Column: Ramadan Month Of Fasting Part II

[Written by Shabnam Jheengoor]

Part II – The purpose of Ramadan

Muslims recently welcomed the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan. During this month, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from all food and drinks. An early breakfast is usually taken before dawn.

Abstention from food is not the only purpose of Ramadan. Ramadan has been derived from the root Ramd, which means scorching heat. The Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings of God be upon him] taught, “Ramadan has been given this name, for it burns away all sins.” The one fasting goes through Ramadan satisfying all conditions of this month to emerge spiritually purified.

The Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings of God be upon him] said: “Fasting is a shield; so the day someone of you fasts, he should not indulge in foul talk nor should he shout. And if someone abuses him or fights with him, he should simply say to him, ‘I am fasting, I am fasting.”

So, the fast is a shield to protect from evil. If somebody indulges in unbecoming topics or actions, his fast is of no avail. The Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace and blessings of God be upon him] has taught: “He who does not shun telling a lie by word and deed, should know that God needs not his abstention from food and drink.”

A person who is observing a fast is advised to spend most of the time executing his duties toward God and His creation. He should give more attention to the five obligatory Prayers along with supererogatory prayers. He should try his utmost to help the poor and needy in the society.

Other than its spiritual benefits, fasting teaches one several lessons too:

• A fasting person experiences the pangs of hunger in his stomach for a full month and comes to know practically the agonies of the poor in the society. This urges him to help the poor whole-heartedly having personally experienced their plight to a degree.

• Taking breakfast at an odd time before dawn seems to be a bit difficult in the beginning, however this practice trains one who fasts to adapt to the odd circumstances when in crisis he may have to take food at irregular times along with other irregularities in the normal course of life.

• One who fasts abstains from even lawful things during Ramadan for the pleasure of God, so it becomes easy for him to shun unlawful acts for the sake of God.

• The fast teaches that for the achievement of high targets, one has to put in tremendous and sincere effort.

Email us at amc.bermuda@gmail.com for a free copy of the Holy Quran with English translation and commentary.

- Shabnam Jheengoor, Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Bermuda

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