slip-sliding away…..

“God has created angels with reason but having no desires; animals with desires but no reason; and man with both reason and desires. Therefore, if one’s reason is stronger than his desires, he is like an angel; while if his desires are stronger than his reason, he is like an animal.” (Ibn Al-Qayyim)

There’s a war going on inside each of us. A constant battle between our reason and our desires; our higher and lower selves. The above statement shows us the results of that war based on the choices we make.

This internal paradox – the competing forces within – is a natural consequence of the way we were created. In the Holy Quran, Allah tells us:

Surely We created man of the best stature. Then We reduced him to the lowest of the low, Save those who believe and do good works, and theirs is a reward unfailing. (Quran: surah 95: verses 4-6)

Does it ever end?

It’s important to note that we’re never just one or the other – there’s no permanence. Our state of being – whether angelic or animalistic – fluctuates as we traverse this life, facing different experiences that bring out the best and worst of us.

Sometimes we’ll be strong – feeling an inner purity that helps us rise above the desires we know we must suppress for our own good. But at other times, we’ll feel pathetically weak – unable to withstand the barrage of temptations we’re subjected to… sometimes facing those temptations because we willingly put ourselves in the wrong situations.

Give me a break!

For 11 months of the year, our daily circumstances and external environment subjects us to a never-ending roller-coaster of these inner battles. But when Ramadaan comes around, everything changes.

Suddenly, we’re no longer alone in trying to be “good”. Everyone is on the path – striving to be better Muslims…better people. Just like peer pressure can be a powerful negative force, peer support – in the form of the Muslim community around us (either physically or virtually) – can be equally powerful in helping us to strive for self-purification and closeness to Allah.

You see, it doesn’t matter whether you’re already strong in your deen (faith) or not. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a born Muslim or a revert. Across the spectrum, Ramadaan unites Muslims of all spiritual levels – because no matter where you are on your journey, Ramadaan is the one period in which we all want to be better.

Spring cleaning for the soul

Ramadaan flips our daily routines – so our changed schedule reinforces the feeling that things are not “normal” this month. Along with that, we suppress our physical desires, and in doing so, our spiritual selves are purified, nourished, and grow naturally.

An even more potent step comes when we indulge in a period of i’tikaf – when we completely divorce ourselves from our normal lives, and isolate ourselves in solitude, connecting with our Maker and disconnecting from everything else.

Even if we don’t get to stay a full 10 days in the mosque, we can still take in small doses of this practice – spending even a few hours at a time secluded either in our local mosque or any other private setting, away from the people and things that usually occupy our thoughts and time.

And without the constant enemy of Satan around, it’s easier to push aside that which distracted us. It’s easier to see things as they really are. The veils dissipate more easily, and our hearts are fertile for the planting of beautiful seeds.

Seeds that, we hope, will take root in this month, then grow into beautiful new habits, actions, mindsets, and character – in the rest of the year to follow.

Make the most of this chance

With such a precious opportunity, it’s important that we make the most of Ramadaan – planning beforehand, working hard through the month, and then, critically, continuing to strive after it’s left us.

Within Ramadaan,  you’ll want to try your best to build up a mountain of good deeds that will earn you uncountable rewards in the Hereafter. However, don’t over-exert yourself as you could burn out quickly.

It’s usually best to take a slow and steady approach. So if you don’t have the time or energy to go big, rather focus on doing a few things consistently, and with the utmost sincerity. After all, the deeds most beloved to Allah are those that are consistent – even if they be small. (Hadith narrated in Bukhari and Muslim).

Then, as the month nears an end, use the spiritual momentum you have and plan how you’ll take the goodness of Ramadaan to the rest of the year. Your spiritual fervour will naturally decline after Eid. And though it may be revived during Hajj time (soon after Ramadaan), the reality is that for much of the year after that, it’s easy to fall into a spiritual “dead zone” – because the communal spirit of striving isn’t so strong outside of these special seasons.

So, while you’re still in the spirit of Ramadaan, take some time to look at your own life. Look at your strengths and challenges. Make concrete plans on how you can boost your post-Ramadaan life so that you make some progress in the rest of the year – even if you’re reduced to baby steps once more.

Bring out the angel in you

The battle between desires and reason rages on inside, but as we walk within this temporary ceasefire called Ramadaan, put in the extra effort to make sure that your angelic potential rises, thrives, and hopefully retains the upper hand throughout the months that will follow this most blessed time of year.

* Adapted from an article I wrote for AboutIslam.net in 2019.*