Remaining steadfast on obedience

Muslims have recently spent a whole month enjoying the blessings of their Lord between supplication, prayer, remembrance of Allah, almsgiving and recitation of the Qur’an. But, alas, the days and their memories of them have passed away so quickly, as if they were autumn leaves blown away by a strong wind.

When one compares the people’s spiritual condition during Ramadan to that after it, they will certainly see signs of laziness and negligence in terms of performing righteous deeds. It is as if acts of worship and repentance were only meant for Ramadan! Such people are ignorant of the fact that Allah is the Lord of all months and that Ramadan is only meant to be an occasion when one renews their resolve to worship Allah and persevere in that. That is why Allah Says, after prescribing fasting for His slaves, what means: “…That you may become righteous.” [Qur’an 2: 183] 

In view of this, it becomes incumbent upon us to consider the reality of worship and its internal impact on us - and not its outward forms. For there are some of us who have nothing to show for their fasting except hunger and thirst and will have no reward for their worship except tiredness and sleeplessness. This is further confirmed when one hears people asking one another merely about the number of times they have recited the Qur’an and listened to sermons and admonitions during Ramadan. Are these people ignorant of how Allah dealt with the people of ‘Aad, who were very tall like lofty pillars, the like of which were not created in the land before? Do they not read about what happened to ‘Aad, Thamood and the people of Prophet Loot? Do they not consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many contradictions.

Where are the hearts that are submissive to Allah? Many hearts have become fertile ground for heedlessness. The youth are stuck in their exuberance for this life and the elders are doing no righteous deeds. We have neglected the Book of our Lord publicly and privately and therefore we are as far from sincere deeds as Mount Safaa is from Mount Marwah. Allah Says what means: “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks (upon) their hearts? Indeed those who reverted back (to disbelief) after guidance had become clear to them – Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them.” [Qur’an 47: 24-25]

Do not be deluded by your determination to shun the dictates of your whims in Ramadan only to yield to temptation after it, for lustful desires are wickedly intriguing. Remember that many a brave man has been dealt a deadly blow by those whom he overlooked. The one who becomes negligent of his duties to Allah after he has been doing them perfectly, or who falls back into committing sins after he has abstained from them is actually the farthest one from prosperity and salvation - even if he does deceive himself with seasonal acts of worship. He is also likely to be punished by being deprived of the joy and sweetness of worship. As for the believing men and women, who are inwardly as pure as they are outwardly and who worship Allah at all times, they will taste the sweetness of worship and Allah will provide for them for all of their needs. They are the ones who sincerely follow the path of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam constantly in their worship of Allah.

Ramadan is distinguished among other months as far as acts of worship are concerned, but this does not mean that acts of worship should only be performed during Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was always generous and his generosity increased during Ramadan. He used to seek refuge with Allah from abandoning committing good deeds after performing them constantly. He sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam would say: “I seek refuge with You from recession after advancement.” Allah also warns against this when He Says what means: “And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong....” [Qur’an 16: 92]

A supplication of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam also confirms this. He would say: “O Allah! Make this life for me an increase in good deeds.” Therefore, we can see that he did not restrict the performance of good deeds to Ramadan alone, but followed the commandment of his Lord which means:“And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (i.e. death).” [Qur’an 15: 99]

Human beings are no doubt imperfect. Islamic law, therefore, does not burden us with that which would exceed our capabilities. We are however required to hold fast, at all times, to the trustworthy handhold (the religion of Islam). This will make us attain the pleasure or our Lord in this world and the next and will save us from destruction as well as protecting us from all evils. This is despite however little our acts of worship may amount to. The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “O people! Do whatever you can of righteous deeds, for Allah will not cease to accept your deeds and bless you as long as you do not become apathetic. The most beloved of all good deeds to Allah is the one done continuously even if it is little.”[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]

In view of this, we must understand that there are established acts of worship that must be performed at all times and never fluctuate, even after Ramadan like Salaah (prayer), Zakaah (obligatory charity), invocation of Allah and repentance, which Allah enjoins on His slaves when He Says what means: “…And turn to Allah in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed.”[Qur’an 24: 31]

The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to say: “I seek the forgiveness of my Lord and repent to Him one-hundred times a day.”

