Dear friends:
In a few days the holy month of Ramadan will start. In Bangladesh, the price of essentials have already started to rise which only highlights the fact that most people miss the spirit of the month of Ramadan. Some of us will fast, some will miss out on this great opportunity to come near our Lord. Let us prepare ourselves for Ramadan, let us fast the right way, let us pray for all members of our human race. Let us come one notch nearer our holy scripture which was sent during this month. Let us keep the poor in our mind when we take our food. Let us train ourselves to feed more and eat less.
I wrote the following piece some years back. I am forwarding this for all, specially to remind myself, my family members and dear friends. Please take a few minute to share this with me.
Ramadan Mubarak.
WELCOMING RAMADAN
Aziz Huq
Ramadan is a blessed and festive month for the Muslim communities around the world. It has been reported that Prophet Muhammad (SWS) used to prepare himself and talk about Ramadan before the month started. I remember, with great nostalgia, my experience of spending wonderful days of Ramadan amongst the Muslims in Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, and America. The experience is diverse yet bound by common thread of faith, culture and understanding.
If we can visualize the atmosphere of the localities where majority dwellers practice Islam, especially during the evenings of Ramadan awaiting Ifta'r, we would realize what I am talking about. It is a scene marked with peace, patience, tranquility, and anticipation for the call of Adhan followed by breaking of fast and Maghrib prayer. One who does not fast will never experience this wonderful joy.
Fasting the month of Ramadan is obligatory for all Muslim men and women. Allah (SWT) says in the holy Qur'an (2:185), "Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgement (between right and wrong), whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month." The Messenger of Allah (SWS) has said that if someone does not fast for a day of Ramadan without genuine excuses, then fasting for his whole life cannot compensate for that one neglected day unless Allah's mercy and forgiveness is received.
Muslims believe that all acts commanded by Allah (SWT) and the Prophet (SWS) have benefits for man, both in this life and in the hereafter. Doctors and scientists have indicated the health benefits of fasting, so have the experts on diet and nutrition. It has been suggested that fasting help rest the stomach, balance and stabilize blood pressure, strengthen arteries and help control obesity and diabetes problems. Some benefits are known, others are being known with scientific development, yet others may never be known to man. Therefore, we must practice fasting correctly and sincerely to satisfy the obligations to our Lord so that the blessings and benefits of Ramadan can be achieved.
One of the general benefits of fasting is behavior moderation and modification. To achieve what the Prophet (SWS) has advised for the Muslims to desist obscenity and extremism, practicing decent behavior and nice thinking during the period of fasting may instill Islamic morality and etiquette into our characters. Hence, fasting is not only to refrain from food and drink, fasting is also to refrain from disagreeable actions and thoughts. It is an important advice from the Prophet (SWS) saying that if someone verbally abuses you or acts ignorantly towards you, tell them that you are fasting.
Fasting is incomplete unless one is restraining his or her stomach and other body parts such as the tongue by not backbiting, slandering and telling lies, eyes by not looking at things unlawful, ears by not listening to haram things, heart and mind from not indulging in things other than the remembrance of Allah (SWT). Possibly, that is the reason why the Prophet (SWS) said that many people who fast do not receive anything from their fasting other than the pain of hunger and thirst.
Fasting helps in conditioning the heart, the soul, and the body on the virtues of patience, tenacity and firmness in the face of adversity. The realization that the barriers between us and the food/drink is our consciousness of the Creator, and it can make us able to exercise patience in virtually every thing in life.
Fasting should teach us maintaining solidarity with individuals, families, and the communities. The rich people may have the opportunity to experience what it feels like to be hungry. It also strengthens family ties by doing Iftar, Sahur and Taraweeh Sala'h together with friends, families, and neighbors. Children and young people develop the Islamic habits and cultures by participating in the rituals and practices with the adults. Ramadan always turns out to be a time for social interactions that play a vital role on the center stage of the Islamic culture.
Ramadan by its unique precepts and religious significance naturally imparts God-fearing consciousness which is referred to as "Taqwa". So, one of the main objectives of fasting is to increase the level of Taqwa of a Muslim. Taqwa extends its meaning to man's heedfulness to the injunctions and admonitions of Allah (SWT). As a term, Al-Taqwa means to abstain from sin and realizing the consequences of sin. It means to restrain or guard one's behavior against all evils. In essence, it implies righteousness, piety and good conduct.
The Qur'an never tires of playing upon the terms by repetition, expansion, variation or clarification. The term Taqwa with its derivatives has been mentioned in the Qur'an about 250 times indicating that it requires a proper attitude of the mind for grasping the presence of Allah, the nature and limitations of human life, and the requirements for judicious use of wealth, resources, intellects, mental faculties, and spiritual abilities of man. Consequently it demands a high degree of self-control over man's inherent vices such as pride, anger, envy, greed, temptation and vanity. Fasting in Ramadan by its intrinsic abilities can subdue many of the human vices.
Ramadan is a month of camping for self-training and purification. This is the month of blessings and forgiveness; and thus we pray and beg Allah (SWT) for His mercy and forgiveness. We make promises to obey Him and follow the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (SWS).
The following guide-lines in this month will be helpful in achieving many of the objectives mentioned above:
1. Confess the wrong doings and make serious Tauba (repentance) in constant remembrance of Allah (SWT).
2. Do not miss any single day of fasting unless there are acceptable excuses.
3. Protect your eyes, ears, and tongues against unlawful and harmful actions.
4. Do not indulge in frivolous conversations and vulgar entertainments.
5. Guard your private parts against unlawful use and indecent exposure.
6. Perform all prayers on time in jama'h (congregation) and with constant dhikir.
7. Study the Qur'an, Ahdeed, and the lives of the Ambias & ulamas.
Several years ago my boss at work told me upon hearing that I was fasting: "Why do you not close your door and eat, none will see you". This comment struck me with a massive impact of realization that we Muslims really fast keeping Allah in our conscience otherwise we could easily cheat.
If we could do our daily chores with the same mindset in our other mundane activities then how wonderful our social achievements could be and how corruption-free our society could have become.
The month of Ramadan is preceded by the month of Shaban. The Prophet (SWS) fasted in this month, which is deemed to be in preparation for Ramadan. He did not choose any specific day of the month of Shaban for fasting. The month following Ramadan is called Shawwal. Fasting six days in Shawwal is highly recommended by the Prophet (SWS).
In the holy month of Ramadan, we pray that our merciful and compassionate Allah (SWT) helps us in all our needs, guide us from going astray, and keep us on the right path of Islam in practicing justice, kindness, patience and forbearance for all and everything to harvest the fruits of fasting and achieving the final destination of Jannah.
The New Busy is not the too busy. Combine all your e-mail accounts with Hotmail. Get busy.
__._,_.___
