I begin with the Name of Allaah, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.
“Verily, the number of months with Allaah is twelve months (in year), so was it ordained by Allaah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth;” Qur’an 9:36
Indeed, the blessed month of Ramadan is the ninth month in the twelve lunar months ordained by Allaah, its excellence, virtue and characteristics are known to one and all, it epitomizes the submissive nature of the servitude of the Muslim faithfuls to Allaah Exalted be He. It is almost impossible to detach Muslims from this month emotionally as well as spiritually, the manual (Qur’an) for the existence of humanity was reveled in this month. Allaah Exalted be He says: “The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month…” Qur’an 2:185
The media-scape has been dominated by beautiful and excellent messages ushering in the blessed month of Ramadan but lest people forget it is equally important to realize that Allaah has not created humans so that they bond with Him in the month of Ramadan only but also in all other months.
The buzz and the usual effulgence that accompany Ramadan have redefined the landscape and the atmosphere of the world. I also have got my ink refilled from the generous rising tide of the ocean of Ramadan. With a rare humble-pride, I can say that no single Muslim nay not even a non-Muslim can argue with the fact, that the spiritual breeze that accompanies Ramadan has a profound positive effect on the mental, spiritual and physical well being of those that are privileged to witness it. It has an unequaled calmness. One thing that can never be taken away from this blessed month the like of which is absent in others. May Allaah bless us with it.
Many great scholars and even excellent students of knowledge have written and are still writing on the virtue of Ramadan. Interestingly, it can never be enough because the Arabs said: “What is oft-repeated is bound to be assimilated”. I want to approach this article from a different perspective.
Over time now, I’ve been observing a laudable mind-set of most Muslims as Ramadan approaches, but sadly, in that I discovered something rather perturbing. Let us go through that humble perspective perhaps it might give us a new dimension on how to approach Ramadan.
Interestingly, it is amazing that today most Muslims have either wittingly or unwittingly singled out Ramadan to be their sole month for sincerity, truthfulness, honesty, generosity, spirituality, godliness and meticulous time management at the detriment of the remaining eleven months. Undoubtedly, the Prophet (may peace be upon him) was the most generous of all people all year round and even more generous during Ramadan. However, he never isolated any good deed for Ramadan at the detriment of other months, he only multiplies his good deeds during Ramadan.
As the bell of Ramadan rings, the common slogan on the lips of every Muslim or at most the average Muslim is “My Ramadan resolution is going to be: No cheating, not grudges, no malice, no hypocrisy, no movies, no backbiting, no clubbing, no zina, no music, but rather more Qur’anic recitation, modesty in dressing, love for the poor, feeding the needy, less argument, more tolerance, more patience, a time for repentance and of course the almighty re-stocking of stores for Ramadan special meals. But I ask this innocent question; ARE WE JUST FOR RAMADAN?
Why delay all these virtues if we are really convinced of their esteem position in the sight of Allaah? What happened to the remaining eleven months? Are the angels not recording our deeds during other months? Or have we a special agreement with Allaah that our sins will be overlooked until Ramadan? Why can’t we start living our Ramadan resolutions now even before the sighting of the crescent? These are questions only we can answer.
Our over possessive nature over Ramadan which is supposed to be a plus-factor is actually becoming a negative factor for us. Because we delay every good deed including giving out Zakat (the poor-due) and even taubah (repentance) till Ramadan, we tend to subconsciously tie down our spirituality to 29 or 30 days after which we once again return back to our old ways. May Allaah save us all. Ask yourself, how many Ramadan have you not made resolutions in? What happened to those resolutions? Or are we are just living for Ramadan?
Credibility does not go to that Muslim who is exceptionally righteous during Ramadan only (because that is of course what the atmosphere dictates), but real credibility goes to that servant of Allaah who is sincerely mindful of his duties to Allaah with all diligence pre and post-Ramadan.
Fellow humble believers in the Oneness of Allaah! If it is part of our willing resolution to be reciting appreciable number of pages from the Glorious Qur’an during Ramadan, then the logical question is why can’t we start right away considering the fact that the Lord of Ramadan is the Lord of Sha’ban and also the Lord of Shawwal. If it is our drive to abandon the life of sin and embrace the life of spiritual effulgence, then it makes no sense if we delay it till Ramadan and abandon it after Ramadan.
Start acting on those brilliant resolutions flashing through your mind now, do not wait till the crescent of Ramadan is sighted but instead let Ramadan receive you with excellent virtues. Remember, the key thing in the life of a believer is his ability to manage his time meticulously. The claim of sincerity on our part should dictate to us that we should be good Muslims all year round and not an exclusive demand of Ramadan. In a narration which enjoys the status of double authenticity (Bukhari and Muslim), the Mother of the believers, Aisha (may Allaah be pleased with her) said that the Prophet (may peace be upon him) said: “The deeds most beloved by Allah(swt) (are those) done regularly, even if they are small.” (Bukhari, Muslim)- So there is no excellence in him who fears Allaah only during Ramadan and is heedless of Allaah pre and post-Ramadan.
Start acting now because we are not just programmed by Allaah for Ramadan, we are expected to be righteous 365 days of every year we are opportune to witness.
May Allaah make us among those that will enter Ramadan with piety and exit Ramadan with even a bigger piety.
Mr Abdul (Penabdul) is the Chairman/CEO Sustainable Project Works (SPW) Ltd. Twitter: @Penabdull Instagram: @Penabdul
