Quran is the Focus During Ramadan

Most people (including Muslims) unfortunately associate Ramadan only with fasting. As we explained in a previous post, while the tangible aspect of Ramadan is clearly abstaining from food and drink, the real (spiritual) purpose and focus for us during this month should be our increased connectedness to Allah.

But just how do we increase our connectedness to Allah?

“The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion…” (Qur’an, 2:185)

The verse above from the Quran shows clearly how we can increase our connectedness to Allah. We have to turn to the Quran.

The interesting thing to note about this ayah (verse) here is that Allah (swt) at the mention of Ramadan didn’t talk about fasting first. When we think about Ramadan, what comes to our mind immediately? Usually, our first thought is fasting right? But we find that Allah instead couples Ramadan firstly with the Qur’an as if to say that Ramadan’s first and foremost role in our lives should be to increase our relationship with the Qur’an and only then does He follow it with the command to fast in the month. The goal of fasting is taqwa, but what actually allows us to establish taqwa in our lives if not the Qur’an? So the logical step for us is that we need to try and prepare ourselves towards establishing a relationship with the Book of Allah. As mentioned earlier, fasting trains us to empty our hearts from desires and aspires towards a loftier goal and that goal can only be achieved with the soul food that the Qur’an provides.

Source: http://www.suhaibwebb.com/personaldvlpt/worship/fasting-ramadan/ramadan-the-quran-and-us/

Getting the "Soul Food" that the Quran Provides

1) So take your Quran out today, if you haven't already. Tune out all the distractions, and spend some time studying and reading the Quran.

2) Make a goal to study, understand and memorize a surah in the Quran this Ramadan, pick a short surah, if you are doing this for the first time.

3) Perform the taraweeh prayers, where the Quran is recited.

4) If you are unable to attend nightly taraweeh communal prayers, then attempt to do the taraweeh prayers by yourself at home. You can follow the lead of imams in Mecca or Medina via online video resources such as at http://ramadanvideos.blogspot.com/. Just choose the video for the night you are looking for, (videos usually runs for about 1.5 - 2 hours for each nightly prayer) and follow the lead.

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “…the Qur’an is either an argument for you or against you.”(Muslim)

Imam an-Nawawi states in regard to the meaning of the above hadith: “[It means] that you will benefit from it if you recite it and act by it, otherwise it will be an argument against you.” This means that on the Day of Judgement, the Qur’an will be a proof or a testament against those who disobeyed Allah (swt) and did not follow the path He outlined in His Holy Book.

Consumerism During Ramadan 2010

We read this recent news article (see below) with a tinge of sadness. It is well known that businesses prepare for Ramadan consumerism. There is nothing wrong with that per say - people do have to earn a living. Businesses all offer discounts for needed products, such as home essentials, furniture, clothes and food. Consumers do have an incentive in taking advantage of these discounts. So taken in that light, we suppose there is nothing wrong with the ConsumerFest planned in Dubai. We have heard of several such festivals planned in other countries such as Malaysia as well.

Ramadan Timely Reminder:

We do hope that Muslims do not spend all of their Ramadan days attending and indulging in such consumer festivals; that would defeat the purpose of doing Ramadan in the first place. Reserve the majority of your Ramadan for night prayers and spiritual introspection so that you reap the benefits from your fast. Conserve your energy so that you can spend your nights reading the Quran and doing dhikr (remembering God).

Recall this Hadith:

Narrated Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu Anh: Allah's Messenger PBUH said, "As-Siyam (the fasting) is Junnah (protection or shield or a screen or a shelter from the Hell-fire*). So, the person observing Saum (fast) should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should say to him twice, 'I am fasting.' "The Prophet PBUH added, "By Him in Whose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth of a fasting person is better with Allah -ta-Aala than the smell of musk. (Allah says about the fasting person), 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake. The Saum (fast) is for Me.** So I will reward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times." (Sahih Al-Bukhari, Hadith No.118, Vol.3)

Dubai to host massive consumerfest during Ramadan 2010

July 16, 2010 (MMD Newswire) -- Hundreds of exhibitors, trade visitors from all sectors and shoppers are gearing up for the Ramadan Fair at Expo Centre Sharjah, boosting hotel bookings in Dubai

The Ramadan Fair, a massive, shopaholics dream of a consumer oriented show, takes place from 18 August to11 September at Dubai's Expo Centre Sharaj. Coinciding with the religious festivals of Ramadan and Eid, opening times are 21:00 to 01:00 in Ramadan and 17:00 to 23:00 during Eid. Entrance to the show and parking are free.

