SEEKING ENTRY INTO JANNAH

By Sister Jasmine

eislam.co.za

We are into the last ten days of Ramadaan, and this is the point when the neighbours stop sending cookies at Iftar time, when fewer people go for Taraweeh (evening prayer), and more and more go to the malls. I remember as a child, when we reached the fifteenth day, our parents used to say, don’t worry, you are at the top of the hill, now it is easier because it is downhill. This has become a belief entrenched in us, but what happens with this perception is that we get careless and thus we miss out on the most important days of Ramadaan. These are the days when Allah invites us to work for entry into Jannah (Paradise). Instead we are so busy deciding between what to serve for Eid lunch and doing last minute shopping. In view of our goal, these last days are actually an uphill climb. Here strong faith is crucial. Imagine Imaan (faith) as a vehicle to get us up this hill.

As we place our foot on the accelerator, feed the tank with kindness and empathy. Not just for the poor and needy, but also to our family. The power attached to a heartfelt word or act of genuine kindness will help us to move smoothly up the hill which represent the last ten days of this holy month.

Kindness leads to compassion. As we tread the path of Allah consciousness, show compassion to those struggling along the road on foot.  Without compassion in the tank the engine will stall at the next sharp bend.

It is day three and the car seems to be a little sluggish, time to check the oil. We need more than petrol to get up this hill. Similarly, to be truly compassionate we need to move away from judging others. It is not possible to be truly compassionate when we judge others. The car is hiccupping now, so to get moving again, use the oil of non-judgment .Being judgmental could be like pouring old and used oil into your engine and expecting it to move smoothly.

It isday four, and the pace is quickening. So many things are clamouring for our attention as we comfortably move along. As the pace speeds up, it is easy to get distracted; time to engage the gear of patience as we striveto gain entry into Jannah.

So many things need to be done; trying to do everything can lead to a loss of focus. This drains us of vital energy and we can lose focus. When our energies are drained, our spirit is down. This leaves us with very little spirituality in what we do. However, try to persevere calmly in the face of difficulties.  We need balance to truly appreciate life. As we continue up the hill remember, you can still do what is necessary, you just have to prioritise.    The true believer worships and fulfils his obligations to Allah, while living in the Dunya (world), and fulfilling his obligations to family and society.

As the month draws to a close, we enter into the period wherein lies a great and auspicious night..Laylatul Qadr (The night of Power).  Here the windshield may be a little foggy; so to clear the glass, apply a little stillness, some quiet time to ponder and reflect. This is the night of inexplicable rewards, an ideal time to spend in solitude, reading the Quran, or in the Masjid. Even at home, you can sit with your young children, explaining to them the importance of this night.  Now use the gear of service.Most of us are trapped in the ‘do more’ ethic.  We work instead of providing a service. When we serve our family it is an Ibadah (worship).

As we enter the last three days we can feel fulfilled with our progress, but once Ramadan is over, we may change back.  We now need to change the points and plugs, so insert the points of growth. As we remember and draw closer to Allah we feel the growth in our spirit.   Allah created us as loving, powerful beings.  When we live up to our inherent qualities of Allah consciousness with commitment and sincerity we will grow and expand into our spiritual nature.

We have grown the past month; so let us be grateful for the journey. Since we have made it thus far, and our vehicle is still going strong; it is time to insert the gratitude plug.

As Muslims, one of the phrases that we are taught from babyhood is Alhamdulillah (All Praise is to Allah). In fact, so ingrained is it in us that sometimes we say it without conscious thought.  When we say Alhamdulillah, we are simultaneously praising and thanking Allah. For this to be truly effective, we have to be conscious of what we are feeling and doing. When we are conscious, in the present moment, what we feel is gratitude. Let us now, at day twenty nine, pause and reflect on all the things we are grateful for.

Alhamdulillah, here we are at the top of the hill. How awesome that we have reached this last night, with the grace and mercy of Allah. This dilapidated and rusty car has turned out to be a trusty little vehicle. With the right fuel, oil, and using the various gears, we have done it. This is a joyous moment, and whatever happens from here on, we are able to carry on.  During these entire 30 days, we have been cognisant of the implications of the three 10 day periods; we have remained focussed on what we had to do to reach this point. We recognized the truth and wisdom of Allah’s commands and we made conscious choices in the face of adversity. Filled with joy we will always know that everything will be fine. There is just one more thing to do. We have been instructed to spend the night preceding Eid in Ibadat, and traditionally we know what usually happens. There is so much activity and noise, and people work through most of the night so that on the day of Eid they are exhausted. Let us try to change that this year, a feeling of joy will follow if you believe and trust that Allah will never let you down.

With fasting we imitate the angels who do not eat or drink. As humans we are made of dust.  When we fast we are suppressing our carnal selves and promoting the angelic part within us. May this month bring forth our angelic selves and may we continue to imitate the angels in their obedience to Allah.

