Encomium
Forgiveness has been a recurring theme throughout the realm of creation. It is a liberating feeling, especially if it comes from Allah, our Creator. From the moment He, the Most High created the first man, forgiveness has always been on the platter as far as the relationship between man and God is concerned. Allah promises, “And seek forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate.” Qur’an 73: 20
The fact that Allah talks about forgiveness shows how deficient human beings really are. Humans do commit error and do engage in wrong doings, but there is an important facet to this flaw in our own beings, that we may be completed by turning back to Him and asking for His forgiveness.
There is also no measure as to how much error one can commit, as He (Allah) is Al-Ghafour (the All-Forgiving) and promises that He will forgive those who ask for forgiveness. Part of being human includes committing wrongdoings and incurring sin.
However, the fact that we were created that way doesn’t justify making the active choices to engage in bad deeds without any conscientious effort to repent. The whole silver lining as a perimeter of a bad deed is the fact that there is an opportunity to make that change and beg for forgiveness from God. In another verse of the glorious Qur’an, Allah says, “And whoever does evil, or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate.” Qur’an 4: 110.
In particular, the middle of Ramadan encompasses the 10 days of Forgiveness, and this is when Muslims are commanded to ask for forgiveness the most. The important thing to note about forgiveness is its root comes from Allah, and with Him being Al-Ghafour(the All-Forgiving), Muslims pay heed to God’s power to forgive. Without God’s forgiveness, admission to Paradise would be impossible. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said that whosoever stands in worship on this night with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward his previous sins will be forgiven. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Ramadan is a month of forgiveness. In the heart of every Muslim, there is a subtle desire to reform one’s life.
Every Muslim in his heart has this desire, “I can’t live like this and I can’t die like this. I need to change my life, I need to strengthen my bond with Allah (SWT).”
This Ramadan may be the chance to capitalize on making amends with our Creator and make this ambition a reality before it is too late. We need to “abandon our life of personal desire to adopt a life of Allah’s desire.”
But What Is Forgiveness?
Forgiveness is letting go of the need for revenge, any sense of bitterness or resentment and to let go of the past. While God does this with Perfection, it is in fact harder for us to forgive ourselves first as well as ask for forgiveness. But in order for us to ask for God’s forgiveness, we do need to start by forgiving ourselves.
Ask yourself, “What have I done wrong?” “Do I really want to change?” “What are the bad habits or the mistakes that I made routinely?” Have I given much thought into changing them? Am I all right in seeing those changes? If I want to change and be forgiven, I need to do it for God’s sake.
Most of the things that we do that require forgiveness from God are actually bad for us in the first place. So while we are committing an error in the sight of God, we are also committing harm upon ourselves. Do we tell ourselves why it is wrong? How brutally honest are we in our wrong doings? Have we considered checking if what we are doing is correct? Sometimes it is easy to forget what it says in the Quran and Sunnah (Prophet’s way of life) when we are so busy trying to be ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to realize our priorities with respect to our religion. Are we really committing to good deeds or are we doing them for the wrong intentions?
Whatever it is, learn to forgive yourself first. Once you have done this, you will realize how important asking for forgiveness really is. And this is when you can really open up your heart and ask for forgiveness from God. This will help you truly feel liberated as Allah says, “Whether you reveal a good act or keep it hidden, or pardon an evil act, Allah is Ever-Pardoning, All-Powerful.” Qur’an 4: 149.
Means of Forgiveness in Ramadan
1- Feeding the fasting person.
2- Lightening the burden (work) of the slave.
3- Remembrance of Allah. It is stated in a hadith: “The one who remembers Allah in Ramadan will have his sins forgiven, and the one who calls on Him will not be disappointed”.
4- Seeking forgiveness by chanting Astagafirllah (Oh, Allah, forgive me), minimum of 1000 and above daily.
5- The supplication of the fasting individual is answered while fasting, especially at the time of breaking it.
6- The Angels will seek forgiveness for the fasting person until he breaks his fast.
ISLAMIC RULINGS ON I’TIKAF
-seclusion in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan
In today’s world, it’s very difficult for people, even Muslims to cry when reflecting on their sins, but it’s easy for them to cry when their favourite teams or clubs lose. Unfortunately, we cry for the wrong reason, and of course, this is a reflection of the state of our mind. If you can’t cry, make yourself cry before Allah, it’s not hypocrisy; it’s a way of breaking the hardness of your heart, said the Prophet (peace be upon him). This cry, is not public one, it comes in private, between you and your Lord, Allah.
