The last month of Ramadan has the greatest intensity

The end of Ramadan is fast approaching, but the spirit of Ramadan should not. The spirit of Ramadan should be captured for the next 11 months — the month is intense for a reason, that being the remembrance of it should remain to sustain us to the next Ramadan.

The opportunity to take full advantage and benefit from the last part of Ramadan still remains.  Though all parts of Ramadan are full of blessings and rewards, its last 10 days hold special status. We start by seeking Allah’s refuge by making sincere dua — our dear holy Prophet Muhammad said that dua (supplication) is the essence of worship. 

Prayer is our direct communication with Allah — we need no intercessory, since one is allowed by Allah’s mercy and kindness to directly communicate with Him; what is said is between us and Allah only. 

Allah also knows what’s hidden in the deep recesses of our hearts — those feelings of pain, anguish, resentment, love, hatred, bitterness, loneliness, and so much more, that we may be able to hide from everyone else, including our family and closest friends, is not hidden from God.

We should take every advantage of this direct communication with Allah especially with the knowledge that our prayers will be answered during this blessed month.

The Prophet said: “The duas of three persons are not refused: a fasting man when breaking the fast, a just ruler, and an oppressed person. No one makes a dua without Allah giving him what he asks for, or keeping away from him a similar amount of evil, provided he does not ask for something sinful, or for breaking family ties.

One should be asking first and foremost for Allah’s forgiveness as it is reported by Aisha that she said to the Prophet  ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the Night of Qadr what should I say?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allah you are embodiment of forgiveness and you love to pardon so pardon me.’ 

Other duas we can make are: “Ya Allah, let me love You as You deserved to be loved, and let me fear You as You deserve to be feared, and let me leave this world serving Your creation for Your sake.” 

We should also remember to pray for others as Allah blesses us more abundantly when we pray for others. “Oh Allah, save humanity from being its own enemy. Protect Your creation from oppression. Save the people who are oppressed and give them justice. Protect us all from violence, fear and danger, You are our Protector.”

Abu Huraira related that the Prophet said Allah is angry with those who do not ask Him for anything. So let us ask Allah to accept our fasting; to accept our prayers during the day and during the night; and to help us to remember Him and to thank Him and to worship Him with sincerity. May Allah bless our Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).  May Allah grant us the blessing of paradise in the hereafter through His divine mercy, forgiveness and love. Ameen.

Last but not least, we must pay our Zakat, which is one of the pillars of Islam, and it must be taken seriously. Allah in His noble books says: “Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it” (Soorah at-Tauba 103).

The amount of Zakat depends on one’s individual circumstance as it is measured by one’s personal wealth.

The Zakat should be paid before the Eid prayers; this is to enable it to be distributed amongst the poor so that they too may enjoy a festive Eid.

Bukhari relates that the Prophet (pbuh) recited, “Let not those who are miserly with what God has given them of His bounty think that this is good for them. Rather, it is bad for them. That which they withhold shall be hung around their necks on the Day of Arising” (3:180).

All are invited to the Eid ul Fitr prayers and celebrations that mark the end of Ramadan. The celebrations will be observed either Tuesday, August 30 or Wednesday, August 31 (depending on the sighting of the new moon) at the Hamilton and Southampton Masjids and at the Islamic Centre in Smith’s.