First published on: 4 Reasons Why Ramadan Is A Point Of Change


  Hasnaa Heikal

An estimated 2 billion Muslims worldwide are fasting from dawn till dusk for the month of Ramadan. It isn’t only to abstain from food and drink. It is considered a point of change.

1- If you can resist your desires, you can overcome many things

You’re over your addiction for 30 days, you’e over your desires for 30 days, you’re over your body needs for 30 days. Anyone who’s living for a goal, faces hardships and may stop in the middle of the way saying “I can’t”. Not only the hardships, but also far dreams we looking for. Fasting increases self-control. It’s as a message to the fasting person “You can do it, you are strong enough to afford it”. It’s simple; overcoming those challenges is a piece of cake (only that you can’t eat it till it’s sunset, lol) you chose not to eat , you afford hunger for something further. Consequently, when you learn to control your own eating, you develop the ability to control less fundamental uses.


Fasting also strengthens self-confidence because you see yourself act in the way you intended.

2- Reducing outer effects & getting a better receptive

Qur’an is a guide for all, the Muslim and the non-Muslim, the sinner and the obedient and the individuals and the community.


It’s available to read at any time in any place, but why do Muslims give it an especial interest in Ramadan?

–  The main reason is that  during the month of Ramadan when Jibril (i.e The Holy Spirit) visited Prophet Mohammed every night and recited the Qur’an to him, as the prophet took the best advantages and benefits from  the Qur’an. So it is recommended to recite it to follow the Prophet and get the greatest benefits from Qur’an.


– Fasting reduces your dependence on materials like food & coffee, consequently softens the heart and makes it more receptive, so you can understand, feel and respond to the commands of Qur’an more than any other time.


-Muslims study the Qur’an to take the advantage of the noble time during this month when Allah (The Creator of heavens and earth) revealed the Qur’an, it’s like our special time with Allah.

3- Enriches your self-guard, feeling the name of Allah; “The Watchful”, whether others are watching or not


Many criminals hide to be able to do their crimes. On the personal level for example: Smoking is unacceptable behavior to one’s parents, so he hides from them to smoke. But, what about Allah “The Watchful”?!!

Fasting remembers the fasting with this name of Allah. One who is hunger and thirst can’t hide to eat or drink because he knows that Allah is with him and sees him. He is his Witness. And that actually increases the concept of feeling of self-guard, not for fearing the state laws nor people talk.


This meaning creates an emotion in one’s heart, then he can’t do wrong because Allah sees him even others not.    

4- Reducing the gap between the rich and the poor on an annual base; makes a better community

It’s the month of charity. Feeding the poor and needy is highly recommended in Ramadan. There’s a determined obligatory portion taken from wealth and given to the poor in Ramadan and this’s called Zakat-Elfitr.

The Prophet was the most generous of all the people, and he used to become more generous in Ramadan when Jibriel (i.e The Holy spirit) met him. Jibriel used to meet him every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him. Allah’s Messenger then used to be more generous than the fast wind.” [Bukhari]

To Conclude:

The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion.” [Quran.com/2/185]

Really, Qur’an is the most glorious book. It’s an important cause to change one’s life to better. To be revealed in Ramadan is a cause why Muslims love this month.


Read it, it’s where you find the change you need: Quran.com

 

According to Muslims, Ramadan is the most important month in the year. In this month, God forgives all sins of whoever fast it because of faith and seeking his reward from Allah. Fasting in Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam, so one’s faith cannot be complete without fulfilling it.

The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey – then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.” (Quran.com/2/185)

What Muslims should do in Ramadan?

From dawn to sunset, every Muslim obligated to fast, except children until they hit puberty, and people who are unable to fast due to illness, traveling, age or pregnancy. Fasting in Islam differs from fasting in Christianity, even though they are sharing the same term. In the Islamic fasting, you are not allowed to drink, eat, or entering anything into the body cavity in any way. Even sexual relations are prohibited during the fast. Not only this, but also to avoid every Haram action; such as envy, gossip, violence, lust…etc, and to follow the teachings of Islam.   

What is the purpose?

In Quran Allah mentioned Ramadan only once in the above mentioned verse. He declared that the purpose of fasting is to achieve “Taqwa”. So what is Taqwa?

According to  ibn Kathir interpretation, the root meaning of taqwa is “to avoid what one dislikes”. In Islam it is the fear of Allah; being careful, and inspires a person to be on guard against wrong action. Thus, the enthusiasm to do the deeds which please Allah will increase. However, Allah has prohibited some acts which are beloved to man during the fasting hours, like eating and drinking. These desires which are usually permissible, If they can be controlled in this month, then desires which are not permissible can be controlled throughout the remaining eleven months.

Ramadan and Quran

Quran was revealed in Ramadan, specifically in the night of Qadr as a guidance for mankind and included the criteria between right and wrong. Allah says in chapter 97: “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.” This night is better than a thousand months as Surah continues. In linking Quran with Ramadan, a clear message and a hidden order that in this month particularly Muslims have to get closer to the Quran more than any month.


The purpose of fasting and the purpose of Ramadan are different. The purpose of fasting is to develop taqwa. The purpose of Ramadan is to get closer to the Quran. The spirit of Ramadan is lost if you come out of it not knowing a little more Quran than you did before. The spirit is lost if you don’t come out of Ramadan more in love with the Quran than you were before.”

Nouman Ali Khan – famous Muslim scholar

Ramadan serves as a tool for Muslims to practice for increasing their patience and self-control. It makes them grateful for what they do have and aware of those who are living in hunger and poverty on a daily basis. So during Ramadan, Muslims are expected to worship Allah more through acts of worship such as Qur’an recitation, prayer, and attendance of the nightly prayers at the mosque. To Muslims, Ramadan is a joyous month of spiritual growth ends with a festival called Eid al-Fitr.