Nafsiya Reflections: The Journey

As we leave Ramadan, our lives get back to their old routine. Dinner whenever, less family gatherings, schoolwork, etc., and so begin our old habits to kick back in. They may be the habits we worked on breaking during the blessed month. Distractions settle in, and we are caught in our day-to-day routines. We must take advantage of the closeness we felt to Allah, the spirituality we renewed, the habits we had created. Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) said,

«أَحَبُّ الْأَعْمَالِ إِلَى الله أدومها وَإِن قل»

“The acts most pleasing to God are those which are done most continuously, even if they amount to little.”

This month, the month of Shawwal is a great time for reflection, a very significant time for centering the mind, body, and spirit for the rest of the year and beyond, as well as for thinking back on the good deeds done throughout the month of Ramadan. And trying to hold onto those habits that brought us closer to the akhirah, instead of sinking into the distractions of Dunya, this world. Running around in circles, trying to accomplish worldly gain, perfecting our children in school, pushing ourselves deeper into our careers, or perfecting our homes, as Dunya takes more and more of our time, giving less and less time for the real life awaiting us.

This Dunya may not only run our lives with distractions but may immerse us into the emotions of this Dunya. We may become swallowed by jealousy of what we don’t have, it could be the joy of empty accomplishments, overwhelm in the chaos that comes with family life, or the sorrow in the death of a loved one. We must engrave in our minds the reason behind our creation. Why is it that Allah (swt) created us? And remember that this is not our eternal home, it is a passing place we will leave one day, to our true homes. A place where we will feel ease, serenity, and fulfillment, immersed in beauty we have not yet to see or imagine.

The distractions, temptations, and emotions could easily pull us away from the path to gaining the pleasure of Allah (swt), or of reaching the highest of achievements, the Rida pleasure of Allah (swt), and Jannatul Firdaws with Rasool Allah (saw). The month of Shawwal is the perfect time to reflect on our habits and goals. The significance of Shawwal is not because it is the month of the return of first immigrants from Abyssinia to Mecca, the marriage of the Messenger of Allah (saw) and our mother Aisha (ra), the Battle of Uhud or the Battle of Hunayn but rather the importance of Shawwal is what Rasool Allah (saw) said in his blessed hadith:

«مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ, ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ اَلدَّهْرِ»

"Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year."

It is in the Sunnah of Rasool Allah (saw), in fasting the 6 days of Shawwal after Ramadan. And as described in another hadith Rasool Allah (saw) mentions the importance of Nawafil, or non-obligatory deeds, the Prophet (saw) said:

«أَوَّلُ مَا يُحَاسَبُ بِهِ الْعَبْدُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ صَلاَتُهُ. فَإِنْ أَكْمَلَهَا كُتِبَتْ لَهُ نَافِلَةً. فَإِنْ لَمْ يَكُنْ أَكْمَلَهَا، قَالَ اللَّهُ سُبْحَانَهُ لِمَلاَئِكَتِهِ: انْظُرُوا، هَلْ تَجِدُونَ لِعَبْدِي مِنْ تَطَوُّعٍ؟ فَأَكْمِلُوا بِهَا مَا ضَيَّعَ مِنْ فَرِيضَتِهِ ‏.‏ ثُمَّ تُؤْخَذُ الأَعْمَالُ عَلَى حَسَبِ ذَلِكَ‏»

“The first thing for which a person will be brought to account on the Day of Resurrection will be his prayer. If it is complete, then the voluntary (prayers) will also be recorded for him (as an increase). If it is not complete then Allah will say to His angels: ‘Look and see whether you find any voluntary prayers for My slave, and take them to make up what is lacking from his obligatory prayers.’ Then all his deeds will be reckoned in like manner.”

This month is a time to assess where we currently are and in what direction we want our lives to go from here. It is a month for setting intentions, maintaining and building habits to bring us closer to Allah (swt). To truly manifest Islam all year round, till we take our last breath. This Dunya is not the destination, rather it is the journey. The journey that will lead us down two paths. It is our choice, which path it is. May Allah (swt) help us maintain and build the habits HE (swt) loves, and not distract ourselves from our true goal, of gaining HIS Pleasure.

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