When I observed the animals closely, they were preoccupied with their nature, and they needed to do their things perfectly. When nature observes you and is disturbed by you, it will not complain. Humans are the only species that do not work as required. Each and all of us prefer to work by manipulation, which means that humans have the power to open and accept whether it is right or wrong. The Quran verse 90:10 وَهَدَيْنَـٰهُ ٱلنَّجْدَيْنِ ( And shown them the two ways, right or wrong). Therefore, the choice we make is entirely our own, and the outcome is supposed to be based on our decisions. When external manipulation comes to mind, which is more potent than anything in this world, the mind starts depleting when the balance falls apart. As humans, we have the power to balance between right and wrong, so we all have a natural human tendency in this regard. When greed, anger, envy, jealousy, and falsehood come to the mind from the outside data, it is depleted, and we break the faith. Question: How do we protect the faith? Through gratitude and forgiveness. It is challenging for some, but the outcome is phenomenal.
Ramadan is always special for humans. Because Allah revealed a message (Quran) this month, another reason is that the Devils and the leaders of the Unseen creature (Jinn) are chained up. Also, all heaven doors are open for a blessing from Allah; hell doors are closed for this month. So that human can perform their good deeds well. However, why do some humans commit sins or do more bad deeds? Because human has inside the good (soul blowing from Allah) and bad (Nafs) ingredients. The Nafs have continuously done repentant things for years, which can trigger this month without whispering from Devils (Ash- Shayaatin). So, the habit of Nafs’s whole-year projects can be repeated during Ramadan. You can also say that humans have inside monsters; it depends on how much you feed your monster or your inner authentic self. If you feed your monster bigger than you, it might eat you inside, and then you will feel completely lost. So fasting can help to chain up Nafs to control. However, when you ask forgiveness from Allah, you come back and start feeding your real you; you are entirely in the guide of Allah.
Your performance must feed more good deeds for you, your family, society, community, and this world. For more preying, sadaqah, and less destruction, protect your faith. Because after Ramadan, the devils come back with more potent than ever to whisper your inner monsters. Make sure you win your inner battle. Because we will never know when Laylat al-Qadr occurs during the last 10 nights, Muslims are encouraged to take benefit of each night during the final one-third of Ramadan. The last 10 nights are overflowing with Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. Everyday Ramadan rituals, such as fasting, reading the Quran, and taraweeh (special Ramadan night prayers) remain. Muslims will concentrate on repentance and spend entire nights worshipping instead of sleeping. During these last 10 nights, Muslims also perform i’tikaf, which is spending days and nights in a mosque to perform devout worship. Charity, called sadaqah or voluntary generosity, is heavily encouraged during the last 10 nights. It can take many forms, such as feeding an individual a meal, donating to charity, performing a good deed, or doing an act of kindness.
Listen, world, physical, or mental health depends entirely on spiritual health. Allah describes,يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you1—so perhaps you will become mindful ˹of Allah˺2:183. That means fasting is the prescription of the spiritual disease, which will cover the overall health of our lives. You are Allah’s best creation, which means you have extreme power over devils. The devil can only whisper to you, but he has no power to overpower you until you allow him to. So protect yourself.
May Allah bless all the humans in this earth! Allahuma Amin!
Bidita Rahman 