Ramadhan comes. Ramadhan goes. Some have been observing this for the past many years. Some shall continue to observe. Some won’t be able to. Ramadhan is the most blessed guest. This guest is not a mere guest. It’s a special and a valuable guest sent to us by The Most Merciful and the Most Beneficent. This guest brings along with it immense sweetness and delicious recipes of worship to get closer to The Almighty Allah سبحانو تعالىٰ.
However, not everyone greets this guest joyfully. Some don’t even realize the delicacies it brings to its hosts. For some, it was all about Samosas and Pakoras. For some, it was about Haleem. But, for some, it was about grabbing this opportunity to give the guest its righs. Yes, there are some who are intelligent enough to cherish the delicious delicacies of Ramadhan and some are even more intelligent to savor the scrumptious recipes even after this guest leaves.
The true flavors of this noble guest Ramadhan, lingers in the lives of only those hosts who value its precious arrival and remember it even after it says ‘Goodbye, see you next year. God willing’.
Some obedient hosts who have truly submitted their will toAllah سبحان و تعالىٰ honor Ramadhan not only its presence butalso in its absence. That’s the true sign of them honoring thisblessed guest.
But, the main question is: What has this guest offered us so that we may remember and honor it?
Ramadhan has taught us many things and some awesome recipes to prepare and relish so that the flavors of Ramadhan linger even after the Ramadhan goes, ofcourse ان شاء الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ, to return another year. Hopefully.
It has taught us how to try our best to keep our lives filled with its savoring tips and soul-watering recipes. And believe me, once these recipes are prepared regularly, on a DAILY BASIS, the Heart celebrates Eid immensely. ان شاء الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ
The first and the foremost recipe is “SALAH”. This recipe , if not tasted or savored, the life becomes sour and extremely bitter. This recipe is the most amazing when the ingredients such as Khushoo, Perfection, concentration, calmness, and Taqwa are used properly. This recipe tastes the best when it is served with complete humility, sincerity, and devotion.
Praying on time brings about happiness and peace for this is thenoble deed that Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ loves the most and that is tooffer the prayers on their fixed times. This is that beautiful deedthat is the most delicious and makes our life joyful. This is thatdeed that is the favorite recipe of Ramadhan. Ramadhan was notthe only month to fulfill this obligation sincerely. Every othermonth requires it too irrespective of the rewards. Make it apractice to offer the Voluntary Prayers.
Abdullah bin Mas’ud رضي الله عنه reported: I asked the ProphetMuhammad ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ, “Which of the deeds is loved mostby Allah?” The Messenger of Allah ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ said, “Salat at its proper time.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)
❖ RECIPE# 2 QURAN
The second magnificent recipe is the “QURAN”. Quran, when read or recited or memorized or understood adds amazing flavors to life. Most of us engaged a lot if time in the Quran but have we really strengthened our connection with it so that we may stay engaged always?
This recipe requires the valuable ingredients such as recitation, contemplation, connection, and submitting to its laws governed by Our Sustainer. This recipe is best when served with beautiful recitation and clear understanding.
It takes us to the wonderful level of Righteousness where thereader or the listener connects with The Almighty Allah سبحان وتعالىٰ. Contemplation over the marvelous verses brings about joyin our lives.
Narrated Abu Musa رضي الله عنه : The Prophet Muhammad ﺻﻠﯽالله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ said, ‘The example of a believer who recites theQur‘an is that of a citron (a citrus fruit) which is good in tasteand good in smell. And the believer who does not recite theQur‘an is like a date which has a good taste but no smell. Andthe example of an impious person who recites the Qur‘an is thatof Ar–Rihana (an aromatic plant) which smells good but is bitterin taste. And the example of an impious person who does notrecite the Qur‘an is that of a colocynth which is bitter in tasteand has no smell. (Sahih Bukhari)
The third recipe that the guest offers is the “ADHKAARS”. Yes, it is the remembrance of Allahسبحان و تعالىٰ at all times. Remembering Our Creator brings Taqwa and God consciousness. Whenthis recipe is prepared everyday, the soul and the heart relishes. The beautiful thing is the morewe use this recipe, the flavor of our lives embellishes and enhances.
This recipe tastes the most delicious when taken in the mornings and evenings regularly and ofcourse we can keep seasoning our lives with many other various adhkaars.
The more frequently it is used, the more sweetness it brings to our lives.
For it is in this recipe that lies the true tranquility and the Sakeenah.
Remember to Remember Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ always, by notmissing the lovely adhkaars taught to us by our Beloved ProphetMuhammad ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ.
Some of our eminent scholars, May Allah have mercy in them, said
Ibn al-Qayyim said, “The morning and evening adhkar play the role of a shield; the thicker it is the more its owner will not be affected. Rather, its strength can reach to such an extent that the arrow shot at it will bounce back to affect the one who shot it.”
Ibn Katheer said, “Wear the ‘coat’ of adhkar so it can protect you from the evils of humans and jinn. And cover your souls with istighfar so it can erase the sins of the night and day.”
