The month of Ramadan is
approaching-the holy month of continuous Blessings and Mercy of Allah Almighty
toward his creation. The month of Ramadan is the world's most widespread month.
It's teachings and blessings are countless. Fasting makes us rediscover all that
is alive around us, and reconcile ourselves with our environment.
The word Ramadan is derived from the Arabic word ramida or ar-ramad which means
scorching heat or dryness. The month of Ramadan is the ninth month of the
Islamic calendar. It is the month of fasting for Muslims all over the world. The
month of Ramadan is very special and sacred month in which Allah (SWT) showers
his countless blessings, love, kindness and mercy toward His people. The blessed
month of Ramadan has been divided in 3 parts or Ashra. The first ten days are of
mercy, second ten days are of forgiveness and the last ten days of emancipation
or being freed from Hell. Lailatul Qadr the night of power or the night of
decree is expected in the last ten days of the Holy month. In the same very
month The Holy Qur'an was , revealed as a guidance for humanity, as a clear
proof of that guidance, and as a criterion for distinguishing between right and
wrong. Suratul Baqra (2: 185)
Qur'an is also a Huda (a guidance). And as Huda - as true guidance - it teaches
us how to live as complete human beings. Qur'an is a complete code of life .It
teaches us how to live our lives with respect, dignity, honor and love. It
further teaches us that Allah Ta'ala is a divinity who embraces the concerns of
all humanity. He is the Creator, the Initiator and the Designer. So in this
month of spiritual excitement Muslim spend most of their times in remembrance of
Allah and reciting the Glorious Qur'an despite the complications of modern life.
Spiritually, Ramadan burns out the sins with good deeds, as the sun burns the
ground. As the sand and the stones are receptive to the sun's heat and the heat
helps shape, form and mold virtually every matter including metal, plastic,
plants and living cells - Ramadan undoubtedly helps (a serious believer) to
remold, reshape, reform and renew our physical and spiritual nature and
behaviour.
Moreover, Ramadan is the month of patience and reward. In this month the Rizq
(daily bread) of Muslims is increased and Mercy and Blessings of Allah (SWT)
continuously descend upon us. Ramadan is the most important month of the year ,
the believers await this month impatiently and with eagerness. This is the month
that is the best of all months in the eyes of Allah Ta'aIa. It's days are the
best of the day, it's nights are the best of the nights, it's hours are the best
of the hours. Abu Hurairah (RA) Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said:
"when there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the
gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained.
( Al- Bukhari )
Allah says about the fasting person, "He has left his food, drink and desires
for My sake. The fast is for Me and I'll reward him (the fasting person) and the
reward of his good deeds is multiplied by ten times. Qur'an says about Ramadan:
"O you who believed fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those
before you that you may ( learn ) self-restraint (Taqwa )
( 2: 183 )
There are certain reasons behind every single act in Islam. Salaat for instance
is a daily training for purifying the believers' heart and soul. Fasting on the
other hand is an annual training for the body and soul a renewal of life,
encouraging the spirit of sharing and giving.
Advantages/ Benefits of Ramadan
Fasting has uncountable advantages/benefits and can rid a scores of disorders
and ailments which can otherwise affect one's health badly. Following are the
various benefits of fasting:
1-It's a safe way to lose weight through fasting - a set numbers of hours of
fasting allows the body to burn through fat cells in a more effective way than a
regular dieting. Many athletes keep fast just to hit low body fat percentages
for competitions.
2-Fasting has positive effect on insulin sensitivity, helps you to bear
carbohydrates (sugar) in a better way than if you don't fast. A study shows that
after a certain time period of fasting, insulin gets more effective for body
cells to take up glucose from blood.
3-Intermittent fasting gives rest to digestive system and strengthen metabolism
to burn through calories more effectively. This is the way fasting regulates
digestion and improves metabolic function.
4-It is an admitted fact , the less you eat the longer you live and your
digestive system takes less toil.
5-Fasting helps to regulate the hormones in the body. In this way you can
experience what true hunger is. The longer you fast, the more your body can
regulate to release the correct hormones and when hormones are working properly
you get quicker.
6-Fasting improves your eating pattern and you can establish a set time for
eating and consume calories accordingly.
