A few days ago, we were greeting each other with "Blessed Ramadan!" and telling ourselves, "What a long and scorching month this will be!" And now, we have already completed the first ten days, passed the halfway mark, and barely felt the hardship that some had feared—how swiftly these days have flown by!

One striking observation this year is the increasing number of worshippers in mosques, their early arrival for prayers, and the many who remain in the mosque to recite the Quran, especially among the youth. How could it be otherwise in a month where the devils are chained? Those very devils that nest in hearts, whisper in chests, and take hold of minds in unconscious ways. Thus, a Muslim finds himself in Ramadan different from any other time of the year, and even different while fasting compared to when he is not. This is the blessing of Ramadan and the virtue of fasting.

When a person is freed from the shackles of temptation, the bondage of desires, and harmful habits, the soul becomes prepared for purification, and the heart is ready for sincerity and purity. Meanwhile, Paradise adorns itself for the devoted servants of Allah during this blessed month. Blessed are those who strive, blessed are the forerunners, and blessed are those drawn near to Allah.

"Strive for the abode where Ridwan is its keeper,
Where the neighbor is Ahmad, and the Most Merciful is its Builder.
Its palaces are of gold, and musk its mortar,
While saffron is the grass that grows within."

Among the unique virtues of fasting is that Allah has reserved its reward with Him. And what greater reward can there be from the Most Generous? In a Hadith Qudsi, “Allah says: Every deed of the son of Adam is for him, except for fasting; it is for Me, and I shall reward for it.”

Ibn 'Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was the most generous of the men; and he was the most generous during the month of Ramadan when Jibril visited him every night and recited the Qur'an to him. During this period, the generosity of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) waxed faster than the rain bearing wind. (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It is crucial to understand the essence of fasting and its jurisprudential rulings. We must adhere to its guidelines, embody its etiquettes and Sunnah, and strive to achieve its objectives and benefits. Guarding our faculties from sins and refraining from anything that nullifies the fast is essential. Abstaining from food and drink is not merely a physical act; it is a training in obedience and submission to Allah in all aspects of life. The Prophet ﷺ said: "If one does not eschew lies and false conduct, Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink."

The ultimate purpose of fasting is to cultivate taqwa (become righteous), as Allah says: "That you may become righteous." (Al-Baqarah: 183)

Then, we must strive for righteousness in our actions, lifestyle, and character, as Allah says: "So let them respond to Me [by obedience] and believe in Me so that they may be [rightly] guided." (Al-Baqarah: 186)

Finally, fasting should lead us to gratitude for Allah’s immense blessings, His guidance, and His favor: "Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful." (Al-Baqarah: 185)

I would like to remind myself and my dear brothers and sisters that good character takes precedence over many things. What is the benefit of carrying the Quran without embodying good manners? And what is the value of fasting without patience? A believer should treat people with kindness, uphold family ties, practice generosity, maintain a pure heart, refrain from harming others, call to goodness, enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong, guide the misguided, remind the heedless, endure mistreatment with patience, and show compassion and mercy—so that he may be worthy of Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and emancipation from the Hellfire.

It is narrated that the Commander of the Faithful, Umar ibn Al-Khattab may God be pleased with him, once went out at night to patrol the city. He saw a fire burning inside a tent and called out, "O people of the light!" avoiding the words "O people of the fire!" (from Kitab Al-Adhkiya by Ibn Al-Jawzi).

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Dr. Issam Abdul Latif Al-Faleej.
Source: Al-Watan Newspaper, 2012.

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