Issue No: 267
22nd July 2016
16th Shawwal 1437 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Life after Shahru Ramadhan:
During the holy month of Ramadhan our lifestyle had taken a drastic change from the way we had been in the months prior to it. Whilst striving to enjoy the Divine hospitality in the holy month we have done extra efforts to engage ourselves in various deeds of ibadah, performing prayers in Jamaat, ihaya ul layl (standing in prayers during the night), doing additional recitation of Noble Qur'an and presenting duas, increased charity, exercising patience, compassion, taken control of our emotions, extra endeavours to refrain from the sawm breakers and other haram actions. At the same time we have spent many hours especially on the nights of Qadr to seek forgiveness for our sins. We strived to being more courteous and increase in doing deeds of charity. All this was in addition to observing the obligation of fasts.
May Allah SWT accept our humble efforts in striving to draw closer to His pleasure and grant us His choicest rewards, Inshallah.
Moment of Reflection:
Reflect on all the abundantly wonderful deeds of various forms of ibadah you did during the holy month of Ramadhan. Give a thought as to how they had become a natural part of our activities in daily lifestyle. Consider how easy it was to achieve the Divine pleasure and refrain from committing sins.
Does this not imply that it is indeed straightforward for one to become closer to Allah SWT?
To acquire Taqwa and become a Muttaqi is within one's reach. Definitely this is doable. Yes, we can do it.
Are you a Ramadhan Muslim?
On sighting the crescent of the month of Shawwaal announcing the commencement of Eid ul Fitr, does one then flip over to their old state prior to the holy month of Ramadhan where
- the performance of prayers is to the bare minimum daily obligatory prayers which is done without devotion and attention to its performance
- the Noble Qur'an is respectfully covered and utilized only for reading Sura Yasin for thawab of marhumin
- attention is not paid to Taqwa - acquiring the pleasure of Almighty Allah
- little thought is given to sharing through compassion and charity
If so then isn't one whose commitment to Islam is subject to only the Shahru Ramadhan, be described as a 'Ramadhan Muslim'?
Would you like to be a 'Ramadhan Muslim'?
Undoubtedly the answer to the above question is in negative.
So how does one keep the spirit of their commitment as Muslims alive beyond the holy month of Ramadhan?
Keeping the spirit alive:
Undoubtedly, five of the distinct actions performed during the holy month of Ramadhan are Prayers, Fasting, Recitation of the Noble Qur'an, Charity and increased courtesy.
Therefore to avoid being a 'Ramadhan Muslim' will you then not strive to uphold continuity in performing these actions?
Ayatullah Syed Ali Seestani writes in 'Islamic Laws' rule 1716 - regarding Mustahab Fasts: 'Fasting is Mustahab on every day of a year apart from the days on which fasting is unlawful or disapproved. The first one which is recommended more is : 'The Fast of first and last Thursday of each month and the first Wednesday after the 10th of a month; and if someone does not fast on these days then it is recommended that he makes them up (gives qadha);and in the event that one cannot do so ,it is recommended that he gives for each day one mudd of food or prescribed coined silver to poor person.'
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
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Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat