Assalamualaikum,
Muslims all over the world are happy that the blessed month of Ramadan is here. They have been waiting for it for eleven months; a month during which they fast from sunrise to sunset and strive to stay pure as was ordained to earlier nations. They do so willingly without any remorse and consider these restrictions to be blessings. Ramadan has been singled out to be a period during which the Muslims practice and develop their ability to self restraint (2:183). The reason for selecting this particular month for such a crucial exercise is cited by Allah to be that the Holy Quran, the last and the final message of God, was revealed to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) during this time (2:185), and that is indeed of great significance.

This Holy Book of Guidance and Values was revealed to mankind as a beacon of light (4:174) during a time of total darkness of values, and is such a blessing that the Muslims rejoice its advent throughout the month of Ramadan, the end culminating in the celebrations of Eid ul Fitr.

The practice of conscious abstinence introduces discipline into our lives; by strengthening our personalities through self restraint we get the chance to cleanse ourselves of the debris of unwanted habits that accumulate as we struggle through life. This month also gives us an opportunity to seek Allah’s forgiveness, remember to pay our Zakat obligations and read and ponder on the Quran as much as we can, to enable us to do what Allah has ordained and refrain from what He asks us to abstain from (22:41).

However, it is a bit ironic that we seem to have forgotten this purpose and Ramadan instead appears to be a month of excessive eating and buying. All the adverts and messages in the media and shopping centers are about food. Images of chicken, rice, jelly, milk, dry fruits, etc. etc. flood our television, newspapers and magazines. Shoppers are encouraged to buy more and more and there is a frenzy of sales at every grocery store and outlet. Restaurants send you text messages to your mobile phone with special offers. If you do not know any better we seem to be hosting a big shopping and eating festival.

What has all this to do with the blessed month of Ramadan? We dilute the significance of the month but converting it into a mere social event. Why don’t we give out societal messages instead such as, “Pay your workers decent wages, commensurate with the cost of living”, “Do not keep your domestic helpers awake all night”, “Be polite and humble in your dealings with others”, “Work harder this month and give more charity with your extra earnings”, “Don’t waste food”, in short reduce your needs and think of others? When we feel hungry during the day we should not only look forward to filling our own belly but remember the hunger of those who cannot afford or do not have access to food.

Unfortunately some of the poorest nations in the world where there is severe hunger are populated by Muslims. We should try to rid them of their hunger forever, not only by feeding them but by also improving their quality of life so that one day they can earn their own bread and feed themselves.
The Quran being a Book of Guidance for all mankind has advice on all possible conditions human society can have. These include verses on some very difficult and serious situations such as crime and war; but also scores of verses on compassion, forgiveness, being caring, providing for the needy and orphans, being respectful of human beings at large and being just with people under all circumstances, even if the result would go against ourselves or even if the other party is our enemy.

I have selected just a few of these verses as a reminder:

Eat and drink but be not be wasteful (7:30); Do not spend without reason (17:26) ; Always converse in clear, straightforward and decisive language (33:70); Speak in words that are commonly recognized and used (4:5); Do not follow anything without an inquiry (17:36); Always ponder over things (7:179); Do not spy on other people’s affairs that do not concern you (49:12); Never think that you have reached the final stage of knowledge (12:76); When you meet each other, offer good wishes and blessings (4:86); Do not expect a return for your good behavior (76:9); Co-operate with one another in good and virtuous matters (5:2); Always fulfill your promise (17:34); Observe assembly etiquettes while sitting in and leaving (58:11); When you are invited for a meal, do not go there before time (33:53); Do not be jealous of others (4:54); Do not slander each other (49:12); Do not envy (4:54); Do not laugh at others (49:11); Avoid suspicion and mistrust (49:12); Do not get into fits of extreme anger (3:133); Forgive him who repents seeks forgiveness (6:54).

This fair side of Islam needs to be promoted by Muslims with their words and deeds just as our beloved Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) and his pious companions did 1,400 years ago. That is the true nature of Islam which will teach us to better human beings resulting in a peaceful, tolerant society and world.

Ramadan Kareem