Fasting is an important basic act of worship in Islam. Like every act of worship in Islam, there is a lot of wisdom in fasting. Moreover, the importance and significance of fasting in our lives are immense. The true teachings of love for creation and desire for welfare should be reflected in our hearts and lives through Ramadan. In addition to worship in Ramadan, it is also necessary to acquire education in some humanities. Let’s see what we can learn from Ramadan.
The Teachings of Holy Ramadan
Taqwa or Fear of Allah
Taqwa means fear of Allah (God). Ramadan teaches us the most, taqwa. In the last verse of the verse in which Allah has declared fasting obligatory, He said, “So that you may attain taqwa.” A fasting person can eat something secretly in the corner of the house if he wants. But, no one does that as the person has fear of Allah. But, we should not only fear Allah during Ramadan, we should hold fear all time. We can learn this lesson of Ramadan and apply it to our daily life by doing good deeds by knowing that Allah is watching us.
Self-control
Self-control means to suppress oneself, to control oneself. In other months, we do bad things or use bad words, these happen very rarely among us during Ramadan. For the sake of the purity of Ramadan, many times we refrain from these misdeeds by thinking about the sanctity of Ramadan. This habit of self-control is formed in us only during the month of Ramadan and we need to continue this throughout the year.
Patience
Iftar items are ready on the table, but we are not taking anything until the Azan or the exact time to break the fast. This is patience. Someone hurts you, but you did not reply back as you are fasting. This teaches us passion.
Further, Ramadan teaches us great patience even in worship. We are fasting every day and after completing the Esha prayer we are performing 20 Rakat Taraweeh prayers. This also teaches us patience, which we can use in our real life.
In other months, sometimes our laziness comes during performing obligatory prayers, but during Ramadan, our laziness does not come at all. That’s how Ramadan teaches our patience
Moderate Diet
It is forbidden in the hadith to eat too much and the negative effects of eating up to the throat are also mentioned in the hadith. Medical science also warns us about this. We are consciously or subconsciously careful about this in the month of Ramadan. Hence, we tend to eat less food in iftar as we have to attend Taraweeh.
Moreover, we eat as little food as possible in Iftar, otherwise, it will be difficult to perform Taraweeh. We can imply this throughout the year to keep ourselves healthy. So, we can make it a habit for the rest of the year and keep this lesson in our minds.
Good sense of discipline
The well-disciplined feeling that Ramadan teaches us every day, from Sehri to Tarabeeh, is important to our lives, even if we don’t see it. During Ramadan, every fasting person has a specific routine, according to which the person manages the whole day. We have to carry this Ramadan-given routine for the sake of welfare even after Ramadan.
Helping the Poor
Ramadan actually gives us a special opportunity to help the poor through Zakat and donation. During Ramadan, almost every eligible person pays Zakat to the rightful owners according to their ability. Through this Zakat, we create special sympathy for the poor, orphans, and helpless people of society. We can keep this as a habit even after Ramadan throughout the year.
Provide Food to Other
The beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has clearly told us that there is a great reward if we feed someone. In Ramadan, many people come forward to arrange Iftar-sehri for the helpless, aiming to get huge rewards. It awakens a kind of human feeling in us. The gentle mentality of giving food to the hungry develops in us. This is a great lesson we can make a habit even after Ramadan.
Lighten the Labor of the Workers
Ramadan has been instructed to lighten the burden of hardship on employees and to be kind to the workers. Workers’ rights are important in Islam. His labor hours, labor value, social status, and rights are preserved in the most beautiful way in Islam.
In addition, during the month of Ramadan, it has been instructed to alleviate the sufferings of the workers, and Allah forgives the person who reduces the workload of his slaves and employees during this month. However, the opposite situation is observed in our country. We can learn this empathy from Ramadan and imply to our life after Ramadan too.
Suppression of Malice
Fasting is the best tool to suppress evil instincts. As a result, people tend to refrain from sin and get encouragement for good deeds That is why fasting has been called the shield of salvation from sin Narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA), Rasulullah (SAW) said, “Allah Ta’ala said, ‘Fasting is a shield.’
Equality and Harmony
All Muslims at the same time, in the month of Ramadan, abide by the same rules, refraining from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk. And collectively, that is, rich-poor, fair-black, men and women all obey the command of Allah together. Hence, the image of great unity emerged. Fasting teaches people to refrain from quarrels and fights In this way, it encourages the establishment of harmony and love between each other.
Final Words
These teachings and leassons of Ramadan will be effective only when we apply these in the remaining 11 months of the year. We have to spend the every day of our lives focusing on these lessons and applying them to our daily life.
Source: United News of Bangladesh