7-Fasting improves brain function, for it boosts the production of a protein
called brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF )
BDNF activates brain stem cells to convert into new neurons, and triggers
numerous other chemicals that promote neural health. This protein also protects
brain cells from changes associated with Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
8-Fasting improves immune system because it reduces free radical damage,
regulates inflammatory conditions in the body and starves of cancer cell
formation.
When animals get sick they don't eat and focus on rest instead. This reduces
stress on their internal system and their body fights off infection. Humans on
the hand are the only species who look for food and eat more when they are ill,
although they don't need it.
9-Fasting helps people feel more connected to life. There is capacity for more
energy in the body with no food in the digestive system. Fasting for self
-enlightenment allows us to feel better both consciously and physically. With a
lighter body and a clearer mind we are more aware and thankful to Allah Almighty
for the things around us.
In Islamic perspective too fasting has innumerable advantages like:
1- You learn Taqwa. Taqwa is fearing Allah Ta'ala .It's practicing the
Revelation of Allah and accepting the blessings and things you have achieved.
Taqwa is preparing yourself for the world Hereafter. It's self-discipline,
self-control, self-restraint, self-education, self-evaluation etc., By accepting
and practicing these a Muslim can achieve Taqwa both in his private and social
life.
2- Avoiding immorality, anger, uproar, stupidity, makrooh, mashbooh, haram, etc
in the state of fasting. Preventing these things you can be a good citizen.
3-In Paradise there is a door called Al-Rayyan. This door in the Paradise is
meant for the fasting Muslims. Only those who fasted in the month of Ramadan
will enjoy the bliss of Paradise inside that area.
4-There are two types of rejoices for the Muslims who fast. They are:
-When breaking fast
-When meeting Allah Almighty on the day of judgment.
5-Dua is accepted by Allah at Iftar time.
6-Blessings of Sahoor or late night meal gives the opportunity for night
prayers, Zikr, Remembrance of Allah (SWT), Contemplation, recitation of Holy
Quran, Fajr Salaat in Jamaat and dua of Fajr.
7-Whoever performs Night Prayers with great devotion, sincerity and good
intention will receive forgiveness of his past mistakes.
8- Ihya-In the last ten days of Ramadan a Muslim who makes this type of effort
will get rewards, forgiveness, and multiples of blessing.
9-Itikaf (Retreat) A Muslim who performs in Itikaf during the last ten days of
Ramadan will get blessings and rewards, peace of mind, contemplation and
evaluation. He'll also become a better citizen.
10-Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Power) Lailatul Qadr is better than 1000 months
and whoever observes it with sincerity and good intention will get these
benefits:
-His previous sins and all mistakes will be forgiven. He'll be blessed by Allah
Almighty. His prayers will be granted ,he'll be better human being as well.
11-Zakat is one of the five pillars of Islam, mandatory for all Muslims .It is a
form of obligatory, aims giving and religious tax in Islam. In Ramadan Muslims
are supposed to pay Zakat on specific amount and gold. Through Zakat money is
circulated among poor and needy. We are safeguarded by all hardships and
troubles and our money is protected as well.
12- Zakat al-Fitrah (Charity on Eid Day)
The benefits of paying this charity on Eid day to the poor and the needy are
tremendous.
13- One get rid of monotony of life by changing the lifestyle during this month.
You share hunger, thirst and rituals with others in the society.
14- Umrah in Ramadan is equal to one Hajj (pilgrimage) with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
15- Muslims throughout their history received many benefits in this month, like
:
1- Battle of Badr
2- Battle of Khandaq
3- Opening of Makkah
4- Battle of Tabuk
5- Tariq Ibn Ziyad opened Europe
6- Salahuddin liberated Jerusalem from the Crusaders
7- Egypt and Israel, 1973- Egyptians kicked the Israelis out of Egypt during
Ramadan the
month of fasting etc.,
16- Learning lessons from historical incidents that happened during Holy
Ramadan, eg,
1- Wafaat of Hazrat Khadijah (AS)
2- Wiladat of Imam Hassan bin Ali (AS)
3- Shadat of Imam bin Abi Talib (AS)
4- Youm-al-Quds.
One month of Ramadan,
4 weeks of barkat,]
30 days of forgiveness,
720 hours of guidance,
43200 minutes of purification,
2592000 seconds of Noor.
I wish the light that we celebrate during Ramadan show us the way and lead us on
the path of peace and social harmony.
May Allah bless and Protect you (Amen)