Time to let go…

Assalam-o-alaikum.

 This Ramadan has been really different from the past ones… atleast for me. I’m not claiming that I’ve been engaging in Ibadah so much that I’ve reached some sort of pinnacle in Iman! In fact, it’s not really been like that so far. However, this Ramadan I have finally understood what it means when they say this month is the time to increase the efforts for Tazkiya (purification of the Nafs) to become one of the Muttaqun (those who are conscious of Allah).

We read so much about Ramadan being a blessed month but this year, when I’ve actually tried giving up wrong things, I realized how true it was. Giving up bad habits and sinful deeds becomes so much easier in Ramadan. Make a resolution – ‘I’m not going to watch TV serials and movies!’ Done. I was becoming a nighttime couch potato leading up to Ramadan, but the day I resolved not to watch any TV, I didn’t switch to that trash anymore. It’s been a great relief and I’ve found better things to do with my time.

 In fact, this month has reminded me that life is indeed passing us all by… we can only grasp and keep whatever we can in the form of good deeds and knowledge. The good deeds will benefit us in the Hereafter, InshAllah, and the knowledge with help us do more good, for ourselves and for others. That’s the life Allah(swt) Wished for us – positive attitudes fuelling great achievements. Instead, we search for this kind of life through a gazillion other means. And it is on those crooked pathways that we take on baggage that actually weighs us down.

If I can be happy and comfortable without flipping through movie channels and serials (that have little practical good in them) in this month, then why not the rest of the year? Why give in to the false notion of “I need this kind of (switch-your-brain-off-and-laugh-yourselves-to-death) entertainment to be culturally educated and informed!” or “I need this to stay happy!”

 Alhamdolillah, our Deen offers us so many options in the way of “entertainment” that actually become Ibadah. It’s just that we fear that anything that’s Ibadah might not be much fun! Why not? Staying within the guidlines of our Deen we can do much for fun. Let’s not stray far from the topic – TV. These days, my sisters and I watch a half-hour episode daily TV serial – don’t start pointing fingers just yet – that’s telecasted through Saudi Channel 2. It’s called ‘Oars of Hope’ and it’s an English- dubbed version of an Arabic language serial based on life in a Saudi village, in modern times. The story revolves around a little orphanchild who is being mistreated by his Uncle and Aunt. Other subplots cover different people, like the village school-teacer who’s trying to help people solve their problems. The excellence of family ties is highlighted. There are people who curse and backbite and there are people who exhort them to good.

 My point is that this short TV serial that’s simple and direct in it’s presentation of Islam is so interesting to watch, and teaches us so much within a half-hour that we go away feeling like we’ve really been part of something good! It’s not an Eutopic depiction… it’s really not! In fact, they way they present real-life scenarios in the background of Islam makes the serial really something we all can relate to. Of course, there are somethings they could improve on, but on the whole it’s great stuff. And that’s an example of a good way to spend your time, with having gained something, having learned something to think over.

Try it yourself, try letting go of the excess baggage, one or two sacks at a time and you’ll realize it’s really not a big deal to distance yourself from things like TV serials and movies that really don’t profit you much. We see a lot of Muslims (generally called ‘practising Muslims’) around us – scholars, reverts, students of Deen - doing fine without them and the Noor on their faces is wonderful! Why not aim for something better that we could have than our ‘existence’ today? For our own sake, let’s try to gain access into the club that’s exclusive for the People of Allah!