By: Qayoom Naik
The blessed month of Ramadan, which is based on the lunar calendar, is here and those of us who have made preparations must be upbeat about making the most out of the month. It is a month of great blessings, forgiveness, repentance, charity and also strengthening our ‘connect’ with almighty Allah.
Besides regular prayers, we go for special prayers as well as fasting- the main feature of this month- and if we are able to maintain the standards of worship, fasting teaches empathy not only by being in a position, temporary though, to understand how a segment of humanity manages with less food routinely, but also by providing us with a chance to reflect upon our souls. In other words, Ramadan is more about feeding the soul than skipping the meals.
The Imaam of our mosque was right in saying that most of the mosques for first few days of Ramadan appear like emergencies of hospitals as the number of people increases suddenly and there is hardly any space left for the late comers who often have to settle outside mosques and even on roads during prayer timings. Wish we could show the same devotion throughout the year and embrace imaan in its wholeness.
This month also means abstaining from a number of activities including intimate marital relations during fasting hours besides avoiding idle talk, employing more time in remembrance of almighty, desisting from lying, cheating, backbiting etc. Hundreds of people, who otherwise, sometimes skip prayers, will be returning to in-person congregational daily prayers besides the special night prayers- Taraweh and this is the time when we must seek collective forgiveness from almighty and also pray for guidance.
It is stated in the Quran that Allah says, “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may develop God-consciousness.” (Quran 2:183). Believers have to fulfill this commandment as other commandments by Allah. There is however an exception for the elderly, the sick, children and travelers as well as some concession for special circumstances including women going through periods.
Those who are fasting make spirituality and physical discipline as their goal during this month and desist from acts that are unpleasant in the sight of Almighty Allah. Many also shun bad habits and try to establish self-control, reflection, abstinence, empathy and charity.
We must all stay in tune with the spirit of Ramadan and try to change our lives forever. This is month in which holy Quran was revealed and we must also read more and more from Quran and try to achieve a better understanding of the word of Allah.
Let’s strive for changing our lives and following the guidelines of Quran and hope that this month makes us good Muslims. Let’s transform the ritual practice into a spiritually fulfilling exercise for the rest of the months to come.
