This year let us not bid Ramadhan farewell empty handed and
empty hearted.
Another holy of the holy months of Ramadhan has dawned
upon us, and with it comes the bounty of blessings
and rewards particular to this month of fasting &
supplications.
We are all well aware of the numerous behavior changes
and attitude. Every Ramadhan, we willingly cut down
our food intake. We sacrifice extra sleep to invoke
supplications. We take extra care in avoiding slips
of the tongue, either in backbiting, lies, or gossip.
We congregate in Mosques to enjoy Iftaar with our
friends and some of us enjoy the Iftaar with the family
at home. Everything about Ramadan changes our routine,
and everything about Ramadan helps to shape us into
better people & better Muslims.
We make adjustments to ourselves as we experience
Ramadhan.. The whole purpose of Islam, and all its
rites and observances, is nothing but the training
to perfection of energetic, righteous men and women.
We learn moderation and self-control; we value the
days and nights of worship; we welcome the spirit
of community and brotherhood; and we make conscientious
efforts to avoid sin and amass good deeds.
But what of this do we keep? Which behaviors do we
maintain? What do we remember and continue? If we
can manage to maintain the good habits of moderation
in our diet for one month, why not attempt to adhere
to this regiment all year long? And if we can manage
to establish our prayers during Ramadhan with the
added zest and zeal, making it to Masjid every night,
why not try to make it to the Masjid for any of the
five prayers during the rest of the year? And if we
can manage to restrain our actions and hold our tongues
for fear of committing sin and breaking our fast,
why not seek to continue this good habit all year
long? It might make it easier for us to maintain these
positive characteristics if we take a moment to explore
the benefits of Ramadhan and the actions and deeds
that it summons.
The most basic aspect of Ramadhan is the fasting
from food and drink. This, in itself, exacts countless
physical benefits related to health and weight maintenance,
in addition to psychological gains in self-control.
The everyday prayers, supplications and the Lailatul
Qadr (Nights of Power) that comes with each Ramadan
give us the opportunity to exercise and increase our
spirituality.
We can easily get absorbed in day-to-day routine,
and the worship & lessons that we practice and
learn in Ramadhan leaves us feeling recharged and
uplifted. Also, the brotherhood that we share in Ramadan
is unparalleled; we share our food, our time, and
our hearts with our fellow Muslims during Ramadan
when we invite others for breaking the fast with us,
when we pray and worship together all night long,
and when we make du‘a (supplication) for our
brothers and sisters who are less fortunate and offer
alms to the needy. Unfortunately, however, for many
of us, Ramadan leaves us just as quickly as it comes
upon us. With the prayers of Eid-ul-Fitr and the accompanying
festivities, we soon forget the lifestyle we were
leading under the shade of Ramadan. We forget our
controls and limitations, we forget our restraints,
and, more importantly, we forget our potential.
We forget what we are capable of doing and we fall
into our old routines, slowly, but nevertheless, sooner
or later.
As it does every year, Ramadan comes and goes, but
this year let us not bid it farewell empty handed
and empty hearted. Perhaps this year, we should all
make a sincere resolution to maintain even a part
of the good behavior that Ramadan invokes. We will
be better for it, as individuals and as a community.
Recommended reading…In this blessed month
take some time in reading with translation. Du’aa
Makarim al-Akhlaak. (The supplication of the noble
manners) By Imam Zainul Abedin A.S. in Pslams of Islam
or Sahife Sajjadiya. –Available from DAR TABLIGH
BOOKSHOP.
It offers a fascinating insight into developing ones
character and morals.
May Allah S.W.T & the Imam of our age - Al Muntadher
A.S. give us strength to be on the right path. Amen.
By: Husseinali Datoo
Editor: Federation Samachar.
Samacharnews
@raha.com
