Message of Ramzan

Allah says, “O you who believe fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed

for those before you that you may become righteous’’ (Al Baqarah). The purpose

of Ramzan (fasting) is to develop the quality of ‘taqwa’ inwardly and outwardly by

abstaining from sinful deeds and training ourselves to control our thoughts and

desires. The word ‘taqwa’ comes from the root meaning ‘to guard’ and it is

variously translated as mindfulness, righteousness and God fearing piety. Fasting

acts as a shield which protects us from sin and ultimately from the punishment of

Allah in the hereafter

Ramzan is a tremendous gift from Allah in so many ways. The message of Ramzan

is that we are not just body but we are body and soul. During Ramzan we deprive

the body to uplift the soul. Its message is that we should remember that we are

each and every time under the eyes of Allah. Ramzan teaches us a way of life

which leads us closer to our Creator. It teaches us how to follow the orders of

Allah in every situation. It is not enough to just avoid food and drinks and

intimation during the day but we should avoid all the sinful acts.

Prophet SAW says, “A person might fast and he gets nothing from his fast but

hunger”; and further says “whoever does not give up forged speech, evil actions,

unnecessary talks, obscene language, anger, high voice, backbiting, quarrel, Allah

is no need for neglecting his food and drink.” (Bukhari, Muslim). Ramzan gives us

a message of patience. Prophet SAW said that it is a month of sabr. Sabr means not

only patience and perseverance in the face of difficulties, it also means being

steadfast in avoiding sins in the face of temptation and being persistent in

performing virtues when that is not easy. Overcoming hunger and thirst during

fasting is part of it but protecting our eyes, ears, minds, tongues and hands from all

sins is important part of it.

Ramzan requires sabr in its fullest sense and provides a training ground for that

very important quality to be developed. Imam Al-Ghazali writes that there are

three degrees of fasting. The fasting of common people; the fasting of the elite; and

the fasting of the elite of the elite. As for the fasting of the common people, it is

restraining the stomach from fulfilling its desires. As for the fasting of the elite, it

is restraining ones hearing, sight, tongue, hands, feet and all limbs from sin. As for

the fasting of the elite of the elite, it is the fasting of the heart from unworthy

concerns and worldly thoughts and to restrain it entirely from everything besides

Allah the exalted (Ihya Ulum-al-din).

Why Ramzan is so much special? Actually, it is the revelation of Quran in this

month which makes it great and special. The night in which Quran was revealed is

much better than thousand months. It is actually the greatness of Quran which

makes everything great, so we should make our relations with Quran very strong

and make it complete code of our life as it makes everything great. Ramzan makes

us true follower of Quran provided we make efforts for the same. It is a training

course for us how to spend our life under the orders of Quran. It gives us message

how to utilize our time as it teaches us not to waste our time in futile activities

rather use the time in important things. It gives us message that our purpose of life

is to become the truthful servants of Allah and do every action according to His

will only. It is indeed a self disciplining exercise.

PS. The efforts should be in the direction to make this Ramzan the turning point in

our life so as to be disciplined servants of Allah and be consistent with the same.

For a true Muslim end of Ramzan is the start of a new journey leading towards the

success in the hereafter. Ramzan is the perfect timing to develop a habit of doing

good deeds that will even live with us after the month is over.