Ramadan: The Month Of Empathy, Patience and Self Purification

Muslims around the world anticipate the arrival of the holiest month of the year. During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims from all continents unite in a period of fasting and spiritual reflection. Our Beloved Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) is reported to have said: “Sha’ban is my month, Rajab is the month of Allah and Ramadan is the month of my Community.”

Ramadan Basics: The annual fast of Ramadan is considered one of the five “pillars” of Islam. Muslims who are physically able are required to fast each day of the entire month, from sunrise to sunset. The evenings are spent enjoying family and community meals, engaging in prayer and spiritual reflection, and reading from the Qur’an. The Word Ramadan is based on the Arabic term ‘al-Ramz’ which represents “to get rid of.” Ramadan is to get rid of the sins of the one who fasts in it, and who involves in pious actions in abundance. This allows to get rid of the sins, hence the name given to this month is Ramadan. Fasting is obligatory for adult Muslims, except those who are ill, traveling and pregnant.

During the blessed month of Ramadan, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. As a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice, Ramadan is much more than just not eating and drinking.

During Ramadan, every part of the body must be restrained. The tongue must be restrained from backbiting and gossip. The eyes must restrain themselves from looking at unlawful things. The hand must not touch or take anything that does not belong to it. The ears must refrain from listening to idle talk or obscene words. The feet must refrain from going to sinful places. In such a way, every part of the body observes the fast.
The Month Of Empathy, Patience and Self Purification: Ramadan is a period of fasting, reflection, devotion, generosity and sacrifice observed by Muslims around the world. While major holidays of other faiths have largely become commercialized events, Ramadan retains its intense spiritual meaning.

• Through fasting, a Muslim experiences hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day.
• Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him.
• Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and good-will toward others. The Prophet Muhammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) once said, “A man’s wealth is never diminished by charity.”
• Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits.

• Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits — particularly with regards to diet and smoking.
• Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur’an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may “learn self-restraint” (Qur’an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our “normal” lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan.
The Beloved Prophet  (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) delivered a thought provoking sermon on the last day of Sha’baan in which He said : ” Oh Believers ! Be alert !  An auspicious month is about to dawn upon you , whose greatness and sanctity is not easy to comprehend. There comes to you a magnificent month, a blessed month, a month wherein is a night (Laylat al-Qadr) which is better than thousand months. Almighty Allah has made it’s Fast’s compulsory upon you, and the standing in its nights (Tarraweeh) a means of obtaining countless blessing’s. Whoever sincerely makes an effort to seek the nearness of Allah in it, is like a person who has offered seventy obligatory deeds in other months. It is a month of patience, and the reward of patience is Paradise. It is a month to show compassion to others. In it sustenance is increased. In this month the doors of Paradise are opened and the doors of Hell are barred (shut). Fasting is a shield against the fire of Hell. Hence it is important for the one who is fasting to abstain from uttering anything shameful or doing anything based on ignorance. If anyone tries to enter into a quarrel with him or swears him he should twice say ” I am fasting. ”

Important events that took place in Ramadan:

• On the 27th night of Ramadan the Qur’an was exposed from the “Lauhe Mahfooz” (on the 7th sky) to the first of the sky.
• The first Fight in the Islamic Record, “BATTLE OF BADR” took position on the Twelfth of Ramadan 2 A.H.
• Success of Makkah took position in the year 8 A.H, coming into Makkah on the 18th of Ramadan.
• Among the daughters of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) Sayyida Hazrat Ruqayyah (R.A) passed away at the young age of 23, 2 A.H when the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) was engaged in the “Battle of Badr”.
• Amongst the wives of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammed (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) Sayyida Hazrat Khadijah (R.A) departed from this world on the 11th of Ramadan 10 (A.H.) after the prophet Hazrat Mohammed (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم)  acquired prophecy.
• Hazrat Saffiyah (R.A.) took leave from this world in 50 (A.H.), aged 60 years.
• Sayyida Hazrat Aa’ishah (R.A.) was 65 years old when she departed in the year 58 A.H.
• Sayyidina Hazrat Hasan (R.A.), the son of the Holy prophet Hazrat Mohammad (صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم) was born in this month on the 15th of Ramadan, three years after Hijrah.