Friday, August 13, 2010

"A Good Wife Is Worth More Than Gold"


Today's walk of hope ... 

"Ramadan is the month in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear signs for guidance and judgement between right and wrong. So every one of you who is present at his home during that month should spend it in fasting...and glorify him in that he has guided you perchance ye shall be grateful."  Holy Qur'an 2:185

Ramadan has an effect on my life like no other experience.  It is in this month the I feel empowered to take back control of my desires, thoughts and deeds.  It is in this month that clarity pierces the fog of worldly distractions and our total focus is placed on service to Allah.  

One of the traditions which we practice is the  reading of  the entire Qur'an.  While it seems like a rather large book it is in fact smaller than the New Testament of the Christian Bible, and no matter how many times I have read the Qur'an, each time I gets something  new and timely which stands out  reaching me in very deep and personal ways.  Allah talks to us all as individuals, whether we are Muslim or non-Muslim, and while each Ramadan yields unexpected blessings, for me this year the blessings came early!

This Ramadan which began in my area on August the 11th, began with a wonderful occurrence: my wife took her Shahadda (testament of faith) and took it upon herself to fast with me!  Saying I was impressed would be an understatement.  

Now, this wasn't her first experience of the Ramadan fast.  Over the last couple of years she has observed my fasting, learning the purpose of why Muslims fast, what we go through in relation to the challenges of hunger and restraint, as well as the peace and tranquility which fasting brings upon the fasting person.

This year however was different.  Without suggestions from myself or anyone else Allah put it upon her heart to take part in the fast, and  even more importantly: to take her Shahadda, which for Muslims is an open declaration of faith that marks ones entry into the deen (religion) of Islam.  Praise be to Allah!  

As faith in Islam is totally a personal choice Muslims do not generally evangelize or seek to convert people in the traditional sense.  In other words we don't walk around with our religion on our shoulder.  Instead  we seek to spread the message of Islam through our character, actions and way of life, as the Qur'an says: 

"Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy handhold, that never breaks."     
 Holy Qur'an 2:256

Therefore I never took it upon myself to ever try and "convert" my wife, as I consider "faith" and "religion" to be personal choices.  Evidently however she's been watching me.  More significantly she took time to sit listen and read the book itself and this truly impressed me, as most people today prefer to have their religious beliefs regurgitated by preachers, rather than do their on research.  

Through her own study of the Qur'an and religion of Islam she came to the point of embracing the faith without suggestions from myself other than my personal practice of living as a Muslim (which isn't a model example).  So when  I asked her 'why' she simply responded: "I believe the Qur'an is the truth".

Hence the first step toward Allah.  As the Qur'an stands as the final and ultimate example of God's guidance to humanity its verses range from "basic and fundamental" to symbolic and even mystical, but one thing that stands out is the veracity and purity of its most urgent message.  The Qur'an speaks to the heart and soul of any who take time to listen with an open mind.

So on the first morning we awoke together took our morning meal, and for the first time in 21/2 years made our prayers,  bowing down before Allah together making this a truly  blessed month.  As the old saying goes, "a family that prays together, stays together" and it is rare to find someone willing to walk the same path.  Someone that stands beside you as a help, not a hindrance and in this I am thankful for a good woman in my life.  

The Prophet (pbuh) once said: "A good wife is worth more than gold", and in this case I have received a gift that is priceless.

So each morning we awake in the for the Suhur meal, prayers and reading of the Qur'an.  As we read the Qur'an we discuss various aspect of Islam and the life of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as we have done over the past couple of years, and each day as our understanding of each other grows, so does the love and respect.   

As the days of  Ramadan progress the Qur'an  provides new insights  to each of us.  Insights  which help us  to be better individuals,  spouses and servants to Allah.  As the struggle becomes more intense and difficult  Allah instills in us a deeper appreciation for one another, and the unique experience of taking pleasure in finding a path to peace in this life and the hereafter.  For this I am grateful.

Reading through the Qur'an together with Nancy was probably the most valuable experience that I have ever shared with any woman I have ever known in my life.  Each reading  provides us with unique opportunities to discuss not only the reasons behind our fasting but behind many of the things Muslims do.  


Last year my wife described to me how impressed she was about the clear and concise way that the Qur'an relates to us in clear and vivid language the message of Tawhid: Oneness of God.  As well as the responsibilities of the believer to pray, feed the poor, restrain from shameful deeds, and exhibit the goodness which is inherent in us all.  

While I will not attempt to guess at what the decisive point was I will simply say that more people need to read this book as it contains answers to many of the spiritual, emotional and social ailments to which our best doctors, philosophers and politicians haven't a clue.  No one can present a more beautiful and convincing argument than the Qur'an itself.  As Allah says:

 "With Allah is the argument that wins through", and in Nancy's case it was very words of the Qur'an did eventually win her over.   I find it an amazing phenomena that if one sits and listens to the recital of the Qur'an they find that it is a message very difficult to reject.  It is a sober message that declares the oneness of God in  clear concise and beautiful language.  It is a message which reaches to the depths of the very soul challenging our preconceptions of what Islam is, and who Muslims are.  

