Muhammad Ali Diallo
We praise Allah
(SWT) an abundant praise that He allowed us to live through this
blessed month of Ramadan, that He made the fasting and the Qhiyaam
(or Taraweeh) easy for us, we pray and hope that He will bless us
to spend the day of Eid together with our families and friends.
The worship of Allah
is not seasonal and therefore should be made an integral part of our daily
practices. These practices should not
end with the month of Ramadan, instead they should carry on into
the following months and we should stay firm in them. This standing firm should
continue from one Ramadan to the next and be so until death
reaches us because Allah (SWT) says “And
worship your Lord until the certainty (i. e. death) comes to you”. [Quran 15:99 or Al-Hijr: 99].
Allah (SWT) says
also :“If you avoid the great sins which you are forbidden to do, We
shall expiate from you your (small) sins, and admit you to a Noble Entrance
(i.e. Paradise)” [Quran 4:31 or Al-Nisaa’ 4:31].
The prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him) said:
“From one prayer to the next, from one Ramadan to the next, from one Hajj to the next, this expiates for whatever (sins) were committed from one to the next, so long as you avoid major sins.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 9, Hadith 1149]
“From one prayer to the next, from one Ramadan to the next, from one Hajj to the next, this expiates for whatever (sins) were committed from one to the next, so long as you avoid major sins.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 9, Hadith 1149]
A
companion in the name of Sufyaan ibn Abdillah (radhiallah
anhu, i. e. may Allah be pleased with him) said: "O Messenger
of Allah, tell me something about Islam, which I cannot ask
anyone else besides you." He said: "Say: 'I
believe in Allah and then be steadfast (upon that)." [Saheeh
Muslim (38)]. This hadith is proof that the servant is compelled, after
having faith (or emaan) in Allah, to persevere and
be steadfast upon obeying Him by performing the compulsory acts and avoiding
the prohibited ones. This is achieved by following the straight path, which is
the firm religion without drifting away from it.
If the Muslim lives through Ramadan and spent his days in fasting
and his nights in prayer and he accustomed himself to doing acts of good, then
he must continue to remain upon this submission to Allah at all
times. This is the true state of the slave, for indeed, the Lord of the months
is One and He is ever watchful and witnessing over his servants at all times.
Indeed, steadfastness after Ramadan and the rectification of
one's statements and actions are the greatest signs that one has gained benefit
from the month of Ramadan and striven in obedience.
If
the fasting of Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed the voluntary
fasting is still prescribed throughout the entire year. If standing in prayer
at night during Ramadan comes to an end, then indeed, the entire
year is a time for performing the night prayer. If the alms giving before Eid
(or Zakaat-ul-Fitr) comes to an end, then there is still the Zakaah
that is obligatory as well as the voluntary charity that lasts the whole year.
This goes the same for reciting the Quran and pondering over its
meaning as well as every other righteous deed that is sought, for they can be
done at all times. From the many bounties that Allah has bestowed
upon His servants is that He has placed for them many different types of
righteous acts and provided many means for doing good deeds. Therefore, the devotion
and eagerness of the Muslim must be constant and he must continue to remain in
the service of his/her Lord.
The
month of Ramadan basically is a month of training, which prepares
us to meet the challenges we face outside the month. During the month of Ramadan,
we see that the faith of the believers translates itself into righteous deeds
such as: abundant charity, more supplications for forgiveness (or duah),
standing most part of the night in prayer (or qhiyaam), daily reading
of the Quran, attending the congregational prayer (djamaa),
having good manners, lowering the gaze, avoiding bad speeches, waking up before
dawn (or Fadjr) to pray few Rakaats; wishes
and desires are under control; leaving the Halaal things to be
among the few, keeping the remembrance of Allah (or dikr),
keeping good company, having good feelings of closeness to Allah
(SWT), spreading greetings, showing mercy, etc.
One
of the signs of the acceptance of our deeds in the month of Ramadan,
as our scholars relate is that we remain steadfast in our actions and good
deeds even after this month is over. That the state of our heart before and
after the month of Ramadan is visibly different in the sense that
we experience a stronger connection with Allah (SWT) and
consequently we are more careful in fulfilling the rights of other people. We
should bear in mind that in this month we are not only restraining from food
and drink but also restraining from everything that influences our character in
a negative manner.
