Ramadan A month of Blessing

The month of Fasting for Muslims across the world has a significant importance. First of all The “Holy Qur’an” was sent down in the month of Ramadan as guidance for mankind and was revealed to Holy Prophet Muhammad (may peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) word by word. The Holy Qur’an was completed in the period of twenty two years and five months from 610-632 A.D.

There are five pillars of Islam and Fasting is the fifth pillar in Islam and obligatory for those who can fast from pre-dawn to nearly sunset (during this prescribed times no food and drinks are allowed). People who are traveling, sick, on prescription medicine and or under age are exempt from holding the fast. However, if they must find the hungery or donate a set amount for the days they missed their fast and this applies to those who can fast not the kids or expecting mothers to be.

A typical day of fasting is started with reciting the prayer “O Allah, I observed the fast for your sake. I believe in you and I put the fast with what you have provided me.” After this prayer Muslims eat their “sehar” (morning meal) and they start with pre-dawn prayer followed by the first obligatory prayer at its prescribed time (there are five daily prayers that are obligatory to perform for muslims from the age of ten).

The month of Ramadan doesn’t mean to just refrain from food and drink but it also brings man/woman equally closer to God almighty and sets an equal ground to feel how the poor and low privileged go through. It also teaches discipline and keeps us healthy. Reciting the Holy Qur’an and silent prayers as well as doing good deeds brings man/woman brings a clear purpose in life. The goal is to achieve good moral values for the whole year constantly asking our lord, the creator of this universe to forgive us for our sins and our mistakes and keep us on straight path. This can be the time of self reformation as well just like people have new year resolution.

At the end of Ramadan Muslims have their religious festival called “Eid-ul Fitr”. On that day children are given money from their parents and families and friends give each other gifts according to their economical condition. The purpose of celebration is not to have lavish gathering and spend unnecessarily on good clothes and shoes since modesty is part of our belief. There is also a prayer in the Mosque and Sermon by the missionary and then everyone join in to wish each other and enjoy their time with family and friends. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community prepares ahead of time for the day of "EID", countless hours of all ages and genders are spent contributing to make the event successful and give other people the true picture of Islam. Ramadan can come because it revolves around a specific time and can occur during hot and humid days of the summer. The Ahmadiyya Muslim community first listens to what the Head of their community, His Holiness Hazrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad; the 5th successor to Promised Messiah instructs the community to do. We don't tell others but show from our example that we are a unique community always struggling to spread the message of love and peace because that was the whole purpose of the establishment of our community by the reformer of the Latter Days; Promised Messiah (may God be pleased with him).

I hope that Muslims across the globe end their differences and become exemplary and are not labeled with terrorist since the religion Islam; means peace. Happy Ramadan to all my friends!

BY: Amtul Shakoor Din