This spectacular upscale event will present everything from the latest designer fashions through precious and costume jewellery, homewares, interior decoration products and services, cosmetics and perfume from famous houses, to health products and sports equipment. Family entertainment and dining after dusk complete the picture, making the Ramadan Fair one of the best events of this type.

High visitor numbers from both the trade and general public sectors are guaranteed, with many coming from outside the country. According to DirectRooms.com, the influx of visitors and exhibitors before and during the fair is likely to cause shortages of suitable rooms in hotels in Dubai. Booking in advance at is recommended.

Dubaiis a significant visitor destination, and has many wealthy residents, ensuring the success of this mammoth event. DirectRooms.com's marketing director, Lek Boonlert, comments, "The combination of a luxury shopping opportunity and high end hotel facilities will create a high demand for rooms, making booking in advance essential at this time."

Life Interferes After Ramadan

It has been almost nine months since we last had Ramadan. It has been nine months since we all fasted; nine months since we were disciplined in our practise of Islam. Nine months since we were effortlessly waking up before dawn to eat and pray, effortlessly making home in time for the breaking of the fast with the family, effortlessly making our way to the mosque for nightly taraweeh prayers, effortlessly holding our tempers and having a positive mindset, effortlessly having faith that God will answer all of our prayers.

The purpose of today's article is to take stock of where we are today - nine months after our last Ramadan. Are we doing all of the above as effortlessly as we had during Ramadan? And if not, why is it we can make such sacrifices during Ramadan and not afterwards?

Conditioning and Habit Formation during Ramadan

We automatically gear ourselves for Ramadan by mentally preparing for it. We all know the importance importance of Ramadan, and so we make our sacrifices to reap in the benefits. We condition our minds to accept the
difficulties that come along with practising Ramadan the right way. It might be difficult initially, but our practices during Ramadan actually become easier as we progress into the month.

Sadly, some people can only see the deprivations - of sleep, of food, of recreational activities. Lucky are the ones who experience the simple bliss from the practice of Ramadan. These people are the ones who sometimes end their Ramadan with a certain sense of wistfulness. The positive habits formed during Ramadan - regularity in prayer, increased faithfulness, an awareness of the spiritual life - these are desired qualities for living the good Muslim life. And most Muslims want to hold on this.

Life Interferes After Ramadan

The problem is, life interferes. It begins innocently enough - after the month-long Ramadan, you tell yourself you did a good job. So you "deserve" some slack. Maybe you are watching tv when it is time for prayer - you tell yourself, you can do the prayer after the show. Maybe you are meeting your friends for dinner, and it is held during mahgrib, and again you tell yourself that, this is only a one-time thing, and you will get back to your schedule the next day. Then it creeps up on you - you start missing prayers, life gets hectic, you have a million and one things to do. You are stressed out by the many responsibilities on your shoulders. You flit in from one activity to the next. Then you get irritated by your Islamic responsibilities that you know you have been slacking off on. Then the guilt, then the avoidance, then the feeling that something is not quite working out right...

Then what?

The Right Path

Of course, it is easier said than done - it is difficult to be continuously on the right path. God knows this. We get close to Him, then we drift away and feel disoriented, then we seek Him again. It's an unfortunate cycle. This is why we have Ramadan in the first place - to help bring us back to the right path. But it gets meaningless if we simply wait for Ramadan to re-orient ourselves on the right path, to only drift away afterwards.

What can we do?

If we desire to feel the way that we did during Ramadan, then in the least, we should try to retain the good habits that had been formed during Ramadan.

To do this, we need to actively seek out ways to remind ourselves to be mindful of our actions. We need to do this so as to counter our human nature to procrastinate or slacken off.

Let's start by taking stock of where we are today - do you like where you are today compared to where you were nine months ago? If you do not, then something went wrong between then and now. It is time for a fresh start. And let's not wait till Ramadan to get started.

Please bookmark this webpage as we will be posting timely reminders with tips that will help get you live the good Muslim life!

First Day of Fasting Ramadan 2009

Ramadan Reflections contributed byWorldly Muslimah

The first day of fasting during the month of Ramadan has always been the hardest. The usual routine is no longer the same. The morning hot drink (typically tea or coffee) - the first item of ingestion into the body - that perks one up from slumber is no longer there.

