Ramadan’s days of Forgiveness
The Source: Hadhramaut.info/wwwSound Vision Foundation - 17/08/2011
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We are currently in the midst of Ramadan’s days of Forgiveness. The first 10 days of this blessed month have passed, which are noted for Mercy.
Now it is time for us to not only seek God’s forgiveness through sincere
prayers and a commitment to change for the better. It is also an
excellent opportunity to forgive others. And there is plenty we can
forgive others for.Apart from the personal slights we may experiences in our marriages, with our parents and children, at work, or at the store, there are the larger ones. These are based on growing Islamophobia, fear and suspicion of Islam and Muslims. Whether it’s the insult about the way you’re dressed at the grocery store, anti-Muslim words yelled at you and your kids by a passing motorist or a snide remark about Ramadan made by a colleague at work, these days of the blessed month are a time to forgive.
Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was a man of hope and forgiveness. He was someone who understood the value of this virtue not only because of the futility of hatred that only eats away at us. As a visionary, he also took into account the long-term consequences of actions. Consider his example in Taif, whose people chased him out, the town’s children throwing rocks at him, leaving him bleeding. God offered him the alternative of crushing its angry inhabitants. Instead, he chose forgiveness, with the hope that one day, those very children would turn to Islam and away from the hate of their parents.
Fast forward a generation and from among the people of Taif came Muhammad bin Qasim, the man who is credited with bringing Islam to the Indian subcontinent, where Islam has remained an integral part of its history and culture. Forgiveness and hope. Those are the winning traits visionaries of yesterday and today know lead to lasting, far-reaching change.
Let us embrace this virtue in these blessed days of forgiveness this Ramadan.Finally, with the ranks of worshippers swelling this month as Tarawih prayers and extra worship are conducted in our Masajids, we need to consider the presence of children. Too often, we want the perfect worshipping opportunity, with no noise and inconvenience. But this attitude is neither in line with the practice of our Prophet, nor is it healthy for the future of our faith. Find out why and how we can make our Masajids more child-friendly for the benefit of all worshipers.
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