DURING RAMADAN, MUSLIMS ARE CALLED TO RE-EVALUATE LIVES IN LIGHT OF ISLAMIC
GUIDANCE
بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة
يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا
ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ كُتِبَ عَلَيۡڪُمُ ٱلصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ
مِن قَبۡلِڪُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَتَّقُونَ (١٨٣) أَيَّامً۬ا مَّعۡدُودَٲتٍ۬ۚ فَمَن
كَانَ مِنكُم مَّرِيضًا أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ۬ فَعِدَّةٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَۚ
وَعَلَى ٱلَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ ۥ فِدۡيَةٌ۬ طَعَامُ مِسۡكِينٍ۬ۖ فَمَن
تَطَوَّعَ خَيۡرً۬ا فَهُوَ خَيۡرٌ۬ لَّهُ ۥۚ وَأَن تَصُومُواْ خَيۡرٌ۬
لَّڪُمۡۖ إِن كُنتُمۡ تَعۡلَمُونَ (١٨٤)
In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. Allah SWT says in Al Qur’an: “O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious ). [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, is better for you if only you know.” (Al Qur’an, Surah Al-Baqara, Verse 183-184)
Ramadan (Arabic: رمضان Ramaḍān, IPA: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn];[variations] Persian: Ramazān; Urdu: Ramzān; Turkish: Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar; Muslims worldwide observe this as a month of fasting. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The month lasts 29–30 days based on the visual sightings of the crescent moon, according to numerous biographical accounts compiled in hadiths. The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root ramida or ar-ramad, which means scorching heat or dryness. Fasting is fardh (obligatory) for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, travelling, pregnant, diabetic or going through menstrual bleeding.
While fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations; in some interpretations they also refrain from swearing. Food and drink is served daily, before sunrise and after sunset. According to Islam, the thawab (rewards) of fasting are many, but in this month they are believed to be multiplied. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran.
Muslims are called upon to use this month to re-evaluate their lives in light of Islamic guidance. We are to make peace with those who have wronged us, strengthen ties with family and friends, do away with bad habits -- essentially to clean up our lives, our thoughts, and our feelings. The Arabic word for "fasting" (sawm) literally means "to refrain" - and it means not only refraining from food and drink, but from evil actions, thoughts, and words.
During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words.
The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast. Therefore, fasting is not merely physical, but is rather the total commitment of the person's body and soul to the spirit of the fast. Ramadan is a time to practice self-restraint; a time to cleanse the body and soul from impurities and re-focus one's self on the worship of God.
The Benefits
of Ramadan
The word "Ramadan" comes from the Arabic root word for "parched thirst" and "sun-baked ground." It is expressive of the hunger and thirst felt by those who spend the month in fasting. As opposed to other holidays, when people often indulge, Ramadan is by nature a time of sacrifice.
Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day. Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him. Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, "A man's wealth is never diminished by charity."
Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits. Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking. Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.
Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur'an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may "learn self-restraint". This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our "normal" lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan.
May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May Allah bless us all during Ramadan, and throughout the year, with His forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other.
A Test and An Opportunity
Maulana Zain in his article titled: “Ramadan:
a test and an opportunity” published in http://www.haqislam.org/ writes “The month of Ramadhan is not like any other month; its purpose is
to rid man of those habits which he has accumulated throughout the rest of the
year. It is a month that prepares man for the remaining eleven months by
teaching him discipline and self control.”
Thus, Allah
has made some acts which are beloved to man, like eating, drinking and
fulfilling one’s desires, Haraam. If man can control these desires in this
month, which are usually permissible for him, then he can surely control
himself from other desires which are not permissible throughout the remaining
months.
This blessed
month has been sent by Allah to His bondsmen so that can create a connection
and draw closer to Allah by reaping the many rewards that lie in this month. A
person who has been given the opportunity to be present in this month can take
this as a sign that Allah Ta’ala has given him another opportunity to draw
closer to Him and earn His paradise through worship in this month.
In this
month we will be given many opportunities, as mentioned above to reform
ourselves and seek forgiveness for our bad sins. This is a month of reformation
and self reflection, where a believer can ponder of over spirituality and piety
and bring a change for the better. The Prophet of Allah, Muhammad PBUH has
clearly stated: “Whoever does not give up lying and evil
actions, then Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink”
[Saheeh al-Bukhari]
It is clear
from this Hadeeth which has been narrated on the authority of Hadrhat Abu
Huraira that Allah is not in need of any
person to leave his food or drink. Allah is far from needs and desires.
However, it is the mercy of Allah that He wants each and every person to leave
those things which will lead him to the hellfire and by controlling one’s
desires throughout this month it is hoped that one will be able to control
himself throughout the following months also.
For those
who can relate, we can look at the month of Ramadhan like an road safety test.
It is vital to be on form during this test. Once the test is over then we
should be at a standard where we can continue through the following months.
Indeed, there will be repairs and faults in between, but these will be minor
and can be dealt with on the spot.
May Allah
Ta’ala make us successful in this test, for the one who is unsuccessful in this
test may not be given an opportunity for a re-test.
“Jibreel came to me and said, ‘Whoever reaches
the month of Ramadan and does not have his sins forgiven and so enters the
Fire, then may Allah distance him, say ameen.” So I said “Ameen” [Mustadrak al-Haakim]
In summary,
the month of Ramadhan has been made so that mankind can take benefit of the
merits and blessings contained within to change themselves for the better and
by doing so create a bond with Allah that will continue throughout the eleven
remaining months. It is a month within which Allah has instructed us to place
more emphasis on actions regarding our Deen (religion) as opposed to our daily
routine and emphasis on worldly matters.
