The Ultimate Purpose Of Fasting In Islam Is The Attainment Of Righteousness Or God-Consciousness (Taqwa) And Divine Pleasure
Ramazan,
The Quran, Righteousness, Interfaith Relations and Repentance
Highlights:
1. The ultimate
purpose of fasting in Islam is the attainment of righteousness or
God-consciousness (taqwa) and divine pleasure.
2. The most
paramount importance attached to Ramazan is due to the the Holy Quran being
sent down to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) during this sacred Islamic
month.
3. Keeping
fasts during Ramazan is actually aimed at training and preparing the believers
for Taqwa (Righteousness).
4. We must be
careful lest Ramazan passes by without our repentance, utilizing the season in
seeking Allah's forgiveness.
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By
Kaniz Fatima, New Age Islam
19 April
2022
The Holy
Quran clearly states:
"And your fasting is better for you if
you understand". (2:184)
From the
various verses of the holy Quran related to fasting, it is patently clear that
the ultimate purpose of fasting in Islam is the attainment of righteousness or
God-consciousness (Taqwa) and divine pleasure. Merely abstaining from eating
and drinking from sunrise to sunset is not the true essence of fasting. It is
rather focused on inner reflection, selfless devotion, self-restraint and
ego-training to be a better and more humane person.
Therefore,
the believers are required to carry on with an inclusive spirit of Siyam
(fasting) throughout the year, not just during the sacred month of Ramazan.
Here are the four different aspects of Ramazan that we may keep in view to
gainfully benefit from the harvest of this holy month:
1. Ramazan
and The Quran
Ramazan and
the Quran are closely connected. The most paramount importance attached to Ramazan
is due to the the Holy Quran being sent down to Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon
him) during this sacred Islamic month. The Quran was revealed as a divine
communication from the Almighty Allah to all mankind, not just the people of
Arabia.
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Also
Read: The Quranic
Concept of Interfaith Harmony and Universal Brotherhood
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Therefore,
billions of believers all over the world, who believe in the divinity of the
Quran, share great joy and festivity in celebrating this occasion. They reduce
their mundane affairs to the minimum during this month and proactively engage
in the acts of worship, particularly recitation (Tilawat) of the holy
Quran.
2. Ramazan
and Righteousness
Keeping
fasts during Ramazan is actually aimed at training and preparing the believers
for Taqwa (Righteousness). It brings an abundant opportunity to spiritually
gear up to live a life full of God-consciousness. This is extremely important
to bear in mind for the spiritual beneficiaries of Ramazan. One can only
achieve it by exploring the ultimate objective of fasting as stated in the
Quran:
"O believers! Fasting is prescribed for
you as it was prescribed for the people before you so that you may become
righteous".
(2:183)
3. Ramazan
and Interfaith Relations
Significantly,
it has been a rich tradition of Muslims in India to observe the month of Ramazan
not only as a sacred Islamic month, but also as a social and intercommunity
occasion. It is their tradition during Ramazan that they invite one another as
well as friends from other faith traditions to break the fast together by
sharing their food, and thus communicating around the table of interfaith
friendship and dialogue. The interfaith Iftar is usually held consecutively on
every marked day of Ramazan, particularly every Friday. Thus, this month is
deeply cultural and beautifully communitarian experience, too.
4. Ramazan
and Repentance
The sacred
month of Ramazan bring the believers feelings of both elation and caution. On
one hand, we become eager to rejoice in Allah's attributes of Rahmat and Maghfirat
(divine grace and infinite mercy and forgiveness) throughout the month, but on
the other, we also need to be more careful of passing the divine exams by way
of repentance and return to Allah. Repentance in Ramazan is a great
opportunity. We must be careful lest Ramazan passes by without our repentance,
utilizing the season in seeking Allah's forgiveness. The holy Prophet (peace be
upon him) said: “May Allah humble the one who lives long enough to witness Ramazan
and passes the month without being forgiven.” (At-Tirmidi)
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Kaniz
Fatma is a classic Islamic scholar and a regular columnist for New Age Islam.