The Sunday Mail
Umari Stambuli Holy Qur’aan Speaks
As the month of Ramadhaan progresses, it is during the last ten days and nights that the faithful, sincere Muslims step up the worship and service to The Almighty.
Allah, The Almighty, says in the Holy Qur’aan, “…and He desires that you complete the ordained period and glorify God for His guidance to you, that you may be grateful.” (Holy Qur’aan Ch2:185)
It is worth noting that in every aspect of their daily lives, Muslims find great motivation in the teaching and practice of the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him), the Last and Final Messenger of The Almighty to mankind.
With regards to the last third of the month of Ramadhaan, Ai’shah (may God be pleased with her), the wife of Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) reports that when the last third of Ramadhaan would enter (last ten days), the Prophet (pbuh) would engage in more worship to such an extent that he would remain in worship all night long, he would awaken his family folk (to step up their worship too), he would become more serious by exerting greater effort, and he would become totally focused (in dedication to The Supreme Sovereign — Allah).
This serves as a practical encouragement and motivational factor for the Believers not to start tapering off in expectation of the end of the month and the end of this great training period, but rather give the final burst of energy to be able to really achieve every goodness.
Just like the marathon runner who takes off on a steady pace and picks up in momentum whilst going along.
Then as he nears the end of the race, after great endurance and after building up in stamina and courage, he will exert himself much more — giving the final push, though he may feel that he has already done so much all along from the beginning!
Seclusion and meditation
The Noble Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) would take the period of the last ten days to go into seclusion in the “Masjid” (Mosque) — a kind of spiritual retreat — and not come out except for extreme cases of necessity.
He would use the ideal setting of the great sacredness, tranquillity and peace, to engage in the increased remembrance of The Almighty, prayer to Him, recitation of The Holy Qur’aan, reflection on life, etcetera.
Thus, to this day, Muslims who are eager to emulate the Noble Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) will also go into seclusion — trying to really gain that piety, forgiveness from sins, and a deeper understanding of the purpose of life. What is also worthy of note and of particular importance at this stage, is that the last ten days contain an even greater significance and further enhanced value, as declared by The Almighty.
Contained in this last third of the Blessed Month is one night which has been enhanced in value, by The Almighty, to such a degree that worship therein is declared to be more rewarding than the worship of a thousand months! This is mentioned in Chapter 97 of the Holy Qur’aan.
Thorough spiritual cleansing
Needless to say, Muslims who correctly observe the various aspects of the month of Ramadhaan gain a thorough spiritual cleansing and feel re-juvenated in faith feeling pure and clean. They are now ready to move on for another year of active service to The Almighty with due consideration of fellow humans in every way.
One is reminded of how the washing machine runs through its full programme of washing the laundry and towards the end of the washing cycle it goes into the “spin” so as to thoroughly remove all the dirt and grime, the water and suds rendering the laundry “clean”.
Sufficient gain in spirituality
Really and truly, for Muslims, not only must they ensure that they merely complete the month’s fasting, but each one should gain sufficiently from this Blessed Month to be able to cope with the daily struggles in life, with a greater spiritually.
We may say, the “spiritual batteries” must be charged to the maximum! After all, the human being as a mere mortal is limited in every aspect and can only achieve, develop, progress, etcetera with Divine help and support.
This realisation can truly and fully only dawn upon an individual when they have an enhanced spirituality.
The high standard of self-restraint and self-discipline exercised during the period of fasting, coupled with patience as well as the voluntary abstention from indulgence in physical desire, will help one attain a certain standard of sublimity, which is very rare in the practical world.
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]
