Ramadan 2012 Is Just Next Door

Life for me is super fast I cannot imagine how fast it has come again. I made a post about Ramadan 2011 and now we are just a week behind it. All memories of last Ramadan is still in mind but definitely the sprit has become weak and need a super Ramadan to revive myself.

If you are India you might see lots of stalls for Haleem and Haris would be coming up. People started doing a lot of shopping and getting ready for a 30 days eating festival, before a big sweets festival. You see lots of cloth stores on the street come up during these days.

Few years back I just held myself back said if fasting is an instruction from God then it must not be limited to eating or just feeling the hunger of other. There must be something great expected from this act of worship.

Whole month of Ramadan and fasting it is mentioned only in para of Quran precisely and completely. That really opened up my mind and gave me a direction in understanding of essence of fasting and a way to reach it. It also says about what is being desired by fasting in Ramadan and how to reach it. Definitely it’s not hunger and eating haleem.

Here are the verses of Quran in which the essence of Ramadan is mentioned. Do read the Ramadan 2011 post as a follow up.

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun (the one who fear Allah).

(Fasting) for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (i.e. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a poor person (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.” (2:183-84)

“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan), he must fast that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number (of days which one did not fast must be made up) from other days.

Allah intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him” (2: 185).

“It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of the fasts. They are garments for you and you are the same for them. Allah knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allah has ordained for you, and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your fast till the nightfall.

And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in Itikaf in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allah, so approach them not. Thus does Allah make clear His signs to mankind that they may become Al Muttaqun (the one who fears Allah)” (2:187).

The message is total clear and perfect, simple and straight. In a narration prophet SAW said if you are fasting and not preventing yourself form all bad you in normal days then Allah SWT is not in need of your hunger and starving.

The entire aim is to make one self disciplined, organized, and humble just with the understanding that it’s being guided by the creator. The sole purpose is to realize understand with full conscious what is wrong and right, how one needs to act in rest of the year upon right and wrong.

It’s a chance to elevate ourselves with the realization of guidance from Allah SWT. Let’s not miss this opportunity to humble ourselves, be more productive, and not miss a chance to get closer to Allah SWT. The food we eat and the cloth we wear are not eternal and don’t reflect anything. The real gem and best of this time is to purify inner self and make one self stand for truth and make best use of the blessed time.

I ask all Non Muslim friends to make sure your Muslim friend do good during this time, if they are not doing good and being humble remind them politely and help them improve. That’s how we lead a better society and a better India.

I pray Allah SWT to give me best of strength to gain highest benefit of the blessed time, be more productive and helpful for entire humanity. I pray for my parents and your parents that God give them good health and happiness.

I call you all the steadfast and get ready for the rocking, blessed, disciplined, humble, and god fearing Ramadan that may bring forgiveness for all mistakes in past and give us a new life.