By Abdullahi Jamaa
It was said that if a window of opportunity appears, don’t pull down the shade. Yes the Masaajids are closed, no Taraweeh prayers and there will be no study circles (Halaqas). It means a lot missing an inspiring environment for worship but all is not lost.
Ramadan remains the most beloved deed to Allah. Fasting is an embodiment of true loyalty because it is one-on-one affair between the Almighty and his honourable believer. The record of the fasting believer is checked and recorded directly in the celestial tablets- No angelic intervention.
Fasting is a secret pact between our Lord and us. One can do all manner of things and hide from people but know that nothing escapes the radar of Allah. That is why a believer must strive to make the best efforts.
This Ramadan will be a turning point in our life as Muslims. Under the lockdown and in our homes, true servants will be born. We have no opportunity to hide among the masses within the Masaajids anymore. Ibadah will be an in-house affair.
Ramadan this time will offer the most wonderful experience of spiritual veneration that we can ever have in our entire life. Thirty days of a secret worship between a servant and his Lord is a true game changer. This is an opportune time to come out with the highest score of piety.
Get this right….
Performing an action secretly is an indication of sincerity. Imagine praying Taraweeh secretly for thirty nights, reciting the magnificent Quran in your bedroom and waking up at night for Tahajud without having to follow the masses; absolutely no chances of Riyaa – the destroyer of good deeds.
The messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) have cautioned us against Riyaa (doing Ibadah for show off) for it destroys good deeds the same way water consumes fire. During this contemporary era, Riyaa remains the most hidden evil even amongst the most careful believers.
A person once asked a righteous man, “Who is a sincere person?” He replied, “The sincere person is the one who conceals his good actions just as he conceals his evil actions.” When it was asked what the pinnacle of sincerity was, he replied, “When you detest to be praised by people.”
We always have an insatiable appetite of performing good actions with eagerness when in the public’s eye while we remain negligent in privacy. In public environment we increase our efforts in doing actions that attract praise instead of upholding sincerity.
Our actions must come from a point of realization that the inspiration to do a good action is from Allah (this prevents pride and boastfulness), doing every action for Allah’s pleasure and seeking recompense for every action from Allah only.
This Ramadan gives us a perfect opportunity of building Ikhlaas (sincerity). It is not about tiring yourself a lot with plenty of deeds but engaging in deeds that truly emanate from a clean and sincere heart.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Goodness and comfort are for him who worships his Lord in a perfect manner and serves his master sincerely.” (Abu-hureyrah: Bukhari)
Our homes will be our fort this time round. The Masaajids are closed but Ramadan’s golden chances are always the same whether in lockdown or in freedom. Safeguarding an action is more difficult than performing it, let’s safeguard our Ramadan with sincerity.
Ramadan Mubarak!
The book MY RAMADAN, is available in soft copy at sh. 700. Make your order via email: jamaa.abdullahi@gmail.com
