Spirit of Ramadan

When he is consumed by hunger and thirst, man realizes how weak he really is; he realizes how much he is in need of the succour of God. It is when man experiences this helplessness, ijz which is made manifest during the times when man feels hunger and thirst, that his true self meets God. Thus it is the discovery of the real benefactor that brings along with it immense pleasure and satisfaction. This experience makes him aware of his duties as God’s humble servant. This feeling leads to caution in life. It makes one God-conscious and live a life of piety, taqwa. Roza is, therefore, an opportunity or the meeting point between man and God. This meeting point is the last stage of helplessness, which makes you realize that God is all-powerful and man is helpless. SPIRITUAL TRAINING DURING RAMADAN Ramadan is a month of supplication, contemplation, sympathy and training in humility. How does fasting lead us towards these virtues? Fasting, by its very nature, is an act of patience. Patience and forbearance are what lead a person to the state of the heart which enables him to experience the feeling of nearness to God. It is only then that words worthy of divine acceptance come to one’s lips. Patience is the ground on which the blessed tree of supplication or dua is grown. It is not just a verbal act. In its essence, it is an act of the heart. This shows the relation between fasting and supplication. Fasting increases the spiritual capability of a man’s heart and when this capability increases, the words which ensue are genuine, heartfelt and more precious. Real fasting is that which induces real dua.