Ramadan - The Second Half

Ramadan is now almost half way through. The daily activities has now become routine and automatic in a way, that is wake up at specific times for the pre-fasting meal, dawn prayers, the daily chores or career obligations, or errands and/or whatever you do on normal daylight hours, noon prayers and after noon prayers, prepare for the breaking of fast, the dusk prayers, after dusk prayers and the special Ramadan prayers either at home or in a congregation in a mosque. Eating time is at night and fasting during daylight hours, the reverse of the other months.

The special Ramadan prayers that is done in a congregation in a mosque, called the Terawikh, is usually performed twenty times each night but many performed only eight. Over the years and as far back as I can remember, people have been debating on this twenty or eight issue. To me, eight or twenty does not matter. The sincerity in performing it, in the way of the Almighty governs. If it is performed in order to show your rights over the issue then to me it is as good as not performing it at all. After all the call of this prayer is as an obligation not a compulsion. Performing them, eight or twenty, in a congregation, or in a mosque is also not a compulsion. But it is called for nevertheless. So, just do it with sincerity and in full submission to HIM, either at home or better still in the mosque and even better still in a congregation. It is as simple as that……

Take stalk of the last two weeks. What have we, as good disciple (if we strive to be good disciples) contributed and achieved in the last two weeks? It was said that the Almighty does not recognise the fast of a man if he only fast to be just hungry and thirsty. HE does not accept the fast of a man if he goes hungry and thirsty and yet his tongue does not refrain from saying bad things (bad in all manner of speeches and intentions), refrain from unsavoury behaviours, refrain from wasting time, efforts, money on things not in HIS way. It is also said that if others attempt to persuade you astray, or fight you, or attempt to anger you, say “I am fasting” twice. It does not mean you are weak. It also means you are more afraid of HIM than mere mortals. The unpleasant breath of a fasting man is to HIM sweeter than the smell of musk or perfume. Indeed HIS bounty will be limitless for those who strive to gain more than just being hungry and thirsty, for the spending of his waking hours in full obligation to HIM, seeking HIS rewards and compassion. Have we adhered to HIS commandments in the last two weeks? If not will we change in the next two weeks? It is said that Ramadan is the month for HIS disciples, for them to devote all energies and supplications to HIM. We only have two more weeks of it and we may not live long enough to meet the next Ramadan. So what is the decision now?.........

As I was growing up I was told that one should strive to spend one’s waking hours in the way of the Almighty, seek HIS forgiveness before going to sleep and be thankful on waking up that one had survived and be allowed another day. And in the month of Ramadan, one should amplify one’s effort as His bounty is also amplified. The doors to Hell are kept closed while the doors to Heaven are kept wide open in this month. All praises be for the Almighty that by HIS grace alone I could endure and fulfill my obligations. That what I had planned and set out to do, I did, and with ease that only HIS guidance could have made it possible.

The next two weeks calls for even greater sacrifices and with it greater dependence on HIS protection against worldly temptations and daily demands of life, in this so-called modern living. The last ten nights of Ramadan is especially important in that we are encouraged to enliven the nights with full submission and devotion to him in prayers and supplications, in glorifying and offering praises to HIM and HIS prophets, in meditation and contemplation, in recitation of the Holy Book, the Book of guidance for all mankind and in repentance for all past misdeeds. Of these ten nights there is one night that is most special but which night of the ten is not known to us mortals. The bounty promised is said to be equivalent to a thousand Ramadan. Therefore it is safe enough to concentrate on all the nights, ten nights for a thousand months. I submit to HIM most humbly for HIS continued blessings, to confer onto me good health, strength, the right frame of mind, to make full use of the opportunities available in the next two weeks and also able to enliven the last ten nights with ease. I pray for HIS continued guidance therefore and I willingly submit to HIM….

MKI Ramblings Unlimited,
Petaling Jaya