Ramadan: The greatest opportunity

01/08/2010| IslamWeb

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of this worldly life and the severe struggle that people are going through to acquire its treasures, man still realises that he is desperately in need of a sanctuary in which he can seek refuge and under whose shade he can unwind in order to be able to refresh himself and strengthen his determination to move forward in his journey to success.

Strength is an indispensable provision for a Muslim because it helps him to attain the truth and establish it, helps him to gain authority on the earth, assists him to be victorious and subsequently leads him to the love of Allah and His pleasure. That was why the Messenger of Allah said: “The strong believer is better and more beloved to Allah than the weak believer, but there is good in both.” Therefore, all reasonable people will agree that one must seek for and exploit all means that can lead to the pleasure of Allah and His favours.

 

It is a manifestation of Allah’s bountiful blessings on His slaves that He provides a lifetime of opportunities for them by which they can attain this aim. Fasting and the blessed month of Ramadan are at the forefront of these opportunities.

 

Ramadan is a wide and expansive avenue for developing one’s strength in all areas; abstention from food, drink and marital-relations during the day, being patient on that, waking up in the night for prayers and remaining steadfast on these are some of the apparent means of strengthening one’s will. This is in fact an immense opportunity and could be a turning point which is an object of craving for the people who have vision; those who humble themselves before their Lord and seek the way of approach to Him. It is a transformation towards a better way of life; a change from the ignominy of sins to the glory of obedience; from weakness and laziness to strength and vigour; from bad customs and detestable habits to righteousness and upright conduct.

 

Fasting contains elements of strength, resoluteness and strong will that are indispensable tools for one who wants to attain high degrees and prosperity in this world and the Hereafter. Allah Says what means: “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may become righteous.” [Quran 2: 183]

 

The days of this blessed month rapidly move to an end. Therefore, let those who have been negligent hasten to recover what has been missed of good deeds. Let them work in these days for their future, for the doomed is the one who is deprived of the Mercy of Allah in this month. 

 

Fear Allah and beware of wasting your life away in useless matters. Make use of your time by doing positive things, for it is by doing so that you can achieve the pleasure of Allah.