It is difficult to for human beings to set benchmarks by which to gauge themselves as to whether their fast has been accepted by Allah or not. However, one best indications that your fast has been accepted is to continue doing good as you did during Ramadhan
YES! The Holy Month of Ramadhan 2019 has come to an end, and it’s Idd-ul-Fitr—the feast of breaking of the fast, the sweet festival or simply the festival of the breaking of the fast.
As Muslims celebrate this year’s Idd-ul-Fitr, they are in many ways saying goodbye to the month of Ramadhan and welcoming the month of Shawwal—this is a day when Muslims around the world show a common goal of unity.
But looking back, what were the highlights of Ramadhan? What were the upside; what were the downside?
Topping the list on the upside was, Muslim leaders converging at an Iftar dinner whose aim was to call for unity among various Muslim faithful from the Sunni, Shia and Bohra communities. Christian and Hindu communities were also represented.
If such meetings can be natured and go on well past Ramadhan, it is the prayer and hope of many Muslims that it will achieve the much sought after unity that has been elusive for many years.
Such forums need to be encouraged as commanded by Allah, this is to according to Surah Al Hujurat 49:10 which says-“The Believers are but a single Brotherhood: So make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers; and fear God, that ye may receive Mercy.”
Also, it was also heartwarming to see mosques teeming with worshippers eager to seek the mercy and pleasure of Allah (SWT).
Indeed, Ramadhan is a month of Rahma (mercy) and Allah is merciful; It is a month of Magfirah (forgiveness), Towbah (repentance) and the doors of jana are open; and shaitan (satan) is locked up.
Once again as per tradition, Ramadhan saw young Qaris (Qur’an reciters) lead Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers in many mosques courtesy of their Qur’an memorisation and recitation skills.
This is indeed commendable and shows how much Muslims need to dedicate resources towards madrassa teachers’ welfare for such efforts.
Surely, the young Qaris could not have come this far without their guidance. In fact, this should be a turning point where such young children can be mentored and empowered in a preparation to take leading roles in madrassa education system or religious matters in future.
On the down side, as Ramadhan progressed, many Imams lamented on safs (prayer lines) dwindling. This was evident in both the obligatory congregational prayers and Taraweeh (night) prayer.
Incidentally, Marhaba Life and Style has also established that there was a scarcity of dates during this years’ Ramadhan leaving faithful wondering what is really going on.
Despite tough economic times, shoppers flocking to Eastleigh, Nairobi to purchase the latest clothes for their children in readiness for Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations, complained of high prices on items such as clothing and shoes among other items.
After having recollected the above, together with all the accompanying acts of Ibadah (worship) we embarked on during the holy month; what then are the signs that your fast is Maqbul or has been accepted by Allah?
Firstly, it is important to note that is difficult to for human beings to set benchmarks by which to gauge themselves as to whether their fast has been accepted by Allah or not.
However, many imams and religious scholars are of the opinion that it is the ‘After-Effects’ of Ramadhan upon an individual that can be deemed that the fast of him/her has been accepted long after the month has ended.
Thus according to a hadith by narrated Abu Hurairah it states that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Allah said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it…’”
Because all deeds are for the sake of Allah and He is the One Who rewards for them. Therefore, there is no showing off in fasting as it may happen in other acts of worship.
Thus, through showing off, many people may observe that we have performed a good deed, but no one can see when a person is fasting except Allah, so Allah connected it (fast) to Himself.
Further, Allah singled out fasting for Himself from all other good deeds, because of its honoured status before Him. He loves it and it is a demonstration of sincerity towards Him. It is a secret between a person and his Lord-no one can see except Allah.
For example, a fasting person may be in seclusion and he/she could eat or drink-which Allah has forbidden, but they restrains themselves because they are aware Allah can see them even though they are alone.
So he/she foregoes it for the sake of Allah and for fear of His punishment and seek His reward.
Because of that, Allah appreciates this sincerity and singled out fasting for Himself from among all other good deeds. Hence He said: “He gives up his desires and his food for My (Allah) sake.”
Marhaba Life and Style also sought the opinion of Sheikh Ahmed Idriss, the Imam of Makina mosque, Nairobi to shade light on the signs that manifest upon a Muslim-an indication that their fast has been accepted or is Maqbul.
“Whether your fast has been accepted or not is for Allah alone to decide; but there are signs that can be used as a yardstick to gauge ourselves,” Sheikh Ahmed says.
He says that the first sign is a faithful’s continued dedication to acts of worship performed well past Ramadhan.
“The end of Ramadhan should not mean the end of acts of worship. Just carry on and keep doing all that you did during Ramadhan,” he says.
According to Sheikh Ahmed, when a Muslim faithful finishes one act of Ibadah, he embarks on another. This is as per Surah Al-Inshirah-94: 7 which says, “So when you have finished [your duties], then stand up [for worship].” Meaning one can embark on Dhikr, observing obligatory and sunna prayers, reading the Qur’an, attending darsas among others. There should be no end.
“There is need to main your schedule of doing good deeds as if every other day or month is Ramadhan.”
Sheikh Ahmed is also recommending the seeking of constant Istighfar (forgiveness) and Towbah (repentance) from Allah (SWT).
Additionally, Sheikh Ahmed emphasizes on the need for constant dua (supplication) . “For example, our pious predecessors embarked on dua’s six months before Ramadhan and another six for Allah (SWT) to accept their fast of Ramadhan. In short, they were in dua for a whole year.”
Similarly, for all acts of worship we engage in, we have to beseech Allah through dua for it to be accepted.
For those eager to thrash gains made during Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations, Sheikh Ahmed warns that according to our beloved Prophet (SAW), whomever goes against Allah during Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations is as if he has gone against Him during the day of Judgment.
Lastly, Sheikh Ahmed says that there is nothing wrong with celebrating Idd-ul-Fitr, but it must be done within limits and not against Allah.
From Sheikh Izudin Alwy Ahmed in his darsa (religious lecture) titled Alama za Kutakabaliwa Ramadhani Yako (Signs that your fast has been accepted) on YouTube, he compares Ramadhan to having engaged in business during the peak of a season and having either made a profit or loss.
“So have you conducted your ‘business’ with Allah (SWT)? Did you gain or did you make a loss?” he poses.
Further, how did you benefit from Ramadhan and how will you apply the lessons of Ramadhan in our lives thereafter?
Saying that like any entrepreneur who has made a profit from his business ventures, then most likely he/she would want to invest more and reap more.
“Similarly, any Muslim who read the Qur’an, attended congregational prayers; performed optional prayers among other acts of Ibadah, then neglects them at the end of Ramadhan, then it is a sign that his niyah (intention) was just to do them during Ramadhan. Otherwise, they would continue with the same just as an entrepreneur for the profits or benefits therein.”
This is wrong according to Sheikh Izudin who says that such acts were merely routine and not sincere.
“Certainly, if you continue with these acts of worship, then must you have realised their importance and therefore would not ignore them after Ramadhan.”
Sheikh Izudin finally says that there is no doubt that Ramadhan will end, nonetheless, will you and I get to see another Ramadhan?
