Before I start, I want to define 2 words:
1. Ramadhan
2. Fasting
The word Ramadhan comes from the word Ramad which means ‘burning’. The reason it is called Ramadhan is because it is the month where the sins of good people is burned.
The word fasting means to prevent; to prevent oneself from eating, drinking and sexual relations from sunrise to sunset.
The above ayah mentions that fasting was prescribed on people before us. The nations that came before this ummah were given the order to fast. However, they were told to fast on Ashura (10th of Muharram), Ayyamul Beeth (13th, 14th and 15th of every Islamic month). We are the first nation from all the nations that have been given this gift; the gift where Allah has given us a whole month to dedicate ourselves to him, to prove our faithfulness, to prove that we are worthy of his mercy and compassion.
So, you may wonder what the connection is between fasting and the month in itself?
The purpose of fasting is not to put our body under strain, to push our body capacity to the breaking point but fasting is a way to discipline our mind and soul, to distract ourselves from the worldly affairs and to divert our full attention to our creator. In this month we fast to detox the poison that has been infiltrated in our veins by the Shaytaan and to feed the soul which we have been neglecting for the past 11 months.
Nabi Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) has mentioned “Shaytaan flows through the body of man like blood, so close up that path by remaining hungry”. When we fast the body is spiritually nourished and when we eat to our content the body is spiritually starved.
There are 6 things that have been mentioned by Islamic scholars which should be taken care of whilst fasting in the process of purifying the soul:
1. One should not look at anything that is prohibited for him to see.
When we are fasting we should not refrain from looking at the opposite sex with desire or to watch things that are prohibited in Islam e.g. movies, tv shows dramas, pantomime etc.
2. Guarding the tongue
One must try to refrain from swearing, backbiting, slander and gossiping during this holy month. If you get into an argument or get angry at your siblings just simply say ‘I am fasting’. This sentence is simple yet so powerful. You are saying that I know you want to pick a fight with me but I’m not going to give in because I am devoting myself to my creator. Trust me, this really works, and will save you from making a choice that you’ll regret.
3. The ears should be kept away from listening to anything unlawful
This includes music, slander and backbiting. When one indulges in these Haraam acts then ones fast becomes invalid; therefore we must try our upmost best to refrain from such acts.
4. The body should be kept away from sin and evil
The hands should be kept away from Haraam acts e.g. touching a woman with desire including your wife. We should also save our feet from walking to Haraam acts as well e.g. going to the cinema, walking into a bar. It is the month where we should multiply our goods deeds and refrain from bad deeds. Remember, when we do a good deed during Ramadhan then Allah multiplies our reward by seventy. But at the same time, if we do a bad deed, Allah multiplies the punishment. Also, we should be very careful during Iftar time and ensure that the foods we are eating to break our fasts with is Halal and is being bought through a Halal income. If one fasts but break their fast with Haraam food, then he is like a sick person who takes medicine to cure himself from the sickness but also adds poison which will destroy him.
5. Not to completely fill the stomach when eating
If one eats to his full stomach at Iftar then this defeats the purpose of fasting as the purpose is to control ones desires and temptation. By restricting oneself during Iftar its strengthens and illuminates the soul. Allah has given us 11 months to eat and drink whenever we please. Can we not limit ourselves for Allah in this blessed month?
6. Always fear whether your fast has been accepted or not
Whatever Ibaadah we do during our lives we never really know whether Allah has accepted it from us or not. Therefore, we should always be mindful whether the Ibaadah we are doing is of quality or quantity. We should have a goal of doing Ibaadah that is both. Nabi Muhammad has said “Many are the reciters of the Qur’an who are being cursed by the Qur’an” and this is because our tongues are reciting the Qur’an but we don’t feel it in the mind and soul.
Remember, it isn’t about how far you’ve reached in the Qur’an, but how far the Qur’an has reached in you.
This is the month where Allah first revealed the beautiful scripture; It was this month when Allah had sent down the guidance to take people out from the darkness and into the light – the Qur’an.
During this auspicious month Allah did not only reveal the Qur’an. He revealed all his scriptures in this blessed month. The scriptures of Hazhrat Ibrahim was revealed on the 1st night, the Torah was revealed on the 6th night, the Injeel (Bible) was revealed on the 13th night and the Qur’an was revealed on the 14th night.
As this is the month of Qur’an we should try our best to recite as much Qur’an as we can. We all have busy lives; some of us go to school, some of us are at work working 12 hour shifts, some of us are sitting exams, the list goes on; but yet we must try our upmost best to fast and recite Qur’an during this month. Fasting for 19 hours a day is not easy. Allah knows it is not easy and for this sacrifice he will surely reward us.
Here are some tips for this auspicious month:
· Have a specific goal and work towards it, step by step e.g. Last year I completed ½ of the Qur’an so this year I want to complete 1 completion of the Qur’an this month.
· Make a timetable so you know what you are going to do during the day and you will be able to make use of your time as much as possible.
· Ramadhan is the month of du’aa. The best times for du’aa are: Before you break your fast, at the time of Tahajjud and after every Fardh salah.
· Try not to miss any Fardh salah.
· If you fear that you are going to sin then go to sleep as you’d rather be asleep than commit the sin.
· Every action you do, make a good intention for it. E.g. when you go to sleep during the day, make intention that you are doing Kaylullah (Afternoon nap) which is the Sunnah of our Nabi Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him).
· Control your addictions e.g. I will only go on my phone for an hour today. I’ve recently come across an app (available on apple and play store) called ‘Flipd’. There’s a ‘Full Lock Mode’ setting on the app which blocks you out of your phone completely! Insane right? But I think it’s what we all need. All you have to do is think about how much time you want to spend in Ibaadah and select it on the app. You will be locked out of your phone with no distractions at your side.
May Allah make this the best Ramadhan and may he grant us all the ability to act up what has been said. Aameen.
Please remember me in your blessed du’aa.
Wasalam
If anyone is struggling or has any questions then please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Comments