Ramadhan – My Bit for Change

Quran Journey Series – Reflections on Quranic verses – II

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful

“See you not how Allah sets forth a parable? – A goodly word as a goodly tree, whose root is firmly fixed, and its branches (reach) to the sky (i.e. very high).

Giving its fruit at all times, by the Leave of its Lord and Allah sets forth parables for mankind in order that they may remember.” (14: 24-25)

One of the most powerful and profound metaphors in the Quran: the upstanding tree firmly rooted in faith. I have always imagined the goodly tree to be a date-palm, perhaps because of this Hadith narrated by Umar (R.A): The Prophet (sallAllahu alayhi wasallam) said,

“Amongst the trees, there is a tree, the leaves of which do not fall and it is like a Muslim. Tell me the name of that tree.” Everybody started thinking about the trees of the desert areas. And I thought of the date-palm tree but felt too shy to answer. The others then asked, “What is that tree, O Allah’s Apostle?” He replied, “It is the date-palm tree.”

Sahih Bukhari, Book of Knowledge, Hadith #58

The date palm reaches out to the sky, standing tall and erect with its single branch-less trunk that goes straight up- somewhat like the spiritual pursuit of the Muslim seeking the Majestic Face of his Lord. The trunk is wedged, as if to aid the feet of the climber, the seeker of the sweetness higher up. Climbing up the date-palm is like walking the Steep Path which Allah mentions in Surah Balad, verses 11-14.

“But he has made no effort to pass on the path that is steep. And what will make you know the path that is steep? (It is) Freeing a neck (slave, etc.) Or giving food in a day of hunger (famine)…” (90:11-14)

The ascent is laborious and arduous, but the end is the sweetness of Eeman.

As the Hadith as well as the original verse mention, the date-palm is evergreen: bearing fruit in all seasons. Like the Muslim (submitted one) who remains steadfast in faith and is a consistent doer of good whether the going is tough or whether the circumstances are in one’s favour: creating for himself a win-win situation out of everything. As the Prophet (SAW) said,

“How wonderful is the affair of the believer, for his affairs are all good, and this applies to no one but the believer. If something good happens to him, he is thankful for it and that is good for him. If something bad happens to him, he bears it with patience and that is good for him.” (Narrated by Muslim, 2999).

Faith enables us to bear fruit no matter what ground we’re planted in, no matter what season it is: springtime or fall. For the energy comes from the inner treasure of faith, not from a salubrious external environment. The Muslim’s khayr (goodness) is not seasonal or conditional or time-bound.

The date-palm grows in the desert, in arid waterless lands. It promises nourishment, comfort and shade to the wearied desert dweller and the wayfarer. Its deep roots enable it to reach water that is not easily accessible. Its deep roots give it firmness, making it stand tall in the scorching barren desert under the blazing skies.

The date-palm grows in clumps, in community: life-giving oases in the wastelands. It marks the presence of water, beckoning the traveller and the seeker towards itself with hope and the glad tidings it exudes by its very existence. It is a place of refuge: energizing, revitalizing. In all this are traits of the believer. When Maryam (A.S) was in pain and distress, Allah gave her refuge, rest and comfort under the date-palm:

“And shake towards yourself the trunk of the date-palm it will let fall on you fresh, ripe dates.” (19:25)

It is the deep-rootedness that makes its branches reach higher up. Just like connection with your origin and essence, your history and genesis- that is, Allah who we come from- makes us mindful of our direction and purpose, fuels our journey onward and blesses us with spiritual elevation and moral uprightness. It is by looking back that we go forward. It is by being poised in the ethos of our existence (the fitrah) that we make the circle of life whole.

And at the apex of its journey, the highest point, the slender branchless trunk springs into a rich profusion and luxuriance of deep green leaves, at the core of which lies the hard-won prize, the fruit of labour: the date that is enriched with healthful, delectable sweetness: like the sweetness of eeman engendered over the long years of struggling in His way unifocally, with fear and with hope; and the sweetness of Allah’s Pleasure and reward that awaits us at the long journey’s end.

