Faizan Bhatt
It is the Quran that built the Muslim nation and Muslims must always be thankful to Allah for revealing the Quran to them and they cannot express their thanks better than by fasting in Ramadan.( Sayyid Qutb;Ikhwan Ul Muslimeen)
Ramadan is the most important month of the year. It is the month that the believers await with eagerness. At the beginning of Rajab-two full months before Ramadan-The Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to supplicate thus;”O Allah! Bless us during Rajab and Sha’ban, and let us reach Ramadan (in good health)”
The word Ramadan has been derived from the Arabic root word ‘Ramida’which means intense scorching heat and dryness.The Arabic word for fasting is ‘Saum’,which means refraining from some activities which are otherwise permitted under normal circumstances For example eating and drinking in normal circumstances is permissible but in the month of Ramadan it is prohibited from Dawn to Dusk. Similarly Coitus with ones wife is permissible in normal circumstances but during day time in this month it is prohibited. This is to train Muslims from the ardent desire of inner selves which will continue for the rest of the eleventh month of the year. Fasting increases devotion, and brings a Muslim closer to the creator. It creates the recognition that everything we have in this life is a blessing from him.
Fasting unfolds both physical as well as spiritual benefits for men/women as it rejuvenates the multidimensional faculties of a human being. The purpose of fasting is that the spirit of man is released from the clutches of desire. It is aimed at curtailing the intensity of desire and lust by means of hunger and thirst, at inducing man/women to realize how many of them are there like him/her.
Fasting cleanses the blood of toxins waste, dead or diseased cell, acid crystals, calcified tumors and mucus. It cleanses the thoughts,releases anger,guilt,hatred etc.It removes negative vibrations from, the spirit. It breaks many food addictions, such as coffee, alcohol,smoke etc.
Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) Reported;
- Fasting is a shield and a powerful fortress.
- Whosoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whosoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.
- The odor of the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah Ta’ala than the fragrance of musk.
- Fasting and the Quran will intercede on behalf of one on the day of judgement.The Fast will proclaim;”O Allah! I prevented him from eating at carnal desire. Therefore for my sake accept my intercession on his behalf. The intercession of both will be accepted.
Special exemptions from fasting in the month of Ramadan have been granted to old and feeble persons, those suffering from incurable diseases. Some people have been temporarily exempted; people in journey, women during menstrual cycle, advanced pregnancy and a sick person shall fast instead for the same number of days after Ramadan.
Ramadan comes once a year, and when it leaves us we don’t know if we will see the next one, so let us strive to make most of this Ramadan.
(The Author is pursuing Chemical Engineering from N.I.T Srinagar and can be mailed at bhatfaizan10@gmail.com)