Ramadhaan is here.
All praise is due to Allah and may His choicest salutations descend upon our Master and Leader Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam.
This world is no more than the planting field of the Hereafter. Ramadhaan is a time for tilling the land. Those who toil, plant seeds of virtue, irrigate their lands with tears of repentance and draw out the weeds of transgression and passion by fasting, those who draw the clouds of mercy through tilawah and dhikr will eventually yield the harvest of Jannah and save themselves from the scorching and parched terrain of Jahannam. You will reap as you sow! It is time to toil in earnest, it is time to cultivate taqwa and make our hearts fertile and receptive to the commands of Allah.
Ramadhaan offers us an opportunity to draw from the unlimited treasures of Allah. It is a month of receiving for those who are prepared to take. Our fast must go beyond abstention of food and drink. The eyes, ears, tongue and heart must also consciously be made to fast. The minimum requirement of Ramadhaan is to stay away from all that is forbidden and to fulfil all that is fardh. The spirit of Ramadhaan however requires that we fulfil every nafl [optional] act with the conviction that it will open the door to the love and recognition of Allah. Allah runs to those who walk towards Him and He embraces those who stretch their hands to Him. If we continue to be heedless and continue committing sin even while the devil is chained, it displays the extent to which we have become the disciples of Shaytan.
Ramadhaan is a time for introspection. A time to look within and re-evaluate our faith and commitment. “During every day and night of Ramadhaan, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Jahannam. Certainly every Muslim’s du’as are accepted during the nights and days of Ramadhaan.”
Ramadhaan is also a time for generosity, compassion and charity, not only in terms of wealth but also in terms of our character. Lend a helping hand, use your skills to benefit the needy, and forgive those who may have hurt you, if you hope to enjoy Allah’s help and forgiveness. Allah’s mercy rains upon those who are merciful to others. Allah’s forgiveness pours upon those who forgive others. “Whoever feeds the hungry, clothes the naked and grants shelter to the traveler, Allah shall save him from the terrors of Qiyamah.”
Ramadhaan is an exercise in sabr. Sabr at the time of temptation; sabr in fulfilling the commands of Allah; and sabr in trying and testing circumstances. Sabr breeds yaqin [conviction in Allah]. It entrenches our belief in taqdir and infuses humility into our character. If we become heedless, lethargic and intolerant it will be a sign that we have lost sabr. “This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah.”
“This is the month the first part of which brings Allah’s mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and last of which brings freedom from the fire of Jahannam.” The doors of Jannah are open while the doors of Jahannam are shut. Allah’s mercy abounds. He calls out every day and night. “Is there anyone begging of me so that I may grant him his heart’s desire?”
|
