The main aim of Fasting in the Month of Ramadan is to achieve Taqwa-God
Consciousness fostering better relation between human being and his
Creator. Fasting is a great opportunity for spiritual uplift as well as
cleansing of mind and body making long lasting changes in one’s
lifestyle. As human body is Amana (trust) from Allah we should utilise
it in a proper manner by taking care and fasting is one of the best
spiritual and physical means of taking care of the body.
A fasting person is less preoccupied with
bodily appetites which enable him to concentrate in contemplation and
reflection on the spiritual aspects of life developing closer and better
relation with the Creator and other fellow human beings. Apart from
restraining one carnal desires Ramadan teaches a person to respond to
hunger which is the heightened level of consciousness and discipline
making the one fasting appreciates the value of food. This in return
promotes further consciousness developing the spirit of compassion and
generosity thus making people becoming more and more generous like the
Prophet himself who used to increase his generosity during Ramadan and
encouraging others to do so. This sort of teachings induced the
Companions to be extra generous not only during the Month of Ramadan but
in other times of the year preferring others above themselves even
though poverty was their lot promoting and encouraging the same spirit
among the Muslim community and the humanity in general thus promoting
and encouraging better community spirit.
This kind of community spirit is only
developed through generosity devotional prayers such as the Salatu-
Taraweeh and seclusion called Itkaf during the last ten days of Ramadan.
Alhamdu Lillahi Kano State in Nigeria has shown the way forward to
promoting the same kind of spirit and fostering better relation by
feeding so many fasting persons in the State who cannot afford to break
their fast with delicacies during the usual Iftaar time. This is the
third year since the State Government initiated and introduced the
feeding of the fasting persons in various parts of the State. The other
local governments in the state with the help of the state Government
also introduced the same Iftaar feeding initiatives in their respective
areas a favour highly commendable worthy of emulation by all States in
the Federation especially those that practice Sharia Laws. It would go
along way in promoting and strengthening further Islamic brotherhood and
spirit of love and equality found at the time of the Prophet and his
companions who were the best examples and models for the Ummah to follow
The Month of Ramadan is ideal time to do
away with our bad habits breaking them altogether by reflecting on our
personalities with a view to improving our human character for the
better once and for all. It is said unfortunately those who fast and do
not make changes in their lives except delaying meals cannot expect to
change their behaviour during or after Ramadan .In other words as the
Prophet has pointed out in Hadith quoted by Bukhari “Fasting is not
merely abstention from eating and drinking but also from vain speech and
foul language”. Rasulullah (S.A.W) said if you give me guarantee of
controlling two things I would give you guarantee of Paradise. What are
these two things they are what is between your two thighs i.e. avoid
committing adultery and the other what is between your two jaws in other
words controlling your tongue. May be we can give guarantee for the
first one but the second this is the most difficult therefore if one is
fasting he concentrates mainly on the spiritual aspects therefore a true
believer he/she will shun vain conversation especially in Ramadan. So
this is why the Hadith above mentions that fasting is not merely
abstention from eating and drinking but also from vain speech and foul
language. This is the best time to sit and reflect. How much has a
person so far really fulfilled the duties imposed on us during this
Month of Ramadan? .How many times have we finished reading the Quran
some of our ancestors used to finish the Quran so many times during the
Month of Ramadan some were even reported to have finished reading it in
less than twenty four hours so at least we should have finished reading
the whole Book in this Month of Ramadan at least once which was the
minimum. The Month also gave us the opportunity to give out Zakat for
those who are supposed to have given and performing Umra Lesser Hajj in
Ramadan is equivalent to performing Hajj with the Prophet himself so
many benefits were associated with this Month of Ramadan for all of us
to reflect. The only question is did we utilise all these opportunity
given to us by Allah during this blessed Month of Ramadan .If we
utilised it to the utmost then we should thank Allah otherwise we don’t
blame anybody but ourselves as it is said a person who missed one day of
Ramadan (i.e. did not fast) would not be able to recoup the loss even if
he were to fast for the rest of his life. Allahu Akbar such was the
Blessing of Ramadan which we should regret that its passing away and we
don’t know whether we would be here to see the next Ramadan or not only
Allah knows. So it is time to make final reflection especially on our
conduct during this blessed Month as to whether it was good or bad. May
Allah accept our Ibadah and all good deeds and forgive our shortcomings
during this blessed Month of Ramadan Amen.
Wa Akhiri Dawana Anil hamdu Lillahi Rabbil
Alameen.
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