AND THE STRUGGLE CONTINUES...

For us Muslims, this world is not a place of rest and amusement, but rather a place where we must wage a constant and fierce struggle against Shaytaan and the nafs. Our success in the hereafter depends greatly on this.

Allah Ta'ala says:

"Undoubtedly, the one who purified it has succeeded and the one who soiled it has certainly failed." (91:9-10)

Ramadhan is like a breath of fresh air that comes to revive us physically as well as spiritually. It is a month of training where fasting strengthens our spiritual strength in order to fight against our enemies - Shaytaan and the nafs - for the next eleven months.

Let us not forget, "the Devil is the declared enemy of man."

Spiritual strength is like the electric charge that a car battery receives so that it can run the engine. This force helps us in the purification of the soul and the spirit so that we become masters and not slaves of our nafs (passion). Moreover, it also helps us to face the attacks and malicious inspirations of the Shaitan.

So, dear brothers and sisters, Ramadhan is a month filled with Rahmat that Allah Ta'ala, the Wise, has given us. This month resuscitates dying hearts just as rain revives the dead earth. We must make the most of these remaining days to seek the forgiveness and clemency of Allah Paak because He is Rahman and Raheem.

It is therefore our duty to charge our spiritual battery, which is our heart, to the maximum during the month of Ramadhan. This can be done through Zikr, Tilaawat-ul-Qur’an, Nawaafil and Du'a so that our body can obey and submit to the Divine laws outside of this blessed month.

During the days of Ramadhan, Muslims struggle to abstain from immorality and indecency. They throw themselves body and soul into the Masjid for the five daily prayers from the first call of the Muazzin. Alhamdu lillaah!

Unfortunately, this gesture on the part of Muslims is not continued after Ramadhan. So, dear brothers and sisters, this fierce struggle and all the effort that we have put into it should not stop as soon as the moon of Shawwaal is visible. On the contrary we must persevere more until the end of our earthly life.

Our goal should be similar to that of Hadhrat Yusuf (Alaihis Salaam), who supplicated to Allah Ta'ala in these words: "O Creator of the heavens and the earth! You are my Protecting Friend in this world and in the Aakhirah. Grant me death in a state of obedience (to Your commands) and include me among Your pious bondsmen!" (12: 101)

Let us struggle! And our struggle is not in vain because a great reward awaits us as the verse below tells us.

"Allah will surely admit those who have Imaan and who do good acts into Jannaaat beneath which rivers flow. There they will be adorned with bangles of gold and pearls. Their clothes in Jannah shall be of silk." (22: 23)

What are we waiting for?

Let the struggle continue!

 [English version of "Et la lutte continue...‎" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 7]