The background of suicide bombers who claim to act in the name of Islam

Following the World War II, the the psyche and minds of the people
living in Islamic countries in the the Middle East were affected by
the post war era and introduction of Communism . This new outlook,
which was in no way compatible with the tenets of Islam, was
stealthily changing the mindset of people on these lands that were
once shaped with the beautiful values of the Qur'an for centuries.
This also had its impact on the nascent political structures
gradually forming in the region.
Given this history, the dreadful state of Syria in our modern day
cannot be attributed to Islam. It is surely a legacy of the
communist ideology that was planted in those lands whose borders
were artificially created following the collapse of the Ottoman
Empire. In the absence of a ruling system predicated on Islamic
tenets like that of the Ottoman Empire, the countries that emerged
became vulnerable to ideologies that were either Western or
Eastern, (Communist Soviet Union and China), and did not value or
give importance to the ideas of love, brotherhood, and compassion,
or simply humane ideas.
Syria is just one example. When Hafez Assad came to power with the
Ba'ath Party in the 1960s, the state started to exert violence over
its own people. This type of harsh and cold rule by the Ba'ath party
became widely known in the world as the news of the horrible Hama
massacre dominated the international headlines of the press.
Syria was not the only country in the Middle East that was subjected
to the inhuman practices of the Ba'ath Party. The Party also became
influential in Egypt and Iraq. Meanwhile other Arab countries
including Iran silently came under the sway of communist China.
Another part of the Middle East whose roots were detached from
Islam and surrendered itself to communism was Palestine. The
al-Fatah movement that had grown in this country was not hiding the
ideology by which it was acting upon.
The conflicts and bloodshed that raged throughout the Middle East
were a result of communism coupled with Arab nationalism that
steadily intensified. Withn the regimes that identified with
communism and socialism, it is then not surprising that such
violent developments would take place, it is actually a part of the
normal course of events.
These countries - as systems and individuals – having gone through a
transformation to communism and socialism, and departed Islam still
kept their names as "Islamic Republics", and were thus always
identified with Islam. This being the case, all the crimes,
murders, mass killings perpetrated by these regimes and individuals
were always incorrectly attributed to Islam and Muslims.
A suicide bomber is a typical example. A suicide attack happening
in any corner of the world today is being identified incorrectly
with Islam and it is perceived by the West, especially those who
are unfamiliar with the tenets of Islam, as a practice encouraged
by the religion of Islam.
Islam, however, is a religion that gives the utmost value to human
life. It is a religion based upon humanity, love, compassion,
brotherhood, tolerance, justice, and peace. It treats the "human
being" as a very precious being. Communism, on the other hand, is a
savage system that in no way appreciates an individual as a human
being. It is founded on the tenets of Darwinism and the theory of
evolution, which incorrectly expounds social darwinism, namely that
the strong are eligible to survive while the weak are doomed to
perish. Thus one should not be surprised by the actions of
communists, since it is a system based on a cruel set of ideas.
Therefore communist regimes do not hesitate to kill people, even if
they are of their own nation, race or ethnicity. Indeed, killing
people is such an indispensable and inherent part of this system
that, committing suicide or taking part in suicide bombings,
becomes acceptable, while it is openly an outrageous act condemned
by God in the Qur'an.
According to Islam, suicide is an unlawful act no different from
killing another person. In other words, committing suicide equates
to murder. It is God Who gives life to a person and it is only He
Who can take back that life. A person does not have the right to
kill himself thinking that it is his own life and thus he can decide
when to put an end to that life. Therefore a person who is ready to
kill innocent children, women, that is anyone, together with
himself, openly acts against the provisions of the Qur'an and thus
can by no means be a Muslim. Such a person's mind and soul is
totally divorced from Islam and thus Islam cannot be held
accountable for such crimes.
As we have seen, individuals, communities and systems in the Middle
East of today have gone through a grand transformation. The norms
that shaped the behavior of the citizents of the Middle Eastern
countries aare no longer purely based on Islam. Communism,
socialism and other ideologies that are completely against Islam
have entered the equation and have been influencing them for a
quite long time. Since this is the root cause of radical and
extremist mindsets, one has to reflect and think deeply about the
underlying motivations for the behavior of radicals and extremists
in order to make a correct judgment, otherwise we would attribute a
false label on an entire religion.

