Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :
Holy Ramzan, the ninth month of the Arabic year and the best period for virtuous deeds, starts today with great inspiration and religious fervour. This month is unique, to have
Revelation of the Holy Quran-the universal and eternal message for guidance of mankind. The Muslims are fortunate to be followers of this Code of life.
This significant month was chosen by Allah as the period for obligatory fasting-the third ‘Rukn’ of Islam. The Holy Quran reveals : “(Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom : the feeding of a man in need-But whose doth good of his own accord, it is better for him : and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know-
The month of Ramzan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you and peradventure ye may be thankful.” (Sura Baqara 2 : 184, 185, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthal)
According to this verse, fasting is an ‘easy’ ritual and not a hard task. So, Allah wants that we should take fasting not as a burden, but as a blessing and be ‘thankful’.
Ramzan is the best time for training to build noble character by practicing self-restraint, patience and sacrifice. It should be said in this connection that the physical restraint should be reflected on our mentality which is expressed in ‘Sabr’ (patience). Otherwise, only outward fasting abstaining from food, drink and sexual pleasure proves useless. Rasulullah (Sm.) said, “Ramzan is the month of patience and in exchange to patience is Zannat.”
The holy Ramzan has three phases. The first ten days are of ‘Rahmat’ (blessing), the second ten are of ‘Maghfirat’ (forgiveness) and the rest days (nine or ten) are of ‘Nazat’ (salvation). The blessing, forgiveness and salvation are the goals of a Muslim for welfare in this world and salvation in the world hereafter. While he/she prays to Allah, prays for welfare in both the worlds. The dua (prayer) is: “robbana atina fid dunya hasanatau wafil akhirati hasanatau wakina ‘azaban nar.” This supplication is concluded seeking to get rid of the ‘fire’ of hell.
Ramzan has come as a blessing to open the doors of our worldly emancipation and post-worldly salvation.
Let Allah bless us to embrace His mercy, forgiveness and salvation in this Holy month.
Holy Ramzan, the ninth month of the Arabic year and the best period for virtuous deeds, starts today with great inspiration and religious fervour. This month is unique, to have
Revelation of the Holy Quran-the universal and eternal message for guidance of mankind. The Muslims are fortunate to be followers of this Code of life.
This significant month was chosen by Allah as the period for obligatory fasting-the third ‘Rukn’ of Islam. The Holy Quran reveals : “(Fast) a certain number of days; and (for) him who is sick among you, or on a journey, (the same) number of other days; and for those who can afford it there is a ransom : the feeding of a man in need-But whose doth good of his own accord, it is better for him : and that ye fast is better for you if ye did but know-
The month of Ramzan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, (let him fast the same) number of other days. Allah desireth for you ease; He desireth not hardship for you; and (He desireth) that ye should complete the period, and that ye should magnify Allah for having guided you and peradventure ye may be thankful.” (Sura Baqara 2 : 184, 185, The Meanings of the Glorious Qur’an by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthal)
According to this verse, fasting is an ‘easy’ ritual and not a hard task. So, Allah wants that we should take fasting not as a burden, but as a blessing and be ‘thankful’.
Ramzan is the best time for training to build noble character by practicing self-restraint, patience and sacrifice. It should be said in this connection that the physical restraint should be reflected on our mentality which is expressed in ‘Sabr’ (patience). Otherwise, only outward fasting abstaining from food, drink and sexual pleasure proves useless. Rasulullah (Sm.) said, “Ramzan is the month of patience and in exchange to patience is Zannat.”
The holy Ramzan has three phases. The first ten days are of ‘Rahmat’ (blessing), the second ten are of ‘Maghfirat’ (forgiveness) and the rest days (nine or ten) are of ‘Nazat’ (salvation). The blessing, forgiveness and salvation are the goals of a Muslim for welfare in this world and salvation in the world hereafter. While he/she prays to Allah, prays for welfare in both the worlds. The dua (prayer) is: “robbana atina fid dunya hasanatau wafil akhirati hasanatau wakina ‘azaban nar.” This supplication is concluded seeking to get rid of the ‘fire’ of hell.
Ramzan has come as a blessing to open the doors of our worldly emancipation and post-worldly salvation.
Let Allah bless us to embrace His mercy, forgiveness and salvation in this Holy month.
