Let’s try to forgive everyone who has wronged us so that we can ourselves be forgiven in this blessed month of mercy and forgiveness bestowed upon humanity by Allah. Ramadan is meant to be a time of spiritual discipline of deep contemplation of one’s relationship with Allah. One must understand its real essence, which is not just about abstaining from food and drink during daylight hours but rather the spiritual abstaining from all falsehood and bad deeds or intentions. Fasting is obligatory for Muslims only so that they may attain the real essence and purpose of fasting, which is “Taqwa” – righteousness.
One protects oneself by always keeping Allah in mind. When we say something or do something, we must be very careful, vigilant and cautious about it because we know that Allah sees not only our actions but also knows our thoughts and intentions, all that which we conceal in our hearts.
Ramadan is one of the most blessed and revered months of the year, so one must not spend a single moment without worshipping Allah in thoughts and deeds. The whole month of Ramadan is divided into three parts of ten days with each part called an ‘Ashra’, an Arabic word which means ten days. Every ‘Ashra’ has its countless blessings and rewards. The first ten days are the days of mercy and we should seek mercy during these days. The third part is believed to provide release from the fires of hell. May Allah give us the strength to seek Allah’s mercy, forgiveness, and release from the fire of hell! Ameen.

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Mushtaq Bhat