I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“And worship your Lord until the certainty (i.e death) comes to you.” Qur’an 15:99
Life is an institution in its entirety where humans continuously learn and apply the experiences gathered of which they either graduate with an A+ or a failure when the ultimate convocation is held on the Day of Judgement.
Most humans appreciate the fact that everything that they do will either be a plus factor for them or a minus factor against them and as result of this realization, the faithful ones among them strive throughout their lives to ensure that a favorable decision comes their way when success and failure will be epitomized by Jannah (Paradise) and Jahannam (Hell) respectively.
Praise be to Allaah, Exalted be He, Who has provided avenues for the Muslims, nay the entire humanity to renew their faith and commitment to entering Paradise. He exposes them to the Path of Salvation daily and specifically annually through the agency of fasting in the month of Ramadan. A big congratulation to the Muslims for this great opportunity to have been able to witness Ramadan 1438 AH and to the non-Muslims for witnessing yet another manifestation of the universality of the religion of Islam.
Coming down to the specifics, the analogy of enrolling in an institution and graduating with a convocation ceremony can be applied to the just concluded Ramadan fast to drive home a message intended to be internalized by all. Islam came to liberate people from the worship of the creation to the worship of the Creator, from the depth of false beliefs to the justice of Islamic Monotheism, from the narrowness of this world to the vastness of this world and the Hereafter.
It is common knowledge that enrolment is not graduation. The student after being enrolled is taught certain etiquette on how to achieve the objective of learning so that when it is time for graduation he will be eligible for convocation after which he lives his life applying most of what he learned during his study period. Safe to say that the institution of Ramadan was established in the second year of Hijrah with the Companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) being the first to be enrolled and to excellently graduate with the highest spiritual marks.
Allaah Exalted be He, has stated in the Glorious Qur’an that: “O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may acquire Taqwa (Piety).” Qur’an 2:183. The condition for enrolment was/is Iman (Faith in Islamic Monotheism) such that whoever possesses it and is sane and healthy is qualified to be admitted into the institution. The certificate issued at the end of enrolment also has different levels of degrees but not of science or art rather that of Taqwa (Piety), unfortunately it is not a physical one but a spiritual certificate that is manifested in the deeds of the Muslim after leaving the institution of Ramadan. A Muslim with first class degree in Taqwa (Piety) after convocation is most likely to be seen to be more religious, Allaah-conscious, more attached to the Qur’an, more generous, more merciful, time conscious and spending more nights calling on Allaah with fear and hope. He who has a lower degree will do less of these noble acts and for the unfortunate ones that treated Ramadan with a kids glove they fail to attain a pass mark on the convocation day and they inevitably returned to an unmindful state. The good news is that there is room for carry-over and even spilling because Allaah Exalted be He does not close the door of mercy and repentance at the end of Ramadan, rather the doors are opened for those that seek entrance through them with sincerity and the desired effort.
Furthermore, the convocation marked by Eidul Fitr is repeated annually for those opportune to undergo a new training in the month of Ramadan. It is a training ground with the objective of teaching the Muslims how best to answer the name “Muslim” and just as companies employ people from different backgrounds and make them undergo similar induction exercises for specific period aimed at equipping them with the code of conduct and rules of engagement they are expected to apply throughout their stay with the company, so also does Ramadan serve as a training ground for Muslims to acquire Taqwa (Piety) which is the key to a successful life in this world and the Hereafter.
However, new technology, new policies, new methodologies necessitate companies to periodically organize training programs to upgrade their staff’s exposure in order to remain competitive and productive and looking at the religious-scape, safe to say that everyday the Muslims are exposed to different and new sets of spiritual viruses which destroy their Iman so Ramadan comes again for new enrolment to immunize the Muslims against these viruses, sadly not everyone is opportune to witness another one.
Abul-Qasim Al-Asbahani in Al-Targhib wa Al-Tarhib reported that Muʿla bin Al-Fadl – Allaah have mercy on him – said: “They (the Salaf) used to supplicate to Allaah for six months asking Him to get them to the month of Ramadan; and they used to supplicate for six months that Allaah accept [their fasting and other worship in Ramadan].” The spiritually charged atmosphere of Ramadan will make every lover of Allaah to shed tears when the month ends. I hope we save our tears by making every month spiritual even after Ramadan has bid us farewell. “And worship your Lord until the certainty (i.e death) comes to you.” Qur’an 15:99
When Qur’an introduced itself it says: “This is the Book (the Quran), whereof there is no doubt, a guidance to those who are Al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah much (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah much (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)].” Here, Allaah Exalted be He states that Qur’an is guidance to the pious persons while in Qur’an 2:183 referenced above He states that fasting leads to Taqwa.
In conclusion, whoever witnessed the 1436th convocation from the institution of Ramadan with a higher degree in piety is expected to be guided by the Qur’an because piety qualifies one to receive guidance from the Quran.
Mr Abdul (Penabdul), an architect, teaches at the Baze University, Abuja. He is also the Chairman/CEO of Sustainable Project Works (SPW) Ltd. He can be reached on Twitter: @Penabdull and Instagram: @Penabdul