The fourth scrumptious recipe is “TAHAJJUD”. This is the luscious recipe prepared only atspecial hours of the night. This wondrous recipe requires the ingredients such as love, humility, humbleness, devotion, and sincereity. This is that recipe that Ramadhan trained us with and gaveus in order to reach to Our Lord, Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ, directly. It is the direct connection to Allahسبحان و تعالىٰ. This recipe when prepared frequently adds up tremendously to the flavors of life.
Abu Huraira رضي الله عنه narrated that Prophet Muhammad ﺻﻠﯽالله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ said, “Learn the Qur‘an and recite it, because theexample of one who learns the Qur‘an, reads it and recites it inTa–hajjud is like an open bag full of musk, the fragrance spreadsover the entire place, and a person who has learnt the Qur‘anbut sleeps while the Qur‘an is in his heart, is like a bag full ofmusk but with its mouth closed.” (Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Majah)
The Noble Quran states, “Establish prayer at the decline of the sun [from its meridian] until the darkness of the night and [also] the Qur’an of dawn. Indeed, the recitation of dawn is ever witnessed. And from [part of] the night, pray with it as additional [worship] for you; it is expected that your Lord will resurrect you to a praised station.” (Surah Isra, 17:78-79).
The fifth majestic recipe is “FASTING”. Fasting brings about self-control and piety. It involves refraining from the desires of the Nafs. Fasting is an amazing recipe to remember Ramadhan. There are various nawaafil fast to observe after the obligatory fasts have been observed. It is an amazing way to express our devotion.
Allah‘s Messenger Prophet Muhammad ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ said, “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the personobserving fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife andshould not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebodyfights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I amfasting.” The Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ added, “By Him inWhose Hands my soul is, the smell coming out from the mouth ofa fasting person is better in the sight of Allah than the smell ofmusk. (Allah says about the fasting person), ‘He has left hisfood, drink and desires for My sake. The fast is for Me. So I willreward (the fasting person) for it and the reward of good deedsis multiplied ten times.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
The sixth yummy recipe is “CHARITY”. Charity brings about the love of Akhirah and instillsgenerosity and humbleness. It is a wonderful way to expiate the sins. It decreases the love formoney and reminds us of the blessings bestowed upon us by Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ.
Narrated Abu Wail رضي الله عنه from Hudhaifa رضي الله عنه: Umar رضي الله عنه asked the people, “Who remembers the narration of the Prophet Muhammad ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ about the affliction?” Hudhaifa رضي الله عنه said, “I heard the Prophet ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ saying, ‘The affliction of aperson in his property, family and neighbors is expiated by his prayers, fasting, and giving in charity.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
The Seventh Flavorful recipe is “CHARACTER”. Ramadhan brings us this recipe especially coz without it, our life is distasteful.
The important ingredients of this recipe are refraining from anger, abuse, lies, hypocrisy, backbiting, and hatred.
Instead, in order to relish the taste of Good Manners, it requires us to season our lives with generosity, truthfulness, distributing sweet words, humbleness, and spreading Salaam.
Narrated Masruq رضي الله عنه: Abdullah bin ‘Amr رضي الله عنه mentioned Allah‘s Apostle ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ saying that he wasneither a Fahish nor a Mutafahish. Abdullah bin ‘Amr addedرضي الله عنه, Allah‘s Apostle said ﺻﻠﯽ الله ﻋﻠﯿﮧٓ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ , ‘The best among you are those who have the best manners and character.” (Sahih Al Bukhari)
These were some of the important healthy recipes offered to us by Ramadhan to enjoy all year long.
Remember to prepare them with a clean heart and only for the sake of Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ.
Always remember that time matters a lot!
This is the element that governs all other recipes. Ramadhan was not the only month to refrainfrom useless activities such as listening to music, watching movies and soaps, engaging in wastegossips, and wasting time unnecessarily. As a Muslim, we are always in the Submission Mode toAllah سبحان و تعالىٰ. He is the Lord of every other month. Know that coming back to what wewere prior to Ramdahn is a dangerous sign that we haven’t valued our guest.
Besides this, always pray to Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ to keep us steadfast on the right path and to firmour hearts.
Our Lord! Let not our hearts deviate after you have guided us and grant us from yourself mercy. Indeed, you are the Bestower. (Al-‘Imran:8)
Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ is the only one who can guide the misguided and keep the guided onguidance.
May Allah سبحان و تعالىٰ make us from those who fear Him always and value the essence ofRamadhan.
Verily, these recipes are a way to a serene heart and a serene heart is the way to Allah سبحان وتعالىٰ.
The recipes are rich in nutrients such as rewards, peace, true happiness, and enhancing theconnection with Allah. ان شاء الله ﺗﻌﺎﻟﯽٰ
So, enjoy these recipes. Let the Heart celebrate Eid everyday. Honor the guest even in its absence. Blend your lives with these flavors and let the consistency of life be smooth and peaceful.