Dear brethren, how often do you cry? The opportunity has come, once again, to cry before Allah by seeking for his forgiveness, mercy and emancipation from hell during i’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque) in the last ten days of Ramadan…
WHAT IS I’TIKAF?
I’tikaf in Arabic language means to compel oneself to do something or to stay in a place for something. According to Shariah, it means to stay in seclusion, in a mosque, in a certain specified manner with the intention of worship to Allah. I’tikaf is mentioned in the glorious Qur’an and is recognized as an established practice of Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him).
QURANIC EVIDENCE
“…And We commanded Ibrahim (Abraham) and Isma’eel (Ishmael) that they should purify My House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikaaf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer)” – Q. 2: 125.
In another verse, Allah says, “Do not touch them (i.e your wives, sexually) while you are observing I’tikaf in the mosque.”Qur’an 2: 187.
“The mosque” mentioned above has been argued by many scholars. Some said it’s any mosque, another group said it’s only in three mosques (Mosque in Mecca, Ka’ bah; Mosque in Medina, An-Nabawi; and Mosque in Jerusalem, Al-Aqsa). But the correct explanation of the verse is any Mosque in which five prayers are held in congregation. Apart from having facilities like rest and bath rooms, it must be a mosque where solatul jumah (Friday prayer) is being established because the intention behind seclusion should be strictly for worship and becoming closer to Allah.
SAYINGS OF THE PROPHET
There are many sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) on i’tikaf, such as the narration of Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) who said that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe i’tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan until Allah took his soul, then his wives observed i’tikaf after he was gone. This goes to show that I’tikaf is enjoined upon both man and woman. Allah’s Messenger and his wives all did i’tikaf.
ACTIVITIES DURING I’TIKAF
A person, both male and female, doing i’tikaf should busy himself/herself with a lot of act of worship such as reading the Qur’an, remembrance of Allah, voluntary prayers among others. Acts like backbiting, gossiping and all vain and forbidden utterances should be avoided during I’tikaf.
The mother of faithful, Asha said, “The established conduct for a person in I’tikaf is that he doesn’t visit the sick, or attend a funeral prayer, he doesn’t have intercourse with his wife or embrace her in desire, he doesn’t go out of the mosque except in case of an unavoidable necessity. I’tikaf is done only when a person is fasting and only in a mosque where the Friday prayer is prayed.”
It’s however painful to see some places of I’tikaf becoming halls of discussion, story-telling, arguments, quarrels, going out of the mosque to sit in its surroundings without necessity; entering places of I’tikaf reserved for women, mixing and exchanging letters with them. All these are actions that contract the teachings of Allah’s Messenger.
However, there is nothing wrong with visiting a person in I’tikaf, especially visits by members of his or her family. Several sayings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) supported this but the main objective of seclusion is to witness Lailatul-qadr (Night of Majesty) in prayer and devotion.
I’tikaf starts when Ramadan is 20 and ends immediately the new moon of Shawwal (tenth month of Islamic calendar) is sighted.
WHAT IS LAILATUL QADR
Allah has blessed the Muslims with Night of Majesty, the most virtuous of the year during Ramadan. It’s a night that is better than thousand months and any action therein, for instance, reciting the Qur’an, is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of qadr.
Scholars hold different opinions as to the night which is the night of qadr but some say it’s 21, some say 23 and others say it’s between 25, 27, 29 night of Ramadan respectively. The most popular opinion which is based on the tradition of Prophet Muhammad is 27 night of Ramadan. Despite different views, scholars unanimously agreed that the Night of Majesty falls within odd number, 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29.
EARNING ALLAH’S REWARDS DURING RAMADAN
- Give special focus for I’tikaf (seclusion) in a mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan.
- Endeavour to seek for Lailatul Qadri (Night of Majesty) during the night of the last ten days of Ramadan.
- If you have the means, it will be the wisest idea to perform umrah (lesser pilgrimage) to Mecca particular during the last ten days.
- Remember to recite Qunut (special supplication) during witr (an extra odd number prayer)
- Memorize the supplication for the Night of Majesty, Allahumma Innaka Afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’ fu annee (Oh Allah! You are forgiving; you love forgiveness; so forgive me.).
- Be informed about happenings around the world by listening to news in both print and electronic media.
- Create time to visit the sick, prisoners and the grave (particularly before I’tikaf), as this will remind you of Allah’s favour on you.
- A fasting person must safeguard his chastity and lover his gaze from all that Allah has forbidden regarding the opposite sex and adultery.
-RASHEED ABUBAKAR
