Spiritual delights of fasting Ramadhan (13)

Today on the 13th day of the blessed month of Ramadhan, we start our daily programme titled “Spiritual Delights of Fasting Ramadhan” with the special supplication for the day:

 “O Allah, purify me this day from every defilement and filth; grant me therein patience over the events of Your ordaining; and dispose me therein toward piety and company of the pious; with Your assistance, O Comfort of the destitute!”

Praised be Allah, the Lord of all worlds, and blessings and peace be upon Prophet Mohammed, his infallible progeny and the righteous among his companions. The Almighty never promulgates any law unless there is a great purpose behind it in serving the interests of mankind, guiding them along the sublime path of piety and towards the lofty heights of perfection. He, the Exalted sent messengers and prophets as blessings to the humankind, to take them out of the labyrinths of uncertainty and aimlessness, guide them to the right path, and inspire in them a virtuous life, which ultimately will be of benefit in the world to come.

Allah did not forbid mankind from anything except what might bring certain harm; and He did not enjoin anything except that which is of benefit both in this present world and the hereafter. As part of His unbounded grace, the All-Wise has enjoined the month of fasting as an obligation on all those who profess to be Muslims. Hence, fasting Ramadhan could very well be described as Allah's banquet. It is among the wonderful aspects of Islam which build human character and personality, and help mould social life.

A Muslim while fasting experiences the aesthetic pleasure of Allah's proximity and the joy of divine blessings. The feeling thus instills the will in the believers to lead a life of content, filled with Allah's remembrance and ever responsive to His command. A Muslim who fasts experiences feelings of great spirituality and a profound sense of exaltation. He is sure of himself and is confident of moving towards perfection, because he consciously musters all his senses to direct his powerful will to serve and please his Creator. Fasting is not confined to one's inner self alone but also has its social effects in influencing the community as an integrated whole. A fasting community enjoys all the comforts and pleasures resulting from obedience to the Almighty.

The society consequently consolidates itself directing its energies towards constructive public welfare. The members of such a society feel a sense of responsibility towards each other, characterized by mutual cooperation and kindness. It is a society almost free of crime, jealousy and hatred. A society that asserts its supremacy over the mundane world of matter feels proud of its adherence to spiritual values. Fasting, therefore, is a duty of many-fold benefits. One of its significant effects is that it strengthens in the individual and society the will to resist temptation and defy the forces of evil, injustice and deviation. A believer's soul, having tasted the pleasures of fasting, will never submit to other than Allah, and will never entertain the idea of worshipping other than Him.

Hence, Fasting is one of the pillars of Islam, and a religious duty for all those who believe in Monotheism, and consequently whoever denies it is a disbeliever. It is an apparent sign of obedience, submission and servitude to Allah, the Exalted. By fasting, a Muslim expresses his submission to Allah's command, his response to His will, and the control over his own desires and wishes, at the Almighty's behest. In Ramadhan a Muslim's abstaining from food, drink, lawful sensual pleasures, etc. during the prescribed hours, is the very manifestation of obedience to the Creator's Will.

This self-deprivation represents a state of self-control, and of overcoming carnal pleasure, desire and enjoyment, for the blissful love of Allah, His proximity, and the eagerness to obtain His consent. It is a triumph of pristine love over one's desires and wants. It characterizes the control over transient pleasures for the eternal ones promised by the Almighty. This response to divine commandments represents true servitude, and is a brilliant display of spirit, intellect and decisive will power. By fasting, a person keeps himself away from the pleasures of life, with no preventive or hindrance factor, except that of obeying Allah and showing genuine devotion to His commands.

The purpose behind fasting was not just to prevent eating, drinking and lawful sensual pleasures during the prescribed hours but to refrain from all acts injurious to one's self and fellow humans so as to help build a virtuous and progressive society. A narration from the Prophet says: "The easiest duty enjoined by Allah on a fasting person is to forego food and drink."

Thus, in view of the Prophet's saying and practice, fasting has two evolutionary aims. The first is to protect a person from all forbidden acts such as backbiting, calumny, envy, lying, vain discourses and the like. And the second is to encourage and enhance the moral and spiritual level by such recommended deeds as reciting the Holy Qur'an, giving alms, meditating on one's past life and a more righteous future course, remembering Allah's favours and greatness, helping fellow-humans and the doing of various other good that benefits the self and the society. Fasting, therefore is an institution designed for educating the soul and casting it in an Islamic evolutionary mould.

We humbly implore Allah, the Most Exalted to guide the Ummah along the blessed path of Islam, and to accept the selfless deeds of fasting Muslims. He is the Most Excellent Patron, the Most Excellent Helper.

AS/ME