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What Should All Muslims Do This Ramadan?
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by Fatima HamiltonRight now Muslims
are being hit from all sides. Islam is indeed being attacked by the
West, in particular America (though they deny it). They claim
they’re only after terrorists, yet they are hitting innocent
civilians. Muslims are suffering in Afghanistan, Kashmir,
Palestine, Chechnya, China and all over the world. They are
suffering in various degrees.
Where should we give support?
What can we do? Ramadan is coming and America is probably going to
continue their war while disrespecting the month of Ramadan.
Israel, as usual, will continue its atrocities in Ramadan. They
have no respect for religion or for Allah. They should fear Allah.
Our suffering, even in the Muslim lands at the
hands of our own governments, can be considered an examination of
our faith or a punishment for our weakness and sin. In either case,
we are in a critical period at the moment. There are good, sincere,
practicing Muslims among us, but there are so many who are
disobedient to Allah and who bow to the West rather then to Allah
(this is a form of “shirk”—they are taking another Master). One
should obey Allah before listening to anyone else.
What should all Muslims do this Ramadan?
Ramadan is a beautiful, holy month with a lot of reward. This time
should be spent in raising our spiritual level. We need it very
much. How can we succeed if our own souls are weak and if we (as a
society) are not obeying Allah and the Prophet (peace and blessings
be upon him)?
Imam Ibn Taimiyah says: “Allah guards the
justice-loving government, even if it is the government of the
infidels, and destroys the tyrant government, even if it is the
government of the Muslims.”
Also, a hadith says: “When Allah wants to deal
kindly with a nation, He entrusts its reins in the hands of the wise
men, gives wealth to its generous people, and when He wants to deal
with a nation harshly, He entrusts its control in the hands of
foolish people, and gives wealth to its miserly men” (Abu Daud).
So, in the midst of our suffering, we must ask
if our nation has deserved their corrupt governments. Also, have
we, as a nation, lost our real Islamic values of justice and
righteousness? Some Muslims disobey Allah due to ignorance in their
religion. Allah may overlook ignorance but Allah will punish the
hypocrites.
We must work to change our societies and
communities, then, insha’Allah (God willing), Allah will ease our
hardships and change our condition. Also, we must not step away
from the obligation of “jihad”. Some people may call for jihad
while they are being disobedient to Allah. We must be careful to
examine the calls for jihad. If we see a legitimate jihad, and we
see our Muslims brothers and sisters being occupied, killed,
oppressed and abused, then we must come to their aid. How can we
ignore jihad? Some of us are fighters. Others of us are doctors,
speakers or writers. Some may be wealthy and give financial
support. We must do whatever we are able to do to help our brothers
and sisters. Yet, we must do it in accordance with Islam and in a
condition of purity to be successful.
We must not kill innocent civilians, especially
women, children, elderly and the handicapped. We should not destroy
places of worship (like in Nigeria). We should not destroy the
environment. Looting and burning of buildings must be avoided; we
need them later. Let us exercise wisdom and planning rather than
ignorance and pure emotion alone that may lead to sins in Islam and
to crimes against humanity.
One must follow and obey Allah’s Laws and must
obey Prophet Mohammed (peace and blessings be upon him). Jihad is a
duty placed upon all Muslims. Someone must fulfill it. Now, because
we have no Caliph, our situation is more critical. Both men and
women are responsible for jihad. Allah places a lot of reward upon
jihad, even more than fasting. The one who dies in jihad (as a
shaheed) gets a great reward in Paradise and is placed in great
honor. He gave the greatest sacrifice—that of his own life.
However, besides going out and making jihad in
all the necessary places, one must make the ultimate jihad with his
soul. This is the most difficult jihad. How can we go out and
teach others what we do not do?
This Ramadan, all the Muslims must make a
commitment to change themselves. Even the best of us can always
strive to be better. If we have bad habits, then get rid of them.
If one does not usually pray or fast, then please pray and fast and
be committed to change—obey Allah. If a woman does not usually wear
Islamic dress, then please wear it in obedience to Allah. Continue
these habits from Ramadan throughout your life. Learn to read
Qur’an and understand its meaning (tafseer). Give more charity. Be
kind to those around you. If you see a sin, do not accept it; say
that it is a sin. If we see wrong things daily around us and do not
reject them, then they become normal to us; Allah does not like
this.
Please make active change. First, we change
ourselves, then our families, then our neighbourhoods, then our
communities, then our countries and then, insha’Allah, the whole
Muslim Ummah. We must begin now.
If we obey Allah and gain his pleasure, then,
insha’Allah, Allah will ease our hardships and change our
condition. How can we, as a nation, expect success or victory if we
are not obeying Allah in everything? We must constantly, throughout
our lives, attempt to raise our spiritual levels. Allah knows our
hearts and intentions. May Allah help us.
Omar bin Al-Khattab sent a letter to Sa’d bin
Abi Waqqas when he was at the conquest of Persia:
“I order you and all the troops that are along
with you to be obedient to Allah in all circumstances as this (being
obedient to Allah) is better than the weapons against the enemy and
a stronger stratagem (device) in the war. I order you and the
soldiers who are with you to be more cautious and afraid of your own
crimes and sins (and not to commit them) than your enemy, as the
crimes and sins of the soldiers are more dangerous to them than
their enemy. The Muslims are victorious only because their enemies
are disobedient to Allah and had it not been so, we have no power
over them, because neither our number is equal to their number, nor
our weapons are like theirs. If we commit crimes and sins as they
do, then they (our enemies) will have superiority over us in power.
And if we will not gain victory over them by our merits, we do not
overpower them by our strength. And you should also know in this
marching of yours (for Allah’s Cause) there are guards (angels) upon
you from Allah (to watch you), and they know all what you do. So,
be shy from them and do not commit disobedience to Allah while you
are going in Allah’s Cause…”
Thus, we see the importance of obedience.
This applies to all aspects of our lives. Success comes only
through obedience to Allah. Let us reform ourselves this Ramadan.
Source:
by courtesy & © 2001 The Palestine Times & Fatima Hamilton
- by the same author:
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Why Isn’t America Against All Terrorist Groups?
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More
in 'Perspective' or 'Archive'
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© 2001 Media Monitors Network. All rights reserved.
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