If This Is Our Last Ramadan

Blessed Friday Jemaah,
Today is the final Friday of this Ramadan. In these last few days of this blessed month, let us boost our takwa to Allah s.w.t. and to increase in our supplication of doa to Allah, seeking from Him in the hope of being able to meet this month, which is full of barakah, again.


Every second of Ramadan is extremely valuable for those who understand the beauty and how special this month is. If we knew the value of Ramadan, surely we will not let it pass without having gained something from it.

Last week, we were reminded of the importance of increasing our doa (supplication) to Allah s.w.t. throughout Ramadan. Allah s.w.t. encourages us to make doa to Him, to seek from Him, especially in these last ten nights of Ramadan where one of these nights is the night of Lailatul Qadar. It is the night where every person who meets this night in a state of worship to Allah, will be granted Allah’s rahmah and forgiveness. How unfortunate it will be if we continue to be ignorant and forgetful even as Ramadan will soon leave us.

However, what if this is the last Ramadan for us? Have we put in enough effort to ensure that this is our best Ramadan? Are we satisfied with our good deeds and acts of worship throughout this month? Jemaah, ask yourselves, are you ready to bid farewell to this blessed month?

Beloved jemaah, we should be aware that none of us will know what will happen tomorrow. None of us knows when death will come upon us and where we will be buried. It is all in Allah’s decree and only Allah s.w.t. is the Most Wise and Most Knowing.

Allah s.w.t. says in surah Luqman verse 34:
Which means: “Verily the knowledge of the Hour is with Allah (alone). It is He Who sends down rain, and He Who knows what is in the wombs. Nor does any one know what it is that he will earn tomorrow: Nor does anyone know in what land he is to die. Verily with Allah is full knowledge and He is acquainted (with all things).”

Honourable jemaah,
If one is to know that it will be one’s last opportunity to perform good deeds, one will definitely appreciate every second to do so. Every deed and act of worship will be done to the best of one’s ability, to ensure that it is more meaningful and of a high standard. On that basis, Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. reminded his people to focus on their deeds as if it is the last time one will be able to perform the deed. Rasulullah s.a.w. said, regarding solat (prayers):

Which means: “When you stand to pray, pray like a man bidding farewell”.
[Hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad and Ibn Majah]

Subhanallah, that is indeed the advice of our beloved Rasulullah s.a.w. for anyone who is performing an act of worship. Imagine dear jemaah, if this Friday prayer that we are about to perform is our last prayer, the last time we will be able to recite the Fatihah, the last time we bow in rukuk and prostrate in sujud; will we be able to perfect this prayer that will be presented to Allah?

Jemaah,
This is the effect that one will feel if one can truly appreciate the meaning of death. This awareness will not cause a person to be less enthusiastic and lead to asceticism, drawing away from his surroundings. On the contrary, a mukmin who can appreciate and understand that death will definitely come, will be more driven and motivated to strive in doing one’s best and will be encouraged to perform more good deeds. Just like the Companions r.a. who truly appreciated the reality of death, and in fact they were the most hardworking in this world, “investing” to increase their rewards in the hereafter.

A believer does not only sit around waiting for an opportunity to come to him, a believer does not simply wait for the next Ramadan. Instead, a believer will hold on to this principle that was shared by Ibn Umar, a companion of Rasulullah s.a.w.:

Which means: “If you survive till the evening, do not expect to be alive in the morning, and if you survive till the morning, do not expect to be alive in the evening, and take from your health for your sickness, and (take) from your life for your death”. [Reported by Imam Al-Bukhari].

In these last few days of Ramadan, let us reflect upon ourselves; reflect upon our deeds and our acts of worship throughout this entire month. If there are still many shortcomings in our fasting, then we should strive hard to compensate for it in these last few days, whether through increasing our acts of worship or giving more charity.

Friday jemaah,
Before I end this sermon, I would like to share a dua that was taught by our beloved Rasulullah s.a.w. which means:

"O Allah Make the best of my life the end of it, the best of my action the last of them, the best of my days the day in which I meet You."
 [Musannaf Ibn Abi Syaibah].

May Allah s.w.t. forgive our mistakes, and with Allah’s mercy and love grant us and our entire family a strong iman and takwa. May we attain success in this world and the hereafter.
Amin ya Rabbal Alamin.

Majlis Ugama Islam Singapura
Friday Sermon
25 July 2014 / 27 Ramadan 1435

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