Ramadhan Muslims

Should we be ‘Ramadhan Muslims’? The great month of Ramadhan is upon us; the month, during which the gates of mercy are wide open, the gates of hell are shut and the shayateen are chained up. It is a month chosen by Allah (Swt) as a month of fasting; an act of ibadat that Allah (Swt) made special to Him. He (Swt) favoured this month over all other months by making it the month of mercy and reverence for all the believers. This month is the most superior of months in which Allah (Swt) revealed the Qur'an. Also, in this month were revealed the scriptures of Ibrahim (as) and Musa (as), as well as the Zabuur and the Injeel.

as people of other religions treat their religious occasions, in a manner which only temporarily alters their actions. Why? It is no mystery as to why many Muslims have become like this. This part-time attitude to religion is enshrined in the society in which we live. In the view of the West which dominates the world today religion is meant to be a personal matter that is limited to a set of rituals and morals that should not play a part in the rest of our lives.

It is natural within this month for the Muslims to increase their good deeds in order to gain the vast reward of Ramadhan and get closer to Allah (Swt).This is something that has occurred throughout history and is a positive sign that the flame of Islam still burns brightly in the hearts of Muslims worldwide.

Many Muslims would openly declare their belief in Islam yet at the same time have adopted this corrupt notion that relegates Allah (Swt) and the Qur’an to one month in the year or only to personal worship. A Muslim who treats Ramadhan and Islam in this manner resembles the Christian who acts as he pleases and attends the church on Sunday or the Hindu who practises some rituals expecting to be forgiven.

All mature Muslims are obligated to fast within this month from dawn to sunset abstaining from food and drink. The hunger and thirst that is felt during the day is automatically connected in our minds to the reason as to why we are fasting, as a worship of Allah (Swt).

People who hold this notion will often feel very emotional during Ramadhan and will spend hours during prayer and supplication. Some even cover up the television seeing it as an evil. They often feel guilty for actions throughout the year such as their illicit relationships or interaction with the opposite sex, their backbiting, mortgage on their house, missing of salah, interest based loans, foul language or neglect of their parents or children. Going into a mode of submission during Ramadhan is an attempt to exonerate themselves and is a way to boost themselves with some 'spiritual energy'. The effect is temporary and after Ramadhan the actions and together with them the guilt returns.

Unfortunately, for some amongst us, instead of being a month of increasing ones good deeds on top of the obligations we consistently perform, we find today that for many it is a month of only temporary change. Unheard of in the early days of Islam, today we have the phenomenon of the 'Ramadhan Muslim' - one who is Muslim in name but only Muslim in action for one month in the year. The examples of such individuals are numerous, to the extent that it has become a norm amongst Muslims to find a contingent of 'Ramadhan Muslims' within them. These are Muslims who usually practise little of Islam but suddenly transform in this holy month into actively practising Muslims. They begin to perform their Salah, are careful of their speech, control their tempers, lower their gaze and increase their remembrance of Allah (Swt). On top of the obligatory actions, people even compete in the recommended ones such as tarawih salah and recitation of the Qur’an, such that the mosques are full at many times during the day.

The uneasiness and guilt is bound to remain with such people. As to believe on one hand that we have been created by our Lord, Allah (Swt) and that our clear purpose in life is to worship Him and on the other hand to completely disregard this belief in the rest of life would naturally leave an individual at unease. This is the true dilemma of the 'Ramadhan Muslim', a mixed, confused personality torn between Islam and the secular Western values. It is a personality lacking distinctiveness and direction.

Haram (prohibited) actions are also avoided by many during Ramadhan, the talk of which also suddenly becomes taboo. Young Muslim friends would even shun talking to each other about haram actions such as chasing after the opposite sex even though these are popular pastimes for the same people throughout the rest of the year.

We need to be true to ourselves and ask the following serious questions: Do we believe the Qur’an that was revealed in this month by the Creator of the universe is a book of guidance only for this month or partial aspects of our lives? Do we think that fasting in this month and then returning to the neglect of the Islamic duties will grant us forgiveness? Is this the basis by which we convince ourselves that it is fine to be distant from Islam for the rest of the year?

Examples of the 'Ramadhan Muslim' can be seen amongst both the youth and the elders alike. Some of the elders refrain from backbiting, and are much more controlled with their temper towards their children or spouses during Ramadhan. When Ramadhan ends on the day of Eid, it is unfortunately all too common to see all the good that was witnessed in the holy month to be rapidly reversed. The headscarves come off the women, the tempers flare, the mosques are again empty, the Qur’an is left on the shelf, the partying, tribal squabbles, and promiscuity restarts. This demonstrates clearly that Ramadhan has not truly been understood by many Muslims. It is sad to see Ramadhan treated

The True Meaning of Ramadhan Allah (Swt) says: "Ramadhan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance and as a criterion (al-Furqan)" [TMQ Al Baqarah: 185]

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We should realise that the deen has come to regulate the dunya. Allah (Swt) revealed the Qur’an within this blessed month so that it acts as al-Furqan, the criterion between right and wrong for all of our actions throughout the twelve months of the year.

we believe that fire burns. To achieve this belief we must apply the mind that Allah (Swt) has given us rather than just imitating others blindly without any comprehension. Ibn Abbas (ra) said, "The light of Iman is thinking".

