When Ramadhaan is over . . .

03 Jul, 2016 - 00:07 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

IN a few days, Ramadhaan will come to a close. We will leave the blessed month of Ramadhaan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Holy Qur’aan, Taqwa (God consciousness), patience, struggle (jihad), mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire.For the Believers, there are some pertinent questions: Have we fulfilled the requirements of God consciousness and graduated from the Ramadhaan school with the diploma of the God-fearing? Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations? Have we observed all our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and salvation from the Divine wrath and punishment?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Believers, who ask and answer with truthfulness.

Ramadhaan is a school of Imaan (faith) and a “stop to recharge one’s spiritual batteries” – to acquire one’s spiritual provision for the rest of the year.

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadhaan?

The blessed month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah. Allah Almighty declares in the Holy Qur’aan “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Chapter 13:11)

Falling short in one’s commitment to God Almighty after Ramadhaan is manifested in many ways, including: neglecting the regular daily prayers, after having observed them deligently in Ramadhaan; returning to musical vain and immoral past times, forbidden films, etc.; indecent exposure of the body and self after having so conscientiously covered up in Ramadhaan; returning to old ways of vulgar speech and argumentative behavior; unleashing the venom of jealousy and hatred towards fellow community members; etc.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favours, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one’s actions, rather this is opposition to favours and absence of thankfulness. The one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of Eid (the festival at the end of the month of fasting), praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that The Almighty may not accept his fasting due to some omissions and commissions. Indeed from amongst the signs that one’s deeds are accepted is that he/ she has improved in his/her obedience to Allah Almighty.

The Almighty Himself declares “If you are grateful, I will surely increase you (in favour)” (Chapter 14:7) – increase you in good, faith and righteous actions.

So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. True thankfulness to The Creator is leaving sins and constantly working towards obedience.

We are reminded in the Holy Qur’aan: “And worship your Lord until the ultimate comes to you (ie death).” (Chapter 15:99)

The true Believer must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Law, steadfast upon His Commandments, so that he/she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place.

Rather, the Believer knows that the Lord of Ramadhaan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the law of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said, “Say ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be steadfast.”

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so continue to strive. Beware of laziness and remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, and do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact: Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars, Publications Department, PO Box W93, Waterfalls, Harare, Tel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003, e-mail: [email protected]

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