End of Devotion* [[----- Part Six -----]]

 *End of Devotion*

[[----- Part Six -----]]
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بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

One of the best ways to keep us on the right track even after the end of the month of Ramadan is to reflect on the essence of life. Yes. If anyone doubts the vulnerability of this temporal world, let him ask after Prophet Sulaiman (AS) and the efficacies of his commands over mankind and Jinn. Today, Prophet Sulaiman (AS) is no more. Where is Dhul-Qarnayn; a man who had everything called wealth on earth? Today, he is no more. Ask of Namruzu bn Kan’an (upon whom is Allah’s curse) who was so strong and influential that he became the first “heartless oppressor” on earth. Today, he is no more. Where also are the companions of the Prophet (SAW) some of whom were granted special ‘tickets to Heaven’ here on earth? Yet, they are not here today. If you are still in doubts about how futile and vain this world is, ask yourself about your own great grandparents. Where are they?

So,

In life, *“What matters the most are excellent endings, not faulty beginnings.”* 📚Says - Ibn Taymiyyah (raḥimahullāh)

*Ask Allah to Accept Your Good Deeds*

Our pious predecessors would ask Allah for six months to allow them to reach Ramaḍān. And then they would spend the next six months asking Allah to accept it from them.

The purpose of fasting is to attain taqwā (piety). As this momentous month comes to an end, let us ask ourselves: have we attained taqwā? Have we attained the purpose of fasting? Allah has informed us in the Qur’ān that taqwā is the basis of the acceptance of deeds. Our predecessors used to cry from the fear that their deeds would not be accepted. ʿ

Evidences:

                    (1)

Āmir b. ʿAbdillāh b. Zubayr was seen crying profusely during his final illness. He was asked, “What makes you cry?” He replied, “An āyah in the Book of Allah, the Exalted: Allah only accepts from the people of taqwā” 📚(5:27).

                (2)

Wuhayb b. al-Ward (r.a) recited,

وَاِذْ يَرْفَعُ اِبْرٰهِيْمُ الْقَوَاعِدَ مِنَ الْبَيْتِ وَاِسْمٰعِيْلُ رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا ​ؕ اِنَّكَ اَنتَ السَّمِيْعُ الْعَلِيْمُ‏

“And (remember) when Ibrāhīm raised the foundation of the House with Ismāʿīl, (supplicating), ‘Our Lord! Accept (this) from us. You are indeed the All-Hearing, All-Knowing’” 📚(2:127);

He then cried saying that "If I was to know that Allah has accepted from me the weight of a mustard seed — is more beloved to me than the world and everything it contains, because Allah says, ‘Allah only accepts from the people of taqwā’ 📚(5:27)” – Fuḍālah b. ʿUbayd (r.a)

*Make Charity a Regular Habit*

The Prophet (pbuh) was the most generous during the blessed month. But his generosity didn’t stop at Ramadan, and nor should yours stop because Ramadan is gone.

Giving charity holds special significance in Islam with the Prophet (pbuh) saying: *“The believer’s shade on the Day of Judgement will be his charity”* 📚(Musnad Ahmad).

My people!

As we live in increasingly challenging times and in a world where the level of human suffering is unprecedented, a small amount of charity could go a long way for someone in need. And we must not have enough before standing a chance to give.

Besides,

The Prophet (pbuh) said, “There is not a day upon which the servant awakens but that two angels descend. One of them says: O Allah, bless and repay one who spends in charity! The other says: O Allah, give more financial problems to one who withholds charity!” 📚 al-Bukha‌ri‌ 1442, Muslim 1010

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