Ramadan- a month of blessings and goodness

The month of Ramadan is once again with us; a beautiful season of fasting solely for the sake of Allah, the Almighty the creator of all, with its overwhelming sense of spirituality and dedication to Him alone. Muslims are about to experience having their spirits, spiritual welfare and personal development uplifted (although with some obligatory commitments on them) and to once again experience the opportunity of becoming a more refined and reformed human-being.

We all live our lives from one month to another, experiencing many changes, but the month of Ramadan introduces a different atmosphere and offers its own unique sense of direction. The Prophet has described this change in these words: ‘when the month of Ramadan enters, the gates of Paradise (Al-Jannah) are opened and the gates of hell are closed and the Satans (devils) are chained’. (narrated by Bukhari and Muslim)

In another narration it said: ‘and a caller calls: O seeker of goodness come forth, and O seeker of evils stop’. (Tirmidhi)

A change has taken place and a change in life is required. That is the spirit of Ramadan. It is an exciting moment for all those who enjoy the spirit of the month of Ramadan. It is very special and designed to further bless all who seek the blessings of Allah, their Creator, the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful Lord.

Fasting is the path we are obliged to follow if we wish to experience this big change and turn our lives around. It also represents a symbolic resistance against all that tempts us away from a pure and healthy life. Fasting must be a dedicated act and not just an expression of desire for what we personally want. That is why this religious obligation is placed upon all those Muslims who can afford to fast. It is one of five pillars of Islam and the act is so special to Allah that He said in a hadith Qudsi: ‘Every act of the son of Adam is multiplied, a goodness from tenfold to seven hundred folds, except the fasting. It is for Me and I will reward for it’.

A dedicated fast, assisted by the spiritual influence of Ramadan and directed by a personal religious commitment, are the right tools to employ if we wish to change the direction of our lives and to please Allah. Resistance against committing evil deeds or against any inclination towards any other temptation is made easier and more easily achievable. The building of a better human society is a task given to man by God, so that ‘He may put you to test to see which one of you is better in deeds’.

The Quran describes the purpose of fasting in this verse: ‘ O believers! Fasting is prescribed upon you as it was prescribed upon those before you, that you become God-fearing’. S2 V183

‘Taqwa’  has been translated as God-fearing, but it contains many other connotations within its meaning. The most important of these is the safeguarding of oneself from the path of wrongdoing and error. It is a form of self-consciousness which introduces discipline into our lives, in both a physical and spiritual sense. Taqwa is called ‘the essence of all goodness’ and the path of goodness is surely the best way to receive the blessings of Allah.

By fasting we may also experience health benefits, indeed, modern science has confirmed such benefits in great detail. We live in a world which is seen as very unhealthy and where, as a result, no one can describe themselves as completely healthy. The majority of our problems stem from either having too much or too little of something or indeed everything. This imbalance puts to the test our intelligence, dignity and compassionate nature and requires, in the Name of God, that we correct our behaviour.

This month also encourages charity and generosity towards each other, which in turn will lead to the creation of a more compassionate and equitable human community. A more noble purpose for life will emerge from this, which, in its turn, will strengthen bonds between God the Almighty and hopefully between all men.

A lot of people consider Ramadan purely as an exercise in survival.  They worry about the long days, a lack of food and drink, how they will survive the day, what will happen at their work-place and even whether they will still be capable or earning a living. This is just a mindset of dependency or defeatism and is what Ramadan is designed to tackle. It is all about gaining self-confidence and dedication to God’s command, the All-Knowing and All-Wise. Islam, as always, provides a solution for an abnormal situation.

The month of Ramadan is the month of the Quran as well. It was revealed during one of its odd numbered nights towards its end. The Quran describes it in this verse: ‘During the month of Ramadan the Quran was sent down as a guidance to the people with Clear Signs of the true guidance and as the Criterion (between right and wrong). So those of you who live to see that month should fast it, and whoever is sick or on a journey should fast the same number of other days instead.’ S2 V185

That beautiful and blessed night in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, is described as ‘lailatul Qadr’ or the Night of Power or destiny. According to the Quran this night is ‘better than the nights of a thousand months or roughly calculated the nights of 85 years. That is a pure and utmost blessing from Allah the Most Merciful and Compassionate to His servants.

The Prophet used to keenly look forward to this month and say: ‘O Allah! take us to Ramadan’.

To conclude this, I would like to finish with a hadith which says: ‘Ramadan has approached you, the month of blessings. Allah covers you in it and sends upon you His Mercy, remove from you your wrongdoing and respond to your dua (supplications). Allah looks out to your competition in it (in your good deeds and act of spiritual dedication) and takes pride with His angels. So show to Allah goodness from you. Because an unfortunate person is one who becomes deprived of the mercy of Allah in the month’.

May Allah grant us all the willingness and ability to benefit from the blessed month of Ramadan and may He accept from us all our good deeds and grant us forgiveness from all our wrongdoing and sinful acts.

Ramadan Mubarak to you all.