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How to Welcome Ramadan in Turbulent Times

How does one live with the knowledge of recent events and still celebrate Ramadan? How does one connect with her or his spirituality, let go of anger and shame, and embrace the healing of this month?

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The month of Ramadan is upon us, by Allah’s grace. When we welcomed the month of Ramadan last year, Muhammad Ali (the legendary boxer) had just died, may Allah have mercy on him. It was a strange time, with everyone still emotional over his death.  I myself felt fragile, as I might break at a touch.

Ali’s death was not entirely unexpected: he was elderly, and suffering from Parkinson’s for decades. But there are people who are such towering historical figures that you almost expect them to always be there.

Muhammad Ali

24 Apr 1982, Cannes, France — Muhammad Ali Praying — Image by © Richard Melloul/Sygma/CORBIS

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Muhammad Ali inspired an entire generation by standing up for what was right; he spoke out proudly as a Muslim, as an anti-war icon, and as a self-thinking black man at a time when that kind of strength was desperately needed.

But this is the nature of life. Everything and everyone ends, and in the ends are beginnings, though they may be hidden at first. In a purely chronological sense, Muhammad Ali’s life ended, and – like a soothing balm or a consoling embrace – Ramadan began. Could there be a better time to pray for his soul? A better time to be inspired by him? A better time to stand up for what is right?

Now, this year, we enter Ramadan under the shadow of recent terror attacks. Many of us are shocked, embarrassed, frustrated and angry. We are sick of our religion being demonized and defined by fools and devils who masquerade as Muslims.

At the same time parts of the Ummah groan under the weight of suffering, a suffering that receives little attention in the press: the killings of Muslims in Myanmar, the steady ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Central Africa, the ongoing hardship in Palestine… and of course Syria. The list goes on.

How does one live with the knowledge of all these events and still celebrate Ramadan? How does one connect with her or his spirituality, let go of anger and shame, and embrace the healing of this month?

I don’t have a complete answer, but again I say: Ramadan is the month of mercy. Is there a better time to pray? Is there a better time to ask for guidance, purification, inner peace, and relief? Is there a better time to humble ourselves? Is there a better time to stand for truth?

Hena Zuberi describes Ramadan as an old friend, familiar and comforting. “We will cry together,” she writes, “and I will give to her and she will give to me and even if it’s not all good, it’ll be good… She will change my routine and I will love the change because I love being with her. She knows I need it.”

This is a beautiful way to look at Ramadan: not commanding or demanding, but welcoming and kind.

Avoiding Anger

Every Ramadan I have a mission for myself, something I want to work on and change. My mission for this year is to let go of anger over things I cannot control. All I can do is speak the truth, set an example, give what I can in charity and strive to purify myself. Anger does not serve me. It does not bring me closer to Allah.

You might protest. “But,” you might say, “the events in the world are outrageous! We should be angry. How can I not be furious?”

In response I mention a hadith of the Prophet, peace be upon him:

Abû Hurayrah relates that a man said to the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him): “Counsel me.” The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Do not get angry.” The man repeated his request many times, but the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) kept saying: “Do not get angry.” [Sahîh al-Bukhârî ]

Ibn Hajar, in his commentary on this hadith, observes:

The man stated his question repeatedly, hoping to solicit an answer that was more beneficial, or more explanatory, or more general; however he did not give him anything more than that.” [ Fath al-Bârî ]

I submit that there is a difference between righteous indignation and anger. Anger is a destructive emotion. It leads to rash choices and violent actions. Some terrorist attacks are undoubtedly motivated by blind anger. The Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) treated anger like a sickness. His prescription, as mentioned in various ahadeeth, was to stay quiet and sit down, or lie down, or perform wudu’.

In other words, self-control, contemplation and ‘ibadah.

Rather than anger, what we want is righteous indignation that leads to righteous action. We want to respond to evil by doing what we can against it, in a lawful way. Speak, write, teach, organize, and donate. Do, and do right, and the rest belongs to Allah. This is the path of inner peace.

Again I point to the example of Muhammad Ali, who was a strong voice for truth and justice, but who in his private life was, as his daughter Hana described him a “humble mountain.” He also devoted much of his time to philanthropy, earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

Charity

Strife and trouble have existed from the beginning of time. Violence will always exist on this earth. These things are not new. What is new is that in the age of instant communications, every act of violence anywhere on earth is beamed without delay into our homes. The constant barrage of negative news and violent images is spiritually destructive. It is not natural for us to be exposed to this bombardment of negativity.

I personally have found that I am much more at peace when I do not watch or read political news. It does not benefit me to know the details of every attack, bombing or murder anywhere in the world.

That does not mean that I stick my head in the sand. I educate myself about broader issues, and I do what I can, but I do not allow my spirit to be traumatized.

Sadaqah and ZakatIt is also vital to donate what we can to those in need.

