As the holy month of Ramadhan enters its second week, it is essential for us to understand that it is not just about fasting and refraining of one’s edacity for food, it is also the most excellent time to reflect the purpose of our being and also the state of our souls. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban (the month before Ramadhan), saying, “Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; a month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer’s sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all ” (Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah)
The hadith above provides us with a clear picture of the opportunities that the month offers for those who seek meaningful transformations to their lives. As human beings that are always in need of constant reminders on the purpose of our existence, the fasting month is the best time for us to reflect and act upon the realization of the purpose. Though the act of fasting is seen as a personal deed, the impact of fasting especially in the month of Ramadhan must transcend the individual element. For instance, through fasting, we are made to feel and understand the hardships faced by the less fortunate ones and be patient in our dealings on matters concerning ourselves or others.
It is imperative for us to also develop the realization of our roles and the responsibilities that are attached to them. For instance, we need to especially play a more vibrant role in the society through the act of sharing and giving. As an individual unit in a larger segment of the society, the fasting month offers the chance for us to contribute in various areas that can benefit others. Our social responsibility in Ramadhan must not just be limited to the act of giving donations in the form of cash and kind but should also include contributions of our positive ideas and energy for the betterment of others in our society.
For the past few nights, we have been witnessing a great sense of unity forged through the congressional night prayers in the mosques nationwide. Those who understand the blessings of Ramadhan would be able to value the real kinship that ties the hearts together. Through the congressional prayers, we get to meet and greet our neighbours and other members of the community which we sometimes, for some reasons, are not able to do during other months.
Interestingly also in this year’s month of Ramadhan, the nation will be witnessing the whole process of a state by-election in Kuala Besut, Terengganu. As most of us know, the campaign period of an election is the time when candidates and party supporters are all up in arms to make sure that they are able to win the hearts and minds of the voters. It is usually the time when election speeches and campaigns can sometimes turn out to be a sad portrayal of political immaturity and insolent behaviour towards our political opponents. It is therefore important to take heed the hadith reported by Abu Hurairah, where the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) says: “All services of the son of Adam are for him except fasting. It is for Me, and I will reward him for it. Fasting is a shield. On the day you fast, do not use obscenity, nor yell at others, nor act ignorantly towards them. However, if anyone abuses you verbally or attempts to draw you to fight with him, say ‘I am fasting’ two times” (Narrated by Bukhari and Muslim). Thus, for this by-election, it is a hope that the tranquility that Ramadhan brings to the souls of individuals would be mirrored in our actions towards others be it friends or foes.
Most importantly, the blessed month of Ramadhan must be understood as the best time for character building and to know ourselves better. Through the acts of fasting, prayers and doing good deeds, the month of Ramadhan can indeed help us to reflect upon our strength and weaknesses and discover our true potentials as human beings. Hence, Ramadhan should not be taken lightly as just another month prior to the celebration of the Eid or a mere yearly tradition of food banquets and bazaars. Muslims should perceive Ramadhan as the chance given by Allah the Almighty for us to be closer to Him in the form of performing our ibadah (acts of worship) and be rewarded with His countless blessings in this world and the hereafter. Hopefully, this year’s Ramadhan would be a meaningful one to most of us with personal transformation of the souls and characters taking place. In effect, these transformations will make us better individuals that can benefit the society and the nation eventually.