About the rank and position of Holy Quran in the Islamic Traditions

Learning and teaching, reading and memorizing,planning and acting on
the contents, there are numerous traditions in the Sunni and Shiite
sources that its studying can display and manifest the importance and
greatness of the Heavenly book. These traditions have been compiled in
the books of traditions under the headings of "books of traditions",
the "book of the excellence of Holy Quran", and the "book ofthe Merits
of Holy Quran".The commentators of Holy Quran especially the
commentators living in the beginning of Islam have narrated these
traditions in their books. In addition to the above, some of the
earlier scholars have made efforts to write books under the heading
of"the book of the Fazl-ul-Quran or the book of Navader-ul-Quran."
Ofcourse, some of these writings could not be transferred to the other
periods. But, in the periods of recent scholars, the late Allama
Majlisi has allocated a part of the nineteenth volume of his
book"Bihar al-Anwar" to the Book of Holy Quran. This part has been
printed in the volumes 89 and 90. Besides, this point that this part
of the book of Bihar al-Anwar, like the other parts of this
magnificent treasure, notonly includes numerous writings of scholars
of the earlier centuries, but implicitly it contains many traditions
from Holy Prophet Muhammad(saw) and the Holy Imams(as). It is a very
useful reference.
Lastly, in the selection of the traditions of these writings, great
emphasis has been laid on selecting the short Quranic traditions. In
some cases, a part of the tradition has been mentioned from summary
viewpoint. We have refrained from mentioning the reference of the
traditionso that it will be easier toread or memorize them. But, those
interested for finding the references of every tradition can refer to
their sources.
01 - The superiority and excellence of the Holy Quran.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw)said:
"The superiority and preference of the Holy Quran on all other books
and sayings is the same as the superiority of Almighty over His
creatures."
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The Holy Quranis superior and excellent to everything other than
Almighty Allah (SWT)."
c) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"One who reads the Holy Quran, then he imagines that somebody (else)
has received better and superior than him, then most certainly he has
considered it insignificant the thing that is honorable and great
before the Almighty."
d) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Whenever mischief and seditions surround you like a part of the
darkness of the night then (take refuge and) go towards the Holy
Quran."
e) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The Holy Quran is a wealth that no wealth can equal (or reach) it.
And there will be no poverty after it."
02 - the Comprehensiveness and value of Holy Quran.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The Book of the Almighty comprises of the narratives and incidents of
the ancients; the news of the future ones; and the rules and
regulations amongst you.The Holy Quran was the measure and weight of
the truth and falsehood and it is not facetious and in vain."
b) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as)said:
"The Holy Quran is beautiful apparently and it is deep and profound
inwardly. Its wonder is everlasting and the curtains of darkness will
not be removed when refraining from it."
03 - Learning and teaching the Holy Quran.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The best of you are those who have learned the Holy Quran and teachto
the others".
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"One who teaches an Ayat of the Holy Quran, the Sawab (good deed) will
be earned and returned to them so long as the Ayat is being recited."
c) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"For the teacher of the Holy Quran, all the particles of the world
seek forgiveness and supplicate for him even the fishes of the
oceans."
d) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"Learn and study (Holy) Quran. It is the best of the sayings. Peruse
and think and deliberate on it as it is the spring of thehearts."
e) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as)said:
"It is deserving and worthy of a believer that he should not depart
from this world but that he has learned the (Holy) Quran or is in the
path of learning it."
f) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The (Holy) Quran is the (dining) table of the Almighty. Therefore,
utilize it and learn as far as possible."
04 - The Recitation of TheHoly Quran; Its Effect and Its Usefulness.
a) The best of the worships is the recitationof the (Holy) Quran. The
traditions that have beennarrated about reward and good deeds for the
recitation of the Holy Quran is considered as the best of worships. It
is important to mention that during the period ofHoly Prophet
Muhammad(saw); the learning of theword and meaning of the Holy Quran
was considered jointly. Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) recommended the
recitation of the Holy Quran along with understanding their meanings.
