Time is running fast. The passage of time is much faster than we could ever imagine. The guest whom we bid adieu a year back has returned to us once again. We should be mentally prepared to welcome that guest- Ramadan. We know the purpose of it’s return very well.
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported in a Hadith, “Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, “The five (daily) Salat (prayers), and from one Jumu’ah prayer to the (next) Jumu’ah prayer, and from Ramadan to Ramadan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals); provided the major sins are not committed”. (Muslim – Riyadussaliheen Book 1, Hadith 130)
We do not know when will we return to our Lord. Many of those whom we met, sat with us, we loved, we respected in last Ramadan, are not there with us in this Ramadan. They all returned to Allah bowing down to his decision. We have been given another gift from Allah – to be alive in one more Ramadan – to prepare ourselves to face Him with a purified mind in that unavoidable return. Welcome that Ramadan with a heart filled with happiness and contentment. Keep aside all the difficulties that we may have to pass through while adjusting our routines and lifestyles with Ramadan and embrace it with the immense happiness of being able to witness it once again.
Prophet (PBUH) said “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” (Sunan al-Nasaa’i Book 22, Hadith 2118).
Prophet (PBUH) said “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” (Sunan al-Nasaa’i Book 22, Hadith 2118).
How should we get ready to welcome this guest and derive benefit from the blessings it brings forth?
Firstly, make relationship with Allah strong. We should sincerely repent for the sins we have committed; repent to him secretly for the vices we committed secretly.
Secondly, refine our relationship with others. We should confess to our friends and near ones if we have done anything wrong to them and seek their forgiveness. We should be able to tell them: “Brother/sister if you can’t forgive me during this blessed month, Allah may not forgive me for my sins”. Our pride and arrogance should not stop us from doing this.
Thirdly, be sincere in our deeds. We should have the intention that our deeds are for the sake of Allah and should be done with revering piety or‘Taqwa’. Prophet (PBUH) has told in a Hadith that Allah does not accept anything except what was done exclusively (for Him) and for which His pleasure was sought. Islam is a religion that promised rewards even for sincere intentions. We should keep the sincerity throughout our lives in all that we do. Fasting is not for show offs. Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet said, “(Allah said), ‘Every good deed of Adam’s son is for him except fasting; it is for Me. and I shall reward (the fasting person) for it….’ (Part of hadith Sahih Bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Number 811). Prophet told” Fasting is a shield” (Sahih Muslim Book 14, Hadith 2761). Yes, fasting is a shield, from the hell fire, from the sins. Prophet (PBUH) told “When any one of you gets up in the morning in the state of fasting, he should neither use obscene language nor do any act of ignorance. And if anyone slanders him or quarrels with him, he should say:” I am fasting, I am fasting. (Sahih Muslim, Book 14, Hadith 2759)
Fourthly, we should possess a pure heart. Prophet told pointing to heart “Taqwa is here”. There is no use of fasting if one’s heart is impure. The one who is fasting should not have a hatred or anger in his mind towards anyone. He should be able to bridle his mind. All his organs also should fast. He should be able to tie his eyes, it should see only what is allowed. His ear should not hear anything that is evil. We should engage our whole body in fasting, not just our stomach.
May Allah bless us to witness for such a Ramadan and be successful through it (Ameen).
