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Ramadan: A Training of Spiritual Endurance
EsinIslam Ramadan
Explorer By
Osamah Salhia
In the greatest month of the year, the blessed month of Ramadan, we turn to
our Lord with heavy hearts consumed by the challenges we face as Muslims
living in the West, and consumed by the overwhelming struggles that have
befallen our brethren across the world as they strive to rebuild societies
that have deteriorated at the hands of oppression. Such challenges are
expected by Muslims, as they go in line with the nature of this life. Allah
Almighty stated:
{Do the people think that they will be left to say, "We believe" and they will
not be tried?} (Al-`Ankabut 29: 2)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Hellfire has been surrounded with temptations and Paradise has been
surrounded by difficulties""(Bukhari and Muslim)
But, indeed, Allah has granted the believers solace with the coming of the
'spiritual training camp', the month of Ramadan, in which each and every one
of us is granted a golden opportunity to practice spiritual endurance, a
necessary requirement to overcome the obstacles of life.
The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) has emphasized the
significance of endurance. It was reported on the account of `A'ishah (may
Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
entered upon her while there was a woman in her presence. He inquired: "Who is
this?" `A'ishah replied: "This is so and so" and she praised her worship. The
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) disapprovingly commented:
"Engage in the amount of worship which you can withstand [being consistent
upon without any harm[1]], for by Allah, Allah does not cease [to reward] you
until you grow bored [of worship]."
The most beloved of faith to him (peace and blessings be upon him) was that
which one was consistent in performing, even if it was little". (Bukhari and
Muslim) Imam an-Nawawi commented on this hadith by stating:
This hadith indicates that it is encouraged to be consistent in action, and
that few actions that are consistent are better than many actions that are
not. The few consistent actions are better because the continuity of the
little amount of deeds make the person in a constant state of servitude,
remembrance, God consciousness (Muraqabah), sincerity and direction towards
Allah." (Imam An-Nawawi's commentary on Sahih Muslim)
There are a plenty of religious evidences that raise the merit of endurance
and consistency, and Ramadan focuses on the source of these strengths. Indeed,
the key to positive change and the gateway to endurance reside within the
heart of every one of us. Such an understanding is a manifestation of the
statement of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)
"Indeed there is a piece of flesh in the body that, if healthy, will cause the
entire body to be healthy, and if it is corrupted, it will cause the entire
body to be corrupted. Indeed it is the heart."(Bukhari and Muslim)
The spiritual environment of Ramadan aims at uplifting and reviving the
hearts. Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon
him) said:
"When Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hellfire
are closed and the devils are chained."(Bukhari and Muslim)
Imam `Izz Ad-Din ibn `Abd As-Salam commented on this hadith by stating:
"As for opening the gates of Paradise, this basically means increasing the
acts of servitude that are a cause of opening the gates of Paradise. As for
sealing the gates of Hellfire, this basically means limiting the paths to sin,
which are a cause of the gates of Hellfire being opened. As for chaining the
devils, it basically means an end to the whispers of the devils to those who
are fasting, because they do not have any hope of them being responsive to
performing sins".( `Izz Ad-Din ibn `Abd As-Salam, Maqasid As-Sawm)
Al-Qadi `Iyad said:
"It may be that the apparent and literal meaning is intended, and that opening
the gates of Paradise and sealing the gates of Hellfire and chaining the
devils is a sign of the entry of this month and raising the merit of its
sanctity." (Imam An-Nawawi's commentary on Sahih Muslim)
Hence, Allah Almighty granted us the best conditions for us to focus on our
religious wellbeing and to fortify our spiritual endurance:
1. He cut off a main route that causes us to remain heedless, which is the
efforts of the devils, as He said: {Indeed, Satan is an enemy to you; so take
him as an enemy. He only invites his party to be among the inmates of the
Blazing Fire.} (Fatir 35: 6)
2. He also encouraged us to stay awake late hours of the night in prostration
and prayers. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Whosoever
revives the nights of Ramadan with faith and seeking Allah's reward alone will
be forgiven his past (minor) sins".(Bukhari and Muslim)
3. Ramadan is also geared towards congregational subservience to the Creator,
as is apparent in the moments of breaking the fast, being awake before the
break of dawn for Suhur, Tarawih and I`tikaf. Imam an-Nawawi said:
"The scholars are in consensus that tarawih is recommended, but they have
differed as to whether it is preferred to be prayed alone in one's home or in
congregation. Imam Ash-Shafi`i and the majority of his followers, Imam Abu
Hanifa, Imam Ahmad and some Maliki scholars are of the opinion that it is
recommended to be prayed in congregation, as `Umar ibn Al-Khattab and the
companions performed and the actions of the Muslims have been consistent
upon".(Imam An-Nawawi's commentary on Sahih Muslim)
4. Ramadan is a month characterized by leaving indulgence in worldly
pleasures, be it sleep, food, marital relations or the comfort of one's home.
Imam ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali mentioned:
"Fasting is to leave one's basic pleasures and natural inclination for Allah
Almighty, and such conduct is not found in any act of worship besides fasting.
In Ihram (the state of pilgrim during Hajj or `Umrah), one is only commanded
to leave marital relations and wearing musk, not the other pleasures, and
similarly is the case in I`tikaf (with regard to marital relations), although
it's linked to fasting in any case. As for Salah, although one leaves all
pleasures in it, it's only for a brief period and one does not long for food
and drink in such a short period. In fact, we have been prohibited to pray on
hunger." (Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali, Lata'if Al-Ma`arif )
Hence, the spiritual training camp of Ramadan instills within us the will to
endure the trials of this life and overcome our temptations and equips us with
spiritual energy that will help us remain faithful to the Lord of the heaven
and the earth. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Paradise is closer to any one of you than the strap of his shoes, and
Hellfire is also similar to that."(Bukhari)
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) also said:
"Do not belittle any good deed, even if it is just to meet your fellow Muslim
with a cheerful face." (Muslim)
I ask Allah, Glorified and Exalted, to allow us to be from those who strive
for excellence and those worthy of the blessings of the month of Ramadan.
[1] This clarification between the brackets is taken from the commentary of
Imam an-Nawawi upon this hadith.
EsinIslam Ramadan
Team
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