Ramadan: A Month of Rigorous Training

RAMADAN: A MONTH OF RIGOROUS TRAINING Spreading the message of the Quran is a divine mission. According to the Quran, it is akin to providing support to God. Due to this speciality, the Prophet of Islam informed that fasting is preparing oneself for the sake of the divine mission. This is the greatest mission, so one who devotes himself for it is liable for the greatest reward. The Quran says: “The month of Ramadan is the month when the Quran was sent down as guidance for mankind with clear proofs of guidance and the criterion by which to distinguish right from wrong. Therefore, whoever of you is present in that month, let him fast.” (The Quran, 2:185) In fact, the month of Ramadan is the month of itikaf (going into seclusion). Minimum itikaf is for ten days and maximum itikaf is for one month. Fasting means staying away from all kinds of distractions, including abstaining from food and water for a temporary period, thus freeing oneself from all other activities and totally engaging in the study of the Quran. If you go through the Quran, you will find that the Quran is a book of mission. And, fasting in the month of Ramadan means saving yourself from all kinds of distractions, thus saving time for the study of the Quran. In this sense, the month of Ramadan is to discover the Quran and then to try to spread its message all over the world. One who observes fasting in this sense and prepares himself for the mission of the Quran and dedicates himself for this dawah mission, is promised unlimited reward. RAMADAN: A MONTH OF RIGOROUS TRAINING Prophet Muhammad called the month of Ramadan a month of patience. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 20323). The Quran states