salvation. Every moment of Ramadan is auspicious. Every day at the time of ifṭār, one million sinners are forgiven for whom Hell had become wājib.  On Friday, one million people are forgiven in every moment.  If only we are also included among those who have been granted forgiveness!

Allah has blessed us with such a great means of salvation and forgiveness that it is essential for us to express gratitude for it through our words and actions. One way to show this thankfulness is by avoiding sins.  Now, Ramadan is only a guest for a matter of days, after which it will depart. The true essence of gratitude for Ramadan is to maintain Ramadan’s spirit of devotion after its departure, refrain from wrongdoing and spend our lives in virtue.  May Allah grant us the ability to do so.

اٰمِیْنْ بِجَاہِ خاتَمِ النَّبِیّٖن صلَّی اللہُ عَلَیْہ ِوَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ

What is meant by shukr?

When Imam of the saints, Shaykh Junayd al-Baghdādī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه was seven years old, he used to remain in the company of the great saint and gnostic Imam Sirrī al-Saqaṭī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه. During a gathering, the topic of shukr was being discussed. Imam Sirrī al-Saqaṭī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه turned to Shaykh Junayd al-Baghdādī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه, and declared, “Son, tell us, what is shukr?”

Shaykh Junayd al-Baghdādī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه replied, “ اَنْ لَّا تَعْصِی اللہَ بِنِعْمَۃٍ – [meaning] that on receiving a blessing you do not disobey Allah. This is shukr.”^[1]

We come to know that the reality of shukr (gratefulness) is that when a person receives a blessing, rather than becoming immersed in sin, he shows obedience to Allah. May Allah enable us to express much gratitude for Ramadan, maintain devotion even after its completion,