The month of Ramadan, with its mercies and bounties, has its shadows spread over us once more. Lucky are the people who use righteously each and every moment of this month. The month of Ramadan is the month of training and struggle. Provision of fasting, observing Nawafil (voluntary prayers), recitation and Zikr… all these impart freshness to our faith and prepare us for the remaining eleven months. Acknowledging this golden opportunity, we must try to make the best use of it. We should try that by means of fasts we get close to Allah, find a lesson of equity and brotherhood between fellow-humans and feel sympathy for the deprived. Ramadan teaches us to be thankful for the countless bounties of Allah and also gives us the message that we should stand ready to sacrifice our desires on the command of Allah.
Ramadan is the month of revelation of Qur’an. It is the month of strengthening our association with the noble Qur’an. A significant number of people among us make provisions for the complete recitation of the Quran in this month; it is necessary that provision is also made for contemplation and pondering over Qur’an. Let’s ponder over the Qur’an taking help of commentaries such as Tafheem-ul-Quran, Tadabbur Al-Quran, Nizam-ul-Quran or whatever exegesis is available. The effort must be that this association of recitation and contemplation with the Quran stays consistent after Ramadan too. Another method to study of Quran is a subject-wise study. For example, studying together how impressions and subjects like Taqwa, patience, Jihad, or success etc are narrated in the Quran and drawing lessons from them. A ‘subjective’ study of this kind gives a new life to our understanding of the Quran.
A promising aspect of the arrival of Ramadan is also that a common orientation towards Nawafil and Zikr is born in the Muslim society. The need is for ‘watering’ and giving feet to this interest. Remembrance and provision of Nawafil, particularly being in conversation with Lord, the most High and Mighty after sacrificing sleep leads to greater satisfaction of the spirit. This spiritual power will become a help in facing the toughest of problems and biggest of hurdles in human life… Inshallah.
A promising aspect of the arrival of Ramadan is also that a common orientation towards Nawafil and Zikr is born in the Muslim society. The need is for ‘watering’ and giving feet to this interest. Remembrance and provision of Nawafil, particularly being in conversation with Lord, the most High and Mighty after sacrificing sleep leads to greater satisfaction of the spirit. This spiritual power will become a help in facing the toughest of problems and biggest of hurdles in human life… Inshallah.
It is relatively easier to control ourselves in Ramadan environment. You must have heard the tradition of the evil ones being locked up in the month of Ramadan. Therefore, we could benefit from Ramadan by listing down our weaknesses and shortfalls and making a strong determination that we would get rid of them. This task will not be that easy. A strong will is required for that. A second form of it can be that some acts in accordance with Ramadan be continued as mandatory such as praying in the night etc.
The acts that have been discussed above are of individual form, that relate to the personality of a person. Treating fellow beings in the best of manners is also an outstanding aspect of Ramadan. Best of manners in treatment can be in the form of charities and giving in the path of God only to please Him, as also by spreading out our smile, polite words and heart-winning behavior. Let it be remembered that stress on obliging to rights of masses along with obliging to rights of Allah is ‘uniquely different’ character of Islam. Therefore, in this blessed month, this should be an special effort that no pain of any type is meted out to fellow-beings.
Friends! We should not forget that we are a Da’i (one who invites) group. The month Ramadan is a golden opportunity to convey the beautiful message of Islam to the fellow brethren of the country. For the brethren; not only collective but individual provision of invitation for Iftar (breaking of fast) and informal talk about Islam by this occasion can break the chains of Shirk (polytheism) tied up on minds and hearts.
Briefly, Ramadan is the name for Hijrat (migration)… migration from the show-off and fashion of the world to the truth of faith. Ramadan is the name for performing self introspection by peeping into our hearts and in the past. Ramadan is the name for serving the creation of Allah by freeing ourselves of the bonds of desires, particularly of those who are sunk in the dark depths of poverty, injustice and ignorance. I pray to Allah for granting us the success of benefitting from the month of Ramadan at par with its right, adopting the road to Taqwa (piety) and moving on the path of success and benefit. Ameen!
Ashfaq Ahmed Shareef
National President of SIO
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