THE MONTH OF CONTEMPLATION

The equivalent of spirituality in the Quran is rabbania, that is, a God oriented life. This expresses what the Quran means when it refers to spirituality. Spirituality, according to the Quran, is that mental state in which God-oriented thinking can develop in the individual. Such thinking reflects in his overall personality; his behaviour with others becomes Godoriented and his daily life becomes infused with divine hues. Thus Ramazan provides a framework within which devotees may improve themselves. Ramazan thus becomes a month of spiritual activism. The fasting person repeatedly reads in the Quran that God is the Sustainer, that is, while man is the taker, God is the Giver. Everything that a person receives in this world, right from his existence and the oxygen he inhales to stay alive to the sunlight necessary for his survival, everything is God’s gift. When a person starts to think in this way, he experiences a tremendous change within. He begins living in society as a giver-member. He becomes a creative member of society. Fasting inclines one to become a student of the Quran and, by seriously studying the Quran, one discovers those principles by which one may develop one’s personality and become a positive thinker in the full sense. o The main aim of fasting is to lessen a person's dependence on material things and develop a Godoriented thinking which will strengthen his spiritual and intellectual development. Trials & Tribulations In this world the aspirants to wealth and fame do not meet with success throughout their careers. Many are the trials and tribulations through which they must pass before they can savour the fruits of their endeavours.