Ramadan: Renewed Hope In The Blessed Month for All Mankind
"Read! In the name of thy Lord who created you, created you from a clot of congealed blood. Read, and thy Lord is most bountiful, it is He that taught you the use of the pen, taught you that which you knew not before". --The Holy Qur'an Chpt 96:1-4
Over 1400 years ago a man sat alone contemplating the nature of God and the purpose of life. It was in midst of this contemplation that according to tradition the Angel Gabriel appeared to him with a most urgent message of The Holy Qur'an, which literally translates as: recitation. Thus the first four verses of the Qur'an were revealed beginning a chain of events that not only changed the direction of world history, but for the last time established unadulterated monotheism as the standard of belief and service to One Single Omnipotent, Omnipresent Creator : ALLAH (swt).
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self restraint (Taqwa)" -- Holy Qur'an 2:183
It is in the Qur'an itself that Muslims are not only told to fast, but also how, and when to conduct the fast (HQ 2:184). In the Qur'an Allah tells the Muslims to fast during this month in which the Qur'an was revealed, for a period of 30 days, or one lunar month. Thus Ramadan is generally begun and ended every year by sighting of the new moon, however one can use calculations if the moon cannot be seen.
Ramadan for me is the best time of the entire year. It pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges my ability and willingness to master myself, physically, mentally and spiritually. This begins through the sacrifice of food, and water during the daylight hours, but extends also to other non essential habits we tend to acquire throughout our daily life.
In addition fasting during Ramadan creates the opportunity to become closer to my family, friends, and the company of believers as we meet for daily prayers and congregate in the mornings and evenings before starting and breaking the fast. By virtue of a common sacrifice we are all drawn closer together in an environment of peace an brotherhood. The mosque itself becomes almost a microcosm of the world as Muslims from all over the globe seek out the same places of prayer and learning. To the Muslim the mosque is like a second home. During Ramadan this can be seen quite vividly at Mosque's around the world.
I began my first Ramadan in 1994 and have participated each year since. While the customs never change, each Ramadan has its own set of unique challenges which test and confirm the depth of our faith and commitment to Islam. It is within the heat of this month that these moments take on a new clarity, and rather than punishments we see each difficulty as a test which brings us closer to Allah, each test in fact is a Mercy, as it is during these moments that the Muslims character is molded, honed, and defined.
"But all this was so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts. For Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts" --Holy Qur'an 3:154
Without struggle our faith becomes weak, and eventually meaningless. Thus it is within these unique challenges that I have benefited the most from fasting over the years. If you partake in the fast, one will not come out of Ramadan the same way they went in, and they do then most likely they didn't fast.
The essential purpose of Ramadan according to the Qur'an is to learn Taqwa, loosely translated as "self restraint" or "piety". The concept of Taqwa however goes much deeper than mere piety or self control. Taqwa the root of which indicates: 'to protect, or guard' something, is the essential element of maintaining and building our faith as Muslims. For example it is our Taqwa (God consciousness) that keeps us from cheating on a test, or not doing honest business, or stealing, or taking interest: essentially the voice within the heart that stops the hand from touching corruption. It is know that even if no one is around Allah sees all that you do and we will be held accountable for our actions. In effect Taqwa represents the "conscience" of the Muslim, the ultimate voice of reason. The Prophet (pbuh) stated that faith has many levels and that it increases and decreases according to our actions. A general measure of ones faith is our adherence to the real and actual duties commanded or forbidden by Allah's (swt) and his messenger (pbuh).
In other words as we give more, we get more in terms of spiritual cleansing and peace of mind. What would the world give for "peace of mind". Fortunes are sold, wars are waged, substances consumed and acts of insanity committed for "peace of mind". In Islam Allah gives us one simple task: practice self control and sacrifice for the sake of Allay. In that we find peace and love or our creator.
The greatest virtue in the human world is love. The ultimate act of love is self sacrifice, and it is during this month that the believers are able to collectively cast off life's demands and for a period of 30 days and focus on what is most important: our devotion to Allah, and seeking his mercy and pleasure.