The conduct of Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) shows us that he would
teach ten Ayats of the Holy Quran to his companions and till the time
they would not learn and understand the practical rules and science of
the ten Ayats, he would not commence the next ten Ayats. Thus, the
reader ofthe Holy Quran was aware and well conversant of their
meanings.
b) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
"The Quran is the covenant and programs the Almighty for His
creatures. It is deserving that every Muslim should look at this
divinely testament every day and recite fifty Ayats from them every
day."
c) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"One who recites ten Ayats of the (Holy) Quran during the night is
from amongst the negligent and the heedless. One who recites fifty
Ayats is from amongst the recites and commemorators. One who recites
hundredAyats is from amongst the humble and meek ones. One who recites
two hundred Ayats will be counted from amongst the one who fears the
Almighty and from amongst the specialones. One who recites three
hundred Ayats will be from amongst the delivered and saved ones. And
one who recites five hundred Ayats, he will be from amongst the
jurisprudents."
d) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"In the day of Resurrection, it will be said to the reciter of the
Holy Quran (Qaari) that recite (The Holy Quran) and step above. Recite
as you have recited in the (previous) world. Your status and position
is up to the last Ayats that you have recited."
e) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"One who recites the (Holy) Quran is like the one on whose heart has
been inserted the Prophet hood except that"Wahi" (revelations) have
not been revealed for him."
f) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said to Salman Mohammadi:
"O Salman! Upon you be about the recitation of the (Holy) Quran. Its
recitation is kaffarah (atonement) of sins."
g) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
"One who recites the Holy Quran and he is a young believer, then his
body and blood will be blended and mixed with it."
H) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Surely, these hearts are rusts like rusted irons. Surely (the thing)
which gives it luster and polish is the recitation of the (Holy)
Quran."
05 - The ways and the Manners of The Recitation of The Holy Quran.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Discharge (your duty towards the Holy) Quran in a good way and search
for its wonders and strangeness."
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Recite the (Holy) Quran in the tone of the Arabs and with their
dialects and accents."
c) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
"The (Holy) Quran has been revealed in a sad and sorrowful manner. So,
you also recite it humbly and sadly."
d) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"During the recitation of the (Holy) Quran, express it in a good
manner. And do not hurry in it like as reciting the poems and do not
scatter it like the pebbles." But, install fear and alarm in your hard
hearts through it. Your efforts should not be thatyou should recite
and reach the end of the Ayat.
e) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Learn the (Holy) Quran in Arabic. Refrain from adding an extra word
or alphabet in it."
06 - The Recitation Of TheHoly Quran in a beautiful and Melodious Tone.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"For everything there is an adornment and a decoration. The adornment
of the (Holy) Quran is a beautiful voiceand tone."
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Adorn and decorate the (Holy) Quran with your (good) voice."
c) It was asked from Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) that which of the
peoples voice in the recitation of the (Holy) Quran is better. He
said;"The voice of that person is better who while reciting the Holy
Quran and his recitation reaches you, you feel that he is feaful of
Allah."
d) Imam Ali al-Hadi (as)said:
" Ali ibn Hussein (Zainul Abedin)would recite the (Holy) Quran in
such a beautiful voice the passer byes who would pass from his house
would swoon and (would be overcome) by his voice."
e) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
While interpreting the Ayat of the Holy Quran,"The meaning of this
Ayat is that one should recite the Holy Quran in a slow and pauseful
manner and make your voice beautiful with its recitation."
07 - Memorizing The Holy Quran and Its Effects.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The most honorable andnoble from amongst my Ummat are the memorizers
of the (Holy) Quran and those who (stay) awake (for worshipping)."
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The carriers of the (Holy)Quran are those who are included and
covered by the Mercy of Allah."
c) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
"Recite the (Holy) Quran and memorize it. Allah will not punish the
heart in which the Quran has been placed (in it)."
d) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
"The memorizer of the Quran and the one who acts on it will be the
companions with the preferable divine ambassadors - the Angels."
e) And from amongst the Duas and supplications ofImam Jafar Sadiq (as):
"O Allah, select and approve for us two works: to recite the Quran in
a good manner and to memorize their Ayats."
f) Imam Musa Kazim (as)narrates from Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) who said:
"The carriers of the (Holy)Quran are the learned persons of the
inhabitants of the Heavens."
08 - The Recitation of TheHoly Quran While Looking At The Moshaf.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Looking at the Moshaf (Holy Quran) is (considered as) worship."
As per some traditions, Moshaf is a name, which has been ascribed to
the Holy Quran. This word has not come in the Holy Quran in this form,
but itsderivative of "Sohof" has been used in the Holy Quran on 8
occasions.