Ramadhan – The Month of The Quran

“The month of Ramadhan is the month in which the Quran was revealed; a guide for the people, the most authoritative of all guidance and a criteria to discern right from wrong”. (Al Baqarah:185)

As Muslims around the world celebrate the arrival of Ramadhan – the month of compassion, reflection and forgiveness – they also gear up to come nearer to their Lord through the Glorious Quran. Ramadhan provides an ideal atmosphere for righteousness in general but it particularly provides an opportunity to improve upon one’s study of the Holy Quran. As expounded by the Almighty Himself in the above quoted verse, there is a special connection between the Noble Quran and the blessed month of Ramadhan. Thus, this month also provides an ideal occasion to build, develop or strengthen a personal relationship with the Book of Allah, and through it with the Rahman Himself.

Our beloved Prophet (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him) devoted his lifetime in delivering Allah’s Message. Ponder on the thought for a moment that the epitome of Allah’s creation, the Seal of the Prophets, Muhammad (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him), had to bear twenty three long years of continuous hardships for delivering this Message, the Glorious Quran. For Muslims, bearing the love for their Holy Prophet (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him) in their hearts is part of faith. Association with the Message that was Muhammad’s (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him) lifetime mission, thus, must ensue out of the love for Muhammad (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him). During Ramadhan, every Muslim ought to probe his or her heart for the sincerity in his claim for the love for Allah and His beloved Prophet (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him). For, amongst the followers of the Prophet (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him), there are those about which the following expression of the Holy Prophet (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him) on the Day of Judgment is narrated in the Quran itself:

“And the Messenger will say: “O my Lord! Verily, my people deserted this Quran””. (Al-Furqan:30)

For Muslims, merely the recitation of the Noble Quran should not suffice as being enough for the ultimate salvation. Although it is a guide for mankind in general but for Muslims, it is meant to be read, understood, acted upon and propagated. The character Islam wants to build for a Muslim, the society it wants to develop, the bond it wants to establish amongst mankind and their Creator is all contained in this divine “User’s Manual”. Allah does not burden a person beyond one’s capacity and thus each Muslim has to fulfill his obligation to the Noble Quran to the utmost of his personal capacity. Our beloved Prophet (peace and Allah’s Mercy be upon him) has demonstrated that this is a continuous and life long process. The following verse can be related to the understanding of the Holy Quran to a person’s intellectual capacity:

“When they will be brought into the presence of God, He will ask them, “Did you reject My revelations without fully understanding them. What did you know about them if you had any knowledge at all?” (An-Naml: 84)

The effort towards developing an improved understanding of the Quran is not cumbersome if attempted as a convenient daily routine suiting one’s individual capacity, capability and commitments. The first step of any journey is the most important one. The road to salvation would be easy to tread if it is divided into small manageable steps while the final goal be kept in sight.

“It is better for you to learn (understand) a single verse of Holy Quran in the morning rather to pray hundreds of Rakaat”. (Ibn-e-Ma’ja, 1:619)

Allah has repeatedly mentioned in the Quran in various contexts that He has made His Word easy to understand, remember and preach. The ambience of Ramadhan provides time to reflect upon one’s commitment to his faith and thus to the Book of Guidance and Mercy. A suitable routine towards improved Quranic comprehension initiated in Ramadhan can follow through into the whole year and subsequently into one’s whole life.

It is a time to answer the call of the Quran –

“And We have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember: then is there any that will receive admonition?” (Al-Qamar:17)

– with a positive mind, a open heart and a balanced approach. In Quran’s own words taught to us:

“We hear and obey. Grant us Your forgiveness, Lord, to You we shall all return!” (Al Baqarah:285).

Culminating with the following supplication:

“O Allah! let me receive Your mercy by means of the Noble Qur’an and make it my guide as well as a source of light, direction and grace for me. O Allah! revive my memory of whatever I have forgotten from the Noble Quran and grant me understanding of whatever part I know not, enable me to recite and follow it during hours of day and night and make it my main argumentative support”.

