Ramadan: The Holy Month

Ramadan is the holiest month of the year in Islamic culture. For Muslims living in any part of the world, the month of Ramadan is a time for spiritual reflection and growth, to help those in need, and also spend some good time with the loved ones. According to Muslim lunar calendar, Ramadan is the ninth month of the year and Muslims observe this sacred month to mark when Allah sent an angle to Prophet Muhammad (PUBH) to reveal the Quran, The Islamic Holy Book, in 610 A.D. This revelation is known as the Night of Power or Layat-al-Qadar in Arabic. The beginning and end of Ramadan changes every year as it is based on the Islamic Lunar Calendar and the moon cycles. The start of the Ramadan is determined by the sighting of the crescent moon by the religious leaders. Towards the end of the month, Muslims mark the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, a 3 day celebration that brings Ramadan to a close. There are number of instances in Quran where the importance of fasting has been mentioned and it has been impressed upon every Muslim be it men or women to fast during this sacred month to seek HIS blessings and forgiveness. At one instance the Quran says “O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous__ Surat Al-Baqarah 2:183”. With this above verse, the Holy Quran makes it clear that fasting was ordained compulsory on all Muslims and that they have to fast if they are to stay righteous. At other instance the Quran says “Allah is with those who restrain themselves”_ _Quran 16:128. Fasting teaches restrain; the ability to control worldly desires and spend time in prayer and meditation.
Fasting is a noble act that is much beloved by Allah (SWT).The Quran also says about the Layat-ul-Qadar, the night that is better than one thousand months and Allah says…The night of Al-Qadar is better than one thousand months therein descend the angles and the Rooh (Jibril) by Allah’s permission with all decrees, there is peace until the appearance of dawn…Al-Qadar 97;1-5..how blessed and important the night of Layat-al-Qadar is. It is truly the prized jewel of Ramadan. This night carries more blessings and we spend this night in prayer and meditation; to make dua and to seek forgiveness for past sins. There is salvation in this night, a chance to cleansed of all sins and reborn again. There are ample amount of benefits and rewards in the holy month of Ramadan. We should not waste this month in wrong doings instead we should strive hard to seek the unending blessings and forgiveness from Allah. Fasting is the best thing for a Muslim as Quran also says “…But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”..Surat-Al-Baqarah 2:184. The Holy month of Ramadan is going to start within few days, lets all of us take it as a gift from Allah(SWT); an opportunity to capitalize on and earn HIS blessings and a way to seek salvation and forgiveness as said by Abu Hurairah that “The messenger of Allah said: Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and in hope of reward, he will be forgiven for his previous sins”. Let everyone of us truly focus on reciting Quran, prayers, giving lot of charity and have Taqwa: which is heightened awareness of Allah SWT. So let us fast this Ramadan aiming to get closer to Allah, a way to become more compassionate to those in need, a way to learn patience and break all the bad habits. Let’s not keep all these good things only restricted to this month only but try to capitalize on and carry all this into the next months and rest of life, let’s don’t be restricted to the Ramadani Muslims only.
(The author is a freelancer. Views are his own)
[email protected]