Faith: Mark the final day of Rabbi Al Awwal with great change

Summer’s over, season’s changing, people are transitioning back to a familiar normal. Muslims often regard Ramadan as a time for great change, and spiritual connectedness - and while that is true, it is not the only opportunity for change.

The Islamic month of Rabī' al-Awwal was a time of great change for the Prophet (saw). This is the time when he immigrated (hijrah) from Madina to Yathrib, creating great change in the city by demonstrating Allah’s mercy, knowledge, and justice. This caused the inhabitants of the city to feel united through spiritual connectedness so much that it was changed from Yathrib to Madina al Munawarah - the illuminated city.

It gets worse before it gets better

The Prophet (saw) left behind everything he knew and was familiar with in Makkah and put all his faith in Allah. Can you imagine that your comfort, community, and familiarity are all put behind you? When was the last time you had to make a decision such as that? What was the outcome? Was it worth it? Is there something on the back burner you can pull from - perhaps paying off that nagging credit card, bringing yourself to forgive that person (without condoning the harm), waking up for fajr and staying up afterwards (or even more challenging: adding tahajjud to the routine). Each of these can bring about a sudden loss (of funds, fear, sleep), but with the intention of pleasing Allah and staying steadfast in these changes, we are promised something greater.

Today is the last day of Rabbi Al Awwal, take that leap of faith and join us for internal stability and healing in the next month: Rabi Uth Thani.

“…Indeed, Allah would never change a people’s state ˹of favour˺ until they change their own state ˹of faith˺...”

Quran 13:11