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‘The believer after Ramadan’

By Afis A. Oladosu
22 July 2016   |   3:51 am
Brethren, one of the lessons we learnt from the month of fasting, month of Ramadan, is how to walk with the Almighty. What this means, my dear Sister, is that we must make conscious efforts to stand....
Former Senator, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Munir Adekunle Muse (left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule during Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos branch Ramadan lecture held in Lagos during the holy month.

Former Senator, representing Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Munir Adekunle Muse (left); Speaker, Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; and Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Idiat Adebule during Ansar-ud-deen Society of Nigeria, Lagos branch Ramadan lecture held in Lagos during the holy month.

Brethren, one of the lessons we learnt from the month of fasting, month of Ramadan, is how to walk with the Almighty. What this means, my dear Sister, is that we must make conscious efforts to stand on the same ‘podium’ where Prophets Ibrahim, Nuh, Musa, Isa and Muhammad (upon them be peace and blessings of the Almighty) were precursors and exemplars. What this also means, dear brother, is that we must be prepared to be tested and troubled.

The podium upon which Prophet Ibrahim stood before he became the friend of the Almighty (Khalilullah) was circumscribed by trials and tribulations. The podium upon which Prophet Nuh (a.s) stood in order that he might rescue humanity from perdition was emblazoned with want and deprivations. The podium upon which Prophet Musa (a.s) stood was decked with forty years of deprivation in the wilderness as a precondition for divine redemption. Prophet Isa (a.s) suffered ignominy and deprivation in the hands of the Jews though he was originally sent as savior.

Prophet Muhammad went through the most inhuman treatment in the hands of his people in Makkah so that humanity may ultimately celebrate his prophecy. The Almighty asks us, rhetorically thus: “Do you think that you will enter Paradise without any trials while you have known the examples of those who passed away before you? They were afflicted with suffering and adversity and were so shaken up that even the Messenger and the believers with him cried out: “When will Almighty’s help come?” Then they were comforted with the words, Be aware! Allah’s help is ever close (Q2: 214).

In other words, brethren, experience of hardship is a precondition for comfort. I have since learnt that austerity is a precondition for prosperity; you have to pass an exam before you are celebrated as a success.

Thus the passage of the month of Ramadan does not mean the disappearance of the Almighty from His majesty. The Prophet says ‘what an evil people they are- they who remember the Almighty only in the month of Ramadan’. Perhaps it is this that the Almighty has in mind when He says- “So remain on the right course as you have been commanded, and do not be among those condemned to ruination. (Q12: 112).

Brethren, a question is however urgent: why is it that our mosques were filled to the brim throughout the month of Ramadan only for them to suffer diminution nowadays? Do we think the month of Ramadan is like consultancy period and that it is only then that the Almighty attend to the needs of His creatures?

Remember sister that the Almighty does not go on leave or break; He neither sleeps nor slumbers. He says: “The Almighty! There is no god but Him: He is the Living, the Eternal. He neither slumbers nor sleeps; to Him belongs all that is in the Heavens and the Earth; Who can intercede with Him without His permission? He knows what is before them and what is behind them; they cannot gain access to any thing out of His knowledge except what He pleases; His throne is more vast than the heavens and the earth, and the task of guarding them both does not fatigue Him. He is the Exalted, the Supreme” (Q2:255).

Thus bear this in mind: that the Almighty is always pleased with those who obey Him regardless of the month the obedience takes place; He has also promised to visit the evil doers with the most terrible punishment for their infractions no matter the season in which such is committed. The Almighty does not and cannot celebrate or be pleased with corruption and sins no matter the month the disobedience takes place.

Brethren, though the month of Ramadan has gone, acts of fasting are on-going. Begin with the fasting of six days in this month (Sit al-Shawwal). Remember the advise of our Prophet: “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan and then follows it up with six days fasting in Shawaal would be given a reward the like of which would be given to he who fasted a whole year” (Reported by Muslim). Remember the fasting of Mondays and Thursdays too.

As we begin another spiritual journey, avoid the temptation to return to that path the month of Ramadan has extricated you from. Avoid the acts of ignorance (Jahiliyah) which has been prohibited to you and me.

Remember that waking up at night is a shield against all earthly principalities all of which are constantly in search of hapless victims they can possess. Though charity in Ramadan and Zakat al-fitr have ended, the obligatory act of Zakat and the recommended act of sadaqat go nowhere. Though the highly rewarding act of reading the Qur’an and contemplating its meaning in the month of Ramadan has ended, remember, however, that recitation of the last testament is for all times.

Let me close with these verses of success. Ponder them in your privacy and see how you can make them your guiding light as you count down on your days on earth: “Indeed successful are those believers; who are humble in their Salah (prayers); those who avoid vain talk; those who are punctual in the payment of Zakah (charity); those who guard their private parts except with their spouses or those who are legally in their possession, for in that case they shall not be blamed…; (the successful ones are) those who are true to their trust and covenants; those who are diligent about and conscious of their Salah (prayers); these are the heirs who will inherit paradise and live therein forever.
( Q23:1-11) (08122465111 for texts only)

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