The quote “The hijrah to Allah includes abandoning what He hates and doing what He loves and accepts” essentially means that spiritual migration or journey towards God entails leaving behind actions, thoughts, or behaviors that are not pleasing to Him, and embracing those that are. This is based on the Islamic concept of “Hijrah,” which literally means migration and is historically associated with Prophet Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina. However, in a broader spiritual context, it refers to a believer’s journey from a state of sin or ignorance to a state of righteousness and enlightenment.
In this context, “abandoning what He hates” refers to refraining from actions or behaviors that are considered sinful or morally wrong in the eyes of God. On the other hand, “doing what He loves and accepts” means engaging in actions that are virtuous, moral, and pleasing to God. This journey is not merely physical but deeply spiritual and internal, involving a transformation of the heart and soul.
Applying this concept to today’s world or personal development, one could interpret the ‘Hijrah’ as a metaphorical journey towards self-improvement and spiritual growth. It could mean abandoning negative habits, attitudes, or behaviors and replacing them with positive ones. For instance, one might give up lying, which is a trait disliked by God, and instead adopt honesty, which is loved and accepted by Him.
In terms of personal development, it could also mean striving to become a better person each day by continuously assessing and improving oneself. This could involve abandoning traits such as arrogance, selfishness, or greed, and cultivating virtues such as humility, generosity, or empathy.
In a broader societal context, this could mean working towards creating a more just, equitable, and compassionate society, since these are values that are loved and accepted by God. It could involve standing against social injustices, helping the less fortunate, or advocating for peace and harmony, as these actions are pleasing to God.
In essence, this quote is a call to personal and moral transformation, urging individuals to strive for spiritual growth and moral excellence in their journey towards God.