Part 8

And: ‘Leave to themselves all those who, beguiled by the life of this world, have made play and passing delights their religion’ (6:70).

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There are besides other people who fast and spend their entire nights awake in futile activities. They engage in amusement, play and deviance without ever offering a single prayer in the darkness of night. Among the worst mistakes perpetrated by some fasters is their failure to perform collective prayers for the most trifling excuses. This, of course, is among the signs of hypocrisy and evidence of sick hearts and dead spirits.

There are others, still, who have no relationship or closeness with the Quran during Ramadan. They read much, but not the Glorious Quran. They delve into many books but not the book of Allah the Most High.

It is certainly regrettable that during the great month of Ramadan there are also people who make no effort to do good for themselves by giving charity. They do not honour their tables by allowing others to break their fast with them. Their doors are shut and their fists are tight. Allah says to them: ‘All that is with you is bound to come to an end, whereas that which is with God is everlasting’

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And: ‘For whatever good deed you may offer up in your own behalf, you shall truly find it with God — yea, better, and richer in reward’ (73:20).

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Apart from the categories already cited, there are besides some people who forsake the Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan and ignore it completely. Such individuals are apparently driven by their inner voices that tell them their performance of the compulsory prayers is enough. These same persons are, however, never satisfied with a little of this world. They seek by all means its non-essentials as well as its necessities. And if you come individually on the Day of the Gathering and you see the different stations in it. On that Day regret will be immense because of the loss of what you wasted in this worldly life.

And finally, there remain another group who fast and yet inconvenience their families with the responsibility of making so much food and drink that they are left with very little time for the Quran, Prophetic traditions, remembrance of Allah and worship. If their demands were limited to the necessities, their families would surely find greater time to expend in the worship of Allah Almighty.

O Allah! Increase us and do not decrease us. Bestow upon us and do not deny us. Honour us and do not disgrace us. Pardon us and grant us forgiveness.

Our memories in Ramadan

The most beautiful memory we Muslims have in the month of Ramadan is that our great book and wise reminder was revealed in this month. Allah says; ‘It was the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was [first] bestowed from on high as a guidance unto man and a self-evident proof of

that guidance, and as the standard by which to discern the true from the false’ (2:185).

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Thus the descent of the Quran in Ramadan has made its memory the sweetest of memories and its days the most

eternal of all ages.

The Quran was sent down to an unlettered nation to lift them out, by the permission of Allah, of darkness to light. Every time Ramadan comes around it reminds us of this magnificent favour of the revelation of the Quran to the noble Prophet #. ‘No falsehood can ever attain to it openly, and neither in a stealthy manner, [since it is} bestowed from on high by One who is truly wise, ever to be praised’ (41:43).

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In Ramadan, we were successful. With the permission of Allah we annihilated disbelief in the Great Battle of Badr. It was a truly a great victory for the Prophet # and his companions of Mubajirun and Ansars. ‘For, indeed, God did succour you at Badr, when you were utterly weak. Remain, then, conscious of God, so that you might have cause to be grateful’ (3:123).

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Islam prevailed over disbelief in Ramadan. The banner of ‘There is no God save Allah and Muhammad is His Prophet’ was raised sublimely in Ramadan, ‘On the day when the two forces met in battle’ (3:155).

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The Battle of Badr was on the seventeenth of Ramadan;

hence every time this day comes around it reminds us of that glorious battle.

The Battle of the Conquest of Makkah also took place in Ramadan. The Quran celebrates the event thus: ‘Verily, [O Muhammad,] We have laid open before thee a manifest victory’ (48:1).

Our Prophet # conquered hearts in Ramadan, and conquered Makkah with monotheism in Ramadan. The two conquests merged and faith prevailed. The Quran became supreme and the party of the most compassionate was victorious. The great Islamic battles took place in Ramadan and the eternal victories of the Muslims took place in Ramadan.

Among our cherished memories in Ramadan is that the trusted angel, Gabriel, used to descend upon the Prophet Muhammad # much during this month, teaching and revising with him the verses of the Quran. Gabriel used to help him memorize the Quran and they reflected together upon its sublime meanings and wisdom. For his part, the Prophet # used to repeat the book to Gabriel and together they harmonized its recitation. They were, undoubtedly, exalted moments of worship, periods of supreme closeness and noble sittings.

