Ramadan: A Month of Spiritual Training

RAMADAN: A MONTH OF SPIRITUAL TRAINING surrenders to the will of God as mentioned in the saying of Prophet Muhammad that a believer is like a tethered horse that moves only as far as its rope allows (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 11335). Ramadan is a kind of training course. Thoroughly imbued with the qualities of patience and piety during the month of Ramadan, one is able to maintain the same high standard of conduct through the rest of the year. The rationale behind fasting for a month is made clear by psychological studies. It tells us that for a habit to be inculcated, 30 days are required. It is not an overnight miracle but a lengthy process. The practice becomes a part of the personality only when it is observed every day for at least 30 days and it is only then that it may continue for at least a year. Fasting is a special training where one is being prepared to lead a principled life—not merely during the month of fasting, but, in fact, for the whole year round.