Ramadan Articles - Points to Ponder in Ramadan

A person might contemplate duringRamadanupon numeroussubjects. He
should reflect upon his affairs, his final abode, and whatis awaiting
him, as regards his departure to Allaah The Almighty. He can also
contemplate over his morals and evil aspects, in the hope of getting
rid of the latter; his acts of worship in which he was negligent and
which were filled with doubts and passing thoughts, which kept him far
from Allaah The Almighty, and from having good private talk with Him.
He can contemplate about standing in front of Him; what mends his own
self and final abode, and what causes him to knowand have love for his
Lord The Almighty.
A believer should reflect upon the Names and Attributes of Allaah; and
his standing to his Lord on the Day the people would stand to the Lord
of the Worlds. If one reflects upon the Names and Attributes of
Allaah, his living and final abode, his departure, death and grave,
his resurrection and standing in front of Allaah The Almighty, the
evil of his own soul, and the deficiencies of his actions and
provision, undoubtedly his reflection would cause him to increase in
faith and refrain from disobedience. It would enable him to endure
thedifficulty of striving against the evil he is suffering from,
remember the grave, death and accounting, and remember the terrors and
standing in front of Allaah The Almighty. All of this would be a
motive for him to hasten to Allaah The Almighty, to keep away from
sins, fear Allaah The Almighty, do his best and strive to excel in
worship and obedience, and persist inthinking of what returns upon him
with good in his worldly life and his final abode.
As for the remembrance of Allaah The Almighty, if one devotes himself
to it,he will be in the same state mentioned by Allaah The Almighty
Who Says )what means(:}So remember Me; I will remember you. And be
grateful to Me and do notdeny Me.{]Quran 2:152[ Among the benefits of
one's leaving his food and drink )in fasting( is to realize this
state. Is it appropriate that one realizes this during his day, and
when he breakshis fast, he gives up meditation and remembrance of
Allaah The Almighty? I mean those high ranks that represent the origin
of the knowledge of and love for Allaah The Almighty. Once he
reflectsupon the names and attributes of Allaah The Almighty, he
affirms the Oneness of his Lord, lovesHim, fears Him, has hope in Him,
supplicates Him, draws near Him, and makes his share from Allaah The
Almighty the most important priority for him in the world and the
Hereafter.
You need this meaning today and afterRamadan, otherwise, what would
you do if your days pass and you return to your old state, and the
month ofRamadangets over without getting any of that?
The next meaning is to make substantial contributions to increasing
the sustenance for the poor and needy. It is one of the traces
ofTaqwa)consciousness of Allaah The Almighty(. It is your share )of
good( which you should be keen to obtain, to give out of your property
to the poor and needy, for the sake of Allaah The Almighty. Make
hunger and thirst a reminder for you of those who have long been
suffering fromhunger and thirst, support your brethren and the
righteous slaves of Allaah The Almighty, and honor and bring about
pleasure upon them. All of this is among the best deeds mentioned by
the Messenger of Allaah. That was his state inRamadan. He was the most
generous of all people, and he used to be at the pinnacle of his
generosity in the month ofRamadan, when Jibreel )Gabriel(would teach
him the Quran. ]Al-Bukhaari and Muslim[
To conclude those benefits, let us say that fasting, standing )at
night in prayer(, remembrance of Allaah The Almighty and reduction of
food, drink and desire inRamadanbreak the soul's voracity, greediness,
wrongness and transgression. This is one of the most important reasons
that make one submit to his Lord and increase in piety.
The human soul inclines to transgression, errors, arrogance, laziness,
idleness and sleep -- it holds all things dear. Thisis why fasting is
one of the greatest means to break the destructive desires of the soul
for thesake of Allaah The Almighty, whereby it becomes submissive,
humble, reassured and devout. It hastens to obedience and seeks
forgiveness, humbles andsubmits itself to Allaah The Almighty, and the
heart and the physical organs respond to His love and obedience, and
refrain from disobedience to Him.