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The recitation of the Holy Quran from the Moshaf (Book) is better
that its recitation from memory."
c) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Nothing is more difficultand harder for the Shaitan than the
recitation of the Quran from the Moshaf (book)."
d) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) said:
"One who recites the Quran from the Moshaf (Book) then his eyes will
enjoy and profit (from itsgood deeds and blessings)."
09 - The Recitation Of TheHoly Quran And Contemplating And Deliberating On It.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"Woe is upon the one who recites the divine Ayats, but dose not
contemplates and thinks about it."
b) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"Beware, there is no good in recitation (of theHoly Quran) and not
deliberating and thinking on it."
c) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"Learn the (Holy) Quran as it is the best of the speeches and think
and reflect on it as it is the spring of the hearts."
d) Imam Jafar Sadiq (as) while interpreting the Ayats of the Holy
Quran, the right to the recitationof the Quran is thinking and pause
over every Ayat, which propounds about the Heaven and the Hell.
10 - The Recitation of TheHoly Quran And Acting OnIt.
a) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"How numerous are the reciters of the Holy Quran, and the Holy Quran
curses them."
b) Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) said:
"The one who does not consider the Haram (forbidden) acts of the Holy
Quran as Halal (permissible) does not believe and has no faith in the
Holy Quran."
c) The one who learns the Holy Quran and does not act on it, Allah
(SWT) will raise him as a blind (person) on the day of Resurrection."
d) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"By Allah, pay attention to the Holy Quran. It should not be that
othersovertake and take precedence over you in acting and practicing
(onthe Quran)."
e) Imam Ali Reza (as)said:
"(Quran) is the word of Allah (SWT). Do not exceed and trespass
fromits boundary. Do not seekguidance other than from its shadow and
protection or you will be deviated and misguided."
f) Ameerul Momineen Ali (as) said:
"One who recites the (Holy Quran) and then enters the Hell, he is
fromthose who have ridiculedand mocked at the Ayats of the Holy
Quran."

Ramadan Articles, - Registering in the School of Righteous Generations

A noble guest is soon to arrive and a great season is to start -- the
month ofRamadan, which is a month praised in the Quran
andtheSunnah)Prophetic tradition(. It has many virtues; for example,
when it starts it is said:"O seeker of goodness, go ahead! O seeker of
evil; desist!"
TheUmmah)Muslim nation( has witnessed this month 1430 ]1[times and the
month that is upcoming is1431. Many generations have graduated fromits
school. It gives an opportunityfor serious people to change themselves
from wrong to right, from misguidance to guidance, from failure to
success, from defeat to victory and from every defect to every
perfection. This not only takes place only in one aspect of life;
rather, it occurs in many fields: religious, social,
economic,Jihad)struggle(, and others.
It is sufficient that during this month the Muslim overcomes thecalls
of the soul which is a persistent enjoiner of evil. By fasting, the
strong will of the Muslim wins over his base desiresin a way that he
savors its taste and feels its joy everyday at sunset. The Prophet,,
said:"There aretwooccasions of joy for one who fasts: one when he
breaks thefastand the other when he willmeethisLord."]Muslim[
For example, you may notice the sinning Muslim who is addicted to
drinking alcohol and nothing deters him from drinking day andnight;
but inRamadan, if someone were to compel him to drink a sip of lawful
pure water while he was fasting, he would be extremely antagonized!
Ramadanis a school that calls people to every virtuous manner, as
Allaah The Almighty Says)what means(:}O you who have believed, decreed
upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you
may become righteous{]Quran 2:183[
However, this chance is only for those who are sincere and serious.
The school ofRamadanisopening its doors for registration. This chance
may notbe available in the future. There are many people who hope to
witness tomorrow and do not witness it. There are many people who were
among the living in the morning and in the night they are among the
dead. There are many people who hopeto witnessRamadanbut they do not.
*.How are the "1,300,000,000" inRamadan?
One billion 300 million is the approximate number of Muslims nowadays.
They have the same ablution, the same way of praying, the same
fasting, and the sameHajj.
They worship One God: no one is truly worthy of worship but Him. They
submit to Him.
However, what about their feelings towards each other? What is their
concern with regard to supporting their religion? What are their
goals?
