A Season that Brings Peace and serenity
The month of Ramzan is a joyous period when worldwide, believers fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Though fasting is beneficial to health, it is essentially regarded as a method of self-purification and spiritual elevation. By denying himself food, a fasting person gains sympathy for those who go hungry, which in turn prompts him to give more to the poor and needy. The main aim of fasting. however, is to weaken man's dependence on material things and strengthen his spiritual resolve, so that he may enter the higher realms of faith and piety. So fasting during Ramzan is a unique opportunity to focus on doing good and abstaining from evil. Although the fast is prescribed for just one month every year, the spirit of fasting is far more endur- ing. It brings man closer to God by showing him how to withdraw from the world while still being a part of it. It shows man the way to fulfil his spiritual obligations in the turmoil of the materialistic world. That is why fasting during Ramzan is a way of attaining peace of mind. Ramzan is the month of heightened God-conscious- ness, of attaining piety and training ourselves to be good human beings. Instead of indulging in gossiping, lying, slandering and generally exhibiting all other traits of bad character, one is focused on improving one's character by cultivating good habits In doing so the believer's inner self inches closer day by day towards a state of righteousness, worship- fulness, devotion and piety, which elevates the soul to a condition of superior spiritual bliss. It is a path which Prophet Muhammad himself had set. During Ramzan he would engage himself in prayer and praise the Almighty throughout the day, especially while breaking the fast at sunset. Just before sunset, when the fast reaches its climax, the believer experiences closeness to his Creator. Perhaps for this reason, Prophet Muhammad included in five kinds of people whose sup- plications were never turned down by Allah a fasting person at the time of breaking his fast (the others being a just ruler, an oppressed person, a parent who entreated for his children and a traveller in the cause of Allah). The Prophet divided the month of fasting into three parts. He called the first 10 days "blessings", the next 10 days "forgiveness" and the last 10 days "freedom from Hellfire". The Prophet also said, "The best days of this world are the last 10 days of Ramzan." Therefore, during the last 10 days the Prophet's family would join him in what they called "the tighten ing of the belt"- indicating serious devotion. For this reason, as the month draws to a close during the last 10 days, worshippers give more time to prayers, give more in charity and read as much as possible from the Qur'an. beseeching their Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. The Night of Power or Lailatul Qadr falls during this period. During this night the destiny of everything is written down for the forth coming year. The importance of this night is signalled by the fact that the first revelation of the Qur'an was made on this night. The Prophet urged us to seek out this night from among the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramzan, especially the 27th night. Therefore, one should endeavour to worship more on these nights in search of Lailatul Qadr. Worshipping during this night is considered to be very significant. When the Prophet was asked by his wife, Aisha Siddiqa, what one's prayer should be if one finds the Lailatul Qadr, he taught her this simple prayer: "Allahuma innaka afuwwun, tuhibbul afuwa, fa afuwanni". - "O Allah, You are forgiving, You love forgiveness, so forgive me.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Saniyasnain Khan kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Saniyasnain Khan Speaking Tree ,Times of India
A Season that Brings Peace and serenity
The month of Ramzan is a joyous period when worldwide, believers fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. Though fasting is beneficial to health, it is essentially regarded as a method of self-purification and spiritual elevation. By denying himself food, a fasting person gains sympathy for those who go hungry, which in turn prompts him to give more to the poor and needy. The main aim of fasting. however, is to weaken man's dependence on material things and strengthen his spiritual resolve, so that he may enter the higher realms of faith and piety. So fasting during Ramzan is a unique opportunity to focus on doing good and abstaining from evil. Although the fast is prescribed for just one month every year, the spirit of fasting is far more endur- ing. It brings man closer to God by showing him how to withdraw from the world while still being a part of it. It shows man the way to fulfil his spiritual obligations in the turmoil of the materialistic world. That is why fasting during Ramzan is a way of attaining peace of mind. Ramzan is the month of heightened God-conscious- ness, of attaining piety and training ourselves to be good human beings. Instead of indulging in gossiping, lying, slandering and generally exhibiting all other traits of bad character, one is focused on improving one's character by cultivating good habits In doing so the believer's inner self inches closer day by day towards a state of righteousness, worship- fulness, devotion and piety, which elevates the soul to a condition of superior spiritual bliss. It is a path which Prophet Muhammad himself had set. During Ramzan he would engage himself in prayer and praise the Almighty throughout the day, especially while breaking the fast at sunset. Just before sunset, when the fast reaches its climax, the believer experiences closeness to his Creator. Perhaps for this reason, Prophet Muhammad included in five kinds of people whose sup- plications were never turned down by Allah a fasting person at the time of breaking his fast (the others being a just ruler, an oppressed person, a parent who entreated for his children and a traveller in the cause of Allah). The Prophet divided the month of fasting into three parts. He called the first 10 days "blessings", the next 10 days "forgiveness" and the last 10 days "freedom from Hellfire". The Prophet also said, "The best days of this world are the last 10 days of Ramzan." Therefore, during the last 10 days the Prophet's family would join him in what they called "the tighten ing of the belt"- indicating serious devotion. For this reason, as the month draws to a close during the last 10 days, worshippers give more time to prayers, give more in charity and read as much as possible from the Qur'an. beseeching their Lord for His mercy and forgiveness. The Night of Power or Lailatul Qadr falls during this period. During this night the destiny of everything is written down for the forth coming year. The importance of this night is signalled by the fact that the first revelation of the Qur'an was made on this night. The Prophet urged us to seek out this night from among the odd nights of the last 10 nights of Ramzan, especially the 27th night. Therefore, one should endeavour to worship more on these nights in search of Lailatul Qadr. Worshipping during this night is considered to be very significant. When the Prophet was asked by his wife, Aisha Siddiqa, what one's prayer should be if one finds the Lailatul Qadr, he taught her this simple prayer: "Allahuma innaka afuwwun, tuhibbul afuwa, fa afuwanni". - "O Allah, You are forgiving, You love forgiveness, so forgive me.
DISCLAIMER:
The views expressed in the Article above are Saniyasnain Khan kashmiribhatta.in is not in any way responsible for the opinions expressed in the above article. The article belongs to its respective owner or owners and this site does not claim any right over it.
Courtesy: Saniyasnain Khan Speaking Tree ,Times of India