The lethargy sets in as the body struggles to stay awake unused as it is to the sudden caffeine-deprivation.

The first few hours of the morning are definitely the hardest.

Then the daily activities ensues and you push yourself through the day. And somehow the time flies by.

Before long it is time to break the fast.

But that is not merely what the fast is supposed to be.

We are also supposed to increase remembrance of God through prayer and reflection.

But the hunger pangs of the first day of Ramadan made this near impossible. However, the body will get used to the fasting in a few days and so will be able to focus on the main goal of Ramadan - to further strenghten the relationship between Man and Creator.

"When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided."

~ [al-Baqarah, 2:186]

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint."

~ [al-Baqarah, 2:183]

Ramadan Lessons

What I Learned During The Month of Ramadan

The month of Ramadan has come to an end. Certain habits that we have inculcated during this blessed month will also come to an end - waking up for early morning meals, not eating or drinking during the day, gathering to break the fast with the family at an appointed time and attending the teraweeh prayers. Such acts we usually reserve for Ramadan.

But the other habits that we have formed during this month, such as reading the Quran, positive behavior modification (habit of avoiding lies, vain talk and foul languages), acts of charity and kindness to the less fortunate, and being tolerant and patient, are habits that we should retain. We should do these all year round because they help us better ourselves as Muslims.

Each of us will learn something new each year as we perform our fasts during Ramadan; our spiritual development will evolve and progress with the increasing level of our maturity as well as with the amount of effort we put into understanding our religion (and ourselves consequently).

Here is what I learnt during Ramadan 2008.

1) Human Emotions - Despair

We are told that human beings are emotional creatures. As human beings, we have feelings; positive and negative emotions that can make us happy or plague us.

Positive feelings and emotions can be a motivational factor for us to want to continue to do good things in life. For instance, I think one of the reasons why Muslims (or anyone else) pray is that we attain a positive sense of well-being, and this is one of the driving factors for us to continue to pray. God does not need our prayers, we are the ones who need them - to keep us well-adjusted in this world, and also for the next world. "But those will prosper who purify themselves, And glorify the name of their Guardian-Lord, and (lift their hearts) in prayer" (Quran 87:14-15). The key is obviously to start - and once we do, it positively reinforces us to continue to do so.

Negative feelings and emotions though can be destructive. In today's society, we see many people troubled deeply by life's problems - financial problems, relationship problems, psychological troubles etc. People allow these problems to become their primary focus - day in and day out, worrying about how to resolve it, at the expense of doing anything (or something)else. That's why there are so many depressed people around. They are stuck in cyclical warp. Life passes them by, and they move from one life's problem to the next.

But all of such negative emotion is unnecessary, and also a huge waste of time and energy. We will, of course, face obstacles in life. No one is immune to them. But that should not be an occasion to be wallowing in despair and forget our spiritual obligations.

God has revealed that in return for the good effort believers will enjoy peace, blessings and happiness in this world and the hereafter: “What is with you runs out but what is with Allah goes on for ever. Those who were steadfast will be recompensed according to the best of what they did. Anyone who acts rightly, male or female, being a believer, We will give them a good life and We will recompense them according to the best of what they did.” (Surat an-Nahl, 96-97)

It follows then that in times of difficulties, we should be continuing our spiritual obligations, and asking for help from God so that our troubles may be eased.

Anything else is simply unislamic. Why? Because if we are on the right path (by keeping up with our spiritual obligations) then we should also realise that God does everything for a purpose, and we should try to look for meaning in the things that cause us problems. And we should also realise that God can do whatever He wishes whenever He wishes, and that He will heed people’s prayers.

So is there really any need for despair when faced with obstacles, and to even dare to proclaim that all in this life for yourself (because of whatever problems) is only blackness, doom and gloom? Such people are caught in their own self-reinforcing cycle of negativity; and they worsen their situations by putting a halt to any activities in their lives that may bring light and clarity because they are too focused on the negative state of their lives.