“I pray
that this information comes in use and aids the readers in preparing for the
month of Ramadhan. As a reminder, please commit the following Du’a to memory
and make a habit of reciting it daily until the day of Ramdhan. “O
Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach
the month of Ramadhan.” [Musnad-e-Ahmed],” Maulana Zain concludes his article.
The Gates of Allah’s Mercy
Shaykh Muhammad Nazim Adil al-Haqqani in
his article titled: “Ramadan – the gates of Allah’s Mercy” published in http://sunnah.org/
writes “The
Prophet (Muhammad PBUH) gave good tidings about this holy month. The
first third of this Holy Ramadan is the days of mercy for all people, ten days,
the second ten days are the days of forgiveness of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala,
and the last one-third, is freedom from Hell for believers–Allah subhanahu wa
ta`ala freeing them from Hell.”
Therefore, believers who try to keep the
Lord’s orders during the days of Blessed Ramadan by fasting and during the
night by praying Tarawih and night prayers (tahajjud), may be rewarded by our
Lord giving them immunity, safety (bara`a) from Hell, and they have been given
good tidings of Paradise.
The whole spiritual structure of mankind is
built on purification, and it is impossible for a person to improve his
spiritual station without first attaining complete purification, physically and
spiritually. Fasting is a beginning for spiritual purification. The first step
is the common level of fasting: trying to free yourself from your nafs’
commands and control. As long as you are under the control of your nafs you
remain unclean.
Therefore the first level of fasting is to
compel our ego so that we may take control from its hands and put control in
our own hands–therefore we abstain from eating, drinking and sexual contact in
the daytime.
The first step is to avoid what is halal
(permitted) on every day except during Ramadan. Eating and drinking and having
sexual intercourse are halal; but in Ramadan, the permitted thing becomes
haram–forbidden–during the daytime. That is the basic level of purification,
but it is of a higher purpose to seek even greater purification.
To attain greater purification, the second step
is to try to be pure from sins: you must guard your eyes, your tongue, your
ears, your hands, your feet and all the parts of your body from wrongdoing. You
must tell yourself, ” O my tongue! Just as you are keeping yourself from
tasting food and drink, yet still you must be careful. Don’t say anything that
is prohibited.”
That second step–to purify ourselves from all
prohibited actions and sins makes us physically and spiritually lighter; we may
move toward higher spiritual stations. Yet it is not enough. The third step is for
hearts: you must attend to your heart. Allah Almighty is telling us: “your
heart belongs to Me.” Among the Children of Adam, every part of the body
belongs to him but one. “Your heart belongs to Me, not to anyone else,” He
says, “Therefore I am asking that it be pure, absolutely pure.”
How can it be pure? Everything except Allah
Almighty and His Pleasure must be put out of your heart. Every time you are by
yourself, you can look into your heart to see if you are with your Lord or with
someone or something else. Whenever you examine your heart and find yourself
with your Lord, Almighty Allah, you must deem yourself fortunate. At that time
divine light will enter your heart, and you may reach the true pleasure of
faith. The Prophet (s) said, “The lustful glance is one of the poison arrows of
Satan. He who because of pity abstains therefrom will receive from Allah a
belief, the sweetness of which will fill his heart.”
Thus it is important for every believer to
control his or her every action. Without guarding our actions we are destined
to lose. And every action begins with a thought. Satan is well-aware of the
nature of mankind. In every kind of thought he has put some of his tricks.
Whoever is able to control his thoughts, may be safe from Satan’s promptings;
but whoever is unable to control them will have his mind filled with evil ideas
and falsehood. Whoever is under Satan’s control cannot be an obedient servant
to his Lord. As Muslims and believers this must be our first concern–to control
ourselves. If you find any of Satan’s control affecting yourself, in either
actions or thoughts, you must strive to make them pure.
Increased Worship – A Means of Approaching Allah
subhanahu wa ta`ala
When Ramadan comes to an end, we may find
ourselves “crying for Ramadan”. This month gives so much pleasure to us, through
our increased obedience and worship of Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala. These two are
the source of all true happiness–obedience and worship. For that reason the
Prophet PBUH “and the apple of my eyes is prayer–salaat”.
Allah Almighty sent us His messages through His
prophets. The summary of those messages is that people should take control of
themselves. Therefore Allah Almighty orders prayers five times a day, plus
Sunnah worship as well. There are the five times of prayer which Allah Almighty
makes obligatory on His servants, but the Prophet PBUHdid Sunnah-prayers by
day and by night also, so that those times of praying are always putting
control on our limbs and on our hearts. Allah Almighty says in a hadith qudsi,
“O My servant! If you take one step toward Me, I take ten toward you.”
Therefore we are in need to be active for His Sake. Make your steps more firm
on the Straight Path and more powerful, day by day.
It is this holy season of worshipping which will
cause you to move toward Allah Almighty. “When Ramadan comes… a caller calls
out every night: ‘Oh seeker of Good, draw near! Oh seeker of Evil, desist!’ ”
[an-Nasa'i]. Therefore,
this month presents a special opportunity: one for increased worship and
increased devotion. In it are prescribed tarawih and the night prayers by means
of which one may move ever closer to Allah subhanahu wa ta`ala. we have an
opportunity during Holy Ramadan more than at any other time. The one who is
able to control himself during Ramadan is going to be able, with Allah
Almighty’s support, to take control of himself for the other eleven months.
Everything begins small and grows, good things
and bad things, good habits and bad habits; for each one we have a beginning.
And the beginning is difficult, but you must be patient and continue; if you
know that something is right, you must continue to keep on that way, even
though it may be so difficult. Difficulties may be overcome by a strong faith
and strong faith is with those people who are able to control themselves.
Therefore make a firm and continuous intention to increased devotion, not only
for for this holy month, Ramadan, but make it continuous always. (HSH)
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