“All of the actions of the son of Adam are for him except the fast for that is for me and I will reward it. Fasting is protecting sheild, so when it is the day when one of you are fasting, let him not behave or speak indecently; if someone tries to abuse him or fight him, let him say, ‘I am fasting’. By the one in whose hand is the soul of Muhammad, the smell emanating from the mouth of the one fasting is better with Allah then the smell of musk. The one fasting has two time of joy, when he breaks his fast he is happy and when he meets his lord he will rejoice at his fasting.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
This is a hadith which surely makes the heart quiver, a hadith which enlightens one to the amazing relationship Allah has with his servants, and if the servant wishes, what he has with Allah. We have now been fasting for nearly one third of this blessed month, and what that means is that we have now lost one third of this blessed month and thus the opportunity for expiation it provides. I am writing here in between iftaar and Tarwea as a reminder to all of the neccisty to make the most of this month. Many of us know the value, but often put things off. We put off giving charity, we put off making dua, reading Quran or any of the great ibaadat we have the intention of doing. Maybe we think we will see the last ten days and are seeking to do many righteous deeds then, but I just wanted to say, lets not put it off. The simple reason, we may not see them days, and moreover if we see them, we maybe unable to do what we intended.
I returned home from Egypt this week, with great vigour; a great desire to fast strongly, read many Qurans and truly enjoy my tarawea, but unfortuntaly, this hasn’t happened. I came home and within a few hours, fell sick. I have had a headache for five days, am lethargic and have a sneezing frenzy at random intervals, and you don’t know how much I wish I could just have the opportunity to be able to live this month with health, to be able to pick up a mus’haf and recite the words of Ar Rahman for more than a minute before my eyes go blurry….
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There are two blessings which many people do not make the most of and thus lose out: good health and free time.” Narrated by Al-Bukhaari, 6412.
And this is something we are all guilty of, but we don’t have to be. I am just wishing to remind you all, Ramadan is short, it maybe your last, so please take the time to enjoy it. If your reading this blog, maybe make it the last thing you read on the net, maybe you can go now make wudu, read the Quran or pray some units of pray with sincerity seeking with face of Allah. Moreover maybe take the opportunity to remind your fellow Muslims of the reality and enormity of Ramadaan. Furthermore, if you are able, call those who are far from Islam, back to it. This is a month of mercy, and this is a month where those who have left Ahl Sunnah, will find it easiest to return to it.
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’aan, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Sawm (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Sawm (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allaah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.”[Al-Baqarah 2:185]