One
of the beautiful characteristics of our faith is that every aspect of our faith
is tied to certain ethical outcomes. Ramadan is a training camp
for us for a new beginning, a time for a positive change in all aspects. But
changes that are not sustainable have little or no benefit. For example, if
someone on diet looses 3kg but only to regain them after a short time, he/she
literally not benefited from the efforts that helped him/her loose them in the
first place. In our individual lives it’s very easy to sustain old habits that
we have but it’s very difficult in many instances to change those habits.
Here are some acts & rituals we perform during Ramadan which we should sustain even after it:
There are
many ways through which we could sustain the momentum that we developed during
the month of Ramadan. I would like to mention here just a few since
the list is not exhaustive:
1. Offering the five daily prayers especially Fajr (Dawn) prayer in congregation along with many voluntary prayers:
Our regular attendance of the prayer in congregation is a proof that it’s something that we can do; we should keep up this habit outside the month of Ramadan as well.2. Recitation of Quran:
It’s true that the Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan to be recited therein as well as thereafter. It’s guidance at all time not just in Ramadan; therefore one should read it daily, ponder over its verses/ayaats and apply its commands. Set a goal to read even 5 verses a day and keep doing that through the year.
3. Reflecting on Allah’s Names & Attributes:
This consists of trying to understand who Allah is through His names and attributes, refrain from saying anything about Allah that one doesn’t have any knowledge of.
4. Increase our understanding of the Islamic teaching (seeking knowledge):
We should do our best to learn the way of the prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), his companions and those who followed them until today. We should emulate their example and follow their footsteps as much as we can.
5. Supplications (or Duah):
Supplication or Duah is a clear sign of imaan (or faith), Allah The Almighty says:
“And when My servants ask you, [O Muhammad], concerning Me - indeed I am near. I respond to the invocation of the supplicant when he calls upon Me”
[Quran 2:186 or Al-Baqara 186].
“And your
Lord Says, "Call upon Me; I will respond to you." [Quran 40:60 or Ghafir 60].
Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah
be upon him), said: “Whoever
does not supplicate Allah, Allah becomes angry with him.”
It is
important not to let a day pass without supplicating and beseeching Allah
(SWT). You should ask Him to make you steadfast on the path of obeying
Him. We ask Allah
(SWT) to cure our hearts of any ill that will cause our supplications not to be
accepted by Him.
6. Remembering Allah day & night:
In any situation in which we are, we should constantly beseech Allah especially in the morning and at night. One should use every opportunity to praise Allah (SWT) and thank Him. The believers seize the occasion of fasting to praise Allah much more than any other time. One should always keep this ongoing even if it’s to simply say “alhamdulil’Allah”, “subhaanal’Allah” or “Allah akbar”, etc.
7. Good Company:
One
should always choose to be in the company of those who fear Allah
and are not shy to remind you to abstain from bad and shameful deeds. Remember
that Allah (SWT) commands the believers to support one and
another in doing good and avoiding evil at all time.
8. Call others to Allah (or Da‘wah):
One of the most
useful tools to keep our connection with Allah is to be concerned about our religion at all time and call others to
its truth. Allah says (meaning) “Invite to
the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a
way that is best. Indeed, your Lord is most knowing of who has strayed from His
way, and He is most knowing of who is [rightly] guided.” [Quran 16:125 or An-Nahl 125].
9. Burning one’s ego:
Without
doubt, many people burn fat during the fasting; however the focus should be in
learning humbleness by getting rid off any atom of arrogance in oneself. Remember,
the prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
warned that a person with even an atom of arrogance will not enter paradise.
10. Gaining God consciousness (or Taqwah):
By
engaging oneself in various rituals and spiritual activities, Muslims achieve
one of the fundamental goals of fasting which is to attain piety and remain
conscious of Almighty Allah. The main purpose for which fasting
is prescribed is to attain Taqwah as stated by Allah in the Qur’an: “O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, even as
it was prescribed for those before you, that ye may ward off (evil)”.
[Chapter 2:183].