The answer is represented in the tragic suffering of Muslims in the
four corners of the world. Year after year, their suffering has become
even greater and the state of affairs has become even more turbulent
for the IslamicUmmah)Muslim nation( and its unity.
With the advent ofRamadan, themonth during which sublime virtues
become manifest and people benefit therefrom, you are invited to take
your share from this great bounty while you sit around the table
)ofRamadan( which Allaah The Almighty designated for the believing
people of the IslamicUmmah.
The most important thing to be adopted and followed is to achieve
brotherhood of faith among Muslims. Accordingly, they would support
each other, putting into action the verse in which Allaah The Almighty
Says)what means(:}The believing men and believing women are allies
ofone another.{]Quran 9:71[ And theHadeeth)narration( of the
Prophet,:"The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and
sympathy are just like one body; when one of the organs suffers, the
whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."
Unity of faith is enhanced in the legislation of fasting as the
Prophet,said:"The start of the fast is the day you start and the end
of the fast is the day you end it, and the day of sacrifice is the day
you offer your sacrifice."]Abu Daawood, At-Tirmithi and Ibn Maajah[
Commenting on thisHadeeth, At-Tirmithisaid,"Some scholars interpreted
this Hadeethsaying that it means that fasting and breaking the fast
should be with the community of Muslims and most people."
Contemplate, O Muslims, on the unity of faith which brings your hearts
together even though you are of different countries, languages and
colors. It is an unmatchable unity on the face of the earth. So, why
do we overlook and neglect it? Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:}And brought together their hearts. If you had spent all that
isin the earth, you could not have brought their hearts together; but
Allaah brought them together. Indeed, He is Exalted in Might and
Wise.{]Quran 8:63[
Why are people undutiful to theirparents?
Why do people sever their kinship ties?
Why do spouses quarrel and fight?
Why do neighbors desert each other?
Why are the bonds of brotherhood among Muslims untied?
The outcome of these misfortunes is that anUmmahof one billion three
hundred million lost its advantage and effectiveness and became as it
is mentioned in theHadeeth"you will be scum like that carried down by
a torrent."
O IslamicUmmah, why do we seek this humiliation and pantingbehind
other nations seeking glory and pride by imitating them? Why do we
forget the Quranic verse where Allaah The Almighty Says )what
means(:}This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed
My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion.{]Quran
5:3[
What a great religion is Islam! Why do people neglect this great blessing?
*.Breaking the Fast inRamadanand "Globalization"
The Prophet,, said:"Religion will continue to be dominant as long as
people hasten to break the fast, because the Jews and the Christians
delay doing so."]Abu Daawood[
Contemplate this discrepancy anddistinction between the MuslimUmmahand
other nations even in the aspects of eating.
The purpose of instituting distinguishing features in theUmmahwas not
intended as an end in itself. Rather, it was legislated for a great
goal ofSharee'ah)Islamic legislation( that many people do not
observenowadays and take it lightly; namely, distinguishing
thisUmmahfrom other nations in order to be independent in every field
-- religious, social economic,political, moral, and so on.
The Jews, since the dawn of the Message of Muhammad,noticed this
matter and were extremely annoyed. They said,"This man does not want
to leaveanything we do without opposing us in it."]Narrated by Anas,
may Allaah be pleased witgh him, inSaheeh Muslim[
Is it appropriate, after all this, that some of our brothers and
sisters become affected by the claims of the naïve and respond to the
calls of globalization?
Globalization in which aspect?
They want globalization in economy, policy, ethics, and so on. They
even call for religious globalization in order to mix all religions
including the true religion of Allaah The Almighty, Islam. Then, they
impose a new world order or a new world religion or the so-called
unity of religions in accordance with deviant Western perceptions in
the same way that they corrupted their religions, and designed after
the pattern of the godless life they live.
