14 Jul Ramadhan Reflections #2

by: Abdul Hai Thomas

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

As Almighty Allah opened the gates of paradise this Ramadan, I felt it happening. As I called the Adhan, I felt angels making straight rows, and Allah running shaitan out of my veins. I was filled with so much light and excitement, I could not recall Iqamat. I attempted to recite it, but was so overwhelmed I could only remember ‘Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar’. I turned to my wife and conveyed my awe. She said, “I feel it too. Just take a second and relax.” That feeling has not yet subsided.

I have almost completed my first Arabic reading of the Holy Qur’an. During previous Blessed Months, I completed the English readings (including commentary), but reading it in Arabic has fostered a deeper connection with Allah Almighty, the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), the re-institution of Khilafat through Promised Messiah (as), and mankind.

My fear and love of our Creator has increased beyond imagination due to His guidance and beneficence, Alhamdulillah. My mind is filled with Qur’anic images of those who tarried on the Earth and took others for worship, pleading with Allah Almighty for another opportunity to fear Him and obey His messengers. My heart is filled with the light of those who feared Allah and obeyed His messengers, worshipping and imploring Allah Almighty in the Hereafter.

I am humbled by the capacity, fortitude, and power of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw), and have experienced why the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) was the only man that could handle the burden of Qur’anic revelation—at times I feel as if my chest is caving and I have to stop reading. I cannot imagine the burden the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) carried, and pray that Almighty Allah continues to elevate Rasulullah (saw) to the highest station of paradise. Ameen.

My pledge of obedience and service to Khilafat has been augmented exponentially. Only through adhering to Qur’anic commandments and revelation are Ahmadis able to accept the Imam of the Age. Allah Almighty tells us in Surah Al-Shu’ara’ that mankind repeatedly rebukes His messengers. Allah Almighty guides Khilafat because Jama’at heeds His messengers’ words: “So fear Allah, and obey me.”

My concern and compassion has increased for those of mankind who do not fear Allah or obey His messengers. I recall the message Khalifa Rabay (rh) received in a dream: “There are certain things which in essence always repeat, and nobody can change the course of this history: those who clash with God or His messengers, they’re always destroyed…”

As ardent devotees of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and followers of the Promised Messiah (as), we bear the burden of guiding mankind to the right path. I pray we use the remaining days of Ramadan to seek the capacity, fortitude, and power of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). Ameen.

I am also fasting with my wife—a result of Almighty Allah’s unobstructed mercy. The last twenty-five days have helped us nourish and nurture a mutual respect and cooperation in our relationship—we have truly had to be garments for each other. Fasting together has helped us to enhance roles Almighty Allah has given us, but it has also required us to conceal and cover each other’s weaknesses.

We have served those less fortunate than us—volunteering at Jacksonville’s City Rescue Mission and donating clothes to Jacksonville’s Sulzbacher Center. We have also spent a lot of time with family during this Blessed Month traveling to the masjid and serving Jama’at during the ‘Muslims for Loyalty’ campaign on the Fourth of July.

The ‘Muslims for Loyalty’ campaign was incredible. It was a living example of Almighty Allah’s guidance and favor of Jama’at. Communities throughout the country were beyond receptive and Promised Messiah’s (as) message reached tens of thousands. In Orlando alone, it is estimated that the “Love for All, Hatred for None” message reached 5,000 people from item distribution and conversation. With this campaign taking place all over the country, we can only imagine how many people received the message by proxy!

In closing, this Ramadan has been filled with Almighty Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. It is humbling to be a part of a community that fears Almighty Allah and obeys His messenger. I love Almighty Allah with all of my heart, and that would not have been possible without following the example of our Beloved Huzoor (aba) and those who are obedient servants of Khilafat. As ardent devotees of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) and followers of the Promised Messiah (as), we bear the burden of guiding mankind to the right path. I pray we use the remaining days of Ramadan to seek the capacity, fortitude, and power of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw). May Almighty Allah continue to bestow His rewards, bounties, and gifts on us in this life, and in the next. Ameen.