Hasan kamoonpuri -
(Second part of the “The best platform for reforms and spiritual awakening” series.)
Significantly, Ramadhan fasting offers a profound lesson in establishing who the master is and who is the servant because our body is a wonderful servant, but a terrible master. The flesh, or carnal nature, always strives to be in control.
In this way, fasting helps free human reason, the greatest gift of God to man, from the tyranny of unruly desires, appetites, whims and caprices, which often overwhelm and enslave it.
Fasting puts human reason back in the driving seat, to take charge of the ship of life and steer it wisely and safely through the stormy and dangerous seas of this life under the guidance of Divine Revelation.
In the holy month of Ramadhan, we learn that just as the body requires physical nourishment, the soul must be nourished spiritually.
As fasting and prayer bring about the surrender of body to mind and wisdom; they also generate a heightened sense of the presence of the Creator, thus giving rise to a fresh, mysterious joy and a renewed determination to serve humanity.
Fasting allows the body to heal itself and helps relieve tension. It helps you graduate to a higher degrees of maturity.
Fasting helps in conditioning the heart, the soul, and the body on the virtues of patience. And patience is the pinnacle of self-mastery, discipline and spiritual agility.
Since the Glorious Quran was revealed during the holy month of Ramadhan, people read it more often with understanding in this month. It is therefore important to outline here some of the world wide trends created by the glorious Quran.
IMPACT OF THE GLORIOUS QURAN
The Glorious Quran is a living miracle in many ways. Its worldwide impact is deep, positive and continuing. For example, in the Glorious Quran, Allah, the Most Exalted and Glorified, asks believers not to drink alcohol, as it is the “handiwork of Satan” (Quran 5:90). As a result, Islam has created the world’s largest society of teetotallers.
In the Glorious Quran, Allah, the Most Exalted and Glorified, says: By no means shall you attain righteousness, unless you give of that which you love. Allah knows whatever you spend.” (3:92)
As a result, Islam has produced the world’s largest community of charity-givers. Throughout the year in general and during Ramadhan in particular Muslims give charity (sadaqah) in addition to the mandatory Zakat (poor-due).
In the Glorious Quran, Allah says: “Fasting is prescribed for you………..so that you may guard (against evil)” (2:183).
As a result, Islam has produced the world’s largest community of people who undertake fasting not only during the holy month of Ramadhan but on all important occasions in their lives.
Allah says: “The Mu’minoon (those who believe in Allah and His Messenger) are but a single Brotherhood.” (Quran 49:10). As a result, Muslims love one another, embrace one another, pray together and eat together; this unity and brotherhood is getting stronger all the time.
Allah says: “Say to the believing women, that she should lower her gaze and guard her modesty, and display not her beauty, except what appears ordinarily off, and to draw a head covering over the bosom. …’ (Quran 24:31).
As a result, the Hijab (the modest Islamic dress) is flourishing throughout the world of Islam as well as in Europe, America, Africa and Asia. The Hijab of Muslim woman is a statement that says, “Deal with my mind not my body”.
In the Glorious Quran, Allah says, “O Muslims say, we believe in Allah, and (in) that which had been revealed to us, and (in) that which was revealed to Ibrahim (Abraham), Isma’il (Ishmael), Ishaq (Isaac), Ya’qub (Jacob), and (in) that which was given to Moosa (Moses) and Isa (Jesus) and in that which was given to all prophets from their Lord. We distinguish not between any one of them, and to Him do we submit and with Him we are in peace”.
As a result, Muslims revere all prophets, all faiths and believe in peaceful co-existence and believe in spreading peace throughout the world.
In the Glorious Quran, Allah the Exalted says Islam will prevail over all the ideologies, beliefs, isms, and religions.
And Islam has been expanding ever since its advent with Prophet Adam, the first man on earth, and its final version with Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)14 centuries ago.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
