Ramadhan, the month of God (15)

Salaam and welcome to 15th episode of “Ramadhan, the month of God”.

As usual, we start with the special supplication of the Day:

“O Allah, grant me this day the obedience of the humble; open my breast therein to the penitence of the humble; with Your Clemency, O Haven of the frightened!”

Life becomes beautiful when social relations manifest kindness, altruism, cooperation, sympathy and the like. God says in ayah 265 of surah Baqara:

"The parable of those who spend their wealth seeking God's pleasure and to confirm themselves, is that of a garden on a hillside: the downpour strikes it, whereupon it brings forth its fruit twofold; and if it is not a downpour that strikes it, then a shower, and God sees what you do."

As is evident from the ayah that we recited, the bounties of the All-Merciful Creator are all around us, and the month of fasting actually increases the showers of Divine Blessings. Thus, Ramadhan is known as the period of strengthening bonds among believers. Ramadhan with its special rituals, instils in us the spirit to promote friendly relations and make them flourish. It brings souls and minds together. It is the month that aims at controlling the self. It is the season of fulfilling the needs of the poor and the hungry. Prophet Mohammad (blessings of God upon him and his progeny), says, “Surely the believers – in relation to the mercy and compassion and affection (that they show for one another) - are the same as one body. Therefore, if one part of the body is feeling pain, then it complains about this pain to the other parts of the body through a fear and hurt (so that the body can help the hurt or injured part)

The Prophet’s 6^th Infallible Heir, Imam Ja'far Sadeq (AS) has said, "A true believer is the brother of a true believer; like a body that if an organ suffers pain, other organs will also feel it."

Feeding the needy and helping the destitute are among the most beautiful aspects of the month of Ramadhan in accordance with innate human nature. The blessed month of fasting provides the best opportunity for doing good deeds and helping other people. When the moments of this month are interlinked with charity and helping the needy, the spiritual climate becomes or Ramadhan becomes clear.

In mid Ramadhan, on the occasion of the blessed birth anniversary of Imam Hasan Mojtaba (AS), the Prophet’s elder grandson, the Islamic Republic organizes the Days of Munificence in which many people participate for not just feeding and clothing the orphans, but catering to their different needs. On three occasions in his life of 47 years Imam Hasan Mojtaba (AS), distributed his all possessions among the needy, in order to set a lasting example of munificence and charity for the believers. 

In view of this fact, many in Iran, for the sake of God Almighty, partake of the Divine Banquet of Ramadhan by contributing to the welfare of the poor and the needy. They strive to make orphans smile and instill hope in the hearts of the poor people.

In the last ten days of the blessed month of Ramadhan, on the anniversary of the martyrdom of the Prophet’s First Infallible Heir, Imam Ali ibn Abi Taleb (AS), special programmes are arranged for the orphans, to feed them, to clothe them, and to cater to their various needs, as a sign of the love of the Muslims for the Commander of the Faithful, Imam Ali (AS).

On the day of Eid al-Fitr, too, special projects are organized for providing relief to prisoners, who for various reasons, may have been put behind bars. Thus, thousands of poor prisoners return to their families as their debts are paid by benefactors.

There are many well-to-do people who do not care about the condition of others. Because of stinginess, they never spend to help the needy. The Prophet’s Seventh Infallible Heir, Imam Musa Kazem (AS) says:

"As long as the people on the earth fulfill the trust and proceed on the right path, they will receive God's mercy and grace. God has servants on the earth who try to meet the needs of people. They are the ones who believe in truth and the Day of Judgment. Anyone who gladdens a faithful's heart, God will gladden his heart on the Day of Judgment."

The holy Qur'an has advised a lot on spending for the needy and God venerates those who spend in every condition. Those who spend habitually, they indeed spend at ease and hardship. Ibn Abbas narrates:

"One day, Ali (AS) had just 4 dirhams. He spent one dirham at night, one dirham in daylight, one dirham stealthily and one dirham clearly."

Indeed, ayah 274 of surah Baqara points to this event:

"Those who give their wealth by night and day, secretly and openly, they shall have their reward near their Lord, and they will have no fear, nor will they grieve."

RM/SS