By Ustādh Tamseel Ahmed
For me, entering the month of Ramaḍān is like entering the two sanctuaries of Islam i.e Makkah and Madīnah. One happens in time and space while this one occurs only in time. There is a feeling of safety and security in the month similar to those places.
We are crossing the half way mark of this month and the world, as usual, is in turmoil. This unending turmoil forces us to ponder the question angels asked Allāh at the time of Ādam’s creation regarding the nature of adamic beings.
Old wars have continued and new have erupted while the same elite who support their own war condemn others’ hence leaving the only possibility of infinite justice with God alone – the Master, King, Owner of the judgement day. The day when the leaders, rulers, and kings of the world will stand in silence and awe, and be judged.
The struggle to gain control over countries, localities and people continues. Clash of ideologies continue in full swing at all levels. Wars are continued on social media, which is perhaps the most powerful form of media, and tells all tales – true and false. Memes are everywhere, pushing people’s ideologies, giving fame to some and defaming others, where truth, at times, is trampled beneath the feet of bias, selfishness or simply jest. On this platform, the biggest prey are truth and trust. The predator is the accountable human being.
This is the nature of the world. It is an abode where actions are a result of free-will which operates within the realm set for it. Divine Judgement does not manifest in every matter as that abode is yet to come.
This struggle between good and evil, right and wrong, happens daily and to many the reality appears black and white while there is much grey. To navigate through the grey of life, one needs a good understanding of divine guidance, and coupled with that, a sound heart and mind.
What must be remembered is that just as the court of Allāh will be set for the kings, it will also be set for the peasants. We all have rights and responsibilities that are defined for us and we must know them and live by them as we will be judged upon them.
In conclusion, our time is precious and shall be used accordingly. As we stand at the midpoint of this month, many of us might be beyond it, in our life spans. Take account of this month and of your life:
- Where is your time spent?
- How is it spent?
- Where are your words directed? Are they necessary?
- Will your words help or hurt you on the day of reckoning?
The root of most problems, in my view, is the lack of deep knowledge regarding the divine teachings. Embark on the journey of learning this knowledge to yield self-rectification and individual success of both abodes, which is the crux of all matters.
May Allāh help us all!
