Questions and Answers

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Prophet Muhammad divided the month of Ramadan into three parts. He called the first ten days, “Blessings”, the next ten days, “Forgiveness” and the last ten days, “Freedom from hell-fire”. (Shu’abul Iman, Hadith No. 3336) The main aim of fasting is to weaken a man’s dependence on material things and strengthen his spiritual resolve, so that he may enter the higher realms of piety. In this sense, Ramadan is a month of restraint and worship; of caring and thanksgiving; of repentance and piety. The multitude of benefits of Ramadan inspired the Prophet to exclaim: “Welcome to the one who purifies!” (Kanzul Ummal, Hadith No. 23692) Ramadan is a month of spiritual activism when believers endeavour to awaken their spirituality. It is a scheme to improve human beings. How does Ramadan help in moral rectification? During Ramadan a dramatic change comes over the Islamic community. Believers are seen sitting inside mosques, reciting the Quran, immersed in prayer (dua) and the remembrance of God. They become more detached and contemplative. Their boisterous and frivolous urges are curbed. Man is a social being: he is either encouraged or depressed by his surroundings. This sea change in communal life during Ramadan therefore affects the individual believer. He is encouraged by the change in his brethren and inclines more and more towards God. Believers turn away from common vices and peace and tranquillity reign in all the neighbourhoods and marketplaces. All these changes create a good environment for moral rectification. The bad become less so and the good become better. Why Ramadan is called a month of patience? In the hadith, Ramadan is called the month of patience. (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 20323). This month is meant to serve as a training course in patience.