The Meaning of Ramadhan

[Abu Usama]

Salam,

a brother was asked to write an article related to Ramadhan for a local University newspaper (which means most of the audience would be non-muslim) and was given a 200-250 word, word limit, and also was only given 24 hours notice for it. Anyway, i produce it here for everyone. Any comments?

The Meaning of Ramadan

Ramadan is seen as a month of feast and joy by many people. Yet the aim of this month is what? The (translation of the) Qur’an states:

“O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)” (2:183)

The aim of the month of fasting is for people to ward off all evils, and to realize that there ultimate return is to God, our Creator, our Sustainer, and then to act accordingly in the knowledge of this. And as can be seen from the Qur’an, the method of fasting was given to previous people’s for the very same purpose - of drawing closer to the Creator and recognizing that he is God, the one and only, for verily we the Muslims affirm, as was affirmed by all the nations who were sent a Messenger, that there is no diety worthy of worship, except God.

The realization of what is seen as the ultimate message of all the Prophets requires one to act in accordance to it. This entails that one follows all the commandments of God, rather than the hollow desires of the lower self. That one train the lower self to abstain from food, sex and other pleasures, from sunrise to sunset, in complete submission to God, as opposed to the complete submission to the lower self which is prevalant in contemporary society.

We must ask ourselves, which deity do I worship? my desires or my Creator?

[suhayl]

Nice masha'allah!

[Sadiq]

Very short and to the point, Thankyou for sharing it with us.

[UmmIbrahimIsa]

assalamu alaikum wr wb

that's very good..masha'Allah.
i was asked to submit one for a university here and im like hey i just attend your halaqohs, im not in uni.... they're like more reason for you to write..pls... so im like ok....

Alhamdulillah...its all for a good cause.. good dawah too..

[asma]

:salam:

Ramadan is seen as a month of feast and joy by many people. Yet the aim of this month is what?

yay for da`wah, :mash:
just one thought... I've never met a non-muslim who thinks of ramadan as a month of feast and joy =) ...rather it's perceived as a month of hunger and thirst. Thus... "What is the deeper goal of the month?"

The shallowness of that popular perception segues nicely with the latter part of the article about the inner dimension of ramadan.

salamat

[Liam Saiful Di'n]

Asalamu Alaikum Waramatulahi Warbarakatu,
I pray this reaches everyone in the best of health and iman. This was a very lovely and informative article. Jazakallah Khier for sharing it. Also, while we're talking about Ramadan, I have a bit of a question and would appreciate if someone with knowledge could answer. In Ramadan, as most of us know, our bodies tend to get adjusted to not eating or drinking during daylight hours after about the first week or so. And as we all know, our thought patterns are clearer and our focus is keen due to fasting. My question is this: Once one's body is adjusted to such a style of eating, is it permissible/healthy to adapt that kind of eating habit as an everyday thing? Or would this be seen as a form of extremism to an extent? I thank you in advance for any responses. May Allah azza wa jal guide us all.
Walaikum Asalam,
Liam

[Mossy]

Although I am not someone with knowledge, I believe the Prophet (pbuh) used to fast at least once a week.. On his birthday so to speak ;)

Various other times of the year (whole months even) have extra reward associated with them with respects to fasting and it is recommended to control a wide range of emotions and desires - after all, by fasting one strives for samadiyyah, does one not?

[Abu Usama]

:salam:

yay for da`wah, :mash:
just one thought... I've never met a non-muslim who thinks of ramadan as a month of feast and joy =) ...rather it's perceived as a month of hunger and thirst. Thus... "What is the deeper goal of the month?"

The shallowness of that popular perception segues nicely with the latter part of the article about the inner dimension of ramadan.

salamat

Salam,

I think many muslims, especially those culturally orientated ones, see "ramadan mubarak" as a month of feast and joy. Muslims consume at least 3 times as much meat in Ramadhan than in any other a month of the year, according to a magazine i read some time ago. The hunger will come in a good few years in the uk when ramadhan heads towards the summer months.