Sikander Hashmi – Friday Message Preparing for the Spiritual Spring of Ramadan
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AI: Transcript ©
Respected elders,
dear brothers and sisters, my young friends,
We begin by praising Allah
the lord of the universe,
our sustainer, our creator,
our ultimate protector.
We begin also by sending
peace and salutations
upon his beloved messenger,
Muhammad, the final messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi
wasallam.
I hope and pray
that you and your family are doing well
on this blessed Friday.
You know, last week, we talked about
the rain and clouds, which although they appear
gloomy, they help bring the earth back to
life after winter.
So this week, on one of my walks,
I spotted the first signs of that life,
fresh green buds
peeking out of the muddy and dark ground.
Allah
tells us in the Quran,
Quran.
And among his signs is that you see
the earth devoid of life, but as soon
as we send down rain upon it, what
happens?
It begins
to stare to life
and swell.
Indeed,
he who has given it life is the
giver of life to the dead. He is
certainly most capable of everything. So, subhanAllah,
even in that little bud, in those few,
sprouts that are coming out of the earth,
therein lies a sign
of the greatness of Allah,
and
a reminder that Allah
will bring us back to life after we
have passed from this world.
My brothers and sisters, my young friends,
this challenging time that we are living through
only appears to be getting longer
and the coveted return to normal
more and more becoming
elusive.
But let us think of this
as a long bout of spring showers and
rain that limits our activities but is indeed
needed to bring spirituality
back
to our dead and dry hearts,
to bring back to life
the dead
and dry hearts from a spiritual point of
view.
Indeed, there is not much that we can
do other than what we are already doing,
taking physical means, such as handwashing,
physical distancing,
staying home.
But after we have physically done what we
can,
living through such a challenge is really a
mental and spiritual exercise.
And what I mean by that
is that we need to channel our thoughts
and our emotions in a manner that can
help us cope with the situation.
The situation will only change according to Allah's
command and decree,
so we will need to change ourselves
in order to adapt.
Those who are able to adapt quickly will
likely be able to cope the best.
One way to do that is to zoom
out of our situation.
Imagine that you're in a rush to get
to the airport to catch a flight in
normal days, of course. There's traffic. You're stuck,
and you're stressed out. You're looking at the
time. But, thankfully, you make it to the
airport in time, and you border your flight.
The plane takes off,
and now you can see the entire route
that you had taken, and you can see
the traffic jam.
All of a sudden, that traffic jam doesn't
look that long or appear to be that
serious anymore.
So in this situation, my brothers and sisters,
take a bird's eye view of your life.
Compare it to all the years,
months,
weeks,
days,
and hours that you have been alive and
that you haven't been in this difficulty, and
you can calculate them, if that helps. How
do these weeks and potentially months compare?
Embrace it as a test
that, like most
other challenges in life,
will one day pass.
And once it passes, it'll look less serious
than it feels now.
And when a challenge ends up impacting your
life in a major way, and let's admit
it, that does happen sometimes,
don't think of it as a loss.
Rather, think of it as a correction.
Allah is forcing you to switch paths from
one that appeared to be better but may
have been harmful for you to the one
that may appear to be worse but will
be better for you in the long run.
Over the past weeks, we have talked about
how trials and calamities are a call for
reflection and reformation
and how this trial is forcefully reforming our
lifestyles and behaviors physically and spiritually
and that it should be a cause for
reflection.
It is very likely that there is a
message and a lesson in it for us.
This is the time, my brothers and sisters,
to find those lessons and start bringing the
changes we need to bring
so that we don't go back to our
old ways once this trial is over.
We also discussed how trials and calamities are
a test of attitude
and means of gaining extra reward and forgiveness
and also a test of our claim of
belief
and,
of belief and trust in Allah.
Trials and calamities are also a reminder
to turn to Allah.
Allah
says,
We will certainly make them taste some of
the minor term minor torment,
some of the minor adab in this life
before the major torment, which is in the
hereafter.
So perhaps they will return
to the right path.
So trial,
tribulation,
even punishment
is a reminder to turn to Allah
to
repent
and to change our
ways.
Think of it as a jolt.
When important messages that are given subtly
and delivered kindly aren't heeded,
then the messaging is escalated.
We saw this in the past month. Public
health officials have been pleading for people not
to gather and for gatherings to be canceled,
but there were people who were not listening.
So then the gatherings
and places of gatherings were ordered to be
shut.
