Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Rahim
Glory be to Allah (SWT) for sparing our lives through and beyond Ramadan 1446 CE. May the peace and blessings be upon the noble Messenger Muhammad (SAW), his entire household, Companions and all dedicated followers till the Last Day. Today is the first Jum'ah after Ramadan and there is need to recount and draw on the lessons of Ramadan with a view to project such values across the year. A firebrand covered by ashes is hardly appreciated. Ramadan gains offer large arrays of encouragement to Believers with the instrumentality of Istiqamah (steadfastness) and Taqwa (piety).
Before long, a man once passed bye a student in whose hand was a book titled 'The Invisible Teacher'. Curiously, he collected the book to glance through the content page. Discovering that the book content deals more with Accounting Book Keeping, he was puzzled to ask questions such as: 'what could be Invisible Teacher?' In response, some went for 'Ghost worker', some claim it is 'Lazy worker' and some went for 'Conscientious and Diligent worker'. This defines the categories of workers in the vineyard of human enclave.
Juxtaposing that with category of Believers who undertook the Ramadan fast, it becomes established that three set of people are vulnerable when it comes to the ultimate reward of the fast. Psycho-Analysts' position suffices here with respect to pleasant, forceful and blaming mindsets. The Id, Ego and Super-ego runs on the fast lane in the horizon of personalities. In fact, the trio concepts commensurate in outcome of exhibited behaviour in human circle. Starting from the rear, Allah (SWT) is categorical when saying: 'For I swear with the blaming mind'. The episode of Prophet Yusuf was coincise and straight to the point in that human nature is not vindictive when it says: 'For I am not exonorating myself. Surely mind is susceptible except for the grace of Allah. Finally, the pleasant state of mind is portrayed as 'deserving robust romance with servants of Allah and indeed, dwelling in abode of peace i.e Al-Jannah'.
The above narrative indicates the central point of discourse in one of the Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio's write-ups. It docks mainly on 'Conscience' as the center-point of Believer's endeavour when Sheikh placed on record that Conscience is a state in spiritual development. It shows that Conscientious deeds primes higher in the realm of reward-ridding endeavours which Ramadan serves well. This shows that maximizing the reward of deeds is mainly on good intention, manner of approach and of course sincerity of intention before during and after the endeavor.
To this end, Allah warns categorically that: 'O you who believe, let not your wealth nor your children deter you from the remembrance of Allah....(Qur'an 63:9). From the above Ayah, it shows that Ramadan fast had come, stayed with us and left us in perfect state of mind. In a more pictorial manner, a Brand-new-car enjoys euphoria of joy and pleasure by the owner. Putting the vehicle on Lagos Island road everyday deserves full care and maintenance. The reverse might be the case if the owner cares free and the car breaks down eventually on the Third Mainland Bridge, a zero-tolerance zone where getting help appears non-existent and any hand of help probably lands him in complicated issues too numerous to bear.
By implications, however, maintaining the tempo of spiritual purity may appear burdensome it worths being done. Lots of rewarding activities are instrumental to deserving development. In this category, recommended rites of fast aside from Ramadan include Sitta Shawwal. Mondays and Thursdays and Ayyamu bid i.e three mid days of Lunar month are days of fasting renewal and keeping abreast spiritually. Lots of bonding with relatives for benefits, feeding of hungary, supporting the less privileged and lots more in the category of rewarding deeds should be projected beyond the period of Ramadan.
Till we meet during the next edition, Thanks for your usual patronage. Ma 'as Salaamah and remain blessed.
DR RAZAQ BOLAWAYE UTHMAN, IMAM & MISSIONER ANSAR-UD-DEEN SOCIETY OF NIGERIA IPAJA BRANCH, LAGOS STATE NIGERIA. © 2025
0 Comments