Ramazan is the month of the divine banquet. This banquet, like every banquet and gathering, is limited; hence, it should be appreciated and benefited in the best way. This episode is based on the sermon that the Prophet of Islam delivered before the advent of Ramazan. Hope you'll enjoy it.

The Messenger of Mercy, Prophet Mohammad (SAWA) said on the last Friday of the month of Sha'ban, "O people! Indeed, the month of God has turned toward you with blessing, mercy and forgiveness. It is the month in which you are invited to the banquet of God and have been placed among the lot of God's dignity."

 Every year, God invites His servants to converge in a feast which has no limit. It can accommodate infinite guests. This feast is the place where the angels swarm. Although this feast is boundless the routes are short and all of them lead to God. The angels are ready to serve the obedient servants of God. As if the mellifluous sound of the Prophet was reverberating in the space, "The month of Ramazan is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down as guidance to mankind, with manifest proofs of guidance and the Criterion."

As the angels commute around the servants of God, at times they raise their hands to the sky and pray for the guests of God. These are the same angels whom the Prophet described, "In Ramazan, God designates a group of angels to pray for those who fast; and this prayer for them is asking for goodness from God."

 Some of the angels have the duty of safeguarding this feast and banquet. They do not let in the Satan and its followers so that the guests of God enter in communion with the Creator.

The month of God is resplendent with the sound of the ayahs (verses) of the noble Qur'an which are recited by the faithful. The ayahs of the final Heavenly Book really make the listener humble and urge him to ponder though for a few moments.

The midnights of this month of the divine banquet are filled to the brim with supplication and prayer of the servants of God who keep vigil to seek His satisfaction and forgiveness. Then, as if they sense God's smile, they get ready to have their suhur, the meal that is eaten before the break of dawn.

The guests of this banquet feel God closer than ever while they are engaged in prayer and supplication. They feel their demands at hand.

It is very spectacular to watch the fasting people while they are thirsty and hungry. They keep fasting with the hope that God will feed them in paradise with the foods and drinks which cannot be imagined by any mind.

People are humbler, more affectionate and caring towards each other. They try to please their fellow humans and brothers-in-faith more than ordinary days. They forgive their misdeeds sooner and they seek God's forgiveness. They are very glad once they invite others to their homes for Iftar (breaking of fast). They are the manifestations of the Qur'anic ayahs which read, "They give for the love of God to the needy, the orphan and the prisoner, saying, 'We feed you only for the sake of Allah. We do not want any reward from you nor any thanks."

Although the addressees of these ayahs were the Prophet of Islam, Imam Ali, Lady Fatima, Imam Hassan and Imam Hussein (Blessings of God upon them), every faithful can follow their model.  

We should appreciate the priceless opportunity of Ramazan for self-building. Every moment of this month should be considered as an unmatched jewel. The moments of midnight are especially unique in this regard as they are the time of communion with the Creator. The moments of the blessed month of Ramazan should be considered in a way as if they would never return again. By permitting us to breathe in Ramazan, God has granted us a broad highway to refine our soul and heart and reach His proximity. Ramazan is a period of exercise and preparation for the rest of the year. It helps us bolster the grounds for abstaining from vices and attaining divine traits. Leader of the Islamic Revolution said, "Ramazan is a segment of paradise in the burning hell of the material world."     

RM/ME