RAMADAN is here again. This year, it comes at a time when Muslims the world over are coming to terms with the harsh realities of the new century. After only one year into the 21st century, Muslims are being confronted with the task of re-establishing what Islam is really all about and what the faith stands for. The attacks on Sept 11, infamously known as 9-11, resulted in skewed perception of Islam and the believers of Islam. This isconception
is nothing new but has been magnified tremendously after 9-11.
Islam has been portrayed, directly or otherwise, as an intolerant, bloodthirsty, violent and aggressive religion. Its believers, meanwhile, are seen as fanatic, narrow-minded, ruthless and destructive people. Whether intentional or not, Islam has been painted with these antagonistic colours. This hostile picture has tainted the true image of Islam. And the time has come for Muslims to clean these stains.
Ramadan could not have come at a better time.
As such, Muslims should take the advantage presented in the form of Ramadan to present the true image of Islam and the Muslims. Ramadan is not just about fasting during the daytime. It goes beyond that. The holy month of Ramadan is also a training ground for Muslims to cultivate good character.
In performing fasting throughout Ramadan, a Muslim would feel closer to God. This sense of proximity is known as muraqabah, where a Muslim knows that God is watching his every action.
Fasting is an act of worship that requires self-restraint and discipline. If one was to break fast, he could do so at any time without anyone knowing. Hence, muraqabah would instil within a Muslim traits such as discipline, self-restraint and self-control while at the same time, bringing him closer to the Almighty Creator.
The fasting month also trains a Muslim to be patient and tolerant. A person who fasts would have o endure almost 12 hours without food and drink. Tolerance is equally important in performing the act of fasting. If a person who fasts comes across a child who is not fasting, he would have to be tolerant to the child, lest he lose his patience with the child, or worse still, lose his strength to fast.
These noble virtues, inculcated during the holy month of Ramadan are expected to be manifested in every Muslim in other months of the year. Ramadan is also the month of giving and sharing. Muslims are encouraged to give donations to the needy or for a charitable cause.
God has promised great rewards for charitable acts during this month.
That is why Muslims would share their meals for breaking fast with their neighbours. This form of sharing would no doubt strengthen neighbourhood ties. Strengthening neighbourhood ties can also be seen during the performance of the optional terawih and witir prayers at night after the compulsory Isyak prayer.
This is a time to get together with friends and neighbours. As such, not only neighbourhood ties are strengthened, the bond of Muslim brotherhood or ukhwah is also fortified at the same time.
In this matter, God says in verse 10 of Surah al-Hujurat in the Quran to the effect that: “The believers are but a single brotherhood, so make peace and reconciliation between your two (contending) brothers, and fear God, that ye may receive mercy”.
At the same time, Ramadan is also a time for compassion and sympathy. A person who fasts is actually given a tiny taste of how it feels like to be hungry and thirsty. It is hoped that this would make a Muslim at least understand the suffering that plagues the world.
For Muslims in Malaysia, this would make us realise that Malaysia is indeed blessed with peace, harmony and prosperity – something that not many countries possess. In verse 243 of Surah al-Baqarah of the Quran, Allah reminds mankind to be thankful to the effect that: “For God is full of bounty to mankind, but most of them are ungrateful”.
Such is the beauty of Ramadan. It is a month that can bring out the best in Muslims in terms of character and virtue. If Muslims all around the world could continue to observe these virtues even after the month of Ramadan, then Islam would be viewed in a better light by the rest of the world.
The conflicts besieging the world are a result of misunderstanding, misgivings and lack of trust and failure to understand each other. God purposely created mankind differently in terms of creed and belief as well race and colour. The reason is simple – for all of us, regardless of our background – to know and understand each other
better, and not to bicker amongst ourselves.
This is stated clearly in the Quran to the effect that: “O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other (not that ye may despise each other)” (Surah al-Hujurat, verse 13).
Ramadan can indeed bring out the best in Muslims.