2) Remembrance of Frailty of Human Life and the Hereafter

Career and ambition is all good, so long it does not detract us from spiritual obligations. A lot of people in the West delay getting married and starting a family because they are so focused on creating a "proper environment" for their children. Funny thing is, this was never a reason not to marry four or fifty years ago. Why? Because back then even in the West, the family dynamic was still strong, so too was the moral structures that prohibited cohabitation and such things outside of marriage. Not so today. Prophet Muhammad said that " Marriage is my tradition who so ever keeps away there from it is not from amongst me". It is also said that when a man marries, he has fulfilled half of his religion, so let him fear for the remaining half. There must be a reason why Islam places so much importance on marriage. And the continued avoidance of it (especially those people in Western societies who are avoiding marriage for various reasons) will only be detriment to their spiritual development. And that affects society, social norms and a negative destructive cycle begins.

So we do not know what exactly the future holds despite all of our massive plans. With one stroke, God can disrupt even the best of plans. So what is this human propensity to plan every minute detail of our life, as if only we with our own powers of planning can determine what happens in our lives.

This is not to say, we cannot plan for the future. We can and should; otherwise, we would be all leading directionless lives. But since we cannot fully foresee the outcome of our plans, we should act now and be hoping for the best.

That leads to the second realization - we may not be around to see the result of our plans because we do not know when our time may come. Reading of Surah 67 (Al-Mulk) of the Quran reinforces the frailty of our human state; it reminds us what we will all have to face eventually - that is, God's judgement.

Would we want be saying the below when we meet our Maker?

'They will further say: "Had we but listened or used our intelligence, we should not (now) be among the Companions of the Blazing Fire!"' (Quran 67:10).

If we cannot comprehend our religion, it would be better to listen to the more knowledgable. And if we are blessed with intelligence, we should use it rightly so that we are not placed in a situation where we will feel regret at not having done so.

So those are the lessons I had during Ramadan. And probably I will have more understanding as time progresses.

What were your Ramadan lessons?

Reading The Quran When You Do Not Understand Arabic

Can You Benefit if You Read The Quran in English?

This is the question that many Muslims who are English speakers struggle with. Traditionally, all Muslims are taught to read the Quran in Arabic. The great majority of the Muslim world consists of non-Arabic speaking people (only 20% of the Muslim world constitutes of Arabic speakers). Therefore, a vast number of Muslims are taught to read the Quran in a language they do not understand. But in every community, a number of them will learn the Arabic language, and they become Islamic leaders in their communities.

This is very different from the Christian world where the religion is localised to the community - translations of the Bible in various languages abound. No Christian reads the Bible in its original language.

There are also translations of the Quran in many languages so that the Message is comprehensible to people in their native language. But the Muslim prayer is conducted in Arabic (always), congregational prayers are also in Arabic, people gather to recite the Quran in Arabic. People who memorise and recite the Quran in Arabic are respected and envied. And it is commonly held that reading the Quran is beneficial to the one who reads is.

But for many of us non-Arabic speakers, learning the Arabic language can be an uphill task. The Arabic language script is not Romanized making it all the more harder for the English speaker to learn it.

Since Arabic is so prevalent in Islam, I think it should be necessary that all Muslim children, be initiated into Arabic language classes. This will facillate them understanding the Quran as it was meant to be understood as they grow older - not merely relying on an English interpretation of the Quran.

Nevertheless, for those of us who are already older, and want to take some meaning from the Quran without painful Arabic language classes, we have no choice but to rely on the English translations. That would be better than nothing.

For those of us more motivated, we can enroll in Arabic language classes. After all, non-Muslims are motivated to do it for monetary or educational reasons, so why not Muslims motivated by spirituality?

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Here is what I found in a book:

Reward for reading the Qur'aan in translation

Question:

Asalamu-Alaikum,

This is in regards to Question 2237 `Reading Soorat Yaa-Seen in congregation on Friday nights'. Actually I am referring to the hadeeth you mentioned where The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever reads one letter of the Book of Allaah will have one hasanah (reward) for doing so, and every hasanah will be multiplied by 10. I do not say that `Alif, laam, meem' is one letter, but `Alif' is a letter, `laam' is a letter and `meem' is a letter.'"
I was wonderring if this hadith was also true if one is reading the Qur'an in a different language (i.e. English Translation) in order to actually understand what he is reading?

