A FOOL'S PARADISE

O God, let the moon of the month of Ramazan bring a month of peace and security for all of us. At-Tirmizi, Ad-Darmi, Musnad Ahmad. This Hadith shows the feelings with which the Prophet of Islam welcomed the month of Ramazan. These words of the Prophet provide a certain proof that the month of Ramazan has nothing to do with war and fighting. Rather, it aims at building a society in which peace and goodwill flourish. While giving the command of fasting in the month of Ramazan, the Quran says: So that you may guard yourselves. THE QURAN 2: 183 That is, fasting has been prescribed to enable people follow the right path; to receive training for a life of righteousness. Taqwa, or guarding oneself, finds explanation in a Hadith. Umar Farooq, the second Caliph once asked Ubayy ibn Kaab, a senior companion, as to what Taqwa was? He replied, “O, Leader of the believers, have you ever taken a path with thorny bushes?” He said, "Yes." Ubayy ibn Kaab asked as to what he did then? “I gathered my clothes and walked my way.” Ubayy ibn Kaab said. It is this cautious attitude which is called Taqwa (Al Qurtubi p. 162). The month of Ramazan is the month of Taqwa. In the light of this saying by the companion it would be wholly appropriate to say that the month of Ramazan is the month of guarding oneself against the thorns. In such a case, how strange it would be to conceive of the month of Ramazan as the month of entangling oneself in thorns. In the end The ultimate reckoning should make us examine our lives with the greatest earnestness.