'Ramadan': The Month for Revival

By Sithara Farhad Issac 

 

The month of Ramadan is here, for which the Muslims around the world had been waiting with devotion. A month of purity and sanctity when you drive off all the evils and welcome every goodness that a human being should posses. It is the month that provides the best opportunities for self attainment and spiritual emancipation. In Ramadan enmity subsides, bad habits are hated; kindness rules and helpful hands are everywhere.

During Ramadan the faithful take fast without food and water, the whole day dedicated to prayers and to recite the Quran as Ramadan is the month in which the lord sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). The name Ramadan comes from its root word 'ramadaa' which refers to the light rain that comes after the fall season washing off the accumulated dust. This very much signifies the deeds of the Ramadan month as everyone tends to wash off their accumulated sins with kind deeds and good thoughts. "It is the month, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness and its end, emancipation from the hell fire". Said Prophet Mohammed (PUBH) in a verse.

Fasting in the month of Ramadan has two dimensions a physical dimension and a non physical one. The physical dimension is about the abstention of food and water and the non physical dimension is the abstention of evil thoughts and deeds. Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) had said, "Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing from his fasting except hunger and thirst". Hence every mankind should remember that to fast is not merely a ritual thrusted upon but it's a way of reviving yourself and this should be done with honesty. The pureness of this month is even more hailed with the "zakkath" (help to the needy) that is observed on the 27th of the month. The Muslims believe that the lord had asked the rich and able to give away a major share of their belongings to the needy in this month. No person who approaches a Muslim home this month leaves bare handed.

Nowadays beautiful 'Iftar' meets are arranged where many people from all caste and creed joins to break the fast in the evening. Such meets evokes good thoughts of unity and friendship among everyone. However the huge amount of food wasted should be put into concern, as this doesn't signify anything about Ramadan and blessings aren't showered upon those who are bound by lavishness and luxury.

Let this Ramadan be a month to revive yourself, a month for the whole mankind to start good notes of life and follow to their rest of their life. Let every human being who comes out of the month be cleaner, leaner, tender and renewed.