The one who ponders upon the essence of this life, will realize that its pleasure is nothing but a test and that it is continuous suffering and grief. People are always wondering what will happen to them next and thus live a life of uncertainty.
The one who becomes inclined towards it will continually feel insecure and it will result in his humiliation … it will betray anyone who places his trust in it … it will forsake anyone who relies upon it … it will turn down anyone who seeks its support … it will sadden anyone who rejoices for possessing it.
The one who is heedless will lose his time in vain, and will regret it later on. What is more sorrowful than one whose own life becomes a witness against him? What could be worse than the one whose days have recorded in them deeds that would lead to his misery and punishment?
Do we ever think about death and its agonies? How severe are its sufferings? How scary is the moment of the departure of the soul? It was said that death is more difficult than being hit with the sword, being sliced by a saw and being cut into pieces by metal clippers.
O you deceived with this life!
Remember death and its bitterness … death does not fear anyone … death does not skip anyone … it does not feel merciful towards the one whose time has come. Allaah Says (what means): “Every soul will taste death”[Quran 3 185].
Remember that there is no difference between young and old, eminent and humble or rich and poor.
Remember that all people will lie in a whole of dust … their company are worms … they will all be questioned by the two angels Munkar and Nakeer.
Remember that all people will have the grave as the transit place in their journey towards the Hereafter to the final destination of Hell or Paradise.
Remember that the one who realizes these facts should have nothing else busying his mind and occupying his thinking except how he should prepare for this moment and how to attain the provisions to take on this journey.
Remember the darkness of the grave … Remember the narrowness of the grave … Remember the lonesomeness of the grave.
Remember that this narrow dark place will contain the ruins of all the dead, whether kings or slaves … it is either a sample of Paradise or a pit of Fire.
How strange is the case of the disobedient people who realize that they are heading towards their graves yet remain heedless?
No one will be of any help … no companion … no wife … no children … no friends … no relatives. The only companion is ones deeds.
Imagine yourself three days after your death in your grave … you will be left lying in dust without any of your beloved ones around, and nothing can be of any assistance except your good deeds … what would you find awaiting you? Send them forth so that you can find them then, when you need them the most.
Remember the time when the trumpet will be blown.
Remember the time of resurrection.
Remember the time when everyone’s record of deeds will be exposed.
Remember the time when you stand in front of Allaah for account; when He will ask you about every minor and major act.
Remember the time when the precise measuring scale will weigh your deeds.
Remember the time when you will have to pass over the Siraat (i.e. the bridge over Hellfire).
Remember that on that day, the outcome will be either Hell or Paradise … so you chose for yourself.
Imagine yourself being resurrected astonished with the terrifying scene … people all around you terrified … they stand with humility and fear awaiting to find out their destiny … standing for a long day; a day as long as fifty thousand years … they will be suffering the heat of the sun that will be commanded to draw closer to people … everyone around you naked … how will your situation be?
Allaah Says (what means): “On the Day We will gather the righteous to the Most Merciful as a delegation. And will drive the criminals to Hell in thirst” [Quran 19: 85-86].
At that time, all that was from the knowledge of the unseen and unknown will become reality, and people will be in two groups, those destined to Paradise, and those destined to Hell.
Did you ever sit alone and reproach yourself for what you have said and done? Did you ever try to count your sins and shortcomings? Did you ever reflect on the way you perform your acts of worship to see how much of it is mixed with showing off? How can you feel at ease whilst your road to the Hereafter is surrounded with danger? How will your situation be when you are brought forth to meet Allaah with all these sins and shortcomings?
Allaah Says (what means): “O you who have believed, fear Allaah. And let every soul look to what it has put forth for tomorrow — and fear Allaah. Indeed, Allaah is Acquainted with what you do.” [Quran 59: 18]
Abu Barzah may Allaah be pleased with him reported that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ), said: “Man's feet will not move on the Day of Resurrection before he is asked about his life, how did he consume it, his knowledge, what did he do with it, his wealth, how did he earn it and how did he dispose of it, and about his body, how did he wear it out.” [At-Tirmithi].
‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him said: “Call yourself to account, before you are called to account; weigh your deeds before it gets weighed for you; and prepare yourselves for the great exhibition.”
Invest in your health before you become ill … Invest in your free time before you become busy … Invest in your wealth before you become poor … Invest in your life before you die … live in this life as if a stranger who is passing by a town … when you wake up in the morning do not expect to live until the evening … if you live until the evening do not expect to wake up in the morning.
This great month of Ramadhaan is approaching you after a long wait; it came bringing all kinds of good and glad tidings; during it mercy descends and sins are forgiven and pardon is granted; the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of the Hellfire are sealed and the devils are chained … so will you utilize this opportunity and take advantage of this great chance?
Take advantage of this month to hold yourself to account and practice self reproach … it is the right time for one to rectify the ruined relation with his Lord and open a new page in his life … it is a good chance to return to Allaah and rush towards Him.
You must sit with yourself in seclusion every once in a while and reproach yourself and hold yourself to account … Start with the obligatory matters and make up the shortage in them … Refrain from any sin you are committing, like severing ties with kinfolk, lying, backbiting, gazing at things that are forbidden, and so forth … Sincerely repent from all the sins you have committed, and express your regret to your Lord and supplicate for His forgiveness and weep … Rush to performing good deeds to make up for what you have missed out on.
Before doing anything hold yourself to account as to why do you want to do it and what do you intend? For whose sake will you do it? How will you do it and will it be in accordance to the way of the Prophet, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) or not? What will you benefit from doing it?
When one asks himself these questions, he will always be alert and controlling himself … this is the only way towards winning the eternal happiness and success, as Allaah Says (what means): “And whoever obeys Allaah and His Messenger and fears Allaah and is conscious of Him — it is those who are the Successful.”[Quran 24: 52]
1. The piety and humility of the Salaf
When Ramadaan came to a close, the rightly guided predecessors (As-Salaf As-Saalih) used to frequently seek forgiveness, repent to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – and fear that their (deeds) would not be accepted. They used to exert themselves (in worship) in Ramadaan and outside of Ramadaan, afterwards they would be fearful that none of this will be accepted.
2. How the Salaf behaved when Ramadaan was approaching and when it left
They used to seek the forgiveness of Allaah and repent. So much so that it was reported that they would supplicate to Allaah for six months that He would allow them to reach Ramadaan. If He allowed them to reach Ramadaan, they would fast, pray at night and supplicate for the next six months that He accepts the month of Ramadaan from them.
3. Signs that Ramadaan has been accepted
Following good deeds with good is a sign that (an act) has been accepted, whether it is pertaining to Ramadaan or other than it. If the Muslim is in a good state after Ramadaan, performing many good deeds and righteous actions, then this is a proof of acceptance.
4. Signs that Ramadaan hasn’t been accepted
If the opposite is true, and he follows good with evil, and as soon as Ramadaan is over he follows on from this with sins, heedlessness and turning away from the obedience of Allaah, then this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted.
Every person knows their true situation after Ramadaan. So let them look, if they are in a better state, then let them thank Allaah, as this shows (that it has been) accepted.
If their state is worse, then let them repent to Allaah and seek the forgiveness of Allaah, as this is a proof that it hasn’t been accepted and it is a proof of negligence and carelessness.
5. Do not despair of the Mercy of Allaah
But the slave should not lose hope of the mercy of Allaah. He should not close the door that is between him and Allaah and despair of the mercy of Allaah.
“Say: O my slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins). Do not despair of the Mercy of Allaah: verily Allaah forgives all sins. He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Az-Zumar: 53)
It is upon him to repent, seek the forgiveness of Allaah and return to Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic.
Allaah – The Mighty and Majestic – accepts repentance from those that repent.
