Holy Qur’aan Speaks

FOR Muslims worldwide, the month of Ramadhaan has drawn to a close.

The blessed month, with its beautiful days and fragrant nights, has come to pass. It is known also as the month of the Holy Qur’aan, Taqwa (God consciousness), patience, struggle (jihad), mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hell fire.

For the believers, there are some pertinent questions: Have we fulfilled the requirements of God consciousness and graduated from the “school” of Ramadhaan with the diploma of the God-fearing? Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations? Have we observed all our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving Divine mercy and forgiveness and salvation from the Divine wrath and punishment?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere believers, who ask and answer with truthfulness.

What have we gained? Ramadhaan is a school of Imaan (faith) and a stop to recharge one’s spiritual batteries; to acquire one’s spiritual provision for the rest of the year.

For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadhaan?

The blessed month is a true school of transformation in which we are meant to change all actions, habits and manners that are at variance with the Law of Allah.

Allah Almighty declares in the Holy Qur’aan: “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” (Chapter 13:11).

Falling short in one’s commitment to God Almighty after Ramadhaan is manifested in many ways, including: neglecting the regular daily prayers, after having observed them diligently in Ramadhaan; returning to vain and immoral past times, obscene and forbidden videos and films, indecent exposure of the body and self after having so conscientiously covered up in Ramadhaan, returning to old ways of vulgar speech and argumentative behaviour, unleashing the venom of jealousy and hatred towards fellow community members, etcetera.

This is not thankfulness for The Almighty’s blessings and favours, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one’s actions.

Rather this is opposition to the Divine favours and a clear absence of thankfulness. The one who has truly fasted, rejoices on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr (festival at the end of the month of fasting), praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that The Almighty may not accept his fasting due to some omissions and commissions.

Indeed from amongst the signs that one’s deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his/her obedience to Allah Almighty.

The Almighty Himself declares: “If you are grateful, I will surely grant you increase (in favour).” (Chapter 14:7) This is literally an increase in goodness, faith and righteous actions.

Therefore, if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and further distanced from sinfulness.

True thankfulness to The Creator is leaving sins and constantly working towards obedience.

We are reminded in the Holy Qur’aan: “And worship your Lord until the ultimate comes to you (that is death).” (Chapter 15:99)

The true believer must continuously be in the state of obedience to The Almighty, firm upon His Law, steadfast upon His Commandments, so that he/she is not of those who worship Allah only during certain periods or one month or only in one place.

Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadhaan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places.

So the Believer is steadfast upon the law of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) said: “Say ‘I believe in Allah’, and then be steadfast (in faith and in practice).”

Accordingly it must be understood that righteous actions are for all times and all places, so one should continue to strive.

One must beware of laziness and remember that it is not allowed to leave the obligatory actions or delay them. Extra caution must be exercised so as not to fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to that which is forbidden.

Islam’s holistic approach as was highlighted in a previous article, Islam does not approve of monasticism and cutting off from worldly or material matters.

It does not ask us to permanently isolate ourselves from this world, since our test is in living here according to the Commands of our Creator.

However, it does ask us to take periodic breaks from it so as to understand and appreciate the true essence of this life and to grasp the correct meaning of worship.

The mandatory five daily prayers (Salah) is one example.

For a few minutes every so many hours throughout the day, Muslims leave the affairs of this world and appear before Allah Almighty to remind themselves that none but He is worthy of worship and of the need to observe unfaltering obedience.

Ramadhaan takes this to a higher plane, providing intense training for a whole month. For further information on Islam or a free copy of the Holy Qur’aan, please contact:Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications DepartmentPO Box W93, Waterfalls, HarareTel: 04-614078/614004, Fax: 04-614003e-mail: majliszw@ yahoo.com