UNTOLD BLESSINGS OF RAMADAN

Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wa Taala declares in verses 183 to 185 in Surah Al-Baqarah: "O ye who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that ye may (learn) self-restraint, (Fasting) for a fixed number of days; but if any of you is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed number (Should be made up) from days later. For those who can do it (With hardship), is a ransom, the feeding of one that is indigent. But he that will give more, of his own free will,- it is better for him. And it is better for you that ye fast, if ye only knew. Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (Signs) for guidance and judgment (Between right and wrong). So every one of you who is present (at his home) during that month should spend it in fasting, but if any one is ill, or on a journey, the prescribed period (Should be made up) by days later. Allah intends every facility for you; He does not want to put to difficulties. (He wants you) to complete the prescribed period, and to glorify Him in that He has guided you; and perchance ye shall be grateful."

The meaning of 'prescribed' is to state what has been made an obligation (Fard) while 'fasting' is to abstain from food, drink and intercourse with a clear, loyal intention to please Allah (swt). 'Those before you' refers to those nations that preceded the Muslim Ummah. 'That you may have taqwa' means that fasting helps to bring Taqwa (however, it is not the divine reason, 'illah, for fasting). Taqwa comes from the word 'waqiya', which means to protect. It is protection from the Anger of Allah (swt) and His (swt) punishment. This is why Taqwa is used to describe the performing of actions, which pleases Allah (swt) and abstaining from all actions that displeases Him (swt).

Fasting is one of the strongest factors that helps in the purification of the Nafs and cleanses it from the impurities and degenerative morals. It was narrated in both Muslim and Bukhari that Muhammad (saw) said: "O you youths, whoever has the ability (urge) so let him get married and the one who does not have this ability, let him fast, for it is a protection for him." Regarding the 'fixed number of days', this as before Allah (swt) ordered the fasting of the month of Ramadan. Prior to this, fasting was observed three days of every month.This was then abrogated by the fasting, which was prescribed in the month of Ramadan.

When Allah (swt) says: "but if anyone of you is ill or on a journey, the prescribed number should be made up at later days." This is a license from Allah (swt) to the ill and the traveller to break his/her fast and to make up all those days that he/she did not fast, later on. 'For those that can do it with hardship' i.e. they can fast but with a great deal of hardship. The difference between those and the ill is that the ill can recover by Allah's Will but those that are called 'zamani' are considered as those with a terminal situation. Allah (swt) has given the licence to the 'zamani' to feed a poor man a meal everyday in absence of fasting, but that he will give more of his own free will it is better for him/her. If the traveller, the patient and the 'zamani' could fast without bringing harm to them it is better than taking the licence. 'Ramadan is the month in which the Qur'an was sent down'. Allah (swt) sent the Qur'an wholly and completed to Bait Al'Izam, the sky in Lail-a-tul Qadr (the night of power) in he month of Ramadhan. Then it was sent down gradually. The first ayat were revealed in the month of Ramadan in the Cave of Hira to Muhammad (saw). A guidance to mankind and clear signs for guidance and a criteria'. The Qur'an guides people and shows them what they need and distinguishes between halal and haram, the Haq and Batil, Good and Bad, for them. Allah (swt) encourages man to complete the prescribed period and to glorify Him (swt) in that he has guided you, that you may be grateful.

COMMENT: The above are some explanations taken from the classical mufasireen on the Ayaat that refer to this blessed month of Ramadan. All praise to Allah (swt) who gave us this month to further gain a strong foothold to Jannah through our worship to Him (swt) and sent down the Qur'an during this month as 'houdan linas' i.e. a (complete) guidance for mankind to live his/her life according to it. Allah (swt) says in the Qur'an:
"Nothing is left out of the book" (6:38) Also Allah (swt) says: "Follow what has been revealed to you (Surah Al-Maidah verses 49 and 50) This indicates not only the comprehensive nature of Islam which the blessed month of Ramadan epitomises, but the second ayat clearly demonstrates the obligation to take the Qur'an and the Sunnah and apply it all of our life's affairs.

The Qur'an though revealed in Ramadan is not intended to be restricted and applied only during the month of Ramadan or to matters that are solely related to the personal worships. Rather Islam came for all times and all aspects of our life, whether spiritual, political, economic etc. and all are a worship to Allah (swt). Therefore, in the same way that Allah (swt) has 'prescribed' (obliged) fasting for us in the month of Ramadan, Allah (swt) has 'prescribed' (obliged) the implementation of Islam in its entirety. Almighty Allah (swt) says: "Verily the rule is for none other than Allah." (Surah Yusuf verse 40) "Whosoever judges by other than what Allah has revealed" (Surah Maidah verse 44)

In the same manner we do no neglect the observance of our fasting, we must not and cannot neglect the observance of implementing Islam comprehensively. Its absence is a sin on our necks, which we must work to remove through engaging in those actions sanctioned by Islam to resume the Islamic Way of Life i.e. Khilafah. And it is through its establishment that we can return the dignity that rightfully belongs to Islam and to this beloved Ummah, which Allah (swt) has described as the best nation brought unto mankind. May Almighty Allah (swt) accept the fasting of this beloved Ummah.. Ameen. Baarak - Allaahu Feekum - wa sal-Allahu wa-salam 'alaa Nabiyyinaa Muhammad, was Salaamu 'alaykum wa-Rahmatullahe wa-Barakaatuhu.