بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّ حِيْمِ
Allah has
created the entire universe and each segment functions according to the laws that
He has prescribed for them. For example
He says;
Each
(just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law). (36:40)
Allah is above
all laws. He is the One Who created the
laws for the functioning of His creatures and those laws are not subject to
change. He says;
None
can change His words. (18:27)
Regarding human
beings, Allah has given us a special facility and some special concessions. For example Prophet Muhammad (pboh) is
reported to have said that Allah says; “if the servant
draws near to Me a hand span, I draw near to him an arm’s length; and if he
draws near to Me an arm’s length, I draw near to him a fathom’s length. And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him
running”. (Bukhari)
Allah has given
us the prerogative to choose. And because
we are humans and we do make mistakes Allah, out of His love for us, has
created such occasions where we can have our wrong deeds wiped out and have our
good deeds increased. For example He
says;
Allah
doth blot out or confirm what He pleaseth: with Him is the mother of the Book. (13:39)
Sometimes we have
the notion that whatever goes into our book of deeds remains permanent and
everlasting. However we can have the
evil deeds removed if Allah so wills and we make the appropriate effort. For example there are the traditions concerning
the benefits associated with worshiping on the 15th of Shabaan. There are also many traditions in which
Prophet Muhammad (pboh) makes mention of the benefits and rewards associated
with the blessed month of Ramadhan. One
such is a Hadith Qudsi in which Prophet (pboh) reports that Allah says; “all
the actions by the son of Adam are for him, except fasting for verily it is for
Me and I shall reward him for it”.
We have on the
horizon this special month allocated by Allah that contains so many blessings
and benefits. Prophet Muhammad (pboh) used
to tell his companions ‘the month is coming’.
Realistically, keeping
the fast is not entirely easy; it has its challenges and in the past my experience
was that in Ramadhan I had more responsibilities and work. Allah wants to test us; because, if He has to
wipe out our mistakes and faults there must be a good reason for doing so. And that reason is keeping the fast sincerely
for His sake; and being prepared to undertake the trials, difficulties and the
hardships that come along with it.
This month that
is approaching has so much of beauty and blessings that we should cherish the
fact that we are alive to observe it, insha Allah. Ramadhan is the only principle factor of the
unification of the hearts of believers all over the world.
In Trinidad and
Tobago we are blessed because the hours of fasting in the day are not too long. In other countries, the Muslims have to fast
for sometimes 19 and 20 hours. We should
thank our Lord for His continued mercies and make the best use it.
One thing that
we should try to avoid in this month is not to get upset. This can spoil our fast and we would all like
to achieve the maximum blessings attainable from our fast. It is sacrifice and challenge but try your
best to keep your composure. We all know
the Qur’anic ayat;
O ye who
believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you,
that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (2:183)
What is
restraint? When situations arise where
you can take verbal or physical action; and you do otherwise, because you are reminded
that you are fasting. Try your best to
bear with patience the irritable situations you will experience.
Finally,
remember that Ramadhan is an institution which can help us to become a beautiful
tree that can give shade and delicious fruits.
A tree doesn’t need the shade nor the fruits. It instead benefits others.
Ramadhan can help us to cultivate those beautiful qualities in our personality
that will makes us admirable to others.
My dear friends,
this would be our last zikir session and publication until after Ramadhan, insha
Allah and I want to sincerely wish each and everyone a peaceful, successful and
happy Ramadhan and may Allah bless us to experience something special; that
being the visit of those special beings that He will be sending on a special
night that will bring peace and tranquillity to the hearts of the true
believers.
Remember, the
most effective and beneficial experience you can get is the feeling of peace
and tranquillity. We will have our
trials and difficulties; in the past we had them and they are now gone. We will experience them again maybe in a
different form but it is still a trial so be prepared to do your part by
showing patience and restraint.
May Allah bless
us, guide us, take care of us and enable us to observe the blessed month of
Ramadhan in a manner most pleasing to Him and most beneficial to us.
Transcript
of discourse delivered by
Maulana
Dr. Waffie Mohammed
The
video presentation of this discourse can be accessed at
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