Naeem Kandwal;
Ramadan al-Muburak is the 9th month of Hijri calendar. It is obligatory for every Muslim to fast all the days of this month. In the Qur’an, this month is mentioned as the month in which this book was revealed to the Prophet (s). ” The month of Ramadan is one in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance to mankind, with manifest proofs of guidance and the Criterion. So let those of you who witness it fast [in] it ” (The Qur’an 2:185). The Night of al-Qadr is in this month. This is the only month whose name is explicitly mentioned and praised in the Qur’an. Also, 21st of this month marks the martyrdom anniversary of Imam ‘Ali (a). Due to great significance of this month, committing sins in this month leads to worse divine punishments in this world and in the Hereafter.
This month is greatly revered by Muslims and is considered their month of worship and the faithfuls prepare themselves spiritually in the previous months of Rajab and Sha’ban to begin this month prepared and ready to receive its blessings. Islam is very clear on the importance of fasting, for the Prophet (S) said, “Fasting is a protection from the calamities of this world, and a veil from punishment of the next.” Fasting is one of the most important acts of worship in Islam, which is literally defined as to abstain “completely” from foods, drinks, etc., before the break of the dawn till sunset, during the entire month of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic year. It’s an obligatory task for every Muslim to fast all days of Ramadan, except the ones with accepted excuses such as not being able to fast because of some illness or pregnancy, or being on travel. Beside not eating and drinking, there are also some others necessities for a true fasting, such as abstention from sins.It is reported that Imam Ali (a.s.) said, “Allah has mercy on the servant who scrutinizes his sins carefully and fears his Lord.” During the long daily fast on each day of this holy month, we Muslims have the opportunity to engage in fasting, prayer and remembrance of Allah, more so than when Ramadan falls at other times of the year. Indeed, the Prophet of Islam (S) declared, “If a person remains unforgiven in the month of Ramadan, then what other month is there left for him to be forgiven in?” Among the most important recommended practices in this month are reciting the Qur’an, observing night vigil at the three possible nights of al-Qadr, praying, repenting, giving Iftar meals to others and helping the needy. This Ramadan, do not hold back from that which will benefit you in the Hereafter. To battle chronic poverty and promote thriving communities, charitable projects in needy areas must be applied with more depth and consideration. The Blessed Month of Ramadan is a time to awaken compassion and solidarity with the hungry and poverty-stricken men, women, and children around the world. Ramadan is not just the month of fasting, but also the month of inspiration and worship that upgrades us. Another reason for the importance attached to fasting by Islam is given by Imam Sadiq (a.s.) who explained, “Allah made fasting obligatory so that the rich and the poor are made equal.
If there were no fasting, the rich would never experience the feeling of hunger that would make them have mercy on the poor.” Islam teaches that the believer has a social responsibility to help the poor. To this end, Islam enjoins upon the Muslim the payment of Zakat and Khums in order to alleviate the anomaly of poverty in the Islamic society. Underscoring the importance of remembering the poor and needy, Allameh Tabatabai wrote, “The most important task for the members of any society is to come to the aid of the needy and powerless and somehow to provide for the needs of those who cannot provide for themselves.” Fasting teaches us to sympathize with the poor and the needy. Many hadith expound the philosophy of fasting as a blessing from the Almighty so that one becomes aware of the hardships of the poor and the needy. It is the duty of those who are fortunate in terms of material wealth, to help the less fortunate in different parts of the world.