How many times have we entered upon the month of Ramadan and
found ourselves unprepared? Often times we go throughout the year indulging in
our ordinary habits, anticipating that once Ramadan rolls around, we will
instantaneously transform into better Muslims overnight. However, we find that
when we enter into Ramadan with this attitude, we are rarely ever able to
maintain our spiritual goals, let alone achieve them. Our most valuable asset
is time, and here Allah (Swt) gives us a two-month period in order for us to
prepare for Ramadan.
Flashback to your Junior year in high school. Recall how
much time and effort you spent studying for your ACT. You may have taken a class
to learn test-taking strategies in order to prepare. You probably began
studying months in advance to ensure you would be able to preform your best. We
did not simply show up on the day of our ACT without any prior preparations, in
fact, preparing for that test became every student’s number one priority.
But why is it that we take such extreme caution to prepare
for our worldly affairs, but neglect our spiritual ones? Just as we sharpened
our pencils and double, if not triple checked the batteries in our calculator
before the exam, we must begin charging the batteries of our iman before we
find ourselves in the midst of Ramadan.
In
surah Tawbah, we learn that Rajab is one of the most sacred months of the year.
Therefore, we are not to violate these sacred months by committing sins.
“Verily, the number of months with Allah is twelve months (in a year), so was it ordained by Allah on the Day when He created the heavens and the earth; of them four are Sacred (i.e. the 1st, the 7th, the 11th and the 12th months of the Islamic calendar). That is the right religion, so wrong not yourselves therein” 9:36.
Although
committing sins is haram throughout the year, this ayah is stating that during
these sacred months, it is even more forbidden, and we should take special
precautionary measures to protect ourselves against sins.
Time is of the essence, and as we are at the threshold of
month of Rajab, we should begin our spiritual cleansing process in anticipation
of Ramadan. Eliminate harmful habits, increase in ibada and most importantly
seek forgiveness from Allah (Swt) in abundance.
As Rajab commences the spiritual season, let us begin
setting and working towards our spiritual goals so that when we enter into
Ramadan, we will be fully prepared to make the most of it.
May Allah make us all successful in our travels to Him and
have a blessed beautiful month of Rajab.
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