Similarly,
travelers returning from outside of Canada were told
at the airport that they needed to self
isolate for 14 days, but the directives were
not being followed.
So the quarantine act was used to force
anyone
coming to Canada from abroad to quarantine themselves
for 14 days or risk a maximum fine
of up to $750,000
6 months in jail.
So Allah
advises humanity,
including the believers, through through words. But when
the message isn't heeded,
then a difficulty may be sent to wake
people up.
Now one of the heading hidden blessings,
my brothers and sisters, in this trial or
punishment
is that this jolt came just before the
blessed month of Ramadan.
While we may have been normally distracted in
the month preceding Ramadan,
as the prophet sallallahu alaihi wasallam has said,
that it is a month people
neglect. The prophet
has told us about this month of Sha'aban,
that it is a month that many people
neglect.
This trial has led us to increase our
worship and to turn to Allah in ways
we may have
never done outside of Ramadan Ramadan or we
may have never had outside of Ramadan.
Now the blessed month is upon us, an
opportunity
like no other to revive our hearts and
seek the mercy and forgiveness of Allah.
There is no question,
being totally honest, that this Ramadan
will probably be like none other that most
of us have ever witnessed.
But in that too, my brothers and sisters,
will be a lesson and hidden mercy for
us.
We will discuss rethinking on Ramadan in these
times tomorrow, which is Saturday
at 8:15 PM. Please join us for our
first session of refresh for Ramadan
at kanadamuslims.ca/live
or on the k KMA YouTube channel.
Abu Bakr Al Balkhi,
who was,
a a great
pious person of the past, the uncle of
Abu'l Isa, Muhammad ibn Nairissa at Timidi,
who is the compiler of the hadith collection,
January of Timidi. He said that the month
of Rajab
is the month of planting.
The month of is
the month of irrigating the crops,
and the month of Ramadan
is the month of harvesting the crops. And,
of course, this is spiritual planting. This is
spiritual irrigation of the spiritual crops and the
harvesting of spiritual crops.
So let us be prepared, my brothers and
sisters, so that we can be warmed up
and can hit the ground running when the
blessed month comes.
And
this
time, we really don't know who amongst
us will actually make it to the month
and who will make it through the blessed
month.
Grant
us the opportunity, the ability to witness the
month of Ramadan
and to worship in it to the in
the best way possible.
Now in terms of preparation,
it's very important to be,
mentally prepared but also physically prepared as well,
and, of course, along with that, spiritually prepared
too. So here are some suggestions in terms
of practical preparations.
So you might wanna start spacing out your
meals because the first fast of the month
will be the longest at approximately 15 and
a half hours
beginning at around 4:32 in the morning and
ending at 8:0:4 PM. So it's a good
idea to get prepared by having earlier breakfast,
perhaps lighter lunches, and later dinners, and this
is just a suggestion.
It's also important to seek medical advice because
fasting, yes, is obligatory,
but not at the expense of one's health.
So you should consult a doctor especially if
you have health issues and challenges and preferably
a Muslim doctor who understands the importance of
fasting
and find out if there's a strong possibility
that fasting
and perhaps not taking your medications,
especially for long hours, could be damaging to
your health. And if your doctor tells you
that, then ask any man or a scholar
that you trust about what you should do
in that situation.
It's also a good idea to plan out
our schedules because
unlike previous Ramadans,
many people will be at home this Ramadan,
which is a blessing if you think about
it. Right? You don't necessarily need to get
up and get ready in the morning and
go to work and get tired at work
and perhaps, you know, take public transit and
then come home tired.
You most many people or perhaps even most
people will be able to spend Ramadan at
home, it appears.
However,
although that's a blessing, when a person feels
like that they have a lot of time,
it can also lead to wasting
of their day
if it is not planned out properly. Right?
It's like a person who feels like they
have a lot of wealth and they have
enough that they have no need to worry
about it in terms of spending it wisely,
in terms of, you know, not wasting it,
in terms of protecting it, and therefore they
end up splurging and at the end realize
that they're actually broke. So we don't want
to end up broke this Ramadan.
Cut the addiction. So, you know, do you
find yourself
going through your day,
with perhaps smoking or chugging down multiple cups
of coffee or tea? Because if it's difficult
for you to get through your day without
those things, then this is the time to
start weaning yourself off from those addictions.
Because if you try to go cold turkey,
the first few days of fasting
could end up being very difficult and thus
perhaps not enabling you to take full advantage
of them.
It's also good to get organized. You know,
physical energy and brainpower will be at a
premium in Ramadan.
