The dusk of Wednesday, 16th May 2018, saw the social media been awash with Ramadhan best wishes pictures exchanging destinations, as Muslims across the globe sighted the moon for 1439’s Ramadhan, whose fasting was effected upon the dawn of Thursday.
Fasting is one of the FIVE pillars of Islam, and is observed in the 9th month of the lunar calendar.
This generation is not the first to observe Fasting, but the principle has been there, though with different setups like number of days and manner.
However the basic concept of it is to learn self restraint which is piousness.
This is evidenced by referring to Qur’an 2:183 which read;
“Ye who believe, Fasting is prescribed upon to you, as it was prescribed to those before you, that Ye may (learn) self-restraint.
The above verse clearly backup two issues which are that of the basic reason why fasting is observed and the fact that fasting is not only been prescribed upon the generation of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
However, instead of learning piousness which should be observed the year round, piousness is only observed in the lone month of Ramadhan.
This is evidenced by looking at how committed in Ibada (Acts which please Allah) in this month, as observed by change in manners, the frequent Qur’an recitation, the way people treat each other, and how 5 daily prayers are observed.
Currently, no one dares to injure a fellow Muslim, by either gossiping, or manhandling, no one dares to miss a prayer, and people have installed in themselves the spirits of mercy, sharing a little they have and that of timeliness when doing things.
However, there is a need for Muslims to ensure perpetuation of these commendable traits, even when the month of Ramadhan seizes.
This is so because, abrupt stoppage of such fragrant characteristics may imply that, nothing has been learnt in this holy month, and that all the acts been done are not for the sake of Allah the omnipresent but for the sake of Ramadhan.
The good tidings which have been established should not break up when Ramadhan goes, the magnitude of people attending 5 Daily compulsory prayers should not go low when Ramadhan says goodbye, the spirit of sharing a little we have, and that of reciting Qur’an should not stop just after Eid but should prevail.
May this year’s Ramadhan be a successful teacher who should completely transform the way things are done, from being periodical practising Muslims to lifetime practising Muslims.
This year’s Ramadhan should be capitalised as no one knows that he/she will reach next year’s Ramadhan, by banking in it, since there are many benefits which are gained by fasting plus engaging in Ibada.
It is therefore very much encouraged to stay away from sinful actions; as such actions may end up spoiling the whole work done in the holy month, a it is in the below hadith.
Narrated Abu Huraira says: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)”
Sahih Bukhari (Fasting)
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 1903
In-book reference: Book 30, Hadith 13
With the above narrated Hadith, it is very much paramount to observe the dos and don’ts of this holy month, because it is in this month when doors of paradise are open and those of hell are closed as narrated in the following hadith;
Abu Huraira reported Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) as saying: “When there comes the month of Ramadan, the gates of mercy are opened, and the gates of Hell are locked and the devils are chained“
Sahih Muslim (The Book of Fasting)
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1079
In-book reference : Book 13, Hadith 1
May Almighty Allah make this year’s fasting a beacon of our complete change from bad to good behaviours, may He also make the fasting a source of getting to paradise.
