JUMAT SERMON: Welcome Oh Ramadan! (Part Two)

WE feel obliged to give a big thank to Almighty Allah, The Entirely Merciful, The Especially Merciful Who counted us among those witnessing this unique season of the year, and earnestly praying to Him to spare our lives till the end of the holy month and beyond. 

Ramadan as great as it is, often meets majority of Muslims in an awful state of preparations to receive it. They are found as if getting ready for food eating competition. They focus so much on the quantity of foodstuff and drinks to be stocked for the month to the extent that the prices of commodities before every Ramadan soar. Whereas it is supposed to be the other way round, if the spirit of Ramadan is to be strictly observed. The rate of food consumption by Muslims is supposed to decrease considerably during Ramadan.  After all, one out of the three daily meals is designed to be omitted. Sahoor, (a predawn meal) is not only permitted but highly recommended for the Prophet (SAW) said: “Take sahoor, for indeed, there is blessing in so doing.”

The lunch is completely omitted while the breakfast should be as light as possible; taking some fruits at sunset on hearing the Adhan, (calling to prayer) preferably palm date if available, or water, or any other fruit in the absence of those two is equally good, followed by a light meal after Maghrib (the sunset prayer). The Prophetic advice on feeding is: Never eat except when you are hungry and when you eat, never fill your stomach to the brim. Rather divide your stomach into three parts; fill the first part with food, the second part with water and leave the third part for the air.”

However, to attain a high spiritual level in the month, one needs to drastically reduce his or her feeding habit to the barest minimum, for if you eat too much you will have to drink too much and that will lead to sleeping too much and will eventually miss a lot in this month of abundant blessings about which the Prophet SAW said: “I wonder for three categories of people, someone who met his parents alive and fails to prosper through being kind  to them, someone whom I, (Muhammad),am mentioned in his presence and fails to invoke for blessing upon me, someone who witnesses Ramadan but fails to achieve the mercy of Allah and have an enormous  share from His abundant blessings associated with the season.

Furthermore, The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith in Allah and seeking for His pleasure, such will be purified from all sins as if he or she is a newly born baby.”

Beside that, if he or she after fasting during the day follows it up with tahajjud (night prayer). especially during the last ten nights of Ramadan within which the night of power is located, according to the Prophet (PBOH), such person, by the end of the month would have added a complete eighty-three years and three months to his age. A fact deduced from Q97:3. In relation to that, the mother of the faithful, Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her asked: “Oh Messenger of Allah! If I witness the night of power what sort of supplications should I be doing? He, PBOH answered: You should say: “ Oh Allah! You are The All forgiving You love forgiveness so forgive me my sins.”

A Muslim should keep himself busy spiritually throughput the ramadan. Muslims should work on how to move closer to Allah, increase in seeking Allah’s forgiveness, reconcile with those with whom you have rancor particularly forgiving those who have offended you, draw a comprehensive timetable for the glorious Qur’an recitation, studying and memorizing some of the chapters/verses, listening to its recitation and for the beginners, learning how to recite it. 

There will be no excuse for any Muslim what so ever to say he or she cannot read the Qur’an except for those who are mentally retarded and cannot even learn to read the language of their mother’s tongue. But if you can learn, read and speak English fluently, what is your excuse for your inability to read the book of Allah, about which The Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever pronounces one single letter from the Qur’an has one reward. And each single reward will be multiplied by ten. He went further to say: “I am not saying that Alif…  Laam…  Meem… is a letter but Alif  is a letter on its own,  laam is another one  while meem is also a letter.” Any Muslim who is contented with his or her inability to recite the Qur’an in its original language is really missing a lot spiritually. Whereas, Allah The Almighty said: “And we have indeed made the Qur’an easy to understand and remember, then is there any that will remember” 

Daily azkaar (remembrance of Allah) should not be left out. Increment in showing kindness to the parents if they are still alive or even dead. The living parents should enjoy more from our benevolence by frequent visitation if they are close by or constant call if they are far away, financial support as much as possible. While the dead parents should always be prayed for, especially during our salaat (daily prayer). And visiting their grave and pray for them, without seeking any assistance from them. For they are the ones in need of our assistance not the other way round.

• Sheikh Ibrahim Oladejo Raji is the Imaam of Kosemani Jum’ah Mosque, off Iwo Ibadan Road, by Adetoro Shopping Complex, Mercyland Area, Dada Estate, Osogbo, Osun State. He can be reached via irajoladejo1951@a-dayomoshoodgmail-com

The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not represent the opinions or views of OSUN DEFENDER.