Foreword Significance of Ramadan

Prophet Muhammad once said that one who keeps a fast but does not stop lying or practicing wrong ways then God does not need him to leave his food. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1689) The term ‘leave’ in this tradition actually refers to the symbolic leaving of wrong practices. Ostensibly, fasting means to abstain from food and drink but, in spirit, it includes abstaining from all kinds of undesirable activities. Abstaining from food and drink is in fact symbolic abstinence. Ramadan is, in essence, a form of an annual training for living a responsible life. Being of a responsible character means doing what is wanted and refraining from all such deeds as are undesirable. The month of Ramadan begins from the sighting of the moon. It is reported that when the Prophet of Islam saw the new moon of Ramadan, he said: “O God, make this month for us a month of peace and submission.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 1397)