As Ramadan closes
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- Category: Philosofaith
- Written by M. U. Ndagi
- Hits: 952
The column begins this week with an apology to readers for failing to feature in last week’s edition of this newspaper. The column was actually written but a technical problem occurred in the course of production, which according to the editor affected not only this column but others as well. The piece essentially focused on the virtues of “A Night of thousand months” (lailat ul-Qadr). As believers in destiny (good or bad), we take that hitch in good faith.
By Allah’s special grace and infinite mercy, we are at the tail end of this year’s Ramadan due to terminate insha Allah at sunset today or tomorrow. Inspite of the rigorous religious activities especially in the last nine or ten days which have kept Muslims busy, many are already missing the blessed month of Ramadan because of the spiritual virtues it avails them. Those in i’tikaf (religious seclusion) are about coming out of it. Ramadan, with all its immeasurable but memorable spiritual opportunities through which believers access Allah’s forgiveness and mercy; is actually bidding us farewell. Allah (SWT) alone knows those who would be around by next year to observe the Ramadan fast.
Ramadan is one of such religious duties over which many may have a cause to regret on the Day of Judgment. This reminds me of a story recently sent to my e-mail box by one of the regular readers of this column, which I intend to narrate here. It’s a story of a group of people traveling at night through a rocky path. A voice declared to them from above that whosoever picks up pebbles on the way shall regret and whosoever refuses to pick pebbles on the way shall also regret his actions. The travelers on hearing this became confused. They could not understand how a person would be faced with “two evils”, so to speak, with neither of the two being less in effect than the other. However, they continued with their journey with some of them reluctantly picking pebbles while others, out of confusion or perhaps lack of guidance, refused to pick any pebbles on the way.
When the travelers reached their destination in the morning, they discovered that the pebbles were actually precious stones. Those who picked few pebbles began to regret, blaming themselves for not picking as many pebbles as they could. It was only then they realized that if they had picked more of the pebbles, they could have rejoiced more. Those who did not pick any pebbles lamented saying, “If only we had picked some pebbles”. This was how the two groups of travelers were caught up in the blameworthy consequence of their actions. Indeed, this is a parable that is symbolic and typical of the situation Muslims would find themselves on the Day of Judgment as it relates to Ramadan fast. Those who took advantage and made good use of their time, wealth, strengths and abilities in the sincere worship of Allah (SWT) might blame themselves for not doing more righteous deeds than they did. This would be their reaction especially when they see those who had done much good works are being beautifully rewarded. The indolent and ungrateful group of Muslims who refused to take any good advantage of Ramadan would be seen wailing and regretting. Ramadan is truly a river of sand in which there are many fishes of gold. Only those who patiently persevere in sincere worship can catch the fishes.
As part of the religious obligations specified for marking the end of the one-month period of physical deprivation between dawn and sunset, Muslims are expected to give out zakat ul-fitr. It is compulsory on every Muslim, male and female, child and adult. Infact, even a child born before the sunrise of the day of Eidl-fitr is required in Islam to give the zakat ul-fitr. The zakat ul-fitr is to be given out from the food item that is commonly eaten in the community an individual lives. It is to be paid by the person who is responsible for an individual’s daily upkeep. The list may include wife/wives, children, relations and maids. Although the prophetic tradition is to pay the zakat ul-fitr on the day of the Eidl-fitr before going out to the Eid praying ground for prayers, it is permitted to be given out a day or two before the Eid day. This means the zakat ul-fitr for this year can be given out today which is the 29th day of Ramadan. It would still have served for anyone who gave it out yesterday when the count of Ramadan fast was 28.
We advise believers not to consider the end of Ramadan fast as an end to spiritual devotions which has virtually made them refined in character, decent in behavior, committed to duties and responsibilities, devoted in spirit and honest in attitude. We encourage them to continue with the pious life they have lived in private and public in the last 29 days. It would amount to hypocrisy for any Muslim to abandon his copy of the holy Qur’an soon after the end of Ramadan. Let us strive to sustain the tahajjud prayers and observe it in company of our wives and children as we did in this Ramadan. We appeal to men who since the Ramadan began have always come early from work not to return to their old tradition of keeping late, pretending to be attending meetings.
For many, of course, this year’s Eidl-fitr will be celebrated at a low-key level. In any case, this column advises all to celebrate the Eid with some restraint so that we do not follow up a good deed with an abominable one. Let us use the occasion to pray to Allah (SWT) to save our country from the ill-wills of those that have forced themselves on Nigerians as leaders (sorry please, as rulers!), amin. Happy Sallah! Kullu Aamin Wa Antum Bi Khairin!
