Ramadan a time for introspection, reflection

Muslims consider the month of Ramadan to be a blessed month for all of mankind, for many reasons. The month is very special, not just because Muslims fast in this month, but more importantly, because God chose to reveal His guidance for all of mankind during this month. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said that all the divine scriptures were revealed in the month of Ramadan, including the Noble Quran, which was sent down to the first heaven from the preserved tablet and then began to be revealed to him for the guidance of mankind.

Divine guidance is the most precious gift on earth for those who have knowledge. Man, devoid of divine guidance, gropes in the darkness fumbling against everything that comes his way due to the absence of light (divine guidance). Sometimes, he bows down to idols, other times, he falls flat in front of people like him without recognizing his own stature. To express their gratitude to Almighty Allah for guiding them, Muslims devote themselves to fasting and worshipping their Creator and Maintainer in this month. Ramadan helps us develop and refresh our relationship with our Creator, and to reflect upon His message.

There are several aspects of Ramadan that need to be reflected upon. Here are some:

1. The purpose of fasting

Allah, the Glorified, has prescribed fasting in order to nurture and strengthen God-consciousness and piety. Giving up eating and drinking is not an easy thing for everyone except for those who truly believe in Allah and are ready to obey Him. The purpose is to make people pious and obedient servants of God. A fasting person feels closer to God, and that helps him shun disobedience of God, and he abstains from sins.

For this reason, fasting was prescribed for every nation. Fasting refines behavior and attitude. Allah says in the Holy Quran what can be translated as: O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you so that you may become righteous (Al-Baqarah 2:183). Moreover, when a person fasts for the sake of Allah, he finds it pleasurable

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both physically and spiritually. The action provides its own rewards.

2. Sympathy for the poor

A fasting person feels the pain of hunger and thirst. This, in turn, creates empathy for the poor and needy, and prepares them to help them. Almsgiving is one of the good deeds which is most liked by Almighty Allah. Almighty Allah wants us to understand the needs of others and thus try our level best to help them as much as possible. Ramadan is a time for charity and generosity. It is reported that the Prophet (PBUH) was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Gabriel (AS) met him. Gabriel (AS) used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Holy Quran with him. Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) then used to be more generous than a strong wind. (Sahih Al-Bukhari)

3. Subduing desires

There are two organs in our body, if they are controlled, everything else will be controlled; they are the tongue and the private parts. These two organs are the reason for many evils and crimes in our society. Fasting teaches us to control these two. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said what can be translated as: “Whoever does not give up false statements (ie telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need

of his (fast) leaving his food and drink” (Sahih Al-Bukhari). Controlling the tongue is one of the important lessons to be learnt from fasting. Fasting enables us to control sensual desires and evil inclinations. Unbridled lust is the source of many problems in human life. Through fasting, one subdues unrestrained lust and other evil inclinations.

4. Pondering over the final testament

Ramadan is, of course, a time to reflect upon the Noble Quran. The Holy Quran is the Book of God that explains man’s relationship with his Creator, with fellow human beings and with other creatures. It reminds us of the purpose of life, to worship our Creator. Whenever we stray from the path of our Creator, fasting brings us back to our Creator. It also reminds us of the reality that we are going to return to our Creator one day. By pondering over the verses of the Holy Quran, our faith in the hereafter increases.

5. Introspection and repentance

Ramadan is also a time to be introspective of our deeds, repent from our sins, and seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah. We often tend to sin and disobey our Creator out of human weaknesses or out of ignorance. Ramadan provides an opportunity to look within ourselves and seek forgiveness. Allah says in the Holy Quran what can be translated as, “Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the Mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Az-Zumar 39:53)