Too many people attempt to define Islam by watching the 9 o'clock news or listening to religious leaders who have never bothered to look into the book for themselves and make a living feeding their congregations regurgitated false messages of hate and intolerance carelessly gleaned from the internet or anti-Islamic propaganda.  To her credit she sought out the truth on her own as "one day in the life of Islam is better than an entire lifetime of unbelief".

Monday, August 9, 2010

Ramadan: Love, Sacrifice and Allah's Good Pleasure

Today's walk of hope ... In keeping with the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Ramadan officially begins with the sighting of the new moon.  


Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (raa): Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "The month can be 29 nights (i.e. days), and  do not observe fast until you see the crescent , and if the sky is overcast then complete as 30 days."
[Sahih Bukhari Chpt 7 #928]


In the above hadith Prophet Muhammad set the standard by which we begin and end our fast during the month of Ramadan, and it is  with great anticipation that Muslims world wide await the sighting of the moon which identifies the commencement of this sacred month wherein we fast for the sake of Allah alone.

As I prepare for the month in my home my thoughts sometimes turn to what I will be giving up: the bad habits, the petty rivalries, and unproductive behaviors.  For it is in this time that our thoughts focus on one thing: glorifying Allah.  One thing I know about fasting during the month of Ramadan is that if you truly fast, you won't  end the month the same way you went in: the experience will change you, bringing you closer to Allah, and the company of believers, therefore Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, giving and sharing for all   Muslims.

It is a time that we examine our faith, seeking Allah's forgiveness.  A time that we look for the areas where we have allowed our practice of Islam  to become weak and lax in carrying out our religious duties to Allah.  Thus as we go into the month we must consider the sacrifices we are willing to make for Allah in the area of completing our obligations and leaving off those things which are most destructive to the mind body and soul of the Muslim.

Thus Ramadan is a physical, mental and spiritual experience which reaches deep within the person and challenges our clinging to habits of fear, laziness, contempt, greed, quarreling, and pride.  It reminds us of what it feels like to go hungry, to be humble, and to submit our will to Allah.  For example the Prophet (pbuh) once stated:

Narrated by Abu Hurraira (raa): The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever does not give up lying speech (false statements) and acting on those lies and evil actions etc., Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink" (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting)
[Sahih Bukhari 3:127 --O.B.]

Thus Ramadan becomes more than a time of not eating during the day.  By leaving off our basic desires of food, drink and sex we are left with one thing: ourselves.  Our own nature and characters which become magnified in the intensity of the struggles while fasting.  It is within the heat of this struggle that Allah and his messenger test the mettle of the believers and challenge us to increase our faith by leaving off those things which take us out of our Muslim character.

Narrated Abu Huraira (raa): the Prophet said: "All the deeds of Adam's sons are for them, except fasting which is for me, and I will give the reward for it. There are two pleasures for the person observing fast, one at the time of Iftar, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting".   [Sahih Bukhari: 3:128-O.B.]

So  it is solely for the pleasure of Allah that we fast.  Fasting while an obligation for Muslims allows us to give to Allah  who needs nothing from us.  It is a total act of faith and devotion that defines the basic principle of the Islamic life:

"Say: Truly my prayer, and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death , are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds; No partner hath He: this I am commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His Will."
[Holy Qur'an 6:162]

Sunday, August 8, 2010

The Gates of Paradise Opened During the Month of Ramadan

Today's walk of hope ...
Narrated by Abu Huraira:  Allah's Messenger (pbuh)said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." [3:123-O.B.]

The Superiority of As-Saum (the fasting): Sahih Al Bukhari

Today's walk of hope ...
Chpt 31 #919.  Narrated Abu Huraira (RAA):

"Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, Saum (fasting) is a shield  from the Hell-fire."

"So, the person observing fast should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should say to him twice, 'I am fasting'.

The Prophet (pbuh) added,"By Him in whose hand my soul is, the smell coming out of the mouth of a person observing fast is better with Allah (swt) than the smell of musk."

Allah says about the fasting person: 'He has left his food, drink and desires for My sake.  The fast is for Me.  So I will reward the fasting person for it and the reward of good deeds is multiplied ten times." [3:118-O.B.]

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Ramadan: Renewed Hope In The Blessed Month for All Mankind


"Read! In the name of thy Lord who created you, created you from a clot of congealed blood. Read, and thy Lord is most bountiful, it is He that taught you the use of the pen, taught you that which you knew not before".
--The Holy Qur'an Chpt 96:1-4

Over 1400 years ago a man sat alone contemplating the nature of God and the purpose of life. It was in midst of this contemplation that according to tradition the Angel Gabriel appeared to him with a most urgent message of The Holy Qur'an, which literally translates as: recitation. Thus the first four verses of the Qur'an were revealed beginning a chain of events that not only changed the direction of world history, but for the last time established unadulterated monotheism as the standard of belief and service to One Single Omnipotent, Omnipresent Creator : ALLAH (swt).

