Understanding The Prophet's Life
From Issue: 770 [Read full issue]
Constant Anticipation
The Prophet Muhammad, upon him be peace, was a true man of God in both his thoughts and his behaviour, so that he took advantage of every opportunity to remember Allah, to greet Him, to express his love for Him, and to give witness to His oneness. Thus, it is related on the authority of Ibn Umar that whenever the Prophet, upon him be peace, saw the new moon he would say, 'Allah is the Greatest! O Allah, let this moon rise above us in good fortune and faith, in peace and Islam, and in success in the achievement of that which is pleasing to, and loved by You! Our Lord, and the Lord of the moon is Allah!" In another narration it is related that he would say:
'A new moon of blessings and guidance! A new moon of blessings and guidance! A new moon of blessings and guidance! I believe in Allah, the one that created you! (Three times). Praise to Allah who has taken away the month of ______ and ushered in the month of ______.'
Such is the heart of the true believer. A heart which beats in constant anticipation of the time appointed for the praising of the One who changes night into day; which awaits with optimism the coming favour of the Lord and bids farewell to favours past. Time, to such a believer, is a grant to be spent in the service of Allah. Thus, not a moment of that ephemeral quantity is spent in negligence or frivolity, but rather in prayer, in fasting, in jihad, and in unending effort to lead mankind to knowledge of their Creator.
Compiled From:
"Remembrance And Prayer" - Muhammad Al-Ghazali, pp. 127, 128