The holy month of Ramadan is upon us again with the message of peace. Islam has five fundamental pillars, and Ramadan is one of them. It is narrated on the authority of ('Abdullah) son of Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (may peace of Allah be upon him) said: (The superstructure of) al-Islam is raised on five (pillars), ie the oneness of Allah, the establishment of prayer, payment of Zakat, the fast of Ramadan, Pilgrimage (to Mecca) (Sahih Muslim, 19).
Fasting means abstaining from food, drink, and sexual intercourse with one's wife from dawn to dusk with the intention of gaining Allah's pleasure (Al-Kamusul Fiqh, p350; Tarifat Lil Jurjani, p17). Fasting has been made obligatory or mandatory for all adult Muslims during this month.
Allah said in the divine book Qu'ran: “O believers! Fasting is prescribed for you -- as it was for those before you -- so perhaps you will become mindful of Allah.” (2:183)
Ramadan teaches Muslims to form an ideal character, to be disciplined, and to believe in Allah. The holy month of Ramadan is the month of receiving unique education and training to develop as a true believer; its main purpose is to achieve taqwa or fear of Allah.
Taqwa, also known as fear of Allah, is the term used to describe the act of abstaining from all forms of disobedience in order to obtain Allah's pleasure. This is well demonstrated in Surah Baqara verse 183, where Allah states, “...in so that you may obtain taqwa.”
We do not consume a tiny drop of concealed water during this entire month; what is the explanation for this? We are fasting. Yes, even though no one can see us, Allah is watching around the clock, and we do not drink water or eat because we are afraid of being seen by Allah. This is known as taqwa or the fear of Allah.
When our Lord is watching over us, how can we possibly commit sin? This is what instills into people the attributes of honesty and humanity, as well as the ability to distinguish between right and wrong.
Every year, Ramadan offers us another vital lesson: The importance of patience. It is a matter of patience to get up early in the morning and eat sehri and not eat for 14-16 hours all day long, and Ramadan teaches us that patience.
Imam Ahmad said: Allah has used the word sabr (patience) more than 90 times in the Qur'an. (Madaris as Salikin 2/252). The month of Ramadan is called the month of patience because it prevents the soul from eating, drinking, and sexual desire (At-Tamheed 19/61).
This glorious month of Ramadan helps us to develop the habit of doing good deeds. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever does not give up false statements (ie telling lies), and evil deeds, and speaking bad words to others, Allah is not in need of his (fasting) leaving his food and drink.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 6057).
This blessed month asks us not only to abstain from food and drink, but also to refrain from saying or doing anything that could cause harm to others, or violate their human rights during this time.
As the Prophet (PBUH) described, a true Muslim is a person from whose hands other Muslims are safe (Muslim 40). Our responsibility, as individuals, is to examine the flaws in our character and try to correct them.
This month teaches us more about good manners, discouraging quarrels with others. The Prophet (PBUH) said, “If someone insults you or quarrels with you during Ramadan, then say that I am fasting.” (Saheeh Bukhari, Hadith 1894). In that hadith it is clearly mentioned not to get involved in quarrels during Ramadan.
One of the basic tenets of fasting is to feel the suffering of the hungry and the poor from starvation, and to give thanks in the court of the great Lord who provides sustenance.
The Messenger of Allah said: “Whoever provides the food for a fasting person to break his fast with, then for him is the same reward as his (the fasting person's), without anything being diminished from the reward of the fasting person.” (Tirmidhi, 807)
It is necessary to create a mentality of feeding people by making the fasting person break the fast. Iftar should be distributed with equal love to all. The practice of nobility must be established in one's life through the cultivation of this valuable mentality of standing by the other side.
Ramadan is the month of self-purification. If we can fully implement the teachings of this month, ie taqwa, patience, good behaviour, feeding the starving, in our real life and society, then the image of this society will be changed.
Ramadan carries the message of peace towards individuals, families, and society. Let us try to practice the teachings of this glorious month, and continue them after Ramadan. May Allah Almighty grant us the tawfiq to observe fasting in the manner shown by His Messenger (PBUH), Ameen.
Md Obaidullah is a Research Assistant, Centre for Advanced Social Research, Dhaka. He can be reached at: buobaidullah@gmail.com.