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Celebrating the blessed month of Ramadan

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By: Mool Raj

The month of sacrifice, purification, self-improvement, spiritual contemplation, mercy and blessings is nearly half done by now and Muslims across the globe have been, like every year, displaying great religious fervor in celebrating the month of fasting. This month brings peace and happiness to Muslims; its significance is well established by the holy Quran as well as Hadith besides scientific studies that bring forth great health benefits of fasting.

In the Muslim lunar calendar, Ramadan is the ninth month and one of the four glorious months mentioned in the Holy Qur’an. The holy month is divided into three parts, the first part of ten days each – of mercy, the second part – of forgiveness, and the last part – of liberation from hell. Adult Muslims are advised to abstain not only from drinking, snacking, and tobacco products, but also from sinful and immoral actions, sexual relations and hostility during fasting from dawn to dark. Several forms of devotion such as prayer, perusing the Quran, and philanthropy are also urged throughout the holy month.

Ramadan exhibits for us the virtues of consciousness, self-discipline and pity for those who are less affluent, promoting acts of kindness and obligatory donation (zakat). Fasting, according to Muslims, serves to create a charity for the poor who are undernourished! During Ramadan, the Quran was revealed for clear proof of the direction, and the welfare of humanity. Suhur is the name for the early morning meal, while Iftar is the name for the late evening feast that breaks the fast.

According to religious scriptures, fasting has been practiced in all ages, from Prophet Adam (AS) to Prophet Noah (AS).They were obliged to fast till the 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month, which is called “Ayame Biz”. When the Prophet Adam (AS) ate the forbidden fruit in heaven, then 30 days later Allah accepted his prayer. Then from the second Hijri of Islam 30 fasts were made obligatory for Muslims. History has shown that fasting was practiced in China, Japan, Korea, Egypt, and Greece. Jews, Christians and Hindus also fast according to the provisions of their scriptures.

From the Holy Quran’s perspective, Islam is the flexible, easiest, and most liberal religion that does not impose Ramadan as compulsory for lactating women, ill, and children. Allah the Almighty has said that the month of Ramadan is the month in which the Quran, the shining guide of humanity and the shining example of right and wrong, has been revealed. Therefore, whoever of you finds this month, let him fast.

There are three main reasons why Ramadan is more prestigious than other months. This is because in this month, the constitution of the world humanity Al-Quran was revealed and fasting was declared an obligatory act of worship. Thirdly, there is a glorious night in this month which is better than a thousand months of worship. The reward of fasting is above all the reward which Allah himself gives to the fasting people. The Almighty has said that ‘I have sent down the Quran on a holy night, surely, I am a warner; on this night every wise matter is settled’. The merciful Allah also said ‘do you know, what is the glorious night? The glorious night is better than a thousand months. In this month angels and spirits i.e., Gabriel (AS) were revealed; in every deed, with permission of their Lord, they announce Salam till dawn (Qadar)’.

The main goal of Ramadan is to achieve taqwa, combat bad tendencies, and demonstrate allegiance to Allah. “O believers!” the Creator exclaimed. Fasting is recommended for you, as it was for those who came before you. For you to be able to guard (against evil) . Fasting builds humanity by instilling moral values, principles, transparency, equality, camaraderie, tolerance, compassion, and dedication in men and women, as well as surpassing truth and bestiality over untruth. Furthermore, religious discipline is passed down and accountability in the afterlife is guaranteed.

From the perspective of Hadith, The Prophet (S.M) said, ‘Whoever fasts in Ramadan in the hope of virtue with faith, all his previous sins will be forgiven. The servant is honored by the reward of seventy times for every good deed. Bukhari further states, ‘There are two things that make a fasting person happy, firstly when he breaks his fast and secondly when he meets his Lord, he will be rewarded for fasting. Allah will let the fasting people enter through the gates of Paradise called “Ryan”. Whoever fasts one day in the way of Allah, Allah will remove his face from the fire of Hell for seventy years’ journey.

Detoxification is the process of eliminating toxins from the body from a scientific standpoint. The detoxification process involves the liver, kidneys, skin, stomach, lymph nodes and tear gland secretions and during Ramadan, fasting for long periods is beneficial to the body’s detoxifying process. According to scientists, Ramadan’s mental emphasis helps the brain work better because fasting is about avoiding negative thoughts and reconstructing our lives, relationships, and family affairs from a spiritual perspective, not just about quitting eating habits and sexual activities. Reduced cholesterol and the re-establishment of healthy gut bacteria are two benefits of this treatment. We all know that one of the physical effects of Ramadan fasting is weight loss, but there are many other positive changes taking place behind the scenes as well.

Ramadan is a spring of worship and a special month for the Muslim nation. If the human values, spiritual, moral, ethical, and moral qualities that develop among the fasting people during this month continue throughout the year, then the society can be transformed into a society of peace.

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