By Abdullahi Jamaa
We are lazy most of the time, unable to do things that matter in life yet watch our faith deteriorate further and further each passing year. We are not learning from our mistakes; we are in an endless game of procrastination.
This Ramadan, if all goes well, you must wake up from your deep slumber, tighten your belt and collect all the rewards that are up for grabs. Of course, you must compete with honorable believers in attaining a new feat of worship regimen.
Last Ramadan, two friends of mine have set high targets for themselves in recitation of the magnificent Qurán. They started with five Juzus a day, then increased to 10 Juzus and by the last ten days of Ramadan, they were doing 15 Juzus a day, meaning they were able to complete the entire Quran in only two days.
They read a total 6348 verses in 114 chapters within 48 hours. From the 320,015 letters of the holy Qur’an they earned 3,200,150 rewards in just two days, because the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, reciting one letter of the Qurán is equivalent to 10 rewards.
Honorable believers, they have shown us the dust. May Allah reward them abundantly.
These gentlemen are professionals like many of us, busy with the bane of life yet finding the courage and commitment to put their best foot forward. This is a potent manifestation of holding back from worldly desires and temptations.
Amazing competition isn’t it.
Act Now
Nothing is impossible when there is a strong will. Certainly, you can achieve a lot when you have an unparalleled commitment and dedication. Passion is what you need and discipline is what you must cultivate. Act now without hesitation.
Remember there are no shortcuts; it is all about your deeds. The road to eternal success is long and tedious, you must have a great sense of patience mixed with a powerful performance to arrive at your final home in Akhirah- Jannah.
And unless Allah (The Most High) makes it easy for you, the road to Jannah can be spiritually burdensome, mentally overwhelming and physically tiring. Despite this, we have an assurance from Allah that those who strive to do good will find their reward and a wholesome recompense that is far superior to their efforts.
That is why you need to challenge yourself and strive to achieve a spiritual feat that can help you earn celestial accolades full of facilitation and rewards. The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Every doer of deed is facilitated in his action.”
It is upon you to make concerted efforts in earning the facilitation of Allah through excellence in ibadah. The big question is, how can you challenge yourself? And what is it about striving hard to accomplish some level of religious discipline that can help you achieve rewards for your hard work?
The most important thing you can do is to establish an awesome regimen of worship coupled with a religious discipline of performing deeds that will put you in the league of believers. You have to set a high target and compete for Jannah, the ultimate home for honorable believers.
Remember the purpose of your creation is worshipping the one and only Lord, everything else should be second in your to-do list. Your purpose in life is important, make it bold and clear in your heart and mind that your struggle is all about attaining the acceptance of Allah.
This Ramadan, Insha’Allah, you have another chance to prove that you are worthy of Jannah. The door is open today and soon it will close. Before that, work hard to attain some form of excellence in worship. Get out of your comfort zone and hit the road with calculated steps to offset mistakes, delays and distractions.
Discipline your life, control your desires and tame your soul. You can make an impressive U-turn for better, drop laziness and become an active worshipper. Laziness they say is resting when you have some work to do. There is a lot on your desk.
Legendary scholar, Imam Ibn Qayim said:
“Buy success for yourself today, for the market still exists and the price is affordable, and goods are low-priced and do not wait until the market and the goods are inaccessible, in which Allah says:
“That will be the Day of mutual loss and gain… (Qur’an 64:9)”
