All praise is due to Allah Ta'ala, may
peace and salutations be upon His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam), his household and companions. We are once again blessed with
the Honourable month of Ramadan... A month for renewing our faith,
strengthening our willpower, and seeking forgiveness, a unique
opportunity to strengthen the bond of love with our Creator, through
fasting, recitation of the Qur'an, Taraweeh salaah, and through acts
of charity.
People approach
Ramadan... in different ways. Ramadan... means different things to
different people. Some people view Ramadan... as a period of
expressing their undying love for the Beloved. For them, Ramadan... is a
valuable, precious, and rare occasion. They spend all their time
doing good, convinced that the reward of each act is
multiplied manifold. Patience, sympathy, and
generosity beautify the demeanour. They guard their tongues and remain
preoccupied in chanting Laa ilahaa illallah, seeking forgiveness,
begging for Jannah, and seeking protection from Jahannam. They are
driven by the words of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) that
say:
“The fish in the sea, seek forgiveness for them until they break their
fast. Everyday Allah decorates Jannah for them and says to it: The
time is near when my faithful servants shall cast the great trials (of
the world) and come to you... On the last night of Ramadan... they
are forgiven..." (Ahmad)
There are others who 'welcome' Ramadan... with sighs
of reluctance. To them Ramadan... is an unfair imposition, a month of
deprivation and hardship. They grudgingly keep fast and drag
themselves to the Masjid for the Taraweeh prayer. Their concept of
fasting is limited to physical abstention of food, drink, and sexual
relationship. They spend their time in gossip, watching sport, and
wasting their nights parked at cafe corners and restaurants. They are
hardly ever stirred to Tilawah, Zikr, and dua, nor are they careful of
their salaah. Their goal in Ramadan... IS to prepare for Eid. The
words of Rasulullah(sallallanu alayhi wa sallam) aptly describes their
spiritless endeavours: " Many are the ones who fast attaining nothing
by such fasting except hunger , and many perform salaah by night
attaining nothing by it except the discomfort of staying awake." (Ibn
Majah)Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi
wa sallam) further stated that: " Allah does not require the
discarding food and drink of the person who fasts but does not refrain
from bad speech and action."
(Sahih Bukhari)
There is yet a third group who is hardly ever moved by
Ramadan... They neither read salaah, nor fast. They continue living
recklessly in sin. They neither have the will or the time to make any
sort of change in their dai Iy routines. The following words of
Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) should serve as a grim
reminder to them: " ...Jibraeel (alayhis salaam) appeared before me
and said: " Woe to him who found the blessed month of Ramadan... and
let it pass by without gaining forgiveness." Upon that I said:
Aameen. (Sahih Bukhari) He also said: "Whoever does
not fast for even one day in Ramadan..., without a valid excuse, shall
never be able to repay that day even if he fasts for the rest of his
life" (Ahmad)
Fear Allah Ta'ala and
beware of wasting your life away in futile activities. Make use of
your time by being positive and constructive, for it is by doing so
you can achieve the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. This may well be your
last Ramadan..., your last opportunity to benefit from the special
blessings and forgiveness that accompanies this month. Know that
Ramadan... is a manifestation of Allah Ta'ala's bountiful blessings on
His slaves. Use it as a turning point in your life; a time for
transformation towards a better way of life; a change from the
ignominy of sins to the glory of obedience; from weakness and laziness
to strength and vigour; from bad customs and detestable habits to
righteousness and upright conduct.
Resolve 0' Honourable Muslim!
* To perform the five daily salaah with the congregation,
* To perform the Taraweeh salaah diligently.
* To spend as much time as possible in dua, Tilawah, and Zikr
* To take part in the various Ramadan... programmes at your Masjid.
* To protect your fast by guarding your tongue, eyes, and thoughts.
* To beautify your fast by sharing your iftaar with your neighbours and the needy.
* To be patient, tolerant, and sympathetic. Especially to your parents and spouse.
* To be kind and generous to the poor and needy.
Especially to our destitute Muslim brothers and sisters from foreign
countries.
* To serve at least one sick, aged, or disabled person during this Ramadan...
* To make dua for the Ummah daily before iftaar.
May Allah Ta' grant us the faith, strength, and spirit
to make this a unique and special Ramadan... May He grant us the
ability to be consistent in our endeavours. May He protect and
preserve our faith.
