Abdul Muqit Chowdhury :The Holy Quran reveals : “….That ye may (learn) self-restraint, -” (Sura Baqara 2 : 183) Fasting trains the rozadars to learn self-restraint. This restraint is Taqwa which keeps the Rozadar far from evils and misdeeds only for fear of Allah, asAllah -fearing is the source of Taqwa.This great virtue can bring revolutionary change in the character of a person. It is stressed in the Holy Quran in the following way : “O mankind. We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other). Verily, the most honoured of you in the Sight of God is (he who is) the most righteous of you. And God has full knowledge, and is well acquainted (with all things).” (Sura Al Huzrat 49 : 13)This verse calls the humanity in general. Allama Yusuf Ali comments : “This is addressed to all mankind and not only to the Muslim brotherhood, though it is understood that in a perfected world the two would be synonymous. As it is, mankind is descended from one pair of parents. Their tribes, races and nations are convenient labels by which we may know certain differing characteristics. Before God they are all one, and he gets most honour who is most righteous.”Taqwa begets righteousness and justice including all moral activities. A person, if guided and conducted by the principle of Taqwa, cannot do evil deeds according to his /her whims and caprices. This is a battle in the self. Fearing of Allah prepares oneself in such an uncompromising mentality that he/she bears a zeal to win over the evil instincts. This is ‘Zihad-fin-nafs’ – a battle within oneself. Holy Ramzan – the month-long practice of fasting has brought to us the contineous battle against the worst enemy -the satan’s provocations for breaking fasting or doing bad deeds which are forbidden by Allah Ta’ala and His Messenger Hazrat Muhammad (Sm). Fasting Muslims should have that mental preparation for struggle against the evils and the strong will of Iman (Faith) to win the battle. This ensures for him/her a character, which does not bow down to evil instincts. Righteousness and justice lead him in the path of ‘Seerat-ul-Mustakim’.Taqwa has been mentioned in the Holy Quran repeatedly. Allah has asked the believers to be guided by Taqwa and to abide by the injunctions laid by the Holy Quran and Sunnah abstaining from prohibited misdeeds. The force of Taqwa enables a person to refrain from evil and be just in the activities and dealings. He/she upholds justice at the cost of worldly loss, which becomes an eternal blessing for him/her in the world Hereafter. The Holy Quran reveals,”…….Be just : that is next to piety, and fear God. For God is well-acquainted with all that ye do.” (Sura Mayeda 5:8).
