Brothers and sisters, welcome back after the blessed month of Ramadan, and we pray that Allah would have blessed us tremendously for all our efforts made in the blessed month; and today we would have been much better as a believer, both morally and spiritually.

Allah has established a law regarding His connection with the believers and how we can get closer to Him. He says good erases evil. We have a good example of the application of this in the tradition of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regarding the month of Ramadan where he is reported to have said “whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and seeking the reward of Allah will have his past sins forgiven”.

So good removes evil. What is important for us to keep in mind all the time is that faith does not stay static. Nothing in this world is static. Even Allah says about Himself;

Every day He manifests Himself in yet another wondrous way. (55:29)

So nothing remains stagnant; even our faith. Our faith can increase or decrease. In connection with this Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) is reported to have said; “Iman (faith) increases or decreases”.

Ramadan is that occasion where Allah allowed the believers to increase their faith tremendously through the fast, extra worship and trying to be careful of thoughts and actions for His sake. Our reason for doing all of this is to get Qurbay Ilaahi – getting closer to Allah.

When Allah wanted to show mankind how they can get closer to Him, He invited Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) in His Divine Presence on the night of the mir’aj. And he, (ﷺ) being our model and that one who demonstrated real success in this life, if we were to follow him and engage in much of the actions that he used to do we would insha Allah also increase our faith and gain closeness to our Lord.

But if after the blessed is over, we fall back into some thoughts and actions that would bring about dark spots on our heart we would be reducing our faith.

It all depends on the individual and their intention, their desire and their activity. The reason for saying this is because Allah says in the Holy Qur’an that those who try to keep their soul bright and shinning are the real successful ones.

It is those who believe and clothe not their beliefs with wrong – they are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) Guidance. (6:82)

Scholars are of the opinion that at the time of doing a wrong deed your faith is not strong because at that time you are not mindful that Allah is with you. This does not mean to say that we are free from faults and mistakes. Allah says;

And if Allah were to seize mankind for their wrong-doing, He would not leave on it (the earth) a single moving (living) creature. (16:61)

What does this ayat tell us? That we do a lot of wrong, knowingly and unknowingly. However, Allah has given us this great blessing that even if we falter we can wipe out the blemishes through repentance and engaging in good deeds.

The point is that we have a good head start coming out of the month of Ramadan, therefore don’t lose it and keep building on it.

Some people can’t understand life so they behave like the spider. Invest all their efforts and recourses to build a big ‘web’ paying no heed to returning to their Lord and without warning it can all come crashing down leaving them destitute and back at square one.

For us it is a simple reality; if when we exhale and the oxygen doesn’t go back in that is it! All your work and aspirations come to an end. And what next? What about the meeting with your Lord?

And this is the message of life. Be careful all the times. We want that when our last breath comes out our soul will be transported to a beautiful place and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) is reported to have said;

“The soul of the believer is in a bird hanging from a tree in Paradise until Allah returns it to his body on the day He resurrects him”.

Work for it. Try your utmost to have good intentions and don’t harbour hate and malice, etc. Islam wants us to be part of the beautiful universal family. Let us try our best, so our faith will continue to grow and our personality would become brighter and brighter.

So as we have started back on this program, try your best and work hard against the baser desires as Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) told his Companions “I have returned from the small Jihad (Jihad Asghar) to the big Jihad (Jihad Akbar)”. The Sahabas enquired “what is the big Jihad?” Prophet (ﷺ) said “the Jihad al nafs (inner desires).”

One mistake can destroy all your life’s work just as a married couple can destroy their loving relationship through one moment of ill treatment.

This is why we engage in the zikir and try to culture or spiritual stations to resound Allahu. If you have Allah in your heart Satan cannot come and whisper to divert your intentions and emotions.

We beg Allah to forgive us for our mistakes, wipe out our evils and cover up our faults. Keep conscious of your responsibilities and duties, and guard your faith so that when you leave this world you will have no room for regrets.

May Allah forgive us, bless us, guide us and protect us all insha Allah.