The Quran and theSunnah)Prophetic tradition( are replete with texts
enhancing the distinction of the members of thisUmmah, males and
females alike, with their true religion; andthe generations of
theUmmahcomprehended this distinction well, which indicates its utmost
importance. Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
*.}O you who have believed, do not take the Jews and the Christians as
allies. They are ]in fact[ allies of one another. And whoever is an
ally to them among you - then indeed, he is]one[ of them. Indeed,
Allaah guides not the wrongdoing people.{]Quran 5:51[
*.}And never will the Jews or theChristians approve of you until you
follow their religion. Say,"Indeed, the guidance of Allaah is the
]only[ guidance." If you were to follow their desires after what has
come to you of knowledge, you would have against Allaah no protector
or helper.{]Quran 2:120[
The Prophet,, said:"You will follow the ways of those who preceded you
inch by inch and cubit by cubit so that if they should go into the
hole of a mastigure, you will follow them into it." We said, "O
Messenger ofAllaah! Do you mean the Jews and the Christians?" He
replied,"Who else?""]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
He also said:"Whoever imitates a people, becomes one of them."]Ahmad
and Abu Daawood[ ]Jayyidchain of transmission[
The wholeUmmah, males and females, are asked to review their course of
life and the extentof their negligence towards this strategic issue in
order to regain their lost pride and honor.
]1[Until the time of writing theselines

Ramadan Articles, - The lost Ramadan

Ramadan is always equated in our minds with 29 or 30 days of
self-purification, sacrifice andpure devotion to Allaah. Even the
Muslim among us that would never bother about moon sighting, prayer in
the wee hours of the night and reading the whole Quran within four
weeks,gears up to embrace the spirit of this month.
Having spent the past Ramadan in the most beloved of lands to Allaah,
I felt utterly lucky to accept dates from a smiling sister who I had
never met and will probably never see again, and savor the loudAmeens
of my family of thousands of Muslims that the entire Al-Masjid
Al-Haraam )Sacred House in Makkah( resounded to.It was overwhelming to
observe hordes of peopleheading in one direction for Taraaweeh
)optional night prayers(. The Sacred House, ever the bustling place,
was full ofpeople breaking their fast, giving in charity, performing
'Umrah)Minor pilgrimage( and drinking Zamzam water. It has been a
supreme experience.
Yes, I am sure you know a 'but' is forthcoming. I hate to say what I
will, perhaps because I do notwish to taint the beauty of the month
that we have conjured up. But, even in Al-Masjid Al-Haraam, I could
not help but sadly wonder if Ramadan came and went, and we lost out.
For while I happily observed people flockingfor prayer, I also heard
people loudly fighting over a sitting place in theHouse of Allaah.
Instead of taking care of the Masjid like our own homes, it was often
left dirty as people failed to clean up after themselves. There was a
lot of generosity going around, but some of our Muslim brothers and
sisters are dying and suffering in many places around the world. There
was immense sharing, but rampant greed. Stores and hotels upped the
ante and doubled their asking prices.
Sure, all this gave a Makkan Ramadan a unique edge, no less, but I was
left wanting for thetrue spirit of Ramadan; offaith, unity and
patience,which brings about change within us that lasts more than just
one month.
Yet, every year, it is the same story in these sacred grounds, as well
as the rest of the Muslim world. What used to be a month of victory
since Islam came, has started to seem no different from our recent
history, with Muslim infighting, non-Muslims debasing our Prophetand
more failures. Rather than cherishing each moment of these invaluable
days, we cannot wait for 'Eed to don our new clothes. And instead of
fasting as a way of showing solidarity with the hungry, we plan
haute-cuisine Iftaars )fast-breaking meals(. Hearingof special Ramadan
TV shows and seasonal sales in shopping centers, it is difficult to
say if the corporations are more guilty or their clients.
The essence of Ramadan is becoming obscure; perhaps this is what the
Prophetimplied by saying:"Many a fasting person gains nothing from his
fasting but thirst, and many a personwho stands )in prayer( gets
nothing from his standing but wakefulness."]Ibn Maajah[
As always taught by scholars and in books and articles, Ramadan is not
just about the customary fasts and prayers; it is a month in which
Allaah has hidden a night which is better than a thousand months)in
virtue and reward(, sothat we make the effort every night to catch it.
Further, it is not about worshipping Allaah, The Most Exalted, and
practicing Islam only on one night or in one month, but Ramadan is
actually a catalyst for inner and outer change that lasts a lifetime,
for Allaah has no need for the one who fasts but does not leave evil
talk oraction. ]Al-Bukhaari[
Ramadan, in itself, is a month set above all by itsdistinctiveness as
days of fasting and nights of prayers, as actually practiced
everywhere. But, if we stay on our current path, not truly
appreciating the lessons of this month, by reducing it to a
conventional and commercialized holiday season, we may retain
itsgoodness, but risk losing the very spirit of Ramadan.