By Faraz Khan
“Laa ilaha illallah”. The azan echoed inside the dimly lit mosque. It is nine o’ clock in the evening. The vacant parking lot was enshrouded in darkness. However, the beech and the birch trees around the lot and the critters within the herbaceous edge continued their hymns. The clouds and the birds hovered in the usual glorified manner above the mosque. The cool breeze at night spread the heavenly scent from the blossomed lilies as the twinkling stars and crescent glistened the night.
It was only yesterday when the mosque was filled with worshippers and the beautiful recitation of the Qur’an. How passionately faithful were their gatherings. How elegant were their clothes. How beautiful their smiles. How praiseworthy was their talk. How sincere was their devotion in coming to the mosque. Yet today, people have vacated the house of God rather to be occupied by their own cottages. Aforementioned is the description of believers on the first night after Ramadan.
Why do we fail in preserving the blessings of Ramadan?
Do we forget that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of the entire year? Or are we in doubt that He gives and forgives not only in Ramadan but also the rest of the year. Interestingly, He mentioned for the believers:
“O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed to you (in Ramadan) as it was prescribed to those before you so that you may become pious” Quran.
According to the above ayah, attaining taqwa (piety) has an element of time. In other words, one can become pious if he continues his good actions throughout his life. Clearly, there is no month prescribed for the practice of piety.
In essence, the end of Ramadan is not a graduation party for the believers. Instead, it is a completion of God-consciousness training. However, the real test begins once Ramadan is over. One of the scholars was asked about the acceptance of good deeds in the month of Ramadan. The scholar mentioned that the acceptance of one’s actions are indicated in his behavior following Ramadan. If Ramadan leads to a virtuous life then Allah has blessed this endeavor. Similarly, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) mentioned in a rhetorical question, “How many of those who fast gain nothing from their fasting except hunger and thirst?”
Soon it will be nine o’ clock again and the azan will be given. Thereafter, people will be put to their real test – whether to accept the house of God or a house devoid of God.
