By the Grace of Allah Taala we are now in the Holy Ramadan. Every Muslim awaits the month, which abounds Allah Taala’s grace and mercy in great abundance.
Don’t like the hardships of Ramadan?
The pains and sufferings that has to be undergone through Fasting and Taraweeh are all borne up delightfully, because the reward is much greater in extent and no doubt – it is forever! Allah Taala has indeed been highly Benevolent by imposing (like, Fasting is compulsory) such commands upon us, but we could comprehend nothing or very little of His Wisdom. If someone is reluctant to cheerfully embrace the Ramadan but accepts the hardships and do whatever has been ordered by Allah Taala and His Rasul Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam, though the acts (such as, Fast and Taraweeh) cause unwanted sufferings, by the Grace of Allah Taala, the servant is expected to be rewarded completely. Because, human nature is reluctant of undergoing hardship, and reward has been promised for the accomplishment of good deeds – for being obedient, be it willingly or unwillingly. Indeed, most of us fall into this category, and there is nothing to lose hope; we should try to steadily act upon the Shariah our level best and there is hope all our mistakes will Inshaallah be forgiven! When we confront a commandment of Shariah and feel reluctant to do it, but for the pleasure of Allah Taala (may it be because of fear or love) we make efforts and move forward to accomplish it; this is valued highly in Allah Taala’s court. On the other hand, people who make complaint, for instance, why has this and that been imposed on us etc. – are indeed unfortunate and even if they accomplish good deeds they bring in the wrath of Allah Taala (May Allah Taala save us!). Natural reluctance to accomplish a good deed is NOT harmful; with obedience (and NO complaint) what we do is important. Allah Taala sees our heart! He knows what we think and how sincerely we try. There are people who do a lot of good deeds but with lack of sincerity. There are also people who do little good deeds but with great sincerity. The latter are indeed much ahead and very fortunate. We should always make efforts sincerely and humbly pray for acceptance of our good deeds!
The Benefit or Loss: It is all ours
Contemplating on the objective, values and benefits of Ramadan, we should make utmost efforts to extract the maximum benefits!
Besides other compulsory deeds, the Holy Ramadan should be adorned with Tilawat, Zikr and Dua – and all other possible good deeds. We should realize and always bear in mind that the benefit is NOT Allah Taala’s, it is ours. If there is a loss, it is not Allah Taala’s, it is ours. Allah Taala has extended His mercy and forgiveness; whoever wants could achieve it easily. Whoever would neglect will surely suffer great loss.
Lesson of Ramadan
Ramadan teaches and reminds us of Taqwa – by attaining the life of Taqwa we could gain success both here – in this worldly life and in the hereafter. The gist of Taqwa is ‘refraining from all sins’ for the Fear of Allah Taala. For instance, not saying prayers, indulging into Geebat (backbiting), hanging after people (or other creations) to cause a harm, watching evil things, not paying Zakaat, not accomplishing Hajj, not learning to recite to Holy Quran correctly, listening and/or watching evil things, not paying heed to Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhiwa Sallam’s teachings – all these are contrary to Taqwa.
Taqwa is the major lesson in Ramadan. Practicing Taqwa in Ramadan becomes easy and therefore, should be taken utmost care. Time should be utilized with great care in this Holy Month. Worldly affairs should be reduced as much as possible. Refraining from sins should be practiced more sincerely and seriously. A lot of Dua should be done – both individually and collectively. Tilawat, Taraweeh and Tahajjud should be taken special care. The times of Iftar and Sahri should be properly utilized. Eating habits should be customized according health and condition – knowing the Rulings of Shariah. In one word, every of us should have a convenient routine for Ramadan. From now we should seek Divine Guidance; without the Support and Help of Allah Taala nothing is possible! Besides dua, we should seriously try and not expect to achieve something without making any efforts!
For Queries, Questions and Problems we should Ask & Consult
If there are any queries/questions/problems relating to fast or its preparation etc, we should eagerly and sincerely consult the Pious Scholars! Deen makes everything easy for us. Therefore, we should not exercise any task according to own understanding and self knowledge. If we carry on doing good deeds according to our own ideas and knowledge, i.e. without knowing ‘the right rulings’ from the Pious Scholars, there is not only ‘loss’ but also threat of ‘harm’ or ‘tragedy’.Consequently, instead of gain we would bring in punishment of Allah Taala if we practice whatever we want – this is one major factor that is taking the Muslims toward all sorts of worries and troubles at large today! We can do whatever we want to – only if we decide to become like the non-believers (Allah Taala forbid)!
Practicing Rightly is Important
In Ramadan, many people give away Zakaat, many people arrange different programs, many people do Itekaaf – all have their rulings and ways to perform. We should rightly know how and when to do what. Just giving away some money or participating in the charity or donating some clothes to the poor is NOT paying Zakaat; just staying and doing worship in the mosque is NOT Itekaaf; just refraining from food and sex in the Ramadan is NOT the objective of this month! We should know the right way to practice each good deed and then act upon! After making efforts on the right way, we could expect forgiveness for the mistakes we make! Sometimes such also happens that due to health problems, question arises whether to fast or not. In such a case, a pious physician should be consulted. If a pious physician is not available, after consulting the one available, one should take advice and know the rulings of Shariah from a pious scholar. This would clarify whether to fast or not in a particular health problem. Often we leave fast with lame excuses; there are also people who forcibly fast, whereas, their health condition do not permit to fast. Both the groups are on the wrong track. The commandments of Allah Taala are easy, knowing the rulings from qualified scholars is vital. ‘Do as you like’ is never the way to get along Deen; this is NOT obedience. May Allah Taala provide every of us the Tawfeeq to know the right thing (rulings of Shariah) and then act upon every good deed correctly! Aameen!
The Complaint of Nafs & Shaytan: Its Antidote
The nafs and shaytan always refer to Islam as difficult. We should fight against them by saying: It is surely much easier than to burn in the hellfire! The nafs and shaytan would say: Do all these later sometime. We should say: The present is only what I have in hand right now! I have made many mistakes in the past, and the future is always uncertain and unknown. Again thereafter, you will find the nafs and shaytan active, and they will come up with more ‘logical’ points (for instance: do what is good now, enjoy now – at the present state, don’t worry much about future etc.). The arrows of nafs and shaytan would continuously pierce our minds. Therefore, best is to stop arguing with the nafs & shaytan and the antidote is to supplicate:
I have given up arguments with the nafs and shaytan
I have become your servant unconditionally,
I am just trying to satisfy You my Lord
Do forgive me and Pardon me – finally!
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