last one week, two weeks, maybe three weeks, maybe a few months.

But Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is teaching believers something different. Our new year should begin with some sort of 'ibādah — some sort of fasting, some sort of worship. Because the one who begins something correctly oftentimes ends something correctly as well. So if we begin the new year on a strong note, then insha'Allah we will finish on a strong note as well.

The Wisdom of Imām al-Jaṣṣāṣ on the Sacred Months

Among the beautiful statements of the scholars is what Imām al-Jaṣṣāṣ mentions in Aḥkām al-Qur'ān. He says that one of the special qualities of the sacred months is that whenever a person tries to engage in 'ibādah, tries to struggle and worship Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala in these months and does his best, then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala grants that person the tawfīq to continue doing good in the rest of the months. That is one of the qualities of these sacred moments.

He also says that if a person in these sacred months tries to leave sin, leave bad habits, leave those things that displease Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, then Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will make it such that he will be able to leave that bad habit easily in the remaining months as well.

So we have to think about this: perhaps the ṣalāh that we refine, that we work on in this month of Muḥarram — if we work on it now with sincerity, perhaps Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will allow us to adhere to it throughout the rest of the year. Perhaps the Qur'an that we connect with, the Qur'an that we develop a relationship with — if we focus on it now, then perhaps Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will grant us tawfīq to hold on to it for the rest of the year. Or if we give up a sin for the sake of Allah, perhaps that sin will never come back through the barakah of this month.

So it becomes very important that we value these sacred seasons. The purpose of these seasons is to create momentum, to create some sort of strength and consistency. And this is why Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala gave us Muḥarram right after Dhul-Ḥijjah — because Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala wants us to continue moving forward. We know Dhul-Ḥijjah has the day of Arafah and so many different faḍā'il — but why stop there? Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala also gave us the month of Muḥarram so we keep going. We keep going forward, not backwards.

A Sobering Reflection: Those Who Are No Longer with Us

Another powerful lesson we can all take is that Ramadan has already passed. The nights of Ramadan have already gone. Laylatul Qadr is already gone as well. The ten days of Dhul-Ḥijjah are gone. The days of Arafah are gone. What's left? Now we're in the month of Muḥarram.

But think about all those moments before Ramadan, all those moments before Arafah — how we would wait for months in anticipation of Ramadan, how we would prepare for Ramadan. And now when we look at it, SubhanAllah, it seems like a blink of an eye that Ramadan and all these different seasons have passed.

And the most frightening realization is this: think about all those people who were with us this past Ramadan — just a few months ago — and they're not here with us right now. Think of those people who fasted on the day of Arafah just a few weeks ago, and they're not here. They're buried right now. Think of those people who we stood beside in prayer, those people who we broke our fast with — they have already met Allah azza wa jal.

So what we can learn from this is that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has allowed us to witness another sacred season. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala allowed us to witness another Muḥarram. He allowed us another opportunity, another chance. And perhaps that is the greatest lesson of Muḥarram — that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is not just giving us another new year, but another opportunity to turn back to Him. A chance to return to Allah. A chance to improve, a chance to repent, and a chance to become the best versions of ourselves.

And we have to ask ourselves another question: if we cannot change in these months, in these sacred moments, then when can we expect to change? If we are not making an effort in Ramadan, if we have not changed in Ramadan, in Arafah — and if we don't change in Muḥarram — then what's left? How can we expect to change in the other seasons? So it is very important for us to be mindful of this, to take this into account — that perhaps Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will not give us another day, another Ramadan, another moment — if Allah chose.

And another important reminder: as I just mentioned, we have the month of Ramadan, we have the month of Dhul-Ḥijjah, and now we are talking about the month of Muḥarram. One realization comes to mind — that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is not distant from us. Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is always near. He is constantly calling us back to Him. Not once in a year, not twice in a year, but multiple times throughout the year. And this repetition itself is a means of mercy — because as human beings we are naturally forgetful, we naturally become engulfed in the dunya, we naturally become busy in our personal lives. But Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala is constantly calling us back to Him. This season serves as a reminder for us to wake up, to remind us of who we are, and most importantly to remind us of who we have to turn to.

Āshūrā': The 10th of Muḥarram & the Story of Mūsā (عليه السلام)

If Ramadan teaches us that hearts can change, and Arafah teaches us that Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala can forgive us, then the 10th of Muḥarram — Āshūrā — teaches us another unique thing. There is a lot of historical detail about this day, but I'm going to highlight one significant point.

When Rasulullah ﷺ made his migration — his hijrah — from Mecca to Medina, it took place in the month of Muḥarram. When he got to Medina and saw the Jews — there were Jews in Medina at that time — they were fasting. He asked them: "O Jews, why are you fasting?" The Jews responded that this is a special day, Āshūrā is a special day for us, because this was the day on which Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala had protected Mūsā alayhi salām and his people from Fir'awn. This was the day when Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala had parted the sea for Mūsā alayhi salām. And they said that Mūsā alayhi salām would then fast on this day to be grateful, to show gratitude to Allah azza wa jal.

So what did Rasulullah ﷺ say in return? He said, "But we are closer to Mūsā than you are." So he told the believers at that time: "O Muslims, fast on this day — but fast a day before and a day after, so it becomes a little bit different than what the Jews used to do."

