Remaining steadfast on obedience

There are lessons for us all in the passage of the days and nights - and the days are moving away from us as quickly as the clouds. The people shall continue advancing until they finally end up in Paradise or Hell. Also, the rapid rate at which the days and nights are running away from us during these present times confirm the foretelling of ‘time compression’. This is one of the signs of the Last Hour that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, informed us of. This is therefore, a great opportunity for the wise amongst us to awaken, perform good deeds and repent sincerely. Allah Says what means: “And it is He who has made the night and the day in succession for whoever desires to remember or desires gratitude.”[Qur’an 25: 62] Muslims have spent almost a whole month enjoying the blessings of their Lord between supplication, prayer, remembrance of Allah, almsgiving and recitation of the Qur’an. But, alas, the days and their memories of them pass away quickly.When one compares the people’s spiritual condition during Ramadan to that after it, they will certainly see signs of laziness and negligence in terms of performing righteous deeds. It is as if acts of worship and repentance were only meant for Ramadan! Such people are ignorant of the fact that Allah is the Lord of all months and that Ramadan is only meant to be an occasion when one renews their resolve to worship Allah and persevere in that. That is why Allah Says, after prescribing fasting for His slaves, what means: “…That you may become righteous.”[Qur’an 2: 183]  In view of this, it becomes incumbent upon us to consider the reality of worship and its internal impact on us - and not its outward forms. For there are some of us who have nothing to show for their fasting except hunger and thirst and will have no reward for their worship except tiredness and sleeplessness. This is further confirmed when one hears people asking one another merely about the number of times they have recited the Qur’an and listened to sermons and admonitions during Ramadan. Are these people ignorant of how Allah dealt with the people of ‘Aad, who were very tall like lofty pillars, the like of whom were not created in the land before? Do they not read about what happened to ‘Aad, Thamood and the people of Prophet Lut? Do they not consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it been from other than Allah, they would surely have found therein many contradictions.Where are the hearts that are submissive to Allah? Many hearts have become fertile ground for heedlessness. The youth are stuck in their exuberance for this life and the elders are doing no righteous deeds. We have neglected the Book of our Lord publicly and privately and therefore we are as far from sincere deeds as Mount Safaa is from Mount Marwah. Allah Says what means: “Then do they not reflect upon the Qur’an, or are there locks (upon) their hearts? Indeed those who reverted back (to disbelief) after guidance had become clear to them – Satan enticed them and prolonged hope for them.” [Qur’an 47: 24-25]Do not be deluded by your determination to shun the dictates of your whims in Ramadan only to yield to temptation after it, for lustful desires are wickedly intriguing. Remember that many a brave man has been dealt a deadly blow by those whom he overlooked. The one who becomes negligent of his duties to Allah after he has been doing them perfectly, or who falls back into committing sins after he has abstained from them is actually the farthest one from prosperity and salvation - even if he does deceive himself with seasonal acts of worship. He is also likely to be punished by being deprived of the joy and sweetness of worship. As for the believing men and women, who are inwardly as pure as they are outwardly and who worship Allah at all times, they will taste the sweetness of worship and Allah will provide for them for all of their needs. They are the ones who sincerely follow the path of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, constantly in their worship of Allah.Ramadan is distinguished among other months as far as acts of worship are concerned, but this does not mean that acts of worship should only be performed during Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, was always generous and his generosity increased during Ramadan. He used to seek refuge with Allah from abandoning committing good deeds after performing them constantly. He sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam would say: “I seek refuge with You from recession after advancement.” Allah also warns against this when He Says what means: “And do not be like she who untwisted her spun thread after it was strong....” [Qur’an 16: 92]A supplication of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, also confirms this. He would say: “O Allah! Make this life for me an increase in good deeds.” Therefore, we can see that he did not restrict the performance of good deeds to Ramadan alone, but followed the commandment of his Lord which means: “And worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (i.e. death).” [Qur’an 15: 99]Human beings are no doubt imperfect. Islamic law, therefore, does not burden us with that which would exceed our capabilities. We are however required to hold fast, at all times, to the trustworthy handhold (the religion of Islam). This will make us attain the pleasure or our Lord in this world and the next and will save us from destruction as well as protecting us from all evils. This is despite however little our acts of worship may amount to. The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “O people! Do whatever you can of righteous deeds, for Allah will not cease to accept your deeds and bless you as long as you do not become apathetic. The most beloved of all good deeds to Allah is the one done continuously even if it is little.”[Al-Bukhari & Muslim]Article source: http://www.islamweb.net/emainpage/