Lessons of Ramadan
One of the most prominent outcomes of fasting the month of Ramadan, especially in the summer heat, is the development and perfection of patience. Nobody can fast without having a degree of patience, which is mentioned in the Quran as one of the qualities of someone who will go to Paradise. For example, “I (God) have rewarded them this Day [with Paradise] for what they have endured patiently; they are indeed the ones that are truly triumphant!” (23:111)
As successfully completing fasting in Ramadan requires patience, so does entrance into Paradise. In fact, Paradise requires two kinds of patience: one is proactive and the other reactive. The proactive type is striving to adopt a way of life sanctioned by God. It means making the effort to learn what God wants from us and then applying it in our lives. The Quran, which is God’s final message to mankind, tells us exactly what God expects from us, and Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) demonstrated practically its teachings, making it easier to understand. As it is a lifelong process of study coupled with conformance to God’s teachings and to the example of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), it will take determination and patience.
But the reward is worth the effort, according to the Quran: “The ones who fulfill the covenant with God and do not break its solemn pledge to Him, who keep joined all the relations and obligations that God has commanded to be joined and stand in awe of their Lord, and fear an evil reckoning, who endure with patience seeking the countenance of their Lord, who establish the prayer and spend charitably from what We have provided them, secretly and openly, and who avert what is evil with what is good... the angels will say, ‘Peace unto you for that you persevered in patience! Now how excellent is the final Home!’” (13:20-24)
Those who repent, believe, do not bear false witness, pass by vile talk with honor, and heed the verses of God... “those are the ones who will be rewarded with the highest place in heaven, because of their patient constancy.” (25:75) “Those who believe in the unseen, establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them, and who believe in what has been revealed to you [Muhammad] and what was revealed before you, and of the Hereafter they are certain - those are upon guidance from their Lord and it is those who are the successful” (2:2-5).
The patience required for Paradise needs a level of commitment and effort beyond the everyday patience of the common man. The second kind of patience required for Paradise is reactive, and it is demonstrated by our reaction to things outside of our control, such as illness, injury, loss, calamity and all circumstances related to our physical vulnerability and mortality.
The Quran guarantees us that “And We will surely test you with something of fear and hunger and a loss of wealth and lives and crops, but give good tidings to the patient who, when disaster strikes them, say, ‘Indeed, we belong to God, and indeed to Him we are returning’” (2:155-156).
Our reaction in adverse circumstances beyond our control should be to turn our thoughts to God, who describes Himself as wise, merciful and caring. We should not disagree or be dissatisfied with what He does. As the Quran reminds us, “He cannot be questioned as to what He does, while they will be questioned” (21:23). Instead, we should believe that God allowed such circumstances for our ultimate benefit. The Quran reminds us that “perhaps you dislike something and it is good for you and perhaps you like something and it is bad for you. And God knows, while you know not” (2:216). We must trust in God and His knowledge of the “big picture.”
Both kinds of patience - making the effort to follow to the way of life God envisions for us, and then truly
submitting to God and His management of our lives should have the characteristic of beauty. The Quran describes real patience as beautiful. “Therefore, be patient with beautiful patience” (70:5). Beautiful patience is one of contentment and absolute conviction of God’s goodness and care. In Ramadan, for example, patience means being cheerful and productive throughout the month, and anticipating God’s pleasure, forgiveness and generous rewards.
The Quran encourages us to be patient: “Indeed, mankind is in loss, except those who believe and do righteous deeds, and exhort one another to uphold truth and exhort one another to persevere with patience.” (103:2-3). “Those who show patience and work righteousness - for them is forgiveness and a great reward” (11:11). “So persevere in patience, for the Promise of God is true.” (40:77) What a greater way to show patience than Ramadan!
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