Trump is crazy! I hardly say that after many crazy things he did. At least his soul is crazy if not his mind. He has made noise around the world from the beginning of his presidency. Fighting with many parties, inside and outside the State. He is one of what is stated in the Quran surah Al-Baqarah (11): Whenever they are told: “Do not spread mischief on earth,” they say: “Why! We indeed are the ones who set things right.”
But let’s not focus on him. This is Ramadhan. The month when Allah bestows us with blessings and forgiveness. Talking of Trump is wasting time and energy. I do not know him personally; all judgment will be based on news, media, and netizens, whom I do not trust either. Ramadhan should be the special time when we foster the good in our words and actions.
O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you—as it was for those before you—so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah [QS. Al-Baqarah:183]
Ramadhan is the month of blessings. The clerk said that the blessing is the divine goodness to a thing, causing it to increase, expand, and be beneficial. If you are healthy and the condition makes you raise worship to Allah, do your job well, or help people more, then your healthy-being must have the blessing of Allah. On the other hand, you are not blessed if your strong body is used for wrongdoing. This also applies to the time you spend, the money you earn, and even the thoughts about what’s happening around us. I could have known that people were suffering in the neighbourhood or far away in Palestine, but I did nothing. I don’t even pray for their sake. You can say that my life and what I have are outside Allah’s blessing.
Blessing is not quantity. We know people who are not rich but generous. We have friends who are weak but have comforting words. We also see people who have power but abuse others and the law. So, blessing is about quality. It’s about something that brings peace, sustenance, and satisfaction. I see my life’s journey. I think about what kind of people I am. Was I a bad person in the past, and would I become a good one at the end of my journey? Then I would be the blessed one. Or am I still a bad person for the rest of my life? How terrified!
I remember the first time I know Islam. I feel that it was the most beautiful time, full of romance and closeness to Allah. That time, people thought hijab was a threat, learning Al-Quran was suspected, gathering in mosques was restricted, and many friends had a clash with their parents. Now, in the global era, faith is no longer something unique and authentic. The boundary between right and wrong is blurred, even mixed. Ironically, all of this happened in an age when freedom was heralded, and Islam is taught everywhere. Do we live on the era that is not blessed? Surely Allah does not leave us, but maybe it is we who forget about Allah. Let’s pray the way Allah taught us in QS. Ali ‘Imran: 8
Rabbana la tuzigh qulubana ba‘da idz hadaytana wahab lana min ladunka rahmah, innaka antal wahhab.
“Our Lord, do not let our hearts deviate after You have guided us, and grant us mercy from Yourself. Indeed, You are the Bestower.”
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