Wishing everyone a blessed and enlightening Ramadhan….

A Profane Spirituality

Pakistani private television channels glamorously sport sensational televangelists to satiate the public appetite for spirituality amidst tawdry entertainment galore. The trend rockets in Ramadan when popular media faces don sobriety in cotton shalwar kameezes of subdued hues, skull caps and most alluring beaded scarves and chiffon dupattas. It sells!

This year once again we have on screen with all his guns blazing one of these popular televangelists known for his versatile talents in speaking, singing, making dramatic invocations and tear-stained supplications as well as skills one cannot mention at the family dinner table. The latter came to light in a leaked video that had recorded this ‘aalim’s behind-the-camera antics and escapades. There was great shock and horror at this most dramatic volte face from a simple-minded populace that loves hero-worship. The wiser ones chuckled, saying, ‘I told you so.’ The ‘aalim’ carried on with classic composure, invoking divine retribution for the liars behind the scandal in his usual flowery and flamboyant language. The dexterous televangelist carries on with his repulsively seductive religious rhetoric aimed at the simplistic mass mind-set.

Notwithstanding the public humiliation he underwent and the aggravated sentiment of his massive fan-following (largely female), the aalim stuck to his guns and emerged unscathed. There you have it- the aalim (dis)graces the screen of Pakistan’s most popular private television channel this Ramadan with an unbelievable audacity. In your face. What adds a flabbergasting twist to the tale is the fact that the earlier video had been allegedly publicized on youtube and elsewhere by this very channel which now advertises his program as its Ramadan highlight. The channel also must be credited with putting up this ignoramus of abysmal moral standing and dubious background as an ‘aalim’ before the Pakistani public in the first place. After his metamorphosis into an ‘Aalim Online’ thanks to this channel, the so-called aalim reappeared on a similar evangelical show on another channel having quit his mentors in the previous one. That is when appalling off-camera clips from his programs recorded for the first channel went viral. In a mind-boggling move, the aalim returns to this channel he had quit, reaffirming his loyalties and once again using his odious eloquence to seduce gullible minds.

The entire episode reeks of a most worrying and dangerous trend in Pakistani society. The commercialization of the mass media has taken a heavy toll on our most sacred values, marketing spirituality. Religion too is to be sold, like soap or whitening creams or cheap powder. It is embellished with a deliberate spirituality calculated to keep the viewer glued to the screen, packaged under brand names, presented by alluring faces in lighter shades of lipstick framed by an oceanic-blue-green or pristine white sequined scarf. For a more dramatic touch, the camera captures a little tear droplet streaming down the lightly painted face at the precise time when the camera zooms in. It is a winning advert- sure to guarantee a sizeable viewership of semi-literate housewives from all over the country.

The ethos of Islamic culture is simplicity. Spiritual practice is an intensely private matter, and when it is brazenly flaunted by exhibitionists it loses all sanctity. The individual’s faith is a matter between him and his Creator, and humility is the defining trait of the believer. Religiosity dripping from phony appearances, hairy faces appropriate for the occasion, titles, and headgear exposes the emptiness, superficiality and hypocrisy of the trade. According to a hadith,

‘Allah does not look at your appearances, but He looks into your hearts.’

The Pakistani media has reached the lowest point of depravity with this commercialisation of spirituality. It steers directionless, blinded by the commercialist and competitive imperative, leading a nation wired into the matrix, frozen into a hypnotic trance like sleepwalking starry-eyed zombies.

The artifice, pretentiousness and even shameless hypocrisy of it all is a damning verdict on our collective morality as a society. I fear for the generation that grows up in and is socialized into this morass of values. When the persona of the ‘religious scholar’ is tarnished with debauchery, hypocrisy and showmanship; when spirituality is worn and flaunted for appropriacy according to the occasion; when our most sacred values are presented in such blatantly superficial and distasteful ways, I shudder to think of what we are dwindling into as a society and a nation, what papier mache ‘role models’ and inspiration we are leaving behind for our children.