"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self restraint (Taqwa)"
-- Holy Qur'an 2:183

It is in the Qur'an itself that Muslims are not only told to fast, but also how, and when to conduct the fast (HQ 2:184). In the Qur'an Allah tells the Muslims to fast during this month in which the Qur'an was revealed, for a period of 30 days, or one lunar month. Thus Ramadan is generally begun and ended every year by sighting of the new moon, however one can use calculations if the moon cannot be seen.

Ramadan for me is the best time of the entire year. It pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges my ability and willingness to master myself, physically, mentally and spiritually. This begins through the sacrifice of food, and water during the daylight hours, but extends also to other non essential habits we tend to acquire throughout our daily life.

In addition fasting during Ramadan creates the opportunity to become closer to my family, friends, and the company of believers as we meet for daily prayers and congregate in the mornings and evenings before starting and breaking the fast. By virtue of a common sacrifice we are all drawn closer together in an environment of peace an brotherhood. The mosque itself becomes almost a microcosm of the world as Muslims from all over the globe seek out the same places of prayer and learning. To the Muslim the mosque is like a second home. During Ramadan this can be seen quite vividly at Mosque's around the world.

I began my first Ramadan in 1994 and have participated each year since. While the customs never change, each Ramadan has its own set of unique challenges which test and confirm the depth of our faith and commitment to Islam. It is within the heat of this month that these moments take on a new clarity, and rather than punishments we see each difficulty as a test which brings us closer to Allah, each test in fact is a Mercy, as it is during these moments that the Muslims character is molded, honed, and defined.

"But all this was so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts. For Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts" --Holy Qur'an 3:154


Without struggle our faith becomes weak, and eventually meaningless. Thus it is within these unique challenges that I have benefited the most from fasting over the years. If you partake in the fast, one will not come out of Ramadan the same way they went in, and they do then most likely they didn't fast.


The essential purpose of Ramadan according to the Qur'an is to learn Taqwa, loosely translated as "self restraint" or "piety". The concept of Taqwa however goes much deeper than mere piety or self control. Taqwa the root of which indicates: 'to protect, or guard' something, is the essential element of maintaining and building our faith as Muslims. For example it is our Taqwa (God consciousness) that keeps us from cheating on a test, or not doing honest business, or stealing, or taking interest: essentially the voice within the heart that stops the hand from touching corruption. It is know that even if no one is around Allah sees all that you do and we will be held accountable for our actions. In effect Taqwa represents the "conscience" of the Muslim, the ultimate voice of reason. The Prophet (pbuh) stated that faith has many levels and that it increases and decreases according to our actions. A general measure of ones faith is our adherence to the real and actual duties commanded or forbidden by Allah's (swt) and his messenger (pbuh).


In other words as we give more, we get more in terms of spiritual cleansing and peace of mind. What would the world give for "peace of mind". Fortunes are sold, wars are waged, substances consumed and acts of insanity committed for "peace of mind". In Islam Allah gives us one simple task: practice self control and sacrifice for the sake of Allay. In that we find peace and love or our creator.


The greatest virtue in the human world is love. The ultimate act of love is self sacrifice, and it is during this month that the believers are able to collectively cast off life's demands and for a period of 30 days and focus on what is most important: our devotion to Allah, and seeking his mercy and pleasure.


As Muslims show up to the mosques in droves this is a new opportunity to become closer with brothers/sisters that one may rarely see throughout the year. It is a time to talk and share over communal evening meals of curry goat, chicken and various delicious sweets. Its a time to read the entire Qur'an in which we are literally in the presence of Allah as the words speak to us vivid clarity, or nuanced subtlety. Its a time of prayer which sometimes lasts into the night but leaves one with a sense of fulfillment no drug, drink or substance could ever provide. Most of all its a time to take inventory of ones priorities in respect to Fard (obligatory) religious duties and improve in areas that need improvement such as making prayer on time, giving to those in need, and avoiding distractions and shameful acts which take us away from Allah throughout the year.


This years Ramadan will be particularly auspicious. As the storm clouds of war continue to mount over the holy lands of the middle east the world looks on with reservations and concern that Ramadan, rather than a time of peace, will be a time of renewed militant struggle. I disagree with this perception. While some individuals or groups in the realm of extremism are bent on using religion to lead political struggles, for the vast majority of Muslims, Ramadan is far from a time to mount acts of violence, but rather to give and aid those who are weak, in need or who ask. It is a time to reach out not only to Muslims, but others outside of Islam, and invite them to the faith. In fact it is a preparation for the unique gift of life that Allah has made sacred.


It is a preparation for the hereafter and a spiritual cleansing that will re-invigorate us as we enter into the next year and face the challenges which will ultimately confront us all. In this we find the greatest gift life has to offer: Allah's Peace.

"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life, and life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions." -- (HQ 16-97

May Allah bless us all as we come into the month of Mercy, Blessings and Grace! Ramadan Kareem

I bear witness that there is no God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the last Messenger of Allah.
Assalamu Alaykum (peace be upon you)