Ramadan Progressing Quickly

Alhamdu lillah, we have now reached the second of the three segments of the sacred month of Ramadan. Despite the unpredictable weather bringing about heat, cold, dryness, and dust, this holy season seems to be progressing swiftly. It is a time meant for purifying both the inner and outer aspects of our lives by imploring Allah (SWT) for His compassion and absolution for our shortcomings. We must ensure we do not squander the spiritual offerings that Ramadan presents. At this stage of our fasting journey, it is essential to reflect on whether we have truly demonstrated sincere remorse for our past misdeeds and unrighteous actions.

We should utilize all that Allah (SWT) has granted us, including good health, physical strength, and understanding of Islam, to fully embrace this exceptional month. This is our opportunity to rejuvenate our souls and strive for Allah's affection during this venerated period of worship, with the hope that, as we grow into His treasured servants, He (SWT) will count us among those recipients of His mercy, forgiveness, and pleasure throughout Ramadan.

Ramadan is a month wherein Allah extends forgiveness to every sincere Muslim seeking it; He offers mercy to all who request it and pardons those who hope for absolution. It is narrated by Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) indicated that the gates of hell remain shut during Ramadan, while the portals of paradise are flung open, allowing those who yearn for the latter to have their wishes fulfilled.

Let us earnestly seek Allah's forgiveness and genuinely repent from our wrongful deeds, promising ourselves that this repentance will be enduring. It should not be simply a temporary expression of regret that brings us back to our previous disobedience. Let us vanquish the devil by renouncing harmful behaviors. We must seize Allah’s endless mercy and forgiveness during this Ramadan to cleanse our thoughts and actions of all negativity, including envy, gossip, theft, cheating, betrayal, selfishness, greed, dishonesty, forgery, bribery, and all forms of corruption.

Muslims are encouraged to engage in a spiritual battle against the devil this Ramadan, making it the last time that this adversary will remain subdued, leaving him powerless to mislead us in our lives. Let this Ramadan be a time to establish a robust foundation of Taqwa (fear of Allah) in our hearts, providing no opportunity for the insidious whisperer to build his deceptive stronghold. This can be accomplished by making the holy Qur'an our constant companion, practicing glorification (tasbih) and remembrance (dhikr) of Allah (SWT) as our daily routine, and maintaining acknowledgment and appreciation of Allah’s mercy and favors as our guiding thoughts.

It was reported by Imam Malik (RA) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) said, "By the One in whose hand my soul is, the fragrance from the breath of a person who fasts is more precious with Allah than musk. He abandons his desires, food, and drink solely for My sake. Fasting is for Me and I reward it. Each good deed is rewarded tenfold up to seven hundred times, except fasting, which is exclusively for Me, and I shall reward it." Additionally, all six authentic hadith collectors relay from Abu Hurayrah (RA) that the Prophet (SAW) declared, 'Fasting serves as a shield for you. Therefore, when you fast, avoid behaving inappropriately or foolishly. If someone confronts you or insults you, respond, "I am fasting, I am fasting."

Satan is always displeased when a servant of Allah uses Ramadan productively. He exerts significant effort to lure believers into distractions that lead to excessive sleep, neglecting the daytime and nighttime hours. He tries to keep us engaged in pursuits that yield little benefit. Utilizing various tactics, Satan attempts to sway Muslims away from fully benefiting from the spiritual blessings of Ramadan, which comes just once a year. We must be resolute in resisting Satan's treachery if we aspire to be among those who gain boundless rewards during this holy month.

Let us ensure that this spiritual conflict marks the final occasion where the devil will remain vanquished, rendering him powerless to mislead us again throughout our lives. This Ramadan should be used to cultivate a deep-rooted sense of Taqwa (fear of Allah) within ourselves, providing no foothold for the devious whisperer. This can be realized through making the holy Qur'an an enduring presence in our lives, prioritizing the remembrance (dhikr) of Allah (SWT) in our daily actions, and maintaining an attitude of gratitude for Allah’s numerous blessings in our thoughts.

It has been reported by Imam Muslim via Abu Dharr (RA) that there is a reward in every tahmid (saying Alhamdu lillah), every takbir (saying Allahu Akbar), every tasbih (saying Subhana-llahi), and every tahlil (saying La ilaha ila llah). This is a period intended for purifying both our inner and outer lives by calling upon Allah (SWT) for His mercy and forgiveness for our transgressions.

As we seek Allah's immeasurable mercy, may He include us among those whose sins, whether great or small, are forgiven in the initial ten days of this blessed month of Ramadan, Amin. Ramadan Kareem!