Islam is different to Christianity, Judaism and all the other religions, for it is the true Deen, a complete way of life with detailed shari'ah rules and solutions to all of life's problems. Allah (Swt) has revealed to us not only how to fast, He (Swt) has also given us details for how to trade in a halal way avoiding riba (interest) and all haram contracts, how to live in the West without becoming integrated into the society and adopting its corrupt values, how to bring up and educate our children and guard them from the kufr culture that the society bombards them with, how the houses of Allah (Swt) - the mosques should be a centre for Islam that are open to the young and old rather than being places that turn people away. Allah (Swt) has revealed to us detailed rules for all issues just as He (Swt) revealed to us how to fast and perform the recommended acts during the month of Ramadhan.

Contemplating upon the dates which we break our fasts with and the hunger which we feel during our fast is enough to lead us to conclude that we are needy and dependent upon a creator. The entire universe and whatever it contains is proof enough for the existence of Allah (Swt) and smashes the myths of the theory of evolution or the 'big bang'. The Qur’an which we recite during this month is not a book like any other, written by men. It is a miracle proving beyond any doubt the truthfulness of Islam. Allah (Swt) challenges all humanity to produce even one chapter like it which mankind has failed to achieve. Even America with the billions of dollars it spends in fighting Islam, all it has to do is to produce one chapter (Surah) similar to the Qur’an for all the 1.5 billion Muslims to apostatise and leave Islam. It has failed, as will all those who attempt the impossible. For the challenge of the Qur’an has been set by Allah (Swt).

Ramadhan should be a month for us to increase our remembrance of Allah (Swt) rather than a month of temporary obedience to His (Swt) orders. Allah (Swt) says, "Oh you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many gain Taqwa." [TMQ Al Baqarah:183]

Possessing an unshakeable belief allows the Muslim to accept his position as the slave of Allah (Swt) and enables him to submit completely to all the commands and prohibitions, thus attaining taqwa.

Taqwa comes from the word 'waqiya', which means to protect. It is protection from the anger of Allah (Swt) and His (Swt) punishment. This is why taqwa is used to describe the performing of actions, which pleases Allah (Swt) and abstaining from all actions that displeases Him (Swt). Taqwa in essence means God consciousness, being conscious of Allah (Swt) in all our actions and affairs. Fasting should aid us in gaining taqwa, as it puts us in an atmosphere of obedience to Allah (Swt), every time we feel hunger during the fast or fatigue, we know that we are doing it for the obedience of Allah (Swt). It makes us realise our relationship with Allah (Swt).

It is linking the realisation of Allah's existence to our actions that shapes the Islamic personality. The Muslim does not consider his own benefit or pleasure as factors in deciding right or wrong, so he will fast the long day, wake up early in the morning for fajr salah, share his food with others, avoid temptations and indecency, avoid Haram and tirelessly engage in the da'wah to resume the Islamic way of life. This selflessness is what completely defies the Kuffar who are obsessed with following their lusts and personal desires. Allah (Swt) has allowed each and everyone of us to witness again the month of Ramadhan that we may benefit from it by drawing closer to Allah (Swt), by making sincere repentance, and seeking His mercy and forgiveness. For those of us who are 'Ramadhan Muslims' we must let this Ramadhan be a time of true change where we completely mould our personalities according to Islam so that we will remain steadfast for the whole of our lives. For those of us who are already practising Islam let it be a time where we redouble our efforts, attain the reward and strengthen our relationship with Allah (Swt). Indeed the one who fails to benefit from the month of Ramadhan is one of the losers, and deserves to be distanced by Allah (Swt).

The son of 'Ali (ra), Al-Hasan (ra) once said, "The people who have taqwa (al-muttaqoon) are the people who avoided whatever Allah (Swt) has prohibited and have done whatever Allah (Swt) has ordained." 'Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (ra) once said, "Taqwa is not by fasting the day and not by praying the night. And it is not by mixing between the two of them. But taqwa is leaving what Allah (Swt) has made haram and by doing what Allah (Swt) has made fard. After one has done this, Allah (Swt) will provide good things for that person."

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (saw), climbed upon the minbar and said: "Ameen, ameen, ameen". So it was said, "O Messenger of Allah (saw), you climbed upon the minbar and said, "Ameen, ameen, ameen"? So He (saw) said "Jibreel came to me and said, 'Whoever reaches the month of Ramadhan and does not have his sins forgiven and so enters the fire, then may Allah distance him, say ameen" So I said "Ameen" [Ibn Khuzaimah, Ahmad & al-Baihaqi].

Let us ensure that we take heed from the words of our master, Muhammad (saw) who said, "Whosoever does not stop saying and acting upon falsehood, Allah’s (Swt) in no need for them to abandon their food." [Bukhari] To achieve taqwa and avoid the label of the 'Ramadhan Muslim' we must have a solid foundation. We must base our belief on conviction, clearly comprehending the fact that Allah (Swt) is the Creator of the universe and linking that realisation to our actions. Our belief is unlike the belief of the Christians and other faiths which have no proof for them. The existence of Allah (Swt) and the definitiveness of the Qur’an are facts to us just as

Adapted from an article on: www.khilafah.com For further information contact: [email protected]

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