In his Friday Sermon of August 03, 2012 Khalifatullah Hadhrat
Munir Ahmad Azim Sahib of Mauritius (atba) explained the significance of the Fasting month of Ramadan in the Islamic
Calendar. Fasting is being prescribed for the believers so that we may act
righteously and guard ourselves against evil. At an individual level, fasting
enables a person to bear hardships and thereby strengthens his/her ability to
withstand complex problems and life situations. At another level, it enlarges the
empathy and fellow-feeling in us vis-a-vis the suffering humanity. Fasting also
enables a person to detach his/her material self from the preoccupations of a mundane
life and to discover the spiritual side by spending time in the remembrance of
Allah, the Most High.
Read the Extracts from the
Friday Sermon:
What makes the ninth
Islamic month so significant? The answer is to be found in the Holy Quran, in
the verse which I just recited before you, in Surah Al-Baqara . It tells us:
“The month of Ramadan (is that) in which the Quran
was revealed, 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.” (2: 186)
Commenting on the above verse, firstly, I wish to point out that this
revelation says that the Quran was revealed for mankind. Whereas all other
previously revealed books were meant for specific people and specific times,
the Quran is a source of guidance for all peoples and all times. The month of
Ramadan is therefore a sacred month because of a great event that took place
during it, that is, the start of revelation of the Holy Quran.
Secondly, the Quran was revealed for the benefit of mankind with clear
proofs of guidance and discrimination (from right and wrong). Therefore this
book comprises all truths; such truths as mankind may stand in need of at any
time and in any circumstances.
Thirdly, there is the instruction that whosoever is on home ground and
in their normal circumstances, should fast during this month of Ramadan. Now
for what reason do we have to observe the fast? Again, referring to the Holy
Quran, we read: O you who believe!
Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so
that you may become righteous. (2: 184)
In the above two verses we are presented with the answer to my previous
question on why we should observe the fast. God has prescribed it so that we
may act righteously and guard ourselves against evil. In our everyday life when
we suffer a physical ailment and visit the doctor we readily accept the
treatment (or meditation) that he prescribes, trusting that he knows what is
the best for us in that condition. Therefore, when God, the All-Knower, prescribed a treatment with wisdom, knowing
what is best for our spiritual and physical condition, we should follow this
advice without question.
Putting religion aside, fasting
has since been discovered by medical science as a boon for the physical body as
it detoxifies and purifies it. Fasting is practiced to some extent by
individuals as well. Even in the animal kingdom, we observe animals fasting in
response to the promptings of nature. So it is quite a natural thing to let the
body undergo the rigors of fasting to some extent.
Regarding the religious aspect of fasting, it was a common experience
for saints and seers that a certain
degree of severance from physical relations or worldly connections was essential for spiritual advancement.
The Holy prophet of Islam (peace be upon him) used to go into retreat in the
mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan. The prescription of fasting is not
a new one and not for Muslims alone.
Following the teachings of Prophet Moses (upon him be peace), Jews also
observe the fast at a certain time of the year. When we go back in history we
find that fasting was prescribed for the people of earlier faiths, thousands of
years ago! One example is that Jesus (upon him be peace) observed the fast.
Islam, however, has greatly spiritualized this institution by attaching to it
highly useful regulations and restrictions. According to Islam, fasting
constitutes a symbol of complete sacrifice because here one does not only
abstain from food and drink, but also from sexual relations with one’s spouse,
from sunrise to sunset, also one abstains from vile talks and all sorts of evil
thoughts and acts.
The beneficence of
fasting is: (1) in obeying the command of God; (2) thus purifying the body and the
mind. The clause in the verse, so
that you may become righteous, explains the deep philosophy underlying
the commandment relating to fasting. The beauty of the Holy Quran is that it
has a special characteristic in that, whenever it gives an important
commandment it does not give it arbitrarily but also explains its usefulness so
that the addressee may be convinced of, and satisfied about the wisdom
underlying it.