So, you know, plan your meals, prepare Ramadan,
and even Eid, perhaps grocery lists.
And, of course,
getting groceries is a bit more challenging nowadays
as well, so it requires extra planning, extra
effort.
Maybe organize your home. Anything else that you
know that you'll have to deal with and
that will that could get in the way
of a smooth thermal lawn, try to take
care of them of those things in the
coming 2 weeks.
Also, since many families are at home together,
try to think of activities. So brainstorm activities
that you can do at home with
your family.
So that's the physical part. Now mentally as
well, you know, look at the timings,
be positive, and be excited. You know? Think
of Ramadan as an awesome opportunity and not
a burden.
Right? And this is something that can be
a signal, you know, to see
how you're progressing in terms of your spirituality.
Do
you still see Ramadan as a burden? You
know, there may be there may have been
a time perhaps when, you know, we were
younger, did not really understand the wisdom and
the beauty, the blessings of Ramadan. Perhaps we
saw it at some point in our life
as a burden,
but as one spiritually progresses,
one should start seeing Ramadan as an awesome
opportunity
and not a burden. Even if it entails
some hardship, it really is a great opportunity
and not really a burden.
And most importantly, of course, is the spiritual
preparedness.
You know, we've talked about increasing prayers,
dua, istighfar, all of those things, which many
of us I think have already been doing.
So this is great preparation
to get us in this in in in,
in shape, get us in the zone for,
Ramadan,
but also things like reconnecting
with relatives
and cleaning our hearts,
with regards to, you know, grudges or,
or ill feelings that we may have towards
others because this can can potentially hold back
the forgiveness of Allah.
Paying attention to halal and haram,
because the consumption of haram or indulging in
haram,
can affect the acceptance of dua, and that,
of course, is not something that we would
want, especially during the month of Ramadan.
It's also important to start phasing out
spiritual pollution.
And what is spiritual pollution? So this is
media,
you know, music,
movies, things that we watch,
which are not really beneficial, you know, things
that we may be accustomed to watching, perhaps
a series that we're following,
or some sort of, you know, music that
we like to listen to, or other things
that we are accustomed to taking in,
which are harmful for us. So this is
the time to start
purifying ourselves, our spiritual hearts, from that spiritual
pollution. So so that when the time when
the month of Ramadan comes, when the time
comes, then we are spiritually prepared to embrace
the opportunities available
in that month.
Reconnecting with the Quran. So Ramadan is the
month of the Quran. Of course, when a
time, you know, when a time when it's
recitation,
and listening to it is more meritorious,
and and, you know, a lot of our
prior predecessors will actually spend the month of,
of Shaba'an, the month we are in right
now, actually preparing and increasing their intake of
Quran, increasing their recitation of Quran so that
when Ramadan came, they didn't they they didn't
have to miss a beat and that they
could just continue forward and increase even further.
You know, you don't want to be suffering,
from, from withdrawal once once you increase your
Quran intake. So that's why it's so important
to start phasing out that music
and even less beneficial readings and viewings and
start making more time for the Quran, listening
to it, reciting it,
with meaning,
reflecting upon it, reading tafsir even, and enjoy
it. You know, see it as
powerful words from your creator who is speaking
to you, especially during these times. So try
to indulge, try to immerse yourself in the
recitation of Quran and reflecting upon the verses
of the Quran so that you are as
prepared as possible for the month of Ramadan.
And then, inshallah, you can not only continue,
but increase that in the blessed month. May
Allah make us for amongst those who are
blessed with witnessing the month of Ramadan once
again,
and not just witnessing, but also make us
from those who are well prepared, those who
derive maximum benefit from it. May Allah grant
us purified hearts than a Ramadan of love
and acceptance.
Now my brothers and sisters, before I end,
I'd like to share 2 quick powerful duas
with you.
A man came to Ali
and said
that I am unable to fulfill
my obligation,
meaning financial obligation,
so help me. And he said so Ali
Sayna Ali said
to him that shall I not teach you
a supplication
which the messenger of Allah sallallahu
alaihi wasallam taught me?
So this man came seeking assistance
regarding his financial obligation.
So Sayidna Ali radiallahu anhu said, shall I
not teach you a supplication
which the messenger of Allah sallallahu alaihi wasallam
taught me?
It will surely prove so effective that if
you have a debt as large as a
huge mountain, Allah will surely pay it for
you. And he said,
say,
Allah Once again,
That, oh, Allah, grant me enough of what
you have made
lawful so that I may dispense with what
you make unlawful.
