The word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root word for parched thirst and sun-baked ground. Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat and drink every day. It teaches him/her to be charitable. Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward others. As is clear from the above Quranic verse, the essence of fasting is learning Taqwa, which is more than self-restraint (translated above). It is God-consciousness which endows the person (the Muttaqi) to be aware of the presence of Allah in every moment of his/her life. As to the characteristics of a Muttaqi, the Quran says: It is not righteousness that ye turn your faces towards east or west; but it is righteousness - to believe in God and the Last Day, and the Angels, and the Book, and the Messengers; to spend of your substance, out of love for Him, for your kin, for orphans, for the needy, for the wayfarer, for those who ask, and for the ransom of slaves; to be steadfast in prayer, and practice regular charity; to fulfill the contracts which ye have made; and to be firm and patient, in pain (or suffering) and adversity, and throughout all periods of panic. Such are the people of truth, the muttaqoon. (Quran 2:177) In his famous book Kimiya-e Sadat, Imam al-Ghazzali (r) tells the story of a certain Shaykh [Junayd al-Baghdadi (r)] who favored one of his disciples over others because of the latters God-consciousness. Other disciples obviously were jealous about the Shaykhs favoritism. One day to prove the point, the Shaykh gave each disciple a fowl to kill it in a place where no one could see him. All the disciples returned after killing their fowls, except the favored disciple. The Shaykh inquired why he had returned with the live fowl. The disciple replied, I could not find a place where Allah would not see me. His God-consciousness (Taqwa) did not allow him to be heedless of Allahs presence. The Shaykh then told his other disciples: Now you know this youths real rank; he has attained to the constant remembrance of Allah. Fasting increases devotion, and brings a Muslim closer to the Creator. It creates the recognition that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him. It teaches self-control or -restraint, and thereby, good manners, good speech, and good habits. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the major pillars of Islam, and this is also noted in the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (S) [blessings of Allah and peace be upon him] who said: Islam is based on (the following) five (principles): To testify that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah and Muhammad is Allahs Apostle; to establish the prayers; to pay Zakat (i.e. obligatory charity); to perform Hajj (i.e. Pilgrimage to Makkah); to observe fast during the month of Ramadan. [Bukhari: (narrated by) Abdullah Ibn Umar] While fasting is an obligation for all able-bodied persons who are not traveling or sick, it is also clear from some other verses of the Quran and numerous sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (S) that fasting is not restricted to the month of Ramadan, and can be observed voluntarily at other times. The Prophet (S) used to fast on Mondays and Thursdays almost on a regular basis. Fasting a certain number of days (or offering charity or sacrifice) can be an expiation for missing out (or unintentionally breaking) some religious obligations of either Hajj or Umra (Quran 2:196, 5:96), and for forgetting or breaking ones oaths or promises (Quran 5:89). - See more at: islamicity/Articles/articles.asp?ref=IC1108-4820#sthash.1cMCr7NB.dpuf
Posted on: Sun, 06 Jul 2014 01:09:04 +0000
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