Simple Resolutions For The Holy Month Of Ramadhan
Sayyid Muhammad Rizvi
Originally Published by: Al-Furqan, Vol.2.2, No. 17. 9 Ramadhan 1428/ 22 September 2007
Simple Resolutions For The Holy Month Of Ramadhan
(Based on “Islam in Focus” TV program of Ramadhan 1420)
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As Muslims living in the Western part of the world, we follow two calendars: Hijri calendar for our religious activities, and the common calendar for business and vacation.
But we do not always fix the first month of the year (January or Muharram) as the beginning of all our activities. We divide our lives in different ways : For example , our academic year starts with September and ends in June. Similarly, in the Islamic calendar, our spiritual year starts with the month of Rajab and reached to its peak during the month of Ramadhan.
Ramadhan is the month of fasting; and so our emotions are calm, hearts are open, and there is a kind of tranquility in minds, And, therefore, this is the appropriate time to evaluate ourselves spiritually and make some resolutions for the following spiritual year.
1. The first resolution should be to see the level of consciousness of God in your life. How important is Prophet Muhammad (S) in your life? How much importance you give to the Ahl Al-Bayt of the Prophet and his sincere and devoted companions?
“Once the prayer has ended, then spread out in the earth and seek the blessings of Allah, and remember Allah often so that you may again salvation.” (62:10).
Once you have evaluated yourself in this way, then make the resolution to increase the level of consciousness of God’s presence in your life, and consider the Prophet and his Ahl Al-Bayt as the first role-models for your-self.
2. The second resolution should be to evaluate your life with your family. At times, people take their near ones for granted, and unknowingly tend to ignore their rights. Islam gives great importance to silat ar-rahm (maintaining ties with the relatives): your wife and children, your parents, your brothers and sisters, and other relatives. Strengthen the ties with them and be concern for their spiritual as well as material well-being.
See how you can improve your attitude towards your wife or husband: as a husband, are you appreciate of what your wife does for you at home? Have you ever thanked her for doing the small things that you take for granted? Have you expressed your love and appreciation for her? As a wife, are you supportive of your husband in the struggles of life? After all, you are his partner of life.
Moving to your other relations, see if there is someone with whom you have not talked for a long time? Is there a relative of yours who is upset with you? Then this is the appropriate time for you to take the first and courageous step to mend that relationship.
3. Look at your children and see how you can increase the spirituality in your home environment? Is the holy Qur’an being recited on a daily or, at least, a weekly basis?
Have you provided them with the means of studying the Qur’an and getting in touch the Holy Scripture? The Qur’an is now available in all Medias: print, audio cassette, CD, iPod - your child’s electronic gadget have the Qur’an in it?
What about the sayings of the Prophet and the Ahl Al-Bayt? Is it possible to discuss one hadith of the Prophet on a monthly basis, and ask them to memorize it ?
Have you encouraged your children to give charity? Do they participate in the local food banks, especially the Muslim Food Bank?
Have you discussed with them how they can volunteer in their Islamic centers?
Ramadhan is indeed the time of searching yourself and reforming your life to become a better Muslim. May Allah bless you in this holy month and grant you success. Amin.
(Based on “Islam in Focus” TV program of Ramadhan 1420)
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“O you who believe! Protect yourselves and your families from a fire whose fuel is humans and stones...” (66:6).
Books That Must Be On A Shia’a Youth’s Bookshelf
1.The Qur’an with English translation of Shakir or Qara’i.
2.Nahjul Balagha translated into English by Syed Ali Raza.
3.Sahifa Sajjadiyya translated by William Chittick.
4.The Bundle of Flowers( compilation of ahadith ).
5.The Faith of Shi’a Islam by M.R. al-Muzaffar.
6.The fatwa manual of your marja’/mujtahid.
7.Code of Practice for Muslims in the West by A.H al-Hakim.
Something For You To Reflect On During The Month Of Ramadhan
A will of Amir al-Mu’minin ‘ Ali (‘a)For Hasan (‘a)and Husayn (‘a)written by Imam ‘Ali (‘a)between the 19th and the 21st of Ramadhan 40.
I advise you (both) for fear Allah, and that you should not hanker after ( the pleasures of this ) world even though it may run after you. Do not be sorry for anything of this world that you have been denied. Speak the truth and act for heavenly reward. Be an enemy of the oppressor and helper of the oppressed.
I advise you (both) and all my children and members of my family and everyone whom my writing reaches:
Fear Allah, and keep your affairs in order;
And maintain good relations among yourselves for I have heard your grandfather the holy Prophet saying, “Improvement of mutual difference is better than general prayers and fasting.”
(Fear) Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of orphans: do not allow them to starve and they should not to ruined in your presence.
Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of your neighbours : they were the subject of the Prophet’s advice. He went on advising in their favour till we thought he would allow them a share in inheritance.
Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of the Qur’an: no one should excel you in action upon it.
Fear Allah and Allah in mind in the matter of prayer, since it is the pillar of your religion.
Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of your Lord’s House (i.e., the Ka’bah): do not forsake it so long as you live, because if it is abandoned you will not be spared.
Fear Allah and keep Allah in mind in the matter of jihad through your property, lives and tongues in the way of Allah.
It is your duty to maintain the kinship and spending for others; and you should beware of turning away from one another and severing mutual ties.
You should not give up bidding of the good and forbidding of the evil otherwise the evil among you eill rule over you, and then you would be praying for (relief) but the prayers will not be granted.
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Then imam ‘Ali (‘a)said:
O sons of ‘Abdul Muttalib! Certainly I do not wish to see you plunging harshly into the blood of Muslims shouting . “Amir al-Mu’minin has been killed!” Beware, do not kill on account of me except my killer.
Referring to his killer, Ibn Muljim, the Imam says:
See that if I die from his existing stroke, then strike him only one stroke for his stroke ; and do not dismember the limbs of the man for I have heard the Messenger of Allah (‘a)saying, “Beware of dismembering the limbs , even if it be of a rabid dog.”
(from Nahju ‘l-Balagha, will :47)
The Ahl Al-Bayt In The Words Of Imam ‘Ali
“They are the trustees of his (i.e., the Prophet’s) secrets, shelter for his affairs, container of his knowledge, refugee for his commands, caves for his books, and mountains of his religion: through them Allah straightened the bend of its back and removed the trembling of its limbs…
“None in this ummah can be compared to the Progeny of the Prophet (Aali Muhammad).
One who is under their obligation cannot be matched with them .They are the foundation of religion and pillar of belief: (therefore), the forward runner has to turn back to them while the one lagging behind has to reach up to them. They possess the chief characteristics for vicegerency.
In their favours exists the will and succession (of the Prophet). This is the time when right has returned to its owner and diverted to its centre of return.”
(Nahju ‘l-Balagha, sermon 2)
