amadan Message from the Masajid of Milwaukee
IDC
RAMADAN MESSAGE FROM THE MASAJID OF MILWAUKEE
Assalamu Alaikum Brothers and Sisters and Ramadan Mubarak.
Praise be to Allah (SWT) who blessed us with another month of Ramadan, the season of increased sincerity and forgiveness. We must thank Him for providing us with this special opportunity as many around us were called back and are no longer with us to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan. This sense of gratitude should translate into increased spirituality and purification.
The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word "ramada" which means "scorching heat". The philosophy of Ramadan is "purification", both physical and spiritual. Fasting in the month of Ramadan does to a Muslim what fire does to gold. The fire purifies the gold from all sorts of tints and imperfections. Likewise, the month of Ramadan should cleanse a believer from extra calories as well as sins. That is what the Prophet (SAW) alluded to in his famous Hadith:
من صام رمضان إيمانًا واحتسابًا غُفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
"Whosoever fasts the month of Ramadan with proper faith and hope, all his/her previous sins are forgiven."
The two fundamental elements of true forgiveness are sincere faith (Iman) and hope that Allah (SWT) is Oft-forgiving and He will forgive those who sincerely seek His forgiveness. The act of fasting is a reflection of true faith. One can eat or drink in private, but a fasting Muslim does not do so during the day because he/she feels the presence of Allah (SWT). That is why the act of fasting is the most rewarding act of Ibadah. Allah (SWT) says in a Hadith Qudsi:
كل عمل ابن آدم له إلا الصوم فإنه لي وأنا أجزي به
"Every act of man is for him except the act of fasting. Indeed it is for Me alone and I am the One who will compensate for it."
Allah (SWT) has granted humans with two distinctive beings: the angelic and the animalistic. The human soul represents the angelic being while the body represents the animalistic powers in us. The act of balancing the two aspects of our existence and giving the upper hand to the spiritual dimension is the essence of the Islamic religion. Throughout the year we tend to feed the body, usually at the expense of our spiritual and moral needs. We indulge in eating, drinking and countless other physical pleasures. Consequently the animalistic being in us gets spoiled, becomes rebellious and tends to control our daily routine and our actions. The month of Ramadan brings the needed change. It requires us to voluntarily forego food, sexuality and other bodily necessities to discipline our animalistic being. The process of physical discipline results in subduing the carnal desires which allows our angelic being to take the driving seat. That is why, in Ramadan, we are able to say "no" to many of our bad habits and sinful routines. This is what the Prophet (SAW) stated in one of his authentic Hadith. In a metaphorical sense, the Prophet (SAW) explained that Satan runs like blood in humans. Therefore, narrowing Satan's passages with hunger helps Muslims avoid satanic impulses. That is also the reason that the doors of Jannah are wide open and the doors of Jahannam are closed during this season of obedience. More and more believers shun evil impulses during Ramadan and put on the garments of Taqwa, which enhance their spirituality.
The properly nourished and strengthened soul connects the believers with Allah (SWT). They feel His presence in their daily lives and feel Haya from committing sins in His presence. This sense of divine proximity is the essence of Taqwa, which in turn is the goal of fasting, as the Qur'an states in Surah al-Baqarah. We do not eat or drink during the day in spite of many available opportunities just because He (SWT) has commanded so. This increased sense of Taqwa also enhances our sincerity by eliminating possibilities of Riyaa, or showing off.
Fasting brings inward as well as outward reformation. It inculcates in us a sense of sympathy toward the less fortunate members of our community and makes us appreciate our God-given bounties. It harnesses the sense of Muslim unity and Islamic universalism. The month of Ramadan is the season of patience, sympathy, charity, almsgiving, prayers, simplicity and brotherhood/sisterhood.
We must therefore concentrate upon our relationship with Allah (SWT) and His creatures, especially with our fellow humans. We must control our tongues and spare others of our hurtful words and actions. The Prophet (SAW) stated that, "Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)"
«مَنْ لَمْ يَدَعْ قَوْلَ الزُّورِ وَالعَمَلَ بِهِ، فَلَيْسَ لِلَّهِ حَاجَةٌ فِي أَنْ يَدَعَ طَعَامَهُ وَشَرَابَهُ»
Let us thank Allah (SWT) for another Ramadan and the related opportunities of goodness. Let us increase our relationship with the Qur'an, our families, the Muslim community and our immediate neighbors. Let us concentrate upon Muslim unity, community building, self-purification and acts of mercy and compassion. Paying Zakat al-Maal and Zakat al-Fitr are important parts of Ramadan charities. Let us calculate our Zakat al-Maal and pay the Zakat al-Fitr as soon as possible so that the deserving members of the community can also have a happy Ramadan and Eid.
May Allah (SWT) make it a very blessed month for all of us. Ameen.
Islamic Society of Milwaukee
Masjid Al-Quran
Islamic Da'wa Center
Masjid Al-Huda
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Islamic Society of Milwaukee | 4707 South 13th Street | Milwaukee | WI | 53221
