The Blessed Month

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of a discourse delivered by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

Allah (s.w.t.) has Created the entire universe and each segment functions according to the laws that He has Prescribed for them.  For example, He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ یسٓ

… وَكُلٌّ۬ فِى فَلَكٍ۬ يَسۡبَحُونَ (٤٠) 

… each (planet just) swims along in (its own) orbit (according to Law). (Surah YaSin:40) 

Allah (s.w.t.) is above all laws.  He is the One Who Created the laws for the functioning of His creatures, and those Laws are not subject to change.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الکهف

وَٱتۡلُ مَآ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ مِن ڪِتَابِ رَبِّكَ‌ۖ لَا مُبَدِّلَ لِكَلِمَـٰتِهِۦ ... (٢٧) 

And recite (and teach) what has been Revealed to you of the Book of thy Lord: none can change His Words ... (Surah al-Kahf:27) 

Regarding humans, Allah (s.w.t.) has Given us a special facility and some special concessions.  For example, Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said that Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “If the servant draws near to Me a hand span, I Draw Near to him an arm’s length; and if he draws near to Me an arm’s length, I Draw Near to him a fathom’s length.  And if he comes to Me walking, I come to him Running.”  This is from Swahih al-Bukhari. 

Allah (s.w.t.) has Given us the prerogative to choose.  And because we are humans, and we do make mistakes, Allah (s.w.t.), out of His Love for us, has Created such occasions where we can have our wrong deeds Wiped Out and have our good deeds Increased.  For example, He says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرّعد

يَمۡحُواْ ٱللَّهُ مَا يَشَآءُ وَيُثۡبِتُ‌ۖ وَعِندَهُ ۥۤ أُمُّ ٱلۡڪِتَـٰبِ (٣٩) 

Allah does Blot Out or Confirm what He Pleases: with Him is the Mother of the Book. (Surah ar-Ra’ad:39) 

Sometimes we have the notion that whatever goes into our book of deeds remains permanent.  However, we can have the evil deeds Removed if Allah (s.w.t.) so Wills, and we make the appropriate effort.  For example, there are the traditions concerning the benefits associated with worshipping on the 15th of Sha’ban.  There are also many traditions in which Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) makes mention of the benefits and rewards associated with the blessed month of Ramadhan.  One such is a hadits qudsi in which Prophet (s.a.w.) reported that Allah (s.w.t.) Says, “All the actions by the son of Adam are for him, except fasting, for verily it is for Me and I shall Reward him for it”. 

We have on the horizon this special month allocated by Allah (s.w.t.) that contains so many blessings and benefits.  Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) used to tell his companions, “The month is coming.”  Realistically, keeping the fast is not entirely easy; it has its.  Allah (s.w.t.) wants to Test us; because, if He has to Wipe Out our mistakes and faults, there must be a good reason for doing so.  And that reason is keeping the fast sincerely for His sake; and being prepared to undertake the trials, difficulties and the hardships that come along with it.  This month that is approaching has so much of beauty and blessings that we should cherish the fact that we are alive to observe it, insha’Allah.  Ramadhan is the only principle factor of the unification of the hearts of believers all over the world.  In Trinidad and Tobago, we are blessed because the hours of fasting in the day are not too long.  In other countries, the Muslims have to fast for sometimes nineteen and twenty hours.  We should thank our Lord for His continued Mercies and make the best use of it. 

One thing that we should try to avoid in this month is not to get upset.  This can spoil our fast, and we would all like to achieve the maximum blessings attainable from our fast.  It is sacrifice and challenge, but we must try our best to keep our composure.  We all know the ayat: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ (١٨٣) 

O you who believe!  Fasting is Prescribed to you as it was Prescribed to those before you, that you may (learn) self-restraint. ― (Surah al-Baqarah:183) 

What is restraint?  When situations arise where we can take verbal or physical action; and we do otherwise, because we are reminded that you are fasting.  We must try our best to bear with patience the irritable situations we will experience. 

Finally, we remember that Ramadhan is an institution which can help us to become a beautiful tree that can give shade and delicious fruits.  A tree does not need the shade nor the fruits.  It benefits others.  Ramadhan can help us to cultivate those beautiful qualities in our personality that will make us admirable to others.  We must remember that the most effective and beneficial experience we can get is the feeling of peace and tranquillity.  We will have our trials and difficulties; in the past we had them, and they are now gone.  We will experience them again, maybe in a different form, but it is still a trial, so be prepared to do our part by showing patience and restraint.  May Allah Bless us, Guide us, Take Care of us and Enable us to observe the blessed month of Ramadhan in a manner most pleasing to Him and most beneficial to us.



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