Welcome Ramadan

By the grace of Almighty, the holy month of Ramadan is here. With every beginning of Ramadan, the environment suddenly changes in Islamic world and the bond between Muslims gets stronger and more beautiful. It’s a month of virtues, repentance, charity, forgiveness and blessings. The month gives us opportunity to reconnect with our family and friends as well and rethink about our priorities in life. This month gives a chance to everyone to be closer to the Lord. The opportunity is for everyone to utilize; to reflect, repent and cleanse the inner self.

Prophet Muhammad SAWW delivered a beautiful sermon to welcome the month of Ramadan which is narrated below.

On the authority of Salman al Farsi (May Allah be pleased with him) it is narrated that during the last Jumu’ah of the month of Sha’ban the Prophet (Peace be upon him) recited a Khutba (sermon) in which he said:

‘O people there comes over you now a great month, a most blessed month in which lies a night more greater in virtue than a thousand months. It is a month in which Allah has made Fasting compulsory by day, and has made Sunnah the Taraweeh by night. Whosoever intends drawing near to Allah by performing any virtuous deed, for such a person shall be the reward like the one who had performed a Fardh (Obligatory act) in any other time. And whoever performs a Fardh, shall be blessed with the reward of seventy Faraa-idh in any other time.

This is indeed the month of patience, and the reward for true patience is Jannah (Paradise). It is the month of sympathy with one’s fellowmen. It is the month wherein a true believer’s rizq (sustenance) is increased. Whosoever feeds another who fasted, in order to break the fast at sunset, for the feeder there shall be forgiveness of sins and freedom from the fire of Jahannum (hellfire), and for such a feeder shall be the same reward as the one who Fasted (who he fed) without that persons reward being decreased in the least.”

Thereupon we said, “O Messenger of Allah, not all of us possess the means whereby we can give a fasting person to break his fast.” (They were at the time under the impression that Rasullulah(saw) referred to a full meal). Rasullulah (saw) replied:

“Allah grants the same reward to the one who gives a fasting person to break the fast a mere date, or a drink of water, or a sip of milk (for Iftar).”

“This is a month, the first of which brings Allah’s mercy (i.e. the first 10 days), the middle of which brings His forgiveness and the last of which brings freedom from the fire of Jahannum.”

“Whosoever lessens the burden of his servants (d cor those under his authority) in this month, Allah will forgive him and free him from the fire of Jahannum.”

“And in this month four things you should continue to perform in great number, two of which shall be to please your Lord, while the other two shall be those without which you cannot do. Those which shall be to please your Lord, are that you should in great quantity bear witness that there is no deity to worship except Allah (i.e. recite the Kallimah Tayyibah Laa ilaha illallah) and make much Istighfaar (repentance, beg Allah’s forgiveness with Astagfirullah). And as for those without which you cannot do, you should beg of Allah, entrance into Paradise and ask refuge in Him from Jahannum.”

“And whoever gave a person who fasted water to drink, Allah shall grant that giver to drink from My fountain, such a drink where after that a person shall never again feel thirsty until he enters Jannah.” [Ibn Khuzaimah in his Saheeh]

This Hadith not only signifies the value of Ramadan but tells us how to behave during the holy month. Ramadan takes us out of the usual routine life and places us in a total different scenario while we are doing the same routine tasks. Our behaviour totally changes. Its like a breath of fresh air. Syed Maududi rightly said that it’s a litmus test to check the ‘life’ of a Muslim society. If there is some life left in a society, it will be evident during Ramadan.

One thing which we should ensure is that we must continue the virtues even after Ramadan. This is a training workshop of unity, tolerance and piety for 30 days for entire Muslim society and we should learn from it and continue these good habits throughout the year. If we can refrain from ‘Halal’ (permitted) things when ordered by Allah and when we work together in unison, then it’s not difficult to stop ourselves from the ‘Haram’ (forbidden) if we are willing to obey and please the Lord.

