Glad Tidings 

Respected brothers! In a few days we will be receiving the blessed month of Ramadhaan … the month which the believers’ hearts long for. 

It is a season for the hearts to regain their purity and for people to salvage their conscience after being polluted by the overwhelming desires and pleasures of this worldly life.  

Beloved brothers! Allaah has blessed us with this great month… it is an honorable guest which our Salaf used to supplicate Allaah earnestly to make them live long enough to witness. It is the best month in the year during which Allaah revealed the Quran and instilled in it a night which is better than one thousand months plus many other distinct features with which Allah distinguished it. 

In the Hadeeth Collections of Imaams Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i, may Allaah have mercy upon them, Abu Hurayrah, may Allaah be pleased with him, reported that the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam said, “O people! You are being approached by a blessed month. Allaah made fasting within it an obligation. The doors of Paradise will be opened and the doors of Hell will be closed, and the devils will be chained. It is a month which contains a night that is better than one thousand months, he who is deprived from its blessings is truly the deprived one”.  

Indeed this is the best news one can receive; why would the believer not rejoice when the gates of Paradise and the gates of Hell are sealed? How can any sane person not rejoice to the chaining of the devils? How can devout worshippers not rejoice when worshipping one night is better than one thousand months? Undoubtedly, the virtues of this month are countless. 

This great occasion, however, comes in a time that the Muslim nation is defeated, surrounded by many impediments and ailments and the Muslims are suffering from calamities, disunity and humiliation. Therefore, it is time to review this painful condition and recognize the real causes of weakness and ailments. 

Dear Muslims! As we receive Ramadhaan, it is the time for us to bid farewell to all our sufferings! We cannot however do that except by holding fast to the path of the Quran and Sunnah, by working hard and being sincere with Allaah.  

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam gave a comprehensive clarification of the conditions for victory and the causes of defeat for the Muslim nation when he said: “If people break the covenant of Allaah and His Messenger, Allaah will send an external enemy against them who will seize some of their possessions; If they do not rule by the Book of Allaah, nor attempt to implement everything in it, Allaah will spread enmity among them.” 

Thus, breaking the covenant of Allaah and His messenger, or in other words, disobeying Allaah and His messenger, is one of the reasons for its defeat and being subjugated by its enemies. Likewise, ruling by other than the rulings of Allaah is the reason for the poverty, disunity and conflict which is occurring among the Muslims.  

How can the Muslims expect Allaah to grant them victory while they are discarding prayers, refusing to pay Zakaah and dealing in interest? What can they expect when alcoholic drinks and nightclubs become prevalent in their lands? What happens when evil becomes widespread? The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam was once asked: “Will we be punished by disasters which befall us while we have righteous people amongst us?’ he sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam replied: “Yes, if evil becomes widespread.”  

Additionally, the unrestrained love for this life and preferring it to the Hereafter has further weakened the Muslim nation. It is this predicament that gave her enemies the power to dictate many of her affairs, seize her wealth, conquer her lands and severely persecute the Muslims. The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “Beware the nations all over the world shall join forces against you as diners gather around their plate of food”. The companions asked: ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Is that because we will be few in number then?’ He sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam said: “No, rather you will remove be many, but you will only be as (voluminous and as worthless as) the scum after a flood. The fear of you shall be removed from the hearts of your enemies and Wahn will be put into your hearts”. The companions asked: ‘What is Wahn?’ he answered: “To love this life and detest death”. Hence, we must desist from heedlessness as Allaah has condemned the heedless and praised the pious.  

If Muslims truly wish for victory, then they must change what is in themselves as Allaah says that which translates as: “…Indeed Allaah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves …” [Quran: 13:11]. Obeying Allaah and His Messenger sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam is the only source of victory. Allaah says that which translates as: “O you who have believed, if you support Allaah, He will support you [by giving you victory].” [Quran: 47:7]. 

The fortunate is the one who uses his time to work for the hereafter and neither worldly commitment nor its desires distracts him from fulfilling the rights of his Lord. Let us utilize the opportunity of Ramadhaan and try to change the situation of the Muslim nation which starts with me and you changing ourselves.