Kareem means generous and this month is generous indeed with all its blessings and treasures. It also means to ‘burn’ as it burns away our previous sins. May we all benefit from that generosity. May Allah have mercy on us, forgive us and guide us on the straight path, never to repeat those sins so that we may be saved from the fire of Jahannam, Insha’Allah. Ameen.

Checklist –Ramadhan’s Last Ten Nights and Days

In this blessed month of Ramadhan, we have now come to the grand finale – the last ten days of Ramadhan that are regarded as the “cream” of Ramadhan. In it is a night that Qur’an tells us is better than 1000 months (yes, months…not days!)

The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month which Allah has enjoined you to fast, during which the gates of heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and the rebellious devils are chained up. In it there is a night which is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” (Hadith Narrated by An-Nasaa’i, 2106; Ahmad, Sahih At-Targheeb, 999.)

So, in preparation for the grand finale, here is a checklist of some of the things that we can all do to make the remaining days of Ramadaan work to our advantage:

1) Get in High Gear for the Next few Nights and Days

Time is of the essence. Every moment counts. Whatever you need to do for the next ten days to make the most in `Ibadah, good deeds, reciting Qur’an, dhikr, making du`aa’, etc., rewards are going to be multiplied. No one knew about the importance of these days more than the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would strive hard in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadaan as he did not do at other times.(Hadith Muslim)

If we lose this opportunity, we have to wait another year, assuming we are still around and are in good health and shape to make use of it. Even if we are, we have the past years’ sins on our shoulders and life’s normal trials and tribulations to face the coming year. So, there is no better time to ask Allah to make all that easier than NOW.

2) Get a Copy of the Qur’an and Recite as Often as You Can

Not enough can be mentioned on the benefits and virtues of Qur’an. It is proven in the authentic Sunnah that the Qur’an will intercede for those who read it at night, as Ahmad (6626) narrated from ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Fasting and the Qur’an will intercede for a person on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say, ‘O Lord, I deprived him of his food and his desires during the day, so let me intercede for him.’ And the Qur’an will say: ‘I deprived him of his sleep at night so let me intercede for him.’ Then they will intercede.” (Narrated by Ahmad; classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih al-Jami`, no. 3882.)

As is stated in the hadith in which the The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“Whosoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah will receive a Hasanah (good deed) from it (i.e. his recitation), and the Hasanah (good deed) is multiplied by ten. I do not say that Alif-laam-meem is (considered as) a letter (in reward), rather Alif is one letter, laam is one letter, and meem is one letter.”(Reported by At-Tirmidhi, Ad-Darami)

The Messenger of Allah( Blessings and Peace be upon him) said:”The best of you is he who learns the Quran and teaches it.” (Hadith Reported by Al-Bukhari)

3) Get your Sins Forgiven

First the bad news –In Musnad Ahmad it is narrated that Thawbaan said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“A man is deprived of provision (Rizq) because of the sins that he commits.” (Narrated by Ibn Majah, 4022, ).

And now for the good news –

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in Prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, will be forgiven his previous sins.”

4) What to Say on Laylat Al-Qadr

One of the best du`aa’s that can be recited on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) taught ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her). It was narrated by At-Tirmidhi, who classed it as sahih, that ‘A’ishah said: I said: “O Messenger of Allah, If I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say?” He said:

“Say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa`fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are All-Forgiving and You love forgiveness so forgive me).”

5) Get in the Class of the Pious People

Allah has described the pious as follows (interpretation of the meaning):

(They used to sleep but little by night (invoking their Lord (Allah) and praying, with fear and hope). (Adh-Dhariyat 51:17)

(And in the hours before dawn, they were (found) asking (Allah) for forgiveness,) (Adh-Dhariyat 51:18)

Allah’s Messenger(saw) said:” There is in Paradise an Apartment, the exterior of which can be seen from the interior, and the interior of which can be seen from the exterior. Such apartments have been prepared for those who are Polite in their talk, Provide Food to the Needy, Fast frequently and observe the TAHAJJUD PRAYERS when people are sleep.” (Mishkhat Al-Masabih ; Hadith No. 1232)

6) Finally…

Think of all that you need to ask Allah for and ask Him now. If you haven’t before, this is the time to connect with Him and feel closer to Him. And when you do during these last ten nights and days of this Ramadaan, you would want to do this again and again– even after the month is over.

And finally, when you are in a state of Ibadah (Prayers and worship), please open your heart for others as well and please do remember your brothers and sisters who are in great difficulty all around the world in your prayers. Remember what The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“The supplication that gets the quickest answer is the one made by one Muslim for another in his absence.“(Hadith-Reported by Abu Dawud and At-Tirmidhi)

You snooze…you loose! So strive during these last ten days, as if it would be your last chance to do so. A wise man once said…

“ I will pass this way but once so let me do whatever good I can NOW for I may NEVER pass this way again!”

May Allah Ta’la grants us the wisdom, courage and strength to reap the full benefits of this month…Ameen