The Quran deals with practically every subject related to human life and all branches of knowledge. One who treads on a path in pursuit of knowledge, God makes him proceed therewith on a path to Paradise. And verily, the angels spread their wings for the seekers of knowledge out of delight. Verily, every creature of the heaven and the earth asks forgiveness for the seeker of knowledge, even the fish in the ocean. The merit of the learned over the devout is like the merit of the moon over the stars on a full moon night. The learned are the heirs of the prophets, for the prophets did not leave behind a legacy of wealth but that of knowledge. Any branch of knowledge, as long as it benefits mankind, is considered holy. The Quran asks man to ponder and research the wonders of nature. In Quran the Almighty’s word is, “Do they not observe the camels: How they were created? And the sky: How it was raised high? And the mountains: How they were fixed? And the earth: How it spread out?” [88: 17 – 20]. The Quran says that it was during Ramadan that its revelation took place: “The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran, guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” [2:185]. Many think that Ramadan is a month of fasting and giving charity. But is it just for that? What is the actual reason for believers being commanded to observe fasting during this month? These are important questions and their answers will help anyone to utilise this time in a way that will benefit both believers as well as all of humanity. There is no Ramadan without the Quran, Quran transformed the Arabs into the most cultured and civilised people within a short period, the shortest in human history, was it a magic, no there was no magic. There were the guidelines sent by Almighty Allah through the Quran, they were in letter and spirit followed by the Prophet and his companions. That spread a revolution and which is an example for the Muslim Ummah and the non Muslims as well. The model of society, the model of economy, the model of justice in consonance with the holy Quran and teachings of Prophet Muhammad are recognised by the heads of states since then. Ramadan is the time to revisit the verses of holy Quran and do more and more research on how to live a better life in the light of holy Quran. Generally, Ramadan the ninth month of the Islamic calendar is also the month during which Muslims around the world fast from dawn to sunset. But it is Ramadan, the month that aims to purify the soul and bring the individual closer to Almighty Allah. It is Ramadan that brings back on the track Muslims who approach different ways that will not lead them to success. It is Ramadan that brings understanding which is on us of our fellow beings, it is Ramadan that creates a close nexus of a servant with his creator, and it is Ramadan which is a symbol of universalisation of Muslims Ummah as one race and are bound to the command of one creator. Means it is a month full of blessings from Almighty for his servants. Some might question the benefits of fasting apart from blessings. Science and medicine today have confirmed that there are numerous health benefits to fasting for a month in a year. It is a great way to cleanse the stomach and also has many health benefits for the brain. Quran says: “…and it is better for you that you fast, if you only knew.” [2:184].
Quran the book of guidance is an invaluable treasure trove of information on how to live life as a good Muslim. Almighty Allah in Quran says, “For Allah is with those who restrain themselves, and those who do good.” [16: 128]. Fasting teaches restraint; the ability to control worldly desires and spends time in prayer and meditation. Fasting in this holy month is a noble act that is much beloved by Almighty Allah. Ramadan is a gift from Almighty Allah; an opportunity for Muslims to capitalize on and earn His blessings and a way to seek salvation and forgiveness. Another blessing of Almighty Allah in the holy month of Ramadan is Lailat-ul-Qadr “the prized jewel of Ramadan”. This night carries more blessings than a thousand months. We spend time in prayer and meditation; to make supplication and to seek forgiveness for sins. There is salvation in this night; a chance to cleansed of all sins and reborn again. Almighty Allah says in Quran: “We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the night of power. And what will explain to thee what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand (the spirit usually understood to be the angel Gabriel, the spirit of inspiration). Peace! This until the rise of Morn! [97:1-5]. Ramadan is an opportunity, Almighty Allah has complete power to condone our sin’s but the pre-requisite is that we have to bow down, we have to surrender our ego, we have to leave the greed that creates a division between us and our Lord, we have to accept the commandments of Allah and implement them in our affairs with letter and spirit. Real spirit for which this month has been given to us has to be understood so that we can maintain its essence for the whole period of eleven other months in the year. We all must ponder upon this fact that can we affirm with strong conviction that “haq ada hua ki nahi”. This Ramadan is going to leave and in other words one more month of our whole life span has been reduced to a few, how can we expect that we are ready with zest and zeal to fast in the next year Ramadan. We are so much attached to the affairs of this world and materialistic greed has ruined our life and life in world hereafter that the special month of blessings left us and we are yet to improve, reform, repent our odd deeds that we have done and also did in this holy month, lesson which the pious month wants to convey has been and is repeatedly neglected and ignored by we people and it is the harsh reality and truth that I want to convey.
(The author is a former Principal Of Sopore Law College. Views are his own)
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