Spirit of Ramadan

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEHRI better society, while lack of self-control in individuals leads to the destruction of peace. As far as the individual is concerned, selfcontrol serves as a means of personality development. This way of life, in turn, saves others from unnecessary problems. There is a ‘pre-control’ for exercising self-control, and that is, thinking. When a person adopts a life of self-control, he first thinks about what path he should tread. Only after considerable thought, does he plan out his course of action. A life lived in this way will necessarily be marked by creative thinking. In addition, self-control contributes to one’s intellectual development and turns one into a man of wisdom. In Islam, fasting is worship. And worship is for God. But fasting is the kind of worship which at one and the same time is for the sake of God and for the sake of man. Thus, if fasting is observed in the right spirit, in all sincerity, it will make an individual pious and responsible.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF SEHRI During Ramadan, the meal taken before dawn is called Sehri. The Prophet asked his companions to eat Sehri saying “Eat sehri because it is a blessing” (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith No. 1923) The Prophet invited a companion to partake of Sehri saying “Come, eat of the blessed food.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, Hadith No. 2344) Another companion relates that during the month of fasting, “Once I went to the Prophet before dawn and he was eating Sehri. The Prophet observed: ‘Sehri is a blessing that God has bestowed on you. So do not leave it out.’” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 23142)