Ramadhan is a month of learning for it brings different lessons to Muslims during their fasting period of the day, from the dawn to the sunset. This month is the holiest month in the Islamic Calendar and a significant occasion for Muslims worldwide. It's importance and value as a month is marked in different forms and rituals over the month-long period. Ramadhan stands as a generous guest visiting every house of Muslims, bringing blessings and graces of different sorts.
In a point of fact, fasting was first prescribed in the month of Ramadhan and assigned to other nations before it has been assigned to the nation of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). This has been affirmed in the Holy Quran when the Almighty Allah addressed people in the verse: “O you who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil.”
The key significance of Ramadhan is marked by the reveal of the Holy Quran. This is acknowledged by the verse of the Quran, "The month of Ramadhan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights the month, he/she must observe fasts that month and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number of days which one did not observe fasts must be made up from other days".
Moreover, fasting urges Muslims to revive different aspects of living practices in life. Fasting goes beyond its physical requirements and benefits. For instance, personal desires, morning coffee, cigarette and breakfast, meals throughout the day time are all given up for a noble cause, which is the purification one’s soul and inner self. Fasting is a spiritual practice that does not just consist of refraining from eating and drinking, but from every kind of selfish desires and wrong-doings too.
Generally, observing Ramadhan brings a sort of spiritual aspect that complements social, physical and moral parts. Spiritually, Ramadhan can be regarded as the victory of the soul over earthly needs. Fasting is not merely of the body, but basically of the spirit as well. In fact, the ultimate purpose of fasting is to acquire Taqwa, or the feeling that Allah is watching us all the time. As well, it intends to enhance the feeling of closeness to Allah, so Muslims perform extra prayers and recitation of the Holy Quran.
Further, fasting teaches self-restraint, self-confidence and persistence. A fasting Muslim should refrain from anger, foul language and gossip. Fasting also helps developing and strengthening one’s power of self-control to resist wrong desires and bad habits. Besides, fasting promotes charity and generosity as Muslims get more sympathetic with the suffering of others.
On the other hand, fasting reminds Muslims of all those poor people and needy families within the society. It basically reflects the daily struggles of poor people who are striving to afford the food stuff and other life necessities for themselves and their families. For that reason, Muslims become more thoughtful and sympathetic to their poor brothers and sisters during Ramadhan. In return, good deeds are usually conducted in this month to reflect the spirit of giving and care among people.
Overall, fasting is a valuable experience towards achieving self-improvement and reform. Ramadhan marks the best time to start sustaining the good deeds and principles to be habitual in everyday life. Actually, Ramadhan is a school that teaches rewarding lessons and gives an insightful experience! Thus, it is the time to evaluate one’s spiritual and physical values.
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