Allah SWT says:

“And hasten to forgiveness from your Lord and a garden whose width is that of the heavens and the Earth, prepared for the God-fearing. Who spend in times of ease and times of hardship and who restrain their anger and who pardon people. And Allah loves those who do good.” [ Sûrah `Âl `Imrân : 133-134]

Do you see the juxtaposition of anger and charity? Allah says that the righteous restrain their anger and forgive, and they spend in Allah’s cause.

Charity is a spiritual purifier, and it changes lives. Perhaps your donation will not change the world, but if it saves one life, then haven’t you changed the world for that one person?

Please donate generously to those for whom even a meal, or a roof over their heads, would be life-changing. Here are some organizations that assist Syrian refugees, Palestinians in crisis, people suffering from drought in East Africa, Haitians still homeless from the earthquake, hungry in the nation’s capital and others.

Will you help them? Remember that when you give to Allah Most High, He gives back more to you. It’s a guarantee, and I have seen it in action in my own life.

Global Giving Foundation

International Rescue Committee

Islamic Relief USA

Life for Relief and Development

American Refugee Committee International

Save the Children

UNICEF

RashidunDC

Together we can make a difference, Insha’Allah.

Oh Allah, make this Ramadan a time of peace and faith and safety. O Allah, for You do we fast, and in your name we break our fast. All praise is due to You, who fed us, and gave us to drink, and made us Muslims. Purify us during this month, relieve us from our burdens. You are the Most Forgiving, so forgive us and and guide us forward. Ameen!


Wael Abdelgawad is the author of the novel, Pieces of a Dream. To learn more about him, visit his website, Wael Abdelgawad.com.

Keep supporting MuslimMatters for the sake of Allah

Alhamdulillah, we're at over 850 supporters. Help us get to 900 supporters this month. All it takes is a small gift from a reader like you to keep us going, for just $2 / month.

The Prophet (SAW) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small. Click here to support MuslimMatters with a monthly donation of $2 per month. Set it and collect blessings from Allah (swt) for the khayr you're supporting without thinking about it.

Wael Abdelgawad's novels can be purchased at his author page at Amazon.com: Wael is an Egyptian-American living in California. He is the founder of several Islamic websites, including, Zawaj.com, IslamicAnswers.com and IslamicSunrays.com. He teaches martial arts, and loves Islamic books, science fiction, and ice cream. Learn more about him at WaelAbdelgawad.com. For a guide to all of Wael's online stories in chronological order, check out this handy Story Index.

3 Comments

3 Comments

  1. Don't wish to published

    May 31, 2017 at 12:27 AM

    ” Muslims in Myanmar, the steady ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Central Africa, the ongoing hardship in Palestine.” last year Ramadan Began with Killing Of three Innocent Believers , Jewish at Iftar Time. Or, Maghreb Times, in a Cafeteria, by Palestinian Muslims. Followed by Orlando’ Massacre! 20 lives slaughter in Dhaka, Bangladesh !!!
    Prior to that was series of attack,live lost ,here in the USA. St.Bernardino, California lost 13 lives.( Perhaps! ms. Zuberi should Speak on behalf of her Pakistani Muslim Community. Majority of which are Shitta)
    I can’t forget that Horror!! It is haunting me everyday !!!

    Don’t know when Burma has become a Muslim Nations?
    In Spite of That, I would Wish as a Muslim Scholar, You would Quote from Quran, at this Ramadan. Specially, Surah “YUNUS. Chapter#10.” Where Allah has Said to Prophet Moses(PBUH) to Leave Egypt and move to the Promise Land. Israel. ” Aya.. 93.

    So, as a Muslim Scholar, Writer, Social Activist If you would use your Mighty Sword, “The Pen” to write about that, I would be thankful to You, as a Fellow Muslim. Who is Frustrated ! Angry ! and Sad !!!!

    By the Grace Of Allah, I am Still living, while my Deadliest Enemy Stalk me Online and Offline. Here , In the USA! I laugh at them. Unfortunately they are GOD Believing !!!!?

    So,Please, brother Write. Speak up to the Middle Eastern Muslim Community; to the Palestinian.. that ,for the the sake of common good , to bring Peace in the Muslim WORLD, to Keep the Legacy of Prophet Muhammed (PBUH)..they need to Stop creating their Self Inflicted Harm.. and Spreading it around the Muslims World. Which only has been destroy, the Faith, the Religion ISLAM, over the Past half century !!!

    Losing Islamic Faith,or Believers over Christian Missionary in central Africa is because of them. !!!!

    Muslims, have to realized that, Jews are our brothers too ! We all have to answer to Allah ! This is time for them to accept the Facts, ” State of Israel” for Jewish has been Commanded by Allah. They should follow that, to bring Peace in the Community and in the WORLD itself.

    Best Regards

    Unknown.

  2. saeed Muhammed lawan

    June 1, 2017 at 2:40 AM

    The best reminder that I read today , it was so beneficial may Allah rewards you and may the soul of legend Muhammad Ali rest in peace.

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