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The Holy Month Of Ramadan.....
The Holy Month Of Ramadan.....
Thousands of years ago, one man was chosen by divinity to be a Prophet of peace, destined to be the founder of a new religion. He was the great Prophet Muhammad, the man who gave birth to Islam and who was given the sacred knowledge of Quran in the sanctified month of Ramadan.
Ramadan is theninth monthof theIslamic calendarand is observed byMuslimsworldwide as a month offasting, Sawm which literally means 'to be at rest' This is to commemorate thefirst revelation of the Quran to Muhammad. This annual observance is regarded as one of theFive Holy Pillars upon which the "house" of Islam is built. Being Shahada- Faith, Salat - Prayer, Zak t - Charity, Sawm - Fasting and Hajj - Pilgrimage to Mecca. The month lasts 29-30 days based on the visual sightings of thecrescent moon to commence and conclude the holy month. A time of celebration, an abundance of delicacies, meeting family and friends but a very austere time for prayer, evaluation, an act of worship and obedience to God, and the powerful journey of Fasting to reach the destination of the blessing of Allah.
Ramadan gives us a break and provides us with a rare opportunity to think about our own selves. A time to take stock of one's moral and spiritual 'assets and liabilities'. Fasting indoctrinates in us patience and gratitude. When we fast we feel the pains of deprivation and hunger, and learn how to endure it patiently and we can reflect on the condition of those in this world who may not be as fortunate as us. It elevates the human spirit and increases our awareness of God and strengthens our will-power as we learn to rise above our lower desires. Fasting has numerous scientifically proven benefits for our physical health and mental well-being. First being a much-needed rest to the digestive system and then getting rid of harmful dietary toxins.
Fasting in Ramadan develops in a person the real spirit of social belonging, of unity and brotherhood and of equality before God. This spirit is the natural product of the fact that when people fast they feel that they are joining the entire Muslim society (which makes up more than one fifth of the world's population) in observing the same duty, in the same manner, at the same time, for the same motives, and for the same end result. Fasting is an institution for the improvement of moral and spiritual character of human beings. The purpose of the fast is to help develop self-restraint, self-purification, God-consciousness, compassion, the spirit of caring and sharing, the love of humanity and the love of God. Ramadan has 3 special sections, the first 10 days sees the bountiful mercy upon all devotees, followed by receiving blessings of forgiveness for fasting for the first part and the last blessing is receiving protection from Jahannam or hell. "Fasting is a shield with which a servant protects himself from the fire." Says, Ahmad Saheeh.
As the blessed month castes its shadow upon us, Bear it with patience for the sake of Ar-Rahman, as continuous training to strengthen our Imaan.