Farheena Hussainy
Ramadan (also known as Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity giving and self accountability for Muslims across the world. Ramadan, a blessed month, as the first verses of Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon Him) during the last third of Ramadan, thus according it a special status.
Ramadan is not all about eating biryani, instead it is all about changing one’s character. Ramadan is a God given practical opportunity to change one’s character and one which actually works. The fasting person abstains from the basic needs of food and water for 30 days from pre-dawn to dusk which helps him train his will power.
In Ramadan a fasting person is not only prohibited to eat and drink from pre-dawn to dusk but also avoid all vices. It includes shunning lies, false and shameless talk or act, fighting, backbiting, gossiping, arguing and laziness. This rigorous training helps one lead disciplined and responsible life in the remaining 11 months of the year.
The month Ramadan has endless blessings in it with huge benefits. One of the blessings of this holy month is compassion towards the other fellow humans. Our emotions and feelings of sympathy are directly related to our actual experiences. We cannot feel the gnawing, agony and suffering of sick person until we ourselves have undergone the same ailment. When we ourselves suffer a pain of sickness, we better understand and feel empathy of the other suffering ones. The rich or wel- fed cannot know what hunger is because they usually do not have to face it. Thus, poor people suffer with their poverty and compulsions of life but others who are better off cannot even understand the physical and psychological pangs of the poor.
The great month of Ramadan bridges these gaps which divide haves and have nots and makes the rich experience the pains of hunger. In one way Ramadan works as equalizer and makes the rich have empathy with the poor.
The greatest benefit and purpose of fasting as stated in Quran is to develop God-consciousness. The misery in human life is due to the lack of proper God-consciousness. Through fasting a person becomes conscious of God because every time he gets thirsty and hungry and though he can eat and drink, he abstains only because it is an order from God. This mont- long training in strengthening will power comes handy in following the other routine guidance revealed in the Quran. If one can withstand hunger, thirst and avoid sexual contact with his or her spouse, he or she is then in a position to resist all other temptations of life. Still more it helps to be alive and obedient to the laws of God Almighty.
Addictions can come in all shapes and forms and fasting in Ramadan provides an excellent opportunity to ditch them. Because Ramadan teaches one to be self restraint for the whole day.
Ramadan may be the perfect opportunity to restrain oneself and get back on track of healthy living as all the good habits build a feeling of peace, tranquility and self satisfaction.
