Last Ramadan

Since 2016-06-27

A reminder about death and valuable opportunities like Ramadan to gain rewards and to be so close to Allah the Almighty.

It's a difficult moment when you are being told that your loved one will soon leave this world. It becomes even more difficult when you were assigned to take care of them going through that process.

The process where you, as a son of Adam (Prayer and Peace of Allah be upon him), tried so hard to forget.

The process you have been pushing the pause button on for quite a long time now, just to assure yourself that it isn't time yet.

The process we all  feel dread so much.

Death

No matter how long we live it is our final destination. A process we will go through, whether we like it or not.

As it was mentioned in Surat al Imran:Verse 185

  كُلُّ نَفْسٍ ذَائِقَةُ الْمَوْتِ ۗ وَإِنَّمَا تُوَفَّوْنَ أُجُورَكُمْ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ ۖ فَمَن زُحْزِحَ عَنِ النَّارِ وَأُدْخِلَ الْجَنَّةَ فَقَدْ فَازَ ۗ وَمَا الْحَيَاةُ الدُّنْيَا إِلَّا مَتَاعُ الْغُرُور 

(Interpretation of Meaning):

"Everyone is bound to taste death and you shall receive your full reward on the Day of Resurrection Then, whoever is spared the Fire and is admitted to Paradise has indeed been successful. The life of this world is merely an illusory enjoyment"[Al Imran:185]

The only one who will succeed is the one who was well equipped and prepared for that moment. So live this life as if you are a stranger As it was narrated
On the authority of Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, who said:

The Messenger of Allah peace be upon him took me by the shoulder and said:

«كُنْ في الدنيا كأنك غريبٌ أو عابرُ سبيلٍ»

(Interpretation of Meaning):

«Be in this world as though you were a stranger or a wayfarer» (Bukhari)

That's the reason the companions were ahead of us when it comes to good deeds. They lived in this world and took it as a station that they have simply stopped on, keeping in mind this was not the end of their journey.

After that golden advice, Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, used to say:

"In the evening do not expect [to live until] the morning, and in the morning do not expect [to live until] the evening. Take [advantage of] your health before times of sickness, and [take advantage of] your life before your death.” (Bukhari).

Live this Ramadan as if it will be your last, do deeds that you have never imagined before. Break your record of finishing the whole Qur'an. If you have planned to finish 2 times do your best and set the bar to 4 times.
Pray as if it's your last prayer.
Think that the angle of death stands behind you.
The  siraat in front of you. Jannah is at your right and hell fire at your left.
And so on with every Ibadah (Worship) you do, believe me it will change your life.

For me, knowing that I was so close to death, and it could of been me instead of my grandmother, had completely changed my life. I can not express the feeling and thoughts that  were racing in my mind.

I didn't do enough prayers, charity, fasting , I was not ready.
It was an unforgettable moments that made me go to bed not thinking that I will wake up the next morning

  

So live your life as if it was your last. Make what is left of this Ramadan the one you will fill each minute of it with a deed that will please Allah the all mighty.

Ramadan is about to leave only 10 days left on these days show Allah the khair ( good) you can do only for his sake.
I was inspired by a story I read about a sister and her husband who lived each Ramadan as if it was their  last. She couldn't imagine how much good deeds they were able to achieve just thinking that death is minutes away. So from there it became their routine, a routine we should all take part in.

I ask Allah the all mighty to accept our fasts, prayers and make us those who witnessed laylatul Qader (The Night of Power).

«اللَّهمَّ إنَّكَ عفوٌّ تحبُّ العفوَ فاعفُ عنِّي»

(Interpretation of Duaa):

"O Allah, verily you are forgiving and you love to forgive, so forgive us"

 Ameen.