While affirming our principles and carrying out our acts of worship and obedience we must continuously show our gratitude towards our Creator in everything we do.
By SAFIA DAVIDS
The glorious breathtaking creation with its beauty and splendour, including the luminous stars, the spherical planets, the scorching sun, reflecting moon, the terrestrial earth and the blissful heavens with all the known and unknown forms of life are in total submission to the light and will of Allah.
This signifies the essence of tawhid, which is to believe in the oneness of Allah. And tawhid is embedded in our kalimah, the declaration of faith. Following on from this affirmation of tawhid, it is the duty of each and every Muslim to uphold the laws of Islam and adhere to the five pillars and foundational elements (arkaan) of the Deen upon which Islam is based.
These principles were given practical effect with the constant reminder of our forefathers and parents to see no evil, hear no evil and to do no evil. In following this advice, each and every day we fulfil the need to draw closer to our Creator. In building on this, we must strive to worship and serve our Creator to the best of our ability. And while affirming our principles and carrying out our acts of worship and obedience we must continuously show our gratitude towards our Creator in everything we do.
Are there challenges as we seek to stay true to our Deen?
Yes, life is becoming more complex by the day, but we must remember that our forefathers and parents went through far greater difficulties and suffering than what we could ever imagine. Yet, this did not deter them from carrying the flag of Islam very high. This must encourage us on our way forward. Each and every one must make a concerted effort to keep Islam alive.
We need to revive the beauty of our religion. Tap on yesteryear and improve on it. We must be faithful to our fundamental principles and bring back some good practices that were done in the past and implement new practices that will keep our faith alive.
We need to use our Islamic calendar to plan our way ahead. We must use our Islamic days and months to commemorate and to draw closer to our Creator daily. The starting point for us, humble servants, is to turn to Almighty Allah.
Here are some guidelines as to how we can draw closer to Almighty Allah by celebrating His praises.
Asma-ul-Husna
Allah says in the Holy Quran: ‘And to Allah belong the best names, so invoke Him by them.’ (Sura Al A’raf, 7:180)
The Asma-ul-Husna contains the most astonishing names and attributes of Allah. As exhorted by the beloved Messenger of Allah, Nabi Muhammad (SAW), we must strive to remember these names for the one who commits them to memory will enter Paradise. (Reference: Sahih Bukhari 54:23; Sahih Muslim Book 48 Hadith 5)
By remembering these names, and understanding their meanings, we will automatically abstain from all that is forbidden, for these names are a constant reminder of Allah’s power, grace and mercy.
The Quran
The Quran is the sacred, divine book revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It is an eternal guide affirming tawhid, giving us the signs of the end of time and that death is imminent with resurrection thereafter. The Quran also addresses the social environment and behaviour, and how to build a better society.
The Quran increases one’s intellect, and the more one engages and internalises it through the help of qualified scholars, the more you will understand it.
The Quran entails the miracles of science, it encourages the study of mathematics, geography, astronomy, language and much more. It displays the unending miracles of Allah and teaches us to distinguish between truth and falsehood.
The Quran is guarded and protected by Allah from any distortion and will forever give spiritual nourishment to the soul.
We approach the holy Quran with pure and deep love and our households must buzz with the beautiful melodious sounds of the Quran as we recite it great adoration.
We must not only recite the Quran at janazahs; we must recite it every day and everywhere. It must wake us and even put us to bed. Khatamul-Qurans must be rendered regularly for these are the divine words of Allah Almighty.
Salaah
Salaah is a pillar of Islam, and every Muslim has to perform it five times a day at a specified time. It is at the same a physical as well as spiritual act.
The key to salaah is wudu (ablution), which is a means of outer and inner purification. Allah commands us to offer salaah as our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) offered it, with all its rules and regulations.
Salaah is a form of submission to Allah and our interaction with our Creator. The creation in the heavens and on earth prostrates to Allah and so do we in every salaah.
On the Day of Judgement, Allah will question us about our salaah. If our salaah is in order everything else will be in order and we will be allowed to enter paradise. May Allah activate us with Iman so that we make our salaah on time to earn the love of Allah Almighty.
