By Mukhtar Oyetunji
Many often ask this salient question; Why do people still commit sins in Ramadan even while Devil and his advocates are chained?
They wonder why there is no ‘Angel-Like’ atmosphere where none will violate the limits of Allah and all will do only as he commands. Well, the reason is not far fetched; Men Can never be angels’! Even the messengers of Allah(SWT) often reiterated to their people that they are not angels and are fallible when Allah decrees such.
The thoughts of most disbelievers are that the prophet must be exceptional even as much as angels. Such was said about the prophet(SAW) in Surah Al-Furqan, Verse 7:
And they say: What is the matter with this Apostle that he eats food and goes about in the markets; why has not an angel been sent down to him, so that he should have been a warner with him?
Consequently, Allah informs that the Prophet(s) are indeed men as he says in Surah Al-Kahf, Verse 110:
Say: I am only a mortal like you; it is revealed to me that your god is one Allah, therefore whoever hopes to meet his Lord, he should do good deeds, and not join anyone in the service of his Lord.
As humans, it is a given that errors and lapses will occur even when we are having the best of times. There is always the possibility of one acting out of line and tending towards negative ways because even though the chief detractor(As Shaytan) and his Allies are chained, blood runs through the vein. As the blood flows through the veins, negative instincts from Shaytan flow likewise as confirmed by the prophet (SAW) in sound narrations.
Asides this, We live in a world where people do things abruptly without any sense of caution, judgement or restraint. We live in an Era where man does what He likes, whenever he likes, however, he likes and to any degree. It is a time when even the purest of atmospheres can be gets eroded and diluted with prevailing negativity.
There are countless examples depicting this, for instance, as much we try to run away from music it still pervades the airspace sometimes in the form of the so-called Islamic Music receiving much airplay these days.
Majorly though, music movies, entertainment and the likes are external factors which are to larger extents controllable. The actual cause of vices remains the soul and its unending desires.
Indeed Imam Ibn Qayyim(RA)says in one of his many collections that there are two major things that lead to the destruction and they are; Shubuhaat(Uncertainty/Confusion-usually in faith) and Shahawaat(Lustful desires)
Quite simply many believe that its human nature to err by following their desires so they don’t have to stress much about it, and then they go… Stuff happens so one just to get over it ASAP.
With significant insight, I strongly believe virtually all human and societal problems are born out of the base desires, thoughts and inclinations by some members of the society. People who nurture their evil thoughts, turn them to actions and in no time spread their cancerous actions.
Allah(SWT) surely talks about such people in the Quran. Allah says in surah Al Jathiyah Qur’an 45vs23-24.:
‘Have you seen he who has taken as his god, his desires, and Allah sent him astray due to knowledge and has set a seal upon his hearing and his heart and put over his vision a veil? So who will guide him after Allah? Then will you not be reminded?
And they say, there is not but our worldly life; we die and live and nothing destroys us except time. They have no knowledge of what they say, they are only assuming.’
The above verses surely summarize the ineptitude and insolence of man as regards the issues of his desires, his life and death. Man is naturally egoistic and therefore guesses that life and death would be so and so as he wishes thereby doing whatever he likes.
The words of Allah are indeed for the whole world but should even induce stronger ruminations from believers. Many who claim to believe still harbour syncretic thoughts, tend towards evil inclinations and even exhibit bad actions and behaviours even in Ramadan.
We must know as Muslims just as Allah and his prophet tell us that we are responsible for our souls; it’s gained and it’s losses, it good or bad it’s healthiness or sickness. Therefore each soul will be called to account for what it earns and will never be wronged.
This is why we must retrace our footsteps and get really within Ramadan and beyond. We must never be such that allows his desires and free will to paddle the canoe of our lives. We must realize that we are here ‘on trial’ and would surely return to account for our actions.
Ramadan only serves as a timely opportunity to gauge our thoughts and desires within the permissible limits of Islam.
Verily, liberation over one’s soul is indeed one of the greatest challenges as expressed by Prophet Yusuf(AS) after his encounter with the King’s wife.
Giving in to our desires is quite easy and largely effortless. But seeking the pleasure of Allah and acting accordingly even if against our souls is the real test of life and one of the ultimate lessons of Ramadan.
Our Lord is Allah, the merciful and irresistible, it is he that we should incline and align our desires and actions because in him only can we find solace. Its high time we pondered within ourselves, searched our consciences and censor our actions in order not to fall victim of making our desires our Lord.
‘indeed in that is a reminder for whoever has a heart or who listens while he is a witness(in mind)’ Q50 verse 37.
Mukhtar Oyetunji
Mukhtarraafii@gmail.com
08067208875.