Articles
As Ramadan closes
Category: Philosofaith Written by M. U. Ndagi Hits: 952
The column begins this week with an apology to readers for failing to feature in last week’s edition of this newspaper. The column was actually written but a technical problem occurred in the course of production, which according to the editor affected not only this column but others as well. The piece essentially focused on the virtues of “A Night of thousand months” (lailat ul-Qadr). As believers in destiny (good or bad), we take that hitch in good faith.
By Allah’s special grace and infinite mercy, we are at the tail end of this year’s Ramadan due to terminate insha Allah at sunset today or tomorrow. Inspite of the rigorous religious activities especially in the last nine or ten days which have kept Muslims busy, many are already missing the blessed month of Ramadan because of the spiritual virtues it avails them. Those in i’tikaf (religious seclusion) are about coming out of it. Ramadan, with all its immeasurable but memorable spiritual opportunities through which believers access Allah’s forgiveness and mercy; is actually bidding us farewell. Allah (SWT) alone knows those who would be around by next year to observe the Ramadan fast.
Ramadan is one of such religious duties over which many may have a cause to regret on the Day of Judgment. This reminds me of a story recently sent to my e-mail box by one of the regular readers of this column, which I intend to narrate here. It’s a story of a group of people traveling at night through a rocky path. A voice declared to them from above that whosoever picks up pebbles on the way shall regret and whosoever refuses to pick pebbles on the way shall also regret his actions. The travelers on hearing this became confused. They could not understand how a person would be faced with “two evils”, so to speak, with neither of the two being less in effect than the other. However, they continued with their journey with some of them reluctantly picking pebbles while others, out of confusion or perhaps lack of guidance, refused to pick any pebbles on the way.
When the travelers reached their destination in the morning, they discovered that the pebbles were actually precious stones. Those who picked few pebbles began to regret, blaming themselves for not picking as many pebbles as they could. It was only then they realized that if they had picked more of the pebbles, they could have rejoiced more. Those who did not pick any pebbles lamented saying, “If only we had picked some pebbles”. This was how the two groups of travelers were caught up in the blameworthy consequence of their actions. Indeed, this is a parable that is symbolic and typical of the situation Muslims would find themselves on the Day of Judgment as it relates to Ramadan fast. Those who took advantage and made good use of their time, wealth, strengths and abilities in the sincere worship of Allah (SWT) might blame themselves for not doing more righteous deeds than they did. This would be their reaction especially when they see those who had done much good works are being beautifully rewarded. The indolent and ungrateful group of Muslims who refused to take any good advantage of Ramadan would be seen wailing and regretting. Ramadan is truly a river of sand in which there are many fishes of gold. Only those who patiently persevere in sincere worship can catch the fishes.
As part of the religious obligations specified for marking the end of the one-month period of physical deprivation between dawn and sunset, Muslims are expected to give out zakat ul-fitr. It is compulsory on every Muslim, male and female, child and adult. Infact, even a child born before the sunrise of the day of Eidl-fitr is required in Islam to give the zakat ul-fitr. The zakat ul-fitr is to be given out from the food item that is commonly eaten in the community an individual lives. It is to be paid by the person who is responsible for an individual’s daily upkeep. The list may include wife/wives, children, relations and maids. Although the prophetic tradition is to pay the zakat ul-fitr on the day of the Eidl-fitr before going out to the Eid praying ground for prayers, it is permitted to be given out a day or two before the Eid day. This means the zakat ul-fitr for this year can be given out today which is the 29th day of Ramadan. It would still have served for anyone who gave it out yesterday when the count of Ramadan fast was 28.
We advise believers not to consider the end of Ramadan fast as an end to spiritual devotions which has virtually made them refined in character, decent in behavior, committed to duties and responsibilities, devoted in spirit and honest in attitude. We encourage them to continue with the pious life they have lived in private and public in the last 29 days. It would amount to hypocrisy for any Muslim to abandon his copy of the holy Qur’an soon after the end of Ramadan. Let us strive to sustain the tahajjud prayers and observe it in company of our wives and children as we did in this Ramadan. We appeal to men who since the Ramadan began have always come early from work not to return to their old tradition of keeping late, pretending to be attending meetings.
For many, of course, this year’s Eidl-fitr will be celebrated at a low-key level. In any case, this column advises all to celebrate the Eid with some restraint so that we do not follow up a good deed with an abominable one. Let us use the occasion to pray to Allah (SWT) to save our country from the ill-wills of those that have forced themselves on Nigerians as leaders (sorry please, as rulers!), amin. Happy Sallah! Kullu Aamin Wa Antum Bi Khairin!