War in Ramadan – Choosing Evil Over Good

By

Umm Amal – Hiba magazine Team Writer

Ramadan is the epitome of mercy. The devils are chained, the doors of hell are closed and the doors of heaven are opened. The stage is set for humanity to realign with its original purpose of creation i.e.to worship and obey the Creator and seek forgiveness for the past errs and simply restart with a new sincere resolve.

Who would in the right frame of mind and heart miss this opportunity and instead choose to transgress?

1. Those who have been cursed for their evil choices

17 times daily in our Fard Salah we are mentioning them but pay no heed to their doomed state. The punishment of the cursed ones and the misguided ones has already begun. They have no share in the hereafter. They continue to perpetuate evil in a month of mercy – Ramadan. How wretched can one be to have himself distance from ArRahman’s mercy that envelopes the universe? 

“Guide us along the straight path, the path of those you have blessed (Anbiyah, Shuhadah, Siddiqueen and Sualiheen), not those you are displeased with or those who are astray.” (Al-Fatihah 1:6-7)

2. Those who find themselves self-sufficient

Ar Rahman calls them to repent and surrender as His slaves. In response they exhibit “Istighna”, pride, arrogance and a false sense of self-sufficiency. But they cannot harm Allah Al Ghani, the truly Self-Sufficient. Interestingly the power, wealth, resources and technology that they ride on and believe that they own it, was also granted to them for an appointed time by the same Lord. 

“No! (But) indeed, man transgresses. Because he sees himself self-sufficient (independent).” (Al Alaq 96:6-7)

3. Those who live with false hopes

What does satan promise them? 

1. Immortality, as man wants permanence in everything

2. Power, that corrupts man

3. Richness, so man loots, plunders and fuels his greed

4. Security, when man sins and finds himself winning without facing consequences

5. Protection, propelling man to further commit evil 

6. Alliance, satan claims to be a sincere advisor to every transgressor 

But satan’s promises are empty and only restricted to Dunya and intended for mankind to reject Allah (swt) and forget Aakhirah.

Allah (swt) sternly warns about their affairs: “So let them eat and enjoy themselves and be diverted by (false) hope, for they will soon know.” (Al Hijr 15:3)

4. Those whose desire is controlling them

Devils are chained but our desires are not. Desires stand directly opposite to patience. While the road to patience takes one to Jannah as a reward, the path of desires leads to the fire. Mainly because desires enable a person to shutdown his rational mind and power of decision making. Desires apprise evil emotions and command man to follow them heedlessly. Man loses self-control, which is a scary state to be in.  

Allah (swt) questions: “Have you seen the one who takes as his god his own desire? Then would you be responsible for him?” (Al Furqan 25:43)

5. Those who have no clue Who Allah (swt) is?

What tragedy for those who did not turn to their Lord, the most Merciful and instead followed the footsteps of satan. Allah (swt) does not do Zulm on anyone. People choose such a fate for themselves. They should have opted for forgiveness now when it is accessible to them. On the day of judgment, they will have none. Allah (swt) clearly commanded Prophet Muhammad (sa) in the Quran: “Inform My servants ‘O prophet’ that I am truly the All Forgiving, the Most Merciful. And that My torment is indeed the most painful.” (Al Hijr 15:49) 

Allah (swt) asks: “Do they feel secure from the plan of Allah? None feels secure from the plan of Allah except the people who are lost.” (Al Araaf 7:99) 

Its natural to ask: “When will divine help arrive?” When we witness babies being blown to pieces, oppressors winning and injustice rampant. The anger, helplessness and the uncertain future lurking ahead casts fear inside of us. 

Allah (swt) responds: “We have never destroyed a society without a destined term. No people can advance their doom, nor can they delay it.” (Al Hijr 15:4)

What to do?

1. Repent and make Dua to Allah (swt) to guide you to His pleasure. 

2. Submit sincerely and worship Allah (swt) only.

3. Step into your courage zone rather than staying hopeless, aloof and dysfunctional.

4. Scale down your wasteful habits and spending now.

5. Do what you are best at benefiting others for the sake of Allah’s (swt) noble Face. 

Most importantly know and believe that Allah (swt) Al Qadir the most Powerful is always in control. Nothing happens without His permission. Even when you see evil winning. Allah (swt) has a divine plan. As a believer we have to live and die upon this faith with certainty.  

Dunya is not a place of justice. It was always meant to be a place of trials. We are constantly being watched by Allah Al Baseer, regarding our choices in good times and bad times. Hence we need to be mindful of them and develop Allah’s (swt) Taqwa.  

Life of the world is very short and imperfect in comparison to life of eternity. What matters most is that we win there. Be on the right side now so you are among the favoured and rewarded ones then!