Thank You, Allahu-Akbar

Answer:

Praise be to Allaah. We ask Allaah to reward you for your keenness. In response to your question, the reward mentioned in this hadeeth is only for the one who reads the Qur'aan as it is in Arabic, not for the one who reads the interpretation of the meanings in any other language. However, if a person reads a translation of the meanings in order to understand the meaning and benefit from what the aayaat are saying, then he will be rewarded for doing this, and his reward is with Allaah, because the Muslim will be rewarded for reading tafseer (explanation and commentary), and a translation is tafseer. But there is no indication that the person who reads a translation will earn the reward mentioned in the hadeeth. The bounty of Allaah is immense. And Allaah knows best.

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But the following story I found recently shows that there is benefit from God's words even if we do not always comprehend it.

Story:

An old man lived on a farm in the mountains of eastern Kentucky with his young grandson. Each morning Grandfather was up early sitting at the kitchen table reading his Qur'an. His grandson wanted to be just like him and tried to imitate him in every way he could.

One day the grandson asked, 'Grandfather! I try to read the Qur'an just like you but I don't understand it, and what I do understand I forget as soon as I close the book. What good does reading the Qur'an do?'

The Grandfather quietly turned from putting coal in the stove and replied, 'Take this coal basket down to the river and bring me back a basket of water.'

The boy did as he was told, but all the water leaked out before he got back to the house. The grandfather laughed and said, 'You'll have to move a little faster next time,' and sent him back to the river with the basket to try again. This time the boy ran faster, but again the basket was empty before he returned home. Out of breath, he told his grandfather that it was impossible to carry water in a basket, and he went to get a bucket instead. The old man said, 'I don't want a bucket of water; I want a basket of water. You're just not trying hard enough,' and he went out the door to watch the boy try again.

At this point, the boy knew it was impossible, but he wanted to show his grandfather that even if he ran as fast as he could, the water would Leak out before he got back to the house. The boy again dipped the basket into river and ran hard, but when he reached his grandfather the basket was again empty. Out of breath, he said, 'See Grandfather, it's useless!' 'So you think it is useless?' The old man said, 'Look at the basket.'

The boy looked at the basket and for the first time realized that the basket was different. It had been transformed from a dirty old coal basket and was now clean, inside and out.

'Son, that's what happens when you read the Qur'an. You might not understand or remember everything, but when you read it, you will be changed, inside and out.

Remembering The Less Fortunate

Halfway through Ramadan, people begin to make preparations for Eid. Women especially, like to shop at the many Ramadan bazaars that cater to shoppers looking for Eid food goodies like baked sweets, cakes and cookies, exotic home decorations and new clothes in all hues of color.

Even with the economic downturn in most countries, and with inflation rampant, the crowd of Ramadan shoppers have not reduced. Yes, shopping at these Ramadan bazaars is fun. There is the excitement and anticipation of Eid in the air, as shoppers pick and choose their purchases.

But one of the less enticing sights one would see as we attend these bazaars is the poor Muslim beggars.

Inevitably, as we reach out to buy some food, or new clothes, our eyes will wander to the Muslim beggar standing by the corner looking weakly out towards the throng of shoppers.

These beggars are usually the eldery, or the handicapped. They serve as our timely reminders.

At these moments, we should remember the true purpose of Ramadan. It is a time to be thankful that we can afford to buy food to break fast with, we should be thankful that we have a roof our our heads, and we should be thankful that we are able to shop at the Ramadan bazaars.

Clearly there are so many others who are not as fortunate. And when we are confronted with this other reality, we should take action to remdy it.

Give to others, and help out as much as you can.

Maybe you have your eye on a t-shirt, that is just a few dollars and on sale. It would be a great buy. But is another t-shirt in your wardrobe really essential? Could not your few dollars be better used if given to a Muslim who needs the money to buy food for his iftar?

This may sound idealistic (or lofty), but imagine if we all did that. Wouldn't the world be a better place?

"If you seek happiness for yourself you'll never find it,

Only when you seek happiness for others will it come to you"

Ramadan Message 2008 - Day 17 (The Pursuit)

The Pursuit

Money is important. If you have lived one day without money, you will know of its importance. We need money to buy food, pay the mortgage on our homes, pay utility bills, car bills, clothing bills, schooling for the children and so on. We aspire to have money so that we can live comfortably. That's why we have jobs, that's why we create businesses.

Sometimes we succeed. Sometimes we do not. Sometimes we make no money at all, and we are consumed by the need to make enough. If we do not make enough, we will be beset by problems - home foreclosures, court judgements, seizing of assets. We might become homeless. Scary thoughts indeed.

