Let the Lessons of Ramadaan Not be in Vain
| Khatib : |
Sadullah Khan |
| Khutbah No: |
215 |
| Khutbah Date: |
11/03/06 |
[b]وَإِذَا مَسَّ الإِنسَانَ الضُّرُّ دَعَانَا لِجَنبِهِ أَوْ قَاعِدًا أَوْ قَآئِمًا [/b][b]فَلَمَّا كَشَفْنَا عَنْهُ ضُرَّهُ مَرَّ كَأَن لَّمْ يَدْعُنَا إِلَى ضُرٍّ مَّسَّهُ[/b][b]كَذَلِكَ زُيِّنَ لِلْمُسْرِفِينَ مَا كَانُواْ يَعْمَلُونَ [/b][i]When trouble touches a person, he cries unto Us (in all postures)- lying down on his side, or sitting, or standing. But when We have solved his trouble, he behaves as if he had never cried to Us for a trouble that touched him! In this way does the deeds of transgressors seem fair in their own eyes! [/i][b][Qur’an 10:12] [/b]Having bid farewell to Ramadaan a few days ago, it seems almost a distant memory. The challenge is for us to maintain the spirit of Ramadaan; which we celebrtated on Eid-ul-Fitr through Shawwaal into the next ‘Eid (al-Adha) and beyond. The problem is that ghaflah and israaf sets in, we tend to become heedless of our responsibilities and return to the excesses that are so damaging to our lives; we often end up forgetting our purpose and indulging in behavior that is the very antithesis of Islam and the spirit of Ramadaan.
Do NOT Waste Your ValuablesWe have been advised by Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) …[i]“Value five things before five; Value youth before old age, Health before sickness, Free time before being occupied, Wealth before poverty, and Life before death.” .[/i]How we value and appreciate what we have greatly determines what we become and who we are.[list][*]
Knowledge ~ The seeking of knowledge is obligatory; said our Prophet, but knowledge needs to empower and there is no empowerment unless the info we are imbibing is true ; and there is no effect of the truth unless it is implemented. [/*][*]
Actions ~ imaan & ‘amal are inseparably intertwined in Islam; but action must not only be good, it must also be done for the right reason in the right way at the right time. [/*][*]
Material possessions ~ In the Qur'an, wealth in itself is not considered demonic or evil. In fact it is often referred to as khayr (goodness), fadlillah (bounty and blessing of Allah) [Qur'an 2:180; 62: 10] and at times as fitnah (trial) [Q8:28]. We are therefore instructed not be greedy, neither stingy, nor extravagant; to realize that this world and all it contains is but temporary. [/*][*]Hearts ~ In the Qur’an, the heart signifies … the symbol of the spiritual dimension of the physical self, the axis between the physical and the metaphysical realms of a person, the confluence of the spiritual intellect (seat of discrimination) and the physical perceptions (the seat of cognition and emotions). A heart devoid of love, of compassion, of forviness and of sincerity is a dead heart.) [/*][*]
Bodies ~ To live wholesome and fulfilling lives, it is essential to tend to our personal infrastructure: the body, the mind, the heart and the soul. This is a trust/amaanah from Allah, for surely, the hearing, the sight and the heart of each will be held accountable" [Qur'an 17:36] Health is such a major issue in Islam that even Allah refers to His revelation as شفاء Shifaa’ / the healing [Q 10.57] Allah warns us that the good that happens to you is from God, the bad that happens to you is from your own actions. [Q4:79] [/*][*]
Our Time ~ We must realize that time is the measure of life, time is a trust/amaanah, time is a gift from the Creator and its proper use will determine our outcome for eternity. Each one must realize that every moment that passes by is an opportunity gone, used or abused; never to return. Soon time will be up and we'll have to leave this physical world (Q 3:185).Avoid delaying that which needs to be done. Responsibility, willingness and determination to do something yourself are essential elements in overcoming procrastination. Remember ... The pertinent question of tomorrow is what have I done with my yesterdays?
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَلْتَنظُرْ نَفْسٌ مَّا قَدَّمَتْ لِغَدٍ [Q 59:18]. [/*][/list]
"O Allah, make life a means for every dimension of increased goodness." [Prayer of Prophet Muh ammad(pbuh)]
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