As Muslims show up to the mosques in droves this is a new opportunity to become closer with brothers/sisters that one may rarely see throughout the year. It is a time to talk and share over communal evening meals of curry goat, chicken and various delicious sweets. Its a time to read the entire Qur'an in which we are literally in the presence of Allah as the words speak to us vivid clarity, or nuanced subtlety. Its a time of prayer which sometimes lasts into the night but leaves one with a sense of fulfillment no drug, drink or substance could ever provide. Most of all its a time to take inventory of ones priorities in respect to Fard (obligatory) religious duties and improve in areas that need improvement such as making prayer on time, giving to those in need, and avoiding distractions and shameful acts which take us away from Allah throughout the year.
This years Ramadan will be particularly auspicious. As the storm clouds of war continue to mount over the holy lands of the middle east the world looks on with reservations and concern that Ramadan, rather than a time of peace, will be a time of renewed militant struggle. I disagree with this perception. While some individuals or groups in the realm of extremism are bent on using religion to lead political struggles, for the vast majority of Muslims, Ramadan is far from a time to mount acts of violence, but rather to give and aid those who are weak, in need or who ask. It is a time to reach out not only to Muslims, but others outside of Islam, and invite them to the faith. In fact it is a preparation for the unique gift of life that Allah has made sacred.
It is a preparation for the hereafter and a spiritual cleansing that will re-invigorate us as we enter into the next year and face the challenges which will ultimately confront us all. In this we find the greatest gift life has to offer: Allah's Peace.
"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life, and life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions." -- (HQ 16-97
May Allah bless us all as we come into the month of Mercy, Blessings and Grace! Ramadan Kareem
I bear witness that there is no God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the last Messenger of Allah.Assalamu Alaykum (peace be upon you)
Ramadan: Renewed Hope In The Blessed Month for All Mankind
"Read! In the name of thy Lord who created you, created you from a clot of congealed blood. Read, and thy Lord is most bountiful, it is He that taught you the use of the pen, taught you that which you knew not before".
--The Holy Qur'an Chpt 96:1-4
Over 1400 years ago a man sat alone contemplating the nature of God and the purpose of life. It was in midst of this contemplation that according to tradition the Angel Gabriel appeared to him with a most urgent message of The Holy Qur'an, which literally translates as: recitation. Thus the first four verses of the Qur'an were revealed beginning a chain of events that not only changed the direction of world history, but for the last time established unadulterated monotheism as the standard of belief and service to One Single Omnipotent, Omnipresent Creator : ALLAH (swt).
"O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you may learn self restraint (Taqwa)"
-- Holy Qur'an 2:183
It is in the Qur'an itself that Muslims are not only told to fast, but also how, and when to conduct the fast (HQ 2:184). In the Qur'an Allah tells the Muslims to fast during this month in which the Qur'an was revealed, for a period of 30 days, or one lunar month. Thus Ramadan is generally begun and ended every year by sighting of the new moon, however one can use calculations if the moon cannot be seen.
Ramadan for me is the best time of the entire year. It pushes me out of my comfort zone and challenges my ability and willingness to master myself, physically, mentally and spiritually. This begins through the sacrifice of food, and water during the daylight hours, but extends also to other non essential habits we tend to acquire throughout our daily life.
In addition fasting during Ramadan creates the opportunity to become closer to my family, friends, and the company of believers as we meet for daily prayers and congregate in the mornings and evenings before starting and breaking the fast. By virtue of a common sacrifice we are all drawn closer together in an environment of peace an brotherhood. The mosque itself becomes almost a microcosm of the world as Muslims from all over the globe seek out the same places of prayer and learning. To the Muslim the mosque is like a second home. During Ramadan this can be seen quite vividly at Mosque's around the world.