There is no worse financial time than today for most people. There is inflation in consumer prices. We are paying more for food and gas. Our pay checks have not increased, lay-offs are increasing. But it would be mindful to remember in these difficult times that God has told us that He gives us no more burden than what we can handle.

The key is to continue praying for guidance and help. But we should not become overwhelmed with a desire to make more money because of our situations and forget that life is not all about the pursuit of wealth, prestige and social status. Maybe there is a lesson in any financial calamity. Take pause, understand what went wrong.

If we lose money and become poor, or lose our prestige and social status, then have faith that we will recover it, and continue to do good in this world. If we haven't experienced loss, then ask for mercy and strength from God, and continue to have faith and do good.

Do not give up, live in despair and see only darkness in your life. If you persist on the destructive path of forgetting God AND INSTEAD focusing on solving your worldly problems with the mindset that only you (by your own actions) will save you from problems and pain, then pay heed to what God said below:

The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things),

Until ye visit the graves.

But nay, ye soon shall know (the reality).

Again, ye soon shall know!

Nay, were ye to know with certainty of mind, (ye would beware!)

Ye shall certainly see Hell-Fire!

Again, ye shall see it with certainty of sight!

Then, shall ye be questioned that Day about the joy (ye indulged in!).

(Quran 102:1-8)

Ramadan Message 2008 - Day 16 (Lessons from Shaitan)

Learning from Shaitan?

MuslimMessage Writes:

The Shaitan is an enemy, run from him, but also learn from him. How do we learn from the Shaitan? By listening to him and by watching his actions. On one occasion, the Prophet said, “Shaitan has indeed spoken the truth, even though he is a compulsive liar.” So we present from the Prophet (peace be upon him) some of the instructive lessons from the encounter of Shaytan with previous prophets.

Abdullah Ibn Umar (RA) noted that, “When Noah boarded the ship, he saw an old man whom he had never met before; so he asked him: ‘What brought you here?’

He replied: ‘I came to target the hearts of your companions, so their souls would be with me, but their bodies with you.’

Noah replied to him: ‘Get out, you enemy of Allah.’

Iblis then said: ‘People have been destroyed by five things. I will discuss three with you, but keep the other two from you.’

Thereupon, Allah revealed to Noah; that he would not need to know the three things, and advised him to order Iblis to discuss the other two.

So Iblis said: ‘The two things that destroy people are envy and cupidity (greed for gain); I was cursed because of envy, and it was out of cupidity that the whole of Paradise became licensed to Adam, so I made him commit that sin, and be expelled from it.” (Source: Talbis Iblis)

Shaitan also approached Musa (peace be upon him) as if he was sincere. Ibn ‘Umar (RA) said: “Iblis met Moses and said: ‘0 Musa, you are the one whom Allah chose to carry His Message, and spoke directly to; as for me, I have sinned, and I want to repent, so please seek forgiveness for me from your Lord.’

Moses made the supplication to his Lord who said: ‘0 Musa. I have fulfilled your request’.

When Moses met Iblis again, he told him: ‘You are ordered by the Lord to prostrate to the grave of Adam and your repentance will be accepted’.

Iblis displayed his pride and arrogance again, and said angrily: ‘I refused to prostrate him (Adam) while he was alive, yet you want me to do it now that is dead’.

He then added: ‘0 Musa, you have a right on me for seeking repentance for me with your Lord; so I advise you to remember me in the following three situations, so I would not be effective:

 When you are in a state of anger; for my revelation (inspiration) is in your heart, my eyes in your eyes, and I circulate in you like the blood in your veins.

 When you meet the enemy in jihad; because I come to the Mujahid and keep reminding him of his children and his wife until he withdraws from fighting.

 Never sit together with a foreign woman who has no Mahram with her, because I will be her messenger to you, and your messenger to her.”

(Source: Akam Al-Marjan)

Ramadan Message 2008 - Day 15

What Would You Do if You Knew This Was Your Last Ramadan?

We have 30 days of Ramadan each year. Some of us look forward it because of its bountiful benefits to our spiritual self. It makes us stronger inwardly and this helps us face another new year.

But sometimes, even though we know of its many benefits, we still feel weary and tired of fasting and keeping up with our many spiritual obligations from praying to reading and studying the Quran daily, and even watching how we speak and interact with people. No one ever said that fasting would be easy - it is not simply abstaining from food and water from daybreak to sunset. It is a whole lot more. Most of us know this.

