IMAAN AND RAMADHAN

FROM SPARK TO FLAME

ALHAMDULILLAAH, the holy month of Ramadhan is approaching, and Muslims will converge en masse towards the masjid; not to mention that they will also make it a duty to fast. Thus, the masjid will regain its life and beauty.

HOW can we explain this phenomenon? What could be the explanation for this behaviour, if not the result of faith and the effect of Imaan? Indeed, who is that Muslim who does not know the grandeur and splendour of this month? Every Muslim knows that it is a month of great value and that it contains many blessings. He also knows that any negligence on his part would lead to his own ruin, because the leader of the angels, Jibra'il (Alaihis Salaam), has cursed the person who fails to seek forgiveness during this month, and Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), the leader of all the Prophets (Alaihimus Salaam), has said Aameen upon this curse.

If the Imaan of the Muslim is such that he holds this month in respect, then where does his Imaan go when the new moon of Eid appears and he abandons the house of Allah? If he knows the blessings of the month of Ramadhan, then he must also know the blessings of Salah. If he is aware of the serious consequences of his heedlessness during Ramadhan, he must also be aware of the dire consequences of abandoning Salah. Why, then, this carelessness and this indifference towards this great Ibaadah of Salah?

THESE questions, very unfortunately, lead us to make a sad observation: Muslims, in general, still have faith — Alhamdulillah — BUT a faith, an Imaan that has lost its ardour, and of which only weak sparks remain. A wavering Imaan. Otherwise, how can a Muslim with an ardent Imaan turn a deaf ear to the Azaan? How can we conceive that a Muslim abandons the Salah, and that too without any regret or remorse, when Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said that the Salah distinguishes the Muslim from the Kaafir and the Mushrik? Such an Imaan is not enough to ensure protection from the punishment of Allah Ta'ala in this world, in the grave, and in the Hereafter.

Not ALL is lost, however. Another opportunity presents itself to us: the blessed and sacred month of Ramadhan. Let us therefore seize this opportunity before death comes, as we wrote in our reflection of last Ramadhan. Let us take advantage of it in order to rekindle this spark of Imaan and convert it into a flame!

HOW to rekindle our Imaan and promote its development during this month?

FIRSTLY, by observing the fast solely for the pleasure of Allah. Any other motive or intention must be banished. Moreover, as we keep writing every year, one must not fast in form only, by abstaining from food and marital relations with one's wife. Rather, one must also abstain from everything that is forbidden.

In addition, one should perform the five daily Salahs regularly and with devotion at the appointed times (with Jama'at and Takbeer-e-Ula for men), perform the 20 Rak'at of Taraweeh regularly and in full, engage in abundant Nafl Salahs, Tilawat-e-Qur'an, Sadaqah (charity), Duas, Istighfar, recite a great deal of Kalimah Tayyibah, ask for Jannah incessantly, and constantly seek protection from Jahannam.

There is no question of failing to benefit from Ramadhan if an effort is made in this direction while:

1. making Dua that Allah Ta'ala grants us a fiery and solid Imaan, and
2. urging people to strengthen their Imaan.
3. It is absolutely necessary to get rid of this selfish and unhealthy attitude of the vast majority of Musallis — thinking only of themselves, their Salahs, their Tilawat, their Tasbihat, without worrying about reminding others of their duty towards Allah Rabbul Aalameen. This is not an attitude worthy of a Musalli of this admirable and best Ummah. This work of reminder is not restricted to a certain category of people. It concerns the poorest as well as the richest, the unemployed as well as the greatest industrialist, the one who has never been to school as well as the finest intellectual. No distinction!

If we make no effort, if we are only satisfied with the form while forgetting the substance, it is not surprising that our Imaan remains shaky — an Imaan only in form, without substance!

There is no need to dwell further on the importance of a real and sincere effort during this month — an effort aimed at fostering the development of Taqwa, the very purpose of the fast of Ramadhan.

MAY ALLAH SUBHAANAHU WA TA'ALA grant us all the Taufiq to make the most of this Ramadhan in order to consolidate our Imaan. (Ameen)

[English version of "Imaan et Ramadhan" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No.6]