The first days are all mercy…

Alhamdulillah Ramadan is going well and we are now in the third day of this blessed month. Despite the understandable apprehension, felt by many, at the very long and hot days this year, fasting remains pleasurable and spiritually uplifting. It may appear to be very hard for many at the start, as it upsets our routines, but sometimes a change in routine is just what we need if we really want to effect any radical changes to our lifestyle.

Most of the time we just live with our ill-health, bad habits, unmindful spoken words, unkind dealings with others, not knowing how to change them and, even worse, this bad way of life often becomes the 'norm'. Without a suitable environment or specific mindset it can be hard to overcome the problems in our lives. Ramadan provides the environment that re-builds our focus for the future and enhances the quality of our thoughts and actions.

When we talk about the mercy of Allah, the All-Merciful, in these days of the blessed month of Ramadan, we need to realise just how comprehensive it can be.

We fast because fasting is an obligation placed upon us by our religion (Deen) and is the fifth pillar of Islam. To fulfil this obligation and gain the consequent satisfaction of heart we must do it solely for the sake of Allah, and not in an attempt to escape the reality of obedience to Him.

Life has a beautiful purpose. The Quran puts a question to mankind: ‘Did you imagine that We have created you without any purpose, and that you will not be brought back to Us?’S23 V115

The Quran is full of verses that remind us of our roles and responsibilities in life and why we are here. Ramadan is a time when people may dedicate themselves to their Creator and come to understand their roles and place. Fully understanding one's position and accepting responsibility, while acting in accordance with the teachings and guidance of Allah, is what brings one closer to Him. This understanding is also part of greater mercy of Ramadan towards mankind.

The spiritual season brings people back from their material concerns to a more God-conscious engagement, offering guidance on how to transform their material assets into spiritual assets. But, this is only possible where a suitable environment exists. Our Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, says: ‘Whoever comes to this month with an act of goodness, it is as though he has performed an obligatory work in another month. And whoever has performed in it an obligatory work, it is as though he has performed seventy obligatory works in other months.

This saying of the Prophet shows how a complete bargain is offered as an encouragement for people to think about: the converting of material benefits into a spiritual calculation of benefits. This costs us nothing, except that we obey Allah’s teachings and show generosity towards others. Only then should we think about rewards calculated in numbers.

This is where this hadith of the Prophet so beautifully befits the moment:   ‘Ramadan has approached you which is the month of blessings. Allah covers you with His mercy in this month. He removes your sins and responds to your dua. Allah looks forward to your competition in this month and takes pride with His angels. So show to Allah goodness from you, as wretched is the one who is deprived of the mercy of Allah in this month. (narrated by al-tabrani)

The Mercy of Allah lies in the changes that take place in ourselves and in our lives. Change is encouraged by Allah. This is what the Quran says about it: ‘Verily Allah does not change a people’s condition unless they change their inner selves. And when Allah decides to make a people suffer punishment, no one can avert it. Nor can any be of help to such a people against Allah’. S13 V11

Ramadan is the most likely time that people may seek to bring about changes to their lives. Fasting makes it easier and possible to change the routines of other months and it brings the mercy of Allah to all those who are seeking changes to their lives.  The early days are the most difficult days to adapt to the fasting routine, but the spiritual dimension of the fast helps it to happen. When we finally accept this routine, then other changes will become easier for those willing to change, including those with health problems.

Allah’s mercy manifests itself in many ways. People will only realise those aspects of gained mercy later, when they have happened. However, we must continually strive to benefit from them. A willingness to facilitate people's breaking of their fast is an act of mercy and gains the pleasure of Allah. That one simple act of people’s mercy and kindness invokes the mercy of Allah. For many people this is a big change. For a whole host of reasons, many people either don’t think about it, are unwilling to take advantage of it or are not motivated to do it for personal reasons. But the Prophet guides us towards it. This seemingly very small step leads in a big direction. It is a personal change, it is a social service, it is a charity, it is rewards related, it is spiritual and it serves the purpose of Ramadan. What else we can expect from such a small step?

The hadith of the Prophet said: ‘Ramadan has approached you which is the month of blessings. Allah covers you with His mercy in this month. He removes sins and responds to your dua.

We only need to be alert and looking for the mercy of Allah around us and to properly understand it. Many people don’t realise that it is all around them, that they may be benefitting from it or that they might be losing it because of their bad actions.

Ramadan is a time for deep reflection on our past life and we really need to do so. Allah is great and All Merciful. He distributes His mercy among His servants and increases it in the blessed month of Ramadan. All we need to do is to seek it out.

May Allah shower us all with His mercy and keep us in all His good care.