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Reconnecting with Ramadan.
O Ramadan, my friend you are here. A sense of peace, happiness as we re-connect together again. I remembered last year begging Allah to allow me to see you another time. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down as a guide to mankind to our Beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Thus, there is wisdom that underlies the choice of this kind of worship.
From the spiritual aspects of Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer), reading Quran, fasting to aid the poor by paying Zakatul Fitr to inviting others to break their fasts together. This soothes our hearts, develops compassion and creates a spiritual atmosphere. Optional prayers such as Itikaaf (Prayer in seclusion) are prayed during the last ten days to seek Laylatul Qadr (Night of Glory) in which the Divine message was descended.
Fasting is the abstinence from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn till sunset. Many consider fasting to be an act of hardship rather it teaches patience and perseverance and germinates a feeling of moral accomplishment. There are certain individuals that Allah the Most Merciful has mitigated to fast such as those who are ill and encountered a tiring journey. They can make up the days outside Ramadan if capable. Allah says in the Quran:
"If any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) from days later" (2:184)
Just like Hajj where there is no difference between the rich and poor; all races are present in one place for one cause. Fasting establishes equality amongst the rich and poor. It is an act of obedience and submission to the Almighty Allah whose foundation is based upon love to gain His pleasure. Therefore, fasting enhances the feeling of inner peace, optimism and contentment. Abu Hurayrah may Allah have mercy upon him narrated that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:
‘The Almighty and Master of Honor says: All other actions of a person are for himself, except the case of his fasting which is exclusively for Me and I shall pay (recompense) for him for the same. The fast is a shield (against vice and the fire of Hell). Therefore when anyone of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and avoid verbosity and noisy exchange of words. If somebody starts abusing him or picks up a quarrel with him, he should tell him that 'I am observing a fast.' By the Almighty in whose hands is the life of Muhammad peace be upon him, the breath of the mouth of one-who is fasting is more pleasant in the sight of The Almighty than the fragrance of musk. A fasting person gets two kinds of pleasure: firstly he feels pleasure when he breaks his fast, and secondly he will be joyful by virtue of his fast, when he meets his Lord.’ [Bukhari and Muslim].
Fasting doubtlessly ‘shelter’ us from sins of human nature where one says ‘I am fasting!’ and thus takes their stance amongst the righteousness. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:
"Fasting is a shelter. When one of you is fasting, let him not behave in an obscene or foolish manner. If someone intends to fight against him or scold him, let him just say: I am fasting! I am fasting!"
O Ramadan, my friend whilst you are here. Let’s make the most of it.
Reconnecting with Ramadan.
O Ramadan, my friend you are here. A sense of peace, happiness as we re-connect together again. I remembered last year begging Allah to allow me to see you another time. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the five pillars of Islam. Ramadan is the month in which the Quran was sent down as a guide to mankind to our Beloved Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him. Thus, there is wisdom that underlies the choice of this kind of worship.
From the spiritual aspects of Taraweeh prayer (Night Prayer), reading Quran, fasting to aid the poor by paying Zakatul Fitr to inviting others to break their fasts together. This soothes our hearts, develops compassion and creates a spiritual atmosphere. Optional prayers such as Itikaaf (Prayer in seclusion) are prayed during the last ten days to seek Laylatul Qadr (Night of Glory) in which the Divine message was descended.
Fasting is the abstinence from food, drink and sexual intercourse from dawn till sunset. Many consider fasting to be an act of hardship rather it teaches patience and perseverance and germinates a feeling of moral accomplishment. There are certain individuals that Allah the Most Merciful has mitigated to fast such as those who are ill and encountered a tiring journey. They can make up the days outside Ramadan if capable. Allah says in the Quran:
"If any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (should be made up) from days later" (2:184)
Just like Hajj where there is no difference between the rich and poor; all races are present in one place for one cause. Fasting establishes equality amongst the rich and poor. It is an act of obedience and submission to the Almighty Allah whose foundation is based upon love to gain His pleasure. Therefore, fasting enhances the feeling of inner peace, optimism and contentment. Abu Hurayrah may Allah have mercy upon him narrated that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:
‘The Almighty and Master of Honor says: All other actions of a person are for himself, except the case of his fasting which is exclusively for Me and I shall pay (recompense) for him for the same. The fast is a shield (against vice and the fire of Hell). Therefore when anyone of you is fasting he should abstain from loose talk and avoid verbosity and noisy exchange of words. If somebody starts abusing him or picks up a quarrel with him, he should tell him that 'I am observing a fast.' By the Almighty in whose hands is the life of Muhammad peace be upon him, the breath of the mouth of one-who is fasting is more pleasant in the sight of The Almighty than the fragrance of musk. A fasting person gets two kinds of pleasure: firstly he feels pleasure when he breaks his fast, and secondly he will be joyful by virtue of his fast, when he meets his Lord.’ [Bukhari and Muslim].
Fasting doubtlessly ‘shelter’ us from sins of human nature where one says ‘I am fasting!’ and thus takes their stance amongst the righteousness. Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him said:
"Fasting is a shelter. When one of you is fasting, let him not behave in an obscene or foolish manner. If someone intends to fight against him or scold him, let him just say: I am fasting! I am fasting!"
O Ramadan, my friend whilst you are here. Let’s make the most of it.
