The Holy Ramadan

Muslims worship Allah as a clear expression of their sincere obedience, thankfulness and devotion to Him. Man, who is in a steady effort to be a good servant to Him, demonstrate His faith by being mindful to His orders and bounds. One of these worships is fasting as decreed in the verse below;

O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint. (Sura Al-Baqara, 183)

The importance attached to this worship is stated in many hadiths as well.

Ramadan is a very important month for believers; it is an opportunity bestowed to man to engage in good deeds and become one of those prospers with “heavy scales” in the Judgement Day. A Muslim whose intention is to attain eternal salvation in the Hereafter looks forward to this Holy month. The fact that all Muslims both in Muslim and non-Muslim countries seek repentance and the consent of Allah in this month means a mere solidarity for the world of Islam.

Muslims fast primarily because it is a means of seeking the consent of Allah. Yet, there are also various benefits this worship offers to believers.

First of all fasting is the means by which a believer displays his gratefulness to his Creator, who is the one and only owner of everything around us.

In many hadiths, our Prophet Muhammmad (Pbuh) stated that one of the important aspects of Ramadan is the fact that it is a month bringing blessings to man. Ramadan is the month when believers especially care for the poor, when they provide their free will offerings and when believers try to engage in good deeds...Every believer tries to attain a perfect moral attitude by sharing what is endowed to him by Allah with his brothers and by displaying a great spirit of contentedness. It is a time full of spiritual joy and satisfaction, a time when a good deed is awarded with more blessings and spiritual relief.

No doubt, the greatest award will be given by Allah to those believers on the Judgment Day, who seek no other benefit other than attaining the Will of Allah and be one of those believers who are awarded with the ultimate salvation. Apart from that in many hadiths, our Prophet explained many aspects of fasting bringing happiness and other worldly benefits to believers.

Another favour fasting brings to believers is the nature of spirit full of patience, determination and benevolence. Besides, enhancement of unity and solidarity among believers is another favour Ramadan delivers to man. Fasting, which is a sign of man’s submission to Allah, becomes a means by which believers secure more understanding and social integrity in their individual communities and in the world of Islam as a whole.

Ramadan has a distinctive place amongst other months of the year. In this time, believers have to be ready to be tested physically as well as being tested spiritually. Getting along well with other people, settling disputes, removing anger, hatred and enmity from hearts will give believers relief and welfare.

Indeed, Muslims avoid making gossip of other people, engaging in misdeeds and they primarily become concerned of always thinking the good and beneficial side of things. This is surely the path by which ears, eyes and all other favours given to man display their individual gratitude to Allah.

Another aspect Ramadan reminds man most is the death and the Hereafter. Muslims welcome this month with an intense sensitivity of heart towards matters regarding the Afterworld. They ponder more over the Judgment day, the Hereafter and the ways to attain Heaven. That is why, their primary concern becomes to engage in more good deeds and hence the Will of Allah. For instance, those who are rich think more of the poor and avoid wasting what is given to them by Allah. They refrain from being fond of worldly goods and share as much as they can, being aware of the fact that everything they do will be awarded justly.

However, there is one important point every believer has to keep in mind. This high moral attitude is not something peculiar only to Ramadan. A believer should feel the same way everyday and every hour of his life. This is surely the only way to become the type of believer depicted in the Holy Qur’an. A believer whose ultimate intention in this life is to attain the Will of Allah, would by no means limit himself to a month; he would seek Allah’s guidance and enlightenment at every moment of his life and hence feel close to Him. That is because Allah sees and hears man every moment; He is with man all the time.

Those who have fear of Allah should spend every hour of their life with good and beneficial deeds. Ramadan, therefore, is a time when believers practise their daily regular prayers as well as fasting.

Another distinctive feature of Ramadan is also expressly stated in the Qur’an; Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur’an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful. (Sura Al-Baqara, 185)

This month is an opportunity for those who hope to become closer to Allah and be an even better servant of Him. We are fortunate that Allah once again favours us with this holy month.

We hope that Allah endows all believers with His mercy and lets His servants experience this month with the ultimate joy of worshipping to Him.

May the Mercy and Compassion of Allah be on all Muslims.