The blessed month of Ramadan is once again upon us and no doubt Muslims will fill these blessed days with increased prayers and recitation of the Quran. Whilst this is all encouraged and needed, we must not forget how these rituals lead to becoming a better believer and therefore fulfil the purpose of the month of Ramadan.

In the Quran, Allah (SWT) says:

“O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may attain taqwa (piety, God-consciousness)”
Sūrah al-Baqarah: 183

Fasting is not merely an abstention of food, drink and physical desires. It is a month where we train our body and soul so that by the time the month finishes we are more conscious of Allah (SWT) than we were before. We discipline our body by denying all its usual pleasures and we train our soul by reflecting on the Qur’an and acting on all that it advocates.

Allah (SWT) also says:

“We sent Our Messengers with clear signs, the Scripture and the Balance, so that people could uphold JUSTICE”
Surah Al-Hadid: 25

The purpose and consequence of all our prayers and recitation should be this: so that we can act to uphold justice and therefore be more God-conscious. Many of us today feel and behave as an inferior, weak group of people who lack the courage and conviction to act on our beliefs and merely do as we are told. This mindset of passivity, especially in the face of oppression, has been cultivated by previous imperial powers that subjugated the Muslims for a long time. However, this is contrary to Islam because true Islam advocates belief followed by action.

In fact, Islamic history is full of events that were undertaken in the month of Ramadan that reflect the true teachings of Islam. Consider the battle of Badr, known as ‘Yawm-al-Furqan’ –‘The Day of Criterion’ – because it distinguished those who truly understood and obeyed Allah (SWT) and those who didn’t. This is but an example and you will find many like this.

We must not be weak; we must make Ramadan a month where we increase our prayers and recitation AND take action; we must become more knowledgeable about the oppression our Ummah faces around the world and speak about it openly and take intelligent action where we can. Whilst we cannot do everything, we will be held accountable for that which is within our remit.

Repeatedly reflecting on what we recite, followed by action and the propagation of this to others is what will train our body and soul to become more God-conscious and therefore achieve the aim of the month of Ramadan.

May Allah (SWT) make us of those who recite, reflect and do. Ameen.

Ramadan Mubarak to all from MPACUK

—

This Ramadan, please donate to MPACUK to help us take on the Islamophobia Industry. Your money will allow us to do more for our community. Donate via this link – mpacuk.org/donations

You can also donate via our MuslimGiving page – www.muslimgiving.org/Stop-Islamophobia

Jazaakallah

Save