Ramadan is leaving but why can’t I stop sinning?”

“After you’ve gone away Ramadan”

Prof Tariq Ramadan once said that “Our relationship with Allah is a love story.” It gives the implication that we are in love with Allah through what He has to offer. In this case, we are in love with Ramadan. We are “in a relationship” with Ramadan, we are “married” to Ramadan venturing 30 days of honeymoon, sweet memories and cuddlesome moments together. But the bitter fact that we need to accept is “Ramadan is leaving.” Yes, our very own lover is leaving us behind even though we still guidance and enlightenment. “Why do you have to leave us O Ramadan?” we question this although we know the answer.

We are sad because this is the only month we are a little bit committed to our deen. We have quadrupled our deeds than we what normally do. Even though we commit sins, it is less than in other months. We will be left as a widower or a widow for the days yet to come until we meet again the following year. True that Ramadan is leaving and we are still sinners, but the end of Ramadan does not indicate the end of the world right? Brace yourselves! Taqwa is not only during Ramadan All the countless prayers you’ve done, all the thousands pages of Quranic recitation, all the tremendous amount of donation done during Ramadan is for Taqwa, but should not be restricted during Ramadan only.

The pursuit of achieving the scroll of Taqwa is a long-life hot pursuit. Ramadan is there as a booster only. What is the use of our saint-like character in Ramadan without continuing it outside Ramadan? In this verse “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous”, Allah stressed Taqwa because it is easier achieved during Ramadan.

Allah says in another verse, Al-Baqarah: 197 “And take provisions, but indeed, the best provision is fear of Allah. And fear Me, O you of understanding” meaning that this life is all about being strong and the best equipment to ensure our strength is Taqwa. Ramadan is only one portion of life. There’s more to life than Ramadan. “To sin or not to sin is my dilemma” You and me, we are all sinners. We do all kinds of sins. Our dilemma is to sin or not to sin, trapped between the two. The severity of Allah’s punishment is certainly different on each level but the basic is committing a sin. All in all, we are taught as Muslims that Allah is the most forgiving and will keep on forgiving continually. Human are never foreign to mistakes.

Whether if it is Ramadan or not, we still sin. But there is no point in discussing what kind of sin we commit. Sinning is inevitable as “to err is human.” Therefore, we are in need for Allah’s forgiveness. What interests us is “how to stray away from committing sins.” It is crucial to state the hadith “Every son of Adam sins, and the best of those who sin are those who repent.” For those who think they are “losers” who keeps on sinning inside or outside Ramadan, please reflect on these verses. “And whoever does evil or wrongs himself but afterwards seeks God’s forgiveness, he will find God Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (Quran 4:110) “And O my people! Ask forgiveness of your Lord and then repent to Him, He will send you (from the sky) abundant rain, and add strength to your strength, so do not turn away as criminals, disbelievers in the Oneness of God.” (Quran 11:52) “Say: ‘O My slaves who have transgressed against themselves (by committing evil deeds and sins)! Despair not of the Mercy of God, indeed God forgives all sins. Truly, He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.’” (Quran 39:53)

Conclusion: Our relationship with Ramadan is a love story If many of you who feel Ramadan is not a serious lover who comes and goes, you guys are wrong. Ramadan is our lover, a lover who is training us to be independent for the days yet to come. Remember, the reason why we are so intensely in love with Ramadan is only because Allah asks us to do so. That is why, when somebody says “Ramadan Karim,” we reply back “Allauakram.” When somebody says “Ramadan Mubarak” we reply back “Allah Yubarik.” “Ramadan Karem” means “Ramadan that is honored” but “Allahuakram” means “Allah is the most honorable.” “Ramadan Mubarak” meas “The Ramadan that is blessed” but “Allah Yubarik” means “Allah is the one who showers blessings.” Allah should be above all others. We are not servants of Ramadan but servants serving our Rab.

Credit to LangitIlahi