Now that you know this, it becomes incumbent on you to put it into practice, for you have tasted the sweetness of worship and closeness to Allah in Ramadan, do not therefore, ruin that with your sins. Moreover, the continued observation of acts of worship or negligence in them is an indication of the inner-workings of the heart, for it is the most changeable organ in the human body. That is why the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “The heart was given that name because of its inconstancy. The similitude of the heart is like that of a feather at the bottom of a tree which the wind blows hither and thither.” [Ahmad] The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to say in his supplication: “O turner of the hearts! Establish my heart firmly on your religion.”

It is your right to celebrate Eid for it is Allah who made joy and happiness among the rewards for certainty of faith and made sorrow and distress among the recompense for displeasure and doubt. Eid should be an occasion for wholesome recreation and amusement. It is when people exceed the limits of Allah in their celebration and harm others that it becomes unlawful. This is because in these instances, people do not give Allah His due rights, nor do they thank Him for His blessings. ‘Ali bin Abi Taalib, may Allah be pleased with him, saw some people playing around in a manner that is displeasing to Allah on the day of Eid and remarked: “If Allah has accepted these peoples fasting then these are not the actions of the grateful and if Allah did not accept their fasting then such is not the behaviour of the fearful.”

Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said about happiness: “Surely, Allah shall bring this ware (happiness and joy) to its merchants (i.e. those who know how best to rejoice) and those who know its value, though it may, on the way, fall into the hands of those who do not appreciate its value, for many are carriers of knowledge who are not themselves knowledgeable and many are carriers of knowledge unto those who are better than them in understanding.” Allah Says what means: “The example of those who were entrusted with the Torah and then did not take it on (by neglecting their duty towards it) is like that of a donkey who carries volumes (of books)…” [Qur’an 62: 5]

The Muslim should therefore, not exceed the limits when rejoicing for Allah does not love such people. This is because excessive joy generates arrogance and disdain for the truth. While commenting on the saying of Allah which means: “From the evil of the retreating whisperer (a devil who makes evil suggestions to man but disappears when one remembers Allah).” [Qur’an 114: 4]

One of the Qur’anic commentators said: “The devil occupies the heart of man whenever he is happy or sad, but when he remembers Allah he withdraws.” So fear Allah during joyful moments for the sincere Muslim does not transgress the limits, nor does he deviate from the truth due to his happiness. Ali Ibn Abi Taalib said: “Every day in which one does not disobey his Lord is a cause for celebration.”

The Wise Law-Giver has prescribed for you the fasting of six days in the month of Shawwaal. The Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “Whoever fasts (the whole of) Ramadan and then follows it up with six days fasting in the month of Shawwaal, is like the one who fasts for the whole year (in terms of reward).” It is better to observe this fast immediately after Eid and do them in succession, but there is no harm if one separates between them or fasts them anytime during that month. I must add that these six fasts are not obligatory.

Whoever fasts them will be rewarded for that and whoever does not, will not be punished. If one is however consistent in fasting it for years and then becomes unable to do so in a particular year due to illness or travel, they will get the same reward as if they fasted them. This is because the Messenger of Allah sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said: “If a man is sick or travels, what he used to do while he was resident and healthy will be written down for him.”

However, it is not permissible for someone to fast these six days before they make up for the days that they missed during Ramadan. One will only get the reward for the six days fasting in Shawwaal if they have completely fasted the whole of Ramadan. Finally, let whoever wants an additional reward endeavour to fast on the 13th, fourteenth and fifteenth day of every month for the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam has explained that whoever fasts them is like the one who fasts perpetually.