I began my first Ramadan in 1994 and have participated each year since. While the customs never change, each Ramadan has its own set of unique challenges which test and confirm the depth of our faith and commitment to Islam. It is within the heat of this month that these moments take on a new clarity, and rather than punishments we see each difficulty as a test which brings us closer to Allah, each test in fact is a Mercy, as it is during these moments that the Muslims character is molded, honed, and defined.
"But all this was so that Allah might test what is in your breasts and purge what is in your hearts. For Allah knows well the secrets of your hearts" --Holy Qur'an 3:154
Without struggle our faith becomes weak, and eventually meaningless. Thus it is within these unique challenges that I have benefited the most from fasting over the years. If you partake in the fast, one will not come out of Ramadan the same way they went in, and they do then most likely they didn't fast.
The essential purpose of Ramadan according to the Qur'an is to learn Taqwa, loosely translated as "self restraint" or "piety". The concept of Taqwa however goes much deeper than mere piety or self control. Taqwa the root of which indicates: 'to protect, or guard' something, is the essential element of maintaining and building our faith as Muslims. For example it is our Taqwa (God consciousness) that keeps us from cheating on a test, or not doing honest business, or stealing, or taking interest: essentially the voice within the heart that stops the hand from touching corruption. It is know that even if no one is around Allah sees all that you do and we will be held accountable for our actions. In effect Taqwa represents the "conscience" of the Muslim, the ultimate voice of reason. The Prophet (pbuh) stated that faith has many levels and that it increases and decreases according to our actions. A general measure of ones faith is our adherence to the real and actual duties commanded or forbidden by Allah's (swt) and his messenger (pbuh).
In other words as we give more, we get more in terms of spiritual cleansing and peace of mind. What would the world give for "peace of mind". Fortunes are sold, wars are waged, substances consumed and acts of insanity committed for "peace of mind". In Islam Allah gives us one simple task: practice self control and sacrifice for the sake of Allay. In that we find peace and love or our creator.
The greatest virtue in the human world is love. The ultimate act of love is self sacrifice, and it is during this month that the believers are able to collectively cast off life's demands and for a period of 30 days and focus on what is most important: our devotion to Allah, and seeking his mercy and pleasure.
As Muslims show up to the mosques in droves this is a new opportunity to become closer with brothers/sisters that one may rarely see throughout the year. It is a time to talk and share over communal evening meals of curry goat, chicken and various delicious sweets. Its a time to read the entire Qur'an in which we are literally in the presence of Allah as the words speak to us vivid clarity, or nuanced subtlety. Its a time of prayer which sometimes lasts into the night but leaves one with a sense of fulfillment no drug, drink or substance could ever provide. Most of all its a time to take inventory of ones priorities in respect to Fard (obligatory) religious duties and improve in areas that need improvement such as making prayer on time, giving to those in need, and avoiding distractions and shameful acts which take us away from Allah throughout the year.
This years Ramadan will be particularly auspicious. As the storm clouds of war continue to mount over the holy lands of the middle east the world looks on with reservations and concern that Ramadan, rather than a time of peace, will be a time of renewed militant struggle. I disagree with this perception. While some individuals or groups in the realm of extremism are bent on using religion to lead political struggles, for the vast majority of Muslims, Ramadan is far from a time to mount acts of violence, but rather to give and aid those who are weak, in need or who ask. It is a time to reach out not only to Muslims, but others outside of Islam, and invite them to the faith. In fact it is a preparation for the unique gift of life that Allah has made sacred.
It is a preparation for the hereafter and a spiritual cleansing that will re-invigorate us as we enter into the next year and face the challenges which will ultimately confront us all. In this we find the greatest gift life has to offer: Allah's Peace.
"Whoever works righteousness, man or woman, and has faith, verily to him will We give a new life, and life that is good and pure, and we will bestow on such their reward according to the best of their actions." -- (HQ 16-97
May Allah bless us all as we come into the month of Mercy, Blessings and Grace! Ramadan Kareem
I bear witness that there is no God but God and I bear witness that Muhammad is the last Messenger of Allah.
Assalamu Alaykum (peace be upon you)
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