The real object of
fasting is: (1) to be saved from harm and suffering, and (2) to be saved from sin
and evil. The first object is attained through fasting in two ways: When a man
commits evil deeds and becomes deserving of God’s punishment on account of
those deeds, but later feels ashamed of them and turns to God in repentance,
then fasting serves as an atonement of his sins.
Fasting not only makes a man fit and able to bear hardships but also
makes him realize the suffering of his brethren in distress and feel sympathy
for them. Thus fasting goes a long way to remove and minimize the pains and
suffering of humanity.
The second object that of being saved from sin and evil is attained
through fasting because, while fasting a person has not only to abandon eating
and drinking but also to a certain extent, to keep himself aloof from worldly
connections and to abstain from indulging in his desires, with the result that
his thought naturally tend towards spiritual things.
In the Holy Quran (2: 185) the
revelation continues, which at the same time enhances the teachings of Islam,
being that Islam is a practical religion which does not give commandment that
are impossible to comply with: “The
prescribed fasting is for a fixed number of days, but whose among you is sick
or is on journey shall fast an equal number of days (to replace the missing
fasts). And upon those who are able (to fast, but with hardship), a ransom (as
substitute) of feeding a poor person (each day). And whoever volunteers excess,
it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”
The three cases indicated here who should not fast, are: (1) The
sick, (2) Those on a journey, (3)
Those too weak and thus unable to fast.
Yet for them God has made provision so that they not be left out of his
favour, due to condition beyond their control. The Quran makes it clear (in the
first and second class) that whosoever is ill or is on a journey should not
fast but should redeem the omission by fasting an equal number of days at some
other time when the sickness is gone or the journey is over.
The third class applies basically to those who are not actually sick but
whose physical condition or general health is such that they are unable to fast
without risking injury to their health. This class includes pregnant women and
mothers giving suck to babies, young children and old people. They should make
amends for the non-observance of fasting by feeding a poor person according to
their standard of food, for everyday during Ramadan. Therefore, fasting in the
month of Ramadan is compulsory for all believers with the exception of the
three classes mentioned. Muslims are also encouraged to observe voluntary
fasting for a few days in the other months of the year as well.
Another sacrifice also encouraged especially in Ramadan is to give charity. It was reported by his
companions that the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) was the most generous of
men and he was at his most bountiful during Ramadan when the angel Gabriel visited
him every night and recited the Quran to him. In addition, the Holy prophet
(peace be upon him) would also persuade people to offer supererogatory prayers
during Ramadan out of sincerity of faith and in hope of earning merit that will
have their past sins forgiven.
After fasting 29 or 30 days of this lunar month, Eid-ul-Fitr is
celebrated in joyous celebration but before the day of Eid arrives, believers
are required to pay Fitra which is distributed in the last week of
Ramadan, few days before Eid, to the less fortunate so that they may make
provisions to enjoy the Eid festival as well. This institution points out
another beauty in the teaching of Islam, that is, to carry out
humanitarian work for the up lift of the nation in general. It
aims at the fair and equal distribution and circulation of wealth among the
members of the nation.
Ramadan, therefore, is a month of sacrifice and a month of special
blessings. God has presented to mankind the greatest gift of all in the form of
the Holy Quran. In Ramadan, the believers who are fasting are much more
conscious of their Lord and of the sufferings of the poor and needy. Much of
the day and night is spent in supplication and remembrance of God thus bringing
them nearer to God, which is the ultimate aim to become righteous.
This, in a nutshell, explains everything concerning Ramadan, objectives
and reasons. It leads us to reflect seriously, and render obeisance and
gratitude to the mercy and grace of God Almighty. The clause of the
last-mentioned verse, says: “… But to
fast is best for you, if you only knew.” No-one knows mankind better than the Creator Himself. He is the All-Knower, thus we should be
grateful for this. And to show this gratitude we should worship God alone, obey
His commands, remember Him often and praise Him, and carry out all good deeds
which shall see to our paving our way to Allah in a humble and respectful
manner. Insha-Allah, Ameen.