People always seek moments that bring happiness, enjoyment and satisfaction; they chase thrills and chills. Such fun-making moments bring sympathy and emotions of delight between people. Usually, to guarantee a real happiness, one must be true to oneself, honest with those around and treat others fairly. Actually, getting a real source of happiness comes by having an inner peace. If one’s mind is peaceful, he/she shall be happy all the time, regardless of all other external circumstances.
However, if the mind is disturbed or burdened in one way or the other, one shall never be happy, no matter how good the external conditions might be. Having a peaceful mind is what mostly makes people happy and this could be understood through experience of course! For instance, the moment you get angry, you lose your sense of happiness even if you live a beautiful surrounding, enjoying everything you need.
This usually happens because of anger, which destroys one’s peace of mind. It has been attributed that the only way through which one can sustain inner peace is by training the mind and body through different spiritual practices. Hence Ramadhan marks an ideal season to develop and strengthen one’s inner peace.
For Muslims, Ramadhan enables to work on recovering their inner peace. Fasting, ritual prayers, recitation of the Holy Quran and Remembrance of Allah throughout the month of fasting are just to name a few ways to recover one’s peace. In fact, Ramadhan brings happiness, goodness, spiritual enlightenment, rewards, and physical and spiritual benefits to Muslims. That is why most of them become more self-controlled and compassionate during Ramadhan.
Another way of building on inner peace is the different feelings of emotional excitement and religious enthusiasm that Ramadhan brings among Muslims of all ages. From the way of welcoming this month, Muslims look forward to the excitement of sighting the moon and start fasting. Also, they get stimulated to gather with their families and loved ones for breaking the fast. Moreover, they appreciate the opportunity to double their rewards from the Almighty Allah and seek forgiveness for their sins.
Further, Ramadhan renews enthusiasm for worship and devotion to Allah. While fasting, they become more serious and careful of their daily prayers and other rituals. Being the month of blessings and double rewards, Muslims, in this month, strengthen and deepen their religious attitude and relation with Allah. The first 10 days of Ramadhan are regarded of mercy, second 10 days are of forgiveness and the last 10 days are of being freed from hell. Ramadhan is a month in which mercy and blessings of Allah descend continuously upon Muslims.
Likewise, Ramadhan stands as the time of renewing direct contact with the Holy Quran as both are linked from the beginning. In this month, the holy Quran was revealed as a guidance to Muslims. As stated in the verse, "The month of Ramadan is the month in which the holy Quran was revealed as a guidance for humanity, as a clear proof of that guidance, and as a criterion for distinguishing between right and wrong”.
Many regard Ramadhan as the time of character-building, where Muslims can find themselves again and bring themselves closer to Allah. Throughout the full month of fasting, Muslims have to change their physical and emotional characters. They tend to be more obedient worshipers, striving to change for a better person. Ramadhan is the spring season for goodness and virtues when righteousness blossoms throughout Muslim communities. It offers every Muslim an opportunity to strengthen personal belief, purify heart and soul and to remove the evil effects of the committed sins.
Most importantly, the rewards for good deeds are multiplied manifold during Ramadhan. Thus, it is the month that Muslims await with eagerness. Whenever the month of Ramadhan approaches, happiness and joy return to Muslims worldwide for it brings the greatest gifts of Allah.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