And yet, being human, we start consciously or unconsciously slacking off, be it from duties such as praying or reading the Quran. Instead, we spend our day sleeping, might eating and talking instead of prayer and relection. If we feel guilty, then we tell ourselves that we will fast "properly" the next day. In some cases, when a bad cycle begins, it can be difficult to break it. And before we know it, Ramadan has ended. We celebrate Eid and another year begins. Well, maybe next year, we'll do it "properly".

But what if we do not get another chance to fast "properrly" so that God forgives all of our sins? We may be healthy and fit right now, but what is the guarantee that we will remain healthy and fit tomorrow? If you knew that this was your last Ramadan, that something might prevent you from ever experiencing Ramadan again, would you not want to observe it the right way today, the best you can? So that you can reap of its benefits while you are still able to?

One of our writers' relative suffered a small stroke while fasting recently. The stroke was not fatal, nor will it be permanently damaging. But it was serious enough that she is not expected to be able to fast the rest of the month. Perhaps since she is of advanced age, she might not be able to fast any more for the rest of her life.

But that should give us all pause. We do not know what the future holds. We may be young and healthy, and have all of bodily and mental functions intact. But that can change in an instant. It is only when we think of our own mortality that we know how limiting we as human beings actually are. And how precious time is.

Do not waste your time. Use it well. And make this Ramadan count because we do not know what the future holds, if we are lucky enough to observe another one.

"Man does not weary of asking for good (things), but if ill touches him, he gives up all hope (and) is lost in despair.

When we give him a taste of some Mercy from Ourselves, after some adversity has touched him, he is sure to say, "This is due to my (merit): I think not that the Hour (of Judgment) will (ever) be established; but if I am brought back to my Lord, I have (much) good (stored) in His sight!" But We will show the Unbelievers the truth of all that they did, and We shall give them the taste of a severe Penalty.

When We bestow favours on man, he turns away, and gets himself remote on his side (instead of coming to Us); and when evil seizes him, (he comes) full of prolonged prayer!"

(Quran, 41:49-51)

Unanswered Prayers?

We are told that during Ramadan the gates of Paradise are opened. Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him) noted in a Hadith that: “When Ramadan begins, the gates of Paradise are opened.” (Bukhari). We are also told that supplications made during this month, especially coming from those who have fasted will be answered. The Prophet (pbuh) noted that, "The fasting person has a supplication that is answered when he breaks his fast".

In the Quran, God says that He will answer the prayers of those who pray to Him: "When My servants ask thee [O Muhammad] concerning Me, [tell them] I am indeed close: I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way" (Quran 2:186).

In another verse: "Your Lord says: 'Call on me, I will answer [your prayer]" (Quran 40:60).

So it goes that God listens and will answer our prayers. I do not often pray to ask for things for myself - but I do pray for good health, security, peace and harmony for myself and my family and friends. I think I whenever I have wanted something so much though, and I have prayed for it, I have obtained that thing from God.

But what happens when you you do pray, and ask God for help in something. And nothing happens? It can be frustrating indeed when that happens. All kinds of questions will run through the mind - Have I done something so bad that God ignores me? Am I praying the wrong way? Am I not deserving of what I want? Sometimes, it is unavoidable to feel a little resentful of God - I pray, God says he will listen and answer, yet I do not see any "result". Were all my prayers in vain then? Should I give up?

Yes, I will admit that there have been times in the past few months when questions such as the above have arisen in my mind.

Then, I received an email forward recently from a friend on the exact topic I have been mulling about. Coincidence? Probably not!

The Email:

" Unanswered prayers "

According to the Prophet, when someone calls on (Allah) God, one of three things happen:

(1) it is immediately answered;
(2) the answer to the prayer is deferred to Judgment Day, when the supplicant will be handsomely rewarded;
(3) the prayer will block a calamity that is to befall that person.

Our role is to be patient with the will of God and continue to be a humble, devout servant. We need to continue to pray. We have to trust that God has our best interest in mind, and that he will not do us harm. This is what God wants, and we have to be patient. Even though a particular prayer was not answered immediately, We need to continue to try and get up before sunrise and pray those extra devotional prayers. We need to pray more to God. God always hears those who call on Him.The most beautiful thing is, God never gets tired of hearing that voice. That is why nothing else in this world except God deserves to be worshipped.