Living Up To The True Spirit Of Ramadan
Every year, the Holy month of Ramadan comes in the lives of Muslims all over the world. It is a great opportunity for them to get benefited from this most auspicious time of the Islamic Calendar. Ramadan is considered to be the most sacred month in the Religion of Peace as it provides the believers with a chance to set their lives back on right track. It is a stretch of time which does not only ensure religious accomplishments but also lets the true disciples develop such a disciplined routine that would help them in getting success in both of their private and professional existence.
Muslims, in this period of sanctity, keep fasting for 30 consecutive days which involves holding back from fulfilling all kinds of physiological needs such as food, water and other such necessities just for the sake of attaining pleasure of Allah SWT. This occasion of the year is also very significant because the Holy Quran was first revealed on the Last Messenger, Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ in it. “Soum” or fasting is just one vital constituent of Ramadan, but unfortunately, most of us do not realize that this highly revered phase is a lot more than just that. One needs to achieve perfection in all walks of life in this time of holiness.
Following is the account of certain crucial tasks one has to accomplish in Ramadan in order to live up to its true spirit.
Clearing Mind From Evil Thoughts
Having anxiety and concern regarding different aspects of one`s life is one thing, but it should be the reason to invite unnecessary ideas and notions. It is not a sign of a true believer of Islam to let these kinds of evil thoughts that come from Shaitaan (Satan) deviate its attention from the constant memory of the Creator of the universe. Allah SWT says in the Holy Quran:
Indeed, those who fear Allah – when an impulse touches them from Satan, they remember [Him] and at once they have insight. [Quran, 7: 201]
Therefore, if one should not come under the influence of the Wicked One in normal time, one should think that how it can let it happen in the sacred month of Ramadan when Satan`s power is minimized to the lowest degree by the Gracious God.
Narrated by Abu Huraira (R.A):
“Verily, Allah has pardoned my nation for thoughts that occur in their minds as long as they do not act upon them or speak about them.” (Bukhari)
The above mentioned Saying of the Apostle ﷺ of the Almighty suggests that even one has some kinds of worries that make it think about negative consequences, it should do its very best not to react to these stray feelings. As mind controls the body, one`s actions should not be based on its depressing considerations rather one should pray to the Most Merciful to give it much resistance and steadfastness to cope with them successfully. Ramadan is that blessed period in which one can get rid of all kinds of evils and wickedness and purify its mind from all sorts of worries by only relying on One God Almighty for every matter.
Freeing Body from Sluggishness And Avoiding Terrible Talking
It is common observation that majority of us take fasting as an excuse to become lazy to the degree that we are not even able to fulfill the obligatory actions such as performing Salah in Ramadan. Some of us sleep all the time and just wait for the occasion of Iftaar (Breaking of Fast). The Holy Prophet ﷺ is reported to have prescribed the following Dua (Supplication) to Allah SWT:
“O Allah, I take refuge in You from anxiety and sorrow, weakness and laziness, miserliness and cowardice, the burden of debts and from being over powered by men.” (Bukhari)
Hence, we should pray to the Most Compassionate for granting us freedom from sluggishness of body and other things that make us weaker as a Muslim. One should abstain from using its tongue in malicious speech as Hazrat Muhammad ﷺ has said:
“Fasting is a shield. So, if it is a day that one of you is fasting, he should not say obscene things nor should he raise his voice in anger. If someone verbally abuses him or fights him, he should say, ‘Verily I am fasting” (Bukhari)
No doubt it is very difficult to stay away from eating food and drinking water for ten or more hours in a day, but Ramadan has bigger implications for a Muslim`s life as it involves seeking Happiness of Allah SWT . That is why Rasulullah ﷺ has regarded fasting as a shield and using this guard to desist from using bad language no matter how much one is being tested by others.
Purifying Heart From Feelings of Hatred and Unforgiveness
Among many social evils that cause great harm to one`s personality and leads it towards the way wrongful actions is hate towards others and not being able to pardon them for personal grudges. These negative feelings result in contaminate one`s heart and one is not able to carry out its rightful responsibilities of life. In this matter, a believer can take help from memory of the Most Merciful as He says in Furqan e Hameed:
“Those who have believed and whose hearts are assured by the remembrance of Allah. Unquestionably, by the remembrance of Allah hearts are assured.” [Quran, 13: 28]
As religious actions such as Namaz (Daily Prayers), reading the Holy Quran and supplicating to the Most Beneficent increases manifold during Ramadan, they will definitely be helpful in getting rid of all kinds of Satanic whispers and attain the peace of heart. This will eventually make one to forget and forgive others even in harsh times, which is indeed an action of great virtue.
And the retribution for an evil act is an evil one like it, but whoever pardons and makes reconciliation – his reward is [due] from Allah. Indeed, He does not like wrongdoers. [Quran, 42: 40]
Thus, the Almighty Lord directs us all to excuse others` mistakes and make settlement with them for it is an act that renders great blessings and rewards from the Gracious God.
Liberating Spirit from Worldly Desires
After having purified one`s mind, body and heart from evils in Ramadan, we as Muslims should also strive for making our soul ready for an eternal place of living, i.e. hereafter. This could be achieved only through considering the life on earth as temporary and to avoid developing love for worldly wishes.
And this worldly life is not but diversion and amusement. And indeed, the home of the Hereafter – that is the [eternal] life, if only they knew. [Quran, 29: 64]
This Ayah Kareema suggests that one should get rid of all kinds of desires in this world like money, assets, love for spouse and children etc. that could eventually lead to forgetfulness of Allah SWT. And for doing so, there is not any better time than the holy month of Ramadan in which Muslims are busy in praying and supplicating to the Almighty Lord every day.
In short, Ramadan Kareem is not just an occasion of fasting; rather it is a grand opening towards perfecting one`s mind, body, heart and soul which shows how valuable this sacred month is.
