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Bismillāh.
فَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ وَمَن تَابَ مَعَكَ وَلَا تَطْغَوْا ۚ إِنَّهُ بِمَا تَعْمَلُونَ بَصِيرٌ
So be steadfast as you have been commanded, and [so be] those who have repented with you, and do not transgress. Indeed, He is Seeing of what you do.
(Sūrat Hūd No. 11, Āyat 112)
IThe Messenger of Allah sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa-ālihi wasallam is reported to have said: [Sūrat] Hūd and its sisters have turned my hair grey. This narration has been a subject of reflection and varied interpretations among Islamic scholars. The narration is commonly linked to the above verse of Sūrat Hūd. The back-breaking nature of this verse lies not just in the command for the Prophet himself to be steadfast, but in the additional burden of ensuring the steadfastness of his ummah. The verse explicitly states: and [so be] those who have repented with you, which scholars such as Mullā Hādī Sabzawarī interpret as an added responsibility for the Prophet. He had to live in a way that he was not only steadfast, but he was also an example, a guide and a source of inspiration, constantly leading his followers forward on the straight path. This dual responsibility is what made this command particularly difficult and is not present in similar verses, such as the following, which commands only the Prophet to be steadfast:
فَلِذَٰلِكَ فَادْعُ ۖ وَاسْتَقِمْ كَمَا أُمِرْتَ ۖ وَلَا تَتَّبِعْ أَهْوَاءَهُمْ ۖ
So, summon to this [unity of religion], and be steadfast, just as you have been commanded, and do not follow their desires (Q 42:15).
The burden of shepherding an entire community, ensuring their spiritual rectitude and unwavering faith, was a weight that aged the Prophet prematurely.
A different, yet equally compelling, perspective is offered by the great commentator ‘Allāmah SMH Tabātabā’ī. He refutes the notion that the command for the ummah’s steadfastness is the reason for the Prophet’s graying hair. He points out that other narrations link the graying to other sūrahs beyond just Sūrat Hūd. For example, one narration explicitly mentions: [Sūrahs] Hūd and al-Wāqi‘ah have turned my hair grey. This inclusion of other sūrahs, such as al-Wāqi‘ah, suggests that the reason is not limited to a single command. ‘Allāmah Tabātabā’ī posits that the common point in these sūrahs is the detailed and vivid description of the hereafter. He argues that what truly burdened the Prophet and aged him was the terrifying and vivid imagery of the Day of Judgment. This perspective is further supported by another verse, which states:
فَكَيْفَ تَتَّقُونَ إِنْ كَفَرْتُمْ يَوْمًا يَجْعَلُ الْوِلْدَانَ شِيبًا
So how can you fear, if you disbelieve, a Day that will make the children gray-haired? (Q 73:17)
These two scholarly opinions, while distinct, both highlight the immense burden borne by the Noble Messenger (s). Whether it was the overwhelming responsibility of guiding an entire nation towards steadfastness or the harrowing contemplation of the Day of Judgment, the narrations about his graying hair remind us that the Prophet’s mission was not merely a set of ritualistic commands but a profound and heavy trust.
We ask Allah ‘azza wajall by the sake of His noble messenger (s) who bore so much for our sake, to forgive us and allow us to be steadfast upon his path. As we commemorate the birth of our beloved Prophet (s) let us remember his immense struggle for our sake. May the Almighty reward him the best of rewards and elevate his status and instill love, affection and unity in the Prophet’s ummah.
Source: Ayatullah Jawadi Amuli, Tafsir-e Mawdu’iy-e Qur’an-e Karim (v 6).
ALI 704: Foundations of Islamic Epistemology
This is an 8-session online course on How we know what we know. The course will explore the foundations of Islamic epistemology, laying the groundwork for a deeper, more thoughtful understanding of Islamic beliefs.
Through guided discussions, we will explore key questions such as:
- What are the sources of knowledge in Islam?
- How can we trust reason, senses, or revelation?
- How do we recognize logical fallacies?
This is the first course in a planned series on Islamic theology (‘aqā’id), inspired by the content of the contemporary Farsi works Bee-Nehāyat and Tarhe Wilāyah. While rooted in profound philosophical and mystical insights, the course is designed to be fully accessible—no prior knowledge of philosophy or mysticism is required.
Schedule: Eight Wednesday evenings from Sep 10 to October 29, 2025
Timings: 9 pm NY/Toronto; 6 pm LA/Vancouver times
Instructor: Sh. Muhammad Mahdi Kassamali Fees: CAD $50.00
ALI 706: Simple Islamic Laws for Sisters, Level 1
This online course will cover the essential Islamic laws for a Shi’i Muslim, using the translation of Darsnaameye Feqh by Sh. Muhammad Husayn Fallahzaade. Laws will be taught in accordance with the opinions (fatāwā) of Ayatullah Syed Sistani and Ayatullah Syed Khamenei. The course will begin with the basics of Tahārat(purification) and then move on to Salāt (prayer), slowly working through the topics in a clear and relatable way.
Eligibility: Shi’i Muslim sisters ages 14 – 30 years
Schedule: 12 Friday evenings from Sep 12 to Nov 28, 2025
Timings: 11 pm UK; 6 pm NY/Toronto; 3 pm Seattle/Vancouver.
Instructor: Sh Muhammad Mahdi Kassamali. Fees: CAD $50.00
Registration: www.academyofislam.com/registration