True renewal lies in Taqwa — God-consciousness — not mere abstention from food
Ahsan Ul Haq
In the lunar calendar, the most blessed month is Ramadhan —the month of fasting. What deeper philosophy does the Creator want His believers to embrace by keeping them in this state of fasting, when in other months He permits many pleasures? For eleven months, God grants people free will to eat, drink, and do whatever is permissible. But as soon as Ramadan begins, an invisible curtain falls, drawing tight boundaries around them. From dawn to dusk, God calls His people to obey certain essential commands.
If Ramadan means “to burn” in Islamic theology, what exactly does it burn away? Physiologically, one might think of burning fat or shedding weight. But God intends something far deeper: it burns away the wrongdoings, sins—that His believers have committed, consciously or unconsciously. This is a month when one can seek His refuge, earn His blessings, and ask for forgiveness. It is like having a free hit in cricket or a mercy chance in an exam that God gives His believers a month of negotiation—a sacred chance to face their vices, enhance their virtues, and throw their sins into the fire.
Ramadan is a test from God to His creation. But why does He test us if He already knows everything? One would argue He tests our free will—to see how we choose obedience when we have the power to disobey. For believers, it’s also a test of empathy. Going without food and water for hours helps us imagine the struggles of those who dream of even two meals a day, a fresh sip of water, or simple pleasures. It becomes a month of deep contemplation, of looking inward at ourselves, our families, neighbours, relatives, and all of humanity—regardless of race or religion.
Above all, God wants to burn away the hatred that has built up like a snowball rolling down a mountain, growing heavier and colder with every turn. And by burning it means the purification of ego and desires. Scorching the soul’s impurities. Merely abstaining from food and drink from dawn to dusk, while still harbouring ill will, grudges, or vices, means one has achieved nothing but hunger. As God and Islamic teachings make clear: He has no need for such a fast. The true fast purifies the heart. This blessed month spreads the message of love, care, and concern for others.
In this scared month, the soul is invited to a quiet change. Ramadhan asks for to let go off ego’s endless cravings and rediscover the joy of being in close proximity to the Divine. Each iftiyar (breaking of fast) means more than just a meal. It acts as a reminder of hope after longing, abundance after deprivation, and God’s constant generosity towards those who seek Him. This burning month unveils the lesson that true freedom lies not in indulgence but in total devotion and submission.
God hardly needs fasting from His believers rather He looks for Taqwa (the God consciousness). This month demands compassion towards ‘God’s all children, love for humanity and for souls always purified.
This scared month philosophises to burn the inward hatred, ego, and human made embankments that divide continue to divide humanity and teaches us that the true renewal is not just confined to single month rather a lifelong cycle.
The writer teaches English Language and Literature at GDC Dangiwacha
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