Zakaah
Zakaah, which is obligatory, is a fixed portion of our wealth which a Muslim must pay yearly for the upliftment of the poor. Zakaah is the major economic means for establishing social justice and this leads the Muslim society to prosperity and security.
We must first discern the needs of our own families that are struggling before we ascertain the needs of others. Zakaah must begiven with great honour and not be seen as a burden.
Fasting during Ramadan
Ramadaan is the month of observing the fast. When the month starts, the gates of Paradise open and the doors of Hell are shut. Fasting is a covering, or a shield, sheltering us from the hell-fire.
During the month of Ramadan, the holy Quran was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad (SAW) through Archangel Jibreel (AS). This occurred during the Night of Qadr (Power)
In this month we are showered with blessings and great sacrifices are made daily for the sake of Allah. This month trains us to share and care about others.
Hajj
Performing the pilgrimage (hajj) during the sacred month of Dhul Hijjah is an obligation on each and every Muslim who has the means to do so.
The build-up to leaving for hajj is a special occasion for the hujjaj, their family and friends. Everyone offers moral, emotional, spiritual and financial support.
The hajj cleanses one of all sins and one returns with renewed spiritual vigour to serve Allah and obey His commands and follow the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Dhikrullah
Dhikr (remembrance) is another inspiring way to grow near to Allah.
The dhikr must be rendered in houses, mosques and wherever we find ourselves, because it keeps us in the remembrance of Allah and safeguards us from harm. We must always try to include the Asma-ul-Husna in our dhikrs.
The most blessed way to commence and end a dhikr is place salawaat (blessings) on the seal of Prophets, our beloved Nabi Muhammad (SAW).
It is recommended to have a dhikr in our homes on a Thursday night as it leads us into the holiest of days of the week, Youmul Jumuah – Friday.
Moulood-un-Nabi
As a community we have many harmonising cultural practices that keep Muslims together. It is a time of joy, giving charity and showing devotion to Allah.
Moulood-u-Nabi, the celebration of the birth of the Prophet (SAW), allows us to thank Allah for blessing us with the greatest of creation. Moulood brings inner joy and outer happiness and draws us closer to our Creator as we remember the teachings of the Prophet (SAW).
Who can forget the wonderful fragrances associated with this joyous day. Long after, the wonderful aroma of orange and lemon leaves, and the natural oils, linger in the air reminding us of a day of absolute joy.
Family
Allah adores those who love and takes good care of their family, including the close family as well as the extended one. Parents and children have a right over each other. We are all shepherds, and each one must take care of their flock. Anyone who draws away from his family draws away from Allah. It is imperative to keep our families together.
In order to draw closer to Allah we must take good care of our family. One of the names of Allah is Ar-Rahmaan, the merciful, and Allah wants us to extend that mercy towards our family and friends. It must also include the rest of His creation, and mercy must guide us in dealing with all people.
Our Deen is based on how we treat people. When we are kind and merciful to others our religion is held in high respect, if not then our religion is scorned.
Mercy also leads to good character. And we have been reminded that the ones who will be closest to the Holy Prophet (SAW) on the Day of Resurrection are the ones who have the best character.
Believers’ ultimate goal
Believers stand firm and steadfast on the principles of Islam so that they can achieve Ihsan (beauty and excellence in behaviour and action).
They achieve this higher state by carrying out all the obligatory acts, reciting the Quran, making duah, engaging in dhikrullah and other beneficial acts in praise of Allah Almighty.
This increases the believers’ Iman creates a light in their heart that will be manifest in their limbs when they do dawah, make ablution, prostrate dutifully and do good deeds purely for the love of Allah.
Believers celebrate the praises of their Lord often, sincerely, meaningfully and with huge affection, love and respect. This will help them display the greatest form of gratitude for everything Allah has bestowed on them even though they will never be able to repay Allah. They will become the callers to Islam in the footsteps of our holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
Allah’s light will also be upon the believers, guiding them through the dark to cross over the Pul Sirat (bridge) to enter Jannah on the Day of Judgement.
These are some memorable ways how we practice part of our faith. I haven’t mentioned everything. Our grandparents, forefathers and parents made sure these holy occasions were practiced beautifully. We must celebrate the praises of our lord by finding more beautiful and meaningful ways and good practices to draw us all closer to Allah and only for the sake of Allah.