Among our memories in Ramadan is the meeting of the first group of companions for the Taraweeh prayer. They used to listen to one imam recite the divine book to them. They often cried after contemplating its meanings and were struck by sheer awe and fear of their Lord. The night extended itself with them and they shortened it by standing in prayer. If you witnessed them, the tears flowed from them and reverence became entrenched in their hearts as they were engaged in standing, bowing and prostrating themselves. The expressions poured out from them, their sighs were moaned and raised to the Lord of the earth and

the heavens. During those blessed moments their hearts trembled, their skins became cold with fear, and their eyes became earnest and serious with their tears.

We remember further, that the days of Ramadan are those in which the gates of the gardens are opened while those to the fire are shut and the satans are chained. These are definitely the sweetest memories, when the servant of Allah feels that he is shown mercy in this gracious month. And that the wiles of the satans have been turned away from him. Then, for everyone who fasts this month there are two happy moments. He becomes happy when he breaks his fast and when he meets his Lord Most High. Every time this month returns, this exceptional state of happiness and friendly feelings is also renewed and increased.

Every Ramadan, according to the Prophet Muhammad #, atones for all the sins that were committed during the previous year. It is a month that bears splendid memories for every Muslim of the day he knew that he was cleansed from sin and wrong-doing.

Ramadan is the month of the poor and indigent. They find in it succour and gifts from the rich. They find sustenance and help from the wealthy. Many of them, therefore, become happy during this month because of what they receive from the generous. The Prophet # said: ‘Verily in Paradise there is a gate called al Rayan and only the fasting people enter it. Once they enter, it is closed and no one else passes through it.’ The gate of al Rayan has a special significance for the servants of the Most Compassionate during Ramadan.

The month of happiness and generosity has come to you,

So greet it with the most beautiful memories

O season of forgiveness embrace us

You are the patron, O time of righteousness.

O Allah grant us the return of many

days of Ramadan over many years,

in garments of righteousness and renewed repentance.

Ramadan: the way for repentance

Perhaps the greatest benefit that accrues to the Muslim in this blessed month is his repentance, his return to Allah, and his evaluation of self and personal history. The door of repentance is open, the grace of your Lord is guaranteed, His favour comes and goes; but where are those who repent and seek forgiveness? Allah advises: ‘Say: “O you servants of Mine who have transgressed against your own selves! Despair not of God’s mercy: behold, God forgives all sins — for, verily, He alone is much-forgiving, a dispenser

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This month, Ramadan, is the season of repentance and forgiveness. It is the month of tolerance and clemency. It is the most precious and cherished of all times. The Prophet 4& said: ‘Behold, Allah opens His hands at nights to pardon

the sinners of the day. And He opens His hands in the day to pardon the transgressors of the night until the sun rises in the west.’ Surely our sins are many; yet His compassion is even more. Our misdeeds are great but His mercy is greater. The mistakes we commit are huge; yet his forgiveness is bigger. Glory be to the One who gives while we always do wrong, and continues to do so whatever the errors of the servant. He gives to the one who errs and He does not deny him. His sublimity enables Him to forgive even the one who does wrong.

He says in the Quran: ‘And who, when they have committed a shamefu) deed or have [otherwise] sinned against themselves, remembers God and prays that their sins be forgiven - for who but God could forgive sins? — and does not knowingly persist in doing whatever [wrong] that may have done’ (3:135).

They do not ever persist. They make mistakes and acknowledge that they have wronged. They sin and seek forgiveness. They transgress and regret. On account of all this, Allah pardons them. The Prophet & said: ‘What a loss it would be for one to witness Ramadan and not gain from its forgiveness.’ It is a rare opportunity. Will you not then strive for its bounties?

Those who are sincere with Allah will find that all their sins throughout the year will be forgiven in Ramadan, if they avoid major sins. The shortcomings and the faults of the entire year are rectified in Ramadan. In a hadith Qudsi: ‘O My servants, you sin night and day and I forgive all sins; seek My forgiveness and I will forgive you.’ Of course it is natural to sin. There are, however, some of us who do