The ABCs of Life

Ramadhan; in which lives the obligation of sawm (fasting) is a quest of taqwa as mentioned in the Qur’an:

[2:183] O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) Taqwa.

(Taqwa: humility, self-restraint, God-fearing)

Attaqwa hahuna - humility is here; in the heart (al-Hadith). As Taqwa is the main goal, Ramadhan would be the best excuse to learn about patience, to say goodbye to all sorts of bad habits and to be kind. Really, really kind. Not only by performing kindness; in acts or words, but with a good heart. A really good heart. A heart that understands what submission to God really means and how humility amongst His creations is as essential as breathing is to the human body.

Many people has mistaken Taqwa with a very narrow meaning that is only achieved through exclusively specific rituals or ‘ibaadah such as salaah, relating it to the importance of observing one’s relationship with ALlah yet forgetting the rest of His creations that he/she lives with. Taqwa might present a special bond or relationship with God, through acts of obedience and constant remembrance, but the definition expands and embraces other aspects of humanity relating to our need and relationship of and with fellow men and women and every single creation of His.

Taqwa is not just about waking up in the middle of the night to do tahajjud and struggling for khusyu’ in prayers, or reciting the Qu’ran from cover to cover and other authentic adzkaar, but as Islam is the way of life, the journey to Taqwa should enhance the role of a true Muslim in his every doings of his daily life.

Therefore, have we - you and me - in this special month of change, hope and endless rewards and forgiveness … have we tried to achieve Taqwa by being a better person to another person? Have we struggled to be a better wife to our husbands, a better mother to our children, a better child to our parents, a better neighbour and member of our community? Have we tried to be kinder in words and gestures even though things go exactly the way we don’t want it to?

Think about your family and how it will be lovely if everyone could have one peaceful day without being scolded for being a little bit naughty, especially when you’re trying really hard to finish your taraweeh? Won’t it be ugly to submit to God, presenting yourself in the terrible gestures of anger and a mouth just cleared from harsh words to innocent little beings? Funny, isn’t it? Sometimes we do so many things trying to make God pleased and earn so many rewards and at the same time drive the world around us crazy?!

Remember when you cook chicken curry or those special delicacies for iftaar … remember your next door neighbour that might enjoy your delicious cuisine. Why don’t you walk that little extra mile to make someone happy and be rewarded for it! Or invite some lovely families and friends over for iftaar and exchange kind thoughts and love so that Ramadhan will be merry. Merry with the essence of ukhuwwah, for loving others and caring for them are just some other wonderful ways of do ‘ibaadah. Be extra careful though not to start a group for gossips. We aren’t God-fearing enough if eating our fellow Muslim’s flesh is just another get-together thing.

Some of us live far enough to miss our families. Why not give them a call just to say I love you and please make du’a for me? And don’t forget to bring some cash on Jumu’ah so that our other brothers and sisters in other parts of the earth might have a better life and learn to be happy. Well, you actually need not to wait for Jumu’ah, sadaqah is always a click away with technology.

To conclude, a truly humble soul shall manifest kindness you could not only see, but feel; as it heals the surroundings, the people and everything within. With a simple smile that helps you too smile along, or a kind advice to ease your burden. Be considerate, responsible and helpful. A Muslim should play his/her role and that is a person who protect others from being harm by his/her words and actions (meaning of al-Hadith). In short, Ramadhan is the best excuse to be a nicer human being, la’allakum tattaqun!

* me, reminding myself