THE BLESSINGS ARE HERE

By Abu `Abdillah Muhammad Al Jibaly

With the advent of another Ramadaan, a mixture of feelings overwhelm the hearts of Muslims all over the world. The hearts are full of hope, based on truthful promises and glad tidings given by Allah (T) and His Messenger (S), of great bounties and endless bliss.

We have been promised that the past sins will be forgiven for those whose fast is based on belief (Eemaan), sincerity and on truly expecting the rewards from Allah (Ihtisaab).

We also have been promised that past sins will be forgiven for those who offer night prayers (Qiyaam) during the entire month, and who do that with the same two conditions of Eemaan (belief) and Ihtisaab (truly expecting the rewards from Allah).

We have further been told that there is one night in this month which is better (in rewards) than a thousand months of worship, and that all sins will be forgiven for those who spend it offering Qiyaam with both Eeman (belief) and Ihtisaab (truly expecting the rewards from Allah).

We have been told that the devils will be chained down, that the gates of Hell will all be shut and that the gates of Paradise will all be open throughout this month.

We have been told that Allah (T) will free (from punishment) some of his `Ibaad (worshippers) on every single night of Ramadaan.

We have been told that Allah (T) answers the Du`aa (supplications) of the fasting person at the iftaar (fast-breaking).

We have been told that Allah (T) multiplies the rewards of fasting beyond the limits of imagination.

We have been told that the fasting person will be joyous and happy when he meets his Lord (T).

We all hope:

* To be from among those who will offer the fast in the correct way, in order to reap its glorious fruits.

* To be granted forgiveness for our previous sins, to be able to do much more good and to overcome all our weaknesses.

* To be among those who receive the gifts from the Jannah, whose gates are opened.

* To humiliate our enemy (Satan), who is chained down, by rejecting any of his deceitful suggestions.

* To be from among those who will receive full atonement for their sins by the end of Ramadaan.

* To be among those who will be most happy with their fasts when they meet their Lord (T).

We further hope that all of us will be pleasing to Allah (T) in order to deserve His mercy and victory.

However, although we have hope, we should also have some concerns in our hearts because there are certain conditions for the fast to be acceptable and to give its desired results. These are Eemaan (belief and sincerity) and Ihtisaab (truly expecting the reward from Allah (T)).

So, are we going to perform our fast with true belief and full surrender to Allah (T), or is it going to be an exercise for us to lose some weight? Are we going to fast because Allah (T) imposed it upon us, or just because we have been used to it from childhood? Are our intentions to please Him or to please our friends and family?

And even when we feel that we satisfy the conditions for an acceptable fast we should still be concerned that our deeds may not be accepted from us because of some deficiency that we may have overlooked. This is the way of the Salaf (Pious Predecessors) and their true followers, some of whom were reported to have said: "I will not feel safe even if I see one of my feet is already in Jannah - not until both of them are in there".