Today's walk of hope ... In keeping with the example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) Ramadan officially begins with the sighting of the new moon.
Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Umar (raa): Allah's Messenger (pbuh) said, "The month can be 29 nights (i.e. days), and do not observe fast until you see the crescent , and if the sky is overcast then complete as 30 days."
[Sahih Bukhari Chpt 7 #928]
In the above hadith Prophet Muhammad set the standard by which we begin and end our fast during the month of Ramadan, and it is with great anticipation that Muslims world wide await the sighting of the moon which identifies the commencement of this sacred month wherein we fast for the sake of Allah alone.
As I prepare for the month in my home my thoughts sometimes turn to what I will be giving up: the bad habits, the petty rivalries, and unproductive behaviors. For it is in this time that our thoughts focus on one thing: glorifying Allah. One thing I know about fasting during the month of Ramadan is that if you truly fast, you won't end the month the same way you went in: the experience will change you, bringing you closer to Allah, and the company of believers, therefore Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, giving and sharing for all Muslims.
It is a time that we examine our faith, seeking Allah's forgiveness. A time that we look for the areas where we have allowed our practice of Islam to become weak and lax in carrying out our religious duties to Allah. Thus as we go into the month we must consider the sacrifices we are willing to make for Allah in the area of completing our obligations and leaving off those things which are most destructive to the mind body and soul of the Muslim.
Thus Ramadan is a physical, mental and spiritual experience which reaches deep within the person and challenges our clinging to habits of fear, laziness, contempt, greed, quarreling, and pride. It reminds us of what it feels like to go hungry, to be humble, and to submit our will to Allah. For example the Prophet (pbuh) once stated:
Narrated by Abu Hurraira (raa): The Prophet (pbuh) said, "Whoever does not give up lying speech (false statements) and acting on those lies and evil actions etc., Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink" (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting)
[Sahih Bukhari 3:127 --O.B.]
Thus Ramadan becomes more than a time of not eating during the day. By leaving off our basic desires of food, drink and sex we are left with one thing: ourselves. Our own nature and characters which become magnified in the intensity of the struggles while fasting. It is within the heat of this struggle that Allah and his messenger test the mettle of the believers and challenge us to increase our faith by leaving off those things which take us out of our Muslim character.
Narrated Abu Huraira (raa): the Prophet said: "All the deeds of Adam's sons are for them, except fasting which is for me, and I will give the reward for it. There are two pleasures for the person observing fast, one at the time of Iftar, and the other at the time when he will meet his Lord; then he will be pleased because of his fasting". [Sahih Bukhari: 3:128-O.B.]
So it is solely for the pleasure of Allah that we fast. Fasting while an obligation for Muslims allows us to give to Allah who needs nothing from us. It is a total act of faith and devotion that defines the basic principle of the Islamic life:
"Say: Truly my prayer, and my service of sacrifice, my life and my death , are all for Allah, the Cherisher of the Worlds; No partner hath He: this I am commanded, and I am the first of those who bow to His Will."
[Holy Qur'an 6:162]
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