Ramadhan, the Month of God (11)

Welcome to the 11th episode of “Ramadhan, the Month of God.” As usual we start with the special supplication of the day:

 “O Allah, incline me this day toward good-doing, and make vice and disobedience hateful to me; save me in it from Your displeasure and hellfire; with Your help, O Succour to those who appeal for help!”

In the words of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, the blessed month of Ramadhan is the best opportunity to purify the soul. He says: "The month of Ramadhan is a good opportunity for self-building. We are actually a crude substance, which with sincere efforts we are able to turn into a fine finished product. If we accomplish such a thing then we have done the necessary job. This is the goal of life."

Ramadhan is the month of self-reform, the month of purification of the soul, the month of relief from the plots of the devil and of animalistic tendencies. The spiritual atmosphere of this month is ideal for self-building and overcoming faults, shortcomings, and carnal desires.

In the view of the holy Qur'an, the human being is like a white tablet which could either be kept in its pure state through pursuit of lofty values or become contaminated by mean desires and vices. It is up to lead the proper life.

In Surah Shams, God, after taking 11 solemn oaths, stresses that piety and purification of the self is the only factor for salvation, while immorality is the cause of misery and ultimate collapse. That's why God sent messengers to guide people to the right path. It is narrated that whenever Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny) used to recite this ayah of Surah Shams, he would ponder a bit, then he would say, "My God! Grant me the piety of my inner self as You are the Guardian of my inner self. Preserve it cleanse and untainted as You are the Best Preserver."

The Prophet’s fourth Infallible Heir, Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS), in the manner of his illustrious ancestor, used to supplicate to God with the words: "O God! Enable me to have the merits and virtues that are the best means for purification of the self."

Self-purification removal of what are obstacles in the way of proper growth. Living creatures usually face obstacles that are detrimental to their growth and contrary to their nature. As for the human being, cleansing the contaminations is tantamount to removal of obstacles and leads to proper growth.

The fasting of Ramadhan is thus a constructive programme that causes virtues to grow. Basically, abstinence from certain desires and instinctive acts paves the ground for development of proper cognizance and bolsters willpower.

The acclaimed Iranian scholar, Martyr Ayatollah Motahhari, writes: "The aim is that flawed people become decent and decent people become perfect ones in this month. The schedule of the blessed month of Ramadhan is self-purification and removal of flaws, in order to make the intellect, faith and willpower prevail over carnal desires. The month of Ramadhan is the month of flying toward God and elevating the spirit. If a person endures hunger and thirst for thirty days in this month but there are no positive changes in him/her, then fasting is ineffective for him."

According to the holy Qur'an, piety (Godwariness) is the most important fruit of fasting. Godwariness means abstinence from sin and carnal desires. Godwariness is like a lamp that shows the right path to human beings and provides protection against the destructive waves of sin. The Prophet told his loyal companion, Abuzar, "O Abuzar! Godwariness is the source of whatever is good."

Islamic narrations stress that pollution of the self is a hurdle to attaining sublimity and perfection. It is a big wall against reception of the divine blessings and mercy. Imam Zain al-Abedin (AS) says, "Prophet Moses asked God, 'Who are the ones that stay in the shadow of Your Throne?' God answered, 'Those who are pure-hearted are in the shadow of My throne. They don't look at or want except truth and don't shun any act of obedience.'"

Dear listeners, those who believe that any single sin will ensue God's wrath, try not to disobey Him. They know that God sees all their actions and that He is Aware of even the minutest thoughts that flash across the mind.

The Marty of Karbala, Imam Husain (AS) has said: "Indeed, God the Exalted ordained the month of Ramadhan as the factor for conscientiousness and the race of creatures towards paradise through worship and obedience (of Divine Commandments). Some outpaced and attained salvation; while some disobeyed and lost. Thus, so astonishing are those who laugh much and are embroiled in frivolities. Hence, on that day when the good-doers receive their reward, those who had disobeyed will be sad with their loss."

AS/ME