“And He it is Who accepts repentance from His slaves, and forgives sins, and He knows what you do.” (Ash-Shura:25)
The month of Ramadan provides us with a blessed chance to reap blessings and rewards. That is not all. It is also an excellent opportunity for us to strengthen and purify our character. The general spirit of Ramadan encourages us to live more wholesomely and better ourselves.
The Prophet (peace be upon him) tells us: “When the month of Ramadan arrives, the gates of Heaven are opened, the gates of hell are locked, and the devils are chained.” [Sahîh Muslim (1079) and Sunan al-Tirmidhî (682)]
The reduced temptation to do wrong afforded to us by fasting and by the general atmosphere of Ramadan gives us a chance to show Allah our best potential. We should do what we can to maximize this potential.
Renew Your Relationship With the Qur’ân
To get ourselves in the proper frame of mind – and earn Allah’s blessings as well – we should devote more of our time to the Qur’ân.
We should not only read it every day, but it is really important to reflect on what it is telling us, to ponder the lessons we can learn to improve our lives. The more we dwell upon the Qur’ân and its teachings, the better it will be for us, since Allah is speaking to us directly. The Qur’ân is a balm for our hearts, a restraint on our passions, and a cure for our doubts and misgivings.
Therefore, we need to read the Qur’ân with sincerity and concentration. We need to seriously meditate on its meanings. How sad it is for a person who does not benefit from his or her reading of the Qur’ân.
Allah says: “These are the communications of Allah which We recite to you with truth. In what speech will they possibly, believe if not in Allah and His communications?” [Sûrah al-Jâthiyah: 6]
Allah also says: “Do they see nothing in the dominion of the heavens and the Earth and all that Allah has created? (Do they not see) that it may well be that their terms are nigh drawing to an end? In what message after this will they then believe?” [Sûrah al-A`râf: 185]
The importance of reading the Qur’ân during this month is made all the clearer to us by the fact that the angel Gabriel used to review the Qur’ân in full with the Prophet (peace be upon him) every Ramadan. [Sahîh al-Bukharî (4998)]
Avoid Useless Behavior
During this month, we should be ever-vigilant to avoid behavior that can nullify or reduce the rewards and benefits of fasting. We should, for one thing, shun excess. This includes excess in food and drink. It also includes gossip and unnecessary speech.
We should also seek to minimize other unnecessary distractions, even when it comes to the company that we keep. This is why making a retreat to the mosques is especially recommended in the month of Ramadan. While we are in retreat (i`tikâf) we free ourselves from the worries and preoccupations of our daily lives.
Be Generous
Another way to develop ourselves in Ramadan is to cultivate our generosity in this month and overcome our selfish tendencies. In other words, we should increase our charity.
Ibn `Abbâs tells us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous of all people, but he was no more generous than he was in Ramadan. [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1902) and Sahîh Muslim (2308)]
Be Well-Mannered and Patient
Cultivating good manners should another priority of ours. Good manners are the best companions that fasting person can have. Alas, too many people become estranged of their good manners when they are hungry. They become quick to anger and lash out at others with their otherwise un-preoccupied tongues.
Such behavior compromises the very purpose of the fast. Fasting is supposed to inculcate patience. Indeed, fasting is sometimes referred to as “patience”.
Allah says: “Seek Allah’s help in patience and prayer.” [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 45]
Some commentators on this verse interpret “patience” here to mean “fasting” so the verse is telling us to seek help in fasting and prayer.
Likewise, Ramadan is described as the “Month of Patience” – and we know that the reward for patience is none other than Paradise. Allah says: “O my servants who believe! Fear your Lord. Good is (the reward) for those who do good in this world. Spacious is Allah’s earth. Only those who are patient will receive their reward without measure.” [Sûrah al-Zumar: 10]
With patience, we can cope with our lives throughout the year. Without this noble quality, our lives will be frustrating and bitter. The month of Ramadan is the time to develop this most essential quality.
May Allah grant us success.
