Question:
“What are the meanings of the special months such as miraj and ramadan?”
Answer:
Although each particular month has a special distinction, all are Allah’s bounties and mercy. Throughout the year, we are usually distracted and manipulated by the nefis. Therefore, these special months and nights are created to help us focus on our highest obligation, that is, to be a faithful servant of Allah. Also, during these special months, Allah shows His mercy by proving us with numerous rewards that can be compared to thousands years of worships. Each letter recited from Quran this month can value as many as thirty thousand rewards.
After the question, we read parts of “The Twentieth Letter” which explore the pleasure for the spirit that can be found in the two verses: “There is no God but God” and “He is One”.
Saying “There is no god but Allah”, a person declares that he seeks refuges in Allah’s Power and Mercy. The person recognizes that there is no other supreme being other than Allah, the Only One with Absolute Power and Compassion. Therefore, the person can feel secured in the protection of Allah because he knows that nobody other than Allah can defend him and guarantee his needs. Even death is no longer intimidating but instead becomes a ticket to bring him closer to the Creator. Therefore, relying on Allah alone brings endless security and joy in this world and the hereafter.
Happiness and comfort is also embodied in the phrase: “He is One”. So as to sustain our livelihood, we humans tend to seek assistance from powerful people with prominent roles in economics, politics and healthcare. Yet, the phrase “He is One” reminds us that the only One we should ask for support and assistance is Allah because there is no other monarch with higher power and control than Him. Thus, it is foolish to follow, fear and fawn on other people and things when living the illusion that they can save us. The only source of assistance is from Allah, whilst those who help us, in reality, merely follow the commands of the Creator. It is by declaring “He is One”, a person is saved from endless indebtedness and fears.
4 Comments
The message that touched my heart in the post and discussion was twofold. Firstly when we are given the opportunity to stretch a helping hand we may not make the other person a slave of us and ask him to repay us when required, by the very human nature we would feel sense of ingratitude when we are not looked after in return . Likewise when someone is kind and compassionate to us it is God that comes to our assistance. Often we misjudge and rely on the messenger and forget the ultimate source of love and compassion .
Therefore let us be thankful to God for all the favours he has granted on us through our family and friends. ” there is no God but God”.
Very good:)
I also think that when we did something which helps others, for example we donate money to help those homeless, we’d better not leave our names as all those kind deeds is from God and we should not claim that we are the one who did those nice things, because : “He is the one.”
Well said Adela ! in my culture we say that when the right hand gives the left hand should not know about it.
Risale – i- Nur emphasizes this point I quote from the thirteenth word – in a way we are all prisoners so it applies to us
‘ There is great gain in compassionately aiding and assisting prisoners, in giving them the sustenance they need, and in soothing their spiritual wounds with consolation. Giving them their food which comes from outside is like alms-giving which, exactly to the amount of food, is written in the book of good deeds of those, outside and inside, who do this, together with the warders concerned. Especially if the unhappy prisoner is old, ill, poor, or a stranger, then the reward of this alms-giving increases many times over.
The condition of this high profit is to perform the obligatory prayers to that such service is for God’s sake. Another condition is to hasten to their assistance with sincerity, compassion and joy, and in such a way as to not make them feel obliged.’
Ladies, great discussion here. (Also thanks to Mai for another comprehensive summary of the talk)
Just a few thoughts of mine.
As the receiver of bounties, we should know that everything comes from one source only, God. Hence, we give thanks to Him for his mercy and compassion. Here, I am not talking only about the good things in life but even hardship, pains and calamities. Everything we receive is good for us. The Risale-I-Nur says we should not complain about our difficulties and hardship. Who are we to know if something is entirely bad for us? Why should we worry about this worldly life, about material success and possesion (These are the things we have no control of in reality)? God knows best, and He will provide us with all that we need.
As the “giver” of good deeds (i.e. when we give out something), we have to remind ourselves that we are merely the cause, a channel. The real Giver is God, the generous one. I personally take a lot of joy when I do something good in God’s names. I feel happy because God has allowed me a chance to reflect his names.
All in all, there is joy and comfort overflowing from the two verses – ““There is no God but God” and “He is One”. They are real spiritual pleasures.