CLARIFICATION OF A MISUNDERSTANDING

through prayer and the reading of the Quran. This is possible only when man distances himself from the material world and comes closer to the spiritual world of God. The following dictums amply make it clear that Ramazan is the month of peace. This is the month of awakening one’s inner nature, to be engrossed in thoughts of God, rather than in embroiling oneself in worldly matters. On sighting the new moon of Ramazan, the Prophet Muhammad observed: ‘O God, let the moon of the month of Ramazan appear on us with peace and security'. (At-Tirmizi, Ad-Darmi, Musnad Ahmad) The above supplication shows the feelings with which the Prophet of Islam welcomed the month of Ramazan. These words of the Prophet provide a definite proof that Ramazan has nothing to do with war. Rather it aims at building a society in which peace and goodwill flourish. On fasting during Ramazan, the Quran says: Believers, fasting has been prescribed for you, just as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard yourselves against evil. (2: 183). Fasting has been prescribed to enable people to follow the right path; to receive training for a life of righteousness (taqwa). Taqwa, guarding oneself, is explained in the following conversation between two companions of the Prophet. Umar Farooq, the second Caliph once asked Ubayy ibn Kaab, a senior Companion to explain the meaning of taqwa. He replied, “O leader of the believers, have you ever taken a path flanked by thorny bushes?” Umar replied in the affirmative. Ubayy ibn Kaab wished to know how he protected himself. He said, “I gathered my clothes close to me and went on my way”. Ubayy ibn Kaab said, “It is this cautious attitude which is called taqwa.” (Al Qurtubi) Ramazan is the month of taqwa; it is the month of guarding oneself against ‘thorns’. It would be strange to think of Ramazan as the time for embroiling oneself in thorns, instead of guarding oneself from them! o