The opportunity is still here!
The global lockdown has had a different impact over Muslims. Some have turned to Allah (swt), owning their past misadventures and striving hard to revive their frail spiritual state. While others are trying to create a paradise for themselves inside their homes by focusing on food, Netflix, music, social media, and so on.
Uqbah bin Amir asked the Messenger of Allah (sa): “How can salvation be achieved?” The Prophet (sa) replied: “Control your tongue, keep to your house, and weep over your sins.” (Tirmidhi)
Isn’t this lockdown amid a pandemic an opportunity to do so? Imagine if this lockdown can help us turn a new leaf and we earn Allah’s (swt) mercy and end up in Jannah, this can be the best deal ever.
Expect high of your Lord
Does Allah (swt) have a plan for us? Is He in control? Was this destined to happen? Yes. A believer knows that Allah (swt) is Al-Qadeer, the Perfect in ability. He is also At Tawwab, the Acceptor of Repentance. Al Qareeb, the One Who is ever near.
Allah said: “I will be as my servant expects me to be, so let him expect in me what he wishes.” (Ahmad)
Expecting high of your Lord is worship. It is like perfecting your faith, especially in the face of adversity, fear and darkness all around.
Jabir (rtam) states that: “I heard the Prophet (sa) say three days before he passed away: ‘None of you should die except while expecting the best from Allah.’” (Muslim).
We might just be saying at Eid-ul-Fitr that this was the best ever Ramadan for us – in spite of all the crises around.
Distraction free, finally!
The most favoured thing about this Ramadan is that it is distraction free. No arrangement of Iftaar parties, no worries about an exclusive Eid wardrobe, no shopping sprees for gifts and personal fancies, no dining out at Suhoor and Iftar, no planning for Eid travel, and so on.
Ramadan was meant to train the Nafs and establish our divine connection with our Lord. This is not possible in a cluttered life with overwhelmingly worldly pleasures around. Are not the present circumstances more conducive now?
It’s back to the basics. Life is simple, affordable, natural and most importantly on track. The crazy mayhem that was spun around our lives has disappeared. We can actually hear the birds tweeting and the gentle gale swaying the trees.
Valuable time for reflection
With lesser social engagement we automatically gain time for reflection (Tadabbur). Your Rabb (swt) states: “Verily, in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are indeed signs for men of understanding.” (Al Imran 3:190)
We all have become men and women of occupation and automation. Who deliberately looks at the changing world around to consciously and mindfully draw in the signs of the Creator?
We were sent to remember our Lord and for that He meticulously furnished a world full of countless signs in the creation. This remembrance was meant to lead us to ponder upon the Creator’s Majesty and humble us as His pleased slave. The humility was to enable us to perform and achieve results to benefit ourselves and the mankind.
This Ramadan, strive to become one of the Ulul-Albab (men of understanding) when reciting each verse of the Quran. Do not speed-read it like any other book.
The mindful reflection of one hour that brings tears is superior to the mindless worship of a year that breaks nothing inside of us to reform us.
This world is a delusion
Ramadan is a very special month and close to every believer’s heart. Many Muslimeen are sorrowful this Ramadan as they naturally miss their Taraweeh programmes, live Dora-e-Quran, hustle bustle of the festivities, the time at the Masjid, and so on.
Allah (swt) corrects our vision by clarifying: “…The life of this world is only the enjoyment of deception (a deceiving thing)” (Al-Imran 3:185)
The sorrows of the world are temporary just as the nature of every physical worldly thing. Times change, circumstances alter, and people come and go.
What never changes is a believer’s focus, love and attachment to his Lord: his worship, his reflection, his fondness to do good deeds, his aspiration to please his Creator, his love for the creation and his expectations of his Rabb for mercy and forgiveness.
I pray for a deeply reflective Ramadan that produces true Rabbanis who never lose assurance in Allah (swt) and stay steadfast even if the world around is somersaulting. Ameen.
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