By Ruby
Bismillah
As Ramadan quickly comes nearer, make the right intention to improve the bonds of the Ummah!
Please read and comment, I would love to hear what you think! Jazakumullahukhair.
Reference:
Bismillah
We’re all looking forward to Ramadan, I am sure of it. We love the sense of doing more good, knowing Allah subhaana wa ta'aala will (inshaAllah) give us multiple times reward for even the tiniest of good deed. We all look forward to fasting with all the other Muslims around the world, and gathering together to break our fasts. Best of all, we want to get together at the masajid to pray the Taraweeh prayers in congregation. We yearn for these Ramadan experiences, and we excitedly anticipate the blessed month.
Now I want you to look back: what is common in all these Ramadan activities? For one thing, a majority of these activities are done together as a group. Ramadan is a chance, not only for one’s personal growth in Imaan and as a Mulsim, but for the Ummah as a whole, to become stronger.
It is reported in Sahih Bukhari that Nu’man b. Bashir reported Allah’s Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as saying:
"The similitude of believers in regard to mutual love, affection, fellow-feeling is that of one body; when any limb of it aches, the whole body aches, because of sleeplessness and fever."[1]
Thus, my dear readers, we have in our own Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam the proof that the Muslim Ummah, the community, needs to be one strong body. If any one part of the Ummah is suffering, the whole Ummah suffers. It proves how the bond of Muslims really is supposed to be.
As Muslims, we know that the Ummah is one big, strong body. We have heard it time and time again. Yet why do we see that there is fighting, disputes and arguments over the most miniscule of details? I am not talking about worldwide conflicts, like between different sects. I’m referring to the same disputes that occur in our own communities, among people we know personally.
How come no one does anything about it? Is it that we have gotten to the point of despair where we give up and just sit around for a miracle to happen? The truth is that no one is going to help the Ummah unite except for the Muslims themselves. If we are to be part of the Ummah, then we need to do our share, our part as Muslims, to help the Ummah we belong to. It is our duty to do something about it.
My point for writing this is not how we can solve all the issues plaguing us today as Muslims, because that’s just too broad of an issue to tackle in a single article, and I am not qualified to do that. Instead, I want to discuss how to take simple steps in our lives to improve our bonds with each other and as a Muslim Ummah. With Ramadan on the way, it is an excellent chance to make the intention to better ourselves for the good of the entire Ummah.
1) Make the Intention: Without having the right intentions, we will not get reward for it. With the right intention to unite our Ummah, to help ourselves and other become better Muslims, something as intimidating as this will become easier with the help of Allah subhaana wa ta’aala.
2) Take Small Steps: Of course, no one is expecting you to jump right in and begin organizing huge social events for Muslims. Instead, take things slowly, and gradually, you can increase your ability to contribute.
3) Educate Yourself: Even if it’s a two hour class once a week, the smallest amount of knowledge is helpful and beneficial. To know more of Islam is always a blessing, and can be helpful as you progress yourself. Further, when you study with someone else, it can strengthen friendship ties.
4) Join Muslim Events: If your community and masajid hold events like carnivals, fundraisers, seminars, lectures, etc, go and join them! These events are crucial to uniting the Ummah because Muslims join together for a similar purpose, whether it is getting to know others or going to become better Muslims. This instills a mindset of a united Ummah by participating in these events.
5) No Events in your Community? Well, it’s up to you then, to start something! Even something that seems unimportant or unnoticed at first will eventually grow, inshaAllah. Begin by gathering a few of your own friends for a halaqa once a week, where you share an interesting hadith or ayah together. Try organizing and arranging for speakers to come to a local masjid. Arrange fun events and workshops for the community. These events gather Muslims together, to learn, grow, and have fun inshaAllah.
6) Acknowledge Differences: It is normal for people to have a difference of opinion over various issues, and this is acceptable in Islam, as long as there is evidence to back it up from the Quran and Sunnah. Instead of arguing over who is right or wrong over certain issues that are within the bounds of Islam, we should accept that difference of opinions does exist and move on from this.
With Ramadan on the way, we all need to see this opportunity to really unite as an Ummah. It is time for us to set aside differences because ultimately, what defines us as Muslims is the fact that we worship Allah subhaana wa ta’aala alone and follow his Messenger sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam as our example.
Nowadays, it is common to see that Muslims head in different directions, as arguments and difference of opinions break up communities and the Ummah. However, there is hope, because as long as we can follow the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam’s example, we know we cannot go far. This is why projects, events, and gatherings that teach and remind us about Islam are crucial to us as Muslims.
It may seem like we have busy schedules, with school, kids, family, and life, but as long as something is done with the intention to please Allah subhaana wa ta’aala, we can find the time. We just need to take things slowly. No one expects you to fill your entire schedule with these events, but try to take things one step at a time.
This Ramadan, inshaAllah, I urge you to meet up with fellow Muslims and increase your knowledge and Imaan. Gather in halaqas, meet at community events, and expand your knowledge. The importance of these activities is so important to unite us as an Ummah, so we can succeed and pass on the message of truth.
As Ramadan quickly comes nearer, make the right intention to improve the bonds of the Ummah!
Please read and comment, I would love to hear what you think! Jazakumullahukhair.
Reference:
1. Sahih Bukhari, Book 2, Number 6258.
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