Fear Allah as He should be feared and be conscious of Him in private and in public. Worship Him as if you see Him, for even though you do not see Him, He sees you.

Allah Says what means: “And rely upon the Exalted in Might, the Merciful. Who sees you when you arise. And your movement among those who prostrate. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [Qur’an 26: 217-220]

Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/

Preservation of time

Abu Barzah, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said:”Man’s feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how he had spent it …” [At-Tirmithi]

‘Umar ibn ‘Abdul-‘Azeez, may Allah have mercy upon him,was told one day about something he wanted to do: “Delay this until tomorrow” He, may Allah have mercy upon him, replied: “Woe to you! One day’s task is enough to busy my entire day. What would I do if I had to finish the tasks of two days?”

Daawood At-Taa’i, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “The days and the nights are but stages that people go through one at a time, until they eventually come to the end of their journey. Therefore, set forth provision in each of these stages because the journey will soon cease, and remember that the matter is far too rapid to be delayed.”

A righteous man once said to his students: “When you leave the mosque, sit individually and read the Qur’an and glorify and praise Allah because if you were to sit in groups, you would talk to each other and waste your time.”

Moosa ibn Ismaa’eel, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Hammaad ibn Salamah, may Allah have mercy upon him, occupied all his time. You would see him teaching others the science of Hadith, or reading, or praying, or praising Allah. His day was divided between these acts.”

The scholars of biography said about Al-Junayd ibn Muhammad, may Allah have mercy upon him: “During his death sickness, when his situation worsened, he started reciting the Qur’an, and he refrained from talking to people. His family and friends would be talking to him, but he would only recite the Qur’an. One day his son said to him: ‘O father! Is this a time to recite the Qur’an (while in this critical situation)?’ He replied: ‘I am in more need to perform righteous deeds now than ever,’ and he continued to recite until he died.”

Ma’roof al-Karkhi, may Allah have mercy upon him, was at the barber shop after having performed ‘Umrah. He was mentioning Allah all the while, and after the barber had shaved his head, he instructed him to trim his mustache, while continuing to mention Allah. The barber said to him: “Stop mumbling or I may cut your lip.” Those who knew him said that he had never been seen silent, as he was always busy mentioning Allah - even at the time of sleep, to the extent that his family would not be able to go to sleep.

Imaam Ibn ‘Aqeel, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “I do not believe it is lawful for me to waste even an hour of my life purposelessly. If my tongue can no longer move to teach others, then my eyes will read, and when my eyes go blind, I will use my mind to ponder and think about different jurisprudential matters. I find more energy in myself - at the age of eighty - to seek knowledge and learn than I had when I was in my twenties.”

Ibn ‘Asaakir, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Imaam Saleem ibn Ayyoob, may Allah have mercy upon him,  never let time pass without benefiting from it. He either taught or read, and whenever he wanted to sharpen his pencil, he would start mentioning Allah until he finished. I myself try to preserve and better utilise my time, to the extent that I crush dry cakes and bread and drink it with water as this is easier and faster to eat and not much chewing is required this way compared to eating it whole. The best thing a person can invest in is his time. Obligations are too numerous, while time is too short and snaps out of our hands suddenly.”

Ibn Al-Qayyim, may Allah have mercy upon him, said: “Wasting time is more serious than death, because wasting time disconnects you from the Hereafter, whereas death only disconnects you from this worldly life.”

Stimulation of the desire for prayer in Ramadan

Yahya related to me from Malik from Ibn Shihab from Urwa Ibn Az-Zubayr from A’isha, the wife of the Prophet (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) prayed in the mosque one night and people prayed behind him. Then he prayed the next night and there were more people. Then they gathered on the third or fourth night and the Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam) did not come out to them. In the morning, he said: “I saw what you were doing and the only thing that prevented me from coming out to you was that I feared that it would become obligatory (fardh) for you.” This happened in Ramadan. (Al-Muwatta)