More or less every Muslim knows the virtue and importance of Ramadan. Every Muslim knows that the blessed month is approaching soon; we all expect that we achieve the Blessings of Ramadan once more and we all expect to attain its benefits completely.
By the Grace of Allah, most of the Muslims will engage in more Ibadat with more sincerity and more attention to most of the good deeds would be given, because a Muslim is well aware of the blessings, forgiveness and salvation of this month. A person, who always slacked in prayers, would be seen in the Mosque praying; a person, who didn’t recite the Holy Quran much throughout the year, would be seen reciting the Holy Quran; a person, who had been very lazy in remembering and calling Allah Taala, would be seen praying and sobbing. At least we can expect a positive change in the good deeds of the believers to some extent. If there is someone, who claims to hold faith in Allah and His Rasul Sallallahu Alaiyhi wa Sallam and in the afterlife, but doesn’t seem to care Ramadan at all, we have nothing to say regarding him. We do pray for his Hidayat and it is our responsibility to try utmost to help him make Tawba.
Our discussion and concern is regarding the people who value this Holy Month (Ramadan), who realize that this period is an opportunity to build a good relation with their Creator, who strive for attaining all good, who fast and say prayers, recite the Quran, say Taraweeh and seem to find a difference between this Holy Month and the rest eleven. Question is, how do they set a standard of attaining success in this month? How could they hope for the positive outcome which the Quran and the AHadith have directed to achieve?
In fact, increasing Ibadat, sacrificing worldly affairs to accomplish more and more worship, sobbing and praying profusely at the time of Tahajjud and Iftar during this invaluable period – all are no doubt great achievements of Ramadan, however, what the majority of the Ummah still misses is the real lesson of this Blessed Holy Month! If the whole Ummah or at least the majority of the Ummah had realized the real objective of Ramadan and suppose, if there would have been less Tahajjud, less prayers (dua), less zikr, less Tilawat than today, still – no doubt, the Ummah could have gained much more! Because, in case of the latter condition, the objective would have gained, let the extras (abundant nafl or voluntary deeds) be little in amount.
Today the real lesson or objective of Holy Ramadan seems to be missing, however, there are abundant Ibadat – at least among a large number of Muslims, if not all. A very few number of the Ummah are there, who have the objective of Ramadan in front and consequently, they are hoped to be benefited from this Holy Month to a much greater extent.
What is the objective of Ramadan? What wrong is going on? What was supposed to be?
The Answer is simple, because Allah Taala Himself had made it clear through the Verses in the Holy Quran – O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you as it has been prescribed for people before you so that you will (learn how to) attain Taqwa. Sura Baqarah: 183
In the above verse is the vivid answer to the question, what is the objective of Ramadan(?) It is, to attain Taqwa.
What is Taqwa and how to attain it? We represent here the answer of Mufti Ebrahim Desai (May Allah Taala prolong his shelter upon us) from www.askimam.com:
Quesion (3387): What is Taqwa? And how can a young individual who is into the work of tableegh achieve Taqwa?
Answer: Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (R) said that the Haqeeqat (reality) of Taqwa is for Tayaqquz (alertness) to be created in all facets of life. This means that one should ponder upon every step whether this is for Allah or for the Nafs or how much is for Allah and how much is for the Nafs.
Hadhrat Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) asked Hadhrat Ka’b Ahbaar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) -”What is the reality of Taqwa?” He said, “Have you ever passed a thorny tree” He answered, “Yes.” He asked, “How did you pass” He answered, “I passed with such care that I ensured that no thorn got caught into my hem.” He said, “In the very same way, the reality of Taqwa is for one to save himself from the thorns of sins and negligence.” The companionship of the pious plays a vital role for inculcating Taqwa. Alhamdulillah, with the effort of Tabligh, such sincere servants are present who reminds one of the Aakhirat and removes negligence from the heart. Hence, remain steadfast on the teachings and Mashwara of the elders and constantly spend time in the path of Allah through which, Insha Allah, Allah will bless one with this great quality of Taqwa.
and Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.
Look into the condition of the whole Ummah today! It is this Taqwa that we lack. Taqwa is all about fearing Allah Taala and therefore, refraining from sins. If a Muslim can refrain from sins, s/he has attained this sterling quality. Though at the beginning it seems a bit difficult to build up such a quality, making continuous efforts to abandon sins and spending time with the pious (as mentioned in the above statement of Mufti Saheb) makes it very easy Alhamduillah.
The Ramadan is a great opportunity for this spiritual exercise – refraining from sins. Let us, therefore, make a very firm intention and also do dua of refraining from all sins in this Ramadan. Inshallah if we have a firm determination and start making efforts i.e. leave the sins one by one, Allah Taala’s Support is with us! If we cannot do much voluntary Ibadat no problem, but there must be no compromise with sins. Remember, sins destroy good deeds. The practice of no sinning preserves our good deeds. If this concept is clearly understood and practiced, a life of a Muslim would be successful in the world and in the life hereafter.
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