Musings For The Mind - Ramadhan Edition

We read it no less than 17 times a day. Its importance to our daily religious obligation cannot be underestimated. Yet how many of us actually comprehend the meaning of those beautiful words.

When we listen intently to the imam’s opening verse, are we really digesting the contents  into our hearts, or merely enjoying the rhythmic and melodious tone through our ears? 

Of course, not many of us have mastered the Arabic language. But we must start somewhere and what better way than to begin with one of the chapter’s that we’re most familiar with:-

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful:

All Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the Universe

The Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Owner of the Day of Judgement.

You alone do we worship, and You alone we turn to for help

Guide us to the straight path;

The path of those on whom You have bestowed your grace, not (the way) of those who have earned Your anger, nor of those who went astray.

Surah Al-Fatihah. Simple, yet deep and sublime. Once upon a time we knew the exact definition of each verse. But as time goes by, we tend to get complacent and fill our memories with petty matters. The biggest danger is accepting our ignorance to one of the most important chapters in our lives, and doing nothing about it.

Well it’s Ramadhan.. A good dose of spiritual WD-40 sprayed onto our memories will surely help clear some of that rustiness.        

It was narrated by Abu Huraira that The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: One is not credited with having observed the prayer without the recitation (of al-fatiha). So said Abu Huraira: (The prayer in which) the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) recited in a loud voice, we also recited that loudly for you (and the prayer in which) he recited inwardly we also recited inwardly for you (to give you a practical example of the prayer of the Holy Prophet).

Sahih Muslim