Ramadan experience is one of spiritual renewal

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: Eid Mubarak …

Ramadan is over, however we must cling to its tenets that are so beneficial to our spiritual well-being and our eternal life.

During Ramadan the sense of community and belonging is so strong; so beautiful.

This Ramadan I experienced the opportunity to reconnect with my sisters, some of who have lived outside of Bermuda for many years.

Via Facebook I was able to connect with my family and friends as far away as France and Morocco who too were fasting; it is nothing short of amazing that over a billion people the world over are all fasting at the same time.

During Ramadan, no matter where you are in the world, you share one common denominator which is fasting for Allah’s sake — Supanallah!

The fast should have left us spiritually renewed and able to live by the words of Allah in the glorious Qur’an: “O ye who believe! Stand out firmly for God, as witnesses to fair dealing, and let not the hatred of others to you make you swerve to wrong and depart from justice. Be just: that is next to piety (taqwaa): and fear (wattaqoo) God. For God is well acquainted with all that ye do.”(5-8) Let us strive to be better servants of Allah, better servants to mankind, better examples of our Deen; let us resolve to help someone else along the way. Ameen.”

Devastation

The Qur’an speaks of the type of weather which we saw last weekend devastate large portions of the United States and some Caribbean islands which were battered by Hurricane Irene.

Irene travelled very close to home — seldom do you get a hurricane inland over the east coast of America. What devastation.

Surah 69 addresses: “The Sure Reality – what is the sure reality? “. . . they were destroyed by a furious Wind, exceedingly violent; He made it rage against them seven nights and eight days in succession: so that thou couldst see the (whole) people lying overthrown in its (path), as if they had been roots of hollow palm trees tumbled down! And Pharaoh, and those before him, and the cities overthrown, committed habitual sin, and disobeyed (each) the messenger of their Lord; so He punished them with an abundant Penalty. We, when the water (of Noah’s Flood) overflowed beyond its limits, carried you (Mankind, ) in the floating Ark, That we might make it a Reminder unto you, and that ears (that should hear the tale and) retain its memory should bear its lesson in remembrance” [69:1-12].

Bermuda not exempt from calamity; we must take heed.

One thing I can say for sure is that I am mighty happy that I believe there is a God and He does exist to assist us — God never runs out of money! Supanallah.

Call me a dreamer if you like, but I will continue to cling to my notion of God’s existence — a notion that has become a reality for me since it has been tried and tested over and over again.

Indeed Allah has brought me through some dark times and I know more is yet to come.

Allah warned us: “Be sure we shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods or lives or the fruits (of your toil)” [2:155].

 Allah in His mercy tells us point blank that we will have calamities in our lives, but He also gives us the antedote on how to deal when we are faced with calamity.

Help at hand

In essence, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. When we are faced with calamity we should seek Allah’s help with patience and prayer — as only by the help of Allah can the calamity be removed.

With regards to this, Allah says in the Qur’an: “Give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere, Who say, when afflicted with calamity: ‘To Allah We belong, and to Him is our return’.They are those on whom (Descend) blessings from Allah, and Mercy, and they are the ones that receive guidance”  [2:155-157].

Yes,Bermuda, let us always put our trust and belief in Allah — the Qur’an says: “Nothing shall ever happen to us except what Allah has ordained for us. He is our Maula (Lord, Helper and Protector).”

Ameen and peace.