Ramadan is here: Where are you?

All praise is due to Allah and may His choicest salutations descend upon our Master and Leader Muhammad Sallallahu 'alayhi wasallam.

“To him who desires a harvest in the life to come, We shall grant an increase in his harvest; whereas to him who desires a harvest in this world, We (may) give something thereof but he will have no share in the life to come. (Qur’ân 42:20).

This world is no more than the planting field of the Hereafter. Ramadan is a time for tilling the land. Those who toil, plant seeds of virtue, irrigate their lands with tears of repentance and draw out the weeds of transgression and passion by fasting... those who draw the clouds of mercy through tilawah and dhikr will eventually yield the harvest of Jannah and save themselves from the scorching and parched terrain of Jahannam. You will reap as you sow! It is time to toil in earnest, it is time to cultivate taqwa and make our hearts fertile and receptive to the commands of Allah.

Ramadan offers us an opportunity to draw from the unlimited treasures of Allah. It is a month of receiving for those who are prepared to take.

· Fasting: Cultivates taqwa

· Tarawîh: Irrigates the heart

· Tilawah and dhikr: Sow the seeds of virtue

· Frequenting the Masjid: Draws the rains of Allah’s mercy

· Du’â: Ensures the protection of our harvest

“Allah prepares and decorates a special garden in Jannah everyday (of Ramadan) and says to it: ‘The time is near when my faithful servants cast aside the great trials (of the world) and come to you...’”

RAMADAN IS HERE: WHERE ARE YOU?
Our fast must go beyond abstention of food and drink. The eyes, ears, tongue and heart must also consciously be made to fast. The minimum requirement of Ramadan is to stay away from all that is forbidden and to fulfill all that is fardh. The spirit of Ramadan however requires that we fulfil every nafl [optional] act with the conviction that it will open the door to the love and recognition of Allah. Allah runs to those who walk towards Him and He embraces those who stretch their hands to Him. If we continue to be heedless and continue committing sin even while the devil is chained, it displays the extent to which we have become the disciples of shaytan. Ramadan is a time for introspection. A time to look within and re-evaluate our faith and commitment. “During every day and night of Ramadan, Allah sets free a great number of souls from Jahannam. Certainly every Muslim’s du’âs are accepted during the nights and days of Ramadan.”

RAMADAN IS HERE: WHERE ARE YOU?
Ramadan is also a time for generosity, compassion and charity— not only in terms of wealth but also in terms of our character. Lend a helping hand, use your skills to benefit the needy, and forgive those who may have hurt you, if you hope to enjoy Allah’s help and forgiveness. Allah’s mercy rains upon those who are merciful to others. Allah’s forgiveness pours upon those who forgive others. “Whoever feeds the hungry, clothes the naked and grants shelter to the traveller, Allâh shall save him from the terrors of Qiyâmah.”

RAMADAN IS HERE: WHERE ARE YOU?
Ramadan is an exercise in sabr. Sabr at the time of temptation; sabr in fulfilling the commands of Allah; and sabr in trying and testing circumstances. Sabr breeds yaqîn [conviction in Allah]. It entrenches our belief in taqdîr and infuses humility into our character. If we become heedless, lethargic and intolerant it will be a sign that we have lost sabr. “This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah.”

RAMADAN IS HERE: WHERE ARE YOU?
“This is the month the first part of which brings Allah’s mercy, the middle of which brings His forgiveness and last of which brings freedom from the fire of Jahannam.” The doors of Jannah are open while the doors of Jahannam are shut. Allah’s mercy abounds. He calls out every day and night. “Is there anyone begging of Me so that I may grant him his heart’s desire?”

RAMADAN IS HERE: WHERE ARE YOU? MAKE HASTE BEFORE THE REFRAIN CHANGES TO:
RAMADAN WAS HERE: WHERE WERE YOU?