Continuing the good deeds

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.