Ramadan: The Month of Guidance
"The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion”- (Quran)
BY: Dabirah Hassan
Ramadan is the month to purify the conduct and character and get soul charged with divine attributes of Allah in the practical life. It is the month of guarding ourselves from evil and in this pious Month, Quran was revealed. Almighty Allah, in Surah Baqara Ayat 2, says: (This is)the Glorious Book in which there is no chance of doubt (it is )a guide for those who guard against evil and fear Allah.
We often make a mistake by confining the meaning and significance of the month Ramadan as the month of Fasting from dawn to dusk. But fasting during the holy month doesn’t only mean refraining from food and drink as it covers a lot more than just that. It is meant to to develop and strengthen our powers of self-control so that we can resist wrongful desires and bad habits, and therefore guard ourselves against evil.
The fast is not merely for the body, but essentially that of the spirit as well. The physical fast is a symbol and outward expression of the real, inner fast. The person fasting must remember that the aim is not simply to remain hungry; rather one should be engrossed in the remembrance of Almighty so as to attain severance from worldly desires. When we abstain from the worldly material needs and desires, it allows us to bond with Allah much more easily.
Ramadan also allows us to feel the pain of those brothers and sisters who live in poverty and cannot afford even the very basic human need. It’s a month of sharing ,we should remain conscientious of those around us and focus not on lavish Iftars for self but for those who deserve it most; a neighbor who has gone hungry, a beggar, a poor child, a hardworking poor man, anyone whom we can help out, we should.
May this month be a reminder to forgive and forget all the bad things.
May this month be our guide and courage to start a new life based on the principles of Islam and the teachings of the holy prophet (Peace and blessings be upon him). May Allah make this month of Ramadan a turning point in our lives and bestow upon us blessings to remain steadfast on the true religion.
