Mowlana Syed Aftab Haider
Ahlul Bait (a.s) Masjid, Ottery, Cape Town
Brothers and sisters, we are currently in the very holy and sacred days of the Islamic calendar. The first 10 days of the month of Dhul Hijja are regarded as extremely crucial from the spiritual aspect.
In the Holy Quran, Almighty Allah (SWT) takes oath of 10 nights in the opening verses of Surah Fajr (chapter 89). According to various commentators of the Holy Quran, this 10 night period refers to the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijja. Another example of a reference to the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijja are the verses of Hajj when Almighty Allah (SWT) speaks about “Ayyamin ma’lumaat”.
Similarly, in verse 142 of Surah A’araaf (chapter 7 of the Holy Quran), Almighty Allah (SWT) speaks about Nabi Moosa (a.s) and his 40 day period of seclusion, starting with Dhul Qa’dah and then culminating with these 10 days of Dhul Hijja.
وَوَاعَدْنَا مُوسَىٰ ثَلَاثِينَ لَيْلَةً وَأَتْمَمْنَاهَا بِعَشْرٍ فَتَمَّ مِيقَاتُ رَبِّهِ أَرْبَعِينَ لَيْلَةً ۚ وَقَالَ مُوسَىٰ لِأَخِيهِ هَارُونَ اخْلُفْنِي فِي قَوْمِي وَأَصْلِحْ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ الْمُفْسِدِينَ
“And We appointed with Musa a time of thirty nights and completed them with ten (more), so the appointed time of his Lord was complete forty nights, and Musa said to his brother Haroun: Take my place among my people, and act well and do not follow the way of the mischief-makers.”
This verse is highly recommended to be recited in these special 10 days, especially in that 2 rak’at salaah which is recommended to be performed between Maghrib and Isha. Therefore, it is an indirect instruction for us to reflect upon this verse of the Holy Quran.
There are numerous interesting and important points in this verse for us to reflect on. Today, I wish to explore some of them, as follows:
1. Does Almighty Allah (SWT) change His plan based on latest information?
2. What is the significance of the number 40?
3. Appointment of Harun by Moosa (a.s) is the concrete proof of Imamate
4. Refutations of Imamate being proclaimed from the appointment of Harun by Moosa (a.s)
5. Imam Ali (a.s) referred to on multiple occasions by Rasulullah (SAWA) as being like Harun to Moosa (a.s)
6. Deviating from divine leadership is the primary cause of our endless disaster.