The Clothesline

So many of the Ramadan have passed without benefitting the soul much. This could be a different one. The periodic break from reality is refreshing. Almost musical; mystical. To consistently be able to get up before dawn for Fajr prayers, timing your midday to slip in to the hospital chapel to bow down in prayer for Zohar, to joining a spouse in the post work Asr prayers, to rediscovering the joy of food and drink with sunset and Maghrib prayers and retiring to bed with a rough sketch of the next work day after Isha prayers.

This is not a claim to piety but an expression of amusement of deprivation bringing such content. Breaking away from the “givens” like food and drink is a hint perhaps to the “portable happiness” that human beings are capable of carrying in their very souls. Years ago in school I learnt of the virtues of fasting and could list understanding hunger and experiencing it first hand, understanding that what we take for granted being indeed a great bounty from Al-Ghaffaar (The Great Forgiver) and to bring discipline and subjugate the “free will” to what the Al-Kareem (The Bountiful) has willed for us. Mostly it was to pass the Islamic studies test. The gulf between word and deed registers meaningfully in the proverbial perfection of hindsight. Through the telescopic reach of it I pull out a seemingly random experience.

I watch the clothes being hung on the clothesline by the housemaid. Besides being entrusted with the task of cleaning a house teeming with children, she would also be asked to help with the laundry. I suspect the separate salaries that she would draw from the multiple families in the house served her sanity well. She starts at one extreme of the clothesline, which by evening would serve as a “net” for a badminton match between cousins, often earning the ire of an aunt or uncle for prematurely removing the garments hung out to dry. By the time she would reach the middle, garments of likely equal weight, would make the line sag just by virtue of their distance from the supports on either end. A much less perplexed mind marvelled at this being an analogy of the disparities in life in general. The clothes in the middle, sometimes the same weight, even shade, colour or fabric would be much closer to the ground, at times leaving them much more vulnerable to picking up dust from the floor when a bunch of teenagers would carelessly bundle them in to a corner for the evening sports. Years later, the simplicity of this analogy finds a reminder in the journey through Ramadan. It fits in to an emerging picture of who I am and where I am headed; still hazy but promising to reveal itself in its entirety. A picture that I believed was a complex mix of depictions, themes and subthemes, subtlety camouflaged as the obvious, turned out to be the creation of one master stroke by Al-Musawwir (He who designs all things). Infinitely simple.

The appropriateness of this analogy holds true as I reflect on the clothesline being this worldly life; confined in time, space, means, material, health and the journey lasting just as long as the body holds on to the basics of its physiology. How can some be left kissing the ground while the others sway freely with the slightest hint of a breeze? That too in a world created by Al-Adil (The Just)? I stared hard at the picture for a long time. No answers arrived and none will for many years and I know all too well the perils of claiming wisdom. I acknowledge the limits of my own vision. To sweep that corner of a sleeve off the ground I would need to make the line tauter and with that one simple answer came many others. The ends of this line extend to eternity, weighed against infinity ultimate and universal justice prevails. The Prophet Mohammed Sallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said:

Narrated Haritha bin Wahb Al-Khuzai: I heard the Prophet saying. “May I tell you of the people of paradise? Every weak and poor obscure person whom the people look down upon but his oath is fulfilled by Allah when he takes an oath to do something. And may I inform you of the people of the Hell-Fire? They are all those violent, arrogant and stubborn people.”

“I would not like to have gold equal to this mountain of Uhud, unless nothing of it, not even a single Dinar of it remains with me for more than three days, except something which I will keep for repaying debts. I would have spent all of it (distributed it) amongst Allah’s Slaves like this, and like this, and like this.” The Prophet pointed out with his hand towards his right, his left and his back (while illustrating it).

In yet another Hadith it is said that the poor will enter paradise 500 years before the rich as they had not been tested with wealth.

As I finally call it a day I hope to dream of the careless laughter as children play around a clothesline that does not sag.