Welcome Ramadan, month of annual retreat

IN the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful. Praise be to God, the Cherisher and Sustainer of the Worlds; Most Gracious, Most Merciful; Master of the Day of Judgment. Thee alone do we worship, And from God alone do we seek for aid, help and assistance. Guide us in the right path; The way of those on whom Thou hast bestowed Thy Grace, Those whose (portion) Is not wrath, And who go not astray (Qur’an 1: 1 – 7).

“Those who show patience firmness and self-control; who are true (in word and deed); who worship devoutly; who spend (in the way of God); and who pray for forgiveness in the early hours of the morning.  There is no god but He: that is the witness of God His angels and those endued with knowledge standing firm on justice. There is no god but He the Exalted in Power the Wise” (Q. 3: 17 – 18).

Indeed, Ramadan, the ninth lunar month of the Islamic calendar, is here, when fasting is compulsory for Muslim Faithful (Q. 2: 183 – 189). Welcome Ramadan, the month of retreat for the faithful, when Muslims around the globe are obligated to abstain from food, drink, sexual relations from dawn to dusk, culminating in a release of restrictions at sunset. Welcome Ramadan, the month of character cleansing for the believers. Welcome Ramadan, the best of the months, when Satan is put in chains and the gates of Paradise are opened.

Welcome Ramadan, the blessed month when acts of fasting, reciting Holy Qur’an, alms to the poor and needy, attending lectures, Tafsir of the Qur’an, night prayers (Qiyamu Layl), seclusion in mosque in the last 10 days of Ramadan (I’tikaf), and others are observed with vigour to savour God’s Glory. Welcome Ramadan, the great month, when the best and the seal of God’s 104 scriptures, Holy Qur’an, was revealed to mankind (Q. 2:23; 4:82; 6:19; 10:38; 11:13; 17:89).

Welcome Ramadan, the month of full worship, when various mosques around the world are filled to the brim for five daily prayers (Salat), Tarawih, I’tikaf, Tafsir, and others to savour the mercy of the Loving God. Welcome Ramadan, the month of C–Caution, when Muslim faithful are cautious of their behaviours, attitude, and character in total obedience to the rules of fasting and God Almighty. Welcome, Ramadan, the unique month, when we fast with our tongue from bad speeches, cursing, abuses, backbiting, insulting, rudeness, lying, vulgar languages, and tongue lashing.

Welcome Ramadan, the special month when the Muslim faithful observe fast with their eyes from obscene pictures, indecent films, pornography, and other odious sights in the environment. Welcome Ramadan, the superior month when the ears of the Muslim faithful avoid to hear obscene music, speeches, lectures, vain talks, and indecencies. Welcome Ramadan, the distinct month when the hands of the faithful are cautious from taking or giving bribes, involved in lotteries, games, gambling in casinos, or engaged in other illegal activities. Welcome Ramadan, the unusual month when the legs of Muslim Faithfuls are watchful from going to illegal places like brothels, liquor Bars, Casinos. Film houses, and among others.

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) counsels in an authentic Hadith: “Whoever does not abandon falsehood in word and action, then God has no need that they should leave their food and drink” (in Ramadan fast) (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). And indeed, the reward is great, as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says, “Whoever fasts and prays during Ramadan with pure intentions will have their past sins forgiven.”

The month of revival has emerged for the physical and spiritual cleansing of Muslims when fasting and other acts of worship are enjoined, as they had been made compulsory for generations of the 124,000 prophets sent in history, since the creation of the world some 15 billion years ago.

“O ye who believe. Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may be mindful of God” (Qur’an 2: 183). This demonstrates that fasting had been made compulsory for the continuous line of generations of the Prophets and Messengers since the creation of humanity from Adam to Noah, Ibrahim, Moses, Isa (Jesus), and then Muhammad (SAW) (Qur’an 3: 33 – 34; 4: 163 – 165; 5: 19; 4: 84 – 90; 23: 23 – 50; 57: 26 – 27).

It is crucial to note that fasting is not mandatory in the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan on those it may constitute hardship or difficulty. Ramadan fast is not compulsory for the Muslim faithful that are sick, travellers, the mentally ill, the elderly, or those with chronic diseases. They may feed the needy or the poor, if they can afford it. Those on a journey during Ramadan or the sick, the nursing mothers and women on their menstrual period fast the number of days missed in Ramadan month before the next Ramadan. God says in Qur’an 2: 184: “(Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill or on a journey the prescribed number (should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (with hardship) is a ransom the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more of his own free will it is better for him and it is better for you that ye fast if ye only knew”.

Ramadan provides opportunities for Muslims to focus and strengthen their relationship with their Creator Who created man from impure water. The self-restraint as practised in Ramadan makes the heart and mind accustomed to the remembrance of God and to the obedience of Almighty Allah and to obey His commandments. Muslims engage in glorification and praise of Allah (dhikr); forgiveness (astaghfirllah); and gratefulness ((shakur) endlessly in Ramadan. Almighty Allah declares in Qur’an 76:1 – 6): “Has there not been over man a long period of time, when he was nothing— (not even) mentioned?  Verily We created man from a drop of mingled sperm, in order to try him: So We gave him (the gifts). Of hearing and sight. We showed him the way: Whether he be grateful or ungrateful (rests on his will). For the Rejecters We have prepared chains, yokes and a blazing fire. As to the righteous, they shall drink of a cup (of wine) mixed with Kafur — a fountain where the devotees of God do drink, making it flow in unstinted abundance.”

Thus, fasting in the month of Ramadan is a spiritual endowment, revival, and retreat for the body and soul awakening and cleansing in total submission to the will of Almighty Allah. It drenches us in spiritual reflections of constancy in five daily Salat; care for the needy, poor, orphan, widow, homeless; and other good deeds. The spiritual revival in the retreat of Ramadan fast refigures us in renewed determination to worship God throughout the year.

May Almighty Allah guide us aright in observing the Ramadan fast correctly. Ameen.

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