بنتِ Abul Khair Azmi
The holy month of Ramadan is a great source of spiritual training, moral purification, and inner reform for mankind. In this blessed month, Allah Almighty bestows upon His servants a special opportunity to be illuminated with the light of worship, repentance, patience, and gratitude. Fasting is not just about enduring hunger and thirst, but it is a comprehensive act of worship that teaches a person patience, tolerance, self-control, and high morals.
Fasting is one of the fundamental pillars of Islam, the obligation of which is mentioned in the Holy Quran in such a way that fasting puts a person on the path of piety. A person who fasts limits his desires for the sake of Allah and learns to control the rebellion of the self. The truth is that fasting creates in a person the power of patience that keeps him steadfast in the difficulties of life.
Patience is the most beautiful and powerful attribute of human life. Patience does not only mean enduring suffering, but facing situations while being content with the will of Allah Almighty. Fasting teaches man the same lesson that when he can give up even lawful eating and drinking for a fixed time, then why can't he avoid forbidden and undesirable deeds. In this way, fasting proves to be the best school for reforming the self.
The atmosphere of Ramadan softens the heart and awakens the soul. When a fasting person feels the intensity of hunger and thirst, he feels the suffering of the poor and needy. This feeling of sympathy creates an atmosphere of love, brotherhood, and fraternity in the society. Fasting actually teaches man to live not only for himself but for the whole of humanity.
The teaching of patience is a great message of fasting. In life, difficulties, illness, poverty, and trials are a test for man. When a fasting person chooses the path of patience for the sake of Allah, Allah Almighty elevates his status. In the Holy Quran, good news has been given to those who are patient that Allah is with those who are patient. Patience gives a person mental peace and inner satisfaction and illuminates his heart with the light of faith.
Fasting also bestows moral elevation on man. The fasting person has been especially urged to avoid backbiting, lying, fighting, and abusive language. If a person, even after fasting, remains involved in moral evils, then his fast is not complete in spiritual terms. Fasting takes a person's tongue, sight, and heart all towards purity.
Fasting also creates a sense of gratitude within a person.
When a person stays away from his favorite things for a while, he realizes the value of Allah Almighty's blessings. Even a sip of water and a morsel of bread feels like a great blessing from Allah. This feeling saves a person from ingratitude and puts him on the path of gratitude.
Patience and fasting are both indispensable to each other. Fasting is practical training in patience and patience is a means of strengthening faith. The person who controls his self while fasting also acquires the wealth of self-control in other matters of life. That is why Ramadan is called the spring season of spiritual reform.
Fasting brings man closer to Allah Almighty because fasting is especially for Allah and its reward is also given by Allah Himself. When a fasting person remembers Allah between Sehri and Iftar, his heart is illuminated with the light of faith. This state of patience elevates man to spiritual heights.
Fasting is not just an act of worship but a complete code of life. Fasting gives man the highest teachings of patience, tolerance, morality, sympathy, and piety. The person who understands the message of Ramadan can improve both his world and the hereafter. May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to understand the true spirit of fasting, to acquire the wealth of patience, and to benefit from the blessings of Ramadan. Amen.