By Umm Isam
- Sins are ugly
Imam Ibn Al-Qayyim helps us visualize them as absolutely detested. Shaitan makes sins fair-seeming and even beneficial. For example, music is termed as ‘food for the soul’, however music is nothing but a call from the Shaitan to corrupt the hearts and souls. Ramadan is a great privilege to the believers by Allah (swt), the All-Merciful, to pick up that magnifying glass and look again at our lives much more closely and consciously in the light of the Quran and the Sunnah. Allah (swt) protects His slaves from sinning and humiliating themselves. Sins are evil and have side effects on our soul, body, mind, and overall life. This Ramadan, instead of just racing for good deeds, focus on yourself and forsake the ugly sins. Be in the company of righteous people so you do not fall weak alone and learn to develop self-control, eventually.
- Sins bring sadness
Allah (swt) did not just create us and leave us to our own devices. He gave us a Fitrah (of connectedness) to the natural disposition. Next, he ordered the angels to be in our service round the clock and plant ideas of goodness that we can act upon and warn us against evil. He sent guidance to us through people and circumstances calling us every now and then to leave our sinful life behind and grab the rope of Allah (swt). Because Shaitan’s ultimate aim is to lead us to hellfire, he makes us sin; then we feel ashamed of ourselves and in extreme cases people even commit suicide believing that Allah (swt) will not accept them. But Ramadan is the month to run to Allah (swt) with all your sins and beg for His forgiveness. Come out of the sadness now!
- Sins weaken our abilities
Allah (swt) created us to reach our potential so we can recognize Him, love Him, worship Him and obey Him. For this, we need a thriving Iman (faith). And that can only be earned when we distance ourselves from sins, sinful company, sinful activities, sinful places, and so on. Our sins bring dullness to the face and darkness to the heart. They cloud the mind and do not let us make the right decision. Reciting the Quran, listening to other Qaris recite it, reading its translation, reflecting upon it, crying over our mistakes and resolving to do better in future builds our abilities. Allah (swt) loves those sinners who admit their errors and struggle in His way. No better time to do this than in Ramadan.
- Sins give our enemies a chance to rejoice
Who is your enemy? No it’s not anyone you can see or feel or touch. It’s Shaitan who has declared open enmity against you. And look at Allah’s (swt) love, care and concern for your Akhirah and Dunya. Allah (swt) throws the same enemy behind bars for 30 days, giving us a chance to bounce back and get up on our feet again. Shaitan celebrates when we disobey Allah (swt). And he rejoices most when we despair in Allah’s (swt) mercy and forgiveness. This Ramadan, make a list of all those bad habits you want to break away from. Start with the easiest. Pray to Allah (swt) in Sajdah to grant you help. Do not be afraid to seek help from the pious, learned, sincere slaves of Allah (swt) in private.
And lastly never testify against yourself by branding yourself as a sinner and publicly announcing it. Allah (swt) has kept your sins hidden to preserve your honour. Do not humiliate yourself and anger Allah (swt) by openly declaring your sins. Your one Sajdah with regretful tears and sincere words of confession and repentance to Him in privacy can wipe your slate clean, In sha Allah.
Go and avail your Rabb ul-Kareem’s mercy this Ramadan and stick to pious people, circles, community service, and good deeds to your family beyond Ramadan too when Shaitan is released. Let him be humiliated this time! Ameen
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