11. Sensing brotherhood & unity of the Muslims:
There
is a real sense of belonging when Muslims get together for opening the fast (or
Iftar), for congregational prayers and showing concern to one
another, making supplication for one another, etc. Nu'man b. Bashir (R.A.)
reported Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “The similitude of
believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one
body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness
and fever”. [Sahih Muslim, Book 32, Hadith 6258]
12. Controlling anger & observing patience:
During the fasting period, Muslims exercise utmost control over anger even in cases of flagrant provocation and refuse to enter into any form of dispute in obedience of the commands of Allah. We learn to let go and should keep this practice outside Ramadan as well. Narrated Abu Huraira: “A man said to the Prophet (ﷺ) , "Advise me! "The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Do not become angry and furious." The man asked (the same) again and again, and the Prophet (ﷺ) said in each case, "Do not become angry and furious.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Vol. 8, Book 73, Hadith 137]
13. Acquiring self-discipline:
The fact that a believer can exercise full control over his/her very basic desires for a whole lunar month, is a living proof that one can and should also do the same during other times.
14. Repenting & begging for forgiveness:
Ramadan is an occasion for sincere repentance, giving up of sins and seeking Allah mercy; this should be extended to all other months through the year. Thauban reported: “When the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) finished his prayer. He begged forgiveness three times and said: O Allah! Thou art Peace, and peace comes from Thee; Blessed art Thou, O Possessor of Glory and Honour. Walid reported: I said to Auza'i: How is the seeking of forgiveness? He replied: You should say: I beg forgiveness from Allah, I beg forgiveness from Allah.” [Sahih Muslim, Book 4, Hadith 1226].
15. Refining manners:
Sizing the opportunity of good character and conduct Ramadan imposes, the believers observe high standards of ethics: showing kindness, respect, care and consideration to all the creation of Allah. Narrated AbuHurayrah: The Prophet (ﷺ) said: The most perfect believer in respect of faith is he who is best of them in manners. [Sunan Abi Dawud, Book 41, Hadith 4665 – Graded as Sahih by Skeikh Al-Albani].
16. Giving more in charity:
Without restricting his generosity to just Ramadan, our beloved prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), used to be more generous during this month. Following his example, Muslims strive hard to meet the basic needs of the less fortunate by offering more in charity.
17. Striving to abstain from every kind of
prohibition:
Ramadan is indeed a month of abstinence per excellence when the believers strive to keep away from every prohibition and snatch every opportunity to gain extra rewards. It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived." [Sunan An-Nasa'I - Vol. 3, Book 22, Hadith 2108]
18. Sitting in retreat in mosques (or I’tikaf):
During this period Muslims withdraw from all kind of worldly activities to devote their time in intense worship of the Almighty God (Allah) and reading the Quran, usually in a mosque (masdjid) and normally during the last ten days of Ramadan. However, a believer can and should allocate a time for the purpose of worship any other time even outside Ramadan.
19. Guarding the tongue:
A Muslim is required to strictly hold back his/her tongue at any giving time in order to avoid hurting others or straining their reputations. In this regard our beloved prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) promised paradise to whomsoever guards his/her tongue while preserving his/her chastity. He also warned that one, whose neighbors don’t feel safe from his /her tongue and hands, is not a believer. One should abstain from idle talks, foul language and backbiting by always saying something good or remaining silent.
20. Preserving chastity & guarding modesty:
During and after the fasting month, a believer is commanded to strictly abstain from any kind of shameful deed, to dress appropriately (by covering all required parts), keep clean and tidy. This must be done whole year round too. Narrated Sahl bin Sa`d: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever guarantees me (the chastity of) what is between his legs (i.e. his private parts), and what is between his jaws (i.e., his tongue), I guarantee him
With all the above in
mind, one should always remain firm and steadfast in preserving one’s faith to
be among the few described in the following terms by Allah (SWT):
“Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah (Alone),’ and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings ofParadise
which you have been promised! We have been your friends in the life of this
world and are (so) in the Hereafter. Therein you shall have (all) that your
inner selves desire, and therein you shall have (all) for which you ask”
[Quran 41:30-31 or Fussilat 41:30-31].
“Verily, those who say: ‘Our Lord is Allah (Alone),’ and then they stand firm, on them the angels will descend (at the time of their death) (saying): ‘Fear not, nor grieve! But receive the glad tidings of
The
one who is grateful for having fasted, will remain upon that condition and
continue to perform righteous deeds till what is certain happen (i. e. death). Let us use the skills of self control we’ve
developed during this month long training for a new beginning in our life.
May Allah
(SWT) keep us steadfast until we return back to Him and may He make us among
those who will enter paradise along with the prophets and the righteous, ameen.
FOR QUESTION please sent to: Marissa.sisi.sm@gmailcom
