There are 7 billion people in the world, about 2 billion of them will be fasting for the next 29 or 30 days. It’s Ramadan, the most sacred month in the life of human race especially that of the Muslims. Ramadan is the 9th month of the Muslims’ calendar. Fasting in the month of Ramadan is one of the 5 tenets or pillars of the religion of Islam. It is obligatory for all able Muslims.
Fasting from dawn until sunset, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. Muslims are also instructed to refrain from sinful behaviour that may negate the reward of fasting, such as false speech (insulting, backbiting, cursing, lying, etc.) and fighting. Food and drink is served daily, before dawn and after sunset. Spiritual rewards (thawab) for fasting are also believed to be multiplied within the month of Ramadan. Fasting for Muslims during Ramadan typically includes the increased offering of salat (prayers) and recitation of the Quran.
The most significant importance of the month of Ramadan is the fact that the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during this month. Ramadan is to refer to as the “best of times”. The first revelation was sent down on Laylat al-Qadr (The night of Power or Majesty) which is one of the nights or one of the five odd nights according to some of the last ten days of Ramadan.
According to Hadith, all Holy Scriptures were sent down during Ramadan. The tablets of Ibrahim, the Torah, the Psalms, the Gospel and the Quran were sent down on 1st, 6th, 12th, 13th and 24th Ramadan respectively. The predominant practice during Ramadan is fasting from dawn to sunset. The pre-dawn meal before the fast is called the suhur, while the meal at sunset that breaks the fast is the iftar.
Muslims also engage in increased prayer and charity during Ramadan. Ramadan is also a month where Muslims try to practice increased self-discipline. Charity is very important and this is more pronounced during Ramadan.
Ramadan is more significant today as it offers the faithful the opportunity to display and exhibit all the best of the religion of Islam. This offers a golden opportunity to change the narratives of Islam from the evil, dastard, criminal and shameful of acts of such organizations as Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, Daesh (ISIL) and other terrorist groups who are committing nefarious and inhuman crimes in the name of Islam. In the past, war and hostility ceased during the month of Ramadan but not today.
Ramadan offers us opportunity to show love, kindness and tolerance. It is a time to accept the diversity of the world in terms of religion, creed, believe, culture, history and behaviour. Above all, this Ramadan offers us an opportunity to make friends and let our fellow humans of other faith to understand us more. Let us use this Ramadan to heal and unite the world. Ramadan Kareem.
