Farewell, O Ramadaan
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 251 |
| Khutbah Date: | 10/12/07 |
We entered the month of Ramadaan with great anticipation, enthusiasm, goodwill and a spirit of generosity. On this last day of this special month; this month of heightened Allah-consciousness, this month of moral elevation and spiritual rejuvenation; with what are we leaving the month?
Commitment to Resolutions
In contemplating a response to that question, let us commit ourselves to the following practical resolutions…
- Have the guts to do a thorough self-analysis / muhaasabah and the determination to build on our strengths and overcome our weaknesses.
Remember how the Prophet (pbuh) empowered himself with acknowledgements of his limitation and the expression of his dedication (
~ negotiating with uncle Abu Talib, ~ Ta’if (prayer he made) ~ Batttle of Badr and Allah’s reassuring response [See Q 2:249 prayer of
Prophet Dawood/David (pbuh) in battle against Goliath/Jalut]
- Rise beyond the rituals of faith to the practical implementation of faith. Though every ceremonial aspect is performed, no real lasting transformation takes place. It seems that the critical connection between our life and ever-increasing Taqwa rarely is made. Often a gap remains even in the life of those who sincerely and meticulously perform the ritualistic aspects of Ramadan, but forget that piety comes not merely from a ritual-oriented life, but a value-based, action-oriented life.
We increase the reading of the Qur’an but forget that beyond the barakah of reading there is the greater objective of learning and understanding that should lead to implementation of the teachings of the Quran in the full spectrum of our lives. Only then would we understand and be better motivated to pursue taqwa beyond Ramadaan.
- Pursue Righteousness, avoid self-righteousness
As we implore Allah to bless us with the insight of our own strengths and weaknesses. Unless we practice ه muhaasabah/ critical self evaluation, we will not be able to improve ourselves and rectify our faults. It would be wise to heed the advice of sages, “Seek your identity through faith, your honor through humility, your dignity through propriety, and your forgiveness from Allah through forgiving others.” Islam promotes birr [Q 2:177, 3:92] in all its dimensions and ‘ujb in all its dimensions. . Imam Muhammad Baqir said; سد العجب بمعرفة النفس
“Block the way of ‘ujb through ma’rifah (gnosis) of the self.”
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) warned usه it is sufficient proof of a person's unculturedness that he exalts in the perception of his own importance. We are reminded"Do not ascribe righteousness to your self, Allah alone knows best who is truly pious.” [Qur'an 53:32] “Allah certainly loves not the vainglorious nor the arrogant.” [Qur’an 4:36]
‘Ujb or self-righteousness applies to both good and bad actions. A virtuous person may become conceited about his good deeds, just as, a doer of wicked deeds may feel proud of himself and his conduct.
- Appreciate the value of people and things that are important in your life. Let all goodness begins in the inner circle of the home, in the family; then the larger believing community, then the global family. Keep minor issues minor; (don’t sweat the small stuff), wheteher it be personal, social, religious…
- Love whom you love more than you despise those you hate. Make greater investment; emotional, financial, time …in that which really matters.
Farewell to exactly what?
We say al-wida ya ramadaan, ya shahr as-siyami wal qiyami wal furqaan / “Farewell, O month of Ramadaan; the month of fasting, the month of night prayers and the month of the Qur’an.)”. Please let us NOT be saying goodbye to prayer, to the Qur’an, to patient perseverance, to generosity and to the pursuance of pity. Let us rather prepare ourselves to face the coming year with the fresh spirit of Ramadaan and meet all challenges with the moral strength that we have attained in this month.