Ramadan leaves Middle Earth

All good things...must come to an end.

For Muslims around the world, the end of Ramadan culminates in Eid-ul-Fitr, one of the two major Eid holidays. It's a time for celebration, to rejoice in our blessings. Eids are festive occasions where people love to congregate for prayer, visit relatives & loved ones, and have feasts in exuberance. Music (yes!), dressing up, kids hankering elders for "Eidee" money/gifts. Who says Muslims don't know how to have fun?

Spiritually, it may be cause for sadness. Sh Nuh in his "Ramadan and You" lecture relates the tradition where Rasulullah (saw) informs us that 'the fiends are manacled' in this holy month. Those fiends being, the minions of evil. He also advised to throw ourselves into performing good deeds. A Naqshabandi murid related from his sheikh that it's as if Allah gives us a blank check for `amalus-salihaat. Little wonder then, why Ramadan is the Month of Mercy.

But was it truly a Rahma to those who suffered earthquakes, floods or natural disasters? And these are only what's reached us via the mainstream media. Who knows what quiet earthquakes erupt in people's lives, in families, in unknown households, or in far off lands we least expect to hear from?

One of Abdul-Hakim Murad's latest contentions, reads thus:

His name in our age is al-Sabur

Al-Sabur means the Most Patient, the Most Forbearing. And given the kind of unpredictable, massive fitan we've been having in our world, patience has become a buzzword on our lips. Easy advice to offer others, but extremely difficult to practice. Especially on ourselves.

But nothing good ever comes easy. I wrote an earlier post on Rajab, Ramadan and Tolkein where I mused on how Gandalf the Grey wizard was Rajab, and Ramadan was Gandalf the White. From the movie standpoint, it's apparent that "grey-Gand" is more rooted in the Shire of the Hobbits, more folksy in his ways, even provincial when contrasted with Saruman. To me, grey-Gand represents a kind of village Friend of God (Wali) that is accessible, simple and full of love. And the `amir (leader) of the Fellowship of the Ring.

Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (saw) tells us that Rajab is the Month of God & that Ramadan is the month of the ummah (community). In the Two Towers film, Gandalf the White appears from the darkness of Fangorn forest, but is changed. He does not even initially recollect his former 'grey' past, only aware that his mission is unfinished & that it is why he's been sent back to Middle Earth.

The Battle for Helm's Deep ensues, where elves and men fight alongside each other, against the relentless siege of evil unleashed by Sauron and Saruman. Anyone who's watched the Two Towers will not fail to appreciate the sheer grandeur of those war scenes. Or of the shots where the women and children are shown, tugging at our heartstrings. The fear in the eyes of the warriors for good; and yet, they fight on, with patience. Gandalf the White fights valiantly, alongside legions of soldiers of Rohan. And the bounty of Providence, where fate provides the seemingly outnumbered with formidable allies, as God says in the Qur'an of those who TRULY are conscious of Him:

"...from sources they could never imagine..."

But what does Gandalf the white say, at the end of this?

The Battle for Helm's Deep, is over. But the battle for Middle Earth, has just begun.

Indeed, this month has passed. No more special ease with worship. The fiends will be unleashed again, and we shall be left to our post-Ramadan `anfus (selves). Scary thought, isn’t it?

In the Fellowship film, Gandalf the Grey advises Elrond, father of Arwen, the elven chief of Rivendell to place the hopes of victory in the hands of Men. What does Elrond say in reply?

"Men are weak...it was because of Men that evil was allowed to survive...there is no strength left in them"

Do we prove him wrong? Do we prove ourselves wrong, and strive to improve ourselves and those around us? To contribute, and to leave this world a better place?

Or will we continue to have our heads in the sand, and remain victims of circumstance?

Ya Malik, Ya Hakeem. Keep us strong & wise. And ready for battle against all dhulm.

Eid Mubarak, everyone! Spare a moment for me in your prayers.