While leaving the blessed month
of Ramadan from us, the eagerness of the believers for offering devotional
service and attaining spiritual excellence was not yet satiated, the call
rising from their hearts still demanded “More, can I have more of Ramadan”, and
even the commoners were becoming increasingly attached to fasting that the moon
of the next month rises in the sky. The delightful days and fragrant nights are
coming to an end. The month of salvation, mercy, compassion, repentance, Tharaweeh, Prayers and fasting
going to leave us. With it the month of Ramadan bids farewell to Muslims with a
promise to come again next year. It is
the time we must take a look at our efforts we made through. As well, it is the
time to make a decision how to stay steadfast and live after Ramadan. In
deed, here are some questions to be asked to our own selves.
We must do a
thorough introspection as to what and how much we gained during these
blessed days? What was the level of sincerity in our prayers and actions? As
sincerity of intention, that it’s only for Allah’s pleasure, is necessary for
acceptance of a deed.
Have we fulfilled the requirements of piety (Thaqwa) and developed
God-fearing? To gain piety is the main
objective of this 30 days training, Ramadan. While fasting, we don’t eat
,drink, refrain from forbidden things, even when no one is there to watch us,
because we know our Allah is seeing us every where. This develops and should
develop in us God fearing (Thaqwa) that, we even after Ramadan, all our life
long, never do evil deeds, as no human might be there to watch us, but Allah
always keep an eye on us, what we are doing or even thinking to do. Have we
left one or all of our sinful habits for ever? Have we become successful in
crushing the undying and lusty desires of our body? Have we fought our souls
and desires and defeated them? As Satan was chained during Ramadan, so whatever
wrong we did, we should blame our own selves.
Do we see the love of Allah increased and the love of worldly
things decreased in our heart? Indeed we should thank Allah if our answers are
positive. Thank Him for enabling us to make the prayers and keep fast.
There was a painter who decided
to make a marvel. He started painting that picture from dawn to dusk. For days
and days he thought and pondered, changed and amended, his picture was getting into
a masterpiece of all times. One morning, when he was to give a finishing touch
to that marvelous painting, he somehow or someone’s suggestion poured some
water over it. Everything was washed away nothing visible or lovely. Instead of
that painting, there was more of a horrible and dreadful remainder. The one who
suggested became happy, as he wanted the same. So is the case with a Muslim who
strives hard for the whole of a month, Ramadan, to become a true human being, a
true Muslim but at the very onset of Shawwal we see him, letting go all what
reward he accumulated throughout the month, because of Satan’s suggestions. So,
we should beware, as Stan is set free again to mislead us, soon after Ramadan,
with new zeal and enthusiasm.
Soon after the end of Ramadan,
a few of people leave the five prayers in congregation, even leaving obligatory
ones. Women neglect the prayers until they become Qaza,. Return with a bang to
the forbidden musical entertainment, filthy songs are played aloud over
the streets. Return to the depraved forbidden films, dirty TV channels and all
nasty stuff.
Deliberately, time and money is
spent against the commands of Allah. Thus, they demolish what they had
constructed and destroy what they have established. This is an indication of
deprivation. Is this the result of the practice of 30 days? Is this what Allah
requires of us after a training of 30 days? Is this what we are going to show
our Lord on the day of Eid? Is this the
way we thank our Lord for letting us go through all those blessed days and
nights?
Are we making Allah happy or
Satan?
Definitely, this is not a way
for showing our thankfulness towards His blessings and favors. As like, it is
not a sign of accepting one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and
absence of thankfulness.
Anyone who truly fasts rejoices
on the occasion of `Eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast,
and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the
predecessors would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan.
We can make out the acceptance
of one’s deeds through his/her improvement in expressing obedience to Allah.
“And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely
increase you [in favor]…” [Ibrahim, 7].
Thankfulness is leaving sins.
Who do so is increased 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. The Companion,
Wahab bin Munabbih (May Allah please with him) said that
when Eid comes Satan starts weeping loudly (as he was chained during
Ramadan, so he couldn’t mislead people and gets rescued on night of Eid).
Looking at his nervousness, all devils gather together and ask, “O master! Why
are you mad and sad! “He replies, “It is sad! Allah has forgiven the followers
of Muhammad (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) on this day.
Satan orders his pupils that:
you distract the Muslims by keeping them after their selfish worldly desires.
He urges that we do such evil deeds that destroy all good we have gathered in
Ramadan. Ah! Nowadays Satan looks very successful in this attack of his.
Aysha (R) said: "I asked
the Messenger of Allah concerning the ayah: 'And the one who give what they
give and their hearts tremble with fear.' Are they the ones who drink alcohol
and steal?" He said: "No, o daughter of as-Siddeeq. Rather, they are
the ones who fast and pray and give in charity yet fear that it won't be
accepted from them. They are the ones who rush to do good deeds and they are
the first to do them" [Thurmudi 3/79-80].
Righteous actions are for all
times and all places, so let’s strive and beware of laziness. And guard our
obligatory actions, not delaying them, such as the five daily prayers, in
congregation etc.
Abstaining from these evils is
only through the grace and help of Allah. "Our Lord! Let not our hearts
deviate (from the truth) after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from You.
Truly, You are the Bestower" (3:8).Moosa Sonkal
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