Oh, Allah, grant me enough of what you
make lawful
so that I may dispense
with what you make unlawful
and enable me by your grace to dispense
with all but you.
So very powerful, very short, very beautiful, very
powerful dua.
Secondly,
a person came to the messenger of Allah
sallallahu alaihi wa sallam,
and he said that, you Rasulullah,
I was stung by a scorpion during the
night.
So thereupon, the prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam
said that had you recited these words in
the evening?
That if you had recited these words,
meaning I seek refuge in the perfect word
of Allah from the evil of what he
created, it would not have done any harm
to you. So, again, a very powerful dua
given by the messenger of Allah
I'm going to end,
today as I always do. Allah
says in the Quran,
And whoever is mindful of Allah, he will
make a way out for
them. And provide for them from sources that
they could never imagine.
And whoever puts their trust in Allah, then
Allah is sufficient
for them. Certainly, Allah achieves his will.
Allah has already
set a destiny for everything.
So we ask Allah subhanahu wa ta'ala, oh,
Allah, we are your weak servants. Oh, Allah,
we are your weak sinning servants. Oh, Allah,
indeed we have sinned. Oh, Allah, indeed we
have gone against your commands and the guidance
of your beloved messenger Oh,
Allah, please forgive us for our sins and
our weaknesses.
Oh, Allah, please forgive us for our innumerable
sins and our innumerable weaknesses.
Oh, Allah, we will be lost without your
forgiveness and your guidance.
Oh, Allah, please forgive us then guide us
and make us the way you want us
to be, You Rabbal Alameen. Oh, Allah, please
grant us another opportunity to witness the blessed
month of Ramadan, You Rabbal Alameen. Oh, Allah.
Oh, Allah. Please make it the best Ramadan
for us in every way. Oh,
Allah. Oh, Allah. Please grant us strength and
bring us closer to you.
Oh, Allah. Please guide us to that which
pleases you most and grant us to the
best return to you whenever it has been
decreed for us.
Oh, Allah, please cure all of our brothers
and sisters who are ill, especially our elder
sister who has cancer, our brother and sister
suffering from long term pain and injuries.
Oh, Allah, the relative of our close brother
who has recently been diagnosed with colon cancer
and all of those who are ill, who
are at risk of becoming ill. Oh, Allah,
you are the protector. Oh, Allah, you are
the healer. Oh, Allah, please grant them a
speedy recovery. Oh, Allah, please protect them and
all of us and all of our loved
ones from all illnesses and pain and suffering.
Oh, Allah, please protect us and all of
our fellow human beings, especially the health professionals,
the first responders,
oh,
Allah, the store workers, and all of those
who are on the front lines, who are
having to go out and who are putting
themselves at risk. Oh, Allah, please protect them
all.
Oh, Allah, please grant relief to all of
these who are who all of those who
are in pain, all of those who are
in grief, experiencing stress and anxiety
and fear. Oh, Allah, please replace it. All
replace all of those with happiness and peace
and joy.
Oh, Allah, please grant forgiveness
to the elder sister of our brother, Ali
Muhammad, who passed away in Pakistan.
And your family. May Allah protect every single
one of you. Please go ahead and offer
photographs of at home. Or if there are
4 Islamically mature, males in your home, you
can also,
have your own
if you wish, and the instructions on our
website at canonmuslims.ca.
But if you cannot or if you don't
want to, that is fine. You can offer
4 of
as you normally do on any other day.
See you tomorrow,
for the first session of refresh for Ramadan,
at 8:15 PM, Insha'Allah,
at canon Muslims dot ca slash live. And
Insha'Allah, we will be talking,
about,
rethinking Ramadan,
how we are going to spend Ramadan under
these circumstances,
some of the questions regarding that. So Insha'Allah,
we'll have a live chat as well. So
you can join us tomorrow at 8:15 PM,
Saturday Insha'Allah,
for that discussion and that talk. And then
Insha'Allah, we'll also,
we we also will be having family game
night,
round 2 Insha'Allah,
Sunday at 8:15 PM. And you can also
find a link at pranamusims.ca/live.
May Allah
bless you all.
I'm missing, each and every single one of
you, and making dua for everyone. Please continue
to make dua, of course, for yourself and
your family, but also for me and for
mine and for the entire community and for
the entire Ummah and all of humanity. May
Allah
protect
and forgive and bless us all.