Farewell Ramadan
| Khatib : | Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: | 123 |
| Khutbah Date: | 11/12/04 |
"And be not like the person who undoes the thread which had been spun, after it has become strong". [Qur'an 16:92]
We are about to bid farewell to the month of Ramadaan, the month of the Qur'an, the month of siyaam /fasting, the month of qiyaam /night prayers and the month of sadaqah /generosity; we are about to bid farewell to the month that hosts Layla-tul-Qadr /Night of Power, a sharun mubarak/ a blessed month. In the words of the Prophet (pbuh), he who denies himself the benefit of this month denies himself a tremendous amount of goodness .
What next?
This blessed month has almost passed with all its goodness, virtues and blessings. It is moving into the past with our deeds; deeds to be reckoned in the future, deeds that could serve as a witness either for us or against us. Let everyone of us open a page from the book of our individual muhaaasabah / self-examination and reflect as to what was achieved through this month. What benefits were derived, which behaviors were adjusted, what good practices have been adopted, which bad habits have been relinquished; and how did the prayers and fasting of Ramadaan influence my attitudes and perspectives, how did it affect my body, my heart my mind and my soul?
Pre-Ramadaan and Post-Ramadaan
Let us reflect on our conditions before Ramadaan and after Ramadaan? Are we bidding farewell to only Ramadaan or are we bidding farewell to all the good deeds we did in Ramadaan as well. Will we maintain the key practices of patience, humility, compassion, solidarity and generosity throughout the year? It is a manifestation of the sincerity of our faith to continue doing acts of obedience to Allah all year round, for the Lord Whom we fasted for and worshipped in Ramadan is the Lord of Shawwaal and of every month and every moment before and after. Let's get beyond the mere ritual to the heart of the matter, doing what is good sincerely and continuously. Ibn Al Qayyim al-Jawzi said, “There is indeed a distance between a righteous deed and the heart and there are in that distance a lot of impediments that prevent the deed from reaching the heart. Hence you see a man who has many deeds to his credit and yet nothing of that finds its way to his hearts.”
Ramadaan has filled our minds with blessings. It has awakened our conscience and purified our souls. He who has benefited from Ramadaan is the one whose condition after Ramadaan becomes better than it was before.
The eyes have shed tears during Ramadaan , so we should not let them become dry after it; mosques were filled during Ramadaan and the tongues were engaged in remembrance of Allah, praising Him and invoking Him, so let this continue after Ramadaan ; you have been imbibed desirable manners such as humility and forgiveness during Ramadaan , do not then spoil that away with arrogance, ostentation and harshness; you have become generous during Ramadaan , do not then withhold your generosity after Ramadaan .
By doing this, you can also gain immense rewards; Allaah says that which translates to: “He wants for you to complete the period and to magnify Allaah for that (to) which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” [Q 2: 185].
Perpetuate The Spirit of Ramadaan
We have developed something positive attitude in Ramadaan, let's continue that trend. Allah says, “And be not like the person who undoes the thread which had been spun, after it has become strong.” [Qur'an 16:92] Remember that the test of Ramadaan is not in Ramadaan as much as it is in keeping up the positive spirit and noble practices of Ramadaan throughout the year. So, as Ramadaan moves on, we need to perpetuate the positive spirit we have imbibed and continue on the spiritual journey towards fulfillment and excellence, towards being the best we can be, towards taqwa /righteousness.
So, as Ramadaan moves on, we need to perpetuate the positive spirit we have imbibed and continue on the spiritual journey towards fulfillment and excellence. It is a manifestation of the sincerity of our faith to continue doing acts of obedience to Allah all year round, for the Lord whom we fasted for and worshipped in Ramadan is the Lord of Shawwaal and of every moment before and after.
Zakaat-ul-Fitr
Allah has prescribed for you at the end of Ramadaan a great deed with which you can make amends for your deficiencies within that month
Therefore, Allaah also prescribed the Zakaatul-Fitr [end of Ramadaan alms-giving] for you as a sign of gratitude to Him for facilitating fasting and night prayers for you, to purify you from any obscenity you may have uttered and as a feeding for the poor and the needy in order to promote the brotherhood and unity among the Muslims. It is to be given by every affording Muslim, be they young, old, male or female. It is also rewardable if it is given on behalf of the unborn foetus.
‘Eid
While we are in joy and festivities of 'Eid, let us remember some of our brethren who are spending their Eid, in wars and continuous persecutions in the blessed land of Palestine which is the first Qiblah and place of the Prophet's Israa' . Remember the orphan, the widow, lonely women and the destitute. Let the feeling of brotherhood arise in your hearts and obey your Lord in these days and beware of making them days of heedlessness, pastimes engaging in sins and excessive indulgence in lawful things. Let these days be an opportunity to make self-examination, purification of the souls and cleansing them from grudges; and a time for good deeds and being kind to the kin and thin and fostering love among Muslims.
Muslim's Eid is an occasion for eliminating rancor and hatred; for overpowering satanic feelings and sentiments and for conquering those sentiments that have divided the Muslim nation and damage their brotherhood. Let us make a real turning point in our relationship with our relatives, neighbors and brethren. Let us transcend mere outward appearance and rituals in our Eid so that it can be a prosperous one for all. Allaah says, “Worship Allah and join none with Him (in worship); and do good to parents, kinsfolk, orphans, the poor, the neighbor who is near of kin, the neighbor who is a stranger, the companion by your side, the wayfarer (you meet), and those slaves whom your right hands possess
Next Ramadaan?
None of us know whether we will live to witness next Ramadaan.
It is thus recommended to glorify Allah from the sunset of the day prior to the Eid day and day the Eid prayer is performed. Allah says, “That you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say: Allahu Akbar; Allah is the Most Great] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.” (Al-Baqarah: 185).
O Ummah of Muhammad! We are a community known by our outstanding history of glory and strength. We must desert the degradation and humiliation which has now become our lot and assume our divine role by liberating the oppressed from error, misery, materialism and anarchy to the truth, justice and peace. In fact this is our duty, for this is from our obligation toward the correct faith, truth and piety. It is our duty to nurture the youth with creative activism and lay down a strategy for elevating Islamic propagation and protecting the Muslim communities from the scourge of petty disagreements, - which have plagued us for ages.
Know that, among the signs of the acceptance of a good deed is to continue and be steadfast in performing that deed and be cognizant of the fact that next Ramadaan may or may not come; even if it, does we may or may not be around.