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RAMADAN- THE MONTH OF BLESSINGS!

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Danish Hameed

The month of Ramadan is considered to be the most pious month in which the holy Qur’an was revealed. This is the month which has the Night Of Decree (Laylatul Qadr)and any worship during this exalted and pious night is better than the worship of thousands of months.

The Holy month of Ramadan is explained in the following verse of the Qur’an in Surah Baqrah. There are multiple reasons to observe fasting in this month which every Muslim should know.

“O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint,- Holy Qur’an (2:183)”

Allah calls the believers in the above verse, those who hear and obey the command of Allah without any doubt and with full of will to observe fast during this month. So the very first reason to fast in Ramadan for any Muslim all over the world should be nothing but, the command of Allah that makes it obligatory (Fard) on all believers. This makes fasting one of the pillars of Islam.

Many Islamic scholars have mentioned that while there are different acts of worship or Ibadah in Islam including Salah, Zakah, Hajj etc, but the only act of worship most loved by Allah is fasting.

In the above verse, the reason to mention about the fasting of our ancestors is to let people know that Allah always loved this act of worship and therefore fasting was prescribed on every nation which came before us. This was the only form of worship which was constant from the time of Ibrahim (A. S).

We are the most beloved nations of all:

There are various Ahadeeth (sayings of beloved Prophet-Peace be upon him) which tell us that the nation of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is the most blessed and dearest nation of all. Therefore the number of acts of worship for this nation are more compared to any nation in the past. Earlier, during the times of Musa (Moses)- May peace be upon him, Fasting was suppose to be maintained for 24 hours  only. Allah prescribed it on us to fast for the whole month, to get more reward and closeness to Allah than any other nation.

Fasting is a shield:

Allah asks us to self restraint, but from what? He asks us to protect ourselves from the whisper of satan which urges us to commit acts which are evil. Fasting is protection and a shield for a believer against further troubles and future sins. This is a learning period, to gain control over your own senses and abilities and also seek for the mercy of almighty.

It develops Taqwa:

In the above verse Allah expect us to develop Taqwa and to become All conscious. Taqwa can only be achieved by having the fear of Allah. When a person is fasting he gains control of his heart over his physical desires. Refraining from food and water reminds him to refrain from acts like lying, backbiting, gossiping, arguing etc.

It teaches a person to have control over his urge. Once you get control over your desires in Ramadan then you will develop Taqwa, and your heart will not allow you to commit something which is prohibited in Islam even after Ramadan.

Fasting expiates sins:

If a person fasts for the whole month of Ramadan with Taqwa and with the intention to please Allah, then the holy month of Ramadan will surely expiate all his/her previous sins.

Empathy:

Imagine people from Syria, Yemen, Myanmar etc. Those little innocent faces starving day and night with the pain of losing their loved ones and the hopeful eyes searching for shelter to seek refuge to get protection. You will feel sorry for them, show your sympathy on social media but will never realize their actual pain until and unless you experience it. Ramadan makes us empathetic for those who are in need. We feel their pain and feel the urge to help them.

Reward of fasting is immense:

The reward for every act of worship is fixed and according to Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Allah said: ‘Every deed of the son of Adam is for him except fasting; it is for Me and I shall reward for it…’”

The devils are chained:

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said “When the first night of Ramadan comes, the satans and mischievous jinns are chained up, and the gates of the Fire are closed, and none of its gates are opened. The gates of Paradise are opened and none of its gates are closed. And a caller cried out: ‘O seeker of good, proceed, O seeker of evil, stop.’ And Allah has necks (people) whom He frees (from the Fire), and that happens every day.”

Writer is a medical science student, Columnist and Writer.

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