Although Ramadan
ended three weeks ago, few of our lives have changed for the better. People continue
to wander around aimlessly, pretty much as before. Some people have asked me
why there wasn’t much effect felt by them in the aftermath of Ramadan. I said:
if people examined themselves honestly as to whether they had earnestly sought
a change or not during those blessed days, their question would probably be
readily answered.
1-
Firstly, the very basic
principle of Islam, covering all of our actions, underlines that we must
possess a sincere intention and the proper commitment and dedication to achieve
the desired result. If this basic principle is missing from our religious and
spiritual obligations, all our actions
will be fruitless.
2-
If people fail to prepare their minds before
the blessed month, they should not reasonably anticipate any favourable change
in their circumstances.
3-
Islamic teachings and
guidance aim for purification of the human soul. The Quran terms it as
‘tazkiyah’, which literally means purification of soul. The Quranic revelation,
in a very subtle way, draws our attention to the fact that ‘Tazkiyah’ is a
pre-requisite for ‘Ta`aleem’, which is teaching and training. These processes
work in parallel to each other. So, while we make a solemn intention for our
action, ‘tazkiyah’ would be a parallel process which would help us to reform,
and by doing so achieve the desired result.
4-
Many people regard blessed
opportunities, like Ramadan, only as an event in the Islamic calendar which
they should abide by. This attitude is
what makes many of us fail to achieve the proper outcome from those God given
blessed religious obligations. We all need to realise the real spirit of these
life changing occasions, when one may be able to change one's entire outlook on
life and its purpose. We all need to get all our blessed opportunities into the
proper perspective if we are to attain
all that is possible in our lives.
5-
In a nutshell, the Quran
puts the causes of success and failure forward in this verse: ‘Indeed, Allah is
with those who (continue to) have His conscience (and practising self-restraints)
and with those who (continue) doing good.
This
reciprocal relationship that exists between the actions of man and Allah’s
response toward him, explains why, if we are sincere, we succeed in our actions
and in our supplications, and why we fail when we make our commitments part
time.
Here
I remember advice given by Mohammad al-Baaqar to his son Ja`far, may Allah show
mercy on them, when he said: ‘O my son! Allah has hidden three things in three
things: He has hidden His pleasure in His obedience so do not ever belittle any
act of Allah’s obedience, because it may be that His pleasure is hidden in that
small act of obedience. Secondly, Allah has hidden His displeasure in His
disobedience. So do not ever belittle any act of disobedience, as it may be
that His displeasure lied in that (small) act. Thirdly, Allah has hidden His
chosen friends between His servants. So do not ever look down on any person
because may be that person is one of those who are chosen friends of Allah.’
This
is what makes a person dedicated to the cause of Allah and even more so when
the times and opportunities are more blessed and spiritual. We need to be God
orientated, humble and striving in the path of goodness.
To
sum up, let me mention the hadith of Abdullah ibn Abbas in which he says: ‘I
was once behind the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, when he
said: O boy! I am going to teach you some words; safeguard Allah and He would
safeguard you. Safeguard Allah and you would find Him in front of you…..’
This
very beautiful hadith reminds us that we need to engage with Allah if we wish
Allah to engage with us. That engagement needs to be on an intellectual level,
as well as in our everyday social and public actions. This is where we achieve
or fail.