And at this time — many people don't know this — when Rasulullah ﷺ had commanded the Muslims to fast on the day of Āshūrā, it was considered farḍ. This was before the fast of Ramadan became farḍ. So the Muslims had to fast on this day. But when Ramadan came around and Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala commanded that a person should fast these 30 days, at that point Rasulullah ﷺ made it nāfl to fast on Āshūrā. But the point is — think about how significant this month is, that right after the month of Ramadan, the importance of fasting goes to the day of Āshūrā.

The Lesson of Mūsā (عليه السلام) at the Sea

Going back to the story of Mūsā alayhi salām — it teaches us one powerful thing. If we put ourselves in that situation: on that day when Mūsā alayhi salām was saved from Fir'awn, what exactly happened? Mūsā alayhi salām gathered his companions and decided it was time to flee from Fir'awn. As they were leaving, he approached the sea. The water was right in front of him and Fir'awn was right behind him.

At that moment, the companions of Mūsā alayhi salām said to him:

"We are overtaken. It's over, it's finished. We're done. We're caught." But what does Mūsā alayhi salām say? He says something extremely powerful:

"Never! Indeed, my Lord is with me — He will guide me." And at that moment, Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala granted them a solution. He made a way for them. Even though everyone thought it would be impossible, He parted the sea for Mūsā alayhi salām, and Mūsā alayhi salām was able to escape. And Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala drowned Fir'awn.

The Promise of a Way Out for Those Who Have Taqwā

So the take-home point, when it comes to the story of Mūsā alayhi salām — which is tied to the day of Āshūrā — is that sometimes Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala places us in situations where we feel surrounded. Either mentally, spiritually, or emotionally, we feel like there's no way out. Every single one of us has at least 99 problems — different problems — not one of us knows what the other person is going through. But we feel that we're surrounded and there are no solutions left.

But what does Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala say?

"And whoever truly fears Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala — Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala will make a way out for him." It all comes down to the tawakkul a person has. And that is one reminder a person should carry when it comes to this day — among many other reminders when it comes to the day of Āshūrā and the month of Muḥarram.

Conclusion: The Opportunity Before Us

I'll conclude with one final point. There are countless historical details, as we know, when it comes to the month of Muḥarram. But the take-home point is this: Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala — after the month of Ramadan, after the month of Dhul-Ḥijjah — is giving us the opportunity to witness another sacred season. The question is: what are we going to do about it? Are we willing to bring any sort of change? Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala has given us the guide. He has given us the exam. He has given us the answers. What are we willing to do with that?

And for those who feel hopeless — Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala saved Mūsā on this day when it felt impossible. But that mercy is not just limited to Mūsā alayhi salām. That mercy is for those who truly turn back to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, those who truly adopt taqwā. Just because Mūsā is a prophet of Allah and naturally the most muttaqī — that taqwā is not limited to the Anbiyā alayhi salām. That taqwā can be adopted by anyone.

And that is the take-home point: think about all those things that we're lacking in our life, think about all those things that are weighing us down, and pour our hearts out to Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala. Truly ask: Am I making my Rabb happy? Am I doing what I need to do to please my Lord?

I ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala to give us tawfīq to act upon what has been said.

Announcements

Please kindly move the donation boxes from the left to the right. There are also kiosks available in the lobby. The Prophet ﷺ said that giving charity during the day of Jumu'ah is greater in reward than any other day — and since it is also the month of Muḥarram, insha'Allah we can hope that perhaps that reward can be multiplied even more.

A couple of dates to keep in mind: we have the Annual Āshūrā Program. There will be more details — as mentioned, there is a lot more historical detail and many more faḍā'il of this blessed month to cover insha'Allah. On Wednesday, June 24th, next week after Maghrib, there will be a program by Muftī Umarein Khan insha'Allah.

Some dates for Āshūrā: the 10th of Muḥarram is Thursday, June 25th insha'Allah. So it is ideal that we try to fast all three days, or at least the day before and the day of Āshūrā, as that is what Rasulullah ﷺ advised us. So either the 9th, 10th, and 11th — or the 9th and 10th — or the 10th and 11th — insha'Allah that should be the goal.

There is a summer program at Dār-ul-Salām for boys and girls, young adults, and elders — programs for kids and youth. Registration is now open at masjiddeas.org/summer insha'Allah.

Applications are also being accepted for the Tanweer One-Year Program in Arabic and Islamic Studies for brothers and sisters for the upcoming year. Please register if you are interested.

For the weekly programs, the Monday Compass Program and the Tuesday Tafsīr will resume insha'Allah after July 20th, after the summer break. The Thursday Night Urdu Program is still ongoing — it covers Imām Tirmidhī's al-Shamā'il al-Muḥammadiyyah with Mawlānā Abdul Basit.

Join us for our Weekly Saturday Team Fajr Program, currently covering the lives of the companions. The Sisters Part-Time Program offers various classes online in Urdu and English taught by experienced female scholars. Please register at masjiddeas.org.

Helping Hands has a clothing drive at Dār-ul-Salām on June 20th from 11am to 3pm.

Also, the Institute of Islamic Education (IIE) in Elgin will be hosting the First Annual National Revert Retreat on July 10th–12th. This historic gathering will bring together reverts and their families from across the United States, with all featured speakers and reciters being reverts themselves. Everyone is welcome to attend. Flyers are available in the back, and we encourage you to share them with any reverts that you may know.