Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
In this worldly life, Allah Ta‘ala has decreed that man will face various trials and tribulations at different times in his life.
At times, the trials and tribulations relate to a person in his individual life, such as being overcome by an acute or chronic illness e.g. cancer, heart-failure, or a person facing marital or social issues, etc.
At times, the challenges and hardships befall an entire family collectively, such as a family break-up, or being overcome by poverty or getting involved in a burglary or an accident where lives are lost.
At times, an entire nation is overcome by a serious calamity or a disastrous catastrophe, such as earthquakes, genocide, famine, drought, etc. affecting the entire nation.
Islam has shown man the way to progress in every situation and the remedy to overcome every problem. Below is a unique incident which sheds light on how the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) dealt with their problems, and the path they adopted to solve their problems.
The Letter of Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) to the River Nile
During the khilaafah (rule) of Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Muslims conquered the land of Egypt. Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) appointed Hazrat Amr bin Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as the governor over Egypt.
After the Muslims began to rule, when the month of Ba’oonah (the tenth month in the Coptic calendar) commenced, the people of Egypt approached Hazrat Amr bin Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and said, “O leader! The Nile has a special ritual that must be performed. Without performing this ritual, the river will not rise (and we will not be able to farm).”
Hazrat Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) asked them, “What is this ritual?” The people answered, “When it is the twelfth night of this month, we go to a young, virgin girl. We then make her parents happy (by remunerating them greatly so they may consent to us taking her away), after which we adorn her with the best of jewellery and dress her in the finest of garments. We then cast her into the Nile (as a human sacrifice).”
When Hazrat Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this, he said, “Never will this ritual be carried out in Islam, as Islam has abrogated and cancelled all customs and rituals of jaahiliyyah (the pre-Islamic era).” The people thus desisted from performing this ritual. However, the remainder of the month of Ba’oonah passed, as well as the next two months, without the water level of the Nile rising. Eventually, the people resolved to leave the area and move elsewhere.
When Hazrat Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saw that the situation had reached this point, he wrote a letter to Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), informing him of the predicament in Egypt. On receiving the letter and reading it, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) sent the following reply, “You have acted correctly (in refusing to carry out this custom), as Islam has cancelled all rituals and customs from jaahiliyyah.”
Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) also wrote a small note, on a separate piece of paper, and included it within the letter. Regarding this note, he instructed Hazrat Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), “I have sent a note to you, included with your letter. Cast this note into the Nile.”
When Hazrat Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) received the letter, he took the note and saw that Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had written the following, “From the servant of Allah Ta‘ala, Umar, Ameerul Mu’mineen, to the Nile of Egypt. If your flowing is of your own accord, then don’t flow (as we have no need for you). However, if you flow through that Being, who is One and All-Powerful, then we ask Him Who is Alone and All-Powerful to make you flow.”
Hazrat Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) cast the letter into the Nile. At that time all the people had prepared to migrate elsewhere, as they could not live in the region without the water of the Nile. The following morning, when they awoke, they found that Allah Ta‘ala had raised the level of the Nile by almost sixteen arms’ length in a single night!
In this manner, Allah Ta‘ala brought an end to their ignorant custom of human sacrifice for the Nile, and it has never again been practiced till this day. (Taareekh Ibni Asaakir vol. 44, pg. 337)
From this incident, we see that when the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) faced any challenge, and they did not know what to do in the situation, then they always referred to those who were senior among them for Islamic guidance.
Hence, we find that Hazrat Amr bin Aas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) referred to Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) for guidance, as he was the Khalifah and the most senior among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) at that time.
At that crucial and critical juncture, Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) taught the ummah the most important lesson which he had seen in the mubaarak life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) at all times – turning to Allah Ta‘ala.
Whether it was the Battle of Badr or the Battle of Uhud, whether it was at the time when the Muslims were undergoing drought or famine, or whether it was the time when a severe storm or wind was being experienced, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) always turned to Allah Ta‘ala for divine help and assistance and he also taught the ummah to do the same.
Hence, at this time as well, the compass of Hazrat Umar’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heart was turned towards Allah Ta‘ala alone. The letter he wrote and addressed to the River Nile is ample proof to this fact.
Thereafter, on account of Hazrat Umar’s (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) supplication, dua and turning to Allah Ta‘ala, Allah Ta‘ala caused the water of the River Nile to gush forth and rise considerably in just a single night. Allah Ta‘ala caused this to manifest as a miracle at the hands of Hazrat Umar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).
The great lesson that this incident presents to us is that when the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) submitted their lives to Allah Ta‘ala, then Allah Ta‘ala caused the world and the things of the world to submit before them. If we also turn to Allah Ta‘ala throughout our lives, He will grant us His divine and special assistance in the way he granted the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).
