‘Ramadan is like the rain. It nourishes the seeds of good deeds’
—Unknown

The word Ramadan originally meant the ninth month of the Muslim lunar calendar, also known as Hegira. Etymologically the word Ramadan comes from the Arabic root R-M-D and carries many meanings, which are all connected to heat, to burning. In religious terms, the importance of Ramadan comes not just from the fact that its requirements are set out in the Quran.
It is, first and foremost, the fourth pillar of Islam (the others being professing the Muslim faith, Prayer, Charity and making the Pilgrimage to Mecca, for those who are able). Ramadan is the month during which the Quranic revelation started. It was the “Night of Destiny”, Laylat al- Qadar, when the Quran begin to be communicated to the Prophet.
For Muslims, fasting is not only an act of repentance but a method of self purification or self control and spiritual discipline. The fasting in fact is an exercise in religious devotion in the form of cheerful and willing renunciation, for a definite period. The Qur’an says:
“Allah Almighty says {O you who believe! Observing Asyam (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you become Al-Muttaqun (the pious)” [Al-Baqarah 2:183]
The month of Ramadan has numerous wisdoms which include:
(1) Fasting reminds of Allah (SWT): Fasting reminds us of the blessings of Allah (SWT). When someone does not have food and water it reminds him that the blessings which he deprived for a certain short period of time for 10 or 8 hours after that he/she will get food, he will have excellent food on table. When he does not have food he is feeling the thirst or he is feeling the pangs of hunger, this reminds him of the blessings which Allah has given to him on daily basis.
(2) Fasting brings us closer to Allah (SWT): Fasting is a medium through which we get closer to, who makes us all the more grateful by restricting a blessing. We appreciate Allah more and we are grateful to Allah. The Qur’an says: “If you are grateful, I will surely give you more” {14:7}. And this gratefulness is developed in the month of Ramadan.
(3) Taqwa can be attained by Fasting: That you may become al-Muttaqun [the pious and righteous persons who fear Allah (abstain from all kinds of sins and evil deeds which He has forbidden) and love Allah (perform all kinds of good deeds which He has ordained)
The fasting person leaves everything which Allah has prohibited for him – from eating to drinking and sexual intercourse –seeking nearness to Allah and hoping in reward from Allah because of avoiding these things.
The fasting person trains his soul with the muraqabah of Allah, so he avoids performing those activities which his soul desires (although he has the ability to fulfill his desires) due to his knowledge that Allah is all aware of what he does.
(4) Fasting enables us to control our desires: because when a person is full his desires grow, but if he is hungry then his desires become weak. Hence the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: O young men! Whoever among you can afford to get married, let him do so, for it is more effective in lowering the gaze and protecting one’s chastity. Whoever cannot do that, let him fast, for it will be a shield for him.
(5) People attend the Masjid more frequently: During normal days outside the month of Ramadan we see 2 saf (row), 3 saf (row) but in Ramadan the Masjids are full.
(6) We begin to pray the Salah on time: Some sisters and brothers do not pray but the month of Ramadan has the magnet that attracts and connects us to Allah (SWT) and people start to pray on time.
(7) All of us are attached to the Qur’an: Ramadan is the month of fasting, giving charity but also Ramdan is called the month of Qur’an. In the verse 185 of the Surah al-Baqarah, Allah s.w.t has mentioned,
“The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion” (Surah al-Baqarah, 2:185).
In Ramadan people indulge more in reciting Qur’an to receive immense rewards and get closer to Allah (SWT). There are so many virtues of reading Qur’an, the best are the multiple rewards for reciting every single letter from it. In a hadith, Abdullah ibn Mas’ud reported that the Prophet (SAW) said, “Whoever recites a letter from the Book of Allah, he will be credited with a good deed, and a good deed gets a ten-fold reward. I do not say that Alif-Lam-Mim is one letter, but Alif is a letter, Lam is a lettere and Mim is a letter” (Sunan at-Tirmidi)
The other virtues of reciting the Qur’an are attaining peace, tranquility and calmness. Al-Bara’ reported, a man was reciting the chapter of the cave (Surah al-Kahf) with a horse tied with two ropes by his side when a cloud overshadowed him. The cloud came nearer and nearer till his horse became frightened of it. In the morning he went to the Prophet (SAW) and mentioned that to him. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Continue reciting. Verily, that was tranquility which came down for the recitation of the Qur’an” [Reference: Sahih Muslim 795; In-book reference: Book 6,Hadith 285]
(8) We increase giving to charity: Fasting makes people’s hearts go soft and they start giving more and more to charity. There are a lot of benefits of giving to charity. In a hadith, Abu Hurairah (may Allah bless him), reported the Allah’s Messenger (SAW) as saying, “Charity does not decrease wealth, no one forgives another but that Allah increases his honor, and no one humbles himself for the sake of Allah but that Allah raises his status” [Reference : Sahih Muslim 2588; In-book reference : Book 45, Hadith 90]
(9) We increase in our dua: We see in the month of Ramadan at Iftar time, Suhoor time, during the day, after Salah, we are always making dua. There’s a quote that says, “Don’t give up on your dua (prayer).You don’t know where the response will come from or how many evils were averted from your path or how much your scale of deeds increased in weight due to that one supplication.”
(10) Promotion of love and brotherhood: Ramadan encourages sharing gifts, foods, etc.This according to the Prophet (PBUH) increases love and good neighbourliness.
So, the month of Ramadan is full of opportunities and treasures for man to turn to Allah and to ask for forgiveness of his sins. May Allah the Almighty guide our hearts, minds and souls in each single step we take for His sake as we strive on the journey of life in this Ramadan to draw closer to Him through the beautiful wisdom of Ramadan and may Allah the Almighty accept all our good deeds.

The writer is studying BSc Nursing at AIHST Srinagar. [email protected]

Sayima Wani