Ramadan is a month that just doesn’t stop giving, and as we near the last 10 nights, the opportunities are on the verge of intensifying yet again.
This is the time to ensure that there are no barriers whatsoever that remain between you and those opportunities.
With that said, I draw your attention to just one of them; Unresolved fallouts between Muslims.
The Prophet PBUH said,
تُعْرَضُ الأَعْمَالُ في كلِّ اثْنَيْنِ وَخَمْيسٍ، فَيَغْفِرُ اللهُ لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ لا يُشْرِكُ باللهِ شَيْئًا، إِلاَّ امْرَءًا كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ أخِيهِ شَحْنَاءُ، فَيقُولُ: اتْرُكُوا هذَيْنِ حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا
“The deeds of people are presented to Allah every Monday and Thursday, and Allah forgives the sins of every Muslim who does not associate a partner with Allah, with the exception of two people who have fallen out. It is said, “Don’t forgive their sins until they reconcile”
(Narrated by Muslim)
That’s right. Despite an individual’s many good deeds and relentless effort in worship, this “one fall out” has the capacity to deprive them from the forgiveness of their sins.
Shayṭan won’t give up in pushing us away from reconciliation, arguing: “Fine, make friends, but just not now. Give it a year or so”
How do we respond to this? With the words of the Prophet PBUH:
مَنْ هَجَرَ أخَاهُ سَنَةً فَهُوَ كَسَفْكِ دَمِهِ
“Whoever boycotts his brother for over a year then it is as if he has spilled his blood”
(Narrated by Abu Daawood)
Shayṭan will say, “Very well; not a year, but give it a week or so. You both need to cool down!”
How do we respond? Again, silence him with the words of the Prophet PBUH:
لاَ يَحِلُّ لِمُسْلِمٍ أَنْ يَهْجُرَ أخَاهُ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ، فَمَنْ هَجَرَ فَوْقَ ثَلاَثٍ فَمَاتَ، دَخَلَ النَّار
“It is not permissible for a Muslim to boycott his brother for over three days, and whoever does so and then dies, will enter the fire.”
(Narrated by Abu Daawood)
Shaytan will plead, saying: “Ok, fine. At least wait for him to initiate the apology!”
Respond with the words of the Prophet PBUH:
وخَيْرُهُما الَّذِي يَبْدَأُ بِالسَّلاَم
“The best of the two who have fallen out is the one who initiates Salam first.”
(Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)
“Ah! But what if he rejects your apology?!” Shayṭan will say, “Your effort to reconcile is wasted.” Respond with the words of the Prophet PBUH:
وَإنْ لَمْ يَرُدَّ عَلَيْهِ فَقَدْ بَاءَ بِالإثْمِ، وَخَرَجَ المُسَلِّمُ مِنَ الهِجْرَةِ
“[..] But if he rejects him, then only he will be sinful whilst the other has freed himself from blame.”
(Narrated by Abu Daawood)
Shayṭan will make one last effort as he begs us to change our mind, saying: “Your pride will be thrown out the window if he rejects your apology! Then that is a point scored against you!”
Respond with the words of Prophet PBUH who took an oath by Allah’s name, saying:
ثَلَاثٌ أُقْسِمُ عَلَيْهِنَّ: مَا نَقَصَ مَالٌ مِنْ صَدَقَةٍ، وَمَا زَادَ اللَّهُ عَبْدًا بِعَفْوٍ إِلَّا عِزا، وَمَنْ تَوَاضَعَ لِلَّهِ رَفَعَهُ اللَّهُ
“There are three things which I take an oath by Allah’s name will happen: 1 – When one gives wealth in charity, wealth has not decreased. 2 – When one pardons, Allah will increase him in dignity. 3 – Whoever humbles himself for the sake of Allah, Allah will raise him.”
(Narrated by Muslim)
After hearing all of this, what do you make of a person who insists in continuing the boycott? Who insists on not picking up the phone and apologising? This is a person who is arrogant, whose heart has either died or on its way out, and whose desire for paradise and fear of hell are dangerously lacking.
Be the better believer, humiliate Shayṭan, apologise, and remove every obstacle in your way this Ramadan.
We have enough to be asked about as it is.
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